ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of goal characterization in students’ exams-preparation systemic activity transition processes

This study examined the influence of students ‘goal characterization on their goal-formation processes, as characterized by their goal-classification, the systemic consideration of their activity-strategies and decision- outcomes when preparing for an examination. Using the Structural Equation Modeling approach, a functional analysis underlined by systemic principles was conducted. Firstly, the issue of whether the influence of students’ considerations of activity strategies on their decision outcomes is truly moderated by their activity goal formations, if they set highest-goals, is determined. Secondly, the issue of whether the influence of students’ considerations of activity strategies on their decision outcomes is truly mediated by their activity goal formations, if they set best-goals, is also determined. Based on the findings, the conscious goal-directed processes associated to the emergence of an individual’s thoughtfully mastered learning activity and its consequence on future design of systemic structural activity of individuals will be established.

Source: UG
Dynamics of organizational change and employee identity retention in R&amp;D organizations

The purpose of this study is to understand the dynamics of employee identity retention and its impact on organizational change in a Research and Development organization. The role played by social embeddedness in enhancing employees’ retention of self-identities and shaping their attitudes in resisting an orientation shift of organizational values and norms from that of civil services to distorting new public management orientation was assessed. The findings showed that the employees’ resistance was influenced by their personal core values which were distrustful towards the organizations change process. Senior staff members were reluctant to forego their independence of working as individuals by adopting a teamwork culture. It is concluded that as a result of the employees holding tight to their self-identities and failing to relate to new organizational norms, the production that emerged from the commercialisation process was not in consonance to the organization’s transformation needs.

Source: UG
The dynamics of place in Lee Smith’s Saving Grace

In this paper I explore Lee Smith’s use of memory, storytelling and naming practices, especially as they relate to her heroine’s sense of place and determine how she evolves to tell her story. For Gracie, sense of place becomes intricately liked with memory, and as she tells her story and names herself, these two activities both nourish and liberate her, freeing her to create a new path, a new life.

Source: UG
Dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage in pregnant women under intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine in Benin

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
The Dynamics of Poverty-Environment Linkages in the Coastal Zone of Ghana

With a high dependence on natural resources and increasing environmental degradation as a result of climatic and non-climatic factors, poverty remains a critical socioeconomic issue in the coastal zone of Ghana. Coastal poverty is closely related to the nature and complexity of coastal ecosystems and often varies from poverty in other areas. This paper contends that adequately responding to the environmental and socioeconomic issues in the coastal zone requires assisting the poor cope with changes on the coast. In doing this it is important to appreciate how poverty is defined especially by the resource users themselves as well as the nature of the poverty–environment interactions. With women being highly dependent on coastal natural resources this paper draws on the experiences of 304 women from two communities to investigate coastal people's perception of poverty. It presents empirical evidence of poverty–environment linkages and examines implications of these linkages for the effective management of Ghana's coastal natural resources. The results show that respondents describe poverty through diversity of measures rather than solely as an absence of money. In addition their livelihood patterns revolve around the availability of some coastal natural resources. Since there is no national policy for the management of the coastal natural resources the paper concludes by recommending the development of a comprehensive Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan that incorporates the priorities and needs of local resource users, alleviates poverty whilst increasing awareness of resource users of more appropriate mechanisms for managing coastal resources.

Source: UG
Dynamics of RecA-mediated repair of replication-dependent DNA breaks

Chromosomal replication is the major source of spontaneous DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in living cells. Repair of these DSBs is essential for cell viability, and accuracy of repair is critical to avoid chromosomal rearrangements. Repair of replication-dependent DSBs occurs primarily by homologous recombination with a sister chromosome. However, this reaction has never been visualized at a defined chromosomal locus, so little is known about its spatial or temporal dynamics. Repair of a replication-independent DSB generated in Escherichia coli by a rare-cutting endonuclease leads to the formation of a bundle of RecA filaments. In this study, we show that in contrast, repair of a replication-dependent DSB involves a transient RecA focus localized in the central region of the cell in which the DNA is replicated. The recombining loci remain centrally located with restricted movement before segregating with little extension to the period of postreplicative sister-chromosome cohesion. The spatial and temporal efficiency of this reaction is remarkable.

