ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Constructivism and mathematics education in Ghana

Mathematics is a subject found in every school Curriculum in almost every country. Here in Ghana, mathematics is a compulsory subject in both the basic education (i.e. primary and junior secondary) and senior secondary curricula. This paper argues that in spite of the desire of mathematics educators in Ghana to pursue a constructivist agenda with regard to the teaching and learning of mathematics, mathematics teachers at the basic and senior secondary levels continue to place undue emphasis on memorisation and 'imitation' rather than understanding and explaining. The difficulties involved in making the switch from the transmission approach to mathematics teaching to activity-based approaches include counteracting the effect of an examination system which encourages rote learning and recall of facts, lack of expertise among teachers of mathematics and teachers' resistance to change

Source: UG
Constructivism in Mathematics Classrooms: Listening to Ghanaian Teachers’ and Students’ Views

One of the challenges of implementing a new curriculum is how to bridge the gap between the underlining principles of the curriculum and the cultural and social orientations of the society which includes teachers and students. This article reports on a study that explored how the cultural and social orientations of teachers and students can influence the implementation of a constructivist curriculum in mathematics classrooms. The data for the study came from 250 students and 41 mathematics teachers, using questionnaires, observations, and interviews. The results showed that inasmuch as mathematics teachers and their students acknowledge the importance of student’s active participation and teamwork, these practices have not been fully conceptualised into the Ghanaian mathematics classroom due to some cultural factors. Two main cultural factors were discovered from the analyses of the results. Firstly, the culture of acknowledging only correct answers in class has a negative impact on individual students’ confidence and participation during mathematics lessons. Also, the culture of teamwork is not fully accepted within Ghanaian classrooms as most students find it difficult working in groups and accepting and appreciating each other’s view. It was evident in all lessons that students were ridiculed by their peers when they provide a wrong answer to a question and this affected individual students’ participation in the classroom. Therefore, we suggested that teachers should be pro-active in promoting a classroom environment which is free from fear and intimidation to motivate students to be actively involved in the classroom discourse.

Source: UG
Consumer Expenditures on Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

The majority of consumers across the globe do not eat the WHO daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. Actual consumption is influenced by a multitude of factors. This chapter focuses on household income and expenditure to illustrate the variation of fresh fruit and vegetable consumption using primary and secondary data from household surveys in Ghana, Poland, Republic of Korea and Uganda. Income importance is examined by tracking fresh produce expenditure by quantile or income category suggesting that low income households tend to limit fresh fruit purchases more than fresh vegetables. Households with the highest income disproportionately outspend all other households regardless of the country's economic development and present special postharvest requirements. Illustration of other socio-economic factors and their relevance to fresh produce consumption is provided. There are similarities in terms of the most frequent consumption of vegetables across countries, but there is variation in the frequency of fresh fruit consumption, opening opportunities for trade. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Consumer food storage practices and methods at the household-level: a community study in Ghana

Introduction: Household-level food storage can make food available to consumers, and promotes food security. Nevertheless, attention is mostly devoted to enhancing food storage at the farmer and national levels, neglecting the household level. It is therefore critical to assess food storage practices of households. This study examined food storage practices of households, evaluated expert opinions on household-level food storage, and assessed the effect household characteristics has on food storage and food security. Methods: Dzorwulu and Jamestown communities in Accra, Ghana, were chosen as the study locations. The study consisted of a survey, expert interviews and structural equation modeling. For the survey, 400 food household heads selected using systematic sampling method responded to a semi-structured questionnaire. Seventeen (17) experts were also purposively sampled and interviewed. Results and Discussion: The results showed that, most households stored foodstuffs they often consumed, with generally low storage of fruits and vegetables. Perishable foods such as cassava, tomato, yam, and banana were stored by 37.8, 42, 38.3 and 43.8% of households, respectively, for 1–3 days. Households often stored food within a period of 2 weeks, due to poor storage facilities and lack of food storage knowledge. About 85.8% of households had never received training on food storage. Most households used baskets, bowls, sacks and polyethylene bags to store food at home, and some used refrigerators and deep freezers. Regarding the link between food storage and food security, household heads’ income showed a significant positive moderating effect (p≤ 0.01), households’ socioeconomic status had a positive effect, while household size indicated a significant negative moderating effect (p≤ 0.01). The experts asserted that, household-level food storage enhances food security and food safety, and reduces food expenditure and food wastage. The limited food storage knowledge of households should be a basis for intervention to enhance proper food storage practices within households.

