Doctoral Degrees (Ethics Studies)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/8452

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A feminist ethical analysis of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's mining policy.
(2017) Keba, Muko Cyril.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
This study ethically analyzes from a feminist perspective the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Mining Policy as outlined in the Mining Code of 2002. Considering its standing as one of the key economic sectors of the DRC, the mining industry required a legal framework able to attract more investors and stimulate economic growth. Besides the mining industry being well-regulated, it was expected to create financial resources for the development of the country and enable employment opportunities for the citizens, including women. In fact, in order to find employment and earn a decent living, women joined the mining industry. In spite of such expectations, the thesis observes that women’s status has continued to be compromised due to poverty and abuse. The study argues that there is a gap in knowledge concerning a feminist ethical approach to issues affecting women in the mines. Furthermore, the study observes that the DRC’s Mining Policy of 2002 is silent on legal dispositions regarding issues related to women’s interests such that women’s vulnerabilities in the mining industry are deepened. They include the lack of gender sensitivity, the lack of a policy facilitating the ownership of mines permits by women, the neglect of human and economic rights of women. To account for these gaps, the thesis points to the cultural and institutional patriarchal systems that keep women away from the decision-making tables that formulate and implement socio-economic policies. As a result, women’s economic and human capabilities for a good human life are seriously impeded. In order to foster an ethical mining practice that is sensitive to gender justice, the study proposes the implementation of an Ethical Mining Workplace. This is a framework based on the virtues of good governance, caring, fair sharing of the mineral resources, and the promotion of basic human rights for miners. Finally, this study contends that when applied in the DRC’s mining industry, these virtues can transform the mining workplace so as to foster socio-economic development through the participation of women in mining.
Investors or infestors : an ethical critique of the contribution of Uganda's mining sector to development, environment and society.
(2017) Ssebunya, Margaret.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
Oil and mineral extraction in Uganda is growing at a relatively fast rate. The increase in these extraction activities follows the latest discoveries of offshore oil deposits in the Albertine graben and other mineral deposits of commercial value in several parts of the country. The prospect of the mining sector particularly oil and gas to increase national wealth has therefore become central to Uganda’s long-term planning agenda Vision 2040. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), mining is envisaged to be the biggest foreign exchange earner in Uganda in the coming years. It is also expected to play a large role in the future economic development of Uganda particularly through job creation, increased Gross Domestic Product, technology transfer and revenue generation for investments in development of other strategic sectors such as infrastructure and human resource development. With such prospects aimed at accelerating economic growth and development, Uganda is encouraging both domestic and foreign direct investments (FDI) mainly through privatization programs and generous incentive packages such as tax holidays and exemptions for the investors. Meanwhile, Government makes no mention of the adverse impacts of mineral exploration and production on the economy, environment and the society, yet such development projects if not properly undertaken could instead halt development. The mining sector in Uganda presents a potential for social, economic and environmental challenges. However, the positive impacts for the macro economy seem to have overshadowed all the likely negative effects on the environment and local communities. Although some studies have been conducted on Uganda’s mining sector, there are no studies conducted on the contribution of the sector to development, society and the environment from an ethical lens. This is what this study sought to do by ethically critiquing the contribution of Uganda’s mining sector to development, society and the environment. This study posits that the failure to challenge investors in the mining sector about their obligations towards both the present and future generations has resulted in the careless exploitation of Uganda’s mineral resources leaving the environment in a fragile state and leading to adverse effects on the society. It argues that mining and environmental policy and action must be informed by an understanding of factors that determine development outcomes on the economy, environment and society. The theories of sustainable development, consequentialism and stewardship comprised the ethical framework of the study. A qualitative research approach framed within a critical research paradigm and based on existing literature was employed in seeking to answer the key research question: “What are the ethical implications of the contribution of Uganda’s mining sector to development, society and the environment?” The methodology is also prescriptive in nature as it makes recommendations for a constructive way forward of ensuring sustainable mining in Uganda, which takes cognizance of economic, social and environmental concerns. The study shows that mining activities in Uganda are characterized by poor mineral resource governance, gross human rights violations and egoism by the investors. Findings point to lack of transparency, accountability, rule of law, responsiveness, participation, autonomy and decision making power as a root cause of negative outcomes of mining on the environment and the local communities. Technocentrism was also found to be the dominant approach to mineral development in Uganda where the environment is perceived as a resource to be exploited by investors. This study then proposes a holistic ethical paradigm for ensuring sustainable mining. This paradigm comprises eco-health and human rights approaches as well as the ethics of solidarity in which participation, praxis, government policy and environmental education are paramount, and where the contribution of everyone matters.
