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A long essay or dissertation or thesis involving personal research, written by postgraduates of University of Ghana for a university degree.
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Item Care of the Aged in Contemporary Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Yeboah, A.O.The population of Ghana and the world at large is not only growing but it is also greying. This increase in the number of senior citizens has come with its accompanying challenges and this has placed it on the world’s agenda. The growing number of older persons in Ghana, a country which valued norms of reciprocity and filial piety, has brought about new forms of elder care because of the decline in extended family support. This research project used qualitative methodology specifically in-depth and semi-structured interviews with older residents of Mercy Home and members of Help Age to understand the normative values and expectations of what constitutes quality care for the elderly and how caregiving affects quality of life. It explored the perceptions of both caregivers and the elderly about emerging forms of caregiving arrangements. Challenges faced by caregivers in providing quality care for the elderly was also explored. Findings from the study revealed that older persons expect caregivers to assist them with activities of daily living. Participants cited disability status, location of children, finance, values and availability of caregivers as factors determining caregiving method adopted. All participants believed caregiving impacts quality of life. Additionally, challenges faced by caregivers ranged from financial to emotional and physical. This study contributes to literature by providing qualitative insight into the normative values and expectations of older persons.Item Continuing Professional Development of Professional Librarians in the Public University libraries in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2003-10) Adanu, T.S.A.This work is a report on a research conducted on the continuing professional development (CPO) of professional librarians in the five public university libraries in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between continuing professional development (CPO) of library professionals working in the five public university libraries in Ghana and job advancement/promotion, CPO and job satisfaction, CPO and job performance/efficiency. Continuing professional development will be defined by the following general factors. These are: the individual, the library/institution, CPO activities. CPD development plan. professional goals and training needs. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents were aware of CPO activities and a significant number of the respondents were actually involved in CPO. CPO was seen as having a positive impact on job satisfaction. A personal plan was seen as important for cpo. Library management of all five public university libraries said CPO was encouraged in different ways although they consented that there was an absence of a written CPO policy. The study showed that CPO had a great influence on job performance. CPO was seen also as a great aid to promotion as well as career advancement. Research and publishing showed up as the most needed of the CPO activities for promotion. Respondents were generally motivated to pursue CPO activities. The major barrier to CPO turned out to be finances and the main motivating factor for engaging in CPO activities was to update skills. Involvement in CPO was generally seen as a shared responsibility of stakeholders, the individual (employee). the library (employer). Training needs identified were many and diverse, reflecting the fact that CPO needs differ from individual to individual. Recommendations were made and suggestions given for further research. Recommendations made included the need for the documentation of CPO policy by employers and policy makers. Library management was encouraged to set up a training department within the library to cater for the training needs of staff including professionals. To the employees or professionals. it was suggested that there was a need for them to recognize that certain CPO activities like research and publishing counted more towards promotion than others. The importance of networking and teaming up for joint research was emphasized. Suggestions for further research included a comparative study between CPO practices and opportunities of professionals in the public universities on one hand and those in the private universities.Item Strategies of extending Social Security Coverage to workers in the Informal Sector(University of Ghana, 2005-06) Ayisi, A.E.The research work was meant to find strategies of extending social security coverage to workers in the informal sector to enable them have protection against economic and social distress. The informal sector alone forms 80.6% of the total number of 9.039,318 economically active populations. Data used for the research work was from both primary and secondary sources. A vital tool that was wed in gathering information from the primary source was the questionnaire. In all, thirty questions were asked and grouped under the following headings. • General information on the respondent • Savings levels and preferences • Understanding of the SSNIT Pension Scheme The purposeive sampling procedures and structured questionnaires were used to collect data from a total of 156 respondents. The research revealed that workers in the informal sector do not join the scheme because of lack of knowledge. Most of the workers in the sector have failed to contribute due to unsustainable incomes. It was also revealed that benefits offered under the SSNIT Scheme were inadequate and did not meet workers expectations. Based on the findings, it is recommended that SSNIT enact a double -decker social insurance system that will provide for withdrawable contributions to help workers in this sector expand their business as their immediate need. As a result of the lack of knowledge, the media could also help to market the scheme. Benefits to contributors should be adjusted by SSNIT to bridge the gap between the high and low income earners.Item The Impact of Central Bank Independence on Inflation in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2009-07) Caiquo, A.K.Increasing central bank independence is a recommended strategy for government to establish a credible commitment to price stability, which may be at the expense of other objectives that may be more appealing to the political authorities. Most of the literature reports a negative relation between legal independence and inflation in developed countries with the evidence on central bank independence and growth being tenuous. The turnover rate of the central bank governors (which is the rate at which governors are changed) tends to be positively associated with inflation in less developing countries, implying that low turnover rates is associated with low inflation, the reverse is true. This paper seeks to explore the impact of the degree of independence of the Bank of Ghana on inflation from the actual measure of central