Albert Dennis (2024)

 The African space is characterised by performances of diverse forms, and dance remains a cornerstone in this regard. Notably, contemporary dance has become widespread in Ghana, especially in Cape Coast, where its utilitarian and aesthetic forms are greatly appreciated. Costume, a vital visual element in performances, plays a key role in contemporary dance, where its stylistic representation adds to the depth and breadth of the performance. Unlike various traditional dances in Ghana associated with the use of specific costumes identified based on inspiring philosophical postulations that shaped the dance, the same cannot be said of costumes used for contemporary dance. Drawing on the qualitative method of inquiry and using the purposive sampling technique to sample three dance groups in Cape Coast, the study employed a semi-structured interview guide as an instrument to collect data to beam a search into practical considerations in designing costumes for contemporary dance performances in Cape Coast. The findings revealed that designing costumes for contemporary dance is not done in a vacuum but thrives on the colour of fabrics, the body size of performers, the dance movements involved, the motifs in the fabric used to construct costumes and finally, the cost of materials. With a treasure trove of findings, the study recommends that dance groups engage professional costumiers to costume their performances. Ultimately, the study contributes to scholarship on costume design for contemporary dance performances as it pertains to Cape Coast in particular and the Ghanaian experience. 

John Kofi Brewu, Steve Kquofi, Joshua Alfred Amuah, Daniel Darkwah Mensah (2024)

Since the inception of the Methodist Church Ghana, music has played a significant role in its liturgical activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of different musical styles such as hymns, canticles, ebibindwom, danceable tunes as well as praises and worship songs in the liturgy of the Methodist Church Ghana on the attitudes of the congregants. The problem is why one has to include all these musical styles in the liturgy of the Church. The primary objective of this study was to document the influence of the various musical styles in the Methodist Church Ghana’s liturgy on the attitudes of the participants. This study used interviews of qualitative research to elicit primary data from respondents such as the Clergy, Laity, Choristers, Singing Band members, Praises and Worship team and members from the Christ Little Band who are conversant with these musical styles and also the practitioners of the various musical genres. The findings showed that music is as old as humanity and has always been employed for religious purposes. Music has influenced many people’s lives in a variety of ways, as Christians and Methodists by faith. The goal of learning the lyrics to hymns, canticles, ebibindwom, (African songs acquired by the Methodist Church) and other songs is to develop and support their faith in the Lord, which they emphasize in everything they do. They seek sustenance and confidence from God through songs and other forms of Christian worship. 

Mohammed Kwaku Baidoo, Cyril Etornam Adala, Charles Adu-Boachie (2024)

Curling, twisting and plaiting of fine pliable threads of precious metals and arranging them in a precise pattern after which it is fixed by soldering is the technique of filigree which is predominately used in jewellery making. Metalsmiths are sometimes restricted by objects that can be created using the filigree technique, due to its elaborate and yet delicate nature of the technique, which only allows for the creation of big size objects by using of a lesser amount of metal. Hence, the study aimed at exploring a new materials and methods for the preservation of the filigree techniques by determining whether the limitations in producing artefacts other than jewellery-scaled design irrespective of the sizes and the design could be overcome. This was achieved by applying the filigree technique in jewellery making to design and produce a life-sized photorealistic bust. The researchers used the studio-based methods under the qualitative research approach. The results of the study contradict the notion that application of filigree technique in metal crafts is confined to jewellery-scaled designs. On the contrary, metalsmiths and jewellers stand the chance of producing any artefacts with filigree techniques if they adopt proper workshop practices with right materials, notwithstanding the design and size of the artwork to be produced. This means that thinking of a filigree technique for a specific work has to be broaden based on the principles of the design in terms of its function, aesthetics, cost and support not forgetting its practicality, operability, protection as well as safety. It is hereby suggested that further studies should be carried out to ascertain if the filigree technique can be combined with other techniques such as granulation, etching, casting as well as chasing and Repoussé techniques for the creation of metal artefacts other than jewellery and its related items. 

Mercy Ampofowa Osei, Ninnette Afi Appiah, Ebenezer Kofi Howard, Benjamin Kwabla Asinyo (2023)

This study aims to investigate the role of competitiveness in the dynamics of globalisation and performance of SMEs in Ghana’s garment manufacturing sector. Employing a quantitative research design, the study analyzes survey data collected from members of the Ghana National Dressmakers and Tailors Association (GNDTA) who are registered with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) database across major industrial cities: Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. Among a sample of 204 conveniently selected respondents, it was observed that globalisation has a notable impact on enterprise performance. Additionally, competitiveness emerged as a significant factor influencing enterprise performance. Furthermore, the study found that competitiveness acts as a mediator, explaining the relationship between globalisation and enterprise performance. In summary, the research concluded that globalisation and competitiveness jointly enhance the performance of firms within the fashion industry. As a recommendation, fashion firms are encouraged to embrace modern approaches in their practices to enhance competitiveness in the global fashion landscape.

