World

The article explores the veracity of a story told about a foreign visitor who came to Ghana in 1957.

Filth Has Spiritual Consequences Okronkronyi Nyame Somafo Yawoh teaches that filth is spiritually derogating and spiritually taxing. According to His teachings, acts that pollute the natural environm

Introduction The extradition of Abu Trica from Ghana to the United States has generated enormous media attention in Ghana. Hardly a newspaper, radio station, television network, or online news platfo

A Disturbing Reality One only needs to read local newspapers or browse Ghana-based online news platforms to appreciate the disturbing frequency of child abuse cases occurring in homes across the coun

Ghana is a country with a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the people who inhabited the territory now known as Ghana had developed sophisticated political syst

Among the Akan people of Ghana, belief in God occupies a central place in everyday life. The Akans have long regarded God, known as Nyame, as the Creator of the universe, the source of all life, and t

What Is Juneteenth? Juneteenth National Independence Day, celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arri

Introduction The influence of Ghana on world football extends far beyond the Black Stars. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, players of Ghanaian heritage can be found representing several nations across Eur

The Neglect of Crime Victims For many decades, the study of crime was largely concerned with offenders. Criminologists focused their attention on criminals, criminal behavior, and the causes of crime

Introduction Lethal violence is a starkly gendered phenomenon. Globally, men are overwhelmingly the primary victims and perpetrators of homicide, typically driven by street crime, gang rivalries, and

Introduction Among Ghana’s sixteen administrative regions, few possess the historical significance, educational prominence, and cultural richness of the Central Region. Located along Ghana’s southern

Introduction Among Ghana’s sixteen administrative regions, few can rival the Western Region in terms of natural wealth, cultural diversity, economic importance, and historical significance. Stretchin

The Institution of Chop Money Chop money is oftentimes a source of conflict between Ghanaian husbands and their wives. Some of such conflicts result in verbal assaults, verbal disagreements, physical

One of the most important features of Akan religious and funeral traditions is the pouring of libation, known in Twi as nsaguo or mpaeyie. The word nsaguo literally means the pouring of an alcoholic d

Asase Yaa, in the indigenous religion of the Akan people, is regarded as the great female spirit of the earth. She occupies a position of honor and importance second only to Nyankopon, the Creator. Th

Ghana has made substantial progress in literacy over the past several decades, yet the country has not achieved universal literacy. According to recent UNESCO and World Bank data, approximately 76–81%

A Generation Dissatisfied with the Status Quo Many young people around the world are deeply dissatisfied with the state of the world today. They are troubled by persistent injustices, armed conflicts

Introduction One of the greatest challenges confronting African countries today is the phenomenon known as "brain drain." Every year, thousands of highly educated and skilled Africans leave their hom

Ghana is often celebrated as one of Africa’s most peaceful and culturally vibrant nations. From the bustling markets of Accra to the fishing communities along the coast, from the savannah settlements

In traditional Ghanaian society, old age is not merely a biological stage of life; it is a position of honor, wisdom, and social responsibility. Elderly men and women occupy a special place within fam

witchcraft

Rastafarians

multilingualism, language

Introduction: When Two Revolutions Met The friendship between Kwame Nkrumah and Ahmed Sékou Touré was not a casual diplomatic acquaintance. It was an ideological alliance forged in the furnace of ant

pet ownership

Conspicuous Consumption and the Funeral Arena The term “conspicuous consumption” was coined by the American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen in his classic work The Theory of the Leisure Cl

Understanding One of Ghana’s Most Enduring Social Questions Research on witchcraft in Ghana spans nearly a century and reflects the country’s continuing struggle to understand belief, accusation, fea

In Akan society in Ghana, a chief occupies a revered and sacred position. He is the custodian of the land, the representative of the ancestors, and the moral leader of the community. The stool symboli

For centuries, Ghana has stood at the crossroads of global cultural encounters. Long before the modern era of globalization, the land now called Ghana was already a bustling center of trade and intera

The Volta Region of Ghana Location and Geography The Volta Region is one of the most culturally rich and geographically diverse regions of Ghana. Located in the eastern part of the country, it share

Vultures Were A Once Familiar Presence in Ghana’s Skies About fifty years ago, vultures were a common sight across Ghana. One could hardly walk a short distance without encountering them. They perche

