bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notas sobre o trabalho dos carroceiros de Belo Horizonte frente a proibição da utilização da tração animal
Authors: Sales Mara , Nogueira karina
Published: August 2022

O foco da pesquisa aqui apresentada é a situação hoje vivenciada pelos carroceiros – profissionais que transportam pessoas e materiais em veículos conduzidos por tração animal. O recolhimento de materiais que é realizado pelos carroceiros é de suma importância para a manutenção das cidades. Com a coleta de entulhos e outros materiais, eles são agentes significativos no combate à dengue. Em Belo Horizonte, a relevância da categoria foi sendo paulatinamente reconhecida e ela foi sendo inserida na rede de atenção aos resíduos sólidos, parte importante das políticas públicas de controle urbano. Não obstante os carroceiros exerçam atividades relevantes para a dinâmica da cidade, no início do ano de 2021, foi sancionada pelo Município a Lei número 11.285 que determina a substituição gradativa dos veículos de tração animal na cidade no período dos próximos 10 anos. Tal cenário torna especialmente necessário compreender e acompanhar o processo em curso. Está anunciada uma transição de caráter forçado e sobre a qual restam muitas dúvidas sobre como ela será efetivada e, especialmente, sobre as consequências para a categoria dos carroceiros. Pautar esta temática representa uma necessária oportunidade de recolher, sistematizar e compreender o ponto de vista dos principais afetados por todo este processo. O presente artigo representa um recorte deste tema geral e explora as relações entre identidade e trabalho. De forma especial, tendo em vista os campos da Psicologia do Trabalho e da Psicologia Socioambiental, especial atenção é destinada às relações entre seres humanos e animais, no contexto de trabalho.
História da Educação: oito mãos, quatro cérebros, um só coração regido pela vontade de construir conceitos teóricos metodológicos pela análise Republicana do Brasil numa leitura interinstitucional
Authors: Silva Antônio
Published: August 2022

Este trabalho foi inspirado na disciplina multidisciplinar História da Educação: Temas e problemas ofertada no curso de Mestrado de Educação Tecnológica do Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), de Tópicos Avançados em Educação Tecnológica (TAET). Trata-se de pesquisa bibliográfica cujas fontes foram indicadas pelos quatro professores interinstitucionais: Dr. Irlen Antônio Gonçalves (CEFET-MG), Dr. Luciano de Faria Filho da Faculdade de Educação - FAE (UFMG), Dra. Rosana Areal de Carvalho da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP) e Dra. Vera Lúcia Nogueira da Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG). Os temas foram divididos em 4 módulos, os quais se observou uma experiência ímpar, no aprendizado prático de vivência de produção intelectual de bens simbólicos, sendo cursado por mestrando e doutorandos. Dos caminhos percorridos pelos professores no engajamento de cada um, observou-se a construção prática do que é teorizado pelo historiador francês Sirinellli na construção do intelectual, conferido por meio dessa geração de pesquisadores numa rede de sociabilidade que interage entre si.
Negação (cancelamento) das licenciaturas no processo de (De)formação e (Des)valorização da profissão docente
Authors: Pereira Claúdio , Cruz Shirleide
Published: August 2022

Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar discussões pontuais sobre a formação de professores da Educação Básica nos Institutos Federais de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia, tendo em vista a necessidade de revisão teórica dos resultados e análise de um conjunto de pesquisa sobre as licenciaturas realizado no âmbito do Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais. A metodologia foi elaborada a partir do pressuposto de que as pesquisas sobre espaços de formação de professores tratam da realidade concreta. Por isso, seu fundamento teórico-metodológico está alicerçado na perspectiva crítica dialética, a qual constitui uma teoria social de caráter teórico-filosófico que vai além das aparências do fenômeno. As discussões aqui apresentadas reúnem as análises de resultados de três pesquisas: o ingresso nos cursos de licenciatura (2015); as licenciaturas sob a ótica dos egressos (2016); e a política de implementação dos cursos de licenciatura nos Institutos Federais (2017).
Relações de Gênero nas Ciências e Tecnologia: estudo de caso no Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais – CEFET-MG
Authors: Guimarães Camila
Published: August 2022

