African Journal of Library and Information Science

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-012, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of labour migration during the colonial period to the Obuasi mines in Ghana

James Salia Kan-Dapaah

Department of History, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 12, Legon, Accra, Ghana. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 19 May 2014

Abstract

Migration has been part of human existence since creation. Many people migrate for various reasons underlying which is the element of survival or the search for an improved situation. It sometimes seems to be the only logical and rational thing to do when one is faced with situations that border on survival and is also faced with making a choice. The southern Akan forest of Ghana has a long history of receiving many labour migrants from all the other parts of the West African sub-region. Many of these migrants came to southern Ghana to work in the cocoa farms belonging to the Akans. A huge chunk of these migrating labourers came from mostly the northern parts of the country. People also came from as far-off territories as Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Lone, Nigeria etc. to work in the rich gold mines of Obuasi in Adanse. Many reasons advanced by various scholars to explain the cause of the labour migration have credited economic reasons as the major factor that compelled the influx of migrants to economically vibrant southern Ghana. This article seeks to contribute to the continuing discussion on labour migration in West Africa. It will also establish that there were other equally compelling and motivating forces that influenced people to migrate.

Key words: Migration, Labour, Obuasi, Adanse, Gold mine, Northern Territories, Ghana.

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 1 (1), pp. 013-021, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the impact of corporate governance on family and non-family controlled companies’ performance in Pakistan

Abdul Aziz Ibrahim

 Faculty of Economics and Business, University Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 15 November, 2015

Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of corporate governance on family and non-family controlled companies’ performance in Pakistan. The sample size of this study is 792 companies listed on Karachi Stock Exchange from 2003 to 2008. The findings reveal that corporate governance structure influences the family and non-family controlled companies’ performance. However all corporate governance mechanisms are not significant. The significant variables differ between family and non-family controlled companies. Thus, regulators need to be vigilant that family and non-family controlled companies practice differently and to set different codes for each type of companies.

Key words: Corporate governance, performance, family-controlled companies.

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 1 (1), pp. 027-042, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of pre-colonial and contemporary methods of gold mining in Ghana

David Amaldi

Department of History, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 12, Legon, Accra, Ghana. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 23 August, 2015

Abstract

The advent of colonialism and the introduction of modern scientific mining in Ghana during the last decade of the nineteenth century enabled European mining companies to gain control over the mining industry. This effectively excluded Africans from participating in the gold mining industry except as labourers and artisans. This article compares and contrasts the pre-colonial methods of mining with modern artisanal or small-scale mining popularly known in Ghana as galamsey and also provide reasons to explain why traditional or pre-colonial mining is still vibrant in the gold-rich Akanland in modern-day Ghana.

Key words: Auriferous, traditional mining, galamsey, scientific mining, Akyem Abuakwa, Adanse, Wassa

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 1 (1), pp. 022-026, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Analysis of current educational system and its ability to revolutionize the persistent rate of unemployment in Ghana

Festus Adleman and Peter Agre

Lecturers at Regent University College, Accra, Ghana. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 24 July, 2015

Abstract

Unemployment problem is known to be a global phenomenon and governments over the world have been trying very hard to either eliminate this completely or reduce its effect on the economic development. In Ghana, the problem has become a playing field for several governments over the years. Many political parties have gained advantage by promising electorates during campaign periods of providing several jobs when they are given the nod to rule the country for the four year constitutionally mandated period. Unfortunately, however, the problem still persists after several years of constitutional rule and several loans “purportedly” pumped into the economy with the aim of generating more jobs. It seems to the ordinary Ghanaian, however, that the policy makers and implementers over the years have lost focus regarding any meaningful measure that could reduce the menace of unemployment in the country. Many observers and social commentators have been trying to suggest some drastic measures that could change the situation in the near future. Many have also complained about the quality of skills acquired by graduates from our Universities and the ability to apply same on the job. This article looked at the problem holistically, especially among the graduates, and suggested some practical and radical measures necessary to change the situation and hopefully reduce the effects of the problem on the economic development. The article looked at the current educational and skills training system and made analysis of whether new and drastic measures would help to change the persistence of the unemployment rate in the country in the near future.

Key words: Quality education, tailor-made skill, unemployment, Ghana.

Frontiers of Library, Information and Computer Sciences ISSN 5721-610X Vol. 1 (1), pp. 043-048, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilization of internet among distance learners in a dynamic higher education setting at the Bharathiar University, India

James Mukherjee Singh

Library and Information Science Wing, Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalai university, Annamalai, Nagar 608 002, India. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 25 July, 2011

Abstract

Internet use in Indian academic institutions and their libraries is creating an environment that is continuously changing. Multimedia and the Internet have further made the teaching and research functions of students and faculty members more challenging. The important features that have affected the quality of information are accuracy, currency, comprehensiveness and time. As the academic community is becoming aware of potential uses of Internet, these are being put to more use; there is a need to evaluate the purpose of utilizing Internet sources in order to provide relevant services. Such studies on Internet information usage pattern also facilitate library professionals to provide effective services by modifying old information provision process by using electronic tools. The findings indicated that 79.80 % of the post graduate students were aware about the availability of internet whereas only 73.75 % of under graduate students. The study revealed that most of the respondents 61.36% use internet for studying course work. 48.48% of respondents use internet for writing papers, 36.36% respondents use for updating subject knowledge, 32.95% of respondents use internet for entertainment and 14.39% of users using internet for research work. The paper highlighted the various problems, and issues involved in handling internet and gave suggestions to improve the library services to meet the demands of the users.

Keywords: Distance Learners, Internet, e-resources, CD-ROM, e-journals, web sites, Barathiar University.