Post-Retirement Satisfaction among Ghanaian Workers –The Case of Teachers and Non-Teachers

The general purpose of this study was to find out the factors that contributed to or accounted for post-retirement satisfaction among Ghanaian workers; and whether teacher retirees and non-teacher retirees differ in their post-retirement satisfaction with all those factors that account for post-retirement satisfaction. After reviewing, the literature eight main research questions were formulated to guide the study. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select 230 respondents for the study. The instrument for the study was the questionnaire. Data were analysed using correlations, cross-tabulations and chi square test of independence. The major findings from the study are as follows; Retirees in general are quite satisfied with all the indicators of post-retirement satisfaction. However, a larger proportion of non-teacher retirees as opposed to teacher retirees were satisfied with their post-retirement satisfaction. International Journal of Educational Research Vol. 3 (2) 2007 pp. 319-33

Determinants of Motivationally-Anchored Ghanaian Rural Classrooms

The purpose of this study was to find out the factors responsible for the high rate of school attendance among rural pupils in Ghana in recent times. Questionnaire were used to collect data from a sample of 274 rural primary school pupils. The chi-square test of independence was used as the major analytical tool. The results of the study indicated that Ghanaian rural pupils are in school not because school is going to benefit them as individuals in future, but because of such external factors (extrinsic motivation) as the capitation grant, school feeding programme, and the supply of free school uniforms. Implications of this trend for stakeholders have been drawn. Keywords: Extrinsic motivation; School Attendance; School feeding programme. International Journal of Educational Research Vol. 3 (1) 2007 pp. 115-12

An Examination of Perceived Factors of Influencing Mass Killings in the United States of America

The criminal justice system in USA has undergone through series of attack from the citizens with specific references from the numerous incidences of crime cases due to mass killing, and legalization of gun holding policies. According to Folman, Aronsen, and Pan (2018), in 2018 alone, 12 reported mass shootings in the U.S. Despite gun laws that have been enacted in varying degrees from each state across the country, mass shootings and/or killings is a glaring problem that continues to divide America. The battle over gun control and gun rights increases seemingly after each incident of mass shooting. There are many factors discussed by educators, politicians, legal scholars and laypersons alike regarding the cause of mass shootings but little attention has been paid to the issue. This study investigates and examine the relationship between the number mass killings and race, gender, political party affiliation, use of assault weapons and mental illness. This research uses linear regression, correlation, and secondary sources of data covering the periods between 2016 – 2018. The study finds a strong positive relationship between mass killings and race. However, a statistically significant relationship to the number of mass killings and political party affiliation is lacking. Also lacking is a statistically significant relationship between mass killings and mental illness. Perhaps the latter is due to failure or inability to appropriately diagnose those who engage in mass shootings and/or killings as being mentally ill. Therefore, the study recommends that the mental health agencies and professionals should identify ways to communicate to active patients, their family members and the community-at-large on proper recognition of signs of mental illness and appropriate means to report such signs in order to minimize crime in USA. Keywords: Race, Politics, Mass Killing, Correlation, Political Party, Crime and Justice System DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/104-08 Publication date: December 31st 202

Gun Control Policies And The Right To Bear Arms In America: A Utilitarian Perspective

The purpose of this study is to utilize Bentham’s Utilitarianism model to explain gun control policies and the right to bear arms in the United States of America. Meanwhile the literature and available evidence from mass shooting revealed that gun control advocates and gun rights advocate alike appear to be firmly rooted in their respective positions. Perhaps the quintessential question is this – Who’s right and who’s wrong. In an attempt to answer the question above, the researcher utilized the narrative research approach and the application of Utilitarian principles to explain the gun control policies, and gun rights of citizens to inform criminal justice reforms. It is evidenced in this study that in many ways, Bentham and his successors’ writings, discussions and arguments for the application of the principle of utility can be felt in contemporary society, like the USA when it comes to issues like gun control. The United States is a Representative Republic and though not direct but a form of democracy. The study revealed that even though, the structure of the U.S. government is such that certain levels of accountability or checks and balances are in place to hold those in authority of governance accountable, but the system have failed to adequately enact and enforce laws to control the issues of homicides, and gun control to protect the lives of citizens. This finding aligns with Bentham’s proposition in the literature that those who hold the “operative power” in government, administration, and judiciary are, like everyone else, motivated by personal interest but not for the greater good. Therefore, this study recommend that it is imperative to devise mechanisms that will ensure that only by acting in the public interest could they promote their own interests. KEYWORDS: Utilitarian, gun control, gun rights, policy, firearms, assault rifles, Second Amendment. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/123-09 Publication date:August 31st 202

