ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the fault lines of cross‐cultural collaborative research

This paper explores issues emerging from the authors’ experiences of collaborative research in Ghana, by researchers from a Ghanaian and a British university. The text emerges from discussions between partners and in retrospective reflection on the research process. It is constructed by bringing together personal accounts of the different authors in which their identities shift and are reconstructed in the process of the research. Multiple perspectives across gender, nationality and institutional context create three fault lines to disturb the research process: the initiation of the research, the methodological engagement of the team with each other and the subjects, and the way these are played out in practical issues. The paper explores the problems created by the instabilities

Source: UCC
Exploring the ideological implications of questions in elicitation in courtroom cross- examination discourse in Ghana

Language has been identified as more than just a tool for communication. In many discourse domains, language has come out as an effective tool for enacting and recognising power, manipulation, ideological stance, and identities. Using Discourse Analysis as a methodological tool, this paper examines question as an elicitation strategy used by counsels during cross examination in Ghanaian legal discourse. Dwelling on fifty court transcripts from Ghanaian courts, the paper discusses the types and functions of questions used in elicitation during cross examination of witnesses and defendants by counsels. Results show, among others, that questions in elicitation serve ideological more than informative functions. This result has theoretical and pragmatic implications for legal discourse practitioners

Source: UCC
Exploring the impacts of climate change and mitigation policies on UK feed barley supply and implications for national and transnational food security

The destabilizing impacts of climate change make mitigation measures a global imperative and urgent. The Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goal 13 give fresh impetus for climate change mitigation action. However, mitigation policies can have unintended consequences for food security. The current study assessed the impacts of UK climate mitigation policies on future food penalties (using feed barley and meat) and to highlight potential tele-coupled implications for transnational food security (especially in developing economies). Total barley production for the 2030s, 2040s, and 2050s was obtained from simulated barley yields under three emissions scenarios (high, medium, and low; or HES, MES, and LES, respectively) and projected land area for barley production from the updated study on UK land use change under climate mitigation policies. Future demand for feed barley was obtained as a product of projected population and per capita demand. Feed barley equivalent meat production and demand were obtained using similar approach. The differences between future demand and supply were calculated for all combinations of climate change and land use scenarios. The results show that land area under climate mitigation scenarios would be 82–87% of the mean land area currently under barley production. Consequently, deficits in feed barley supply could range from 40 to 51% of total demand from the 2030s to the 2050s, while deficits in meat could be as high as 71% of total demand in the 2050s. As a result, the UK moves from its current position of net exporter of barley to a major net importer of barley or meat in the future. If current land area is maintained, maximum feed barley and meat deficits would be 44% and 65%, respectively, of total demand in the 2050s. For example, based on the middle of the road land use and climate change scenarios, together with projected 90th percentile yield, feed barley deficits in the UK would be 7102, 7548, and 7963 thousand tonnes for the 2030s, 2040s and 2050s, respectively. The main sources of export of barley to the UK would have either excess domestic demand over supply or inadequate surplus to meet the fractional exports required to serve the UK deficit. Potentially increased imports by the UK from Ukraine, Germany, and France would require an adjustment in the trade flows to the current top importers from these countries as the UK’s share of import would increase from less than 1% currently to 13%, 32%, and 183%, respectively. The observed magnitude of deficits highlights adverse impacts of UK land-based climate mitigation policies on its food security, with potential consequences for transnational food security, especially in developing economies that rely on the global market for feed barley or meat supply

Source: UCC
Exploring the importance of human resource activities-strategies alignments: Interactive brainstorming groups approach

The authors explore the importance of aligning human resource (HR) activities to HR strategies in the work of business organisations. Employing interactive brainstorming groups approach, 21 MBA/MPhil students of the Department of Management Studies of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana were put into 3 groups to discuss and generate ideas on HR activities and their strategic linkages while the researcher guided and provided the needed materials. Objectives of the study include (1) to identify a bundle of HR activities and a set of HR strategies; and (2) to ascertain how the various HR activities could align appropriately with the HR strategies to enhance the work of the HR department. The groups identified and agreed on seven HR activities including job design; recruitment; selection; separation and retention; performance management; employee training; and compensation, and aligned with each of the four identified HR strategies including Bargain Labourer; Free Agent; Loyal Soldier; and Committed Expert. The outcome brings to the fore the need for HR professionals to extend operations beyond their traditional role and approach their work more strategically to better manage their employees to feed into the organisation’s strategic direction. The study contributes to extending our understanding of the importance of effective alignment of day-to-day HR activities to HR strategies for effective people management and, therefore, refutes the popular view that strategy is always a top management activity.

