Trans-border Advocacy Network in Tobacco Control: The Adoption of WHO-FCTC Best Practices into Domestic Laws in Ghana and Malawi

The study investigates the politics characterizing the adoption of tobacco control policy in Ghana and Malawi as a way of contributing to political science literature. It combines the global advocacy network, the multi-level policy transfer, and the liberal-constructivist theories as a single framework to examine their effects on tobacco control policy adoption. Methodologically, the study uses a comparative case study approach complemented by elite interviews, review of secondary materials, and policy documents. The study finds that neither of the Parliaments of the two countries has adopted any legislation that is properly enforced. However, both countries have certain voluntary agreements to control tobacco that were adopted through administrative directives by the Ministry of Health. Ghana has signed and ratified the WHO-FCTC protocol and the voluntary agreements adopted are well respected. In addition, the National Parliament is currently debating a draft tobacco control bill with the hope of passing a law before the end of 2012. On the contrary, Malawi has not signed the FCTC tobacco control protocol and the few voluntary agreements are in jeopardy following the establishment of a privately owned domestic tobacco manufacturing company in 2009. In the end, the study argues that the voluntary agreement often considered ineffective tobacco control instrument in many western countries could be the means of controlling the health hazards associated with tobacco in developing countries where the National Parliament fails to adopt tobacco control legislation. However, the effectiveness of the voluntary agreement depends on the structure and nature of activities of the tobacco industry network and tobacco control network, especially the influence of the Ministry of Health in each of the countries and possibly other developing countries. Where policymakers are directly involve in the tobacco business, little maybe achieve with the adoption of voluntary agreements as tobacco control instruments and vice versa

ANALYTICAL REVIEW OF THE INTERNAL FORCES ON AFRICA’S DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

The article focuses on the internal forces that have influenced Africa’s Democracy over the past decades. It pays attention to the analyses of secondary literature that covers democracy and development with much emphasis on Africa. By this article Africa’s attention is drawn to best practices and appropriate ways of leading the Democratic future of the continent. Also, of primary interest is how Africa has underdeveloped itself. There is the need to persistently look at the future of Africa in terms of development

Sustainable Development: Can New Technology and Economic Growth Be the Answer?

Since the aftermath of the World Commission on Environment and Development, policymakers and researchers have become concerned about finding lasting solutions to the challenges of sustainable development. Rapid economic growth and new technology have been identified as vital solutions to the attainment of sustainable development. Using the review of secondary literature, this paper analyses the prospects of economic growth and technology in achieving sustainable development. The paper finds that, there is some possibility of poverty alleviation with rapid economic growth that may support the attainment of sustainable development. But as endless as it may seem, economic growth can also put more pressure on available limited resources and pose challenges to humans and the environment.  By adopting the Ehrlich and Pringle, (2008) IPAT heuristic equation approach, the paper reveals that though the development of new technology can be effective, an increasing rate of population and affluent lifestyle can hinder the possibility of achieving sustainable development. Besides, technology has its own limits and a rebound effects is possible if technology is overstretched. Therefore, the  paper proposes that for sustainable development to be achieved, economic growth and new technology should be coupled with a well-structured balance between population  and  consumption  in  a  holistic  interconnection  between  economy,  environment  and society. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Economic Growth, New Technology

Regional Organizations and Response to Political Threat: A Review of the Role of ECOWAS in Ebola and Boko Haram Crises

The Economic Community of West Africa like all regional and international bodies takes priority in promoting peace and security for their members. However, the responses by ECOWAS have been contradictory in many cases where they have been confronted with issues of security in the region. This paper examines the response of ECOWAS’ to the issues of Ebola outbreak and Boko Haram Crises. It delves into the origins of both Ebola and Boko Haram and assesses the damage it has caused the West African sub region. The paper further critically analyses the response of ECOWAS to these two issues in the context of the protocol established to deal with issues of regional security threat. The paper finds that even though the regional body’s response to Ebola was unduly delayed, its actions contributed to the curtailing of the spread of the deadly disease. However, ECOWAS’ response to the activities of Boko Haram has not been encouraging as the protocol established by the ECOWAS to deal with issues of terrorism relating to regional security threat has not been invoked to deal with the security threat posed by the members of Boko Haram. Therefore, the paper concludes that the regional body’s response to Boko Haram has been poor and disappointing and calls on the governments of the countries in the ECOWAS region to take proactive steps to curtail the Boko Haram issues so as to bring lasting peace in Nigeria and the region

