ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Is social support associated with hypertension control among Ghanaian migrants in Europe and non-migrants in Ghana? The RODAM study

Hypertension (HTN) control is crucial in preventing HTN-related complications such as stroke and coronary heart disease. Yet, HTN control remains suboptimal particularly among sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations partly due to poor self-management. Self-management of HTN is influenced by social support, but the evidence on the role of social support on HTN control particularly among SSA populations is limited. This study assessed the association between multiple proxies for social support and HTN control among Ghanaians resident in Ghana and Europe. The Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study participants with HTN and who self-reported HTN (n = 1327) were included in this analysis. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between proxies of social support and HTN control (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) with adjustments for age and socioeconomic status (SES). Among Ghanaian males in both Europe and Ghana, cohabiting with more than two persons was associated with increased odds of having HTN controlled. Male hypertensive patients cohabiting with ≥ 5 persons had the highest odds of having HTN controlled after adjustment for age and SES (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.16-0.57; 0.60; 0.34-1.04, respectively). This association was not observed among females. Relationship status, frequency of religious activity attendance and satisfaction with social support did not show any significant association with HTN control. Our study shows that cohabitation is significantly associated with HTN control but in males only. The other proxies for social support appeared not to be associated with HTN control. Involving persons living with Ghanaian men with HTN in the treatment process may help to improve adherence to HTN treatment. Further research is needed to explore in-depth, how these social support proxies could contribute to improved HTN control among SSA populations.

Source: UG
Is sustainable development achievable in ghana? an analysis of ghana's development policy achievements and challenges.

Since the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 and the subsequent publication of the Brundtland report in 1987, Ghana has embarked upon the path of sustainable development (SD) through the development and implementation of policies deemed necessary to safeguard the environment and promote socio–economic development. Despite this commitment, the country is still characterised by poor environmental and human health, poverty, poor sanitation, low access to potable drinking water, energy, and high population growth. This paper uses sustainability frameworks to investigate the achievability of SD in Ghana. The key policies related to SD issues such as the environment, poverty reduction, health, water and sanitation, energy and population growth are analysed and the main achievements and challenges identified. The paper asserts that SD of Ghana could be a passing fad if issues confronting the country's sustainability are not addressed. The paper provides policy recommendations and strategies that will enable policy–makers to effectively tackle the SD challenges in the country.

Source: UG
Is the Business of Business only Business? Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Perspectives of Financial Services Firms in Ghana.

This article reports the findings of an empirical study on the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by financial services firms in Ghana. The justification for the study derives from the increasing concern of governments about corporate social responsibility, the pressure exerted on firms to demonstrate high ethical standards and increasing demands on firms by local communities and lobby groups to exhibit behaviours that promote the well being of their immediate environment. The study sampled companies listed in the Ghana Club 100 database, an annual ranking of the most prestigious firms in Ghana. The study adopted an in-depth, exploratory and comparative approach in examining the CSR issues from the perspectives of non-financial services firms versus financial services firms in Ghana. The key findings of the study were that firms in Ghana’s financial sector seem to exhibit a better grasp of the various dimensions of CSR and how these could be used for business and strategic advantage.

Source: UG
Is the Saemaŭl Undong Initiative (the Korean Rural Development Strategy) a Compelling Exemplar for Ghana?

This paper examines Korea’s answer to the rural development challenge in the 1970s, the Saemaŭl Undong movement ( SMU ). As one of the revolutionary polices of Park Chung-Hee, it has been highlighted as contributing greatly to the South Korean economic miracle. There is consensus that it is a shining example of a successful rural development policy and has been widely documented. Given the signal achievements of the programme, this paper attempts to establish whether the SMU could be useful for Ghana as a lasting solution to rural underdevelopment. This paper presents a critical historical background of the SMU and how it was executed highlighting in particular the factors that were crucial to the success of the initiative. The Korean explications are then set against an overview of Ghana’s attempts at rural development in an attempt to account for the reasons why Ghana has not been as successful at this task. Our conclusion is that the SMU can serve as a repository of best practices and outline lessons therefrom to guide the formulation and implementation of an integrated, home-grown rural development strategy to ensure the best possible chance of success of such a strategy.

