RESEARCH REPORTS ]]k. REPORT ON THE FAMILY RESEARCH SEMINAR FEBRUARY 19-20, 1971 by C. Oppong* Below is a list of the papers presented at the first interdisciplinary research seminar on the family to be held at the Institute of African Studies, Legon. Eighteen con- tributions in all were read by lecturers and research work- ers attached currently or In the past to one of Ghana's three universities. The general topic of "the family" among the Akan and Ewe was suggested In 1970 to selected people currently working in these two regions in the fields of sociology, social anthropology, law, linguistics, geo- graphy, literature and history. They were invited to write contributions using the results of their own Investigations. These two areas were Initially selected from the point of view of their being amendable to the kind of controlled comparison of variables increasingly used to advantage in contemporary Ghanaian social research. It was felt that though there might be relatively few people in Ghana who claimed to be "domestic scientists", there were In fact many whose own researches impinged upon Ghanaian family life, while at the same time concentrating upon problems with a specifically legal, economic or other emphasis. The seminar discussions were attended by graduate students and staff of the Institute of African Studies as well as by members of other departments in Legon and also Cape Coast University. We were most fortunate to have with us Professor Meyer Fortes from the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge. His stimulating introductory paper on the revolutionary developments which took place In family studies In Ghana between 1920 and 1970, set the tone of the occasion. There was throughout a marked emphasis upon economic and legal rights and duties, Including rights of inheritance and maintenance. A further problem discussed in several papers was that of defining and describing the composition of the coresident household. In addition, an interesting debate developed concerning the various Ewe terms used to * Mrs. C. Oppong is a Research Fellow in Social Anthro- pology. RESEARCH REPORTS 115. refer to kin and domestic groupings. As Professor Ottenberg noted in his closing comment, there was a healthy avoidance on the part of participants of the use of the blanket terms favoured recently by some writers, such as "VesternIzatIon" and "modernization". There was rather a concern with care- fully defined areas of enquiry and the analysis of limited sets of quantifiable social facts. Happily the feeling proved to be true that many more researchers than those wearing obvious labels of kinship and marriage, family studies or home science were not merely Interested In matters affecting the family In general, but Were actively engaged In work of direct relevance to the family In Ghana. Thus the seminar was seen to serve as a vehicle for the expression of Interest by many more people than are listed among the contributors below. Indeed such was the enthusiasm engendered and expressed during the seminar that It has been planned to hold a similar event next year. Anyone wishing to present a piper then, analysing the results of recent research In the area of family studies In Ghana, Is cordially Invited to submit the title and an abstract to the administrative secretary. The following was the programme of the 1971 seminar. First Session Chairman - Professor J.H. Nketla, Director »• Professor M. Fortes, Visiting Professor to the Institute of Social and Economic Research. Opening Paper: Family Studies In Ghana 1920-1970. Dr. G. Ansre, Institute of African Studies, Legon. Aspects of Akan and Ewe Kinship Terminologies. Dr. G.K. Nukunya, Department of Sociology, Legon. Some Bilateral Elements in Anlo Kinship RESEARCH REPORTS 116. Or. E.O. Apronfei, Institute of African Studies, L«gon. Parent - Child Relationships Iri African LIterature. Dr. E.O, Aytst, Institute of African Studies, Legon. Kinship and Community In Akwaplm. Second Session Chairman - Professor N. de Graft Johnson Dr. G. Woodman, Faculty of Law, Legon. The Rights of Wives and Children In the Estate* of their deceased Husbands and Fathers. Dr. A.K.P. Kludze, Faculty of Law, Legon. Family Property and Inheritance Among the Northern Ewe. Dr. Ekow Daniels, Faculty of Law, Legon. Problems In the Law Relating to the Maintenance of Wives and Children. n Miss D. Vellenga, Former Research Student, InstFtute d? African Studies. Arenas Of J&tgimni'. An Analysis of Matri- monial Cases br.oug.ht before different types of court's In AfcwajShft tii the 1930s and 1960s. -0 ,4 4 0 RESEARCH REPORTS .U7. Third Session Chairman - Dr. E.O. Ay Is I Mrs. P. Jones-Quartey, Department of Sociology, Legon. Some Effects of the Child Maintenance Bill. Mr. J. Adomako Safo, Kumasl University of Science and Technology. Ashantl Migrant Farmers In Ahafo. Mr. T. Kumakpor, Department of Sociology, Legon. The Position of Maternal Relatives In the Inheritance System of the Ewes. Professor N. de Graft Johnson, Department of Sociology, Legon. A Comparison of Inheritance Patterns In two Fant? and Ewe Communfties. Fourth Session Chairman - Professor M. Fortes Mrs. M. Hardlman, Department of Sociology, Legon. A Preliminary Study of the Role of Women in Akan Rural Communities. - C. Oppong, Institute of African Studies, Legon. Inheritance, Kin Ties end Conjugal Resources. RESEARCH REPORTS 118. Mr. R. Sanjek, Institute of African Studies, Legon. Some Ewe and Kwahu Households In an Accra Neighbourhood. Dr. N.O. Addo, Department of Sociology, Legon. Patterns of Household Composition In Urban and Rural Areas. Professor S. Ottenberg, Visiting Professor, Institute of African Studies. Continuity and Change In Domestic Science. •4 -4 • • *. ,4. V