ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Catholic Church and peacemaking in Ghana the role of the Ghana catholic bishop’s conference

This research perceived that the Catholic Church promotes peace because the church has credibility, legitimacy, understanding of the local context, leverage as a spiritual leader and access to various levels of power. With all these attributes, conflict still persists in Ghana. The research aims to reveal how and why the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) makes peace in Ghana. Case study is the research design base on qualitative research approach for this study. Sampling method is theoretical with snow balling procedure. Data collection method is in-depth interview of ten (10) respondents comprising seven (7) bishops, two (2) priests and one (1) lay faithful to make up for primary data. Secondary data is also collected through review of communiqués, press statements and joint statements as well as apostolic letters and encyclicals issued by GCBC. Data analysis is done by thematic analysis. It emerged that the GCBC makes peace because of their divine mandate as baptized Christians, ordained priests and installed bishops. They also make peace because governments’ appoint them to do so. It is also revealed that the bishops make peace through the use of non-violent peacemaking methods such as advocacy, dialogues and mediation. It is recommended that communication must improve using technology, making followups after press releases, monitoring implementation of suggested solutions, government’s joint funding of peacemaking institutions, GCBC should appoint bishop to commissions upon government request and training of the bishops in peacemaking. Another recommendation is that research can be conducted into how and why other Christian denominations and religious organizations promote peace.

Source: UEW
The Catholic Church and peacemaking in Ghana: The role of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference.

This research perceived that the Catholic Church promotes peace because the church has credibility, legitimacy, understanding of the local context, leverage as a spiritual leader and access to various levels of power. With all these attributes, conflict still persists in Ghana. The research aims to reveal how and why the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) makes peace in Ghana. Case study is the research design base on qualitative research approach for this study. Sampling method is theoretical with snow balling procedure. Data collection method is in-depth interview of ten (10) respondents comprising seven (7) bishops, two (2) priests and one (1) lay faithful to make up for primary data. Secondary data is also collected through review of communiqués, press statements and joint statements as well as apostolic letters and encyclicals issued by GCBC. Data analysis is done by thematic analysis. It emerged that the GCBC makes peace because of their divine mandate as baptized Christians, ordained priests and installed bishops. They also make peace because governments’ appoint them to do so. It is also revealed that the bishops make peace through the use of non-violent peacemaking methods such as advocacy, dialogues and mediation. It is recommended that communication must improve using technology, making follow ups after press releases, monitoring implementation of suggested solutions, government’s joint funding of peacemaking institutions, GCBC should appoint bishop to commissions upon government request and training of the bishops in peacemaking. Another recommendation is that research can be conducted into how and why other Christian denominations and religious organizations promote peace.

Source: UEW
Causes and effects of examination malpractice in public basic schools at afram plains, Ghana

Examination malpractice has been a major problem in Ghana education sector. This practice lures students into other areas of misconduct, builds false foundation for students, among others. To this effect, the main aim of this study was to examine the causes and effects of Examination malpractice in Kwahu Afram Plains South District. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were put forward; to examine the causes of examination malpractices in Kwahu Afram Plains South District; to identify the effects of examination malpractices in Kwahu Afram Plains South District. The methodology employed quantitative approach with descriptive survey research design where questionnaires were administered through simple random technique in selecting the various professionals needed for this study. The targeted population was 365 students and 85 teachers from three (3) selected schools in Kwahu Afram Plains South District. The sample size of the study was 60 with 34 students and 26 teachers. All the 60 Questionnaires administered were retrieved. The questionnaires were scrutinized by the supervisor to ensure its validity and also the instrument was found to be viable, it measures the determinants influencing the examination malpractice in Ghana. The data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics while RII ranking technique was used in ranking the various determinants. The findings depicted that, the critical determinants which causes examination malpractices in Kwahu Afram Plains are; Desire to pass and fear of failure. The study also depicted that some of the major effects of examination malpractices are; builds false foundation for students who engage in it, and defeat the goals of education. The research recommended that, the government and school administrators should constantly organize seminars and workshops to educate the students, lecturers, parents and even the administrators on the consequences of examination malpractice.

