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A 40–100 MHz phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer with built-in self-test
(2012-12-09) Yankey, Jephthah
The Phase locked loop (PLL) is one of the most important devices in modern electronic systems. PLLs are widely used for clock generation or frequency synthesis in communication systems, computers, radio and other electronic applications. However, due to the use of expensive external equipment and amount of time involved, traditional VLSI testing methods are inefficient for testing of PLLs. In this thesis, a fully functional PLL frequency synthesizer which operates from 40MHz to 100MHz is designed. The designed PLL exhibits phase noise of -71dBc/Hz at 1kHz, which is low enough for a wide array of applications. To solve the testing problem, Built-In Self-Test (BIST) is employed. A BIST scheme based on a defect-oriented method of testing is proposed. A prototype adds BIST circuitry, a good part of which is derived from existing components of the original design. The PLL BIST scheme is generic and hence portable to similar PLL designs. One significant addition unit is a simple response collector that combines shifting and counting functionalities. The entire system is designed in a typical CMOS process using a 3V power supply which is commonly found in today’s portable products. Spectre® simulations of the PLL show that it is capable of synthesizing any frequency between 40 and 100MHz within a reasonably short acquisition time. The output waveform of the generated signal is clean and shows no spikes whatsoever. Experimental simulations also reveal that the BIST circuitry is capable of generating the exact test pattern needed. It also performs efficiently all the unique checks which make up the PLL BIST. The final test output is very consistent and produces the same results for a number of different runs of the simulation.
A. A. Anti’s ‘obeede: an english translation
(2002-12-11) Obeng, Joseph
This Project Work is a translation of a text from Akan into the English Language. It includes research into the etymology of some names and expressions in the text and their significance in this literary work. Knowledgeable artists have written a lot of books in English. These books cover many disciplines such as History, Government, Economics, stories in the form of drama, novel and poetry and the like. Many of these texts have been translated into various languages including Akan. There are similar knowledgeable artists who have written books in Akan. They write with the socio-cultural, political and religious knowledge of Ghanaian life in general and that of the Akan in particular. These books should be studied by Ghanaians for their social and cultural significance: but they are usually restricted to a small group of people who can read and understand the Akan language. This unfortunate situation has come about as a result of the general lack of interest in learning to read and write Ghanaian vernacular languages. The use of English Language as the official language can be of immense help for the dissemination of vital information ‘hidden’ in the Akan text to more people in the Ghanaian society, since Akan is the widest spoken language in Ghana. It is against this background that the researcher has embarked on this project to translate an Akan nouvelle, “Obeede”, into the English Language. Speakers or learners of a particular language are always anxious to discover the etymology or the original meaning of some words and expressions to facilitate their study of that language. Speakers or students who seek such competence benefit immensely from such knowledge. In view of this, the dissertation discusses the etymology of some names and expressions in this Akan text. The sources of information on the etymological study have been selected resource persons and the selected Akan literary text, “Obeede” This translation is a Comparison of two languages and it is therefore thematically within the genres and forms acceptable for the categories of Comparative Literature. Beyond this, however, the project also makes accessible to a wider world of readers a little known but clearly major work of literature in Akan. Many artists have written useful books in both Akan and English, but unfortunately, they do not often translate their texts into any one of the two major languages mentioned above. Neither do they provide etymology or meaning of the names and expressions they use in their books. A few texts have glossaries, which explain the meaning of some words in their books but such words, and expressions mostly receive superficial treatment, thus glossing over their significance for the texts in which they are used. This modest research is an attempt to look at some of the problems that make for the inadequacy and undetailed nature