Interest Groups, Issue Definition and the Politics of Healthcare in Ghana

The provision of healthcare in Ghana from the pre-colonial period to the 4th Republic has been characterized by struggles to maintain dominance. While the politics in the pre-independence period focused on the manner of providing healthcare, the post-independence period encapsulates healthcare financing. Using the interest groups theory, the study examines the manner and motive of healthcare management in Ghana. The study finds that a coalition of healthcare interest groups often comprising healthcare providers, government functionaries, bureaucrats, and the World Bank and IMF etc.,  (from the 1970s), uses the definition of healthcare management to maintain leverage in the management of healthcare. Healthcare management in the pre-colonial period was defined as interventionism while the colonial administration focused on scientific therapy. The post-colonial period witnessed a shift of focus to healthcare financing and Nkrumah’ government adopted free healthcare system financed by the state. The Busia’s government focused on sustainability based on payment of small user fee. The Rawling’s regime adopted cost recovery featuring cash and carry, and the Kuffour’s regime focused on a collective responsibility through the adoption of a national health insurance scheme as financing methods. The paper argues that the way healthcare delivery is defined enables governments and political systems to maintain leverage over its management and subsequently reap direct and indirect benefits of the leverage, which among others include the allegiance and legitimacy of the public.  The analysis helps to understand the process of health policymaking in Ghana and perhaps other sub Saharan African countries. Keywords: Healthcare management, sustainability, healthcare financing, interest groups, issues definition, policy paradigm

Accomodation Reforms and its Effects on Students: A Focus on Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology from 1960 to 2013

This article focuses on how accommodation reforms have impacted the lives of students in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Attention has been paid to history of the various residency and non-residency policies since the inception of the university The study re-hushes the fact that the prevailing conditions in 1960 are vastly different from 2013 It studies how these policies have evolved since 1960 as well as their impact on students over the years The article concludes among other things that the university should build more halls or hostels at a subsidized amount They could do this by entering into partnership with firms groups and organization

National Health Insurance Scheme of Ejisu-Juaben and Matters Arising

The Ejisu-Juaben Health Insurance Scheme (EJHIS), a municipal health insurance scheme in the Asante Region, provides insurance cards to subscribers in the municipality to access affordable health care from accredited health facilities. The study was carried out to find out the extent to which health care is accessible and affordable to the people and to determine the sustainability of the scheme. Ten communities in the municipality were purposively selected. These communities cut across the entire municipality; these include both urban and rural settlements. The study adopted the descriptive survey design using the case study approach focusing on accessibility, affordability and sustainability of the health insurance scheme. In all 120 participants were selected for the study which includes managers, health service providers and subscribers comprising opinion leaders, community leaders and community members. Data was collected using semi-structured interview and interview guide. Responses were coded and analyzed. Findings showed that the government and the administrators at Ejisu-Juaben are committed to the implementation of health insurance policy and provide improved health care in the municipality. The study recommends a strong collaboration based on understanding among the scheme management, the health service providers and subscribers in Order to achieve a successful, affordable, accessible and sustainable health care. Scheme managers are urged to make the insurance more attractive, and create enhanced communication channels to promote transparency in their operations

Corporate Social Responsibility of Mining Companies in Ghana: The case of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited at Ahafo

It is perceived by many that communities in Ghana that host large scale mining activities are affluent and outpace several other communities in terms of socio-economic development. This seems not to be the case. This notwithstanding, mining companies have an obligation to fulfil towards the communities they operate within as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This necessitated an assessment of the Corporate Social Responsibility of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited at Ahafo in Ghana. This paper considered relevant literature pertaining to the subject matter, the views of community members within the mining enclave of Ahafo as well as that of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. A sample of 180 respondents was chosen through a purposive sampling technique. Key personalities including an Assemblyman, a Youth Leader, and three resettled persons were interviewed. There was also a focused group discussion among community members. The study found out Newmont has not deviated from its CSR in the region

Unlocking the Challenging Pathways of Youth Participation in Ghana’s Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency

Youth participation in public policies such as the employment policy process has gained prominence in academic and policy literature. Despite this, research on youth participation in the employment policy process has received little attention in Ghana. This paper draws on documentary analysis to unlock the challenging pathways of youth participation in Ghana’s youth employment and entrepreneurial development agency. The paper finds that a web of challenges such as insufficient access to information, over-politicization of GYEEDA, poor level of coordination of stakeholders, and prevalence of diversity and social exclusion are embedded in obstructing the youth participation in GYEEDA. The study recommends that policymakers such as the government and other stakeholders should provide adequate measures to ensure that beneficiaries such as the youths are engaged in the design, formulation, and execution of the youth employment policy process in Ghana

Electoral Systems and Antagonism in Politics: A Case Study of Ghana

Political pundits and civil society organizations have been making clarion calls for the adoption of proportional representation electoral process in Ghana so as to end the perceived antagonism in Ghana’s political system. Using a review of scholarly materials, this paper examines the feasibility of the proportional representation electoral system in Ghana. It argues that the most significant aspect of democratic consolidation and development is not entirely about the type of electoral system adopted but the strengthening of the institutions of state. Therefore, by strengthening the institutions of government, the much needed political goods will be delivered to the citizenry, which will go a long way to improve the democratic process and development of Ghana