ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Breaking the Culture-specific Silence of Women Glass Bead Makers in Ghana: Towards Empowerment

Background: The production of glass beads in Ghana is greatly impacted by the ingenuity of Ghanaian women. Preliminary investigations revealed the lack of interest on the part of women due to poor working conditions as a result of the influence of culture-specific silence. Therefore, the study investi gated the poor working conditions faced by these industrious women with the ultimate goal of sug gesting ways they can be empowered. Methods: A phenomenological study was conducted in two indigenous glass bead communities in Ghana. Data were solicited via direct observations, personal interviews and focus group discussions. Twenty-six purposively sampled respondents were recruited for the study. Data from the study were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: The results confirmed that the elderly women glass bead makers are much influenced by the Ghanaian culture of silence. This prevents the women from speaking about the challenges they are facing in their work. Also, the women are silenced because of the fear of losing their jobs as well as the reluctance of their male managers to remedy the challenges they encounter in the course of work. This has resulted in poor remuneration, lack of insurance packages for workers, certification, and absence of personal protective tools for the women. Conclusion: The study tasks the government of Ghana, the Legal Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in Ghana, the Ghana Trade Union as well as the Local Gov ernment Workers' Union to empower the women to sustain the glass bead industry in Ghana.

Source: UG
Breaking the cybersecurity dilemma: Balancing national security and human security in cyberspace

In today's world the ubiquity of cyberspace brings cyber-threats and the measures to counter them to the apex of the modern security dialogue. In the post-Snowden era, national approaches to cybersecurity seem to be sparking a 'digital arms race' rather than fostering more security. Hence cyberspace presents a dilemma of epic proportions which challenges the traditional notions of state-centric security within the arena of international relations. The reason for this is the supranational architecture of cyberspace which makes it difficult for states to unilaterally securitize existing and emergent cyber-threats. It would be shown that when the individual is presented as a threat actor rather than the referent object of security, cyber-insecurity arises. Since cyberspace is a confluence of the human and electromagnetic operating environments, colonized by a multiplicity of actors, the security actions of states affect both the system and the actors within it. Furthermore, the intent of securing cyberspace through its militarization and balkanization would engender anarchy within this land of binary code, along with its unintended effect of increasing tensions within the comity of nations. One of the conundrums in cyberspace is that its' use as an operational domain for surveillance and cyber-warfare increases the threat exposure of citizens, the very people the state is sworn to protect. This paper interrogates the cybersecurity dilemma and explores the utility of the application of human security to cyberspace

Source: UG
Breaking the Cybersecurity Dilemma; Balancing National Security and Human Security in Cyberspace.

In today’s world, cyberspace and cyberpower have become crucial elements of international security. This brings cyber-threats and the measures to counter them to the apex of the modern security dialogue. In the post-Snowden era, national approaches to cybersecurity seem to be sparking a ‘digital arms race’ rather than fostering more security. Hence, cyberspace presents a dilemma of epic proportions, which challenges the traditional notions of state-centric security within the arena of international relations. The reason for this is the supranational architecture of cyberspace, which makes it difficult for states to unilaterally securitize existing and emergent cyber-threats. This study interrogates the cybersecurity dilemma and explores the utility of the application of the human security concept to cyberspace. The research shows that current national security approaches to the cybersecurity dilemma are inadequate in addressing the technical, political and social challenges predominant in cyberspace. The study concludes that a balance of the national security and human security approaches may provide states with a strong framework for addressing 21st century cyber challenges.

Source: UG
Breaking the Silence: Housing and Psychosocial Health Inequalities in Three Urban Neighbourhoods of Accra, Ghana

Housing and health inequalities scholarship in Ghana, as in many developing countries, has mainly focused on the urban environmental health aspects of human settlements, and related health inequalities. Studies about housing-related psychosocial health inequalities of residents are scant. This study is a contribution to addressing this gap. It investigates the pathways between housing and the psychosocial health status of residents in three contrasting urban neighbourhoods in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Survey and narrative inquiry research provide insights into the stark contrast in reported psychosocial health among the neighbourhoods. Differences in psychosocial health are then related to the mechanisms of differentiation in housing-market capacities; the mechanisms of differentiation in housing needs gaps, arising from discrepancies between achieved housing spaces and desired housing space needs; and the mechanisms of differentiation in coping and adjustment strategies of housing. The policy implications of the study for addressing the significant psychosocial housing distress are presented in the conclusion.

