ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Multilingualism in theatre for development communication, a study of Nima

The practice of theatre for development (TfD) unequivocally thrives on language. Therefore, the issue of linguistic diversity may influence the communication process in TfD in terms of attainment of expected outcomes, especially in multi-ethnic communities. Focusing on Nima, a multi-ethnic community in the Accra metropolis, this study explored the potential of multilingual theatre for TfD communication in order to assess the impact of linguistic diversity on the effectiveness of TfD. Using the qualitative paradigm of inquiry, this case study employed multiple research instruments (interview, focus group discussion, observation and document). In addition, Theatre for Development methodology was adopted to undertake an intervention. Results from the post intervention process affirmed that multilingual theatre has the tendency to improve effective communication and sustain community participation in TfD in the Nima community. The analysis further demonstrated that multilingual TfD in a multiethnic context is significant for sustainability of TfD projects, especially in Nima. The findings of the study indicated that multilingual theatre requires incorporation of multifaceted techniques so as to improve community participation and sustainability in TfD projects in Nima. In this respect, the study argues that multilingual theatre is most likely to achieve democratisation in TfD communication, improve community participation and sustainability in TfD projects in Nima. The study, therefore, proposes a context-specific framework for consideration--Multilingual Theatre as Democratisation in Theatre for Development communication (MTaDTfDC) as a suitable model to support TfD communication in Nima.

Source: UEW
Multimedia courseware for teaching the visual art component of the creative arts in Ghanaian basic schools

The teaching of Creative Arts in Ghanaian Basic Schools is faced with numerous challenges which negatively affect lesson preparation and delivery. This study was conducted to find out the availability of approved and relevant Creative Arts curriculum content for use in the design and development of a user-friendly Multimedia Courseware for Teaching Creative Arts in Ghanaian Basic Schools. Qualitative Research Methodology and Art-Based Research Design approaches were employed for the study. The study employed a purposive sampling technique to select twenty-one respondents out of an accessible population of one hundred and twenty-six. Data gathered from the pre-production investigations provided the basis for a rigorous studio work which resulted in an attractive and user-friendly multimedia courseware for the teaching of Creative Arts in Ghanaian Basic Schools. The creation of multimedia courseware followed systematic studio practices which involved a careful deployment of various technological equipment, relevant software and a skillful crew. The study revealed that, when relevant and approved contents are used to design and develop a user-friendly multimedia courseware for Creative Arts teachers, they will acquire the relevant knowledge and skills useful for the preparation and delivery of lessons with much ease and confidence. This implies that Creative Arts teachers’ effective performances are largely dependent on the kind of training they acquire and the availability of relevant and approved course contents. Finally, suggestions and recommendations have been made to train and also design Creative Arts courses to enhance the teaching and learning of Creative Arts in Ghanaian Basic Schools.

Source: UEW
Music and dance instruction in Colleges of Education in Ghana- a case study of Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong -Akuapem

The study was conducted to investigate how the 4-Year B.Ed curriculum for Initial Teacher Education is being implemented at the Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong – Akuapem. The constructivism philosophical paradigm and the theory of Multiple Intelligences developed by psychologist Howard Gardner was employed. Out of the population, 242 teaching staff, non-teaching staff and students were conveniently sample. This qualitative study used observations, face-to-face interviews and focus group discussion to collect data, which were then codded, sorted, and synthesized to excellent mixture of content, thematic, and narrative analysis. The results show that generally; the learning environment of the Colleges of Education in Ghana support Music and Dance instruction; there is the need for more learning resources to be available in the Colleges of Education in Ghana to enhance Music and Dance instruction; the instructional strategies suggested in the course manual are used on the need to use basis to maximize outcome; the main challenge faced by tutors who teach the Music and Dance curriculum of the Colleges of Education in Ghana is time constraints. It was suggested that this study be replicated across the 45 Colleges of Education in Ghana, to fully ascertain how the new curriculum is being implemented.

Source: UEW
Music awards and the phenomenon of beefing an analysis of audiences’ posts on Shatta wale and Stonebwoy at the 20th Vodafone Ghana music awards

The study identifies the dominant issues that emerged from the posts shared on Facebook by audiences on the 20th VGMA incident between Ghanaian entertainment icons; Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. It also probed into the outpour of emotions of the audiences through the posts and also examined how Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were represented by the audiences through the posts. This research, through the lens of reader-response theory and Ekman’s Theory of Basic Emotions, interrogated Facebook posts of the incident between Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy at the 20th VGMA using qualitative content analysis and purposive sampling technique. This study indicates that just as people are the lifeblood of businesses, fan bases are the core patrons of every musician and their songs. Also, the study reveals that the fan base culture that emerged from the posts shared on Facebook on the said incident not only strengthens the interaction of the audience in expressing their opinions and experiences but also increases the opportunity for musician – fan interactions. This is supported by the audiences describing 20th VGMA incident between Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy along the following themes: mismanagement, terror and antagonism. Further, the study showed that the audiences exhibited three out of the six basic emotions outlined in Ekman’s theory of basic emotions. These emotions were: anger, fear and surprise. Also, in response to how Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were represented by the audiences, the study revealed the themes of cowardice, heroism and sore loser. The study therefore concludes that while some audiences pinned the incident at the 20th VGMA on Charterhouse for mismanaging the event, other audiences also laid the blame squarely on both Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy.

