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A Study Of Family Planning Practices Among The Muslims Of Ashaiman
(University Of Ghana, 2020) Sadiq, A.M
The state of poverty among Muslims in Ashaiman is very high. Yet, Muslims continue to produce children in large numbers relative to their earnings. This poverty situation has affected the quality of family life. Family planning practice by Muslim couples is also very low. It is for this reason that this research was organized to examine the situation. For this purpose, Muslim couples, Religious leaders and family planning officials in the Ashaiman Municipality were interviewed to collect data for this study. At the end of the research, it was discovered that men have the final say in matters concerning family planning practice. Women are not normally given the opportunity to contribute to discussions concerning the subject. This has led to some of them secretly accessing family planning services even without the knowledge and agreement of their spouses. Based on the findings outlined above, the researcher suggests that men’s superiority over women should be discouraged in order to open the opportunities for all to come together to make decisions regarding the peaceful co-existence and progress of the family. Husbands should not be the only ones to decide when to embark on family planning. It is prudent the engagement and involvement of relevant religious leaders in family planning are sought. All these stakeholders must be educated on the issue of family planning due to the erroneous conviction held by some Muslim men that Islam scowls and condemns the practice.
An Academic in Politics: A Study of Emeritus Professor Albert Adu Boahen, 1932-2006
(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Ashong, T.
The mid-twentieth century undoubtedly marked a watershed in African history and historiography. One striking feature of the period was the emergence of a new crop of African historians who were poised to challenge the hegemony of Eurocentric scholarship. Kenneth O. Dike, a prominent Nigerian historian blazed the trail with his magnum opus Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta, 1830-1885. In Ghana, the trailblazer was Prof. Albert Adu Boahen who was a teacher, scholar and an astute politician. As a teacher, he taught and mentored students while researching and writing about the Ghanaian and African past. He was a staunch critic of military rule and always laid emphasis on constitutional governance, the freedom of speech, and freedom of the individual. In spite of his remarkable contribution to the country, existing literature has only had a cursory look at him. Thus, a specific scholarly study devoted to his life and career is yet to be written. This study therefore provides a scholarly biography of Prof. Albert Adu Boahen. The study maintains that Adu Boahen was not just a renowned historian who contributed to pioneering Ghanaian and African historiography; but was also instrumental in attempts to consolidate democratic culture in Ghana. This study makes use of archival evidence from the private archives of Adu Boahen and PRAAD in Accra. In addition, secondary sources including relevant books, dissertations, academic articles and photographs are interrogated. These sources are augmented with extensive interviews conducted with relatives, friends and colleagues of Adu Boahen. Overall, this study provides a scholarly biography of Adu Boahen in order to show his contributions to Ghanaian and African historiography, academic institutions and professional associations. In addition, the study shows Adu Boahen’s place in Ghana’s struggle for democracy and constitutional governance since the early years of independence.
Accountability in Governance A Comparative Study of Athenian And Ghanaian Institutions of Accountab
(2011-07) Gyamfi, K.; Adenkannbi, G.O.; Ackah, E.K.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Arts, Department of Philosophy and Classics
The ability of citizens to scrutinise officials is a long-standing power, and central to the strength of democracy. Consequently, it is of critical importance to the well being of any society, and the individuals who are a part of it, that their government, and the people who manage it, are held highly accountable for their actions or, in some cases, their failure to act, since this helps to minimise human deprivation and corruption. For ancient Athenians, making officials accountable through strengthened institutions of public accountability — such as the Heliaia (the populr tribunal or the supreme court of the land), the dokimasia(an investigative body constituted either by the boule or in the heliaia, to test whether a man was formally qualified to hold an office), the euthyna (the body that examined the accounts of every public official),the boule (the popular council or the council of citizens appointed to run daily affairs of the city) and the ecclesia (the principal assembly of the Athenian democracy) — was the key to lent. This thesis concentrates on the systems and procedures two institution^ ^^accountability in the oldest established democratic government in the world (A th en s),% ^d o y flia1a§;and the euthyna, and attempts to establish a correlation between the two institutions of accountability aforementioned with two institutions of accountability for public officials (the appointments committee of parliament and the audit service) in one of the first country to achieve independence in sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana). The euthyna was the companion of the dokimasia. Dokimasia and euthyna were ways of ensuring the proper public behaviour of politicians. The dokimasia was an obligatory procedure by which a jury checked that those voted in or drawn by lot for a particular official position were entitled to hold it. The euthyna occurred at the end of the official s tenure, and was compulsory for all citizens elected or allotted to perform public duties, bar jury members. The procedure of euthyna came in two parts. First, there was a financial audit to ensure that the official had not embezzled money (klope), or accepted bribes (dora). Second, the official faced investigation in the open agora, at which any citizen who wished (ho boulomenos) might bring forward accusations of neglect of duty or improper use of power. An in-depth study of the appointments committee of parliament and the audit service of the present Ghanaian democratic dispensation reveals that these state institutions of accountability share some similarities and dissimilarities lessons can be derived from the Athenian experience for advancing the emerging
An Analysis of Rawls’ Reflective Equilibrium as a Method of Justification in Ethics
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Quansah, P.K.
