ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Awedoba, A.K., Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Hahn, H.P., Department of Social Anthropology, Institute of Ethnology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

Mobility and global entanglements in consumption are among the key concepts of globalisation. However, in social sciences there is an ongoing dispute about the consequences of human mobility, i.e., migration. Whereas many scholars assume that it has a beneficial effect on wealth in both, the sending and the receiving community, others relativise the economic effects and highlight the cultural patterns as motives for migration. This article sheds more light on these issues in a West African context. As shown through linguistic analyses and ethnographic evidence, migration leads to changing notions of wealth as such, thereby redefining in the sending community what is required to have a good life. The change of these concepts contributes to the increasing reconnaissance of consumption and to the expression of wealth through the possession of consumer goods. As a consequence, the acceptance of the consumerist concept of wealth engenders the desire to migrate: only through migration is it possible to acquire the financial means to participate actively in prestigious consumption. "Owning things" and "owning money" increasingly equals social reputation. This is also expressed through funeral arrangements, which become more and more costly. A proper funeral requires the financial means typically provided by migrants, thereby giving evidence for the deep cultural embedding of the new consumerist notion of wealth.

Source: UG
‘awusai atso’: Community attachment to and use of transatlantic slave trade resources in danish-osu, Ghana

Although there is much literature on the Transatlantic Slave Trade (TAST) and those concerning residents' perceptions of tourism development, it can be suggested that there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding attitudes and perceptions of residents towards the history of the TAST and the possible use of such resources for tourism development. This study attempts to address this gap by investigating residents' knowledge and attitude of developing tourism based on slave heritage in Danish-Osu, Ghana. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 200 questionnaires were returned by residents in six communities in Danish-Osu. In addition, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with interest groups and opinion leaders. Results of the research suggest that residents have an appreciable level of knowledge on the slave trade and related relics in their community. Most respondents indicated that they are comfortable living in the community which has an image of a former slave site. Majority identified tourism as the preferred means of conserving the existing slave sites and relics. Perceptions regarding utilization of slave relics were also found to significantly differ across a variety of socio-demographic indices. The study concludes by examining implications for Ghana's Slave Route Project to carve a niche for itself. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UG
Axial and radial distribution of thermal and epithermal neutron fluxes in irradiation channels of the Ghana research reactor-1 using foil activation analysis.

The experimental method (foil activation) was used to determine the neutron fluxes in two outer irradiation channels of the Ghana Research Reactor-1. In the experimental procedure, it was observed that the fluxes rise to a peak before falling and then finally leveling out, axially. Axially and radially, it was also observed that the fluxes in the center of the channels were lower than those on the sides. Radially, the fluxes dipped in the center while they increased monotonically towards the sides of the channels. The results have shown that there are flux variations within the irradiation channels at both axial and radial directions.

Source: UG
B-cell responses to pregnancy-restricted and -unrestricted Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 antigens in Ghanaian women naturally exposed to malaria parasites

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
B2b inter-organizational digitalization strategies - towards an interaction based approach

Purpose – Digital technology is increasingly important for businesses as it has the capability to enable, support and sometimes influence the overall strategic direction of the corporation. This paper investigates business-to-business (b2b) inter-organisational digitalisation strategies in one of Denmark's biggest companies with an annual turnover of 3 billion and over 30,000 employees. This paper specifically seeks to understand to what extent the widely used strategic continuum (planning – incremental) is sufficient to understand the process of creating inter-organisational digitalisation strategies in the case. Design/methodology/approach – This paper utilises degree of freedom analysis (DFA). DFA is in essence a “pattern-matching” between theoretical propositions and observations in a set of data. In line with the DFA tradition in-depth interviews were conducted and finally the results and interpretations are returned to the respondents for final feedback. Findings – This paper concludes that a strategic continuum spanning planning to interaction, where the incremental approach is in the middle is more powerful as an analytical tool in relation to the specific case. The case further illustrated that the actors in the empiric context utilising the digital technology successfully mostly organised their strategic work as described in the interaction approach to digitalisation strategy. Practical implications – The study demonstrates a pragmatic route to deepening digitalisation success in a large firm with considerable e-business investments. Originality/value – Documenting the need for new thinking and theorising in the area of digitalisation strategy. This paper opens the organisational black box relating to how strategy actually is performed and, thus, helps to develop a more holistic understanding of how strategies are developed and implemented. Finally, this is one of the few studies utilising DFA to understand digitalisation strategy.

Source: UG
‘Baby mamas’ in Urban Ghana: an exploratory qualitative study on the factors influencing serial fathering among men in Accra, Ghana

Background Biological fathering, especially in patrilineal societies, was traditionally acceptable only in the context of marriage to the mother of the child. Many men were polygynous, often staying in one household with all their wives and children. However, this phenomenon has been on the decline in recent times, mainly due to Christianity, which encourages monogamy while frowning on polygyny. The Ghanaian family has for the past few years been undergoing changes due to migration, urbanization, and industrialization. With an increase in non-marital births and the dissolution of marital unions, multi-partner fertility is likely to increase. Contemporary Ghanaian perspectives on the circumstances that lead men to engage in paternal multi-partner fertility, otherwise referred to in this study as serial fathering, are scanty, hence this study examines the factors that lead to serial fathering among Ghanaian men. Methods The study employed the qualitative method, using in-depth interviews with twenty (20) serial fathers and a focus group discussion with seven (7) women. Results It was found that factors such as the attitude of women in relationships, the duolocal post-marital residential pattern, and the age at frst birth are some of the reasons why some men father children with multiple partners. Conclusion The study concludes that both situational and personal factors account for the phenomenon of serial fathering amongst men in Prampram, Ghana, and these factors bring about distinctions in serial fathering as occurring either within or outside of marriage.

