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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
Wilson, K. N. (2016). Towards Successful Retirement Adjustment: Nexus Between Confidence Level, Internal, And External Contingency of the Ghanaian Worker (The Case Of Senior Staff of the University Of Education, Winneba, Ghana). International Journal of Advancement in Social Science and Humanity (IJASSH), 1,
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 relationship between confidence level, internal, and external contingency of the Ghanaian worker in relation to planning towards their retirement. Using the quantitative paradigm of research with the descriptive survey as the research design, the study employed the random sampling approach in selecting the respondents. The study made use of a self-report questionnaire (Retirement Adjustment Questionnaire [RAQ]), with reliability co-efficient of 0.872. Inferential statistical tools were used to analyse test the hypothesis for the study. 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. Key Words: Retirement Adjustment, Confidence Level, Internal and External Contingency
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 relationship between confidence level, internal, and external contingency of the Ghanaian worker in relation to planning towards their retirement. Using the quantitative paradigm of research with the descriptive survey as the research design, the study employed the random sampling approach in selecting the respondents. The study made use of a self-report questionnaire (Retirement Adjustment Questionnaire [RAQ]), with reliability co-efficient of 0.872. Inferential statistical tools were used to analyse test the hypothesis for the study. 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. Key Words: Retirement Adjustment, Confidence Level, Internal and External Contingency
Ali, C.A., Adzifome, N.S. & Addison, K.A., (2015). Contemporary Issues of Basic Education in Ghana; Principal Component Extractions of Swot Matrix for National Development. F. Anam, Diji, C. & Adebitan, E. African Regional Conference on Sustainable Development Strategies: Contemporary Issues and Challenges in African Development Patterns: Multi-disciplinary Assessment. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya: International Institute for Policy Review and Development Strategies.
Abstract
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats matrix identified the critical contemporary and essential issues that confront policies and programmes of basic education in Ghana. We purposively sampled sixty-five teachers and elicited fortythree essential internal and external issues in the basic schools. The SPSS method of principal component extractions revealed that internal issues of good and neat pupils in structured mathematics classrooms enhanced teaching and learning but lack of communication with authorities, pupils' previous knowledge and poor fellow teacher support hindered teaching and learning. Externally, stakeholders' support to teachers, upgrading of teachers' knowledge and general popularity of the basic schools boosted teaching and learning, whereas poor quality of pupils enrolled to pursue the overloaded mathematics syllabus and competitions faced with faith-based and private basic schools in attracting good quality pupils inhibited teaching and learning. We therefore, recommended adoption of the matrix to prioritize, address, and accelerate national development.
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats matrix identified the critical contemporary and essential issues that confront policies and programmes of basic education in Ghana. We purposively sampled sixty-five teachers and elicited fortythree essential internal and external issues in the basic schools. The SPSS method of principal component extractions revealed that internal issues of good and neat pupils in structured mathematics classrooms enhanced teaching and learning but lack of communication with authorities, pupils' previous knowledge and poor fellow teacher support hindered teaching and learning. Externally, stakeholders' support to teachers, upgrading of teachers' knowledge and general popularity of the basic schools boosted teaching and learning, whereas poor quality of pupils enrolled to pursue the overloaded mathematics syllabus and competitions faced with faith-based and private basic schools in attracting good quality pupils inhibited teaching and learning. We therefore, recommended adoption of the matrix to prioritize, address, and accelerate national development.
Ali, C.A. & Davis, E.K., (2016). Harnessing Indigenous Basketry Resources for National Development: A Long Term Prospects for Mathematics Education in Ghana. S. Abazaami, A. Mahama & A. Seidu Northern Harmattan School, University for Development Studies (UDS) and Partners. University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana: Institute for Continuing Education and Interdisciplinary Research (ICEIR).
Abstract
The study explored how indigenous Northern basketry industry could be harnessed and integrated into mathematics education to accelerate national development. Even though basket weaving is an age old occupation in Northern Ghana, it still experiences little integration and consolidation into formal education in Ghana. This qualitative survey purposively interviewed fifty basket artisans, teachers and pupils in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Upper East Region of Ghana. The findings revealed that integration of the indigenous basket industry would boost employment, reduce poverty rate, integrate indigenous knowledge and improve learning outcomes. We therefore, recommended Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders fashion out policies and programmes to encourage harnessing of indigenous baskets to achieve these goals.
The study explored how indigenous Northern basketry industry could be harnessed and integrated into mathematics education to accelerate national development. Even though basket weaving is an age old occupation in Northern Ghana, it still experiences little integration and consolidation into formal education in Ghana. This qualitative survey purposively interviewed fifty basket artisans, teachers and pupils in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Upper East Region of Ghana. The findings revealed that integration of the indigenous basket industry would boost employment, reduce poverty rate, integrate indigenous knowledge and improve learning outcomes. We therefore, recommended Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders fashion out policies and programmes to encourage harnessing of indigenous baskets to achieve these goals.
C.A. Ali & Akayuure, P. (2016). Exploring Postgraduate Students’ Research Knowledge and Skills in Normality Tests and Verifications. Us-China Education Review ‘A’, 6,
Abstract
The study explored research knowledge and skills of postgraduate students in testing and verifying normality of data in order to boost their confidence and credibility of educational research findings. This exploratory survey randomly sampled 66 postgraduate students, out of about 150 postgraduate students in five faculties of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. The results of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16 revealed that the postgraduate students require these innovative skills in order to test and verify their educational research data. We therefore recommended continuous inter-faculty collaborations and regular research conferences participation by teaching staff and postgraduate students to beef up their knowledge and skills in research analyses.