From Childhood Fascination to Lifelong Pacifism My father used to tell us stories about the Second World War. As children, we listened with a mixture of awe and excitement. The accounts of military a

A Mother with Sixteen Children to Raise Growing up in Ghana in the 1970s, my mother taught her eight biological children and eight non-biological children the enduring virtues of self-reliance, hard work, and personal dignity. She was a woman of uncommon wisdom who believed that excessive dependence

There are stories of academic success, and then there are stories of destiny shaped by personal struggle, sacrifice, and compassion. The remarkable journey of Dr. Amma Adinkrah belongs to the latter category. This past Saturday, Amma Adinkrah, daughter of Dr. Kwame Adinkrah, proudly graduated with t

A Land of Heights and HeritageIn Ghana’s Eastern Region lies Kwahu, a unique and historically rich area known not only for its breathtaking landscape but also for the resilience and enterprise of its people. Often referred to as Asaase Aban—meaning “Natural Fortress”—Kwahu stands out as the highest

The story of Ghana’s “Dream Team” is not merely a sporting tale; it is a generational narrative—one that reflects continuity, discipline, and the organic evolution of talent within Ghanaian football. Though the phrase “Dream Team” is more commonly associated with Olympic squads, in Ghanaian discours

The world today is full of religions. By merely casting a cursory glance around us, we encounter Christians and Christianity, Hindus and Hinduism, Muslims and Islam, atheists, agnostics, traditionalists, Zionists, Jews and Judaism, Confucianists and Confucianism, Shintos and Shintoism. Religion, as

Scholars who study society—sociologists, anthropologists, and others—have long observed that religion exists in every known culture. Because of this, religion is often described as a cultural universal. It is not limited to one people or place; it is a shared human experience. In today’s world, reli

History is rarely linear. It moves in cycles—of rise, dispersal, memory, and resurgence. In July 2010, under the floodlights of Soccer City in Johannesburg, a moment unfolded that seemed to collapse centuries into ninety minutes (and then one hundred and twenty). Ghana’s Black Stars stood on the bri

Sociologists define religion as a system of shared beliefs and practices through which people relate to what they consider sacred or supernatural. In simple terms, religion helps people make sense of life, death, and the world beyond what we can see. A Cultural Universal One important idea in sociol

Few infrastructure projects in the history of Ghana have had as profound an impact as the construction of the Akosombo Dam. Built in the early years of Ghana’s independence, the project symbolized the ambitious development vision of the country’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who believed that ind

Introduction The question of whether the criminalization of witchcraft accusations would have any meaningful impact in Ghana requires careful and systematic analysis. At present, witchcraft accusations are largely non-criminal, meaning there are no specific laws prohibiting individuals from accusing

In every society, including Ghana, there exist disabled people living with various forms of disability. These disabilities take many shapes and forms. Some are physical, affecting mobility, sight, hearing, or bodily function. Others are mental or psychological, influencing cognition, emotional regul

Marxism, as developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a theoretical framework that seeks to explain the organization, functioning, and transformation of society, particularly under conditions of capitalism. Class Structure: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat At the center of Marxist analysis is a dis

Men and boys are frequently victims of homicide, yet discussions of lethal violence often overlook the specific contexts in which they are targeted. Scholars of homicide and lethal violence have developed a range of terms to describe killings based on the relationship between victim and offender, as

Politics, at its core, is a struggle over resources, influence, and authority. While much of political competition is expressed through negotiation, elections, and policymaking, history shows that the pursuit of power can also result in extreme acts, including the deliberate taking of human life. Ho

All human societies are governed by rules. These rules regulate behavior by defining what individuals may do and what they must refrain from doing. Without such rules, social life would be chaotic and unpredictable. In sociology, these rules are referred to as norms. Norms are the shared expectation

Rules, Laws, and Social Order All human societies are governed by rules. These rules regulate behavior by defining what individuals may do and what they must refrain from doing. Without such rules, social life would be chaotic, unpredictable, and ultimately unsustainable. Rules make social interacti

Introduction: The Hidden Face of Family ViolenceHomicide refers to the killing of one person by another, and within this broad category lies a deeply troubling subset known as family homicide, which involves the killing of one family member by another. Although the family is often idealized as a hav

A Nation Defined by Peace In a region and continent that have, at various historical moments, been scarred by conflict and instability, Ghana stands out as a compelling example of relative peace. Since gaining independence in 1957, the country has largely avoided the large-scale civil wars that have

