ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Arm and leg motor impairment after stroke rehabilitation: relation to participation restriction in the Tamale Metropolitan Area

Residual arm and leg motor impairment persist in post-stroke patients despite rehabilitation. This motor impairment is further translated to participation restriction which impacts negatively on affected individuals’ quality of life. To examine the relationship between arm and leg motor impairment and participation restriction post rehabilitation in stroke survivors. 102 post-stroke participants from the Tamale Metropolitan Area who had undergone at least 3 months of rehabilitation completed the study. Upper limb motor assessment was followed by lower limb motor assessment based on the Manual Muscle Test. Levels of participation restriction were measured using the London Handicap Scale. Correlation analyses of motor impairment and participation restriction were done using spearman rank correlation analysis. The mean age of post-stroke participants was 62.08 years (95% CI= 59.77-64.39) with men constituting 67.65% as against 32.35% by women. The spearman rank correlation coefficient between arm motor impairment and participation was 0.8343, depicting a strong positive relationship between the aforementioned variables. The correlation between leg motor impairment and participation yielded 0.8013. Leg motor impairment was discovered to have a stronger relationship with participation restriction compared to arm motor impairment. The strong relationship between limb motor impairment and participation restriction suggests that clinicians and disability experts involved in rehabilitation should take cognizance of the social implication of motor impairment in order to make informed decisions. XII Further to this, arm and leg assistive devices could be useful in reducing the levels of participation restriction in post-stroke patients within the Tamale Metropolis.

Source: KNUST
Art and rites of passage amongst muslims in Asawase

The purpose of this study is to investigate arts and rites of passage amongst Muslims in Asawase. In pursuing this goal, the study focused on describing the various rites of passage of the Muslims in the Asawase community, identifying and writing about the various art forms which are associated with the rites. The study obtained data from 120 respondents from a targeted population of 200 members of Asawase community through the use of interviews and observation. The purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting respondents for the study. The results indicated that, Muslims in the Asawase community use lots of arts in their rites of passages. The study revealed some verbal arts such as Adhan, Taweez and some aspects of performing arts such as rubbing a baby’s tongue with honey, hair shaving, and Murza making; which are all important in their rites of passage. Among the challenges found in performing both the birth and marriage rites were financial burden and the issue of tribalism. To improve the situation in the birth and marriage rites, the researcher recommends that family heads and Islamic authorities must put in place measures that will deter families from going beyond certain reasonable expenditure levels and also follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet and the Qur’an. At the same time, proper education on some of these rites of passage among Muslims and how they are performed must be given to the Muslims in the communities in order to reduce the illiteracy and misconceptions about the teaching of Islamic birth and marriage rites.

Source: KNUST
Art and supernatural protection: a case study of Pampaso

This thesis initially gives an account of the Supernatural protective medicines Practiced at Pampaso with to: (a) identifying and examining the role, importance and influence of art in the protective medicine; (b) examine the relationship between the protective arts and the culture of Pampaso; (c) examining the similarities between the arts of supernatural protection at the village and those of other cultures of the world; and (d) investigating whether the medicine is advantageous or harmful to the people. Apart from the preface, acknowledgements, table of content, list of illustrations, appendix, glossary and the bibliography, the thesis presents five chapters. Chapter one introduces the thesis, dealing with the abstract, title explanation and the ethnographical background of the people. Chapter two account for the protection of Pampaso against misfortunes and epidemics, protection of special children like twins and against gun-shots and matchets, ephasizing on the related arts and taboos. Chapters three and four concern the arts of the said protective medicines. Chapter five discusses pertinent issues and concludes the thesis with observations, suggestions us and recommendations. Each chapter begins with an introduction and apart from the glossary, unfamiliar words are explained whilst foot notes and illustrations further clarify the text. The study reveals that protective medicines, including their arts, are closely related to the culture of Panpaso and that role, importance and influence of art in the medicine are profound. However, the many advantages accruing from the practice are out-weighed by courageous disadvantages. For example, though Pampaso people are courageous, relationship is lacking between them end the surrounding villages since the Pampaso citizens are vindictive. Initially, there were general interests and mess-participation in the medicines but today due to Christianity, socio-economic changes, education and acculturation, the practice has waned with its arts. However, both the art and the medicine may decline or expand in future.

