- PRESENTER: Prof Nana Araba Apt
TOPIC: Ageing, Social policy and the African Family
DATE: 29TH January,1999
Abstract
Abstract
The family has been the cornerstone of social arrangements in Africa, contemporary policy making must recognize this legacy and seek to incorporate it in the development of national welfare programs which are increasingly becoming necessary as Africa experiences a social welfare crisis. In this paper we argue that affordable social welfare must make use of traditional social welfare institutions. The policy question is .how can we best support these institutions to accomplish in modern times what they accomplished so effectively under tradition? This and other critical family welfare issues will be highlighted with particular reference to Ghana.
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PRESENTER: Mr Theo Kwesi Anderson
TOPIC: Ghana's Forest policy and the impact on Family Welfare The case of Logging and Afforestation Program.
DATE: 26TH February,1999
Abstract
Ghana's forest resources, which once contributed significantly to the economy are now subject to many pressures leading to resources depletion and unsustainable livelihoods. This resource depletion has negative impacts on the nation, family values and welfare. Consequently, various policy options have been put in place or proposed to address forest loss in Ghana. Notable among them is the idea of afforestation, which has received both national and global Support. This presentation will asses the impact of the policy option on the rural family and make concrete proposals for effective planning and implementation of afforestation schemes in order to maintain benefits and enhance family welfare.
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PRESENTER: Prof E. Gyimah-Boadi
TOPIC: "Why Can't We Get Along?" Civil Society and the Good Society in Africa
DATE: 26TH March,1999
Abstract
From social democrats to communitarians and free market ideologies, civil society is being held to great promise to deliver the good society.
But civil society occupies a large terrain populated by a bewildering variety of social organizations. This discussion is intended to throw light on the concept of civil society, provide an outline of its key organizational forms, and to analyze the senses in which it is virtuous or vicious. Particular emphasis is placed on why the presumed positive rules assigned to civil society in economics and political development projects of Africa are proving so elusive.
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PRESENTER: Prof Kwassi Kwafo Adarkwa and Dr John Diaw
TOPIC: The Potentials of Community Participation in Ghana- An Illusion or Reality?
DATE: 28th May,1999
Abstract
To facilitate the process of empowering local communities to take a more active role development decisions, the "Strengthening Community Management and Participation" project was conceived, designed and implemented jointly by UNCHS (HABITAT) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in 11 communities in southern Ghana. The study revealed that among other things, empowering the local communities has had significant improvement s in poverty reduction, improvement of human settlements as well as community organization and participation. Findings of this study could serve as a basis for future policy rationale aimed at facilitating the participation of beneficiaries in planning process.
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PRESENTER: Mr William Ahadzie
TOPIC: Ghana's Education Reform: Equalising Opportunities or Marginalising the poor
DATE: 25TH June 1999
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 optimize the use of educational resources, to boost student achievements, equity and to realize economic and social benefits.An attempt is made in this paper to examine the impact of Ghana's education reform effort across gender, income and geographical lines.
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PRESENTER: Mr Ebenezer Adjetey -Sorsey
TOPIC:"Contribution of older People to Development in Ghana"
DATE:30th July 1999
Abstract
Older people are too often invisible when development issues are discussed, desplite the demographic transition that is taking place. Populations are ageing rapidly and by the year 2000, it is estimated that two thirds of the world's population of over 60 years will be in the countries of the south. In sub-saharan Africa, the proportion of people over 65 years is expected to increase by 93% between 2000 and 2020. the proportion of women among older population will continue to grow , with important economic and social implications. The paper presents findings on a research commissioned by Help Age International and undertaken in Ghana, to contribute to the responsiveness of policies and services to the needs and capabilities of poor and disadvantaged older people in Africa and other countries.
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PRESENTER: Mr R. Kofi Nyantakyi
TOPIC:"Poverty and Poverty Reduction in Ghana"
DATE: 27th August,1999
Abstract:
Poverty is pervasive and has political economic and social cost implications which if not addressed effectively and with all earnestness will lead to the breakdown of order in society .It therefore poses a serious and formidable challenge to the development of Ghana. This paper examines among other things; The causes, types, forms of poverty, the social, economic, political costs and implication of poverty; poverty reduction and intervention schemes.
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PRESENTER: Mr J Y Amankrah
TOPIC:"Preparing Ghana's Future Workforce to Respond to labor Market Dynamics."
DATE: 24th September,1999
Abstract
Ghana's Vision to become a middle income country by the year 2020 demands a more pragmatic approach to the development of its human capital to meet changing needs of the labor market through efficient use of labor market information systems.
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PRESENTER: Mrs Angela Dwamena -Aboagye
TOPIC:"The new Child legislation in Ghana;Implication for child Enforcement"
DATE: 29th October ,1999
Abstract
The parliament of Ghana passed the Children's act and the Criminal Code (Amendment ) act late last year (19980. The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill is yet to be enacted. This package of legislation which deals with child rights enforcement inconformity with international standards under the Convention on the Right's of the Child (CRC) and guaranteed under the 1992 constitution of Ghana has to be enforced. What are the structures and constitutions mandated to enforce the law and who is supposed to do that? How can civil society be empowered to the best interest of the Ghanaian child?
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PRESENTER:Dr Ken. Agyeman Attafuah
TOPIC: "Enhancing Disability Rights in Africa:
The Ghanaian Experience.
DATE: 26th November,1999
Abstract
Persons with physical and mental disabilities are the victims of widespread, institutionlised and systemic discrimination throughout Ghanaian society. The rights of the disabled are routinely trampled upon with impunity with the family, at the school, workplace and in various sectors of society. In this presentation Dr Ken Attafuah discusses the socio-legal meaning of disability and the plight of the disabled in Africa, with a special focus on disabled persons in Ghana. He also examines the efficacy if constitutional and statutory human rights protections, as well as ameliorative policies, in responding to the challenging life circumstances of the disabled in Ghana. Finally he outlines a range of legislative and policy measures required to advanced the disabled and render them more productive and more integrated members of society.
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PRESENTER: Dr O. Sakyi-Dawson
TOPIC:"Linking Formal and InformalIntermediaries in Ghana :A Way to Increase Women's Access to Financial services"
DATE:17th December,1999
Abstract
Perceptions of high risk, high cost and low returns, lead banks away from investment in small scale renewable natural resources (PNR) activities; while lack of information lack of literacy and numeracy skills, lack of collateral, rigid and time consuming bureaucratic procedures from powerful disincentives for particular barriers for poor women in accessing formal finance, posing both an equity and efficiency problem. Based on a study in Ghana funded by the British Department for international Development (DFID), this paper examines the piotentials for increasing women's access to financial services through linking formal and informal agents and concludes with an outline of the policy implications of the study.