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Kwantwi-Barima, F., Armah, S. K., Poku, R. E. & Appau, O. B. (2016). Paper reduction in the university of education, college of Agriculture Education, Mampong-Ashanti. International Journal of Education and Research, 4,
Abstract
This article seeks to highlight the numerous ways t hrough which work organisations can cut back on the use of paper, save money, increase efficiency and reduce green house gases. It analyses the qu antity of paper used in the various offices of the College of Agriculture Education of the University Education, Winneba juxtaposed with the percentage cost constituent of the College’s 2014 annual budget and the percentage of a fully grown tree consumed i n the production of the papers. The paper also analyses the cost effectiveness of automating organisational workplace as opposed to the traditional system with the use of scenarios and tables. The study made suggestions on how institutions could cut down o n the use of papers, make cost savings and sustain the environment.
This article seeks to highlight the numerous ways t hrough which work organisations can cut back on the use of paper, save money, increase efficiency and reduce green house gases. It analyses the qu antity of paper used in the various offices of the College of Agriculture Education of the University Education, Winneba juxtaposed with the percentage cost constituent of the College’s 2014 annual budget and the percentage of a fully grown tree consumed i n the production of the papers. The paper also analyses the cost effectiveness of automating organisational workplace as opposed to the traditional system with the use of scenarios and tables. The study made suggestions on how institutions could cut down o n the use of papers, make cost savings and sustain the environment.
Appau, O. B. (2016). Using Counselling to Improve Academic Performance of Students at the College of Agriculture Education of the University of Education, Winneba. International Journal of Educational Leadership, 6,
Abstract
This study was undertaken to assess the extent improved students’ counselling could contribute to academic achievements of students of the College of Agriculture Education of the University of Education, Winneba. Statistics of graduates from 2010 to 2013 for the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education and Integrated Science Education were collated and analysed using descriptive statistics. Besides this approach, the student counselling system in the College was observed over the same period. In doing this, a literature search on students’ academic success measures were equally done to compare with the students’ counselling system used at the College. It was found that most students did not know their academic counsellors; there were too many students to one counsellor; counsellors did not have adequate space for counseling. Consequently, it was recommended, among other things, that senior members (non-teaching) should be given the responsibility to counsel students so as to reduce the counsellor-counsellee ratio.
This study was undertaken to assess the extent improved students’ counselling could contribute to academic achievements of students of the College of Agriculture Education of the University of Education, Winneba. Statistics of graduates from 2010 to 2013 for the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education and Integrated Science Education were collated and analysed using descriptive statistics. Besides this approach, the student counselling system in the College was observed over the same period. In doing this, a literature search on students’ academic success measures were equally done to compare with the students’ counselling system used at the College. It was found that most students did not know their academic counsellors; there were too many students to one counsellor; counsellors did not have adequate space for counseling. Consequently, it was recommended, among other things, that senior members (non-teaching) should be given the responsibility to counsel students so as to reduce the counsellor-counsellee ratio.
Iddris, F. & Musa, A. M. (2016). The perception of Ghanaian students on teaching and learning at the College of Technology Education, University of Education, Winneba.. International Journal of Educational Leadership, 6,
Abstract
Asante, B., (2014). How Should We Live?. Weiler, J. Third Social Science Conference. Winneba: University of Education.
Abstract
What makes an action right or wrong? How do we determine this?What principles must we follow in this? The paper, following the dialectical method, rehearses the major answers that the ages have offered to this timeless question. It then selects deontological liberalism in which the officials rules supersede all parochial considerations-family, church, ethnic, political etc.- and in mundane relations, the rights and liberties of others should be sovereign. It bemoans the high tendency of Ghanaians to substitute personal considerations for official rules.
What makes an action right or wrong? How do we determine this?What principles must we follow in this? The paper, following the dialectical method, rehearses the major answers that the ages have offered to this timeless question. It then selects deontological liberalism in which the officials rules supersede all parochial considerations-family, church, ethnic, political etc.- and in mundane relations, the rights and liberties of others should be sovereign. It bemoans the high tendency of Ghanaians to substitute personal considerations for official rules.
Amoako-Gyampah K. A. & Kafui, O. T.
