ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Ewe in West Africa: One cultural people in two different countries (Togo/Ghana) 1884-1960

The Ewe in West africa are a people who live actually across three countries. But before the colonization they were living in their own territory without any artificial borders. During the precolonial period, the Ewe have been in contact with different Europeans countries and through theses contacts and relations, some foreign european words introduced the local language and point out a new style in the linguistic called pidjin language, a mix of European language with African ones. The aim of this paper is to study the evolution of the Ewe language but also the dynamism that appearedin the social life of the Ewe people with the introtuction of foreign language like English. To achieve this goal, this research will be based on a specific sociolinguistic literature related to the question but also other historical researches and analyzes. The results of this paper were presented in four stages. The first part will focus on the point of view of scholars about the question, the second aspect will talk about the relation between the African language and the European language before the colonialization. The third aspect of the results will be based on the opposition of the European language and the Ewe language. The last aspect of this paper will present the new challenge of the Ewe and their language during the colonial period

Source: UCC
An examination into instructors` participation in curricula decision-making on conflict and crime prevention in Ghana: A case of national police training school, Accra

The study sought to examine police training instructor’s participation in curricula decision making in the training of police recruits on conflict and crime management in Ghana. A descriptive research design was used where questionnaires were used to elicit information from personnel at the National Police Training School (NPTS). Due to the smaller number of training instructors at the NPTS census was used. The study also uses qualitative information from some of the senior police officers. The data collected through the questionnaire were analysed by the use of the computer programme: Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS), version 16. The findings of the of study indicate that first, the Ghana Police Service apart from depending on the provisions of article 75 of the 1992 Republican Constitution of Ghana to select members to form curricula decision making team, the police agency uses the rank of police personnel as major qualification for police officers. The study found out that non-involvement of police training instructors in the curricula decision making processes negatively affects the police administration, police training instructors and the recruits. These militate against effective training of recruits. The main recommendations of the study include the need for the Ghana Police Service to make the curricula decision-making processes, experience and educational qualification as the basis for selecting instructors and the need to organise in-service training for instructors to sharpen their skills and knowledge on curricula design.

Source: UCC
Examination of students' views on improving discipline in teacher training colleges: Implications for guidance and counselling

The study was a case study designed to examine students’ views on improving discipline in a College of Education and its implications on guidance and counselling in Colleges of Education. A sample population of 244 students was selected to respond to a questionnaire. The data were analysed using frequency and percentage. The study revealed that students viewed the concept of discipline as punishment which was generally perceived as severe. Punishment in the College included withdrawing students’ privileges, in-school suspension and out-of-school suspension. They regarded the causes of indiscipline to be the result of lack of students’ participation in the decision making process of the school, inadequate guidance and counselling services. Students’ indiscipline was also attributed to bad training at home, students falling into bad company in school and lack of freedom for students. Students suggested that to foster discipline they prefer the use of guidance and counselling services to encourage students to improve their behaviour. On the basis of the findings and their suggestions, some recommendations were made to improve discipline in Colleges of Education. Students of colleges should be taught the value of self-discipline. Teaching of self-discipline will help students to know the value of discipline. Parents should be “life-models” for their children.

Source: UCC
An examination of credit procedures and default rates: A study of Advans Ghana savings and loans limited

This study examined to what extent the credit processes contribute towards loan delinquency. The convenient sampling procedure was used to select thirty (30) respondents: fourteen (14) credit officers and sixteen (16) clients all from the Microfinance Institution studied for the research. Frequencies, Charts, Percentages and Tables were the statistical tool used to analyze the data collected. Microsoft Excel Software and SPSS were used for the analysis. From the findings it was clear that the experience of credit officers does not necessarily influence them to hurriedly expedite the processing of the loan facility but rather informs them to rather pay particular level of attention to specific files. The findings also revealed that both clients and officers had aversion for certain stages in the loan procedure. The research was therefore focused around these under listed purpose if not specified objectives:  To assess whether administrative staff are given in-service training.  To examine whether in-service training is based on the need of the workers/staff.  To assess how effective in-service training is.  To examine the impact of in-service training on the performance of administrative staff workers and how it affect the growth of the company. In conclusion several recommendations were made available to the assembly as the main object of the research study.

