ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Informality, Mobile Phone Penetration and Tax Revenue in Sub-saharan Africa

As part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasis is placed on the necessity to reinforce resource mobilisation domestically and expand revenue collection with respect to the first target of SDG 17. However, sub-Sharan Africa (SSA) is losing significant amount of its revenue as a result of the large size of the informal sector in the various economies. The study examines the effect of informality on tax revenue in SSA and the moderating role of mobile phone penetration. The system Generalised Methods of Moments (GMM) approach was used on 26 SSA countries over a 11-year period. Findings from the study showed that informality has a significant and negative impact on tax revenue in SSA, whereas mobile phone penetration has a significant and positive impact on tax revenue. Again, mobile phone penetration is effective in playing the moderating role on informality to affect tax revenue in SSA. Based on the findings, the study recommends that strengthening the special government agencies established and tasked with identifying, registering, educating, and advising all informal sector operators on how to keep accurate records, market their goods, access cheap financing, among others, will help them feel recognized and will encourage voluntary compliance with regard to paying taxes. Also, the study recommends that there should be some form of consumer education by governments together with telecommunications agencies in order to help improve awareness on the benefits of using mobile phone to transact businesses and the ease of payment of taxes through the usage of mobile phones.

Source: UCC
Information and communication technologies training needs of agricultural extension agents in Bayelsa and rivers states, Nigeria

Despite the fact that information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been proposed as a means to improve extension delivery in Nigeria, very little has been done to identify the ICT training need of agricultural extension agents. The study examined the ICT training need of agricultural extension agents in Bayelsa and Rivers States of Nigeria. A descriptive survey design, content validated and pretested questionnaire were used to collect data from 100 public extension agents in the two States.Descriptive statistics, T-tests and stepwise regression were used to analyse the data with the help of SPSS version 20 Software. The study revealed that hardware, software and World wide web were not frequently used for extension activities. There were differences in ICT training need for hardware, word-processing, statistical and presentation software, World wide web, social media and electronic mail according to State, sex, income, specialty of EAs, location of operational area, educational qualification, age and experience of extension agents. Selected socioeconomic characteristics determines ICT training need. Human, financial, policy, infrastructural and institutional constraints prevent extension agents from accessing training in ICT. The study recommends among others training in the use of hardware, software and World wide web for extension agents taking into consideration the sex, location, income of extension agents. Moreover, there should be stakeholders collaboration to address the numerous constraints preventing agricultural extension agents from accessing ICT training.

Source: UCC
Information and Communication Technology Assess and Use by Teachers of Community Health Nurses Training School in Adansi Fomena

Technology has changed our world and continues to alter the way we do things, bringing with it not only tremendous benefits, but also tough challenges. Technology integration in the classroom has become an important aspect of teaching and learning. It has triggered many researchers to investigate different aspects of such integration (Zhao, 2007; Gulbahar, 2007; Abbit & Klett, 2007; Wood & Ashfield, 2008). This is because it allows students to learn more in less time and allows schools to focus on global learning environments if used appropriately. In addition, it could be an effective teaching tool when used to engage all students in the learning process (Almekhlafi, 2006). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a multi-facet concept. According to United Nations Development Programme (2001), Information and communication technology (ICT) refers to information-handling tools used to generate, store, process, spread and share information. The integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in education, to some extent, has become one of the tools in improving the quality of educational systems. There are many pieces of evidence that shows the use of ICT in education provides useful pedagogical, social and economic benefits to students (Rodrigo, 2009).

