ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Leisure and work outcomes of hotel employees in Accra

Leisure participation has attracted research attention across diverse segments of the population. A neglected segment, however, is hotel employees who have attracted little attention despite the unique nature of their job and its contribution to the growth and sustenance of the tourism industry. This study sought to assess the leisure participation of hotel employees in Accra. The study adopted the positivist approach and a questionnaire was used to gather data from 330 hotel employees who were selected using the convenience sampling technique. The findings revealed that the leisure activity of the employees was largely sedentary with the main activities as watching Television and reading books. Furthermore, the main leisure motivation of the hotel employees was stimulus avoidance while the least was social motivation. In addition, the employees encountered four forms of leisure constraints. The foremost relates to hotel work characteristics such as long hours of work and working overtime while the least was structural constraints. These constraints were negotiated with both behavioural and cognitive strategies. The employees were satisfied with their leisure experiences and these experiences positively influenced the job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion of employees. Nonetheless, the type of leisure activity undertaken was not related to emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction which signify a disconnection between leisure activity choice and work outcome. The study recommends that the management of hotels should adopt strategies such as designing suitable and reasonable working hours and permitting free time to compensate for working extra hours to facilitate smooth co-existence between work and leisure.

Source: UCC
Leisure aspirations of people with visual impairment in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Despite the contestation of the existence of leisure freedom, particularly among marginalized populations such as people with disabilities, there have been limited studies to ascertain their leisure aspirations. The negative socio-cultural connotations of disability in Ghana further constrict disabled peoples’ leisure freedom and therefore warrants research into their leisure aspirations. Employing data obtained from 330 people with visual impairment, via a questionnaire, the study established that the respondents exercised limited freedom in the choice of their leisure activities. Activities desired but out of their reach included jogging, playing board games (ludo, oware and drafts) playing football, reading, visiting recreational areas, and visiting friends and relatives. Reasons for their inability to indulge in desired activities encompassed bodily dysfunction, financial constraints, lack of social support and inaccessible physical environment. The probability of facing any of these constraints was based on the respondents’ age, marital status, formal educational status and monthly income

Source: UCC
Leisure motivation of people with physical and visual disabilities in Ghana

Leisure motivation is central to the provision of leisure services especially to marginalized groups such as disabled people who may have different interests from non-disabled people. Using cross-sectional data from 536 people with physical and visual disabilities, this study assessed the leisure motivations of disabled people in Ghana. The findings suggest that the motivations of people with visual and physical disabilities were fourfold, namely competence mastery, social, intellectual, and stimulus avoidance. The influence of social motivation varied across marital status and household size, while stimulus avoidance varied by type of disability, sex, and employment status. Competence mastery and intellectual motivation varied across sex and income levels. It was concluded that the leisure motivations of disabled people in this study are based on their personal circumstances; they are heterogeneous. The study recommends that research on leisure motivation should be conducted with reference to specific context and interpreted in relation to the individual’s circumstances

Source: UCC
Leisure-time Physical Activities Participation Among International Tourists in the Cape Coast-elmina Conurbation

ABSTRACT Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has become an effective preventive and management tool for non-communicable diseases, because of its therapeutic benefits. The study aimed at assessing leisure-time physical activities participation, motivation, constraints, and negotiation strategies among international tourists in the Cape Coast-Elmina area. The self-determination theory and hierarchical leisure constraint model guided the study. A cross sectional study using a questionnaire was used to collect data from 172 international tourists who visited Cape Coast and Elmina conurbation between May-July. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed with the help of chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, Factor analysis, and linear regression. The study revealed that international tourists were motivated by relaxation, recreation, and fun to participate in LTPA. Also, the study revealed that the tourists were constrained mostly by structural issues. They negotiated these constraints with cognitive and leisure aspirations strategies. There were variations in motivation, constraint, and negotiation strategies across respondents’ background characteristics. Lastly, LTPA motivation and constraint contributed significantly to constraint negotiation strategies. It is recommended that the motivations identified should inform the marketing messages of destination management organizations in the country. Again, attention should be paid to improving the LTPA facilities in the Cape Coast Elmina area

Source: UCC
Length, style, and structural organisation of research article titles: A diachronic and cross-disciplinary study of two journals