It is undeniable that people have beliefs about what actions are morally right. These beliefs play an important role in guiding moral action. Can beliefs about what actions are morally right be justified? How can they be justified? Sinnott-Armstrong has advanced an epistemic regress ar-gument against the justification of moral beliefs with the consequence that moral beliefs cannot be justified. This research looks at the subject of the justification of moral beliefs with the view of answering the question about how moral beliefs can be justified in response to Sinnott-Armstrong‘s epis-temic regress argument. It argues for the plausibility of Rawls‘ reflective equilibrium as an ade-quate method of justification of moral beliefs while showing the inadequacies of the intuitionist method and naturalistic epistemology as alternative methods of justification of moral beliefs. The arguments and ideas of philosophers such as W. D Ross, Richard Boyd, John Rawls, Robert Audi and others who have reflected on the subject of the justification of moral beliefs will be ex-tensively and critically examined.
An Analysis of the Challenges and Prospects of Convert to Islam in the Greater Accra Region
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Rahman, A.A; Sarbah, C.E; Sulemana, H.M; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Arts, Department of Religions
Ghana is not only a secular state that promotes freedom of religion and association but also a pluralistic religious society. As such, conversion from one religion to the other is a common phenomenon. Converts to Islam in the Greater Accra region are very important to the development of the faith. Unfortunately, they are confronted with some challenges but there appears to be no concerted efforts from the Muslim Community to ameliorate the plight of these converts. The research attempts to investigate these challenges and highlight them to the Muslim leadership so that appropriate measures are taken to address them. To be able to do this, the views of new converts to Islam and those who had returned to their former religion from Islam were solicited. Others were A’imah (Imams) and representatives of some Islamic Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations such as Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI), Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jama‟ah (ASWAJ), Voice of Islam (VOI) and Direct Aid (DA). The findings of the research showed that some of the converts to Islam were physically assaulted while others were neglected by their families as a result of their conversion. Others also found it difficult to access Islamic literature. As a result of these challenges, some became apostates while others lacked basic knowledge about Islam which negatively affected their practice of Islam. Though some Islamic Institutions, Islamic NGOs and individuals intervened by providing some English Translated Qur‟ans and cash donations, their support was not enough to address all the challenges. To enable converts to Islam maintain their faith and contribute meaningfully to the development of Islam, the research suggests that, a formal fund be established to take care of their financial needs. Also Islamic Institutions and Organization need to establish training centers to teach new converts to Islam and also counsel them to enable them overcome their initial psychological uncertainties. The research is relevant because, it provides findings on the challenges of converts to Islam and how to address them as far as the development of Islam is concerned.
Anthropology of Streetism: Documenting the Heritage Resources of Street Dwellers in Adabraka
(University of Ghana, 2020) Nsiah, S.