Source: UCC
Information and Communication Technology Deployment and the Level of Academic Library Automation in University of Cape Coast

The main objective of this study was to assess the Information and Communication Technology deployment and the level of academic library automation in University of Cape Coast. A mixed research method design was used. The study was limited to one academic library namely, Sam Jonah Library of the University of Cape Coast. A total sample size of 419 respondents was used, consisting of 97 staff and 322 clients who use the Sam Jonah library facilities. Purposive sampling and disproportionate stratified random sampling were adopted to select the staff and the clients respectively. The main data collection instrument was a questionnaire. However, an informal interview was also used to collect primary data. SPSS software version 21 was used to analyse collected data using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The major findings were that the ICT resources used in the automation of Sam Jonah library were inadequate or low to meet the demands of the clients. Thus, availability of ICT resources was found to predict the level of academic library automation. Also, Internet connectivity was crucial in the operations of Sam Jonah library and was found to predict the use of academic library automation. Lastly, the study found a positive correlation between ICT training of staff and the level of academic library automation. Recommendations to the study were acquisition of more ICT resources, securing a bigger bandwidth for faster Internet speed and recruiting ICT experts or upgrading some existing staff skills through professional ICT training in the library automation software.

Source: UCC
Information and communication technology use by senior high school mathematics teachers and students in the Central Region of Ghana

The descriptive study was conducted to assess the extent to which Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) use by Ghanaian SHS mathematics teachers and students, and to uncover the factors influencing their ICT use. A cross-sectional survey design employing quantitative method for data collection was used. The population of the study comprised all mathematics teachers and students in Central region of Ghana. A stratified sampling method was used to select 40 mathematics teachers and 200 students. The findings revealed that the extent to which SHS mathematics teachers and students use ICT in teaching and learning mathematics was very low. The Independent samples t-test revealed that the male mathematics teachers use more ICT (Mean = 2.65, SD = 1.12) than the female teachers (Mean=1.51, SD=0.47) and teachers with high self-perceived efficacy use more ICT (Mean = 2.94, SD = 1.10) than those with low self- perceived efficacy (Mean = 1.63, SD = 0.51). The analysis revealed that the differences in the mean ICT use between male and female teachers and self-perceived efficacy in ICT use were statistically significance. The One-way ANOVA test also revealed that students who were above 20 years use ICT more than those below 20 years. The analysis further revealed that the differences in the mean for the use of ICT between students with different ages, school location and availability of ICT resources were statistically significant. It was recommended that the Heads of the various SHS should organise in-service training in professional development courses related to the integration of ICT in teaching and learning mathematics for their teachers.

Source: UCC
Information and Communications Technology in healthcare at the University of Cape Coast Hospital

This study investigated the application of Information and Communications Technology in healthcare delivery at the University of Cape Coast Hospital. The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of the application of information and communications technology in healthcare delivery at the University of Cape Coast Hospital. One hundred and twenty-seven participants were sampled for the study through the use of purposive, lottery and accidental sampling methods. Data were collected through the use of interview guide, interview schedule, and guide for review of document. The qualitative data were analysed through the use of the thematic approach and the quantitative data were analysed with the use of SPSS version 16. The study revealed that the computerization of health records at the hospital had reduced waiting time and medical errors. Other findings also showed that it helped in the speedy retrieval of patients’ records and also helped the health professionals in getting necessary information related to their work. It was realized that some of the health professionals do not see the importance of the integration of ICT in healthcare. Finally, it was recommended that management of the hospital must play a supervisory role in ensuring that patients’ information are keyed into the system promptly. The Ghana Health Service must integrated ICT programmes into healthcare in all health centres throughout the country

Source: UCC
Information and the Legislature: An Analysis of Institutional Context and Information Behaviour of Members of Ghana’s Parliament

The study investigated the information behaviour of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the context of parliamentary institutional arrangements and how it shaped their access to and use of information as they made laws, oversaw executive action and represented the citizens of Ghana. The legislature compared to the executive, often has fewer technical experts and limited access to information creating an “information gap” between the two. There also exists information gaps among MPs since the legislature is composed of elected representatives with varied levels of expertise and experience. These can negatively impact on the ability of the legislature to perform its mandated roles, especially since the work of legislators revolves around information. Against this background, the objectives of this study were to examine Ghanaian legislators’ information needs and information seeking behaviour, and analyse how institutional arrangements in the Parliament of Ghana affect members’ access to and use of information. In furtherance of these objectives, the study used a multiphase mixed-methods research design. Data from questionnaires, interviews and a database on information about bills presented to parliament were analysed. The main findings were that MPs’ frequency of need for information for performing financial control related roles was higher compared to that for oversight functions; and that leadership of the Parliament of Ghana strategically use information control tactic of shortening the layover time for executive/leadership priority Bills. However, leadership was less able to use such strategies when there was high public interest in bills. The study has demonstrated that in spite of progress made by Ghana’s Parliament in the Fourth Republic, the delegated power of citizens to government, especially to Members of Parliament, is not optimally exercised. The Parliament of Ghana needs to assert its independence especially in scheduling its workload and by improving access to information by its members.