Nos últimos anos a mulher vem alcançando cada vez mais espaço no mundo acadêmico, porém, tais avanços, sua inserção e ascensão nas áreas de Ciência e Tecnologia (C&T) ainda enfrentam muitos obstáculos. Diante dessa realidade este artigo busca discutir as segregações horizontal e vertical (OLINTO, 2009) e os fenômenos do labirinto de cristal (LIMA, 2013) e do teto de vidro (BILY e MANOOCHECRI, 1995), conceitos utilizados para descrever as barreiras enfrentadas pelas mulheres para inserirem-se e ascenderem em determinadas áreas de conhecimento, segmentadas pelo sexismo e estereótipos de gênero. Para tal, foram realizados um levantamento documental e análise de dados dos discentes egressos/as de dois Programas de Pós-Graduação (PPG) Stricto Sensu do Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais – CEFET-MG, sendo um na área de Ciências Humanas e outro na área de Computação - respectivamente, áreas de conhecimento hegemonicamente ocupadas por mulheres e por homens, segundo dados do INEP (2015). Constatou-se um contingente de 66% de mulheres, do total de egressos/as do Mestrado em Educação, e 32 % de homens, das/os egressas/os do Mestrado em Modelagem Matemática Computacional. Evidenciou-se que as trajetórias acadêmico-profissionais desses/as egressos/as são bastante diferentes, tanto em relação à continuação dos estudos em nível de doutorado, quanto nas suas atividades laborais. Reflexões acerca da permanente clivagem dessas áreas de conhecimento entre os sexos são apresentadas.
O lugar da mulher na divisão sexual do trabalho: trabalho múltiplo e simultâneo
Authors: Rosa Mislene , Cunha Daisy
Published: August 2022

As mudanças relacionadas com o papel feminino na sociedade estão ligadas à inserção da mulher no mundo do trabalho e à valorização das atividades domésticas enquanto trabalho. Propõe-se discutir o lugar das mulheres na divisão sexual do trabalho, tomando o trabalho reprodutivo e o trabalho produtivo enquanto categoria de análise teórica e empírica. Dentro desse amplo campo de pesquisa, duas abordagens serão priorizadas: a precarização do trabalho e o trabalho múltiplo e simultâneo, resultado da conjunção entre o ingresso das mulheres no mundo do trabalho produtivo e seu vínculo com o trabalho reprodutivo, particularmente quando ambos ocorrem no contexto do trabalho doméstico. Este artigo tem origem na pesquisa de doutorado intitulada “Competências do feminino? Normas, saberes e valores no ofício de costureiras”, desenvolvida junto ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação: Conhecimento e Inclusão Social da Faculdade de Educação da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (FaE/UFMG), sob orientação da Profa. Dra. Daisy Moreira Cunha. A metodologia utilizada, em termos de técnicas e ferramentas, incluiu revisão da literatura, estudo preliminar, observação e entrevista semiestruturada. Observou-se que o trabalho das costureiras está sobreposto ao papel que a mulher desempenha como dona de casa, como esposa e como mãe. Não existe uma separação entre o tempo dedicado ao trabalho remunerado de costura e o tempo das tarefas domésticas no espaço doméstico. Neste contexto de trabalho, não ocorre uma interrupção da jornada de trabalho na costura, pelo contrário, ela é contínua nesse espaço, onde diferentes tarefas são realizadas, as costureiras realizam um trabalho múltiplo e simultâneo.
Meninas nas STEM: uma análise de gênero nos cursos técnicos e profissionalizantes das escolas da rede estadual de Minas Gerais
Authors: Freitas Rosângela , Tonini Adriana
Published: August 2022

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar dados sobre a participação e permanência de meninas nos cursos ofertados pela Rede Estadual de Ensino de Minas Gerais nos cursos técnicos e profissionalizantes que integram as áreas de STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ou Ciências, Tecnologia, Engenharia e Matemática). Complementarmente, é apresentado um contexto histórico, cultural e social da desigualdade de gênero do programa de ensino técnico e profissionalizante da Rede Estadual de Minas Gerais. Através dessa comparação dos dados coletados e a análise contextual, foi percebido que a participação de meninas é baixa em todos os cursos ofertados pelo estado, principalmente nos cursos das áreas de STEM, de predominância exacerbada de meninos. O texto sugere que entre as possíveis causas dessa baixa participação está a falta de políticas institucionais de incentivo à igualdade de gênero implementadas na Rede Estadual de Educação de Minas Gerais.
Formação de professores para interações com tecnologia assistiva: Saberes da experiência de trabalho de professores relacionados à Educação Especial na perspectiva da Educação Inclusiva
Authors: Costa Cláudia , Figueiredo Fernanda , Brazier Fábio
Published: August 2022

O presente artigo apresenta uma pesquisa sobre a formação de professores e as apropriações em tecnologia assistiva na educação inclusiva, realizado em 2021, com 48 docentes participantes de curso de pós-graduação em nível de especialização em Atendimento Educacional Especializado – AEE – ofertado por Instituição Pública Federal. A pesquisa partiu dos seguintes questionamentos: os professores possuem conhecimento acerca da tecnologia assistiva, e tomam para si a atribuição de indicar o uso de tais recursos para seus alunos? Ademais, quais seriam as perspectivas de formação continuada que os professores têm se amparado para a aprendizagem sobre a tecnologia assistiva? Como objetivo geral analisou-se a utilização e a apropriação da tecnologia assistiva na formação de professores da educação inclusiva. E ainda, os objetivos específicos foram pesquisar produções científicas sobre a utilização de tecnologia assistiva na formação de professores; investigar a necessidade de capacitação dos professores sobre estes recursos e como o conhecimento contribui para a formação do professor. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica com estudo de caso exploratório com procedimento survey para geração de dados por meio de informações coletadas em questionário aplicado via Google Forms, no período de distanciamento social devido a pandemia da Covid-19.
Professores com deficiência: o trabalho em evidência
Authors: Souza Mariana , Fossatti Paulo
Published: August 2022

