ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Mobile phone use and physical mobility among young people in the Kwahu West Municipality

It is an undeniable fact that the mobile phone technology has become part of the young people and the younger generation at large. In Ghana, mobile phone use is now in excess of 36 million regardless of one’s age, gender, educational level and/or economic status. Since young people mostly engage in travelling and have unlimited opportunities for mobility, this study was conducted in the Kwahu West Municipality to investigate whether the use of mobile phones has had an impact on young peoples physical mobility. With the use of a multi stage sampling procedure, the municipality was clustered into an urban area, peri-urban area and two rural areas. 243 questionnaires were used to obtain data from young people between the ages of 10 and 25 who were selected random method. The findings from the study was presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that males and persons between 20 and 25 made much use of their phones prior to the study, and also made claims of reduced physical travels with respect to their short and long journeys. However, there was not enough evidence to show that their overall physical travels had reduced with the use of mobile phones. But the findings invariably revealed that as the age and educational levels of the respondents increased the overall journeys embarked on also reduced. Therefore, the study recommended a continuous education for young mobile phone users by mobile telecommunications companies and other social bodies on how to use their phones for activities other than engaging in physical travelling. Also more studies be conducted in other areas of the municipality to gather enough data to clearly reveal the impact of mobile phone use on the physical mobility/ travels of young people.

Source: UCC
Mobile phones and education in sub-saharan Africa: from youth practice to public policy

Young people’s use of mobile phones is expanding exponentially across Africa. Its transformative potential is exciting, but findings presented in this paper indicate how the downside of mobile phone use in African schools is becoming increasingly apparent. Drawing on mixed-methods field research in 24 sites across Ghana, Malawi and South Africa and associated discussions with educational institutions, public policy makers and network providers, we examine the current state of play and offer suggestions towards a more satisfactory alignment of practice and policy which promotes the more positive aspects of phone use in educational contexts and militates against more damaging ones.

Source: UCC
Mobile phones and education in Sub-Saharan Africa: from youth practice to public policy

Young people’s use of mobile phones is expanding exponentially across Africa. Its transformative potential is exciting, but findings presented in this paper indicate how the downside of mobile phone use in African schools is becoming increasingly apparent. Drawing on mixed-methods field research in 24 sites across Ghana, Malawi and South Africa and associated discussions with educational institutions, public policy makers and network providers, we examine the current state of play and offer suggestions towards a more satisfactory alignment of practice and policy which promotes the more positive aspects of phone use in educational contexts and militates against more damaging ones

Source: UCC
Mobile phones facilitation of heal h promotion and disease prevention initiatives: health students initial perspectives

Students are regarded as frequent users of mobile phones which has proven to be a convenient and acceptable method to promote healthy lifestyle. Students usually engage in relatively high levels of risky behavior and make unhealthy lifestyle choices, a study that investigates how health student’s access health information is necessary. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional study which was undertaken among third-year nursing students from three nurses training institutions in Ghana. A total of 270 students participated in the study. Most of the respondents who were currently subscribers of the health messages reported that they usually received health information on reproductive health issues, nutrition, and practicing safe sex. Most of the health students revealed that they needed more information on safe sex, diet, managing weight, and stress management. The results also show that health students are likely to remember and share short messages with friends. The findings serve as an ‘eye-opener’ for health educators and mobile service providers concerning factors that should be taken into consideration when framing health text messages that will attract health students

Source: UCC
Mobile phones, gender, and female empowerment in sub-Saharan Africa: studies with African youth

Data from qualitative and survey research with young people in 24 locations (urban and rural) across Ghana, Malawi, and South Africa expose the complex interplay between phone ownership and usage, female empowerment, and chronic poverty in Africa. We consider gendered patterns of phone ownership and use before examining practices of use in educational settings, in business and in romantic and sexual relationships. While some reshaping of everyday routines is evident, in the specific context of female empowerment we find little support within our sites for the concept of the mobile phone as an instrument of positive transformative change. The phone’s application in romantic and sexual relationships demonstrates particularly strongly the way phones are complicit in constraining women’s empowerment and points to potential wider repercussions, including for educational and entrepreneurship trajectories. Women’s agency is still mired within wider structures of patriarchy and chronic poverty: existing inequalities are being re-inscribed and reinforced

