ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurial Orientation among SME Wood Manufacturers in Ghana

This study explores the entrepreneurial orientation of Small and medium size enterprises (SME) wood manufacturers in Ghana. Data for the study was obtained through an in-depth interview with the managers of four sampled wood manufacturers in Accra and Kumasi. Findings from the study indicate a strong relationship between the three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantage in the furniture industry in Ghana. The study concludes that SME wood manufacturers in Ghana are entrepreneurial � i.e. innovative, risk taking and proactive. However, considering that the market is dynamic the study recommends that firms in this industry should constantly update existing competencies and seek new competencies, in order to have a sustained competitive advantage as well as profitability and growth. This paper evaluates entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance among small and medium enterprises from a developing country perspective. � 2014 Adonis and Abbey Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UEW
Environmental effects of smallscale sawmills woodwaste disposal in the Kumasi Metropolis

This research assessed how small scale sawmills wood waste disposal affect the environment in Kumasi metropolis. The study was conducted at selected local timber mills in Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The study was a descriptive social survey design which sought to portray an accurate profile of persons, events and situations. To harness the needed information, a triangulation method comprising of questionnaire, interview and observation/photography methods were employed in gathering data. Purposive random sampling method was used in selection of two hundred and thirty eight (238) respondents from population comprising of wood processors, carpenters and timber sellers from the areas under survey. The study showed sawing and planning as the highest waste generation sources whiles majority of sawmill collect the waste generated by manual clearing. These wastes affect the environment by reducing its aesthetic, produce offensive odours during the rains and pollute the air with smoke when the wastes are burnt uncontrollably. Improper wood waste disposal cause hazard to human. The study recommended measures for dealing with the situation of waste disposal at these saw mills.

Source: UEW
Environmental influence on drawings of children in lower primary a study of selected districts in Ghana

The study examined the environmental influence on drawings of children in selected districts in Ghana. It was a qualitative inquiry involving children in public basic schools from the ages of seven (7) to ten (10) years. Also, cultural coordinators, teachers and parents/adult caretakers of the sampled were included in the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Three main methods viz. interview, personal observations, and drawing activities were employed. NVivo data analysis software program (Version 12) and inductive analysis strategy were used for the analysis. Some of the major findings were that overall drawing capabilities of the children were rated from fairly good to very good. Also, the analysis reveals that each of the different realities of the children’s environment have some influence on their drawings, with the most obvious being the common reality as the drawing of the children were mainly tangible objects in their schools, home and physical environment. The study concludes that the children’s capabilities and competence in drawing some household items were very high in comparism to other items. Also, there was a variance across the districts and this is an indication that children in different parts of Ghana have different capabilities in what they are able to draw. The study recommends that children should be allowed to express themselves through visual representations. Again, there is a need for flexibility and desegregation of policy action point, curricular and teaching materials to reflect the heterogeneity of children’s learning environment across the country.

Source: UEW
Environmental influence on drawings of children in lower primary a study of selected districts in Ghana

Children’s drawing activities continue to attract the attention of researchers globally. While a plethora of previous studies have examined the influence of children’s drawing activities on their social and cognitive development, children’s drawing activities and outcomes have also been interpreted by various studies. The current study examined the environmental influence on the drawings of lower primary school children (7-10 years) in selected districts, municipalities and metropolis in Ghana. It adopted qualitative inquiry approach guided by multiple case study design. Using expert, homogenous and heterogeneous purposive sampling techniques, the study gathered triangulated data from a total of twenty four (24) informants comprising; school children, cultural coordinators, teachers and parents/adult caretakers. Data collection instruments included; semi-structured interviews, field observations, spontaneous and directed drawing activities. An in depth thematic analysis of the data reveals that each of the different realities of the children’s environment have some influence on their drawings, with the most obvious being the common reality as the drawings of the children mainly depicted tangible objects in their schools, home and immediate physical environment. Also, there was a variance across the districts indicating that children in different parts of Ghana have different capabilities in what they are able to draw. In conclusion, the study contends that children’s self-efficacies and diverse environmental realities greatly influence their drawing capabilities and outcomes. The study, therefore, recommends that teachers and parents/caretakers in the study area should take note of children’s unique self-efficacies and diverse environmental realities and provide the convenient environment that nurtures their drawing capabilities.

