EFFECTIVENESS OF USING GEOGEBRA IN TEACHING AND LEARNING CIRCLE THEOREMS ON STUDENT-TEACHERS’ PERFORMANCE

This paper aims to explore the effect of using GeoGebra in teaching and learning circle theorems on student-teachers’ performance. This paper is based on the results of the four-week experiment of GeoGebra software in teaching and learning the concepts of circle theorems of the geometry of student-teachers at the College of Education. The effectiveness of using GeoGebra software was explored by measuring the achievement level with the help of achievement tests and perceptions of using GeoGebra software through the questionnaire. The data were analyzed and interpreted by using a frequency distribution table, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test. The findings showed that there was a higher mean score in achievement in circle theorems of the experimental group, that is, those taught with GeoGebra software than that of the control group, that is, those taught without GeoGebra software, and the difference was significant at 0.05 level. Similarly, the student-teachers of the experimental group had a positive perception to support the use of GeoGebra software in teaching and learning circle theorems in geometry and mathematics in general. Thus, the use of GeoGebra software is an effective tool to increase achievement; promote curiosity and creativity; make clear sense of concepts and encourage overall learning of students in mathematics. Finally, this study suggests that mathematics teachers need to use ICT tools including GeoGebra for effective teaching and learning.  Article visualizations

Removal of steroid estrogens from municipal wastewater in a pilot scale expanded granular sludge blanket reactor and anaerobic membrane bioreactor

Anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater offers the prospect of a new paradigm by reducing aeration costs and minimizing sludge production. It has been successfully applied in warm climates, but does not always achieve the desired outcomes in temperate climates at the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) values of municipal crude wastewater. Recently the concept of fortification' has been proposed to increase organic strength and has been demonstrated at the laboratory and pilot scale treating municipal wastewater at temperatures of 10-17°C. The process treats a proportion of the flow anaerobically by combining it with primary sludge from the residual flow and then polishing it to a high effluent standard aerobically. Energy consumption is reduced as is sludge production. However, no new treatment process is viable if it only addresses the problems of traditional pollutants (suspended solids - SS, BOD, nitrogen - N and phosphorus - P); it must also treat hazardous substances. This study compared three potential municipal anaerobic treatment regimes, crude wastewater in an expanded granular sludge blanket (EGSB) reactor, fortified crude wastewater in an EGSB and crude wastewater in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor. The benefits of fortification were demonstrated for the removal of SS, BOD, N and P. These three systems were further challenged with the removal of steroid estrogens at environmental concentrations from natural indigenous sources. All three systems removed these compounds to a significant degree, confirming that estrogen removal is not restricted to highly aerobic autotrophs, or aerobic heterotrophs, but is also a faculty of anaerobic bacteria

The Failure of Lehman Brothers: Causes, Preventive Measures and Recommendations

The 2008 global financial meltdown witnessed most of the top global financial institutions crumble into liquidation and bankruptcy. The incident culminated in most of these firms either liquidated or experienced plummetion in returns. The failure of Lehman Brothers in the midst of the global financial crisis was the largest catastrophe to hit the financial industry in the United States. Notably, the leading US investment bank suffered huge losses within the month of September. Lehman’s stock price plummeted by 73% of its value in the first half of September alone and by the mid of September 2008, lost $3.9 billion in their attempt to dispose of a majority of their shares in one of their subsidiaries.  To contribute to the body of knowledge, this paper investigated and reviewed the activities or transactions that resulted in the failure of Lehman Brothers. The findings revealed multiplicity of factors ranging from dubious accounting practices, unethical management practices, over investment in risky unsecured investments, laxity on the part of regulators. External auditors also played a major part in this failure by not detecting these financial statement malpractices by the Lehman managers. Policy makers such as the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Basel Accord etc, ought to initiate stringent policies to address Lehman failure to avert any future occurrence. Keywords: Financial meltdown, Liquidation, Bankruptcy, IFRS, SEC, Basel Accord

Working Capital Management and Profitability of Firms: A Study of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Ghana

The efficient management of working capital is crucial to the profitability of firms therefore, it is prudent that management of firms make available in the right amount, resources to manage working capital. The main objective of the study was to establish a statistical relationship between profitability measured by the return on assets and the elements of working capital such as the cash conversion cycle (CCC), average collection period (ACP), average payment period (APP) and inventory turnover days (IT). Growth, size and leverage were control variables identified. A sample size of four (4) companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) out of a population of five (5) listed trading companies for the 2006 to 2010 financial years. The results showed a fairly negative significant relationship between the cash conversion cycle, average collection period and average payment period implying that a reduction in the periods for receiving cash, an increase in the period for paying cash a reduction in the cash conversion cycle will cause an increase in profit. The inventory turnover days as well as all other control variables showed a positive relationship with profitability. Hence, study recommends that trading companies should manage their working capital more efficiently so as to keep it in equilibrium. Keywords: Profitability, Capital Management, Growth, Resources, Size, Ghana Stock Exchang

