Accra Metropolis Research Articles

Emotional Intelligence And Empathy: Predictors Of Counselor's General Health

This study explores the role of emotional intelligence and empathy on the general health of counselors in the Accra metropolis. The aim of the study is to determine the predictive relationship between emotional intelligence, empathy, and general health and to identify demographic predictors on emotional intelligence, empathy, and general health. In a cross-sectional case study, 133 purposively selected counselors from Accra Metropolis were administered an online self-report survey questionnaire that consisted of Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, Empathy Scale and General Health Questionnaire. Findings revealed that emotional intelligence and empathy significantly predict general health. A significant positive correlation exists between emotional intelligence and general health, while a clinical significance of a positive correlation exists between emotional intelligence and empathy. Again, no significant difference was found between the general health of male and female counselors. No significant difference was found in the scores for empathy and emotional intelligence for licensed professional counselors and licensed lay counselors. Since safeguarding the counselor’s health is ethically imperative due to the effect on professional competence, it is recommended that counselors and training institutions deepen effort in creating awareness on the need to protect the health of counselors for the benefit of clients and the high regard of the counseling profession.

Ethical leadership, safety climate, and employee health and safety: lessons from the oil and gas industry in Ghana

Purpose This study aims to examine the mediation effect of safety climate (SC) on the relationship between ethical leadership and employee health and safety in the oil and gas downstream sector in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative approach (survey) to collect data from 215 pump attendants at the fuel stations in the Accra Metropolis. The authors used PLS structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the research hypotheses in this study. Findings The results show that leaders’ adherence to ethical practices had a significant and positive effect on both their employees’ health and safety and SC in the workplace. Furthermore, the ability of leaders to use ethical practices to achieve a healthy and safe work environment was also contingent on the presence of a safe work climate. Practical implications This study highlights the need for leaders to pay specific attention to adhering to ethical rules and regulations and also promoting a safe climate in the workplace to guarantee the health and safety of employees. Originality/value This study presents a novel contribution to the literature by empirically demonstrating the contingency importance of SC in the quest of leaders leveraging ethical practices to promote the health and safety of employees in the workplace, which has not been discussed by previous studies.

Assessing the Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Social Studies Teachers in Schools within the Accra Metropolis

This study assesses the pedagogical content knowledge of Senior High School Social Studies teachers in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana. A sample size of 86 teachers was chosen using a multi-stage (purposive, convenience) sampling approach. Questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides were the primary data-gathering tools. The study's findings revealed that a substantial number of teachers met the minimum academic qualification for teaching social studies at the Senior High School level in Ghana, with the majority of teachers holding a B. Ed/BA in Social Studies. Again, the majority of instructors believed that their academic experience influenced their social studies teaching. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service should only recruit teachers with the required academic background in social studies to teach the subject. Also, the teachers without the required academic background should be taken through in-service training to provide them with the appropriate social studies Pedagogical Content Knowledge.

Technology Integration in Science Learning Areas in the Kenyan Competency-Based Curriculum

This study assesses the pedagogical content knowledge of Senior High School Social Studies teachers in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana. A sample size of 86 teachers was chosen using a multi-stage (purposive, convenience) sampling approach. Questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides were the primary data-gathering tools. The study's findings revealed that a substantial number of teachers met the minimum academic qualification for teaching social studies at the Senior High School level in Ghana, with the majority of teachers holding a B. Ed/BA in Social Studies. Again, the majority of instructors believed that their academic experience influenced their social studies teaching. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service should only recruit teachers with the required academic background in social studies to teach the subject. Also, the teachers without the required academic background should be taken through in-service training to provide them with the appropriate social studies Pedagogical Content Knowledge.

Experiences of siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Several studies have focused on the impact of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) on parents, with very few exploring the experiences of siblings in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of siblings of individuals with ASD. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight (8) siblings of individuals with ASD who were purposively selected through parents in some support groups. Findings indicate that siblings largely have concerns about understanding the nature of ASD in addition to challenges with communication with their sibling with ASD. However, they used adaptive coping strategies to effectively deal with their challenges and had plans for the future of their sibling with ASD. These findings offer insights into the experiences of siblings and the appropriate support to be given to them by parents and professionals.

