The Department of Psychology has held a ceremony to launch a book titled, "Women in Psychology in Ghana: An Autobiographical Collection". The book, edited by Dr. Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie and Prof. Charity Sylvia Akotia, is the product of contributions from several female psychologists.
It provides both a historical overview of the contributions of numerous women researchers in the area of Psychology in Ghana and an indigenous narrative of the development of psychology in Ghana and West Africa.
Prof. Olivia A. T. Frimpong Kwapong, Dean, School of Continuing and Distance Education, who was Chairperson of the event, articulated her pleasure at supporting such a remarkable project. She expressed the hope that the publication of the book would set a precedent for the publication of other books by the Department.
Prof. Olivia A. T. Frimpong Kwapong, Dean, School of Continuing and Distance Education
Prof. Joseph Osafo, Head of the Department of Psychology, in congratulating the editors and contributors, also recommended the book, especially as it is a counter-narrative that organises women's roles in a very perceptive manner, when it comes to the growth of psychological science and practice in Ghana.
“It is a counter-narrative because it tells a story from the perspective of female scholars; how they have come into Psychology, their experiences in Psychology and the future they envisage for themselves and the profession”, he highlighted.
A cross-section of guests at the Launch
He added, “In any historical project, counter narratives and discourses are equally important because they provide a new perspective and dimension to the prevailing norm and narratives, which sometimes only provide shady and an incomplete picture of the phenomenon of interest. It is curative and seeking to complete the super-structure of the evolution and development of psychological science in Ghana and perhaps, even Anglophone West Africa and beyond”, he outlined.
Prof. William Baah-Boateng, Head of the Department of Economics, who represented the Provost of the College of Humanities, expressed how delighted he was to be part of such an event which celebrates the achievements of women.
Prof. William Baah-Boateng, Head of the Department of Economics
He revealed that one difficulty he has seen female students battle with is a lack of confidence, but was quick to add that this is changing due to the tremendous strides women are making. He was positive that the book would encourage more young women to study Psychology, as well as other male-dominated academic programmes.
Prof. Charity Sylvia Akotia, Co-Editor for the book, extended her gratitude to all the contributors who invested their resources to make the collection of the accounts possible.
Prof. Charity Sylvia Akotia
Highlighting the motivation behind the book, Prof. Akotia explained that the history of psychology had been a “womanless” one in the past, due to the fact that women were not featured in the history books and psychology textbooks, despite their contributions. She stated that it has taken the efforts of activists and feminists to change that trend. The book is, therefore, a way she and her colleagues, had chosen to solve that challenge in the Ghanaian psychological landscape, considering the fact that a lot of Ghanaian women have contributed immensely to the discipline in Ghana.
Prof. Akotia intimated that the book was dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Araba Sefa-Dedeh, who was widely noticed as the foremother of Clinical Psychology in Ghana and who also contributed a chapter in the book but unfortunately, did not live to see its publication.
Prof. Mavis Dako-Gyeke, Director, Centre for Ageing Studies, gave a fascinating chapter by chapter review of the book by giving comments on the plot and twists of the life of the authors, their academic journeys, nature of their family ties and the hurdles they had to surmount in their professional pursuits. \Her review highlighted the key developments of Psychology as a discipline in Ghana as well as the evolution of the practice over the decades.
A group photo of dignitaries at the Launch
The event was concluded by a sales session.
Present at the event were Prof. Awo Mana Asiedu, Acting Director, School of Performing Arts; Prof. Akosua K. Darkwah, Dean, School of Information and Communication Studies; Prof. Charlotte Wrigley-Asante, Head, Department of Geography and Resource Development; Prof. Edward Nketiah-Amponsah, Department of Economics; Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang, Department of Psychology; Dr. Margaret Amankwah-Poku, Department of Psychology; Dr. Deborah Atobrah, Senior Research Fellow, Medical and Social Anthropology at Institute of African Studies; Dr. Emmanuel Asampong, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Prof. Angela Lamensdorf Ofori-Atta, University of Ghana Medical School; Prof. Abigail Opoku Mensah, other members of faculty and students.
