ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Lack of Interest in School Science among Non-Science Students at the Senior High School Level

This study investigated the factors that contribute to the non-science students’ lack of interest in school science through the use of a 27-item questionnaire. This assisted in comparing the male and female non-science students’ lack of interest in school science. There were 259 male and female students from three senior high schools in three District Assemblies of the Ashanti Region of Ghana who participated in the study. Quantitative data were collected from the 259 students through a cross-sectional survey. The research questions were answered with mean, standard deviation, percentage, boxplot, and independent-samples t-test. The results of the study have shown that the factors that contribute to students’ lack of interest in school science include as higher demands of students’ time in learning science, less practical nature of science teaching and learning, failure of science students with larger aggregate from high school to gain admission into tertiary institutions, too broad nature of science content, lack of sponsorship for science students, school science as difficult subject compared to others, and teaching of science is a transmission of knowledge from science teachers or textbooks to students. The results of the study have further shown that there was a statistical significant difference between the mean scores of male and female non-science students’ lack of interest in school science. Science teachers are therefore encouraged to adopt strategies that could encourage students to develop and show interest in science related subjects and courses.

Source: UCC
Lagoon tilapia: bioprofile and prospects for coastal fisheries

Lagoon tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron also known as the black-chinned tilapia or the black-cheeked tilapia is a common fish in lagoons in Ghana, constituting over 90% of the ichthyomass in these habitats. Unfortunately its potential in the coastal fishery production has largely been overlooked although it supports important local subsistence and commercial fisheries. This lecture presents a review of the biology of populations of the species in Ghana highlighting my contributions in this regard. It will show how characteristics as tolerance range of brackish conditions, food habits, growth, reproductive habits, and ability to survive under harsh environmental conditions influence the production of natural populations. Recommendations are made for managing the natural lagoon and reservoir stocks, and aquaculture of the species.

Source: UCC
Land access constraints for communities affected by large-scale land acquisition in Southern Sierra

While national figures of land availability are used to justify accepting large-scale land investors, not very much is known about the local level realities of land availability. By combining remotely sensed data with fieldwork, system dynamics modelling and qualitative research methods, we examine local level realities of land use and availability in the Malen Chiefdom of Southern Sierra Leone. Here, local com munities are experiencing the outcomes of large-scale investments in oil palm for biodiesel and other industrial purposes by the SOCFIN Agricultural Company. We find that beyond agricultural production, there are other land uses that are vital for the socio-cultural, economic and environmental realities of communities. The Com pany does not respect engagements promised to local people to set aside buffer zones around living areas to serve as biodiversity corridors. Local communities are severely deprived of agricultural land and other land resources. The operations of SOCFIN do not take account of present or future land needs of local people. A baseline requirement of food crop land should be set aside for each community, to ensure the attainment of food security in communities affected by land acquisitions. Such baseline requirement should be augmented with local level needs assessments to meet new demand for cropland necessitated by changing demography

Source: UCC
Land Commodification and Livelihoods of Farmers in Awutu-breku, Ghana

ABSTRACT The study examined land commodification and its implications for the livelihoods of farmers in Awutu-Breku. Data were collected for 232 randomly sampled farmers and the results complemented by responses from opinion leaders and local authorities. Data analysis involved the application of descriptive statistics, factor analysis and thematic analysis. The study found that urbanization and the quest for capital accumulation for future use were the most important reasons for land commodification in Awutu-Breku and these greatly reduced the livelihoods of farmers. Farmers resulted to migration to overcome constraints to their livelihoods as a result of the loss of land to urbanisation and industrial activities. The study further revealed that in Awutu-Breku low standard of living of the farmers was because of land commodification. It was therefore recommended that government should effectively initiate documented and legal policies on the appropriation of lands for agricultural and industrial purposes.

Source: UCC
Land tenure security, soil improvement and maize output of smallholder farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana

The study is in two folds. It first examined the effect of land tenure security dimensions on households‘ soil improvement and subsequently explored the effect of soil improvement on maize output among smallholder farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana. The data employed for this study were obtained from the 2011 Innovation for Poverty Action survey. The endogeneous switching regression model was employed for the analyses. The study found that, households who had full land right had a significantly higher probability of undertaking soil improvement than those with non-full rights. Again, relative to households whose lands were disputed, households with undisputed lands had a significantly higher likelihood of undertaking soil improvement. It was also found that soil improvement by households proved to be positive in influencing maize output of households in the region. It is recommended that government should strengthen land disputes resolution and arbitration bodies to amicably settle land related disputes as it adversely affects land tenure security. Again government is advised not to perceive land titling as the only means of improving land tenure security but should create a system that would check and recognise customary claims to land.

