Gana’nın Sosyal ve Siyasi Tarihinde Kadınların Rolü

Öz

1961 yılında kurulan Amerikan Barış Gönüllülerinin resmi amacı ABD’yi diğer devletlere tanıtmak ve az gelişmiş ülkeler için işgücü sağlamaktı. Ancak bu kurum Soğuk Savaş sırasında Sovyetler Birliği’ne karşı silahsız bir kuvvet olarak kullanıldı. Gana, Amerikan Barış Gönüllülerinin ilk gönderildiği ülkedir. Bunda kuşkusuz, Gana'nın Sahra altı Afrika'sında 1957'de sömürge egemenliğinden bağımsızlığını kazanmış ilk ülke olmasının ve geleceğinin umut verici gözükmesinin etkisi vardır. Gana Afrika’nın önemli ülkelerinden biridir ancak cadılığa inanıldığı ve “cadı kamplarının” olduğu bir yerde kadın olmak zordur.

 Bu çalışma, Gana'nın sosyal, ekonomik ve siyasi tarihlerinde kadınların konumunu sömürgecilikten bugüne kültürel ve politik değişiklikler dönemi ile incelemektedir. Ganalı kadınlar bağımsızlık öncesi ve sonrası dönemde siyasete önemli katkıda bulunmuş ve 1950'lerden bağımsızlığa dek ulusun milliyetçi duygularını oluşturma konusunda aktif olarak yer almışlardır. Dördüncü Cumhuriyet, ülkenin sosyo-ekonomik kalkınmasına kadınların katılımında bir artışa tanık olsa da, kadınların sayı ve varlıkları düşük kalmaktadır. Çalışma, bu nedenle, kültür ve siyasi güçlerin toplumsal cinsiyet dinamiklerinin, Gana toplumunda kadınların kimliklerini, isteklerini, çıkarlarını ve kendi kaderlerini tayin ediş biçimlerini araştırmaktadır.  Çalışmada, ayrıca, Ganalı kadınların ulusal meselelerde marjinalleştirici rolü ile daha sonra 1993’te eşitlik ve katılım vaadiyle demokratik yönetime geçişin kadınların istek ve kimliklerinin seslerini şekillendirişi arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektedir.  

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Gana,Siyaset,Kadın

The Position of Women in the Social and Political History of Ghana

Öz

The official aim of the US Peace Corps established in 1961 was to introduce the United States to other countries and to provide a workforce for underdeveloped countries. However, they were used as an unarmed force during the Cold War period against the Soviet Union. Ghana is the first country to which United States Peace Corps, volunteers were sent. Undoubtedly, it has got something to do with the fact that Ghana is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from colonial domination in 1957, and that its future looked promising. Ghana is one of the important countries of Africa, but it is difficult to be a woman in a place where the belief in witchcraft is widespread and there are “witch camps”.

This study examines the position of women in the social, economic and political histories of Ghana, through a period of cultural and political changes, from colonialism to date. Ghanaian women made a significant contribution to the politics of pre- and post-independent Ghana, and they were actively involved in building the nation’s nationalistic sentiments from the 1950’s through to independence. Although the Fourth Republic is witnessing an increase in women’s participation in the socio-economic development of the country, their numbers and substance remain low. The study, thus, examines how the gender dynamics of culture and political forces have shaped women’s identities, ambitions, interests, and self-determination within the Ghanaian society. Also, the study seeks the affinity between the marginalizing role of women in national affairs, and later how the transition to democratic governance in 1993, with a promise of equality and inclusiveness, has shaped the voices of women’s ambitions and identities.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ghana,Women,Politics

Kaynakça

1. ADM, 5/3/174, “Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Electoral and Local Government Reform, Part III, Accra, 1969, pp. 1-66.”
2. ABASS, U. (2017), “Gana’da Kimlik ve Siyaset: 1969-1993 Demokratik Geçiş Döneminde Milli Siyasette Kadının Konumu,” (Identity and Politics in Ghana: The Position of Women in National Politics Through a Period of Democratic Transition, 1969-1993) Unpublished MA Thesis, Dokuz Eylul University Social Sciences Institute, Izmir.
3. AIDOO, A. A. (1977), “Asante Queen Mothers In Government And Politics In The Nineteenth Century.” Historical Society of Nigeria. 9(1): 1-13.
4. AKURANG-PARRY, O. K. (2004) “Aspects of Elite Women's Activism in the Gold Coast, 1874-1890.” Boston University African Studies Center. 37(3): 463-482.
5. AKYEAMPONG, E. and OBENG, P. (1995), “Spirituality, Gender, and Power in Asante History.” Boston University African Studies Center. 28(3): 481-508.
6. ALLAH-MENSAH, B. (2005), “Women in politics and public life in Ghana.” Friedrich Ebert-Foundation. Accra. BOAHEN, A. A. (1966), “A New Look at the History of Ghana.” Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal African Society. African Affairs. 65(260): 212-222.
7. BOAHEN, A. A. (2000), “Ghana: Evolution and change in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.” Sankofa.
8. BOURRET, F. M. (1960), “Ghana: The Road to Independence, 1919-1957.” Oxford Press.

