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Adult Basic Education

Prof Kofi Poku Quan-Baffour

Chair and Professor; Department of Adult Basic Education

Office Number: TVW 6-63
Tel: 012 429 6870
Cell: 082 352 2703
E-mail: quanbkp@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications:
D.Ed. [Adult Education], M.Ed.[Adult Education] 
M.A [Dev Studies] M.Ed.[Educational Mgt], DTE,
P/G Dip. [Adult Education]

Brief bio

Prof Kofi Poku Quan-Baffour holds a D.Ed, in Adult Education from Unisa. His doctoral research focused on the evaluation of adult learning (basic education) programmes. Quan-Baffour is a full Professor and Chair of the Department of Adult Basic Education. Kofi, as he prefers to be called, sees education as the most effective tool for development. He has taught in schools, colleges and universities in Ghana, Lesotho, Botswana and South Africa. Having obtained all three Master's and a Doctoral degree through distance learning he has the firsthand experience of the value of student support. As a researcher in Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Kofi believes that the African Philosophy of Ubuntu [love and support] must be practiced in ODL too. Prof Quan-Baffour has published over 35 articles in peer reviewed international and local accredited journals, co-authored one book on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, contributed chapters to 3 different books and successfully supervised a number of Master's and Doctoral research studies in his fields of study. He is a Christian and is married with three children.

Research Interests:
Kofi’s research interest is in Adult Education and takes the form of Multi, Intra and Trans-disciplinary (MIT) research covering Indigenous knowledge system & African identity, Non Formal/Informal Education, Adult Basic Education, Education and development - [Youth and entrepreneurship, Rural women and Tourism], Learner support, Teacher education and Abuse of the ‘Vulnerable’[Trafficking of women & Children].

MEMBERSHIP OF ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

  • Member of  UNISA Senate, School/ College Management Committee; Research and Higher Degrees Committees
  • African Studies Association of Australia and Pacific, Comparative International  Education Societies, World Indigenous Peoples’ Congress on Education, Education Association of Southern Africa, International  Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Reviewer for journals- African Education Review, The Anthropologist (Anth),  Muziki: Journal of Music Research in Africa, Educational Research and Reviews, Scientific Journal international, International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning.
  • Guest Editor 2012:  Journal of Latin American Report


EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:
External Examiner for Masters’ and Doctoral Dissertations/Theses for the following Universities: Fort Hare, Ghana, North West, Central University of Technology &Venda

Publications:

Book
Quan-Baffour, K P. & Pipim Buaduo.  NA. 2011. Sankofaism: Reinventing Africa From Its Indigenous Philosophies. LAMBERT Academic Publications Ltd

Book Chapters
1. Quan-Baffour, KP.  2008. Rural Women and Sustainable Environmental Management in Developing Countries. In Environment and Health in Developing Countries: Managing Emergent Crisis. Owusu Y(Ed). Springler Publisher Ltd. Ottawa.

2. Quan-Baffour, KP. 2009. Rural Tourism in South Africa: The Case of Damdoryn and Bufflespoort Dams. In A Handbook of Business Practice and Growth in Emerging Markets. World Scientific Publishing Co. Ltd.

3.  Quan- Baffour, KP, 2012. Supporting the post graduate student at a distance: A  personal encounter. In Student support in Open Distance Education. Ravhudzulo, NA (Ed.), UNISA Press. (in press).

Journal Articles
Quan-Baffour, KP. (2005). Enhancing Learning at a Distance Through Listening: Strategies of Student Support in Open Distance Learning.   Journal of Open & Distance Education Vol. 1 No 2,  Pages 57-72

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2005). Partnerships: A New  Paradigm for Fostering Enduring Parents’ Involvement in Children’s Education.  Journal of Special Education, University of Winneba Vol.  IV No 1 pages 121- 128

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2005). Learner Profile and Characteristics: Values and Implications for Teaching Adults at a Distance.   The Social Educator: Journal of Social Studies Education. University of Education, Winneba. Vol. 2 No 1 Pages 149-157.

