Deciphering 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.

The study seeks to contribute to the royalty and unity of the Akuapem State through ideation and execution of textile regalia for Akuapem state paramountcy. The study is grounded on the Studio-Based research design employing the Universal Design Methodology taking inspiration from Akuapem state symbols and the chieftaincy structure with ‘unity in purpose’ as a design philosophy. The results revealed unique textile regalia consisting of a figurative palanquin and Triple-Headed colossal umbrella. The regalia are designed with the main Akuapem State symbol, the five (5) divisional symbols and the eight (8) Akan totems, which do not only reaffirm the unity of the State but also define the hierarchy of the chieftaincy system in the Akuapem State. Akuapem is a major ethnic group in the Eastern Region of Ghana, which consists of sixteen (16) different towns and kingship with rich cultural tradition and unique symbolism, which the study establishes could be harnessed for socio-economic development of the state. However, the schisms among the chiefs witnessed over the years have been the major setback to the developmental agenda of Akuapem State. The study ideated symbolic textile regalia to serve as a unified force to address the schism among the state for progressive development. The study recommends the adoption of the triple-headed umbrella regalia for the paramount chief and the double-headed umbrella for the divisional chiefs. This is to pave way for the sub-chiefs to use the single-headed umbrella for easy identification and hierarchy and status of the various chiefs during festivals and state functions.

Avihɛwo (dirges) play pivotal roles in the performance of funerals among the people of Tafi traditional area in Ghana. However there has been grave concern about the decline in the performance of avihɛwo in recent times in the Tafi Traditional area. This study explored the factors that brought about decline in the performance of avihɛwo in contemporary times in the area. An ethnographic study was adopted in a purely qualitative paradigm. Forty (40) women dirge singers were sampled through purposive sampling technique for the study. Interview, focus group discussion and observation were used to collect data for the study. Qualitative data gathered from the respondents were analysed using thematic analysis and responses were categorized into themes. The study revealed a decline in the live performance of dirges in Tafi traditional area. Almost three decades ago, the live performance of avihɛwo was a prominent feature of all funeral celebrations in Tafi, however the situation is changing. The dirge singers expressed their emotions, grief and condolences through their songs for the deceased person and the bereaved family. This phenomenon has been linked to the ban on wakes by some religious leaders in the area due to Christian beliefs, transformation in burial and funeral rites due to acculturation, modernity and technological advancement, and youth disinterest in dirge singing. Historically, dirges are exclusively performed to epitomize pain due to death, but a myriad of factors threaten its live performance in recent times in Tafi traditional area. There is the need for traditional authorities to encourage live performance of dirges during funerals and also sensitize the people to remove biases and misconceptions against dirges in the area. Finally, lead singers and cantors in the Tafi traditional area to gesture, choreograph and interpret dirges to the audience during funerals in order to rejuvenate its live performance.

This study examines how speakers of Ghanaian languages construct their identities in a multi-cultural Higher Educational Institution (HEI) in Ghana. Situated in the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the data were elicited through interviews, observations and focus group discussions from 12 purposively selected participants from a public university in Ghana. The data were thematically analysed and the findings revealed that speakers of Ghanaian languages construct two kinds of identities: public and private. Both strands are constructed through identification processes that include proximity to culture, massive local presence and corresponding hegemonic outlook, de-ethnicisation and identity negotiation, and self-branding in virtual spaces. The study concludes on the existence of a homologous relationship between language users and identity construction from both stands of the essentialist and non-essentialist perspectives. It recommends efforts at minimizing stereotypical behaviours of ‘othering’ and ‘categorization’ in HEIs on the bases of a person’s ethnicity, cultural diversity, or languages spoken in an era of internationalisation and cross-cultural teaching and learning.