ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the pedagogical content knowledge of accounting teachers in senior high schools in the Central region of Ghana

Accounting teachers. ability to identify the learning difficulties of their students is a crucial part of teachers. Pedagogical Content Knowledge. Accounting is a subject that most students have difficulty in learning, which is exhibited in their performance. Timely identification of the learning difficulties of accounting students by accounting teachers in order to provide timely intervention measures will be of much importance to the students and all stakeholders in education. The purpose of this study was to find out the pedagogical techniques senior high school accounting teachers use to identify and address the learning difficulties of their students. Descriptive design was used to survey 72 accounting teachers in the Central Region. Questionnaire was used to sample the views of the respondents whilst descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the resulting data. The outcome of the study revealed that accounting students commit minor errors and careless mistakes; large class size also poses difficulties to students. learning. Accounting teachers confirmed that during scoring and grading of students. scripts, they are able to identify their students. learning difficulties. Strictly adhering to accounting laws and principles was the major intervention measure accounting teachers used to address their students. learning difficulties. It is recommended that accounting, teachers become extra careful and methodical in presenting facts in class; they are entreated to spend quality time with students so as to diagnose their problems early enough to address them in time. Central and local governments should provide some more classrooms to ease the pressure on the already existing ones.

Source: UCC
Assessing the pedagogical content knowledge of religious and moral education teachers at basic schools in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the degree of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) among Religious and Moral Education teachers in the Municipality of Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem. A descriptive survey for the research design was used. The study was made up of RME teachers from public junior high schools in the Central Region. The survey sampled 130 instructors from the K.E.E.A Municipality’s 68 public junior high schools. The researcher selected all RME teachers in schools using the census technique. The data were gathered using two primary instruments. These were questionnaires and checklists of observations. Cronbach alpha coefficient values of 0.898 were obtained for all questionnaire items. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, means of means and standard deviations, and independent sample t-tests and ANOVA. The study demonstrated that RME teachers in the K.E.E.A Municipality had better content knowledge. RME teachers possessed Pedagogical Knowledge to promote the spiritual and moral values of young people. However, in K.E.E.A Municipality, teachers who teach experience and gender were not different from evaluating teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge. The report recommended the continuation of in-service training for teachers by RME experts of the K.E.E.A municipality. Ministry of Education should provide teacher educators with state-of-the-art technological resources. Finally, it was recommended that stakeholders in education should encourage female teachers to continue to teach RME and other subjects effectively.

Source: UCC
Assessing the Perception of Staff on the Effectiveness of Monitoring and Evaluation System in the Implementation of Public Health Program at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia

The aim of the research was to evaluate staff‘s perception on monitoring and evaluation at the NPHIL with regard to its effectiveness and efficiency in the execution of public health programs. A successful and sound monitoring together with an evaluation arrangement would assist the NPHIL in making good decisions in the prevention and control of diseases. The research method employed in the administration of the survey was the descriptive design method. The research population was 100 employees and sample size was 50 of the research showed that out of the total of 50 respondents covered by the respondents (staff of NPHIL) non-probability sampling technique. The results study. About 46% of the respondents strongly agreed with the statement that Liberia‘s National Public Health Institute has M & E mechanisms put in place. The findings also discovered that 40% agreed that the Liberia‘s National Public Health Institute possesses an M & E framework that could be aptly described as efficient. Additionally, the research showed that about 38% strongly agreed with the statement of the capacity of the NPHIL to thwart, detect then respond to health threats with the potential to affect the public in general in less than 24 hours. To conclude, the researcher found out that the Liberia‘s National Public Health Institute has M & E mechanisms put in place that is effective and efficient, but with challenges and constrains. The researcher is pleased to recommend: That the Liberian Government increases the fiscal allotment due the state‘s Institute of Public Health for resilience Public health division.

