ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Contribution of physical facilities to teaching and learning in preschools in the Techiman North district

The purpose of the study was to assess the contribution of physical facilities to the teaching and learning in pre-schools in the Techiman North District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The study adopted descriptive research with a concurrent mixed method design. Seventy-five respondents consisting of 60 teachers and 15 attendants were sampled for the study. The study employed systematic sampling, simple random sampling and convenience sampling techniques in sampling the participants. Questionnaire, interview and observation were the research instruments used in collecting data for the study. Descriptive analysis was the procedure used in analyzing the data. The study revealed that the kind of physical facilities available to the preschool children were not sufficient to enhance positive learning outcomes. It also reduces the level of absenteeism, changes in attitude and modifies behaviour of children appropriately. It was concluded that insufficient and appropriate physical facilities in preschool seem to hinder children’s effective learning. Some of the challenges identified to be hindering children’s learning were inadequate instructional materials, furniture, uncomfortable atmospheric conditions in the schools such as dilapidated buildings, unsafe water and unavailability of toilet and urinal. It was recommended that, Techiman North District Assembly and the District Education Directorate should take cogent steps and efforts to provide appropriate physical facilities that would promote teaching and learning. Again, the head teachers of the schools should practice maintenance culture while the directorate provides teaching and learning materials for both the teachers and the children.

Source: UEW
Contribution of washing bays toward urban aquatic pollution a case study of Techiman and Nkoranza Municipalities

Washing bays businesses have gained popularity in urban Ghana. These washing bays use huge volumes of water and discharge dangerous chemicals into the environment through their activities. There is therefore the need to regulate the operations of the vehicle washing bays to ensure water conservation and its associated environmental and social impacts. This study estimated the water quantities used to wash different vehicles types and the pollution loads of the resulting wastewater in Techiman and Nkoranza Municipalities, Ghana. Twenty-two functional washing bays were purposively selected and monitored to estimate the water used to wash six different categories of vehicles and wastewater generated. Composite wastewater samples from two washing bays were analysed for concentrations of different contaminants which were used to calculate pollution loads. Data was entered on excel sheet and transported to SPSS for analysis. Frequencies and percentages were developed. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. The study showed that average volume of water used for washing each category of vehicle per day were as follow: Motorbike/Mopeds 107 L, Saloon car 162 L, Pickups 249 L, Buses/Coaches 266 L, Graders/Loaders 1159 L, Heavy articulators 1246 L. The wastewater was characterized by pH (7.4-7.6), TSS (857-2624 mg/L), TDS (125.5-148.6 mg/L), SO4 2- (66-68 mg/L), PO4 3- (0.37-0.41 mg/L) and turbidity (1190-1680 NTU). Pollutant loads for BOD up to 0.9 tons from Techiman and 0.8 tons from Nkoranza could be released in a year. COD up to 2 tons from Techiman and 2 tons from Nkoranza could also be released in a year. The wastewater has a low biodegradability index of 0.4. The study therefore concluded that, activities of washing bays in Techiman and Nkoranza pollute water bodies. It was recommended that washing bays adopt recycling method so that wastewater can be reused.

Source: UEW
The contributions of female ceramists in academia to the development of ceramic education and practice in Ghana

The indigenous Ceramic sector especially pottery in Ghana and Africa at large are pioneered by women. However, the contributions of female ceramists in academia have not received much attention in previous studies. This research implored a qualitative study with a biographical-narrative design to explore the academic and professional journey of the female ceramists identified in academia; their contributions to Ceramic education in Ghana, their challenges and how they have learnt to cope. Purposive sampling was used to identify two female ceramists in academia. Data were collected primarily using semi-structured interviews were supported by the use of observation and graphics(pictures). Thematic analysis was applied in analysing the data. It was reported that both participants had their secondary education at Fijai Secondary school, Sekondi and obtained their first and higher degrees from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Participants have contributed their quota to the development of Ceramic education through teaching, research publications and projects undertaken. The study also reviewed that both participants had challenges at home and in the institution. The coping strategies adopted by these partcipants to overcome their challenges at the workplace were intrinsccally generated. It was reccomneded that Universities and higher institutions in Ghana should recommend, encourage and assist the promising and interested females in the field of Ceramics to upgrade themselves to lecture at the tertiary institutions. Also, women should be given more opportunity in academia to contribute immensely and meaningfully in the field of Ceramic. To help curb the challenges of Ceramic education in Ghana it was recommended that Ceramic studios at both the Second Cycle Schools and in the Universities should be well resourced with modern equipment & raw materials by the stakeholders of education for effective teaching and learning.

Source: UEW
Contributions of non governmental organisation to the development of rural communities of Ghana. The case of ACDEP in the provision of subsidized agricultural inputs to farmers in Wa East District

Though Ghana has made significant development progress in the last decade and is often hailed as a success story in African development, progress has not been equally shared between the north and south of Ghana. Northern Ghana is affected by its remoteness from Ghana‟s economic core, fragile soil fertility, one rather than two growing seasons, volatile climatic conditions, and a history of marginalization from the national agenda. Consequently, the five northern regions of Ghana have higher incidences of poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. Although the Government of Ghana (GoG) recognizes the importance of improving the productivity of smallholders in order to transform the agricultural sector, an emphasis on commercial agriculture and market-oriented growth risks excluding poorer, more food insecure smallholders in northern Ghana. These farmers often face entry barriers stemming from their low quality and quantity of agricultural production, limited access to improved inputs and extension support, lack of access to credit, few productive assets, weak links to markets, and aversion to risk. There is therefore a need for interventions that directly support poorer men and women smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana to reduce their vulnerability and food insecurity.

Source: UEW
Contributions of non-governmental organisation to the development of rural communities of Ghana the case of ACDEP in the provision of subsidized agricultural inputs to farmers in Wa east district

Though Ghana has made significant development progress in the last decade and is often hailed as a success story in African development, progress has not been equally shared between the north and south of Ghana. Northern Ghana is affected by its remoteness from Ghana‟s economic core, fragile soil fertility, one rather than two growing seasons, volatile climatic conditions, and a history of marginalization from the national agenda. Consequently, the five northern regions of Ghana have higher incidences of poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. Although the Government of Ghana (GoG) recognizes the importance of improving the productivity of smallholders in order to transform the agricultural sector, an emphasis on commercial agriculture and market-oriented growth risks excluding poorer, more food insecure smallholders in northern Ghana. These farmers often face entry barriers stemming from their low quality and quantity of agricultural production, limited access to improved inputs and extension support, lack of access to credit, few productive assets, weak links to markets, and aversion to risk. There is therefore a need for interventions that directly support poorer men and women smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana to reduce their vulnerability and food insecurity.

Source: UEW
Convenience food and its packaging effect on human health a case study of Bantama market

Packaging is an important material that protects the food put into it from external factors, keeps it fresh, allows the food to reach the consumer in a healthy and reliable way, and enables proper transportation and storage. Food packaging, which has widespread uses for reasons such as facilitation of everyday life, is one of the more recent hot topics regarding food due to issues such as consumers’ health, food costs and environmental factors. Glass and plastic are the most common packaging materials encountered by consumers. All glass and plastic materials that come into contact with foods and beverages such as so drinks bottles, baby bottles, foam containers, jars, and demijohns are under the scope of food packaging. In recent years, sensitivities regarding food security, human health and the environment have increased in food & beverage packaging. Glass packaging has advantages such as being healthier, being able to maintain food for longer durations and having 100% recyclability, whereas plastic packaging has advantages such as being less costly, being resistant to breaking and causing less air pollution. Over the past four decades, demand for foods that save households time in meal preparation and clean up (i.e., “convenience foods”) has grown in Ghana and around the world. This has implications for dietary quality and health. But little is known about the drivers behind the growth in demand for such foods. One driver might be that Ghanaians and for that matter the world at large is purchasing more processed foods because of those foods’ declining market prices relative to their less processed counterparts. Another driver might be that the most advertised foods are those that are the most convenient or that Ghanaian households have little time for meal preparation because of labour market participation. How declining incomes affect the demand for convenience may also be a driver. Between 1999 and 2010, changes in prices and total food expenditure drove most food-purchasing patterns. Meals and snacks at fast-food restaurants were also responsive to changes in advertising expenditures, while hours worked had little effect on demand for any foods. In the 21st century increasing world population, rising food prices and other socioeconomic impacts are expected to generate a great threat to agriculture and food security worldwide. Food is one of the basic needs of the human being. It is required for the normal functioning of the body parts and for a healthy growth. Consumer interest in ready-to-eat (RTE) snack and ready-to-serve (RTS) food is growing due to their convenience, value, attractive appearance, taste and texture. Most of the foods packed in plastic material. But longer use of plastic-coated material is slow poison for human health.

