Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Explaining Positions On Same-Sex Sexuality In Conservative Societies : Do Cultural And Religious Precepts Matter?, Padmore Adusei Amoah, Razak Mohammed Gyasi, Joseph Edusei

Dr. AMOAH Padmore Adusei

Studies show that social rituals, norms, and values shape perspectives on sexuality in many heteronormative societies. However, a handful of studies have explored the underlying factors and reasoning behind this assertion. Leaning on the theory of social integration, this study qualitatively explored how residents in Kumasi Metropolitan area in Ghana, explained their perception of same-sex sexuality given the profound religious and cultural milieu. Drawing on in-depth interviews and a group discussion, data were obtained from adults aged 18 to 59 years for the study. The findings supported the claim that same-sex sexuality is disapproved in conservative societies. Reasons and concerns …

Social Institutions And Same-Sex Sexuality : Attitudes, Perceptions And Prospective Rights And Freedoms For Non-Heterosexuals, Padmore Adusei Amoah, Razak Mohammed Gyasi

Dr. AMOAH Padmore Adusei

Religious and cultural values have been used as a yardstick to disregard the rights and freedoms of people in non-normative sexual relationships in many African countries. However, little is known about the extent to which this assertion is empirically buttressed by public opinion in the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana. Employing in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion, this study sought public opinion on how religious and cultural precepts informed attitudes and perception on same-sex sexuality. Twenty people who were aged 19 to 60 years participated in the study. The phenomenon of same-sex sexuality was expressively distasteful to majority of participants …

Social Institutions And Same-Sex Sexuality : Attitudes, Perceptions And Prospective Rights And Freedoms For Non-Heterosexuals, Padmore Adusei Amoah, Razak Mohammed Gyasi

Mr. GYASI Razak Mohammed

Religious and cultural values have been used as a yardstick to disregard the rights and freedoms of people in non-normative sexual relationships in many African countries. However, little is known about the extent to which this assertion is empirically buttressed by public opinion in the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana. Employing in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion, this study sought public opinion on how religious and cultural precepts informed attitudes and perception on same-sex sexuality. Twenty people who were aged 19 to 60 years participated in the study. The phenomenon of same-sex sexuality was expressively distasteful to majority of participants …

Explaining Positions On Same-Sex Sexuality In Conservative Societies : Do Cultural And Religious Precepts Matter?, Padmore Adusei Amoah, Razak Mohammed Gyasi, Joseph Edusei

Mr. GYASI Razak Mohammed

Studies show that social rituals, norms, and values shape perspectives on sexuality in many heteronormative societies. However, a handful of studies have explored the underlying factors and reasoning behind this assertion. Leaning on the theory of social integration, this study qualitatively explored how residents in Kumasi Metropolitan area in Ghana, explained their perception of same-sex sexuality given the profound religious and cultural milieu. Drawing on in-depth interviews and a group discussion, data were obtained from adults aged 18 to 59 years for the study. The findings supported the claim that same-sex sexuality is disapproved in conservative societies. Reasons and concerns …

Ghana Armed Forces In Lebanon And Liberia Peace Operations, Emmanuel Kotia

Emmanuel Wekem Kotia

Does Education Signal Ability In Ghana? An Analysis Comparing Wage Earners With The Self-Employed, Sara Gundersen

Sara Gundersen

“Shaping The Family”: Individual’S Capabilities To Exercise Reproductive Rights Seen Through A Qualitative Survey, Claudine Sauvain-Dugerdil, Thomas Antwi Bosiakoh, Samba Diarra, A. Piraud, Samba Diop, J Anarfi, S Agyei-Mensah

Dr Thomas ANTWI BOSIAKOH

We analyze here the outcome of focus group discussions and individual interviews conducted in Mali and Ghana. The aim is to identify collective images about family norms and emergence of alternative values, and to examine people’s degree of ambivalence towards norms and their ability to conceive and realize their own family plans. Discourses show that family life plans should not be seen as pre established. Ability to shape the family appears conjectural both as regards current resources and the position in the family trajectory. In both countries, two types of resources play a key role: schooling and influence/support from the …

Analysis Of The Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Street Hawking: A Case Study Of The Accra Metropolitan Area, Alex Owusu Barimah, Stephen Abrokwah, Stephen Frimpong

Stephen Frimpong

To the street hawker, it is a means of making a living but to the managers of the metropolis, street hawking is a menace. These differences in perception have led to a game plan tied to spatio-temporal diurnal traffic regimes. While the city authorities plan may be to evict the street hawkers, the plan of the hawkers is to outwit the city authorities through make-shift hawking patterns in order to make a living. The difference in the two positions can be characterized by the city manager’s need for clean and less congested city streets, and the hawker’s desire to sell …

Consumer Demand For Domestic And Imported Broiler Meat In Urban Ghana: Bringing Non-Price Effects Into The Equation, Andrea E. Woolverton, Stephen Frimpong

