The cultural policies of Ghana and Nigeria: A Comparative Study.
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Date
March, 2011.
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Abstract
This research is based on a comparative study of the cultural policies of Ghana and Nigeria and how they are in place to project national culture, pride, solidarity and consciousness. Several countries around the world have the cultural policy document, which is used to accelerate their cultural development. As a comparative study, the research aims at discovering the differences and similarities in the cultural policies of Ghana and Nigeria. Based on the objectives of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to integrate the West African region, the study looks at how Ghana and Nigeria have provided policies to protect their cultural heritage. It further provides information about the strengths and weaknesses in the cultural policies of both countries, which is a giant step towards fostering unity between them. As a result, it can help them improve on their cultural policy document if their strengths as well as weaknesses are exposed to them. Furthermore, having established that Ghana and Nigeria have policies in place to preserve and protect their culture, a comparative analysis of two ethnic groups, the Asantes of Ghana and the Ijaws in the Niger Delta of Nigeria has been made. The historical, religious, educational, economical, social and political aspects of their culture were analyzed. The objective was to have a critical appraisal and appreciation of the two cultures. The qualitative research method was used, which involved a couple of visits to various places in and around Kumasi in Ghana and in the Niger Delta in Nigeria. Interviews were carried out with custodians of culture and in-depth observation of cultural activities was made. This resulted in the use of the descriptive method of research for the thesis.
It is specifically recommended that in order to foster unity, cooperation and peace in the West African sub-region, there should be cultural activities amongst people of the West African member States. Culture should project the people of the West African region and their values.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts on