ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
What is the opposite of a knowledge society?

This chapter offers a critical examination of the "collaborative development model" (UNESCO, 2005) or the Knowledge Societies discourse. By comparing international indicators and flagship publications of the Knowledge Economy and the Knowledge Society, the author uncovers a paradox: How can an idea centered on knowledge, sharing, and openness further cement global and local inequalities? By employing Southern/decolonizing theory, the author suggests a response from the Global South that allows for a more complex, symphonic, and inclusive development paradigm, compared to the Western ideas of linear stages of development. Three core aspects of Knowledge Societies are highlighted: The value of sharing, financing of education, and knowledge-on-knowledge. The author contends that fully embracing the concept of Knowledge Societies entails much more than country level indexing and benchmarking; it means opening up the world in terms of trade, mobility, and data, employing new technology in cross border collaborations and acknowledging our humanity's interconnectedness or ubuntu. © 2014 by IGI Global. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
What is the Phonological Word in Dagbani? A Positional Faithfulness Account

This paper offers a phonological diagnostic for defining the word in Dagbani, a Gur language of Ghana. It shows that a morphological unit that constitutes a complete word blocks contrast-neutralising phonological processes from target segments within its boundaries when triggered across its boundary. In sub-word units, these processes (e.g. nasal place assimilation, vowel harmony, segmental deletion) apply to target sounds without restrictions. The result is the maintenance of contrast in words and neutralisation of contrast in sub-words. The paper further argues that the asymmetrical application of these rules is an indication of a morphological strength distinction between the word as a strong position where segments are fully specified for phonological features, and the sub-word domain as a non-privileged position where segments may be underspecified for features. A formal analysis of the asymmetry is presented using the theory of positional faithfulness within the framework of Optimality Theory. Keywords: Dagbani, nasal place assimilation, vowel harmony, underspecifiation, positional faithfulness

Source: UG
What Makes People Happy with their Lives in Developing Countries? Evidence from Large-Scale Longitudinal Data on Ghana

A key objective of development thought is to improve the welfare of people and enhance their satisfaction with life. This is important following literature that sug gests that increasing incomes may not necessarily lead to happiness in the long term. In this regard, this study investigates the drivers of happiness in Ghana and the determinants of transitions into diferent happiness states. Using a nationwide panel dataset over three time periods and employing econometric techniques, the study found that among the key determinants of happiness in Ghana are assets, social capital/networks, health status, ethnicity, age and location of residence. The study further found that assets neutralize the efects of other vital drivers while social network has a moderating efect on how assets predict happiness. In contrast, an inverted U-shape was found for the importance of assets to happiness over one’s age, suggesting that assets begin to matter less for one’s happiness beyond a certain age threshold. Aside from assets and social network, which predict transitions from any state of happiness to the other, the importance of other correlates of the transitions largely varies by the initial state of happiness. The implications are discussed within the framework of the goals of development policy

Source: UG
‘What men don’t know can hurt women’s health’: a qualitative study of the barriers to and opportunities for men’s involvement in maternal healthcare in Ghana

Background The importance of men's involvement in facilitating women’s access to skilled maternal healthcare in patriarchal societies such as Ghana is increasingly being recognised. However, few studies have been conducted to examine men’s involvement in issues of maternal healthcare, the barriers to men’s involvement, and how best to actively involve men. The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers to and opportunities for men’s involvement in maternal healthcare in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods Qualitative focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key informant interviews were conducted with adult men and women aged 20–50 in a total of seven communities in two geographic districts and across urban and rural areas in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Attride-Stirling’s thematic network analysis framework was used to analyse and present the qualitative data. Results Findings suggest that although many men recognise the importance of skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth, and the benefits of their involvement, most did not actively involve themselves in issues of maternal healthcare unless complications set in during pregnancy or labour. Less than a quarter of male participants had ever accompanied their wives for antenatal care or postnatal care in a health facility. Four main barriers to men’s involvement were identified: perceptions that pregnancy care is a female role while men are family providers; negative cultural beliefs such as the belief that men who accompany their wives to receive ANC services are being dominated by their wives; health services factors such as unfavourable opening hours of services, poor attitudes of healthcare providers such as maltreatment of women and their spouses and lack of space to accommodate male partners in health facilities; and the high cost associated with accompanying women to seek maternity care. Suggestions for addressing these barriers include community mobilisation programmes to promote greater male involvement, health education, effective leadership, and respectful and patient-centred care training for healthcare providers. Conclusions The findings in this paper highlight the need to address the barriers to men’s involvement, engage men and women on issues of maternal health, and improve the healthcare systems – both in terms of facilities and attitudes of health staff - so that couples who wish to be together when accessing care can truly do so.

