ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Impact of food hazards in school meals on students' health, academic work and finance - Senior High School students' report from Ashanti Region of Ghana

The study investigated the types of food hazards, the incidences and effect of foodborne diseases (FBD) in Senior Secondary Schools in Ghana. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 180 boarding school level 1 and 2 students from 45 sampled public schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and analysed with SPSS Version 21. Stones and insects in food received the highest complaints alongside food allergy and intolerance. Out of 180 students, 51.7% had experienced FBD with 21.1% of these reporting to health centers within their 1-2 years in school. FBD incidence rate was 3-12 times per academic year and 12% of the students had been absent from active academic work for as long as 5 days due to FBD with 10% spending between GHC 30.00 ? 50.00 on medication per each episode. Students recommended improved GHP including standard cleaning procedures, food temperature control, available hand washing facilities with detergents at the dining halls and kitchens. Mandatory requirement of routine hygiene and food safety training for food handlers was required in schools with heightened monitoring, surveillance and law enforcement on acceptable practices. Supplier control across the food chain to reduce physical and chemical contaminants in agro products and food vendor's access control was required. Improving the quality and variety of school meals could also reduce dependence on other sources for food and help in controlling food safety risks. There was a need to increase awareness on the appropriate channels to report FBD incidence in schools for effective control measures and infection treatment. � 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UEW
Impact of free senior high school policy on visual arts programme a case of New AbiremAfosu senior high school

This study evaluated the impact of the Free Senior High School policy in the New Abirem/Afosu Senior High School in the Eastern Region of Ghana. An explanatory mixed method design was used for the study. Three instruments were designed and validated for data collection; these were (i) Questionnaire (ii) Interview (iii) Observation Instrument. The target population comprised all the visual arts teachers, students and alumni of New Abirem/Afosu Senior High School. The researcher employed stratified random sampling to access 114 respondents out of the targeted population and used Microsoft Excel and The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) for data analysis. Descriptive statistics was employed in analysing and answering research question 1,2 and 3. The results revealed that there has not been any improvement in the challenges confronting the visual arts department of the school especially the physical infrastructure (studio), requisite tools and equipment, despite a few materials supply. Though there was an upsurge in enrolment, it was also evident that the Free SHS policy has not realised its anticipated positive impact in terms of quality in education due to its complementary regulations and how the entire policy is being implemented.

Source: UEW
The impact of government educational expenditure on economic growth in Ghana

The purpose of this is to examine the relationship between components of educational expenditure and economic growth. The study considered the impacts of expenditure on tertiary, secondary and primary education on economic growth. The study employed quantitative research design to analyse relationship between educational expenditure and economic growth in Ghana. The study employed annual time series data spanning from 1980 to 2019. Data was sourced from World Development Indicators (WDI) 2020, Globaleconomy.com, Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and Bank of Ghana (BoG). The study tested for unit root and co-integration to ascertain the existence of stationarity and long run relationship among the variables. Based on the result of the unit root test, ARDL and Error Correction (EC) model was adopted. The result shown that there exists long run relationship between components government educational expenditure and economic growth. The study found that expenditure on primary education was statistically insignificant in the long run. The result indicates that in the long run, government educational expenditure (secondary and tertiary), through its impact on human capital, significantly and positively influence economic growth and this means that education contributes meaningfully to the long-term growth of Ghana’s economy. It was found that the impacts of expenditure on tertiary education on economic growth is greater than the impacts of expenditure on secondary education on economic growth. The study further revealed that there exists uni-directional granger causality between government education spending and economic growth. That is, it was found that only educational granger causes economic growth but economic growth does not granger cause education expenditure. The study recommend that government should encourage more spending on tertiary education in the form of scholarship to tertiary students, spending on research and developments which will in the long run increase productivity and hence economic growth. Inter-relationships between government expenditure and education quality should be taken into account when formulating education policy to promote economic growth in Ghana.