Analysis of urban expansion and its impact on temperature utilising remote sensing and GIS techniques in the Accra Metropolis in Ghana (1986–2022)

The Accra Metropolis of Ghana has experienced rapid urban expansion over the past decades. Agricultural and forestlands have been transformed into urban/built-up areas. This study analysed urban expansion and its relationship with the temperature of Accra from 1986 to 2022. Multi-source datasets such as remote sensing (RS) and other ancillary data were utilised. Land use land cover (LULC) maps were produced employing the random forests classifier. Land surface temperature (LST) and selected d(RS) Indices were extracted. Regression techniques assessed the interplay between LST and remote sensing indices. The LULC maps revealed increasing trends in the urban/built-up areas at the expense of the other LULC types. The analysis from the LST and the RS indices revealed a direct relationship between temperature and urban/built-up areas and an inverse relationship between temperature and vegetation. Thus, spatial urban expansion has modified the urban temperature of Accra. The integrated utilisation of RS and GIS demonstrated to be an efficient approach for analysing and monitoring urban expansion and its relationship with temperature.

Prevalence and hematological criteria of piroplasmosis in horses of different ages, sex, and breed in Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Prevalence and hematological criteria of piroplasmosis in horses of different ages, sex, and breed in Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Sexuality and sex education for children with developmental disabilities: Attitudes and concerns of parents in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana

Sexuality and sex education for children with developmental disabilities: Attitudes and concerns of parents in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana

Does technological innovation matter in the nexus between supply chain resilience and performance of manufacturing firms in a developing economy?

PurposeDespite the economic growth in Ghana, the manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges in their supply chains. The study aims to investigate the mediated-moderated role of supply chain technological innovation (SCTI) in the relationship between supply chain resilience (SCR) and supply chain performance (SCP) of manufacturing firms. By exploring this relationship, the study seeks to provide insights that can help manufacturing firms overcome the challenges they face and improve their overall supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative research approach and explanatory research design were utilised. A sample of 345 manufacturing firms was drawn from a population of 2495 manufacturing firms in the Accra metropolis. Analysis of this study was performed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsIt was revealed that SCTI positively mediates the nexus between SCR and SCP. However, we document that SCTI negatively moderates the nexus. It is instructive to advocate that a mere presence of a more enhanced SCTI is not enough to improve upon SCP of manufacturing firms, but should be a channel through which SCR can improve SCP.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the need for managers of firms to prioritise investment in technological innovation as a means of enhancing SCR and ultimately improving supply chain performance. By understanding the SCTI mediated-moderated relationship between SCR and SCP, supply chain managers, logistics managers, operation managers, as well as procurement managers can develop more effective strategies to optimise their operations. This study provides valuable insights for managers and policymakers in developing and implementing supply chain resilience strategies that take into account the important role of SCTI.Originality/valueThe originality of the study lies in exploring the mediated-moderated effect of technological innovation on the nexus between resilience and performance of supply chains in developing economies, where firms often face unique challenges such as infrastructure limitations, political instability and economic uncertainty. By investigating the interplay of SCTI between SCR and SCP, researchers can develop new insights and strategies to help navigate these challenges and achieve success.

Pressured Chains: The role of Supply Chain Technology Utilisation

The institutional theory elucidates that businesses seek to provide a reasonable and relevant explanation for their behaviour because they are motivated by the need for social justification within institutional settings that shape their strategic directions and decisions. This study examined the supply chain performance implications of institutional pressures and supply chain technology among Ghanaian firms. The study employed the quantitative method and survey design. Data was sourced from 394 managers of small to large-scale firms operating in the Greater Accra Metropolis of Ghana. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Models (SEM). The study found that institutional pressures positively relate to supply chain performance. It was also discovered that supply chain technology utilisation (SCTU) mediates the relationship between Institutional pressures (INP) and supply chain performance (SCP). The finding shows the relative importance of INP and SCTU on the performance of supply chains of firms in Ghana. The study recommended that firms in Ghana and Africa must pay critical attention to supply chain technology to enhance their supply chain operations. The study provides practical implications for firms by highlighting the importance of institutional pressures and supply chain technology utilization in supply chain performance. This will provide firms with the insight to identify the most important institutional pressures that affect their supply chain technology utilization and performance. The study also encourages the use of technology in supply chain management. This can lead to more efficient and effective supply chains, which can help society by lowering prices and making more products available. The study is unique in its focus as it attempts to shift the discourse beyond how institutional pressures influence firms’ environmental and sustainability performance to how they impact supply chain performance.

