ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Conflict management strategies of school heads in some selected senior high schools at Kwabre East Municipality in Ashanti Region

The objective of the study was to examine conflict management strategies of senior high school heads in the Kwabre East Municipality. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Mixed-method approach was employed. The study involved head teachers and teachers. Purposive sampling was used to select head teachers. Teachers were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule. Cronbach Alpha was used to analyze the pilot test and it achieved reliability coefficient. Frequency and percentages were used to analyze the data. The major findings of the study were that generally; conflicts were less effectively managed by heads. It was revealed by the study that overload of work, inadequate training and lack of cooperation of teachers and students were identified as major challenges associated with conflict management strategies in the senior high schools. It was recommended that Ghana Education Service should organize workshop on conflict management strategies every academic year to equip heads with conflict skills they need to manage conflict. The heads should make available copies of school rules and a regulation to every student during first year to enable them familiarize themselves with the rules. Heads should be fair in resolving conflict in the schools.

Source: UEW
Conflict resolution mechanisms in selected public senior high schools in the upper west region of Ghana

The purpose of this research was to explore the understanding of the students and school administrators about conflict resolution, the sources of conflict and the mechanisms used by the students and school administrators of the selected public senior high schools in the Upper West region of Ghana in the resolution of conflicts. The study was approached qualitatively and designed as a case study. A total of fifteen (15) participants were selected for the study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that participants understand conflict resolution as a process or steps taken to resolve or settle misunderstandings and disagreements between two or more people or parties with the view of ensuring peaceful co-existence between the opposing parties. The study unearthed that inappropriate behaviour, role performance, ineffective communication, distribution and scarcity of resources, appointment and promotion of staff, religion and tribalism were the sources of conflict identified in the selected public senior high schools in the Upper West region of Ghana. Also, the study revealed that the school disciplinary committee system, mediation, negotiation, reconciliation, issuing of queries, and the Students Representative Council (SRC) judicial and prefectorial boards were the mechanisms used in resolving conflicts in the selected senior high schools. The study recommended that school administrators of the selected public senior high schools in the Upper West region of Ghana should enhance effective communication and keep communication channels open between them, students and teachers at all times. Communication should be devoid of ambiguities; thus, the free flow of communication should be ensured for easy detection of conflict or dispute before it escalates.

Source: UEW
Conflict, collusion and corruption in small-scale gold mining: Chinese miners and the state in Ghana

As gold prices soared from 2008 onwards, tens of thousands of foreign miners, especially from China, entered the small-scale mining sector in Ghana, despite it being �reserved for Ghanaian citizens� by law. A free-for-all ensued in which Ghanaian and Chinese miners engaged in both contestation and collaboration over access to gold, a situation described as �out of control� and a �culture of impunity�. Where was the state? This paper addresses the question of how and why pervasive and illicit foreign involvement occurred without earlier state intervention. Findings indicate that the state was not absent. Foreign miners operated with impunity precisely because they were protected by those in authority, that is, public officials, politicians and chiefs, in return for private payments. Explaining why state institutions failed in their responsibilities leads to reflection about the contemporary state in Ghana. It is concluded that the informality and corruption characteristic of neopatrimonialism remains predominant over legal�rational structures, albeit in a form that has adapted to neoliberal restructuring. Public office remains a means of private enrichment rather than public service. Such findings cast a shadow over the state and government in Ghana, and tarnish its celebration as a model of democratic governance for Africa. � 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Source: UEW
Conflicts among farmers and herdsmen in the Kwahu East District in the Eastern Region of Ghana

The purpose of this research work is to examine the extent to which land ownership rights and conflicts among farmers and herdsmen in Kwahu East District (KED) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. This research was based on five objectives including: to examine land ownership rights in the Kwahu East District,determine how farmers and herders get access to farmlands,analyse the causes of conflicts between farmers and herders over the use of land in Kwahu East District, analyse the effects of conflicts between farmers and herders in Kwahu East District and,examine the role being played by various bodies, including the District Assembly, Traditional Authorities, Security agencies among others in addressing the conflict.The study adopted a descriptive case study research design. The study population involved residents of the three communities within the Kwahu East District namely: Yaw Tenkorang, Kwaku Sarfo and Bebua. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 4 traditional leaders, 10 farmers, 10 herdsmen and cattle owners, 3 assembly members, The District Chief Executive, The District Commander of Police, and the District Land Officer. The study concluded that, land ownership rights in KED were based on the allodia and usufruct systems, which vest land ownership rights in the hands of traditional authorities and family heads. Again, the study showed that, indigenous farmers lay claim to greater rights over the lands compared to herders who are considered as aliens, without land ownerswhip right. Crop destruction, and competition over land, cattle rustling, mistrust between herders and hunters, closeness of farms to grazing routes and violence against women, unfavorable climatic changes coupled with incompatible farming and herding practices are the causes to the conflict. It has also been established that, the farmer-herder conflicts have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of properties, souring of relationship between farmers and herders and the desertion of towns and villages. The study revealed measures initiated to find lasting solution to this conflict. Key words: Farmers, Herders, land ownership rights.

