ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Institutional Dynamics for Managing the Lower Ankobra River Basin in the Western Region of Ghana

Dynamic management systems for equitable distribution of drainage basin resources for local communities have become necessary because of the failure of early discriminatory institutional approaches that were used by countries all over the world. Hence, the need to improve the capacities, and strengthen the functional networks among management institutions such as those responsible for river basins in developing countries such as Ghana has become more critical considering the fast rate of degradation of the river basins. The main objective of the study was to examine the institutional dynamics for managing the resources of the Lower Ankobra River Basin in the Western Region of Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive research design. Using in-depth and semi-structured interview guides, data was solicited from 268 respondents who played several roles in the conservation of the basin’s However, at the first-line or lower level of management, there were challenges relating to financial, technical and legal capacities, and functional networks among the institutions. The major consequences of such challenges were the fast depletion, and the limited opportunities available for the local users of the basin. The study recommends to government of Ghana to set up a single institution with several departments that should work with the principles of equity, accountability and efficiency that have been prescribed by the egalitarian society to equitably share, and conserve, the resources in the Lower Ankobra Basin for its users.

Source: UCC
Institutional Gaps in Mathematics Education Research Procedures Between a Developed and Developing Country

Ghana is located on the west coast of Africa. It is bounded on the north by Burkina Faso, west by Ivory Coast, east by Togo and south by the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana was a former British colony under the name of Gold Coast, and obtained her independence in 1957 from the British. With an area (of 238 534 km2) which is about 3% of the area of Australia, Ghana supports a population (of 22 113 000, a 2005 estimate) which is approximately the same as Australia’s. The most predominant religion in Ghana is Christianity (63% of the population are Christians). English language is the official and national language of Ghana, although some 49 languages and dialects are spoken in the country. Ghana’s GNP per capita is US$380 (2004 estimate) with agriculture being the backbone of her economy. The major export commodities of the country include cocoa, gold and timber. Ghana has a long history of formal education dating back from precolonial times (1529). Ghana presently operates six years of primary education, three years of junior high school education and four years of senior high school education at the pretertiary level. With the exception of grades 1-3, the medium of instruction at all levels of education is English language (see Owu-Ewie, 2006). The next section looks at the context of the data collection exercise, which is the author’s (i.e. first author’s) ongoing PhD thesis study, investigating cultural influences on primary school students’ mathematical conceptions and practices. This will be followed by a review of some previous studies on gaps in educational research phenomenon among countries. The author’s experiences collecting data in Ghana is then presented. The author as used in this paper refers to the first author.

Source: UCC
Institutional Pressures and Sustainable Performance Of Ghana’s Food and Beverage Manufacturing Firms: The Mediating Role of Sustainability Culture

ABSTRACT In recent years, business stakeholders have been worried about Ghana's food and beverage firms' operational quality and presence owing to unsustainable practices such as high greenhouse gas emissions, an increase in foodborne infections, biodiversity loss, and consumer discontent. Scholars have failed to question whether Ghana's food and beverage businesses follow institutional pressures and have a sustainable culture. This study examines the effect of institutional pressures on the sustainable performance of Ghana’s Food and Beverage manufacturing firms with mediating role of sustainability culture. The Institutional and Resource-Based view theories underpinned the study and it employed both a quantitative approach and an explanatory design. A randomly sampled respondents from 216 registered Ghanaian Food and Beverage manufacturing firms were used for the study. Data were processed using PLS-SEM version 3.2 and SPSS version 26. The study found that mimetic pressures influenced the sustainable performance of Ghana’s Food and Beverage manufacturing enterprises. Normative and coercive pressures did not significantly affect sustainable performance. Normative pressure did not affect sustainability culture, whereas coercive and mimetic pressures did. Also, sustainability culture was found to have a significant impact on the sustainable performance of Ghanaian food and beverage firms. Sustainability culture mediated the predictive relationships between coercive (full) and mimetic (partial) pressures and sustainable performance. It was concluded that a sustainability culture improves the tendency of Food and Beverage firms to comply with external business pressures to improve sustainable outcomes. Management of food and beverage firms should invest to make sustainable considerations critical to their business operations.

