Convergence Chronicles

User Perceptions of Digital Banking Affordability, Accessibility, Adaptability, and Satisfaction: A Survey-Based Study

Emmanuel Opoku — 2025-07-13

This study explores user perceptions of digital banking in the Sunyani Municipal District, Ghana, focusing on affordability, accessibility, adaptability, and satisfaction. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 150 respondents through structured questionnaires. The demographic analysis revealed that 58% of respondents were female, while 42% were male, with the majority (41%) aged 26–35 years. Descriptive statistics indicated that affordability scored positively, with a mean of 3.72 (SD = 1.04), highlighting reduced transaction costs and convenience. Accessibility received a strong agreement, particularly in terms of ease of communication with banks (M = 3.77, SD = 1.01). However, adaptability showed mixed results; while branch convenience scored high (M = 3.63, SD = 1.11), ATM convenience was rated lower (M = 3.15, SD = 1.23). Customer satisfaction was strongly associated with trust and service quality (M = 3.64, SD = 1.05). Regression analysis showed that affordability and accessibility were significant predictors of satisfaction (p < 0.05), explaining 68% of the variance in user satisfaction. The study concludes that while digital banking is perceived as affordable and accessible, improvements in adaptability and exclusive loyalty features are necessary to enhance customer satisfaction. Recommendations include expanding digital literacy programs, improving ATM convenience, and implementing transparent pricing structures. These findings provide actionable insights for financial institutions and contribute to the discourse on financial inclusion in developing economies.

Effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling Services in Managing Student Discipline: A Case of Selected Senior High Schools in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana

Gloria Asamoah — 2025-11-11

Student indiscipline remains a persistent challenge in Ghanaian secondary schools despite the institutionalisation of Guidance and Counselling (G&C) services as a non-punitive strategy for behaviour management. The study examined the effectiveness of G&C services in promoting student discipline in selected senior high schools within the Sunyani Municipality. Adopting a descriptive quantitative design, data were collected from 187 teachers across three schools using a structured questionnaire. The instrument’s reliability was confirmed through a pilot test (Cronbach’s α = 0.84), and data were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Findings indicated that G&C services were moderately available, with counselling offices and designated counsellors present in most schools. Counselling was perceived as effective in fostering respectful behaviour, emotional control, and academic engagement, although its impact on chronic behavioural issues and conflict resolution was moderate. Major constraints included the shortage of trained counsellors, limited time for counselling activities, and inadequate resources. The study concludes that while G&C structures exist, operational weaknesses reduce their overall effectiveness. It recommends that the Ghana Education Service employ full-time professional counsellors, provide adequate facilities, and strengthen policy frameworks to enhance counselling delivery and sustain discipline management in Ghanaian senior high schools.

The Role of Indigenous Play in Promoting Peace and Cohesion Among Ghanaian Ethnic Groups: A Case of the Frafras and Dagaabas

Thomas Azagsiba Agana — 2025-07-16

This study explores the role of indigenous play, specifically the culturally embedded “joking relationship” known as Baazu, in promoting peace and inter-ethnic cohesion between the Frafras and Dagaabas of Northern Ghana. Drawing on Cultural Relativism Theory and Social Capital Theory, the research adopts a qualitative ethnographic approach to examine how traditional practices of humor, teasing, and symbolic rituals foster trust, conflict prevention, and collective identity across historically distinct ethnic groups. The study, which was conducted in Bolgatanga, Tongo, Bongo, Wa, Jirapa and Nandom, adopted purposive sampling to select 20 experience voices from the Dagaaba and Frafras who have witnessed the long-term play between the two tribes. Through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation, the study uncovers how Baazu functions as a culturally sanctioned mechanism for mitigating conflict and strengthening social bonds. The findings demonstrate that the joking relationship between these groups is deeply rooted in shared history, kinship ties, and mutual respect, which collectively sustain a form of social capital that transcends ethnic boundaries. Furthermore, the study reveals that Baazu is not only a recreational activity but a dynamic cultural institution that reinforces communal harmony, especially among the youth. The research highlights the urgent need for cultural preservation amid globalization and modernization, advocating for the institutionalization of indigenous peacebuilding mechanisms within national policy frameworks. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on indigenous conflict resolution by presenting Baazu as a viable model for grassroots peacebuilding in multi-ethnic societies. It calls for a revaluation of African traditional practices as effective tools for promoting sustainable peace and social integration. The study's findings can inform policy, education, and community efforts by showing how indigenous play promotes peace and unity through culturally grounded practices.

From inputs to Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis of Traditional vs. Performance-based Road Contracts and their Cost-saving Potential

Castro Elorm Nyoagbe — 2025-06-15

This study conducts a comprehensive comparative analysis of traditional input-based road contracts and performance-based road contracts (PBRCs), with a focus on evaluating their cost-efficiency, implementation challenges, and strategic enhancement measures. Drawing on a systematic review of over 45 empirical studies, institutional reports, and policy documents from both developed and developing contexts, the study synthesizes critical insights into the effectiveness of these contracting models. The findings reveal that PBRCs offer superior fiscal discipline and long-term cost savings, typically ranging between 15% and 40%, primarily due to incentivized preventive maintenance and outcome-driven resource utilization. In contrast, traditional contracts are often associated with inefficiencies, cost overruns, and reactive maintenance practices. Despite their benefits, the transition to PBRCs is often impeded by systemic challenges such as limited institutional capacity, unclear performance indicators, weak regulatory frameworks, and market constraints. These barriers are particularly pronounced in low-resource settings, where technical expertise and robust monitoring systems are often lacking. The study proposes a range of strategic interventions, including institutional capacity-building, digitized monitoring frameworks, stakeholder engagement, competitive procurement reforms, and integration of PBRCs into national infrastructure strategies. The research contributes to the literature by offering a structured synthesis of global experiences with PBRCs, categorizing barriers to implementation, and outlining evidence-based recommendations. It provides practical guidance for policymakers, infrastructure planners, and development practitioners aiming to enhance infrastructure efficiency and accountability. The study underscores the need for context-sensitive approaches and long-term institutional investment to fully realize the potential of PBRCs.

Islamic Education and Examination Malpractice: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

Abbass Ali Hussam — 2025-06-16

Islamic education is inherently designed to cultivate both intellectual and moral development, emphasizing ethical values such as honesty (sidq), trustworthiness (amanah), and accountability (mas’uliyyah). However, the increasing prevalence of examination malpractice in Islamic schools presents a troubling contradiction between Islamic pedagogical ideals and actual student behavior. This study provides a comprehensive review of existing literature to explore the root causes, manifestations, and consequences of examination malpractice within Islamic educational institutions across various countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Malaysia. Findings reveal that a complex interplay of individual, institutional, and sociocultural factors drives academic dishonesty in these institutions. Key issues include weak disciplinary enforcement, inadequate teacher role modelling, parental and peer pressure, test anxiety, and the commodification of education. Moreover, structural inefficiencies such as underfunding, overcrowding, and lack of ethical oversight exacerbate the problem. The study further highlights how the misalignment between religious instruction and lived ethical practice undermines the integrity of Islamic education. Drawing from Islamic epistemology, the paper proposes multidimensional, faith-based solutions, including the establishment of Shura disciplinary councils, integration of moral education across the curriculum, and early character formation through tarbiyyah. By contextualising academic dishonesty within a religious framework, the study.