Source: UG
Consumer intentions, reactance and the marketing implications of policy induced mergers and acquisitions in financial services

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish, drawing upon the indirect effects of customer reaction, from an emerging economy perspective, the marketing implications of policy-induced Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in Financial Services. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a quantitative research approach, relying on data from 517 customers of M&A banks in Ghana. A purposeful sampling technique was used in selecting respondents for the study. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling. Findings – A positive and significant relationship between immersive marketing communication and consumer intention is revealed in the study. The presence of consumer reactions highly influenced the relationship. As a public policy tool, forced mergers and acquisitions were found to increase customer reaction. However, when customers are frequently engaged with relevant and consistent marketing communications, through appropriate channels, such reactions would only be partial. Research limitations and implications: Although some of the information was collected, they was not the main focus of our analysis. We acknowledge that, from a sample demographic perspective, the study did not consider certain other confounding factors that could influence customers’ decisions to remain or switch, such as as customers’ level of banking, type of account, income level, banking experiences in relation to service fees, online banking, etc., as these could also potentially influence customers’ reactions. Perhaps these may have to be considered in future studies. Social implications: when timely and relevant marketing communications are targeted at customers who are directly impacted by the M&A process. They would experience a reaction, but only partially. This has a range of marketing implications for policy-induced M&A and its impact on consumer intention, reactance and attitudes towards the new entity. Originality/value: The marketing literature of financial services has been silent on the implications of M&A from a policy-induced perspective. This study, therefore, contributes to theory by highlighting that the “destruction” of brand value of the affected firms is relatively high in a policy-induced M&A and thus increases the level of customer reaction. This is because a regulator enforces M&A, as public policy usually generates high public interest and public discourse, leading to a heightened customer reaction. However, when Immersive marketing communications are targeted at the customers directly impacted by the M&A. would experience reactance, but only partially.

Source: UG
Consumer knowledge, preference, and perceived quality of dried tomato products in Ghana

Postharvest losses (PHL) are incurred in the tomato value chain in Ghana and solar drying of tomato is a promising technology for reducing the loss. However, there are concerns on the usage, functionality and sensory appeal of the dried products to consumers, compounded with the lack of information and research on dried tomato processing in Ghana. A survey was carried out by administering semistructured questionnaires to 395 randomly selected and willing respondents in the Accra Metropolis. Information was obtained on the socioeconomic profile, consumption pattern, knowledge, and acceptance of tomato processing technologies and assessment of quality attributes important to consumers. Most consumers (74%) preferred tomato powder that is conveniently packaged to retain the characteristic intense taste and the flavor using Friedman's rank mean procedure. The study indicated that consumers were more concerned about good manufacturing practices during the production of solar-dried tomato (48.8%) rather than the quality attributes (8.6%). These findings indicate the need for safe solar drying procedures in order to increase consumer acceptability of solar-dried tomato products in Ghana. © 2016 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Source: UG
Consumer perceptions of plant based beverages: The Ghanaian consumer’s perspective

This study identified factors influencing consumer desirability for a concept beverage from tiger nut milk and cocoa pulp using qualitative focus groups with four demographic groups: mothers, young adults, adults, and middle-aged adults. Specifically, Ghanaian consumers’ knowledge of plant-based beverages (PBB), sensory attributes driving preferences and selection, and willingness to purchase were investigated. Focus group discussions were thematically analyzed by Attride-Stirling’s method using ATLAS.ti.7 software. Most consumers were knowledgeable of PBB. Health and nutrition were main drivers of consumption while taste, cost, availability, and culture were barriers to consumption. Drivers of consumer preference of PBB differed across demographic groups. Environmentally conscious consumers (mothers, adults, and middle-aged) preferred paper packaging while young adults preferred plastic packaging for convenience. Middle-aged adults preferred unsweetened versions for health reasons and mothers preferred unflavoured PBB for their children. Consumers expressed willingness to purchase the concept beverage, citing innovation, taste, and health benefits as main drivers. Industrial Relevance: Increased consumer awareness of the relationship between diet and disease and the importance of consuming healthful foods has informed a switch to more plant-based diets. Our results provide valuable insights to facilitate the development of an acceptable plant-based beverage for Ghanaian consumers.

