Institute of African Studies Research Review New Series Vol. 12, Nos. 1 & 2 1996 UNIVERSITY OF GHANA LEGON FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK THE Editorial Committee (EC) welcomes me submission of papers for publication in the Research Review. These may be academic and scholarly articles that set forth the findings of new research in any branch of African Studies, discuss and re-evaluate earlier research by the author and others, or combine these approaches. The articles should not have been previously published. The EC also welcomes short reports on research in progress, brief research notes and reviews of books in the area of African Studies. All contributions must be submitted in English, in duplicate, typed, doubled spaced with adequate margins, on one side of the paper, which should be of standard size (not foolscap). Authors should ensure to keep an additional copy for their own future reference. Articles should not exceed 30 quarto pages. Notes and References need not be given in full in the notes, but must be listed in full ink the notes, but must be listed in full after the notes, with full information in this older name of author or editor, date of publication, title, place of publica- tion, publisher. Figures and diagrams should be drawn in black ink on white paper, that require little or no reduction in size. Tables can be reduced, but authors should bear in mind that this will make the numbers very much smaller. Photographs should be black and white on glossy paper. Preferred placement of diagrams, tables and figures in the text should be indicated by num- bers. Words and short passages in Ghanaian language orthographies, or orthographies of other Af- rican language that is EPA symbols, may be included, but diadrics must be kept to an absolute minimum Material in languages other than English should be underlined. Submission* should be sent to the Editor of die Research Review, Institute of Africa* Studies, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 73, Legon, Gbana. They should be accompanied by a brief biographical note, giving the author's name in the form it should appear in print, current academic or professional position, field or research interest, and titles of one or two previous publications. The EC also welcomes books from authors and publishers for review in the Research Review. INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN STUDIES RESEARCH REVIEW New Series VoL 12, Nos. 1 & 2 1996 Editorial Committee Professor G.P. Hagan (Chairman) Nana Dr. Abayie Boaten I (Editor) Dr. Irene Odotei Dr. A.K. Awedoba Mr. Kwame Amoah Labi Advisory Editors Professor Mary E. Kropp Dakufou Professor Kofi Anyidoho Professor J.R. Anqnandah Professor Max Assimeng Professor John Nabila Professor R. Addo-Fening Dr. S.A. Asiama Mr.KofiDrah The RESEARCH REVIEW is a journal of current research in African Studies published by the Institute of African Studies of the University of Ghana, Legon. Authors are solely responsible for opinions expressed in their articles. Enquiries about subscriptions and pur- chase of back issue should be addressed to the Administrative Secretary, Institute of Afiican Studies, University of Ghana, Post Office Box 73, Legon, Ghana. ISBN 9964-76-104X Printed by the School of Communication Studies Press, University of Ghana, Legon. TABU: OF CONTENTS Unemployment and Social Policy Dimensions, by Kweku Osei-Hwedie Kasem Nominal Genders and Names, by A.K. Awedoba Traditional Fanners' Perception of the Soils in the Nanumba District of Ghana, by T.W. Awadzi Gender Relations in Traditional Administration: The Case of Discrimination Against Women, by Nana Abayie Boaten I They Have Used a Broom to Sweep my Womb: The Concept of Witchcraft in Ghana, by Owusu Brempong Population Growth and Ecological Degradation in Northern Ghana: Myths and Realities, by Jacob Songsore Notes on Contributors p«ge 25 32 42 51 67