R&P Entries
Conferences/Workshop/Symposia/Seminar with Presentations
Amoako-Gyampah K. A. & Kafui, O. T.
Social Science Conference: Developing Society through Human Security and Social Justice. Anamuah-Menash Auditorium, Winneba, Ghana 16th - 16th March
Paper presented:
The Ghanaian Mass Media, the Politics of Insult and the Burden of History
Abstract
The promulgation of the 1992 constitution ushered in several constitutional provisions and regulatory enactments that combined to produce a liberal, vociferous and proactive media landscape in Ghana. The combined efforts of the various media outlets, both privately-owned and state-owned, have not only served as watch-dog over government excesses, but have also served as a guardian of public interests, exposing corruption at all levels and acting as the conduit between the government and the governed. Yet, in recent times, there have been concerns that the Ghanaian media is becoming overly sensational, sleazy and superficial in its reportage. Above all there are concerns that the media front is increasingly serving partisan political ends as tools for hurling insults at political opponents, as typified particularly, by the two dominant political parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). As a result, the media appears to be sowing discord rather than concord, hate speech instead of sober debate and suspicion rather than social trust. This study attempts to contextualise the complicity of the mass media in serving as an avenue for the propagation and perpetuation of political insults in Ghana. Drawing evidence mainly from the print media, we will: (a) investigate the trajectory and context of political insults in Ghanaian Newspapers and (b) examine how Ghanaian newspapers report insults that are targeted at political actors. In order to present a more critical and nuanced analysis, we shall engage in content, contextual and inter-textual analysis of contents that are of the nature of political insults presented in newspapers. While we concede to the view that there has been preponderance of political insults peddled through the Ghanaian media under the fourth republic, we will contend that: (a) the use of insults are not new to Ghana’s political culture and that it even predates the colonial encounter. What is new, however, is the contrived, aggressive, and acrimonious motive implied in the present-day political insults. (b) That the incidence of political insults of the nature peddled through the media presently is traceable to the early part of 1950s – a period that epitomised aggressive politicking in the contemporary political history of Ghana.
The promulgation of the 1992 constitution ushered in several constitutional provisions and regulatory enactments that combined to produce a liberal, vociferous and proactive media landscape in Ghana. The combined efforts of the various media outlets, both privately-owned and state-owned, have not only served as watch-dog over government excesses, but have also served as a guardian of public interests, exposing corruption at all levels and acting as the conduit between the government and the governed. Yet, in recent times, there have been concerns that the Ghanaian media is becoming overly sensational, sleazy and superficial in its reportage. Above all there are concerns that the media front is increasingly serving partisan political ends as tools for hurling insults at political opponents, as typified particularly, by the two dominant political parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). As a result, the media appears to be sowing discord rather than concord, hate speech instead of sober debate and suspicion rather than social trust. This study attempts to contextualise the complicity of the mass media in serving as an avenue for the propagation and perpetuation of political insults in Ghana. Drawing evidence mainly from the print media, we will: (a) investigate the trajectory and context of political insults in Ghanaian Newspapers and (b) examine how Ghanaian newspapers report insults that are targeted at political actors. In order to present a more critical and nuanced analysis, we shall engage in content, contextual and inter-textual analysis of contents that are of the nature of political insults presented in newspapers. While we concede to the view that there has been preponderance of political insults peddled through the Ghanaian media under the fourth republic, we will contend that: (a) the use of insults are not new to Ghana’s political culture and that it even predates the colonial encounter. What is new, however, is the contrived, aggressive, and acrimonious motive implied in the present-day political insults. (b) That the incidence of political insults of the nature peddled through the media presently is traceable to the early part of 1950s – a period that epitomised aggressive politicking in the contemporary political history of Ghana.
Asante, B.
Department of History Seminar. Winneba, Ghana Jan 2016
Paper presented:
Twi Expressions of Liberalism
Abstract
Liberalism is generally perceived to be a Western culture, especially its so-called unbridled permissiveness. Against this background, the Paper examined a number of Twi expressions to verify the presence or otherwise of the liberal culture in Ghanaian culture and society. This was premised on the hypothesis that language is the essence of culture. It concluded that there is abundance of liberal ideas in Ghanaian culture as manifested in numerous Twi proverbs and sayings. Consequently, liberalism is not necessarily a Western culture; it is only a matter of degree.