Stephen Frimpong

Ghana’s domestic poultry industry is one of many in West Africa that is seeking strategies to compete with imported poultry products. This study investigates if urban Ghanaian consumers are willing to pay for non-price attributes in poultry; hence, offering potential competitive niches. Consumer preferences in Accra, Ghana for domestic and imported chicken were studied using a choice based conjoint analysis. A total of 138 respondents who were directly purchasing broiler products were drawn randomly from both traditional and modern markets for inclusion into a revealed preference data collection. A conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the part-worth of …

Researching Crime, Justice, And Social Control In Ghana: Evolving Issues In A Developing African Country, Gordon A. Crews, Angela West Crews, Kofi Boye-Doe, Ken Aikins

Gordon A Crews

The purpose of this presentation is to discuss a recent research project which seeks to offer an examination of the unique relationship between the traditional Ghanaian indigenous justice system and the established state-administered justice system. This is an overview of the interesting blend of indigenous practices (rooted in religious practices and strongly associated with spirituality and mysticism) and state (formal justice and governmental systems) in the Ghanaian justice system. In addition the topics of the treatment of women and children within these systems and the use of alternative dispute resolution, restorative justice, and conflict resolution strategies inherent within the two …

Researching Crime, Justice, And Social Control In Ghana: Evolving Issues In A Developing African Country, Gordon A. Crews, Angela West Crews, Kofi Boye-Doe, Ken Aikins

Angela Crews

The purpose of this presentation is to discuss a recent research project which seeks to offer an examination of the unique relationship between the traditional Ghanaian indigenous justice system and the established state-administered justice system. This is an overview of the interesting blend of indigenous practices (rooted in religious practices and strongly associated with spirituality and mysticism) and state (formal justice and governmental systems) in the Ghanaian justice system. In addition the topics of the treatment of women and children within these systems and the use of alternative dispute resolution, restorative justice, and conflict resolution strategies inherent within the two …

Building National Infrastructures For Peace In Africa: Understanding The Role Of The National Peace Council In Ghana, Emmanuel Kotia, Festus Aubyn

Emmanuel Wekem Kotia

In this article, we provide an analysis of Ghana’s infrastructures for peace using the National Peace Council (NPC) as a case study. The article focuses on the composition, structures, tasks, achievements and challenges of the NPC. It argues that the NPC has made significant contributions in preventing and managing acts of violence that could have plunge Ghana into conflict. Its unique roles during the 2012 elections in Ghana are a testament to this assertion. Although some forms of violence did occur during the elections, our argument is that the violence would have become far worse if the NPC had not …

Legal And Policy Frameworks Regulating The Behavior Of Politicians And Political Parties In Ghana: Interrogating Institutional Mechanisms, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Fiifi Edu-Afful

Emmanuel Kwesi Aning

This article explores the legal and policy frameworks that exist to regulate the behaviors of politicians (elected or appointed) and political parties and highlight the existing loopholes in the legislation that can pose major threats to the legitimacy of democratic politics and governance in Ghana. The article is organized as follows: Section one reviews the existing established mechanisms for eliciting compliance with respect to political party formation and financing in Ghana. We argue that when it comes to the array of laws purposively crafted to regulate the behavior of political parties and politicians, Ghana has many of such laws. However, …

Comparative Study Of Determinants Of Food Security In Rural And Urban Households In Ashanti Region, Ghana, Stephen Frimpong, Samuel Asuming-Brempong

Stephen Frimpong

This study assessed determinants of food security in rural and urban households of Ashanti Region of Ghana using a Tobit regression model. The significant determinants of food security in rural households were household size, expenditure on food, access to credit, total own production, remittances, number of income generating activities and land endowment. Similarly, household size, migration, per capita food expenditure; own production and land endowment were the significant determinants of food security in urban households. The Chow coefficient test was used to test for equality of coefficients. The results showed that significant differences exist between the magnitudes of the determinants …

Citizen And Officer Perceptions Of Community Policing In Ghana: Policing Of, By, And For The People, Or Just To The People?, Angela West Crews, Gordon A. Crews

Angela Crews

This presentation presents initial results of an evaluation of citizen and officer perceptions of policing in Ghana. The Ghana Police Service (GPS) is attempting to transition from a para-militaristic philosophy to a more community-centered approach, developing a domestic violence unit in the past decade and, more recently, a community policing unit. Community policing philosophies, however, face unique challenges in Ghanaian society, such as a deep-rooted (and historically well-founded) mistrust of the police, and a culture with a well-established and trusted “traditional” system wherein matters are settled within communities and impacted by religion, spirituality, and mysticism. This project used official reported …

Citizen And Officer Perceptions Of Community Policing In Ghana: Policing Of, By, And For The People, Or Just To The People?, Angela West Crews, Gordon A. Crews

