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Phenomenological Experiences of Students with Visual Impairment in the Use of Online Learning Platforms in Ghanaian Universities
Get PDFIn recent years, the integration of learning management systems (LMS) into the teaching and learning for regular undergraduate students has become increasingly prevalent in Ghanaian institutions. Some universities have adopted a hybrid approach to teaching and learning even after the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this investigation is to understand the phenomenological experiences of students with visual impairment who use LMS in Ghana. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 11 students with visual impairment from two public universities. The findings primarily identified the accessibility successes and challenges that students encountered when using the LMS platforms, specifically Sakai and Virtual Classroom (VClass). The participants’ experiences varied; students using Sakai demonstrated a more positive experience compared to those using VClass. The discrepancy in experience was primarily due to personal and institutional factors, including the absence of personal computers or supportive mobile phones; inadequate computers at the resource centres; poor internet connectivity and coverage; and the absence of periodic training for students on how to use the LMS platforms. Moreover, this study revealed some accessibility concerns for both platforms. The study recommended that e-learning platform developers should be empowered and encouraged to incorporate UDL principles to promote their use by students with visual impairment
The Accra Initiative and Terrorism in West Africa: A Critical Review
Get PDFThe Accra Initiative was originally adopted by Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Burkina Faso in September 2017 to promote coordination and cooperation towards addressing the security complex, especially the threats of terrorism within their national borders. This largely desk-based qualitative research paper examined concrete steps taken by state parties to fully operationalise the Accra Initiative, challenges it confronts and measures to remedy these challenges as efforts to stem the tide of terrorism from West Africa. The paper found that while significant progress has been made to fully operationalise the Accra Initiative, several factors, including operational and funding challenges, continue to dog its effectiveness and sustainability. Thus, the study recommended that for the Accra Initiative to effectively deal with the terrorism menace in the subregion, these challenges should be addressed as a matter of urgency. 
PUTTING POLICY INTO PRACTICE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INSTITUTIONAL ACADEMIC POLICIES OF FIVE GHANAIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
Get PDFThis qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) study draws from influential exemplary of
Bretag et al. (2011a, b) to evaluate the academic integrity policies of five publicly funded
Ghanaian universities. The findings indicate challenges in accessing policy documents
online, the abundance of legal jargon (legalese) and obfuscating terminologies that may
not be easily comprehensible. Most of the policies analysed adopt a penal approach,
emphasising the penalisation of students for academic misconduct rather than fostering
an educational framework. Additionally, there is a lack of support mechanisms for
promoting academic integrity and no established guidelines for the ethical use of
generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in education. The analysis highlights
discrepancies in policy harmonisation and standardisation across the institutions. Based
on the findings, the study recommends rethinking institutional policies by policymakers
and shifting towards developmental approaches that leverage contemporary educational
technologies (EdTech). It makes a compelling case for the adoption of an inclusive
approach policy framework that aligns integrity policies across Ghanaian universities.
The study contributes to the literature by providing a nuanced policy analysis that
underscores the need for an interventionist approach to enhance policy acceptance and
practice among Ghanaian universities
CREATIVE ARTS WITHOUT CREATIVES? EXAMINING TEACHER PREPAREDNESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GHANA’S CREATIVE ARTS CURRICULUM IN WINNEBA
Get PDFGhana’s Creative Arts curriculum integrates music, dance, drama, and visual arts to
foster artistic expression in primary schools. However, the curriculum lacks clear
guidance on effective instructional methodologies. This gap often results in teachers
delivering the subjects in isolation, making it difficult for learners to connect lessons to
real-life contexts. This study investigated the training backgrounds of teachers, examined
the strategies they employ in implementing the Creative Arts curriculum, and find out
creative works done by learners as part of their learning process. Drawing on
constructivist and multimodal learning theories, this qualitative case study utilised semi
structured interview, classroom observations, and focus group discussion. Thematic
analysis of the data revealed that most teachers lacked formal training to teach the
Creative Arts although some could support learners in producing visual artefacts. It was
also revealed that many teachers use demonstration and group project strategies to teach
the subject, and generally preferred teaching visual arts to performing arts. The study
concludes that the subject is often taught by novice teachers assigned as a last resort. It
recommends that Creative Arts pedagogy be prioritised during Professional Learning
Community (PLC) meetings and that, schools should collaborate with experts from the
School of Creative Arts at the University of Education, Winneba, to facilitate rigorous
in-service training
Cultural and Artistic Dimensions of E. O. Acquah’s Nyansaba Musical Drama
Get PDFThis study explores the cultural and artistic dimensions of E.O. Acquah’s Nyansaba within the context of Anansegorndwom (African
musical drama with indigenous stories). By drawing on Cultural Theory propounded by Edgar and Sedgwick (2005/2007), the paper analyses how Acquah fuses traditional Ghanaian oral narratives with modern musical techniques, creating a work that bridges the gap between cultural heritage and contemporary composition. The study examines the harmonic structures, rhythmic patterns, and narrative elements in Nyansaba, shedding light on the significance of Ananse stories in Ghanaian culture and how Acquah’s work contributes to the preservation of these traditions. The findings underscore the role of Nyansaba as a vital artistic and cultural expression, offering insights into the symbiotic relationship between music and storytelling in Ghana. It is concluded that the interplay of the composer’s musical theoretical skills, poetry, and the Ananse philosophy demonstrates his transformative power of imagination that could become a vehicle for transcending unpatriotic behaviours that can eventually correct the anti-national development attitudes in the Ghanaian citizenry if the musical drama receives the intended patronage
Re-examining Digital Effects in ‘Kumawood’ Science Fiction Film Titled 2016
Get PDFDigital technology and its impact across the world has influenced the use
of digital effects in Ghanaian filmmaking, particularly Kumawood science
f
iction films. Most often, the use of digital effects in such films are only
considered for showmanship. Meanwhile, the idea behind using special
or digital effects is to create an illusion of reality, fantasy and believability.
