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Mensah, R. E. A., Esia-Donkoh, K., & Quansah, D. K. (2020). Instructional supervision as perceived by teachers in public basic schools in Pokuase Education Circuit in the Ga-North Municipality, Ghana. European Journal of Education Studies, 7,
Abstract
This study investigated the perception of teachers on instructional supervision in public basic schools in the Pokuase Education Circuit in the Ga-North Municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study, which was underpinned by the pragmatist philosophical viewpoint, adopted the convergent mixed method approach. With simple random and convenience sampling techniques, 142 participants and 10 participants were obtained for the quantitative and qualitative phases of this study respectively. All categories of items in the questionnaire had Cronbach’s alpha reliability index of 0.7 and above. The trustworthiness of the semi-structured interview guide was ensured by considering credibility transferability, dependability, confirmability, and authenticity. With the aid of Version 20 of Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS), the quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation). The qualitative data were analysed using thematic approach. It was found out that the respondents perceived the clinical supervision as the most frequently used instructional supervisory practice. Cordial interpersonal relationship was perceived by the teachers as the most benefit of instructional supervision. Supervisor incompetence, supervisor work overload, and inadequate training for supervisors were identified as the top three challenges faced in the practice of instructional supervision. Among the suggestions made to improve instructional supervision in public basic schools in the Pokuase Education Circuit were training of instructional supervisors and sanctioning unprofessional conduct of instructional supervisors. Among the recommendations is that the Ga-North Municipal Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service should organize regular in-service training for the supervisors to equip them in the use of mixed instructional supervisory types in the schools. Keywords: instructional supervision, types, benefits, challenges, measures
This study investigated the perception of teachers on instructional supervision in public basic schools in the Pokuase Education Circuit in the Ga-North Municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study, which was underpinned by the pragmatist philosophical viewpoint, adopted the convergent mixed method approach. With simple random and convenience sampling techniques, 142 participants and 10 participants were obtained for the quantitative and qualitative phases of this study respectively. All categories of items in the questionnaire had Cronbach’s alpha reliability index of 0.7 and above. The trustworthiness of the semi-structured interview guide was ensured by considering credibility transferability, dependability, confirmability, and authenticity. With the aid of Version 20 of Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS), the quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation). The qualitative data were analysed using thematic approach. It was found out that the respondents perceived the clinical supervision as the most frequently used instructional supervisory practice. Cordial interpersonal relationship was perceived by the teachers as the most benefit of instructional supervision. Supervisor incompetence, supervisor work overload, and inadequate training for supervisors were identified as the top three challenges faced in the practice of instructional supervision. Among the suggestions made to improve instructional supervision in public basic schools in the Pokuase Education Circuit were training of instructional supervisors and sanctioning unprofessional conduct of instructional supervisors. Among the recommendations is that the Ga-North Municipal Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service should organize regular in-service training for the supervisors to equip them in the use of mixed instructional supervisory types in the schools. Keywords: instructional supervision, types, benefits, challenges, measures
Esia-Donkoh, K. (2020). Undergraduate sandwich students’ conceptualisation of leadership. International Journal of Psychology and Education, 4,
Abstract
The study adopted the cross-sectional survey design to investigate how sandwich students of the Department of Basic Education, University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ghana, conceptualise leadership. It also sought to determine differences in how the students conceptualise leadership based on their sex, age, and level/professional status. Adopting a census sampling technique, 140 students were obtained for the study. A questionnaire made up of six sub-scales of leadership emphasis (trait, ability, skill, behaviour, relationship, and influence), was used to collect quantitative data. The instrument had a reliability co-efficient of 0.78. The findings from the main study revealed that the sandwich students mostly conceptualised leadership as a skill, while relationship was the least conceptualised leadership sub-scale. Apart from a statistically significant difference in means observed for influence emphasis based on sex of the students, no statistically significant differences in means were observed for the remaining five leadership sub-scales based on the students’ age, and level/professional status. It was concluded that the sandwich students have varying opinions in understanding leadership based on their different experiences in leadership situations. The findings are valuable for the lecturers of the department in understanding how sandwich students conceptualise leadership. Thus, the use of use of scenarios, case studies, role-plays, school visits, and hands on activities during lectures will enhance the students’ understanding of contemporary leadership through promotion of values such as collaboration, teamwork, independent study, critical thinking, and empowerment. Accordingly, the findings will contribute to the body of knowledge in terms of students’ conceptualisation of the concept of leadership in the 21st century. Keywords: Conceptualising Leadership, Trait, Ability, Behaviour, Skill, Relationship, Influence
