ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Libraries and the economic development of Ghana

This paper is of the view that libraries play an important role in the economic development of every country. It reviews the present state of library services in Ghana in relation to their contributions to the economy of the country. The writer concludes that libraries are contributing very little to the economic development of the country due to various problems such as lack of funds and the misconception of the role of libraries by administrators and policy makers. Sugges- tions are made for the improvement of the situation, which include various contributions that the Ghana Library Association can make towards the success of the Economic Recovery Programme.

Source: UG
Libraries for Tomorrow: The Use of ICT and Space Transformation in Some Academic Libraries in Ghana

The aim of this study was to examine transformations in academic library spaces in Ghana. A quantitative approach was adopted for this study. Data was collected using Google Forms. A total of 98 librarians from five academic libraries in Ghana, which represents less than 10% of all librarians in academic libraries in Ghana, participated in the study. The data collected was analysed using R4.0 programming software and is presented using charts and tables. Eighty-one per cent (81%) of the participants agreed that their libraries were moving from “book-centred” to “technology-supported and learning-centred” libraries engineered by emerging technologies and the changing demand of academic library users. It was found that the librarians in the study had moderate to low skills in providing advanced technological support to users in creating, capturing, editing, and sharing multimedia (video, audio, text, images) content for their research, teaching, and learning purposes. The results from the multinomial regression analysis with p values shows that the availability of information technology (IT) facilities, their usability and the skills of librarians were significant, revealing that they have effects on the levels of library space transformation. The capabilities of librarians should be improved from undertaking basic computing tasks to providing advanced support to their users. Stakeholders and academic library management should encourage their young librarians to further their education and engage in continuous professional development programmes. Libraries should develop strategies to secure the necessary funding to integrate IT facilities. The study used quantitative methods to study transformations in academic library spaces, a grey research area in Ghana.

Source: UG
Libraries in research and scholarship in Ghana

The paper examines the contributions that libraries in Ghana are making towards research and scholarship in the country. The libraries discussed are mainly academic and special libraries. Attention is paid to the following services: interlibrary loan services, photocopying services, current awareness services, selective dissemination of information, bibliographical services, microform collections, and instructions in library use. The author concludes that libraries in Ghana are not making adequate contributions to scholarship and research largely because of inadequate funds and physical facilities.

Source: UG
Libraries: Key to national development

This paper provides the various ways that libraries assist in national development. These include the provision of educational, political, social, economic and health information. The barriers hindering these provisions such as illiteracy, lack of trained personnel, resources, poor distribution of libraries and financial constraints are mentioned. It is the view of the writer that libraries in Ghana can perform their roles effectively in national development if proper legislations and other provisions are put in place.

Source: UG
Library associations in Africa and the case for professionalism

The library associations in several African countries have been inactive for some time. In those countries where they do try to survive, economic and social constraints are a hindrance to them. Considers the attempts of library associations in Africa to meet the criteria for professionalism. Discusses various barriers to professionalism and suggests how some of these barriers can be broken down. Anticipates that IFLA should play an important role in the development of library associations in Africa.

Source: UG
Library cooperation practices of university libraries in Ghana

Library cooperation is not a new concept in the history and practice of librarianship. This paper reviews the concept of library cooperation in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Nigeria and Ghana, with specific reference to areas of cooperation among university libraries in Ghana. The major areas of cooperation such as inter-library loan service, photocopying of documents and exchanges of materials are discussed. Problems of cooperation such as the poor communication network in Ghana and inadequate materials are also highlighted. Recommendations are made for the improvement of the level of cooperation in the university libraries. These include the need to establish a National Library in Ghana; the removal of all psychological and socio-economic barriers to cooperation; and the improvement of the communication system among libraries in Ghana.

Source: UG
Library education and rural information provision in Ghana

Examines the role that the Department of Library and Archival Studies of the University of Ghana might play in assisting the establishment of rural libraries in Ghana. Reviews the present state of rural information provision in Ghana. The present curriculum of the Department of Library and Archival Studies is not designed to produce librarians able to meet the needs of rural people. Makes suggestions for improvements in the curriculum while maintaining a balance between national needs and international standards.

