Department of Sociology and Social Work

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace.njala.edu.sl/handle/20.500.144402/173

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Start date: 2023Has files: Yes

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    The Socio Economic Impact of Cultural Heretage on Sierra Leone: Acase of Brookfield , Freetown
    (Global Society of Scientific Research and Researchers, 2024-06-17) Manju, Fassie
    Sierra Leone is arguably a country with massive and amiable cultural heritage assets which have greater bearing on the social and economic trajectory of the country. This heritage can be evident in terms of the country’s tangible culture such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, works of art, and artifacts, et al, intangible culture such as folklore, language, knowledge, and natural heritage including culturally significant landscapes, and biodiversity. Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage is a diverse blend influenced by the topography of the country and large amount of different ethnic groups inhibiting the country. The country and the people are well known for their friendliness and hospitality, with a relaxed pace on life. This Country’s cultural heritage makes it common to be entertained in hotels or restaurants, particularly business visitors.This study employed a cross sectional design with mixed methods of research approach involving questionnaire, and interviews. A purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of the respondents. A sample of eighty (80) respondents was selected purposively in the study areas. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to solicit primary data from targeted population. The data generated were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and results were presented in tables, frequency, graphs and charts. The following were the main findings of the research:Moreover, this study also concluded that there are a range of factors that hinder cultural heritage and this study concludes that lack of human capital on specialized preservation techniques is a major factor that hinders cultural heritage in Sierra Leone and that this can result into devaluation of country’s culture, decreased employment in cultural heritage sector, and most importantly, undergrowth of government’s foreign earnings.Findings in this study also indicated that stakeholders played diverse roles in promoting cultural heritage and such roles could be policy development role, protection and preservation role, funding role and most importantly, education role. This study concluded by providing recommendations for the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. The study recommends that government should build the human capital base on specialized preservation and conservation techniques; cultural heritage studies, archaeological, anthropology and museum education should be taught across all universities; strengthen partnership across the board to sustainably develop the heritage sector; vigorous educational campaign on the promotion of culture and to strengthen the regulatory framework to preserve cultural heritage. The study will help Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government to have a clear understanding on the potential of Cultural Heritage to national development thereby -making government to pay more attention to the sector as an essential tool for massive revenue generation. It will also help government to have essential understandings on the factors that undermine the potential of cultural heritage to the socioeconomic development of Sierra Leone.
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    The Impacts of Community Radio Stations on National Development; a Case Study of Bo City
    (Global Society of Scientific Research and Researchers, 2024-09-05) Manju, Fassie
    This study examined the Impacts of Community Radio Stations on National Development, using Bo city as a case study. Findings were generated in line with the general aim which is to investigate the impacts of community radio stations on national development, as well as the following specific objectives: Conceptualization of community radio stations as tool for national development Functions of community radio stations on development policies Influence of community radio stations on public opinions and information dissemination Roles played by community radio stations during COVID-19 pandemic Recommendations on how to mitigate the problems associated with community radio stations The findings affirmed that majority were aware of the concept of community radio stations, and they believed that the stations performed functions such as informing, educating and entertaining the public. Additionally, majority of the respondents were of the view that community radio stations affect public opinions greatly, by influencing their political decisions and their choices towards certain products through advertisement. Thus, it was also revealed that community radio stations played key roles in fighting COV ID-19 pandemic, by reporting or updating the public about COVID-19 cases, providing the opportunity for medical practitioners to discuss issues around the pandemic, and showing pictures and graphics relating to the preventive measures of the pandemic respectively. It was also recommended that the government and other stakeholders should support community radio stations with adequate resources in order to enable them function effectively.The main purpose of community radio is to provide marginalized communities with access to a voice through the broadcasting channel of radio so they can express their concerns, interests and needs, promote and protect their cultures, traditions and heritages and determine their own development. For a community radio station to serve its purpose, members of a community need to be allowed access to participate in the day-to- day activities of a community radio station and have access to relevant information to better their circumstances. In order to obtain access to these resources, certain operational frameworks must be established and maintained.
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    Human-animal entanglements in bushmeat trading in Sierra Leone: An ethnographic assessment of a potential zoonotic interface
    (Public Library of Science, 2024-03-28) Jenkins, Jack
    'Bushmeat' markets are often portrayed as chaotic spaces where exotic wild animals are sold. They are hypothesized to be important sites for zoonotic disease transmission, given the prolonged and intense nature of the cross-species encounters that occur within them. Whilst such markets have received some attention from researchers, rich qualitative descriptions of everyday practices in these markets are rare. Depictions of wild animal markets as sites for potential viral amplification often rely on exoticizing assumptions and narratives rather than actual evidence, and in some cases are based more on ideology than on science. We provide an in-depth ethnographic account of two bushmeat markets in Bo, Sierra Leone. Our analysis goes beyond common assumptions that zoonotic risk is located solely in the knowledge and behaviours of traders. Our account sheds light on the modes of touch, closeness and contact that shape this hypothesised zoonotic interface, outlining the possible risks to different people who use and spend time in the market. We found that inadequate infrastructure and sanitation facilities created risks of zoonotic disease transmission for diverse actors including traders, customers, children, and the wider public. Butchering and trading practices frequently resulted in people directly and indirectly encountering animal fluids. We also discuss how public health management of these markets focused on individual behaviours rather than on improving conditions. Urgent sanitary reform and infrastructure upgrades in these sites that support the economic needs of traders could encourage voluntary compliance with biosafety measures amongst traders seeking to balance responsibilities to family and public health. Our study reveals the value of moving beyond exoticized narratives about bushmeat markets to yield situated insights for reducing risk at this interface.
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    Available Resources and Factors Influencing the Adoption of Modern Rice Technologies among Farmers in Kambia District, Sierra Leone
    (Scientific Research Publishing, 2026) Munu, Ibrahim
    This study examined the factors influencing the adoption of modern rice technologies among farmers in Kambia District. A cross-sectional survey design was employed using primary data collected from 312 rice farmers selected across three chiefdoms in four communities in Kambia District. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, chi-square tests, Kendall’s W ranking, and post-hoc analysis to identify the major drivers and constraints influencing technology adoption. The findings revealed that rice farming in the district is predominantly undertaken by experienced smallholder farmers within economically active age groups, with 93.6% relying on rice farming as their major source of household income. However, low levels of formal education remain widespread, as 35.6% of respondents had no formal education. Although improved rice varieties such as ROK 10 and NERICA are increasingly cultivated, many farmers still depend on traditional varieties due to limited access to improved inputs and financial services. The logistic regression model showed strong explanatory power (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.531; p χ2 = 12.12, p = 0.436), whereas access to improved rice seed varieties was strongly associated with household income source (χ2 = 36.49, p < 0.0001). Post-hoc analysis further showed significant disparities in seed access, particularly among farmers engaged in non-farm activities and rice farming, suggesting systemic inequalities in input distribution. The study concludes that adoption of modern rice technologies in Kambia District is influenced by a complex interaction of economic, institutional, social, and resource-related factors. The study recommends strengthening extension services, improving rural credit, subsidizing inputs, expanding farmer training, and enhancing irrigation and mechanization infrastructure to promote adoption and improve rice productivity and food security.