contribution of missionaries to education in ghana

James Fieldhouse, produced a Wolof Grammar in 1876. Some of these effects are still with us today. A history of Christianity in Africa: From antiquity to the present. In fact, the Christian missionaries encouraged Ghanaians to reject African names and choose Christian names instead. The early success of the missionaries included areas like Freetown and surrounding villages. Seeing as missions in the British and Italian colonies had monopolies on education for the nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries, this reluctance meant that there were few secondary schools at all (Ayandele 1966:287; Beck 1966: 120). . In 1859, the first newspaper in Yoruba, called the Iwe-Irohim, was published by the missionaries. I have used my expertise to design and implement strategies for major projects including new programme development, global proposals, book launches, international talks, lectures, and executive . This study simply offers systematic, long-term evidence of it. In the days of Portuguese contacts with Nigeria, Catholic priests had established missionary stations in Benin and the neighbourhood. This finding was supported by two types of analysis. Again, the Wesleyan missionaries established Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast in 1876. The high temperatures coupled with high rainfall patterns in some parts of the country experienced during the daytime, made the missionaries stay indoors, which slowed down their activities. After World War I was declared in 1914, the German missionaries were restricted in their movements by the British in the British colonies. Johannes Zimmermann wrote a grammar of the Ga language and translated the entire Bible and a Bible history into Ga. Then in 1874, the Rev. Until almost the end of the colonial period education was still largely in the hands of the churches. They had to speak through few interpreters who did not have sufficient education to interpret correctly. opened, in Freetown, the first boys secondary school in the country and another for girls in 1849, later renamed the Annie Walsh Memorial School. student life ASSESS THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE CHRISTIAN MISSION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF GHANA. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Bristol Archives/Universal Images Group/Getty Images, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Some observers have argued that the Europeans used the Christian bible to justify the practice of slavery and the slave trade. The story of the planting of Christianity in Nigeria would be incomplete without a mention of the Italian Roman Catholic priest, Father Berghero. The Journal of Negro Education (JNE), a scholarly refereed journal, was founded at Howard University in 1932. Another important missionary doctor was J. R. Stephen who for many years headed a missionary hospital at Ilesha. Initially, a majority of the missionary journeys was done with English-Speaking Protestants and later, in the 1820s and 1830s, they were joined by continental Protestantism from Germany, Switzerland and France. Furthermore, they were skilled farmers that could grow cash crops to be consumed back in the mother country, such as cocoa from Ghana (Foster 1965: 153). Johannes Zimmermann wrote a grammar of the Ga language, and in 1874 the Rev. He was followed, three years afterwards, by the Rev. Ghana continued to call. The Committee for Women's Work was responsible for the education of native girls. The late Eighteenth Century witnessed the rise of Christian groups in Europe that resorted to the evangelization of Africa. Private Study Notably among these missionaries are the Wesleyan, Basel, and Bremen. Mission schools were popular because of the new skills and opportunities they offered. Cookies are small, safe and secure text files that sit on your computer which we use to give you a better experience on our site and help us improve the service that we provide to you. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in the name of Father Burke can be made for the care of elderly and infirm missionaries and sent to The Rector, Divine Word Residence, 1901 Waukegan Road, P.O. In the same year as the Basel missionaries settled in Akuapem in 1835, the Wesleyan (later Methodist) Church was established at Cape Coast by the Rev. But with the abolition of slavery, the introduction of cocoa, and the Churchs efficient school system, she gradually became the Church of the social elite. Young Vincent began his studies with the Society of the Divine Word at Divine Word Seminary at Miramar in Massachusetts in 1947. And thats why I decided to look deeply into this issue. For instance, the Basel Mission established Basel Mission Trading Company (UTC) in 1859. The churches opened primary schools both in the capital and in the rural communities. grammatical name As happened in Ghana, the development of training colleges in Nigeria was slower than secondary schools, though the C. M. S. had opened the first training college at Abeokuta as far back as 1849. Among the early Protestant evangelical societies founded in Great Britain were the Baptist Missionary Society, the Church Missionary Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, the Wesleyan Missionary Society and what became known as the Presbyterian Missionary Society of the Church of Scotland. (As at December 2020). Are you ready to discover the points for an essay on the contribution of the Christian mission to the social and economic development of Ghana? Crampton, Edmund Patrick Thurman. A history of Christianity in Ghana. The role of the Christian missionaries in Ghana and West Africa was not limited to the education and agricultural sectors alone. Establishment of Christian Churches In Sierra Leone. The Society of the Divine Word is the world's largest Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers who focus on