ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Preparing globally competent teachers: A paradigm shift for teacher education in Ghana

It is well known that quality and positive school outcomes are determined by teacher competence, sensitivity, and motivation which are summed as teacher quality. )e role teachers play in shaping society requires that training of same must be of utmost priority of governments. With reference to the relevance of archival materials, the study relied mostly on observation and secondary sources of data with content analysis on training of teachers in Ghana. )is study identified various elements that contribute to the quality of teachers which ultimately increases the quality of education. )ese included quality assurance of teacher education, initial training of teachers, deployment processes, professional growth, compensation, and regulatory bodies that ensure standards and compliance. )e article also found out that low investments in teacher education, allowing nonprofessional graduates to teach, poor living, and working condition are deterrent to teachers from accepting postings to rural and deprived areas; lack of regular and consistent training for professional development and poor motivation packages for teachers are some of the reasons for poor quality in the education delivery at the basic school level. )e study then advocates that teachers must be trained strictly by educational institutions only, aptitude test must be used to recruit teachers, intensify curricula reform to address critical thinking skills in teachers, institute regular development training for teachers, and motivate teachers who accept postings to rural areas.

Source: UEW
Preschool teachers’ perception of the influence of corporal punishment on preschoolers’ behaviour in the Ga South Municipality

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers‘ perception of the influence of corporal punishment on preschooler‘ behaviour in the Ga South Municipality. Skinner‘s Operant Conditioning theory underpinned the current study. A crosssectional survey research design was employed to guide the collection and analysis of data collected. Convenience and purposive sampling were applied to identify and select 160 kindergarten teachers to participate in the study. Data collection was done in respect of the study‘s research objectives through semi-structured questionnaire. The data on the research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. T-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the hypothesis. The study findings revealed that corporal punishment exists in the study area. Secondly, the teachers viewed corporal punishment as a useful tool for promoting learning and discipline among preschooler. The teachers, however, showed appreciation of the negative effect of corporal punishment on the overall behaviour of pupils. They enumerated some other alternative methods in disciplining preschoolers. The result on the hypotheses revealed that there was a difference between teachers with less and more teaching experience as regards the commonly administered forms of corporal punishment in preschools. Among others, the study concluded that corporal punishment with its associated effects were, in the view of the teachers, negatively affecting the preschooler‘ behaviour. Therefore, the study recommended among others that the enforcement of Ghana Education Service regulation on the limited use of corporal punishment should be ensured while the use of alternative disciplinary practices is encouraged among teachers.

Source: UEW
Preservice teachers' beliefs about play in kindergarten in Ga East municipality

This study explores the beliefs and perceptions of preservice teachers regarding the role of play in kindergarten classrooms in the GA East Municipality. Using a convenience sampling approach, the study recruited preservice teachers enrolled in a local teacher preparation program. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews to gain insight into the preservice teachers' understanding, attitudes, and beliefs about the value and implementation of play-based learning in the kindergarten curriculum. The findings reveal that preservice teachers generally recognize the developmental and educational benefits of play for young children. However, there are variations in their beliefs about the appropriate balance between teacher-directed instruction and child-initiated play activities. Factors such as prior experiences, observed teaching practices, and exposure to educational theories appear to shape the preservice teachers' perspectives on play pedagogy. The study highlights the need to strengthen play-based pedagogy in teacher preparation programs, enabling preservice teachers to develop a deeper appreciation for the role of play in kindergarten classrooms. Recommendations include providing more opportunities for preservice teachers to observe and practice play-based instructional strategies, as well as engaging them in critical discussions about the integration of play and academic learning. The findings from this study can inform the design of teacher education curricula and professional development initiatives to better prepare preservice teachers for effective implementation of play-based practices in early childhood settings.

