ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
CD-ROM in Ghanaian libraries: a survey

Summarizes the main findings of a survey of the availability and use of CD-ROM services in three Ghanaian libraries : the National Science and Technology Library and Information Centre (NASTLIC) at the Ghana Science and Technology Information Network (GHASTINET); the University of Ghana Medical School Library; and the Balme Library of the University of Ghana. The survey found that all the CD-ROM facilities are on open access; that no library is charging fees for CD-ROM use at present; and that users are very satisfied with CD-ROM services. Presents recommendations for future development of CD-ROM services in Ghanaian libraries.

Source: UG
CD4+ T cell counts in initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV infected asymptomatic individuals; controversies and inconsistencies

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
Celebrity-Brand Endorsement: A Study on its Impacts on Generation Y-ers in Nigeria

Objective: The study aimed to examine the effects of celebrity brand-endorsement (CB-endorsement) on attitude as well as the purchase intention of Generation Y-ers in Nigeria using an adapted model of Ohanian. Materials and Methods: Using the quantitative approach, structural equation modelling engaging SmartPLS 3.2.7 was used to investigate the relationships among the research constructs. A probabilistic random sampling technique (stratified) of 273 millennial students, from six selected federal institutions of higher learning in the Northwest and Southwest region of Nigeria, was used. Results: Results revealed that expertise of a celebrity does not influence Nigeria’s Generation Y-ers intention to purchase the endorsed product. Attractiveness and trustworthiness of a celebrity, on the other hand, influence Generation Y-ers purchase intention. However, attitude does not mediate between the independent variables and the dependent variables. The study utilizes student Generation Y-ers mostly residing in the urban areas. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the researchers recommended to the practitioners alternatives to the practice of CB-endorsement. Future research opportunity and constraints are also outlined.

Source: UG
Cell trace far-red is a suitable erythrocyte dye for multi-color Plasmodium falciparum invasion phenotyping assays

Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion phenotyping assays are a very useful tool for assessing parasite diversity and virulence, and for characterizing the formation of ligand– receptor interactions. However, such assays need to be highly sensitive and reproducible, and the selection of labeling dyes for differentiating donor and acceptor erythrocytes is a critical factor. We investigated the suitability of cell trace far-red (CTFR) as a dye for P. falciparum invasion phenotyping assays. Using the dyes carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) and dichloro dimethyl acridin one succinimidyl ester (DDAO-SE) as comparators, we used a dye-dilution approach to assess the limitations and specific staining procedures for the applicability of CTFR in P. falciparum invasion phenotyping assays. Our data show that CTFR effectively labels acceptor erythrocytes and provides a stable fluorescent intensity at relatively low concentrations. CTFR also yielded a higher fluorescence intensity relative to DDAO-SE and with a more stable fluorescence intensity over time. Furthermore, CTFR did not affect merozoites invasion of erythrocytes and was not toxic to the parasite’s intraerythrocytic development. Additionally, CTFR offers flexibility in the choice of combinations with several other DNA dyes, which broaden its usage for P. falciparum erythrocyte invasion assays, considering a wider range of flow cytometers with various laser settings.

Source: UG
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of cell damage and cell death in ischemia–reperfusion injury in organ transplantation

Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a critical pathological condition in which cell death plays a major contributory role, and negatively impacts post-transplant outcomes. At the cellular level, hypoxia due to ischemia disturbs cellular metabo lism and decreases cellular bioenergetics through dysfunction of mitochondrial electron transport chain, causing a switch from cellular respiration to anaerobic metabolism, and subsequent cascades of events that lead to increased intracellular concentrations of Na+, H+ and Ca2+ and consequently cellular edema. Restoration of blood supply after ischemia provides oxygen to the ischemic tissue in excess of its requirement, resulting in over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which overwhelms the cells’ antioxidant defence system, and thereby causing oxidative damage in addition to activating pro-infammatory pathways to cause cell death. Moderate ischemia and reperfusion may result in cell dysfunction, which may not lead to cell death due to activation of recovery systems to control ROS production and to ensure cell survival. However, prolonged and severe ischemia and reperfusion induce cell death by apoptosis, mitoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, cuproptosis and parthanoptosis. This review discusses cellular and molecular mechanisms of these various forms of cell death in the context of organ transplantation, and their inhibition, which holds clinical promise in the quest to prevent IRI and improve allograft quality and function for a long-term success of organ transplantation.