O trabalho é um grande aliado no contexto psicossocial e econômico do ser humano e na contemporaneidade é fundamental incluir as pessoas com deficiência nesta pauta. Professores universitários com deficiência de acordo com INEP (2018) correspondem 0,43%, o que torna emergente evidenciar esta população. Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender a relação do trabalho e do professor universitário com deficiência nos dias de hoje. Este resumo foi desenvolvido a partir do delineamento iniciado para o projeto de tese desenvolvido no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da Universidade La Salle. O presente estudo caracteriza-se por ter abordagem qualitativa, a partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica (GIL,2017). A partir das plataformas digitais Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de nível Superior (CAPES) e Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD), foram utilizados os descritores: professor, deficiência, ensino superior e trabalho. Dentre os resultados encontrados, cinco estudos foram analisados, que demonstram a necessidade de implementação de políticas inclusivas institucionais voltadas para estudantes e, quanto ao processo inclusivo de professores com deficiência no trabalho, é destacado que ainda existem barreiras arquitetônicas e atitudinais. É possível sintetizar que a maioria dos estudos envolvem estudantes com deficiência, com escassos estudos sobre professores com deficiência e sua relação com o trabalho, bem como o avanço necessário nas práticas inclusivas de professores universitários com deficiência em seus ambientes laborais.
La conquista de la salul laboral de los docentes universitários em el horizonte de transformaciones del oficio
Authors: Pujol Andrea
Published: August 2022

En el marco de las actividades de investigación-acción que realiza el Programa de Salud Laboral (PSL) del sindicato de docentes e investigadores universitarios de Córdoba, compartimos un conjunto de preocupaciones e interrogantes en torno a las transformaciones del oficio del docente universitario y su impacto en la salud. Las transformaciones del oficio han sido muy significativas en los últimos años y se vieron aceleradas por la pandemia de COVID19, que abre hoy procesos de renormalización de la actividad. Proponemos entonces (i) pensar la “nueva normalidad” del trabajo docente universitario a través de un conjunto de señales que marcan la orientación de las grandes transformaciones del trabajo en general, (ii) considerando que dichos cambios operan como promotores de experiencias precarizantes de trabajo y que -por ende- fragilizan la salud laboral, por lo que posible (iii) especificar algunas condiciones de desarrollo de la actividad que contribuyen a transformar esas experiencias precarizantes en calificantes, con potencia para fortalecer la salud individual y colectiva, con una participación más implicada de los estudiantes en los procesos de renormalización de la actividad.
Saúde e trabalho docente durante o ensino remoto emergencia
Authors: Vieira Carlos , Fonseca João , Fujii Julienne
Published: August 2022

O presente artigo reporta e discute os resultados preliminares de um estudo sobre o trabalho docente em instituições de ensino superior, realizado durante a modalidade do ensino remoto emergencial, no período da Pandemia por Covid-19. As reflexões neste texto se baseiam na análise de dados quantitativos e qualitativos obtidos a partir da aplicação de um questionário de abrangência nacional, com grau de confiança de 95% e margem de erro de 5%, e que obteve 399 respostas válidas, em observância aos critérios estabelecidos pela pesquisa. Os resultados evidenciam dificuldades enfrentadas por docentes durante o regime remoto emergencial. Em um cenário inédito, caracterizado pela Pandemia por Covid-19 e pela adoção do teletrabalho em larga escala, verificaram-se alterações das condições, formas de gestão, organização do trabalho e ampliação das exigências laborais, fatores que impactaram a saúde física e mental de professores(as). O esgotamento profissional decorrente de uma conjugação de fatores relacionados ao trabalho e à Pandemia por Covid-19 aparece entre as formas de adoecimento mais típicas desse período. O estudo abre caminhos para o aprofundamento de temáticas relevantes para a prevenção contra o adoecimento e a promoção da saúde.
Colonialidade do poder, interseccionalidade e encarceramento de mulheres negras: diálogos possíveis
Authors: Viana Danielle , Gomide Uyara , Fidalgo Fernanda
Published: August 2022

Este artigo busca estabelecer relações entre os conceitos de colonialidade do poder e interseccionalidade e suas contribuições para a discussão sobre o aprisionamento de mulheres negras no país. E apresenta parte dos estudos desenvolvidos durante o curso de doutoramento que tem por objeto de estudo a produção científica constituída por dissertações de mestrado e teses de doutorado sobre o aprisionamento das mulheres negras no Brasil. A pesquisa está inserida no âmbito do projeto de pesquisa do Observatório Nacional do Sistema Prisional (ONASP) e a sua realização se justifica pela necessidade de investigar a questão do aprisionamento de mulheres negras, pois embora seja crescente o interesse social e governamental sobre o encarceramento no Brasil e da importância de se desenvolverem pesquisas acadêmicas sobre a questão carcerária, essa tem sido uma temática pouco explorada cientificamente.
Mariama Bâ/Ramatoulaye en un combat douteux dans Une si longue lettre
Authors: Britwum Atta G.
Published: August 2022

