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American literature is undeniably a powerful force in the literary world. A towering giant, it stands above others, exerting a significant influence on global literary cultures. Students from different nationalities and cultures therefore find themselves having to contend with the fact that they have to focus heavily on American literary works, typically at the expense of their own literary traditions and the unique experiences from their respective cultures. All societies should receive their just due to ensure a more well-rounded understanding of the world. Without this representation, there is a very real danger that perspectives become skewed towards the American experience at the expense of other cultures which are very rich, colorful, and replete with enlightenment and lessons that can often be missing from American literature. The United States does not represent the whole world and literary works need to reflect this reality. Having cultural diversity is critical in literature to ensure proper representation. The following discussion thus seeks to examine the feelings of African learners who read American texts such as Manifest Destiny by Anders Stephanson and Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. The article tries to answer the question whether the students may feel a connection to certain stories but feel alienated from others, depending on the relatability of the texts to their African experience.

This article delves into the unique sociocultural landscape of mental healthcare in South Africa, spotlighting the divergent conceptualisations of mental illness inherent in African and Western cultures. While acknowledging certain similarities, it emphasises the importance of integrating African-centred perspectives into psychology's training and practice. We contend that the prevailing focus on Western approaches to mental illness not only marginalises indigenous beliefs but also perpetuates the dominance of Western medical paradigms in healthcare systems. This trend risks pathologising the African experience of mental health and narrowing the understanding of African humanity through a lens of psychiatrisation and medicalisation. The article advocates for a more formal, integrative approach to mental healthcare that recognises and incorporates African notions of illness and health, underscoring the centrality of culture in the healing process. Our discourse calls for a paradigm shift towards an integrative model that respects and combines the strengths of both Western and African approaches to mental health, thereby fostering a culturally sensitive, inclusive, and effective mental healthcare system in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interventions in Africa designed to stop biodiversity decline have often failed because they were based on a top-down approach to management and focused on enforcing restrictive rules and imposing bans. They were equally misaligned with the values and needs of local actors. This paper presents an African perspective on the discourse regarding the bushmeat crisis and shows that bushmeat in Africa goes beyond being a source of livelihood, having a multifaceted use that must be considered when designing interventions. We show that current conservation initiatives often do not address the right issues, by neglecting nonmonetary dimensions of bushmeat use, inadequately planning interventions, failing to align wildlife laws with realities on the ground, and carrying out ineffective law enforcement characterized by poor governance and corruption. We recommend a revision of current legal frameworks to enhance local ownership, tenure rights, and the sustainable economic empowerment of local communities to reduce hunting. We also call for development of regionally led innovative programs that invest in nature-based solutions and payments for environmental services. Finally, we identify where more research is needed to understand why wildlife use in Africa is overlooked in national development policies and not considered in national accounting.

Background:Helicobacter pylori colonises 50% of the world population and is a causative agent of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, mucosa associate lymphoid tissue lymphoma and gastric cancer. Summary: In Africa, the prevalence rate has been found to be the highest in comparison to other parts of the world. Despite its high prevalence there are low rates of gastric cancer recorded in Africa. This African perspective gives an insight into the history of H. pylori in Africa and also examines the issue of the so-called "African Enigma," it's diagnosis and treatment and where we are now. Key Messages: Our vision is to have an African community that is free from H. pylori infections and complications. To this end, the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group was initiated in 2021 and launched on the June 27, 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria (https://ahmsg-africa.org/). The African perspective includes the need for more detailed information on actual community and hospital prevalence, resistance data, and standardizing processes and algorithms to enable comparative diagnosis and therapy of H. pylori infections using a multi-pronged approach with international support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health challenge, affecting about 69 million individuals annually and being one of the leading causes of mortality. It has adverse consequences in terms of cognitive and physical functioning, which makes rehabilitation interventions an integral part of its management. Early neuro-rehabilitation guidelines for traumatic brain injury have not yet been developed and implemented in most of Africa especially Sub-Saharan Africa. Body We aimed with this Opinion to propose a collective reflection on the development and implementation of early neuro-rehabilitation guidelines as an integral part of the care in traumatic brain injury. The different aspects to be considered for reflection have been highlighted: Traumatic brain injury severity to be considered in early neuro-rehabilitation; who should be assessed and receive early neurorehabilitation, barriers to be considered for early neurorehabilitation; what early neurorehabilitation to be considered; the different phases involved in rehabilitation after mild, moderate, and severe TBI; and lastly, what perspective for the creation of neurorehabilitation teams. In conclusion, neuro-rehabilitation should start at the time of admission and should continue from the intensive care unit through the community for the moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury population. However, mild TBI should also be considered for long-term follow-up in the community due to the fact that some mild traumatic brain injury patients might develop chronic cognitive problems or fatigue with time. Conclusion Neurorehabilitation should start at the time of admission and continue from the intensive care unit through the community for the moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury population. There is a need to develop, agree on, and implement guidelines on early neuro-rehabilitation interventions for patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury in the African region, where disparities in care are common reality.

