ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing hygiene practices of street food vendors in basic schools in Sissala East District of Ghana

The major purpose of the study was to explore the food hygiene, personal hygiene and environmental hygiene practices of food vendors in basic schools in Sissala East District of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised all street food vendors, environmental health officers and teachers in basic schools in the Sissala East District of Ghana. A sample size of eighty (80) was used. They were made up of thirty (30) street food vendors, twenty (20) environmental health officers and thirty (30) teachers. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were used in selecting the sample. The data were gathered by administering interview guide, questionnaire and observation. Frequencies and percentages were used in analysing the data presented. From the responses of food vendors, environmental health officers and teachers, it was revealed that most food vendors observed food hygiene such as washing their hands before serving food, using separate equipment for serving cooked and raw, serving food with fork or spoon, serving food with cup or plate, keeping their equipment clean and having containers for washing bowls. It was also found that majority of the respondents did not observe some food hygiene practices. The major ones were that food vendors serve food with bare hands and do not provide drying racks for cleaned utensils. With respect to personal hygiene practices, food vendors and environmental officers indicated that food vendors do not wear clean clothes and do not wash their hands after receiving or counting money, sell when they have visible skin rashes, boils, cuts or wound and wear jewellery when selling food. The findings further showed that majority of food vendors failed to observe environmental hygiene relating to areas such as the provision of rubbish containers, drinkable water and clean towels for drying hands. It was concluded that Food vendors on basic school premises do not observe food, personal and environmental hygiene practices to the optimum. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Environmental health workers and District Nutrition Officers should train food vendors on food hygiene practices relating to issues such as the provision of drying racks for cleaned utensils and clean towels for drying hands. It was also recommended that the training of food vendors should cover personal hygiene practices including hand washing practices and the use of clean clothes. Finally, it was recommended that food vendors should be provided training on environmental hygiene with respect to practices such as the provision of rubbish containers, drinkable water and clean towels for drying hands.

Source: UEW
Assessing hygiene practices of street food vendors in basic schools in Sissala East district of Ghana

The major purpose of the study was to explore the food hygiene, personal hygiene and environmental hygiene practices of food vendors in basic schools in Sissala East District of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised all street food vendors, environmental health officers and teachers in basic schools in the Sissala East District of Ghana. A sample size of eighty (80) was used. They were made up of thirty (30) street food vendors, twenty (20) environmental health officers and thirty (30) teachers. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were used in selecting the sample. The data were gathered by administering interview guide, questionnaire and observation. Frequencies and percentages were used in analysing the data presented. From the responses of food vendors, environmental health officers and teachers, it was revealed that most food vendors observed food hygiene such as washing their hands before serving food, using separate equipment for serving cooked and raw, serving food with fork or spoon, serving food with cup or plate, keeping their equipment clean and having containers for washing bowls. It was also found that majority of the respondents did not observe some food hygiene practices. The major ones were that food vendors serve food with bare hands and do not provide drying racks for cleaned utensils. With respect to personal hygiene practices, food vendors and environmental officers indicated that food vendors do not wear clean clothes and do not wash their hands after receiving or counting money, sell when they have visible skin rashes, boils, cuts or wound and wear jewellery when selling food. The findings further showed that majority of food vendors failed to observe environmental hygiene relating to areas such as the provision of rubbish containers, drinkable water and clean towels for drying hands. University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh

Source: UEW
Assessing induction challenges of public basic schools teachers of Sekyere East district in the Ashanti Region

The study was conducted to investigate the induction system and its effect on public basic school teachers in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region. The objectives of the study were to find out some of the training andinduction programmes that are organized in basic schools in the study area, determine the causes of ineffective induction practices in basic schoolsin the study area and to ascertain the effects of effective induction programme on teaching and learning in basic schoolsin the study area. The researcher used descriptive survey design to collect quantitative data for the study. The targeted population was all the 164 head teachers and assistant head teachers of the public basic schools in the Sekyere East District. Simple random sampling was used to select 82 respondents for the study. Based on the findings, in service training in mathematics, English, French, lesson notes and in teaching pedagogy among others are organized in schools in the study area. Work overload, negative attitude of existing or veteran as well as beginning teachers are some of the causes of ineffective induction and training. Improvement in professional growth and development and effective integration of new employees to the organization are some effects of effective induction. It is recommended that workloads of head teachers and their assistants who organize induction and training should be reduced for induction and training to be effective.

