ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Young Men on the Move to Polish Shoes in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

In sub-Saharan Africa, young unemployed persons often migrate to the cities in search of employment, especially in the informal sector. This paper focuses on young migrants in the shoe-shine business which is common in Ghana but has attracted little or no research over the years. The study, which is guided by the migration networks theory and a conceptual framework on migration of young people to the urban informal sector, shows that the main motive for migrating is economic. There are migration networks which make it possible for new members to join the business. Most of the young migrants claim they have personally benefted from the business and are able to cater for their households better than before, while others have invested their earnings in various small projects at the places of origin, which has created some employment for others in the community. It is recommended that the government and the relevant stakeholders should occasionally organize entrepreneurship training for the shoe-shine operators to enable them operate eﬀectively and sustain their business.

Source: UCC
Young people on the margins: in need of more choices and more chances in twenty-first century Scotland

The aim of this study was to find out more about the lives of young people in the category ‘not in education, employment or training’ (NEET). We worked intensively with 26 young people in four smaller groups, spending three days with each group. During our time with them we engaged in a variety of creative and artistic activities designed to help them to construct accounts of their lives for us with the purpose of gaining an understanding of what it was like to be NEET. Three significant issues that emerged from these life stories are discussed in this paper. These are the problematic nature of the discourse of NEET sub-groups; the challenges of school-exclusion policies and practices; and the myth of low aspirations.

Source: UCC
Youth and pornography in Ghana: An ethical perspective

Technology has caused more harm than good in Ghana to some extent. This is in view of the falling standards in moral foundations of children and youth in Ghana. In the recent years, youngsters are exposed to pornographic materials easily since internet and online materials are freely available in the name of freedom of speech. Pornography remains a socio-ethical topic not only in Ghana but also in many countries. This paper joins the discourse to examine the impact of pornographic consumption in Ghana from the ethical perspectives of Christianity. The findings revealed that the consumption of pornographic materials by the youth in Ghana has negative impact on their attitude, behavior and moral foundation

Source: UCC
Youth Livelihoods in the Cell phone Era: Perspectives from Urban Africa.

Issues surrounding youth employment and unemployment are central to the next development decade. Understanding how youth use mobile phones as a means of communicating and exchanging information about employment and livelihoods is particularly important given the prominence of mobile phone use in young lives. This paper explores and reflects on youth phone usage in Ghana, Malawi and South Africa, drawing on mixed‐methods research with young people aged approximately 9–25 years, in 12 (high density) urban and peri‐urban sites. Comparative work across these sites offers evidence of both positive and negative impacts. The final section of the paper considers policy implications. © 2018 The Authors Journal of International Development Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Source: UCC
Youth livelihoods in the cellphone era: perspectives from urban Africa

Issues surrounding youth employment and unemployment are central to the next development decade. Understanding how youth use mobile phones as a means of communicating and exchanging information about employment and livelihoods is particularly important given the prominence of mobile phone use in young lives. This paper explores and reflects on youth phone usage in Ghana, Malawi and South Africa, drawing on mixed-methods research with young people aged approximately 9–25 years, in 12 (high density) urban and peri-urban sites. Comparative work across these sites offers evidence of both positive and negative impacts. The final section of the paper considers policy implications

Source: UCC
Youth, mobility and mobile phones in Africa: findings from a three-country study

The penetration of mobile phones into sub-Saharan Africa has occurred with amazing rapidity: for many young people, they now represent a very significant element of their daily life. This paper explores usage and perceived impacts among young people aged c. 9–18 years in three countries: Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. Our evidence comes from intensive qualitative research with young people, their parents, teachers and other key informants (in-depth interviews, focus groups and school essays) and a follow-up questionnaire survey administered to nearly 3000 young people in 24 study sites. The study was conducted in eight different sites in each country (i.e. urban, peri-urban, rural and remote rural sites in each of two agro-ecological zones), enabling comparison of experiences in diverse spatial contexts. The evidence, collected within a broader research study of child mobility, allows us to examine current patterns of usage among young people with particular attention to the way these are emerging in different locational contexts and to explore connections between young people’s phone usage, virtual and physical mobilities and broader implications for social change. The issues of gender and inter-generational relations are important elements in this account.

