Populism: Utility of its Approaches and the Prospects of the Phenomenon's Resurgence in America

Populism in the twenty-first century became prominent in scholarly circles following Brexit and the 2016 electoral victory of Donald Trump. As democracy and globalization enthusiasts least anticipated these two monumental events in modern history, much emphasis came to be placed on the nature of populism and what conditions led to its manifestation in contemporary times. Working within this background, this study aims to review the ideational, political strategy and discursive approaches to the populism phenomenon and unpack the relative utility of each approach. I offer a thoughtful perspective that while the ideational approach’s “thin-centered” strand has the tendency to blur the boundaries of populism and lead scholars to accept “anything” as populism; it nevertheless enables us to comprehensively capture populism usage in multiple contexts. Further, I advance the notion that the 2020 electoral defeat of Donald Trump should not be misconstrued as the end or weakening of right-wing populism; the present state of American politics makes it ripe for populism resurgence

Exploring two cases of Piano Teacher Education in Finland and Germany

Research about music instrument teacher education is scattered and fairly recent, especially in the European context. The purpose of this study was to explore two cases of piano teacher education programs at higher music education institutions, one in Finland, and one in Germany, to gain insights into the preparation of piano teachers for their professional working life. The aim was to identify issues for consideration in curriculum development of piano teacher education to enhance the teaching and learning of piano playing, and to ultimately increase musical practice and engagement among young learners. Nine semi-structured interviews with piano teacher educators, heads of program, other lecturers within the program, and student piano teachers in both cases were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. Three main themes with subcategories emerged: (1) the organization of the piano teacher education program, such as the structure, the content, the learning environments provided, and the development mechanisms of the program; (2) the views on the piano teacher profession, the working environment and resulting requirements, including further education during professional life; and (3) the professional skills and teacher identity development of student teachers. While the supposed working environments and requirements of future piano teachers, the student teachers' development characteristics, and the content were found reasonably concurrent in both cases, the structure of the teacher education program, and the organization of learning environments presented notable differences. While the complete teacher qualification in the Finnish case was offered as option in the Bachelor and Master of Music program within the piano department, the German case offered a separate program for music instrument educators. Other main differences concerned the organizations of practical teaching experiences, and the linking of practical with theoretical pedagogy. Conviction and enthusiasm for improving piano and other music instrument teacher education seemed remarkable. These improvements could include the development of a comprehensive teacher education pedagogy for music instrument teacher educators, intensified cross-linking within and of higher music education institutions in local contexts, and the expansion of professional development opportunities.Siirretty Doriast

Social Capital and Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme: Understanding Informal Sector Participation

Pursuing Universal Health Care in a developing economy like Ghana is a bold, laudable idea. Given the immutable benefits of Social Health Insurance in this pursuit, the long-term performance of Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) Schemes in developing countries remains a conundrum when viewed from the predominant economic and health system frameworks. In the context of a weak state with a large informal sector however, this study demonstrates that the inclusion of a social context in the foundational framework yields valuable insights that must inform the conceptualization, design and implementation of CBHI-founded Social Health Insurance initiatives across the developing world

PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS ON HAND WASHING PRACTICES IN SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN MAMPONG MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

The study sought to investigate the perception of students on hand washing in order to prevent diseases in Senior High Schools in the Mampong Municipal Assembly. The study employed the use of descriptive research design to find out the attitudes of students on hand washing practices. The instrument for the data collection was a questionnaire which has been administered to the students. The results indicated that, there were insufficient resources for hand washing such as soap, towel, sanitizers, hand antiseptics, portable/tap water, detergent, warm water and alcohol-base rub. Also, there was lack of hand washing practices among students such as after/before visiting toilet, eating, touching raw material, touching rubbish and playing games. Again, there was lack of education and advise on hand washing. It was therefore recommended that school management and government agencies in charge of health and education should increase the education on hand washing in senior high boarding schools.   Article visualizations

Understanding People’s Motives for visiting Public Green Spaces in Accra to aid the Development of Urban Greenery in Ghana

In the recent past, the empirical evidence of the potential benefits urbanites derive from the use of urban green space has received increased attention.  However, not much research has been done on the use of urban green areas, especially in developing African countries like Ghana.  This paper determines the motives of the public for visiting urban green spaces and the factors that influence their perception of the quality of urban natural areas in Ghana, using Accra, the capital city of Ghana, as the case study.  The questionnaire method was used for the collection of quantitative data from the public.  The findings revealed “socialising”, “mental wellbeing or restitution” and “spirituality” as the significant motives of residents for the usage of green spaces in Accra.  The results further show that the key factors that influence the public’s perception of the quality and utilisation of green spaces in Accra are the spaces’ physical features, conditions of facilities, sanitation and security concerns.  The outcome of the research revealed a thought-provoking perspective for future research on “spirituality” as significant users’ motivation for visiting urban green spaces since the “spirituality” factor is deficient in literature. The findings from this study are critical for policy-makers, urban designers and landscape architects to understand the vital motives of users and the factors that influence the use of green spaces, to improve the development and management of urban green areas in Ghana and other developing countries. Keywords: Urban Green Space, motives, greenery, Accra, Ghana DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-8-08 Publication date:August 31st 202

