Gender and leadership in higher educational institutions: exploring perceptions and practices in University of Cape Coast, Ghana

The purpose of this study is to examine the level of female participation in leadership activities in the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Leadership is experienced at various levels within the university - student, staff, committee and management levels in the university. However, the positions are mainly held by men. This study examined the institutional structures and cultural factors responsible for the dearth of women in leadership and why it is necessary to have more women vigorously involved in the decision-making in the university. Few women reaching the top have managed it successfully because of the exposure to various forms of institutional and cultural barriers. This state of affairs works against the effective utilization of human resources in the university. Ensuring that all individuals irrespective of their gender are equally motivated to participate in the decision-making process holds the potential for maximising the human resources within the university. In this study, the barriers to female participation in leadership have been explored. A qualitative research design guided the study. Twenty semi-structured interviews, participant observation and the use of unobtrusive observation were the main data collection techniques adopted. For data analysis, 'open and axial' coding approaches based on the inductive and deductive reasoning were utilised. A significant outcome of the study includes the fact that very few women are in head of departments and deanship positions. Women are almost absent in the top administrative echelon. Females occupy only designated 'vice/deputy' positions in students and staff unions. However, few academic women who have reached the top have managed successfully. The study concludes by expressing the view that women in UCC face several challenges which impede their progress towards leadership aspirations. These include institutional structures and culturally entrenched norms. Based on these findings and conclusions, a number of recommendations have been made to improve the chances of women in both academic and administrative departments to break the glass-ceiling and advance into leadership positions. These include the following: (1) the need for professional development opportunities for women to enable them to pursue postgraduate programmes after which they could be employed as administrators or academics, and (2) the institutionalization of policies in support of the reservation of quotas for women in some leadership positions, including chairing some of the sub-committees of the Governing Council and the Academic Board to ensure fair participation of women in critical decision-making levels in the university

An Analysis of Factors Affecting the Successful Implementation of Educational Policies in Developing Countries

This research sought to evaluate the variables influencing the successful implementation of educational policies in underdeveloped countries, with a particular emphasis on Ghana. In this study, a quantitative research approach was taken, and data were gathered through the administration of a survey to a sample size of one hundred fifty policymakers and instructors in Ghana. In order to evaluate the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. According to the conclusions, there is a favorable correlation between successful implementation and the governmental, economic, social, and societal variables as well as technological factors. The strongest associations were identified for technological and cultural variables, which suggests that expenditures in technological advancement and cultural awareness can have a beneficial effect on the implementation of educational policies. According to the findings of the multiple regression analysis, all of the variables had a substantial favorable impact on the successful implementation of the plan, with the technological elements demonstrating the strongest effect. According to the findings of the research, in order for educational policies to be successfully implemented in developing countries, a holistic strategy that takes into consideration all of the important variables is required. By considering these variables, policymakers in developing countries will be able to improve the efficacy of educational programs and encourage egalitarian access to education. This research provides important insights for policymakers and stakeholders interested in the administration of educational strategies in underdeveloped countries

Development of non-invasive MRI to measure water permeability across the blood-brain interface

The blood-brain interface (BBI) is a physical and biochemical barrier that protects and maintains healthy brain function. Disruption of the BBI is indicative of the early stages of certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. However, there is currently a lack of sensitive tools available to accurately quantify the early alterations to the integrity of the BBI. This thesis describes the development and implementation of multiple echo time arterial spin labelling (multi-TE ASL) MRI technique in the mouse brain to measure vascular water permeability across the BBI. The technique was implemented in two high-field MRI system to demonstrate the consistency of the imaging protocols and the sensitivity of the measures of BBI water permeability. The multi-TE ASL technique was used to probe the function of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels, which play a key role in the clearance of the deleterious proteins from the brain. This non-invasive technique was able to demonstrate its sensitivity to targeting AQP4 by measuring a 31% slowing of cortical BBI water permeability with the removal of the AQP4 water channels. The technique also measured a 34% slowing in the BBI water permeability in the cerebellum brain region with a reduction of AQP4 channels at the BBI. Finally, the technique measured a 32% increase in cortical BBI permeability to water in a mouse model of ageing. The non-invasive imaging measurements were 7 associated with a 2-fold increase in mRNA expression of pericytes, while other BBI markers such as tight junction proteins were maintained. Overall, this work has demonstrated the scope of novel MRI technique to target changes to BBI water permeability, with potential for clinical translation for the early detection and understanding of neurodegenerative disease

Family Centred Care for Children in Ghana Hospitalised through Road Traffic Accident

