Language Teacher Identity in a Non-Native Context: The case of Teachers of English Language in Ghana

The study investigated how English language teachers in Ghana construct their identities as teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ESL teachers who were selected through purposive sampling. The data was analysed qualitatively by coding, identifying, categorising and interpreting the emerging themes.  It was found that the ESL teachers’ identity is defined by three elements: personal attributes, professional attributes, and contextual factors. On the personal level, the identity of the ESL teachers is characterised by passion, diligence, self-efficacy, and sense of inadequacy. Professionally, subject-matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and technological knowledge were found. Lastly, key contextual identity defining factors are curriculum and educational policies, classroom conditions and intrinsic motivation from learners’ success stories. The study recommends further investigation into other factors such as gender on non-native ESL teachers identity formation. Key words: Identity, teacher identity, language teacher identity, identity and teachers of English &nbsp

The Media and the Offence of Criminal Libel in Ghana: Sankofa

This article critically examines the repealed criminal libel law in the light of the 1992 Constitutional provisions of Ghana as well as judicial precedents. It seeks to evaluate the constitutionality of criminal libel laws and their implications for freedom of the media. This article brings to fore the implications of re-introducing such laws into the Ghanaian legal system. It argues that the re-introduction of criminal libel laws would contravene the letter and spirit of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, thus unconstitutional. It contends that the nature of criminal libel laws is such that it impedes the development of media freedom and practice. Finally, it suggests that both the media and individuals should be empowered to express their opinions within a free and fair political and economic environment. Keywords: Media, Press Freedom, Freedom of Speech, Criminal Libel, Seditious Libe

Series connected photovoltaic cells-modelling and analysis

As solar energy costs continue to drop, the number of large-scale deployment projects increases, and the need for different analysis models for photovoltaic (PV) modules in both academia and industry rises. This paper proposes a modified equivalent-circuit model for PV modules. A PV module comprises several series-connected PV cells, to generate more electrical power, where each PV cell has an internal shunt resistance. Our proposed model simplifies the standard one-diode equivalent-circuit (SEC) model by removing the shunt resistance and including its effect on the diode part of the circuit, while retaining the original model accuracy. Our proposed equivalent circuit, called here a modified SEC (MSEC), has less number of circuit elements. All of the PV cells are assumed operating under the same ambient conditions where they share the same electric voltage and current values. To ensure the simplification did not come at a reduction in the accuracy of the SEC model, we validate our MSEC model by simulating both under the same conditions, calculate, and compare their current/voltage (I/V) characteristics. Our results validate the accuracy of our model with the difference between the two models falling below 1%. Therefore, the proposed model can be adopted as an alternative representation of the equivalent circuit for PV cells and modules

Susu: A Dynamic Microfinance Phenomenon in Ghana

Susu is a popular form of savings in most developing economies. It is practiced in different forms and under different names in both developing and developed countries. In spite of its contribution to the socio-economic development of both developing and developed countries, it remains under-researched. There is therefore the need for further research into this complex financial phenomenon. This paper thus, critically examines existing literature on Susu and other micro savings phenomenon. It shows that Susu is a complex and dynamic social phenomenon. In substance, it discovered that susu shares similarities with other micro savings schemes such as rotating savings and credit schemes, accumulating savings and credit associations as well as Christmas hampers and Christmas clubs in England and the United States respectively. It establishes that similar to other micro savings schemes, the object of Susu is to help rural, poor and low income earners meet their economic, social or communal needs. Keywords: Microfinance, Susu, Ghana, Informal Finance, Micro Savings, Rural Economie

Sources of Currency Depreciation in Ghana

This paper investigates the factors driving the real exchange rate in the Ghanaian economy. The paper aimed at finding the principal factor(s) that influence the real exchange rate and explains the channels by which these factors exert their influence using standard empirical methods of vector autoregressive (VAR) models. The paper established that inflation rate differentials and interest rate differentials influence the exchange rate through the expectations medium. Domestic and foreign money supplies which are exogenous macroeconomic variables were also found to be important in the Ghanaian money market as far as the exchange rate matters. The paper also highlighted how the great recession in the United States may have affected the cedi/dollar rate of exchange after this economic event swept through the United States generating spillover effects on economies around the world

Formal Enforcement Mechanisms and Informal Transactions

Operators of informal transactions developed certain interest in the relaxed nature of the business as compared to formal transaction because of its controversial laid down procedures and probably, the cost involved. However, due to the relaxed nature of informal transactions, it could be envisaged that, the environment would develop faster since its not strictly regulated. This paper critically examines the legal process of enforcing financial transactions in Ghana and, in particular, how appropriate and applicable such enforcement mechanisms are to informal financial transactions. It also explores the interplay between formal and informal financial transactions. The main aim of this paper is to outline the legal implications of formal and informal enforcement mechanisms regarding exchanges within and between informal financial entities. Keywords: informal finance, financial transactions, enforcement.

