Sociology and Anthropology

Fishing is the single most important and accessible economic activity along the coastal settlements of Ghana. This paper argues that in spite of the introduction of western ways of life along the coast of Ghana by the European colonialists, which were subsequently spread through diffusion, fishing activities are greatly influenced by traditional beliefs. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores the traditional beliefs associated with fishing among inhabitants of some selected fishing communities in the Western Region of Ghana. A hundred and thirty-two (132) participants were recruited and interviewed. Among other findings, the participants revealed that the sea is a god that protects and oversees fishing activities. Women are still prohibited from sea fishing due to traditional beliefs that they are physically unfit for such work. Fishing on Tuesdays which was considered a taboo is still adhered to by contemporary fishermen/ fisher folk. Serendipitously, autism was found am...

Introduction Young people constitute a critical mass in Africa south of the Sahara (SSA) yet lack adequate information on sexuality education essential for their health and development. Objectives Guided by two sociological perspectives on socialization, that is, structural functionalism and conflict perspective, our study had 2 aims: 1) to identify and analyze studies investigating parent-adolescent sexuality communication (ie, triggers/contents) and 2) to identify and discuss barriers to sexuality-related communication between parents and adolescents. Methods The scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O'Malley framework and used PRISMA reporting guidelines for scoping reviews. We searched three databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar) for relevant articles published in English in the last decade -2011 to 2021 and analyzed the data using a qualitative content analysis approach. Results A total of 1045 studies were identified. After abstract review, we id...

This paper examines women's contributions to Ghana's economic growth and wellbeing. Data for the study were collected using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with women operating in the informal sector of the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District. The main findings of the study showed that even though women contribute to socioeconomic growth and well-being, most of them do not have adequate access to the resources needed to expand their impact. The paper recommends policies aimed at addressing women's issues regarding the socioeconomic system, so that they can create wealth and improve well-being for themselves, their children, and society at large.

This paper examines women's contributions to Ghana's economic growth and wellbeing. Data for the study were collected using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with women operating in the informal sector of the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District. The main findings of the study showed that even though women contribute to socioeconomic growth and well-being, most of them do not have adequate access to the resources needed to expand their impact. The paper recommends policies aimed at addressing women's issues regarding the socioeconomic system, so that they can create wealth and improve well-being for themselves, their children, and society at large.

After experiencing massive social, political and economic upheavals in Ghana between 1966 and 1992, Ghana ushered in constitutional democracy in 1992. Since that period, the country, compared with her neighbours, has been enjoying relative political stability. Prior to adopting the Western type of democracy, after gaining independence in 1957, religion played a significant role in ensuring peace and stability of the body polity. The question that this paper sought to find an answer to is: Do modern-day Ghanaian politicians exercise their political authority based on their religious beliefs and practices like in the past, thereby ensuring peace? Using the country's functionaries of political parties as a case study, the paper sought to answer the question above. Data for the study were collected using both survey questionnaire and in-depth interview from 44 functionaries of political parties through purposive sampling. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Findings from the study were analysed using the Statistical Product for Social Services (SPSS). The positions of Habermas, Rawls and their critics regarding the role of religion in the public sphere formed the theoretical framework for the study. It is the thinking of this paper that, like in the past, opinion leaders, including politicians, should exercise their authority based on their religious convictions, since this would contribute to peace and development.

In view of the stigma attached to HIV and AIDS, many family members and friends of Persons Living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) neglect them. In Ghana, some PLHIV voluntarily provide care and support for other PLHIV newly diagnosed of suffering from HIV. This study sought to ascertain what motivates them to undertake this task in Ghanaian hospitals, clinics and homes and what impact they make. Qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for the study. Data for the study were obtained from 120 purposively selected PLHIV serving as 'models of hope'. Data collection methods employed for this study were questionnaire administration and in-depth interviewing. Quantitative data of the study were analysed using the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS), version 17.0. Additionally, qualitative data were manually analysed. The theoretical framework for the study is the hope theory. A major result of the study was that the respondents were motivated to care for and support their fellow PLHIV newly diagnosed of suffering from HIV with a view to helping them have some hope and live positively with HIV. Although they were faced with financial problems, stigmatisation and discrimination, the refusal of some clients to religiously take their drugs after adherence counselling, etc., they still provided the needed care and support. Through their services most of their clients gain a lot of hope, particularly when they regain their health, live positively with HIV and overcome self-stigma. The study recommends that stakeholders encourage these 'models of hope' by giving them adequate training and consistently motivating them through the recognition they give them.

