ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of students and tutors on the impact of leadership style on student performance in the Asanta nursing and midwifery college, Ghana

The study sought to examine the leadership style of the principal of the Asanta Nursing and Midwifery College and its key functional elements. The study assessed the students’ and tutors’ perception of the principal’s leadership style and the relationship between the perceived leadership style and the students’ academic performance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted to execute the study. The sample for the study was 250 respondents comprising 50 tutors and 200 students who were students of the College. These participants were selected using the purposive and random sampling method respectively. Questionnaire was the primary tool used for the data collection. Data analysis was conducted using frequency, percentages, Chi-Square, and multiple logistics regression. The study established the fact that both tutors and students perceived, to a greater extent, that the leadership style of the principal has an impact on students’ performance. Transformational leadership style was the outstanding perceived leadership style of the principal with 33.2%, and probability of 0.93 followed by instructional leadership style with 28.8%. A positive relationship was found between students’ academic performance and the leadership style adopted by the principal of the college. It was also found that there was no relationship between sex and performance of the students. It was recommended that while the principal should continue using the transformative leadership style, it was necessary to blend with other positive styles in order to make the performance of students even much better.

Source: UCC
Perceptions of Students of University of Cape Coast Regarding Cost-Sharing and Quality Higher Education Provision

The study explored the perceptions of University of Cape Coast students on the implementation of cost-sharing policy. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey design and the stratified sampling technique were adopted to sample the views of 389 students from levels 100 - 400. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analysed using means and standard deviation, one sample-test and independent sample t-test. The study revealed that the students in University of Cape Coast (UCC) acknowledged revenue from cost-sharing could be used for expansion of facilities. The study also revealed that respondents agreed that cost-sharing may have negative effects on their academic performance. The respondents also agreed with the statement that financial hardship from cost-sharing lead to poor academic performance. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the District/Municipal/Metropolitan Assemblies should consider sponsoring needy students by paying part of their fees as they go through higher education. It was further recommended that the Student Representative Council and the Management of Halls of Residence in UCC can establish financial and food aid systems to cushion needy students.

Source: UCC
The Perceptions of Students, Teachers, and Educational Officers in Ghana on the Role of Computer and the Teacher in Promoting the First Five Principles of Instruction

This study explored the perceptions of 395 participants (students, teachers, and education officers) in Ghana on the role of the computer and the teacher in promoting the first five principles of instruction for quality teaching and learning. To achieve the intention of the study, five point Likert-type scales based on the first five principles of instruction, with Cronbach alpha of .87, were used for the data collection. Frequency distributions and chi square tests were employed to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that there is perception dissimilarities among the participants on the role of a computer and a teacher in implementing the first five principles of instruction. In addition, according to the findings, there is a mismatch of participants’ recommendations on training students to acquire computer skills, and training teachers to acquire skills in designing their teaching. The theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

Source: UCC
Perceptions of tutors and students about leadership behaviours of principals of colleges of education in the Central region of Ghana

The study sought to find the perceptions tutors and students held about the Leadership Behaviours of Principals of Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. The design for the study was a descriptive survey whereby data were collected to answer the research questions. Tutors and students from the three colleges of education in the Central Region of Ghana constituted the population. In all, the sample size of the study stood at 407. Seventy-seven tutors were selected by using stratified random sampling technique while 330 students were randomly selected through the lottery method. Major findings of the study were that, the leadership behaviours of principals promoted good human relations and interpersonal communication. Principals exhibited good, appropriate, and effective administrative behaviours which placed the management of the colleges on a sound footing. Principals were believed to have introduced desirable changes in the colleges which uplifted the images of the colleges. On the contrary, principals were noted to be castigating at tutors and students publicly. Also, principals were aloof towards subordinates who had personal problems. Moreover, principals did not involve tutors in planning new projects and budget for the colleges. Based on the findings, it is recommended that: Principals need to improve upon their human relations and interpersonal communication skills. They need to consider the views of tutors and students before arriving at final decisions affecting them (tutors and students). Finally, they must involve tutors in planning for new projects and budget for the colleges.

