ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Impact Of Interventions Of International Development Agencies In Ghana - A Case Study Of United States Agency For International Development (USAID) And Selected Hospitals In The Health Sector Of Ghana

Irrespective of the huge funds (aids) made available to African economies to foster developmental projects relating to health. good governance, agriculture among others. most of the economies really do not channel the funds towards that course which invariably lives them in a sorry state and appear to be in a stifled growth . The study proceeded to assess the impact of international development agency's (IDA 's) intervention in the Ghanaian health sector with focus on the United States Agency for International Development (USA ID). in addition to Lekma and Tema General Hospitals (ULT). Pertaining to the research objectives. the study identified the reason that account for the rapid development of ID As. examined the distinctive roles of IDAs, and investigated the challenges associated with IDAs to healthcare delivery in Ghana. As far as the study's execution is concerned, the researcher adopted quantitative research approach, and using sampling technique to select ULT respondents for their preferences in relation to the study. A questionnaire was adopted as the main survey instrument whiles Relative Importance Index (RII), Microsoft Excel, Descriptive Statistics, etc. were employed for the data analysis. Key findings of the study as postulated by ULT respondents in relation to the six reasons that account for the rapid development of IDAs from the Ghanaian perspective were a follow: capability of reaching the poor more than the government and private sector agencies, capacity to innovate and adapt to unforeseen emergencies and broadening channels through which resource and benefits can reach groups which otherwise be bypassed, displaying or ability to mobilize appreciable amount or funds/grant for developmental projects, and less prone to elitism just to mention a few. Additionally, in consonance with the distinctive role of IDA at ULT. six attributes were evident, namely: other (constructing. establishing and equipping health facilities), assisting in reducing disease burden assisting Ghana I lea lth Service (G I-IS) to immunize children. facilitating the training of health workers, malaria prevention and management, including efforts towards Guinea worm eradication. Likewise, in tandem with the challenges associated with IDAs to healthcare delivery in Ghana, six attributes were unearthed, specifically: inadequate source of funding, inadequate skilled personnel, unnecessary delay from state agencies, high illiteracy levels. in addition to abysmal community participation. Having noted the challenges associated with IDAs to healthcare delivery in Ghana, it is recommended that the Government of Ghana, including health-affiliated top agencies should endeavor to inculcate quality. management and motivational consideration into their scheme of things so as to manage the critical IDA challenges relating to healthcare deli very identified during the study.

Source: UG
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all-cause mortality and life expectancy in northern Ghana: fndings from the Navrongo Health and Demographic Surveillance System

Background Measurement of excess mortality attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic is essential for quantifying the direct and indirect efects on mortality and informing future public health control strategies. This study assessed the impact of COVID-19 on excess mortality and life expectancy at birth in rural northern Ghana. Methods Data was obtained from the Navrongo Health and Demographic Surveillance System (NHDSS) in Ghana. We computed the number of deaths and person-years contributed from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021, and estimated mortality rates for each year, age group, and gender. Mortality rate diferences were calculated by com paring the period before (2018–2019) and during (2020–2021) the pandemic. To estimate excess mortality, a gen eralised additive model was ftted to the historical data from 2015 to 2019 to predict the expected mortality rates in the COVID-19 period (2020–2021). A Cox proportional hazards model was ftted to assess the risk factors associated with mortality, adjusting for socio-demographic variables. Conventional life table techniques were used to estimate period life expectancy at birth for males and females. Results Overall, 12,413 deaths and 1,227,115 person-years were included in the analysis. This consists of 5,930 (49%) deaths and 572,963 person-years for the pre-pandemic period (2015–2019) and 6,483 (52%) deaths and 654,153 person-years for the pandemic period (2020–2021). From 2020 to 2021, the crude mortality rate was 23.9 deaths per 1000 person-years compared with 20.7 deaths per 1000 person-years predicted if COVID-19 had not occurred. COVID-19 also caused a decline in life expectancy at birth, especially in males, by 3.4 years. In addition, the adjusted risk of dying during the pandemic was higher in males (12.1%) compared to females and higher in the 65+years age group (69.2%) compared to the younger population. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in deaths and a decrease in life expectancy in the NHDSS population in Ghana, particularly among men and those aged 65 years and older. These results reinforce the critical role of routine surveillance data in assessing the impact of public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pan demic and informing public health strategies.