Impact of E-Banking on the Profitability of Banks in Ghana

The study assessed the impact of electronic banking on the profitability of a Bank in Ghana. How the bank finds itself before a new fact imposed by technology revolution that has changed their work mechanisms from traditional means to electronic means. Furthermore, this study investigates how the electronic banking services through internet and ATM has impacted on banking services in general and the banks’ profitability in particular. The methodology was quantitative in nature. In all, 150 questionnaires were administered to the interviewee from the selected branches of the Agricultural Development Bank who are customers, to solicit information concerning the E-banking. All data from the structured self-administered questionnaires were correctly organized. The software that was used for this is, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study was also more descriptive in nature. After testing the hypothesis by using inferential statistics, it was discovered that E-banking does have an impact on the profitability of the Agricultural Development bank. There was a significant increase in the net profit margin of the bank in the year (2011) E-banking was introduced and the even though it fell in the next year (2012) which wasn’t much, it increased again in the third year (2013).The study revealed that E-banking has a positive effect on ADB’s Profitability. Keywords: Profitability, Electronic Banking, Internet Banking, AD

Analysis of Basel III and Risk Management in Banking

Over the years, financial institutions have always operated as channels for lenders and borrowers. In view of their activities, the banks and other financial institutions are able to accumulate surplus funds from these investors (individuals/organizations) and lend these funds to other investors with deficit funding thereby creating a fiduciary relationship between these two parties. The study analyzed and assessed the effectiveness of Basel III to manage risk in banking. To analyze their activities, the study assessed efficacy of risk assessment procedures and regulations proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Service (Basel III) protect the interest of these parties. Potential risks ranging from credit risk, market risk and operational risk were analyzed. In view of the reforms proposed by Basel III, the framework has failed to address numerous issues. To address this menace in the banking sector, Basel III should not be held as the only conduit to resolve financial crisis, but there is the need to seek other systems in integrating specific government financial regulations with the provisions of Basel III. Keywords: Banking, Basel III, Crises, Financial, Risk, operational

Role of Project Finance in Emerging Economies

The steady growth of funding projects with project finance to develop and provide infrastructural facilities in developed and emerging economies cannot be overemphasized. This study analysis and reviewed the immense contribution of project finance schemes in constructing numerous public projects. Central to the success of this scheme is the non-recourse financing of projects, allocation and shifting of project risk between the parties of the scheme. The study further found that in spite of the complexity associated with project finance is emerging economies, it is prudent to formulate a very solid and suitable legal framework, provide enabling environment for investors to reap their investments and a stable political atmosphere considering the number of years required to recoup the initial cost of investment. Keywords: Project finance, emerging economies, legal framework, investors, infrastructur

The potential of Sport for Development and Peace for the reconciliation of Alavanyo and Nkonya

