African Journal of Social Sciences Education

The Politics of Social Cash Transfers Implementation: Insights from the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme in Ghana

Gabriel Botchwey, Ndangwa Noyoo — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Social protection has become legitimised and embedded in the politics of many developing countries as a means to address poverty and social exclusion; and it has found favour across different political ideology adherents. This, in part, is due to recognition of its importance to help stabilise society through social safety-nets. However, this is not without challenges. This paper investigated the politics of social intervention implementation, utilization of transfer funds, and whether or not such programmes influence citizens’ sense of loyalty and ability to criticise government, with a focus on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) in Ghana. The study was conducted through qualitative semistructured interviews in two districts in the central region of Ghana. Findings show that information and access to the programme was fairly available to all, and cash transfer funds were used for food, care of orphans and grandchildren, health expenses, security for loans, small businesses and home repairs. Findings also indicate that participation in programme did influence perception and sense of attachment to the state positively. However, whereas some beneficiaries felt constrained in their ability to criticise government, others were prepared to do so regardless of benefits received. Thus, it concludes that social interventions may limit the ‘exercise of voice’ but do not shut it down entirely; this remains an important finding for social interventions policy and democracy promotion.

Democratic and Communist Policies in dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Comparative Study of Ghana and China

Abdul Hamid Kwarteng, Joseph Bawa, Palgrave Boakye Danquah — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The outbreak of coronavirus in all parts of the world in the latter part of 2019 and early 2020 necessitated the need for various governments to enact and execute various policies to deal with the virus. Obviously, the effective implementation of such policies to a large extent depends on the system of government practiced in the country. It is in this regard that this paper seeks to compare the policies enacted by Ghana and the People’s Republic of China that practice a different system of government so as to determine which system of government is better in enacting and implementing policies that can best deal with the spread of a deadly disease like coronavirus. Grounded in Foucault’s Biopolitics and Governmentality, and Agamben’s Homo Sacer, the study relied on the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in the form of desktop review. The research does not suggest or recommend Ghana to do away with the practice of democracy and adopt communism as a system of government especially when the practice of democracy has aided the protection of fundamental human rights in Ghana. However, this study makes the case that a communist government like that of China with centralised political power is much effective and efficient in enacting and implementing strict, but necessary policies to deal with a deadly disease like coronavirus as compared to a democratic system practiced by Ghana.

Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgeting: An Analysis of Influencing Factors in Central Gonja District of Ghana

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Citizen participation has received much attention in participatory budgeting literature yet few studies have focused on expanding the discussions on the perceptions around factors that influence citizen participation. This paper sought to investigate the factors that support or hinder citizens’ participation in budgeting decisions in the context of a developing country focusing on demographic and behavioral factors. The research used a quantitative design with a sample of 137 respondents from the Central Gonja District in Ghana. The study employed a principal component analysis to extract factors that best described the main variables. Cronbach Alpha was used to test the reliability of the individual scales. The study found a high positive and statistically significant relationship between demographic factors and citizen participation (r=.791) as well as between behavioral factors and citizen participation (r=.711). The multiple regression results showed that demographic factors such age, gender, and education have positive effect citizen participation (?=.467; ?=.339; and ?=.094) respectively. Also, behavioral factors (trust and attitude) was found to have a significant influence on citizen participation in the budgeting process (?=.466 and ?=.296) respectively. The outcome of this study contributes significantly to our understanding of how behavioral factors and demographic factors shape and influence the level of citizen participation in budgeting processes at the local level. The study concludes that government efforts should empower citizens, especially women and young people, through education with tools of the budget formulation process to ensure their full participation.

The Accra Initiative and Terrorism in West Africa: A Critical Review

Gilbert Arhinful Aidoo — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Accra Initiative was originally adopted by Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Burkina Faso in September 2017 to promote coordination and cooperation towards addressing the security complex, especially the threats of terrorism within their national borders. This largely desk-based qualitative research paper examined concrete steps taken by state parties to fully operationalise the Accra Initiative, challenges it confronts and measures to remedy these challenges as efforts to stem the tide of terrorism from West Africa. The paper found that while significant progress has been made to fully operationalise the Accra Initiative, several factors, including operational and funding challenges, continue to dog its effectiveness and sustainability. Thus, the study recommended that for the Accra Initiative to effectively deal with the terrorism menace in the subregion, these challenges should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Reverse of Democracy’s Third Wave: Understanding the Causes of Coups d’état in West Africa in the Twenty-First Century

Isaac Brako, Thomas Prehi Botchway, Gilbert Arhinful Aidoo — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Rising coups in West Africa have raised serious socio-economic, political and security concerns across Africa. This paper contributes to debates on the causes of the rising military coup infernos, the effects on the sub-region and its peoples, and suggests remedial actions. The paper found that several factors, including the French colonial policies of Assimilation and Association, neocolonialism, geopolitical undercurrents, non-performance of civilian regimes and corruption enable the phenomenon to fester. The paper suggests that, among other things, in order to reverse the current trend and to avoid such occurrence in the future, African countries must de-link themselves from existing colonial linkages that do not inure to their benefit. Also, agreements and treaties that are inimical to the general wellbeing of the citizens, and which have over the years been used as basis for popular uprising and military takeovers must be carefully renegotiated.