ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A repertoire of tropes: A study of Fante-Akan Asafo songs texts from the Cape Coast area of the Central Region of Ghana

This study of Fante Asafo song texts from the Cape Coast area of the Central Region of Ghana was undertaken with the assumption that a close look at the texts would yield a richness of language represented by a profusion of tropes. The areas covered include a general background to Asafo as a social organisation, as well as the form and content of sixty-five randomly selected songs. A conscious effort has been made to isolate key tropes which have been treated as features of discourse that have an almost unlimited propensity to generate various levels of meanings. In so doing, the richness of the language of the song texts has been underscored. The study has also revealed various and varied embedded messages in the songs that point or at least allude to the history, religion, culture as well as the harmonies and tensions within the society from which these songs are drawn. The study concludes by drawing attention to a prominent silence - the absence of references directly or indirectly to the slave trade, which is a well-known fact of the history and life experience of the people of the area where the research was conducted. The study therefore recommends further probing into this apparent missing link.

Source: UCC
The Representation of Ghanaian Celebrities on Twitter: A computer-mediated discourse analysis

The primary objective of the study was to investigate the various ways Ghanaian celebrities are represented on Twitter by a)exploring the dominant linguistic features that characterise the tweets of Ghanaian celebrities, b)ascertaining the different ways by which Ghanaian celebrities are representing themselves, and c) examining how gender variation influences the tweets. The study touches on how celebrities creatively bypass the imposed 140 character limit to enhance expressivity and communicative competence. Qualitative research paradigm was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling method was used to select 50 Ghanaian celebrities with Twitter accounts. Goffman‘s (1959) theoretical perspective of selfrepresentation and Computer Mediated Discourse Analysis (CMDA), as an analytical framework, were adopted to provide answers to the research questions of the study. Findings of the study revealed that Ghanaian celebrities employed adverbials, pronouns, abbreviated forms, modal/semi-modal forms tense, and aspect markers to project a good impression to their fans. The study again found out that Ghanaian celebrities employed creativity, salutation, ingratiation, damage control, and self–promotion to represent themselves on twitter. Finally, the study discovered that gender variations influence the tweets of Ghanaian celebrities although there are situations where male or female celebrities construct opposite gender identities with the view of impressing fans.

Source: UCC
The Representation Of Metrosexuals On Social Media In Ghana: A Netnographic Study

A number of young metrosexual men globally are becoming more self-aware of their appearance and are, thus, displaying on social media a significant interest in fashion. However, research on metrosexuality has received marginal attention in the communications literature. Yet, a study of the ways the youth choose to represent themselves is useful for understanding how social media shape their perceptions about masculinity, identity, beauty and self-confidence. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies employed to promote metrosexuality among the youth in Ghana and to examine how global social media platforms promote metrosexuality among Ghanaian youths. This thesis examined the representation of 30 young Ghanaian metrosexual men on Snapchat and Instagram. The study was situated within Goffmann’s theory of representation, Mercer’s idea of masculinity and theories of media globalization. Using a netnographic methodology, data were gathered over a period of three months through social media presence and observation. First, the study discovered nine main strategies of representations of metrosexuals on Snapchat and Instagram. These were objectics, hashtags, setting/location, body image and physical appearance, captions, comments, the use of hashtags, tattoos and hairstyles. Second, it was found that globalization processes such as media acculturation, cultural imperialism and hybridity played a mammoth role in influencing the metrosexual identity and masculinity of young Ghanaian social media users.We can learn about Ghana's evolving masculinity standards by studying metrosexuals. It might indicate that society has changed and accepts alternative male roles. The suggestions for future work are discussed.

Source: UCC
Representation of women in management positions in the University of Cape Coast and Central University College

The study sought to explore factors influencing the low representation of women in management positions in University of Cape Coast and Central University College. An exploratory qualitative research design was employed to undertake the study. A survey questionnaire was completed through interviews with forty-eight workers in management positions in both universities. Among the respondents, the majority were males, married, aged 30 - 34 and held at least a post-graduate degree. Generally, the respondents were of the view that women are not well represented in management positions. Notable reasons they gave included lack of requisite qualifications on the side of women and institutions not being gender sensitive. The problems women in management positions face were stressful career workload and domestic/family responsibilities and these keep them from climbing the managerial ladder. The respondents were of the view that women need more opportunities to excel and aspire for management position. The findings of the study indicate that the women who participated in the study experienced little or no challenges and constraints before they advanced to management positions, at least not to the same extent as after they were already in management. The situation can be improved if institutions formulate policies geared at helping women with leadership potentials and implement employment equity policies so as not to advantage one group over another.

