Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy
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Item An Examination of Cybercrime in Ghana and Its Implications for the Ghanaian in the International Community(Universityof Ghana, 2021) Baafi, A.D.Several studies on cybercrime focus on cybercrime and its consequences on the state, however very little attention has been paid to the impact of cybercrime on individuals and their international engagement. Anecdotal evidence from countries such as Nigeria and Russia suggest that the activities of a few cyber criminals have a grave impact on innocent citizens. The internet is a global community, thus crime in cyberspace is automatically globalized. This has forced policymakers to come up with stringent policies that tackle cybercrime. Using the Theory of Externalities and the Space Transition Theory, this work posits that the internet provides a safe space for people to commit crimes against others they may never interface with. These crimes lead to the innocent public suffering from the activities. This research, therefore, sought to examine the impact of cybercrime on Ghanaians as well as the Ghanaian community abroad. The study employed a qualitative method involving two focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with experts. One of the focus groups involved Ghanaians living abroad, while the other with experts in the field of cybercrime and its associated negative externalities. Further, a one-on-one in-depth interview was conducted among key stakeholders to explore the issue in detail. The findings of the research revealed that cybercrime has a negative externality on Ghanaians living in abroad, as well as on the image of the country. Findings also showed that there was discrimination against Ghanaians due to being perceived as a cybercriminal because of cases blown up in the media involving Ghanaians who had committed cybercrime. The study recommends a deliberate effort by the government in reducing the prevalence of cybercrime by proactively enhancing its cybersecurity framework. This should include the development of comprehensive, locally tailored legislation, widespread public awareness campaign, fostering robust public-private collaborations, crafting unique national cybersecurity strategy, prioritizing international cooperation, making substantial investments in cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies, encouraging indigenous research and innovation in cybersecurity, and implementing a streamlined and accessible reporting system for cybercrime incidents. Further, the Cyber Crime Unit and Digital Forensic Laboratory of the Ghana Police Service should actively promote the reporting of cybercriminal activities and, critically, prioritize expeditious prosecution measures. Ensuring timely and swift legal action not only serves as a deterrent but also enhances the confidence of whistleblowers in the effectiveness of the legal system. These would lead to an improvement of the image of the Ghanaian in the international communityItem Power, knowledge and the politics of gender in the Global South(European Journal of Politics and Gender, 2018) Medie, P.A.; Kang,A.J.Critical feminists have argued that research on women and gender is not sufficiently ‘global’ in its representation of scholars and perspectives. We draw on these works to argue that the scholarship on women, gender, and politics does not sufficiently consider the effects of the global order in the Global South. We propose the adoption of a ‘global lens’ to address this gap. We further examine the representation of South-based scholars by analyzing leading women, gender, and politics journals, and find that they are severely under-represented as authors. We propose steps to address this underrepresentation and to decolonize the scholarship.Item The Role Of Non-Governmental Organizations In The Attainment Of SDG Four(University of Ghana, 2021-11) Abagi, S.A.This research assesses the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the attainment of SDG four. In a country which is largely polarized politically, governments in power have over the years taken to capitalization of social interventions and developments to garner political credits for elections. The phenomena, among other things has led to a situation where other contributors of the nation’s developments are often not seen nor given the necessary regard to motivate their efforts in improving the development of the country. To this end, this research sort to look at Non Governmental Organizations in the education sector of Ghana, and ascertain their contributions to the development of the sector in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4. The research aims at making a modest contribution in highlighting their roles and functions in society. Situated in the Pluralism theory of State Development, the research aimed at discovering what the contributions of NGOs are, in improving education in Ghana, what impact these NGOs have had in attaining SDG four in Ghana and whether or not, the perceived non-recognisition of their work has any impact on the discharge of their mandate. Using interviews as the main tool for data gathering, primary data was sourced from officers of Lead for Ghana, CAMFED, Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education and the Northern Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in Education. Secondary sources of information included internet sources, journal articles, books, reports, and others. The study revealed that these NGOs are contributing significantly to increasing access to education and improving on the quality of education in the country. The study also revealed that aside from governments' initiatives to provide physical educational structures, there is a more significant challenge to improving quality of teachers to schools especially in rural Ghana. NGOs like Lead for Ghana