Source: UEW
Music awards and the phenomenon of beefing, an analysis of audiences posts on Shatta Wale and stonebwoy at the 20th Vodafone Ghana music awards

The study identifies the dominant issues that emerged from the posts shared on Facebook by audiences on the 20th VGMA incident between Ghanaian entertainment icons; Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. It also probed into the outpour of emotions of the audiences through the posts and also examined how Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were represented by the audiences through the posts. This research, through the lens of reader-response theory and Ekman’s Theory of Basic Emotions, interrogated Facebook posts of the incident between Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy at the 20th VGMA using qualitative content analysis and purposive sampling technique. This study indicates that just as people are the lifeblood of businesses, fan bases are the core patrons of every musician and their songs. Also, the study reveals that the fan base culture that emerged from the posts shared on Facebook on the said incident not only strengthens the interaction of the audience in expressing their opinions and experiences but also increases the opportunity for musician – fan interactions. This is supported by the audiences describing 20th VGMA incident between Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy along the following themes: mismanagement, terror and antagonism. Further, the study showed that the audiences exhibited three out of the six basic emotions outlined in Ekman’s theory of basic emotions. These emotions were: anger, fear and surprise. Also, in response to how Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were represented by the audiences, the study revealed the themes of cowardice, heroism and sore loser. The study therefore concludes that while some audiences pinned the incident at the 20th VGMA on Charterhouse for mismanaging the event, other audiences also laid the blame squarely on both Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy.

Source: UEW
Music training and performance score of students in university of Ghana basic school

This research was a correlational study conducted in the University of Ghana Basic School to investigate the relationships between music training and English Language and Maths performance score. The study employed quantitative approach using the positivist paradigm. In the study multiphase sampling techniques were used to select 84 students from primary 6 classes. They were put into two strata of students with background of music training and students with background of no music training to correlate with their performance scores. The data was analysed using Pearson Product moment correlation and ANOVA. Results indicated that there are significant differences between the subject score of school children who have had music training and school children who have not. However, there were no statistical significant differences between the number of years a student have had music training and his or her English and Maths performance scores. Implications of this study are that music training influences performance scores among school children in the University of Ghana Basic School. The study however did not quantifiably examine if it was the years of music training that enhances performance or years of quality music training. Future researchers should therefore study quantifiably how years of quality music training increases performance score among students.

Source: UEW
Music videos as sites of ideological warfare-a study of some selected Ghanaian music videos

Music video is one of the most favoured forms of entertainment in the world today and it is used by music video producers and artists to vend ideas, personalities and products. Studies on music videos over the years have shown that audiences are influenced by the images that are transmitted through such videos. Considering that music videos are one of the most popular types of entertainment in the world and what people are exposed to through music videos, in particular, influences their worldview, it is critical that every form of artistic expression is worth investigating. This study examines the kinds of messages embedded in some selected Ghanaian Hiplife music videos as well as their ideological underpinnings, using qualitative content analysis. The music videos were selected using purposive sampling technique. The study applied Hegemony and Pluralist Model to investigate the messages and ideological underpinnings of the selected Ghanaian Hiplife music videos. The analysis indicates that there are indeed several messages embedded in Ghanaian Hiplife music videos that fight for viewers’ attention. Messages of eroticism, wealth, visual abstraction and dance/celebration. These messages were transmitted through visuals as well as some codes and conventions of music videos. Also, the study shows that the mass media through music videos uniquely introduces elements into individual consciousness that would not otherwise appear there, but will not be rejected by consciousness because they are so commonly shared in the cultural community. This study also revealed sexual objectification, consumerism and hegemonic masculinity as some of the ideological underpinnings in the selected Ghanaian Hiplife music videos. The study concludes that music video producers are able to produce the content, inflections, and tones of ideas that are favourable to them far more easily than other social groups because they manage key socializing institutions, thereby guaranteeing that their points of view are constantly and attractively cast into the public arena.