The place of African animal ethics within the welfarist and rightist debate : An interrogation of Akan ontological and ethical beliefs towards animals and the environment.
(2020) Morgan, Stephen Nkansah.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
Scholars in the field of environmental and animal ethics have propounded theories that outline what, in their view, ought to constitute an ethical relationship between human and the environment and humans and nonhuman animals respectively. In the field of animal ethics, the contributions by Western scholars to theorize a body of animal ethics, either as an ethic in its own right or as a branch of the broader field of environmental ethics is clearly seen.Consequently, there are, notably, two main schools of thought in the field of animal ethics. These are the ‘welfarist’ and the ‘rightist’ approaches (Regan, 2006;Owoseni&Olatoye,2014). Unfortunately, a clearly concerted effort to theorize on animal ethics from an African perspective is at the minimal, although there is a lot written in African environmental ethics, broadly construed. It is within this context that this study locates an African animal ethic within the two main theories in the global animal ethics, using traditional Akan ontology and ethics particularly, those that speak to their relationship with the environment and, especially animals.Thus, using Akan ontological worldview and ethics as foundational sources, alongside learnt principles from the emerging theories in African environmental ethics, the study seeks to find the place of Akan animal ethics within the rightist and welfarist debates. Following qualitative research rubrics, the study collected primary data through one-on-one interviews and focus groups discussions from traditional Akan leaders and experts, and young Akan adults. The data was then analysed using the study’s theoretical framework (welfarism, rightism, and the ethics of interrelatedness) in comparison with the literature to find corresponding answers to the study’s research questions. The findings indicate that the Akan perspective acknowledges the existence of an interconnection between humans and the rest of nature, and that it is an important connection that ought to be sustained. It is also evident that the Akan environmental ethics is anthropocentric in approach through its conferring of instrumental or extrinsic values on nature, instrumental values that go to the benefit of humans.This notwithstanding, Akan environmental ethics is not to be considered as individualistic in nature because it does not seek the interests or rights of individual human agents but instead, the common interest of the community through its goal to ensure the continuous progress and survival of the human community. Ultimately, the study’s findings reveal that Akan animal ethics shares closer affinities with welfarism (direct) than it does with rightism.
The ontology of diversity and open borders phenomenon in the Southern African development community region: an ethico-political enquiry.
(2023) Makusha, Hupenya.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
In the present era, migration has gained significant attention in international discussions, and there is ongoing discourse over the unrestricted movement of products and individuals. Significant discourse surrounds the African Union’s (AU) pursuit of continental integration, particularly in facilitating the unrestricted flow of goods throughout the continent. Regional integration is a topic of discussion at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) level. It involves the removal of barriers for inhabitants of member nations, particularly in the context of economic integration. However, as alluded to, the emphasis is placed more on the movement of goods rather than the movement of people. Why there exists a greater degree of restriction on the mobility of people compared to the mobility of goods is a topic grappled with. Furthermore, it is imperative to analyze the African continent’s diverse population to determine how much it influences the facilitation or restriction of the free movement of people within the continent, particularly within the SADC region. This study presents an ethical and political examination of the ontology of Diversity and the phenomenon of open borders in the SADC region. The SADC region is widely recognized for its rich cultural legacy and complex social structure, making it an intriguing context for examining the complexities of Diversity and the notion of open borders. The study intends to further our understanding of the intricate interplay between Diversity, open borders, and their ethical and political ramifications. The study's key objective is to critically assess the extent to which migration patterns, political ideologies, and the ontology of cultural Diversity influence the open borders phenomenon in the SADC region. To achieve this objective, three sub-objectives are put forward. First, to critically examine the nature of the SADC region’s population; second, to critically explore what the open borders phenomenon is; and third, to critically interrogate the ontology of Diversity in the open borders phenomenon from the perspective of the ideals of Moderate Communitarianism, African Socialism (Ujamaa), and Consequentialism. The research thus critically analyzes the ethical and political dimensions of open borders and Diversity. It explores the analysis of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and nations and the impact of unrestricted borders on social cohesion, human rights, and regional governance. The methodology utilized in this study is qualitative and involves a comprehensive literature review. The study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Diversity and open borders through a comprehensive approach. This initiative aims to provide policymakers, international organizations, and civil society stakeholders with a thorough understanding of the ethical and political considerations of managing Diversity and open borders in the SADC region. The research possesses significance due to its potential to make valuable contributions to scholarly discourse and offer insights that can inform the formulation of policies. It aims to deepen our understanding of the conceptual framework of Diversity and the phenomenon of open borders to foster regional integration, social cohesion, and sustainable development within the region. Its findings will assist in developing comprehensive and effective policies that address the intricacies and benefits of Diversity and open borders. Therefore, these policies will promote a cohesive and successful SADC region. This scholarly inquiry delves into the ethical and political dimensions of Diversity and the notion of open borders, shedding light on their interconnectedness and the resulting ethical and political implications within the SADC region. It aims to stimulate critical discussion, deepen comprehension, and provide insightful viewpoints on advancing a more inclusive, integrated, and ethically grounded SADC community through a comprehensive analysis of these complex issues.
