Issues In Education

D. MOLEFE
O. PANSIRI&
S. WEEKS | Monday August 31, 2009 00:00

Issues last week explored the background to the crisis in the humanities in Africa. This week we examine some of the steps being taken to transform the humanities. The explosion in the number of both private and public universities and other tertiary institutions across sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in an increased demand for the teaching of humanities subjects. These were identified as comprising 'the entire record of human achievement and includes the study of history, anthropology, language, culture, philosophy, literature, fine and performing arts and religion, among others'.

A mere rise in numbers does not result in improvements in quality and genuine transformation, but instead lead to degradation and falling standards. Where in the past the humanities were recognised for contributing to an African identity, an understanding of the past and providing a path for the future, the wave of military governments in the 1980s and 1990s actually made things worse for the humanities. The decades of reaction and oppression fitted in well with the dominance of utilitarian approaches that negated the value of the humanities. With the return of civilian governments there is now greater hope for the humanities. The transformation has begun with recognition of the value of the humanities and how other perspectives enrich societies more than the narrow views often held by scientists and technocrats. The past must be preserved to find the future.

The Carnegie Reporter, Spring 2009, honours one of Africa's humanists, J. H. Kwabena Nketia. He is now 87 years old and active at the University of Ghana Legon-Accra as professor emeritus and director of the International Center for African Music and Dance.

He has worked there since 1952 or over the last 57 years. He is a product of the Presbyterian Training College at Akropong. He studied at the University of London for six years, beginning in 1944 at the School of Oriental and African Studies in Linguistics, then music at Birkbeck College and Trinity College of Music. He was able to go to New York where he studied at Julliard School of Music, Columbia University and then at Northwestern University. He became a full professor in 1963 and in 1965, Director of the Institute of African Studies. His compositions have been both for Western classical instruments and for traditional Ghanaian instruments. It is said of him that, 'He is to African music what Bartok is to Western music. Of all the interpreters of African music and aesthetics, Nketia sets the pace'.

Professor Nketia has become a 'world-renowned musicologist and composer; the most published and best-known authority on African music and aesthetics' in the world. He also has devoted his energies to the preserving of African knowledge. An example is his exploration of funeral dirges in Ghana and what they reveal about society, history and indigenous knowledge. The American African Studies _Association awarded him 'Distinguished Africanist' for his lifelong- contribution to African Studies. Professor Nketia should be an inspiration and a role model for all aspiring humanists.

There is more to development, even in times of economic turmoil, than business, commerce and profits. Social and cultural development as spearheaded by humanists is also essential to overall change. One example given is the recognition by African scholars of the role of group rights in social change and harmony. This has been led recently by Professor Makau Mutua, Dean of the University of Buffalo Law School, State University of New York, and originally from Kenya, in his book 'Human Rights: A Political and Cultural Critique'.  He describes how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is grounded in individual rights, while in Africa group rights, and the role of communities or other collectives is important. The humanities do have a role to play in the future of societies in Southern Africa and they need to be fully supported to continue to be able to make their unique contributions. It is noted that those Africans who have joined the Diaspora send home the equivalent of US$ 150 billion a year. Without the so-called 'brain drain' many countries would be in further trouble. Improved communications and steps to involve them in intellectual associations at home now enhance the links between scholars in the Diaspora and at institutions in Africa. The tide has begun to change.