Source: UG
Consumer Perceptions, Knowledge and Preferences for Aromatic Rice Types in Ghana

Even though rice forms a major part of the Ghanaian diet, locally produced rice is not patronized as it should. A survey of 390 rice consumers was conducted in Accra, Ghana to ascertain consumer perceptions, knowledge and preferences for aromatic rice as a basis for quality improvement of local rice. Results showed that most consumers (94.9%) were more familiar with imported rice and this was reflected in their patronage patterns. The reasons why consumers did not patronize locally cultivated rice are poor post harvest handling, non-availability, and the generally perceived poor quality. The few (29%) who consume local rice do so out of the perception that it is inexpensive and has better nutritional quality. Both cooked and raw attributes of rice influence consumer preference. Whilst the appearance of raw rice (Friedman rank mean = 2.86) was critical to consumers’ choice, taste and aroma determined consumer preference for cooked rice; being ranked 4.96 and 4.46 respectively.

Source: UG
Consumer Preference for Processed Cowpea Products in Selected Communities of the Coastal Regions of Ghana

The nutritive value of cowpea as an essential source of protein to supplement carbohydrate diets has long been recognized. Its role as a subsidiary crop to be relied on during the “hungry season” and during times of food shortages, drought, inflation and the subsequent erosion of the consumer’s purchasing power, particularly among the urban poor, makes it a crop of choice by housewives who look for nutritious but cheaper sources of food. This paper sought to investigate consumer preference for processed cowpea-based products, such as, boiled cowpea with cereals, fried cowpea paste, and cowpea fortified maize dough in selected communities of the coastal regions of Ghana. Using descriptive statistics, Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance, and Logit Model, it was found that there was high preference for processed cowpea-based products in all the communities studied; and that processing cowpea into various food types was relatively profitable. Key socio-economic factors and consumer characteristics that influence preference include gender, marital status, income, education, product taste, sustainability of products (satisfying) and product availability. The production of gas (flatulence) after consumption of the products was the most pressing factor that influences preference. Unavailability of the products was identified as the least pressing factor. The researchers recommend that the production and utilization of cowpea in the study area and in other parts of Ghana should be encouraged as it would help to both improve the nutritional status of consumers and also help generate income to producers and processors. There should also be further research into the disliking intrinsic characteristics of the products considered.

Source: UG
Consumer preference for rice quality characteristics in Accra and the effects of these preferences on price

Consumer preferences for quality characteristics of rice in Accra have specific effects on the price of rice. Statistical analysis of the relationship between income and education of consumers and the quality of rice they prefer, reveal a significant relationship between income and education on shape and aroma. Also, taste, retail price and absence of foreign matter are the quality attributes that most consumers prefer. Low percentage broken, type of packaging and advertisement are the factors least cited by consumers as influencing their choice of rice in Accra. A hedonic price estimation model reveals that consumers of rice in Accra pay highest premiums for taste, aroma and shape. Consumers also pay some premium for smaller percentage broken and scarcity of a type of rice in the market. Any breeding programme for rice for Ghanaian markets should emphasize on the inherent quality characteristics consumers are sensitive to and these include taste, swelling capacity, aroma, cooking time, and shape. Processors and marketers should aim at reducing breakage of grain and levels of foreign matter in the final product. Extension systems should incorporate the production of quality rice in their messages to farmers, processors and traders.

Source: UG
Consumer reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions: modelling the acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes to raise awareness