Source: UEW
Environmental prints and literacy development of children of Sissala East Municipality in Upper West Region

This study explored environmental prints and literacy development on children of Sissala East Municipality in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study identified the types and designs of environmental prints that have the greatest potential to impact on the literacy development of children. The study employed the quantitative method of design to collect and analyse data in one single study. The study was undertaken in 168 schools with 230 respondents made up of teachers sampled from the Municipality. A questionnaire and observation checklist were developed and used to collect data for the study. The study found that most private and public early childhood teachers in the Sissala East had some basic knowledge and understanding of environmental prints. The findings indicated that teachers in the Municipality combine professional methods and techniques as well as literate rich environment suitable for children age and ability to ensure literacy development. It was also realised that most teachers encountered challenges including their inadequate professional knowledge, age differences of children, special needs problems of children, and inadequate prints in some activities of teaching. Findings indicated that environmental prints had great influence on children literacy development in the areas of digital literacy. The resaecrher recommended that the The Municipal Education Directorate of Sissala East should make it a point to equip the teachers with skills concerning the use of environmental prints to improve the teachers' understanding and the use of environmental prints. Teachers should also be sensitized on regular basis on the importance of their environmental prints about its practice that falls under construction, administration and scoring.

Source: UEW
Environmental rights issues in unregulated artisanal small scale mining and its impact on selected communities in the Mpohor district

This study examines Environmental rights issues in unregulated artisanal small scale mining and its impact on the communities in the Mpohor District. Mixed methods approach and descriptive survey design were employed in this study. Purposive and simple random procedures were used to select 117 participants. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guide were the instruments used for data collection. SPSS was used to analyze the quantitative data while thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Findings of this study were that unregulated mining activities polluted most of the water bodies within the Districts, led to the destruction of most farmlands and removed the vegetation containing important species supporting mans’ survival. It also increased erosion and loss of viability for agricultural purposes, among other uses. Moreso, unregulated ASM denied residents the right to clean water, health, and arable land, displacing people from their natural residence and inflation occurring which negatively affect the wellbeing of the local population. Also, children engaged in mining depriving them of their education and spreading problems of psychological or behavioural nature such as alcoholism and prostitution. Furthermore, findings on the use of Human Right Based Approach in mitigating unregulated ASM included local people participation, stakeholder’s accountability, sensitisation and awareness creation on human rights and environmental rights and alternative livelihood creation. It was recommended that government embark on education on the effects of unregulated ASM on their health, environment, livelihood and socio-economic impact on posterity. Also, government and responsible stakeholders should create protected areas designated for agricultural purpose alone in the mining communities to ensure the continuity of food crop production. Furthermore, Stringent measures should be enacted and enforced to prevent landowners to still leased lands out. Moreso, the government can develop and invest in legalizing unregulated ASM and enforcing laws and policies to reduce the environmental hazards in the communities.

Source: UEW
Environmental sanitation behaviours and attitudes of residents in Birim central municipality

The purpose of this study was to explore environmental sanitation behaviours and attitudes of residents of Birim Central Municipality. Specifically, the study aimed at exploring the determinants of poor environmental sanitation, attitudes and behaviours of residents vis-à-vis sanitation, effectiveness of sanitation interventions likewise effects of poor environmental sanitation on residents in the Municipality. The study was descriptive in nature. It adopted the case study design, and the qualitative approach to inquiry was solely employed in the treatment of data. Interviews and field observations were the main data collection techniques used to obtain responses from twenty-two (22) participants who were purposively sampled. Data gathered were thematically analysed. The study identified six major determinants of poor environmental sanitation: poor enforcement of sanitation laws, attitudes and behaviours, population, cost, logistics and education. Three indicators summed up residents’ attitudes towards environmental sanitation: littering, sanitation laws and indifferent attitudes. Eight sanitation intervention protocols (monitoring, community commitment, public education, stakeholders’ collaboration, solid waste containers, sanitation management, dump site demarcation, drainage and sewage interventions, and bye laws) by municipal assembly were identified, some of which were found out as being considerably effective. Financial expenditure, loss of productive hours and health were realized as key adverse effects of poor environmental sanitation in the Birim Central Municipality. This thesis recommends a change in the attitudes and behaviours of residents, public education, intensification of stakeholder engagement, provision of enough waste containers and refuse receptacles, provision of permanent land-fill sites, periodic clean-up exercise, regular waste collection by public and private waste managers such as the Zoom Lion Company Ghana Limited.

