ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the insights and benefits of biomass-derived sulfuric acid activated carbon for selective recovery of gold from simulated waste streams

The surging affluent in society, concomitant with increasing global demand for electrical and electronic devices, has led to a sharp rise in e-waste generation. E-wastes contain significant amounts of precious metals, such as gold, which can be recovered and reused, thus reducing the environmental impact of mining new metals. Se lective recovery using sustainable and cost-effective materials and methods is therefore vital. This study un dertook a detailed evaluation of low-cost biomass-derived activated carbon (AC) for selective recovery of Au from simulated e-waste streams. Utilizing high-performance synthesized H2SO4-AC, the adsorption mechanisms were explicated through a combination of characterization techniques, i.e., FE-SEM, BET, TGA, XRD, FTIR, XPS, and DFT simulations to conceptualize the atomic and molecular level interactions. Optimization of coordination geometries between model H2SO4-AC and anionic complexes revealed the most stable coordination for AuCl4 - (binding energy, Eb = -4064.15 eV). The Au selectivity was further enhanced by reduction of Au(III) to Au(0), as determined by XRD and XPS. The adsorption reaction was relatively fast (~5h), and maximum Au uptake reached 1679.74 ± 37.66 mg/g (among highest), achieved through adsorption isotherm experiments. Further more, a mixture of 0.5 M thiourea/1 M HCl could effectively elute the loaded Au and regenerate the spent AC. This study presents radical attempts to examine in detail, the synergistic effects of H2SO4 activation on biomass derived ACs for selective recovery of Au from complex mixtures. The paper therefore describes a novel approach for the selective recovery of Au from e-wastes using multifunctional biomass-derived H2SO4-AC.

Source: UG
Exploring the limits of Western Corporate Social Responsibility Theories in Africa

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about the relationship of organisations with society as a whole, and the need for organisations to align their values with societal expectations. Generally, CSR practice in Africa is thought to be adopted from Western business theories although there is evidence to suggest that Western CSR theories are not totally applicable in Africa. This is due to differences in drivers or causes of CSR in the West and in Africa, as well as cultural and managerial traits in Africa. This paper explores the limits of Western CSR Theories in Africa and argues that improved ethical responsibilities, incorporating good governance should be assigned the highest CSR priority in developing countries. It further adds that increased legislation, change in CSR priorities and the application of indigenous CSR theories such as Ubuntu, African Renaissance and Omuluwabi are means of countering the limits of Western CSR theories in Africa. Keywords: CSR, Western CSR Theory, Africa, Ubuntu, African Renaissance, Omuluwabi

Source: UG
Exploring the Limits of Western Corporate Social Responsibility Theories in Africa.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about the relationship of organisations with society as a whole, and the need for organisations to align their values with societal expectations. Generally, CSR practice in Africa is thought to be adopted from Western business theories although there is evidence to suggest that Western CSR theories are not totally applicable in Africa. This is due to differences in drivers or causes of CSR in the West and in Africa, as well as cultural and managerial traits in Africa. This paper explores the limits of Western CSR Theories in Africa and argues that improved ethical responsibilities, incorporating good governance should be assigned the highest CSR priority in developing countries. It further adds that increased legislation, change in CSR priorities and the application of indigenous CSR theories such as Ubuntu, African Renaissance and Omuluwabi are means of countering the limits of Western CSR theories in Africa.

Source: UG
Exploring the link between fisher folks' experiential knowledge and climate variability in an urban coastal community In Accra

The article looked at the possibility of integrating indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge in fisheries management under the scenario of climate change and variability in an urban coastal community in Ghana. The objective was to explore fisher folk's perception of temperature and rainfall variability im- pact on fish catch. Focus group discussions were used for data collection in Ga- Mashie. The results show that the fisher folks, through their experiential knowl- edge were able to tell that fish from marine artisanal fishing sources was getting depleted and this could be attributed to rising temperatures, rainfall variability and anthropogenic activities. However, information on the use of chemicals in fishing and the use of unprescribed fishing nets may have been acquired from public education. The paper calls for a greater collaboration between the local community, the scientific community and policy makers to develop sustainable adaptation and mitigation strategies that will be beneficial to the community.

Source: UG
Exploring the link between fisher folks' experimental knowledge and climate variability in an urban coastal community in Accra.

