ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Water scarcity and alternative water sources in South Africa: can information provision shift perceptions?

Consumer perceptions are key to the success of strategies to address water scarcity. A decision pathway survey was used to investigate attitudes amongst South Africans (N = 668) in urban areas towards four alternative water sources. Results showed that storm and rainwater harvesting was the most (49.7%), and reclaimed wastewater the least acceptable options (15.7%). Direct potable reuse was the most supported alternative (26.6%), followed by indirect potable reuse (22.2%), reuse with additional piping (18.3%), direct non-potable reuse (8.3%), and indirect non-potable reuse (6.8%). Importantly, information provision led to a >66% increase in reclaimed wastewater acceptance amongst those initially opposed to it. In contrast, support for desalinated water and water restrictions decreased. Information provision also led to greater acceptance for direct relative to indirect reuse in situations of severe water scarcity. Together, the data suggest a role for information in influencing attitudes towards alternative water sources amongst consumers.

Source: UG
Water storage for dry season vegetable farming as an adaptation to climate change in the upper east region of Ghana

The climate is changing in Ghana and farmers in the upper east region are adapting to the situation. The study analyzed determinants of farmers’ adaptive capacity in dry season vegetable farming using an Ordered Logit Model. The effects of adaptive capacities on farm income were also analyzed using log-linear production function. The empirical results reveal that sex, access to land near a reservoir site, engaging in off-farm business activity, access to credit and number of years of formal education determines farmers’ decision to venture into dry season vegetable farming. Besides, about 31.3% of farmers are of low adaptive capacity, 26.0% are of moderate adaptive capacity and 42.7% being high adaptive capacity. Further, adaptive capacity is explained by sex of respondent, number of years of formal education, household size, off-farm business activity and access to credit. Finally, the study also indicates that high adaptive capacity increases income from vegetable farming, and the results have implications for dry season food crop farming in developing countries.

Source: UG
The Water Supply of Kumasi

The town of Kumasi lies about 130 miles North West from Accra on the cost of the Gold Coast Colony. It is 'the capital of Ashanti which came under British rule for the first time in 1896, when King Prempeh and the Queen Mother submitted and were subsequently deported in 1901 the territory was formally annexed to the British Crown, and since that year the history of Ashanti has been one of steady progress in the direction of civilization

Source: UG
Water surface area measurement of Lake Volta using SSM/I 37-GHz polarization difference in rainy season

The objective of this study is to examine the possibility of measuring the area of Lake Volta using DMSP-SSMA data. In the method 1, using the difference between 37-GHz data of water surface and of the ambient land, stable values for three years in the rainy season are obtained. The difference between 37-GHz Vpol values and that of 37-GHz HPOl fluctuates slightly. Although we could not obtain the truth data due to cloud cover over the area in the rainy season, data obtained from NOAA/AVHRR and ETOPO5 elevation provide a means to evaluate the result from the SSM/I data. © 2002 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Watershed disturbance and its potential effects on river systems in the Okyeman traditional area of Ghana: The case of Atewa Range Forest Reserve

The Atewa Range Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region of Ghana is a very important watershed which serves three important river systems-the Densu, Ayensu and Birim, all in southern Ghana. Widespread degradation of the forest reserve as a result of rampant anthropogenic activities threatens the long-term sustainability of these water bodies. The study examined local dependence on products from the forest reserve and its effects on the watershed with the view to highlighting the magnitude of the exploitation in order to inform policy makers and planners on the need to protect this strategic watershed. Data for the study was collected through literature search and questionnaire administration of seven communities involving 76 respondents within the vicinity of the reserve. The findings revealed that not only do the local people exploit the Atewa Range Forest Reserve products like timber, fuel wood and bushmeat for home consumption but they also trade in these products. Incomes derived from the sale of forest products in the seven communities within a year was estimated at US$ 84,014.22 which is very significant. The findings also revealed that a major reason for the high local dependence on the reserve is the demand pressure not only from the neighbouring communities but the travelling public who patronize the forest product from hawkers by the roadside. The study concluded by reiterating the strategic importance of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve as a watershed, and suggested the need for all concerned to protect it against all forms of disturbance.