Gordon A Crews

This presentation presents initial results of an evaluation of citizen and officer perceptions of policing in Ghana. The Ghana Police Service (GPS) is attempting to transition from a para-militaristic philosophy to a more community-centered approach, developing a domestic violence unit in the past decade and, more recently, a community policing unit. Community policing philosophies, however, face unique challenges in Ghanaian society, such as a deep-rooted (and historically well-founded) mistrust of the police, and a culture with a well-established and trusted “traditional” system wherein matters are settled within communities and impacted by religion, spirituality, and mysticism. This project used official reported …

Toward An Agenda For Placing Migrant Hometown Associations (Htas) In Migration Policy-Making Discourse In Ghana, Thomas Antwi Bosiakoh

Dr Thomas ANTWI BOSIAKOH

Migrant hometown associations (HTAs) are arguably the most recognizable migrant institutions in migration destination countries. As institutions for the welfare of migrants and for the development of migrant home and destination countries, migrant HTAs have engaged the attention of migration scholars for a number of reasons. Their activities straddle across different spheres of endeavours, including adjustment and integration, development, promotion of peaceful co-existence, socio-cultural empowerment, and resolution of conflicts, among others. These activities of migrant HTAs are important in achieving co-development and therefore require policy focus. While it is important to commend Ghana for initiating a process for migration policy …

The Inclusiveness Of Africa’S Recent High-Growth Episode: Evidence From Six Countries, Rodrigo Garcia-Verdu, Abebe Aemro Selassie, Alun Thomas

Rodrigo Garcia-Verdu

No abstract provided.

Breaking Up A Monolithic State: Reflections Of Unarmed Ghanaian Military Observers In Kosovo And Bosnia, Fiifi Ed-Afful, Evelyn Avoxe, Emmanuel Aning

Emmanuel Kwesi Aning

What this paper seeks to do is to analyze the personal experiences and contributions of Ghanaian military observers under UNPROFOR as an alternative to general media and official UN reports. It gives important insights into the role of military observers, with a view to drawing out important lessons for filling the knowledge gaps with respect to peace building and state building. The analysis is based on multiple faceto-face narratives drawn from interviews with four Ghanaian military officers posted as military observers to the Bosnian conflict between 1993 and 1995.

Leadership And Membership Structure Of Migrant Associations: The Case Of Nigerian Migrant Associations In Accra, Ghana, Thomas Antwi Bosiakoh

Dr Thomas ANTWI BOSIAKOH

Migrant associations are a worldwide phenomenon, featuring in much of the migration studies literature. However, much of these studies focus on migrant associations in theUSA mostly of Latino migrants from Central and Latin America. In Africa and more particularly Ghana, literature on migrant associations is paltry. The few that exist only explore their development impacts on the migration sending areas. In this paper, I explore three Nigerian migrant associations in Accra, Ghana. The leadership and membership structures of the Nigerian Women, Nigerian Committee of Brothers and the Edo State associations in Accra, Ghana are under the spotlight of this discourse. …

Are There Emerging West African Criminal Networks? The Case Of Ghana, Emmanuel Aning

Emmanuel Kwesi Aning

This paper situates discussions about emerging African Criminal Networks (ACN) within Ghana specifically, and West Africa generally, and seeks to present the initial results of an empirically based study on the activities of transnational organised criminal (TOCs) groups in Ghana. The paper argues that the nature of state and statehood in Africa and its inability to establish effective regulatory mechanisms contributes to the rise of these particular types of criminal groups. It begins by conceptualising the place of Ghanaian and West African criminal groups within the framework of international crime. Furthermore, it undertakes an indepth analysis of three types of …

An Overview Of The Ghana Police Service, Emmanuel Aning

Emmanuel Kwesi Aning

This paper is divided into five sections (chapters). First, it starts with a general historical overview of the force in terms of its origins and development. Second, is an outline of the structural development, growth and expansion of the service from its inception in the colonial period until 2001. Since the Police Service is one of the regulating arms of government, it would be useful and appropriate to review the legislative, constitutional and other legal instruments regulating the service. In an earlier paragraph, it was posited that while different governments seeking to examine the service and correct any problems and …

The Anatomy Of Ghana's Secret Arms Industry, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning

Emmanuel Kwesi Aning

Although craft small arms production is present throughout West Africa, Ghana’s long-standing and socially embedded gun-making tradition make it a country of particular concern. Guns ‘made in Ghana’ are now known regionally for their competitive prices, their effectiveness, and their accessibility—thus raising concerns that they might one day represent a significant source of weaponry for armed groups. Indeed, some local blacksmiths now possess the requisite know-how to copy imported AK-47 assault rifles This chapter documents the extent, nature, and effects of Ghanaian craft small arms production, and discusses existing and potential responses. It is divided into three main sections. The …

Links Between Economic Liberalization And Rural Resource Degradation In The Developing Regions, Edward Barbier

Edward B Barbier

No abstract provided.