Department Adult Community and Continuing Education

Prof A Arko-Achemfuor

College of Education
School of Educational Studies
Department: Adult Basic Education
Professor
Tel: 012 481 2902
Fax: 012 4841059
E-mail: aachea@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • DTech (Business Administration)
  • MBA (General Management)
  • MEd (Adult Education)

Currently teaching

  • Primary lecturer for ABT3728, secondary lecturer for ABT1517 and supervision of Masters and Doctoral Studies

Fields of academic interests

Research interest:

  • Adult and youth entrepreneurship & entrepreneurship education
  • Economic and environmental sustainability
  • Learner support in ODL
  • African indigenous knowledge systems

Field of Specialisation

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Adult Education
  • General Management
  • Economics

Books

Book chapters:

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2021. Balancing the Interests of Wildlife and Humans Resulting in Sustainable Ecotourism: The Case of Boabeng-Fiema Monkeys’ Sanctuary, Ghana. From Polarisation to Multispecies Relationships Re-Generation of the Commons in the Era of Mass Extinctions. In J. J. McIntyre-Mills and Y. Corcoran-Nantes (Eds). Springer. pp. 486-519.
  • McIntyre-Mills, J.J., Romm, N.R.A., Arko-Achemfuor, A. and Karel, J. 2021. Systemic Praxis: Steps Towards Re-generation. From Polarisation to Multispecies Relationships Re-Generation of the Commons in the Era of Mass Extinctions. In J. J. McIntyre-Mills and Y. Corcoran-Nantes (Eds). Springer. pp. 615-644
  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2019.  Adult Basic Education and small business development in South Africa. In Adult, Continuing and Lifelong Education and Development in Africa. A. Arko-Achemfuor, K.P. Quan-Baffour and D. Addae (Eds). New York: NOVA Science Publishers. pp.171-188.

  •  Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2019. Putting communal land into productive use through collaboration, networking and partnerships in rural South Africa. In J McIntyre-Mills and NRA Romm Eds). Mixed Methods and Cross Disciplinary Research. pp 251-265. Springer.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2018. The challenges of managing public schools on private property in Lesotho. In M. Lekhetho (Ed.), Education in Lesotho: Prospects and challenges. pp. 163-177. New York: NOVA Science Publishers.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2018. Indigenous financing of SMMEs: A comparative study of Susu and stokvels in Ghana and South Africa. In The Arts and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in a Modernized Africa. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 222-244.

