ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Spoligotype Diversity and Drug Resistance of Archived Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex Isolated from Patients Presenting at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital

Tuberculosis remains an important cause of infection in Ghana and Africa despite efforts put in place to eradicate it. Investigations to understand the population dynamics and circulating strains of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex will provide effective strategies in the control of the disease. This study was aimed at investigating and establishing the spoligotype diversity and drug-resistance profile of archived Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates. A total of ninety (90) archived MTB isolates were analysed using the Capilia TB-Neo Immunochromatographic test and spoligotype to determine strain lineages. The samples were also subjected to the HAIN Genotype MTBDRplus assay to ascertain their drug resistance profiles. Spoligotyping results were used to query the International Spoligotyping database SITVIT2. The isolates generated 40 distinct spoligotype patterns with 5 major clusters. Identified families were Cameroon, T1, T3, AFRI_2, H3, LAM 9, AFRI_1, CAS, T4, AFRI, EAI 5, and Family 33. The dominant lineages were the Cameroon lineage with SIT 61 (31.11%), T1 family SIT 53 (11.11%), T3 family SIT 504 (6.67%), and Mycobacterium africanum (West African type 2, SIT 331) (3.33%). MIRU-VNTRplus database returned a cluster rate of 56.66% with Cameroon SIT 61 having the largest cluster. The HAIN Genotype MTBDRplus assay detected 20.45% (18/88) resistant isolates with 5.68% (5/88) being MDR. Significant mutations were seen in codon 526, 516, and 531 of the rpoB gene and on codon 315 of the katG gene for isoniazid and in inhA -15C/T of the promoter region.

Source: UCC
Sport psychology practice in Africa: Do culture-specific religion and spirituality matter?

Religious and spiritual observances have been found in sport across parts of the world, notably in South and North America, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa. This is attributed to the indigenes’ strong religious and /or spiritual belief in the sacred (God or Allah, a supreme deity, and/ or ancestors), who presumably, can turn the course of any life event in ones favour. To date, the potential connections between religion or spirituality and sport from research and applied consultancy perspectives remain uncharted. This conceptual submission reveals a distinction between religion and spirituality based on evidence from religious studies as well as how these could influence cognitivebehavioural practices in sport. These two phenomenological constructs have been shown to provide individuals with psychological resilience in the face of life adversities (e.g., coping) as well as offer other psychological support aimed at athletes’ optimal functioning, performance enhancement and general well-being. To exemplify their manifestation, some peculiar and unique religious and spiritual practices reminiscent of a typical socio-cultural African context are highlighted. We suggest the use of new perspectives such as the athlete-centered and the RRICC models through different approaches (e.g., reflective practice) to facilitate their integration in sport. Future researchers should target the empirical and functional effects of these indigenous religious and spiritual practices through applied work on sport performance related constructs (e.g., flow and peak experiences, counseling interventions) in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: UCC
Sports Betting Among Students in Colleges of Education in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

The study investigated sports betting among students of colleges of education in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The target population was students in colleges of education in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The simple random sampling procedure was employed to select 361 students for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The Cronbach’s coefficient alpha for the questionnaire was 0.73. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and Kruskal Wallis H test were used to analysed data. The results showed that students patronised IXBet, EaziBet, EuroBet, SoccerCash [NLA] and Safari. It was found that, to a great extent, students agreed that their involvement in sports betting was low. Students reported that they engaged in sport betting to win cash and for entertainment. Findings showed no statistically significant difference in students’ involvement in sports betting on the basis age. It was concluded that sport betting appeared more attractive to students since they offered free bonuses for placing bets. It was recommended that Guidance and Counselling Units on Colleges of Education campuses organise programmes to educate students on the types of sports betting available in the market and what they truly seek to offer clients. The Government and PRINCOF should develop socially responsible regulations and statutes on sports betting that have the potential of discouraging students’ involvement in the practice. Colleges of Education should do screening of addictive bettors and refer them for guidance and counselling.

Source: UCC
Sports Betting among Youth in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Youth participation in sports betting has been surging. It has evolved from placing a wager on horse racing to a team game. This has brought about an addictive behaviour which may lead to heavy reliance on drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism when they lose. This calls for the need to explore the motivations for sports betting among the youth in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The social learning, rational choice and the problem behaviour theories informed the study. Guided by the qualitative research design, 24 sports bettors were conveniently and purposively selected for the study. Through in-depth interviews, the study revealed that monetary gains, enhancement motives, socialization and proximity to the betting outlets motivated people to engage in sports betting. In addition, males who are working, educated and are not legally married are actively involved in sports betting. Also, friends, peers, the media and curiosity influence someone’s decision to bet. The study discovered that sports betting has negative effects on subscribers by making them addicted to the act; thereby causing them to lose their properties and sometimes their lives. It is recommended, among other things, that government, through the Gaming Commission, should spearhead a mass education on the effects of sports betting.