Source: UEW
The impact of government educational expenditure on economic growth in Ghana

With the introduction of a new Standards-based Curriculum in Ghanaian Basic schools in September 2019, no empirical study has examined teachers‟ knowledge and perceptions about the new curriculum. This study employed a quantitative non-experimental descriptive survey approach to investigate teachers‟ perceptions, knowledge and readiness to implement and adopt the new curriculum for use. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to obtain a homogenous sample of sixty primary school teachers in Agona Nsaba in the Central region of Ghana. A self-complete structured questionnaire was used to elicit information about the views of the teachers. In all, the teachers believed a change in curriculum was very much needed and that the new curriculum offered better learning opportunities for the learners. The teachers fairly understood all the listed aspects of the curriculum, had the required knowledge about the key concepts of the new curriculum and believed they could competently apply the aims and values of the curriculum in their teaching. Even so, the teachers were apprehensive of how the implementation of the curriculum would go because they felt the training they received was inadequate and that for them to implement the curriculum successfully, more training was required.

Source: UEW
The impact of guidance on pupils academic performance the case Ofkade E.P junior high school Kwaebibibrem, Eastern region

The research sought to explore the impact of Guidance on Pupils performance in Kade, E.P Junior High School.The study looked at related literature concerning the topic. In conducting the research, the descriptive research design was used for the study. The stratified, convenience andsimple random sampling techniques were used in selecting respondents for the study. The researcher used Statistical Product and Service Solution for the data analysis where frequency tables were generated. The sample size was fifty (50).The research instrument(s) used included questionnaire items to elicit relevant information concerning the topic under study.The study revealed that guidance policy was not mandatory at the school. However, it was revealed that Teachers were mandated to provide guidance services to Pupils. It was further revealed that, there were no documents on guidance policies for pupils in the school. It was also evident that teachers do not meet parents to discuss guidance issues with them. It was also clear from the study that students do not always have confidence to approach coordinators when they need help. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that, school authorities should ensure that guidance services are made compulsory for all students and make sure that guidance coordinators and teachers are all tasked to provide guidance services to help the students in order to be serious with their studies.

Source: UEW
Impact of guided inquiry-based teaching on academic performance and attitude of form two biology students

This study examined the impact of guided inquiry –based learning on students‟ attitude and academic performance in biology in Tamale Senior High School, Tamale, in the Northern region of Ghana. The participants for this study were 200 senior high form two (SHS2) students offering Biology in Tamale Senior High. Quasi experimental research design involving non-equivalent groups was adopted. The selection of was based on purposive sampling technique which involved four form two classes (SHS2). Data collected using students‟ attitude Biology scale (BSAB) were analysed using inferential statistics. An Independent-t-test statistics was used to establish the significance of guided Inquiry-based teaching and learning on students‟ academic performance. Analysis was used to explain the magnitude of the Pre and post treatment on attitude and academic performance of the students. In line with the findings of this study, the teacher, students‟ interest and relevance of biology were identified as factors affecting students‟ academic performance and attitude. It was also revealed from the findings that guided inquiry based learning has a positive effect on Students‟ attitude and also helped identify the weakness of students and to address them to improve their academic performance. It is recommended that teachers in their classroom adopts guided inquiry-based teaching (IBT) to help build positive attitude towards biology in Tamale Senior High School.

Source: UEW
Impact of headmasters’ transformational leadership styles on teacher job satisfaction in public senior high schools in Tumu Municipality

