Abstract:
In Africa, social relationships and the benefits there of are part of the established
historical structures. People believe the recent copied lifestyle of individualistic living
by a section of Ghanaians is the cause of gradual disintegration of the Ghanaian
culture. . In the past most Ghanaians lived in compound houses where extended
family members shared not only household facilities like toilet and kitchen but also
saw the welfare of household members as shared responsibilities among the family
members Sometimes, the welfare of people were not only shared burdens of the
household members but that of the community as a whole. The assistance rendered to
extended family members have dwindled over the years because of the perceived
burden borne by especially, privileged family members. There is therefore, evidence
that the strong cultural and social interdependent among Ghanaians family members
is being threatened since communal living and fostering of social relationships were
part of the everyday lifestyles of Ghanaians history. Many Ghanaians recreate such
relationships through the formation of local associations. Though a vast amount of
empirical work stresses the beneficial effects of social capital, recent literature has
explicitly recognized the importance of distinguishing different types of social capital.
Particularly, a distinction has been made between homogeneous (or bonding) and
heterogeneous (or bridging) networks. The research is based on a qualitative research
approach. A case study of different local associations at Asamankese in the Eastern
Region of Ghana was used to represent what happens in other cities in the country.
Primary data obtained through personal and focus group interviews using semi structured interview guide to solicit information from organisational members and
leaders. Participants were purposefully selected from different local associations with
the help of community leaders and the municipal youth coordinator. The research
findings were analysed qualitatively. The study concluded that these local
associations shape both men and women’s lived experiences similarly and they have
intriguing effect on interdependence among their members like it used to be in the
past.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Geography Education, Faculty of
Social Sciences, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Masters of Philosophy
(Geography with Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba
