ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Investigating performance indicators disclosure in sustainability reports of large mining companies in Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the degree, contents and trend development of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) performance indicators disclosed in sustainability reports of large mining companies in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis methods are used to analyse 50 sustainability reports of ten large-scale mining companies in Ghana, covering the period 2008-2012. Findings – The study finds that there has been a widening and increasing trend in the disclosure of performance indicators in sustainability reports of the large mining companies in Ghana, in accordance with GRI guidelines. The findings suggest that good progress in the strategic sector has been made in the voluntary adoption of the GRI guidelines to increase transparency, credibility and comparability in sustainability reporting. The findings also indicate areas to be improved. Practical implications – The Government of Ghana and the Ghana Chamber of Mines could learn from the findings about the current status of this matter in order for them to formulate policies and regulations which would encourage the mining sector in moving forward in the adoption of international reporting standards. Originality/value – This paper initializes investigation into the degree, contents and trends of performance indicators in sustainability reports of large mining companies in Ghana using content analysis.

Source: UCC
Investigating problems associted with communication modes in the education of children with hearing impairment in Ghana

This study used descriptive survey to identify the problems with communication used in the education of children with hearing impairment in Ghana. The sample for the study was made up of 212 respondents from 4 randomly led Special Schools for the Deaf. This consisted of 4 head teachers, 48 teachers of deaf, 120 hearing impaired students and 40 parents of the hearing impaired. The purposive, simple random and convenience sampling techniques were used to select the participants for the study. Eight research questions were formulated to guide the study. Two sets of questionnaires for teachers and hearing impaired students and two interview guides for headteachers and parents were the instruments used. Frequencies and percentages were also employed to analyse the responses given. The major problems identified by the study are lumping together of all categories of hearing impaired students in the schools designated as schools for the deaf, inadequate pre- service and in- service training for teachers of the deaf. It was recommended among other things that the Ministry of Education, National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE) and the University of Education, Winneba should come together to review and revise the training curriculum to intensify the pre- service training of teachers of the deaf to make them well equiped to communicate effectively with the deaf students they teach. Finally, frequent in-service training should be organized for teachers to upgrade their knowledge and skills in teaching the hearing impaired.

Source: UCC
Investigating the Benefits of Incorporating Technology in Instructional Curriculum: Pre-Service Teachers’ Perspectives from Ghana

The use of technology has gained worldwide recognition in all professions. Teachers have resorted to several technology tools to enhance the work they do in the classroom and to facilitate the understanding of what they teach their students to enhance easy recall and for students to remember what they learn in class. The use of technology tools in the classroom in Ghana has not received much attention from teachers because of challenges with respect to technological infrastructural development. However, with the inclusion of technology in the teacher colleges of education curriculum, new teachers are being trained to incorporate technology into classroom instruction to change the face of teaching and make learners more eager to learn by bringing the understanding of concepts much more clearly to students. The study adopted a mixed method approach to bring to light, the perspectives of teacher trainees and tutors in colleges on the benefits both the teacher and the learner stand to gain in using technologies to deliver instruction in the classroom. It came to light that although there are challenges pre-service teachers tend to face in terms of access to such technologies, they still do their best to include technologies in their lessons whenever possible. This is because of the fact that learners tend to do well on instruction received on lessons delivered using technology as compared to lessons delivered without using technology based on their experience in using both approaches in the classroom.

Source: UCC
Investigating the dynamics and drivers of extreme rainfall in Ghana

Daily rainfall data from Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) rain gauge network was analysed to identify extreme rainfall events in Ghana. The data was first processed in order to remove all errors in the observational time series prior to analysis. The data was then analysed by excluding all rainfall events, which fell below a pre-determined threshold in order to identify extreme rainfall event days and non-extreme event days. Inter-annual variability and trends of annual precipitation totals in Ghana are analyzed considering different gridded observational and ERA-Interim re-analysis products. The spatial and temporal distribution of the different rainfall seasons (wet and dry) over Ghana was analyzed in the period 1988-2014. The total annual precipitation as well as extreme precipitation showed a general shift towards a wet climate in the study area. Most of the variables analysed, specific humidity and horizontal moisture flux during extreme and nonextreme events showed significant differences. These are the key variables when describing climatological differences between extremes and nonextremes. The surface specific humidity distribution has relatively higher values during extreme events than the non-extreme events. The transport of moisture flux along the boundary layer at 850 hPa shows a more westward transport in wet seasons. The extreme events are favoured by southwesterly wind flow and stronger northeasterly winds as compared with the non-extreme events

