ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Provision of support services for learners with low vision in selected regular Basic Schools in the Bibiani Anhwiaso-Bekwai-Muni

The purpose of the study was to investigate the provision of support services for learners with low vision in basic schools in the Bbiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Munipality. The study, which was qualitative in nature, utilized the descriptive case study design with interview and observation as instruments for data collection. A sample of twenty-five participants were used comprising seven teachers and eighteen learners with low vision from a population of fifty comprising thirty-two teachers and eighteen learners with low vision. The themes were derived from the data and analyzed. Findings from the study revealed that the schools were not having sufficient material resources to meet the learning needs of learners with low vision. The few materials were useful to the learners with low vision. Moreover, the findings of the study revealed that regular teachers were the major resource persons available to the learners with low vision. However, they were not able to provide services as often as it should be. It was indicated that resource teachers were not attached to the regular teachers to render services to the learners with low vision. The findings again indicated that teachers were not able to provide instructional support to the learners with low vision frequently due to inadequate teaching and learning materials and limited time available. The findings further indicated that learners with low vision encountered many challenges such as academic challenges in reading and writing, social challenges with their sighted peers and challenges in physical locomotion which affected their learning needs and overall development. It was recommended that the schools should provide enough material resources to support learners with low vision to meet their learning needs. Again, the Municipal Education Office should provide schools with trained teachers who have knowledge in Special Education to accommodate learners with low vision in the regular schools. Finally, the learning environment, both class room and school compound should be adapted and equipped for free physical locomotion from place to place.

Source: UEW
Provisions teachers make for pupils with special educational needs in three selected inclusive

The study focused on finding out the provisions teachers make for pupils with special educational needs in three selected inclusive pilot basic schools at Pokuase in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study employed the descriptive survey design. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the sample size of 112 respondents. Descriptive statistical method was used to analyse questionnaire data for the study. Data from the semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic data analysis. Findings from the study revealed among others that; (i) teachers could not provide supplemental instructions and modify text for pupils with special educational needs; (ii) instructional materials such as tape recorders and text in braille were not provided, computers were not adapted to enhance easy access for pupils with special educational needs; (iii) related services such as interpreting, school health and audiological services were not provided. It was therefore recommended that (a) teachers should expand the teaching methodology to include supplemental instruction; (b) teaching and learning materials should be provided to include tape recorders, text in Braille, adapted computers for easy access especially those with special educational needs; and (c) related services should be expanded to include interpreting, school health, and audiological services.

Source: UEW
Proximate Analyses of Three Brands of Bread under Different Storage Conditions Available on the Ghanaian Market

A study was conducted to evaluate the proximate value of three brands of bread under different package conditions available on the Ghanaian market. Bread samples were analyzed at the Crops Research Institute laboratory in Kumasi for proximate composition (moisture, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash and crude fibre) of the freshly baked bread and bread of 10 days storage duration. The treatment was a 3×2 factorial with three replicates. Factor A (bread types - wheat, sugar and butter); and factor B (storage condition- refrigeration and ambient). The proximate analyses showed that the raw material for baking the three bread types was composite flour and there was a significant difference between the bread types with regards to carbohydrates, crude protein, crude fibre and ash contents even though the difference in crude protein level between sugar and butter breads were not significant. There was a significant difference (P˃0.05) in the crude fibre content between wheat and butter bread and ash content between wheat, sugar and butter breads. Wheat bread had the highest ash and moisture contents compared with sugar and butter types but there was no significant difference in moisture content between sugar and wheat. Key Words: Proximate, Analysis, Wheat, Sugar, Butter, Bread

Source: UEW
Proximate and consumer acceptability of biscuit produced from local rice and wheat flour

The experiment was conducted to evaluate unpolished local rice flour as an alternative to wheat flour in composite biscuit manufacturing. Proximate composition, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of unpolished local rice and wheat flours were determined. The biscuits were prepared with the incorporation of unpolished local rice flour concentration with wheat flour. Five products, namely, products A, B, C, D and E containing unpolished local rice flour at levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacing equivalent amounts of wheat flour were formulated to assess the quality and acceptability of the biscuits. Prior to the study, samples of unpolished local rice flour were examined for the proximate composition. Carbohydrate, moisture and protein contents were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than ash, fat and crude fibre. The proximate composition of unpolished local rice was 11.67% moisture, 0.52% ash, 0.40% fat, 6.88%, 0.35% crude fibre and 80.18% carbohydrate. Statistical analysis of biscuits containing various amount of unpolished local rice flour (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) showed that the control biscuit (0% unpolished local rice flour) secured significantly (P < 0.05) higher score for all the sensory attributes such as colour, aroma, taste, after taste and overall acceptance. Apart from that, among biscuits added with unpolished local rice, the biscuit with 75% unpolished local rice flour had the highest score for colour, taste, after taste and next in overall acceptance to 100% unpolished local rice flour which was highly accepted by the panelists.

