International Research and Academic scholar society

IRASS Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Issue-6(June), Volume-3 2026

1. Decentralization and Socio-Economic Development: Assessing Primary Hea...
3

Andrew Lokorma Karim* & Morrison K. Lahai
MPhil candidate, School of post-graduate studies, Njala University. Sierra Leone, West Africa
1-15
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20507024

This study examines the impact of decentralization on socio-economic development in the chiefdoms of Bo District, Sierra Leone, with particular attention to primary health care services. Following the reintroduction of decentralization in 2004 after the civil war, local councils and chiefdom administrations were expected to improve service delivery and strengthen community participation in governance. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining quantitative survey data and structured interviews. A total of 414 respondents were selected across sixteen chiefdoms using stratified sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests to assess associations between decentralization and selected health indicators, including malaria, enteric fever, labour pain-related deaths, HIV/AIDS, and anaemia. The findings reveal mixed outcomes regarding the impact of decentralization on health service delivery and socio-economic development. While decentralization has improved local participation and awareness of health-related issues, significant challenges persist in the provision, accessibility, and effectiveness of primary health care services. Inferential statistical results indicate varying degrees of association between decentralized governance structures and health outcomes within the district. The study concludes that although decentralization has created opportunities for local involvement in governance and development, institutional, financial, and administrative constraints continue to limit its full potential in enhancing socioeconomic development in the chiefdoms of Bo District.

2. The Role of Chiefdom Councils in Decentralisation: Evidence from Bo Di...
7

Andrew Lokorma Karim* & Morrison K. Lahai
MPhil candidate, School of post-graduate studies, Njala University. Sierra Leone, West Africa
16-23
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20507148

The 190 chiefdoms of Sierra Leone constitute the lowest level of governance where the majority of Sierra Leoneans reside, particularly outside Freetown and its surrounding rural areas. These chiefdoms are administered by Paramount Chiefs, supported by sub-chiefs and a range of chiefdom administrative officers. As integral components of district administration in Sierra Leone, chiefdoms represent the level of governance through which essential services are delivered to local populations. Paramount Chiefs serve as heads of chiefdom councils and oversee several key functions, including the collection of local taxes, mobilization of communal labour for socio-economic development initiatives, regulation of farming activities, and the arbitration and adjudication of local disputes. Bo District is one of the sixteen districts in the country and is located in the Southern Province. This study assessed the role of chiefdom councils in the district using a qualitative phenomenological research approach. In-depth personal interviews were conducted with key informants across the sixteen chiefdoms of Bo District. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative method, whereby information was systematically disaggregated into thematic categories for interpretation and reporting.

3. REFORMING THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE: A MADLANGA COMMISSION–INFO...
3

Dr. John Motsamai Modise*
Tshwane University of Technology
24-39

The purpose of this study is to critically examine the institutional, governance, and accountability challenges facing the South African Police Service (SAPS), with specific reference to emerging findings from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The study further aims to propose a comprehensive reform framework focused on strengthening integrity, accountability, leadership depoliticisation, intelligence oversight, and democratic policing in South Africa. SAPS is experiencing a deep institutional crisis characterised by corruption vulnerabilities, organised crime infiltration, political interference, weak oversight mechanisms, and declining public trust. These challenges are compounded by high levels of violent crime and operational inefficiencies, which undermine the organisation’s constitutional mandate to ensure safety and security. Emerging evidence from the Madlanga Commission indicates systemic governance failures requiring urgent structural reform. The study adopts a qualitative, systematic literature review approach, drawing on secondary data sources including, Commission of Inquiry reports (Madlanga Commission), SAPS crime statistics reports, Government policy documents , Peer-reviewed literature on policing, governance, and intelligence oversight, Credible media reports and institutional publications, A thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns related to corruption, accountability failures, intelligence governance, and policing reform strategies. The study followed a structured four-stage process, Identification of literature on SAPS governance, corruption, and policing reform, Screening and selection of relevant policy documents, reports, and empirical studies , Thematic coding based on key reform areas (integrity, intelligence, leadership, accountability) , Synthesis of findings into a comprehensive reform framework aligned with Madlanga Commission insights, The study found that SAPS is affected by systemic corruption risks and organised crime infiltration vulnerabilities, Internal accountability and oversight mechanisms are weak and often ineffective, Political interference compromises operational independence and leadership integrity, Intelligence structures require urgent reform through civilian oversight models, Public trust in SAPS is declining due to inefficiency and legitimacy challenges, Digital transformation and performance management systems are insufficiently developed. The study concludes that SAPS is facing a structural governance crisis that cannot be resolved through incremental reforms alone. A comprehensive transformation strategy is required, including independent oversight mechanisms, depoliticised leadership, strengthened intelligence governance, digital accountability systems, and community-centred policing. Without such reforms, institutional decline, weakened legitimacy, and persistent crime challenges will continue to undermine democratic policing in South Africa.

