Family matters in Ghana Must Go

City & Society, 2008

This is the author's manuscript for a work that has been accepted for publication. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as copyediting, final layout, and pagination, may not be reflected in this document. The publisher takes permanent responsibility for the work. Content and layout follow publisher's submission requirements.

1995

The rights and duties o f the child within the Ghanaian fam ily have their roots mostly in the customary law although the role that statute has played in reforming some o f the rules should not be understated. The concept o f the rights o f the child is not alien to Ghanaian culture. Children are valued as a resource and, therefore, the system has elaborate rules to ensure that every child would be fitted with the necessary skills and training to play his/ her part within the community. A child within a household may often not be the natural child o f the parents in the family. The system o f fostering out children is a common practice. In addition, it is possible fo r a person to acquire that status by adoption customary or statutory. In that case all the rights and obligations o f a natural child are assured. This system enables otherwise needy children to be cared fo r by members o f the extended family.

SSRN, 2020

In this paper I attempt a discussion on the changing trends and modes of transition that the contemporary African family is going through. The key influential factor and major drive of these transformations is the concept of Globalization and Modernization and their impact on the family systems and structures in Africa. The paper is not a critique of the Western norm and concept of ideology, but an expose of the goings-on that has dire consequences for the very survival of the African family. The question as to whether the African family is in crisis or not and what the future holds is the prime focus of this discussion. I also attempt a brief discussion of the concept of Globalization, and from the discussion, place in context the African family, and to what extent it is being adversely influenced by globalization. I conclude by attempting a forecast based on the evidence presented in the various arguments on the future of the African Family; its systems, values and structure.

Journal of Student Research, 2020

The purpose of this study to explore and describe the family dynamics in Ghana, West Africa in comparison to those of African Americans in the United States of America. Analyzing these culture sharing patterns is especially important in the context of the historically black institution of higher learning, where African and American cultures intersect. Both groups, Africans in Africa and African-Americans in the U.S., will benefit from this research because this will bridge gaps in knowledge, making us a citizen of the world. I was able to travel to Ghana and immerse myself into their culture and for that short period of time, I was able to observe the differences in family dynamics in America versus those in Ghana. My research explores family dynamics in three sectors: Daily life, education, marriage/childbearing. Many components make these three overarching sectors. Both Ghana and America are countries going through changes with a diverse population that provides different perspect...

2004

the eighties and early nineties she was a gender population and development specialist at the ILO in Geneva. She is currently cocoordinator of an interdisciplinary research and graduate training program, together with Bergen University, on Globalization and Changing Cultures of Survival and Care: the case of Ghana .

2019

Given the wide variation in perspectives on young men's migration dreams, this paper reinforces the feminist critique of the unitary conception of households and highlights the importance of both age and gender in determining one's perspectives on migration. Secondly, it points to the importance of focusing on both the social and economic implications of migration and recognizing that while migration may have economic benefits, this comes at a social cost.

Quest Journals Journal of Research in Business and Management Volume 3 ~ Issue 10 (2015) pp: 35-41, 2015

The family institution is a noble institution in Africa. Like some other African values that are being affected by the trend of globalization, the family is not left out. Thus, in the recent past, some thinkers tend to see the family concept as a purely sociological concept that should change essentially with the society. There has been attempts at redefinition of not just the family but also its sister concept-marriage. Contemporary families are, therefore, inclusive of single parent families, blended families, step-families and homosexual families to name a few. To define the concept of the family as a monolithic notion or as a concept consisting of one pattern of attributes leads to controversial discussions pertaining to the ideologies of marriage, divorce, sex and children. The family is no longer a concept that can be contemplated within an essentialist notion, rather the concept of the contemporary family has evolved into a fluid ideology that is constantly shifting and changing throughout society. In a globalized world where economic, political, environmental, and cultural events in one part of the world quickly come to have significance for people in other parts of the world, such redefinition of the family system places Africans on the danger of losing of their family values. This article, therefore, employs the philosophical method of analysis in order to rediscover the definition of the family. Such definition will place the practical implication of the family within bounds. The result will be returning to the essentialist notion of the family in order to safeguard not just the typical African family but also to place the family value aright in the globalized world.

