About the Journal
Global South Perspectives is an international double-blind peer reviewed journal which explores the knowledge and understanding of past and present developments from a Global South epistemological perspective. We consider Global South epistemologies as those that repudiate the mainstream hegemonic Eurocentric narratives and understandings of global development and which present Europe and North America as the ideological centre of the world.
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Global South Perspectives Journal
An International Peer-Reviewed Journal
Volume 2, Issue 1, June 2024
Access all Articles in this publication here!
Table of Contents
Global South Perspectives Journal
An International Peer-Reviewed Journal
Volume 1, Issue 1 & 2, December 2023
Access all Articles in this publication here!
Table of Contents
Editorial Policy
“Rather than alternatives, therefore, we need an alternative way of alternatives”
(Jose Manuel Bareto)
Global South Perspectives is an international double-blind peer reviewed journal which explores the knowledge and understanding of past and present developments from a Global South epistemological perspective. We consider Global South epistemologies as those that repudiate the mainstream hegemonic Eurocentric narratives and understandings of global development and which present Europe and North America as the ideological centre of the world. These have since the 15th century resulted not only in the colonization of the imagination of people of the global south but occasioned the displacement of their knowledge and continue to take a leading role in shaping what constitutes progressive global values and imposing them on the rest of the world.
Based on its epistemological standing therefore, the Journal hopes to publish papers which contribute to delineating the West not as centre but as an alternative and that alternative knowledge is found amongst people and societies of the global south. Such alternatives amongst us have throughout history been discredited or made invisible by the western dominant ways of knowing and continue to experience extreme difficulty in being popularized in Western media including some of its journals. By emphasizing alternatives, the Global South Perspectives envisages a pluriverse world and a successful ‘provincialization’ of Euro-American epistemological hegemony (Santos, 2007)
We therefore welcome empirical, conceptual and review papers that strengthen the Decolonial theoretical framework which amongst other things;
- Presents the socio-economic, technological, scientific and political ingenuity of pre-colonial global south societies as indigenous achievements of rationally civilized people. This contributes to what Ndlovu-Gatcheni (2013) terms; a triumph over an unsustainable Euro-American centric global status-quo in place since the fifteenth century.
- Captures a historical premise of Euro-Global South contact (from the voyages of exploration to globalization) as historically oppressive and exploitative built into the dispossession and control of African political power, economic and knowledge bases with a perpetual determination of keeping the people as hewers of wood and drawers of water.
- Showcases postcolonial and contemporary north-south relations including the UN and Britton-Woods system as detrimental to global south emergence and their socio-economic and political ideologies as entrapments of the global south.
- Most importantly, turns the previously colonised peoples who have been reduced to objects of Euro-American knowledge into participants and generators of knowledge from the vantage points of their geo-and bio-graphical locus of enunciation.
- In brief, manuscripts that will find space in the journal should be from and of the global south as an idea or location. They may essentially be ideologically and theoretically neutral but if they must should be those that depict the development of Global South societies from a nonhegemonic, non-Eurocentric and non-Hamitic hypothetical perspective. Their recommendations and conclusions should advocate global south indigenous solutions to global-south problems so that the development of this region would be etched on a consistent and persistent struggle for new humanism that was clearly defined by Frantz Fanon to mean liberation and self-determination (Fanon 1968) and by Marcus Garvey as ‘universal negro improvement’ that was predicated on self-help principles (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013).
The Editorial
Dissemination of findings is now acknowledged as the most important component of the research process. It is about the communication of innovation in our fields of expertise; this being either a planned and systematic process or a passive, unplanned diffusion process. Whichever means adopted, it is important to highlight that the utilization of research findings in policy or academic practice is sacrosanct for which effective communication is an important aspect of that process.
For a very long time and particularly since the 1950s; the time of early scholars like Cheick Antah Diop, the global south scholar has had to deal with unsurmountable challenges in research but most particularly in disseminating their findings. Reasons being that opportunities are scarce or have been made scarce by some powers of agency who have made publication conditions very stiff with implications that the perpetuation of data with a neo-colonial Euro-American centric north continue to populate the global south. This leads to the sustenance of coloniality of knowledge.
