ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Techniques for determining classifications in multiple multivariate data: application to prices of local food items on markets in Ghana

The study makes use of time-dependent displaying components and structural equation modelling to determine the price levels of key local food items on several markets in Ghana over non-consecutive time periods. The application of the techniques to this multiple multivariate complex data structure identifies suitable dimensions along which to assess the major influence of the price data over a time-period and highlight possible extreme prices simultaneously. It also examines multiple sets of data-generating variables that may be put together in a single model. These variables include a 'vectorised' factor solution and some market-feature covariates. The displaying components comprise the principal component and the outlier displaying component (ODC). The study has provided necessary extensions that would make the components suitable for the study. The plots for the first five components in addition to the preliminary results give the set of suspect outlying markets. Using this set, the Modified 1-0DC is applied based on the pooled reduced sample Sum of Squares and Cross Product matrix. Markets 17 and 65 are clearly identified as the most consistently low and high priced, respectively, over the period. Using the factor solution and two covariates, a structural model is obtained for determining the price levels. Even though the factors constitute a significant model by themselves, they are not significant in the model that contains significant covariates, which are 'Region' and the 'number of days' of trading. The model shows that extreme markets, which are few, are predominantly associated with large number of market days. Equitable and increased production of cereals and spices in particular in all regions could reduce price variations across markets and enhance well-being.

Source: UCC
Techniques for Determining Classifications in Multiple Multivariate Data: Application to Prices of Local Food Items on Markets in Ghana

The study makes use of time-dependent displaying components and structural equation modelling to determine the price levels of key local food items on several markets in Ghana over non-consecutive time periods. The application of the techniques to this multiple multivariate complex data structure identifies suitable dimensions along which to assess the major influence of the price data over a time-period and highlight possible extreme prices simultaneously. It also examines multiple sets of data-generating variables that may be put together in a single model. These variables include a ‘vectorised’ factor solution and some market-feature covariates. The displaying components comprise the principal component and the outlier displaying component (ODC). The study has provided necessary extensions that would make the components suitable for the study. The plots for the first five components in addition to the preliminary results give the set of suspect outlying markets. Using this set, the Modified 1-ODC is applied based on the pooled reduced sample Sum of Squares and Cross Product matrix. Markets 17 and 65 are clearly identified as the most consistently low and high priced, respectively, over the period. Using the factor solution and two covariates, a structural model is obtained for determining the price levels. Even though the factors constitute a significant model by themselves, they are not significant in the model that contains significant covariates, which are ‘Region’ and the ‘number of days’ of trading. The model shows that extreme markets, which are few, are predominantly associated with large number of market days. Equitable and increased production of cereals and spices in particular in all regions could reduce price variations across markets and enhance well-being.

Source: UCC
A Techno-Economic Analysis Of Green Hydrogen Energy Production in West Africa

In most of the south global, renewable energy technology development and investment represents serious challenges. This study analysed the prospects of green hydrogen generation in five West African countries namely: Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Niger and Senegal. with a focus on its potential as an energy export. The study first, reviewed the current state of hydrogen generation and consumption globally, along with the energy landscape in West Africa. It explored the possibilities and obstacles for low-carbon hydrogen production in the study countries, including access to electricity, and water, the availability of renewable energy sources, government support, and technological advancements. With a quantitative mythology approach, this study concluded that the five countries hold substantial promise for green hydrogen production and that these countries could become major green energy producers and exporters in the region. Despite this promising outlook, the paper also identifies several challenges that need to be addressed to fully harness the potential of hydrogen generation in Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Niger and Senegal. These include the non-financial viability of green hydrogen energy generation, the high cost of technology, the need for significant investment in infrastructure and research, and the need for supportive policy frameworks and regulatory frameworks. Overall, the study suggests that hydrogen production and export could provide significant opportunities for economic expansion and sustainable development in these countries. However, realizing this potential will need a coordinated effort from countries, private sector actors, and international partners, to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of a hydrogen-based energy transition.