Source: KNUST
Art Appreciation and Criticism in the Secondary Schools (Studies in Selected Schools in Ashanti)

The research sought to find out whether Art Appreciation and as being taught in Ghanaian secondary schools are effective means of helping the students develop their seethe tic experience. It was carried out in sixteen selected schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It was conducted against the background of concern and complaints by some lecturers and students that the misconceptions and negative attitudes to art, even among University students, are the result of ineffective teaching of art, particularly Art Appreciation and Criticism at the Pre - university levels of education. The research methodologies used in the study are the Descriptive Survey and Analytical methods. These involve the description of what goes on in art appreciation lessons in the schools studied. The results were analysed and interpreted. Research tools employed include questionnaire, interviews and personal observations. The scope of the research was limited to the methodology of Art Appreciation in the secondary schools of Ashanti. The choice of a sample population was, however, limited to 28 art teachers and 170 students in the 16 selected schools, Tb. report is presented in five chapters. It includes Table showing the distribution of population studied, the stratification and sample procedure, the distributions and returns of the questionnaire, and the result. Appendices on examples of lesson no tee on Appreciation and Criticism are also given. The main findings of the research indicate that, the teaching methodologies used by the teachers in the teaching of Art Appreciation and Criticism are not effective. Lack of supervision, teaching materials and ether facilities are major oontri1iting factors. The consequence is that Art Appreciation end Criticism in the Secondary schools are not helping the students develop their aesthetic experience, While, the research findings should be of much relevance to all art teachers in our secondary schools end all these concerned with art education, the recommendations should be of particular interest to the personnel of the Ghana Education Service, Headmaster of the various secondary schools and the staff and students Art institutions

Source: KNUST
Art as therapy in Ghana

Art has been of us to humanity for survival from the very beginning of existence on earth. In the Palaeolithic times, use was made of fashioned out stones for farming and hunting, arrows were shot at paintings of animals on cave walls1 ostensibly, to ensure the success of hunting expeditions. In contemporary times art has continued to ne of use to modern medicine especially in the field of therapy. For example, several prostheses have been employed in surgery like plastic veins, limbs and hands. The therapeutic value of art makes it to b widely utilized in medica1 practices of the world. The inherent strengths of art for therapy is least employed in Ghana. This research therefore seeks to bring into sharp focus, the existing therapeutic practice in the country with the view to making suggestions that would help raise awareness to its availability to both the general public and the medica1 practitioners. The descriptive and analytical approach constitutes the main research methods. Use was made of questionnaire and interview as the research instruments. The scope of the research covered some health institutions and institutions for the disabled in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Agoo-Ashanti, Akropong-Akwapim, Koforidua and Wa. The report is made up of six chapters. Chapter one is the introduction to the research. It deals with the problem and its setting. Chapter Two is a review of related literature - opinions shared by different authors on the use of art as therapy. Chapter Three deals with the historical overview of art therapy Chapter Four examines the existing use of art for therapeutic activities in our country’s health institutions as well as those for the disabled. The analysis and interpretation of field data obtained, have been covered in Chapter Five while the last Chapter - Six, deals with summary recommendations and conclusion.

Source: KNUST
Art education as a potential integrating force in the culture of Ghana

This study is an attempt to find answers to some of Ghana’s cultural problems through the medium of art education. Contemporary Ghanaian society is seen as caught between two opposing forces: traditional and Western values. The society appears not to be paying enough attention to its traditional values. Instead, Western norms and values are being blindly adopted with little critical examination. This has created a confusing situation which impedes national progress. The study therefore undertakes to examine the possible causes of these problems, which it identifies as resulting mainly from Western acculturation. It advances the proposal that the solution to problems can be approached through adoption of nature-oriented art programmes in schools. Nature is seen as the basis of Ghanaian traditional culture. Re-establishing the traditional link with nature may open the way to finding solutions to two main problems: 1. the problem of loss of cultural identity. Going back to nature will pave the way to the Ghanaian rediscovering his cultural identity; and 2. the problem of lack of creativity in solving national problems. Going back to nature will form the basis for developing modern technological awareness in the society by directing the attention of the school generation to using the environment creatively, thus initiating meaningful change. The argument is supported with John Dewey’s views on art, nature and pragmatic education. The Bauhaus experience is also cited to support the case for using art as a stepping stone for technological progress. The study continues with the presentation of ideals upon which a nature-centred art programme may be based. A previously tried programme for university-level foundation art is examined and analyzed. It concludes with the presentation of an outline of general principles to be considered in preparing such nature-centred programmes in Ghana. Research is based on the writer’s personal observations and extensive library studies.