Source: UG
Library evaluation: some options for academic libraries

This paper provides a review of various types and levels of librar y evaluation. It attempts to stimulate a debate on the pros and cons of these methods of evaluation in order to provide options for academic libraries, especially those in Ghana. Other issues discussed in the paper include concepts in library evaluation, criteria for evaluation, and problems in evaluation. The writer concludes that despite the acknowledged importance of evaluation, accounts of actual library evaluations are few

Source: UG
Library facilities in the polytechnics of Ghana in view of their new roles as tertiary institutions

In 1993, all of the six polytechnic institutions in Ghana were elevated to the status of tertiary-level institutions. This study is an assessment of the state of polytechnic libraries in relation to their new roles as libraries of tertiary institutions. It seeks to investigate the adequacy or otherwise of personnel, finance, materials, accommodation, equipment and services in these libraries. The writers conclude that these facilities are woefully inadequate and have to be improved in order to enhance the academic performance of the students and staff of the polytechnics.

Source: UG
Library security, book theft and mutilation: a study of University Libraries in Ghana

This paper is a study of book theft, mutilation and security measures in university libraries in Ghana. Data were obtained through the use of a questionnaire distributed to all the three university libraries in Ghana. It was found that although all the librarians acknowledge that book theft and mutilation exist in their libraries, most of them do not know the extent of these activities as there are no readily available records. Various preventive measures adopted by the university libraries are discussed and further measures to be adopted are recommended.

Source: UG
The Libyan Crisis: In the Mirror of Responsibility to Protect

The United Nations (UN), when established in 1945, was envisaged to provide a bulwark against threats to international peace and security. Thus the unilateral use of force, which undermined the effectiveness of the defunct League of Nations, the precursor to the UN, was proscribed. From the Cold War era and its aftermath, however, a number of states have pursued parochial interests under the umbrella of the UN, some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) being key players in that regard. In a world, buffeted by intra-state conflicts particularly across the African continent, the UNSC has had to balance the verve for partisan outcome with the primary responsibility of the maintenance of international peace and security. An important step towards the maintenance of international peace and security was the reaffirmation of paragraphs 138 and 139 in Resolution 1674 which formalised the UNSC support for the normative concept of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) in 2006. Critical to the actualization of R2P is the need for states to redefine security to include that of human security, and the possibility of applying coercive measures to ensure that states do not commit heinous crimes and crimes against humanity. In the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011, the UNSC employed a raft of measures to prevent a humanitarian carnage in Libya, one of the countries adversely affected by the Arab Spring. However, the manner of the implementation of enforcement measures, led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in Libya has triggered questions about the real intentions behind “humanitarian” intervention in Libya. The questions bother on whether the military operation in Libya was inspired by considerations of R2P or was another instance of realpolitik cloaked in R2P. Employing a qualitative analysis of existing literature, this research interrogates the aforementioned questions and concludes that, the NATO-led intervention was motivated by factors including regime change, while the use and conduct of military operations violated the laws of war, leading to increasing number of causalities. In addition, post-Gaddafi Libya remains a fragile state, adversely affected by sectarian violence. As a result, the precedential nature of the Libya intervention would adversely affect future international cooperation on R2P. Mindful that future collaboration on R2P has been hampered by the case of Libya, this research recommends, among others, that multilateralism and shared responsibility within the UNSC should be pursued to avert the dominance of a few powerful states. At the continental level, it is recommended that the African Union (AU) strengthens its conflict prevention capacities to pre-empt fault lines of conflicts across the continent. With reference to Libya, it is recommended that the international community must support efforts at post-conflict reconstruction in Libya to ensure stability and to prevent a relapse into chaos.

Source: UG
lIeosigmoid Knot; A case report

A case of an ileo-sigmoid knot which presented with a sudden onset of colicky abdominal pains. is presented. Unlike a sigmoid volvulus, the abdomen was moderately distended and the pain became continuous and increased in intensity. This is a condition whereby the ileum is twisted along its own axis and encircled by the sigmoid colon. It occurs predominantly in males patients and predisposing factors could be due to nutritional conditions and tribal tendencies. It is difficult to recognise it clinically and at operation, the surgeon may be able to identify it if the gut is not destroyed. The ileum is mostly gangrenous and demands resection and a continuous or an ileo-colic anastomosis.

