Academic literature on the topic 'Education, Primary – Ghana – Ashanti Region'

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the perception and willingness to contribute towards food banking in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.Design/methodology/approachStructured questionnaire was used to elicit primary data for the study from 385 respondents via the multistage sampling approach. The quantile regression model was used to analyse the factors that influence the willingness to contribute towards food banks across quantiles of contribution. Factor analysis was further used to examine the perception of food banking.FindingsGender, education and awareness influence the quantiles of contribution. Gender positively influences contribution at the 0.50 quantile. Education negatively affects contribution at the 0.25 and 0.50 quantiles whereas awareness influences contribution at the 0.75 quantiles. The benefit perception of the user and the social status perception of receiving food from food banks convey a sense of positive knowledge concerning what food banking should entail.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides insights on the determinants affecting the contribution towards food banking across quantiles of contribution. However, it worth noting that, the study uses cross-sectional data which fail to account for the changes over time. A Longitudinal study would therefore be imperative concerning the implementation of food banking.Practical implicationsThe perceived positive knowledge of food banking is suggestive that, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) should strengthen measures directed towards the implementation of food banking. Moving forward, non-governmental organisations on the verge of conducting a pilot implementation of food banks should give critical focus to the given area of study as the inhabitants are most likely to be attuned to such a course. Finally, to champion contribution amongst the inhabitants, leaders of food banking initiatives and other stakeholders should work in conjunction with residents that are aware of food banks at the high-income class. This procedure would aid in reducing the chances of low contributions to the implementation of food banking.Social implicationsThis paper provides empirical implications for the development of food banks in Ghana. The findings emanating from this study has substantial social implications, because it serves as an instrumental guide to the implementation of food banks by the MOFA, and when implemented would assuage the poor living conditions of individuals that do not meet a three-square meal per day.Originality/valueIn this research, the authors add to the body of knowledge by employing a quantitative approach. Moreover, the authors extend the frontiers of the methodological approach by using the quantile regression model to understand the factors that influence the contribution towards food banking across quantiles of contribution. Furthermore, several studies in the developed world have been geographically limited to UK, USA, Canada and Germany with few studies in Ghana. Besides, there is limited rigorous empirical study of the perception and willingness to contribute towards food banking in Ghana.

Abstract Sustainable cocoa production is the hub of economic development and growth in Ghana. Climate change has been implicated in the dwindling productivity of the Ghanaian cocoa sub-sector, although deforestation for cocoa farmland expansion poses significant long-term risks to ecosystem stability and environmental conservation. This study assessed farmers’ perception of climate change, their adaptation methods and the factors explaining involvement in the renovation/rehabilitation of old cocoa farms. The data were collected from 378 cocoa farmers in Ahafo Ano North District in the Ashanti region. The data were analysed with Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Ordinary Least Square regression, Negative Binomial regression and Two-stage Probit regression. The results showed that the majority of the farmers were older than 50 years and attained primary education. High temperature (64.29%), too stormy rainfall (64.29%) and too much rainfall (61.90%) were largely perceived by cocoa farmers in 2015. The farmers were adapting to climate change through diversification into other crops (70.63%), planting of hybrid varieties (71.69%), commitment to spray cocoa pods regularly (74.87%) and initiation of some changes in the planting and harvesting times (71.96%). The adaptation was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by cocoa farming experience, number of children under the age of 5 years, perception of extremely high temperature, perception too low rainfall, perception of delay in commencement of rainfall, cultivation of cocoa as the primary crop, perception of delay in rainfall stop and delay in regular farm clearing and rented farm. Cocoa rehabilitation decision was influenced by climate change adaptation indicator, monthly income, perception of extreme temperature and sharecropping. The implications of the results were that promotion of climate change perception would facilitate adaptation, and the form of cocoa farmland ownership as well as climate change adaptation indicator influenced farmers’ involvement in cocoa farm rehabilitation.

