ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A study of the newspaper reading habits of members of the debaters’ club of Okuapemman school.

This study sought to find out the newspaper reading habits of the debaters’ club of Okuapemman School, Akropong-Akuapem. Three theories, namely, the Uses and Gratification Theory, Dependency Theory and Sense-Making Theory; underpinned this qualitative study. Purposive sampling and convenient sampling techniques were used to select participants for the study. Observation, Semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions were used to obtain data for this study. In all, twelve (12) students of Okuapemman School were purposively and conveniently selected. Four (4) participants were interviewed and the eight (8) taken through the focus group discussion. The study revealed that members of the school’s debaters’ club had varied newspaper reading habits (styles). They engaged in silent reading when at the school’s library or may engaged in reading aloud if they had the opportunity to read newspapers outside the library or at home. Finally, the study showed that the students could not be described as habitual readers of newspapers so much efforts must be made to sensitize students on the importance of newspapers in education, and the need to develop good newspaper reading habits as well as overall reading.

Source: UEW
A study of the rate of price increase of building materials in Ghana

The cost of building materials poses a significant threat to the construction industry and construction professionals. This research set out to study the rate of price increase of building materials on the Ghanaian construction market by examining the trend of price increase, developing price indices for some selected building materials, determining the causes of price increase of building materials and identifying the factors that influence pricing decisions when determining the final level of building material prices. Data were collected from 32 contractors, 33 building material suppliers and 30 quantity surveyors through selfcompletion questionnaire. Prices of selected building materials spanning from years 2011 to 2016 were obtained from the Public Procurement Board, Ghana for studying the trend of prices increase and also for development of price indices. Comparative analysis was used for studying the trend and the research made use of factor analysis in deriving the main factors that influence pricing strategies. It was found that building materials prices keep increasing year after year, which was caused by crude oil prices, energy cost, local taxes and charges, and cost of fuel and power supply. Economic factors, market conditions, environmental factors, political factors, producer related factors and production related conditions were found to be the factors that influence the choice of pricing decisions. The study therefore concludes that the prices of building materials keep increasing and if measures are not taken to control the causes, future prices are expected to escalate. It is recommended that drastic steps should be taken by the government to control the factors that cause the increase in the prices of building materials on the Ghanaian construction market.

Source: UEW
A study of the role of female educational leaders in the promotion of girl child education in the Builsa South District

This research was envisioned to study the role of female educational leaders in the promotion of girl-child education in the Builsa South District. The objectives of the study were to find out factors that affect girl’s education in Builsa South District, determine the nature of girl’s education in Builsa South District and to establish roles female educational leaders play to promote girl’s education in the study area. The study used questionnaire and an interview guide to collect data. The population of the study comprised female educational leaders in the Builsa South District. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 30 respondents for the study. It emerged from the study that socio-economic factors such as parental income, parental occupation, level of parents’ education and child labour were factors affecting girl-child education. Further, the study revealed that socio-cultural factors such as early marriage, parental attitudes towards girl-child education, and teenage pregnancy affect girl-child education. Again cost of schooling, irrelevant curricula, and teacher pupil interaction were school-related factors affecting girl-child education. Also the nature of girl-child education was that more boys are in school than girl-child. The roles female education leaders must play to promote girl-child education were the provision of the needed support, psychological support, and moral and spiritual support. Based on the findings it is recommended that Parents and guardian should be educated and be reminded of their primary responsibility in caring for and ensuring that their children especially the girl-child obtain minimum formal education.

Source: UEW
A study of the use of homophones among students of St. Anthony of Padua Senior High Technical School, Bamboi

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of homophones among students of St. Anthony of Padua S. H. T. S. during their attempt in writing. To realize this dream, the researcher employed three different tasks and presented to students. The tasks are dictation, fill-in-the-blank and essay task as the main data collection instruments. Interviews were also conducted with teachers of the students to get insight into how their students use homophones in their writing. Simple random sampling was used to select 200 students to participate in the study out of the total population of 393 students of forms two and three. The data was analyzed by using tables and diagrams to illustrate the percentages. Frequency tables were used to present the findings. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents acknowledge the importance of homophones in students writing. Their purpose for using homophones correctly included acquiring knowledge, learning new things, improving their vocabulary and grades, passing examination and attaining eloquence. The human resources and materials for teaching should be retooled to meet the current criteria of students’ performance. The analysis also suggests that although students could produce and recognize homophones, it is not in all instances that they used them appropriately. Based on the findings, it is argued that when students are presented with the context of homophone use, errors committed in selection and production of these words may be minimized.