Detection of chalk in single kernels of long-grain milled rice using imaging and visible/near-infrared instruments

Background and objectives To maintain the competitiveness of U.S. long-grain rice in U.S. and foreign markets, having translucent whole milled grain is critical. An objective technique to detect grain chalk, opaque areas in the grain, will provide breeders and industry with an effective tool for developing low-chalk varieties or agronomic practices that reduce chalk occurrence. Two instruments developed at the Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), a single-kernel near-infrared (SKNIR) tube instrument and a silicon-based light-emitting diode (SiLED) high-speed sorter, were compared with two commercially available imaging instruments, WinSEEDLE and SeedCount used for chalk quantification. Three 2-way chalk classifications were defined for single kernels based on visual inspection: (a) \u3c50% or \u3e= 50% opacity or chalk (modified Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration [GIPSA]), (b) \u3c10% or \u3e= 10% opacity (10% cutoff), and (c) 100% opacity or 100% translucent (MaxLevel). Findings The SKNIR method provided the best classification for the modified GIPSA definition with an 82.4% average correct classification (CC), that is, 89% and 76% for nonchalky and chalky kernels, respectively. The WinSEEDLE had the best classification for the 10% cutoff definition, with an 84% CC for nonchalky kernels and a 96% CC for chalky kernels. For the MaxLevel definition, average CCs of both the SKNIR and SiLED methods were similar, at 93% and 95%, respectively. The average CCs were lower for both the WinSEEDLE method and the SeedCount method at 14% and 58%, respectively. These low CC values are a result of using a threshold of 100% for chalky or nonchalky kernels, where a single misclassified pixel within the image will cause misclassification. Calibration models developed for both the SKNIR and SiLED methods indicate that their classifications were based mainly on spectral differences near the adsorption bands for starch, protein, and water content. Conclusions All of the instruments can be used to classify chalk, but their level of accuracy depends on how chalk is defined. Significance and novelty The SiLED has the capability to process seeds at a high rate, and the SKNIR has the potential to measure compositional traits in addition to chalk measurements

Reflections of a Central Bank Governor

Central banks seldom play central roles in the strategies that researchers and practitioners formulate for fostering financial capability in marginalized populations, but in this Perspective, by Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, illustrates that the work of those banks is “inextricably linked” to financial capability. This Perspective presents remarks offered by Dr. Addison as part of the event marking the launch of Financial Capability and Asset Building in Africa (FCAB Africa). Participants gathered virtually for the start of this multinational collaboration in a session of the 22nd biennial conference of the International Consortium for Social Development, which was hosted by the University of Johannesburg, July 13–16, 2021. Dr. Addison’s remarks are presented here with the permission of the author and the Bank of Ghana

The Impact of Functional Literacy on Socio-Economic Lives of Beneficiaries: A Case Study of the Agona District of Ghana

This paper presents a report on a study which sought to examine the extent of the relationship between participation in the Functional Literacy Programme and improvement in the socioeconomic lives of the beneficiaries of the programme. Data was collected from 100 beneficiaries of the functional literacy classes in the Agona District of Ghana using an Interview Guide on the Impact of Functional Literacy Programme on Beneficiaries (IGIFLPB). The results of the study established a relationship between participation in the functional literacy classes and improvement in social and economic lives of beneficiaries of the programme. The results showed that beneficiaries of the functional literacy classes could read, write and do numerical calculations to some appreciable extent at the time of their completion of the course and this helps them in their trading activities. Furthermore, it was found that beneficiaries of the literacy classes had become conscious of the need to improve upon their health status. The paper makes recommendations for improvement of the Functional Literacy Programme in Ghana. Key Words: functional literacy, formal education, Ghana, reading, writing

Investigating the Variables Influencing Post-Retirement Satisfaction of Teachers

The general purpose of this study was to find out the factors that contributed to or accounted for post-retirement satisfaction among Ghanaian teachers; and whether female teacher retirees and male teacher retirees differ in their post-retirement satisfaction with all thosefactors that account for post-retirement satisfaction. After reviewing, the literature eight main research questions were formulated to guide the study. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select 230 respondents for the study. The instrument for the study was the questionnaire. Data were analysed using correlations, cross-tabulations and chisquare test of independence. The major finding from the study showed that retirees in general are quite satisfied with all the indicators of post-retirement satisfaction. However, apart from their accommodation status female teacher retirees and male teacher retirees differ in their satisfaction with all the measures of satisfaction in retirement