Journal of Asian and African Social Science and Humanities http://aarcentre.com/ojs3/index.php/jaash <p><strong>FOCUS AND SCOPE</strong></p> <p>Journal of Asian and African Social Science and Humanities (E-ISSN: 2413-2748) is a double-blind, peer -reviewed journal. The journal publishes research papers in the fields of humanities and social science such as anthropology, business studies, communication studies, corporate governance, criminology, cross cultural studies, demography, development studies, economics, education, ethics, geography, history, industrial relations, international relations, law, linguistics, library science, media studies, methodology, philosophy, political science, population Studies, psychology, public administration, sociology, social welfare, linguistics, literature, paralegal, performing arts (music, theatre &amp; dance), religious studies, visual arts, women studies and so on.</p> <p><strong>PUBLICATION FREQUENCY</strong></p> <p>Journal of Asian and African Social Science and Humanities publishes issue quarterly in a year (in March, June, September and December), with a dedicated mission of contributing to original and high quality research.</p> <p><strong>OPPEN ACCESS POLICY</strong></p> <p>All articles published open access will be immediately and permanently free for everyone to read, download, copy and distribute.</p> <p><strong>COPYRIGHT NOTICE</strong></p> <div> <p>The copyrights of article is on the Author(s), however, before publishing, it is required to obtain written confirmation from authors in order to ensure the originality (Author Statement of Originality). This statement is to be signed by at least one of the authors who have obtained the assent of the co-author(s) where applicable.</p> </div> <p><strong>PLAGIARISM ISSUES</strong></p> <p>The manuscript must represent original work by the author(s). None of the material should be covered by any copyright; if copyrighted material exceeding approximately 100 words from a journal article or approximately 500 words from a book is used, the author has obtained written permission for its use. Further, this work should not infringe any intellectual property rights/secrecy laws of any person/organization/government/public or private agency, nor should it contain any defamatory matter. <strong>All the article will be checked by Turnitin Software.</strong></p> <p>This journal does not bear any responsibility for verifying copyright permissions provided by the author. Any breach of copyright laws will result in retraction of the published article/material as well as reporting to relevant authorities at the author's institutions.</p> <p><strong>Digital Archive: </strong>This Journal is using<strong> LOCKSS </strong>digital archive system<strong>.</strong></p> <p><strong>PUBLICATION CHARGES</strong></p> <p>If the paper is accepted for publication, author(s) will be asked to pay 100 USD as article publication. The publication fees cover the cost of language editing, copyediting, and other editorial expenses. There is no charge <em>during article submission</em>. Publication fees <em>will be charged once the paper</em> is accepted. The payment method will be notified by the editor after the acceptance of the paper. This journal encourages collaborative work. Authors from three different nationalities will get full discount on publication fees.</p> <p><strong>EDITORS' RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p> <ul> <li>To act in a objective, balanced, and fair way while carrying out expected duties, without discrimination on grounds of gender, religious or political beliefs, ethnic or geographical origin of the authors.</li> <li>To avoid any commercial influence, as well as conflicts of interests, for all submissions and evaluate them solely on academic and scientific merit.</li> <li>To address complaints of any nature and follow reasonable procedures according to the Journal's policies.</li> <li>To give authors full opportunity to respond to complaints.</li> <li>To investigate a complaint regardless of the approval date of publication of an article.</li> <li>To document, compile, and file all complaints.</li> </ul> <p><strong>REVIEWERS' RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p> <ul> <li>To review the manuscript objectively and timely, inform the editor of a suitable decision and to uphold the quality of articles published in the journal.</li> <li>To maintain strict confidentiality of any information supplied to the reviewer in the review process by the editor or author and ensure that the manuscript is for the reviewer's eyes only and no copies are transmitted or kept.</li> <li>To inform the editor of suspected plagiarism or absence of relevant published work which has not been cited. To avoid any potential conflicts of interests between the author and the reviewer and inform the editor of all developments. </li> </ul> <p><strong>AUTHORS' RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p> <ul> <li>To ensure that they have significantly contributed to the research, cited all related references and acknowledged financial support from funding agencies.</li> <li>To maintain accurate records of data associated with their submitted manuscript, and supply or provide access to these data, on reasonable request.</li> <li>To confirm that the submitted manuscript is not under consideration or accepted for publication elsewhere.</li> <li>To acknowledge and cite sources whose contents overlap in the submitted paper. </li> <li>To provide the editor with a copy of any submitted manuscript(s) that might contain similar closely related or overlapping content.</li> <li>To ensure that any studies involving human or animal subjects conform to national, local and institutional laws and requirements.</li> <li>To confirm that approval has been sought and obtained where appropriate and obtain written permission from human subjects and respect their privacy.</li> <li>To declare any potential conflicts of interests.</li> <li>To promptly inform the journal editor or publisher if a significant error in their publication is detected and submit an erratum, addendum, corrigendum notice, to be published or retract the paper altogether if it is necessary.</li> </ul> <p><strong>ETHICAL STATEMENT</strong></p> <p>The manuscript must represent original work by the author(s). None of the material should be covered by any copyright; if copyrighted material exceeding approximately 100 words from a journal article or approximately 500 words from a book is used, the author has obtained written permission for its use. Further, this work should not infringe any intellectual property rights/secrecy laws of any person/organization/government/public or private agency, nor should it contain any defamatory matter.