DEPARTMENT
OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY
OF GHANA
SECOND
SEMESTER 2019/2020 ACADEMIC YEAR
POLI 446: GHANA’S FOREIGN POLICY (3-CREDITS)
COURSE OUTLINE
AND READING LIST
LECTURER: DR. AMO-AGYEMANG, C.
Course Location: CC
Day & Time: Wednesdays.
15:30 PM- 17:20 PM
Office: Room#
Political Science Department
Email:camoagyemang@yahoo.com
Office Hours: TBA or by appointment
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Ghana’s Foreign Policy
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Course Code
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POLI 446
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Purpose and Objective
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Course Description and Objectives:
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
analyse 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.
Course Expectations:
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 analyse and
appreciate the impact major foreign policy decisions by Ghana’s heads of
States from Nkrumah to present.
Assessment:
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
WHAT IS FOREIGN POLICY AND HOW DO WE ASSESS ITS REALISM
AND SUCCESS?
Interim Assessment (IA)-30%
Final
Examination - 70%
Total
Mark/Grade - 100%
Final Exam Format:
Six
(6) essay questions and you answer three (3).
Course
Policies
Regular attendance is a key determinant of success
in this course and is required. While students are expected, nay, required,
to do their readings before they come to class, the readings serve as a
background, not as a substitute, for the lectures and class discussions. Not
only do I expect students to attend classes, I also expect students to ask
questions and participate in class discussions. I strongly encourage students
to ask questions during class.
Academic
Honesty:
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 familiarise yourselves with the University’s
policy regarding academic misconduct. This policy is available at http://www.ug.edu.gh/aqau/policies-guidelines.
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
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Week
No.
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Lecture Course
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Tutorials
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Venue
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Assessment
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1
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Introduction to Course
a.
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Lecture:
CC
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2
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Theoretical underpinnings of Ghana’s Foreign Policy.
Understanding the driving force of Ghana’s foreign policy.
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Lecture: CC
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3
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Attributes/principles of Ghana’s Foreign Policy since
independence.
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Lecture: CC
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4
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The Legal and Legislative Framework/ Context of Ghana
Foreign Policy.
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Lecture: CC
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Week
No.
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Lecture Course
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Tutorials
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Venue
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Assessment
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5
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Setting the Agenda for Ghana’ Foreign Policy.
Institutional Responsibilities/ Framework of Ghana Foreign Policy. Emphasis
on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Missions abroad.
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Lecture: CC
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6
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Ghana at the Center of Continental Unity: The Nkrumah
Years.
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Lecture: CC
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7
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Co-opted Economic Diplomacy and Busia’s Africa Policy.
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Lecture: CC
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8
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Mid-term Exams
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Exams:
CC
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Interim Assessment (30%)
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9
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Realpolitik or National Illusion: the Policy of Debt
Repudiation: The NRC Era.
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Lecture: CC
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10
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“Revolution” and Foreign Policy: The Rawlings Era.
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Lecture: CC
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11
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Economic Diplomacy and good Neighborliness under the 4th
Republic (NPP).
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Lecture: CC
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12
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Continuity and Change in Ghana’s Foreign Policy since
2009: (NDC).
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Lecture: CC
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13
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Course Review and Evaluation
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Lecture:
CC
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14-17
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Revision and Exams
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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.
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