Source: UG
The “baby steps” in mainstreaming sustainable public procurement in Ghana: A “double‐agency” perspective

The emerging literature on public procurement policy suggests that public procurement may be leveraged to advance several public policy agenda. Hence, many countries have reformed their public procurement process towards social and environmental outcomes termed sustainable public procurement. These reforms have often been launched in response to international initiatives such as the global 10‐year framework for action on sustainable consumption and production by the Johannesburg implementation plan in 2002 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, empirical evidence on the drivers and benefits of SPP in developing countries is still scarce. This gap is addressed with a qualitative case study of six public sector institutions in Ghana. On the basis of elite interviews, this paper highlights barriers to mainstreaming SPP in Ghana's public sector. We further advance the scanty principal–agency literature by establishing a double‐agency relationship in the context of SPP, which depicts limited agency cases where principals lack the capacity to defend their own interests.

Source: UG
Back Home at Last! Factors affecting reintegration of Ghanaian Return Migrants

The paper presents the migration experience factors underlying returnees’ reintegration into their countries of origin. Questionnaires were used to gather information on three main areas: return migrants’ socio-demographic characteristics and migration trajectories, migration experiences abroad and post-return experiences. This was followed by in-depth-interviews and observations which primarily looked at the social and economic reintegration processes. The study focused on Ghana since various governments of Ghana have pursued different return migration programs in the early 1990’s with the aim of attracting especially skilled Ghanaian nationals abroad. The paper found that returnees, who maintain links with home through remittances, visits and telephone calls, were abreast with prevailing conditions in the home country and received support from friends and relatives on return. Return migrants keep ties with host countries for the sake of businesses and other benefits, which may not be readily available in the home country. Unsuccessful reintegration is not only limited to refugees or involuntary returnees but also found among voluntary and skilled returnees.

Source: UG
Back to My Roots: A Study of Returning Emigrated Health Professionals in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

The migration of health professionals from low-income to high-income countries affects the smooth functioning of health systems. Nevertheless, health professionals who return home help strengthen the health sector, leading to national development. This exploratory study focuses on factors influencing the return migration of health professionals and the benefits thereof to Ghana. The qualitative method was used to gather information from sixty respondents who consented to participate. The pull factor for migration was high income, while for return migration, the completion of projects and imparting knowledge to young health professionals were the dominating pull factors. These health professionals come with skills and expertise and create employment opportunities. Challenges faced were bureaucracy and constraints on support from government agencies.

Source: UG
The back without which there is no front

Using as its point of reference the principle of "continuity" fundamental to Ewe conception of development and of life itself, this paper draws on the author's personal experience and testimony to establish an organic relationship between Ewe oral tradition and poetry written in English. The article examines contradictions surrounding the use of colonial-heritage language and culture as the basis of creativity and general education in Africa. It demonstrates the challenges of creative work in colonial-heritage languages and the benefits of original work in African languages that draws on models from the oral tradition; however, given that African cultural practice is primarily oral, the paper acknowledges the need for using modern technology for transmitting African literature, especially poetry, through recordings of the spoken voice.

Source: UG
Back-to-Africa introductions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the main cause of tuberculosis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Background malaria incidence and parasitemia during the three-dose RTS,S/AS01 vaccination series do not reduce magnitude of antibody response nor efficacy against the first case of malaria

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
BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma originating from the oral cavity, lip, larynx and pharynx are grouped under head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). OBJECTIVE: To report on human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes involved in HNSCC. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of archival HNSCC specimens and patient demographic and clinical data accessioned between January, 2007 and December, 2009 in the Department of Pathology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. RESULTS: Cases from 58 males and 20 females included 29 from the oral cavity, 33 from the larynx, 11 from the pharynx and 5 from the parotid gland. HPV DNA was found in 15 (19.23%) of the tumors with 12 being HPV-16, 2 HPV-18 and 1 dual infection with HPV-16 and HPV-18, giving HPV-16 prevalence of 86.7%. Higher prevalence of HPV DNA was found in males than females. There was a trend towards subjects younger than 58 years being more likely to have HPV-positive tumors.The 15 HPV-positive cases were distributed in location as 8 of 33 (24.2%) from the larynx, 4 of 29 (13.8%) from the oral cavity, and 2 of 11 (18.2%) from the pharynx and 1 of 5 (20%) from the parotid gland. CONCLUSION: Oncogenic HPV infection was found in 19.23% of HNSCCs, with genotype 16 predominating. HPV-related HNSCC tended to occur at younger age compared to non-HPV-related HNSCC. The commonest site for HPV-associated HNSSC in Ghana is the larynx, rather than the oropharynx as reported in other studies. Host factors may be responsible for the site difference and more work is required to further elucidate this.

