ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
On the familiarity of iranian efl teachers and learners with post-method, and its realization

One of the most dramatic changes English Language Teaching has witnessed is the demise of the concept of method and its replacement by Kumaravadivelu’s post-method based pedagogy free from the constraints of methods. However, the emergence of this principled teaching practice, which is founded upon the parameters of particularity, possibility, and practicality, has not been unanimously certified by all the scholars. That’s why this research attempts to verify its actual appearance in Iran as an EFL context by means of a questionnaire and an interview. The reliability of the instrument was calculated using Cronbach alpha reliability estimation calculations. The participants were 254 male and female teachers of English in the English language institutes all over Shiraz, Iran. The findings of the study raised doubts about the feasibility, possibility or practicality of a fully post-method based teaching pedagogy and questioned its emergence into Iranian context. The study proved that there is a long distance to the actual manifestation of post-method principles, especially its possibility and practicality parameters. The findings also showed that Iran’s teaching is mainly based on eclectic teaching. The results of the present study can be beneficial to teaching theorizers to re-modify their theories. Besides the policy makers of the Iranian educational system can benefit from this study to adapt their educational needs to the reality of classrooms and hasten the emergence of current paradigms in accordance with the international practices

Source: UCC
On the grammar of scam: transitivity, manipulation and deception in scam emails

This study examines the language of scam, focusing on one key lexicogrammatical system for representing experience, the system of TRANSITIVITY. The study is informed by systemic functional linguistics theory and is based on a clause-by clause analysis of forty scam email messages, comprising 860 clauses. The frequency distribution of process types shows that scammers mimic the everyday taken-for-granted construction of experience in discourse in producing scam, thereby concealing the motive of the scammer. Second, scammers favor three sub-types of material processes, namely communication-oriented clauses, clauses of transfer of possession and use-oriented clauses. In addition, scam emails are shown to be interpersonally rich in the use of personal pronouns to index and position scammers relative to their target email recipients in manipulative ways. Also, the possessive determiners my, our and our are used in nominal groups functioning as participants to position the scammer and target recipients differently. Notably, the pronoun my (representing the scammer) normally collocates with social relationship/kinship terms or a noun denoting the condition of the scammer, your (representing the recipient) collocates with nouns denoting material possessions or semiotic activities, while our often collocates with nouns that evoke some institutional commitment, locating the scammer within a network of relations

Source: UCC
On the one-outlier displaying component

A method of displaying an outlier in a multivariate data set is the Outlier Displaying Component. This method is based on the sample mean vector and the sum of squares and cross- product matrix. The main weakness of this method is that both of these measures involve the very outlier that is being detected. This paper presents an approach to eliminating this weakness. By eliminating the outlier from the sample mean vector and the sum of squares and cross-product matrix, the proposed method combines a number of advantages: It enhances the separation of the outlier from the rest of the data so that it appears more distinct. It also increases the general dispersion in the projected data so that the presence of multiple outliers could be revealed

Source: UCC
On the road to the presidency: a pragma-rhetorical analysis of the campaign speeches of John Agyekum Kufuor.

The thesis explored and compared the deployment of rhetorical and pragmatic strategies in the campaign discourse of President John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) as a challenger and as an incumbent respectively in Ghana’s 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Nine of his campaign speeches were selected for the study, using largely qualitative research design supported by the Pragma-Rhetorical Theory (Hie, 2006) and Functional Theory of Political Campaign Discourse (Benoit, 1999). The rhetorical analysis revealed that as a challenger JAK employed negative campaigning rooted in bellicose rhetoric. He also resorted to can-do optimism and marketed himself as an agent of change and the quintessence of the cure-all for Ghana’s problems. Conversely, as an incumbent the study showed that JAK appealed for continuity using temperate rhetoric. He flaunted his achievements and appropriated the ethos of traditional rulers to create a viable image of himself as a performing president. The pragmatic analysis, based on Searle’s (1979) classification of speech acts showed a preponderance of assertive. However, as a challenger, JAK performed more assertive acts (52.8%) than as an incumbent (47.2%). This result suggests that as a challenger JAK’s campaign discourse was more informative and descriptive in terms of the socio-economic conditions in the country. These findings underscore JAK’s adroitness in the tactical selection of varied rhetorical and pragmatic strategies to reflect his challenger-incumbent status for the achievement of his persuasive and communicative intentions. The findings of the study have implications for challengers eager to win power and incumbents keen to maintain power.