Background. Despite the growing interest in understanding the aetiology of chronic diseases, limited studies exist on medication noncompliance, especially, among periurban and rural dwellers in Ghana. In this study, we determined the prevalence of medication noncompliance and explored the medication intake behaviour of patients with chronic diseases. The relative influence of cost on medication noncompliance and the risk factors for noncompliance were also assessed. Methods. The design was a cross-sectional study of 200 patients from ages below 40 years to ages above 60 years sampled from the Offinso South Municipality, a periurban district of the Ashanti region of Ghana. Data collected through the administration of structured questionnaires was coded, cleaned, and analysed using the SPSS (v20) software programme. Descriptive and multivariate analyses using binary logistic regression were performed. Results. Medication noncompliance was high (55.5%), with patients living with HIV/AIDS and those with psychological disorders being the most noncompliant. Majority of patients took at least 2 medications (81.5%), did so twice daily (79.0%), did not experience side effects with intake (67.0%), considered their medication to be effective (88.5%), and were aware of the complications that could arise from noncompliance. The dominant route of medication intake was oral (86.8%) and a lesser proportion of patients (22.5%) took herbal preparation alongside their prescribed medications. The cost of medication did not prevent patients from adhering to their medication regimen as most of these drugs were covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Age, duration of diagnosis and difficulty in remembering medication instructions were identified as significant predictors of noncompliance. Conclusion. Educating patients on the need to be compliant with their medication regimen, the complications that could arise from noncompliance and avoidance of intake of herbal medications during their treatment should form part of the clinical sessions organized for patients with chronic conditions.

In this study, the authors explored the level of awareness and views on the activity-based approach to teaching and learning (ABTLA) in enhancing skills, competency, and academic performance among students and other stakeholders from Senior High Schools (SHS) and Colleges of Education (COE) in Barekese District of Ashanti Region of Ghana. A survey involving 510 various stakeholders was conducted within the Barekese District of Ashanti Region of Ghana, using sets of a self-administered structured questionnaire. The study revealed that the Ghanaian stakeholders of the second cycle and COEs are highly aware of ABTLA and its potency for enhancing skills, competency, and academic performance among students. Policy implications and further future research directions were provided.

Education reform has led to the replacement of public senior high schools by the governing council, which is responsible for handling and managing the flow of resources in Ghana. Notwithstanding these lawful necessities and government financial provision for schools, it is unfortunate that poor facilities, poor performance and low morale among both teaching and non-teaching staff continue to impede the academic achievement of most Ghanaian public Senior high schools. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Board of Management (BOM) in financial and human resource management in Ashanti region of Ghana. This research adopted descriptive survey design. Thirty-five headmasters and 215 BOM participants from 35 public senior high schools in Ashanti region, Ghana contributed in the study. Using representative survey questionnaire, data were gathered. The study established that, in supervising and managing financial activities in the sampled schools, the BOM was not up to task. Nevertheless, it was observed that, BOM were efficient in managing human resources and its related activities. The study proposes that, the Ministry of Education develop a strategy or framework that obligates the government to provide BOM members with functional training as required by the basic law of education.

In recent times, the significance of Accrual-based Public Sector Accounting Standards (AIPSAS) in financial reporting is gaining momentum and current debates are moving in the trend of full AIPSAS reporting. Municipal, Metropolitan and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are not let off in this instance. The move to new reporting standards results in numerous challenges for diverse interest groups such accounting practitioners. The main objective of the study was to establish the AIPSAS implementation challenges facing MMDAs in the Ashanti region of Ghana. This quantitative study was conducted to gravely study the factors that could influence the implementation of AIPSAS. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select the departments whilst convenience sampling procedure was also used to select the sample size. A sample of 480 accounting practitioners was selected from all the 30 MMDAs in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Self administered questionnaire was used to gather data from the respondents. The Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used to test the significance level of the AIPSAS implementation factors. The results of the hypotheses tested revealed that with the exception of cultural practices, the level of accounting education and training, different levels of costs and the existing laws have significant effects on the implementation of AIPSAS in the MMDAs in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

