http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1001 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:28:07 GMT 2026-04-14T23:28:07Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10835 The "Craft of Bruising" and the Life of Azumah "Professor of the Ring" Nelson - A Social History of Ghanaian Boxing (Volume Two) This thesis explores how boxing emerged In Ghana from both indigenous and foreign (British) inventiveness, how it has shaped aspects of Ghana's popular culture, and also examines boxing's social meaning and impact in the colonial and postcolonial milieux. Furthermore, this work expands the popular conception of boxing as a "culture of the underprivileged" to embrace its vital significance as a stimulus to social mobility. On that trajectory. this work rethinks another socio-cultural meaning of boxing as a "sado-masochist" manifestation, which is counterproductive to "civilized" human culture,' by intellectualising it as a positive shaper of personal and national identities. Additionally, this study discusses how boxing was resourcefully used by the Ga-Mashie ethnie of Ghana, for cultural and economic empowerment, the roles that its boxers. especially Azumah Nelson, have played in shaping the history and foml of Ghana's "popular culture," and it uses Bourdieu's concept of Habitus to investigate the proverbial gravitation of the elhnie to boxing. Moreover, the thesis interrogates the "ghetto" beginnings and legendary career of ex-champion and the International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Azumah Nelson, and highlights how "ghetto" boxers can intemationalise Ghana, and transcend social obscurity to affluence and fame. The work nourishes the intellectual discourse on identity creation and social empowerment through the popular culture of sports. vol 2, ii, ill: 719 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10835 2011-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8610 The “Craft of Bruising” and the Life of Azumah “Professor of the Ring” Nelson – A Social History of Ghanaian Boxing (Volume One) Botchway, De-Valera Nana Yaw Mpere This thesis explores how boxing emerged in Ghana from both indigenous and foreign (British) inventiveness, how it has shaped aspects of Ghana’s popular culture, and also examines boxing’s social meaning and impact in the colonial and postcolonial milieux. “culture of the underprivileged” to embrace its vital significance as a stimulus to social mobility. On that trajectory, this work rethinks another socio-cultural meaning of boxing as a “sado-masochist” manifestation, which is counterproductive to “civilized” human culture,1 by intellectualising it as a positive shaper of personal and national identities. Additionally, this study discusses how boxing was resourcefully used by the Ga-Mashie ethnie of Ghana, for cultural and economic empowerment, the roles that its boxers, especially Azumah Nelson, have played in shaping the history and form of Ghana’s “popular culture.” and it uses Bourdieu’s concept of Habitus to investigate the proverbial gravitation of the ethnie to boxing. Moreover, the thesis interrogates the “ghetto” beginnings and legendary career of ex-champion and the International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Azumah Nelson, and highlights how “ghetto” boxers can internationalise Ghana, and transcend social obscurity to affluence and fame. The work empowerment through the popular culture of sports. xiii, 356p:, ill Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8610 2011-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8464 A History of Politics in Education in Ghana: 1852-2008 Boakye, Peter This thesis interrogates the politics of governments that shaped and directed the formulation and implementation of educational policies and reforms in Ghana from 1852 to 2008. Using various sources such as archival documents, old newspapers, white papers, articles, books, and through the use of the qualitative method of historical studies, the thesis examines the visions of such governments in their efforts to achieve accelerated socio-economic growth and emancipation and how education was used to achieve such goals. Furthermore, the thesis discusses how the pre-colonial and colonial philosophies were applied to education in the Gold Coast. It notes that some of the educational interventions of the early European nations, missionary societies and colonial government which introduced and spread Western education such as sending brilliant students overseas for further studies, supplying of free school materials, introducing industrial and vocational programmes in the curriculum are still relevant for governments to draw lessons to shape their educational policies. Moreover, the thesis explores how education was reshaped during the post-colonial era and how Ghanaian leaders linked education to the nation’s development and its socio-economic emancipation. This called for the expansion of education at all levels—basic, secondary, tertiary and the establishment of various education committees to advise governments on the clear focus of education. This, resulted in frequent educational restructuring and reforms, especially in the 21st Century, where education was used for the realization of the national developmental goals of poverty alleviation and wealth creation. xiv, 343p:, ill. Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8464 2017-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/5259 A history of Wa, 1500 – 1900. Mahama, Iddrisu Motivated by the works of scholars on the histories of ethnic groups like the Dagomba, Mamprusi, and Asante, the aim of this study is to delineate the origins of the Waala from the earliest period to the eve of British Colonial rule in 1898. Political, economic, and social developments between 1500 and 1900 led to the rise of Wa and the creation of the Waala Kingdom. Trans-Saharan trade routes passing through Wa exposed Wa to all participants in the trade and attracted some to settle in Wa. The mixing of different peoples in the area created socio-political institutions and blended various cultures, distinguishing the people of Wa from other peoples. To facilitate good governance, the Mamprusi ruling lineage involved the main social groups - autochthons and Muslims - in the administration of the Kingdom. Continuous developments in Wa soon caught the attention of external forces, both Africans and Europeans, who for diverse reasons struggled to capture and control Wa from the 1880s. In 1898, the British won the race for Wa. This study, therefore, chronologically examines the history of Wa from the earliest times critically looking at the various influences which transformed Wa for more than 400 years. xii 314:, ill Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/5259 2017-03-01T00:00:00Z