Harry Lawson Kwaku Agbanu

Dr. Harry Lawson Kwaku Agbanu joined the Department of Study of Religions as a Graduate Assistant in 1997. He received his Ph.D in 2011 through a student exchange programme between University of Ghana and University of Northern Colorado, USA. His objective is to research into indigenous socio-cultural and religious beliefs, practices and values and how these beliefs, practices and values influence modern contemporary thinking. 

Education: 
2011 : PhD. University of Ghana, Legon, Accra & University of Northern Colorado, USA. 

1999: M’PHIL University of Ghana, Legon, Accra ,Study of Religions 

1993 B.A. (HONS) University of Ghana, Legon, Accra , Study of Religions with Swahili 

1985 Teachers’ Cert. “A” University of Cape-Coast, Ghana 

PhD Dissertation: Environmental Ethics in Mafi-Ewe Indigenous Culture

M’Phil Thesis: Moral Evil and ‘Cremation’ Among the Mafi-Ewe of Ghana (A 
 

Publications 
1. Nkansah-Amankra, S., Diedhiou, H., Agbanu, H.L.K., Toma-Drane, M., & Dhawan, A. (2010). Evaluating correlates of Adolescent physical activity duration towards national health Objectives: Analysis of Colorado Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, 2005. Journal of School Health, vol.33 (2), (Pgs. 1-10). 

2. Nkansah-Amankra, S., Diedhiou, A., Curtis, H., & Agbanu, H.L.K. (2011). Correlates of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students in Colorado: Analysis and Implications of School-based HIV/AIDS Programs.Maternal and Child Health Journal, vol.15 (6), (pgs. 730-741)

3. Nkansah-Amankra, S., Diedhiou, A., Walker. A.D., Agbanu,H., & Clark, H. (2010). Adolescent suicidal bebaviors, self rated health and multiple health risk behaviors: Exploring new perspectives in suicide prevention research. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, vol.2 (8) (pgs. 204-21)

4. Nkansah-Amankra, S., Diedhiou, Agbanu, S. K., Agbanu, H. L.K., Opoku-Adomako, N.S. & Twumasi-Ankrah, P. (2011) A longitudinal Evaluation of Religiosity and Psychosocial Determinants of Suicidal Behaviors among a Population-Based Sample in the United States. Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 139 (1), (pgs. 40-51) 

Awaiting Publication: 
Agbanu, H.L.K. “The Death Penalty: An African Perspective”. Ghana Bulletin of Theology.

Agbanu, H.L.K. “Amememe (‘cremation’) Rituals among the Mafi-Ewe of Ghana: Some Philosophical Reflections”. Oguaa Journal of Religion& Human Values. 

Agbanu, H.L.K. “Basis and Nature of Mafi-Ewe Morality”. Orita 

Other academic/research related activities performed 

Dzorgbo, D-B.S., Twerefou, D.K., Agbanu, H.L.K. & Adoo-Adeku, C.(2008). Socio-Cultural factors driving the spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Ghana, A national survey on factors driving the spread of HIV/AIDS, Commissioned by Ghana AIDS Commission 

Books 
Ayegboyin, Deji, Agbanu, Harry & Nihinlola, Emiola (eds) Globalization, Technology, HIV& AIDS and Theological Education in Africa. Ibadan: West African Association of Theological Institute, 2010. 

University Services: 
• Coordinator, M. A. (Religions) Sandwich Program, Department for the Study of Religions (2006-2009) 
• Examinations Officer, Department for the Study of Religions 
• Member, Examinations Board (2002- 2009) 
• Member, Timetable Committee (2001- 2009) 
• Lecturer-in –Charge of Timetable (2003- 2009) 
• Member, Admissions Board (2002- 2009) 
• Member, Examinations Malpractices Committee (2006-Date) 

Professional Associations 

• Member, Ecumenical Association of Third-World Theologian (EATWOT), Ghana Chapter. 

