ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Women’s perspective on human rights aberration resulting from the negative attitudes of maternal health providers- the case of Nanumba North Municipality

The purpose of this study was to review the attitudes of maternal care providers and its risks towards maternal care seekers from human rights perspective in Nanumba North Municipality. This study was informed by the litany of reports of mistreatment of women during childbirth at health facilities. It was also to assist in unravelling the widely reported gaps in maternity care despite significant government and stakeholder investments in maternal healthcare as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Health Service. Exploratory design was used to explore the experiences of women regarding maternity care services based on four human rights principles: dignity, autonomy, equality, and safety, which also reflected the prominent themes. The experiences of women reflect violations of multiple human rights principles with most respondents harbouring the perception that, most medical officers are inconsiderate and tend to be unfriendly and abusive. While some respondents see no alternative to skilled-based maternal health care delivery, a good number of women would also prefer to seek the services of traditional birth attendants. In general, respondents knew about their basic entitlements as health seekers. However, making the claims for those entitlements seem to be the main challenge. The study recommended among others that human rights be included in the curriculum of health professionals training, the need to partner other stakeholders to embark on rigorous sensitization on human rights in maternal health as well as undertake regular supervision of maternal care officers’ operations. In conclusion, the findings are important for new health care policy, standard practice, and subsequent research.

Source: UEW
Wood cells characterization and suitability appraisal of 7- and 9-year-old Cedrela odorata L. (Miliaceae) wood for paper-based products manufacturing

This study sought to appraise 7-year and 9-year-old Cedrela odorata for pulp and paper making. Sectioning and maceration processes were adopted. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 17.00. Cell characteristics for all ages and tree positions appeared similar but quantitatively, cells in 9-year-old generally exhibited some significant (p <.05) variations. Age and wood position generally had some significant influence on cell characteristics. Fibre lengths were generally short (<1.6 mm or 1600 ?m) with variations in fibre morphology being significant axially than radially. In appraising the wood for paper production, derived fibre indices/values viz; Runkel ratio (ranging from 0.19 to 0.28), flexibility coefficient (ranging from 0.78 to 0.83), and slenderness ratio (ranging from 38.98 to 51.72) appeared to provide some positive indications. The species therefore, has potential for pulp and paper production, but further studies on its chemical consumption levels and other properties need to be ascertained towards a well-informed decision. � 2022 IWSc, The Wood Technology Society of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Source: UEW
Work environment and its impact on employee performance evidence from National Sports Authority, Accra

Employee welfare at the work place has become an important topic for discussion in human resource development literature. There is a teaming effort by both public and private organisations to improve the quality of their work environment. However, literature and a cursory observation of the general work environment show a state of poor work environment which cause constant employee agitations. Consequently, this study sought to investigate the work environment and its impact on employee performance: using the National Sports Authority, Accra, as a case. A survey research design was used to assess the relationship between work environment and employee performance. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select 100 employees for this study. Respondents for this study were made up of both Senior staff and Junior staff of the NSA. A response rate of 78% was achieved. The data collected from the employees was analyzed using multiple regression and descriptive statistics. The study revealed that each of the components that define the work environment was statistically significant to the performance of the National Sports Authority. However, the social work environment of employees of the Authority was the most conducive work environment at National Sports Authority and the psychological environment was the least conducive. The study recommends that the Authorities must improve upon its psychological environment to improve upon the psychological health of its employees to accomplish the organization’s mission and vision

Source: UEW
Work-home conflict and job satisfaction in Ghana the case of commercial banks in the Effutu municipality

Work-home conflict is a situation that confronts employees in all domains of work and this has consequential effects on job satisfaction as employees try their efforts to balance the activities and roles of work and the home. Understanding how work-home conflict affects job satisfaction can lead to implementation of effective policies that improve job satisfaction and boost productivity. This study investigated into the subject using a sample of 150 employees from the commercial banks in Ghana, and aimed at examining the effect of work-home conflict on the job satisfaction of these employees. Analyzing the demographic characteristics of the employees showed that there were more male employees than females, and yet the two-sample t-test showed that there was found to be no statistical difference between male and females on the work-home conflict. The results of the estimated binary logistic regression model revealed that work-home conflict, gender, age, years of education, and number of dependents were significant predictors of job satisfaction. Particularly, work-home conflict accounted for a significant increase in job satisfaction by approximately 11 percent. The study recommends that management and stakeholders of the commercial banks in Ghana should put in place appropriate measures that would largely increase job satisfaction to prevent the possibility of the occurrence of negative effects of work-home conflict such as absence from work, turnover intentions, and tardiness.