Children's perspectives of poverty and livelihood strategies in Sakumono Village, Ghana

In this study, I explored children’s perspectives and experiences of poverty and the livelihood strategies they tactically employed to fend for themselves in Sakumono Village, Ghana. I applied qualitative research method and techniques specifically; focus group discussions, unstructured interviews, drawings, photography, and ranking methods in order to gather the data for the study. This methodological approach provided an in-depth understanding of children’s perspectives and experiences of poverty and livelihood strategies and thereby highlighting the essence of social studies of childhood, which is about the live experiences of children. As such, I applied three major theoretical frameworks namely; the social studies of childhood, the intergenerational transmission of poverty and the life-course transmissions of poverty. The purpose of using these theoretical perspectives is to highlight the importance of children’s agency in the course of their lives and to shed light on how children are affected by poverty as a result of being born into poor families and how its effect move from generations to generations. The study has found out that children have different explanations and understanding of poverty. These multiple understandings depend on the individual circumstances of the child in question setting a departure from the usual understanding of poverty in seemingly monetary term. The study has also shown that there are gender faces of poverty with regard to how poverty affects both boys and girls similarly and differently. This knowledge reveals that in tackling child poverty, gender of the beneficiaries ought to be taken into consideration in order to make a meaningful impact in the lives of poor children. Furthermore, the study has revealed that children’s experiences of poverty are connected to the kind of employment their parents or caregivers are engaged in, and the number of siblings that the child has in his or her family as these have to do with the availability of resources at home. The study revealed how children engage in different livelihood strategies as ways of fighting poverty in their lives when family and the government fail to come to their aid, exhibiting their sense of responsibility, agency, entrepreneurship, and contributions to their families. Having considered children’s perspectives and experiences of poverty and the livelihood strategies, it is recommended that policies that aim to tackle child poverty should consider the opinions and voices of poor children as well as their family backgrounds. It was also suggested that, in assessing the needs and problems of poor children, the gender faces of poverty and individual circumstances of the children have to be taken into consideration in order to provide appropriate forms of interventions

Secondary bacterial infections of buruli ulcer lesions before and after chemotherapy with streptomycin and rifampicin

Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans is a chronic necrotizing skin disease. It usually starts with a subcutaneous nodule or plaque containing large clusters of extracellular acid-fast bacilli. Surrounding tissue is destroyed by the cytotoxic macrolide toxin mycolactone produced by microcolonies of M. ulcerans. Skin covering the destroyed subcutaneous fat and soft tissue may eventually break down leading to the formation of large ulcers that progress, if untreated, over months and years. Here we have analyzed the bacterial flora of BU lesions of three different groups of patients before, during and after daily treatment with streptomycin and rifampicin for eight weeks (SR8) and determined drug resistance of the bacteria isolated from the lesions. Before SR8 treatment, more than 60% of the examined BU lesions were infected with other bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most prominent ones. During treatment, 65% of all lesions were still infected, mainly with P. aeruginosa. After completion of SR8 treatment, still more than 75% of lesions clinically suspected to be infected were microbiologically confirmed as infected, mainly with P. aeruginosa or Proteus miriabilis. Drug susceptibility tests revealed especially for S. aureus a high frequency of resistance to the first line drugs used in Ghana. Our results show that secondary infection of BU lesions is common. This could lead to delayed healing and should therefore be further investigated

Empirical Analysis of Workplace Conflict and its Influence on the Attitude of Media Employees in Ghana

Workplace conflict is known to have severe implications on employees and organisations worldwide. Conflicts at the workplace have resulted in the destruction of cordial relationships among working colleagues as well as subordinates and superiors and has also changed enthusiastic employees to rather hostile and ineffectual actors. Consequently, these employees are not able to meet their targets due to negative attitudinal changes towards work, thus hampering the attainment of organizational goals. However, there is little empirical studies on this subject in both academic and industrial circles. In examining the outcomes of workplace conflict and its influence on the attitudes of media employees, this paper employed qualitative methodologies to select forty two (42) respondents from six Ghanaian print and electronic privately and state owned media houses. Findings revealed that attitudes of employees towards work were predominantly influenced negatively as employees decline in commitment to work and cooperation with others. Further, following conflicts, employees engaged in many adverse behavioral tendencies including not being on talking terms, not greeting one another, hostile behaviours and insecurity. Nonetheless, the paper interestingly found some positive outcomes such as idea sharing, unity, activeness and alertness from conflict

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF EDUCATING A DEAF-BLIND STUDENT IN A UNIVERSITY IN GHANA

This study explored the challenges and prospects of educating a deaf-blind student in a public university in Ghana. The study utilised an exploratory qualitative research design based on interviews and observation to explore how the deaf-blind learner navigated university life. The study found that the challenges experienced by all stakeholders included a lack of knowledge and understanding about deaf-blindness, communication challenges, inadequate preparation of educators/teachers and resource persons, lack of support structures for all stakeholders, and the time-consuming nature needed to educate the deaf-blind learner. The study recommends continuous in-service training on basic knowledge of deaf-blindness, instructional and socially inclusive strategies, and communication modes for deaf-blind learners for all stakeholders. A collaborative team approach to delivering training and inclusive education that involves all stakeholders is necessary. The study concludes that if lecturers of learners who are deaf-blind are provided with the necessary training on the skills and knowledge of facilitating communication with their students, this would, in turn, contribute positively towards teaching and learning.  Article visualizations