Liberalism is generally perceived to be a Western culture, especially its so-called unbridled permissiveness. Against this background, the Paper examined a number of Twi expressions to verify the presence or otherwise of the liberal culture in Ghanaian culture and society. This was premised on the hypothesis that language is the essence of culture. It concluded that there is abundance of liberal ideas in Ghanaian culture as manifested in numerous Twi proverbs and sayings. Consequently, liberalism is not necessarily a Western culture; it is only a matter of degree.
Asante, B.
Developing Society Through Human Security and Social Justice. Jophus Anamoah-Mensah Auditorium March 15-16, 2016
Paper presented:
Will Ghana Ever Become Norway, South Korea, Singapore or Malaysia : A Historical Prophecy?
Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper sought to answer a perennial question that has been on the minds of Ghanaians since somewhere 1964, and which agitates the minds not only of Ghanaians but Africa as a whole. Combining elements of pure argumentation and deductions from the political history of Ghana, the paper identifies the fundamental problem of Ghana’s economy since independence as reliance on primary production whose prices fluctuate widely on the world market with a high tendency for the prices to take a downward swing and argues that it is only the right type of leadership rather than any other factor- e.g. foreign aid- that can deliver the nation from this predicament. It then goes ahead to situate this type of leadership theoretically and concludes on the optimistic note that such a leader is already present in every generation and given certain circumstances the person will emerge to salvage the nation. It is only the exact time that the paper cannot tell as it depends on human will. This optimism is predicated on a similar age-old problem that the nation once overcame through the right type of leader.
ABSTRACT This paper sought to answer a perennial question that has been on the minds of Ghanaians since somewhere 1964, and which agitates the minds not only of Ghanaians but Africa as a whole. Combining elements of pure argumentation and deductions from the political history of Ghana, the paper identifies the fundamental problem of Ghana’s economy since independence as reliance on primary production whose prices fluctuate widely on the world market with a high tendency for the prices to take a downward swing and argues that it is only the right type of leadership rather than any other factor- e.g. foreign aid- that can deliver the nation from this predicament. It then goes ahead to situate this type of leadership theoretically and concludes on the optimistic note that such a leader is already present in every generation and given certain circumstances the person will emerge to salvage the nation. It is only the exact time that the paper cannot tell as it depends on human will. This optimism is predicated on a similar age-old problem that the nation once overcame through the right type of leader.
Brako, I.
Weekly Seminar Series of Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Legonl. Kofi Drah Conference Hall, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 25th April 2015
Paper presented:
Into HIPC, Out of HIPC and Into HIPC Again: Excessive Borrowing and Reckless Spending Plunge Ghana’s Economy into Abyss
Abstract
Ghana attained political independence from British rule with her economy on a sound footing. Due to spate of military coups d’etat, bad governance and economic mismanagement, the economy of the country which had the accolade of being the model colony of the British, lapsed into the abyss of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) after forty years of independence. Between 2004 and 2008, this once HIPC economy picked up very strongly leading to country weaning herself from the grips of the Breton Woods’ institutions (BWIs). Just within a space of six years the country’s economy has lapsed into HIPC again due to reckless and excessive borrowing, gross economic mismanagement, profligate spending, naked looting from the national kitty and unbridled corruption. The paper dilates on the factors that have contributed to the worsening economic situation and offers measures to salvage the malaise. Data are obtained from both primary and secondary sources and are situated in the context of dependency theory of development as well as elite theory of policy implementation. The study discusses how both theories have contributed to shape Ghana’s economy and establishes that it is bad policies rather than the policies of the Breton Wood’s Institutions which have been the bane of the country’s predicament.
Ghana attained political independence from British rule with her economy on a sound footing. Due to spate of military coups d’etat, bad governance and economic mismanagement, the economy of the country which had the accolade of being the model colony of the British, lapsed into the abyss of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) after forty years of independence. Between 2004 and 2008, this once HIPC economy picked up very strongly leading to country weaning herself from the grips of the Breton Woods’ institutions (BWIs). Just within a space of six years the country’s economy has lapsed into HIPC again due to reckless and excessive borrowing, gross economic mismanagement, profligate spending, naked looting from the national kitty and unbridled corruption. The paper dilates on the factors that have contributed to the worsening economic situation and offers measures to salvage the malaise. Data are obtained from both primary and secondary sources and are situated in the context of dependency theory of development as well as elite theory of policy implementation. The study discusses how both theories have contributed to shape Ghana’s economy and establishes that it is bad policies rather than the policies of the Breton Wood’s Institutions which have been the bane of the country’s predicament.
