ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Rural Entrepreneurship in African Countries: A Synthesis of Related Literature

The paper focuses on rural entrepreneurship and its implication for the practice of entrepreneurship as anarea of study and practice in Africa. The paper surveys the entrepreneurship literature using the case study approach. The authors in their synthesis of the related literature found out that the field of rural entrepreneurship is an emerging theme in African economic development. In addition, most that exist have varying themes, focus, epistemological view and different units of analysis. The paper concludes that such diversity may have contributed to the lack of success in the rural development polices implemented by most governments in Africa and the inability of most governments to focus and develop rural entrepreneurship. Thus, it is recommended that researchers should, in the future, identify common themes that will help proffer solutions for the development of entrepreneurial enterprises in rural Africa

Source: UCC
Rural livelihood diversification and agricultural household welfare in Ghana

Sufficient time has elapsed since agricultural sector reforms got underway in Ghana and so this study examined how some selected proxies of the reforms have changed overtime and evaluated their relative importance in influencing rural livelihood diversification and household welfare. In doing this, data was pooled from the 1991/1992 and 2005/2006 Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) and the endogenous switching regression technique was employed. Diversified households and less diversified households differed significantly in terms of variables related to household assets, markets and institutions. Both household welfare and rural non-farm diversification decisions are mostly driven by household assets including good health, education, and household age composition. Households who live in communities with access to fertilizers, public transports and local produce markets are more likely to engage in non-farm diversification and enjoy improved welfare. The importance of access to TV and radio as effective mass media tools in influencing household behavior is underscored in the analysis. Targeting interventions that enhance livelihood diversification would ultimately have a positive impact on household welfare.

Source: UCC
Rural practice preferences among medical students in Ghana: a discrete choice experiment

Objective To determine how specific job attributes influenced fourth year medical students’ stated preference for hypothetical rural job postings in Ghana. Methods Based on discussions with medical student focus groups and physicians in practice and in the Ministry of Health, we created a discrete choice experiment (DCE) that assessed how students’ stated preference for certain rural postings was influenced by various job attributes: a higher salary, free superior housing, an educational allowance for children, improved equipment, supportive management, shorter contracts before study leave and a car. We conducted the DCE among all fourth year medical students in Ghana using a brief structured questionnaire and used mixed logit models to estimate the utility of each job attribute. Findings Complete data for DCE analysis were available for 302 of 310 (97%) students. All attribute parameter estimates differed significantly from zero and had the expected signs. In the main effects mixed logit model, improved equipment and supportive management were most strongly associated with job preference (= 1.42; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.17 to 1.66, and = 1.17; 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.39, respectively), although shorter contracts and salary bonuses were also associated. Discontinuing the provision of basic housing had a large negative influence ( = -1.59; 95% CI: -1.88 to -1.31). In models including gender interaction terms, women’s preferences were more influenced by supportive management and men’s preferences by superior housing. Conclusion Better working conditions were strongly associated with the stated choice of hypothetical rural postings among fourth year Ghanaian medical students. Studies are needed to find out whether job attributes determine the actual uptake of rural jobs by graduating physicians

Source: UCC
Rural-urban migration and household livelihoods in the Agona West Municipality, Ghana

This thesis examines the interrelationships between migration and rural livelihoods in the Agona West Municipality. The central argument of the study is that remittances from migrants’ affect the livelihood of the households left behind in the Agona West Municipality. The study employed descriptive design drawn from both the positivist and interpretive research design using the interview schedules and FGDs respectively. Among the migrants, males constituted the majority (54.8%) in the three villages and that majority of them were within the age group 20-30. It was found also that, the main motive for migrating was economic reasons. The number of migrants who were unemployed before migration was 51.2% while only 29.8 % were found to be unemployed after migrating. Majority (85.1%) of the migrant’s households were remitted by their migrant’s household members. The study therefore recommended that governments, NGOs and other developmental agencies aimed at providing economic support for migrants should implement such projects at their places of origin and not at the destination because it is the economic deprivation at the origin which pushes them away

Source: UCC
Ruth and Naomi’s relationship: a partnership built on chesed

The relationship that the author of the book of Ruth shows to exists between his characters, Ruth and Naomi has been read or interpreted by scholars in various ways. Some say it is a lesbian or bisexual relationship, others a type of patriachal structure that ties a woman to her mother-in-law even after the death of her husband (Nelson, 1967 & Fuchs, 1983) and still for Dube it is an unfair relationship where mutual love is lacking (Dube, 2001). This thesis, on the other hand understands it differently: It is a relationship driven by chesed (loyalty). This is a reading by means of narrative critical approach, focusing among others on characterization and narrative view point. In other words, the submission of the author of this thesis is that it is an underlying loyalty that the author of the book presents as keeping the young woman, Ruth and the aged woman, Naomi together. The main significance of the study is that it offers another perspective to understanding the Ruth and Naomi’s relationship by offering an opposing view to others who have read the story as a homosexual relationship or a permanent bond established between a mother and her daughter-in-law in a patriarchal household.