Source: UG
Is there a “complementary feeding cultural core” in rural Kenya? Results from ethnographic research in five counties

The overall goal of the department is to conduct research and provide solutions to nutritional problems in Ghana. In pursuance of this goal, the Nutrition Department since its inception has focused its research in the areas of maternal, infant and young child nutrition, food consumption and food security and micronutrient deficiency and interventions. These are priority food and nutrition problems in Ghana.

Source: UG
Is there any relationship between haptoglobin phenotypes and retinopathy among Ghanaian diabetics?

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
Is trading in used computers creating a digital dump? Reflections from Tertiary Institutions in Ghana

The proliferation of computers has made them more accessible, yet there are many more who cannot afford them, and this seems to have created a digital divide which touches economies and threatens to slow progress towards an all-inclusive information society. The divide in the developed world appears much less severe due partly to higher income levels. However, in developing countries the situation is more complex and calls for a range of policies in order to expand access. Of these tools, regulatory reforms have been very prominent. In Ghana, the government zero-rated the importation of used computers as a way of making them easily accessible and affordable. Using a stratified sampling technique and exploratory factor analysis, the study examines the effect of the policy base on data collected from four tertiary institutions. The result shows uneven access to computers along familiar lines of social inequality such as economic status and gender. This paper establishes the need to re-examine the independent use of regulatory policies, as a cost-effective way to ensure optimum computer usage especially among the “poor”. The Author considers such reforms as necessary but not sufficient condition to overcome the digital divide and argues for a targeted intervention such as the Ministry of Education’s Basic School Computerization Project

Source: UG
Is traditional banking declining? An empirical analysis of banks in Ghana

Banks are traditionally into the business of mobilizing deposits and making loans. This generates interest income and has been a substantial proportion of bank’s total earnings. Studies have shown that income from the traditional banking business has declined substantially in recent times. This paper examines the state of traditional banking in Ghana by relating interest and noninterest income from the year 2003 -2012. We found that traditional banking remains strong in Ghana and interest income constitutes a higher proportion of total bank earnings. In recent times however, noninterest income has gained prominence as margin income deposits continue to squeeze

Source: UG
Is value-based payment for healthcare feasible under Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme?

Background: Efective payment mechanisms for healthcare are critical to the quality of care and the efciency and responsiveness of health systems to meet specifc population health needs. Since its inception, Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has adopted fee-for-service, diagnostic-related groups and capitation methods, which have contributed to provider reimbursement delays, rising costs and poor quality of care rendered to the scheme’s clients. The aim of this study was to explore stakeholder perceptions of the feasibility of value-based payment (VBP) for healthcare in Ghana. Value-based payment refers to a system whereby healthcare providers are paid for the value of services rendered to patients instead of the volume of services. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional qualitative design. National-level stakeholders were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The participants included policy-makers (n=4), implementers (n=5), public health insurers (n=3), public and private healthcare providers (n=7) and civil society organization ofcers (n=1). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was performed using both deductive and inductive thematic analysis. The data were analysed using QSR NVivo 12 software. Results: Generally, participants perceived VBP to be feasible if certain supporting systems were in place and potential implementation constraints were addressed. Although the concept of VBP was widely accepted, study participants reported that efcient resource management, provider motivation incentives and community empowerment were required to align VBP to the Ghanaian context. Weak electronic information systems and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure were seen as challenges to the integration of VBP into the Ghanaian health system. Therefore, improve ment of existing systems beyond healthcare, including public education, politics, data, fnance, regulation, planning, infrastructure and stakeholder attitudes towards VBP, will afect the overall feasibility of VBP in Ghana. Conclusion: Value-based payment could be a feasible policy option for the NHIS in Ghana if potential implementa tion challenges such as limited fnancial and human resources and underdeveloped health system infrastructure are addressed. Governmental support and provider capacity-building are therefore essential for VBP implementation in Ghana. Future feasibility and acceptability studies will need to consider community and patient perspectives.

