Re-imagining Development Communication in Africa

Edited by Chuka Onwumechili Howard University, Ikechukwu Ndolo

Publication date:

02 November 2012

Length of book:

268 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

Dimensions:

235x161mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780739176146

Re-imagining Development Communication in Africa is organized into three sections or parts, the first focusing on the past and the history of development communication scholarship; the second analyzes theoretical issues, and finally a third section that looks at country cases. The first part provides several perspectives on the historical development of the field as it pertains to Africa. Some of these look at ideological, indigenous contributions, and the particular importance of gender issues. The second section provides a critique of development communication theory and provides a more cultural appropriate alternative. Additionally, the book applies existing theory to practice in African communities. This leads to the third section of the book which focuses on development communication in some country cases such as in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda.

Part 1: Reviewing Past Frameworks and Today’s Discourse
Chapter 1: Transcultural Social Change and Development: A Critical Review of Paradigm Shifts
Daniel Awodiya
Chapter 2: Africa, Development and Communication: The Day After
Chuka Onwumechili and Ikechukwu Ndolo
Chapter 3: Speaking of African Women’s Agency, Activism and Complementary Gender Roles: A Look at African Feminism
Annie Duru
Chapter 4: Going Back to Basics: Shifting Research Focus to Indigenous Knowledge Systems and their Role in Development
Matt Mogekwu
Part 2: Theorizing & Expanding the Realm
Chapter 5: Another View: Theorizing Development Media
Chuka Onwumechili and Ritchard M’Bayo
Chapter 6: The Theory of Communicative Action for Population-Communication Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Argumentative Speech in Nigeria
Cornelius Pratt and Thomas Jacobson
Chapter 7: Development Media: Challenges and Attempts
Genet Lakew
Chapter 8: Issues and Perspectives on Community Engagement For Behavior and Social Change
Ikechukwu Ndolo and Hilary Ozoh
Part 3: Country Cases
Chapter 9: Health Communication and Nigeria: Sickle Cell Anaemia in Nollywood
Tokunbo Ojo and Jan Servaes
Chapter 10: Moving the Signpost in Cameroon? Resolving Inter-Village Rivalry through a Form of Communication
Kehbuma Langmia
Chapter 11: Communicating Peace: Women Transcend Cultural Cultural Boundaries in Post-Genocide Rwanda
Eddah Mutua and Ayantu Tibeso
Chapter 12: Coding for Development in the Silicon Savannah: The Emerging Role of Digital Technology in Kenya
George Gathigi and Ernest Waititu
Chapter 13: Sustainable Development and Rural Access to Telecommunications in Nigeria
Chukwudiebube Bede Opata

The book is an interesting and important addition to the growing body of work on development communication in Africa. Its uniqueness is in the wide range of topics that touch on the historical evolution, extant theories, and case studies of communication in the service of development. Students and practitioners will find this a useful resource for advancing research and practice.