Source: UEW
Environmental sanitation practices in Sankor and Kwendurum in the Effutu Municipality

The study explored the environmental sanitation practices in Kwendurum and Sankor in the Effutu municipality. In achieving the purpose of the study, the case study design was employed. Purposive and convenient sampling were used to select a sample of 15 respondents which included 3 officials and 12 residents of the studied communities. Data was gathered through the use of interviews and focused group discussion and was analysed according to themes. The findings of the study revealed that residents of Kwendurum and Sankor use the seashore as waste dumping site as well as place of convenience instead of using toilet facilities. The study also revealed that negative attitudes of the people, financial difficulties, proximity to the beach, inadequate dustbins, inadequate toilets facilities, inadequate resources, poor road and lack of education were the factors that accounted for the environmental sanitation practices of residents in Kwendurum and Sankor. Additionally, the study revealed that, the environmental sanitation practices of Sankor and Kwendurum had negative effect on them including environmental, social and economic effects. Furthermore, the findings of the study uncovered measures such as provision of sanitary facilities, regular organisation of communal labour, change of attitude, provision of resources, assistance from stakeholders and the government, focusing on preventive measures than curative measures, enforcement of coastal laws, education, construction of dock at the seashore as well as good roads to enhance good sanitation practices in the two aforementioned coastal communities. The study also recommended that, Effutu Municipal Assembly as well as other local stakeholders such as chiefs and opinion leaders should intensify their effort to address the problem of poor environmental sanitation practices in Sankor and Kwendurum communities by providing toilet facilities, organising education campaign programmes to strengthen good sanitation practices as well as enforcing coastal sanitation laws to prevent residents from putting up negative attitude towards their environment.

Source: UEW
Environmental sustainability an assessment of waste management behaviour and practices on some campuses of University of Education, Winneba

The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental issues on some campuses of the University of Education, Winneba, particularly, on areas pertaining to waste management behaviour and practices. The study was carried out in Kumasi, Winneba and Mampong Campuses of the University. All staff and students of University of Education were the target populations but 734 participants were sampled from the accessible population. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Document Analysis were used as instruments for data collection. Data collected were subjected to descriptive analysis using SPSS Version 16.0. Data analysed were converted into cross tabulation, frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Again, Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA and multiple comparison tests were employed to examine the hypothesis and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The results revealed that the staff and students of University of Education, Winneba had knowledge, and were aware of the waste problems on their various campuses. This was confirmed by 70% of the respondents who agreed to the waste problems as well as the poor waste management practices on their campuses. The major contributors to pollution and waste on the campuses as identified by the study were open burning (Mean, 2.40) and falling off posters (Mean, 2.42). Land filling (Frequency, 134.7) was indicated to be the main waste disposal method. Also, the study showed that propensity of waste management contrasts by sex, class and level of awareness, knowledge and practices regarding waste. These findings have great implications for waste management practices, not only in the educational institutions but the country at large. It highlighted on the need to increase awareness and re-echo the need for behavioural and attitudinal change which is a catalyst to waste reduction, reuse and recycling.

