Program Line-Up
The First Annual Symposium for Dondology
“Repositioning Dondology as an African-centered Field of Study”
Balme Library Conference Hall
University of Ghana
31st July 2025
10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Asokore Kete drumming and Sͻlemͻ/Invocation
9:15 a.m. – 9.50 a.m.
On-site registration
9:15 a.m.-9:50 a.m.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
“Dondology and the African Cultural Library: Rethinking Issues in African Education and Anti-Colonial Praxis.”
Professor George Sefa Dei
Professor George Sefa Dei is a renowned Ghanaian-born educator, researcher and writer who is considered by many as one of Canada’s foremost scholars on race, anti-racism studies, Black and minority education, African Indigeneity and anti-colonial thought at the University of Toronto, Canada. He is a widely sought after academic, researcher and community worker whose professional and academic work has led to many Canadian and international speaking invitations in US, Europe and Africa. Currently, Professor Dei is Professor of Social Justice Education & Director of the Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT).
Professor Dei has forty-seven (47) books, over eighty (80) refereed journal articles, as well as 78 chapters in books to his credit. His many honorary doctorates are from the University of South Africa and Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Professor Dei is the recipient of other awards, including Whitworth Award for Educational Research’ from the Canadian Education Association (CEA), ‘Professor Extraordinarius’ from the Department of Inclusive Education in South Africa, ‘2023 President’s Impact Award, given to a University of Toronto scholar whose work has reached beyond walls of academia to significantly impact local communities, nationally and internationally.
Professor Dei is the Gyaasehene of Asokore, Koforidua in the New Juaben Traditional Area of Ghana. His stool name is Nana Adusei Sefa Tweneboah.
PROGRAM
Balme Library Entrance
9:15 a.m. - 9:35 a.m. Ushering in Ceremony
Asokore Koforidua Kete Scholar-Artists
9:40 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. SÍ»lemÍ»/Invocation – Balme Library Entrance
Nuumo Tsawe Otrome Kpone
Balme Library Conference Hall
9:15 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. On-Site Registration
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Opening Remarks/Welcome
Professor Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum
10:20 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session I: Education
“Staging Change: Reimagining Perceptions through Theatre for Development in Indigenous Communities.” Nii Ayi Solomon (PhD) [Meraki Arts Africa]
“The Past, Present and Future: The Resilience of Dance Education in Ghana.” David E. A. Quaye (PhD).
Session Chair: Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Session II: Indigenous Knowledge Production
“YÉ›nkÍ» NkÍ» Bisa Abrewa Maame Korankyewaa (“Let us go and ask old lady Maame Korankyewaa)”. Awura-Ama Agyapong (1st Year PhD).
“Dondology, an Effective Means of African Knowledge Exploration.” Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor (PhD).
Session Chair: Professor Gbormittah
12:00 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. Beverage Break
Asokore Koforidua Kete Scholar-Artists
12:45 p.m. - 12:50 p.m. Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Tasharia Iddrisu
12:50 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Q&A
“Dondology and the African Cultural Library: Rethinking Issues in African Education and Anti-Colonial Praxis.” Professor George Dei (Nana Adusei Sefa Tweneboah)
Chair: Professor Aduonum
1:50 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Session III: Sonic Futures and Eco-narratives
“Reimagining Dondology through Sonic Ancestry and Technological Futures:
AsÉ›mpayÉ›tsia as Decolonial Praxis.” Nana Amowee Dawson (PhD)
“Performing Indigenous Ewe Eco-narratives in the Age of Climate Crisis.” Edem Kwaku Akpornorvi (PhD Candidate)
Session Chair: Awura-Ama Agyapong
2:35 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Session IV: Spirituality and Quantum Physics
“Musical Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge: The Legacy of Ghanaba and the Framework of Dondology.” Francis Gbormittah (PhD)
“The Rhythms from Drumbeat to Quantum Field: African Traditional Spirituality, the Power of Song, Dance, Akom and the Science of Vibration.” Nana Yaw Wi Asamoah Boadi (PhD Candidate)
Session Chair: Nana Amowee Dawson
3:25 p. m. - 3:45 p.m. --- Closing Remarks
Professor Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. --- Exit
Asokore Koforidua Kete Scholar-Artists
Akpe/Asante sana/Aseda/Naagode/Oyiwaladon/Thank you!!