Journal articles

  • Muchineripi, M., Arko-Achemfuor, A. and Quan-Baffour, K.P. 2021. An Exploration of Comprehensive Student Support Systems in Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges for Students with Disability. Community College Journal of Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2021.1952914
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2018. Naming of Children and Meaning of Names among the Akan of Ghana: Defining Identities? Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies. Volume 28(1): 1-14. 
    • Quan-Baffour & Akwasi Arko-Achemfuor. 2018. Quality Assurance through Experiential Learning in a distance education context: The views of major stakeholders. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education. Volume 19(3): 15-23. 
    • Appiah, E.K., Arko-Achemfuor, A., Adeyeye, (2018). Appreciation of diversity and inclusion in Sub-Sahara Africa: The socioeconomic implications. Cogent Social Sciences.  4:1-12.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2017. Socio-economic development through the exploration of natural resources in rural South Africa, Environmental Economics, 8(4), 44-52.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2017. Student support gaps in an open distance learning context, Issues in Educational Research, 27(4): 658-676
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2017. Three and half decades of Kojo Antwi in educating adults and the youth about marriage and love through highlife music in Ghana, Muziki, DOI: 10.1080/18125980.2016.1249161.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2016. Holistic development of the youth through public-private partnerships in education: The case of Tiger Kloof. Commonwealth Youth Development, 14(1): 1-14.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2016. Addressing the developmental challenges in rural areas in South Africa through Ubuntu philosophy: The case of Sedikong sa Lerato Cooperative. Indilinga. Volume 15 No 1 of 2016.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A., and Quan-Baffour, K.P. 2015. Addressing the plastic shopping bag menace in Ghana through education: the role of FM radio stations. Environmental Economics, Vol. 6(4): 61-67.
    • Dzansi, D.Y., and Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2016. Understanding entrepreneurship in the South African context: Insights from entrepreneurial risk attitudes of four major ethnic groups in South Africa. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, Vol. 8(2): 146-154.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A., and Quan-Baffour, K.P. 2015. Addressing the plastic shopping bag menace in Ghana through education: the role of FM radio stations. Environmental Economics, Vol. 6(4): 61-67.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A., and D.Y. Dzansi. 2015. Business doing well by doing good in the community: The case of Sedikong sa Lerato in South Africa.  The Journal of Commerce, Vol. 7(2): 53-68.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A., and D.Y. Dzansi. 2015. The holistic management concept in rearing Nguni cattle: A way out for sustainable agriculture and minimizing rural poverty? Environmental Economics, Vol. 6(1): 206-214.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2015. Exploring Partnerships between Unisa and Education Stakeholders in Supporting Adult Learners at a Distance. International Journal of Educational Sciences, 8(3):619-627
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A., and Dzansi, D.Y. 2015. Triple bottom line. Journal of Economics.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2014.Revisiting entrepreneurship training for adults: Basic education for employability. Anthropologist, 17 (2): 433-440.
  • Quan-Baffour, K.P., and Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2014. The effect of a lack of career paths on job satisfaction among South African teachers. African Education Review, Vol11 (1): 1-16.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2013. Assuring Rural Youths Better Future through Partnerships: The Case of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution, Vryburg, South Africa. Anthropologist, 16(3): 721-724.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2013. Recognition of prior learning as a path way towards the professionalisation of youth work in South Africa. Commonwealth Youth and Development. Volume 11(2):  
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2013. Teaching Moral Values to the Youth through Ananse Stories among the Akan in Ghana. Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies. Vol 23(1): 74-85.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2012. Financing SMMEs in Rural South Africa: An Exploratory Study of Stokvels in the Naledi Local Municipality, North West Province. Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology, 3(2): 127-133. 
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2012. Entrepreneurship education in Ghana through Akan Folksongs. Muziki: Journal of Music Research in Africa. Volume 9(2): 9-14.
    • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2011. The Place of Songs in Akan Funeral Celebrations. Muziki: Journal of Music Research in Africa. Volume 8(2): 123-130..
    • Quan-Baffour, K.P & Arko-Achemfuor, A. (2009). Bridging the content knowledge gap of teachers. An agenda to improve Business Studies teaching in South African countryside schools. Problems of Education in the 21st Century. Scientific Methodical Centre. “Scientia Educologica”/ Lithunia. Vol. 12, 2009.
  • Quan-Baffour, K.P & Arko-Achemfuor, A. (2009). Micro-teaching: A tool to ensure quality in teacher training at a distance. Problems of Education in the 21st Century. Scientific
  • Teane, F.M., and Arko-Achemfuor, 2020. A. Learner Support through a Supplementary Learner Support Program for Marginalized Rural Learners in South Africa. International Journal of Pedagogy and Curriculum
  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2019. Capacity building in small business management for new literates through action research. Cogent Education. 1643443 https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2019.1643443.
  • Romm, N., Arko-Achemfuor, A. and Serolong, L 2019: Academic-practitioner collaboration with communities towards social and ecological transformation. International Journal of Transformative Research, 6,1:1-9.
  • McIntyre-Mills, J., Romm, N., Arko-Achemfuor, A., Karel, J & Serolong, L. 2019: Efforts to inspire transformative research with farmers in a small town in the North West Province of South Africa International Journal of Transformative Research, 6,1:10-19.
  • McIntyre-Mills, J., Mokoena, G.K., Arko-Achemfuor, A., Mabunda, P., and Njiro, E. 2014. Participatory approach to education: An action learning approach at the University of South Africa. Participatory Educational Research, Vol. (1): 106-132.
  • Arko-Achemfuor, A., and Dzansi, D.Y. 2014. Ethnicity and entrepreneurial motive differences: A South African case study. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 5(14):228-239.
  • Quan-Baffour, K.P & Arko-Achemfuor, A. (2009). Environmental conditions and their impact on small businesses in South Africa. International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets (IJBEM), Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 405-419.
  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. 2014. Teaching the youth and adults through education with production: The case of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(1): 607-612.
  • Teaching Women to ‘Fish’: Basic Education to Empower Rural Women: The ‘Mantloane’ Programmes in Lesotho. Latin American Report, 2011(1): 174-180.

