ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the adoption of grasscutter production in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana

The Government of Ghana and NGOs have been promoting grasscutter production in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana in the last nine years. NGOs support farmers with training to acquire knowledge and skills in grasscutter rearing. Although some farmers are given training, they do not go into production. This study was aimed at finding out the factors facilitating or hindering the adoption of grasscutter farming in the Brong Ahafo region. A total of 50 farmers comprising two focus groups (adopters and non-adopters) that were trained were identified and interviewed. Focus group questions were based on Rogers' and Pantanali's models of adoption where characteristics of farmers, labour, finance and the social system are considered as essential factors affecting adoption. The data was analyzed by using SPSS computer programme. Pearson Correlation was used to determine the relationship between adoption and the variables studied. Farmers' decision on the adoption of grasscutter farming was positively affected by sex, marital status and funding, and negatively affected by age and education. Occupation had no influence on adoption. Lack of breeding stock and initial capital required to purchase breeding stock and cages were found to be constraints. It was concluded that the characteristics of individual farmers should be taken into consideration during training needs assessment, and give each individual the appropriate training. It was also recommended that NGOs should strengthen grasscutter farmers' association so that they can provide credit to grasscutter trainees, especially women and the youth, to purchase start-up breeding stock and cages.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing the participation of children with disabilities in physical activities and sports

One major goal of Physical Education is to provide opportunity for the youth to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for lifelong engagement in healthful physical activities. Everyone must have the opportunity to participate in physical education and special reference must be given to pupils with disabilities in special schools who deserve the right to a sound physical education experience as part of their fundamental human rights. This study, therefore, examined factors influencing the participation of children with disabilities in physical activities and sports. A convergent mixed methods research design was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from 194 students from three public special schools in Cape Coast Metropolitan in Central Region. The students were selected through purposive sampling technique. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, and themes. The findings of the study revealed among others that, inadequate of disability user-friendly sporting facilities and equipment, and financial constraints were the major challenges. It is, therefore, recommended among others that, the Cape Coast Metropolitan Education Directorate in-charge of special education should prioritize physical education at special schools by providing disability user-friendly sporting facilities and equipment; means of transportation to assist students’ athletes and also educate and sensitize students with disabilities the relevance of their participation in physical activities and sports.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing the performance in English language, a case study of selected senior high schools in the Ketu South District of Volta Region of Ghana

Over the years, the language of instruction in Ghanaian schools has been English. Thus, performance in English determines students‟ performance in other subjects since English is the language of instruction in schools. Performance is completion of a task with application of knowledge, skills and abilities. This study sought to investigate factors influencing performance in English in four Senior High Schools in the Ketu South District of the Volta Region. The study investigated the influence of the quality of teaching, availability of teaching and learning materials and resources, school climate and home background on the performance in English in the four Senior High Schools in the Volta Region. The study employed a mixed research design with a sample of 200 students and 38 teachers. Data were collected with the use of questionnaire, interview and observation and analyzed thematically with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). Findings suggest that the availability of teaching and learning materials, teachers‟ attitude towards teaching and learning, home background and school climate have a significant effect on performance in English. Based on the results, it is argued that the presence of learning materials was important in enhancing students‟ performance in English. As such, teachers have to put measures in place to help students in order for them to use English frequently. The school must also motivate both teachers and students, and parents should be involved in their children‟s academic life. Finally, Government should also provide the necessary teaching learning resources to enhance teaching and learning as well improve performance.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing the project cost for works in public institutions in Ghana, perspective of building contractors in Kumasi metropolis

The study examined the factors influencing the project cost for works in Ghanaian public institutions from perspective of building contractors in Kumasi Metropolis. The study was descriptive in nature and involved survey of opinion by means of questionnaires. The target population of the study was registered contractors in Kumasi metropolis within the Ashanti Region. The number of registered construction firms was 80 out of which 50 were sampled for the study. Random sampling technique was used to select the sample size. All completed questionnaires were assembled and organised for processing. Data was coded and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). The study findings revealed that the most important factors that influence the project cost in public institutions are: material (prices/availability/supply/quality/imports), project complexity, currency exchange fluctuations, prevailing economy conditions, site requirements, location of project, type of structure, labour cost and availability, client method of payment and type of client. It is therefore recommended that clients and consultants should give more consideration to cost estimating process in order to enhance productivity and accuracy. Training, seminars, and workshops aimed at improving the local practice in cost estimating and increases the capabilities of estimators in using estimating software should be organized.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing the utilization of physical activity resources a case study of senior staff of Volta River Authority, Akuse.

Physical activity participation has become a global health priority to people of all age groups due to its health benefits. The purpose of the study was to assess the factors influencing utilisation of physical activity facilities among senior staff of Volta River Authority (VRA) in Akuse. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Two hundred and twenty-two respondents were sampled using the census sampling technique. Questionnaire was self-developed on factors that influence participation of physical activity for data to be collected. Data was processed with SPSS version 21 and analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results indicated that, equipment and facilities were considered as highly influential factor to physical activity participation. Moreover, there is a high significant correlation between attitude, biological factors, equipment and facilities, motivation and nature of work. Again, males and females shared differences in opinion on attitude and nature of work. Lastly, the study recorded a significant difference among the age of VRA senior staff on only nature of work. It is recommended that, VRA management should make sure the available facilities are modernized and constantly maintained to standard to influence staff utilisation. Again, management of the Authority must empower the health department to develop programmes that would educate staff on the importance of physical activity and its associated health benefits.