bank independence context since 1970 to 2007, making use of a general inflation model. The results reveal a negative impact on inflation in Ghana. Which suggests that the turnover rate of governors has a negative effect on inflation. Since the governor of the Bank of Ghana is appointed by the government, there is the likelihood to succumb to pressures from government in the hope to avoid the termination of appointment. The governmental influence makes the pursuance of effective monetary policies less likely on the part of the governor. The policy implications and recommendations from the study emphasize the need to put in place checks to ensure an effective and efficient transparent mechanism between the Bank of Ghana and the general public. Secondly, the goals of the Bank of Ghana should be clearly defined as well as the monetary instrument to be employed to achieve the goals. Finally, the enactment of the fiscal responsibility law will ensure fiscal discipline on the part of government.Item A Morpho - Semantic Study of Dericatives in Badīc Al-Zamān Alhamadhāni’s Assemblies(University Of Ghana, 2017-07) Ahmed, A.H.N.The study focused on the Morpho-Semantic structure of derivatives in Badīc al-Zamān al-Hamadhāni. It sought to answer three key questions: To what extents has the maqāmāt featured derivatives? What are the major types of derivatives in maqāmāt? And what are the connotations of these derivatives in various contexts? In order to answer these three questions, the researcher had to combine descriptive approach with contextual analysis. This made it possible for him to trace, identify, and classify the various derivatives found in the maqāmāt, and to describe and analyze them appropriately. The study contributes towards a purposeful application of grammar rules on relevant classical text, a phenomenon that many researchers have been calling for in recent times. Below are some of the major findings of the study: 1. Derivation is one of the crucial tools of generating words and increasing vocabulary stock and jargons in Arabic language. 2. Derivatives contribute in identifying the actual root of words, which in turn helps to differentiate foreign words from original ones. 3. There is a clear variation in the degree of occurrence of the derivatives; the descriptive derivatives occurred 278 times, while prescriptive derivatives occurred 384 times. 4. The various connotations of the derivatives contributed towards enriching literary images and portraits in maqāmāt.Item Household Characteristics and Maternal Mortality in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Foli, M.Pregnancy is a pre-condition to reproduction and childbearing. However, the life-threatening risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth have turned the whole process into one full of anxiety and fear as some women never make it alive. Upon several efforts by governments and international organizations, it is sad to still see families losing their loved ones during pregnancy or childbirth especially in our part of the world. Numerous studies tend to focus on the provision and utilization of health care services for women or government efforts targeted at reducing the maternal mortality canker. This study takes it a step further by looking at the relationship between maternal mortality and the household characteristics of the deceased women taking into account the family system in Africa in which decisions are usually made at the household level, and such decisions being influenced by the characteristics of the household. The study made use of the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey in which women within the reproductive age (15-49) answered several questions concerning their reproductive health, utilization of health facilities, and their socio-demographic characteristics. A verbal autopsy was also conducted in households in which a female aged 12-49 has died in the five years prior to the survey. The study used binary logistic regression to assess the relationship between household characteristics, individual characteristics and maternal mortality. The results showed that the household characteristics were not significant predictors of maternal mortality but rather the individual characteristics like age and marital status were found to be significantly associated with maternal mortality. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government put more effort into educating adolescents on maternal health issues since they are the most vulnerable group.Item Examining the Adoption of Green Energy Technologies in the Hospitality Industry from 2010 to 2018 in La Dade-Kotopon Municipality(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Danquah, S.K.The global campaign against the use of conventional energy sources due to its resultant harmful effects coupled with the erratic nature of power supply in Ghana, high-energy consumption of hotels as well as issues surrounding environment sustainability necessitated the study. The study examined the adoption perspectives of GETs in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality from 2010 to 2018, with focus on the types of adopted GETs, factors contributing to the adoption and non-adoption of green energy technologies and a review of the national policy frameworks in promoting the adoption of GETs. A census was conducted to study all the fifteen (15) registered hotels in the LADMA to assess the measures that were taken during the load shedding (dumsor) period with concentration on GET adoption. In addition, key resource persons were purposively selected and interviewed based on their roles in the promotion of GETs whilst private entrepreneurs were also interviewed to gain more perspective on some issues raised by the hotels. The findings of the research revealed that hotels largely adopted solar PVs due to their knowledge of the product and its availability on the market. Again, hotels adopted green energy technologies in order to cut down cost of electricity and to gain constant supply of electricity. However, the cost of the GETs coupled with lack of proper understanding of its associated benefits were the major reasons that led to the non-adoption of green energy technologies by some hotels. Furthermore, the country having laid down policies that can largely influence the adoption of GETs, has failed in implementing majority of its provisions. As a result of these findings, the study recommends an educational and awareness campaign for all hotels on GETs, granting of subsidizes on components of GETs, implementation of key provisions within the national policy framework and proper coordination between the regulatory bodies in charge of the activities of hotels to promote the uptake of GETs.Item Road Infrastructure Construction Dynamics: Causes of Delays and Its Effects on Pedestrians’ Safety in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Acheampong, S.K.The purpose of the study is to research into road infrastructure construction dynamics with focus on causes of delays and its effects on pedestrians’ safety in Ghana. Using a comparative analysis to examine dynamism in road infrastructure construction delays and its effects on