Source: UCC
Sports Talent Identification and Development at Senior High School Level in Upper East Region, Ghana

The purpose of this study was to examine modes of sports talent identification, challenges faced in sports talent identification and factors that predict sports talent identification and development in Senior High Schools in Upper East Region of Ghana. A census sampling technique was used to include all 203 participants (180 male and 23 female sports coaches) in Senior High Schools in the Upper East Region. In gathering data for the investigation, questionnaires were used and the data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and multiple regression. Findings from the study indicated that the common mode of identifying talented student-athletes was through observation by coaches (90.6%). Also, limited financial resource (82.3%), judging coaches’ competence by their teams’ performance in competitions (73.9%) and early talent identification (69%) were identified as major challenges in sports talent identification. Again, technical skills (β= .153, t=2.254, p|<.05) and tactical skills (β= -.276, t=-3.851, p<.05) were found to be significant in predicting sports talent identification while adequate sports equipment and facilities (β= .300, t= 4.425, p < .05), expert coaching (β= .271, t=4.224, p< .05), regular training (β= .260, t=3.848, p<.05), and family support (β= .151, t=2.318, p< .05) were significant in predicting sport talent development. Therefore, it was recommended that coaches should include scientific methods in identifying sports talents. Also, Senior High Schools should place emphasis on sports talent identification and development rather than on winning sports competitions. Lastly, talented student-athletes should be provided with adequate sports facilities, family support, regular training and expert coaching to help them develop their talents.

Source: UCC
The spring of the ghana immigration service Regimental band, 1998-2023

Regimental bands have a rich history in military traditions. These bands have musicians who play woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments at parades, concerts and other forums. This thesis researched the administrative structures which have guided and continued to guide the performance of military (regimental) bands in and outside Ghana. Specifically, the research focused on the selection modalities of musicians, their musical backgrounds, and training avenues. At the core of the study was to comprehensively record the history of the Ghana Immigration Service Regimental Band. To achieve these objectives, I employed participant-observation, focus group interviews, and one-on-one interviews in addition to the review of pertinent literature. The research revealed that a Standard Operating Procedures designed for the band unit in 2013 made mention of three (3) structures i.e. Officer-In-Charge, Second-In- Command (2IC), and Band leaders. The research also revealed that the various recruitments into the band were not advertised as done for the general-duty personnel. The majority of the musicians also learnt to play their instruments from church and community bands the rote way where issues of professionalism were not given serious attention. The study concluded that the band has not had a steady recruitment of its musicians for the past 25years. It also concluded that the mode of recruitment could account for the weak background of most musicians. It is therefore recommended that a steady recruitment plan is drawn and the recruitment mode enhanced whilst recruiting musicians who have good backgrounds in Music. It is also recommended that the band unit is made semi-autonomous whilst administrative structures are formulated to regulate and enhance its smooth operations.

Source: UCC
Stability of a Completely Delayed Dynamic Equation on Time Scale with Variable Delays

This thesis is about the stability of completely delayed dynamic equations on time scale. Fixed point theory is used to study the stability properties of the zero solution of dynamic equations on time scales. In particular, the Banach xed point theorem is used in this thesis.The dynamic equation is inverted into an equivalent integral dynamic equation and a suitable de ne map- ping is de ned based on the equivalent integral dynamic equation which is then used to discuss the stability properties of the zero solution of the dynamic equation. Su cient conditions are obtained for the zero solution of completely delayed dynamic equations to be asymptotically stable.

Source: UCC
Stability of gold thin films on polyimide

Gold/Polyimide interfaces are prepared by depositing thin gold films onto polyimide with Si substrates and subsequently annealing at various temperatures. The interface is studied with the help of Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. After deposition, different sample thicknesses exhibited different morphologies. High deposition rates resulted in the formation of gold islands. After annealing at higher temperatures polyimide covered the sample surface. Chromium was also used as a buffer between gold/polyimide interface to increase adhesion and possibly to decrease the tendency of gold to form islands and also to stop polyimide from covering the gold surface. To reduce the mobility of metal atoms, a gold film is prepared at -68 0 C

Source: UCC
Stability of Nonlinear Volterra Integrodifferential Equations

In this thesis, sufficient conditions for the zero solution of nonlinear Volterra integrodifferential equations are established. The Lyapunov’s direct method is the main mathematical technique used in the study. Thus, a Lyapunov functional is constructed. This Lyapunov functional is then used to derive sufficient conditions for the zero solution of nonlinear Volterra integrodifferential equations to be stable, uniformly stable and uniformly aymptotically stable.

