University of Education, Winneba Online Journal System
Not a member yet
347 research outputs found
Sort by
SOLEMN TO SOULFUL: INFLUENCES OF POPULAR DANCE STYLES WITHIN LIGHTHOUSE CHAPEL, GHANA
Get PDFIn recent years, Christian worship has experienced considerable transformations, integrating numerous popular dance styles in worship. This transformation points to a growing recognition of the value of embodied worship and dance’s role in expressing devotion, praise, and spiritual connection. As a result, popular dances are becoming more accessible in Christian worship, influencing how Christians see and relate to their faith. This article explores the relationship between dance and Christian worship, specifically how popular dances are accepted and modified in religious settings (Anagkazo Assemblies, Captain of Salvation Cathedral, and Anagkazo Assemblies, The Mediator Cathedral of the Lighthouse group of churches). The study employs the qualitative approach, with the data collection being participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and visual documentation to understand these experiences. The phenomenological design effectively communicates the participants’ experiences with dance in their worship and their ascribed interpretations of the integration. The study explores which trending dance styles are becoming increasingly common in Christian worship, why they are incorporated, and how these activities affect the overall experience and worship atmosphere
Designing for Well-being: A Studio-Based Research Project on Producing an Educational Film for Women’s Health
Get PDFThis study examined the absence of culturally appropriate films for maternal health education in Ghana, where maternal mortality remains a critical concern. Grounded in semiotics and the Persuasive Health Message (PHM) framework, this research employs studio-based and qualitative methods to develop a culturally relevant educational film. During pre-production, consultations with health officers and pregnant women helped define educational objectives, identify audience needs and preferences, and determine suitable styles and formats. Feedback was systematically integrated throughout the production to refine the film’s form and content. The final film, which blends fictional and non fictional elements, aligns with the instructional approach commonly used in pregnancy schools. The final film’s syntagmatic structure conveys themes of threat, severity, susceptibility, efficacy, barriers, and rewards, while paradigmatic elements include relatable characters, colour schemes, lighting, sound effects, and compositing techniques that enhance cultural relevance and emotional engagement. The study concludes that the film serves as an educational resource on maternal education for maternal health officers in Ghana. Future research should assess its impact on knowledge acquisition, perceptions, and health behaviours among the target audience. This study gives insight and extends knowledge on the significance of integrating semiotics and PHM in film production practices for film-based health education production in Ghana
Dramaturgy of Activism: Austen-Peter’s ‘Man Enough’ and Fafunwa’s ‘Hear Word’ in Discourse
Get PDFTheatre activism is kaleidoscopic as it advocates for various issues in society with a universal trajectory - Change. In all aspects ranging
from political to social, cultural, or economic, the main line of discourse transcends reprimanding, advocating with a provocative tone to alienate and instruct the audience, steering a course of action in society. It is however observed that in searching for the immediate ephemeral actions of laughter, tears, and jeers, many directors ignore the dramaturgical influences of performances based on the magnitude of the psychological and after-effects of such sociological events. This research, therefore, interrogates the directorial interpretations of Bolanle Austen-Peters and Ifeoma Fafunwa in the staging of ‘Man Enough’ and ‘Hear Word’ respectively. These selected works are analyzed and juxtaposed against the concept of theatre activism with an emphasis on the implication of theatrics and subtexts, particularly in the dialogues of the works. The study employs Diana Taylor and Kershaw Baz’s theoretical perspective which suggests that to judge the efficacy of performance, instead of using the audience and questionnaires which in the past are inconclusive, one
should judge with the conditions of the performance as it is most likely to provide “efficacious results”. The study shows, therefore, that dialogue constitutes an important aspect of communication; hence, the message, as well as underlying associations, must likewise be structured for clarity in the avoidance of misinformation or misplaced priority
The Revival and Sustenance of Anlee and K??re Music among the Dagaaba Women of Sankana
Get PDFThis paper explores the challenges and prospects of sustaining Anlee
and K??re music, two traditional genres performed by the Dagaaba
women of Sankana in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Historically,
