ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A socio-cultural analysis of Bɩrfor personal names

It is widely accepted that in all societies, personal name practices and cultures are intertwined (Ngubane and Thabathe, 2013). However, this reality is more pronounced in the African society where personal names are not just appellations bestowed on individuals to identify them in the community but rather words that reflect the world view of the people. This is also applicable to the Bιrfor people of Ghana. Among the Bιrfor, the name-giver chooses a name that truly not only identifies the child as a person, but reflects the socio-cultural context within which the child is born. The study investigates the social-cultural significance of personal names among the Bιrfor people of Ghana. It strives to discover the extent to which Bιrfor personal names influence the socio-cultural perspective of the people. The study discusses the typology of Bιrfor personal names. These include cult names, clan names, circumstantial names, proverbial names, reincarnated names, nicknames, colour names and bodily structure names. The study also examines the naming system of the Birfor people. The study examines the relevant of the names of the Bɩrfor speaking people with reference to their meaning, it again looked at what calls for the selection of a name among the Bɩrfor and ascertains how names are linked to the Bɩrfor culture. This work made use of basic research techniques such as sampling (purposive, simple random, stratified and snowball sampling) to sample respondents and communities to conduct the study. Data was however collected through interviews (face to face) and open ended questions. The research found out that names in the given language are influenced by two main sociocultural indicators-the spiritual and the physical. Some particular names in the Bɩrfor cultural setting have some gender sensitivity collocations in them while others do not. It was observed that death dominates most of the Bɩrfor personal names from the history of personal names yoe ‘names’ or k. ũ ‘death’ as a prefix to the name. The study concludes that Bɩrfor personal names sometimes have an effect on their bearers and other constituents of Bɩrfor. Therefore, the study recommends that every Bɩrfor community should inculcate the habit of giving Bɩrfor names to their children to promote their identity.

Source: UEW
Socio-economic impact of government spraying programme on cocoa farmers in Ghana

This paper assesses the impact of government cocoa spraying programme on the socio-economic live of cocoa farmers in Ghana. Due to high cost of pesticides, maintenance of cocoa farms was becoming a burden on farmers. As a remediation, Ghana government initiated a national spraying exercise in 2001to control the spread of the black pod disease and cocoa pests, free of charge, with the aim of increasing yield. Nine years after implementing the project under CODAPEC, Ghana has seen an upsurge in cocoa production yet the economic fortunes of cocoa farmers appear not to have improved. It is hypothesized; therefore, that the mass spraying exercise being implemented by CODAPEC has not contributed to improving income from cocoa. Key Words: Before and after, CODAPEC, counterfactual, golden pod, inflationary gap,

Source: UEW
Socio-Economic Impact of Government Spraying Programme on Cocoa Farmers in Ghana

This paper assesses the impact of government cocoa spraying programme on the socio-economic live of cocoa farmers in Ghana. Due to high cost of pesticides, maintenance of cocoa farms was becoming a burden on farmers. As a remediation, Ghana government initiated a national spraying exercise in 2001to control the spread of the black pod disease and cocoa pests, free of charge, with the aim of increasing yield. Nine years after implementing the project under CODAPEC, Ghana has seen an upsurge in cocoa production yet the economic fortunes of cocoa farmers appear not to have improved. It is hypothesized; therefore, that the mass spraying exercise being implemented by CODAPEC has not contributed to improving income from cocoa.

Source: UEW
The socio-economic impact of weaving in Ghana a case study of Kasena-Nankana Municipal of Upper East Region

This study's goal is to evaluate and investigate the socioeconomic effects of weaving in Ghana, using the Upper East Region's Kasena-Nankana Municipality as a case study. It is aimed at finding how fugu weaving is developed as a vocation in the Kasena-Nanka Municipality, the socio-cultural and economic significance to the community and its people. The performance and appraisal of work production at the indigenous weaving centers in the Upper East Region were investigated using a descriptive survey research. The study found that fugu fabric weaving has provided employment for thousands of individuals. These handwoven products not only benefit the environment, but they also strengthen the local community because the women in the village produce handicrafts that they market to our visitors in order to make money. Rising weaving thread prices, a decline in business during the rainy seasons, and low-quality weaving thread, depending on the brand of threads, are some of the difficulties the indigenous weaving community in the Kasena-Nankana Municipality of Upper East Region faces. In order to determine how the fugu cloth weaving and smock business in Kasena-Nankana Municipality of Upper East Region might improve the socioeconomic life of its residents. It was discovered that educating weavers and coming up with new ways to use fugu fabrics into different works of art are the most efficient ways to have a beneficial impact on the lives of the people.

