ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Intimations of Futurity: Masculinity and Spatial Representation in African Novels

Examining the correlation between masculine representations, spatial reorganization and futurity, this thesis analyzes selected works of four African writers: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Purple Hibiscus, J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace, Ngugi wa Thiongo's Wizard of the Crow and Nawal El Saadawi's God Dies by the Nile. The study argues that these authors address fundamental questions about the nature of Africa's Utopia and the fact that African literature is forward-looking rather than the presupposed focus on the past. By investigating this claim of retrogressive focus in African literature, this thesis draws on the Postcolonial Literary theory, Bakhtin's theory of the Carnivalesque and Pitt and Fox's Performative Masculinity theory in order to unearth the anticipatory sensibilities deployed in the correlation between masculine representations, spatial re-organization and futurity as alternative ways in thinking about Africa's future. The findings reported in this thesis suggest that there is a relationship between forms of communities and forms of masculinities and that Africa's future is located within the evolution; that the fortunes of the new Africa are premised on polyphony, collectivity and balance.

Source: UCC
Intimidation, assault, and violence against media practitioners in Ghana: Considering provocation

The ability of the media to function effectively as a fourth estate is hooked firmly on the maximum cooperation it receives from the different entities within society at whose service it operates. Recently, concerns have been raised in Ghana about the spate of assault and intimidation against media practitioners, and this action appears to hinder the independence, growth, and development of the media. Using an inductive approach for qualitative data analysis and drawing on the provocation theory, this study explored the degree of assault and intimidation in Ghana’s media environment and found that attacks on the media were traced to three major sources, namely, security agencies, communities/individual citizens, and supporters of political parties. The article further argued that the communication interplay of the aforementioned entities is ideal for a functioning public

Source: UCC
Intracytoplasmic expression of IL-6 and IL-17A in circulating CD4+ T cells are strongly associated with and predict disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A case-control study in Ghana

Background T cell cytokines play important roles in the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Loss of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance has been reported in several in ammatory autoimmune diseases. However, their role in RA within the Ghanaian context has not been explored. Here, we evaluated the intracytoplasmic CD4 + T cell cytokine patterns in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Ghana and determined their relationship with disease activity. Methods This case-control study included 48 newly-diagnosed RA patients and 30 healthy controls from two major hospitals in Ghana. Validated structured questionnaires were administered to obtain demographic data; blood samples were collected and processed for ow cytometric analysis. Results IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-6/IL-4 and IL-17/IL-10 expression were signi cantly higher in RA cases compared to the healthy controls. The expression of IL-6 (0.00 (0.00-0.98) vs 0.82 (0.34–1.10) vs 1.56 (1.39–1.68), p < 0.0001), IL-17A (0.00 (0.00-0.02) vs 0.19 (0.09–0.30) vs 0.99 (0.64–1.25), p < 0.0001) and IL-17A/IL-10 (0.00 (0.00-0.39) vs 0.15 (0.09–0.26) vs 0.88 (0.41–1.47), p < 0.0001) increased signi cantly from the healthy controls through RA patients with low DAS scores to RA patients with moderate DAS scores. IL-6 (β = 0.681, r2 = 0.527, p < 0.0001), IL-17A (β = 0.770, r2 = 0.593, p < 0.0001) and IL-17A/IL-10 (β = 0.677, r2 = 0.452, p < 0.0001) expression were signi cantly directly associated with DAS28 scores. IL-6 (Cutoff = 1.32, Sensitivity = 100.0%, Speci city = 100.0%, Accuracy = 100.0%, AUC = 1.000) and IL-17A (Cutoff = 0.58, Sensitivity = 100.0%, Speci city = 100.0%, Accuracy = 100.0%, AUC = 1.000) presented with the best discriminatory power in predicting moderate DAS scores from low DAS scores. Conclusion Th1 and Th17 related cytokines predominate in the pathophysiology of RA; with IL-6 and IL-17 being principally and differentially expressed based on the severity of the disease. IL-6 and IL-17A could serve as useful prognostic and disease-monitoring markers in RA in the African context.