Source: UCC
Land tenure system: women’s access to land in a cosmopolitan context

Land tenure is a concept that looks at how people gain access to land and how they make use of it. In various African societies, there are cases where women's land ownership is complicated by the gender ideology that women should not own property, particularly land and housing. Women who own property tend to be stereotyped as self-assertive and unruly, and therefore not marriage worthy. This study utilized primary data and combined quantitative and qualitative methods in analyzing the data collected. Focused group discussions (FGDs) were also organized as a source of qualitative information to support the quantitative data. Findings from the research are that there is an increase in net registration of titles to land by males over the period, compared to a reduction in females registering titles. There is a gender difference in the number of plots owned by males and females. Males owned more plots of land as compared to females. While the majority of male respondents directly negotiated for their land purchases, it was more usual for females to use male intermediaries in an effort to prevent being duped by predominantly male land sellers. Recommendation from the study is that equal inheritance rights to land should be guaranteed to both men and women

Source: UCC
Land use conflict among vegetable farmers in Denu: determinants, causes and consequences

Land is an important asset that improves the livelihoods of poorer groups in every society, the world over but because of changes in some underlying factors, land is increasingly becoming a source of conflicts in Africa. This study examines the determinants of land use conflicts; assesses the causes and consequences of land use conflicts among vegetable farmers in Denu using survey data of 102 respondents. Descriptive statistics was used in assessing the causes and consequences of land use conflict and the determinants of land use conflicts was estimated using logistic regression model. Findings from the study indicate that multiple claims to ownership, land seen as the only source of survival, low level of education, strong population growth, legislative loopholes, lack of access to land administration, erosion and inaccurate surveying were identified as the major causes of land use conflict among vegetable farmers in Denu. It was revealed that land use conflicts increase cost, lead to loss of property, social and political instability, impact negatively on livelihoods and culminate in poor yield of crops and animals. The regression result suggests that length of years respondents have farmed on their plot, household size, years of education and income of respondents from other sources determine whether respondents experienced conflict or not. The study recommends that farmers engage in other businesses to reduce conflict. In addition, existing conflict resolution systems must be strengthened

Source: UCC
Land use planning as a tool for environmental management: A case of Tamale metropoplis

Environmental degradation has been exacerbated where there has been absence or weak land use planning and regulations to ensure orderly human settlement development. The first land use plan for Tamale was formulated in 1969 for the period 1970 – 1985 and received statutory approval in 1975. The plan is still the legal frame-work within which developments are carried out This study investigated the problem of planning and development in Tamale which is not due to unavailability of layouts but rather the local plan implementation machinery to enforce compliance. To achieve this, 131 respondents aged from 18 years and above in five zones within the study area were sampled and interviewed. Five public institutions and the traditional land owners were also interviewed. The main finding of the study was that the preparations of land use plans were not participatory as the general public/community members were not involved. There was also no linkage between plan preparation and implementation. Coordination among agencies involved in land use planning was non existent. More importantly, it was established that land use plans have not been effective tools for managing the urban environment in the Tamale metropolis. It is recommended that the Metropolitan Assembly should employ qualified personnel as building inspectors and also provide adequate logistics to support the Works Department. Public education, coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders in the land use and planning process should be encouraged.