• Member, West African Association of Theological Institution (WAATI), Ghana Zone 

• Member, African Association for the Study of Religions. 

• Member, International Association for the History of Religions. 

• Member, The International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture 

Conferences/seminars: 

International Moderation Meeting, West African Examinations Council, Ibadan- Nigeria, 15th 19th Nov., 2008. 

National Preliminary Co-ordination Meeting, West African Examinations Council, Accra, 23rd-28th July, 2008. 

International Moderation Conference, West African Examinations Council, Accra, 18th-22nd March, 2007. 

International Standard Fixing, West African Examinations Council, Lagos-Nigeria, 14th-18th August, 2007. 

International Moderation Conference, West African Examinations Council, Abiokuta- Nigeria, 20th -25th October, 2007. 

Sensitization and Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS Education into the Curriculum of the University Workshop, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, 15th February, 2007. 

Sensitization and Training Workshop on Peace and Conflict Studies, Chances Hotel, Ho, 28th to 31st August 2006. 

Residential Writing Workshop for Distance Education Course Writers, Chances Hotel, Ho, 17th to 21st December, 2006. 

4th Annual Colloquium, Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana Theme: “The Humanities and the Job Market.” Institute of African Study Legon, 27th – 28th April 2006 

University of Ghana, Adult Education, Training Workshop for Distance Education Coordinators and Course Writers, Greenland Hotel, Agona-Swedru, 18th – 22nd October 2006. 

World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) and the Trinity Theological Seminary Conference; Theme: “Religion, Media and Health in West Africa with focus on HIV& AIDS”, GIMPA, Legon, 13th – 15th December 2006. 

International Moderation Conference of West African Examination Council, Badagry, Nigeria, 2005 

Biennial Conference on Globalization, information technology and theological education in Africa, organized by West African Association Institutions, 31st July – 7th August 2004, Theological College of Nigerian, Bukuru, Jos, Nigeria (Served as Co -Editor of Proceedings) 

African Association for the Study of Religions (AASR) 2nd Conference in Africa and International Association of History of Religions (IAHR) Regional Conference. 5-8 February 2004, University of Ghana, Legon. 

Seminar on Contemporary Relevance of Tradition, Accra, 7th to 9th September, 2004. 
 

International Workshop on Religion and Human Rights. 4th to 8th November, 2002. Marina Hotel, Dodowa, Ghana. 

Seminar on Religion and Leadership 20th to 23rd January, 2002 at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana. 

Biennial Conference of the West African Association of Theological Institutions (WAATI). Valley View University, Oyibi, Accra, 4th to 9th August 2002. (Served as Rapporteur) 

Symposium of the African Association of the Study of Religion (Ghana Chapter). Institute of African Studies, Legon. Theme: The Study of Religion in Ghana: Past, Present, and Future. August 10, 2002. 

Seminar on Leadership and African Traditional Religion. October, 2001. Institute of African Studies, Legon. 

Conference on Religion, Media and Health in West Africa, Greenhill, Accra, 13th to 15th December, 2006.

Conference Papers: 
“Traditional Beliefs and Practices and National Reconstruction.” (Symposium of the African Association of the Study of Religion.(Ghana Chapter) Institute of African Studies, Legon. Theme: The Study of Religion in Ghana: Past, Present, and Future. August 10, 
Research work (ongoing): 

• Traditional beliefs and practices and their effects on HIV/ AIDS prevention and spread. 

• Religion and deviance among the adolescents. 

• Religion and adolescents sexual behaviors. 

• African Indigenous culture and the Death Penalty. 

• Indigenous cultures and Environmental conservation. 

Other interest: 
• The promotion of tolerance and respect among people of different religious traditions. 
• Counseling couples and young people 
• Promoting renewal in church-life 
• Using traditional knowledge systems to solve modern problems. 

Honors and Awards: 
2009: International Students’ Exchange Program with University of Northern Colorado.