ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing consumer awareness and perceptions about street food safety at Old Tafo in the Ashanti Region

Research has shown that most reported foodborne outbreaks are caused by food prepared and consumed at home and on the streets, thus emphasizing the importance of consumer food safety awareness and knowledge. To achieve this aim, the researcher used the quantitative descriptive survey methodology in the conduct of this study. The population for the study covered all the consumers of street foods in the Old Tafo. 100 respondents were randomly selected for the study. The researcher used questionnaire to collect data related to the objectives of the research and used simple frequencies, percentages and mean to analyse the obtained data. The study concludes that consumers do not know of the safe food handling practices and do not think of food safety when buying street food. It was also seen that consumers do not trust that street food vendors have capability to ensure that street foods are safe and therefore do not have trust in street food vendors. Finally, consumers have serious concerns about food safety issues. However, there is a significant disparity relating to the corresponding change in consumers’ food consumption habit. The study concludes that Food and Drugs Authority should conduct frequent periodic supervision of the operations of the street food vendors and certify them accordingly. Television and other mass media, government publications and food labels which have wide reach and are more ‘trusted’ by consumers should be used more effectively in educating consumers on safe food handling practices. Also, consumers should take personal responsibility for the food they buy and pay conscious attention to food safety practices.

Source: UEW
Assessing content and pedagogical knowledge in physical education of mentees from the special education Department University of Education, winneba

The aim of every teacher is to bring about a relatively permanent change in behaviour of learners they teach. For a teacher to be effective both the content knowledge and pedagogical skills play a vital role in their professional. Based on these observations the researcher deemed it necessary to assess the content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge in physical education of mentees originally from the Special Education Department in the University of Education Winneba. A purposive sampling technique was used to select all mentees from the Special Education Department who took courses in the P. E Department and therefore taught P.E during their out segment programme. This is because this type of sampling technique remained the only choice to help obtain the kind of data generated for the study. The researcher used purposive sampling method to select 25 student -teachers who responded to questionnaires designed in Likert format rating Strongly Agree, Agree, Undecided, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree on physical education pedagogical content knowledge. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for the variables and inferential statistic of linear regression analyses was applied to show the significant influence. With Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient a significance level at 0.05 was reached with the finding that SPED mentees of the University Of Education, Winneba show a weak correlation between PEPCK and the other variables. The main recommendations are students who may desire to work in special schools as PE teachers should read PE as main area of study and take special education as their second subject. On the other hand Adapted Physical Education should be introduced as an elective subject in the physical education department to help solve the special need issues.

Source: UEW
ASSESSING CONTRACTORS PERFORMANCE, ON THE BUILDING PROJECT. A CASE STUDY OF NEW JUABEN MUNICIPALITY IN EASTERN REGION

The construction sector is an important sector of the economy and contributes significantly to Gross Domestic Product(GDP).The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has noted that about one-tenth of the global economy is dedicated to constructing and operating home and offices(UNEP, 1996). This work is focused on assessing Contractors’ performances on building projects. The study area for this research is the New Juaben Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Qualitative sampling method was used the for study. Respondents that were contacted for the study are the inspectors of Public buildings and the Consultants in the Municipality. In all a total of two hundred and thirty-four (234) out of these,25.6%, representing contractors,27.4% also represent masons, carpenters 25.6% and 21.4 which also representing operators were the respondents for the study. The SPSS and the spread sheet were used to analyse the primary data obtained. Tables and graphs were the tools used for the processing of the data. The Chi-square was used for further analysis of the data. A result from the study indicates that, inspectors of public buildings are very satisfied with the performance of the contractors in the districts. Also, it has been realised that differences exist between the performance of the First class, Second class and the Third class contractors. The first class contractor performs best compared to the second and the third class contractors. The research recommends that more and alternative ways be put in place to maintain the standard of performance of contractors in the districts. According to the study, good technical knowledge is essential to the performance of the constructional industry.

