Jozac Publishers [JP] (former JFP Publishers) (E-Journals)
Not a member yet
493 research outputs found
Sort by
From resistance to assimilation: Tracing the dwindle of indigenous Chasu personal names under colonial influence
Full text linkColonisers suppressed and detached Africans from their cultural heritage and identity. One aspect mirroring this determination is the replacement of African names with foreign names. Like many other communities, the Chasu-speaking community has experienced significant shifts in its naming practices over the past century. The present study evaluates Chasu\u27s lost and surviving names and the dynamics of the Chasu naming system from colonialism to date under the lens of Linguistic Imperialism theory. The data were collected from 380 subjects, both old and young people. The findings show that in the early stages of colonial rule, the Chasu community opposed the use of colonial names to preserve their cultural identity. However, as colonialism progressed, opposition to colonial rule gradually declined, leading to the gradual acceptance of colonial practices, including personal naming. Even after independence, colonial influence on naming practices continued. Indigenous Chasu names have declined significantly, especially among women. This underscores the need for initiatives to preserve indigenous Chasu names to maintain cultural heritage and identity. This can be done through community initiatives, policy changes to protect indigenous names, and creating databases of indigenous Chasu names to guide parents in naming their children
Orthopaedic surgeons versus traditional bone setters: A comparative analysis of healing systems and patronage of two Ghanaian therapists
Full text linkFracture management and treatment in Ghana is a sole prerogative of two healers. In the hospital, orthopaedic surgeons are the specialists in charge of bone setting, while at the community level, traditional bone setters mend broken bones using indigenous knowledge systems. These two specialists constitute the gatekeepers of bone setting in Ghana, who use biomedical and indigenous epistemologies to heal fractures, respectively. Using the qualitative approach, and with evidence from the Volta Region of Ghana, this study engages in a comparative analysis of the healing systems and patronage of orthopaedists and traditional bone setters. The study argues that orthopaedic surgeons use scientific and biomedical knowledge in healing, while traditional bone setters use indigenous customs, traditions, methods, and skills to heal fractures. Second, these specialists use different approaches and methods in mending broken bones. At the center of this study lies the factors that influence the patronage of the services of these two therapists. The study finds expertise, advanced medical technology, infection management, and first aid as factors responsible for the patronage of the services of orthopaedic surgeons. On the other hand, the good review process, social support system, the use of herbs, and local knowledge motivate people to seek the services of traditional bone setters. The study concludes that orthopaedic surgeons and traditional bone setters constitute the panacea for fracture treatment in Ghana and thus, a collaborative work between these two practitioners can bridge the gap for sustainable and quality healthcare delivery in bone setting
Children in Nollywood: Authenticity and naturalness of acting craft
Full text linkAuthentic acting is truthful and consistent, fostering an immutable connection with an audience. It presumes naturalness in the presentation, imbued with feeling, yet a performative self, playing for the camera. A child actor may be charming and cute on the camera but lacking in craft, raising the question of performance authenticity. Existing literature has revealed that contemporary acting promotes naturalness in enactments, compelling a suspension of disbelief. This study addresses the challenges impacting the quality of child performance in Nollywood, such as authenticity, naturalness, selfhood, and the talent pool. This study examined whether a child’s unaffected and immature nature could be averse to truthful theatrical depictions. Research suggests that a lack of training is one of the factors impacting authentic child-acting in Nollywood. Spontaneity theory and the Meisner acting technique form the theoretical framework and validate a child actor’s dependence on spontaneous freshness and imaginative play in role enactment. Research is exploratory and relies on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with filmmakers to analyze child-acting craft. The findings show that formal training for child actors can elevate their craft; spontaneity reinforces naturalness; and when juvenile actors wield naturalness, the performance is authentic
Assessment of individual demographic factors influencing the performance of community health workers in Katavi Region, Tanzania