Source: UG
Life after deportation: A case of involuntary returned migrants in Ghana

The study examines the migration experiences and livelihoods of deported migrants in Accra and Takoradi, within the framework of DFID's Sustainable Livelihood framework and Cassarino's conceptual framework. Data were gathered through a questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews and field observations. The findings of the study indicate that most deportees were engaged in low paid jobs, and also had a short period of stay abroad, hence could not invest in the home country. This invariably affected their preparation towards return. Even though they were irregular migrants at the various destinations, majority of them still maintained close ties with relatives and friends in Ghana, and also remitted them as much as their meager resources would allow. Their impromptu and 'empty handed return,' coupled with the harsh economic situation in the home country, have made life almost unbearable for the majority of them. The study revealed that there are no well-organized and institutionalized support programs by either state or non-state actors in Ghana for deportees, making it very difficult for them to re-integrate into the home society. Unsurprisingly, many of those who could not adjust and reintegrate into the Ghanaian society are planning to re-migrate. A number of policy recommendations were proposed, based on the findings of the study, to help improve the livelihood of deportees to prevent remigration

Source: UG
Life After Tracheostomy: The Experiences Of Adults In The Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

The use of a tracheostomy tube affects physical and psychosocial life resulting in reduced quality of life. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of adults with a tracheostomy tube in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. The study used a qualitative exploratory, descriptive design. A purposive sampling method was used, and the data saturation was reached on the ninth participant. The data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. The Thematic Concepts by Foster (2010) was used as a guide for the study. Eight major themes emerged: physical impact, physiological changes, social experiences, psychological experiences, economic constraints, communication dynamics, coping strategies, and support. All the participants experienced pain and impaired functions to carry out their activities of daily living after the surgery. There was difficulty in breathing, dysphagia and altered sense of smell. The adults had altered body image which altered their sexuality and affected their social participation. There were reports of fear and anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations. The participants had challenges with employment due to reduced strength and difficulties with communication. The participants used “speaking valve” or the “finger occlusion method” to communicate and coped with challenges using strategies such as acceptance, resilience and relying on God. They also had physical, financial and social support from family and friends. The possible areas for future investigations identified included an exploration of the support systems for adults with a tracheostomy tube and the attitude of the public towards people living with a tracheostomy tube. It was recommended that the Ministry of Health should extend National Health Insurance Scheme to cover all the healthcare needs of these adults and provide a speaking valve for them at a subsidised cost. There should be counselling and rehabilitation for patients.

Source: UG
The Life and Letters of Duncan Forbes of Culloden Lord President of the Court of Session 1685-1747

Early In The Nineteeth Century Hill Burton Was Engaged On A Life Of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat. On Its Completion He Set Himself To Write A Brief Biography Of Fraser’s Contemporary, Duncan Forbes Of Culloden, Calling Upon His Readers To Look Here, Upon This Picture And On This. The Main Biography Is That Of Lovat And Forbes Is Used Really As A Foil.Tgis Is The Only Existing Life Of The Lord President

Source: UG
A life course understanding of domestic and intimate partner violence in Ghana

Previous studies demonstrate the long term effects of childhood violence on future victimization and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). With a few exceptions from Asia, however, this literature is largely limited to North America and Europe. To date, contributions from sub-Saharan Africa remain scant. We began to fill this gap by applying the life course theory to retrospective data collected from 2289 women in Ghana. Specifically, we examined if women's childhood experiences of family violence were associated with their later victimization and/or their perpetration of IPV. We also explored the effect of the timing and continuity of family violence over the life course. Generally, we found that women with childhood experiences of violence were more likely to be victims and perpetrators of IPV than those with no such experiences. However, the effect and significance of the violence was more pronounced if it continued from early childhood (before age 15) to adulthood (after age 15). Violence experienced after age 15 was more significant than violence experienced before age 15, and women who perpetrated IPV were significantly more likely to be victimized themselves. To improve domestic violence interventions in Ghana, it is necessary to pay attention to victims’ early childhood experiences. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UG
A Life of Integrity: The Maccabean Story

The experience of ontological and epistemological dominations made Africans lose their self-consciousness and become unfulfilled in life. Every human being has a life of integrity that must be lived. The Maccabees in the Bible were dominated by Antiochus IV, the King of Syria. He desecrated the Temple, changed their religion, politics, economy, and social life and above all made himself a god to be worshipped. He deprived the Jews of their identity and dominated them ontologically, but they had a life of integrity to live. Some of the Jews accepted the new way of life by Antiochus and helped to betray those few Jews who stood against this new system of Antiochus. Many of the pious Jews lost their lives, but with hope in Yahweh and persistent endurance they regained their identity and life of integrity. The plague of coloniality made Africans invariably lose their identity, and consequently their integrity as others determined their pace of life. The African story is like the Maccabean story; this article studies selected texts in Maccabees (1 Maccabees 2 and 3; 2 Maccabees 6 and 7) and suggests their regaining of identity and life of integrity to the African situation. The paper uses biblical exegesis and intercultural interpretations to unearth the buried African treasures for an integrity of life.