Source: UCC
Perceptions of tutors in colleges of education in Ghana on pre-service teacher preparation for effective inclusive education

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions tutors in Colleges of Education have on pre-service teacher preparation for inclusive education in Ghana. A descriptive survey design was adopted using a sample of 235 tutors from 13 Colleges of Education in Ghana. The colleges were drawn from Central, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions. The lottery method was used to select three regions out of ten and the purposive sampling technique was used to select all the Colleges within the three regions, while convenience sampling technique was used to select the actual respondents for the study. Questionnaire was used to gather the research data. Percentages and frequencies were used as statistical tools to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the curriculum offered in Colleges of Education in Ghana enabled pre-service teachers to identify and assess children with special educational needs. It also equipped pre-service teachers with the skills to manage children with special educational needs and disabilities in inclusive classroom. Again, it was evident from the findings that the curriculum prepares pre-service teachers on how to do adaptation and accommodation in the inclusive classroom. However, from the findings, preservice teachers had difficulties collaborating with other professionals and parents in managing children with special educational needs and disabilities in the inclusive classroom. It was therefore recommended that measures that could help preservice teachers to effectively and efficiently collaborate with parents and other professionals should be put in place.

Source: UCC
Perceptions on headteachers' supervisory competencies in public basic schools in the Kwaebibirem district in the Eastern region of Ghana

The study sought to find out the perceptions of teachers, headteachers and circuit supervisors on headteachers’ supervisory competence at the basic school level. It sought to find out whether and how headteachers are trained, how they are developed, how teachers and circuit supervisors perceive headteachers as being competent, how the headteachers perceive their own level of competence, and the support the headteachers receive from their circuit supervisors. The views of a total of 240 teachers, 60 headteachers and 10 circuit supervisors were sought. Two self - designed instruments (questionnaire and interview guide) were used for collecting information from teachers, headteachers, and circuit supervisors. The major findings indicated that headteachers are more competent in administrative duties than in instructional supervisory duties. The conclusion drawn was that if the school would attain its goals, then that aspect of the classic Scientific Theory of supervision within which workers are viewed as appendages of management in the country should be seriously looked at. Again, the position of the headteacher should be competed for by selective means rather than appointive and that, the managerial competence of the prospective headteacher should be focused by public schools.

Source: UCC
Perceptions on Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming In a Public University in Ghana

ABSTRACT The existing literature on drivers of performance have been tilted toward non financial corporations with the few in emerging economies that looked at financial institutions focusing on banking, yet the insurance industry is one of the major contributors to the Gross Domestic Product of Ghana and the role insurance plays in sustaining economic growth and development cannot be overemphasised due to the inevitability of risks and uncertainties associated with modern economies and businesses. In this study, the resource-based, agency and life cycle theories were employed to ascertain the determinants of performance of both life and non-life insurance firms in Ghana. The study in addition evaluated the likelihood of performance persistence in the insurance industry in Ghana. The study employed panel data of forty (40) insurance firms over a six year period from 2012-2017. The study relied on the two-step System Generalised Method of Moments technique to examine the determinants of financial performance. The findings of study confirmed the dynamic nature of insurance firms’ financial performance and revealed that cost efficiency, claims ratio, retention ratio, audit fees, board size and independence and firm size are the most vital determinants of performance of life insurance firms in Ghana whereas claims ratio, cost efficiency, firm age and firm size are the determinants of performance for non-life insurance firms in Ghana. The study recommends that insurance firms should resort to cost control strategies such as activity-based costing to track and control overhead costs. Besides, the study recommends that managers of non-life insurance firms should cut down investments in long term tangible assets such land and building due to the inverse association discovered between firm size and performance.

Source: UCC
Perceptions on Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming In a Public University in Ghana

ABSTRACT Gender inequalities have existed in human societies for many decades and gender mainstreaming is an internationally recognised approach to address such inequalities in society. The study was designed to examine gender mainstreaming at the University of Education, Winneba. In conducting the study, fifteen participants were selected using the purposive and convenient sampling techniques. Data was collected using the interview guide. Data collected was analysed qualitatively. The study found that, though the campus environment was conducive for the implementation of gender mainstreaming, more resources in terms of finances and gender experts were needed to effectively bridge the policy and implementation gaps in UEW. Based on the outcome of the study, the study recommended that, there is the need to revise the University’s policy documents, including the Gender Policy, Strategic Plan and the Statutes, to ensure that gender mainstreaming issues are well captured in them, with targets clearly set. Again, the dissemination of the contents of the named documents should be publicised, and staff and students encouraged to own the policies. There is also the need to ensure that gender mainstreaming issues are made integral to key institutional operations and activities. Additionally, management must devote more resources to gender mainstreaming, and hire more gender experts to support the gender mainstreaming agenda of the University. Management must create gender awareness on campus by encouraging the formation of gender associations and clubs involve male staff and students in gender advocacy and intensify mentorship programmes for female staff and students.

