Journal of Advanced Sociology

Nyerere’s Socialism and African Politics in Relation to Development

Simon Njuguna Waitherero — 2023-05-20

This paper discusses the Ujamaa philosophy and what it advocated as fostered by Julius Nyerere. The work relates the Ujamaa philosophy with socialism and how the combination of the two can be applied in advancing the African political leadership. The paper further exemplifies on the hindrances of application of Ujamaa and suggests ways through which the philosophy can be advanced.

Family Support and Social Reintegration of Adolescent Offenders in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Jean Nsonjiba Lokenga — 2023-07-24

Purpose: Having a strong family support is one of the most important factors contributing to successful rehabilitation and especially among adolescent ex-offenders and thereafter gain a sustainable livelihood. This study sought to examine the role of family support in the social re-integration of adolescent offenders in Kinshasa city. The study was grounded on strain theory as proposed by Merton (1957) as well as pm system theory.

Methodology: Mixed methods research approach focusing on explanatory sequential design was adopted. Data was collected from a sample of 345 individuals including 330 adolescents and 15 key informants using questionnaires, FGDs, and key informant interviews. The study participants were selected from three localities, Kisenso, Limete, and Matete and Kisenso, using stratified sampling technique and purposive sampling.

Findings: Findings on adolescent offenders’ perception on family support indicates that, 10% (n=33) of adolescent offenders expressed low perceptions of family support; 82.7% (n=273) had moderate perception of family support while 7.3% (n=24) have high perceptions of the support received from family members. The study also found a positive albeit rather weak correlation between family support and social reintegration of adolescent offenders, with a Pearson Correlation Coefficient (r) 0.377. From the findings, the ANOVA tests revealed that, family support (F=1.962, p=0.018) has statistically significant influence on social reintegration of adolescent offenders. The study concludes that, family support was found to be a predictor of social reintegration as family financial, material, and emotional support is needed to influence readjustment and social functioning of affected individuals.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: From the study, it was recommended that, different stakeholders including the government, NGOs, the religious organizations and individual philanthropists should support the family in her role to provide material and non-material support towards their adolescent ex-offenders for effective social re-integration.

Media and Murder in Military Barracks: Sociological Analysis of the Murder of Isaah Mobila in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Eliasu Alhassan Alhassan — 2023-02-26

Purpose: Military brutalities continue to occur in Africa notwithstanding a momentous drop in military coups. Military-civilian relations are still problematic and complex since in some cases civilians die in military custody. This article is a sociological study and analysis of how Ghana’s Convention Peoples Party’s Northern Regional Chairman, Issah Mobila was brutally murdered in military custody in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital and the effect the murder had on the family and the people of the Region.

Methodology: The study was purely qualitative hence qualitative procedures and processes were used. Interview guides as well as observation were used for the primary data while the secondary data were sourced via internet and written documents like the newspapers. The data were thematically analysed and, in some cases, individual responses were quoted verbatim.

Findings: The study asserted that Mobila was murdered by the military hence two of the military officers were convicted. The study also asserted that Mobila was wrongly accused by the security services and murdered in military custody. The study found that the family of the deceased continued to suffer psychological discomfort hence the elder’s son contemplated committing suicide. The Regional Security Council gave conflicting statements which angered the youth and the opinion leaders which created insecurity in the municipality resulting in hunger in the capital of Tamale as food sellers refused to sell for the fear that they might be killed. Also, the wives of the military men in the barracks also seized going to the market for fear of reprisal. Tamale therefore came to a standstill in the midst of heavy military patrols in the municipality. Media reportage was prominent as the murder issue was discussed thoroughly.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This murder case was unprecedented in the history of the military in Tamale hence it provoked calls on government to ensure cordial and effective relationship between the civilian population and the military to obviate a recurrence. Constant lectures and dialogue on military-civilian relationship are being encouraged in order to strengthen coexistence between the military and the civilians.