Symbolism as an Aesthetic Communicative Tool: An Appraisal of the Mace and Crest of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)

Abstract

This study primarily explores the aesthetic and literary values of symbols with particular emphasis on the symbol used in the Mace and crest of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). The study looks at the underlying principles, ideals, and ideologies that dictated the choice of the akoben as the University’s official symbol. The study established, through the lens of the Psychoanalysis theory propounded by Sigmund Freud that the interpretation of images used as symbols is idiosyncratic; in that it depends on individual exposure, and experience accumulated over a period of time, cultural, and what each group understands and establishes as the meaning of the images. Consequently, these symbols are used by each group to represent their ideals, ideas and founding principles. In the case of the mace and crest of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), it has been established that the akoben symbol employed in the mace and crest comes from the adinkra symbols and shows the belief of the founding fathers in the potential of the young people the University was established to groom, hence psyching them up to understand that life itself is war, hence an admission to the University which is meant to prepare them for life, is a call to prepare for war. A call to fight for their future, their dreams and aspirations, and by extension, a call to prepare to fight for the national interest, to resist oppressors’ rule, and join in the collective fight for the best interest of all and sundry. The study recommends that a lot more of other symbols used by other universities, state institutions, traditional set ups and families have not been studied and documented, hence the new generation of young people are often left at sea regarding what the founding principles that underlie these symbols are and what they represent.