Source: UCC
Assessing the Performance Appraisal System of Local Government Services in the Cape Coast Metropolis

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance appraisal system Local Government Services in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The study employed a qualitative and case study design to address three research objectives that guided the study. The procedural justice theory proposed informed the study. Both HR managers and junior staffs of the Local Government Services in the Cape Coast Metropolis totaling seventeen (17) were sampled purposively for the study. A semi structured interview guide was developed to elicit data from the study participants. The qualitative data analysis techniques involved thematising lived experiences, opinions, perceptions and beliefs of participants on the performance appraisal system. In addressing the stipulated objectives thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Findings indicate that performance appraisal system of Local Government Services in the Cape Coast Metropolis was found as effective by human resource managers whiles the junior staff perceived otherwise. Again, the performance appraisal process was besieged with numerous challenges. This revelations lead to the conclusion that performance appraisal at the Local Government Services in the Cape Coast Metropolis is not effective because it lacked reciprocity in terms of feedback and communication. The study therefore recommends that effective feedback should be instituted by Government Services in the Cape Coast Metropolis to overcome their weaknesses of employees are with regards to their performance. The study further recommends that management should continually have a dialogue with employees on their performance

Source: UCC
Assessing the performance of an irrigation scheme in Okyereko, Ghana

Assessing the performance of an irrigation scheme is an important management function which will indicate the state of the scheme and suggest possible remedial measures to improve the effectiveness of the scheme. This study was conducted to assess the technical and agricultural performances of the Okyereko irrigation scheme in the Central Region of Ghana. Secondary data were collected from the scheme with respect to rainfall, yield for the period of 2011 to 2015 seasons whilst field measurements were carried out to determine the water supply and demand. This study assessed three technical performance indicators and two agricultural performance indicators during the 2014/2015 season. The V-notch and the rectangular weir were used to measure the water delivery and the Manning formula was used to calculate the flow-rates in canals. Water requirements were estimated using the modified Penman method. The results from this study indicated an overall scheme conveyance efficiency of 78.2%, a maximum dependability of irrigation intervals between water applications of 2 and a scheme relative irrigation supply of 1.38. The agricultural performance indicators, output per unit irrigation supply and water productivity per unit crop evapotranspiration (ET), were found to be 0.90 and 20.53 kgm-3, respectively for rice. This study recommends that farmers should be actively involved in all performance assessments and scheme organizations in order to improve the performance since the farmers are major stakeholders of irrigation schemes and are responsible for operation and maintenance after the introduction of Participatory Irrigation Management.

Source: UCC
Assessing the performance of female heads of senior high schools in Sekondi - Takoradi metropolis

The study sought to find out how female heads perform their duties as administrators of Senior High schools to improve teaching and learning in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Descriptive research design was used to conduct the study. The population for the study consisted of heads of Senior High School as well as teaching and non-teaching staffs. Questionnaire was designed and used to collect data for the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a total sample size of 205 which included female heads and teaching and non-teaching staffs. Statistical Product for Service Solution was used to analyse the data. Percentages, means and standard deviations were used to summarise the data. The study revealed that female heads in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis made use of effective leadership styles to manage their schools. They related very well with their subordinates and managed funds properly in their schools. They assigned tasks and duties to their subordinates and effectively supervised the tasks to ensure that they were properly carried out. The conditions in the institutions were found to be very conducive and allowed for effective management of the schools resulting in enhanced teaching and learning. It was recommended that Regional, District Directors of education and schools’ Board of Governors should use platforms provided by Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to educate the staff and parents that the female heads are not bossy and autocratic as they may think.

Source: UCC
Assessing the performance of irrigation schemes with minimum data on water deliveries

This paper highlights an approach to assessing the performance of the water delivery system from the perspective of farmers. The methodology uses the concept of fuzzy set theory to analyse the responses from farmers concerning their perception of the irrigation service provided. The paper takes the view that as part of performance assessment of schemes where data on water delivery are not available or their integrity cannot be guaranteed, it is possible to use farmers’ assessment to determine how effective the water delivery system is. The methodology was applied in a case study of Dawhenya irrigation scheme in Ghana. By decomposing the utility into reliability, timing and tractability and subsequently applying fuzzy set theory to the analysis of the linguistic responses of farmers, this study has enabled us to assess how well the water delivery system is performing from the point of view of the most important stakeholders – the farmers. The analysis indicated that the most important factor was reliability followed by tractability and timing in that order, while the farmers’ level of satisfaction with the factors in order of increasing satisfaction was: timing, reliability and tractability

Source: UCC
Assessing The Performance Of Newly Trained Teachers In Ghana Teachers’ Licensure Examination

The Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (ACT 1023) mandates newly trained teachers to pass a standardized test to be licensed as professional teachers in Ghana. The policy on writing the Ghana Teachers’ Licensure Examinations (GTLE) commenced in 2018. Within the first four years of (2018- 2021), 15,979(23.15%) out of 69,034 newly trained teachers who wrote the GTLE in the Central Region failed on their first attempt. This necessitated the study to identify the factors affecting the performance of newly trained teachers in the GTLE. Convergent Parallel Mixed Method Design was used to collect data and determine the variables influencing newly trained teachers’ performance. The research included one NTC official and 421 newly trained teachers. Four hundred and thirteen (413) of the newly trained teachers were drawn through simple random sampling to respond to questionnaires. 8 of the newly trained teachers who failed the GTLE and the NTC official were drawn through purposive sampling for interviewing. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the quantitative data while the qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study revealed that the NTC did not offer any official study guide. Examinees depended on unverified materials that did not follow the GTLE’s format. Also, examinees were not tested on their subjects of specialization. Additionally, examinees wrote the examination long duration after their training. Some respondents also alleged that examination scripts were not rightly marked. The study recommended that the NTC should make available related sample licensure materials and past GTLE papers to examinees. Specific subject areas for subject teachers should be examined. The NTC should also employ script checking to ensure proper marking of scripts.

Source: UCC
Assessing the performance of promising maize hybrids resistant to aflatoxin accumulation in the forest-transition agro-ecologies of Ghana

The production of maize in Ghana is affected by Aflatoxin contaminations which reduce grain quality and possess high health risk. Unsafe Aflatoxin levels above 20ppb have been reported from farmers‘ fields. The study was conducted to assess the performance of 18 maize hybrids resistant to aflatoxin accumulation in the forest transition ecologies in Ghana. The study comprised fourteen hybrids and four local checks evaluated using Randomized Complete Block Design across six ecologies in Ghana. Stability of the genotypes was estimated using the GGE Biplot model. Inoculation was done using the side needle method at a concentration of 9×107conidia/ml. Levels of aflatoxin were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Results from the study revealed that, genotypic and environmental effects on some traits were consistently significant across environments. However, a non-significant genotype by environment interaction was observed for grain yield. Based on the GGE biplot analyses, MO826-12FxCML-343, MO826-7FxCML-343, ENT-85xCML-247, ENT-5xCML-287, ENT-5xTZ1-8, ENT-70xCML-247, were the highest yielding and stable genotypes whereas MO826-12FxCML-343, ENT-70xCML-247 were most stable hybrids. Genotypes ENT-5xCML-11, ENT-5xK1-3 and MO826-7FxTZ1-8 were lowest yielding whereas ENT-5xK1-3 was low yielding yet most stable. The study revealed MO826-12FxCML-343 and ENT-70xCML-247 as most stable among the top yielding hybrids with 14.30ppb and 25ppb aflatoxin levels after inoculation respectively. It is recommended that genotype MO826-12FxCML-343 and ENT-70xCML-247 should be further evaluated and released to farmers.

Source: UCC
Assessing the potential of a natural wetland in grey water treatment (A Case Study in Cape Coast - Central Region of Ghana)

Grey water has been discharged onto this wetland for more than thirty years without any measurement of the quality of the influent and effluent. The effluent eventually joins a stream (Kakum River) which is a source of water for recreation, farming, drinking and fishing. The quality of the effluent which enters the receiving water as well as the potential of the wetland in the treatment process has not been determined. The purpose of this research is to assess the potential of the wetland in grey water treatment. Three communities in Cape Coast, the formal capital of Ghana were selected for this work. The wetland under study has an area of about 17,928m 2 and hydraulic loading rate of 0.0164m/d. Field studies were conducted to demarcate the borders as well as to confirm the communities which discharges into the wetland. The results indicate that the wetland has very high potential in treating grey water, with suspended solids showing high removal efficiency. It was also inferred from the results that the wetland’s treatment is influenced by the precipitation pattern of the area and this is clearly shown in the removal efficiency of manganese. The findings will help decision makers to make proper laws concerning wetland use in Ghana. It will inform decision makers to officially consider wetlands as alternatives for grey water treatment. This paper assesses the potential of natural a wetland and makes recommendations on its proper use as well as its limitations

Source: UCC
Assessing the Potential of Local Beneficial Halophytes in Desalination

