ART, CULTURE AND NATION-BUILDING: THE ROLE OF ADAPTIVE CULTURAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS

cultural policies hold a crucial place in nation-building on several levels; however, they risk becoming obsolete over time, which can impede national cohesion and hinder overall progress if they are not regularly updated. This paper examines the fundamental role of art and cultural policy frameworks in nation-building, highlighting their impact on social cohesion, economic development, and the construction of national identity. The authors emphasise that the periodic revision of this framework is essential for addressing the changing needs of society, ensuring cultural relevance, and fostering inclusive growth. Through a detailed analysis of existing literature and relevant case studies from both developing and developed nations, this research underscores the importance of adaptive cultural policies in promoting cultural diversity, creativity, and innovation. The study demonstrates successful examples from various contexts while also identifying shortcomings in the current state of cultural policies. The findings offer strategic insights for policymakers, cultural institutions, artists, scholars, community organisations, and educational institutions

Forms and Compositional Devices in Nigerian Gospel Music: A Structural and Contextual Analysis

Nigerian gospel music has evolved into a distinct genre within the Nigerian music scene, marked by a unique blend of African rhythmic elements, Western harmonic structures, and Christian theological themes. As a dynamic and expressive art form, it employs various musical forms and compositional devices to engage audiences, convey spiritual messages, evoke emotion, and inspire devotion. Although scholarly attention has been given to its historical, sociological, textual, and theological dimensions, its structural and compositional elements remain underexplored. This study applies musical semiotic theory, viewing music as a symbolic language, to identify and analyse musical forms, notate selected examples, and examine compositional techniques in Nigerian gospel music. Using a qualitative methodology, it employs cultural hermeneutics, content and discographical analysis, and musicological approaches. Findings reveal recurring formal structures and distinctive compositional devices employed by gospel musicians, shaped by performance context and socio-cultural realities. The study concludes that Nigerian gospel music continues to grow in influence and calls for greater scholarly attention to its structural and aesthetic dimensions

Ghanaian Art Music Composers: Sitsofe Kwame Ayi, A Church Music Composer in Perspective

From historical roots in the castles, choral art music became entrenched within the fabric of various churches in Ghana, serving as a conduit for early Ghanaian composers to delve into music theory and composition. The significant contributions of these pioneers have inspired subsequent generations of church-based art music composers in Ghana, catalyzing the progressive evolution of the genre. Despite their profound contributions to Ghanaian musical heritage, church music composers like Sitsofe Kwame Ayi often remain overlooked within scholarly discourse and academic research. This underrepresentation diminishes the recognition of their artistic achievements and perpetuates a broader imbalance in the study of Ghanaian music history. In this study, the authors delve into the life and works of composer Sitsofe Kwame Ayi of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ghana. Through a biographical lens, the study examines four of Ayi's compositions: "Ka Hw?" (Taste and See), "Kyer? Wo D?" (Show Your Love), "Tie Bi" (Listen), and "Suban Pa" (Good Character). Employing a purposive sampling technique, the research centres on interviews and document analysis as primary instruments for data collection. Through analysis of Ayi's selected compositions, the study illuminates the composer's adept navigation of domiciled intercultural influences within his music

Equating Two Alternate Forms of Basic Statistics Test Using the Single Group Random Design: An Application of the Traditional Equating Methods

Most testing situations in higher education institutions utilise different tests which measure similar or the same psychological construct to safeguard the security of the various test and to improve the validity of scores obtained from the examinations. This requires strategies like developing parallel tests and equating the scores. This paper demonstrates the application of traditional equating methods to equate two alternate forms of Basic Statistics test using the single group random design. Two alternate test forms (Form X and Form Y) were developed by test experts with measurement and statistics background. The development of the test forms was closely guided by the test specification table and item specification blueprint. The tests were administered to 146 students who were sampled through the convenience sampling technique. Half of the sample (n=73) took Form X and the other half were administered Form Y. The findings showed that relatively, the equipercentile equating appeared to produce scores that were similar and also within the range of the Form X scores. Consequently, the equipercentile equating was found to be statistically accurate for equating

Acceptability of Locally Produced Nose Mask in a University Community in Ghana

The study looked at the acceptability of cloth nose masks produced during the outbreak of COVID 19 in a public University in Ghana. This study looked into staff consumers’ views and experiences with the cloth nose mask produced by the Clothing Production Unit (CPU) of a public university in Ghana. The production quality, durability, comfortability, ease of care and acceptability of the cloth nose was assessed with the intent to use findings to guide future production. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. A self-developed structured questionnaire was used for detail data collection from one hundred (101) respondents who were purposively selected and conveniently reached. The findings generally presented high acceptance level for the cloth nose masks. Specifically, respondents rated sample two (46) and one (44) as the most preferred designs of the cloth nose mask. Also, respondents found the cloth nose masks quality in terms of production (M=3.84), design (M=3.98), comfort of usage (M=3.77), durability (M=3.97), easiness in caring (M=3.95). The study concludes that the cloth nose masks produced by CPU meet consumer expectations and acceptance. This implies that if production is guided by improved practices the cloth nose masks would serve its intended purpose of controlling the spread of covid-19. Therefore, this survey recommends the adoption of the cloth nose masks to supplement other types recommended for use by World Health Organization (WHO) whilst maintaining and/or improving standards of production

“MISE GLI LOO”: ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE MUSICAL FABLE SELF-SERVING, PREDICATED ON THE MUSICO-DRAMATIC GENRE OF STORYTELLING

