ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Role of State Actors in Pursuing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Ghana

Ghana was the first country to ratify the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It is mandated on countries to establish effective institutions to pursue the objectives within the UNCRC. This dissertation explores the pursuance of the substantive rights by the Department of Social Welfare and Community in the Cape Coast Metropolis. It examines cases, programmes and challenges relating to children’s rights in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Studies conducted on children’s rights in Cape Coast were not contextualised within the UNCRC. Therefore, there is dearth of literature on the relationship between an institution and international convention in the Cape Coast Metropolis. I employed the qualitative research approach, sampled documents and adopted purposive sampling for the interviews conducted. The study finds that, the DSWCD deals with cases in the area of child maintenance, child custody, probation service, family reconciliation, paternity and supervision of Day Care Centre. In addition, the DSWCD has a number of programmes such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the Child Protection programmes, the Case and Court work and the Foster Care Programmes. The DSWCD also has challenges such as; inadequate financial and logistical support, inadequate capacity development and lack of collaboration among state institutions. The study proposes that the DSWCD should be resourced, and there should be greater provision of human rights training and collaboration among child welfare institutions. The study, therefore, recommends that more research to be conducted in the future which focus on other articles within the UNCRC since this current study only focused on the substantive rights. Lastly, further studies need to be conducted on Ghana’s implementation of the UNCRC across regions.

Source: UCC
The role of superstition among professional footballers in Ghana

Superstitious behavior and beliefs are evident in all sports. The present study examines the self-report of superstitious behavior among 120 male professional footballers in Ghana. The Superstitious Ritual Questionnaire and Sport Attributional Style Scale were the instruments used to measured superstitious behavior and attributional styles of elite Ghanaian footballers. Significant negative correlations (p<. 05) were found between number of rituals and scores for positive-internality (-0.27) and negative-internality (-0.17). A significant positive correlation was found between superstitious behaviour and positive-controlllability (0.20). Simple correlations and multiple regression showed that scores for attributional styles significantly but weakly predicted scores on the Superstition Ritual Questionnaire, accounting for 11% of the variance with the latter measured. This is important in understanding professional footballers‟ usage of superstitious rituals. Follow up work needs to address cross-cultural differences among Africans and Western professional athletes.

Source: UCC
The Role of Talent Management on the Competitiveness of Selected Commercial Banks in Ghana

Amidst a highly regulated, dynamic, and competitive business landscape, Talent Management (TM) has become a critical strategic requirement for organisations, particularly within the banking sector, where the inability of banks to effectively manage their talents results in different organizational outcomes. This study, explores talent management practices of banks and how they enhance Ghanaian commercial banks' competitiveness. Employing an interpretivist paradigm, qualitative research approach, a phenomenological and case study design, unstructured interviews were conducted with 20 key human resource professionals and strategy implementers, from three prominent commercial banks in Ghana. The study explores the lived experiences of licensed commercial banks, where a constant comparative analysis revealed TM practices as talent acquisition, development and retention practices. The main TM practices leadership development programmes, coaching and mentoring, assignment of critical roles and performance management. Industry standards, regulatory requirements alignment, generational differences and organizational culture were revealed as institutional factors driving TM. Furthermore, the study concludes that bank talents whose skills are reconfigured through an effective TM tend to optimize processes, reduce errors, and contribute to cost-saving initiatives, higher employee productivity, innovation in product development, improved customer service, and better risk management within the bank. The study recommends that banks should recognize talent as a strategic asset, invest in continuous learning, adaptation and alignment with institutional contexts. to enhance their competitive advantage.

Source: UCC
The role of testing in the fight against COVID-19: Current happenings in Africa and the way forward

The dramatic increase in suspected COVID-19 cases in Africa has placed an enormous burden on public and private clinical facilities. To date, the most commonly used method for identifying and confirming the virus is the laboratory-based reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. Unfortunately, testing capacities have been limited in many parts of Africa because of inadequate test kits, which have restricted scaling up beyond the few public health laboratories at designated locations. In this mini-review, we present Africa's preparedness and readiness for testing, why testing is crucial, the need to immediately strengthen existing facilities, and what it involves as part of combined approaches for managing the COVID-19 crisis. The review highlights the urgent need for speedy expansion and distribution of several laboratory testing platforms, including real-time PCR and serological assays to both public health facilities and fully accredited private clinical laboratories.