Are people born criminals, or do they learn to become criminal? Is there a “crime gene”? Can criminal behavior be inherited, or do people have control over their actions? These questions have intrigued scholars, parents, and the public for decades. Some people assume that crime is inherited. They lo

Kente cloth is one of the most famous traditional textiles of West Africa and is strongly associated with Ghana. It is a handwoven cloth made from narrow strips of silk or cotton that are stitched together to form a larger fabric. The cloth is distinguished by its brilliant colors, geometric pattern

The early years of Ghana’s independence, particularly between 1957 and the mid-1960s, reveal the gradual emergence of state control over the media. While independence initially generated optimism about press freedom, archival newspaper records, government policies, and editorial patterns show that s

A Historic Emblem of Independence The Ghana national flag is more than a piece of cloth fluttering in the wind; it is a powerful symbol of the country’s history, aspirations, and identity. First officially adopted on March 6, 1957—the same day Ghana became the first African nation to gain independen

The leadership of Yaa Asantewaa in the 1900 war against British colonial rule remains one of the most extraordinary and symbolically powerful episodes in African resistance history. Her decision to lead the Ashanti (Asante) in armed rebellion was not an accident of circumstance—it emerged from a com

When the Gold Coast achieved independence on March 6, 1957, becoming Ghana, the event generated immense public excitement and hope. For millions of Ghanaians, independence was not merely a constitutional change—it represented the promise of economic prosperity, political empowerment, social transfor

For many years, this question has generated curiosity, debate, and speculation. But the answer lies not only in romance. It lies in politics, diplomacy, and a bold continental vision during one of the most transformative periods in African history. When Ghana gained independence from Britain on Marc

In the years following Ghana’s independence in 1957, one of the most influential political and intellectual concepts articulated by Kwame Nkrumah was “neo-colonialism.” For Nkrumah, independence did not mark the end of foreign domination in Africa. Instead, he argued that a new, more subtle form of

The question of whether independence in 1957 marked the true birth of a free African press in the Gold Coast—now Ghana—is both historically complex and deeply debated. While Ghana’s independence symbolized political liberation from colonial rule, the evolution of press freedom was far more gradual a

The relationship between newspapers and Ghana’s Independence Day celebrations is deeply rooted in the country’s political history and media evolution. From the late colonial period through the attainment of independence in 1957 and into the post-colonial era, newspapers played a central role in docu

In the years surrounding Ghana’s independence and early nation-building period (roughly the mid-1950s through the early 1960s), one of the most persistent and consequential public discussions revolved around the tension between press freedom and national unity. Newspapers themselves became both the

The emergence of Ghana as an independent nation in 1957 was not only a political milestone but also a global media event. Newspapers—both local and international—played a decisive role in announcing the birth of the new state to the world. Through headlines, editorials, photographs, and diplomatic r

The portrayal of Kwame Nkrumah as a national hero was not simply a spontaneous public perception—it was carefully shaped, amplified, and sustained through newspapers and other media channels during the late colonial and early post-independence periods. In the Gold Coast, now Ghana, the press played

The development of newspaper culture in the Gold Coast—today known as Ghana—was inseparable from the spread of formal education during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Education did far more than teach reading and writing; it fundamentally reshaped social structures, created new intelle

During the colonial period in the Gold Coast—modern-day Ghana—newspapers were not merely instruments of public communication; they were powerful tools of governance and political control. Colonial governors recognized early that controlling the flow of information was essential for maintaining autho

The growth of newspaper readership in the Gold Coast—modern-day Ghana—cannot be understood without examining the critical role played by nineteenth-century mission schools. These educational institutions, established by European Christian missions, were not only centers of religious instruction but

The end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the nineteenth century is often presented in historical narratives as a clear moral victory led by European abolitionists. However, in reality, the process was complex, uneven, and frequently misrepresented—particularly in early newspapers and colonial re

The history of slavery and abolition in the area now known as Ghana is deeply intertwined with global economic systems, imperial expansion, African political structures, and the emergence of print journalism as a powerful instrument of public opinion. From the fifteenth century through the nineteent

The Atlantic as Living Arena Along the Atlantic edge of the pre-colonial Gold Coast, long before European forts punctuated the shoreline, the sea was already a theatre of movement, daring, and communal pride. The coastal societies of present-day Ghana—particularly the Fante, Ga, and related Akan mar

Recent reports in the Ghanaian media have once again drawn attention to a disturbing and persistent problem: the murder, attempted murder, and lynching of women accused of practicing witchcraft. These incidents are often shocking in their brutality and tragic in their consequences. They also raise a

Violence against persons accused of witchcraft remains a troubling reality in parts of Ghana. Although our nation prides itself on hospitality, communal solidarity, and deep respect for human dignity, allegations of witchcraft too often trigger acts of cruelty that contradict these cherished values.