The phenomenon of working and living on the street is on the rise in most Third World Countries of which Ghana is no exception. There have been several investigations into the lives of street dwellers most of which have provided useful insights into understanding the causes, effects and remedies to this phenomenon. However, most of such works fail to identify and document the positive cultural constructions that can be learned or deduced from life in the streets. This research explored and drew insights from the day to day life of the street dwellers in Adabraka, and identified and documented some aspects of their ways of life that can be viewed as the heritage. Concluding on information gathered during my research through the use of an eclectic research methodology which included techniques of both ethnography and visual documentation, it was evident that street dwelling is not always bad as mostly perceived. There are some positive aspects of this way of life that can be learned by the ‘normal’ individual. The study, for instance, revealed that the attitude of determination and perseverance, the African concept of ‘Ubuntu’ and egalitarian lifestyles can be learnt from these street dwellers. Hence, it is worthy of documenting these ways of life which can be considered as heritage
Anthropology of Streetism: Documenting: The Heritage Resources of Street Dwellers in Adabraka
(University of Ghana, 2020) Nsiah, S.
The phenomenon of working and living on the street is on the rise in most Third World Countries of which Ghana is no exception. There have been several investigations into the lives of street dwellers most of which have provided useful insights into understanding the causes, effects and remedies to this phenomenon. However, most of such works fail to identify and document the positive cultural constructions that can be learned or deduced from life in the streets. This research explored and drew insights from the day to day life of the street dwellers in Adabraka, and identified and documented some aspects of their ways of life that can be viewed as the heritage. Concluding on information gathered during my research through the use of an eclectic research methodology which included techniques of both ethnography and visual documentation, it was evident that street dwelling is not always bad as mostly perceived. There are some positive aspects of this way of life that can be learned by the ‘normal’ individual. The study, for instance, revealed that the attitude of determination and perseverance, the African concept of ‘Ubuntu’ and egalitarian lifestyles can be learnt from these street dwellers. Hence, it is worthy of documenting these ways of life which can be considered as heritage.
An Appraisal of Laurence Bonjour’s Internalist Foundationalism as a Theory of Epistemic Justification
(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Arthur, S.D.; Lauer, H.; Ackah, K.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Arts, Department of Philosophy and Classics
This thesis focuses on the issue of how we, human beings, can show that our beliefs about our physical environment are justified. This is called the concept of epistemic justification. What is central to the concept of epistemic justification is the epistemic regress problem (regress problem). In relation to the regress problem, I will examine Laurence BonJour‟s thesis that basic beliefs which are „immediately‟ obtained from our sensory contacts with physical objects adequately prove other beliefs of ours as instances of justified beliefs. With this account, he claims that he has resolved the regress problem. Moreover, BonJour denies as inadequate D. M. Armstrong‟s and C. I. Lewis‟ various proposed solutions to the regress problem. My view is that BonJour‟s criticisms against the above mentioned philosophers are generally tenable. Nonetheless, I will argue that BonJour‟s own account fails to be adequate in resolving the regress problem. Hence, the analysis made in this study will show that his notion of basic beliefs cannot serve as adequate basis for justification.
An Archaeological Investigation Conducted at Okai Koi Hill (Ayawaso) and Its Significance for Iron Age archaeology in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 1990-03) Bredwa-Mensah, Y.
Archaeology in Ghana has a long and respectable tradition especially in relation to other areas in the West African sub-region. Despite this encouraging situation, significant gaps still exist in our understanding of the History of some early societies in Ghana. The need to apply an archaeological research strategy holistic in approach as a means of reconstructing a general and broad history of ancient Ghanaian societies, to fill in the gaps, cannot be over-emphasised. It is in this vein that this research on the Ga of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana was undertaken. The Ga,who occupy the western Accra Plains, founded early settlements some of which are in ruins, from the coast to a few kilometers inland. This research, focused on Ayawaso, the former capital of the Ga, which was referred to in early European written documents as Great Accra
An Archaeological Investigation of Gonja Dimbia, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Margretta, M.; Boachie-Ansah, J.; Kankpeyeng, B.W.
