ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Role of FIFA and CAF in Using Football to Promote Peace in Africa

The use of sports for the purposes of peace and development is currently becoming a growing phenomenon. In Africa, sports, especially football, was employed by freedom fighters as part of the several struggle mechanisms, to achieve independence, fight racism and promote national unity. As football in today’s world is deemed popular, simple to play and above all capable of moving outside the pitch to impact lives and serve as a unifying activity, the study seeks to look out for what FIFA and CAF have done and are doing to promote peace, using the game. FIFA is the world’s governing body of football and CAF is the game’s administrative body in Africa. The study, relying on the qualitative method of data collection via interviews and information from secondary sources, utilizes Galtung’s ‘3Rs’ theory of peace and violence as the theoretical framework through which the body of the work is viewed. Galtung’s ‘3Rs’ stands for Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Resolution. The extent to which football fosters peace and the role FIFA and CAF have played in this venture is analyzed. The study, among others, reveal that football has the power to break tensions of incompatibilities among societies and individuals but must carefully be handled as it also has the capability of worsening situations sometimes. Also, it reveals that CAF and FIFA have immensely contributed to the peace project in Africa through tournaments, collaborations with other organizations and donations. The study establishes that, FIFA and CAF have amongst the ‘3Rs’ of Galtung’s idea of Peace, engaged in Reconstruction and Reconciliation much more than Resolution as far as their peace initiatives on the continent are concerned. The study recommends that FIFA and CAF put in place monitoring mechanisms and expand their commitments toward peace building projects on the continent. It also recommends to these bodies to expand the spectrum of fighting racism to include the concerns of other minorities in society like the Fulanis and Albinos in Africa. It is recommended that, the field of peace and sports be included in the educational programs of Colleges and Universities to help create experts and popularity of the role sports, especially football play, as an effective tool in helping to promote peace.

Source: UG
The Role of Films in the Teaching of Foreign Languages. In: Legon Journal of the Humanities, Accra, Ghana, pp. 51-75.

The use of films in the teaching of a foreign language is very important. However, many instructors hardly use any in the teaching of foreign languages mainly because of the lack of methodology, time needed to prepare among others. In this work we analyze the use of movies in the foreign languages teaching paying particular attention to the importance and methodology. Our research and experience indicate that using films in teaching provides an opportunity for students to learn new words, new terminologies, new phraseology as well as practicing the language in class through discussions, especially at the advanced level. The success of using movies in the teaching process depends on many factors including the preparedness of the instructors and the right approach - pre-watching, watching and post watching stages with the film being watched thrice at the watching stage. Our analysis reveal that developing socio-cultural competence to interpret different verbal and non-verbal aspects of a movie, making the right choice of film and the avoidance of imposition of own opinions and views on students presents the most important challenge to instructors. General and specific recommendations aimed at helping instructors to improve language education using movies are made.

Source: UG
Role of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Swellings in the Salivary Gland Regions: A Study of 712 Cases

Introduction: A mass in the salivary gland region often presents a diagnostic challenge with regard to its site of origin (salivary versus nonsalivary), benign or malignant nature, and tissue-specific diagnosis. The present study describes the utility of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in the diagnosis of these lesions. Subjects and Methods: Over a 6-year period (January 1994 to December 1999), 712 patients aged between 6 months and 91 years (median, 37 years) were subjected to FNA of swellings in their salivary gland regions. Male:female ratio was 1.28:1. The swellings were mostly located in the parotid (323 cases), submandibular (343 cases), and upper cervical region (27 cases). Swellings of oral (5 cases) and sublingual (2 cases) sites were rare. The lesions diagnosed by FNA cytology were compared among the major salivary glands. Cytologic diagnoses were correlated with histology in 45 cases. Results: Benign nonneoplastic lesions were the most common (73%), followed by neoplasms (20%), and those with atypical cytology (1%). Cytologic material was inadequate in 6% cases. Parotid gland region was involved more frequently by neoplasms (27.1%) than the submandibular gland region (13.7%, p < 0.0001). Inflammatory processes affected the submandibular gland region more commonly (42.0%) than the parotid (32.6%, p = 0.0164). Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common neoplasm (61.5%), followed by Warthin's tumor (12.6%). Malignancies accounted for 10.5% of neoplasms. Frequency of involvement of parotid by Warthin's tumor (16.7%) was significantly higher than that of submandibular gland (2.3%, p = 0.0191). However, the submandibular gland was more commonly affected by malignancy than the parotid gland (p = 0.0003). Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FNA cytology for all neoplastic lesions of the salivary gland were 94.6, 75.0, and 91.1%, respectively. The corresponding figures for malignancies were 60.0, 95.0, and 91.1%, respectively. Conclusion: FNA cytology is very useful for the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. However, sampling and interpretation errors may occur. The low specificity for the diagnosis of neoplasms as a whole and the poor sensitivity for malignancies found in our study can be attributed to the relatively small number of benign nonneoplastic and malignancy cases with available histopathologic diagnoses.