AIDS is the late stage of infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Even though the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for the management of HIV/ AIDS has been in existence in Ghana since 2003, there is still limited data on their effectiveness. This study therefore sort to ascertain the effectiveness of HAART used at Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) Centres in the Ashanti region of Ghana by assessing its effects on immunological and haematological markers as well as some significant indicators such as body temperature and blood pressure changes. The study was a retrospective cross sectional study which reviewed medical record folders of 156 HIV infected patients who had attended the selected ART centres in the Ashanti region of Ghana between 2010 and 2014. About 49% of the study population had a significant rise in their CD4 counts after six months strict adherence to specific HAART regimen. HAART effectively reduced viral loads and increased CD4 counts in most of the patients whose medical record folders were reviewed. Socioeconomic factors, formal education and lack of health literacy had a significant effect on adherence to the HAART regimen, however; marital status of patients did not have any significant effect on adherence, CD4 counts and the haemoglobin concentration of patients. Based on results obtained from this study, HAART could be considered as effective in the adult population in the Ashanti region of Ghana provided there is a high level of adherence. Immunological and haematological markers for the assessment of effectiveness could also improve with high adherence recommended HAART regimen

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is affected by the type of antibiotics used and how they are handled. The types of antibiotics used by 110 pig farms in the Ashanti region and the handling practices of the farmers during disease management were assessed. Injectable tetracycline, sulphadimidine, benzylpenicillin, and dihydrostreptomycin containing antibiotics were overly used by the farmers especially in the management of diarrhea, rashes, and coughs. Unsafe storage and disposal practices observed among the farms reflected the abysmal knowledge on appropriate use of antibiotics. Misdiagnosis and inadequate protection during antibiotic handling in the farms increased the risk of antibiotic resistance development and spread. The factors affecting antibiotic resistance development and spread are rife in pig farms in Ashanti region and appropriate education and veterinary interventions are needed to prevent resistant bacteria from becoming endemic in pork and pig farm communities.

Background. Neonatal mortality continues to be a public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to assess the maternal, neonatal, and health system related factors that influence neonatal deaths in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Methods. 222 mothers and their babies who were within the first 28 days of life on admission at Mother and Baby unit (MBU) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region of Ghana, were recruited through systematic random sampling. Data was collected by face to face interviewing using open and closed ended questions. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of proximal and facility related factors on the odds of neonatal death. Results. Out of the 222 mothers, there were 115 (51.8%) whose babies did not survive. Majority, 53.9%, of babies died within 1–4 days, 31.3% within 5–14 days, and 14.8% within 15–28 days. The cause of death included asphyxia, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, infections, and respiratory distress syndrome. Neonatal deaths were influenced by proximal factors (parity, duration of pregnancy, and disease of the mother such as HIV/AIDS), neonatal factors (birth weight, gestational period, sex of baby, and Apgar score), and health related factors (health staff attitude, supervision of delivery, and hours spent at labour ward). Conclusion. This study shows a high level of neonatal deaths in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This finding suggests the need for health education programmes to improve on awareness of the dangers that can militate against neonatal survival as well as strengthening the health system to support mothers and their babies through pregnancy and delivery and postpartum to help improve child survival.