Source: UEW
Socio-economic status of parents and academic performance of pupils in some selected basic schools in Odoben township

This study aimed at examining the influence of socio-economic status of parents on the academic performance of pupils in selected schools in the Odoben township in the Asikuma-Odeben-Brakwa District. The objectives of the study were to find out the socioeconomic background of parents of the pupils, analyse the performance of pupils in junior high schools in Odoben township and determine the relationship between the socio economic status of parents and the academic performance of pupils. The Social Constructivism theory was used to guide the study. The study aligned itself to the positivist philosophical paradigm hence the quantitative research approach was used with descriptive survey as the research design. A sample of 200 respondents from five (5) basic schools within the Odoben township were used for the study. Stratified sand simple random sampling techniques were used to select the school and respondents. The data was gathered directly from the respondents using a structure questionnaire. Data was analyzed quantitatively using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations to examine the influence of socio-economic status of parents on pupils‘ academic performance. The study found that the socio-economic status of parents of the pupils is low. It was also realized that majority of the students performed below average. The statistical analysis of results also pointed to the fact that there is no significant relationship between the socio-economic status of parents and the academic performance of pupils. The study recommended that parents should be encouraged to get involved in their children‘s education irrespective of University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh ix their socio-economic status. The Ghana Education Service should also see the need to intensify public education and sensitization as well as create the awareness amongst parent on how their involvement is so crucial to in improving the quality of their children‘s education through encouragement, provision of educational materials and participation.

Source: UEW
A socio-geographic perspective of health and economic impacts of COVID-19 on poor households in ghana

COVID-19 outbreak has had multidimensional effects on human lives. The impacts are expected to be more severe on poor households, especially in resource-constraint economies such as Ghana. The Country�has a higher poverty rate [24.2%] and this is likely to upsurge in the coming years due to this pandemic. We aimed to document the pandemic-related health and socioeconomic hazards in Ghana. A content analysis of relevant literature, and a qualitative survey using a socioecological lens were conducted. Based on the Ghana Living Standard Survey report (GLSS 7), twenty interviewees were recruited from 3 most poverty-stricken regions in the country to verify the findings of the content review. The findings indicate�a significant health burden�and a large-scale socioeconomic negative outcome among the Ghanaian poor households. The disproportionate health access by the poor and the rural inhabitants has and will continue to exacerbate. The social hazards are mainly circumscribed relating to poor economic conditions due to job losses, lack of access to income/savings, food insecurity, and lack of welfare support. At the national level, the economy is particularly vulnerable due to low levels of economic diversification. The ultimate manifestation of the pandemic impacts are higher risk of morbidity and mortality rates, and deteriorating wellbeing and livelihoods. These highlights are beneficial to policymakers, development partners, and human rights advocates to make collaborative efforts in helping the poor households during and the post-pandemic periods. � 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.

Source: UEW
A sociocognitive approach to L3 vocabulary acquisition the case of EFL learners at the Ghana institute of Languages

Language learning is an interesting field of research that has attracted several investigations. Vocabulary knowledge is an important element in language acquisition. Not much attention has been paid to vocabulary acquisition of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in second language contexts. As such, this research examines the process of L3 (third language) vocabulary acquisition among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners from a sociocognitive perspective. The study explores the role of sociocognitive factors in the acquisition and development of vocabulary knowledge in a multilingual context. Drawing on relevant theoretical frameworks and empirical research, it investigates the interaction between sociocultural factors, cognitive processes, and individual learner characteristics in L3 vocabulary acquisition. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, to capture the complexity and variability of learners’ experiences. Findings suggest that EFL learners use several approaches such as hybrid strategies (dialogue and mobile apps) and traditional strategies (flashcards and wordlists) which play a crucial role in shaping the vocabulary acquisition process. In addition, learners faced some challenges relating to morphosyntactic structures, phonology, and translation issues. Furthermore, these challenges were a result of classroom factors and teacherstudents’ personal behaviours (lack of effort and insufficient explanations). The implications of these findings for language instruction and curriculum design are discussed, emphasizing the need for incorporating sociocognitive approaches in supporting EFL learners’ vocabulary development in L3 settings. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of L3 vocabulary acquisition and highlights the importance of considering sociocognitive factors in language learning contexts and offers dimensions for further research.