have challenged the Status Quo in improving the caliber of teachers recruited to deprived communities in the country. The study also revealed that to attain the targets of SDG four, NGOs have an important role acting as checks and pressure groups for the Ministry of Education in the formulation of Education policies to attain the targets of SDG four in Ghana. In order to continue making contributions to the development of education in the country and attaining SDG four, the study recommends an implementation of a structure by government to appreciate the efforts of these NGOs.It is recommended that the Ministry of education put in place a system that allows for NGOs to detail their work structure and focus areas in order to avoid concertartion of NGOs in particular regions. Results from the study also reveals that, NGOs and their work in education is so crucial to the overall development of the nation hence, the need to strategicall harness the resources possesd by these NGOs to the benefit of the nation.Item An Assessment Of The Socio-Economic Effects Of Terrorism In The Sahel Region Of West Africa(University of Ghana, 2021-07) Debrah, R.Researchers and scholars have defined terrorism differently in their own terms. This is due to the fact, one cannot be specific about the motives, targets and methods of terrorism since these categories differ from case-to-case and also, the complication of unravelling the overlaps within each of these categories in effect makes its definition difficult. However, in general, terrorism can be defined as the use of violence or threat of violence to a deliberately to cause fear. The intention behind the causing of this fear among their targets mostly done to pressure or to intimidate societies, a group of people or governments to give in to something, usually in the quest of pursuing goals which are mostly religious, ideological or political in nature. The issue of terrorism has been a major concern in the Sahel Region West African lately, due to the emergence of numerous terrorist group in the region. Terrorist activities have drastically changed the situation in the area, though not much of it has been documented. This study therefore aimed to determine the socio-economic effects of terrorism in Sahel region of West Africa. The study was conducted using Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in the Sahel Region of West Africa as a case study due to the constant terrorist attacks these three countries have suffered during the past decade which still persist with no sign of ending soon. The 2012 Tuareg uprising in Northern Mali which led to the influx of terrorist groups and organisations coming in to assist the fighters against the state later gave rise to extremism. These extremist groups eventually spread across the Sahel Region with their activities causing devastating consequences on the socio-economic lives of citizens and governments in the region. The study employed the use secondary and primary data. The secondary data used were books, journal articles, internet sources and primary data was gathered using semi-structured interviews to collect relevant data from experts in the field of terrorism. The study found that terrorism activities have had major effects on the economic and social activities in these countries in the Sahel Region of West Africa with education, health, food security, human life, businesses, industries, the sector and the economies of these countries affected. Most citizens have left their communities for other areas closing and leaving their businesses and economic activities. A number of trained workers who offer essentials services have fled the area, leaving some of the basic activities almost deserted. The education and health sector have been the most affected as teachers and medical practitioners fled the region and left public schools and hospitals without professionals in the fields. This study recommends that the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and also ECOWAS take measures to address the already existing socio-economic problems facing their countries and, also that of the grievances of their citizens. It also recommended that the various counter terrorism initiatives must be revived and provided with the necessary logistics to fight these extremists.Item The Impact Of The Media On Intra-State Conflict Vis-À-Vis International Politics: The Case Of Venezuela (2002)(University Of Ghana, 2020-07) Amarteifio, N.A.The intra-state violence of the post-Cold War era, continues to demonstrate the perilous effects of the mass media on the social cohesion of states. This study therefore examines the impact of the media on intra-state conflict vis-à-vis international politics, the case of Venezuela (2002). Specifically, the study aimed at ascertaining the underlying conditions that precipitated the 2002 Venezuelan political crisis, the media’s role in shaping the events leading to the said crisis, and the factors that compromised the media’s role in managing the conflict. Drawing on qualitative analysis of secondary sources, the study identified two major underlying conditions that precipitated the political crisis, categorised as domestic conditions and foreign conditions. The domestic conditions include years of marginalisation of largely Amerindian, Afro-Venezuelan and Mulatto-Mestizo ethnic groups; enforcement of the constitutional requirement for a first-time direct election in the nation’s main labour union (CTV); implementation of Mission Zamora (the land redistribution programme); and introduction of the hydrocarbons law which required that the State Oil Company (PDVSA) holds not less than fifty-one percent stake in any new joint venture with foreign oil companies and an increase in the minimum royalty rate of 1% to 30%. The foreign conditions were Chavez’s role in OPEC’s reduction in oil supply and the corresponding rise in oil prices; his alliance