Source: UEW
The causes and effects of indiscipline on academic performance of pupils in Bosore MA Primary School

Indiscipline in schools in Ghana is a concern to policy makers, administrators, teachers, parents and even students in the country. Most common acts of indiscipline among students include stealing, cheating in examinations, lateness to school and absenteeism. The objective of this study was to investigate the causes and effects of indiscipline among Bosore M/A Primary School in the Kwabre East Municipal of the Ashanti region. The study was guided by five research questions. Descriptive survey design was used. A total of 140 respondents’ made up of teachers and primary pupils were selected through systematic sampling technique. Closed ended questionnaires were used to collect the data from both the teachers and primary pupils made up of class three to class six and teachers. It was found out from the study that watching of films, influence from peers, teacher absenteeism, stealing, broken home, single parenting and poverty are the main causes of indiscipline among primary pupils in the school. The study recommended that teachers should involve primary pupils in the decision making and also act as mentors to counsel pupils so as impart good values to primary pupils. Parents should play active role in nurturing their own children on norms and values in the society.

Source: UEW
The causes of building defects in Apowa in the Ahanta west district of Ghana

The built environment in any country determines the nature and pace of national development and the citizens’ “quality of life”. The aim of this study is to find out the causes of building defects in Apowa in the Ahanta West district of Ghana. The researcher went through journals, books and paper presentations of scholars in the field of study as well as the internet in the form of literature review. An observation of the study area was done for a period to justify the need for the study. Questionnaires were administered and interviews were conducted to landlords of the area and other people engaged in the building industry in the district to get facts and to seek their opinion on the subject. Samples of blocks, soil and sand were taken to the Takoradi Polytechnic Laboratory for testing to ascertain the quality of materials used for the building projects in the area. The study found out that, most clients do not go through the due process in putting up their building structures and the appropriate authorities are not able to punish the culprits. Soil is not tested to ascertain its bearing capacity in to design the appropriate foundation. Most sand for blocks and mortar often contain excessive silt. The water table of the area is high; however, the necessary damp proof materials are not used in the buildings. Blocks used for buildings in the area are substandard. It is recommended that the District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies should enforce the law that regulates the putting up of building structures. Clients should: seek professional advice before putting up the building structure; employ competent personnel to build their houses; use quality materials for their building projects.

Source: UEW
Causes of corruption: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

This study explores the causes of corruption in 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa from 1996 to 2013. The sources of corruption are grouped into three main thematic areas – historical roots, contemporary causes and institutional causes to make way for subjective and objective measures. The subjective measures allow for assessment of the effectiveness of anticorruption policies. Using pooled OLS, fixed-effect and instrumental-variable approaches, and focusing on the perceived level of corruption as the dependent variable, we find that ethnic diversity, resource abundance and educational attainment are markedly less associated with corruption. In contrast, wage levels of bureaucrats and anticorruption measures based on government effectiveness and regulatory quality breed substantial corruption. Press freedom is found to be variedly associated with corruption. On the basis of these findings, we recommend that the fight against corruption on the continent needs to be reinvented through qualitative and assertive institutional reforms. Anticorruption policy decisions should focus on existing educational systems as a conduit for intensifying awareness of the devastating effect of corruption on sustainable national development. Key words: corruption, sustainable development (SD), institutional quality, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), governance

Source: UEW
The causes of delay in health constructional projects and its effect on health delivery of the Ghana Health Service (A case study of the Upper East Region)

Delay and or time overruns are common in health constructional projects in Ghana especially Upper East Region. The project work presents the results of a study conducted to identify and evaluate the severity and importance of the major factors contributing to delay in Health constructional projects of the Ghana Health Service. The respondents of the survey conducted included personnel from clients/owners, consultants and contractors involved in health constructional projects in the upper east region of Ghana. The results of the study revealed the main causes of delay of health constructional projects in the upper east of Ghana included: Poor Contract Management, Poor Technical Performance, Escalation of Material prices, Inflation, Additional works, Deficiencies in cost Estimates Prepared, material procurement, and Cash flow during construction, monthly payment difficulties and price fluctuations. Design changes, planning and scheduling deficiencies, Low bid, Mistakes during construction and designing. Other factors that emerged clearly though not very important, but of interest, were bad weather Ground problems, unexpected natural conditions, late delivery of materials and equipment and Imported materials. These are the natural factors. It is therefore recommended that, effective project planning, coordinating, controlling and monitoring procedures should be recognized to augment the project performance in order to minimize or avoid delay and its associate problems in health constructional projects in the Ghana Health Service.