Source: UEW
Proximate composition and consumers acceptability of Okro seed flour cake

This project was conducted to established the possibility of using Okra seed flour as a fortifier in the production of cakes. It was in effect to tackle the malnutrition challenges in the diet of man and as well address the post-harvest losses of soybean due to its underutilization. To this effect, the aim of the study was to evaluate the proximate composition and consumer acceptability of wheat cakes. The cakes were formulated in percentages of flour incorporation with wheat flour. Four different products were thus prepared, labeled; product XYZ, ABC, QPO and RMP, according to percentage levels of 0%, 20%, 25% and 75% respectively, been replaced with its wheat flour equivalence in each case. Prepared products were then examined for their proximate composition with the standard AACC, 2000. Sensory evaluation analysis was also conducted under the ‘hedonic scale’ measure of 1-7 score points. Data was analyzed win an Excel database spread sheet at P < 0.05 level of probability. Percentage carbohydrate decreased with increasing proportion of Okra seed flour, recording 45.50+5.81 for sample XYZ at 75% Okra seed our proportion. The sensory analysis also showed no significant difference at P < 0.05 between the means and according to the hedonic scale evaluation, ABC, QPO and RMP composite cakes compared to XYZ, the 100% wheat flour cake were “moderately liked” and “like very much” that is, between 5.3 to 6.6 by the fifteen semi-trained panelist. In effect, Okra seed could serve as a nutrient fortification raw product component and as well, to be accepted by consumers of pastries.

Source: UEW
Proximate, anti nutritional and mineral composition of some indigenous vegetables grown in Northern Ghana

Little effort has been made to assess the nutritional value of traditional African vegetables and the products from these vegetables are under-utilized in Africa. Based on this, the study aimed at investigating the proximate, anti-nutritional composition and mineral composition of Amaranthus spp (aleefu) and Kenaf spp (bra) grown and commonly consumed in Northern Ghana. The leaves and seeds of the vegetables were collected from local farmers, processed and dried to constant mass. Using the AOAC official methods, proximate, mineral and and anti-nutritional compositions were determined. The minerals content was estimated by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Mean and standard deviation were calculated using SPSS version 23. Results from this study indicated that the ash content of Amaranthus “Aleefu” and Kenaf “bra” was 15.62% and 10.50%, respectively. The moisture content of “aleefu” leaves was 59.89% and that of “bra” leaves was 42.70%. The results obtained for anti-nutrient composition revealed low levels of phytate in “Aleefu” and bra”/Kenaf leaves and seed. Alkaloids found in “Aleefu” and “bra”/Kenaf leaves and seed were present in appreciable amounts (9.50% and 3.64%. It was established that significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the mean values of the samples with respect to proximate, anti-nutrients and mineral composition. The study concluded that the mineral content of “Aleefu” and “bra”/Kenaf leaves and seed were very good sources of calcium, potassium, and iron. Consequently, it is recommended that the Agricultural ministry should encourage the consumption of Aleefu” and bra”/Kenaf leave and seed that could help in alleviating the problem of hidden hunger at negligible cost.

Source: UEW
Psychometric Properties of Anxiety Towards Mathematics Scale using Samples from Four Continents

This study aimed to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Anxiety Towards Mathematics Scale across four continents. We adopted and translated the original Spanish version of the 24-item Anxiety Towards Mathematics Scale (ATMS-24; Mu�oz, Mato-Vazquez, 2007) to collect 4,338 responses from Egypt, Ghana, India, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Thailand, Ukraine, and United Arab Emirates. Also, we conducted an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on the ATMS-24 to examine whether the data fit well across cultures. Furthermore, we modified the full-length ATMS-24 to a short form (11-items: ATMS-11) using the Gradual Response Model (GRM) of Item Response Theory (IRT) and further conducted an analysis of measurement invariance. The EFA conducted indicated that the ATMS-24 fit the data well across cultures. The new ATMS-11 version has adequate configural, metric, and scalar invariance in seven countries and the overall sample. The ATMS-11 offers a valid, reliable, and parsimonious means to assess mathematics Anxiety (MA) among students from varied cultures. The factor structure and psychometric properties of ATMS-11 support its use for MA assessment in both male and female students across locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America � 2022. by Cherkas Global University All rights reserved