The Journal Global South Perspectives is an objective vision of the Global South Epistemologies Research Centre (GLOSERC) that seeks to achieve the centre’s objective of decolonial knowledge dissemination. This Volume and Issue is specific in its own right as it emanates from an open call for papers which non-the-less meets the decolonial objective in two ways. It either provides new knowledge about a global south context or issue or provides conceptual and theoretical clarity on a particular theme.
In this light the (joint) issue provides knowledge on themes of historiography, conflict resolution, indigenous knowledge systems, disaster management, forest conservation, slavery, cultural heritage and peace education. It is thus very rich in contents. Each of these articles is a product of original/empirical research with sound methodological processes. They have benefited from rational scientific evaluation processes of verification and validation through rigorous peer review. Most importantly the issue has a global south/continental spread judging from the contributions.
The issue opens with Hlengiwe Portia’s paper which explores the gendered representation of HIV/AIDS prevention constructed public and cultural spaces in Eswatini since the 1980s. Such representations she argues are gender bias and seem to associate HIV/AIDS more with the woman folk and obfuscates the formation of concrete HIV/AIDS prevention policies in in the country. The above is followed by two separately conducted studies on the development of historiography in Northern Nigeria by Nadir Nasidi and Atiku Abukakar. These articles have returned to the subject of the New African Historiography placing emphasis on the contributions of two first-second generation historians in Nigeria and Africa; Amadou Bello and Abdullahi Smith who both worked in Northern Nigeria. A key factor articulated by Nasidi and Abubakar is that both Smith and Bello laid emphasis on the use of oral tradition with visible evidence in the intellectual and scientific outputs of academics and in the spread of historical activism by those they trained around the continent.
Following these is Rene Ngek Monteh’s article on conflicts in Africa with that of Oku and Mbessa being in focus. Monteh argues that attempts at conflict resolution have been as many as the conflict itself has lasted. He questions why these skirmishes with significant levels of damage on both sides have not found a lasting solution. Monteh’s article is preceded by yet another in conflicts and conflict resolution; that of Eric Kangha Chu in which he presents the case of cross border conflicts in the Menchum Valley of Cameroon which shares boundary with Nigeria. Here Chu argues that conflicts among the Mbelogo and their Nigerian frontier neighbours have been prevalent since 1961 as a factor of reunification which changed dynamics in the area instituting a border amongst the people and government tax authorities; a thing they were not used to as both British administered people between 1922 and 1961. Ngome Elvis Nkome on his part addresses another knowledge perspective; that of slavery and slave trade and the questions of visual heritage especially on slave sites like Bimbia in the South West of Cameroon. Ngome argues that while the Bimbia slave trade site evokes memories of the brutal and inhumane trade, its touristic value needs to be enhanced and sustained.
Apart from the above, Vitalis Song Yamsa, Buwuh Ndingole Adeline and Ferdinan Vevanje have further contributed themes of critical importance to the development of historical research and the historiography of Cameroon. Yamsa has re-visited the Lake Nyos Disaster which occurred in 1986 and questions the approaches to post disaster rehabilitation and survivors’ re-integration into a new Nyos community and the challenges that have been faced by government and the victims of the disaster. Buwuh Ndingole Adeline on her part delves into the practices of birth and death rights among the Ba-Vengo of the North West region of Cameroon. She articulates issues of African indigenous knowledge, their meanings, use and how they can contribute to countering the epistemic violence that Africa has had to deal with and how the African society can reposition itself within the context of appropriating and re-asserting such indigenous knowledge in the global scene.
Finally, Ferdinan Ngomba Vevanje examines the now very popular issue of forest conservation and researches the role that local communities can play in managing community forests. His focus is on the Bokwaongo community forests; a protected area blessed with the highly demanded Pronus africanus; a tree whose bark is in high demand for pharmaceutical products. Vevanje has highlighted the importance of this forest, the role that community organizations are playing in conserving it and the challenges they face in doing so over the years around the Mount Cameroon area.
In all the papers in this issue make for a comprehensive read and would be of significant interest to established as well as emerging scholars and postgraduate students. Experience has shown that the latter have often faced huge challenges in articulating issues and in topics selection. Papers like those published in the issue should go a long way to inspire them in understanding various thematic dynamics and the forms in which such are articulated. We therefore wish you a happy read of the papers and a generous dissemination to your various networks.
