ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Democratic illiteracy: A threat to sustainable democracy and peace in Ghana

Following the political instabilities that have characterised Ghana few years after independence from British colonialists, many were those who thought multiparty democratic governance was the surest way to good governance and sustainable human development. The paper argues that citizens’ uncooperative attitude in governance issues, and leaders’ unpreparedness to be accountable to the citizenry result from lack of democratic acculturation. The way forward to achieving and ensuring good governance and peace in Ghana therefore is an elaborate and sustained democratic education geared toward making democracy a way of life for Ghanaians. The paper is an empirical study founded on current affairs and democratic politics in Ghana. It combines historical and sociological approaches in the interpretation of textual data and empirical observations in the formulation of its reflections. In so doing, it examines what democracy is not, on one hand, and what it is, on the other. Informed knowledge of these two realities will lead to democratic literacy urgently required for good governance, socio-economic and political development in Ghana

Source: UCC
Demographic Characteristics of Junior High School Teachers as Predictors of Testing Practices in the Sissala East Municipality, Ghana

The study investigated the teachers‟ demographic characteristics of Junior High School teachers as predictors of testing practices in the Sissala East Municipality. The study was conducted by employing the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The target population for the study was basic school teachers totalling, 135 in the Sissala East Municipality. The accessible population was teachers who teach English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies in the 78 Junior High schools (JHS). Through a multistage sampling procedure, a sample of 55 schools, comprising 220 teachers were used as respondents. The study adapted a Questionnaire which had three hypothetical dimensions for the data collection. The data collected were analysed using, frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, multivariate multiple regression and the hierarchical multiple regression. It was found that demographic characteristics of teachers: gender, years of teachers, academic qualification and subject teachers teach, individually, did not significantly predict teachers‟ testing practices. The study also, revealed that teachers‟ demographic characteristics, combined together, did not contribute significantly to the way teachers practise testing. It was concluded that teachers‟ demographic characteristics do not contribute to adherence the basic principles of testing. The Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Sissala East Municipality is encouraged, as part of their training and development programmes, to continue to organise special seminars and workshops, which would sensitise teachers in the municipality on the essence of developing quality classroom assessments.

Source: UCC
Demographic Determinants of Job Satisfaction among Non-Academic Senior Staff of University of Cape Coast, Ghana

This paper investigated the demographic determinants of job satisfaction among non-academic senior staff (referred to as senior staff) of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. By employing the descriptive design with a quantitative approach, we used a sample of 302 senior staff who were selected through multi-stage sampling procedures. An adapted version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to gather data. One-way between groups Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and independent samples t-test were used to analyse the data. Findings revealed a statistically significant difference in the job satisfaction of senior staff concerning their years of working experience [F(2, 300) = 9.940, p< 0.001)], with senior staff who had 6-10 years of work experience being more satisfied with their jobs (Mean = 175.20). Again, the paper established a statistically significant difference in the job satisfaction of senior staff regarding their academic qualification [F(2, 300) = 8.357, p = 0.043], with senior staff who had second degree being more satisfied (Mean = 183.61). However, our results revealed no statistically significant difference in job satisfaction of senior staff concerning their gender [t (300) = -0.384, p = .701], and rank [F(2, 300) = -4.462, p = 0.061]. We concluded from the results that while some demographic variables (academic qualification and years of work experience) determine senior staff’s job satisfaction, others (gender and rank) do not. We therefore, recommend that managers and administrators of tertiary educational institutions should develop strategies to enhance working conditions that will ensure opportunities for further studies, higher responsibilities and promotion.

Source: UCC
Demographic factors and the choice of insurance policies among the staff of Cape Coast Technical University

This study looked into the demographic factors and the choice of insurance policies among the staff of Cape Coast Technical University. The research design adopted for this study was descriptive survey approach and explorative in nature. It was found appropriate to use this method because it enabled the researcher to explore the situation on the ground of demographic factors and the choice of insurance policies. One hundred and ninety-nine respondents were sampled using stratified sampling technique for the study. Opinions of the respondents were sought through the use of questionnaire based on the research questions formulated to guide the study. The outcome of the study revealed that, there is no influence of gender on the choice of insurance policies. However, when it comes to the influence of the other demographic variables like the age, monthly income and marital status, it was shown to have a positive influence on the choice of insurance policies. The disturbing issue was insurance subscription reducing when people are entering into late adulthood. What this means is that, if other investment other than insurance investment fails them, there will not be any source of financial security for them. Also only the rich or high income earners subscribing to insurance policies is not the best, as only some class of people can assess the benefit from insurance. With a lot of married and unmarried subscribing to insurance is a good mark for the society as a whole. In view of this, it is recommended that educating people on the importance of insurance policies is vital in increasing their participation and prompt payment of benefit.

