Perspectives on inter-personal violence and its implications on human security in selected communities of Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

The study aimed at exploring perspectives on interpersonal violence and its implications on selected communities in Kasoa. The objectives of the study were to explore the inducers of interpersonal violence in Kasoa, ascertain the implications of interpersonal violence on human security in Kasoa and to examine the stakeholders’ reactions to interpersonal violence in Kasoa. The study was guided by the Human Needs Theory and the Social Ecological Model with an empirical review of related literature. The study adopted the interpretivist research paradigm, it also employed the qualitative research approach with a case study design. Kasoa was the study area, the researcher drew accessible population from 3 communities, thus, Opeikuma, Zongo and Ofaakor, with a focused on Assembly members from the three communities and personnel of the Ghana Police Service, victims of interpersonal violence, thechair of the Municipal Security Council, and chiefs, food vendors, storeowners and mobile money merchants with a sample size determined by data saturation. Data for the study was collected using face to face interviews with the semi-structure interview guide. The data were analyzed qualitatively using the thematic approach to data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that, economic factors, the use of drugs, influence from peers, the dismissal of trained security officers, family background, and community influence, lack of formal education, get-rick-quick tendencies and psychological statewere the factors inducing interpersonal violence in Kasoa. The findings also proved the adverse effect of interpersonal violence on human security and reactions of stakeholders to bringing interpersonal violence in Kasoa to check. The study recommended that stakeholders should create job avenues and economic opportunities for the youth.It also recommended that human security should be incorporated into the school curriculum at all level of education and stakeholders should intensify measure to curb crime in Kasoa.