ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Support services for students who are deaf on distance education programme at Bagabaga college of education study centre, Tamale

The purpose of this study was to find out support services given to students who are deaf on the distance education programme at Bagabaga College of Education Study Centre in Tamale. The study was guided by the following research questions: What support services are available to students who are deaf during tutorials, assessment support to students who are deaf, hearing colleagues support to students who are deaf academically and what support services are provided for students who are deaf at the college library. The research approach for the study was qualitative and research design for the study was a case study. The sample size for the study was eight students who are deaf at Bagabaga Study Centre, Tamale. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study. The specific purposive sampling technique used to select the sample was critical case sampling. A semi-structured interview guide was the instrument used to collect data for the study. The findings revealed that there were support services given to students who are deaf. These include; interpreters, note-takers, appropriate placement, good lighting systems, support from some lecturers and support from some hearing students to students who are deaf academically after tutorials and library support to students who are deaf. Also findings revealed some challenges students who deaf encounter such as inadequate interpreters and note-takers, lecturers do not take the presence of students who deaf into account during tutorials and therefore speak at a faster rate making it difficult for interpreters to cope with interpreting. Again there were some sound-based courses students who are deaf find difficult to do. These are speech-based courses such as Phonology and Phonetics, English Language, Language and Literacy, and Music and Dance. The study recommended that the College for Distance and e learning should ensure there are adequate interpreters and note-takers at the centre to support students who are deaf.

Source: UEW
Support services for students with visual impairment at the University of Education, Winneba

The purpose of the study was to investigate the support services for students with visual impairment at the University of Education, Winneba. The study, which was qualitative in nature, utilized the case study design with interview as an instrument for data collection. A sample of 11 participants were used comprising 8 students with visual impairment and 3 resource persons from a population of 60 students with visual impairment who were conveniently sampled. A semi-structured interview was used. Data from the study was thematically analyzed based on the emerging themes. Findings from the study revealed among others that, orientation and mobility services help students with visual impairment to locate relevant places such as resource room, canteen, offices and places of convenience. It was also found that the mobility techniques that were employed at the University of Education, Winneba were the white cane and sighted guides. It was found out that students with visual impairment receive transcription services from the resource center in the form of braille embossment and audio recordings of academic materials. However, there are some challenges affecting the work of resource persons at UEW. Some of the challenges were but not limited to inadequate resource personnel, few resource materials, lack of resource center for students with special needs. The researcher recommended that orientation and mobility specialist, braille transcribers and resource persons must be provided by the authorities of University of Education, Winneba to help improve the provision of service to students with visual impairment in order to make their stay on campus a success.

Source: UEW
Supports teachers provide for pupils with low vision in the regular classrooms at Kona circuit in the Sekyere South District, Agona-Ashanti

The purpose of the study was to examine the supports teachers provide for pupils with low vision in regular classrooms in the Sekyere South District, Agona. The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The sample size was 100 respondents. Purposeful sampling technique was used to select the sample size. The instrument employed to collect data was questionnaire. Data was analysed using frequencies, mean and standard deviations. The findings revealed that there were varieties of real materials and objects in the schools. For example, with large shapes, large print charts available in the schools for teaching pupils with low vision. The findings also revealed that there are resource teachers, guidance and counselling services, eye screening, and audiological services available in all the schools. Findings from the study indicated that adapted materials enhanced the academic progress of pupils with low vision in the schools. Adapted materials such as large prints, the use of optical and non-optical devices enable pupils to grasp concepts that are presented during the teaching and learning process whereas peer support systems brought about effective cooperation of pupils with low vision in the schools. The findings showed that teachers were burdened with adapting instructional materials to meet the needs of pupils with low vision. The researcher recommended that teachers who teach pupils with low vision should be given in-service training to update their skills in managing resources available for the pupils. Resource teachers should cooperate and collaborate with teachers in order to ensure effective resource utilization for pupils with low vision in the basic schools.

