ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Slum Health in Ghana: A Study of Old Fadama in the Accra Metropolis

Thousands of Ghanaians live in slums to make ends meet. However, the social and environmental conditions slum dwellers live in expose them to several health issues, an issue insufficiently studied. The study investigated how individual characteristics and shared social-physical environment define the health of slum residents in Old Fadama. The study adopted a mixed-method approach, and 306 household heads were selected. Six (6) key informants were included. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed with a questionnaire and interview guide used to get data. The quantitative analysis was done using SPSS, covering both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. A thematic content analysis was carried out using the Nvivo software. The study found malaria, cholera, tuberculousis, hepatitis, dangue fever, and pneumonia, as the most prevailing health challenges in the area. The study unearthed poor sanitation, bad road network, informal settlement as what slum dwellers perceived as factors that affect their health status. It was also found out that infrastructure, public services, and housing characteristics are the shared social-physical environment factors that explain the health of slum dwellers in the area. The strategies adopted by residents to cope with prevailing healthrelated problems included “Borrowing from friends and selling assets to cope with huge health expenditures,” “Working for long hours to make more money,” and “Reducing excessive food consumption spending,”. It is, therefore, recommended that governments and other stakeholders should educate residents of the study area on the associated dangers. It also suggested that governments should pay attention to the following issues: poor sanitation, bad road network, informal settlement.

Source: UCC
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Owner Capability and Poverty Alleviation in the Central Region of Ghana

Despite the significant contribution of SMEs in the country, their ability to alleviate poverty is often limited by owners’ skills and capability gaps. This study sought to assess the role that owner capability plays in ensuring the alleviation of poverty Ghana’s Central Region. This study specifically assessed how the three major capabilities namely educational capability, economic capability and social capability impacts poverty alleviation. It employed quantitative approach using an explanatory design. SME owners within the study area were given questionnaires. Responses in the study were analysed utilizing both inferential and descriptive statistical tools. The study revealed a positive substantial impact of educational capability on poverty alleviation, it further found a positive substantial impact of social capability on poverty alleviation. Economic capability also had a positive substantial impact on poverty alleviation. The study recommended that, management should emphasize on putting measures in place to provide some formal education and training necessary to SME owners. SME owners should attend business development programmes and other workshops in order to acquire the expertise required to run their businesses. Also, it further recommends that, SME owners should embark on initiatives that would enable them establish relationship with all key partners in their industry. The study finally recommends that SME owners, managers as well as business development centres should ensure that they keep an up-to-date information about the economy. Small and medium enterprise owners should be trained on the various financial products available on the market to enable them utilised the appropriate ones for their business growth and development to help alleviate poverty.

Source: UCC
Small business owners' attitude towards tax stamp: A case study of taxpayers in Sekondi

This study was undertaken to examine the attitude of small business owners towards the Tax Stamp System in Sekondi in the Western Region of Ghana. The study assessed the level of knowledge of the nuances of the Tax Stamp as well as their level of compliance. The study also investigated the problems in the payment and collection of the Tax Stamp. Using a descriptive survey method, 184 respondents in the informal sector in designated areas of Sekondi were conveniently selected for the study. They included persons such as shop owners, dress makers and hair dressers. Questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents. The main findings of the study indicate a general highlevel awareness of the Tax Stamp among the respondents. It was also found that compliance to taxation among the informal sector was quite high contrary to the perception that they are untaxed. Again, it was found that logistical constraints, lack of training and corruption still remained the main challenges to tax collection in the study area. In view of this it was recommended that adequate logistics should be provided to aid the effectiveness of tax collection in the informal sector.

Source: UCC
Small scale farmers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the fertilizer subsidy programme in the Sene West and Sene East districts of the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana

While remaining the most important sector of Ghana’s economy, agriculture in Ghana faces the challenge of making substantial progress in maintaining food security because average yields remain stagnant. This is attributable to limited use of modern inputs, such as fertilizer and improved seed, and due also to the rapid decline in Africa’s soil fertility status. Since its inception in 2008, that is six years to date, Ghana’s fertilizer subsidy programme has undergone a number of evaluations including those of IFPRI (2012), Yawson et al (2010) and Banful (2008). These evaluations however, fell short of the views and perceptions of the beneficiaries, including those of the study area of this research. Consequently, this study was carried out employing a descriptivesurvey approach in which data were collected from 140 beneficiaries using a proportionate stratified random sampling method in the Sene-West and Sene-East districts in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The results of the study revealed that the respondents rated the overall level of participation in the programme’s decision making as 1.5 which is considered very low. Generally, the effectiveness was also considered low. It is thus recommended that policy makers and programme organizers should as a matter of urgency make a time-bound commitment to the programme, think critically about the funding, rigorous estimation of quantities as well as distribution mechanisms backed by actionable maps with timelines.

