ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Challenges and Prospects of Value Added Tax Administration in the Krachi East Municipality

The study sought to investigate the challenges and prospects of VAT administration in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region of Ghana. In this study, the researcher employed the descriptive research design and the quantitative approach to enquiry. The target population of the study comprised all VAT registered persons and businesses as well as VAT administrators operating in the Krachi East Municipal. A final sample consisting of 93 VAT registered persons and businesses and 6 VAT administrators were selected for the study. Primary data was collected through administration of structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS Version 26.0 and presented in the form of frequency tables and charts. The study revealed that there is poor record-keeping among some VAT registered persons and businesses in the Krachi East Municipality. It further revealed that there is infrequent interaction between taxpayers and the VAT administrators in the municipality. The study also found that there are inadequate logistics for VAT administrators in the Krachi East Municipality to carry out their operations. The study recommends the intensification of VAT education to taxpayers within the municipality, regular training of staff and provision of adequate logistics as well as effective monitoring and control.

Source: UCC
A Study on the Fishery, Aspects of the Biology and Culture of the West African Mangrove Oyster, Crassostrea Tulipa in the Densu Delta, Ghana

The study investigated the oyster fishery, aspects of the biology and the culture of Crassostrea fulipa in the Densu Delta, Ghana, from May 2017 to October 2018. Almost all the oyster fisherfolk sampled were females, mainly between the ages of 35 to 44 years, with many dependants. The annual catch was estimated to be 295 tonnes, with an appraised value of USD 65,559. The total annual cost of fishing, gross annual income and total annual profit were estimated at USD 11,897, USD 39,993 and USD 28,097, respectively. Generally, the oysters exhibited negative allometry. Oysters in the shallow waters (0.61 m depth) were depleted within six months, but the deep water (2.13m depth) oysters were underexploited. Generally, the monthly sex ratios of the oysters did not deviate from unity. Unlike the deep water oysters. those from the shallow beds exhibited conti nuclis spawning. None of the Physico-chemical parameters predicted breeding. However, oyster condition index was significantly influenced by salinity. pH and phosphate concentrations. Growth and survival of oysters were better when cultured in suspension than at the bottom. Biofouling had no deleterious effect on the growth and survival of oysters cultured on coconut-shell and oyster-shell cultches. Proximate analysis revealed that cultured oysters had a significantly higher composition of carbohydrate and moisture than in wild oysters, while protein, lipids, ash and fibre were comparable in both treatments. Oyster consumers preferred the taste of cultured oyster meat to wild oyster meat. Regulation of the fishery. large-scale cultivation and value· addition is recommended to create jobs, maximise income and to meet both local and international demands.

Source: UCC
Study on the knowledge of women on the effect of alcohol consumption on the fetus in Elmina-Ghana

The study seeks to find out women’s knowledge on alcohol consumption and its effects on the fetus. Women in Elimina who have children or currently pregnant within ages of 15-45 years were interviewed. The snowball sampling identified 200 respondents who were mostly artisans/traders, co-habiting/single, and lived in a family/rented house with basic education. The study revealed that women (60%) confirmed they were told not to take in alcohol during pregnancy and were also educated on FASDs. None-the-less, women in the Fertility Age drunk alcohol for fun or as a stimulant averagely for 4 to 6 years and they took 2 bottles/tot per day. Female children with signs of FASDs were most affected. Further tests revealed that there was a significant statistical difference between alcohol consumption and age group of women. Also, there was an association between the age group and knowledge on effect alcohol on the fetus. Women knew of the dangers of FASDs yet they still drink alcohol during pregnancy. Laws on consumption of alcohol may be the only deterrent to ensure effective implementation

Source: UCC
Study on the Time Frame for Ossification of the Medial Clavicular Epiphyseal Cartilage by X-ray in Ghanaian Students

The objective of this study was to determine the rate of ossification of the medial epiphysis of the clavicle and some of the different factors that may influence the rate of ossification in the Ghanaian population. The study was a retrospective study and was conducted at the University of Cape Coast hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana. Chest x-rays of 1035 first year University of Cape Coast students admitted, for the 2008/2009 academic year were used. Statistically significant differences were produced for some of the stages when sex comparisons were done using the t-test for two independent groups with a 95% confidence level. Stages 2 (p=0.001), stage 3 (p<0.001) and stage 4 (p=0-001). The age of onset of ossification of the medial clavicle appeared generally to be earlier in females than in males. The stage of partial ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis also lasted longer than in other studies indicating a delay in the ossification at this stage. In conclusion conventional x-ray of the medial clavicle can be an effective tool in assessing forensic age of subjects for any purpose; however there is a need to develop reference values that are specific for particular geographical areas.

