ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Perspectives of Mothers With Both Experience of Caesarean Section and Natural Birth and Their Relationship With Their Children in Ghana. A Phenomenological Inquiry

Childbirth is a uniquely personal and unique experience for each woman. The birth is frequently associated with vivid and distinct memories of the journey. Many elements are thought to influence how people perceive their birth experience, the most important of which may be the type of delivery. The goal of the study was to look at the subjective knowledge of mothers who had both a caesarean section and a vaginal birth, as well as their relationship with their children, at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana's Central Region. To grasp the participants' innermost thinking and psychological world, a phenomenological interpretative design was adopted. Data was acquired through an interview, painstakingly transcribed, and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis with a sample size of 15 women. According to the findings, mothers who had both caesarean and natural births experienced more severe pain on the side of the caesarean section than on the side of natural birth. They also experienced more severe psychological distress as a result of the Caesarean delivery than with a regular delivery. They showed sympathy for the caesarean babies because they lacked the same level of immunity as their natural-born children. They also received various types of support from family and friends, including physical, emotional, and esteem support. The research uncovered systematic flaws in the care of women who must have both a caesarean and a vaginal birth. Because of its holistic approach, the biopsychosocial approach to health and illness will be optimal in the management of all pregnant women.

Source: UCC
Perspectives of Teachers Regarding Inclusive Education in Ghana

The study explored teachers’ perspectives on the curriculum, the physical environment and their preparation for the inclusive education programme. Data was collected using questionnaires. A sample of 120 teachers from schools identified as inclusive was used for the study. The t-test of independent samples and chi-square test were used to analyse the data. Results showed that differences do not exist between males and females’ views on the type of curriculum, the physical environment, and teacher preparation for inclusive education. Also, age, teaching experience, and professional qualification influenced teachers’ perceptions of the inclusive schools. It was recommended that teachers’ preparation programmes must have a component of inclusive education courses to enable prospective teachers acquire the skills of teaching children with special needs.

Source: UCC
Perspectives of transport operators and passengers on the spread of communicable diseases on the public road transport system in Accra, Ghana

Transport facilitates socio-economic and political development of every country. In spite of its role in the development of nations, transport has also been identified as a means of spreading some communicable diseases where there are inadequate measures to prevent such spread. Preparedness is facilitated by people’s awareness of the existence of these communicable diseases, and their attitude also play a key role in preventing such diseases from spreading. This study sought to explore the views of transport operators and passengers on the spread of communicable diseases on the public road transport system in Accra, Ghana. Qualitative research methods in the form of in-depth interviews and observations were adopted for data collection. Qualitative analysis in the form of thematic analysis was used to analyse data collected from the field. The study concluded that, at least some section of transport operators, as well as passengers are aware of the possibility of spreading communicable diseases in the public road transport system but are not very conscious of this fact, therefore they do behave in ways that could increase the risk of spread of diseases through their daily transport activities. However, the study also showed that some transport operators and passengers are prepared to adopt preventive measures to make the use of public transport as safe as possible. The study recommends strict adherence to international acceptable standards in the construction and arrangement of seats on passenger vehicles to avoid overcrowding.

Source: UCC
Perspectives of Victims and Stakeholders on Sexual Violence Among Young Women in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region of Ghana

It has been observed by studies around the world that sexual violence appears to be prevalent. Women have gone through a number of physical, emotional, or psychological and social challenges as result of sexual violence. Most perpetrators of sexual violence go unpunished. The main objective of the study was to explore the perspectives of victims and key stakeholders on sexual violence. The study adopted the modified social-ecological model and generated a conceptual framework from the model. Through purposive sampling method, the victims and the stakeholders were contacted. The data obtained was analysed thematically. It was realised that sexual violence occurs as a result of factors which were found within the various levels of the model. These factors included; age, poverty, working in some environments like drinking spots, living within a particular family arrangement and lacking care and support from a parent. The consequences that victims faced were medical (contracting a sexually transmitted infection), psychological (trauma, fear, and in-built scars), and social (victim-blaming, discrimination, ridicule and school drop-out). The reasons that prevented victims from reporting cases of sexual violence were as a result of fear of the police, victim-blaming, familiarity with the perpetrator, family settlement of cases of sexual violence, and poverty. The institutions involved in addressing issues of sexual violence work to ensure that victims get justice. However, victims and their families are unable to report their cases or follow through for the appropriate things to be done because of poverty and fear of the police. The conclusion is that sexual violence gets addressed by authorities but due to the reasons stated above justice is hardly served.

