ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The role of Non-Governmental Organizations in girl-child education in the Tolon-Kumbungu District of the Northern Region of Ghana

Although, the number of educated children has in the past 20 years in some countries, boys have proportionally fared much better than girls. In 1990, 130 million children had no access to primary school; of these 81 million were girls. Two-thirds (65 per cent) of the world’s 176 million illiterates are women(UN, 2000). This can be attributed to such customary practices as child labour, early marriages, lack of funds and adequate school facilities, teenage pregnancies as well as cultural and traditional practices (Berry, 1989). Tolon-Kumbungu district has its own share of this problem and as a result, many Non-Governmental Organizations (N G O) are concerned and are in the district (Tolon-Kumbungu) working hard to bridge the gender educational gap between the boy and the girl-child. It is in this regard that this study was designed to examine the impact of the NGOs in bridging the gender educational gap between the boy and the girl-child in the Tolon-Kumbungu district. The study examined the service delivery approach of the NGOs, nature of service of the NGOs, the level of coverage of the services of the NGOs, whether the services of the NGOs meet the appropriate needs of the girl-child, and finally, the areas the NGOs need to improve upon in the delivery of their services to the girl-child. The study employed the secondary source of data in which the efforts of several studies on the history, causes and effects of discrimination, perceptions, traditions and negative cultural practices that deepened the gender educational gap. It employed the primary source of data in which questionnaires were used to make the finding scientific. Also included in this social survey which has a sample size of 270 respondents was participant observation to gather data directly from the local people in the district. The study revealed that the activities of the NGOs within the district have an impact in minimizing the gender educational gap between the boy and the girl-child. The study also revealed some of the challenges such as personnel, financial and logistical constrains that the NGOs face in the delivery of their services in the district.

Source: KNUST
The Role of Orientation on Labour Turnover. (A Case of Ghana Health Service)

Global competition, environmental flux and technological advancement present challenges to organizations. It is for these reasons that organizations need to orientate its employees to equip them with current skills and knowledge. This study was conducted to find out the role of orientation on labour turnover in the Ghana Health Service. The methodology that was used in collecting the research data was simple random sampling base on the face to face interviews. The results indicated that the organization needs an orientation for its new and old staff. It also pointed out that an orientation practice in the organization is facing many problems. Moreover, certain factors also militate against efficient orientation practices in the Ghana Health Service. Based on the findings, a number of recommendations have been made among which is the need for Ghana Health Service to adopt a more comprehensive approach to orientation. Also Ghana Health Service should provide information in a way that can be absorbed and retained. In the same vain, to use orientation program to develop a team environment and to ensure that orientation is effectively and efficiently conducted and managed for the realization of the goals and objectives of Ghana Health Service.

Source: KNUST
The Role of Performing Arts in Asante Culture

The study which is based on a qualitative research approach touched on the Asante Performing Arts and its role, importance, and meaning in the people’s culture. The study aimed at educating readers on the “real McCoy” of one of Asante’s most significant cultural arts since Asante youth appears to pick on incomplete knowledge from unreliable sources, such as the tradition of oral resources resulting in the modification of Asante Performing Arts. Again, due to the influx of foreign religious bodies and technological advances, the Performing Arts seem to be gradually losing their indigenous roles and significances. Due to the dissimilarities of elements or individuals in the population, the stratified random sampling was adopted and the population was divided into various strata. 30% of each group was taken meaning each stratum was represented in the total data sample. Observation, interview and questionnaire were the main data collection instruments. Results showed that, the various Performing Arts form a preparatory experience of the curative process at the various shrines and permeates the life of every Asante from life to death. The indigenous songs performed at marriage and funerals rites have been replaced by gospel and secular songs, and dances performed during these rites have also been merged with the foreign ones. In sum, music and dance syllabus for primary and junior high schools should be reviewed again with special attention given to the traditional music and dance starting from the child’s immediate local culture.

