FOREWORD

GLOBALIZATION  AND CHANGES  IN CULTURES  OF

SURVIVAL AND  CARE

This  issue  of  the Research  Review  contains  eight of the  papers presented  at  a workshop
organized  by  the  Institute  of  African  Studies,  University  of  Ghana  in  collaboration  with
scholars from  Bergen University. The rest of the essays will  appear in a later issue. The title  for
the  workshop—Globalization  and  Changes 
of  Survival  and  Care—was
suggested  by Professor  Kari Waerness, Director  of  the Bergen University Centre for  Women's
and Gender Studies. She  herself  has  pioneered  scholarship  on care and caring in the  North and
the theme  proved  to  be a  fitting  umbrella  to encompass  the various papers  presented and  the
far reaching discussions which  ensued.

in  Cultures 

Globalization  has  no doubt brought  about  diverse  transformations  in African  societies and
their  cultures. Associated  with  the  process  have  been  changes 
in  living  conditions  both
positive and  negative. Threats  to sustainable  livelihood practices  have also  increased, as  gaps
between  the  rich  and  poor  have  widened.

In  Ghana  as  in  some  other  developing  countries,  sustainable  human  development  has
become an  illusion as  policies and  programs and  new categorizations,  such as  the  Structural
Adjustment  program  (SAP) and  the designation  Heavily Indebted  Poor  Country (HIPC) have
been  put  in  place,  and  as  the  condition  of  many  citizens  appears  to  be  worsening.  Real
for  survival.  Longer
wages  of  many  have  fallen  below 
working  hours  and  consequent  stress  and  role  conflicts  characterize  the  daily 
life  of
women. Such  conditions affect  their  child care activities and  the survival  of  their  infants and
children. Among the  youth and  adults  survival  in  the midst  of such  changes  has  included
migration for work and risk-taking reproductive behaviours that make  them more  vulnerable  to
infections  from  HIV and STDs.

level  accounted  necessary 

the 

High  rates  of  malnutrition,  morbidity,  mortality  and  fertility  still  prevail,  in  spite  of  the
incidence  of  HIV/AIDS  are  rising  rapidly  and
recent  lowering  of 
family  size.  Rates  of 
imperceptibly.  Improved  understanding  of 
these  problems  and  processes 
if
governmental  and  non - governmental  agencies  are to design  and  put  in place  the  required
policies and  programs.

is  vital, 

In view  of  its  comparative advantage  in  documenting and  explaining  cultural  phenomena
is  currently  strengthening  its  capacity  and
and  processes,  the  Institute  of  African  Studies 
links  of  communication  and  collaboration  with  partner
resource  base  and 
organizations  inside and  outside Ghana,  so  that  it  can  better  develop  and  carry  out 
the
applied  research and  graduate training  needed  in  this  endeavor  in Ghana and  in  the  region.
This seminar was  one  more  step in this direction. The  publication of  papers  presented  at  the
seminar  goes  yet  further  along  this  road.

improving  its 

Dr Irene Odotei, Ag. Director
Legon, 2002.