Source: UG
Breast cancer in sub-Saharan African women

The literature on breast cancer in sub-Saharan women is reviewed. In general, breast cancer is the second most common malignancy of women in the region, after cancer of the uterine cervix. Available reports indicate that data on the disease are incomplete and mostly, of epidemiological or clinical nature. Breast cancer is less common in sub-Saharan Africa compared to the Western countries (USA or Europe), occurs in younger individuals with peak incidences about a decade younger and the majority present late, with advanced, sometimes terminal disease. Absence of health educational programmes on cancer as well as lack of screening facilities in nearly all countries in the region are contributory factors to the late presentation of the cases. The need for more in-depth studies of the disease in the black African population has been highlighted. Although epidemiologic studies of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa are not available, the disease is considered the second most prevalent cancer among Black women in the region (exceeded only by cervical cancer). In Africa, as in the rest of the world, infiltrating duct carcinoma is the most common histologic type. Observed has been a trend toward relatively young age at diagnosis and presentation at late stages of disease progression. Early age at first birth and breast feeding--associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in white women--do not appear to exert a protective effect among African women. Contributing to the late presentation of breast cancer cases is the lack of educational programs on breast self-examination and screening technologies such as mammography. Also unavailable are standard methods of treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone receptor assay. The prognosis for women with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is quite poor due to the advanced stage of most cases, poor patient compliance, the lack of treatment options, poor drug supplies, inadequate transportation, and a shortage of trained personnel.

Source: UG
Breast cancer mortality in Saudi Arabia: Modelling observed and unobserved factors

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most dangerous and frequently occurring cancers among women, and it also affects men. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mortality among patients with breast cancer in Saudi Arabia. METHOD: Data for this analysis of breast cancer mortality among Saudi Arabians were obtained from the Saudi Arabian Cancer Registry at the King Faisal Hospital and Research Centre. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using proportions, chi-squared tests, and the Cox regression model. Frequentist and Bayesian inferential statistics were used to estimate the risk ratios. A frailty term was specified to control for suspected heterogeneity across regions. Bayesian and deviance information criteria were used to discriminate between the frequentist and Bayesian frailty models, respectively. RESULTS: Out of 5,411 patients, 708 (13.08%) deaths occurred that were attributable to breast cancer. Of those, 12 (1.69%) were men. Among patients who died of breast cancer, 353 (49.86%) had tumours that originated on the left side and 338 (47.74%) on the right side. In terms of the stage or extent of breast cancer, 318 (44.92%) deaths occurred among patients who had distant metastases, followed by 304 (42.94%) who had regional metastases and 86 (12.15%) with localized cancers. Men were 72% more likely than women to die from breast cancer. Divorcees were twice as likely to die, compared to their married counterparts. Patients whose tumours were classified as Grade IV had the highest mortality rate, which was 5.0 times higher than patients with Grade I tumours (credible interval (CrI); 1.577, 14.085) and 3.7 times higher than patients with Grade II tumours (CrI; 1.205, 9.434). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of breast cancer mortality among Saudi Arabian women, with the highest prevalence among divorced women. Though the prevalence of breast cancer mortality among men is lower than that of women, men had a higher risk of death. We therefore recommend an intensive health education programme for both men and women. These programmes should discuss the consequences of divorce, the prevalence of breast cancer among men, and early diagnoses and treatments for breast cancer.

Source: UG
Breast cancer radiotherapy in Sub-Saharan Africa: a comparative study of acute toxicity between conventional and hypofractionated treatment regimens

Hypofractionated radiotherapy for breast cancer has been increasingly adopted glob ally due to its comparable efficacy and reduced treatment burden. The study compared the incidence and severity of four main acute radiation-induced toxicities between breast cancer patients treated with conventional versus hypofractionated radiotherapy. Stratified purposive sampling was used to recruit participants into two groups: group #1 received conventional radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks), whereas group #2 received hypofractionated radiotherapy (40.05 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks). A closed-ended questionnaire administered by the researcher was used for quantitative data collection. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events tool (version 5) was used for grading acute toxicities. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 23). The study involved 53 patients with a mean age of 47.9 years (± 12.4) ranging from 26 to 75 years. The patients had breast cancer ranging from stage IIA (13.2%) to IIIC (9.4%). A considerable majority (62.3%) were treated with conventional fractionation whereas 37.7% were treated with a hypofractionated regimen. Dermatitis was the most prevalent side effect among patients in both groups #1 (67%) and #2 (70%). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of dermatitis, pharyngi tis, chest wall/ breast pain and fatigue between the two groups. However, the mean inci dence of overall acute toxicity was significantly lower in group #2 (2.15 ± 1.14) compared with group #1 (2.42 ± 1.48), with a p-value of 0.001. Comparatively, the conventional 50 Gy dose regimen was associated with more acute radiation-induced toxicity.

