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Accessibility and Utilization of Family Planning Services in Selected Districts in Central Region of Ghana
(KNUST, 2015-08) Amankwaa ,John
ABSTRACT Family planning has been considered to contribute immensely to child survival and reduction in maternal mortality, hence targeted as one of the main reproductive health services in achieving the fifth millennium development goal (MDG 5). The 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey report indicates that use of modern contraceptives in Central region has improved from 17.0 percent in 2008 to 29 .1 percent in 2011 and subsequently decline of unmet need for contraceptives from 49.7 percent to 22.6 percent for the same years respectively. In spite of this improvement, there is huge variations in utilization of family planning methods especially between districts in the region, particularly in Upper Denkyira East and Mfantsiman, and the causes of this variations are not clearly known. Hence, the main aim of the study is to assess the level of accessibility and utilization of family planning services in the selected districts and factors influencing them. The study design adopted was descriptive cross –sectional, using both quantitative and qualitative approach for data collection. The sample size was 373 women of reproductive age 15 – 49 years. Again, 66 husbands/male partners were also interviewed to solicit for their views about the subject matter. Eight health institutions as well as 22 religious establishments were also interviewed. The study revealed high knowledge level of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age (93 percent) and men (88 percent) in general. There is little (0.3 percent) difference in contraceptives use between the Upper Denkyira East (25.9 percent) and Mfantsiman (25.6 percent) district. Poor data management in facilities in Upper Denkyira East was accounting for the huge variations. Factors such as proximity to facility or clinic (12.5 percent), privacy and confidentiality at clinic (19.5 percent), wanting to delay pregnancy (49.2 percent) among others motivate use of contraceptives whiles factors such as desire for many children (14.8 percent) , health concerns (9.7 percent) and fear of side effects (7.6 percent) accounted for non-use. Again, social issues such as stigma of use (3.5 percent), husbands/partners opposition (4 percent) and religious prohibition (1.6 percent) among others hinder the use of contraceptives among women. There is good physical accessibility with respect to location of clinic providing family planning services in all study districts. Again financial accessibility to family planning services is good despite unapproved charges for family planning services by health facilities in the study districts. Social accessibility regarding service providers’ attitude, privacy and confidentiality is also good in FP facilities, however social factors such as stigmatization, husband/partner opposition, religious opposition among others hinder access and utilization of contraceptives. To improve on family planning services in the study districts, there is the need for family planning (FP) data collection tools’ training for all FP service providers in the facilities in order to improve on FP data quality. Also, family planning awareness or education should be intensified particularly with respect to health concerns, side effects as well as prices of contraceptives or FP services.
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The use of kinaesthetic activities as art therapy tools to improve performance in pre-reading and pre-writing among kindergarten pupils.
(KNUST, 2015-07) Baidoo, Gladys Starlinda
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to find out the existing teaching strategies for teaching at the kindergarten, their usage in the classroom as well as their impact on pupils’ performance. The study sought to identify instructional materials and activities that teachers of KNUST Nursery School engaged the pupils in when teaching the English alphabet and their related sounds, as well as the challenges associated with them and what teachers do to manage such challenges. The study employed the qualitative research approach to critically study the Curriculum and Handbook for Pre-School Education, both of which guide the teachers in order to find out the existing strategies used in teaching the letters and sounds of the alphabet. Observation, questionnaire and interview were used to identify and study how teachers employ the existing strategies, activities and instructional materials in the classroom and their impact on the pupils’ performance in pre-reading and pre-writing. The major findings of the study indicated that the KG 1 and KG2 teachers in the school were not abreast with current strategies because their lessons centred mostly on patterns, joining of patterns and songs were used to teach the letter names and sounds. They employ child centred teaching approaches with play activities in the teaching and learning of the alphabet and sounds. Because some of the pupils had challenges writing the letters accurately, new art based activities were introduced for the teaching and learning of the alphabet and their sounds which made the pupils very active in class and got them fully involved. The activities motivated them to work sometimes without supervision and on the playground. At the end of the study, pupils’ showed positive signs of improvement in their reading and writing of the alphabets. To improve the pupils performance, it is recommended that the Kindergarten teachers be trained to use the kinesthetic teaching and learning strategies and related instructional materials to teach their pupils to learn to read and write the letters of the English alphabet and recognise them by their sounds.
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Streamlining monitoring and evaluation systems in managing social development interventions: a study of Ahafo mine area livelihood programmes.
(KNUST, 2015-05) Acheampong, Ernest Kwaku
ABSTRACT Monitoring and Evaluation as a discipline, is increasingly recognized as an essential component in project management functions (Khalid, 2002). However, consciously or otherwise development programmes are faced with limited integration of monitoring and evaluation systems in the management functions to gauge its performance. This key planning and implementation weaknesses poses key challenges to the management functions of development programmes including livelihood programmes (Khan, 2003). The study therefore seeks to examine the extent to which monitoring and evaluation systems of development programmes adopts standard practices. The study adopted a case study approach where three livelihood programmes operating within the Asutifi District were chosen. Programme Managers, Staff, beneficiaries and key institutional stakeholders were selected as respondents for the study. The study revealed that, monitoring and evaluation systems of some livelihood programmes lacks critical tools like robust database, review and capacity building plans were found to be absent. Also it was revealed that some programmes operate without trained monitoring and evaluation practitioners. Despite these shortfalls the study affirmed that the practice of M&E influences programme decisions leading to reforms in the programme components. Also, the study identified a high level of stakeholder participation –groups and institutions supporting the implementation of the programme. It is therefore recommended for policy designs on programme monitoring and evaluation that programme managers should be obliged to include the design of a robust database for data capture and retrieval, review and capacity building plans in the set-up of programme monitoring and evaluation systems as the concept keeps evolving. Again, development programmes should engage the services of trained practitioners directly on programmes to coordinate the monitoring and evaluation activities of the programmes.
