ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that people of all socio-economic status are involved in urban agriculture. It examines the general characteristics of urban farmers in Accra. It is impossible to generalize whether men or women form the majority of urban farmers in sub-Saharan Africa because it differs from region to region or from country to country. During the colonial period and to some extent the early part of political independence, women formed the majority of urban farmers in West Africa due to, among other factors, their limited educational background and the fact that they were discouraged from dwelling in towns and cities. Land is the most important factor when examining farming, thus a farmer should either own or rent the land he/she cultivates. The farmers are reluctant to approach government officials for fear of complicating issues. The most important reason for urban farmers to quit farming is sickness/death.
