ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Managing finances in the public basic schools in the Kwaebibirim Municipality

The study examined how public basic school headteachers as the target population manage finances in public basic schools in the Kwaebibrem Municipality within the Eastern Region of Ghana. Drawing on the Budgetary Theory, the study also assessed the challenges headteachers face, the effect of the challenges on managing public school finances as well as strategies to mitigate the challenges. The study adopted the quantitative approachanddescriptive research design using the stratified sampling technique to sample35 respondents from the population size of 115 public basic school head teachers in the municipality. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data from the respondents and processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 23. Using the mean, standard deviation scores, and regression analysis, the study found accounting challenges, budgetary challenges, auditing challenges, and professional incompetence as the challenges that headteachers face when managing public school finances. In addition, the headteachers manage public school funds by ensuring that they prepare budget before utilizing funds, expenditure is based on budget, School Management Committee (SMC) approves school budget before expenditure, headteachers account for school funds through auditing, headteachers keep records of financial transactions and comply with Public Financial Management Act, 2016.Also, the challenges werefound to have a significant negative relationship with the management of publicschool finances in the Kwaebibirem Municipality. In furtherance, the findings of the study revealed that training in auditing effectiveness, encouraging capacity building in accounting, and organizing a workshop on financial management practices for head teachers among others are the strategies that can be used to mitigate the challenges of managing public school finances. It was concluded that accounting challenges, budgetary challenges, auditing challenges, and professional challengeare key contributorstothe poor management of public -school finances among headteachers in the Kwaebibrem Municipality. The study recommended the government through the Ministry of Education and, Ghana Education Service, establish a strong financial management curriculum to guarantee that serving and assistant headteachers are appropriately and efficiently taught to handle school finances. It further recommended that the management of Ghana Education Service should hire extra auditors to guarantee that school books are audited on schedule.

Source: UEW
Managing indiscipline in two Senior High Schools in Agona East District the use of behaviour modification toolkit

The study looked at the use of Behaviour Modification Toolkit (BMT) in managing indiscipline in Senior High Schools in Agona East District, using the qualitative approach and case study as a design. The sample size consisted of 16 participants. Data were collected using semi-structured interview guide and classroom observation checklist. The gathered data were analysed using thematic approach. The study revealed that defiant behaviour, examination malpractice, substance abuse, assaults, sexual misconduct and breaking of bonds were the prevalent indiscipline behavours in senior high schools in the Agona East District. The findings also indicated that majority of teachers have poor perception towards the use of behaviour modification toolkit. Also, the behaviour modification toolkit often employed in dealing with students‘ indiscipline in senior high schools in the Agona East District were disciplinary committee actions, positive reinforcements, guidance and counselling services as well as bond of good behaviour. The results show further that, only a few teachers actually apply appropriate behaviour modification strategies in dealing with students‘ indiscipline at the various levels in the classroom. The study concluded that, teachers in the Agona East District are not using behaviour modification toolkit effectively in managing indiscipline in senior high schools, in view of the fact that they have poor perception coupled with their unwillingness to use them. It is recommended that, the education directorate in the district should organise workshops and training sessions on routine basis for teachers to update their understanding, knowledge and skills in the use of behaviour modification tools.

Source: UEW
Managing pre-retirement anxiety among teachers in Asunafo south district of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Retirement is an inevitable activity in the lives of workers. Unfortunately, the thought of retirement to some workers breeds anxiety, apprehension and disillusionment especially among teachers. The study sought to find out the perception of teachers on retirement, sources of pre-retirement anxiety, and the managerial strategies that would be used to support teachers nearing retirement in Asunafo South. Descriptive survey was employed for this study. The target population of the study was all teachers in Asunafo South District. Purposive sampling technique was used to solicit the views of teachers nearing retirement. 52 respondents were selected for the study, out of the 60 teachers nearing retirement. Questionnaire was used to collate data and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Respondents agreed that they feel nervous when they feel that their retirement is fast approaching. Four major sources of pre-retirement anxiety were identified. Majority of the respondents agreed that seeking retirement counselling from professionals will reduce their level of anxiety. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy and Reality therapy were identified as two approach of managing pre-retirement anxiety. It was recommended that the teacher unions should regularly organise financial counselling on pre-retirement planning for their members. KEYWORDS: Teachers, Pre-retirement Anxiety

