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Introduction A society is often judged not by how it treats its rich, powerful, and influential citizens, but by how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members. Children, the elderly, and pers

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

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

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

pet ownership

Africa is still the “dark continent” to many people. In spite of its immense size, large population, vast mineral and agricultural resources, militarily strategic location, and tremendous development potential, Africa is undeniably the most misunderstood continent. Very few non-natives of the contin

The Akan constitute one of the major ethnic groups in Ghana, accounting for approximately 46 percent of the national population. They speak Twi, a language that is understood and spoken by nearly 90 percent of the country’s population. The Akan are made up of several subgroups, including the Asante,

The Akans are the largest ethnic group in Ghana, comprising approximately 46 percent of the national population. The Akan language, commonly referred to as Twi, is widely spoken across the country. Although it is the mother tongue of the Akan people, it also functions as a lingua franca and is under

A description of a major Akan cultural ceremony to honor women for prolific childbearing

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

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 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

A tactical analysis of what could be a historic encounter between Ghana and England.

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

With barely a few hours to the encounter between Ghana and Panama, we try to explore and understand the nature of football legacy that comes with this encounter.

Introduction For decades, African leaders have boarded planes to Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East in search of foreign aid. Every year, countless international conferences, donor meet

Introduction The Akan have a wise saying: "If you plant plantain, you will harvest plantain; if you plant cassava, you will harvest cassava; and if you plant pineapples, you will harvest pineapples."

Introduction Every year, as Easter approaches, a familiar phrase echoes across Ghana's radio stations, television screens, and social media platforms: "Kwahu oooo Kwahu!" The expression has become bo

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%

Ghana is widely celebrated as one of Africa's most stable democracies. Since the return to constitutional rule in 1992, the country has conducted regular elections, witnessed peaceful transfers of pow

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

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

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

This piece takes us back to another breathtaking highlight from the 2010 world cup where the Black Stars reaffirmed their authority in the game of football when the entire world was watching.

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

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

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

In Ghana, cigarette smoking is strongly gendered. Men smoke; women generally do not. It is relatively rare to see a woman or young girl smoking in public, and when this does occur, it often attracts social disapproval. Women and girls who smoke may be labeled as morally deviant or associated with se

Femicide refers to the intentional killing of females because they are female. It is widely recognized within criminology and gender studies as a distinct form of homicide, shaped by gender inequality, power imbalances, and cultural norms. Scholars of homicide and lethal violence use several related

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

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

Ghana stands for “God Has Anointed the Nation Already.” Many Ghanaians see their country not merely as a geographical territory in West Africa, but as a land endowed with immense natural, human, and spiritual blessings. From abundant mineral wealth to fertile agricultural lands and a vibrant populat

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 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 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 Slave Trade and Demographic Devastation When we talk about Africa today—its borders, its languages, its religions, its politics—we are also talking about colonialism. The Africa we know in the twenty-first century did not emerge naturally from the past. It was profoundly shaped by centuries of f

The concept of “chiefs’ consent” occupies a central place in the colonial history of the Gold Coast, present-day Ghana. Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, colonial authorities frequently claimed that African chiefs willingly agreed to treaties, land concessions, and administrat

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.

Africa is one of the most misunderstood places in the world. Popular myths—often repeated in classrooms, media, and casual conversation—have distorted global understanding of the continent. Below are some common falsehoods about Africa, alongside the facts. False: Africa Is a Country True: Africa is

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

Irresponsible alcohol consumption has become a growing social problem in Ghana, with serious consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Some drinkers spend a large proportion of their income on alcohol, leaving little or nothing for basic necessities such as food, clothing, rent, medic

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

Life on the Streets: A Visible Social Failure On the streets of Ghana, many people living with mental illness wander without care, shelter, or dignity. Some are dressed in dirty, tattered clothing; others are barely clothed, and a few are completely naked. Their presence is a visible reminder of a d

Every year, thousands of children in Ghana suffer abuse at the hands of those entrusted with their care—parents, guardians, and relatives. Reports of battered, neglected, and traumatized children frequently appear in the Ghanaian mass media, often accompanied by disturbing images and heartbreaking d

For a long time, Ghanaians have embraced foreign ways and ideas that have not served them well and, in many cases, have undermined national development. For this reason, some Ghanaians are increasingly calling for cultural and linguistic self-determination as a necessary step if the nation is to mov

Polygamy refers to a marital arrangement in which a person is permitted to have two or more spouses at the same time. Although the term polygamy is often used loosely in everyday conversation, sociologists and anthropologists make important distinctions among its different forms. There are two main

In Ghana, there exists a long-standing practice in which some parents send their children to live with other families as househelps. While this arrangement is often justified as a strategy for providing children with better opportunities, it has, in many cases, become a source of profound exploitati

The causes of Rural–Urban Migration are major concerns of African governments like Ghana. Across Ghana and much of Africa, a defining social transformation of the 21st century is the movement of people from the countryside to towns and cities. Every year, thousands of young people leave rural commun

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

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

Ghana is a multiethnic and multilingual country, home to numerous ethnic groups with distinct histories and cultural traditions. Among these groups are the Kwahu people, one of the many subgroups within the larger Akan ethnic group. The Kwahu are primarily located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The

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 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

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)…

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

Few technological developments have reshaped Ghana as profoundly as the Advancement of communication technology. From the first telegraph lines laid by colonial authorities to today’s smartphones and internet-driven economy, communication has changed how Ghanaians trade, govern, organize, and connec