ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Online news consumption habits among undergraduate students of the University of Education, Winneba.

The introduction of the Internet has brought about transformation in every sphere of human life. One area that this technology is transforming the world is the area of news consumption. The Internet has made it easier for news consumers to listen and read news at a click of a button. Online news is now consumed anytime and everywhere. This study aims at investigating the news consumption habits of students of the University of Education, Winneba. A questionnaire and semi structured interview was used for data collection. A sample size of 200 was used in the study. This research seeks to investigate the avenues students use to source news, the dominant websites students’ access news, the kinds of news students’ source online and the reasons why students choose online news against traditional media. Findings from the study reveals that majority of the students’ use their mobile phones and other ICT gadgets to browse the Internet. Students also use the various platforms such as modems, wifi, data on their phones and the Internet cafes to access news on the Internet. Students browse for all kinds of news online; this includes politics, sports, entertainment etc. These kinds of news are sourced from both local and foreign websites. The study also revealed that the students go online to read news from traditional sources with online platforms. The work also highlights some of the challenges students encounter whilst using the Internet. The challenges which include unstable WIFI connections, high data charges and electricity challenges hinder the usage of the Internet by the respondents. The study also makes some few recommendations in order to help improve the current status quo. The recommendations include the University looking for alternative source of energy in order for the university to have constant electricity, government giving tax incentives to telecommunication companies in return for a reduction in their data charges and improvement of wifi connections on campus.

Source: UEW
Online news coverage of a university in crisis, a case study of university of education, Winneba

The study examined the issues discussed by Ghanaian news sites in their coverage of the UEW crisis. The study also investigated the tones used in the coverage of the UEW crisis and the perspectives of both UEW staff and students on the coverage of the crisis by news sites. Using framing theory, the study employed document analysis and interviews to gather data from purposely selected online publications from citifmonline.com and myjoyonline.com and 10 participants respectively. Content analysis of 1,220 paragraphs of revealed that the news sites used Entman’s (1991) five frames to frame issues about the conflict around the following themes: power struggle between parties in the university’s stakeholders; poor administrative procedures and victimisation by university’s management; actions that protracted the crisis; and resolution of the crisis as the responsibility of the university’s stakeholders. Also, the conflict, morality and consequence frames had negative tones while the responsibility frame had a positive tone. The staff and students of the university perceived coverage of issues about the crisis as a power struggle between stakeholders of the university, mismanagement and favouritism by management and created a negative image for the university. The study recommends that the university’s stakeholders should adopt constructive and creative ways of resolving conflicts by extensively engaging all conflicting parties together in communication processes that seek to resolve the crisis.

Source: UEW
Online shopping in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Ghana

Using extended UTAUTII and Structural Equation Modelling, we develop hypotheses regarding the factors influencing the behaviour of online shopping in the sub-Saharan Africa and test them on a sample of 400 online shoppers in Ghana. We find positive correlation between the independent variables (social influence, performance expectancy, habit, facilitating condition, and trust) and behavioural intention, which is consistent with the findings in developed countries. The study not only extends hedonic motivation in UTAUTII model to include service quality and value proposition, but also precisely demonstrates that the extent to which an online shopper derives fun or pleasure to continuously use online shopping is influenced by the value proposition offered by merchants. We find strong empirical support that value proposition is affected by service quality. The results also help to explain how generational cohort of X and Y, gender, and marital status are online shopping influencers in the sub-Saharan Africa. Copyright � 2018 is held by the owner/author(s).

Source: UEW
Onomastic peculiarities of selected Christian congregational place names in Ghana

A congregation’s name is a linguistic badge that normally serves as a medium of communication to its own clientele (actual and potential). As a result of that, this research sought to find the linguistic features used in naming selected Christian congregational place names of Ghana. The study specifically sought to identify the naming patterns of Christian congregational place names of Ghana, analyse their onomastic peculiarities and examine their toponymic typology. The study closely examined sixty (60) Christian congregational place names that were recorded verbatim from signposts and buildings of these places of worship. These sampled names were purposively selected from the Kumasi metropolis in the Ashanti Region specifically, the Ahensan – Kuntenanse (Lake) road. The findings of this research evidently indicated that the selected Christian congregational place names had peculiar onomastic naming patterns which set them apart from all other names. These peculiarities were mirrored in their generic and quasi-generic terms that epitomised their identity as Christian places of worship. The study further established that, syntactically, the group of words that formed the names of these churches were noun groups because their head words (obligatory element) were nouns (i.e. the generic and quasi-generic terms) and their optional elements were specific expressions of varied forms which were used to modify these generic and quasi-generic terms. It concludes that the Christian religious linguistic landscape of the Ahensan – Kuntenanse (Lake) road is English language since none of the vocabulary and expressions used in all the Christian worship names in these research sites was written in any Ghanaian language despite the fact that Twi, a variety of the Akan language, is the predominant language of daily interaction in these towns. Consequently, this research recommends among others that language lovers and potential name givers of churches in Ghana should consider exploring creative names in Ghanaian languages that can equally compete and raise their status among the linguistic landscape

