Dr. Richard Oware

Biography

Richard Oware is a sessional lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Saskatchewan. His research primarily focuses on the intersections of aging, population health, traditional medicine, and the effects of colonial psychiatry on the African diaspora. He explores the cultural and historical debates surrounding indigenous concepts of witchcraft in Ghana, particularly how these ideas have been reshaped by colonial narratives and power dynamics. Oware argues that the discourse surrounding witchcraft in Ghana often leads to the harassment and lynching of older women who are labeled as witches, with roots in both colonial gender histories and contemporary societal biases. He employs interdisciplinary methods, utilizing colonial and anthropological sources, oral interviews, and media depictions to contest the notion that witchcraft is solely malevolent. His work endeavors to decolonize narratives and reveal the complex meanings of witchcraft in Africa, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of its role in mental health and cultural resilience within the African context.

Research Interests