Edmond Akwasi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Edmond Akwasi

Springer eBooks, Dec 31, 2022

The professionalism of teaching has been subject of an age long debate. Teachers beseech others t... more The professionalism of teaching has been subject of an age long debate. Teachers beseech others to recognize them as professionals and they become belligerent when they fail to receive recognition. Since 2018, Ghana has instituted the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examinations (GTLE) to regulate entry into the teaching profession. This policy has received a mixed bag of reactions with the populace sharply divided in opinion. Given that knowledge gap existed, it was important to interrogate the general perception of all stakeholders across Ghana to unravel how the GTLE is perceived among stakeholders. This paper is culled out of a broader study that employed a mixed-methods research approach in a nationwide study involving over 2800 respondents. For this paper, we report on the qualitative data generated from 145 participants. We describe the concerns of stakeholders who are in favour, against, or ambivalent about the GTLE. Drawing on an adaptation of CBAM model, we discuss stakeholders" perceptions of GTLE as stages of concern. We conclude that stakeholders opposed to the licensing of teachers do so because of their concerns about its form, content, and other logistical challenges. To sustain the policy, it is recommended for the National Teaching Council and the Ministry of Education to take steps to address these concerns. Regardless, what stakeholders agree to be the biggest strength of the GTLE is that it is a positive step towards professionalizing teaching. It is a useful yardstick to determine who is qualified to perform the function of teaching, and prevents all others who do not qualify from accessing classrooms.

Africa Development, Aug 23, 2021

This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and tradit... more This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and traditional authority. The article is based on an in-depth study of five public universities and their neighbouring communities. Stakeholder theory was used for analysis. Findings from the study indicate that there is a growing awareness among public universities in Ghana of the need to engage the traditional authority of their immediate surrounding communities to enhance university-community relations and coexistence, in order to address the socioeconomic and developmental aspirations of the communities and to help achieve the institutional goals of the universities. However, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) appears to have a more comprehensive engagement model than the others.

Africa Development

This article examines the dimensions of university governance and community relations among five ... more This article examines the dimensions of university governance and community relations among five public universities in Ghana. It focuses on how the universities exercise their corporate social responsibility within the communities where they are located. Place building theory was used for analysis. Key informant interviews were conducted within the research areas. Findings from the study show that there are agitations from the universities’ host communities demanding greater social responsibility and engagement. However, whereas some of the universities have developed an interdependent orientation, others have adopted an independent perspective with respect to their surrounding communities. The article recommends that a multi- stakeholder approach involving the universities, surrounding communities, government institutions and other third sector organisations is required to address the developmental needs of the communities. Edmond Akwasi Agyeman, University of Education, Winneba. ...

AFRICAN HUMAN MOBILITY REVIEW, 2020

The paper examines Spain's migration policy aimed at controlling sub-Saharan African immigrat... more The paper examines Spain's migration policy aimed at controlling sub-Saharan African immigration. It is based on analysis of policy documents, migration statistics and secondary literature. The paper shows that current migratory trends and statistics do not support the perception that sub-Saharan African migrants are invading Spain. The paper shows that Spain's policy of walling itself off the African continent is borne out of an imaginary threat and Spain's role as a gatekeeper for Western Europe's southern borders. It further argues that Spain's restrictive policies ignore the long-standing interdependent trade and other economic networks that exist between Spain, North Africa and West Africa, which predate the European colonization of Africa.

AFRICAN HUMAN MOBILITY REVIEW, 2019

Ghana is recognized as an important destination of international migrants. In spite of the socio-... more Ghana is recognized as an important destination of international migrants. In spite of the socio-economic and political upheavals that the country experienced during the early post-independence era leading to the (forced) return of several of its migrant groups, some have still remained and formed permanent communities and integrated into the Ghanaian society. This paper focuses on the Egyptian diaspora in Ghana. It examines: (1) the type of cross-border and transnational ties that Egyptian migrants in Ghana have established between Ghana and Egypt; (2) how these ties generate cross-cultural relations between Ghana and Egypt; and (3) the extent to which these ties provide a privileged economic and political position to the Egyptian community in Ghana. The work is based on the socio-cultural transnationalism theory. A socio-historical method was adopted for the research and apart from the analysis of historical data, eight key informants were interviewed. The paper shows that due to ...