Source: UG
Dynamics of the Composition of Plasmodium Species Contained within Asymptomatic Malaria Infections in the Central Region of Ghana

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
The dynamics of the gold mining industry and its effects on settlements and livelihoods in Wassa West District, Ghana

According to conventional wisdom, countries that possess rich mineral deposits are fortunate. Such deposits are assets which form part of a country’s natural capital. Mining is the key that converts dormant mineral wealth into various forms of capital that directly contribute to a nation’s economic development. Despite the intuitive appeal of conventional wisdom, a new view of mining has emerged over the past two decades that questions the positive relationship between mineral extraction and economic development (Davis and Tilton, 2002). The issue, therefore, is how to ensure that mining contributes as far as possible to economic development and poverty reduction not only for a country as a whole, but also for the localities which are directly aﬀected by the mining. The negative socio-economic and environmental eﬀects of mining, particularly surface gold mining, which can counteract much of the positive eﬀects of mining, need to be considered (Sarin et al., 2006).

Source: UG
Dynamics Of The Poultry Market In Ghana

This paper examines the dynamics of the poultry market in Ghana using secondary data and a field study in four regions, including Greater Accra region, Western region, Ashanti region, and Northern region. Secondary data on prices, per capita consumption, imports, and export quantities was obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). Primary data on shopping malls, supermarkets, cold stores, and open markets, as well as on imported and local chicken meat prices and brands was also obtained using surveys and focus group discussions. The study employs trend and content analyses to highlight specific imported products, their origins, drivers, and the potential of domestic poultry as a substitute for imported chicken meat. The paper confirms that Ghana imports about 80% of its poultry meat. mostly in the form of branded cut parts (thighs, wings, legs, back, and offal) from high-income countries, including Belgium, the US, Brazil, Poland, and the Netherlands. Despite a 35% increase in tariffs, imported poultry meat tends to be 27–30% cheaper than locally produced chicken. The findings further show that although there is some preference for domestic poultry meat, this does not translate into purchase decisions, as people prefer more convenient and ready-to-use products. The paper recommends the prioritization of policies to boost local production through investments in processing (cut parts), branded packaging, and marketing facilities such as cold vans. Furthermore, policies to reduce chicken meat import volumes may be focused on other non-tariff measures, such as licenses, allotments, trade embargoes, foreign exchange restrictions, and import depositories.

Source: UG
Dynamics of viral disease outbreaks: A hundred years (1918/ 19–2019/20) in retrospect ‐ Loses, lessons and emerging issues

nfectious diseases continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and a formidable obstacle to the development and well‐being of people worldwide. Viruses account for more than half of infectious disease outbreaks that have plagued the world. The past century (1918/19–2019/20) has witnessed some of the worst viral disease outbreaks the world has recorded, with overwhelming impact especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). The frequency of viral dis ease outbreak appears to be increasing. Generally, although infectious diseases have afflicted the world for centuries and humankind has had opportunities to examine the nature of their emergence and mode of spread, almost every new outbreak poses a formidable challenge to humankind, beating the existing pandemic preparedness systems, if any, and causing significant losses. These underscore in adequacy in our understanding of the dynamics and preparedness against viral disease outbreaks that lead to epidemics and pandemics. Despite these challenges, the past 100 years of increasing frequencies of viral disease outbreaks have engendered significant improvements in response to epidemics and pandemics, and offered lessons to inform preparedness. Hence, the increasing frequency of emer gence of viral outbreaks and the challenges these outbreaks pose to humankind, call for the continued search for effective ways to tackle viral disease outbreaks in real time. Through a PRISMA‐based approach, this systematic review examines the outbreak of viral diseases in retrospect to decipher the outbreak patterns, losses inflicted on humanity and highlights lessons these offer for meaningful preparation against future viral disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Source: UG
Dynamics of viral disease outbreaks: A hundred years (1918/ 19–2019/20) in retrospect ‐ Loses, lessons and emerging issues