Source: UEW
A survey of advance homomorphic encryption schemes used to securely store data in cloud

Work has been conducted to determine the advanced homomorphic encryption scheme that is ideally suited to securely store data in the cloud. Some cloud service providers share information with third parties in order to provide effective cloud services. The third party can access the client's private data and modify the information to make it beneficial to the client. In cloud computing, the client's data is put in the cloud, and any computation of the data stored by the client is implemented in the cloud. Security is the biggest problem about cloud storage as a service provider can access, deliberately alter or even delete stored data. This concern made the researcher to find out the best advance Homomorphic Encryption Scheme that can be used for storing data securely in the cloud in order to curb the problem. Online survey was conducted where the researcher used the internet to have access to online materials such as journals; articles and was able to obtain 29 relevant papers for the study. Systematic Mapping Studies approach was used to scrutinize and categorize articles into groups from a larger dataset. The researcher has tested, compared and evaluated the time complexity, execution time and security of the homomorphic encryption schemes, Elgamal, RSA, SAM, SA, SDC and DGHV. As a result, in the calculations of the execution time of Elgamal, SA, SDC, DGHV, RSA and SAM schemes, it was observed that Elgamal is fast, but in terms of time complexity and security SAM is the best. SAM scheme shows that it has a very good complexity of time, its execution time is very fast and security can be trusted because its secret key is represented by a prime number and it is protected when ciphertext is retrieved. Therefore, SAM scheme is the best homomorphic encryption scheme for storing data securely in the cloud.

Source: UEW
A survey of reflective teaching techniques among selected basic school teachers in Akuse

This study investigated the reflective teaching techniques practiced by basic school teachers in Akuse. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the reflective teaching techniques used by basic school teachers in Akuse, the extent to which these techniques were practiced and also find out the most popular and convenient reflective teaching techniques practiced by some selected basic school teachers in Akuse. A 17-item questionnaire was developed to seek information to satisfy the objectives. Sixty-eight (68) teachers made of forty-nine (49) professional teachers and nineteen (19) non-professional teachers with teaching experiences ranging from less than a year to more-than-eight years of teaching experience. The data gathered was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The results of the study showed that the reflective teaching techniques practiced by basic school teachers in Akuse included oral reflection, peer observation, recording in log books and the use of questionnaires. Oral reflection was found to be the most popular and convenient reflective teaching technique. It was also found from the study results that professional teachers and teachers with at least five years of teaching experience do reflect on their teaching using various techniques to a large extent compared to non professional teachers and teachers with less than five years of teaching experience. It was recommended from the study that peer observation must be encouraged in schools. Workshops on reflective teaching should be organised often to educate and remind teachers of its effectiveness in teaching.

Source: UEW
A survey of the state of implementation of school – based assessment in mathematics the case of senior high schools in the Bibiani – Anhwiaso – Bekwai district

This study investigated the current state of School-Based Assessment (SBA) implementation, factors that facilitate or hinder SBA implementation, what can be done to improve SBA implementation, and the relationship between students‟ SBA performance and their end of term examintion performance in mathematics in the Senior High Schools at Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai district. The study engaged 42 mathematics teachers and 204 students. A mixed method design was used to conduct the research. Data were collected through questionnaire (both close and open-ended). Frequency count, percentage, and Pearson‟s correlation coefficient were the statistical method used to analyze and present the data. Findings showed that most teachers were satisfied with the current state of the SBA implementation practices. Moreover, the analysis revealed that students‟ performance in SBA scores has a positive relationship on their performance in the end of term examination in mathematics. However, it was also unearthed that factors such as lack of training opportunities, workload on teachers, large class size and instructional content, lack of monitoring and supervision, time constrains, lack of resources, students attitudes, and few other mentioned hinder the effective implementation of SBA. Developing teachers‟ knowledge base on SBA through in-service training and workshops, intensifying monitoring and supervision in schools by school authorities, reducing large class sizes to normal and many other suggestions to improve SBA implementation were outlined in the study. The study concludes that the current state of SBA implementation is high and also a positive correlation do exist between students‟ SBA performance and their end of term examination performance in mathematics although it stand to be hindered by few factors.

