ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The contribution of rural banking to human resource development in Agona Nkwanra area: the Ahantaman rural bank in focus

Human resource development is vital for the development of every nation. As a result various attempts have been made by governments to ensure the development of its human resource. In Ghana, one of the efforts towards this direction was the establishment of rural banks. The study, therefore, examined the contributions of rural banking activities to human resource development in the communities in which they operate using the Ahantaman Rural Bank [ARB] as a case. It became evident that ARB contributes to human resource development through saving mobilization, the granting of loans to individuals and micro enterprises, granting of scholarships to brilliant but needy students and the provision of social amenities. Findings from the study also indicated a good customer perception of the service delivery and the activities of ARB.

Source: UCC
The contribution of the church of Pentecost to social development in Sefwi Akontombra District

The Church's contribution to the social development of society in the country is evidently clear. A lot of the work done by churches including the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and the Church of Pentecost are dotted in many societies in the country. The study assessed the contribution of the church of Pentecost to the social development of Sefwi Akontombra district in the Western region of Ghana. The study was a descriptive survey and the views of 388 respondents within the study area were sought through the administering of questionnaire. Primary and secondary sources of data collection method were used and data collected from the field was processed and analysed through the use of Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 16.0. It was revealed from the study that 96% of the respondents believe that the infrastructural development agenda of the church within the district has focused on church building, sign boards and school buildings. Majority (60%) of the respondents considered education and marriage and family as the church’s most significant contribution to the study area. However, employment (90%) was considered as the church’s weakest point by respondents with regards to social development. also, respondents expects the church to further contribute their social development works in the field of health, guidance and counseling, skill development and training and agriculture. Despite all the effort made by the church in the social development of society, a lot more is expected by the society to be done. It is in view of this that the church is encouraged to put in much more effort and resources to ensure that diverse needs are met as it ensures proper and community-based assessment of needs are done so as to meet the desired needs of the people. It is recommended that that the church must work more towards assessing the specific needs of the people in the society and strive to meet these needs the best way it can.

Source: UCC
Contribution of the kakum rural bank to poverty reduction in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem municipality

The study was designed to examine the contribution of Kakum Rural Bank (KRB) to poverty reduction in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality. All the four agencies of the KRB in the KEEA municipality were included in the study. The purposive, quota and systematic sampling techniques were used to draw 384 respondents, made up of staff and customers of Kakum Rural Bank, for the study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents. Percentages, frequencies, graphs, charts as well as descriptive statistics were used to present the data. The results of the study revealed that KRB, with its financial and nonfinancial services, had helped in poverty reduction in the KEEA Municipality. The study further showed a significant improvement in customers’ income level; output level; savings level, ability to afford medical care; ability to cater for the educational needs of family; ability to afford good shelter; provision of nutritious food for family; and acquisition of assets/properties. Despite its contribution towards poverty reduction, KRB was faced with some challenges which included high loan default rate. On the other hand, some of the challenges faced by customers included low interest on savings and high interest rates on loans. Judging from the potential KRB has in reducing poverty, it is recommended that the bank should strengthen its loan recovery effort and expand its coverage in the municipality. Depositors should also receive realistic interest on their deposits. Interest rate on credit should also be lowered.

Source: UCC
Contribution of urban vegetable production to farmers' livelihood: a case of the Kumasi metropolis of Ashanti region of Ghana

The number of urban poor is rapidly increasing as urban population grows. Urban vegetable production is therefore a response to the available market demand and the challenges of unemployment and food insecurity resulting from the urbanisation. The study examined the contribution of urban vegetable production to farmers’ livelihoods in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ashanti Region of Ghana. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Based on a simple random sampling technique, 300 urban vegetable farmers were selected and interviewed. Cronbach alpha coefficient values showed high reliability and consistency of the farmers’ livelihood subscales. The study that the contribution of urban vegetable production to farmers’ livelihoods differed significantly regarding different livelihood subscales (ANOVA). Post-hoc multiple comparisons test (Dunnett’s T3) result revealed that the contribution of urban vegetable production to farmers’ mean livelihoods was generally ‘low’. However, it contributed ‘moderately high’ to their natural and physical capitals. The strength of association between farmers’ mean livelihood subscales also showed that urban vegetable production impacted differently and significantly on their livelihoods. It is recommended that Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs) should be formed to help empower and protect farmers’ from the exploitation of prospective buyers. It would also help address common challenges confronting members including high input cost, lack of credit facilities and inadequate marketing avenues.

