University of Cape Coast Journals
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Content matching of the syllabus and the official history textbook of senior high schools in Ghana: Content matching of the syllabus and the official history textbook of senior high schools in Ghana
No full textThe senior high school History syllabus was redesigned in 2010 to reflect the 2007 education reform in Ghana while the 1993 History textbook designed after 1987 education reform continue to be used to support the implementation of the 2010 History syllabus. Reasonably, it is important to investigate the alignment between the 2010 History syllabus and the 1993 official History textbook. This paper, therefore, examines the alignment between the History syllabus and its official textbook used in senior high schools in Ghana in the post-2007 reform era. The case study approach was employed, using a combination of in-depth interviews and content analysis to elicit the needed responses. It was found that there was a disconnect between the History syllabus and the official History textbook. The study also found that the official History textbook was perceived as not containing detailed information on the selected topics in the syllabus. The implications of the findings are discussed in the main text. It is recommended that curriculum developers must ensure both harmony between the two curriculum documents and a more comprehensive coverage of the selected topics in the official History textbook
Modelling Fiscal Sustainability in the Middle East and North African Region: A Pooled Mean Group Approach
Get PDFThis paper assesses the sustainability of fiscal policies in a panel of eight Middle East and North African countries over the period 1990 – 2010. Employing recent panel unit root and co-integration techniques, we find that fiscal policies are consistent with inter-temporal budget balance in accordance with the present value approach. The Pooled Mean Group estimator shows that there was no significant causality between government revenues and expenditures in the short-run. However, there is a long-run fiscal synchronization which demonstrates that fiscal sustainability strategies should aim at increasing revenues and cutting spending concurrently to avoid fiscal deficits and its attending problems such as high taxation, reduced savings and investments
Relationship between complications of disease, depression and quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana: Relationship between complications of disease, depression and quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana
No full textThis study sought to understand the relationship between depression, complication of disease and quality of life of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients in some selected hospitals in the Central Region of Ghana. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A sample of 307 Diabetes patients from 4 hospitals across the Central Region of Ghana were assessed using depression in Diabetes self-rating scale and the Diabetes 39 scales. The purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of the hospitals whilst the convenience sampling method was used for the selection of the participants. One-way analysis of variance and the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient were used in the analysis. The study revealed a significant difference between complications of disease and the quality of life of type 2 diabetic patients. It concluded that clinicians perform regular checks to quickly identify and treat complications that arise from the disease to reduce its physical and psychological effect. The need for parents and teachers to ensure that they take good care of their health in order to prevent diabetes and its effects on the education of learners was underscored
The internal consistency reliability of scores in diploma in basic education examination conducted by the institute of education, UCC, Ghana: The internal consistency reliability of scores in diploma in basic education examination conducted by the institute of education, UCC, Ghana
No full textThe purpose of the study was to determine the internal consistency reliability of the scores that students of Colleges of Education in Ghana obtain for the Diploma in Basic Education examination. The stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the scripts of 600 students for each examination paper from 12 Colleges of Education. The courses selected for the study were English (FDC121), Mathematics (FDC122) and Integrated Science (FDC124) whose examination was conducted in the second semester of the 2015/2016 academic year. Cronbach’s alpha was computed for the internal consistency reliability. The results showed a reasonably strong internal consistency indicating that candidates’ performance is reasonably consistent across items on each test paper and the items constituting a paper, to some extent, are homogeneous. However, it was observed that there was the need to improve upon the internal consistency of the scores. Consequently, it was recommended that the Institute of Education intensifies the orientation on test construction for item writers and conditions in the testing environment should be improved for efficient administration of the examinations
