Book on discrimination against female administrators launched
A book, entitled: The Quandary of Collaboration with Female School Administrators: Social Distance in Ghana, Sub-Saharan Africa, which addresses issues of disenfranchisement of female population in Ghanaian society, has been launched in Accra.
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The 209-paged book which examines, specifically, discrimination against women administrators and how their role creates social distance between the female boss and her constituents, was authored by Reverend Dr Patrick Nicanda Allala, an educationist and clinical counsellor.
It is a product of empirical research which analysed primary data from education institutions spread across the 10 regions of the country.
Rev. Dr Allala said the book revealed how resentment of female administrators had robbed some education institutions of quality administrators leading to its negative impact on education.
Decision
The author explained that his objective in writing the book was born out of a literature review of about 200 books which never touched on the subject he decided to probe.
He added that his mission was, therefore, to investigate the turn of events when a female assumed leadership role in Ghana.
According to him, the outcome of the research was beyond his imagination as the data collected revealed that subordinates rather showed their resentment contrary to views that it was rather peers who engaged in such traits.
He noted that the four-year qualitative research finding was very intriguing, since most projectories never alluded to the fact that it was rather the younger ones who resented female administrators.
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Importance
Dr Doris Mawuse Aglobitse, a former lecturer at the University of Ghana, observed that the book would not be a source of intellectual research for only gender activists but also a resource material for tertiary institutions.
She said it would also be a useful material for professionals such as clinical psychologists, sociologists, educationists, statisticians and researchers having dealt extensively about gender ideological belief scope in relation to women leadership challenges.
Dr Aglobitse, who is also a programme analyst of UNFPA, said the book had a way of influencing readers to reflect on their personal behaviours and cultural experiences in order to come out better as good gender activists.
“For women and gender advocates, I believe this book is a strong voice for their cause,” she indicated.
The analyst added, “It is therefore only appropriate that we support him to do more by patronising the book.”
Dr Aglobitse said the author had also made it clear that some of the income from the sale of the book would be used as scholarship to some female students in OLA Secondary School in Ho.
Mrs Christiana Gokel, a retired gender activist with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said issues about gender should be taken seriously.
She said there was the need for gender activists to collaborate their efforts to enhance their advocacy work for the advancement of the vulnerable.
Auction
The first copy of the book was sold for GH¢500. The author promised to make it more affordable and available at bookshops across the country.