Source: UCC
Information needs and Information-seeking behaviour of auto mechanics in Siwdu, Cape Coast, Ghana

The main objective of the study is to find out the level of information-seeking behaviour of auto mechanics working at Siwdu and its impact on the work they do. Two methods of data collection instruments were used; these included a questionnaire and interview schedule. The researchers personally administered fifty-three questionnaires of which forty-eight completed ones were received. Twelve (12) people were interviewed at their respective workshops. The respondents were registered members of Siwdu Auto Mechanic Association and the total number of sixty respondents used represented 20% of total number of members. Quantitative data obtained mainly from the questionnaire were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. Responses for the interview were analysed thematically. Some of the major findings are as follows: The majority of the respondents did not know how to get information from the library; some of the respondents preferred consulting their “Masters” for help; majority of the respondents had Android phones but did not know how to access relevant information; respondents were aware of the benefits of authentic information; and respondents recommended that Management of libraries should organise seminars and workshops for auto mechanics to enable them know how and where to access information. Information is needed by everybody to enhance efficiency therefore creating the awareness of the sources of information is a way of increasing productivity. Knowing the level of information-seeking behaviour of people in every manner of job is essential in the nation’s human resource development.

Source: UCC
Information seeking behaviour of the academic staff and students

The paper presents the results and findings of a survey conducted on library usage and information seeking behaviour of the academic staff and students of the Methodist University College Ghana. It is argued that the user is the most important aspect of the library and therefore studies aimed at understanding the user behaviour should be a continuous activity to help provide better services to the users. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research design. In all 300 questionnaires were administered to the selected population out of which 204 were completed. returned and analyzed. The quantitative approach made use of well structured questionnaires which were administered on the selected population consisting of lecturers and students while the qualitative approach made use of interview instrument in which a total of 30 selected participants were interviewed to seek further clarification on some of the answers provided in the questionnaires. The results and findings show that despite the availability of electronic information resources. books. theses/dissertations. journals and lecture notes are the most consulted information sources. The major source of identifying information needs is through the recommended booklist provided by lecturers and experts. The results and findings of the study confirm the critical role play by the University Library in academic work. The study also shows that majority of the respondents with cumulative percentage of (700/0) were effectively using the library for research and academic purposes. However; library users were still using the traditional method of scanning through titles and pages of books on the book shelves as a means of searching and retrieving information. This method is rather time consuming and not effective in seeking information .In recent time the use of Open Public Access and Online catalogues. indexes/abstracts. internet and librarians assistance have proofed to be more effective. The study also established that. textbooks. reference materials and journals are the most dominant materials that library users consults as information sources. It also confirms that there is a high level of information sharing in the university community. The study further established that the library collections are not adequate and suggested subject areas that need improvement. The recommendations as well as the challenges encountered by the library users in seeking and use of information are also enumerated. The study concludes with a discussion of the results and made recommendations on how to improve upon information use in the university community.

Source: UCC
Information technology and employee recruitment in the insurance companies in the Accra Metropolis

Organisations are using information technology and increasing their corporate websites pages for recruitment purposes. Despite this increased utilization of information technology for employee recruitment , the extent to which employers perceive information technology as a useful source of employment information and their reactions to these practices have not yet been studied in the insurance companies in Ghana. This study examined the role of information technology in employee recruitment in the insurance companies in the Accra metropolis. The sample consisted of 168 employees of six selected insurance companies in the Accra Metropolis. Data was acquired by making use of a survey, conducted in six insurance companies in Ghana. The result indicated that insurance companies in Ghana used an aspect of information technology in employee recruitment such as computers ,printers but some aspect of information technology are not in use such as social media. The research also reported that information technology has a role to play in recruitment activities, including: enhancing data processing of employee recruitment; enhancing better record keeping during employee recruitment exercises; enhancing monitoring of application for employment. Promote effectiveness in employee recruitment. The study recommended that national insurance commission should established information technology desk. This help desk will perform the traditional role of providing technical support on e-recruitment.

