Dr Daniel Kumah

Lecturer

Contact info DKUMAH@ug.edu.gh

About

Dr Kumah is Lecturer in the Archaeology and Heritage Studies Department. He is an archaeologist, cultural heritage specialist, and museum studies expert. He is interested in the archaeology of Iron age societies, urbanism, cultural resource management, digital archaeology. He is the Director of the Begho Area Archaeological Project, the Archaeology of Mining and the Gold Trade Project and Digital Heritage Project. Kumah is the founding Director and Curator of The Begho Community Museum at Hani, Bono Region.

Education

  • PhD in Archaeology, University of Toulouse Jean Jaures, France, 2022
  • Master of Philosophy in Archaeology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, 2012
  • Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology with Philosophy, University of Ghana, 2009

Research Interest

Digital heritage and archaeology, Iron Age societies, metallurgy, trans-Saharan archaeology, West African urbanism, museums and heritage studies, restitution, Islamic archaeology, and cultural resource management.

Courses taught: 

  • ARCH 322: Archaeology of West Africa: ca 500BC – AD 1950
  • ARCH 602: Analysis and Interpretation of Material Culture (MPhil. Course)
  • ARCH 702: Laboratory Analysis and Interpretation of Material Culture (PhD Course)
  • ARCH 705: Advanced Field Methods and Techniques (PhD Course) 

Publications

  • Kumah, D. (2024). Early Trade and Urbanization in Pre-modern Ghana: The Begho evidence from ca 1000 AD to 1700 AD. In K. Akurang-Parry & F. Biveridge (Eds.), History, Culture and Heritage of Ghana: Essays in Honour of Professor Robert Addo-Fening (pp. 165-200). Langaa RPCIG, Cameroun.
  • Kumah, D. (2024). Begho (Ghana) revisited: examining archaeological archives and ‘excavating’ museum storages, Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès, 2023. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa, 59(1), 179. https://doi.org/10.1080/0067270X.2024.2316481 
  • Kumah, D. (2022). Begho Community Museum: Museum of History and Archaeology of the people of Ancient Begho. Sankofa Project (French Embassy), Accra.
  • Kumah, D. & Nyarko, A. E (2018). Gold Mining and its Effects through the Lens of an Archaeologist: Experiences from the Prestea Area, South Western Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 26 (SI): 133-148. 
  • Wellington, H. N. A., Biveridge, F., & Kumah, D. (2018). Iconoclasm, Antithesis to Cultural Heritage Conservation in Ghana – Case-study of Conflicts Typology in the Danish-Osu Heritage Setting.          West African Journal of Archaeology, 46(1 & 2): 53-69.
  • Kumah, D. (2013). Awudua Past and Present: An Archaeological Survey. In M. Doortmont, P. Valsecchi and J. Anquandah (Eds.). The Ankobra Gold Route: Studies in the Historical Relationship between Western Ghana and the Dutch (pp. 143 – 160). Sub-Saharan Publishers, Accra.

Forthcoming Publications

  • Kumah, D. (forthcoming). Begho (Ghana) and West African Connections to the Islamic World. In F.-X. Fauvelle, Y. Hen & S. Stroumsa (Eds.), Medieval Africa and the Global World. 
  • Kwayisi, D., Kumah, D., Loh, S. A. Y., Sapah, M., Gblerkpor, N. W. (forthcoming). Exploring the Geo-heritage Potential of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve, Ghana. Geoheritage.
  • Kumah, D. (forthcoming). From the Krobo Mountains, Galamsey Pits and to Begho: Tales of an archaeologist in Ghana. Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites. 

  • Kumah, D. (forthcoming). Towards the creation of Archaeological Archives in Ghana: Reflections from Begho. Afriques: débats, méthodes et terrains d'histoire. 

     

    Conferences, workshops and seminars (Selected):