Source: UCC
Exploring the influence of household internal migration and parents’ main livelihood activities on children’s occupational aspirations in Ghana

Background: Although individuals and entire households engage in internal migration in Ghana, the literature mostly focuses on individual migration. The main objective of this paper is to explore the influence of household internal migration and parents’ main livelihood activities on children’s occupational aspirations.Methods: This paper draws on data collected from study sites in Ghana as part of a larger research project on Children Mobility and Transport in Sub-Saharan Africa (which took place in Ghana, Malawi and South Africa). During the project survey questionnaire, a total of 125 children and young people aged between 8 and 18 years were interviewed within urban, peri-urban, rural and remote rural sites in two agro-ecological zones in Ghana (eight sites in total). Additionally, the paper draws on qualitative research undertaken in the project in all sites using individual interviews and focus group discussions with key informants, parents and children. Results: The main motives of household internal migration among study participants were economic and social. While parents were mostly engaged in agriculture, their children generally aspired to non-agricultural occupations based on their interests, capabilities and perceptions. The children in both rural and urban areas aspired for occupations of fairly similar status.Conclusions: Children’s occupational aspirations are shaped by exogenous and not endogenous factors from their parents but their aspirations in both rural and urban areas are fairly similar. The paper has implications for career counseling at home and in school as well as the National Youth and Employment Programme (NYEP) in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Exploring the instructional practices efficacy beliefs of kindergarten teachers in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana

The influence of teacher efficacy beliefs on children’s cognitive achievements and success at school is accepted among educators internationally and well established in the literature. Yet, teachers’ sense of efficacy beliefs in the various aspects of their work at different levels of the education system continues to be investigated by researchers. Within the context of a developing country implementing a new curriculum, this study explores the efficacy beliefs of kindergarten teachers regarding instructional practices. Using an eight-point Likert-type survey questionnaire, the efficacy beliefs of 299 public and private kindergarten teachers in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana with respect to instructional practices are examined. Research findings indicate that kindergarten teachers in the metropolis have high efficacy beliefs in instructional practices. No statistically significant difference was found in the efficacy beliefs in instructional practices of public and private kindergarten teachers, but statistically significant difference was found in the efficacy beliefs of trained and untrained teachers. Implications for early childhood teacher education are drawn and recommendations made.

Source: UCC
Exploring the instructional practices of social studies teachers in senior high schools (shss) in the cape coast metropolis

This study sought to explore the instructional practices of Social Studies teachers in SHSs in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The embedded mixed method design was employed to study the research problem. All Social Studies instructors (98) were considered in the quantitative phase of the study. In order to triangulate, 20 instructors were conveniently sampled from the population for observation. Finally, 10 Social Studies unit heads were purposively sampled for a semi-structured interview. The results showed among others that: teachers had adequate knowledge of the aims of the subject; the major lesson planning practices was the writing of scheme of work, and that instructors were reluctant in developing comprehensive lesson plans; teachers’ self-reported teaching techniques did not necessarily materialise in the classroom condition; however, classroom observation revealed they did not give students adequate time to extend their thinking. The dominant challenges that impeded the achievement of syllabus aims were reluctance to plan and misplaced practices of out-of-field teachers. It was concluded that: Instructors have in-depth knowledge of the aims of the Social Studies teaching syllabus; the scheme of work dominates the planning of lessons; teachers usually resort to the use of teacher dominated-techniques and that teachers were startled to increase wait-time; the challenges teachers face contributes to the slow achievement of the aims of the subject. It was recommended among others that teachers should: continue to update their knowledge on the aims of the subject; prepare documentary evidence of lessons; employ learner-dominated techniques in teaching; government must recruit qualified Social Studies professionals to handle the subject at the SHS level.