missionary work. The statistical evidence suggests that education would have spread more evenly. Moreover, they introduced new crops into the Ghanaian economy. Let's look in-depth into these scholarships. But that increase was greater in monogamous societies. Vol. Groundless fears that the converts would become contaminated with paganism led some of the Christian missionaries, notably the Presbyterians, to separate the Christians from the rest of the township. hbbd```b``vd d"e ] DrI`5 d"(/ Your email address will not be published. Sign in to view the collection. Also, Christian missionaries in Ghana were as zealous as their counterparts in Nigeria in pioneering medical services. PROBLEMS FACED BY THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES. One is led to ask, why this sudden development? In traditionally monogamous societies, primary school completion increased by about eight percent, but only four percent in polygamous societies. Thomas Birch Freeman, son of a London-based West Indian father and an English mother. This conditioning was focused on norms that missionaries deemed incompatible with a Christian way of life. And yet this was what earlier missionaries in pagan Europe had done when, for example, they had changed the Sabbath to suit the pagan Sun Day (hence Sunday), and had also adopted the dates of the pagan festivals to celebrate Christmas Day and the Easter festival. WhatsApp : +233204700052 Before we examine the contribution of Christian missionaries in Ghana, we need to identify the missionaries that came to Ghana. Prominent among the early Christian missionaries to come to the Gold Coast (Ghana) were the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Basel, Bremen and Anglican missions. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. For instance, in the Salisbury region of Rhodesia, it was reported in 1924 that no male teachers had educational qualifications (Bone 1969:28). further studies 3 (2002): 555-584. 2006 - 2023 Microform Academic Publishers | Microform Academic Publishers is a division of Microform Imaging Limited (Company registered in England no. EVANGELICAL MOVEMENTS AND MISSIONARY SOCIETIES IN THE ENGLISH COLONIES. Brief History. Another missionary whose memory is revered in Nigeria was Mary Slessor, she arrived in the country in 1876, and for many years worked assiduously as a missionary nurse. The missionaries opened schools further inland, and by 1880, the Wesleyan Mission had eighty -three schools. ABWE first began work in Ghana with a goal to reach unchurched Ghanaians in the Volta Region with the gospel and then to expand evangelism efforts to other parts of the country. government questions Support earthquake relief and outreach efforts, biblical foundation for the next generation of believers. Longman Nigeria Plc., 1994, Boahen, A.A. et al Tropics in West Africa History. But with colonial conquest and antimalarial drugs, they moved further into the continent. These commercial activities, therefore, made an important contribution to the economic development of Ghana. self help Hildebrandt, Jonathan. African Drama Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. A history of African Christianity 1950-1975. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. In 1880, two Roman Catholic priests of the Society of African Missions (S.M.A. Arnold, 1986. Copyright 2003 - 2023 - UKEssays is a trading name of Business Bliss Consultants FZE, a company registered in United Arab Emirates. the role of administrators, chiefs and the missions; first attempts at agricultural and industrial training; girls' education and teacher training before 1850; some chief factors in educational expansion 1850-1900; government official policy in educational expansion 1850-1900; agricultural, industrial and vernacular training 1850-1900 B. et al. Amma Darko Debate Speech: Religion Has Failed Society, A Speech Outlining the Achievements and Problems of Your School, 7 Factors Accounting for the Shortage of Capital In West Africa, The Resurrection of Jesus According to Marks Gospel. Another reason why the Europeans came to spread the Christian religion in Ghana was to pave their own way into eternal glory. cited in Miran 2002:128). Through academic lessons and lessons on Western etiquette and hygiene, mission students were isolated from their traditional cultures, a traumatic experience that would continue to trouble many students for the rest of their lives. In my study, I explored how colonial era conflicts and disagreements over marriage norms lastingly affected educational development. The Christian Connector is a great resource for Christians and aspiring ministry leaders and missionaries to apply for scholarships. About the same time, the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) headed by the Rev. By 1914 there were barely thirty schools in that vast area. For instance, on 2nd October 1792, the Baptist Missionary Society was formed followed by the interdenominational London Missionary Society which was established in 1795. All work is written to order. Unlike the Portuguese, the French colonial officials encouraged the Christian missionaries in the promotion of formal education and social services, notably health. Again, the missionaries persuaded Africans to abandon the practice of tribal marks. Furthermore, missionaries, believing in the civilizing mission, attempted to disintegrate traditional society through education by choosing academic subjects, such as the histories of the Western colonial powers, that illustrated the superiority of the Western culture, as well as by teaching about the superiority of the West in non-academic matters such as hygiene. non-slave trade), Christianity, Civilization and Colonization. Finally, education affects many other aspects of peoples lives, including economic opportunities and political attitudes. John G. Christaller (described as the Father of Twi Literature) produced a Twi grammar and dictionary, a