ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Implementation of the standards-based curriculum in Ghana the teacher dimension

Following the rollout of the Standards-Based Curriculum (SBC) in Ghanaian Basic Schools in 2019, stakeholders have been curious to know the extent to which teachers embrace the tenets of the curriculum and work to bring it to reality. For this reason, this study assessed the teacher dimension in the implementation of the standards based curriculum in Ghanaian Basic Schools. The study employed the explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, with questionnaire and interview guide as the instruments used for data collection. A total of 241 public Basic School teachers in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality were randomly sampled for the quantitative phase, whilst 8 teachers were purposively selected for the qualitative phase. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient), whiles qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found that Basic School teachers have positive perception towards the new standards-based curriculum. Also, teacher-personality factors such as professional training, motivation, attitude, commitment, years of experience and content knowledge affect the implementation of the standards-based curriculum. Again, the study found that school management support teachers through supervision and monitoring, continuous professional opportunities, adequate time and training to implement the standards-based curriculum. However, support in the area of teaching and learning resources were found to be inadequate. The study further established that years of experience have statistically significant relationship with teachers‟ perception of the standards-based curriculum. Recommendations have been made for the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Directorate of Ghana Education Service (GES) and other stakeholders in education to support the implementation of the standards-based curriculum with learning resources and training workshops for teachers.

Source: UEW
Implementing effective environmental policies for sustainable development: Insight into the implementation of the CBD in Ghana

This article discusses the efforts made to ensure the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Ghana. The discussion is based on analysis of primary data gathered through interviews and analysis of several official reports, policy documents, legislative instruments, and Acts of Parliament of Ghana that pertains to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. The findings have been presented in a way that portrays the various efforts that have been made over the years to enhance sustainable development as the country makes efforts to implement the CBD. They are also linked to the extant literature on the subject of biodiversity conservation, environmental management, and sustainable development. The themes for presentation thus include the passage of several legislations, rules and regulations, and the implementation of targeted sustainable development-oriented policies. The article presents the gains made in the implementation of the CBD and lessons that can be learnt. � 2021 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.

Source: UEW
Implications of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno state, Nigeria

The study investigated the implications of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, by following the qualitative research approach. Adopting a case study research design, the study focused on gathering insights and experiences from both Boko Haram victims and officials at the Bakassi internal displaced person’s camp. A total of 10 participants were selected by adopting the purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The study employed interview guide and observation checklist as data collection instruments, and subsequently, data analysis was done thematically. The findings of the study revealed that Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State has led to implications including heightened unemployment and poverty, increased corruption, displacement of individuals and property, and notable foreign influences on governance within Nigeria. These consequences have significantly hampered business activities in Borno State and further impeded the conduct of elections in the state. The study further revealed the closure of educational institutions due to security concerns such as kidnapping. Recommendations from the study encouraged bolstering border security to curb the infiltration of extremist elements, promoting job creation for unemployed youth, fostering religious tolerance, implementing character education, ensuring equitable resource distribution, and advocacy for the prosecution of political leaders implicated in Boko Haram activities.

Source: UEW
Implications of conceptual and data complexities on time-series econometric applications in market integration analysis

This article demonstrates and highlights the conceptual limits of current empirical market integration (MI) time series models (threshold models) and their implications on market effi ciency and competitive equilibrium conclusions. The complexities and diversities that characterise the analysis of the concept of market integration are evaluated within the framework of Enke Samuelson-Takayama-Judge (ESTJ) spatial equilibrium theory. The effi ciency and competiveness implications drawn from MI models are limited by how the data generation process (DGP) is infl uenced by equilibrium conditions, by the tradability restrictions of the inter-markets relationships and by the presence of unobserved transactions costs. However, empirical appli cations scarcely address these limitations. Two sets of synthesized data with varying levels of non-linear complexity implied by alternating equilibrium conditions are generated to demonstrate conceptual limits of current threshold models in market integration analysis. Inconsistent conclusions that linear representations imply for threshold propagated DGP will also apply for conclusions derived from threshold models if markets are characterised by switching equilibria conditions. Keywords: market integration, switching equilibria, threshold models, transactions costs.