Source: UEW
Assessing integrated science teaching and learning to the hearing impaired at University Practice Inclusive Junior High School-South Campus, Winneba

The purpose of this study was to assess the teaching and learning of Integrated Science to the hearing impaired at the University Practice Inclusive Junior High School at the South Campus, Winneba. The study focused on Integrated Science teachers, interpreters and hearing impaired pupils of the University Practice Inclusive JHS, South Campus, Winneba. The estimated population was forty (40), which were made up of thirteen (13) teachers, three (3) interpreters and twenty-four (24) hearing impaired pupils. Out of a target population, five (5) Integrated Science teachers and three (3) sign language interpreters were purposively sampled from the University Practice Inclusive JHS for the study. However, simple random sampling technique was used to select seven (7) hearing impaired pupils (4 females and 3 males) out of the total of twenty (20) hearing impaired pupils in the University Practice Inclusive JHS at the South Campus, Winneba. The study was conducted using the causal comparative study design, and the methods used to collect data were semi-structured interview, document analysis, formal observation checklist and questionnaire. The results indicated that there was no policy governing science education for students with deafness in Ghana, further, hearing impaired pupils solely depend on the interpreters for information in the classroom and outside the classroom. Also, the Integrated Science syllabus does not favour the hearing impaired pupils, since they are taught like their hearing counterpart which in turn makes the latter not benefit fully from science lessons. Having discussed these findings, it is recommended that The Ministry of Education should introduce a teaching syllabus that lay emphasis on how to teach Integrated Science to the hearing impaired.

Source: UEW
Assessing machinery safety procedures and health management in wood workshops’ operations in Kumasi

In this study, safety and health management in the operation of woodworking machines as was examined in some selected wood workshops in Kumasi, Ghana. The specific objectives of the study were as follows; investigate the machine layout procedures use in the woodwork machine shops, evaluate the operating skills those who man the machine shop use that negatively affect their health and asses the maintenance practice adopted to make the machines safe to use and improves their efficiency. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. 69 respondent comprising 60 machine operators at the Kwadaso sawmill shop and 9 machines at Kumasi Technical Institute. Random Sampling technique was used to select nine machines at Kumasi Technical institute for the data collection while at Kwadaso sixty identify machines were also used in the study. Results of the study also indicated that KTI has a well-lay out woodwork machine shop whiles the Kwadaso woodwork machine shop has no layout plan, the machines and equipment used in KTI were bought new and installed by manufacturers and the needed operational practices that contribute to efficiency of the use of the machine and the safe and health of the users, whereas the machines in Kwadaso were ‘used machines’ purchased in the 1989 and 2000 without the knowledge of how long these machines were used before purchase and they were also not maintained appropriately as in the case of KTI where there is a planned scheduled maintenance, regular maintenance and parts are bought even before they are needed for replace during repairs and maintenance. Education level influenced the woodworking machine shop layout adopted in the areas of the study. Majority of the operators had their educational level up to the technical school level or below with their assistants having junior high level. Thus is the regular need for education and training on the use of the machines and their maintenance and strict observation and adherence to safety rules and regulations

Source: UEW
Assessing maintenance culture of school buildings and their impact on teaching and learning in public basic schools in Ghana a case study in Denkyembour District in the Eastern Region