Source: UG
The impact of trade on environmental quality and sustainable development in Ghana

Since gaining independence in 1957, Ghana has significantly increased its economic ties with the global community through trade liberalization policies. However, this integration has profoundly affected the environment, particularly in utilizing natural resources, and has subsequently impacted sustainable development. This study examines the relationship between trade, environmental considerations, and sustainable development within the Ghanaian context. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) error correction estimation technique, we found that trade positively impacts sustainable development in Ghana despite causing adverse environmental effects. This suggests that economic gains are prioritized over environmental preservation, indicating weak sustainability. However, sustainable development requires a balance between economic, social, and environmental factors, and a shift towards strong sustainability may be necessary for long-term sustainability. Therefore, pivotal policy interventions are warranted to navigate the path toward strong sustainability. Mechanisms that ensure the judicious pricing of Ghana’s forest and natural resources are necessary to optimize resource exploitation while mitigating negative externalities. Ghana can promote inclusive and sustainable development by establishing a delicate balance between economic expansion and environmental stewardship.

Source: UG
The impact of trade on environmental quality and sustainable development in Ghana

Since gaining independence in 1957, Ghana has significantly increased its economic ties with the global com munity through trade liberalization policies. However, this integration has profoundly affected the environment, particularly in utilizing natural resources, and has subsequently impacted sustainable development. This study examines the relationship between trade, environmental considerations, and sustainable development within the Ghanaian context. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) error correction estimation technique, we found that trade positively impacts sustainable development in Ghana despite causing adverse environmental effects. This suggests that economic gains are prioritized over environmental preservation, indicating weak sustainability. However, sustainable development requires a balance between economic, social, and environ mental factors, and a shift towards strong sustainability may be necessary for long-term sustainability. Therefore, pivotal policy interventions are warranted to navigate the path toward strong sustainability. Mechanisms that ensure the judicious pricing of Ghana’s forest and natural resources are necessary to optimize resource exploi tation while mitigating negative externalities. Ghana can promote inclusive and sustainable development by establishing a delicate balance between economic expansion and environmental stewardship.

Source: UG
The Implications of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Africa’s Regional Integration: Progress or Retrogress?

Established in 2000, the Forum on China Africa Relations (FOCAC) has been the major platform driving China’s international relations in Africa. FOCAC is designed to promote commerce, cultural exchanges, development, peace and security, the eradication of poverty, the building of green infrastructure, the improvement of public health, and investment engagements between China and the African Continent. The growing relationship between China and Africa has given rise to the unsettling idea that this collaboration would impede Africa's integration goal. Situated within the analytical tools of supranationalism, the study combines primary data (interviews) with secondary sources: books, book chapters, journal articles, reports and online sources in analysing the implications of FOCAC on Africa’s regional integration drive. The study found that FOCAC makes considerable investment in Africa in the areas of infrastructure and economic cooperation. While there are visible threats because of the Chinese government’s foreign policy of raw material exploitation in Africa and a stronger economic option away from the AU, the study recommends establishment, imposition, and enforcement of monetary and criminal sanctions against Chinese Officials, MNCs, citizens and other actors who do not comply with acceptable standards of operations within the scope of FOCAC and other laws guiding trade and investment within the African continent. Additionally, the Africa Union must take advantage of its admission to FOCAC to demonstrate leadership by charting the African states must follow while negotiating their bilateral accords with China, directed toward achieving the more general, far-reaching objective of a regionally integrated Africa

Source: UG
The Implications of Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea for Ghana’s Trade and Commerce

The Gulf of Guinea holds significant importance in the realm of international trade, particularly in relation to global economic endeavours involving Africa. Guarantees for the safe transportation of products and services, is therefore a matter of importance for all individuals who utilise its services. Although there have been efforts to ensure the safety of the Gulf of Guinea as a passage for trading and commercial activities, some insecurity still persists. The study therefore considers maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and why it still persists, with focus on Ghana, and how these insecurities affect Ghana‘s Trade and Commerce. The study used the Mixed Method Research Design. The Theory of Right Realism was used: a theory that stipulates that crimes become attractive when there is inadequacy, or lack of sanctions to deter people from perpetuating it. The research revealed that the legal system to address maritime-related crimes is virtually absent in Ghana, and the institutions intended to fight maritime crimes are not well equipped. The study thus recommends that the legal system in relation to sea-borne activities be properly instituted, to help curtail maritime insecurities, as well as retooling of the institutions needed for the fight against sea borne crime.