The study adopted the cross-sectional survey design to investigate how sandwich students of the Department of Basic Education, University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ghana, conceptualise leadership. It also sought to determine differences in how the students conceptualise leadership based on their sex, age, and level/professional status. Adopting a census sampling technique, 140 students were obtained for the study. A questionnaire made up of six sub-scales of leadership emphasis (trait, ability, skill, behaviour, relationship, and influence), was used to collect quantitative data. The instrument had a reliability co-efficient of 0.78. The findings from the main study revealed that the sandwich students mostly conceptualised leadership as a skill, while relationship was the least conceptualised leadership sub-scale. Apart from a statistically significant difference in means observed for influence emphasis based on sex of the students, no statistically significant differences in means were observed for the remaining five leadership sub-scales based on the students’ age, and level/professional status. It was concluded that the sandwich students have varying opinions in understanding leadership based on their different experiences in leadership situations. The findings are valuable for the lecturers of the department in understanding how sandwich students conceptualise leadership. Thus, the use of use of scenarios, case studies, role-plays, school visits, and hands on activities during lectures will enhance the students’ understanding of contemporary leadership through promotion of values such as collaboration, teamwork, independent study, critical thinking, and empowerment. Accordingly, the findings will contribute to the body of knowledge in terms of students’ conceptualisation of the concept of leadership in the 21st century. Keywords: Conceptualising Leadership, Trait, Ability, Behaviour, Skill, Relationship, Influence
Esia-Donkoh, K., & Quansah, D. K. (2021). Leadership styles of principals based on setting, zone, and location of public colleges of education in Ghana. Education Quarterly Reviews, 4,
Abstract
This study investigated the leadership styles of principals in public Colleges of Education (CoEs) in Ghana based on the setting, zone and location of the colleges. The quantitative method of the cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The census sampling technique was employed to obtain 38 principals for the study. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) by Bass and Avolio (2004) was adapted to collect data from the principals. Means, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA were utilised in analysing the data. The descriptive analysis established that genrally, principals of public CoEs in Ghana mostly used transformational leadership style as compared to transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles. The inferential analyses also revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in the leadership styles of the principals based on setting, zone and location of the colleges. Among the recommendations is that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), formerly known as the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), should consider competence when selecting and appointing principals and not the setting, zone and location of public CoEs because generally, these variables did not statistically significantly determine the leadership styles adopted by the principals. Key words: leadership styles, principals, setting of college, zone of college, location of college
This study investigated the leadership styles of principals in public Colleges of Education (CoEs) in Ghana based on the setting, zone and location of the colleges. The quantitative method of the cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The census sampling technique was employed to obtain 38 principals for the study. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) by Bass and Avolio (2004) was adapted to collect data from the principals. Means, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA were utilised in analysing the data. The descriptive analysis established that genrally, principals of public CoEs in Ghana mostly used transformational leadership style as compared to transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles. The inferential analyses also revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in the leadership styles of the principals based on setting, zone and location of the colleges. Among the recommendations is that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), formerly known as the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), should consider competence when selecting and appointing principals and not the setting, zone and location of public CoEs because generally, these variables did not statistically significantly determine the leadership styles adopted by the principals. Key words: leadership styles, principals, setting of college, zone of college, location of college
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y.
Dislocating Urban Studies Workshop 2 - Section presented: places “off the map”: bringing to light the hidden locations of urbanization. Organize by the Institute of Urban Research (IUR). University of Helsinki/Virtual 18th to 19th March
Paper presented:
How the Urban Poor Define Preferred Places, Accra’s Old Fadama Slum Dwellers Case
Abstract
The inability of the Ghana government to provide homes for its low-income citizens have forced many urban dwellers to rent ‘cheap’ homes in poor communities or become care takers of uncompleted houses. Old Fadama, the largest squatter-slum community in Ghana is an example of a poor community which accommodate most migrants in Accra, especially those migrating from Northern Ghana. The paper explores Old Fadama as a preferred space of urban dwelling in Accra for most poor people despites its ‘slummic’ nature. It is an alternative dwelling to the normal dwelling spaces for the average urban dweller in Accra and this is evidenced in this case as not a matter of choice, but rather one of necessity. The influx of rural migrants from the North produced a housing scarcity in Accra which has yet to be adequately addressed by state actors at either urban or national levels. The poor migrants need shelter and when they found the formal housing market to be inaccessible, they had to look elsewhere. The vacant, waterlogged tract of land now known as Old Fadama is one of the places the poor immigrants can access. Deprived of even the most basic services and infrastructures, residents are not only neglected but also vilified as squatters and parasites by state authorities and media alike. Instead of sinking into complete chaos, however, the slum has gradually been transformed into a self-governing community existing and evolving in spite of formal neglect and vilification. The paper makes a contribution to knowledge in that the urban poor largely settle on their preffered places not because of amenities and good housing conditiond but to them, any place they can ‘get-by’ regardless of the environment is readily preffered by them. A key finding of the paper is how local associations directly influence access to general housing resources.
The inability of the Ghana government to provide homes for its low-income citizens have forced many urban dwellers to rent ‘cheap’ homes in poor communities or become care takers of uncompleted houses. Old Fadama, the largest squatter-slum community in Ghana is an example of a poor community which accommodate most migrants in Accra, especially those migrating from Northern Ghana. The paper explores Old Fadama as a preferred space of urban dwelling in Accra for most poor people despites its ‘slummic’ nature. It is an alternative dwelling to the normal dwelling spaces for the average urban dweller in Accra and this is evidenced in this case as not a matter of choice, but rather one of necessity. The influx of rural migrants from the North produced a housing scarcity in Accra which has yet to be adequately addressed by state actors at either urban or national levels. The poor migrants need shelter and when they found the formal housing market to be inaccessible, they had to look elsewhere. The vacant, waterlogged tract of land now known as Old Fadama is one of the places the poor immigrants can access. Deprived of even the most basic services and infrastructures, residents are not only neglected but also vilified as squatters and parasites by state authorities and media alike. Instead of sinking into complete chaos, however, the slum has gradually been transformed into a self-governing community existing and evolving in spite of formal neglect and vilification. The paper makes a contribution to knowledge in that the urban poor largely settle on their preffered places not because of amenities and good housing conditiond but to them, any place they can ‘get-by’ regardless of the environment is readily preffered by them. A key finding of the paper is how local associations directly influence access to general housing resources.
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y.
2021 American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting. Real Estate, Finance and Urban Development (2): The Housing Financialization/Affordability Nexus. University of North Alabama/Virtual 7th to 11th April
Paper presented:
Conceptualising the injustices in the Ghanaian Housing Rental System
Abstract
Policy-makers globally are concerned about severe housing challenges experience in cities of the developing world. This paper examines the rental housing situation in Ghana and how it reflects an aspect of urban social and economic injustices. Housing shortages for the masses in Ghana is widely published in the literature. Also, widely discussed in the literature is the issue of high amount of advance payment of rents in the country. The amount demanded by landlords/ladies as advanced rent payment usually does not base on any theoretical or empirical bases and justification in relation to people’s income. Severe rental housing pressures and conflicting relations between tenants and property owners is rooted in asymmetrical perceptions regarding the rental system in Ghana. This is reflected in a World Bank report in 1999 to the effect that Ghana has the highest house-price to income ratio among selected Third-World countries it conducted a study on rent payments. The research therefore, focuses on the sources of funding for the high advanced rent payments made by tenants in Ghana and the struggles thereof tenants regularly undergo to pay their rents. The study uses examples from different tenants across the country through a survey conducted using a semi-structured interview guide sent to respondents on virtual group platforms. It uses the mixed method approach to analyze the findings and to conceptualize rental struggles in Ghana and its role in deepening social and economic injustices in Ghanaian Cities.
Policy-makers globally are concerned about severe housing challenges experience in cities of the developing world. This paper examines the rental housing situation in Ghana and how it reflects an aspect of urban social and economic injustices. Housing shortages for the masses in Ghana is widely published in the literature. Also, widely discussed in the literature is the issue of high amount of advance payment of rents in the country. The amount demanded by landlords/ladies as advanced rent payment usually does not base on any theoretical or empirical bases and justification in relation to people’s income. Severe rental housing pressures and conflicting relations between tenants and property owners is rooted in asymmetrical perceptions regarding the rental system in Ghana. This is reflected in a World Bank report in 1999 to the effect that Ghana has the highest house-price to income ratio among selected Third-World countries it conducted a study on rent payments. The research therefore, focuses on the sources of funding for the high advanced rent payments made by tenants in Ghana and the struggles thereof tenants regularly undergo to pay their rents. The study uses examples from different tenants across the country through a survey conducted using a semi-structured interview guide sent to respondents on virtual group platforms. It uses the mixed method approach to analyze the findings and to conceptualize rental struggles in Ghana and its role in deepening social and economic injustices in Ghanaian Cities.
Daniel Tackie-Aboi and Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu
Regions in Recovering: The Future of Urban Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Virtual 2nd to 18th June, 2021
Paper presented:
Transforming Livelihoods and Land Cover Depletion in Peri-urban Ghana. A Case of Ga Central Municipality
Abstract
The work of human activities and its rapid effects on the land and the environment especially in neighbouring districts around cities like Accra cannot be overlooked. The purpose of the study was to assess the transforming livelihood strategies of residents of Ablekuma, Agape and Gonse. The study also ascertained the effects of the livelihood strategies changes on the extent of land cover changes. The sustainable livelihood and human-environment system concepts were combined to study assets and livelihood strategies changes residents relied on for survival in their communities. A mixed-method approach to research using the cross-sectional and case study designs was applied in the study. Three hundred and nine respondents answered questionnaires and 40 key informants, interviewed in the communities. The main findings of the study were that the dominant land cover in the three communities had gone through changes over the years, from 1991 to 2018. The study concluded that, the shift to other economic activities other than Agriculture is predominant in the study communities. The study policy recommendation is that local assemblies should encourage residents to plant in their homes, a required minimum number of trees to improve the biodiversity of the environment.
The work of human activities and its rapid effects on the land and the environment especially in neighbouring districts around cities like Accra cannot be overlooked. The purpose of the study was to assess the transforming livelihood strategies of residents of Ablekuma, Agape and Gonse. The study also ascertained the effects of the livelihood strategies changes on the extent of land cover changes. The sustainable livelihood and human-environment system concepts were combined to study assets and livelihood strategies changes residents relied on for survival in their communities. A mixed-method approach to research using the cross-sectional and case study designs was applied in the study. Three hundred and nine respondents answered questionnaires and 40 key informants, interviewed in the communities. The main findings of the study were that the dominant land cover in the three communities had gone through changes over the years, from 1991 to 2018. The study concluded that, the shift to other economic activities other than Agriculture is predominant in the study communities. The study policy recommendation is that local assemblies should encourage residents to plant in their homes, a required minimum number of trees to improve the biodiversity of the environment.
• Mensah, B., Darkwa, I. O., Bonful, E. Y., Tuu, M. B., Sanda, M. & Danso-Wiredu, E. Y. (2020). Patterns of Land Use Activities in Ghana’s Secondary Cities. Ghana Journal of Geography. AJOL, 12,
Abstract
Ghana is rapidly urbanizing. This urbanization has resulted in villages growing into towns and towns into urbanized areas. Theories and models have been employed to explain the internal structure of urban areas, especially, with respect to land use variations. These models started with the classical urban land use models in America. Urban scholars in Africa have struggled to fit the development of the African cities into these classical models. They have therefore called for African scholars to develop models for urban land use in Africa. This paper sought to identify the common patterns of land use activities which shape the internal structure of Ghana’s secondary cities. The study employed Geographic Information System (GIS) as a major tool of analysis in explaining the patterns in urban areas. This is augmented with in-depth ground observations of the study areas. The findings of the study showed the absence of homogeneity in most of the sectors and undefined industrial zones as contradictions to the classical models. The study further revealed that residential zones were not fully occupied by either lower income, middle income, or higher income residence. The income groups may only dominate in a given sector. Based on the findings, a common pattern is proposed to represent the land uses within the selected secondary cities in Ghana.
Ghana is rapidly urbanizing. This urbanization has resulted in villages growing into towns and towns into urbanized areas. Theories and models have been employed to explain the internal structure of urban areas, especially, with respect to land use variations. These models started with the classical urban land use models in America. Urban scholars in Africa have struggled to fit the development of the African cities into these classical models. They have therefore called for African scholars to develop models for urban land use in Africa. This paper sought to identify the common patterns of land use activities which shape the internal structure of Ghana’s secondary cities. The study employed Geographic Information System (GIS) as a major tool of analysis in explaining the patterns in urban areas. This is augmented with in-depth ground observations of the study areas. The findings of the study showed the absence of homogeneity in most of the sectors and undefined industrial zones as contradictions to the classical models. The study further revealed that residential zones were not fully occupied by either lower income, middle income, or higher income residence. The income groups may only dominate in a given sector. Based on the findings, a common pattern is proposed to represent the land uses within the selected secondary cities in Ghana.
