R&P Entries
Conferences/Workshop/Symposia/Seminar with Presentations
Taluah, A. R.
1st Scientific and Research Conference. University of Education, Winneba, CAGRIC. Ashanti Mampong - Ghana May 30th – 1st June 2016
Paper presented:
English or No English: Who Cares?
Abstract
Emperor Charles V is noted to have said that: “To God I speak Spanish, to women Italian, to men French and to my horse – German.” In recent times however, in his profession of his polyglotism, Emperor Charles V would have added thus: “to the entire world I speak English”. From few speakers of what is originally known as old English of the Anglo Saxon origin, the English language has grown in depth and breadth impacting nations globally. For many centuries (5th - 21st centuries), the English language has undergone many semantic, pragmatic and syntactic changes, borrowing its lexicon from diverse languages. The changes in its morphological and phonological renditions are also very evident. It serves as national, official and the language of instruction in many nations, Ghana being a case in point. Despite the importance of the English language however, its impact is not fully appreciated, thereby making many a people not to treat it with the appropriate contention that it deserves. This paper therefore attempts to examine the perceptions of the general Ghanaian public and students in particular about the English language and state the realities that pertain. It maintains that for a better grasp of any discipline such as Medicine, Law, Engineering Physics and Mathematics amongst a host of other disciplines, knowledge of the English language is imperative. This paper therefore adopts descriptive and analytic approaches to qualitative research as its methodology of presentation and thus relies mostly on inductive reasoning processes in interpretations.
Emperor Charles V is noted to have said that: “To God I speak Spanish, to women Italian, to men French and to my horse – German.” In recent times however, in his profession of his polyglotism, Emperor Charles V would have added thus: “to the entire world I speak English”. From few speakers of what is originally known as old English of the Anglo Saxon origin, the English language has grown in depth and breadth impacting nations globally. For many centuries (5th - 21st centuries), the English language has undergone many semantic, pragmatic and syntactic changes, borrowing its lexicon from diverse languages. The changes in its morphological and phonological renditions are also very evident. It serves as national, official and the language of instruction in many nations, Ghana being a case in point. Despite the importance of the English language however, its impact is not fully appreciated, thereby making many a people not to treat it with the appropriate contention that it deserves. This paper therefore attempts to examine the perceptions of the general Ghanaian public and students in particular about the English language and state the realities that pertain. It maintains that for a better grasp of any discipline such as Medicine, Law, Engineering Physics and Mathematics amongst a host of other disciplines, knowledge of the English language is imperative. This paper therefore adopts descriptive and analytic approaches to qualitative research as its methodology of presentation and thus relies mostly on inductive reasoning processes in interpretations.
Taluah, A. R.
18th Great Writing International Conference. London Imperial College, London - United Kingdom June 20th - 21st 2015
Paper presented:
Exploring the Perspectives of the Creative Mind: The Innate versus the Acquired
Abstract
From a traditional point of view, every talent is said to be a divine gift: and the creative arts are no exceptions. It is for such reason that there is said to be the god of medicine, thunder, harvest, dance and song, of which the creative arts belong amongst a host of others. It is believed that one who has not been divinely endowed with a gift cannot succeed in the endeavour. Yet, in the very recent generations, diverse formal institutions have been set to fine tune the minds of many individuals into the creative arts. The questions that arise are thus, at what point does the acquired talent supersede the innate or the vice versa? Can formal teaching actually make an artist? And if indeed both perspective can be true of an artist, who is better? While the two perspectives cannot be detached from one another, the fact still remains that the innate talent supersedes the acquired talent. This paper therefore sets out to outline the two main perspectives of the creative mind and examine the diverse notions of the creative arts in the social, economic, political and cultural dimensions. It further delineates the reasons that account for the diverse perspectives of the creative arts and theirs effects on society and the individual creative artists as a whole.