The article looked at the possibility of integrating indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge in fisheries management under the scenario of climate change and variability in an urban coastal community in Ghana. The objective was to explore fisher folk's perception of temperature and rainfall variability impact on fish catch. Focus group discussions were used for data collection in GaMashie. The results show that the fisher folks, through their experiential knowledge were able to tell that fish from marine artisanal fishing sources was getting depleted and this could be attributed to rising temperatures, rainfall variability and anthropogenic activities. However, information on the use of chemicals in fishing and the use of unprescribed fishing nets may have been acquired from public education. The paper calls for a greater collaboration between the local community, the scientific community and policy makers to develop sustainable adaptation and mitigation strategies that will be beneficial to the community.

Source: UG
Exploring the link between organisational justice and job satisfaction and performance in Ghanaian hospitals: do demographic factors play a mediating role?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether organisational justice (distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice) predicts job satisfaction and performance of health professionals and whether the demographic characteristics of hospital employees mediate the relationship between workplace justice and job satisfaction and performance. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 300 respondents in seven hospitals using convenient sampling. Hypotheses were tested using multiple and hierarchical regression models. Findings – The paper established that distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice predict job satisfaction and performance of health professionals. However, their demographic characteristics are shown to partially mediate the relationship between organisational justice and job satisfaction but not performance. Originality/value – Granted that other studies exist, this is one of the few that focuses on hospitals and probably the first of its kind in Ghanaian hospitals. Thus the findings could be essential for policy and practice and also generate further discourse that may improve the extant literature and our understanding of the subject.

Source: UG
Exploring the mismatch between teacher demand-supply in sub-Sahara Africa: Ghana as case study

This study presents an analysis of the factors affecting the supply and demand of school teachers in Ghana. The findings suggest that the major pull causing the mismatch in teacher supply-demand equation can be summed up under: a) economic demand, b) demographic factors and c) market forces. Sixty percent of those sampled constituting 162 of the respondents were of the view that there was a significant correlation between remuneration and supply while the other 40% (108) not attributing it to remuneration per se, nevertheless saw a link between supply and other economic issues such as end of service benefit. Ninety five percent of respondents were of the view that teacher upgrading in higher market premium courses in institutions of higher learning exacerbate teacher attrition into other better paid jobs: an indication of non-incentives pulling teachers from the teaching profession. The objective of the study is to contribute to advocacy on teacher issues, especially increased resources as well as innovative funding for the employment of sufficient number of teachers.

Source: UG
Exploring the Motivations of Family Caregivers Caring for Older Persons in Urban Poor Accra, Ghana

There is a general paucity of studies on family caregivers’ motivations for providing care to older persons in the urban poor context in Ghana. This study seeks to explore family caregivers’ motivations for providing care to older persons in urban poor Accra, Ghana. A qualitative descriptive design was used and in-depth interviews were conducted with 31 family caregivers. The QSR NVivo 10 software was used to analyze the data thematically. We found that autonomous motivation inspired family caregivers to provide care. Empathy and affection intrinsically motivated some caregivers to provide care to their recipients, while others were extrinsically motivated by filial responsibility, reciprocity, and obligation to provide care. These findings showed that family caregivers were automatically motivated to provide care to older people. We recommend the need for future studies to explore changes in family caregivers’ motivations to provide care over time.

Source: UG
Exploring the nature of treatment regimen for mentally ill persons by neo-prophetic ministers in Ghana

As Ghana seeks to improve mental healthcare services delivery, there is a heightened discourse regarding the role religious groups can play in the process. Whilst there is a general admission that there can be collaborative framework with faith-based treatments toward a holistic delivery of mental healthcare, the anxieties concerning the unverifiable nature of their services and reported abuses of patients appears to hamper this collaboration. In an attempt to carefully delineate and bring to the fore the role of religious groups in mental health, 12 clergy from a specific Christian strand called the neo-prophetic Christian ministries (or churches) were interviewed. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, findings show that these clergy view mental illness as a spiritual problem rather than a biomedical one. The treatments they prescribe for mental illness fall within two major approaches: the hope induction approach and the prophetic deliverance approach. Assessment of cure of illness involves observation of restored orientation, self-care and community participation and perceived complete exorcism. We conclude that Christian groups are actively involved in mental healthcare delivery and that policy can focus on sanitizing and improving these services into mainstream mental healthcare services in Ghana. © 2014 Taylor & Francis.