Source: UEW
Managing pre-retirement anxiety among teachers in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate pre-retirement anxiety among teachers in the Eastern region in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The total population for the study was made up of all the teachers due for retirement in the 2017 academic year in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The estimated population for the study was 200 retirees. Simple random sampling was used in sampling 70 teachers enlisted for retirement in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality. A questionnaire was used in gathering data. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. It emerged from the study that the sources of pre-retirement anxiety are inadequate fund, managing mental health, managing a new and lower social status, inadequate planning for retirement, and difficulty in time management. The study revealed that the challenges faced by respondents are related to inadequate financial preparation, retirement contributing to faster ageing, retirement leading to early death, retirement contributing to loneliness, and contributing to friends upon retirement. The study showed that there are no retirement counselling services available in the Yilo-Krobo Municipality. The study further revealed that there was a negative correlation between social support and pre-retirement anxiety. The study therefore recommends that the Yilo-Krobo Municipal educational directorate and the Municipal Social Security Insurance Office should collaboratively work with the various counsellors in the Municipality to fully assist teachers for adequately plan financially, make arrangement for accommodations, the educational directorate, and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) should make retirement processes less bureaucratic and costly. Counsellors should educate teachers on ageing and life after retirement to improve their level of adjustment. Keywords: pre-retirement anxiety, counselling service, challenges, social support, religiosity, teachers

Source: UEW
A manual on the teaching of quilting, patchwork and smocking in schools and colleges in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

In Ghana, quilting, patching and smocking are not well established in the schools and colleges as part of the teachers’ curriculum. Teachers play a key role in ensuring that every learner can participate in every learning process in the practical subjects like quilting, patching and smocking in schools. Availability of manual as a teaching strategy or a guide puts a huge demand on teachers in terms of time and resources. Based on this, the study investigated the development of a manual that encourages and guide teachers in teaching quilting, patching and smocking. The study focused on teachers of school and colleges in Hohoe Municipality of Ghana. The target population comprised all teachers in 14 schools and colleges in Hohoe Municipality of Ghana. Census and purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting all the 14 and 34 quilting, patching and smocking teachers at the Senior High/Technical Institute in Hohoe Municipality of Ghana. The findings indicated that teachers have a positive perception towards teaching and learning of quilting, patchwork and smocking. The finding showed that lack of sufficient time, and too many recommended quilting/patchwork texts books are major challenge to effective teaching of quilting/patching and smocking. The study discovered that the developed manual can identify and appreciate the guidelines in the teaching and learning of quilting, patching and smocking. It was concluded that the developed manual could improve teachers understanding, and be useful for the purpose of improving effective teaching and learning of quilting, patching and smocking at the various schools and colleges. The study recommended that Ghana Education Service should see to it that the needed tool, materials and facilities are made available to the schools in order to motivate the teachers to readily and effectively teach quilting/patchwork and smocking to the students.

Source: UEW
Manufacturing techniques of the Ghanaian small garment industry in the growing global competitive market

The study investigated the techniques used by the small garment manufacturing figures in Ghana in this era of technological advancement with high level of global market competition. This was vital in order to change the image of the small garment industry in Ghana to maximize productivity for sustained and optimum returns as the sub-sector struggles to survive in the local and global markets. The study employed multiple case study as the research design. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were engaged in selecting respondents for the study. The study focussed on selected large and small garment firms, institutions of higher learning, garment merchandisers and governmental agencies sampled from three major garment manufacturing cities, Kumasi, Accra and Tema. Interview and non-participant observation were the instruments used for data collection. Data obtained were presented using grounded theory analysis, which ensured clarity and better understanding of the discussions. The study revealed among others that low level of trained personnel in the small garment sector has led to noncompliance with quality production systems causing rejection of products. The study concluded that, the quality of assembly at the small garment firms was lower compared to international best practices since the production at the local industry was not guided by any production benchmark. The study further concluded that small garment designers were deficient in creative and imaginative abilities as manifested by the designers’ dependent on design copying rather that originality. It was therefore recommended that as a matter of priority the government in collaboration with relevant stakeholders must look into formulation of policies that would ensure sustainable development of the small garment industry. Finally, the garment industry associations in collaboration with institutions of higher learning and government (COTVET) should establish training centres for the entrepreneurs in the garment industry in order to safeguard the future of the industry.

