UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
(All rights reserved)
DEPARTMENT OF
POLTICAL SCIENCE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL
SCIENCES
SECOND SEMESTER
2017/2018 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE SYLLABUS
POLI 446: GHANA’S FOREIGN POLICY (3-CREDITS)
Lecture Period and
Venue: Wednesdays.
7:30-9:20AM (N-BLOCK:
N2)
Course Instructor: DR. AMO-AGYEMANG CHARLES
·
Office
Location: K. FOLSON BUILDING
·
Mobile
Number: 0558202042
Teaching Assistants: ANDY OWUSU
BADU, HARRIET ANKU, MATHAPOLY CUDJOE
Course
Objective/Goals:
This course is designed to provide
an overview of the historical evolution and current realities of Ghana foreign
policy since independence. It seeks to:
i)
explore
the substance, dynamics, and nuances of foreign policy under various
governments, and
ii)
Critically
analyze and review the foreign policy formulation as well as the major factors
that shaped the orientation of foreign policy in Ghana over the period.
Through academic and popular readings, we will discuss the global dimensions of
foreign policy decisions and the domestic forces that sometimes influence foreign
policymaking in Ghana. The course begins with a review of contending
theoretical perspectives and analytical overviews of what constitutes Ghana’s
‘National Interest’. Attention then switches to the historical overview
of the country’s foreign policy; that is, the challenges and prospects
confronting Ghana as the first sub-Saharan African country to practice
statecraft. This is followed by the central focus of the course: an
examination of the major foreign policies implemented by various governments
since 1957. The central concern here is to explore the extent to which
the idiosyncrasy of leaders shapes the country’s foreign policy; find out who
are the major actors and what are the major determinants of Ghana’s foreign
policy orientation.
Learning Outcomes
The primary goal of offering this
course is the intellectual development of your knowledge and analytical ability
in the realm of Ghana’s external relations. Students are expected to have
a general knowledge of world affairs, theories of international relations,
considerable reading comprehension skills and analytical skills. The
course has a lecture – discussion format. That is, introductory lectures
will outline the central issues to be addressed in the various weeks; these
lectures will be followed by informed discussions `. Students will be
required to write a final examination paper based on the topics covered during
the semester. We will succeed in this class if during the coming weeks
students increase their ability to analyze and appreciate the impact major
foreign policy decisions by Ghana’s heads of States from Nkrumah to present.
Plagiarism policy
All University policies regarding academic
honesty will be strictly enforced. Plagiarism, cheating or academic misconduct
in any manner will not be tolerated.
While most examples of misconduct are blatantly obvious (i.e., you may
not pay someone to take your final exam for you!), knowing when and how to
acknowledge and appropriately cite sources is something you may have to learn. For example, even if you acknowledge the
source, you cannot stay too close to the language of the original source when
paraphrasing. If you are not sure about anything, please do not hesitate to see
me, and we can go over it together. We encourage you to familiarize yourselves
with the University’s policy regarding academic misconduct. This policy is
available at http://www.ug.edu.gh/aqau/policies-guidelines.
Assessment and Grading
TWO assessments mechanisms will be
used in this course: Two interim assessment exams, and one final exam
Interim
Assessment (IA):
This assessment component will comprise 2 in-class IA exams and a reflective
paper. These exams will take place on the fourth and seventh. Each IA will be
worth 10%.
REFLECTIVE
PAPER
Examine
the Adequacy of Ghana’s Foreign Policy Architecture in the Context of 21st
Century Global Politics
Interim
Assessment (IA)-30%
Final Examination - 70%
Total Mark/Grade - 100%
Final Exam Format:
Six (6) essay questions and you answer three (3).
Grading
Scale:
|
Letter Grade
|
Marks
|
|
A
|
80-100
|
|
B+
|
75-79
|
|
B
|
70-74
|
|
C+
|
65-69
|
|
C
|
60-64
|
|
D+
|
55-59
|
|
D
|
50-54
|
|
E
|
45-49
|
|
F
|
0-44
|
REQUIRED TEXT:
This book
is recommended for careful study throughout the term. The remaining titles have
been selected for their comprehensiveness, clarity and fresh perspective.
Dipping in and out of them will be helpful as you study and review the material
for the exam.
Thompson,
W. Scott, Ghana’s Foreign Policy: 1957-1966, (Princeton, US: Princeton
University Press, 1969).