Source: UCC
Study on the Time Frame for Ossification of the Medial Clavicular Epiphyseal Cartilage by X-ray in Ghanaian Students

The objective of this study was to determine the rate of ossification of the medial epiphysis of the clavicle and some of the different factors that may influence the rate of ossification in the Ghanaian population. The study was a retrospective study and was conducted at the University of Cape Coast hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana. Chest x-rays of 1035 first year University of Cape Coast students admitted, for the 2008/2009 academic year were used. Statistically significant differences were produced for some of the stages when sex comparisons were done using the t-test for two independent groups with a 95% confidence level. Stages 2 (p=0.001), stage 3 (p<0.001) and stage 4 (p=0-001). The age of onset of ossification of the medial clavicle appeared generally to be earlier in females than in males. The stage of partial ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis also lasted longer than in other studies indicating a delay in the ossification at this stage. In conclusion conventional x-ray of the medial clavicle can be an effective tool in assessing forensic age of subjects for any purpose; however there is a need to develop reference values that are specific for particular geographical areas

Source: UCC
A study on the use of the Internet in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate the utilization of the Internet in senior high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. The sample consisted of 100 students and 25 teachers in three Senior High Schools. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select the three schools to represent the school types (co-ed, girls, boys, schools) with one school in each stratum, respectively. For each stratum, respondents were selected using the simple random technique. Structured questionnaires consisting of closed items were used to collect the data from the sample. Three sets of questionnaires were designed and administered to the three groups of respondents; teachers, students and administrators. Descriptive statistical method was employed concurrently to analyze the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The major findings of the study include the following: 1. A greater percentage of the students have access to the internet at school, but the majority of students with access to the Internet hardly use it. 2. Majority of teachers have access to the Internet in their schools but hardly use it. The few who use it do that mainly for their personal development. 3. A majority of schools are undecided on having ICT budget whiles a majority of schools have ICT policy but do not have a budget to implement it. From the findings, some recommendations we have advanced to enhance the use of the Internet in senior high schools. These include: 1. the need for ICT departments to introduce browsing sessions in their computer laboratories for students while taking steps to monitor usage to ensure that students use the Internet for educational and prevent possible internet abuse.teachers should be given ICT training to enhance their knowledge in the use of the Internet and school administrators should prepare budgets for ICT implementation.

Source: UCC
A study on the use of the Internet in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the utilization of the Internet in senior high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. The sample consisted of 100 students and 25 teachers in three Senior High Schools. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select the three schools to represent the school types (co-ed, girls, boys, schools) with one school in each stratum, respectively. For each stratum, respondents were selected using the simple random technique. Structured questionnaires consisting of closed items were used to collect the data from the sample. Three sets of questionnaires were designed and administered to the three groups of respondents; teachers, students and administrators. Descriptive statistical method was employed concurrently to analyze the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Source: UCC
Studying the Factorial Structure of Ghanaian Twelfth-Grade Students’ Views on Mathematics

Researchers often import and adopt surveys from one cultural setting to another in order to collect comparative data or to simplify the laborious process of instrument development. Even when the instrument has been proven to have high reliability in the original setting, the reliability may prove to be much weaker in the new setting, especially when Western instruments are imported into non-Western countries. In this chapter, we discuss the problems of importing an instrument from one culture to another and associated methodological challenges. More importantly, we present a detailed account of using structural equation modeling (SEM) and MPlus software to validate a survey instrument imported to Ghana. The students’ Views of Mathematics (VOM) instrument is based on earlier Western research and was further developed in Finland, where it had been validated to have high reliability. First, we used confi rmatory factor analysis to test whether the seven factors identifi ed in Finland were identifi able in Ghana. As the original factor structure was found not to fi t the Ghanaian data, we continued with an explorative approach to identify the Ghanaian factor structure, resulting in a four-factor structure. For cross- validation purposes, the sample was randomly split into two, one-half of the sample assigned as the calibration sample and the other half as the validation sample. Measurement invariance was established at the confi gural, metric and structural levels between the calibration and validation sample. We further discuss the measurement artifacts and cultural differences as possible causes for the observed differences in the factor structures between the Ghanaian and the Finnish sample .

