ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Bank capital, liquidity and risk in Ghana

Purpose: Capital, risk and liquidity are the vitality of the banking industry, which can improve the efficiency of banking and promote the efficiency of resource allocation. The purpose of this study is to examine how Basel III new liquidity ratios affect bank capital and risk adjustments and how banks respond to the new liquidity rules. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopted the system generalized method of moments (GMM) to examine how Basel III new liquidity ratios affect bank capital and risk adjustments and how banks respond to the new liquidity rules. Based on the call reports data from banks, GMM was used to test the hypotheses that new liquidity ratios affect bank capital and risk adjustments, as well as how banks respond to the regulation. Findings: The results indicate banks targeted capital, risk and liquidity and simultaneously coordinate short-term adjustments in capital and risk. New liquidity measures enable banks to coordinate risk and liquidity decisions. Short-term adjustments in new liquidity rules inversely impact bank capital. Short-term adjustments in new liquidity rules inversely impact bank capital and capital adjustments adversely affect changes in the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR). Research limitations/implications: The primary results revealed that Ghanaian banks simultaneously coordinate and target capital, risk exposure and liquidity level. Also, capital adjustments positively influence risk adjustments and vice versa while bidirectional negative coordination exists between bank capital and risk on one hand and liquidity on the other hand. Short-term adjustments in new liquidity rule inversely impact bank capital and capital adjustments adversely affect changes in the LCR. The findings partially confirm the theoretical predictions of Repullo (2005) regarding the negative links between capital, risk and liquidity but the authors have higher capital induces higher risk. Practical implications: Banks should balance off their targeted risk and liquidity in order not to sacrifice capital accumulation for liquidity. Originality/value: This research offers new contributions in the research of bank management of capital and liquidity toward banks during a financial crisis from a theoretical perspective and trust management from an applicative perspective. � 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Source: UEW
A bank of classifiers for robust object modeling in wavelet domain

Image and video content analysis applications typically require functionalities such as object classification, detection and tracking, and activity recognition. Objects may undergo translation, rotation, and changes in scale due to perspective projection. Further, the appearance of objects and illumination conditions may change over time. Occasionally objects might also occlude one another in the scene making consistent classification, detection, and tracking a challenge. To reduce the effect of these limitations it is proposed to model objects in wavelets domain using silhouettes. The silhouette of an object is characterized using projected histograms of sixteen wavelet primitives extracted from a silhouette map of the scene. A classifier based on eigen decomposition of histogram of feature vectors combined with sparse coding prediction is presented. The model of a class is represented as over complete dictionary of sparse codes. For robustness multiple classifiers based on the same sparse code operate in parallel but at different scales. It is combined with spatial histogram classifier to realize a bank of multiple classifiers. The accuracy of the proposed classifier is compared with support vector machine and published state-of the-art results. Accuracy evaluation and real-time performance demonstrates competitive performance with the published stat-of-the-art results. � 2014 IEEE.

Source: UEW
Banking Supervision and Nonperforming Loans in Africa: Does Institutional Quality Matter in the Ghanaian Banking Space?

In this paper, we reexamine the determinants of nonperforming loans through the impact of supervisory devices in credit risk management in Africa. The paper employs bank-specific, macroeconomic and institutional data for a panel of 14 universal banks over the period 2009 to 2020. We develop models that capture the role of regulatory supervision on credit risk. Findings from the Panels Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) and the system GMM shows that previous year�s NPL and inflation significantly affect NPLs in the banking space of Gana. Bank size and financial development are inversely associated with NPLs. The interactive term of regulatory quality and government effectiveness on NPLs has net negative effect. This suggest that regulatory quality enhances the reductive effects of government effectiveness on NPLs. Our findings in general lends credence to the financial instability theory as NPLs in the Ghanaian context has been the outcome of activities of speculative borrowers. � 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UEW
Barriers to effective school management by female headteachers of junior high schools in the Techiman South Municipality of Brong Ahafo Region