Source: UEW
Mapping ecological impact of microplastics on freshwater habitat in the central region of Ghana: a case study of River Akora

Indiscriminate plastic littering behaviour of inhabitants continues to pose a threat to water bodies with its repercussions on human health and the integrity of the environment. This paper assessed the ecological impact of plastics that are less than 5�mm on the longest dimension, hereinafter called microplastics. Sixty (60) residents were purposively sampled using a snow-balling approach for the study. Questionnaires, field observations of microplastics and sources, fish, and water sediments from the River were the data for the study. Data was analysed with SPSS version 20.0 and presented in tables and figures. Laboratory analysis of microplastics was run on sediments trawled, and on the digestive tracts and gills of fishes caught, all from the River, to assess the accumulation of microplastics. The study revealed that microplastics are present in the River and there is uptake of microplastics by some resident aquatic life which may pose threat to lives. The study further revealed positive correlations between number of fishes and microplastics loads in fish and between microplastic loads in water and loads in fish. Residents are aware of microplastics in the catchment area of the River. The unregulated gutters that flow directly into the River are the main sources. Wind and running water were discovered as the potential ways by which microplastics are deposited into the River. It is therefore recommended that wastewater be treated before reaching the River and gutters should be channelled out of the River where necessary and plastics usage should be regulated and if possible, banned. � 2020, Springer Nature B.V.

Source: UEW
Margins and economic viability of fresh coconut marketing in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana

The study was conducted in the Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti region of Ghana to examine the margins and economic viability of fresh coconut marketing. Cross-sectional data was randomly collected from 120 individual fresh coconut marketers in market centers across the metropolis and analyzed, using Deconstructed Marketing Margins and Return on Capital Employed. The study revealed that fresh coconut marketing in the Kumasi metropolis is a viable venture that employs people within the economically active age group. Actors in the market have very low educational background with some having no formal education. It has been identified as a safe net for school drop outs, proving meaningful employment for them. Fresh coconut marketing has been found as a lucrative venture to economically empower both men and women to improve their livelihoods. With a minimum of GH₡18.00, as a start-up capital, one can enter into this venture and receive proportionate returns. Actors in the market receive rates of returns several times higher than fixed-deposit interest rate in the Ghanaian economy because they can turn over their relatively low capital several times in the year to accrue more profit. Retailing, though needs a very small start-up capital, is the most profitable level along the distribution channel. Transporting and distributing fresh coconut from the production centre to the consumer market is more profitable than rationing them to retailers and wholesalers in the marketplace. Key words: Economic viability, deconstructed market margin, sedentary wholesaler, itinerant wholesaler.

Source: UEW
Margins and economic viability of fresh coconut marketing in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana

The study was conducted in the Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti region of Ghana to examine the margins and economic viability of fresh coconut marketing. Cross-sectional data was randomly collected from 120 individual fresh coconut marketers in market centers across the metropolis and analyzed, using Deconstructed Marketing Margins and Return on Capital Employed. The study revealed that fresh coconut marketing in the Kumasi metropolis is a viable venture that employs people within the economically active age group. Actors in the market have very low educational background with some having no formal education. It has been identified as a safe net for school drop outs, proving meaningful employment for them. Fresh coconut marketing has been found as a lucrative venture to economically empower both men and women to improve their livelihoods. With a minimum of GH₡18.00, as a start-up capital, one can enter into this venture and receive proportionate returns. Actors in the market receive rates of returns several times higher than fixed-deposit interest rate in the Ghanaian economy because they can turn over their relatively low capital several times in the year to accrue more profit. Retailing, though needs a very small start-up capital, is the most profitable level along the distribution channel. Transporting and distributing fresh coconut from the production centre to the consumer market is more profitable than rationing them to retailers and wholesalers in the marketplace.