Infectious diseases continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and a formidable obstacle to the development and well‐being of people worldwide. Viruses account for more than half of infectious disease outbreaks that have plagued the world. The past century (1918/19–2019/20) has witnessed some of the worst viral disease outbreaks the world has recorded, with overwhelming impact especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). The frequency of viral dis ease outbreak appears to be increasing. Generally, although infectious diseases have afflicted the world for centuries and humankind has had opportunities to examine the nature of their emergence and mode of spread, almost every new outbreak poses a formidable challenge to humankind, beating the existing pandemic preparedness systems, if any, and causing significant losses. These underscore in adequacy in our understanding of the dynamics and preparedness against viral disease outbreaks that lead to epidemics and pandemics. Despite these challenges, the past 100 years of increasing frequencies of viral disease outbreaks have engendered significant improvements in response to epidemics and pandemics, and offered lessons to inform preparedness. Hence, the increasing frequency of emer gence of viral outbreaks and the challenges these outbreaks pose to humankind, call for the continued search for effective ways to tackle viral disease outbreaks in real time. Through a PRISMA‐based approach, this systematic review examines the outbreak of viral diseases in retrospect to decipher the outbreak patterns, losses inflicted on humanity and highlights lessons these offer for meaningful preparation against future viral disease outbreaks and pandemics

Source: UG
Dynamism in health communication media in Ghana

The purpose of this paper is to develop an in-depth understanding of the effectiveness, evolution and dynamism of the current health communication media used in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a multi-method approach which utilizes a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. In-depth interviews are conducted with health promotion professionals in Ghana and 150 members of the general public were surveyed. Findings – The paper finds that the general public sees social media as an effective place for health professionals to share health-related messages. They also view health-related messages on social media seriously. Health professionals see social media as an effective tool for sending health-related messages to the public and are concerned about the fact that traditional media are losing their effectiveness as means to share health-related messages. Research limitations/implications – This study was conducted in Ghana. Future studies should be conducted across multiple countries to examine the conclusions developed in this paper and the possibility of multiple perspectives regarding the use of social media for sending health messages. Practical implications – The results inform public health officials on developments in health communication and suggest prescriptions on how to adjust to the new media. Originality/value – Health messaging is an area that has been relatively ignored in the literature and almost no research focusses on the effectiveness of social media and other health messaging technologies, particularly in developing countries. Although the study was conducted in Ghana, health professionals worldwide can use the findings to help improve their health messaging strategies.

Source: UG
Dyslipidaemia among Ghanaian migrants in three European countries and their compatriots in rural and urban Ghana: The RODAM study

Background and aims African populations have a favourable lipid profile compared to European populations. However, the extent to which they differ between rural and urban settings in Africa and upon migration to Europe is unknown. We assessed the lipid profiles of Ghanaians living in rural- and urban-Ghana and Ghanaian migrants living in three European countries. Methods We used data from a multi-centre, cross-sectional study among Ghanaian adults residing in rural- and urban-Ghana and London, Amsterdam and Berlin (n = 5482). Dyslipidaemias were defined using the 2012 European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Prevention. Comparisons between groups were made using age-standardised prevalence and prevalence ratios (PRs) with adjustments for important covariates. Results In both sexes, the age-standardised prevalence of high total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was lower in rural- than in urban-Ghana and Ghanaian migrants in Europe. Adjusted PRs of high TC and LDL-C were higher in urban-Ghana (TC PR = 2.15, 95%confidence interval 1.69–2.73) and Ghanaian migrant men (TC PR = 2.03 (1.56–2.63)) compared to rural-Ghana, but there was no difference between rural- and Ghanaian migrant women (TC PR = 1.01 (0.84–1.22)). High triglycerides levels were as prevalent in rural-Ghana (11.6%) as in urban-Ghana (12.8%), but were less prevalent in Ghanaian migrant women (2.0%). In both sexes, low HDL-cholesterol was most prevalent in rural-Ghana (50.1%) and least prevalent in Europe (12.9%). Conclusion The lipid profile varied among ethnically homogeneous African populations living in different geographical locations in Africa and Europe. Additional research is needed to identify factors driving these differential risks to assist prevention efforts.

Source: UG
Dyslipidaemia Associated with Type 2 Diabetics with Micro and Macrovascular Complications among Ghanaians

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Dyslipidaemia is common among patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study at Tema Port Clinic

Objective This study aimed to evaluate dyslipidemia in Ghanaian subjects with type 2 diabetes. Results Hundred individuals with type 2 diabetes and 61 apparently healthy controls participated. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among persons with type 2 diabetes was 53%. Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were higher in persons with type 2 diabetes compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Positive correlations were found within persons with type 2 diabetes for triglyceride vs FBG; ALT vs age and aspartate transaminase (AST) vs TG (p < 0.05 respectively). This study demonstrated hyperlipidemia and poor liver health in persons with type 2 diabetes.