학위논문(석사)--서울대학교 대학원 :사범대학 체육교육과,글로벌스포츠매니지먼트전공,2019. 8. 이충근.건강, 빈곤, 좋은 인간관계 등 삶의 다양한 부문에서 발전을 이루기 위한 스포츠의 잠재력은 학문적, 사회적 주제가 되었다. 유엔과 노벨상 수상자인 Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu와 Nelson Mandela와 같은 세계적인 사람들은 스포츠의 힘을 강조할 것을 주장했다. 국제적 위기를 직면하여 스포츠는 빈곤해소, 교육, 건강, 갈등, 그리고 전쟁에 대한 효과적인 도구로 확인되었다. 가나에서 대부분의 공동체의 평화를 해친 갈등의 근원은 토지분쟁, 정치적 우월주의, 계승, 종교적 폭력 등 다양한 부족 및 인종 간 갈등이다. Alavanyo와 Nkonya의 갈등은 가나에 존재하는 가장 큰 갈등 중 하나로, 한 세기 전 토지 분쟁으로 인해 시작되었다. 스포츠는 가나의 여러 가지 근본적인 차이를 통합하기 위한 헌법적 의무를 가진 사나 사회의 필수 요소이다. 많은 근본적 갈등이 나타났을 때 스포츠는 가나인들의 사회에서 거대한 통합을 촉진하는 주요한 도구이다. 다양한 갈등 집단의 화해도 역시 스포츠 개발과 평화 발의를 통하는 스포츠의 핵심 요소이다. 이 연구는 풀뿌리 활동과 스포츠 이벤트에 대한 독창적인 접근 방식을 취한다. Alavanyo와 Nkonya 사람들은 그들 스스로 이러한 이벤트를 조직화한다. 이 연구는 전문적인 지원을 통해 더 큰 영향의 가능성을 확인하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 사회적 사건의 의미를 해석하는 방법은 이 연구에서 분석의 기초가 되었다. 이 연구는 Alavanyo와 Nkonya 공동체 내에서 개인 수준부터 공동체 간 수준까지 이르는 기초적인 스포츠 활동의 존재를 입증한다. 더욱이, 스포츠는 Alavanyo와 Nkonya의 한 세기를 걸친 갈등의 해결 과정에서 보조도구로서 의미 있게 기여할 기회를 가진다. 이들에게는 축구와 배구, 그리고 놀이에 대한 흥미와 같은 공통적인 스포츠가 존재한다. 뿐만 아니라, 주민들은 다양한 성공 가능성을 가진 스포츠를 통해 그들 스스로 플랫폼을 만들고자 시도해왔다. 한 때, 스포츠가 지역의 긴장을 완화했다는 사실은 시간이 지남에 따라 양 측의 교류과 혼합을 허용함으로써 스포츠의 전문가들과 함께 조직화 되면 희망이 될 것이다. 갈등의 지속 기간은 Alavanyo와 Nkonya 지역의 변화와 발전에 대한 갈망과 일치한다. 이 연구는 긴장이나 전쟁과 같은 불쾌한 기억 뿐인 사람들의 이주에 대처하기 위해서는 이 지역이 필요한 변화를 빠르게 추적하고 대처할 것을 제안한다. Alavanyo와 Nkonya 보다 더 복잡한 상황에 있는 남아프리카 공화국처럼 관련 당국이 지역의 차이를 해소하기 위한 공동의 노력에 집중하는 것이 성공 가능성이 가장 높다. 두 지역이 총 화해를 위해서는 화해를 향한 단계에 관한 유사 시스템을 개발하거나 Auerbach의 화해의 계층구조를 고려해야 한다. 따라서 가나의 정부와 스포츠 당국이 스포츠의 많은 혜택을 실현하고 갈등 해결에 대한 전략을 채택하는 기회를 활용하기 위해 진지하게 고려할 것을 제안한다. 우리는 SDP 조직이 아프리카 지역의 가나 및 다른 국가의 개발활동을 위해 스포츠를 활용하고 성장하도록 지원할 것을 당부한다.The potential in the power of sport for achieving development at various sectors of life—spanning health, to poverty, to good human relations—has become a topic of both academic and social discourse. Both the United Nations and world-renowned individuals like the Noble Prize winner Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu and Nelson Mandela have made elaborate claims emphasizing the power of sports. Confronting Global crises, sport identified as an effective tool for poverty reduction, education, health, conflicts, and war. In Ghana, one devastating root of conflicts that has marred tranquility in most communities is tribal/ethnic conflicts precipitated by land disputes, political supremacy, succession, religious violence, among various others. The Alavanyo and Nkonya conflict is one of the longest still existing conflicts in Ghana. It started due to a land boundary dispute about a century ago. Sports is an integral part of Ghanas society with a constitutional mandate of integrating the many fundamental differences in the country. Marked with many underlying conflicts, sports is a major tool to foster greater inclusion in the Ghanaian society. Reconciliation among various conflicting groups is also at the heart of sports through the Sports for Development and Peace initiative. This research took a unique approach of accessing grass root activities and sports events. The people of Alavanyo and Nkonya among themselves organized these events. The purpose is to ascertain the possibilities of greater impact through deploying professional assistance. How one interprets the meaning of a social occurrence formed the rudiments of analysis used in this research. The research proves that fundamental sporting activities exist within the Alavanyo and Nkonya communities even at the individual level, to the inter-community level. Indeed sports has chances of making meaningful contributions to the Alavanyo and Nkonyas century long conflict resolution process as an auxiliary tool. There is an existence of common sports such as Football and Volleyball, and an interest to play together. In addition, residents have tried various attempts to create for themselves platforms through sports with various degrees of success. The fact that sports has once lightened tensions in the region—to allow trade and shuttling between the two sides in times past, create hopes of its impact—if more organized, with the involvement of sports for peace experts. The longevity of the conflict matches the hunger of some people in the Alavanyo and Nkonya region for change and development. This suggests the readiness of the region for innovative initiatives to help fast track the needed change to counter the migration of people, and the association of the region with nothing but the unpleasant memories of tension and war. As occurred in post-apartheid South Africa, which has a more complicated situation compared to that of Alavanyo and Nkonya, expectations are that when relevant authorities are involved with a concerted effort to resolve the differences in the land—achieving success is most probable. All that is required is to engage all affected parties taking into consideration Auerbachs hierarchy of reconciliation or developing a similar system to guide steps towards total reconciliation in the region. It is therefore encouraged that the government and sports authorities in Ghana should take it more seriously—realizing the many benefits of sports, and exploit its chances in strategies drawn for conflict resolution in the country. We implore SDP organizations to look favorably on supporting the planting and growth of sports for development activities in Ghana and other countries in the African sub region.Abstract iii List of Tables x List of Figures x Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2. Careful Use of Sport 4 1.3. Impact of Sports in Africa 6 1.4. Alavanyo and Nkonya Conflict in Ghana 7 1.5. Statement of Problem 14 1.6. Significance of the Study 15 1.7 Research Questions 16 Chapter 2. Literature Review 18 2.1. Theoretical Review 18 2.1.1. Peace 18 2.1.2. Peace-building 20 2.1.3. Reconciliation 24 2.2. Youth Development through Sport 28 2.2.1. Youth 28 2.2.2. Sport 30 2.2.3. Youth and sports for development 31 2.3. Previous Research on Sport for Development and Peace 32 2.3.1. Implication of previous research 40 Chapter 3. Methodology 42 3.1. Research Method – Qualitative 42 3.2. Study Population and Sample 42 3.2.1. Sampling: 43 3.3 Measures 44 3.4. Strategy of Inquiry 45 3.4.1. Focused group interviews: 45 3.5. Data Analysis (Interpretivism) 47 3.6. Ethical Cosiderations 48 Chapter 4. Results 49 4.1. Participants/Respondents 49 4.2. Results and Interpretation 51 4.2.1 Early introduction 52 4.2.2. Values based 54 4.2.3. Commonality 56 4.2.4 Belongingness 57 4.2.5. Timing 58 4.2.6. Existing Interest 62 4.2.7. Prioritization/Availability 64 4.2.8. Challenges 65 4.2.9. The potential (future) of sports 67 Chapter 5. Discussion and conclusion 70 5.1. Discussion 70 5.2. Limitations of this research 73 5.3. Recommendations for Further Study 75 5.4. Recommendations for Relevant Authorities 75 5.4. Conclusion 77 BIBLIOGRAPHY 80 Appendix A 85 Appendix B 86 국 문 초 록 88Maste