The study investigated barriers associated with female head teachers school management in the Techiman South Municipality of Brong Ahafo Region The objectives of the study were to determine common administrative responsibilities female head teachers perform. The study identifies skills and abilities head teachers possess to carry out the responsibilities and to investigate barriers that impede female head teachers management of basic schools. Three research questions were raised to direct the study. Descriptive design was employed for the study. The study involved female head teachers. A sample of 50 respondents was used for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to the head teachers. The main instrument used was questionnaire. The pilot test achieved reliability co-efficient of 0.71. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results were presented using frequency and percentages. Findings revealed that head teachers commonly prepared reports for Ghana Education Service, supervised instruction and prepared schedules for teachers. They had skill of managing different groups. It was found out that female head teachers lack lacked respect and are not readily accepted by their male counterparts. It is recommended that capacity building programmes should be organized by the District Director to strengthen the competencies, skills and abilities of female head teachers to enable them manage their varied needs and administrative barriers. The District Director should educate male heads and teachers on the need to respect and accept females as heads

Source: UEW
Barriers to female higher education in selected communities in the Ketu-South Municipality

Despite efforts by researchers and institutions to promote women's empowerment, the gender gap persists in higher education institutions. This study, therefore, sought to examine the barriers to female higher education in Kopeyia, Hatsukope, and Tokor communities in Ketu South Municipality. The study examined perceptions about female higher education, sociocultural and economic factors that impede female higher education, as well as the support systems available to them. Using a convergent parallel design, the study gathered quantitative data from 355 female SHS graduates that were selected using a disproportionate stratified sampling technique and qualitative data from 10 participants, including 7 parents and 3 chiefs of female SHS graduates who were purposively selected. Quantitative data was gathered using a questionnaire, and qualitative data was gathered using a semi-structured interview guide. Quantitative results were analyzed using frequency, percentages, and means, whereas qualitative results were analyzed thematically. The study found that female SHS graduates in the chosen communities’ value higher education, but this desire is hindered by various socio-cultural and economic factors. Poor academic performance was identified as the major barrier to female higher education; however, participants disagreed that factors such as gender norms, early marriage, pregnancy-related issues, traditional rites, and religious beliefs formed barriers to female higher education. All economic barriers to female higher education were supported. Also, it was seen that females receive little attention in terms of support systems for higher education. Hence, all traditional rulers and NGOs should collaborate to strengthen support systems to increase female higher educational enrollment.

Source: UEW
Basic education teacher trainees attitudes towards inclusive education

The purpose of the study was to investigate the attitudes of teacher trainees towards inclusive education in basic schools. Specifically, teacher trainees of University of Education, Winneba understanding of inclusive education programme, the challenges they face and the support they need to effectively implement the inclusive programme and their motivation were considered. The study was delimited to the University of Education, Winneba. The study employed the descriptive survey design under quantitative research approach. Out of 346 teacher trainees, 143 (41.3%) of the total population were randomly and purposively selected for data collection. The study revealed that basic education teacher trainees in the University of Education, Winneba have understanding about inclusive education. It was also found that even though the teacher trainees have understanding about inclusive education, they lack strategies in assessment. In addition, the study revealed that apart from the lectures the trainees get, no other support come from the government or their department or the university or any other organisation. Finally, the finding of the study revealed that trainees expressed positivity in their motivation towards learning about and teaching in the inclusive classroom. It was therefore recommended that the government, teacher training institutions, educational leaders and teachers must collaboratively towards effective implementation of existing inclusive education policies. All necessary supports must be provided for teacher trainees and in-service teachers for successful acceptance and implementation of the programme.

Source: UEW
Basic school mathematics teachers’ perceptions and use of play-based pedagogy in teaching and learning in Guan district.

The study investigated basic school mathematics teachers’ perceptions and use of playbased pedagogy in teaching and learning. The theoretical framework of the study was the social constructivism and the research design was descriptive survey. The study was underpinned by the positivist research paradigm and influenced by the quantitative approach. Employing the cluster sampling technique, the study sampled 210 public basic school teachers for the study. Data was collected using closed-ended questionnaire with reliability coefficient of 0.83. Data was analysed using means, standard deviation, ANOVA, and Pearson’s Moment Product Correlation. The findings revealed that Basic school mathematics teachers in the Guan District highlight the perceived effectiveness of play-based pedagogy in improving students’ understanding of mathematical concepts, providing practical applications, fostering creativity, creating a positive classroom environment, and enhancing collaborative learning. Basic school mathematics teachers in the Guan District employed various play-based activities, including math games, role-playing, and manipulative activities. It was recommended that Basic school headteachers should develop workshops and seminars to facilitate discussions among mathematics teachers, emphasizing the positive aspects of play-based pedagogy. Teachers should also encourage sharing of success stories and practical tips to further build consensus on its effectiveness. Also, Basic school headteachers should promote workshops or training sessions that introduce teachers to a broader range of play-based activities. Teachers should encourage experimentation with various methods to cater to diverse learning preferences and maximize engagement.