Source: UG
What Motivates Young African Leaders for Public Engagement? Lessons from Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda

Young people constitute a disproportionate share of the population in most African countries, and as such, make up a key political demographic. The discourse on youth political participation tends to focus narrowly on disengaged, apathetic and troublesome youth. Yet, many African youth have taken on leadership positions across the continent, engaging in politics, civil society, and activism. This article seeks an understanding of what drives their public engagement. Drawing on a qualitative study of 33 leaders across Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda, we argue that a range of individual, relational, and societal factors entwine and build on each other to foster youth leadership. Drawing on the socialization literature, we explore individual-level determinants of engagement, including family, educational experiences, purposive incentives, and identity. We go further than earlier research to explore the unique ways that these, along with the complex relational ties that undergird neopatrimonialism, as well as political opportunities, can work together to build young leaders in the public sphere.

Source: UG
What predicts non-retention in microbicide trials?

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
What Research Questions Should the Next Generation of Birth Cohort Studies Address? An International Delphi Study of Experts

OBJECTIVE: Birth cohort studies (BCS) have generated a wealth of invaluable basic scientific and policy-relevant information on a wide range of issues in child health and development. This study sought to explore what research questions are currently a priority for the next generation of BCS using a 3- round Delphi survey of interdisciplinary experts. METHODS: Twenty-four (Round I, N = 17; Round II, N = 21; Round III, N = 18) experts across a wide range of fields (eg, psychology, public health, and maternal/child health) agreed to participate. In Round I, the expert panel was invited to freely respond to the question, “what are the key scientific questions future birth cohort studies should address?” Content analysis of answers was used to identify 47 questions for rating on perceived importance by the panel in Round II and consensus- achieving questions were identified. Questions that did not reach consensus in Round II were posed again for expert rerating in Round III. RESULTS: Twenty six of 47 questions reached consensus in Round II, with an additional 6 reaching consensus in Round III. Consensus-achieving questions rated highly on importance spanned a number of topics, including environmental effects on child development, intergenerational transmission of disadvantage, and designing BCS to inform intervention strategies. CONCLUSION: Investigating the effects of family/environmental factors and social disadvantage on a child’s development should be prioritized in designing future BCS. The panel also recommended that future BCS are designed to inform intervention strategies.

Source: UG
What Support Systems do Women Caring for Preterm Infants at Home Require in Urban Ghana? A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Caring for preterm infants and ensuring their survival beyond neonatal intensive care units remain a challenge in many low-income settings. While studies highlight the difficulties of caring for preterm infants at home, few have focused on the forms, sources, and accessibility to support systems. This study explored the forms of support systems women caring for preterm infants at home in urban Ghana require, and their accessibility to such support systems. Methods: An explorative cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted. A total of 19 women who were caring for preterm infants aged 2–6 months at home were purposively sampled. In-depth interviews were conducted and thematic content analysis used to analyse the data. Results: Women reported four main forms of support which they require: psychosocial support, practical support, material support and spiritual support. However, accessibility to these support systems was highly unequal, often depended on one’s social status and the quality of one’s family and interpersonal relationships prior to giving birth to a preterm infant. Conclusion: Women caring for preterm infants at home require a variety of support systems; but effective accessibility remains a challenge for many in urban settings. Interventions to strengthen community and home-based support for women caring for preterm infants at home, including use of social media-based peer support groups, are urgently needed.

Source: UG
What was Israel in Relation to Black People? The Danger of a Single Story

The aim of this study is to present historical sources that provide Afrikan-centered perspectives on what Israel was in relationship to kmtyw ‘Black people/Ancient Egyptians.” This study draws from ancient and classical historical texts that 1) identify the expulsion of the Hyksos with the Exodus story 2) document the manner in which that expulsion took place. We find that there are significant differences in narratives regarding the nature of the Exodus/Expulsion, however, many people are only familiar with a single biblical story. In conclusion, as students and as scholars, it behooves us to research into primary historical sources to transcend the danger of a single story.