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2005). Managing a tutorial system: The University of South Africa ABET Experience.  PROGRESSIO: The South African Journal for Open& Distance Learning Practice Vol.27. Nos. 1&2 pp36-43

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2006). Traditional/ Indigenous Education: Any Lessons for the Western Education System?  African Journal of Special Education Needs University of Education, Winneba. Vol.4 No 3 Pages 464-470.

Quan-Baffour, KP & Owusu-Mensah, J. (2006). Classroom Dynamics: Experience of an Innovative Tutoring. Excitement in the Classroom; Journal of Australian Teachers http://www.cybertext.net.au/acel/papers/ paper 33_06.htm

Klu, EK. & Quan-Baffour, KP. (2006).  A Mismatch Between Policy Planning& Implementation: A Critique of South Africa’s Inclusive Education Policy. African Journal of Special Education Needs. University of Winneba Vol. IV No 2 Pages 285-291

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2006). Adult Basic Education & Training in the Ten Years of South African Democracy West African.  Journal of Educational Research Vol. 9 Nos. 1&2 pp 40-44

Quan-Baffour, KP & Vambe, MT (2006). Multiculturalism and Learning Technologies in Adult Basic Education and Training Programmes at the University of South Africa. Journal of Research& Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning. World Scientific Publishing Company& Asian-Pacific Society for Computers in Education. Vol.1 No3 Pages297-308

Quan-Baffour, KP& Vambe, MT.. (2006). The Challenges of Language Learning, Teaching & Training in Distance Adult Basic Education Programmes at the University of South Africa. Hellenist Journal of Open and Distance Education. Issue 4 Pages 157-168

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2007). Continuous Professional Development: A Strategy to Enhance Quality of Teaching at the School level.  The International Journal of Learning Vol. 14. No 1 pp 183-189

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2007).The Power of Akan folk music in teaching adults about HIV/AIDS in Ghana. MUZIKI: Journal of Music in Africa, Special Issue. Vol. 4 N0 2 pp.209-223 Routledge. Taylor and Francis ISSN 1812-5980

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2008).The wisdom of our forefathers: Sankofaism and its educational lessons for today.  Journal of Educational Studies, Special Issue 1  Vol .7  No 2  pp.22-31

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2008).Gender mainstreaming: A new Paradigm for sustainable environmental management in Ghana.  Africanus:  Journal of Development Studies, UNISA  ISSN 0304-615X Vol. 38 No 1 pp.54-63

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2008).Transformation & Acculturation in Ghanaian Christian songs.  MUZIKI. Journal of Music research in Africa.  Vol.5 N0 2 pp.165-178 Routledge, Taylor & Francis ISSN1812- 5980

Quan-Baffour, KP & Arko Achemfuor A (2008). Environmental conditions and their impact on small businesses in South Africa  International.  Journal of Business & Emerging Markets, University of Wennipeg. Vol.1 No 4 ISSN 1753-6219 pp.405-419

Quan-Baffour, KP & Lebeloane, LDM (2008). ‘Letsema’: A way of inculcating and preserving African Indigenous Knowledge System in Youth Through Formal Education in the 21 Century [Joint paper].  Journal of Education Studies, University of Venda , Special Issue  Vol. 7 NO 2  pp. 43-49

Quan-Baffour, KP & Arko Achemfuor A (2008). Bridging the content knowledge gap of teachers: An  agenda to improve Business Studies Teaching in South African Countryside Schools.   Problems of education in 21 century Scientific Methodical Centre "Scientia Educologica",  Lithuanian Scientific Society and ICASE.  PEC 2009; 12(12)pp.108-116  http://www.jbse.webinfo.lt/Problems_of_Education.htm

Quan-Baffour, KP (2009). Integrating Indigenous Knowledge System into Bono Schools: Maintaining identity and shaping the future.  Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues. World Indigenous People’s Conference on Education Special Issue, Volume 12 University of Monash .Melbourne, Australia pp.46-52  ISSN1440-5202