Full text linkThe role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in reconnecting HIV patients with treatment cannot be ignored. However, in regions with low HIV prevalence like Katavi (3.8%), their effectiveness is not well comprehended. Therefore, to appraise the performance of CHWs in tracking back to the treatment of HIV patients, the study focused on some individual demographic factors affecting the performance of CHWs in the Katavi region. The study employed a cross-sectional design, collecting data from 138 CHWs using questionnaires that focused on individual demographic factors. The significance of factors affecting CHW performance was assessed using Logistic regression. The performance of CHWs was generally positively ranked at 77.7%. Significant individual demographic factors included age and education level, with educational qualifications showing a stronger impact (OR 6.25, 95% CI 1.17 - 33.37, p=0.032 for certificates; OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 - 0.72, p=0.010 for secondary education) compared to age (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.32 - 19.50, p=0.006 for ages 26-35; OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.00 - 0.68, p=0.036 for those over 45). While the performance of CHWs was commendable (77.7%), it is crucial to address the factors affecting their performance to effectively combat new HIV infections
GC-MS phytochemical profiling, FTIR analyses, and antimicrobial activities of the oily fraction from the ethyl acetate leaf extract of Pterocarpus osun
Full text linkThe Fabaceae family includes Pterocarpus osun as one of its flowering plant species. Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon are among the West African nations with tropical climates where this plant is native. It has found applications in traditional medicine, where it is used to treat several medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal issues and inflammation. This research aims to determine which compounds in the plant extract provide its medicinal properties. n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol were utilized sequentially to extract the leaves. Using column chromatography, a thick, oily, golden-yellow fraction was obtained from the ethyl acetate crude extract. To ascertain the chemical composition of the isolated viscous oily material, GC-MS and FTIR analyses were conducted. Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli were used as test organisms in an antibacterial test. Numerous chemical components with biological and pharmacological properties, including anti-allergic, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, were identified from the isolate\u27s GC-MS studies. The recorded FTIR spectrum reveals the C-H bond present in alkanes (at 2921–2847 cm-1 and 1454–1379 cm-1), the C-O bond of carboxylic acids (1165–1032 cm-1), and the C=O bond in 1728–1709 cm-1. The observed zones of inhibition, especially at the maximum dose (10 mg/mL), demonstrated that the oily isolate was effective against the pathogenic organisms utilized, confirming its therapeutic efficacy in traditional medicine. Thus, the oily isolate from the P. osun leaf\u27s ethyl acetate extract can be studied for the development of novel pharmaceuticals
Decoding embodied metaphors in Ja Loka’s X Discourse: An embodied cognition analysis
Full text linkThe X platform began with microblogging but now diversifies to provide more financial and communication-related services. From Ja Loka’s discourse on X, the study analyzes how embodied metaphors, which brainstorm the connection between the concrete and the abstract domains are manifested in the digital sphere. This research analyzes the COGNITIVE PROCESSES that underlie the construction and understanding of the embodied metaphors in Ja Loka’s discourse in the X platform. The present study is based on image schemas as the primary COGNITIVE PROCESSES and examines how Ja Loka conveys abstract concepts, emotions, and values using embodied metaphors. The present study employs a comprehensive descriptive qualitative method that cautiously looks into the COGNITIVE PROCESSES of metaphorical language within the X-platform. The data used to interpret the metaphorical discourse of Ja Loka in the X platform is collected using a web scraping tool called Octoparse. This allowed examining what is entailed in decoding embodied metaphors using image schemas within embodied cognition. The empirical findings present a vast array of embodied metaphors, and the cognitive foundation is varied in terms of image schemas used such as TRANSACTIONAL OBJECTIFICATION, SPATIAL REPRESENTATION, and CONTAINER. The analyzed data substantiate that metaphorical semiosis itself is a multifaceted phenomenon; the structures that are employed require state-of-the-art COGNITIVE PROCESSES to capture all the underlying components of metaphorical meaning-making
Students’ hair grooming controversy in Ghana: An analysis of the Achimota Senior High School and dreadlocked students’ enrolment denial
Full text linkHair holds profound cultural, religious, and aesthetic significance in African societies. However, hair grooming policies in Ghanaian schools, heavily influenced by colonial legacies, have sparked significant controversies, as observed in the Achimota Senior High School and dreadlocked Rastafarian students’ admission denial. Achimota School’s refusal to enrol them because of their natural hair length led Tyrone Iras Marhguy to file a landmark lawsuit at the Accra High Court, ultimately winning the case against the school. The ruling highlights the conflicting tensions between hair grooming policies in Ghanaian educational institutions and child\u27s rights. This study critically examines the Achimota School case, focusing on the sensational public controversies, litigation, and their psychological effects on the students, particularly Tyrone Iras Marhguy. Utilising a qualitative case study design, the study explores the lived experiences of Tyrone, and key stakeholders, from school authorities to advocacy groups, through interviews and analysis of media reportage. The findings reveal a deep-seated clash between the colonial hair grooming legacy and Ghana’s Indigenous cultural landscape, highlighting an urgent need for policy reforms that honour students’ rights to Ghanaian hair cultural expression. The study also underscores that the Achimota School’s refusal to enrol the two Rasta students, the public controversies, and the legal tussle had negatively affected Tyrone’s psychological wellbeing as a minor. Therefore, the study calls on the Ministry of Education, and Ghana Education Service to urgently reform the existing colonially-induced students’ hair grooming policies in Ghana to accommodate indigenous Ghanaian hair grooming culture that ensures all students access education devoid of psychological trauma or any form of hindrance