In the early part of So Long a Letter, Ramatoulaye bristles feminist as she chastises polygamy, and. by implication, patriarchy that subtends it, and subordinates the woman to the man. She upholds thereafter same patriarchal order as she employs it to her benefit. Further, her narration pits women nnagainst each other; and, through the roles she makes them play, minimizes them in relation to men. This undercuts the initial feminist posturing and claims made for the novel and its author. Besides, the socio-economic context that frames the events narrated gets given a colouring that endorses the neocolonial order plaguing Africa.
Lundaa as speech surrogate of Dagbamba
Authors: Inusah Abdul-Razak
Published: August 2022

The paper examines surrogate language in Dagbani, a Mabia language spoken in Northern Region of Ghana. The objectives of the paper are in two folds: it pays attention to its functions and its transformation from traditional to the contemporary sociocultural issues. Premised on participant-observation, the paper supports the multi-toned language represented on a pressure drum capable of many pitches. It attests that the lundaa „pressure drum‟ is a speech surrogate used among Dagbani speakers. The lundaa has a wide distribution of functions but this paper is focused on the core functions of drum language that include molo „announcement‟, salima „Panegyric‟, ց iŋցaani „invocation‟ and ŋaha „proverbs‟ as examples of drum literature and transformation. The paper suggests that the communication potential of the lundaa rhythms and its interpretation leads to an understanding of the sociocultural life of the people.
Analysis of Socio-Demographics of Necessity-driven Entrepreneurs in Selected Cities in Ghana
Authors: Agyapong Daniel , Jones Paul , Boohene Rosemond , Agyapong Gloria K.Q. , Frimpong Siaw , Boachie-Mensah Francis O.
Published: August 2022

The study analysed the dynamics of necessity-driven entrepreneurs, using the sociological approach to start-ups. The paper explored the risk appetite and the entrepreneurial potential of those involved in the street hawking business. Utilising the sequential transformative design, structured interviews were used to collect data from 306 street hawkers in Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. Subsequently, 25 follow-up interviews were conducted, using a structured interview guide. Data were collected over ten months due to the complex nature of the respondents of the study. Descriptive statistics and texts were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that the majority of the respondents had only basic education or no formal education. Furthermore, the respondents were mostly women and young people without formal jobs nor any means of livelihood. The study has implications for policy on education, especially basic and adult education, as several of the respondents barely have basic education. There needs to be a social intervention programme to equip the street hawkers with the right employable skills to help develop their skills and promote the growth of their businesses. The paper also makes a case for nurturing their skills as a means of poverty alleviation.
Analyzing Ghana’s Tourism Operating Environment
Authors: Boakye Kwaku Adutwum Ayim , Adams Issahaku , Adongo Charles Atanga
Published: August 2022

Notwithstanding its importance to the success of businesses and industries, the external operating environment is hardly a subject of interest in the tourism literature. But understanding the operating environment is of major value when assessing the efficacy of tourism and its role as a vehicle for socioeconomic transformation in any country. The present study therefore employs a qualitative design within a political economy framework to assess the current environment within which Ghana‟s tourism operates. Using unstructured in- depth interviews the study collates views from 10 senior tourism sector operatives representing both public and private sectors chosen through the purposive sampling technique. The findings suggest that the political and economic factors of the present operating environment combine to create a difficult operational theatre for both the public and private sector actors in tourism. By implication therefore, the environment disables rather than enables the tourism trade and circumscribes its potential for expansion. To reverse the situation it is recommended that the existing organizational structures must be repositioned and also there must be reorientation of the existing ideological and fiscal policies.
Service Quality and Customer Acceptability at the Cape Coast Branch of Metro Mass Transit Limited
Authors: Nyarku Kwamena Minta , Kusi Lawrence Yaw , Agyemang Douglas Opoku
Published: August 2022

The paper seeks to examine customer’s perception about the state of public transport in Ghana; assess the extent to which customers are satisfied with Metro Mass Transport’s (MMT) public bus service delivery; and further establish the relationship (if any) among service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. A quantitative approach, using questionnaires, was adopted to survey 377 regular students from the University of Cape Coast, who mostly patronize public transport services, especially on vacations, public holidays and school reopening seasons. Data was analyzed, using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product moment correlation technique. The findings indicate that the respondents’ strongest perception about the state of public transportation was its importance to society. Majority of the respondents were generally dissatisfied with MMTs service delivery; and empirically, there was a weak, negative correlation between customer satisfaction in terms of service quality and customer loyalty. It is recommended that Metro Mass Transit Limited management focus on some quality variables such as safety-comfort-cleanliness; information-communication; accessibility; terminal and stop points performance; and online performance, in order to improve and sustain customer loyalty.
Modelling Fiscal Sustainability in the Middle East and North African Region
Authors: Tweneboah George , Agyapong Daniel
Published: August 2022

