Exploring Social Outcomes of Interactions between University Students and Waala Communities in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

Emmanuel K Derbile,Francis Dakyaga,Gordon Dakuu,Lazarus Jambadu

doi:10.4314/gjds.v13i1.4

Abstract

In the context of social integration theory, this paper explores the social outcomes of interactions between university students and indigenous Waala communities in the Wa Municipality, northwestern Ghana. Drawing on results from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, weposit that social integration outcomes have been both positive and negative, the latter being predominant. In the positive domain, university students from varied ethnic backgrounds are socially accepted to live in shared rental accommodation by indigenous Waala families and by extension allowing for modest cross-cultural learning’s and exchanges. University students, especially female students serve as role models in education to Waala youth, particularly, young girls – inspiring them to attain higher education. In the negative domain, the outcomes include conflicts between students and Waala families over varied ways of life, conflicts over rents and ejection of students from rental apartments, exploitation of studentsthrough application of higher rents and market prices ofconsumer goods and finally, increasing incidences of love relationships between students and indigenes leading to social tensions and undesirable outcomes. We therefore, arguethat integration of students into the Waala community has been partial and underpinned by differentiated ways of lives, culture and conflicts that has undermined the process of acculturation. Thus, the paper advocates an integrated approach to Municipal Development Planning (MDP) through multi – stakeholder engagement for the promotion of education, platforms for dialogue, and strengthening institutions for dealing with emerging issues and conflicts arising from the processes of social integration. Keywords : Social Interactions, Social Integration, Students, Indigenes, Ghana

Highlights

This paper analyses the outcomes of the social integration of students of the University for Development Studies (UDS) at Wa into Waala communities and families in the Wa Municipality
Social acceptability of students to live within indigenous Waala communities and among families – but this is driven by economic interest, rent payments indigenous house owners derive from the students
There is ‘compromised social acceptability’ of students to live within indigenous Waala communities and families – but this is driven by economic interest, rent payments indigenous house owners derive from the students

Summary

Introduction

This paper analyses the outcomes of the social integration of students of the University for Development Studies (UDS) at Wa into Waala communities and families in the Wa Municipality. The Wa Municipality has experienced an unprecedented rate of urbanization, partly attributed to the influx of a temporary university student population of the University for Development Studies (UDS). Most of these students are accommodated in shared private residential accommodation commonly referred to as compound houses in the city and its suburbs. This paper draws on social integration theory for analysing the outcomes of the interactions between university students on the one hand and indigenous Waala communities and families on the other hand. This is followed by a discussion and conclusion in sections four and five respectively

Results

Discussion

Conclusion