Papers by Richard Ametefe
African Journal of Social Issues, Jan 9, 2024
Political vigilantism has come out as an offshoot of the violence that characterises multi-party ... more Political vigilantism has come out as an offshoot of the violence that characterises multi-party elections in Ghana. Several studies on political vigilantism give primacy to the role of structural factors in explaining the phenomenon in Ghana. However, such a notion deprives political vigilantes of any sense of agency and further evades how the understanding of the interaction between agency and structure can offer deeper insights into the phenomenon of political vigilantism. The paper argues that political vigilantes should be characterised as agents who can make decisions about the actions that they undertake and not solely determined by the constraints of structure. The actions of political vigilantes are mediated through social structures that shape the options available to them. Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, 41 key informants were selected for the study in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. The study employed both primary and secondary data sources. Whereas secondary data was sourced from desk reviews, primary data was collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The narratives were thematically analysed. The study findings show that members of political vigilante groups are conscious agents and for that matter decide and act either autonomously or relationally despite existing pressures from social structures. In addition, the paper shows that the exercise of agency among the vigilantes is inseparable from structure as the structure is reproduced and changed through the actions of the political vigilantes who in turn are shaped through the structures that they occupy. Therefore, policy responses to political violence should consider the two sides of the equation by working simultaneously on the behaviour of political actors and resolving the circumstances that facilitate political violence.
Global Labour Journal, May 31, 2023
The issues facing surrogates are labour issues. However, there is scanty literature on the workin... more The issues facing surrogates are labour issues. However, there is scanty literature on the working conditions of surrogates in sub-Saharan Africa. This article explores the labour conditions of these unprotected and invisible reproductive workers in Ghana. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants between 2018 and 2019. The study revealed the following: 1) Baby agents were increasingly playing a dominant role in the surrogacy industry, and through the surrogacy homes are able to create docile and disciplined surrogates. 2) Surrogacy agreements were oppressive and designed to reinforce the control over the bodies of surrogates. 3) Pregnancy-related scars leave emotional scars on the minds of surrogates. We recommend state regulation of the industry to ensure strict supervision of baby agents to minimise exploitation of surrogates.
The African Review, 2023
The rise of political vigilante groups threatens democratic consolidation, peace and security of ... more The rise of political vigilante groups threatens democratic consolidation, peace and security of elections and national cohesion in Ghana. These vigilante groups, networked and sometimes formed by political party leaders, are mainly used for party election-related activities that go beyond ensuring success for their political party in elections to include protection for party officials and performing law enforcement functions. However, these groups and their activities are not just carried out in isolation, but done through social networks with various actors. This paper examines the actors and social networks embedded in political vigilantism in Ghana. The paper employed interviews and Social Network Analysis (SNA). The study established that vigilante groups and their activities were embedded in youth groups, political parties as well as ethnic networks. Additionally, financial networks were key in both the formation and the operations of vigilante groups. Politicians, businessmen and chiefs exert influence and power on vigilante groups. The sociographs also confirmed that the most influential in vigilante group activities were political leaders.
Global Labour Journal , 2023
The issues facing surrogates are labour issues. However, there is scanty literature on the workin... more The issues facing surrogates are labour issues. However, there is scanty literature on the working conditions of surrogates in sub-Saharan Africa. This article explores the labour conditions of these unprotected and invisible reproductive workers in Ghana. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants between 2018 and 2019. The study revealed the following: 1) Baby agents were increasingly playing a dominant role in the surrogacy industry, and through the surrogacy homes are able to create docile and disciplined surrogates. 2) Surrogacy agreements were oppressive and designed to reinforce the control over the bodies of surrogates. 3) Pregnancy-related scars leave emotional scars on the minds of surrogates. We recommend state regulation of the industry to ensure strict supervision of baby agents to minimise exploitation of surrogates.
This study examines market women's participation in peacebuilding in the Ekumfi-Narkwa community ... more This study examines market women's participation in peacebuilding in the Ekumfi-Narkwa community in the Central Region of Ghana. In peacebuilding, women are often considered victims and passive targets for aid, rather than contributors to the process.
SAGE Open, 2017
The ethnic factor or ethnicity is noted to play a key role in protracted conflicts, which affect ... more The ethnic factor or ethnicity is noted to play a key role in protracted conflicts, which affect the social and political landscapes of modern Africa. We, therefore, examined the political behaviors in the Asuogyaman District in Ghana to unravel the complexities of cycles of conflict and resulting peace-building strategies. We collected data from 11 purposively sampled key informants and 220 randomly selected respondents using an interview guide and interview schedule, respectively. In sum, the ethnic factor has an indirect effect on political variables in the Asuogyaman District. For instance, the ethnic factor did not openly influence the choice of political party but rather, policy direction did. One major recommendation is that the government and the Asuogyaman District Assembly should put measures in place to ensure that all the ethnic groups are consulted and fairly treated as equal partners in developmental activities. This will result in peaceful coexistence and development.
Keywords ethnic, factor, ethnicity, politics, conflict, peace
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Papers by Richard Ametefe
Keywords ethnic, factor, ethnicity, politics, conflict, peace
Keywords ethnic, factor, ethnicity, politics, conflict, peace