Institutions In Ghana Research Articles

A corpus-based genre analysis of letters of regularization: The case of land institutions in Ghana

Genre studies have tended to focus on academic contexts, with little attention to professional settings. Against this backdrop, this study set out to conduct a corpus-based genre analysis of letters of regularization written to land institutions in Ghana. The study adopted a textual analysis, informed by the ESP approach to genres, and supplemented it with a corpus-based analysis to examine 40 letters of regularization. The analyses revealed that the most frequent move in the letters of regularization was the ‘Purpose of the letter’. Although the ‘Reason for the application’ move was not obligatory, it took much textual space in the letters. As regards lexicogrammatical features, politeness was embedded and expressed in ‘if clauses’ to mitigate direct impositions on the reader. Additionally, gratitude was mainly construed as a quality and as a process in the letters. Based on these findings, the study offers implications for further research and practice.

Training Motivation and Post Training Turnover Intention: Reifying the Narrative in a Community Health Nursing Training Institution in Ghana

The lack of consensus in the narrative on issues relating to turnover intention in community health nursing ignites holistic discussions on training motivation and post training turnover intentions as sin quo non, while attempting to address the dearth of knowledge concerning increasing trainee enrolment over the period, yet inadequacies in the availability of community health nurses and potential career diversions in Ghana’s primary healthcare system

The Effects of COVID-19 on Tertiary Institutions in Ghana: The Case of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

The Effects of COVID-19 on Tertiary Institutions in Ghana: The Case of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

The Effect of COVID-19 on Tertiary Students in Ghana: The Case of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

The Effect of COVID-19 on Tertiary Students in Ghana: The Case of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

An Overview of Challenges and Prospects of Private Higher Education in Ghana

The study's primary purpose was to explore the challenges and prospects of Private Higher Education (PrHE) in Ghana. The role of Private Higher Education Institutions (PrHEIs) in Ghana in the last couple of decades cannot be over or under-accentuated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the role and growth of PrHEIs in Ghana and their challenges and prospects. The desk research was used to gather data and information from databases, books, journals, publications, and websites that were relevant. Easy access to a variety of data and information sources, as well as lower costs and quicker response times, are all benefits of secondary research. Desk research has certain drawbacks, too, such as the possibility of bias in the available data, the inability to elicit further information or request clarification, and the lack of control over the data quality. PrHE in Ghana is essential to African Higher Education (HE), proliferating in response to the increasing demand for HE. Therefore, PrHE in Ghana has opportunities to contribute immensely to the country's development, particularly in HE and generally in the economy. Several key issues are identified when examining the challenges of private higher education in Ghana. For example, limited access and affordability, Quality assurance, Faculty recruitment and retention, and lack of world-class infrastructure and facilities, limited financial resources and lack of governmental support are common. Despite these challenges. Despite these challenges, PrHEIs in Ghana can strive to provide quality education, expand access, and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce and the country's overall growth. Keywords: Challenges, Prospects, Growth, Private Higher Education, Ghana

Management and Governance of Public and Private Multicampus Universities in a Slippery Higher Education Environment in Ghana

This paper analysed the management and governance of public and private sector Multi-campus Universities (MCUs) in the increasingly turbulent and competitive environment of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ghana. University for Development Studies (UDS) and the Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG) were case studied. The robustness of their governance and management systems were critically examined in the light of the intense competition among HEIs in the country. The qualitative research design and comparative case study approach were adopted for the study. Information was collected from eight principal officers of the two MCUs through face-to-face interviews. The information was subjected to content analysis. The results revealed that there are no significant differences in the management and governance of the two HEIs. Both of MCUs do not appoint senior or principal officers to manage their campuses and neither do they statutorily empower the Campus Heads to function effectively. However, they both recognized the need to properly structure the office of the Campus Heads to enable them to effectively participate in the governance system at the top level. The paper recommended that PUCG should appoint a Director of Works and Physical Development (WPD) to handle and manage key issues relating to physical resources and development. In addition, both universities should appoint senior or principal officers (Pro-Vice Chancellors or Vice Presidents) as Campus Heads and place them as top managers instead of lower managers as it exists currently. Finally, the two MCUs should decentralize significant autonomy to the Campus Heads to enable them to effectively manage and coordinate the daily operations and activities of the campuses.