Source: UG
What's normal? Microbiomes in human milk and infant feces are related to each other but vary geographically: The inspire study

Background: Microbial communities in human milk and those in feces from breastfed infants vary within and across populations. However, few researchers have conducted cross-cultural comparisons between populations, and little is known about whether certain "core" taxa occur normally within or between populations and whether variation in milk microbiome is related to variation in infant fecal microbiome. The purpose of this study was to describe microbiomes of milk produced by relatively healthy women living at diverse international sites and compare these to the fecal microbiomes of their relatively healthy infants. Methods: We analyzed milk (n = 394) and infant feces (n = 377) collected from mother/infant dyads living in 11 international sites (2 each in Ethiopia, The Gambia, and the US; 1 each in Ghana, Kenya, Peru, Spain, and Sweden). The V1-V3 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to characterize and compare microbial communities within and among cohorts. Results: Core genera in feces were Streptococcus, Escherichia/Shigella, and Veillonella, and in milk were Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, although substantial variability existed within and across cohorts. For instance, relative abundance of Lactobacillus was highest in feces from rural Ethiopia and The Gambia, and lowest in feces from Peru, Spain, Sweden, and the US; Rhizobium was relatively more abundant in milk produced by women in rural Ethiopia than all other cohorts. Bacterial diversity also varied among cohorts. For example, Shannon diversity was higher in feces from Kenya than Ghana and US-California, and higher in rural Ethiopian than Ghana, Peru, Spain, Sweden, and US-California. There were limited associations between individual genera in milk and feces, but community-level analyses suggest strong, positive associations between the complex communities in these sample types. Conclusions: Our data provide additional evidence of within- and among-population differences in milk and infant fecal bacterial community membership and diversity and support for a relationship between the bacterial communities in milk and those of the recipient infant's feces. Additional research is needed to understand environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors driving this variation and association, as well as its significance for acute and chronic maternal and infant health.

Source: UG
Whatsapp Use In Teaching And Learning During Covid-19 Pandemic Period: Investigating Academic Period: Investigating The Initial Attitudes And A Acceptance of Students

Undoubtedly, our life today cannot escape digital technology. Every aspect of our lives and work depends on some sort of technology. As such, there has been a gradual adoption of technology in the classroom to make teaching and learning, worthwhile (Bonsu et al., 2020). Although social media was initially built to help people socialise, it has become an educational tool for teaching and learning and sharing educational content. The utilisation of social media outside the classroom also prepares learners for the 21st century, where students need to be innovative, collaborative, creative, and communicate effectively in the ever-changing world (Redecker et al., 2009). The prime reason for the adoption of social media for educational purposes is its familiar user interface to the youth, low cost, ability to allow students to share and access valuable information, connect and interact with fellow students, teachers, and other stakeholders (Qualman, 2009; Gon & Rawekar, 2017).

Source: UG
When 'solutions of yesterday become problems of today': Crisis-ridden decision making in a complex adaptive system (CAS) - The Additional Duty Hours Allowance in Ghana

Implementation of policies (decisions) in the health sector is sometimes defeated by the system's response to the policy itself. This can lead to counter-intuitive, unanticipated, or more modest effects than expected by those who designed the policy. The health sector fits the characteristics of complex adaptive systems (CAS) and complexity is at the heart of this phenomenon. Anticipating both positive and negative effects of policy decisions, understanding the interests, power and interaction between multiple actors; and planning for the delayed and distal impact of policy decisions are essential for effective decision making in CAS. Failure to appreciate these elements often leads to a series of reductionist approach interventions or 'fixes'. This in turn can initiate a series of negative feedback loops that further complicates the situation over time. In this paper we use a case study of the Additional Duty Hours Allowance (ADHA) policy in Ghana to illustrate these points. Using causal loop diagrams, we unpack the intended and unintended effects of the policy and how these effects evolved over time. The overall goal is to advance our understanding of decision making in complex adaptive systems; and through this process identify some essential elements in formulating, updating and implementing health policy that can help to improve attainment of desired outcomes and minimize negative unintended effects. © The Author 2012; all rights reserved.