of such translated materials. It contains some ideas that may be useful to students and users. The translated text, “Obeede” was written by A. A. Anti, and published in 1960 by the Bureau of Ghana Languages, Accra. Anti writes about the religious beliefs and the socio-cultural life of the Akans. He traces the Akan belief in the ancestral home ‘Asamando’ or ‘Amamprobi’ which is represented by one KYE. He goes on to portray the traditional professions of hunting and woodwork engaged in by Boakye and the slave trade of which Dkoampa is the victim. Any reader who engages this book will discover the immense knowledge that is hidden within its depths. THE AUTHOR The author of the novel “Qbeede” is a Guan. The novelist is called Mr. A. A. Anti. He was born in 1920 in his hometown, Anum near Boso in the Eastern Region. Mr. Anti had his elementary school education in Anum Presbyterian Primary and Middle Schools. He started his career as a professiona! teacher after he graduated from the Presbyterian Teacher Training College at Akropong-Akwapim in the Eastern Region in 1941. The novelist married Miss. Comfort Okraku also a Guan from Abiriw near AkropongAkwapim, in 1945. Mrs. Comfort Okraku Anti was also a professional teacher. They had six children of whom two were boys and the rest girls. The author became a language teacher in the Ghanata Secondary School at Dodowa in the Dangbe West District of the Greater Accra region, from 1959 to 1964. He taught the Akwapim Twi. Mr. A. A. Anti has contributed immensely to the development of Akan literature. His two books — “The Ancient Ashanti Kings” and ‘Obeede’, in English and Akwapim Twi respectively, have their theme on slavery. In his book, “The Ancient Ashanti Kings”, Mr. Anti states that clearly, the much- vaunted military might of Asante can be construed as an instrument of colonialist exploitation. Of principal interest to us here is that the King’s Court appropriated a kind of booty. A. A. Anti talks about the sources of kingly income. The Asante King, according to the author, was permitted by customary law to trade in slaves and natural products. He would sometimes promote deserving persons to positions of higher status, but only in return for the payment of a fee of 8 ounces of gold. He would advance some gold to a prospective office holder to trade with, and the person’s promotion would depend on how much return he was able to make on the capital advanced (Anti correctly labels this as usury). The King would make manifest his willingness to bend the course of justice in favour of any person who was prepared to “buy” (without insisting on taking away or indeed even seeing) any of the special sheep domesticated and kept in the royal pens for this purpose. Such sheep could of course be “sold” many times over. What a gentle from of bribery! The author’s focus on this disturbing aspect of our history is prevalent in his novel, “Obeede” and it gives way to an extravagant display of the creative imagination as t moves freely from history into myth through legend and back again to the ordinariness of daily routine in life.
Abortion in Bosomtwe District, Ashanti, Ghana: a Case Control Study at St. Michael’s Hospital, Jachie – Pramso
(2009-07-12) Momo Lokko, Christiana Naa
Strategies for preventing unsafe abortion have been unyielding as a result of which many women die and develop complications from unsafe abortion including those resulting in induced abortion ending up as incomplete abortion. There is increase in incidence of death due to abortion at Bosomtwe district. This study was an un-matched case-control study with the objective of assessing the specific differences in the socio-demographic, economic and reproductive health characteristic of incomplete abortion clients (cases) and normal delivery clients (controls) attending St. Michael’s Hospital, Bosomtwe district. A comparative analysis of 61 cases and 129 controls revealed that, there is no significant difference in their age (p=0.61), marital status (p=0.11), educational level (p=0.63) and their religious background (p=0.61). There was also no difference in their occupation (p=0.52), income earned (p=0.96) and partners employment status (p=0.40). There was a statistical difference in the reproductive history between the groups in terms of the number of children (p=0.000), age of last child (p=0.000), and number pregnancies lost (p=0.000). Cases were 12.7 times more likely to have had abortion; 19.0 times more likely to have attempted to stop the index pregnancy; and 6 times more likely to have self induced the index pregnancy as a means of termination as compared to controls. It is recommended that stakeholders, especially the district health directorate should use specific predictors for incomplete abortion among women to educate and encourage them to live a healthy reproductive life.