Source: UEW
The onomastics of prinicipal Anlo-Town names

This study investigated the origin, meaning and motivation of the names of the principal settlements of the Anlo state and the morphological processes involved in the formation of the names. It classified also the names with appropriate conclusions. The research design used for the study was the descriptive survey. The population for the study was the chiefs, elders and people who had knowledge about the history of the settlements. The purposive and snow ball sampling techniques were employed in selecting the sample. Two sources of data collection were employed. First, documentary analysis was used to retrieve information from existing documented narratives of the area. The second source was interviews conducted with chiefs and elders, and prominent people in the towns which followed suggested methods for collecting oral history data in Ewe. The toponymic typological framework proposed by Tent and Blair (2011) was used to classify the settlement names. The results showed that settlements names originated from the migration history of Anlos. The settlement names make reference to natural features such as hills, valleys, sandbars, marshy areas, streams, vegetation and events encountered during their migration. The names comprised one, two or more morphemes put together through processes of affixation, compounding and borrowing. Also, the thirty-six settlement names could be classified into the nine categories outlined by Tent and Blair. However, some settlement names were difficult to identify as Ewe morphemes.

Source: UEW
Operational hazards of the national ambulance service in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions of Ghana

Pre-hospital emergency care has had rapid progress in Ghana in terms of technology, treatments, staff strength, and fleet management. In Ghana, there is at least one Ambulance with trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to man a station in every constituency. The risk of occupational death is disproportionately high for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, largely because of the high incidence of transportation-related fatalities. A systematic review of the literature showed evidence that EMTs are susceptible to higher rates of injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, poor sleep, and a high rate of fatigue because of general and Ambulance-specific stressors. The aim of the research was to evaluate the operational hazards and risks associated with the National Ambulance Service. A total of 29 Ambulance Service Stations and 250 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were sampled. The primary data for the study were collected from the respondents through questionnaire administration and interviews. The mean age in the study was 27.8±8.21 years. Out of the 250 respondents, 92.4% were aware of the operational hazards associated with their work, 84.7% had experienced biological hazards with 73.7% cuts and wounds constituting the main biological hazards. Sixty-two percent of responders had been injured during operations with back pain being the most identified injury to EMTs. Regular inspection, preventive maintenance of equipment and the ambulance was proposed by EMTs as one of the measures to control hazards. The study showed that the majority of EMTs had knowledge and have experienced exposure to operational hazards. EMTs with diploma educational level were 102.70 times more likely not to experience biological hazards as compared to those with BECE or no formal education (AOR=102.7 (CI: 1.97 - 5335.1), P=0.022). The study concludes that EMTs experience several hazards at their workplace with blood being the most biological substance they are exposed to.

Source: UEW
Opinions of teachers about teaching pupils with visual impairment in Ada east district in the greater Accra region

The purpose of this research was to find out the opinions teachers have about teaching pupils with visual impairments in some selected inclusive schools in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The cross-sectional design was used. The sample size was 50 and a simple random technique was used to select a sample size. The research instrument used was a Likert scale questionnaire. The quantitative data from the questionnaire were analysed with simple percentages and the results were represented on frequency tables. The study found that there are negative opinions among teachers when it comes to their quest to teach children who are visually impaired in inclusive classrooms. Again, it was established that some of the factors that inform teachers’ opinions include inadequate training, inability to read Braille, lower levels of experience with the teaching of children who are visually impaired, and inadequate resources for teaching, among others. The study further found that there were inadequate resources available for the effective teaching of children who are visually impaired in the inclusive schools where the study was undertaken. It also came to light that some other challenges identified with the resources included, but not limited to, the unavailability of embossers, braille sheets, and reading stands that would ensure smooth teaching and learning in these schools. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that the government must encourage greater awareness of issues concerning disability. Also, the Ghana Education Service should organize in-service training for the teachers to ensure that they acquire the requisite skills to manage these classes of pupils in the inclusive setting. Again, it was recommended that the government and other stakeholders should ensure that there are in-service trainings that would help teachers in inclusive classrooms to acquire knowledge on how to use assistive devices.

Source: UEW
Optimal design of grid connected pvwind power generation for urban healthcare facility using homer environment

Microgrid combines effective distributed generation schemes and interconnected loads in a specific location. In modern power distribution systems, microgrids can offer the opportunity to increase the amount of distribution generation and delivery of electricity when there are uncertainties with the national power grid. Hospitals are among the most energy intensive commercial buildings due to the significant air management requirements and high electrical load Equipment. Although hospitals have integrated additional on-site power generation to alleviate this situation, the problem of energy costs remains high. As a result, this study attempted to design optimal grid-connected solar PV, wind and battery storage system focusing on a typical urban healthcare facility in Ghana; Kasoa Polyclinic (KPC). To achieve the objectives of this study, the load profile data, methodological, economic data and components cost details are simulated using HOMER Grid software. HOMER Grid is the only demand rate reduction and optimization tool that considers generators as a peak shaving method. Study Results showed that the annual utility bill (base case) was US$213,439.90 with a Total Net Present Cost (TNPC) of US$7,004,608 and Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) at US$0.2414 with 558.8tons/year of carbon dioxide emissions. The optimization (winning case) results also showed that the grid-connected hybrid system (solar/wind with battery storage) was more reliable and cost effective among the five cases compared to the base system. Thus, the reduced TNPC of the system at US$3,098,562 and the LCOE of US$0.093/kWh. Savings over the life of the project was US$4,901,516 with reduced carbon emissions of 70.0 tons/year representing reduced emission cost of 2,100 Euros, translating to a monetary savings of 15,564 Euros (approximately US$18,454/year). Therefore, this optimized model can be adopted to address technical, budgetary and environmental pressures.

Source: UEW
Optimisation techniques for minimising saw teeth deflection and lumber thickness variation

Lumber size control is an essential element in maximising yield and productivity because a small reduction in rough green target size could lead to substantial savings in wood fibre. One of the key components of rough green target size is sawing variation. In this study, the optimum side clearance of band saw teeth leading to a minimum saw teeth deflection and minimum lumber thickness variation of stellite-tipped and swage-set saws when processing Triplochiton scleroxylon a tropical hardwood were examined. It was observed that the accuracy of kerf width was best with stellite-tipped saws. However, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance indicates that there was no significant difference between the accuracy of kerf width of stellite-tipped saws and swage-set saws. It also was observed that at 5% level of significance, the mean kerf width of stellite-tipped saws, which was 4.2 mm, was significantly greater than the mean kerf width of 3.06 mm of the swage-set saws. Sawing variation as indicated by standard deviation of lumber thickness was best for the swage-set saws. A quadratic relationship between sawing variation and side clearance of stellite-tipped saws was established. As the side clearance of the saw increases, the sawing variation decreases until it reaches a minimum value and thereafter, further increase in side clearance of the saw teeth results in an increase in sawing variation. It was observed that an optimum side clearance of 0.69 mm under a saw blade thickness of 1.3 mm was required to produce on the average, a minimum value of 0.42 mm for within-board standard deviation, and 0.59 mm for the total standard deviation. An error margin of less than 1% was achieved when the experimental results for the optimum side clearance was compared with a theoretical assertion. � 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: UEW
Oral communication in English language among junior high school pupils, the case of Nuriya islamic jhs Bimbilla

Despite the constant efforts in developing English language in Ghana, it is still obvious that the achievement of the Ghanaian learners is unsatisfactory. In view of this, oral communication in English of the Ghanaian learner should be focused. This research is therefore, to find out the causes of the deficiencies of spoken English among the Junior High school pupils of Nuriya Islamic Junior High School Bimbilla in the Northern Region. This research aims to identify the spoken English deficiencies among Junior High pupils and the causes of the spoken deficiencies among Junior High pupils, and how these problems can be solved in the Ghanaian schools. In gathering data, interview, observation and subject – teachers’ questionnaire is used. Participants were asked questions, interviewed and observed in daily activities. The background of the pupils, native language of both teachers and learners, how subject teachers carry out their lesson were observed. The findings suggest that the deficiencies of spoken English affect other subjects.

