Maxwell Peprah Opoku
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 934787 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Maxwell Peprah Opoku |
| NOMBRES | Maxwell Peprah |
| APELLIDO | Opoku |
| FIRMA | OPOKU M P |
| AFILIACIONES | United Arab Emirates University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7620-0007 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 75 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 56 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 75 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2016 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 4 |
Unearthing hidden disabilities
World Health Organization has supported the broad conception of disability and developed a standardized tool/scale which could be used to estimate burden of disability/activity limitations in society. However, to the best of our knowledge, empirical evidence on disability burden among young adults has been largely limited to western contexts only. The current study aimed to estimate functional disability burden among young university students in …
Exploring the attitudes toward climate change and pro-climate-change behavior among people with sensory disabilities in the Middle East and North Africa
Global ecosystems, including those of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, are severely threatened by the climate crisis. However, there are limited studies on climate change awareness among people with sensory disabilities, especially as climate change affects them as they navigate their daily activities. Guided by Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior, 542 participants with sensory impairments in the MENA region completed the Awareness …
Does self-efficacy of teachers toward inclusive education differ between primary and secondary school? A cross-cultural study of Ghana and the United Arab Emirates
There are ongoing debates on the level of education that students with special educational needs could participate in and enjoy as part of their fundamental right to education. There is a notion that students with special educational needs could be more easily included in primary schools than in secondary schools. However, teachers were excluded from such discussions. The current study aims to invigorate such discussion by exploring primary and s…
Comprehensive Talent Profile of Students in the United Arab Emirates
Gifted education is gaining traction in many non-Western contexts, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has developed many policies to develop giftedness. However, the identification of giftedness relies heavily on instruments developed in Western contexts, which have the potential to derail efforts toward promoting gifted education in the UAE. This study aimed to present data on 999 grade 4 to 12 students who completed the UAE’s natio…
Assessment of school leadership and quality of inclusive practices in early childhood education in the United Arab Emirates
Discussions at the World Early Childhood Conference in 2022 suggested that children from vulnerable backgrounds are excluded from accessing early childhood education. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) context, although leadership is pivotal in this discourse in extending early childhood education to all children, there is a lack of empirical studies on the perspectives of school leaders regarding the implementation of inclusive education for all …
Understanding the moderators of social support and mental health disorders of parents raising children with intellectual disabilities
Representation of Human Struggle With Dwarfism In Ghanaian And Nigerian Movies
Dwarfism is a rare genetic condition characterised by short stature. In many countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, anecdotal evidence indicates the employment of persons with dwarfism as actors and actresses in movies. However, there are limited studies on the experiences of persons with dwarfism within an African context. The current study attempted to fill this knowledge gap by exploring the portrayal of persons with dwarfism in African movie…
Toward Promoting an Inclusive Society
In sub-Saharan African context, the daily lives of people are shaped by their cultural experiences. Religion is vital to the people as it permeates all spheres of life as well as culture. However, the cultural interpretation of disability affects inclusion in society and thus, the need to rely on community practices to change attitudes toward individuals with intellectual disability. Among the disability groups, those living with intellectual dis…
Inclusive Teaching Practices in Secondary Schools
The use of differentiated instruction practices has proved to be an effective approach to improving student learning in inclusive settings. In 2015, Ghana adopted differentiated instruction (DI) in its policy on inclusive education to address the diverse educational needs of all children. The use of DI hinges on teachers’ capabilities; however, in Ghana, not much is known about high school teachers’ understanding of the concept of DI and their pr…
Exploring the Impact of Family Socio-Economic Status on Children’s Bilingual Abilities Among Arab Families
This study investigates the impact of family socio-economic status on children’s bilingual oral language and reading abilities. The participants were 92 Arabic–English bilingual children (Meanage = 8.52 years old) in Grade 3 of primary schools and their parents in the United Arab Emirates. A correlational research design was used. The children completed several bilingual oral language and reading tests, and their parents filled in the family back…
Extending Climate Change Action to Persons with Disabilities in the Middle East and North Africa
Persons with disabilities have consistently been excluded from deliberations on climate change actions since the beginning of the global debate on this crucial issue. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the harshest weather conditions worldwide, highlighting the need to understand the factors that could impact awareness of climate change among persons with sensory impairments. Guided by Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour, this stu…
Children with intellectual disability
The study findings have implication for policy with a recommendation for tailored training programmes for fathers based on their unique characteristics or situations in the UAE
Exploring the synergy between emotional intelligence and self-esteem among university students in Ghana
In conclusion, the researchers of this study called on educators and university administrators to prioritize the Emotional Intelligence and Self-Esteem of students in mental health interventions. The need for partnership between administrators and religious leaders and other study implications, are discussed
The Extent and Predictors of Fathers’ Involvement in the Raising of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the UAE
There is a need for policymakers to capitalize on the gains already made in creating a favorable environment for the development of children with ASD in the UAE. Regular engagement between policymakers and fathers could enhance their engagement in raising their children
Caregivers’ Experience of Supporting Deaf Adults with Mental Health Disorders in Ghana
The findings underscored an urgent need for the development of a specialized caregiving manual tailored for caregivers of deaf individuals experiencing mental health disorders. This study advocates for policymakers to prioritize the creation of such resources to enhance care delivery and improve overall mental health outcomes for this vulnerable population
Are they looking for support? Mental health and trauma awareness as predictors of mental health help-seeking behaviour among young adults and adolescents in Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana and the United Ara…
This study recommends the establishment of mental health and trauma awareness programs specifically aimed at young adults and adolescents across these four countries. Additionally, a comprehensive discussion of the study's implications is provided in detail
Promoting family- centred early interventions
Debates on paternal engagement in caregiving for children with disabilities in the early years of development has been limited in non-Western contexts. The current study drew on mothers and fathers to understand paternal involvement in the provision of early intervention services to children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. We administered the Fathers’ Involvement in Disability Rehabilitation Scale to 598 couples. We analysed data u…
Assessment of self-reported relationship between trauma-informed approaches and mental health disorders among young adults
The relationship between trauma-informed approaches and mental health disorders among youths remains underexplored in non-Western contexts in particular. This study aims to investigate the role of trauma-informed approaches in explaining the variance of mental health disorders among young adults across Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates. One thousand-eight hundred and 71 young adults from four countries completed the individual…
Representation of Human Struggle With Dwarfism In Ghanaian And Nigerian Movies
Dwarfism is a rare genetic condition characterised by short stature. In many countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, anecdotal evidence indicates the employment of persons with dwarfism as actors and actresses in movies. However, there are limited studies on the experiences of persons with dwarfism within an African context. The current study attempted to fill this knowledge gap by exploring the portrayal of persons with dwarfism in African movie…
Using Epstein’s model to understanding maternal involvement in the education of children with disabilities in an Arab Context
Teachers’ access to professional development in inclusive education
Comparative study of teachers’ attitudes, self-efficacy and job satisfaction when teaching gifted students in Ethiopia and Kenya
Catching them young! A comparative study of teacher retention among beginning teachers in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates
It is widely reported that teachers in their first 5 years of entering the profession are highly likely to leave their teaching positions. There have been many discussions on how to keep beginning teachers in the profession, mainly in Western countries. However, no such discourse exists on teacher retention in non‐Western contexts, such as Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to extend Western literature to the Middle Eastern context by investigating t…
Will they stay in the teaching profession? Nexus between attitude towards teaching and retention among pre-service teachers in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates
Formal and informal support services available to parents of in-school children with disabilities in Ghana
Poverty alleviation among persons with disabilities via United Nations' sustainable development goals in Ghana
