ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal analyses of impacts of multiple climatic hazards in the savannah ecosystem of Ghana

Ghana’s savannah ecosystem has been subjected to a number of climatic hazards of varying severity over the past three decades. This paper presents a spatial, time-series analysis of the impacts of multiple hazards on the ecosystem and human livelihoods, using the Upper East Region of Ghana as a case study. Our aim is to understand the nature of hazards (e.g. their frequency, magnitude, duration etc) and how they ultimately affect humans. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and personal observations. Secondary were collected from documents and reports of various institutions. Calculations of standard precipitation index and crop failure index were made using rainfall data from 4 weather stations (Manga, Binduri, Vea and Navrongo) and crop yield data of 5 major crops (maize, sorghum, millet, rice and groundnuts) respectively. Observed temperatures from the Ghana Meteorological Agency were constantly high and increasing; drought frequency varied from 9 at Binduri to 13 occurrences at Vea; dry spells occurred almost every year. Floods occurred about 6 times on average, with slight variations spatially, from 1988 to 2012, a period with consistent data from all stations. All 5 crops were highly sensitive to all climatic hazards. Destruction to housing, displacement and death of people, and malaria were attributed to floods/heavy rainfall and windstorm events. Cerebro-spinal meningitis, rashes, headaches and drying of waterbodies were attributed to high temperatures, and droughts/dry spells. All impacts varied spatio-temporally and from hazard to hazard. Perennial agricultural losses and high spending on health contribute greatly to persistent poverty. Investing in sustainable irrigation, health and diversification into other economic sectors beyond agriculture could help to tackle the impacts of the hazards whilst also reducing poverty.

Source: UG
Spatio-temporal analyses of shoreline change in the Western Region of Ghana

Shoreline change is an issue of concern to coastal stake holders because the coastal zone is home to over 60% of the world’s population. In Ghana, for instance, shoreline change has been associated with loss of economic lands and properties. Previous researches have showed that the coastline is eroding at variable rates in spatial times. Studies have also shown that shoreline change trends vary in geologic time scale, such that erosion or accretion is reversible along same shore at different time periods. The Eastern and Central Zones of the Ghanaian coast are said to be receding while the Western Zone is thought of as stable. This opinion, however, contrasts field observations and interview with local coastal community members. This research sought to determine the shoreline change trends in the study area over short-term (1974–2005) and long-term (1895–2005) interval so as to ascertain the variability of shoreline trends to aid future prediction. From available multi-temporal datasets of topographic maps and ortho photographs, the shoreline feature was extracted using the High Water Line (HWL) as an indicator. From which the shoreline time series datasets were overlaid before transects cast using DSAS an extension of ArcGIS. The shoreline change statistics were computed analysed. The results show a mean rate change of - 4.18 m/year for the entire study area, while the Western Section recorded a mean of 5.4 m/year and the Eastern Section recorded a mean of 2.36 m/year. An average shoreline change rate of −6.55 m/year recorded for the entire study area in the long term analysis. The Eastern Section is eroding at a rate of −2.18 m/year while a portion of the Western Section registered highest change rates with a mean of −11.64 m/year. Examination of the short and long terms shoreline change trends revealed a condition of long period of irreversible recession of the shoreline with little accretion at most portions of the study area. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature.

Source: UG
A spatio-temporal analysis of academic performance at the Basic Education Certificate Examination in Ghana

Over the last decade, Ghana has more than tripled investment in its basic education system. Conse- quently, the country has made huge educational gains, primarily in providing universal access to basic education. However, many stakeholders are worried that academic performance is lagging because of dis- proportional attention to accessing basic education. Discussion of these concerns is hampered by ongoing disagreement about the true trajectory of academic performance at the basic education level and the widespread nature of students’ lagging academic performance. In part, this disagreement stems from the ailure of empirical studies to comprehensively examine trends in academic performance standards at the basic education level by concurrently considering a geographical and longitudinal perspective. Thus, this study examines the spatio-temporal trends of academic performance at the junior high school level since 2009 by using multilevel growth curve modeling, spatial statistics, and district-level longitudinal data. Results reveal 3 statistically distinct trajectories of academic performance: erratic, accelerating, and de- celerating changes. Results also show that rural–urban gaps explain 31% of the performance trajectories, a trend which is expected to persist in the long term. In addition, we find extreme variations in academic performance within rural areas. Given the varying trajectories and geographical variability in academic performance, we suggest a localized approach to addressing challenges of low academic achievement at the basic education level in Ghana.