Public Basic School buildings are great assets to communities and the nation as a whole, which must be maintained to warrant greater worth. This study assessed maintenance culture of school buildings and their impact on teaching and learning in Public Basic Schools in Ghana, a case study in the Denkyembour District in the Eastern Region. The objectives of the study were to: examine the issues of maintenance culture of Public Basic school buildings, identification of maintenance culture challenges and developing strategies to improve maintenance culture of public basic school buildings in Denkyembour District. A total of 92 respondents were used for the study and was sampled as follows: Sixty (60) teachers, twenty (20) students, six (6) Head teachers and six (6) School Management Committee members of the selected Public basic schools. Questionnaires, interview schedule and observation were used for the data collection. The study revealed that most of the public basic school buildings had cracked and broken walls, wearing off floor screeds and faded paintings, some had leaky roofs whilst some roof partly ripped off. The study concludes that maintenance culture of public basic school buildings has a bearing on teaching and learning, attendance of students to school and retention of experienced teachers in the schools in the District. The study recommends that the Denkyembour District Assembly should invest in public basic school building maintenance since effective maintenance promote heathy and safety environment to make life of students and teachers comfortable and prolong the life span of the school buildings.

Source: UEW
Assessing maintenance practice of public residential buildings in Ghana, a case study of Ghana fire service and Ghana health service buildings in Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana

Wear and tear in buildings and other fixed equipment is inevitable; for this reason periodic attention is required to keep them in good state so that they can continue to perform their required functions. One of the ways to achieve this is the adoption of maintenance as essential practice. Due to the neglect of maintenance of buildings in the country a lot of public and private sector buildings are in very deplorable conditions. The aim of the study is to evaluate the maintenance practice of the public residential buildings in Bolgatanga Municipality. The field investigations focused on 58 out of 68 residential buildings of GFS and GHS nurses’ quarters. Opinions of maintenance officers and tenants were solicited. These officers were purposively selected and questionnaires administered to them. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The survey revealed that the most prevalent maintenance problems with respect to the building elements are dirty paint, crack/peeled off floors, leaking roofs, cracks in walls, exposed foundation, and partly broken windows and doors. Also, majority of the facilities in the households are in fairly good conditions and thus need attention. The study also established the following factors as being responsible for the poor maintenance of the public buildings surveyed: Lack of maintenance culture, Inadequate funds and high maintenance cost, Pressure on building facilities by number of users, The age of the buildings, Frequent transfer of occupants, Apathy and lack of patriotism on the part of some public employees occupying government bungalows, and lack of preventive maintenance plan, absence of a national maintenance policy. The study concludes that management of public institutions’ buildings surveyed should embrace preventive maintenance practice as a high priority; also occupants of the public residential buildings who exhibit poor maintenance should be strictly sanctioned.

Source: UEW
Assessing mathematics teachers’ knowledge and skills in ICT integration in teaching and learning. A survey of school mathematics teachers in the Keta municipality of Ghana.

This quantitative study assessed the knowledge and skills of mathematics teachers in integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their teaching practices of mathematics in the Keta Municipality of Ghana. The study also investigated the extent to which mathematics teachers use ICT in their teaching of mathematics as well as the challengers and barriers hindering their ICT integration into the teaching of mathematics. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and a questionnaire which demonstrated high reliability (α = 0.759) was used to collect data. The study employed a non-probability sampling approach, specifically convenience sampling, to select one hundred and five (105) participants. A descriptive analysis approach was adopted to summarize the data using frequency distributions. The results revealed that teachers demonstrated high proficiency in basic ICT skills, such as word processing and search engine usage. However, their proficiency levels were moderate in areas such as presentation packages and communication software, and low in more advanced ICT skills, including spreadsheet usage and hardware management. Despite their positive knowledge about ICT integration, teachers reported limited use of ICT in teaching mathematics, citing inadequate training, lack of resources, and insufficient computer laboratories as major barriers. The study highlights the need for policy makers to address these challenges and provide teachers with the necessary support to effectively integrate ICT into their teaching practices

Source: UEW
Assessing parental motivation in enrolment of their wards at kindergarten in Akyemansa District.