Source: UCC
Studying tourists’ suitability as crime targets

Using the suitable ‘targetship’ conditionality of the Routine activities Theory, this study sought to explore the degree to which tourist’s level of institutionalization influences their suitability or otherwise for becoming targets of crime whilst in Ghana. Degree of institutionalization as operationalized using three travel behavior predictor variables: accommodation reference, reliance on travel intermediaries and travel arty size. Using a combination of the binary logistic model and the chi-square test of independence, it as observed that a statistically significant relationship exists between a tourist’s choice of certain travel options and the degree to hich they are exposed to various crimes. The relationship is discussed using examples from the data collected

Source: UCC
Style, Character, and the Theme of Struggle and Change: Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah

Following insights from stylistic studies on European and American literature, as well as a few earlier attempts on African literature, there has been a recent growing interest in the stylistic analysis of the African novel. The present study is meant to contribute to this growing literature by exploring Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah, primarily from a systemic functional linguistics perspective. Critics of the novel have emphasized that it represents Achebe’s most articulate ideology on the sociopolitical situation of postcolonial Africa, in general, and Nigeria, in particular. The present study sheds new meaning on the thematic concern of the novel by exploring the interaction between narrative situation, transitivity patterning, and symbolism, on the one hand, and the characterization of Chris (one of the protagonists) and the themes of struggle and change, on the other hand. The study demonstrates that the systematic variation in narrative situations and transitivity patterns in which Chris is cast across key passages in the plot of the narrative show a transformation in his character, from powerlessness and ineffectiveness through perplexity and fear to self-reformation and bravery. This narrative and linguistic configuration of Chris’s characterization, together with the symbolic intervention he makes in saving a girl from abuse towards the end of the novel, realizes the theme of struggle and change. Through Chris, Achebe urges the enlightened but apathetic citizen to rise up and transform his society through struggle. The study has implications for studies on Anthills of the Savannah, stylistic analysis, and further research. It particularly shows that linguistic analysis and the tools of literary criticism can complement each other in the interpretation of literature

Source: UCC
A stylistic study of point of view in nawal el saadawi’s woman at point zero: A systemic functional perspective

The pre-occupation of this study was to examine point of view in El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero from a systemic functional perspective. Specifically, it focused on investigating how transitivity is employed to inscribe both ideological and psychological points of view in the novel. This was motivated first by the general neglect of existing studies to explore El Saadawi’s creative style and second by the claims of both narratologists and stylisticians on narrative perspective and how it is rendered linguistically in novels. Based on the aims of the study, extracts from significant episodes in the novel were subjected to transitivity analysis. The study demonstrates that point of view constraints the linguistic choices of a writer. Also, it is shown that in the Islamic society that El Saadawi creates, men manipulate Quranic teachings to oppress and subjugate women. It is again revealed that Firdaus matures as the narrative progresses in terms of her understanding of herself and her repressive society. The study corroborates the view held by systemic functional linguistics that language users make systematic choices of linguistic items from the linguistic repertoire to present their version of reality as well as the narratological claim that focalization and narration and by extension focalizer and narrator are not necessarily the same. Moreover, it confirms the claim that the meronymic agency is a significant stylistic technique in prose narratives. The findings of the study and the conclusions drawn from them suggest the need to pay attention to the linguistic choices of writers in order to better appreciate their message.

Source: UCC
Sub-disciplinary variation and rhetoric in dissertation acknowledgements written by education students: The case of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Studies have revealed differences and similarities in the generic structure and the linguistic encoding of gratitude in dissertation acknowledgements (DAs) in different socio-cultural settings. Whereas some studies have highlighted the role of disciplinarity, not all disciplines have been given equal attention. This study explores disciplinarity in the rhetoric of the acknowledgement section of Master’s degree dissertations in three sub-disciplines of Education, namely, Guidance and Counselling, Educational Administration and Management, and Science and Mathematics Education. The study adapts Hyland’s (2004) model of rhetorical analysis to examine 20 DAs form each of the three sub-disciplines. The findings show a linear three-move-structure, consisting of an initial optional reflecting move, an obligatory thanking move, and an optional concluding move, across the three sub-disciplines. Second, there are some differences in the frequency of occurrence of moves and steps across the three sub-disciplines. Finally, the thanking move is assigned much textual space in all DAs, with very little sub-disciplinary variation in the textual space allocated to the three moves across the sub-disciplines. The study has implications for the scholarship on disciplinarity, rhetoric in academic writing, and further research

Source: UCC
Subacute Therapeutic Dosing of Artemether-Lumefantrine and Artesunate-Amodiaquine Combination Preserves Plasma Cholesterol, Renal Antioxidant Status, and Organ Weights in Rats