The Impact of Capital Structure on the Financial Performance of Financial Institutions in Ghana

The study aimed to discover how capital structures (capitalization ratios and debt-to-EBITDA ratios) affect the financial performance of Ghanaian financial institutions. The study selected 15 financial institutions in Ghana using a purposive sampling strategy. Ten (10) financial organizations are listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, while the remaining five (5) are not. The data was gathered from their audited annual report. The Stata software analyzed the data into fixed and random effects. The Hausman specification test was used to determine the appropriate method to present the study results. The random effect was considered the appropriate method to present the study's findings. We discovered that the capitalization ratio has a negative effect on the net interest margin, loan-to-asset ratio, and return on assets. The debt-to-EBITDA ratio was discovered to have a negative effect on net interest margin and return on an asset but a positive effect on the loan-to-asset ratio. The debt-to-EBITDA ratio was discovered to have a statistically significant effect on net interest margin and return on assets. We also found that financial institutions that are listed on Ghana's stock exchange have a statistically significant effect on net interest margin. In contrast, financial institutions that are not listed do not. The use of debt financing was found to have a statistically significant impact on the performance of financial institutions compared to equity financing. The use of debt financing gives managers a chance to take advantage of the tax shield by lowering the amount of tax they have to pay to the government. The use of debt financing helps maximize the wealth of shareholders.

COVID-19 Pandemic and the Adoption of E-Learning as Alternative Teaching and Learning: Perspectives of Tertiary Students

This study investigated the perceptions, attitudes, and challenges of students towards the adoption of e-learning as alternative teaching and learning approach during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, in the case of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU). The purpose of the study was to investigate and examine perceptions, attitudes, and challenges of students in the adoption of e-learning as alternative teaching and learning during the pandemic. The study adopted a purposive and random stratified sampling technique to respond to hypothetical issues; that there is a significant relationship between students’ perceptions, attitudes and challenges and the adoption of e-learning in the COVID-19 crisis. From the perspective of the students, findings include a lack of data bundles, online learning being difficult and the unpreparedness of the institutions to adopt e-learning within the first four weeks of the pandemic. The adoption of e-learning as alternative learning in Tertiary institutions, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is quite novel and still evolving and educational institutions are quite far from absolute transformation. Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Perception, Attitude, Challenges, E-learning, Adoption.

Technology and banking operations: Perspectives of international students in a Ghanaian University

Purpose: The study analysed perceptions of international students in a Ghanaian private university college on the effect of information technology on banking operations as they have experienced it in Ghana. Research methodology: A mixed methods research approach was used for this study. Data were collected from 60 international students who were sampled randomly from the population of international students in the college. Descriptive statistics from IBM SPSS Statistics 24 was used to analyse quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results: Findings showed that even though information technology affects banking operations positively by making operations efficient, easier and faster for both employees and customers; it has increased the rate of fraudulent banking activities. This has exposed clients and employees alike, to a higher risk of fraud and other fraud-related activities. Limitations: This study was limited to international students of a private university college in Ghana. Data were collected from an online survey; hence a limitation to the number of international students who participated in the study. Contribution: Despite the fact that information technology influences banking operations in Ghana positively, it has resulted in increased fraudulent activities related to banking operations. This requires that policymakers improve online security in the banking space. Novelty: There is an emphasis that though technology’s use in banking operations has a positive effect, it also presents banking institutions with an increased risk of fraud as perceived by international students schooling in a private tertiary institution in Ghana.

