ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Perception of women on NGOs poverty reduction intervention programmes and it's influence on their livelihoods in the Kumasi metropolis

This study examined women’s perception of NGOs poverty reduction intervention programmes on their livelihoods. It attempted to compile data on types of intervention and the effects of poverty reduction on such variables as healthcare, feeding, income levels before and after the intervention programmes. Data for the study was obtained from respondents using validated questionnaires. In all, 150 questionnaires were prepared and administered to a purposive sample whose names were obtained from a list given by NGOs which had helped them. The results showed that the NGOs intervention programmes have helped to improve the livelihood of women in the Ashanti region. It also established that the women were not involved in taking decisions on how to select a particular programme. It was observed that shorter training periods were given and the beneficiaries were not helped to market their products. Among recommendations made for effective and sustainable poverty reduction intervention programmes are; there must be collaboration between NGOs and beneficiary communities on the drawing up of programmes to be run and NGOs must make sure that beneficiaries of their programmes are properly settled before weaning them.

Source: UCC
Perception on Distance Education Among University of Cape Coast Distance Students in Accra

The purpose of the study was to assess the perception of students of distance education about distance learning in Ghana. Specifically, this study assessed; the opinion of distance students regarding distance education in Ghana, the main factors contributing to the demand for distance education, the level of distance students’ satisfaction of distance education, and the challenges faced by the students offering distance education. A cross-section survey and quantitative method were adopted. A survey questionnaire was used to conveniently gather data from a sample of distance education students of the University of Cape Coast Campuses in Accra. Overall, 280 distance learners took part in the study. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, mean and standard deviation as well as one-sample z-test inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that distance education students of distance education had positive attitude towards the program as they perceived distance program to have similar quality comparable to a traditional classroom setting. Factors such as time flexibility, career development, interest in subject matter/subject offered, cost affordability, reputation of the course, and reputation of the University were the main drivers for students’ preferences distance education. The students were satisfied with the distance education despite the fact that students were faced with some challenges in the form of overloaded curricular, delay in the release of results, long distance to study centre, and inadequate learner support services. The study recommends to management and facilitators of distance education to address the challenges of the students so as to improve students’ satisfaction of the distance learning program.

Source: UCC
A Perception Study of Motivation, Interpersonal Relationships and Performance of Teachers in Pre-tertiary Schools in Upper East Region of Ghana

It has been realized that teachers who assume duty in schools either get motivated or de-motivated with time. The study titled ‘A Perception Study of Motivation, Interpersonal Relationships and Performance of Teachers in Pre-tertiary Schools in Upper East Region of Ghana’ sought to understand the effect that a good interpersonal relationship in schools has on teacher motivation and how to improve teacher motivation by the deployment of a model of interpersonal relationships in pre-tertiary schools to engender better teacher motivation for better teacher performance. A number of research designs were used, involving both quantitative and qualitative designs. A mixed method approach was employed to collect, process and analyse data. The study is majorly an exploratory research. The major findings were that teachers in the region were satisfied with their job (56.6%) but not motivated (83.5%). Poor teacher motivation corresponded with poor student achievement in both national and international standardized tests. The association between the degree of motivation and the socio-economic factors was found to be a power relationship. Interpersonal relationships provided the highest motivation to teachers at a mean responds rate of 76.2%. An interpersonal relationships model of teacher motivation was formulated through Grounded Theory approach thus: TM = kR + μ(f€)W. TM is teacher motivational level, R is the degree of interpersonal relationships in the school and f€ is the combined effect of the socio-economic factors available to the teacher. ‘k’, μ and ‘W’ are sociometric parameters. Improving interpersonal relationships in pre-tertiary schools could therefore bring about a higher degree of teacher motivation.

