Research Publications

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A Comparative Analysis of Hillary Clinton and John Mahama’s Concession Speeches in the 2016 US and Ghanaian Presidential Elections
(Taylor & Francis Group (Howard Journal of Communications), 2022-06-22) Sikanku, Godwin Etse; Fordjour, Nana Kwame Osei; Opoku, Mensah Eric; Kwansah-Aidoo, Kwamena
Comparative research contributes to knowledge by providing a better understanding of how a phenomenon manifests in different socio-cultural contexts. In this present study, we examined the concession speeches of Hillary Clinton (United States, Democratic Party) and John Mahama (Ghana, National Democratic Congress, NDC) in the aftermath of their 2016 electoral defeats. Findings indicated that three similar frames emerged between the two candidates. Hillary Clinton’s frames included: acknowledging pain and acceptance, democracy, values and nationalism, and gratitude. John Mahama’s frames had: acceptance and concern, appreciation, unity, democracy, and nationhood. Both candidates accepted the electoral outcome, showed gratitude, and reaffirmed their belief in democracy and unity. However, there were slight differences. Hillary Clinton’s frame on acknowledging pain and acceptance had a more open, forthright recognition of being hurt in a way that enabled her to process the loss and pain. Findings from this study provide insights into recent concession speeches across two socio-cultural and continental divides, which builds on literature in framing and political communication.
A Comparative Analysis of Students’ Technology Uses During Covid-19 Lockdown in Ghana
(Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC), 2021-06) Aboagye Da-Costa, Caroline; Opoku, Mensah Eric; Agyepong, Lawrencia
The study tests an author-derived quantitative version of the Student Technology Use Framework by assessing the effectiveness of distance learning technologies deployed by universities in Ghana during the Covid-19 lockdown period. It focuses on the knowledge acquisition needs of students who were initially admitted into the traditional learning mode but had to adapt to distance learning following the lockdown. The population comprises undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Christian Service University College (CSUC), a private university in Kumasi, and the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), a public university in Accra. The sample size was 351 - 187 from CSUC and 164 from GIJ. Copies of a questionnaire were distributed to CSUC students by personal contact, and a Google Forms link to GIJ students via e-mail. Results show that students in public universities had lower technological learning capabilities than their compatriots in private universities, resulting in a better learning experience throughout the lockdown.
A Comparative Study of Challenger-Incumbent Strategies in Ghanaian Presidential Campaign: The Case of John Agyekum Kufuor
(International Journal of Arts and Humanities (IJAH) Ethiopia, 2018-09) Opoku, Mensah Eric; Sarfo-Adu, Kwasi; Afful, Joseph Benjamin Archibald
In recent years, growing research interest in challenger-incumbent campaign communication has provided illuminating insights into the kinds of strategies favoured by challengers and incumbents in presidential elections. However, most of these studies tend to focus on two or more presidential candidates. This has resulted in little knowledge about the rhetorical strategies of the same candidate who contested as a challenger in a previous election, became president and won again as an incumbent in the next election. In this paper, we explore and compare challenger-incumbent strategies as they manifest in the presidential campaign of John Agyekum Kufuor’s (JAK) who won the 2000 presidential elections as a fresh candidate and, for a second term, won in 2004, as an incumbent. A qualitative analysis of four of his campaign speeches in both elections revealed that as a challenger, JAK presented himself as an agent of change and resorted to negative campaigning rooted in bellicose rhetoric. He marketed himself with can-do optimism that portrayed him as the quintessence of the cure-all for Ghana’s socio-economic problems. Conversely, as an incumbent, JAK adopted temperate rhetoric amidst self-promotion on the wings of his accomplishments and personal qualities. He appropriated the ethos of traditional rulers to present a viable image of himself as a performing president. The findings of the study have implications for presidential candidates, particularly, for challengers who are eager to win elections and incumbents keen to maintain power.