Source: UG
“Cementing” marriages through childbearing in subsequent unions: Insights into fertility differentials among first-time married and remarried women in Ghana

Fertility in Ghana has declined steadily since 1980, however, a slight increase was observed between 2008 and 2014. While several factors may account for this pattern, research on the contribution of type of union is limited. This study examined differentials in the fertility of women in different types of union. Secondary data from 6,285 (weighted) ever-married women aged 15–49 years were analysed using compare means, t-test, analysis of variance, Poisson and binary logistic regression analyses. The findings indicate that, independent of other factors, fertility among remarried women is higher compared to first-time married women but this does not hold true when other factors are controlled for. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the fertility of remarried women who were in union and women who were in union in a first-time marriage. However, compared to remarried women who were currently in a union, fertility was significantly lower among remarried women who were not currently in union (β = -0.121, p<0.01) and women who have been married only once but were not currently in union (β = -0.212, p<0.001). Further analysis revealed that remarried women were significantly more likely to desire more children and less likely to use any method of contraception compared to first-time married women. There is the need for further research to better understand the fertility needs of remarried women

Source: UG
Central Bank Policies and Market Power Over the Business Cycle in Africa

This article empirically examines the impact of the business cycle on the relationship between individual central bank policies and market power. We present a representative sample of 52 African economies over the period 2006–2018. We find that monetary, macro-prudential and central bank independence policies increase market power. The study found that, in the long run, market power reacts positively to changes or adjustments made to a central bank policy framework. We show that the individual central bank’s policy framework increases market power. when interacted with business cycle

Source: UG
Central bank coordinated policies and bank market power: an insight from the African context

The paper examines the impact of central bank regulatory policies on market power in Africa. The study presents a representative sample of 52 African economies over the period 2006–2020. The study shows that the individual regulatory policies of the central bank (i.e. monetary and macro-prudential policies) enhance banks’ market power. Also, it reveals that central bank's regulatory policies are better coordinated, as complements, in achieving greater market power. banks in countries with strong central bank independence (CBI) framework. However, the coordinated policies are substitutes in determining bank’s market power in countries with weak CBI framework. The policy implication is that the right policy mix of coordinated central bank regulatory policy framework is important in determining an optimal outcome of bank’s market power in both an inclusive central bank (monetary-prudential) policy targeting economies and an independent policy targeting economies.

Source: UG
Central Bank Independence and Inflation in Africa: The Role of Financial Systems and Institutional Quality

The study examines the effects of financial systems and the quality of political institutions on the effectiveness of central bank independence in achieving lower inflation. Drawing from the fiscal theory of price level (FTPL) and political economy of macroeconomic policy (PEMP) literature; we estimate a panel regression model, using Two Stage Least Squares instrumental variables procedure, on a sample of 48 African countries over the period 1970–2012. The study finds that central bank independence-inflation nexus is dependent on the model, sample and estimation technique used. After accounting for various control variables and introducing inflation targeting as an additional explanatory variable, the study shows that, unlike in developed countries, CBI is not sufficient in achieving lower inflation in Africa and the developing world. However, common to developed, developing and African countries, is that, higher central bank independence is more effective in lowering inflation in the presence of high levels of banking sector development and institutional quality. The findings of the study also show that while stock market development enhances the effectiveness of CBI in developed and developing countries, it has no significant effect on CBI effectiveness in Africa.

Source: UG
Central bank independence, elections and fiscal policy in Africa: Examining the moderating role of political institutions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to primarily investigate the ability of independent central banks (central bank independence (CBI)) to improve fiscal performances in Africa, accounting for election years, and also to examine whether the effectiveness of CBI in improving fiscal performance is enhanced by higher political institutional quality. Design/methodology/approach – Using recent CBI data from Garriga (2016) on 48 African countries, 90 other developing countries and 40 developed countries over the period 1970–2012, the authors apply a two stage system GMM with Windmeijer (2005) small sample robust correction estimator to examine the impact of CBI and elections on fiscal policy in Africa, other developing countries and developed countries. Findings – The authors provide evidence that unlike in other developing countries and developed countries, CBI does not significantly improve fiscal performance in Africa. However, the effectiveness of CBI in improving fiscal performance in Africa is enhanced by higher levels of institutional quality. Although elections directly worsen fiscal performance in Africa, institutional quality enhances CBI’s effect on improving fiscal performance in election years across Africa, other developing countries and developed countries. Practical implications – The findings of the study are significant as they provide insight into the benefits of having strong institutions to complement independent central banks in order to control fiscal indiscipline in election years. Originality/value – The study is the first among the studies of CBI-fiscal policy nexus, to measure fiscal policy using net central bank claims on government as a percentage of GDP. In addition to the use of fiscal balance, this study also uses cyclically adjusted fiscal balance as a measure of fiscal policy. This is a critical channel through which independent central banks can constrain govern