Source: UG
Exploring the nonlinear effect of shadow economies on sustainable development in Africa: does the level of financial market development matter?

Purpose – This study aims to examine the nonlinear threshold effect of shadow economy on sustainable development in Africa while providing additional evidence on how this nonlinear threshold effect play out in economies with high and low developed financial/credit markets. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses 37 African economies between 2009 and 2017 in a dynamic GMM panel model that controls for country, year and technological effects to ensure consistency and reliability of results and findings. Findings – The results reveal that there is an inverted nonlinear U-shape nexus between the size of shadow economy and sustainable development in both short run and long run in Africa and across economies with high and low developed credit/financial market. Also, the threshold points beyond which the size of shadow economies dampens sustainable development is lower for economies with high financial/credit market development and higher in the long run. Practical implications – These results have policy implications and recommendations and suggest that shadow economies can be beneficial to sustainable development particularly when the size of shadow economies are restrained from increasing beyond certain thresholds/levels. Moreso, to restrict the adverse effect of shadow economies on sustainable development, policymakers can rely on developing their financial/ credit markets to tame the destructive nature of shadow economies on sustainable development. These results are robust to technological, year/time and country effects. Originality/value – To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study examines for the first in the context of Africa, the nonlinear effect of shadow economies on sustainable development under low and high developed financial markets

Source: UG
Exploring the planning practices of nurse managers in the unit: a study of nurse managers in the greater Accra region

Purpose – Nurse managers’ planning practices are essential to the practice of management in the unit, and the overall efficiency of the healthcare service delivery. This study aims to explore the planning practices of nurse managers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – A descriptive phenomenological design was employed to explore nurse managers’ planning practices. In total, 15 nurse managers and 47 nurses from 19 primary and secondary hospitals of the Ghana Health Service and two specialized hospitals in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana, were involved in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interview guides and probes. Findings – The findings suggested that plans were widely common to all the units of the hospitals and were considered satisfactory by nursemanagers. However, most of these plans were not effectively utilized. Nurse managers had only fair knowledge about the planning process and were moderately involved and communicated ideas to colleagues in the process. Furthermore, nurse managers do not frequently share the vision neither do they even communicate expectations to achieve unit goals and objectives with subordinates. Originality/value – The research emphasizes the relevance of planning in healthcare management. It highlights the management practice of planning in the context of nurse managers and accentuates the values the healthcare system derives with effective planning practices.

Source: UG
Exploring the power of the media in promoting lifelong learning and popular mobilisation drive against 'Galamsey' in Ghana

This paper explores the power of media in promoting lifelong learning in mobilising the citizenry against 'galamsey' activities in Ghana. 'Galamsey' connotes 'an illegal process of gathering mineral resources, especially gold, and selling them'. It is an activity engaged in by young adults resulting in destroying water bodies and posing water-related challenges to the citizenry. This qualitative study sought to ascertain what informed practitioners in the media space to mount a sustained lifelong learning drive against 'galamsey' in Ghana. The study used in-depth interview and focus group discussions to collect data from 15 participants purposively selected. Six male and female participants also shared their experiences on the 'galamsey' menace and the fight against it. Their thought, views and insightful ideas lie at the heart of this study. It emerged that the 'galamsey' activities were complex and engaged in by both Ghanaians and foreigners using heavy earth moving machines destroying forest vegetation cover and water bodies. The players involved bribe their way for protection. This paper recommends that the Government of Ghana and media houses involved in the fight against 'galamsey' sustain the lifelong learning drive to save water bodies, arable lands, and forest vegetation cover in Ghana.

Source: UG
Exploring The Psychosocial Effects of Burns and Coping Strategies Among Burn Injury Survivors at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

