Governments In Sub-Saharan Africa Research Articles

Justiciability of Socio-Economic Rights Under the Constitution of Malawi: Unbundling the Right to Development

Most governments in sub-Saharan Africa have for long steered away from giving legal force to socio-economic rights, even though political and civil rights have had due recognition for some time. The main reason is that socio-economic rights are polycentric, meaning their justiciability has resource implications which most governments cannot fulfil in a short space of time. There has been a shift though, since South Africa enacted its Constitution after 1994, ushering in a new period where socio-economic rights not only became recognised but they were also given legal force, albeit with limitations. Malawi followed suit and enacted a new Constitution in 1994 which was unlike the earlier ones that did not recognise socio-economic rights. The only anomaly is that the Constitution does not put all socio-economic rights under the Bill of Rights, meaning that even though some of these rights now have legal force, others such as the right to health do not. These were drafted as principles of national policy, which are just guidelines referred to when the government is making policy. There is a redeeming factor though, which is the right to development. This article contends that all the socio-economic rights that are recognised as principles of national policy do have legal force under the right to development. Even though the right to development is not qualified, the social rights under it are justiciable and it is up to the courts to give them the correct interpretation.

An Invitation to Sociology of Climate Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Concealing the Intersections of Environmental Justice, Inequality, and the Nation State

This paper provides a synopsis of the critical debates in environmental sociology vis-à-vis climate governance and evokes the intersections of environmental justice, equality and the nation state. The nation state, which in this study refers to the government of the day is regarded as an important factor in determining the state of environmental justice and equality. This is because the government has the mandate to formulate and implement policies such as environmental policy. Issues of injustice and inequality are clearly spelt out in the discipline of sociology which provide insights on ways through which humans in societies respond to environmental crises. The paper places considerable emphasis on the political economy of environmental sociology which lies on the effects of modernity and capitalism in relation to socio-ecological well-being of communities. This is significantly linked to Karl Marx’s contribution on class struggles over the means of production which favours the bourgeoisie who are responsible for the greater ecological damage.

Interconnections between governance and socioeconomic conditions: Understanding the challenges in sub-Saharan Africa

Given that challenges on the issue of socioeconomic development faced by countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been identified as critical to strengthening the inherent link between governance and socioeconomic conditions, this study examines the interconnections between governance and socioeconomic conditions in SSA. With a focus on 25 countries in SSA between 2005 and 2019, we conduct the analysis based on the Panel-Corrected Standard Error and System Generalized Method of Moments estimations and panel causality tests. The results show that SSA does not seem to have the means of effective governance to spur improved socioeconomic conditions. Moreover, the pervasiveness of institutional problems in many countries of SSA has been responsible for the poor socioeconomic conditions in the region. Likewise, governance quality and socioeconomic conditions are found to influence each other. An improvement in socioeconomic conditions could result in better governance quality. On the other hand, governance quality is viewed as a vital ingredient in achieving needed socioeconomic development outcomes. Thus, it is suggested that there is a need for countries in SSA to streamline governing systems toward engendering improved well-being. The introduction and implementation of transformative policies through effective governance are also necessary for ensuring critical structural changes and increasing social service provision. Overall, there should be a proactive identification of ineffective policies and procedures by policymakers to enhance meaningful impacts in the region.

Adolescents and age of consent to HIV testing: an updated review of national policies in sub-Saharan Africa

ObjectivesIn sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where HIV burden is highest, access to testing, a key entry point for prevention and treatment, remains low for adolescents (aged 10–19). Access may be hampered...

Under-5 mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: is maternal age at first childbirth below 20 years a risk factor?

ObjectivesThis study aimed at examining the association between young maternal age at first childbirth and under-5 mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Design and settingThis cross-sectional study pooled nationally-representative data from the...

