ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the barriers to renewable energy adoption utilising MULTIMOORA- EDAS method

Renewable energy sources development has become popular in recent times for their energy security, employment creation and containment of greenhouse gases emissions. However, the development of renewable energy in developing countries has remained stagnant despite plenteous renewable energy sources due to existential barriers. Herein, using Ghana's renewable energy policy target of 10% other renewables besides hydroelectricity in her total energy mix by 2020 as a case analysis, this study identified and ranked the barriers to renewable energy development. Overall, twenty-three barriers were finalised and categorised under six broad headings, including technical, economic and financial, social, political and regulatory, institutional, and geographical. Subsequently, the proposed Multi-Objective Optimisation based on Ratio Analysis (MULTIMOORA) integrated with the Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) method was applied to rank barriers and sub-barriers. The political and regulatory barriers ranked highest among the six categories, while corruption and nepotism emerged as the most critical hurdle within the sub-barriers. The findings suggest that specific renewable energy standards, grid connection quotas and simplification of certification procedures are required. A bottom-up approach to renewable energy policy formulation is preferable for inclusiveness and sustainability. Moreover, the paper has developed a framework for the assessment of how each barrier impedes renewable energy development. � 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UEW
Exploring the challenges facing teachers at Kumasi Girls Senior High School and their continuous professional development needs

The study sought to explore the challenges teachers face in carrying out their roles and responsibilities and their continuous professional development needs at Kumasi Girls’ Senior High School in the Kumasi Metropolis. This was a qualitative research which employed a case study design. Data for the study was collected in two phases, by the use of semi-structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The population of the study was one hundred and eight staff of the school. Stratification of the population was done to select fifty-two (52) participants to respond to the questionnaire schedule. A simple random sampling technique was used to select forty-five (45) teachers to respond to the questionnaire. Convenience sampling technique was used to select five (5) heads of departments and two (2) head teachers to respond to the questionnaire schedule. Ten respondents of the questionnaire were selected to participate in the interview. Maximal variation sample technique was used to select six (6) teachers, while convenience sampling technique was used in the selection of three (3) heads of departments and one (1) assistant headmistress. The data collected through the two instruments were analysed thematically. The data revealed that huge class size was one of the challenges the teachers faced in terms of students management issues in the school. It is therefore recommended that the average class size stipulated by the Ghana Education Service is followed; more teachers, service personnel and interns could be employed. The study also revealed that parental involvement in education was low and this was partly due to the value parents placed on education and the poor communication that exists between the school and parents. Therefore, good communication mechanisms should be employed to address issues of concern

Source: UEW
Exploring the competencies of basic school supervisors in mathematics, the case of Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region

The study sought to explore and examine the competence basic school mathematics supervisors possess in ensuring effective mathematics education delivery in the Ghanaian basic schools. A cross sectional descriptive survey research design was undertaken with an adopted conceptual framework from Niss and Jensen (2002). The conceptual framework enumerates the kinds of competence expected of a mathematics student, teacher or supervisors. The sample for the study comprised mathematics teachers and supervisors (n = 185) in the Kwahu East District. Multistage sampling techniques which included convenient, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to sample the participants. The instruments used to gather data for the study were self-structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent sampled t-test. The findings revealed that the mathematics teachers viewed most of their instructional supervisors as not competent enough to guide them to achieve the mathematics curriculum goal. The supervisors, on the other hand were of the view that they were very competent on all the parameters used in this study. The hypothesis tested on the difference of the claims of both mathematics teachers and supervisors indicated a significant difference. It also emerged from the study that most supervisors in the district employ the democratic style of supervision. Again, it was evident that a number of challenges were militating against the effective delivery of instructional supervision. Among others, the study concluded that to some extent the supervisors were averagely competent but needed more help to improve their performance. It was concluded again that the supervisors employ modern recommended styles of supervision in the face of many challenges. Therefore, the study recommended among others that training institutions should organize regular workshops, pre-service and in service training programs for supervisors on desired competencies of modern-day instructional supervisor. Furthermore, it is recommended that Ghana Education Service should provide training for supervisors on modern day supervision styles as part of their induction process after their appointments. Finally, stakeholders of education must put their ‘shoulders to the wheel’ to ensure that they provide the necessary support to the basic schools supervisors to ensure effectiveness.

