ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
What makes the news An analysis of the front page stories of the Ghanaian times newspaper

This study examined the news stories Ghanaian Times newspaper published on its front pages from 2015 to 2019. The study aimed at establishing the dominant news types, the news actors and the setting of the front page stories.The variables were based on the fact that the Ghanaian Times, as astate-owned media with a constitutional obligation of offering equal facilities and opportunities to all to express divergent views and opinions, will do just that. The gatekeeping theory and framing theories undergirded the study. To achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative content analysis was used to gather data for the study. Also, an interview was used to gather additional data to validate findings from the content analysis. Thematic analysis was used in handling the data especially in coming up with the themes and corresponding frames with regard to the focus of the study. Results showed a skewed coverage for political news, the elite and urban settings.The newspaper, in the exercise of their gatekeeping function, ended up with unfavourable coverage towards rural folks, the masses and even other non-political news. This may be because coverage on political issues and the elites boost sales and the newspaper depends on sales to cover its operational cost. As a result, the newspaper failed to uphold its constitutional obligation.

Source: UEW
Whey Protein Peptides Have Dual Functions: Bioactivity and Emulsifiers in Oil-In-Water Nanoemulsion

Whey protein isolate (WPI)-derived bioactive peptide fractions (1�3, 3�5, 5�10, 1�10, and >10 kDa) were for the first time used as emulsifiers in nanoemulsions. The formation and storage stability of WPI bioactive peptide-stabilized nanoemulsions depended on the peptide size, enzyme type, peptide concentration, and storage temperature. The highly bioactive <10 kDa fractions were either poorly surface-active or weak stabilizers in nanoemulsions. The moderately bioactive >10 kDa fractions formed stable nanoemulsions (diameter = 174�196 nm); however, their performance was dependent on the peptide concentration (1�4%) and enzyme type. Overall, nanoemulsions exhibited better storage stability (less droplet growth and creaming) when stored at lower (4 �C) than at higher (25 �C) temperatures. This study has shown that by optimizing peptide size using ultrafiltration, enzyme type and emulsification conditions (emulsifier concentration and storage conditions), stable nanoemulsions can be produced using WPI-derived bioactive peptides, demonstrating the dual-functionality of WPI peptides. � 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Source: UEW
Widowhood Rites in the Akuapem Traditional Society

Widowhood cultural practices in Africa in general and Ghana in particular has been subjected to criticisms the world over to the extent of describing it as dehumanizing, torturous, cruel and outmoded, and for that matter calling for its abolishing. This study aimed at finding out the nature and the effects of widowhood rites as practised among selected Akan communities in the Akuapem-South municipality on the widows who go through those rites. The sub-themes that guided the study were to find out the origins of widowhood rites, discover some aspects of widowhood which apparently were described as dehumanizing, cruel and humiliating, find out what the widows felt about the experiences they went through and explain why widows who apparently went through harsh and severe form of the rites failed to report their ordeal, in spite of legislation prohibiting such rites. Case study research design was used in the study under qualitative research and methods to come out with the research findings. Thirty (30) participants were selected using snowballing sampling method under purposive sampling. The respondents included fifteen (15) widow, five (5) queens, five (5) women who had once supervised a widow to go through the rites and five (5) heads of family. Beside the widows, the other participants were selected on the grounds that they were the custodians of culture of the various communities selected for the study. The data collection instrument used was conversational interview. The study revealed that widowhood rites had no mythical origins, but it is part of the culture of the people based on their traditional religious beliefs. Again, the study revealed that no aspect of the rites could be described as dehumanizing, cruel or humiliating as the widows did not complain of what they went through and for that matter there is no need to report any ordeal to any authority. In conclusion, the study revealed that widowhood rites among the people of Akuapem-South municipality is really a good emotional and psychological support instrument for widows to cope with their grief on the loss of the husband. It is recommended that the various reasons for going through the widowhood rites must be explain to them before or after every stage of a rite.