The study investigated the impact of transformational leadership style of headmasters on teachers‘ job satisfaction in public Senior High schools in Tumu Municipality. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The target population comprised all 210 teachers in the two Senior High Schools in the Tumu Municipality of the Upper Wet Region of Ghana while the accessible population was 194 teachers. The census sampling technique was used to involve all 194 teachers. However, responses used for the analysis were from 190 teachers whose questionnaires were retrieved. In the data collection process, questionnaire was employed. For the analysis, frequency, percentage, means, standard deviation, and linear multiple regression were used. The findings of the study indicated that teachers perceived their headteachers to be predominantly using idealized influence style of transformational leadership as compared to inspirational motivation style of transformational leadership, intellectual stimulation style of transformational leadership and individual consideration style of transformational leadership. The study also revealed that the level of teacher job satisfaction in public senior high school teachers in the Tumu Municipality was high. The study further revealed that that headteachers‘ transformational leadership styles have significant positive impact on teacher job satisfaction in public senior high schools in the Tumu Municipality. The study concluded that if headteachers are able to intensify the use of other forms of transformational leadership styles, especially inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individual consideration, teachers job satisfaction will be improved beyond the current level leading to better school climate and increase in students learning outcome. It was recommended among others that Directorate of Ghana Education Service in the Tumu Municipality should organise regularly organise seminars and in-service training programmes for headteachers to educate them on the impact of transformational leadership styles on teacher job satisfaction to effectively apply or utilize the appropriate types of transformational leadership which can positively affect teacher job satisfaction.

Source: UEW
The impact of health and safety practises on productivity on construction sites. A case study of selected construction firms in the Akuapem North municipality

This research dealt with health and safety issues in construction industry in the Akuapem North Municipality in eastern region. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of health and safety practices on construction site. To understand this concept, background of the study and the stated problems of the study were dealt with. This emphasized that health and safety issues have always been a major problem and concern in the Ghanaian construction industries. Efforts have been made to address this problem but the results have been far from satisfactory. The study used qualitative research approach for data gathering to obtain the needed information for the study. Random sampling procedure was used to select the sample size .The sample size was made up of 139 people who are directly affected by the health and safety issues in the construction site. Questionnaires were designed distributed to potential construction industry prayers such as contractors, consultants and health experts to determine the health and safety measures applied on construction sites. Other instruments like interviews and questionnaires were carried out with selected artisans and supervisors. This is specifically; it investigates the safety perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of construction workers and management safety practices. Based upon the results and discussions of the study, this study has demonstrated that the majorities of construction companies in Ghana have a poor degree of risk awareness and do not take health and safety as an important issue. From the study findings it was concluded among others that employees feel secured and protected when there is proper health and safety policies in the organisation by management. The study recommended among others that the management of the construction firms should organize in-service training programmes to educate the workers regarding health and safety issued and its impacts on workers productivity.

Source: UEW
Impact of home variables on senior high school students’ performance in integrated science

This study assessed the impact of home variables on Senior High School students’ performance in integrated science at Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School in the Ga – South Municipality in the Greater Accra Region. The case study design was used for this research. The main instruments for data collection were questionnaire and interview. The study involved sixty (60) students, sixty (60) parents and thirty (30) teachers and administrators. Purposive sampling was used to select the school as well as the teachers and administrators while random sampling was used to select the individual parent and student respondents. Simple percentages were used to determine the levels of impact of the different home variables affecting students’ academic performance in integrated science. The major home variables underpinning the study included socio economic status of parents, home environment, parental involvement in education and the availability of modern appliances in homes. All the respondents indicated that the socio economic status of parents had been the major factor influencing the poor performance of integrated science students in Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School. Among the suggested interventions cutting across the various groups of respondents was an appeal to government to design and implement policies that will improve the socio-economic status of parents. Additionally, motivation of students by parents and teachers, the assignment of qualified people to teach science subjects by school authorities, parents’ fulfillment of their responsibilities and the supply of adequate text books and learning materials by the Ministry of Education were some of the suggested recommendations to improve integrated science learning in the school.