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Evolution of “traditional funeral” songs among the inhabitants of Asante Mampong
(KNUST, 2015-06) Asare, Desmond
ABSTRACT In Ghana, indigenous songs are regarded commonly as songs of the olden days. People who understand the need to keep tradition agree that indigenous songs should be preserved. Most studies of traditional songs have focused on the need to preserve an aspect of the Ghanaian society, but the major aim of this study is to identify, documented and notate the traditional funeral songs in Asante Mampong. It will further throw more light on their role and significance and how they have evolved over the past three decades for cultural perpetuation. It also sought to identify and document indigenous funeral songs and the roles they play in the Asante Mampong. In accomplishing this, the various types of songs were considered namely; adowa, nwomkorɔ and ayinaa (dirge). These were used because the Municipal under study cannot do away with them during funeral ceremonies. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were adopted for the study. The study revealed that indigenous funeral songs in Asante Mampong are indispensable and play an integral role in the funeral celebration among the inhabitants. The role and the significance of the various types of indigenous songs were derived from the song text. There was the realization that each song came with its own purpose and has the reason which backs the composition. It was discovered that indigenous funeral songs performed in the Asante Mampong municipal are of rich value and have rich histories. It is however recommended that traditional leaders in Asante Mampong municipal should encourage the younger generation and adults to learn how to sing traditional songs for cultural perpetuation. It behooves on scholars in the municipal to document and notate the various types of indigenous funeral songs in Asante Mampong for future references.
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The impact of information technology on customer satisfaction at Social Security and National Insurance Trust.
(KNUST, 2016-08) Vandyck, Rukia
The importance of Information Technology in any organization in this modern day cannot be overemphasized. Information Technology plays vital roles in data entry, data processing and security, and information distribution. For an organization such as SSNIT, Information Technology is more than just a part of its operations. IT is needed to ensure that national pensions are administered with the highest form of integrity so that customers are duly satisfied during and after retirement. The primary aim of this research was to assess the impact of Information Technology on Customer satisfaction at SSNIT. 100 members of staff and management with 400 customers were interviewed though simple random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed to seek the views of the respondents on the impact of IT in helping them on their job at SNNIT and in processing their social security as customers. The findings were that IT does not only facilitate the work of staff and management, but it also increases their efficiency and effectiveness in discharging their duties, information Technology has reduced complaints of impersonation, identity theft, wrong payments as well as many other incidences. Customers also praised the role of IT in assisting them know more about their social security unlike in the past when they were in the dark over their contributions. One major recommendation was that SSNIT should use this same information Technology or acquire ore to improve the good work they are doing. They should also educate the public more on changes in their operation and help the public know the distinction between challenges caused by IT or government policies, since many people get confused with both.
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The effect of organisational culture and organisational structure on product commercialisation behaviour at Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI).
(KNUST, 2016-08) Prempew, Winifred
Product commercialisation since its introduction in 1995 at BRRI as a result of dwindling government subvention has not made the needed impact it deserved. This study therefore sought to assess the effect of organisational culture and organisational structure on product commercialisation behaviour at Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI).A sample size of hundred and five (105) staffs including management was selected and self- administered with questionnaire using non-probability sampling technique with emphasis convenient sampling. On organisational culture and product commercialisation behaviour at BRRI showed that on an average the respondents did not agree that it received the needed attention it deserved at BRRI with t(101)= 51.442, and p< 0.05. Again the study revealed that management should get all employees to become committed to their work, feel a sense of ownership, and have input especially R&D and Marketing departments. The consistency trait gave out a t=38.750, df=101, (2-tailed) or the P-value<.000 and a mean difference of 3.252 meaning that on an average most of the respondents did not agree that it received the needed attention it deserved. Therefore, BRRI should have a “strong” culture that is highly consistent, well coordinated and well integrated as far as organisational structure and product commercialisation behaviour is concerned. BRRI should pay attention to adaptability trait like organisational learning, scan their external environment well and respond to the ever-changing needs of its customers and other stakeholders, and be more proactive in dealing creating change and organisational learning issues. The study recommended that BRRI should build its internal capacities in machinery and equipments to address customer-oriented, innovation oriented and competitor-oriented behaviours.
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An investigation into marketing challenges affecting manufacturers of footwear in the Kumasi Metropolis.
(KNUST, 2016-08) Gyempeh, Stephen
In Ghana, footwear plays an essential part of our culture. Almost all the tribes put on footwear as part of their traditional dressing. The study sought to investigate the marketing challenges affecting manufacturers of footwear in the Kumasi Metropolis. Data was collected from two hundred manufacturers of footwear products in the Kumasi Metropolis. The heads of the Business Advisory Council and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly were also interviewed for relevant data. The study revealed that manufacturers of footwear products employed varied strategies in attracting customers, including designing products to meet needs of customers, offering after sale services, and selling at considerably lower prices, among others. The study further revealed that the first and second major marketing challenges confronting manufacturers of footwear products in the Kumasi Metropolis are the lack of promotion and quality of their products respectively. Other challenges included the presence of competitors and inability to find new markets. The study therefore recommended that the local media should also be sensitized by the national bodies such as the Ministries of Information and Communication, NCCE and Media Commission to spearhead the regular promotion and marketing of footwear products. Also, the Metropolitan Assembly should create the enabling environment to improve upon activities of the footwear industry.