Source: UEW
Assessing customer dissatisfaction in the hotel industry in Assin Fosu Municipality

The hotel industries are shifting their focus from transactional exchange to relational exchange for developing mutually satisfying relationship with customers. Serving the customers, in true sense, is the aim of every hotel management as the customer was, is and will remain the central focus of all hotel industries or organizational activities. The purpose of the study was to assess customer dissatisfaction in the hotel industry in the Assin Fosu Municipality. Areas examined include the demographic characteristics of customers, causes and effects of customer dissatisfaction and strategies hotel industries have taken to reduce customer dissatisfaction. The population of the study comprised all the workers, management and customers of the six hotels selected for the study. A questionnaire was employed to collect data for the study. A sample size of 158 respondents was selected using census, purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data gathered. Among other things it was found out from the study that the youth patronize the services of the hotels either as workers or clients. The study also revealed that customers do not often go to the hotels and even those who patronize the services do so when they are on official business trips. It was further revealed that improper portering and general services such as room space, hygiene, privacy, location, food and drinks served and non-acceptance of credit cards were disincentive to customers which make them dissatisfied with the services of the hotels. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that hotel management should offer proper portering and general services to customers to ensure their regular patronage of the facilities and clearly defined responsibilities given to staff members.

Source: UEW
Assessing customer satisfaction and profitability in hospitality industry (hospital facility) in Accra- case of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra region

The purpose of the study was to assess customer satisfaction and profitability in hospitality industry (hospital facility) in Accra, case of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Greater Accra. The researcher used descriptive survey design for the study. Quantitative research approach was used. The total population of the respondents is one hundred and fifty (150). The purposive sampling technique will be used to select all the 150 respondents for the study (22 hospital staffs and 128 customers) drawn from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to gather primary data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (S.P.S.S) Version 18 was used to analyse data. The study results concluded that customer satisfaction increased the profitability of the hospital. Also, good customer services improved repeat sales, customer satisfaction enhanced word of mouth advertising, satisfied customers promoted the hospital facility‘s services to others and their word of mouth advertising increased the sales of the organization. The customers perceived that the service quality in the medical tourism industry involved delivering products and customer services consistently and according to expected international standards. Furthermore, service quality was the key factor that affected and influenced customers‘ decision-making. Moreover, the medical administrative departments in the hospital focused on customer demands for consistency, meeting customer needs for clear policies on service quality, and for up-to-date medical treatment and service quality. Finally, the customers were satisfied with the services provided by the Korle Bu teaching hospital. The study recommended that the Management of the Korle Bu teaching hospital should organize periodic seminars, lectures, conferences and training programmes to educate staffs regarding the modern methods of creating customer satisfaction and promoting customer loyalty in the Korle Bu teaching hospital.

Source: UEW
ASSESSING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES. (A CASE STUDY OF TOYOTA GHANA LTD)

Automobile companies in Ghana continue to lose customers due to various degrees in taste, preferences for technology and poor quality of service delivery. Even though, the sales and services of vehicles are on the increase and also new customers are being attracted every day, customers continue to change their interest in the purchase and services of their vehicles from one automobile company to another. This has resulted in poor customer satisfaction in the automobile industry. The practice has worsened even in times where the quality of products has improved tremendously, customers still continue to complain and still go in search of satisfaction elsewhere. Also, despite the improvement technology leading improved quality of product and service delivery, automobile companies in Ghana have not put in place effective programmes or measures to get the best out of their customers in terms of service delivery and after sales services. To this effect, the study is aimed at assessing customer satisfaction in the Ghanaian automobile industry. Descriptive survey design was deemed appropriate for the study because of the versatile and practical that identifies present conditions and points to recent needs whereas mix method research strategy was employed. Two sampling techniques were deemed appropriate in the study namely, purposive sampling technique and convenience sampling techniques. Purposive sampling technique was used for sampling out the staffs from Toyota Ghana Company Ltd, whereas convenience sampling techniques was used to sample out customers of Toyota Ghana Company Ltd for the study. The study used questionnaires as the main research instrument to gather data for the study. Judging from the finding of the study, it was established that there is a relationship between the customer’s satisfaction and after sales services because as the more good services the company provide, also as the number of years of service experience increases for the customer, the more increase in satisfaction level of the customers. The study recommends that Automobile companies should solve the dissatisfaction of customers in quality, time and price by assessing customer’s satisfaction frequently.