Source: UEW
Factors influencing women’s participation in the management of educational institutions

The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that contribute to the level of women participation in educational management in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region of Ghana. The research used descriptive survey design. The population for this study comprised all female teachers, heads of Senior High Schools and their Assistants and officers at the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Education Directorate. Questionnaire was used for the study. The sample size was 135 respondents comprising the Metropolitan Director, the four frontline Assistant Directors, the 10 heads of the Schools and their assistants and 100 teachers. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the Metropolitan Director, the Four Frontline Assistant Directors, all the ten heads of the Schools and their two assistants. Convenience sampling was used to select five female and five males’ teachers from each of the schools. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics indicating frequencies, percentages and meanS. The study revealed that the low level of education among women contributes significantly to their low representation in the management positions of the Ghana Education Service in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis. Also, traditional and cultural practices in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis contribute to the low level of participation of women in management positions in the Ghana Education Service in the metropolis. It was recommended that the Girl Child Education Unit of the Metropolis should embark on a more vigorous campaign by organizing regular seminars and workshops to educate parents on the need to educate their girl child. Career Guidance and Counseling Services providers in the Metropolis should make conscious efforts at encouraging females to take up leadership positions in the future.

Source: UEW
Factors militating against girl child education in Ghana. A case study of Darbaa community in the Atwima Nwabiagya District

This study examine the factors affecting girl child education in Dabaa Community in the Atwima Nwabiagya District. The objective of the study was to establish the socio economic factors, socio-cultural factors and school -based factors that affects girl child education in the Darbaa Community. Descriptive survey design using mixed method approach was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select seventy (70) participants comprising of 62 students, 4 teachers and 4 parents for the study. Questionnaire and interview protocol were the instruments used in collecting data for the study The findings of the study revealed that socio-economic factors such as parental income. Parental occupation, level of parents’ education and child labour were factors affecting girl child education in Dabaa community in the Atwima Nwabiagya District. Further, the study revealed that socio-cultural factors such as early marriage, female genital mutilation, parental attitudes towards girl child education, and teenage pregnancy affects girl child education in Dabaa Community in the Atwima Nwabiagya District. Finally, the study revealed that cost of schooling, irrelevant curricula, and teacher pupil interaction were school-related factors affecting girl child education in Dabaa Community in the Atwima Nwabiagya District. It is therefore recommended that government and other non-governmental organizations need to step up their efforts to eliminate socio-cultural practices that disadvantage the girl child in order to achieve gender parity in education.

Source: UEW
Factors motivating students with disabilities to access and participate in university education in Ghana

Education has been described as a �bridging right� that empowers persons with disabilities to justifiably lay claim to other rights, such as the right to work, the right to participate in politics, etc. While much research has reported on the challenges encountered by persons with disabilities in higher education, very little is known about the factors that enhance their retention and continuous participation in higher education in Ghana. The objective of this study was therefore to explore the factors that influence students with disabilities to access and participate in higher education. Using Maslow�s hierarchy of needs, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals with disabilities: physical disability (n = 8) and visual impairment (n = 3), who were recruited from one of the largest higher education institutions in Ghana. The results from the thematic analysis indicate that the participants were motivated more by the higher-level needs of Maslow�s pyramid, that is, safety, self-esteem and transcendence, than the lower-level needs. The study limitations, recommendations for future research and policy implications are also discussed. � 2022 HERDSA.

Source: UEW
Factors responsible for lack of preference for elective literature by students at senior high schools in North-Dayi District, Volta Region

Literature is one of the subjects students perform poorly and considered as non scoring by students. One hundred and eleven questionnaires were administrated in Anfoega and Vakpo Senior High Schools within the North District. The aim of this study is to model a multiple regression in assessing and identifying attributable factors of student performance in the second cycle institutions and be able to model for Anfoega and Vakpo Senior High Schools. Also, to evaluate the goodness of fit for multiple regression analysis. The significant factors in determining senior student performance are their mid-term score (𝑥2) and examination score (𝑥1). It appears the three estimates are significant with coefficients less than p-value of 0.05. 𝑦̂𝐴𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑐 = −3.104e13 + 1𝑥1 + 1𝑥2, 𝑦̂𝑉𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑐 = −4.115e13 + 1𝑥1 + 1𝑥2. From the model-3 and 4, with the coefficients of 𝛽̂ 𝑜 −3.104e13 and −4.115e13 implies that without examination score and mid-term score, the student performance will reduce student’s performance by −3.104e13 and −4.115e13 in form 2 at Anfoesec and Vasec respectively holding examination score and mid-term scores holding them constant. With one additional unit/scores in examination or mid-term scores holding one constant, there will be one unit increment of exam and mid-term scores. Students’ performance can be determined in their secondary school certificate exams either he/she can perform well or not in these two secondary schools within the district using their mid-term scores and exams in the model

