ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Investigation into the properties of compressed earth bricks stabilized with cow dung and reinforced with palm fruit fibres

Using Agro-waste to reinforce earth bricks has been encouraged by many researchers these days. In this study, the properties of compressed earth bricks reinforced with cow dung (CD) and palm fruit fibres (PFF) were investigated. Experiments were conducted to determine the particle size distribution, fibre aspect ratio, density, water absorption, compressive strength, tensile strength, and abrasion resistance of the specimens. Materials used for the study were earth, palm fruit fibres (PFF), cow dung (CD), and water. The particle size distribution was done according to BS EN 1377-1. Water used for the study was conformed to BS EN 1008. The materials for the study were mixed manually and moulding of the specimens was done mechanically by a compressed hydraulic brick moulding machine of mould size 100mm X 100mm X 130mm. The specimens were cured using the air-drying method for 28 days. The number of specimens used for the study was 150. The density and compressive strength of the specimen was determined in accordance with BS EN 772-1. Water absorption was also determined in accordance with BS EN 772-11. Split tensile strength test was determined using BS EN 12390-6 as a guide. The abrasion resistance of the specimens was determined using the surface wire brushing method. Data obtained were analysed using Microsoft Excel v.15 and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was revealed that the density of specimens decreased with increasing CD and PFF content, while the water absorption of the specimens increased with increasing CD and PFF content. Additionally, the study revealed that the compressive strength, split tensile strength abrasion resistance decreased with increase in CD and PFF content. One-Way ANOVA analysis revealed that there are no significant differences between the control bricks and those reinforced with CD and PFF in terms of the compressive strength and the split tensile strength of the specimens. Therefore, the study recommends that compressed earth bricks reinforced with cow dung and palm fruit fibres should be used for non-load-bearing walls.

Source: UEW
An investigation into the role of electronic procurement on supply chain performance in the public sector a case study of environmental protection agency

The study investigated the impact of electronic procurement (e-procurement) on supply chain performance in Ghana's Public Sector, with a special focus on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Adopting e-procurement technology is crucial for transforming procurement practices, enhancing efficiency, and achieving organizational goals.The study explored the various effects of e-procurement on supply chain dynamics, analyzing its influence on procurement procedures, organizational efficiency, and overall performance. The study used a quantitative approach to examine the relationship between electronic procurement practices and supply chain performance. The study assessed the impact of electronic tendering, order processing, material management, and supplier engagement practices in Ghana's public sector. The study highlighted the obstacles faced when implementing eprocurement systems, including staff resistance, technical limitations, data security concerns, and compatibility issues with existing systems. In addition, the study brought to light the importance of overcoming these challenges to fully maximise electronic procurement's potential advantages in improving supply chain performance. The findings revealed a strong connection between efficient e-procurement practices and improved supply chain performance, highlighting the significant impact of a streamlined procurement process. Despite the clear advantages, the study acknowledged the necessity of strategic interventions to tackle obstacles and guarantee smooth integration. Ultimately, this study emphasized the importance of implementing focused interventions to improve staff expertise, overcome technical challenges, strengthen data protection, address cultural obstacles, promote collaboration between departments, and strengthen ongoing evaluation methods. These recommendations will ensure a smooth and efficient integration of electronic procurement practices within Ghana's Public Sector, thus resulting in improved efficiency and transparency in procurement processes.

Source: UEW
An investigation into the status of biology practical activities in designated mathematics and science Colleges of Education in the Volta Region, Ghana

The study was conducted to investigate Biology practical activities in some selected Mathematics and Science Colleges of Education (MSCoE). The sampled population for the study consist of 125 students and 5 tutors from two selected Mathematics and Science designated Colleges of Education in the Volta Region; St Francis College of Education and Akatsi College of Education. The instruments used were questionnaires and observation. Data collected was analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The research findings showed that both teachers and students from the selected Colleges of Education considered practical lessons as one of the effective means of teaching and learning science. It also came out that, both Colleges have science laboratories that were not adequately equipped with equipment and materials. Again, the study revealed that, students‟ participation in science practical lessons was mostly through the demonstration instead of the hands-on activity. This had adverse effect on students‟ understanding and experience in hands-on activities. Inadequate laboratory resources and less time allocation for practical lessons were identified as the major challenges associated with Biology practical lessons. To ensure efficiency in the teaching of the practical aspect of science in the MSCoE, the study recommends that government and all stake holders in education must supply laboratories in the studied Colleges of Education with the necessary equipment, materials and chemicals to enable trainee teachers to develop the necessary skills, attitudes and interest in science.