Source: UEW
Work-home conflict and job satisfaction in Ghana- the case of commercial banks in the Effutu Municipality

Work-home conflict is a situation that confronts employees in all domains of work and this has consequential effects on job satisfaction as employees try their efforts to balance the activities and roles of work and the home. Understanding how work-home conflict affects job satisfaction can lead to implementation of effective policies that improve job satisfaction and boost productivity. This study investigated into the subject using a sample of 150 employees from the commercial banks in Ghana, and aimed at examining the effect of work-home conflict on the job satisfaction of these employees. Analyzing the demographic characteristics of the employees showed that there were more male employees than females, and yet the two-sample t-test showed that there was found to be no statistical difference between male and females on the work-home conflict. The results of the estimated binary logistic regression model revealed that work-home conflict, gender, age, years of education, and number of dependents were significant predictors of job satisfaction. Particularly, work-home conflict accounted for a significant increase in job satisfaction by approximately 11 percent. The study recommends that management and stakeholders of the commercial banks in Ghana should put in place appropriate measures that would largely increase job satisfaction to prevent the possibility of the occurrence of negative effects of work-home conflict such as absence from work, turnover intentions, and tardiness.

Source: UEW
Work-life balance of female teachers in senior high schools (S.H.S.) in the Kumasi metropolis

The study was to evaluate work-life balance of SHS female teachers. The purpose of the study was to investigate how SHS female teachers in the Kumasi metropolis manage their work-life balance in terms of attaining career progression. The design that was employed for the study was the descriptive survey design. The instrument used for the study was a survey questionnaire. These structured, closed-ended questionnaires were therefore administered to SHS female teachers in selected schools in the Kumasi metropolis. A total of one hundred and ninety five (195) questionnaires were received out of two hundred (200) distributed. Purposive sampling was first used to select eight (8) schools after which simple random sampling was employed to select the needed sample from each school. The statistical tool utilized for the study was mean. The studies revealed that SHS female teachers were somehow satisfied with their working hours at school. It also showed that school management provides flexible working timing for female teachers. The study again disclosed that SHS female teachers have sources of support of work-life balance. It further uncovered that despite these sources of support and flexible working timing for SHS female teachers, the work-related duties at school and excessive household work compel SHS female teachers to make changes in their plans and family activities which, in effect, affect their career progression. A major policy recommendation is that for SHS female teachers to be able to progress in their career path, the Government of Ghana should come out with some policies that will reduce the number of periods taught by SHS female teachers.

Source: UEW
Workforce diversity management in the construction industry implications for civil engineering project success in Ashanti region in Ghana

Diversity of construction workforce is increasingly given much attention because of global challenges in trends of employment. In developing countries, this is not seen as an important input despite the labour intensive nature of the construction industry and labour constituting a large percentage of total construction project costs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the implications of workforce diversity management for construction project success in the construction industry in Ghana using Ashanti Region as a case study. The specific objectives were to identify key challenges to managing diversity, identify the benefits of effectively managing workforce diversity, assess the influence of workforce diversity management onproject success, and developing appropriate recommendations for enhancing project performance through effective management of diversity.The study adopted a quantitative research strategy involving the design of crossectional survey research design. The target population for the study comprised senior (most experience in terms of number years of working in the construction industry) site engineers and managing directors of 60 road construction firms registered with the Association of Road Contractors of Ghana (ASROC) in Ashanti Region. Census technique was employed in selecting 60 senior site engineers and 60 managing directors. A total of 120 questionnaires were administered and a response rate of 85% achieved.The study found that lack of experienced experts in managing diversity, cost of diversity management, and absence of priority by construction firms are the key challenges to managing workforce diversity.The study furthher revealed that, effectively managing workforce diversity gives employees more skills, knowledge, competencies and interest, and creates an inclusive and harmonious working environment. The study found that project success was influenced by aspects of workforce diversity management namely: encouraging team work at workplace, ensuring good University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xiii communication at workplace and avoiding discrimination. The study concluded that though there was lack of well-developed policies for handling diversity challenges, diversity management had a positive and significant influence on project success. The study recommended that construction firms in the Ashanti Region should make and implement policies that are geared towards managing diverse workforce in their firms.