Paper presentations

Recent Conferences attended and papers presented:

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Leveraging South Africa’s brain drain-brain gain for national and regional development: Policy implications. Paper presented at the 2019 Society for the Advancement in Science in Africa (SASA) Conference, Ontario Institute of Studies in Education. Toronto, Canada, 6-9 June 2019.
  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Socio-economic development through the exploitation of natural resources in rural South Africa. Paper presented at the 2018 International Business Conference (IBC), Pointe Aux Piments, Mauritius, 23 September 2018.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Sustaining and maintaining an ecotourism initiative through belief systems: The case of Fiema-Buabeng Monkeys’ Sanctuary, Ghana. Paper at the 13th International South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Science (SAAFECES) Conference at St George’s Hotel, 5-9 March 2018.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Maintaining and sustaining the Kente weaving tradition through the apprenticeship system in two communities in Ghana. Paper at the 13th International South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Science (SAAFECES) Conference at St George’s Hotel, 5-9 March 2018.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. The economics of waste: Addressing poverty, unemployment and environmental challenges in the Tshwane Metro, South Africa. Paper presented at the International Conference on Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UNER), 21-24 July 2017.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Socio-economic development through the exploitation of natural resources in rural South Africa. Paper presented at the 2017 Asian Conference on Education (ACE), Kobe Cultural Centre, Kobe, Japan, 19-22 October 2017.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. On-screen marking as a tool for addressing the challenges of feedback in an open distance learning context. Paper presented at the 2017 Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Conference at the Khaya iBhubesi Lodge, Parys, 8-11 January 2017.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Opportunity identification and exploitation from systemic failure: The case of basic education in Ghana. Paper presented at the 39th African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific at the University of Western Australia, Perth, 5-7 December 2016.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Naming of children and meaning of names among the Akan of Ghana: Defining identities? Paper presented at the 2016 Southern African Folklore Society at the Bolivia Lodge, Polokwane, Limpopo, 27-29 September 2016.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Capacity building in small business and project management skills for new literates through action research. Paper presented at the 4th Annual Community Engagement Symposium at the Riverside Sun Lodge, Vanderbijlpark, 13-14 June 2016.

  • Mokoena, G.K., and Arko-Achemfuor, A. Vocational training programmes as an alternative career path for Kha Ri Gude graduates. Joint paper presented at the 4th Annual Community Engagement Symposium at the Riverside Sun Lodge, Vanderbijlpark, 13-14 June 2016.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A., and Quan-Baffour, KP. Addressing the plastic shopping bag menace in Ghana through education: The role of FM radio stations. Joint paper presented at the 2nd International Conference of the Journal of Green Economy & Development at Makaranga Lodge, Durban, 8-10 July 2015.

  • Arko-Achemfuor, A. Adult literacy and entrepreneurship development: The case of Kha Ri Gude graduates in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Paper presented at the 9th Pan-African Literacy for All & 10th RASA National Literacy Conference at the University of Cape Town, 2-5 September 2015.

  • Quan-Baffour, KP, and Arko-Achemfuor, A.  The impact of adult illiteracy on the physical environment: A comparative study of two rural communities in Bono Ahafo, Ghana. Joint paper presented at the 2nd International Conference of the Journal of Green Economy & Development at Makaranga Lodge, Durban, 8-10 July 2015.

  • The holistic management concept in rearing Nguni cattle: A way out for sustainable development and minimizing rural poverty? Paper presented at the 2015 EASA Conference at the Legend Golf Safari Lodge, Mookgopong, South Africa, 11-14 January 2015.

  • Holistic development of the youth through public-private partnerships in education: The case of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution.  Paper presented at the 2015 EASA Conference at the Legend Golf Safari Lodge, Mookgopong, South Africa, 11-14 January 2015.

  • Broadening access to tertiary education through the student financial aid scheme: Lessons from Ghana and Lesotho. Paper presented at the Association of Educational Development in Africa (AEDA) 2015 Conference at Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town, 13-15 April 2015.

  • Understanding the access to learner support challenges of Unisa’s ABET students through the mixed methods approach. Paper presented at the Mixed Methods International Research Association Conference, Boston College, MA (USA), 27-29 June 2014.