Consistently, it has been reported that persons with disabilities face multiple challenges in societies and thus it is important that deliberate intervention programs are initiated to empower them to overcome exclusion. The United Nations has taken the lead through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) project, which is a framework for assisting countries and donors in their efforts to alleviate poverty. This article documented the experiences…
Terrorism in the Lake Chad Region
The Lake Chad region is an intersection of four countries, namely Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger, and has been a battleground of terrorism in recent years. While much is known about the devastating impact of the activities of Boko Haram, there is a dearth of empirical research on how individuals displaced by terrorism in the Lake Chad region have been integrated into new communities. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences …
Extending social protection to persons with disabilities
In many low-income countries, persons with disabilities are consistently denied access to essential services, contributing to a high incidence of poverty among them. The Goal 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) exhorts countries to develop appropriate social protection to serve as a springboard to alleviate poverty among all persons. The government of Ghana has introduced Disability Fund to provide one-off financial support to persons w…
Understanding the parental experiences of raising deaf children in Ghana
Effective parenting promotes the physical, emotional, mental and social well-being of children. However, communication barriers between hearing parents and their deaf children can hinder these children’s upbringing and deprive them of the benefits of parental care and support services. While much is known about the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Ghana, there is a dearth of knowledge about the parental experiences of raising deaf…
Inclusive education in West Africa
The call to practise inclusive education in African countries has coincided with efforts to promote deeper cooperation in the education sector. Ghana and Nigeria have adopted a common curriculum to facilitate the development of people in the West African sub-region. In both countries, while much is known about the challenges faced by teachers and schools in the implementation of inclusive education, little is known about parents’ attitudes, knowl…
Enablers and barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services among visually impaired women in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana
The need to improve the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights of women with disabilities is increasingly acknowledged. Unfortunately, women with disabilities in low- and middle-income settings, including Ghana, face several barriers (including structural, financial, physical, social and attitudinal) to accessing SRH services and care. This paper explores the enablers and barriers to accessing SRH services and care among visually impaire…
The impact of Boko Haram threat on economic activities in Cameroon
Terrorist activities impact on the rights of people as they undermine the ability of people to enjoy their right to life, liberty and fundamental freedoms. In addition to the human cost, the activities of terrorists can destabilize governments, peace, security and economic activities. Therefore, this study explores the impact of threat of attacks from Boko Haram on economic activities – exploring current realities in Yaoundé, the capital of Camer…
Crisis at the intersection of four countries
For a decade, the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) region, which is at the intersection of four countries and home to ethnic groups in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, has been occupied by Boko Haram. The lax borders and deprivation in the region contributed to the emergence and expansion of Boko Haram's insurgency. While much is known about the human casualties of the invasion, little is known about the accessibility of healthcare for the displaced perso…
Societal perceptions of counterterrorism in Cameroon
The extant literature has reported on human rights violations perpetrated by state security systems against citizens during counterterrorism efforts. This has contributed to discussions on effective strategies to protect human life and property in the wake of terrorist attacks from insurgent groups such as Boko Haram. It is widely recommended that states adopt a combination of strategies to combat terrorism. However, in the African context, there…
University preparation and the work capabilities of visually impaired graduates in Ghana
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires state parties to make deliberate laws, policies and administrative measures to safeguard the right to work of persons with disabilities. However, many countries, such as Ghana, run afoul of this requirement. Currently, there are intense campaigns in Ghana aimed at prioritising the education of persons with disabilities so as to enable them to explore their potential…
Psychological experiences of refugees and the response of the community in the Lake Chad region
The Lake Chad region, which is an intersection of four countries, namely Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, has been a major battleground of violence and terrorism. Poverty is prevalent in the region – a situation which it has been argued is one of the factors accounting for the successful operation of Boko Haram. In the midst of limited economic activity, it is important to understand the psychological impact of the insurgency on the lives of d…
Inclusive education in Nigeria
Inclusive education has become a ‘buzzword’ in the contemporary discourse on equal access to education. It has been argued that different stakeholders play a crucial role in an effort to implement inclusive education. Although teachers are key ‘architects’ who are expected to support the learning of all students in the classroom, the decisions of parents of children with and without disabilities are critical to successful implementation. In the N…
Teachers’ access to professional development in inclusive education
Will they stay in the teaching profession? Nexus between attitude towards teaching and retention among pre-service teachers in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates
Building trauma informed schools in non-western contexts
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration trauma model was used as conceptual framework in guiding the development of the Teacher Trauma Identification and Management Scale completed by 284 teachers in inclusive schools in Egypt. In addition, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Analysis of Moment Structures (SPSS AMOS) and Andrew Haye's moderation model were used to estimate the relationship between perceived knowl…
Experiences of service and diagnosis among immigrant families of young children with suspected or diagnosed developmental disabilities
Families made concerted efforts to locate appropriate supports. They also faced barriers including a lack of openness and genuine consultation, particularly in their encounters with health professionals. These barriers resulted in a level of mistrust and detachment from formalised supports. Results highlight the critical importance for health professionals of 'tuning into' family concerns through relationship-based approaches, in order to establi…
Lived experiences of Arabic working mothers raising children with disabilities
This article explores the experiences of working mothers raising children with disabilities. The study was conducted in the United Arab Emirates, which has a raft of policies empowering and facilitating the development of children with disabilities and their families. Drawing on the social model of disability, this article presents findings from qualitative data collected from both national and expatriate working mothers. It aims to provide insig…
Understanding adults with communication disorders in Ghana
Communication is pivotal to our societal experiences; therefore, the onset of a communication disorder will negatively affect an individual's social capabilities. However, in sub-Saharan African countries, there is limited public discourse on the development of individuals with communication disorders. From the perspective of critical disability theory, there have been few opportunities for adults with communication disorders to share stories abo…
Criminal justice in Ghana as experienced by people with disabilities
Despite the immense exploitation, violence, abuse, prejudice, and neglect experienced by persons with disabilities, little is known about the accessibility of the criminal justice system to them in sub-Saharan African contexts. We adapted the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of Services model (AAAQ model) of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to explore the participation of persons with disabili…
Retention and job satisfaction among rural primary school teachers in Malawi
Teachers are instrumental in promoting equitable access to education. In Malawi, Africa, teaching posts in rural schools go unfilled. This has culminated in discussions about appropriate ways to enhance teacher retention in rural schools. This research adopted Mason and Matas' four-capital model of teacher retention as a framework to study the predictors of teacher retention and job satisfaction. We recruited a total of 305 primary school teacher…
We Are Losing Our Identity as People
Mineral exploration in Africa has generated debates as to whether it is a blessing or a curse. However, the ongoing deliberations have not yet interrogated the effect of mining on the cultural practices of people living in mining communities. Therefore, this study aims to fill this scholarly gap through an exploration of the consequences of mining on the culture of people living in mining communities in Ghana. For this qualitative study, twenty-e…
From university-to-work
The importance of planned and supported transition processes for persons with impairments to move from one education institution to another, or from education to employment, cannot be overemphasised. In the Ghanaian context, while some attention has been given to the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their participation in universities, less attention has been paid to their transition journey to work. In this study, 27 persons with…
An assessment of the living conditions of disabled people in mining communities
Attitudes of health service providers
The study recommends the provision of in-service training for service providers to update their knowledge on disability issues and improve access to services for people with disabilities
The impact of Boko Haram threat on economic activities in Cameroon
Terrorist activities impact on the rights of people as they undermine the ability of people to enjoy their right to life, liberty and fundamental freedoms. In addition to the human cost, the activities of terrorists can destabilize governments, peace, security and economic activities. Therefore, this study explores the impact of threat of attacks from Boko Haram on economic activities – exploring current realities in Yaoundé, the capital of Camer…