Traditional Medicine (TM) has been practised in Ghana from time immemorial and many Ghanaians still patronise the services of traditional medical practitioners (TMPs). However, TM has not been integrated into the formal healthcare delivery system of the country. This might be partly due to attitudes and perceptions towards it. The aim of the study was to find out the attitudes and perceptions of Scientific Medical Practitioners (SMPs) towards TM in Ghana and then propose measures for the full integration of TM into Ghana's healthcare delivery system. A descriptive survey methodology was used to solicit responses from all 33 SMPs practising in the Central Region of Ghana. An in-depth interview and self administered questionnaire were the main instruments used for data collection. The main result of the study is that, although SMPs would want the full integration of TM into the formal healthcare delivery system, when confronted with possible ways of working with TMPs they showed reluctance to accepting them as equal partners since they perceived their practice as inferior to theirs. In order to reduce the mistrust and lack of understanding of the philosophy that underlie Scientific Medicine and Traditional Medicine, there must be regular consultations and dialogue between and among practitioners of the two medical systems. This may engender the needed trust and respect that the practitioners need to accord each other in order to develop and integrate TM into the national healthcare system.

Ghana, as a country, has been trying to promote tourism with the aim of achieving rapid socioeconomic development objectives, including employment creation, improvements in standard of living, diversification of economies and making the industry one of the main foreign exchange earners for the country. One way of realising these, is to ascertain the benefits that tertiary institutions and tourism establishments derive from the tourist activities and the challenges that they face. This paper, therefore, aims at finding out the level of collaboration between the tourism industry and educational institutions offering tourism and hospitality management, the benefits that they derive and the challenges they face in trying to collaborate with one another and recommendations for improving the level of collaboration. Data for the study were collected using an interview guide from five Lecturers and 20 management and staff from hotels, restaurants, tour operations and attractions. The study employs the qualitative method of analysis. The results of the study show that the educational institutions and the tourism industry both derived some benefits from some sort of collaboration. However, they were faced with challenges such as inadequate practical knowledge of graduates from the academic institutions, lack of regular and in-depth communication between the industry and the academic institutions. This paper recommends a partnerships approach aimed at surmounting the challenges and fostering closer collaboration.

This paper examines women's contributions to Ghana's economic growth and wellbeing. Data for the study were collected using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with women operating in the informal sector of the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District. The main findings of the study showed that even though women contribute to socioeconomic growth and well-being, most of them do not have adequate access to the resources needed to expand their impact. The paper recommends policies aimed at addressing women's issues regarding the socioeconomic system, so that they can create wealth and improve well-being for themselves, their children, and society at large.

The H 2 is an obligate by-product of N-fixation. Recycling of H 2 through uptake hydrogenase (Hup) inside the root nodules of leguminous plants is often considered an advantage for plants. However, many of the rhizobium-legume symbioses found in nature, especially those used in agriculture are shown to be Hup À , with the plants releasing H 2 produced by nitrogenase activity from root nodules into the surrounding rhizosphere. Recent studies have suggested that, H 2 induces plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria, which may explain the widespread of Hup À symbioses in spite of the low energy efficiency of such associations. Wild legumes grown in Nova Scotia, Canada, were surveyed to determine if any plant-growth characteristics could give an indication of Hup choice in leguminous plants. Out of the plants sampled, two legumes, Securigera varia and Vicia cracca, showed Hup + associations. Securigera varia exhibited robust root structure as compared with the other plants surveyed. Data from the literature and the results from this study suggested that plants with established root systems are more likely to form the energy-efficient Hup + symbiotic relationships with rhizobia. Conversely, Hup À associations could be beneficial to leguminous plants due to H 2-oxidizing plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria that allow plants to compete successfully, early in the growing season. However, some nodules from V. cracca tested Hup + , while others were Hup À. This was similar to that observed in Glycine max and Pisum sativum, giving reason to believe that Hup choice might be affected by various internal and environmental factors.

After experiencing massive social, political and economic upheavals in Ghana between 1966 and 1992, Ghana ushered in constitutional democracy in 1992. Since that period, the country, compared with her neighbours, has been enjoying relative political stability. Prior to adopting the Western type of democracy, after gaining independence in 1957, religion played a significant role in ensuring peace and stability of the body polity. The question that this paper sought to find an answer to is: Do modern-day Ghanaian politicians exercise their political authority based on their religious beliefs and practices like in the past, thereby ensuring peace? Using the country's functionaries of political parties as a case study, the paper sought to answer the question above. Data for the study were collected using both survey questionnaire and in-depth interview from 44 functionaries of political parties through purposive sampling. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Findings from the study were analysed using the Statistical Product for Social Services (SPSS). The positions of Habermas, Rawls and their critics regarding the role of religion in the public sphere formed the theoretical framework for the study. It is the thinking of this paper that, like in the past, opinion leaders, including politicians, should exercise their authority based on their religious convictions, since this would contribute to peace and development.