Source: UCC
On-Site Safety Practices and Health Experiences of Deathcare Workers in the Western Region, Ghana

Deathcare workers in Ghana are also entitled to conditions of work that uphold their health, safety, and general well-being. However, these workers are neglected and disproportionately exposed to psycho-physiological hazards and operate under dehumanising conditions. Meanwhile, there is still a lot more to be known about the deathcare industry in Ghana. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the on-site safety practices and health experiences of deathcare workers in the Western Region of Ghana. Descriptive phenomenological designs with observation were employed. Through census, all 12 functional deathcare facilities were selected and assessed, while 51 deathcare workers and 12 managers were purposively selected and conveniently interviewed. Data collection started from 8th February to 10th March, 2024. Additionally, the safety work practices of all 51 workers were observed using structured observation checklists. Thematic data analysis was conducted using the NVivo version 14. Six themes and 21 sub-themes emerged based on four stated research questions. The workers’ knowledge of industry regulations was inadequate and their workplace safety practices were poor. Additionally, the workers were ill-prepared to manage infectious dead bodies and there were no clear systems in place for workers protection against infectious diseases. Also, on-site physical and psychosocial safety hazards were widespread and the workers may contract infections from the dead bodies which may spread to their immediate families and the general public. Therefore, Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency needs to carryout quarterly assessment of deathcare facilities to ensure the workers are adequately protected

Source: UCC
On-Site Sanitation Systems for Low-Income Countries: Technical Guidelines for Groundwater Pollution and Nuisance Control

On-site sanitation systems, the commonest sanitation technologies in low-income countries, are central to the elimination of open defecation in such countries. Nevertheless, their selection and application in the physical and socio-economic environment of low-income settings could be a complex and challenging task. Poorly designed and constructed facilities could pollute groundwater resources and create nuisances to the user and the general public. Meanwhile, local authorities in these countries often lack the human resource with the requisite technical capacity to analyze situations and recommend appropriate solutions. This calls for guidance in the most crucial technical decisions that affect the safe usage and environmental sustainability of on-site sanitation technologies. This Chapter reviews salient standards and guidelines or the selection of appropriate technologies, prevention of groundwater pollution, control of odor and fly nuisance, structural stability and safety of the latrine user

Source: UCC
Oncogenic human papillomavirus infection and genotypes characterization among sexually active women in Tenkodogo at Burkina Faso, West Africa

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) genotypes among sexually active women in Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso. Methods: Among 131 sexually active women attending the Tenkodogo Urban Medical Center, endocervical samples were collected prior to screening for precancerous lesions. After viral DNA extraction, fourteen HR-HPV genotypes were characterized by real-time multiplex PCR in these cervical samples. Results: The mean age was 35.5 ± 9.5 years. Of the 131 women, 45 were infected with at least one HR-HPV genotype. The prevalence of HR-HPV infection among these women was 34.4%. Among the 45 oncogenic HPVinfected women, single HR-HPV genotype was found in 55.6% while 44.4% were infected with more than one HR-HPV genotype. The most frequent genotypes were HPV56 (36.5%), HPV66 (36.5%). Conclusion: Tenkodogo women included in this study had a higher prevalence of HPV 56, HPV 66. A larger study with a more representative sample would therefore be needed to determine predominant oncogenic genotypes in the subregion and especially in cancer cases.

Source: UCC
One novel virus, different beliefs as playmakers towards disease spread in Africa: looking at COVID-19 from a religious lens

Religious and spiritual observances that draw large people together are pervasive in many parts of the world, including Africa. With the recent emergence of COVID-19, these mass religious gatherings may pose significant threats to human health. Given the compromised healthcare systems in many parts of Africa, faith-based institutions have a huge responsibility towards the management of the potential spread of the virus through effective organizational strategies or interventions. This essay sheds light on what the novel virus has to do with religion, the role of religious practices in inhibiting or spreading COVID-19, and what appropriate evidence-based interventions religious or faith-based organizations could adopt to help prevent the spread of the disease in Africa through a unity of thoughts for religious action.

Source: UCC
One Year after 9/11: The Impact of Global Terrorism on Public Health Education

As we mark one year after the September 11 (9 /11) attack of the World Trade Center in New York, and the killing or traumatizing of thousands of innocent persons, global terrorism remains an issue of concern for political leaders, the business world and educators. The implications of terrorism to public health education are many and varied. At the minimum, 9 /11 increased the immediate need for additional public health education to help people cope and deal with both the immediate and long-term effects of terrorist acts all over the world. Public health education plays a leading role in managing the fear and insecurity created by global terrorism . Through health education people are informed about emergency crisis management procedures. Knowing what to do in the face of a terrorist attack may reduce the negative health impact of global terrorism . For instance, people should be educated on biological agents and chemicals that have the potential for being used as terrorist weapons, and what to do when they are used. Such information is also crucial in imbuing those who handle these agents with the responsibility of preventing the agents from ending up in the hands of potential terrorists.