Determinants of digitalization and digital divide in Sub-Saharan African economies: A spatial Durbin analysis

The aim of this paper is to analyse the determinants for digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by considering inequalities in internet use and broadband subscriptions. The study considers 41 countries in the region which are geographically linked, and it allows for spatial interdependence. It also accounts for differences in demographic characteristics as well as social, political and economic infrastructure which affect ICT access and use. Globally, about half of the world's population is connected to the internet whereas the remaining half, i.e. about 3.8 billion people, are not (yet) connected. The problem is more severe in developing countries compared to developed countries; it is said to be unsatisfactory in SSA compared to other countries. We apply a spatial panel analysis using the spatial Durbin model (SDM) specifications for 451 observations from 2006 to 2016. Our estimation results show that there is a strong spatial interdependence among SSA, implying that internet access and broadband subscriptions in one country are affected by internet access and broadband subscriptions in another country, most likely due to spillover effects. Our results reveal that GDP per capita, gross capital formation, political stability, regulatory efficacy and electricity infrastructure directly affect the digital divide. Moreover, GDP per capita, population growth, government consumption, trade openness, and electricity infrastructure also indirectly affect the digital divide through spillover effects. Regarding policy implications we suggest that SSA governments should work closer together in ensuring internet openness and to increase the level of coordination between their countries in order to ensure digital inclusion in their countries.

Global fund and good governance in sub-Saharan Africa: accounting for incidence of malaria and quality of life in oil and non-oil producing countries

Global fund and good governance in sub-Saharan Africa: accounting for incidence of malaria and quality of life in oil and non-oil producing countries

STI policy and governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Fostering actors’ interactions in research and innovation

This study investigates science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy and governance in relation to research and innovation (R&I) ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To understand the implications of STI policy and governance on R&I, the authors focus on university, industry and government actors; using the Triple Helix and National Systems of Innovation approaches as analytical frameworks to guide the study. The authors identify a range of factors hindering R&I actors’ interactions, including gaps in STI governance responsibilities and accountabilities, policymaking and structural transitions, R&I management capacity and capability gaps. Based on the findings, they propose changes to policymaking and the governance of R&I in SSA, in addition to advancing innovative approaches such as ‘resource circulation’ in the context of knowledge, research and science infrastructure scarcity. The findings provide fresh insights into STI policy and governance frameworks, fostering actors’ interactions and supporting performance improvements in research, science and innovation systems across Africa.

Challenges and Assets of Older Adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: Perspectives of Gerontology Scholars

ABSTRACT Life expectancy is increasing globally, with the biggest gains expected in sub-Saharan Africa. Using an online survey, we investigated the perspectives of gerontology scholars on the challenges of aging in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the assets of older adults. Respondents (n = 72) from 17 countries, primarily in Africa, and representing 16 disciplines, identified the top issues facing African older adults as: poverty, lack of trained geriatric professionals, food insecurity, disability/health issues, and long-term care. Older adults’ unique strengths were noted as indigenous knowledge systems, being holders of cultural heritage, and their contributions to development. Respondents’ biggest concerns about older adults in sub-Saharan Africa were the lack of government attention to aging issues (63%) and a lack of social services targeted to older adults’ needs (57%). Government funding (77.8%) and international partnerships (38.9%) were noted as resources needed to support aging research in sub-Saharan Africa. The response or non-response of governments in sub-Saharan Africa will determine whether the growing number of older adults will increasingly experience unmet needs and whether their assets will be considered in development efforts. Establishing professional networks of gerontology scholars in the region will help to document the challenges faced by older adults, to plan for the coming demographic shift, and to empower older adults to thrive as valued community members.

Indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors reliability and its implication for climate adaptation in Ghana

The study examined the reliability of indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors of climate and how this influences smallholder farmers’ practices and adaptations in Ghana’s three regions (Northern, Western and Volta regions). Two districts were selected in each region: Builsa South and Zabzugu in Northern Region, Swefi Wiaso and Jomoro in Western Region, and Agotime-Ziope and Ketu North in Volta Region. The study employed purposive sampling involving 240 respondents. The findings show indigenous predictors of climate include the emergence of migratory birds, the direction of cloud formation, sun intensity, frog croaks and sprouting of new leaves on Emire, Shea, Tarmeranda and Baobab trees. An indigenous knowledge reliability index of 0.72 relative to 0.88 for science-based predictors was obtained, implying that both indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors are reliable indicators for forecasting weather. Indigenous knowledge and science-based predictors influence adaptation strategies through the cultivation of indigenous varieties, early or late planting, diversification of crops cultivated and the use of improved crop and drought-tolerant varieties. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa can consider tasking meteorological stations to harness indigenous and science-based predictors in daily forecasts towards adaptation and mitigation strategies.