Absenteeism Among Rural Teachers: The Contribution of “Poor Remuneration”, “Qualification of Teachers” and “Furthering Studies on Distance Learning”
(2013-07-09) Basiru, Nsoah Kwesi
According to Julius Nyerere― Education will not give one the chance to escape poverty but it will fight poverty from ones community. Education is therefore an earn in itself as well as means to other earns. However, people in the Pru district are gradually losing these enormous benefits of education,this largely is due to absenteeism of teachers from class. The negative effect absenteeism poses to education calls for a study into it. Constas and Vichas (1980) however determined some common variables such as poor remuneration, teachers furthering education and Qualification of teachers as the main contributors of absenteeism.This research is to further check the contribution of these variables, formulate a model for absenteeism and use it to model and predict absenteeism.Poor remuneration is the number contribution to absenteeism and it will be very appropriate to redirect a larger chunk of budget on remuneration of teacher instead of recruiting substitute teachers among others. There is a 99.9% chance that a teacher whose remuneration is good will always be in school irrespective of their Qualification or them furthering education.A database should also be set on attendance of teachers then monitoring and evaluation should be enforced.
Aburi Gardens Redevelopment
(1992-09-28) Addo, Ferdinand Obuobisa
Modern urban life weighs heavily on the nerve end health of mankind and ate the causes of the impoverishment of men’s inner life if he is unable to find opportunities for a change and for renewing his strength. Recent trends In urban development has resulted in congestion in cities worldwide - the uncontrolled sprawl of the urban areas end the increasing number of urban residents has resulted in the loss of outdoor recreational opportunities amid natural surrounding which provides serene and green areas to which the highly stressed urban man can retreat and refresh himself. As a result of technological advancement manifested In the rationalization of work and information end the advent of more efficient means of transportation, man has had an increasing amount of leisure time at his disposal which has been devoted popularly to travel, tours end outdoor recreation.
Abuse of Political Office in Africa: A Literary Perspective
(2011-6-19) Adjei-Yeboah, Kofi
The essay focuses on the arbitrary exercise of power by political office holders on the African continent. Right after independence, the African leaders in whose hands the mantle of political administration was vested disappointed their people...
Abuse of psychotropic substances -a survey of some first and second cycle institutions in the Bosomtwi and Atwima-Kwanwoma Districts in Ashanti Region of Ghana
(2010-06-02) Assabil, James Kwesi
A random survey using semi-structured questionnaires was conducted in 13 selected first and second cycle schools in the Bosomtwi and Atwima Kwanwoma Districts of Ashanti Region to ascertain the effects of increased abuse of psychotropic substances on the academic performances of 600 students interviewed at random. The psychotropic drugs identified to be abused by the students include: amphetamines; coffee; cigarette; cocaine; marijuana; alcohol and heroine. Majority (94%) of pupils abuse both coffee and alcohol and 31% of pupils abuse marijuana, amphetamine, cocaine and heroine. Although majority (about 56%) of them claim the use of these drugs had improved their academic performances, about 11% of them rather developed truant behavioral problems with abysmal academic performances in the long run. The majority (about 61%) of them also got introduced to the drugs by their families and friends. Ninety six percent of the pupils were exposed to the problem of psychotropic substances abuse at an average age of about 11.5 years. This problem is worst in pupils with single parents or divorcees and also when adolescents are in serious financial problems. Parent remittances were the main source of money for the purchase of drugs. Majority (51%) of the student drug abusers were males although females constitute 45% of the population in these schools. However, the likelihood ratio of abuse amongst male and female students were either asymptotically insignificant (P<0.07) or linearly insignificant (P<0.4). The study generally revealed little improvement in academic performances in schools with increased drug use and the District Education Oversight Committees (DEOCs) as well as Parent Teacher Associations in the two Districts need to seriously get involved in school management programs to assist the implementation of child care monitoring programmes at home and schools in order to find a lasting solution to the rampant drug abuse problem.