Source: UG
Breast-feeding, diarrhoea and sanitation as components of infant and child health: A study of large scale survey data from Ghana and Nigeria

Using Demographic and Health Survey datasets from Ghana and Nigeria, this study examined whether the protective effects of breast-feeding are greatest where the poorest sanitation conditions prevail. It was found that mixed-fed infants aged between 0 and 11 months tend to have a higher risk of diarrhoea than fully breast-fed children, while the risk of diarrhoea among weaned infants is twice that of mixed-fed infants. The probit regression models employed in the analysis were used to predict the probability of diarrhoea associated with each breast-feeding pattern for both 'poor' and 'good' sanitation areas. It was found that the risk of diarrhoea among mixed-fed infants in the poor sanitation areas tends to be high while the same risk among fully breast-fed infants tends to be minimal. In essence, the health risks of mixed feeding are real, particularly for infants aged less than 7 months, and are even worse for those weaned before 6 months of age.This paper studies the interactions between breast-feeding practices, household environmental sanitation and diarrhea-related diseases in Ghana and Nigeria, employing the data collected from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Ghana in 1993 and Nigeria in 1990. Results showed that mixed-fed infants aged between 0 and 11 months tend to have a higher risk of diarrhea than fully breast-fed children, while the risk of diarrhea among the weaned infants is twice that of mixed-fed infants. The probit regression models employed in the analysis were used to predict the probability of diarrhea associated with each breast-feeding pattern for both ¿poor¿ and ¿good¿ sanitation areas. Furthermore, it was found that the risk of diarrhea among mixed-fed infants in the poor sanitation areas tends to be high, while the same risk among fully breast-fed infants tends to be minimal. In conclusion, health risks of mixed feeding are substantial, particularly for infants aged under 7 months, and are even worse for those weaned before 6 months of age.

Source: UG
Breeding Maize for Tolerance to Acidic Soils: A Review

Acidic soils hamper maize (Zea mays L.) production, causing yield losses of up to 69%. Low pH acidic soils can lead to aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), or iron (Fe) toxicities. Genetic variability for tolerance to low soil pH exists among maize genotypes, which can be exploited in developing high-yielding acid-tolerant maize genotypes. In this paper, we review some of the most recent applications of conventional and molecular breeding approaches for improving maize yield under acidic soils. The gaps in breeding maize for tolerance to low soil pH are highlighted and an emphasis is placed on promoting the adoption of the numerous existing acid soil-tolerant genotypes. While progress has been made in breeding for tolerance to Al toxicity, little has been done on Mn and Fe toxicities. More research inputs are therefore required in: (1) developing screening methods for tolerance to manganese and iron toxicities; (2) elucidating the mechanisms of maize tolerance to Mn and Fe toxicities; and, (3) identifying the quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for Mn and Fe tolerance in maize cultivars. There is also a need to raise farmers’ and other stakeholders’ awareness of the problem of Al, Mn, and Fe soil toxicities to improve the adoption rate of the available acid-tolerant maize genotypes. Maize breeders should work more closely with farmers at the early stages of the release process of a new variety to facilitate its adoption level. Researchers are encouraged to strengthen their collaboration and exchange low soil pH-tolerant maize germplasm.

Source: UG
Breeding new sweetpotato genotypes combining elevated content of two antagonistic traits of high dry matter and beta-carotene content in a high root yield background

This study was embarked upon to stack two key but inversely associated sweetpotato traits (dry matter and beta-carotene content) through conventional breeding methods. Thirty-seven elite sweetpotato genotypes were evaluated for both traits, and 15 parents comprising five orange-, five yellow- and five white-fleshed genotypes were selected from the 37 for hybridization. Using bi-parental mating fashion, an F1 progeny population for both traits was developed. Of the 13 families developed, eight families had above 30% of the progenies made of orange-fleshed (high beta-carotene) genotypes with three families having at least 50% of the progenies as OFSP. All the families (except two) showed wide variation for beta-carotene content (range 0.15–12.39 mg/100gFW) with some progenies exhibiting transgressive segregation. For dry matter content, most of the progenies across families had dry matter content > 30%. Overall, 17 high yielding F1 genotypes that combined elevated beta-carotene and dry matter content were identified. These 17 genotypes showed that although a strong inverse relationship exists between dry matter and beta-carotene, the relationship does not make the development of genotypes expressing both traits totally impossible through conventional breeding. These 17 superior genotypes that combine both traits will also serve as elite genetic background for many African sweetpotato breeding platforms in their quest to develop OFSP genotypes that meet the food culture of many African societies.

