ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of speed and strength standards for lower primary schools in the Akuapem north district of Ghana.

.Physical activity should help improve muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance, as well as serves as a vehicle that helps children establish self-esteem and strive for achievable, personal goals. Improving the quality of physical education is necessary to achieve potential health-benefits in the child and adolescent populations. A calculated shift to national standards will provide teachers with a timely opportunity to examine the direction of their own physical education programmes (NASPE, 2004).This study was carried out as an evaluation of speed and strength standards of lower primary schools in Ghana. In the study 1200 pupils in the lower primary class 1-3 from the Akuapem North District of Ghana were used. This was made up of 600 boys and 600 girls. The sample size was drawn from twenty selected schools in Akuapem. The tests administered were the 30m dash and the standing broad jump. The 30m dash test was used to measure speed and standing broad jump test used to measure the horizontal leg strength of the subjects. The quasi experiment research design was employed for this project. Data collected was analyzed using the t-test and conclusions were drawn. Generally it was observed that the boys performed better than the girls in all the grade levels. The average performance of the girls in the speed test was 6.50sec and of boys was 6.30sec. In the broad jump the girls and boys had an average score of 1.2m and 1.3m respectfully. It was recommended that teachers specify exactly what will be assessed in order to return more useful information about student achievement.

Source: UEW
An evaluation of success factors for construction projects in Ghana a case study of the Tema metropolis

The construction industry is one of the largest job creators in developing countries and is highly competitive. Achieving success in public construction projects is difficult because it requires economy, efficiency, quality, fairness and transparency. Construction projects are undertaken upon the request of owners/clients and almost always involve multiple entities which are also accountable to external financial audit and statutory agencies. The aim of the study was to identify key success factors of construction projects in the Tema Metropolis of Ghana and to make recommendation for enhancing project performance. The study adopted a quantitative approach involving the development and administration of survey questionnaires design using survey questionnaire. A total of four hundred and ten (410) questionnaires were administered to project managers and foremen of construction companies. A response rate of 38% was achieved. The findings of the study revealed that, the key success factors included; involvement of stakeholders, utilizing up-to-date technology, political support and handover procedures. The results would be helpful to public construction project professionals in taking proactive measures for successful completion of public projects. The findings reveal that, both the project managers and foremen strongly support the identified critical success factors as significant in achieving project success. There was no significant difference in their perception of critical success factors based on their biographical characteristics.

Source: UEW
An evaluation of the African Studies curriculum in the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ghana

Curriculum design, implementation and evaluation play a vital role in the continuous improvement of educational programmes, the enhancement of student learning outcomes, and the overall effectiveness of the programme of study. These processes ensure that the curriculum remains responsive to the evolving needs of students and society with high standards of quality content delivery. The African Studies Curriculum at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has been implemented for over two decades with its challenges, including students’ motivations, cultural content, teaching methods, techniques and strategies. In this regard, the study was set out to evaluate the implementation of the African Studies course in order to unravel the extent to which the intended outcomes of the African Studies curriculum in UEW has been achieved. With pragmatic worldview, and rooted in the curriculum Evaluation Model, Theoretical, conceptual and empirical literature within the domain of curriculum implementation in African Studies were critically reviewed. An explanatory sequential design within the mixed method approach was adopted while the Krejcie and Morgan Table for sample size determination was employed to sample three hundred and seventy-five (375) students from a total of 15,000 first year students offering African Studies courses at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). Seven (7) students were purposively selected from the sample size of 375 for the qualitative data. Again, five (5) lecturers from the African Studies Centre of UEW were purposively selected for the study. Instruments for data collection included questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion. Quantitative data analysis was done by using SPSS statistics analytical software. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed for the quantitative analysis, whilst thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Findings showed that even though students are motivated by series of decisions in selecting courses in African Studies courses, they are basically influenced by external factors such as department, colleagues and the popularity of the courses. It was concluded that some Departments choose specific courses based to relativity to their areas of specialism and future academic pursuits. It was recommended that, there is the need for course recommendation systems in physically-based university environments in Ghana. This has become necessary since African Studies courses are mandatory by which reason is to re-orient the misconceptions of students concerning the continent and carving the positive African image. Fresh students should be oriented to alleviate the misconceptions associated with course selection.

