The course is geared towards developing and deepening students’ knowledge and understanding of the saliency of foreign policy to nations’ development. It begins with a discussion of the theories of foreign policy and foreign policy analysis. It examines the nature, types as well as the processes for the formulation and implementation of countries’ foreign policy. The course contextualizes the discussion by making particular references to the determinants of Ghana’s foreign policy. There is a focus on the modus operandi, actors, institutions and resources that have shaped the making of Ghana’s foreign policy. It also discusses the historical and ideological contexts of the making and implementation of Ghana’s foreign policy. It devotes attention to the dynamics, forces, powers, constitutional provisions (Directive Principles of State Policy), international law and international organisations as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements and protocols that have shaped Ghana’s foreign policy goals. The salient issues teased for discussion are illustrated with graphical examples drawn from both archival information and current happenings in order to enhance students’ understanding of the actual processes involved in the making of Ghana’s foreign policy.
This course is taught from inter-disciplinary perspective, and therefore, draws on faculty from the Department of Political Science and International Affairs. The course adopts a multifaceted teaching approach involving a mixture of lecturer-led, student-presentation and practitioners’ insights. It also relies on audios and visuals to illustrate the salient issues aimed to help student to have a deeper understanding of the issues. At the end, students would have developed the skills in foreign policy formulation and analysis and become well vest in trajectories of Ghana’s foreign policy orientation.