Source: UG
When a good business model is not enough: land transactions and gendered livelihood prospects in rural Ghana

Recent large-scale commercial agriculture projects in developing countries have raised concerns about the effects on natural resource-based livelihood activities of local people. A significant weakness in the emerging literature is the lack of a gender perspective on implications for agrarian livelihoods. This article explores the gendered aspects of land transactions on livelihood prospects in the Northern Region of Ghana. Drawing on qualitative research from two commercial agriculture projects, the article examines how pre-existing gender inequalities in agrarian production systems, as well as gender biases in project design, are implicated in post-project livelihood activities. The article concludes that a good business model of a land deal, even one that includes local communities in production and profit sharing, is not sufficient to protect women's livelihood prospects if projects ignore pre-existing gender inequalities and biases, which limit access to opportunities.

Source: UG
When agricultural commercialization fails: ‘Re-visiting’ value-chain agriculture and its ruins in northern Ghana

Commercialization via value-chain agriculture, under which small farmers often Collaborating with big companies has become a prominent development strategy across Africa. Often framed in win-win terms, the dark sides of such projects (e.g. project failures and related losses are often sidelined in both academic and practitioner discourses on agricultural commercialization. Informed by a collaborative ethnography of a failed value-chain agriculture project in Ghana, this paper seeks to contribute to a better understanding of how farmers, agribusiness companies and development organizations engage with and shape commercialization processes, and how those most affected—farmers and their communities—experience often risky and conflict-prone ventures. In contrast to the win-win-rhetoric adopted by funders and corporations partners in such projects, we foreground the uneven distribution of risk and sacrifices and losses between farmers, communities, and corporate partners; the socially and materially disruptive nature of commercialization projects for host communities; and the clashes between a planner’s view of the world and the environmental realities of commercialization.

Source: UG
When being obese is a good thing: voices of Ghanaian participants in a dance reality TV show

The discussion on (mis)representations of black women’s bodies often focuses on their hyper-corporeality and hyper-sexualisation, with little attention paid to the women thus represented and their views. Reality shows are roundly criticised for objectifying women, being unAfrican and offering little to Africans. This paper contests this perspective by drawing on interviews with 19 contestants in a dance reality show in Ghana. We demonstrate that African participants in this show have a much more affirming view of the show. For them, the show offers benefits including celebrity status, training and employment opportunities. These benefits were not lost on family and friends who supported the candidates in various ways. Given the economic conditions in Ghana, this reality show offers obese women an opportunity to turn their condition into an asset and to do so largely with the backing of friends and family.

Source: UG
When Children Kill the Mothers they (Profess to) Love: Images of Matricide in African Literature

Worldwide, matricentric myths and cults have sprung up as a direct response to human awareness of mothers’ indispensability to societal survival. Despite this mother worship, matricide has, since ancient times, been part of human life and traditions. Diverse reasons (didacticism, psycho-analysis, aesthetics and chronicling) are responsible for the transfer of matricide, by artists and myth creators, from the harrowed realm of the unmentionable to the public domain of non-sacred literature. This paper attempts to examine the critical issues of gender, power relations and violence that inform the images of symbolic and direct matricide in African oral art forms and fiction.

Source: UG
When darkness falls at mid-day: young patients' perceptions and meanings of chronic illness and their implications for medical care

This study illustrates the perceptions and meanings that patients who have had the onset of certain chronic diseases at young adulthood ascribe to their condition of chronic illness. The paper further examines the implications of such perceptions and construction for medical care. Qualitative and ethnography. Outpatient chronically ill patients were recruited from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra Ghana. Patients were followed up and studied in-depth in their homes. Purposive sample of 24 consenting patients diagnosed of cancer, renal disease and stroke. Anthropological data collection techniques mainly in-depth interviews, narratives, conversation and observations were used. Issues explored included patients' perceptions, causal explanations, meanings ascribed to diagnosis, and search for treatment and cure. Young adults had very low knowledge of chronic illnesses and did not consider themselves at risk to chronic diseases. The search for diagnosis, upon the presentation of symptoms, was long and winding. Families of young patients were more likely to make future search for "spiritual diagnoses" than elderly patients and their families. Keeping silent and maintaining secrecy about diagnosis are important ways by which young adult patients cope with their condition. Irrespective of the prognosis, young patients nurture a strong hope of cure. Young adults diagnosed of certain chronic illnesses ascribe supernatural interpretations to their disease condition. These determine their attitude to their condition as well as health seeking behaviours adopted by them and their families. Responses interfered with their biomedical care and thus have implications for health promotion and healthcare planning and policy.

Source: UG
When is &quot;malaria&quot; malaria? The different burdens of malaria infection, malaria disease, and malaria-like illnesses.

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG