ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Genetics of cerebral malaria: pathogenesis, biomarkers and emerging therapeutic interventions

Background: Cerebral malaria (CM) is a preeminent cause of severe disease and premature deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 90% of cases occur. The key features of CM are a deep, unarousable coma that persists for longer than 1�h in patients with peripheral Plasmodium falciparum and no other explanation for encephalopathy. Significant research efforts on CM in the last few decades have focused on unravelling the molecular underpinnings of the disease pathogenesis and the identification of potential targets for therapeutic or pharmacologic intervention. These efforts have been greatly aided by the generation and study of mouse models of CM, which have provided great insights into key events of CM pathogenesis, revealed an interesting interplay of host versus parasite factors that determine the progression of malaria to severe disease and exposed possible targets for therapeutic intervention in severe disease. Main Body: This paper reviews our current understanding of the pathogenic and immunologic factors involved in CM. We present the current view of the roles of certain gene products e.g., the var gene, ABCA-1, ICAM-1, TNF-alpha, CD-36, PfEMP-1 and G6PD, in CM pathogenesis. We also present alterations in the blood�brain barrier as a consequence of disease proliferation as well as complicated host and parasite interactions, including the T-cell immune reaction, reduced deformation of erythrocytes and cytoadherence. We further looked at recent advances in cerebral malaria treatment interventions by emphasizing on biomarkers, new diagnostic tools and emerging therapeutic options. Conclusion: Finally, we discuss how the current understanding of some of these pathogenic and immunologic factors could inform the development of novel therapeutic interventions to fight CM. � 2022, The Author(s).

Source: UEW
Genotype × environment interaction and yield stability analysis of some cowpea varieties released in Ghana from 1990 to 2005

The phenological development, growth, yield and yield stability performance of eight cowpea varieties released in Ghana between 1990 and 2015 were evaluated in field experiments carried out at Mampong-Ashanti (forest-savannah transition zone) and Fumesua (forest zone) over two cropping seasons in 2015 and 2016. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Asontem, Nhyira, Asetenapa, Hewale and Videza flowered and podded earlier (37-44 days and 49- 51 days, respectively) than Soronko, Tona and Asomdwe (46-48 days and 52-55 days, respectively). Hewale, Asomdwe, Asontem and Videza by virtue of their erect and semierect architecture had the highest plant height in both seasons, while Tona recorded the lowest. Crop growth rate among the varieties ranged from 1.1-1.7 g/m2/day for Asetenapa, Tona and Videzea to 2.3-3.3 g/m2/day for Asontem, Nhyira, Soronko, Hewale and Asondwe. Pod yield ranged from 980-2540 kg/ha, with Videza and Soronko producing the lowest pod yields, while Asontem had the highest pod yield across both locations and cropping seasons. Seed yield ranged from 603-2241 kg/ha, with Asetenapa yielding the lowest (603-1407 kg/ha). Asontem produced the highest number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod and thus the highest seed yields (1240-2241 kg/ha) over the locations and seasons. Pod harvest index ranged from 0.58-0.90. The four yield stability analysis methods used showed that Asontem and Tona were the most stable varieties and were adapted to all the environments, while Soronko and Asetenapa were the least stable and were adapted to more favourable environments.

Source: UEW
The geometric thinking levels of pre-service teachers in Ghana

Teachers’ geometrical competencies are very critical to the effective teaching of the subject. This study focused on the van Hiele Levels of geometric thinking reached by Ghanaian pre-service teachers before leaving for their Student Internship Programme (Teaching Practice) at the basic schools. In all, 300 second year pre-service teachers from 4 Colleges of Education were involved in this study. These pre-service teachers were given the van Hiele Geometry Test adapted from the ‘Cognitive Development and Achievement in Secondary School Geometry Test’ items during their second year, first semester. The results showed that 16.33% of pre-service teachers attained van Hiele Level 0 (i.e. the Pre-recognition Level or Level for those who have not yet attained any van Hiele Level), 27% of pre-service teachers attained Level 1, 32% attained Level 2 while 17.67% of pre-service teachers attained Level 3. However, only 6% and 1% of Pre-service Teachers attained Levels 4 and 5 respectively. These results show that majority (75.33%) of pre-service teachers’ van Hiele Levels are lower than that expected of their future Junior High School 3 learners. This suggests that most of the pre-service teachers’ geometry knowledge is not sufficient to teach at basic schools. Keywords: Van Hiele Levels, Geometric Thinking, College of Education Geometry, Pre-service Teachers, Ghana

Source: UEW
The geometric thinking levels of Senior High School students in Ghana