Source: UEW
An evaluation of the computerised selection of students into colleges of education. A case study

Computerized selection system is a school admission system that consists of a collection of different hardware and software requiring disparate supporting infrastructures and offering little in the way of integration. Computerized admission process at the various college of education in Ghana starts with sorting applications based on applicants’ choices, grades, and college requirements for specific programme. The system sometimes force some candidates initially selected to concede their place to others far behind in the list. Applicants who are not selected for their first-choice programme are put in a pool for second choice selection. The study evaluated the efficiency, reliability and challenges of using computerized system for admitting students into public Colleges of Education, with particular reference to the educational colleges affiliated with the University of Cape Coast. The study used explanatory research with a quantitative research method. The total population for the study was 255 admission officers, quality assurance staff, and Heads of departments. The researchers' sample size for the study was 192. Questionnaire was used for the data collection instrument. Quantitative analysis was done with the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results revealed that verification of college requirements using a computerised selection system had a high factor as compared to other factors to the efficiency of electronic sorting and selection of admission applications at colleges of education. The study concluded that the use of computerised selection for issuing admission letters after admission at the college of education in Ghana makes electronic sorting and selection of applications efficient. The study recommended that a computerised selection system should be upgraded and updated to enhance its' efficiency and reliability.

Source: UEW
An evaluation of the effects of labour management relationships on construction site productivity in Ghana

An evaluation of the impact of labour-management relationships on construction site productivity in Ghana was essential to be looked into from the concept of productivity. The theory of construction productivity commenced in the early twentieth (20th) century with a series of time and motion studies to improve bricklaying activities. Productivity is directly linked to labour management relationships, and in turn dependent on productivity. Bad labour-management relationships of construction employees have contributed significantly to the declining productivity that cannot be quantified in the construction industry. The aim of the study is to explore labour relations and its effects on construction site productivity. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design. A survey was carried out on 22 construction companies obtained from a Snowball sampling. This was as a result of the difficulties encountered in accessing the population sample. The findings of the study revealed that, among the highest considered factors, “Opportunity to undertake challenging tasks, bargaining power, Recognition with company achievements, belongingness and affection, existence of labour union amongst others) had great impact on productivity. Major recommendations provided include that double targets should always be set on projects of which the higher target made known to workers and monitor progress with the threshold target. In addition, it is recommended that employees should be allowed to take breaks by supervisors whenever efforts are made to attain the set goals. Further, management and immediate supervisors should ensure that good teamwork is established through collaborations, both on and off site by assigning task to groups of workforces with qualified and competent supervisors.

Source: UEW
Evaluation of the heavy metal pollution index of groundwater in Effutu Municipality,Ghana

An assessment of the quality of groundwater in the Effutu Municipality was carried out at six sampling sites in some selected communities in the Effutu Municipality. Samples were collected from November 2020 to May 2021. Analysed various physicochemical parameters including Electrical conductivity, Temperature, pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Heavy metals analysed are Cobalt, Zinc, Cadmium, Lead and Iron. Concentrations of the five (5) heavy metals: Cobalt, Zinc, Cadmium, Lead and Iron were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer using an air-acetylene oxidizing flame and used to evaluate the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) using two barreled approaches. In the first instance heavy metals that were not detected by the instrument were assigned zero concentration. In the second instance, these heavy metals were assigned the limit of detection from the instrument as if they were present to that extent. The result of the study revealed that, the mean values of the pH and COD of the groundwater at the sampling sites were within the GEPA and WHO permissible limit. However, the Electrical Conductivity exceeds the GEPA and WHO permissible limit at some of the selected groundwater sampling sites. The two HPI computations for not detected (ND) for metals not detected and for the limit of detection of the instrument for metals not detected for the dry season were 0.887 and 0.880 and for the raining season were 0.832 and 0.832. The two approaches used in the computation of HPI for the groundwater based on the mean concentrations of the selected heavy metals and the limit of detection from the instrument gave similar results. The near sameness of these values indicates that both approaches could be used to calculate the HPI. There was a significant correlation (P<0.01) between the two HPI’s. The study clearly indicates that, the selected groundwater sites in the Effutu Municipality monitored to be free from the selected heavy metals and can therefore be used for human consumption.

