ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Domestic violence against women perspectives of cohabiting and married women on marriage sustainability in the Atwima Kwanwoma District, Ashanti Region

The study explored the perspective of women in the Atwima Kwanwoma District on domestic violence. The study employed the qualitative research approach hence the case study design was used to explore the issue based on its context. The target population included all matured married and cohabiting women who are in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region. The study employed an interview guide for collecting data from the participants. Qualitative data obtained were analysed thematically. The study found that too much intake of alcohol by men causes them to abuse their wives and the fact that these women were not economically independent and to make ends meet makes them more vulnerable to be abused by their husbands. The study also found again that cohabiting women and married women in the Atwima Kwanwoma District stay in this abusive relationship due to factors such as the children, childlessness, social status, marital gains, helplessness and vulnerability of these women. Based on these findings, the study was recommended that organizations such as the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the local council of chiefs, and Non-Governmental Organizations like The Ark Foundation should intensify their campaign against men who put women in danger. The study also recommended that cohabiting and married women should be educated to be aware of the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) to enable them report domestic violence cases to DOVVSU officials for pre-emptive appropriate intervention.

Source: UEW
Domestic violence and victim support unit (DOVVSU) and child rights promotion in the Ayawaso East Sub Metropolis in Accra-Ghana

The study was conducted in the Ayawaso East Sub-Metro in Accra. It assessed the effectiveness of DOVVSU in the promotion and protection of the rights of children. This purely descriptive study adopted the quantitative and qualitative paradigms using the mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Two hundred and twenty (220) respondents comprising 121 JHS pupils, 22 teachers, 55 parents and 22 DOVVSU officials were sampled through simple random, proportionate quota, and purposive sampling techniques for the study. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75), and a semi-structured interview guide. The quantitative data were analysed descriptively and presented in tables as well as figures as frequencies and percentages. The qualitative data were transcribed and presented in themes as narratives, verbatim or direct quotations. The study revealed the most prevalent forms of child rights abuses in the area to include physical and sexual abuse, child labour, child abandonment, and child non maintenance. The DOVVSU rarely organized child rights promotion activities in the area, and very little was accomplished through advocacy, and education programmes. DOVVSU was less effective, and coverage of their programmes was relatively low. Inadequate funds and logistics hindered the effective organization of child rights promotion and protection activities by the DOVVSU. It was recommended, among others, that the DOVVSU should be well resourced with funds and logistics. The DOVVSU in partnership with the sub metropolitan assembly, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Department of Social Welfare, the Federation of Women Lawyers, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organisations, as well as media institutions should carry out frequent advocacy and education programmes to prevent child rights violations. They should arrest and prosecute perpetrators of child rights violations.

Source: UEW
Dominance of foreign fabric in H.N.D. fashion-shows in Takoradi Polytechnic

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to examine the factors that influenced the dominance of foreign fabric over local fabric in HND fashion-shows in Takoradi Polytechnic. The study focused on two domains of apparel, fabric and costume designed for fashion-shows in TAkoradi Polytechnic. Judgment sampling technique was used to draw sample of 141 participants of old and current (2014) third year students for a questionnaire survey. The data were analysed by using correlation to examine the interdependency between variables and why the dominance of foreign fabric. The result indicated that there was no interdependent between local fabric manufacturers and the respondents. In effect, foreign fabric dominated local fabric in the HND fashion-shows. It also indicated that, there are some technical limitations in the local fabrics. The result also indicated that, some of the respondents were not able to identified local African prints from the foreign. In conclusion, the finding threwmore light on factors that influenced fabric selection in HND fashion-shows in Takoradi Polytechnic and also provided useful suggestions to guide the use of local fabrics. It was recommended that fabric and garment producers should interact with each other for effective work results. Again local fabric producers should add little to improve upon what is already in the market. Also HND fashion textile students of Takoradi Polytechnic should be made to use local fabric most in fashion-shows and that is the only way departmental goals and objectives would be achieved.

