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Article History

Received: 20 June 2025

Accepted: 15 June 2026

First Online: 30 June 2026

Competing interests

: The author declares no competing interests.

: This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ghana in accordance with internationally recognized ethical standards, including the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (2013 revision). The approval was granted on 15th March 2024 under the approval reference number UEW/ERC/24/0315. Prior to participation, informed consent was obtained from all respondents after they were clearly informed of the study’s objectives, procedures, potential risks, and benefits. Participation was entirely voluntary, and participants retained the right to withdraw at any stage without penalty. Ethical safeguards included the protection of participants’ rights, maintenance of anonymity, secure handling of sensitive data, and adherence to academic integrity throughout the data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.

: Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in the study. The consent process involved providing participants with a written information sheet and oral briefing that clearly explained the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and anticipated benefits. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification before signing the consent form. Consent was formally obtained between 20th March and 5th April 2024, immediately before data collection commenced. Written consent was secured from all adult participants, while additional assurances of confidentiality and voluntary participation were reiterated during the process. Participants were informed that they could withdraw from the study at any time without facing any consequences.