The Perception of Staff on Hawking at the College of Technology Education, University of Education, Winneba

Aim: The study sought to evaluate the perception of staff on hawking at the College of Technology Education, University of Education, Winneba. Four specific objectives guided this study: (1) To determine staff perception of hawking on the campus, (2) To find out whether staff benefit from hawking on the campus (3) To determine the factors influencing hawking on the campus, and (4) To examine staff perception on measures for eradicating hawking on the campus.

Study Design: A quantitative approach using exploratory research design was used.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the College of Technology Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana between May to July 2017.

Methodology: Using a cross-sectional design, self-designed structured questionnaires were administered to 150 respondents who were selected using stratified sampling method. Data obtained from the field were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: With a response rate of 80%, hawking was perceived to be to an eyesore and unsightly activity (m=4.22, ±SD=0.882) capable of denting the image of the University (m=4.09, +SD=1.079). Aside being beneficial in the area of saving time and energy (m=3.43, ±SD=1.505) and the ease of getting goods at convenient location (m=3.37, ±SD=1.401), lack of mini markets (m=3.95, ±SD=1.388) was held to be influencing hawking and intensifying security patrols (m=4.10, ±SD=0.929) was advocated as a key measure for eradicating hawking on the Campus.

Conclusion: Staff are conscious of the benefits accrued from hawking but continue to perceive it as an eyesore and unsightly activity. Destroying hawkers wares as a measure to eradicate hawking was seen not to be supported by staff but intensifying security patrols as well as pasting notices to ward off potential and prospective hawkers from the campus were adjudged to be effective.