This study was to measure the Van Hiele’s levels of geometric thinking attained by Ghanaian final year (SHS 3) students before leaving School. A quantitative research approach was employed in the study and sample of 200 students randomly selected from the three participated schools. The results showed that 42.5% of the students could not attain any VHG level at all, 33% of the students attained Van Hiele’s level 1, 22.5% reached level 2, 1.5% reached level 3 and only 0.5% reached level 4.The findings indicated that most of the Ghanaian SHS form 3 students do not attain any level of VHGT

Source: UEW
Geospatial analysis of landfill site selection perspectives using geographic information systems in Bongo district, Ghana

This study applied geospatial tools in geographic information systems�(GIS) to produce five different landfill suitability maps using criteria selection and prioritisation from the governmental guideline, the local technocrats, the indigenes and two optimal options, which are made up of the harmonisation of the three perspectives. The results from the five perspectives are compared and analysed using the error index technique. The results showed a low spatial agreement (low degree of matching) between the landfill suitability from the governmental guideline and the rest of the perspectives. It also showed a consistent reduction in the areas classified as suitable landfill sites from the governmental guideline to the indigenous perspective. The governmental guideline, thus, exhibits wider spatial discrepancy from the perspective of the local technocrats, and it is even incongruent with that of the indigenes. This study, therefore, exposed a classical case where proponents of landfill sites could meet the governmental guideline and legally acquire permit, but the site could be socioculturally disruptive to the residents. This is identified as the potential source of residents� opposition to landfill siting. The challenges of the criteria in the guideline are also highlighted. A revision of the guideline is suggested, as it is risk-seeking in its current form. Based on this, the bottom-up approach for designing landfill guidelines is recommended. � 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Source: UEW
Ghana beyond aid an analysis of continuity and change in Ghana’s foreign policy goals in the fourth republic

Ghana depends heavily on foreign aid to implement its foreign policy goals. However, the aid regime has a myriad repercussions on the country. There is the need for pragmatic foreign policies and programmes to extricate the state from its overreliance on aid. The thrust of the study was therefore to analyse Ghana Beyond Aid within the scope of aid-dependency and strategies for independent foreign policy decision making in the Fourth Republic. The study employed the qualitative research approach. The study used a semi-structured interview guide to collect data from state actors and non-state actors in Ghana’s foreign policy decision making. The state actors included Members of the Ghana Beyond Aid Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament’s Select Committte on Foreign Affairs while the nonstate actors comprised of CSOs, Experts in foreign poilicy analysis, the media and Diplomatic Missions. Data was analysed using themetic analysis. Findings show that continuity and change in Ghana’s foreign policy goals are determined by past policies and experiences, national interest, public opinion, natural resources and global factors. The study also finds that Ghana heavily depends on aid for economic growth and national development due to factors not excluding the fragility of its economy, aid conditionality, rented political institutions and policies and show of opulence in policy execution in the midst of crisis. It emerged from the findings that foreign aid plays significant role in the development of critical sectors of the economy. These include democratic consolidation and governance, education, energy, health, agriculture and transportation. The study also finds that the pursuit of pragmatic foreign policies and programmes such as low profile international relations, promotion of Pan-Africanist ideals, active role in African integration to enhance regional and national security, bilateral relations with new and emerging economies, and restructuring of the status of diplomatic missions and ambassadorial roles as part of Ghana’s foreign policy goals, namely, economic diplomacy, good neighbourliness policy and promotion of world peace, would move Ghana beyond aid.

Source: UEW
Ghana Prison Officers� Understanding and Practices of International Human Rights Instruments and Guidelines that Protect the Rights of Prisoners

Research on prison officers� understanding and compliance with the international human rights instruments for the protection of prisoners� rights and guidelines for justice administration remains scanty. Drawing on data from scenario-based interviews of 24 selected prison officers in the four largest prison facilities in Ghana, this article seeks to explore how Ghana prison officers understand and practice these instruments and guidelines that protect the rights of prisoners. Applying content analysis, the findings reveals that the overwhelming majority of officer participants in this study did not have adequate intellectual and practical understanding of these relevant instruments and guidelines. � 2022 SAGE Publications.