Source: UG
(E)- and (Z)-Foeniculin, Constituents of the Leaf Oil of a New Chemovariety of Clausena anisata

The leaf oils of Clausena anisata Hook. f. collected from Pokuase, Ghana, were found to contain (E)-foeniculin as a major constituent (>78%) in 17 of 19 samples. (E)-anethole was the major constituent of the two other samples (57% and 67%) with (E)-foeniculin as the second most important compound (38% and 29%). The identity of the new natural product (Z)-foeniculin, present in small amounts (0.2-1.4%), was based on a comparison of retention indices and mass spectra with those of a synthesized sample whose spectroscopic data, reported here for the first time, are in agreement with the proposed structure. Two other minor constituents were identified as the rarely encountered natural products dictagymnin (1-20%) and 4-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxybenzaldehyde (0-0.2%). © 2000, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
E-Accounting Practices among Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana

This study explores the e-accounting practices among SMEs in Ghana. The study also looks at the expectations, realities and barriers in adopting e-accounting. The research design is based on a survey methodology using a sample of systematically selected SMEs throughout the country. The findings reveal that SMEs put in place accounting softwares to generate their financial information. The main value of this paper is the discussion of e-accounting practices of SMEs in Ghana.

Source: UG
E-business and small Ghanaian exporters: Preliminary micro firm explorations in the light of a digital divide

Purpose - The digital divide is supposed to place disadvantaged economies like Ghana in a position where using information and communication technology for development might not be an immediate reality. The purpose of this current study is to argue that the adoption of e-business practices has benefit for small Ghanaian exporters' organizational improvement, and begin a first-level investigation in that regard. Design/methodology/approach - This study was exploratory and focused on a sample of active, non-traditional exporters in Accra. This sample represented the best typology of small export firms in Ghana that had been regular exporters from 2000-2004. In all, 60 firms responded to questionnaires on e-business and exporting. Analysis of the data was mainly by means of descriptive statistics. Findings - One-way ANOVA analysis revealed that the export firm internationalization (measured by export intensity) has no bearing on the level of e-business involvement or perceptions of the strategic value of e-business. However, export firms who were more involved in e-business had a higher perception of the usefulness of e-business to their export operation. One-way ANOVA analysis also revealed that for the export firms involved in some e-business activity, the more internationalized they were, the more importance they attached to e-business as providing some sort of organizational improvement leverage. Practical implications - Given the exploratory nature of this study, more research is needed to study internal and external barriers to e-business adoption by these firms, as well as the relationship between e-business adoption and performance. Originality/value - One of the first e-business studies focusing on export firms on the disadvantaged end of the digital divide. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Source: UG
E-business Financing: Preliminary Insights from a Developing Economy Context

Purpose – The deployment and strategic use of e-business, from basic e-mail utilization to total enterprise integration, involves the commitment of financial and technical resources. The resources have to be financed. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the views of trade promotion organizations, donors, export associations and banks on e-business financing in Ghana’s non-traditional export (NTE) sector, with the view to making policy contributions to the e-business financing phenomenon in a developing economy (DE) context. Design/methodology/approach – The research design is qualitative since this is an exploratory study and deep preliminary insights were sought about a hitherto under-researched information systems topic from a developing country perspective. Officials from the trade promotion; export association, donor and financial communities were interviewed to generate insights to help understand the phenomenon under investigation. Findings – Some banks find it difficult financing e-business in NTE firms because it is considered a new area with relatively higher risks and uncertainties. Banks would rather grant small loans to a few select small and medium enterprise exporters in an attempt to limit their default risk. The trade promotion organization is helping (albeit in a moderate manner) with up-skilling for the improvement in e-competencies in Ghana’s NTE sector. The export product association in collaboration with the donor interviewed is in the throes of designing e-business interventions in Ghana’s NTC sector after recently completing an e-readiness survey in the same sector. Originality/value – This paper presents a modest contribution to the export firm-electronic business literature from a resource-centered perspective, in a DE context. Studies on e-business financing in Des are virtually non-existent and the policy prescriptions could apply with minor modifications to other related contexts in respect of e-business financing.

Source: UG