Source: UEW
Conflicts and conflict management strategies of junior high school heads in the Effutu Municipality, Central Region

The purpose of the study was to investigate conflicts and conflict management strategies of Junior High School Heads in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region. The study adopted the explanatory sequential mixed method research design. The stratified random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of sixty-seven (67) participants involving sixty (60) teachers and seven (7) headteachers. There were two distinct data collection instruments. These were questionnaire and interview guide. The data analysis was done with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis aided by verbatim quotations. Among others, the study revealed that: the most common types of conflicts were headteacher-teacher conflict, teacher-teacher conflict. The most common causes of conflict were poor communication and lack of participation in decision making. Some of the effects of conflicts revealed were that conflicts lead to creative thinking/quality ideas and promote useful change and power redistribution. It was also revealed that conflict also causes aggression/withdrawal and impedes attainment of goals. Among the conflict prevention or resolution strategies in the Effutu Municipality were the use of effective and better communication, ensuring appropriate representation, developing appropriate grievance systems and procedures, collaboration and negotiations. The researcher concluded that the headteachers of the schools have not done enough in their conflict management strategies albeit the myriad conflict management strategies identified in this study. The researcher recommended among others that: headteachers of Basic Schools in the Effutu Municipality should embrace conflicts when they arise as it could potentially be a silver lining that would impact positively in their own administration and the teaching and learning process in the broader sense.

Source: UEW
Conformity with NMC guidelines on religious broadcasts the case of selected radio stations in Sekondi-Takoradi.

This study sought to investigate the conformity of religious programmes on Twin City Radio and Skyy Power FM to the National Media Commission (NMC)’s guidelines on religious broadcasting. The study was anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory. Using the qualitative research approach and the multiple case study as the design, document analysis was conducted on selected episodes of religious programmes on the two radio stations. Interviews were also conducted with media personalities at the two stations. The study found that religious programmes on the two stations were in the form of sermons, prayer sessions, music shows, talk shows and live church services. Findings revealed that although both radio stations had knowledge about the existence of the NMC guidelines, they were not privy to its dictates. Hence, they did not implement its stipulations fully in their religious programming. Thus, radio stations in Ghana should be sensitized on the stipulations of NMC guidelines to encourage their conformity.

Source: UEW
Confronting freedom to inform with freedom of expression: The case of online attacks of journalists in Ghana

Globally, there is an increase in online attacks on journalists with gender dimensions to these attacks. Also, it is established that digital innovations have augmented free expression and the augmentation allows means for online attacks. Though evidence submits that studies on the problem of online attacks on journalists abound, there is dearth of such studies in Ghana and this chapter attempts to fill this gap. Using the feminist theory, this chapter explores the types and sources of online attacks on male and female journalists in Ghana and investigates whether an increase in free expression is a contributing factor to the problem. To achieve this aim, the study employs qualitative methods of in-depth interviews and document reviews and offers a thematic analysis of the qualitative data to understand the lived experiences of Ghanaian journalists. Findings revealed that journalists frequently experience psychological and sexist online attacks when perpetrators express their views on unfavourable coverage from the media. � 2021, IGI Global.

