ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of vocational programmes of special schools for children with mental retardation in Ghana

The study was undertaken to evaluate the vocational training of special schools for children with mental retardation in Ghana, and determine how these individuals were being assisted to become productive citizens of the nation. A number of research questions were raised to assess the vocational programmes followed by special schools for individuals with mental retardation, and the number that graduated between 1992 - 1996. The descriptive sample survey design was used for the study. The population comprised special education teachers and vocational instructors of special schools for individuals with mental retardation in Ghana. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select four special schools for the survey. Out of a population of forty-five special teachers a sample of thirty-six (80%) was used. Also, from a population of nine vocational instructors, three (33%) were included in the survey. In addition, fifteen trainees with mental retardation from the four special schools were interviewed. From the findings, it was established that special schools for individuals with mental retardation concentrated on providing training in five major areas. These were Batik, envelop, and broom making, raising poultry and gardening. Training was carried on mainly in simulated environment such as classrooms. Trainees were not selected by the use of formal vocational assessment tools, neither were they afforded the opportunity to practise in real workshop or integrated settings. Also, there were very few vocational instructors in special schools and special teachers sometimes had to teach specific vocational courses though most of them did not have the requisite skills. Furthermore, special schools for individuals with mental retardation did not have specific duration to train these students. There were also rio transition programmes to prepare the trainees for graduation. It was therefore not surprising that between 1992 to 1996, only five trainees “graduated” from the special schools. The conclusion of the study is that, some vocational training programmes were offered in special schools for the mentally retarded in Ghana; trainees were however restricted to very few trades, spent unspecified period of training and did not have opportunity to learn in integrated environments.

Source: UCC
Evaluation of Women Group Lending Scheme of Bonzali Rural Bank, Tamale

Micro financial institutions step in to lend to group of people where the entire group is considered responsible for default by any member. In places where group loans have been practiced, there have been mixed results with some groups repaying their loans whiles others fail to pay. The study therefore sought to evaluate women group lending scheme at Bonzali Rural Bank (BRB) in Tamale. The objectives of the study were to determine the characteristics and motivations of women in the group lending scheme, examine the factors that influence the repayment rate of women groups and to assess the benefits of group lending to the group members. Data were collected from all the 88 women groups. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data was collected using questionnaires which was administered to the group representatives. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and represented by measures of central tendency. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyzed the characteristics of respondents such as age, educational attainment and religion. The study found out that most women repay their loans in order to get bigger loans in future (dynamic incentives). Other reasons include: it provides capital for their businesses; it improves their financial well-being and to preserve their reputation. It was recommended that the BRB should improve on the business advices offered to the women since the successes of the women groups have a positive impact on the repayment of loans.

Source: UCC
Evaluation of yellow flesh cassava (manihot esculenta crantz) genotypes for yield, dry matter content, cyanogenic potential total carotenoid content and stability

Vitamin A deficiency related diseases are major problem in Sub-Sahara Africa. Yellow flesh cassava (YFC) mutants were developed to combat these challenges but there is a need to evaluate for yield related traits, safety, perceptions and preferences before release. The survey showed that farmers had heard of YFC and 72 % are willing to cultivate and consumed it as fufu or gari. The yield and yield related traits evaluation under RCBD with 10 treatments in 2018/2019 cropping season indicated that Total Carotenoids (TC) ranged from 1.77-10.38 μg/g and top four genotypes were 6A (10.38), 12B (10.10), 14B (9.83) and 11A (9.57) while IITA control and 6F checks had 7.97 and 1.77 μg/g, respectively. The Dry Matter and Fresh Root Yield ranged from 15.53-38.12% and 21.53-55.97 t ha-1, respectively. The Cyanogenic Potential range (25.9-37.3 mgHN/kg) of all genotypes was lower than innocuous value of 50mgHCN/kg and therefore safe for consumption. The eight YFC genotypes with one white and one yellow flesh checks planted in three environments in 2019/2020 growing season under RCBD, showed that Asuansi (15.87 %), Wamaso (14.71 %) and UCC (14.51 %) location had similar starch yields. There were substantial differences (p<0.05) for cassava root yield across locations with Wamaso leading with 33.69 t ha-1 and UCC (33.23 t ha-1) significantly higher than Asuansi (28.03 t ha-1). The dry matter ranged from 21.67 - 43.33 % for genotypes 14B and 6F respectively. Also, significant differences among all the genotypes (p<0.05) for total carotenoid retention when YFC was processed into gari were observed. All genotypes had total carotenoid retention between 98.23±12.21 % - 59.35±7.09 and above 50 % of initial level. The yellow flesh genotypes 12B, 11B, 5B and 9A were the top four performers recommended for release.

