ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Examining the significance of visual artifacts in Anlo traditional marriage system in the Volta region of Ghana

This study sought to examine the significance of visual artifacts used in Anlo traditional marriage system in the Volta Region of Ghana. Ethnographic research design embedded in the qualitative paradigm was adopted for the study. The purposive technique was used to sample ten (10) respondents; thus, a chief, an elder, and eight (8) married couples in Anyako. A multi-data collection technique comprising semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation was employed for data collection. The results identified various visual artifacts which were, the marriage stool, the marriage cloths (e.g., Achimotta, Haliwoe, Fiawoyome). Also, the study revealed that the wooden stool, �Atizikpui�, is a symbol of the woman's permanency and that she has come to stay forever. The philosophies and concepts behind these visual artifacts become the norms and ethics which bind society. Similarly, the society is taught to make artifacts not just for their aesthetics but also as a way of preserving the culture of the people. The study recommended that traditional leaders must continue to use occasions like durbars, festivals, and other ceremonies to sensitize their subjects on the importance of preserving their culture. This will educate the Anlos about the significance of visual artifacts in their marriage system and also provide good sources of reference materials for the future generation to continue the legacy. � 2020 The Author(s).

Source: UEW
Examining the sources of errors in the writing of junior high school students

This study sought to investigate the sources of errors that Junior High School students in Awutu-Senya District make in writing in order to establish the actual problem areas for attention and redress. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the data collected from the essays written by the students and also the information obtained from teachers of English during interactions with them. The findings of the study, disclosed that generally, students in Junior High Schools in Ghana have insufficient or little knowledge of the English language code and therefore, they will not be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with other users of English and this can hinder their interaction with other Anglophone students and friends. The study proposes that ESL learners have peculiar needs such as training on the formal properties of the English language and therefore, require immediate intervention by way of organising English language clinics for students and in service training for teachers of English to update their skills. It is hoped that if the recommendations in the study are heeded, standard of English will improve.

Source: UEW
Examining the undergraduate construction technology students’ use of computer and internet in UEW: a structural equation modelling approach

- This paper empirically examines the the use of computer and Internet facilities among the undergraduate construction technology students in UEW, Ghana. The study was a cross-sectional survey of 499 respondents using structured questionnaire personally administered. A usable 358 questionnaire were returned, representing 71.7% response rate and analysed using Structural Equation Modelling approach. The findings indicate that the proposed model has high goodness-of-fit for student’s use of computer. It also found that access to Internet, classroom based learning with Internet and non-classroom based learning with Internet could be influenced by students’ computer use. Theoretically, the study fills the dearth of conceptual models in understanding the critical determinants that influence students’ computer use in the high education level in developing country context. It provides important implications for educational management in higher education. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the area of computer application in education. Index Terms: - Access to Internet, Computer use, classroom-based learning, educational management, non-classroom-based learning

Source: UEW
Examining the Use of Folk Resources for Creative Arts Education in Ghana�s Basic Schools

Implementing curricula that parallel children's cultural histories and language and Ghana Education Service's (GES) approved creative arts resources precipitated the need to review materials listed in the new national creative arts curriculum (2019). This study explores the availability, accessibility, and cultural alignment of creative arts materials and shows how using folk resources serves as an incentive for culturally sustaining resource development in Ghana's music and visual arts education. A semi-structured interview of six creative arts teachers revealed that while teachers use Ghanaian folklore-informed books on the market, schools have infrastructure needs and lack indigenous music instruments and visual arts materials for the new curriculum. Highlighting the quality and availability of folk resources, we recommend optimizing community human and material resources, engaging education research professionals and classroom teachers in dialogue, and monitoring and evaluating school programs. � 2022, Pennsylvania State University Libraries. All rights reserved.

Source: UEW
Examining the use of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of biology in some selected senior high schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

This study was designed to find out the types of instructional materials available, the frequency of use, the effective utilization as well as perceptions of teachers and students on the use of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of Biology in the Senior High Schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western region of Ghana. The research design used was descriptive. In all, one hundred and twenty respondents made up of a hundred biology students and twenty biology teachers responded to questionnaires specially designed for the purpose. It was found out that the most available and frequently used instructional materials in the sampled schools were chalkboards/whiteboards and textbooks. Instructional materials such as bulletin boards, projectors radios/recorders and camera/pictures were unavailable. The research also revealed that the major problems confronting the use of the available instructional materials were overcrowded classrooms/laboratories, lack of storage facilities among others. It was recommended by the researcher that the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should as a matter of urgency procure and supply all the needed but unavailable instructional materials for the schools for effective teaching and learning of Biology. Also the biology teachers should be trained periodically on how to handle the available instructional materials. Furthermore, the administrators of the Senior High Schools should liaise with the educational directors in the various districts to appeal to Non-Governmental/ donor organizations for support to organize regular in-service training for the Biology teachers to update their skills in handling the available instructional materials.