Women in politics in Kenya
Women constitute more than half of the world’s population but their representation in the political arena has consistently been lower compared to men. Since representation is important in the allocation of resources, laws have been passed to guarantee gender parity in decision-making. In Kenya, the 2010 Constitution introduced a two-third gender rule to enhance parity in legislative bodies at both lower and national legislative bodies. From a soc…
Psychological experiences of refugees and the response of the community in the Lake Chad region
The Lake Chad region, which is an intersection of four countries, namely Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, has been a major battleground of violence and terrorism. Poverty is prevalent in the region – a situation which it has been argued is one of the factors accounting for the successful operation of Boko Haram. In the midst of limited economic activity, it is important to understand the psychological impact of the insurgency on the lives of d…
Extending social protection to persons with disabilities
In many low-income countries, persons with disabilities are consistently denied access to essential services, contributing to a high incidence of poverty among them. The Goal 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) exhorts countries to develop appropriate social protection to serve as a springboard to alleviate poverty among all persons. The government of Ghana has introduced Disability Fund to provide one-off financial support to persons w…
Inclusive education in Nigeria
Inclusive education has become a ‘buzzword’ in the contemporary discourse on equal access to education. It has been argued that different stakeholders play a crucial role in an effort to implement inclusive education. Although teachers are key ‘architects’ who are expected to support the learning of all students in the classroom, the decisions of parents of children with and without disabilities are critical to successful implementation. In the N…
Poverty alleviation among persons with disabilities via United Nations' sustainable development goals in Ghana
Consistently, it has been reported that persons with disabilities face multiple challenges in societies and thus it is important that deliberate intervention programs are initiated to empower them to overcome exclusion. The United Nations has taken the lead through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) project, which is a framework for assisting countries and donors in their efforts to alleviate poverty. This article documented the experiences…
Terrorism in the Lake Chad Region
The Lake Chad region is an intersection of four countries, namely Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger, and has been a battleground of terrorism in recent years. While much is known about the devastating impact of the activities of Boko Haram, there is a dearth of empirical research on how individuals displaced by terrorism in the Lake Chad region have been integrated into new communities. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences …
Enablers and barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services among visually impaired women in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana
The need to improve the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights of women with disabilities is increasingly acknowledged. Unfortunately, women with disabilities in low- and middle-income settings, including Ghana, face several barriers (including structural, financial, physical, social and attitudinal) to accessing SRH services and care. This paper explores the enablers and barriers to accessing SRH services and care among visually impaire…
Experiences of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy across the trajectory of diagnoses in Ghana
In light of systemic challenges faced by participants and their children with CP, the need for health policymakers to prioritise the public education about CP, promoting the well-being of caregivers and other implications of the study have been discussed
An assessment of the living conditions of disabled people in mining communities
Inclusive education in West Africa
The call to practise inclusive education in African countries has coincided with efforts to promote deeper cooperation in the education sector. Ghana and Nigeria have adopted a common curriculum to facilitate the development of people in the West African sub-region. In both countries, while much is known about the challenges faced by teachers and schools in the implementation of inclusive education, little is known about parents’ attitudes, knowl…
University preparation and the work capabilities of visually impaired graduates in Ghana
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires state parties to make deliberate laws, policies and administrative measures to safeguard the right to work of persons with disabilities. However, many countries, such as Ghana, run afoul of this requirement. Currently, there are intense campaigns in Ghana aimed at prioritising the education of persons with disabilities so as to enable them to explore their potential…
Societal perceptions of counterterrorism in Cameroon
The extant literature has reported on human rights violations perpetrated by state security systems against citizens during counterterrorism efforts. This has contributed to discussions on effective strategies to protect human life and property in the wake of terrorist attacks from insurgent groups such as Boko Haram. It is widely recommended that states adopt a combination of strategies to combat terrorism. However, in the African context, there…