Source: UCC
Land-use conflicts and psychosocial well-being: a study of farmer-herder conflict in Asante-Akyem north district of Ghana

Over the past two decades, the Asante Akyem North District of Ghana has had limited peace and stability which are prerequisites for sustainable development due to protracted farmer-herder conflicts. This study provides an alternative perspective to the underlying causes of this resource conflict by arguing that mental constructions based on the formation of frames are the precursor as argued by the framing theory. The study further investigated the psychosocial implications of the conflict on the well-being of the farmers and herders. The resources that the actors employed to cope with the stressful event were also invested. Using a mixed-method but a qualitatively driven approach, the study used interviews, focus group discussion and observation guides for the data collection. The empirical analyses revealed that actors formed frames such as split identity, enemy-enemy relationship, a culture of work, power, and characterization are the drivers of the farmer-herder conflict. It is further observed that the mental construction and its attended hostile reaction between actors of the conflict, usually lead to symptoms and levels of psychological disturbances, emotional distress, and diagnosable mental health problems. It is evident from the findings that in the face of these undesirable outcomes, actors of both factions adopted varied coping strategies religion, voluntary migration, working harder, and resorting to socio-cultural support, and avoidance. There is the need for a community-level education that emphasizes constructive framing relationships between the transmigrant pastoralists and the host farming populace to ensure their peaceful coexistence and minimize conflict eruptions.

Source: UCC
Landscape Change and Sustainability of Indigenous Culture oF the Ga/Dangme in Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Landscape is polysemous (including land cover and culture); but, it is often conceived as a unitary concept with less focus on culture. Such biased concept of landscape affects its comprehensive study; hence, affecting the sustainability of indigenous culture. This study sought to assess the effects of landscape change on the sustainability of the indigenous culture of the Ga/Dangme in Greater Accra Region using the dualistic concept of landscape. Ethnographically, the study interviewed Ga/Dangme chiefs and traditional priests; undertook series of focus group discussions with the aged and young Ga/Dangme people in four Ga/Dangme communities. In addition, using the cross-sectional survey research design, questionnaire was administered to 1,020 Ga/Dangmes while a spatial approach was employed to model land cover change in the region. Results indicated that land cover change in the Ga/Dangme communities was very high and had affected wetlands and groves considered by the Ga/Dangme as abodes for their gods/goddesses. Also, some rituals performed in these wetlands had ceased because of its degradation from land Christianity, poor enforcement of formal government policies and chieftaincy disputes. The sustainability of the indigenous culture and land cover of the rejuvenated and afforested by the efforts of Ga/Dangme people, Chiefs, traditional priest/Wolomei with the help of Environmental Protection Agency, Forestry Commission, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority and National commission on Culture.

Source: UCC
Landscape influence on bee abundance and diversity in the forest savannah transition zone of Ghana and community knowledge of pollinators and pollination

Global declines in pollinator diversity and abundance have been recognized, raising concerns about a pollination crisis of crops and wild plants. In many African countries including Ghana however research and publications on the subject are rare. To this end, a study was carried out from June 2013 to April 2014 to determine the influence of landscape type on bee species abundance and diversity in the Forest Savannah Transition Zone (FSTZ) of Ghana. The research also evaluated farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of the importance of pollinators and pollination. Two sites each of the landscape types; Agricultural land, Natural vegetation and Settlement fringes were sampled from three subzones selected on the basis of the proportion of trees relative to grasses. Overall, 706 bees made up of 3 families, 18 genera and 34 species were collected and identified. Apidae was the most speciose bee family and Megachilidae the least. Xylocopa, Amegilla and Lipotriches were the most common genera whilst Chalicodoma, Thyreus, Celioxys and Lithurgus were represented by single individuals. The results of bee species abundance and diversity were mixed for the various comparisons. Overall, the study indicated that bee species diversity is significantly influenced by landscape type and percentage tree to grass proportions (P ≤ 0.05). No such variation was observed for bee abundance probably due to the dominance of Apis mellifera Linnaeus. There were significantly more bee species in agricultural land and natural vegetation than in settlement fringes. Similarly, there were more bee species in the lower transition zone (area with the highest percent tree cover) than in either the middle or upper transition zone. Though most of the crop farmers interviewed had been farming for more than 10 years, they knew very little about pollinators and pollination, indicating the need to intensify education on the subject.

