Apprenticeship Training System In Ghana: Processes, Institutional Dynamics And Challenges

Ghana’s informal apprenticeship system has been an important part of its informal economy, particularly for its role as a complimentary means of skills transfer and the development of the nation’s human capital required for the overall national development. In spite of its role, little attention has been paid to this sector over the years. This study interrogates and documents the processes, institutional dynamics and challenges that confront the informal apprenticeship system of Ghana a means of skills acquisition and transfer in the wake of the ever changing social and economic conditions in Ghana. The study adopted both exploratory and descriptive approaches. Using quota sampling technique, 200 questionnaires were distributed among four broad trades namely; wood workers; auto mechanics; textile and apparel; and beauticians and hair dressers. This was complimented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The study revealed that the system provides an alternative path for nearly 33 per cent of students who drop out before completing Junior High School and nearly 42 per cent who drop out after completing Senior High School. It was also evident that the master craftsmen/women generally have a weak theoretical basis for what they do besides the financial challenges they have. A two part training programme has been proposed: a theoretical and practical component. It is also recommended that a policy be developed to improve the system without the state necessarily capturing and controlling it

Understanding the Use of Balanced Scorecard in the Context of State-Owned Enterprises in Developing Countries: A Case from Ghana

This paper examines the conception, adoption and implementation of BSC from the context of a developing country and relatively less researched tier of the public sector – State-owned enterprises. The study adopts a case study approach where data was collected via semi-structured interview. Results show a BSC that emphasizes performance measurement and management and to some degree strategic management. Evidence on the extent of normalisation is mixed. Less than 50% of the interviewees on the average assert that there is collective action when it comes to the BSC. Furthermore, on the average a higher percent of the interviews took a neutral position (N) under each of the four elements that provide evidence in establishing the normalisation of the BSC. The limitation of this study are primarily those associated with case studies. This limitation instigates future studies drawing on other research strategies.   At public sector level and SOEs in particular, this the findings of this study provide a first view of BSC being used in a Ghanaian state-owned enterprise Keywords: state-owned enterprises, balanced scorecard, Normalisation process theory, Ghana

Ophthalmic Anthropometry among Rural Dwellers in Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe

Introduction The measures of ophthalmic anthropometric parameters may vary among races and ethnic groups but are of immense importance in clinical diagnosis and management of oculo-visual defects. There is paucity of data on these measures among the Zimbabwean population. Purpose  The aim was to determine ophthalmic anthropometric parameters among rural dwellers in Zimbabwe. Methods Six ophthalmic anthropometric parameters including interpupillary distance (IPD), head width (HW), temple width (TW), length to bend (LTB), and apical radius were measured using a pupillometer, PD rule, Head width calipers, Fairbank facial gauge, and ABDO frame rule. Results A total of 471 participants aged 18 to 100 years (mean age = 55.13; SD± 17.33 years). Of the 471 participants, 206 (43.7%) were males and 265 (56.3%) were females. A mean interpupillary distance at far was 65.57 ± 4.80 mm, mean temple width of 12.49 ± 1.53 cm, mean head width of 13.61 ± 1.39 cm and a side length to bend of 10.24 ± 1.20 cm and the apical radius was 9.94 ± 1.37. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference between the ophthalmic anthropometric parameters of males and females except for temple width and apical radius. Conclusion A narrower interpupillary distance but a wider temple width was observed among adult Zimbabweans. A significant difference in ophthalmic anthropometric parameters between males and females were observed except for temple width and apical radius. This should inform eyewear manufacturers and importers of frames on the facial and ocular parameters of Zimbabweans to improve the aesthetics and ensure a comfortable vision for wearers of already-made near vision spectacles for presbyopes. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(1):99-11

Sociolinguistics of the Varieties of West African Pidgin Englishes—A Review

Language contact is a key issue in the field of sociolinguistics. One notable phenomenon in the field of language contact is Pidgin English. Historically, Pidgin began as a language marked by traditional interference used chiefly by the prosperous and privileged sections of a community, represented by the unskilled and illiterate class of the society (Quirk et al., 1985). However, nowadays, it has gained status in some communities to the extent that it has become the mother-tongue of such communities. This paper, therefore, investigates the sociolinguistics of the multiplicity of West African Pidgins of Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana against some sociolinguistic variables of gender, attitudes, code switching, borrowing, slang, and domains of language use. The paper has been structured into two main parts. The first section contains the reviews/synopses of the various papers or works that have been used for the study. The second section deals with a discussion on the prominent sociolinguistic variables found in the various papers

The Informal Apprenticeship System in Ghana: Post Graduation Job Integration and Its Implications for the Management of Urban Space

