Teaching Citizenship Education in Ghana Basic Schools: The Quest to Achieve Patriotism and Democracy

Ruth Donkoh; Wing On Lee; Josephine Donkor

doi:10.25159/2312-3540/12221

Authors

Ruth Donkoh Zhengzhou University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3213-4551
Wing On Lee Singapore University of Social Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8520-187X
Josephine Donkor OLEA M&G Insurance Brokers

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2312-3540/12221

Keywords:

Ghana basic schools, citizenship education, National Commission for Civic Education, primary school curriculum, democracy, patriotism

Abstract

In Ghana, citizenship education aims to inculcate in pupils the behaviours, values and attitudes that enhance democracy and patriotism to produce efficient global citizens. However, Ghana is confronted with numerous social vices and atrocities due to pseudo-citizens who suppress the achievement of the country’s citizenship education objectives. Moreover, the reasons why citizenship education has not been able to achieve its objectives are unfounded. Using John Rawls’ theory for civic education, this study sought to identify the reasons for teaching citizenship education; assess if the teaching of citizenship education has achieved its objectives; identify the challenges that militate against the teaching of citizenship education; and identify the strategies that need to be adopted to improve the teaching of citizenship education. A triangulation mixed-methods approach was adopted. Quantitatively, 456 teachers from 72 schools participated in a questionnaire survey. Qualitatively, eight teachers participated in a semi-structured interview. In addition, there was a content analysis of the citizenship education syllabus objectives and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) objectives. The results revealed that teaching citizenship education can help promote democracy and patriotism, but the objectives of teaching citizenship education are yet to be achieved. Moreover, challenges, such as a lack of trained teachers to teach citizenship education lessons and teaching-learning materials, militate against teaching citizenship education. However, it was found that providing specially trained teachers to teach citizenship education could salvage the situation. Moreover, it is recommended that the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners, and volunteers should provide resources for the NCCE and institutions and assign specially trained teachers to teach citizenship education lessons in schools. Furthermore, the citizenship education syllabus needs to elaborate on the social vices in society to nurture citizens of noble character for posterity.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Ababio, J. 2021. “Sing These 5 Patriotic Songs with All Your Heart.” Kuulpeeps. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://kuulpeeps.com/2021/03/03/Sing-These-5-Patriotic-Songs-with-All-Your-Heart/Pop-Culture

Acheampong, R. A. 2021. “Accra’s Major Challenge Is That Politics Gets in the Way of Progress.” The Conversation. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://theconversation.com/accras-major-challenge-is-that-politics-gets-in-the-way-of-progress-170473

Adams, F. H., S. Andoh, and A. M. Quarshie. 2013. “Effective Teaching of Citizenship Education in Primary Schools in Ghana.” Journal of Education and Practice 4 (10): 18–23. https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP/article/view/5787/5930

Adetula, V. 2016. “Growing Mistrust – a Threat to Democracy in Ghana. Opportunities and Challenges in the Upcoming Elections.” NAI Policy Note. Uppsala: Nordic Africa Institute.

Adubofuor, G. 2019. “Patriotism: Lost Commodity in the Marrows of Ghanaians.” Modern Ghana. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.modernghana.com/News/945845/Patriotism-Lost-Commodity-in-the-Marrows-of-Ghana.html

Allaste, A-A., M. Beilmann, and R. Pirk. 2021. “Non-Formal and Informal Learning as Citizenship Education: The Views of Young People and Youth Policymakers.” Journal of Applied Youth Studies 5: 19–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43151-021-00059-z

Anoff-Ntow, K. A. 2016. “Public Broadcasting and the Politics of Media in Ghana: A Case Study of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).” PhD diss., University of Calgary. http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2860

Batidam, D. 2015. “Fighting Corruption: Moving from Rhetoric to Action.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://citifmonline.com/2015/04/Fighting-Corruption-Moving-from-Rhetoric-to-Action/

Boadu, K. 2016. “Citizenship Education in Colleges of Education in Ghana: A Preliminary Study into Social Studies Tutors’ and Trainees’ Understanding.” International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 15 (3): 143–160.