This paper assesses the sustainability of fiscal policies in a panel of eight Middle East and North African countries over the period 1990 – 2010. Employing recent panel unit root and co-integration techniques, we find that fiscal policies are consistent with inter-temporal budget balance in accordance with the present value approach. The Pooled Mean Group estimator shows that there was no significant causality between government revenues and expenditures in the short-run. However, there is a long-run fiscal synchronization which demonstrates that fiscal sustainability strategies should aim at increasing revenues and cutting spending concurrently to avoid fiscal deficits and its attending problems such as high taxation, reduced savings and investments.
Contributions of Research Collaboration to Innovation across Disciplines
Authors: Mensah Mavis Serwah Benneh
Published: August 2022

On the basis of debates in literature on the usefulness of research from different disciplines to innovation, this study sought to assess the extent to which research collaboration between university researchers and the carriers of innovation yield outputs that contribute to innovation. The paper analysed data from stratified sample of academics from the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the Social Sciences, and the Arts, in two Ghanaian universities with the mandate to contribute to research and innovation in Ghana. Out of 266 respondents, a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 108 multiple responses were recorded on the perceived use of collaborative research findings in various types of innovation and for problem-solving. Except for service innovation, Kruskal-Wallis tests of differences across disciplines did not reveal statistically significant differences, in the extent to which the academics perceived their collaborative research findings to have contributed to innovation. Thus, all academic disciplines can be relevant to innovation and should be given the necessary policy support.

 

 

https://doi.org/10.47963/jobed.2019.01
Corporate Social Responsibility and Bank Performance: A Cointegration Approach
Authors: Gasti John Gartchie , Ameyibor Joseph , Quansah Edward
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the short- and the long-run effects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on the performance of listed Ghanaian banks. An elongated balanced panel design with secondary data of 65 years’ bank observations spanning 2004 to 2016 was used for the study. A cointegration approach – Pooled Mean Group (PMG/Panel ARDL) – was used to examine the short- and the long-term effects of CSR on bank performance while controlling for bank variability, growth in interest income and bank size. The results were mixed. In the short term, it was found that CSR has positive but insignificant effect on bank performance (market-to-book value). In the long-term, however, CSR has significant negative effect on bank performance. Based on the findings, the study concludes that, in the long run, engaging in CSR reduces bank performance. Therefore, CSR needs to be carefully planned and implemented to serve as a boost to bank performance and not just regarded as an inconsequential addendum.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Access to Finance
Authors: Idun Anthony Adu-Asare , Gamado Joshua
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and access to finance, using data from companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). The study adopted multiple regression in investigating the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) in terms of profitability (measured by return on equity – ROE) and philanthropy (measured by corporate social responsibility disclosures – CSRED), and access to finance (measured by growth in equity, retained earnings, debt and working capital). Economic responsibility and access to finance measured by growth in retain earnings are negatively and insignificantly associated. Discretionary responsibility has positive and significantly relationship with growth in equity capital. Again, economic responsibility is negatively and insignificantly related to growth in debt stock, while discretionary responsibility is positively and significantly associated with growth in debt stock. Finally, economic responsibility is negatively related to growth in working capital, while discretionary responsibility is positively related to growth in working capital, but both cases are significant. The study encourages firms to embark on higher-level social responsibility since that can alleviate access to finance challenges faced by firms.
Health and Safety Practices and Work Attendance in a Ghanaian Health Service
Authors: Darko Rita , Oppong Nana Yaw , Mensah Abigail Opoku
Published: August 2022

This study assesses how health and safety policies and practices are adhered to at the Dunkwa-on-Offin Municipal Hospital in Ghana to enhance quality and sustainable healthcare delivery. The study approach was mainly quantitative and employed a survey design. 123 employees, out of the 167 total population of the hospital, were sampled. Questionnaire was designed to collect quantitative data, which were complemented by a single-source interview data. Data were analysed, using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (R), multiple regression and narrative analysis. The results showed that although employees were aware of and adhered to health and safety practices, about two-thirds of them had experienced different forms of injuries with significantly negative effect on their work attendance (absenteeism). It was further found that health and safety supervision was week. We recommend that the Ministry of Health should step up its health and safety supervisory and monitoring roles for improved quality and sustainable healthcare delivery.
Cross-border E-commerce Trade between China and Africa: Review of the Literature
Authors: LI Jiling , Bode Jürgen
Published: August 2022

