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Author(s):
Editor in Chief.
Page No :
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African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Volume 5 Issue 2, Cover Pages
Abstract
African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Volume 5 Issue 2, Cover Pages
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Author(s):
Benjamin Boateng.
Page No : 1-20
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District Assemblies and Provision of Social Services in Ghana. Interrogating Educational and Health Care Infrastructure and Services in Bekwai Municipality
Abstract
This study assesses District Assemblies’ contributions towards the provision of educational and health care infrastructure and services in the Bekwai Municipality. Questionnaires were administered to one hundred (100) households and fifty (50) Assembly Members while in-depth interviews were conducted with the Municipal Directors of Education and Health Services as well as the Planning and Chief Executive Officers. The chi-square test statistics were employed in the inferential analysis. It was found out that activities of the Assembly have expanded education and health infrastructure. This was seen in the consistent increase in providing more school facilities and renovating dilapidated ones as well as providing health facilities and CHPS compounds in remote areas to provide basic health services. Despite these achievements, for more than three decades into the implementation of the decentralisation policy, there still exist inequalities in the provision of education and health infrastructure and services in most communities in Bekwai Municipal. In order to improve equality in access to education and health services within the context of decentralisation, the study recommends: the provision of health and educational facilities should be fully supervised by the respective departments at the sub-national level; the provision of health and educational infrastructure must go through proper identification through to the operational stages to ensure adequate stakeholders participation and the capacity of the assembly in providing health and educational infrastructure and services should be enhanced.
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Author(s):
Elsabet Dessalegn Regassa, Victoria Ankrah.
Page No : 21-33
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Understanding the Impediments to the Development of Rehabilitation Programs in Ethiopia and Ghana: The Case of Dire Dawa Federal Prison and Nsawam Medium Security Prison
Abstract
There have been enormous debates about the impacts of rehabilitation programs in prisons from diverse perspectives. While others believe that rehabilitation programs cannot disassociate a person from committing a crime, significant arguments have been for the positives of the programs. The purpose of the study was to pinpoint the major difficulties encountered in the development of rehabilitation programs in Ethiopia and Ghana. Qualitative research was conducted in Dire Dawa Federal Prison and the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, having inmates, ex-inmates, and prison administrators as participants. The major impediments common to the two settings are a shortage of financial and infrastructural support, an insufficient supply of raw materials, issues related to perceptions, and a lack of motivation to work. These findings aim at helping concerned government agencies and stakeholders work on the impediments and open the issue for advanced research.
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Author(s):
Mark Millas Coffie, Obed Elikplim Korveh, Gershon Yeboah , Rita Nimo.
Page No : 34-51
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Nana Ama Adadziewaa!: The Voice Behind Popular Hit Songs in Ghana?
Abstract
In this paper, we unravel the personality, musical exploits, challenges and contribution of Nana Ama Adadziewaa, Ghana’s iconic female background vocalist to the music industry. Using interviews, documents and audio reviews for data collection, we reveal that Nana Ama Adadziewaa’s voice is behind a corpus of popular hit songs in Ghana. Furthermore, her voice is heard on the Ghanaian airwaves nearly every day; however, this does not bring her any economic gains due to Ghana's poor royalty collection system. We conclude by eulogising Nana Ama Adadziewaa as a model of excellence in the background vocals of Ghanaian popular music and a significant contributor to the Ghanaian music industry. Subsequently, we recommend that the Ghana Music Right Organisation (GHAMRO) and relevant stakeholders enhance the royalty collection system in Ghana so that Nana Ama Adadziewaa and her contemporaries benefit as a matter of urgency from their hard work.
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Author(s):
Chilaka Francis Chigozie (Ph.D), Peter Thankgod Oyinmiebi.
Page No : 52-64
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Resurgence of Military Coups in West Africa: Implications for ECOWAS
Abstract
The resurgence of military coups in West Africa has been alarming in the last decade. With over 20 failed and successful coups in recent times, the implication of this to the peace, security and stability of the region has raised serious concerns among scholars. This growing concern comes from the argument that democracy is dying as well as failing in the sub-region. More so, the sub-region is confronted with grave security, (banditry, terrorism, arms proliferation, drug trafficking, among other forms of crimes and criminality) economic (rising poverty, declining economic growth), citizens’ discontent and leadership crisis. As such, the spate of coups has been seen as the product of the aforementioned issues. ECOWAS as a sub-regional body with the task of promoting economic and political development through integration cannot fulfil this goal in the current state of coups. Therefore, this study seeks to interrogate the implications of these coups on the effectiveness of the sub-regional institution in promoting peace and maintaining democracy. Relying essentially on qualitative data, predicated on the regulative capability analytical framework, which is an integral part of Almond’s General Systems theory, the paper argues that the current approach of sanctions as a deterrent to coups is not effective enough as it affects the citizens than the military. Given this, the paper recommends that ECOWAS strengthens sub-regional democracy, promotes good governance and addresses the challenges of leadership in West Africa.