Source: UCC
EVALUATION ROLE OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL HEADTEACHERS IN GHANA: DOES GENDER AND SCHOOL LOCATION MATTER?

The evaluation function of Senior High School heads in Ghana has been of grave concern to stakeholders especially in the midst of major transformation in the education system like Free SHS and Double track system. This study examined the evaluative role of SHS headteachers in Ghana. The study further investigated the influence of gender and school location on the performance of the evaluative role of the headteachers. A cross sectional data was taken through the administration of questionnaires to 1,397 teachers in SHS in Ghana. One sample t-test and Two-way analysis of variance (2x2 ANOVA) were used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that SHS headteachers were rated high in terms of performing their evaluation function, t(1396)=70.501, p<.001. Gender [F(1, 1393)=9.580, p=.002.] and school location [F(1, 1393)=3.847, p=.049] were found to influence headteachers execution of the evaluative function. No significant interaction effect was found between gender and school location in teachers rating of the evaluation role of their headteachers, F(1, 1393)=.082, p=.775. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that GES should provide adequate support not only for headteachers but to teachers in the rural schools to ensure the effective running of the school. Again, special training and orientation should be given to male headteachers on their roles as head of schools.

Source: UCC
Evaluation, Semiotic Mediations and Ideological Positioning in Primetime Tv News Presentations in Ghana

ABSTRACT Since the 20th Century, language use in the media has received unparalleled attention among scholars, especially, linguists. Though scholars have established outstanding evidence for possibilities of the media universally, there is still the need to account for spoken major news presentation, which has been partially described for comprehensive descriptions of the language of television (TV). It is against this background that the present study presents an account of news presentations in Ghana. The general objective is to describe resources that construe evaluation, semiotic mediations in the news and ideological meanings at word, clause, and sentence levels. The account is based on primetime news presentations from four most influential TV stations in Ghana – TV3, Joy TV, GTV and Citi TV. The analysis and descriptive interpretation of the language is guided by the Appraisal Theory proposed by Martin and White (2005) and developed out of the broader theoretical framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). The study shows that evaluative resources are employed in primetime TV news to construe authorial Attitude, Engagement and Graduation. It again became clear that semiotic mediations enrich meaning of news stories. Finally, it was observed that linguistic resources (evaluative, semiotics, pronouns, and interpersonal expressions), enacted ideological positioning for subjects of primetime TV news presentations. The study will contribute to Appraisal analysis of media language and discourse analysis for specific purpose and African linguistics.

Source: UCC
Evaluative Language in Examiners’ Reports on Mphil Theses in University of Cape Coast

Academic writing is not impersonal and objective; it is interactive and evaluative. The present study examined the evaluative language in examiners’ reports on 100 MPhil theses purposively selected from four departments, namely English, History, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Population and Health, by, specifically, investigating the types of evaluative comments, evaluated entities, and examiner roles. The present study focused on the Theory of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and key concepts like ‘Evaluation’ and ‘Feedback’ together with adopted analytical framework by Holbrook et al. (2004a) and Starfield et al. (2017). Applying qualitative content analysis to the data set in University of Cape Coast, the study revealed three major findings. First, examiners employed more negative evaluative comments than positive evaluative comments. The negative comments, however, were mitigated, using such strategies as praise and criticism pairs, hedging devices, and personal pronouns. Second, the thesis and the candidate were the major entities evaluated in the data and these were realized largely in Material and Relational processes. Finally, aside their core mandates as examiners and evaluators of what the candidate had done, examiners assumed six other different roles. The study adds to the usefulness of SFL and analytical framework in interpreting evaluative language in thesis examiners’ reports. The study, also, provides insights into the need for supervisors and students to situate their coaching and writing skills respectively to meet institutional and genre requirements.