In spite of the enormous contributions the informal apprenticeship system has made to empowering many creative intelligent young Ghanaians, it has over the years come under a barrage of criticism and forceful evictions in many urban areas in Ghana. The justification by  urban administrators and planners for forcefully removing these graduate apprentices who set up their businesses  have been on grounds of encroachment of public spaces and illegal occupation of precarious locations. Informal graduate apprentices have defended their locational choice on ground of unfairness on the part of the state and the market to cater for their space needs. In the awake of a growing informal apprenticeship system in Ghana, this paper sought to establish the inherent relationship that exist between the growth in apprentices, their locational preferences, and their implications for urban planning and management. Using a case study approach the study built upon earlier exploratory research works done in the area. Information was gathered from 162 graduate apprentices-now entrepreneurs in four broad trades namely wood worker; auto mechanics; textile and apparel; and beauticians and hairdressers in Accra using questionnaires. The responses were validated through a focus group discussion. The findings revealed the number of graduate apprentices who set up their businesses is on the rise.  Although they preferred highly accessible areas that guaranteed high patronage of their services the absence of such spaces due to inefficiencies in the urban land market or a lack of a clear regulation that addresses their specific needs have caused them to settle in areas that are available to them.  It was also evident that the more concentrated the location of their activities are the higher the number of trips it generates across the urban space. Having gained insight into the phenomenon, proposals have been made as to how best the unmet space needs of the graduate apprentices can be met so as to mitigate the negative effects that results from unplanned, uncoordinated and unmet space needs. Keywords Informal, graduate apprentices, space needs, urban managemen

Alcohol in the Workplace: A Soft Systems Approach

Abstract This paper focuses on the topic of alcohol in contemporary work organisations. It aims to explore the relationship between the viewpoints of stakeholders regarding alcohol in the workplace and how they have subsequently shaped organisational practices. Therefore, the study examines the use of certain stages of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) in addressing the extensive information gathered about alcohol in the United Kingdom workplace. This paper will give a description of the problem situation by identifying and organising the different worldviews, vested interests and any overlooked issues that are relevant to the issue of alcohol use or its misuse in the workplace. It will cover the diagrammatic representation of the problem situation, also known as the rich picture, which will include the diverse viewpoints and perspectives involved in the debate. This will unveil aspects of the research process such as the type and quality of the interviews conducted the variety of actors and experts involved in the debate, and the multiple discourses related to these experts. Consequently, this research offers the possibility to identify some relevant systems in the form of discourses relating to the debate on alcohol in the workplace and finally the third stage of SSM which involves creating root definitions can be successfully undertaken. This methodological approach adopted will help structure a complex organisational, and often political issue. Consequently this allows the various stakeholders to understand the nuances and the interactions between power relations and discourses (expert and lay knowledge) related to the topic in an organised manner

The Interplay of Alcohol and Wellbeing in the Workplace: Combining Soft Systems Methodology and Foucauldian Approach

This paper focuses on the topic of alcohol and wellbeing in contemporary work organisations. It explores the relationship between stakeholders’ viewpoints regarding alcohol in the workplace and how they have shaped organisational practices regarding wellbeing. The work of Michel Foucault is used to explore these issues. The notions of power, knowledge and discipline are identified as key Foucauldian themes that offer an alternative understanding of how discourses on alcohol are shaped in the United Kingdom workplace. The paper combines certain stages of Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology and Foucault’s Poststructuralist approach in addressing the topic. Foucault’s method of analysis, particularly archaeology and genealogy, is used to explore how and why certain discourses surrounding alcohol in the workplace become dominant over time. Qualitative cases with semi-structured interviews in knowledge-intensive firms were adopted to capture contrasting, varied experiences and perceptions of these organisational actors and shed light on alcohol and wellbeing and its relationships with the power dimension

An Exploration Of The Innovative Practices And Challenges Of Freelancers In The UK Construction Sector