Source: UG
The role of formal and informal finance in the informal sector in Ghana

Within the developing world, especially Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), informal (small and medium) enterprises’ (SMEs) access to financing has been extremely limited mainly because of the reluctance of banks and other formal financial institutions to lend to such firms. The impact of this challenge on their growth trajectory has remained relatively indeterminate. This study examines the differential impact of sources of finance on the growth of informal firms in Ghana. We employ the Heckman Selection Technique (HST) to model the selection process of firm financing choices and reverse causality problem. By making use of the World Bank’s enterprise survey data on 720 informal firms in Ghana from 2007 – 2010, we find that formal sources of finance, compared to informal sources, are superior in their impact on firms in Ghana. Formal finance institutions, with their ability to provide more than just finance, positively affect firm growth. This result has an important policy implication for the current focus of Government of Ghana in promoting indigenous entrepreneurship through initiatives that will enhance access to financial support of local enterprises in Ghana. In view of this, this study proposes that Government policy towards formal financing institutions and their lending to informal sector need adjustments to provide incentives that will encourage increased lending to informal firms

Source: UG
The Role of Formal and Informal Institutions in Smallholder Agricultural Adaptation: The Case of Lawra and Nandom Districts, Ghana

As the current frequency of climate impacts is expected to increase in semi-arid regions of Ghana, smallholder farmers will require access to new and relevant information to adapt successfully. Institutional support is increasingly gaining attention for effective and successful adaptation; however, there is limited knowledge on the specific roles of both formal and informal organizations in implementing adaptation strategies in semi-arid regions. Using the Lawra and Nandom Districts as case studies, the various roles of existing institutions in adaptation strategies were examined. A total of 135 household questionnaires, six focus group discussions (FGDs), 20 in-depth interviews with farmers, and seven key informant interviews from institutions evaluated climate risks and impacts, adaptation responses of farmers and the functions of the different institutions in supporting these adaptation strategies. Majority of respondents observed that irregular and unpredictable rainfall (77%), high temperature and extreme heat (56%) and rainfall irregularities during growing season (55%) as the main changes in the past 10 years. Major agricultural adaptation strategies identified were changing of planting dates (100%), planting of different varieties of the same crop (51%), planting of trees (35%) and seasonal migration by the local farmers (21%). There is high dependence by the smallholder farmers on formal institutions’ resources to adapt, especially for developing/ building the local capacity, rather than on local innovations within the communities. This is mainly due to the lack of knowledge about climate change risks and adaptation strategies and limited or no access to financial resources. Government-led adaptation is considered to be more sustainable than NGO-led programmes although it comparatively lacks specific mandates and financial resources. Continued support by formal institutions will therefore enable the development of more effective agricultural adaptation initiatives.

Source: UG
The role of formative feedback in promoting higher order thinking skills in classrooms: a theoretical model

Feedback plays an important role in the teaching and learning environment because it provides learners with information intended to help them improve their learning. For feedback to be successful in this role, the information from feedback must also highlight the type of thinking exhibited in performing any tasks. However, very few studies have been conducted to examine the role feedback plays in promoting higher order thinking. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical feedback model that can promote higher order thinking. The components of the model include: conducive learning environment, instructional activit ies, task characteristics, validating students’ thinking, and providing feedback. Future research is needed to empirically test the variables and their relationships as proposed in the model.