Source: UEW
Basic school teachers’ conceptions and practices of assessment in the Sissala East Municipality

This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed method design to examine basic school teachers‟ classroom assessment conceptions and practices in the Sissala East Municipality in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to explore the types of teachers‟ classroom assessment conceptions and practices, their demographic characteristics that influence their assessment conceptions and practices and as well as the relationship between teacher‟s conceptions and practices. Quantitative data gathered from 203 respondents were analysed using mean, Manova, t-test, Anova and Pearson product-moment correlation. In the follow-up qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 12 participants and the data subjected to interpretive thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the participants demonstrated positive conceptions of assessment as a means for ensuring student and school accountability as well as improving teaching and learning, with assessment for student accountability yielding the highest mean value. Also, the findings revealed that teachers mostly employ traditional assessment methods than alternative assessment tools. Moreover, except gender, other demographic characteristics did not impact on their assessment conceptions. Furthermore, gender, age, assessment training, teaching experience and class teaching level impacted on the teachers‟ use of assessment methods. A significant positive relationship was found between teachers‟ assessment conceptions and certain tools and methods of assessment. It was recommended among other issues that regular in-service training in assessment be conducted for teachers in order for them to be up-to-date and also develop their skills and use of appropriate alternative classroom assessment practices.

Source: UEW
Batik and tie-dye production and merchandising in Ghana

The primary focus of this study was to get a snug look at batik and tie-dye as a small-scale industry in Ghana with a critical look at the production and merchandising challenges. The purpose of the study was to investigate the operations/activities of small-scale batik and tie-dye production and merchandising, identify and examine the challenges confronting the industry, analyse factors contributing to the challenges and examine the impacts of production and merchandising challenges on the local batik and tie-dye industries in Ghana. The research is based on qualitative research approach which employs interviews and observation for data collection. In all sixteen (16) participants were sampled through purposive techniques. The population studied comprises one technical institution, one tertiary institution, six small scale industries, six retail shops and two government institutions which have direct dealings with batik and tie-dye industry within Western, Central and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. Data collected were transcribed, classified and analysed through thematic and descriptive analysis. The principal findings of this study revealed that, access to finance, smuggling and importation of clothes, pirating of Ghanaian symbols, multiple taxation, access to international market, products standardisation, packaging and labelling are the challenges of production and merchandising. It is therefore concluded that, small businesses are sole proprietorship which do not adhere to managerial structures and proper book-keeping which make them collapse within the first five years of operations and the government not making enough effort to promote small-scale enterprises. It is therefore, recommended that producers and merchandisers should be given basic book-keeping and business management courses and need of the government to support SMEs to revamp the collapsing industry.

Source: UEW
Batik and tie-dye production and merchandising in Ghana

The primary focus of this study was to get a snug look at batik and tie-dye as a small scale industry in Ghana with a critical look at the production and merchandising challenges. The purpose of the study was to investigate the operations/activities of small-scale batik and tie-dye production and merchandising, identify and examine the challenges confronting the industry, analyse factors contributing to the challenges and examine the impacts of production and merchandising challenges on the local batik and tie-dye industries in Ghana. The research is based on qualitative research approach which employs interviews and observation for data collection. In all sixteen (16) participants were sampled through purposive techniques. The population studied comprises one technical institution, one tertiary institution, six small scale industries, six retail shops and two government institutions which have direct dealings with batik and tie-dye industry within Western, Central and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. Data collected were transcribed, classified and analysed through thematic and descriptive analysis. The principal findings of this study revealed that, access to finance, smuggling and importation of clothes, pirating of Ghanaian symbols, multiple taxation, access to international market, products standardisation, packaging and labelling are the challenges of production and merchandising. It is therefore concluded that, small businesses are sole proprietorship which do not adhere to managerial structures and proper book-keeping which make them collapse within the first five years of operations and the government not making enough effort to promote small-scale enterprises. It is therefore, recommended that producers and merchandisers should be given basic book-keeping and business management courses and need of the government to support SMEs to revamp the collapsing industry.

