Global Research Society Publisher

GRS Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Studies

All Issues

1. Bridging Justice Gap to Fulfill the Promise of Law in Sierra Leone
9

Umaru Afiz Akchievere Sesay*
American University Washington College of Law, Washington, DC, United States.
01-11
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19449159

While human rights are inherent in all individuals, such rights remain inaccessible for many because of structural, legal, and socio-economic barriers. Globally, over 1.5 billion people are unable to resolve their legal problems, and in Sierra Leone, as in many other African countries, nearly 85% of citizens rely on the customary justice system because of the country’s bifurcated legal order, leaving the poor and marginalized especially vulnerable. This article employs a doctrinal methodology to examine how legal aid services can bridge the justice gap and fulfill the promise of law in Sierra Leone, particularly for vulnerable populations. The article understands the promise of law as the assurance of equal justice, the safeguarding of human dignity, and the principle that no one is above or beneath the protection of the law. Despite the enactment of the Legal Aid Act 2012, the article argues that implementation of the legal aid scheme remains weak because of limited funding, insufficient state accountability, and inadequate integration of paralegals and community-based justice services. The study concludes that, when effectively implemented, legal aid must extend beyond mere courtroom representation to include legal literacy, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and grassroots justice delivery systems, and accordingly recommends the adoption of targeted and coordinated reforms involving key stakeholders, including the government, the legal profession, Civil Society Organisations, universities, and Sierra Leone’s General Legal Council, in order to ensure that legal aid evolves from a purely constitutional guarantee into a practical and accessible reality for all.

2. The Micro-Interactions of Belonging: Combatting Adolescent Isolation...
1

Dr. Sharlene McHolm*
415 Cottesmore Avenue, Cobourg, ON, K9A 4E4 Canada.
12-20
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19754768

Young Adolescent students in Grades 7 and 8 require Relatedness, Competency and Autonomy to thrive. This study explored two Grade 7 and 8 schools for one year, collecting student voice to determine what makes a difference for connectedness, skill development and autonomy. In a time where social media creates an increasing pandemic of loneliness amongst our teens, small micro-interactions allow students to feel connected to their schools. Low-stakes opportunities to fail or succeed increase their competency and small opportunities for agency within the classroom builds trust and engagement. In this small study (n=524) students were asked “what was the best part of their week” and clear patterns emerged. The importance of non-evaluative adults, low-stakes environment and allowing students to have agency increased connectedness and wellbeing. This article uncovers the low-cost interventions that will strengthen trust and connection. Although social media is here to stay, through thoughtful steps, schools can build strong connections that will lead to strong students in our Middle School environments.

3. Continuity of National Employment Councils amidst legal reforms: An an...
5

Rose Mambo*
Africa University, College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance (CBPLG), PO BOX 1320 Mutare, Zimbabwe
21-31
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19754889

The Labour Amendment Act 11 of 2023 in Zimbabwe, which repealed and redefined s 56 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01], has raised significant concerns regarding the ongoing existence and effective functioning of the National Employment Councils (NECs). These bodies are central to Zimbabwe's industrial relations system, playing a crucial role in facilitating collective bargaining and resolving disputes. This paper offers a critical analysis of the legal and institutional framework governing NECs, focusing on how the recent legislative changes have substantially altered their legal status and operational capacity, thereby creating considerable uncertainties within the legal environment. The landmark case of DGL Investments (Pvt) Ltd v Martin Ndlovu & 14 Others exemplifies judicial interpretation of these legislative changes, effectively ruling that voluntary NECs have 'ceased to exist' following the enactment of the amendment, which casts doubt on their continued legitimacy and practical relevance. The fallout from this ruling includes disruptions to dispute resolution processes and the weakening of tripartite governance structures, raising broader concerns about the stability of industrial relations. Different stakeholders' perspectives vary; employers worry about reduced bargaining leverage, workers and unions face challenges in maintaining collective voice, designated agents of NECs encounter operational uncertainties, and government labour officials struggle with enforcement and oversight issues. Overall, these developments threaten to destabilise Zimbabwe's tripartite framework, potentially undermining core principles of collective bargaining and industrial harmony. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for legal and policy reforms aimed at clarifying the legal status of NECs, restoring their operational capacity, and strengthening Zimbabwe's commitment to a robust tripartite labour relations system, in line with constitutional provisions and international labour standards.