Cape Coast, part of Ghana's coastal region, has a rich diversity of plant species with various potential uses. These plant species, called halophytes, possess qualities that enable them to grow and thrive in saline environments. This research aimed to identify and explore these plants' nutritional, ecological, and medicinal significance, examining their salt tolerance and desalination abilities. The halophytes were identified using an image recognition method, where images of the plants were keyed into Pl@ntNet Identify website (https://identify.plantnet.org/), an online software for plant identification. Five halophytes, namely, Ipomoea aquatica, Lactuca taraxacifolia, Paspalum vaginatum, Sesuvium portulacastrum and Talinum triangulare, were selected from the identified halophytes for a greenhouse experiment using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to assess their response to varying salt concentrations (0, 25 and 50 dS/m) and soil types (sea sand and arable soil). Results revealed significant growth and salt tolerance variations among the studied halophytes, with P. vaginatum and S. portulacastrum demonstrating remarkable phytoremediation capabilities. These plants exhibited the ability to mitigate soil salinity and reduce the accumulation of toxic ions in soils, highlighting their potential for addressing soil and water salinity issues in affected environments. Another greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the desalination abilities of S. portulacastrum (the most promising halophyte from the initial experiment) to desalinate saline water in a hydroponic system on a vertical farming structure. The factors for this experiment were the salt concentrations (0, 25 and 50 dS/m) and planting distances (15, 20, 30 and 40 cm). Sesuvium portulacastrum exhibited limited desalination capacity in reducing the EC and TDS of the saline water. However, it contributed to a reduction in the pH of the saline water. Further research is necessary to discover this pH-reducing effect's underlying mechanisms and potential applications in water treatment processes. Overall, this study underscores the significance of harnessing the ethnobotanical resources in Ghana for sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Source: UCC
Assessing the practices of palliative and end-of- life care among nurses at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital

In the past decade, the number of people living with life-threatening diseases has increased. However, these people need to live their remaining lifetime as meaningful as possible, even when they are at the end stage and may have few months to live. This study therefore sought to examine the practices of palliative care (PC) and end-of-life care among nurses at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). The study employed analytical cross-sectional design. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire and 215 respondents were randomly selected. Frequency counts and percentages, means and standard deviations, one sample t-test as well as Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r) was employed in the analysis. The results of the study showed that the nurses at CCTH have a good knowledge in palliative care (M=17.4, SD = 0.91). They also have a favourable attitude towards palliative care. Again, the study found that nurses at CCTH to a great extent practice palliative care. The study also revealed a statistically significant, low positive correlation (r = 0.146, p = 0.041) between nurses’ knowledge and practice; and between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.313, p < 0.001). More so, nurses perceived poor funding and inadequate education as the key barriers to palliative care practices at the CCTH. The study therefore, recommends that authorities at CCTH should focus on continuous in-service training as well as encouraging nurses to continually sustain favourable attitude towards the terminally ill and dying patients. More so, management should place much emphasis on the establishment of PC specialty unit in the hospital to provide holistic end-of-life healthcare to terminally ill patient who requires PC services

Source: UCC
Assessing the pricing methods used by small and medium-sized enterprises in the Cape Coast metropolis

Prices are a key determinant of demand which influences revenue and in turn the business' profits. A business may fail if products and services are priced incorrectly. Pricing decision is, therefore, one of the critical success factors of a business, including SMEs. Studies on pricing in organisations have progress from past decades. However, these studies have focused on the bigger companies and have neglected the issues in the context of SMEs. This study sought to assess the pricing methods used by SMEs in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The methodology applied is quantitative in nature and the descriptive study design was used. The simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 103 SMEs after which purposive sampling was used to select the managers of the sampled firms. Questionnaire was used to collect the data and the analyses of the data was done using descriptive statistics tools namely: mean, frequency count and percentages. The study revealed that pricing technique and practices were very relevant to SMEs in the Cape Coast Metropolis, helping them to stay competitive to survive. It was established that pricing methods used by SMEs in the Cape Coast Metropolis were consciously considered with different context such as costs, demand, revenue, profits, survival, government regulations and market share. It also came out that owner managers were mostly responsible for the pricing products among the small and medium-sized enterprises in the Metropolis. Pricing was considered as the highest revenue earner and very important to the SMEs. Pricing is a challenging area to most SMEs. Owner managers should complement their knowledge and experience with that of experts in the field of pricing.

Source: UCC