4. Integrating Agrinutrition Models in Dryland Farming and Livelihood Sys...
1

Ekiru Francis Anno*
Unicaf University (UUM), School of Doctoral Studies, Lilongwe, Malawi
40-50
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20566515

Food insecurity and malnutrition in dryland areas are health threats to people of all ages. Scarcity of food is predisposing individuals, households, and communities to many dangers, and the coping mechanisms employed, such as skipping meals and same diets, exacerbate starvation, malnutrition, and stunting that are already affecting human wellbeing. Integrating agrinutrition models to production and livelihood systems is a paradigm shift for building consciousness that considers the importance of understanding dietary needs, home economics, and healthy living for the populations affected. The study objectives were (i) assess the agriculture, food security and nutrition context of Turkana; (ii) identify opportunities for improving Turkana County's agri-food system; (iii) investigate agri-nutrition gaps and integration challenges to local production systems; and (iv) define pathways from agriculture to agri-nutrition in dryland areas. The study areas selected were (a) Lokichoggio for rainfed crop production and cross-border trade with South Sudan; (b) Kakuma for refugee food security and agricultural nutrition interventions; (c) Lodwar for the county government headquarters food security and nutrition focal points; (d) Turkana South for food production in potential irrigation schemes; and (e) Turkana East for the role of livestock in food security and nutrition. A total of 148 participants were involved in this study, i.e., 80% at the primary (farm) level, 15% at the secondary (county and policy) level, and 5% at the tertiary (scholars and experts) level. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed, triangulated and subsequently validated by stakeholders through a series of consultative meetings. The study results show that the food and nutrition security challenges in Turkana arise from structural inefficiencies rather than low productivity. These inefficiencies impact food availability, pricing, and safety for low-income households. Solutions require market-driven changes focusing on aggregation systems, maintaining first-mile value, and aligning production with market demands. To enhance climate resilience, investments in infrastructure and diverse systems are crucial, and reforming the food system can boost production and income while ensuring equitable value distribution. A coordinated investment strategy addressing malnutrition and integrating agriculture with nutrition and public health is essential, with nutrition education and entrepreneurial training improving home nutrition and food safety. A shift from fragmented initiatives to cohesive, market-orientated strategies is needed to realise the agricultural potential and improve food and nutrition security within dryland farming and livelihood systems.

5. Cross-Border Crime and Trade in Sub-Sahara Africa: Mitigating the Outc...
0

Manghe Romeo Etta* & Abangma James Arrey
Department of International Relations and Conflict Resolution, Faculty of Laws and Political Science, University of Buea, Cameroon
51-66
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20695097