Source: UG
Wavering Diabetic Diet: “I Break the Diet and Then I Feel Guilty and Then I Don’t Go Back to It, In Case I Feel Guilty Again”

This study aimed at understanding the experiences of maintaining good dietary self-care among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the meaning of negative emotions in the context of dietary self-care. Thirteen type 2 diabetes patients from an Endocrinology and Diabetes Department in the West Midlands region, United Kingdom, were interviewed to explore experiences of dietary self-care and negative emotions. Transcripts were analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. Three main themes emerged: (a) dietary self-care: a constant challenge, (b) negative emotions: a cause and a consequence, and (c) coping with negative emotions and living with “the diet.” Situations involving poor dietary self-care were identified to understand the context of negative emotions. Perceived dietary restrictions resulted in frustration, anger, and depression, while maintaining dietary self-care resulted in irritation, annoyance, regret, guilt, anger, and depression. The consequence of poor dietary self-care was frustration, depression, and anger, which further resulted in poor dietary self-care, creating a cycle of poor dietary self-care and negative emotions. This reflected the wavering nature of participants’ dietary maintenance. Coping with these negative emotions and poor dietary self-care involved rationalizing and/or acknowledging the importance of maintaining good dietary self-care. Findings showed negative emotions are perceived to impact dietary self-care and diabetes control. Health care providers should incorporate the understanding of experiences of negative emotions in dietary education and cognitive behavioral interventions should be offered to manage negative emotions.

Source: UG
A WAVEWATCH III® model approach to investigating ocean wave source terms for West Africa: Non-linear wave-wave interaction source terms

Ocean wave forecasting for West Africa has mostly relied on global parameterization schemes and data outputs. Investigating non-linear ocean wave-wave interaction source terms (Snl) for the region that forms part of the wave model parameterization schemes, is a contribution of this study towards developing a regional wave modelling scheme for West Africa. The study evaluates five non-linear source-term configurations with the WAVEWATCH III® (WW3) numerical ocean wave model version 5.16; (i) No source term applied (NL0); (ii) Discrete Interaction Approximation (DIA): NL1, (iii) Exact Interaction Approximation: NL2, (iv) Generalized Multiple DIA (NL3) and (v) Two-Scale Approximation (NL4) in order to determine best-performing Snl for projecting significant wave heights and directions for the region. The wave simulations were run on three separate grids comprising a low-resolution West Africa grid (latitudes 10° S–30° N; longitudes 35° W–15° E), high-resolution south-eastern (latitudes 2o S – 8o N; longitudes 10o W – 10o E) and north-western (latitudes 10o N) – 25o N; longitudes 30o W – 10o W) sub-grids. Simulations for the entire West Africa grid produced higher accuracy for the wave parameters compared to the higher-resolution sub-grids. NL0 best estimates are significant wave height, whereas NL3 best estimates wave directions for the West Africa grid. For combined stations of the south-eastern sub-grid, while NL1 best estimates wave heights, NL3 best estimates the wave directions with possible alternation with NL1 due to insignificant differences. Similarly, for the north-western sub-grid, while NL1 best estimates significant wave heights; NL0 best estimates wave directions with similar ability to alternate with NL2 in projecting wave directions. Generally, insignificant differences exist between the source terms in projecting wave directions, especially for the north-western sub-region, implying that any of the source terms may be used in projecting wave directions without significantly compromising on accuracy. Thus, NL1, which best estimates significant wave heights for both the south-eastern and north-western sub-regions can also be used in estimating the wave directions. Similarly, NL0 would be appropriate for the entire West African region

Source: UG
‘We are all working toward one goal. We want people to become well’: A visual exploration of what promotes successful collaboration between community mental health workers and healers in Ghana

The practices of traditional and faith-based healers in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and elsewhere have come under intense scrutiny in recent years owing to allegations of human rights abuses. To mitigate these, there have been calls to develop collaborations between healers and formal health services to optimise available mental health interventions in poorly resourced contexts. For various reasons, attempts to establish such partnerships in a sustainable manner in different countries have not always been successful. In this article, we present findings from the Together for Mental Health visual research project to showcase examples of healer–health worker collaborations in Ghana that have been largely successful and discuss the barriers and facilitators to establishing these partnerships. Data reported in this article were collected using visual ethnography and filmed individual interviews with eight community mental health work ers, six traditional and faith-based healers and two local philanthropists in the Bono East Region. The findings suggest that successful collaborations were built through mutually respectful interpersonal relationships, support from the health sys tem and access to community resources. Although these facilitated collaboration, resource constraints, distrust and eth ical dilemmas had to be overcome to build stronger partnerships. These findings highlight the importance of dedicated institutional and logistic support for ensuring the successful integration of the different health systems in pluralistic settings.