Source: UCC
Contribution of women groups in economic empowerment – A tool for poverty reduction

Women are seen as exceptionally instrumental in the process of change in rural areas. Their engagement in self-help groups grants them the chance of getting involved in the decision-making process. Empowering of women groups economically is very vital not only for the reduction of the unequal levels of poverty among women but also acts as a significant step to raising household income and enhancing economic development in countries as a whole. The mixed method approach of research was employed for the study. A total of 60 respondents were sampled from the various women’s groups using the simple random sampling method. Questionnaires were used to collect data and interviews were also conducted for the leaders of the women’s groups. The data was entered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The processed data was retrieved and presented in the form of tables and charts. Women empowerment has helped them in the establishment of new business as a result of entrepreneurship training received. Also, the village savings and loan scheme through women empowerment has helped in the sustainable income generation activities as stated by majority of the respondents. Challenges affecting the effectiveness were difficulty in accessing loans due to the high demand for collateral, the high-interest rate on loans and access to and control over land due to traditional/cultural factors. The District Assembly should endeavour to provide more loan facilities for these women to help them engage in the trade which sometimes serves as the only source of income to support the household. Also, the leaders of the groups can liaise more with NGOs who will provide the group members with more business knowledge through skill and training workshops and seminars which is relevant to their cause of trade. Again, loans from the District Assemblies and the banks should be made accessible to these women by reduction of the interest rate on loans that had to be paid.

Source: UCC
Contribution of World Vision Ghana in the provision of quality basic education in the Bongo district

The study investigated the contribution of World Vision, Ghana (WVG) in provision of quality basic education in the Bongo District. The study sought to identify the extent to which WVG has contributed to infrastructural development, textbooks and other teaching/learning materials staffing, in-service training and support for Girl-Child Education and needy school children. The descriptive survey method was adopted with a sample size of 310. The questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect data from key respondents. The data was analysed using frequencies and simple percentage distributions. The major findings are that WVG has, to a large extent, contributed to provide suitable classrooms, office, toilet facilities, furniture, offices for head teachers and teaching/learning materials. It has also improved the staffing situation using Rural Education Volunteers; provided in-service training for head teachers, teachers, PTAs and SMCs; and supported Girl-child Education and needy school children. From the study it is recommended to WVG to collaborate with other development partners and GES to extend in-service training for teachers to cover more subject areas; organize training for teachers to cover more subject areas, organize regular in-service training for PTAs and SMCs; build more toilet facilities and supply adequate textbooks to basic schools. In order to sustain its support for Girl Child Education and needy children in the long term, it is recommended that WVG advocates for the establishment of an education endowment fund by the District Assembly.

Source: UCC
Contribution of world vision Ghana to rural development in northern Ghana

This thesis examined World Vision Ghana's contribution to Rural Development in Northern Ghana. The study was carried out in six rural communities in three selected districts: Savelugu / Nanton, West Mamprusi and Bongo. The focus of the study was on how World Vision Ghana assists rural communities to achieve food self-sufficiency, safe drinking water, and education I training. Basic statistics were used to discuss the field data, while the chi-square test (x2) was used to show the association of the programme effect on food self-sufficiency, safe drinking water and education I training. The study found out that World Vision Ghana employed the Area Development Programme (ADP) concept in carrying out interventions in the rural communities. It noted that the Area Development Programme (ADP) strategy involved the selection of needy communities, which were provided with necessary assistance for a period of 15 years. The purpose was to enhance the socio-economic living conditions of beneficiary communities. It further observed that the programme made significant impact, firstly on food self-sufficiency and secondly, it made a significant impact on access to safe drinking water. As regards access to education/training, it was observed that in the Savelugu / Nanton and West Mamprusi districts school enrolment by households recorded positive impact except in the Bongo district where the programme recorded negative impact.

Source: UCC
“The contribution soil heavy metals pollution to the cause of destruction of the coconut palm in some selected areas of the Central Region of Ghana”: (A case study in Ajumako-Enyan Essiam to Bobikuma).

