ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Jesus and the Zealots: A Study of the Political Factor in Primitive Christianity

No responsible scholar will lightly undertake to write on the question whether Jesus of Nazareth became involved in the Jewish resistance movement against Rome. For he knows that to many people, whose beliefs and principles he may deeply respect, the very asking of the question will cause offence and suggest a distressing scepticism about that which is sacred. For them there is no question to discuss: the incarnated Son of God could never have taken part in Jewish-Roman politics. His mission to save mankind by his own vicarious death was part of a divine plan that transcended space and time, and it could not have become involved in, and conditioned by, the political relations of Jews and Romans in first-century Judaea. The theological presuppositions which underlie this judgement are very ancient, and their origins can be traced back to the first century. But, from the beginning, they were essentially interpretations, inspired by current theological concepts, of certain historical facts. For, however impressive may be the metaphysical structure and content of Christian theology, its authority ultimately derives from certain events that are alleged to have occurred in Judaea during the procurators hip of Pontius Pilate, who had been appointed to this office by the Emperor Tiberius. This fact is recognised every time the Creed is recited, in the words 'suffered under Pontius Pilate"." But the reference to the death of Jesus 'under Pontius Pilate' does not just attest the historicity of the Crucifixion; it also implies a fatal involvement of Jesus with this Roman governor of Judaea. It means that Jesus was put to death on his orders. Now, of the many charges on which a " Roman governor at this time might have put a Jew to death, that: on which Jesus was executed is of peculiar significance. It was a ,< charge of sedition against the Roman government in Judaea. There can be no doubt that this was the charge on which he was condemned, for it is attested by all four Gospels. Hence, whatever may be the theological evaluation of the crucifixion of Jesus, its cause constitutes a historical problem. In its simplest form it may be expressed by the question: why did the Roman governor of Judaea o• decide to execute Jesus for sedition?

Source: UG
Job Insecurity and Life Satisfaction in Ghana

How labour market outcomes influence the life satisfaction of people have been studied by many scholars. In particular, prior studies have examined how perceived risk of losing one’s job affects one’s life satisfaction. We contribute to this literature by exploring whether fear of losing one’s job or not finding a job in Ghana influences one’s life satisfaction. We used data from Wave 6 of the World Values Survey to empirically examine whether job insecurity or fear of not finding a job was correlated with life satisfaction. Our results from OLS and logistic regressions show unambiguously that job insecurity did not exert a significant effect on life satisfaction among Ghanaians. We speculate several explanations for this finding, including the idea that the pervasiveness of the problem in Ghana may be the primary reason job insecurity was uncorrelated with life satisfaction in the country.

Source: UG
Job satisfaction among career record personnel in the Ghana civil service: a case study

Purpose – Good records management and effective employees contribute greatly to the success of every organization. Like any other employees, records personnel need to be satisfied with their jobs so they are motivated. Unfortunately, records personnel in Ghana are faced with many challenges which negatively affect their job satisfaction. This study aims to examine the issue of job satisfaction among career records personnel in the Civil Service of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Civil servants from 27 ministries and the Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) were selected for the study. A survey questionnaire was the main data collection instrument used to gather data on selected variables from respondents. The questionnaire was answered by 115 out of 208 respondents: a response rate of 74.5%. Findings – Institutional policy, supervision quality, co-worker relations quality, promotions opportunities, salary levels, benefits availability, the nature of the work itself and reward availability all had a significant and positive relationship with job satisfaction. Originality/value – The case study findings can be used to inform a working document to help other public sector organizations in policy making regarding conditions of service. It is also directly beneficial to the Ghana Office of the Head of Civil Service and policymakers because the findings will help them to reshape their employment policies to positively affect job satisfaction of members in its records class.

Source: UG
Job satisfaction and its associated factors among optometrists in Ghana: a cross‑sectional study