This comment aims to memorialize Professor Thomas Len Holdstock (1934–2022). Professor Holdstock was an eminent foundational scholar in the fledgling field of African psychology. His pioneer contributions in African-centred psychology demonstrate that scholarship and excellence in African psychology is not a preserve of native Africans but rightly belongs to any scholar from any culture who could take up the "inoutsider" identity to study and understand the psychology of Africans from the Africans' perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rouya Turkiyyah is the property of Insight Turkey and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health challenge, affecting about 69 million individuals annually and being one of the leading causes of mortality. It has adverse consequences in terms of cognitive and physical functioning, which makes rehabilitation interventions an integral part of its management. Early neuro-rehabilitation guidelines for traumatic brain injury have not yet been developed and implemented in most of Africa especially Sub-Saharan Africa. Body: We aimed with this Opinion to propose a collective reflection on the development and implementation of early neuro-rehabilitation guidelines as an integral part of the care in traumatic brain injury. The different aspects to be considered for reflection have been highlighted: Traumatic brain injury severity to be considered in early neuro-rehabilitation; who should be assessed and receive early neurorehabilitation, barriers to be considered for early neurorehabilitation; what early neurorehabilitation to be considered; the different phases involved in rehabilitation after mild, moderate, and severe TBI; and lastly, what perspective for the creation of neurorehabilitation teams. In conclusion, neuro-rehabilitation should start at the time of admission and should continue from the intensive care unit through the community for the moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury population. However, mild TBI should also be considered for long-term follow-up in the community due to the fact that some mild traumatic brain injury patients might develop chronic cognitive problems or fatigue with time. Conclusion: Neurorehabilitation should start at the time of admission and continue from the intensive care unit through the community for the moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury population. There is a need to develop, agree on, and implement guidelines on early neuro-rehabilitation interventions for patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury in the African region, where disparities in care are common reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite global adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards to improve financial reporting quality, there is still inconclusive and limited empirical evidence of improving financial reporting quality especially from developing countries. Therefore, the study analysed the relationship between International Financial Reporting Standards compliance and Financial Reporting Quality from an African country perspective. Methodology: Financial Reporting Quality was measured using measurement tool developed by the Nijmegen Center for Economics and International Financial Reporting Standards compliance was measured using dichotomous and partial compliance methods. Study period was 2012 to 2018 involving 20 Zambian listed companies. Study involved panel data analysis and hence, Hausman test was conducted to select the model. Multiple linear regression was used as a data analysis method. Findings: The results indicated a statistically insignificant relationship between International Financial Reporting Standards compliance and Financial Reporting Quality. Therefore, the implication of the study is that the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards does not influence financial reporting quality among Zambian listed companies. The low compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards among the listed may have contributed. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This is first study in Zambia looking at the influence of IFRS Compliance on Financial Reporting Quality and therefore, contributes to the extant empirical studies analysing whether IFRS compliance influences the financial reporting quality given the mixed results across. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although associated with controversy, decompressive craniotomy (DC) for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMCAI) is an unequivocally lifesaving intervention. DC for MMCAI is rarely performed in lower- to middle-income countries. Methods: A systemic review was performed in attempt to determine the rates of utilization and outcomes of DC on the African continent. Results: Only two African studies describing DC for MMCAI were found. Conclusion: DC for MMCAI is rarely performed and/or reported on the African continent. The African perspective for this needs to be urgently broadened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature acknowledges the importance of women's participation in politics in general, and particularly in school governance. However, there is evidence of women's participation being discouraged and pushed out within both the political and societal milieu. As a result, governments have legislated women's participation, using instruments to promote democracy and quality education for all. This article explores the approaches which African, South African women use, in negotiating democracy as citizens, to participate in school governance. Data were collected employing a qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews and participant observation. The participants were 10 black South Africans ranging in age between 40 and 65 years. The findings of a study on which this article is based, guided by Arnstein's Ladder of Participation (1969), reflect women's negotiation of their school governance participation in three selected South African