Source: UCC
A Perception Study Of Owner-Manager Characteristics, Entrepreneurial Orientation And Family Business Growth In Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Operating family businesses owner-managers play a monumental role in emerging and developed countries due to their leadership characteristics as well as their entrepreneurial orientation. Despite its importance, current conceptualizations of owner manager characteristics and entrepreneurial orientation do not sufficiently account for the relationship between owner-manager qualities, family business growth and entrepreneurial orientation. Using the Upper Echelons theory, Resource base' view, Full range leadership model, and Strategic adaptation theory, the goal of this study was to examine the owner manager characteristics and entrepreneurial orientation of family businesses in the private educational enterprise in Ghana's Greater Accra Region. Data was collected from 90 and 30 owner managers, respevtively, by questionnaire administration and interviews. Data were analysed with thematic analysis and structural equation modelling. Innovativeness, risk taking and proactiveness which are among three of the five orientation traits were found to influence business growth positively. Also, leadership style was found to be important for family business growth. Age, educational level, years of experience, apart from leadership style of the owner-managers, were factors that did not inform the growth of family businesses. Additionally, owner-manager's level of education and age did not promote entrepreneurial orientation. The years of experience of the owner manager, on the other hand, had a beneficial impact on entrepreneurial orientation. Owner managers and family businesses operating within the scope of the study were advised to adopt risk taking, innovativeness and proactiveness in order to maximize growth, according to the study. Finally, owner-managers operating family business should incorporate leadership issues into their entrepreneurial activities especially transfonnationalleadership style.

Source: UCC
Perceptions about community participation and the socio-economic impact of World Vision's poverty reduction interventions in the Assin North district of Ghana

The study was aimed at finding out the perceptions about community participation in project initiation, project planning and designing and project implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It also seeks to find out the socio- economic impact or effects of world vision’s poverty reduction interventions in the Assin North District of Ghana. The study was conducted in four major local communities within the Assin North Districts namely: Assin Endwa, Assin Akropong, Assin Wurakesi and Assin Odumasi. These towns were selected based on the fact that World vision has carried out both their infrastructural projects and financial support programmes all ultimately aimed at helping to reduce poverty among the people in these areas. Although questionnaire was the main instrument used in the collection of data, observations and interview schedule were also used because of the low academic background of the beneficiaries (respondents). Non random sampling method was used to determine the actual respondents. On the core areas of the study, it was generally revealed that beneficiaries greatly participate in all aspects of project initiation, planning, designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. However, respondents indicated that their participation in decisions involving finances was very low. In assessing the social and economic impact of world vissions’projects and programmes on beneficiaries, it was generally revealed that most beneficiaries recognise a little or moderate economic impact on their lives. Based on the outcome of this research, a number of recommendations were made

Source: UCC
Perceptions about the effects of organization health and safety policies on employee performance in kintampo - north municipal hospital

The study was conducted with the broad objective of finding out the relationship between employee’s health and safety and performance using Kintampo-North Municipal Hospital as study area. Relevant literature on health and safety were reviewed. Questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Proportions were used to summarise variables that were categorical in nature. The dependent variable in this study was binary in nature, therefore, the logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the dependent variable and other explanatory variables in the study. The sample size for the study included all 75 nurses at the Kintampo hospital. The research identified employees’ health and safety as associated with the availability of resources such as access to welfare facilities. Majority of the respondents said management has been organising periodic health and safety discussions with them. Effective health and safety management have been discovered to have positive correlation with the increased organisational performance and profitability.

Source: UCC
Perceptions about Vision and Utilization of Eye Care Services among Cocoa Farmers in a Rural Community in Ghana

To examine the perception of farmers on their vision and the utilization of eye-care services. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among cocoa farmers at Mfuom, a rural farming community in Ghana using structured questionnaires, and there was an assessment of distance visual acuity using the Snellen E chart. Results: Of the 185 cocoa farmers, 68% were males and 32% females. The ages of the respondents ranged between 19 and 70 years with a mean age of 52.7 (SD= 11.70). About 37% had spent 5 to 9 years in farming with 12% spending more than 30 years. The results revealed that cocoa farmers had a very poor perception of their vision since 85.4% of them reported either poor or very poor vision as against the measured 31.9% of poor or very poor vision upon visual acuity assessment. Only 26.5% reported seeking eye-care within a period of 2 years before the study. Conclusion: The data suggests that cocoa farmers in the community have high negative perception of their vision yet they make insufficient use of proper eye care services. It is therefore recommended that cocoa farmers are educated on ocular health issues to help change their negative perception of their vision and promote proper utilization of eye-care services.