A Content Analysis of Online Brand Personality of 4 Universities in Ghana
(Journal of Education and Practice, 2019) Amartey, Rhodalene; Austin, Nathan
The purpose of the study is to understand brand personality of four (4) universities in Ghana as communicated via their websites. Data was extracted from the websites of the 4 universities unto a word document. The text was analyzed using a content analysis technique. The Nvivo software version 12 was used to code the data. The results showed that the four (4) universities exhibit certain brand personality traits on their websites. For example, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Business (KNUST Business School) and the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) portrayed the following brand personality traits; competence, excitement, ruggedness, sincerity and sophistication. The University of Cape Coast School of Business (UCC School of Business) and the University of Education Winneba Faculty of Business (UEW Faculty of Business) exhibited the following brand personality traits; competence, ruggedness, sincerity and sophistication. The study concludes that the universities understand brand personality and strategically communicate them on their websites.
A Hybrid Image Classification Approach to Monitoring LULC Changes in the Mining District of Prestea-Huni Valley, Ghana
(Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 2017) Opoku, Mensah Eric; Salkushu, Wapaburda; Frank, Hammond
Mining and other anthropogenic activities are increasingly destroying forest cover in tropical forest areas of Africa, threating to deplete the entire forest reserves. These depletions not only affect the ecosystems but also have dire implications on global ecological balance and climate. Using Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite images, the study used a combined unsupervised and supervised classification methods to determine the rate of change of the various land use and land cover classes in the mining district of Prestea Huni Valley. The method produced very high accuracies with the least overall accuracy being 95.4272% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.9339. A change detection analysis revealed very significant loss of forest cover as a result of direct mining activities to be 96.78 square kilometres between 2002 and 2015. The results also suggested an overall forest cover loss rate of about 71.63 square kilometres per annum for the periods between 2002 and 2015 which poses a threat to the 493.55 square kilometres of forest cover left in the study area study, if proper monitoring and rehabilitation programmes are not put in place.
A Linguistic Description of the Language of Ghanaian Newspapers: Implications for the Readability, Comprehensibility and Information Function of the Ghanaian Press
(Ghana Journal of Linguistics, 2016-12) Fosu, Modestus
This paper investigates the readability and comprehensibility of English language newspapers in Ghana. It attempts a structural description of the language of the newspapers to explore implications thereof regarding the information function of the Ghanaian press. The study employed a research design that triangulated methods and findings from corpus linguistics and readability studies using front-page stories of four influential national newspapers of the country. The research established that the language used to communicate socio-political news to readers is complex and could be potentially difficult for many readers. The significant implication is that the newspapers may be largely ineffective in transmitting information directly to a wide spectrum of readers for socio-political benefits. This could mean, importantly, that the press may not be performing its information function well. Consequently, the paper makes a case for the press to use relatively readable and comprehensible language to broaden direct access to newspaper messages in the country.
A Systematic Review of Social Media Research in Ghana: Gaps and Future Research Avenues
(Annals of the International Communication Association (Taylor & Francis Group), 2024-02-26) Nutsugah, Noel; Kuupuolo, Eva; Peculiar, Theophilus
The emergence of internet-based communities, popularly known as social media, has transformed communication drastically. Due to its importance, scholars have written on the subject within the Ghanaian context. However, the literature remains fragmented without knowledge of its current state, gaps, and opportunities for future research. To address this, we synthesised 29 peer-reviewed articles in academic databases from 2013 to 2023. Through a systematic literature review, we observed that social media research in Ghana had been underpinned by the quantitative approach at the expense of the others. Likewise, the most explored theme is Social Media and Politics, whereas the least is Health Communication and Social Media. Based on the gaps identified, we made recommendations for future research.
Achieving Media Independence through Legal and Regulatory Measures: A Formality or Reality?