Source: UEW
Exploring the contribution of UEW corporate social responsibility to the community development of Winneba township

The purpose of the study was to explore the contributions of UEW corporate social responsibility to community development of Winneba. A qualitative research approach, case study design, purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed to sample twelve indigenes as participants. It emerged in the study that the indigenes hold both positive and negative perceptions. On the positive side, it emerged that UEW indirectly provides economic empowerment, enlightenment, reliable energy and water supply for the indigenes. On the negative side, the establishment of UEW in Winneba has increased crime rates, vandalism, unwanted pregnancies, abandonment of indigene artisans and high cost of living. The study further revealed that the establishment of UEW in Winneba has resulted in large market size; changed life story of indigenes, opportunities to earn more, UEW and its students as positive role models for the youth in Winneba, enhanced local security, new housing plans and increase in rental housing. Human rights implications of UEW CSR on the indigenous people of Winneba. The study also found that the establishment of UEW in Winneba has resulted in the strengthening of the right to an adequate standard of living of the indigenes, right to work, right to health and right to education. The study recommends that UEW should collaborate with the Municipal Security Committee to advance strategies toward strengthening security in Winneba, UEW should award contracts to indigene artisans to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between UEW and its host community and improve the well-being of the artisans. UEW should intensify its gender policy education through sensitization programs among its students and invite community leaders to represent the host community in these programs. Lastly, UEW should collaborate with the host community to stabilize the cost of rent through a mutual agreement to cushion the high cost of living in Winneba.

Source: UEW
Exploring the correlations between learning styles and academic performances of SHS students in integrated science in Gomoa east district

The present study was an attempt to explore the correlation between learning styles of SHS students and their academic performances in science in the Gomoa East district of Ghana. The target population of the study was all the students in the Gomoa district. The accessible population was students in the two public senior high schools in the Gomoa East district. The study was conducted using a sample size of 280 students. The instruments used for the study were adapted „VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire‟ developed by Chislett & Chapman (2005) as well as results from Integrated Science Achievement Test (ISAT). The validity of the adapted instrument was enhanced through assessment provided by a professor in science education and two Mphil students who were familiar with the purpose of the survey. Both the Learning style questionnaire and the ISAT were subjected to a reliability test which recorded a Cronbach‟s alpha value of 0.80 and 0.85 respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, in terms of frequencies, means, and standard deviation. Pearson‟s moment correlation and t-test were also employed to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that the most preferred learning style of secondary school students in the district was Visual (43.6%) followed by Kinesthetic (30%), and Auditory (26.4%). Moreover, the study revealed that there was a positive correlation between learning style of students and the academic performance in science. It was also found that a statistical difference existed between learning styles of first and second year students in the district. However, correlation between the learning style preferences of males and female students in the district was statistically insignificant. The findings of the study would enable curriculum planners to suggest more student-accepted curriculum. It would also suggest to school administrators to look into the development of facilities to enhance students of Integrated Science.

Source: UEW
Exploring the drivers of teacher professionalism in Ghana

This research aimed to explore the working conditions teachers in the Ghana Education Service perceived as motivators in their professional practice. The research used mainly a qualitative approach and three focus groups of five members: each were organised with teacher participants drawn from the Ashanti Region purposively selected. The research revealed that the sources of motivation in the participants� professional practice related to selfless and internal factors rather than external factors. The research concluded that since not all teachers were selflessly and internally motivated, there was the need for the government to do more to improve teachers� working conditions so as to motivate those that were externally motivated. � 2015 Taylor & Francis.

Source: UEW
Exploring the effects of motivation on employee retention a case study of selected basic schools in the Asante Akim Central Municipality

The study examined the effects of motivational packages on the retention of employees of Ghana Education Service. Among the issues studied were that it identified and evaluated the current motivational packages at GES, examined the effects of the various motivational packages on employees retention at GES and the factors that accounted for teachers leaving the teaching field. The study was based on the use of questionnaires as data collection instrument. Primary and secondary data were also used. In selecting respondents, the researcher employed simple random sampling technique to select respondents for the study. In all eighty (80) respondents were selected for the study. The study revealed the current motivational packages available to staff of Ghana Education Service include promotions, recognition, maternity and paternity leave with pay and study leave with pay. The study showed most respondents were not happy with the motivational packages at Ghana Education Service and were not convinced that the available packages will help retain staff on their jobs. The study revealed that teachers have been leaving the teaching field as a result of low salaries, poor condition of service, inadequate career development, poor working conditions and ineffective leadership in the service. Among the recommendations were that GES embark on training and development programmes for its staff at no cost to motivate staff and above all retain them. Training and development policy in the service should be clearly spell out when and how staff should be trained and developed for the benefit of the service. In doing this, it is being recommended that views of staff be solicited so as come out with a clear and equitable training and development policy for employees.