Source: UEW
Factors that affect girl child education The case of selected Junior High Schools in Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality, Eastern Region of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influence the education of girls in Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. Despite the fact that girls in Eastern Region are doing better than those in other regions except Greater Accra region, their education is not as good as that of boys thus the need to explore the factors influencing the girl child education in Nsawam Adoagyiri (WAEC BECE REGIONAL RANKING 2021). The research design that was employed in the study was descriptive survey research which is a method of collecting information by interviewing or administering questionnaire and observational guides. It also incorporated both qualitative and quantitative analysis of data. The target population consisted of 331 girls as well as 148 teachers within Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality involving both private and public schools. Questionnaire was the main instrument used in collecting data. The findings of the study were that the girl child’s education in Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality is influenced by cultural factors, availability of mentors, sexuality and family background. The study therefore recommends that the communities should be educated on the need to encourage education of the girl child. In addition, the communities should ensure that parents and teachers are good role models to the girls. Regardless of gender, parents and the community should make sure that all children attend school, the neighbours in the girl-child communities and instructors in the girl-child school ought to make sure that they serve as positive role models for all kids, regardless of the nature of their professions. Parents should make time to mentor their kids.

Source: UEW
Factors that affect students’ academic performance. A case of St. Andrew’s Junior High School in Nandom municipality

Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) performance have witness a significant decline in the Municipality since 2014 till date. This therefore has sparked a considerable academic investigation regarding the consequences and factors that affect students’ academic performance on St. Andrews Junior High School. Surprisingly, the area of study has received little attention in context or public discourse. The general objective of the study was to examine the factors that affect students’ academic performance (teacher-related factors, school environmental-related factors, students’ own related factors and as well measures that would recuperate students’ academic performance). The study also sought to determine which of the variables identified significantly predicted academic attainment of children. To achieve this objective, a survey was conducted using purposive sampling on all the eighteen (18) respondents identified through the sampling technique. Respondents consisted of all the teachers in the school under study. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package and Social Sciences (SPSS) system. The results showed that the variables or factors identified above have a huge effects on the students’ academic attainment. All variables measured proved to be a statically significant determinant of students’ academic attainment. Teacher-Related factors, School environmental-related factors, Home/household-related factors and Students own characteristics when duly dealt with would have huge influence on the academic attainment of students. Findings of the study suggest that when these factors are properly addressed would take care of students’ academic attainment. In view of this, the study suggest that government , parents, school authorities, Education Directorate, teachers as well as students themselves should as a matter of fact made to know these factors and their consequences taking cue from this study.

Source: UEW
Factors that contribute to the poor academic performance in public basic schools in the Kwadaso circuit of Kwadaso municipality

Poor student achievement or performance is a serious universal concern which has been eating into the fabric of educational development, yet very little effort has been taken in finding a panacea to it. The study was conducted in the Kwadaso circuit of the Kwadaso Municipality. The research design used for the study was a descriptive survey. 145 respondents from different schools in the Kwadaso circuit were selected for the study. A set of questionnaire consisting of closed questions were used to collect data from respondents consisting of 136 teachers, who were randomly selected and 9 headteachers, who were purposively selected. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze data obtained from field research.The findings indicated that teachers, students themselves, parents as well as management of schools in the district contribute to the poor academic performance of students. The researcher therefore concluded that both school related causes and outside school factors contribute to poor academic achievements of students in the Kwadaso circuit. The study therefore recommended, among others, that parents should be sensitized by the leaders of the church and the youth through the use of drama, symposia, and community education to understand and appreciate the importance of education and endeavor to provide their wards with basic educational needs to help improve upon their academic performance.

Source: UEW
Factors that contribute to truancy among students in public senior high schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya District

The purpose of the study was to investigate into the factors that contribute to truancy among students in public Senior High Schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region. The objectives of the study were to find out how students’ truancy is prevalent in Senior High Schools, identify the factors that contribute to students’ truancy in Senior High Schools and to determine the effects of student’s truancy in Senior High Schools. The researcher used descriptive survey design with quantitative research method for the study. The targeted population of the study was all the headmasters and assistant headmasters, teachers and students of the four public senior high schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya District. Purposive sampling was used to select all the 16 headmasters and assistant headmasters. Simple random sampling was used to select 80 teachers and 80 students. This gave a total of 176 respondents. The researcher used closed ended questionnaires to collect data for the study. The study found among others that truancy among students’ was prevalent in senior high schools in the study area. Among the students factors that contributed to truancy among students were influence of peers and disinterest in courses studied. School factors identified as contributing to truancy included the use of students for non-academic duties. Home factors included lack of parental interest in school. Some effects of students’ truancy were school dropout and early sex. Based on the findings it was recommended that supervision should be improved in senior high schools to prevent students from running away from school.

Source: UEW