ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the awareness and knowledge level of value added tax among retailers in Cape Coast implications for tax compliance.

This Study explores the extent of awareness and understanding among retailers in the Cape Coast Metropolis regarding Value Added Tax (VAT) and its Effect on tax compliance. Utilizing a sample size of 150 respondents and employing a descriptive research design, the study aims to evaluate retailers' awareness and comprehension of VAT, identify factors that influence this awareness, and examine how it affects tax compliance behaviors. The Finding reveals that retailers' awareness and knowledge levels of VAT are influenced by various factors. While formal education is a significant factor, other contributors include the accuracy of VAT information provided by the government, personal interactions with tax authorities, and communication within the market. These findings challenge the notion that awareness and knowledge of VAT are solely dependent on formal education, emphasizing the complex interplay of different factors in shaping retailers' understanding of VAT, which subsequently impacts their tax compliance practices. The moderate level of awareness observed among retailers highlights the need for targeted educational initiatives aimed at improving comprehension and compliance behaviors. Based on the key findings of the study regarding VAT awareness and its implications on tax compliance among retailers in the Cape Coast Metropolis, it was ascertained that Integrating VAT concepts into the formal education curriculum can lead to a long-term positive impact on tax compliance. By introducing students to VAT principles early on, they will develop an understanding of their tax obligations from the beginning of their business ventures. This foundational knowledge will shape their compliance behaviors as they transition into entrepreneurs.

Source: UEW
Assessing the awareness and willingness to use health and safety practices among woodworkers in Ghana – a case study of West Gonja district of Ghana

The wood industry contributes about 11% of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in most developing countries. However, woodworkers suffer from predicable but preventable health problems as a result of their work. This study therefore assessed the willingness and awareness to use health and safety practices among small scale woodworkers. The study adopteddescriptivesurvey design involving the administration of questionnaire to 50 small scale woodworkers. Data collected was analysed using SPSS and presented with descriptive statistics. The findings of the study indicated that the woodworkers were ignorant of the basic working environment safety practices. The respondents were unaware of obligatory use of personal protective equipment. Management of the various woodworkshops failed to provide vital safety and health equipment. There were lack of adequate supervision at various woodworkshops hence there were no strict adherence to health and safety rules at the workshop. However, the respondents were willing to adopt health and safety practices. The study recommended measures that may be adopted to create awareness and encouragewoodworkers to willingly use health and safety equipment to ensure good health in the West Gonja district.

Source: UEW
Assessing the causes of stress among teachers and its management by heads in selected junior high schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya north district

The study assessed the causes of stress among teachers and its management by heads in selected junior high schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District. The study examined the causes of stress among teachers in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District, identified the effects of stress on teachers in schools and determined the strategies in place by school management to manage stress among teachers. The study was based on the use of structured questionnaires. Primary and secondary data were used in gathering data for the study. In selecting the respondents, multistage sampling technique was used. Purposive sampling was used to select public schools for the study while the census sampling technique was used for one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. However, one hundred teachers responded to the questionnaires. The study revealed that students’ indiscipline, excess work load, inadequate teaching facilities, and poor remuneration causes stress when such needs are not met contributed to stress among teachers. The study revealed that stress has lots of effects on teachers which include inability to manage time well, inability to meet deadlines, feelings of inadequacy in the performance at work, job dissatisfaction, having less interest in the job, absenteeism and reduction in effectiveness or productivity. To ensure teachers give off their best, school management encourage teachers to share their problems with trusted ones, carrying out duties in order of priorities, encouraging teachers to think objectively about a situation and being in self-control. Among the recommendations were regular orientation programme for teachers on how to deal with stress especially on how to handle troublesome students in classrooms, negotiating better salary structure to improve teachers’ situation and to curb the exiting of teachers from the profession, improving employee benefits packages, with particular emphasis on salary, job security, and a clear job promotion path for employees at all levels.

