University of Education, Winneba Online Journal System
Not a member yet
347 research outputs found
Sort by
FROM BULA MATARI TO BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA: AN ETHNOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF EUPHEMISMS IN A. B. CRENTSIL’S MOSES
Get PDFThe present paper is an ethnolinguistic analysis of the euphemisms employed in the lyrics of A. B. Crentsil’s highife music titled Moses. Studies on avoidance strategies in Akan songs have not been given much attention. Meanwhile, it is a fact that listeners are exposed to sexual messages in Akan songs and regardless of the extent of civilization and education that individuals have been exposed to, issues about sexuality and sexual taboos still have strong cultural inclinations. After transcribing the song Moses from an audiotape and translating it into English, the artiste was interviewed. The lyrics of the song are categorized and coded. Constructs of ethnography of communication and conceptual metaphor and metonymy theories are employed to analyze data retrieved. It was discovered that in an attempt to avoid breaking sex related taboos, show communicative competence and linguistic politeness, A. B. Crentsil euphemizes unmentionables in Akan and uses strategies like insinuatory and appellative naming, borrowing and circumlocution as avoidance strategies. Embedded in the said strategies are elements like metaphors, metonyms, and allusion. We affirm that the language of a given people and their culture go hand in hand in communicative events. Among the Akan, sex and its related activities continue to be conceptualized as sacred therefore, various strategies must be employed to communicate them
NASALISATION AND NASAL ASSIMILATION IN AKAN
Get PDFThis paper discusses nasal consonant assimilation in Akan (Niger-Congo, Kwa language). The paper demonstrates that nasal consonant assimilation in Akan can be local, homorganic (partial), and total. The underlying voiced alveolar nasal /n/ surfaces with the initial consonant of the following stem word to give a homorganic or nasal sound. The paper shows that among the three major dialects of Akan (Fante, Asante, and Akuapem), Fante exhibits only place (homorganic) assimilation, while Asante and Akuapem demonstrate both place (homorganic) and manner assimilation. Moreover, the paper establishes that nasal consonant assimilation in Akan is adjacent, partial, complete (total), bidirectional, and is either regressive or reciprocal. Nasal consonant assimilation in Akan occurs mainly in the domains of stems, compound words, plural formation, negation, imperative, and reduplication constructions. Therefore, this paper contributes to the typology of consonant-consonant assimilations that occur in Akan, that is, nasal place assimilation, and total consonant assimilation. We formalized our discussions within the theoretical framework of Feature Geometry (FG) Phonology
SOME NZEMA PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS AS PORTRAYED IN THEIR PROVERBS
No full textThis paper looks into some philosophical issues portrayed in Nzema proverbs. The paper discusses the Nzema conceptualisation of divinity, death, the afterlife, human relations, cause and effect, and hard work. The paper argues that proverbs are crucial as they are an embodiment of Nzema traditional beliefs and preservers of desirable human conduct in Nzema society. These philosophies serve as the basis of the Nzema belief system on which many of their socio-cultural norms are grounded. Twenty-one proverbs were purposively collected from both primary and secondary sources. While primary data was taken from natural conversations on given topics and during arbitration, secondary data on the other hand was sourced from literature on Nzema proverbs. The paper first considers the existence of God and other spirits from the perspective of the Nzema as reflected in their proverbs and their bearing on Nzema religious beliefs. It is shown that the Nzema had grounded beliefs about a Supreme Being ‘God’ long before the arrival of Christian missionaries. The paper also highlights some important virtues that need to be pursued in order to be accepted in the Nzema society. These virtues, when followed, yield beneficial results to the individual.
Health and Safety Standards of Nigerian Nursery/Primary Schools: An Assessment from Teachers' Perspective
Get PDFThe rate at which a child can learn or how much he/she can learn depends on genetic factors and the quality of environment. This work assessed the enforcement of health and safety standards in the Nigerian nursery/primary school environment. Ninety-seven (97) teachers, drawn from the three Senatorial districts of Ogun State, Nigeria, constituted the sample. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used and complemented with direct school observations. The study found that classroom spaces and facilities for play and related activities in the 20 schools (10 public, 10 private) visited did not meet the specified minimum standards for establishing and operating nursery/primary schools in Nigeria. Teachers’ perspectives on health and safety standards were significantly related to ownership of school (public/private), year established, teaching experience and class size. However, location of school (rural/urban), gender (male/female), and class taught (nursery/primary) did not significantly relate to the perspectives of the teachers. Overall, the supervisory roles of the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) officials were perceived by the teachers as not strong enough in enforcing health and safety standards. Among other things, the study calls for the review and enforcement of the Guidelines on Pre-Primary Education (FME, 1987) in line with the global best practices
COVID-19 and the Borderlands in Africa: Some Reflections on Ghana’s Approach
Get PDFThe outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought disruption to the economic and social lives of nations and people across the globe. In Africa, the pandemic has exposed the weak capacity of the African state to respond to emergencies of such magnitude and nature. In the attempt to contain the spread of the virus, many African governments closed their external borders and locked town cities or centres of larger population concentration, which were having high levels of infection. Governments have also taken measures to address the social and economic impacts of the pandemic on their populations. Using Ghana as a case study and a qualitative research approach, this paper argues that the policies adopted to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of covid-19 in Ghana has rather reinforced the vulnerabilities and marginalisation of borderland populations. It is argued that the closure of the land borders has disrupted the border economy, which sustains border populations. The disruption of the border economy has contributed to aggravating the deprivation and marginalisation of borderland populations. Securitization of border security under covid-19 and failure to engage with border people have resulted in the pursuit of policies that are befuddled with contradictions in terms of intent and results in border areas. Thus, while attempting to mitigate the socio-economic impact on poor and marginalised people, Covid-19 policies have contributed to penetrating the evil they sort to cure in border area
