Tamale Institute of Cross-Cultural Studies
Tamale Institute of Cross-Cultural Studies (TICCS) is a renowned center for cultural research, academic study, and community engagement based in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana. Established in 1983 by Fr. Jon Kirby, SVD—an American missionary, scholar, and anthropologist—TICCS was created out of a vision to provide a structured and scholarly space where people from different cultural backgrounds could gain a deeper, more meaningful understanding of African societies. With a strong foundation in anthropology, the institute has, for decades, served as a bridge between cultures, helping individuals appreciate the complexity, richness, and wisdom embedded in African traditions.
From its inception, TICCS was designed to support missionaries, researchers, students, development workers, and professionals whose work required cultural immersion and sensitivity. The institute offers academic courses, field research opportunities, cultural orientation programs, language studies, and community-based learning experiences that focus on the customs, social systems, belief patterns, and values of the people of Northern Ghana and beyond.
These programs are guided by a core philosophy: cultural understanding is essential for effective human development, peacebuilding, and meaningful engagement in multicultural environments.
TICCS also serves as a research hub, hosting scholars from around the world who seek to explore topics related to African identity, intercultural communication, traditional governance, religion, and indigenous knowledge systems. Over the years, its work has contributed significantly to academic literature, cultural preservation, and the documentation of oral traditions.
Beyond academic work, TICCS plays a vital role in promoting intercultural dialogue and community development. Through workshops, cultural exchanges, and outreach initiatives, the institute encourages collaboration between local communities and international partners. Its programs emphasize respect, empathy, and mutual learning—values that reflect the institution’s commitment to holistic human development.
Today, TICCS stands as one of the most respected centers for cross-cultural studies in the region. Its legacy continues to shape global understanding of African culture, support sustainable development initiatives, and prepare individuals to engage meaningfully in diverse cultural contexts.
Mission
Anthropological and Linguistic Research
Vision
The fostering of its application to specific culture-sensitive ministries and development projects
Core Value
Cross-cultural training of missionaries and development personnel
Team
Fr. Samuel Yaw Adu, SVD
Bro. Bruno Yirzie, SVD
Dr. Dominic W. Amonzin, UDS