Source: UCC
The percieved impact of climate change and adaptation on smallholder farmers in the Sevelugu Nanton district in the northern region of Ghana.

This study assessed Smallholder farmers’ perceived impact of climate change and adaptation on agriculture in the Savelugu Nanton district in the Northern Region of Ghana. A non-probability sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 123 smallholder farmers and a structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. The data collected from the farmers were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that majority of the smallholder farmers’ perceived decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature. Farmers’ level of adaptation was found to be relatively high with majority of the farmers using irrigation, changing crops, changing planting dates and planting short season varieties as the major adaptation measures to decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature. Findings of the study also indicate that the major barriers to climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers in the district are lack of information about climate change, lack of knowledge about adaptation, lack of credits, no access to irrigation water and poor soil fertility. The study concludes that smallholder farmers in the district perceived changes in climate and employ adaptation strategies and socio-economic characteristics are important in determining farmers’ adaptation to climate change.

Source: UCC
Percieved quality of campus shuttle bus service in Ghana

The study assessed the quality of campus shuttle bus service in three Ghanaian public universities, namely University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Ghana (UG) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology (KNUST). This was ascertained by a cross sectional study through the administration of 891 copies of pretested SERVQUAL questionnaire at designated bus stops for campus shuttle bus service. The study revealed perceived poor quality bus service for UCC and UG but perceived good quality shuttle bus service for KNUST. In general, there was perceived poor quality bus service for all the attributes and dimensions when the three public universities were considered as a whole. Recommendations were proffered for better service delivery and perception

Source: UCC
Performance aesthetics of the Klama dance of Gbugbla (Prampram), Ghana

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the performance aesthetics of Klama as a movement system of the Dangme people of Gbugbla (Prampram). I observe that Klama as a movement system, integrates the core manifestations of Klama (music, dance, medicine/healing and performance) into a complete epistemological system for the purpose of enculturation, entertainment and revival of the culture. As a body of knowledge, Klama has embedded within it philosophical, socio-political, religious and aesthetic dimensions. Klama is also believed to reflect the cosmic structural composition here in the temporal world. Therefore, when mediums begin to manifest their tutelary spirits and commence their dance in the temporal world, it is indeed the cosmic beings who are performing themselves into being through music, dance, and ritual drama. Through ethnographic participant observation and interviews, I discovered that Klama connotes four thematic conceptual frames. These are Klama as Baa/Tsupa (herbal medicine/healing), Lami (songs), Doo (dance) and Fiԑmi (performance). To this end, a combination of three theoretical perspectives has been used to analyze this work. Drewal’s performance perspective of repetition as a form of engendering creativity has been the main theoretical framework used to explain the performance processes and conventions. Gyekye’s aesthetic perspective that explains that beyond the functional and symbolic roles of African art forms, they can be contemplated upon from the purely aesthetic viewpoint has been used to explore the aesthetic sensibilities of the Dangmes of Gbugbla. Finally, Peirce’s semiotic theory enables us to understand the diverse meanings employed in the usage of props, costumes, make-up and body adornments.

