ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploitation rates and management implications for the fisheries of Bontanga reservoir in the Northern Region of Ghana

The exploitation rates of eight major component fishery species, Auchenoglaris accidentali, Brycianus nurse, Clarias gariepinus, Hemichromis fasciatus, Marcusenuis, Oreochromis niloticus, Sarotherodon galilaeus and Tilapia zillii, of gill net fishery of Bontanga reserviour, were studied from March, 2004 to March, 2006 based on length-based models. The exploitation rates (E) of A. accidentalis and H. fasciatus were 0.7 and 0.6 which exceeded the optimization (Bopt0 criterian of 0.5 for sustainable exploitation of fisheries, indicating that these species were over exploited. For B.nurse and S. galitaeus, E=0.5, indicting that these species were at their maximum rates of exploitation. For C. gariepinus, M. Senegalensis, O. niloticus and T. zillii, E<0.5, indicating that these species were not over exploited. Based on the selection factor of the legal minimum gill net mesh size of 5 cm of Ghana fisheries Act 625, the estimated mesh size for catching the eight species ranged from 9.9-19.3 cm, calling for an upward review of the legal minimum mesh size of gill nets from 5 to 10 cm for sustainable exploitation of reservoir fisheries. The adoption of minimum mesh size of gill nests of 10 cm, restriction of further entry into the fishery, control rights and community based co-management system are some management option-suggested to enhance sustainable exploitation and management of the fisheries.

Source: UG
Exploiting location and contextual information to develop a comprehensive framework for proactive handover in heterogeneous environments

The development and deployment of several wireless and cellular networks mean that users will demand to be always connected as they move around. Mobile nodes will therefore have several interfaces and connections will be seamlessly switched among available networks using vertical handover techniques. Proactive handover mechanisms can be combined with the deployment of a number of location-based systems that provide location information to a very high degree of accuracy in different contexts. Furthermore, this new environment will also allow contextual information such as user profiles as well as the availability of using location and contextual information to provide efficient handover mechanisms. Using location-based techniques, it is possible to demonstrate that the Time Before Vertical Handover as well as the Network Dwell Time can be accurately estimated. These techniques are dependent on accurately estimating the handover radius. This paper investigates how location and context awareness can be used to estimate the best handover radius. The paper also explores how such techniques may be integrated into the Y-Comm architecture which is being used to explore the development of future mobile networks. Finally, the paper highlights the use of ontological techniques as a mechanism for specifying and prototyping such systems. © 2012 G. Mapp et al.

Source: UG
Exploiting Patent Regulatory ‘Flexibilities’ to Promote Access to Antiretroviral Medicines in Sub-Saharan Africa

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has reached a crescendo in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA or Saharan region). This disease threatens to exterminate the human race in the Saharan region. The situation is further exacerbated by high prices of brand name antiretroviral medicines due to the prevailing international patent regime. And, attempts to promote the manufacture and import of generic versions of antiretroviral drugs are sometimes met with stiff resistance from pharmaceutical companies who own the patents. This article, therefore, seeks to examine the subject of patent regulation of antiretroviral drugs in the light of the threat posed by HIV/AIDS in SSA. It urges the exploitation of diverse patent regulatory mechanisms to promote access to antiretroviral drugs in the region worst hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Exploiting patent regulatory flexibilities implies the use of: negotiations, compulsory licensing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, collaborative initiatives among regional economic blocs, increased drug-pricing competition, and a rejection of TRIPS-Plus obligations, among others, to procure relatively cheaper versions of antiretroviral medicines for persons infected with the virus. This will enable policy makers in the Sub-Saharan region to respond more effectively to expand the capacities of HIV/AIDS-affected persons and make them more productive. It will further save the healthcare systems in SSA from imminent collapse.

Source: UG
Exploration of Ghanaian radiographers’ reporting of suspected physical abuse amongst children