Source: UEW
Muslim and non-Muslim consumers� perception towards introduction of Islamic banking in Ghana

Purpose: This study aims to examine consumer perception of introduction of Islamic banking (IB) in Ghana, which is a new and emerging form of banking in many non-Islamic countries. Design/methodology/approach: Empirical field data were collected from a sample of 975 respondents using self-administered structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was conducted using SPSS version 16. Findings: Muslim respondents have significantly positive perceptions of IB compared to non-Muslims and have stronger intentions to adopt IB in Ghana than non-Muslims. Non-Muslims have high perceived benefit of IB. Non-Muslim respondents do not perceive potential threat of violence associated with the introduction of IB in Ghana. Although non-Muslims perceive IB that would make Islam popular, they do not perceive it as a means of Islamizing bank customers. Relatively, non-Muslims appear to have low knowledge of IB, unfavourable attitude towards IB, are reluctant to comply with Sharia law and consequently have weaker intentions to adopt IB. Research limitations/implications: This study was limited to descriptive analysis and to only Ghana. Future research should quantitatively model IB adoption and switching factors using samples from other developing countries. Practical implications: IB institutions could focus on attracting a niche of Muslim consumers at its initial stages. Moreover, to facilitate the introduction of IB, the Bank of Ghana and other relevant stakeholders, in addition to establishing effective governance structures, must promote consumer education to enhance consumer knowledge of IB and correct misconceptions about IB among consumers, particularly non-Muslim customers. Originality/value: One unique contribution of this study is that it provides an initial empirical exploration of consumers� attitude and perceptions of IB in Ghana, which is an under-researched area. � 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Source: UEW
MϽfϽ-semanteks mpԑnsԑmpԑnsԑnmu fa Akan adeyԑ bϽ, bu, di ne hyԑ ho

Nhwehw[mu-dwuma yi y[ m]f]-semanteks mp[ns[mp[ns[nmu fa Akan adey[ b], bu, di ne hy[ ho. Dwumadie yi botae[ ne s[ [b[hwehw[ adey[ yi mu biara nkyer[ase[ ankasa ne ne nkyer[ase[ ahodo], na asane ahw[ m]f]l]gyi akwan a y[tumi fa so de nya ns[mfua afofor] firi adey[ yi mu ne ns[mfua afofor] yi nso nkyer[ase[ ne w]n m[taf] ntr[mu ahodo]. Ns[m a mede y[[ nhwehw[mu yi menyaa bi firii Christaler (1933) ne Legon-Zurich-Trondheim (2011) Akan ns[mfua nkyer[ase[ nwoma mu ne nk]mm]twetwe a [k]] so w] me ne nnipa binom ntam. Dwumadie yi twe adwene si so s[ adey[ yi mu biara wow] ne nkyer[ase[ ankasa ne ne nkyer[ase[ ahodo]. {ma y[hunu s[ m]f]l]gyi akwan a y[tumi fa so de nya ns[mfua afofor] firi adey[ yi mu y[ ediny[ ne ns[mfua nkabomy[. Ns[mfua afofor] a menya firii adey[ (b], bu, di ne hy[) mu w] dwumadie yi mu nyinaa y[ edin. Dwumadie yi si Appah (2016) nhwehw[mu so dua s[ y[tumi fa ns[mfua nkabomy[ so de nya edin firi adey[ mu. Y[sane hunu s[ ns[mfua afofor] a y[nya firi adey[ yi mu nyinaa wow] w]n nkyer[ase[ ne w]n m[taf] ntr[mu ahodo]. Dwumadie yi sane da no adi s[ adey[ yi wow] ns[mfua bi a [taa ne w]n nante bom (ananteb]) ma y[n nkyer[ase[ ne m[taf] ntr[mu ahodo]. Ti]ri a megyinaa so de y[[ ns[m no mp[ns[mp[ns[nmu w] dwumadie yi mu y[ adwenemus[m m[taf] ti]ri (Lakoff ne Johnson, 1980) ne adwenemu semanteks (Lakoff, 1988).

Source: UEW
N2 o emission and mineral release in a tropical acrisol incorporated with mixed cowpea and maize residues

A laboratory microcosm incubation was conducted to study the influence of mixed cowpea-maize residues on N2O emission and N mineralization in a tropical acrisol. The soils were incorporated with different ratios of cowpea:maize mixtures on weight basis: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, and a control treatment in which there was no residue incorporation. The results show that N2O and CO2 emissions were higher in the sole cowpea treatment (100:0) than the sole maize treatment (0:100) and the control. However, cowpea-maize residue mixtures increased the proportion of N lost as N2O compared to the sole treatments. This interactive effect was highest in the 75:25 treatment. The 50:50 treatment showed moderate N2O emission compared to the 100:0, 75:25 and 25:75 treatments but with corresponding steady N mineralization and appreciable mineral N concentration. It is concluded that mixing cowpea-maize residues might increase the proportion of N lost as N2O in a tropical acrisol. However, compared to the other residue mixture treatments, mixing cowpea-maize residues in equal proportions on weight basis might offer a path to reducing N2O emissions while maintaining a steady N mineralization without risking good N supply in acrisols. The study therefore offers potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining soil fertility in tropical acrisols. However, further studies under both laboratory and field conditions will be required to verify and validate this claim. � 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Source: UEW
Narratological time in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart And Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s Weep Not, Child

