Ghanaian Perspective Research Articles

Manipulative Strategies in Political Discourse: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Mahamudu Bawumia’s Speech in Ghana

The exploration of the discourse-power interplay has been the motivation behind Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) research orientation. CDA analysts have and continue to display vivid interest in the discourse of the dominant groups, particularly politicians, with the objective of describing and elucidating how existing social structures – power abuse, dominance, and inequality – are enacted, reproduced and sustained. While there is a vibrant literature on political speeches, not much work has been done on discursive manipulation as a form of social power abuse and dominance in political discourse from the Ghanaian perspective. This study therefore presents a critical analysis of a political speech by Mohammadu Bawumia, presidential candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), with the aim of investigating how the Vice-President discursively represents himself, the government, and the past government as a strategy for accomplishing his manipulative goal. Drawing on van Dijk’s ideological square framework for analysis, the result shows the use of the macro-strategy of positive representation of the in-group (government) and negative representation of the out-group (opposition or former government), which manifests at all levels of discourse through the use of other minor discursive strategies: positive self-presentation, authority, number game rhetoric, active/passive structures, implication, and presupposition. Key findings include the strategic use of statistics to enhance credibility, the deployment of passive constructions to conceal government failures, and the use of metaphors to dissociate Bawumia from the government’s shortcomings. The outcome of the study implies that political speeches are imbued with covert ideologies, asymmetrical power relations, power abuse, dominance, inequality, and deception, which can only be exposed and resisted through the application of CDA tools. The study therefore recommends advocacy by policymakers and other civil society groups to awaken the consciousness of readers and listeners of political speeches to scrutinize political utterances, given their opaque nature and partisan or ideological functions.

Facilities management practices in gated communities in Ghana: a study of selected gated communities in Accra

PurposeFacilities management (FM) has increasingly become crucial in the built environment. However, it is often overlooked as a crucial aspect of overall management. This study examined FM practices in gated communities (GCs), and challenges impeding the effective implementation of these practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative approach involving the use of purposive sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Data gathered from the participants were analyzed thematically using MAX Qualitative Data Analysis (MAXQDA) Analytics Pro 2024 software.FindingsFM in GCs played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the GCs. These roles were vendor management, security management, maintenance and repairs, communication, tenancy agreements administration, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Non-adherence to the rules and regulations by occupants, lack of policies, unreliable vendors, lack of training and lack of funds are the major challenges FM faces in GCs.Practical implicationsThe findings from this paper can be leveraged by stakeholders to help streamline FM activities in GCs to provide that conducive environment expected by tenants. It will also help owners of GCs obtain the maximum returns for their investments.Originality/valueThis paper provides information on FM practices and challenges in GCs from the Ghanaian perspective. The study adds to the literature on the emergence and growth of GCs in the African context.

Effects of Organizational Culture Types on Construction Project Performance: A Competing Values Framework Approach in Ghanaian Perspective

Organizational culture plays a critical role in influencing various aspects of project performance. However, existing studies on the impact of specific cultural types on construction projects have produced mixed results. This research examines the effects of organizational culture types on the performance of construction projects. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, utilizing a census sampling approach. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 375 medium and large-size construction firms. The analysis employed both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including correlation and regression analyses. The results revealed that market and hierarchy culture types positively influence construction project performance, while clan and adhocracy cultures do not exhibit a significant effect. Furthermore, cultural traits emphasizing external orientation, stability and control characteristic of a hybrid market-hierarchy culture were identified as stronger predictors of successful project outcomes compared to other cultural clusters. To optimize project performance, it is recommended that construction firms in Ghana transition from adhocracy-dominated cultures to hybrid market-hierarchy culture.