Source: UEW
A survey of the state of implementation of school – based assessment in mathematics_ the case of senior high schools in the Bibiani – Anhwiaso – Bekwai district

This study investigated the current state of School-Based Assessment (SBA) implementation, factors that facilitate or hinder SBA implementation, what can be done to improve SBA implementation, and the relationship between students‟ SBA performance and their end of term examintion performance in mathematics in the Senior High Schools at Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai district. The study engaged 42 mathematics teachers and 204 students. A mixed method design was used to conduct the research. Data were collected through questionnaire (both close and open-ended). Frequency count, percentage, and Pearson‟s correlation coefficient were the statistical method used to analyze and present the data. Findings showed that most teachers were satisfied with the current state of the SBA implementation practices. Moreover, the analysis revealed that students‟ performance in SBA scores has a positive relationship on their performance in the end of term examination in mathematics. However, it was also unearthed that factors such as lack of training opportunities, workload on teachers, large class size and instructional content, lack of monitoring and supervision, time constrains, lack of resources, students attitudes, and few other mentioned hinder the effective implementation of SBA. Developing teachers‟ knowledge base on SBA through in-service training and workshops, intensifying monitoring and supervision in schools by school authorities, reducing large class sizes to normal and many other suggestions to improve SBA implementation were outlined in the study. The study concludes that the current state of SBA implementation is high and also a positive correlation do exist between students‟ SBA performance and their end of term examination performance in mathematics although it stand to be hindered by few factors.

Source: UEW
A survey of tutors’ perception of professional development in Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana

The continuous development of all teachers is seen as the cornerstone for school improvement and successful implementation of educational reforms. Unfortunately, it appears some teachers do not see the need to develop themselves professionally. Therefore, the study sought to examine the perception of tutors in colleges of education about the need for professional development. It was conducted among tutors in the Central Region of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was employed to carry out the study. The target population comprised 156 tutors in the three colleges of education. A census survey was used to collect data from the 156 college tutors in the study area. A 48-item self- developed questionnaire with reliability co-efficient of .87 was personally hand delivered to collect data from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean standard deviations). The study revealed that tutors perceived the need for professional development and that attending professional development activities are not time consuming activities since they increase teacher knowledge and expertise, and hence, help to improve the quality of college tutors. Also, it has been found that professional development opportunities are less available. However, it was found that professional development is challenged by factors like workload, inadequate time and funds, securing study leave with pay, domestic issues, lack of relevant reading materials among others. It was recommended that the Ministry of Education should make available opportunities for scholarships, exchange/international programmes, workshops, conferences, seminars and various forms of in-service training activities for tutors.

Source: UEW
Sustain or perish: can�environmental supply chain�strategies predict sustainable performance of manufacturing firms? A third world nation's perspective

Purpose: Drawing on the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and dynamic capability perspectives, the current study investigates the extent to which environmental supply chain strategies (ESCSs) predict the dimensions of sustainable performance of manufacturing firms. Design/methodology/approach: In a cross-sectional survey, data were drawn from eight (8) listed manufacturing firms in Ghana: Aluworks Ltd, Unilever Ghana Plc, Fan Milk Limited, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Cocoa Processing Company, Dannex Ayrton Starwin Plc, Benso Oil Palm Plantation Ltd and Samba Foods Ltd. The data from 396 respondents were analysed with partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach to test the research hypotheses. Findings: The study revealed that environmental, social and economic sustainability performance reporting indicators were positively and significantly predicted by ESCSs of manufacturing firms in an emerging economy. Practical implications: In essence, the results provide broad support to the assertion that sustaining companies over several generations largely depends on understanding and implementing proactive green strategies or otherwise perish. Originality/value: The study contributes to the few studies that investigate ESCSs and sustainability performance issues in emerging economies, like Ghana, where sustainability is on the verge of gaining momentum. � 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Source: UEW
Sustainability in Ghanaian restaurant service The role of service recovery