History and Prospects for African Land Governance: Institutions, Technology and ‘Land Rights for All’

Issues relating to land are specifically referred to in five of the United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and UN-Habitat’s Global Land Tools Network views access to land and tenure security as key to achieving sustainable, inclusive and efficient cities. The African continent is growing in importance, with climate change and population pressure on land. This review explores an interdisciplinary approach, and identifies recent advances in geo-spatial technology relevant to land governance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It discusses historical legacies of colonialism that affect the culture of its land administration institutions, through three levels of governance: international/regional, national and sub-national. Short narratives on land law are discussed for four Anglophone former British colonies of SSA. A wide range of sources are drawn upon: academic research across disciplines, and official publications of various actors, including land professions (particularly surveyors, lawyers and planners), government and wider society. The findings are that African countries have carried forward colonial land governance structures into the post-independence political settlement, and that a gulf exists between the institutions, language and cultures of land governance, and the mass of its peoples struggling with basic issues of survival. This gulf may be addressed by recent approaches to land administration and technological advances in geo-spatial technology, and by new knowledge networks and interactions.

Polycentric Solutions for Groundwater Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Encouraging Institutional Artisanship in an Extended Ladder of Participation

The growth of groundwater irrigation poses opportunities and challenges, particularly in Africa where substantial potential exists for increased groundwater irrigation but has been constrained by limited access to energy, technology for pumps and drilling, markets, and other factors. Conventional groundwater governance concepts for state-led regulation or co-management are problematic for conditions where state capacity or political support for regulation to reconcile conflicting interests is limited. Experience in Africa and elsewhere does offer examples that may help recognize feasible patterns for collective action that can influence the equity, efficiency, and sustainability of groundwater development. An extended ladder of participation helps look beyond state-led water governance and co-management to a more diverse range of opportunities for supporting local autonomy and initiative to expand opportunities and solve problems in groundwater development. Collective action in groundwater governance can include well spacing; sharing of wells, pumps, and pipes; protecting domestic water sources; crop coordination; groundwater recharge; water imports; and aquifer management. Even where non-state organizations and collective action play primary roles in water governance, they may still be empowered by, receive advice from, or share information with government agencies and other actors. Polycentric groundwater governance can be supported by improving information, facilitating cooperation, endorsing standards, providing a legal framework for resolving conflicts and constituting governance agreements, and through polycentric social learning. Polycentric institutional artisanship by water users and their organizations can help find feasible solutions for improving groundwater governance.

Intimate Partners Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review of Risk Factors and Impacts

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women is one of the most known public health concerns. The depth of the problem varies across regions and different settings. The purpose of this scooping review is to assess the overall prevalence and risk factors of IPV in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
 Methods: The review was conducted based on 24 articles selected from PubMed and google search. The selection considered only those conducted in SSA based on a representative sample size of women of reproductive age (15-49), published in peer-reviewed journals in the last ten years, and those having resemblance in study design and conceptualization of IPV.
 Results: While slight methodological variations exist among the individual studies, nearly all the reported prevalence of IPV were unacceptably high. The lifetime experience of IPV ranged from about 20% in some societies to more than 75% in other settings. Physical and emotional violence were the most frequently reported type of IPV. One common feature of all studies reviewed is that they all recognized the important role of women’s attitude (acceptance) towards their experience of IPV. Good proportion (ranging between 33-57%) of women justified IPV more often than men do. The studies further documented a wide range of risk factors associated with IPV, more importantly, low maternal and paternal education, partner's alcohol drinking behavior, childhood experience of domestic violence, and certain household and community/cultural factors.
 Conclusion: Given considerable proportion of women experienced one or more forms of IPV in most settings in SSA, national and local governments have a long way to go in preventing or reducing its occurrence in their geographic areas if they must meet SDG 3 (i.e., better health of children and women). Since IPV is embedded in most cultures; concerned authorities should establish appropriate norms, enhance women's status, and ensure proper implementation of policies and laws on abuse. Community reflections, mass education/ behavioral change communications are essential in this endeavor.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Mental and Emotional Health Outcomes among Africans during the COVID-19 Lockdown Period-A Web-based Cross-Sectional Study.