Understanding the parental experiences of raising deaf children in Ghana
Effective parenting promotes the physical, emotional, mental and social well-being of children. However, communication barriers between hearing parents and their deaf children can hinder these children’s upbringing and deprive them of the benefits of parental care and support services. While much is known about the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Ghana, there is a dearth of knowledge about the parental experiences of raising deaf…
From university-to-work
The importance of planned and supported transition processes for persons with impairments to move from one education institution to another, or from education to employment, cannot be overemphasised. In the Ghanaian context, while some attention has been given to the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their participation in universities, less attention has been paid to their transition journey to work. In this study, 27 persons with…
‘Nothing about us, without us’
In 2005, the Ghanaian government established cash grants for persons with disabilities (PWDs). However, PWDs are still living under deplorable conditions, which have raised questions about the involvement of fellow PWDs in the disbursement of cash grants. Using a human rights-based approach, nine participants with disabilities (hearing, visual and physical) who were leaders of the Disabled People’s Organisation in four districts were interviewed …
Preservice Training Amid a Pandemic in Ghana
The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has brought the world to a standstill, especially the education sector. Globally, it has claimed over two million lives, with over 100 million people infected, forcing schools to close down. This has reignited the importance of online teaching and learning for preservice teachers who comprise the next frontiers in providing online education to their future students. However, studies on online learning [OL] su…
Inclusive Higher Education in United Arab Emirates
Inclusive education is widely acknowledged as useful in promoting the involvement of all students. One core objective for the implementation of inclusive education is to promote acceptance and peaceful co-existence between students with disabilities and typically developing peers in classrooms. Since 2006, the federal government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed policies aimed at achieving inclusive education at all academic levels.…
Attitudes and self-efficacy as significant predictors of intention of secondary school teachers towards the implementation of inclusive education in Ghana
Living with HIV in Ghana
Barriers to treatment faced by people living with HIV (PLWH) have been well explored in the literature. Despite the importance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the treatment of HIV and prevention of AIDS, in the Ghanaian context only about 32% of infected persons have access to treatment. This underscores a need to understand the experiences of PLWH receiving ART to provide baseline information for policymakers’ efforts to increase access to tr…
Mapping the evidence-based research on Ghana’s inclusive education to policy and practices
For the past 15 years (2003–2018), Ghana has followed international frameworks and taken steps to implement inclusive education. This has triggered research that seeks to assess effectiveness of practices by documenting the perspectives and experiences of key stakeholders such as parents and other educators. This study took stock of the research evidence to appraise the effectiveness of inclusive education practices, identify gaps in the literatu…
Crisis at the intersection of four countries
For a decade, the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) region, which is at the intersection of four countries and home to ethnic groups in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, has been occupied by Boko Haram. The lax borders and deprivation in the region contributed to the emergence and expansion of Boko Haram's insurgency. While much is known about the human casualties of the invasion, little is known about the accessibility of healthcare for the displaced perso…
Achieving Financial Inclusion for Persons With Disabilities
Deplorable living conditions among persons with disabilities and the need to improve their living conditions cannot be overemphasized. This has triggered international discussion on the need for deliberate social policies to bridge the poverty gap between persons with and without disabilities. In Malawi, expansion of financial services has been identified as an essential tool to accelerate economic and inclusive development. However, empirical st…
The self-efficacy of private school teachers toward the implementation of inclusive education in Ghana
Background Although efforts toward practicing inclusive education have stalled in countries such as Ghana, the available data have mainly centred on enacting inclusive education in public schools. With private schools being notable alternative service providers to public schools, understanding private school teachers’ perceived self-efficacy toward teaching students with disabilities in the classroom is essential. Method To develop insights into …
Psychology (51 obras) · Medicine (29 obras) · Sociology (28 obras) · Family and Disability Support Research (24 obras) · Pedagogy (23 obras) · Political science (23 obras) · Social Psychology (23 obras) · Disability Rights and Representation (20 obras) · Developmental psychology (19 obras) · Medical education (17 obras)