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Prospects and challenges of prison libraries in Ghana: a case study of the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons
(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2012) Owusu-Ansah, Christopher Mfum
The study explored the provision of library services at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in Ghana. Incarcerated people are confronted with isolation and are often faced with limitations of personal choices and quality decision making. Library services remain an important service in every society that values freedom. The prison library is one of the few places that offer solace and escape in the extremely regulated lives of prisoners. The report is the result of a study into the information needs of prisoners and the resources and services that are available for this special population. A total of 100 male and female prisoners sampled purposively were selected for the study. The study discovered that literate prisoners of all categories desire library and information services for academic, recreational and rehabilitative purposes. The study however suggests the Ghana Prison Service does not engage professional librarians to manage library services for prisoners of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. It is also discovered that prisoners and officers alike believe information use could be an effective tool to ensure the restoration of inmates to a socially acceptable life outside of the prison walls. Suggestions made for effective and efficient library and information services for prisoners include development of a general academic collection, provision of civic and legal education for prisoners, engagement of professional librarians to manage prison library, reading promotion and collaboration with public library services to offer standard prison library services in a bid to achieve the rehabilitation goal of the prison.
PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF PRISON LIBRARIES IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF THE NSAWAM MEDIUM SECURITY PRISONS.
(library Philosophy and Practice, 2012) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher
The study explored the provision of library services at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in Ghana. Incarcerated people are confronted with isolation and are often faced with limitations of personal choices and quality decision making. Library services remain an important service in every society that values freedom. The prison library is one of the few places that offer solace and escape in the extremely regulated lives of prisoners. The report is the result of a study into the information needs of prisoners and the resources and services that are available for this special population. A total of 100 male and female prisoners sampled purposively were selected for the study. The study discovered that literate prisoners of all categories desire library and information services for academic, recreational and rehabilitative purposes. The study however suggests the Ghana Prison Service does not engage professional librarians to manage library services for prisoners of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. It is also discovered that prisoners and officers alike believe information use could be an effective tool to ensure the restoration of inmates to a socially acceptable life outside of the prison walls. Suggestions made for effective and efficient library and information services for prisoners include development of a general academic collection, provision of civic and legal education for prisoners, engagement of professional librarians to manage prison library, reading promotion and collaboration with public library services to offer standard prison library services in a bid to achieve the rehabilitation goal of the prison.
LESSONS FOR LIBRARIANS: CAREER OF GHANA’S DR HELENA ASAMOA-HASSAN
(Time Journals of Arts and Educational Research, 2014) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher
Purpose: The mission of librarians is to provide access to information required for the satisfaction of their users. This article brings to the fore the need for academic librarians in particular to assert themselves and reinforce their competencies in their bid to serve a very complex clientele in the age of information and communication technology and changes in higher education. Design/Methodology: The authors achieved the purpose of this study through a brief review of the literature in an attempt to identify some standards expected of highly competent librarians. Through a face to face interview with a seasoned Ghanaian librarian, these standards are then tested in a bid to ascertain some of the notions of excellent academic librarianship. Findings: The study revealed among others that a highly successful career in librarianship is achievable but requires awareness of and abiding by the professional standards and expectations of modern academic librarianship. Again, the need for continuous professional development among librarians and commitment to the ultimate growth of the library profession is given credence through the interviewee’s long-term participation in the activities of the international library fraternity both in Ghana and abroad. Originality/value: The paper is able to illustrate that academic librarians could achieve excellence in their career if they consciously abide by the standards of academic librarianship devised by many international and national library organisations.
The Impact of Library Automation on the Job Satisfaction of Library Staff
(European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2014) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Kwadwo Mprah, Richard
he study discussed the impact of library automation on the job satisfaction of University of Education, Winneba (UEW) library staff. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the implementation of the library automation project on library staff in terms of how it affects their job satisfaction. The study employed the use of the survey research approach through the purposive sampling method as the study actually sought the views of all library staff with the aid of a structured questionnaire. A total of ninety-four (94) questionnaires with 35 items were used to obtain relevant data for the study. Of these, 66 of the questionnaires r epr esenting 70.21% of the total questionnaire were r etrieved and analyzed. The findings have shown a high level of awareness of the project, increase in productivity, job satisfaction and acquisition of new skills by staff.