these musical traditions played a pivotal role in the social and cultural life
of the community. However, they have faced a steep decline in recent
times. This decline raises pressing concerns about the preservation of
cultural identity and heritage. Adopting a qualitative research approach,
data were collected through interview, participant observation and focus
group discussions. These primary sources were further complemented
by secondary materials, including library resources and internet-based
references. The findings revealed that, while Anlee and K??re music
are at risk of extinction, the women of Sankana have recognised their
cultural significance and are actively implementing strategies to revive
and sustain these traditions. Some of the challenges for their decline are
modernity, intertribal marriages and rural-to-urban migration. The study
emphasises that music remains an integral part of the Dagaaba people’s
cultural identity and serves as a vital connection to their heritage. This research underscores the urgency of safeguarding indigenous musical
forms to preserve the cultural heritage of the Dagaaba for future
generations. It also highlights the challenges posed by modernisation
and social transformation while shedding light on the resilience and
efforts of the women in protecting their musical traditions. The study
contributes to the broader discourse on cultural sustainability and the
preservation of intangible cultural heritage
AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE OF AFRICAN MUSIC ARTICULATED IN OPME MUSIC OF THE EFFUTU
Get PDFTraditionally, the aesthetics of music is concentrated on the quality
and study of the beauty and enjoyment of music. Through the writing
of Kant, the ancient term aesthetics (sensory perception) received its
present day connotation. The paper discusses the notion of aesthetic
experience in an African context without overlooking the western
concept of the beautiful and the sublime. The paper also suggests
the utility of aesthetics in the classroom. The purpose of this paper
is to explore the aesthetic experience in 4mp? as an analytical tool.
It looks at the choices or preferences that are exercised by music
makers and music users and the ideas behind them. Data for the
study was collected using observations, oral interviews and informal
interactions. The research question that directs the discussions in
this paper is: how does the 4mp? music maker and user interpret
the music in aesthetic terms. Findings indicate that the enjoyment
and appreciation of music is conveyed diversely, and aesthetic
experiences in music are tied to people’s values and tastes
NEW TRENDS IN ASAFO MUSIC PERFORMANCE: Modernity Contrasting Traditions
No full textThis paper considers the new trends that have taken place in asafo
musical performance, taking Kyirem Asafo No.1 of Ajumako Mando,
Ghana, as a case study. It seeks to examine the interplay between
tradition and innovation and the sociocultural impact. The study
describes the retrospective aspect of asafo music performance
some decades ago and goes on to bring to the fore some changes
that have been brought into it to sustain and modernize it. It is seen
that education and social change are powerful forces influencing
most innovations of asafo music. It calls for a concerted effort of all
traditional music makers to embrace the changes pertaining to asafo
musical performance and use them to modernize other existing
musical genres in their areas
Twenty-First Century Contemporary Ceramic Art in Ghana: Emerging Visual Language and Practice
Get PDFThis article provides a discussion on Ghanaian Ceramics and how expressions
have opened up in the visual art especially in the medium of ceramics
to bring Ghanaian Ceramics onto the international scene. It looks at how
colonialism impacted the Ghanaian Art scene and the lack of visibility due
to the Western canon and privileging particular art forms, schools and
exhibitions. It discusses how the Faculty of Art at the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has had significant role in
building connections to the international and how the foundation for a
stronger ceramics programme and practiced were developed. Through
reforms and emancipatory directions from some faculty members and
practitioners, contemporary Ghanaian ceramic practice is emerging on the
global scene and creating connections with the global fraternity. The new practice is becoming vital, forward looking, and imminently contemporary. The works produced currently by Ghanaian ceramic artists are strengthened
by rich and diverse forms of traditional Ghanaian ceramics and Ghanaian
cultural traditions broadly with less limitations to materiality and form
Informal Brass Band Instruction in Ghana: A Study of Effective and Efficient Rehearsals Using Research Findings