Source: UEW
Sociocultural Groundings of Battered Women�s Entrapment in Abusive Marital Relationship in Ghana

While social psychological theorizations have contributed to our understanding of why battered women continue to remain in abusive intimate relationships, its apparent exclusive focus on individual victims� psychological orientation leaves little conceptual space for discovering the subtle ways by which social and cultural norms shape the stay/leave decisions of victims of spousal violence. Drawing upon discursive psychology, this study explores the sociocultural groundings of stay/leave decisions of battered women in Ghana. Semi-structured focus groups and personal interviews were conducted with 32 participants: 16 victims and 16 perpetrators from rural and urban Ghana. Discursive accounts of participants suggest that post-divorce social stigma, remarriage alternatives, and post-divorce child care, as well as privacy framing of marital abuse function in concert to influence battered women�s entrapment in violent marital relationships. The article argues that, rather than individual psychological orientation, the decision to stay in or leave abusive marital relationships in Ghana is socioculturally and structurally grounded. To understand the highly complex nature of spousal violence, one must always go beyond the person and his or her psychological orientations, and seek the origin of battered women�s entrapment also in the external conditions of life, and in the sociocultural and structural forms of human existence. � 2017 Taylor & Francis.

Source: UEW
Socioeconomic impact of street food vending on SHS graduates

The main aim of the study was to assess the socio-economic impact of the street food vending on graduates of senior high schools. The study was guided by three main objectives which were, analyzing the various kinds of food or meals sold by vendors, evaluating the level of revenue generated in sustaining and maintaining their family members and finally assess problems associated with street food vending. This study was exploratory as well as descriptive under conclusive research. A sample size of 60 food vendors was selected for this study. This constituted 20 vendors from three strata or zones of the municipality. The municipality was divided into three strata namely New Dormaa-Kotokrom, Abesim and Sunyani New Town. The researcher used simple random respondent to respond to questionnaires and interviews designed for the study from each stratum. With regards to the sampling technique, the study employed the purposive sampling and purposive random sampling technique. This study also made use of observation and semi structured questionnaire as the main source of instruments for data collection. The results of the study showed that, most of the respondents vend hot meals which include meals such as tomato stew with rice, shito with waakye, okro stew, shito with banku and fried fish with kenkey. Also, most of the respondents make about GhC100 to GhC200 as revenue and finally, it was found that the most challengeing issues affecting the respondents in vending were, cost of raw materials, access to potable water, theft by employees and outsiders, loan repayment and workers or employees. It was therefore recommended that, policy makers as well as government bodies should enact laws and opportunities that create an enabling environment for SHS graduate food vendors to operate and also, stakeholders such as government and non-governmental bodies should help in continuous supply of potable water, sanitation and waste management services in the natural markets should be engaged by local waste collectors and municipal personnel.

Source: UEW
A sociolinguistic analysis of address terms in Akyem Asuboa

This study focuses on sociolinguistic analysis of address terms in Akyem Asuboa in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It seeks to explore the various categories of address terms, identify some inappropriate address terms, explore the effects of inappropriate address terms and examine people‟s reaction towards the inappropriate use of address terms among the people of Akyem Asuboa. Qualitative method is employed for an in depth understanding of the research. Twenty (20) participants are used for the interview. Observation, interview and focus group discussion was used to collect the data for the study. Interview and discussion were held in Twi, the language of the research community. Direct, faithful and communicative translation methods are used to translate data from Twi to English. Constant comparative thematic approach is used to analyze the data. Findings of the study revealed that fourteen categories of address terms are employed by the people of Akyem Asuboa. Almost all major Christian religious denominations use specific address terms for their members. Descriptive phrase, death preventive names, interjections use as attention getters are regarded inappropriate address terms. Inappropriate address terms destroy peaceful relationship due to the various reactions such as astonishment, anger, public announcement, non responding, insult and others from the victim, the offender and the community. It was recommended that appropriate use of address terms be taught in school in other languages for peaceful co-existence. There should be a research into causes of the use of inappropriate address terms so as to minimize it use to promote peace in our communities.

Source: UEW
Sociolinguistic analysis of Dagaaba appellations

This thesis focuses on the sociolinguistics analysis of Dagaaba appellations. The research took place in Eremon traditional area in the Lawra Municipality of the Upper West Region with sixteen (16) participants. The research was conducted qualitatively with data collected from two sources; primary and secondary. The researcher used the descriptive method for the study. The study analyzed the structure of Dagaaba appellations, the roles appellations play in the lives of the people and also the literary devices that are embedded in the appellations. The researcher employed observation, interviews and personal discussion as data collection instruments. In all forty appellations were collected and thirty-two of them were used for the analysis. There researcher came out with the following findings; five structures were identified as freeform, rhyming scheme, repetition, sentence structure and layout of the appellations. Roles of appellations to the people among another things are commendation or praise, inducement to action, vehicle for recording history, identification with clan members or relations, source of entertainment and development of intellect. The findings also brings to light some literary devices that are found in the appellations, some of them are, repetition, parallelism, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allegory, personification, euphemism, alliteration, assonance, proverb, apostrophe, rhetorical questions, rhyme and onomatopoeia.

