THE RELIGIO-ETHICAL DIMENSION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE IN GHANA

Autors/ores

  • Adam Konadu Lecturer, Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0002-0335-4299
  • Margaret Makafui Tayviah Senior Lecturer, Dr., Department of Religion and Human Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0001-1439-8078
  • Thomas Okyere Lecturer, Science Department, Physical Education Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0008-9272-9443
  • Samuel Yirenkyi Onoma Science Department, Physical Education Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0009-9442-1087
  • Elias Asante Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Religion and Human Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0005-7088-1426

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v13i5.6754

Paraules clau:

religio-ethical values, physical education, sports science, Ghana, Ubuntu philosophy, moral development

Resum

This study examines the religio-ethical dimensions of Physical Education and Sports Science in Ghana, presenting sport as not merely a physical or recreational activity but as a deeply moral, cultural, and spiritual practice. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives in philosophy, sociology, religious studies, and sport ethics, the study explores how religious beliefs, ethical values, and indigenous African moral systems influence participation, behaviour, and meaning-making within sporting environments. Using a qualitative interpretive approach, the study engages conceptual and empirical insights to demonstrate that Ghanaian sports culture is strongly shaped by religious practices such as prayer, faith rituals, and spiritual interpretations of success and failure. The findings further reveal that ethical principles, including fairness, discipline, teamwork, respect, integrity, and communal responsibility, remain central to both formal Physical Education and informal sporting activities. The study also identifies tensions between traditional moral ideals and contemporary challenges such as commercialization, corruption, gender inequality, indiscipline, and moral relativism in sport. These tensions reflect the changing moral landscape of modern sporting culture in Ghana. Importantly, the research demonstrates that African philosophical frameworks, particularly Ubuntu philosophy, provide a culturally relevant ethical foundation for rethinking Physical Education and Sports Science as spaces for moral formation, social cohesion, and human development. By integrating Social Learning Theory, virtue ethics, and African communitarian thought, the study argues for a holistic understanding of sport as a religio-ethical enterprise. Ultimately, the study contributes to scholarship by proposing an integrative framework that bridges religion, ethics, and sports science while offering practical implications for policy, curriculum development, pedagogy, coaching practice, and youth development in Ghana.

Biografies de l'autor/a

  • Adam Konadu, Lecturer, Dr., Social Science Department, Religious and Moral Education (R.M.E.) Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0000-0002-0335-4299

    Adam Konadu (PhD) holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies with specialization in Interfaith Relations and Religion and Society from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds a Master of Philosophy in Religious Studies KNUST. He again holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from the Catholic University of Ghana, all in Ghana. His research interests include the Comparative Study of Religion, Interfaith Relations, Religious Education, and Religion and Society. He is a Lecturer of Religious and Moral Education at St. Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

    Email: konaduadam@sace.edu.gh

  • Margaret Makafui Tayviah, Senior Lecturer, Dr., Department of Religion and Human Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0001-1439-8078

    Margaret Makafui Tayviah (PhD) holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies with specialization in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. She also holds a Master of Philosophy and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religious Studies from KNUST. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Religious and Human Development, KNUST. Her research areas include: Comparative Religions, Interfaith Relations, Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations.

    Email: makafuimtayviah@gmail.com

  • Thomas Okyere, Lecturer, Science Department, Physical Education Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0008-9272-9443

    Thomas Okyere holds a Master of Philosophy in Physical Education, and Master of Education in Health Physical Education, Recreation and Sports all from University of Education, Winneba. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports from University of Education, Winneba. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Sports Management and Administration in the University of Cape Coast. His research interests include Sports facilities Manangement, Reflective Practices in Physical Education and Financial Management Practices in Sports. He is a Lecturer of Physical Education (Science Department) at St. Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

    Email: thomasokyere1405@gmail.com

  • Samuel Yirenkyi Onoma, Science Department, Physical Education Unit, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0009-9442-1087

    Samuel Onoma Yirenkyi holds a Master of Philosophy in Physical Education and Training from the North-West Normal University in China and Bachelor’s Degree in Health Physicals Education and Recreation from the University of Cape Coast. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Sports Management and Administration. His research interests include Sports Facilities Management, reflective practices in physical education and financial management practices in Sports. He is a Lecturer in Physical Education (Science Department) at St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

    Email: sammyonoma74@gmail.com

  • Elias Asante, Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Religion and Human Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana orcid.org/0009-0005-7088-1426

    Elias Asante holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, First Class Division, from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, (KNUST), Kumasi. He is a Teaching and Research Assistant at the Department of Religion and Human Development at KNUST. His research areas include Ethics, Religion and Health, and Religion and Society.