The impact of university housing on student success in higher education: the Ghanaian perspective

The impact of university housing on student success in higher education: the Ghanaian perspective

Social enterprises and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): a means to an end

AbstractGhana is regarded as one of the main nations driving social enterprise development in all of Africa, despite the lack of a policy for the social enterprise sub-sector. Regardless of these trailblazing initiatives, the sub-sector is still young and vulnerable. As a result, the time is right for the government to implement policy reforms to expedite the growth of the sub-sector, which offers an alternative business model for the achievement of the social and environmental goals embodied in the global goals. All nations are urged to take immediate action in response to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which offer a global framework for achieving global development while balancing social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The methodology adopted is qualitative in nature, whereby focus group discussions were held, bringing together key stakeholders from the social enterprise sector, industry, academia, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to provide insights into how social enterprises will contribute to SDG achievement. This paper aims to generate new insights into how social enterprises can provide a solution to the UN’s SDGs from the Ghanaian perspective. Our findings reveal a strong link between solving social problems through social businesses and achieving the SDGs, and that social enterprises represent an ideal business model for achieving the SDGs. Their mission-driven approach, innovative solutions, focus on empowerment and inclusion, utilisation of market mechanisms, collaboration and partnership, and understanding and knowledge of local contexts collectively position social enterprises as powerful catalysts for sustainable development.

General Equilibrium Model for Monetary Policy Responses to Macroeconomic Instabilities in Developing Economy: A Ghanaian Perspective

The study develops a standard New Keynesian model to examine how monetary authority reacts to both domestic and external shocks as well as how its policy decision impacts the general macroeconomy in developing African economy. Using Bayesian estimation techniques and a Ghanaian dataset, the article also seeks to determine the best-suited monetary policy rule for Ghana and countries with similar characteristics. The basic finding is that a forward-looking Taylor rule—where authority reacts to one-period-ahead inflation deviation from target alongside the current output gap—is the most appropriate monetary policy rule for Ghana. Another salient finding is that variations in output are mainly driven by price markup, labour supply, monetary policy and productivity shocks across the forecast horizons. In addition, the dominant determinants of inflation are exchange rate risk premium and price markup shocks. Collectively, the article also unveils that monetary policy responses to macroeconomic shocks are broadly in line with conventional economic theory. There is also conspicuous evidence that the general equilibrium model with representative consumers is practically suitable for monetary policy analysis in Ghana, as contractionary monetary policy impulse is able to contemporaneously induce disinflation and output contraction. Given the strong evidence of a large segment of the unbanked population in Ghana, the findings in this study could be verified based on a model that allows for the co-existence of optimizing and non-optimizing consumers. JEL Classification: B41, C5, C11, D11, D21, D41, D42, E2, E12, E43, E52, E58, F31, F41

Does Culture Matter in the Tax Compilance Behaviour of SMEs? Evidence from Ghana

Several studies have shown that culture affects individual ethical behaviour, but very few studies have looked at the cultural influences of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on their tax compliance practices. Tax non-compliance has been a major cause of revenue shortfall in many nations including Ghana. SMEs represent the majority of businesses in Ghana, thus non-compliance by SMEs may be the major cause of revenue shortfalls in the country. Scholars have adduced various factors for the non-compliance. Although some of these studies examine how specific cultural values impact tax compliance, there has not been any research in Ghana that examines the possibility of culture impacting SMEs’ tax compliance usingmajor national frameworks such as Hofstede Cultural Dimension theories. The paper uses Hofstede’s (2001) Cultural Dimension theories to examine the relationship between Ghanaian culture and the tax compliance behaviour of SME operators. Data were gatheredthrough a survey of 211 SMEs in the two major regions in Ghana, and analysis was conducted with structural equation modeling and ordinary regression. We found that the SME Owners exhibited some moderate levels of tax compliance behaviours. Again, SMEs arecharacterised by a high degree of uncertainty avoidance, a culture of femininity, a high degree of power distance, a long-term orientation, and a collectivist culture. The findings suggest that the power distance and longterm orientation cultures of SMEs accounted for their tax compliance behaviour. The study also found that older businesses that were very acquainted with the Ghanaian Culture were less likely to be tax-compliant than newer firms. This paper presents the Ghanaian perspective and bridges thecontext and issue gap identified in the body of knowledge.

Neoliberalism, education financing and development in Africa: The politics, synergism and contradictions in the Ghanaian perspective

The paper examines the sustainability of the new education policy in the light of the drifted neoliberal policies around the world. The researchers adopted a mixed method (MM) approach with the parallel mixed designs type to inquiry. The sampling approach is purposive sampling technique. The sample targeted 10 heads of senior high school, 50 teachers and 100 students in 10 deprived senior high schools across northern Ghana. More specifically, the study covered four thematic areas. It emerged that the free pre-tertiary education policy was implemented contra mundum by government; even though, the policy in principle has support from all spectrum of life. There has been a spillover effect and other contraindications of the policy in terms of funding, materials, manpower and infrastructure. Government and stakeholders in education need to find indigenous or domestic sources of funding the policy, since its benefits in the long run will outweigh its pitfalls.