Source: UEW
Working capital management and firms’ profitability_ evidence from manufacturing companies listed on the Ghana stock exchange

Working capital management is a very complex task, more so due to the presence of an inverse relationship between working capital and profitability it therefore demands a compromise between the two important goals. Interestingly, there is no conventional wisdom as to the required threshold of working capital a business has to maintain in order to remain sustainable hence, every business entity will require its own working capital management policy. The study investigated how working capital management affect firms’ profitability using listed manufacturing firms’ on the Ghana Stock Exchange as the study context. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to identify the working capital management policy of the understudied firms’, to investigate the effect of working capital management on the understudied firms’ profitability and finally to investigate the relationship between cash conversion cycles and accounts payable periods and the understudied firms’ profitability. This study followed the longitudinal study design hence, panel data and specifically OLS was used for the study data analysis. The total population for the study, came from all the 12 listed manufacturing companies. The study employed simple random sampling to select the study samples. The study used seven (7) companies representing 58.33% of the listed manufacturing companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange and dataset for eight-year period (2007-2015). Findings from the study showed that the understudied firms adopted an aggressive working capital management policy. The study recommended that the understudied companies ought to employ more conservative working capital management policy since it will provide favorable terms for its buyers and likewise incentivise them to keep their working relationship with these companies.

Source: UEW
Working conditions and public health risks in slaughter houses in Ghana. A case study of Kintampo North Municipal

This study looked at the working conditions and public health risks on the residents in the community. The sanitary and hygiene conditions of Slaughterhouses are of important due to the fact most of it are located within the community, which can have effect on the health of the residents. A descriptive survey design was used for this study. The target population were staff of the slaughterhouse and residents of the community (Kintampo), irrespective of position, age or gender. The sample size consisted of 150 respondents, comprising; twenty (20) workers of the slaughterhouse, and hundred thirty (130) residents from the community. Questionnaires, consisting of opened and closed ended questions, and interview guide, were the main data collection instruments used to carry out the study. The collected data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, charts and tables. The study revealed that the operations of the slaughterhouse do have effect on the health of the residents of the community because wastewater was disposed of into the streams and rivers, which serve a source of drinking water. The workers of the slaughterhouse also attested to it. 74.2% of the residents representing majority answered no when they were asked if the operations of the slaughterhouse were inspected. This was expected because most (70%) the residents indicated in a follow up question that they have never seen an inspector before. The study recommends that government must compel the Kintampo North Municipal Assembly (KiMA), to stop the operators of slaughterhouses and abattoir from construction at unauthorized places. Keywords: Slaughterhouse, Wastewater, Hygiene.

Source: UEW
Workplace discrimination and its impact on employees’ performance Perceptions of private sector workers in Ghana

The study examined the effect of workplace discrimination on the performance of employees in selected private companies in Ghana. The study adopted the quantitative approach and descriptive research design using randomly sampled 123 members from the population size. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data from the respondents and processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 24. Using the mean, standard deviation scores, and Pearson product-moment correlation matrix, and multiple regression analysis, the findings of the study revealed that the respondents agreed that disability discrimination had the highest mean with standard deviation, followed by gender discrimination. The findings of the study also revealed that the respondents were of the opinion that they stand to be neutral. Thus, racial discrimination had the highest mean with standard deviation followed by age discrimination and finally, ethnic discrimination. In furtherance of the study revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between racial discrimination and employee performance. Correspondingly, the results of the study showed a significant negative relationship between gender discrimination and employee performance. The results revealed that there exists a significant negative correlation between disability discrimination and employee performance, similarly, the results show an insignificant positive relationship between age discrimination and employee performance, and finally, the results revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between ethnic discrimination and employee performance In furtherance, the results of the study revealed that racial discrimination significantly and negatively predicts employee performance. Finally, the results of the study revealed that ethnic discrimination insignificantly and positively predicts employee performance. The study recommends that human resource managers should be careful while hiring and promoting employees and providing facilities to employees in order to avoid any workplace discrimination because it has a direct relationship with employee performance.