Acacia tumida prunings as source of nutrients for soil fertility improvement in Niger: biochemical composition and decomposition pattern
(2016-02-29) Iliasso, Aboubacar Dan Kassoua Tawaye
Limited sources of organic amendments for increasing nutrient availability for crop growth is a major challenge in Niger. Reports on the role of organic material in soil fertility improvement in the Sahelian zone of Niger have been focused merely on limited range of organic amendments such as animal manure and crop residues. There is however little information on the use of agro-forestry leaves for soil fertility improvement in Niger. The current study was therefore designed to (i) evaluate the quality of Acacia tumida prunings, (ii) determine the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Acacia tumida prunings (iii) assess the factors that influence the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of organic materials under Sahelian conditions. Litterbag experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of a factorial combination of (a) three types of organic amendments (Acacia tumida pruning, millet straw and cattle manure), and (b) two levels of insecticide application (with and without insecticide). The litterbag experiment was conducted on sandy and crusted sandy soil types. The percentage composition of N, P and K in Acacia tumida prunings were 2.30, 0.14 and 1.50, respectively on a dry weight basis. The decomposition of Acacia tumida pruning was faster (k/day = 0.014) than that of cattle manure (k/day = 0.012). On the average, 45 and 34 % of organic materials decomposed in the litterbags free of insecticide and litterbags treated with insecticide respectively. The contribution of termites to organic amendment decomposition was estimated to be 36 % for millet straw and 30 % for manure. The highest N release constant (k/day = 0.025) was recorded for millet straw whereas the highest P release constant (k/day = 0.035) was documented for manure. The highest potassium release constant (k/day = 0.114) was recorded for Acacia tumida pruning. This study has contributed to knowledge regarding the decomposition of Acacia tumida prunings which has an important implication for diversifying the source of nutrients for soil fertility improvement in Niger. Moreover, the results of this study indicate that the presence of termites and the intrinsic quality of the organic material play crucial roles in the decomposition of organic materials in the Semi-arid environment of Niger.
Acceptance and use of insecticide treated net (ITN) by mothers for malaria control in children under five years in the Sunyani Municipality
(2005-11-09) Agyei, Samuel Kofi
Malaria continues to remain a major burden of morbidity and mortality in most parts of developing world, more so in Sub-Saharan Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about 90% of the deaths associated with Malaria occurred in Africa, South of the Sahara (WHO 2003). But, what is more distressing is that children under-five years are disproportionately affected by the incidence of Malaria, especially in Ghana (GHS, 2001). The study sought to assess the context of acceptability and utilization of Insecticide Treated bed nets (ITNs) among children under five years in the Sunyani Municipality aimed at contributing towards the improvement of reducing malaria incidence. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted, using multistage random sampling method to select study participants. The study was limited to mothers of children under five years. Three hundred (300) mothers with children under five were interviewed using structured survey questionnaire. The main findings, indicated that most (89.3%) of mothers interviewed had adequate knowledge about the causes and prevention of malaria. The respondents knew that the use of JTNs was the best method of malaria prevention. Few mothers however mentioned eating balanced diet (7.7%) and consulting herbalists (0.6%) as the best way to prevent malaria. Respondents’ knowledge about sources of information on ITNs was generally high with hospitals (75.3%) and television (60.7%) as the main sources of information about the net. • Despite their high knowledge about the ITNs, a little more than one-third (3 5%) own the nets. Majority (76.7%) of respondents who own the nets used them the night before the study. Those respondents, who did not have nets, expressed their willingness to buy them when they get money. Based on the key findings, it is recommended that: • Education on the use of ITNs should be intensified. • The Municipal Health Directorate should effectively collaborate with the Municipal Assembly and identifiable groups and organizations to educate the community on Malaria prevention methods through seminars. • The Municipal Assembly should embark on programmes on environmental cleanliness and good hygienic practices to eradicate mosquito breeding sites. • More ITNs to be produced and highly subsidized. • Public and Private Sector participation should be encouraged in the production and distribution of permanently treated ITNs.