Source: UEW
Constructed identity and employment support needs of persons with schizophrenia, a case of selected organizations in Ghana

The research study focused on investigating the constructed identities and employment support needs of persons with schizophrenia in some selected organisations in Ghana. It further sought to identify the kind of identities constructed by the persons with schizophrenia at the workplace and the motivations behind the constructed identities. It employed a case study as its research design. Purposive sampling was also employed as the sampling technique for the study. The data collection method used for the study were interviews and observations. Communication Theory of Identity and Identity Negotiation Theory were also employed to aid in answering research questions one and two. Supported Employment Model was also employed to help respond to research question three. With the aid of the theories and models employed in the study, the research revealed that the kinds of identity constructed by the persons with schizophrenia at the workplace are individual identity, illness identity, stigmatised identity with an emphasis on concealable stigmatised identity and professional identity. Enrichment, engulfment, rejection, and personal convictions were the motivations behind the constructed identities of the schizophrenic at the workplace. The study also discovered that distraction, self-controlling, and defensiveness are utilised by persons with schizophrenia who have undergone supported employment as a coping strategy in the workplace. The study concluded that it is prudent to employ the schizophrenic since it aids in their recovery. It was also evident that employing persons with schizophrenia also gives them some social recognition. Furthermore, the study established that persons with schizophrenia who have undergone supported employment are more inclined with coping strategies at the workplace than those who have not gone through supported employment.

Source: UEW
Constructing hyper masculinity in Ghanaian alcoholic beverage television advertisements

This study examines the construct of masculinity and hyper-masculinity in television advertisements of alcoholic beverages in Ghana. Data was purposively sampled from twelve selected adverts. Voice-overs, images, soundtracks and body movements, of the characters in the adverts were thematically analysed using Cornell‟s theory of masculinity and the hyper-masculinity Inventory (HMI). The thematic categories in the aggregated scenes of the television advertisements are presented using descriptive statistics in order to appreciate the categories that were given the greatest concentration. The findings revealed that the selected adverts on alcoholic beverages constructed masculinity along the lines of amatory, camaraderie, heroism and aggression. It was observed that advertisers recurrently constructed masculinity along the lines of sexual vitality. This accounts for why the theme of amatory ranks first with 45% on the list of cumulative percentage distribution. The findings also revealed that hyper-masculinity components such as calloused and insensitive attitudes towards women and sex; violence as manly; and danger as exciting; were embedded in the selected adverts. The study also revealed that media texts are used to highlight sexual interaction between men and women as a source of male dominance and women‟s subservience. The results of the study further support the conclusion that amatory is predominantly depicted in adverts of Ghanaian local alcoholic brands to attract sales since consumers are hardwired to notice sexually relevant information and also because sexual vigour is regarded as a desirable attribute of men in the Ghanaian socio-cultural context. The study recommends that advertisers find alternative ways of communicating and making alcoholic brands more desirable to larger audiences than the overreliance on sexual dominance, aggression and other hyper-masculine exemplifications which govern stereotypical behaviours among men in society.

Source: UEW
Consumer acceptability and nutritional composition of oyster mushroom shito

Mushroom has been accepted as one of food commodity with unique flavour and valued by humans as culinary wonder. The study aimed to examine consumer preference and quality expectation of oyster mushroom shito, evaluate the effect of different drying methods on the nutritional composition of oyster mushroom powder, evaluate consumer acceptability of oyster mushroom shito and to determine the physicochemical composition of oyster mushroom shito. The experimental design used for the study was completely randomized design (CRD) for both treatments of the method of drying for the oyster mushroom and the preparation of the shito samples. Oyster mushrooms was dried using three different drying methods (oven drying, sun drying and shade drying) to obtain oyster mushroom powder which was tested at the laboratory for its nutritional composition and then used to prepare oyster mushroom shito which was also tested for its physicochemical composition. It was seen in the results that; the oyster mushroom powder(s) had varying nutritional composition. Results from consumer panelist on the preference and quality expectation of shito revealed that consumers of shito prefer to have sweet aftertaste with mean (4.18), neither tasty nor very tasty (3.17) for tastiness, either spicy or not spicy (3.11) for spiciness and the least expectation was mouthfeel where respondents preferred neither smooth nor rough (2.93) shito. For the sensory evaluation and consumer acceptability of the samples of shito, the results revealed varying mean for all quality sensory attributes. Results from the physiochemical composition of the oyster mushroom shito showed varying composition in terms of protein, fat, fiber, moisture, free fatty acids, but colour had the same range for all the samples. The study concludes that oyster mushroom can be used to prepare shito however, different drying methods affects it nutritional composition. The study therefore recommends that more studies should be done on different drying methods and its effect on the nutritional composition

Source: UEW
Consumer awareness of food adulteration in the Ghanaian hospitality industry a case of food consumers within the Kumasi metropolis