Source: UEW
A study of the zongo imamship conflict in Nandom

The purpose of this research was to understand the Zongo conflict in Nandom by exploring the dynamics involved, the actors involved and the threats to the resolution of the conflict. The study was approached qualitatively and designed as a case study. A total of ten (10) key informants participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and observation. Data was analysed using thematic template analysis. The study unearthed that the illness of the Imam and his vice which created a position vacancy of the Imamship as the immediate cause of the conflict. The conflict degenerated into fierce struggle over the Imamship and disagreement over choice of candidates, introduction of ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ rethoric, as well as use of abusive language and attacks caused the conflict among the orthodox Muslims in the Nandom Zongo community. The study revealed that the conflict has strong socio-political, economic, security and religious implications on the Zongo community. The study further found that apart from the primary conflict parties, there were state actors, traditional actors, group actors and independent actors in the conflict. The dynamics of the conflict were informed by the grievances of the conflict parties, actor interaction and conflict parties’ commitment to the conflict. Threats to the resolution of the conflict exist at system level, actor level and traditional level. The study recommended that trust and confidence building in conflict parties by intervening parties should be ensured, politics should be decoupled from the conflict, there should be non-interference of political figures in the conflict, sensitization of the Zongo people on the need to be peaceful should be carried out by third parties mediating the Zongo conflict and continuous security surveillance of the Zongo community should be ensured. The study contributes to the understanding of conflict dynamics and actor interaction in conflict processes.

Source: UEW
Study of two-dimensional boundary layer thin film fluid flow with variable thermo-physical properties in three dimensions space

The conversion of study in two dimensional (x, y) medium into three dimensions space (x, y, z) of a magnetohydrodynamic mixed convective heat and mass transfer boundary layer flow of a thin film second-grade fluid with temperature dependent viscosity and thermal conductivity in the presence of thermal radiation and viscous dissipation past a stretching sheet is analyzed. The occurrence of Hall current in two dimensional (x, y) medium produces a force in z-direction which generates a cross flow in that direction and so the motion is made in three dimensions space (x, y, z). Similarity transformations are used and the transformed system of equations of the problem has been solved by utilizing homotopy analysis method. The salient impacts of the emerging parameters on velocities, temperature and concentration fields have been displayed graphically and illustrated. � 2018 Author(s).

Source: UEW
Study on spousal conflict and human rights nexus abuse against men in Tema community two and its environs

A DISSERTATION IN THE CENTRE FOR CONFLICT, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE STUDIES, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS

Source: UEW
A study on the influence of reading on students academic achievements

Reading is an essential skill that every child of school age should acquire. The reason is that students who are able to read very well and understand what is read often perform better academically than their counterparts who struggle to read. This clearly demonstrates that there is a very close relationship between reading and academic performance. Hence the researcher’s interest to investigate how reading influences the academic performance of students, especially some first year students of Kanton Senior High School. To investigate the topic, the researcher conducted test, interviews and also made personal observations. The purposive sampling technique of the non-probability sampling approach was used to sample the population for the study. The study population of twenty-five (25) students was sampled through personal observation the researcher made on students reading in the classroom. Three (3) teachers from the Department of Languages were also selected for the study. Two (2) interview guides were prepared, one for the students and the other one for the teachers. A comprehension passage was equally given to the students to read and answer questions on it. Multiple choice and open-ended questions were designed in accordance with recall, comprehension, analysis and synthesis steps for the students to work on. The data gathered were analyzed and results converted into percentages and tabulated. Findings were made and conclusions drawn.