The Acceptance of E-Procurement in Ghana: A Study of Key Stakeholders in the Construction Industry in Greater Accra
(2015-02-23) Akibate, Pascal Percy
The Public Procurement Act of 2003 was intended to harmonise public procurement processes, secure judicious, economic and efficient use of state resources and ensure that public procurement is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. The research seeks to find out the acceptance of e-procurement on the local construction industry in Ghana. By policy or practice, the increasing numbers of Government Department in Ghana are mandating the use of information technology (IT) to administer and deliver service to public. Many institutions achieve, or expect to achieve, enhanced procurement service and productivity by using advance technologies in e-Procurement. The research community relies increasingly on e-Procurement-enabler users that massively registered to equip with the system. The effectiveness of the public delivering service regarding procurement is a relevant topic of discussion among the clients. Taking into consideration the gap in the literature, a study has been carried out on the acceptance of e-Procurement in the construction industry in Ghana and the factors that leads to the adoption of e-procurement in the sector as well as the challenging factors that inhibit the acceptance of e-procurement. The factors that lead to the acceptance of e-Procurement system are the framework of this research. Therefore, this research will focus on these factors as the moderating effect towards satisfaction level among the users.
The acceptance of family planning in the Tamale Metropolis
(2005-11-08) Salifu, Abukari
Every minute of every day at least one woman dies from complications of pregnancy and child birth, more than 585,000 deaths every year 99% of this is from the developing countries. Family planning can prevent at least 25% of all maternal deaths by allowing women to delay motherhood. Family planning can prevent improve the health and survival of adolescent girls by allowing them to postponed childbearing. Globally, three quarters of the World population do not plan their families A cross sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in Tamale Metropolis to investigate family planning acceptance among couples of reproductive age group. The study also sought to find out if there were any power relations in deciding family planning, fertility preference of the couples and their knowledge and opinion about the subject. Among the 100 people sampled 19% had never heard of family planning. Among those who had heard about family planning, 87% of both male and female knew at least one modern method of contraception but many did not approve of it. 61% reported not discussing family planning with their partners. 40% of the sampled population was using contraception at the time of the interview. Frequencies and percentages showed men disapproval of family planning. Over 58% of the population disapproved of the use of contraceptives, though they have the knowledge. Women realized that males have a dominant role in the family and makes decisions regarding most family matters including family planning. So they go behind their husbands for family planning services. Socio-economic and cultural factors affect contraceptive use. Of 100 sampled, 17% are not using contraceptives for religious reasons and 15% are not using because of socio-cultural reasons. However, some men and women showed interest for family planning for economic reasons. The family planning acceptor rate was 40% from this study indicating that there is improvement in the practice of family planning among respondents. In the nutshell family planning practice is very low among couples in Tamale. It is recommended here that community gate keepers should join hands with the government to ensure the practice of family planning. Also, MHMT should work with PPAG, population council and others to ensure family planning practice.
Acceptance of HIV Counselling & Testing Among Pregnant Women in the Kumasi Metropolis
(2008-07-13) Sakyi, Kwofie Gabriel
In Ghana, as in most parts of Africa, south of the Sahara, HIV/AIDS account for a lot of mortality and morbidity in children. Children born to infected mothers acquire infection and progress to clinical diseases. This mother-to-child-Transmission (MTCT), accounts for most of the cases in children less than 15 years. To help address this problem, the Ghana National Policy on HIV/AIDS and STIs has come out with strategies that include the use of routine Counseling and Testing (CT) as a tool for the prevention of MTCT (PMTCT). The main objective of this study was to determine the level of acceptance of this routine HIV CT, as well as factors associated with acceptance among pregnant women in Kumasi Metropolis. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional type, with structured questionnaire as the data collection tool served on 200 pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic (ANC) in the Kumasi Metropolis. The sampling frame was pregnant women attending ANC at the three hospitals in the metropolis. The 200 ANC attendants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Findings include a high level of acceptance, with 87.5% of respondents accepting to undergo HIV testing either before or after counseling. The effects of socio-demographic characteristics on acceptance of HIV CT were not statistically significant. The knowledge level of pregnant women on HIV/AIDS and Prevention of mother to Child transmission (PMTCT) significantly affected HIV CT acceptance (p = 0.000): Those with adequate knowledge levels were twenty four times more likely to accept HIV CT than those with inadequate knowledge levels. Seeking Spousal permission did not significantly affect acceptance (p= 0.86). However, spousal involvement significantly encouraged HIV CT (p = 0.04) Given the high, level of acceptance which is consistent with high acceptance levels in some African studies, the existing strategy of routine HIV CT, as a tool for PMTCT of HIV, should be sustained, and if possible improved upon.
