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Prof. Husein  Inusah
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Prof. Husein Inusah

Associate Professor - ( Senior Member ) Department of Classics and Philosophy
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ResearchGate
Field(s) of Specialization
Epistemology and the Regress of Justification
Field(s) of Academic Interest
Critical Thinking
Epistemology
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Science
About

Husein Inusah (PhD) is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Classics and Philosophy, University of Cape Coast. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Philosophy degrees from the University of Cape Coast in 2007 and 2011, respectively. He earned his PhD degree through a split-site PhD programme between the University of Ghana, Ghana, and the University of Rochester, NY, USA in 2014. Dr. Inusah has been teaching at the University of Cape Coast as a regular faculty since October 2012, handling both undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Classics and Philosophy and supervising MPhil dissertations.

He is the 2015/16 winner of the University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor's Award for the Most Outstanding PhD Dissertation in the Humanities Category. He was a Dissertation Completion Fellow at the University of Rochester, NY, USA, during the 2013/14 academic year, where he studied under the renowned American Epistemologist, Richard Feldman. He is a fellow of the African Humanities Program of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), Iso Lomso Fellow of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), and a fellow of the Wissenachaftskolleg zu Berlin Institute for Advanced Study.

Professor Inusah's area of specialization is in epistemology, and his areas of competence include Critical Thinking, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, and Business Ethics. He has published in many peer-reviewed academic journals and is the leading author of a comprehensive text manual on Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning for tertiary students.

He is currently researching the epistemology of decoloniality, the concept of rationality in traditional African political deliberations, the knowledge-producing potential of traditional African consensual democracy, epistemic vices and their obstruction of knowledge, and the infinitist notion of the regress of justification. Professor Inusah is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Philosophy and Culture, hosted by the Department of Classics and Philosophy, University of Cape Coast, having previously served as Corresponding and Editorial Secretary of the journal. He reviews for the South African Journal of Philosophy, Manuscrito: International Journal of Philosophy, Ibadan Journal of Humanistic Studies, and Business Ethics Quarterly.

He has also served as the Head of the Department of Classics and Philosophy, University of Cape Coast from 2019-2021. 

Introduction 

 As an individual from a formerly colonized nation in Sub-Saharan Africa, where education was used as a tool of oppression by the colonizer, my teaching philosophy reflects and aims to mitigate this historically unique situation. From primary schools to university, Western intellectual categories of thought were imposed on African thought systems, where classroom learning was a form of cognitive oppression, silencing, and lack of innovation. In my philosophy classes, I was encouraged to study Western philosophies and traditions, with little attention devoted to the study of non-Western indigenous philosophies and cognitive traditions. Throughout my university education, I realized that this style of education promotes conformity, cognitive oppression, and alienation of the learner from their environment. Therefore, my approach to addressing this form of education is centered on the overriding principles that I strive for in the classroom: learning as a practice of freedom, learning as a form of sensitivity and creativity, and learning as an act of relationality. These ideals constitute the foundation of my teaching philosophy.

 

Learning as a practice of freedom

In my philosophy classes at the university, I was taught things that were prejudicial against other racial groups such as Africans, Asians, and other non-Western peoples. Education was used as a tool of cognitive oppression, where learners were treated as passive receptacles of knowledge instead of being considered as epistemically active agents capable of independent thinking. Over the years, I have observed that this form of education is self-alienating and tends to indoctrinate rather than educate the learner. My teaching philosophy, as a remedy to this issue, is to consider education as a process of liberation from ignorance, prejudices, and all forms of oppression, particularly cognitive ones. In all my classes, I try to dissolve the boundary between the teacher and the learner. I treat all my students as active learners with strong cognitive abilities who are capable of critical thinking. I make it a point to put myself in my students' shoes to understand their perspectives. By doing this, I help them to do the same for others, which eliminates many arguments in learning, research, and life that may breed conformity and cognitive dissonance. I regard teaching as a process of learning from students and vice versa. I have learned that insights can come from people regardless of their rank, age, race, cultural and sexual orientation, abilities or disabilities, and occupations. To some extent, one can learn from learners indirectly what they have learned from their parents, cultural, and linguistic communities. When a learner's personal and cultural uniqueness is recognized and valued, it motivates them to explore within a culturally responsive environment and become an embodiment of what they have learned. In my philosophy classes, I focus more on how learners should learn rather than what they should learn. I make the learner understand that, as a teacher, I am only a facilitator or a guide and not the epitome of knowledge or an epistemic authority beyond reproach. I foster the idea that a class is a community where learners are responsible not only for themselves but also for others. Many learners I have taught over the years are happy to be in a class where they feel part of a family, where everyone is respected and listened to equally. By doing this, I promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and create a conducive atmosphere where each learner is valued for their uniqueness and distinct cultural background.