and supply of oil to U.S. isolated Cuba; refusal to allow US use its airspace for operations in Colombia; visit to Saddam Hussain’s Iraq, Gaddafi’s Libya, anti-neoliberal policies and public criticism of U.S.’s ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan. The findings further suggest that the media employed white propaganda and mainly assumed a collaborative role in connivance with the elite and their foreign affiliates, which played a significant role in escalating the political crisis. The media’s role in managing the conflict was also compromised by lack of institutional autonomy, undue influence by media moguls, and poor journalism ethics and standards. The study concludes that the media landscape was characterised by journalistic interventionism which negatively impacted the intra-state crisis. As much as the private media is largely to blame for the escalation of the crisis, it then again took all but the private media to defuse the political tension. Grassroot participation in the political process, attachment to the government’s political programmes, word-of-mouth communication and military loyalists moderated and eventually neutralised the adverse effect of the media campaign to oust Chavez. Also, President Chavez’s timely call for restraint upon his reinstatement, helped to deescalate the political crisis which could have degenerated into a civil war. The promotion of participatory democracy; and multi-stakeholder partnership at both the development and implementation phases of a policy change or reform, may help to mitigate potential resistance and media campaigns that may be aimed at destabilising the state.Item Aviation And International Security: The Case Of Ghana Airports Company Limited(University Of Ghana, 2021-10) Amo-Koree, N.Security is very important in the aviation industry. Aviation security is the act of preventing any unlawful interferences that can jeopardize or cause harm to the safety of passengers, aircrafts and infrastructures of an airport. The research utilized the concept of transnational security as its conceptual framework. The study adopted a qualitative research method in order to enable the researcher access the views of respondents in their most original state. The research was carried out in Ghana Airport Company Limited (Kotoka International Airport) the international airport of Ghana where respondents expressed their views primarily through interviews. Meanwhile, secondary data was collected from relevant articles and books to give more meaning to the opinions expressed. In sum, the research study revealed that the security of KIA is a joint force by major security agencies working together to keep the airport safe. Also, it was obvious that the KIA has evolved post 9/11. KIA threat being faced is the insider threat. Moreover, KIA has not experienced any form of terrorist attack. KIA implements the provision of GCAA and ICAO. Finally, KIA is making and continues to make giant strides towards achieving its main goal of becoming a Hub in West Africa. Nevertheless, the main challenge facing the attainment of this goal is the issue of insider threat, lack of screening technologies and poor monitoring of CCTV surveillance system.Item Religious Organisations’ Role In Conflict And Peacebuilding In West Africa: A Case Study Of The Catholic Church(University Of Ghana, 2022-08) Abossey, N.D.Wars, armed conflict, and instability continue to plague Africa, causing human misery and impeding progress across most of the continent. Consequently, preventing and eliminating violent conflict has become a top priority. This study therefore sought to examine religious organisations’ roles in conflict and peacebuilding in West Africa using the Catholic Church as a case study. The study employed a qualitative research approach of data collection and analysis. Ten key informants with at least ten years of experience working on religious, conflict resolution, and peace-building initiatives were purposively sampled. Interviews were conducted with the key informants where thematic analysis was performed for data triangulation and corroboration of qualitative findings. The study found that interfaith tensions suffocate peace throughout the West African Sub-Region as they serve as a conduit for ethnic disputes, mostly between Muslims and Christians. Also, the study found that the Catholic Church adopts a variety of approaches towards conflict resolution and peacebuilding through anticipatory and reconciliatory strategies, which include dialogue meetings, education, and advocacy in conjunction with civil society organisations, strategic meetings with eminent statesmen, mediation, reconciliation, the use of surveillance reports as a basis for dialogue, information dissemination via radio, and the use of Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to mediate disagreements. Furthermore, the study found that the effectiveness of religious organizations’ conflict management initiatives within the Catholic Church is the result of institutional structure, resource allocation, capacity investment, reputation gained over the years, and the mainstreaming of peacebuilding and conflict resolution approaches as part of its routine programmes.Item Cyber Risk Posture Of Ghanaian Telecommunication Companies: A Case Study Of Vodafone Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2021-07) Andrews, N.A.This study sought to explore the cyber risk posture of Ghanaian telecommunication companies using Vodafone Ghana as a case study. This study used Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as a theoretical backbone and data were collected and analyzed qualitatively. Scholars define ERM as a holistic, systematic, and integrated approach to the management of the total risks that a company faces. It challenges the norm of siloed and department-specific risk management. The risk management structure and approach of the organization