Introduction of Core Based Subjects in the Curriculum of Technical and Vocational Institutions in Ghana: Assessment of It Effect on Practical Training Sessions

Technical education among other things focuses on training the skill manpower needs of the youth in most countries of which Ghana is no exception. This study looks at Ghana Education Service technical and vocational sector reform programme introduced in 2010 with emphasis on the introduction of compulsory core based subjects and its effect on practical training in the institutions’. The study used a random sampling methodology to assess 160 students, 40 teachers and 8 workshop supervisors on the effect of the introduction of the core based subject on time for their practical training in their various fields of study. Keywords: Core based subjects, practical training, skills, studies, reforms, workshop, and task

The Concept of Wealth on Career Choice: A Case Study of Senior High School Students in the Akuapem North District of Ghana

Career decision is very vital in one’s life. This study assesses the perception of wealth and its impact on career choice of Senior High School students. The study is descriptive in nature, with a survey conducted at the Akuapem North District of Ghana. A total sample size of 250 (50 per school) was drawn for the study. Stratified and simple random techniques were employed to get the needed sample. A set of questionnaires was developed to capture the required information on the subject under consideration. The responses of the survey were analysed using frequencies, to obtain the percentage values of the responses from the respondents to draw conclusions. This study reveals that most of the career decisions of the youth are based on limited factors like wealth, specifically money, housing, and other fringe benefits that they presume they might get. It is revealed that the youth are also substantially influenced by their family and religious beliefs in their career choice. They are, however, disappointed sometimes because their expectations are not met, which sometimes results in unemployment. It is also revealed that the youth to some extent make their decisions based on limited factors such as what they wish to get from their preferred career. Recommendations include encouraging the youth to pay more attention to guidance and career programmes that are organised for them and also, career and guidance service providers should intensify their effort in educating the youth about the varied factors one needs to consider before career decisions and job preferences are made. Keywords: Career, Wealth, Guidance, Counselling, Influence, Senior high school, Youth

The Changing Roles of Fathers in Parenting in Ghana

As it is known in most part of the world, families has been basically patriarchal. So has it been in Ghana over the years. Men has possessed and exercised authority in family and marriages. Fathers were seen as people with power and influence in the family setting who are able to make their family do what they wanted them to do. Though fathers were noted to be responsible care takers of their families both economically and psychologically, fathers now have different roles depending on the economic capabilities, the economic powers of their wives and the kind of employment that they are engage in. This paper highlights the importance of fathers in the Ghanaian family setting, the need for parental framework for parenting and the challenges of contemporarily fathers. Literature reviewed indicates that, through voluntary affirmative action campaign championed by Ghana’s National Council for Women and Development (NCWD) from the early nineties and the 31st December Women Movement (An NGO). It also revealed that, there are various organisations and institutions as well as individuals who wish to see that fathers do more than just being economic, social and emotional care givers to protecting their children from social vices and challenges that fathers can do. The paper suggests a comprehensive training for young men who wish to be fathers to acquire skills in parenting and fathering as a whole

Heading and Leading Educational Institutions in Rural Africa: A Western Trained Educationists Experiences in Ghana

The observation and experiential study talks about the demanding role of institutional heads and leaders in Africa; taking into consideration the culture and norms of governance in rural traditional Africa. The study also took a look at the traditional leadership in Africa, its leadership style, and its influence on its local societies and communities. Case study was used to illustrate the study

Family Roles and Dual Career Marriages in Ghana: Benefits and Challenges to Emerging Families in Ghana

In most of the newly married families in Ghana today, both spouses are employed outside the home. Employment has a profound effect on the family life as well as on personal satisfaction. In turn, family life can influence the work environment and vice versa. The study examines the relationship between work and family, its effect on marriages and the entire family life. The study reviewed existing literature on Family Roles and Dual Career, Dual-earner Marriages. Keywords: Marriage, Dual Career, Work, Environment, Relationship, Employment, Satisfaction, Family Role and Dual-earner Marriages.

The Effect of Selected Financial Indicators on Formal Agricultural Credit Supply in Nigeria

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c-Fos as a Proapoptotic Agent in TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/Apo-2L promotes apoptosis in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Although many cancers are sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, some evade the proapoptotic effects of TRAIL. Therefore, differentiating molecular mechanisms that distinguish between TRAIL-sensitive and TRAIL-resistant tumors are essential for effective cancer therapies. Here, we show that c-Fos functions as a proapoptotic agent by repressing the antiapoptotic molecule c-FLIP(L). c-Fos binds the c-FLIP(L) promoter, represses its transcriptional activity, and reduces c-FLIP(L) mRNA and protein levels. Therefore, c-Fos is a key regulator of c-FLIP(L), and activation of c-Fos determines whether a cancer cell will undergo cell death after TRAIL treatment. Strategies to activate c-Fos or inhibit c-FLIP(L) may potentiate TRAILbased proapoptotic therapies

Preconditioning of primary human endothelial cells with inflammatory mediators alters the “set point” of the cell

Endothelial cells are highly sensitive to changes in the extracellular milieu. Sepsis results in activation of inflammatory and coagulation pathways. We hypothesized that sepsis-associated mediators may alter the response capacity (so-called “set point”) of endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were preincubated in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), hypoxia, hyperthermia, and/or high glucose; treated with or without thrombin for 4 h; and then processed for RNase protection assays of selected activation markers. Priming with TNF-α and LPS significantly inhibited thrombin-mediated induction of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, tissue factor, and E-selectin, but not platelet-derived growth factor-A or CD44. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, thrombin-treated HUVEC demonstrated inducible binding of p65 NF-κB, an effect that was significantly blunted by pretreatment of cells with TNF-α and LPS. Consistent with these results, TNF-α and LPS attenuated the effect of thrombin on IκB phosphorylation, total cytoplasmic IκB, and nuclear translocation of p65 NF-κB. The inhibitory effect of TNF-α on thrombin signaling persisted for up to 24 h following removal of the cytokine. Taken together, these data suggest that inflammatory mediators prime endothelial cells to modulate subsequent thrombin response

Electronic waste control and management in Ghana: A critical assessment of the law, perceptions and practices

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of Ghana’s hazardous and e-waste control and management Act 917 of 2016 on current e-waste management practices and the level of awareness among key stakeholders (general public, repairers, wholesalers/retailers, recyclers and importers of electronic items) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and examined in this study. Results showed a low level (12%) of awareness among stakeholders on the e-waste legislation. Almost 13% of respondents had been educated on e-waste management. Community engagement and the mass media were the main sources of information on e-waste. Significant associations between background information of respondents and awareness level on ‘Ghana’s Act 917’ were observed. Relative to general e-waste issues, only education and stakeholder showed significant associations with e-waste legislation and management. The main e-waste disposal methods adopted by respondents were disposal at dumpsites (22.7%), repair and reuse (21.1%) and reselling (20.1%). Almost 10% of respondents made changes to their e-waste disposal practices over the past 5 years. These changes were mainly due to the economic benefits derived from reselling e-waste (37.6%) and the perceived adverse impacts of e-waste on the environment (23.9%). Overall, there is the need to intensify awareness on ‘Ghana’s Act 917’, especially issues regarding sustainable e-waste management practices