Also, the digital effects created in science fiction films should form part of
the narrative. The study examined some digital effects used in 2016 (2010),
a Kumawood science fiction film. The research employed a content analysis
method. Specific scenes were selected from the film 2016 (released in 2010)
and the digital effects discussed. The article in an attempt established that
the use of digital effects created in some Kumawood science fiction films
aimed at showmanship or a kind of exhibition. It is recommended that use of
digital effects must form part of the narrative
SAYING IT THE ARTIST’S WAY An Aesthetical Discourse on Selected Works of Art from the Department of Art Education, UEW
Get PDFThis paper is intended to project the inherent beauties and
communicative essentials of the creative works produced by students
and lecturers of Department of Art Education in the University of
Education, Winneba. These works are poorly displayed at obscure
corners of the University and are accorded the least of regards in the
University’s inventory. Through aesthetic discourse, this paper brings
out the value of three selected works of art–one conceptual painting,
one abstract painting and one sculpture in the round. The revelations
of the kind of beauty these works exude coupled with the messages
they put across give justification to the need, not only to take good
care of these works, but to really find ways of putting them within the
public domain
Challenges of Electronic Advertising in Ghana
Get PDFEven though radio and television advertisement have been practiced in
Ghana from 1967 to date, these forms of advertising have been confronted
with numerous challenges that have affected their rapid development.
This article used qualitative research approach and case study design to
identify and examine challenges of radio and television advertising in Ghana.
The study was delimited to Accra metropolis and twelve organisations.
Participants were purposively selected for the study. Unstructured interview
guide was used to gather the data. The findings revealed that, the local
industry has challenges of lack of equipment, technical personnel, beautiful
locations, low clientele, low capital base, high demand for discounts, biased
media research reports, proliferation of media houses, non-standardised
pricing, lack of censorship among others. Based on the findings, the study
recommends that multimedia advertising production agencies must raise the needed capital to procure state of the art equipment, hire the services
of professionals, and develop strategies to educate their clients on the
importance of professionalism in radio and television advertising. Single
network radio and TV stations must network their stations with local and
foreign broadcast houses. Ghana government must set-up university of
media studies to increase the training of different multimedia professionals
and improve infrastructure, landscape design and sanitation across the
country. Advertising Association of Ghana must develop national advertising
bill and impress upon parliament to promulgate it so that it can be used to
regulate advertising production, placement and pricing in Ghana
Heraldic Crest of Takoradi Technical University- An Artistic and Esoteric Approach
Get PDFDeciphering the fascinating history behind a redesigned Takoradi Technical
University’s (T.T.U) heraldic crest as well as the secret meaning of its symbols
and colours make it significant in heraldry. This heraldic crest has been a
depiction of forms such as cogwheel, open book, sea, Adinkra symbol, fonts
and colours. This article, therefore, aims to underline the hidden secrets
and meanings embodied in the redesigned and sculpted heraldic crest of
Takoradi Technical University after Government’s conversion of Polytechnics
in Ghana into Technical Universities. Through intrinsic and conceptual
statements, the paper projects the artistic and esoteric features of Takoradi
Technical University’s heraldic crest in an augmentation to commemorate the
institution’s sovereignty as a symbol of excellence in technical and vocational
education. The ramification of newly created institutional heraldry revealed
a symbolism crowning the promotion of industrialisation and economic
development for the Western Region and Ghana in general through
manpower training and action research. This is intended to provide support to industry and commerce in the areas of human resource and information
development
MUSIC, DANCE AND LANGUAGE AS THE PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF FUNERARY RITES FOR CHIEFS: A CASE STUDY OF THE CHIEF OF NEW JUABEN
Get PDFThis study examines the crucial role of music, dance, and language in Akan royal funerals, focusing on ‘Daasebr?’ Oti Boateng, the late Omanhene of New Juaben. Oral traditions, performing arts, and rituals honour the deceased, reinforce social hierarchies, and sustain community identity and cultural heritage. This multidisciplinary study used ethnomusicology, semiotics, and linguistic analysis to evaluate funeral music, dance movements, panegyrics, eulogies, and poetry. Drumming and dirges serve as emotional and political tools, while dance maintains rank, authority, and continuity in the chieftaincy system. Oratory and praise songs preserve historical narratives and the deceased's legacy. This study explains African funerary rituals and cultural resilience by recording these traditions, showing how royal funerals preserved Akan tradition, strengthened leadership, and connected humans and ancestors. It presents a paradigm for assessing African performance traditions and their cultural importance. Data gathering included participant observations, interviews with Akan royals and cultural specialists, audio-visual recordings, and archive research on traditional funerals