Source: KNUST
The role of non-formal education as a mechanism for reducing poverty in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Illiteracy not only limits the full development of individuals and their participation in society, but also has repercussions throughout life, affecting a person’s family, environment, restricting access to the benefits of development, and hindering the enjoyment of other human rights. Adult illiteracy not only affects income and awareness of rights, but also leads to poor nutrition and health, due to illiterates’ lack of knowledge regarding their own health and hygiene and that of their families. Thus, the more illiterate people there are in a country, the more difficult it will be for the country to develop. In view of the above, the study assessed the role of NFE as a mechanism of reducing poverty. Specifically, it assessed the services of NFE and its benefits to learners and its impacts on poverty reduction, implementation challenges and how their services can be improved. The study used the purposive and simple random sampling techniques with focus group discussions; it selected and collected data from 120 learners, 9 facilitators, 4 supervisors and 2 municipal coordinators of the NFED of Offinso South and Ejisu-Juaben Municipalities in the Ashanti Region. It was revealed that the study districts run universal programme (NFLP) which has the following services; literacy and numeracy, IGA/Occupational skills, health/life skills and civic awareness, however, the IGA training differ from one zone to another. Literacy has improved among learners, while about 88.7 percent of them have seen improvement in their lives in areas such as literacy, numeracy, health and civic awareness. Despite the above, challenges such as inadequate funding, infrastructure and logistics, irregularity in attendance and others militate against the NFE programme in the study areas. Thus, the study recommended that the government of Ghana should ensure increased and regular flow of funds to the programme. Thus, the GET fund Act 2000 (Act 581) must have a closer look at NFE to provide adequate support to the programme. In addition, the NFED should provide learning materials and furniture for the use of the adults. Moreover, it was recommended that awards should be given to deserving learners periodically to motivate regular attendance.

Source: KNUST
The role of project communication management in maintaining quality and timely delivery of construction project activities

Delays, disputes, and cost overruns are the results of poor project communication management. This study aimed to investigate the role of project communication management in maintaining quality and timely delivery of construction project activities. Three objectives were set for this work which are to: investigate the current communication processes in construction projects in Ghana; identify communication barriers and impacts of communication barriers on construction projects; identify effective strategies adapt to overcome communication barriers and the extent these are employed at the project level. The study was a quantitative survey which was based on a population of 60 D1K1 contracting firms out of which 52 were sampled for responses. The instrument employed for data collection was the questionnaires while the responses obtained by using the quantitative data analysis techniques (which include Mean Scores, percentages and frequencies, and others) through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Results of the study show that power difference, organizational structure/climate, poor communication skill, lack of co-ordination listeners, poor leadership, unclear communication objectives, obscure channels of communication, and ineffective reporting system are the factors affecting project communication. Designing an appropriate project communication model for project implementation, use of effective project communication to address constructional disputes and its ultimate judgment debts are some of the recommendations of this study.

Source: KNUST
The role of project managers in construction health and safety implementation in Ghana

Project performance measurement has moved from the traditional key performance indicators of time, cost and scope (quality) to include safe delivery of projects. The objectives of the study were to identify health and safety practices in the construction industry in Ghana; the importance of health and safety and other project parameters to PMs. Additionally, the studied examined the frequency at which PMs consider health and safety relative to various design activities; and the frequency at which various procurement related situations, which affect health and safety, are treated by PMs. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 48 licensed PMs involved in construction projects in Ghana. Data was collected with the help of structured questionnaires. Data was analysed using relative importance index, means and standard deviation with the help of SPSS. The study found out that most construction firms in Ghana had specific budget for health and safety for most construction projects. The study revealed that PMs allocated between 1% to 5% of the total project cost to health and safety. The study revealed that a number of accident cases at the construction sites go unreported to the appropriate agencies of state. In fact, the study established that most accident cases at the construction sites are handled internally. The study established that client satisfaction was the most important parameter to consider in project management. It was revealed that, PMs made reference to health and safety at various stages of the project relative to design activities. Structural frame, method of fixing, edge of materials were the key design activities that caused PMs to make frequent reference to health and safety. It was further established that PMs referred to health and safety when confronted by all the procurement related situations. The study recommended that resourcing of the factory inspectorate department with vehicles and personnel to carry out its mandate and PMs must be re-oriented to consider health and safety as being critical for project success.