Source: UEW
Examining the use of manipulative materials in teaching mathematics among junior high school teachers in the Wa municipality

The Ministry of Education (MoE)/Ghana Education Service (GES) requires all mathematics teachers to use manipulative materials to teach mathematics in Junior High Schools (JHSs) because they have the potential to demystify learning of the subject. The study was designed to examine the use of manipulative materials in teaching mathematics among junior high school teachers in the Wa municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Three instruments, namely,questionnaire, interview guides and observation guideswere used to collect data from94 teachers, 10 headteachers sampled from 54 JHSs, and the only mathematics coordinator in the municipality. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to the quantitative data obtained from the questionnaire while content analysis was applied to the qualitative data from the interviews and observations. The study showed that teachers’use ofmanipulative materials in teaching mathematics was at variance with their practice in the classroom. Even though teachers knew the benefits of manipulative materials in learning, four factors challenged their use in the classroom: inadequate supply of manipulative materials, lack of continuous training on the use of manipulative materials, high cost materials, and lack of user guides on manipulative use. The study concluded that most JHS teachers in the municipality do not use manipulative materials in their classrooms because of the foregoing challenges. The study recommends that stakeholders in education in the Wamunicipality should boost up the supply of manipulative materials and organise periodic in-service training for JHS teachers on the use and development of manipulative materials for teaching mathematics. Supervision should also be strengthened to ensure that mathematics teachers do what they are supposed to do.

Source: UEW
Examining the use of tpack and its effectiveness in teaching shs mathematics after the covid-19 pandemic in Effutu Munipality.

The study sought to examine the use of TPACK and its effectiveness in teaching Senior High School mathematics after the COVID 19 pandemic in the Effutu municipality of Ghana. Through convergent mixed-methods design, a sample of 64 respondents (consisting 54 teachers and 10 students) were purposively selected for the study. The study used the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework and the Constructivist Learning Theory as lenses to underpin the study. The researcher used questionnaire and interview guide as instruments for data collection. The data from the study was analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that TPACK has been used to enhanced students’ understanding and made learning more fun and engaging. The study found that TPACK promoted better participation, increased teachers’ productivity and changed the way learners learn, positively influencing teacher’s effectiveness in teaching mathematics in Senior High Schools in Effutu municipality. The study found that TPACK summative assessments in Senior High School mathematics in Effutu municipality was effective because TPACK enhanced classroom interaction and engagement, it also modernized assessment methods, encouraged the use of various assessment methods and fostered quick feedback to students. The study concludes that TPACK serves as a catalyst for pedagogical innovation, ultimately enhancing the quality of mathematics instruction. The study also concludes that TPACK implementation significantly contributes to improved learning outcomes among Senior High School students in Effutu Municipality. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service should be encouraged to organize regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions for mathematics teachers to enhance their TPACK competencies. Also, Mathematics teachers should be encouraged to proactively seek opportunities for professional development in TPACK. This can include self-directed learning through online courses, participation in professional learning communities, and collaboration with colleagues to share best practices.

Source: UEW
Examining the “use” of “Prekese” in meal preparation practices of caterers

The main purpose of the study was to examine the use of “prekese” in meal preparation practices of caterers in the Kumasi Metropolis. This study adopted the case study strategy. Quantitative research approach was used. The population for the study was ninety (90). The population of the study was made up of selected caterers in the Kumasi Metropolis. Random sampling method would be used to select 73 respondents for the study. Questionnaires were the main instrument used to gather data for the study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used to analyse data. The study results concluded that prekese can be used to manage a lot of sicknesses including convulsion and Leprosy, reducing inflammation of the body, arthritic pains and rheumatoid pains, supports the cardiovascular system, treatment of diabetes and supports the immune system, avoid post-partum contraction, treating asthma, and Fever. The local spices used by caterers were prekese, cumin seeds, black pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, cloves, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, fennel, fenugreek seeds, carom, red chillies, cardamom, cinnamon, and caraway seeds. Finally, meals which make use of prekese as a spice were meat pepper soup, palm kernel soup and Nsala (white soup), fish pepper soup and groundnut soup. The study recommended that the Ministry of Health should create public awareness regarding the health benefits of consuming prekese to enhance public awareness and consumption and the Government of Ghana should invest in medical and laboratory research to unravel the numerous hidden advantages of consuming prekese.