Source: UCC
Small scale maize farmers and application of improved agricultural technologies: A case Study of Ejura-Sekyeoomasi district of Ghana

This thesis examines the issue of small scale farmers' application of improved agricultural technologies, The study concentrates on small scale maize production, a major rural activity in Ghana, and seeks [Q assess farmers' supply response resulting from th~ application of improved maize produc[lon technologies. Several studies on fanners' supply response e'dst However. most of these studies often concentrated upon farmers' response to price changes hence the exclu~ive focus on price factors as the major variable in e.xplaining farmers' supply responses. This present study posired that ~non-price" factors In particular applic3[1()n of improved technologies are major determinants of agflcultural supply - Thn:... improved maize production technologIes, namely, plaming of improved variety (I) application of chemical fertiliur (II) and tractor ploughing (lJI} and combina[iuns of these technologies were investigated, Results of rhe survey revealed [hat: first, rhe planung of improved variet)' (I) was the most commonly applied of rhe improved maize producrion rechnologies Second, the prevailing governmem economic policies were [he most irnponan( factor influencing the levels of application of improved maize production technologies. Fifty ei,ght per cem of the respondents applied the combInation uf all three !echnologies ([ + 1I + III), 22 per cent applied two out of the Ihree technologies ([ + 1I, I + III, II + III) whilst 20 per cent applied only one Th!rd, the application of the improved maize production technologies (I, 1I and 1I1) did not significantly influence the quantity of maize supplied (QS I. Rather, gross margtn (GM) and fann size (R) were the significant factors that influenced the quantity of maize supplied (QS) The study thus shows that small scale maize farmers In (he stuJy ar~a need to be encouraged to improve on theIr farm SlleS. Govenunenl shOUld also provide the requisite education and demonstration through the development of stronger relationship between small scale farmers and extensIOn agents.

Source: UCC
Small – scale industries and poverty reduction in rural Ghana: A study of the basket weaving industry in the Bolgatanga Municipality

The study assessed the contribution of the basket weaving industry to poverty reduction in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The study covered 206 weavers, five leather workers, five straw sellers, two dye sellers, two exporting companies and three institutions that support the basket weaving industry. The study used accidental and purposive sampling methods and employed the exploratory research design. The main research instruments used for the data collection were interview schedule, interview guide and focus group discussion guide, while the SPSS was used for the data analysis. The study revealed income as the main motivation for weaving. The long standing problem of inadequate credit due to high interest rates and stringent collateral requirements involved in accessing bank loans as well as the low performance of promotional institutions affected the development of the industry in the municipality. The study recommended; the coming together of all stakeholders in the industry to determine a common price for the baskets so as to enhance the income of the weavers; the formation of weavers’ groups to access micro credits to purchase raw materials to ensure continuous production of the baskets as well as the extension of the services of the promotional institutions to cover the weavers in their strides to reduce poverty.

Source: UCC
Smallholder farmers’ preferences for improved cocoa technologies in Ghana

The cocoa (Theobroma cocoa Linn.) is the main foreign exchange earner and the backbone of the Ghanaian economy. However, over the years the production levels begun to dwindle and in the attempt to resuscitate the industry, the government introduced a technology package and social intervention to address it. The technology package consists of 25 unique attributes (classes of characteristics or components), of which some farmers adopted test part of it and left out others. The study seeks to determine socioeconomic factors influencing farmers’ choice decision process and preferences for attributes of the technology packages. The results from the multinomial logit regression model revealed that availability of labour, gender, farm size, age of the cocoa farm, years of cocoa farm ownership and number of cocoa bags harvested per annum are the key variables influencing farmers’ choices. Moreover, farmers who have long experience in cocoa cultivation and have had some form of training on the technology packages have high probability to adopt entire categories or classes of the technology package. Thus, institutional policy arrangement which emphasizes on training and targeting experience farmers will go a long way to enhance production level in the country

Source: UCC
Smallholder vegetable farmers‘ perceptions and willingness to accept agribusiness model innovation: a study in central region of ghana