Source: UEW
Exploring the emotional experiences of adolescents of divorced parents in Assin Fosu Township, Ghana

The study explored emotional experiences of adolescents of divorced parents in Assin Fosu Township, Ghana. The study adopted naturalistic paradigm. Also, phenomenological design within the qualitative research approach was used for the study. A sample of 7 participants was selected using maximum variation type of purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. The instrument was taken through credibility, dependability, transferability and confirmability so as to ensure its trustworthiness. Data were analysed in themes. The study found that feelings of sadness, distress, abandonment, anger, helplessness and thoughts of suicide were the key cognitive experiences of adolescents of divorced parents. Further, adolescents of parental divorce received advice from friends and teachers, smoked, used drugs, drunk alcohol, engaged in premarital sexual relationships and practiced antisocial behaviours as coping strategies adopted for their cognitive experiences. Moreover, divorce adversely affected the social lives of adolescents of divorced parents. It was concluded that parental divorce influenced the thinking processes of adolescents. Also, while very few the adolescents of divorced parents used positive coping strategies, majority of them used negative coping strategies in dealing with their emotional experiences. Additionally, adolescents isolated themselves from some of the peers and not attending social gatherings. It was recommended that teachers should monitor critically how these adolescents think and respond to issues during teaching and learning. Besides, the school counsellor should help these adolescents by providing them with one-on-one counselling on how to deal with challenges emotional experiences. Again, the school counsellor, teachers and heads should educate the entire students on how to fairly treat adolescents from divorced parents.

Source: UEW
Exploring the experiences of apprenticeship training in the garment industry, a case of apprentices at Hohoe in the Volta Region

The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of apprentices in the garment industry using Hohoe in the Volta Region as a case study. The study adopted the mixed-method approach in the conduct of the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to sample from a population of all fashion trainers and apprentices in the garment industry in the Hohoe Metropolis in the Volta Region of Ghana. A total of 198 participants comprising both trainers and apprentices participated in the study. Using the quantitative approach to research questionnaires were adopted as the main instrument of data collection; which was duly supported by an observation of the apprenticeship training process. The study found that apprenticeship training undertaken in the garment industry takes the form of both direct one-on-one interaction with an apprentice as well as groups and that apprenticeship training is given every day to apprentices. The study additionally discovered that most of the apprentices are trained on the jobs by taking part in the garment production activities. Junior apprentices perform simple tasks whereas senior apprentices are delegated to perform complex tasks. and also, that apprentices go through marketing training as a way of learning the business aspect of apprentices are sent on errands to learn how to market and also purchase items. The study, therefore, recommended that the National Tailors and Dressmakers Association in consultation with the National Vocational Training Institute (Apprentice Training Board) must develop a standard curriculum for its members to regularize the apprenticeship training in the garment industry.

Source: UEW
Exploring the expository techniques of teaching and learning mathematics in the Shama district

This study explores the factors that advance the expository techniques of teaching and learning in mathematics. The study was conducted in Shama Senior High School in the Shama District of the Western Region of Ghana which had a final-year student population of 726. The descriptive survey research method design was employed, where a simple random sampling technique selected 10 teachers and 280 students for the study. Two expository research models namely, mathematics teacher‟s questionnaire and final year student‟s questionnaire were used to collect the data. The Statistical Package for Service Solutions version 20 was used to obtain the descriptive frequencies, percentages, tables, and charts. The observations were discussed in line with the research objectives and questionnaire. The findings found that 70% of the teachers believe that teaching methods and teaching and learning resources are the most important factors that influence students‟ performance in mathematics and preferred the interactive and expository approaches of teaching. However, the least preferred factors were projectors, computers and manipulatives. It was therefore concluded that expository approaches enhanced and encouraged the use of projectors, computers and manipulatives. It was recommended that the Ministry of Education should harmonize the policy of teaching and learning resources to include projectors, computers and manipulatives for the various expository teaching methods and learning resources. Key Words: Expository Techniques; Teaching and Learning; Mathematics in Ghana; Shama District