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Bacterial and protozoan pathogens/symbionts in ticks infecting wild grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) in Ghana

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens constitute a great threat to livestock production and are a potential health hazard to humans. Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) are widely hunted for meat in Ghana and many other West and Central African countries. However, tick-borne zoonotic risks posed by wild grasscutters have not been assessed. The objective of this study was to investigate bacterial and protozoan pathogens in ticks infecting wild grasscutters. A total of 81 ticks were collected from three hunted grasscutters purchased from Kantamanto, the central bushmeat market in Accra. Ticks were identified as Ixodes aulacodi and Rhipicephalus sp. based on morphological keys, which were further confirmed by sequencing mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes of specimens. Protozoan infections were tested by PCR amplifying 18S rDNA of Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon, while bacterial infections were evaluated by PCRs or real-time PCRs targeting Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia, spotted fever group rickettsiae, chlamydiae and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of PCR screening showed that 35.5% (27 out of 76) of I. aulacodi were positive for parasite infections. Sequencing analysis of the amplified products gave one identical sequence showing similarity with Babesia spp. reported from Africa. The Ca. M. mitochondrii endosymbiont was present in 85.5% (65 out of 76) of I. aulacodi but not in the five Rhipicephalus ticks. Two Anaplasmataceae bacteria genetically related to Ehrlichia muris and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were also detected in two I. aulacodi. None of the ticks were positive for Borrelia spp., spotted fever group rickettsiae and chlamydiae. Since I. aulacodi on wild grasscutters are potential carriers of tick-borne pathogens, some of which could be of zoonotic potential, rigorous tick control and pathogen analyses should be instituted especially when wild caught grasscutters are being used as foundation stock for breeding.

Source: UG
Bacterial contaminants in lettuce, tomatoes, beef and goat meat from the Accra Metropolis

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Bacterial contaminants of raw broiler meat sold at Korle-Gonno, Accra, Ghana

Bacteria and other microbial contamination of poultry meat remains a serious public health concern throughout the world, due to the nutritive value of the meat. A total of 200 raw broiler meat samples with skin on comprising 100 fresh and 100 frozen were purchased randomly from Korle-Gonno, Accra, Ghana. Aerobic plate and enterobacteria counts were determined by inoculating aliquots of homogenized samples after serial dilutions into plate count, MacConkey, violet red bile glucose agars and all incubated at 37°C for 24-48 h. Mean bacteria counts were expressed as colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) of the broiler meat and then converted to log10 CFU/g. Salmonella sp. was isolated by enrichment in buffered peptone water, incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Aliquots were transferred into selenite cystine and Rappaport-Vassiliadis broths, incubated at 37°C and 42°C respectively for 24 h before a loopful of each broth was streaked on xylose-lysine deoxycholate agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 48 h. Enterobacteria and Staphylococcus aureus were also isolated on violet red bile glucose and Baird-Parker agars both incubated at 37°C for 24-48 h. Mean aerobic plate and enterobacteria counts ranging from 2.6- 14.1 log10 CFU/g and 2.2-9.8 log10 CFU/g were found for the raw broiler meat samples from the cold stores and the local retail shops. Bacteria isolated were Proteus mirabilis (26.7%), Proteus vulgaris (25.1%), Klebsiella sp. (23.4%), Salmonella sp. (10.8%), coagulase negative Staph aureus (9.2%), and Escherichia coli (4.8%). From the study it is recommended that raw broiler meat and other meat products should be boiled thoroughly with safe water, kept, and served under good hygienic conditions to prevent microbial contamination because consumption of contaminated meat can lead to illness.

Source: UG
Bacterial Contaminations of Informally Marketed Raw Milk in Ghana

Background: Milk has an outstanding nutritional quality but is also an excellent medium for bacterial growth and an important source of bacterial infection when consumed without pasteurization. Objective: To estimate the bacterial health risk of milk consumption in Accra and Kumasi, the two major cities in Ghana. Method: A total of 96 raw milk samples collected in 2002 from the two sites were cultured and the isolated organisms identified by standard bacteriological methods. Results: Overall, the organisms identified and their prevalence rates were Yersinia spp. (19.8%), Klebsiella spp (16.7%), Proteus spp. (7.3%), Enterobacter spp. (6.3%), Escherichia coli (2.1%), and Staphylococcus spp (14.6%), Bacillus spp. (11.5%) and Mycobacterium spp. (1%). Most of the organisms identified were enterobacteria indicating probable faecal contamination of the milk as a result of poor hygiene. Most of the bacteria identified in the milk sampled are potential foodborne pathogens, and though some of them occurred in few samples, the practice of pooling milk from different sources by traders, and the absence of pasteurization generally observed among them could increase the risk posed by such organisms. Conclusion: The study has shown that informally marketed raw milk in the two cities could be an important source of infection with a wide range of organisms, particularly enterobacteria. There is the need for instituting effective control measures including improved hygienic handling of milk and its pasteurization to protect public health.

Source: UG