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y., & Poku, A. (2020). . Family Compound Housing System Losing Its Value in Ghana: A Threat to Future Housing of the Poor, 17,
Abstract
The family compound housing system in Ghana ensures both nuclear and extended family live in the same house and have reciprocal relationships. It is a social safety net that prevents homelessness in Ghana. The rent-free compound housing remains predominant in rural areas and indigenous parts of the cities. However, many Ghanaians prefer to live in single-family houses rather than the family compounds, resulting in a gradual reduction in the number of family compound houses. Based on a study conducted in four communities, the article uses a qualitative approach, with social capital theory as the analytical basis for the research, to investigate why most Ghanaians now wish to live outside their family homes. Based on the findings, the article questions the future of housing the poor in Ghana if the family compound housing system collapses and suggests a rental form of compound housing as a new policy for the state.
The family compound housing system in Ghana ensures both nuclear and extended family live in the same house and have reciprocal relationships. It is a social safety net that prevents homelessness in Ghana. The rent-free compound housing remains predominant in rural areas and indigenous parts of the cities. However, many Ghanaians prefer to live in single-family houses rather than the family compounds, resulting in a gradual reduction in the number of family compound houses. Based on a study conducted in four communities, the article uses a qualitative approach, with social capital theory as the analytical basis for the research, to investigate why most Ghanaians now wish to live outside their family homes. Based on the findings, the article questions the future of housing the poor in Ghana if the family compound housing system collapses and suggests a rental form of compound housing as a new policy for the state.
• Danso-Wiredu, E. Y., & Sanda, M (2021). Environmental Dynamism: Increasing Housing Needs in Urban Ghana and Vegetation Sustainability. Environment, Space, Place, 13,
Abstract
The increasing needs for housing in Ghana are a result of urbanisation which is also a sign of improvement in the socio-economic lives of the people. Building of houses usually replaces prime vegetation land. The rate of indiscriminate devegetation for housing purpose in Ghana is as a result of the lack of a comprehensive land use policy implementation in the country. It is clearly stated in the country’s land use policy that ‘the principle of optimum usage for all types of land uses will be assured by the state and that, the state will ensure every socio economic activity is consistent with sound land use through sustainable land use planning in the long-term. But, evidence in the country is contrary to what is stipulated in the land use policy document. The study therefore, contributes to the environment-spatial land use conflict debate. It does this by focusing on the fast rate at which agricultural land at the fringes of urban Ghana is mainly used for housing purposes. It uses Accra and Tamale as examples to argue that if the content of the land use policy is not implemented to minimise the excessive devegetation for housing, the country stands the chance of losing utterly, its natural vegetation, especially, the forest vegetation. With the help of old maps, GIS and researchers’ observations, the study describes how the land use cover in areas close to the cities of Accra and Tamale has largely been replaced by housing. It ends by advocating sound sustainable housing typologies which will reduce the rate of devegetation in the country..
The increasing needs for housing in Ghana are a result of urbanisation which is also a sign of improvement in the socio-economic lives of the people. Building of houses usually replaces prime vegetation land. The rate of indiscriminate devegetation for housing purpose in Ghana is as a result of the lack of a comprehensive land use policy implementation in the country. It is clearly stated in the country’s land use policy that ‘the principle of optimum usage for all types of land uses will be assured by the state and that, the state will ensure every socio economic activity is consistent with sound land use through sustainable land use planning in the long-term. But, evidence in the country is contrary to what is stipulated in the land use policy document. The study therefore, contributes to the environment-spatial land use conflict debate. It does this by focusing on the fast rate at which agricultural land at the fringes of urban Ghana is mainly used for housing purposes. It uses Accra and Tamale as examples to argue that if the content of the land use policy is not implemented to minimise the excessive devegetation for housing, the country stands the chance of losing utterly, its natural vegetation, especially, the forest vegetation. With the help of old maps, GIS and researchers’ observations, the study describes how the land use cover in areas close to the cities of Accra and Tamale has largely been replaced by housing. It ends by advocating sound sustainable housing typologies which will reduce the rate of devegetation in the country..
Bridging transportation researchers (BTR) conference*Enoch F Sam*Senior Lecturer*Transportation Research Board (TRB)*Virtual*11 August 2020*12 August 2020