Source: UEW
Cooperative group formation integrated with Kolb’slearning styles to enhance student-teachers’ conceptual understanding and academic performance in heat and temperature.

This study combines cooperative group formation with Kolb's learning styles to enhance the academic performance of student-teachers in integrated science. A sample of 56 level 300 upper primary student-teachers participated in a seven-week intervention focusing on heat and temperature concepts. Using a positivist paradigm and quantitative methods, the study employed Kolb’s learning style inventory (KLSI) and a one-group pre-test/post-test design with purposive sampling technique. The results revealed varying conceptual difficulty across learning styles, with converging learners facing higher challenges. MANOVA analysis showed significant differences in conceptual comprehension, with accommodation learners understanding phase change and heat better than converging learners. Diverging learners exhibited superior understanding in heat transfer and heat and temperature. A statistically significant difference was observed between pre-test and post-test scores for the diverging [t (13) = 0.00, p < 0.05], assimilation [t (13) = 0.00, p < 0.05], converging [t (13) = 0.00, p < 0.05], and accommodation [t (13) = 0.00, p < 0.05] learning styles based on paired sample t-tests. Specifically, large effect sizes were found for assimilation (d = 3.017) and converging (d = 3.258) learning styles. Post Hoc analyses underscored the effectiveness of cooperative group formation for assimilation and accommodation learners across multiple concepts. The study rejects the null hypothesis, highlighting significant differences in conceptual understanding among student teachers with different learning styles. Student-teachers perceived cooperative group formation positively, recognising its benefits for their learning experiences. Recommendations include integrating cooperative learning activities into instruction, considering diverse learning styles, and familiarising with Kolb's theory to personalise learning experiences. These findings contribute to enhancing teaching and learning practices in integrated science education

Source: UEW
Cooperative learning strategy towards effective teaching and learning of chemical bonding

This study investigated the use of cooperative learning strategy towards effective teaching and learning of chemical bonding. The action research approach and case study research design were used. The accessible population was 72 students was the sample 26 students comprising all form two science students at Boso Senior high technical school. A pre-test was administered to all the students followed by interviews to know their prior conceptions, misconceptions, and causes of their misconceptions on chemical bonding. After that, the cooperative learning strategy was used as an intervention to solve the problems the students had on the topic followed by administration of post-test to all the students. Paired sample t-test was used to analyze the pre-test and the post-test to find out whether there was a significant difference in students’ academic performance. From the paired sample t-test it was found that the t-statistics (14.748) was greater than the t-critical (2.060) which means there was a statistically significant difference in students’ academic performance. This shows that students performed better in the post-test as compared to the pre-test and the cooperative learning strategy had a greater effect on the students. After that, the results from the post-test were grouped into males and females and an unpaired sample t-test was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the performance of males and females when the intervention was employed. From the unpaired sample t-test, t-statistics (1.207) was less than t-critical (2.064), which means there was no statistically significant difference. It is therefore recommended that teachers should use a cooperative learning strategy to effectively teach chemical bonding, which will help eliminate misconceptions, improve the understanding of students and establish gender

Source: UEW
Coping strategies of junior high school pupils from deprived households in the Awutu Senya Municipality in the Central region, Ghana towards their academic work