Source: UEW
Assessing customers’ meal experience in grade two restaurants in the Kumasi Metropolis

The purpose of this study was to customer meal experience in grade two restaurants in the Kumasi Metropolis. The researcher specifically set out to It further examined the factors that influence customers’ meal experience of grade two restaurant’s customers in the Kumasi Metropolis. Primary data was gathered from various customers of some selected grade two restaurants in the Kumasi Metropolis through questionnaire administration. The study drew three hundred (300) customers but only two hundred and eighty-two (282) responded to the structured questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS/PASW version 20. The primary data was gathered from various customers of ten (10) selected grade two restaurants in the Kumasi Metropolis through questionnaire administration. Two hundred and eighty-two (282) customers responded to the structured questionnaire. The researcher found that background characteristics such as gender, occupation, age, monthly income and marital status influence people’s decisions do dine in restaurants and majority of the sampled respondents were between the ages of 18 – 25 single. There was a significant positive relationship between the meal experience and service quality, food quality and restaurant environment. The study recommends that operators of restaurants should have a more efficient and reliable supply chain for fresh and high-quality ingredients. It is also recommended that all processes involved in food preparation must at all times be closely checked and controlled to make sure that the high standard food quality is maintained regularly to enhance customer meal experience.

Source: UEW
Assessing delay in construction projects in Jasikan District of Ghana

Construction Industry in Ghana is facing a serious issue of construction delay causing a significant amount of time over run and cost overrun. Various studies have addressed the issue of construction delay, however, most of studies focused on identifying causes of delay. Less attention has been paid to addressing the issue of construction delay. Hence this study aimed to assess the strategies to minimize delays in construction projects in Jasikan District of Ghana. A comprehensive literature review from various sources through books, the internet, and civil engineering journals were made to carry out the study. Investigative approach for the study was qualitative research. Purposeful sampling technique was used in this study. Population sample of 115 was used in this study among experts in the construction industry. The population included project managers, foremen, and artisans. It is important to note that most Construction projects in Jasikan District of Ghana were experiencing delay (time overrun). Notably, the study showed that, there were six issues that affects delays in construction projects. These are time overrun, cost overrun, abandonment, litigation, arbitration and claims. The research also revealed that there were forty-seven (47) factors that cause construction projects delay. A total of seven groups of these factors were identified that contributed to the cause of construction delays. The research also showed seventeen strategies or methods of minimizing construction delays based on literature review and questionnaire survey and interview. Data collection for the study were in two broad areas. The primary sources such as structured interviews and visits and observations while the secondary source was questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 16.0) with simple table analysis and descriptive statistics, calculation of mean score to rank the various causes, effects and methods of minimizing construction projects delays. The study concluded with eleven (11) recommendations that were made to address the findings of the study.

Source: UEW
Assessing employee satisfaction with employers support for higher education, a case of Ecobank Ghana Limited

The study assessed employees’ satisfaction with employers support for higher education at Ecobank Ghana Limited. Data for the study was obtained from a sample of one hundred (100) respondents through self-administered questionnaires. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used for the study. The results indicated that training and development help improve employees’ performance within organizations, the study showed that the input from employers was minimal or non-existent. It was realized that employers did not pay any of the tuition fee of employees, employers did not pay part of the tuition fee. Among the recommendations made were that employers hardly encourage employees when embarking on masters and post graduate programmes even though employers do not pay for such programmes. To ensure the confidence of employees, employers should encourage employees when they desire to pursue higher education as such employees will in the end contribute to the development of the organization.

Source: UEW
Assessing employees’ satisfaction towards employer support for higher education a case study of Electricity Company of Ghana Ashanti west and east areas

The study investigated employees’ satisfaction towards employer support for higher education among. The main objectives of the study were to identify the employer support systems provided by ECG to assist its employees in higher education programmes. This study was positioned within the positivism worldview hence quantitative methodology was adopted. The study used simple random sampling to select the study participants. The study subsequently used the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table to determine the sample size for the 500 population size. Based on the table, the sample size for this study stood at 217 and on a 95 percent confidence level. The study used questionnaires to gather data from the respondents. First descriptive statistics such as Mean and Standard deviation were used to analyse the study data. Afterwards, inferential statistics thus, Pearson correlation and multiple regression were used for the relationship analysis. The study revealed that most of the respondents said they were not released from their job duties when they gain admission to pursue educational or higher learning programmes or courses. On this score it is recommended to management to equally look at new modalities or work systems that will permit employees due for educational programmes to pursue it since it will go a long way to reinforce the educational support systems provided by ECG to its workforce.