Source: UEW
Widowhood rites in the Akuapem traditional society a case study from Akuapem-South municipality

Widowhood cultural practices in Africa in general and Ghana in particular has been subjected to criticisms the world over to the extent of describing it as dehumanizing, torturous, cruel and outmoded, and for that matter calling for its abolishing. This study aimed at finding out the nature and the effects of widowhood rites as practised among selected Akan communities in the Akuapem-South municipality on the widows who go through those rites. The sub-themes that guided the study were to find out the origins of widowhood rites, discover some aspects of widowhood which apparently were described as dehumanizing, cruel and humiliating, find out what the widows felt about the experiences they went through and explain why widows who apparently went through harsh and severe form of the rites failed to report their ordeal, in spite of legislation prohibiting such rites. Case study research design was used in the study under qualitative research and methods to come out with the research findings. Thirty (30) participants were selected using snowballing sampling method under purposive sampling. The respondents included fifteen (15) widow, five (5) queens, five (5) women who had once supervised a widow to go through the rites and five (5) heads of family. Beside the widows, the other participants were selected on the grounds that they were the custodians of culture of the various communities selected for the study. The data collection instrument used was conversational interview. The study revealed that widowhood rites had no mythical origins, but it is part of the culture of the people based on their traditional religious beliefs. Again, the study revealed that no aspect of the rites could be described as dehumanizing, cruel or humiliating as the widows did not complain of what they went through and for that matter there is no need to report any ordeal to any authority. In conclusion, the study revealed that widowhood rites among the people of Akuapem-South municipality is really a good emotional and psychological support instrument for widows to cope with their grief on the loss of the husband. It is recommended that the various reasons for going through the widowhood rites must be explain to them before or after every stage of a rite.

Source: UEW
Willingness of basic school teachers to adopt information communication and technology tools for teaching in classrooms

Since the dawn of the twenty-first century, ICT have been the most important technological tool for changing the global economy and causing rapid social change. The use of ICT creates a dynamic and proactive teaching and learning environment. The purpose of this study was to assess teacher’s willingness to adopt ICT tools for teaching at the basic level. To ascertain this, a cross-sectional study was conducted in among primary school teachers. 348 basic school teachers were interviewed. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to the teachers. STATA 17.0 was used for data analysis after cleaning the data. Descriptive analysis was performed on the data and, the final results presented in charts and tables. The mean age of respondents was 28.5±4.4 years. Desktop computers were moderately available in most (251, 72.1%) of the respondents’ schools. 48% of the basic school teachers use ICT facilities in teaching and learning in classrooms while 52% do not. 240 (69.0%) of the study participants said maintenance issues have rendered the computers in their schools not accessible to the teachers as well as students. 63 (18.1%) mentioned unstable electricity as a challenge. ICT infrastructure are moderately available in basic schools in urban areas however, the basic school teachers do not use them in lessons delivery in classrooms. This was attributed to challenges such as low internet connectivity, poor funding, maintenance issues, unstable electricity. Based on the findings, I recommend that GES should organize regular workshops on ICT for teachers so that they become familiar with the modern pedagogy of imparting knowledge and skills.

Source: UEW
Willingness to pay for sachet water plastic waste management through deposit-refund system

This study was conducted in order to ascertain whether residents in Accra-Tema are willing to pay for sachet water plastic waste management using the deposit refund system (DRS), how much they are willing to pay as well as their concerns on the implementation of this policy instrument. It also correlated the willingness to pay amount (WTPA) against socio-economic variables of the respondents. Through accidental sampling technique, respondents were randomly approached to participate in the questionnaire administration, and their responses analysed in SPSS. The result showed a high level of WTP (64.8%) among participants. The minimum WTPA is 1 GHp and the maximum is 20 GHp, the same amount it costs to purchase sachet water. The mean WTPA per a sachet is approximately 8 GHp (7.75 GHp), that is, 40% of the current unit cost of the product. The result also showed that lower income earners were willing to pay a higher amount as deposit-refund than the high-income earners. Some concerns about DRS implementation were also raised. Copyright � 2019 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Source: UEW
Women empowerment programmes on television A content analysis of the standpoint and today’s woman