Source: UEW
The impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on cocoa production and livelihood a case study of Amansie west district

Gold mining is a very important segment of the extractive sector but has one of the most serious and disastrous environmental consequences; conflicting with the livelihood and cocoa production and survival of resident communities. This research was conducted in Amansie West district of Ghana to assess the effect of small scale illegal mining (Galamsey), its impact on cocoa production and livelihoods. The modified random sampling technique was used. Data collected was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) software. Descriptive statistics tools were used for the data analysis. The study revealed that many inhabitants in the communities face several challenges from small scale mining activities such as water pollution from excessive use of chemicals, air pollution and land degradation from indiscriminate heavy use of machines. Cocoa farmers have also observed early dropping of immature pods, wilting, yellowing of leaves and low yield on cocoa produce. Majority of the youth opined that their engagement in the Galamsey activities is as a result of unemployment; desire to get quick money and the fact that cocoa farming is seen as a job or business that does not pay well. The study advocates for drastic government and media support aim at educating the youth and the various small scale mining communities about the repercussions on indiscriminate destruction of farm land (especially cocoa production) and a lot of adverts on television and radio to create awareness on the dangers that Galamsey poses to the cocoa sector which is the mainstay of the economy and an aggressive land reclamation campaign.

Source: UEW
Impact of illegal mining on school attendance and academic performance among students in public junior high schools in Atiwa west district

This study assessed the impact of illegal mining on school attendance and academic performance of junior high school students in the Atiwa West District of Ghana. Phenomenological research design was used for this study and research instrument used was semi-structured interview. Twenty (20) student respondents were selected for the study. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to select respondents for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the five junior high schools in the district and the pupil participants were selected using snowballing technique. Findings of the study has revealed that indeed illegal mining activities partake, by students do have negative effect on school attendance and academic performance and it was established that students who come to school regularly perform tremendously while the absentee students perform poorly. The study recommended that with the implementation of the New Educational Reform and Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education, parents must educate their wards on the importance of education, and parents must be made aware that it is their responsibility to bear the cost of their children’s need.

Source: UEW
The impact of improvised instructional materials on students’ academic achievement in biology in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area

This study aimed to investigate the impact of improvised instructional materials on the performance of senior high school students in biology. A sequential-exploratory mixedmethod research design was employed, and data from four senior high schools were conveniently selected from the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area. The sample consisted of 136 students and 16 biology teachers. Tests, questionnaires, and focused group interviews were used to collect data for analysis. The study sought to answer three research questions: (1) What are the views of teachers and students about the extent to which improvised instructional materials affect students’ achievement in biology? (2) what challenges do biology teachers face in improvising instructional materials? and (3) what is the impact of improvised instructional materials on student achievement in biology? SPSS software was used to organize the data into frequencies, means and charts. The findings showed that improvised instructional materials are a key factor that promotes academic achievement in biology. However, biology teachers face several challenges, including monetary problems, lack of motivation, and lack of knowledge and skills in improvisation. The study also revealed that improvised instructional materials had a significant positive impact on students' learning outcomes (p-value = 0.00). Overall, the study highlights the importance of improvised instructional materials in enhancing students' academic achievement in biology, and the need for biology teachers to be adequately equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to improvise instructional material.

Source: UEW
The impact of in-efficient diagnosis of vehicles by mechanics on the environment

The aim of the study is to assess the general knowledge of Technicians and Mechanics in the Automobile repair sector in Diagnosing Electronics managed Vehicles in the Tamale Metropolis .The research questions were based on the levels of understanding of the systems by Mechanics in Diagnosing Electronics managed Vehicles in order to reduce its effects on the Environment. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The sample of 60 comprised of Managers and Mechanics, randomly selected from the Tamale Metropolis. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v16).The study revealed that, majority of the Mechanics and the Workshop Managers had formal Education, percentages (n=28, 46.7%) and lack modern diagnostic equipments and training on how to use the Diagnostic Equipments and the Effects of pollution as result of their activities on the Environment. Majority (n39, 65%) agreed that the Government and the Trade Union should organize this training for them. Based on the findings, it was recommended that, Mechanics who are trainable need skill training periodically to help them to upgrade their skills to reduce this canker.

Source: UEW