Cultural Diversity: Indigenous Ghanaian Music in the Curriculum of a Higher Institution in Ghana.

Abstract

Ghana is one of the countries committed to the promotion of intercultural understanding. The pioneering work of Nketia has contributed immensely to the accumulation and transmission of knowledge and skills in Ghanaian indigenous music. Though the study of indigenous Ghanaian music has been included in the curriculum of the University of Ghana, much is left to be desired on account of the scope and depth of indigenous music programmes. One of the problems confronting the University of Ghana is lack of staff to take critical positions in the implementation of the indigenous music programmes. Lack of commitment on the part of academics in the field of music, in Ghana, has contributed to this deficiency.

The University of Ghana would have to be committed to the design and implementation of Ghanaian indigenous music programme with the depth and breadth required of any subject taught at the university level. Undergraduate programmes in music should be redesigned as "two-track" programmers -Western music and African music tracks. Graduate programmes in indigenous Ghanaian and African music should be pursued vigorously.