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Centre for Social Policy Studies
University of Ghana, Legon
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Seminars held in previous years
The Centre for Social Policy Studies has held regular seminars designed to
enable interaction between academics, donors, NGOs and policy agencies. The
topics of these seminars cover a broad range of policy issues. Click
here for details of seminars held in 2001.
A listing of seminars delivered in previous years is provided below.
The Cost and Benefits of Family Housing, by Dr. David Korboe, a Social
Policy Analyst and a Research Fellow at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science
and Technology, Kumasi.
ABSTRACT: In many Ghanaian towns, the majority of houses are held in common by
families rather than by individuals. Many of the occupants live rent-free and
enjoy a number of other privileges of ownership. In Kumasi, one -quarter of all
households occupy such accommodation, and the proportion so housed continue to
arise as a result of supply constraints. This paper explores the dynamics of this
tenure system, highlighting the contradictions inherent therein and predicting
the future of this form of tenure. The author argues that more attention should
be paid to this type of house and its valuable contribution to housing the poorest
and most vulnerable members of Ghanaian society.
Living Infrastructure: Transport Burden of Poor Children, by Professor
Margaret Grieco, formerly professor of Organisation and Development Management
in the Business School, University of North London and currently Professor of
Transport, Napier University.
ABSTRACT: This paper explores the transport implications of inadequate infrastructure
for children in low income households. It outlines various transport dimensions
of childhood poverty. The use of children as household labour and portering; resources
to compensate for infrastructural deficiencies; children’s lack of access to facilities
necessary for their education and survival as a consequence of transport consideration;
gender differences in mobility and access to transport modes in childhood. The
paper raises a set of policy questions on childhood, poverty and transport which
rarely receives consideration. It offers policy suggestions for the improvement
of existing relationships between childhood, poverty and transport.
Strengthening the African Refugee Family, by Dr. Ebenezer Q. Blavo, Chairman
of the Refugee Board of Ghana and the immediate past president of Ghana Association
of Social Workers.
ABSTRACT: Conflicts in Africa have disrupted the social and political life some
families and made countless number of them refugees. There is recorded evidence
of their wanders, dispersion and calamities, and a life of anxiety and despair.
These and the unexpected reversal of roles in the families have culminated in
numerous adjustment problems. Strengthening the refugee family is an endeavour
to promote unification of its members, enhance its social and economic status
and guarantee its protection. For a stabilised refugee family faces the future
with optimism and resumes its effective stance for nation building where it chooses
to settle permanently.
Topic: Gender and Domestic Violence, Some Cases Studies in Ghana, by Mrs.
Kate Adoo-Adeku, a Senior lecturer at the Institute of Adult Education and the
Principal of Accra Workers’ College, University of Ghana, Legon.
Abstract: The issue of domestic violence has become a global phenomenon experienced
by many countries. Cases of gender violence have also been common in the Ghanaian
Society. This paper presents the findings of a study. The objective of this study
was to find out whether both men and women suffer violence and who the real culprits
were. One hundred and fifty respondents from both rural and urban settings from
the Greater Accra were covered. Respondents’ views were also backed with case
studies form various print media. Evidence portrayed in the study showed that
women suffer more from domestic violence than men, although women also commit
serious violent behaviors against men. Adult education is found to be a key ingredient
that would help to reduce the high incidence of domestic violence among families
in Ghana.
Topic: “Preparing Ghana’s Future Workforce to Respond to Labour Market Dynamics”,
by Mr. J. Y. Amankrah, the Director of Research and Statistics at the Ministry
of Employment and Social Welfare.
Abstract: Ghana’s vision to become a middle income country by year 2020 demands
a more pragmatic approach to the development of its human capital to meet changing
needs of the labour market through efficient use of labour market information
systems. However, Ghana’s labour market is characterised by lack of effective
and comprehensive labour market data to enhance the development and utilisation
of its human capital. This paper examines besides other things: The constraints
and challenges confronting the development and utilisation of Ghana’s human capital
within the context of the changing labour market environment; the distortions
in the capital market confronting human capital development; the growing phenomenon
of child labour.
Topic: Family Welfare Enhancement Through Human Rights Protection, by Dr.