Source: UEW
Evaluation of the HND fashion programme of Accra Technical University

The fashion sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth globally, yet Ghana's fashion industry encounters hurdles such as heavy reliance on imports and low local skill levels. Recognizing the sector's significance, Ghana has implemented policies and educational reforms, including competency-based training (CBT) in fashion education. However, the effectiveness of such programs, particularly at Accra Technical University (ATU), remains underexplored. This study evaluated the CBT option of the Higher National Diploma (HMD) fashion program at ATU, focusing on its ability to meet student expectations, factors affecting graduate performance, student competencies, program relevance, and challenges of graduates of the programme in the job market. Grounded in pragmatism, the study adopts a mixed-approach; convergent parallel thus combining quantitative and qualitative methods and elicited data from 107 past students and 153 present students of the programme using questionnaires and interviews. The study's data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The study among others revealed that the programme is very relevant to the students who had assessed it and that it fulfilled their expectations of attaining competencies and skills. It also revealed that many of the graduates could create new designs to meet clients' expectations. The study concludes that the programme is very relevant to the graduates as it provides them with the skills and competencies needed to perform and can produce designs to match-up with contemporary fashion demands and trends. The study therefore recommends that the programme should be continued to provide many fashion designer With skills and competencies. It also recommends that the interest of the graduates be whipped up to sustain them for acquiring more skills and competencies. The school authorities, government and other relevant agencies must do their bid to always keep the programme very relevant and impactful.

Source: UEW
Evaluation of the implementation of senior high school biology curriculum in South-Dayi district of Volta Region

This study aimed at evaluating the implementation of senior high school biology curriculum in South-Dayi District of Volta Region. The study adopted descriptive survey design using Stufflebeam‟s CIPP model which involved the evaluation of the Context, Input, Process and the Product aspects of the Programme and Stake‟s countenance Antecedent Transaction Outcome model. Samples of 10 third year biology teachers were purposively selected from four public secondary schools in South-Dayi District of Volta Region for the study. Four research questions were raised and answered in the study. The instruments developed and deployed for collecting data were: Teachers Questionnaires and observation guidelines on Teacher effectiveness in Classroom Teaching and observation guidelines on physical facilities and resources available in the studied schools that would aid in the implementation of biology curriculum. Frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation were the statistics used to analyse the data collected. The study revealed that all the teachers were academically and professionally qualified and experienced to teach biology in the studied schools. The biology teachers were not utilizing the available instructional materials for teaching biology. The common evaluation techniques used by teachers in assessing their students were quizzes and assignments. The teachers were not complying with the recommended teaching methods suggested for use in the biology curriculum. Inadequate laboratory facilities and inadequate number of trained biology teachers were the problems militating against the implementation of the senior high school biology curriculum. In conclusion, the biology curriculum was not well implemented in the study schools. The study recommended, among other things, that government through Ghana Education Service should provide and extend more laboratories, equipment and facilities for science teaching to secondary schools in the District and get more involved in teacher professional development programmes either directly or in partnership with other stakeholders.

Source: UEW
An evaluation of the influence of safety practices on construction site workers performance a case study of selected project sites in Wa

The construction industry contributes immensely on the development of every nation. Despite its crucial role that it plays in the socio-economic development of a nation, it is also considered as one of the accident prone industries recording higher deaths and all forms of injuries in many sites. In this view, a study was conducted to evaluate the influence of safety practices on construction sites workers performance in the Wa municipality. In all ninety six (96) respondents participated in the study which includes eighty (80) workers, four (4) contractor, four (4) site foremen and eight (8) masons in the selected sites. The researcher employed the use of questionnaires, interviews and observations in collecting data from the population. In the analysis, tables and narrative descriptions were used. The study revealed that some employers do not provide protective clothing and equipment to workers thereby exposing them to danger. It was also revealed that some construction companies do not sanction their workers when they flout safety rules and regulations due to lack of safety officers to enforce safety issues. Aside that, the study also revealed that majority of the construction firms in the municipality do not incorporate insurance policies on safety issues for their employees. The study also revealed that due to the lack of the implementation of safety precaution at the construction site decrease productivity at site and also exposed higher risk of danger. It is recommended that, the Municipal Assembly should ensure that construction companies that operate within the municipality should have a policy framework that will govern their operations in the construction sites.