Source: UG
A spatio-temporal analysis of academic performance at the Basic Education Certificate Examination in Ghana

Over the last decade, Ghana has more than tripled investment in its basic education system. Consequently, the country has made huge educational gains, primarily in providing universal access to basic education. However, many stakeholders are worried that academic performance is lagging because of disproportional attention to accessing basic education. Discussion of these concerns is hampered by ongoing disagreement about the true trajectory of academic performance at the basic education level and the widespread nature of students' lagging academic performance. In part, this disagreement stems from the failure of empirical studies to comprehensively examine trends in academic performance standards at the basic education level by concurrently considering a geographical and longitudinal perspective. Thus, this study examines the spatio-temporal trends of academic performance at the junior high school level since 2009 by using multilevel growth curve modeling, spatial statistics, and district-level longitudinal data. Results reveal 3 statistically distinct trajectories of academic performance: erratic, accelerating, and decelerating changes. Results also show that rural–urban gaps explain 31% of the performance trajectories, a trend which is expected to persist in the long term. In addition, we find extreme variations in academic performance within rural areas. Given the varying trajectories and geographical variability in academic performance, we suggest a localized approach to addressing challenges of low academic achievement at the basic education level in Ghana.

Source: UG
Spatio-temporal clustering analysis and its determinants of hand, foot and mouth disease in Hunan, China, 2009-2015

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Spatio-temporal distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains in Ghana

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Spatio-temporal malaria transmission patterns in Navrongo demographic surveillance site, northern Ghana

Abstract Background The relationship between entomological measures of malaria transmission intensity and mortality remains uncertain. This is partly because transmission is heterogeneous even within small geographical areas. Studying this relationship requires high resolution, spatially structured, longitudinal entomological data. Geostatistical models that have been used to analyse the spatio-temporal heterogeneity have not considered the uncertainty in both sporozoite rate (SR) and mosquito density data. This study analysed data from Kassena-Nankana districts in northern Ghana to obtain small area estimates of malaria transmission rates allowing for this uncertainty. Methods Independent Bayesian geostatistical models for sporozoite rate and mosquito density were fitted to produce explicit entomological inoculation rate (EIR) estimates for small areas and short time periods, controlling for environmental factors. Results Mosquitoes were trapped from 2,803 unique locations for three years using mainly CDC light traps. Anopheles gambiae constituted 52%, the rest were Anopheles funestus. Mean biting rates for An. funestus and An. gambiae were 32 and 33 respectively. Most bites occurred in September, the wettest month. The sporozoite rates were higher in the dry periods of the last two years compared with the wet period. The annual EIR varied from 1,132 to 157 infective bites. Monthly EIR varied between zero and 388 infective bites. Spatial correlation for SR was lower than that of mosquito densities. Conclusion This study confirms the presence of spatio-temporal heterogeneity in malaria transmission within a small geographical area. Spatial variance was stronger than temporal especially in the SR. The estimated EIR will be used in mortality analysis for the area.

Source: UG
Spatio-temporal variations in seaweed diversity and abundance of selected coastal areas in Ghana

The coast of Ghana is considered the most seaweed-endowed region in West Africa, although information on the local spatial and temporal distributions and abundance of seaweed species is limited. In this study, seaweed species were sampled monthly from five coastal sites in the Central (Elmina, Komenda, Mumford) and Western (Shama and Takoradi Fisheries) Regions of Ghana during low tides from 2017 to 2019 to determine their diversity and abundance (biomass). Sampling was conducted using two (2) transect lines and quadrats (each of dimension 0.25 m2) at each site. Thirtyfive (35) taxa were identified at the five sites: 15 belonging to Rhodophyta, 11 to Chlorophyta and 9 to Phaeophyta. The Komenda site recorded the highest species diversity index of 2.06 whereas the Takoradi Fisheries had the lowest value of 0.68. Ulva fasciata, Padina durvillaei, Sargassum vulgare, Hydropuntia dentata and Hypnea musciformis were the most dominant species at the sites. A mean monthly biomass of 2.19 g dry wt m−2 was recorded for all five sites during the study period, with the greatest recorded at Takoradi Fisheries (3.53 dry wt m−2) and the least at Komenda (1.10 g dry wt m−2). The greatest biomass of the highly economic important species, H. musciformis, was recorded at Shama. The highest mean monthly biomass was recorded between August and October while the least was observed from December to February. Results from this study indicate considerable spatial and temporal variability in the diversity and abundance of seaweeds across the studied sites. These findings provide important baseline information for conservation and utilization of seaweeds, particularly their cultivation along the Ghanaian coastal waters as an alternate source of livelihood for the local communities.