This article explores the opportunities, challenges, as well as the activities of the Chinese governmental and commercial stakeholders to promote cross-border e-commerce trade between China and Africa, based on the classification and correlation analysis of the literature from 2011 to 2019. The results show that the biggest driver for the development of China-Africa cross-border e-commerce trade is the gap between the rapid growth of the African population, especially the middle class, and the limited local capability to satisfy their demand. The rapid development of the internet and mobile internet is another driving factor. The biggest challenge is the last mile delivery of logistics, and online payment issues in Africa. At the macro-level the Chinese government has promoted measures such as infrastructure investment, e-commerce test zones and the establishment of pilot projects. At the firm level, Chinese companies have focused on solving practical micro-level local operational problems such as logistics, online payment, and talent training. The results also show that the referred literature is still in its infancy, mostly theoretical and less practical, and requires more in-depth domain specific analysis in the future.
Banks’ Governance, Capital Structure and Performance in Ghana
Authors: Adu-Asare Idun Anthony , Arthur Joyce , Tutu Patrick
Published: August 2022

The paper explores the mechanisms through which banks rely on good governance to attract more equity capital towards the improvement of their profitability. The study employed a panel data for twenty-nine commercial banks in Ghana between the years from 2003 to 2015, using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), Fixed Effects and Random Effects estimators. The results are robust notwithstanding the estimation method employed, that bank governance affects banks’ performance in Ghana. Larger board size improves return on the banks’ equity just as large proportion of directors with finance expertise induces bank performance. All estimates also show that equity funding has a negative and significant effect on bank performance. The paper also found evidence that good bank governance attracts equity capital which, in turn, induces greater profitability. The study recommends for managers and policymakers of banks to adopt policies that will position the banks to improve governance structure, to improve managerial expertise to drive bank performance. Admonitions to expand bank capitalisation should not be encouraged without recourse to the improvement in bank governance effectiveness.
Tax Administration, Tax Incentive and SMEs’ Growth: The Moderating Effect of Firms Size
Authors: Anim Isaac Kwadwo , Awotwe Emelia , Nyarku Kwamena Minta , Kusi Lawrence Yaw
Published: August 2022

The study examined the effect of tax administration and tax incentives on the growth of small and medium enterprises in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Explanatory research design supported by the quantitative research approach was employed. Structured questionnaires were administered for the collection of the primary data from 115 SMEs operating in the metropolis. The multiple regression results revealed that tax administration accounts for a statistically significant positive weak variance in SMEs’ growth, whilst tax incentives account for a statistically significant positive moderate variance in SMEs’ growth. Firm size moderates the predictive relationship between tax administration and SMEs’ growth. Medium enterprises have higher propensity in terms of tax compliance compared to small enterprises. Medium enterprises also have higher growth potential than small enterprises. Ghana Revenue Authority should implement preferential tax policies that support SMEs growth in Ghana with much emphasis on tax incentive packages to small enterprises.
HRM Practice and Innovative Work Behavior: Organisational Politics as Mediator and Personal Locus of Control as Moderator
Authors: Opoku Felix Kwame , Acquah Innocent Senyo Kwasi , Issau Kassimu
Published: August 2022

The general objective of this study was to examine the effect of organisational politics on the relationship between HR practice and the innovative work behaviours of selected senior staff of the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. A secondary objective was to examine the moderation of personal locus of control on the association between organisational politics and employees innovative work behaviour. The study adopted an explanatory research design, using a purely quantitative approach. The target population comprised of all senior staff of the University of Cape Coast. The G*Power 3.1 software was used to select 119 members into the sample for this study. Data were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire and analysed, using the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The findings of this study suggest that organisational politics has a statistically significant positive influence on the link between human resource management practice and employees’ innovative work behaviour. Unexpectedly, the paper also found that the link between organisational politics and personal locus of control, on one hand, and that between personal locus of control and innovative work behaviour, on the other hand, were statistically non-significant and negative. Therefore, we recommend that since organisational politics is an inevitable element in every human institution, any attempt by management to improve the innovative work behaviours of employees must take into account the possible effect of organizational politics on the said intervention.
WhatsApp Usage in Administrative Processes of College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Authors: Segbenya Moses , Nyagorme Paul , Appiah Robert
Published: August 2022

In Ghana, little is known about the educational values of WhatsApp usage as a multidimensional communication tool. WhatsApp usage is unguided and generally left in the hands of the juvenile for exploration.  This article established how WhatsApp application could promote administrative processes and support for the College of Distance Education (CoDE), University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The theories informing this study were adopted from the synthetic model of motivation (Turner, 1987) and Activity Theory by Vygotsky (1978). The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used for the study. Data collection was quantitatively done with a questionnaire as the research instrument. Census technique was employed to gather data from all the 72 Study Centre Co-ordinators of CoDE. The two objectives and four hypotheses that guided the study were analysed with frequencies and percentages, ANOVA, independent sample t-test, and multiple standard regression. The study found that most of the respondents were satisfied with WhatsApp’s use to facilitate communication among stakeholders at CoDE. It further emerged that WhatsApp messaging enables rapid feedback among the key stakeholders (administrators, course tutors and students) of CoDE. However, few co-ordinators expressed disappointment regarding members sending irrelevant information and heavy videos sometimes in ungodly hours. It was recommended that enforceable user-guidelines and policies be made explicit for members to adhere to WhatsApp platforms’ use. Also, WhatsApp groups should be organised based on homogeneous interests while usage should be supported, regulated and promoted by the management of CoDE.
Is there a right to health in Ghana? The case of Ghana’s 1992 constitution
Authors: Kunbuor Benjamin
Published: August 2022

