News

The ‘Music and Dance’ section is one of the founding wings of the Institute right from its inception in 1962. The section, as its name depicts, embodies the music and dance sub-units and the Ghana Dance Ensemble. The section is responsible for two mandatory introductory courses, namely: UGRC 225 (African Dance) and UGRC 227 (African Music), for undergraduate students as a requirement for their degree programme. The only requirement for students who sign up for these introductory courses is that they must be all but dance/music students.

The Religions and Philosophy Section of the Institute researches into, and teaches the dynamics of indigenous religious cultures and philosophies in Africa. It looks at how these religions affect the society and how they are affected by the society. It studies religious change focusing on the emergence of foreign religions such as Islam and Christianity and their modes of spread and appropriation in Africa.

The Publications Unit was established at the founding of the Institute of African Studies to support one of the Institute’s core mandates – to publish its research findings and those of its affiliates and associates. The Unit is headed by a Publications Officer supported by a Publications Assistant who minds the Institute’s bookstore.

Welcome to the website of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, one of Africa’s first centres of African Studies, a veritable storied institution. That the Institute, established in the years of early post-colonial optimism and continental self-confidence and ambition, has survived changing and challenging times at the University, in Ghana, Africa and the world, while growing its reputation and stature, is truly remarkable.

The History and Politics section of IAS is an interdisciplinary unit that draws on the expertise and skills of outstanding historians and political scientists to undertake social-science research. The section is committed to the production of knowledge for the purposes of promoting a better understanding of past, present and future developments in both continental Africa and its diasporas.

AFST 601                   RESEARCH METHODS

The graduate programme in African Studies aims to foster critical thinking among students and to equip them with the resources, tools and methods for an enhanced understanding and appreciation of issues pertinent to African cultures and societies and their development, and to be able to initiate and conduct research in different domains of African Studies. All students are admitted on MA basis and those who excel in the First year course work continue as M.Phil Students.

The Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, is pleased to announce the celebration of the 60^thAnniversary of the All African Peoples' Conference (AAPC), and to issue this call for participation in the commemorative events. Hosted by Ghana in 1958, the first AAPC served as the rallying point for mobilizing ordinary Africans in the decisive struggles for liberation across the continent and beyond.

THE COMMEMORATION - SUB-THEMATIC AREAS

In light of the above, the 60^th anniversary commemoration is organized around a number of sub-thematic areas. The sub-themes are selected to take account of the unequal power relations that continue to shape Africa’s position in the world, as well as sites of struggle for a new Africa, all reflecting what is considered the unfinished business of the First All-African Peoples' Conference.

1. Peoples of Africa