Source: UCC
Techno-Pedagogical Competence of Junior High School Social Studies Teachers in Adansi North District

The study investigated the competence of Junior High School Social Studies teachers in terms of pedagogy and use of technology in the delivery of Social Studies content in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study used the cross-sectional survey design, with quantitative approach. The census method was used to involve all the Social Studies teachers in the Adansi North District. Questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. Means and standard deviations were used to analyse research questions 1-3 while one-way ANOVA, Pearson’ Product Moment Correlation and Independent Samples T-test were used to test hypotheses 1-3 respectively. The findings of the study revealed that all the respondents, irrespective of age or teaching experience, demonstrated high competence in relation to pedagogy. It was also revealed that blending technology in teaching of Social Studies content is challenging for respondents. Furthermore, the study found out that most of the respondents had low levels of competence regarding techno-pedagogy. Recommendations were made that the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education should strongly consider implementing Information Technology (ICT) development and coaching programmes for aspiring and in-service teachers. This will help improve delivery in the classroom. Again, there may be the need to intensify the development of other specific areas where teachers face challenges in the teaching of Social Studies. Considering the integrated nature of Social Studies, there will be the need for continuous learning and upgrade of knowledge on contents which emanate from other social sciences programmes.

Source: UCC
Technological capacity building in developing countries:a case of crop biotechnology in Ghana

This thesis assesses the state of biotechnology in Ghana. It shows the present status of biotechnology in terms of the physical facilities, human r~sources, information resources and the organisational system through, among other things, a survey of biotechnologyrelated scientific institutions including research institutes and universities in the country. The study also conducts a case study of 295 farmers in the New Juaben Qistrict to assess the potential demand for biotechnology innovations. The New Juaben District was -. ' _._----- randomly selected from the districts in the Eastern Region, which was ranked first in the production of food crops such as maize, cassava and plantain using data from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The study further analyses current biotechnology trends, examining the experiences of other countries such as Kenya, Korea, South Africa and the U.S. to establish the best practice in building capacity for biotechnology development. On this basis, the study generates some policy options for the advancement of biot-e-c..h._n"ological capacity --- --- ------------ development in Ghana. The findings are that in Ghana, the capacity for biotechnology innovations is generally limited. This is in spite of the fact that with respect to innovation supply, there is a significant core of human resource capable of addressing some of the country's agricultural problems. However, physical facilities are inadequate or completely lacking and the informational resources are limited. Besides, the organisational framework needs improvement especially as regards regulation and coordination to ensure impact of the various initiatives in biotechnological capacity development. On the demand side, researchers "Working on the on-farm problems of low yields, crop diseases, etc are apparently addressing farmers' expectations. However, there is a gap between the scientific community and the farming community. The present extension service according to the farmers can be an effective system for :Iddressing this problem. Nevertheless there is need for improvement in order to make the transfer of biotechnology innovations to farmers more effective. Thus, there is the need for a more viable linkage between supply and demand for innovation. The best practice as derived from the experiences ofother countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Brazil, Mexico, Korea and the U.S. calls for among other things, establishing a national priority area for biotechnology application. This must be based on the country's national endowment and its development aspirations. The relevant human resource must be enhanced and the relevant policies for regulation and promotion must be formulated. Above all, there must be a national biotechnology programme formulated through a holistic approach to ensure synergy in biotechnological capacity building.

Source: UCC
Technological changes in shea butter production in Ghana:A case study of shea butter production in the Yendi District of the Northern Region of Ghana

This study investigated technological changes in shea butter production in the Yendi District of Ghana and how processing could further be improved. A qualitative research and analysis of six communities and 36 shea butter processors in the Yendi District indicated that shea butter processors have changed from roasting whole kernels to crushing the kernels before roasting. Shea butter processors have mechanised the milling of roasted kernels and abandoned manual milling. Crushing of kernels and ‘beating’ of shea kernel paste have also been mechanised; however, only few processors are using this method. Shea butter processors need improvement in the areas of cooking shea kernels, ‘beating’ of shea paste, and packaging of shea butter

Source: UCC
Technological Innovations in Banking: User Acceptability and Payment Problems in Ghana: A Case Study of Zenith Bank Ghana Limited

This study sought to uncover technological innovations in banking emphasising user acceptability and payment problems in Ghana, and selected Zenith Bank Ghana Limited as the case study. Questionnaire was the main research instrument adopted, hence designing separate ones for bank officials and customers. Data from secondary sources were also used. The study is a qualitative research and employed the descriptive approach. The population for this study was customers from (8) branches of Zenith Bank in Accra out of a total of 15 branches in the region, including 10 bank officials from the bank’s headquarters in Accra. Convenience sampling method was used to sample 80 customers from the total population. Technological innovations have led to: customers accessing their accounts anywhere without visiting a branch; significant improvement in service quality delivery; reduced queues and time involved in banking transactions; customer empowerment; product choices; and reduction in payment problems.

