ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
TIMSS 2011 Science Assessment Results: A Review of Ghana’s Performance

This paper reviews Ghana’s performance in the TIMSS 2011 survey in comparison with other African and some high performing countries which participated in the TIMSS assessment. Students’ achievement in the science content areas assessed were summarized and teacher preparation constructs of teachers of the students who took part in the assessment explored with the aim of finding any possible linkage between teacher preparation and students achievement. Two set of reviews were done. First, results on the eighth grade (JHS 2) science content achievement in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science for Ghana, Morocco and Tunisia were compared. The second review compared how Ghana prepares her teachers to Finland and Singapore who were among the first five performing countries on the TIMSS 2011 assessment. Some mismatch was identified in terms of teacher preparation and students’ achievement in the case of Ghana. Ghanaian teachers scored relatively high on most of the constructs that were measured by the TIMSS report under teacher preparation but these were not reflected in the students’ achievement. In view of this, it is recommended that other indicators such as classroom instruction, resources for teaching science, and school climate are investigated with the aim of finding any other underlying factors that could account for the mismatch between Ghanaian students’ achievement on the TIMSS science assessment and teachers’ preparation.

Source: UCC
TIMSS Data in an African Comparative Perspective: Investigating the Factors Influencing Achievement in Mathematics and their Psychometric Properties

Relationships among motivational constructs from the 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2011) were investigated for eight-graders in all the five participating African countries, representing 38,806 (49 % girls). First, we investigated the psychometric properties (factor structure, reliabilities, method effect, and measurement invariance—country and gender) of the mathematics motivational constructs across the five educational systems. There was empirical support for the multidimensionality of the construct and the TIMSS 2011 motivational construct was largely invariant across cultures. Furthermore, a series of confirmatory factor analyses revealed that there is a need to control method effects associated with negatively worded items in the measurement model. There was support suggesting that in many cultures responses to negatively worded items are systematically different. The factor structures and reliabilities (i.e., confidence and the like mathematics scales) were affected by negatively worded items. Second, the relationships between the constructs, achievements and background variables such as parental education, gender and students’ educational aspirations were investigated. We identified several significant relationships between self-belief and mathematics achievement. Differences in the latent mean achievement and the motivational construct were similar to those that have been described in the literature as “paradoxical” and “perplexing”. Nations with high mathematics achievement seem to have students with more negative mathematics self-belief. Some results extend, whereas others refute the findings of previous research. For instance, the relationship between students’ mathematics confidence and mathematics achievement was lower than the relationship between the value of mathematics and achievement in some countries and it was the reverse in others. However, consistent with cultural stereotypes, boys rated their mathematics competence higher than girls. The findings are discussed with reference to implications for cross-cultural research and practice.

Source: UCC
Tissue expression of four troponin I genes and their molecular interactions with two troponin C isoforms in Caenorhabditis elegans

Gene duplication is a major genetic event that can produce multiple protein isoforms. Comparative sequence and functional analysis of related gene products can provide insights into protein family evolution. To characterize the Caenorhabditis elegans troponin I family, we analyzed gene structures, tissue expression patterns and RNAi phenotypes of four troponin I isoforms. Tissue expression patterns were determined using lacZ/gfp/rfp reporter gene assays. The tni-1, tni-2/unc-27 and tni-3 genes, each encoding a troponin I isoform, are uniquely expressed in body wall, vulval and anal muscles but at different levels; tni-4 was expressed solely in the pharynx. Expressing tni-1 and -2 gene RNAi caused motility defects similar to unc-27 (e155 ) mutant, a tni-2 null allele. The tni-3 RNAi expression produced egg laying defects while the tni-4 RNAi caused arrest at gastrulation. Overlay analyses were used to assay interactions between the troponin I and two troponin C isoforms. The three body wall troponin I isoforms interacted with body wall and pharyngeal troponin C isoforms; TNI-4 interacted only with pharyngeal troponin C. Our results suggest the body wall genes have evolved following duplication of the pharynx gene and provide important data about gene duplication and functional differentiation of nematode troponin I isoforms.

