Articles

Ghana's Free Senior High School (SHS) policy has been touted as one of the most significant educational reforms in recent years, fueling the nation's achievement of <i>Goal 4</i> of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While many studies have been conducted on the policy’s impact on beneficiaries, little is known about its impact on tertiary institutions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the socioeconomic effects of the Free SHS policy on tertiary institutions in Ghana's Western Region. We also provide suggestions on how to improve the policy's efficacy and lessen any obstacles to its incorporation into higher education. Methodologically, 103 employees of Takoradi Technical University and the University of Mines and Technology were sampled using a purposive sampling technique. According to the report, despite the lack of adequate facilities such as lecture halls, dorms, and residence halls on campus, the Free SHS policy has increased enrollment at the postsecondary level. This has resulted in a high student-to-lecturer ratio, increased utility bills, a high cost of living on campus, and a rise in the opening of businesses on campus. To address some of these socioeconomic impacts, respondents proposed that the government should improve infrastructure in the country's higher institutions, hire more lecturers, boost incentives for lecturers, and foster partnerships with private institutions to support infrastructure development.

Even patients from developed nations have trouble staying on top of their drug compliance. When it comes to improper medicine use, there is an odd parallel between underdeveloped, emerging nations and the so-called developed world in the West. The key factor influencing whether patients stick to their treatment plan is their understanding and perception of the disease.

The study sought to examine the socio-economic and cultural factors that affect women’s participation in local level governance in selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana. The qualitative approach was employed for this study, and an interview guide was used to gather data from 11 women assembly members and two of their husbands, making a total of 13 participants. The participants were sampled using purposive, snowball and convenient sampling techniques. The data was analysed thematically. The study identified lack of self-confidence, limited funds, unsupportive family, abuse and harassment, political affiliations in the Assembly and unsupportive religious organizations as the socio-economic and cultural barriers to women participation in local level governance in Agona West, Gomoa West and Gomoa Central Districts in the Central Region of Ghana. The findings showed that despite the barriers, some of the women were able to surmount such challenges and became successful in the District Assembly elections. The study recommended that special fund should be set up by the government to support Assembly women to perform their roles and responsibilities within their communities regularly. Such funds may help them fulfil their campaign promises, which may encourage them to seek re-election in the District Assemblies. Also, female politicians should mentor potential female politicians. The mentors may support them to build the confidence required to engage in local level politics and to aspire higher positions in political office.

The purpose of the study was to examine the Motives of Tourists; Socio-Economic and Challenges of tourism in Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised six (6) communities (Mpraeso, Atibie, Obomeng, Obo Oworobong, and Nketepa in Kwahu South District Assembly (KSDA) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed to select two hundred (200) respondents for the study. The main instrument used for data collection was questionnaires. The study employed the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) to code and process the collected data. Descriptive and relational statistical techniques involving frequencies, percentages, summations, diagrams, and tables were employed in analysing the data. The Chi-square test analysis was used to explore the relationships and differences in perceptions. The study indicated that every tourist, whether local (Ghanaian) or foreign, had at least one of the following motives in mind for participating in the festival; To socialize; For relaxation; For education to participate and witness the paragliding festivals; To take photographs of festival scenes; Other motives like to sell items, especially souvenirs. The study also revealed that the KEF has had some positive socio-economic impact or implications on the area. These among others include: job creation, income generation for locals of the area, infrastructural development, and projection of the image of the area as the festival has become one of the biggest gatherings of revellers in the country, drawing people from all walks of life, nationally and internationally as a result of the introduction of paragliding since 2005, socialization enhancement, medium for cultural exchange and education, and finally serves as a medium for portraying the cultural identity of the people of Kwahu. The study also indicated that the major challenges encountered by tourists during the event were listed in order of degree of intensity: High cost of living, poor road network in the area, intermitted electricity and water supply, poor sanitary conditions in the area, poor health facilities, and unwelcoming attitude of some local residents of the festival area. It is recommended that, residents must be educated about the potential benefits of tourism as an industry helping to achieve sustainable community development. It is also recommended that Ghana tourism authority and Kwahu District Assembly should collaborate to improve on social amenities in the municipality to attract more foreign and local tourists during the festivity.

The purpose of the study was to assess the socioeconomic status and levels of parental involvement on the academic performance of Junior High School Students in the Upper West Akim District in Ghana. The study adopted the quantitative approach and specifically used the descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used for the selection of schools and respondents for the study. The main instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 22 was used for analysis of data gathered. The study concluded that, parents’ socioeconomic status specifically; education, occupation and income levels, is an important factor that determines the academic performance of students in the Upper West Akim District. The educational and income statuses have a positive relationship with the academic performance of students. The findings from the study also revealed that, parents who ensure that their children study at home, provide their educational needs, discuss their progress with their teachers and attend PTA meetings regularly have children who perform better academically as compared to children whose parents do not see to it that their children study at home, provide the educational needs of their children, discuss their children’s learning with teachers and attend PTA meeting regularly. It is recommended that, Considering the strong positive relationship between parental involvement and academic performance, it is recommended that government through the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should educate parents, teachers and school managers on the relevance of parental involvement in the education of the child and the need for the school to create an atmosphere that would involve parents in the education of their wards. It is also recommended that, adult literacy should be enhanced by government to improve the level of education of parents in the Upper West Akim District which will go a long way to improve participation of parents in children’s education and hence improve their academic performance.