9. CHAZAN, N. (1989), “Democracy in Africa: A Comparative Perspective on Nigeria and Ghana.” Springer. Policy Sciences. 22(3/4): 325-357.
10. CHAZAN, N. (1983), “An Anatomy of Ghanaian Politics: Managing Political Recession, 1969-1982.” Westview Press.
11. DAN-BRIGHT, S. D. (1998), “Ghana in Search of Development: The Challenge of Governance, Economic Management and Institution Building.” Sweden: Reprocentralen HSC, Uppsala. pp. 85-251.
12. FALLON, M. K. (2003), “Transforming Women's Citizenship Rights within an Emerging Democratic State: The Case of Ghana.” Sage Publications. Gender and Society. 17(4): 525-543.
13. FALLON, M. K. (2008), “Democracy and the Rise of Women’s Movements in Sub Saharan Africa.” The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 75-94.
14. GHANA GAZETTE, January, 1971.
15. GHANA STATISTICAL SERVICE. “2010 Population & Housing Census.” Sakoa Press, May, 2012.
16. GOCKING, S. R. (2005), “The History of Ghana.” Greenwood Press.
17. HETTNE, B. (1980), “Soldiers and Politics: The Case of Ghana.” Journal of Peace Research. Sage Publications. 17(2): 173-193.
18. KIMBLE, D. (1963), “A Political History of Ghana: The Rise of Gold Coast Nationalism, 1850-1928.” Oxford Press.
19. LARAY, D. (1987), “Women in Freetown Politics, 1914-61: A Preliminary Study.” Journal of the International African Institute. 57(4): 439-456.
20. MACHAKANJA, P. (2015), “Contested Spaces: Gender; Governance and Women’s Political Engagement in Postcolonial Africa.” In Kenneth Omeje (ed.). - “The Crises of Postcoloniality in Africa.” Dakar, CODESRIA. pp. 197-215.
21. MAMA, A. (2005), “Gender studies for Africa’s transformation.” In Mkandawire, T. (ed.). “African Intellectuals: Rethinking Politics, Language, Gender, and Development.” CODESRIA. pp. 94-116.
22. MANUH, T. (1993), “Women, the State and Society under the PNDC.” In E. G. Boadi (ed.). - “Ghana Under PNDC Rule.” Codestria. pp. 176-195. OPPONG, C., Okali, C., and HOUGHTON B. (1975), “Woman Power: Retrograde Steps in Ghana.” Cambridge Press. African Studies Review. 18(3): 71-84.
23. PRAAD, RE 8/2/842, Vieta, Kojo T. (1999), “The Flagbearers of Ghana: Profiles of One Hundred Distinguished Ghanaians.” Accra: Ena Publications.
24. PRAH, M. (1996), “Women’s Studies in Ghana.” Women’s Studies Quarterly. 24(1/2): 412-422.
25. PRAH, M. (2004), “Chasing Illusions and Realising Visions: Reflections on Ghana’s Feminist Experience.” Gender Activism and Studies in Africa. pp. 27-40.
26. THE GHANAIAN TIMES, January, 1982.
27. UNDP. “Human Development Report, Ghana.” 2015. pp. 1-8. “Push for Affirmative Action Bill heightens as world marks int’l Women's Day,” (08.03.2017), http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2017/March-8th/push-for-affirmative-action-bill-heightens-as-world-marks-intlwomensday.php (13.03.2017).
28. “Widowhood rites still rife in Northern regions”, (30.09.2010), https://www.modernghana.com/news/298544/widowhood-rites-still-rife-in-northern-regions.html (09.03.2017).
29. ‘‘Ghana Witch Camps: Widows’ lives in exile’’, (01.09.2012), http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19437130 (20.07.2017).
30. “Thousands of women accused of being WITCHES are rounded up and forced to live out the rest of their lives in squalid prison camps in Ghana”, (09.09.2016), http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3781821/Thousands-women-accused-WITCHES-rounded-forced-live-rest-lives-squalid-prison-camps-Ghana.html (20.07.2017).