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Author(s):
Osude Bala Osumanyi.
Page No : 65-88
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Mass Media and Democratic Stability in Nasarawa State: A Study of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (1999-2006).
Abstract
The research investigated the relationship between the mass media and democratic stability in Nasarawa State using Nasarawa Broadcasting Service as a case in point. The research thus examined the impact of the mass media on democratic stability in Nasarawa State. Methodologically, survey research design was adopted where the study utilized both primary and secondary sources of data collections. Under the primary sources of data collection, the study utilized both questionnaires and oral interviews while the secondary sources of data was the review of textbooks, periodicals, internet sources, monographs and other unpublished materials relevant to the study. The study was anchored on social responsibility theory as a framework of analysis. The findings of the study revealed that the role of mass media in the stability of democracy in Nasarawa State has not been as desired arising largely as a result of the constraints to it. It is evident from the study that so many factors and forces have militated against its operations such as inadequate budgeting allocation or poor funding, victimization of journalists, poor remuneration, serious censorship of NBS programme by the government, bias nature of station, inadequate professionals and many others problems. The study therefore on the basis of the above recommends amongst other things required funding that will address the operational challenges of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service for effective promotion of democracy.
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Author(s):
Okwor Emmanuel Ejimnkonye, Eneoli Obinna Callistus, Ezeoha Patrick Ogbu, Nkama Nkama Orji.
Page No : 105-118
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Exchange Rate, Trade Facilitation and International Flows in West African Monetary Zone (1992-2021)
Abstract
This study examined the relationships that exist between exchange rate, trade facilitation and international flows on economic growth in West African monetary zone (1992-2021).The study used annual data covering the periods 1992 to 2021 and the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDLM) was employed. Preliminary tests like the unit root test, co-integration test and vector error correction model (VECM) were carried out during the study. Some of the explanatory variables and the explained variable were proxied, logged and differenced as the case may be so as to achieve the desired objectives without compromise. The study observed that the exchange rate has a negative influence on economic growth in the West African monetary zone, and trade facilitation and international flows have a positive influence on economic growth. The study, therefore, recommends that 1) diversification of the economy from import to the export-based economy is fundamental for economic growth and hence development. This can be achieved through efficient and effective regulation of foreign exchange and political stability, which are very volatile macroeconomic variables.(ii) A common currency basket in the West African monetary zone be established, as this will reduce the adverse effect of exchange rate volatility on trading partners across West Africa.
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Author(s):
Endurance Uzobo (Ph.D), Blessing O. Moroyei.
Page No : 119-130
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Social Networks Correlate to Fertility Intentions and Realization among Menopausal Women in Suburban Areas of Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study examined the roles of social networks in fertility intentions and realization among menopausal women in suburban areas of Bayelsa State. Although studies have previously shown the influence that social networks have on fertility behaviour, their roles on fertility intentions and realization among women before menopause especially in the suburban areas remained unknown. Social network theory provided the theoretical base for this study while a retrospective cross-sectional research was employed for the design. A multistage sampling technique was utilized to distribute 385 copies of structured questionnaires to menopausal women (aged 50+ years). The quantitative data were analysed with the use of descriptive statistics. The average age of the respondents was 52.88±3.20 years. Findings revealed that the social networks available before menopause ranged from relatives (26.4%), neighbours (22.0%), husbands’ relatives (11.1%), religious group members (11.1%), friends (7.5%), co-workers (3.6%) and community heads (3.6%). The highest percentage of social networks that influenced the use of contraceptives before menopause was relatives (33.5%). Also, social networks were significantly related to family planning use (x2=102.41, DF=6, p<0.05). The result also showed that relatives (42.6%) had the highest influence on the number of children intended before menopause, while friends (24.2%) and relatives (23.6%) had the highest proportion of influence on the total number of children that were ever born. In conclusion, different forms of social networks influenced respondents’ fertility behaviour. It is therefore recommended that the use of social networks should be considered a critical factor in designing reproductive health policy among women as an informal mechanism of disseminating reproductive health information.