Source: UEW
Evaluation of the knowledge of wood workers on industrial safety precautions and hazards. a case study in the Accra metropolis

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of local saw millers on industrial hazards and personal safety concerns in the satellite and unregistered saw mills in the Accra metropolis with the aim of helping to reduce if not eliminate the rampant occurrence of injuries in the wood /furniture industry. The machine operators and carpenters at the Accra Timber market formed the population or sample frame for the study. A sample size of 100 was randomly selected. 40% master craft men and 60% apprentice (trainees/ employees). The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. To achieve this, working experience and educational level of the respondents was cross - tabulated with the research questions to arrive at frequencies, percentages and mean differences among the variables. P - Value of 5% (P< 0.05) was used to analyse the seven hypotheses formulated. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were used. Two sets of closed ended form, of twenty items each were designed to collect relevant data from the sample. The result indicated that, the wood workers at Accra timber market is male dominated since all respondents reported to be males. It further indicated that the majority of the workers had basic education which reflected on their knowledge level of safety at their work places. It showed very weak attitude towards safety precautions even though majority indicated they observed safety at work. 65% indicated that they did not use safety clothing and devices and 95% of the total respondents also indicated they did not have fire safety equipment at all. The recommendations among others included the following. Factory inspectors should be resourced to intensify supervision and education on safety. Government should develop interest in the safety of wood workers since they are one of the major contributors in the nation's infrastructure development. Employers should be mandated to implement regulations on safety to the benefit of their employees.

Source: UEW
An evaluation of the need to make physical education an externally examinable subject in the senior high school curriculum

This study evaluated the perceptions of students, physical education teachers and nonphysical education teachers on the external examinability or otherwise of physical education as a core subject in Senior High Schools. This descriptive survey study utilized a sample size which consisted of 170 respondents made up of hundred (100) nonphysical education teachers, sixty (60) students and ten(10) physical education teachers. Primary data for the analysis was obtained from the research conducted in three Senior High Schools in the Ejisu-Juaben municipality. The instrument used in the study contained 42 items with closed-ended and open-ended responses which was previously pilot-tested with other two friends to establish content validity. The findings of the study revealed that although, physical education is taught in schools, it was confirmed by majority of respondents in each of the categories ( 68% of students, 80% of physical education teachers, and 70% non-physical education teachers) that the subject was neither examined internally in most schools nor examined externally in whatever form or manner. Several schools had opted to use the physical education periods for sports training, limiting the entire time for the participation of only school athletes while denying non-performers the opportunity to exercise. It was recommended among others that, since majority of respondents agree to the adage that “a sound mind lies in a sound body”, physical education programmes should contain activities such as fitness, dance and outward bound activities to create fun and help participants’ live healthy lives

Source: UEW
An evaluation of the prospects and challenges of auto mechanic workshops in the informal sector in the Kumasi metropolis

The study explored the prospects and challenges in the informal auto-mechanic sector focusing on auto-mechanics enterprises within the Kumasi Metropolis. Specifically, the study sought to examine the prospects of the auto-mechanic enterprises, examine the challenges facing auto-mechanic enterprises, and the preparedness of auto-mechanics to exploit the potential prospects to their advantage. By adopting the quantitative approach to research, the researcher administered a survey to a sample of 164 managers/owners of auto-mechanic enterprises within the Suame Magazine in the Kumasi Metropolis. Among the emerging prospects in the auto-mechanic industry as revealed in study were the growing number of automobiles in the country, the removal of taxes on imported spare parts, the establishment of the Suame Magazine Automatics Technical Institute, the advancement in automobile repair and maintenance technology, and the availability of cheap labour due to high unemployment in the country. Also, the major challenges faced by auto-mechanics included erratic supply of electricity to auto-mechanic workshops, high cost of electricity and fuel, high cost of spare parts due to depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar, limited sources of finance and high interest on bank loans, and lack of training on application of modern methods of automobile repair among others. Despite the numerous challenges that impeded the growth of auto-mechanic enterprises in the informal sector, it was deduced that the ability of auto-mechanics to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the industry would inure to their benefit and lead to a significant improvement in their operations.

Source: UEW