JHIA Africa Thesis Bank
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The Relevance of the Official Communications of Pope Francis for African Theology
No full textIn this first century after the Second Vatican Council, Catholics have experienced three great moments: the death of Pope John Paul II, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis on February 28, 2013. That election brought a new breath to the Church, but it will also bring a newness to the thought patterns in the Catholic theological world. This is also true of the Church in Africa. My study will show that Pope Francis’ official communications reshape the mindset of some thinkers to rethink theology or to bring some new concepts and it will also bring a new perception of this Pope to Africans. A Pope coming from a “periphery” in favour of a good inculturation in Africa. A Model for the African Theologian
Framework for Addressing Drawbacks of Central Government Fiscal Transfers in Zambia
No full textThe Constitution of Zambia establishes a local government system where a sound financial base is established for each Local Authority with reliable and predictable sources of revenue. To ensure financial survival of Local Authorities; the central government provides Local Authorities grants -to guarantee effective provision of municipal services. Local Authorities, therefore, depend on central government grants and other statutory allocations to meet expenditure. These grants are linked to central government’s determined policies resulting in local authorities become dependent on them than on internally generating revenues. This dependence has led to Local Authorities’ lax effort in broadening revenue generating strategies. The result is a culture of poor financial standing, inexplicable failure to engage in commercially viable investment programmes and failure to accomplish decentralization process. This study therefore aimed at providing a framework to eliminates drawbacks of central government grants and facilitate the implementation of decentralization in Zambia. Data was obtained through purposive and critical case sampling (using person to person interviews and questionnaire interviews) as well as secondary data through literature reviews and content analysis of local authority project documents. The methodology adopted a mixed method approach. The key result of the interviews was the identification of measures being used to enhance revenue generation. The interviews were also aimed at obtaining preliminary data which was then used to enhance the questionnaire survey. The sample size for the questionnaire was 102 computed at 95% confidence level with a 5% confidence interval. Data analysis was quantitative and included use of descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance to examine the relationships between variables. T-test were also used. The results allowed conclusions on how to eliminate the dependence and dominance relationship with central government, remove reliance on fiscal transfers (grants) and induce local authority autonomy to guarantee local performance and sustainability of income generation
Re-Imagining an African Family Ecclesiology in Dialogue with Ratzinger’s Christo-Pneuma Communion Ecclesiology
No full textThis thesis seeks to elaborate an African ecclesiology that brings into conversation
African notions of family and Ratzinger’s theological reflection on koinōnia. The model
of Church-as-family was popularized by the 1994 Synod of African Bishops, and since
then it has been espoused by numerous African theologians, who view it as the African
response to the communion ecclesiology elaborated by the Second Vatican Council.
This thesis, however, seeks to present a unique perspective of Church-as-family. In
the first place, while the prevalent African family ecclesiologies tend to present the aspect
of communion or fellowship in ways that undermine the institutional and juridical
dimensions of Church-as-family, this thesis seeks to present a balance of the two aspects.
It achieves this goal by bringing Church-as-family into dialogue with Ratzinger’s
communion ecclesiology, which is itself a corrective to an imbalanced Eastern Orthodox
ecclesiology opposing eucharistic fellowship and communion. In the second place, while
prevalent African family ecclesiologies make very little or no reference to the missionary
dimension of Church-as-family, locating the ecumenical impulse of the Church-as-family
solely in a theological analysis of the ‘extended family’, this thesis appropriates the
Ratzingerian themes of co-existence, pro-existence, and vicarious representation and
presents the missionary and ecumenical impulse of the Church-as-family through a theological analysis of the roles of the 'extended family' and the 'firstborn son'. The
firstborn son is here conceptualized as an embodiment of vicarious pro-existence.
The uniting factor in the dialogue between the Church-as-communion and the
Church-as-family is the functional equivalence of koini5nia and family solidarity. The
Church as family or as communion reinterprets authority and hierarchy in terms of
service. In this dialogue, the following conclusions are evident: the Church is born from
and in the Eucharist; the communitarian and institutional dimensions are inseparably tied
together in the Church's self-understanding; the Church, seen either as communion or
family, is missionary by nature; the Church is not closed-in or inward looking, but is
open to ecumenical and interreligious dialogue; finally, the Church remains a community
open towards its eschatological realization
Jesus Christ as Luhya Ancestor and Healer: Towards a Luhya Inculturated Christology
No full textThe Second Vatican Council proposed an Inculturated faith as the new paradigm to evangelization globally. This project attempts to construct a Luhya Inculturated Christian faith. The pertinent question remains, how can we make Jesus Christ the universal saviour relevant to all human cultures? An Inculturated theology has therefore become the vehicle through which the Christian faith penetrates human cultures and calls us to holiness. Consequently, many African theologians have been engaged in calling for an Inculturated faith. In Africa, seeing Jesus as a Proto-Ancestor is significant. This study engages significant African theologians and explores how they have named Jesus using images rooted in African cultural domains, but in light of New Testament Scriptures. My work relies on the reflections of these theologians.