Source: UCC
Exploring the Intersection of the English Language as the Medium of Instruction and Inclusive Pedagogy in Primary Mathematics Classrooms in Ghana

Conceptualising how English as the instructional language responds to difference is prerequisite to orchestrating inclusive pedagogy, whole schooling, and effective teaching and learning of mathematics. The purpose of this study was to explore the intersection of English as an instructional language and inclusive pedagogy in two mathematics classrooms in two primary schools in Ghana. Through classroom observations and interviews with teachers and primary school pupils across two primary schools in Cape Coast in the Central region of Ghana, we explored and presented case examples of how English as the instructional language interlinked with ineffective teaching excluded the majority of pupils during mathematics lessons. We concluded that teacher professional learning for mathematics teaching that incorporates inclusive pedagogy and addresses instructional language use can prepare teachers to incorporate a whole schooling perspective and be responsive to pupils’ learning needs in a more effective way, enabling them to become effective problem solvers in mathematics.

Source: UCC
Exploring the involvement of academic researchers in research collaboration with knowledge users – a study of two Ghanaian universities

In the face of limited national innovation and competitiveness, it was imperative to examine research collaboration between academic researchers and knowledge users for attainment of a knowledge-based economy in Ghana. The study followed an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to analyse survey data from proportionate stratified samples of academics from the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics, social sciences and arts and interview data from 11 key informants, from two public universities in Ghana. Through descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis tests, it was established that involvement of academics in research collaboration was low. There was no statistically significant difference, at the p < .05 level, in the number of research collaboration across the three academic disciplines. Although the condition points to the existence of a wider knowledge filter, it presents the nation with the opportunity to institute the necessary measures to step up the uptake and commercialisation of research findings.

Source: UCC
Exploring The Language Of Evaluation In The Disaster Stories Of Some Ghanaian Newspapers

The Ghanaian press reach and influence a section of Ghanaian readers with their messages. Readers, therefore, need to have adequate knowledge of the language use in the media not only for constructing the intended meaning in the news but also for decoding other texts. This study investigates the use of the language of evaluation in the front pages and the editorials of state and private newspapers namely; The Daily Graphic and The Chronicle respectively. The theoretical framework used in this study is Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal Theory. Qualitative content analysis and case study approaches were used to collect data about attitude (affect, judgment and appreciation) markers in both papers. The study revealed that the front page news exposed mainly the cause and effect of the disaster, made emotional appeals to readers, and assessed facilities to combat the disaster through emotive language and judgment resources whilst the editorials, through the abundant use of appreciation and judgment resources, mainly distanced themselves from government, and ascribed the cause of the disaster solely to careless and wanton human activities. These findings will be applied in researching similar texts

Source: UCC
Exploring The Language Of Evaluation In The Disaster Stories Of Some Ghanaian Newspapers

The Ghanaian press reach and influence a section of Ghanaian readers with their messages. Readers, therefore, need to have adequate knowledge of the language use in the media not only for constructing the intended meaning in the news but also for decoding other texts. This study investigates the use of the language of evaluation in the front pages and the editorials of state and private newspapers namely; The Daily Graphic and The Chronicle respectively. The theoretical framework used in this study is Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal Theory. Qualitative content analysis and case study approaches were used to collect data about attitude (affect, judgment and appreciation) markers in both papers. The study revealed that the front page news exposed mainly the cause and effect of the disaster, made emotional appeals to readers, and assessed facilities to combat the disaster through emotive language and judgment resources whilst the editorials, through the abundant use of appreciation and judgment resources, mainly distanced themselves from government, and ascribed the cause of the disaster solely to careless and wanton human activities. These findings will be applied in researching similar texts.