Source: UCC
Youth, mobility and mobile phones in Africa: findings from a three-country study

The penetration of mobile phones into sub-Saharan Africa has occurred with amazing rapidity: for many young people, they now represent a very significant element of their daily life. This paper explores usage and perceived impacts among young people aged c. 9–18 years in three countries: Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. Our evidence comes from intensive qualitative research with young people, their parents, teachers and other key informants (in-depth interviews, focus groups and school essays) and a follow-up questionnaire survey administered to nearly 3000 young people in 24 study sites. The study was conducted in eight different sites in each country (i.e. urban, peri-urban, rural and remote rural sites in each of two agro-ecological zones), enabling comparison of experiences in diverse spatial contexts. The evidence, collected within a broader research study of child mobility, allows us to examine current patterns of usage among young people with particular attention to the way these are emerging in different locational contexts and to explore connections between young people’s phone usage, virtual and physical mobilities and broader implications for social change. The issues of gender and inter-generational relations are important elements in this account

Source: UCC
‘Youthscapes’ and escapes in rural Africa: education, mobility and livelihood trajectories for young people in Ghana, Malawi and South Africa

This paper focuses on the linkages between education, mobility and livelihood potential for young people in rural areas of three sub-Saharan countries: Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. Young peoples’ lives in rural locations are commonly shaped by both economic and political exclusions: poverty and lack of voice. Their labour contributions are usually crucial to family farm production from an early age, but the work is mostly unpaid and controlled by other household members. Moreover, the work contributions required of young people affect their educational attainment: school attendance is regularly delayed,impeded and curtailed by work demands. In the context of limited educational opportunities in rural areas and often very negative perceptions of agriculture among today’s youth, the competing attractions offered by escape to the city are enormous. However, as our case studies illustrate, in the context of work demands, restricted basic education and poverty, the potential for escape, whether to secondary education or city jobs, is limited and usually highly gendered. We draw principally on rich ethnographic material from recent interviews with children and young people, their parents, teachers and other key informants

Source: UCC
Zipper Failure in the Clothing Industry in Ghana

The zipper is by far the most widespread fastener, and is found almost everywhere, installed on clothing, luggage, leather goods, and various other objects. However, a casual observation of zippers used in the clothing industry in Ghana shows that zippers on the market easily fail during use. The aim of the study was to examine zipper failure in the clothing industry in Ghana. The objectives are to assess the effect of zipper type on zipper failure; identify the nature of zipper failure in the clothing industry and to determine the usual cause of zipper failure in the clothing industry. The research design used was cross-sectional survey and the simple random sampling technique was used to sample 325 tailors, dressmakers and fashion students from the Cape Coast Metropolis for their views on zipper failure in the clothing industry in Ghanaian. The main findings of the study were: the type of zipper that usually failed was regular zippers. The nature of zipper failure in garments frequently occurred through teeth separation. Finally the study indicated that the commonest cause of zipper failure was garment fit. The study therefore recommends that dressmakers should upgrade their skills on appropriate garment fit and correct zipper selection to reduce zipper failure.

Source: UCC
Ziziphus abyssinica hydro-ethanolic root bark extract attenuates acute inflammation possibly through membrane stabilization and inhibition of protein denaturation and neutrophil degranulation

Background: Despite the widespread use of Ziziphus abyssinica (ZAE) roots and claims of its efficacy against diverse inflammatory conditions in traditional medicine, there is paucity of information on the scientific basis for its folkloric use. Objectives: The current study evaluated the anti-inflammatory property of the root bark extract of ZAE and its possible mechanism(s) of action in in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity of ZAE was assessed in vitro using heat and hypotonic solution – induced haemolysis as well as egg albumin (EA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assays. Carrageenan and formalin-induced paw oedema and carrageenan-induced peritonitis in rats were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of the extract in vivo. Results: ZAE (100, 300 and 1000 µg/mL) significantly inhibited heat and hypotonic solution-induced haemolysis as well as EA and BSA-induced denaturation. ZAE (300 mg/kg, p.o.) similar to diclofenac (10 mg/kg, p.o.), significantly (P<0.05) reduced paw oedema by 40.77±6.82 and 54.81 ± 3.74% respectively in carrageenan-induced paw oedema test. The percentage inhibitions produced by ZAE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) were 3.31±22.12, 49.89±2.98 and 76.98±0.50 % respectively compared to 80.51±0.53 % produced by diclofenac (10 mg/kg, p.o.) in the formalin-induced paw oedema test. Massive recruitment of leukocytes (mainly neutrophils) into the peritoneal cavity of the rats by carrageenan was significantly (P<0.01) reduced by ZAE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg p.o.) and dexamethasone (5 mg/kg, p.o.). Conclusions: The inhibitory effect of ZAE against acute inflammation in this study provides scientific basis for its use in folk medicine and reveals its potential as a source of novel anti-inflammatory agent.