Among the Luhya of Western Kenya, attempts to develop an Inculturated faith have not been adequately made. My task in this project, therefore, has been to ask how a Luhya Christian might see Jesus Christ using images found in Luhya world-view. In response, this study proposes the need for a Luhya Christology in which Jesus Christ is perceived as an ancestor and healer. This project is also an investigation into the Luhya philosophy of life and religion, seen through the lenses of the New Testament Scriptures. My argument is that this kind of theology may lead to the formation of Luhya Christians deeply entrenched in the Christian faith. In so doing, the work of evangelization will be hastened among the Luhya of Western Kenya
The Question of Method in Theology: An African Response to Bernard Lonergan Using Bantu Theological Anthropology
No full textThe question of method in theology has become the locus of contemporary
intercultural and cross-cultural theological investigations. For any theological system to
claim credulity in the public opinion of theological discourse it must demonstrate credible
methodological processes inherent in its epistemological process to affirm the validity of
its knowledge claims. It is method in theology which is among the criteria used to
evaluate the theological integrity of an epistemic system. This paper, therefore, endeavors
to explain the existence of method(s) not only in discursive and formal theologies but
also in the theologies of ordinary people and communities alike. The paper demonstrates
this affirmation by way of bringing Lonergan’s method in theology into conversation
with African Bantu theology by contending that there is an inextricable link between
epistemology and theology. Doctrines in theology are first and foremost subjects of
revelation which are processed through a particular method. Hence, both Bernard
Lonergan’s method and Bantu cultural theological anthropology become legitimate
sources of theological knowledge production.
Although both epistemic systems affirm the primacy of the consciousness of
experience as the first starting point of theology they nevertheless differ in regard to
function of theology and the operative process it uses to affirm its statement of faith.
Whereas Lonergan’s is individuated and highly speculative Bantu theology is relational,
communitarian and overtly functional. Further, Lonergan’s system contends that God can be objectively known by way of authentic subjectivity. Bantu theology, in contrast, posits
that God can be known and experienced through participation in the vital force of life.
In summary, this thesis contends that in the enterprise of theology there exists a
multiplicity of epistemic systems and methodologies which serve specific purposes for a
given theological enterprise. It is the foregoing that constitutes the scope, purpose and
results of this study
Gender and Diplomacy in Africa: The Case of Kenya
Full text linkThis is a research on gender and diplomacy in Africa with a focus on Kenya. Kenya created the ministry of foreign affairs in 1964 with the responsibility to recruit competent men and women to implement Kenya’s foreign policy goals. However, the gender gap in Kenya’s Foreign Service is glaring especially in top ranking positions. This has been attributed to incompatibility of family obligations and demands of diplomacy. This study was concerned about how men and women diplomats experience their profession to unearth professional challenges that cause women to shun diplomacy profession. The study used cross-sectional research design utilizing questionnaire and interview methods. The results of the study show a moderate association between gender and perceptions of diplomacy being gender sensitive with male participants highly rating diplomacy as gender sensitive profession. Female participants reported frequent occurrence of unfair treatment from colleagues of the opposite sex, X2 (2, N = 31) = 11.93, p = .003. The two finding point at highly patriarchal nature of Kenyan diplomacy. Other findings include moderate association between years of service and confidence occupying high positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and leading diplomatic missions. These finding would be beneficial to diplomats, women desiring to join diplomacy, policy makers at the ministry of foreign affairs, and scholars. As a consequence, the results of this study may offer guidance in the implementation of gender mainstreaming policy in Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organizations that conduct diplomacy. I recommend that women with many years of service be increasingly promoted to positions of ambassadors to help bridge gender gap in Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Contribution of the Catholic Church to Post-Civil War Conflict Resolution in Chad
No full textI argue that if Chadian society continues to feel the effects of the 1979 civil war, then it is
because solutions or an adequate method of approaching the conflict have not been applied. On
the one hand, there is a lack of clear political will in the management of the battle, and on the other
hand, civil society, including the Church, has not been sufficiently involved in the process of
conflict resolution. For there to be social harmony, the Chadian people need a consequent
reconciliation. Because of the influential presence of the Catholic Church in Chadian society, we
consider it necessary for the Church to become more involved in the process of resolving the postcivil
war conflict in Chad. To help the Church in this process, we propose a responsible approach
to reconciliation; that is, one that puts the individual at the center of the reconciliation process.