Assessment of Helminth Infections in Goats Slaughtered in an Abattoir in a suburb of Accra, Ghana

A cross-sectional study to evaluate parasitic infections in small ruminants was conducted in an abattoir in a suburb of Accra from January to March 2015. Samples from various sections of the gut of 35 goats, either reared in Ghana or imported from Burkina Faso, were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique. The overall prevalence was 100%. The proportions of goats infected with each parasite type were 100%, 94.4%, 88.6%,80.5%, 68.6 62.8% and 44.4% respectively for Strongyloides sp., tapeworms, Ascaris sp., Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris sp., Haemonchus contortus and Schistosoma haematobium. The proportion of animals infected with Haemonchus contortus was significantly higher in imported goats than those reared locally (p<0.05). The mean intensity of infection was low for all the parasites. However, high diversity of parasites with 80% of goats having at least four parasite types was observed. The data show high multiple infections in the goats brought to the slaughter house and suggest the need to institute appropriate measures to curb the problem

Impact of Mobile Commerce on Patronage in Ghanaian Indigenous Startups

Undergraduate thesis submitted to the Department of Business Administration, Ashesi University, in partial fulfillment of Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, May 2022In this present age, m-Commerce is an important technology that many countries adopt because of its vast advantages such as improved profitability, increased number of customers, and increased patronage. Therefore, seeing that the technology is a game changer in different parts of the world, Ghanaian businesses must not be left out in partaking in a resource that is likely to move them to the next level. This paper examines the research questions: What is the impact of m-commerce on sales revenue among Ghanaian indigenous startups? and What are the decision processes that founders can consider before investing in m-Commerce? In answering these questions, the businesses that are likely to adopt the m-Commerce technology are informed on the extent to which m-Commerce positively impacts the sales process to decide whether it is better to replace, maintain, or adopt a hybrid channel. The study employed the use of a mixed research methodology. The quantitative research method measured and quantified the impact of m-Commerce on the startups. In contrast, the qualitative helped derive a naturalistic interpretation of the impact of m-Commerce on startups. This study also used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the thematic analysis for the qualitative, which assesses how users come to accept and use technology. The study and its analysis show that m-Commerce positively impacts patronage. The study also recommends that policymakers adopt m-Commerce technologies in conjunction with their existing business models because it is advantageous to patronage.Ashesi Universit

A FRET map of membrane anchors suggests distinct microdomains of heterotrimeric G proteins

The standard model of heterotrimeric G protein signaling postulates a dissociation of G alpha and G beta gamma subunits after activation. We hypothesized that the different combination of lipid-modifications on G alpha and G alpha beta gamma subunits directs them into different microdomains. By characterizing rapidly and at high sensitivity 38 fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pairs of heterotrimeric-G-protein constructs, we defined their microdomains in relation to each other, free from the constraints of the raft/non-raft dualism. We estimated that in a cell similar to 30% of these membrane-anchored proteins are mostly clustered in 340016,200 copies of 30-nm microdomains. We found that the membrane anchors of G alpha and G alpha beta gamma subunits of both the G(i/o) and G(q) family co-cluster differently with microdomain markers. Moreover, anchors of the G alpha(i/o) and G alpha(q) subunits co-clustered only weakly, whereas constructs that contained the anchors of the corresponding heterotrimers co-clustered considerably, suggesting the existence of at least three types of microdomain. Finally, FRET experiments with full-length heterotrimeric G proteins confirmed that the inactive, heterotrimerized G alpha subunit is in microdomains shared by heterotrimers from different subclasses, from where it displaces upon activation into a membrane-anchor- and subclass-specific microdomain

Residential Satisfaction in a Mining-Induced Displacement and Resettlement in Ghana

Housing challenges associated with Mining-Induced Displacement and Resettlement have not been examined in literature as much as relocations due to physical development projects like the construction of dams.  This study, therefore, endeavours to fill this gap by contributing to discussions on displacements and resettlements communities due to mining activities from the perspective of residential satisfaction.  A questionnaire survey was administered to 229 household-heads at Salman, a rural community in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region in Ghana, to investigate the determinants of residential satisfaction in a Mining-Induced Displacement and Resettlement. Residents’ assessed their satisfaction based on the physical features of the dwelling units, community facilities, social/neighbourhood environment, and infrastructural services.  Data were analysed using mathematical equations to attain residential satisfaction and habitability indices.  The study revealed moderate residential satisfaction with the overall resettlement housing.  Satisfaction with physical features of the dwelling units was high, while satisfaction with community facilitates and social/neighbourhood environment was moderate. The satisfaction level with infrastructure services was, however, shallow.  The study avers that there exist opportunities for real residential satisfaction after permanent mining-induced relocation of communities. Keywords: Residential satisfaction, Mining-Induced Displacement and Resettlement, Dwelling units, Community facilities, Neighbourhood. DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-9-05 Publication date:September 30th 202