Migration and Public Discourse in World Christianity, 2019

Este articulo analiza la disyuntiva que tienen de los inmigrantes ghaneses entre la necesidad de ... more Este articulo analiza la disyuntiva que tienen de los inmigrantes ghaneses entre la necesidad de asegurarse el permiso de residencia permanente en Espana y sus deseos de retornar. A partir de una investigacion cualitativa entre inmigrantes de origen ghanes en Vic, en la provincia de Barcelona, el trabajo de muestra que, aunque la mayoria de los entrevistados desean retornar a Ghana algun dia, de momento no estan dispuestos a renunciar sus derechos como residentes espanoles. Asi, los potenciales retornantes prefieren asegurarse primero la residencia permanente o la nacionalidad espanola. En otros casos, aun dandose el retorno, una parte de la familia permanece en Espana, como estrategia para facilitar un virtual reingreso en nuestro pais. Los resultados de la investigacion sugieren que las politicas de fomento del retorno que implican la renuncia a la residencia adquirida en Espana tienen, a fecha de hoy, un impacto muy limitado entre los migrantes ghaneses.

The article analyses the extent to which migrants desire to secure permanent residence rights in ... more The article analyses the extent to which migrants desire to secure permanent residence rights in Spain is a strain on return migration. Through qualitative research studies among Ghanaian migrants living in Vic in the Barcelona province of Spain, the paper shows that while most migrants interviewed desire to return to settle in Ghana one day, they are not willing to surrender their residence rights in Spain. For that reason prospective returnees desire to fi rst secure the right to leave and re-enter Spain without obstacles, through the acquisition of permanent residence permit and citizenship status. Others prefer that part of the family remains in Spain as a form of insurance for members who return. The paper suggests that return migration policies that require that migrants 136 Edmond Akwasi Agyeman 135-159 MIGRACIONES 30(2011). ISSN: 1138-5774 surrender their residence rights in Spain are less likely to motivate Ghanaian migrants to go back home.

Migration and Public Discourse in World Christianity, 2019

espanolLos inmigrantes ghaneses constituyen una de las mas importantes fuerzas de trabajo industr... more espanolLos inmigrantes ghaneses constituyen una de las mas importantes fuerzas de trabajo industrial provenientes de Africa occidental, en el Sur de Europa. Empezaron a instalarse en Italia a mediados de los anos 80 y en Espana a finales de los 90 del pasado siglo. En la actualidad, existen aproximadamente 55.000 inmigrantes ghaneses dispersos en los distritos industriales y agricolas de Italia (40.000) y Espana (15.000). En su mayoria, estos inmigrantes no tenian planeado, en principio, residir definitivamente en sus respectivos paises de acogida. Pretendian adquirir suficiente capital para volver y establecerse en Ghana. Esta tesis examina la intencion de retorno de los inmigrantes ghaneses antes, durante y despues de emigrar; las condiciones que influyen sobre su retorno; y el impacto de dicha intencion sobre la inversion y la contribucion de estos inmigrantes al desarrollo de su pais de origen. Para este examen, la tesis se basa en una investigacion de campo llevada a cabo con i...

This paper examines the linkage between higher education and skilled migration out of Ghana. The ... more This paper examines the linkage between higher education and skilled migration out of Ghana. The paper finds that there is an international competition for Ghana's skilled workers, which has negatively affected, particularly, the health and higher education sectors. However, while recent government policy measures, such as the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure , have worked to change these trends, government is unable to sustain these policies. In addition, while participation in higher education has gone up astronomically due to educational reforms and fast increase in the number of public and private higher educational institutions, the labor market is not expanding fast enough to match the pace of labor supply in spite of higher GDP growth rates. Therefore, brain drain is likely to stay with Ghana for a long time due to the country's inability to keep the best of its own.

Deusto Journal of Human Rights, Dec 11, 2017

The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches has kept growing... more The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches has kept growing since this group began to settle in Italy from the late 1970s. This paper examines that role that these religious congregations play to facilitate the migrants' integration in the province of Vicenza. The paper shows that while the churches offer opportunities for the migrants to find their place in Italian society by providing them a place to be at home, a sense of belonging, identity and resources, the type of integration that the migrants foment through the churches appears to be rather segmented along racial and ethnic lines. Therefore, the churches' integration role would be enhanced if they open up their ethnic and racial borders and provide channels for Ghanaian and Italian populations to interact.