The empowerment of women is considered an essential tool for development. Whereas various groups including governments and Civil Society Organisations are championing the empowerment of women, research into misrepresentation and the negative portrayal of women by the media is increasing. Hence, the need to throw more light on the media’s involvement in the empowerment of women. This paper examined the issues discussed on the women empowerment programmes on television in Ghana using a qualitative approach. Using document analysis and interviews, the study examined the content of two selected women empowerment programmes -The Standpoint and Today’s Woman-hosted by women and aired on Joy Prime and TV3 respectively. An analysis of the data through the lens of the standpoint theory showed that the issues discussed are framed around financial independence, showing strength as a woman, spirituality and the role women can play to empower others. Again, the production teams of the women empowerment programmes ensured empowerment through education, motivation, mentorship, and economic empowerment. The study also revealed that although the male gender was not invited as panel members on the selected episodes of the empowerment programmes, the production teams of the programmes are often dominated by men who play significant roles in the programming of the show and contradicts the tenet of the situated knowledge claim of the Standpoint theory. The study concludes that women empowerment programmes produce contents which empower both men and women to also become agents of change and empowerment. The study recommended that social institutions like religious bodies, NGOs and the government especially the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) should channel resources into the production of these programmes, and also recommend viewing of the women empowerment programmes to women.

Source: UEW
Women in political leadership in the central region of Ghana_ challenges and expectations

For some time now Ghanaian women have been encouraged and empowered to take active part in decision-making at all levels of society. It is, however, not plain-sailing for women in positions of leadership, especially in the realm of politics. A programme of qualitative research was therefore designed to explore the challenges that confront women in the performance of their responsibilities as political leaders as well as unearth ways of mitigating those challenges. Thirty participants, comprising ten assembly men, ten assembly women, seven women in various party executive positions, one former District Chief Executive, and two female Members of Parliament, were purposively sampled for the study. The theoretical focus of the study was on liberal feminist theory and Paulo Freire’s theory of the pedagogy of the oppressed. It emerged from the study that paternalistic culture, dominated by men, imposes a set of double standards on female leaders, especially politicians. They are on one hand expected by some people to exhibit presumable male traits such as aggressiveness and assertiveness, while on the other hand demonstrating perceived feminine traits such as calmness, shyness, weakness etc. The different moral standards often set for women in leadership positions in politics restrict them from being who they are, while many traditional and religious beliefs and practices inhibit their performance as leaders. Moreover, financial constraints impede their efforts. An appreciation of social diversity and for that matter the potential of females in politics would as a first step enhance the recognition and acceptance accorded them. In order to achieve this political mentoring of young females, financial support, and reform of patriarchal structures are recommended.

Source: UEW
Women in sports journalism a phenomenological study of selected female sports journalists in Ghana

The study investigated the experiences of female sports journalists in Ghana. The study was based on the feminist and stereotype theories. The research investigated selected female sports journalists‟ lived experiences and their perceptions on being in a male dominated profession. The study was conducted using in-depth interviews with selected female sports journalists. The study revealed that sports journalism is clearly a gendered profession that not only welcomes men enthusiastically than women but also serves as a site for celebrating skills and values clearly marked as masculine. Women in the world of sports journalism are often overlooked and marginalized as they are deemed inferior in skills and knowledge to their male counterparts. Again, drawing on the feminist and stereotype theories, the study showed that, in sports journalism, women are treated as “outsiders” by virtue of their gender but “insiders” by their adherence to journalistic norms and values. Men therefore dominate and have all the authority in the field and this eventually leads to the underrepresentation of women in the sports journalism profession.

Source: UEW
Women participation in microcredit and its impact on income: A study of small-scale businesses in the Central Region of Ghana

Aim: To examine women participation in microcredit and its impact on business income. Study Design: Cross-sectional data. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out from March 1 to 30, 2011 in five districts from the Central Region of Ghana which is basically agrarian. Methodology: A multistage randomized sampling method was used in selecting 300 business women from the five districts: Agona West Municipality; Cape Coast Metropolis; Efutu Municipality; Mfantsiman Municipality and Upper Denkyira East District. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to elicit information from the respondents. Information sought bordered on business income, the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and other factors that influence participation in microcredit. Analysis of data was carried out using propensity score matching (PSM) approach. Results: Results revealed that number of years in formal education, satisfaction of Research Article American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 2(3): 502-515, 2012 503 application procedures, membership to business associations, amount of savings with financial institutions, and the satisfaction of interest charges are factors that positively influence women’s likelihood of participating in microcredit programmes. The PSM results showed that women operating small businesses with microcredit had statistically significant higher income compared with their non-microcredit participating counterpart. Conclusion: It is, therefore, concluded that formal schooling, satisfaction with lending procedures and interest as well as amount of money saved with the micro finance institution influence their participation in the micro credit programme. Also microcredit provides a means for increasing income of women in small scale businesses. Based on the PSM results women in small businesses should be encouraged to participate in microcredit as it significantly increases their income levels. Keywords: Microcredit; small businesses; propensity score matching; counterfactual; Logit.