The success of the child protection process is dependent on rapid actions by healthcare professionals who encounter a child in possible need of protection and make appropriate referrals to statutory agencies. Clear rules that promote inter-professional working among health professionals is necessary to enhance child protection. Aim: To explore the internal factors leading to bystander attitude towards reporting of suspected physical abuse amongst Ghanaian radiographers. Methods: Twenty radiographers across Ghana who have encountered suspected child physical abuse during practice interviewed. Data was collected using qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews. Participants were radiographers who were selected using purposive sampling. Data was thematically analysed and managed with NVivo version 10. Themes developed formed the basis of the discussion. Results: Participants reported barriers such as training deficits, lack of knowledge in reporting regula tions, and the absence of a framework or structures in place to guide suspected physical abuse (SPA) management. The results showed that the majority of participants were ignorant of the role of the social worker in identified cases of SPA. Additionally, there was no teamwork in the majority of the hospitals in the management of suspected physical abuse. Conclusions: Participants’ behaviour towards child protection was congruent with the situation where an individual would assess the consequences of an action. Fear, lack of direction and collaboration char acterised the management of suspected physical abuse. Implication for practice: The timely identification of child abuse is key to providing the necessary intervention for the child. However, the mere identification of abuse would be of no use to the child when no action was taken by radiographers handling the case as a result of impediments on their way

Source: UG
An Exploration of High School Teachers’ Information Literacy in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

The concept of information literacy has gained roots in many developed countries. In developing countries and for that matter Ghana, the concept is new and evolving at a slower pace. The educational system in Ghana has not integrated information literacy skills into its educational system thus both pre-tertiary and tertiary institutions. Due to this, information literacy skill is not a taught subject in most educational institutions. Research Problem: Ghanaian second cycle institutions do not factor information literacy skills in any of their continuous professional training for teachers. For that matter, most teachers are challenged in the use of information literacy skills in the teaching and learning process in the classroom. Purpose: this study therefore set out to explore how teachers use information literacy skills as an opportunity to stay abreast with the rapid technological changes associated with the use of diverse information resources for teaching. In view of these, the study investigated and focused on determining the level of awareness of information literacy skills of teachers, ascertain the extent of training in information literacy skills for teachers, determine the kind of strategies teachers employed in using different information resources for teaching and also to determine some barriers that militate against the development of information literacy among teachers. Methodology/approach: mixed method approach was used for the study. Quantitative and qualitative instruments and observations were used to collect data from the teachers and head teachers respectively. Finding: the study provided that most of the teachers had information needs, they were aware of the gaps that existed in their subject areas and used diverse information resources available to them to fill these gaps. Teachers had a high preference for internet sources to keep abreast with information in their subject areas and also update their teaching notes. It was also evident that no training was organized for teachers in IL. However, it was found out that teachers possessed moderate levels of IL skills and employed various strategies to find information from the various sources available to them. Inadequate resources were a major challenge that affected IL development among teachers. Originality/value: the study adds up to the information literacy skills of high school teachers and how they exploit the opportunities in information literacy to support the teaching and learning activities in the classroom

Source: UG
An exploration of litigants’ interactions with court actors in Ghanaian courts

Studies have sought to understand the experiences of litigants who use the court system. However, very few have looked at their specific interactions with court actors in Sub-Saharan African countries. In this study, we sought to explore the interactions that litigants have with lawyers, judges, and court workers during the process of civil litigation in Ghana. The study used a qualitative phenomenological design and a criterion sampling technique to select seventeen litigants involved in civil litigation in a Ghanaian court. Using thematic analysis, we found that litigants had confidence in the judicial system. In terms of lawyers and court actors, the participants were ambivalent about their interactions with them. Whereas some had been supportive, others drained their resources and were not altogether altruistic. We discuss these findings and make recommendations for improving litigant experiences.

Source: UG
An exploration of moral hazard behaviors under the national health insurance scheme in Northern Ghana: A qualitative study

Background: The government of Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 through an Act of Parliament (Act 650) as a strategy to improve financial access to quality basic health care services. Although attendance at health facilities has increased since the introduction of the NHIS, there have been media reports of widespread abuse of the NHIS by scheme operators, service providers and insured persons. The aim of the study was to document behaviors and practices of service providers and clients of the NHIS in the Kassena-Nankana District (KND) of Ghana that constitute moral hazards (abuse of the scheme) and identify strategies to minimize such behaviors. Methods: Qualitative methods through 14 Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and 5 individual in-depth interviews were conducted between December 2009 and January 2010. Thematic analysis was performed with the aid of QSR NVivo 8 software. Results: Analysis of FGDs and in-depth interviews showed that community members, health providers and NHIS officers are aware of various behaviors and practices that constitute abuse of the scheme. Behaviors such as frequent and 'frivolous' visits to health facilities, impersonation, feigning sickness to collect drugs for non-insured persons, over charging for services provided to clients, charging clients for services not provided and over prescription were identified. Suggestions on how to minimize abuse of the NHIS offered by respondents included: reduction of premiums and registration fees, premium payments by installment, improvement in the picture quality of the membership cards, critical examination and verification of membership cards at health facilities, some ceiling on the number of times one can seek health care within a specified time period, and general education to change behaviors that abuse the scheme. Conclusion: Attention should be focused on addressing the identified moral hazard behaviors and pursue cost containment strategies to ensure the smooth operation of the scheme and enhance its sustainability.