Source: UCC
Persuasive effect of figures of speech in the english of advertisements in the Ghanaian Press

Little is known about persuasive effects of figures of speech in the English of advertisements in Ghanaian press. In the current study, we focused on this persuasive effect of figures of speech in the English employed in advertisements in newspapers in Ghana. Since advertising is a genre of mass media communication which unearths the exceptional qualities of products and services in a persuasive fashion, it is also a form of marketing communication through which business organizations inform the general public about new or improved commercial endeavors. Therefore, language plays an indispensable role in the transmission of the message. The language of advertising influences the reasoning, thinking, feeling and the general attitude of the audience. The study reported about in this article was underpinned by the Conventional Figurative Language Theory, utilizing the qualitative content analysis approach as the analytical framework. The findings revealed that copywriters of the Ghanaian newspapers employed English figures of speech (tropes and rhetorical figures) in advertisements for persuasive effect

Source: UCC
Persuasive Strategies in Counsels’ Closing Arguments: A Case Study of Ghana’s 2012 Presidential Election Petition

Studies on courtroom discourse reveal that paramount on the agenda of lawyers is their desire to win cases. They try to persuade Justices to believe their side of an argument as against that of their opponent. Mobilising the combined forces of linguistic, appraisal and rhetorical resources, Counsels at the Supreme Court Hearing of Ghana’s 2012 Presidential Election Petition vehemently attempted to persuade the trial Justices to give a favourable judgement on behalf of their clients. This thesis, therefore, explored the language and appraisal resources employed by the Counsels for the Petitioners (The New Patriotic Party – NPP) and the 3rd Respondent (The National Democratic Congress – NDC) in their closing arguments, and how they utilised the Aristotelian rhetorical triad in their bid to persuade the trial Justices. Rooted in the qualitative research design, the study was anchored on Aristotle’s Three Species of Oratory and Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca’s The New Rhetoric. The method of analysis adopted for this study was Aristotelian Rhetorical Triangle, complemented by Joliffe’s Rhetorical Framework and Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal Framework. The findings revealed that in an attempt to persuade the judges to give a favourable judgement on behalf of their clients, the Counsels appealed to the judges’ rationality and emotions. They also tried to construct a positive identity of themselves while they created an identity of otherness and negativity for their opponents. The study also revealed that the Counsels deployed dialogic contraction of deny and counter in order to disassociate themselves from the propositions of their opponents; while they shied away from proclaim and expand resources, perhaps for fear of conceding some shortcomings. Besides contributing to academia, the findings of the research are valuable to legal education in Ghana and beyond.

Source: UCC
Pesticide and pathogen contamination of vegetables in Ghana’s urban markets

The objective of the study was to determine and compare the current level of exposure of the Ghanaian urban population to hazardous pesticide and fecal coliform contamination through the consumption of fresh vegetables produced in intensive urban and periurban smallholder agriculture with informal wastewater irrigation. A total of 180 vegetable samples (lettuce, cabbage, and spring onion) were randomly collected under normal purchase conditions from 9 major markets and 12 specialized selling points in 3 major Ghanaian cities: Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. The samples were analyzed for pesticide residue on lettuce leaves, total and fecal coliforms, and helminth egg counts on all three vegetables. Chlopyrifos (Dursban) was detected on 78% of the lettuce, lindane (Gamalin 20) on 31%, endosulfan (Thiodan) on 36%, lambdacyhalothrin (Karate) on 11%, and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane on 33%. Most of the residues recorded exceeded the maximum residue limit for consumption. Vegetables from all 3 cities were fecally contaminated and carried fecal coliform populations with geometric mean values ranging from 4.0 · 103 to 9.3 · 108 g–1 wet weight and exceeded recommended standards. Lettuce, cabbage, and spring onion also carried an average of 1.1, 0.4, and 2.7 helminth eggs g–1, respectively. The eggs were identified as those of Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Schistosoma heamatobium, and Trichuris trichiura. Because many vegetables are consumed fresh or only slightly cooked, the study shows that intensive vegetable production, common in Ghana and its neighboring countries, threatens public health from the microbiologic and pesticide dimensions. Standard recommendations to address this situation (better legislations, law enforcement, or integrated pest management) often do not match the capabilities of farmers and authorities. The most appropriate entry point for risk decrease that also addresses postharvest contamination is washing vegetables before food preparation at the household or ‘‘chop’’ bar (street restaurant)

Source: UCC
Pesticide management and extension information support for small - scale farmers in the Ga East and Ga West districts of the Greater Accra region of Ghana