Source: UCC
Demographic, Clinical and Therapeutic Characteristics of Children Aged 0-15 years with Nephrotic Syndrome: A Retrospective Study of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is a common childhood renal disease globally with a penchant for the early years of life and has generated a lot of interest among paediatricians and nephrologists. Aim: This study aimed to determine the clinical, therapeutic and socio-demographic features of children with nephrotic syndrome at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. Methodology: Hospital-based single-center study conducted from December 2015 to May 2016 among children with nephrotic syndrome at the Child Health Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Retrospective data of 172 patients admitted from January 2011 to January 2015 was used. Socio-demographic and laboratory data (biochemical and serological) of participants were retrieved from the laboratory database while clinical information (family history, past medical records, and symptoms) was retrieved from the patients’ records. Results: Of the 172 participants sampled, 112 (65.1%) were males and 60 (34.9%) were females. The mean ages of the males and the females were similar (6.56 ± 3.25 vs 6.80 ± 3.19; p = 0.647). Interestingly, majority of the males 49 (68.1%) and the females 23 (31.9%) were within the age group 4-7 years. Compared to females, more male participants had ascites [17 (81.0%) vs 4 (19.0%)], and bilateral nephromegaly [13 (76.5%) vs 4 (23.5%)]. On clinical examination, the commonest conditions among the males and the females were hypertension [44 (25.6%)] followed by glomerulonephritis [31 (18.0%)] and then infection [15 (8.7%)]. The least condition on clinical examination among the participants was hepatomegaly [2 (1.2%)] which was seen more in the males [2 (100%)] than the females. Participants presented with more generalized body swellings [122 (70.9%)], facial puffiness [105 (61.0%)], and symptoms of infection [101 (58.7%)]. Hematuria [3(1.7%)] was uncommon among the participants and was lower in the males [1(33.3%)] than the females [2(66.7%)]. Most participants had undetermined steroid response with males dominating. Males were more sensitive to steroids than females. Conclusion: Nephrotic syndrome was common among males aged 4-7 with low social class. Renal impairment, generalized body swelling, facial puffiness, symptoms of infection and hypertension were the commonest clinical manifestations. Males were more steroid sensitive than females.

Source: UCC
Demographics and District Managers’ Commitment to Inter organisational Collaboration during Disasters’Management in Ghana

This paper aims at examining whether the demographic features of public managers make a difference in terms of their commitment to inter-organisational collaboration in Ghana during disasters' management. Using quantitative method, questionnaires were distributed to 195 public district managers from Ashanti region but with a return rate of 87%. 170 managers responded to the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version. 22). In analysing the data, descriptive frequencies, analysis of variance with Independent-samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. together with the Pearson's correlation analysis were employed to present the study results. Additionally, to further understand the extent of the various demographic factors influence on managers' commitment to inter-organisational collaboration the regression analyses were performed. From the bivariate analysis, the demographic variables used were: educational qualifications, age, gender, tenure, and marital status. The empirical results suggested that indeed inter-organisational collaboration is influenced by the demographic characteristics of district managers. In particular, the extent of inter-organizational collaboration was found to be influenced positively by gender, tenure of office. age and educational qualifications but negatively influenced by their marital status. It was therefore recommended that in order to ensure effective inter-organisational collaborative activities amongst public managers during disasters, the individual characteristics should be taken into consideration in the strategic plans of public organizations

Source: UCC
Demucilaging freshly stored seeds of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) improves seedling emergence and growth