Source: UG
Exploration of Surgical Patients’ Perspectives of Peri-Operative Nursing Care at the Regional Hospital, Bolgatanga

The purpose of this study was to explore surgical patients‘ perspective of perioperative nursing care at the Regional Hospital, Bolgatanga. The study was guided by Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) as Microsystems health care model. The study employed a qualitative explorative descriptive design. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants. The data was saturated with 15 participants aged between 23 and 65 years. All the interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed using the principles of thematic content analysis. Three major themes emerged from the study: preoperative perspectives, intraoperative perspectives and postoperative perspectives of care. These themes were consistent with the PSH Model. Also, additional theme that emerged was faith in God. Nurses helped to assess and triage patients to identify specific cases for urgent surgery. Nurses provided reassurance, counseling and prehabilitation and physical care to patients but failed to take patients‘ medical history. Nurses contributed effectively to ensure patients‘ safety and performed infection prevention to some extent during surgery but poorly managed patients‘ pain. Some patients sustained minor injuries as a result of poor usage of theatre equipments. Nurses provided inadequate information to patients throughout the perioperative period. Nurses exhibited poor communication attitude toward patients and poorly managed their wounds resulting in wound infection. Also, patients encountered high cost of care and nurses failed to visit patients at home after discharge. It was recommended that health care providers should involve patients in planning care. They should conduct physical assessment and review items used in the theatre

Source: UG
Exploration of the forms of mobile phone attachment among traders in Ghana

Studies on mobile phone attachment have often focused on addiction to the mobile phone with a particular focus on young populations to the neglect of older ones. However, attachment to the mobile phone means more than addiction as experienced by young populations in developed nations. This paper attempts to explore the various forms of attachment across a working population in Africa. It is aimed at establishing the forms of attachment to the mobile phone and their possible sociodemographic variations. Data was collected from 374 used-clothing traders in Accra, using a mixed-methods approach. Employing the conversion framework from domestication theory, a thematic analysis showed that attachment to mobile phone use is culturally specific. A principal component analysis revealed five types of attachment with significant variations across age, gender, and level of education. © 2018, The Author(s) 2018.

Source: UG
Exploration of the Pathway of Offending in the Later Life of Older Ghanaian Adults

This chapter seeks to present an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the experience of criminal involvement in old age, drawing on data from a descriptive, phenomenology study with 20 offenders aged 50 and over at a total institution in Ghana. The findings show that the onset of offending in later life is embedded in diverse scenarios including a survival strategy pertaining to engagement in economic activities for survival with retirement planning implications. Correspondingly, the crimes committed are violent, namely, murder, causing physical harm, food poisoning, and those that are non-violent, namely, narcotics dealings, petty thievery in nature. Among others, cognitive impairment/dementia and poverty are contributory factors to the incarnation of older offenders between one month and 27 years. The older offenders were involved in second line criminal activities, namely, the sale of stolen goods obtained from first liners. Compliance with prison rules incentivised reduced prison sentence years, fostered peace of mind. Tipping colleague inmates to execute allotted prison work is another coping strategy resulting from inability to do same. Imprisonment induced Christianity-oriented reformation, served as an integrative factor between criminality and serving prison sentence(s). Also worth reiterating is the fact that imprisonment may induce stigmatisation and isolation-related loneliness, while serving as an antidote to the pangs of loneliness with consequences for recidivism among older offenders. Gerontological offending has debilitating effects on older adults and is associated with the social isolation of an age cohort that is already predisposed to witchcraft accusations. The conduction of cognitive impairment/dementia tests on older offenders may moderate the sentence they receive.

Source: UG
An exploration of work-related experiences of domestic workers in Accra, Ghana

This study explored work-related lived experiences of domestic workers in the Ghanaian context. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with 14 domestic workers in Accra to develop insights into how various characteristics associated with domestic workers’ jobs shape their psychological well-being and how they thrive in the face of their experiences. The study revealed that domestic workers face exploitation and abuse, have no written formal work con tracts, and enter that kind of work as a means to addressing existential needs. It was further observed that the work situations of domestic workers expose them to potential psycho logical distress, and many of them use emotion regulation to cope with abuse and exploitation on the job. However, the study also found evidence that domestic workers derive satisfaction from their job when they are given fair employment conditions. These findings suggest the need for policies and interventions targeted at providing psychosocial support and regulating the domestic work sector to safeguard the health and wellbeing of domestic workers.