Ghana, as a country, has been trying to promote tourism with the aim of achieving rapid socioeconomic development objectives, including employment creation, improvements in standard of living, diversification of economies and making the industry one of the main foreign exchange earners for the country. One way of realising these, is to ascertain the benefits that tertiary institutions and tourism establishments derive from the tourist activities and the challenges that they face. This paper, therefore, aims at finding out the level of collaboration between the tourism industry and educational institutions offering tourism and hospitality management, the benefits that they derive and the challenges they face in trying to collaborate with one another and recommendations for improving the level of collaboration. Data for the study were collected using an interview guide from five Lecturers and 20 management and staff from hotels, restaurants, tour operations and attractions. The study employs the qualitative method of analysis. The results of the study show that the educational institutions and the tourism industry both derived some benefits from some sort of collaboration. However, they were faced with challenges such as inadequate practical knowledge of graduates from the academic institutions, lack of regular and in-depth communication between the industry and the academic institutions. This paper recommends a partnerships approach aimed at surmounting the challenges and fostering closer collaboration.

In view of the stigma attached to HIV and AIDS, many family members and friends of Persons Living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) neglect them. In Ghana, some PLHIV voluntarily provide care and support for other PLHIV newly diagnosed of suffering from HIV. This study sought to ascertain what motivates them to undertake this task in Ghanaian hospitals, clinics and homes and what impact they make. Qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for the study. Data for the study were obtained from 120 purposively selected PLHIV serving as 'models of hope'. Data collection methods employed for this study were questionnaire administration and in-depth interviewing. Quantitative data of the study were analysed using the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS), version 17.0. Additionally, qualitative data were manually analysed. The theoretical framework for the study is the hope theory. A major result of the study was that the respondents were motivated to care for and support their fellow PLHIV newly diagnosed of suffering from HIV with a view to helping them have some hope and live positively with HIV. Although they were faced with financial problems, stigmatisation and discrimination, the refusal of some clients to religiously take their drugs after adherence counselling, etc., they still provided the needed care and support. Through their services most of their clients gain a lot of hope, particularly when they regain their health, live positively with HIV and overcome self-stigma. The study recommends that stakeholders encourage these 'models of hope' by giving them adequate training and consistently motivating them through the recognition they give them.

Traditional Medicine (TM) has been practised in Ghana from time immemorial and many Ghanaians still patronise the services of traditional medical practitioners (TMPs). However, TM has not been integrated into the formal healthcare delivery system of the country. This might be partly due to attitudes and perceptions towards it. The aim of the study was to find out the attitudes and perceptions of Scientific Medical Practitioners (SMPs) towards TM in Ghana and then propose measures for the full integration of TM into Ghana's healthcare delivery system. A descriptive survey methodology was used to solicit responses from all 33 SMPs practising in the Central Region of Ghana. An in-depth interview and self administered questionnaire were the main instruments used for data collection. The main result of the study is that, although SMPs would want the full integration of TM into the formal healthcare delivery system, when confronted with possible ways of working with TMPs they showed reluctance to accepting them as equal partners since they perceived their practice as inferior to theirs. In order to reduce the mistrust and lack of understanding of the philosophy that underlie Scientific Medicine and Traditional Medicine, there must be regular consultations and dialogue between and among practitioners of the two medical systems. This may engender the needed trust and respect that the practitioners need to accord each other in order to develop and integrate TM into the national healthcare system.

Traditional Medicine (TM) has been practised in Ghana from time immemorial and many Ghanaians still patronise the services of traditional medical practitioners (TMPs). However, TM has not been integrated into the formal healthcare delivery system of the country. This might be partly due to attitudes and perceptions towards it. The aim of the study was to find out the attitudes and perceptions of Scientific Medical Practitioners (SMPs) towards TM in Ghana and then propose measures for the full integration of TM into Ghana's healthcare delivery system. A descriptive survey methodology was used to solicit responses from all 33 SMPs practising in the Central Region of Ghana. An in-depth interview and self administered questionnaire were the main instruments used for data collection. The main result of the study is that, although SMPs would want the full integration of TM into the formal healthcare delivery system, when confronted with possible ways of working with TMPs they showed reluctance to accepting them as equal partners since they perceived their practice as inferior to theirs. In order to reduce the mistrust and lack of understanding of the philosophy that underlie Scientific Medicine and Traditional Medicine, there must be regular consultations and dialogue between and among practitioners of the two medical systems. This may engender the needed trust and respect that the practitioners need to accord each other in order to develop and integrate TM into the national healthcare system.