Source: UEW
An investigation into the teaching of social studies concepts in Senior High Schools in the Krachi East District

This study was carried out in two Senior High Schools in the Krachi-East District in the Volta Region of Ghana to investigate the teaching of Social Studies concepts. Concepts allow individuals to classify objects and ideas and provide the basis for the networking of ideas for thinking, especially, higher level thinking in any subject. The study was structured basically within the framework of mixed method approach. The instruments used in the collection of data were an interview guide, questionnaire and an observation guide. The participants of the study were six Social Studies teachers who were purposely sampled and thirty students who were sampled based on stratification. The study brought to light that: Discussion technique dominated the teaching in Social Studies, Fieldtrip and Pre-reading Activity for Concept Enhancement (PACE) were virtually absent in the teaching of Social Studies. The lecture technique is still heavily relied upon by teachers in the teaching of Social Studies, electronic media were not used in the teaching and learning of Social Studies concepts, newspapers, magazines and journals were not available. Both teachers and students had positive attitudes towards the teaching and learning of Social Studies concepts. Based on the findings, certain recommendations were made. These include the provision of avenues for in-service training for Social Studies teachers to upgrade their skills and competencies in both content and pedagogy, the use of technology in teaching Social Studies and the provision of teaching and learning resources to aid teaching and learning.

Source: UEW
An investigation into the use of building information modelling and its impact on construction performance within Ghanaian construction industry

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a key computer aided technology that can facilitate construction productivity enhancements through the removal of numerous construction inefficiencies. This study investigates the use of BIM and its impact on construction project performance in Ghanaian architecture, engineering and construction industry. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection from architects, structural and civil engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, contractors and general foremen in Greater Accra, Ashanti and Western Regions. A purposive sampling technique was used to elicit information from 300 participants. Data were analyzed through the use of multiple response analysis, relative importance index (RII), principal component analysis and descriptively analysis. The results indicated that experts in the construction industry agreed that the use of BIM has a great impact on construction project performance. Increase productivity, improve product quality and create customer value, help in removing barriers and constraints, reduce the time of project design and shop drawings, improve communication effectiveness, provide accurate cost estimation and take off materials, reduce conflicts and number of claims, reduce defects in the construction phase, increase collaboration in project design were considered by the respondents as the most important factors for project performance improvement. It is recommended that experts and stakeholders should encourage the use of BIM technology in the Ghanaian construction industry to improve construction project performance to meet customer satisfaction and also boost our infrastructural development.

Source: UEW
An investigation into the use of building information modelling and its impact on construction performance within Ghanaian construction industry

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a key computer aided technology that can facilitate construction productivity enhancements through the removal of numerous construction inefficiencies. This study investigates the use of BIM and its impact on construction project performance in Ghanaian architecture, engineering and construction industry. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Selfadministered questionnaires were used for data collection from architects, structural and civil engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, contractors and general foremen in Greater Accra, Ashanti and Western Regions. A purposive sampling technique was used to elicit information from 300 participants. Data were analyzed through the use of multiple response analysis, relative importance index (RII), principal component analysis and descriptively analysis. The results indicated that experts in the construction industry agreed that the use of BIM has a great impact on construction project performance. Increase productivity, improve product quality and create customer value, help in removing barriers and constraints, reduce the time of project design and shop drawings, improve communication effectiveness, provide accurate cost estimation and take off materials, reduce conflicts and number of claims, reduce defects in the construction phase, increase collaboration in project design were considered by the respondents as the most important factors for project performance improvement. It is recommended that experts and stakeholders should encourage the use of BIM technology in the Ghanaian construction industry to improve construction project performance to meet customer satisfaction and also boost our infrastructural development.