This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and tradit... more This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and traditional authority. The article is based on an in-depth study of five public universities and their neighbouring communities. Stakeholder theory was used for analysis. Findings from the study indicate that there is a growing awareness among public universities in Ghana of the need to engage the traditional authority of their immediate surrounding communities to enhance university–community relations and coexistence, in order to address the socio-economic and developmental aspirations of the communities and to help achieve the institutional goals of the universities. However, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) appears to have a more comprehensive engagement model than the others.

African Diaspora

This paper interrogates an unexamined component of the religion-migration nexus in Ghana. Using A... more This paper interrogates an unexamined component of the religion-migration nexus in Ghana. Using African Traditional Religion as a case in point, the paper examines the function shrines play in sustaining youth migration to Libya and across the Mediterranean to Europe. The paper relies on interviews and fieldtrips to migrant sending communities in the Nkoranza area of the Bono East region of central Ghana. The paper gives an account of the daily realities of prospective migrants, returnees and their families. Among other key findings, it is shown that there is an intricate connection between youth migration, the family system and the deities in sustaining the trans-Saharan migration. This migration, we observe, has become a livelihood strategy, the perpetuation of which reassures the survival of not only the people, but their gods as well.

Being and Becoming African as a Permanent Work in Progress

Anuario de acción humanitaria y derechos …, 2011

Resumen: The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches ha... more Resumen: The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches has kept growing since this group began to settle in Italy from the late 19705. This paper examines that role that these religious congregations play to facilitate the migrants' ...

Journal of International Migration and Integration

Journal of International Migration and Integration

Africa Development, 2021

This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and tradit... more This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and traditional authority. The article is based on an in-depth study of five public universities and their neighbouring communities. Stakeholder theory was used for analysis. Findings from the study indicate that there is a growing awareness among public universities in Ghana of the need to engage the traditional authority of their immediate surrounding communities to enhance university-community relations and coexistence, in order to address the socioeconomic and developmental aspirations of the communities and to help achieve the institutional goals of the universities. However, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) appears to have a more comprehensive engagement model than the others.

Springer eBooks, Dec 31, 2022

The professionalism of teaching has been subject of an age long debate. Teachers beseech others t... more The professionalism of teaching has been subject of an age long debate. Teachers beseech others to recognize them as professionals and they become belligerent when they fail to receive recognition. Since 2018, Ghana has instituted the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examinations (GTLE) to regulate entry into the teaching profession. This policy has received a mixed bag of reactions with the populace sharply divided in opinion. Given that knowledge gap existed, it was important to interrogate the general perception of all stakeholders across Ghana to unravel how the GTLE is perceived among stakeholders. This paper is culled out of a broader study that employed a mixed-methods research approach in a nationwide study involving over 2800 respondents. For this paper, we report on the qualitative data generated from 145 participants. We describe the concerns of stakeholders who are in favour, against, or ambivalent about the GTLE. Drawing on an adaptation of CBAM model, we discuss stakeholders" perceptions of GTLE as stages of concern. We conclude that stakeholders opposed to the licensing of teachers do so because of their concerns about its form, content, and other logistical challenges. To sustain the policy, it is recommended for the National Teaching Council and the Ministry of Education to take steps to address these concerns. Regardless, what stakeholders agree to be the biggest strength of the GTLE is that it is a positive step towards professionalizing teaching. It is a useful yardstick to determine who is qualified to perform the function of teaching, and prevents all others who do not qualify from accessing classrooms.

Africa Development, Aug 23, 2021

This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and tradit... more This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and traditional authority. The article is based on an in-depth study of five public universities and their neighbouring communities. Stakeholder theory was used for analysis. Findings from the study indicate that there is a growing awareness among public universities in Ghana of the need to engage the traditional authority of their immediate surrounding communities to enhance university-community relations and coexistence, in order to address the socioeconomic and developmental aspirations of the communities and to help achieve the institutional goals of the universities. However, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) appears to have a more comprehensive engagement model than the others.