Source: UCC
Intramolecular photochemical electron transfer

The compound PAQ, which consists of a tetra-arylporphine attached to methyl-p-benzoquinone via a single amide linkage, exhibits light-induced intramolecular electron transfer from the porphyrin excited-singlet state to the quinone at a rate which is strongly solvent-dependent. The rate constants are found to correlate well with the semiclassical Marcus theory of electron transfer, provided that the solvent effect on both the Gibbs energy change, AGO, for the electron-transfer reaction 'P*AQ -+ P'+AQ'- and the Marcus reorganisation energy, A, are considered. The AGO values are obtained from direct measurement of redox potentials in each solvent with various work-term corrections for Coulombic interaction in P'+AQ'-, and 1 is calculated from the optical and dielectric properties of each solvent. For fourteen solvents, reasonable agreement with Marcus theory is found using this approach on uncorrected AGO values and those corrected with a solvent dependent work term ; a solvent-independent correction is not successful. For two solvent mixtures (acetonitrile-benzonitrile and acetonitrile chloroform), excellent agreement with Marcus theory is found using uncorrected AGO values and those corrected with a solvent-dependent work term. We have found that Weller's method for calculating AGO in various solvents from a single measurement in a reference solvent gives a poor correlation with Marcus theory, primarily because of a poor prediction of the solvent dependence of AGO

Source: UCC
Introducing Teachers to PowerPoint Presentation in a Technologically Challenging Environment: Action Research

We tried to equip teachers with PowerPoint skills in the face of inadequate internet communication and technology (ICT) facilities through modeling and cooperative learning. The participants consisted of 20 part-time post-diploma teachers from the University of Cape Coast. Their ages were between 22 and 40 years and comprised 40% females and 60% males. It was a mixed methods sequential action research in which data was collected using a questionnaire, interview, observation and content analysis. The results showed the teachers were able to prepare their Power Points by sharing skills and resources. They were successful with the Power Point task as a team to a large extent but some of them had individual challenges, which were not met. The lack of ownership of computers was a major challenge. We concluded from the study that even in the face of challenges teachers can be equipped with some skills for PowerPoint through cooperative learning but the empowerment will be more effective if some of their challenges, notably lack of personal computers are met. It is therefore suggested that teachers should be helped to acquire computers and the skill of making Power Point presentations should be integrated into initial teacher training in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Introduction of telematics-based insurance as an approach to reduce road traffic crashes in urban Ghana –stakeholders’ perspectives from Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis

Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are at a pandemic level all over the world. Annually, road traffic crashes are responsible for 1.35 million deaths and 50 million injuries. In Ghana, annual RTCs account for nearly 2000 deaths and about 15,000 injuries. Several countries have reduced the impact of road traffic crashes through telematics-based insurance policy. In this type of policy, the insurance company collects driving data such as speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering behaviour using a telematics device installed in the vehicle. There are several benefits associated with the use of this innovative policy. However, despite the benefits, research to ascertain whether stakeholders in the transport sector will accept the adoption of telematics as a policy is limited in Ghana. The purpose of this research was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of insurance companies and other road transport stakeholder institutions and related groups and their willingness to adopt such a policy in Sekondi-Takoradi as part of the measures to reduce road traffic crashes. The study used a qualitative methodology using an exploratory research design. The study purposively sampled 13 non-life insurance companies and six other transport stakeholder institutions and groups and conducted in-depth interviews to collect data. The results reveal among others that the majority of insurance companies and other transport stakeholder groups in the metropolis are aware of telematics and ready to adopt it as an insurance policy. The study, therefore, recommends that the government of Ghana together with the major stakeholders should provide the needed infrastructure and training to adopt and support the implementation of such a policy.

Source: UCC
Introduction to HVDC technology for reliable electrical power systems

The transmission system is becoming ever more complex. Furthermore, demand for reliable supply of electricity is growing, increasing the need for a higher level of system reliability. A solution might be to incorporate controllable power components within the system. One such component is the HVDC link. However, in the domain of reliability models for HVDC and the component’s impact on the overall transmission system reliability, there is still much work to be done. This is an important issue in future grid planning, especially with an increasing penetration of HVDC links within synchronous transmission systems acting as ”firewalls”. These links may prevent disturbances propagating in the system, which is a common cause of blackouts. This paper provides a broad introduction to the HVDC technology and a literature review of reliability assessments published within this area. It gives a background to and motivation for the technology. Published reliability assessments of the HVDC technology have been reviewed and categorized. One conclusion is that a large number of models and methods for the reliability evaluation of the HVDC system itself have been published, but very few on its impact on the composite system reliability. One future challenge to be solved is how the” firewall” properties of the HVDC can be quantified in a reliability assessment

Source: UCC
Introduction to HVDC technology for reliable electrical power systems

