ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Whatsapp, Peut-il Être Support Pédagogique D’apprentissage Pour Les Apprenants Du Français Dans Les Écoles Normales ? Une Enquête À Mount Mary College of Education, Somanya

ABSTRACT This study investigates the use of WhatsApp as a teaching and learning aid. The inspiration of the study stemmed from the fact that advancements in technology are being facilitated teaching and learning, having observed that most students of Mount Mary College, who possess a smartphone use the WhatsApp application in one way or the other. We found it necessary to examine the use of WhatsApp to study from the didactic point of view. The study was conducted among thirty-one (31) students of level 200 and six (6) of the lecturers. A questionnaire was administered to them and the data collected was analyzed using the mix methodology. The analyses came out with the following findings: the use of WhatsApp to study French is beneficial to students who use it in the various subjects studied in French. However the lack of reliable internet connectivity remains the major that threatens the full benefit of WhatsApp as teaching aid. Therefore certain solutions were proposed to minimize them for the use of WhatsApp to the benefit of both the students and the lecturers

Source: UCC
When a woman is nude : A critical visual analysis of “Harlem” photograph

This paper offers an alternative oppositional reading against the obvious, dominant taken-for-granted codes of scopophilia by which Aaron Siskind’s “Harlem” photograph is interpreted. The paper draws primarily on the works of French thinkers Roland Barthes and Jean Baudrillard to make the case that the nudity of the Black woman evokes a false sexual pathos and heigthens the fetishization of her body

Source: UCC
When information technology meets health care in West Africa: A literature review

This paper presents the study and analysis of some articles that were selected according to their potential contributions to the introduction of information technology (IT) in the Healthcare industry in West Africa. A total of nineteen papers published in various journals were analyzed after their titles and abstracts were reviewed. Objective: The aim of this paper is to find out on how the introduction of information technology can transform the healthcare delivery in West Africa. Methods: Keywords were used to select online articles that focus on the ways in which the use of information technology has improved or is yet to improve the provision of better healthcare in West Africa. Results and Conclusions: Information technology has a very bright future for healthcare managers, practitioners and the industry as a whole in West Africa when all the known challenges either politically-based or economy-based are removed

Source: UCC
When ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’ are not: address terms and reference terms students use for faculty in a Ghanaian University

Address terms and reference terms are common but key naming behaviours that are enacted in various social interactions. Thus, unsurprisingly, they have received much attention in sociolinguistic research since the 1960s. The use of these two communicative acts in the academic setting, however, seems under-researched. This study, therefore, investigated address terms and reference terms students used for faculty in a public university in Ghana, utilizing Scott’s (1990) sociological theory on resistance to domination. An ethnographic as well as a triangulated approach, comprising participant and non-participant observations, semi-structured interview, and introspection, was used in the study. Analysis of the data revealed three major findings. First, students used three principal forms of address, namely titles, kinship terms, and nicknames for faculty. Second, students used titles, personal names, and nicknames as the major reference terms for faculty. Finally, address terms and reference terms functioned as symbols of domination and resistance to domination as well as markers of identities which were coconstructed by students. The study has implications for theory, intercultural communication, and further research

Source: UCC
Where are our ahemma? The gradual erosion of the dual-sex political leadership among the Akan-speaking Breman Asikuma people of Ghana

In all known human societies, there are mechanisms for ensuring the continued existence of order and stability and also the protection of societies’ boundaries from external attacks. In Africa, chieftaincy remained the swivel of many cultures across the continent though the history of that institution differs in the various regions. While certain offices within the traditional political system of Africa are appointive, the usual mode of acquiring an office is through descent. Thus, in patrilineal or matrilineal descent systems, individuals acquire offices through lines that are reckoned paternally or maternally respectively. Indigenous political offices in matrilineal societies, in Ghana, are by tradition occupied by both males and females concurrently. Societies that have institutionalized this dual-sex system of rulership do so in order to ensure that the society benefits from the political division of labour and the role of complementation that guarantee the proper functioning of the political realm. Interestingly, within the post-colonial era, while more is heard of whether or not male traditional political offices are occupied, the same cannot be said of female offices. This article, which draws on a qualitative analysis of historical and ethnographical data, is a historical exploration and ethnographical intellectualization of the gradual extinction of the female mouthpiece at the highest order of the traditional political office, within the social milieu of the Breman Asikuma traditional society, which belongs to the Akan ethnic in Ghana

Source: UCC
Where dogs, ghosts and lions roam: learning from mobile ethnographies on the ourney from school