Textual Analysis of Conflict and Political Songs of the Dentsefo and Tuafo Asafo Companies of Effutu, Winneba

Despite the global recognition of political messages in music, it is evident that such expressions often lead to friction and disagreement among the warrior groups. This study aims to investigate the political expressions and conflicts within the music of the Asafo companies in Winneba. The research utilizes participant observation and semi-structured interviews as its primary methods, drawing inspiration from existing literature. The perspectives of 10 Asafo company leaders are examined to discern the factors contributing to conflicts in their songs. The data collected through participant observation and interviews is subjected to textual analysis. The study’s findings reveal a consistent theme across all Effutu songs emphasizing conflicts and wars. These musical expressions are characterized by explicit elements of rivalry, provocation, and challenge. The study suggests that stakeholders should redirect their efforts towards using music as a means to foster peace and harmony among the Asafo groups in Winneba, rather than allowing them to serve as tools for conflict. This implies a need to rethink and restructure the current approach to musical expressions within these communities, emphasizing their potential for promoting unity rather than discord

Methanolic extract of Nauclea diderrichii (stem-bark) show anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities

The aqueous stem-bark extract of the tropical plant Nauclea diderrichii is used in ethnomedicine to manage symptoms of rheumatism through minimally examined mechanisms. The objective of the study is to examine the scientific bases for the ethnomedicinal use of the plant for the management of rheumatism. As part of this effort to explain its ethnomedicinal efficacy, this study compared and contrasted the anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract with that of the diethylether extract. Broth dilution assay, DPPH radical scavenging assay and carrageenan-induced foot swelling of 7-day old chicks were utilized for the experimental assessment of the bioactivities of Nauclea diderrichii. Polar methanolic extract exhibited a higher antioxidant status in vitro as estimated quantitative differences in total phenolic content, in total antioxidant capacity and in DPPH and H2O2 radical scavenging converged to show the methanolic extract as a more potent anti-oxidant. The methanolic extract also possess better in vivo anti-inflammatory activity as demonstrated by the 1.5-fold lower ED50 relative to that of the diethylether. The methanolic extract demonstrated better broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity against a panel of six clinical isolates of bacterial and fungi pathogens in vitro. The relative strength of the bioactivities of the methanolic extract derives from a higher slew of phytochemical content that is a 3-fold difference larger. The results of this study support the beneficial effect of Nauclea diderrichii in its continuing ethnomedicinal use to target rheumatism chemotherapeutically