The aftermath of severe burn injury has a lifelong effect on functionality and wellbeing. The disfigurement and disability suffered by burn survivors are devastating, distressing, affecting their psychological, social and physical wellbeing. The study explored the psychosocial effects of burns and coping strategies among burn injury survivors at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in the Accra Metropolis using the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping as the guiding theoretical framework. The study design was the qualitative exploratory descriptive research design. Using the purposive sampling technique, 12 burn survivors from the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Burns Centre, KBTH were engaged in a face-to-face and phone-interviewing for data collection. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The results showed that burn injuries negatively impact the lives of burn survivors, as they experience psychological problems such as anxiety and depression; and social effects such as stigmatization, social withdrawal and isolation. The study discovered that, developing strong self-efficacy, endurance, covering their burn injuries or scars, ignoring looks and comments and limited outing are the coping strategies adopted by burns survivors. The roles played by health professionals, family and friends in the form of social support of different kinds (tangible, informational, emotional and companionship) were identified to be crucial in the treatment and recovery process of burn survivors. In conclusion, this study found that burn survivors experience psychological and social problems for which reason they adopt several coping strategies. It is recommended that collaborative efforts from family, friends, health professionals, government and other relevant stakeholders need to be pooled to support burn survivors to make their post-burn life as close as possible to their pre-burn life. This requires, health professionals rendering counselling and emotional support; government formulating policies that include burn survivors.

Source: UG
Exploring the Quality of Life of Men Living With an Indwelling Urethral Catheter: A Study at Tema General Hospital.

Men living with indwelling urethral catheter, encounter lifestyle changes that affect their perception of quality of life. This study sought to explore the quality of life of men living with indwelling urethral catheter, The Response Shift Model of Sprangers and Schwartz (1999) was the organising framework for this study an explorative descriptive design was employed. A purposive sampling technique was used and data was gathered from 13 participants using semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analyses. Interviews were conducted in three (3) months (January to March, 2018). Confidentiality, anonymity, and privacy were ensured. The themes were based on the framework from the model’s constructs: the antecedents, mechanisms, response shift, and the perceived quality of life. Findings revealed quality of life was perceived as good and poor depending on the antecedents (sociodemographic characteristics and personality). Mechanisms used in response to changes in health state were physical, psychological and spiritual. Managing the stench and positioning catheter well was a major concern. Participants had spousal and family support which facilitated coping. In response to the effect of catheter. Participant also noted the catheter was a threat to employment, marriage, finance, sexual intimacy and caused embarrassment. Psychosocial impact of living with urethral catheter affects quality of life therefore the need to develop interventions that will enhance care. Counselling services and education is recommended for participants at the clinic.

Source: UG
Exploring the realities of resilience: Case study of Kantamanto Market fire in Accra, Ghana

This paper chronicles the socio-economic and institutional factors that underpin the unflinching resilience of survivors in the May 5, 2013 Kantamanto Market fire incident in Accra, Ghana. The research adopted a mixed-method case study model that combines secondary sources and primary data gathering through semi-structured interviews of 25 returned market survivors, supported by 15 expert interviews among local and other government officials, practitioners and academics who are engaged in disaster management and urban planning. The empirical data reveal the importance of strengthening social relationships and cohesion as well as the crucial role of social capital in all stages of disaster management processes: prevention and preparedness, planning, warning communication, physical and psychological impacts, emergency and disaster response, recovery and reconstruction; and how these collectively motivate the survivors' return decision. Concluding, the paper opines that appreciating the interconnection and multidimensionality of social capital can enhance disaster management and optimistically opines that, that trajectory seems to be a crucial issue for future disaster research agendas. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
Exploring the relationship between the big five personality characteristics and dietary habits among students in a Ghanaian University

Background: Adherence to good dietary practices has been linked to disease prevention and better quality of life yet, University students are known to have poor dietary intake and diet quality. For an effective behaviour modification in dietary habits, an understanding of the association between an individual's personality traits and dietary habits are of much significance. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between personality traits and dietary habits among University students in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional design involving 400 students was employed. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and Body Mass Index were obtained. The big 5 Personality traits (extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness and neuroticism) was assessed using a 50-item International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) by Goldberg. The three factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) was used to obtain further information on dietary habits. Results: The majority of the students had high scores for conscientiousness. Except for neuroticism, all the personality traits had a significant association with at least one of the dietary habits explored. Extraversion was positively associated with neophagia (p = 0.028) and food interest (p = 0.008), conscientiousness was associated with variety (p = 0.045) and sugar moderation (p = 0.006), agreeableness was associated with neophagia (p = 0.005), skipping of meals (p = 0.007) and variety (p = 0.005) and openness associated with food interest (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Personality traits showed associations with certain dietary habits but further studies are required to identify persons who are at risk of diet related diseases to inform the development of appropriate interventions.

Source: UG