Background: Cross-border crime poses significant threats to national security and economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Ekok-Nfum border between Cameroon and Nigeria represents a critical case study, where porous borders facilitate illicit trade, human trafficking, and arms smuggling despite existing security protocols. This study examines the mechanisms through which cross-border crime can be mitigated to permit legitimate transnational trade. Methods: A descriptive survey design was employed using stratified and cluster sampling techniques. Data were collected from 300 respondents, including border officials, traders, and security personnel, through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study utilised the theories of Transnationalism, Regulation, and Ecological Systems as analytical frameworks. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and chi-square hypothesis testing. Results: Findings indicate that cross-border crime significantly threatens transnational security (χ² = 157.255, p < 0.001), with 69% of respondents confirming the severity of threats, including arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and human trafficking. Customs officials play a significant role in mitigating insecurity (χ² = 60.017, p < 0.001), though their effectiveness is constrained by inadequate resources, corruption, and conflicting local and national taxation interests. Trans-governmental enforcement networks are essential for cross-border collaboration (χ² = 50.354, p < 0.001), with informal cooperation mechanisms proving more effective than formal treaty-based approaches. Conclusion: The study recommends enhanced customs autonomy, community-based border development, and informal trans-governmental enforcement networks to mitigate crime while facilitating legitimate trade. Economic development in border regions remains crucial for reducing criminal incentives.

6. Study on the Integrated Undergraduate-Postgraduate Curriculum Construc...
1

Jianling Zou*
University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
67-69
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20699341

On the background of New Engineering construction and higher education internationalization in China, English for Academic Purposes (EAP) has become a core course to cultivate innovative interdisciplinary talents capable of international academic communication. However, the disjointed arrangement of EAP teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate stages has restricted the continuous improvement of academic English competence. Based on analyzing EAP disciplinary and generic characteristics as well as the structural model of postgraduates’ academic English literacy, this study explores the construction path of integrated undergraduatepostgraduate EAP curriculum and proposes that layered curriculum design, optimized teaching modes, formative evaluation system and digital teaching platform configuration contribute to realizing seamless connection of EAP teaching stages from undergraduate to postgraduate.

7. Modernising Crime Prevention Through Public–private Partnerships: Targ...
11

Dr. John Motsamai Modise*
Tshwane University of Technology
70-84
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20771994

The purpose of this study is to examine how a modernisation project supported by public private partnerships can strengthen crime prevention, combat corruption, improve policing effectiveness, and enhance governance within South Africa's 50 highest-crime precincts. Despite significant policy reforms and investments in policing, South Africa continues to experience high levels of violent crime, organised criminal activity, and corruption. Crime remains concentrated in specific precincts, while institutional weaknesses, technological limitations, and fragmented public–private collaboration hinder effective responses. The persistence of these challenges highlights the need for innovative and integrated solutions. The study adopts a systematic qualitative research approach based on a comprehensive review of secondary sources. Data were collected from SAPS Annual Crime Statistics, national policy documents, and reports from the State Capture Commission, Publications from UNODC, INTERPOL, transparency International, the World Bank, and academic literature. A thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns and emerging themes relating to crime concentration, policing modernisation, corruption, governance, and public–private partnerships. The study found that crime is highly concentrated within a limited number of precincts, traditional reactive policing approaches are insufficient, corruption continues to undermine institutional effectiveness, technology offers substantial opportunities for crime prevention and operational improvement, Public private partnerships remain underutilised, community trust in policing institutions remains low. Existing policies are strong, but implementation remains weak. The study concludes that sustainable crime reduction and anti-corruption efforts require a comprehensive modernisation strategy that integrates intelligence-led policing, technological innovation, institutional reform, public private partnerships, and community participation. Targeting the 50 highest-crime precincts provides an opportunity for transformative impact on public safety and governance.

8. Proactive Intelligence-driven Policing in South Africa: Preventing Cri...
3

Dr. John Motsamai Modise*
Tshwane University of Technology
85-103
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20772376

