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Akyina, K. O. & Alubokin, B. (2015). Effects of Divorce on Parenting, Psyche and Behaviour of Some Selected Public Senior High School Students in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana.. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 2,
Abstract
The study adopted the descriptive survey design to investigate the effect of divorce on parenting, psyche and behaviour of affected students. Hundred students, 10 parents and 10 school counsellors were used in the study. The study was guided by two research questions. It was revealed that divorce negatively affect parenting, psyche and emotional behaviour of affected students. Respondents gave recommendations to reduce cases of divorce. It was recommended that school counsellors identify students from divorced families and counsel them against the development of negative tendencies on their (students) part.
The study adopted the descriptive survey design to investigate the effect of divorce on parenting, psyche and behaviour of affected students. Hundred students, 10 parents and 10 school counsellors were used in the study. The study was guided by two research questions. It was revealed that divorce negatively affect parenting, psyche and emotional behaviour of affected students. Respondents gave recommendations to reduce cases of divorce. It was recommended that school counsellors identify students from divorced families and counsel them against the development of negative tendencies on their (students) part.
Ansah-Hughes, W., Akyina, K. O. & Oduro-Okyireh, G. (2015). The Perception of Married People about Premarital Counseling. A Survey in the Techiman Municipality of Ghana.. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 5,
Abstract
This study was an investigation into the perception of married people in Techiman Municipality about premarital counseling. The purposive and the disproportional stratified sampling methods were used to select eight churches and 259 respondents (married people) respectively in the Techiman Municipality for the study. The instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire. It consisted of five-point likert scale items designed by the researcher and was administered to married people in the municipality. The researcher had three research questions to work with. The major finding from the study was that premarital counselling has positive impact on marriages and Techiman Municipality married people have positive perception about premarital counselling .It was suggested that premarital counselling should be maintained and encouraged in all churches. All these can be a reality if more counsellors are trained. This means that universities should increase their intake of students in guidance and counselling so that more professional counselors could be turned out to help in this direction.
This study was an investigation into the perception of married people in Techiman Municipality about premarital counseling. The purposive and the disproportional stratified sampling methods were used to select eight churches and 259 respondents (married people) respectively in the Techiman Municipality for the study. The instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire. It consisted of five-point likert scale items designed by the researcher and was administered to married people in the municipality. The researcher had three research questions to work with. The major finding from the study was that premarital counselling has positive impact on marriages and Techiman Municipality married people have positive perception about premarital counselling .It was suggested that premarital counselling should be maintained and encouraged in all churches. All these can be a reality if more counsellors are trained. This means that universities should increase their intake of students in guidance and counselling so that more professional counselors could be turned out to help in this direction.
Akyina, K. O., Oduro-Okyireh, G. & Ansah-Hughes, W. (2015). Causes of Low Female Choice of Agriculture Science Programme in Senior High Schools in Ghana. A Study of Afigya Kwabre District.. Journal of Educational Policy and Entrepreneurial Research., 2,
Abstract
There is low choice of Agriculture Science programme among female Senior High School (SHS) students in Ghana. The study therefore set forth to find out the underlying reasons of this phenomenon. Three hundred and ten non-science and non-agriculture science female students from three SHSs in Afigya Kwabre District were sampled for the study. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. It was found out that the underlying reasons for the low choice of the programme were lack of guidance and counselling, lack of scholarships for females to enrol in the programme, lack of female role models in Agriculture, mathematics based nature of Agriculture Science and teaching approaches used by Agriculture Science teachers. The rest were difficult nature of Agriculture, too much practical based nature of the programme, failure in examinations by a lot of females who pursue it and more natural science based of the programme. Recommendations were made to improve upon females’ choice of Agriculture Science programme in SHSs.
There is low choice of Agriculture Science programme among female Senior High School (SHS) students in Ghana. The study therefore set forth to find out the underlying reasons of this phenomenon. Three hundred and ten non-science and non-agriculture science female students from three SHSs in Afigya Kwabre District were sampled for the study. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. It was found out that the underlying reasons for the low choice of the programme were lack of guidance and counselling, lack of scholarships for females to enrol in the programme, lack of female role models in Agriculture, mathematics based nature of Agriculture Science and teaching approaches used by Agriculture Science teachers. The rest were difficult nature of Agriculture, too much practical based nature of the programme, failure in examinations by a lot of females who pursue it and more natural science based of the programme. Recommendations were made to improve upon females’ choice of Agriculture Science programme in SHSs.
Taluah, A. R.
