Development and evaluation of an instructional guide for teaching content on Indigenous Ghanaian Sculpture in tertiary institutions in Ghana

Kenneth Dam Sakoalia ORCID iD

Issue: Vol. 7 No.8 2026 Article 4 pp. 2219 – 2241
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026784 Published online 30th September 2026

© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Views: 33
18 Downloads

DOWNLOAD PDF

This study developed and evaluated an instructional guide for teaching indigenous Ghanaian sculpture in tertiary institutions, with particular focus on Bimoba sculptural traditions. It responded to the limited representation of minority ethnic sculptural forms in Visual Arts education and the absence of structured teaching resources in Colleges of Education. Grounded in Indigenous Knowledge Systems Theory and Constructivist Learning Theory, the study adopted a qualitative approach. The ASSURE instructional design model guided the development of the guide, which integrated theoretical content, practical activities, reflective tasks, and assessment strategies. The guide covered chicherii, tingbana, pataa, gingana, and yerii, highlighting their cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, and educational values. Through data saturation, convenience, and purposive sampling, 20 respondents comprising five sculpture experts, three lecturers, and twelve student-teachers in selected tertiary institutions evaluated the guide. Findings revealed that the guide was culturally authentic, pedagogically sound, content-relevant, and practically useful. The study concludes that integrating Bimoba sculpture into teacher education can strengthen curriculum relevance, cultural preservation, and decolonised art education.

Keywords: Development, evaluation, instructional guide, teaching content, indigenous Ghanaian sculpture

Adom, Dickson, Emad Kamil Hussein, and Joe Adu Agyem. “Theoretical and Conceptual Framework: Mandatory Ingredients of a Quality Research.” International Journal of Scientific Research 7, no. 1 (2018): 438–41.

Agogbuo, Lilian Chidinma, and Chinyere N. Nwachukwu. “Aesthetics, an Element of the Oral Traditions: A Study of J. P. Clark’s Ozidi.” African Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences  12, no. 2 (2022): 545–55.

Anon. “MOBA Shrine Figure, Togo, African.”  Amazon, 2024. https://www.amazon.com/MOBA-Shrine-Figure-Togo-African/dp/B07M966258.

Attah, Emmanuel Kofi, Dickson Adom, Joe Adu-Agyem, Babaaradio Kombui, and Isaac Gyasi. “Documentation of the Socio-Cultural Significance of Artefacts in Sefwi Bekwai Palace in Ghana.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5 (2024): 611–28.

Awuni, M., A. Mensah, and D. Baffour-Awuah. “Traditional Wood Carving and Contemporary Wood Sculpture: A Study of Ahwiaa and KNUST.” Journal of Art and Culture Studies 15, no. 2 (2023): 45–62.

Awuni, S, G Bekoe, K P O Baah, D K Eyram, and K Opoku-Bonsu. “Traditional Wood Carving and Contemporary Wood Sculpture in Ghana.” J Afr Art Educ 3, no. 2 (2023): 21–48.

Azaglo, Alex Kwasi, Dickson Adom, Joe Adu-Agyem, and Kofi Opoku-Mensah. “‘ My Sculpture, My Life’: An Iconographic Study of the Contemporary Ghanaian Sculptor, Isaac Opoku-Mensah.” Journal of African History, Culture and Arts 2, no.1(2022):1–14.

Boakye-Yiadom, Mica Michael, and Kofi Opoku Donkor. “Asante Stool Carvings and Their Cultural Significance in Ghana.”  Journal of African Art Education, 2022.

Bui, S. “Evaluation of Instructional Materials in 2024: 9 Key Aspects.” F. Learning Studio, 2024. https://flearningstudio.com/a-guide-to-successful-evaluation-of-online-learning-materials/.

Calhoun, Sahay, and Wilson. Instructional Design Evaluation. EdTech Books, 2021. https://edtechbooks.org/id/instructional_design_evaluation.

Capitolium Art. “A Monumental Sculpture Tchitcheri Sakwa, Moba Togo,” 2024.

Clarke, C. “ Khan Academy,” 2006. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-africa/african-art-introduction/themes-and-issues-in-the-art-of-africa/a/aesthetics.

Dei, De-Graft Johnson, Linda Anane-Donkor, Patience Emefa Dzandza, Theresa Peasah, and Constance Phyllis Puttick. “Synthesizing the Characteristics and Applications of Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review.” Sage Open 15, no. 3 (2025): 21582440251383844.

Duut, G. N., C., Oppong, P. N., Yinzie, and D. K. Sakoalia. “A Chronicle of Tourist Attractions in the Bunkpurugu Nakpanduri District of the Northern Region, Ghana.” The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies 6, no. 12 (2018): 74–88.

Dziak, M. “Theoretical Framework .”  EBSCO, 2024. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/theoretical-framework.

Hays, Lauren. “ASSURE: Instructional Design Model for Use by Librarians.”  Lucidea, 2021. https://lucidea.com/blog/assure-instructional-design-model-for-us-by-librarians/.

Kaya, Hassan O, and Yonah N Seleti. “African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Relevance of Higher Education in South Africa.” International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives 12, no. 1 (2013).

Kpeebi, K. “A Sociological Study of Kingship, Peace and Marriage among the Bimoba People,” 2019.

Kurt, Serhart. “ASSURE: Instructional Design Model.” Educational Technology, 2015.