Source: UCC
Institutional Repositories Containing Digitized Heritage Material (Special Collections) are Making 'Lost or Hidden' Cultures Accessible: Advantages and Disadvantages of this Trend

The current information and electronic publishing age has tremendously increased the demand for academic institutions and libraries to recognise the importance of Institutional Repositories. They are essential infrastructures in modern scholarship. However, the main focus in this study is the digital preservation of cultural heritage or special collection, providing access to knowledge about lost or hidden cultures. The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of the digitized heritage material, in the institutional repositories, in making accessible lost or hidden cultures. The research type was a theoretical research type, focusing on published research literature about the problem. Search terms were generated to get relevant literature about the topic from databases like; Emerald Publishing, Google Scholar, Google search, Booksc.org, portal.unesco.org, eprints.rclis.org, and SPARC. It was reported that all countries under study did not have policies to guide digital preservation of cultural heritage. Only Uganda was reported to have a project WDL (Uganda) under the National Library of Uganda, working on digital preservation of cultural heritage. Makerere University was reported to be the only institution to have a digital preservation of special collection (music archive). Access to the digital collection of the cultural heritage is very vital in many aspects of research and societal dynamics. Governments should pick interest in digital preservation of heritage material and making it easily accessible. Preservation policies should be put in place to guide the preservation processes. Academic and research institutional libraries should take a leading role in digital preservation processes on the national cultural heritage.

Source: UCC
Institutional structures and financial market development in Africa

Our paper examines the relationship between institutional structures and the level of financial markets development in Africa. Our paper contributes to the extant literature by using other financial market development variables—ease of access to loans and venture capital availability—that have not before been used to analyzed how institutional structures influence the level of financial markets development in the context of Africa. We employ a two-step generalized method of moment estimator with corrected standard errors to examine this.We demonstrate that a highquality institutional environment is relevant in explaining ease of access to loans and venture capital availability in Africa. Based on these results, our paper argues that good institutional structures could help stimulate the level of financial markets development in Africa. However, to attain this feat, African governments need to strengthen institutions through effective enforcement of laws to foster compliance in a specifically definite manner-by fashioning out costs for non-compliance

Source: UCC
Institutional structures and foreign direct investment inflows to oil producing countries: Evidence from Africa

In recent times, there has been a decline of investment in oil producing countries worldwide (OPEC, 2017). Due to the fact that direct investment in oil production activities in most African countries is dominated by foreign entities, there are doubts as to the future of foreign direct investment in oil producing countries in Africa (Kurul & Yalta, 2017). Indeed a number of studies have examined the relationship between institutional structures and foreign direct investment but have not focused on the context of oil producing countries where direct investment in oil production activities is dominated by foreign firms. Thus by focusing on oil producing counties in Africa, this study examined the relationship between institutional structures and FDI. By employing the General method of moment estimation technique, the study found that institutional structures are relevant to attracting FDI to oil producing countries in Africa. This study recommends that oil producing economies should continue to institute economic policies that enhances or promote institutional quality.

Source: UCC
Institutional structures and the strength of investor confidence in Africa

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the role of country-level institutional structures in strengthening the level of investor confidence in Africa while controlling for real GDP growth, interest rate spread, inflation and country credit rating. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses panel data for the period 2009-2013. It takes into account the rule of law, political stability, regulatory quality, voice and accountability, control of corruption and property rights as potential institutional drivers of the level of investor confidence. These factors are based on their relative relevance from the extant literature. Correlated panels-corrected standard errors model was used to establish the relationship between the institutional structures and the strength of investor confidence. Findings – The overall results show that rule of law, voice and accountability, property rights and political stability exhibit significant positive relationship with the strength of investor confidence in African economies. This implies that asking African economies to strengthen these institutional structures will result in enhanced investor confidence in their economies. This suggests that the establishment of these institutional structures is an effective tool to enhance investor confidence in African economies. Practical implications – In addition to the long-term goal of promoting economic reforms, a corresponding long-term goal of strengthening institutional structures in African economies should be taken into consideration. Instead of waiting for their economic reforms to take effect, governments in African countries can, to some degree, attract investors into their economies by establishing credible institutional structures. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the knowledge on how country-level institutional structures influence the level of investor confidence in the context of Afric

Source: UCC
Institutionalised Care and Caregiving Services for the Elderly in the Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre, Ahotokurom