Source: UCC
Examination of disproportionality of autism in school-aged populations in the U.S.

The purpose of this article is to examine the disproportionality among racial/ethnic groups and states for the disability category of “Autism” as reported to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Over the past decade, a variety of sources indicated a dramatic increase in the number of students receiving special education services under this category. In this article, statewide variations amongst each of the racial/ethnic groups are explored along with a discussion of possible reasons for these variations

Source: UCC
Examination of employee motivational practices at merchant bank in the Kumasi metropolis

The general objective of this study was to examine employee motivational practices at Merchant Bank in the Kumasi metropolis. The study was a descriptive study. The study population was 104 from the four branches in the Kumasi metropolis, out of this number, 85 (48 clericals, 33 supervisors and 4 managers) were selected as the sample size for the study. A multiphase sampling technique used was to select the participants. A questionnaire was used as the major tool to collect data from the respondents for analysis using the statistical product for service solutions (SPSS version 17.0) software. The study revealed that fringe benefits are the most important motivational package existing at Merchant Bank. The office premise was very conducive for both customers and the employees to enhance smooth business and build a good corporate image. Again enhanced salary/allowance and loyalty to the bank was the most influenced work characteristics that affect employees’ performance. The availability of motivational package increased employees’ work output. It was recommended that Board of Directors and management of Merchant Bank should motivate the clerical staff with meritorious promotions, job rotation and job enrichment to reduce boredom and challenged them to be innovative. Frequently train supervisors and managerial staff to develop sharper skills so that staff can be up to the task when given the opportunity. The workers were also advised to take any training and development programmes organised by management serious and be delighted in serving customers all the time with improved strategies.

Source: UCC
An examination of environmental accounting and reporting Practices of large-scale mining companies in Ghana

The study involved a benchmark analysis and examination of the state of sustainability accounting and reporting of four gold mining companies in Ghana from 2009 to 2015 comparing and contrasting the sustainability accounting processes and the sustainability indicators being adopted by the these companies as far as sustainability reporting initiatives are concerned. Further, the purpose examines the accounting convention, traditional or otherwise, used to recognize, measure and disclose transactions relating to the environment of four large-scale gold mining companies in Ghana. The study draws extensively on publicly available official documents and interview data. Based on the responses from the interview respondents and information from the publicly available official documents, it develops a case report based on the key questions and other themes that emerge from the literature and the empirical material. The study reveals that environmental accounting and reporting are now critical strategies that environmentally sensitive industries like gold mining companies are seriously tackling. The findings show that although the conventional accounting system was used in the recognition and measurement of environmental transactions, the nature of environmental accounts, presentation and disclosure varies across the companies. Some reports were stand-alone while others were integrated in the main annual reports. The main significance of the study is that the findings, thus, reinforce the proposition that the need for decoupling environmental accounting and reporting within the broader sustainability reporting framework is due. There is also the need to develop a positive rather than a normative environmental accounting and reporting framework.

Source: UCC
An Examination Of Hindrances To The Accessibility Of Land To Women Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods In The Kpandai District Northern Region Of Ghana

This study examined access to land and its implications on women smallholder farmers in the Kpandai District, Ghana. The study adopted the qualitative research approach guided by the descriptive research design and the interpretivism philosophy. Data was collected from 35 participants through convenience and purposive sampling techniques using an interview guide and focus group discussion. The study discovered that land scarcity, time, labour constraints, customs and traditions, and lack of credit facilities determined women's access to land in the Kpandai district. The poor implementation of legal provisions, the dominance of men in decision-making processes and inheritance practices, and existing legislative and traditional structures fail to protect women's smallholder farmers' access to land in the Kpandai District. It is recommended that there should be collaborative efforts by the Kpandai District Assembly and Non-Governmental Agencies with traditional leaders, community elders, and local organisations to challenge customary discriminatory practices hindering women's smallholder farmers' access to land.