The study which was carried out in the Ga East and Ga West districts of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, examined the competencies of small-scale farmers in the sound management of pesticides. A descriptive correlational survey was used to determine the small-scale farmers' perceived awareness levels of alternative pest control methods, perceived environmental, health and safety awareness levels and perceived usefulness of major sources of pesticide management information available to them. The study also determined the relationship between the perceived competencies of farmers in the sound management of pesticides and key selected independent variables of the study. The predictor(s) of the competencies of small-scale farmers in the sound management of pesticides were also determined. The results of the study showed that, the mean perceived environmental, health and safety awareness level of effects of pesticide use in agriculture (Mean ::: 2.75; SD = 0.99) mean perceived overall awareness level of alternative pest control methods (Mean = 2.55; SD = 0.97) of small-scale farmers were moderate. They perceived AEAs as being a very effective source of pesticide management information (PMI) while, their perceived awareness level of environmental, health and safety effects of pesticides was the overall best predictor, and accounted for 59.3% of the variance in their perceived competence in the sound management of pesticides. It is recommended that, there should be intensive training of small-scale farmers in best practices for the proper management of pesticides in agriculture.

Source: UCC
Pesticide registration, distribution and use practices in Ghana

Ghana has implemented regulation on the registration, distribution and usage of pesticides in order to evaluate their environmental and human health effects. However, environmental monitoring and certified laboratories for pesticide analysis are lacking. Pesticide misuse, misapplication, contamination of the environment and human exposure still continue, and little is known to what extent pesticide registration, distribution and use is properly implemented in Ghana. This study aimed at investigating how the pesticide policy operates in Ghana, how state (policy; national/local) and non-state (importers, dealers’ and farmers) stakeholders’ function, what their challenges are, and to which extend the policy objectives are achieved. A conceptual framework based on the contextual interaction theory (CIT) was developed, and a review of Ghana’s pesticide policy implementation with two empirical fled studies on state policy and non-state policy actors was conducted, supplemented with secondary data, and a number of interviews conducted with stakeholders and informants were used. Results indicate that pesticides are registered in compliance with the law. Non-state actors scored low with respect to their mandate which likely results in environmental and human health risks. Significant association existed between educational level attained and knowledge (χ2=3.614; P ≤0.05). Work experience or duration of farming also significantly influenced the knowledge of respondents (P<0.001), as well as attitude (χ2=15.328; P<0.05). Work experience/duration of farming also significantly influenced attitude at 95% confidence level (P<0.001), and duration of farming was significantly associated with farm management practices at 5% level of significance (P ≤0.05), while state actors are not motivated and resourced. It is recommended to perform preliminary risk assessment to the aquatic environment, to derive threshold levels which are protective of communities, to screen farmers for pesticide exposure and poisoning, to develop well-targeted training programmes for pesticide retailers and farmers on pesticide use, personal protective device use, as well as pesticide management and law. Additionally, pesticide policy implementers have to be motivated and resourced to carry out their mandate, being to execute the pesticide legislation

Source: UCC
Pesticide Residue and Health Risk Analysis of Six Commonly Used Herbal Medicinal Products in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: Ghana does not have reliable surveillance programme for ensuring safety of food and herbal products on the market. Data from previous studies have shown the presence of pesticide residues in food products and its associated health risk. In this present study we assessed the residual pesticide content of six most patronized herbal preparations in Kumasi, Ghana and the attendant risk of such contamination to public health. Methodology: The herbal preparations were cleaned up using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method for insecticide analysis. Analysis was carried out on GC-MS using 33 external standards. Results: The total pesticide content in most of the herbal preparations was below the maximum residue limit (MRL). However, the concentration of pirimiphos-methyl in herbal product ‘E’ (HPE) (0.082 mg/kg) was higher than the MRL (0.05 mg/kg). In addition, the hazard indices’ (HI) for five herbal products were less than ‘1’ and safe for consumption without any possible future health risk. However, the HI for HPE was determined to be greater than ‘1’. Aldrin, dieldrin and chlordane which are banned in Ghana were also identified in 50% of the studied herbal preparations. Conclusion: Data from this study reveals that HPE is contaminated with pirimiphos-methyl pesticide and unsafe for consumption. Also, the presence of banned pesticides in 50% of the studied herbal preparations calls for concern and urgent intervention by relevant regulatory authorities.