This study examines the role of proactive intelligence-driven policing as a strategic approach to preventing crime, disrupting criminal networks, protecting communities, and enhancing public safety in South Africa. The study explores how intelligence-led policing can strengthen crime prevention efforts through intelligence gathering, crime analysis, strategic decision-making, community partnerships, technological innovation, and effective governance. It further investigates the contribution of intelligence-driven policing to achieving safer communities while supporting the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, the White Paper on Safety and Security, the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS), and broader criminal justice reforms. Despite extensive policing reforms since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa continues to experience exceptionally high levels of violent crime, organised crime, corruption, infrastructure theft, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and community insecurity. Traditional reactive policing approaches have proven insufficient in addressing increasingly sophisticated criminal threats. Furthermore, findings from the Zondo Commission, Auditor-General reports, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) reports, and other oversight mechanisms have highlighted governance failures, corruption, political interference, and weaknesses within intelligence and law enforcement structures. These challenges have undermined the effectiveness of crime prevention efforts and public trust in policing institutions. Consequently, there is a need to examine how proactive intelligence-driven policing can be strengthened to improve crime prevention, enhance accountability, disrupt organised criminal activities, and promote safer communities in South Africa. The study adopted a systematic qualitative research approach based on an extensive review and analysis of secondary data sources. A systematic review methodology was employed to critically evaluate scholarly literature, government reports, policy documents, commission reports, crime statistics, governance assessments, and international policing studies. Key sources included the South African Police Service (SAPS) Annual Crime Statistics, the White Paper on Safety and Security (2016), the National Development Plan (2030), the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (2022), the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2020–2030), the National Rural Safety Strategy, the Zondo Commission Report (2022), Transparency International reports, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) publications, and international literature on intelligence-led policing. Thematic analysis was utilised to identify recurring patterns, concepts, challenges, and opportunities relating to intelligence-driven policing and crime prevention. The study found that proactive intelligence-driven policing provides a more effective framework for crime prevention than traditional reactive policing approaches. Intelligence-led policing enhances the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify criminal threats, analyse crime patterns, target prolific offenders, and disrupt organised criminal networks before crimes occur. The findings further reveal that intelligence-driven policing is particularly effective in addressing organised crime, drug trafficking, infrastructure theft, cybercrime, illicit mining, and transnational criminal activities. The study also found that governance failures, corruption, political interference, weak oversight mechanisms, and declining public trust significantly undermine the effectiveness of intelligence structures. The findings of the Zondo Commission highlighted the urgent need for intelligence reform, enhanced accountability, ethical leadership, and stronger governance mechanisms. Furthermore, community participation, public-private partnerships, technological innovation, and inter-agency cooperation emerged as critical factors influencing the success of intelligence-led policing initiatives. The study concludes that proactive intelligence-driven policing represents a critical pathway towards achieving safer communities, stronger institutions, and more effective crime prevention in South Africa. However, the success of intelligence-led policing depends on more than intelligence capabilities alone. Sustainable improvements require professionalisation of intelligence structures, implementation of the Zondo Commission recommendations, strengthened governance and accountability systems, investment in advanced technologies, enhanced community-police partnerships, and effective policy implementation. By embracing intelligence-driven policing as a core component of national crime prevention strategy, South Africa can significantly improve its ability to anticipate, prevent, and disrupt criminal activities while strengthening public trust in law enforcement institutions. Ultimately, the transition from reactive policing to proactive intelligence-led policing offers an opportunity to create safer communities and a more secure future for all South Africans.

9. Community Participation in Development Planning and Implementation in...
1

Mohamed Kaifala Jimmy*1, Morrison Kenie Lahai2
1*M Pil Candidate, Institute of Geography and Development Studies, School of Enviromental Sciences, Njala University, 2School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University
104-114
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21026269

Community participation in decisions that have to do with planning and the implementation of development projects in Sierra Leone has been neglected for far too long; and more studies have ascertained the veracity or fact regarding this. This study was undertaken to investigate and have a detail assessment of community participation in development planning and implementations in rural communities in Sierra Leone. The objectives of the study were the examining of the knowledge of the rural people about decentralization on the one hand, investigating their participation in decision process towards development. Data were collected from 400 respondents selected purposive and systematic random sampling techniques using a structured questionnaire to collect data from households and semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from key informants. Data was analysed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) and correlation using regression. (Carefully arrange these sentences) Result indicated that there was not much knowledge about decentralisation owing to the little or less participation of the people and their service providers in decision-making regarding development but also the non-engagement; and which has inevitably resulted in severe socio-economic deprival- particularly in the context of basic services in the rural communities.





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