Source: UCC
Mobility, education and livelihood trajectories for young people in rural Ghana: a gender perspective

This paper examines the gendered implications of Africa’s transport gap (the lack of cheap, regular and reliable transport) for young people in rural Ghana, with particular reference to the linkages between restricted mobility, household work demands, access to education and livelihood potential. Our aim is to show how mobility constraints, especially as these interact with household labour demands, restrict young people’s access to education and livelihood opportunities. Firstly, the paper considers the implications of the direct constraints on young people’s mobility potential as they travel to school. Then it examines young people’s (mostly unpaid) labour contributions, which are commonly crucial to family household production and reproduction, including those associated with the transport gap. This has especially important implications for girls, on whom the principal onus lies to help adult women carry the heavy burden of water, firewood, and agricultural products required for household use. Such work can impact significantly on their educational attendance and performance in school and thus has potential knock-on impacts for livelihoods. Distance from school, when coupled with a heavy workload at home will affect attendance, punctuality and performance at school: it may ultimately represent the tipping point resulting in a decision to withdraw from formal education. Moreover, the heavy burden of work and restricted mobility contributes to young people’s negative attitudes to agriculture and rural life and encourages urban migration. Drawing on research from rural case study sites in two regions of Ghana, we discuss ethnographic material from recent interviews with children and young people, their parents, teachers and other key informants, supported by information from an associated survey with children ca. 9–18 years

Source: UCC
Mode of umbilical cord insertion and neonatal weight, and some placental factors

Background: Birth weight is an important determinant of health of a child, with low birth weight associated with the occurrence of many chronic diseases in adult life. Aim: The objective of this study is to determine the correlation between mode of insertion of umbilical cord and neonatal weight and some placental variables. Methods: Forty placentas were obtained from the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in the Central Region. Umbilical cord length was measured and its position on the placenta noted and recorded. The placentas were trimmed and measurements of placental weight, diameter, and thickness were measured using Olympic smart scale and anthropometric measure respectively and then the volume were also recorded. Results: Three forms of umbilical cord insertion on the placentas were observed: central, eccentric and marginal. The result obtained shows that 57.5% of the umbilical cord insertions were eccentric, central cord insertions were 11 (27.5%) and marginal insertions were 6 (15%). Conclusion: The results were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square and showed that the umbilical cord inserts more eccentrically and that mode of umbilical cord insertion has no association with the placental variables and birth weight looked at and thus mode of cord insertion may not significantly influence birth weight of the neonate. There was however a positive association between placental index and umbilical cord length (P < 0.05)

Source: UCC
A model for open access institutional repositories usage for university libraries in Ghana

The aim of this article was to develop a model for the usage of Open Access Institutional Repositories (OAIR) in university libraries in Ghana. The article adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which was then modified to fit the study. The variables were adapted to improve the fit between data and the theoretical model, keeping the characteristics of TAM. Accessibility, availability and visibility were proposed in addition to the conventional variables of TAM. Positivist paradigm, quantitative methods research and survey design were used for the study. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling were the sampling procedures and methods employed. A total of 998 respondents completed the questionnaires distributed. The questionnaire was used as a research instrument to gather relevant data for the study. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multinomial logistic regression and Confirmatory Factor Analysis [CFA], using structural equation modelling [SEM]) were used as statistical tools to analyse the data. The study developed an OAIR Usage Model, which would be instrumental in the usage of OAIR in university libraries in Ghana. The model will enhance both user satisfaction and intention to reuse the OAIR, and make OAIR research outputs available, accessible and visible. This article adds to the body of literature on OAIR, as it is used in university libraries.