This research describes and interprets the material culture of Gonja Dimbia, an abandoned settlement of the Gonja located at Sabule in the Kintampo South District of Ghana. Data from archaeological survey and oral traditions facilitated the understanding of the chronology of the settlement and the lifeways of its occupants over the different periods. The data also confirms aspects of human agency in the formation of the dark soils. The study has also examined elements of identity and socio-political complexity at Gonja Dimbia through the ceramic, faunal and flora assemblages in the presence and absence of certain species. The methods adopted for the study include reconnaissance survey, collection of oral traditions, the use of archival and documentary sources and excavation. Archaeological excavation has revealed two Iron Age occupations separated by a short period represented by a thin layer of soil devoid of archaeological finds. Radiocarbon dates indicate that the site’s inception dates to the 14 th century, at a time predating the arrival of the Gonja in the area. This indicates that before the arrival of the Gonja, there was a settlement at Gonja Dimbia. Excavated finds include pottery characterized by various and numerous vessel types which were probably used as cooking and storage vessels and possibly as lamps; pieces of iron slag suggesting the presence of iron workers at the site; an iron arrowhead, suggesting hunting and/or warfare; a carved ivory probably part of a bracelet and an iron bracelet, all indicative of body ornamentation. The similarity of the pottery in the two occupation periods or levels and the thin layer of soil separating the two occupations suggest that the site was abandoned and was re-occupied by people of similar ceramic tradition as the earliest settlers. The pottery has also affinities with pottery from Begho, Bonoso, Twemma, Kaam, Bono Manso, Amuowi I, Amuowi II, Ohene Ameyaw Anim, Daboya, New Buipe and Yendi Dabari. The 14 th century date for the inception of the site confirms the view expressed by other archaeologists that Silima (Design-Painted) Ware predates the arrival of the Gonja. The gap between the two occupations may indicate the period of Gonja invasion of the area. The faunal remains indicate that the site’s inhabitants subsisted on both wild and domestic animals and the grindstones suggest a diet of pulverized grains and vegetables. The remains of Achatina achatina, creatures tabooed by the Gonja suggest that Gonja Dimbia, like many other Gonja settlements, had non-Gonja residents who were probably ruled by the Gonja. The Achatina achatina shells are also indicative of contact between the Gonja Dimbia area and the forest regions of Ghana. The presence of horses, prestigious animals kept by chiefs and the rich and used in warfare and various ceremonies, is indicative of social stratification at Gonja Dimbia. The presence of cultural materials in the dark humus soil in the excavated units would seem to support the view that the dark humus soils in the Sabule area have a relationship with human activities and that they are anthropogenic in nature. Oral traditions are silent about when the Gonja abandoned Gonja Dimbia. The carbon dates obtained for the site were processed from samples collected far below the surface of the site. Dates from samples closer to the surface are therefore needed to throw light on the date of the site’s abandonment.
An archaeological Investigation of Larteh Amanfu (Amanfro)
(University of Ghana, 2021-09) Appiah, A.L.
The geographical area of Akuapem has witnessed a spate of historical, sociological and archaeological investigations in the past. However, there is a cloying silence on the discourse of archaeology in the Larteh area. Thus, the history of Larteh from an archaeological perspective is limited. This archaeological investigation was carried out at Larteh Amanfu, the ancient settlement quarter of present-day Larteh people, to throw more light on the history as well as past socio-economic and cultural lifeways of the people of Larteh. A synergic relationship was established among the archaeological data, ethno-historical account, ethnographic data, and documentary records. This provided holistic account of the lifeways of the inhabitants of the site. Additionally, the study sought to establish cultural affinities, chronology of the site, economic, political and socio-cultural transformations that had occurred at Larteh as a result of their interactions with other communities. Both the “Object-Centered Approach” and the “Object-Driven Approach” to studying material culture as espoused by Bernard L. Herman served as the theory that guided the interpretation of the finds. The study revealed that Larteh Amanfu was a multi-purpose settlement. That is, it served as both a market centre and the home of the ancestors of present-day Larteh people. Also, the study revealed that Amanfu was an organized society with structured leadership systems, and social stratification. This study highlights the subsistence strategies, religious worldview, medicinal practices, and body adornments of the occupants of the site. Furthermore, the study shed light on trade relations with the Dangme people of Krobo and Shai, as well as Larteh’s relationship with other neighboring Akuapem towns, Akyem and Akwamu. This study has revealed that the inhabitants of Larteh Amanfu obtained their food from both wild and domesticated species. The study revealed that Larteh’s interaction with other nearby towns had accounted for some changes in their political administration exemplified by Akan Chieftaincy institution at Larteh as opposed to the pre-existing Guan priestly leadership. Also, the celebration of the Odwira festival is a signifier of Larteh’s borrowing of Akan worldview, chieftaincy, and eschatology. Continuity was observed in the archaeological record. This is based on the fact that cultural materials, such as, potsherds, metals, bones, mollusc shells, and stone tools (nyame akuma and a quern) were recovered from all the three layers of the excavated trench. Similarly, most vessels forms, dominant decorative motifs, and surface treatment of the sherds (burnished, unburnished, and smudged sherds) were present in all the three layers of the excavated trench. I showed that continuity exists between the archaeological record and the ethnographic present. The continuous use of grinding stones and pottery in Larteh indicates no break with the past. Equally significant is the fact that the Larteh people still go to the forest groves at Amanfu to perform various rites during Odwira and Ohum festivals. They also farm at the Amanfu site as they had done.