Source: UCC
The role of the church in curbing teenage pregnancy in Ghana: a study of selected Pentecostal churches in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa district

The mere mention of the phrase teenage pregnancy in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa district in the Central Region of Ghana brings into memories the loss of potential talents due to disruption in their educational undertaking and welfare dependency load on the people in the district due to disruption in professional careers. Thus using the across methodological triangulation method mainly through interview and questionnaire, this study sought to find out the exact roles Churches can play in keeping a tight rein on this menace. This study also critically examined the causes, effects, and most importantly, the role that the churches play in the curbing of teenage pregnancy in Ghana using selected Pentecostal churches as a case study. The study found that the incidence of teenage pregnancy largely depends on the behaviour of the people in a particular location. Consequently, such a conclusion was reached because of the incidence and effects of teenage pregnancy on the society and the preventive measures that have been put into place by the three selected Pentecostal churches. In view of this, it is recommended that the Pentecostal churches should motivate teenagers to study and apply the Bible and read other Christian literature. The Churches must purposively target to educate the people, especially the youth, on sexual education

Source: UCC
The role of the clinical environment and supervision in students’ satisfaction with rotation practice experience in the University for Development Studies.

Clinical rotation experience is an integral part of the nursing curriculum and crucial component of nursing education, which transforms theoretical knowledge to practice. However, due to the complex nature of the clinical learning environment as a social entity, it often influences student-learning experience. This study was to assess the role of clinical learning environment and supervision in Nursing and Midwifery students’ satisfaction with rotation practice experience in University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale. A cross-sectional analytic survey design was used to assess students’ satisfaction with clinical rotation experience from UDS Tamale campus. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling technique. SPSS was used to analyze data, using frequencies, percentages, and means. Inferential statistics such as Fisher’s exact test, linear regression and Spearman’s Correlation were used. The result showed that the level of nursing and midwifery students’ satisfaction with clinical rotation experience was high (65.6%). Similarly, the level of students’ satisfaction with the clinical supervision and clinical learning environment were also high (60.3% and 63.5% respectively). The major factors identified, that influence students clinical rotation experience were clinical supervision, clinical learning environment and its dimensions (pedagogical atmosphere of the ward environment, leadership style of nurse manager, and premises of nursing in the ward). These findings call for the need for nurse educators and clinicians to pay more attention to the areas highlighted in this study.

Source: UCC
The role of the commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice in the promotion of good governance in Ghana

To ensure its democratic governance, Ghana has established the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in particular to promote and protect human rights and freedoms and administrative justice. There is not enough comprehensive literature from studies on the effect of a national human rights institution like the CHRAJ on the development of a culture of human rights and its impact on promotion of good governance. Non-interventional and descriptive study design was employed. The study used both primary and secondary data. Specifically, survey was conducted for the respondents. The respondents comprise persons who had filed complaints in the offices of the CHRAJ in Accra and Cape Coast and persons who had not directly used the services of the CHRAJ. Simple random sampling method was adopted in selecting 80 respondents. The primary data was analysed using SPSS whilst content analysis was employed in analysing the secondary data. The study found that national establishments like the CHRAJ are necessary for attaining good governance in spite of the existence of other governance institutions like the judiciary and commissions for protection of the media and the electoral process, among others. It is recommended that the CHRAJ should be adequately resourced by the State. The CHRAJ should enhance public awareness of requirements for its proper functioning as valuable information for policy makers as well as civil society to guarantee its credibility for promoting good governance.

Source: UCC
The role of the commission of human rights and administrative justice in the promotion of good governance in Ghana

To ensure its democratic governance, Ghana has established the\ Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in particular to promote and protect human rights and freedoms and administrative justice. There is not enough comprehensive literature from studies on the effect of a national human rights institution like the CHRAJ on the development of a culture of human rights and its impact on promotion of good governance. Non-interventional and descriptive study design was employed. The study used both primary and secondary data. Specifically, survey was conducted for the respondents. The respondents comprise persons who had filed complaints in the offices of the CHRAJ in Accra and Cape Coast and persons who had not directly used the services of the CHRAJ. Simple random sampling method was adopted in selecting 80 respondents. The primary data was analysed using SPSS whilst content analysis was employed in analysing the secondary data. The study found that national establishments like the CHRAJ are necessary for attaining good governance in spite of the existence of other governance institutions like the judiciary and commissions for protection of the media and the electoral process, among others. It is recommended that the CHRAJ should be adequately resourced by the State. The CHRAJ should enhance public awareness of requirements for its proper functioning as valuable information for policy makers as well as civil society to guarantee its credibility for promoting good governance.