Virtual ontology, moral responsibility and agency : the ethical implications of mobile communication technology use on parenting style in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
(2017) Nkohla-Ramunenyiwa, Thando.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
This thesis provides an analysis of the usage of smartphone technology by teenagers in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. This technology seems to be a two-edged sword: on the one hand, it is beneficial for teenagers to keep in touch with each other and with their family members without being confined by geographic borders. On the other hand, this technology provides teenagers access to virtual ontology which can challenge their agency. This challenge can compromise the moral responsibility of parents. When teenagers are glued to their smartphones whilst engaging in virtual ontology, they seem to socially remove themselves from the family setting. Parents are not always sure what exactly their children are engaging in whilst navigating virtual ontology. This thesis contextualises this problem into an African context. It establishes that in the African family, premised on values of interconnectedness and interrelatedness, the habit of smartphone usage by teenagers socially isolates them from their families and undermines the communal nature of the African family. The literature review in this thesis further exposes some of the ethical implications faced by parents and their teenagers, such as the issue of privacy, trust, responsibility, etc. The focus group interviews conducted with teenagers from Pietermaritzburg schools confirmed the existence of various ethical implications, establishing that the digital divide between parents and children plays a huge role in these existing implications. The thesis also reveals the perceptions of the parents through individual interviews, where parents expressed their sense of moral responsibility regarding the smartphone usage of their teenage children. In an attempt to address the challenge faced by African parents, this thesis proposes a holistic ethical perspective called the ethic of systemic coherence. This perspective requires African parents to deconstruct in order to reconstruct their moral responsibility in this technological age. This could enable them to lean towards a parenting style that will be helpful in keeping up with the exponentially developing smartphone technology used by their teenage children.
When culture and the law meet: an ethical analysis of the interplay between the domestic violence act and the traditional beliefs and cultural practices of the Ndau people in Zimbabwe.
(2016) Konyana, Elias.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
This thesis offers a critical analysis of the interface between culture and law focusing on the impact of the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) (Chapter 5: 16) of Zimbabwe on the Ndau1 people‟s culture. The DVA was introduced in 2007 as a legal instrument to deal with a wide range of gender-based violence problems, including domestic and intimate partner violence. In order to find out why domestic violence is widespread in Ndau traditional communities, the thesis goes on to explore and identify two critical factors of Ndau culture, namely: patriarchy and masculinity as responsible for domestic violence prevalence. Furthermore, the thesis recognises that some of the DVA provisions such as arrest without a warrant, emphasis on separation and lack of adequate supporting resources for survivors are also responsible for perpetuating domestic violence. The thesis thus maintains that in so far as Ndau culture can be called upon to account for the prejudices suffered by women, the DVA has not effectively improved Ndau women‟s lives either. Instead, the existence of the DVA, to some extent, creates a dilemma associated with cultural allegiance for Ndau women. It is observed that when culture and the law meet, more often than not, it is culture that emerges triumphantly. The breach of confidentiality by law enforcement agents becomes an ethical issue that arises and affects the effectiveness of the law within communities with strong traditional beliefs and cultural practices. Ndau women are therefore torn between breaching confidentiality by using the law and observing allegiance to their culture. For this reason, the thesis realises that both culture and the law need to be interrogated in order to find the way forward to minimise the prevalence of domestic violence within traditional communities such as the Ndau. Thus, using three interrelated theories of analysis namely; legal paternalism, African feminist ethics and feminist jurisprudence, the thesis lays out bare the fact that there is need for a paradigm shift in dealing with the domestic violence problem in traditional communities in Zimbabwe. In order to adequately deal with the problem of violence in intimate relationships, the thesis proposes that African feminist jurisprudence be considered as an alternative basis for the construction of legislation against domestic violence. It is hoped that the key characteristics of African feminist jurisprudence which are communalism, compassion and harmony can go a long way in the formulation of a DVA that can reach into the lives of women in all the different traditional communities in Zimbabwe.

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Ethics Studies) by Author "Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa."