THESES & DISSERTATIONS

Building and sustaining a performing arts market in Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana: A study of connections among universities and non-academic performing arts organisations

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Building and sustaining a performing arts market in Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana: A study of connections among universities and non-academic performing arts organisations Bello, Madinatu The performing arts constitute a significant part of the Ghanaian culture because they help in cultural identity formation, knowledge dissemination and in representing the mood of a society. Despite these positives, most performing arts organisations in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana have been facing numerous setbacks with regards to building and sustaining audiences and ultimately the arts market. Culturally, the people still assume that artistic offerings are a part of their everyday activities and must not be commodified even in the face of changing economic situations which had affected production costs, limiting organisational capacity to explore new promotional or marketing strategies for the building and maintenance of consumers. Thus, using an interpretive paradigm, I explored the current state of the performing arts market in the Cape Coast Metropolis, mode of audience development practices, success and challenges of promotional strategies employed using five performing arts organisations as my cases. The results revealed that the market was in a state of decline due to challenges with human, financial and physical resources, the unplanned nature of audience development practices and poor measurement metrics for strategies used which directly or indirectly rendered audience development activities less efficient. I recommended that performing arts organisation engaged in quality market research to understand the market space, audiences‘ needs, preferences, consumption patterns and barriers to consumption to inform their plan and strategy for audience development. I suggested a collaborative framework to audience development for groups to explore to build and retain audiences and the market.

Effects Of Artisanal Mining On Livelihoods Of Selected Mining Communities In Obuasi Municipality, Ghana

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Effects Of Artisanal Mining On Livelihoods Of Selected Mining Communities In Obuasi Municipality, Ghana Appiah-Kubi, Emmanuel Artisanal gold mining is the oldest form of mining in Ghana and is mostly practised by rural dwellers living in poor socioeconomic conditions. Poverty among other factors pushes people into illegal artisanal mining which negatively affects their livelihood, well-being, communities and the environment. This study analysed the effects of artisanal gold mining on livelihoods of residents of mining communities within the Obuasi Municipality. Specifically, the study sought to identify the factors that influence residents of the mining community’s engagement in artisanal mining and assess the effects of artisanal mining activities on the livelihoods of residents in the Obuasi Municipality. Additionally, it sought to examine the coping strategies of residents whose livelihood had been affected by artisanal mining activities within the Obuasi Municipality. The study used a concurrent triangulation design and a sample of 428 respondents. In general, the study found that artisanal gold mining is plagued with conspicuous negative social and environmental consequences that affect the livelihood and well-being of members of affected communities in the study area as a lot of negative consequences. Additionally, the study discovered that illegal mining is one of the primary sources of income for the majority of Obuasi residents, even though some individuals continue to work in agriculture or engage in both unlawful mining and farming activities. The study recommends that more severe punitive measures should be adopted to serve as a deterrent to persons who are engaged in or may consider engaging in illegal artisanal mining activities. xi, 153p: ,ill

Algebra Teaching Knowledge of Basic School Mathematics Teachers

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Algebra Teaching Knowledge of Basic School Mathematics Teachers Osei, Williams This study is situated on the fact that, teachers’ knowledge of algebra for teaching affects students’ algebra knowledge, hence their general performance in mathematics. In view of this, the algebra teaching knowledge level of basic school mathematics teachers should be monitored to positively affect pupils’ mathematics performance. The study focused on basic school mathematics teachers who obtained their teaching certificates through Distance Education Programmes and those who had theirs from Colleges of Education. The re-conceptualized KAT framework was used to bring to light the algebra teaching knowledge levels of basic school mathematics teachers and also checked if their algebra teaching knowledge improve as their years of teaching experience increases. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method research design and used 203 basic school mathematics teachers. The study brought to view that, basic school mathematics teachers from the two groups have fairly satisfactory algebra knowledge for teaching mathematics and needs to be improved. It also revealed that, although they all have fairly satisfactory algebra knowledge for teaching, that of those who obtained their teaching certificates from Colleges of Education is relatively higher than those from Distance Education programmes. The study finally brought to view that, the algebra teaching knowledge of the two groups do not improve significantly as their years of teaching experience increases. In reference to the outcome of the study, it is recommended that, there should be in-service training for basic school mathematics teachers within the study area to enable them improve on their algebra teaching knowledge as their years of teaching experiences increase. xiii, 142p,: ill

Determinants of Physical Activity Levels and Health-Related Quality of Life among Retirees In Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Determinants of Physical Activity Levels and Health-Related Quality of Life among Retirees In Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana Awlime-Ableh, Eric The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of physical activity levels and quality of life among retirees in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. A cross-sectional design with a multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit 234 participants in the Cape Coast Metropolis for the study. Questionnaires were used in gathering data for the study and the data was analysed using frequencies, means, standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, and one-way MANOVA analysis. Results indicated 61.1% of the participants at low levels of physical activity, 8.5% at moderate levels, and 30.3% at high levels of physical activity respectively. Also, the study found that 70.9% of participants were at high risk for developing diabetes. Physical activity (β = .953, t = 8.61, p <0.001) was found to be a significant predictor of quality of life among retirees. Additionally, safe from crime (β =.122, t =2.598, p=.010), social support (β = .173, t= 3.320, p < .001), gender (β = .531, t=8.962, p < .001), age (β =149, t=2.449, p =.015), health status (β =.433, t=7.98, p < .001), and financial status (β =.484, t =.484, p <.001) were found to be significant predictors of physical activity among retirees. Furthermore, the study indicated that gender statistically predicted physical activity levels and quality of life, (t = 2.39, p = 0.011, Pillai's Trace (V) =0.038, ηp2 =0.038) and also predicted physical activity levels, (t = 4.14, p = .043, ηp2 =.018). It was recommended that retiree health promotion programmes be instituted in the metropolis to enhance the quality of life in every neighbourhood across the metropolis. x, 169p,;ill.