Source: UCC
Language and communication in a structuralist society

In what ways does the structuralist paradigm of language speak to the underlying constructs of human communication and modern society? How the dynamics of a postmodern society can be understood, while these dynamics remain largely structuralist? In order to answer these two broad questions, I consider in my analysis that language is both a system, and an abstraction of the social structure . By considering the nexus among language, communication, and society, I reflect on how communication is a form of social and symbolic action, which calls up issues of ideology, power and dominance; thus, communication is not just considered as a linear cybernetic transfer of information. As the global society, the African society faces challenges and constraints because of these constructs The contribution of this article lies in the emphasis of the links which exist between these challenges and these contraints. The paper concludes that studying societies through the structuralist paradigm allows us to see in great detail the position of the self in relation to hegemonic and power dominance. In a word, when we communicate we must be political; our communicative acts are in themselves, mutatis mutandis, partisan and ideologically motivated

Source: UCC
Language and power in academic discourse: a critical discourse analysis of thesis defence in a Ghanaian University

Language use in academic discourse has received considerable attention from researchers over the years. These researchers have shown how language is used as a tool to communicate effectively and to enact power. The study investigated and examined the language used and its functions in thesis defence, using Conversation Analysis (CA) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as analytical frameworks. The investigation and examination of the language used and its function was done using self-transcribed transcripts of the interaction between panel members and candidates of thesis defence organized by the Department of English of the University of Cape Coast. The study also examined the use of language as an effective tool for enacting and recognizing power in the thesis defence. Findings revealed that panel members mainly used interrogatives, declaratives and imperatives to examine candidates on their knowledge of the research topic area and to seek confirmation/disconfirmation from them whereas candidates mainly used declaratives and, less frequently, phrasal units to offer explanations to the questions asked them as well as to agree/disagree to question and comments made by panel members. The analysis also revealed that panel members signaled power more with their linguistic choices such as address forms, questions, imperatives and modal auxiliary verbs, while candidates used some address forms and hedging devices to show their subordination to panel members. The study has implications for academic discourse, postgraduate thesis defence pedagogy and serves as an impetus for further research.

Source: UCC
Language at war: A critical discourse analysis of speeches of Bush and Obama on terrorism

The concept of terrorism (and antiterrorism) is a complex phenomenon that has received a lot of debate in the last decade. A highly complex phenomenon, terrorism stands at the forefront of national and international agendas. Taking on many forms, it is associated with a wide variety of groups and motivations. It has been presented in different ways, depending on who is speaking. It is against this backdrop that this paper seeks to do a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of speeches of Bush and Obama on terrorism. Using six speeches from Bush and Obama as the data and using a qualitative content analytical approach, it draws on van Dijk’s concept of Critical Discourse Analysis. The study reveals that Bush and Obama projected terrorism negatively while they projected anti-terrorism positively by carefully selecting emotionally charged vocabulary and expressions. The notion of power as control, mind control and context control were common features of Bush and Obama’s speeches. This study has implications for the theory of Critical Discourse Analysis and studies on terrorism

Source: UCC
Language choice in communication in a multilingual setting: A case study of a cross section of first year students of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

A group of people living and working together in close proximity enforced by an institution like the university communicate with one another both formally and informally. Language is the means of communicating information and it is also the channel of establishing and maintaining relationship with other people. Language is also a medium of meaningful interaction among individuals in a social context (Gregory, 1978). The University of Cape Coast community is multilingual. The population is made up of students and workers drawn from the heterogeneous ethnic regions of Ghana. The linguistic situation is such that many different languages co-exist and individuals speak more than one language. The current study revealed that due to the multilingual nature of the University of Cape Coast various language choices are made in communication. The choice of language also involved a switch from one language to another or the mixing of languages

Source: UCC
Language in education in Ghana:The debate

Recent anxiety over low performance in English of students and graduates of the country's educational institutions expressed by the populace and the print and electronic media led to a cabinet directive that the mother tongue policy medium in the first three years of primary education should give way to a straight for English medium policy of instruction and communication at all levels of education in Ghana. This cabinet directive sparked off a language policy debate. This paper examines issues surrounding the use of the English language as a medium of instruction in education in Ghana and the debate over change in education language policy. In considering, particularly, the viability of the mother tongue medium in primary education, a survey of 404 teachers in basic schools in 6 out of the 10 regions of Ghana was conducted to find out about their perceived classroom communication practice and language preference. Responses from teachers sampled indicate that a minority of teachers use the mother tongue exclusively during the teaching/ learning process; bilingual code-switching as a communication strategy was commonly used; but the majority of teachers use the English language though more than half of the teachers sampled did not consider themselves proficient in the English language. It is argued that descriptions of classroom communication practice are necessary to inform effective education language planning. The discussion links up with the communicative needs of teachers and learners and implications for teacher training and education.

Source: UCC