collection of Twi proverbs, a Twi translation of the Bible as well as prayers and hymns. station in 1858, it was not until 1889 that the missionaries entered Hausaland, which was predominantly Muslim. One of their scholarships is a drawing for $2,500. THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES AND VERNACULAR LITERATURE; Another valuable contribution of the Christian missionaries in West Africa was the development of literature in the local vernaculars, this included the translation of the Bible into some of the important local languages. The original Yaba College in Lagos has grown into a polytechnic. ), Father Auguste Moreau and Father Eugene Murat, arrived at Elmina and revived the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana. The first batch, who came out between 1804 and 1806, included pioneer missionaries like Renner and Nylander. Shaw, Mark. Then share it on your favourite social media platform for the benefit of others you care about. Lewis, Donald M., ed. Their economic activities went beyond the development of agriculture. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! Although the aim of the traders was to practice commerce The Wesleyan and Basel missionaries established schools in Cape Coast, Accra . But despite the work of Portuguese missionaries based on the island of Sao Tome and later of Spanish missionaries in Benin, it was not until the nineteenth century that the Christian religion was firmly established in Nigeria. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. In fact, Jacobus Capitein, a former Ghanaian slave who became a priest in the Dutch Reformed Church in the 18th century was on record to have defended the practice of slavery. It started first among the Yoruba recaptives who had embraced the Christian faith while in Sierra Leone (freed from slave trading ships by the British Royal Naval Squadron), and who returned home between 1839 and 1845. Several missionaries died at a youthful age due to the unfriendly tropical climate. %PDF-1.7 % West Africa owes to the Christian missionaries not only a new religious faith which has changed the beliefs and life of millions of people, but also the foundation of western education. We shall now turn our attention to the activities of the Christian missionaries in Ghana. Please click this link to download the chapter. As churches of the Volta Region begin reproducing, ABWE wants to reach out to Ghanas unreached people groups in its eight other regions. Ayandele (1966:283), writing in the 1960s, says, By their [the missions] efforts the main languages of Nigeria have been preserved as a lasting legacy to the Ibo, Yoruba, Efik, Nupe and Hausa. However, this practice was in fact probably more due to stereotypes of African ignorance than an interest in being culturally respectful: missionaries may have believed that it would take too long to teach a superior European language to the unintelligent natives when the natives souls were in such desperate need of saving. From 1870 to 1914 the Basel Mission succeeded in extending its work from the Akwapim Ridge to Kwahu, Akim and Asante and across the Volta as far as Yendi the north in 1913. He was followed, three years afterwards, by the Rev. In addition to promoting a monogamous lifestyle in their schools, missionaries often insisted on divorces before polygamists or their children could even enrol. She succeeded in stopping the killing of twins in the areas where she served. Other missionaries opened mission stations in the country. Roman Catholic and Anglican missionaries came to the Gold Coast from the 15th century. Third, rivalry between the various Christian denominations also contributed to the poor standards of education. Frank Ogodo Ogbeche Although Lokoja had a small C.M.S. All rights reserved. The American Episcopal Evangelical (A.M.E.) Zion Church owes its foundation in Ghana to Bishop J. Bryan Small, who started work first at Keta in 1898. Foremost in the contribution of the early Christian missionaries to the development of Ghana is their efforts to bring Western education to Ghanaians. ), Father Auguste Moreau and Father Eugene Murat, arrived at Elmina and revived the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana. Reiterating what teacher education must encapsulate, Adegoke (2003) and Benneh (2006) indi-cated that the mission of Ghana's teacher education is to pro- A tiny act of kindness is remembered by a young man in need. For example, the missionaries preached against certain aspects of African culture they considered barbaric or satanic or both. They need YOU. For instance, the Basel Mission established the first teacher training college in Ghana. Soon after, in 1835 they moved up to Akropong on the hills in Akuapem, where the pioneer missionary the Rev. These new movements considered such ventures to be their contribution to Europes reparation for centuries of exploitation of Africans, reparation for the centuries of exploitation which the Trans Atlantic slave trade had caused to African society. Already have a license? Born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1933, Vincent Burke was the third of Walter and Eleanor (nee McGoff) Burkes four sons. Other difficulties they faced were the problems of the many languages and dialects and their ignorance of the true meaning of the various cultures, beliefs, values and ways of life of the people whom they set out to convert to Christianity. The resulting atmosphere of disunity enabled the European colonialists to easily achieve their goal of economic exploitation. Apart from giving to the converts a new religious faith which they consider is superior to the traditional religions, the Christian missionaries did pioneering work in introducing new crafts, industries, Western education and modern health services. 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Their educational activities helped spread literacy and vocational skills training among Ghanaians.