Assessment of Internal Audit Tools: A Study of Some Government Health Institutions in Ghana

The growing number of allegations on financial statement fraud, lack of accountability, misappropriation and mismanagement of public resources in public institution has created an increase attention for the need of internal auditors. Descriptive research design was used for this study precisely a case study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select two government hospitals located in Manhyia and Mankranso both in Ashanti Region. Out of three hundred and forty (340) population from the combined hospitals, a purposive sampling technique was used in selecting a sample size of twenty-six (26) which was made up of twelve (12) accountants, ten (10) managements and four (4) internal auditors in Manhyia and Mankranso was utilized. A self – structured questionnaire, a four-point modified Likert a scale was the instrument used for data collection. All the 26 respondents correctly completed and returned their questionnaire formed the sample size for the study, while mean, standard deviation and percentage was employed in data analysis. The study found, among other things, that in spite of availability of internal auditors, management override internal controls very often, findings indicated that the internal audit were understaff and are inadequately resourced. The study also pinpointed that internal auditors are recognized in public institution and adds value to the institution overall performance.

Imperialism and the End of Chieftaincy in Colonial Ghana, 1925-1950

Nearly all the literature on colonialism in Africa focuses on African resistance rather than the roles of the Traditional Rulers in its formation. Thus, this paper is a deviation from that. This paper intends to portray the position of the Chiefs in the colonial enterprise, and how it led to the decline of the chieftaincy institution in Ghana. In doing so, I trace the events that attracted Europeans and subsequently led to the imposition of colonialism in Ghana, and how those interactions modify the status quo thus leading to new social stratifications and hierarchical formations. The peak of European imperialism’s drive coincided with the formative stages of most African States. So, it prevented the development of large States on the African continent. The study, thus, explores the impact of British imperialists and administrators in colonial Ghana in the face of the modus operandi and modus vivendi of the Chiefs. Although the Gold Coast Colony was established in July 1874, the Chiefs remained at the helm of affairs until they decided in 1925 to work with the colonial regime in administering the territory. Thus, as this “error” indubitably marked the beginning of the end for the Chiefs and the Chieftaincy Institution, it paved the way for the emergence of the leadership of the educated class by the middle of the twentieth century. The paper uses archival sources with secondary sources. The archival documents will explicate how deeply the Chiefs partook in establishing Colonialism in Ghana.

Perception of professionalism in clinical practice among clinical year radiography students in a tertiary institution in Ghana

IntroductionProfessionalism describes the positive attitudes, conduct, aims, values, skills, and behaviours that characterize a profession or a group of professionals. The steady professional growth of radiographers, which begins during undergraduate training, continues to be significantly influenced by education. As professional traits are ingrained in radiography students through official clinical instruction and observations, research on professionalism is necessary to monitor the perception of the subject matter. However, no study on Ghanaian radiography students on professionalism has been conducted. The goal of this study was to determine how clinical radiography students at a higher education facility in Ghana viewed the professionalism of radiography practice. MethodsSixty-four consenting Level 300 (3rd year) and Level 400 (4th year) students in the University of Ghana School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences' BSc Diagnostic Radiography and BSc Therapy programmes completed the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire (PSCOM-PQ) which was used to determine the impacts and challenges to professionalism. Version 23.0 of the Statistical Package for Social Science program (SPSS 23.0) was used to analyze the collected data. ResultsA good sense of professionalism in clinical practice was held by the majority of clinical radiography students. More than 56% of them observed professional practice among the majority of radiographers, contrary to 40.6% of them who witnessed it among only a few radiographers. The students observed both positive and negative effects on the professionalism of radiography practice. As a result, 77.9% of the students said that it was difficult to exhibit professionalism in radiography during their clinical training. ConclusionThe students agreed that professionalism impacted positively and negatively on radiography practice, and consequently identified to need to address the mitigating challenges to improve the level of professionalism. By this, most of the clinical year students had a better understanding of perceptions of the professionalism of radiography practice. Implication for practiceAccording to the study's findings, clinical students' radiography practice is affected either positively or negatively by their conceptions of professionalism and their adherence to them during the entire training period.