The concept of institutionalised care is gradually being accepted as an alternative source of care for the elderly in Ghana. Institutionalised homes exist to provide care for the elderly, yet many studies on care homes in Africa, including Ghana have neglected the needs of the elderly and the adequacy of care given by care homes. This is a study exploring the adequacy of the caregiving services provided by the Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre (PPRC) in the Central region of Ghana, in addressing the medical, economic, psychological, and physiological needs of its elderly residents. An explorative research design was employed for the study. Evidence was gathered through participant observation and semi-structured interviews with residents, caregivers and family members over two weeks. The narratives from the data were organised into three central themes: the needs of the elderly (medical, economic, psychological and physiological), the kinds of services provided by the PPRC and the adequacy of care services offered by the PPRC. The study found that medical needs are the most occurring need, followed by psychological and economic, physiological being the least among the needs of the elderly in the PPRC. The findings revealed that the physiological and medical needs of the elderly residents were adequately provided by the PPRC. However, there was a limit to the ability of PPRC to provide all the economic needs of the elderly residents. The study concludes that the PPRC serves as the primary provider of adequate care for the elderly residents amidst its economic challenges. The study recommends the PPRC be supported by state institutions and other organisations, including NGOs.

Source: UCC
Institutionalising Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is credited in Ghana for having the first female Vice-Chancellor, yet it experiences gender disparities. The establishment of a Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD) in 2013 provides the university a tool for addressing the disparities. Based on the results of our meta-analysis and interviews with key management players in the university, this paper discusses gaps in existing gender equity initiatives in the university, challenges associated with operationalising existing initiatives and strategies for promoting CEGRAD as an interdisciplinary focal point for providing a theoretical grounding for gender and women’s studies at UCC. Available research findings are replete with cases of gender disparities resulting from internal and external factors. It is argued that engagement with the gender dynamics at play within the university environment is paramount for CEGRAD's success. The paper provides evidence to justify the establishment of CEGRAD and recommends strategies for making it operational in the university.

Source: UCC
INSTITUTIONALISING GENDER AND WOMEN’S STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST IN GHANA

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is credited in Ghana for having the first female Vice-Chancellor, yet it experiences gender disparities. The establishment of a Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD) in 2013 provides the university a tool for addressing the disparities. Based on the results of our meta-analysis and interviews with key management players in the university, this paper discusses gaps in existing gender equity initiatives in the university, challenges associated with operationalising existing initiatives and strategies for promoting CEGRAD as an interdisciplinary focal point for providing a theoretical grounding for gender and women’s studies at UCC. Available research findings are replete with cases of gender disparities resulting from internal and external factors. It is argued that engagement with the gender dynamics at play within the university environment is paramount for CEGRAD's success. The paper provides evidence to justify the establishment of CEGRAD and recommends strategies for making it operational in the university.

Source: UCC
Institutions, Foreign Direct Investment and Domestic Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa

The study examines the effects of institutions and foreign direct investment on domestic investment in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 2006-2017. To achieve the objectives of the study, fixed and random effects estimation techniques were employed on annual panel data of 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Institutional variables (institutions) were found to have positive effects on domestic investment in SSA. Good institutions, therefore, contribute to increasing domestic investment in SSA. Again, the results indicate that an enhancement of government effectiveness in the presence of foreign direct investment, domestic private investment increases. The results also disclosed that institutions in general have positive effects on domestic private investment. The study, therefore, recommends that governments of SSA through their respective public and civil services should ensure the improvement of institutions in their respective countries to serve as a conduit for enhancing domestic investment in the subregion.

Source: UCC
Instructional Decision-Making Processes of Teachers in Kindergarten Classrooms within the Cape Coast Metropolis: A Multi-Case Study

The study contributes to the ongoing debate with respect to the significance of early childhood teachers’ instructional decision-making that take into consideration their theoretical knowledge (explicit theories) and practical experiences (implicit theories) and how they impact their instructional decision-making processes in diverse socio-cultural contexts while dealing with children. To address this gap in the literature, a qualitative multi-case study design was used to research into the factors that influence teachers’ instructional decision-making in kindergarten classrooms. Four kindergarten teachers iwere selected from two Ghanaian schools at Tata and Kariba. The study was carried out over a period of six months. Four research questions guided the study, based on four thematic areas, namely: professional factors, teaching experiences, teachers’ reflection in action, and teachers’ reflection on action. Data for the study were collected from semistructured individual interviews and pair-based interviews and fieldnotes of classroom observations. Both within and across case interpretative analysis were used. The findings of the study revealed that these teachers’ knowledge of explicit theories and implicit theories of teaching influnced their instructional decision-making processes in kindergarten classrooms. It was therefore recommended that future researchers should explore early childhood teachers’ explicit and implicit theories of teaching. It was also recommended that kindergarten teachers appreciate their roles as effective instructional decisions makers in providing quality teaching and learning.