Abstract is in English, Zulu and Xhosa
In Ghanaian primary schools, music is a compulsory study area which is taught by generalist teachers. However, information is deficient on the strategies teachers use to implement the music curriculum. The aim of this study was to determine how teachers organise musical learning experiences in terms of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) for lower primary school pupils. DAP is an educational concept which refers to teaching strategies that consider children’s age, abilities, interests and experiences, to help them achieve challenging and achievable goals. The study was underpinned by the concept of teaching within the context of constructivist theory. Qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and ethnographic research methods were used to find answers to the research questions. Data were collected by means of observations, interviews and document analysis. Singing, movements and the playing of improvised instruments (although they constitute only a part of the planned music curriculum in the Creative Arts syllabus) dominate the music activities provided in the schools. In fact, unplanned music activities dominate planned music lessons due to teachers’ perceived lack of adequate training to teach music, the non-application of ICT in teaching, a lack of teaching and learning materials, unsuitable physical conditions for teaching, lack of motivation and support to teach, and lack of time to teach music because of the emphasis on meeting the targets of teaching and assessment in core subjects. Strategies the teachers adopt to overcome the challenges they encounter in teaching music include collaboration with their colleagues in planning, teaching and integrating music into most classroom activities and drawing on pupils’ expertise in teaching and learning. It is recommended that teachers be given in-service training, that specialist teachers be used, and that adequate teaching and learning materials be provided, as well as support for teachers to integrate ICT in teaching music. Limitations associated with the study make generalisation of the findings impossible. A larger sample from various primary schools within the Ashanti region of Ghana should be considered for further research. Functional integration of music in the other subject areas within the Ghanaian context should also be explored and further studies should be conducted about the application of developmentally appropriate practice in teaching music in the lower-primary classroom.
Ezikoleni zamabanga aphansi zaseGhana, umculo uyindawo eyimpoqo yokufunda efundiswa ngothisha abajwayelekile. Kodwa-ke, ulwazi alwanele ngamasu othisha abawasebenzisayo ukwenza izifundo zomculo. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwakuwukuthola ukuthi othisha bahlela kanjani amava okufunda omculo ngokwendlela efanelekile yokuthuthuka (NET) yabafundi bezikole zamabanga aphansi. NET ingumqondo wezemfundo obhekisa kumasu okufundisa abheka iminyaka yezingane, amakhono, izintshisekelo kanye nezipiliyoni ezithile, ukuzisiza ukuthi zifeze izinhloso eziyinselele futhi ezingafinyeleleka.Ucwaningo lwalusekelwa ngumqondo wokufundisa ngokwengqikithi yethiyori yokwakha. Ukuhlaziywa Okufanelekile Kokuhunyushelwa Kokubukeka Kwabantu nezindlela zokucwaninga ngobuzwe zisetshenzisiwe ukuthola izimpendulo zemibuzo yocwaningo. Kuye kwaqoqwa imininingwane yolwazi ngokubheka okwenzekayo, izinhlolokhono kanye nokuhlaziywa kwemibhalo. Ukucula, ukunyakaza nokudlalwa kwezinsimbi ezithuthukisiwe (yize ziyingxenye nje kuphela zekharikhulamu yomculo ehleliwe kusilabhasi Yezobuciko Bokuzenzela) kulawula imisebenzi yomculo enikezwe ezikoleni. Empeleni, imisebenzi yomculo engahlelwanga ilawula izifundo zomculo ezihleliwe ngenxa yokungabi bikho kothisha abaqeqeshwe ngokwanele ukufundisa umculo, ukungasetshenziswa kwe- ICT/Ezobuchwepheshe ekufundiseni, ukuntuleka kwezinto zokufundisa nokufunda, izimo ezzibambekayo ezingafanelekile