Source: UEW
Women’s contribution to local economic development: A study of women in cassava production and processing in Central Tongu District of Ghana

The agriculture sector is the predominant employer of the active workforce in Ghana. Among this workforce, women constitute majority which invariable imply their role cannot be overemphasized. This study therefore examines how the socioeconomic characteristics of women affects local economic development through cassava production and processing in Central Tongu District of Ghana. A proportional stratified probability sampling with simple random sampling technique was used to select 171 respondents out of 296 in the sampling frame. The paper finds educational level and family size to be significantly related to cassava production and processing in the district. Cassava production and processing was observed to be a profitable economic activity. The paper therefore suggests that government through its decentralized system should focus on policies that promotes cassava related businesses. Also the Assembly through its Business Advisory Centre should support women with credit facilities through the MASLOC initiative. This will give more meaning to the national development thrust of enhancing sustainable livelihoods among indigenes within poverty stricken localities. Keywords: Local Economic Development (LED); Cassava; Ghana; Food Security; Women; Sustainable Livelihoods (SL).

Source: UEW
Women’s participation in local level governance in selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana

Calls for more female participation in politics have been featured strongly in developed and developing countries since 1975, when the United Nations made women’s issues a priority. However, women still face challenges in their quest to participate in local level politics. The objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic factors that affect women’s participation in local level governance; identify the cultural barriers that affect women’s participation in local level governance; determine the religious barriers that affect women’s participation in local level govenance; and to explore the avenues that exist to support women in local level governance in the Central Region of Ghana. The qualitative approach was employed for this study, and an interview guide was used to gather data from 11 women assembly members and two husbands of two women assembly members, making a total of 13 participants. The participants were sampled using purposive, snowball and convenient sampling techniques. The data was analysed thematically. The study identified lack of self-confidence, limited funds, unsupportive family, abuse and harassment, political affiliations in the Assembly and unsupportive religious organizations as the socio-economic, cultural and religious barriers to women participation in local level governance in Agona West, Gomoa West and Gomoa Central districts in the Central Region of Ghana. The findings from the study also showed that though there are some avenues such as NGOs, NCCE and Abantu for development that support women in local level politics, such avenues are not enough and, therefore, more of such avenues should be created in every electoral area. While patriarchal beliefs still abound in society, some women have been empowered through education and have been able to build strong social capital to resist patriarchy and overcome barriers to involve themselves in local politics. The study recommend that special development fund should be set up by the government to support Assembly women to perform their roles and responsibilities within their communities. Such funds may help them fulfil their promises, which may encourage them to seek re-election that may maintain the few elected Assembly women in the District Assemblies. In addition, Civil society and Non-governmental organizations should support women to participate in local level governance in the Gomoa West, Agona West and the Gomoa Central Districts in the Central Region of Ghana.

Source: UEW
Women’s perspective on human rights aberration resulting from the negative attitudes of maternal health providers the case of Nanumba North municipality

The purpose of this study was to review the attitudes of maternal care providers and its risks towards maternal care seekers from human rights perspective in Nanumba North Municipality. This study was informed by the litany of reports of mistreatment of women during childbirth at health facilities. It was also to assist in unravelling the widely reported gaps in maternity care despite significant government and stakeholder investments in maternal healthcare as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Health Service. Exploratory design was used to explore the experiences of women regarding maternity care services based on four human rights principles: dignity, autonomy, equality, and safety, which also reflected the prominent themes. The experiences of women reflect violations of multiple human rights principles with most respondents harbouring the perception that, most medical officers are inconsiderate and tend to be unfriendly and abusive. While some respondents see no alternative to skilled-based maternal health care delivery, a good number of women would also prefer to seek the services of traditional birth attendants. In general, respondents knew about their basic entitlements as health seekers. However, making the claims for those entitlements seem to be the main challenge. The study recommended among others that human rights be included in the curriculum of health professionals training, the need to partner other stakeholders to embark on rigorous sensitization on human rights in maternal health as well as undertake regular supervision of maternal care officers’ operations. In conclusion, the findings are important for new health care policy, standard practice, and subsequent research.

Source: UEW