Source: UEW
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of microbes isolated from individuals attending private diagnostic centre in Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

The evidence of rising numbers of multidrug-resistant organisms requires the implementation of effective stewardship programs. However, this should be informed by evidence-based knowledge of local antimicrobial resistance patterns. The current study aims to establish the prevalence of common pathogenic microbes including their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and distribution in the Cape Coast Metropolis. This was a retrospective study where microbial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility records for 331 patients were reviewed from January to December 2019, at a private health centre. All data were analysed using Excel (Microsoft Office, USA), SPSS and GraphPad Prism 8 software programs. Among the samples tested, 125 (37.76%) were positive for microbes with high vaginal swab (HVS) samples recording the highest number of pathogens (44%), followed by urine (40%) and both pleural and semen samples having the least (0.3% each). Again, gram-negative isolates were more prevalent than the gram-positive isolates. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was very significant with isolates resistant to more than one antibiotic (P < 0.05). Escherichia coli showed the highest level of resistance, followed by Citrobacter spp. These were followed by Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Commensals and Candida spp. The high resistance pattern suggests an inevitable catastrophe requiring continuous monitoring and implementation of effective antibiotic stewardship. � 2022, The Author(s).

Source: UEW
Prevalence of child domestic labour in Torkor in the Kpando municipality of the Volta region

This study surveyed the prevalence of child domestic labour in Torkor in the Kpando Municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana. The study's goal is to determine how common child domestic labour is in Torkor in the Kpando Municipality in the Volta Region. Furthermore, to comprehend the experiences, factors, and outcomes of domestic work on children engaged in Torkor in the Kpando Municipality in the Volta Region. A qualitative method design was used for the study. The major instrument for data collection was interview. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the sample of respondents for the study. In all, nineteen (19) respondents were selected, seventeen (17) were from the community of study and Two (2) institutional heads from the Kpando Municipality. It was discovered through an in-depth interview that child domestic labour is prevalent in the Torkor community of the Kpando Municipality of the Volta Region. In addition, children engaged in domestic work are not given good care. The study also discovered that parents of children in domestic labour are given monies without the knowledge of the children. Additionally, the study revealed that children involved in domestic work are not allowed to fully concentrate on their academic work. It is recommended that among other things, government must put in place mass education to stop the menace.

Source: UEW
The prevalence of diet related health problems among the elderly in Birim Central municipality

The basic needs of elderly people in society appears to be ignored or not sufficiently prioritized, Particularly, the elderly are not given adequate care in line with their nutritional needs due to food insecurity. This study was conducted in Birim Central Municipality. To investigate a prevalence of diet related health problems of the elderly, and the socio-economic determinants of these problems. The research methods used for the study were survey, and observation. The study employed the cross-sectional design. Two hundred (200) elderly people were purposively sampled from ten (10) conveniently selected settlements in the municipality. Questionnaire and observation checklist with calculated Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.79 were used as research instruments to collect data. The quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. The study revealed that less than 23% of the elderly suffered nutritional and diet related health problems, such as hypertension, overweight/obesity, weight loss, and constipation. The study identified poor place of residence, food or diet restrictions, weak social support system, and food unavailability as the determinants of these nutrition and health problems of the elderly. All indications from this study shows that many elderly people in the society are not given adequate care in line with their nutritional and basic needs and that the basic needs appears to be ignored or not sufficiently prioritized.The study recommended that caretakers and families of the elderly in the municipality should always provide adequate food to the elderly people. They should improve the feeding practices and nutrient content of foods given to elderly by feeding them with the right amount of carbohydrate, protein, and vitamin-giving foods three times or more in a day; and giving them adequate fresh fruits, vegetable and water.

Source: UEW
Prevention of accidents through effective and efficient maintenance and repair work in various garages in Accra

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) announced that there were 2,330 road accidents bringing it to an average of accident per day across the country in2011. In 2012, by November ending 13,535 vehicles crashes have been recorded resulting over 2, 069 deaths in Ghana. In December 2012 alone 246 people died and 1, 260 were injured in road accidents. Road accidents being multidisciplinary in nature involve attention of multidepartment such as Ghana Highway Authority for roads and its furniture. Motor traffic transport unit (MTTU), National Road Safety Commission (NRSC). Motor vehicles including drivers, and garages for repair and maintenance.This study investigated the extent of prevention of accident through effective and efficient maintenance and repair work of vehicles in Accra garages. The vehicle maintenance procedures were examined and the vehicle maintenance and repairs procedures were analysed for effective and efficient maintenance and repairs.It was found out that, with the exception of new vehicle dealership that has modern equipment; independent garages have inferior and obsolete equipment to test for engine pressures, check for correct torque of engine, gauges, alignment and engine tune up.The dissertation further showed that mechanics in independent garages do not have the matching skill competencies needed to cope up with the accelerated technology, in the automotive industry drivers lacked maintenance culture which is militating against smooth operations of vehicles.The study also showed that most mechanics and vehicle users are ignorant about the technical details of maintenance, that vehicle first and foremost operates in line with scientific principles. The study recommended that mechanism be put in place to organize a technical training programme for mechanics. Garage owners should procure the diagnostic tools and equipment, and be trained on how to use them to diagnose vehicle. Drivers and vehicle licensing Authority are to ensure that vehicles used on our roads are roadworthy.