Source: UEW
Implications of cop 26 forty-five percent reduction in carbon emissions on disasters, economic growth and multidimensional poverty

The Conference of Party [COP] 26 proposed a forty-five percent (45%) reduction in carbon emissions by all countries before the year 2030. The measure is expected to reduce the world’s temperature by 1.50C and disasters. However, there is no empirical study to ascertain the direct effect of the carbon reduction on disaster reduction. Also, the generic 45% carbon reduction measure does not consider the possible effect on economic growth and poverty especially in developing countries. Hence this study sought to assess the effect of the 45% reduction in carbon emission on disaster occurrences, economic growth and poverty across the various continents of the world. The study collected secondary data from several international institutions and adopted the exploratory and inferential spatial statistics techniques. Results indicated that disasters in Oceanic and Africa countries are more likely to reduce by 51% and 9.6% respectively given the 45% reduction in carbon emission. GDP growth rate is expected to decrease by 0.11% while monetary poverty will increase by 0.96% in Africa but the opposite will persist in Europe and America with reduction in carbon emission. The study concludes that, though the 45% reduction is more likely to reduce disasters, but with negative consequence on economic growth and poverty in developing countries as such the generic 45% should be reassessed based on countries level of development. Also, developed countries should support Africa and Oceania states with the needed climate funds to improve their resilience to climate change.

Source: UEW
Implications of deaf students’ learning approaches on their academic performance at the University of Education, Winneba

The purpose of this study was to explore the learning approaches deaf students at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) adopt and their implications on the students’ academic performance. Data were gathered from 31 out of 41 deaf students. The participants were purposively sampled from level 200, 300 and 400. Data were gathered through ASSIST (1998) questionnaire and students’ academic records. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and multiple regression analysis of SPSS 20. Findings of the study suggest that deaf students at University of Education, Winneba preferred strategic approach to learning followed by the deep approach and the surface approaches to learning. Also, the findings indicated that generally male and female participants did not display significant differences in their approaches to learning. Results of the study further suggested that participants’ approaches to learning (deep, strategic and surface) did not predict their academic performance. The study recommended that further investigation could be done using longitudinal study. Such a study should examine whether the approaches to learning of deaf students change over time as they go through their university education.

Source: UEW
Implications of onchocerciasis on the education of children of school going age in Apesokubi in Jasikan District of Ghana

This research is about implications of onchocerciasis on the education of children of school gong age in Apesokubi in Jasikan District in Ghana. The methodology which was principally qualitative involved the use of interviews and observations as the methods for data collection. Data analysis revealed that there were no total blindness among children of school going age in the township. However, in the light of the findings, it is recommended that it becomes a policy by the District Directorate of education that all children of school-going age wear trousers and long-sleeves as their prescribed school uniform in the township. Other recommendations were however made as a result of the findings.

Source: UEW
Implications of self-medication in pregnancy for Safe Motherhood and Sustainable Development Goal-3 in selected Ghanaian communities

Objectives: This study explored self-medication in pregnancy and its implications for achieving Safe Motherhood and Sustainable Development Goal-3 initiatives in some Ghanaian communities. Study design: A facility-based cross-sectional descriptive design using mixed method approach of data collection. Methods: Multi-staged simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 136 pregnant women from public Antenatal Clinics in Efutu and Agona West municipalities in the Central Region of Ghana from June to August 2018. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 whilst interview guides were used to collect qualitative data via Focus Group Discussions and content analysis done. Results: Self-medication in the study area is a common practice among most (88%) pregnant women of all socioeconomic backgrounds, those in the first trimester of pregnancy (68.7%) and routine Antenatal clinic attendants (69%). Religion (p ?= ?0.003) and educational (p ?= ?0.004) backgrounds of respondents were significantly associated with self-medication in pregnancy and motivated by reproductive intentions, availability of medicines, time factor, media advertisements and societal influences relating to beliefs, fears, expectations and perceptions. Majority (90%) of respondents had no side effects. Conclusions: A nation-wide evaluation of public health education on the dangers of self-medication in pregnancy and implementation of drug regulatory policies are highly recommended in Ghana. � 2020

Source: UEW
Implications of social media use on the socialisation and social behaviour of adolescents in Somanya