Congressional Research Service. 2023. “Ghana: Overview and U.S. Policy.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R47329.pdf

Dworkin, S. L. 2012. “Sample Size Policy for Qualitative Studies Using In-Depth Interviews.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 41: 1319–1320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-0016-6

Fidaoui, D. 2022. “Civic Education and Citizenship Education: A Qualitative Study of Secondary Social Studies Teachers’ Understandings of the Concepts and Practices of Citizenship Education for Immigrant Students.” PhD diss., Syracuse University. https://surface.syr.edu/etd/1391

Freedom House. 2021. “Freedom in the World 2021.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://freedomhouse.org/country/ghana/freedom-world/2021

Ghana News Agency. 2014. “Lack of Accommodation Hampers NCCE Work.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/lack-of-accommodation-hampers-ncce-work.html

Ghana News Agency. 2020. “NCCE’s Low Resources; Major Threat to the Fight against COVID-19.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://gna.org.gh/2020/05/ncces-low-resources-major-threat-to-the-fight-against-covid-19/

GreenViews. 2021. “Ghana’s National Anthem – History and Controversy.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://greenviewsresidential.com/Ghanas-National-Anthem-History-and-Controversy/

Kezban, K. 2014. “Teacher Perspectives on Civic and Human Rights Education.” Educational Research and Reviews 9 (10): 302–311. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2013.1707

Kyei, S., and J. T. Liyab. 2022. “Exploring the Role of Social Studies as a School Subject in Achieving National Cohesion in Ghana.” International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies 9 (2): 31–34. https://doi.org/10.22259/2694-6296.0902

Magasu, O., G. Muleya, and L. Mweeba. 2018. “Pedagogical Challenges in Teaching Civic Education in Secondary Schools in Zambia.” International Journal of Science and Research 9 (3): 1483–1488. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR20327121153

Manu-Osafo, M. J., L. Enoch, and K. T. Asante. 2021. “‘What Are We Celebrating?’: Nation-Building and the Politics of Independence Commemoration in Ghana.” Open Edition Journals 1–21. https://doi.org/10.4000/erea.12889

MOESS (Ministry of Education, Science and Sports). 2007. “Teaching Syllabus for Citizenship Education (Basic 4–6).” Accra: MOESS.

Morrison, H. B. 1984. “Some Implications in Rawls’ Theory for Civic Education.” Journal of Negro Education 53 (1): 78–84.

NCCE (National Commission for Civic Education). 2014. “Medium-Term Development Plan Under Draft National Medium-Term Development Planning Framework 2015–2017.”

Nsia-Pepra, K. 2017. “Flawed Democracy: The Bane of Ghana’s Success in Curbing Corruption.” ASPJ Africa & Francophonie 62–78. https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASPJ_French/journals_E/Volume-08_Issue-2/nsia-pepra_e.pdf

Oats, R. 2018. “Challenges of Teaching Citizenship Education Topics at Senior Secondary School Level in Botswana.” Journal of Educational Studies. https://www.rroij.com/open-access/challenges-of-teaching-citizenship-education-topics-at-senior-secondary-schoollevel-in-botswana.php?aid=87239

Oduro-Stewart, D. 2021a. “NCCE Urged to Intensify Education toward National Peace and Unity.” Modern Ghana. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.modernghana.com/News/1117240/Ncce-Urged-to-Intensify-Education-toward-National.html

Oduro-Stewart, D. 2021b. “Sene West NCCE Celebrates Citizenship Week.” Modern Ghana. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.modernghana.com/News/1086332/Sene-West-Ncce-Celebrates-Citizenship-Week.html

Okae, S. T. 2021. “Public Sector Verses Private Sector.” Modern Ghana. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.modernghana.com/News/1093438/Public-Sector-Verses-Private-Sector.html

Open University. 2020. “Purpose of Teaching and Learning Materials.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/page/view.php?id=168509

RexDanquah, M. N. 2021. “Arise Ghana Youth for Your Country.” GhanaWeb. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/features/arise-ghana-youth-for-your-country.html

Sim, J. B. Y., and L. T. Chow. 2020. “The Development of Civic Participation among Youth in Singapore.” In The Palgrave Handbook of Citizenship and Education, edited by A. Peterson, G. Stahl and H. Soong, 759–777. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67828-3_8

Smail, A. 2023. “Oneness, Indigeneity, and Ghanaian Citizenship(s): Lessons Learned from Teachers.” PhD diss., University of Glasgow. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/83622/

Tawil, S. 2013. “Education for ‘Global Citizenship’: A Framework for Discussion.” Education Research and Foresight, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Working Papers. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000223784

UN (United Nations). 2012. “Global Education First Initiative.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/The%20Global%20Education%20First%20Initiative.pdf

UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime). 2022. “Corruption in Ghana: People’s Experiences and Views.” Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.unodc.org/documents/corruption/Publications/2022/GHANA_-_Corruption_survey_report_-_20.07.2022.pdf

Zengulaaru, J., and E. Nyamekye. 2022. “Investigating Students’ Preferred Instructional Methods for Teaching Social Studies in a Selected Senior High School in Afadzato South District, Ghana.” Social Education Research 4 (1): 15–32. https://doi.org/10.37256/ser.4120231491