Source: UCC
Ŋku in the funeral traditions of the bakpɛle: Systemization and documentation

The Bakpɛle (Likpe), in the Hohoe District, is one of the Guan speaking groups of the Volta Region. This research, which was carried out between August, 2013 and June, 2016, consists of studying Ŋku (dirges) as part of their funeral traditions. Following an initial study, I realized that Ŋku have not been given substantial ethnographic systemization and documentation. Analysing the problem of how ethnographically under-researched this topic area is, this study sets out to present a methodical documentation on the nature and structure of the genre. Research methodology included different interviews alongside participant observation, audio visual recordings, and library research. Recorded samples of songs were aggregated into sacred and secular components of lament and dance tunes while discussing the communicative and symbolic meanings underlying these songs. The study points out that the Bakpɛle’s worldview on death relates the genre of which the latter impacts and ties the attitudes and behavioural fabrics of the entire Bakpɛle society that it serves. In addition to the paucity of documentation on Ŋku, some major social elements have been found to have adversely affected their trend of performance in recent times. In view of these findings, the thesis recommends continuous performance of Ŋku during the Bakpɛle funerals for the sake of preservation and sustenance. It also recommends that bereaved families of the various funerals gather at a designated place to receive mourners and visitors amidst the singing of dirges, as a way of improving funeral performances among the Bakpɛle.

Source: UCC
β-carotene-fortified gari: processing variables effect on nutritional and sensory qualities

Different proportions of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) were used to substitute cassava mash and fermented spontaneously to produce composite gari—a grittycrispy ready-to-eat food product. Both the amount of OFSP and the fermentation duration (FD) caused significant increases in the β-carotene content of the composite gari. OFSP addition reduced the luminance while roasting made the composite gari yellower when compared with the cake used. Addition of OFSP negatively affected the swelling capacity of the gari although not significant. The taste, texture, flavor, and the overall preferences for the composite gari decreased due to the addition of the OFSP but FD improved them. The sample with 10% OFSP and FD of 1.81 days was found to produce the optimal gari. One portion of the optimal gari would contribute to 34.75, 23.2, 23.2, 27, 17, and 16% of vitamin A requirements among children, adolescent, adult males, adult females, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, respectively. The study demonstrated that partial substitution of cassava with OFSP for gari production would have the potential to fight the high prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency among less developed regions of Africa

Source: UCC
β-Glucan enhances antitumor immune responses by regulating differentiation and function of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accumulate in tumor-bearing hosts and play a major role in tumor-induced immunosuppression, which hampers effective immuno- therapeutic approaches. β-Glucans have been reported to function as potent immuno- modulators to stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses, which contributes to their antitumor property. Here, we investigated the effect of particulate β-glucans on MDSCs and found that β-glucan treatment could promote the differentiation of M-MDSCs (monocytic MDSCs) into a more mature CD11c+ F4/80+ Ly6Clow population via dectin-1 pathway in vitro, which is NF-κB dependent, and the suppressive function of M-MDSCs was significantly decreased. Treatment of orally administered yeast-derived particu- late β-glucan drastically downregulated MDSCs but increased the infiltrated DCs and macrophages in tumor-bearing mice, thus eliciting CTL and Th1 responses, inhibiting the suppressive activity of regulatory T cells, thereby leading to the delayed tumor progres- sion. We show here for the first time that β-glucans induce the differentiation of MDSCs and inhibit the regulatory function of MDSCs, therefore revealing a novel mechanism for β-glucans in immunotherapy and suggesting their potential clinical benefit.

Source: UCC
5G enabled technologies for smart education

5G technology use cases depicts the prospects of 5G network model to revolutionize Industry and Education is not an exception. The 5G model in general is made up of three main blocks: Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Massive Machine Type Communication and Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communication. Within these blocks are the services 5G offers to users. In this paper, we focus on Educational users as beneficiaries of 5G technologies. The modern day Educational Institutions can benefit from the deployment of 5G-enabled services adapted to this sector. We proposed frameworks relating 5G and its disruptive technologies in advancing tools that will propel the idea of a Smart Educational System. This paper hence provides a comprehensive discussion on 5G technologies that will facilitate new teaching and learning trends in Educational environment. � Science and Information Organization.

Source: UEW
7.379 % POWER CONVERSION EFFICIENCY OF A NUMERICALLY SIMULATED SOLID STATE DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR CELL WITH COPPER (I) THIOCYANATE AS A HOLE CONDUCTOR�

Sourcing for alternative to liquid electrolyte in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been the subject of interest in the photovoltaic horizon. Herein, we reported by means of simulation, the performance of dye sensitized solar cell by replacing liquid electrolyte with a copper (I) thiocyanate (CuSCN) hole conductor. The study was carried out using Solar Capacitance Simulation Software (SCAPS) which is based on poisson and continuity equations. The simulation was done based on a n-i-p proposed architecture of FTO/TiO2/N719/CuSCN/Pt. Result of the initial device gave a Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE), Fill Factor (FF), Short Circuit Current Density (Jsc) and Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) of 5.71 %, 78.32 %, 6.23 mAcm-2, and 1.17 V. After optimizing input parameters to obtain 1�109 cm-2 for CuSCN/N719 interface defect density, 280 K for temperature, 1.0 ?m for N719 dye thickness, 0.4 ?m for TiO2 thickness, Pt for metal back contact, and 0.2 ?m for CuSCN thickness, the overall device performance of 7.379 % for PCE, 77.983 % for FF, 7.185 mAcm-2 for Jsc and 1.317 V for Voc were obtained. When compared with the initial device, the optimized results showed an enhanced performance of ~ 1.29 times, 1.15 times, and 1.13 times in PCE, Jsc and Voc over the initial device. The results obtained are encouraging and the findings will serve as baseline to researchers involved in the fabrication of novel high-performance solid state DSSCs to realize its appealing nature for industry scalability. � E. Danladi, M. Kashif, T. O. Daniel, C.U. Achem, M. Alpha, M. Gyan, 2022.