This study investigated the implications of social media usage on socialisation and social behaviour of adolescents in Somanya in the Yilo Krobo District of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were to: identify the common types of social media used by adolescents, examine the factors that account for the choice of social media types among adolescents, ascertain the experiences of adolescents on social media, assess the effects of social media usage on socialisation of adolescents, analyse the effects of social media usage on social behaviour of adolescents and analyse the effects of social media usage on social interaction of adolescents. Qualitative approach and case study design were adopted for the study. The sample size was twenty adolescents selected through the convenience sampling technique. One-on-one interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data. The major findings from the study were that adolescents used Social Network Sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. The main reasons for using social media included peer influence and connection with people. The effect of social media usage on socialisation of adolescents were; decrease in offline social activities and exposure to online activities which led to social media socialisation. Effect on social behaviour of adolescents showed they were addicted to social media. It recommends that parents socialise adolescents to conform with contemporary social interaction patterns to aid proper use of social media. It was concluded that social media usage affects socialisation of adolescent thereby affecting their social behaviour.

Source: UEW
Implications of Spatio-Temporal Land Use/Cover Changes for Ecosystem Services Supply in the Coastal Landscapes of Southwestern Ghana, West Africa

Land use/land cover change (LULCC) is an important driver of ecosystem changes in coastal areas. Despite being pervasive in coastal Ghana, LULCC has not been investigated to understand its effects on the potential for coastal landscapes to supply ecosystem services (ES). In this study, the impacts of LULCC on the potential supply of ES by coastal landscapes in Southwestern Ghana was assessed for the years 2008 and 2018 by using remote sensing and benefit transfer approaches. Based on available data, relevant provisioning and regulating ES were selected for the assessment while indicators to aid the quantification of the ES were obtained from literature. Supervised classification methods and maximum likelihood algorithms were used to prepare land use/land cover (LULC) maps and the derived LULC categories were assigned according to the descriptions of the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS). Potential supply of provisioning (food, fuelwood) and regulating (carbon storage) services was quantified and the spatial and temporal distributions of these ES illustrated using maps. The results show variations in food and fuelwood supply and carbon storage potentials over the study period and across different locations on the landscape. Potentials for fuelwood supply and carbon storage in mangrove forests indicated declining trends between 2008 and 2018. On the other hand, food-crop supply and carbon storage potential in rubber plantations depicted increasing patterns over the same period. Population, slope and elevation exhibited strong effects on LULC conversions to food crop and rubber plantations whereas these factors were less important determinants of mangrove forest conversions. The findings of the study have implications for identifying and addressing tradeoffs between land uses for agriculture, industrial development and conservation of critical coastal ES within the context of rapid land system transformations in the study region. � 2022 by the authors.

Source: UEW
Impoliteness in Gonja. A pragmatic analysis of radio stations in the Savannah Region.

This study examined the use of impolite language on radio stations in the Savannah Region. It aimed to investigate impoliteness strategies used in Gonja on radio stations in the Savannah Region, investigate the reasons why impolite language are used in Gonja on radio stations in the Savannah Region, and to investigates the effects of the impolite language use in Gonja on radio stations in the Savannah Region. To achieve this, a qualitative case study was employed to record data on political talk shows, current affairs, and morning shows from radio stations across the Savannah Region of Ghana and analysed thematically. From the analysis, five impoliteness strategies: Bald on-record impoliteness, positive impoliteness, negative impoliteness, sarcasm or mock impoliteness, and withhold impoliteness were discovered as used by the speakers, similarly to what can be found in Culpeper (1996, 2005). Again, the study also established the reasons why people used impolite language in a conversation on radio station and the effects impolite words has on the Gonja people and the various communities as a whole. The study also shed light on measures that should be put in place in order to help prevent speakers from using impolite language on radio stations in the Savannah Region.

Source: UEW
The importance of care labels and hang tags in textiles and clothing articles made-in-Ghana case study in the Ho municipality of the Volta region

Care labels and garment hang tags spell out information concerning how to care for “already-made” or ready-to-wear garment. The information may come in the form of letters, words, symbols or a combination of them (Vanderhoff, 1970). In Ghana most of the clothes, textile articles do not have care labels and hang tags. As a result, most Ghanaians damage their beautiful garments, and textile articles due to lack of adequate knowledge. It is against this background that the study sorts to investigate the level of the Ghanaian consumers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers awareness of the importance of including care labels and hang tags on fabric bolt or rolls and on finished garments. The research design used was a case study because the researcher sought an in depth study of the problem. One hundred respondents were selected from Nurses Training College and Ho polytechnic students as well as Manufacturers and retailers in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region. Questionnaires were used to solicit information from them and analyzed. From the study, it was clear that a lot of Ghanaian consumers and retailers of textile fabrics are not aware of the availability and the use of Care Labels and Hang Tags in their fabrics. They also do not understand their use hence do not look out for them when shopping for clothing. It is recommended that the clothing industry should organize workshops to sensitize Manufacturers and Retailers to provide Care Labels and Hang Tags on their products. This can be done through seminars and the use of flyers.