The nuances and ramifications of the right to health are sufficiently large and varied, just as are its rendition in constitutional and statutory provisions. It is sometimes difficult, at the legal level, to ascertain whether a legal right is intended by a provision or is a mere use of ‘rights language’. This ambiguity is visible in a number of provisions in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and legislation. However, there are few scholarly studies on the right to health in Ghana. This article seeks to explore the nuances of the concept of the ‘right to health’ in international human rights law to ascertain whether Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and legislation provide for the ‘right to health’. This paper further discusses some policy issues on health.
Medico-legal and ethical issues of necrophilia: A Ghanaian perspective
Authors: Addadzi-Koom Maame Efua
Published: August 2022

In February 2018, a video of a mortuary attendant touching and fondling two dead bodies at the Bechem hospital morgue, in the Ahafo Region of Ghana, was leaked on various social media platforms nationwide. In the video, the mortuary attendant was allegedly touching and fondling the naked corpses of the late Ghanaian dancehall artiste, Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng, popularly known as Ebony Reigns, and her friend. The video triggered public disapproval. Consequently, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Health Service initiated investigations into the matter. The family, and manager of the late dancehall artiste, also indicated their plans to file an action against the hospital where the video was taken. The incident gave rise to ethical and medico-legal issues such as the position of Ghanaian law on necrophilia, the legal status of a dead person, the liabilities, rights and interests of all affected parties connected to a dead person, and the ethical aspects of necrophilia within the Ghanaian society. These issues are the subject of this paper.
Reforming campaign finance laws in Ghana: A 'political party bank' proposal
Authors: Atta-Kesson Rowland
Published: August 2022

All over the world, the issue of financing democratic institutions is a huge concern. In developing countries in Africa, several commentaries and suggestions have inundated the subject. Central to these suggestions is the idea of state funding of political parties. Given that there are many political parties in Ghana, any notion of State financing of political parties does not appeal to many. But as democracy has come to stay in Ghana, the phenomenon of elections and financing would continue to nag for attention. Two issues to this are; whether it is necessary to deregulate the use of money in elections because of democratic free speech or whether to regulate given democratic and equal political participation. The paper uses a qualitative, doctrinal, and comparative legal methodology to make a case for 'political party banks' as an option in political party financing.
Pregnancy discrimination as a cause of action in Ghana: A commentary on CHRAJ, Grace Fosu & Thelma Hammond v. Ghana National Fire Service & the Attorney General
Authors: Morhe Renee Aku Sitsofe , Asare Abena Agyeiwaa
Published: August 2022

The Ghana labour law (ACT 651) prohibits pregnancy discrimination. The law exempts from application the armed forces, the police service, the prison service and the securities intelligence agencies and hence by extension, the fire service. Despite these exemptions, the court in the case of CHRAJ, Grace Fosu & Thelma Hammond v. Ghana National Fire Service & the Attorney General (CHRAJ & others v. GNFS) declared a pregnancy clause in conditions of service of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) discriminatory in its effect, unjustifiable and illegal. The objective of this case commentary is to examine the court decision in order to draw attention to the illegality of the practice of pregnancy discrimination at the workplace that adversely affects women. In analysing the court’s decision, this case commentary finds, among others, that pregnancy discrimination could be perpetrated under the guise of freedom of contract. Also that, pregnancy clauses inserted in employment contracts are discriminatory and a violation of the constitution and a business practice that adversely impacts both employers and employees. The paper submits that a good precedence has been established in the case for future use by employers, employees and civil society for optimization of the rights of women at the workplace in Ghana. Major recommendations made to improve workplace conditions and human rights of women include (1) a women’s charter to consolidate all laws on women’s rights, (2) ratification and implementation of relevant conventions and principles on business and human rights and (3) education of all stakeholders on the laws including better monitoring of employment practices to ensure that all businesses abide by the decision in CHRAJ & others v GNFS to avoid costly law suits.
Contested wills and testaments in Ghana: exploring the legal claim for reasonable provision for dependants
Authors: Nii Odoi Reginald
Published: August 2022

Ghanaian law allows persons to execute Wills as the legal means by which property acquired during one’s lifetime could be disposed of, in the event of death. The law follows the intentions of the testator by leaving everything to the unfettered discretion of the testator since the law presumes that the instincts and sentiments of the testator may be safely trusted to secure a better disposition as compared to a distribution prescribed by the stereotyped and inflexible rules of a general law. However, there are instances where dependants of the deceased, whether deliberately or inadvertently, are not provided for in the Will of the deceased testator. This Article seeks to explore the legal claim for reasonable provision out of the Will of a deceased testator in favor of dependants of the testator. The article would identify the safeguards in the laws of Ghana which allow for dependants who are somewhat left out of the Will of a deceased testator to be catered for. The article would also consider the jurisprudence of the Superior Courts of Ghana on the legal claim for reasonable provision out of the Will of a deceased testator in favor of dependants of the testator. As a whole, it is believed that this study would go a long way to highlight the mechanisms for assessing the legal claim for reasonable provision for dependants out of the Will of a deceased testator and would further make suggestions towards strengthening the law and jurisprudence on the area of law.
An overview of the impact of sexual and gender-based violence on mental and reproductive health: Examining the legal framework, with a view of bringing perpetrators to justice.
Authors: Madu Vivian C.
Published: August 2022

