Papers by Stephen Owoahene-Acheampong
SN Social Sciences, 2021
The study looks at the prevailing 'informal' conjugal relations between Muslims and Christians in... more The study looks at the prevailing 'informal' conjugal relations between Muslims and Christians in contemporary Zongo communities in Accra and shows that the legal pluralism-the religious and socio-legal conceptualizations and the definition of marriage as recognized by the constitution of Ghana-does not adequately protect and provide for children within such relations. While the PNDC Law 111 protects a child of conjugal relationship from being stigmatized and from suffering the consequences of such a relationship, most Zongo communities continue to disinherit children by stigmatizing them as deashege (bastard or nonentity). The study suggests that Muslim-Christian conjugal relations are a social reality in religiously plural Zongo communities today; therefore, the laws of Ghana and the conceptualizations of marriage by religious groups must be revisited to adequately provide for children within such relationships. The study calls for a relook at the family laws of Ghana to accommodate rights to inheritance of children born out of 'informal' conjugal relationships.
The A. looks at the theology and healing practices of the African Independent Churches, how they ... more The A. looks at the theology and healing practices of the African Independent Churches, how they see themselves as fulfilling the will and mandate of Christ, and how they are serving the spiritual, physical and the existential needs of Africans through the integration of African traditional elements into Christianity
The field of African Studies has emerged in recent years (1960s and 1970s) from obscurity to glob... more The field of African Studies has emerged in recent years (1960s and 1970s) from obscurity to global recognition as an intellectual area of inquiry. It offers academic and career opportunities in advanced studies, ranging from certificates and diplomas to the bachelors, masters, doctorate degrees and post-doctorate work. Like other disciplines, African Studies as a multi- disciplinary area is engaged in research/knowledge production, teaching and public service. Yet a review of related literature in the field suggests that many critical challenges remain. It is hypothesized in this paper that until African Studies extends beyond knowledge production the field is unlikely to make significant and meaningful impact on African sustainable development. Au cours des dernières années, le domaine des études africaines a émergé de l'obscurité pour être maintenant reconnue en tant que véritable domaine de recherche. Il offre des opportunités académiques et professionnelles dans l’enseigne...
Contemporary Journal of African Studies, 2017
Reviewed Work: Returned Exile: A Biography of George James Christian of Dominica and the Gold Coa... more Reviewed Work: Returned Exile: A Biography of George James Christian of Dominica and the Gold Coast, 1869-1940 Authors: Margaret D. Rouse-Jones and Estelle M. Appiah Print Length: 320 pages Publisher: University of the West Indies Press, Mona, Jamaica (Dec. 2016) ISBN: 978-976-640-587-5
Journal of Religion in Africa, 1999
... Inculturation and African religion: Indigenous and Western approaches to medical practice. Po... more ... Inculturation and African religion: Indigenous and Western approaches to medical practice. Post a Comment. CONTRIBUTORS: Author: Owoahene-Acheampong, Stephen (b. 1956, d. ----. PUBLISHER: Peter Lang (New York). SERIES TITLE: YEAR: 1998. ...
OGIRISI: a New Journal of African Studies, 2017
Many a Ghanaian at one time or the other in his or her life has either been given a nickname, or ... more Many a Ghanaian at one time or the other in his or her life has either been given a nickname, or conferred one on himself or herself, or on another person. Some have not one but several and a nickname may supplant a birth name. Some nicknames are perceived as insulting and are resented but some too are welcomed even if on the surface they denigrate the bearer. The paper looks at the characteristics of nicknames in Ghana. It addresses the questions: who gives nicknames; to whom; for what reasons; and what significant values do they have? It posits that the study of nicknames contributes to an appreciation of the socio-cultural values of a society.
Mission, 2009
Differentes raisons ont ete apportees pour expliquer le nombre croissant des Eglises Independante... more Differentes raisons ont ete apportees pour expliquer le nombre croissant des Eglises Independantes africaines (AICs) en Afrique. Ces explications de meme que l'emploi d'appellations diverses pour designer ces Eglises donnent un portrait montrant que, depuis le commencement de leur etablissement, les relations avec les Eglises de mission ont toujours ete acerbes. Cet article donne de penser autrement. Il devoile aussi que dans leur effort d'adaptation au message chretien a la culture africaine, pour le rendre significatif et pertinent dans le contexte africain, les AICs ont adopte certaines croyances et des pratiques de religions traditionnelles africaines et de cultures.
SN Social Sciences, 2021
The study looks at the prevailing 'informal' conjugal relations between Muslims and Christians in... more The study looks at the prevailing 'informal' conjugal relations between Muslims and Christians in contemporary Zongo communities in Accra and shows that the legal pluralism-the religious and socio-legal conceptualizations and the definition of marriage as recognized by the constitution of Ghana-does not adequately protect and provide for children within such relations. While the PNDC Law 111 protects a child of conjugal relationship from being stigmatized and from suffering the consequences of such a relationship, most Zongo communities continue to disinherit children by stigmatizing them as deashege (bastard or nonentity). The study suggests that Muslim-Christian conjugal relations are a social reality in religiously plural Zongo communities today; therefore, the laws of Ghana and the conceptualizations of marriage by religious groups must be revisited to adequately provide for children within such relationships. The study calls for a relook at the family laws of Ghana to accommodate rights to inheritance of children born out of 'informal' conjugal relationships.