Source: UCC
Exploring the Learning Journeys of Academic Head of Department Preparations and Access to Their Roles: The Case of a Selected University in Ghana

Leadership training for educational leaders in the academia has been considered paramount to empower them both for leadership and management skills, knowledge and experience necessary to bring about quality in teaching and learning. Majority of the academic leaders are appointed without any preparation for the role and tend to struggle on the role in order to be effective. Most studies carried out on academic leaders in Africa focus mainly on challenges, roles and theories of leadership. This study explores the journeys involved in the preparations of academics who become Head of Departments in a selected university in Ghana in order to enable them play their roles effectively. The case study approach was used to study the journeys involved in the preparations of 16 academic HoDs in a selected university in Ghana, focusing on how they accessed their roles, their understanding about the roles, preparations they have had on the roles and the preparations they would have wished for the roles. It sought to describe, understand and interpret the learning journeys of academic HoDs regarding how they became HoDs and preparations they received to be effective in their roles. Interviews and documentary evidence were employed. Semi structured interviews were conducted with sixteen university head of departments. Using thematic analysis, the study revealed among others that most newly appointed academic HoDs were not given formal training before they began to play their roles, Again, the findings revealed different degrees of preparations which were mainly informal and were not directly linked to the roles of the HoDs, which were consistent with the literature that majority of academic HoDs did not receive preparations for their roles and tended to use their experiences to play their roles. Based on these findings, recommendations are that there should be a formal training on the HoD’s duties and their implementations for all newly appointed HoDs to enrich them with the necessary skills and knowledge to make them effective and efficient. There is the need to conduct needs assessment from the HoDs to inform their preparation or training and development of HoDs manual to serve as a reference guide to the HoDs. It is hoped that the findings will contribute to effective preparations of the academic HoDs. The research may also lead to the production of HoD’s manuals. More importantly, it may inform policies to identify areas for effective preparations of the academic HoDs.

Source: UCC
Exploring the Linguistic Landscape of Ho Through Multimodal Analysis of Billboards

The study of the linguistic landscape is crucial as far as regulating and negotiating linguistic diversity are concerned but not much work has been done in this area in Ghana. The few works done in the area of linguistic landscape in Ghana mostly focused on multilingualism. The current study adopted a multimodal approach to investigate billboards on three commercial streets in Ho, the Volta regional capital town of Ghana. Pictures were taken of all billboards on the three selected commercial streets in Ho. The qualitative content analysis research method was used for data analysis, in line with the research questions. The analysis revealed that Ho is a multilingual town. Three languages were found in the public spaces of Ho: English, Eʋe, and Twi. Furthermore, drawing on Roman Jacobson’s language function, all six functions were found on the billboards in Ho. There is a dominance of referential, conative, and poetic functions of language on the billboards because of the very nature of billboards which are essentially to attract. Nonetheless, most of the functions are complementary in the roles they perform on the billboards in Ho. Finally, image and text interacted on the billboards such that some images projected the information in the text; others served complementary purposes while some texts supported images on the billboards by showing the people’s advancement in technology and economy. These findings imply that multilingualism is at play in the public domain. Based on the findings, the study recommends the need for improvement in the literacy of local languages in the Ghanaian educational system so that the public space will be more inclined towards using the indigenous languages to communicate with the public.

Source: UCC
Exploring the Lived Experiences of Leadership Practices of Senior High School Heads in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

The purpose of this inquiry was to explore the lived experiences of leadership practices of senior high school heads in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The study aimed at describing leadership practices and lived experiences of public school heads, leadership practices adopted to ensure quality teaching and learning, measures to overcome the barriers in educational leadership, and factors influencing leadership practices. The study approach was qualitative, while the study design was phenomenology. The population of the study comprised eight heads of public senior high schools in the Metropolis. Using semi-structured interviews, eight school heads with at least three years of experience were sampled for the study Narrative analysis was used to analyse the data. The school heads adopted different leadership practices for different categories of stakeholders in the school based on their prior leadership experiences and lived experiences in leadership positions with both internal and external stakeholders. This was necessary to meet the peculiar needs and interests of the various stakeholders of the schools. Some of the barriers to effective school leadership administration were inadequate financial resources, and interferences from external stakeholders. The lived experiences of the heads were essential in commanding the needed respect and gaining support for the implementation of the leadership practices and strategies of school heads in the public senior high schools. The study recommends the need for school heads to build consensus with stakeholders to ensure effective and successful leadership administration. School heads should involve staff, students, and other stakeholders in the implementation of critical strategies to achieve institutional goals.

Source: UCC