Mental health and emotional responses to the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are of serious public health concern and may negatively affect the mental health status of people. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as emotional reactions among sub-Saharan Africans (SSAs) and associated factors among SSAs during the COVID-19 lockdown period. This was a web-based cross-sectional study on mental health and emotional features from 2005 respondents in seven SSA countries. This study was conducted between 17 April and 17 May 2020 corresponding to the lockdown period in most SSA countries. Respondents aged 18 years and above and the self-reported symptoms were feeling anxious, being worried, angry, bored and frustrated. These were the main outcomes and were treated as dichotomous variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with these symptoms. We found that over half (52.2%) of the participants reported any of the mental health symptoms and the prevalence of feeling bored was 70.5% followed by feeling anxious (59.1%), being worried (57.5%), frustrated (51.5%) and angry (22.3%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate analysis revealed that males, those aged >28 years, those who lived in Central and Southern Africa, those who were not married, the unemployed, those living with more than six persons in a household, had higher odds of mental health and emotional symptoms. Similarly, people who perceived low risk of contracting the infection, and those who thought the pandemic would not continue after the lockdown had higher odds of mental health and emotional symptoms. Health care workers had lower odds for feeling angry than non-healthcare workers. During the COVID-19 lockdown periods in SSA, about one in two participants reported mental health and emotional symptoms. Public health measures can be effectively used to identify target groups for prevention and treatment of mental health and emotional symptoms. Such interventions should be an integral component of SSA governments’ response and recovery strategies of any future pandemic.

ECONOMIC GROWTH EFFECTS OF THE INTERACTION OF TRADE OPENNESS AND INSTITUTIONS QUALITY: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

In its various publications, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has vigorously advocated the need for reforming African trade policy from inward oriented strategies to outward oriented ones. While most countries in Africa have long accepted the reform agenda, there remains marked differences in their expected growth outcomes. This raises some skepticism about the value of trade openness on growth especially in the Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA).This paper therefore investigates how trade openness impacts growth in SSA. In order to further enrich the debate around trade policy orientation and its corresponding effects on growth, we examine the interaction effect of openness and institutions quality on growth. In doing so, panel data set were collected for a sample of 27 SSA countries covering the period 1996-2016.The study employed a dynamic panel estimation technique with a view of evaluating the relative impact of the predictors on growth. The results revealed that trade openness alone bring significant negative impact on growth performance in SSA. However, the simultaneous interaction of trade openness with institutions quality brings about positive and significant impact on growth. This confirmed that positive impact of trade openness on growth is conditional on the quality of institutions. For policy, our results imply that governments in SSA should first strengthen their institutions while adopting a gradual approach to trade liberalization.Keywords: trade openness; institutions quality; economic growth; interaction; Sub-Saharan AfricaJEL Classifications: C23; C2DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.10098

Life Expectancy in Sub-Sahara Africa: An Examination of Long-Run and Short-Run Effects

The realization of the factors that influence life expectancy is crucial for attaining longevity. In this paper, we examine the long-run and short-run determinants of life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The determining variables include, inflation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, food production, human capital and health expenditure. The estimation technique used are Pedroni cointegration and pool mean group regression. The results from the Pedroni cointegration show that the variables exhibit long-run relationship. The outcome from the pool mean estimation group confirms that in the long-run inflation and CO2 emission have significantly negative effect on life expectancy while GDP per capita, food production, human capital and health expenditure have a significant and positive influence on life expectancy. It also reveals that in the short-run inflation and food production do not have any impact on life expectancy. The findings recommend that various governments in SSA should increase their public health spending, formulate policies that will discourage CO2 emission and the use of clean energy and food production should be enhanced through modernized agricultural practices.

Insects in food and feed systems in sub-Saharan Africa: the untapped potentials

Insects as food and feed have the potential to alleviate food, feed and nutrition insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) against a backdrop of climate change. Such use has gained unprecedented attention in the past decade and the trend will probably continue due to the species diversity, new discoveries in the nutritional, neutraceutical and medicinal potentials of edible insect species. In order to meet the increasing demand for insects as food and feed, insect farming should complement sustainable wild insect harvesting. The ecological impact of insect farming, economics, species biological and processing aspects deserve empirical investigation. This is crucial in order to effectively guide potential insect producers and processors. Besides the use of insects in folk medicine, several industrial products including polyunsaturated and monosaturated fatty acids, peptides, enzymes, and antimicrobial compounds can be obtained from edible insects. With the teaming world population, value addition via product fortification is a practical strategy to enhance the acceptance of edible insects for human food and nutrition security. The future of insects as food and feed will witness the development of international trade and SSA governments should be ready to comply with product standardization and legislation requirements to penetrate external markets. Despite the diversity of edible insects in SSA and some commonalities there-in, not all consumers are well-informed on the inherent risks of allergens, toxicants and antinutritional compounds occurring in some edible species. Further research needs and future strategies to exploit the untapped potential of insects as food and feed in SSA are mapped out.