From a traditional point of view, every talent is said to be a divine gift: and the creative arts are no exceptions. It is for such reason that there is said to be the god of medicine, thunder, harvest, dance and song, of which the creative arts belong amongst a host of others. It is believed that one who has not been divinely endowed with a gift cannot succeed in the endeavour. Yet, in the very recent generations, diverse formal institutions have been set to fine tune the minds of many individuals into the creative arts. The questions that arise are thus, at what point does the acquired talent supersede the innate or the vice versa? Can formal teaching actually make an artist? And if indeed both perspective can be true of an artist, who is better? While the two perspectives cannot be detached from one another, the fact still remains that the innate talent supersedes the acquired talent. This paper therefore sets out to outline the two main perspectives of the creative mind and examine the diverse notions of the creative arts in the social, economic, political and cultural dimensions. It further delineates the reasons that account for the diverse perspectives of the creative arts and theirs effects on society and the individual creative artists as a whole.
Wornyo, A. A.
International Research Conference on Multidisciplinary Research and Transformation in Africa. University of Ghana, Legon. June 18-20th, 2015
Paper presented:
Language Policy Debate in Ghana: A Means of Elite Closure
Abstract
The language policy in Ghana’s educational system has become an issue of debate in recent years. The paper argues that the problem of poor academic performance in Ghana is not due to the language policy adopted. The paper points out that the language policy is just a veil that the politicians use to perpetuate the use of English as the language of rule in the higher domains in order to preserve the privileges with which this language is associated. The paper concludes that politicians in Ghana use the language policy in education as a means to perpetuate elite closure.
The language policy in Ghana’s educational system has become an issue of debate in recent years. The paper argues that the problem of poor academic performance in Ghana is not due to the language policy adopted. The paper points out that the language policy is just a veil that the politicians use to perpetuate the use of English as the language of rule in the higher domains in order to preserve the privileges with which this language is associated. The paper concludes that politicians in Ghana use the language policy in education as a means to perpetuate elite closure.
Wornyo, A. A.
Doctoral Students Research Conference. University of Ghana, Legon 5th - 6th November 2015
Paper presented:
Intercultural Rhetoric Analysis of Newspaper Editorials: A Comparative Study of the Daily Graphic and the NewYork Times
Abstract
This study seeks to analyze the editorials of the Daily Graphic newspaper as texts constructed in Ghana as an ESL setting and the editorials of the New York Times of America as texts constructed in a native-English speaking environment. The objective of the study is to discover the differences and the similarities that exist between the rhetorical and linguistics features of the editorials of the Daily Graphic newspaper and the editorials of the New York Times. This objective is to be achieved by analyzing six features of text. First, this study seeks to analyze the rhetorical structure of the Daily Graphic newspaper as a professional genre constructed in an ESL setting to find out the extent to which it follows the general prototypical rhetorical patterns found in newspaper editorials by comparing it to the New York Times. Second, the study seeks to find out whether there is significant macro structural variation between the New York Times as a newspaper published in the socio-cultural environments of native speakers and the Daily Graphic as a newspaper published in an ESL setting. In addition, it seeks to analyze the thematic development of the two newspapers. The study will also analyze the rhetorical appeals used by newspaper editorials in the two settings. Finally, the study seeks to examine how linguistics features such as cohesion, coherence and discourse organization are used in the two newspaper editorials. It is expected that the two newspapers would have differences in their rhetorical strategies that will reflect the socio-cultural environment in which they are published.
This study seeks to analyze the editorials of the Daily Graphic newspaper as texts constructed in Ghana as an ESL setting and the editorials of the New York Times of America as texts constructed in a native-English speaking environment. The objective of the study is to discover the differences and the similarities that exist between the rhetorical and linguistics features of the editorials of the Daily Graphic newspaper and the editorials of the New York Times. This objective is to be achieved by analyzing six features of text. First, this study seeks to analyze the rhetorical structure of the Daily Graphic newspaper as a professional genre constructed in an ESL setting to find out the extent to which it follows the general prototypical rhetorical patterns found in newspaper editorials by comparing it to the New York Times. Second, the study seeks to find out whether there is significant macro structural variation between the New York Times as a newspaper published in the socio-cultural environments of native speakers and the Daily Graphic as a newspaper published in an ESL setting. In addition, it seeks to analyze the thematic development of the two newspapers. The study will also analyze the rhetorical appeals used by newspaper editorials in the two settings. Finally, the study seeks to examine how linguistics features such as cohesion, coherence and discourse organization are used in the two newspaper editorials. It is expected that the two newspapers would have differences in their rhetorical strategies that will reflect the socio-cultural environment in which they are published.