In many parts of the world, restaurants have systematic mechanism for recovering failed services. However, many restaurants in Ghana do not practically perceive service recovery as a strategic management tool, and hence attaches limited significance to systematic service recovery in an attempt to ensure sustainable performances. This study therefore investigates the role of service recovery in the sustainability of Ghanaian restaurant services. The explanatory design and quantitative study involved the survey of 37 managers, 57 waiters/waitresses, and 169 customers of 10 restaurants in the Kumasi Metropolis. Data collected through structured questionnaire was entered in the SPSS IBM 20 and validated using the Lisrel 8.50. Data was subjected to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and hypotheses tested using both multiple regression and Structural Equation Model. The study showed that both customers and service providers perceive the restaurants in the Kumasi Metropolis to adhere to service recovery justices. Nonetheless, the level of service recovery adherence of the restaurants depended largely on the category or grade of restaurant. The higher the grade of restaurant, the higher the adherence to service recovery practices. Distributive and procedural justices had no effect on the social and environmental sustainability. However, the interactional and informational justices positively and significantly influenced both social and environmental sustainability. The distributive, interactional and informational justices positively and statistically significantly influenced the satisfaction level of customers. Also, the satisfaction level of the customers of the restaurants positively and statistically significantly influenced social and environmental sustainability. Customer satisfaction fully mediated the effect of the interactional justice on sustainability whereas the informational justice affects the sustainability of the restaurants only partially through the satisfaction level of the customers. The legitimacy of the restaurants in their located communities was not a moderator in the effect of the level of satisfaction of the customers on sustainability of the restaurants. Lastly, the positive effect of interactional and informational justice on social and environmental sustainability is through the intervening role of customer satisfaction but not dependent on the legitimacy of the restaurants. This study therefore recommends organisation of workshops and seminars on service recovery and promotion of online complaint handling.

Source: UEW
Sustainability practices of hotels in Ghana and the influence of customer interest and participation

The purpose of the study is to examine how customer interest and participation in environmental sustainability activities influence the uptake of sustainability initiatives by hotels in Ghana. The study was a descriptive survey research and employed the quantitative approach to research for the purposes of data collection and analysis. The sample was made up of 219 respondents comprising one key hotel staff responsible for sustainability issues, and two hotel guests selected from the 73 sampled hotels. Questionnaire was employed as the main instrument of data collection and data were analysed using means and standard deviation which was facilitated by SPSS (version 26). The findings show that the environmental sustainability initiatives undertaken by hotels in Accra focus mainly on water conservation, energy conservation, waste management and control, and cost reduction. Also, the results show that guests who engaged in sustainability activities at home tend to show more interest in the sustainability programmes of hotels when they lodge in a hotel. Besides, the guests had their own expectations and views about the nature of sustainability initiatives that hotels should engage in. Among the expectations were that, hotels must be concerned about how their operations affect the environment, majority of the respondents agreed that hotels should engage in recycling and reuse of products were necessary, hotels should help with conserving water, energy, and natural resources, Moreover, it was found that management of hotels are influenced to pursue sustainability programmes when they receive positive responses from hotel guests with regard their level of compliance with sustainability policies and regulations of the hotels, customers willingness to pay a price premium for green hotels, and growing customer demand for sustainability practices by hotels. It was deduced from the findings that while some hotels voluntarily undertake sustainability initiatives as a way of contributing to the global sustainability agenda, the uptake of sustainability initiatives by majority of hotels in Accra is mostly influenced by customer interest and level of participation in sustainability activities. It is recommended that customer interests and expectations of the nature of sustainability practices hotels, should be taken into consideration by hotels when designing their sustainability programmes.

Source: UEW
Sustainability reporting and corporate performance; exploring the interactive role of stakeholder perception.

This study investigates the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (sustainability) sustainability reporting on corporate performance, focusing on the moderating role of stakeholder perception within the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) secretariats. Guided by stakeholder, legitimacy, and signalling theories, the research explores how sustainability disclosures influence organizational outcomes. A quantitative research design was employed, involving 200 participants, including employees and key stakeholders, drawn from GSS offices across the Central Region of Ghana. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and statistical analyses, including regression modelling, were applied to assess the relationships among sustainability reporting dimensions, stakeholder perception, and corporate performance. The findings reveal that sustainability reporting significantly enhances corporate performance across environmental, social, and governance dimensions. Additionally, stakeholder perception plays a pivotal role in amplifying these positive effects, as organizations perceived to be genuinely committed to sustainability achieve better operational efficiency, risk management, and reputational standing. The study emphasizes the importance of transparent and meaningful sustainability disclosures in building trust and fostering stakeholder engagement. This research makes a valuable contribution by addressing the limited empirical evidence on sustainability reporting in the public sector of developing economies. It recommends the adoption of robust sustainability reporting frameworks and active stakeholder involvement to sustain performance improvements. Public sector entities like the GSS are encouraged to integrate sustainability reporting principles into their strategic operations to enhance accountability, legitimacy, and stakeholder confidence. This alignment not only strengthens corporate performance but also advances sustainable development goals, ensuring long-term institutional resilience and public trust.

Source: UEW