The study explored research knowledge and skills of postgraduate students in testing and verifying normality of data in order to boost their confidence and credibility of educational research findings. This exploratory survey randomly sampled 66 postgraduate students, out of about 150 postgraduate students in five faculties of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. The results of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16 revealed that the postgraduate students require these innovative skills in order to test and verify their educational research data. We therefore recommended continuous inter-faculty collaborations and regular research conferences participation by teaching staff and postgraduate students to beef up their knowledge and skills in research analyses.
C.A. Ali & Akayuure, P. (2016). Infusing Competencies and Skills of Vocational Instructors Innovations to Boost Science and Technology for National Development. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology and Sciences (ASRJETS), 18,
Abstract
The study explored how teacher-training institutions could infuse the Community Development Vocational and Technical Institutes’ instructors with educational competencies and skills as innovations to boost science and technology to accelerate national development. Even though the restructuring transformed the then Women Vocational Training Institutes into Community Development Vocational and Technical Institutes, and subsequently introduced Core Mathematics, it was still not clear whether the instructors had the required competencies and skills to implement the curriculum. This exploratory survey purposively sampled fifty instructors in three districts of Upper East Region and issued with questionnaires to explore the instructors’ educational and Mathematics backgrounds. Having coded and analysed the data with SPSS software, the findings showed that the educational and mathematical backgrounds of the instructors still require further education and training in the competencies and skills. This would build skilled manpower, create jobs, reduce north-south migration and accelerate national development. We therefore, recommended continuous inter-tertiary collaborations, scholarships and realignment of the CDVTI institutes to the Ghana Education Service to achieve these goals.
The study explored how teacher-training institutions could infuse the Community Development Vocational and Technical Institutes’ instructors with educational competencies and skills as innovations to boost science and technology to accelerate national development. Even though the restructuring transformed the then Women Vocational Training Institutes into Community Development Vocational and Technical Institutes, and subsequently introduced Core Mathematics, it was still not clear whether the instructors had the required competencies and skills to implement the curriculum. This exploratory survey purposively sampled fifty instructors in three districts of Upper East Region and issued with questionnaires to explore the instructors’ educational and Mathematics backgrounds. Having coded and analysed the data with SPSS software, the findings showed that the educational and mathematical backgrounds of the instructors still require further education and training in the competencies and skills. This would build skilled manpower, create jobs, reduce north-south migration and accelerate national development. We therefore, recommended continuous inter-tertiary collaborations, scholarships and realignment of the CDVTI institutes to the Ghana Education Service to achieve these goals.
C.A. Ali & Oduro, F.T. (2016). Contemporary Mathematical Tools of Forecasting: Overview of Metropolis Hastings Algorithms. International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology (IJESRT), 5,
Abstract
This paper used the Metropolis Hastings Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms to forecast and monitor the dynamics of HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Ghana. The study sampled four sites in Upper East Region and explored them with these algorithms. Even though there were many Monte Carlo algorithms, the study discovered that the independence Metropolis-Hastings’ were the most suitable and appropriate for this mathematical forecasting and monitoring. We therefore, recommended for the continuous and extensive use of these algorithms in immunological surveys to help modify the continuous use of prevalence rates.
This paper used the Metropolis Hastings Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms to forecast and monitor the dynamics of HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Ghana. The study sampled four sites in Upper East Region and explored them with these algorithms. Even though there were many Monte Carlo algorithms, the study discovered that the independence Metropolis-Hastings’ were the most suitable and appropriate for this mathematical forecasting and monitoring. We therefore, recommended for the continuous and extensive use of these algorithms in immunological surveys to help modify the continuous use of prevalence rates.
Ali, C.A., Adzifome, N.S. & Addison, A.K. (2016). Contemporary Issues of Basic Education in Ghana, Principal Component Extractions of SWOT Matrix Matrix for National DevelopmentSwot Matrix as a Tool of National Development. International Journal of Strategic Research in Education, Technology and Humanities, 3,
Abstract
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats matrix identified the critical contemporary and essential issues that confront policies and programmes of basic education in Ghana. We purposively sampled sixty-five teachers and elicited fortythree essential internal and external issues in the basic schools. The SPSS method of principal component extractions revealed that internal issues of good and neat pupils in structured mathematics classrooms enhanced teaching and learning but lack of communication with authorities, pupils' previous knowledge and poor fellow teacher support hindered teaching and learning. Externally, stakeholders' support to teachers, upgrading of teachers' knowledge and general popularity of the basic schools boosted teaching and learning, whereas poor quality of pupils enrolled to pursue the overloaded mathematics syllabus and competitions faced with faith-based and private basic schools in attracting good quality pupils inhibited teaching and learning. We therefore, recommended adoption of the matrix to prioritize, address, and accelerate national development.
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats matrix identified the critical contemporary and essential issues that confront policies and programmes of basic education in Ghana. We purposively sampled sixty-five teachers and elicited fortythree essential internal and external issues in the basic schools. The SPSS method of principal component extractions revealed that internal issues of good and neat pupils in structured mathematics classrooms enhanced teaching and learning but lack of communication with authorities, pupils' previous knowledge and poor fellow teacher support hindered teaching and learning. Externally, stakeholders' support to teachers, upgrading of teachers' knowledge and general popularity of the basic schools boosted teaching and learning, whereas poor quality of pupils enrolled to pursue the overloaded mathematics syllabus and competitions faced with faith-based and private basic schools in attracting good quality pupils inhibited teaching and learning. We therefore, recommended adoption of the matrix to prioritize, address, and accelerate national development.