Source: UCC
Research article Cultural adaptation of the Condom Use Self Efficacy Scale (CUSES) in Ghana

Background: Accurate assessment of self-reports of sexual behaviours is vital to the evaluation of HIV prevention and family planning interventions. This investigation was to determine the cross-cultural suitability of the Condom Use Self Efficacy Scale (CUSES) originally developed for American adolescents and young adults by examining the structure and psychometric properties. Method: A self-administered cross-sectional survey of a convenient sample of 511 participants from a private university in Ghana with mean age 21.59 years. Result: A Principal Component Analysis with varimax rotation identified a 14 item scale with four reliable factors labelled Appropriation (Cronbach alpha = .85), Assertive (Cronbach alpha = .90), Pleasure and Intoxicant (Cronbach alpha = .83), and STDs (Cronbach alpha = .81) that altogether explained 73.72% of the total variance. The scale correlated well with a measure of condom use at past sexual encounter (r = .73), indicating evidence of construct and discriminatory validity. The factor loadings were similar to the original CUSES scale but not identical suggesting relevant cultural variations. Conclusion: The 14 item scale (CUSES-G) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing condom use self efficacy. It is culturally appropriate for use among Ghanaian youth to gauge actual condom use and to evaluate interventions meant to increase condom use. Finally, the study cautioned researchers against the use of the original CUSES without validation in African settings and contexts.

Source: UCC
Research article the search for yield predictors for mature field-grown plants from juvenile pot-grown cassava (manihot esculenta crantz)

Cassava is the 6th most important source of dietary energy in the world but its root system architecture (RSA) had seldom been quantified. Ability to select superior genotypes at juvenile stages can significantly reduce the cost and time for breeding to bridge the large yield gap. This study adopted a simple approach to phenotyping RSA traits of juvenile and mature cassava plants to identify genotypic differences and the relationships between juvenile traits and harvest index of mature plants. Root classes were categorised and root and shoot traits of eight (8) juvenile pot-grown cassava genotypes, were measured at 30 and 45 days after planting (DAP). The same or related traits were measured at 7 months after planting of the same genotypes grown in the field while yield and yield components were measured in 12months old field-grown plants. The field experiment was done in 2017 and repeated in 2018. Differences between genotypes for the measured traits were explored using analysis of variance (ANOVA) while traits in juvenile plants were correlated or regressed onto traits measured in 7- and 12-months old plants. The results show significant genotypic variations for most of the traits measured in both juvenile and 7-months old plants. In the 12-months old plants, differences between genotypes were consistent for both 2017 and 2018. Broadsense heritability was highest for the number of commercial roots (0.87) and shoot fresh weight (0.78) and intermediate for the total number of roots (0.60), harvest index (0.58), fresh weight of roots (0.45). For all the sampling time points or growth stages, there were greater correlations between traits measured at a particular growth stage than between the same traits at different growth stages. However, some juvenile-mature plant trait relationships were significant, positive and consistent for both 2017 and 2018. For example, total root length and the total number of roots in 30 DAP, and branching density of upper nodal roots in 45 DAP, positively correlated with harvest index of 12-months old plants in both 2017 and 2018. Similarly, the diameter of nodal roots, for example, had a negative significant correlation with fresh shoot biomass of mature plants in both 2017 and 2018. Regression of traits measured in 30 DAP explained up to 22% and 36% of the variation in HI of mature plants in 2017 and 2018, respectively. It is concluded that the simple, rapid, inexpensive phenotyping approach adopted in this study is robust for identifying genotypic variations in juvenile cassava using root system traits. Also, the results provide seminal evidence for the existence of useful relationships between traits of juvenile and mature cassava plants that can be explored to predict yield and yield components

