A case for indigenous Ghanaian counselling practice

Abstract

The paper makes a case for the inclusion of indigenous African counselling practices in the 21st Century counselling practices. The seeming absence of a theoretical underpinning of indigenous counselling practice, especially within the Ghanaian ecosystem is addressed, together with what constitutes indigenous guidance and counselling. Additionally, the tools available for uses by the indigenous Ghanaian counsellor are scrutinized, together with situations that precipitate guidance and counselling in indigenous settings. The merits and demerits of indigenous Ghanaian counselling practices are also examined. The paper concludes with an advocacy for the inclusion of certain elements of indigenous counselling practices in modern day delivery of counselling especially in the African setting.

Keywords: Indigenous counselling, counselling practices, indigenous setting, ecosystem