Source: KNUST
The role of public private partnership in achieving developmental objectives at Accra Metropolitan Assembly

Public Private Partnerships (PPP) is a mechanism for government to procure and implement public infrastructure and/ or services using the resources and expertise of the private sector. These are also employed at the Municipal Assembly level to enhance development. These researches therefore sought to assess ways Public Private Partnership can enable AMA achieve accelerated development. The following proposed objectives firstly assessing the level of awareness, secondly identifying ways to promote PPP and finally identifying potential challenges impeding the implementation of PPP at AMA. Quantitative analysis technique was used in analyzing and interpreting the data. Data from direct fieldwork observations and the use of questionnaires provided relevant information for analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analytical tool was used to analyze the data gathered from the survey. Findings reveal that PPP is employed at AMA quiet often in the area of Environmental cleaning and at other times in Road and Building construction or Revenue Collection. Corporate Funding Mechanism is often used. The General Assembly of AMA authorizes a PPP project but the key challenge is Bureaucracy which creates a long bureaucratic process for PPPs. PPPs at AMA have not been at their best and therefore need to be improved, however PPP has contributed significantly to achieving Developmental goals of AMA. Recommendations are Simplifying bureaucratic processes of PPP, Time involved in the process of PPP should be reduced, Feasible and workable PPPs should be employed as well as create more awareness of PPP.

Source: KNUST
The role of project managers in minimizing project delays in Ghana

In Ghana the construction industry is seen as one of the key donors to the economy of the nation. Despite the several achievements of the industry, the construction sector cannot boast completely about it success because of some of its issues of delays and cost overruns. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to investigate the role of project managers in minimizing project delays in construction. The study achieved its aim with the help of the various objectives: to find out the causes of delays in construction projects, to examine the role of project managers in minimizing project delays in construction, and lastly to identify the benefits of minimizing project delays through the involvement of project managers. A quantitative research approach was employed for this study and data was developed by the use of questionnaires which was administered to the respondents. The data was analyzed using the Mean score ranking and the Relative Importance Index (RII). The purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents who were project managers and other construction professionals from the D1K1-D4K4 construction firms and base on sampling technique chosen. Questionnaire was administered to sixty (60) respondents and those returned were fifty-two (52), the researcher used this data in conducting the study. From the first objective, the main causes of project delays were: Lack of funds to finance the project to completion, Late deliveries of materials, Lack of effective communication among contracting parties, and the fourth one was the Lack of proper planning and the second objective also presented the main roles of project managers as: Good practice in planning, scheduling, coordination, and the management of good control procedure by managers, Project manager should ensure effective working hours and the third important role was Managers should ensure early correct forecasting to curb on necessary time loss. The research also went further into the third objective which also presented the main benefits of reducing project delays as: Good relationship between clients and contractor, Limitation in the occurrence of cost overruns and also the Possibility of early project completion. All the other elements were also rated by the respondents. The research helped in bringing into light how essential it is to minimize project delays in the construction industry.

Source: KNUST
The role of Quality Improvement Process (QIP) in enhancing the effectiveness of routine health information system for health service planning in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipal of Ghana

Decision making in health is influenced by the quality of health information generated by the health system. Routine Health Information System (RHIS) is one of such information integral and forms over 90% health information. Yet RHIS is faced with huge challenges which reduce its decision making and planning yield. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the magnitude of dysfunction in the RHIS in most health districts, Ejisu Juaben Municipal Health Directorate (EJMHD) in Ashanti Region being no exception. This study assessed the role of Quality Improvement Process (DQIP) in improving RHIS in planning and decision making. A quasi-experimental, uncontrolled before and after study involving the development of a Data Quality Improvement Process (DQIP) training module to train health staff, establish a team with the quality improvement framework for monitoring over a twelve-month period in the EJMHD. The modelled Data Quality Improvement Process (DQIP) involved RHIS management assessment tool (adapted from the Performance of Routine Information System Management [PRISM] tool package) which was administered to 141 health staff and management in 18 health facilities in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality before and after the intervention.The study evaluated the impact of the modelled Data Quality Improvement Process (DQIP) on RHIS performance at the end of the intervention period through a cross-sectional survey. Health staff and management had relatively high confidence in undertaking RHIS tasks such as data analysis, interpretation and use of data. On the contrary, their actual performance of RHIS tasks scored objectively, yielded low average scores. The baseline and endline results indicated improvement in competency gaps, after the intervention, in analysis (-37%:+3%), interpretation (-42%:+10%) and use of data (-45%:+3%) respectively. Performance in the use of RHIS at the facility level improved significantly from 30 percent in baseline to 90 percent in the endline; and similar trends were observed in other parameters. The study concludes that Quality Improvement Process (QIP) drives the effectiveness and performance of RHIS. Scaling up DQIP in the health system will necessarily lead to improved RHIS performance.