Acceptance of HIV Counselling and Testing Among Pregnant Women in the Kumasi Metropolis
(2008-06-13) Kwofie, Gabriel Sakyi (Dr.)
In Ghana, as in most parts of Africa, south of the Sahara, HIV/AIDS account for a lot of mortality and morbidity in children. Children born to infected mothers acquire infection and progress to clinical diseases. This mother-to-child-Transmission (MTCT), accounts for most of the cases in children less than 15 years. To help address this problem, the Ghana National Policy on HIV/AIDS and STIs has come out with strategies that include the use of routine Counseling and Testing (CT) as a tool for the prevention of MTCT (PMTCT). The main objective of this study was to determine the level of acceptance of this routine HIV CT, as well as factors associated with acceptance among pregnant women in Kumasi Metropolis. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional type, with structured questionnaire as the data collection tool served on 200 pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic (ANC) in the Kumasi Metropolis. The sampling frame was pregnant women attending ANC at the three hospitals in the metropolis. The 200 ANC attendants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Findings include a high level of acceptance, with 87.5% of respondents accepting to undergo HIV testing either before or after counseling. The effects of socio-demographic characteristics on acceptance of HIV CT were not statistically significant. The knowledge level of pregnant women on HIV/AIDS and Prevention of mother to Child transmission (PMTCT) significantly affected HIV CT acceptance (p = 0.000): Those with adequate knowledge levels were twenty four times more likely to accept HIV CT than those with inadequate knowledge levels. Seeking Spousal permission did not significantly affect acceptance (p= 0.86). However, spousal involvement significantly encouraged HIV CT (p = 0.04) Given the high, level of acceptance which is consistent with high acceptance levels in some African studies, the existing strategy of routine HIV CT, as a tool for PMTCT of HIV, should be sustained, and if possible improved upon.
Access and coverage of healthcare among health staff in the Sunyani Municipality: Implications for the realization of universal health coverage
(NOVEMER, 2019) Abu, Juliet;
Universal Health Coverage seeks to ensure that everybody has access to quality healthcare without financial challenges. It is one of the global strategies towards the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. Countries therefore need to track progress of universal health coverage not just across the national population but within different groups (e.g. by occupation, income level, sex, age, place of residence, migrant status and ethnic origin). The role of health workers in the realization of the universal health coverage cannot be overemphasized. Health workers are vulnerable to varying risks inherent in their profession, as they are exposed to infections, injuries, stress, violence, allergies, contact diseases and many others). There is a dearth of knowledge on access and coverage of healthcare among health staff who are the forefront of the effort at the realization of universal health coverage. It is this regard that access and coverage of health care among health Workers was investigated. The main objective of the study was to assess the access and coverage of healthcare among health Workers in the Sunyani Municipal. An analytic study type using a cross-sectional design was carried out in the Sunyani municipal. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, structured interview guide and subjected to univariate, bivariate and multivariate regression analysis. The study found that 52% of health staff had a degree,66% of health staff had worked for a period less than 5years, 57.1% monthly income was 1,500 Ghana cedis and above and 90% had a valid National Health Insurance Scheme card. Out of the four access and coverage areas the Occupational Health and Safety policy addresses, 71.5% of health staff were assisted during referral, 63.5% supported to access specialist care while 54.1% of health staff did not benefit from the health staffvi screening and 55.6% did not benefit from free Hepatitis B vaccination due to financial challenges as alluded to by Health Managers. Physical access and availability to healthcare by Health staff was highly encouraging as 95.9% of health staff had healthcare always available to them when needed and 83.2% of health staff usually visited the hospital, health centre or community Health Planning and Service Compound when ill. In terms of access to healthcare there was a significant association between income (p=0.017) and possession of valid National Health Insurance Scheme card (p=0.006). Coverage wise, 62% of health staff were moderately satisfied with their volume of healthcare needed and there was a significant association between income status (p=0.006) of health staff and quality of healthcare provided to them. A multivariate regression analysis indicated a highly significant association between volume of care health staff received (p=0.001), quality of Healthcare provided (p=0.001) and health staff healthcare needs satisfaction. The study concludes though health staffs of the Sunyani Municipal moderately accessed their needed health care and received moderate volume of their expected healthcare, one needed to be financially sound to access and obtained optimal healthcare needed. This study recommends effective implementation of the OHS policy and institution of special health package for health staff regardless of their income status to ensure health staffs are universally covered.