Source: UEW
Ghana school feeding programme and its effects on enrollment and retention among selected basic schools in the Kassena Nankana West District

The study assessed the Ghana school feeding program and its effects on enrollment and retention of pupils in schools in the Kassena-Nankana West District. The study used the case study method research design. The total population was 250 respondents in the Kassena Nankana West District. Census method was used to select all the 250 teachers from the selected schools. Questionnaires were the main instrument used to gather primary data. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) was used for the analysis. The study results revealed that the enrollment rate of School Feeding Programme Schools (SFPS) rose compared to non-beneficiary school feeding programme schools. To add more, the retention rate of the school feeding programme schools also increased compared to non-beneficiary school feeding programme schools. The challenges affecting the implementation of the school feeding programme in Kassena Nankana West District are that in Ghana the release of funds for the programme has been inconsistent, a delay in the release of feeding grants subsequently affects beneficiary pupils, moreover, evidences from the schools on School Feeding Programme shows that facilities for sanitation and hygiene are not up to the required standard. The study recommended that the coordinators of the School Feeding Programme should organise periodic seminars, conferences and training programmes to educate caterers of the School Feeding Programme regarding hygienic practices that could guarantee the pupils health.

Source: UEW
Ghanaian Immigrants in a Northern Italian Town: Between Social Exclusion and Onward Migration to the UK

This paper examines the linkage between exclusion and onward migration of the Ghanaian migrants living in Italy to the UK. It is based on an ethnographic research in the region of Veneto. The paper shows that Italy�s adoption of partial exclusion or subordinated model of integration, the weak position of the African migrants in Italy�s employment sector, lack of employment opportunities for African women and the second generation, blocked mobility, lack of access to housing due to racial discrimination and hostile attitudes of the Northern League party are the main forces behind the onward migration. � 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.

Source: UEW
Ghanaian Junior High Science Teachers’ Reflections on the Use of Tessa Secondary Science Modules

The study investigated in-service Junior High School science teachers’ reflections on the use of TESSA secondary science modules. The sample consisted of 34(8 females and 26 males) Junior High School science teachers in Winneba in Central Region of Ghana. Descriptive survey with mixed methods approach was used to collect data using questionnaire and focus group discussion as data collection instruments. The quantitative data collected were analysed through frequency counts and simple percentages while thematic approach was used to analyse the qualitative data. Among other findings, majority of the participants reported that the use of the TESSA resources provided innovative ways of presenting science lessons to their pupils. Also, the participants indicated that their pupils enjoyed and fully participated in these lessons. These notwithstanding, 94 % (32) of participants reported among other things that, accessibility of hard copies of resources would be a challenge to them since most schools did not have ICT tools from which they could print out materials. It is therefore recommended that copies of TESSA secondary science modules be made available in all schools for effective implementation by teachers.

Source: UEW
Ghana’s Foreign Policy and South-South Cooperation (2012 – 2022).

The burden of this study was to understand Ghana's South-South Cooperation (SSC), its significance, and challenges, and explore how different Ghana's economic diplomacy with the South (China and South Africa) is from that of the global North (the US). Employing the Dependency Theory and Development Compact Framework, this interpretive qualitative research adopted a multiple case study design looking at the US, China, and South Africa in the areas of trade, FDI, and economic aid. Data was collected from eight informants including importers and exporters, Ghana Union of Traders Association, and an academic expert in the field of International Politics and Comparative Politics. Secondary sources included data from GIPC, the website of the Observatory of Economic Complexity, and other official reports and newsletters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Parliament of Ghana, etc. The study revealed that Ghana emphasises trade fairs, workshops, and conferences in its economic diplomacy, trading more with the South due to affordability, quality of goods, ease of transportation, and trade flexibility. The study also found that SSC generates jobs, supports key sectors, offers flexible economic aid, respects sovereignty, and provides affordable electrical goods. However, the study showed some challenges including forex exchange limitations, environmental concerns, unequal trade exchange, unsustainable debt, and insufficient intraregional trade and economic aid in Ghana’s SSC. It found that South-South countries prioritise environmental concerns less than Northern counterparts. The study concludes that, Ghana’s economic diplomacy approaches are similar, but differences emerge in trade value, commodities, FDI, and economic aid between the global North and South. Also, the quest to strengthen intra and interregional SSC faces challenges due to Western Superpowers' interests. The study recommends that Ghana continues to maintain flexible economic diplomacy, add value to Ghana's exports, prioritise environmentally-friendly economic aid, enforce environmental laws, and pursue a common regional currency to enhance intraregional relations.