Exploring Ketamine's Repurposing for Treating Cocaine Use Disorder: A Ghanaian Perspective on Ethical and Legal Constraints

Exploring Ketamine's Repurposing for Treating Cocaine Use Disorder: A Ghanaian Perspective on Ethical and Legal Constraints

Media Usage Patterns of African Higher Education Students: A Ghanaian Perspective

The study examined the media usage patterns of 598 university students in Ghana to understand their demands for digital teaching and learning, as well as their patterns of media use for learning, with the goal of informing the media selection process. Overall, the study found that the universities fell short of meeting students' expressed need for digital learning formats. The gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the expansion of digital teaching and learning formats in Ghanaian universities. Furthermore, the media usage patterns reveal significant leisure-seeking and recreational uses of media by students, emphasizing the pervasiveness and embeddedness of smartphones in academic contexts. The emphasis on entertainment usage and the prevalent use of media for hedonistic purposes may suggest a deficit in digital skills regarding the use of media for learning. The study found no significant differences in user profiles between traditional and non-traditional students. The implications for instructional design activities and strategies for a mobile-saturated context are discussed.

Strategies for Knowledge Sharing Among Rice Farmers: A Ghanaian Perspective

Purpose: This article investigates knowledge sharing practices amongst rice farmers in Ghana and suggests a strategy for improving knowledge sharing in rice farming communities in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: This study is underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm where concurrent triangulation mixed-method design was used for the study. Data was gathered with survey and interviews. A total sample of 110 was used, involving 101 survey respondents and 9 interview participants. The survey data was analyse descriptively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. The interview finding was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed informal knowledge sharing practices among the rice farmers and suggests a strategy for knowledge sharing that involve partnerships between stakeholders in different sectors, such as government agencies, rice-farming communities; rice production-based NGOs, and researchers. Successful implementation of knowledge sharing would depend on finding and connecting the tools, technologies, and techniques practices. Limitations: The results could not be generalised to knowledge sharing practices among rice framers in Ghana because only three regions were targeted. There is a need for a quantitative comparative study of knowledge sharing by rice farmers in all regions where rice is produced in Ghana. Practical Implications: Rice is an agricultural cereal crop in Ghana and an important source of livelihood for rural poor households. It is consumed and cultivated by many people in the country. When rice farmers engage in efficient knowledge sharing practises knowledge will spread easily among rice farming communities resulting in sustainable agricultural practices that may eradicate hunger and poverty Effective knowledge sharing, offers great potential for addressing the challenges of rice production in Ghana. It will increase rice production, improve the quality of rice yield and safeguard the quality of the natural environment simultaneous. Originality/Value: This article adds to the body of knowledge on knowledge sharing from an agricultural perspective with specific reference to rice farming. Effective knowledge sharing will enhance food security, alleviate climate change challenges, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture, thus contributing toward the realisation of Goal 2 of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The findings of this article form part of the finding of the doctoral studies.

The moderating influence of perceived government information transparency on COVID-19 pandemic information adoption on social media systems.

Social media systems are instrumental in the dissemination of timely COVID-19 pandemic information to the general population and contribute to the fight against the pandemic and waves of disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses the information adoption model (IAM) as the theoretical framework to examine the moderating influence of perceived government information transparency on the adoption of COVID-19 pandemic information on social media systems from the Ghanaian perspective. Government information transparency regarding the pandemic is crucial since any lack of transparency can negatively affect the global response to the pandemic by destroying trust (in government and public health authorities/institutions), intensifying fears, and causing destructive behaviors. It applies a convenient sampling technique to collect the responses from 516 participants by using self-administrated questionnaires. The data analysis was computed and analyzed with SPSS-22. The following statistical tests were conducted to test the hypotheses: descriptive statistics, scale reliability test, Pearson bivariate correlation, multiple linear regressions, hierarchical regression, and slope analysis. The results indicate that information quality, information credibility, and information usefulness are significant drivers of COVID-19 pandemic information adoption on social media systems. Furthermore, the perceived government information transparency positively moderates the influence of information quality, information credibility, and information usefulness on the adoption of COVID-19 pandemic information on social media systems. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings suggest the utilization of social media systems as an effective tool to support the continued fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic and its future role in national and global public health emergencies.