Source: UCC
Onset and duration of cycloplegic action of 1% cyclopentolate – 1% tropicamide combination.

Purpose: To study the time course (onset, time and duration of maximal cycloplegia, and the full duration) of cycloplegic action of 1% Cyclopentolate – 1% Tropicamide. Methods: Seventy-seven students, aged 15-24 years were purposively sampled from the University of Cape Coast and Cape Coast Technical Institute. Subjective near addition (ADD) determination and pupil diameter measurement before and after a drop of the test agent (1% Cyclopentolate – 1% Tropicamide combination in the right eye) and the control (1% Cyclopentolate in the left eye) were performed. Measurements of subjective near ADD and pupil diameter were made after the initial reading at 5 minutes interval for the first hour and every 30 minutes for the next 7 hours for each participant. Time of onset, time of peak cycloplegia, duration of peak cycloplegia and duration of total cycloplegic effect was indirectly determined. Results: 1% Cyclopentolate – 1% Tropicamide combination had rapid onset of cycloplegia (5-10 minutes), shorter time of maximal cycloplegia (55 versus 90 minutes), and recovery (7 versus ≥ 8hours) in the majority (79.2%) of subjects. Conclusion: Cyclopentolate –Tropicamide combination was comparable to Cyclopentolate in depth of cycloplegia produced, and clinically superior to 1% Cyclopentolate in rapidity of cycloplegic onset, time of maximal cycloplegia and recovery from cycloplegia

Source: UCC
An open label clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of a cryptolepis sanguinolenta based herbal antimalarial agent

Medicinal plants are key in the treatment of malaria in many developing countries. This study reports on the effectiveness of Mist Nibima, a Ghanaian herbal product from the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong-Akuapem. The product is a proprietary remedy prepared from the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. A non-comparative open label study was undertaken involving 33 subjects diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria. Mean parasitaemia at baseline was 3454 (± 2507) declining to64.11 (± 66.16) after 7 days. In terms of the achievement of the primary outcome, 24 (72.72%) subjects had total parasite clearance with the other 9 (27.27%) attaining partial clearance by Day 7. No treatment failure and parasite recrudescence was also observed among the study subjects. The product Mist Nibima was also well tolerated and shown to safe as biochemical and haematological indices were normal post treatment. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and herbal products formulated from the plant may therefore hold some potential for use as first-line antimalarial agents

Source: UCC
An Operational Framework for Improving the Cashew Value Chain and Livelihoods of Cashew Farmers in the Wenchi and Techiman Municipalities

This research unearthed challenges in the cashew value chain and developed an operational framework to overcome them and improve livelihoods of farmers in the Wenchi and Techiman municipalities. A descriptive cross-sectional survey and a mixed methods design were used. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed with SPSS version 20 and content analysis respectively. The mean age of cashew farmers was found to be 55 years. They have cordial relations with cashew traders but not with input dealers, processors and researchers. Cashew farmers perceive extension not to have performed its roles adequately to help develop the value chain. Financial support (particularly loans) from banks is not available to cashew farmers and majority (90.3%) of them claim banks in the Wenchi and Techiman municipalities are not cashew-farmer friendly. Awareness-raising through radio, TV and the print media about the economic importance of cashew and capacity building of farmers are not pursued in the development of the cashew value chain. There is no umbrella organisation that is directly responsible for cashew and the range of policies currently offered in the cashew industry is not comprehensive. The average contribution of cashew to the livelihoods of cashew farmers and their households in the Wenchi and Techiman municipalities is 55%. If an operational framework founded on six critical issues namely: an earnest commencement of the cashew value chain; marketing; value chain financing (VCF); inputs/cultural practices; training/capacity building; and research with corresponding strategies for implementation is operationalised, cashew could contribute minimum 85% to cashew farmers‘ livelihoods to bring many of them permanently out of poverty.

Source: UCC
Operations of Ghana health insurance scheme in Choggo, Tamale

In most recent times the issue of the Ghana National Insurance scheme has preoccupied many a mind. Whereas some see in it a saviour others exercise their scepticism seeing it as another very big white elephant. The efforts made in this study have sought to digest some concepts of the Health Insurance as well as trace the origin of the Insurance with a commitment to ensuring that the emerging scheme is devoid of bottlenecks as it appears to be harbouring now. Two main tools were employed to elicit the relevant data in its primary and secondary forms and analysed by the use of the SPSS version 16 statistical software. Additionally the Chi-Square statistic, the Pearson correlation coefficient, Regression analysis together with the regular descriptive essay have been applied to infer on some specific relatedness. The results are fascinating yet quite explainable. In one form it reveals that almost everybody hails the new health delivery system but mindful that its operations are beset with so many problems. Without really prioritising them various remedial measures have been recommended along a constructive background.