Screening and nursing management of gestational diabetes in Ghana: Evidence-based recommendations

ObjectiveTo describe the development of evidence-based recommendations for screening and nursing management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Ghana and present the recommendations. DesignA qualitative study. SettingMilitary Health Institutions in Ghana. MeasurementsData from qualitative interviews with 7 women with GDM and 8 midwives, and an integrative literature review including available clinical practice guidelines on screening and nursing management of GDM, was used to develop the recommendations. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’ steps guided the recommendations’ development. Methodological quality of the recommendations was assessed based on an adapted version of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool. Six experts reviewed the recommendations and an infographic in support of the recommendations. FindingsTwo main recommendations and an infographic were developed, including: 1. Early screening and diagnosis of GDM, and 2. Involvement of women with GDM and their significant others during pregnancy, intrapartum and postpartum management, in a culturally and socio-economically appropriate manner. Key conclusionsThe recommendations and infographic, once reviewed and pilot tested, may assist midwives managing GDM in Ghana, with support of health institution management. Implications for practiceThe study highlights the need for recommendations which can be used by midwives to manage GDM in Ghana. The recommendations are the first to be contextualized for the Ghanaian setting.

Stakeholder Perspectives on the Assessment of Teaching and Teacher Training in Ghana's Transnational Higher Education Landscape

This article reports on an aspect of a British Council-Ghana sponsored research project that investigated transnational education (TNE) partnerships and the environment of distance learning in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ghana. Using insights from self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured case study interviews conducted, the article explores how teaching and teacher training assessments are undertaken in Ghanaian HEIs. The findings reveal that (1) Ghanaian HEIs involved TNE partnerships use student satisfaction and engagement surveys as two key mechanisms to assess teaching and teacher training in their institutions, and (2) the focus of teaching and teacher training assessments in these institutions appears to centre on improving the quality of teaching delivery and curriculum improvement than concerns for the quality of students’ learning. We conclude, therefore, that Ghanaian HEIs involved in TNE partnerships may have genuine intentions to improve quality of teaching and learning; however, these good intentions appear to be constrained by their lack of knowledge and expertise about innovative and resourceful ways of undertaking teaching and teacher training assessments generally in HEIs. This results in teaching and teacher training assessments in these institutions not being undertaken in tandem with learning to help teachers improve and refine their teaching practices to enhance students’ learning.

The Impact of Social Media Use on the Academic Performance of Students of Private Tertiary Institutions in Ghana: The Valley View University Perspective

This paper examines the impact of social media use on the academic performance of students in private tertiary institutions in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The Valley View University, Oyibi Campus, Accra, was used as a case study. The population for the study was 2,172. The simple random sampling technique was used to sample 388 students. The questionnaire was used to solicit data for the study. 388 copies of the questionnaire were administered to the students. However, 362 copies were filled correctly and used for the analysis. The data were analysed using the IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM-SPSS) version 22.0. The findings revealed that entertainment and relaxation, posting pictures and chatting with friends were students' motivators for social media use. The study found out that the frequent use of social media had negatively affected the academic performance of some students. The study recommended that the Management of the University should motivate students to use the various social media platforms for educational activities rather than non-academic ones. The study also suggested that students should be advised to reduce the number of hours spent on social media platforms.

Global economic meltdown and healthcare financing in Ghana.

Global economic meltdown and healthcare financing in Ghana.

Does Human Capital Predict Resources: Evidence from Denominational Institutions in Ghana?

Does Human Capital Predict Resources: Evidence from Denominational Institutions in Ghana?

Evaluating knowledge and attitudes scales for the care of older adults among nursing students in Ghana