Source: UCC
Evaluative Study of the Bachelor of Education (Accounting) Programme in the University of Cape Coast

The drive of this study was to assess how students and graduates of the Bachelor of Education (Accounting) programme in the University of Cape Coast are prepared for the world of work. The study adopted the mixed-methods sequential explanatory design in which data were gathered within the framework of the CIPP evaluation model. A sample size of 350 students, 250 graduates and 250 employers participated in the study. The multi-stage sampling technique, utilising the stratified, proportionate, and simple random sampling techniques, were used in selecting the students for the study. The graduates and their employers were sampled using snowball sampling techniques. A questionnaire, semi-structured interview guide, appraisal scale and observation guide were used as data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviation), inferential statistics (independent-samples t-test and ANOVA) and thematic analysis were used to analyse all the research questions. The study found that the programme meets the students’ needs. However, it was found that the human and material resources of the programme failed to meet its consumers’ needs and the programme as a whole. It was also noticed that the programme had a positive influence on the work performance of the graduates. The study recommended that the programme designers must include courses that will expose students to the use of present-day accounting software used in Ghana such as QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Tally accounting, among others and the head of the department must ensure that the quality of resources and their adequacy for students and lecturers are strengthened, as failure to do this, may pose a threat to future implementation of the programme.

Source: UCC
Everybody has his/her luck: Irregular migration of young people from Ghana to Libya and beyond

Despite several negative media reports on the plight of irregular migrants, some young Ghanaians continue to seek greener pastures in Libya and beyond. This paper examines the motives, achievements and main reasons for return of these migrants who are resident in both the Techiman and Nkoranza Municipalities. Using the snowball sampling technique, 200 return migrants were interviewed in the study areas. They were mostly young males who had completed Junior High School (JHS), and the main motive for migration was economic. The target destinations were Spain, Italy, Germany and other European countries (85 per cent) with Libya as a transit country to these countries. Migration networks exist among current, return and potential migrants which facilitate and sustain irregular migration from the study areas. The main reasons for the return included harassment from security personnel, family re-union and ill-health. Strategies to address irregular migration in the study areas will need to consider skills training for young school leavers, especially those unable to proceed beyond Junior High School.

Source: UCC
Evidence for use of a Psychometric Inventory of New College Student Adjustment With Ghanaian Students: Implications for the Professional Globalization of Counseling

As the counseling profession continues its globalization onto Ghanaian college campuses, there is an increased need for psychometric assessments that support programming and interventions that promote degree matriculation and general student well-being. A sample of 696 young adult Ghanaian college students completed the Inventory of New College Student Adjustment (INCA) and related measures to estimate evidence of internal structure and relationships with conceptually related constructs. Confirmatory factor analyses were completed and inspection of fit indices revealed strong evidence for internal structure, and bivariate correlations indicated statistically significant positive associations with related medium effect sizes between the INCA subscales (Supportive Network and Belief in Self) and related measures. Implications for use of the INCA to support the professional activities of Ghanaian counselors working on college campuses are provided.

Source: UCC
Evidence of Care of the Aged in Ghanaian Communities—A Scoping Review

Sub-Saharan Africa population is increasing in age with little acknowledgement on the consequences of the issues of ageing. Aim: To explore and describe evidence in published literature on care given to the aged at home and how they prepare for their ageing. Method: The study applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework for systematic literature reviews using the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) method to track the eligibility of research questions. This method was the most appropriate for use in exploring the current position in available literature for that of Ghana. The research was performed using five electronic databases from January to July 2017 taking into consideration the set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only studies written in English were considered and a total of 18 articles met the study criteria. Reviewers extracted primary studies comprising quantitative, qualitative and critical reviews. Result: The literature review showed shortcomings in care for the aged at home. From the search, six core themes were generated: neglect of aged care; aged care for the younger generation; aged living arrangements; government neglect; preparedness; and care of the aged in Ghana. Conclusion: This review offered significant insight into care for the aged in their homes. The inclusive nature of the rigorous approach used provided a good understanding of underlying issues on the needs of the aged. Challenges for future are broadened in scope for more research and effective awareness for interventional projects, services on care given to the aged.

Source: UCC
Evidence of Climate Change (Global Warming) and Temperature Increases in Arctic Areas

This paper contributes to the debate on the proximate causes of climate change. Also, it discusses the impact of the global temperature increases since the beginning of the twentieth century and the effectiveness of climate change models in isolating the primary cause (anthropogenic influences or natural variability in temperature) of the observed temperature increases that occurred within this period. The paper argues that if climate scientist and policymakers ignore the anthropogenic influence (greenhouse gases) on global warming on the pretense of lack of agreement among various climate models and their inability to account for all the necessary factors of global warming at all levels the current efforts of greenhouse emissions control and global warming as a whole could be exacerbated

Source: UCC
Evidence of Insulin Resistance in Adult Uncomplicated Malaria: Result of a Two-Year Prospective Study