Source: UCC
s There an Association Between Helminthiasis and Anemia in Pregnancy?: A Test Case of Pregnant Women Attending Two Hospitals in Cape Coast

Helminthiasis is one of the most common and widespread parasitic infections of humans, contributing to poor nutritional status, anemia, and low birth weight (LBW) in pregnancy. We investigated the possible association between helminthiasis and anemia in pregnancy and their combined effect on day zero birth weights (DZBW). A total of 83 pregnant women of ages 16 to 45 years in their last trimester (30 to 42 week gestation) were purposively and voluntarily recruited from two hospitals in the central region of Ghana for the study. Venous blood and stool samples from the participants were analyzed for Hb, malaria parasite and infective stages of helminths (ova, larvae) respectively. Participants were monitored up to delivery and the DZBW measured. Out of the 83 pregnant women, 17 (20.5%) had helminthiasis with ascariasis being the most common (10.8%). Anemia (Hb < 11g/dL) was identified in 47% of the participants and 22.9% gave birth to babies with LBWs. Prevalence of helminthiasis correlated with increased risk of developing anemia with those having trichuriasis showing the highest incidence of anemia (80%) than those who had ascariasis or strongyloidiasis. Helminthiasis in pregnancy may lead to a high risk of anemia, however, it may not increase the risk of LBW and that geohelminthiasis in pregnancy could be independent of geophagy.

Source: UCC
Sachet Drinking Water In Accra: The Potential Threats Of Transmission Of Enteric Pathogenic Protozoan Organisms

Background: The recent introduction of sachet water to consumers was to provide safe, hygienic and affordable instant drinking water to the public. Although this is a laudable idea current trends seem to suggest that sachet drinking water could be a route of transmission of enteric pathogens. Objective: To assess the safety of sachet drinking water. Materials and Methods: Twenty seven different brands of 500ml sachet water samples randomly selected and purchased from various vendors in Accra were subjected to microscopic examinations to determine the presence of parasitic protozoa. The study was carried out between January and May 2005. Results: Seventy-seven percent of the samples contained infective stages of pathogenic parasitic organisms. Common pathogens identified include, Microsporidia sp 14/27 (51.2%), Cryptosporidium parvum 17/27 (63.0%), Cyclospora cayetenensis 16/27 (59.3%), Sarcocystis sp. 18/27 (66.7%). Rotifers 5/27 (18.5%), and Charcoat Leyden crys- tals 12/27 (44.4%). Ninety-three percent of the samples contained unidentified impurities/artifacts. 29.6% of the samples contained at least one type of parasite, 14.8% contained at least 2 types of parasites, 25.9% contained at least three types of parasites, while 29.6% contained four types of parasites. Conclusion: The study indicated the presence of contaminants of feacal and zoonotic origin in some of the sachet water examined. This has grim public health implications as the organisms identified can cause water related diseases which have serious complications in children and adults particularly immunocompromised individuals. Sachet water should be constantly monitored for its microbial quality.

Source: UCC
Safety and Efficacy of Calcium Montmorillonite Clay (Novasil) in Children at Risk of Aflatoxin Related Diseases in Ejura Sekyedumase District, Ghana

The use of novasil clay as an intervention technique to prevent aflatoxin poisoning in animals and humans has proven to be effective. In this study, evaluation of the safety and efficacy of novasil clay was carried out in 60 days in children in the Ejura Sekyedumase District, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Also, the relationship between growth indicators and aflatoxin in children was investigated. Stratified cluster sampling was used to recruit participants into the study. Healthy (200 children) within the age bracket of 2-9 years were put into two arms of study, which include 100 test group and 100 placebo group. One arm received 1.5g of novasil (test material) whiles the other arm received calcium sulphate as placebo. Full blood count, reduced glutathione, liver, kidney biomarkers, aflatoxin M1 and growth indicators were measured. Out of the total population of 200 children, 26 (13%) were Stunting 6 (3 %) were underweight. Change in serum biochemistry parameters and calcium levels between the placebo and novasil groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). At the end of the treatment cycle, reduced blood glutathione levels increased significantly in the novasil treated group. Aflatoxin M1 excretion in urine showed a significant reduction (P = 0.033) from a mean of 811.2 AFM1pg/mg creatinine to 329.1AFM1pg/mg creatinine at the end of the novasil treatment, representing a 60.7 % reduction. The placebo group demonstrated a significant increase (P = 0.02) of 44 % AFM1 excretion in urine from a mean of 801.3 to 1801.2 AFM1pg/mg creatinine. At the end of the 60 day intervention study, novasil was safe with no adverse effect and caused a reduction of aflatoxin bioavailability in children.