Source: UEW
Environmental sustainability_ an assessment of waste management behaviour and practices on some campuses of university of education, Winneba

The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental issues on some campuses of the University of Education, Winneba, particularly, on areas pertaining to waste management behaviour and practices. The study was carried out in Kumasi, Winneba and Mampong Campuses of the University. All staff and students of University of Education were the target populations but 734 participants were sampled from the accessible population. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Document Analysis were used as instruments for data collection. Data collected were subjected to descriptive analysis using SPSS Version 16.0. Data analysed were converted into cross tabulation, frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Again, Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA and multiple comparison tests were employed to examine the hypothesis and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The results revealed that the staff and students of University of Education, Winneba had knowledge, and were aware of the waste problems on their various campuses. This was confirmed by 70% of the respondents who agreed to the waste problems as well as the poor waste management practices on their campuses. The major contributors to pollution and waste on the campuses as identified by the study were open burning (Mean, 2.40) and falling off posters (Mean, 2.42). Land filling (Frequency, 134.7) was indicated to be the main waste disposal method. Also, the study showed that propensity of waste management contrasts by sex, class and level of awareness, knowledge and practices regarding waste. These findings have great implications for waste management practices, not only in the educational institutions but the country at large. It highlighted on the need to increase awareness and re-echo the need for behavioural and attitudinal change which is a catalyst to waste reduction, reuse and recycling.

Source: UEW
Envisioning incentives for improving university governance: A Ghanaian perspective

The incentive to strengthen university governance system has three implica tions: (1) improving the quality of the university education system, and thus providing students and the general public value for money, (2) enhancing the utilization of resources invested in university education, and (3) contributing significantly to the formation of human capital, quality of public leadership, and best services to the society. However, there are limited studies on how this can be realized in Ghana. This is a qualitative study seeking to explore the following questions: What is needed to ensure desirable university gov ernance? And how can it be achieved? In-depth interviews and documentary research were used to collect data from twenty-three participants. The study examines key governance issues such as funding, accountability, infrastruc ture, trust, and regulation. The study contextually contributes to the literature on university governance and management by bringing to the fore the incen tives needed to enhance it for a better output to meet the development needs of the Ghanaian economy and the African continent with similar challenges as a whole. Keywords: university governance, education policy, trust, accountability, management, Ghana

Source: UEW
Epistemic modality in political discourse – a study of two selected state of the nation addresses by ex-president John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana

This study investigates the use of epistemic modality in two selected State of the Nation Addresses delivered by Ex-president John Agyekum Kufour of Ghana on 16th February, 2001 and 14th February, 2008respectively. The two texts were purposely selected, closely read and analyzed through mixed method of qualitative and quantitative dimensions. The analysis employs analytical frameworks of Kratzer’s Context dependency and Lexical Specialization and Halliday and Matthiessen Modal Taxonomy. The study was to find out epistemic notions of certainty, uncertainty and tentativeness through the comparative frequency of distribution and communicative purposes of elements of modal auxiliary verbs, semi-modal verbs, modal lexical verbs and modal adjuncts. The modal forms are quoted manually with the sentences, electronically checked and then analyzed together for their epistemic meanings. The total number of sentences containing the epistemic modal elements that is analysed is 112. There are a total of 14 representing 12.5% occurrences of modal auxiliary verbs and 9 occurrences of modal adjuncts representing 8.05% while the remaining is shared by adjuncts of intensity and adjuncts of temporality representing 25 representing 22.32% and 64 representing 57.14% respectively. The study reveals that the distribution of epistemic modality devices was not uniform in terms of meaning and that modal adjuncts are predominant in the expression of certainty. The study bears implications for pedagogy, the theory of epistemic modality and discourse analytical studies on political speeches, particularly, on the State of the Nation Address.

Source: UEW
Error analysis in writing_ a case study in Bawku senior high school

Having students to produce an organized, neat and error-free piece of writing has always been the lifelong dream and the ambition of all English teachers. The purpose of this study is to explore the common types of writing errors made by Bawku SHS students in their English essay writing. The study adopted qualitative research design with a population of one hundred and twenty (120) students. The study was conducted in all the six departments of Bawku SHS. The findings were that students committed twelve categories of error with the total errors stood at two thousand three hundred and sixty (2360). Poor teaching, the complexity of the English language, structural difference between learners’ native language and English language, and learner poor reading culture to be the cause of errors learners of English as a second language commit. The recommendations were that teachers should constantly update their knowledge on the methodology and content of the English language, and students must always read to improve their knowledge in the English language.

Source: UEW