Quan-Baffour, K P. (2009).    The possible Contribution of Open Distance Learning to the New Partnership  for Africa’s Development [NEPAD]. Journal of Literacy and Adult Education Volume 4 No 1 Pp.210-223

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2009). In Praise of Mothers: Songs composed by Ghanaian Musicians as tribute to Motherhood. MUZIKI: Journal of Music Research in Africa. Volume 5.  No. 2 pp.165-178 Volume 5 No 2.pp165-178. Routledge. Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2009). Mitigating Vulnerability: Non-formal Education for Refugee Youths in South Africa. Journal of Commonwealth Youth and Development UNISA Press, pp.11-20

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2009). Ritual Songs for Girls’ Nobility Rites at Bono Takyiman, Ghana. MUZIKI: Journal of Music Research in Africa. Volume 6.  No. 1 pp.26-35 Routledge. Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Quan-Baffour, KP & Bayaga, A. (2009).The African School Curriculum: Content and Relevance of Indigenous Knowledge to Africa’s Regeneration. Curriculum Issues in Higher Education, UNISA Press.pp61-69

Quan-Baffour, KP. & Arko-Achemfuor, A. (2010). Micro-teaching: A tool to ensure quality in Teacher Training at a Distance. Journal of Comparative & International Research in Education; Contemporary Issues. Scientific Methodological Centre No 1822-7864. Pp.125-131.

Quan-Baffour, KP, Bayaga A & Mtose, X. (2010). Social Influences on the studying of Mathematics by Black South African Learners. Journal of peculiarities of Contemporary Education. International Council of Associations for Science Education Volume 23, pp30-40

Quan-Baffour, KP. (2010). Non-formal  Adult and Youth Education in Latin America: Lessons for South Africa. Journal of Latin American Report, Centre for Latin American Studies, Volume 24 No1

Quan-Baffour, KP.,Obviebo, M O. &  Mohitlhi, KE. (2010). The Integration of HIV/AIDS Studies into the School Curriculum of Edo State, Nigeria: An Exploratory Investigation. Journal of peculiarities of Contemporary Education. International Council of Associations for Science Education Volume 23 pp.158-165

Quan-Baffour, KP. 2011. Singing to farmers: Non-formal Adult Education Through Folksongs for Food Production in Rural Ghana.  MUZIKI: Journal of Music Research in Africa Vol. 8 No 1 pp 30-42

Quan-Baffour, KP. 2011. The Wisdom of our Fathers: Akan Proverbs and their Educational Value for Today. Southern African Journal  for Folklore Studies Volume 21 No 1 2011

Quan-Baffour, KP. 2011. Testing the Limits of Liberation Theology: Skills Training for Adult Women in the Techiman Diocese. Journal of Latin American Studies Vol. 24 No 2 pp35-41
 
Quan-Baffour, K P. 2011.Shifting the paradigm: Multiple mode assessment strategies in distance teacher training programme for inclusivity.  Mathematics Connection;Journal of MathematicsAssociation of Ghana. Volume 10.  pp .55-66. ISSN 0855-4706

Quan-Baffour, K P & Mohitlhi, K E. 2011. Oral performance and voice of wisdom: Batswana songs to educate young adults about community health problems. Journal of Music  Research in Africa. Volume 8 No. 2  pp. 72-80

Quan- Baffour, Kofi Poku. 2012. Partnership in Leadership: Exploring the emerging partnership between schools and communities in rural South Africa. The Beauty & The Beast; Towards Turning the Tide in Education.  EASA 2011 Conference  Proceedings. Digital Print
Solution, Cape Town.  Pp.296-312.  ISBN 978-0-620-52297-7
 
Quan- Baffour, Kofi Poku. 2012. Sankofa: ‘Gazing Back’ to Indigenous Knowledge and Skills for Socio-Economic Development of Ghana.  Journal of Tribes and Tribals. ISSN 0972-639X

CURRENT PROJECTS

1. Training of School Governing Bodies in rural schools in Bophirima Region, North West Province
2. Evaluation of the impact of Khari Gude Literacy project on socio-economic life of new literates in South Africa
3. Indigenous knowledge system in education