Source: UG
Is West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) a common currency area?

StatesAbstractIn this paper, we test whether the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is a common currency area by using a structural vector autoregressivemodel to study the variance decomposition, impulse responses of key economic variables and linear dependence of the underlying structuralshocks of the countries in the zone. The variance decomposition shows that the zone as a whole does not have common sources of shock, whichis expected because of the diverse economic structures of these countries. The correlation of the structural shocks also shows that these countriesrespond asymmetrically to common supply, demand and monetary shocks and will therefore respond differently to a common monetary policy.It is therefore not in the interest of the individual countries to go into a monetary union now or in the near future unless the economies of thesecountries converge further.

Source: UG
Islam in West Africa

This book, which continues my studies of Islam in West Africa, is primarily a phenomenology study of the religious life of West Africa Muslims. My special aim has been to try to assess what have been the results of the impact of Islam, the way it influences African society, and, conversely the way the African community moulds the Islam it receives. It is concerned with what is, not what ought to be; with the living beliefs and practices of particular peoples, not with the ideal of Islamic thoughts and practice. At the same time, it embraces more than the actual study of Islam in west Africa since it is concerned with the way Africans have assimilated it, the degree to which it fulfills their religious aspirations, and, where these cannot find expression in Islam, in what directions they are fulfilled

Source: UG
Islamic tourism: travel motivations, satisfaction and word of mouth, Ghana

Purpose – This study aims to present the push-pull motives of Islamic tourism and how these provide the basis for promoting and developing Islamic tourism practices in Ghana’s tourism industry. As Islamic tourism is considered as a niche market with new needs and wants globally, this study makes the effort to identify the prospects of this formof tourismin a non-Islamic developing nation. Design/methodology/approach – The study has used a convenience sampling approach in gathering data from 337 Muslim tourists, adopting existing scale instruments of push-pull motives, satisfaction, wordof- mouth of tourists and Islamic practices. The structural equation modelling was used to establish relationships and effects of the studied variables. Findings – The results revealed the significant effects of push-pull motives of Ghanaian Muslim tourists on satisfaction as well as the significant influence of tourist satisfaction on word-of-mouth. In addition, the significant moderating effects of Islamic practices on the relationships between push-pull motives and tourist satisfaction were established. Research limitations/implications – The conclusion and recommendations of this study might not be consistent with factors that motivate Muslims tourists in other countries. Practical implications – The results of the study validate the viability of Islamic tourism practices and possible spread of positive word-of-mouth among potential Muslim tourists for future Islamic tourism market in Ghana. Originality/value – This paper provides the first insight into push-pull motives of Muslim tourists’ choice of Islamic destination in non-Islamic developing country context. The insight will be valuable to tourism authorities, industry, academics, businesses, managers and practitioners, as the results will enhance product and service delivery to Muslim tourists when they are on vacation.

Source: UG
Isolation and characterisation of theobromine-degrading filamentous fungi

Strategies for achieving global food security include identification of alternative feedstock for use as animal feed, to contribute towards efforts at increasing livestock farming. The presence of theobromine in cocoa pod husks, a major agro-waste in cocoa-producing countries, hinders its utilisation for this purpose. Cheap treatment of cocoa pod husks to remove theobromine would allow largescale beneficial use of the millions of metric tonnes generated annually. The aim of this study was to isolate theobromine-degrading filamentous fungi that could serve as bioremediation agents for detheobromination of cocoa pod husks. Filamentous fungi were screened for ability to degrade theobromine. The most promising isolates were characterized with respect to optimal environmental conditions for theobromine degradation. Secretion of theobromine-degrading enzymes by the isolates was investigated. Theobromine degradation was monitored by HPLC. Of fourteen theobromine-degrading isolates collected and identified by rDNA 5.8S and ITS sequences, seven belonged to Aspergillus spp. and six were Talaromyces spp. Based on the extent of theobromine utilization, four isolates; Aspergillus niger, Talaromyces verruculosus and two Talaromyces marneffei, showed the best potential for use as bioagents for detheobromination. First-time evidence was found of the use of xanthine oxidase and theobromine oxidase in degradation of a methylxanthine by fungal isolates. Metabolism of theobromine involved initial demethylation at position 7 to form 3-methylxanthine, or initial oxidation at position 8 to form 3,7-dimethyuric acid. All four isolates degraded theobromine beyond uric acid. The data suggest that the four isolates can be applied to substrates, such as cocoa pod husks, for elimination of theobromine.