Source: UCC
Technological pedagogical content knowledge preparedness of student-teachers of the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education (DASSE) of University of Cape Coast

This study assesses the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) preparedness of student-teachers in the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education (DASSE) of University of Cape Coast, Ghana. It uses the descriptive survey design. The stratified simple random sampling technique was used to sample 370 student-teachers of DASSE for the study. Questionnaire was adapted for the data collection. Descriptive (frequencies and percentages, mean of means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (independent t-test) were used to analyse the data. The study reveals that the student-teachers in DASSE, UCC have Technological Knowledge. The study also found that the studentteachers of DASSE, UCClackTechnological Pedagogical Knowledge. In addition, the study has found that the student-teachers of DASSE, UCC lack Technological Content Knowledge. Moreover, the study establishes that the student-teachers of DASSE, UCC lacked Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. Lastly, there is no statistically significant difference between the gender of the studentteachers of DASSE, UCC and their TPACK preparedness. Hence, this study recommends that lecturers should continue to model the use of technology so that student-teachers can increasingly update their technological knowledge through observation and learning. Again, the Academic Board of UCC should advice the teaching departments on the need to infuse technology in their courses they offer for student-teachers. Finally, the teacher education programme offered by DASSE, UCC should be re conceptualised to respond to the technological needs of student-teachers.

Source: UCC
Technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (tpack) as predictors of turnover intention among Tutors in the colleges of education, ghana

The study examined technological knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and content knowledge (TPACK) as predictors of turnover intention among tutors in the college of education, Ghana. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive research design with a quantitative approach. A sample size of 153 tutors was used for the study. The TPACK and turnover intention instruments were used for data collection. The data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation, multiple linear regression, and smart PLS. The study revealed that technological knowledge among the colleges of education tutors was low as compared to pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge. A negative weak relationship was found between technological knowledge and turnover intentions. TPACK was found to predict turnover intentions among tutors. Sex and years of teaching experience was not a significant moderator in the relationship between TPACK and turnover intentions. The study recommended that the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) should organise seminars as a form of learning platforms for tutors in the college of education to learn the necessary technological skills and knowledge needed to enhance teaching and learning in and outside the classroom.

Source: UCC
Technology adoption in Small-Scale agriculture: The Case of Cameroon and Ghana

This study explores one of the most important questions for alleviating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, why are advancements in agricultural technology not taking root in this region? Using data from deep interviews of 42 small-scale farmers in Ghana and Cameroon, a conceptual analysis of drivers and factors of agricultural technology adoption in this region is made and represented as causal loop diagrams. Interviews also provide a basis for weighting factors that farmers consider before adopting a new technology. These weights are then used to run a system dynamics model with a hypothetical population of 10.000 farmers to see the effects of different drivers of technology adoption on the adoption rate and number of adopters over a 25 year period. Results show that most farmers have a bet-hedging strategy as they try to minimize risks of production failures. While certain factors like scale of production, long-term considerations, the history of success of past technologies, and the endorsement of technologies by opinion leaders may be important, many other factors do influence decisions to adopt new technologies. This limits any silver bullet strategy towards solving the problem of limited diffusion of agricultural technologies in this region. Addressing such a problem therefore calls for a much more holistic approach

Source: UCC
Technology-organisation-environment framework and e-commerce adoption of small businesses in Takoradi during the covid-19 era