Source: UEW
An investigation into the weight screening regulation in basic schools sports competitions and their influence on children attitude towards physical education and sports

The purpose of the study was investigate the consequences of weight regulation in National School Sports Competition and its effect on students‟ attitudes towards sports in some selected Senior High Schools in the Brong Ahafo Region. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted to investigate the concerns about weight regulation, extent to which Weight Regulation in National School Sport Competition has achieved its aims and objectives, and the effect of Weight Regulation on students‟ attitudes toward sports. A convenience sampling technique was used by the researcher to select the four schools from each District and a purposive sampling technique to select the 332 respondents. In all fourteen (14) Senior High Schools in the region were selected for the study. Quantitative data analysis methods were used in the analysis of the data. It turned out that the introduction and application of weight regulation and screening has impacted positively on students‟ attitude towards sport. This is due to the fact that it prevents cheating in the competition, it allows the less privileged to participate, and it has also prevented bias among sports men and women. The study however, found that student athletes were not medically screened before participating in national and school sports competitions and these prone athletes to several health risk especially those with cardiovascular diseases and eye infections as well as mental problems. The consequences of weight regulations included; sidelining of talented fat students; discrimination, and prevention of some skillful students from exhibiting their talent. In all, Weight screening has achieved its aims and objectives in terms of promoting fair opportunity and fair play among national school sports competitions in Ghana. The study recommends that the Ministry of Youth and Sport in conjunction with the Ghana Education Services should outline measures that will ensure that athletes who participate in zonal or national school competitions are screened before participation

Source: UEW
An investigation into types of teachers’ work wear in Adukrom motivating factors and stakeholders views’

The purpose of this study was to assess the factors motivating the selection of the types of dresses teachers wear to school in the Adukrom community of the Okere District of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study identified the types of attires a teacher wears to school in the Adukrom community; examined the motivating factors for selecting their work attire; investigated stakeholders’ views about a teachers’ work attire; and proffered ways to ensure modesty in teachers work attire in Adukrom community. Quantitative research approach with descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select two hundred and forty-eight (248) from three categories of respondents from whom data was collected using questionnaires. Data were described with frequencies, means, and percentages. The results revealed that male teachers in the community generally wore long or short-sleeved shirts and trousers (with or without a tie) (80%) to school while female teachers usually wore knee-length skirts with long or short sleeve tops (74.5%) to school. The factor that affects their clothing choice is Clothes that boost their confidence with a mean of 2.84. Furthermore, students and the stakeholders in the educational sector in the community had a positive perception of the work attire of the teachers. Also, while teachers preferred a clothing allowance (80%) as a means of encouraging modest dressing among teachers, students and the stakeholders preferred that the government introduces a prescribed work attire (uniform) for teachers. Therefore, the government should provide teachers with clothing allowances to ensure that they put on appropriate clothes while going to work.

Source: UEW
An investigation into vocational training programmes for persons with intellectual disabilities in Ghana a case study at the Dzorwulu special school.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the vocational training programmes for persons with intellectual disabilities at the Dzorwulu Special School. A total sample of seven (7) respondents were selected with the purposive sampling strategy. Basically, the interview guide was the research instrument used in the study. The study found that there are different kinds of vocational training programmes for persons with intellectual disabilities in the Dzorwulu Special School. Some of the vocational training programmes run at the school include agriculture (poultry and gardening), ironing, doormat weaving, bead making, key holder designing as well as hairdressing and the garment making. Also, it came up that there is enough stock of material resources available for use at the school. It was however established that the materials and equipment available are not those that are supported by technology hence the need to acquire sufficient equipment for Information and Communication Technology and audio-visual aids for more successful training programmes at the school . Furthermore, the study found that there is good teacher-related service collaboration. However, that was just on capacity and in-service training for the teachers. There is therefore the need to establish team work involving related service personnel from different disciplines such as speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, vocational therapist, and physical in training the students. Finally, the study brought to light that the main challenge facing the Dzorwulu Special School for the intellectually disabled was funding. Attempts made to get extra funding from well-wishers and philanthropist have mostly come out unsuccessful. The study recommended that the government must ensure that enough funds is made available for the programmes. Also, the Headmaster and other stakeholders must engage in other fundraising activities to raise enough funds for the programmes.