Source: UEW
Global financial crisis, international capital requirement and bank financial stability: an international evidence

Purpose: Financial crises (FC) remain a global threat to the financial stability of financial institutions and international bank regulatory capital requirement (IBRCR) by the Committee on Banking Supervision provides mechanism for curbing the adverse effect of FC on financial stability. Hence, the purpose of this study is to provide, evidence on how IBRCR tones down the adverse FC effects on bank financial stability (BFS). Design/methodology/approach: The study uses 102 economies between 2006 and 2016 in a two-step dynamic generalized method of moments model. Findings: The results show that while FC and IBRCR negatively and positively impact BFS, respectively, it is observed that under the increasing presence of IBRCR, the negative effect of FC on BFS declines. Additionally, the results show that economies that maintain minimum IBRCR above 10.5% recommended by BASEL III are able to reinforce a significant reduction in the negative effect of FC on BFS. Practical implications: These findings imply that in as much as financial crisis is injurious to BFS, regulators and policymakers can rely on IBRCR to avert the injurious effects of FC on BFS. Clearly, while IBRCR is necessary for reinforcing BFS through FC, bank managers who maintain IBRCR above the recommended 10.5% stands a better chance to taming the avert effect of FC on BFS. Additionally, economies that have not full adopted the BASEL minimum capital requirement may have to do so given its potential of dampening the adverse effect of FC on BFS. Originality/value: The study presents an international perspective of how BASEL capital requirements can help tame global financial crisis using a global sample of 102 economies. � 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Source: UEW
Gospel music celebrities and self -presentation on social media the case of Joe Mettle and Diana Antwi Hamilton

This study investigated self-presentation of gospel music celebrities on social media (Facebook and Twitter). The study selected two Ghanaian gospel music celebrities as participants based on the number of followers they attract on social media and their avid use of the medium. The study also investigated the dominant issues the gospel celebrities engaged in with their audience on social media and further examined the tone of views expressed by their audience and the type of self they presented on social media. Using Erving Goffman’s presentational self and the reader response theory, the study qualitatively analysed the general experiences of the gospel celebrities through the posts they shared on Facebook and Twitter. The study employed Cyber ethnography and interviews as data collection methods. The findings of the study indicated that the gospel music celebrities mostly shared posts and tweets on music, wishes and gratitude, evangelism and advertisements in engaging with their audiences. The study also showed that the gospel celebrities presented the public self and public-private self-online. It was further revealed that gospel celebrities presented themselves in that manner to gratify their social media followers and increase their followership. The motivation for this study was stemmed from the fact that even though studies on social media engagement and celebrity culture abound, very little attention has been given to the study on celebrity musicians especially in the Ghanaian context. Also, the two musician celebrities are the only two Gospel Musicians who have won the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards in Ghana since its inception. The study would serve as valuable source of motivation and reference for upcoming gospel musicians. The study recommends that account managers of the celebrities must find ways to communicate appropriately with disgruntled fans, and give them better explanation of events instead of hiding or deleting their messages.

Source: UEW
Government’s restructuring pay policy and job satisfaction: The case of teachers in the Ga West Municipal Assembly of Ghana

This paper examines the ‘aftermath effect’ of the new civil service pay pol icy on job satisfaction among the teachers in Ghana. The study found that income, personal growth, bonus and organizational type had both direct and indirect effects on job satisfaction. The two-way analysis, as well as the multi variate analysis of variance, indicated that gender, age group, and educational background also played a role in determining the level of satisfaction among the teachers. The high unemployment rate (11%) and the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) for the public sector in 2010 are also contributing factors to the retention of teachers. Keywords: job satisfaction; management; single-spine-salary-structure; MANOVA; stepwise regression; Ghana

Source: UEW
Grading of ladies patterns by small scale garment producers in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis

The study investigated the grading of ladies‟ patterns by small scale garment producers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. This study employed mixed methods design, specifically the triangulation design. The target population was all the 515 professional dressmakers and tailors (garment producers) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. However, 100 active members formed the accessible population. Twenty (20) participants who were garment producers were purposively sampled for the study. Interview schedule, observation guide, and test samples were used to gather data for the study. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations, and frequencies and percentages, while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that garment producers did not patronize commercial patterns but produced their own, mainly from freehand cutting method. Garment producers were able to grade patterns for larger sizes than smaller sizes. Products from patterns produced fitted well with shoulder than all other body parts. Dart was poorly fitted from produced patterns. Major challenges of pattern grading were grading for ladies with same hip and waist measurements, grading for ladies with big bust and small hip, grading for small waist with large hip, grading for ladies of hollow chest and exchange of clients‟ measurements. It was recommended that the Government of Ghana provide standardized measurement through the investment in the scanners to create a database of measurements for Ghanaians. The Ghana National Association of Dressmakers and Tailors are entreated to pay more attention on pattern grading to make it key requirement for end of apprentice certification.

Source: UEW