This paper discusses some of the changes that occurred due to the introduction of motorised transportin Ghana, as viewed through the lens of Accra’s Tudu Lorry Park and bus stops. Specifically, we discusshow Tudu Lorry Park has been politically connected to Ghana’s politics from the colonial period to thepresent. This paper argues that the complex relationship between local networks, such as drivers’associations, and Ghanaian Politics, can be better understood through the operations of lorry parks,examples of which include those in Accra, Ghana.

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This study examines the role of traditional leaders in the implementation of social protection policies atthe local level. In Ghana, traditional leaders play significant roles at the community level and have beenincorporated into the modern state as development intermediaries, yet there is a paucity of research ontheir role in the implementation of social assistance programmes. This paper draws on fieldwork fromthree communities in the Krachi East District – Dormaben, Addo Nkwanta, and Adumadum – to explorethe social interfaces and power relations involved in the implementation of the LivelihoodEmpowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) cash transfer programme. Data were gathered through semistructuredinterviews with key stakeholders, as well as through participant observation and informaldiscussions. The study established that although the oversight responsibilities of chiefs and traditionalleaders are limited in the current democratic dispensation, they continue to operate in an informal spacethrough social norms and practices in the community. The research revealed that although traditionalleaders’ roles are unofficial, they use their power to influence core LEAP implementation processes:targeting, sensitization and enrolment, payment, monitoring, and grievance redress mechanisms. Thisstudy calls for the need to pay attention to the local power dynamics at the community level.

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Chieftaincy in Ghana is highly resilient notwithstanding post-colonial efforts to downplay itssignificance or obliterate it altogether. While the institution is dynamic and responsive to change, theunrepresentativeness of selecting its officeholders is questioned. Mamprugu, one of the oldest traditionalstates in northern Ghana, exercises ‘heritage’ investiture rights over chiefs in the Upper East Region, anentirely different political administrative region. The paper argues that these rights are transient basedon mythic conquest and resurrect vestiges of colonialism. Moreover, investing chiefs in a dichotomousmodern and traditional spaces is incongruous with a democratic dispensation, particularly as the practiceis a source of coronation conflicts in some of the traditional areas. These conflicts hinder developmentand negatively impact young people due to a pronounced silence of the state on jurisdictional limitationsof chiefs because of administrative borders. The practice also mirrors the claim that the paramountciesare subservient to Mamprugu, although this is inconsistent with current realities. The paper, usingconcept/theory of invention of tradition and primary data, concludes by advocating for an opendiscussion to enhance the participatory investiture system in the ‘areas under domination’.

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This study investigates how cattle herders and crop farmers in the cross-border communities of Sierra Leone bordering Guinea can manage and live in cooperation and peace amidst limited available resources for herders and farmers. Conflicts between cattle herders and crop farmers are common in West and Central Africa, often resulting in large-scale internal or cross-border conflicts, as in Sudan and Nigeria. This case study presents a different outcome in the context of Sierra Leone. Using a qualitative approach, this study demonstrates how a strong nexus of the deep-rooted sense of homogeneity among cross-border community inhabitants significantly contributes towards building cooperation and peace.

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This study analyses the importance of understanding the nexus between food systems and climate change responses in Central Africa. Despite the diversity of agriculture in the region, climate-related challenges such as changing rainfall patterns and increasing natural disasters significantly impact food production and distribution. Climate change responses in the region have focused on improving food systems, including developing climate-resilient crops and agricultural practices, as well as local food storage and distribution systems. These efforts are essential to increasing the resilience of Central African food systems and addressing broader climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. However, significant challenges exist in ensuring that such responses are effectively implemented. These challenges include broader systemic issues related to governance, infrastructure, and trade. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that climate change responses consider the unique perspectives of different groups within society, such as female farmers and indigenous peoples. Warning systems for food security and basic climate information services are still at an early stage. This study aims to address these challenges by synthesising and analysing the existing literature. Ultimately, the goal is to better understand and address the nexus between food systems and climate change responses in Central Africa.

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In Cameroon, regressive changes in mangrove cover have been observed in recent decades. The establishment of human settlements through the development of various activities has subjected natural spaces to various pressures, based on the perceptions inherent in each social group. The drivers of mangrove deforestation are urban sprouting, climate change, poor administrative follow-up, population increase, and economic growth. To overcome this degradation and better manage the ecosystem, some facts based on opportunities and challenges must be assessed. Therefore, some opportunities for mangrove management include the Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) policy, the African forest reforestation initiative (AFR100) projects, the Cameroon mangrove ecosystem restoration and resilence (CAMERR) projects, and the presence of capacity building institutions. Various challenges exist such as limited funds, stakeholders not being fully involved, a lack of data dissemination, and no monitoring of the reforestation sites. To overcome these challenges, the community and stakeholders should be sensitised, village management committees should be created to follow up planted trees and reforestation, and research data should be documented and disseminated.

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Spleen disease, although not recognised by biomedicine, is a common ailment among the Bakwele and Ewondo of Cameroon. In their conception, these communities emphasise a correlation between kinship, the genesis of the disease, medicinal resources, and treatments applicable to the patients. Our main objective was to identify the family actors involved in the management of this disease and the nature of the therapeutic resources used. To achieve this goal, 49 informants were interviewed (comprising 20 Bakwele and 29 Ewondo). For the population, spleen disease is a pathology with various origins, including hereditary causes. To eradicate it, kinship through biological or social parents and maternal uncles plays an essential role in these societies in the dissemination of knowledge and care practices. The ancestors participate in the fight through the protection of the living, sanctification and inspiration of medicinal resources, and involvement in the management of complex cases. This article demonstrates the cultural and environmental anchorage of care practices with an emphasis on the relationship between ancestrally, beliefs about the power of environmental and spiritual resources, and therapeutic orientation of patients with spleen disease in their respective communities.

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This study assessed local communities’ perceptions of their participation in mountain gorilla conservation around the Volcanoes National Park (VNP), Rwanda. Focus groups and one-on-one semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Participants were purposively selected based on their experience with conservation activities. Data were analysed using qualitative methods. The findings indicate that the people living around the VNP understand their relationship with the park through the benefits that they receive from their involvement in mountain gorilla conservation, education, and tourism activities. They contribute to conservation activities inside and outside of the park, including stone fencing repair, anti-poaching, educating others on mountain gorilla conservation, and morning and evening patrols around the park. They obtain subsequent opportunities such as jobs, markets for their products, networking, and infrastructure development. Challenges that hinder their participation in mountain gorilla conservation include crop-raiding, poverty, culture, and ignorance. Possible solutions include forming cooperatives, improving people’s livelihoods, and increasing awareness. This study recommends the formation of appropriate relationships and increased dialogue between park administrations and communities for better VNP conservation.

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Poverty is a challenge that affects the citizens of third-world countries. Nearly 1.1 billion people earn less than USD 1 per day and face multiple challenges that make daily life risky and complicated. Such is the case in Rwanda, where 38.05% of the population lives below the poverty line. The establishment reduction and implementation of different policies and programmes have significantly reduced the prevalence of poverty in both rural and urban areas. Additionally, various national programs and plans that recognise the nexus between natural resource usage and management issues must be formulated. This study explored the connection between rural livelihoods and natural resource management in Rwanda through a systematic review of different search databases and an analysis of the existing literature, and official reports focusing on two case studies, namely, Green Gicumbi and Nyandungu. This study provides insights into how natural resources are changing the well-being of communities while also preserving ecosystems. Therefore, there is a need for further research to analyse or measure the impact of green projects on social cohesion.

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