communities. The findings are indicative of complex approaches to policy implementation in post-1994 South Africa. Since participation is mostly explored using European theories and perspectives, this study recommends the deliberate application of African theories to better understand women's participation in African contexts. The implication of this study is that women who were young and unmarried had adopted strategies which enabled them to participate in school governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright laws, policies and enforcement mechanisms would be considered weak if infringers reign free. The vulnerability of internet copyrighted materials is dire in the internet age mainly because of the ease of engaging in illegal copying, sharing, downloading, and streaming of copyright materials. Considering this concern, it is reassuring to note that the Nigerian Copyright Commission is awake to the prospects and challenges within this internet access subsector as it recently forwarded a Copyright bill to the legislative chambers. The Bill aims to modernise Nigeria's copyright law by paying more attention to the internet, an area of strategic importance to the Nigerian economy. This paper analyses the Bill and also seeks to explore the potential paths that may be taken by Nigeria in the application of its modernised copyright law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies on the trophy hunting controversy in recent years have largely represented the anti-hunting views of the Western public, while overlooking the opinions of African people. This study taps into Africans' social media narratives to illuminate the racially, politically, and historically charged context in which trophy hunting occurs in Africa. Data were collected from the Facebook pages of three major social media players with a predominantly African followership, namely, BBC News Africa, News24.com, and NewsDay-Zimbabwe. The dominant pattern was resentment towards what was viewed as the neo-colonial character of trophy hunting, in the way it privileges Western elites in accessing Africa's wildlife resources. However, the West's passionate criticism of violence against animals was viewed by participants as overblown, and as evidence of their (Westerners') higher regard for animals than for African people. Interestingly, trophy hunting was not objectionable from an animal rights perspective, but as a consequence of its complex historical and postcolonial associations. In addition, criticism was directed at African politicians who were perceived as allowing wildlife exploitation to satisfy their own greed. In this instance, far from tourism being a facilitator of intercultural understanding and peace, it appears to reproduce images and wounds of a colonial past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the phenomenon of resentment in Oromo culture by analyzing some texts. Thus, resentiment (haaloo) is used to indicate a past of oppression and domination, a historical grief of loss, and resentment (quuqqaa) to discuss the political alienation, human rights violation, and the ongoing protest in Oromia. Using folkloric and historical data, the aim of this study is to provide empirical confirmation of the poetics of resentment from an Oromo perspective; to expand our understanding of what makes the people resilient to respond positively to the feeling of resentment in risk and adversity; and to initiate a greater involvement of native researchers to explore the problem from an interdisciplinary perspective, and to bring a nonlinear worldview to cultural resistance and resentment research. Based on personal experience and available data, the study posits that in spite of the adversities and injustices the people suffer, the idea of Oromo resistance is an ethical (haqa), positive, and realistic source of thinking and acting on what is right for a peace-loving and freedom-seeking people, instead of living on resentiment (haaloo) with a negative and reactive attitude to what is wrong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate as to whether philosophy is suitable for children is an ancient one and the discussion of philosophical issues has been withheld from the young since Plato's time. This paper seeks to examine the possibility of a Philosophy for Children programme in Africa. This presentation is a critical discourse on the concept of Philosophy for Children in the context of Africa through African-centred criteria. The paper attempts to recover aspects of the traditional African education and ways of philosophizing that may have been effective for earlier purposes but now need to be reconceptualised in new ways to serve today's purposes. This document discussion shows the need to hybridize traditional African ways of doing philosophy with children within the 21st century African milieu.

Using qualitative and quantitative measures, this study explores the mentoring experiences and challenges among 48 members of the academic staff in a Nigerian university social science faculty, where the mission was to enhance the skills of academic staff members through mentoring programmes. The findings of the survey revealed that the few existing mentoring relationships are informal and were developed on the basis of similarity of research interests, initial delegation of work activity by mentors to their protégés, the delegation of conference/workshop attendance by mentor to protégés, inclusion of protégés in research projects and supervision of the protégé’s thesis. Results showed that areas in which mentors have supported their protégés include enlistment in group and international research networks, publication, counselling and advice, and financial support. The unresponsive attitude of junior academics, the pressure of administrative duties, lack of funds and formal mentor/protégé structures were commonly reported as barriers to mentoring. The implications of these findings for faculty policy formulation, training and effective delivery of mentoring are discussed.

