Revitalizing Traditional African Conflict Resolution Mechanisms---A Platform for the Enhancement of Societal Peaceful Coexistence within Traditional Settings
Institutional Affiliation
University of Education, Winneba-Ghana
Start Date
2-11-2023 10:45 AM
End Date
2-11-2023 12:15 PM
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Format
On-campus
Proposal Description
Drafted in 1989 and has come into force in September 1990, the United Nations Convention on Child Rights (UNCRC) is the most widely ratified Human Rights treaty in history with 196 ratifying member-states. However, its implementation and for that matter the advancement of Children’s rights within that context varies among member states. This paper examines the adoption and implementation processes of the UNCRC instrument in Ghana in respect of policy and legal directions; and to that extent, how effective the processes have been in respect of child rights advancement. The researchers adopted a mixed method approach to collect data from 20 participants who were purposively selected (qualitatively) within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, and from 1,456 respondents who administered questionnaires (quantitatively) across the 16 administrative regions of the country. Additionally, the paper draws from Empirical or Practice-based literature where the writings and experiences of practitioners and experts in this field align with this study. An interpretive, pragmatism philosophical paradigm, underpinned the exploratory case-study design approach. Having adopted Braun and Clarke’s 6-step framework, the researchers systematically and thematically analyzed the data under themes that are reflective of the research questions. On the main, the study argues that social interventions, and institutional and legal reforms undertaken by various governments in Ghana, have positively influenced Child rights advancement in the country. Nonetheless, ineffective implementation of major child-rights-related laws and policies, inadequate funding of child-rights-related programs, and widespread child rights aberrations such as Child Trafficking, Child labor, and Child molestation are still prevalent in the country; thus, affecting children’s rights advancement in significant terms. To these ends, the study recommends that the government of Ghana augments its numerous action plans with commitment and as well, provides adequate financial, logistical, and technical support to established institutions and agencies that are tasked with child rights promotion and protection. Further, perpetrators of child rights abuses should be made to meet the full rigors of the law. This paper provides member-states in particular Ghana, governmental agencies, child policymakers, and civil society with basic insights into children’s rights advancement, that are in keeping with the UNCRC provisions.
Revitalizing Traditional African Conflict Resolution Mechanisms---A Platform for the Enhancement of Societal Peaceful Coexistence within Traditional Settings
Drafted in 1989 and has come into force in September 1990, the United Nations Convention on Child Rights (UNCRC) is the most widely ratified Human Rights treaty in history with 196 ratifying member-states. However, its implementation and for that matter the advancement of Children’s rights within that context varies among member states. This paper examines the adoption and implementation processes of the UNCRC instrument in Ghana in respect of policy and legal directions; and to that extent, how effective the processes have been in respect of child rights advancement. The researchers adopted a mixed method approach to collect data from 20 participants who were purposively selected (qualitatively) within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, and from 1,456 respondents who administered questionnaires (quantitatively) across the 16 administrative regions of the country. Additionally, the paper draws from Empirical or Practice-based literature where the writings and experiences of practitioners and experts in this field align with this study. An interpretive, pragmatism philosophical paradigm, underpinned the exploratory case-study design approach. Having adopted Braun and Clarke’s 6-step framework, the researchers systematically and thematically analyzed the data under themes that are reflective of the research questions. On the main, the study argues that social interventions, and institutional and legal reforms undertaken by various governments in Ghana, have positively influenced Child rights advancement in the country. Nonetheless, ineffective implementation of major child-rights-related laws and policies, inadequate funding of child-rights-related programs, and widespread child rights aberrations such as Child Trafficking, Child labor, and Child molestation are still prevalent in the country; thus, affecting children’s rights advancement in significant terms. To these ends, the study recommends that the government of Ghana augments its numerous action plans with commitment and as well, provides adequate financial, logistical, and technical support to established institutions and agencies that are tasked with child rights promotion and protection. Further, perpetrators of child rights abuses should be made to meet the full rigors of the law. This paper provides member-states in particular Ghana, governmental agencies, child policymakers, and civil society with basic insights into children’s rights advancement, that are in keeping with the UNCRC provisions.