Source: UCC
Investigating The Eating Patterns Of Junior High School Adolescents In The Mfantseman Municipality

The purpose of the study was to investigate the nutritional status of Junior High School (JHS) adolescents in Saltpond Township of the Mfantseman Municipality. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The study employed a quantitative approach with a descriptive survey research design. A simple random sampling was used to select six schools from ten schools and Purposive sampling was used to select 289 participants comprising 102 males and 187 females. A closed ended questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The data was analysed with descriptive statistics (frequency counts and percentages), inferential statistics (two sample t-test) whiles some data was presented in pictorial form (bar chart). The study found that JHS adolescents in Saltpond Township did not eat balanced diet; they had inconsistent meal patterns; they had negative dietary preferences; there was no statistically significant difference between the gender of JHS adolescents in Saltpond Township and their balanced diet intake; and there was no statistically significant difference between gender and the dietary preferences of JHS adolescents. The study recommended that parents should make a conscious effort to provide balanced meal for their wards when they are going to school; parents should provide adequate financial resources to cater the balanced and full meal provision of their adolescent children; teachers should create awareness on the nutritional needs of adolescents; and teachers should educate adolescents on the harmful effects that the adopted negative dietary preferences have on their life now and in the later years.

Source: UCC
Investigating the Effect of El-nino and La-nina on Precipitation in the Coastal Belts of Ghana

ABSTRACT The research is carried out to investigate the effect of El Nino and La Nina events of oceans and seas on the rainfall of the coastal belts of Ghana. The study is done by analysing the global Oceanic Nino Indices (ONI) and the Southern Oscillation Indices (SOI) over a thirty-year period. The result of these global indices are then compared to the annual mean rainfall for five different major coastal towns in Ghana. The five towns used for the research include Accra, Tema, Ada, Saltpond and Takoradi for the period 1986 to 2015. The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The annual rainfall values for thirty-years in each of the five major coastal towns of Ghana and the global indices are used to identify the El Nino and La Nina years over the thirty-year climatological period. The effect of ONI and SOI values of the coast on mean annual and monthly rainfall are determined using Microsoft Excel and R-program to plot graphs. The analysis showed that the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events contribute to a variation of rainfall in the coastal sectors of Ghana. The effect of El Nino Southern Oscillations events on the rainfall along the coastal belts of Ghana do not provide a consistent trend for accurate prediction. It was however noted in the research that all five study stations recorded a slightly higher amount of both monthly and annual rainfall during the La Nina regimes.

Source: UCC
Investigating the Effect of Inflation Rate and Interest Rate on Stock Performance in Ghana (2008-2017)

The performance of the stock market has been empirically established as an important element for economic growth. In Ghana variations in macroeconomic indicators affect the performance of stocks. Moreover the mechanisms have not been widely studied. The study seeks to address whether macroeconomic indicators have significant influence on the stock market returns within the specified period. The study in using the stock returns as a proxy for the stock performance seeks to use causal research design to examine the effect of inflation rate and the interest rate on stock performance between the period 2008 and 2017. Within this time frame, in plotting the graph at the preliminary stages to establish the relationships between the proxy and the other two main variables (interest and inflation rates) annual data was used as a result of the minute changes in the monthly data but in running the regression monthly data was used in order to have enough data points. This study used time series data and secondary data from the world development indicators of the World Bank. A dynamic OLS regression technique was employed in analysing the data. The study established that, interest rate have a positive and statistically significant effect on stock performance. Per the results, a negative and statistically significant effect of inflation on stock performance is observed. Again, a positive effect of GDP on stock performance which is also statistically insignificant was established. Furthermore, exchange rate exhibited a positive and statistically significant effect on stock performance. The study therefore recommends that, the Central Bank must strive to maintain the interest rate, exchange rate and inflation rate at low levels to improve stock performance. High inflation rates erode investments especially real interest rates. The outcome of the study concluded that, within the ten year period, interest rate and stock performance had a positive relationship whiles inflation rate and stock performance had a negative relationship.