Applications of social media and web 2.0 for research support in selected African academic institutions
(2015) Owusu-Ansah, Christopher; Gontshi, Vuyokazi; Mutibwa, Lois; Ukwoma, Scholarstica
This study examined the use of Social Media/Web 2.0 for research support and it is guided by three objectives namely: a) to ascertain the uses social media in academic institutions; b) to identify the challenges associated with social media use for research purposes and c) to provide experiences of social media application in selected African academic institutions. The study makes use of literature analysis in combination with personal and professional work experiences on the use of social media from librarians in four different countries. Institutional experiences by the four librarians showed that it is only Rhodes University Library that uses social media in its library, which is as a result of a formal social media strategy. For the other three universities, University of Education, Winneba Library in Ghana, Makerere University Library in Uganda and the University of Nigeria Library, the use of social media is not encouraging. They use it mostly for communication and interaction with colleagues. It was also discovered that there is no social media strategy available in these university libraries. Based on these findings, the study recommended the implementation of social media strategy, appointment of social media librarians in these libraries, and continuing professional development of librarians to keep abreast with current trends. Web 2.0/Social Media is a new technology offering new options for African academic librarians in their research support role.
Applications of Social Media and Web 2.0 for Research Support in Selected African Academic Institutions
(Journal of Balkan Libraries Union, 2015) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Vuyokazi, Gontshi; Mutibwa, Lois; Ukwoma, Scholarstica
This study examined the use of Social Media/Web 2.0 for research support and it is guided by three objectives namely: a) to ascertain the uses social media in academic institutions; b) to identify the challenges associated with social media use for research purposes and c) to provide experiences of social media application in selected African academic institutions. The study makes use of literature analysis in combination with personal and professional work experiences on the use of social media from librarians in four different countries. Institutional experiences by the four librarians showed that it is only Rhodes University Library that uses social media in its library, which is as a result of a formal social media strategy. For the other three universities, University of Education, Winneba Library in Ghana, Makerere University Library in Uganda and the University of Nigeria Library, the use of social media is not encouraging. They use it mostly for communication and interaction with colleagues. It was also discovered that there is no social media strategy available in these university libraries. Based on these findings, the study recommended the implementation of social media strategy, appointment of social media librarians in these libraries, and continuing professional development of librarians to keep abreast with current trends. Web 2.0/Social Media is a new technology offering new options for African academic librarians in their research support role.
Implementing Information Literacy through the Personal Librarian Model: Prospects and Challenges
(Journal of Balkan Libraries Union, 2015) Owusu-Ansah M., Christopher; Vuyokazi, Gontshi
The paper explores the concept of Personal Librarianship which is fairly a novel concept in the library and information science context in Africa. The Personal Librarian Programme encourages students to build relationships with their personal librarians who provide learning support, and introduce the library as an enabling environment that supports students’ learning needs. The ultimate goal of this concept is to make First Year Students Information Literate. The idea behind the programme is that the personal librarian becomes the student’s primary contact throughout his/her studies. The study reviews the two most widely used models of teaching and imparting Information Literacy by pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. In the end, the research highlights the importance of complementing these existing efforts with the Personal Librarian concept. The research also demonstrates the feasibility of implementing the Personal Librarian Programme in a higher education context in Africa. Finally, the study elicits some challenges in using the Personal Librarian Programme to implement Information Literacy. Overall, the study contributes to efforts aimed at proactively engaging students to enhance their competencies in information usage.
Publishing preferences among academic researchers: implications for academic quality and innovation
(Library Philosophy and Practice (LPP), 2016) Owusu-Ansah, Christopher Mfum; Adjei, Kwabena Osei Kuffour
The purpose of this paper was to explore the factors responsible for publication preferences among a select group of researchers attending a research writing workshop in Ghana. The objectives were to investigate the specific motivations for publishing; to explore the factors that influence researchers’ journal selection decisions; and availability of in-house programmes for journal publishing. The population of the study consisted of researchers from several academic institutions in Ghana who attended a research writing workshop. The research made use of the convenience sampling method to select a total of 67 researchers to participate in the study. The study used a self-administered closed-ended questionnaire consisting of 13 items and analysed using the mean test, standard deviation and simple percentages. The study found that researchers consider “contribution to scholarship” as the main motivation for publishing even though job mobility is a major source of motivation. Again, the major factor influencing journal selection decision is journal reputation. However, many researchers indicated a high preference for journals that does not charge publication fees. Finally, most respondents do not benefit from in-house research development programmes. The study recommends the development of in-house academic publishing programmes that are researcher-centred; the development of new of enhancement of existing research mentoring schemes, the issuance of “standalone” low quality journals; and the need for researchers to consider both intrinsic and extrinsic factors in their quest to become quality researchers.
Influence of ICT on graduate students' use of electronic resources: Leadership lessons
(I n t e r n a ti o n a l J o u r n a l o f E d u c a ti o n a l L e a d e r s h i p, 2016) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Afful-Broni, Anthony; Nyankom Takyi, Lydia
T h e s t u d y i s a s u r v e y o f t h e im p a c t o f l e a d e r s h i p o n g r a d u a t e st u d e n t s ' u s e o f e l e c t r o n i c r e s o u r c e s . T h e s t u d y e m p l o y e d a q u e s ti o n n a i r e - b a s e d s u r v e y c o n s i s ti n g o f 24 q u e s ti o n s t o d e t e r m i n e J C T s k ill s ; m e t h o d o f a w a r e n e s s a n d p u r p o s e o f u s e o f e l e c t r o n i c r e s o u r c e s ; a s w e ll a s t h e im p a c t o f l e a d e r s h i p o n t h e u s e o f e l e c t r o n i c r e s o u r c e s a m o n g g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s . T h e t o t a l p o p u l a ti o n w a s 725 g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s o f w h i c h a r a n d o m s a m p l e o f 10 0 (13%) u s e d f o r t h e s t u d y w it h a 1 0 0 p e r c e n t r e s p o n s e r a t e . T h e r e t r i e v e d d a t a w a s i n p u tt e d i n t o t h e S t a ti s ti c a l P a c k a g e f o r S o c i a l S c i e n c e s ( S P S S ) v e r s i o n 1 6 . 0 0 f o r t h e a n a l y s i s o f t h e r e s u lt s . T h e v a r i a b l e s w e r e s u b j e c t e d t o i n - d e p t h d a t a a n a l y s i s a n d p r e s e n t e d t h r o u g h d e s c r i p ti v e s t a ti s ti c s i n t h e f o r m o f t a b l e s . T h e fi n d i n g s h a v e im p o r t a n t im p li c a ti o n s f o r l e a d e r s h i p m a i n l y o n t h e r o l e o f a c a d e m i c s t a ff a n d li b r a r i a n s . T h e s t u d y a l s o d e m o n s t r a t e s a h i g h c o m m itm e n t o f k e y a c a d e m i c s t a k e h o l d e rs i n s u p p o r ti n g q u a lit y r e s e a r c h t h r o u g h t h e f o r m u l a ti o n a n d im p l e m e n t a tio n o f f a v o u r a b l e p o li c i e s o n t h e u s e o f q u a lit y e l e c t r o n i c r e s o u r c e s f o r g r a d u a t e r e s e a r c h .
Publishing Preferences among Academic Researchers: Implications for Academic Quality and Innovation
(Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2016) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Osei Kufour Adjei, Kwabena
The purpose of this paper was to explore the factors responsible for publication preferences among a select group of researchers attending a research writing workshop in Ghana. The objectives were to investigate the specific motivations for publishing; to explore the factors that influence researchers’ journal selection decisions; and availability of in-house programmes for journal publishing. The population of the study consisted of researchers from several academic institutions in Ghana who attended a research writing workshop. The research made use of the convenience sampling method to select a total of 67 researchers to participate in the study. The study used a self-administered closed-ended questionnaire consisting of 13 items and analysed using the mean test, standard deviation and simple percentages. The study found that researchers consider “contribution to scholarship” as the main motivation for publishing even though job mobility is a major source of motivation. Again, the major factor influencing journal selection decision is journal reputation. However, many researchers indicated a high preference for journals that does not charge publication fees. Finally, most respondents do not benefit from in-house research development programmes. The study recommends the development of in-house academic publishing programmes that are researcher-centred; the development of new of enhancement of existing research mentoring schemes, the issuance of “standalone” low quality journals; and the need for researchers to consider both intrinsic and extrinsic factors in their quest to become quality researchers.