Source: UCC
A safety and security audit of the Kakum national park: observed reality versus managerial perspectives

Although Safety and Security (SnS) is a popular theme in the existing literature, the narrative has mostly focused on the broader destination and relatively, little is known of the SnS situation at the level of the individual components. This paper sought to appraise the safety and security situation at Ghana’s most visited attraction- the Kakum National Park, using a heuristic adaptation of the World Tourism Organization’s safety and security checklist. Through observations and interviews with management, an assessment of the safety and security situation at KNP was undertaken. It was found that even though safety and security measures at the park are generally inadequate, management does not consider the park to be under any real threat. The study also found that the Park management had a deliberative assessment of the security situation which reflected in three mindsets of collective security, passiveness and cautious security. The study recommends a change in philosophical outlook from passiveness to proactivity as an important first step towards making the KNP safer. Along with this philosophy, change would be the specific interventions in the areas of documentation, equipment and training

Source: UCC
Safety and security of tourists at the Kakum National Park, Ghana

The importance of safety and security of tourists at attraction sites is of paramount concern. However, literature which takes into consideration both tourists’ and management’s perspectivesat these sites is underrepresented.With the aid of structured open and close ended questions, a total of 387 local and foreign tourists as well as 13 management were involved in a cross-sectional study of tourists’ safety and security at the Kakum National Park, Ghana. A safety and security framework was adopted from Yang and Nair (2013).An observation checklist was used to appraise the safety and security measures at the park. Tourists’ adaptive behaviours to threats were included. The results from the study showed thatgenerally, about 52.7 % of the respondents felt unsafe at KNP. Generally, the KNP was found to have inadequate safety and security measures because 68% of the check listed items were not available. Notably, it emerged that tourists’ who felt safe (47.3%)attributed their feeling of safety and security to the presence of tour guides and other staff.Tourists’ adaptive behaviours to threats included “personal vigilance”, “follow instructions”, “call for assistance”, and “personal physical measures”. Tourists’ negative perceptions as a result of the inadequate measures can have implications for tourists’ future travel intentions. This provides management with valuable information that could be used as a baseline to improve the safety and security measures at KNP. Again, management should improve the skills and knowledge of tour guides through formal training since tourists’ positive perceptions were attributed to the presence of tour guides. Further research could be oriented towards a comparative study on tourists’ safety and security at all types of attractions across the nation. Digitized

Source: UCC
Safety Behaviour and Grit in Sports Performance among Ghanian University Athletes

Grit is consistency of interest, perseverance and passion for long-term goal in a chosen activity, which normally translates into better acievements. Grittier athletes are assumed to be more safety conscious since they want to produce better performance in competitions. Therefore, this study explored the influence of university student-athletes’ perseverance and passion for long-term goal attainment and safety behaviour in sports performance. The Grit Scale and Safety Behaviour items were used to collect data from a sample of 644 university athletes who took part in the 2018 Ghana University Sports Association Games (2018 GUSA Games). Results indicate that 46% of these athletes had won at least a medal during the competition. However, about 10.4% either consumed alcohol, a mixture of alcohol and energy drink, smoked tobacco and/or took illicit drugs such as tramadol, marijuana, fentanyl, morphine, etc. at least once a day during the competition. Binomial logistic regression analysis indicates a significant prediction of sports performance (χ2 = 46.57, p = .001), with female athletes, those having higher grit scores and reporting health risk behaviours more likely being medal winners. However, female athletes with higher grit scores were less likely to engage in health risk behaviour, which could compromise the students’ sports performance and health status.