Source: UEW
Assessing the challenges facing student pursuing distance education at University of Education, Winneba

The purpose of the study was to assess the challenges facing students pursuing distance education at the University of Education, Winneba. The study focused on the satisfaction level of Distance Education to student, affordability of the programme, student support services and feedback systems, and the problem student encounter on the distance problem. The study was conducted at three study centres; namely Ho, Hohoe and Dambai. The population of the study comprised students, coordinators and administrators in the study areas. A combination of sampling techniques was used, Simple random sampling and stratified sampling was utilized to select a sample of 150 respondents. Mixed methods were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from student, coordinators and administrators using questionnaires and interview respectively. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (Mean and Standard Deviation) and thematic approach was used to draw pattern in the interview data. The study found out that inadequate feedback from course tutors, inadequate modules, inadequate support system, delayed modules and inadequate motivation of tutors were the major challenges facing the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) distance education programs. The findings further revealed that a huge gap existed between the level of importance the students placed on the various support systems and the rate at which they were able to access the support systems. The study also found that most of the non-motivation of the students about studying distance education was because of lack of support services, poor face-to-face communication, unsatisfactory counselling services, non-availability of course materials and internet facilities as identifies during the study. Therefore, the study recommended that, adequate support system services should be provided for students to ensure effective teaching and learning so as to boost students’ morale and improve upon the quality of education on the distance programme.

Source: UEW
Assessing the challenges of distance learning nursing mothers on academic work in the University of Education Winneba, Kumasi campus

Student mothers play the roles of being mothers, workers and students simultaneously and these come with a lot of challenges as they pursue higher education. These challenges sometimes kill the innate desire for them to pursue education to the highest level. The primary purpose of this research work is to identify the challenges of student nursing mothers offering distance education at University of Education Winneba, Kumasi Campus. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Using purposive sampling, sixty student-mothers with babies below five years, who agreed to take part in the survey, were sampled. These mothers were pursuing diploma programmes in Basic Education, Early Childhood Education and Management Studies; and Post Diploma programmes in Basic Education, Social Studies Education, Mathematics Education and English Language Education. The data gathered were analyzed using frequency counts, mean and standard deviations. The student-mothers indicated that the university authorities do not permit student-mothers to enter lecture halls with their babies; there are no facilities provided by the university to keep their babies; they intermittently cut lectures to attend to their babies; they did not feel psychologically sound in the absence of their babies and that they are not able to write comprehensive lecture notes with their babies around them at lectures. Again, the study showed that quite often; their babies cry to disturb them when learning at home; they breastfeed their babies alongside learning; they get no help with their babies when learning and they are not able to study well due to tiredness from family and child-care roles. On their academics, they agreed that they are not able to attend lectures punctually and regularly; they do not get enough time to study or attend group studies; they are not able to prepare well for examinations and that their student-mother roles are responsible for their bad grades in school.

Source: UEW
Assessing the challenges of early grade schools in Wenchi municipality in the Bono Region

The purpose of this study was to find out the challenges facing early grade schools in the Wenchi Municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana. This study employed a Descriptive Survey Design. The population of this study consisted all early Childhood teachers with a total population of 800 teachers, which the sample size was 155 kindergarten teachers. The study used Purposive Sampling to identify the respondents (kindergarten teachers) for this study. This study was conducted by the researcher using prepared questionnaires whereby respondents were kindergarten teachers. The questionnaires were personally administered to the teachers by the researcher and response recorded. Presentations of research findings was done using data analysis charts, tables, percentages, and frequencies. The study used Purposive Sampling to identify the respondents (kindergarten teachers) for this study. The researcher analyzed each questionnaire according to the opinion of respondents. From the analysis, it can be seen that majority of the respondents from all the four circuits (Wenchi West, Wenchi South, Wenchi East and Wenchi Central) agreed to the knowledge in the implementation of the new curriculum has improved. The findings revealed that a majority of early childhood teachers had their first degree and diploma respectfully to be able to implement the curriculum. Again, a majority of them were found to have little idea for handling children. From the analysis, one can conclude that the age group with the highest number of respondents in all the four circuits (Wenchi West, Wenchi South, Wenchi East and Wenchi Central). The study also uncovered that kindergarten teachers generally had negative beliefs/perceptions about the quality of the designed early childhood curriculum. Therefore, the researcher recommended that, the researcher therefore recommend that as a policy, the Ministry of Education (MoE), the umbrella body of the Curriculum Research and Development Division (CRDD) of the Ghana Education Service (GES), roll out initiatives that will ease the teacher’s access to national curriculum design.