Source: UG
‘We are at the mercy of the floods!’ : Extreme weather events, disrupted mobilities, and everyday navigation in urban Ghana

This paper examines how extreme weather events affect the mobility of low-income urban residents in Ghana. Bringing together scholarship on extreme weather and mobilities, it explores the differential impact of flooding on their everyday lives as they navigate the cities of Accra and Tamale. A range of qualitative methods were drawn on, including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and follow-along-participant observations in selected communities of both cities. Three key themes emerged: disrupted road and transport infrastructure, everyday mobility challenges, and coping/adaptive strategies. In flooding conditions, residents experienced difficulties leaving/returning home, engaging in income-generating activities, and accessing transport services and other key urban infrastructure. Conceptually, the paper reveals how disruption to urban residents’ daily movements and activities (re)produces new forms of mobilities and immobilities. which have three relational elements: postponed, improvised and assisted. Throughout the analysis, we show how these mobilities and immobilities vary by age and gender. all urban residents, (though women in particular) experience postponed mobility; young people especially engage in improvised mobility, and children and the elderly are in greatest need of assisted mobility. The paper thus contributes to scholarship on extreme weather events and mobility by providing a more spatially nuanced understanding of the multi-faceted domains in which flooding, socio-economic conditions and adaptive strategies intersect to influence urban mobility in resource-poor settings.

Source: UG
“We are free when water is available”: gendered livelihood implications of sporadic water supply in Northern Ghana

Water shortages may present different and diverse implications for gender subgroups particularly in low-income settings. Yet, little research has documented the gendered livelihood implications of water shortages in Ghana. Based on a cross-sectional mixed method research involving a survey of 250 household heads and complemented with a qualitative study of 86 participants, the paper examines the differential effects of sporadic water supply in Tatale-Sanguli District of Northern Ghana. Our findings suggest that the livelihood effects of sporadic water supply in Tatale-Sanguli area are gendered, with females being disproportionately affected as compared to males. These differential effects are often framed by both gender role differentiation and inequities in access to vital productive resources and critical assets such as bicycles, tricycles and motor bikes. These findings highlight not only the need for local government and non-governmental organisations to step up efforts in water provision, but also to recognise the gendered effects of water shortages in Tatale-Sanguli District. Key to policy is also to ensure that programmatic interventions during water shortages take account of the likely gendered effects and differentiated burdens

Source: UG
We are like devils in their eyes: Perceptions and experiences of stigmatization and discrimination against recidivists in Ghana

This study employed a qualitative research design to explore the perceptions and experiences of stigmatization and discrimination against recidivists in Ghana. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 20 adults and analyzed to identify emerging themes that addressed the objectives of the study. The findings indicated that the community members had negative perceptions about recidivists. Additionally, evidence showed that recidivists included in this study had experiences of stigma and discrimination in areas, such as employment, housing, and romantic relationships. The findings suggest the need for a collaborative effort that aims at removing barriers that hinder formerly incarcerated persons’ reintegration into society

Source: UG
We are willing, but we have challenges’: Qualitative enquiry on midwives’ views on factors influencing the prevention of mother to-child transmission of hepatitis B program

Introduction: Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B infection is one of the major routes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Africa. Amusingly, Africa is the only region yet to meet the World Health Organization’s target of reducing the prevalence of HBV infection to less than 1% among children under 5 years of age by 2020. In Ghana, little has been doc umented about midwives’ views on the factors impacting the successful implementation of mother-to-child transmission via HBV prevention programs. Objective: This study explored midwives’ views on the challenges associated with the prevention of mother-to-child trans mission of HBV infection in the La-Nkwantanang municipality. Methods: The study adopted an exploratory descriptive qualitative design and involved 14 midwives who were purposively recruited from a primary-level health facility in the La-Nkwantanang Municipality, Accra. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted using an in-depth interview guide. The data were content analyzed using the six steps recommended by Braun and Clark. Results: Three main themes, namely, health professional or midwife factors and patient and health facility factors, negatively impacted the prevention of maternal-to-child transmission program. The five subthemes identified in this study included lack of awareness, financial constraints, and unavailability of logistics and protocols. The study recognized that midwives face many challenges even though they have a strong desire to prevent vertical transmission of HBV. Conclusion: The implementation of a mother-to-child transmission program is negatively impacted by many intrinsic, client, and health facility factors. Midwives who act as major stakeholders need to be periodically trained on the components and protocols for managing pregnant women living with HBV. The necessary logistics and management protocols need to be urgently provided. The skills and education obtained from the training will empower midwives to be knowledgeable about how to deliver quality care and provide education and support for HBV-infected pregnant women. The provision of logistics needed for the successful implementation of the program could avert delays associated with the administration of the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine and immunoglobulin to exposed newborns