This paper draws on mobility research conducted with children in three countries: Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. It has two interlinked aims: to highlight the potential that mobile interviews can offer in research with young people, especially in research contexts where the main focus is on mobility and its impacts, and to contribute empirical evidence regarding the significance of everyday mobility to young people’s lives and future life chances in sub-Saharan Africa. During the pilot phase of our research project on children, transport and mobility, the authors undertook walks home from school with teenage children in four different research sites: three remote rural, one peri-urban. As the children walked (usually over a distance of around 5 km) their stories of home, of school and of the environment in-between, gradually unfolded. The lived experiences narrated during these ourneys offer considerable insights into the daily lives, fears and hopes of the young people concerned, and present a range of issues for further research as our study extends into its main phase

Source: UCC
White light photothermal lens spectrophotometer for the determination of absorption in scattering samples

We developed a pump-probe photothermal lens spectrophotometer that uses a broadband arc-lamp and a set of interference filters toprovide tunable, nearly monochromatic radiation between 370 and 730 nm as the pump light source. This light is focused onto an absorbing sample, generating a photothermal lens of millimeter dimensions. A highly collimated monochromatic probe light from a low-power He–Ne laser interrogates the generated lens, yielding a photothermal signal proportional to the absorption of light. We measure the absorption spectra of scattering dye solutions using the device. We show that the spectra are not affected by the presence of scattering, confirming that the method only measures the absorption of light that results in generation of heat. By comparing the photothermal spectra with the usual absorption spectra determined using commercial transmission spectrophotometers, we estimate the quantum yield of scattering of the sample. We discuss applications of the device for spectroscopic characterization of samples such as blood and gold nanoparticles that exhibit a complex behavior upon interaction with light

Source: UCC
Whither oil and tourism? assessing the potential implications of Ghana's oil and gas production for tourism in Ghana

Tourism and oil are two important sectors that can individually and collectively shape the nature of every economy. This paper reviews literature on the relationships between oil exploration and tourism development and, based on that, hypothesizes about these two in the context of the Ghanaian economy. It is observed from the outcomes that two sectors can relate in either a deterministic, collaborative or competitive way. The paper explores the potential dynamics of each of these relationships in the Ghanaian setting and proffers a few policy recommendations to address them

Source: UCC
Who bears the cost of ‘informal mhealth’? Health-workers’ mobile phone practices and associated political-moral economies of care in Ghana and Malawi

Africa’s recent communications ‘revolution’ has generated optimism that using mobile phones for health (mhealth) can help bridge healthcare gaps, particularly for rural, hard-to-reach populations. However, while scale-up of mhealth pilots remains limited, health-workers across the continent possess mobile phones. This article draws on interviews from Ghana and Malawi to ask whether/ how health-workers are using their phones informally and with what consequences. Health workers were found to use personal mobile phones for a wide range of purposes: obtaining help in emergencies; communicating with patients/colleagues; facilitating community-based care, patient monitoring and medication adherence; obtaining clinical advice/information and managing logistics. However, the costs were being borne by the health-workers themselves, particularly by those at the lower echelons, in rural communities, often on minimal stipends/salaries, who are required to ‘care’ even at substantial personal cost. Although there is significant potential for ‘informal mhealth’ to improve (rural) healthcare, there is a risk that the associated moral and political economies of care will reinforce existing socioeconomic and geographic inequalities

Source: UCC
Who benefits from community-based ecotourism development? Insights from Tafi Atome, Ghana

The distribution of ecotourism’s benefits lays a critical role in ensuring sustainable community support or ecotourism projects. This paper explores benefits that have accrued from an ecotourism project and examines the distribution process of these related benefits in Tafi Atome, a rural community in Ghana. Tata were obtained from a study conducted between November and December 2010 in the community using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Findings from the study indicated that the benefits from the Tafi Atome onkey Sanctuary project to the community were communal and personal in nature. However, the monkey sanctuary’s constitution, which stipulates the distribution and management of benefits, had not made provision for non-indigenous residents. t is therefore recommended that modifications be made to the project’s constitution to address these inconsistencies in order to forestall conflicts in the community

Source: UCC
Who is reaching whom? Depth of outreach of rural micro finance institutions in Ghana