Faculty of Social Sciences EducationAug 26, 2015
Brako, I. & Asah-Asante, K.
Weekly Seminar Series of Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Legonl. Kofi Drah Conference Hall, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 25th April 2015
Paper presented:
Into HIPC, Out of HIPC and Into HIPC Again: Excessive Borrowing and Reckless Spending Plunge Ghana’s Economy into Abyss
Abstract
Ghana attained political independence from British rule with her economy on a sound footing. Due to spate of military coups d’etat, bad governance and economic mismanagement, the economy of the country which had the accolade of being the model colony of the British, lapsed into the abyss of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) after forty years of independence. Between 2004 and 2008, this once HIPC economy picked up very strongly leading to country weaning herself from the grips of the Breton Woods’ institutions (BWIs). Just within a space of six years the country’s economy has lapsed into HIPC again due to reckless and excessive borrowing, gross economic mismanagement, profligate spending, naked looting from the national kitty and unbridled corruption. The paper dilates on the factors that have contributed to the worsening economic situation and offers measures to salvage the malaise. Data are obtained from both primary and secondary sources and are situated in the context of dependency theory of development as well as elite theory of policy implementation. The study discusses how both theories have contributed to shape Ghana’s economy and establishes that it is bad policies rather than the policies of the Breton Wood’s Institutions which have been the bane of the country’s predicament.
Ghana attained political independence from British rule with her economy on a sound footing. Due to spate of military coups d’etat, bad governance and economic mismanagement, the economy of the country which had the accolade of being the model colony of the British, lapsed into the abyss of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) after forty years of independence. Between 2004 and 2008, this once HIPC economy picked up very strongly leading to country weaning herself from the grips of the Breton Woods’ institutions (BWIs). Just within a space of six years the country’s economy has lapsed into HIPC again due to reckless and excessive borrowing, gross economic mismanagement, profligate spending, naked looting from the national kitty and unbridled corruption. The paper dilates on the factors that have contributed to the worsening economic situation and offers measures to salvage the malaise. Data are obtained from both primary and secondary sources and are situated in the context of dependency theory of development as well as elite theory of policy implementation. The study discusses how both theories have contributed to shape Ghana’s economy and establishes that it is bad policies rather than the policies of the Breton Wood’s Institutions which have been the bane of the country’s predicament.
Faculty of Social Sciences EducationAug 26, 2015
Ishmael Yaw Dadson
Ghana Geographical Association Annual Conference. Notre Dame SHS, Fiapre-Sunyani, Ghana 26 - 30th August, 2014
Paper presented:
COASTAL EROSION OR ACCRETION? AN ANALYSIS OF SHORELNE CHANGE ALONG CAPE COAST - SEKONDI COASTLINE IN GHANA
Abstract
Coastal erosion and accretion bring several changes along the coastline which they occur. It is a fact that coastal erosion leads to land loss while accretion builds up the land. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics involved in these important phenomena that occur along the coast. The study was intended to investigate the extent of changes along the shoreline/coastline between Cape Coast and Sekondi spanning for 41 years. The rate of erosion and accretion was investigated through laboratory analysis using samples of pebbles and sand. Changes along the shoreline were analysed through Digital Shoreline Analysis Systems (DSAS) using End Point Rate method. In addition, 45 respondents were also purposively selected for the study while photographic images were also used. It was found out that both natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to changes along the coastlines under investigation. The changes are not continuous as there are periods of erosion leading to loss of land alternated by periods of accretion leading to building up of the coast. Based on the findings, it was recommended that any strategy to deal with changes occurring at the coastlines should take into consideration both the natural and human factors.