Learning as a practice of relationality

Mainstream epistemology and traditional learning strategies construe the epistemic subject as an isolated knower separated from the known. This means that learning is seen as an individual activity, performed in isolation from the social context. In my traditional epistemology class, I was taught to view learning as a context-insensitive activity, where the learner is separate from what is learned. However, as time passed, I realized that this form of learning and conception of knowledge promotes unhealthy competition among learners and breeds antagonism and self-alienation from one's environment. To address this issue, I drew inspiration from my PhD dissertation, where I argued for a socially contextualized model of epistemic justification. I used this approach in my classroom to foster learning as a social activity. In the classroom, I emphasize the value of collaboration over competition. I also give equal attention to assessment models that test learners' capacity for aptitude and fortitude, and I teach the importance of intellectual humility, empathy, open-mindedness, and fair-mindedness in knowledge creation. To ensure that learners learn effectively about others while maintaining their unique personal voices, I often put them in different groups with an assigned task that each group has proposed within the remit of the course. These tasks are then presented in class in the form of a debate, where opinions are shared, and disagreements and differences are effectively valued.

 

Teaching philosophy and assessment method

My teaching philosophy applies to assessment methods as well as teaching and learning. To ensure my teaching strategy is emancipatory, sensitive, and relational, I do not assess students solely on memory content, but also on the skills and values transmitted, as well as their ability to think critically and interact with others while retaining their authorial voices. As such, my assessments target a variety of cognitive and practical activities, including memory, creativity, innovative thinking, problem-solving, and group activities. In my philosophy courses, I often ask learners during exams to reflect on philosophical concepts they have encountered through their own vernaculars and share their impressions. This approach ensures that learners study philosophy in a culturally responsive way.

Conclusion 

My cultural and historical circumstances have shaped what I consider the ultimate goals of education: liberation, sensitivity, creativity, and relationality. These are the ideals that underpin my teaching philosophy.

Degrees
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

    University of Ghana 2014
  • Master of Philosophy in Philosophy

    University of Cape Coast 2011
  • Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy

    University of Cape Coast 2007
  • Facilitator

    September, 2024

    Contemporary Issues in Fisheries Management. Fisheries Leadership Short course for Practitioners funded by USAID/Fisheries Recovery Activity Ghana.

  • Presenter

    October, 2024

    International and Regional Fisheries Institutional Frameworks and Bodies. Workshop on Destabilising Impacts of Distant Water Fishing Vessels (DWFV) in the Gulf of Guinea Yaounde, Cameroon.

  • Guest Speaker

    October, 2024

    “Promoting Research Excellence for Impact on Marine Conservation in Africa”, Institute for Oceans and Fisheries Online Seminar Series University of British Columbia, Canada.

  • Co-Facilitator

    October, 2021

    “Grants Proposal Writing Workshop” University for Development Studies.

  • Presenter

    November, 2024

    “Performance of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience”, Country Round Table Workshop Association of African Universities (AAU), Online.

  • Facilitator

    November, 2024

    “Regional Political Parties Dialogue on Fisheries: Protecting Our Fish, Securing Our Future, Live Engagement on JoyNews TV Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast.

  • Presenter

    November, 2023

    Professorial Inaugural Lecture on the topic “Our Oceans: Securing Our Common Future through Transformative Research” Medical School Auditorium, University of Cape Coast.

  • Presenter

    March, 2024

    Africa’s Plastic Revolution: Advancing Global Solutions for Healthy Oceans, T.D. Walter Bean Professorship Public Lecture University of Waterloo, Canada.

  • Presenter

    June, 2024

    Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy. National Consultative Workshop for the Formulation of a National Blue Economy Strategy for Angola Luanda, Angola.

  • Panelist

    June, 2024

    Regional Steering Committee Workshop for the World Bank West African Coastal Resilience Investment Projects (WACA ReSiP and ReiP2) Banjul, Gambia.

  • Facilitator

    July-August, 2012

    Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change. Short-term Training Course funded by USAID Ghana.

  • Co-Discussant

    July, 2023

    “Expanding the Impact of Blue Economy in Africa” (with Professor Rashid Sumaila) World Bank Headquarters, Washington.

  • Facilitator

    February, 2022

    Workshop on “Winning Research and Development Grants in a Competitive World” Bolgatanga Technical University, Ghana.

  • Facilitator

    February, 2019

    Workshop on “Proposal and Grants writing” University of Ghana, Ghana.

  • Speaker

    August, 2024

    Study Tour on Sustainable Fisheries Management & Leadership University of Rhode Island, United States.

  • Presenter

    August, 2023

    Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Ghana Case Study. Bootcamp on moving fisheries from Vulnerability to Viability Puri, Delhi, India.

