Local associations and sustenance of communal living in Asamankese

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.