Source: UG
Explorations of Forgiveness in Ghanaian Marriages

This study examined marital forgiveness among 40 married individuals from southern Ghana. Analysis revealed various conceptualizations of forgiveness: (1) removal of negative emotions; (2) relationship restoration; (3) forgetting; (4) revenge, punishment, or retaliation avoidance; (5) refraining from making future references to the offense; and (6) minimizing the offense. Three reasons for granting forgiveness were observed: marital stability; marital harmony; and personal well-being. The process of granting forgiveness was partly influenced by Ghanaian culture and differed for men and women. Participants emphasized bodily expressions and gestures (e.g., “kneeling”) in the forgiveness process, and more women than men demanded pacification when they were wronged. The findings have implications for understanding and improving marital relationships of individuals with African ancestry.

Source: UG
An Exploratory and Comparative Assessment of the Governance Arrangements of Universities in Ghana

Purpose – Institutional governance has recently attracted significant attention, fuelled by increasing numbers of global high‐profile corporate failures and scandals. In many countries issues have been raised about university governance. In Ghana, university governance has become crucial following the upsurge of private universities in recent years arising out of: increased demand for tertiary education resulting from high population growth; and expanded enrolment at basic and secondary levels, which have far exceeded the capacity of existing institutions. This study aims to explore and assess the governance arrangements of private and public universities in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – A multi‐stage sampling technique was used to select three private and two public universities. An exploratory and comparative approach was used to examine the governance arrangements of private and public universities in Ghana. Findings – Both private and public universities in Ghana follow the “traditional”, “business”, and “trusteeship” models of university governance, although in different proportions. Additionally, both types of institutions follow the bicameral system of decision making. Research limitations/implications – Only five of 19 universities in Ghana were sampled. Future research might expand the sample size to test and validate the initial perspectives from this study and also investigate differences between governance arrangements of faith based and non‐faith based private universities. Originality/value – The paper reports the findings of the first nation‐wide investigation into governance arrangements of Ghanaian universities. It will interest policy makers, university authorities, and other stakeholders in the higher educational sector

Source: UG
An Exploratory Study of Factors Contributing to Divorce Among Married Couples in Accra, Ghana: A Qualitative Approach

Against the backdrop that divorce is increasingly becoming a public health problem in Ghana, especially in urban areas, a qualitative approach was used to explore the possible reasons for divorce among 12 Ghanaian divorcees living in the urban area of Accra. Participants selected purposively were made up of 4 males and 8 females between the ages of 32 and 45 years, with a mean age of 36.5. Findings showed that the period of honeymooning provided a context that either destabilized or stabilized the union. Nonsubmissiveness, inadequate love and affection, and lack of trust were identified as the main reasons for divorce. Participants expressed mixed feelings about early expectations from marriage and a sense of regret and stigmatization after the dissolution of the marriage. Postmarital counseling should be encouraged to help address possible problems that are likely to arise and destabilize couples during the course of the marriage. © 2014 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UG
An exploratory study of instructors' perceptions on inclusion of culturally responsive pedagogy in online education

The rapid growth of diverse learners in online learning has made it imperative for online instructors to incorporate multicultural resource curricula and instructional activities. This research aimed to explore online instructors' perceptions of culturally responsive pedagogy in online education; examine how instructors integrate culturally responsive pedagogy strategies in the online learning environment; and explore the chal lenges in facilitating cross-cultural collaborative learn ing for students from different cultural backgrounds. Data were collected following a qualitative multi-site case study method with five academic disciplines (Education, Social Sciences, Engineering, Physical Sciences and Health Sciences) in 12 colleges and universities in the United States of America. In all, 60 in-depth and semi-structured interviews with instructors (26 females and 34 males) were obtained and analysed following a constant comparative analysis approach. Results reflected that the instructors used cross-cultural interactions to facilitate students' engagement and incorporated culturally responsive teaching. Besides, the findings revealed that most of the instructors integrated diverse and internationalized learning content to support diverse students and addressed the impact of multicultural education in online learning. It was, however, noted, that instructors in the physical science disciplines struggled to incorporate culturally diverse contents in their online classes. The findings of this study foster discourse on how best instructors could be aided to engage diverse students online more meaningfully

Source: UG