Source: UEW
Behaviour management and teaching strategies associated with learners with intellectual disabilities in Community Special Vocational School, Deduako-Kumasi

The purpose of the study was to investigate behaviour management and teaching strategies associated with learners with intellectual disabilities in Community Special Vocational School in Deduako, Kumasi. The study used the case study design. A sample of five teachers were purposively selected for the study. Semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that learners with intellectual disabilities exhibited self-injurious behaviours such as hitting or banging their heads against objects and inappropriate social behaviours such as impatience, depression and rebellious behaviours. Toffees and biscuits were used to manage behaviour difficulties among learners with intellectual disabilities. Teaching strategies employed by teachers included play - way strategy, demonstration and collaboration. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended that teachers should continue to use positive reinforcement to help manage the behaviour difficulties associated with learners with intellectual disabilities.

Source: UEW
Being a young Muslim woman in Southern Ghana: intersections of nation, religion and gender

This paper draws upon recent research that explored Muslim youth identity constructions in southern Ghana. At a time when Muslim youth are often demonised and Islam is represented as incompatible with western democratic ideals, the research explored the intersections of nation, religion, ethnicity and gender in identity narratives of female students in high school and higher education in southern Ghana. After describing the Ghanaian socio-historical context, we outline the post-structural and post-colonial theories used to understand key concepts such as identity and youth. We then describe our methodological approach before presenting our intersectional analysis of data from the focus group discussions. This highlights female youths� deep commitments to nation and religion, the marginalisation of young Muslim females in this Christian-majority context, and finally, the identity tensions articulated by participants between different Islamic traditions. We further show how all of these identity constructions were intersected by gender. � 2021 The Institute of Social and Economic Research.

Source: UEW
Beliefs and classroom evaluation practices of Senior High School ESI Teachers and Students in Sunyani East Municipality

Beliefs and classroom evaluation practices form an integral part of the teaching and learning process. It helps in determining teaching pedagogy and also provides feedback to students to enhance their understanding of concepts taught. The study investigated beliefs and classroom evaluation practices of Senior High School ESL teachers and students in the Sunyani East Municipality, Bono Region, Ghana. The objectives were: to find out Senior High School teachers’ and students’ beliefs about evaluation practices in ESL classrooms in Sunyani East Municipality; to identify what evaluation practices are deployed in ESL classrooms by SHS teachers in Sunyani East Municipality; and finally, to investigate the challenges teachers confront in applying classroom evaluation practices in ESL classrooms in Sunyani East Municipality. The mixed methods approach was adopted with convergent parallel design. The purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to draw the participants from five public Senior High Schools for the study. The data were collected through researcher observation of classroom teaching and learning, and in-depth interviews of 10 teachers and questionnaires administered to 396 students. The findings revealed that the most common purpose of evaluation was to pass value judgement on students’ performance followed by four students-centered purposes: to obtain students’ progress; to provide feedback to students; to diagnose students strengths and weaknesses and to motivate students to learn. However, teachers’ beliefs about evaluation were incongruent with their actual classroom evaluation practices. This was due to several contextual factors including overcrowded classrooms, excessive workload of teachers, students’ inability to express themselves in the English language and time constraints. Students on the other hand saw questioning and discussion, group work, portfolio, class test, exams and peer assessment as forms of evaluation practices. It was recommended that there should be more professional activities inside schools to encourage teachers to equip themselves with contemporary approaches of classroom evaluation practices.

Source: UEW
Beliefs and practices associated with masquerading culture in winneba, Ghana

The objective of this study is to investigate and examine the historical background of masquerading in Winneba and from this, find out the traditional beliefs and practices associated with masquerading and the motivation to observe the masquerading event. Also the Socio-economic significance of masquerading was looked at extensively as various questions were put to those who engage in economic activities in and around the park where the masquerading event takes place. Data was also collected from the Federation, some members and leaders of the various groups and some key informant. Analysis was made of the interviews and the conversation that took place between the researcher and the participants. The findings proved there were beliefs and practices associated with the culture and pointed to the fact that the masquerade was an European culture. Based on this recommendations were made to help sustain the culture. This research is therefore to help attract and promote both local and foreign tourism in the Effutu traditional area, and thereby help create income for the socio-economic development of the people of Winneba and Ghana as a whole.

Source: UEW