Africa Development

This article examines the dimensions of university governance and community relations among five ... more This article examines the dimensions of university governance and community relations among five public universities in Ghana. It focuses on how the universities exercise their corporate social responsibility within the communities where they are located. Place building theory was used for analysis. Key informant interviews were conducted within the research areas. Findings from the study show that there are agitations from the universities’ host communities demanding greater social responsibility and engagement. However, whereas some of the universities have developed an interdependent orientation, others have adopted an independent perspective with respect to their surrounding communities. The article recommends that a multi- stakeholder approach involving the universities, surrounding communities, government institutions and other third sector organisations is required to address the developmental needs of the communities. Edmond Akwasi Agyeman, University of Education, Winneba. ...

AFRICAN HUMAN MOBILITY REVIEW, 2020

The paper examines Spain's migration policy aimed at controlling sub-Saharan African immigrat... more The paper examines Spain's migration policy aimed at controlling sub-Saharan African immigration. It is based on analysis of policy documents, migration statistics and secondary literature. The paper shows that current migratory trends and statistics do not support the perception that sub-Saharan African migrants are invading Spain. The paper shows that Spain's policy of walling itself off the African continent is borne out of an imaginary threat and Spain's role as a gatekeeper for Western Europe's southern borders. It further argues that Spain's restrictive policies ignore the long-standing interdependent trade and other economic networks that exist between Spain, North Africa and West Africa, which predate the European colonization of Africa.

AFRICAN HUMAN MOBILITY REVIEW, 2019

Ghana is recognized as an important destination of international migrants. In spite of the socio-... more Ghana is recognized as an important destination of international migrants. In spite of the socio-economic and political upheavals that the country experienced during the early post-independence era leading to the (forced) return of several of its migrant groups, some have still remained and formed permanent communities and integrated into the Ghanaian society. This paper focuses on the Egyptian diaspora in Ghana. It examines: (1) the type of cross-border and transnational ties that Egyptian migrants in Ghana have established between Ghana and Egypt; (2) how these ties generate cross-cultural relations between Ghana and Egypt; and (3) the extent to which these ties provide a privileged economic and political position to the Egyptian community in Ghana. The work is based on the socio-cultural transnationalism theory. A socio-historical method was adopted for the research and apart from the analysis of historical data, eight key informants were interviewed. The paper shows that due to ...

Migration and Public Discourse in World Christianity, 2019

Este articulo analiza la disyuntiva que tienen de los inmigrantes ghaneses entre la necesidad de ... more Este articulo analiza la disyuntiva que tienen de los inmigrantes ghaneses entre la necesidad de asegurarse el permiso de residencia permanente en Espana y sus deseos de retornar. A partir de una investigacion cualitativa entre inmigrantes de origen ghanes en Vic, en la provincia de Barcelona, el trabajo de muestra que, aunque la mayoria de los entrevistados desean retornar a Ghana algun dia, de momento no estan dispuestos a renunciar sus derechos como residentes espanoles. Asi, los potenciales retornantes prefieren asegurarse primero la residencia permanente o la nacionalidad espanola. En otros casos, aun dandose el retorno, una parte de la familia permanece en Espana, como estrategia para facilitar un virtual reingreso en nuestro pais. Los resultados de la investigacion sugieren que las politicas de fomento del retorno que implican la renuncia a la residencia adquirida en Espana tienen, a fecha de hoy, un impacto muy limitado entre los migrantes ghaneses.

The article analyses the extent to which migrants desire to secure permanent residence rights in ... more The article analyses the extent to which migrants desire to secure permanent residence rights in Spain is a strain on return migration. Through qualitative research studies among Ghanaian migrants living in Vic in the Barcelona province of Spain, the paper shows that while most migrants interviewed desire to return to settle in Ghana one day, they are not willing to surrender their residence rights in Spain. For that reason prospective returnees desire to fi rst secure the right to leave and re-enter Spain without obstacles, through the acquisition of permanent residence permit and citizenship status. Others prefer that part of the family remains in Spain as a form of insurance for members who return. The paper suggests that return migration policies that require that migrants 136 Edmond Akwasi Agyeman 135-159 MIGRACIONES 30(2011). ISSN: 1138-5774 surrender their residence rights in Spain are less likely to motivate Ghanaian migrants to go back home.

