Examining the Teaching Strategies for Clothing and Textiles in Ghanaian Senior High Schools

Rosemary Quarcoo (2024)

There are several studies on teaching methods and its impact on Clothing and Textiles in tertiary and basic schools but not in Senior High Schools and not on general teaching strategies. This study therefore investigated the suitability and impact of teaching strategies used in teaching Clothing and Textiles at Senior High School level of education in Ghana. Research questions that guided the study were: What are the teaching methods used in teaching Clothing and Textiles in Senior High Schools in Ghana? What is the impact of teaching methods on learning Clothing and Textiles in SHS in Ghana? What is the impact of other teaching strategies on teaching and learning of clothing and Textiles and H01: There is no statistically significant difference in the test scores of students taught theory lessons and students taught practical lessons. Eighteen schools, four hundred and seventy eight students and twenty three teachers were selected using stratified sampling, purposive sampling and random sampling techniques. Observation, test and questionnaires were used to collect data. The study revealed that, there are three dominant instructional strategies currently used to facilitate C&T lessons in SHSs across Ghana namely demonstration method, discussion method and question and answer method. Students who were taught practically (M =57.71) were found to do better than their counterparts thought theoretically. (M=49.53). There is a statistical difference between the performance of students taught practically and those taught theoretically with p value =.000. The report of the study indicates that, students disagreed they were exposed to good teaching strategies (M=1.73, SD=0.33) and (M=1.69, SD=0.22). It was recommended that, Clothing and Textiles teachers should: use modern teaching methods to enhance teaching and learning; teach concepts practically to improve learning outcomes; introduce students to adequate Clothing and Textiles textbooks to enhance teaching and learning and should assess students during and after instructions to enhance effective learning.

Examining the Teaching Strategies for Clothing and Textiles in Ghanaian Senior High Schools

The Revival and Sustenance of Anlee and Kↄↄre Music among the Dagaaba Women of Sankana

Leticia Naabano Takpo, Matilda Quainoo (2024)

This paper explores the challenges and prospects of sustaining Anlee and Kↄↄre 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 Kↄↄre 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.

The Revival and Sustenance of Anlee and Kↄↄre Music among the Dagaaba Women of Sankana

Creative Arts Education in Effutu Municipality: Challenges of Implementing the Music and Dance Aspect

Andrew Yinintete Bamongya, Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr, Emmanuel Obed Acquah (2024)

This research paper investigated the extent to which the music and dance component of the creative arts curriculum has been implemented in primary schools in the Effutu Municipality. It highlighted the feasibility and effectiveness of the implementation process. The study aims to contribute to the development of a comprehensive creative arts curriculum in Ghanaian primary schools, thereby enhancing pupils’ academic and artistic abilities. The study used the qualitative research paradigm with case study as the design. Data were collected through observations and interviews and the participants included six (6) teachers from two conveniently selected public schools in the Effutu Municipality. Data analysis was conducted using Patton’s (2002) strategies. The findings revealed several factors hindering the successful implementation of the music and dance components of the Creative Arts curriculum, including inadequate teaching and learning resources including musical instruments as well as lack of qualified music teachers with the competent knowledge to implement the curriculum. The study underscores the need for government and stakeholders of the primary school curriculum to engage actively in addressing these issues through organising refresher courses, providing the necessary teaching and learning resources and rethinking teacher competence in this discipline.

Creative Arts Education in Effutu Municipality: Challenges of Implementing the Music and Dance Aspect

Student-Teachers’ Prior Knowledge as a Predictor of End-of-Semester Exam Performance in Visual Arts Specialism at Bagabaga College of Education

Mumuni Zakaria Fusheini (2024)

The study aimed at correlating the pre-knowledge of student-teachers to their exam performance in Visual Arts Specialism at Bagabaga College of Education. The main purpose of the study was to use its findings to inform decisions that would guide subsequent admission criteria in admitting students to study the Visual Arts specialism in the College. Mixed Method approach in the form of survey, narrative and descriptive analyses were employed. Data was collected using online questionnaires and Documentary Analysis Guide. Findings of the study revealed that students’ pre-knowledge of subjects did not match with their College exam grades and that the student-teachers’ self-motivation and mindset were the main determinants of their success in the end of College semester exams. The study, therefore, recommended stakeholders of the College to ensure that students who have the zeal to pursue the Visual Arts Specialism irrespective of their background knowledge should be offered admission into the programme.

Student-Teachers’ Prior Knowledge as a Predictor of End-of-Semester Exam Performance in Visual Arts Specialism at Bagabaga College of Education

Cultural and Artistic Dimensions of E. O. Acquah’s Nyansaba Musical Drama

John Francis Annan (2024)

This 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.

Cultural and Artistic Dimensions of E. O. Acquah’s Nyansaba Musical Drama

Integrating Health Systems: A Conceptual Review of One Health Framework for Human, Animal, Ecosystem and Reproductive Health

Fred Yao Gbagbo (2024)

The ‘One Health’ concept promotes peaceful coexistence between humans, animals, and environmental health. The paper employs a conceptual review to explore the ‘One Health’ concept, focusing on the ecological perspectives of human, animal, and ecosystem health connections. The One Health concept was discussed in-depth arguing that the environmental perspective of the connections between human health, animal health, and ecosystem health is multifaceted which could
also affect the reproductive health of the human species, hence, no one person, organisation, or sector alone can adequately address health issues within the ecosystem since health issues encompass animal-human-environment interfaces. It is concluded that by challenging the utilitarian perspective that prioritises individual happiness, asserting that true well-being cannot be achieved in isolation. Rather, it is only through fostering harmony and peaceful coexistence among humans, animals, and the environment that sustainable health outcomes can be realised for all.