Source: UEW
Study on the inner flow mechanisms and unsteady force distribution of side channel pump

Stability dynamics in pumps is a key problematic issue which needs to be critically looked at. For instance, in side channel pump, pressure fluctuations and unsteady forces characteristics are inevitable in the clearances and this strongly affects the flow and pressure stability. Therefore, the research work herein seeks to numerically investigate the pressure fluctuation intensity in the clearances and characterize the axial and radial forces distributions around the impeller under different blade suction angles. Three impeller schemes 1, 2, and 3 are modeled with blade suction angles 10�, 20�, and 30�, respectively. Based on the reliable standard SST k-? turbulent flow model, the unsteady flow state of the side channel pump was obtained by numerical simulation and further verified by experiment results. Variations in amplitude and frequency at different monitoring points in the clearances were observed in both time and frequency domain for each impeller scheme. The findings elucidate that pressure fluctuation intensity in the clearances is significantly different for all the impeller schemes. Obvious asymmetrical distribution of fluctuation magnitudes was noticeable in the axial and radial clearance. Generally, the amplitude of pressure fluctuation intensity of impeller scheme 1 and 2 is substantially reduced compared to impeller scheme 3. Also, impeller scheme 1 exerts the smallest magnitude of axial and radial force. However, when the pump operates under impeller scheme 3, the amplitude of the forces increases significantly. This study provides a solid foundation for the reduction of pressure fluctuations, vibration, and noise performance in side channel pumps. � IMechE 2022.

Source: UEW
A study on the use of helmets by motorcycle riders in the Nsawkaw district in the Brong Ahafo region

The use of motorcycles is on the increase all over Ghana especially in the Nsawkaw District, even now as a means of public commercial transport. Wearing of helmets is one way of preventing head injuries but the practice is low in developing countries. This study investigated the use of motorcycle helmets by motorcyclists in the Nsawkaw District in the Brong Ahafo Region. Data was collected from 95 motorcyclist using the convenience sampling technique. The results indicated that most of the motorcycle riders were not licensed nor were the motorcycles properly registered. Even though cyclists were aware that helmets could save their lives in times of accident, the use of crash helmets were not regular and the laws on the use of helmets is not enforced to the letter. Young men and very experienced cyclists mostly avoid the use of helmets attributing it to impeding vision and hearing, neck injury and loss of hair and the fact that helmets have their limits in saving life most especially when there are fake helmets in the Ghanaian market. It is recommended that educational campaigns and safe cycling courses be targeted at adolescents and the less educated with the educational content focused on graphic, realistic consequences of motorcycle crashes and the effectiveness of helmets in preventing head injuries. Mandatory helmet legislation as a strategy to increase helmet use and promote motorcyclists safety in Brong Ahafo Region is clearly warranted whilst law enforcing agencies especially the police ensure that riders put on crash helmets, carry valid licenses and that the motorcycles are registered and insured. Non-Governmental Organisations and traditional authorities should help increase road safety awareness, especially on the use of crash helmets, since they could help with dissemination of information at the grass root leve

Source: UEW
A study on visual aesthetics and aural techniques usage in television (TV) political campaign advertisements during Ghana’s 2016 presidential elections

The study examined the use of visual aesthetic and aural techniques as used in television (TV) political campaign ads during Ghana’s 2016 presidential elections. The study employed the framing and priming theories. A content analysis of the TV ads revealed the use of camera and its movements, close-up shots, bird-eye shots, special effects, picture distortion, sound, vocal delivery, pacing, colour, voice delivery in congruency, music and graphics as the components that were used in the television ads studied. The study further showed that the six (6) ads were presented through the themes of persuasion, consistency, religion and appeal. The study also revealed that the two political parties based their ads on pertinent social issues with the strategic and technical application of visual aesthetics components and aural techniques to effectively communicate their messages. All the ads tried to attain either a positive or a negative effect on the viewers or electorates giving viewers the opportunity to evaluate and make voting decisions. The study recommends that, in future, ad creators for political parties should include the participation of prospective voters during production stage to enable them share their views on the application of visual and aural techniques in the ads.

Source: UEW
Studying the Impacts of the Renewable Energy Integration in Telecommunication Systems: A Case Study in Lome