The transmission system is becoming ever more complex. Furthermore, demand for reliable supply of electricity is growing, increasing the need for a higher level of system reliability. A solution might be to incorporate controllable power components within the system. One such component is the HVDC link. However, in the domain of reliability models for HVDC and the component’s impact on the overall transmission system reliability, there is still much work to be done. This is an important issue in future grid planning, especially with an increasing penetration of HVDC links within synchronous transmission systems acting as ”firewalls”. These links may prevent disturbances propagating in the system, which is a common cause of blackouts. This paper provides a broad introduction to the HVDC technology and a literature review of reliability assessments published within this area. It gives a background to and motivation for the technology. Published reliability assessments of the HVDC technology have been reviewed and categorized. One conclusion is that a large number of models and methods for the reliability evaluation of the HVDC system itself have been published, but very few on its impact on the composite system reliability. One future challenge to be solved is how the “firewall” properties of the HVDC can be quantified in a reliability assessment

Source: UCC
Introduction to HVDC technology for reliable electrical power systems

The transmission system is becoming ever more complex. Furthermore, demand for reliable supply of electricity is growing, increasing the need for a higher level of system reliability. A solution might be to incorporate controllable power components within the system. One such component is the HVDC link. However, in the domain of reliability models for HVDC and the component’s impact on the overall transmission system reliability, there is still much work to be done. This is an important issue in future grid planning, especially with an increasing penetration of HVDC links within synchronous transmission systems acting as ”frewalls”. These links may prevent disturbances propagating in the system, which is a common cause of blackouts. This paper provides a broad introduction to the HVDC technology and a literature review of reliability assessments published within this area. It gives a background to and motivation for the technology. Published reliability assessments of the HVDC technology have been reviewed and categorized. One conclusion is that a large number of models and methods for the reliability evaluation of the HVDC system itself have been published, but very few on its impact on the composite system reliability. One future challenge to be solved is how the “firewall” properties of the HVDC can be quantified in a reliability assessment

Source: UCC
Inventory Management Strategies and Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Ghana

Inventory accounts for about 70% of Food and Beverage and Pharmaceutical firms most valuable current assets. Thus, adopting inappropriate strategies to managing inventory could have severe repercussions on the firms’ performance levels. The study purposely examined the effect of different inventory management strategies on the operational performance of Food and Beverage and Pharmaceutical firms within the Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Sekondi-Takoradi metropolises in Ghana. More precisely, the study examined how Activity Based Costing, Economic Order Quantity, Just-In-Time, Strategic Supplier Partnership and Vendor Managed Inventory affect the operational performance of the firms’ studied. The study was underpinned by the theory of constraints and network theory. The study adopted the positivism philosophy, quantitative approach and explanatory design. Using the census technique, structured questionnaires were administered to the 104 members of the Association of Ghana Industries and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association of Ghana. Out of this, a reliable data set of 85 respondents was processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 24 and SmartPLS 3 software. Using the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling, the study found inventory strategies including Activity Based Costing, Economic Order Quantity, Strategic Supplier Partnership and Vendor Managed Inventory to significantly improve operational performance, while Just-In-Time was found to have no significant relationship with operational performance. The study recommended that the Food and Beverage and Pharmaceutical manufacturing firms should pay more attention to Activity Based Costing strategy during inventory management because it was found to majorly improve the firms’ operational performances.

Source: UCC
Investigating Adaptive Instruction in Classroom Teaching and Learning in Junior High Schools in the Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana

The study investigated adaptive instruction in classroom teaching and learning in Junior High Schools. Pragmatists philosophy, mixed method approach and cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The sample size of 239 made up of 148 trained teachers, 80 Junior High School learners, 10 Headteachers and one Municipal Education Training Officer were selected using cluster, simple random, census and purposive sampling technique. Three instruments were used for data collection: Questionnaire for Teachers and learners, Observation protocol and Interview guide. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to present results for the study. The key findings revealed that: Teachers considered learner variations when teaching in the classroom. Teachers agreed they employed adaptive instructional strategies in teaching learners with varied learning differences. It was also revealed that using adaptive instruction, learners would gained desirable learning outcomes in the teaching and learning process. Unfortunately, most teachers were not able to use adaptive instruction effectively in the classroom because of challenges such as time constraint, large class size, and overloaded curriculum. The study concluded that there is the need for teachers to use adaptive instruction in their teaching and learning process in the classroom. It is recommended that circuit supervisors and headteachers should ensure that teachers constantly vary their teaching and learning strategies in every single lesson. Also, organize regular in-service trainings for teachers on adaptive instructional concepts. This would ensure that the needs of every learner in the classroom is met