This paper examines Mise Gli Loo, the opening chorus of Self-Serving: A Musical Fable, as a creative embodiment of E?e storytelling traditions within contemporary African art music. Grounded in Acquah’s (2019) Anansegorndwom compositional model and informed by indigenous performance structures, the study analyses how traditional narrative practices such as call-and-response, antiphonal texture, and tonal language inflections are transformed into a modern musico-dramatic form. Drawing on practice-based research methodology, the work explores how African oral tradition can inform compositional processes, musical structure, and community engagement in performance. Through detailed analysis of rhythm, melody, texture, and harmony, the paper reveals how Mise Gli Loo functions not only as a musical invocation but also as a vessel for cultural memory and moral reflection. The findings contribute to ongoing conversations around the integration of indigenous African aesthetics into formal art music composition and pedagogy

Steering the Ship during Ghana’s Education Reform: School Leadership in Fostering Organizational Commitment in Public Basic Schools

Teachers play vital roles in the implementation of education reforms. Therefore, it is essential to identify factors that enhance their commitment to their schools. The study examined headteachers’ leadership styles as predictors of teacher commitment in public basic schools in Ghana. The ‘full-range leadership theory’ developed by Bass and Avolio (1995) and the ‘organizational commitment model’ postulated by Meyer and Allen (1991) served as theoretical framework for the study. The study employed the explanatory sequential mixed methods research design by collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. A multistage sampling was used to select 256 headteachers and their teachers from public basic schools in Ghana. Data was collected using an adapted version of Bass and Avolio’s (1995) Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, Meyer and Allen’s (1991) Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, and a self-constructed semi-structured interview guide. Quantitative data was analysed using multiple linear regression with the aid of SPSS version 26.0 whilst qualitative data was analysed through content analysis. The study revealed that leadership styles predicted 22% of teacher commitment. Besides, transactional leadership style made the highest and statistically significant unique contribution to the prediction of teacher commitment (?=0.27,

FROM RESISTANCE TO RENEWAL: FRAMING THE NEW GENERATION OF AFRICAN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS AS SIXTH CINEMA

This paper proposes Sixth Cinema as a critical theoretical framework for understanding a new wave of Indigenous African filmmaking that transcends existing cinematic categories (First through Fifth Cinema). Drawing on two case studies, Gonda Sheje and Seven Doors, the paper argues that these films are grounded in African cosmology, ritual structure and spiritual ontology, which does not only centre on conflict or realism but also on healing, ancestral justice and land-based sacredness. Through analysis, the study highlights how these films employ symbolism, indigenous language as epistemology, cyclical temporality, and spiritual narrative logic to reclaim sovereignty over African cultural representation. By this, the paper contributes to decolonial film discourse and expands the intellectual vocabulary for analysing African cinematic expressions rooted in cosmological continuity and intergenerational memory. Ultimately, the study affirms that Sixth Cinema is not merely a new aesthetic movement but a paradigm of indigenous imagination and epistemic renewal

Old wine in new bottles: changes in dirge performance among the Akpini of Ghana

Death is a necessary end to human life! It is a painful experience for bereaved families. It causes shock, pain, destabilization, confusion and anger. It separates families from their loved ones. It sends people to the other world. Indeed, the pain of losing a loved one to death is difficult to bear. To ease this pain, dirges play a key role. The performance of dirges has been part of funeral rites in many Ghanaian societies, including the Akpini of the Volta Region. Dirges comfort bereaved families for losing their loved ones; inform the audience about the deceased’s new status; and give hope that the deceased is resting in the afterlife. More importantly, dirges are a means of understanding how a people perceive life and death. This paper explores the performance of dirges among the Akpini of the Volta Region. It examines the nature and importance of dirges among the people. It particularly examines various changes that have occurred in the performance of dirges from the earliest times to the present. Certain aspects of the performance, including the performers, instrumentation and song texts have undergone transformation. The paper argues that such changes have become imminent since the Akpini people continue to interact with the outside environment, and have also been affected by such factors as colonization, Christianity and globalization. At the same time, certain aspects of the performance have resisted change. The dirge performers have been able to adapt to the changes to create a genre that differs from the original form. They believe, however, that the new genre still performs the functions of the original form. The paper concludes that while these changes will continue, some aspects of the performance will persist for a long time, if not forever

THE INFLUENCE OF SELF-EFFICACY ON CHILDREN’S DRAWING IN GHANA

This study explores the role of self-efficacy in shaping children’s drawing practices across Ghana’s rural, peri-urban, urban, and metropolitan contexts. Guided by the social cognitive theory by Bandura (1977), the research investigates how mastery experiences, observational learning, and supportive feedback from teachers and parents influence children’s artistic confidence and expression. Employing a qualitative, multiple-case study design within a social constructivist framework, data were collected through spontaneous and directed drawings, semi-structured interviews, and field observations involving pupils aged 7-10, their parents, and teachers. Findings reveal that children with high drawing self-efficacy frequently choose familiar and culturally resonant subjects, reflecting lived experiences and environmental familiarity. Repetition, guided practice, and positive reinforcement significantly enhanced artistic performance and emotional engagement. Feedback from teachers and parents, when constructive and affirming, was found to foster motivation, resilience, and willingness to experiment with key traits of creative growth. Conversely, environments lacking in encouragement or cultural relevance diminished artistic confidence. The study enriches existing literature by expanding the focus beyond urban settings and highlighting the socio-cultural dynamics that mediate self efficacy in artmaking. It concludes that cultivating children’s drawing self efficacy requires not only pedagogical skill but also culturally responsive strategies and active parental involvement. Recommendations include practice based and observational learning tasks, training in feedback delivery, and policies that integrate culturally grounded art education into early childhood curricula