Access and use of e-books among students in Senior High Schools: a case study of schools in Kumasi Metropolis
(November, 2016) Boachie, Joyce
Electronic books or e-books have been in existence for a considerable number of years. E-books are now common and very popular with people who wish to read one or many books. Unearthing and the thus understanding of challenges hindering students’ access to and use of e-book is important for effective planning and implementation of policies for the successful integration of e-books in the education curriculum. The study seeks to explore access to and the use of e-books among Senior High School students in the Kumasi Metropolis and the associated challenges and problems they do encounter in this quest. A survey study comprising an admixture of quantitative and qualitative methodologies was designed to elicit participants (students) response on the use of e-books. A total sample of 283 students were selected from five senior high schools in the Kumasi Metropolis to constitute the sample size for the study. Structured questionnaires were employed to elicit information relevant to the objectives of the study. Frequencies and percentages of the variables were computed and described to ascertain the responses of the participants. The study discovered that majority of the high school students surveyed, had varying knowledge of e-books but its usage and thus accessibility was the exclusive privilege of a relatively few due to a litany of factors the prime among which is lack of access. It was found out that students used e-books for the purposes of enhancing personal development, self-inspiration, education, information, as well as for academic development. Mitigating against the effective use of e-books were factors like lack of time, prohibition to use certain devices by school authorities, non-affordability of the reading device and preference for printed books as the prime reasons for not patronizing e-books. The study then concludes that Senior High School students in the Kumasi Metropolis read e-books albeit limited to non-academic related purposes like entertainment and general information seeking via the mobile phone which is the primary medium of access. The study therefore recommends to the Ghana Education Service to institute policies to encourage and improve access and use of e-books among Senior High School students by unleashing its untapped potentials for enhanced academic work by properly integrating it into the educational curriculum.
Access and utilization of family planning services among males in the Ga-East municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
(2009-08-08) Ababio, Selina
Family planning is a voluntary prevention of pregnancy and it entails the interruption of a chain of events that leads to conception. Family planning has been an age long practice, mostly among women. Although men are also included in the utilization of family planning services, practically, most men do not utilize the service. It is important to note that, increase in the usage of the service by men will help guard against unwanted pregnancy, improve child spacing and prevent sexually transmitted infections including HIV by using the appropriate contraceptive. Men’s support and commitment to the utilization of family planning is of importance in Africa. This is because of its contribution to the achievement of the millennium development goals (MDG) 5 and 6, which is to improve maternal health, by preventing both maternal and child mortality and also to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. The study was done in all the four (4) sub-districts in the Ga East District. The topic for the study is access and utilization of family planning among males in the Ga East Municipality. The study design was descriptive cross-sectional. The Sample size was 120 males with ages between 19-59 years. In addition, views about utilization of family planning among men from twenty (20) service providers were obtained to support the study. Interview was the data collection method used and questionnaires, the main tool for data collection. From the study it was discovered that: • Educational background was a significant predictor of ones knowledge about family planning. In other words, the higher one moves along the educational ladder, the more his knowledge about family planning • Generally, across the age groups, more people have knowledge about family planning than those who do not have any idea. (80%). • The majority of the respondents were within the age 19-39years (76.7%). • The respondents with some level of education are in the majority (91.5%), compared to those without any form of education, among others.