African Studies Quarterly, 2020
Objective -This research focuses on manufacturing companies with high growth rates, as measured b... more Objective -This research focuses on manufacturing companies with high growth rates, as measured by the Tobins'Q proxy. The high growth of a company is closely related to higher agency costs, compared to companies with low growth rates. We investigate the influence of the board of commissioners, directors, audit committees, bid-ask spreads on the high agency costs of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The indicator of agency costs in this study are the EXPR and AUR ratios. Design/methodology -The population of this study are manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Purposive random sampling resulted 111 samples of companies with high growth rates. This study uses multiple linear regression analysis. The first analysis with EXPR independent variable and the second analysis with AUR independ-ent variable, both variables could be used as agency cost indicators. -The result reveals that the board of commissioners and directors have a positive effect on the agency costs, which are measured by the EXPR and AUR ratios while the audit committee has a negative significant effect on the high agency costs as measured by the EXPR ratio. Moreover, bid-ask spread as a control variable has a significant positive effect on AUR. The presence of monitoring quality, pressure, reputation of the board of commissioners and audit committee will reduce the types of management policy which may increase agency conflict.
Research Review of the Institute of African Studies, 2011
Abstract: The paper examines the processes of recognition and legitimization of traditional medic... more Abstract: The paper examines the processes of recognition and legitimization of traditional medicine in Ghana and indicates that in Ghana, indigenous medicine has been used as an instrument to help develop political consensus and consciousness and in the building of a national ...
African Studies Quarterly, Vol. 19, 1: 23-40, 2020
The forces of cosmopolitanism, globalization and neoliberal policies have advanced interfaith mar... more The forces of cosmopolitanism, globalization and neoliberal policies have advanced interfaith marriages globally. This study looks at the phenomenon of interfaith marriages between Muslims and Christians in Zongo communities in Accra. Zongo is a Hausa word used to refer to communities that have historically been associated with itinerant Muslim traders and which also served as Muslim enclaves in the Gold Coast. Today Zongo communities, which were once predominantly Muslim, are now religiously and ethnically pluralistic. There is a discernible mix of adherents of other religions in Zongo communities. In the study, we show that although doctrinal differences between Muslims and Christians serve as fundamental reference point in prohibiting interfaith marriages, there are other factors that make a future of more frequent and tolerated marriages between Muslims and Christians in Zongo communities in Accra seem doubtful.
The forces of cosmopolitanism, globalization and neoliberal policies have advanced interfaith mar... more The forces of cosmopolitanism, globalization and neoliberal policies have advanced interfaith marriages globally. This study looks at the phenomenon of interfaith marriages between Muslims and Christians in Zongo communities in Accra. Zongo is a Hausa word used to refer to communities that have historically been associated with itinerant Muslim traders and which also served as Muslim enclaves in the Gold Coast. Today Zongo communities, which were once predominantly Muslim, are now religiously and ethnically pluralistic. There is a discernible mix of adherents of other religions in Zongo communities. In the study, we show that although doctrinal differences between Muslims and Christians serve as fundamental reference point in prohibiting interfaith marriages, there are other factors that make a future of more frequent and tolerated marriages between Muslims and Christians in Zongo communities in Accra seem doubtful. and other forces of modernization, such as secular education and neoliberal policies. 4 In Ghana, the implementation of neoliberal policies in the 1980s was accompanied by privatization of state-owned enterprises and the broadening of the informal sector. These developments have contributed to the empowering of women economically in many societies that were once considered patriarchal, giving them the social bargaining power over their life choices, including marriage. Likewise, communities that were historically hostile and closed to other religions and cultures are now opening up.
Recognition and Integration of Traditional Medicine in Ghana: a perspective, Jun 1, 2010
The paper examines the processes of recognition and legitimization of
traditional medicine in Gha... more The paper examines the processes of recognition and legitimization of
traditional medicine in Ghana and indicates that in Ghana, indigenous
medicine has been used as an instrument to help develop political
consensus and consciousness and in the building of a national identity.
The Ghanaian government recognizes traditional medicine and has a
policy for the integration of indigenous medicine; the paper shows that
the policy limits traditional medicine almost exclusively to herbal
products and the scientific elements of it without taking into
consideration its other dimensions of treating illnesses. Thus the policy
leads to bureaucratization of traditional medicine. The paper calls for a
policy of integration that will promote a parallel and full development of
both orthodox and indigenous therapeutic traditions to enable them to
continue to provide the health care needs of the people.
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Papers by Stephen Owoahene-Acheampong
traditional medicine in Ghana and indicates that in Ghana, indigenous
medicine has been used as an instrument to help develop political
consensus and consciousness and in the building of a national identity.
The Ghanaian government recognizes traditional medicine and has a
policy for the integration of indigenous medicine; the paper shows that
the policy limits traditional medicine almost exclusively to herbal
products and the scientific elements of it without taking into
consideration its other dimensions of treating illnesses. Thus the policy
leads to bureaucratization of traditional medicine. The paper calls for a
policy of integration that will promote a parallel and full development of
both orthodox and indigenous therapeutic traditions to enable them to
continue to provide the health care needs of the people.
traditional medicine in Ghana and indicates that in Ghana, indigenous
medicine has been used as an instrument to help develop political
consensus and consciousness and in the building of a national identity.
The Ghanaian government recognizes traditional medicine and has a
policy for the integration of indigenous medicine; the paper shows that
the policy limits traditional medicine almost exclusively to herbal
products and the scientific elements of it without taking into
consideration its other dimensions of treating illnesses. Thus the policy
leads to bureaucratization of traditional medicine. The paper calls for a
policy of integration that will promote a parallel and full development of
both orthodox and indigenous therapeutic traditions to enable them to
continue to provide the health care needs of the people.