Source: UCC
Safety Behaviours of Volta River Authority Workers, Akosombo

The health and safety of employees is an important aspect of any organisations. The determination of the factors that influence employees' behaviour to safety issues is an important step in achieving and maintaining safety at the workplace. This study examined the prevalence of workplace health conditions, safety behaviours, and factors that influence safety behaviours among Volta River Authority (VRA) employees at Akosombo. The research employed a mixed-method approach to achieve the study objectives. Participants included 250 randomly selected operational staff and non-operational staff. Questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection while an interview checklist was used for the qualitative data collection. The quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 23). Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The results showed that behaviour of staff towards health and safety is influenced by the availability of PPE, their attitude, and the enforcement of safety protocols by management. Though the staff perceived their work as highly risky, injuries rate at work was minimal. The main factors influencing health and safety at Akosombo VRA are workload, worker competency, management commitment, resource availability, safety policies, and working culture. It is recommended that the management of VRA need to manage the workload of staff to mitigate injury occurrence. Management of VRA needs to also provide adequate PPE and strictly enforce safety policies at the workplace to increase adherence to safety behaviours among the employees

Source: UCC
Safety Compliance and Prevalence of Occupational Health and Safety Incidents among Ghanaian Auto Artisans

The work environment of Ghanaian local auto artisans has over the years consisted of various hazards that have dire health and safety implications. This study examined the extent to which the artisans comply with relevant safety regulations as spelt out in the Factories, Offices and Shops Act, 1970 (Act 328) of Ghana. The study also investigated the prevalence of health and safety challenges and work related injuries among Ghanaian local artisans. The mode of treating health and safety incidents experienced by the artisans was also investigated. One hundred and fifty artisans, comprising 141 males and 9 females were studied in a descriptive survey. The results showed that the work environment of the artisans was not very congenial and most of them did not comply with many of the safety regulations. Several incidents and injuries were experienced by the artisans and a great number of them also reported work-related health challenges. It was also found that about 38% of the health and safety challenges were treated at the hospital and more than 48% were self-treated by the artisans. The study concluded that the noncompliance of safe work procedures accounted for most of the health and safety incidents the artisans experienced. Among others, it was recommended that the Inspectorate Directorate of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations should extend its inspections and health and safety compliance and education functions to the operations of auto artisans and other informal work settings.

Source: UCC
Safety Concerns of Glaucoma Chemotherapy among G6PD Deficient Glaucoma Patients: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the potential acute adverse effects associated with the use of anti-glaucoma medications among glaucoma patients with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency. Materials and Methods: A prospective case-control study was piloted in the ocular and haematological assessment of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients. G6PD enzymopathy screening, haematological and ocular assessments were done prior to the dispensary of anti- glaucoma medications. Ocular assessments included Slit lamp bio microscopy of conjunctiva coloration and crystalline lens transparency and funduscopic evaluation of the retinal background for hemorrhages, exudates, degenerations and vascular changes. Haematological assessment included assessment of the red blood cell counts, hematocrit, and haemoglobin and serum bilirubin levels. These ocular and haematological assessments were repeated in two consecutive reviews at monthly intervals a month after the start of the initial therapy to identify any ocular and haematological changes among cases and controls. Results: There were 116 glaucoma patients with mean age of 61.28 ± 16.62 years. A G6PD enzymopathy prevalence of 15.56% was recorded with 16 participants being cases (full G6PD defect) and 98 as controls (no G6PD defect). Also, 72.22% were males with the remaining 27.78% being females (χ2 = 7.484, p = 0.024). Mixed repeated measures ANOVA analysis did not indicate significant acute changes in the ocular parameters and haematological profiles in the pretreatment and follow up findings among the cases and controls for each anti-glaucoma medication assessed and all the anti-glaucoma medications in general. Conclusion: There was no acute ocular and haematological adverse effects associated with the use of anti-glaucoma medications among G6PD deficient glaucoma patients.

Source: UCC
Safety Culture, Employee Well-Being and Engagement in the Oil Marketing Companies in Ghana.

Weak safety culture has been identified as a common cause of many accidents in the oil marketing sector. This study examined the mediating role employee well-being on the relationship between safety culture and employee engagement in the oil marketing sector in Ghana. A mixed method approach and an explanatory research design were adopted for the study. Quantitative data was collected from 372 employees of the top three oil marketing companies in Ghana using questionnaires and analysed using partial least squares structural equations modelling (PLS-SEM). The qualitative data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide from six managers and analysed using Hyper RESEARCH 4.5.3 software. The results from the study showed that safety culture was high among the sampled employees, even though the behavioural dimension of safety culture was low. Also, the employees exhibited high levels of psychological well-being but physical well-being on the other hand was low. Again, the results suggested that employee engagement was high among the sampled employees. The qualitative analyses also corroborated the descriptive results for the first three objectives. The SEM results revealed that safety culture is positively related to employee well-being (both physical and psychological well-being) and employee engagement while employee well-being is also a positive predictor of the level of employee engagement in the sector. The dimensions of employee well-being were also found to partially mediate the relationship between safety culture and employee engagement. Consequently, it is recommended that continuous awareness creation about safety culture practices in the OMCs should be intensified while seeking to promote the well-being of employees and their engagement in the oil marketing sector.

Source: UCC