Fresh seeds of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) are covered by a large amount of mucilage, which plays important ecological roles. However, for stored seeds, mucilage can adversely affect germination. This study investigated the effect of mucilage removal (demucilaging) and seed storage of freshly extracted cocoa seeds on seedling emergence and growth. The study showed that demucilaging cocoa seeds confers several advantages over mucilage intact seeds provided the seeds have been stored for at least three days before sowing. Demucilaging increased germination rate (T50) and percentage germination and presence of mucilage increased days to seedling emergence and cessation of germination when seeds were stored for over two days. For up to 21 days of seed storage, there was generally no difference in many traits for demucilaged seeds. Demucilaged seeds had 80–100% germination after 21 days of storage, and rate of germination increased with increasing duration of seed storage. Intact mucilage seeds maintained 80–100% germination for only 2 days after seed extraction and rate of germination decreased with increasing seed storage duration. We conclude that (i) if seeds are sown on the day of extraction demucilaging before sowing would be superfluous and (ii) demucilaging and storage can provide advantages to smallholder farmers when environmental or socioeconomic conditions preclude immediate sowing

Source: UCC
The density of muscle spindles in the medial, intermediate and lateral columns of human intrinsic postvertebral muscles

Studies of the mechanics of the trunk have reported that during the initial phase of lifting in the stooped position the body uses additional support of intratruncal pressure to limit the work done by the erector spinae muscle (Davis, 1956; Bartelink, 1957). These workers showed that intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressures varied proportionately with the work done. Kumar & Davis (1973) observed that variations in intra-abdominal pressures closely correlated with electrical activity in the postvertebral as well as the anterior abdominal wall muscles. They suggested that receptors in the erector spinae muscles might be implicated, but they did not specify which components of the muscle were involved.

Source: UCC
The density of muscle spindles in the medial, intermediate and lateral columns of human intrinsic postvertebral muscles

Studies of the mechanics of the trunk have reported that during the initial phase of lifting in the stooped position the body uses additional support of intratruncal pressure to limit the work done by the erector spinae muscle (Davis, 1956; Bartelink,1957). These workers showed that intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressures varied proportionately with the work done. Kumar & Davis (1973) observed that variations in intra-abdominal pressures closely correlated with electrical activity in the postvertebral as well as the anterior abdominal wall muscles. They suggested that receptors in the erector spinae muscles might be implicated, but they did not specify which components of the muscle were involved. Work done by Etemadi (1963) and Bogduk (1980) have shown that the component slips of the muscle are multi-articular and therefore their pattern of recruitment during movement would depend critically on afferent inputs into the central nervous system. The quality of sensory innervation, and, particularly, the density of muscle spindles in these muscles is, therefore, of interest. Information on the sensory innervation of the back muscles is incomplete. The segmental distribution of muscle spindles in the intrinsic postvertebral muscles was reported by Gregor (1904) in some parts of the group, and by Amonoo-Kuofi (1982) in all members of the group, but the density of spindles in the individual columns was not given. In order to determine the relative importance of the different columns of back muscles in postural and dynamic functions, their respective spindle contents must be expressed in relation to the bulk of muscle. This paper reports on the densities of muscle spindles in postvertebral muscles, based on the areas occupied by individual columns at each segmental level.

Source: UCC
Dependability of Students‘ Internship Mentors‘ Results Using Generalizability Theory at University of Education, Winneba

The main purpose of this study was to determine the dependability of the mentors‘ results of the University of Education, Winneba, School Internship Programme (UEW-SIP), using Generalizability (G) theory. Inherent in this purpose were to find the reliability and the sources of error in the mentors‘ results. A random effect one-facet crossed design in which intern (p) was crossed with occasion (o), was used for the study. The study used eight purposively selected Faculties out of a total of 14. A total of 9,082 bachelor‘s degree graduates results for the academic years 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 were used for the analysis. Data were analysed by performing a univariate generalizability analysis using EduG version 6.1. It was found that for relative interpretation, the results were strongly reliable (Coef_G relative of 0.66 – 0.84) and for absolute interpretation, the results were moderately to strongly dependable (Coef_G absolute of 0.59 – 0.81). The major source of error was the intern by occasion (p x o) interaction. The Intern Teaching Evaluation Form (ITEF), which is the rating scale for evaluating teaching practice in UEW, was found to be reliable to a greater extent. For most dependable mentors‘ results while ensuring economy of use of resources in the UEW-SIP, the optimum number of occasions was found to be five. It was recommended among other things that, the university supervisors‘ rating should be increased from one to at least two occasions, so that G theory can be applied to find the psychometric properties of the results. Again, the number of occasions for mentors‘ rating in the UEW-SIP should be increased from three to five to ensure most stable and dependable results.