Source: UCC
Investigating the Effectiveness of Withholding Tax Laws and Regulations Enforcement Within Bolgatanga Municipality

ABSTRACT The study investigated the effectiveness of withholding tax laws and regulations enforcement within Bolgatanga Municipality. Methods were applied that included both quantitative as well as qualitative methods. There were 185 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Bolgatanga Municipal selected to participate in the research using a simple random sample approach Another method was used to choose seven withholding tax agents and two GRA officials. The major data source was a questionnaire. Statistical software called as Statistical Product for Service Solution was used to analyse the survey data, which included percentages, frequencies and mean and standard deviations. Rather of relying on interview instructions, theme analysis was employed to analyse the qualitative data acquired. According to the research, respondents saw withholding tax as a hardship or a high tax that would deter them from starting or expanding their firms. In addition, there was a lack of public knowledge about withholding taxes and a bad relationship between tax officials and recipients. Bolgatanga's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are unfamiliar with withholding tax. Accurate withholding tax collection may be hindered by a lack of education on withholding tax, the GRA office being distant from the taxpaying public, the high illiteracy rate among merchants and the difficulties in identifying taxpaying public. Training workshops or seminars or conferences for the taxpaying public on withholding tax are advised by GRA authorities in order to educate and teach taxpaying public on how to calculate it, submit it, the difference between withholding tax and VAT among other issues.

Source: UCC
Investigating the effects of occupational stress on the job performance of academic staff of College of Distance Education, university of Cape Coast

The purpose of this study was to investigating the effects of occupational stress on the job performance of academic staff of College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana. The study adopted a sequential explanatory mixed method research design. The population comprised all teaching staff at CoDE. A quota sampling of twenty (20) academic staff was selected for the quantitative data whiles purposive sampling was used to select ten (10) participants for the qualitative data. The main data collection instruments used were questionnaires and a semi-structured interview guide. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) was used to analyse the quantitative data whiles the qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that work make full use of their skills and abilities as well their workload is too heavy to be completed during their ordinary working hours as the main causes of occupational stress experienced by the academic staff at CoDE. Also, the experience of constant inner tension; constant fatigue; pounding of heart; high blood pressure at the alarming stage as a symptom of occupational stress. Furthermore, the experience of depression; experience of migraine and anxiety as their psychological effects; feeling of helplessness and easily getting angry as their social/behavioural effects as well as experience of musculoskeletal disorder; experience of regular cold and flu and chest pains as their physiological effects of occupational stress among academic staff of CoDE in the University of Cape Coast. It is recommended that academic staff of CoDE should be made to undertake a compulsory medical examination at a regular interval to help detect the alarming stage of stress before it escalates into the exhaustive stage.

Source: UCC
Investigating the Fidelity of Implementation of Senior High School Integrated Science Curriculum n Ghana

Science teachers hold a pivotal role in the educational system, serving as the bridge through which science curriculum is brought to life within the classroom. Among the myriad of responsibilities, they bear, one critical component is ensuring the faithful implementation of the science curriculum. This research, therefore, investigated Senior High School (SHS) science teachers’ fidelity of the science curriculum in Ghana. A total of 189 teachers from the Takoradi Metropolis in Ghana's Western Region participated in the study. Data collection methods included the use of questionnaires, observational checklists, and semi- structured interviews, allowing for a comprehensive blend of qualitative and quantitative data. Data analysis involved calculating frequency and percentages, employing Chi-Square tests, and conducting thematic analyses. The results showed that Ghanaian SHS Integrated Science teachers do not implement the Integrated Science curriculum with fidelity. Key factors contributing to this deviation include a scarcity of teaching and learning resources, overcrowded classrooms, and time constraints. Consequently, the research recommends that the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and educational stakeholders allocate adequate funding to schools for the provision of necessary teaching materials and the construction of additional classroom facilities.