In Ghana, the overwhelming majority of people accused of witchcraft are women and girls. Nearly all victims killed during witch hunts are female. In the so-called “witch camps” or “outcast homes” in northern Ghana, it is rare to find a man among the residents. The population is almost entirely women

Children and the Future of the Nation Children are the future of every society. When a nation fails to nurture and guide its children properly, it mortgages its own future. Ghana today faces a troubling situation: unless deliberate efforts are made to mould children into disciplined, responsible, an

Imprisonment, also known as incarceration, is one of the most severe penalties imposed by courts in Ghana and elsewhere. Judges and magistrates have several sentencing options at their disposal, including fines, probation, community service, and custodial sentences. Prison is usually reserved for pe

Imprisonment is one of the most common punishments for crime in many societies, including Ghana. It is also known as incarceration. While courts have several options for punishing offenders—such as fines, probation, or community service—prison sentences are usually reserved for serious crimes like r

Rape and sexual assault are among the most serious crimes in Ghana, leaving victims with profound physical, emotional, and psychological scars. Despite public awareness campaigns and media reporting, sexual violence continues to occur in society, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance, education

In the past, Ghanaian marriages endured. Separation was rare and divorce uncommon. Today, however, marriages are dissolving at an alarming rate. The critical question is this: what can be done to fortify marriages and restore their durability? Many of the challenges confronting contemporary marriage

Ghanaian society traditionally values respect for the elderly. Older people are regarded as repositories of wisdom, custodians of tradition, and moral anchors of the family. Yet beneath this ideal lies a troubling reality: many elderly persons in Ghana experience neglect, abuse, and profound social

Punishment is a central feature of every organized society, including Ghana. While rewards are designed to encourage conformity and socially approved behavior, punishment exists to negatively sanction deviant behavior. When individuals act in ways that align with societal norms, they are often rewar

Cohabitation refers to an intimate arrangement in which a man and a woman live together in a shared residence without being formally married. While cohabitation has become increasingly common in many contemporary societies, it is generally frowned upon in Akan society and regarded as socially improp

For many people, choosing a marital partner is a deliberate decision. Individuals often consider several factors before deciding who to marry. Sociologists study these choices and use specific terms to describe the different patterns people follow when selecting a spouse. Marrying Up and Marrying Do

Marital and relationship breakdowns occur for many reasons, and these reasons often vary from one society to another. Pe

Children are the future of every society. Yet Ghana faces a serious challenge if urgent steps are not taken to ensure that today’s children are properly guided and nurtured to grow into law-abiding and responsible citizens. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in juvenile delinquenc

Some call it mob justice. Others describe it as instant justice or vigilante justice. But where, indeed, is the justice when a person is beaten, maimed, or killed without a proper trial or lawful conviction by the legally constituted justice system of the land? Every year in Ghana, scores of individ

Witchcraft is commonly understood in Ghana as a supernatural power believed to be possessed by some individuals, enabling them to influence the behavior, health, fortune, or misfortune of others—either as victims or beneficiaries. Belief in witchcraft and witches remains widespread and deeply embedd

A new religious movement has emerged in Ghana known as Asomdwee Ntonton Som, a name that translates literally as “Peace and Exaltation Religion.” Ghana is a deeply multireligious society, long accustomed to religious plurality. Christianity—represented by historic denominations such as Catholic, Pre

Traffic accidents in Ghana are more than statistics—they are daily tragedies that claim lives, ruin families, and leave survivors with lifelong injuries. Beyond the loss of life, road crashes lead to pain, suffering, disability, and economic hardship for individuals and communities alike. Recent dat

In Ghana, success is loudly celebrated, quietly envied, and endlessly debated. Yet, beneath the noise of social media displays, church testimonies, political slogans, and family expectations lies a deeper question we rarely pause to ask ourselves honestly: what does success truly mean to you? Not to

