http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1505 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:10:45 GMT 2026-03-12T04:10:45Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6930 What is history? : The science of the past in perspective Adjei, Adjepong Some puzzles in human life are universal and cut across generations. That is why some of the very issues that boggled the minds of many people centuries ago continue to baffle many people today. Such problems often attract the attention of scholars and generate debates among them. The meaning of the term “history” and the nature of history in general are certainly some of the sensitive problems that have remained highly debatable among historians and allied scholars. In fact, the debate on “what is history?” has continued without resolution for several centuries. The term “history” has been defined or explained differently by different people at different times and under different circumstances. Though these definitions or explanations have been accepted and used, the lack of unanimity on the part of historians on a common definition places students and teachers of history in a difficult situation concerning what exactly history is. We believe that in the contemporary setting, any definition or explanation given to history must be situated in a framework that is comprehensive enough to make the nature and philosophy of the discipline clear. Using both primary and secondary documents, and employing the multi-disciplinary approach, this paper examines some of the important definitions or explanations that have been given to history with the view to constructing a definition or an explanation that is appropriate for history today. In its survey, the study finds that several definitions have been formulated for history over the centuries. It observes, however, that some of the definitions or explanations are inappropriate and unacceptable today in view of their inability to reveal the true nature of history and clarify the philosophy behind the study of the past. In its evaluation and conclusion, the paper appreciates that history has both art and science dimensions, and is also a practice with an avowed philosophy. Taking all these into consideration, the paper then defines or explains history in a context that is comprehensive enough to depict history as a discipline that is concerned not only with the past, but also, and more especially, with the present and the future for the development of society and the various sciences or disciplines. As a result, the study draws attention to the need to promote the serious study of history in schools 32p:, ill. Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6930 2019-07-15T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6928 The second colonial occupation: Development planning, agriculture, and the legacies of British Rule in Nigeria, by Bekeh Utietiang Ukelina Kachim, Joseph Udimal 5p:, ill. Mon, 20 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6928 2018-08-20T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6926 The role of African women in the political development of Pre-colonial Africa: A historical analysis Adjei, Adjepong ‘Women in Development’ has considerable implications for historical research, since it provides a focus for the attention of historians. Historiography is largely a matter of focus, and the issue of women’s contribution to the development of the various facets of the life of society has drawn attention to a class of society whose conditions of life have been infrequently and incompletely explored. In contemporary times, several useful works have appeared in the general area of the study of women in the past. These studies have had serious implications for the way society perceives and treats women as they have contributed towards liberating women from the shackles of male dominance and ‘intimidation’. The present study seeks to contribute in this direction by examining the role of African women in the development of the African continent. To this end, the contributions of women are analysed from the perspective of the political life of Africa. Thus, using the multi-disciplinary approach, the study does a critical examination of the contributions African women made to the political development of their respective societies in pre-colonial Africa. It first makes a survey of the pre-colonial African political terrain and reappraises the ‘political image’ of women in society. It then makes a selection from the historical record and evaluates the circumstances out of which some African women rose to become political leaders in their societies and the contributions they made to ensure the smooth administration and survival of those policies. Per the findings of the study, the paper concludes that the contemporary political stage of Africa owes much of its success to the contributions of some African women in the past. Finally, it maintains that there is the need for the contemporary generation to appreciate the political capabilities of women and place them in key political positions 19p:, ill. Sat, 01 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6926 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6916 Ecological modernization and water resource management: A critique of institutional transitions in Ghana Atampugre, Gerald; Botchway, De- Valera N. Y. M.; Esia-Donkoh, Kobina; Kendie, Stephen Ghana is endowed with surface and ground water resources. These resources prior to the colonial era were managed by traditional societies through various conventional methods embedded in their Cosmo vision. However during the colonial and postcolonial regimes, in response to climate change, economic globalization, and population pressure, there has been a conscious shift from customary water management systems towards paradigms cast in the contemporary mould (legislation, policies, and institutions). These modern approaches have been shown over the years to be insufficient in ensuring water sustainability. This insufficiency manifests itself in the increasing water scarcity through anthropogenic-induced water resources degradation and severe climatic variability. Using content analysis, this paper reviews this transition, first to fully understand the intricacies of the evolution and second to draw lessons for better water resources management in Ghana. This paper contends that although Ghana's water related institutions, laws, and policies are undergoing significant reforms, implementation and practice remains embedded in weak ecological modernization (EM). Institutionalizing a narrow conception of EM will only perpetuate 'organized irresponsibility' and permit the continued production of ecological problems, leaving open the question of whether modernization is compatible with ecological sustainability. Though customary water management approaches are not entirely devoid of limitations, simply branding them as obsolete may obviate an important vehicle for water sustainability. In the spirit paradigmatic complementarity, ecosystem-friendly indigenous approaches must be integrated with contemporary management systems for the long term goal of sustainability 13p:, ill. Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6916 2015-02-05T00:00:00Z