Source: UEW
Drivers and dynamics of financial inclusion in Ghana

The significance of financial sector development, encompassing capital markets and the banking sector, in emerging economies has been substantiated by a plethora of evidence. Nevertheless, access to financial services tends to be biased towards affluent individuals and those already financially stable while overlooking the impoverished and those residing in remote areas. By utilising data from the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) 7, this research employed an explanatory research design and applied the probit model to analyse the drivers and dynamics of financial inclusion in Ghana. The findings revealed that religious affiliation, educational attainment, age, marital status, gender, and hours worked substantially drove financial inclusion in Ghana. The study identified that most individuals excluded from the financial sector were marginalised due to poverty or financial constraints, with less than 2 per cent being involuntarily excluded from formal financial services. Furthermore, the study disclosed that most respondents access credit for entrepreneurial ventures, personal consumption, education, and agricultural activities. Additionally, many credit applications were turned down due to the inability to provide collateral, absence of a guarantor, low income, and inappropriate loan purposes. The study recommends that the Ministry of Finance should strive to promote the ownership of formal bank accounts by addressing issues related to gender, education, and income disparities. Finally, it is recommended that financial institutions should engage in community outreach programs to equip individuals with the requisite knowledge to enhance their comprehension of banking procedures.

Source: UEW
Dropping out: Identity conflict in and out of school in Ghana

This paper explores geographies of identity of Ghanaian school dropouts. In particular, we investigate how school dropouts in rural communities construct narratives of identity within and outside school. In our analysis we trace how space, power and identity intersect in accounts of dropping out. Focusing on the narratives of four school 'dropouts', we start with their accounts of life outside school where they have significant social responsibilities as parents, carers and/or wage-earners. We contrast this with their accounts of their experiences as students in school. After exploring their efforts to gain and sustain access to school, we turn to their accounts of life in school and the ways they navigate the institutional gender and age regimes. These narratives highlight how being 'over-age' intersects with polarised student gender identities in a range of variable ways that discourage staying in school. The analysis indicates that the social positioning and identities of drop outs within school spaces were in tension with those they occupied in their homes and communities. More specifically, we suggest that the difficulties in navigating power and identity in these different spatial geographies are critical to understanding the processes of dropping out. In addition, we reflect on the methodological implications of this research which demonstrates the limits of quantitative data on dropout and associated problems with homogenised, deficit accounts of dropout often articulated in dominant development discourses. In turn this has important implications for how we might construct interventions to address dropout and the right to education for all. � 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UEW
Dual solutions in MHD stagnation point flow of nanofluid induced by porous stretching/shrinking sheet with anisotropic slip

In this article, the steady three-dimensional stagnated flow induced by a porous moving system is investigated. The flow field and thermal distribution are subject to anisotropic slip and a magnetic field. The existing nonlinear equations are unraveled numerically using a bvp4c code in Matlab. The impact of various parameters on flow profiles temperature surface friction and surface heat transfer rate is put together in graphs and tables. The accomplished results depict that the velocity fields enhance for both S < 0 (suction) and S > 0 (injection). Similarly, it is noticed that surface shear stress and heat transfer possess stronger behavior for the case of injection. The behavior of temperature fields is opposite for upper and lower solutions when checked for the Prandtl number Pr. Stability analysis shows that the primary solution is stable and substantially feasible, whereas the second solution is not stable. The velocity h(?) decays with the magnetic field for both solutions. � 2020 Author(s).

Source: UEW
E-governance and citizens patronage in the Effutu municipality

Digitization in governance has led to great transformation in government agencies and institutions. Notably, these efforts are very important for the development of one’s country and Ghana is of no exception. The introduction of electronic governance in Ghana, has attracted substantial debate and have served as a field of study for few studies. This incites the researcher’s interest to investigate the level of patronage by citizens in the Effutu municipality in electronic governance. Conceptual model that guided the study was the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The study used a concurrent mixed method research approach to gather data from respondents through interviews and questionnaires. Thematic and descriptive analysis was used as an approach for data analysis and discussion. The relevant literature and findings revealed that language was a problem in the use of e-government systems and applications. Respondents complained about instructions only being in english and if there could be a system where local dailect will be used. Moreso, there should be audio bites in local dialects that will direct users on procedures. Findings from the study also highlights the consciuos effort made by the Municipal Assembly to provide an electronic means to pay property rate. This was through a moblile money number. Officials from various offices believe education on egovernmnet procedures should be in a continum. Hence it is recommended that there should be more sensitization for stakeholders and end users most especially. Studies have revealed that, governance will be more effective when controlled electronically, hence the need for its introduction.

