International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue II, February 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Examining the Roles of Traditional Guidance and Counselling Among the People of Sefwi- Bekwai in the Western- North Region of Ghana, Africa

Rabbi Darko, Joseph Asamoah – Gyawu, Gilbert Konwie Langu
Knust Counselling Center, Kwame Nkurmah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract: The study examined the roles of traditional guidance and counselling among the people of Sefwi-Bekwai in the Western-North Region of Ghana, Africa. The study followed a qualitative case study design utilizing interviews to collect data. Using purposive sampling, data was collected from four natives of Sefwi-Bekwai who have lived in the traditional area for more than 50 years and are well respected. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that taboos, folktales and traditional music are some of the tools used in practicing traditional guidance and counselling in Sefwi-Bekwai. The study also discovered that occasions like marriage ceremonies, funeral, puberty, during unwanted pregnancies and travelling are some of the precipitating factors that trigger guidance and counselling. The study recommends that there should be training courses in counselling for traditional leaders. Such training can assist these counsellors to beef up their counselling services delivery. Furthermore, the study recommends that to maintain the African philosophy, the people need to go back to their roots to reclaim from their past practices that are wholesome and best, merge it with best western practices and use it to rebuild African guidance and counselling with modernity. This would enable them to render a more satisfying and effective assistance to their clients.

Keywords: Traditional guidance and counselling and Sefwi-Bekwai.

I. INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organisation (2006; 1) states that the practice of counselling entails the application of ‘mental health, psychological or human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioural or systematic intervention strategies.’ This implies that counselling is a specialized service that provides clients with a supportive, non-judgmental and confidential environment in which they can explore any emotional, psychological or personal problems that they may be encountering.
Guidance can be defined as a process, developmental in nature, by which an individual is assisted to understand, accept and use his/her abilities, aptitudes and interests and attitudinal patterns in relation to his/her aspirations. Guidance can also be looked at as a programme or services to individuals based upon the need of each individual, an understanding of his/her immediate environment, the influence of environmental factors on the individual and the unique features of each school (Odebunmi 1992).