Source: UG
Bricolage and informal businesses: Young entrepreneurs in the mobile telephony sector in Accra, Ghana

The concept of bricolage has primarily been used in exploring how entrepreneurs in the formal sector, in addition to social entrepreneurs, mobilise resources in developing their businesses. Little is known, however, about the bricolage experiences of young informal entrepreneurs in the rapidly changing, technologically driven mobile telephony sector. Drawing on qualitative field research with young people involved in informal support services in the mobile telephony sector in Accra, Ghana, the paper reveals the existence of various kinds of bricolage processes employed in the running and sustenance of their businesses. The findings show evidence of young people switching from one business to another, engaging in business diversification, utilising pre-existing skills, and employing bottom-up approaches through their social networks in mobilising resources — all of which relate to bricolage processes of improvisation, ‘making do’ and refusing to be constrained by limitations in the resource environment. Although young people are shown to utilise strategies of self-support and ingenuity in running and sustaining their businesses, the paper concludes by calling for a more supportive institutional framework in order to propel the businesses of young people into the future.

Source: UG
Bridging the Access Gap for Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Management Across Sub-Saharan Africa: Learnings for Other Global Health Interventions?

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major unresolved global health issue, with the highest disease burden in sub-Saharan African countries; yet, SCD care has not proportionally reached patients in these regions, and the disease has received limited attention in the past. Addressing the burden of SCD in sub-Saharan Africa requires a holistic, collaborative approach to ensure solutions are both comprehensive, i.e., cover the entire continuum of care from early diagnosis to treatment—and sustainable—i.e., co-created and co-owned with local partners and integrated into existing local systems to enable long-term independence without the need for continuous external support. Objective: We outline a set of recommendations for enhancing the provision of comprehensive healthcare for prevalent diseases in resource-constraint settings, gathered from the Novartis Africa SCD Program, that could serve as ‘blueprint’ for public-private partnerships to tackle global health priorities. Methods: The Novartis Africa SCD program was initiated with the aim of bridging access gaps to SCD care and provide comprehensive and innovative treatment solutions for SCD, especially in SSA, where the disease burden is highest. The Program was first inaugurated in 2019 in Ghana through a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Health Service, and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana. Through engagement with these partners, as well as with support from other organizations with complementary competencies and resources, several targeted solutions were implemented to help strengthen the healthcare ecosystem and allow for comprehensive SCD management. The learnings from these interventions are highlighted as best practice consideration as a catalyst and to activate more public-private actors for this neglected global health issue. Findings and Conclusions: A solid understanding of the access barriers to comprehensive care has to be acquired by listening to and learning from patients, civil society, and local experts. Access barriers need to be addressed at multiple levels, i.e., by not only makingmedicines available and affordable but also by strengthening healthcare systems. building capacity and fostering local research and development. Partnerships across governmental, public, academic, non-profit, and private organizations are needed to secure political will, pool resources, and gather expertise with understanding of the local context, and allow integration into all levels of existing local healthcare structures and the wider society.

Source: UG
Bridging the Digital Divide through Korea Cooperation

The purpose of this paper is review the objectives and functions for which the Ghana-Korea Information Access Center ( IAC ) was set-up at the University of Ghana, Legon in 2012. This type of facility is one of the very few established in Ghana to bridge the digital divide through Ghana-Korea co-operation. Sharing information on its status and development will throw important light on a key Ghana-Korea Project in the Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) sector, provide critical guidance for the development of future centres and lay the the basis for exploring possibilities for co-operation in ICT between the the two countries. The paper draws its data from interviews (involving users of the IAC ) and documented information on the project. The paper traces the developmental processes (physical, institutional and administrative) for the setting up of the IAC and points up the lessons learnt.

Source: UG
Bridging the Digital Divide through Korea Cooperation: The Case of Ghana-Korea Information Access Centre (iac)

The purpose of this paper is review the objectives and functions for which the Ghana-Korea Information Access Center (IAC) was set-up at the University of Ghana, Legon in 2012. This type of facility is one of the very few established in Ghana to bridge the digital divide through Ghana-Korea co-operation. Sharing information on its status and development will throw important light on a key Ghana-Korea Project in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, provide critical guidance for the development of future centres and lay the the basis for exploring possibilities for co-operation in ICT between the the two countries. The paper draws its data from interviews (involving users of the IAC) and documented information on the project. The paper traces the developmental processes (physical, institutional and administrative) for the setting up of the IAC and points up the lessons learnt.

Source: UG