Skip to main content
Log in

Using bill boards as medium of communication, projection, and expression of African cultural values: the case of Ghanaian “sign boards”

  • Open Forum
  • Published:
AI & SOCIETY Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The function of any sign is to communicate the information written on it. Bill boards are well-established media of communication used to convey a broad range of different kinds of messages. The purpose of this study was to provide a deeper understanding of how bill boards are used to project and express cultural values in Africa. Using content analysis, this study compiled and analyzed written signs (words) on selected storefronts, buses, cars, homes, and businesses in Ghana, West Africa. Relevant conclusions and implications of the findings were drawn from the analysis projecting and expressing African (Ghanaian) cultural heritage and values.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Appiah-Kubi K (1999) The Akan of Ghana, West Africa: a cultural handbook for reference. Cowhide Press, Bloomfield

    Google Scholar 

  • Asante M (1980) Afrocentricity: theory of social change. Amulefi, Buffalo

    Google Scholar 

  • Asimeng M (2006) Understanding society: an introduction to sociology for African students. Woeli Publishing Services, Accra

    Google Scholar 

  • Asimeng-Boahene L (2009) Educational wisdom of African oral literature: African proverbs as vehicles for enhancing critical thinking skills in social studies Education. Int J Pedagog Learn 5(3):59–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asimeng-Boahene L (2010) Counter-storytelling with African proverbs: a vehicle for teaching social justice and global understanding in urban, US schools. Equity Excell Educ 43(4):434–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Assael H (1981) Consumer behavior and marketing action. Kent Publishing Company, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Baffoe M (1998) The radio and cell phone revolution in Ghana: an interesting new phenomenon impacting the socio-political scene in Ghana. The Ghanaian News, vol 3(8), August 1998. The Ghanaian News Corporation, Toronto

  • Bar-Tal D, Bar-Zohar Y, Greenberg MS, Hermon M (1977) Reciprocity behavior in the relationship between donor and recipient and between harm-doer and victim. Sociometry 40(3):293–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belgrave FZ et al (2000) The effectiveness of a culture and gender-specific intervention for increasing resiliency among African-American preadolescent females. J Black Psychol 26(2):133–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Botchway A (2004) Talking about sex and AIDS in Ghanaian homes. Paper presented at international conference on AIDS, July 11–16 2004

  • Burgoon M, Hunsaker FG, Dawson EJ (1994) Managing communication processes. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Busia KA (1963) The African world view. In: Dracher J (ed) African Heritage. Crowell-Collier and Macmillan, New York

  • Carey JW (1988) Communication as culture: essays on media and society. Routledge, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Celsi RL, Olson JC (1988) The role of involvement in attention and comprehension processes. J Consumer Res 15(2):210–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chow HPH (1996) The Chinese community leaders’ perceptions of criminal justice system. Can J Criminol 38(4):477–487

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobbah JAM (1987) African values and the human rights debate: an African perspective. Hum Rights Q 9:309–333 John Hopkings University Press

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronin AM (2008) Mobility and market research: outdoor advertising and the commercial ontology of the city. Mobilities 3(1):95–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curran J et al (eds) (2005) Mass media and society, 4th edn. Arnold, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Denzin NK, Lincoln YS (2000) The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In: Denzin NK, Lincoln YS (eds) Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, Sage

    Google Scholar 

  • Diop CA (1978) The deep structure of culture: relevance of traditional African culture in contemporary life. J Black Stud 18(1):72–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons RA, McCullough ME (2003) Counting blessings versus burdens: and a experimental studies of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol 84:377–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghana Home Page, Ghanaweb. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/geography/retrieved 29 Oct 2008

  • Godin S (1999) Permission marketing: turning strangers into friends and friends into customers. Simon and Schuster, New york

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham K (1988) Practical reasoning in a Social world: how we act together. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant RA, Asimeng-Boahene L (2006) Culturally responsive pedagogy in citizenship education: Using African proverbs as tools for teaching in urban schools. Multicult Perspect 8(4):17–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gudis C (2004) Buyways: billboards, automobiles, and the American landscape. Routledge, New York and London

    Google Scholar 

  • Gyekye K (1996) African cultural values: an introduction. Sankofa Publishing Company, Accra

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagan J, Shedd C, Payne MR (2005) Race, ethnicity, and youth perceptions of criminal injustice. Am Sociol Rev 70: 381-407. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/religion/retrieved 29 Oct 2008

    Google Scholar 

  • Inglehart R, Basanez M, Diez-Medrano J, Halman L, Luijkx R (eds) (2004) Human beliefs and values. A cross-cultural sourcebook based on 1999–2002 value surveys. Siglo Veintiuno, Buenos Aires

    Google Scholar 

  • Lane J et al (1976) Integration of intention and outcome in moral judgment. Mem Cogn 4:1–5

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell JA (2005) Qualitative research design: an interpretive approach. Thousand Oaks, Sage

    Google Scholar 

  • Mbiti JS (1970) African religions and philosophies. Harcourt Heinemann, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison DE, Kieran M, Svennevig M, Ventress S (2007) Media and Values. Intimate transgressions in a changing moral and cultural landscape. Intellect Books, Bristol

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowen JC, Minor M (1998) Consumer Behavior, 5th edn. Prentice Hall, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers LJ (1987) The deep structure of culture. Relevance of traditional African culture in contemporary life. J Black Stud 18(1):72–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nettleford RM (2003) Caribbean cultural identity: The case of Jamaica. An essay in cultural dynamics. Ian Randle Publishers, Kingston

    Google Scholar 

  • Note O (2007) Imagining the politics of the senses in public spaces: billboards and the construction of visuality in Chennai City. South Asian Pop Cult 5(2):129–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogbonmwan S (2008). Reflections on African traditional value systems and the challenges in sustaining and preserving these in the diaspora. Unpublished speech delivered at the Edo Community Cultural Weekend, Vienna, Austria, August, 2008

  • Olupona JK (ed) (2000) African spirituality: forms, meanings and expressions. The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Onah GI (n.d) The meaning of peace in African traditional religion and culture. Pontifical Urban University, Rome

  • Ottenberg S (ed) (1982) African religious groups and beliefs. Papers in Honor of William R. Bascon. Archana Publications, Sadar

  • Pettersson T, Esmer Y (eds) (2008) Changing values, persisting cultures: case studies in value change. Brill, Leiden

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts SK (1999) In the path of virtue: the African American moral tradition. The Pilgrim Press, Cleveland

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarpong P (1974) Ghana in retrospect: some aspects of Ghanaian culture. Ghana Publishing Corporation, Accra-Tema

    Google Scholar 

  • Shade BJ, Kelly C, Oberg M (1997) Creating culturally-responsive classrooms. American Psychological Association, Washington. www.statpac.com/surveys/sampling.htm. Retrieved 15 Nov 2008

  • Taylor CR, Franke GR, Bang HK (2006) Use and effectiveness of boards: perspectives from selective-perception theory and retail-gravity models. J Advert 35(4):231–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tesser A et al (1968) Some determinants of gratitude. J Pers Soc Psychol 9:233–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uchendu VC (1965) The Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria. Rinehart and Winston, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wehrs DR (2001) African feminist fiction and indigenous values. University Press of Florida, Gainesville

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodside AG (1990) Outdoor advertising as experiments. J Acad Mark Sci 18(3):229–237

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Baffoe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Baffoe, M., Asimeng-Boahene, L. Using bill boards as medium of communication, projection, and expression of African cultural values: the case of Ghanaian “sign boards”. AI & Soc 27, 491–499 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-011-0322-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-011-0322-x

Keywords

Navigation