Wilson, K. N.
Pre-Retirement Preparation Programme. Demonstration theatre, North Campus, Winneba, Ghana 10-11 Sept 2015
Paper presented:
Retirement Preparation
Abstract
Wilson, K. N
ISSBD Research methodology skills training workshop. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya 4-6th November, 2015
Paper presented:
PREDICTORS OF RETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT AMONG SENIOR STAFF OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN GHANA
Abstract
Retirement as a stage in life has been seen differently by different people based on their perception, preparation and personal experience. Whiles some people face retirement with bated breath and joy others face it with fear, trepidation and uncertainty. This study investigated some of the institutional and personality variables that could predict retirement adjustments among the senior staff of three public universities in Ghana. Using the mixed method approach of research with the descriptive survey as the research design, the study employed the purposeful sampling technique to select the universities, and the availability technique to select a sample size of 111 respondents (who had than 60 months or less to attain the compulsory retirement age of 60 years in Ghana) out of which 15 were selected through a consensus for in-depth interview. The study made use of two instruments comprising a self-report questionnaire (Retirement Adjustment Questionnaire [RAQ]) and semi-structured interview sessions. The RAQ had internal consistency of 0.872 on the Cronbach Alpha Co-efficient. Both the descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse the quantitative data. The qualitative data was transcribed into text and subjected to thick narrative descriptions from which thematic categories with explanations emerged through out the study for conclusions and recommendations to be made. Findings from the study revealed that one main consideration or adjustment process for retirement was the financial implications on the retiree. The study thus recommends among other things pre-retirement workshops/seminars on socio-economic, political and institutional factors that could influence retirement adjustment processes, and on potential investment opportunities as contingency plans to ease the transition from active working life to retirement.
Retirement as a stage in life has been seen differently by different people based on their perception, preparation and personal experience. Whiles some people face retirement with bated breath and joy others face it with fear, trepidation and uncertainty. This study investigated some of the institutional and personality variables that could predict retirement adjustments among the senior staff of three public universities in Ghana. Using the mixed method approach of research with the descriptive survey as the research design, the study employed the purposeful sampling technique to select the universities, and the availability technique to select a sample size of 111 respondents (who had than 60 months or less to attain the compulsory retirement age of 60 years in Ghana) out of which 15 were selected through a consensus for in-depth interview. The study made use of two instruments comprising a self-report questionnaire (Retirement Adjustment Questionnaire [RAQ]) and semi-structured interview sessions. The RAQ had internal consistency of 0.872 on the Cronbach Alpha Co-efficient. Both the descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse the quantitative data. The qualitative data was transcribed into text and subjected to thick narrative descriptions from which thematic categories with explanations emerged through out the study for conclusions and recommendations to be made. Findings from the study revealed that one main consideration or adjustment process for retirement was the financial implications on the retiree. The study thus recommends among other things pre-retirement workshops/seminars on socio-economic, political and institutional factors that could influence retirement adjustment processes, and on potential investment opportunities as contingency plans to ease the transition from active working life to retirement.
Wilson, K. N.
Cape Coast Archdeaconry Youth Seminar. St James Anglican Church, Agona Swedru, C/R Ghana 2nd May 2016
Paper presented:
Developing and Building Values & Life Choices
Abstract
Abdul-Manan, A., & Wilson, K. N.