pedestrians’ safety, Lapaz (N1) and Madina (N4) highways in Accra Metro and La-Nkwantanag Madina Municipality respectively were selected for the study because N1 was successfully completed on time while N4 is suffering delay. The study looked at pedestrian safety on the two highways. These roads were constructed within the last 10 years. The objectives of the study were to examine the causes of delays in road infrastructure projects and road construction project cycles on the Lapaz (N1) and Madina (N4) highways that accompany the construction of footbridges, zebra crossings and street and traffic lights, to identify the effects of the road construction delay on government, contractors and pedestrians on the Lapaz (N1) and Madina (N4) highways, and to identify measures adopted by both contractors and government to curbing delay of road infrastructure projects and its effects on pedestrians’ safety on the Lapaz (N1) and Madina (N4) highways. The study employed mixed method approach which consists of qualitative and quantitative methods. In-depth interviews and questionnaire were instruments used for data collection and the sample size was 190 respondents in all. The findings revealed that pedestrians relatively felt safer using the Lapaz (N1) Highway than Madina (N4) Highway. The study confirmed the three main stages in road project construction which are inception stage, construction stage and after construction stage. Delays were found to mostly occur at the construction stage. Also, factors contributing to the delay were found to be financial constraints, politics, and bad weather conditions, land acquisition difficulties, technical and design related causes, utilities and site related causes. The study revealed that, road infrastructure delay affects both government and contractors in terms of time and cost overrun. Other effects were litigation, total abandonment of projects and company breakdown. These effects were found to have telling effects on pedestrians’ safety because of uncompleted footbridges, zebra-crossings and traffic lights. Pedestrians who ply the road were at risk of getting knocked down by vehicles, died through road accident or injured, fractured and others. All these effects lead to economic and psychological stress on families, loss of productivity, traffic congestion and among others. Financial causes of delay are difficult to curb but other causes of delay such as bad weather, design changes, land acquisition difficulties can be managed and controlled. To avoid delay and improve pedestrian safety, it was found out that enough financial resources and other necessary documents should be inplace before construction begins with respect to the weather and the nature of the environment. When road infrastructure delay occurs during highway construction as in Madina (N4) highway, speed ramps should be constructed to reduce drivers speed and allow pedestrian time to cross safely.Item An Assessment of Mediation in Conflict Management in Africa: The Case of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Osei, D.A.This dissertation studied the need for contemporary mediation in Africa, specifically Ghana, and the effectiveness and efficiency of contemporary mediation in resolving conflicts in Africa. The study adopts a qualitative method, using both secondary data and primary data, which were gathered from the target population which consists of practitioners of ADR, academics with expertise in mediation and students of the University of Ghana. The findings of the study indicate that the administration of mediation and other ADR methods have been successful in improving the judicial system of Ghana and promoted peace and stability in various Ghanaian communities. An example of success chalked by mediation and other ADR methods include the successful resolution of major conflicts such as the Andani and Abudu conflict of the people of Dagbon state, leading to the installation of a new Dagbon King, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama, in January 2009. Despite the successes of mediation in Ghana, the study also found that mediation has not been successful in its attempt to resolve some disputes in Ghana; noticeable among them are the Kokomba and Nanumba conflicts in Northern Ghana and the Nkonya and Alavanyo crisis in the Volta region. The unsuccessfulness of mediation in resolving conflicts in Ghana is attributable to different challenges which are classified into three categories namely: Practitioner Challenges, Regulatory Challenges and Client Challenges. In order to make the administration of mediation more effective and efficient in resolving conflicts in Ghana, the study recommends that the government of Ghana should come out with an adequate remuneration package for Mediators and other ADR practitioners so as to get the best from them. The government should also adopt a project to comprehensively sensitize and educate the Ghanaian populace about the availability and the benefits of using mediation and other ADR methods in conflict resolution. Thirdly, the government of Ghana should come out with a regulatory body that will harmonize the activities of all the institutions that administer mediation in the country. Finally, the study also recommends that mediators and other ADR practitioners should fully comply with the code of ethics of ADR so as to gain the trust of community members, business men and the entire Ghanaian populace in the usage of mediation as an effective conflict resolution mechanism in Ghana.Item Job Satisfaction of Staff in Academic Libraries: A Case Study of KNUST Library(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Akosah, H.O.This research project aimed to critically examine the level of job satisfaction of Library staff of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and its influence on their job performance.The data used for this study were collected from all the library staff of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) totally 102, and comprising of 18, senior members, 53 senior staff and 31 junior staff.Results of an ANOVA and Pearson Correlation test showed some moderate levels of relationship between demographic variables (age, gender, qualification, marital status and a number of years served) and the level of job satisfaction. The general demographic predictors however had significant correlations with organizational commitment. In addition, the ANOVA test revealed an overall statistical significance between the demographic variables (age, gender, qualification, marital status and number of years served) and the level of job satisfaction. The test ranked the motivator factors in this order from highest to lowest for the staff; growth, advancement and acknowledgment, accomplishment, kind of obligation, and the work itself. The study concluded that staffs of academic library were generally satisfied with their work. The study however recommended that the management of the academic libraries should pay more attention to rank advancment procedures and also improvement of working conditions as the level of staff satisfaction levels tend to decreased with time due when expectation in respect to the factors are not met.