Source: UCC
Performance and challenges of internally generated revenue mobilisation of the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district assembly for local level development

The study set out to investigate the performance and challenges of internally generated revenue mobilisation of the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District Assembly in the Central Region of Ghana for local level development. Descriptive and analytical study designs were adopted for the study. A sample of 100 residents from the district, 21 revenue collectors, 8 key District Assembly officials and 6 organised groups operating in the district were selected for the study. Questionnaires and interview schedules were administered to solicit the views of residents, revenue collectors, key District Assembly officials and Chairmen of organised groups on internally generated revenue mobilisation and its challenges in the district. Descriptive statistics such as tables, pie chat and bar graphs was adopted. The study revealed that investment and miscellaneous components of internally generated revenue performed better when compared to the other sources, such as land, rates and fines. Challenges identified in the study were overdependence on external sources of revenues, lack of voluntary compliance by revenue payers, low educational level of revenue collectors, lack of proper tax education for revenue payers and revenue collectors. Lack of participation of stakeholders in rate and fees fixing were also identified. Recommendations made for the administrators of Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District Assembly’s internally generated revenue mobilisation include privatisation, capacity building, participation of stakeholder and preparation of credible and reliable revenue database.

Source: UCC
Performance and challenges of the domestic broiler chicken value chain and implications for agricultural graduate employment in Ghana

The study analysed the performance and challenges of the domestic broiler value chain (VC) and its implication for agricultural graduate employment in Ghana. The mixed method of the concurrent nested strategy model was used. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 345 broiler producers in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Bono regions. Census was employed in taking data from 70 feed millers, 40 poultry processors, and 123 live bird sellers and 1,129 final year agriculture students from the University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Energy and Natural Resources, and Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development. Structured interview schedules and questionnaire were used to collect data. Which were analysed using statistical techniques including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as ANOVA, SFA translog profit function model, probit and multivariate probit regression models. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to rank actors’ challenges, which included price volatility of maize and soybeans, high cost of feed and competition from cheap poultry meat imports. Broiler producers had gross margin (GM) of GH¢ 28.4 and profit efficiency of 62.9%, a live bird seller’s GM was GH¢ 28.2 and a profit efficiency of 34.4%, whilst a poultry processor had GM of GH¢ 20.9 and a profit efficiency of 79.9%. Significant differences were found in students’ perceived knowledge level in these broiler VC activities, inputs production and distribution, marketing of broiler, provision of support services, and broiler production. On perception, there were significant differences in the constructs economic, government policy and social-cultural perceptions. Students’ choice to engage in the broiler VC was largely driven by having parents in poultry enterprise, knowledge of specific VC activity. Whilst males are more likely to choose broiler VC business as a carrier. It is recommended that agriculture programmes of study in Ghanaian universities be designed based on the value chain concept with a practical approach to teaching and learning to equip students’ become entrepreneurs or employees. The development of a national poultry policy to create an enabling business environment and increase access to market for actors is also recommended.

Source: UCC
Performance Appraisal and Employee Development in The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation And Rural Development, Accra

ABSTRACT The study examined the influence of performance appraisal on employee development at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development. The study adopted the causal research design. Structured questionnaires were sent via Google form link to the participants. 130 participants were issued with the questionnaire but 121 returned their completed questionnaires, thus providing a 93.08% response rate. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical techniques were employed for the primary data analysis. It was found that workers at the Ministry perceive performance appraisal as being moderately effective. It was also unccovered that there is a moderate linear association between execution evaluation and worker development. It also emerged that performance appraisal accounts for a statistically significant weak improvement in employee advancement. In light of the discoveries, it is suggested that the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development ought to proceed with the execution of execution evaluation as with regards to this observational review if the essence of such intervention is to improve employee development.

Source: UCC
Performance appraisal and Employee Development in the Civil Service in the Greater Accra Metropolis

The study sought to assess how the Civil Service uses performance appraisal as a tool for employee development. The researcher used data from civil service organizations in the Greater Accra Metropolis. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the respondents which were grouped into Senior and Junior Staff. 102 staff out of a population of 213 was sampled. The instrument used for gathering data was the questionnaire. The study revealed that the performance appraisal system of the Civil Service was very strategic in nature, thus, key result areas and targets were drawn from the strategic plans of the organization and was based on staff capacity and the resources available. This is helpful for achieving strategic organizational goals and objectives. It also revealed that the major challenges identified are ‘performance appraisal being used as an event not a process’ and ‘lack of feedback.’ In addition, the study concluded that as a basis for employee development, performance appraisal feedback or report, is least considered. Major recommendations made include the need to revise the current goal-based oriented performance appraisal to focus on the future and goals for efficient performance, commit and use the appraisal report as the main basis for developing staff and train appraisers and staff to know the content of the performance appraisal tools and policies.

Source: UCC