Source: UEW
E-hailing video advertisements on YouTube: A study of two selected e-hailing Companies in Ghana

The research delved into e-hailing video advertisements on YouTube within Ghana, scrutinising conveyed messages, visuals, and persuasion strategies used by Uber, Yango, and Bolt. Employing qualitative content analysis, the study unveiled messaging strategies centred on convenience, affordability, and safety. These aligned with unique selling propositions, influencing consumer perceptions. Visual cues emphasised app screenshots, diverse passengers, and well-maintained vehicles, highlighting user experiences and industry trends. Emotional appeal, social proof, and calls to action emerged as persuasive tactics, leveraging narratives, scenarios, and music to evoke emotions. The study recommends Ghanaian advertisers conduct regular market research to align with evolving consumer preferences, tailoring advertisements to address local needs for enhanced effectiveness in this unique context.

Source: UEW
Early childhood educator’s use and perspectives of play as a learning strategy within Tema Metropolis

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore early childhood educators’ use and perspectives of play as a learning strategy in the preschool classrooms at Tema Metropolis within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study sought to examine early childhood educators’ perspectives on play as a learning strategy, assess how early childhood educators’ implement play as a learning strategy, identify the barriers early childhood educators’ encounter in using play as a learning strategy and find out the support systems that could be put in place to enable early childhood educators’ implement play as a learning strategy in the preschool classrooms within Tema Metropolis. Twenty (20) participants were sampled for this study. Those participants were purposively sampled. Semi-structured interview guide was used to data for the study. The inductive analysing approach was considered and all data were manually coded. The study found that, participants’ perspectives of play as a learning strategy included but was not limited to the following: enjoyable, it provides opportunities for interaction and socialization with peers. Also, the study found that participants implemented play as a learning strategy in the preschool classrooms using play scenarios, thematic learning centres, and storytelling. Insufficient knowledge in creating a playful in their classroom, lack of time and space, large class size and inadequate of playing materials were barriers participants encounter in the implementation of play as a learning strategy in the classroom. Moreover, the study found that collaborative planning, more space, more adults who are skilled, more play materials and more time would be great support system to have in place in the classroom to enable them implement play as a learning strategy. The study recommends that, early childhood educators needs more than minimal professional trainings in order to gain more knowledge on play-based learning and on how to create a playful classroom. For that reason, designers of teachers’ training programs should review the current programs and make relevant adjustments, so that these programs would not just focus on the teaching of knowledge and basic skills with play-based learning but also on the link between teachers’ belief and practice. The study also recommends that, policy makers of Ghana Education Service under the Ministry of Education should make appropriate and relevant policy for early childhood educators to implement play in their classrooms. Thus, they need to clarify the expectations of early childhood educator and provide guidance in implementing play based learning in their schools.

Source: UEW
Early Childhood Teachers’ Professional Identity in Mfantseman Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of early childhood teachers’ professional identity in the Mfantseman Municipality in the Central region of Ghana. The study adopted concurrent mixed method design using identical samples for both quantitative and qualitative data. The target population for this study comprised all Kindergarten teachers in the Mfantseman municipality. The census sampling procedure was employed to sample 182 early childhood teachers for the study. Questionnaire with some open-ended questions were used to gather data. The quantitative data were analysed through the computation of descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA, using the SPSS. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using Atlas. ti 7.5.17. The study revealed that the level of teacher professional identity was high. It emerged from the study that contextual factors influencing early childhood teachers’ professional identity were related to school environment, lack of recognition, social regard, nature of the school administrators, and nature of working environment. The study revealed that early childhood services face challenges related to the un prestigious nature of the occupation; low remuneration, lack of infrastructure, teaching learning materials, and attitude of parents. The data also suggested that professional development like higher education; experience and professional exposure influenced their professional identity. It was concluded that early childhood teachers’ identity levels were high and were also influenced by contextual factors stemming from school environment, societal perception, individual preferences, remuneration and lack of logistics. The following conclusions were drawn based on the findings of the study: The study concluded that generally, early childhood teachers’ identity levels were high on all the four indictors: professional knowledge, professional values, professional skills and reflective practice. The study recommended that the Mfantseman educational directorate in collaboration with the sampled school authorities should organise comprehensive in-service training programmes on professional knowledge, professional values, professional skills and reflective practice to establish it influence in their teacher professional identity to equip teachers to develop positive professional identity.