Putting entertainment and education back into community radio: A Ghanaian perspective on COVID-19 messaging

Putting entertainment and education back into community radio: A Ghanaian perspective on COVID-19 messaging

Psychometric assessment of HIV stigma in patients attending a tertiary facility: An initial validation of the Berger HIV stigma scale in a Ghanaian perspective.

HIV-related stigma and discrimination are major challenges to people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and are due to misconceptions. Due to socioeconomic variations, there is increased stigma experienced by PLWHIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Stigma affects adherence to antiretroviral medications by PLWHIV and defeats the goal of achieving viral suppression. This study evaluated the Bergers HIV stigma scale in PLWHIV in Ghana regarding construct validity and reliability and assessed which aspect of stigma is critical for immediate redress. The Berger et al. HIV stigma scale (39 items) and some selected questions from HIV stigma and discrimination measurement tool of the International Centre for Research on Women, Washington, DC were administered to a cohort of PLWHIV in Ghana (n = 160). Clinico- demographic data was collected from their folders and verbally. The psychometric assessment included exploratory factor analysis whiles scale reliability was evaluated as internal consistency by calculating Cronbach's α. The exploratory factor analysis suggested a four-factor solution which is like the original Berger HIV scale with sub-scales personalised stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self- image, and concerns with public attitudes. Items in the sub-scales personalised stigma (15- items), disclosure concerns (6), negative self-image (7) and concerns with public attitudes (6) were reduced compared to the original scale. Cronbach's α for the overall HIV stigma scale (34-items) was 0.808 whiles the sub-scales α ranged from 0.77 to 0.89. Analysis suggested the prevalence of a fundamental one-dimensional factor solution which yielded a 34-item scale after removing items for low factor loadings. Disclosure concerns was the highest ranked subscale although our study also found that about 65% of PLWHIV among our study participants had disclosed their status. Our 34-item abridged Berger HIV stigma scale showed sufficient reliability with high Cronbach's α and construct validity. Disclosure concerns ranked high among the sub-scales on the scale. Exploring specific interventions and strategies to address stigma concerns in our population will aid in the reduction of HIV-related stigma and associated consequences.

Intersectionality in African digital organizing: a Ghanaian perspective

Abstract Although there is growing scholarship on intersectionality in African feminist movements, there are still gaps in scholarship on intersectionality on the continent when it comes to various identity categories. I examine intersectionality within the Ghanaian context using African feminisms as a backdrop. I argue that to drive African feminisms toward emancipatory praxes, it is imperative to center identity categories that are often erased from feminist conversations and to pay attention to organizing from these margins to amplify the erased narratives about marginalization. I theorize these silenced narratives drawing on my experiences as a Muslim Dagbana woman and my work in African and Ghanaian feminist digital spaces. Here, I focus on ethnicity as an identity category that is often overlooked within feminist discourses in national contexts in Africa. I point to organizing strategies that can facilitate the centering of identities and feminist issues that have historically been pushed to the margins.

An Exposition of 2 Corinthians 5:20 from a Ghanaian (Akan) Perspective

2 Corinthians 5:20 belongs to a long chain of verses beginning from 5:11 to 6:13. These verses at large deal with the subject of reconciliation. A concept that emerges from Paul’s teaching is that God through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross is restoring the whole world to himself and has given us also this ministry of reconciliation. However, this paper focuses on three Greek words extracted from the text: Christou, presbeoumen, and katallasso. The study is done mainly through literary activities from existing materials such as Biblical and Akan literature. It first examines, in brief, the background data on Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians to provide a historical milieu for understanding the issues Paul raises. It then continues to discuss the above-mentioned Greek words. It will also be seen that the explanation of the text has been looked at from Akan (Asante Twi) reading of the same text and then engages them within the Akan context. The paper concludes with an invitation to see ourselves as key players in what God is doing in the world.