Social Science Conference: Developing Society through Human Security and Social Justice. Anamuah-Menash Auditorium, Winneba, Ghana 16th - 16th March
Paper presented:
The Ghanaian Mass Media, the Politics of Insult and the Burden of History
Abstract
The promulgation of the 1992 constitution ushered in several constitutional provisions and regulatory enactments that combined to produce a liberal, vociferous and proactive media landscape in Ghana. The combined efforts of the various media outlets, both privately-owned and state-owned, have not only served as watch-dog over government excesses, but have also served as a guardian of public interests, exposing corruption at all levels and acting as the conduit between the government and the governed. Yet, in recent times, there have been concerns that the Ghanaian media is becoming overly sensational, sleazy and superficial in its reportage. Above all there are concerns that the media front is increasingly serving partisan political ends as tools for hurling insults at political opponents, as typified particularly, by the two dominant political parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). As a result, the media appears to be sowing discord rather than concord, hate speech instead of sober debate and suspicion rather than social trust. This study attempts to contextualise the complicity of the mass media in serving as an avenue for the propagation and perpetuation of political insults in Ghana. Drawing evidence mainly from the print media, we will: (a) investigate the trajectory and context of political insults in Ghanaian Newspapers and (b) examine how Ghanaian newspapers report insults that are targeted at political actors. In order to present a more critical and nuanced analysis, we shall engage in content, contextual and inter-textual analysis of contents that are of the nature of political insults presented in newspapers. While we concede to the view that there has been preponderance of political insults peddled through the Ghanaian media under the fourth republic, we will contend that: (a) the use of insults are not new to Ghana’s political culture and that it even predates the colonial encounter. What is new, however, is the contrived, aggressive, and acrimonious motive implied in the present-day political insults. (b) That the incidence of political insults of the nature peddled through the media presently is traceable to the early part of 1950s – a period that epitomised aggressive politicking in the contemporary political history of Ghana.
The promulgation of the 1992 constitution ushered in several constitutional provisions and regulatory enactments that combined to produce a liberal, vociferous and proactive media landscape in Ghana. The combined efforts of the various media outlets, both privately-owned and state-owned, have not only served as watch-dog over government excesses, but have also served as a guardian of public interests, exposing corruption at all levels and acting as the conduit between the government and the governed. Yet, in recent times, there have been concerns that the Ghanaian media is becoming overly sensational, sleazy and superficial in its reportage. Above all there are concerns that the media front is increasingly serving partisan political ends as tools for hurling insults at political opponents, as typified particularly, by the two dominant political parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). As a result, the media appears to be sowing discord rather than concord, hate speech instead of sober debate and suspicion rather than social trust. This study attempts to contextualise the complicity of the mass media in serving as an avenue for the propagation and perpetuation of political insults in Ghana. Drawing evidence mainly from the print media, we will: (a) investigate the trajectory and context of political insults in Ghanaian Newspapers and (b) examine how Ghanaian newspapers report insults that are targeted at political actors. In order to present a more critical and nuanced analysis, we shall engage in content, contextual and inter-textual analysis of contents that are of the nature of political insults presented in newspapers. While we concede to the view that there has been preponderance of political insults peddled through the Ghanaian media under the fourth republic, we will contend that: (a) the use of insults are not new to Ghana’s political culture and that it even predates the colonial encounter. What is new, however, is the contrived, aggressive, and acrimonious motive implied in the present-day political insults. (b) That the incidence of political insults of the nature peddled through the media presently is traceable to the early part of 1950s – a period that epitomised aggressive politicking in the contemporary political history of Ghana.
Asante, B.
Department of History Seminar. Winneba, Ghana Jan 2016
Paper presented:
Twi Expressions of Liberalism
Abstract
Liberalism is generally perceived to be a Western culture, especially its so-called unbridled permissiveness. Against this background, the Paper examined a number of Twi expressions to verify the presence or otherwise of the liberal culture in Ghanaian culture and society. This was premised on the hypothesis that language is the essence of culture. It concluded that there is abundance of liberal ideas in Ghanaian culture as manifested in numerous Twi proverbs and sayings. Consequently, liberalism is not necessarily a Western culture; it is only a matter of degree.
Liberalism is generally perceived to be a Western culture, especially its so-called unbridled permissiveness. Against this background, the Paper examined a number of Twi expressions to verify the presence or otherwise of the liberal culture in Ghanaian culture and society. This was premised on the hypothesis that language is the essence of culture. It concluded that there is abundance of liberal ideas in Ghanaian culture as manifested in numerous Twi proverbs and sayings. Consequently, liberalism is not necessarily a Western culture; it is only a matter of degree.
Asante, B.
Developing Society Through Human Security and Social Justice. Jophus Anamoah-Mensah Auditorium March 15-16, 2016
Paper presented:
Will Ghana Ever Become Norway, South Korea, Singapore or Malaysia : A Historical Prophecy?
Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper sought to answer a perennial question that has been on the minds of Ghanaians since somewhere 1964, and which agitates the minds not only of Ghanaians but Africa as a whole. Combining elements of pure argumentation and deductions from the political history of Ghana, the paper identifies the fundamental problem of Ghana’s economy since independence as reliance on primary production whose prices fluctuate widely on the world market with a high tendency for the prices to take a downward swing and argues that it is only the right type of leadership rather than any other factor- e.g. foreign aid- that can deliver the nation from this predicament. It then goes ahead to situate this type of leadership theoretically and concludes on the optimistic note that such a leader is already present in every generation and given certain circumstances the person will emerge to salvage the nation. It is only the exact time that the paper cannot tell as it depends on human will. This optimism is predicated on a similar age-old problem that the nation once overcame through the right type of leader.
ABSTRACT This paper sought to answer a perennial question that has been on the minds of Ghanaians since somewhere 1964, and which agitates the minds not only of Ghanaians but Africa as a whole. Combining elements of pure argumentation and deductions from the political history of Ghana, the paper identifies the fundamental problem of Ghana’s economy since independence as reliance on primary production whose prices fluctuate widely on the world market with a high tendency for the prices to take a downward swing and argues that it is only the right type of leadership rather than any other factor- e.g. foreign aid- that can deliver the nation from this predicament. It then goes ahead to situate this type of leadership theoretically and concludes on the optimistic note that such a leader is already present in every generation and given certain circumstances the person will emerge to salvage the nation. It is only the exact time that the paper cannot tell as it depends on human will. This optimism is predicated on a similar age-old problem that the nation once overcame through the right type of leader.
Amoako-Gyampah K. A. (2015). STRIKING WHERE IT HURTS: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF GRADUATE TEACHERS STRIKES AND LABOUR RELATIONS IN GHANA’S PUBLIC EDUCATION SECTOR. African Review of Economics and Finance, 7,
Abstract
This article examines the 2005 and 2006 strike actions of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT). It seeks to investigate the root causes of teacher grievances during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s administration; government responses to these agitations; and, finally, to highlight significant contours of the political economy of labour relations in Ghana’s public education sector. It is demonstrated that, among other things, it was the lackadaisical attitude of government, the Education Ministry and the Ghana Education Service in resolving the teachers’ grievances that resulted in the 2005 and 2006 strikes. I also argue that the posturing of the government and its institutions in resolving the teacher’s grievances, once the strike had started, entrenched the attitudes of the striking teachers and prolonged the strike action. Government’s failure to stifle teacher’s discontent and find an amicable settlement resulted in legal pressure and threats of dismissal aimed at compelling the striking teachers to end their action. Government also attempted to drive a wedge between NAGRAT and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) by hiding behind the technicality of the use of the collective bargaining certificate in the education sector, and presented the strike action as a rift between GNAT and NAGRAT, rather than between NAGRAT and the government. Furthermore, government sought, subtly, to pitch the public (at least its sympathisers) against the striking teachers by constructing the strike action as politically inspired to discredit its administration. Primary sources used for the article were drawn from personal interviews, newspaper reports, observations, and official union documents, which include letters, memoranda and press releases.
This article examines the 2005 and 2006 strike actions of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT). It seeks to investigate the root causes of teacher grievances during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s administration; government responses to these agitations; and, finally, to highlight significant contours of the political economy of labour relations in Ghana’s public education sector. It is demonstrated that, among other things, it was the lackadaisical attitude of government, the Education Ministry and the Ghana Education Service in resolving the teachers’ grievances that resulted in the 2005 and 2006 strikes. I also argue that the posturing of the government and its institutions in resolving the teacher’s grievances, once the strike had started, entrenched the attitudes of the striking teachers and prolonged the strike action. Government’s failure to stifle teacher’s discontent and find an amicable settlement resulted in legal pressure and threats of dismissal aimed at compelling the striking teachers to end their action. Government also attempted to drive a wedge between NAGRAT and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) by hiding behind the technicality of the use of the collective bargaining certificate in the education sector, and presented the strike action as a rift between GNAT and NAGRAT, rather than between NAGRAT and the government. Furthermore, government sought, subtly, to pitch the public (at least its sympathisers) against the striking teachers by constructing the strike action as politically inspired to discredit its administration. Primary sources used for the article were drawn from personal interviews, newspaper reports, observations, and official union documents, which include letters, memoranda and press releases.