Source: UEW
Prices trend of selected building and construction materials on Ghanaian construction market: 2011�2016

Increase prices of building and construction materials have the tendency of increasing the cost or prices of housing for both buying and renting purposes. This study investigates the prices trend of some selected common building and construction materials on the construction market in Ghana. Average annual prices of building materials from 2011 to 2016 were collected from Public Procurement Board and used in the determination of the trend in prices of building and construction materials in Ghana. The data were inputted into Microsoft Office Professional Plus Excel, version 2016 for generating graphs for analysis. It was revealed that materials such as fine aggregates, felt, aluminium roofing sheets and sandcrete blocks had an inconsistent (fluctuating) increase in price. It was further found that other materials such as coarse aggregates, ordinary Portland cement, concrete kerbs and high-tensile steel rods had a consistent increase in prices along the study period. The study concludes that there is general increase prices trend of the selected building and construction materials on the construction market in Ghana. It is recommended for government and the legislature to take the necessary measures and enact laws to control the factors that contribute to the increasing prices of building and construction materials. � 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Source: UEW
Primary school mathematics teachers’ conceptions and practices of constructivist instructional strategies

The study explored Ghanaian primary school mathematics teachers’ conceptions and practices of constructivist instructional strategies (CIS). The study employed a descriptive survey research design to collect data from 205 primary school mathematics teachers in the Upper East region of Ghana. Out of the number, eight (8) teachers were selected for classroom observations and interviews. Purposive sampling was used to sample public primary school mathematics teachers in the Upper East region, while cluster sampling and simple random sampling were used to arrive at the sample size. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative method of data analysis. The findings brought to bare two different teachers’ conceptions of CIS which included pupils’ ability to construct their own understanding, and also willingness to follow a learner-centred method of instruction. The findings also indicated that teachers are aware of two aspects of CIS; social interactions and authentic learning tasks. It was however observed that teachers sometimes practice CIS. Additionally, it was determined that as teachers’ perceptions of CIS increase, their frequency of use of selected CIS increases. Factors hindering the teaching of mathematics using CIS were identified as, teachers’ inadequate content and pedagogical knowledge, lack of teaching resources, limited instructional period, large class size and pupils’ limited proficiency in the English language. The study recommends that stakeholders should organise inservice training for teachers, in order to keep them abreast of CIS. Furthermore, they should provide resources and incentives that will encourage teachers to teach mathematics using CIS, which will go a long way to improve pupils’ academic performance.

Source: UEW
Primary school teachers’ conceptions and practices of multiple representations in mathematics instruction in Lower Manya municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to explore primary school teachers‟ conceptions and use of multiple representations in the mathematics classroom in the Lower Manya Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The research was conducted in the Lower Manya Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The theoretical framework that underpinned the study was Lesh, Post, and Behr Multiple theory. The research design employed in the study was Case study. All primary three and six mathematics teachers constituted the population of the study. Cluster sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling technique were used to select five respondents from Basic three (P3) and six (P6) primary mathematics teachers from public schools in Lower Manya Municipality. Semi-structured interview guide and observation checklist were used to collect qualitative data. A document analysis sheet was used to examine the curriculum provisions for multiple representations. The qualitative data on the other hand was analysed using thematic analysis. From the analyses of the curriculum documents, it was found that Primary 3 (P3) syllabus had 32 out of 49 (65.31%) objectives whilst the Primary 6 (P6) syllabus had 38 out of 71 (53.52%) objectives presented using multiple representations. The textbook analysis showed that P3 textbook had 41 out of 45 (91.11%) subtopics whereas the P6 textbook had 51 out of 70 (72.86%) subtopics presented using multiple representations. These findings suggest that sufficient provision has been made in the curriculum documents to guide teachers to use multiple representations in their mathematics lesson delivery. The interview responses suggest that participants seemed to be aware of several multiple representations in mathematics teaching, although the term multiple representations were new to most of them. Evidence from classroom observations also suggest that the conceptions teachers hold about multiple representations are scarcely translated into practice. It is therefore recommended that in-service training programmes on multiple representations be organised for teachers on regular basis so that they will be well equipped with the needed skills and knowledge to adequately assist learners to construct their own understanding of mathematical concepts.