Source: UCC
Perceptions and Experiences about Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment at Battor, Ghana

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Ghana and yet few studies have considered the psychosocial dimensions of the disease. The inadequacy of research is reflected in the lack of knowledge the general public. The main objective of this study was to explore the barriers to screening and treatment of cervical cancer among women in a rural setting in Ghana. The Socio-Ecological Model was used as the conceptual framework of the study. A qualitative design, using in-depth interview, focus group discussions as well as observation, was employed. Respondents consisted of cervical cancer patients, partners of cervical cancer patients, health personnel, women who have never been screened for cervical cancer as well as men from the study area. Interviews were transcribed and processed with the R Software package. The results revealed that patients had no knowledge of cervical cancer prior to being diagnosed. Those infected reported experiencing physical, psychological, economic and social disruptions to their lives due to the disease. Patients adopted personal, psychological and social coping strategies to manage the condition. Most male partners provided financial, social, material and emotional support to their spouses during the screening and treatment of the disease. The level of knowledge, attitude of health personnel, economic, socio-cultural and psychological factors were the main barriers to cervical promotion of positive attitude of health personnel can reduce the threat of cervical cancer in rural communities.

Source: UCC
Perceptions and Experiences of Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy in a Sub Urban District of Ghana

Background: Research indicates that primary caregivers of children with disability encounter varying amounts of stress performing daily routines. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong functional disability common among children in developing countries. Nonetheless, there is very little literature about cerebral palsy in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to unearth the perceptions and experiences of cerebral palsy among caregivers of children with Cerebral Palsy in a low resource setting. Method: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, 15 caregivers were purposively selected in the Accra Metropolis and interviewed face to face. Collaizi’s seven step method was used to perform content analysis and four themes emerged. Results: Study findings revealed that caregivers had different perceptions regarding the causes of cerebral palsy with most of them linked to spiritual reasons. Caregivers faced physical, emotional, financial, marital and social challenges. The study also found that the external network available to the caregivers were mainly NGO’s with limited governmental support. Conclusion: Caregivers face an arduous task which has implications for their physical and emotional wellbeing as well as their ¦nances. Multiple stakeholder engagement and dialogue is vital to create interventions and policies that can educate, empower and support caregivers to execute their duties and improve outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.

Source: UCC
Perceptions and preparedness of senior high school teachers in Ashanti region towards the introduction of professional teacher licensing policy in Ghana

The study sought to explore perceptions and preparedness of teachers in Ashanti Region towards the introduction of professional teacher licensing in Ghana. Six research objectives were used as a guide for the exploration. A descriptive survey, which allowed for an accurate description of activities, objects, processes, and persons, was adopted to help to achieve the objectives of the study. A sample size of 278 teachers from senior high schools in Ashanti Region of Ghana was selected through multi-stage sampling technique to respond to the Teacher Perception and Preparedness Licensing Questionnaire. Data were analysed using means and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The hypotheses were tested using inferential statistical tools such as independent-samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. The study revealed that the selected teachers perceived the introduction of teacher licensing would not improve any teacher-student performance but would rather enhance teacher reputation; motivate teachers to practice their profession; and have a positive effect on teacher self-efficacy. The study also found that the implementation of teacher licensing policy could be more effective and friendly when some measures are put in place. Some recommendations for practice, such as the Ghana Education Service through its supervisory unit should institute measures beyond the teacher licensing policy to monitor and influence the delivery approaches used by teachers and the Ministry of Education should educate teachers, using professional development programmes to help teachers to appreciate that the policy is about professionalism

Source: UCC
Perceptions of basic school teachers on why physical education as a subject is not taught in Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of Central Region, Ghana