Source: UEW
Assessing the challenges of the induction of newly trained teachers in Afigya Kwabre South District

The purpose of the study was to assess the challenges associated with the induction of new trained teachers of public Basic School teachers in the Afigya Kwabre South District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The research questions of the study were; how often is induction programmes organised for teachers in Basic Schools in the Afigya Kwabre South District; in your view, what are teachers’ perception on the effects of induction programme on teaching and learning in public Basic Schools? and what are the challenges associated with induction of teachers in Basic Schools in the Afigya Kwabre South District? The descriptive survey design with quantitative approach was employed for the study. The targeted population for the study was 273. Purposive sampling was used to select all the 13 head teachers. Simple random sampling was used to select a proportional sample of 149 junior high school and kindergarten teachers. The total sample for the study was 162. The study found among others that induction programmes improves professional growth of teachers and effectively integrate new employees to the organization. Lack of time and lack of resources were some of the challenges associated with induction. It is recommended based on the findings that the Ghana Education Service should provide an induction policy blueprint to enable \all educational institutions to conduct a standardized induction programme for newly appointed teachers.

Source: UEW
Assessing the competency levels of students with intellectual disabilities in the vocational training programmes at Garden City Special School, Kumasi.

The purpose of the study was to assess the competency levels of students with intellectual disabilities in the vocational training programmes at Garden City Special School, Kumasi. A case study design with a mixed research strategy was adopted for the study. The population was 98 – made up of 82 students and 16 teachers. The sample size consisted of 15 students and 5 teachers. A purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the sample size. The researcher gathered both quantitative and qualitative data to measure the students’ competencies in the processes involved in batik/tie and dye and leather work (sandal making) as well as the other challenges militating against vocational training programme. The findings indicated that comparatively, students’ competency in batik/tie and dye skills were higher than in leather work. Thus, students had reached stages in the conscious competencies matrix in the former than the later. It was generally noted that challenges militating against students’ competencies in the vocational training programmes in the school were inadequate qualified personnel in vocational training, time constraint, problem of fine motor skills; student’s attitude towards the training of the vocational training and students reporting late after re opening. Based on this it was recommended that efforts should be made by the school and management authorities to well to provide the needed materials for the training in order to improve on students’ competencies in vocational skills.

Source: UEW
Assessing The Computer Literacy And Factors Affecting It In Public Basic Schools In Debibi Township In The Tain District.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the computer literacy and factors affecting it in public basic schools in Debibi township in the Tain District. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed in the study. Using a multistage sampling approach, a sample of 294 respondents were used. The study revealed that about 27% of the pupils have at least a good literacy level while the remaining 73% exhibited either a fair and poor computer literacy level. Furthermore, computer literacy level by gender, the study revealed about 32% of the boys had at least good category as compared to their female counter parts in that category thus about 24%. Furthermore, about 24% received an extra training in ICT while about 48% do own an ICT textbook. The major challenge faced by the pupils as indicated by the majority is short study time, followed by inadequate computers in the computer laboratory, lack of computer and lack of spacious ICT laboratory. The study recommended that government through the District Assembly and the District Education Office as well as other agencies should provide computer laboratory for the remaining schools in the township

Source: UEW
Assessing the consumption patterns of locally-produced clothing by teachers of Tumu senior hightechnical school in Sissala east district of the upper west region in Ghana

The purpose of this study was to assess the consumption patterns of locally-produced clothing by teachers of Tumu Senior High/Technical School in Sissala East district of the Upper West Region. Using the quantitative research approach, the study employed the census sampling technique to select all the 86 teachers of the Tumu Senior High/Technical School. The study found that Teachers at the Tumu Senior High/Technical School choose their preferred clothing once a year, and no one else does that for them and that the teachers take their clothing information from store displays, magazines, catalogues and other print media as well as social media. It was also discovered that teachers of Tumu Senior High/Technical School choose their clothing primarily based on how durable the clothing is, the price of the clothing, how good it is a fit on them and how comfortable they believe it can be on them. It was also established that socioeconomic factors such as price, income level/economic status, level of physical activity, profession and peer group influence are major factors that influence the teachers of Tumu Senior High/Technical School’s decisions concerning the selection or consumption of locally produced clothing. It was recommended that locally-produced clothing manufacturers consider different marketing applications to influence teachers’ choices in consuming locally-produced clothing. And that, locally-produced clothing producers must address themselves to psychological, socio economic and clothing characteristics influencing teachers clothing sel