Access to credit for women entrepreneurs: a case study of women in micro and small scale business at Tanoso, Kumasi
(2009-05-14) Koranteng-Dakwa, Winifred
Access to credit from Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) by Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Kumasi Metropolis
(July, 2015) Darko, Richard
Access to credit for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of the Republic of Ghana, is one of the thorny issues as far as growth and development of SMEs is concerned. This study is meant to highlight on how SMEs could reasonably access credit from financial institutions. It also gives an expose on credit delivery processes of Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) to economically support SMEs. The study received responses from 329 owners of SMEs, three (3) NBFIs, National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and experts in credit delivery processes and SMEs activities. Questionnaire was used to gather primary data for the study through cross-sectional survey design. Secondary data from literature review of the study supported questionnaire administered to collect data from respondents. The study used tables, percentages and Microsoft Excel to produce bar graphs for data presentation, analysis and discussion. The study identified inadequate SMEs funding, non-formalization of SMEs credit from friends and family members, cash lien, collateral security, insider loan fraud, high interest rates, misclassification of borrowers of credit and credit repayment periods as challenges of SMEs access to credit and credit delivery processes of NBFIs. The study called for the establishment of SMEs Development Fund (SMEDEF), formalization of SMEs credit from friends and family members, proper administration of collateral security for loans, proper classification of borrowers in credit delivery, effective management of cash lien, competitive interest rates on loans, flexible credit repayment periods, restrictions on insider loan fraud and SMEs capacity building to streamline credit delivery in SMEs and NBFIs operations.
Access to finance by small and medium scale enterprises from savings and loans institutions in the Kumasi metropolis
(2012-06-06) Aboagye, Robert
In today’s Global Economy, SMEs are the engine of growth and for that matter they must be funded and thereby the state or the government must put policies that will assist their growth by accessing funds from financial institutions or the banks with lower interest rate. The study aimed at finding out the type of credit used by SMEs from Savings and Loans Companies, other sources of credit accessed by SMEs in Kumasi, the major constraints faced by SMEs in accessing credit from savings and loans companies and to investigate to investigate the assessment criteria used by savings and loans companies in SME loan appraisal. There is evidence that savings and loans companies are making credit available to the entrepreneurs of small and medium scale enterprises. Prior to that inadequate credit was a major problem facing the Sector. There is the need in Ghana for our Universities in collaboration with the banks or financial institutions to educate the public about the importance of savings.
Access to finance by small and medium scale enterprises from Savings and Loans Institutions in the Kumasi Metropolis
(2008-08-10) Aboagye, Robert
In today's Global Economy, SMEs are the engine of growth and for that matter they must be funded and thereby the state or the government must put policies that will assist their growth by accessing funds from financial institutions or the banks with lower interest rate. The study aimed at finding out the type of credit used by SMEs from Savings and Loans Companies, other sources of credit accessed by SMEs in Kumasi, the major constraints faced by SMEs in accessing credit from savings and loans companies and to investigate to investigate the assessment criteria used by savings and loans companies in SME loan appraisal. There is evidence that savings and loans companies are making credit available to the entrepreneurs of small and medium scale enterprises. « Prior to that inadequate credit was a major problem facing the Sector. There is the need in Ghana for our Universities in collaboration with the banks or financial institutions to educate the public about the importance of savings.

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