Source: UEW
Assessing factors influencing frequent change of jobs by skilled labourers in the construction industry a case study of Berekum municipality, Brong-Ahafo region

The construction industry is the main institution responsible for putting up infrastructural projects. The institution relies on well – functioning and educated skilled labour workers in discharging their duties. There has been frequent change of skilled labour job place in recent times at Berekum Municipality. The aim of this study was to assess factors that cause frequent change of skilled labour job place in construction industry. The study adopted a quantitative design involving the administration of survey questionnaires to a sample of 80 respondents made of supervisors, skilled labor and unskilled labor. The collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21. The results were presented using percentages and mean values in a Table. The findings of the study suggested that delays in payment of work done, inefficient equipment, rampant accidents, lack of training among others, were the contributing factors of skilled labour turnover. Based on the findings, the study recommends that, there should be organized training for workers, there should also be provision of efficient materials and equipment to prevent accidents and reasonable remuneration should be paid to workers for their work done. Frequent change of skilled labour job place in construction industry would be reduced if proper attention is given to the proposed recommendation Audrey

Source: UEW
Assessing factors that influence students’ interest in mathematics in senior high schools in Ashanti Region, Ghana

The students’ performance in Mathematics has been of great concern among parents, educators and general society. Students’ performance in Mathematics may be affected by students’ interest towards Mathematics. The study modeled the Ghanaian Senior High School students’ interest in Mathematics by using quantitative research approach. The study used stratified simple random sampling technique to select ten schools and 1263 respondents in the Ashanti region. The structured questionnaire used for data collection was self-designed to suit the study objectives. The study presented three structure equation models: students-oriented model, teacher-oriented model and combined student and teacher factors-oriented model. The student-oriented model predicted 28.9% of students’ interest in Mathematics, the teacher-oriented model predicted 71.8% of students’ interest in Mathematics and the combined model predicted 71.1%. A logistics regression model predicted 45% of students’ interest while multiple linear regression model predicted 65% of the total variability in students’ interest in Mathematics. The study revealed that students’ interest in Mathematics is independent on the type of basic school attended, age, class level of student as well as parental motivation, however, the study found that students’ interest depend on gender, compulsion in studying Mathematics, future career influenced by Mathematics, parents interest, parents level of education, the programme of study and the agents of students’ motivation. The study concluded that teacher-oriented factors are dominant factors needed for predicting students’ interest in Mathematics. The study concluded further that teachers’ ability to connect Mathematics to real life problems remain the most important predictor of students’ interest in Mathematics. A recommendation of this study is for policy makers to consider early inclusion of guidance and counseling courses into the senior high school curricula to educate students on the importance of courses in their career.

Source: UEW
Assessing female headteachers transformational leadership practice for school improvement in the junior high schools in the Jasikan District

This study examined the influence of female transformational leadership practice for school improvement. The descriptive correlational survey was deployed as a research design and the quantitative research methods. The reliability test yielded Cronbach Alpha of 0.94 depicting the appropriateness of the questionnaire for data collection. Data was collected from 60 teachers (workers) from 10 out of 14 schools basic and secondary schools with female principals. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants for the study. Descriptive statistics were used for the study. Findings revealed that there are somewhat high levels of transformational leadership among female principals. The study also revealed that the practice of transformational leadership among female principals does not depend on educational qualification. However, at 95% confidence level, there is strong positive relationship between the practice of transformational leadership and school improvement. Again, female principal transformational leadership in terms of individualised consideration and inspirational motivation positively influence school improvement, intellectual stimulation and idealised influence have significant influence. The study recommended there should be focus on creating a positive school climate for all participants in educational process which would make the school a “better place for living and learning” and that can be achieved by the practice of transformational leadership style.

Source: UEW