Sustainable Buying and Buyer Performance: Evidence from a Ghanaian Perspective

Purpose- The purpose of this paper is to examine sustainable buying and its impact on buyer performance using Colleges of Education. This paper is a quantitative analysis based on seven Colleges of Education. Non-probability sampling techniques are used for choosing the unit of analysis. Also, data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire. The study found that the aspects of sustainable buying (Env, Soc, Eco) lead to improved buying performance. The study identified that buying performance is affected by e-buying systems, communication, organizational culture, business strategy, and size of organization, information available and monitoring. The study further discovered that the benefits of sustainable buying are improved quality of products, market expansion, increased intangible savings, reduced harmful emission of gas, value for money and increased efficiency in energy consumption. The study established the challenges of sustainable buying to be ineffective leadership, inadequate buying policies, budgetary constraint, inadequate compliance inspectors, lack of supplier collaboration and lack of capacity. Research limitations- the sample size is still limited and in future a quantitative analysis should be used. The study is limited in terms of the geographical area. The findings of the study are more likely to be held for other schools in all emerging market contexts. However, the applicability of these findings to other contexts needs further investigations. While interest on sustainable buying is increasing in emerging markets, there is little written on sustainable buying and its impact from the perspective of researchers from such market. Therefore, the impact of sustainable buying on buying performance has not been investigated so far.

The Relationship between Organisational Culture and Job Satisfaction among Employees of Colleges of Education: The Ghanaian perspective

The association between organizational culture and job satisfaction among employees of Colleges of Education was the focus of this paper. The study’s main objective was to determine whether certain aspects of organizational culture have an impact on workers’ job satisfaction. Employees of Ghanaian Colleges of Education were the focus of a cross-sectional study. A systematic questionnaire was used to collect the data; 200 questionnaires were given out, and 179 valid questionnaires were returned. Utilizing a stratified and straightforward random selection procedure, the personnel were chosen. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS), version 20.0. The correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships between organizational culture and job satisfaction. It emerged that except power culture, the other variables of the dimensions of organisational culture had a positive relationship with employees’ job satisfaction. In the light of this, the authors advise that the management and administrators of Colleges of Education should heavily emphasize the components of organizational culture which are authority, role, achievement, and support. The goal of this paper is to help employees understand the fundamentals of organizational culture, which will increase their job satisfaction. Keywords: Organisational Culture, Cultural Dimensions, Job Satisfaction, Colleges of Education, Employees

Assessing the impact of Covid-19 on teaching and research: A Ghanaian perspective

Abstract The Covid-19 pandemic in diverse ways affected the traditional modes of instruction and learning at all levels of education. Prominent among the innovations necessitated by the pandemic was the increased use of virtual methods of teaching and learning. For many learners and instructors in parts of the world, however, expensive internet data costs, lack of digital learning tools, and similar other challenges meant that the benefits of virtual teaching and learning could not be fully reaped. This article recounts my experiences of the pandemic as a Ghanaian early career researcher. It shares the experiences of law students in my University, obtained through administered questionnaires. The article also analyses how these experiences unearthed deep socio-economic inequalities among learners and lecturers alike, and how these inequalities impacted effective teaching and learning during the pandemic. Although these disparities had long existed, the conditions created by the pandemic only made them more glaring. While analyzing the institutional support received from my University, the article makes a case for the active involvement of all stakeholders in bridging the divide.

The policy relevance of indigenous languages for higher education in Africa: A Ghanaian perspective

Now that the goal of universal primary education has been achieved in Ghana, the nation’s aim is to expand higher education as a key to development. We argue that this expansion will necessitate the gradual addition of Ghanaian languages as a medium of instruction. We innovatively explain why this is so by comparing the achievements of the Ghanaian education system with one of the best education systems in the world. We use the conceptual distinction between ‘discerned’ and ‘designed’ languages to discuss the problem of which languages to choose. We propose five scientific principles that could guide the introduction of Ghanaian languages and suggest concrete steps that could be taken over the coming years to make the transition practically possible. As such, we present a way of looking at using indigenous languages as a medium of instruction that has relevance for other African countries as well.