Influence of creativity, locus of control and risk tolerance on entrepreneurial inclinations of public university students in Nigeria: some implications for stakeholders: Influence of creativity, locus of control and risk tolerance on entrepreneurial inclinations of public university students in Nigeria: some implications for stakeholders
No full textThis study was conducted to determine the influence of three personality/psychological factors (creativity, locus of control and risk tolerance) on the entrepreneurial inclinations of public university students in Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to reach 2,930 students in three public universities in locations across the country that positioned them as a representative sample of the entire student body of the country. The Creativity, Locus of Control and Risk Tolerance Questionnaire (CLOCRITQ) and the Entrepreneurial Inclination Questionnaire (EIQ) were the instruments used to gather data for the study. The main data obtained were analyzed by using a stepwise multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that the three predictor variables had significant influence on entrepreneurial inclinations of students. Among the recommendations made is the need to reposition the economy towards entrepreneurial drive for job creation, wealth creation and global competitiveness of the Nigerian youths in general and the graduate in particular
Menu planners’ adherence to nutritional guidelines in menu planning in Osu, Ghana: Menu planners’ adherence to nutritional guidelines in menu planning in Osu, Ghana
No full textNutrition is a critical element in menu planning. Despite its important role, few empirical studies have attempted to link nutrition to menu planning. This paper explores the extent to which nutritional issues are considered in menu planning and menu planners’ adherence to nutritional guidelines. The study adopted an exploratory approach, using in-depth interviews to explore and collect qualitative data for the study. Four main themes were identified from the analysis: nutrition principles in menu planning, customers’ nutritional needs, the pyramid and the 3 food steps, and the adherence to requirements in nutritional guidelines. The menu planners’ knowledge on nutrition was mostly based on past experiences and learning on-the-job rather than the recommendation given in nutrition books or by expert. The study revealed that adherence to nutritional guidelines is almost overlooked when planning restaurant menus. This is as a result of the deficiency in nutrition awareness. This study, therefore, suggests that restaurant operators should create avenues for their kitchen staff to upgrade their knowledge in food and nutrition. There is also the need for dietitians to work closely together with foodservice operators to create and modify recipes that meet dietary guidelines
‘One David, Two Goliaths’: Microcredit as a tool for sustainable ecological sanitation and smallholder agriculture in Ghana: ‘One David, Two Goliaths’: Microcredit as a tool for sustainable ecological sanitation and smallholder agriculture in Ghana
No full textThis paper examines microcredit as a tool for ecological sanitation (EcoSan) and smallholder agriculture in Ghana. Employing a rapid review approach, and its associated review of existing literature, the paper argues that microcredit for sanitation has been proven to be an effective way (“David”) of dealing with sanitation and agriculture challenges (two “Goliaths”), when directed to the provision of ecological sanitation (compost toilets). Such approach has multiple benefits such as improved sanitation, clean environment, improved crop yield, food security, good health and poverty alleviation. Thus, ecological sanitation is both an economically and environmentally sustainable sanitation option since it has the added benefits of paying for itself through the fertilizer generated as its by-product, thereby improving food security and alleviating poverty as well as protecting the environment in the long run. The paper therefore implores microcredit institutions to engage in diversified lending approach, which seeks to target smallholder agricultural development through ecological sanitation provision. Though attitudes and perceptions have been identified as a major challenge for the acceptance of EcoSan toilets, it is argued that beliefs can be altered or replaced through better community engagement and open discussions about the benefits of EcoSan toilets as well as the relevance of using microcredit as a tool to motivate this change process
Effect of short term consumption of energy drink on physiological responses and physical performance variables of athletes in UCC: Effect of short term consumption of energy drink on physiological responses and physical performance variables of athletes in UCC