Source: UCC
Dependence on agriculture and ecosystem services for livelihood in Northeast India and Bhutan: vulnerability to climate change in the Tropical River Basins of the Upper Brahmaputra

The Upper Brahmaputra River Basin is prone to natural disasters and environmental stresses (floods, droughts and bank erosion, delayed rainfall, among others) creating an environment of uncertainty and setting the basin lack in terms of socio-economic development. The climate change literature shows that agriculture and ecosystems and their services are highly climate sensitive, yet they are the main sources of livelihood that supports a large proportion of residents of the tributaries of the Brahmaputra River Basin. The continuous depletion of ecosystems and loss of agricultural outputs resulting from environmental stressors has a substantial impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of the basins residents, particularly the vulnerable rural poor. This paper uses spatially explicit data from Census, Household Surveys and Earth Observation to develop a transferable methodological approach which investigates the extent of dependence on agriculture and ecosystems as a source of livelihood in the contrasting sub-basins of the Brahmaputra River in the State of Assam, India and Bhutan, and the risk to these livelihood dependencies in these sub-basins due to potential environmental impacts of climate change. The results from this study constitute a case study in the development of a systematic and spatially explicit set of tools that inform and assist policy makers in the appropriate interventions to secure the livelihood benefits of sustainably managed agriculture in the face of environmental change

Source: UCC
Depicting young people by what they are not: conceptualisation and usage of NEET as a deficit label.

Over the last decade particularly in the UK, the term NEET (not in education, employment or training) has been used excessively by the New Labour Government to deal with concerns of social and economic exclusion among the youth. This paper explores issues relating to the usage of NEET as a service intervention label and its compatibility with the group of young people to whom it refers. The process involves review of relevant literature on existing research into NEET with the view to assessing its usefulness as a descriptive label. It is argued that because NEET covers a wide range of circumstances that young people are in, its use as a policy target is problematic. Similarly, it is contended that the use of NEET as a key point of focus for targeting service interventions amounts to fire-fighting tantamount to the concentration of attention on those victims who can relatively be moved easily to EET (education, employment or training) destinations at the expense of others who could benefit from such attention but do not receive it. The paper concludes that since poor experience of education is only one factor of NEETness, a multi-agency approach (rather than an individualized approach) is needed to tackle it.

Source: UCC
Depression among Women in the Ketu-South Municipality: Counselling Implications

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of family stressors on depression among women in the Ketu-South Municipality. The study used the descriptive sample survey design through the quantitative approach. The census method was used to select a sample of 70 women for the study. The Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) were used to collect data for the study. The data gathered were analyzed using means, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient, and Linear Multiple Regression. The study revealed that the prominent family stressor among the women experiencing depression in the Ketu-South Municipality is losses (overall mean of 4.22). The study further revealed that age significantly contributes to depression among women although its contribution is weak (R=.366, p=.049). However, marital status does not contribute to depression among women. In addition, the study revealed that family stressors significantly contribute to depression among women (R=.749, p=.039) with losses being the best contributor to depression (Beta=2.123, p=.037). The study also revealed that occupational status (R= -.627, p=.020) and monthly income (r= -.501, p=.014) made significant contributions to depression in women. However, educational status does not contribute to depression in women. The study recommended that family stressors should be controlled among women living with depression by the government and non-governmental agencies.

Source: UCC
Depression, anxiety and stress among nurses in public psychiatric hospitals in Ghana

This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety and stress among nurses working in public psychiatric hospitals in Ghana. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. A probability proportionate to size and simple random sampling method were used to select 311 respondents for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire which comprise Beck’s Depression Inventory, Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logistic regression analysis. The results showed that 92% and 96.5% of mental health nurses experienced minimal depression and low anxiety respectively. In addition, 56.6% and 42.8% experienced low and moderate stress respectively and 42.4% were not satisfied with their current job. Positive association was found between educational level and depression whereas, a negative association existed between educational level and anxiety and stress. Also, mental health nurses who work at the OPD and Administration were more likely to experience anxiety and stress. It was recommended that the management of psychiatric hospitals give timely in-service training on management of depression, anxiety and stress to nurses. Measures to facilitate the easy enrolment of mental health nurses into higher level of education should be instituted by the management of the hospitals.

Source: UCC