Coastal erosion and accretion bring several changes along the coastline which they occur. It is a fact that coastal erosion leads to land loss while accretion builds up the land. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics involved in these important phenomena that occur along the coast. The study was intended to investigate the extent of changes along the shoreline/coastline between Cape Coast and Sekondi spanning for 41 years. The rate of erosion and accretion was investigated through laboratory analysis using samples of pebbles and sand. Changes along the shoreline were analysed through Digital Shoreline Analysis Systems (DSAS) using End Point Rate method. In addition, 45 respondents were also purposively selected for the study while photographic images were also used. It was found out that both natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to changes along the coastlines under investigation. The changes are not continuous as there are periods of erosion leading to loss of land alternated by periods of accretion leading to building up of the coast. Based on the findings, it was recommended that any strategy to deal with changes occurring at the coastlines should take into consideration both the natural and human factors.
Faculty of Social Sciences EducationAug 26, 2015
Ishamel Yaw Dadson
Ghana Geographical Association Annual Conference. Notre Dame SHS, Fiapre-Sunyani, Ghana 26 - 30th August, 2014
Paper presented:
COASTAL EROSION OR ACCRETION? AN ANALYSIS OF SHORELNE CHANGE ALONG CAPE COAST - SEKONDI COASTLINE IN GHANA
Abstract
Coastal erosion and accretion bring several changes along the coastline which they occur. It is a fact that coastal erosion leads to land loss while accretion builds up the land. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics involved in these important phenomena that occur along the coast. The study was intended to investigate the extent of changes along the shoreline/coastline between Cape Coast and Sekondi spanning for 41 years. The rate of erosion and accretion was investigated through laboratory analysis using samples of pebbles and sand. Changes along the shoreline were analysed through Digital Shoreline Analysis Systems (DSAS) using End Point Rate method. In addition, 45 respondents were also purposively selected for the study while photographic images were also used. It was found out that both natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to changes along the coastlines under investigation. The changes are not continuous as there are periods of erosion leading to loss of land alternated by periods of accretion leading to building up of the coast. Based on the findings, it was recommended that any strategy to deal with changes occurring at the coastlines should take into consideration both the natural and human factors.
Coastal erosion and accretion bring several changes along the coastline which they occur. It is a fact that coastal erosion leads to land loss while accretion builds up the land. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics involved in these important phenomena that occur along the coast. The study was intended to investigate the extent of changes along the shoreline/coastline between Cape Coast and Sekondi spanning for 41 years. The rate of erosion and accretion was investigated through laboratory analysis using samples of pebbles and sand. Changes along the shoreline were analysed through Digital Shoreline Analysis Systems (DSAS) using End Point Rate method. In addition, 45 respondents were also purposively selected for the study while photographic images were also used. It was found out that both natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to changes along the coastlines under investigation. The changes are not continuous as there are periods of erosion leading to loss of land alternated by periods of accretion leading to building up of the coast. Based on the findings, it was recommended that any strategy to deal with changes occurring at the coastlines should take into consideration both the natural and human factors.
Faculty of Social Sciences EducationAug 26, 2015
Owusu-Mensah, I
Young Topologist Meeting. Copenhagen, Denmark June 30th – July 4th, 2014
Paper presented:
Topological Social Choice Model.
Abstract
The topological approach to social choice was developed by Graciela Chichilnisky in the beginning of the eighties, all the fundamental results about the social choice have been established by B. Eckmann in 1954 through the use of n − mean spaces, this presentation extensively discusses these results in a self contained way through the use of spaces of n − mean, groups with means and H-space and end with open questions relating to the main results obtained so far.
The topological approach to social choice was developed by Graciela Chichilnisky in the beginning of the eighties, all the fundamental results about the social choice have been established by B. Eckmann in 1954 through the use of n − mean spaces, this presentation extensively discusses these results in a self contained way through the use of spaces of n − mean, groups with means and H-space and end with open questions relating to the main results obtained so far.
Faculty of Science and Environment EducationJul 19, 2015
Taluah, A. R.
Kofi Awoonor and the Challenge of History International Symposium. University of Ghana - Legon, Accra, Ghana September 17th – 19th 2014.