(Cogent Arts & Humanities (Taylor & Francis Group), 2018-04) Opoku, Mensah Eric; Jacob, Nyarko; Stephen, Kwame Owusu-Amoh
Ghana’s Fourth republican constitutional provisions on the independence of the media and of expression were subjected to a qualitative assessment on the question: has it lived up to expectation? The study showed that the constitution marked a takeoff point for media liberalisation that led to increased private ownership participation and broke the “culture of silence” to some appreciable extent within the public sphere. Some shortfalls were identified and these were: the media lacks right to information, some archaic laws still exist in the statute books and huge court fines cripple media outlets.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Two and Three: Role of Academic Libraries
(Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 2020-08) Mbagwu, Francisca Chinyeaka; Nyantakyi-Baah, Lydia; Lyaka, Martha; Kiwelu, Jackline E.; Holmner, Marlene
Purpose: This study investigated the role academic libraries play in the achievement of sustainable development goals 2 and 3 Design/Methodology/Approach: An exploratory approach through an extensive review of related literature and case study was adopted for this study. Discussion on the efforts made by academic libraries in Federal University of Technology Library Owerri, Nigeria; Makerere University Library, Uganda, Kampala International University, Uganda and Ghana Institute of Journalism Library made in the achievement of SDGs 2 and 3. The study was guided by three research questions. Research questions 1 and 2 were gotten from the literature reviewed while the answer to research question 3 was based on information provided by the researchers being staff in the universities studied and the result of the interview from the rural host community. Findings: Major findings revealed that natural disasters (extreme weather, drought, flood,etc); ineffective food distribution, poor packaging, processing and storage, social support networks, untimely delivery of information, physical environment, inappropriate media for information dissemination among others were the problems militating against attainment of food security and good health. The finding also revealed that the community lacked agricultural information such as where to get the best variety of farm inputs, where and how to source agricultural loans, the market where they will get a better bargain for the products among others. Members of the rural host also lacked health information. Practical Implication: In a hunger crisis society and where health care services are not given the utmost attention, the life of the citizens are endangered. The provision of library and information services to people will empower them to seek and find the solution to these problems. Originality/Value: It is recommended that academic libraries can achieve SDGs 2 and 3 through repackaging of agricultural and health information in different formats and in the language rural communities will understand and make it accessible to them. Libraries can also partner/collaborate with agricultural and health professionals in the provision of extension services to their host communities.
Actions and Reactions to the Evacuation of Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Ghana: A Content Analysis of Daily Graphic Online Reporting
(Aussie-Sino Studies, 2019-03) Opoku, Mensah Eric; Jacob, Nyarko; Albert, Bossman
The Guantanamo Detention Camp was a facility created by the US government to house enemy-combatant captured from war fronts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Amid controversies surrounding the legality of their detention, the Obama administration pledged to shut down the facility. Since terrorism has become a global menace, efforts to combat it have been approached from a multilateral perspective than unilateral; the US transferred some of the detainees abroad recently to close it. Ghana is one of the countries that accepted two inmates. Through content analysis, this study examines media coverage of their evacuation to Ghana as expressed by sections of the Ghanaian public. Overall, society resented their arrival on fear and panic, insecurity and illegality grounds.
Advancing Innovation and Technology through Patent Information: A Case Study of Accra Polytechnic
(Information and Knowledge Management, 2014) Barfi, Faustina Kyerewaa; Kotey, Frederick Ashaley
This paper presents the outcome of a research carried out at the Accra Polytechnic on the role patent information plays in promoting innovation and technology. The study highlighted on some of the usefulness of patent information and explored its efficacy in teaching and learning. The objectives for the development of polytechnic education in Ghana is to create the manpower need for innovations and also to provide the technical expertise on the job market by ways of modifying and implementing ideas.The outcome of the study revealed that, majority of the students had no knowledge about patent Information and those who had knowledge about it find it difficult accessing and contributing to it. Though the various departments of the polytechnic invent ideas, patenting them becomes difficult.The study responses further indicated that, the aim of the polytechnic is to support research to increase in the availability of scientific and technical information yet the diverse ways of innovation and inventions has not gain the needed support. The study revealed that, the use of patent information in teaching and learning would foster development.Despite the enormous advantages patent plays in technology, the study has buttressed a research report by the World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO (2010) that, Africa is the least continent that utilizes patent information and this has resulted in a decline in innovation and invention. Further, the limited usage of patent information among polytechnics students and the idea of intellectual property were new to them.The study adopted the simple random sampling approach, using the structured questionnaires
An Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Human Resource Arrangements within the Ghanaian Decentralized Government System: Views of Staff of Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly
(International Journal of Applied Research, 2019-01) Odoom, Daniel
Adequate human resource (HR) is critical in ensuring goal attainment within the broader framework of local government systems. Like any other institutions, the District Assemblies (DAs) which are central to the success of local government systems in Ghana require adequate and well-qualified personnel in order to be able to perform the responsibilities entrusted to them. However, it is believed that many DAs in Ghana lack the requisite HR for the performance of their mandated functions. This poses a serious danger to the viability of Ghana’s decentralized government system. Against this backdrop, this study sought to examine the views of employees of DAs on the HR arrangements within the country’s decentralized government system using Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly as a case. The study was descriptive and exploratory, with the Coordinating Director, Deputy Directors, Sectional Heads, and other members of the Central Administration as the population. Purposive and stratified sampling methods were used to select 54 respondents for the study, with interview schedule and interview guide as the research instruments. Frequencies, percentages, Mann Whitney U test and content analyses were employed for the study. The study found that the existing institutional framework contributes to the problems the Assembly faces regarding its HR capacity. Also, the Assembly did not have adequate and well-qualified personnel to carry out its mandate. Again, factors such as low salaries, poor recruitment and selection policy, ineffective staff replacement and transfer policy, low motivation and inadequate training and development hampered the HR capacity at the Assembly. It was found that no differences exist in the opinions of males and females with respect to the factors affecting the Assembly’s HR capacity. It is recommended that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) should re-examine its HR policies in order to grant autonomy to the various Personnel Management Departments in the District Assemblies. This will improve the HR situation at the Assembly since it will reduce excessive delays and travelling costs involved in addressing the HR challenges in the DAs.
An Examination of the Relationship Between Branding and Consumer Buying Behavior of Mosquito Repellants in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana
(Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), 2019-02) Tandoh, Isaac; Nsiah, Emmanuel
This study examined the influence of branding on consumer purchasing behaviour with an emphasis on mosquito repellents in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. This was necessitated by the fact that, in-spite of the superfluity of literature on branding and consumer purchasing behaviour, there are limited studies on mosquito repellents despite its growing demand. The study in addressing this gap significantly contributes to academic knowledge on branding and consumer purchasing behaviour. The study adopted a descriptive survey as the research design. Both primary and secondary sources were used in the gathering of data. The study employed a purposive sampling method for the selection of 210 respondents in the administration of the questionnaire. Data were then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Correlation matrix, Cronbach Alpha, Mean and Standard Deviation were used in the analysis of the quantitative data and the testing of hypotheses. The study revealed that majority of the respondents based their purchasing decision on brand name although some respondents acknowledged that purchasing behaviour was also influenced by brand elements such as design, slogan, shape and logo. The study, by extension, discovered that there was a strong positive relationship between brand elements and consumer purchasing behaviour. Also, most of the respondents indicated that they purchase mosquito brands because of the assurances of quality. Based on the findings, the study recommends the need not only for market practitioners to concentrate on the brand name as a way of influencing consumers’ purchase decision but also undertake measures to develop the other brand elements such as design, slogan, shape and logo. Also, due to the competitive nature of the market, top management should continue the pivotal role they are playing in making their brand stand out from those of competition.
Application of AI in Academic Library Services: Prospects and Implications for Quality Service Delivery
(IGI Global, 2023-08) Donkor, Antonia Bernadette; Afrane, Daniel Akwasi
Academic libraries are mandated to support the information needs of their students, staff, and faculty. In the current technological environment and the influx of artificial intelligence technology into services provision and delivery, this study assessed the knowledge and perception of librarians on the use of AI in library services provision in Ghana. The population for the study consisted of librarians from all 15 public universities in Ghana. Findings from the study revealed that the librarians were knowledgeable of the emergence of AI and sources their information on AI mainly from research articles. It was also revealed that educational level had a significant positive (r= 0.3, p<0.01) relationship with the sources of knowledge on AI tools and applications. There was a positive significant relationship (r= 0.533, p<0.01) between educational level and the frequency of knowledge acquisition on the application of AI in academic library services provision. Academic libraries are encouraged to invest in AI tools and applications to leverage their advantages.
Appreciating the Challenge of Community Participation in NGO-Led Development Interventions: An Analysis of Some Existing Literature
(International Journals of Multi-Dimensional Research, 2018-10) Odoom, Daniel; Yeboah, Richmond; Opoku, Ernest; Osei-Wusu, Prince
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been a dominant participant in the development process throughout the world. Particularly in Africa, participation has assumed even greater relevance given the complementary, or occasionally supplementary role NGOs play to that of government in social development. It is widely conceived that for NGOs’ presence to be hugely felt by the beneficiaries, there is the need to pay serious attention to the issue of participation by community members. There is a growing fear that without the active participation of community members in the development programs and projects of NGOs in Africa, it will be very difficult for them to achieve meaningful and sustained progress in the lives of the beneficiaries. Needless to indicate that the lack of clear definition of involvement of community members in the development activities of NGOs in Africa has led to uncontrolled, uncoordinated and ineffective development projects. This paper seeks to contribute to the discussions on the issue of community participation in the development activities of NGOs in Africa and the associated challenges. It presents an introduction which seeks to locate the place of NGOs in the development discourse. It also conceptualizes community participation and its typologies, as well as the role of community participation in development. It, again, highlights some of the challenges associated with community participation in development projects and concludes on the issues discussed.
Articulations of Feminine Voices in Ghana’s Parliament: A Study of the Hansard from 2010-2011
(International Journal of Language, Literature and Gender Studies (LALIGENS), Bahir Dar- Ethiopia, 2018-10) Opoku, Mensah Eric; Sandra, Wood Freda
Women have both a right and an obligation to active participation in political deliberation. Yet, their participation in formal political processes, where decisions regarding the use of societal resources generated by both men and women are made, remains insignificant. Now researchers are looking beyond the number of women in parliament to focus on what they can do in terms of their contributions. This study, therefore investigates female parliamentarians’ contributions during parliamentary proceedings, evaluates how gendered these issues were. To accomplish this task, a textual analysis of the Hansard was done using critical discourse analysis and theory of gender and power. The analysis revealed that although female MPs contribute to a range of issues, they are ardent promoters of prowomen legislations such as issues on women, children and youth, health and education. Again, the study found out that a greater percentage of issues women contribute to are gendered and so reinforces the stereotypical roles given to women by society.
Artificial Intelligence in Public Relations and Communication Management: Perspectives of Ghanaian Professionals
(Communicare: Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa (University of Johannesburg), 2024-08-01) Anani-Bossman, Albert; Nutsugah, Noel; Abudulai, Justice Issah
Artificial intelligence (AI) is presently transforming society and industries withsignificant implications for the public relations and communication profession.However, scholarship on this subject in Africa is lacking. This paper addressesthis gap by investigating AI in the public relations and communicationmanagement industry in Ghana. It focuses on the knowledge, adoption, andimpact of AI, as well as the perceived risks and challenges associated withthe application of AI. The study used the quantitative method to gather datafrom 275 professionals. Results revealed that professionals have a limitedunderstanding of AI despite their knowledge of the concept. Communicationprofessionals believe AI will impact the profession, their department, and howthey work. However, they did not foresee any challenges or risks associatedwith applying AI (e.g. competency in using AI, motivation to use AI, andloss of jobs). The result points to the need for professionals to increasetheir knowledge and understanding of AI. There is also the need for publicrelations scholars in Ghana, and Africa for that matter, to begin having seriousdiscussions on this issue.