Source: UEW
Psychometric properties of the cultural mix coping inventory for stressful situations using physical education teachers: a multidimensional item response theory analysis

The incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the levels of stress of not only students but for teachers, particularly physical education�(PE) teachers. The reference to PE teachers is due to their role in engaging students in practical in-person lessons after the resumption of school. Previous literature has revealed that PE teachers exhibit significantly increased levels of anxiety, fear, tension and uncertainty that they could contract the virus during these lessons. Given this�scenario, there is a growing need for identifying a suitable coping scale which can accurately measure coping strategies employed�these teachers. This research assessed the psychometric properties of the 16-item coping inventory using a multidimensional item response theory approach. The study surveyed 484 PE teachers through the convenience sampling technique, after which the cultural mix coping instrument was administered to them. The findings of this study confirmed the 4-factor structure of the coping measure which is consistent with the original measure. Results further revealed that a modified 14-item compared to the original 16-item coping inventory was optimal in measuring coping strategies among PE teachers. The study concluded that the 14-item cultural mix coping inventory was appropriate, applicable and reproducible to the�PE teachers' population. � 2022. The Author(s).

Source: UEW
Psychosocial well-being of the elderly at Mamfe township in the Akuapem North Municipality

The study assessed the psychosocial well-being of the elderly in Mamfe Township in the Akuapem North Municipality of Ghana. Psychosocial well-being is an aspect of personality often overlooked when assessing the health of an elderly individual. While greater importance is being placed on helping elderly individuals remain active in the community, little interest has been generated on the topic of psychosocial wellbeing. The purpose of the study is to explore the psychosocial well-being of the elderly. A purposive sample of ten (10) elderly in the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, and pensioners association completed a survey interview. An in-depth interview was conducted in eliciting the lived experiences of the elderly in the Mamfe Township. All recorded data (audio and written) was transcribed verbatim and coded using SPSS, a qualitative data analysis computer software. Also, two hundred and one (201) questionnaires were given out as a random sampling for the elderly in the area for the quantitative aspect. Responses were grouped under the themes of the interview and the questionnaires, and this guided the discussions which followed. The results of the study revealed that most of the elderly sampled felt good, blessed and privileged to attain that age. Again, their economic status and support systems put in place by their caregivers were highly catered for. There is therefore the need to recommend pastoral care counselling, education, day-care centers to the elderly and strengthen current preventive rather than remedial measures through pastoral and counselling programmes in churches, work places, communities and through better education of school-going youth to plan toward aging to improve the psychosocial well-being of the elderly in the Mamfe township of the Akuapem North Municipal in the Eastern Region of Ghana at this modern era to curb the burden on children or young family.

Source: UEW
Public and private junior high school integrated science teachers’ curriculum knowledge, classroom instructional and assessment practices in the Effutu municipality

The study sought to explore Integrated science teachers‟ curriculum knowledge, classroom instructions and assessment practices in the Effutu Municipality. A mixed method sequential explanatory research design was used for the study. Data were collected by administering integrated science teachers‟ curriculum knowledge (ISTCK) questionnaire and assessment practices questionnaire to 76 teachers in both Public and Private schools in the Effutu Municipality. Out of 76, 75 participants completed and submitted their questionnaire making a return rate of 98.6%, Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson Product- Moment Correlation functions of the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 22. In the qualitative phase of the study, inquiry-based observational guide and semi-structured interview guide were used to explore in-depth information on integrated science teacher‟s curriculum knowledge, classroom practices. Some key findings that emerged from the study were: Majority of the teachers‟ had weak science background knowledge. Also, the Ghanaian JHS science teachers‟ curriculum content knowledge was weak. It was also found that only professional qualification had a slight positive correlation with integrated science teachers‟ content knowledge of the integrated science curriculum. The results further indicated that majority of integrated science teachers generally adopted child-centred teaching practices at the introduction and evaluation stage of the lesson. The findings put the need of assigning teachers who have adequate science content knowledge to handle integrated science in Ghanaian Junior high school. It was recommended that in-service programmes, workshops, seminars and short courses should be organized for teachers by the Municipal Directorate of Education on the integrated science curriculum and SBA to improve teachers‟ knowledge of the integrated science curriculum and their skills in assessment practices.