An agribusiness model provides farmers with a significant production and marketing edge, which helps them enjoy better livelihoods. The main objective of the research was to analyse Smallholder Vegetable Farmers‘ Perceptions and Willingness to accept an Agribusiness Model Innovation (AMI). The study was carried out in two communities in the central region of Ghana namely; Ayensudo and Dehia. The study was guided by four objectives which were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. 250 farmers were selected for the study through purposive sampling. Primary data was utilised through a questionnaire. Results from the study revealed that farmers in Ayensudo were more likely to be aware of contract farming and out-grower schemes while farmers in Dehia were more aware of supply chain management. Farmers perceived sustainable agribusiness innovation to be an effective means of achieving optimum productivity. However, these model innovations were not compatible with most farmers‘ socio-cultural beliefs and values. Also, landholding status, access to finance, householding status, and perception were significant predictors of farmers‘ willingness to accept AMI. In conclusion, vegetable farmers in the Central Region showed a high level of acceptance of the agribusiness model innovations but financial services had difficulty in accessing them. The study recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture through the Government of Ghana should help provide financial support to smallholder farmers through microloans and credit facilities designed to facilitate their investment in AMI.

Source: UCC
Smartphone use and the Dining out Experience: A Survey of Restaurant Patrons in the Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis

This study explored the use of smartphone in dining out experience, from the perspectives of restaurant patrons in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. The study conveniently sampled 400 diners across 26 restaurants in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Almost all the respondents were aged 18 years or over and had been using a smartphone for the last 12 months. The data was processed using SPSS version 21 for analysis and discussion. The results of the study revealed that guests rely on the smartphone to make dining decisions – from finding restaurants and browsing menus, to reading reviews as they make up their minds to dine out. When it comes to using phones for dining–related purposes during the meal, a good proportion say they use their smartphones for photo-taking and social media sharing. Finally, the most common post-dining smartphone usage reported by the respondents includes sharing the experience on social media and interacting with a restaurant’s loyalty program. At the restaurant, the smartphone was used to stay connected while dining, electronic payment and self-entertainment. For post dining purposes, smartphones were used to save and share dining memories. Based on the findings, it was concluded that restaurants can benefit uniquely from Social Networks (SNS) by using them as showcases for food, explaining the origins of menu items, and even showing videos of chefs in action. One technique recommended is that restaurants should endeavor to post beautiful pictures of the dishes because people enjoy looking at artful food.

Source: UCC
Sms and the electronic media: A discourse analysis of text messages on radio panel discussions in Ghana

Over the last two decades, linguistic studies on texting have largely focused on person-to-person practices such that the use of text messages in other language domains, for instance the electronic media, is largely under-researched. To fill the gap, the present study examined the discourse of SMS messages posted during radio panel discussions in Ghana in order to determine whether the messages could be labelled as a special discourse type. The study was based on a corpus of approximately five hundred (500) messages collected within a period of three months from panel discussions of Joy FM and Peace FM, both in Ghana. Drawing on the concept of Virtual Community of Practice and Uses and Gratifications Theory, the study indicated that radio panel discussion texting is typified by four basic discourse features that served not only as shortening strategies but also as means to demonstrate the dexterity of texters in their use of language. Further, the study showed that posting messages on radio panel discussions is motivated by six major gratifications, prominent among which are ideological formations and expressions of dissatisfaction about personal, social and national issues. First, these findings characterise texting on radio panel discussions as a unique discourse type. Second, the findings reveal the nature of public discourse on radio panel discussions in Ghana. Thus, these findings bear theoretical and pedagogical implications as well as raise concerns for media practice.

Source: UCC
SNARE Protein Syntaxin-1 Colocalizes Closely with NMDA Receptor Subunit NR2B in Postsynaptic Spines in the Hippocampus