Source: UEW
Marital satisfaction among clergy wives in Pentecostal churches in Mfantseman East, Ghana

This study explored marital satisfaction among clergy wives in Pentecostal Churches in Mfantseman East, Ghana. Using the qualitative approach and phenomenological design, twenty wives in the Church of Pentecost in the Central Region of Ghana were sampled. Homogeneous purposive sampling technique was employed to select twenty (20) participants for the study. Semi-structured interview guide was the main instrument for data collection. Thematic analysis was used for the analysis of the data collected. The study‟s findings revealed that clergy wives understand marital satisfaction to be respect and sexual intimacy, communication in marriage and privacy of clergy wives, financial support is a key factor in how clergy wives define and understand marital satisfaction, and clergy wives work together with their husbands as has been practiced in Pentecostal churches. Regarding the role of clergy wives in enhancing or decreasing marital satisfaction, it was discovered that clergy wives pray to support marriage as first wife and the opportunity to support ministry work to enhance marital satisfaction. Additionally, clergy wives have adopted regular check-ups as a way of maintaining their health as a self-care approach. Based on the findings, it is recommended among others that clergy should endeavour to adequately respect their wives and see them as partners in marriage and in ministry, deliberate time should be made by ministers and be dedicated for their wives and families, appointments should be well planned with church members and leaders to reduce calls and visitations.

Source: UEW
Marketing communication and traditional sales strategies_ a case study of traditional medicine sellers on commercial vehicles

The phenomenon of hawking traditional medicines on commercial buses is rampant in Ghana, notwithstanding its ban by regulatory authorities. This study examined the marketing communication strategies used by traditional medicine vendors to sell their wares to passengers in commercial vehicles. The study collected data using qualitative approach involving in-depth interviews and participant observations of five traditional medicine vendors. These vendors were selected using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The study found that traditional medicine sellers employ both ethical and unethical communication strategies in persuading passengers in commercial vehicles to purchase their products. Some of the ethical communication strategies they employed include identification techniques such as starting every sales encounter with prayers and/or comedy; sales promotions; and direct marketing. These strategies were aimed at building rapport with consumers, establishing trust, enhancing the credibility of the products being sold, and deflection of any suspicions or doubts consumers may have about the product. The unethical communication strategies adopted by the vendors to sell their products included propaganda techniques such as exaggerations, embellishments, half-truths and misrepresentations in relation to the efficacy of the medicines. These questionable promotional themes emphasised exaggerated efficacy, cheap price and other melodramatic claims, and overstate the benefits to be derived from using the medicines. The study, therefore, recommends that government and industry stakeholders, especially the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ghana Federation of Traditional Healers Association (GFTHA) and others must train these vendors in ethical communication about the efficacy and dosage of traditional medicines, so as to reduce any negative consequences on the general public health.

Source: UEW
Marketing communication strategies employed by small and medium scale enterprises in the Accra Central market

Every business faces competitive forces that require a strategic approach for competitive advantage. Marketing communication strategies have been one of the key functional strategies that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) adopt to inform customers about existing and new products. Marketing communication is also used to create awareness and persuade customers to buy products. This study investigates the marketing communication strategies Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Accra Central Market employ to market their wares. A qualitative approach was adopted for the study and thirty participants were purposively sampled. Semi-structured interviews and observation were used to elicit data from respondents. Data were analysed from the perspective(s) of the marketing communication and Porter’s five forces of competition. Findings show that all sampled respondents (shop owners/managers) used various forms of marketing communication strategies including customized ones borne out of financial constraints, and thus unique from traditional marketing communication strategies. For improving the known potential efficiency of marketing communication tools for SMEs, shop owners/managers should used marketing communication strategies professionally and also allocate budget for the implementation of marketing communication strategies.

Source: UEW