An Archaeological Investigation of Selected Ewe-Danish Contact Sites at Keta, Volta Region, Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2017) Gokah, B.
This research presents the results of an archaeological investigation conducted at Keta. It teases out the migration and settlement history of the Anlo people. Information gathered from oral tradition, reconnaissance survey, ethnography and material remains from archaeological excavations have been used to reconstruct socio-economic and cultural lifeways of the people, to provide information on early subsistence economy and socio cultural interactions and relationships between the various sections of the settlement. It also identifies current socio-economic lifeways that can be attributed to Euro-Ewe contact. Material cultural studies have been the backbone of the research. Datable European material remains date the excavated sites from the 17th to the 20th century. The faunal remains excavated at Fort Prinzenstein (where the Europeans resided) and the Ghana Stores Bar (where Africans resided) as well as the locally manufactured pottery are similar, an indication that the residents of the fort as well as the native population depended on similar sources of protein and pottery. The European residents of the fort therefore adapted to local conditions. The Europeans also affected the lifestyle of the local people as the smoking pipes and glass beads found at the Ghana Stores Bar testify. Fishing and fish processing, salt production, trading, animal husbandry, crop farming, kente weaving and mat weaving and iron smithing were the main occupation of the people. Faunal remains from fish, shell fish and domestic animals recovered from excavations testify to their exploitation for food and their role in the subsistence economy. Similar finds including locally manufactured pottery, European smoking pipes, bones, mollusc shells and glass beads were excavated from three different sections of the site, making it difficult to identify the use of space and gender relationships on the basis of the archaeological finds. A large number of churches and schools have sprung up in the area due to the role played by missionaries. Intermarriages among traders and locals have resulted in a “mulatto” population in the Keta area. Evidence of trade and interaction between Europeans and Africans can be seen in the form of European imported items as smoking pipes, glass beads, drinking glasses, alcoholic beverage and poison bottles and other metal objects such as nails. The locally manufactured potteries found at Fort Prinzenstein also testify to interaction between Europeans and Africans. This research will kindle further research at the site. The materials excavated will serve as museum exhibit and will facilitate a comparative study of Danish interactions.
An Archaeology of African and German Interactions at Adaklu-Waya, Volta Region
(university of Ghana, 2018-07) Amedekey, B.
The nineteenth century saw the scramble for territories in Africa by European powers. Germany a front-runner in this agendum employed several means in asserting their ideologies on the colonized. The joint activity of missionaries, administrators and merchants ensured that the colonized adopted German ideologies. One of the main reasons for the colonization of territories was economical, however; missionization was used as an overture to change the world views of the colonized. This was done to make it easy for the implementation of their plans. The Germans in their attempt to colonize territories were met with opposition at some places (e.g. Kete Krachi) and welcomed by others (e.g. Adaklu-Waya and Amedzofe). Missionization was an important factor in the German colonization process. The subject of German colonialism and missionary activities has been studied extensively historically and now archaeologically. This study investigated the German (Bremen) and African interactions at Adaklu-Waya. The research elucidates the interactions between the German missionaries and the Adaklu-Waya community. Ethnographic and material data gathered were reconciled with the documented accounts. Also, the study reveals the elements that influenced the interaction between the period 1855 and 1914 when the Germans left the country. Both the emic and etic perspectives were considered to help understand what transpired between the locals and the missionaries. Oral and documentary accounts, as well as the archaeological data, proved beyond doubt that there was contact with Germans at Adaklu-Waya. There was contact with other European countries such as England, France, and the Czekoslovakia. Significant changes were experienced as a result of the contact with Germans, however, this contact did not lead to a complete change in the existing ways of life of the people.
