The poster, "Redefining Design Education Boundaries in Africa," is a scholarly exposition by Dr. Yaw Ofosu-Asare that brings to light the necessity of integrating indigenous knowledge into Ghana's graphic design education. It challenges the prevailing Eurocentric curriculum, advocating for a more inclusive and representative approach to teaching design. By highlighting teachers' willingness to adapt and incorporate Ghanaian cultural practices within the constraints of the current curriculum, the study underscores a significant momentum towards a pedagogical shift. This effort aligns with global calls for educational reforms that respect and include diverse cultural perspectives.
The research employs postcolonial and technacy genre theory frameworks to dissect the integration of traditional and indigenous practices into the syllabus, suggesting this as a pathway to commercial design industries. Such an approach not only provides authenticity to the African-centered design pedagogy but also fosters cultural sustainability. The poster effectively uses visual data representations to communicate key findings, such as the substantial support for such curricular reforms among educators.
This academic contribution not only won recognition at the AARE Conference but also serves as a pivotal reference point for further studies in decolonizing design education across Africa and beyond. The poster is an essential call to action for curriculum developers, educators, and policymakers to engage in meaningful collaboration for the development of a design education that truly reflects the rich tapestry of African cultures.