Source: UCC
Research collaboration for a knowledgebased economy: towards a conceptual framework

A knowledge-based economy thrives on constructed advantages generated through well-planned recursive interactions among key actors in the economy. Using a desk review, this paper advances theoretical and conceptual arguments in support of research collaboration as a critical and viable medium for the conduct of research and innovation geared towards economic growth and development. We propose a conceptual framework to guide future research on the determinants and the dynamics of research collaboration as well as the use of collaborative research output in innovation. The framework, which can be modelled, is recommended for descriptive and explanatory research aimed at obtaining first-hand information for policy interventions that seek to advance the knowledge-based economy, through research collaboration.

Source: UCC
Research collaboration for a knowledgebased economy: towards a conceptual framework

A knowledge-based economy thrives on constructed advantages generated through well-planned recursive interactions among key actors in the economy. Using a desk review, this paper advances theoretical and conceptual arguments in support of research collaboration as a critical and viable medium for the conduct of research and innovation geared towards economic growth and development. We propose a conceptual framework to guide future research on the determinants and the dynamics of research collaboration as well as the use of collaborative research output in innovation. The framework, which can be modelled, is recommended for descriptive and explanatory research aimed at obtaining first-hand information for policy interventions that seek to advance the knowledge-based economy, through research collaboration

Source: UCC
Research collaboration for attainment of a knowledge-based economy in Ghana.

Research collaboration is acknowledged as a critical means of creating comparative advantages for innovation, economic growth and development. In the dire circumstance of limited national innovation and competitiveness, coupled with weak industrial research and development vis a vis a widening knowledge filter, it was imperative to examine research collaboration for attainment of a knowledge-based economy in Ghana. The study followed a sequential mixed methods approach and a descriptive-causal research design. It involved survey of a proportionate stratified sample of 511 academic researchers, with 53 percent response rate, and interview of 11 informants from two public universities in Ghana. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics such as the mean and standard multiple regression. It was established that involvement of academic researchers in research collaboration was low. Research collaboration made valuable contributions to innovation and had positive impact on the profession and welfare of academic researchers. However, the collaborations were saddled with numerous challenges such as difficulty of collaborating parties to have trust and common values, absence of enforceable intellectual property rights and limited infrastructure and funding. With versatile research orientation and quite high intention to collaborate, explained by a quite high attitude, perceived behavioural control and environmental possibility for research collaboration, academics can effectively fulfill their knowledge production function when the challenges are addressed. It is recommended that academics, through their institutions, create the platform for national discussions on setting up a national research and innovation council and a matching fund in support of research collaboration.

Source: UCC
Research on wireless network security awareness of average users

Network insecurity has become an increasing problem in the world of computer networks. Technical experts have tried to combat this by improving the technical awareness of the threats and technical solutions involved in Wireless Local Networks (WLAN) through technical reports and policy enforcement. The average users’ knowledge and awareness of network security, how they react to the warnings and implement security measures is also very important. Current studies on users’ awareness of security policies, whether it has been communicated well enough and how aware WLAN users are to the threats and issues involved are still not fully ascertained. To fill this gap it is important to find out the users basic knowledge of the security measures and policies. In this paper, statistical methods were developed and adopted in other to compare the knowledge of Information Technology (IT) related employees and that of non-technical employees on how aware they are of WLAN security threats and security measures. The techniques the paper has adopted revealed the knowledge gap between non-technical and technical users. This revelation is significant and therefore requiring more efficient methods for creating awareness on WLAN threats and countermeasures among average users

Source: UCC
RESEARCH Open Access Central blockade of NLRP3 reduces blood pressure via regulating inflammation microenvironment and neurohormonal excitation in salt-induced prehypertensive rats

Background: Inflammation has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. We determined whether nod-like receptor with pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) involved in the process of prehypertension, central blockade of NLRP3 decreased inflammation reaction, regulated neurohormonal excitation, and delayed the progression of prehypertension

Source: UCC
Research-teaching nexus in business education among public universities in Ghana