The Editor
Editor in Chief
Professor Roland Ndille,
University of Buea-Cameroon
Editors
Professor Neo Ramoupi | University of the Free State-South Africa
Professor Rene Ngek Monteh | University of Yaoundé 1-Cameroon
Professor Primus Fonkeng | University of Buea-Cameroon
Professor Takor Nixon | University of Bamenda-Cameroon
Managing Editors
Dr Ngome Elvis Nkome | University of Buea
Dr Atom Victor Ntui | University of Buea
Book Review Editors
Dr Etta Achou Raphael | University of Bamenda
Dr Hlengiwe Portia Dlamini | University of Eswatini
Language Editors
Professor Comfort Ojongpot | University of Buea-Cameroon
Dr Ekwelle Emmanuela E. Ewane. | University of Buea-Cameroon
Miss Njuen-Mbu Polansky | University of Douala-Cameroon
Editorial Advisory Board
Professor Kingsley Ngange | University of Buea-Cameroon
Professor Apuge Michael | University of Buea-Cameroon
Emeritus Professor Theresia Tchombe | University of Buea-Cameroon
Professor Tumi Diale | University of Johannesburg-South Africa
Professor Pierre Fandio | University of Buea-Cameroon
Professor Canute Ngwa | University of Bamenda-Cameroon
Professor Richard Talla | University of Bamenda-Cameroon
Professor Charles Teke | University of Buea-Cameroon
Professor Gratien Atindogbe | University of Buea-Cameroon
Professor Yusuf Abdulrahman | University of Port Harcourt-Nigeria
Professor Emanuela Scaperllini | University of Milan-Italy
Professor Pius Tanga | University of Fort Hare-South Africa
Professor Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni | University of Bayreuth-Germany
Professor Amate Belle Johanesse | University of the Free state-South Africa
Professor Emmanuel Yenshu | University of Buea-Cameroon
Professor Amasa Ndofirepi | Sol Plaatje University-South Africa
Professor Geofrey Nwaka | Abbia State University-Nigeria
Professor Nicodemus Awasom | University of Ghana-Legone, Ghana
Professor Rose Anjoh | University of Buea-Cameroon
Note to Authors
Thank you for choosing to submit your paper to us. Please read these instructions carefully. Following them helps us ensure that we have everything required so your paper can move through peer review, production and publication smoothly.
Types of papers which can be submitted
We welcome four categories of papers (1) empirical research papers (2) Conceptual/review papers, (3) Opinion pieces and (4) book reviews
Empirical research papers are papers born out of original work with new findings that add to existing body of knowledge in the field. Such papers must be based on verifiable evidence collected by the author(s) of the study. They can be of qualitative, quantitative or of mixed methods in terms of research designs and data analysis.
Conceptual/review papers are papers in which the principal aim of the paper is to elaborate a concept, a theory or an idea. Generally, they are not born of any empirical work but use ideas/findings from other papers to elaborate their position. They are also called review articles. The essence is for the author to raise an issue and articulate a position from which a conclusion is drawn that may validate or repudiate the positions under review.
Opinion Pieces are papers that generally allow the authors to freely express their thoughts about a subject mater. The scientific and publishable value of opinion pieces rests in the fact that while they express an author’s ideas about a phenomenon, such ideas are based on founded truths and are justified by verifiable evidence.
Book Reviews: A book review is a type of scientific writing that evaluates a book based on its content, style and quality. It can be a summary, an opinion and or a critique of the book. It reveals the reviewer’s engagement of the book and helps readers decide whether they want to read it or not. Book reviews are a form of literary criticism and they are highly encouraged as part of every journal issue.
Authors must inform the editor before hand which type of manuscript they are presenting for review and subsequent publication. Such a classification of articles may help the editor determine the structure of each issue of the journal.
Preparing Your Manuscript
Formatting: Papers are to be submitted in MS-Word, Microsoft Word; Times New Roman 12, Double Line Spacing. This is to allow us to review your paper. PAPERS SENT AS PDF WILL BE RETURNED.
2. Headings and subheadings: We make use of three levels of headings in each paper.
a) First Level is the title of the paper (in Caps 14)
b) Second level: the subheadings (Abstract, Introduction (at the end of which the problem should be stated clearly and methodology explained), Objectives, State of Literature on the subject, Findings (a presentation of your findings, results, analysis etc), and Conclusion. Authors can decide how to present their own headings but these should be clearly distinguished from third level headings.
c) Third level headings: These arise only if there is need to break any second level heading into further smaller sections. Authors should use small case bold italics to distinguish them from second level headings which are not italicized.