  • Kumah, D., Aryee, P., & Lartey, B. (2025, October 12–15). Using Photogrammetry to Document Artefacts at the Museum of Archaeology, Ghana. 19th Biennial Colloquium of the West African Archaeological Association (WAAA). University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
  • Kumah, D. (2025, August 1). The Begho Community Museum’s Role in Heritage and Tourism Development in the Bono Region. Professor James Anquandah Memorial Lecture Series, ISSER, University of Ghana, Legon
  • Kumah, D. (2025, June 16). Whose Heritage? Re-imagining Community Engagements and Public Archaeology at Begho, Ghana. Seminar Series, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. 
  • Kumah, D. (2025, June 17 – 21). Power to the People: Community Engagements and Public Archaeology at Begho, Ghana. 9th Annual Lagos Studies Association (LSA) Conference, University of Lagos, Nigeria    
  • Kumah, D. (2025, January 13-15). Begho (Ghana) and West Africa’s Connections with the Islamic World. (Peri-Saharan Africa). Medieval Africa and the Global World Workshop 2025. Jerusalem, Israel. Medieval Africa and the Global World Workshop | Israel Institute for Advanced Studies
  • Kumah, D. (2024, November 7 – 12). Community Museums in Ghana: Reflections and Lessons from Begho. Residency Museum. Museumslab Programme. South African National Parks (SANParks) Kruger Limpopo, Pretoria South Africa
  • Kumah, D. (2024, June 7). Volcanic Ash-Tempered Pottery: Recent Recovery of Pottery Tradition from Begho, Ghana. Scientific Analyses on Pottery Finds from Africa Challenges and Perspectives for petrographic and geo-chemical studies. Online Conference. 
  • Kumah, D. (2024, March 5-7). ‘Excavating’ Museum Storages: Reflections from Begho, a 12th to 18th century site from Ghana. 10th Conference of the School of Mamluk Studies 2024. Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, Kuwait.
  • Kumah, D. (2023, December 18 – 20). Digging through museum collections and archives: Reflections and Lessons from Begho, Ghana. (What Belongs in a Museum Belongs to Archaeology: The Perils and Benefits of Studying Museum Collections in Archaeology and Archaeological Sciences). The 44th Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) conference 2023.  University of East Anglia (UEA), United Kingdom.
  • Kumah, D. (2023, August 10 – 12). The Cost of Mining on Human lives, Biodiversity and Cultural Relics in Ghana. Rethinking West Africa’s Environment: An Arts and Humanities Perspective. School of Arts Colloquium, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon. 
  • Kumah, D. (2023, June 1 – 6). Interrogating Archaeological archives and excavating museum storages: Begho in retrospect. The 23rd Meeting of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists (SAfA). Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
  • Kumah, D. (2023, February 15). Begho Revisited: Examining Archaeological Archives and ‘Excavating’ Museum Storages. Material Migrations: Objects, Museums, and Matters of Restitution. Perspectives from West Africa. Roundtable Online Discussion. European University Institute. Material Migrations • European University Institut
  • Kumah, D. (2022, February 24-26). The Begho Archaeological Project and the Archaeology of Gold Mining and the Gold Trade Project. 8th TransArea Network Annual (TANA) Meeting. Centre for Wetlands, University of Ghana, Legon. 
  • Kumah, D. (2021, August 8). Re-Examining Archaeological Research in Ghana: Lessons from Begho, Bono Region. Re-conceptualizing and Presenting African Heritage: Beyond Popular Narratives Conference. Erata Hotel, Accra.
  • Eyifa-Dzizienyo, G.A.M., Kumah, D., Agyare, G. & Diku, W. C. (2019, July 9 – 13). Beyond Museum Exhibitions and Displays: Nurturing the Creative Minds of School Children for the Heritage Sector through Engagement, Museum of Archaeology. 16th Colloquium of the West African Archaeological Association (W.A.A.A.). Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Ghana, Legon
  • Kumah, D. & Aygare, G. (2019, July 10 – 13). Museums as Places of Learning, Interaction and Participation: The Case of Museum of Archaeology. Ghana as Centre. Ghana Studies Association 3rd Triennial Conference. School of Law, University of Ghana, Legon.

 

Creative works 

  • Begho, A Market Town in 16th Century West Africa (2021). Short animation film directed by Kumah, D. & Aryee A.V., produced by Past and Curios Studio (France) and AnimaxFYB Studio (Ghana). Translated into six languages (English, French, Twi, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani) with over 20,000 views across social media platforms. This animation film was nominated at 3 International Film Festivals.

    Technical Skills – Curatorial Roles

  • The Return of Afro‑Treasures: Permanent or Temporary Stay? Co‑curated by Eyifa‑Dzidzienyo, G. A. M., Amenyo‑Xa, M. S., Kumah, D., and Agyare G. A major photo exhibition on restitution, engaging academic and public audiences held at the Museum of Archaeology, University of Ghana, Legon — March–October 2024
  • Co‑Director, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Shai Hills, Accra — 2023–Present
  • Founding Director & Curator, Begho Community Museum, Hani, Tain District, Bono Region — 2021–Present
    • Established and curated Ghana’s first community‑based museum at Begho, Bono Region, integrating archaeology, heritage, and local participation.
  • Curatorial Team Member Kakum National Park Museum, Cape Coast — 2020–2022
    • Contributed to the re‑establishment and re‑modeling of the museum, enhancing visitor interpretation and heritage presentation.
  • Acting Curator, Museum of Slavery and Plantation Lifeways, Frederiksgave Danish Plantation (1832), Accra — 2013–2017
  • Museum & Exhibition Management Team Museum of Archaeology, University of Ghana, Legon — 2008–Present. 

    • Long‑standing member of the management team, supporting exhibitions, collections care, and public engagement.

       

    • Fellowships and Research Appointments:
    • Gerda Henkel Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow (2023–2025) 
    • Visiting Researcher, Global South Visiting Research Programme, University of York, UK (June 2024) 
    • Fellow, The MuseumsLab Programme (June – December 2024) 

    • Researcher, African Cultural Heritage Programme on Restitution Project (2022–2024) 

       

    • Leadership Roles 
    • President, West African Archaeological Association (WAAA), 2025–2027 
    • General Secretary, WAAA, 2019–2021 

    • Student Representative for Africa, Executive Board, Society of Africanist Archaeologists (SAfA), 2022–2023

       

      Professional Memberships

    • International Council of Museums (ICOM)
    • Ghana Beads Society 
    • Ghana Studies Association (GSA) 
    • Art Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA)
    • West African Archaeological Association (WAAA) 

    • Society of Africanist Archaeologists (SAfA)  

       

      Awards and Grants (Selected)

    • Cambridge Africa-Alborada Grant (2025) – WAAA Conference Writing Workshop, $2,191 
    • Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities Grant (2025) – Medieval Africa and the Global World Workshop, $3,500
    • Dar-al-Athar al Islamiyyah & University of Chicago Grant (2024) – School of Mamluk Studies Conference, $4,000 
    • Sankofa Small Grant Project (2020) – Establishment of Begho Community Museum, € 8,008.58 
    • Nkabom Programme (2019) – French-Ghanaian collaborative project on iron and gold heritage, € 4,520