Source: UEW
Early diversification rather than specialization as predictor of elite performance in selected soccer academies in Ghana

Sporting activities are no more participated in for healthy life style only but for talent exploration and development leading to successful career. The career prospect in sports increases but with associated competition which demands thorough approach to talent development. This study examines the contribution and benefits of early diversification with late specialization versus early specialization model of teaching sport activities in physical education classes at basic schools level in Ghana. Primary data was collected by interviewing 8 Professional Soccer Coaches, 6 Physical Education Teachers and 56 soccer academy players. The result shows that early diversification with late specialization is the ideal strategy for identifying the broader spectrum of children potentials and developing them to higher professional level. It is a pre-condition for specialization, and its effectiveness leads to developing multiple skills that gives competitive advantage globally. The duration an individual spends in diversification is dependent on the capability to engage in multiple roles effectively with the minimum being up to 11years of age, and the maximum being up to 20 years of age. The development and teaching of early diversification programme for children in basic schools cover broad areas with benefits that span across behavioural development and skills acquisition. Some of the recommendations made were that, the curriculum focusing on early diversification programme should be structured, standardized and deployed in the teaching of physical education in schools. Also the curriculum and related manuals produced should be part of sports education and easily accessible to coaches, sports associations and clubs. Moreover, specialization should be widened to include at least two areas of positions where possible as a matter of gaining competitive advantage in the child‟s future career.

Source: UEW
Eating habits of students of Obrachire Senior High School

The study investigated the eating habits of students of Obrachire Senior High School. The objectives were to find out students‟ nutritional knowledge, their food intake, factors that influence their food choices and the effects of their eating habits. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. One hundred and twenty students were randomly selected as respondents. A questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used for data collection and was analyzed using SPSS version 19. Results indicated that students‟ nutritional knowledge is low. Students generally had two meals a day especially the day students with majority taking snacks between the main meals. Factors that affected student‟s food choice included: food available, religious and ethnic taboos, food advertisement and money available. Recommendations include; students should be educated on food nutrients and functions, parents should be encouraged to feed students with well balanced meals including fruits and vegetables. Promotion of healthy eating guidelines and messages should become a mass media campaign in order to target large groups, especially adolescents. If students acquire healthy eating habit from home, they will practice it when out of home.

Source: UEW
Economic and technical analysis of 500kw grid-connected solar photovaltaic power system at University of Education Winneba, Kumasi

Grid-connected solar PV systems, though the fastest growing renewable energy technology in the world, have not been fully exploited in Africa, one of the reasons being the very high initial investment. Prices of solar PV systems have however been on a decline for the past few years due to technological innovations which have led to improvement in cell efficiencies and the economies of scale resulting from increase in production. The main purpose of this thesis is to perform, determine and evaluate a 500KW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power system for University of education Winneba Kumasi (UEW-K) using rooftops of buildings on campus. A solar resources assessment done to know the amount of solar radiation available at UEW-K showed that UEW-K receives about 4.30KWH/m2 /day. A roof assessment which considered parameters such as the surface orientation and pitch of roofs, roof area and the possibility of shading of the roof also revealed that there is about 21,848m2 of roof space available for grid –connected solar PV installations. In technical analysis of 500kwp solar PV system, the three (3) commonest solar PV module technologies were selected and their performance simulated using PV system software. Amorphous silicon modules were found to perform better than monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules over the one (1) year simulation period. The financial analysis carried out using RET screen revealed that at a solar PV market price of US$4.45/WP and a tariff of US$0.11/kwh the project is not viable unless feed-in tariffs greater than US$0.43/kwh are paid. A study should therefore be carried out to examine the capacity of the utility grid in terms of how much electricity can be injected. This is because knowing the capacity of the utility grid will provide useful information about how much electricity from solar PV systems can be injected into the grid. It will be necessary to know

Source: UEW