ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Media framing of women in political and non-political spaces an analysis of how newspapers framed women leaders in Ghana from 2009 to 2010

This study examined the media coverage of women leaders in political and non-political spaces. The study identified the frames used in news coverage and the degree to which the representations reinforce the theoretical assumptions that the media engage in symbolic annihilation in representing women leaders. Again, the study sought to discover the reason behind the frames from the perspective of the journalist. The research also analysed the perceptions of the women leaders towards these frames. In addition, the study determined whether the frames employed are dependent on the particular space occupied by the woman leader. The study informed by framing analysis, employed Ethnographic Content Analysis (ECA), a research design that combined both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect and analyse data from three Ghanaian newspapers: Daily Graphic, Daily Guide and The Ghanaian Times. Another source of data analysed is interviews with the journalists who wrote the stories as well as women who were covered in the news stories. The findings of this study provide evidences of strong socio-cultural gender constructs that impede women’s access to and performance within leadership roles. Critical to challenging this status-quo is media identification and promotion of a female leadership norm, for women to be seen as human beings who have leadership qualities that is equal to but may not necessarily be similar to the male norm.

Source: UEW
Media image of Ghanaian chiefs a content analysis of the daily graphic, the Ghanaian times and the daily guide

The work examined how the media presents the chieftaincy institution and how chiefs are framed in the various local newspapers. It also tried to understand the different frames used by the newspapers to represent chiefs and how they impact on their image and chiefly positions they occupy in the Ghanaian society. Again, the study examined the major themes inherent in the chieftaincy stories used by local newspapers and how they affect the image of chiefs and the chieftaincy institution as a whole and the ideology and principles that guided and informed the media professionals in their presentations as well as the perspectives of chiefs. The study used framing and gatekeeping analysis as the theoretical base for the study. Qualitative methods were adopted in the process of the data collection. Three major newspapers namely, the Daily Graphic, the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Guide were used for the study. Three journalists and a chief were also interviewed. The major findings of the research showed that chiefs are usually associated with conflicts, litigations and various social vices in the Ghanaian media. This is reinforced by the trend that emerged in the newspapers studied which predominantly framed chiefs around litigation which were given prominence, even though chieftaincy stories were largely not accorded front page prominence in the newspapers studied.

Source: UEW
Media practitioners and the phenomenon of cash for coverage (soli) in Ghana

Some journalists in Ghana expect their sources to pay or reward them for covering a programme especially when they are invited by the organiser(s) of the programme. Similarly, PR practitioners are cited as being among the top three sources that perpetuate brown envelope journalism (Soli) in their dealings with journalists. The practice, thus, appears to have become a norm among event organisers (often PR practitioners) and journalists (reporters) without recourse to the ethical implications of the practice. This study investigates the factors media practitioners in Ghana consider when they are confronted with the phenomenon of Soli. The study adopted the quantitative research approach and the survey design to investigate this phenomenon. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Social Responsibility Theory (SRT) guided the study. Findings of the study were tested against the Pearson moment correlation coefficient and the Durbin-Watson regression model through SPSS version 20.0. The results of the study, among others, showed that there is a significant association between salary levels of journalists and journalists‘ inclination to accepting Soli. Ghanaian Journalists‘ knowledge of the GJA code of conduct was also found to be significant and positively related to journalists‘ acceptance of Soli. There was a significant relationship between PR practitioners‘ knowledge of IPR (Ghana) code of ethics and payment of Soli by PR practitioners. The study also found a significant relationship between PR practitioners desire to obtain positive media coverage and payment of Soli by PR practitioners.

Source: UEW
Media representations of minority groups perspectives of the Ghanaian Muslim community

This study explored the perspectives of Ghana's Muslim community regarding their portrayal in the country's media landscape. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups with 24 participants in Accra, the research sought to understand how Muslims perceive their representation in domestic news and programming. It also examined how these depictions influence their social identity and aspirations for future coverage. The findings revealed that Muslims feel underrepresented and negatively stereotyped in Ghanaian media. Coverage often promotes misunderstanding between religious groups by emphasizing simplistic attributes. Participants believed this biased portrayal shapes how they are viewed socially and discourages participation in mainstream discussions for fear of association with stereotypes. They felt this hinders social integration and cohesion. In line with participatory communication theory, participants called for more inclusive and diverse representations of Muslims in various professional and social roles. They wanted stories that showcase the richness of Muslim life and dismantle stereotypes. Participants felt the media could play an important role in reshaping public perceptions and fostering religious understanding by featuring Muslims in different contexts beyond simplistic portrayals. The research recommended that inclusive dialogue and shared narratives are needed to build solidarity between religious communities.