Road traffic accident (RTA) is one of the leading causes of injuries and hospitalisation of children in Ghana. The sudden hospitalisation of the injured child is associated with anxieties and stressful episodes for the affected families. Family Centred Care (FCC) is a concept in paediatric nursing, which forms the basis of care for sick children and their families. FCC as a product of social constructs differs in cultures and context, despite the universal principles underpinning the concept. There is a perceived lack of knowledge of the concept in childcare practice in Ghana. This study explored the perspectives of FCC among health professionals and parents of children hospitalised through RTA in Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative approach, underpinned by a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Data was generated through in-depth individual interviews using a semi-structured technique. Participants consisted of twenty-four professionals and nineteen parents. Data were analysed using a constant comparative approach and two core categories emerged. Parental presence emerged from parents’ perspective, which generated four sub-categories. These include; managing emotions, negotiating the system, parental care roles, and challenges encountered. The professionals’ interviews generated family involvement; its sub-categories are parental involvement, communication, setting boundaries and support for family involvement. The emerging model of parental presence and family involvement for the care of the injured child in the hospital is the first of its kind in Ghana. The dimensions of negotiating the care system, which includes parents negotiating their social status with the professionals, also, demonstrating their usefulness in the hospital and establishing acquaintances with persons with influential powers within the socio-cultural context of Ghana forms part of key findings and the contribution to knowledge. The outcome of discussing the findings within the existing literature was projected using the Force Field Analysis as a conceptual framework for family involvement in the medico-cultural context of Ghana. The study recommends that institutional policies should reflect family involvement practice evidenced by clear written protocols for the involvement of parents/family in the care of the in-patient child

Surface energy balance partitioning in tilled and non-tilled bare soils

Knowledge of the partitioning of the surface energy balance (SEB) components is essential in understanding heat and water budgets at the soil-plant-atmosphere interface. Agriculturally, changes in soil structure due to soil tillage in the fall and spring affects the magnitude of these components. SEB partitioning determined by modeled and measured studies usually assumes a constant near surface bulk density values for extended periods of time. The objectives of this study is to determine the effect of soil bulk density changes on net radiation, soil heat flux (G), latent heat flux (LE) and sensible heat flux (H) of a tilled and non-tilled bare soil with time. Micro-Bowen ratio (MBR) system were set up for 91 days on a tilled (Till) soil and a non-tilled (NT) soil at the Iowa State University Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering Research farm near Ames. MBR systems measured water vapor and air temperature at 0.01 and 0.06 m heights above the soil surface, to determine atmospheric gradients for LE and H calculations. Net radiation was obtained by a net radiometer positioned at 1.25 m above the surface, while soil heat flux measurements were obtained from soil heat flux plates at a 0.06 m depth and soil heat storage calculations (0- 0.06 m). Evaporation rates were also determined by micro-lysimeters. Two time periods, were selected early and late in the season (relative to tillage), to determine the effect of changing bulk density with time. Bulk density showed little to no change following tillage in Period 1 but increased by 0.11 g cm-3 following substantial rainfall events at the Till plot during Period 2. In Period 1, Rn and G fluxes did not differ between plots as bulk density and water contents were similar. The Till soil LE flux was 12% higher than in the NT according to the MBR measurements and 15% higher according to the ML measurements. In Period 2 (DOY 262-266), Rn and G fluxes showed relatively larger daytime difference between Till and NT. As bulk density and water content increased during this period, G fluxes represented 7% more Rn at the Till soil than in the NT soil. A subsequent 7% lower available energy was observed at the Till plot leading to 10% lower LE values for Period 2. The results of this research highlight the value of considering dynamic bulk density measurements with time when determining the distribution of energy at the soil surface

Using Demonstration Method to Enhance the Performance of First Year High National Diploma (HND) Secretarial Students of Accra Polytechnic in Typewriting

It was intended to enhance the poor performance of typewriting students by providing answers to questions relating to improvement, or otherwise in some specific techniques of typewriting.  The researcher made use of interview, questionnaire and observation to identify the problem associated with typewriting in relation to students, lecturers and administration to collect data for the study.  There was also the introduction of an intervention.  The analysis showed that students do not practice, or take typewriting seriously, more also, there are not enough typewriters. Some students think typewriting is like any other subject and treat it as such.  There has been changing of teachers every now and then and the methods of teaching and learning vary from one teacher to another. Again equipment are insufficient and those available too not in good condition. These frustrate students so they do not perform well.   The interventions used were demonstration and discussion methods.  As the teacher implemented these designs, it was realized that the performance of students had improved tremendously and as such an extra period was also added to reinforce practical work.  The results of the study indicated that reinforcement and counselling could be used as other interventions for improving the work output. Keywords:  Performance, High National Diploma, Typewritin

Implications and Dynamics of the Chieftaincy Conflict on Development in Winneba-Ghana

Understanding the social context of the conflict is essential for developing efficient responses. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of chieftaincy conflicts on development and to map a road towards a peaceful resolution of conflict using the human need theory. The non-probability sampling technique was used to decide on respondents for the study. A total of 400 respondents were interviewed and made to fill a 20-item structured questionnaire. The findings show that the Municipality is enjoying negative peace in spite of the Appeal court ruling on the chieftaincy dispute and this is affecting the development of the town.  To resolve this conflict there will be the need for government, political parties, the Municipal Assembly and all stakeholders to show a high sense of morality and refrain from exploiting ethnic sentiments for electoral favours. Again a lot of public education on peace targeting the youth of the area must be started immediately. Peace clubs must be started at the basic schools level to defuse possible breaches of the peace. The study finally concluded that observing Human Needs Theory could effectively give new insights into finding strategies which may work for both Garthey and Ayirebi Acquah Families. Keywords: Chieftaincy, festival, conflict, peace, court, developmen