Source: UEW
Oratory in Farefari Culture

Oral genres in Farefari form part of the fundamental instruments of growth and development of Gurenɛ. As one of these genres, oratory helps to enhance the listening and oral skills of children for effective communication. The Farefari community has resources such as folktales, libation prayer, divination, conflict/dispute resolution, marriage and performance of funerals. These activities play key roles in the acquisition of linguistic competences and cultural values for effective speech delivery. In the past, the youth in the community participated effectively in these verbal art forms. However, the infiltration of foreign cultures into the traditional set up of the society has negatively influenced the lives of the youth. These days the youth are less interested in the traditional folktales and riddles. Rather, they often glue themselves to foreign movies being shown on television, youTube and other electronic media outlets. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the various dynamics of oratory including the types and structure of oratory, literary devices used and how oratory is delivered in Farefari culture. The Classical Rhetoric and Dell Hymes’ communication model (SPEAKING) were used to form the foundation of the study. I employed a qualitative research approach to collect the data using interviews, observation and native speaker intuition. A Sony IC voice recorder ICD UX50F was used to collect the data, transcribed and translated into English equivalences. I used a purposeful sampling technique to select twenty-five (25) participants, comprising twenty (20) men and five (5) women. The results from the data revealed that, oration is firmly anchored on the principles of conviction and persuasion based on the classical rhetoric theory. Five canons of oratory namely; inventory, arrangement, style, memory and delivery were identified. The data also showed that there are three types of oratory (deliberative, judiciary and epideictic) in Farefari culture. Again, the data revealed that many of the orators used simple sentences in order to drive home the supplications they are bringing before their ancestors. Apprenticeship was noted to be one of the surest ways of acquiring oratory skills for effective speech delivery.

Source: UEW
Organic manure and inorganic fertilizer effect on the growth and yield of cabbage (brassica oleracea var capitata) and incidence of insect pest in the forest transition zone of Ghana

Two field experiments were conducted at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery of the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong – Ashanti during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons from August to November, 2015 and June to September, 2016 respectively. The objective of the study was to determine the organic and inorganic fertilizer effects on the growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var capitata), and incidence of pest in the forest transition agro – ecological zone of Ghana. The experimental design used for the field experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were: poultry manure (20 t/ha) + Cypermetrine (30 l/ha), cow dung (20 t/ha) + Cypermetrine (30 l/ha), N.P.K (300 kg) + Cypermetrine (30 l/ha), foliar + Cypermetrine (30 l/ha), poultry manure (20 t/ha) + neem leaf extract, cow dung (20 t/ha) + neem leaf extract, N.P.K (300 kg) + neem leaf extract, foliar + neem leaf extract and the control (no fertilizer and no insecticide). The results obtained revealed that the application of organic manure (poultry manure and cow dung) and inorganic fertilization is a better option for soil fertility enhancement in cabbage production. Application of poultry manure and N.P.K combined with Cypermetrine and neem leaf extract remarkably improved the growth and yield of cabbage. Cabbage yield in tons per hectare was significantly influenced by the application of poultry manure and N.P.K combined with Cypermetrine and neem leaf extract treatment. In addition, the application of Cypermetrine and neem leaf extract effectively reduced the severity of insect pest infestation. The application of Cypermetrine with poultry manure significantly reduced the percentage incidence of damage by insects on cabbage. The conclusions drawn from the research were, soil amendments with organic fertilizers remarkably improved the soil physical and chemical properties, the application of poultry manure and N.P.K fertilizers combined with Cypermetrine and neem leaf extract effectively improved the growth and yield of cabbage.

Source: UEW
Organisational assimilation and employee socialisation a study of the University Mines and technology

The study examines organisational assimilation and employee socialisation of the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa. The case study particularly draws on Jablin’s organisational assimilation theory. Data for the study were collected through indepth face-to-face interviews. Six participants were selected for this study made up of two (2) senior members, two (2) senior staff and two (2) junior staff. The findings of the study indicate that participants went through assimilation process to fit into the culture of the organisation and to be able to perform their duties accordingly. The study also revealed that the University of Mines and Technology’s socialisation process includes orientation and training, mentorship and a ‘Day of relaxation’ to aid the newcomer to become a member. These socialisation processes are conducted through communication. The study will help improve policies and programmes used to assist new employees to be members of organisations. It will also contribute knowledge to the field of organisational socialisation.

Source: UEW