Length of Paper: The entire document (including references, first and last page matters) must be no more that nine thousand (9000) words. Manuscripts above this range shall be returned.
Contents of the first Page of Manuscript: Ensure that the first page (Title Page) of your submission captures the following information clearly;
a) The title of your work in Capital Letters
b) your names as you wish them presented, and your title eg PhD, Dr, AP, Prof). If you are a student, you need not state at this moment that you are a PhD or MA Student. Such details will be captured in the “About the Author” section on the last page
c) your institutional affiliation (Department, Faculty and University/institution).
d) your preferred email address (Please use only the one you will use to submit the paper as this will be considered your corresponding email). If there are more authors indicate their emails but star the corresponding author.
e) your phone number (preferably your WhatsApp number)
f) the Abstract of the paper.
g) A maximum of Five Key Words.
The last page of the article should also carry the following details
a) Make a Declaration on “Conflict of Interest” a statement clarifying whether there are conflicting interests regarding your paper. This often arises if the paper or parts of it have been published or copyrighted by other publishers/institutions.
b) Acknowledgements: This should include any grant/sponsorship/assistance that you benefited from an institution/person for conference attendance, reading and editing of your drafts etc.
c) Biographical Note: Authors should provide, information about themselves of a maximum of 100 words. This may include your current position, where u studied, your affiliations and research interests and if possible your latest publications
4 Referencing style is the CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE,
Authors should decide whether they are using in-text (Author(s), Year and Pages) or footnotes but cannot use the two in the same paper.
Everything needing referencing (including pictures, tables, graphs etc) should be presented in the Chicago Manual of style. For details on the Chicago manual of style please follow this link
e) All papers should ensure that they have established a clear argument and explained their methodology succinctly.
6 Publication: Once your paper has gone through the various review, correcting and editing stages and found satisfactory, it will appear on our website and authors will be notified about their publication upon payment of an article processing charge which enables us to manage the journal website.
7 Steps in the publication process
a) Author submits paper
b) The managing editor acknowledges receipt of the paper
c) The editor reads the paper with one of three decisions;
(1) rejects the paper at this stage if it is of very bad quality (contents, language and structure)
(2) sends the paper to author and requests additional work
(3) finds the paper worthy of consideration and sends to reviewers. Authors should strive for the third option by ensuring that they prepare their manuscripts well and that their ideas are presented in communicable language.
d) In case of 2, editor repeats the process and in case of three, editor contacts two experts in the area of specialty and solicits their review expertise. This can take a month or two or sometimes three but we would strive for a rapid peer review process
e) Reviewers submit papers to the editor with one of three decisions (1) reject paper
(2) Accept after major corrections (3) accept after minor corrections.
f) Editor contacts author with reviewer comments and decisions. In case of (2) and
(3) above, author is given time to address the issues and return final version to the editor
g) Upon receipt of the final version, editor sends manuscript to the language editor
h) After language editing paper is sent to author for confirmation of final version
i) Upon receipt of the authors confirmation, paper is sent to the publications manager. Page numbers and other journal volume and issue details are attributed
j) Paper is published online and shared with author.
Looking forward to receiving your papers.
In our drive for quality research outputs, we plan to publish articles with of high-quality Contributors should bear in mind that a publication cost will apply. This will only depend on the Invoice that the Publisher will give us.
Article Processing Charge
The standard article processing charge is 350 USD. Each paid publication fee is entitled to one published paper. There are no charges for rejected articles, no submission charges, and no surcharges based on the length of an article, figures or supplementary data. Extra printed copy can be purchased for 100 USD, including mailing.
Publication Fee
Authors (Non-Students) = 350 USD
Extra hard copy = 100 USD
Note: Article Processing Charges are required after a manuscript has been accepted for publication. The Journal will not issue refunds of any kind after the acceptance of the manuscript.
For more inquiries, please reach out through info@gloserc.org
Room 126, UNESCO Building, University of Buea, SWR-Cameroon.
PO Box 63, Buea-SWR Cameroon
info@gloserc.org
(+237) 673-990-698
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