Urban agriculture and farmers’ willingness to pay for treated wastewater: Insights from vegetable producers in the greater Accra metropolis of Ghana

Urbanisation and water scarcity pose a challenge to urban vegetable production and livelihoods in major cities across the world. At the same time, increasing demand for fresh vegetables coupled with the high profitability of vegetable production enterprises has made it attractive and indispensable as it creates jobs along the entire crop value chain. This study analysed the efficiency performance of urban vegetable producers and their willingness to pay (WTP) for treated wastewater using data collected from 214 farmers. By applying the data envelopment analysis (DEA) and logistic regression models, the results show that the current production system is technically inefficient as 33% more output could have been produced using the existing resources. The mean amount that farmers are willing to pay for treated wastewater to be delivered to their farms is GH¢66.7 per month. Technical efficiency influences farmers’ WTP for treated waste water. Other drivers of WTP for treated wastewater include experience in vegetable production, type of irrigation practised, source of water used for irrigation, the volume of water applied per day, extension access, association membership, market demand for products, and access to market information. Strengthening public–private partnerships in the treatment and utilization of water resources and providing technical training to urban producers could enhance the efficient use of treated wastewater in agriculture.

Machine Maintenance Type and Quality of Output: Evidence from Ghanaian Manufacturing Firms

The need to manage machine maintenance effectively has gained more importance due to the high rate of changing operational technologies, changing market demands, increased emphasis on employee safety, and new environmental legislation. To demonstrate the purpose of maintenance in the manufacturing value chain, the study sought to investigate the relationship between machine maintenance type and quality of output as well as to establish whether machine maintenance contributes to quality of output among Ghanaian manufacturing firms. Data was collected from 150 manufacturing firms in Tema and Accra Metropolis by using questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS and SmartPLS software. The findings showed significantly direct relationship between all the maintenance types, except corrective maintenance, and quality of output. Therefore, if a company minimizes breakdown maintenance, quality defects are also minimized. Hence, adopting preventive maintenance help reduce cost of repairs and unplanned stoppages in the production process.

GIS-based multi-criteria analytical hierarchy process modelling for urban flood vulnerability analysis, Accra Metropolis

GIS-based multi-criteria analytical hierarchy process modelling for urban flood vulnerability analysis, Accra Metropolis

Supply chain resilience and performance of manufacturing firms: role of supply chain disruption

PurposeThe current study sought to investigate the moderating effect of supply chain disruptions (SCD) (supply chain – supply disruption, catastrophic disruption and infrastructure disruption) on the relationship between supply chain resilience (SCR) and supply chain performance (SCP) of manufacturing firms in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative research approach and explanatory research designs were utilised. A sample of 345 manufacturing firms were drawn from a population of 2,495 manufacturing firms in the Accra metropolis. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to accomplish the research objectives.FindingsFirst, the study revealed that SCR has a significant positive effect on SCP. Second, the authors found reasonable evidence to support that SCD have a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between SCR and SCP, except for supply chain catastrophic disruption which had a negative impact. It can be concluded that the components of SCD have heterogeneous impact in the SCR and SCP nexus.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to manufacturing firms in Ghana and does not make a distinction among resilience strategies.Practical implicationsIncreased SCR boost manufacturing companies' supply chains' performance and aid to lessen the adverse effects of SCD relating to infrastructure and supply. It implies that supply chain managers are able to reduce the effects of infrastructure and supply disruptions. Also, techniques that reduce the adverse impact of SCD relating to catastrophe would be beneficial for supply chain managers in Ghana and other countries with comparable economic environments.Originality/valueThe study provides a unique contribution on the moderating role of the dimensions of SCD (supply, infrastructure and catastrophic) on the nexus between SCR and SCP in a developing economy context in a dynamic changing environment. Policymakers would get better insights into instituting the required policies needed to revamp firms with weak supply chains as a result of supply chain disruption.