Source: UEW
Improved Botnet Attack Detection Using Principal Component Analysis and Ensemble Voting Algorithm

In recent times especially in the field of cloud computing, one of the most radical forms and threatening key issue of cyber-attacks has to do with botnets. Botnets with their flexible and dynamic nature together with a botmaster, mastermind their operations, change their codes, and update the bots daily in order to prevent the present detection methods. Despite high-profile efforts to tackle botnets, the number of botnets and Infected systems only continues to grow. Early detection and analysis of these increasing number of botnet attack greatly impact the operational activities of any internet-related organization. Machine learning algorithms have played a key role in the detections and analysis of botnet infected packets in attacks such as DDoS attacks. This study, using Principal Component Analysis and an ensemble voting classifier improves the detection of botnet attacks. The results showed increased performance in terms of running time, accuracy, precision, and false-positive. � 2021 IEEE

Source: UEW
Improved clothing for agricultural productivity in Ghana a case study of Benso oil palm plantation and Ghana rubber estates limited of the Western Region

Agricultural employees have permanently or temporarily been disabled by work-associated accidents due to insufficient knowledge in safety in handling equipment and machines and obeying simple procedures for achieving set tasks. Poor health and safety practices in the farming system leads to illness, accidents and low productivity. The advantages of using PPE make it possible to eliminate unnecessary accidents. But the cost of import, sales, and the quality of the protective clothing have no policy guiding its implementation in the sector simply because, the farmers are private businessmen. The study aimed at improved clothing for agricultural productivity in Ghana at Benso Oil Palm Plantation and Ghana Rubber Estates Limited. The research adopted the mixed-method research design. This pragmatic approach was a sequential exploratory design. The Population of the study consisted of all the agricultural workers between the ages of 25 to 60, engaged in farming where each worker was considered as a unit of analysis. Purposive sampling method was used and stratified random sampling was adopted for analysis and data collection for this study. The major tools for data collection were the questionnaire and interview. Results revealed that training in the use of personal protective on-farm site, quality of personal protective equipment, user-friendliness of the protective garments on farm site, protective personal equipment availability, the ease in care of the protective clothings were a factor considered by the Benso Oil Palm Plantation and Ghana Rubber Estates Limited for the selection of protective clothes for their workers.

Source: UEW
Improvement of students’ performance on titrimetric analyses in Breman Asikuma Senior High School using student team achievement division A case study

This study sought to improve the performance of students on titrimetric analysis in Breman Asikuma Senior High School using student team achievement division. It was also intended to find out the views of the students on the use of the STAD to teach titrimetric analyses and also find the differences in the performance of male and female students on titrimetric analyses using the STAD as the intervention. The study was a case study design using the action research approach. The sample for the study was ninety-five (95) second year chemistry students in two intact classes using purposive sampling technique. Achievement tests (pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention tests), informal interview and questionnaire were used as data collecting instruments and the intervention tool used was the STAD. The instruments were pilot –tested to establish the reliability coefficient and were validated by the research supervisor in the Department of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba as well as some other departmental lecturers and experienced chemistry teachers in Breman Asikuma SHS. The scores obtained from the achievement tests were analysed using Excel spread sheet and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 to find out the level of achievement of students after the intervention. Overall findings of the study showed among others that the students had difficulties in some scientific terminologies associated with titrimetric analyses, use of indicators, and manual skills acquisition in titrimetric analyses. There was a great improvement in the performance of the students in general and that of the females over the male students after the intervention as they performed better in the post-intervention test than the pre-intervention test; the students had an overall positive perception concerning the use of the STAD as a teaching and learning technique. It was recommended among others that interested researchers could conduct research into the relative effectiveness of use of the STAD in teaching chemistry topics or teachers incorporate it in any other method of teaching in order for the students in the school to reap the benefit.

Source: UEW