This study delves into the intricate interplay of technological, organizational, and environmental (TOE) factors in shaping the adoption of electronic commerce (e-commerce) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the Covid-19 pandemic within the Takoradi metropolis. Through a primary data collection method, the study draws insight from 428 SMEs sampled using a convenient sampling technique. The data collection employed close-ended self-administered questionnaires comprising 45 items, while research method followed explanatory and quantitative approaches. Descriptive characteristics were analysed utilizing SPSS version 26, while the study employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the impact of perceived desirability in technological factors, organization's readiness in organisational factors, and competitive pressures along with government support in environmental factors on the adoption of ecommerce by SMEs. The results showed a statistically significant and positive relationship between perceived desirability, competitive pressures, government support, organisation's readiness, and the adoption of ecommerce. These findings advocate for proactive management strategies hinging on government support and the adaptability of organizations to leverage the potential of e-commerce adoption. As SMEs strive to navigate the dynamic and competitive contemporary business landscape, strategic implementation of e-commerce becomes instrumental in ensuring business continuity and growth. Policymakers and governmental bodies should proactively formulate and implement policies that foster a conducive environment for e-commerce adoption among SMEs.

Source: UCC
Teenage Mothers’ Experiences With Childbirth in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality, Ghana

Teenage childbirth is a social and public health concern in Ghana, with high prevalence in some regions in the country, including the Central Region, particularly in the KEEA Municipality. This study sought to explore teenage mothers’ experiences with childbirth in the KEEA Municipality. The study utilised a cross sectional research design, where qualitative methods such as indepth interviews and pictorial guides were used to collect the data from 30 participants. The data were analysed using a systematic qualitative oriented text analysis and NVivo 12 Pro qualitative software. Using health belief model, resilience theory and ecological systems theory, teenage mother’s life experiences, feelings and circumstances with childbirth were explored. The study reveals that, teenage mothers experienced risks of postpartum haemorrhage, preterm births, low birth weight, and other neonatal conditions. Findings suggested that teenage mothers were inexperienced in some of the childcare practices. They use traditional practices that were part of their immediate environment (family) and community culture/belief when caring for their babies. For instance, putting wet towel on hot stone and apply to the umbilical stump. It emerged that teen mothers required help and social support from the microsystem consisting of the family, friends, and the baby’s fathers to enable them and their babies survive, develop, and become healthy and happy in life. It is recommended that, health care professionals must be aware of the birth experiences and child care practices of teenage mothers in order to plan quality care for mother—child and ensure that the needed support, knowledge and guidance should be provided to teenage mothers to ensure their wellbeing and that of their children.

Source: UCC
Teenage pregnancy in the Assin-south district

Teenage pregnancy is a social problem that affects the social well-being of teenagers. Prevention of teenage pregnancy will help to improve the livelihood of teenagers and reduce the prevalence of some social vices in Ghana. This study sought to investigate the causes and consequences of teenage pregnancy in Assin-South District. Ninety pregnant teenagers or teenage mothers, 6 Head of Health Directorate and 6 Traditional Birth Attendants were interviewed for the study. Both in-depth interview guide and interview schedules were used to collect data from the field. Snow-ball and purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents for the study. The main findings of the study were as follows. Assin-South District has an inconsistent trend of teenage pregnancy. Teenage pregnancies are mainly caused by inadequate knowledge on contraceptives, peer pressure, low level of education, poverty and early marriage. School drop-outs, unemployment and single parenting are the predominant consequences of teenage pregnancy. It is therefore recommended that Assin South District Health Directorate should provide much education on the use of contraceptives to teenagers in the district. The Assin South District Assembly should establish technical and vocational training centres to train teenage mothers to acquire artisanal skills for living, and parents must give priority to girl child education to limit early marriage and peer pressure influence.

Source: UCC
Teenage pregnancy in the life and thought of the traditional Akan: Moral perspectives

In the past, teenage pregnancy was very rare among the traditional Akan people, currently, however it has reached an alarming stage. The traditional rites that were effective in instituting measures that ensured chastity among the Akan teenagers are now replaced by foreign rites that seem to be less effective. This paper examines teenage pregnancy and its morality among the traditional Akan of Ghana. The paper discovers that the morality of teenage pregnancy among the traditional Akan depends on the circumstances under which the pregnancy occurs. The following among others are identified as the major factors responsible for the upsurge of teenage pregnancy among the Akan: the breakdown of the extended family system and social cohesion; the influx of foreign cultural and religious practices coupled with the wrong mentality that indigenous African cultural practices are uncivil. The paper posits that the bragorɔ and kyiribra rites are important traditional tools which can be refined and used together with other modern methods to remedy the upsurge of teenage pregnancy and restore the moral sanity that existed among the Akan

Source: UCC