Knockoff: An Emerging Trend in The Ghanaian Fashion Industry: A Case of Greater Accra Metropolis

The goal of the study was to better understand the new fashion trend in Ghana, its difficulties, and the future of a few large-scale fashion industries there, particularly in the Greater Accra Metropolis, as well as the implications for fashion education. It also aimed to suggest potential solutions to the many problems that come with competition from foreign fashion industries. Industry associations and legal academic communities continue to dispute whether original fashion designs should be legally protected from copycats. There is disagreement even over the basic issue of whether a copycat's impacts on the profitability of an original design are good or bad. For this study, the researchers used both quantitative research strategy and a descriptive research design. 20 respondents were chosen at random by the researchers utilizing judgment and purposive selection methods. The respondents' quantitative data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire. Pie charts, bar charts, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) were used to examine the results of the questionnaires. The results showed that generating your design is expensive and time-consuming when you develop your own. Once more, the study showed that it was simpler to produce knockoffs than one's designs, which explains why fashion designers are more likely to imitate than to create original designs. Furthermore, it was discovered that counterfeit goods sell off more quickly than original designs. Based on the research's conclusions, the study recommended that fashion designers be given stronger intellectual property protection to deter copying of their labour-intensive creations, that industry stakeholders enforce intellectual property protection to stop piracy, and that legislators take into account how increased piracy protection will affect society as a whole, examining the socioeconomic aspects of the fashion business is necessary since stronger IP protection could result in a downward trend. The study's conclusions and suggestions would help to lessen the multiple difficulties foreign fashion businesses presented to Ghanaian fashion designers.

High-resolution patterns and inequalities in ambient fine particle mass (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) in the Greater Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Growing cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experience high levels of ambient air pollution. However, sparse long-term city-wide air pollution exposure data limits policy mitigation efforts and assessment of the health and climate effects. In the first study of its kind in West Africa, we developed high resolution spatiotemporal land use regression (LUR) models to map fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) concentrations in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), one of the fastest sprawling metropolises in SSA. We conducted a one-year measurement campaign covering 146 sites and combined these data with geospatial and meteorological predictors to develop separate Harmattan and non-Harmattan season PM2.5 and BC models at 100 m resolution. The final models were selected with a forward stepwise procedure and performance was evaluated with 10-fold cross-validation. Model predictions were overlayed with the most recent census data to estimate the population distribution of exposure and socioeconomic inequalities in exposure at the census enumeration area level. The fixed effects components of the models explained 48–69 % and 63–71 % of the variance in PM2.5 and BC concentrations, respectively. Spatial variables related to road traffic and vegetation explained the most variability in the non-Harmattan models, while temporal variables were dominant in the Harmattan models. The entire GAMA population is exposed to PM2.5 levels above the World Health Organization guideline, including even the Interim Target 3 (15 μg/m3), with the highest exposures in poorer neighborhoods. The models can be used to support air pollution mitigation policies, health, and climate impact assessments. The measurement and modelling approach used in this study can be adapted to other African cities to bridge the air pollution data gap in the region.

Impact of Brand Identity and Brand Image On Fashion Entrepreneurs: A Case Study of Greater Accra Metropolis

Over the years branding has been the concern of many businesses across the globe, however the fashion world has not been exempted, many studies has also been carried out to investigate relationship that exist between fashion and branding. Brand images and identity has been the major point for competition among fashion customers, clients, investors and brand owners. This call for this research to find out impact of brand image and brand identity has on fashion entrepreneurs. The population was drawn from Accra metropolis covering areas such as McCarthy hill, and North-Kaneshie, Accra. Purposive sampling was used to select 50 respondents made up of fashion entrepreneurs (14), fashion students (18) and consumers (18). The questionnaire was the main tool used for this study. Four research questions were tested in this study using simple percentage, piecharts and frequencies respectively. The results show that the essence of branding on fashion entrepreneurs is inseparable. Logo, symbol/ colors of a fashion enterprise contribute to the progress of fashion entrepreneurs. It was also discovered that brand name has an influence on purchase decision of their clients and that brand identity increases investors and customer awareness and customer loyalty. It was concluded that the impact of brand image and identity such as logo, symbols, colors among others, contribute significantly to customers and loyalty. This study recommends that fashion entrepreneurs should give adequate time to come up with brands that speak for them anytime and anywhere, fashion entrepreneurs should cultivate the habit of setting fund aside for their business needs, as funds will be required to enhance their businesses, relying on government, non-governmental organization or others for loans may not always be available, creativity should be the focus of fashion entrepreneurs, because we live in a world where change is constant.

