Prof. Banahene Advocates Cultural Reclamation in Education Through Indigenous Languages

Professor Paul Banahene Adjei has made a strong appeal for African societies to reclaim their cultural identity by reforming the current Westernized education system. Speaking at a webinar titled “A Day Scientific Renaissance in the 21st Century: The Important Role of Indigenous Knowledges as Exist in African Elder Critical Teachings (ELDERCRITS), on June 26, 2025,” he criticized how Western education separates Africans from their cultural roots.

“Western education is removing us from our culture,” Prof. Banahene declared. He noted that the deep entrenchment of foreign curricula has influenced not only how African students learn, but how they perceive their world and identity. He argued that this system disconnects learners from their cultural roots and local realities, rendering them ill-equipped to address community-specific challenges.

Prof. Banahene stressed the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and cultural practices into the educational system to enhance its relevance and impact. “Inculcating our culture in our Westernized education system will go a long way to help us situate whatever is being taught in our culture to help solve our local problems,” he said.

He further emphasized the role of scholars and educators in this cultural reawakening. “We must acknowledge our lands, ancestral veneration, our positionality, and our history,” he urged. This, he explained, is key to building a culturally responsive educational framework that promotes identity and self-reliance.

In a bold policy recommendation, Prof. Banahene called for a shift in university admission requirements. “Instead of expecting students to make good grades in English before admission, we should rather expect that students pass at least one local language. By doing this, we ensure our culture stays with them through their education,” he proposed.

The webinar, hosted by the Department of Social Work, drew academics, traditional leaders, students, and policy makers, all keen on exploring sustainable ways to decolonize the African educational system. Prof. Banahene’s call challenges institutions to reimagine education not merely as a tool for academic achievement, but as a means to preserve and advance African heritage.