Institute of African Studies

University of Ghana

**Mission:** To engage in the regeneration of Africa and her peoples through knowledge production, dissemination, application and preservation.

**Description:** The Institute of African Studies was set up in 1961 as a semi-autonomous Institution within the University of Ghana, with a mandate to conduct research into all aspects of the Arts and Social Sciences in Africa. Areas of research undertaken by the Institute include African History and Politics; African Societies & Cultures; African Languages, Literature and Drama; African Religions and Philosophy; Media and Visual Arts; Music and Dance and we are divided into six academic units that cover these areas. In addition to offering graduate courses in the above broad areas, the Institute also teaches mandatory courses in African Studies to all undergraduate degree students of the University – the University Required Courses (UGRC) 220.

In addition to its six academic sections, the Institute has a Publications unit that has published a journal, *Contemporary Journal of African Studies* (formerly *Research Review*) since the 1960s; a specialist African Library; an Audio-Visual Archive; a Museum; a Resident Dance Company (the Ghana Dance Ensemble); and a hospitality unit, the Yiri Lodge, which serve a diverse community of users such as students and researchers in various disciplines from institutions home and abroad. The Institute also is responsible for managing the Manhyia Archives at the Asantehene’s palace in Kumasi. Our current faculty strength is 24, including 2 on leave, plus 2 Visiting Scholars. We also have a librarian and 2 archivists. Additionally we have a support staff team of 33 senior staff and 37 junior staff.

The Institute has long-standing relationships with numerous institutions in Africa and abroad, and is associated with the African Studies Association (USA), CODESRIA, and the institutional home of the newly-formed African Studies Association of Africa, for which the current Director, Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, is the founding Vice-president.

Kennel A. Jackson Jr. Award

The late Kennel A. Jackson Jr. was the only African American Professor of African American History at Stanford University during his time. He was also the Director of the African and African American Studies Program at the University for close to a decade. On his death, he made a bequest of US$10,000 to the Institute of African Studies for the above award.

The award is open to all registered graduate students in the University of Ghana who have completed their course work and are preparing theses in fields of study that reflect the research interests of the late Kennel A. Jackson, viz.: African History; African American history; Performing Arts; Pan-Africanism/Political science. The award is made in two categories: to a PhD and an MPhil student.

The Kwame Nkrumah Chair in African Studies

The Chair was established with a two-fold aim: 1) to honour Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, for his significant intellectual contributions to African thought, and for his vision and commitment to the liberation and development of Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora; and 2) to promote research, teaching and the public promotion of Africana Studies. The Chair, which was formally launched on Friday, September 21, 2007 received substantial core funding from Anglogold Ashanti Ltd. Several other corporate and individual donors also provided seed money. The first occupant was Professor Kofi Anyidoho, a literary scholar, and the current occupant is Emeritus Professor Jacob U Gordon, historian.