Integrating Health Systems: A Conceptual Review of One Health Framework for Human, Animal, Ecosystem and Reproductive Health

Using Metalsmithing Techniques to Produce Metal Plaque for Promoting Public Health Education: The Case of COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Symptoms

Mohammed Kwaku Baidoo, Ignatius Ackom-Mensah Bentum, Charles Adu-Boachie, Cyril Etornam Adala, Peggie Ama Fening (2024)

In 2020, public health education became a very great concern for people all over the world due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). To protect humanity from this deadly virus, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and WHO put in place a preventive mechanism. The media used to print the protocols were mostly paper and stickers which were torn and washed away easily when it rained. This study aimed to design and fabricate COVID-19 protocols on Metal Plaque using metalsmithing techniques to promote Public Health Education. The researchers adopted a qualitative research paradigm with a Studio- Based research design within praxis and exegesis principles in artistic research. Chasing and repousse techniques and Aluminium sheets were used in the construction process. Results of the study revealed that these techniques and the material are suitable for fabricating metal artifacts for education on infectious diseases, drug abuse, illegal mining, waste management, bribery and corruption. It is envisaged that the use of metal plaques for public health education be expanded beyond COVID-19 protocols to include other critical societal issues such as infectious diseases, drug abuse, illegal mining, waste management, and anti-corruption efforts. Public health agencies, educational institutions, and relevant stakeholders should consider metal-based communication tools due to their durability, resistance to environmental wear, and longterm visibility.

Using Metalsmithing Techniques to Produce Metal Plaque for Promoting Public Health Education: The Case of COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Symptoms

The Role of Creative Artists in Promoting Traditional Cultural Tourism in Ghana

Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr, Emmanuel Obed Acquah, Ernest Kwesi Amponsah, Alfred Patrick Addaquay, Andrew Yenintete Bamongya, Richardson Commeyfio (2024)

This paper is aimed at exploring the role of creative artists in promoting traditional cultural tourism in Ghana. It is premised on the fact that, the full potential of traditional cultural tourism remains underdeveloped in spite of the rich cultural heritage and the abundance of creative talent in Ghana. This situation hinders the capacity of creative artists to significantly contribute to the growth of cultural tourism, social entrepreneurship, and economic development, although, some creative artists in the industry are contributing without being noticed. Traditional knowledge and cultural expressions have been at the forefront of cultural tourism, which is embedded in the folklore of any society. Folklore has been the intangible asset that has driven many people’s tastes for cultural tourism and the role of the creative artist can shape and forge a new dimension to create a creative economy for sustainable development and for social entrepreneurship, and business opportunities for community and national economic impact. The study dwells on a qualitative approach reviewing archival materials with observations and interviews to seek a deeper understanding of the role of creative artistes and artists in promoting cultural tourism using their creative skills as economic agents. Using convenient purposive sampling, thirty participants were interviewed and it came to the known that creative artists are packaging beverages, using waste materials uniquely, traditional festivals, traditional music, and traditional entertainment creatively needing government’s support to scale it for socioeconomic impact.

The Role of Creative Artists in Promoting Traditional Cultural Tourism in Ghana

Towards the Standardisation of African Musical Instruments: The Atɛntɛbɛn in Perspective

Stephen Aidoo (2024)

This paper interrogates the concept of standardisation in the development of the Ghanaian atɛntɛbɛn (bamboo flute) as an indigenous African musical instrument. The paper draws a clear distinction between the concepts of ‘Standardisation’ and ‘Westernisation ‘as it applies to the development of indigenous African musical instruments like the atɛntɛbɛn. The paper further explores the challenges (tuning, finishing and packaging) that the Atɛntɛbɛn and some other Ghanaian musical instruments face outside their primordial origins. To this end, ethnographic and case study designs were employed. The paper makes the point that applying Western sense of standardisation to the development of African musical instruments is bound to create problems in construction, usage and appreciation both within and outside the cultural context of the instrument.

Towards the Standardisation of African Musical Instruments: The Atɛntɛbɛn in Perspective

Symbolic Representation of Sculpture Artworks at the National Theatre of Ghana

Johnson Kwaku Edu (2024)

The initial design of the National Theatre of Ghana, created by Chinese and Ghanaian architects, lacked indigenous artwork in spite of its architectural grandeur and cultural significance. Later, sculptures and other art pieces were integrated to enhance the theatre’s cultural representation and highlight Ghanaian heritage. However, there is a gap in understanding the full significance and impact of these artworks on the theatre’s cultural landscape, which undermines their potential benefits in cultural preservation, national identity, tourism, and intercultural understanding. This study aimed to explore the contribution of these art pieces to the theatre’s cultural representation and their role in Ghanaian heritage. A historical case study design was used to examine the integration of art into the theatre’s environment. Purposive sampling selected knowledgeable participants, ensuring rich data collection through semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and narrative approaches provided a comprehensive analysis. Findings indicate that the sculptures and artworks at the National Theatre of Ghana play a crucial role in narrating Ghanaian stories and enhancing cultural representation. These visual narratives reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage, offering both locals and visitors a deeper connection to Ghanaian traditions and history. In conclusion, the incorporation of these artworks underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating indigenous artistic traditions as vital components of national identity and cultural heritage. The study highlights the potential of such artworks to foster pride and continuity among Ghanaians. Additionally, it suggests future research and practical applications, such as informing cultural policy, promoting tourism through the theatre’s unique artistic features, and fostering intercultural understanding through the appreciation of Ghanaian art.

Symbolic Representation of Sculpture Artworks at the National Theatre of Ghana