Source: UEW
Causes of English pronunciation errors among senior high school students_ a case study of Dabala senior high technical school

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that cause poor performance of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination in selected Public Junior High Schools in Mampong Municipality. The objectives of the study were to identify student related factors that contributes to poor performance of students in the BECE, ascertain home conditions responsible for the poor academic achievement of students in BECE and to find out school related issues that contributes to the poor academic performance of students in the BECE in Mampong Municipal. Descriptive survey design was used with closed ended questionnaires to collect data for the study. The targeted population of the study was all the headteachers, teachers and parents of selected Junior High Schools in the Mampong Municipality. A total of 200 headteachers, teachers, students and parents were sampled for the study. Among the main findings were that, there are a lot of factors that contribute to poor performance of students which includes lack of textbooks to cover syllabus, poor revision management, too many extra-curricular activities, poor economic background of parents, low academic background of parents and divorce of parents, teachers’ absence from classes, students’ abuse/humiliation, lack of proper supervision among others. Based on the findings, it is recommended that regular Parents Teacher Association (P.T.A) meeting should be organized to educate parents to honor their responsibilities by providing the learning needs of students that are not provided by the school.

Source: UEW
Causes of indiscipline among students of Mim Senior High School- implications for guidance and counselling

This study was to critically examine indiscipline among Senior High School (SHS) students in Mim; and create awareness on how to reduce indiscipline acts among students in the SHS. The study employed a disruptive survey design. The study comprised 20 students, 20 class teachers and 20 parents who were selected using the simple random sampling technique for the study. The data was collected using questionnaire. Frequency tables and percentages were used to analyse the data. The study indicated that most student disciplinary problems experienced were due to bad peer influence, stealing, lateness to school, absenteeism, and mobile phones. Additionally, the study indicated that indiscipline cases in Mim Senior School in Asunafo North Municipal were fuelled by inadequate guidance and counselling, less involvement of students in co-curricular activities, and indifference to Life Skills Education by both the teachers and students. The study concluded that in order to curb indiscipline in secondary schools, positive approaches need to be implemented fully, since such measures are most likely to yield much better results than the traditional scheme of discipline. The study recommended that school administrations should establish guidance and counselling department and put in place intensive parent – mentoring programs which aim at sensitizing parents on their parental duties

Source: UEW
Causes of indiscipline at Agric Nzema community senior high school in the Kwadaso municipality of the Ashanti region

The purpose of the study was to investigate the cause of indiscipline at Agric Nzema Community Senior High School in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The objectives of the study were to establish the causes of indiscipline in the Senior High School, determine the effect of indiscipline in the Senior High School and to find out coping strategies to deal with indiscipline at Agric Nzema Community Senior High School of the Kwadaso Municipality. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The target population for the study was teachers and students of Agric Nzema Senior High School. The accessible population was 35 teachers and 25 students in Agric Nzema Senior High School. Purposive sampling was used to select all the 60 teachers and students. Questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. All the research questions were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found that students home environment, drug abuse, crime, violence and physical abuse increase in society and lack of participatory decision making caused students’ indiscipline. Students’ indiscipline generated bribery and corruption, and interfered with teaching and learning. It is recommended based on the findings that the Municipal Director of Education should make sure there is sufficient school policy on discipline to mitigate thee canker for effective teaching and learning.

