SOCI 224: Social Structure of Modern Ghana - Session 1 - The Concept of Social Change - PDF

SOCI 224: Social Structure of Modern Ghana Session 1 – The Concept of Social Change Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Mark K. M. Obeng, University of Ghana Contact Information: [email protected] College of Education School of Continuing and D...

SOCI 224: Social Structure of Modern Ghana Session 1 – The Concept of Social Change Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Mark K. M. Obeng, University of Ghana Contact Information: [email protected] College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2016/2017  Session Overview Societies are not static, but dynamic. Some changes are gradual, while others are swift. This session introduces the concepts of social structure and social change to students. We will start by explaining the concept of social change, the causes of social change globally, and the sources of change in Ghana. Slide 2  Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: What is social change? The factors of social change Social change in Ghana-the impact of colonialism From traditionality to modernism Topic One Slide 3  Reading List Assimeng, M. (1999). Social Structure of Ghana: A Study in Persistence and Change. Accra: Ghana Publishing Corporation. Pages 236-240. Abotchie, C. (2016) Social Change in Ghana. Accra: Hans Publications. Pages 4-11. Nukunya, G.K. (2014). Tradition and Change in Ghana: An Introduction to Sociology. Pages 128-136. Slide 4 Topic One WHAT IS SOCIAL CHANGE? Slide 5  What is social change? According to Robert Moore (1967) “any significant alteration in the social structure, which may originate endogenously or exogenously in any institutional area, bringing about changes in other institutional areas, which in turn make for further adaptations in the initial sphere of change”.  Sample Question Use the smart phone as a source of change to illustrate the concept of Social Change as given by Moore (1968). Slide 7 Topic Two SOURCES OF SOCIAL CHANGE Slide 8  Sources of Social Change Industrialization Innovation/technology Education Social movements (such as the civil rights movements in the USA) Wars/civil wars/political instability Colonialism Urbanisation/modernisation Topic Three SOCIAL CHANGE IN GHANA: THE IMPACT OF COLONIALISM Slide 10  Social Change in Ghana: the Impact of Colonialism Colonialism is the major source of change in the Ghanaian society. It was introduced from outside the Ghanaian society. The change which started in the political institution brought gradual changes into the other institutions till all the other institutions were affected. Apart from colonialism, other sources of change in the Ghanaian society are the attainment of independence on March 6, 1957 and the Military Coup d’tat led by the PNDC in December 31, 1981. Slide 11 Topic Four FROM TRADITIONALITY TO MODERNISM Slide 12  Features of traditional society Nukunya (2014) uses 1900 – Those exercising power as the base year to do so by virtue of their inherited status. determine the transition – Traditional societies are non- from traditionality to literate ones. modernity. – History based on oral The features of a traditional traditions. society are: – Economy is mainly – Traditional societies are agricultural characterised by a belief in – Traditional societies are the legitimacy of authority characterised by hereditary that has always existed. succession, age as basis for – People obey their commands status and roles and rigid because it is always in adherence to customs. accordance with custom.  SOCI 224: Social Structure of Modern of Ghana Session 2 – The Political Institution in Transition Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Dr. Mark K. M. Obeng Department of Sociology Contact Information: [email protected] College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2016/2017  Session Overview The first institution to be affected by colonialism is the traditional political system. This session describes how traditional rulers were impacted by colonialism. It also discusses the new form of political system which is the Local Government system. Slide 2  Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: The nature of the change in the traditional polity The local government system – the rational behind it – components Functions of the various components – The Regional Coordinating Councils – The District Assemblies Slide 3  Reading List Abotchie, C. (2016). Social Change in Ghana. Accra: Hans Publications. Chapter 2 Nukunya, G. (2014). Tradition and Change in Ghana: an Introduction to Sociology. Accra: Ghana Universities Press. Pages 133-136 Slide 4 Topic One THE NATURE OF THE CHANGE IN THE TRADITIONAL POLITY Slide 5  The Nature of the Change in the Traditional Polity The Chiefs lost their independence in every respect They lost almost all their functions. These are: – Military: could no longer wage war against other ethnic groups – Legislative & Administrative powers: could not make laws. They were however allowed to make by-laws Interpretation of Customary Laws Subject to cadres of PNDC/ DAs Slide 6  The Nature of the Change in the Traditional Polity –Judicial: colonial courts were established, prisons –Chiefs could pass bye laws on 15 subjects only (Amenumey, 1964) –Economic: lost their monopoly over important trade routes and commodities Slide 7  The Nature