RELIGION, TRADITION AND THE STATUS OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN MAMPRUGU, GHANA: GENDER, AGENCY, TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY AND SOCIOECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

Mohammed Umar Ibn Raees, Yunus Dumbe, Margaret Makafui Tayviah, Nathan Iddrisu Samwini, Adam Konadu, Baako Mahamadu

Abstract


This article examines the status of Muslim women in Mamprugu, Ghana, through the interconnected dimensions of religion, tradition, gender, political authority, economic life, and community development. Mamprugu provides an important context because Islamic practices coexist with a resilient traditional political system centred on the Nayiri, while women navigate expectations within families, religious institutions, markets, agriculture, and traditional governance. Using a qualitative, interpretive documentary-review approach, the article synthesises Mamprugu-focused materials with scholarly literature on Muslim women, gender relations, customary authority, education, land access, economic empowerment, traditional leadership, and community development. The analysis reveals a central paradox: although Muslim women face structural disadvantages, they exercise meaningful agency through Queen Mother institutions, Magaziya and other leadership roles, religious organisations, agriculture, trading, informal enterprises, education, peacebuilding, and community mobilisation. Women’s status is therefore shaped not by Islam or tradition alone, but by their interaction with religious interpretations, customary practices, patriarchal authority, socioeconomic resources, and women’s strategies of negotiation. The article highlights challenges involving land, credit, education, marriage, widowhood, political participation, and witchcraft accusations. It concludes that culturally grounded empowerment should distinguish Islamic principles from patriarchal customs while strengthening education, productive resources, decision-making, female leadership, and Muslim women’s organisations.

Keywords


Muslim women; Mamprugu; gender; tradition; women’s empowerment

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v12i5.2317

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