BackgroundUnderstanding nursing students’ knowledge about and attitudes toward older adults’ using context-specific survey instruments can help to identify and design effective learning and teaching materials to improve the care for persons 60 years and above. However, there are no validated instruments to examine nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the care for older adults in the African context. The study aimed to evaluate the items on the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz and Kogan's Attitudes towards Old People Scale suitable for the African context.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using second-and third-year nursing students from two public Nursing Training Institutions in Ghana. Using Sahin’s rule of sample size estimate of at least 150 participants for unidimensional dichotomous scales, 170 nursing students were recruited to participate after an information session in their classrooms. Data were collected from December 2019—March 2020 using the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz and Kogan’s Attitudes Towards Old People Scale. Item response theory was employed to evaluate the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz difficulty level and discrimination indices. Corrected item-to-total correlation analysis was conducted for Kogan's Attitudes towards Old People Scale. The internal consistency for both scales was examined.ResultsOf the 170 participants, 169 returned completed surveys. The mean age of participants was 21 years (SD = 3.7), and (54%) were female. Of the 30-items of the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz, seven items were very difficult for most students to choose the correct response, and one was easy, as most of the students chose the correct response. Although 22 items demonstrated appropriate difficulty level, discrimination indices were used to select the final 15- items that discriminated moderately between upper and lower 25% performing students. The Kuder-Richardson-20 reliability was. 0.30, which was low. Considering Kogan's Attitudes towards Old People scale, 10-items were removed following negative and low corrected item-to-total correlation and a high Alpha coefficient if items were deleted. The final 22-items had a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.65, which was moderately satisfactory.ConclusionEvaluation of the scales demonstrated essential content validity and moderate internal consistency for the context of our study. Further research should focus on ongoing context-specific refinement of the survey instruments to measure nursing students’ knowledge about and attitudes toward caring for older adults in the African context.

Assessing knowledge of sickle cell disease and health beliefs on premarital genetic screening among healthcare trainees at a tertiary institution: A cross-sectional study.

The uptake of sickle cell trait (SCT) test is challenged by several factors. A community of healthcare professionals educating the public to undergo screening is critical in reducing the disease burden. We investigated knowledge and attitude towards premarital SCT screening among healthcare trainee students who are the next generation of healthcare practitioners. A cross-sectional design was employed, and quantitative data were collected from 451 female students pursuing healthcare programs at a tertiary institution in Ghana. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. More than half of the participants were 20-24 years (54.55%) and had good knowledge (71.18%) about sickle cell disease (SCD). Age and school or social media as sources of information were significantly associated with good knowledge about SCD. Students between the age 20-24 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.54, confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-4.97) and knowledge (AOR = 2.19, CI = 1.41-3.39) were 3 times and 2 times more likely to have a positive perception about SCD severity. Students who have SCT (AOR = 5.16, CI = 2.46-10.82), whose source of information was family member/friends (AOR = 2.83, CI = 1.44-5.59) and social media (AOR = 4.59, CI = 2.09-10.12) were 5 times, 2 times and 5 times likely to have a positive perception about the susceptibility of SCD. Students whose source of information is school (AOR = 2.06, CI = 1.11-3.81) and who have good knowledge of SCD (AOR = 2.25, CI = 1.44-3.52) were 2 times more likely to have a positive perception about the benefits of testing. Students with SCT (AOR = 2.64, CI = 1.36-5.13) and source of information was social media (AOR = 3.01, CI = 1.36-6.64) were about 3 times more likely to have a positive perception about the barriers to testing. Our data shows that high level of SCD knowledge influences positive perceptions about the severity of SCD, the benefits and relatively low barriers to SCT or SCD testing and genetic counseling. Dissemination of SCT, SCD and premarital genetic counseling education should be intensified especially in schools.

Postgraduate students’ perception of plagiarism, awareness, and use of Turnitin text-matching software

ABSTRACT Plagiarism is a highly discussed issue in higher education institutions in recent times. Turnitin text-matching software has widely been adopted by many academic institutions in Ghana as one of the solutions to improving students’ and faculty academic writing and a solution for detecting incidences of plagiarism. There has been little empirical research into what students actually know about plagiarism and their lived experiences of text-matching technology, despite the fact that a lot of research has looked at attitudes, motivations, and demographic characteristics related to academic dishonesty. This study used an online Google form for data collection. We enrolled 1054 postgraduate students of the University of Cape Coast. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0, and the proposed hypothesis was tested using Structural Equation Modeling. Findings show that there was no statistically significant relationship between postgraduate students’ academic levels and their perception of plagiarism. However, there is significant relationship between postgraduate students’ perception of plagiarism and their use of Turnitin. There is also statistically significant relationship between postgraduate students’ awareness of Turnitin and its use. This calls for increased awareness creation and sensitization, which can be accomplished through scientific writing workshops, focused on inculcating ethical research practices into students.