There is broad consensus on the value of entrepreneurship as a driver of enhancing productivity, social equality and mobility in society. Likewise, there is growing importance placed upon measuring and communicating social value in the United Kingdom (UK) construction industry (Raiden et al., 2019). Burke (2015) stated that in this industry, freelance workers increasingly using entrepreneurial and innovative practices to circumvent Government policies that would eliminate their crucial economic contribution. In light of the current skills shortage burdening the construction industry, this research engages with the concept of enhancing social and public value by promoting effective, innovative entrepreneurial practices that can help improve the employment horizon by offering valuable skills to aspects of society that would have otherwise remained under-utilised. This also supports the current Social Mobility Commission’s agenda of promoting nationwide equity through meaningful employment and encompasses the ‘levelling up’ agenda presented in the 2021 Queen’s Speech. The construction industry has received constant criticism regarding innovation and productivity for decades; for example, The Famer Report (2016) ‘Modernise or Die’ criticised the industry for its lack of innovative practices in improving productivity and the sector as a whole. Moreover, inefficiencies of this sector were also highlighted in both Latham Report (1994) and the Egan (1998) report, indicating poor communication, lack of collaboration amongst project teams, and an absence of safe and decent working conditions. However, such reports have yet spurned the intended improvements for the industry. With an increased level of complexity, the industry has become more fragmented. For tax purposes, the industry evolved to create self-employment techniques whereby small and micro construction firms were presented as independent contractors while working for the same principal contractors from project to project. This was labelled as bogus or false self-employment. Thus, the responsibility of a small or micro firm surviving lies on the owner-managers as they try to survive in the gig economy, i.e., every project, as a result, becomes a ‘solo gig’ they must execute while looking for their next project. Specifically, Burke (2012) considers freelancers remain under-studied and under-appreciated economic actors in the current British economy despite their critical economic roles, due to their pivotal role has just emerged in the past three decades in the knowledge and innovation-driven economy. Although freelancers share certain characteristics with project managers and site managers, their entire economic function is not adequately represented when examined as subsets of either group. Burke (2011) argued that freelancers are distinct economic actors who perform economic tasks which neither project managers nor site managers perform. Hence, this paper aims to explore innovation and innovative practices adopted by freelancers (small and micro firms) in the UK construction sector. It also uncovers challenges faced by the industry and the freelancers in the ‘gig economy’. As self-employed teams, the small and micro firms operate hypothetically as freelancers, but most seek to establish long-term working relationships with main contractors who can offer the sustainable work needed to stay afloat and thrive as a business. We explore the complex relationships that exist in the industry between small working teams and, more importantly, the relationships among the actors in this ecosystem (e.g. professionals, architects, project managers, quantity surveyors and skilled trades: bricklayers, joiners, electricians). Some of the subtle nuances in such relationships are the recruitment strategies implemented, performance review processes, trust and support amongst teams and ensuring longevity. While previous research have overlooked the innovative approaches adopted by a small or micro firm to thrive in such a competitive industry, this research endeavours to theorise such strategies. Furthermore, practices of small and micro construction firms are often classified as informal and, as such, tend to be discounted as innovative and effective. Using a qualitative research approach, multiple ethnographic case studies were conducted on seven different construction projects. Data collection instruments included semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted using QSR NVivo in generating codes for the in-depth data analysis, including themes reviewed from the literature and emerging themes identified through the data collection process and initial data analysis. Initial findings on innovative practices adopted by small and micro firms include experienced workers utilising tacit knowledge in delivering experiential learning to newer workers on less complex tasks. Hence, circumventing the traditional formal training systems and processes, which are often bureaucratic and less efficient, while ensuring productivity is not significantly affected. Safety practices on site are designed to be reflective of emerging situations, thereby allowing pragmatic solutions to be implemented immediately. In contrast, atypical safety issues on larger projects and their potential solutions require authorisation from managers who are often removed from the situations and lack the familiarity of the ongoing issues. This creates a two-fold issue, i.e., firstly, the time lost in gaining approval for the solution and secondly, a solution that may not address the problem appropriately. Moreover, unorthodox recruitment methods prior to the formal contractual processes were used to ensure that the ‘right’ workers who are already vetted through techniques were recruited. ‘Word of mouth’ is crucial in the recruitment phase, and a worker can fail based on the recommendation (or lack of) from other workers. In addition, the owner-mangers of these small firms build informal alliances with project managers and site managers in order to ensure a long-term relationship can sustain further project awards. As subcontractors, they have to submit tenders to be included in bids; however, their established relationships with the principal contractors often result that they can be offered a lenient review on the bureaucratic aspects as they are known to be able to execute the jobs successfully even though their ‘paperwork’ may have gaps. Furthermore, the small and micro firms form working bonds with other teams on site and support each other to move from project to project collaboratively and ensure the continuity of the established familiarity and networks. The key challenges to innovative practices adopted by the small and micro firms are the lack of recognition by principal contractors and policymakers. This thus suppresses their ‘good’ practices from being included in best practice conversations. Large principal contractors have often argued that the inability to capture the informal practices used by small and micro firms gives way to liabilities as there is less scrutiny on their work practices. This includes the accountability that comes with formalised work procedures. This paper offers a much-needed contribution to the construction industry by exploring the critical insight of innovative practices adopted, which may benefit other fields with relatable characteristics. It uncovers the employment challenges, especially the aspects of skills shortage faced by the industry and have often been overlooked despite it accounts for more than 90% of the workforce and employs 7% of the national labour force. It also has implications for policymakers seeking to improve employment in general and in the construction sector, in particular. It also offers theoretical contributions to the academic understanding of innovative practices adopted by freelancers in small and micro firms as they endeavour to thrive in the construction sector. The findings contribute to the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, which seeks to improve employment records and enhance social mobility, significantly being adversely impacted by BREXIT and coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, such an understanding may be applicable to other sectors that rely heavily on freelancers, e.g., the events industry