The study investigated how Junior High School pupils from deprived households in Kasoa cope with their academic work. The concurrent triangulation design within the mixed method approach was used for the study. Data were collected by administering questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide to 80 Junior High School pupils and 4 headteachers in Kasoa who were sampled using the simple random and purposive sampling techniques respectively. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics functions of the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 20. The emerging themes from the interviews were used to support the quantitative data. The findings revealed that, majority of the pupils lived in large families while others lived with single parents and other relatives. The guardians of most of the pupils fall within low income earners. It also came to light that pupils adopted both positive and negative coping strategies. However, the prominent coping strategies involves engaging in petty trading, working at the chop bars and selling after school hours to make money to provide with their educational needs. The coping strategies of majority of the pupils are not effective since majority of them do not perform well academically. It was recommended that Parents in Kasoa should give birth tofew children they have so that they will be able to adequately support them in school. Also, Junior High schools in Kasoa should create conducive environment for pupils to feel happy at school, support them academically and also provide social, emotional and academic support to pupils from deprived homes. This will help them cope effectively with their studies.

Source: UEW
Coping strategies of pupils who are deaf at diamond kids inclusive school complex Nsawam, Ghana

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to ascertain the social, academic, communication experiences, and the coping strategies of pupils who are deaf at the Diamond Kid Inclusive School Complex (DKIS) Nsawam. Fifteen (15) pupils who were deaf from Basic 3, 4, 5 and 6 were purposively sampled for the study. Focus group interview guides were used to collect data. Data were coded and analysed using a thematic approach. Results of the study indicated that participants had varied social experiences. Pupils who are deaf feel comfortable when interacting with their hearing colleagues within and outside the school; others feel isolated. Academically, the results of the study indicated that participants had to speech read the teachers in the absence of their sign language interpreters. Regarding communication experiences, participants indicated that the interpreters were not proficient in the use of sign language, which made it difficult for participants to understand instructions. On coping, strategies participants stressed that they depended on audiovisual aids to cope with their challenges in the classroom. The study recommended that the school authorities should employ competent sign language interpreters and use enough audio-visual aids in the teaching and learning process.

Source: UEW
Coping with academic work and nursing motherhood in Akenten Appiah Menkah University of skills, training and entrepreneurial development (AAMUSTED), Kumasi

The purpose of the study was to explore how student nursing mothers cope with academic work at AAMUSTED. A qualitative research approach, interpretive philosophical paradigm and an exploratory case study design were used to guide the study to collect and analyse data for the research objective. Besides, the study made a detailed observation of the nursing students using an observation guide. Role conflict theory and self-determination theory were used to underpin the study. The data collected from the interview was analysed using an inductive analysis approach while the observation was analysed using content analysis. The results revealed that student nursing mothers face numerous challenges in their pursuit of academic achievement but they adopt several ways to cope with them. Combining childcare, post-maternity complications and family demands makes it very difficult for student nursing mothers to focus on their academic work. To deal with these challenges, students nursing mothers relied on their husbands, hiring a babysitter, participation in group discussion, developing a good relationship with lecturers and using other psychological tactics to enhance learning. Also, most students, breastfeeding were interrupted by “lecture calls” and had to run back to lectures to avoid missing out. The universities should consider instituting policies that can offer student nursing mothers’ academic leverage and infrastructure support. Women must also be encouraged to have stable sources of income before pursing further studies to help them financially. Husbands are encouraged to support their wives and partners to further their education and provide them with necessary support they need at early stages of childcare.

Source: UEW
Coping with human rights abuses among persons with disabilities in Wa west district

The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals with disabilities within the context of the Wa West District in the Upper West Region cope with human rights abuses. A case study design was used for the study. The sample size was 22. These comprised 12 people with disabilities and 10 non-disabled persons, which include caregivers of PWDs, government officials who work with PWDs and NGOs who work with PWDs in the Wa West District. The method for data collection was semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size. Data was analyzed thematically. Results from the study showed that most people with disabilities use several coping mechanisms, which include seeking counselling, encouragement from family members and through prayers. The study concluded that coping with human rights abuses among people with disabilities was partial due to some governmental policies and self-perceptions of people with disabilities and the non-disabled in the community. Challenges faced by PWDs were stigmatization and illiteracy and resource constraints. The study recommends that there should be a follow up of government incentives to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities, public awareness creation to sensitize the general public on the need to accept and involve PWDs. Also, it is it is imperative for the government and all stakeholders to address attitudinal, informational, physical and institutional barriers that may challenge PWDs in getting employment.

Source: UEW