Source: UG
Isolation and characterization of a full-length molecular DNA clone of Ghanaian HIV type 1 intersubtype A/G recombinant CRF02_AG, which is replication competent in a restricted host range

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Isolation and characterization of crude-oil-dependent bacteria from the coast of Ghana using oxford nanopore sequencing

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
Isolation and characterization of dipeptide derivative and phytosterol from Capparis tomentosa Lam

In this study, chemical investigation of the constituents of the roots of Capparis tomentosa was carried out. C. tomentosa is a medicinal plant used extensively for the treatment of various diseases. It is also known to be poisonous. The crude petroleum ether extract of the roots of this plant was subjected to column chromatography for separation. Progress of separation was monitored by thin layer chromatography. The isolated compounds were recrystallized for further purification. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by comparison of their spectroscopic data from IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and MS analysis with that of authentic samples. The isolated compounds were identified as 24-ethylcholestan-5-en-3-ol a phytosterol and a dipeptide derivative, N-benzoylphenylalanylaninol acetate. This is the first time these compounds have been isolated from this plant. © 2008 Academic Journals.

Source: UG
Isolation and characterization of mineral oxidizing bacteria from the obuasi gold mining site, Ghana.

Ghana has one of the largest gold ore deposits in the world. Gold extraction by bioleaching technology which is more environmentally friendly and efficient compared to conventional mining methods is therefore preferred for processing refractory gold ores. The Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited in Ghana operates the world's largest commercial bioleaching plant.However, the same organisms are used to leach gold from surface arsenopyrite and underground sulphide ores even though the use of adapted local organisms for the different ore may improve gold recovery. Efforts were therefore made to isolate and characterize local acidophilic bioleaching bacteria from surface arsenopyrite gold ore, underground sulphide gold ore, underground mine water and slurry from the commercial biooxidation tank at Obuasi. Isolation of the organisms was made using 9K enrichment medium and the bacteria identified using physiological, morphological, cultural and biochemical criteria.Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and ‘Leptospirillum ferrooxidans were isolated from each of the samples analysed. However, Thiobacillus thiooxidans was not found in underground mine water even though it was isolated from the other samples. It was also observed that bacteria isolates obtained from surface arsenopyrite and underground sulphide gold ores had higher oxidation rates compare with the isolates from the underground mine water. Further characterization was done using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) which clearly differentiated the various bacteria isolates at the species level.

Source: UG
Isolation and control in Distance Education: The case of the Ghanaian Student

The establishment of Distance Education at the tertiary level has been fully embraced by universities in Ghana. Its operations focus on the programmes of the University and support for the student learners. Distance learners are bound to face various challenges including methods of learning, adjustment and management of time. Although Distance Education has been found to be cost effective to many people of different backgrounds, many students are not able to cope with this new industrialized form of learning. The distance learner are regarded as independent, self-directed and self-motivated, yet they face the problem of isolation as they study under most trying circumstances alone and at their own pace. They are separated by distance and geographical location. The lecturer looked at the dynamics of isolation in distance education, the theory of transactional distance as postulated by Moore (1981) and how Ghanaian Universities are providing tutorial and other support services to bridge transactional distance and reduce the degree of isolation. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on the forms of control existing in the operations of the programme in Ghana. This study established that in Ghana, institutional and social controls dominate over learner control and that the Ghanaian student is not completely isolated.

Source: UG