The green energy is foreseen to be a prominent resource to abate the rate of the dioxide of carbon. The technique of the switching off transmission nodes in the absence of requested service has addressed (projected) the research to reduce their energy consumption and carbon dioxide footprint. A transmission node has two kinds of circuits: transmission and non-transmission. The non-transmission circuit takes into account the treatment, cooling, energy conversion and room lighting systems. The transmission circuit supports the amplification and power supply system of the transceivers. A clean direct continues energy supply source could be used to power these telecommunications� equipment in order to reduce the unnecessary conversion, and reduce power losses that are resulted. The consumption of the static power of the microcells is normally low. However, for a fixed telecommunication system, this energy consumption is present at the access network level. This article evaluates the impact of the renewable energy integration (REI) in telecommunication systems. It intends further to promote the introduction of the green energy and the reduction of power consumption by the switchover into the sleep mode of the transmission nodes based on the threshold of the active number of users in a service perimeter. Radio parameters of a LTE system are considered with some heterogeneous cells. A multitask optimization problem is formulated by assuming Gaussian random transmission of mobile users. A resolution with Pareto optimum front methods is used. The partial results indicate a shrink when the idle users are more than the active ones. However, the right hand plane shows the feasible solutions with a positive energy efficiency value. � 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Source: UEW
Subject and non-subject ex-situ focus in Dagbani

This paper offers a description and account of the patterns of ex-situ focus in Dagbani. We show that there are two syntactic strategies for creating ex-situ focus in the language, one involving A'-movement to the left periphery, and the second involving base generation in the left periphery combined with coreference to a resumptive pronoun. Furthermore, we argue that subjects are difficult to move from Spec,TP to Spec,CP in the left-periphery because of anti-locality, which creates a tension when trying to focus subjects, which are required to derivationally fill the specifier of both positions. We further show that what looks to be a two-way distinction between the behaviour of subjects and non-subjects in the language is in fact a three-way distinction between subjects that are focussed to a local left-periphery, subjects that are focussed to a non-local left-periphery, and non-subjects. These distinctions arise due to there being two methods for Dagbani to resolve the antilocality problem of subject movement, and so local subjects solve the problem differently to non-local subjects. � 2019 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.

Source: UEW
Substance abuse among students in Ghanaian second cycle institution A case study in Apam Senior High School

The purpose of the study was to explore the phenomenon of substance abuse among students in Ghanaian Second Cycle institutions with focus on Apam Senior High School. The population for this study comprised students in Apam Senior High School. The study adopted a mixed-method approach and descriptive survey design. A sample of 246 students were selected for the study. questionnaire and interview guide were used for data collection. The scores of each item on the questionnaire was organized, statistically compiled and entered into SPSS to obtain the frequency, percentage and the mean and standard deviation values of each item. The interview data was analysed using thematic analyses approach. The study revealed that students of Apam Senior High School abused various substances which include liquid and solid substances. The liquid substances include both local and exotic imported alcoholic beverages such as akpeteshie, palmwine, Guinness, beer, dry gin among others. The study pointed out that peer pressure, poor parental control, energy from drugs to study for more hours, curiosity and availability of drugs were reasons why the students of Apam Senior High School abuse substance. The study also revealed that the adverse Socio– economic effects associated with substances abuse among students of Apam Senior High School were immoral behaviour, mental disorder, Physical deficiencies, Crime and violence and Substance abuse undermines student’s academic ability. The study recommended that through PTA, parents should be encouraged to become involved in broad preventive efforts; they have a crucial role to play in preventing drug abuse among their children through their role as parents. The district through District Education Oversight Committee (DEOC) Members should encourage parents to take active role in their children’s lives, by talking with them about drugs, monitoring their activities, get to know their playmates, showing concerns to their problems, and attending PTAs to interacts with their wards teachers. The school counselling coordinator should engage students to involve themselves in various academic and sporting activities.

Source: UEW
Substance abuse by women in Pungu and its implications for their socio-economic lives.

This research set out to investigate substance abuse by women in Pungu in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of Ghana and its implications on their socio-economic lives. The study used the qualitative research approach and phenomenological design. The snowball sampling technique was used to collect data from twenty-two (22) respondents. The data collection tools were the interview guide, observation and focus group discussions. The data was then analysed thematically. The study findings indicated that poverty, lack of social support, the availability of prohibited substances were the main causes of substance abuse. The findings further revealed that the usage of substances had severe impacts on women’s income-generating activities and household responsibilities. The study also revealed that the respondents had very little knowledge of services that they could access to help them stop their addiction. The study recommended for the strengthening and enforcement of legislations on the sale and use of substances that impinged on the social and economic lives of people. At the community level, the study recommended that traditional rulers should explore opportunities such as annual festivals and radio programmes to campaign against substance abuse whilst using taboos to sanction people who promote the use of banned substances in their communities.

Source: UEW