Source: UEW
Assessing the contributions of Rural enterprise programme on Rural Female entrepreneurs in Micro and Small-Scale businesses in the Effutu Municipality

The Rural Enterprising Programme (REP) was introduced by the government to improve entrepreneurship in rural areas in Ghana. Studies have found that women are usually undermined in society and do not benefit from major government policies. This study, therefore, sought to examine the impact of the rural enterprising programme on female entrepreneurs in rural areas. The study adopted the qualitative research approach and the descriptive research design. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 11 participants for the study. The data for the study was gathered with the use of an interview and observation guides. The thematic analysis was used to analyze the data for the study. The study found that female entrepreneurs in rural areas faced several challenges such as inadequate finance, lack of marketing skills and difficulty in acquiring business certificates before the introduction of the REP. The study also found that the REP provides help in the form of machinery support, managerial and marketing skill, skill training and business advisory to rural female entrepreneurs. It was also found that the implementation of the REP is impeded by challenges such as delay in the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries, stalled modules leading to loss of interest by beneficiaries, inadequate machinery and materials and lack of assets like land. The study made some recommendations to aid the effective implementation of the REP to benefit rural female entrepreneurs.

Source: UEW
Assessing the disparities in compensation policies and its impact on employees performance. A case study of Catholic Health Services in Ashanti region

The study assessed pay disparity impact on catholic health workers within the Ashanti region of Ghana. Specifically, the objectives of the study were; to examine the kind of perceived pay differentials that exist at the Catholic Health Service, to examine the nature of relationship that exists between perceived pay differentials and employees’ performance at the Catholic Health Service and finally to assess the reaction of employees in senior and lower positions regarding the differentials in the catholic Health Service pay system. With this study, quantitative methodology was adopted. The target population for the study was drawn from four catholic hospitals namely; St. Michael hospital at Jachie-Pramso, St. Martin’s hospital at Manso-Agroyesum, St. Patrick’s Hospital at Offinso and St. Peter’s Clinic at Ntoboroso all within the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A simple random sampling was used in selecting the respondents for the study. Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table was uesd to determine the sample size for the 200 population size. Based on the table, the sample size for the study employed was 132 based on 95% confidence level and 5.0% error of margin (i.e. ±5 per cent). The study used questionnaires based on a 5 point Likert scale to collect data from the employees’ respondents whereas interview schedule was used to collect information from the existing pay arrangement from the catholic health directorate human resource department. The study distributed 132 questionnaires to the selected samples from the four catholic hospitals within the Ashanti Region of Ghana. From the questionnaires distributed, a total of 102 completed questionnaires were received. Nevertheless, out of these questionnaires, 96 were usable for analysis, giving an effective response rate of 76.2%.

Source: UEW
Assessing the effect of dampness in the lower parts of building in the Dzowulu locality

Dampness is one of the most common defects found on buildings. It mostly occurs at the lower parts of walls. This study was conducted to assess the effect of dampness at the lower parts of buildings in the Dzowulu locality. The methodology adopted was through literature review, visual survey, laboratory tests and interview with construction professional. The findings show that dampness at the lower parts of buildings is very prevalent in the Dzowulu locality. It also reveals that, it is as a result of the presence of moisture in the soil, and the main source of this moisture is rising damp. The finding of this study can be used for future references. This study will go a long way to enlighten clients, construction professional’s especially contractors and the public as whole on this topic. Recommendations were given to serve as suggestions to be applied so as to rectify or prevent the occurrence of the problem. One very useful recommendation was the construction of a well on the compound and the water occasionally pumped out. The use of appropriate construction methods was also recommended.

Source: UEW