HEYWARD RESERVE LIBRARY

1. PRESENTER Mrs Kate Adoo-Adeku

   TOPIC: Gender and HIV/AIDS

   DATE 25th January 2002

   ABSTRACT

   The HIV/AIDS epidemic constitutes one of the greatest public health challenges for all Nations of the world. A gender approach and focus in dealing with HIV/AIDS is important because the needs of women and men should be identified and treated and treated as such. It is recognized that its spread could within the next few decades affect the whole economically active segment of the world's population. In addition since this segment of the population belongs largely to the reproductive age groups some of their children could be at risk of infection. The entire national development process therefore stand derailed if preventive measures are not taken to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
   The paper therefore examines the awareness and attitudes of two communities - Burma Camp and Sodom and Gomorrah located in the Accra Metropolis. Findings of the study call for the need to design specific educational programs based on situational analysis of communities for the prevention of HIV/AIDS

2. PRESENTERS Prof. Brenda Mc Gadney-Douglas

   Prof. Richard Douglas
   Prof.Nana Araba Apt

   TOPIC Role of Grandmother's in the Survival Of Children with Kwashiorkor: Agenda For Reform of Public Policy.

   DATE 22nd February,2002

   ABSTRACT

   
   The paper will be presented in two parts. First. The authors will discuss findings from a recent study conducted in Accra that seem to support the contributions of family members, particularly grandmother, in the remarkable survival of adolescents diagnosed with kwashiorkor in early childhood. There is a dearth of information regarding the survival of such children and the little that exists provides a bleak view of their survival , ability to learn, and successful contribution in society. Secondly, the authors will discuss policy options which when undertaken may ensure the successful survivorship of children diagnosed with kwashiorkor.
   These policy options include an extension of health and social welfare prevention services to families of kwashiorkor children and support training of staff at community-based nutritional rehabilitation centers.

3. PRESENTER: Mrs. Gifty Ohene-Konadu

   TOPIC: Decentralization and Women

   DATE 22nd March 2002

   ABSTRACT:

   This paper focuses on the gender dimension of decentralization, and adopts a multi-dimensional gender analysis to debunk the notions that carry with them intrinsic assumption that the devolution of power too the grassroots will bring power closer to all the people, including women ,and thereby improve governance. Decentralization is therefore seen as hope for the masses at the grassroots to have power to contribute to decisions made in government. To all intents and purposes however, decentralization of power to local governments has not improved the numbers of women assembly members or increased effectiveness in influencing government.
   To help examine the subject under discussion, the research address three major question:
   1. How does decentralization provide access to women's participation?
   2. What explains the low numbers and ineffectiveness of women in decision-making levels in local government; and
   3. In what ways can the gender barriers be removed?
   
   It is hoped that, by exploring these questions, the policy of decentralization will be redefined to address the concerns of women.

4. PRESENTER; Mr. William Ahadzie

   TOPIC: Ethnic Conflicts In Ghana: Who Pays the Price?

   DATE: 26th April 2002

   ABSTRACT

   Ghana has witnessed an unprecedented eruption of inter and Intra-ethnic conflicts in the last three decades. Most of these conflicts have had their roots in systems of governance, contentions over resources successions to offices, demands for secession and excessive begemonic intentions ethnic groups living either as contiguous groups or as mixed groups within economically deprived geographical areas. The conflicts are disruptive of the progress towards improved conditions of life and constitute a veritable drain on scarce national resources. They take consideration toll on vulnerable groups such as women and children, within and beyond the conflict zones.
   This paper examines the recurrent nature of ethnic conflicts in Ghana, the social costs of these interactive exchanges, as well as emphasizes the need for a proactive and systematic investigation into the underlying structural weakness that engender them.

5. PRESENTER: Mr Alexis Danikuu

   TOPIC HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support: The Contribution of Faith -Based Organization (FBOs)

   DATE: 31st May 2002

   ABSTRACT:

   Medically speaking, AIDS is the consequence of viral infection . However, the issues raised by HIV/AIDS epidemic are far from purely medical or clinical .They touch on cultural norms and practices, socio-economic conditions, issues of gender, human responsibility, sexuality and morality. The social economic and moral trauma of AIDS on all people is considerable, regardless of culture, geographical or religious beliefs. All segments of society therefore, have diverse roles to play in ensuring the minimization of the rate of HIV/AIDS epidemic. This presenter primarily reviews the contribution of Faith-Based Organization (FBOs) in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support in the country. The paper notes that considering the strength, credibility and widespread nature of churches, they could make a real difference in HIV/AIDS, prevention care and support services in Ghana.

6. PRESENTER: Dr Rexford Kofi Asante

   Prof. Richard L.Douglas

   TOPIC: Roadway Casualties in Ghana: Number Two Killer, Threat to Economic Development, and the Tragedy of Preventable Suffering.

   DATE 28th June 2002

   ABSTRACT:

   Ghana among Sub-Saharan Africa nations,has the dubious distinction of having the most dangerous roadway and vehicular transportation systems, based on morbidity and mortality data. It doesn't take advanced science or an abundance of statistical data however, for an observant traveler to take heed on Ghana's roadways. To ride in a taxi,tro-tro, bicycle, or to be a pedestrian along most of the roads in Greater Accra, the highway to Cape Coast or Kumasi, or to venture into the neighbourhood streets within districts such as Jamestown is to understand that it is a dangerous undertaking and must cost Ghana's economy dearly.
   Given that roadway and transport crashes and casualties present public health problem, however, there is little evidence that Ghana ,as a nation has fully recognized the threats to human life, costs to the economy damage to families and communities or a factor that simultaneously restrains economic and human development throughout urban and rural areas, alike. The seminar is to stimulate a systematic attack on the dangers that threaten us all as we live and work in Ghana.

7. PRESENTER: Mrs Queronica Q,Ahene-Amanquanor

   TOPIC:: Improving Labour Productivity: The Family - Workforce

   DATE: 26th July 2002

   ABSTRACT:

   The paper focuses on societal changes that have impacted on harmony in the family and far reaching implications for sectors of society. Attention is drawn to how these threats affect the productivity of family members within the economically active group. This is buttressed by the plight of the family that has called for global concern to raise the awareness of policy makers to the family. The contribution of some family-oriented policies is assessed. The paper draws scenarios of the situation of the workforce based on empirical evidence, the kind of human resource being tended out now, and arouses awareness of the linkage between sound mind, healthy upbringing, and productivity. Within sociological discourse, the discussion postulates ways to improve the emotional make-up of workers through the provision of holistic family sensitive training programs and counseling sessions at the workplace.

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