Source: UG
The Influence of James Anquandah on the Development and Practice of Eclectic Archaeology in Ghana

This paper elucidates the impact and influence that Professor James Anquandah’s work and efforts had on the development and practice of archaeology in Ghana. As the first Ghanaian-trained archaeologist, Anquan Dah committed his life and expertise to the establishment and consolidation of archaeological training in the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, at the University of Ghana. In doing so, he trained five generations of ar archaeology students over five decades. His passion for archaeological fieldwork, community participation in archaeology, and, ultimately, the use of eclectic ar archaeology in solving societal challenges have influenced the scholastic practices of many of the students he trained. In this paper, the coauthors explain how Anquandah’s concept and practice of eclectic archaeology have influenced their ongoing research projects in Ghana.

Source: UG
The influence of lean management and environmental practices on relative competitive quality advantage and performance

Purpose – Firms are adopting strategies to advance product quality and environmental sustainability to achieve improved profitability and shareholders’ wealth. The study investigates strategies that create a superior quality performance to competitors and improve both environmental and business performances. This paper explores the direct and indirect influence of lean management and environmental practices on relative competitive quality advantage, environmental performance, and business performance. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a quantitative method where data is gathered from 259 manufacturing firms in Ghana. The data is gathered through customized questionnaires. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (SmartPLS 3.2.8) is used to analyze the data. Firm size, industry type, and importance of environmental issues are used as control variables in this study. Findings – The findings of the study indicate that both lean management and environmental practices create relative competitive quality advantage and improve environmental performance and business performance. Environmental performance and relative competitive quality advantage mediate the influence of lean management and environmental practices on business performance. The results further indicate that lean management creates a higher relative competitive quality advantage than environmental practices, while environmental practices have more potential to enhance environmental performance than lean management. Originality/value – The study develops and proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework that examines the potency of environmental practices and lean management in creating a relative competitive quality advantage and improving environmental performance and business performance from a Ghanaian perspective, which is an emerging economy in Africa. Lean management and environmental practices may jointly help firms create relative competitive advantage and improve environmental performance to enhance business performance.

Source: UG
The influence of socio-cultural interpretations of pregnancy threats on health-seeking behavior among pregnant women in urban Accra, Ghana

Abstract Background Although antenatal care coverage in Ghana is high, there exist gaps in the continued use of maternity care, especially utilization of skilled assistance during delivery. Many pregnant women seek care from different sources aside the formal health sector. This is due to negative perceptions resulting from poor service quality experiences in health facilities. Moreover, the socio-cultural environment plays a major role for this care-seeking behavior. This paper seeks to examine beliefs, knowledge and perceptions about pregnancy and delivery and care-seeking behavior among pregnant women in urban Accra, Ghana. Methods A qualitative study with 6 focus group discussions and 13 in-depth interviews were conducted at Taifa-Kwabenya and Madina sub-districts, Accra. Participants included mothers who had delivered within the past 12&#160;months, pregnant women, community members, religious and community leaders, orthodox and non-orthodox healthcare providers. Interviews and discussions were audio-taped, transcribed and coded into larger themes and categories. Results Evidence showed perceived threats, which are often given socio-cultural interpretations, increased women&#8217;s anxieties, driving them to seek multiple sources of care. Crucially, care-seeking behavior among pregnant women indicated sequential or concurrent use of biomedical care and other forms of care including herbalists, traditional birth attendants, and spiritual care. Use of multiple sources of care in some cases disrupted continued use of skilled provider care. Furthermore, use of multiple forms of care is encouraged by a perception that facility-based care is useful only for antenatal services and emergencies. It also highlights the belief among some participants that care from multiple sources are complementary to each other. Conclusions Socio-cultural interpretations of threats to pregnancy mediate pregnant women&#8217;s use of available healthcare services. Efforts to encourage continued use of maternity care, especially skilled birth assistance at delivery, should focus on addressing generally perceived dangers to pregnancy. Also, the attractiveness of facility-based care offers important opportunities for building collaborations between orthodox and alternative care providers with the aim of increasing use of skilled obstetric care. Conventional antenatal care should be packaged to provide psychosocial support that helps women deal with pregnancy-related fear.