Even though food becomes a key source of nutrients to humans nonetheless, its consumption when adulterated can lead to varied forms of diseases and infections. Generally, a highly nutritious meal can become unwholesome when its preparation, transportation and selling becomes adulterated. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of customers on food adulteration within the Kumasi Metropolis. The specific objectives were; to assess consumer level of awareness on food adulteration, to assess consumer level of knowledge and awareness on the health effect of food adulteration, to identify the commonest forms of food adulterations and their related adulterants among consumer and finally to identify the factors that predict consumers level of awareness towards food adulteration. The study population constituted consumers who purchased their foods from local and continental restaurants, food vendor, food from corner food shops and chop bars facilities within the Kumasi Metropolis. The study employed a cross-sectional design hence, distributed a total of 245 questionnaires to the selected participants within the Kumasi Metropolis. The study used the Statistical Package for Social Scientists to compute the descriptive and inferential analysis on the field data. Findings from the study suggest that the respondents’ knowledge and awareness on food adulteration were above average with most of the respondents having a fair knowledge with regards to how food adulteration occurred, the adulterants used to adulterate certain kinds of foods and the foods that are often susceptible to food adulteration. Also, findings from the study suggest that the respondents had fair knowledge about the health implication associated with the consumption of adulterated food. Again, among all the factors that improved a consumer level of awareness on food adulteration the availability of information (i.e. making food adulteration information readily available to the public) had the most significant impact on consumer level of awareness towards food adulteration. On this point, it is recommended to the Public Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service to have designated centres at the various local communities that can make information readily available to local indigenes on the dangers of food adulteration since its accessibility can improved the consumers awareness on food adulteration.

Source: UEW
Consumer decisions and selection of catering establishment evidence from consumers within the Kumasi Metropolis

In recent times eating away from home has become a norm and not attached the same level of reverence in sometime past. Consumers increasingly demand for convenient, quick serving and ready-made food away from home has made restaurants and fast food outlets one of the fastest growing sectors in the service industry. For a catering establishment to be able to meet or exceed the needs of its patrons, it requires that these institutions understand the key factors that guides a consumer in their selection decisions. Thus, the study sought to assess consumers’ decisions and selection of catering establishment. The study used study used a cross-sectional research design with quantitative approach. The population of the study was 7,500 with a sample size of 365 undergraduate students of the University of Education-Winneba campus. The instrument for data collection was through a questionnaire. SPSS was used for analysing the study. The study revealed that gender, income level, cleanliness, price, location, menu variety, health consciousness and brand image of a facility had a significant influence on consumer selection of a casual restaurant. The study concluded that control variables entered had no significant influence with a variance of 5.6% in restaurant selection decision. The study recommends that upscale restaurant operators to take conscious effort by improving their facility status through proper advertisement and by scoring high points in magazine reviews and newspaper reviews since achieving such positive identity could increase their restaurant awareness among upscale restaurant consumers.

Source: UEW
Consumer preferences and purchase intentions for imported and locally manufactured doors. case study _ Kumasi metropolis

Ghana is one of the developing countries where large amounts of products from other countries are imported each year and door products are not an exception. The great varieties of doors from other countries have made many consumers to patronise imported products. To this effect, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the consumer preference and purchase intentions for locally manufactured and imported doors. The objectives of the study were to compare consumers’ perceptions for made in-Ghana and imported doors, determine the important factors that influence purchase intentions of consumers, determine whether consumers purchase intentions differ with respect to their demographic characteristics and assess the impact of purchasing locally made doors on the Ghanaian Economy. The research design adopted for the study was cross-sectional descriptive survey. Using convenience sampling technique, 302 homeowners in the Kumasi Metropolis were selected for the study. Questionnaires were used as a data collection instrument. The study found that price, fashionability, attractiveness, modern trends, country of origin, social status, security, convenience and durability influence the purchase intentions of consumers. The study affirmed that homeowners who receive higher income are likely to buy imported doors. The study revealed that purchasing locally made doors boost the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), make furniture industries grow, uplift the economy of Ghana and give the citizen a sense of pride, make locally industries to be globally competitive, boost employment generation in the country, and encourage investors in the country. It was concluded that Ghanaian consumers prefer buying imported doors because of their perceived quality, modernity, attractiveness and security. The study recommended that developing countries must be encouraged to improve upon the quality of doors so as to raise the confidence level of local consumers and to also enable the industries fully compete with the international firms.

Source: UEW