The physical, social and emotional benefits of Physical Education (PE) have well been established. Nevertheless, the subject is, most of the times, not taught by teachers. This study therefore, aimed at investigating why PE as a subject is not taught in basic schools in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District (TAM) of the Central Region. The study particularly focused on investigating whether attitude of teachers, training and abilities of teachers, nature of school curriculum and availability of facilities and equipment are factors which affect the teaching of PE in basic schools. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey which utilised primary data collected from a total of 536 basic school teachers in the TAM district. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine whether or not attitude of teachers, training and abilities of teachers, nature of school curriculum and availability of facilities and equipment affect the teaching of PE. The results revealed a statistically significant association between attitudes of teachers and the teaching of PE. Teachers who have positive attitude towards PE are more likely to teach the subject compared with their colleagues who have negative attitude towards the subject (OR=2.446; p<0.05). Training and abilities of teachers and the nature of school curriculum were also found to be significantly associated with the teaching of PE. Teachers who found the school curriculum as overcrowded (OR=0.186; p<0.001) or demanding (OR=0.466) are less likely to teach PE. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service through its PE Directorate should embark on or strengthen sensitization for teachers at the district level to develop positive attitudes towards the teaching of PE.

Source: UCC
Perceptions of fairness of performance appraisal and organizational commitment among employees of Ghana health service in Cape Coast and Ho

In 2003, Ghana Health Service (GHS) introduced an appraisal system with the aim of improving performance of its employees and also link both individual and organizational performances to achieving critical health targets. Using performance indicators, this thesis assessed the perception of selected health workers on performance appraisal in GHS and its implications for organizational commitment and achievement of the three health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Data were collected from 519 employees of Ghana Health Service (GHS) at the Cape Coast and Ho in Ghana. It involved those who had participated in performance appraisal and whose job performance directly or indirectly relate to the appraisal of other people. The results indicated that when employees perceived their appraisal to be fair, it had positive consequences on perception of their commitment. Education and age could predict perception of fairness, while age and gross salary had the propensity to promote hard work and employee retention. Performance targets of some health workers were not linked to institutional goals on critical health targets including MDGs. Results revealed that appraisal was mainly for promotion to the neglect of personal and institutional development. The GHS may need to re-examine its appraisal system by involving peers, subordinates and supervisor as part of the evaluation process as well as ensuring that the performance targets of their employees are related to key organizational goals.

Source: UCC
Perceptions of free and fair elections in Amansie Central District

The term free and fair election has now become a common phrase associated with the conduction of elections across the world. However, different interpretations are often given to free and fair elections which sometimes lead to misunderstanding among election stakeholders resulting in election conflicts. The study sought to assess the perceptions of the electorate on the extent to which the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections were free and fair. A total of 156 respondents were used for the study. These comprised 100 electorate,made up of 10 respondents each from the Electoral Commission, media, political parties, security agencies, Amansie Central District Assembly and 6 traditional authority’s. Questionnaire and interview schedule were used to collect data from the respondents. In addition to this, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents.The main findings of the study are that the electorate have bad perception of free and fair elections. Avoiding multiple registrations, not engaging in violence, not intimidating other voters, applying electoral regulations fairly are among the major roles played by election stakeholders to ensure free and fair elections in the 2008 national elections. Financial constraints and insufficient knowledge of the electorate on the electoral process are the two challenges affecting stakeholders in the promotion of free and fair elections at Amansie Central District. It is recommended that the government of Ghana, philanthropists and benevolent organizations should provide financial assistance to election stakeholders and the electorate should be educated on free and fair elections.

Source: UCC
Perceptions Of Government Stakeholders On Ageing And Assisted Care In The Cape Coast Municipal Area

Aim: To explore the perceptions of government stakeholders on assisted care for the aged in a Metropolis, in Ghana. Method: This is a qualitative sub-study of a larger study on developing a model for the care of the aged in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area. The following questions were put to the key informants: Have you noticed an increase in the number of the aged in the communities? What are government plans for the aged? How is the welfare and the caring from traditional attention, what is your view on the introduction of assisted care in Ghana? Data was collected through key-informant in-depth interviews with 10 government stakeholders directly in charge of policy implementation in the metropolis. Data collection took place over a period of four months from October 2016 to January 2107. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed. Findings: There was no preparations made for ageing, government had plans and strategies for the aged care. Traditional caring provision is inadequate and the concept of assisted living is regarded with mixed feelings. Some informant described assisted caring as an unaccepted practice that should not be encouraged. Conclusion: Those implementing the policies are not certain of the feasibility of the programme. Awareness of assisted living should be promoted so that the community can make their own decisions.

Source: UCC