The study examined the link between research and the teaching of Business Education in public universities in Ghana. The study focused on the extent to which faculty members integrate research into their teaching in higher education. Using the stratified disproportionate sampling technique and the census method, 367 and 52 Business Education students and faculty members, respectively, were engaged from two public universities in Ghana for the 2018-2019 academic year. Questionnaires and interview protocols were used for data collection. The questionnaires were validated through the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. The quantitative data were analysed inferentially (i.e one-way repeated measures ANOVA, one-way MANOVA, Chi-square), and descriptively (i.e means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages), while the qualitative data were analysed thematically using the reflexive analysis. It was found that faculty engage students at the research-led level of research integration into teaching. Students predominantly reported they heard lecturers discuss research during lessons, coupled with reading research papers. Research productivity was found as a significant positive predictor of teaching effectiveness. In addition, the levels of combination of research into teaching significantly differed among the ranks of faculty. Conclusively, the study found that the reconciliation of research into teaching is important in enhancing teaching and students’ learning experiences. It was, therefore, recommended that research culture be embedded in departmental activities. Faculty members are also encouraged to practice research-based teaching. In determining the teaching effectiveness of faculty members, the management of universities are encouraged to incorporate research-teaching integration components.

Source: UCC
Resettlement planning and sustainable livelihoods: a study of the Bui Resettlement Scheme in Ghana

This study examined the effects of the Bui resettlement scheme on the livelihood of the resettled, host and adjoining households. The study used descrptive study design and employed the mixed method. Cluster sampling was used to select the study communities. The sample size was 283 respondents. Data was collected using interview guide, observation guide, focus group discussion guide and interview schedule. The analyses of data involved the application of descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-test and thematic analysis. The study established that the implementers did not follow laid down guidelines in the planning process of the resettlement scheme. It was observed that core housing units of the resettled households had improved compared to their livelihood activities. There was a decline in the risks associated with the resettlement scheme over the ten year period with the host and adjoining households being equally affected. The study further established that income levels declined in all the communities but more in the host and adjoining households. The limitation of the study was mainly the inability of the researcher to measure the well-being and the rate of diffusion of an innovation in the affected communities. It was concluded that the resettlement scheme did not improved the livelihoods of the affected communities especially, the host and adjoining communities. It was recommended that Bui Power Authority should collaborate with Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to implement the irrigation component of the Resettlement Planning Framework to address the concerns of the affected communities.

Source: UCC
Residents' perception of the effects of Oguaa Fetu Afahye and PANAFEST events in Cape Coast, Ghana

The impact of special events on host communities has been well documented. Relatively few studies have examined the effects of local events on host communities, especially in Ghana. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate residents’ perception of the effects of two local events, precisely Oguaa Fetu Afahye and PANAFEST events in Cape Coast. Primary source of data was employed during the fieldwork, which was undertaken between December, 2017 and January, 2018. Data was gathered by the use of questionnaires, focus-group guides and an interview guide. Frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations were used to analyse data from questionnaire, whereas the focus-group and interview guides were transcribed, categorized and analysed manually based on emerged themes. The findings of the study suggest that residents are more involved in the activities of Oguaa Fetu Afahye event than PANAFEST. The difference in participation for both events was attributed to less publicity made prior to and during the PANAFEST event. The results also indicated that residents derived more personal than communal benefits. It was revealed also that the economic proceeds derived from both events are insufficient and/or not used for community projects; hence, residents who were economically involved in the events were those who derived both economic and socio-cultural benefits. Lastly, the study recommends that events’ committee ensures that goals and objectives set for each event are appropriately budgeted for and monitored, until achieved so as to benefit the individual residents and the community at large.

Source: UCC
Residents' perceptions of the environmental impacts of tourism in the Lake Bosomtwe Basin, Ghana

This study investigates residents’ perceptions of tourism’s physical impacts in the Lake Bosomtwe Basin in Ghana. Data were based on a resident survey conducted in the basin in January 2006. Residents perceived both positive and negative impacts of tourism development, but were more inclined to the positive side. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the district assemblies in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism should start managing the impacts, and also educate the local population on the dangers of underestimating the negative impacts of tourism on the environment

Source: UCC