Source: UEW
Workplace environment and employee performance A case study of GRA Customs Division

This study examines the effect of work environment on the performance of employees at GRA Customs Division in Accra, Ghana. The study formulated hypotheses which were subjected to statistical and inferential testing using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, and Hierarchical Regression Analysis to show the relationship between the identified workplace factors and employee performance. The analysis was based on a sample size of two hundred and eighteen (218) respondents collected from three branches of the GRA. A structured questionnaire was developed and used as the main instrument to collect data which was analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS v.23). The results from the study emphasized the importance of work environment on employees’ performance. Specifically, the findings of the study indicate that all the three dimensions of the work environment (i.e. Physical, Psychosocial and Work-life balance factors) have positive and significant effects on the performance of GRA, Customs Division employees. The study also found that, among the three dimensions, psychosocial work factors had the greateest positive influence on employees’ performance whereas physical factors had the least impact on the performance of employees. It is recommended that management of organisations redesign work environments to encourage supervisor-subordinate interpersonal relationships, ensure physical work environment that is devoid of excessive noise, lighting, and temperature, reduces the lengthy working hours and identify innovative ways to perform jobs in other to ensure employee work-life balance.

Source: UEW
Writing errors of the teacher trainee and their impact on pedagogy, a case study of Ada College of Education

This study investigates the writing errors of teacher trainees of Ada College of Education in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, identifies the causes of these errors and assesses the impact of these errors on teaching and learning. To help guide this study, two theoretical frameworks were adopted- the Error Analysis theory and the Input Hypothesis Model. A qualitative research approach was used and the design adopted was case study. A population sample of 35 final year teacher trainees on practicum out of a student population 345 was used for the studies. In addition, 14 mentors of the trainees and 4 language tutors participated in the research. The purposive sampling technique was used. In order to unearth the writing errors of the trainees, two sets of exercises were given- a take-home essay and an error identification test. The pupils’ exercise books were also scrutinised to find out if there were any slippages of the trainees’ errors in the pupils’ output. These tools were further supported by observation of trainees and pupils in the classroom during lesson delivery and an interview with mentors and tutors. The results confirmed the existence of trainee errors relating to tense, concord, expression, spelling, pronoun, preposition and letter case. It also came out that the errors emanated from interlingual, intralingual and other sources. The similarities between the trainees’ errors and those of the pupils gave a strong indication that the trainees’ errors might have influenced those of the pupils.

Source: UEW
Writing skills of SHS students in composition writing the case of Yendi Senior High School

This study was conducted with an aim to investigate problems in Yendi Senior High School learners’ writings and factors that hinder their writing skills. It also aimed at obtaining suggestions on how to improve the SHS learners’ writing skills. For this purpose, a pre survey and questionnaires were administered to English language teachers and sampled final year students in the School. Writing samples were also collected from 84 SHS English learners to identify the major problems in their writings. The errors derived from students’ essays were analyzed using a combination of content analysis and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the major problems in SHS learners’ language writings are insufficient linguistic proficiency (including command over grammar, syntax and vocabulary), writing anxiety, poor writing habit, lack of ideas, reliance on L1 and weak structure organization. These challenges are influenced by various factors including untrained teachers, ineffective teaching methods and examination system, lack of reading and writing practice, large classrooms, low motivation and lack of infrastructure and TLMs. Remedial measures such as increased reading, conscious and incidental vocabulary teaching, writing practice, employing trained teachers and reforms in the examination system, and writing competitions are recommended for an improved performance of writing by the students.

Source: UEW