Source: UEW
Principal component analysis of factors influencing pricing decisions of building materials in Ghana

The key factors that greatly affect the selection of building materials are the cost and other related factors such as properties of the materials. The aim of this study was to identify the factors that influence the pricing decisions in determining the price level of building materials in Ghana. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to both construction practitioners and building material merchants to collect data in Kumasi metropolis, Accra metropolis and Sunyani municipal assembly in Ghana. Factor analysis was performed to identify the main factors that influence pricing decisions of building materials. Six main factors were identified: market-, producer-, production-, economic-, political- and environmental-related factors. It is recommended that the identified factors should be controlled by stakeholders who are concerned with the identified factors that contribute to prices of the building materials in order to prevent the increased prices of building material. The study contributes to the literature in the area of building materials management. � 2018, � 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Source: UEW
Prioritizing strategies to eliminate barriers to renewable energy adoption and development in Ghana: A CRITIC-fuzzy TOPSIS approach

An effective energy provision is pivotal for socio-economic development. Nonetheless, renewable energy (RE) adoption and development in most developing countries are met with multidimensional challenges. Therefore, this study adopted the CRITIC and F-TOPSIS methods to assess RE barriers and prioritized RE adoption and development strategies in Ghana. Overall, twenty-two barriers were identified and grouped into six categories for the analysis. Again, nine strategies were proposed to surmount the barriers. The relative rankings of the barriers followed; technical, economic and financial, political and regulatory, institutional, social, and geographical. The present findings suggest that direct enabling and integrating policies, RE targets, education, and training are the most suitable strategies in respective sequence for removing the RE barriers. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis conducted to test the robustness of study findings confirmed the results generated from obtained dataset. The study results imply that targeted efforts are required to engender the enabling conditions needed for high RE penetration in Ghana. Again, there is the need to create easily accessible economic avenues through enabling policy initiatives for RE development in the country. � 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UEW
Prisoner reintegration communication

This study explores the role of communication in the reintegration process within the Ghana Prisons Service, focusing specifically on Nsawam Medium Security Prison. The objective is to examine communication strategies that facilitate reintegration, the contribution of communication to rehabilitation and reintegration, and the perspectives of key stakeholders within the Ghana Prisons Service. A qualitative case study design was utilised, involving 20 participants who were purposefully selected. These participants included prison staff, aftercare agents, ex convicts, relatives of former prisoners, and community leaders. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and thematic analysis was employed to categorise the data. The study was grounded in stakeholder theory as its theoretical framework. The findings highlight the importance of communication in rehabilitation, including pre-release communication strategies, public awareness and advocacy campaigns, and stakeholder collaboration to facilitate successful reintegration. The study emphasises the significance of communication in maintaining family and social connections and facilitating behavioural and attitudinal change. Furthermore, the findings indicate that effective communication within the prison system reduces social stigma, promotes rehabilitation, and fosters acceptance – all of which are crucial for a smooth reintegration into society. The study concludes that engaging stakeholders, including inmates’ families, community leaders, NGOs, and the larger society, is essential for successful reintegration. However, it is important to note that the study’s sample size was limited, cautioning against broad generalization of the findings. This suggests a need for future quantitative research to enhance the generalisability of the findings.

Source: UEW
Privacy practices in academic libraries in Ghana: Insight into three top universities

This research contributes to knowledge on privacy practices in academic libraries, by comparing survey data of librarians and their student-patrons in three top Ghanaian public universities. Our research revealed that Ghanaian academic libraries have not been proactive in promoting privacy issues. There is a general lack of awareness among librarians and their student-patrons about library practices, policies and procedures relating to privacy in their institutions. Besides, very little has been done in terms of providing privacy education and communicating the library�s and vendors� privacy policies to staff and student-patrons. Among others, recommendations were made for library leaders and the library professional association in Ghana to develop toolkits that will facilitate privacy education and privacy advocacy. � The Author(s) 2020.

Source: UEW