Source: UCC
An examination of implementation of Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS)

Most nations in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, have set out on various change programs including public financial management reforms for advancing effectiveness in the public sector but have been unsuccessful, with implementation being a major obstacle. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of GIFMIS in Ghana’s public financial management system and to examine the motivation(s) for its development and introduction. Data was gathered from a qualitative case study approach using semi-structured interview. The respondents for the study were people from the GIFMIS Secretariat and twenty (20) selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as relevant secondary data. Results revealed that the introduction of the GIFMIS system in Ghana’s public sector financial management system is a local initiative creating a sense of ownership and serving as a catalyst to stimulate adequate efforts towards effective implementation of the programme. Experience from the implementation of previous public sector financial management reform programmes, the role of politics and a stable political governance system have also been critical in its implementation. But the citizenry who are major stakeholders have been ‘closed off’ from participating in the implementation process. In future, the timing for the introduction of similar programmes must be taken into consideration with adequate commitment and support from the legislature and key personnel from the various MDAs/MMDAs must be identified at the initial stages and involved in the implementation process.

Source: UCC
An examination of journalistic codes of ethics in Anglophone West Africa

Ethical scandals involving ournalists in English-speaking West African countries have been documented to include conflict of interest, freebies, intellectual theft, deception, carelessness, kowtowing to advertisers and politicians, use of dubious evidence, and outright bias. This study explores how pronounced and clear the rules relating to these breaches are in the codes of these countries and whether the similarities and dissimilarities in wording indicate the influence of individual actors involved in writing them. Relying on thematic and qualitative document analysis methods, the study found that rules in the codes addressing the ethical breaches are pronounced and clear. Although largely similar in content, the codes also feature important differences that are strongly related to the composition of the groups that wrote them. This study discusses why ethical challenges in these countries persist in the midst well-written code of ethics

Source: UCC
Examination Of Perceived Factors That Influence The Teaching And Learning Of Social Studies; A Case Of Hohoe Municipality

The purpose of the research was to find out what factors, related to the student, teacher, and school environment, are thought to have an impact on social studies instruction in Ghana's Volta Region's Hohoe Municipality. For this study, the quantitative research technique was chosen. 48 social studies teachers were purposefully selected for the study, and 364 students served as respondents for the investigation using the multistage sampling approach. The study employed self-designed questionnaires to gather data. The acquired data were analyzed using standard deviation, means, and frequency counts and percentages. The findings showed that the learner factors included learners‘ ability to do their exercises and assignments and the extent to which they enjoy their Social Studies lessons. In addition, the study revealed that the teacher factors were teachers‘ ability to mark learners‘ exercises and provide them with prompt feedback and teachers‘ ability to allow learners ask questions for more clarification during instruction. The availability of textbooks and other TLRs was the study‘s last finding about the elements of the school environment that affected successful social studies teaching and learning (s). Hence, the study recommends, among others, that Ghana Education Service should ensure that textbooks and other teaching and learning resources are adequately provided and on time for schools. Again, Heads of schools and other supervisors must intensify their routine checks to ensure that adequate exercises and assignments are given to students and are effectively marked, and feedback given to students promptly.

Source: UCC
Examination of recruitment and selection practices at cocoa processing company limited, Tema

Recruitment and selection are key components to every successful human resource policies. The study examines the recruitment and selection processes of Cocoa Processing Company Limited, Tema. A total of 122 employees comprising 86 junior staff and 36 senior staff of the company were randomly selected to participate in the study while 6 management staff and the human resource manager of the company were purposely selected. Questionnaires were used to solicit data from employees whiles an in-depth interview guide was used to solicit data from the management staff and the human resource manager. T-test and one way analysis of variance were used to analyse the quantitative data while the qualitative data was inductively synthesised and analysed. The results of the study indicated that the mass media namely newspaper adverts, radio adverts and television adverts as well as the referrals by existing employees were the major sources of recruitment in the company. Employees’ assessment of recruitment in the company was positive whiles that of selection was negative. Employees’ assessment of the recruitment and selection process varied by their profile whiles the main challenge encountered in recruitment and selection in the company was pressure from top managers to impose their candidates on human the resource division. It was therefore recommended that referrals from existing employees should not be used as a source of recruitment and also management should desist from interfering in the recruitment and selection process.

