This article examines the interrelationships between rainfall variability, livelihood/food security and migration in rural Savannah communities in Northern Ghana. It addresses the question of how strong dry season migration is pronounced and whether the recent dominant migration type is a coping or adaptation mechanism. The analysis is based on empirical research conducted in four communities of the Nadowli District (Upper West Region), using a mixed methods approach. It was found that the households are highly dependent on rain-fed subsistence agriculture and livestock rearing, showing a low degree of economic diversification. Study participants in general complained about the unpredictability of the weather and linked changes in rainfall to declining crop yields and livestock possession as well as to increasing food prices. A common livelihood strategy used by households is dry-season migration to more suitable farming areas and to mining sites. Research in 2011 revealed that the majority of migrants were forced to migrate during the rainy season in order to feed the household members. This observation may indicate a shift in seasonal migration patterns with potentially harmful consequences for household livelihood security in the future.

Ghana, compared to many other African nations, has been described as a peaceful and stable country. Nonetheless, there are several ethno-political and religious conflicts some of which have been ongoing in the country for several years. The conflicts could be broadly categorized as inter-and intra-ethnic conflicts. This paper gives an account of some of the major conflicts in Northern Ghana that have drawn national attention, most of which were/are violent. It examines the causes of these conflicts, some of which include the struggle for traditional power and supremacy, claims of ownership of land and politically and religious-motivated. While inter-ethnic conflicts are generally about sovereignty and claim to land, intra-ethnic conflicts are mostly about succession. The outcomes of these conflicts have made coexistence either very difficult in certain areas or even impossible. The analysis is based on a qualitative historical analysis of four case studies on the northern Ghana conflicts. Data were drawn from secondary and primary sources. Although earlier studies have taken this historical narrative form, it is also necessary to reexamine the cases on a comparative basis and to especially analyze the strategies that have been employed to manage, resolve or transform them. Understanding the dynamics of these interventions is necessary for the search for lasting peace. The paper also assesses the roles and involvement of major stakeholders in conflict management, resolution and prevention in northern Ghana and finally suggests a way forward.

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PurposeIn spite of extensive literature on disability studies, little has been done on disability and development, more so the role of language and learning technologies in all of this. The purpose of this paper therefore is to focus on the crucial role language plays in the inclusion or exclusion of people with disabilities in development and their inaccessibility to learning technologies in northern Ghana.Design/methodology/approachInterviews and life history approach in Dagbanli, the local language were used to find out how the use of language affects the participation of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the development of their communities. The use of the local language was to ensure that expressions used to talk about people with disabilities were captured.FindingsThe main findings of the study include stigmatization of people with disability, more so with females. It was also found that these discriminations were conveyed through daily language use, thus constantly reminding people with disabilities of their “class” thereby excluding them from decisions and activities of the development agenda. Education is key and the way out is e‐learning.Originality/valueThis paper provides insights of how Dagombas use language to exclude PWDs. No such study has been carried out in northern Ghana and more precisely among the Dagombas.

There are studies on Students’ Internet use within the framework of online news reading, however, none seems to have effectively explored the practice for teaching. Recognising this gap, this study assessed the online news patronage among students of UDS-Ghana with the aim of galvanizing the practice for pedagogical gains. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 180 students selected randomly from six faculties, followed by an interview of 10 language teachers chosen from the Department of Languages. The quantitative data was interpreted descriptively using percentages, while content analysis was adopted for processing the qualitative data. The findings showed that online news reading was high among students. Out of 180 participants, 127(71%) read online news daily or weekly and Operanews.com, Ghanaweb.com, and Myjoyonline.com were the most preferred sites. Most participants, 49(27%), read news online for entertainment and fashion, while a few read it for language acquisition and other purposes. The teachers interviewed concerning possible exploits of the practice, indicated that they knew of it, however, they could not effectively explore it in classroom teaching. They did, however, acknowledge that the practice could be useful as basics for teaching vocabulary, reading comprehension, and others. In view of the findings, it is recommended that stable Internet is ensured on campuses to enhance students' good use of the practice. Teachers are also urged to explore the practice in language teaching activities and educate students on the benefits of reading online news.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0938/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>