The production and proliferation of the novel and its associated innovative modes of narration in the modern corpus of literature require critical appraisal especially with regard to narratological issues. Crucial is the concern for the function of and the indispensable role of narratological time in narratives. This study explores Time with its complexity in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Weep Not, Child. As its theoretical framework, the research applies Genette’s Narrative Discourse. In so doing, the study interrogates how the two novelists make use of Genette’s category of Time with its sub-categories of Order, Duration and Frequency and their respective sub-divisions in the dissemination of their messages. It is revealed that the two novelists do not follow chronological order in the presentation of the events in their respective works. This leads to deliberate discordance in the two temporal orders of Story Time and Narrative Time. It also comes to the fore that Achebe’s narration is more of telling and hence diegetic. Ngugi, on the other hand, is more into showing, a technique that renders his work mimetic. With regard to Frequency, Achebe and Ngugi use Repetitive Frequency to foreground some pressing issues or events in the narrative. The study recommends that further studies are carried into the selected novels to analyse their narrative Mood and Voice. It is also suggested that other researchers could take other novels by each of the authors and treat the Narrative Time in them.

Source: UEW
National Assessment and the Opportunity to Learn in Educational Reform

Over two decades, national assessments in Ghana have revealed generally poor performances across curriculum-based tests for primary school (Grades 1�6). Various reform agendas have been applied to the education system, sometimes with isolated success, but the overall performances remained stable and low. Surveying teacher mentors in schools revealed that only some of the curriculum was taught and not a high percentage was ever taught. The students faced national tests that reflected only a portion of what they were taught; they did not have the opportunity to learn the curriculum material on which the tests were based. The problem is that schooling is not happening. � 2013 SAGE Publications.

Source: UEW
National theatre of Ghana in perspective

After the establishment of the National Theatre of Ghana, little was said of the Theatre and its contribution to culture and the performing arts in Ghana. Hence, the public gave different interpretations to the operational modes and representation of the edifice. This study therefore, identified the significance of the National Theatre of Ghana and its contribution to development. This study utilised the narrative inquiry design of qualitative research approach. For that matter, purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to select respondents for the study. Semi-structured interview and participant observation were used for triangulation purposes to obtain information from respondents. The qualitative data gathered from the samples were analysed using thematic content analysis method and responses from respondents were categorized into themes. The research discovered that the National Theatre of Ghana has somehow contributed towards the development of arts and culture even though it revealed key challenges as funding and low level of staffing among others. Also, the findings revealed that the National Theatre of Ghana needs to be re-branded and positioned to ensure a more focused direction in the development and promotion of the performing arts in Ghana. The research recommends that further studies be done in the area of theatre management, marketing and promotion of the National Theatre of Ghana as an institution in order to achieve its mandates. This would provide necessary safeguards and ensure a clearer direction in the promotion of the performing arts in Ghana.

Source: UEW
Natural science teachers’ curriculum knowledge, self-efficacy beliefs, and classroom practices in the Gomoa East District

The study sought to explore natural science teachers’ curriculum knowledge, self efficacy beliefs and their classroom instructional and assessment practices in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region of Ghana. A mixed method sequential explanatory research design was used for the study. Data were collected by administering natural science teachers’ curriculum knowledge (NSTCK) and the science teaching self-efficacy beliefs (STEBI) questionnaires to 232 natural science teachers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation functions of the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 20. In the qualitative phase of the study, inquiry-based observational guide and semi-structured interview guide were used to explore in-depth information on natural science teacher’s curriculum knowledge, self-efficacy beliefs and classroom practices. The findings revealed that, majority of the teachers’ had low knowledge of the natural science curriculum. It was also found that only professional qualification had a slight positive correlation with natural science teachers’ content knowledge of the primary one curriculum. Also, natural science teachers had a very high PSTE and STOE of the self-efficacy beliefs scale though the interview results indicated that, some of the teachers had low self-efficacy beliefs to teach natural science. The results further indicated that majority of natural science teachers generally adopted child-centred teaching practices at the introduction stage of the lesson but used more teacher-centred instructional strategies for presentation and evaluation of lessons. They did not adequately carry out formative assessment as recommended by the natural science curriculum. It was recommended that in-service programmes, workshops, seminars and short courses should be organized on the natural science curriculum and SBA to improve teachers’ knowledge of the natural science curriculum and their skills in assessment practices.

Source: UEW