The arts and cultural sector in Ghana are of significant public importance and have witnessed tremendous growth in the past. However, the general consumption pattern of the arts and culture has been transformed in recent years in Ghana. In this study, I analyze cultural policy support for a sustainable performing arts sector. This is because arts and culture have not received much attention from public policy analysts in Ghana. I examine the strategic goals of cultural policy and support for the performing arts in Ghana. I adopt a qualitative mode of inquiry using observations, expert interviews and documents to analyze cultural policy support for the performing arts. The findings reveal that cultural policy in Ghana encompasses diverse areas yet interconnected to achieve cultural goals. I, therefore, conclude that effective support systems are needed from the government and other stakeholders to boost the arts and cultural sector in Ghana.

Effects of Displacement on Kanuri Cultural Practices of Internally Displaced Persons of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, is an examination of the experiences of displaced persons of the Kanuri ethnic stock, forced out of their ancestral homes as a result of the violent attacks carried out by Boko Haram Insurgents. The work offers insights on the dynamics of cultural change and its impact on cultural sustainability among the selected population, and at the same time, highlights the contribution of culture in societal transformation.

Over the past two decades, the Asante Akyem North District of Ghana has had limited peace and stability, which are preconditions for sustainable development due to protracted farmer-herder conflicts. This study provides an alternative perspective to the underlying causes of this resource conflict by arguing that mental constructions based on the formation of frames are the precursor, as contended by the framing theory. The study further investigated the psychosocial implications of the conflict on the well-being of the herders and farmers. The study also explored the resources that the actors employed to deal with the stressful event. Using a mixed-method but a qualitatively driven approach, the study used observation guide, interview guide, interview schedule, and focus group discussion guide for the data gathering. The findings highlighted that the conflict actors formed frames such as identity-relational, affective-intellectual, and compromise-win frames as the drivers of the conflict. The findings revealed that these frames and their attended hostile reactions between the actors, usually led to psychosocial problems. The study revealed that the actors adopted different coping strategies such as religion, voluntary migration, working harder, avoidance, and socio-cultural support to deal with the conflict. There is the need for a community-level education that emphasises constructive framing relationships between the transmigrant pastoralists and the host farming populace to ensure their peaceful coexistence and minimise conflict eruptions.

This study investigates Community Perception of the Roles of Civilian Joint Task Force, (CJTF) in Resisting Boko Haram ’s Culture of violence in Borno state. It explores the views of society on the activities and conduct of the members of the CJTF. The objectives of the study were to: examine the reasons of joining and the emergence of CJTF; assess the views of the people of Borno State on the role of CJTF in resisting Boko Haram‘s culture of violent change through combat support activities; explore the opinions of community members and stakeholders on the non-combat support operations of the CJTF; identify the effects of CJTF on restoring affected cultural heritage; and, evaluate the opinion of community members and stakeholders on the behaviour of members of the CJTF concerning cultural expectations in Borno State. The study is qualitative and adopts rapid ethnographic research design and qualitative data collection methods. Multistage sampling was used to ensure that the right persons with the required knowledge and experience were included in the study. Data for the study were thus generated through In-Depth Interviewing (IDI), Key Informant Interviewing (KII), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and all the data were logically connected in the analysis section to discern broad patterns. The findings of this study revealed that the rise of CJTF is multifactorial. The study revealed that the factors that precipitated the rise of CJTF vary with time, place, and situation. The key motivating factor were the widespread killings and destruction of property by the Boko Haram, and the counter-attacks and destruction by the military which also adversely affected several communities. The study revealed that within the CJTF, there are both persons with good and bad behaviour, though findings weighed in more on those with good behaviour. There is nevertheless fear amongst the people that the CJTF may become a nuisance when the insurgency is over if proper steps are not taken to sustain their livelihoods. The key recommendations for this study are: the institution of the CJTF is advised to have stricter entry modalities including consultation with community leaders, to ensure that the kind of people joining its ranks is reliable. It was also recommended that the government should consider putting more members of CJTF on remuneration as this will aid them in their daily needs and reduce the tendencies of them getting involved in inappropriate acts. Finally, the community can contribute to supporting families of fallen members of the CJTF to boost the confidence of those still active.