</p> <p>This journal does not bear any responsibility for verifying copyright permissions provided by the author. Any breach of copyright laws will result in retraction of the published article/material <strong>as well as reporting to relevant authorities at the authors' institutions.</strong></p> <p><strong>DISCLAIMER</strong></p> <p>Opinions expressed in articles and creative pieces published in this Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the editorial board or the publisher.</p> ASIAN AND AFRICAN RESEARCH CENTRE en-US Journal of Asian and African Social Science and Humanities 2413-2748 <p style="display: block; text-align: justify;">Copyrights for articles published in Journal of Asian and African Social Science and Humanities are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal/publisher is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the author's responsibility to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.</p><p>Articles published in Journal of Asian and African Social Science and Humanities are published under the <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license</a>, which permits others to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work as long as they credit you for the original creation.</p><p> </p> POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: USA AND BANGLADESH http://aarcentre.com/ojs3/index.php/jaash/article/view/354 <p>This paper conducts a comparative analysis of police accountability in criminal investigations in the USA and Bangladesh. It explores the legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and challenges that shape police oversight in these two jurisdictions. The study highlights the significant differences between the two countries, with the USA having a robust legal framework anchored in constitutional protections, federal statutes, and a range of oversight bodies. In contrast, Bangladesh's police accountability system is rooted in colonial-era laws with limited oversight mechanisms and is further weakened by corruption and political interference. The paper examines essential case laws influencing police conduct in both countries, such as Tennessee v. Garner in the USA and BLAST v. Bangladesh in Bangladesh. The analysis reveals that while the USA has made strides in integrating technology into accountability processes, Bangladesh faces numerous challenges, including outdated laws and a lack of technological infrastructure. It is a qualitative research. Recommendations for both countries include modernising legal frameworks, enhancing the independence of oversight bodies, and adopting international best practices. The findings emphasise the need for continuous reforms to ensure transparent and effective police accountability in both jurisdictions.</p> Pranto Kumar Sarker Maruf Ahmed Md. Zahidul Islam Copyright (c) 2024 Pranto Kumar Sarker, Maruf Ahmed, Md. Zahidul Islam http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2025-01-04 2025-01-04 10 4 1 23 10.55327/jaash.v10i4.354 WOMEN'S ACCESS TO PROPERTY IN BANGLADESH http://aarcentre.com/ojs3/index.php/jaash/article/view/355 <p>This paper critically examines the legal, social, and institutional barriers affecting women's access to property in Bangladesh, focusing on the challenges faced by Muslim and Hindu women under personal and statutory laws. The study begins by analyzing the legal framework governing women’s property rights, exploring the interplay between constitutional provisions and personal laws such as the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, and Hindu inheritance laws. Using India’s Hindu Succession Act, 1956 as a comparative framework, the paper highlights the disparities between Bangladesh and neighboring countries in terms of legal reforms aimed at promoting gender equality in property ownership. The research also discusses key case laws, including Fatema Khatun v. Md. Aminul Haque (1983) and Bipasha Rani Das v. Bharat Chandra Das (1997), to illustrate how the courts have addressed women’s inheritance claims and the limitations of the legal system. The paper concludes with several policy recommendations, including the need for legal reforms to harmonize personal laws with constitutional rights, the adoption of gender-sensitive land policies, and increased awareness and accessibility for women in rural areas. These reforms are essential for ensuring that women in Bangladesh can fully exercise their property rights and for promoting greater gender equality in property ownership. The study also identifies areas for future research, including the impact of international human rights standards on domestic legal reforms and the lived experiences of women in marginalized communities.</p> Pranto Kumar Sarker Md. Aktaruzzaman Mandol Maruf Ahmed Md. Zahidul Islam Copyright (c) 2024 Pranto Kumar Sarker, Md. Aktaruzzaman Mandol, Maruf Ahmed, Md. Zahidul Islam http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2025-01-04 2025-01-04 10 4 24 47 10.55327/jaash.v10i4.355 SHIFTING NARRATIVES: EXPLORING GENERATIONAL CHANGES IN GHANAIAN LITERARY DEPICTIONS OF MENTAL ILLNESS http://aarcentre.com/ojs3/index.php/jaash/article/view/331 <p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This research examines the evolving portrayal of mental health in Ghanaian literature over time using content analysis and the application of the labeling theory. We analyzed some of the most popular contemporary novels from the past 15 years and oral folklore from the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">largest ethnic groups</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, revealing a discernible generational shift. Modern Ghanaian authors offer more nuanced, scientifically-backed depictions of mental health, challenging old stereotypes. These narratives emphasize the interconnection of mental and physical well-being, underlining the importance of a comprehensive understanding of mental health. Despite positive developments, enduring challenges persist, particularly among less-educated populations who continue to seek traditional healers for mental health issues. As Ghana advances its mental health awareness campaigns and policies, this study underscores the significance of holistic approaches, cooperation between traditional and medical practitioners, and the role of cultural narratives in promoting an inclusive and nuanced dialogue surrounding mental health.</span></p> <p><strong>Keywords</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">: mental illness, literature, Ghana, portrayal, stigma, cultural narratives</span></p> Russell Adzedu Copyright (c) 2025 Russell Adzedu http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2025-01-04 2025-01-04 10 4 48 62 10.55327/jaash.v10i4.331