Source: UG
Central Bank Independence, Inflation, and Poverty in Africa

This article discusses the extent to which central bank independence (CBI) can be used to mitigate the regressive nature of inflation. Using 44 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries from the period 1970–2012, the article first examines whether CBI has any influence on inflation by distinguishing between legal independence and governor turnover rates. The evidence shows that CBI helps control inflation, and that inflation generally reduces poverty, and this effect is even stronger, in an environment of low CBI.

Source: UG
The Centrality of Glocalisation in Sustaining Development Education in Ghana and Nigeria

t Since the attainment of independence from their colonial masters in 1957 and 1960, the Ghanaian and Nigerian education systems have undergone several reforms to conform to the times. Incidentally, all the reforms seem to drive the values of education towards Western philosophies. Indigenous knowledge systems, content and African forms of delivery have eluded the two countries’ educational systems. To bring back authentic African content into development education, this paper advo cates for the incorporation of local content and delivery styles to ensure learners carry the ‘knowledge of their fathers’ into the future and immortalise such knowledge for posterity. In pushing this agenda, we did a content analysis of the various educational reforms in Ghana and Nigeria. Based on what exists in the literature, we theorized that in respect of SDG 4 and the bid to sustain education as a contribution to devel opment education, glocalisation should be the prime focus. Consequently, we noted that policy directives, decolonization of the various curricula used in education and the implementation of the recommendations from earlier studies and declarations are imperatives to this call.

Source: UG
The Centrality of Glocalisation in Sustaining Development Education in Ghana and Nigeria

Since the attainment of independence from their colonial masters in 1957 and 1960, the Ghanaian and Nigerian education systems have undergone several reforms to conform to the times. Incidentally, all the reforms seem to drive the values of education towards Western philosophies. Indigenous knowledge systems, content and African forms of delivery have eluded the two countries’ educational systems. To bring back authentic African content into development education, this paper advo cates for the incorporation of local content and delivery styles to ensure learners carry the ‘knowledge of their fathers’ into the future and immortalise such knowledge for posterity. In pushing this agenda, we did a content analysis of the various educational reforms in Ghana and Nigeria. Based on what exists in the literature, we theorized that in respect of SDG 4 and the bid to sustain education as a contribution to devel opment education, glocalisation should be the prime focus. Consequently, we noted that policy directives, decolonization of the various curricula used in education and the implementation of the recommendations from earlier studies and declarations are imperatives to this call.

Source: UG
The Centrality of Glocalisation in Sustaining Development Education in Ghana and Nigeria

Since the attainment of independence from their colonial masters in 1957 and 1960, the Ghanaian and Nigerian education systems have undergone several reforms to conform to the times. Incidentally, all the reforms seem to drive the values of education towards Western philosophies. Indigenous knowledge systems, content and African forms of delivery have eluded the two countries’ educational systems. To bring back authentic African content into development education, this paper advocates for the incorporation of local content and delivery styles to ensure learners carry the ‘knowledge of their fathers’ into the future and immortalise such knowledge for posterity. In pushing this agenda, we did a content analysis of the various educational reforms in Ghana and Nigeria. Based on what exists in the literature, we theorized that in respect of SDG 4 and the bid to sustain education as a contribution to development education, glocalisation should be the prime focus. Consequently, we noted that policy directives, decolonization of the various curricula used in education and the implementation of the recommendations from earlier studies and declarations are imperatives to this call.

Source: UG
Centripetal and Centrifugal Dynamics of the Individual Self in the light of Rousseau’s experience

The self is the centre of the world or the “trade centre” of social relationships. It thus encounters the world outside of itself and, guided by its physical (pleasure or pain) and moral (good or bad) sensibilities, it adopts either centripetal of centrifugal dynamics, thereby keeping to itself or going out to others, respectively. Drawing lessons from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, this paper demonstrates the case of the individual self within the broader society, where it relates to material things, but also to other individual selves or persons. The paper, in line with Rousseau’s thought, concludes that our true self is not always entirely in us.