Re--thinking community engagement in resettlement programmes: A systematic review and meta-analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa
Full text linkOver the past few decades, governments in Sub-Saharan Africa have implemented decentralization initiatives through privatization and devolution to enhance public service delivery at regional, state, provincial, district, and municipal levels. These efforts aim to improve government competence, reduce programme costs, and enhance institutional effectiveness. However, significant challenges remain in effectively engaging communities and leveraging multi-stakeholder expertise for resource mobilization and economic development. This study employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, utilizing SCOPUS and Research4Life as primary databases, resulting in the selection of 16 articles for in-depth analysis. Key factors identified in the literature include participation, community satisfaction, collaboration, spatial issues, social capital, and community cohesion. These elements are interconnected, collectively contributing to effective community engagement. Failure to address these factors results in ineffective engagement and, consequently, poor livelihoods. The study also highlights a methodological trend where researchers prefer qualitative methods over mixed methods for data collection. However, the use of mixed methods could provide more comprehensive and generalizable insights, crucial for successful community development programmes. The findings indicate a lack of extensive research on community engagement in resettlement programmes in emerging economies within Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further research to explore all facets of community engagement in resettlement initiatives, with the goal of fostering sustainable livelihoods, reducing poverty, and creating livable post-displacement environments
COVID-19 impact on divorce and family dynamics in the social media age
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted divorce rates and family dynamics worldwide, presenting unprecedented challenges for couples and families. This rapid review paper aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on marriage relationships and family well-being in the social media age. Employing a rapid review methodology, existing literature on the influence of COVID-19 on divorce rates, family dynamics, and social media was synthesized. Key factors such as socioeconomic disparities, cultural norms, and access to support services were identified as drivers of variations in divorce rates and family dynamics during the pandemic. The study revealed a range of stressors faced by families, including increased financial strain, housing insecurity, and changes in communication patterns. Recommendations were made for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to collaborate on developing guidelines to support families in the post-pandemic recovery phase. By understanding the complex interplay of factors influencing marriage and family dynamics during crises, specific measures can be implemented to build resilience, promote positive outcomes, and enhance the well-being of families. This study serves as a call to action to prioritize family support and intervention programs to help families navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath
Assessing the impacts of students\u27 reflective journals on the professional development of student-teachers in Enchi College of Education
Full text linkThe study examined students\u27 understanding of the Students\u27 Reflective Journal (SRJ), student-teachers\u27 responses to the SRJ, and its impact on professional development. A quantitative approach was employed in the study. Specifically, the descriptive survey design was employed. The study was conducted at Enchi College of Education and 24 partner public basic schools in the Aowin Municipality, Western North Region, Ghana. The sampling procedure consisted of the following steps: the census approach was employed to engage 30 College Tutors, including Supported Teaching in Schools Coordinators (STCs), while stratified sampling was used to select 77 Mentors and 325 Student-Teachers. This gave a sample size of 432 respondents for the study. The main instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire. The content validity was determined by seeking expert judgment from specialists, while the instrument\u27s reliability was ascertained using Cronbach\u27s alpha coefficient. The results indicated that the SRJ enhanced self-reflection and improved professional growth, supported collaborative learning, and facilitated lifelong learning. However, they struggled with providing accurate responses. The study recommended that workshops should be conducted to clearly define and emphasise the roles of tutors and mentors in STS activities