READINGS
Arhin,
Kwame, The Life and Work of Nkrumah, (Accra: Sedco, 1991).
Armah,
Kwesi, Peace without Power: Ghana’s Foreign Policy, 1957-66, (Accra: Ghana
University Press, 2005).
Asamoah,
Obed, The Political History of Ghana (1950-2013): The Experience of a
Non-Conformist, (London, UK: AuthorHouse Publishers, 2014).
Asante,
K.B., Foreign Policy Making in Ghana: Options for the 21st
Century, (Accra: Fredrich Ebert Foundation, 1997).
Baffour
Agyeman-Duah & C.K. Daddieh, “Ghana” in Timothy Shaw & J.E. Okolo
(eds.), The Political Economy of African Foreign Policy in “ECOWAS”,
(New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 1994).
Boafo-Arthur,
Kwame, “Regime Change and Foreign Policy Orientation in Ghanaian Politics: The
Post-Nkrumah Years in Perspective”, Inaugural Lecture, University of Ghana,
2008.
Boafo-Arthur,
Kwame, “Trends in Ghana’s Foreign Policy”, in Hansen and Ninsin (eds), The
State, Development and Politics in Ghana.
Boafo-Arthur,
Kwame, “Ghana’s External since 31st December, 1981”, in Gyimah-Boadi
(ed.), Ghana Under PNDC Rule.
Busia,
K.A., “Ghana’s Policy for Foreign Affairs”, in Akyeampong, H.K., Ghana’s
Struggle for Democracy and Freedom, (Accra, Ghana: Ghana Publishing
Corporation, 1979).
Danso-Boafo,
Kwaku, J.J. Rawlings and the Democratic Transition in Ghana, (Accra, GH:
Ghana Universities Press, 2014).
Plischke,
Elmer, Foreign Relations: Analysis of its Anatomy, (Wesport, CT:
Greenwood Press, 1988).
Roland
Libby, “External Co-optation of a Less Developed country’s Policy Making: The
Case of Ghana, 1969-1972”, World Politics, 1976.
Tieku,
Thomas K. and Isaac Odoom, “Re-orienting Ghana’s Foreign Policy Crowd”, in
Ohemeng, Frank, L.K. the Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How
Politicians and Civil Servants deal with Public Problems, (Lewiston, NY:
Edwin Mellen Press, 2012).
Interviews
and Speeches of General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.
The
1992 Constitution:
Republic of Ghana.
Further Readings may be recommended as and when
necessary.
Students with Special Needs
Students
with special needs should register with the Office of Students with Special
Needs, located in the University of Ghana Computing Services (UGCS) building,
next to the Student Financial Aid Office; Tel: +233-24-457-5177; E-mail: ossnug@gmail.com. Please contact me as soon as
possible so that appropriate accommodation can be arranged
Course
Delivery Schedule
|
Week
No.
|
Lecture
Course
|
Tutorials
|
Venue
|
Assessment
|
|
1
|
Introduction
to Course
a.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
2
|
Theoretical
underpinnings of Ghana’s Foreign Policy.
Understanding
the driving force of Ghana’s foreign policy.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
3
|
Attributes/principles
of Ghana’s Foreign Policy since independence.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
4
|
The
Legal and Legislative Framework/ Context of Ghana Foreign Policy.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
|
Week No.
|
Lecture
Course
|
Tutorials
|
Venue
|
Assessment
|
|
5
|
Setting
the Agenda for Ghana’ Foreign Policy. Institutional Responsibilities/
Framework of Ghana Foreign Policy. Emphasis on the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs/Missions abroad.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
6
|
Ghana
at the Center of Continental Unity: The Nkrumah Years.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
7
|
Co-opted
Economic Diplomacy and Busia’s Africa Policy.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
8
|
Mid-term
Exams
|
Exams:
N2
|
Interim
Assessment (30%)
|
|
|
9
|
Realpolitik
or National Illusion: the Policy of Debt Repudiation: The NRC Era.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
10
|
“Revolution”
and Foreign Policy: The Rawlings Era.
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
11
|
Economic
Diplomacy and good Neighborliness under the 4th Republic (NPP).
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
12
|
Continuity
and Change in Ghana’s Foreign Policy since 2009: (NDC).
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
13
|
Course
Review and Evaluation
|
Lecture:
N2
|
||
|
14-17
|
Revision
and Exams
|
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