of the Change in the Traditional Polity The only functions being performed by the chiefs: Cultural- persistence of the traditional criteria for selection of chiefs Religious –As occupant of ancestral stools Slide 8  Sample Question In view of the fact that chiefs have lost almost all their functions, discuss the view that chieftaincy should be abolished in Ghana Slide 9 Topic Two THE MODERN POLITICAL SYSTEM: THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE Slide 10  The Local Government Structure The Modern Political system is made up of the – Central government – Local government system The Local Government System Promulgated in 1988 (PNDC Law 207) Main rational is to diffuse government business to the local people and allow local people to participate in governance and development Slide 11 Components of the Local Government Structure This is a three tier system made up of the: – Regional Coordinating Council (RCCs) – District/Municipal/Metropolitan Assemblies (MMDAs) – Town, Area Councils and Unit Committees (TACUCs) Slide 12 The Regional Coordinating Council The Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) consists of Regional Ministers, Government appointed persons as chairmen, all presiding members of the MMDAs, all Deputy Ministers and all District Secretaries (DCE/MMCEs) The roles of the RCCs includes coordination and formulation of the integrated plans and programs of the MMDAs in order to harmonize these programs with the National development policies approved by the government. Slide 13  Composition of the MMDAs The MMDAs consists of the: – Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE)/Municipal Chief Executive (MCE)/District Chief Executive (DCE) – Presiding Member, who is a government appointee – 2/3 of elected members – 1/3 members nominated by the government. Slide 14 Topic Three FUNCTIONS OF THE MMDAS Slide 15  Functions of the MMDAs The overall development of the districts and ensuring the preparation and submission of development plans and budgets to the government for approval The formulation and strategies for effective mobilization of human, physical, financial and other resources Engagement of trade, industry or commerce for development Slide 16  Functions of the MMDAs Maintenance of public works and services Cooperation with national security to provide security for the district Construction and rehabilitation of new social and developmental infrastructure. Slide 17  Town, Area Council and Unit Committees (TACUC) The TACUC is the third component of the Local Government Structure These are yet to be established fully; their establishment is based on need The MMDCs should make recommendations to government for approval Slide 18  Some Preliminary Achievements Awakening of the political consciousness of the MMDAs at the primary school level Expansion of infrastructural facilities at the district level Expansion of markets/lorry parks, etc. Construction of schools and rehabilitation of old one Slide 19  SOCI 224 Social Structure of Modern Ghana Session 3– Demographic Changes: Rural-Urban Migration Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Dr. Mark K. M. Obeng Department of Sociology Contact Information: [email protected] College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2016/2017  Session Overview A lot of changes have occurred in Ghana’s population. The population has grown substantially and a lot more people are moving to the urban areas. The session examines the trends in Ghana’s demography. It also identifies the causes for the movement of people from the urban areas to the rural as well as its implications for the society. Suggestions to mitigate rural-urban migration are also examined. Slide 2  Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: the changes that have occurred in Ghana’s population structure the factors that contribute to rural-urban migration the consequences of rural-urban migration for both the rural and urban social structures ways to mitigate rural-urban migration Slide 3  Reading List Abotchie, C. (2014). Social Change in Ghana. Accra: Hans Publications. Chapter 2 Nukunya, G. (2014). Tradition and Change in Ghana: an Introduction to Sociology. Accra: Ghana Universities Press. Chapter 11 2010 Ghana Population and Housing Census Breakdown of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly Slide 4 Topic One CHANGES IN GHANA'S DEMOGRAPHY Slide 5  Changes in Ghana’s Demography Available data shows Ghana’s Population: 1948-2010 that Ghana’s 30 population has grown 24.7 25 substantially 20 18.9 Five censuses have been conducted since 15 12.3 independence 10 8.6 6.7 5 4.1 0 1948 1960 1970 1984 2000 2010  Population by Region and Sex, 2010 REGION TOTAL MALE FEMALE All Regions 24,658,823 12,024,845 12,633,978 Western 2,376,021 1,187,774 1,188,247 Central 2,201,863 1,050,112 1,151,751 Greater Accra 4,010,054 1,938,225 2,071,829 Volta 2,118,252 1,019,398 1,098,854 Eastern 2,633,154 1,290,539 1,342,615 Ashanti 4,780,380 2,316,052 2,464,328 Brong Ahafo 2,310,983 1,145,271 1,165,712 Northern 2,479,461 1,229,887 1,249,574 Upper East 1,046,545 506,405 540,140 Upper West 702,110 341,182 360,928  Age Distribution (2010) Age Total Male Female 0-14 9,450,398 4,798,944 4,651,454 15-64 14,040,893 6,727,948 7,312,945 65+ 1,167,532 497,953 669,579 Adult 13,632,299 6,431,820 7,200,479 population (18+) Dependent 10,617,930 5,296,897 5,321,033 population (