Source: UCC
Instructional leadership practices of headteachers in basic schools in the techiman municipality

The focus of the study was to determine instructional leadership practices of headteachers in the Techiman Municipality. To achieve this purpose, the descriptive research design with a mixed method approach was adopted for the study. The Krejcie and Morgan’s table of random numbers was used to select a total number of 236 headteachers to responds to the questionnaires and the convenient sampling technique was used to select five (5) headteachers for the interview. Quantitative data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and the qualitative data were analysed thematically (using themes derived from the responses) based on the research questions. It was found that, providing counselling services to teachers is necessary to ensure that teachers are psychologically sound to carry out their duties effectively. Training in areas like financial management, technology and school administration are essential to Headteachers but was found to be deficient in this study and inadequate school infrastructure. The qualitative data further revealed that some classrooms are in a very bad state. Also, it was revealed in this study that there is a need for headteachers to take up further studies to broaden their knowledge and understanding for effective leadership practices. The study recommended that, the GES should plan effective in-service training for headteachers aligned with the administration's mission and vision, the government, non-governmental organizations, and school alumni should provide scholarship opportunities for headteachers to further their studies and sponsorship packages to help the school develop.

Source: UCC
Instructional Media Usage And Students’ Academic Performance In Colleges Of Education, Ghana

This study reported on the extent to which Instructional Media (IM) are being utilized at the Colleges of Education in Ghana and how IM utilization affect students’ academic performance. Quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting five Colleges from the thirty-eight (38) public Colleges of Education in Ghana. The actual sample size used for the study was Sixty-Seven (67) tutors from the five selected Colleges of Education namely: Wiawso College of Education, St. Louis College of Education, Jasikan College of Education, Presbyterian Women’s College of Education and Bagabaga. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and interview. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). From the analysis, it was revealed that instructional media were not adequately available in Colleges of Education in Ghana. Many Tutors were not competent enough in integrating technology into teaching and learning. From the analysis, students performed better in subjects where technology was used. It was therefore recommended that instructional media should be made available and accessible in the Colleges of Education; tutors should receive frequent technological training; tutors must be motivated to develop positive attitudes towards technology integration in Education. Again, teacher-trainees must be trained in the use of the various tools for educational purposes.

Source: UCC
Instructional Quality and Accounting Trainee-Teachers’ Effectiveness in Ghana: The Mediating Role of Trainee-Teachers’ Academic Self-Discipline

The study examined the influence of instructional quality on accounting trainee-teachers’ effectiveness in Ghana, taking into consideration the mediating role of trainee-teachers’ academic self-discipline. The study also compared conventional and non-conventional modes of instructional delivery. Cross-sectional survey design with mixed methods approach was used. The sample was 626, made up of 576 final year trainee-teachers, 42 mentors and eight duty bearers. Questionnaires and interview guide were the instruments used. The quantitative data were analysed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), hierarchical multiple regression analysis and Hayes (2018) mediation analysis while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. The study revealed that trainee-teachers from conventional mode are able to demonstrate good instructional qualities and high level of professional values, attitudes, knowledge and practices that promote learner interactions as compare to those from non-conventional mode. The study concludes that the higher the instructional quality imbibed by a trainee, the higher he/she is able to demonstrate high level of effectiveness in the delivery of education, a phenomenon which will make him/her become a competent teacher. However, this influence becomes more potent when they are able to possess high level of academic self-discipline. Thus, academic self-discipline is able to mediate the relationship between instructional quality and trainee-teachers’ effectiveness. It is recommended to management of the universities through the head of departments/units to enhance the measures put in place to boost the academic self-discipline of trainees through effective mentoring and counselling interventions.

Source: UCC