Source: UCC
Opportunities for Ghana’s Maternal and Child Health Care: A Position Statement

Failure to take Maternal and Child Health Care (MCH) as a crucial issue has affected many developing countries in the world. Though MCH remains a priority for the government of Ghana since independence, there is still more room for improvement. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the progress made by Ghana in MCH care and the available opportunities for improvement. The paper focuses on issues affecting MCH by providing a brief analysis of some current issues in the area, and the need for an expanded comprehensive coverage. As Ghana works harder to attain national growth and development, the delivery of MCH care as a component of health need to take a more multidisciplinary approach. This review has implications for innovations in MCH, education, research and policy.

Source: UCC
Optical identification of plasmodium alciparum malarial byproduct for parasite density estimation

Plasmodium alciparum (P. alciparum) malarial degree of infection, termed as parasite density (PD), estimation is ital for point of-care diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In this work, we present application of optical techniques: optical absorption and multispectral imaging for P. alciparum malarial byproduct (hemozoin) detection in human-infected blood samples to estimate PD. *e blood samples were collected from olunteers who were tested positive for P. alciparum infections (i-blood), and after treatment, another set of blood samples (u-blood) were also taken. *e i-blood samples were grouped based on PD (+, ++, +++,and ++++). Optical densities (ODs) of u-blood samples and i-blood samples at blood absorption bands of 405 nm, 541 nm, and 577 nm showed different optical absorption characteristics. Empirical computation of ratio of the ODs for the blood absorption bands revealed reduction in the ODs with increasing PD. Multispectral images containing uninfected red blood cells (u-RBCs) and P. alciparum-infected red blood cells (i-RBCs) on unstained blood smear slides exhibited spectrally determined decrease in both reflected and scattered pixel intensities and increase in transmitted pixel intensities with increasing PD. We further propose a linear classification model based on Fisher’s approach using reflected, scattered, and transmitted pixel intensities for easy and inexpensive estimation of PD as an alternative to manual estimation of PD, currently, the widely used technique. Application of the optical techniques and the proposed linear classification model are therefore recommended for improved malaria diagnosis and therapy

Source: UCC
Optical Identification of Plasmodium falciparum Malarial Byproduct for Parasite Density Estimation

Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malarial degree of infection, termed as parasite density (PD), estimation is vital for point- of-care diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In this work, we present application of optical techniques: optical absorption and multispectral imaging for P. falciparum malarial byproduct (hemozoin) detection in human-infected blood samples to estimate PD. The blood samples were collected from volunteers who were tested positive for P. falciparum infections (i-blood), and after treatment, another set of blood samples (u-blood) were also taken. The i-blood samples were grouped based on PD (+, ++, +++, and ++++). Optical densities (ODs) of u-blood samples and i-blood samples at blood absorption bands of 405 nm, 541 nm, and 577 nm showed diﬀerent optical absorption characteristics. Empirical computation of ratio of the ODs for the blood absorption bands revealed reduction in the ODs with increasing PD. Multispectral images containing uninfected red blood cells (u-RBCs) and P. falciparum-infected red blood cells (i-RBCs) on unstained blood smear slides exhibited spectrally determined decrease in both reﬂected and scattered pixel intensities and increase in transmitted pixel intensities with increasing PD. We further propose a linear classiﬁcation model based on Fisher’s approach using reﬂected, scattered, and transmitted pixel intensities for easy and inexpensive estimation of PD as an alternative to manual estimation of PD, currently, the widely used technique. Application of the optical techniques and the proposed linear classiﬁcation model are therefore recommended for improved malaria diagnosis and therapy

Source: UCC
Optical imaging method for determining symptoms severity of cassava mosaic disease

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a major constraint to cassava production in cassava growing regions. Severity of CMD symptoms on cassava leaves is usually assessed visually using an arbitrary scale, which is semi-qualitative, and does not represent the actual surface area of diseased leaf. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative method of assessing the severity of CMD. A combination of polarimeteric digital colour images, L*a*b* colour model and K-means clustering algorithm were used to determine the areas of CMD symptoms and healthy areas on leaves. The severity of CMD on a leaf is determined by computing the percentage of the CMD symptomatic area to the total leaf area. The analysis provides relatively fast and accurate classification of Cassava mosaic diseased leaves. The proposed method will enable plant scientists to obtain accurate and reliable data, forming the basis for better decision making

Source: UCC