Ghana Social Science Journal

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://197.255.125.131:4000/handle/123456789/7515

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    Climate Variability and Communities' Vulnerability along Ghana's Coastline
    (Ghana Social Science Journal, 2020-06) Poku-Boansi, M.; Amoako, C.; Owusu-Ansah, J.K.; Cobbinah, P.B.
    Over the last three decades, communities along Ghana's coastline have been affected by storm surges, coastal floods and erosion from relatively less predictable hydro meteorological hazards and disasters. Using selected coastal communities in the Keta municipality, this study explores the vulnerabilities of coastal communities in Ghana and the effectiveness of emerging adaptation interventions. Evidence for the study was gathered through a review of relevant secondary documents: a household survey: focus group discussions and institutional consultations. The paper reveals several hydro meteorological risks (e.g., shoreline erosion, storm surges) which threaten the inundation of some communities and the destruction of infrastructure and coastal resources. While there is evidence of adaptive governance in terms of institutional efforts (construction of sea defence wall), there is limited state commitment towards climate change adaptation and poor local community engagement. State interventions require co-ordinated and sustained efforts from national and local level institutions to ensure adaptation and resilience to coastal vulnerability.
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    ''People have been Paid to Sweep the Place!"- Exploring the Antecedents of Littering Behaviour in Ghana.
    (University of Ghana, 2020-06) Amankwah-Poku, M.
    This study explored why Ghanaians litter their environment indiscriminately in spite of its adverse consequences. Twelve students from the University of Ghana were interviewed and the data analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged, reflecting participants' 1) Knowledge concerning littering, 2) Reasons why they litter their environment and 3) Ways of curbing littering. Participants knew what littering was but still littered their environment because, among other things, they did not feel responsible for the proper disposal of litter, littering felt like "it's part of you". titter begets littering and there were no bins or none close by. It is important that individuals are educated on the dire consequences of littering and that the government enforces the laws governing littering. Reward and punishment systems should be instituted to acknowledge clean communities and enforce penalties in unclean communities.
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    'Westernizing, Solid Waste Management Practices in Accra, Ghana - a Case of 'Negotiated Waste Collection'
    (University of Ghana, 2020-06) Oteng-Ababio, M.; Nikoi, E.
    Managing solid waste in Ghana remains a critical challenge. To date, attempts to remediate the problem using 'best practices' prototype from Western countries have yielded elusive responses in low-income communities where such models are incompatible with local development trajectories. While city authorities remain defiant to this policy mismatch, the environmental and health Implications associated with the practice are mounting in urgency. Using Accra, the national economic and administrative hub, as a case study, we argue that waste policy designed to reduce unsanitary conditions can be counter-productive if it ignores context-specific complexities. Contrary to popular wisdom, this paper argues that there is no 'one size fits all' answer for the quest for an efficient, effective, and affordable waste management system. Instead, each solution must be tailored to its specific social, cultural, and political context, with the direct involvement of service beneficiaries, and integrated with indigenously derived strategies. While not a cure-all 'solution,' the paper is optimistic that this kind of publicly engaged process can provide some understanding and create approaches for coping with waste management complexity.
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    A Decade of Oil Discovery in Ghana: Implications for Politics and Democracy
    (Ghana Social Science Journal, 2020-06) Graham, E.; Gyampo, R.E.V.; Tuokuu, F.X.D.
    Ghana discovered oil in June 2007 and commenced production in December 2010 under a peaceful democratic political order that is being hailed by all across the world as a beacon of hope. Based on a desktop review, this paper examines how oil affects politics and democratic development in Ghana. It argues that even though there are efforts to protect Ghana from the 'oil curse' or potential adverse socio-economic effects of oil production, conscious efforts have not been made to check the possible impact of oil production on the nation's democratic gains. Consequently, oil production has resulted in tendencies that undermine democratic development, including politics of resource-patronage; high spending on social services such as infrastructure; high borrowing that increases national debt; and high corruption and perception of corruption and security threats. The paper concludes with some theoretical and policy implications of the findings for oil-producing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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    Urban Sprawl and Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of Accra and Kumasi Urban regions
    (Ghana Social Science Journal, 2020-06) Yiran, G.A.B.;
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    Growing Up With Disability in Ghana: Experiences and Perspectives
    (Ghana Social Science Journal, 2014-06) Moasun, F.Y.; Sottie, C.A.
    Despite the international conventions and national laws that exist to ensure the welfare of people living with disabilities, major issues of abuse and neglect continue to persist in Ghana. The paper looks at the challenges associated with growing up with disabilities in Ghana. It examines the factors that contribute to the maltreatment of children living with disabilities (CWDs), and the nature and effects of such maltreatment. In-depth interviews were held with children and adults with disabilities, community members and officials working with or on behalf of CWDs. The findings indicate that poverty, ignorance and societal perceptions, and the general inadequacy of facilities for the care of CWDs contribute to their abuse and neglect. The study recommends communitywide education on the causes of disability and the need for social workers to act to influence policy implementation
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    Expanding Social Protection Opportunities for Older People in Ghana: A Case for Strengthening Traditional Family Systems and Community Institutions
    (Ghana Social Science Journal, 2014-06) Doh, D.; Afranie, S.; Aryeetey, E.B.D.
    The need to augment social protection arrangements to safeguard the wellbeing of older people now extends to societies beyond the borders of the welfare states of Europe. However, the emphasis seems to be on formal systems of support, with little attention paid to the extent to which the traditional family system and community structures could be enhanced to support this process. This study examines the relevance of the traditional family and community structures in providing social protection for older people using both quantitative and qualitative data. It is clear that the traditional family and community-based support arrangements remain a useful and reliable option for care and support of older people even if they are inadequate in some respects. We suggest that the traditional family system and community structures be strengthened through collaborative efforts of government and civil society for optimum social protection delivery for older people
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    Gender, Migrant Remittances and Asset Acquisition in Ghana
    (Ghana Social Science Journal, 2014-06) Oduro, A.D.; Boakye-Yiadom, L.
    The growing importance of migrant remittances has been the subject of many studies in recent decades. The remittance literature has however not addressed extensively the role of remittances in the accumulation of assets by members of remittance-receiving households. In this paper, we analyze the extent to which households in Ghana use migrant remittances – sent from former household members – to finance the purchase of assets, using data from the 2010 Ghana Household Asset Survey (GHAS). The paper also explores the interplay of gender, migrant's location, and the use of migrant remittances to acquire specific asset types. The study's findings suggest that the three asset types most likely to be acquired using migrant remittances are savings, the place of residence, and businesses. The findings further suggest that the use of migrant remittances to finance specific asset types is linked to the sex of the remitter, as well as the location – internal versus international – of the migrant
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    Simulation Modelling of Self-Destructive Behaviour Related to the Spread of HIV/AIDS Disease in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
    (Ghana Social Science Journal, 2014-12) Akikibofori, J.S.; Peter-Kio, O.B.
    This paper explores the contemporary debate concerning choosing a partner (Positive (+) or negative (-)) and being promiscuous, and their effects on the spread of the HIV virus and AIDS disease. An agent-based simulation model is constructed to analyse the effect of these factors on the spread of the virus and the AIDS disease among sexually-active, high-risk people in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The results of the analysis suggest that choosing a partner (Positive (+) or negative (-), a decision making practice about whether or not to engage in sexual activity based on one's HIV positive or negative status, is an effective strategy in containing the disease when practised consistently. The level of promiscuity has mixed results regarding the spread of the disease