Crafting titles for research articles (RAs) in different disciplines is important as they can attract and inform the potential reader about the content of such academic pieces. Recent studies into RA titles have paid attention to various aspects such length, style, syntactic structures and lexicon of titles. Using The Bible Translator (TBT) and the Journal of Drug Issues (JDI) as examples of journals in Religion and Health Science respectively, the present study attempted to explore 2,953 titles of RAs published between 1971 and 2018, in order to establish a diachronic comparative analysis of the structural and stylistic patterns used in presenting titles. Following Dietz’ (1995, cf Moattarian & Alibabaee, 2015) taxonomy of analysing titles, this study focused on studying the length, styles, syntactic structures, and demarcating markers of the titles. This study revealed that title length increased over time in both journals. Among the three title styles identified, the Single-Unit Titles decreased, whereas the Double-Unit Title increased in both journals; the frequency of Multiple-Unit Title did not show any regular pattern in the two journals. The Noun Phrase (NP) was the dominant Single-Unit Title which generally decreased over time in its use in both journals. The most commonly found postmodifier, the Prepositional Phrase (PP), decreased in TBT and showed irregular decrease in the JDI. The Colon was the most frequent demarcating marker which increased over time in both journals; pointing to the ‘colonization’ in Research Article (RA) titles. This research has implications for academic writing, pedagogy, theory and further research.

Source: UCC
Lesson planning issues in off-campus teaching practice: Teacher-trainees’ perspectives

This thesis explores teacher-trainees’ opinions about the issues of lesson planning and lesson supervision in OFCTP. The study is a descriptive survey that employed the mixed methods approach and collected data through document analysis and the use of a questionnaire. Through quota sampling technique, a sample size of 285 was selected from 449 UCC Level-400 teacher-trainees who engaged in the 2013 OFCTP in Zone 1A. The study showed that teacher-trainees were most confident of their ability to prepare most of the aspects of the lesson plan except in some few but very essential areas. Despite the multiple lesson planning and supervision challenges that trainees faced, they held in high esteem, the importance of lesson planning. Among the misgivings that teacher-trainees had about OFCTP lesson assessment and supervision were the contradictory suggestions from supervisors and the subjectivity associated with lesson assessment and the grades awarded. It is concluded that though trainees had high confidence in lesson planning, the challenges they faced did not allow them to demonstrate their high-rated confidence in lesson plan preparation; OFCTP stifled the teacher-trainees’ sovereignty, ingenuity and professionalism in lesson planning and teaching; trainees have mixed feelings about the worth of supervisors’ directives on lesson planning. In view of these, methods lecturers are encouraged to hammer the essential areas of lesson planning this study found to be challenging for trainees. The TPU should engage only dedicated supervisors in the OFCTP supervision. Supervisors should be entreated to adhere to the guidelines meant to streamline the OFCTP lesson assessment and supervision as proposed by the TPU prior to every OFCTP supervision.

Source: UCC
Let the Prophet speak: A study on trends in pentecostal prophetism with particular reference to the Church of Pentecost and some neo - pencostal churches in Ghana

This study seeks to examine some trends currently present in Ghanaian Pentecostal prophetism in order to open up the prophetic 'problem' for further scholarly probe. The study employs the purposive sampling of participatory method of qualitative research methodology. The instruments used in data collection and analysis include in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaire administration, and participatory-observation. The Church of Pentecost (CoP) constitutes the main case for the study; however, we also include prophetism in neo-Pentecostal churches in our discussions. The study traces the historical antecedents of the prophetic phenomenon in Ghana and shows its recurrence in Ghanaian Christianity. It identifies four types of prophets in CoP, namely, Prophesiers, Singing Prophets, Grassroots Prophets and Institutionalised Prophets. Grassroots Prophetism together with prophetism in New Prophetic Churches (NPCs) in neo-Pentecostalism constitutes Peripheral prophetism which forms the main thrust of the work. Peripheral prophetism demonstrates how the dialectic of Ghanaian Pentecostals' biblical understanding and the Akan religio-cultural worldview informs their quest for meaning in this life. It also reveals how the supernatural causal other undergirds Ghanaian Pentecostals' understanding of evil and suffering. In negotiating the other Pentecostal prophets propose Christo logical subversions via ritualistic symbolisms. Amidst the challenge it poses to us Pentecostal prophetism offers hope to Ghanaian Christianity due to its ability to respond to soteriological and pastoral needs. In all the study challenges Ghanaian Pentecostals to re-examine their spirituality in order to make their faith meaningful to the Ghanaian public life.