Source: UEW
Medical waste management in health facilities in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

There is a growing concern on how medical wastes are handled in developing countries like Ghana due to their potential source of risks to human health and the environment. A descriptive cross - sectional study was used to assess the current management practices of medical waste at six health facilities in the Kumasi Metropolis. Checklist, observation and questionnaire were used to collect data from the health facilities and 400 healthcare workers. The data was analyzed using the SPSS, version 25. Chi-Square test was used to determine the association between the variables and level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The results of the study showed that temporary storage holding time for the medical waste was between 12-24hrs and manually transferred to treatment sites in all facilities, except KATH, which used tricycle. Incineration was mostly (66.7 %) used to managed solid medical waste with uncontrolled smokes which could pose threat to the environment. Liquid wastes from some wards were drained into septic tanks while others into the municipal sewage system. Most (74.4 %) healthcare workers had adequate knowledge on medical waste management, although segregation at the point of generation was nearly absent, this was significantly associated with age, profession and years of experience (P-values 0.000; 0.032). There was policy gap on enforcement of medical waste management at the health facilities. The medical waste posed a serious health risk to the health workers, waste collectors and the people in the surrounding communities. Generally, the medical waste management was below the required WHO guidelines. The study recommends sufficient training, effective supervision and resource allocation for waste management.

Source: UEW
Medicinal Plant Identification using Gabor Filters and Deep Learning Techniques: A Paper Review

Computer-aided identification of plants is a branch of machine learning that has become more recognized recently and proves itself as a vital tool in numerous sectors including pharmacological science, forestry and agriculture. This has essentially generated a zeal in creating automated systems for the identification of diverse species of plants. This study reviewed plant species classification relying on leaf textural features using Gabor filters and revealed that Gabor filters perform better when combined with other feature extraction methods. Therefore, this study proposes using Log-Gabor filter in the field of plant identification to improve accuracy since they overcome the drawbacks of Gabor filters which are; the maximum bandwidth of a Gabor filter is limited to approximately one octave and Gabor filters are not optimal if one is seeking broad spectral information with maximal spatial localization � 2021. Stephen Opoku Oppong, Frimpong Twum, James Ben Hayfron-Acquah and Yaw Marfo Missah. This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license

Source: UEW
Medicinal response of broiler chickens to diets containing neem (azadirachta indica) leaf meal, haematology and meat sensory analysis

: The medicinal response, haematological parameters and meat sensory analysis of broilers to diets containing neem leaf meal (NLM) were studied in an 8-week trial. The experiment was in two phases: growing chicks phase (0-3 week) and finisher phase (4-8 weeks). In phase I, a total of 400 day-old unsexed cobb hybrid broiler chicks were randomly allotted in equal numbers to 4 treatments. Forty five chicks from each treatment were wing tagged to form 3 replicates of 15 chicks each. In phase 2, 180 birds were allotted to the 4-treatments which had 3 replicates made up of 15 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Four starter diets and finisher diets were formulated to contain the NLM at 0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5% dietary levels and were fed ad libitum in phases 1 and 2 respectively. Results showed that feed intake in both phases were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by inclusion of the NLM in the diets. Body weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) depressed in birds fed the NLM diets when compared with the control which adversely affected the conversion efficiency ratio. The NLM inclusion controlled coccidiosis, worm infestation and respiratory infections effectively in those birds fed the NLM diets compared with the control. Carcass characteristics were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the NLM although mild bitter taste was sensed in the 2.5% inclusion level when the meat was not salted. The general haematological data was not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the NLM. However, white blood cells (WBC) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control compared with those birds fed the NLM diets. Total profit was relatively higher for birds fed the NLM diets when compared with the control diet. It was concluded that NLM can be a good herbal medicine for broiler production aside its nutritional importance. Key words: Antimicrobial resistance Neem leaf meal Herbal medicine Chemical- free production

Source: UEW
Meeting the dietary needs of adolescent boarding school students, a case study at Opoku ware senior high school in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana

This work examined the dietary needs of adolescents who are boardersin a second cycle institutions in the Kumasi Metropolis. The specific objectives were to: outline the types of meals taken in the dining hall of the institutions; identify factors that determine the provision of adequate meals in the boarding institutions; and assess the perceptions of the students towards the meals taken at the dining hall of Opoku Ware Senior High School. The study employed mixed methods and used questionnaires and personal interviews to collect data on the dietary needs of the students from a sample of eighty students, ten kitchen staff and one tutor of the school. Data were meticulously gathered on key variables such as age, sex, and educational status of the kitchen staff using written questionnaires and double entered into SPSS version 16 installed on windows XP. The study revealed that meals provided at the dining hall for the students, contained all the important food groups, though the students were dissatisfied with the quality and quantity. The study also found out that inadequate and unreliable government subvention was a major constraint in the provision of adequate meals in boarding institutions in the country. It was also revealed that the students purchased other foods such as kenkey, banku, rice and beans whilst in school to supplement the meals provided at the dining hall. From the findings, recommendations made included the need for intensification of nutrition and health education in second cycle institutions on the consequences of meal skipping by the Ghana Health Services, so that these adolescent students could improve their concentration in class for better performance, having been adequately fed at the dining hall.

Source: UEW
Meeting the English communication needs of hospitality students an analysis of Takoradi Technical University students

English language plays an instrumental role in the Hospitality industry; however, many graduates who get employed end up not having the communication skills required for their work. This often results in mismatches between the skills demands of a job and the training provided. This study examined the English communication needs of Hospitality students of Takoradi Technical University through an evaluation of the Communication Skills course offered to First year students. To achieve the objectives, Hutchinson and Waters’ (1987) Needs Analysis framework was adopted to collect data by means of questionnaire and interview from 253 sampled students, lecturers, and industry personnel, using a convergent parallel mixed method design and analyzed statistically and thematically. The analysis revealed that all four language skills are relevant to both students’ academic needs and target careers, and that the Communication Skills course is helpful to some extent. However, factors such as the nature of the curriculum, content of the syllabus, teaching methodologies and learning materials used were identified as limitations. In this light, the study proposes a new Communication Skills curriculum based on stakeholders’ needs. Based on the results, the study also recommends that an extension in the duration of the course and the incorporation of English for specific purposes (ESP) are steps necessary to achieve the proposed improvement. It also proposes that there is the need to factor in the needs of industry in the curriculum planning process in order to produce the human resource capable of meeting the English communication demands of the Hospitality industry.

Source: UEW
Memory, Women and War, Critical reflections on TADJO’S the shadow of ImanaTravels in the heart of Rwanda and Adichie’s half of a yellow sun

This thesis sought to examine memory, women and war in Adichie‘s Half of a Yellow Sun and Tadjo‘s The Shadow of Imana ; Travels in the heart of Rwanda. The study is a qualitative one which is based on textual, content and critical analysis. The study also focused on the ways in which characters and the processes of characterization help us reflect on the broad themes of traumatic remembrances of war and its consequences on individual characters and the society as a whole. Adichie‘s novel is a historical fiction based on the Nigeria civil war whereas Tadjo‘s explores memoir in writing about the Rwandan‘s genocide. The psychoanalytic theory of trauma is used in the analysis and discussion of the texts. A critical analysis of the texts reveals major themes such as violence against women, displacement, fragmentation as a consequence of war, and role change of women as some of the traumatic issues that women encountered in these novels. Again, it is clear from the analysis that victims who are able to retell their experiences are the ones that easily overcome their trauma. The study is further a pointer to the observation that although women have often been portrayed as victims in literary texts, they are beginning to challenge these stereotypical images of themselves by asserting themselves even in the midst of tragedies such as war.

Source: UEW
Mending the tax net in Ghana A perspective of tax officials

The purpose of the study focused on exploring areas of mending the tax net from the tax officials’ perspective. The theoretical framework for this study was anchored on the deterrence theory and principal-agent theory. The study adopted a qualitative approach using a case study and thematic analysis to analyse responses. A sample of twelve (12) respondents consisting of tax officials at Swedru GRA office was purposefully selected for this study. Three main objectives were set to explore this study; knowledge of various loopholes in the tax system, various tax reforms that have contributed to mending the tax net and contemporary strategies to improve tax compliance. The study's findings indicated that tax systems that contain tax loopholes include; income tax, property tax and tax on domestic goods and services. Again, Covid-19 Health Recovery Levy Act, Financial Sector Recovery Levy Act, Energy Sector Levy (Amendment), and Electronic Transfer levy Act) are various tax reforms that have contributed to mending the tax net. Contemporary tax compliance strategies include; responsible accountability, digitization and formalized stakeholder engagement. The study recommended that GRA consider amending systems supporting income tax, property and domestic tax. Robust systems should be adopted. Again, actual tax rates are to be charged on these various tax forms. Outrageous tax rates are an indication of an unforeseen tax loophole. The study suggested a quantitative approach, and other geographical jurisdictions confirmed research results at Swedru GRA office

