Advancing Women Tertiary Education In Ghana:The Mediating Role Of Internet Innovation Technology Using Social Cognitive Theory

The Ghanaian education industry,especially at the tertiary level has witnessed progressive growth over the years.As a result of this,internet innovation technology is required to sustain this progress since internet technology has become a powerful tool in creating opportunities for women to further their education at the tertiary level without experiencing any role conflict at the family,home and work place.However,of great concern are the challenges such as women internet technology phobia,high cost of internet data,internet connectivity fluctuations and women's inability to obtain internet innovation technology equipment for tertiary education.Based on this,the study examined the relationship between Internet Technology(IT)accessibility and women's tertiary education in Ghana.The research study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gather and analyze primary and secondary data from 350 respondents at various tertiary institutions in the Tamale Metropolis.Most respondents were female teachers and students pursuing higher education at various tertiary institutions.The study employed PLSmart statistical tool to establish the causal relationship and the mediating role of Internet Innovation Technology(IIT)on self-efficacy,women educational challenges,strategic learning outcome with women tertiary education.The resuts established a strong significant and meditative role internet innovation technology play on supporting women tertiary education.The results also discovered the causal relationship of education availability on women's educational accessibility.Most importantly,it is however discovered that women internet technology phobia,high cost of tertiary education,women's inability to secure internet technology equipments and the internet technology fluctuations were revealed as the main challenges that negatively affect women tertiary education.Based on these findings,the study recommends the construction of a strong and resilient Fiber Optic System(FOS)should be treated as a top priority by the National Communication Authority(NCA)and the higher institutions in order to achieve the desired objectives.There should be Public Private Participation(PPP)so as to ensure cost-sharing and also prevent the overburdening of the universities and other higher institutions which may result in increased cost of tertiary education.The tertiary educational institutions including the universities,polytechnics and colleges should consider incorporating e-learning systems as part of the medium of instruction so as to address the role conflict which normally occurs between women's domestic chores and their urge for advanced and further educational pursuit.Most importantly in a nut shell,the issues relating to women leveraging on internet technology for higher education,the study further assesses the phenomenon being investigated and put to use in China and therefore recommends that stakeholders such as policy makers can replicate the Chinese and other innovative experiences to improve the Ghanaian educational policies.