zokufundisa, ukungabi nogqozi nokusekelwa ekufundiseni, nokungabi nesikhathi sokufundisa umculo ngenxa yokugcizelelwa ekuhlangabezaneni nezinhloso zokufundisa nokuhlola ezifundweni ezibalulekile. Amasu othisha abawasebenzisayo ukunqoba izinselelo abahlangabezana nazo ekufundiseni umculo kufaka phakathi ukusebenzisana nozakwabo ekuhleleni, ukufundisa nokuhlanganisa umculo emisebenzini eminingi yasekilasini nokudweba ubuchwepheshe babafundi ekufundiseni nasekufundeni. Kunconywa ukuthi othisha banikezwe ukuqeqeshwa emsebenzini, ukuthi kusetshenziswe othisha abangochwepheshe, nokuthi kuhlinzekwe ngezinto ezanele zokufundisa nokufunda, kanye nokuxhaswa kothisha ukuze bahlanganise i-ICT/Ezobuchwepheshe ekufundiseni umculo. Ukulinganiselwa okuhambisana nesifundo kwenza ukuthi okwenziwa jikelele kokutholakale kungenzeki. Isampula elikhudlwana elivela ezikoleni ezahlukahlukene zamabanga aphansi esifundeni sase-Ashanti eGhana kufanele licatshangwe ukuqhubeka nocwaningo. Ukuhlanganiswa kokusebenza komculo kwezinye izindawo ezingaphansi komongo waseGhana nakho kufanele kuhlolwe futhi kufanele kuqhutshekwe nezifundo ezimayelana nokusetshenziswa kwenqubo efanelekile yentuthuko ekufundiseni umculo ekilasini lamabanga aphansi.
Kwizikolo zaseGhana zamabanga asezantsi, kusisinyanzelo ukufundisa umculo, kwaye oku kwenziwa ngabafundisi ntsapho okanye ootitshala abafundisa yonke into. Noxa kunjalo, akukho lwazi lwaneleyo ngamacebo asetyenziswa ziititshala ekufundiseni ikharityhulam yomculo. Injongo yesi sifundo kukuqwalasela ukuba iititshala zikulungiselela njani ukufundisa ngendlela yophuhliso olufanelekileyo (iDAP) kumabanga asezantsi. Le DAP nesisishunqulelo sesiNgesi sebinza elithi developmentally appropriate practice, yingcinga yezemfundo emalunga namacebo okufundisa athathela ingqalelo ubudala bomntwana, izinto akwaziyo ukuzenza, umdla namava akhe, ukuze ancedwe ekufezekiseni iinjongo ezicela umngeni nezinokufikeleleka. Esi sifundo sisekelwe yingcinga yokufundisa ephuma kwimeko yengcingane yokuzakhela ulwazi. Iimpendulo zophando zifunyenwe ngokusebenzisa iindlela zophando ngokuxoxa nokutolika iimeko ezahlukeneyo (Qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) kunye nokuqwalasela inkcubeko. Iinkcukacha zolwazi okanye idatha, ziqokelelwe ngokujonga okuqhubekayo, udliwano ndlebe nokuphengulula imibhalo ekhoyo. Ukucula, ukushukuma nokudlala izixhobo zomculo ezingoozenzele (nangona ziyinxalenye yekharityhulam ecetywayo yobuGcisa Bokuzenzela) kudlala indima eyongameleyo kwimisebenzi yomculo eyenziwa ezikolweni. Xa sithetha inyaniso, into eyenzekayo ekufundiseni umculo yimisebenzi engacetywanga ezifundweni ngenxa yokuba ootitshala abaqeqeshekanga kakuhle ekufundiseni umculo, abusetyenziswa ubuchwepheshe ekufundiseni umculo, azikho izixhobo zokufundisa nokufunda umculo, iindawo ekufundiselwa kuzo azifanelekanga, inkxaso nenkuthazo yokufundisa umculo iyasilela kwaye lincinci ixesha lokufundisa umculo ngenxa yokuleqa ukufezekisa imiqathango yokufundisa nokuhlola kwizifundo ezingoondoqo. Ekulweni nemingeni yokufundisa umculo, ootitshala babhenela ekusebenzisaneni nabanye ekwenzeni amacebo okufundisa nokubandakanya umculo kwimisebenzi yeklasi nasekusebenziseni ulwazi lwabafundi. Kucetyiswa ukuba ootitshala bafumane uqeqesho lo gama besebenza, kusetyenziswe ootitshala abaziingcali zomculo kwaye kufumaneke izixhobo ezifanelekileyo zokufundisa nokufunda, kuxhaswe ootitshala ekusebenziseni ubuchwepheshe xa befundisa umculo. Ukunqaba kolwazi okungqonge esi sifundo kwenza kube nzima ukugqiba jikelele ngokufunyanisiweyo. Mhlawumbi kunokuthathwa isampulu yophando enkulu kwingingqi yaseAshanti eGhana ukuze kwandiswe olu phando. Okunye okunokwenziwa kukuhlanganisa umculo nezinye izifundo ngokwemeko yaseGhana, kwaye kufuneka kuqhutywe izifundo ezithe chatha malunga nokusebenzisa iindlela zokufundisa ezinophuhliso olufanelekileyo ekufundiseni umculo kwiklasi yamabanga asezantsi.
Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology
Ph D. (Music)