4. Study of Deadwood Structures and Their Wildlife Significance at Sherga...
3

Krishnenda Singh Nama*, Kiran...
Associate Professor, Lzebra College, Kota
32-36
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19780552

Deadwood is a critical structural and functional component of forest ecosystems, influencing biodiversity, carbon storage, and nutrient cycling. This study examined spatial heterogeneity in deadwood structure across multiple forest blocks, focusing on snag type distribution, diameter variability, species composition, and associated wildlife observations. Significant variation among sites suggests that deadwood dynamics are strongly shaped by local disturbance regimes, stand age, species composition, and anthropogenic influences. Blocks dominated by stumps likely reflect advanced decomposition stages or historical structural collapse, whereas sites with higher proportions of full snags indicate recent mortality events or greater structural persistence. The presence of extremely large snags highlights the ecological importance of legacy trees, which contribute disproportionately to carbon storage and long-term structural stability. However, weak correlations between maximum girth and wildlife use suggest that decay stage and cavity development are stronger determinants of ecological function than size alone. Higher species diversity in snag formation was associated with increased structural complexity, potentially enhancing ecosystem resilience by supporting diverse decomposer communities and extending temporal continuity of deadwood availability. This study surveys 187 snags across five forest blocks to analyze species composition, structural decay stages, and evidence of wildlife use. Statistical analysis reveals that while Anogeissus pendula is the most frequent snag-forming species, larger diameter snags like Terminalia bellirica and Mitragyna parviflora show higher instances of specialized wildlife use, such as nesting and cavity formation.

5. Prevalence of Malaria Infection among Individuals with Different Genot...
2

Sulaiman Shuaibu*, Nsor Bassey...
Federal College of Education Technical Gombe School Secondary Education Science's Biology Education Department
37-43
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19810910

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. This study assessed the prevalence of malaria infection among individuals with different haemoglobin genotypes attending antenatal care at Zainab Bulkachuwa Hospital, Gombe. A retrospective cross-sectional design was adopted, involving the analysis of 180 antenatal records with complete genotype and malaria test data. Results revealed a high overall malaria prevalence of 63.9%, indicating endemic transmission. The HbAA genotype was the most prevalent (61.1%) and exhibited the highest malaria infection rate (72.7%), followed by HbAS (54.5%) and HbSS (33.3%). Variations were also observed in parasite density, with HbAA individuals showing higher levels of parasitaemia compared to other genotypes. Statistical analysis using Chi-square demonstrated a significant association between haemoglobin genotype and malaria infection (p = 0.004). The findings confirm that haemoglobin genotype influences susceptibility to malaria, with HbAS and HbSS offering some protective advantage. The study underscores the need for targeted malaria control strategies and the integration of genotype screening in antenatal care to improve maternal health outcomes.

6. Decolonization and the Failure of the New International Economic Order...
3

Ruhul Amin*
National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University) Department: Applied Linguistics and Text Analytics.
44-55
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19810999

After World War II, a surge of independence swept across Asia, Africa, so Latin America - reshaping world politics fast. Though free from colonial rule, several new nations still leaned heavily on Western economies due to lopsided trade and weak industry. Instead of standing equal, they found themselves stuck in old patterns shaped by money flows beyond their reach. So, guided by the Group of 77, poorer countries pushed hard for change during U.N. talks in the early 1970s. Their answer came in 1974: a bold plan named the New International Economic Order. It called for balanced trading rules, full authority over local minerals plus crops, along with more funds and tools from richer lands. While hopes ran high, real shifts took longer than anyone expected. This work looks into why the New International Economic Order fell short of its bold goals. Rooted in Dependency Theory and world-systems thinking, it suggests deep-rooted imbalances in global trade held the initiative back. On top of that, wealthy Western states pushed against change with consistent opposition. At the same time, splits between poorer nations made unified demands harder to sustain. Then came the 1980s, when free-market ideas gained ground under figures like Reagan and Thatcher - turning attention from sharing wealth to opening markets. The study ends by pointing out how the NIEO fell short, showing what can go wrong when new economic plans bump into old power imbalances across nations; fairness in world growth still slips through the cracks. Though hopes ran high, deep structures tilt the field - progress crawls where history weighs heavy.





Submit Manuscript