In an age of rapid social change, urbanization, and shifting lifestyles, it is worth asking a simple but important question: What is a family, and why do we still need one? Despite changes in how people live and relate to one another, the family remains the most fundamental institution in every soci

In Ghana today, many parents encourage their children to speak English, sometimes at the expense of local languages. This trend is common not only in Ghana but also among Ghanaian families living abroad. While parents may believe that prioritizing English will make their children academically bright

Across Africa, myths and misunderstandings about bedwetting continue to affect children and families. In Ghana, many parents still believe that children who wet their beds at night are lazy or unwilling to wake up to urinate. As a result, some children are physically disciplined. In past decades, pa

Time to Break Old Beliefs For too long, society has told girls they are weaker, less capable, or meant to play second fiddle to boys. It’s time to shatter that myth. Girls can do it all—excel in school, lead in government, innovate in business, and make decisions that shape nations. Gender does not

Discarding Outdated Beliefs It is time for Africans to discard the outdated belief that boys and girls differ in abilities and potential. For too long, harmful cultural attitudes have suggested that women should play second fiddle to men. But reality proves otherwise: for everything a boy or a man c

In Ghana, boys are socialized from an early age into the belief that boys do not cry. Among the Akan, any attempt by a boy to cry is frequently met with the admonition “gyae, barima nsu”—literally, “stop, boys do not cry.” This injunction reflects a broader cultural script that equates emotional res

Every society has norms, which are rules that guide behavior. One important norm in Ghana concerns the use of the left hand in social interactions. Traditionally in Ghana, using the left hand in social interactions can be problematic. Giving something to someone or receiving something with the left

Homicide is the killing of one person by another person. The study of homicide is an important part of criminology and is carried out by criminologists, especially those who specialize in homicide or lethal violence. Homicide is not a single, uniform act. There are many different types of homicide,

We often hear the word homicide, but many people do not fully understand its meaning or the nature of the crime. In this essay, I discuss what homicide is, the different types of homicide, and why it is considered one of the most serious crimes in society. Homicide is the killing of one person by…

Prostitution is commonly defined as the exchange of sex for money. People who engage in prostitution provide sexual services in return for payment. A related question is whether exchanging sex for material items other than cash should also be considered prostitution. Some people say yes, others say

People often talk about poverty and poor people. However, two important questions are not always clearly answered: What is poverty? And who are the poor? Poverty simply means deprivation. When a person lacks something that is important for living well, that person is said to be poor. Most of the tim

Akan Day Names (Kra Din) Different societies have different ways of naming their children. Among the Akan people of Ghana, newborns are given a special name based on the day of the week on which they are born. This name is called a “kra din.” In Twi, the widely spoken Akan language, kra (or okra)…

Written by Mensah Adinkrah, Ph.D. Ritual murder is the killing of a person with the intention of using the victim’s blood, body, or body parts to perform rituals or prepare what is often described as “medicine” for personal gain. It is one of the most heinous crimes anyone can commit. Taking another

Corporal punishment is when an adult uses physical force to discipline or control a child, with the aim of causing pain, though not serious injury. In simple terms, it means hurting a child’s body to punish them. Examples of corporal punishment include beating or caning, slapping or spanking, whippi

In 1858, Charles Bannerman — the son of a British lieutenant governor and an Asante princess — founded the Accra Herald, recognized as the first African-produced newspaper in West Africa. Unlike the colonial-run press, this handwritten paper reached primarily African readers, circulating among some

Suicide is defined as death resulting from self-directed harmful behavior carried out with the intent to die. A suicidol

The first English newspaper on the continent of Africa was published in Cape Town in 1800. The following year in Sierra Leone, The Royal Gazette and Sierra Leone Advertiser were published in Freetown. Both were European undertakings concerned with matters of government. In 1826, Charles Force, an Am

Royal Gold Coast Gazette & Commercial Intelligencer 📰 Newspaper: Royal Gold Coast Gazette📍 Location: Cape Coast In 1822, the British colonial administration introduced the Royal Gold Coast Gazette & Commercial Intelligencer, marking the birth of journalism in the Gold Coast. The handwritten paper

Corruption remains one of the most enduring social challenges confronting Ghana. Its roots stretch back to the colonial Gold Coast era (1821–1957) and continue to influence governance, public trust, and national development today. Understanding this long history is essential to appreciating why corr