2016 School of Social Sciences International Conference on ‘The Social Sciences, Good Governance and Sustainable Development Goals. Accra, University of Ghana, ISSER Conference Room 14-15 April 2016
Paper presented:
Retirement Planning: Challenges Faced by Teachers in Sagnarigu District in the Northern Region of Ghana
Abstract
ABSTRACT This research sought to determine teachers’ perceptions on the planning and challenges towards retirement in Sagnarigu District of Northern Region of Ghana. The target population for this study comprised all teachers in the study area. The sample size was 258 teachers made up of 166 male and 92 females. The study employed the descriptive cross-sectional design and the gathered data collected were subjected to statistical analyses using mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages chi-square, T-test and One Way ANOVA. Findings indicated that teachers at Sagnarigu District of Northern Region were highly concern on housing planning; Teachers who participated in the study perceived retirement as when one is no longer gainfully employed and has to receive pension benefits. Again, teachers who participated in the study showed that the dominant challenge that confronts them in Sagnarigu District in their quest to plan towards retirement was that planning towards retirement makes them age faster. However, seeking counselling to prepare them psychologically helps teachers to plan towards their retirement. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the Government should put in place a policy that would compel all organizations and institutions to organize retirement seminars/workshops for their employees who have between 10 to15 years to go on retirement. Again, Social Security and National Insurance Trust should target the employers of the various institutions and organizations that they deal with. Key Words: Retirement Planning, Challenges & Teachers
ABSTRACT This research sought to determine teachers’ perceptions on the planning and challenges towards retirement in Sagnarigu District of Northern Region of Ghana. The target population for this study comprised all teachers in the study area. The sample size was 258 teachers made up of 166 male and 92 females. The study employed the descriptive cross-sectional design and the gathered data collected were subjected to statistical analyses using mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages chi-square, T-test and One Way ANOVA. Findings indicated that teachers at Sagnarigu District of Northern Region were highly concern on housing planning; Teachers who participated in the study perceived retirement as when one is no longer gainfully employed and has to receive pension benefits. Again, teachers who participated in the study showed that the dominant challenge that confronts them in Sagnarigu District in their quest to plan towards retirement was that planning towards retirement makes them age faster. However, seeking counselling to prepare them psychologically helps teachers to plan towards their retirement. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the Government should put in place a policy that would compel all organizations and institutions to organize retirement seminars/workshops for their employees who have between 10 to15 years to go on retirement. Again, Social Security and National Insurance Trust should target the employers of the various institutions and organizations that they deal with. Key Words: Retirement Planning, Challenges & Teachers
Danso-Wiredu E. Y
4th Social Science Conference: Bringing the Gown to town; Developing Society through human security and social justice, University of Education. Winneba. North Campus, University of Education, Winneba 15-16 March, 2016
Paper presented:
Fishing in Ghana, the story of reciprocity, gender and market, Penkye in focus
Abstract
Abstract Fishing is an important economic activity for people along the coastal areas in Ghana as well as those living close to other water bodies in the country. The livelihoods of the people revolve around the fishing business. The economic, social and cultural activities of the people are institutionalized and embedded within the business. Penkye is a known area in Winneba, the history of the community is tied to that of the entire Winneba township, as the first place the Effutu people settled in the town. It is located along the coast and almost all the residents of the community are employed in the fishing industry directly or indirectly. What is intriguing about this community is the story it tells about its fishing business and daily survival of the residents. And how the two are entangled in the story of reciprocity and gender roles. The article delves into the institutional embeddedness of fishing and community life as a whole. It examines how gender ideologies differentially inform men and women’s roles in the fishing economy. Drawing on interviews conducted with community members, I construct economic life histories for men and women within the fishing community. And then analyze how they formulate livelihood strategies differently as a result. It concludes that such realities defy the ideologies of the impersonal market economy that Polanyi described in his book, the great transformation. It also questions the idea of neoliberal economy where market prices are alleged to be determined solely by demand and supply interactions between the seller and the buyer.
Abstract Fishing is an important economic activity for people along the coastal areas in Ghana as well as those living close to other water bodies in the country. The livelihoods of the people revolve around the fishing business. The economic, social and cultural activities of the people are institutionalized and embedded within the business. Penkye is a known area in Winneba, the history of the community is tied to that of the entire Winneba township, as the first place the Effutu people settled in the town. It is located along the coast and almost all the residents of the community are employed in the fishing industry directly or indirectly. What is intriguing about this community is the story it tells about its fishing business and daily survival of the residents. And how the two are entangled in the story of reciprocity and gender roles. The article delves into the institutional embeddedness of fishing and community life as a whole. It examines how gender ideologies differentially inform men and women’s roles in the fishing economy. Drawing on interviews conducted with community members, I construct economic life histories for men and women within the fishing community. And then analyze how they formulate livelihood strategies differently as a result. It concludes that such realities defy the ideologies of the impersonal market economy that Polanyi described in his book, the great transformation. It also questions the idea of neoliberal economy where market prices are alleged to be determined solely by demand and supply interactions between the seller and the buyer.