Source: UG
Cereal producers and the structural adjustment programme (SAP) in Ghana: A welfare analysis of the first decade of SAP

Small-scale food producers in Ghana produce about 90 per cent of the food in the country. Behaviourial patterns characteristic of these semi-commercial producers are complex, making it hard for policy makers to predict the consequences of policies on them. This study analyses the effects of the Structural Adjustment Programme on cereal producers in Ghana. A system of demand and supply equations was employed in a simulation analysis performed under three different scenarios to observe the aftermath of price increases; measure the impact of devaluation of the cedi; and gauge the effect of price increases and devaluation. The results show that cereal producers gain but consumers lose in terms of producer and consumer surplus. There is a net welfare loss as a result of the SAP.

Source: UG
Cerebral macroaneurysms in a Ghanaian adult population. An autopsy study

An autopsy study of cerebral vessels in 310 Ghanaian adults showed an incidence of macro(berry)aneurysms of 16.6% among 181 hypertensives and 8.5% among 129 normotensives. Hypertension increased the formation and development of intracranial aneurysms. Severe atherosclerosis (Grade 3) was not a common association with aneurysms and there was no increase in aneurysm formation in subjects dying from cerebral haemorrhage. This may be a reflection of the observed low incidence of severe cerebral atherosclerosis in Ghanaians compared to whites and an indication of differences between ethnic groups in the relative importance of the factors that contribute to the formation of aneurysms. Mortality from ruptured aneurysms could not be determined from this study, perhaps because the aneurysms seen were small in size (< 10 mm diameter) and less likely to rupture and bleed. Multiple aneurysms were an uncommon finding compared to figures quoted in other studies, but in agreement with them the sites of predilection were in the anterior parts of the circle of Willis; notably the anterior cerebral and anterior communicating arteries.

Source: UG
Cerebral malaria is associated with low levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in African children

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
Cerebral malaria is associated with low levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in African children

Damage to the cerebral microvasculature is a feature of cerebral malaria. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are needed for microvascular repair. Based on this knowledge, we hypothesized that the failure to mobilize sufficient circulating endothelial progenitor cells to the cerebral microvasculature is a pathophysiologic feature of cerebral malaria. To test this hypothesis, we compared peripheral blood levels of CD34 (+)/VEGFR2(+) and CD34 (+)/CD133(+) cells and plasma levels of the chemokine stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1) in 214 children in Accra, Ghana. Children with cerebral malaria had lower levels of CD34 (+)/VEGFR2(+) and CD34 (+)/CD133(+) cells compared with those with uncomplicated malaria, asymptomatic parasitemia, or healthy controls. SDF-1 levels were higher in children with acute malaria compared with healthy controls. Together, these results uncover a potentially novel role for endothelial progenitor cell mobilization in the pathophysiology of cerebral malaria.

Source: UG
Cerebrospinal fluid markers in African Burkett’s lymphoma with central nervous system involvement

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
Cervical Cancer in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions of Ghana

Purpose Cervical cancer is a common cancer among women worldwide. An estimated 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths occurred in 2012. More than 85% of invasive cervical cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer ranks as the most common cancer among women in Ghana. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the descriptive epidemiology of cervical cancer in Ghana. We describe cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates for the regions served by two large hospitals in Ghana. Patients and Methods Information for women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer between 2010 and 2013 was collected from the Komfo Anokye and Korle Bu Teaching Hospitals through review of medical, computer, and pathology records at the oncology units and the obstetrics and gynecology departments. Telephone interviews were also conducted with patients and relatives. Data were analyzed using summary statistics. Results A total of 1,725 women with cervical cancer were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 11 to 100 years (mean, 56.9 years). The histology of the primary tumor was the basis of diagnosis in 77.5% of women and a clinical diagnosis was made in 22.5% of women. For the 1,336 women for whom tumor grade was available, 34.3% were moderately differentiated tumors. Late stage at presentation was common. The incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer increased with age up until the 75 to 79–year age group and began to decrease at older ages. The Greater Accra region had higher overall incidence and mortality rates than the Ashanti region. Conclusion Our study suggests that improvements in the application of preventive strategies could considerably reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries. The study provides important information to inform policy on cancer prevention and control in Ghana.

Source: UG