"Community Engagement Programs, The Panacea For Self-Development And Local Level Conscientisation: The Department Of Theatre Arts, UEW Experience"

Community engagement programs are viable means of conscientising people in their local communities to take charge of their personal and community development.Many of such programs have been conducted by the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Education Winneba.Community engagement programs offer the opportunity for community members to reflect on the development avenues and potentials in their local areas which have not been fully tapped and utilised.Behavioural change and local level conscientisation geared towards community development is a shared responsibility.This shared responsibility is achieved when community members engage with each other on a common platform to find solutions to their challenges.Active participation process enables people to raise their own issues with outsiders and encourages them to take responsibility for their own development.This paper examines the impact of such community engagement programs by the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Education Winneba on selected communities.The paper will further explore the currently available programs specially designed to cater for the community's need and how they are being employed.