Tracing the Roots of Ghanaian Psychology: A Summary of Seth Oppong's Research Paper on the History of Psychology in Ghana

Introduction

The study of Psychology in Ghana is mostly predominated by on Western theories and ideologies. The reality is that human behaviour and mental processes are affected by biological factors, experiences and sociocultural factors. It is therefore not expected that a Western theory developed using Westerners as test samples and observations would work for a different geographical region and culture. The paper by Seth Oppong is therefore a great step for African and Ghanaian psychologists to understand the origin of Psychology in Ghana and work to develop culture-based theories and context for effective application in Ghana. The subsequent paragraphs would briefly summarise the research paper by Seth Oppong.

History of Psychology in Ghana

It appears that most civilisation occurred in Ghana in the colonial era due to the influences of the colonial masters. There is historical evidence to prove that Africans were already studying philosophy and psychology. Their error is the lack of intention to properly document and chronicle these activities. The history of Psychology in Ghana is segregated into three time periods to understand the journey; the pre-1700s, 1700 to 1800s and the well-known 1900s to date.

Before 1700s (Pre-scientific era)

The first University in Mali which is the University of Sankore was established in 989AD. It attracted a lot of foreign students from the 14th to 16th centuries and it had a reputation for teaching theology, law, philosophy, medicine, history etc. The level of learning back then could be likened to contemporary university education. Although Psychology was not taught directly, the foundational elements which include philosophy, theology and medicine were taught.

Historically Psychology is seen as an approach to Philosophy and the University of Sankore used the argumentative approach instead of the experimental approach. Greek Philosophy which later became Western Philosophy has been traced to Egypt in Africa. African proverbs for instance, can also be linked to Philosophy. It is presumed that Ghanaian traditional healers were exposed to psychology because their practices were based on religion and healing. Knowledge from the University of Sankore therefore spread through Ghana from the Akans through trading activities in the 1400s.The mind, human nature, soul and behaviour are timeless and its study has been in existence since the existence of man. Every individual, society and culture have its own approach to its study even if it differs from the Western approach.

Ancient Greek scholars such as Plato were also known to have studied in Africa and made references to that fact in their works. Psychological knowledge was produced and transmitted in the 1700s by the Timbuktu and the Hausa Muslim scholars in the Gold Coast.

1700 to 1800s (The works of Ghana’s Father of Psychology)

Anton Wilhelm Amo is the Father of Philosophy in Ghana and the Father of Black Philosophy. He used Philosophy and medicine to build his case that the mind does not sense things but rather the organic body. The period after the 1500s was determined as modern psychology and Amo’s works in 1734 and 1739 came after this period making him one of the Modern psychologists of the time. Early Ghanaian scholars such as JB Danquah had studied Psychology even before it became a course of study at the University in Ghana.

These scholars produced works that disputed Western theories and also presented a different perspective to the study of Psychology which could not evolve properly due to the lack of continuity of their works.

1900s to date (Modern Psychology era)

Scientific Psychology in Ghana emerged during the colonial era in Ghana. Similar to the country’s counterparts in Africa it started in the mid-20th century during the colonial era as an effort by the colonials to train Africans for their interests. It was however not the full study of Psychology but broken down in the various disciplines of Education, Health, Social and missionary work.

History of Psychology is linked to the history of Ghana and the history of education. The teaching of Psychology at the University was initiated by Prof. Cyril Edwin Fiscian, who is known as the Father of Modern Psychology. It was first introduced as a course in 1949 in British West Africa and the first department was established in 1964. The first undergraduate degree in Psychology was issued in 1967 at the University of Ghana. In 1965 around the same time, Zambia also established the first laboratory in Sub-Saharan Africa for experimental psychology.

From the teaching of Psychology in 1 institution, it has now grown to eight institutions; 3 public and the remaining are private learning institutions teaching general psychology or as part of the business curriculum. Despite the more than half decade of its introduction, it has made little impact in policies in the country and awareness of its relevance is still lacking.

Conclusion

There is evidence of the pre-colonial history of Psychology in Ghana and continual works by Psychologists and research into their works would go a long way to develop Ghanaian perspective to the study of Psychology.

Bibliography

Oppong, Seth. (2017). History of Psychology in Ghana Since 989AD. Psychological Thought. 10. 7-48. 10.5964/psyct.v10i1.195.

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