Sarpong, E. O., Apaak, D. & Dominic, O.L (2015). Reported Physical Activity Levels And Equipment Use As Predictors Of Body Composition Of Members In Ghanaian Fitness Clubs. Researchjournali’s Journal of Public Health, 1,
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Ghanaian adults‟ self-reported physical activity and exercise equipment use reflected their fitness levels in body composition as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage (BFP) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio(WHR) using the descriptive correlational study design. The population for the study was all the 40 registered Fitness Clubs in the Western Region of Ghana with an accessible population of 550 members. A total of Fifty-Five (55) respondents were randomly selected as the sample using the Proportionate Sampling by Size Technique .Data was collected through a researcher-designed Structured Questionnaire which was validated by three experts that elicited information from members on reported level of physical activity and equipment use. Standardized measurements of BMI, WHR and BFP were used to assess body composition. Inferential statistics of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient and Stepwise Regression analysis were employed to test three hypotheses that were generated at a significant level of 0.05. Findings of this study revealed that there were no significant relationship between body composition and reported physical activity and equipment use among apparently healthy Ghanaian adults in fitness clubs; also the independent variables were not significant predictors of body composition. Based on the findings it was recommended that physical fitness specialists should depend on reliable and objective recall measures than self-reports in assessing fitness parameters, again investigation into the effects of other factors like age, gender, dietary patterns that may predict body composition among adults should be the focus of future research. Keywords: Apparently Healthy Adults; Body Composition; Health-related Physical Fitness Components; Obesity; Physical activity
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Ghanaian adults‟ self-reported physical activity and exercise equipment use reflected their fitness levels in body composition as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage (BFP) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio(WHR) using the descriptive correlational study design. The population for the study was all the 40 registered Fitness Clubs in the Western Region of Ghana with an accessible population of 550 members. A total of Fifty-Five (55) respondents were randomly selected as the sample using the Proportionate Sampling by Size Technique .Data was collected through a researcher-designed Structured Questionnaire which was validated by three experts that elicited information from members on reported level of physical activity and equipment use. Standardized measurements of BMI, WHR and BFP were used to assess body composition. Inferential statistics of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient and Stepwise Regression analysis were employed to test three hypotheses that were generated at a significant level of 0.05. Findings of this study revealed that there were no significant relationship between body composition and reported physical activity and equipment use among apparently healthy Ghanaian adults in fitness clubs; also the independent variables were not significant predictors of body composition. Based on the findings it was recommended that physical fitness specialists should depend on reliable and objective recall measures than self-reports in assessing fitness parameters, again investigation into the effects of other factors like age, gender, dietary patterns that may predict body composition among adults should be the focus of future research. Keywords: Apparently Healthy Adults; Body Composition; Health-related Physical Fitness Components; Obesity; Physical activity
Sarpong, E.O. & Apaak, D. (2016). Assessing the Predictors of the Content and Pedagogical Knowledge of Fitness Instructors in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Journal of Education and Practice, 7,
Abstract
Fitness centers require professional instructors to ensure members obtain the safest and most effective exercise classes. Certification and licensure enable fitness instructors to demonstrate a strong desire to be knowledgeable and committed to expand their capabilities and offer more diverse services to their clientele. This study therefore sought to determine whether fitness instructors in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana had the needed professional competence required to be effective as instructors. A descriptive correlational research design was used for the study. A total of 18 instructors were purposively selected from an accessible population of 45. A researcher designed appraisal questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Three hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed no significant relationship existed between highest academic qualification (HAQ) (‘r’ = .427, p = .077), area of study (AoS) (‘r’ = -.385, p = .115, as well as years of experience (YoE) and level of knowledge (‘r’ = .192, p = .444) all 2-tailed. It was concluded that academic qualification, area of study and years of experience did significantly relate with the level of knowledge suggesting that the instructors’ lack of training, certification and licensure culminated into their low levels of current knowledge in fitness instruction. It was recommended that the National Association for all Sports, Ghana and other stakeholders should develop a national plan for the training, certification and licensure of Fitness Instructors in Ghana. Keywords: fitness instructor, pedagogical knowledge, training, certification,
Fitness centers require professional instructors to ensure members obtain the safest and most effective exercise classes. Certification and licensure enable fitness instructors to demonstrate a strong desire to be knowledgeable and committed to expand their capabilities and offer more diverse services to their clientele. This study therefore sought to determine whether fitness instructors in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana had the needed professional competence required to be effective as instructors. A descriptive correlational research design was used for the study. A total of 18 instructors were purposively selected from an accessible population of 45. A researcher designed appraisal questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Three hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed no significant relationship existed between highest academic qualification (HAQ) (‘r’ = .427, p = .077), area of study (AoS) (‘r’ = -.385, p = .115, as well as years of experience (YoE) and level of knowledge (‘r’ = .192, p = .444) all 2-tailed. It was concluded that academic qualification, area of study and years of experience did significantly relate with the level of knowledge suggesting that the instructors’ lack of training, certification and licensure culminated into their low levels of current knowledge in fitness instruction. It was recommended that the National Association for all Sports, Ghana and other stakeholders should develop a national plan for the training, certification and licensure of Fitness Instructors in Ghana. Keywords: fitness instructor, pedagogical knowledge, training, certification,