Source: UG
The Role Of Ghana’s Foreign Policy In Its Socioeconomic Development: A Case Of Ghana’s Fourth Republic From 1993 To 2008

The study analyzed and compared the foreign policies of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings of the NDC and John Agyekum Kufuor of the NPP and the impacts their foreign policies had on Ghana’s socioeconomic development. The study was a qualitative one. Both primary and secondary data was used for the study. The study revealed that Ghana’s foreign policy under the two Presidents played significant roles in the economic development of Ghana. There was both continuity and change in the policies of the two administrations. Both leaders employed aggressive economic diplomacy and Pan African policies to rebuild and strengthen the economy. Kufuor, however, emphasized good neighborliness. Rawlings emphasized Pan Africanism and drew much assistance from revolutionary governments, emerging economies, and Asian countries. The foreign policies of the two regimes improved the country’s socio-economic growth. Marked improvements were seen in health, infrastructure, jobs, education, and agriculture delivery.

Source: UG
The Role of Higher Education in Building a Sustainable African Society

Africa has a shared history and the common challenges of slow economic growth, and inadequate response to the issues facing the continent that include youth unemployment, food insecurity, environmental degradation and conflict. The provision of relevant and quality education is considered key to responding to these challenges and improving the livelihoods of millions of Africans. As a result, African nations are now emphasizing the importance of higher education, scientific research and innovations in a bid, not only to industrialize and increase the pace of economic development, but also to meet the social aspirations of their populace whileat the same time, ensuring the wellbeing of the environment. In short, increasingly, African nations see higher education, science and technology as critical to the achievement of sustainable development. As a result, in recent years, there has been a focus on ensuring that the wealth of knowledge generated within universities is relevant to sustainable development and most importantly, this knowledge is shared so that society in general can benefit from university scientific and technological expertise. In this vein, this paper examined how selected African universities have embraced the notion of sustainable development in their curricula, research and community engagement in order to contribute towards building sustainable African societies. Further, the paper analysed the science, technology, and innovations of policy initiatives put in place for higher education in Africa, initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development. The paper focused on universities in three African regions: Eastern (University of Nairobi), Southern (University of Zambia) and West Africa (University for Development Studies in Ghana). The paper shows that since the 1990s, universities in Africa have not only embraced sustainable development(SD) in the teaching and learning, but have also gone beyond the walls of their universities to engage with communities in their search for solutions to the numerous problems faced in African societies. Their efforts, however, were constrained by inadequate funding to support research and technology development. Further, while policy support for higher education, science and technology prevailed, such support, in most cases, ignore teaching strategies aiming to teach creative thinking, instrumental to sustainable and resilient societies. The scientific excellence emphasized leans more towards research and not as much focus was given to teaching excellence which is key in building a resilient society.

Source: UG
The Role of HR Managers in Facilitating the Acquisition of Public Enterprises of Developing Countries.

Do human resources (HR) managers in developing countries have the clout to make strategic decisions during mergers and acquisitions (M&As)? This study aims at establishing the major roles played by HR managers in M&As of public sector companies in Ghana. The research examined the M&As of 10 Ghanaian companies where 10 HR managers gave detailed narratives of their roles and the part they played in the M&A processes. The qualitative method used to solicit the narratives of the HR managers resulted in the following findings: that HR managers in Ghana have a limited role in the planning process of the M&A; that indigenous HR managers perform several tasks in the course of the M&A to get employees stable before and after the M&A processes; nevertheless, they are not part of the policy formulators. The article makes a modest input of the significance of indigenous HR role in international M&As as a panacea to solving the global crises by advocating the empowerment of HR managers in developing context to be partners in the initial commencement of M&As.