Source: UG
Spatiotemporal Changes in Temperature and Precipitation in West Africa. Part I Analysis with the CMIP6 Historical Dataset

Climate variability and change constitute major challenges for Africa, especiallyWest Africa (WA), where an important increase in extreme climate events has been noticed. Therefore, it appears essential to analyze characteristics and trends of some key climatological parameters. Thus, this study addressed spatiotemporal variabilities and trends in regard to temperature and precipitation extremes by using 21 models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project version 6 (CMIP6) and 24 extreme indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). First, the CMIP6 variables were evaluated with observations (CHIRPS, CHIRTS, and CRU) of the period 1983–2014; then, the extreme indices from 1950 to 2014 were computed. The innovative trend analysis (ITA), Sen’s slope, and Mann–Kendall tests were utilized to track down trends in the computed extreme climate indices. Increasing trends were observed for the maxima of daily maximum temperature (TXX) and daily minimum temperature (TXN) as well as the maximum and minimum of the minimum temperature (TNX and TNN). This upward trend of daily maximum temperature (Tmax) and daily minimum temperature (Tmin) was enhanced with a significant increase in warm days/nights (TX90p/TN90p) and a significantly decreasing trend in cool days/nights (TX10p/TN10p). The precipitation was widely variable overWA, with more than 85% of the total annual water in the study domain collected during the monsoon period. An upward trend in consecutive dry days (CDD) and a downward trend in consecutive wet days (CWD) influenced the annual total precipitation on wet days (PRCPTOT). The results also depicted an upward trend in SDII and R30mm, which, additionally to the trends of CDD and CWD, could be responsible for localized flood-like situations along the coastal areas. The study identified the 1970s dryness as well as the slight recovery of the 1990s, which it indicated occurred in 1992 over West Africa.

Source: UG
Spatiotemporal Co-existence of Two Mycobacterium ulcerans Clonal Complexes in the Offin River Valley of Ghana

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Spatiotemporal development of land use systems, influences and climate variability in Southwestern Ghana (1970–2020)

This study assesses the spatiotemporal development of land use systems and climate variability in Southwestern Ghana over the past five decades using integrated remote sensing techniques and existing literature. We demonstrated the relationship between Normalized Difference Vegetative Index, Normalized Difference Water Index, Normalized Difference Built-up Index, surface temperature and precipitation using geoinformatics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). We found change in land use systems in Southwestern Ghana to be immensely driven by economic and socio-political factors. Interestingly, some biophysical factors have somewhat contributed to this change. Findings revealed a drastic decline in forested areas (−334.8 km2 yr−1) and waterbodies (−4.79 km2 yr−1), along with a dramatic increase in built-up (+137.93 km2 yr−1) and farmlands/shrubs (+131.97 km2 yr−1). Change in prevailing microclimatic conditions can be associated with land cover change, considering the impact of major drivers observed over the given period. Results showed a very weak positive correlation between vegetation and temperature (r = 0.214). Similarly, built-up correlated positively with vegetation (r = 0.165), water-index (r = 0.818; strong correlation or evidence of association) and temperature (r = 0.266). In contrast, other used variables correlated negatively with precipitation. The study serves a seminal guide to land use developers and institutors for effective and sustainable use of natural resources.

