Agyemang, Eric

2 Publications in AERD

Author Publications

Cultural beliefs versus professional health training: implications for healthcare delivery to persons living with intellectual disabilities in Ghana

By Odongo Attoh, Douglas

Background: In most African countries, disability is explained by cultural beliefs. This has implications for healthcare delivery for persons with intellectual disabilities. Methods: With the aid of a qualitative approach, we explore the interplay between cultural beliefs and the training of health professionals and their implications for the healthcare delivery to persons living with intellectual disabilities in the Asokwa and Oforikrom Municipalities. Findings: Findings revealed that cultural beliefs about intellectually disabled people include the idea that their facilities are forbidden and that pregnant women who pass by them may have a child with a disability. Further, health professionals received little intellectual disability training. As a result, healthcare professionals lack knowledge of the needs and care of this group. Conclusion: This study recommends that professionals should take comprehensive intellectual disability courses in training schools. Also, health professionals should attend periodic workshops on the range of intellectual disabilities to raise awareness of their needs and care. © 2023 Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability, Inc.

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Sustainable peace building education: strategies used by Ghana’s National Peace Council

By Kondor, Ronald

African countries experience a lot of recurring conflicts because the underlying causes of most conflicts on the continent have either been unresolved or tackled at the surface level. This situation leads to the loss of lives and property. Ghana’s National Peace Council (NPC) is one of the existing peace infrastructures whose mandate is to educate the public on peace and conflict management. However, there is a paucity of literature on how this peace council educates the Ghanaian population on peacebuilding. The study, therefore, sought to uncover strategies employed by Ghana’s NPC in educating the public on peacebuilding. Data was gathered through interviews and focused group discussions with participants who work with the NPC. The study also relied on secondary data, which consisted of recordings of peace education programmes through mass media such as TV and radio. The findings revealed that two main strategies are employed by the NPC of Ghana, namely, the use of media platforms (TV and radio) and socio-entertaining strategies. In addition to traditional media, this study argues that the NPC should utilise modern media, such as social media and the Internet, for peace education. If utilised, these two media forms would reach a much larger audience and could be used to prevent conflict in Ghana. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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