    Email: asanteelias27@gmail.com 

Referències

Adjei, M., & Owusu, P. (2023). Ethics and values in physical education: A Ghanaian perspective. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(2), 456–468. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2023.02056

Agyei, D. D., & Voogt, J. (2022). Cultural values and sports participation in Ghanaian schools. Sport, Education and Society, 27(5), 565–579. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2021.1874045

Amankwah, F., & Mensah, D. K. (2024). Moral education through sports: Implications for youth development in Ghana. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 16(1), 88–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2023.2176543

Anquandah Arthur, J. (2024). Religious diversity and moral education in Ghanaian schools. Indonesian Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Humanity, 3(2), 152–172. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijoresh.v3i2.152-172

Asamoah, E., & Yeboah-Assiamah, E. (2022). Ubuntu ethics and youth development in Africa. African Journal of Governance and Development, 11(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.36369/ajgd.v11i1.456

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Social_Foundations_of_Thought_and_Action.html?id=DKK3AAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y

Banda, D., & Chipande, H. (2023). Moral reasoning in sports participation among African youth. Journal of Moral Education, 52(3), 301–317. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2022.2093412

Bennett, A. (2022). Ethics in sport and physical activity. In Routledge Handbook of Sport Ethics (pp. 45–62). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003124567

Coakley, J. (2021). Sports in society: Issues and controversies (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Sports_in_Society.html?id=teVpEQAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Domfeh, C. (2015). Factors influencing female participation in physical activity in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Education, 1(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.47963/gje.v1i.468

Gyekye, K. (1995). An essay on African philosophical thought: The Akan conceptual scheme. Temple University Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/An_Essay_on_African_Philosophical_Though.html?id=EefSeagk_FsC&redir_esc=y

Hylton, K., & Totten, M. (2022). Ethics, equity, and inclusion in sport. Sport in Society, 25(4), 589–604. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2020.1822784

Konadu, A., Antwi, E. K. E., & Tayviah, M. M. (2024). The interface between religion and football in the Ghanaian experience. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 37(2), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2024/v37i21304

Luguterah, A. W., Sedofia, J., & Assasie, E. (2026). School sports and youth empowerment in Ghana. Journal of Sports and Physical Education Studies, 6(1), 13–29. https://doi.org/10.32996/jspes.2026.6.1.2

MacIntyre, A. (2007). After virtue: A study in moral theory (3rd ed.). University of Notre Dame Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.21995806

Mensah, E., & Kyei, S. (2019). Moral development through physical activity among students. International Journal of Educational Research, 8(11), 93–100.

Metz, T. (2017). Ubuntu as a moral theory. African Human Rights Law Journal, 17(2), 532–559. https://doi.org/10.17159/1996-2096/2017/v17n2a11

Morgan, W. J. (2021). Ethics in sport (3rd ed.). Human Kinetics. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Ethics_in_Sport.html?id=-zp77gObI0AC&redir_esc=y

Njororai, W. W. S. (2022). Religion and sport in Africa. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 57(5), 709–726. https://doi.org/10.1177/10126902211004567

Ntoumanis, N., & Standage, M. (2023). Motivation and moral behavior in sport. Annual Review of Psychology, 74, 483–510. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-032720-011827

Ofori, K., & Asante, E. (2023). Indigenous beliefs and sports participation in Ghana. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 35(2), 210–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/13696815.2022.2043215

Parry, J. (2021). The ethical basis of sport. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 15(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2020.1736001

Ramose, M. B. (2002). African philosophy through Ubuntu. Mond Books. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/African_Philosophy_Through_Ubuntu.html?id=fT17AAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y

Simon, K. (2022). Fair play: The ethics of sport. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport, 49(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/00948705.2021.1966620

Tawiah, D., Opoku, J. K., & Addai-Mensah, P. (2025). Religious and moral education in co-curricular activities. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 6(1), 26–43. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025613

Vallor, S. (2020). Technology and the virtues: A philosophical guide to a future worth wanting. Oxford University Press.

Woods, R. B. (2023). Social issues in sport (4th ed.). Human Kinetics. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Social_Issues_in_Sport.html?id=S9TjDwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Wright, B., & Côté, J. (2022). Developmental ethics in youth sport. The Sport Psychologist, 36(2), 145–158. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2021-0102

Zagzebski, L. (2017). Exemplarist moral theory. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/exemplaristmoral0000zagz

Descàrregues

Publicat

2026-05-28

Número

Vol. 13 Núm. 5 (2026)

Secció

Articles

Llicència

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

 

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

 

  1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

 

  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).