Reconciling model predictions with low reported cases of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: insights from Madagascar

ABSTRACT COVID-19 has wreaked havoc globally with particular concerns for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where models suggest that the majority of the population will become infected. Conventional wisdom suggests that the continent will bear a higher burden of COVID-19 for the same reasons it suffers from other infectious diseases: ecology, socio-economic conditions, lack of water and sanitation infrastructure, and weak health systems. However, so far SSA has reported lower incidence and fatalities compared to the predictions of standard models and the experience of other regions of the world. There are three leading explanations, each with different implications for the final epidemic burden: (1) low case detection, (2) differences in epidemiology (e.g. low R 0 ), and (3) policy interventions. The low number of cases have led some SSA governments to relaxing these policy interventions. Will this result in a resurgence of cases? To understand how to interpret the lower-than-expected COVID-19 case data in Madagascar, we use a simple age-structured model to explore each of these explanations and predict the epidemic impact associated with them. We show that the incidence of COVID-19 cases as of July 2020 can be explained by any combination of the late introduction of first imported cases, early implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), and low case detection rates. We then re-evaluate these findings in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic in Madagascar through August 2020. This analysis reinforces that Madagascar, along with other countries in SSA, remains at risk of a growing health crisis. If NPIs remain enforced, up to 50,000 lives may be saved. Even with NPIs, without vaccines and new therapies, COVID-19 could infect up to 30% of the population, making it the largest public health threat in Madagascar for the coming year, hence the importance of clinical trials and continually improving access to healthcare.

Foreign Ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa: Do Governance Structures Matter?

It has been widely argued that governance structures have roles in the predominance of foreign ownership in Sub-Saharan African countries. Our paper sought to challenge this conventional wisdom by investigating the ways in which country-level governance structures influenced the predominance of foreign holdings in Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2010–2015. The study used panel sampling annual data from thirty countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) as our discussion estimators. Our statistical results reveal that there is a significant positive relationship between government effectiveness and the predominance of foreign ownership in Sub-Saharan African countries. Furthermore, foreign ownership predominates in Sub-Saharan African economies that have sound political stability and embrace effective and efficient regulations. Moreover, the relationship between corruption and the prevalence of foreign ownership is negative but significant. However, the rule of law, and voice and accountability, are insignificant to the predominance of foreign ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our results suggest that governments in Sub-Saharan Africa should adopt robust and efficacious measures, strengthen their policies and institutions to promote the control of corruption, provide quality regulations, and minimize political violence.

Does subsidizing fertilizer contribute to the diet quality of farm women? Evidence from rural Mali

Agricultural policies can change incentives to grow one crop versus another, affecting farm family nutrition. Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa have implemented fertilizer subsidies with the aim of boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing food security. Yet, little is known about the intrahousehold nutritional consequences of fertilizer subsidies that often favor the production of starchy food staples—supporting calorie consumption but not micronutrient intake. We test the effects of fertilizer subsidies on gender-differentiated value of production and sales of target crops and the diet quality of female plot managers in Malian farming households. We find positive effects of the subsidy on production and sales whether plots are managed by men or women. However, more than half the women in our sample do not consume the minimum number of food groups needed for an adequate diet. Subsidized fertilizer significantly contributes to the chances that female plot managers will meet this threshold, and to consumption of iron-rich foods. Positive effects appear to be offset by the negative association of diet quality with all subsidized fertilizer received by other plot managers—perhaps because it leads to greater farm orientation toward targeted cereals and cotton. Disaggregating data by gender provides policy insights. Observing the low use rates of female plot managers for subsidized fertilizer that is obtained 51% of the time through others, ensuring that they have direct access may support higher application rates. If the subsidy program is to continue, considering nutrient-rich crops as part of the subsidy package might enhance nutritional outcomes.