The purpose of the study was to assess parental motivation in enrolment of their wards at Kindergarten in the Akyemansa District. This study was underpinned by positivist philosophy in line with quantitative research approach with a descriptive survey design. The population of this study comprises of all parents whose wards were enrolled at the public early childhood centres in the Akyemansa District. Sample size for the study was seventy-seven (77) participants. Simple random technique was used to select the kindergarten schools in Akyemansa District whiles purposive sampling technique was used to select the parents. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect data for the study. The study data was analysed by coding data using Software Package for Social Science and generated descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency counts. The study found that the respondents had a very positive impression about kindergarten and maintained that children needed kindergarten experience prior to enrolling in primary school. This perception was borne out of the belief by the respondents that kindergarten prepares children for primary school. Finally, the study found that factors that motivated parents to enrol their children in kindergarten were the desire to prepare their children adequately for primary school. The study recommended that the State adopt measures that will improve communication with parents, strengthen collaboration between school authorities and parents, involve parents in decision making in schools, and strengthen school-community relationship in order to improve parental motivation and involvement in children’s education.

Source: UEW
Assessing parental support on early childhood learners’ education in Ahafo Ano North Municipality

The purpose of the study was to assess parental support on early childhood learners’ education in Ahafo Ano North Municipality. Specifically, the study sought to find out the various types of support given by parents in Ahafo Ano North Municipality, assess the impact of parental support on learners’ academic performance and examine the challenges facing parents so far as early childhood education is concerned. The study was nested into the mixed methods research design involving the quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample size was 20 parents, 4 early childhood teachers, 2 head teachers, and 15 learners. A self-developed questionnaire was used for the data collection. Pilot-testing of the instrument was done and reliability and validity were ensured. Ethical consideration was also ensured before the actual data collection. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages, means and standard deviations). The study found that generally, most of the parents in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality do not really provide the needed support for their children. Again, it was found that most of the support from parents in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality do not really have much impact on the learners’ academic performance. Finally, it was found that there are some challenges facing parents so far as early childhood education management and delivery is concerned. Some of the challenges were high cost of living, employment, frequent changes in educational policies, large family size, financial constraints/low income and so on. it was recommended that parents should be educated and encouraged by stakeholders (Opinion leaders, NGO’s, government, teachers, school administrators and missions) on the need to invest in their children’s education by contributing in diverse ways, covering other areas identified in this study where they least contribute, to support their children’s educational development. Also, Parents should be counselled by educators to realize the importance of motivating their children to learn, acquiring resources for the learners such as text books, exercise books; attending P.T.A. meetings, visiting their children’s school to assess their academic progress; giving personal attention and helping.

Source: UEW
Assessing post-harvest handling practices and challenges among tomato farmers and retailers in some selected districts in the Upper West Region of Ghana

In most developing countries like Ghana, post-harvest loss of tomato has become a critical issue which bothers on the degree of produce perishability and inevitable cost to tomato handlers within the tomato value chain. The Post-Harvest Loss Value Chain Model was explored to critically analyse the post-harvest handling practices, examine the causes, challenges and treatment methods used by tomato farmers and retailers in four selected districts in the Upper West Region of Ghana namely Wa Municipal, Wa West District, Wa East District and Jirapa District. The mixed method research design was used for the study as the study employed both qualitative and quantitative source of data. The study population was all tomato farmers and retailers in the four selected districts in the Upper West Region. The sample size consist of forty-one (41) tomato farmers, fifty-seven (57) tomato retailers and four (4) Agricultural Extension Officers. The sampling techniques used were convenience and purposive. Survey questionnaires and structured interview were the instruments used to gather data for the study. Data from the study revealed that about 97% of tomato handlers harvested the produce in the morning in its matured ripped red state. About 42% of tomato handlers do not sort, grade and pre-cool their produce after harvest. The study established mechanical damage, infestation of pest and diseases, over ripening and poor packaging as some of the causes of post-harvest loss of tomato. Again, data from the study revealed that inadequate irrigation facilities, lack of storage facilities, poor road networks and inappropriate means of transport, low price of produce and high cost of production were the challenges facing tomato handlers. The study also found that sun drying of tomatoes was the common treatment method employed in the study area for preserving tomatoes.

Source: UEW