Migration and Public Discourse in World Christianity, 2019

espanolLos inmigrantes ghaneses constituyen una de las mas importantes fuerzas de trabajo industr... more espanolLos inmigrantes ghaneses constituyen una de las mas importantes fuerzas de trabajo industrial provenientes de Africa occidental, en el Sur de Europa. Empezaron a instalarse en Italia a mediados de los anos 80 y en Espana a finales de los 90 del pasado siglo. En la actualidad, existen aproximadamente 55.000 inmigrantes ghaneses dispersos en los distritos industriales y agricolas de Italia (40.000) y Espana (15.000). En su mayoria, estos inmigrantes no tenian planeado, en principio, residir definitivamente en sus respectivos paises de acogida. Pretendian adquirir suficiente capital para volver y establecerse en Ghana. Esta tesis examina la intencion de retorno de los inmigrantes ghaneses antes, durante y despues de emigrar; las condiciones que influyen sobre su retorno; y el impacto de dicha intencion sobre la inversion y la contribucion de estos inmigrantes al desarrollo de su pais de origen. Para este examen, la tesis se basa en una investigacion de campo llevada a cabo con i...

This paper examines the linkage between higher education and skilled migration out of Ghana. The ... more This paper examines the linkage between higher education and skilled migration out of Ghana. The paper finds that there is an international competition for Ghana's skilled workers, which has negatively affected, particularly, the health and higher education sectors. However, while recent government policy measures, such as the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure , have worked to change these trends, government is unable to sustain these policies. In addition, while participation in higher education has gone up astronomically due to educational reforms and fast increase in the number of public and private higher educational institutions, the labor market is not expanding fast enough to match the pace of labor supply in spite of higher GDP growth rates. Therefore, brain drain is likely to stay with Ghana for a long time due to the country's inability to keep the best of its own.

Deusto Journal of Human Rights, Dec 11, 2017

The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches has kept growing... more The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches has kept growing since this group began to settle in Italy from the late 1970s. This paper examines that role that these religious congregations play to facilitate the migrants' integration in the province of Vicenza. The paper shows that while the churches offer opportunities for the migrants to find their place in Italian society by providing them a place to be at home, a sense of belonging, identity and resources, the type of integration that the migrants foment through the churches appears to be rather segmented along racial and ethnic lines. Therefore, the churches' integration role would be enhanced if they open up their ethnic and racial borders and provide channels for Ghanaian and Italian populations to interact.

This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and tradit... more This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and traditional authority. The article is based on an in-depth study of five public universities and their neighbouring communities. Stakeholder theory was used for analysis. Findings from the study indicate that there is a growing awareness among public universities in Ghana of the need to engage the traditional authority of their immediate surrounding communities to enhance university–community relations and coexistence, in order to address the socio-economic and developmental aspirations of the communities and to help achieve the institutional goals of the universities. However, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) appears to have a more comprehensive engagement model than the others.

African Diaspora

This paper interrogates an unexamined component of the religion-migration nexus in Ghana. Using A... more This paper interrogates an unexamined component of the religion-migration nexus in Ghana. Using African Traditional Religion as a case in point, the paper examines the function shrines play in sustaining youth migration to Libya and across the Mediterranean to Europe. The paper relies on interviews and fieldtrips to migrant sending communities in the Nkoranza area of the Bono East region of central Ghana. The paper gives an account of the daily realities of prospective migrants, returnees and their families. Among other key findings, it is shown that there is an intricate connection between youth migration, the family system and the deities in sustaining the trans-Saharan migration. This migration, we observe, has become a livelihood strategy, the perpetuation of which reassures the survival of not only the people, but their gods as well.

Being and Becoming African as a Permanent Work in Progress

Anuario de acción humanitaria y derechos …, 2011

Resumen: The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches ha... more Resumen: The number of Ghanaian immigrants' Catholic and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches has kept growing since this group began to settle in Italy from the late 19705. This paper examines that role that these religious congregations play to facilitate the migrants' ...

Journal of International Migration and Integration

Journal of International Migration and Integration

Africa Development, 2021

This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and tradit... more This article examines the levels and forms of engagement between universities in Ghana and traditional authority. The article is based on an in-depth study of five public universities and their neighbouring communities. Stakeholder theory was used for analysis. Findings from the study indicate that there is a growing awareness among public universities in Ghana of the need to engage the traditional authority of their immediate surrounding communities to enhance university-community relations and coexistence, in order to address the socioeconomic and developmental aspirations of the communities and to help achieve the institutional goals of the universities. However, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) appears to have a more comprehensive engagement model than the others.