largely follow the tenets of ERM and outlined how cyber risks are identified, mitigated and monitored at different levels. The findings further indicated that telecommunication companies in Ghana experience unique cyber risks due to their capacity in storing and handling sensitive information in operations. Also there seems not to be cross-firm collaboration and experience sharing on the application of the ERM strategy. It seems organizations operate in isolation when it comes to the need of protection against cyber risks. In addition, although Ghana’s national cyber policy evolution and current state is adequate relative to regional and global standards, the enforcement and enactment of provisions is lax and lacking at best. Recommendations from this study are based on ways to enhance cyber security posture in the telecommunications industry and the country. These include collaboration between industry players, public sector collaboration, regional/international cooperation, and awareness campaigns to develop public culture on cyber security.Item Private Sector Engagement, a Catalyst for a Successful ECOWAS Integration and Development: The Case of Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-12) Agyemang, M.P.The success of every economic integration process rest heavily on the effective engagement of all major stakeholders; the government, the civil society and the private sector. The private sector is undoubtedly a key stakeholder in the economic integration process since the sector is broadly the main player of trade which is the core of any economic integration process. The ECOWAS has therefore enacted policies and implemented mechanisms that seek to enhance the participation of the private sector in the economic integration of West Africa. To ensure the efficiency of these policies and mechanisms, there is the need to regularly and carefully examine these efforts. Unfortunately, there is no or little focus on how the sector has been engaged in the integration process. This study, therefore, explored the private sector engagement approaches the ECOWAS has used in promoting private sector participation in the economic integration process of West Africa, by using Ghana as a case study. It assessed how the ECOWAS has engaged the private sector in Ghana by identifying and evaluating the approaches that have been adopted since the ECOWAS institutional reforms as well as investigating the implication such engagement arrangements have had on the economic integration process of the sub- region. The study used a qualitative research approach that enabled the researcher to explore the issues that the study sought to address. The study identified that the ECOWAS key tools of private sector engagement are; policies and mechanisms. The study found that the ECOWAS engages the private sector at the national level through state institutions designated to handle the matters of the ECOWAS. Also, it was realized that such engagements are limited to only business associations. This indicates that the vase number of private businesses that are not members of any business association are left out of the ECOWAS private sector engagement arrangements and states can easily compromise on the ECOWAS policies and directives. To enhance effective private sector engagement within the ECOWAS, the study recommended; the building of synergies between national programs and policies and the ECOWAS programs and policies; the intensive sensitization on the programs and protocols of the ECOWAS for the private sector particularly those at the grassroot; the breakdown of complex bureaucratic and lengthy processes of the ECOWAS; and the filling of the gap between the policies of the ECOWAS and the practices at the national level.Item Implementation Of SDG 6.2: An Analysis Of Ghana’s Efforts Towards Sustainable Management Of Sanitation(University Of Ghana, 2022-01) Bawa, M.A.Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2 focuses on attaining access to equitable and adequate sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation by 2030. This particular study is aimed at examining the roles of individual citizens and the state in achieving SDG 6.2 Furthermore, the study is also purposed on assessing the effectiveness in policy implementation and the challenges that befog the implementation of SDG 6.2 in Ghana. In pursuit of these objectives, a qualitative research design was employed, where qualitative data was sourced via the use of interview guide from 15 respondents from key institutions and organisations whose activities relate to SDG 6.2. It emerged from the findings that, citizens role in achieving SDG 6.2 consists of proper disposal of waste, end open defecation, keeping the immediate environment clean and hygienic, etc., whereas that of state’s are to provide dustbin for the citizenry, enforcement of sanitation laws, monitoring and evaluation of SDG 6.2 progress, prioritizing sanitation, engaging the private sector, and coordinating with other agencies such as AMA, Ministry of Health, NCCE, EPA, etc., that will help speed up the SDG agenda. Also, measures put in place thus far in attaining SDG 6.2 in the near future are inadequate, as there is poor awareness of SDG 6.2 in the public domain, insufficient number of dustbins for households, poor coordination among relevant agencies that will help expedite activities, Findings from the study revealed that, the challenges that confront the implementation of SDG 6.2 in Ghana are delay in rubbish collection, poor coordination among government agencies, low private sector participation, and budget constraints. The study recommend that the government has to create awareness through education, partner with a lot of the private sectors, the officers should be constantly monitoring and evaluating their policies and the work on the ground. Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Sanitation, Waste Management