Source: UCC
Stability of Solutions of a System of first Order Ordinary Differential Equations with Finite Delay

This thesis is concerned with the stability of solutions of a system of or- dinary di erential equations with nite delay. Fixed point theory is used in this thesis as the main mathematical tool to investigate the stability of solutions of a system of ordinary di erential equations with nite delay. In particular, the Banach xed point theorem is used. In the process the system of equations are inverted to obtain an equivalent integral equation. The result of the inversion is used to de ne a suitable mapping which is then used to derive the stability properties of the zero solution of the sys- tem of ordinary di erential equations with nite delay. Su cient conditions that guarantee that the zero solutions of a system of ordinary di erential equations with nite delay is asymptotically stable are obtained.

Source: UCC
Stability of totally nonlinear neutral differential Equations with multiple time-varying delays

This thesis is concerned with the stability properties of solutions of nonlinear neutral differential equations with multiple time varying delays. Fixed point theory is used in this thesis to investigate the stability properties of solutions of nonlinear neutral differential equations with multiple time varying delays. In particular, the contraction mapping principle is used in this thesis. The nonlinear neutral differential equation is inverted to obtain an equivalent integral equation. The result of the inversion is used to define a suitable mapping which is then used to discuss the stability properties of solutions of nonlinear neutral differential equations with multiple time varying delays. Sufficient conditions that guarantee that the zero solutions of nonlinear neutral differential equations with multiple time varying delays are asymptotically stable are derived.

Source: UCC
Stability of Volterra diference delay equations

We study the asymptotic stability of the zero solution of the Volterra difference delay equation x(n + 1) = a(n)x(n) + c(n)∆x(n − g(n)) +nX−1s=n−g(n)k(n, s)h(x(s)). A Krasnoselskii fxed point theorem is used in the analysis

Source: UCC
Stability results for neutral integro-differential equations with multiple functional delays

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the zero solution of the nonlinear neutral integro-diferential equation d dt r(t) hx(t) + Q(t, x(t − g1(t)), ..., x(t − gN (t)))i = −a(t)x(t) +Xi=1 Z t t−gi(t) ki(t, s)fi(x(s))ds to be asymptotically stable are obtained. In the process we invert the integro differential equation and obtain an equivalent integral equation. The contraction mapping principle is used as the main mathematical tool for establishing the necessary and sufficient conditions

Source: UCC
A stable space-time finite element method for parabolic evolution problems

This paper is concerned with the analysis of a new stable space-time finite element method (FEM) for the numerical solution of parabolic evolution problems in moving spatial computational domains. The discrete bilinear form is elliptic on the FEM space with respect to a discrete energy norm. This property together with a corresponding boundedness property, consistency and approximation results for the FEM spaces yield an a priori discretization error estimate with respect to the discrete norm. Finally, we confirm the theoretical results with numerical experiments in spatial moving domains

Source: UCC
Staff development policies and programs of The Minerals Commission, Ghana

This study explored the influence Training and development (T&D) on employee performance within the Minerals Commission of Ghana by focusing on three regions. The specific objectives were to assess employee development policies of the Minerals Commission; to examine the forms of training with its perceived benefits at the commission; Examine the influence of T&D on the performance of employees and finally, to assess the challenges of training and development programmes at the Commission. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study with 95 staffs surveyed. A self-administered questionnaire was the main research instrument. The results showed a very high level of awareness of the existence of staff development policies, staff perception about T&D policies showed that management have a policy that promotes the career development of all workers and that management conducts training and career development for all workers. The study revealed a strong positive relationship between all forms of training and employee performance. The results of the study also showed that the commonest form of challenges to T&D were; There is too much favouritisms within the Commission when it comes to training and career development and there is often lack of management support for employees’ career development programme. T&D was seen to highly influence employee performance. The study recommends that management of the Ghana Minerals Commission clearly identify and communicate training and development opportunities to their staffs. Training needs must be identified to ensure that training skills to be acquired match with current performance level.