Background: Job satisfaction describes an employee’s motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction towards his/her work. Globally, healthcare professionals’ turnover and retention play a critical role in the delivery of essential health services. In Ghana, however, little has been done to ascertain job satisfaction levels among human resources for eyehealth. The objective of this study therefore was to assess job satisfaction and its associated factors among optometrists in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 304 registered and licensed optometrists of the Ghana Optometric Association between September 2018 and June 2019. A validated, well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics of participants and measures on job satisfaction. Scores from a five-point Likert scale was employed to examine job satisfaction and its associated factors. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between overall job satisfaction and its associated factors using Rasch logit scores. Results: A total of 214 optometrists gave valid responses to the questionnaires used for the final analysis. The mean (± SD) score of the overall perception of job satisfaction among optometrists was 3.36 (± 1.00), with 74.3% of them being satisfied with their jobs. After statistical adjustment, Good work-life balance (Unstandardized co-efficient (β) = 0.288, p = 0.001), Salary (β = 0.222, p < 0.0005), Supervision (β = 0.117, p = 0.044), and Continuing Education Opportunities (β = 0.138, p = 0.017) were all significantly associated with higher levels of overall job satisfaction. Conclusions: Most optometrists were satisfied with their jobs. Effective strategic planning and management of human resources for eye-health in Ghana are essential in the development of quality eye-health systems and the provision of high-quality eyecare services

Source: UG
Job satisfaction and&nbsp;its associated factors among&nbsp;optometrists in&nbsp;Ghana: a&nbsp;cross-sectional study

Background: Job satisfaction describes an employee’s motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction towards his/her work. Globally, healthcare professionals’ turnover and retention play a critical role in the delivery of essential health services. In Ghana, however, little has been done to ascertain job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye- health. The objective of this study therefore was to assess job satisfaction and its associated factors among optom- etrists in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 304 registered and licensed optometrists of the Ghana Optometric Association between September 2018 and June 2019. A validated, well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics of participants and measures on job satisfaction. Scores from a ﬁve-point Likert scale was employed to examine job satisfaction and its associated factors. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between overall job satisfaction and its associated factors using Rasch logit scores. Results: A total of 214 optometrists gave valid responses to the questionnaires used for the ﬁnal analysis. The mean (± SD) score of the overall perception of job satisfaction among optometrists was 3.36 (± 1.00), with 74.3% of them being satisﬁed with their jobs. After statistical adjustment, Good work-life balance (Unstandardized co-eﬃcient (β) = 0.288, p = 0.001), Salary (β = 0.222, p < 0.0005), Supervision (β = 0.117, p = 0.044), and Continuing Education Opportunities (β = 0.138, p = 0.017) were all signiﬁcantly associated with higher levels of overall job satisfaction. Conclusions: Most optometrists were satisﬁed with their jobs. Eﬀective strategic planning and management of human resources for eye-health in Ghana are essential in the development of quality eye-health systems and the provision of high-quality eyecare services.

Source: UG
Job Satisfaction and Motivation: Understanding its impact on employee commitment and organisational performance

A better understanding of employees’ needs at the workplace is fundamental in determining the structures and tools needed to motivate them. A motivated and satisfied workforce will be more committed to the aims of an organisation, potentially stay longer with the organisation thereby reducing staff turnover. This has positive effects on organisation’s performance in enhancing human capital in terms of experience and the capacity to learn technologies and their application in moving organisations forward. This paper discusses the key issues and theories that promote job satisfaction at the workplace and how the effective application of the same enhances employee commitment and organisational performance.

Source: UG
Job Satisfaction of Public Sector Employees in Sub-Saharan Africa: Testing the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) in Ghana

Public sector administration in sub-Saharan Africa experiences a myriad of problems of the logical perception between worker dissatisfaction and demotivation of job standards. This study tested the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) in a typical public sector organization in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 100 usable surveys were analyzed with SPSS. A very low level of job satisfaction was indicated, and more than 83% of respondents indicated dissatisfaction in their pay and the amount of work they do. Significant differences in job satisfaction scores were also found in the educational level of staff, and between genders. The study outcome highlights the roles of employees and organizational weak spots of human resource management (HRM) practices in a typical sub-Saharan African country, and provides an alternative pathway in employee satisfaction and performance outcome.

Source: UG
Joint bandwidth and power allocation at mobile stations for QoS-constrained multimedia applications

Various multimedia applications will be supported by beyond third generation (B3G) mobile communication systems. Mobile users may choose to simultaneously launch various applications with quality of service (QoS) constraints. Subject to the chosen applications' respective QoS constraints, the user may have to allocate her/his available resources for satisfaction maximization. In this paper, a utility-based algorithm is proposed to jointly allocate available power and uplink bandwidth, at mobile station (MS) level. Using Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions and simulation, the algorithm is proved to be optimal. Under certain conditions, the algorithm (which may be applied in both downlink and uplink) is iterative and its convergence is shown by simulation. © 2012 IEEE.