Syntaxins are a family of membrane-integrated proteins that are instrumental in exocytosis of vesicles. Syntaxin-1 is an essential component of the presynaptic exocytotic fusion machinery in the brain and interacts with several other proteins. Syntaxin-1 forms a four-helical bundle complex with proteins SNAP-25 and VAMP2 that drives fusion of vesicles with the plasma membrane in the active zone (AZ). Little is known, however, about the ultrastructural localization of syntaxin-1 at the synapse. We have analyzed the intrasynaptic expression of syntaxin-1 in glutamatergic hippocampal synapses in detail by using quantitative postembedding immunogold labeling. Syntaxin-1 was present in highest concentrations at the presynaptic AZ, supporting its role in transmitter release. Presynaptic plasma membrane lateral to the AZ, as well as presynaptic cytoplasmic (PreCy) vesicles were also labeled. However, syntaxin-1 was also significantly expressed in postsynaptic spines, where it was localized at the postsynaptic density (PSD), at postsynaptic lateral membranes and in postsynaptic cytoplasm. Postsynaptically, syntaxin-1 colocalized in the nanometer range with the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR2B, but only weakly with the AMPA receptor subunits GluA2/3. This observation points to the possibility that syntaxin-1 may be involved with NR2B vesicular trafficking from cytoplasmic stores to the postsynaptic plasma membrane, thus facilitating synaptic plasticity. Confocal immunofluorescence double labeling with PSD-95 and ultrastructural fractionation of synaptosomes also confirm localization of syntaxin-1 at the PSD.

Source: UCC
SNARE Protein Syntaxin-1 ColocaSlizes Closely with NMDA Receptor Subunit NR2B in Postsynaptic Spines in the Hippocampus

Syntaxins are a family of membrane-integrated proteins that are instrumental in exocytosis of vesicles. Syntaxin-1 is an essential component of the presynaptic exocytotic fusion machinery in the brain and interacts with several other proteins. Syntaxin-1 forms a four-helical bundle complex with proteins SNAP-25 and VAMP2 that drives fusion of vesicles with the plasma membrane in the active zone (AZ). Little is known, however, about the ultrastructural localization of syntaxin-1 at the synapse. We have analyzed the intrasynaptic expression of syntaxin-1 in glutamatergic hippocampal synapses in detail by using quantitative postembedding immunogold labeling. Syntaxin-1 was present in highest concentrations at the presynaptic AZ, supporting its role in transmitter release. Presynaptic plasma membrane lateral to the AZ, as well as presynaptic cytoplasmic (PreCy) vesicles were also labeled. However, syntaxin-1 was also significantly expressed in postsynaptic spines, where it was localized at the postsynaptic density (PSD), at postsynaptic lateral membranes and in postsynaptic cytoplasm. Postsynaptically, syntaxin-1 colocalized in the nanometer range with the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR2B, but only weakly with the AMPA receptor subunits GluA2/3. This observation points to the possibility that syntaxin-1 may be involved with NR2B vesicular trafficking from cytoplasmic stores to the postsynaptic plasma membrane, thus facilitating synaptic plasticity. Confocal immunofluorescence double labeling with PSD-95 and ultrastructural fractionation of synaptosomes also confirm localization of syntaxin-1 at the PSD.

Source: UCC
Social acceptance as a guidance for permitting quarries in Ghana: A case study of Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is confronted with the problem of land litigation which is as a result of a number of activities including quarrying. This study set out to examine social acceptance as a guideline for permitting quarries in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. The study was both explorative and descriptive and aimed at going beyond existing information and delved into the unknown and brought to the fore what indeed the problem was and possibly identifies the causes and how they could be addressed. It covered 100 respondents selected through simple random sampling, systematic sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The main data collection techniques were in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The data were processed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 16. It was revealed from the study that though granite, the main resource for quarrying was found on the land belonging to the communities, they were not consulted in the process of granting permits to prospective proponents. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delayed the process for acquiring the environmental permit through the completion of the application form. It was recommended that traditional leaders (chiefs) and land owners should be adequately informed on quarry processes, the EPA should get a desk officer to help prospective proponents complete their application form, the Minerals Commission should educate proponents on the payment of royalties and the Assembly should adequately inform the communities on issues concerning notices published on quarry operations within the locality to promote social acceptance.

Source: UCC
Social and academic challenges of adolescents in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis

This study was done to investigate the social and academic challenges of adolescents in senior high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. A descriptive research design was employed. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was established using the Cronbach alpha method. Reliability coefficient obtained was .72. A sample of 367 respondents was selected from five public senior high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis via purposive, stratified and simple random sampling procedures. The quantitative data were analyzed using means and standard deviations, independent samples t-test and one way analysis of variance, ANOVA. The study revealed that generally, students in senior high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis were faced with many social and academic challenges. Furthermore, the study revealed that there were significant differences in the social and academic challenges of adolescents on the basis of gender, age and class levels. It was therefore, recommended that counsellors should be more sensitized about the challenges the students in the senior high schools face. Also, housemasters, housemistresses, teachers, parents and other stakeholders should play a significant role by putting measures in place to assist adolescents in their social and academic challenges. The study also includes implications for counselling.

Source: UCC