Outreach of microfinance institutions has been saddled with the definition of who is poor specifically within the context of an individual’s capability to access financial and non-financial services. This paper presents empirical results of the structure of the microfinance market in Ghana as per institutions and defines the market target of each of the institutions based on the socio-economic characteristics of the clients Using the Microfinance Poverty Assessment Tool, data on 2704 households comprising of 1104 and 1600 non-clients and clients respectively, are collected to compute the household level relative poverty scores. The computed scores unraveled the depth of outreach of each microfinance institution. Five broad categories of microfinance institutions where identified namely; Rural and Community Banks, Financial Non-Governmental Organizations, Savings and Loans Companies, Susu Associations and Collectors and Credit Unions. The study results showed that the rural and community banks and the financial NGOs reached out to all categories of clients ranging from the extremely poor in the lowest wealth quintile to the poor in the highest quintile. At the other end, savings and loans companies and susu collectors reached clients within the above average and highest quintiles, while credit unions reached out to clients from the average to the highest quintile. Among factors alluding to the different market niches include; source of funds, strategies for outreach and mission of the institution. The derived policy implication is to harness the relative market strengths of the institutions and design specific products to deepen each institutions capability

Source: UCC
Why are non-routine mathematics word problems difficult?: Lessons from preservice basic school teachers in Ghana

This study sought to contribute to the literature on why non-routine word problems in Mathematics often seem difficult for learners. Three hundred and sixty-nine Primary and Junior High School teacher trainees from three Colleges of Education in Southern Ghana participated in the study. A non-routine mathematics word problem achievement test was administered to the teacher trainees, after which 18 (out of the 369) were interviewed to explain their processes. The difficulties encountered by participants were analysed using Newman􀂶s (1977/1983) Error Analysis as the theoretical framework. The results revealed that the pre-service teachers generally had weak proficiency in non-routine word problem solving. The majority of participants could not solve problems at the Junior and Senior High School levels. Implications of the findings for pre-service teacher preparation at the College of Education level in Ghana and countries that have similar mode of teacher education are provided.

Source: UCC
WHY THE ZEBRA’S STRIPES ARE IMPORTANT: PROTECTING ORGANIZATION INTELLECTUAL ASSETS

This article discusses a framework to protect proprietary information drawing upon the Zebra as a metaphor to protect the information that matters to a business. The discourse to shield proprietary information in successful enterprises is divided in four parts in this paper. The first part deliberates about the nature and description of knowhow and how it can be protected from intrusion. Knowhow can be safe by limiting the number of personnel with access to proprietary data within an organization. The second portion debates about recruitment and selection of potential candidates to work in know-intensive value creation system. Background checks can be supported with personality assessments to limit the appointment of those who are not qualified. The third segment examines the importance of historical data which can be analyzed and interpreted in loss control efforts. The fourth section discusses the know-how and how it is ubiquitous in most value creation systems. All practices procedures and tooling should be patented and only selected key personnel should be allowed into the company’s data bases to protect the company’s competitive advantage all the time.

Source: UCC
Why they go there: International tourists’ motivations and revisit intention to Northern Ghana

The interrelationship among motivations, satisfaction, and revisit intentions remain largely unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to facilitate understanding on the relationship among these constructs. A survey of 650 international tourists shows that four key factors: culture, destination attractions, social contact and adventure-novelty influence tourist decision to visit northern Ghana. The study established that tourists’ motivation has relationship with their satisfaction; likewise, satisfaction is a determinant of their revisit intentions. It is recommended that service providers and destination managers should work at ensuring tourists satisfaction in order to ensure repeat visits

Source: UCC
Widening the Genetic Base of Cowpea Germplasm Through Gamma Rays Mutagenesis

The genetic diversity of cowpea is narrow because the crop is self-pollinated. Gamma rays were used to increase genetic diversity of Hansadua, WC-36, ACC122WxWC-10, IT97K-819 and WC-10 parental genotypes. Selecting for earliness, high yields, disease resistance and high nutritional contents compared to parental controls and checks were done at M4 generation. The results showed significant wide variations in the responses of cowpea genotypes to gamma ray doses as LD50 and RD50. The estimated LD50 values were Hansadua (452.0 Gy), WC-36 (662.0 Gy), ACC122WxWC-10 (694.0 Gy), IT97K-819 (590.5 Gy) and WC-10 (591 Gy). Hansadua was the most sensitive to gamma radiation. The mass irradiation at the respective LD50 and RD50 values induced plant architecture to vary from indeterminate to determinate, semi-erect to acute erect, prostrate, spreading and some twinning. An increase in yields from 3.7t/ha in parent to 5.8t/ha in HanM4(12)(25) was observed. The ash values ranged from 2.93-3.56%, with HanM4(17)(1W) being highest. Carbohydrates ranged from 58.27-69.73% with HanM4(12)(5) being highest and protein ranged from 19.09-30.53% from the parental control with the highest in HanM4(12)(3). All the putative mutants were early maturing with days to 50% maturity of 42 to 61 days. HanM4(17)(1W) had 21.7% incidence of brown rust while HanM4(41)(HY31) recorded 10% incidence of golden mosaic disease. The results confirmed gamma ray induction can enhance yields, nutritional components, early maturity and disease tolerance/resistance of cowpea.

Source: UCC
Wife battery: a divine command from the garden of eden or a gene disorder in men? Ethical perspectives

In the past, women in the Ghanaian traditional societies were mostly not actively involved in issues relating to decision-making, leadership, and public engagement in the company of men. Their place was the kitchen. That is, their responsibilities were to prepare meals, nurture the children, and tidy up the home. Besides, they were regarded as a man’s bought property. In this sense, women could be subjected to any form of inhumane treatments. One of such inhumane treatments that have caught the attention of scholars, human rights activists and some NGOs is wife battery. From an ethical perspective, we raise the question, what are the ethical bases for the reasons why men subject their wives to battery? Could it be a divine command from the Garden of Eden, a gene disorder in men or what? Using the descriptive research design of the qualitative methodology, this paper from an ethical perspective examines the act of wife battery and its effects on the family and the victim (woman). The paper argues, wife battery is neither a dictate from the Garden of Eden nor a gene disorder in men, however it is rather an erroneous socialization of men towards how they should treat women. Further to note, wife battery in its essence is an unethical behavior. This is because the act is unjust, maleficent, reduces the worth and dignity of women, dehumanizes, and alters the physical and psychological framework of women

Source: UCC
Wildlife conservation and livelihood options: A case study of Kakum conservation area

The Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) was part of a system of social cohesion within a culture. That environment created a sub-culture providing for the people food, clothing and shelter among others. By the creation of the conservation area, restrictions were imposed on the communities around it. There is therefore a persistent attempt by the communities to illegally enter the restricted area in the quest to satisfy their livelihood needs. This work examined the conservation and livelihood situations in twelve (12) communities around the Kakum Conservation Area (KCA). The purposive sampling method was used in selecting the communities. The study relied on the outcome of focus group discussions (FGDs) and data collected from the field. The use of data from other published and unpublished works were employed to buttress findings and trend analysis. The study confirmed that resource decline in fringe lands encourage poaching. Other findings include the absence of beQlefit sharing scheme resulting in high poverty levels, inadequate public education and awareness creation, high land acquisition rent charges and, community involvement in park management. Recommendations are offered based upon the findings to curb the menace of poaching and encroachment in KCA include increasing public education and awareness creation to win support of the fringe communities; benefit sharing and gender equity; and above all the introduction of sustainable livelihood options to meet the livelihood requirements of the fringe communities.

Source: UCC
Will they tell others to taste? International tourists' experience of Ghanaian cuisines

Memorable local food experiences can influence tourists' intentions to recommend. However, food tourism literature has provided limited insights in this area of scholarship. This paper sought to explore international tourists' experiences regarding local foods in Ghana. The results from a random survey of 654 international tourists indicate that local food experience ismultiple ranging fromcultural, educational, novelty, hedonism–meaningfulness, and adverse experience. The study also found that tourists' local food experience has a statistically significant influence on their willingness to recommend. The study, therefore, concluded that the provision of memorable experience could be a viable approach for generating referral marketing of local foods. Theoretical and practical implications of the study findings are discussed.

Source: UCC
The willingness of undergraduate students to volunteer for NGO work: a Ghanaian case study

Purpose – Despite the increasing awareness on students’ volunteerism globally, and its potential benefit to national development, there is limited research information on the subject in developing countries including Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to assess the willingness of university undergraduate students in Ghana to volunteer for non-governmental organisation (NGO) work. Design/methodology/approach – The research used a quantitative research approach using a descriptive survey design. The data were drawn from a survey of 678 students from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Findings – The study shows high willingness of university undergraduate students to volunteer for NGO work. The motives relate more to students’ search for understanding of people and their context, values and career enhancement, than for their social, protection and recognition needs. The students are more likely to engage in NGO activities relating to peer education, counselling and environmental protection, than in administrative duties, relief and advocacy. Practical implications – The study suggests that there is a great potential for students’ volunteerism in Ghana, and recommends that Ghanaian universities should integrate volunteerism into their curricula to prepare and link students to volunteer opportunities in NGO and the service sectors. Originality/value – The case study provides new thought and suggestions on students’ volunteerism to developing countries and Ghana in particular. The evidence and context of likelihood to volunteer among tertiary students are lessons for developing countries with similar context to Ghana

Source: UCC