Source: UG
Joint large deviation principle for some empirical measures of the d-regular random graphs

In this paper, we define a d–regular random model by perfect matching of vertices or paring of vertices. For each vertex, we assign a q–state spin. From this d–regular graph model, we define the empirical co-operate measure, which enumerates the number of co-operation between a given couple of spins, and empirical spin measure, which enumerates the number of sites having a given spin on the d–regular random graph model. For these empirical measures, we obtain large deviation principle(LDP) in the weak topology.

Source: UG
Joint large deviation result for empirical measures of the coloured random geometric graphs

We prove joint large deviation principle for the empirical pair measure and empirical locality measure of the near intermediate coloured random geometric graph models on n points picked uniformly in a d-dimensional torus of a unit circumference. From this result we obtain large deviation principles for the number of edges per vertex, the degree distribution and the proportion of isolated vertices for the near intermediate random geometric graph models. © 2016, The Author(s).

Source: UG
Joint modelling of longitudinal 3MS scores and the risk of mortality among cognitively impaired individuals

Background: Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) is an instrument administered by trained personnel to examine levels of participants’ cognitive function. However, the association between changes in scores over time and the risk of death (mortality) is not known. The aims of this study are to examine the association between 3MS scores and mortality via cognitive impairment among older women and to determine individuals’ risk of changes in scores to better predict their survival and mortality rates. Methods: We propose a Bayesian joint modelling approach to determine mortality due to cognitive impairment via repeated measures of 3MS scores trajectories over a 21-year follow-up period. Data for this study are taken from the Osteoporotic Fracture longitudinal study among women aged 65+ which started in 1986–88. Results: The standard relative risk model from the analyses with a baseline 3MS score after adjusting for all the significant covariates demonstrates that, every unit decrease in a 3MS score corresponds to a non-significant 1.059 increase risk of mortality with a 95% CI of (0.981, 1.143), while the extended model results in a significant 0.09% increased risk in mortality. The joint modelling approach found a strong association between the 3MS scores and the risk of mortality, such that, every unit decrease in 3MS scores results in a 1.135 (13%) increased risk of death via cognitive impairment with a 95% CI of (1.056, 1.215). Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that a decrease in 3MS results has a significant increase risk of mortality due to cognitive impairment via joint modelling, but insignificant when considered under the standard relative risk approach. © 2017 Guure et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Source: UG
Joint modelling of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and its associated factors among women in Ghana: Multivariate response multilevel modelling methods

Elevated blood pressure is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases related mortality and a major contributor to non-communicable diseases globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where about 74.7 million people live with hypertension. In Ghana, hypertension is epidemic with prevalence of over 30% and experiencing continuing burden with its associated morbidity and mortality. Using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, we analyzed data on 4744 women aged 15–49 years residing in 3722 households. We employed univariate and multivariate response multilevel linear regression models to analyze predictors of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Geospatial maps were produced to show the regional distribution of hypertension prevalence in Ghana. Stata version 17 and R version 4.2.1 were used to analyze the data. Of the 4744 woman, 337 (7.1%) and 484 (10.2%) were found to be hypertensive on SBP and DBP, respectively. A combined prevalence of 12.3% was found. Older ages 25–34 (OR 2.45, 95%CI: 1.27, 3.63), 35–44 (OR 8.72, 95%CI: 7.43, 10.01), 45–49 (OR 15.85, 95%CI: 14.07, 17.64), being obese (OR 5.10, 95%CI: 3.62, 6.58), and having no education (OR -2.05, 95%CI: -3.40, -0.71) were associated with SBP. For DBP, we found the associated factors to be older ages 25–34 (OR 3.29, 95%CI: 2.50, 4.08), 35–44 (OR 6.78, 95%CI: 5.91, 7.64), 45–49 (OR 10.05, 95%CI: 8.85, 11.25), being obese (OR 4.20, 95%CI: 3.21, 5.19), and having no education (OR -1.23, 95%CI: -2.14, -0.33). Substantial residual household level differences in SBP (15%) and DBP (14%) were observed. We found strong residual correlation of SBP and DBP on individual women (r = 0.73) and household-level (r = 0.81). The geospatial maps showed substantial regional differences in the observed and reported hypertension prevalence. Interventions should be targeted at the identified high-risk groups like older age groups and those who are obese, and the high-risk regions.