Source: UCC
Examination of Senior High School Social Studies Teachers’ Instructional Practices in the Asokore Mampong Municipality

An excellent education mostly depends on the capability and efficiency of teachers. It is vital to examine the instructional practices of instructors since the teacher is the principal actor in the education of students. This study examined instructional practices that Senior High School (SHS) Social Studies teachers (SST) adopt in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was employed for the study. A sample size of 51 teachers was chosen using the census technique from six SHS. Being a mixed methods study, two main instruments including a self-designed questionnaire and observation guide together with a documentary analysis were employed for gathering data from teachers. After collecting the data with a questionnaire, they were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviations via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 22. Further, an observation guide was used to observe the lessons of the teachers. The observation guide was also adapted from the Centre for Teacher Professional Development, University of Cape Coast. Data analysis was done using descriptive and interpretive methods following the lessons observed. Teachers' lessons were observed based on the research questions and interpreted the matters mooted in the research questions to validate the responses generated from the questionnaire. Documentary analysis on the other hand was used to gather enough evidence concerning SST teaching. The study discovered SST to be moderately aware of the overall objectives of Social Studies, but lacked innovative techniques for teaching Social Studies. It was, therefore, suggested that repeated conferences and training are organised to update SST knowledge and skills of teaching.

Source: UCC
Examination of students' views on guidance and counselling services in Ghana

The study aimed at investigating whether the service schools give on guidance and counselling adequately met students’ needs and, if not, what strategies needed to put in place to improve and make guidance and counselling services in the school more beneficial. Adopting the descriptive research design and mainly questionnaire, the researcher selected 250 respondents from three senior high Schools in the New Juabeng Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana using the stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire and was analysed using frequencies and percentages. The main findings were that the type of guidance and counselling services respondents wanted most and preferred to be included in the service is counselling, while the least was evaluation. While some of the respondents were in favour of receiving counselling in the evenings and wanted it at the middle of the school term, other chose early in the morning before the assembly and wanted it at the beginning of the term. A majority of the students did not conceive guidance and counselling as having any good impact on students. Finally, the point of the majority view was that problems concerning students should be kept confidential. Also, counselling should be done in a private place and done by a professional counsellor. The study therefore recommends that coordinators should explain and specify the type of counselling available for students to take advantage of them. Guidance coordinators should organise regular seminars for their student to enable them to be more familiar with the purpose of other guidance service available.

Source: UCC
An examination of the factors that influence loan repayment in the credit with education programme in the Tamale metropolis

Microfinance has been used as a development strategy for reducing poverty and contributing to development. Survival of microfinance institutions (MFIs) is however, much dependent on ability of borrowers to make timely loan repayment. Records of MFIs in the Tamale metropolis of Ghana show unusually high repayment rates. This has consequence of being replicated widely even though no empirical study has been done to guarantee the sustainability of these claims. This study examined factors that influence loan repayment in the Credit With Education Programme (CWE) implemented in the Tamale Metropolis. The study employed simple random sampling within cross sectional and correlational research designs to collect data from 375 borrowers and 23 loan officers. Data collection instruments used include questionnaire and interview schedules. Data analysis utilised both descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations and inferential statistics such as binary logistic regression. The findings show that older borrowers, borrowers with access to market, and borrowers with smaller households repaid loans on time. Similarly, older loan officers, loan officers with smaller households, and those who had more initial trainings recovered loans on time. In terms of loan conditions, borrowers with multiple loans and those who participated more in initial trainings repaid loans on time. The study recommends replication of the CWE by other MFIs but called for intensification of the training and education components of the programme, increase in loan officer incentives and intensification of screening of new loan officers and borrowers.

Source: UCC