American Ethnologist, 2011

Most scholarship on the effects of transnational migration on family life has argued that such migration results in profound shifts and dislocations in family practices and gender ideologies. Much of this work, however, has overlooked processes of internal migration: How different is transnational migration from internal migration in its impact on family life? By comparing families of transnational migrants with those of internal migrants in a small town in Ghana, I explore the effect of place and distance-as generated by human activity-on the maintenance of parent-child and spousal relations. I conclude that transnational migration exacerbates conflicts that exist in families unaffected by transnational migrations. [transnational family, Ghana, migration, children, motherhood, fatherhood]

2015

This study is an exploration of the representation of Afropolitanism in Taiye Selasi's debut novel Ghana must go (2013), and Chimamanda Adichie's novel Americanah (2013). The purpose of the study was to explore Afropolitanism using Selasi's (2005) essay Who is an Afropolitan? as a benchmark. Selasi blends the words Africa and cosmopolitan in her essay, Who is an Afropolitan? which discusses the fashion, dance style, and nationality of the Afropolitan, but not themes in literature. She coined the term because she was never satisfied with the answers she gave when she was questioned about her identity. In the exploration of Afropolitanism in the two novels, the researcher used the content analysis method. The study used the diaspora and transnationalism theory which addresses the concerns of people that have moved from their home countries in search of self-development through work or studies as well as the hybridity as creolisation theory which addresses the concerns of people born in Europe or the West to purely African ancestors or one of the parents are of a different race. The study revealed the following themes that pertain to Afropolitanism in Ghana must go (2013) and Americanah (2013): cultural hybridity, careers, identity formation and an African bond. The theme of self-expression was explored only in Americanah (2013). For example, in Ghana must go (2013) the twin boy struggles with his identity because of his Scottish heritage which gives him a skin complexion that is neither black nor white and he does not know what nationality to consider himself. In Americanah (2013) the main character's cultural hybridity is highlighted when she finds herself missing America while at the same time loving being in Nigeria. The study concluded that Afropolitanism does not only relate to fashion, dance style and art, but its exploration is also relevant in literature. This study ii contributes to knowledge of the world as a global village, but more specifically the international integration of cultures as expressed in literature, not only in the African diaspora, but in Africa as well. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Jesus Christ, the greatest academic and my source of inspiration. Professor Kangira I would not have reached the finish line if it was not for your constant push and faith in me. May God bless you with more years and more wisdom as you continue to contribute to the academic output of this country. Dr. Smit, you brought out the best in me with your firmness and uncompromising work ethic-thank you. Dr. Krishnamurthy-thanks for letting me 'pick your brain' and also granting me the time. I would also like to thank Dr. Mlambo, my brother; you know very well why I am thanking you. Mr. Joseph Gandanhamo words are not enough to express my gratitude for all you have done to make my dream come true. God knew why our paths had to cross-thank you sha. To Ms Juliet Eiseb, Ms Juliet Pasi, and Ms Erna Daniel-your prayers carried me. To all my colleagues, thank you for showing interest in my studies, for your constructive criticism and encouragement. I want to thank my siblings who supported me and took care of my babies because they understood that I embarked on this research during a difficult time in my personal life. Prince Joshua and Princess Zoey, I was not there most of the time but I had to do this for you. iv DEDICATION This thesis is a dedication to my children, Joshua and Zoey, my sisters and my brother. God is changing the ≠Gawas destinies. I love you all!!! v DECLARATION I, Emelda Uaundjua /Ucham, hereby declare that this study is a true reflection of my own research, and that this work, or part thereof has not been submitted for a degree in any other institution of higher education. No part of this thesis may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or