Danso-Wiredu E. Y
Annual Ghana Geographical Association and Ghana Geographical Teacher’s Conference: Geography, place and Development.. University of Ghana, Legon-Accra 4th -8th August, 2015.
Paper presented:
Housing and Infrastructure and the Role of Civil Society when Market and State Fail: The Case of Old Fadama, Accra
Abstract
Housing and infrastructure provision is the responsibilities of the state. Unfortunately in many developing countries, the state is unable to provide these resources to its citizens. In Ghana, since 1980s when the country adopted the SAP policies, its housing policy has changed. The state is relaxed in its efforts to provide housing for its population. Its role is therefore to create enabling environment for the private sector to build for the masses. This obviously has failed to translate to low income group within the country which cannot afford the cost of houses provided by the private sector. The difficulty in having access to decent homes has forced many urban dwellers to rent ‘cheap’ homes in slum communities one of such communities is Old Fadama in Accra. The community has turned its water logged area into a habitable one. Usually an acceptable place to call a home is to reside in houses made up of sleeping, bathing and toilet rooms. Old Fadama residents only have one room to call a home. They instead depend on community bathrooms, toilets and food vendors for survival. To pay as low rent as possible, many of them live in what is termed ‘group rooms’, where rent is shared among room members. The papers argue that Old Fadama stands out as a community that has been neglected by the state in terms of housing and infrastructure provision, but it residents are not perturbed by it, rather they depend on range of community based organisations to plan and facilitate developments and set rules which govern the residents. The paper uses Karl Polanyi concept of economic integration, but argues, in the case of Old Fadama, market, redistribution and reciprocity are instituted by civil society actors with regards to housing and community infrastructure provision. The research is part of a PHD study conducted in four poor communities in Ghana since March 2012. The author spent six months in the community interviewing a wide range of leaders and residents. Fifty interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guide for residents and an unstructured guide for leaders. All respondents were purposefully selected through community leaders and by the researcher’s informal links. The community has been divided into five zones A-E, so stratified purposeful sampling was employed to select respondents from each of the zones. Keywords: Urban housing; community infrastructure; Old Fadama; Civil society
Housing and infrastructure provision is the responsibilities of the state. Unfortunately in many developing countries, the state is unable to provide these resources to its citizens. In Ghana, since 1980s when the country adopted the SAP policies, its housing policy has changed. The state is relaxed in its efforts to provide housing for its population. Its role is therefore to create enabling environment for the private sector to build for the masses. This obviously has failed to translate to low income group within the country which cannot afford the cost of houses provided by the private sector. The difficulty in having access to decent homes has forced many urban dwellers to rent ‘cheap’ homes in slum communities one of such communities is Old Fadama in Accra. The community has turned its water logged area into a habitable one. Usually an acceptable place to call a home is to reside in houses made up of sleeping, bathing and toilet rooms. Old Fadama residents only have one room to call a home. They instead depend on community bathrooms, toilets and food vendors for survival. To pay as low rent as possible, many of them live in what is termed ‘group rooms’, where rent is shared among room members. The papers argue that Old Fadama stands out as a community that has been neglected by the state in terms of housing and infrastructure provision, but it residents are not perturbed by it, rather they depend on range of community based organisations to plan and facilitate developments and set rules which govern the residents. The paper uses Karl Polanyi concept of economic integration, but argues, in the case of Old Fadama, market, redistribution and reciprocity are instituted by civil society actors with regards to housing and community infrastructure provision. The research is part of a PHD study conducted in four poor communities in Ghana since March 2012. The author spent six months in the community interviewing a wide range of leaders and residents. Fifty interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guide for residents and an unstructured guide for leaders. All respondents were purposefully selected through community leaders and by the researcher’s informal links. The community has been divided into five zones A-E, so stratified purposeful sampling was employed to select respondents from each of the zones. Keywords: Urban housing; community infrastructure; Old Fadama; Civil society