Source: UG
Spatiotemporal variation in risk of Shigella infection in childhood: a global risk mapping and prediction model using individual participant data

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Spawning and recruitment patterns of major fish species in Bontanga Reservoir, Ghana, West Africa

The spawning and recruitment patterns of the major Cichlid fish species, including Hemichromis fasciatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Sarotherodon galilaeus, Tilapia zillii and other species, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Brycinus nurse, Clarias gariepinus and Marcusenius senegalensis were studied for 24 months in Bontanga Reservoir, Ghana, using length-based fish stock assessment approaches. The species spawned throughout the year, with two spawning pulses described as major and minor spawning seasons. The major spawning season occurred from March to September for the Cichlids, and from May to September for the other species. The minor spawning season, indicative of extended spawning, occurred from October to March for all the fish stocks. Fish spawning began with the onset of the rains in April/May, peaking by June/July, before the rainfall peak in August for all the fish stocks studied. Recruitment was found to occur throughout the year, with major and minor pulses coinciding with the major and minor spawning seasons. Accordingly, the most appropriate time for a possible closed fishing period appears to be from June to August, 1 month after the start of, and before the end of, the rains. The estimated mean standard length (Lm) for first time spawners of A. occidentalis, B. nurse, C. gariepinus and H. faciatus were 11.7, 12.7, 2.7 and 7.5 cm respectively. The estimated maturity-length ratio of 0.4 and 0.2 for O. niloticus, S. galilaeus and T. zillii were lower than the known 0.7 for normal growth, suggesting the tilapias matured faster, and at a smaller size, in the reservoir. Apparent sexual precocity associated with early maturity, year-round spawning and recruitment were some important adaptations found to have sustained the reservoir fisheries, even during high fishing pressures. For conservation and sustainable exploitation of the fisheries, instituting a closed fishing season, mesh size regulations, withdrawal rights and a community-based fishery management system are recommended. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Source: UG
Speaking of Online Learning: Alternative Practice-Based Learning Experiences for Speech Pathologists in Australia, Ghana and Hong Kong

Speech Pathology programs usually send students to workplaces to learn clinical skills necessary for practice. During COVID-19, programs needed to respond quickly to ensure that students continued to gain the necessary experiences and skills required to progress through their program and graduate as clinicians, while simultaneously complying with COVID-19 requirements. Case studies from seven different universities in Australia and Ghana and Hong Kong described the diverse ways in which placements were adapted to be COVID-safe, taking into account local needs. Some practices which had been included in placement education prior to the pandemic, such as telepractice and simulation-based learning, extended and developed during this time. Educators, students, clinicians and clients responded to the rapidly changing needs of the time with flexibility and innovation, utilising a variety of technologies and tools to support case-based and virtual learning opportunities. Feedback from these diverse stakeholders about the experiences was positive, despite inevitable limitations and less-than-ideal circumstances. The positive findings provided insights for consideration in the future: could strategies implemented in response to the pandemic continue to be incorporated into placement experiences, enhancing current practices and maintaining student performance outcomes? Exceptional circumstances prompted exceptional responses; flexibility and innovation were accelerated in response to the pandemic and may transform future placement-based learning opportunities.

Source: UG
Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Wage Premium Hypothesis: An Unconditional Quantile Regression and Decomposition Approach

This study examines the determinants of wages within special economic zones (SEZs) and the broader workforce. It explores how SEZ employment, unionisa tion, education and gender affect wage levels and compares wage differentials between SEZ and non-SEZ employees. Using ordinary least squares, uncon ditional quantile regression and decomposition techniques, the study analyses firm–employee dataset of 1,240 employees in 2022. The findings show SEZ employment and unionisation significantly increase wages, with SEZ workers enjoying a wage premium. Education consistently boosts wages across percentiles, while gender disparities are more pronounced at higher-wage levels, with a wage gap of up to 21.10% against females. Decomposition reveals that 16.9% of the SEZ and non-SEZ wage gap is explained by observable factors like skills, while the remainder points to institutional or cultural biases. The study highlights SEZs’ role in wage structures and emphasises the need for policies promoting wage equity, educational opportunities and gender equality in the labour market.

Source: UG
Special libraries in Ghana: an appraisal

This paper describes the state-of-the art of special libraries in Ghana. Based on observations and original research, the paper discusses a variety of issues such as facilities, staff, materials and services that are provided in these libraries. It has been found that one of their major problems is funding. Recommendations are made towards the improvement of the libraries, which include the need for more library co-operation, especially at the international level, and the establishment of a National Documentation Centre in the country.

Source: UG