Kofi Awoonor and the Challenge of History International Symposium. University of Ghana - Legon, Accra, Ghana September 17th – 19th 2014.
Paper presented:
Kofi Awoonor: The Man and Teacher
Abstract
Throughout history, men have often been too good at glorifying their fellow men only when they have passed on into the hereafter. This gilt is even so strong as I pen down these words to express what I deem my personal experiences with the man and teacher, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor. To say I am burdened by grief will be an understatement. Since my first encounter with Professor Awoonor, I have always referred to him as my academic dad. It was on his firm shoulders that I took my first flight into academic consciousness. Indeed, I am most indebted to the Almighty God for making me what I am today and if I ever want to thank the Almighty for bringing an impactful person in my life, Professor Awoonor stands out amongst a few others. Like many other students, I first met Professor Awoonor in his well known poem "The Cathedral." I must confess that the poem enthralled me with its sententious aphorisms and it's skillful dribble of metaphor and imagery. I had thought to myself: "What is the force that drives men to weave such beautiful yet thought provoking works of art." This poem first ignited the creative sensibilities in me. I fell in love with the poem and poet at once. I had met Professor Awoonor in the Selection of African Poetry and later got to know him from my creative writing classes and other courses that he taught in the Department of English, University of Ghana. Professor Awoonor tries to express the wisdom of our ancestors; purely an academic view and he is deemed cruel. He takes pride in his roots as an Ewe, and overall an African and he is said to be tribalistic. My encounter with Professor Awoonor however reveals the contrary. There are several virtues about the man and teacher that most people are yet to know.
Throughout history, men have often been too good at glorifying their fellow men only when they have passed on into the hereafter. This gilt is even so strong as I pen down these words to express what I deem my personal experiences with the man and teacher, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor. To say I am burdened by grief will be an understatement. Since my first encounter with Professor Awoonor, I have always referred to him as my academic dad. It was on his firm shoulders that I took my first flight into academic consciousness. Indeed, I am most indebted to the Almighty God for making me what I am today and if I ever want to thank the Almighty for bringing an impactful person in my life, Professor Awoonor stands out amongst a few others. Like many other students, I first met Professor Awoonor in his well known poem "The Cathedral." I must confess that the poem enthralled me with its sententious aphorisms and it's skillful dribble of metaphor and imagery. I had thought to myself: "What is the force that drives men to weave such beautiful yet thought provoking works of art." This poem first ignited the creative sensibilities in me. I fell in love with the poem and poet at once. I had met Professor Awoonor in the Selection of African Poetry and later got to know him from my creative writing classes and other courses that he taught in the Department of English, University of Ghana. Professor Awoonor tries to express the wisdom of our ancestors; purely an academic view and he is deemed cruel. He takes pride in his roots as an Ewe, and overall an African and he is said to be tribalistic. My encounter with Professor Awoonor however reveals the contrary. There are several virtues about the man and teacher that most people are yet to know.
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
Taluah, A. R.
7th International Youth Forum: Right to Dialogue - “Europe/Not Europe: Knowledge, Identity, Dialogue” (Debates, Cultural and Artistic Events, Friendship). Trieste, Italy October 3rd – 5th 2014.
Paper presented:
The Haunting Images of the West in Ghanaian Creative Arts: Tradition versus Innovation.
Abstract
Many literary artists and critics in time past have affirmed the significance of tradition as a source of inspiration in creative works. Though the driving force in moulding a creative work such as a poem is innate, a true artist must have knowledge of a given tradition or traditions to excel in the enterprise. In quite recent times however, much of the poetry by budding poets tends to imitate Western forms in lieu of the traditional. This paper is therefore an attempt to address the effects of foreign traditions on the creative abilities of the Ghanaian youth. It traces the antecedents that are most likely to have caused the negative outlook towards most indigenous traditions in Ghana to the embrace of Western traditions. It also examines some pertinent issues in the educational system in Ghana and the impact of the English language as the language of instruction and its effects on the culture of the creative arts.
Many literary artists and critics in time past have affirmed the significance of tradition as a source of inspiration in creative works. Though the driving force in moulding a creative work such as a poem is innate, a true artist must have knowledge of a given tradition or traditions to excel in the enterprise. In quite recent times however, much of the poetry by budding poets tends to imitate Western forms in lieu of the traditional. This paper is therefore an attempt to address the effects of foreign traditions on the creative abilities of the Ghanaian youth. It traces the antecedents that are most likely to have caused the negative outlook towards most indigenous traditions in Ghana to the embrace of Western traditions. It also examines some pertinent issues in the educational system in Ghana and the impact of the English language as the language of instruction and its effects on the culture of the creative arts.