Source: UCC
Modeling and Analysis of Ion Permeation in Ach Membrane Channels

This study is concerned with a transport process in the membrane ion channel, which is complicated by the presence of protein walls. The walls of actual biological channels have complicated shape geometries. These geometries pose a serious problem for calculation of electrical forces acting on an ion in the channel. Since proteins forming the channels have a low dielectric constant (2) compared to the water (80) in which ions move, the channel boundary plays a significant role in determining the electric forces. This interaction between ions and electric forces determines many of the properties of ion channel. In this respect, analytical solutions satisfying the Dirichlet boundary conditions for cylindrical and toroidal boundaries are presented. It appears that for realistic studies of ion transport in biological channels these geometries can describe the channel more accurately and the model system offers us the ability to reduce complex biological systems to the form that can be treated theoretically.

Source: UCC
Modeling and forecasting rainfall pattern in Ghana as a seasonal arima process:The Case of Ashanti Region

Understanding the rainfall process is critical for the solution of several regional environmental problems of integrated water resources management at regional scales, with implications for agriculture, climate change, and natural hazards such as floods and droughts. Statistical modeling and data analysis are key instruments for studying these processes. The main objective of this article is to examine rainfall pattern over time, from 1974 to 2010, in Ashanti region of Ghana. Data for the study was obtained from the Ashanti regional division of Ghana meteorological service. It was subsequently analyzed using Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA). The results showed that rainfall pattern in Ashanti region significantly changes over time. There are periods of low variability and others of extreme variability separated by periods of transition. Also, it was found that there is a slight decrease in rainfall figures from August to December when the post sample forecast is compared to the actual rainfall figures. However, February to March experienced a slight increase in rainfall figures in terms forecast figures. Generally, therefore, the forecast figures for the months show an increase in the rainfall figures for the subsequent year(s), all things being equal

Source: UCC
Modeling and simulation of ieee 802.11 wireless-lan and bluetooth piconet range interference

The proximity of wireless devices with one another often results in interference in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz ISM bandwidth. Interference has been recognized as a major problem to wireless network performance and improvement. In this paper we report a proposed and investigated Interference Range Model (IRM), a model that allows a user to determine the acceptable range of interference in a given environment. A Java environment for modeling, simulating, and analyzing acceptable/cutoff ranges of interference based on the IRM is discussed. The model was tested on ranges of interferences for Bluetooth devices in a piconet and IEEE 802.11 devices in the wireless LAN setup, which consequently provided a method for determining the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) for the two protocols. With this approach, it is expected that a model for calculating and calibrating particular threshold values, or SIRs, and the corresponding ranges of interference can be determined for other wireless protocols

Source: UCC
A modeling assessment of geneflow in smallholder agriculture in West Africa

Purpose: Small-scale agriculture is an important issue for food security in Africa. In the context of Genetically Modified Organisms, approaches to quantify geneflow in small-scale systems are widely unexplored. We aimed at bridging this gap by contributing to the scientific discussion on the uncertainties of the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the region. he safety issue is: Would it be possible to withdraw a variety in case that unexpected and undesirable effects occur? e.g. the resistance of pests which make the variety no more useful. Methods: We used a GIS approach to determine the location of maize cultivation sites, field geometries and applied a model for the calculation of geneflow scenarios. Results: The data revealed that the given cropping density provides optimal conditions for transgene spread, potentially limiting the possibility for coexistence between GM and non-GM fields. On average, we found about 60 fields within a nearest distance of 100 m, and cropping density of 56 fields per square kilometer. he resulting cross-pollination rate from the single GM field into the neighbouring conventional fields was estimated to be about 0.12%. Conclusions: GM varieties if introduced could remain in cultivation even if their admission has expired or has been retracted. his would be undesirable and could cause long-term, undesirable stacked combination of transgenes which cannot be tested with respect to eventual combinatory effects. hese developments pose major challenges for fielder livelihoods, and conservation of maize genetic resources with potentially negative consequences for the African food export sector.