Samuel Komla Gene (2023)

The study was based on the use of talking drums by Alavanyo-Kpeme basic schools for instructions, a practice which is the perpetuation of educational policy and preservation of Ghanaian culture. Using the descriptive research model, data was collected through observation and interviews with headteachers, teachers and pupils by interacting with them. The data collected was analyzed by aesthetic analysis. It is noted that talking drums communicate the embodiment portraying the interplay between music, communication and the social structure of the school system. The paper explains the perceptual qualities and the exhibition of the educational potency of the talking drums in Ghanaian schools.

Jacqueline Ogoe, Ebenezer Kofi Howard, Ninette Appiah, Benjamin Kwablah Asinyo, Anthony Boakye Antwi (2023)

This study explored the views of respondents on systems available in Ghanaian institutions that support the acquisition of fashion skills by the visually impaired. The study was premised on the fact that the availability of these systems are not known to redirect and facilitate the skill development of the visually impaired in fashion. Specifically, the study assessed the experiences of visually impaired individuals concerning systems available to enable them to enroll and acquire fashion-related skills. The case study research design was adopted to select and report data qualitatively. Interview and Focus Group Discussion were used to collect data from twenty-seven visually impaired students and six Fashion and Special Education experts. The respondents were reached through the adoption of purposive, convenience and snowball sampling techniques. With the aid of Nvivo software version 14, thematic analysis was carried out and presented as findings in this study. The study revealed that the Ghanaian educational system struggles to provide systems supportive for training the visually impaired with fashion skills. It was recommended that the government and institutions that provide
aids for visually impaired education, implement the necessary support systems to train the visually impaired with fashion skills in order to develop and empower their creative abilities in fashion.

Mark Millas Coffie (2023)

In this study, I bring to the fore some prominent popular musicians whose careers were truncated due to ill health and have passed on recently as an attempt to stimulate a discourse towards the health sustainability of popular musicians in Ghana for a sustainable career and industry. Drawing on descriptive research design, document analysis, and interviews for data collection, I observed that only a few prominent Ghanaian popular musicians had sustained their careers for over five decades. At the same time, some are grappling to do so due to ill health. I conclude that the health sustainability of popular musicians is paramount to the sustainability of Ghana’s music industry. Therefore, popular musicians should prioritise their health as a matter of urgency in their quest to have a sustainable career. I hope this study serves as a moderate contribution to Ghanaian popular music scholarship, marks the beginning of a new direction, stimulates debates, and gives rise to
similar research in other creative arts traditions.

Alfred Patrick Addaquay (2023)

The article is a position paper that discusses the craft of compositions in African Art music in Ghana and highlighting a propositioned guideline in the performance of such created art musical pieces. Given the foundational inspiration from Euba’s notion of Interculturalism in music, there’s a noticeable lack of comprehensive documentation regarding vocal techniques aimed at advancing and instructing performers in the rendition of African Art musical performance. Regarding the selection of the compositions involved in this paper, transcription and analysis of the works were purposively selected, to consider how and why the techniques of various classifications were established in the compositions. It is envisaged that the study will serve as a work of posterity and an introduction to vocal techniques in the singing of African Art music.

Alfred Patrick Addaquay (2023)

This paper presents an analytical work that gives a panoramic view of textual analysis in the choral writings of Sam Kwaku Asare-Bediako; His journey as a free-lance composer enables him to construct text in various traditions and beliefs. In addition to the description given to some of his works as loquacious in this paper, the study provides an insight into the thought processes of the composer, such as the adoption of colloquialism in his music, his controversial system in both spelling and construction of text in the Asante Twi language spoken by the people of Ashanti region of Ghana and lastly, his system of classification in text. The compositions are sampled randomly. The examination of the works involved in this paper was done by observing the scores, listening to both audio and videos online, as well as live performances, and few interviews regarding response to his music by song teachers, performers (choristers) and listeners. Lastly, the perspectives highlight all the social, moral, and educational relevance of the work.

Samuel Ofori Danquah, Samuel Manaseh Yirenkyi (2023)

Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals, as well as community concerns. Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change. Perception formation and attitude were indexed on Gestalt’s theory. The study
sought to elicit more traditional interventions which concerns are not explicit in orthodox forms of offering counselling therapy by therapists to lecturers in the University of Education, Winneba. The study employed qualitative research methods to elicit information from 8 senior counsellors from the University of Education, Winneba. A multiple case study was adopted to provide sets of contexts used to explore research questions. Discussions in the study provide a rich source of information that counsellors in academia and lecturers can use as anti-stressors. The study demonstrates that Ghanaian society acknowledges the existence of various art forms that is fine art, dance, photography, music, drama, film and other visual and performing arts and their usefulness in offering psychological support. It is recommended that counsellors in academic settings inculcate the practice of using the various art forms as therapy during their counselling sessions and art therapy must be introduced into counselling education and training in Ghana.