  • Addressing the developmental challenges in rural South Africa through Ubuntu philosophy: The case of Sedikong sa Lerato Cooperative. Paper presented at the 2014 International Conference on Arts, Culture, Heritage Conference, Tshwane University of Technology, 1-3 October 2014.

  • Applying the triple bottom line principle in business through corporate social responsibility: The case of Sedikong sa Lerato in South Africa. Joint paper presented with Prof D.Y. Dzansi at 1st Journal of Green Economy and Development Conference at Makaranga Lodge, Durban, 17 – 19 December 2014.

  • Inculcating the Value of Community Engagement in the Youth at the School Level: The Case of Tiger Kloof. Paper presented at the 2nd Community Engagement Symposium, North West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, Vanderbijlpark, 10th 11th March 2014.

  • Unisa’s learner support services in the ODL context: The experiences of rural students. Paper presented at the 2014 Teacher Education at a Distance Conference, Kwa-Maritane Game Lodge, 8th -11th April 2014.

  • Exploring partnerships between Unisa and education stakeholders in supporting adult learners at a distance. SAERA Conference 2013, Klein-Kariba, 27-31 January 2013.

  • Teaching permaculture to ensure food security in rural South Africa: The case study of Tiger Kloof. Paper presented at the 11th SAAFECS Conference & 6th IFHE Regional Conference at St Georges Hotel, Pretoria, 27th -1st March 2013.

  • Towards the professionalisation of youth work in South Africa: An assessment of the educational background of youth workers in the Dr R.S. Mompati District in the North West Province. Paper presented at the 1st Commonwealth Youth Conference on Education and Training at Unisa, 18th – 20 March 2013.

  • Recognition of prior learning as a pathway towards the professionalisation of youth work in South Africa. Paper presented at the 1st Commonwealth Youth Conference on Education and Training at Unisa, 18th – 20 March 2013. Addressing the challenges of food security and youth unemployment in South Africa through land reform policies. 2nd OSSREA Conference- South African Chapter, University of South Africa 18th July 2013.

  • The response of the Assemblies of God Movement to the development of the youth: A case study of the North West District Committee, South Africa. Paper presented at the Transatlantic Roundtable Conference, GIMPA-Accra, 28th July – 1 August 2013.

  • Teaching the Youth and Adults through Education with Production. The Case of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution. Paper
    presented at the 2013 Global Conference on Education, Riverside University-California, USA, 9th – 10 August 2013.

  • Teaching the Youth through Akan Proverbs: The Social Media Platform as a Conduit.  Paper presented at the 13th Regional Conference of the Southern African Folklore Society, University of Cape Town, 4th-6th September 2013.

  • Indigenous Financing of SMMEs: A comparative Study of Susu and Stokvels among Adults in Ghana and South Africa. Paper presented at the Arts and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in a Modern[ing] Africa Conference, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, 25th-27 September 2013.

  • Revisiting entrepreneurship training for adults: Basic education for employability. 1st OSSREA Conference- South African Chapter, University of South Africa. 26 July 2012.

  • Ensuring and enduring experiential learning in teaching practice in the context of open distance: The collaborative approach. Joint paper presented at St Georges Hotel, 6 - 8 August 2012.

  • Teaching moral values to the youth through Ananse stories among the Akan in Ghana. 12th Biennial International Conference, Tshwane University of Technology, 19-21 September 2012.

  • Giving the rural youth a brighter future through public, private partnerships. A case study of Tiger Kloof Educational Institution. Community Engagement Symposium, Riverside Sun, Vanderbijlpark, 26-27 November, 2012.

  • Financing SMMEs in rural South Africa: An exploratory study of Stokvels in the Naledi Local Municipality, North West Province. Presented at the 3rd Annual International Conference on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development at the University of Johannesburg, 15-16 May 2012.

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship award by the Central University of Technology-2015.
  • Best paper award for the 2015 Conference on Green Economy Conference, Organised by the Durban University of Technology.

Projects

  • Rural Youth and Adults Upliftment Programme ( Community engagement)
  • Leader of Adults and youth upliftment programme (North West) - 2015 to date
  • Leader of the Kha Ri Gude Evaluation (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo) – 2014 to date
  • Leader of the Matric Outreach (Kwamhlanga) – 2014-2015
  • Team member of the 500 Schools project -2014-2015
  • Training School Governing Body Member for school improvement (Taung, NW) -2013