  • Guest Speaker

    April, 2024

    Workshop Presentation on “Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy in Africa Hohai University, China.

  • Participant

    2021

    6th ACE Impact Regional Workshop of the World Bank and the Association of African Universities Accra (Online).

  • Panelist

    2014

    Seaweed (Sargassum) Invasion on the Ghanaian Coasts, Implications for the National Economy and Management Live TV Broadcast, GTV.

  • Guest Speaker

    2010

    “West African Fisheries”, Workshop by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) University of Makerere, Kampala, Uganda.

  1. 2023

    Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin fellowship award

    Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin Institute for Advanced Study

  2. 2022

    African Humanities Program Award

    American Council of Learned Society (ACLS)

  3. 2021

    Iso Lomso Award

    Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)

  4. 2016

    University of Ghana Vice Chancellor’s Award for the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation: Humanities Category

    University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

  1. 2013

    One Year Doctoral Completion Fellowship Award, Aug, 2013 to May, 2014.

    University of Rochester, NY

  1. 2018

    Member

    Society for African Editors (SAJE)

  2. 2010

    Member

    International Society for African Philosophy and Studies (ISAPS)

  1. Project Leader

    January 2018 - Present

    Extracting African Epistemology from African Deliberation and Consensus

  2. Leader

    January 2017 - Present

    The Politics of Phenotype and Africa's Underdevelopment

  3. Leader

    January 2017 - Present

    Moral Issues in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Protocols

  1. 2024-2025

    Team member, Contract for services to deliver a short course on Marine Litter under the OCPP

    Cefas/UKAID

  2. 2024

    Panel Chair, Reviewed Environmental Impact Statement of PECAN Energies for Offshore Exploration of Oil & Gas

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana, Secondi/Takoradi

  3. 2023-2024

    Team member, Contract for development of a short course on Marine Litter for the West Africa Region

    Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID

  4. 2023-2024

    Team member, Contract services to conduct data collection surveys on abandoned lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in Ghana

    Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID

  5. 2023

    Lead Consultant, Contract for the Development of Fishery Courses Syllabi for Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (DoFAS), University of Liberia

    IDA-V3100

  6. 2023

    Panel Chair, Evaluation of Applications for recruitment of Environmental, Social Safeguards Officers for Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI)

    World Bank funded West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme

  7. 2022-2023

    Lead Consultant, Consultancy to review and align national fisheries and aquaculture polices and laws with the PFRS, regional instruments and global best practices for 15 AU Member States

    African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

  8. 2022-2023

    Lead Consultant, Mechanisms to Facilitate the Domestication of Global Instruments and Initiatives (2022)

    African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

  9. 2022-2023

    Lead Consultant, Identification of Issues for SIDS, Development of Draft Strategic Positions for SIDS

    African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

  10. 2022

    Team member, Environmental Systems Analysis of the Avu Lagoon Protected area

    Calgary Zoo Foundation

  11. 2021

    Trainer, Conduct Marine Spatial Planning Workshop in Ghana

    University of Liverpool

  12. 2021

    Team member, Pre-feasibility study for nature-based intervention for Anlo Beach community in Ghana

    Valued at US$32,365.00

  13. 2021

    Team member, Marine Plastic Pollution Study in Liberia

    Conservation International

  14. 2021

    Team member, Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate - WACA -VAR Workshop

    World Bank

  15. 2020-2021

    Consultant, Support Development of Multi-sector Resilience Investment Programme for the West Africa Coastal Area Management Program

    World Bank

  16. 2020-2021

    Consultant, Issues and Opportunities in the Ghanaian Fishery Sector: Addressing the context, prospects and challenges

    Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), United Kingdom

  17. 2020

    Consultant, Estimations on renewable energy investments in Ghana

    Highland Star Group (HSG) of Companies, Geneva, Switzerland

  18. 2019-2020

    Team Member, Regional Mapping of Experts and Institutions in Coastal management

    World Bank

  19. 2017

    Lead Consultant, Review of the Fisheries Act 2002 (act 625) and the Development of Draft Regulations for the conduct of Fisheries Impact Assessments

    Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and GOGIG funded by DFID/UK

  20. 2013

    Team member, Environmental baseline survey of water bodies in the Great Consolidated Diamond Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mining concession

    AERC Ltd.

  21. 2012

    Team member, Scoping Study on the Dredging of the Whin Estuary in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

    UCC Consultancy Unit/Consolidated Energy Ltd.

  22. 2011

    Team member, Social Ecology of Anlo Beach Wetland of Ghana

    Friends of the Nation/IUCN/French Global Environment Facility (GEF)

  23. 2010

    Principal Investigator, Biodiversity Assessment of Urban Wetlands in the Western Region, Ghana with focus on Essei and Butuah Lagoons and the Whin River Estuary

    USAID through Friends of the Nation

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