Source: UEW
Mending the tax net in Ghana a perspective of tax officials

The purpose of the study focused on exploring areas of mending the tax net from the tax officials’ perspective. The theoretical framework for this study was anchored on the deterrence theory and principal-agent theory. The study adopted a qualitative approach using a case study and thematic analysis to analyse responses. A sample of twelve (12) respondents consisting of tax officials at Swedru GRA office was purposefully selected for this study. Three main objectives were set to explore this study; knowledge of various loopholes in the tax system, various tax reforms that have contributed to mending the tax net and contemporary strategies to improve tax compliance. The study's findings indicated that tax systems that contain tax loopholes include; income tax, property tax and tax on domestic goods and services. Again, Covid-19 Health Recovery Levy Act, Financial Sector Recovery Levy Act, Energy Sector Levy (Amendment), and Electronic Transfer levy Act) are various tax reforms that have contributed to mending the tax net. Contemporary tax compliance strategies include; responsible accountability, digitization and formalized stakeholder engagement. The study recommended that GRA consider amending systems supporting income tax, property and domestic tax. Robust systems should be adopted. Again, actual tax rates are to be charged on these various tax forms. Outrageous tax rates are an indication of an unforeseen tax loophole. The study suggested a quantitative approach, and other geographical jurisdictions confirmed research results at Swedru GRA office.

Source: UEW
Menopause and food among women in a perl-urban community in Ghana

In a descriptive survey, this study explored menopausal symptoms of 120 women aged 40 60 years and the food they ate among the Six Food Groups of Ghana. Questionnaire was used to collect the data which were analysed with the SPSS to generate frequencies an percentage tables for discussion. More than half of the menopausal women experienced mood swings; hot flashes; reduced work output; fatigue; sleeplessness; and weight gain.The main vegetables consumed by all the women were tomatoes, onions, pepper, gard and kontomire (cocoyam leaves). Majority ate fish; maize; banana, and palm oil. A moderate percentage ate rice, wheat, cow peas, soy oil and frytol; minority ate animal foods other than fish; starchy roots and plantain seeds, carrots cabbage, cucumber, French beans and spring onions, green pepper and lettuce; beverage, fruit drink and fresh fruit juice. The women restricted themselves to a few of the nutritious local foods among the Ghana six food advantage of to reduce or prevent their menopausal challenges. that menopausal women increase the variety, frequency and portions of fruits and vegetables consumed especially because of their phyto topics on nutrition and menopause should be included in the Home Economics curriculum; and Home Economists and Nutritionists in the community should organize talks on Nutrition and Menopause for women groups.

Source: UEW
Menopause and nutrition among the women in Agogo

The aim of the study was to find out the awareness of menopausal symptoms, food preferences, nutrition related health statuses and strategies to ensure effective diet management by menopausal women in Agogo, Asante- Akim North District. The study was a cross sectional survey using descriptive research methods. One hundred and twenty (120) women between the ages 40 and 60 years were selected by convenience, purposive and by snowballing methods to select the site, area and respondents. Instruments used to collect data were questionnaire, interview and observation checklist. Data was analysed descriptively with (SPSS) version 16.0. The study revealed that the menopausal age for women in Agogo was between the ages of 46 to 55years. The average age was 51years and 5months. Awareness of menopausal symptoms was very high and the sources of information were through adult children, parents, friends and relations. The diets of the respondents were diversified as they frequently consumed food items from all the six food groups. Major nutrition – related health problems experienced by respondents were arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. It was found that exercise was important for the health of the respondents but the duration of the exercise among the respondents was short so it is important to encourage extended periods of exercise. Strategies recommended to ensure healthy menopause included intensive education and counselling on menopausal symptoms, management, good nutrition, adequate rest as well as awareness creation and moral support from the community. Menopausal women should be encouraged to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and pulses in their diet to boost their phyto- oestrogen level. Menopausal women should perform exercise regularly in the form of walking, jogging, skipping, dancing, and playing tennis or any weight-bearing exercises but the duration of the exercises should be extended beyond the present level to make their bones and muscles stronger to prevent cardiovascular diseases. There should be workshops and seminars for leaders in the churches by Home Economists and Dieticians to educate the menopausal women on the symptoms of menopause and the right diet to eat to remedy or reduce the impact of menopausal symptoms.

Source: UEW