Source: UCC
Pesticide residues in watermelon fruits and soils of nsadwir in the central region of Ghana

Watermelon fruits and soil samples (depth of 0 – 20 cm) were analysed for pesticide residues. Residues were extracted from 10.0 g of watermelon fruit using a multi-residue method for extracting pesticides from non fatty foods with acetone as the extracting solvent. Soil and okro from a nearby okro farm which were used as control to study the effect of pesticides on non-target crops were also analysed. Extract cleanup was done using a 10 mm chromatographic column with a 1:1 solvent mixture of Cyclohexane and Dichloromethane as the eluting solvent. Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides were detected in all the samples. The OPPs levels ranged from 0.90 - 4383.20 μg/kg. OCPs residues occurred in the fruits at levels between 0.70 - 34.50 μg/kg. Synthetic pyrethroid pesticides fell in the range 0.10 - 6.40μg/kg. Non-target crop had residue levels ranging from 2.80 - 2016.80 μg/kg for OPPs, 1.20 - 15.83 μg/kg for OCPs and 3.10 - 7.60 μg/kg for synthetic pyrethroid pesticides. Soil residue levels were in the range 2.0 - 4121.70 μg/kg for OPPs, 1.10 - 12.90 μg/kg for OCPs and 1.10 - 8.20 μg/kg for synthetic pyrethroid pesticides. OPPs levels were appreciably high in all the samples followed by organochlorines and the synthetic pyrethroids. In general, organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) and the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) levels were significantly higher than the WHO/FAO allowable levels. These show that watermelon fruits were contaminated to significant levels with organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides.

Source: UCC
Pesticide use practices and perceptions of vegetable farmers in the cocoa belts of the Ashanti and western regions of Ghana

Chemical pesticides are commonly used in the management of pests and diseases in vegetable production in Ghana. However, there is increasing concern about the adverse effects this use has on public health and the environment. A study was conducted to assess how much farmers’ know about the safe handling and use of pesticides, and what they perceive to be the hazards around their use. In-depth field surveys was undertaken with 437 sampled vegetable producers and complimented with focus group discussions and field observation. The results revealed that knapsack sprayers were the most widely used equipment for spraying pesticides (92.4%), followed by hand-held applicators (4.5%) whereas only 3.1% used motorised sprayers. Only 15.6% of the respondents fully protect themselves during spraying operations; others either wore partial protective clothing (38%) or did not wear any protective clothing at all (46.4%), there by coming into direct contact with pesticides. Over 80 % of the respondents re-entered their farms within 3 days of pesticide application; harvest their produce within 7 days, without observing safe harvest interval protocols. The study also revealed that the farmers were aware of and had experienced pesticide hazards such as headache, dizziness, body weakness, and itching. Three per cent of the farmers also mentioned burning sensation, catarrh, stomach pain, unconsciousness, itching of eyes and body pains as side effects from pesticides application. Females and illiterates were found to be more vulnerable to these hazards than their male and literate counterparts. The study findings show that most farmers dispose of empty pesticide containers (59.8%) and wash water from sprayers (79.2%) by throwing or disposing them on their farms. The study concludes that farmers are misapplying pesticides by disregarding the potential harmful effects of pesticides on human health and the environment

Source: UCC
Petroleum rent, income, and energy trilemma: evidence from selected oil producers in africa

The trilemma of providing secure, affordable, and sustainable energy has become a much talked about issue in recent times due to concerns about climate change. Regarding the energy trilemma dimensions, focusing on one at the expense of the other two is likely to be just as harmful to improving human quality of life as ignoring environmental sustainability. This study employs a panel-ARDL approach and panel-GMM to analyze the effect of petroleum rent on energy trilemma in selected oil-producing countries in Africa. The study reveals petroleum rent and per capita income between, respectively, enhances countries’ performance on the energy trilemma index in the long run, whereas, in the short run, income per capita decreases the energy trilemma. Petroleum rent and income per capita support countries in making energy systems environmentally sustainable and, at the same time, contribute to countries' improvements in energy equity. Petroleum rent of oil-producing African economies begins to be beneficial to energy poverty reduction and access to electricity when petroleum rent reaches 36.7% and 40.57% of GDP, respectively. Governments of oil-producing African countries should put measures towards increasing petroleum rent to improve the energy trilemma index, ensure energy poverty reduction, and reduce energy supply insecurity.

Source: UCC
Petroleum revenue management in Ghana : The epoch of high expectation in perspective

The avoidance of resource curse is, in part, dependent on the management and administration of realized revenue from the exploration of its natural resource. This article evaluates the existing fiscal regime and the regulatory frameworks that Ghana established to manage its petroleum revenue from 2010 to 2013. The restrictive period accounts for the era where Ghanaians showed high expectations of increased benefits from oil. In this vein, the article analyses the preparedness reflected in the policy framework to manage accrued revenue and, by extension, the expectation of citizens on improved living conditions. This article established that existing mechanisms, legislation, and checks and balance procedures to manage petroleum revenues are not the final steps at ensuring sustainable development. Two crucial factors play a decisive role in this regard. First is the extent to which accrued revenue is expended in critical areas of the economy for accelerated growth. Second is the commitment to, and establishment of, strong public institutions to enforce the relevant regulations

Source: UCC