Archaeology of Cross-Cultural Interactions at Amedeka, Akuse, Eastern Region, Ghana
(University Of Ghana, 2016-07) Darko-Yeboah, B.
This study investigates the nature of interactions that existed at Amedeka and Akuse between Africans and Europeans. The objective of the study was to generate information on the legacy of multinational economic interactions at Amedeka and to derive additional archaeological data to facilitate reconstruction of past socio-economic and cultural life-ways in the area. It also sought to document factors which facilitated the growth of commercial network, identify the major local agents involved in trade and the reasons or factors that led to the collapse of commercial activity in the area in the early 20th century. The artefacts recovered helped establish a chronology of the site of Akuse-Amedeka. A multidisciplinary approach involving gathering of oral account, documentary and archival records, ethnographic and archaeological data were adopted in this study. The result revealed various levels of interactions (economic, social, political and cultural) between the local people and their European counterparts. The main reason for this interaction was the location of the research area which prevented Europeans from travelling up north to trade as a result of the presence of huge boulders of rocks in that part of the Volta River. This led to the establishment of multinational companies which attracted other local people from neighboring towns to the area, thus the multi-ethnic nature of the area. This research therefore gives an insight into an inland interaction at a 19th century port created at Amedeka leading to trade in various goods, including palm oil and cocoa which were exported in exchange for European materials. The study will therefore serve as a contribution to the study of inland trading activities and interactions in Ghana.
An Archaeology of Nkonya Wurupong and Its German Encounters, Volta Region, Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Owusu-Ansah, D.
This research revolved around the study of the precolonial and colonial cultural lifeways of the people of Nkonya Wurupong. This archaeological investigation was carried out to assess the impact of the 19th and 20th centuries cultural contacts and interactions among the Nkonya people and with other local groups of people (especially the Akan imperial forces) and the colonial authoritative force (Germans) in Nkonya Wurupong, Volta Region of Ghana. An eclectic approach was employed in this study in an attempt to understand and interpret the nature of these encounters and interactions among the various groups of people at Nkonya Wurupong. The eclectic approach included information gathered through a review of archival and documentary sources, ethnographic research, reconnaissance survey as well as archaeological excavations. The study revealed that the interactions between Nkonya Wurupong and the Akan imperial groups led to the usage of some Akan cultural traits in the Wurupong community. The study also revealed that the contacts between the indigenes of Wurupong and the German colonial administrators at Nkonya Wurupong brought about transformations in their education, healthcare services, religion and farming systems. The study has unearthed and provided insights into how the presence of the German colonials in Wurupong relegated the authority of the traditional set-up. The vestiges of the German colonial past in the area serve as shared heritage resources that buttress the presence of the Germans in the Wurupong community. Recommendations were also made on how best to develop the heritage resources of Nkonya Wurupong into tourist attractions.
An Archaeology of Obosomase, Eastern Region, Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Asare, S.L.
The Akwapem area has been the focus of several historical and archaeological investigations in the past but there has been no archaeological excavation at Obosomase to date, thus the cultural history of the town from an archeological perspective is unknown. The underlying theme that guided the conduct of this study was to reconstruct the lifeways of the past inhabitants of Obosomase using predominantly archaeologically sourced data. It was also to ascertain the existence or absence of continuity in the archeological record on the one hand and between the past and present-day inhabitants of Obosomase on the other. Datable archaeological materials clearly indicate that the excavated area of the site was occupied shortly after 1750 and continued to be occupied until the 20th century. A nexus was established amongst archeological data, oral accounts and ethnography in order to provide a comprehensive account of the lifeways of the past inhabitants of Obosomase. Material culture studies served as the theory guiding the interpretation of finds. The study of material culture from Obosomase has revealed that the community was not just a spiritual centre of the Akwapim state, a hub for fetish activity or a refuge for runaway slaves, but rather a multi-purpose settlement site. The research highlights the subsistence, religious and burial practices of the inhabitants and provides information on trade with external groups. The people of Obosomase sourced their foods from terrestrial, marine and fresh water sources; made a conscious effort to cure ailments in their homes; had trade links with the Krobo/ Shai area as well as with Europeans on the coast. A high degree of continuity was detected in the archeological record as evidenced by the fact that the popular vessel forms and the popular decorations were found in all the cultural layers of the excavated trench and test pit. Argument is made in this study for continuity between the archaeological record and the ethnographic present as evidenced by the continuous consumption of alcoholic beverages, and perpetuation of traditional medicinal and burial practices. Some level of discontinuity was observed in the use of clay pots as storage pots and as cooking vessels.