Recent instances of breakdowns of malaria control programs and the constant emergence of drug-resistant parasites to monotherapies have shored up the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as the malaria therapy of choice. We evaluated a subacute therapeutic dosing of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine on plasma cholesterol, renal antioxidants, and organ weights in rats. Sixteen albino rats were grouped into three. Group A (n = 5) served as the control. Groups B (n = 6) and C (n = 5) were administered, twice daily, oral therapeutic doses of artemether-lumefantrine (1.14/6.86 mg/kg/d) and artesunate-amodiaquine (2.86/8.58 mg/kg/d), respectively, for seven days. From our results, ACTs did not significantly (P > 0.05) alter catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, myeloperoxidase, and total glutathione levels when compared with the control. Plasma total cholesterol levels also decreased insignificantly (P > 0.05). Organ-system weights were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from control rats. Artesunate-amodiaquine, but not artemether-lumefantrine, significantly increased (P < 0.05) lactate dehydrogenase activity and also afforded a 27.2% decrease in heart weight when compared with control. Also, both ACTs increased (P < 0.05) lipid peroxidation. Overall, artesunate-amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine may preserve renal antioxidants and organ weights in vivo. However, caution is required above therapeutic indications or in chronic doses as this may predispose to renal oxidative stress.

Source: UCC
Subjectivité Du Narrateur Dans Jacques Le Fataliste Et Son Maître De Denis Diderot: Manifestations, Effets Diégétiques Et Esthétiques

This study examines the subjectivity of the narrator in Diderot's Jacques le fataliste et son maître. The authoritative and subjective voice of the narrator in this text affects the narration of the story in such a way that it is difficult to classify this work as pure fiction. This research seeks to elucidate the various ways in which the narrator's subjectivity manifests itself in the narrative. Specifically, it focuses in distinguishing between subjective discourse and pure narrative both from the linguistics aspect and through the component of point of view. The analyses carried out in this study reveal that the subjectivity of the narrator in a narrative text is signaled through certain linguistic elements and that their discursive properties in the novel text blur the boundaries between the fictional world of story and the factual world and at the same time produce a reading effect that is felt by the reader as stranger to the novel genre. In the end, this study shows that the fundamentally subjective style of the narrative is an aesthetic technique used by Diderot to simulate oral communication in the narrative text in an attempt to reduce the effect of fiction and to create, through this maneuver, an essayistic illusion in the mind of the reader.

Source: UCC
The subjects of motherhood and marriage in the autobiographies of Maya Angelou

The autobiography is the medium Angelou chooses to recount the defining phases of her experience as an African-American. In fact, she uses it to define her identity – who she is, her culture, and her past, present and future. Maya Angelou has a collection of autobiographical texts, which chronicle her life from infancy to adulthood. In these collections, she recounts the hard and good times of her life. This essay discusses how Angelou uses the subjects of motherhood and marriage to define her identity, and the merits of the literary techniques she uses in doing this. The merit of her literary techniques is explained in how Angelou uses both marriage and motherhood role-plays to establish an identity for herself within the African-American tradition where the role of the woman takes centre-stage in the upbringing of children, especially in the single family setting as was the case of Angelou. The study looks at how Angelou uses language artistically by making references to some characteristics of the genre, such as first-person narration, chronological order, flashback, and an emphasis on the self, among other figurative levels of meaning like similes, metaphors, rhetorical questions, and personification to display her mastery and craftsmanship over her narrative. The study concludes that Angelou’s use of art enables her to successfully illustrate autobiography as an art form that is meant to teach and entertain her reading audience.

Source: UCC
Submucous dissection of the nasopharynx complicating nasotracheal intubation

We present the case of a 60-year old woman, who had an unusual complication of nasotracheal intubation, which was carried out to relieve post-thyroidectomy respiratory distress at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH). She presented with a huge malignant goitre complicated by severe respiratory distress due to pressure symptoms and left vocal cord palsy. An emergency near total thyroidectomy was done under endotracheal general anaesthesia. Respiratory distress persisted after thyroidectomy and tracheal extubation. A nasotracheal tube was subsequently passed. On the fourth postoperative day, she developed another episode of severe respiratory distress due to endotracheal tube blockage. Her trachea was extubated but attempts to re-introduce the tube through the nasal route were unsuccessful but instead resulted in submucous dissection of the nasopharynx. An emergency tracheostomy was subsequently performed.

Source: UCC