Source: UEW
Excess lifetime cancer risk and committed effective dose associated with dietary exposure to radioactivity of natural origin from mining areas

Food safety concerns associated with radiotoxicity risks among consumers are widespread in areas with human activities such as mining. Therefore, the study was carried out to determine natural radioactivity levels in total diets in an area with excessive mining activities. Using validated models, the committed effective dose and excess cancer risk were calculated for consumers based on the activity concentration, food intake, exposure frequency, exposure duration, dose, and risk conversion factors. In addition, the percentage contribution of each radionuclide to the committed effective dose was determined. The results showed that the levels of activity concentration of 226Ra (0.17Bq/kg), 228Ra (0.10Bq/kg), 228Th (0.08Bq/kg) and 40K (33.2Bq/kg) were below global reference values (0.580Bq/kg). The corresponding order of the total committed effective dose for age groups was: 0.179mSv/year (adults) &lt; 0.485mSv/year (children) &lt; 0.571mSv/y (adolescents) &lt; 0.634mSv/year (toddlers) and exceeded the typical level (0.3mSv/year) with the exception of adults. 40K in diets from this study was the highest contributor (48%) to committed effective dose, followed by 228Ra (35%), 226Ra (16%) and 228Th (1%) respectively. Radionuclide-specific excess cancer risk was found to increase in this order: 228Th (7 108) &lt; 40K (3 107) &lt; 226Ra (2106) &lt; 228Ra (3 106). This study showed that both radionuclide-specific and cumulative excess cancer risks (5.5 � 10�6) were all within the protective range (1 104�1 � 10�6). 2021,

Source: UEW
Exchange rate volatility, ease of doing business and fdi flows in the economic community of West African States

The study sought to investigate the effect of exchange rate movement on foreign direct investment into the Economic Organization of West Africa Sates; to find the relationship between ease of doing business and FDI flows as well as to examine the effect of foreign direct investment on exchange rate movement. The study used casual research design, quantitative approach, census sampling technique that considered the 15 countries in the jurisdiction, annual data period spanned from 2010 through 2021. panel pooled cointegration, Pearson product moment correlation were deployed to check appropriateness of the data. Through the Toda and Yamamoto augmented granger causality test, the study observed that a uni-causality exist from EXRM to FDI and from EODB to FDI. Multivariate regression test through Engle Granger Least Square random effect and panel least square fixed effect estimations were deployed. The result revealed that contrary to the harbored notion in academia, exchange rate has significant negative effect on FDI with random estimation yet insignificant for fixed effect estimation. Notwithstanding, ease of doing business has positive relationship with FDI for both estimations. Also, the study found that FDI flows inversely impact exchange rate in both random and fixed effect estimations. The findings contribute to the existing understanding on the nexus between the discussed variables. The novelty of the study is the exploration of the bi-directional relationship between FDI and EXRM which is scarce in literature on ECOWAS. The study recommends member state governments to implement pragmatic economic policies in order to check FDI flows

Source: UEW
The existence of glass ceiling for women in hospitality industry (case of Techiman municipality)

Despite constituting more than fifty percent (50%) of the workforce in Ghana, women are still concentrated heavily in typically female occupations such as administrative and secretarial work and vastly under-represented in others. In hospitality industry the situation is not different. Most women in this industry aspire to climb to the top of their profession but there exists glass ceiling which prevents them. This study therefore sought to assess whether glass ceiling exists in hospitality industry for women. Specific objectives however include; identifying the type of glass ceiling that exists for women in the hospitality industry, examining leadership skills needed in hospitality industry and identifying institutional barriers for women in the industry. The Techiman Municipality is situated in the central part of the Brong-Ahafo Region, with a population of 147,788. A sample size of hundred (100) respondents were selected and used for the study. The study made extensive use of both primary and secondary sources of information. It was realised from the study that, the position of women continues to be one in which they are under-represented in senior positions, although there is evidence that women are making inroads into Senior Officer posts in Ghana. It is recommended that if women want change for the better, whether at home or at work, they have to take responsibility for themselves and make things happen. If their company will not change then they should change company. It is hope that this study will serve to interest more organisational researchers to consider women-in management issues

Source: UEW
The Expansion Relations of Clause Complexing (CC) in the Editorials of the Daily Graphic.