Source: UCC
The Role of the Internal Audit Unit in Revenue Mobilization and Service Delivery in the Krachi Nchumuru District Assembly

Internal audit in institutions especially, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies constitute an integral part of ensuring good governance, effective revenue mobilization and service delivery. The study assessed the roles of internal audit unit in revenue mobilization, the channels of revenue leakages and internal control strategies and policies for Krachi Nchumuru District Assembly. Data was sourced from direct interviews with selected staff and expert opinions from selected practitioners in auditing; Krachi Nchumuru District Assembly’s composite budget and annual financial statements were also used for sourcing data. There exists a functioning audit committee in Krachi Nchumuru District Assembly. The internal audit unit lack professional competence and the independence of internal audit have been improved significantly through the promulgation of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). Findings of the study confirmed that lack of public education and sensitization, proper monitoring exercise, lack of accountability and lack of training for auditors impacts negatively on prudent revenue mobilization. In view of this, it is recommended that internal audit unit at Krachi Nchumuru District Assembly should be adequately resource to ensuring prudent revenue mobilization, enforcement of Assembly’s bye-laws and duty bearers should render social accountability so as to win the trust of the rate payers.

Source: UCC
The role of the MUCG library in the 10 years of Methodist tertiary education in Ghana

The paper examines the contributions of the MUCG library since its inception to the role of Methodist Church Ghana in the provision of tertiary education in Ghana. It begins with the critical role played by tertiary educational institutions, particularly universities and goes on to national economies and societies. It also discusses the role played by academic libraries in university education. The background and the role played by the Methodist Church in the provision of tertiary education is also discussed. Finally, the paper discusses the various contributions of MUCG library to the success of the University College and the Methodist Church at large.

Source: UCC
The role of the national commission on culture in the socio-economic development of Ghana: the case of Brong Ahafo region

The role of institutions in national development has been championed by various governments for some time to come now. However, what is most topical in this quest is the creation of institutions that would look at development from within, taking cognizance of the local needs and resources of the people. This study was set out to examine the role of the National Commission on Culture on the socio-economic development of Ghana using the Brong Ahafo region as study area. The study made use of questionnaires and interviews as data collection instruments and a total of fifty respondents were covered made up of respondents from the district assembly, religious bodies, educational institutions, social groups, voluntary associations, Non-governmental organisations and artistic groups. The study revealed that the people in the Brong Ahafo region were aware of the role of the commission in the promotion of culture in the country. Among other roles, the study further revealed that the commission was performing its mandated roles of creating awareness on Ghanaian culture and fostering national unity among the diverse ethnic groups. However, the commission faced some challenges such as inadequate human resources, inadequate infrastructural facilities and over concentration of the commission on day to day administration to the detriment of the broader goals. The recommend that educational campaigns among the populace to raise their awareness of the value of Ghanaian culture to national development and to recruit qualified staff to run the activities of the commission.

Source: UCC
The Role of the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana in the Resolution Process of the Nkonya-Alavanyo Conflict

This work looked at the roles that the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) played in the resolution process of the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict. A number of researches have been conducted on this conflict with references to RCC and the EPCG as one of the mediators. Even though Darkwa et al. (2012) and others mentioned the Church in the mediation process, their emphases were not on the churches’ involvement perse. Darkwa et al. wrote on violent conflicts in Ghana with the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict as one of them and so, did not dwell so much on the mandate of the Church to participate in the conflict resolution. This research used a historical approach and focuses on the RCC and EPCG and their full participation in the resolution of the conflict because of the position of the author in recognising the two selected Christian Churches as key stakeholders in the areas under consideration and therefore, are interested parties in the context. For instance, it was through the efforts of the churches that the people of Nkonya and Alavanyo experienced peace and reconciliation process and were able to interact with each other freely, in 2006, after a long period of hate, antagonism and enmity. The work covered the period between 1983 and 2015, when the conflict escalated severally. The researcher found out that the Nkonya-Alavanyo are predominantly, RC and EPCG and therefore hold the leaders in high esteem. It also found out that the churches, in collaboration with the leaders of the two communities, played an immense role in the resolution process. However, the resolution has come to a stalemate. The researcher recommended that the Church re-invites the parties to revisit the resolution process, for peaceful co-existence, growth and development.