Source: UG
The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, prostate cancer poses a growing burden, with projections indicating a near dou bling of deaths by 2040. Cultural beliefs and stigmas surrounding prostate cancer can deter men from seeking timely medical care until the disease has advanced. This systematic review explores the intersection of cultural influences on prostate cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa, identifying barriers and facilitators to improving health outcomes for sub-Saharan African men. Method We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2000 to 2023 for studies and reports focusing on cultural beliefs, health-seeking behaviors, traditional medicine for prostate cancer care, and healthcare access related to prostate cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, we used data from the African Cancer Regis try and the Global Cancer Observatory to gather information on prostate cancer cases. Results We included 34 studies in this review. These studies revealed that there are diverse cultural perceptions influencing attitudes to prostate cancer, such as associating it with spiritual causes or issues of masculinity, leading to stigma and delays in seeking medical care in sub-Saharan Africa. Mostly, men perceive prostate cancer screening negatively due to fears of discomfort, social stigma, fatalism, and misconceptions about the causes and outcomes of the disease. Effective strategies for improving awareness about prostate cancer include community engagement, media outreach, healthcare provider education, and enhancing accessibility to screening services, particularly in rural areas. Conclusion This study highlights the significant impact of cultural beliefs on prostate cancer care-seeking behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa and uncovers widespread misconceptions and stigmas that impede timely diagnosis and treat ment. Our findings show the urgent need for culturally tailored interventions to increase awareness, correct mis conceptions, and diminish the stigma associated with prostate cancer in the region. This is essential for enhancing prostate cancer outcomes and addressing the anticipated increase in cases.

Source: UG
The Narrative Structure Of John Milton’s Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost was written sometime in the 17th Century by John Milton as a Christian epic with a Christian-redefined meaning of heroism. Using the epic structure, Milton successfully outlines the genealogy of man, even the state of the world before man was brought into it by God. Milton does this by tracing the linear stories of man from Genesis, through the Messianic and redemption stories, and the introduction of the eschaton by Jesus Christ in the New Testament. In Paradise Lost, Milton talks about three objectives. They are: the fall of man, an epic aiming to surpass all other epics, and justifying God’s ways to men. My thesis is a structural discussion of the three objectives by way of narratology. In order to prove Milton’s three objectives, my research discusses the structure of the narrative using Gerard Genette’s Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method (1980). At the second level, my research focuses on the “Intertextual” elements of Paradise Lost using Gerard Genette’s Palimpsest: Literature in the Second Degree (1982). At the end of my discussion, it is obvious Milton’s epic is not a Miltonic Version Bible, but a work of art, borrowing its topic from the Bible and the epic form from icons Homer and Virgil. Indeed Milton has outgrown his occasion and withstood the test of time since Paradise Lost encapsulates the genealogy of man.

Source: UG
The Nurse or Midwife at the Crossroads of Caring for Patients With Suicidal and Rigid Religious Ideations in Africa

Nurses and midwives are the majority of healthcare professionals globally, including in Africa, and they provide care at all levels of the health system including community levels. Nurses and midwives contribute to the care of patients with rigid or dogmatic religious beliefs or those with suicidal ideations. This review paper discusses acute and chronic diseases that have suicidal tendencies such as terminal cancer, diseases with excruciating pain, physical disability, stroke, end-stage renal failure, and diabetics who are amputated. It was reiterated that nurses and midwives taking care of these patients should be alert and observant to identify their suicidal tendencies. The paper also discusses religious or spiritual inclinations that negatively affect healthcare access and adherence, especially to biomedical or Western medicine. It was emphasized that some religious beliefs do not allow their followers to employ biomedical treatment and nurses and midwives should not impose their faith on patients and their families. The paper ends with a discussion on the specific roles of nurses and midwives in the care of patients with suicidal ideations such as assessment, counseling, administering medication, observation, social interaction, ensuring safety measures, and providing an enabling environment for the family to part of the care and for the observation of religious coping strategies. Nurses and midwives should enhance their knowledge and skills on suicide and increase public education on suicide prevention and identification of those at risk.

Source: UG
The Ocean Foundation’s Ocean Science Equity Initiative: An Example of a Comprehensive, Intentionally Co-Designed Capacity Development Effort.

The capacity development session at the Ocean Obs ’19 meeting in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, provided the impetus to establish a framework for a decadal plan and case for support to address key barriers and needs for capacity development in ocean science and ocean observing. In 2020, we prepared a draft plan based on the output of the Ocean Obs session and led a series of regional focus groups via Zoom video conferencing to gain input and feedback, using a list of specific questions designed to identify any areas of improvement over past community practices and paths for new partnerships (Table 1). Across both the Ocean Obs meeting and the virtual sessions, more than 200 researchers and ocean science practitioners provided input.

Source: UG