Our Future at Risk: Social Exclusion, Resource Extraction, and Security in Contemporary Africa
1. Decennial Context & Scholarly Imperative
Across contemporary Africa, rapid economic transformations, resource exploitation, and shifting geopolitical realities have generated complex social dynamics. While natural resource reserves continue to drive global economic interest, local communities often bear the structural burden of environmental degradation, dispossession, and socio-economic displacement. The 10th Decennial Conference provides a critical empirical and theoretical forum to examine how state institutions, traditional authorities, and civil society navigate these systemic vulnerabilities.
By bringing together scholars from across Ghana, the West African sub-region, and the international academic community, the conference aims to re-examine conventional development paradigms, foster decolonial methodologies, and formulate evidence-based policy frameworks that safeguard community livelihoods and national security.
2. Core Conference Thematic Tracks
Track A: Sociological & Anthropological Perspectives on Transformation
This thematic stream examines how indigenous social structures, political ecology, and community resistance movements respond to global environmental change. Scholars are invited to present empirical research on digital technologies, virtual fieldwork ethics, social movements, and the decolonization of social science knowledge systems across African academic institutions.
Track B: Social Exclusion & Structural Marginalization
Focusing on the socio-economic fault lines across African societies, this track investigates the mechanisms that perpetuate youth unemployment, gender inequality, and rural-urban disparities. Contributions explore how marginalized populations—including internal migrants, informal workers, and persons with disabilities—navigate institutional barriers and advocate for social justice.
Track C: Resource Extraction, Land Rights & Environmental Governance
Extractive industries, including artisanal and small-scale gold mining (galamsey), large-scale oil and gas operations, and commercial forestry, present profound socio-ecological challenges. This track addresses land tenure disputes, corporate governance, environmental degradation, and the socio-economic impacts of resource dispossession on rural agrarian communities.
Track D: Human Security, Peacebuilding & Livelihood Resilience
Moving beyond state-centric security definitions, this stream focuses on human security, food sovereignty, climate vulnerability, and community-level violence. Submissions will explore conflict resolution mechanisms, health governance risks, and strategies for building resilient communities amidst regional insecurity and economic uncertainty.
3. Abstract Submission Guidelines & Deadlines
The GSAA Conference Organizing Committee invites abstracts for individual paper presentations, panel sessions, and poster displays. Abstracts must not exceed 300 words and should clearly state the study's background, theoretical framework, methodology, key findings, and policy implications. Submissions should specify the intended thematic track and include 4–5 keywords alongside author affiliations and contact details.
All abstracts should be submitted electronically to the conference secretariat via gsaaucc1@gmail.com no later than 20th August 2026. Notification of acceptance will be issued by 30th August 2026, followed by full paper submission guidelines for publication in conference proceedings and selected special journal issues.