Women in premodern Ghanaian society were seen as bearers of children, retailers of fish, and farmers. Within the orthodox sphere, the childbearing ability of women was explained as the means by which lineage ancestors were allowed to be reborn. Barrenness was, therefore, considered the greatest misfortune. In precolonial times, polygamy was promoted, particularly for wealthy men. Anthropologists have explained the practice as a orthodox method for well-to-do men to procreate additional labor. In patrilineal societies, dowry received from marrying off daughters was also a orthodox means for fathers to accumulate additional wealth. Given the male dominance in orthodox society, some economic anthropologists have explained a female's ability to reproduce as the most valuable means by which women ensured social and economic security for themselves, particularly if they bore male children.

In orthodox society, marriage under customary law was often arranged or agreed upon by the fathers and other senior kinsmen of the prospective bride and bridegroom. This type of marriage served to link the two groups together in social relationships; hence, marriage within the ethnic group and in the immediate locality was promoted. The age at which marriage was arranged varied among ethnic groups, but men generally married women somewhat younger than they were. Some of the marriages were even arranged by the families long before the girl attained nubility. In these matters, family considerations outweighed personal ones--a situation that further reinforced the subservient position of the wife.

The overall impact of women on Ghanaian society cannot be overemphasized. The social and economic well-being of women, who as mothers, traders, farmers, and office workers compose slightly more than half of the nation's population, cannot be taken for granted. This was precisely the position taken by NCWD, which sponsored a number of studies on women's work, education, and training, and on family issues that are relevant in the design and execution of policies for the improvement of the condition of women. Among these considerations the NCWD stressed family planning, child care, and female education as paramount.