Copyright of Economic & Ecohistory / Ekonomska i Ekohistorija is the property of Society for Croatian Economic & Environmental History and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article argues that in most tourism studies the African has been stereotypically cast as a "touree" but not "tourer." As such, mainstream theory in tourism is a product of a predominantly Western ethnocentric view of the tourist as a Westerner. In recent years, however, some authors have started to question modem-man-in-general approaches to the study of tourism, highlighting their failure to recognize the interface between culture and tourism. The article argues further that authenticity, for example, has been at the center of tourism sociological debate for decades, yet to date no attempts have been made to provide an African viewpoint. Indeed, the lack of African tourist studies which investigate culture specific meanings in relation to central debates in tourism has created an "African perspective gap" in tourism theory in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate as to whether philosophy is suitable for children is an ancient one and the discussion of philosophical issues has been withheld from the young since Plato's time. This paper seeks to examine the possibility of a Philosophy for Children programme in Africa. This presentation is a critical discourse on the concept of Philosophy for Children in the context of Africa through African-centred criteria. The paper attempts to recover aspects of the traditional African education and ways of philosophizing that may have been effective for earlier purposes but now need to be reconceptualised in new ways to serve today's purposes. This document discussion shows the need to hybridize traditional African ways of doing philosophy with children within the 21st century African milieu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important as well as most awesome achievements of modern biotechnology is the possibility of cloning human embryonic stem cells, if not human beings themselves. The possible revolutionary role of such stem cells in curative, preventive and enhancement medicine has been voiced and chorused around the globe. However, the question of the moral status of embryonic stem cells has not been clearly and unequivocally answered. Taking inspiration from the African adage that ‘the hand that reaches beneath the incubating hen is not guiltless’, I attempt answering this question, from the background of traditional African moral sensibility and sensitivity. I reach the following conclusions. Stem cells in themselves do not have human status and therefore lack moral worth/value. Embryos do have human status and a morally significant line cannot be drawn between human embryos and other human beings. What is morally at stake in stem cell research is therefore the question of the source of derivation or generation of the cells, not of the cells as such. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motivation for this article came from the excellent contribution by Florence Kaslow, entitled “History of Family Therapy: Evolution Outside of the U.S.A.,” which appeared in Vol. 11, No. 4 of the Journal of Family Psychotherapy. After reading that article, I felt persuaded that our foreign colleagues would wish to hear, too, the story of the evolution of family therapy practice in sub-Saharan Africa, left unattended by Kaslow's account. The present article therefore aims to serve as a follow-up to Kaslow's article and to acquaint our foreign partners with the story of the evolution and development of our own family practice. It is expected that at the end of the article the field of family therapy and systemic practice in black Africa will cease to be a 'terra incognita.' [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The environmental situation in Ghana is characterized by desertification, land degradation, deforestation, soil erosion, and inadequate water supply in the northern regions of the country. The population as a whole is growing at a rate of 3% per annum, with even greater urban growth rates, due to rural out-migration. Large parts of the coastal zone in the south are rapidly developing to become one large suburbanized area. Water quality is particularly threatened in the urban and industrialized areas, which are mainly located in the southern part of the country. The coastal lagoons and coastal waters are moderately to heavily polluted. Erosion extends along the whole Ghanaian coast with excesses, for example, in the Keta area, where during the last century over 90% of the original buildings have been washed awayby the sea. The obvious environmental consequences of the mining sector are illustrative of the environmental threats caused by a fast growing industry and industrializing agriculture, in a country where environmental policy is only in its formative years. Desertification, food insecurity and coastal erosion all contribute to an increasing number of environmental refugees. Environmental policy in Ghana is a post-Rio phenomenon. Environmental laws, a Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, an advisory National Committee for the Implementation of Agenda 21, and a fully mandated environmental administration have been established. This administration advocates a progressive attitude towards environmental legislation and points out the specific utility of economic and legal instruments in environmental management in this relatively fast developing country. The choice of instruments for environmental management is increasingly influenced by the specific state of African environmental and technological capacity and by a call for the recognition of the role of traditional customs in nature conservation. This African perspective on environmental management is further intensified by an unmet need for regional, transboundary cooperation in the West African subcontinent. This specific West African context calls for an elaboration of an effective capacity-building program for environmental management in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]