Such an agreement can only arise from self-sacrifice and a dynamic process of conversion. From
this point of view, forgiveness, and peacebuilding through the application of the principle of
subsidiarity are indispensable factors in keeping the process of reconciliation dynamic.
Realistically, we suggest that the Church set up structures such as centers for the training of the
laity and for inter-religious dialogue that can provide adequate training for its pastoral agents
The Role of Sub-Regionale Organizations in Conflict Resolution: The Case of East African Community in the Burundi Conflict
No full textIn recent years, efforts aimed at securing peace and security in troubled regions have
tended to emphasise interventions by regional and sub-regional organizations in
conflict management of those regions. In the African context, intergovernmental
organizations such as Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional
Mechanisms (RMs) constitute part of the security architecture of the African Union
(AU). It is in this context that since 2015, the East African Community (EAC) has
been engaged in trying to resolve the political crisis in Burundi which, despite the
EAC intervention, still continues. Anchored on the theory of mediation, this study
sought to establish reasons for EAC’s inability to help in addressing the Burundi
political crisis. The puzzle involved in finding out whether the failure implied the
weakness of mediation per se in addressing civil conflicts like that of Burundi, or the
Burundi case indicated the weakness of the assumption that regional organization
would address violent conflicts better within a member state than external
organizations to the region. The study used an exploratory research design and had the
following key findings: (i) the key principles of the mediation theory such as
impartiality, genuine consent of the parties and full involvement of the parties in
mediation were not observed in the EAC mediation process, hence it was not the
problem of mediation per se; (ii) there was lack of regional support for the facilitation
team and (iii) there were regional divisions. This indicates that the principle of
subsidiarity should not a priori be considered as sufficient without considering that: (i)
the mediation team is independent and neutral, (ii) there is a political will to support
the mediation process, (iii) the sub-regional organization have financial and technical
capacity to organize a mediation process and (iv) the national interests of the member
states do not interfere with the mediation process. The stakeholders in the Burundi
case, such as governments that are involved in Burundi, regional organisations and
bodies, international organizations and bodies, and academics should find this work
helpful in their respective engagements
Research Utilization Practice of Professionals at the Commercial Banks in Ethiopia.
No full textThis study examined the current status of research utilization practice of professionals in the context of the Ethiopian Commercial Banks. A conceptual model adopted from the Model of Research utilization, (Hemsley-Brown, J.V. (2004) and the literature review that focuses on the organizational characteristics, external factors and research utilization practices was consumed to conduct this research. The qualitative approach was employed to collect and analyze data for the study. The data were collected through interviews with directors, research officers and managers as well as document mining including research outputs and publications. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample of fifteen professionals from three banks among eighteen banks. Multiple case study research design approach was applied and deductive analysis approach was used.
The results of the data analysis showed that the banks are fairly organized and structured with their own policy frameworks and research infrastructure. However, there are inadequate research activities produced by the banks. Besides, the utilization of those few research reports in the managerial activates is very low.
The findings also disclosed that the collaboration between the internal and external environments on research activities seemed overlooked. For this reason, the research activities were not extended in accordance with the dynamics of the business environment.
Finally, the research findings indicate that the measure challengers that hinder the research utilization practice of professionals in the banking sector are; the gap between the research teams and the decision-makers, inadequate trained man- power and scarcity of funding resources. Therefore, suggestions and recommendations were proposed in accordance with the major findings
Applicability of Compulsory License under the Zambian Patent Law
No full textThis research is about applicability of compulsory license at the local and
international plane. A compulsory license is a mechanism governments use
to grant licenses to third parties to exploit an invention. This type of license
is granted either by an administrative authority or judicial body. This type of
license is granted without the consent of the patent holder. It is also a means
of technological transfer of intellectual property rights.
Under the current Zambian patent law regulating compulsory licenses,
adequate compensation is not provided for. This may lead to stifling of the
advancement of science and technology which is the bedrock of wealth
creation. The research will make comparisons of the applicability of
compulsory license with other jurisdictions. It will also look at the
applicability of compulsory license according to Article 31 of the TRIPS
Agreement
Lastly, this paper will also make recommendations about the changes to be
made to the current patent legislation in order to include the provisions
contained in article 31 of the TRIPS Agreement