Source: UEW
A sociolinguistic analysis of farefari praise poetry The case of Booni dialect

This thesis largely examines Farefari praise poetry (FPP) collected from natural settings in the Bongo communities of Upper East Region. The study attempts to analyze the praise poetry based on a sociolinguistic point of view, using Dell Hymes’ (1974) SPEAKING model. The main objectives of the study includes; (i) to discuss social contexts for the use of Farefari praise poetry (ii) to examine some figurative languages employed in Farefari praise poetry (iii) to discuss some of the functions of the Farefari praise poetry. The main sources of data for the work were primary and secondary. It stresses ethnographic contexts for praise poetry; Boadu (1990) outlines certain occasions where praise poetry is performed such as; festivals, ceremonial occasions like puberty rites in the olden days, marriage rites and weddings, outdooring, ascensions to office, i.e. enstoolment/enskinment of chiefs and funeral ceremonies. In Farefari society, the occasions portray the kind of praise poetry to recite. It is a taboo to use praise poetry meant for death in the normal domestic working places. Also, I looked at the functions of praise poetry, some of the figurative languages used, and how the composers apply the techniques which govern the genre, emphasizes the widespread nature of the art of praising in Farefari society. It is a specialist activity. The composition and the performance of praise poetry are said to be co–temporal. The study considers praise poetry as performance art rather than a one-dimensional verbal art but also explores the form and content of the poetry. Finally, the study unearths some effects praise poetry causes, which includes; physiological, emotional, economical, and spiritual effects.

Source: UEW
A sociolinguistic analysis of Farefari praise poetry the case of booni dialect

This thesis largely examines Farefari praise poetry (FPP) collected from natural settings in the Bongo communities of Upper East Region. The study attempts to analyze the praise poetry based on a sociolinguistic point of view, using Dell Hymes’ (1974) SPEAKING model. The main objectives of the study includes; (i) to discuss social contexts for the use of Farefari praise poetry (ii) to examine some figurative languages employed in Farefari praise poetry (iii) to discuss some of the functions of the Farefari praise poetry. The main sources of data for the work were primary and secondary. It stresses ethnographic contexts for praise poetry; Boadu (1990) outlines certain occasions where praise poetry is performed such as; festivals, ceremonial occasions like puberty rites in the olden days, marriage rites and weddings, outdooring, ascensions to office, i.e. enstoolment/enskinment of chiefs and funeral ceremonies. In Farefari society, the occasions portray the kind of praise poetry to recite. It is a taboo to use praise poetry meant for death in the normal domestic working places. Also, I looked at the functions of praise poetry, some of the figurative languages used, and how the composers apply the techniques which govern the genre, emphasizes the widespread nature of the art of praising in Farefari society. It is a specialist activity. The composition and the performance of praise poetry are said to be co–temporal. The study considers praise poetry as performance art rather than a one-dimensional verbal art but also explores the form and content of the poetry. Finally, the study unearths some effects praise poetry causes, which includes; physiological, emotional, economical, and spiritual effects

Source: UEW
A sociolinguistic analysis of lexical variations and pronunciation variations among native KOLANGɛ speakers.

This study is a sociolinguistic analysis of lexical and pronunciation variations among native speakers of Kolangɛ in the Seikwa Township located in the Bono-Ahafo region of Ghana. Kolangɛ exhibits important social variations which need to be described by linguists. The aim of the study was to examine the speech forms of the older generation and the younger generation and to establish any differences there may be. The study design was qualitative. The main instruments used were interview and conversation. The target population was native speakers of Kolangɛ and the sample size used for the study was sixty (60) native speakers. Speakers spoke spontaneously on such topics as lexical and pronunciation forms found in the home environment, the field of play and in the farm. The study revealed that lexical variations exist among speakers. The older generation speech forms were identified as original Kolangɛ forms whereas the variants that the youth speakers frequently use are identified as Asante Twi and English lexical items. Pronunciation variations were seen to occur in consonant deletion in the younger generation speaker forms. The younger generation’s deletion involves the approximants /r/ and /l/ in the same environments where the older generation speakers retain them. These variations, it was noted, do not impair intelligibility. The findings of the study established that social dialects are prevalent in the study area. This contributes to and strengthens the Labovian Resesacrh Paradigm. It adds to the discussions on social dialects in the literature. The study recommended that the youth speakers especially, should emulate the older generation forms of speech in order to maintain the original form of their endowed language.

Source: UEW