Contaminations of soil by heavy metals are extremely threatening to both plant and animal lives. This study looked at the levels of heavy metals in the soils and stems of the coconut plantation farms from Ajumako-Enyan Essiam through to Bobikuma in the Central Region of Ghana and assessed its possible contribution to the destruction of the plant. One hundred soil and one hundred stem samples were collected. Heavy metals that were analyzed in these samples were Zinc, Iron, Copper, Nickel, Chromium, Lead, Manganese and Cadmium. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Shimadzu 7000 AS) was used to analyze the samples after the samples were digested. From the findings, the pHs of the soil were within acceptable limit for plant growth set by the WHO standard except soil sample site 10 for the wet season. For organic carbon, the data obtained shows that some sample sites (6 and 8) for the dry season and sample site (1, 2,3,4,6 and 7) had higher levels of organic carbon than the acceptable limit which 0.5-3.5 is set by WHO. The findings of electrical conductivity proves the soil on the various sites were non saline. The levels of cation exchange capacity proves the soil had adequate levels of the ions in the soil. Concentration of some of the selected heavy metals like Fe during the dry season in the soil samples exceeded the WHO standard for plant growth. For the stem samples, Fe, Zn, Cu and Pb having high levels of heavy metals in some sample sites. Finally, comparing the result to an unpublished thesis on where the coconut are dying, it can be seen that heavy metals might be a contributing factor to the death of the coconut palm.

Source: UCC
Contributions of Colleges of Education in Greater Accra Region in Preparing Teacher Trainees Towards Inclusive Education

The focus of this study was to find out about the role of Colleges of Education in preparing teacher trainees towards inclusive education at the Colleges of Education in Greater Accra Region. The exploratory case study technique was used to investigate what colleges of education are doing to prepare teacher trainees to teach differently abled children in mainstream classrooms. Six (6) student leaders, four (4) tutors, and two (2) principals of colleges of education in the Greater Accra Region provided qualitative data for the study. The study discovered that trainee teachers were not effectively prepared to teach differently abled children in mainstream classrooms, and that school-based programs and courses failed to capture key important and sensitive aspects of the inclusive education curriculum. In addition, the study discovered that colleges of education face a number of obstacles that have hampered their growth and development. Regardless, the institutions have made a significant contribution to enhancing Ghana's inclusive education. According to the participants of the study, teacher preparation in colleges of education is insufficient, and insufficient money, infrastructure, assistive equipment, and governance issues are few of the difficulties inhibiting the performance of these colleges. The report suggests that Colleges of Education's curricula be redesigned to incorporate additional courses on inclusive education as a matter of priority. It was also suggested that the government and other non-governmental organizations invest funds in improving the Inclusive Education Policy.

Source: UCC
The contributions of non-governmental organisation towards basic education in Awutu-Effutu-Senya district of Central region, Ghana

The purpose of the study was to examine the contribution of the NGOs towards basic education in Awutu-Effutu- Senya district (AESD) of Central Region Of Ghana. The study employed the descriptive survey design and drew samples from twenty communities of the district which were beneficiaries of the NGOs interventions. Two different set of questionnaires were used for the collection of data, one for the 15 field managers/officers of the NGOs who were into basic education and the other for five assembly members, ten chiefs and hundred basic school teachers of the beneficiary schools. The entire sample size for the study was one hundred and thirty. The study revealed that the NGOs have performed well in providing school buildings, furniture, libraries, water and sanitation aids, advocacy for child right to education, supply of learning materials and teachers’ quarters in some deprived communities in the district. The NGOs interventions have increased access to basic schools, high attendance, and, retention and completion rates. However, there is not much increase in the number of pupils entering Senior High Schools than what used to be, since children were not obtaining the required grades to gain admission to Senior High School. Educational problems that persist in the district include inadequate furniture and classrooms for some schools, lack of teachers’ accommodation, poor parental control, inadequate text books and educational materials and lack of libraries in most schools. The Chiefs, Assembly members and teachers in the district regard the NGOs as a great development partners in basic education.