Source: UCC
Information technology challenge in teaching senior high school graphic design in Cape Coast metropolis

The use of information technologies in the field of graphic design, an important discipline in visual arts, contributes to rendering abstract phenomena and concepts concrete, thereby increasing senior high school education students’ interest in visual art education (Heinscad & Boadiwah, 2020). The main purpose of this study is to examine the information technology challenges in teaching graphic design at senior high schools in the Cape Coast metropolitan area. The survey included 113 graphic design instructors from 11 different senior high schools in Cape Coast municipality. The research data were analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques. According to the findings, the use of information technology in teaching graphic design courses in senior high schools is restricted. poor usage of information technologies was ascribed by graphic design instructors to a lack of technical infrastructure, poor teaching skills, and inaccessibility to this technological infrastructure in some of the institutions having this sort of infrastructure. The researcher concluded that teachers should be given enough training regarding how to use IT applications such as programming software, interactive whiteboards, multimedia authoring programs, drill/practice programs, animation applications etc. at the teacher preparation school. The researcher recommended that government bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and parent organizations, among many others, must work together to establish information technology resources and provide institutions with appropriate current technology to stimulate IT incorporation in all senior high schools.

Source: UCC
Infuence of education on hiv infection among pregnant women attending their antenatal care in Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

This study investigated the influence of the level of education on HIV infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Sekondi- Takoradi, Ghana. A cross sectional study was conducted at four hospitals in the Sekondi- Takoradi metropolis. The study group comprised 885 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics. Questionnaires were administered and venous blood samples were screened for HIV and other parameters. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the level of education attained by the pregnant women and their HIV statuses. The data showed that 9.83% (87/885) of the pregnant women were HIV seropositive while 90.17% (798/885) were HIV seronegative. There were significant differences in mean age (years) between the HIV seropositive women (27.45 ± 5.5) and their HIV seronegative (26.02 ± 5.6) counterparts (p = .026) but the inference disappeared afer adjustment (p = .22). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that pregnant women with secondary/tertiary education were less likely to have HIV infection compared with those with none/primary education (adjusted OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30–0.91; p = .022). Our data showed an association with higher level of education and HIV statuses of the pregnant women. It is imperative to encourage formal education among pregnant women in this region

Source: UCC
Inguinal Hernia Containing Uterus, Fallopian Tube, and Ovary in a Premature Newborn

A female infant weighing 2,200 g was delivered at 34 weeks of gestation by vaginal delivery. She presented with an irreducible mass in the left inguinal region at 32 days of age. An ultrasonography (US) was performed and an incarcerated hernia containing uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary was diagnosed preoperatively. Surgery was performed through an inguinal approach; the uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary were found in the hernia sac. High ligation and an additional repair of the internal inguinal ring were performed. Patent processus vaginalis was found during contralateral exploration and also closed. The postoperative course was uneventful. After one year of follow-up, there have been no signs of recurrence

Source: UCC
Inguinal Hernia Containing Uterus, Fallopian Tube, and Ovary in a Premature Newborn

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. A female infant weighing 2,200 g was delivered at 34 weeks of gestation by vaginal delivery. She presented with an irreducible mass in the left inguinal region at 32 days of age. An ultrasonography (US) was performed and an incarcerated hernia containing uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary was diagnosed preoperatively. Surgery was performed through an inguinal approach; the uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary were found in the hernia sac. High ligation and an additional repair of the internal inguinal ring were performed. Patent processus vaginalis was found during contralateral exploration and also closed. The postoperative course was uneventful. After one year of follow-up, there have been no signs of recurrence.

Source: UCC