Source: KNUST
The role of road transportation service in the development of traditional market’s: A case of Asesewa and Agormanya traditional markets in the Eastern Region, Ghana.

Traditional markets in Ghana have played significant functions as the main source for rural inhabitant’s livelihood and development of rural space. The attractions of population and economic activities to markets centres have enhanced the growth of communities and attracted socio-economic facilities. Traditional markets focus mainly on agriculture produce. In spite of the considerable effort of traditional market towards rural development, it is faced with numerous challenges. The study examined the nexus existing between road transportation and traditional markets in the Upper Manya District and Lower Manya District. The study focused on two traditional markets namely the Agormanya and Asesewa markets. The study adopted the case study approach and using data from one hundred and sixty (160) respondents it was observed that the two markets exhibited characteristics of traditional markets because they trade mainly in agriculture produce. It is also conspicuous from the study that there is a strong linkage between road transportation and traditional markets but the two have not been managed effectively and effectively for the past decade for the realisation of optimal benefit. The study also found out that owing to the poor nature of roads in the study area, travel speed is low, leading to long travel time and as a result traders pay high prices for the transportation of goods from the production centres to the markets. Although these two markets have existed and contributed to rural development for decades, lip-service has been paid to physical infrastructure improvement and maintenance. In Agormanya, the market is deficient of a proper drainage system, a school, potable water, storage facilities, and electricity service for evening transactions and poor linkages for transport service to and from the market. The situation in Asesewa market is not far from Agormanya market. In conclusion, the study recommends among others the constructions of roads from highly dominant agriculture production centres to traditional markets of Asesewa and Agormanya and the maintenance of major roads linking communities and markets. Market infrastructure must be given a facelift to enable traditional markets provide the necessary catalyst for improved rural livelihood and improved agricultural activities to ensure the sustainability of traditional markets.

Source: KNUST
The role of religion in the chieftaincy instituton: a case study of Chamba traditional area in the Northern Region of Ghana

The focus of the research was to find out whether or not religion plays a role on the chieftaincy institution especially in the area of selection, installation, enskinment and post-enskinment of chiefs in study area. The study examined the role that religious functionaries; Imams, Mallams, Diviners and Earth Priest play in the selection of chiefs in the study area. It also examined the religious duties of Imams, Mallams, Diviners and Earth Priest to the chiefs in the study area. The study has shown that religion indeed plays a vital role on the chieftaincy institution. A chief is supposed to serve as a link between the ancestors and the living. In selecting such a person for installation and enskinment a lot of consultation, divination, rituals, prayers and sacrifices are done to know the wish of the ancestors. The findings of the research have also established that the court can disqualify a chief from carrying himself as a chief or disqualify a person from being enskinned or enstooled as a chief after the person has gone through all the necessary rites as required by tradition. However, whoever is declared as the rightful person to be enskinned or enstooled, has to go through all the necessary religious rites and practices as required by tradition before being enskinned. Traditional and Islamic rites and practices will continue to be part and parcel of enskinment processes in the study area because the above religions have influence on the lives of the people including the chieftaincy institution. Besides, religious functionaries; Diviners, Imams, Mallams and Earth Priest will also continue to offer religious duties such as divination, prayers, provision of protective charms to the chiefs and also offering of sacrifices to the gods of the land on behalf of the chiefs in the study area. The methodological approach to the study was qualitative case study. The study used secondary and primary data. The secondary data includes analyses of both published and unpublished books. The primary data were acquired from fieldwork through the use of interviews. The research is relevant because the findings of the research would serve as a reference point or academic material for those who would want to research into the chieftaincy institution.

Source: KNUST