Which Way Forward? Covid-19, Social Policy and Emergency Preparedness in Ghana
Get PDFThe Covid-19 pandemic has provided a stern test of preparedness of states to respond to the unexpected and has forced a rethink of emergency and welfare systems previously thought unassailable. Ironically, nations that consider themselves to have the most robust systems have seen the most devastating impact. Most developing nations have been spared the worst, but not necessarily because they were better prepared or due to the existence of well functioning emergency response or welfare systems. This paper systematically analyses the responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and what they reveal about the state of social policy and emergency response preparedness in Ghana. Analyses show that the pandemic forced the state to impose several emergency measures including restrictions on social interactions, economic activities, movement, outright lockdowns, closure of businesses and educational institutions, which hit private educational institutions particularly hard. Many private school teachers went unpaid for several months, with no statutory provisions for income support. The situation also affected daily rate workers, commercial drivers, market women, and many self-employed persons who literally need to be at work each day in order to earn a living. The measures, therefore, led to very severe consequences for some, and it was a matter of risking death either by starvation at home or by contracting Covid-19 while seeking a means of survival. The paper concludes that Ghana lacks a well-organised, effective social support system that is capable of addressing human needs when they arise, and the Covid-19 pandemic presents a real opportunity to establish one to deal with present vulnerabilities and future emergencies
Identity Construction by Newly Appointed Academic Staff of a Ghanaian University
Get PDFSeveral studies have been conducted on the identities of lecturers in universities across the world. However, in Ghana, little consideration has been given to the construction of
identities by new lecturers in universities and other tertiary institutions. This study focuses on how new lecturers negotiate their identities in their university. Guided by identity construction theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight purposively selected new lecturers of the university. Data from the participants were thematically analyzed. The results revealed that the new lecturers constructed multiple identities in an attempt to gain recognition in their new work place. In the course of constructing their identities, the new lecturers employ several strategies in negotiating their ways around the new work place. They work under internal and external pressure to improve their qualifications, research and publications, as well as meet the expectations of senior colleagues and students. Findings from the study could be used to improve orientation programmes for new lecturers in the university as well as lecturers in other universities in the country
TESSA Science OER Reflections of the Profile Dimension for Teaching Basic School Science in Ghana
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine how specific objectives stated in the TESSA science OER reflect the profile dimensions for teaching basic school science in Ghana. The TESSA science OER have been developed based on the science curriculum of schools in sub-Saharan Africa region to promote effective science teaching. Ghana is one of the partnering countries, which helped in the development of the TESSA OER and have initiated its implementation. The qualitative descriptive design was employed for the study and document analysis was used as the data collection tool. In all 30 TESSA science OER units were examined. Probing the TESSA science OER based on the curriculum developers’ requirements, it came to light that more emphasis has been placed on some of the profile dimensions in the TESSA science OER than what is seen in the Ghanaian basic school science curriculum. It is recommended that workshops and in-service training on the use of the TESSA science OER be organised for basic school science teachers, to assist basic school learners attain some level of scientific literacy. This feat would enhance learners’ interest and also help them to develop a positive attitude towards studying science beyond the basic school level. 
Policy Responses to the COVID-19 Crisis in Ghana: Preliminary Assessment
Get PDFThe World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the Coronavirus Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a public health emergency of international concern on January 30. With inadequate knowledge about the nature of the problem (mechanisms of transmission), Ghana implemented one of the most comprehensive non-pharmaceutical and precautionary policy initiatives. The strategies have proved satisfactory in efforts to control and combat the virus. The success chalked by Ghana has been hailed by the international community and the stakeholders in the health sector with calls for the adoption and replication of these strategies by other countries. Using process tracing/ qualitative archival data and under the lens of John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework (MSF), this article examines the Ghanaian government policy responses from the first month of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to the end of the extraordinary situation on October 31, 2020, amidst polarization along partisan lines
Motor Skills as Predictors of Intellectual ability of Pupils with Cerebral Palsy
Get PDFThis paper presents results on a study which used the Gross Motor Function Classification System-Expanded and Revised (GMFCS-E & R), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and adapted Pictorial Test of Intelligence, Second Edition (PTI-2) to assess the gross motor skills, fine motor skills and intellectual ability of pupils with cerebral palsy. Additionally, the potential relationship between motor skills and intellectual ability of pupils with cerebral palsy were explored. One hundred and thirty-three pupils with cerebral palsy (79 males; 54 females) completed the study. Theresults revealed that majority of pupils with cerebral palsy function at the higher levels of the GMFCS-E & R and MACS (levels I/II). Applying a linear regression model, both gross and fine motor skills statistically significantly predicted intellectual ability of pupils with cerebral palsy. While the relation between motor skills and intellectual ability of persons with cerebral palsy has typically been viewed from the perspective of gross motor skills, it may be useful to emphasize fine motor activities as well