Archaeology of Prince's Town (Ghana)
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Nyarko, E.A.; Apoh, W.; Apaak, C.A.
This Archaeological research was undertaken at the town of Kpokeso now called Prince’s Town on the coast of Ghana, West Africa. Prince’s Town grew to fame in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as a trading post and a port of great importance in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Traders of many European nations including the Brandenburg, Holland, Denmark, France, Portugal and England once maintained permanent trading establishments on the Gold coast and traded with the Africans at Kpokeso as well as traders from other parts of the Gold Coast. These historical circumstances place Prince’s Town in a unique situation thus shedding light on the transformations and continuities experienced by an African society in the early period of extensive European trade contacts. This thesis discusses a research that is focused on understanding the nature of contacts and interactions that existed between Africans and Europeans at Prince’s Town during the Trans-Atlantic trading era. It also seeks to assess the contribution of the fort to the understanding of contacts and interactions between Africans and Europeans as well as gather data that inform on how the presence of the Brandenburg and other Europeans affected the people of Prince’s Town and their culture. The research seeks to establish a chronology for the site of Prince’s Town through the use of the artifacts from the excavation. The Archaeological research has demonstrated that materials from excavations combined with documentary evidence and oral histories provide insights into interactions between Africans and Europeans through trade contact. The research also indicates that there is no clear stratigraphic distribution between the Brandenburg period, the Dutch period and the English. This may be due to the choice of sites. The presence of European materials in African contexts provides insights into the African and European interaction. It has also revealed that the people of Prince’s Town are Nzima and not Ahanta and that the encounters with the Europeans did not largely influence their indigenous religion as the people go to church and still practise indigenous religion.
‘Being Ekklēsia’ According To Revelation 2:1 ̶3:22: An Exegetical And Theological Analysis
(University of Ghana, 2023) Zotoo, N.M.
The Greek word e vkklhsi ,a (congregation, assembly, gathering, ‘church’) designates the community of the followers of Jesus, the extension of his humanity, the locus where it is possible to experience his presence (cf. Matt. 18:20). Christian communities in Ghana have experienced an exponential growth, but they are besieged with two main challenges namely, diversity and fragmentation, and apparent low impact on the Ghanaian society. Their diversity and fragmentation raised a hermeneutic challenge because all appeal to the New Testament to define their identity and mission. Furthermore, their apparent low impact on the morality of Ghanaian society questions their authenticity and relevance. Against this backdrop, the research examined the identity and mission of the e vkklhsi ,a through an exegetical and theological analysis of Rev. 2⸻3. Holladay’s Theological Conversation Model was the theoretical framework that guided the study. The literary unit was analysed using Rhetorical Criticism, following Kennedy’s Rhetorical Criticism model, to discover how the literary unit portrays the identity and mission of the evkklhsi ,a, the rhetorical devices the author used to describe the features of the seven communities, and the perlocutionary effect of the text on its original readers. The research revealed that Rev. 2⸻3 portrayed the church as a spiritual entity created by God’s love (cf. 1:5; cf. Eph. 5:25) and designed to love God as well as love their fellow humans. She participates in the ‘world to come,’ lives in the horizon of the kingdom of God, and should embody its values, principles, and objectives. The e vkklhsi ,a as a ‘human’ entity is on a journey of continuous conversion (semper reformanda), to testify and imitate the Risen Lord, who is the faithful witness (cf. 1:5) and the Lamb who was slain (5:6). Conforming to her Lord, the church will be also persecuted. To impact his readers, the author employed several rhetorical devises such as: recipient formular, graphon imperative, tade legei formular, descriptive phrases about Jesus Christ, knowledge formular, indictment formular, exhortative formular, proclamation formular, promise of victory formular. The perlocutionary effect of the literary unit on the original readers was to offer comfort, and encouragement in time of crisis; to exhort them to persevere during persecution (cf. 2:10; 3:10-12). It urges them to pursue brotherly love, as a defining characteristic of the community of Jesus (cf. 2:5) and resist false teaching (cf. 2:2-3, 14-16, 20-23). It enjoins the churches to live a Christ-centered life and spirituality (cf. 2:20). The study recommends further research to contextualize the findings of this research in specific Christian communities in Ghana; furthermore, there is the need to study the theme of the identity and mission in the entire book of Revelation. Finally, the Christian communities in Ghana should commit to effective Bible training of their leaders and membership, to refocus their identity and mission on what is essential, discipleship of Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20), instead of popularized doctrines that are not biblically founded.
