PRESENTER : Mr William Ahadzie
TOPIC:" Creating An Enabling Environment for the Development of the
Child:An Examination of the Incidence of Some fiscal ,social and economic
Policies on Child Welfare In Ghana"
DATE:28TH July,2000
Abstract: Over the last century the world witnessed an overall
increase in average life expectancy, attributed largely to improvements in the
survival and health of children. The survival and development of children was
itself enhanced by the adoption of the goals and implementation of actions
flowing out of the world summit of children in 1990. The government of Ghana
like many other African government, demonstrated the willingness to assure
progress in the effort to improve child welfare by underwriting the
Declaration of the plan of action from the Summit. It sought to
institutionalize its commitment by setting up child welfare agencies,
formulating policies and making budgetary provisions that were primarily
targeted at the development of the child. However, the physical social and
economic circumstances under which children are growing do not appear likely
to promote effective child development. The paper examines the strengths,
weaknesses and the impact of the major policies that have been introduced over
the last decade on the survival of the child. It explores in particular
government allocation of resources for the promotion of child welfare
programs.
PRESENTER:Dr Rudith King
TOPIC:"Influencing policy: The Role of Urban market Women in Ghana.
A Case Study Of Kumasi Central Market"
DATE: 25th August,2000.
Abstract As a major institutional reform in Ghana, the
decentralization process that was introduced in 1988 aims at giving local
people the opportunity to participate in the development of their localities
through their participation in decision making and policy. One group of people
who have in the past been left out in such decision making process is the
marginalised/vulnerable groups and yet an important source of revenue for the
local government is market traders. This paper shares experiences gained from
attempts to bridge the communication gap between the local government and
market traders of the kumasi Central market. Among the objectives of the paper
is to facilitate a process of analysis by market women of their participation
in the decision making process of the local government and to explore
potentials for enhancing the process.
PRESENTERS: Ms Akosuah Darkwah
TOPIC:"Confronting the Phantom in our Midst: An Analysis of the
Manner in which Market Women Negotiate The Ghanaian Trade Policy Framework"
DATE: 29th September,2000
Abstract: Since its adoption of structural adjustment policies in
the mid 1980s, ghana has increasingly engaged the global economy in a variety
of ways. One of the key groups of people who make Ghana's incorporation into
the global economy possible is the women traders at Mokala who go back and
forth between Ghana and the West/Asia to purchase consumer items that they
bring back to Ghana to sell. This paper is part of a larger project that seeks
to understand the micro processes that make it possible for these women to run
their business .It explores both the contradictions between the broad
liberalization policies of the government and the specific formal/informal
policies of regulatory agencies such as CEPS on one hand, and the female
traders' attempts to work with and against these policies on the other.
PRESENTER: Dr Thomas Fokuo Agyapong
TOPIC: Housing and Related Family Issues
DATE: 27th October,2000
Abstract: This paper focuses on housing in relation to family issues
and welfare. The paper discusses housing as a social service as expressed in
various studies and adopted in policy documents. It examines the relevance and
concept of housing as it applies to government provided houses. The paper
observes that the quality and quantity of housing affects the welfare of the
family thereby affecting their productivity, health and income.
PRESENTER: Mr Cletus Apirebila Azangweo
TOPIC: Enhancing Policy Research Through records Management And
Information Delivery.
DATE: 24th November,2000.
Abstract: It is sad to note that very often, the relevance of
records management in all sphere of our human endeavors and ventures is
ignored, leading to disastrous consequences. The problems of Africa today are
not coup d'etat as most people think, but rather of bad records keeping. Weak
public administration is recognized as a major factor inhibiting sustainable
growth, and for a strong public administration, governments need access to
information about their programs and personnel. Policy makers, managers,
auditors, lawyers and researchers need accurate up t0 date data at a
reasonable cost. Information can only be provided if it is well organized and
systematically managed.
PRESENTER: Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh.
TOPIC: Enhancing Media Capabilities for Informal Reporting
DATE: 15th December,2000
Abstract The mass Media are great information multipliers, which are
indispensable to democracy and national development. The 1992 Constitution of
Ghana recognises this fact and make the mass media a critical part of the
institutional arrangement for good governance. The Constitution provides
rights and imposes obligations on the media. Those in the media would need to
act responsibly to give meaning to the constitutional guarantees of freedom.
The enormousness of the obligations require that the media are adequately
resourced and equipped to meet the needs of all interest groups and the
people. For this to happen, all Ghanaians including government and the
business sector, must assist the media to build the necessary capacity. It is
only when the mass media are resourced that they would meaningfully and
productively operate freely and responsibly as the Constitution demands.