Source: UCC
Role of traditional authorities in ethnic conflict management and resolution in the East Gonja and Kpandai Districts in the Northern Region of Ghana

The study examined the role of traditional authorities in ethnic conflict management and resolution in the East Gonja and Kpandai districts in the Northern Region of Ghana. Case study research design was employed for the study. The study population included chiefs, opinion leaders, youth leaders, governmental and non-governmental agencies interested in peace building and development in the two districts. Purposive sampling technique was employed to sample 28 respondents for the study. Both the primary and secondary data were used. In-depth interview guides were used in interviewing the respondents. The contents, case and inductive analyses were adopted in organising and analysing the data. The study revealed that the origins of the violent ethnic conflicts between the historically non-centralised ethnic groups and their centralised neighbours in the districts are rooted in the colonial legacy and policy, and strengthened by globalisation. These factors undoubtedly influenced the conflicts. Most of the actors in the ethnic conflicts in the East Gonja and Kpandai districts involved all the feuding ethnic groups but politicians and the elites in the society worsened the situation. The analysis showed that, to be able to manage and resolve ethnic conflicts effectively, the root causes and the actors of the conflicts need to be examined. The findings of the study revealed that state mechanisms have failed in resolving the ethnic conflicts leading to their recurring. It was recommended that the government should give due attention to the traditional authorities in ethnic conflicts management and resolution since the use of state mechanisms alone over the years has proved to be ineffective, compromised and biased.

Source: UCC
The role of traditional authorities in rural development at Abura -Asebu-Kwamankese district

It is now a fact that the position of traditional authorities has undergone major transformations. The outcome has been that the power of traditional authorities has experienced ebbs and flows mostly depending on regime preferences and changes in the traditional institutions themselves. Some people are of the view that traditional authorities are no longer relevant while others think they are. This thesis uses the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District as a case study and examines the role of traditional authorities in rural development. Through interview schedules, group discussions and observations, traditional authorities have been noted to be contributing immensely to the development process in the District. One would have expected the traditional institutions and their leaders, to cease being of importance to the community with the establishment of the District Assembly system. This, however, was noted to be far from the reality. The study found that though the traditional authorities and District Assembly representatives are operating cordially, there needs to be more improvement in the area of collaboration. Traditional authorities are also development oriented and able to initiate and mobilise their people for self-help projects. The conclusion is that traditional authorities are very relevant for rural development due to the multifaceted roles they play, especially, as the leaders of their community. It is recommended that they need to improve their administrative role as governors in order to reduce chieftaincy conflicts.

Source: UCC
Role of travel intermediaries in Ghana: Focus on tour operators in the Accra Metropolis

This study assesses the role of tour operators in Ghana’s tourism development. The mixed method approach was employed to collect data. The sampling technique applied was a census covering as many tour operators as were available. The survey instruments used were both questionnaires which were self-administered and in-depth interview to supplement the data obtained from the questionnaire administration. Statistical techniques employed were frequency tables, cross tabulation, the t-test and factor analysis with varimax rotation.The study found that tour operators facilitated travel arrangements and assessed quality of facilities. They also planned tours, offered education to clients, undertook pre-purchase risks and provided necessary information.. Ecotourism and heritage tourism were the top two tourist attractions patronized by Ghana’s tour operators. Their products included annual cultural festivals such as Odwira, Aboakyir, Hogbetsotso and Fetu Afahye. The major marketing tools adopted by the tour operators were brochures websites. Some implications of the findings were that tour operators in Ghana operated through linkages with other organisations. The findings also implied that foreign holiday makers were the most targeted markets by the country’s tour operators. Tour operators in Ghana combined tour operation business with travel agency activities.The study recommended that tour operation business in Ghana must be extended to other regional capitals in the country instead of being concentrated in the nation’s capital, Accra. Finally, the role of the state in travel intermediation practices in Ghana was proposed for further research.

Source: UCC