Source: KNUST
Art in the life of the Gonja with special reference to the ceremonies at birth, puberty, marriage and death

A close observation of Africa and it societies will reveal that art is at the root of Africa culture and like their religion is their determining principle of Africa life. Like most Africans, art features in the stages of the existence (birth, life and death) of the Gonja. It is no exaggeration, therefore, to say in traditional Gonja, ‘art is life and life is art’. Gonjas are engaged in art in whatever they do – whether it be farming, fishing or hunting, or simply eating, drinking or travelling. Art give meaning and significance to their lives, both in this world and the next. It is hence not an abstraction but a part of a reality and everyday life. It should be apparent then to understand the Gonjas the influence of art on their lives must be fully appreciated. The author of this work is aware of the fact that this has not been the case for there has not been any detailed work done on the art of Gonjas. In trying to portray Art in the life cycle of the Gonja, the very first of such works on the tribe, the author has taken into consideration several things. Firstly, the Gonjas outlook the life; their belief in the Supreme Being, ‘Ebore’, Nature Spirits, magic and witchcraft. The Gonjas are a people who in all things are religious. The author also has taken note of the Pre-Natal belief of the Gonjas; birth, childhood and babyhood. Except for children who were born through the help of the fetish the Gonjas have no formal initiation ceremonies for children into adulthood. In Gonja the training for full membership of the society is a long and continuous process that begins from very early childhood and continues to the time they go into marriage. Thirdly, the author has considered art in the death of the Gonjas with special reference to lepers, pregnant women, and the bloated person, a young baby, the commoner, the sub-chief and the paramount chief. Fourthly, art in the succession of the Gonja paramountcy has attracted the author’s attention. The author has given an insight to the festivals of the Gonjas as well as the joking relationships system in the society. The desire of the author in this work has been to record something of the old tribal discipline and the society’s regard for art now regrettably slowly and surely passing

Source: KNUST
The art of storytelling: a tool for the socio-cultural development of the youth of Ashanti

The purpose of this thesis is to prove that storytelling used to be a powerful method of informal education in Asante. Some people view traditional stories as a collection of funny stories meant for children or merely for entertainment but there is no doubt that there are qualities, values and virtues in Asante’s stories and that they play an invaluable role in the development of their youth. The major theme running through this study is that storytelling has been used to justify rituals of culture with the intent of educating the youth towards acculturation. This is because the Asante have a saying that ‘tete wɔ bi kyerɛ’ to wit ‘the past has a lot to teach the present generation’. The Asante are therefore convinced that storytelling is still relevant to the solution of today’s problems, especially that of the moral decadence of the youth. Thus the present or each future generation stands to benefit from the culture of their ancestors as captured in stories. It has been established that storytelling as practiced by Akan-speaking people of Ghana possesses aesthetic qualities and artistic functions that qualify it to be classified as art and the storyteller as an artist who uses words as his medium of expression. Even among the Asante, it is not everybody who can tell a story because a storyteller requires artistic skills similar to that of an expert painter, dancer or sculptor. Indeed to be a good storyteller one requires imagination and inspiration. The thesis helps us to understand how the ancient Asante, even though he may have been illiterate, possessed these qualities abundantly. The thesis therefore proves beyond doubt what has been mentioned already, that storytelling in Asante is an art. Storytelling has both performing and literary art qualities. It, therefore, helps the lay person to appreciate the fact that there are different forms of art but at the end of it all he play the same role - they inspire, move, satisfy entertain and help in the appreciation of the ethos and soul of a people. It is hoped that the material unearthed shall be of relevance and value to the Ghanaian society as a whole, that is if the nation goes back to one of the powerful tools used by our leaders. The thesis makes it clear that the future of STORYTELLING can be relied on.