Source: UEW
Exploring the factors affecting teachers’ job performance in Kofi Agyei Senior High School in the Kwabre East Municipality

The performance of teachers is crucial to students’ academic performance and success in education. Poor performance of teachers is a global phenomenon that cannot be ignored by various stakeholders in education. It is because of this that the study sought to explore factors affecting the performance of teachers at Kofi Agyei Senior High School in the Kwabre East Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana from the perspectives of the teachers. This study made use of a qualitative method of research. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Oral interview sessions provided the data used for the study. A simple random sampling procedure was employed to select 12 participants for the study out of about 70 teachers in the school. The data in the form of recordings through interviews were transcribed. The final output was presented in the form of texts and direct quotes from respondents. The findings of the study revealed and concluded that inadequate classroom blocks affect teachers’ job performance. Similarly, the small nature of the school’s staff common room also affects their job performance it also revealed that high workloads negatively affect teachers’ job performance. Finally, the study revealed that the community's sense of ownership also promotes school-community relationships and affects teachers' job performance. The study concluded that though there are challenges, the working conditions of school facilities are satisfactory, and support the work they do as teachers. It also concluded that large class sizes are difficult to be controlled by teachers and affect teachers’ job performance. Finally, it was concluded that the School-community relationship is very important to the work of teachers. In line with the findings, the study recommended that provision for more structures like classroom blocks should be provided to reduce class size and teachers’ workloads. Working conditions of teachers must be improved and finally, the Parent- Teacher Association (PTA) should be strengthened since it increases the community's sense of belongingness.

Source: UEW
Exploring the factors that affect students performance a case study of Mankranso circuit

The purpose of this study was to explore factors that are responsible for the low academic achievement of pupils in Mankranso Circuit Junior High Schools in the Ashanti region of Ghana. To identify these factors, the Mankranso Islamic Junior High and L/A Junior High Schools were selected as high and low performance schools respectively. A quantitative research approach involving systematic random sampling technique, semi structured interviews and questionnaire were adopted for the study, with a sample size of 340 students, 310 Parents and 40 Teachers deduced from Kish (1965) formula. The study explored that, teachers, school environmental, parents and the pupils were primarily responsible for the low academic achievement of the pupils. The school environmental factors identified include limited number of teachers with high academic qualification, inadequate teaching and learning materials, and misuse of contact hours with pupils. The teacher factors that were found to contribute to the low academic performance were incidences of lateness to school and absenteeism, inability to complete the syllabi and inadequate homework assigned to pupils. The pupil characteristics found significant were incidences of lateness to school and absenteeism, lack of assistance with studies at home and use of local language in the classroom. Home conditions or parental support variables causing pupils to perform poorly academically were their inability to provide textbooks and supplementary readers, low level of interaction with children’s teachers, and low involvement in the Parent Teacher Association.

Source: UEW
Exploring the factors that affect studnets’ performance- a case study of Mankranso circuit

The purpose of this study was to explore factors that are responsible for the low academic achievement of pupils in Mankranso Circuit Junior High Schools in the Ashanti region of Ghana. To identify these factors, the Mankranso Islamic Junior High and L/A Junior High Schools were selected as high and low performance schools respectively. A quantitative research approach involving systematic random sampling technique, semi structured interviews and questionnaire were adopted for the study, with a sample size of 340 students, 310 Parents and 40 Teachers deduced from Kish (1965) formula. The study explored that, teachers, school environmental, parents and the pupils were primarily responsible for the low academic achievement of the pupils. The school environmental factors identified include limited number of teachers with high academic qualification, inadequate teaching and learning materials, and misuse of contact hours with pupils. The teacher factors that were found to contribute to the low academic performance were incidences of lateness to school and absenteeism, inability to complete the syllabi and inadequate homework assigned to pupils. The pupil characteristics found significant were incidences of lateness to school and absenteeism, lack of assistance with studies at home and use of local language in the classroom. Home conditions or parental support variables causing pupils to perform poorly academically were their inability to provide textbooks and supplementary readers, low level of interaction with children’s teachers, and low involvement in the Parent Teacher Association

Source: UEW