Objectives Our main aim was to identify the factors that may influence consumers’ acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes to increase awareness of consumer reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Mobile phone caller tunes — the songs or messages callers hear — are popular in Africa and Asia but have not been used to aid reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). We also aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a survey instrument adapted for caller tunes and ADRs. Methods A cross-sectional survey based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) was conducted among 486 non-ADR-themed caller tune users and 470 mobile phone users with no caller tunes in Accra, Ghana. Participants were purposively recruited from voluntary blood donation sites. After testing the validity and reliability of TAM constructs, a structural equation modelling approach was used to evaluate the factors that could influence the acceptance of caller tunes for increasing awareness of consumer reporting of ADRs. Key findings Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had significant positive effects on consumers’ acceptance of caller tunes for increasing awareness of consumer reporting of ADRs. However, whereas free of cost had significant positive effects on the acceptance of caller tunes among those with non-ADR-themed caller tunes (b = 0.15, P = 0.006), it was not so for those lacking caller tunes (b = 0.05, P = 0.229). The survey instrument met acceptable validity and reliability criteria. Conclusions Our findings show that consumers would generally accept caller tunes on ADRs — if created — to aid consumer reporting of suspected ADRs, but there are research and practice considerations.

Source: UG
Consumer trust and physician prescription of branded medicines: an exploratory study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of consumer trust of physicians’ prescription of branded medications. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a qualitative research approach to study consumers’ self-reported experiences with respect to their trust in physicians’ prescription of branded medications. An open-interview approach and a focus group discussion were adopted in collecting research evidence from a sample of middle-level executives from various Ghanaian industries who have experienced physicians’ prescription of branded medications. Findings Consumers have mix reactions toward physicians’ prescriptions of branded medicines. Whereas some trust, others are uncertain, while some do not trust physicians at all. The last group believes the physicians are serving the interest of third parties in prescribing branded medications. Research limitations/implications This study focuses only on patients’ perspectives. This research could be widened to include other important stakeholders of healthcare delivery such as physicians, pharmacists and management of health institutions. Practical implications The study provides a platform for physicians to appreciate the trust their clients repose in them as they prescribe medication to them. Social implications It is envisaged that the research will assist consumers of branded medications to probe into why branded medications are insisted on to be purchased instead of alternatives. Originality/value This study provides further perspectives on consumer reactions to physicians’ prescription of branded medications.

Source: UG
Consumer xenocentrism and foreign goods purchase intention in an emerging economy

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to test consumer xenocentric tendencies on foreign goods purchase intention and to examine the mediating role of cultural openness on the relationship. Design/methodology/approach – A total number of 204 respondents participated in the study. Web-based sampling technique was employed to select a cross-section of consumers. Structural equation modelling technique of AMOS 21 version was used to test the nature of relationships in the research hypotheses. Findings –The results suggest that except country image and interpersonal influence, all other constructs had a positive significant relationship with the intention to purchase. Country of origin, self-confidence and self esteem had impact on consumer intention to purchase foreign products, though exposure of consumers to other cultures did not endear them to the products of those foreign markets. Practical implications – From a managerial perspective, management awareness of xenocentrism tendencies is the surest way to make prudent decisions with respect to stocking and distributing foreign and local products or services. Originality/value – The current study brings newness to the phenomenon as it tests consumer xenocentric (C-XEN) constructs in an emerging economy, and cultural openness as a mediating variable.

Source: UG
Consumer's food shopping choice in Ghana: Supermarket or traditional outlets?

Diet-related chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease have attracted a lot of attention. Food retail outlets play a significant role in affecting consumers' diet-related health and nutrition by the foods they sell and prices they charge. This study assessed the relative importance of different food retail outlets, identified the socio-demographic profiles of consumers associated with shopping in each retail format, and then illustrated how the food retail outlet choices might affect consumers' diet and nutrition, using the surveyed data set collected in 2011 from three big cities in Ghana (Accra, Tamale, and Takoradi). © 2014 International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA).

Source: UG
Consumer-Driven Sustainability? Issues in Turning Consumer Concern about Sustainability into Choices in the Marketplace

People are concerned about sustainability, but this concern is not necessarily mirrored in their choices when they go shopping. Different explanations have been brought forward for this apparent gap between attitude and behavior. One is that attitude and behavior stem from different roles – people are concerned about sustainability as a citizen, but as a consumer they have other concerns, like getting value for money and pleasing their family. Another explanation is that sustainability is a complex concept, and that people may have difficulties in evaluating whether something has been sustainably produced – in fact, some ways of production that people assume are not sustainable may in fact be good for the environment and for the future of mankind. The talk will address consumer perceptions of primary production (taking pig production as an example), consumer perception of technologies, and the impact that information about sustainability related issues can have on consumer choices in the marketplace.

Source: UG