Source: KNUST
Art Therapy in Special Needs Education: A Case of Autism in New Horizon Special School in Accra

Inclusive Education (IE) has become very necessary in education today, and the increasing prevalence of cases such as autism and the fear of autistic individuals missing out on quality education to assist them attain their full potential as they get integrated into society cannot be denied. Unfortunately, the Special Educational Needs Policy of Ghana does not include a curriculum for teaching autistic children. Autism schools and teachers in Ghana are compelled to use curriculums that may not suit the needs and learning styles of autistic learners or adopt curriculums of other jurisdictions. This study investigated how autism teachers teach and autistic learners imbibe instructions, and the therapies used at the New Horizon Special School at Cantonments in Accra, Ghana. The study also explored the world and characteristics of autistic learners and how they function, and how the inclusion of Art Therapy as an intervention may be helpful in teaching autistic learners at the New Horizon Special School, as studies have proved its efficacy in this regard. The research being qualitative was quasi￾experimental and descriptive in nature, and adopted observation and interview as data collection instruments. These helped to identify and describe the characteristics of autistic learners at the school, the instructional strategies and existing therapies employed in the school, and their influences or impact on the education of Numeracy and Literacy. It also facilitated the description of Art therapy sessions, processes and outcomes on the behaviour and coping skills of autistic pupils were also described. Purposive, cluster and simple random sampling techniques were adopted for the study; sampling 21 participants comprising 9 autistic pupils each in the senior and junior autism classes, 2 autism teachers and 1 sensory coach. The study identified art therapy as a worthy inclusion in the education of autistic individuals. Therefore, a series of art therapy sessions were conducted for autistic learners in groups and individually during which their behavioural differences were observed. The art of the autistic learners was interpreted for the development of an art therapy inclusive teaching model for autistic individuals. The model was pre-tested and was found to enhance the communication and personality of the autistic learners while improving classroom management. Typically, aggressive and hyperactive pupils had better control of their emotions through art therapy in Numeracy and Literacy education. Therefore, Art therapy was proposed as a worthy intervention in the education of autistic learners at New Horizon Special School

Source: KNUST
Artesunate-Amodiaquine and Artemether Lumefantrine Therapies and Selection of Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 Alleles in Nanoro, Burkina Faso

The adoption of Artemisinin based combination therapies (ACT) constitutes a basic strategy for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, since cases of ACT resistance have been reported in South-East Asia, the need to understand P. falciparum resistance mecha nism to ACT has become a global research goal. The selective pressure of ACT and the possibility that some specific Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 alleles are associated with treatment failures was assessed in a clinical trial comparing ASAQ to AL in Nanoro. Dried blood spots col lected on Day 0 and on the day of recurrent parasitaemia during the 28-day follow-up were analyzed using the restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Pfcrt (codon76) and Pfmdr1 (codons 86, 184, 1034, 1042, and 1246) genes. Multivariate analysis of the relationship between the presence of Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 alleles and treatment outcome was performed. AL and ASAQ exerted opposite trends in selecting Pfcrt K76T and Pfmdr1-N86Y alleles, raising the poten tial beneficial effect of using diverse ACT at the same time as first line treatments to reduce the selective pressure by each treatment regimen. No clear association between the pres ence of Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 alleles carried at baseline and treatment failure was observed

Source: KNUST
Articulating the ultimate objectives of research capacity strengthening programmes: Why this is important and how we might achieve it.

‘Research capacity strengthening’ (RCS) is an umbrella term that can be used to describe a wide variety of activities conducted in support of diverse objectives premised upon distinct, potentially opposing, views. Despite this, the ultimate objective of RCS activities is rarely made explicit which can be problematic when diverse objectives are possible. By ‘ultimate’ objective we are referring to the overarching (often long-term) goal an RCS initiative is intended to contribute towards (e.g. better population health) as opposed to the more immediate ‘proximate’ (often short-term) objectives of any such activity (e.g. improved capacity to undertake infectious disease research). We argue a need for those funding, designing and implementing RCSinitiatives to make clear statements as to the ultimate objective that they foresee their respective initiative contributing towards as well as the proposed pathway and associated assumptions that underlie their approach. Examples of distinct ultimate objectives for RCS initiatives are presented alongside fictitious examples of how they may be transparently reported from both a funder and implementor perspective. Such transparency should be routine within the scope of funding calls for RCS activities (even when such activities are only a minor component of the call), subsequent applications to those calls and any description of an applied RCS activity/ies and/or the associated outcomes thereof. The process of determining one’s ultimate objective will further cause funders and actors to think through their respective initiatives more thoroughly and make informed choices

Source: KNUST