Source: UEW
An investigation of contextual factors for the adoption of ICT by headteachers of Basic Schools

This quantitative study was carried out to find out how contextual factors relate to ICT adoption for school administration by headteachers of basic schools. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey design, and used the census sampling technique to collect data from 69 participants, and analyzed using multiple linear regression, frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as independent samples t-test. The study found that attitude, perceived usefulness, access and availability of ICT tools, training and technical support, as well as motivation and incentives were the major contextual factors that relate to headteachers’ adoption of ICT for school administration. Also, the study revealed that the perceived impact of ICT adoption on school administration related to enhanced access to information, improved efficiency in decision-making, as well as enhanced productivity. Furthermore, the study showed that there was no significant difference in the readiness to adopt ICT among headteachers of private schools and those in public schools (p=0.895). It was recommended that headteachers should be given the necessary training and support, as well as motivation and incentives, in order to concretize the adoption of ICT for school administration.

Source: UEW
An investigation of mobile money fraud in the Kasoa township

For many years, efforts to make financial products and services accessible and affordable to all individuals and businesses, regardless of their personal net worth or company size, (financial inclusion) was a major challenge, globally, due to the high costs involved. In light of this, mobile banking service that allows users to store and transfer money through their mobile phones, has increased the appetite for mobile financial service deployments, especially in developing countries. Mobile money, which is a type of mobile banking, has become extremely popular around the world and most especially in countries where most of its population do not use banks. However, as more businesses and customers launch their money into cyberspace, opportunities for 21st century, tech-savvy thieves also increase. With continuous losses to fraud indicating that fraud is an issue which requires continuous attention, it is important to explore mobile money fraud. This work explored mobile money fraud in the Kasoa Township. Using mixed method approach and stratified and purposive sampling technique, a total of 394 respondents were involved in the study. Data collected were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results from the study revealed that, anonymous calls from fraudsters were the most prevalent type of mobile money fraud. Also, majority of the respondent said they trusted the fraudster as their reason of being defrauded while those who could not be defrauded stated awareness as their reason. Furthermore, loss of customer and business trust, destroying business relationships, clean-up cost, collapse of business, market distortion were major effects of mobile money fraud on mobile money operations. Based on the outcome of the study, it was recommended that; Both merchants and individual subscribers in Kasoa are encouraged to save contact of their Mobile Network Operators on their phones in order to detect fake calls claiming to have come from the Service Provider’s Office to help curb anonymous call related fraud in Kasoa. In addition, mobile money operators/service providers need to intensify customer awareness on mobile money fraud by using local language such as Fante, Ewe, Nzema, Hausa and Ga, with the help of local information centres in the Kasoa Township.

Source: UEW
Investigation of project risk management practices in the construction industry in Ghana.

The construction industry is one of the most dynamic, risky, and challenging businesses. The number of risks present invariably goes beyond those found in other industries. The research was conducted with the aim of developing an effective risk management guide for building construction projects in the Central and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. Purposive sampling technique was used to select ninety (90) participants that were made up of clients, contractors and consultants of on-going projects for the study. Three instruments (Observation, Questionnaire and Interview) were used to illicit information from the participants. Twenty-five risks were identified and categorized into ten main categories. For each of these risks, relevant mitigation strategies were also proposed. Findings of the research revealed that Economic, Financial and political risks have the greatest influence on construction projects in the Central and the Greater Accra Regions of Ghana. Moreover, there is a serious lack of risk management knowledge and expertise among all the three key categories of actors. The conclusion drawn from the evaluation of risk management strategies was that due to high volatility of the economic situation of the country, reactive risk management is practiced more than proactive risk management. Moreover, employment of contingency theory for managing situations has been stated to be unique for each particular situation and therefore the situation should be defined in order to refer to a more specific concept. The study recommended among other things that utilization of contingency plan needs to be made more explicit in the theory. A thorough feasibility studies should be undertaken before any project is done. Key words: Client, Contractor, Consultant, Construction Risk, Contingency theory. University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh

Source: UEW