Exploring African-centred social work education: the Ghanaian experience
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Social Work Education
Abstract
Through the years, there has been regular discourse among African
social work scholars regarding the production of Indigenous knowledge in Africa. Most of the arguments hold that social work knowledge creation and production is often based on Eurocentric
approaches due to the dearth of African-centered social work literature from the continent. This paper attempts to explore the
intellectual and philosophical underpinnings of African-centered
social work education and practice. Using Ghana as a case study,
information is provided on theoretical and conceptual thought
processes about African-centered social work education in
response to the shortage of insights about African culture.
Using purposive and availability sampling, we recruited three
graduate students to be interviewed. The interviews were analyzed
using thematic inquiry. We explored African paradigms and argued
that the practice of social work education on the continent of Africa
should not be based on the Eurocentric approaches only, to the
detriment of traditional African ways of knowing. We believe that
for social work education in Africa to thrive, we should embrace
Indigenous African practices and values of spirituality, collectivity,
interconnectedness, and reciprocity
Description
Research Article
Keywords
African-centered, Global South, indigenous