Source: UG
Joint research project on infectious diseases in West-African subregion

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
Joint reviews and inspections: strategic forms of collaboration for strengthening the regulatory oversight of vaccine clinical trials in Africa

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
Journal 0f Human Relations

This publication will endeavour to give voice to specific findings and reasoned opinions as well as to practical programs integrally related to the betterment of human living. It will seek to contribute to social integration that condition of growth in unity and harmony by which our adolescent humanity may consciously progress to full maturity. It will reflect no racial bias but rather testify to the truth that all men are of one race-that which we call human We Invite contributions to its pages. The sponsors of the Journal of Human Relation do not accept responsibility for views expressed by its contributors.

Source: UG
Journal of a Residence in Ashantee

The British trade with the Gold Coast of Africa was placed by charter, in the reign of Charles II, under the control of the Royal African Company, whose governor – general (the Governor of Cape Coast Castle) and council (consisting principally of the commandants of the subordinates forts) had direction of matters on the African shore, acting, of late years, under instructions sent from England by a body of men chosen for that employ, called the African Committee.

Source: UG
Journal of a Second Expedition into the Interior of Africa, From the Bight of Benin to Soccatoo

Captain Hugh Clapperton was born in Annan, Dumfries-shire, in the year 1788. His grandfather, Robert Clapperton, M. D., was a man of considerable knowledge, as a classical scholar, and in his profession. He first studied at Edinburgh; but as, in those days, the continental colleges were considered superior in medicine and surgery; he went to Paris, and there studied for some time. On his return to his native country, he married Elizabeth Campbell, second cousin of Colonel Archibald Campbell of Glenlyon; and soon after settled in Dumfries-shire, at a place called Crowden Nows, where he remained until George Clapperton (the father of our traveller), and another son were born. He afterwards removed to Lochmaben, where he had an increase to his family of four sons and one daughter. All the son became medical men, except the youngest and the only survivor, who entered his Majesty's service, in the beginning of 1793, as a second lieutenant of marines. His eldest son, George Clapperton, married young to a daughter of John Johnstone, proprietor of the lands of Thorniwhate IUld Lochmaben Castle, and settled in Annan, where he was a considerable time the only medical man of repute in the place, and performed many operations and cures which spread his fame over the borders of England and Scotland. His father bestowed a good education upon him, which proved so useful a passport to public favour, that he might have made a fortunc; but, unfortunately, he was, like his father, careless of money. He married a second wife, and was the father of no fewer than twenty-one children. Of the fruit of the first marriage, he had six sons and one daughter who grew to men and women's estate. All the sons entered his Majesty's service, the youngest of whom was Captain Clapperton, the African traveller, and the subject of this memoir.

Source: UG
Journal of Intra-African Studies No. 3 pp 47-64

Using case studies from Botswana, South Africa and Nigeria, this paper argues that institutionalized chieftaincy in Ghana currently enjoys more leverage than those in other African countries. The attempt here is not so much to offer reasons explaining the resilience (the why) of chieftaincy in Africa, but how traditional authorities have been incorporated into the modern state. Beyond this, this paper uses the Ghanaian example of institutionalized chieftaincy (The Houses of Chiefs system) to show how the chieftaincy institution which is largely a non-rational institution and lacks legitimacy, has gradually become bureaucratic and legitimate. More significantly, this paper reveals that whilst the role of institutionalized chieftaincy in Africa is reducing significantly, in judicial administration, institutionalized chieftaincy in Ghana is rather increasing in significance. The objective of this paper is realized through a combination of many methods; primary documents such as constitutions and courts acts, observations, interviews, and secondary material from books and articles.

Source: UG
Journalism Aid: Country of Origin and Influences on Beneficiary Perceptions and Practices

A sub-text in the discourse on international development assistance is the argument that aid is not necessarily a beneficent, or sustainable, solution to the development needs of African countries. This argument raises a conceptual conundrum with respect to the many training programmes and fellowships designed to address the skills deficits of journalists and media in Africa. While the necessity and value of such interventions may be taken for granted, a counterintuitive question arises about the extent to which beneficiaries are able nonetheless to act independently. This study sought to find out the extent to which capacity-building assistance to journalists in Ghana may have fostered or inhibited their independent practice. Individual interviews were conducted with 24 journalists to ascertain their experiences with such programmes and their subsequent dispositions towards the host country or agency. The findings showed that underlying the manifest objectives of building the capacities of beneficiaries was the implicit intent of the aid country of origin to use the media as agents of economic and cultural diplomacy. The consequent prospect of compromising the journalistic autonomy of beneficiaries of training aid brings into question their capacity to contribute to sustainable development in Ghana.

Source: UG