Get PDFThere have been series of concerns regarding Western wind instrumental instruction in Ghana mainly due to the lack of comprehensive wind band pedagogy curriculum in Ghanaian universities and Colleges of Education (CoE). The consequence of this lack is noticeable among both formal and informal wind instrumental ensembles across the country. Employing a mixed-method design, this research examined strategies that could lead to effective and efficient band rehearsals. Data was gathered concerning the proportion of instructional time spent on teaching techniques/skills and concepts, on active music making, and rehearsal management. From a review of the available literature on best rehearsal practices, new ways were designed to improve instrumental rehearsal in an informal setting. Findings revealed that the amount of time spent on the fundamentals and active music making increased over the course of the study thereby resulting in high technical capabilities and growth of both students and instructor. It was therefore recommended that Ghanaian band instructors work to increase their knowledge of instruments, including good playing technique, the ability to model effectively on a variety of instruments, and should develop a teaching style that is most appropriate to their learners
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIVE THEATRE AND THE OTHER MEDIA: A METAPHOR OF THE EPIPHYTE
Get PDFThe relationship between live and mediated has evolved to become a
subject of increasing scholarly interest, particularly in the digital era, where
access to theatre performance can be provided by media technology such
as film, television, video, internet and handheld devices. Whereas live
theatre relies on spatial compresence and temporal simultaneity, mediated
theatre depends on technology to reach remote audiences. However, how
such a relationship manifests in terms of positive and negative effects has
remained largely underexplored. This study seeks to explore the symbiotic
relationship between the two forms, using the botanical concepts of
metamorphosis and the epiphyte. The main objective is to establish
whether the relationship between live and mediated theatre in the
Ghanaian context is parasitic, mutualistic and communalistic. Using a
qualitative research approach, the study employs semi-structured
interviews with theatre practitioners, digital media practitioners, as well as
live and remote theatre audiences to establish how the rapid growth and
development of media technology has impacted the fortunes of live theatre
in Ghana. The research is anchored on the concept of the epiphyte to
provide a deeper understanding of how the rapid development of media
transmission technology affects audience choices, theatrical authenticity
and artistic integrity of theatre. The study aims to contribute to scholarly
discourse on the future of live theatre in the digital era. The findings inform
theatre practitioners, scholars and policy makers on strategies to sustain
theatre in Ghana
Behind the Braille: Exploring Disability Officers’ Support for Students with Visual Impairment in Ghanaian Universities
Get PDFStudents with visual impairments face unique challenges in higher education, particularly in accessing academic content and fully participating in university life. Although Ghanaian universities have made policy-level commitments to inclusion, practical support systems, especially the role of Disability Support Officers, have received limited scholarly attention. This study sought to explore the forms of support that Disability Support provide to students with visual impairments in Ghanaian public universities. This qualitative case study explores how Disability Support Officers facilitate the inclusion of SVIs in two Ghanaian public universities. A census sample of five Disability Support Officers from the University of Education, Winneba, and the University of Cape Coast participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Additional data were gathered through document reviews and observations at disability support centres. Thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework revealed four major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Transcription Services; conversion of academic materials into Braille and large print and conversion of students brailed work into ink for lecturers; (2) Examination Services; adaptations such as Braille-format exams, extended time, and use of assistive devices; (3) Assistive Technology Support; training students in screen readers and other digital tools; and (4) Orientation and Mobility Training; supporting students to independently navigate campus spaces. Disability Support Officers also provided mentorship, emotional support, and institutional advocacy. Challenges identified included limited assistive technology resources, inconsistent faculty collaboration, and gaps in students' prior ICT training. The study concludes that Disability Support Officers serve as the backbone of inclusive education for students with visual impairment, providing multifaceted support that addresses academic, technological, spatial, and emotional needs. However, their work is often constrained by systemic limitations. Strengthening Disability Support Officers capacity, formalising institutional disability policies, and expanding investment in inclusive infrastructure are essential for advancing equity in Ghanaian higher education