Abstract An analysis of the dynamics of access to resources is important for a fuller understanding of rural livelihoods especially with changing times and technology. This paper uses benefits from charcoal production and trade in the forest savanna transition zone of Ghana as a case to explore the dynamics of access in time and space and the mechanisms various social actors apply in order to benefit. The study applies an analytical framework combining the revised property rights framework with “A Theory of Access”. Participatory rural appraisal methods, stakeholder meetings, document reviews and interviews were conducted with social actors along the charcoal commodity chain in Ghana. The paper shows that the ability to benefit from charcoal is more dependent on property than other mechanisms of access, and both customary and statutory institutions are involved in mediating access to charcoal in the area. The realization of economic benefits of charcoal led to a contestation between chiefs and family heads over rights to trees on family lands in some communities and changes in the mode of payment for trees used in producing charcoal. Scarcity and concern over sustainability of trees have also driven the dynamics of the access mechanisms. Chiefs have strengthened their authority in charcoal-producing communities and the low presence of statutory institutions with de jure mandate to regulate the charcoal sector in those communities has implication on plans by the state to formalize and regularize charcoal production and trade in the country. We envisage four adverse effects from the government’s attempt to formalize the charcoal sector – elite capture, exclusion of vulnerable and marginalized people, criminalization of livelihoods and loss of rights. We recommend that the planned formalization should be devoid of directives that would make charcoal production and trade prohibitive for low-income households.

中文翻译：

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财产和其他获取机制的动态：加纳的木炭生产和贸易案例

摘要 对资源获取动态的分析对于更全面地了解农村生计非常重要，尤其是随着时代和技术的变化。本文以加纳热带稀树草原过渡区木炭生产和贸易的收益为例，探讨了时间和空间上的获取动态以及各种社会参与者为受益而应用的机制。该研究应用了一个分析框架，将修订后的产权框架与“获取理论”相结合。参与式农村评估方法、利益相关者会议、文件审查和访谈是与加纳木炭商品链沿线的社会参与者进行的。该论文表明，与其他获取机制相比，从木炭中受益的能力更依赖于财产，习惯和法定机构都参与调解该地区木炭的获取。木炭经济效益的实现导致一些社区的酋长和户主之间在家庭土地上的树木权利方面发生了争执，以及用于生产木炭的树木支付方式的变化。对树木可持续性的稀缺性和担忧也推动了获取机制的动态。酋长加强了他们在木炭生产社区的权威，而在法律上有权监管这些社区木炭部门的法定机构很少，这意味着国家计划使该国的木炭生产和贸易正规化和规范化。我们设想政府试图将木炭行业正规化会产生四个不利影响——精英俘获、弱势和边缘化人群的排斥、生计定罪和权利丧失。我们建议计划中的正规化应该避免指令使低收入家庭无法生产和交易木炭。