Assessing the Knowledge and Awareness Among Selected Tertiary Students in the Accra Metropolis on Zoonotic Infections.

Zoonotic infections are a serious threat to human health and a direct risk that could potentially be fatal. Animals both domestic and wild serve as reservoirs for zoonotic infections. Thus, frequent contact with animals might occasionally result in the transfer of infections from animals to people. Ghana is especially susceptible to the effects of zoonotic infections due to the increase in the household human-animal ratio. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge level of tertiary students in a selected tertiary institution on zoonotic infections. A quantitative research method was employed making use of a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The target population chosen for the research was mainly students from the University of Ghana. A stratified sampling technique was used in selecting participants for the study. 440 participants were selected for the study. The university's four primary colleges served as the strata for the basis of data collection. The study revealed a moderate knowledge level among students. The term "zoonoses" was understood by the majority (70%) of the respondents. Respondents knew at least one route of transmission of zoonotic infection. For the spread of zoonotic infections, close contact with infected animals and consumption of contaminated food were seen as ways of spread by a majority. Although the basic strategies required for the control and elimination of the zoonotic diseases in such tertiary institutions are well known and practiced as per the study findings, zoonoses still persists and this can be attributed to low education on the subject. Knowledge and awareness level on zoonoses especially in tertiary institutions such as the University of Ghana could be improved if relevant authorities create adequate enlightenment programs on improving the knowledge of zoonotic diseases through a variety of media including seminars, workshop, television, radio, newspaper and social media.

Negative life events and maternal mental illness: A study of elite pregnant women in Accra metropolis

The vulnerability of maternal mental illness (MMI) such as anxiety and depression among childbearing women is heightened during the periods of pregnancy mainly because of negative life events (NLEs). However, a major caveat in the literature relates to the overwhelming focus on women from disadvantaged socioeconomic background. Little is known about NLEs and MMI among women with relatively better socioeconomic background and high educational status, termed in this study as elite pregnant women. The study investigates the prevalence of NLEs and MMI (i.e., depression and anxiety) as well as the relationship between NLEs and MMI among elite pregnant women. A cross sectional survey design was used to collect data from 210 respondents recruited from three purposively selected health facilities in Greater Accra metropolis, namely Nyaho Medical Centre, Pentecost Hospital and Abokobi Health Centre. Self-report measures of NLEs, depression and anxiety were administered to the respondent. Data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, namely Pearson correlation and hierarchical linear regression. The study revealed that majority (n = 136, 64.8 %) of the respondents experienced at least particular NLEs and rated these events as stressful. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression were 42.4 % and 51.0 %, respectively. NLEs significantly and positively correlated with symptoms of anxiety but not with depression. Elite pregnant women are at risk of NLEs which can significantly influence their mental health. It is recommended that midwives and other health professionals pay attention to the NLEs of elite pregnant women for necessary support and intervention.

The Prospects of TQM Implementation in the Design and Production of Slit and Kaba in Small to Medium Garment Production Enterprises: The Ghanaian Context

The study sought to empirically determine the prospects of TQM implementation in the design and production of slit and kaba in small to medium garment production enterprises in Ghana. The quantitative research design was adopted y. A total of 138 participants were purposively sampled from the population of small and medium-scale fashion enterprises in the Accra metropolis. A questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument. The study discovered that TQM is fundamental to achieving high-quality products and customer satisfaction and retention. TQM results in an increase in sales, effective customer service coupled with cost reduction, and improved production practices, all will inure to the benefit and prospects of the production houses. It was, therefore, recommended that government should introduce a policy to include content on TQM as part of the curriculum of Higher Fashion Education in Ghana.