Ken Attafuah, presently the Director of Operations and Chief Investigator of the
Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Abstract: In this paper, the author reviews the nature and extent of Constitutional
and Statutory provisions aimed at enhancing the welfare of the family contemporary
Ghana. The author discusses specific human rights provisions of the Constitution.
The paper also reviews the pervasiveness of sex discrimination in all forms in
Ghanaian society including discrimination based on gender, pregnancy and sexual
harassment. Finally, the author posits an inclusive human rights approach to tackle
the feminisation of poverty and the degrading and dehumanising culture practices
that undermine the wellbeing of many women, children and elderly persons in Ghana.
Topic: Female Migration and Its Implications for Child Health and Development:
Case Study of Selected Communities in Amansie-East District by Mr. E. N. Appiah,
a junior Research Fellow at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic
Research, ISSER, University of Ghana, Legon.
Abstract: It is generally believed that prolonged absence of a child’s biological
mother could negatively impact on a child’s health and development. This view
was examined using 264 children of female international migrants living with foster
parents and 251 children who live with their biological mothers. The findings
suggest that in the context of a high dependency burden and limited resources
faced by foster mothers, the absence of remittance from migrant mothers, and lack
of support from fathers, foster children were less likely to fare well in the
competition for attention and resource allocation. Children left behind by migrant
women were therefore deprived since they were unhealthy and malnourished.
Topic: Gender, Environment Resource Management: Role of Adult Education
by Mrs. Kate Adoo-Adeku, an educational and gender consultant, is a Senior lecturer
at the Department of Adult Education, University of Ghana, Legon.
Abstract: Environmental resource management has become an issue of global concern.
Serious efforts are being made by governments all over the world including Ghana,
to make sustainable development a reality. What are the gender perceptions about
Environment Management? What are the socio-economic problems facing urban dwellers?
To what extent are the resources being used judiciously and what role can adult
education play to bring about an effective environmental resource management?
The paper examines the issues raised and suggests some measures that could be
taken to promote a healthy environment
Topic: HIV/AIDS in Ghana: Keeping the window of Hope Open by Mr. Stephen
Owusu Kwankye, an Associate Project Director, Population Impact Project (PIP),
University of Ghana, Legon.
Abstract: HIV/AIDS is gradually becoming one of the major killer diseases in Ghana.
Sexual contact (heterosexual and homosexual) so far happens to be the main cause
of the incidence and spread of the disease in Ghana. The age and sex distribution
of HIV/AIDS in Ghana like any sub-Saharan African country shows that the sexually
and economically active age groups of between 5-14 years present a positive picture
of hope for the control and gradual eradication of the disease in Ghana. In the
light of the foregoing, the paper provides a brief overview of the HIV/AIDS situation
in Ghana, its implications for the socio-economic development of Ghana vis-à-vis
its population growth. It concludes by emphasising the urgent need for the country
to concentrate more attention on keeping the “window of hope” i.e., age 5-14 years
widely open through intensified activities as the surest way of confronting the
HIV/AIDS pandemic in Ghana.
Topic: Ghana’s Education Reform: Equalising Opportunities or Marginalising
the Poor? by Mr. William Ahadzie, currently a Ph.D. student at the Sociology
Department, University of Ghana, holds a B.A. Degree in Sociology from the University
of Ghana and joint M.Sc. degree in Development Planning from the Universities
of Dortmund and KNUTS.
Abstract: Over the past decade, Ghana’s efforts to simultaneously expand schooling,
maintain educational quality and more equitably distribute the benefits of education
have exerted considerable pressure on public fiscal resources. Government, since
the mid-1980s introduced significant adjustments in policies and institutional
structures in order to optimise the use of educational resources, to boost student
achievements, equity and to realise economic and social benefits. An attempt is
made in this paper to examine the impact of Ghana’s education reform across gender,
income and geographical lines.
Back to seminars page
Centre for Social Policy Studies,
Faculty of Social Studies,
University of Ghana, PO Box 72, Legon, Ghana
Tel: +233 21 502217 Fax: +233 21 500949
e-mail: aptnana@hotmail.com
web site: http://www.oocities.org/csps_ghana