Assessing the Impact of Tourism on the Hospitality Sector’s Share to Gross Domestic Product: From the Ghanaian Perspective
(Scientific and Academic Publishing, 2020-04) Ago Gyamfi, Moses; Odoom, Daniel; Oppong Fosu, Kennedy; Nammei Luki, Bayuasi
This study assessed the impact of tourism on the hospitality sector’s share to the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of Ghana. It employed the quantitative research approach and the explanatory research design. The study used time series data from 2007 to 2017 on tourism variables such as tourism receipts to GDP, tourism expenditure to GDP, number of international tourism arrivals to GDP; economic variables or transmission channels such as imports to GDP, exports to GDP, real exchange rate and hospitality sector’s share to GDP growth. Theoretically, this study was grounded on the tourism-led growth hypothesis which helped in explaining the link between tourism and economic growth. Regression analysis was employed as the analytical tool for this study. The study established that tourism drivers such as tourism receipts, tourism expenditure, and number of international tourism arrivals have statistically significant positive relationship with hospitality sector’s share to the country’s real GDP. Again, the study found a reverse positive relationship between hospitality sector’s share to real GDP and tourism expenditure. Also, it was observed that a positive relationship existed between tourism drivers (tourism receipts and international tourism arrivals) and tourism expenditure. In addition, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between imports to GDP and hospitality sector’s share to real GDP. There is the need for new policy direction to develop and promote tourism activities and the hospitality sector to make them more attractive to regular tourists and potential ones. The Ministry of Tourism, and Hotel and Hospitality Association of Ghana need to financially support the business activities of the local companies in the industry to enable them expand and develop economies of scale to improve their export activities to generate more foreign exchange.
Attitude towards Women in Managerial Positions: A study among Undergraduate Students of the University of Ghana
(International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences (IJELS), 2017-10) Addai, Prince; Nti Ofori, Isaac; Bioh, Rona; Avor, John
Men cannot solely manage all the activities of our institutions; women also play tremendous role in management. However, some people have negative attitude towards women in management positions. The present study examined how gender differences influence attitude towards women in managerial positions. The study also examined whether attitude towards women in managerial positions is determined by the perceived integrity of the women. A total of two hundred (200) undergraduate students of the University of Ghana were selected using convenience sampling to complete the Perception of Integrity Scale and Leadership Scale Inventory. Data was analysed using the independent t-test and the Pearson r. Results revealed that females had significantly positive attitude towards women in management than males. Christians had significantly positive attitude towards women in management than Muslims. There was a significantly positive relationship between perception of integrity of women in management and attitude towards women in management. The implication of the study is that perceived attitude towards women is influenced by the integrity of the women.
Ballot Paper Wastage in Elections in Ghana: Reflections of Electoral Commission Officers and Voters in the Jaman South District
(International Journal of Technology and Management Research, 2020-03) Odoom, Daniel; Opoku, Ernest; Gyamfi, Edward
This paper investigated the reflections of Electoral Commission (EC) officers and voters in the Jaman South District with regard to ballot paper wastage in elections in Ghana using descriptive exploratory research design. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 172 respondents for the study with questionnaires, structured interview and interview guide as the research instruments. The study revealed that elections were conducted to help select leaders for the nation and to help ensure that leaders are accountable to the people. Policies and ideologies of candidates were found to have little influence on how persons vote. Factors such as protest voting, low public education on elections, and high level of illiteracy were responsible for rejected ballots in the district. Rejected ballot paper was a cost to the EC officers and the voters in terms of resources, time and energy especially during periods of run-offs. The study recommended that the government effectively collaborate with the EC officials in the district to implement policies that will increase voters’ appreciation of issues underpinning democracy. The EC officers in the district should properly collaborate with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to provide adequate public education to enable the electorates in the district to have a proper understanding of basic electoral issues.

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