Source: UCC
Investigating challenges facing community-based senior secondary schools in the Sefwi Wiawso district of Ghana: a case study of Asawinso and Akontombra community-based senior secondary schools

The 1987 education reforms gave prominence to the establishment of community–based senior secondary schools in Ghana, and the Sefewi Wiawso District had its share of the institutions which were sited in the Asawinso and Akontombra localities. However, the common trend country wide is that, these schools are generally known to be facing difficulties in various forms that have adversely affected their performance capacity, growth and development, Anumuah–Mensah, Sarkodie, Kedem (2002). The development prospects of the schools in Sefwi Wiawo District are equally affected by the negative trend. It is against this background that this study was initiated in order to investigate and explore the challenges facing the schools. The Asawinso SS and Akontombra SS were schools selected for a case study. The research design employed in the investigation was based on qualitative research methods. The instruments employed were interviews – formal and informal; questionnaires and observation. The data analysis followed the qualitative case study method. The study concluded that the schools suffer deprivation in various forms including low patronage and lack of effective participation by the community members, and are also poorly equiped in terms of personnel and infrastructure as a result of which they are unable to deliver as expected. Relatively, Asawinso CBSS was found to be performing better than its counterpart Akontombra CBSS. This situation is the result of the fact that Asawinso relatively enjoys better facilities and conditions, which indicates that given the suitable and appropriate development climate, the schools will be in a position to deliver as expected.

Source: UCC
Investigating Coastal Management Strategies and Coastal Infrastructure in Ghana

Coastal management has emerged as one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century to adapt to sea-level rise and associated hazards like coastal flooding and coastal erosion. To respond to coastal erosion, different coastal management strategies and coastal infrastructure typologies can be applied to safeguard communities and ecosystems against coastal hazards. The main aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of coastal management strategies and coastal infrastructure in Ghana. Precisely, the study (1) mapped and assessed coastal protection infrastructure along the coast of Ghana using geographic information systems, remote sensing, and in-situ observation; (2) estimated the integrated coastal vulnerability index for the coast of Ghana towards future coastal infrastructural developments; (3) investigated short-term shoreline response to groyne fields and associated environmental impacts at three groyne fields using satellite imagery and remote sensing; and (4) employed in-depth interviews to investigate the socioeconomic impacts of grey infrastructure along the coast of Ghana. Results indicated that: (1) coastal management in Ghana is largely static and reactive using hold-the-line strategies and grey infrastructure for coastal protection; (2) Approximately 20% of the coast was protected using hardengineered infrastructure between 2000 and 2022; (3) at least 72% of the coast has moderate to very high coastal vulnerability to coastal hazards; (4) shoreline responses to groynes indicate increasing erosion, rapid changes to beach plan form, and terminal groyne effects – severe down-drift shoreline retreat rates; (5) the socioeconomic pitfalls identified include erosion migration, beach access restriction, impacts on artisanal fishing methods, fish landing dynamics, and livelihoods. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for coastal planning, policy-making, and sustainable development of coastal areas in Ghana. In conclusion, the development of shoreline management plans to support adaptive (dynamic) coastal management strategies and hybrid infrastructure is recommended to mitigate reactive, ad hoc implementation of grey infrastructure along the coast of Ghana.

Source: UCC
Investigating Factors Influencing Performance In Wassce Music Among Selected Senior High Schools In The Cape Coast Metropolis

The study examined school factors influencing performance in WASSCE music among selected Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Being a quantitative research, the study used the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The study employed purposive sampling and the census survey technique with the help of questionnaire to collect data from 440 SHS 2 and SHS 3 music students in the selected Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast metropolis for the study. Data was processed using SPSS Statistics (version 29) and was analysed using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (ANOVA) statistics. A Bonferroni Post-Host test was further performed to compare the mean differences among the selected schools. The results indicate that a range of both internal and external school factors exert significant impact on the performance of students in WASSCE music. Furthermore, the study revealed a statistically significant difference in the means of schools in relation to the internal factors influencing music performance, thus, internal factors that influence music performance differ with respect to each school. More so, the study found that there is a statistically significant difference in the means of schools in relation to external school factors influencing music performance, thus, external factors that influence music performance differ with respect to each school. The study, therefore, recommended that the government, appropriate school authorities as well as parents provide a conducive school environment that has good climate for effective teaching and learning. Further, it is recommended that government and educational policy makers ensure that resources are allocated more efficiently to address individual school specific needs.

Source: UCC