Source: UCC
Let’s talk about firm responsibility: the perception of individual Ghanaian shareholders on corporate social responsibility

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the perception of individual Ghanaian shareholders on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach – In consequence of the largely unexplored nature of the issue of CSR, the authors use a qualitative analysis to offer the painstaking understanding needed about this issue. Individual Ghanaian shareholders who have absolute control over what companies they desire to invest were selected as the participants. Findings – The findings show that individual shareholders believe there is the need for corporate directors and managers to take into consideration the interests of all corporate stakeholders-workers, customers, shareholders, suppliers, the local community and the environment- in fashioning out their CSR policies. It also shows the relevance individual shareholders attach to each of those CSRs within each corporate stakeholder group. For instance, the individual shareholders think that it is most relevant for firms to put implementable measures in place to reduce or minimise harm to the environment. Also, with respect to workers, firms are the first and foremost to ensure a hale and hearty and secured work environment. Further, with respect to customers, firms have to offer standard or quality products and services to them. More so, in regards to suppliers, corporate directors and managers have to offer them reasonable prices for their products. Finally, on the part of the local community, firms have to effectively assist them. Practical implications – The practical approach to problems and affairs of individual Ghanaian shareholders is indicated by how much importance they attach to each corporate responsibility matter, and also they appreciate that a firm cannot thrive or survive for long if it refuses or totally abandons the needs of other corporate stakeholder categories. It will thus be of relevance to firms to take executable steps to deal with the needs of other corporate stakeholder groups brought up by the individual shareholders. As a matter of fact, the vivid descriptions of each of the matters concerning CSR of the individual shareholders present an important policy guideline for corporate directors and corporate managers to establish good-natured relationship between their firms and other corporate stakeholder groups. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the knowledge on CSR by establishing that even though individual shareholders are interested in personal economic benefits, they want their firms to be socially responsible to meet the interests of other corporate stakeholder group

Source: UCC
Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Breast Cancer in Nigeria. A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Despite reports of improved awareness of breast cancer entity and seemingly upbeat levels of other awareness subthemes in Nigeria, patients continue to present late when treatment is least rewarding. This paradoxical trend of both rising awareness and late presentation coupled with reports suggesting other competing drivers of late presentation question the “theory of poor awareness” as the foremost driver of late presentations. By aggregating available data, we aimed to assess what still constitutes poor breast cancer awareness in Nigeria in order to suggest how to allocate resources to reverse the paradox METHOD: Studies conducted on Nigerian populace from 2000 to date were reviewed systematically. Search was made in PROSPERO, PubMed/MEDLINE, AJOL, Cochrane library, GOOGLE, ResearchGate and ACADEMIA. Primary outcome was level of awareness about breast cancer entity. RESULT: Fifty-one eligible (48 descriptive surveys, 3 interventional ones) studies were reviewed. They included 19,598 respondents (98.5% females; 43% rural dwellers). 17,086(87.2%) were laypersons in various walks of life; 2,512(12.8%) were healthcare professionals. There were high levels of awareness of breast cancer entity, BSE, knowledge of fatality and benefit of early detection (weighted percentages 80.6%, 60.1%, 73.2% and 73.9% respectively). Weighted percentages of knowledge of symptoms/signs was 45.1%. Weighted percentages of sense of susceptibility and performance of BSE were low-26.8% and 22.9% respectively. Generally, rate of performance of screening did not vary with changes in the level of awareness/knowledge of concepts. CONCLUSION: In general, low awareness of breast cancer may not be the direct and foremost driver of persistent late presentation in Nigeria.

Source: UCC
The Level of Contamination of Aluminium in Cooked Foods From Aluminium Utensils From Kotokuraba Market in The Cape Coast Metropolis in Central Region, Ghana.

In Ghana most households and restaurants use aluminum cooking utensils to prepare food, however, few studies have considered the possibility of the leaching of the metal into foods. For this reason, the major goal of this study was to determine the amount of aluminium leached from aluminium-made cooking utensils into selected cooked foods namely: fresh tomatoes, rice, and cocoyam leaves. Three different brands of aluminium cooking utensils were chosen from a local market specifically Kotoburaba market, Cape Coast, in the Central Region of Ghana and labelled A, B, and C to cook the food samples for the study. Samples were purchased from the Kotoburaba market for the nine-week research study. Each week, the samples underwent preparation and an analysis to determine the amount of aluminum present both before and after cooking.The acquired data were analysed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results presented p-values greater than 0.05. Results obtained indicate that cocoyam leaves (nkontomire) recorded the highest amount of leached aluminium metal with 3.54mg/kg±1.23 from the utensil, followed closely by tomatoes with 3.16mg/kg±1.87 and the least being rice with 2.67mg/kg±1.38 over the nine weeks. The type of aluminium utensils used, their prior use, the pH of the food, it’s form and content, the cooking duration and the presence of silica and other ions such as F- were considered as conditions that facilitate the leaching of aluminium into foods. This study contributes to improving the knowledge of health practitioners, cooks and food lovers about the health effects of cooking in aluminium manufactured utensils. Food vendors and users of aluminium cooking utensils should be educated on the toxicological effects of using aluminium utensils by FDA and GHS sections in Cape Coast.