Source: UCC
Title education for democratic citizenship and peace

Embedded in political scientists' research findings are three propositions for educators: (1) democracy needs democrats; (2) democrats are created through citizenship education programs emphasizing conflict resolution skills, respect for human rights, good neighborliness and respect for pluralism; and (3) there appears to be a correlation between the teaching of democratic values and peaceful co-existence of citizens of democratic societies. This paper examines the significance of the three propositions.The paper suggests that in some form, citizenship education has always been an essential component of the U.S. public school curricula inculcating patriotism, nationalism, and U.S. exceptionalism. In the meantime, however, a systematic effort toward preparing a peace-loving citizenry has been lacking in curricula, often viewed as extraneous to the public school mission. It contends that, considering the post-Cold War turbulence and growing U.S. involvement in global geopolitics, this is a propitious moment for K-12 educators to consider a more useful and sophisticated definition of citizenship, one that is germane to the educational needs of adolescents growing up in an interdependent world, and that transcends the prevailing juridical and legalistic boundaries. The paper discusses tradition and liberalism in citizenship education, citizens and international conflicts, participatory democracy and civil society, and education for democratic citizenship and peace. It concludes that citizenship education programs should teach democratic values, democratic disposition (which refers to personal attributes such as caring for the weak in society, speaking truth to power, and respecting cultural differences), civic participation skills, and peace education skills. (Contains 20 references.) (BT)

Source: UCC
To assess customer perception of service quality delivery in ECG

This study investigates the customer service quality of the Electricity Company of Ghana at the Manhyia District. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of customers and management based on convenience sampling. A total of 95 questionnaires were distributed to customers and 71 questionnaires were distributed to management. Based on these samples, inference on the total population was done. Some of the pertinent questions posed in these questionnaires to the customers included whether they were satisfied with the services of ECG and their reasons for their position, and whether they are aware that ECG faces challenges. A total of 71 responses representing 74.74% indicated their dissatisfaction of the service quality of ECG. Their reasons for their dissatisfaction included slow response of ECG to fix faults, long queues at ECG premises for prepaid recharge and credit billing, and also inconsistent power supply. However, a large portion of the customers ((81%) agreed that ECG as a company faces challenges. An important question posed to Management was whether ECG should have more competitors in the distribution of electricity. 56.34% of the total participants agreed to ECG having more competitors. Management agreed to the existence of problems in their operations. It came to light that many of the problems faced by customers have already been considered with proposed solutions talked about. Some of the solutions included introducing prepaid scratch which will be available at many convenient places all over the Manhyia district to solve the problem of long queues, the introduction of a live maintenance team to help attend to faults at a much faster rate, and increase in private sector participation in the distribution of power.

Source: UCC
To eat or not to eat: A study of the role of African traditional religious food ethics in the traditional food practices of Larteh, Ghana.

Several works have explored the relationship between religion and food. Such works posit that the two are undeniably close (Meyer-Rochow, 2009; Norman, 2003). Inferring from Eastern Buddhist and Christian monastic traditions, one observes the significant roles these religious centres played in maintaining the traditional foods of a people. The preservation of such foods was possible because they were often associated with religious rituals and ceremonies. In much the same way, we can ascribe similar roles to indigenous African shrines. Thus, using an interpretive paradigm mainly through observation and interaction, this study set out to investigate the role indigenous Ghanaian shrines are playing in maintaining the traditional foods of a group, using the people of Larteh in Ghana and the Akonedi shrine as the basis. The study pointed out that there is a strong affinity between religion and food and that unknown to many, the Akonedi shrine has preserved the traditions associated with food habits in Larteh because of their close connections with religious ceremonies. The study, however, also found that religion, as dysfunctional as it could be sometimes, has also contributed to the loss of some traditional foods such as aprapransa, apiti and others because they are associated with witchcraft. In view of this, it is recommended that Ghana could consider following the example of India where the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) continues to push for indigenous foods. Besides, the study recommends that traditional religious leaders need to strengthen religious institutions particularly those associated with traditional foods.

Source: UCC
To toss a coin or shake a hand: an overview of renewable energy interventions and procurement in selected African countries

Open and competitive bidding process (toss a coin) promotes transparency, efficiency and cost reduction as compared to direct negotiations (shake a hand). This paper provides an overview of renewable energy interventions in Angola, Algeria, Cote Dvoire, Ghana and Nigeria. Further, best practices in Germany and South Africa are discussed. It was discovered that, apart from South Africa, most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa uses direct negotiations and feed-in-tariff which has contributed to high cost of renewables. The study recommends that countries should build tendering capacity, put in place simple but robust tendering process and research to identify their renewable energy potential to procure new renewable energy capacity through open and competitive bidding process

Source: UCC
To What Extent does Employees’ Perception of Organizational Justice Influence Their Organizational Citizenship Behaviour?