Kwekudee. Bimoba People: Hilly Dwelling Small West African Ethnic Group. Trip Down Memory Lane, 2013. https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2013/04/bimoba-people-hilly-dwelling-small-west.html.

Lastiri, Luis. The Major Instructional Design Models Explained and Defined. My eLearning World, 2024. https://myelearningworld.com/instructional-design-models/.

Masenya, Tlou Maggie. “Decolonization of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in South Africa: Impact of Policy and Protocols.” International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM) 18, no. 1 (2022): 1–22.

Moiso, Daniela R. “How to Apply Instructional Design Models to Learning Design.” SessionLab. Accessed September 25, 2024. , 2024. https://www.sessionlab.com/blog/instructional-design-models/.

Ndlovu, Elliot C., and Mishack T Gumbo. “Decolonising Technology Education: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Development in Electrical and Mechanical Systems and Control.” African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 28, no. 3 (2024): 362–72.

Newton, C.  Aesthetics and Educational Significance of Public Sculptures at Mankessim. Winneba: University of Education, Winneba, 2022. http://ir.uew.edu.gh.

Nurdi, T. H. The ASSURE in Teaching. Instructional Technology, 2017. https://pascapbi-3a.blogspot.com/2017/01/theassure-in-teaching-by-trihari-nurdi.html.

Perroni, E. How Africa Can Use Its Traditional Knowledge.  Food Tank, 2023. https://foodtank.com/news/2017/11/traditional-african-agriculture/.

Phyfferoen, D. An Introduction to the Traditional Idioms of Music Making among the Bimoba of Northern Ghana. Academia, 2005.

Phyfferoen, D.  Gingaung. Music Africa Museum, 2006.

Pyne, Simon, Mavis Osei, and Joseph Adu-Agyem. “The Use of Indigenous Arts in the Therapeutic Practices of Traditional Priests and Priestesses of Asante, Ghana.” International Journal of Innovative Research 2, no. 11 (2013): 464–74.

Rusconi, G. What Is an Assessment Tool? Development Guide and 7 Examples. Cloud Assess, 2025.

Saleem, Amna, Huma Kausar, and Farah Deeba. “Social Constructivism: A New Paradigm in Teaching and Learning Environment.” Perennial Journal of History 2, no. 2 (2021): 403–21.

Shava, Soul. “The African Aesthetic.” In The SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2015.

Shive, Elyssa Cherry. “Equitable Integration of Indigenous Knowledge System in STEM Education Professional Development: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education 8, no. 2 (2025): 21–40.

Sirui, Wang. The Instructional Design Models That Best Fit: ASSURE Model. Learning by Click, 2018.

Slikkerveer, L. Jan. “The Indigenous Knowledge Systems’ Perspective on Sustainable Development.” In Integrated Community-Managed Development: Strategizing Indigenous Knowledge and Institutions for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Community Development in Indonesia, 33–66. Springer, 2019.

Sreekumar, Divya. “What Is Research Methodology? Definition, Types, and Examples.” Paperpal Blog-Academic Writing Guides, 2023.

Thampinathan, Sanjeef. “The Application of the Constructivism Learning Theory to Physician Assistant Students in Primary Care.” Education for Health 35, no. 1 (2022): 26–30.

Thompson, Jerry L. “Moba Chicherii Figures,” 2016.

Trif-Boia, Laura. “The ASSURE Model in Instructional Design,” 2022.

Upu, Hamzah. “Constructivism versus Cognitive Load Theory: In Search for an Effective Mathematics Teaching.” ArXiv Preprint ArXiv:2108.04796, 2021.

Wege, Nicholas K. “Documentation of the Lives and Works of Four Traditional Woodwork Artists in Ghana: A Resource for Teaching and Learning in the Senior High School.” Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, 2011.

Williams, B. “ Instructional Design Evaluation Checklist: A Practical Guide.”  Insight7, 2025. https://insight7.io/instructional-design-evaluation-checklist-a-practical-guide/.

Williams, R., J. Thomas, and L. Miller. “Strategies to Address Teacher Bias and Promote Equity.” Educational Review 76, no. 2 (2021): 150–70.

Zohrabi, Mohammad. “Mixed Method Research: Instruments, Validity, Reliability and Reporting Findings.” Theory and Practice in Language Studies 3, no. 2 (2013): 254–62.

Zou, Yuxue, Minhui Yuan, Lan Mo, and S S B Mustakim. “Enhancing Teaching and Learning through Assessment Strategies: A Practical Guide.” International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 14, no. 7 (2024): 1024–36.

Dr Kenneth Dam Sakoalia is a Lecturer and Head of the Visual Arts Unit at the Department of Vocational and Technical, Bagabaga College of Education, Tamale, Ghana. He is also a practitioner, researcher and reviewer in sculpture. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Philosophy in Art Education as well as a Bachelor of Fine Art (Sculpture) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. He also has a Diploma in Education from the University of Education, Winneba, and a Diploma in Education (CBT Option) from Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi. Some of his publications are found in the Journal of Arts & Humanities, The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, Research Aspects in Arts and Social Studies and E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. His research interests include sculpture, scrap materials for art production, and aesthetics to improve Art Education in Ghana and beyond.

 

Sakoalia, Kenneth Dam. “Development and evaluation of an instructional guide for teaching content on Indigenous Ghanaian Sculpture in tertiary institutions in Ghana.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.8 (2026): 2212 – 2241. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026784

© 2026 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Articles in this Issue

About Journal