Bono States' Relations with Asante 1712 - 1959
(University of Ghana, 1999-09) Adum-Kyeremeh, K.
A study of the nature of Asante's relations with states in the bono part of the Bono Ahafo Region. The thesis also examines the response of the various Bono states to Asante imperial rule, and how those states which resisted Asante rule were treated by Asante chiefs. The study reveals that prior to the Asante Invasion of 1712, Asante traders bought kola, livestock and pottery from Bonduku, Abesim, Kyeraa, Manso,Tekyiman Ahenekwaku and other settlements in Bono. The invasion of 1712 notwithstanding, economic relations between the two increased. During the early 19th century, Atebubu and Bonduku became important market centers visited on a regular basis by Asante traders . Later in the 1880s, the Kintampo and Wankyi markets expanded into international ones patronized by Asante traders from North Africa. Politically, however, Asante conquest of Bono soured relations between Asante and the Bono States as a result of the frequent capture, and often the murder of Bono chiefs or their subjects. the conquests also resulted in the looting of gold resources of the states, and the replacement of legitimate Bono rulers by persons without any claim to legitimacy. Asante rule resulted in the polarization of Bono society, between pro-Bono and pro- Asante states. these factions became antagonistic towards each other , formed alliances with neighbours who shared their ideology, and fought each other on a number of occasions. Anti- Asante sentiment persisted and grew in intensity from the late 19th century. In pursuit of freedom and independence from Asante rule , the Bono people identified with the Convention Peoples Party (C.P.P) in the1950s. In consideration of their support for the C.P.P. in the general elections of 1954 and 1956, the Nkrumah regime rewarded the bono by constituting their states and Ahafo into an autonomous administrative regime in 1959.
Bremen Missionary Activities Among the Avatime: Their Socio-Economic and Religio- Cultural Impact
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Dzandzo, S.K.H.
As part of the Great Commission, European Missionaries took it upon themselves to evangelise in West Africa. They faced diverse challenges including language barrier and the effects of tropical diseases. However, their presence impacted the lives of the natives they lived with. In Ghana, the Bremen Missionaries are one of the major missionary groups to have propagated the Gospel in the then Gold Coast in the 1880’s. The principal focus of this study is to highlight fifty-eight years (1882-1940) of missionary activities by Bremen Mission and their socio-economic and religio-cultural impact on Avatime. The study adopted the qualitative research method to examine the topic. The researcher engaged in participant observations and used relevant text books as secondary sources. Focus Group Interviews were also conducted to elicit vital information from three main youth groups who were Christians, Muslims and Avatime Traditional Religious Activists. The study revealed some challenges faced by the Bremen missionaries and the strategies they implemented in order to overcome the challenges. The study also highlighted the overwhelming positive impacts the activities of the Bremen missionaries had on the entire way of life of the people of Avatime. In addition, this research drew attention to the relationship between the Bremen Mission and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Avatime. In the end, it was evident that, the spirit of co-operation exists among the various religious groups in Avatime although each group still maintains it doctrines. Finally, the study concludes that, within the Ghanaian context in general and Avatime in particular, mission should not only be seen in the proclamation of the word but also in the light of secular education that goes a long way to embrace enrichment of culture through science and technology.