Source: UCC
Modeling land use change for Ejisu-Juaben district of Ghana

Prediction of land use/cover change for future date is important for management and monitoring the resources. Ejisu Juaben district of Ghana turned out to be the best choice of study as it is observed that the northern part of the district is undergoing rapid changes and is in close proximity to the Kumasi Metropolitan. Further rapid changes are noticed near Kumasi located in the northern part of the district. Landsat Images of 1986 and 2007 were classified separately and a land use/cover prediction for 2020 was made which gave a transition matrix. The results show that forest and settlement/bare land have 0.5978 and 0.6456 probabilities respectively. The land use /cover map for the year 2020 indicated various changes with the controlling aspects such as weather conditions, human activities etc. remain the same as that of 2007

Source: UCC
Modeling of tomato prices in Ashanti Region, Ghana, using seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model

The pricing of seasonal and perishable crops such as tomatoes is of paramount concern to emerging economies. In this paper, we have formulated a model for the prices of tomatoes in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. We applied time series on the tomatoes price data recorded over the period of 1994 to 2015, sourced from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) Research Directorate, Kumasi. We analyzed the data using Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) by regrouping the data into quarters for each year. Consequently, the best fitted model was found to be SARIMA (0, 1, 1)x(0,1,1). The model predicted that in 2016, the prices of tomatoes will increase with second quarter providing the highest price. However, after a huge rise in price at the second, price is expected drop in both the third and fourth quarter of 2016 all things being equal. This has been the price trend in all second quarters for the period considered in the analysis with exception of 2015 where price fell by almost GHC 5.00 compared the first quarter. We have formulated this model to assist stakeholders including government to take informed decisions and formulate pricing policies that will guarantee farmers stable price

Source: UCC
Modeling poverty status of Ghanaians: A logistics regression approach

he poor are not evenly distributed within the country and they do not share the same socio-economic and demographic characteristics. It is against this background that analysis of the characteristics that differentiate the poor from the non-poor in Ghana cannot be underestimated. Poverty indicators make it possible to analyze the likely determinants and are, therefore, essential for formulating policy interventions that may contribute directly or indirectly to its alleviation. This study therefore aims at determining the most important characteristics that differentiate poor households from non-poor households in Ghana. To achieve this objective, data was obtained from the Ghana Statistical Service. It consists of 49,005 households surveyed in the country of which 17.2 percent were classified as being poor (extremely poor). The analysis of the data relied mainly on logistic regression. It was found that the region a household resides in, the number of persons in that household, access to improved sources of water and sanitation, are the most important characteristics. These and other interesting results are discussed.

Source: UCC
Modeling Students’ Acceptance of Learning Management System among Senior High School Students Based on Modified Technology Acceptance Model: Evidence from Suame Municipality

The main purpose of the study was to model students’ acceptance of the learning management system among senior high school students based on the modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The study utilised simple random sampling to select 313 respondents for the study. The instrument used to collect data was questionnaire, and the data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation, mean of means, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and linear regression. The results of the study revealed that students face technological challenges which inhibit them from utilising LMS in teaching and learning in senior high schools. Again, the result also revealed that socio-cultural factors/dimensions are predictors of students’ acceptance of LMS. Additionally, the study revealed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and technological challenges are predictors of students’ LMS acceptance in Senior High Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study, therefore, recommended that the Ghana Education Service should train students and teachers on the use of Learning Management System to help them utilise blended learning. It was recommended that students’ perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and technological challenges should be considered when adopting an LMS for use in Senior High Schools in Ghana and across the world.

Source: UCC
Modeling The Attitude Antecedents Of Colleges Of Education Students Towards Online Learning Readiness In The Central Region Of Ghana

This study examined the attitude antecedents of Colleges of Education students towards online learning readiness. Specifically, the study tested nine hypotheses on how students‟ attitude towards computer, internet, LMS and online learning related to online learning readiness. The correlational research design from the positivist philosophical position and the quantitative approach was adopted for the study. A sample of 335 was drawn from a total population of 2,568 from three Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. Data were collected with structured questionnaire and were analysed with the Partial Least Square -Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The study found that students' attitude towards computers, the internet, learning management systems and online learning significantly related to students' online learning readiness at Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. It was therefore recommended that authorities of Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana should readily make available to their students‟ computers, internet facilities, learning management systems and online learning platforms. Equipping learners with the requisite basic skills to be able to use these platforms was also recommended to be able to influence students‟ positive attitudes towards online learning readiness at the Colleges of Education in Ghana.

Source: UCC