Source: UG
The life struggles and successes of the migrant construction worker in Accra, Ghana.

Globally, the construction sector employs several millions of migrants and is a major entry point for rural-urban migrants into the urban labour force. Its role in sustaining livelihoods both at origin and destination is critical in the development process. This paper provides an empirical assessment of the livelihood struggles of the construction worker in Accra by examining the nature of the job, challenges and fulfilment of expectations. It draws mainly on qualitative data from individual interviews of migrants in the destinations and their families in the origin. The findings show that the construction sector is a better paying sector than many others, but can be classified as precarious work due to the multiple dangers and insecurities associated with it. Segregation between skill-based and non-skilled work defines the fortunes of workers, as those with skills have higher incomes and prospects for social mobility. Very few women work in this sector due to the socialisation effects of the patriarchal systems in Ghana. The casualization of labour due to neoliberal policies and the informalisation of the private housing sector mean lower welfare benefits to workers and insecurity in old age due to non-payment of social security deductions. Migrants serve as an important conduit for redistributing wealth from richer spaces to poorer spaces, and should therefore be supported in achieving their developmental objectives.

Source: UG
Lifecourse factors and likelihood of rural practice and emigration: A survey of Ghanaian medical students.

Introduction: Health worker shortages and maldistribution have important implications for the capacity of health systems. Ghana has one of the highest physician emigration rates in the world, and over 75% of those who remain work in Ghana's two largest cities. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of experiential factors across Ghanaian medical students' lifespans on intent to practice in a rural area and intent to emigrate. Methods: All fourth year medical students in Ghana were surveyed on demographics, rural and international experience, and future career plans. Key outcomes of interest were students' stated likelihood of practicing in a deprived rural area or emigrating after graduation. Lifecourse predictors of interest were parental socioeconomic status, gender, relationship status, rural and international living experience, and school of study. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to estimate associations between predictors and outcomes of interest. Results: Of 310 eligible students, 307 (99%) participated in the survey. Of these, 228 were Ghanaian and the focus of this analysis. It was found that 131 (57.5%) were willing to work in a deprived area in Ghana and 148 (64.9%) had considered emigrating after graduation. In the multivariate regression models, willingness to work in a deprived area was predicted by male gender (OR: 2.31, 95%CI: 1.23-4.35), having lived in a rural area but never lived abroad (OR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.08-7.13), and low parental professional and educational status (OR: 2.33, 95%CI: 1.23-4.43). Consideration of emigration was predicted by having lived abroad but never in a rural area (OR: 3.39, 95%CI: 1.15-9.97). A sub-set of 80 individuals (35%) reported that they were willing to work in a deprived area in Ghana but also considering emigration. These subjects were more likely to be male. Conclusions: Students with parents of a lower socioeconomic class, those with rural experience, and those without international experience are more likely to stay in Ghana and are also more likely to work in a deprived area after graduation. Selective admissions policies based on lifecourse factors combined with exposure to rural practice in medical school may have a role in increasing the number of rural physicians. © SR Kotha, JC Johnson, S Galea, P Agyei-Baffour, E Nakua, K Asabir, J Kwansah, M Gyakobo, M Dzodzomenyo, ME Kruk, 2012.

Source: UG
Lifelong education trajectories and futures in Ghana: issues of policy, ideology and practice

This paper examined lifelong education and learning trajectories and issues of policy, ideology and practice that have underpinned the imple mentation of adult literacy and adult learning education strategies within a lifelong learning perspective in Ghana. Using documentary analysis, the paper noted that although the concept of lifelong education/learning has been used in some national development documents and educational policies, Ghana has no national policy on lifelong learning. The paper found that multilateral and bilateral organisations have influenced the direction and strategies captured in the national development documents and educational policies. The paper found that recommendations from International Conferences on Adult Education have often had very little influence on these national policy texts. For Ghana to be able to provide opportunities for lifelong learning for all there is the need for a vision of lifelong learning that is situated in the present and looks into the future. Ghana must work towards building a culture of lifelong learning. Policymakers need to understand that lifelong learning cannot be achieved when there are no clear-cut policies on adult literacy and adult learning and education, which are all critical components of lifelong learning. The learning needs of the youth and adults have to be given recognition in national development documents and educational policies.

Source: UG