Source: UEW
Public and private junior high school students’ attitude and perceived parental influence on their mathematics learning

The purpose of this study was to investigate Private and Public Junior High School (JHS) students‘ perceptions of parent‘s influence on their mathematics learning and their attitude towards mathematics. One hundred and fifty participants from four Junior High Schools of which two are private and two are public schools in the Ga South Municipal were the participant for the study. Perceived Parents Influence (PPI) and Mathematics Attitudes Questionnaire (MAQ) were the data collection tools. The (PPI) was to identify the perception of their parents influence on their mathematics learning. Four subscales: Monitoring, Motivation, Communication and Material Support were identified for the PPI. Also, four subscales: Anxiety, Confidence, Enjoyment, and Benefit/Value were identified as for MAQ. Data collected were analysed using Means and Standard Deviations. The t-test was used to investigate whether there was a significant difference between private and public JHS students‘ perception of their parents influence and their attitude towards mathematics. The results indicated that there was statistically significant difference between the perception of their parents influence of private and public JHS students‘ parent‘s influence. Also, the results on students‘ attitude towards mathematics indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the attitude of private and public JHS students in the favour of this the finding of the study shows that parental influence may affect students in the private and public JHS attitude in learning mathematics. A recommendation was made for Parents Teachers Associations in schools to encourage parents influence on their children‘s mathematics learning.

Source: UEW
The public health question and mortuary politics in colonial Ghana

British colonial rule in Ghana profoundly affected the interment of corpses. The practice of home burials was widespread in nineteenth-century Ghana. Guided by prevailing Euro-Western discourses on sanitation and public health, colonial officials banned home interment and introduced cemeteries. This article examines the imposition of cemetery burials in colonial Ghana, the responses of the local population, its impact on indigenous burial practices, and its ramifications beyond the public health imperative. I argue that, despite initial opposition, the colonial administration succeeded in imposing cemeteries and this reoriented the people�s beliefs and practices regarding burial rituals, with spiritual and pragmatic implications for health, identity and the use of space; it also reoriented the people�s perceptions of the relationship between the living and the dead. The widespread acceptance of cemeteries was accompanied by a penchant by chiefs and other notables to create private cemeteries exclusively for their families. This threatened the spatial planning policies of the colonial administration, especially in urban areas, forcing them to strictly regulate the creation of cemeteries, limiting burials to public cemeteries, and closing already demarcated ones. Chiefs exploited cemeteries to flex power by imposing customary fees and sanctions, and by forcing their opponents to exhume their buried relatives. � 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Source: UEW
Public health spending, per-capita and life expectancy in Ghana.

The study explored the practical effect of health expenditure per capita and per capita income on life expectancy in Ghana. The investigation utilized annual time-series secondary data from 2000 to 2022, sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI). Variables such as life expectancy (LE), per-capita income (K), public health spending per capita (HE), birth rate per 1000 people (BR), employment to population ratio (EP), CO2 emissions per capita (CC), percentage of total population with access to safe drinking water (AD) and access to safe sanitation services (AS) were considered. Additionally, the study delved into the annual patterns of life expectancy, per-capita income, public health spending per capita, percentage of total population with access to safe drinking water and access to safe sanitation services. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag cointegration technique was employed to assess the short and longterm relationships among the variables. Before this analysis, a unit root test was conducted to determine the stationarity of the variables. The EViews Statistical/Econometric package facilitated the analysis, with graphical representations illustrating the variables pattern. The findings shows that current health expenditure per capita negatively correlated with expectancy rate in years whiles per-capita income is positively correlated with life expectancy rate. All variables modeled were cointegrated. It was also found that there is direct and significant relationship among birthrate, access to safe sanitation services and life expectancy whiles CO2 emissions in tons per-capita was found to be negatively correlated with life expectancy. The study recommends the implementation of policies and initiatives geared towards prioritized health funding and efficient resource allocation as well as policies aimed at improving incomes of individuals.

Source: UEW