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Nana Quame Owusu-Nti, Ph.D. is a 2024 graduate of the PHD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

Nana Quame Owusu-Nti at his Dissertation Defense.

From L-R: Dr. Christopher Voparil, Committee Member, Dr. Daniel Ogbaharya, Committee Chair, Dr. Michael Simanga, Committee Member

Dissertation Committee

  • Daniel Ogbaharya, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Christopher Voparil, PhD, Committee Member
  • Michael Simanga, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

Akan, chieftaincy, constitution, culture, democratization, domesticate, governance, growth and development, ethnic groups, family systems, ideals, Indigenous practices and systems, interviewees, leadership, polity, liberal democracy, respondents, single case study, sub-Saharan Africa, targeted system of governance, tenets, traditions

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

The study sought to ascertain whether introducing democracy has adversely impacted Indigenous cultural practices in Ghana or whether the path to democracy has enhanced, shaped, or strengthened aspects of the country’s Indigenous culture. The study sheds some light on the realistic, symbolic, and pervasive threat(s) that transitional or Indigenous societies like Ghana undergoing the process of democratization face and must deal with. More specifically, the study provides some insights into how traditional societies, where Indigenous values and practices are held with some reverence and esteem, can be integrated into liberal democratic institutions to potentially ameliorate cultural tension and political discord that often accompanies the process of democratic and electoral transitions. The study also provides a rich context to explain and dispel some of the pernicious stereotypes and perceptions about countries that strive to build a suitable system of governance by combining aspects of their Indigenous culture and liberal democratic tenets. The primary scholarly contribution of the study is a greater understanding of how Indigenous cultural norms, as informal institutions, shape the trajectory and consolidation of democratization in sub-Saharan Africa. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Comments

Nana Quame Owusu-Nti

ORCID: #0009-0005-4756-5505

Nana Quame is a qualified professional with a Ph. D. in Leadership and Change, specializing in Public Policy and Social Change. He is pursuing a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) focusing on public interests/criminal law and holds a master’s in public administration (Law and Public Management). Nana’s diverse professional background includes experience as a trained teacher. His unwavering dedication to leveraging his academic and intellectual pursuits to advance developing and emerging democracies, particularly in the Global South, is evident in his commitment to championing positive advancements in governance, politics, economy, sports, and entertainment.

Nana is keenly interested in how political strategies and policy initiatives influence and determine how good governance shapes the trajectory or direction of emerging democracies, especially within the Global South. He is interested in post-conflict state restructuring, Global South studies, Indigenous studies, public policy, governance, and democratization. He has dedicated most of his time and energy to focusing on how governments work effectively within Ghana and the United States. Nana believes that having a higher degree in leadership and public policy places him in a position where his research and policy guidelines can influence change in the social and political milieu.

Nana’s aspirations are as ambitious as they are noble. He is determined to leverage his legal knowledge to analyze policies and identify areas for improvement critically. With a strong belief in his abilities, he is confident that this approach will enable him to craft and advocate for policies that fulfill political promises and effectively address societal challenges, providing meaningful relief to citizens.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Nana is a man of diverse interests. He is an active sports enthusiast, enjoying playing and watching soccer (Football), Basketball, and Athletics (Track and Field). His love for learning is evident in his avid reading habits, always eager to delve into any “good” book that comes his way. Nana’s self-description as a Humanitarian, Political Activist/ Strategist, Policy Advisor, Governance and Democracy Expert, Pan-Africanist, and a “God-loving” Christian reflects his multifaceted personality and broad range of knowledge. Nana is a Ghanaian American who calls the state of New York his home.

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