Source: UCC
Contributions of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises and Economic Development in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Upper East Region

The study examined the contributions of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to economic development in the Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region. Specifically, the study examines the characteristics of SMEs to the economic development in the Bolgatanga Municipality; examine the contributions of SMEs to the economic development in the Bolgatanga Municipality and examine the challenges confronting SMEs to the economic development in the Bolgatanga Municipality. Explantory design was utilized. Primary data were collected from 152 SMEs owners in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The major finding of the study was that SMEs activities are recognized as a prolific job creator, innovation stimulators, new product developers, poverty alleviators and income redistributors. Hence, it was recommended that SMEs owners in the Bolgatanga Municipality should endeavour to run their business in order to operate at a standard level in order to compete the international companies. In addition, SMEs owners in the Municipality are entreated to formulate and execute strategies such as CSR activities in order to improve stakeholders’ welfare, removal of poverty and the provision of employment among others. Finally, SMEs owners in the Bolgatanga Municipality are also entreated to acquire external capital from government in order to improve their business.

Source: UCC
Contributions of world vision Ghana in support of basic education in rural Ghana: A case study of the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District

This study was designed to find out the contributions of World Vision Ghana (WVG) to the development of basic education in the Twifo Hemang-Lower Denkyira District (THLDD) in the Central Region in Ghana. The study involved a sample of 469, comprising 24 district education officials, 10 DEOC members, 24 headteachers, 13 staff of WVG (Twifo ADP), the head of education and capacity building - WVG, 48 child welfare service officers (CWSO), 120 parents and 240 community members. The questionnaire, interviews, focus group discussions and observation were the main instruments employed to collect data for this descriptive survey. A return rate of 100% was achieved for the questionnaires administered. The main methods used in analyzing the data were frequency and percentage distributions. The major findings were that WVG has to a large extent contributed to improvement in teaching and learning, efficiency in school management and increasing access and participation at the basic level of education in the district through training, and the provision of school facilities. Another major finding from the study is that 60% of all the support given to pupils in basic education goes to the girl child to encourage girl child education. From the study, it is found that WVG has been successful in its efforts at HIV/AIDS education at the basic education level through sensitization by the various club formed by WVG and their positive activities. WVG has also contributed to the moral development of the pupils in their various community-schools through the he activities of the GOOD NEWS clubs formed by WVG. In addition nutrition and sanitation has improved in the environment at the school and in the community at large through the activities of the nutrition and sanitation clubs. Above all the study indicated that WVG projects experiences problems such as bad roads, unfavourable seasons, apathy on the part of community members and financial constraints. It was realized from the study that the WVG has provided teachers accommodation in some communities on the whole; however, in the perception of communities, this effort is not adequate. It is therefore recommended to WVG to consider accommodation for teachers in their future plans.

Source: UCC
Controlling Criminal Activities for Peace and Security of University of Cape Coast Students Living in Hostels Outside the Campus

In higher educational institutions, peace and security of people predominantly students, who reside on school campuses continue to be topical. The scant research on university students’ experiences in Ghana reflects a scarcity of literature on peace and security on Ghana's university campuses, where such issues have been overlooked. However, burglary and other sorts of criminal activities have put students’ academic, religious, and social lives in jeopardy on numerous occasions. As a result, the subject of campus peace and security is critical, and it must be addressed. The focus of this study is on students’ perspectives on crime and how it relates to peace and security on the University of Cape Coast (UCC) campus. The findings revealed that students are dissatisfied with the overall security on campus, particularly in the communities surrounding the University, using a qualitative approach that used a descriptive study design to obtain a comprehensive picture of students' perceptions about their peace and security in the communities surrounding the University. The study recommends that, if University of Cape Coast management builds more halls of residence, improves the security system in the communities surrounding the University, and provides logistics to campus security agencies, intensifies security presence in the communities surrounding the University as well as ensures that private hostel managements provide adequate security measures in their hostels, it will be sure ways to ensure peace and security of students residing in the communities surrounding University of Cape Coast.

Source: UCC
Controlling the transmission dynamics of COVID-19

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan and other cities in China in 2019 has become a global pandemic as declared by World Health Organization (WHO) in the frst quarter of 2020 [19]. The delay in diagnosis, limited hospital resources and other treatment resources leads to rapid spread of COVID-19. In this article, we consider an optimal control COVID-19 transmission model and assess the impact of some control measures that can lead to the reduction of exposed and infectious individuals in the population. We investigate three control strategies for this deadly infectious disease using personal protection, treatment with early diagnosis, treatment with delay diagnosis and spraying of virus in the environment as time-dependent control functions in our dynamical model to curb the disease spread

Source: UCC