Source: UEW
Abelengro a contemporary art music composition based on abele genre

The study adopts the idea of music acculturation through fieldwork to consciously document the elements of the Abele music of the Yeji people of the Brong-Ahafo Region and fusing it with the Western compositional techniques to create a relatively atonal programmed music of the African and more especially the Yeji tradition. The study was conducted among the people of Yeji traditional area in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. It adopted creative ethnomusicology principles and the syncretic approach to create a hybrid novelty called Abelengro. It is concluded that, we have rich sources to create works of our own (African descent). It also highlights the analysis of the novelty created thereby building a platform for the possibility of future research into other musical forms in traditional music

Source: UEW
Ablodewu an original composition derived from compositional techniques of kinka in avenorpedo in the Volta Region of Ghana

Unlike choral art and popular music, the military band is still hooked to its umbilical cord of using fundamentally Western music as its repertoire. It has been my strongest desire that a sensitization be done on the need to adopt and adapt our rich cultural heritage to ensure that our military band music also becomes part of the global musical discourse. This quest ignited the study that focused on the Kinka genre of the Avenorpedo people of the Volta Region in Ghana. The research took a study of Kinka genre’s generative processes featuring its origin, instrumental resources, rhythmic basis, vocal techniques, melodic, polyphonic and speech principles. These resources were creatively explored and blended with Western contemporary art music compositional techniques fused with military band tenets to come out with a hybrid innovation that maintains an African identity. The novel military band piece is titled Abl42e3u. It comprises four movements– Banyinyi, Husego, Kinka3u and Kinata–whose instrumentation formula is full band/woodwind/brass/full-band. Very significant is the ethno-musicological dimension intended to deepen the appreciation and understanding of the Anl4 E3e and their traditional music in general to the other world of art musicians. In addition, it is hoped that the piece will encourage creativity among not only military bandmasters, but also other Ghanaian art composers in writing music for the country’s regimental bands. Finally, it is intended to augment the repertoire of contemporary art music of Ghana.

Source: UEW
Aboveground biomass, carbon storage and fuel values of bambusa vulgaris, oxynanteria abbyssinica and bambusa vulgaris var.vitata plantations in the Bobiri forest reserve of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to investigate the recommended species of bamboo culms to be harvested for the production of charcoal. The objectives of the study were; first, to compare the stand distribution of Bambusa vulgaris, Oxynanteria abbyssinica and Bambusa vulgaris var. vitata; second, to estimate the aboveground biomass and carbon storage in different components of the bamboo species; third, to develop allometric models that can be used to estimate the aboveground biomass of the bamboo species and fourth, to compare the fuel values of carbonized bamboo species grown in the Bobiri Forest Reserve. Culms were classified and counted according to their ages in five 0.01ha (10m×10m) sub-plots. Weights of components of all 45 samples were taken. The total biomass and carbon storage were determined. The stand density for B. vulgaris, B. vulgaris var. vitata and Oxynanteria abbyssinica was 7071, 6267 and 3325 culmsha-1, respectively. The aboveground biomass stored in B. vulgaris (115t ha-1) was 61% higher than in B. vulgaris var. vitata (71t ha-1) and was 27-fold that of Oxynanteria abbyssinica. The carbon storage in B. vulgaris standing in aboveground biomass was 50.76ha-1 which is 15%, 24%, 44%, 71% and 2.5% more than that of logged forest, unlogged forest intact swamp forest, degraded forest and deforested areas, respectively, in Ghana. The diameter at breast height of the bamboo culm predicted the aboveground biomass well with the R2 values in the range 0.596 – 0.998. The gross calorific values of the raw culms were in the range of 16.22MJkg-1 to 17.23MJkg-1 and were comparable to the heating values of most grasses and straws, tropical and sub-tropical tree species. Carbonized bamboo was 27%-557% higher in energy intensity than the raw bamboo. Intensification of bamboo plantation and utilization in Ghana therefore could potentially contribute substantially to carbon mitigation and sustainable energy production.

Source: UEW