Paper presented:
Kofi Awoonor: The Man and Teacher
Abstract
Throughout history, men have often been too good at glorifying their fellow men only when they have passed on into the hereafter. This gilt is even so strong as I pen down these words to express what I deem my personal experiences with the man and teacher, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor. To say I am burdened by grief will be an understatement. Since my first encounter with Professor Awoonor, I have always referred to him as my academic dad. It was on his firm shoulders that I took my first flight into academic consciousness. Indeed, I am most indebted to the Almighty God for making me what I am today and if I ever want to thank the Almighty for bringing an impactful person in my life, Professor Awoonor stands out amongst a few others. Like many other students, I first met Professor Awoonor in his well known poem "The Cathedral." I must confess that the poem enthralled me with its sententious aphorisms and it's skillful dribble of metaphor and imagery. I had thought to myself: "What is the force that drives men to weave such beautiful yet thought provoking works of art." This poem first ignited the creative sensibilities in me. I fell in love with the poem and poet at once. I had met Professor Awoonor in the Selection of African Poetry and later got to know him from my creative writing classes and other courses that he taught in the Department of English, University of Ghana. Professor Awoonor tries to express the wisdom of our ancestors; purely an academic view and he is deemed cruel. He takes pride in his roots as an Ewe, and overall an African and he is said to be tribalistic. My encounter with Professor Awoonor however reveals the contrary. There are several virtues about the man and teacher that most people are yet to know.
Throughout history, men have often been too good at glorifying their fellow men only when they have passed on into the hereafter. This gilt is even so strong as I pen down these words to express what I deem my personal experiences with the man and teacher, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor. To say I am burdened by grief will be an understatement. Since my first encounter with Professor Awoonor, I have always referred to him as my academic dad. It was on his firm shoulders that I took my first flight into academic consciousness. Indeed, I am most indebted to the Almighty God for making me what I am today and if I ever want to thank the Almighty for bringing an impactful person in my life, Professor Awoonor stands out amongst a few others. Like many other students, I first met Professor Awoonor in his well known poem "The Cathedral." I must confess that the poem enthralled me with its sententious aphorisms and it's skillful dribble of metaphor and imagery. I had thought to myself: "What is the force that drives men to weave such beautiful yet thought provoking works of art." This poem first ignited the creative sensibilities in me. I fell in love with the poem and poet at once. I had met Professor Awoonor in the Selection of African Poetry and later got to know him from my creative writing classes and other courses that he taught in the Department of English, University of Ghana. Professor Awoonor tries to express the wisdom of our ancestors; purely an academic view and he is deemed cruel. He takes pride in his roots as an Ewe, and overall an African and he is said to be tribalistic. My encounter with Professor Awoonor however reveals the contrary. There are several virtues about the man and teacher that most people are yet to know.
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
Taluah, A. R.
7th International Youth Forum: Right to Dialogue - “Europe/Not Europe: Knowledge, Identity, Dialogue” (Debates, Cultural and Artistic Events, Friendship). Trieste, Italy October 3rd – 5th 2014.
Paper presented:
The Haunting Images of the West in Ghanaian Creative Arts: Tradition versus Innovation.
Abstract
Many literary artists and critics in time past have affirmed the significance of tradition as a source of inspiration in creative works. Though the driving force in moulding a creative work such as a poem is innate, a true artist must have knowledge of a given tradition or traditions to excel in the enterprise. In quite recent times however, much of the poetry by budding poets tends to imitate Western forms in lieu of the traditional. This paper is therefore an attempt to address the effects of foreign traditions on the creative abilities of the Ghanaian youth. It traces the antecedents that are most likely to have caused the negative outlook towards most indigenous traditions in Ghana to the embrace of Western traditions. It also examines some pertinent issues in the educational system in Ghana and the impact of the English language as the language of instruction and its effects on the culture of the creative arts.
Many literary artists and critics in time past have affirmed the significance of tradition as a source of inspiration in creative works. Though the driving force in moulding a creative work such as a poem is innate, a true artist must have knowledge of a given tradition or traditions to excel in the enterprise. In quite recent times however, much of the poetry by budding poets tends to imitate Western forms in lieu of the traditional. This paper is therefore an attempt to address the effects of foreign traditions on the creative abilities of the Ghanaian youth. It traces the antecedents that are most likely to have caused the negative outlook towards most indigenous traditions in Ghana to the embrace of Western traditions. It also examines some pertinent issues in the educational system in Ghana and the impact of the English language as the language of instruction and its effects on the culture of the creative arts.
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