Information access and evaluation skills of secondary school students in Ghana
(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2017) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Yeboah, Patience; S. Dadzie, Perpetua
Information Literacy (IL) is a necessary skill needed by students to survive in the dynamic information environment of the 21st century. This study explored the IL skills of secondary school students in Ghana with specific focus on students’ abilities in finding and evaluating information. The study was conducted in two “first-class” secondary schools in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region of Ghana; Opoku Ware Senior High School and Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School. A survey instrument was developed to assess the skills of the students in that regard. Questionnaires were distributed to an overall sample size of one hundred and seventy (170) students in the two schools. In addition, four teaching staff of the schools were also interviewed to corroborate the findings from the students. The findings revealed that students in the two schools lack the ability to effectively access information for their academic work. The study also discovered that students in the participating schools lack the basic skills to differentiate good information from bad ones. The study recommends, among others, the integration of IL into the secondary school curriculum in Ghana; and collaboration between librarians, teaching staff and the Ghana Education Service to promote IL among students to promote lifelong learning.
Performance Management in Academic Libraries: A Balanced Scorecard Approach for Digital Services
(Journal of Balkan Libraries Union, 2017) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Nyankom Takyi, Lydia
The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how the Balanced Scorecard could be used as a performance management tool in academic library digital services at a large multi-campus University in Ghana, the University of Education, and Winneba. Despite the fact that it was initially designed for private sector commercial organisations, the Balanced Scorecard has been found useful by non-profits such as libraries. The study demonstrates the contribution of digital library services to the strategic goals of universities by aligning strategic digital library initiatives to the four Balanced Scorecard perspectives which are: customer; finance; internal processes; and learning and organisation. The study is expected to contribute to efforts at finding strategic measures to sustain digital library services in academic libraries.
Going the full distance: Strategic support for digital libraries in distance education at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana
(Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 2018) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Antonio Da Silva, Rodrigues; Van Der Walt, Thomas
Many African universities have employed distance education to expand access to education and digital libraries can ensure seamless access to information for distance learners. The purpose of this study was to investigate the availability of policies and strategic initiatives for developing digital library services in distance education at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana. The study relies on the results of semi-structured interviews with selected librarians of the University, and institutional document analysis. The study found that digital library use in distance education at the University is seriously hampered due to the absence of strategic support, consistent policies and dedicated funding for digital library initiatives.
Students’ Perception on the Course Educational Research: A Case Study in One of the Private Universities in Ghana
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2018) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Manu, Jacob
The current study sought to identify the perception of teachers (with diploma as their highest level of education) on the teaching and learning of the Educational Research course during the Fall 2017 semester in one of the private universities in Ghana. With a survey research design, three hundred and thirteen teachers, who were enrolled in the Fall 2017 Sandwich programme, were randomly sampled to participate in the study. The findings revealed significant differences between male and female teachers in terms of how they perceived the teaching of research, relevance of research and their statistics anxiety. Also, the age independent variable indicated a significant difference on the statistics anxiety construct only whereas the other two constructs were not significant. There were significant correlations among age, years of teaching, and statistics anxiety. The implication of the study for practice is discussed.
Students’ Perception on the Course Educational Research: A Case Study in One of the Private Universities in Ghana
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2018) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Manu, Jacob
The current study sought to identify the perception of teachers (with diploma as their highest level of education) on the teaching and learning of the Educational Research course during the Fall 2017 semester in one of the private universities in Ghana. With a survey research design, three hundred and thirteen teachers, who were enrolled in the Fall 2017 Sandwich programme, were randomly sampled to participate in the study. The findings revealed significant differences between male and female teachers in terms of how they perceived the teaching of research, relevance of research and their statistics anxiety. Also, the age independent variable indicated a significant difference on the statistics anxiety construct only whereas the other two constructs were not significant. There were significant correlations among age, years of teaching, and statistics anxiety. The implication of the study for practice is discussed.
Embedded Library Practices in Africa: A Literature Review
(All Nations University Journal of Applied Thought (ANUJAT), 2018) Owusu-Ansah M., Christopher; Mensah, Micheal
Embedded library practices are being adopted in many academic libraries to integrate librarians in the research agenda of their institutions. The purpose of this study was to explore the changing role of embedded librarians in academic libraries and how African academic libraries, particularly, in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria are exploiting this practice to promote their expertise. The study employs a literature review approach by analysing the extant literature on the subject. The review revealed that most embedded librarianship takes the form of a librarian taking on a dual role as teacher-librarian teaching information literacy or as a co-teacher in another subject who helps with information literacy and research writing around that subject. In some other instances, librarians are involved in online programmes to compliment information literacy skills. Most significantly, the review has brought to the fore the challenge of limited literature on embedded librarianship on the African continent. However, in the selected cases in which the literature was reviewed, it was found that a number of practices are being adopted by libraries and librarians, albeit unconsciously, to integrate the library into the work of researchers in their institutions.
Integrating digital libraries into distance education: A review of models, roles, and strategies
(Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 2019) Owusu-Ansah, Christopher Mfum; Rodrigues, Antonio; Walt, Thomas Van der
Integrating Digital Libraries into Distance Education: A Review of Models, Roles and Strategies
(Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 2019) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Antonio Da Silva, Rodgrigues; Thomas B. van der, Walt
This study examines ongoing efforts by academic libraries to integrate digital resources into distance education courses. The study adopts a conceptual approach and it is thematically focused on the concepts of distance education and digital libraries; academic library models in distance education; the role of digital libraries in distance education; and strategies for integrating digital libraries into distance education.
Evaluating the Information Access Skills of Students of a College of Education in Ghana
(Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice, 2020) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher; Yebowaah, Franklina Adjoa
Access to relevant information determines the quality of life of an individual in society and the academe. Academic institutions have established information literacy programmes to enhance students’ access to information. With the elevation of colleges of education to tertiary status in Ghana, pre-service teachers are now required to conduct research to improve their reflective thinking in order to be certified. However, the information access skills of students in colleges of education in Ghana are uncertain. This study draws empirical evidence from students in the Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education, Wa, Ghana on their information access skills. Primary data were collected from 303 respondents from the college using a stratified sampling procedure. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that information is available to students through different sources such as the Internet, libraries, and contact with friends and authorities. However, students were limited in respect to access to relevant online resources for their academic activities due to inadequate information access skills. Potential solutions are discussed.
Conceptions of digital libraries: an African perspective
(Digital Library Perspectives, 2020) Owusu-Ansah Mfum, Christopher
Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to explore African conceptions of digital libraries from the perspective of the historical literature. This paper argues that the concept of digital libraries is a western creation and that there was a need for developing societies to develop their own conceptions to guide their own digital library development agenda. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a literature review. The paper makes use of publicly-available literature on the theme of digital libraries from both the Western and African perspectives. The search terms used were “digital libraries”, “Africa digital libraries”, “electronic libraries”, “information communication technologies/libraries” and “institutional repositories”. A total of 89 publications were examined for this purpose. Findings – The analysis revealed that most of the initial digital library initiatives in Africa emanated from the west with African countries benefiting from international initiatives to expand access to information resources to bridge the global digital divide. However, due to a number of contextual challenges such as lack of sustainable funding and inadequate capacity and strategy, the development of digital libraries was hampered. Thus, even though digital libraries enjoy considerable goodwill, there remain negative conceptions of digital libraries in Africa. Practical implications – Information institutions in African countries must evolve a unified conception of digital libraries as this would largely drive the direction of digital library development towards achieving the developmental goals of the continent. Originality/value – The study applies the attributes of innovation to explain contextual factors shaping African conceptions of digital libraries.

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