In recent times women have been seen by members of terrorist groups as objects used to satisfy their sexual urges, render domestic services, act as spies, recruits, suicide bombers or used in trafficking light arms and ammunitions. Prior to this period most common types of sexual violence where imbedded in harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation or early child marriage. Other forms of sexual violence are in forms of gang rape by armed robbers and cultist in the Southern part of Nigeria or members of terrorist groups, in the Northern part of Nigeria. Most times victims do not report such violence against them because of societal norms and stigmatization, hence perpetuators are not brought to justice. The resultant effect is that victims are often traumatized which in turn affect their mental health. Their reproductive health is not equally speared as most victims end up with vesico vagina fistulae (VVF) and in extreme cases die from complications as a result of the violation. The general aim of this paper is to examine the impact of sexual based gender violence on the victims mental and reproductive health, specific emphasis will be on sexual violence committed by terrorist groups in armed conflict while examining the legal framework available to a victim for redress. The paper will conclude with recommendations for restorative justice for victims of SGBV, proffer solutions on how perpetuators can be identified and brought to justice.
The “veronica bucket” and the inventive step requirement under the patent law of Ghana
Authors: Oninku Eugene Ablade
Published: August 2022

The Veronica bucket, a hand washing mechanism consisting of a bucket with a tap fixed at the bottom, mounted at hand height, with a bowl at the bottom to collect wastewater has played a pivotal role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic through the promotion of good hand washing habits. The popularity of the Veronica bucket led its Ghanaian inventor in an interview on a radio station in Accra, Ghana in March 2021 to express her regrets for failing to obtain a patent for her product. Her statement, which dominated the headlines of major social media platforms and generated public discussion demonstrates the misconception about the grant of a patent. This paper adopts the doctrinal legal research methodology in an attempt to analyse the requirements for the grant of a patent under Ghanaian law, particularly the inventive step requirement to ascertain whether the Veronica bucket is indeed patentable under Ghanaian law. The paper argues, after a careful analysis of the patentability requirements under Ghanaian law that, even though the Veronica bucket is industrially applicable, it would have failed to meet the inventive step requirement to warrant the grant of a patent. The paper further argues that even if a search was to be conducted to reveal that the invention underpinning the Veronica bucket was new at the material time, such an invention would instead entitle its inventor to a Utility Model Certificate under Ghanaian law, which only requires the product concerned to be new and industrially applicable.
Ethnicity, religion and elections in Ghana
Authors: Aidoo Gilbert Arhinful , Botchway Thomas Prehi
Published: August 2022

Politics in Ghana’s fourth republic is an interesting phenomenon. The intricacies in Ghanaian politics is one that requires constant analysis. In this paper, we examine some of these intricacies – the question and role of identity in politics in Ghana. We particularly analyse how ethnicity and religion influence elections in one of Africa’s promising democracies. The analysis is based primarily on the scrutiny of official reports and detailed review of published works. The paper concludes that the tendencies to engage in over ethnicization and excessive religious undercurrent in Ghana’s fourth republic, if not properly managed, can lead to ethnic and religious clashes, especially during electioneering periods. It is in view of this that we recommend that religious and traditional leaders make conscious efforts to promote peaceful and decorous campaigns. Moreover, there is the need for political leaders to avoid inciting ethnic groups against one another, even as societal groups embark on educating and sensitizing the general population.
When the pigeons refuse to fly: Legal perpesctives on the deployment of chemical weapons in Syria
Authors: Oduniyi Oreoluwa Omotayo
Published: August 2022

In recent times, several hostilities have taken place all over the world. However, these hostilities have been non-international in character and outlook, with the attendant gory effects more pronounced in the 20th and 21st Century warfare. The type of weaponry engaged in such hostilities have been in the spotlight in International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The deployment of chemical weapons in the Syrian war and its adverse effect on the civilian population have become a global concern. The effectiveness of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development and Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, and other legal instruments relating to the protection of victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts, have been questioned. Although, scholars had in times past advocated for the restriction and prohibition of the use of chemical weapons in armed conflicts, the Syrian situation has again exposed the need to devote urgent attention to providing more effective sanctions for perpetrators of this heinous crime. This paper seeks to explore the legal implications of the deployment of Chemical Weapons in Syria, by canvassing arguments for more concerted efforts to guard against the use of Chemical Weapons in armed conflicts and ensure more adequate protection for civilians. This will give effect to and promote the core values of IHL.