Source: UCC
Level of Formalin in Some Fish Species Along the Coast of Central Region

Fish is the most widely consumed seafood and the basic diet for most people worldwide, with Ghana consuming over 154 million tonnes annually. However, certain chemicals (formalin) used by some fishermen to preserve fish for transit, may cause food contamination and subsequently health hazards. This study sought to examine and ascertain formalin levels present in commonly eaten fish species caught from the central coast of Ghana. Fresh fish samples were conveniently collected and paid for from various fishmongers and fishermen in Anomabo, Biriwa, Moree, and Elmina. The fish were immediately kept in ice filled in an ice chest and transported to the chemistry laboratory University Cape Coast for further analysis. At the Laboratory, purification of fat was carried out using the Soxhlet Extraction Clean-up method. Findings show that, formalin levels in Bluntnose Lizard fish (Akoteakote) caught at Elmina were considerably high, (59.180 ± 0.611 ppm). However, herrings, also caught from Elmina recorded lower formalin concentration measured at 0.871 ± 0.812 ppm implying that different fishes accumulate different levels of formalin. Also, fish caught from Elmina and Moree exhibited similar formalin levels, with a correlation value of 0.983. The high levels of formalin found in some fish samples raises a concern for health authorities to put measures in place to protect aquatic and human health. It was thus recommended that standardized preservation protocols, increased monitoring and regulation, and public awareness campaigns on fish preservation should be implemented by the government and other regulatory bodies.

Source: UCC
The level of heavy metal pollution in the soil as affected by wastes from pig production in Assin South District, Ghana

Pig wastes have been considered a source of heavy metal pollution in soils in pig production communities in Ghana. The study was conducted to determine the pollution levels of copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in soils in some pig production communities in Assin South District. Soils and pig droppings from five pig waste dumping sites designated as NS, AM, AK, AD and NK and one non-dumping site,O, (control) were studied. The mean Cu concentration in the droppings varied from 12 mg kg-1 to 46 mg kg-1 and in the order of NKAM NS AK AD. The mean Fe concentration in the droppings also ranged from 551 mg kg-1 to 657 mg kg-1 whilst the Zn concentration ranged from 55 mg kg-1 to 118 mg kg-1 and in the order of AD AM NS NK AK and NS NK AM AK AD respectively. The mean concentrations of extractable Cu, Fe and Zn in the soils from all the dumping sites were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than the background value (control). The mean Cu concentration in the soils varied from 49 mg kg-1 to 70 mg kg-1, whilst the Fe varied from 957 mg kg-1 to 1020 mg kg-1 and the Zn varied from 108 mg kg-1 to 204 mg kg-1, and the order of the variations differed from that of the pig droppings. The results of the quantification of the metal contamination in the soils from the dumping sites using geoaccumulation index indicated that at all the sites, the Cu pollution in the soils was moderate, the soils were almost not polluted by Fe, and the Zn pollution was light

Source: UCC
Level of knowledge in personal finance by university freshmen business students

The objective of the study was to determine how well recent senior high school graduates understand basic consumer financial concepts and to ascertain those financial topics for which a significant proportion of students admit to not having knowledge. The sample for this research consisted of firstyear degree students with a business major at the University of Cape Coast. There were 343 out of 613 business-major first-year students enrolled in the school of business that were tested on 20 multiplechoice questions dealing with basic knowledge of financial issues, which should be understood in order to function in everyday life. Of these, 190 were male and 152 were female. The highest test score was 75% and was achieved by 1 student only and the lowest was 5% and was achieved by 7 students. The average score was 35.87% for all students and the median score was 35%. Unlike most previous studies, students were offered the opportunity to respond “don’t know” to each question. On 15 of the 20 questions, more students selected the incorrect answers than those selecting “don’t know” answer

Source: UCC
Level of knowledge on quality standards of high value markets in Kenya among indigenous vegetable women farmers in Kakamega county

African indigenous vegetable (AIV) farmers have limited information in the areas for training and readiness to access and produce vegetables to satisfy the growing demands by retailers in Kenya. This study assessed the level of knowledge among women AIV farmers in Kakamega County to satisfy quality standards for high value markets (HVMs). Descriptive survey design, multistage sampling technique and interview schedule were used to collect data from 276 farmers. The study revealed that farmers had low knowledge on quality standards especially the transaction attributes. The public extension was the main source of information. The study recommends among others that the Ministry of Agriculture train farmers on AIV production and marketing and develop trade policy to ensure that retailers purchase vegetables from certified local farmers

Source: UCC