Source: UCC
Investigating the Influence of Senior High School Students' Affective Variables and Teacher-Student Relationship on Student Performance in Mathematics in the Cape Coast Metropolis

A total of 3,342 Form Two students from 69 intact classes were randomly chosen along with their 57 teachers from the ten public Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The students and their teachers were engaged to investigate the influence of student anxiety, student attitude, student motivation and teacher- student relationship jointly and individually. The response rates for students and teachers were 77% and 86% respectively, indicating that 2,575 students and 49 teachers participated in the study. This research followed a mixed methods design. The data collected from quantitative sources were analysed using inferential statistics and frequency counts. While those collected from interviews were analysed qualitatively and presented as narrative with some examples. Findings revealed that the variables; student anxiety, student attitude, student motivation and teacher-student relationship jointly explained 18% of the variance in achievement scores and attitude emerged as a salient predictors of student achievement in mathematics. All the variables made statistically significant contributions to predicting achievement scores. In addition, the sub constructs of the four variables collectively explained 44% of the variance in achievement scores. It is recommended that the schools should facilitate in-service training for their mathematics teachers on the impact of affective variables on student Performance in mathematics. Likewise, students should be engaged in debates on the influence of affective variables on learning generally to create awareness on the effect of affective variables on the learning of mathematics in particular.

Source: UCC
Investigating the performance of senior high school students in biology practical work

This study was carried out to investigate the performance of senior high school students in biology practical work in the Ledzokuku Municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The mixed method approach was used and the design used was sequential explanatory design. A sample of 90 senior high school form 2 (SHS2) elective biology students randomly drawn from three public senior high schools were used for the study. The study was guided by three research questions and two research hypotheses. The Biology Practical Performance Test (BPPT) developed by the researcher and semi-structured interview guide were used for the data collection. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and independent sample t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The results of interview were transcribed and analyzed thematically. The results showed that majority of the elective biology students performed below average in biology practical test. It was also seen that there was a significant difference in the performance of students in the tasks assigned to students during practical work. It was seen that students performed above average in Habitat task, averagely in Observation task and below average in Adaptation task, Drawing task and Classification task. The study also showed that there is no significant difference in the performance of males and females in biology practical work as measured by the Biology Practical Performance Test (BPPT). It was recommended that biology teachers should take students through a lot of practical activities to help improve students’ performance in practical work.

Source: UCC
Investigating the relationship between leadership styles of headteachers of basic schools and school climate in the Ahafo Ano north district

This study is a descriptive survey, which sought to investigate the relationship between leadership styles of basic schools head teachers and school climate in Ahafo Ano North District. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. A total of 90 respondents, comprising 18 head teachers and 72 head teachers in the Ahafo Ano north district were involved in the study. The main research instrument used to collect data was questionnaire. The study revealed, among other, that the males dominate in leadership positions as head teachers, males are found to play active roles in leadership and administrative positions than their female counterparts. Furthermore, head teachers exhibit authoritarian and controlling leadership style. This means teachers and pupils views are not taken into consideration in the running of the school. Also, leadership styles are perceived differently by both the leader and the followers. While the head teachers see themselves as democratic, most of the teachers perceived them otherwise. Recommendations made include; Ghana education service should make efforts to increase the number of women who hold positions as head teachers. Head teachers as leaders should be able to study the behavior of their teaching staff so as to know how to deal with them, effective monitoring should be done by the GES on the type of leadership styles prevailing in basic schools and there should be atmospheres devoid of favoritism and nepotism. Teachers should be allowed to operate freely based on competence and knowledge.

Source: UCC
Investigating The State of Psychological and Social Wellbeing of Senior High School Students in the Cape Coast Metropolis During Covid-19 Pandemic

The aim of the research was to examine the social and psychological health of Cape Coast City Senior High School (SHS) students during the COVID-19 epidemic.The self-efficacy theory was used to determine and comprehend the elements that contributed to the students' changing behavior. Information about the state of the phenomenon was gathered using a descriptive survey approach. Form 2 and 3 pupils from Academy of Christ the King SHS, Mfantispem, Wesley Girls, Efutu, and University Practice SHS made up the target population. Out of the 8,876 students in the Cape Coast Metropolis, 378 SHS students were selected as a sample. According to the study, when the responders learned about the COVID-19 epidemic, they did not have nightmares. Nonetheless, over 50% of those surveyed said that they experienced sadness when acquaintances or family members contracted COVID-19. The results of the investigation showed that respondents' psychological health was unaffected since they had heard about the COVID-19 epidemic before it started in Ghana. It is consequently advised that school counselors set up programs to deal with these difficulties, as adolescents were depressed over their families' COVID-19 infections.

Source: UCC