This study investigated how employees’ perception of organizational justice affects their Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB). Three dimensions of organizational justice were studied. Organizational tenure of employees was also considered as a mediating variable. Social Exchange Theory and the Norm of Reciprocity were utilized in describing potential relationships because of their association with the concept of fairness and socialization. Data for the study were obtained from 152 employees. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis. Hypotheses were tested at the .05 and .01 levels of significance. The results revealed that organizational justice perceptions of employees significantly and positively influenced, and accounted for 6.5% of the variance in their OCB. Analysis of the degree of relationship of the three sub-categories of organizational justice to OCB indicate that, procedural and interactional justice both related positively and significantly to OCB at the .01 level of significance. Distributive justice, however, did not significantly relate to OCB. A hierarchical regression indicated that distributive justice accounted for only 1.4% of the variance in OCB. Procedural justice and interactional justice accounted for 3.7% and 2.1% respectively. This implies that distributive justice did not have a significant influence on employees’ involvement in citizenship behaviour. Employees’ organizational tenure did not mediate the relationship between their justice perception and citizenship behavior. The results were discussed in relation to other research findings.

Source: UCC
To What Extent does Employees’ Perception of Organizational Justice Influence Their Organizational Citizenship Behaviour?

This study investigated how employees’ perception of organizational justice affects their Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB). Three dimensions of organizational justice were studied. Organizational tenure of employees was also considered as a mediating variable. Social Exchange Theory and the Norm of Reciprocity were utilized in describing potential relationships because of their association with the concept of fairness and socialization. Data for the study were obtained from 152 employees. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis. Hypotheses were tested at the .05 and .01 levels of significance. The results revealed that organizational justice perceptions of employees significantly and positively influenced, and accounted for 6.5% of the variance in their OCB. Analysis of the degree of relationship of the three sub-categories of organizational justice to OCB indicate that, procedural and interactional justice both related positively and significantly to OCB at the .01 level of significance. Distributive justice, however, did not significantly relate to OCB. A hierarchical regression indicated that distributive justice accounted for only 1.4% of the variance in OCB. Procedural justice and interactional justice accounted for 3.7% and 2.1% respectively. This implies that distributive justice did not have a significant influence on employees’ involvement in citizenship behaviour. Employees’ organizational tenure did not mediate the relationship between their justice perception and citizenship behavior. The results were discussed in relation to other research findings

Source: UCC
Tomato production constraints at Bontanga irrigation project in the northern region of Ghana

Tomato production in the Bontanga irrigation area has reduced drastically. Thus, a study was conducted to identify the problems. Structured and unstructured questionnaires were administered to 50 fanners randomly selected from about 90 fanners in the study area for two years. The results showed that 60 0 0 of the fanners were illiterates and 20% had formal education Over 70% of the fanners obtained their seed from markets and unregistered agro-stores and the remaining use their reserved seeds. Most of the farmers practice continuous sole cropping and very' few crop rotations. The fanners also indicated lack of credit facilities as the major bane of tomato production. About 90% of the fanners complained of salinity, water logging, soil erosion and degradation, sedimentation, buildup of pests and diseases as a result of irrigation related problems. Formation of fanners cooperatives or group will help solve or minimize the constraints of dwindling tomato production in this area

Source: UCC
Topical Ocular Anesthetics Harbour Clinically Important Microbes

Purpose: The study was to determine clinically important microbial contaminants of topical ocular anesthetic medica�ons used in eye centers in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sec�on of eye clinics was sampled for the topical ocular anesthe�c agents. Standard laboratory procedures and protocols were observed in culturing the samples on diﬀerent Agars. Microscopy and various biochemical tests were performed to iden�fy microbial species. An�microbial suscep�bility tests were also performed to ascertain the clinical importance of the isolated microbes. Results: A total of 27 anesthe�c agent were obtained (which consisted 15 Proparacaine and 12 Amethocaine), from which 87 bacteria were isolated which included Bacilli spp. 26(29.89%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococci spp. 17(19.54%), Moraxella spp. 17(19.54%), Staphylococcus aureus 8(9.19%), Streptococcus spp. 3(3.45%), Klebsiella spp. 3(3.45%), Pseudomonas spp. 1(1.15%), Proteus spp. 7(8.05%), Escherichia coli. 2(2.30%), and Shigella spp. 3(3.45%). There were 22 isolated fungal contaminants mainly Penicillium spp. 7(31.82%), Cephalosporium spp. 5(22.73%), Aspergillus spp 4(18.18%), Cercospora spp. 2(9.09%), and Cladosporium spp. 4(18.18%). The anesthe�c agent with the most bacterial contamina�on was Proparacaine 44(50.57%) followed by Amethocaine 43(49.43%). Also, both agents were equally contaminated with fungus 11(50.0%) in each. Gentamicin was the only an�bio�cs that showed 100% ac�vity against all the bacterial isolates. Fungal contaminants were more suscep�ble to Ketoconazole as compared to Fluconazole (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Topical ocular anesthe�c prepara�ons used in clinical se�ngs in Ghana are contaminated with clinically important microbes as the isolated bacteria were suscep�ble only to Gentamicin and fungi to Ketoconazole and Fluconazole.