Source: UEW
Causes of low academic performance of Akpafu Odomi basic schools

The study investigated home environmental, school, and teacher factors that had accounted for low BECE performance in Akpafu Odomi JHS, in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region. The study employed a descriptive survey design. Also, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 61 teachers, students and parents who participated in the study. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. Questionnaires were designed for all three categories of participants. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentages. The Study found that parents in the Akpafu Odomi communities engaged their wards in petty trading and farming activities after school which prevented them from studying. Again, it came out from the study that basic schools in the area lacked library facilities. It was, therefore recommended that parents must refrain from engaging student in farming activities and petty trading after school and rather encouraged them to study at home. In the same vein, schools must desist from using students to do menial work during instructional hours in the name of generating income for the school. Also, Stakeholders of education must build libraries in the communities as well as the schools in order to ensure that students have a place to do their private studies.

Source: UEW
Causes of poor academic performance of students in the junior high schools in Ghana the case of Builsa South District

The study investigated the causes of poor academic performance of students in the junior high schools in the Builsa South District. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the role school environmental factors play in students’ poor academic performance, ascertain the home conditions responsible for the poor academic performance of students, identify teacher factors that contribute to the poor academic performance of students and to identify students characteristics responsible for the poor academic outcome of students in the Junior High Schools in the Builsa South District. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Questionnaire was used for the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed for the study. The study revealed that the environmental factors contributing to students’ poor academic performance are teachers’ absence from classes, lack of proper supervision of students by school management, and inadequate material resources for teaching and learning. For the home, the factors are engaging students in economic activities (trading, farming etc.), poor economic background of students’ parents, and single parenthood/divorced. The teacher related factors are poor/inappropriate teaching methodologies, teacher lateness to school on regular basis, and teacher inability to complete scheme of work (syllabus). Finally, the students’ characteristics are poor revision management by students, truancy, and lack of self-motivation. It is recommended that regular sensitization meetings and community non-formal education classes should be organized within communities in the Builsa South to inform parents about the value of education to children, the community and the nation. This would be a way of encouraging them to be active in the Parent Associations as well as other activities in the schools.

Source: UEW
Causes of poor performance in English language and solutions among shs students at Kibi senior high technical school

The study assessed the causes of poor performance in English language among SHS students at Kibi Senior High Technical School. To achieve this, four (4) specific objectives were set to: examine the school environmental factors to the causes of poor performance; analyse teacher related factors that contribute to learners’ poor performance; find out the learner factors that lead to poor performance in English Language in KISHTS; investigate the social factors that contribute to the poor performance of English language in KISHTS. The population for the study included all final year students, teachers of English language, Headmaster and Assistant Headmasters of the school. A sample of 157 respondents was used for the study. Purposive sampling method was used to select Teachers of English Language and Headmasters and random sampling method was used to select the final year students of the school. Data was collected through questionnaire, interviews and observation. The data collected were analysed with the help of SPSS version 20.0 and use of tables, frequencies, charts, graphs. Then, the study found that factors outside the school environment significantly influenced the students’ prospects for academic success in school. Again, the study revealed that classroom activities of teachers, teacher quality, teacher commitment, teacher absenteeism and punctuality and teachers of English not following the prescribed syllabus were considered as teacher related factors that contribute to the poor performance in English Language at KISHTS. Finally, the study also recommended that qualified teachers of English language should always be employed to teach it, adequate facilities and instructional media/materials need to be provided and where they are not available teachers are to improvise, proper supervision by all stakeholders should be embedded and so on.

Source: UEW
The causes of poor performance in mathematics among students in public junior high school in Atiwa West District

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to students’ poor performance in Mathematics in selected public Junior High Schools in Atiwa West District. Purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents from the population for the study. The sample for the study consisted of all form three Junior High School students preparing for the final examination that comprised of 338. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The study adopted the quantitative approach. Questionnaire in the form of five points Likert Scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5) was used to collect data. The Statistical analyses used were mean, standard deviation and percentages. The findings revealed that students strongly agreed that they show no interest in Mathematics class was due to student related factors, the exhibition of poor instructional skills by mathematics teachers were the major factors that affect their performance in Mathematics. Based on these findings it was recommended that Ministry of Education either directly or through its agencies should enhance primary school pupils Mathematics background through inclusion of more introductory Mathematics concepts in the primary Mathematics syllabus and also motivate teachers. Again, there is need to develop a love for mathematics through the setting up of “Mathematics Club” in every Junior High School

Source: UEW