No full textCurrent research has shown varied results when comparing the effects of energy drink on anaerobic exercise measures. Athletes in Ghana have been using energy drink but hardly has any research been conducted on the effect this pre-exercise consumption has on their physical performance. The purpose of this study was to find out the effects of short-term consumption of energy drink on some blood pressure, heart rate, agility, lower body strength and upper body strength of athletes of the University of Cape Coast. To ascertain this, participants were taken through performance tests in a pre-test and a post-test. The intervention in this study was the consumption of 250ml of energy drink. Forty-four athletes (Age:22.32 ± 2.81 years, height: 167.2 ± 9.83 cm, weight: 61.12± 8.01 kg). Paired sample t test results showed no significant effect of energy drink consumption on systolic blood pressure (t = -0.78, p= 0.437), diastolic blood pressure (t = -0.91, p = 0.366), heart. rate (t = -030, p = 0.759) and lower body strength (t = 0.11, p =0.916). However, there were significant changes in agility (t =5.42, p = 0.001) and upper body strength (t = -2.79, p = 0.008). In view of this, athletes, trainers, and coaches could consider recommending the use of energy drink as a pre-exercise supplement, especially in events involving agility and upper body strength
Making weight for sports performance: implications for health of combat sport athletes in Nigeria: Making weight for sports performance: implications for health of combat sport athletes in Nigeria
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine implication of weightmaking practice (WMP) on health of combat sport athletes. Descriptive correlational design was used. The population comprised 80 combat sports athletes who participated in Kongfu, Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, Karate and Taekwondo in Kwara State of Nigeria. Sixty-four (64) of them (age range = 15 – 54 years; males n = 73.3% (44), weight 69.3 ± 10.6 kg and females n = 26.7% (20), weight 61.5 ± 11.6 kg) were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected using a researcher developed questionnaire, which was validated and tested for reliability (r = .86). The SPSS version 20.0-application software was used for statistical analyses. Frequency counts and percentage were used to describe demographic data; mean and standard deviation were used for describing body composition. Chi-square was used to analyse the association between WMP and health, one-way ANOVA for the effect of sport on WMP and health. Hypotheses were tested for statistical significance at 0.05 alpha level. There was significant association between WMP and general health 2 (1) = 4.158, p = .034; Cramer’s V = .27, p = .034; odds= 1.2. There was significant association between WMP and health. after competition 2 (1) = 8.531, p = .003; Cramer’s V = .38, p =.003; odds = 1.4. There was no significant association between WMP and health during competition 2 (1) = 2.347, p = .187. Type of sport significantly influenced WMP, F (5, 58) = 2.458, p = .004, 2 = 0.228(22.8%); general health F (5, 58) = 4.240, p = .003, 2 = 0.185(18.5%); and health after competition; F (5, 58) = 2.597, p =.035, 2 = 0.194 (19.4%). In conclusion, the participants’ WMP may lead to physiological deviations and long-term health consequences. It was recommended that combat athletes and their coaches should be educated about the long-term effects of WMP on health and sports performance of athletes. Input of Exercise and Sport Scientists is vital for best practices in weight making
Ghana’s tourism in perspective: historical trends, and the dynamics of philosophical orientation and industry performance.: Ghana’s tourism in perspective: historical trends, and the dynamics of philosophical orientation and industry performance.
No full textFrom the cottage industry that it was in colonial times, Ghana’s tourism has grown to become the country’s fourth highest foreign exchange earner, generating $2billion and employing about 350000 people annually. Though there have been many studies on the sector, those that focus on the country’s tourism growth trajectory and its inherent patterns are few and far between. But it is imperative to understand what type of developments have occurred, how this growth has evolved, and, perhaps, most importantly, the extent to which these changes have reflected different philosophical leanings of successive governments. To this end, the paper, using secondary data employs a fusion of Tourism Area Lifecycle Curve with a Political Economy approach to analyse existing demand and supply trends over the 1985-2014 period. The results suggest that the country’s tourism has evolved through 5 distinct stages so far, namely, the colonial era, early expansion, the first decline, renaissance and the current slowed growth. Each of these stages is marked by a unique combination of market indicators and governmentality. The findings suggest the possible existence of an association between government’s philosophical orientation (and by extension, intervention) and sector performance. It found, for example that tourism experienced higher growth in the era where the government adopted a hybrid philosophical approach which saw government being directly involved in product creation aside its regulatory and facilitative functions. It is recommended that the first step towards reviving the ailing fortunes of the tourism sector is to change the philosophical paradigm from the present laissez fairist approach towards the hybrid philosophical paradigm which encourages government to combine its entrepreneurial, facilitative and regulatory roles