Source: UG
&quot;We call them miracle babies&quot;: How health care providers understand neonatal near-misses at three teaching hospitals in Ghana

Neonatal mortality is a significant problem in many low-resource countries, yet for every death there are many more newborns who suffer a life-threatening complication but survive. These "near-misses" are not well defined, nor are they well understood. This study sought to explore how health care providers at three tertiary care centers in Ghana (each with neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)) understand the term "near-miss." Eighteen providers from the NICUs at three teaching hospitals in Ghana (Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, and Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Cape Coast) were interviewed in depth regarding their perceptions of neonatal morbidity, mortality, and survival. Near the end of the interview, they were specifically asked what they understood the term "near-miss" to mean. Participants included nurses and physicians at various levels and with varying years of practice (mean years of practice = 9.33, mean years in NICU = 3.66). Results indicate that the concept of "near-misses" is not universally understood, and providers differ on whether a baby is a near-miss or not. Providers disagreed on the utility of a near-miss classification for clinical practice, with some suggesting it would be helpful to draw their attention to those at highest risk of dying, with others suggesting that the acuity of illness in a NICU means any baby could become a 'near-miss' at any moment. Further efforts are needed to standardize the definitions of neonatal near-misses, including developing criteria that are able to be assessed in a low-resource setting. In addition, further research is warranted to determine the practical implications of using a near miss tool in the process of providing care in a resource-limited setting and whether it might be best reserved as a retrospective indicator of overall quality of care provided.

Source: UG
&quot; We charge them; otherwise we cannot run the hospital&quot; front line workers, clients and health financing policy implementation gaps in Ghana

Objectives This paper examines policy implementation gaps of user fees plus exemptions and health insurance in providing financial access to primary clinical care for children under five in Ghana. Methods: Methods included analysis of routine data, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and administration of a structured questionnaire. Results: Providers modified exemptions policy implementation arrangements, sometimes giving partial or no exemptions. Clients who knew or suspected exemption entitlements failed to request them because of fear of negative reactions from providers. Providers attributed their modification of implementation arrangements and negative reactions to the threat posed to the financial viability of their institutions by reimbursement uncertainty and delays. At the time of the study insurance coverage was low and frontline workers were not noticeably modifying implementation arrangements. However, the underlying goal conflicts, resource scarcity, conditions of work and relationships between frontline workers and clients that fueled the exemptions policy implementation gaps were unchanged. The potential for the health insurance policy to stumble over implementation gaps as happened with the exemptions policy therefore remained. Conclusions: Policies that do not take into account the incentives for frontline worker adherence and align them better with policy objectives may experience implementation gaps. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Source: UG
“We have done nothing wrong”: Youth miners’ perceptions of the environmental consequences of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Ghana

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has gained prominence across sub-Saharan Africa for generating employment and ameliorating hardships for rural populations, especially the youth. However, the associated destructive environmental impacts raise questions about its suitability as employment avenue for youth when considered within the mining-sustainability discourse. This article contributes to the discussions on ASM and its effect on the environment by investigating how youth artisanal and small-scale miners perceive the environmental implications of their own operations in the Upper East Region (UER) of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with forty-five (45) ‘youth’ miners and three (3) purposely sampled government officials. Overall, the findings suggest that ASM operators do not consider themselves perpetrators of environmental destruction. More importantly, most youth ASM operators seem to lack considerable knowledge on the long-term harm their work may be posing to the environment. Those who acknowledged that activities resulted in environmental degradation argued that their financial needs for survival supersedes any immediate or long-term environmental cost. Given the low level of education among miners about the environmental implications of their activities, the findings call for an urgent need for proper education among ASM miners. Furthermore, in light of the fact that government’s policy of criminalizing ASM seems to constantly fail; there needs to be a shift from criminalizing ASM operators towards collaborative engagements in their quest to protect Ghana’s fragile environment

Source: UG