Source: UCC
Total Quality Management (TQM): A Continuous Improvement Framework for Boosting Higher Education in Ghana

Many researchers argue that the total quality management model should be modified in order to fit the higher education context. Yet, there is no quality management model which takes into account the nature of higher education and the need for professional autonomy, academic freedom and peer review. The purpose of this position paper is to develop a Total Quality Management (TQM) theoretical model that enhances and promotes professional autonomy, academic freedom and enhances quality academic teaching, learning and research processes of universities in Ghana. The purpose and objectives were addressed through a TQM theoretical and analytical review of literature in higher education. The paper further identifies areas of improvement in public sector higher education institutions in Ghana. Conclusions drawn from the review of related literature are that TQM is being adopted in higher educational institution but at a slower pace. Areas for further improvement include leadership, vision, ownership, evaluation, standardization, process and continuous improvement, employee training and student focus. Policy makers in higher educational institutions can opt for affirmative actions in order to bridge the gaps regarding TQM implementation which would in turn maximize the benefit to stakeholders. The authors of this paper espoused the implications of the new model on the quality practices of the institutions of higher learning in Ghana, especially the three major universities (University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast and the University of Science and Technology). Then based on the prevailing circumstances, they drew conclusion that even though, TQM emanated from the corporate sector, its significance is felt in the Higher Education sector too. This, in part, suggests TQM is an all-embracing, robust management tool needed for promoting quality delivery of education in institutions of higher learning.

Source: UCC
Total quality management and environmental performance: The mediating role of innovation

The study overall looked at the effect of total quality management on environmental performance with the mediating role of innovation. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the effect of total quality management on environmental performance. To examine the effect of innovation on environmental performance and the effect of the mediating role of innovation in the relationship between total quality management and environmental performance. Being a quantitative study, the positivism philosophy was adopted together with an explanatory research design. A self-administered survey questionnaire was used as the research instrument for data collection. In all, 400 respondents in food and beverage manufacturing firms were included in the study. The study employed the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS- SEM) as the statistical tool for data analysis. The findings of the study indicated that total quality management has a positive and significant effect on environmental performance. Innovation has a positive and significant effect on environmental performance. Also, innovation has a positive and significant mediating role in the relationship between total quality management and environmental performance. The study recommended that total quality management does not work in a vacuum. Therefore, managers need to incorporate innovation into their strategic decisions when considering how to improve upon their environmental performance through total quality management.

Source: UCC
Total quality management and patient satisfaction in Ghana: Role of internal marketing and contextual factors

The main purpose of the study was to analyse the effect of total quality management, contextual factors, and internal marketing on patient satisfaction among public hospitals in Ghana. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, five specific objectives and five hypotheses were formulated. The study was centered on three theories – the resources-based theory, affective events theory and general contingency theory. The study adopted the positivist philosophical paradigm, quantitative research approach and the explanatory research design for the study. This research was conducted in all five teaching hospitals in Ghana. Teaching hospitals play important roles in quality healthcare delivery in Ghana. A total sample size of 468 respondents were considered. The data collection instrument for the study was questionnaire. Due to the nature of the study’s objectives, the structural equation model was employed in analysing the objectives of the study. The study found that total quality management enhances and fosters patient satisfaction by delivering quality services that would keep patients coming back again. Also, internal marketing has significant positive effect on patient satisfaction among public hospitals in Ghana. Again, contextual factors influenced patient satisfaction among public hospitals in Ghana. Contextual factors also moderated the relationship between total quality management and patient satisfaction among public hospitals in Ghana. Finally, internal marketing mediated the relationship between total quality management and patient satisfaction among public hospitals in Ghana. The study recommended that management of the public teaching hospitals should empower their employees to enhance their contribution towards patient satisfaction.

Source: UCC