Source: UG
The Role of Innovation in Sustainable Cocoa Cultivation: Moving Beyond Mitigation and Adaptation

Cocoa cultivation is both severely threatened by climate change and a potential contributor to climate change through deforestation. Based on a review of the literature and secondary documents, as well as field observations and interviews, this chapter examines different innovations in Ghana’s cocoa sector, the ways in which they aim to address sustainable cocoa cultivation, and the challenges to their adoption. We find that cocoa farmers are generally open to innovation and new technology. Yet, while farmers respond positively to certain innovations, they do not fully adopt others. This uneven adoption, we argue, is not just a result of limited resources or poor extension services but stems from a failure to address the multiple challenges farmers face when introducing new innovations, including insecure land-use rights, youth disinterest, migration, and seemingly lucrative alternative land use. While promising innovations, such as agroforestry and smartphone applications for agricultural service delivery and training, are currently being implemented, such innovations, we conclude, will only lead to sustainable cocoa cultivation if these broader challenges are addressed, thereby moving beyond a narrower concern with yields and climate change mitigation and adaptation

Source: UG
The role of institutions on the effectiveness of malaria treatment in the Ghanaian health sector

Background: The Ghanaian health sector has undertaken several policies to help improve the quality of care received by patients. This includes the construction of several health facilities, the increase in the training of health workers, especially nurses, and the introduction of incentive packages (such as salary increase) to motivate health workers. The important question is to what extent does the institutional arrangement between the health facilities and the government as well as between health workers and public health facility administration affect the quality of care? The objective of this study is to find the effect of institutional factors on the quality of care. The institutional factors examined were mainly the extent of decentralization between government and health facilities, as well as between health workers and facility administration, the hiring procedure, and job satisfaction. Methods: The study used primary data on former patients from sixty six health facilities in three administrative regions of Ghana: the Northern, the Ashanti and the Greater Accra regions. The quality indicator used was effectiveness of treatment as determined by the patient. Ordered logit regression was run for the indicator with patient and health facility characteristics as well as institutional factors as independent variables. The sample size was 2248. Results: The results showed that the patient’s level of formal education had a strong influence on the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, effectiveness of treatment differed according to the administrative region in which the facility was located, and according to the extent of decentralization between health facility and government. The quality of instruments used for treatment, the working conditions for health workers, and job satisfaction had no effect on the effectiveness of treatment. Conclusion: Decentralization, the flow of information from government to health facilities and from health facility administrators to health workers are important in ensuring effectiveness. The study recommends further decentralization between health facilities as well as between health workers and administrators. In addition, the study recommends the involvement of health facilities in malaria programs to ensure the flow of information needed for effectiveness of treatment.

Source: UG
The role of institutions on the effectiveness of malaria treatment in the Ghanaian health sector

Background: The Ghanaian health sector has undertaken several policies to help improve the quality of care received by patients. This includes the construction of several health facilities, the increase in the training of health workers, especially nurses, and the introduction of incentive packages (such as salary increase) to motivate health workers. The important question is to what extent does the institutional arrangement between the health facilities and the government as well as between health workers and public health facility administration affect the quality of care? The objective of this study is to find the effect of institutional factors on the quality of care. The institutional factors examined were mainly the extent of decentralization between government and health facilities, as well as between health workers and facility administration, the hiring procedure, and job satisfaction. Methods: The study used primary data on former patients from sixty six health facilities in three administrative regions of Ghana: the Northern, the Ashanti and the Greater Accra regions. The quality indicator used was effectiveness of treatment as determined by the patient. Ordered logit regression was run for the indicator with patient and health facility characteristics as well as institutional factors as independent variables. The sample size was 2248. Results: The results showed that the patient's level of formal education had a strong influence on the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, effectiveness of treatment differed according to the administrative region in which the facility was located, and according to the extent of decentralization between health facility and government. The quality of instruments used for treatment, the working conditions for health workers, and job satisfaction had no effect on the effectiveness of treatment. Conclusion: Decentralization, the flow of information from government to health facilities and from health facility administrators to health workers are important in ensuring effectiveness. The study recommends further decentralization between health facilities as well as between health workers and administrators. In addition, the study recommends the involvement of health facilities in malaria programs to ensure the flow of information needed for effectiveness of treatment.

Source: UG