“In this extensively researched and thoughtful study, Dei raises fundamental questions about the state of education in contemporary Ghana that has relevance for many other countries in Africa and the global South. He interrogates not only the political and pedagogical impact of the educational policy reforms inspired by structural adjustment programs and globalization more generally, but also their philosophical, cultural, and even spiritual implications for the educational institutions themselves and their communities in their perennial struggle to redefine and develop themselves in more meaningful and productive ways. Using an anti-colonial discursive framework, the book vividly and convincingly chronicles both the challenges and constraints facing Ghana’s educational system as well as the signs of renewal and revitalization. This is a story worth telling and it is told well indeed.”

-Paul Tiyambe Zeleza
Professor of African Studies and History, Pennsylvania State University, and winner of the Noma Award 1994 and the Noma Award Special Commendation 1998

“This book critically analyzes the education system in Ghana and the various attempts at reforming education, including structural adjustment and globalization of education. The shortcomings of educational globalization are vividly portrayed. By persuasively and forcefully making the point that indigenous culture cannot be ignored in order to truly and genuinely reform education, the book becomes relevant to all other African countries, indeed all countries of the South.”

-Kingsley Banya
Professor of Curriculum Theory and Comparative & International Education, and former Chairperson, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Florida International University

“This is a timely book when, like never before, Afrika is in search of an endogenous development paradigm. Grounded in the concrete example and experience of Ghana, George Dei has brilliantly articulated a sound theoretical, philosophical and practical framework, and the politics, to transform Afrika's education system from a stifling force, into an all-round, inclusive, liberating phenomenon, with the capacity to unleash and synergize the genius of all the stakeholders: students, teachers, administrators, parents and community.”

-Paulo Wangoola
Mpambo, The Afrikan Multiversity, Uganda

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
GEORGE J. SEFA DEI is professor and chair of the Department of Sociologyand Equity Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education ofthe University of Toronto (OISE/UT). He is the author of several books, including Anti-Racism Education: Theory and Practice and Hardships and Survival in Rural West Africa. His most recent co-authored book is Playing the Race Card: ExposingWhite Power and Privilege.

CATEGORY
Education/AFRICA