This paper focuses on the expansion relations of clause complexes in editorials of a Ghanaian daily newspaper. The problems discussed are: elaboration, extension and enhancement relations of clause complexes in the editorials, and the realization of those clause complexes through the use of conjunctive signals in the lexicogrammar. Theory of systemic functional grammar which says that the expansion can be of three kinds elaboration, extension and enhancement; suggested by Halliday (1994; 2004; 2014) underlies the discussion. The article adopts a qualitative approach as it textually investigates ten (10) purposively sampled editorials from the Daily Graphic. The results reveal that the clause complexes are of elaboration, extension and enhancement. On the whole, enhancement is highly used followed by elaboration and extension. The realization is relatively good as the choice among expansion characterizes each relation between clauses (each nexus) within a clause complex. Keywords: editorials (EDT), clause complexing (CC), expansion, elaboration, extension, enhancement

Source: UEW
Expectation and challenges of continuous teacher professional development a case study of Enyan Abaasa technical institute in Ajumako District.

The purpose of the study was to examine the expectations and challenges of teachers’ continuous professional development in Ajumako District using Enyan Abaasa Technical institute as a case study. The objective of the study were to investigate the perceptions of teachers with regards continuous professional development. Identify benefits teachers gain from continuous professional development and investigate factors that inhibit continuous professional development of teachers. The population for this study comprised all teachers of Enyan Abaasa Technical institute in the Ajumako District. The study adopted the explanatory mixed method approach. A sample of 52 teachers were selected for the study using census sampling methods. Questionnaires and interview guide were used to gather data for the study. Frequency, percentage and the mean value were used to analyse the questionnaire. The interview data were analysed using thematic approach. The study revealed that professional development is a reflective activity designed to improve teachers attributes, knowledge, understanding and skills; learning experiences of teachers. The study also revealed that professional development courses help improves teachers’ knowledge of the subject matter; professional development improves learning and teaching. Finally, the study revealed that supportive school leadership are dominant facilitator of CPD of teachers. The study recommended that the Regional and District Directorate of the Ajumako District should organize seminars and orientation on teachers’ continuous professional development to make teachers aware on professional development.

Source: UEW
Experiences of combining education and marital life a study among married master of philosophy (MPHIL) students from University of Education Winneba, Ghana

In an increasing and competitive growing world, education has become a necessity for all. The married are also not left out in this academic and knowledge-seeking adventure. Though there have been several studies on married students, this present study seeks to explore the experiences of married MPhil students in the University of Education, Winneba (n = 20), as they combine marital life with education. A qualitative research approach was used, employing the purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interview guide was also used to collect the data, which was analyzed using the inductive thematic analysis. Four themes emanated from the interviews – challenges and pleasures; factors leading to these challenges and pleasures; impediments to combining marriage with schooling; and coping mechanisms. While all genders connected with these themes, females experienced some of the themes differently from the males. This study concluded participants go through several challenges and at the same time experience pleasures in this combination of married life and school. Recommendations provided include the need for family support as well as institutional policies to provide resources that enhance the ability of married students to succeed in school.

Source: UEW
Experiences of deaf students as they transition to the University Of Education, Winneba

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experiences of deaf students as they make transition from the Senior High School to the University of Education, Winneba. Data were gathered from two locations; Mampong Senior High Technical School for the Deaf and the University of Education, Winneba. A total of 16 participants, comprising six teachers and 10 deaf students were purposively sampled from a population of 22. Semi- structured interview guide was used for the study on both the teachers and deaf students. Data was analysed using thematic analysis while demographic data was also analysed using tables. Findings of the study revealed that there are no transition programs to prepare deaf students for postsecondary education. Again, the study revealed that deaf students face diverse challenges in adjusting in the University after transition. The study recommended that, Mampong Senior High Technical School for the Deaf, should develop transition programs for deaf students in order to prepare them for Post-secondary studies. The study again recommended that the University should put measures in place in order to make the environment welcoming to deaf students.

Source: UEW