The study aimed at investigating the effects of adult uncomplicated malaria on insulin resistance. Fasting levels of blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and serum insulin were measured in 100 diabetics and 100 age-matched controls before and during Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Insulin resistance and beta cell function were computed by homeostatic models assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) and beta cell function (HOMAB) formulae, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was computed. At baseline, diabetics had significantly (𝑃 < 0.05) higher levels of BMI, FBG, HbA1c, and HOMAIR but lower level of HOMAB than controls. Baseline insulin levels were comparable (𝑃 > 0.05) between the two study groups. During malaria, diabetics maintained significantly (𝑃 < 0.05) higher levels of BMI, FBG, and HbA1c but lower levels of insulin and HOMAB than controls. Malaria-induced HOMAIR levels were comparable (𝑃 > 0.05) between the two study groups but higher than baseline levels. Apart from BMI and HOMAB, mean levels of all the remaining parameters increased in malaria-infected controls. In malaria-infected diabetics, significant (𝑃 < 0.05) increase was only observed for insulin and HOMAIR but not the other measured parameters. Uncomplicated malaria increased insulin resistance in diabetics and controls independent of BMI. This finding may have implications for the evolution of T2DM in malaria-endemic regions.

Source: UCC
Evolution of seaports in Ghana: 1800-1928

Before the opening of the first artificial harbor at Takoradi in 1928, Ghana possessed numerous surf ports, most of which originated early through European trade contacts with the coast. Subsequent disappearance or survival of ports depended on the changes in speed and direction of the country's economic development. Finally, the flourishing economy of the 1920's made the construction of a modern port imperative, and most surf ports disappeared after the construction of Takoradi harbor

Source: UCC
An evolutionary Account of GPI Anchored Proteins

GPI anchors consist of three parts; protein, glycan and the phospholipids. The GPI anchored proteins work as cell surface hydrolases, protozoal antigens, adhesion molecules, mammalian antigens and involved in other significant cellular functions like dense packing of proteins on cell surface, increased protein mobility on cell surface , specific release from cell surface, control of exit from endoplasmic reticulum and toxin binding. Mutations in these proteins lead to Paroxysomal Nocturnal Haemogolbinuria and other disorders. This study was executed by combining comparative proteomics and phylogenetic approaches in order to address a cross family evolution of GPI anchor proteins from 23 different species. The results of revealed some unexplored specifics about the conserved domains GPI anchored proteins across different taxa of organisms. The results also demonstrated hierarchical assemblage based inconsistency in variation in the GPI anchored proteins

Source: UCC
Evolving Conceptualization of Leadership and Its Implication for Vocational Technical Education

Leadership has been conceptualized variedly in the literature with various implications for those who lead and the people and organizations they lead. In this paper a thorough appraisal of the literature on the evolving conceptualization of leadership and its specific implication for leadership in vocational technical education is presented. A case is made in the paper that though vocational technical education is part of general education, it differs in many significant ways, hence the need to assess its leadership uniquely from that of general education. This study is particularly important because of the significance of vocational technical education as a conduit in the provision of practical know-how, first, for the good of the society, and second, for addressing the mass educated unemployment prevalent in many economies these days. Vocational technical education, no doubt, will fall short of meeting its mandate without effective leadership.

Source: UCC
The Ewe Bible Rendering of Shalom in Some Selected Texts (Judges 4:17 1 Samuel 1:17 and 2kings 9: 19) of the Hebrew Bible: Implications for Anlo Cultural Perspective

This study investigates the translation of shalom into `utifafa in the Ewe Bible to ascertain the contextual implication it brought to the fore. It carefully focuses on Judges 4:17, I Samuel 1:17, and 2Kings 9:19 to assess the current meaning of `utifafa and see how it could be applied in the Anlo context. The study explores the meaning of `utifafa in the Anlo context, finds out how the Ewe Bible was translated and analyzes the translation of shalom into `utifafa in the Ewe Bible. It also assesses the meaning of shalom in the book of Judges to establish the relevance of the Ewe Language in Anlo. The study employed a qualitative research approach by using the mother tongue hermeneutics approach which is a multidisciplinary method including literary readings. The research design for the study is a case study. Data was collected from the field and library sources and the skopos theory is used especially in chapter two through to the end. The results of the study call for relooking at the texts because as it stands the issue of pretense is clearly appearing due to the use of `utifafa (peace) in the Anlo context. The study also revealed that `utifafa (peace) in Anlo context naturally exists in the form of love, unity and safety of life and it encourages intermarriages among communities because of common understanding. The other finding suggests that `utifafa (peace) in 1 Samuel 1:17 lacks clarity of Eli’s attitude towards Hannah after referring to her as a ‘drunkard’. The study has implications for theory and Christians

Source: UCC