| 1 |
Author(s):
Socrates Ebo.
Page No : 1-11
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A Critical Analysis of Gender Roles in Marriage in Igbo African Ontology
Abstract
Marriage among Ndigbo is a powerful institution in which the two genders involved have their respective culturally designated roles. These roles are usually not left to individual fancies because there are strong taboos regarding defaults. The woman must perform her own roles. The man must perform his own roles. It is in performing these roles that the couple fulfill their identity as husband and wife. For both genders, marriage is not just a conjugal union but an essential social requirement to be fulfilled before admission into the society’s rank of respectable adulthood as a man or a woman. The Igbo marriage is basically between a man and a woman or many women, although there are interesting but rare exceptions. The Igbo marriage system shows a complementarity of roles with the male gender clearly dominating. But the Igbo marriage system also provides strong safeguards for women. This makes the Igbo marriage stronger. The marriage is not a singular event but a series of events with carefully laid down procedures. It is a communal act also. Among Ndigbo, marriage is more of a social responsibility than an individual’s conjugal fancy. This work x-rays the traditional Igbo marriage, analyzing and portraying it in philosophical perspectives as it relates to the genders.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Emmanuel Foster Asamoah.
Page No : 12-25
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A Second Look at the Illustration of Matthew 2:11 in Selected Ghanaian Bibles
Abstract
One of the ways to make the word of God become relevant in a new culture is through Bible translation and illustration. Some Ghanaian Bibles with illustrations enable local indigenes to understand the word of God in their language and give them a pictorial view of the written text. However, there seem to be some illustrations that do not give a precise description of the corresponding texts. One of such is the illustration of Matthew 2:11. Using exegesis and Erwin Panofsky’s iconographic analysis approaches, it was identified that the illustration does not give an exact representation of the text. Hence, the Bible Society of Ghana must either drop the current illustration on Matthew 2:11 or come out with a new illustration that meets the religio-cultural settings and the text of the author. For illustrations to meet both the text of the author and the religio-cultural background of the local indigenes, proposals were outlined for consideration.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Isaac Boaheng, David Abubekr.
Page No : 26-38
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Online Church “Community” and The Great Commission in a COVID-19-Defined Society: An Anthropological and Missiological Analysis
Abstract
The traditional way of conducting church service is being challenged in the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic. This essay ponders the reality of worship as a digitally mediated experience and its effect on the church's mission. The church’s adaptability to current trends is crucial to its survival and relevance, especially under present realities. The online church community is not a new phenomenon in ecclesiology, but one that has become urgent to embrace and adopt because of the prevailing circumstances. The internet and online worship services present both opportunities and challenges for “mission.” For effective online ministry, the mission should be culturally relevant and biblically faithful. Therefore, the church will need to explore utilizing anthropological tools in its missiological praxis. This study draws on ethnographic observation and analysis of three different online church communities and interrogates how these churches fulfil the Great Commission. The authors contend that the church should let the two sides of the Great Commission, scope and substance, inform their missiological practices online using the relevant anthropological tools. The study contributes to the ongoing scholarly discussions on digital ecclesiology: its nature, challenges, strategies and prospects.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Abednego Audu Datsau.
Page No : 39-47
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Religious and Humanistic Principles in African Ethics: Panacea for Overcoming Inhumanity in Contemporary Nigeria
Abstract
Although humanistic ethical principles are usually seen as secular in nature, yet it is important to note that African humanistic ethical principle is unique when compared to other ethical principles. What makes African humanistic ethical principle to be different from other humanistic ethical principles is that it is an ethical principle that is not separated from religion. The researcher was motivated to carry out this research because, unlike other humanistic ethical principles that are unconnected to religion, African humanistic ethical principle is informed by African Traditional Religion. The aim of this research is to show how understanding the peculiarity of African humanistic ethics will help in solving inhumanity which Africans are passing through. The research achieved the aim through the following objectives: By pointing the relationship between religion and ethics in African Traditional Religions, by showing the place of man in West African religious cosmology, by showing peculiarities of West African Religious ethics, and by showing the peculiarities of African humanism. This is an expository research that is based on existing information. The researcher carried out the research by comparing and contrasting, analyzing and synthesizing secular and African humanistic ethical principles. The research will help people in contemporary Africa to work toward promoting the wellbeing of fellow Africans who are suffering from all forms of inhumanity. The scope of the research is on the religious and humanistic principles in West African ethics. The research has shown that religious and humanistic ethical principles are inseparable in African traditional world view.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Samuel Bewiadzi Akakpo, Margaret Ismaila.
Page No : 48-64
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Chiefs in Development in Ghana: A study of Two Contemporary Ghanaian Chiefs
Abstract
The central government has been mandated by the citizens to promote development in all the sectors of the country. In spite of government’s responsibility of promoting development in the country, the private sector also has a role to play. Thus, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), international development partners, civil society organizations and faith-based organizations have all played diverse roles in promoting development in Ghana. However, a key stakeholder of development at both local and national levels is the Ghanaian chief. In contemporary times, some chiefs have redefined their roles as agents of development. Using the qualitative approach and through the lens of modernization theory, this paper investigates the contributions of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Agbogbomefia Togbe Afede XIV to development at both local and national levels. The paper argues that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Togbe Afede XIV are modern chiefs who have used their positions and experience to promote development in areas of education, health, business and industries, settlement of disputes, information and communication technology, and sports among others. The paper concludes that both chiefs are agents of development who complement the role of the central government in promoting development in Ghana.