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
Taluah, A. R.
1st International Conference on Language, Literature and Communication – LALICOM. Winneba, Ghana. February 3rd - 5th 2015.
Paper presented:
The Teaching and Learning of the English Language in Ghana: Problems and Implications
Abstract
The teaching and learning of the English language in Ghana and Anglophone countries in Africa for that matter has been a subject of unflinching debate in quite recent times. Many opinions point to the assertion that the teaching and learning of the English language is centred on reading comprehension, summary, grammar, spelling and writing skills and other such related areas to the disregard of oral communication skills. Many researchers have found the neglect of oral communication skills in the school curriculum as the major problem in the leaning of the English language. A survey of trends in the teaching and learning of the English language however reveals that the contention is much on the teaching of the English language as compared to its learning as most teachers of English are unqualified to teach English. Drawing from his experiences as a leaner and a teacher of the English language, the research explores in detail the problems and implications in the teaching and learning of the English language. The origin of the English language and its encounter with the diverse languages in Ghana are examined vis a vis its role in diverse facets in the Ghanaian society and new measures proposed for possible adjustments .
The teaching and learning of the English language in Ghana and Anglophone countries in Africa for that matter has been a subject of unflinching debate in quite recent times. Many opinions point to the assertion that the teaching and learning of the English language is centred on reading comprehension, summary, grammar, spelling and writing skills and other such related areas to the disregard of oral communication skills. Many researchers have found the neglect of oral communication skills in the school curriculum as the major problem in the leaning of the English language. A survey of trends in the teaching and learning of the English language however reveals that the contention is much on the teaching of the English language as compared to its learning as most teachers of English are unqualified to teach English. Drawing from his experiences as a leaner and a teacher of the English language, the research explores in detail the problems and implications in the teaching and learning of the English language. The origin of the English language and its encounter with the diverse languages in Ghana are examined vis a vis its role in diverse facets in the Ghanaian society and new measures proposed for possible adjustments .
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
Taluah, A. R.
18th Great Writing International Conference. London Imperial College, 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.
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
Taluah, A. R., (2014). Mother. Gabriella Valera Gruber (Ed) 10th International Castello Di Duino Literary Conference. “I/You (Dialogue/ Love/ Friendship/ Hate/ Every type of otherness: Human and Environment). Trieste: Ibiskos Editrice Resolo.
Abstract
Today, last year The maker beckoned And you answered in haste With just a faint goodbye If tears could bring life Mother, you would have risen The moment you fell to death But here we stand Here we stand mother Memories as fresh as the morning dew Life succeeded you in length But you succeeded life in depth For your deeds drown a thousand gun salutes Mother, Amongst a host of gifts The maker did give me song And none the key to unlock deaths secrets So kindly accept this song From an infantile tongue To weave you into thoughts Remould you into generations Tell of a mother who was Born an antelope Yet took her time To learn the acumen of the panther You are a stain in our minds A scar in our hearts Even though you die You live
Today, last year The maker beckoned And you answered in haste With just a faint goodbye If tears could bring life Mother, you would have risen The moment you fell to death But here we stand Here we stand mother Memories as fresh as the morning dew Life succeeded you in length But you succeeded life in depth For your deeds drown a thousand gun salutes Mother, Amongst a host of gifts The maker did give me song And none the key to unlock deaths secrets So kindly accept this song From an infantile tongue To weave you into thoughts Remould you into generations Tell of a mother who was Born an antelope Yet took her time To learn the acumen of the panther You are a stain in our minds A scar in our hearts Even though you die You live
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
Taluah, A. R. (2015). Oral Traditions as Embodiments of Knowledge: The Case of the Kasena of North Eastern Ghana. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies., 2,
Abstract
Before the advent of the European, every existing African community had its own means of education. Like the Kasena, the worldview of most communities is inextricably woven into the fiber of their oral traditions. Kasena oral traditions express beliefs, values, ideas and other socio-cultural negotiations that depict their philosophy of life. Quite apart from the novelty of technique of Kasena oral traditions, they serve as road guides to their endeavors and offer a better understanding of the spiritual and mundane worlds. Oral traditions embody the sense of time, place and identity of the Kasena in this multicultural world. The ways and manner to practice good hygiene and conserve the environment are embodied in proverbs, whereas the code of conduct and several other social negotiations are carried in folktales and puzzles. However, in the wake of globalization and its attendants such as Christianity, formal education and rural-urban migration amongst a host of other factors, the role and purpose of Kasena oral traditions have taken a down turn. This article therefore seeks to bring to the fore the significant role of Kasena oral traditions in transmitting and maintaining indigenous knowledge. It further examines the negative toll globalization has on Kasena oral traditions.
Before the advent of the European, every existing African community had its own means of education. Like the Kasena, the worldview of most communities is inextricably woven into the fiber of their oral traditions. Kasena oral traditions express beliefs, values, ideas and other socio-cultural negotiations that depict their philosophy of life. Quite apart from the novelty of technique of Kasena oral traditions, they serve as road guides to their endeavors and offer a better understanding of the spiritual and mundane worlds. Oral traditions embody the sense of time, place and identity of the Kasena in this multicultural world. The ways and manner to practice good hygiene and conserve the environment are embodied in proverbs, whereas the code of conduct and several other social negotiations are carried in folktales and puzzles. However, in the wake of globalization and its attendants such as Christianity, formal education and rural-urban migration amongst a host of other factors, the role and purpose of Kasena oral traditions have taken a down turn. This article therefore seeks to bring to the fore the significant role of Kasena oral traditions in transmitting and maintaining indigenous knowledge. It further examines the negative toll globalization has on Kasena oral traditions.
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
Bonsu, F. R. K., Hope K. N., Abraham J. D. Nkrumah, I.E. (2014). Rice Husk as an alternative litter material on moisture absorbency, foot pad dermatitis and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens in hot humid environment. Ghana Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology, 3,
Abstract
A 5-week study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of rice husk as a litter material for broilers in hot humid environmental conditions. A total of two hundred and forty (240) hybrid COBB-500 broilers at age 3-weeks were used. There were four treatments and three replicates in a completely randomized design. Each replicate had 20 birds. The treatments were, 100% wood shavings (TW100%) which was the control,100% rice husk (TR100%), combinations of rice husk and wood shavings in the ratios 1:1 (50% TR), and 3:1 (75% TR). The data obtained were analysed using GenStat (2007). The initial moisture content of the litter materials showed that the unused TR100% had the lowest moisture content (8.49%) as compared to TW100% (11.2%). The density of TR100% (0.14gcm-3) was also higher than TW100% (0.08gcm-3). The results obtained showed that feed intake and final body weight were not significantly influenced by the litter material used. However water intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the litter treatments. Moisture absorbency of TR100% was higher (P<0.05) relative to other treatments and had least moisture at the end (< 40%). Birds reared on TW100% had more incidence of foot pad dermatitis (47%) and soiled (95%) as compared to the TR100% and TR75% but not TR50%. The relative smaller particle sizes and the high silicon content of the TR100% enhanced moisture management capacity and thus had a lower rate of litter decomposition than TW100%. Carcass characteristics were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the litter treatments. It was concluded that rice husk is a suitable alternative litter material for chickens without any detrimental effect on growth performance and health of chickens in hot and humid environments.
A 5-week study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of rice husk as a litter material for broilers in hot humid environmental conditions. A total of two hundred and forty (240) hybrid COBB-500 broilers at age 3-weeks were used. There were four treatments and three replicates in a completely randomized design. Each replicate had 20 birds. The treatments were, 100% wood shavings (TW100%) which was the control,100% rice husk (TR100%), combinations of rice husk and wood shavings in the ratios 1:1 (50% TR), and 3:1 (75% TR). The data obtained were analysed using GenStat (2007). The initial moisture content of the litter materials showed that the unused TR100% had the lowest moisture content (8.49%) as compared to TW100% (11.2%). The density of TR100% (0.14gcm-3) was also higher than TW100% (0.08gcm-3). The results obtained showed that feed intake and final body weight were not significantly influenced by the litter material used. However water intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the litter treatments. Moisture absorbency of TR100% was higher (P<0.05) relative to other treatments and had least moisture at the end (< 40%). Birds reared on TW100% had more incidence of foot pad dermatitis (47%) and soiled (95%) as compared to the TR100% and TR75% but not TR50%. The relative smaller particle sizes and the high silicon content of the TR100% enhanced moisture management capacity and thus had a lower rate of litter decomposition than TW100%. Carcass characteristics were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the litter treatments. It was concluded that rice husk is a suitable alternative litter material for chickens without any detrimental effect on growth performance and health of chickens in hot and humid environments.
Faculty of Agriculture EducationJul 16, 2015
