Critical Examination of Culture for Explaining Corporal Punishment: The Akan of Ghana in Perspective

ABSTRACT Five years after the ban on corporal punishment in Ghanaian schools, many argue that the ban contravenes Ghanaian values and risks promoting indiscipline. Using critical ethnography and the Akan as a case study, we examined whether corporal punishment is attributable to indigenous culture. We found that its use is not wholly attributable to indigeneity. We recommended similar research to unearth the facts and address the problem in other jurisdictions to create safe school environments.