Source: UCC
Staff motivation and revenue mobilisation at the Techiman municipal assembly

This study that was conducted at Techiman Municipal Assembly was meant to identify all the revenue sources of TMA; examine the type of limitations TMA is confronted with in her revenue mobilisation; examine the effect of staff motivation on revenue mobilisation and to make recommendations for improvement in revenue mobilisation. The study relied on both primary and secondary sources of data collected through questionnaire administration and interview of key management staff of the Assembly. The study involved sixty-four staff of the Assembly made up of 60 revenue officers and 4 key management staff. The study revealed that the management of TMA does not set revenue targets for revenue collectors and even where targets are set no sanctions have been prescribed for those who failed to meet the targets. Apart from various limitations including uncooperative attitude of tax payers’, factors such as rewards, money, good working conditions, job security and good working relations influenced revenue collectors of TMA. It has therefore been recommended that management should; involve the tax payers in their decision making process, especially where new rates are about to be introduced, train revenue collectors to acquire new skills, provide needed logistics to collectors and introduce data storage devices. Revenue collectors are also advised to be more tolerant and avoid any direct confrontations or quarrels with rate payers.

Source: UCC
Staff participation in financial administration of colleges of education in Ashanti region

Financial Administration has become a vital and a crucial function in modern organizations and educational institutions. This is because financial resources are scarce in relation to the demand for them. As a result, it is imperative to have a very sound administration of public funds allocated to educational institutions. This study sought to investigate “Staff Participation in Financial Administration of Colleges of Education in Ashanti Region.” The study was conducted in three colleges in the Ashanti Region with a sample size of one hundred and twenty selected by using simple randomization and purposive sampling procedures. The main instrument used in the collection of data for the study was questionnaire but at certain instances, an interview guide was employed. The researcher made use of descriptive analysis approach to discuss the data in order to make conclusions. The study unveiled a closed nature of financial administration of the colleges. As against this discovery, most of the respondents overwhelmingly emphasized that staff participation in financial administration has great significance on the colleges’ development and as a result, were in favour of the practice of open college financial administration. It is therefore recommended that financial administration of the colleges be made open to involve staff members. Staff members need to have access to financial information to inform their decisions, and also motivate them for high performance to improve the colleges.

Source: UCC
Staff perception of Action Aid Ghana’s human resource capacity building effectiveness

The main objective of this study was to evaluate staff perception of Action Aid Ghana’s human resource capacity building effectiveness. The purposive and simple random techniques were used in the selection of sample units of the study. A sample of 60 was drawn from a target population of 80 using the lottery method. The instruments used in this study were interview guide and questionnaire. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) was used to analyse the data collected from the field. The study findings indicate that most of the AAG human resource capacity building elements and practices supports its performance effectiveness, especially staff recruitment, development and retention as well as staff training in the use of information technology and computer systems. The study further shows that most of AAG’s culture tends to encourage high human capital performance, thus meeting its mission and strategic objectives. However, the study could not establish any strong and positive relationship between the various dimensions of AAG’s leadership and performance effectiveness, with the singularly exception of female gender capacity building and career development. Based on the findings and the conclusions drawn from the study, the study recommended that AAG should continue with the implementation of its strategic recruitment and retention strategy. Also, the key HR staff and leadership of AAG should be sponsored for training in specific competences. More so, leadership of AAG should refocus its vision on and redirect resources toward improving external strategic partnerships in its pursuit of the strategic objectives of AAG.

Source: UCC
Staff perception of employee performance appraisal system: A case of the western sector of Ghana telecommunications company limited

Employee Performance Appraisal (EP A) is one way to review the performance and potential of staff. It is a crucial activity of the personnel function and the management of staff, for it enables employees know exactly what is expected of them and provides a yardstick by which their performance are measured. Several appraisal formats exist and each has its strength and weaknesses. However, an appraisal system can only be effective if both supervisors and subordinates perceive it for its essential rationale. This study set out to examine the employee performance appraisal system with the view to identifying areas of its strengths and weaknesses and for the purpose of improving it. The study selected the Western sector of the Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited operational area which consists of Central and Western Regions and derived a random sample of 150 respondents from the total workforce of 685. An interview schedule was used as the data collection instrument. The main findings of the study are that the rationale behind the appraisal system was unknown to the majority of respondents. The appraisal system had no inbuilt feedback mechanism and was full of favouritism. The system therefore, had the tendency to generate conflict. It was thus concluded that the E P A was not effective. The recommendation is that management should intervene to educate the workforce on the policy rationale for the appraisal exercise.

Source: UCC