ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Crime and safety in urban public spaces: Experiences of Ghanaian women traders in the Makola market in Accra, Ghana

Although traditional markets and women traders in West African cities have long attracted the attention of scholars, limited studies exist on women’s experiences of crime and safety issues in this economic space that they dominate. This paper contributes to the growing geographical scholarship on gender and crime from the Ghanaian perspective as a result of the increasing urbanisation process that has raised concerns about crime and safety among urban dwellers. Using in-depth interviews, the paper explores the experiences of three categories of Ghanaian women traders in a traditional urban market, Makola, in Accra, Ghana’s capital city. Theft cases appeared to be the most common criminal activity that women traders experience and this results in significant economic, social, psychological, and emotional effects on the lives of the women, with the most vulnerable being those who do not have enough resources to secure their livelihoods. We recommend that city authorities, the police, and other stakeholders support the efforts of these women traders through gender-sensitive and equitable approaches to improve security in market spaces because market trade contributes significantly to city and national socio-economic development. This paper explores the crime and safety experiences of three categories of Ghanaian women traders in a traditional urban market space in Accra, Ghana’s capital city. Although property crime had significant economic, social, psychological, and emotional effects on the lives of the women, there were class differences, with the most vulnerable being the less affluent traders. Government and city authorities must provide gender-sensitive, fair, and effective ways of protecting the livelihoods of all classes of women in the market space in order to sustain the contribution of market trade to the economy.

Source: UG
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) and Built Environmental Manifestations in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana

Households in Ghanaian cities have responded to crime by fortifying their houses, a practice referred to as crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Though little researched in Ghana and Africa in general, this article, based on in-depth interviews with police officers, city planners and community members as well as a household survey, reveal that CPTED through target hardening is a widespread practice across different socio-economic residential neighborhoods of Accra and Kumasi. It was found that rising crime rates and the fear of crime have led to adoption of target hardening measures such as high walls, metal burglar-proofed windows and doors, security doors/special door locks and so on, which tend to create ‘security islands’ with limited impact on community crime incidence. While CPTED has been widely applied in Western cities to restructure the physical layout of communities to reduce crime through community efforts, there are marked differences in the Ghanaian context. In particular, households’ responses to crime through target hardening have the tendency in the longterm to weaken social cohesions, with limited impact on community crime levels.Interestingly, the household survey results show relatively low level of community solidarity in middle and upper-class neighborhoods as measures for fighting crime.

Source: UG
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and built-environmental manifestations in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana

Households in Ghanaian cities have responded to crime by fortifying their houses, a practice referred to as crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Though little researched in Ghana and Africa in general, this article, based on in-depth interviews with police officers, city planners and community members as well as a household survey, reveal that CPTED through target hardening is a widespread practice across different socio-economic residential neighborhoods of Accra and Kumasi. It was found that rising crime rates and the fear of crime have led to adoption of target hardening measures such as high walls, metal burglar-proofed windows and doors, security doors/special door locks and so on, which tend to create 'security islands' with limited impact on community crime incidence. While CPTED has been widely applied in Western cities to restructure the physical layout of communities to reduce crime through community efforts, there are marked differences in the Ghanaian context. In particular, households' responses to crime through target hardening have the tendency in the long-term to weaken social cohesions, with limited impact on community crime levels. Interestingly, the household survey results show relatively low level of community solidarity in middle and upper-class neighborhoods as measures for fighting crime. © 2015 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Source: UG
Criteria for Deciding the Breadth and Depth of Topics in a Time-Constrained One-Semester Agroforestry Course

Many universities, especially in Sub-Sahara Afri ca, cannot afford to offer more than one agroforestry course due to limited funds, skille d personnel, and/or physi cal facilities. They have to make tough decisions on the breadth and depth of topics to be covered in a time- constrained one-semester agroforestry course. In this paper we present the theoretical base and an example of the applicat ion of an AGROforestry COurse DEcision Model (AGROCODEM) as an aide in de ciding whether a time-constrai ned one-semeste r cou rse has adequate breadth and depth. AGROCODEM consists of six factors: knowledge, attitudes, skills, aspirations, inspirations, and intentions with each fa ctor havi ng seven elements that serve as decision-making criteria. A n agrofor estry course has adequat e breadth and depth if, and only if, it has pote ntial to cause positiv e agroforestry knowledge, attitude, skill, aspiration, inspiration, and intention ( PAKASAII ) changes in the learner. The AGROCODEM decision model is intended to prov ide educators with new ideas and serve as a decision criterion for topics and details to be covered under each topic and hopefully it will help to impr ove sy llab i for tim e-constrained one-semester agrofo restry courses being offered in colleges and universities in Sub-Sahara Africa and other regions of the world.

Source: UG
A critical assessment of work and family life of female entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some fresh evidence from Ghana

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate how work and family lives of female entrepreneurs in emerging Sub-Saharan countries including Ghana influence their business performance, with focus on criteria such as income, number of outlets, and number of employees the entrepreneur controls. Design/methodology/approach A phenomenological qualitative approach to research was adopted for this study to help the researcher gain deeper understanding of experiences of Ghanaian female entrepreneurs with respect to their work and family life and its influence on business performance. With a purposive sampling technique, 25 active women entrepreneurs with family responsibilities were sampled for the study. A multiple case study strategy, in-depth face-to-face interviews, and participant observation were used to solicit responses from participants included in the study. Findings The study revealed that a majority of female entrepreneurs involved in the study believe that their roles and responsibilities to their families have a negative impact on both the income they generate from their business and their willingness to expand their outlets. However, it has a positive impact on their willingness to employ additional employees in their businesses. As a consequence, this study reveals that quality family life is essential to these female entrepreneurs and they are willing to put the well-being of their families first, even at the expense of their business growth. Research limitations/implications The study focused solely on the work and family life of women entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance in Ghana. However, there exist other critical issues that affect women entrepreneurs in the Sub-Saharan region that can be explored to provide more insight on this subject or in different contexts. Originality/value As a first of its kind in the Ghanaian context, little is known in extant literature until now with regard to work and family life of female entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance. This study therefore seeks to bridge this gap.

Source: UG
A critical examination of factors influencing international students’ choice to study in Ghanaian higher educational institutions

Recently, many Ghanaian universities have made considerable efforts to reposition themselves in the global space to attract international students. Although there have been some gains, the universities continue to attract a relatively lower number of students. We argue the need to critically examine the factors which influence international students’ choice of study destinations to enhance the relevant approach and experience for them. Utilizing a postcolonial approach and drawing on Using data from two Ghanaian institutions, this paper critically examines international students’ motivation to study in Ghana. The findings indicate that colonial legacies continue to characterise international students’ motivations. There is a need for institutions to create their niche and also provide relevant socio-cultural space to enhance students’ experiences. Global universities should cast off their negative perceptions of African universities and should provide greater and broader opportunities for their students to engage with these universities in their study-abroad programmes.

Source: UG
A critical incident analysis of the export behaviour of SMEs: evidence from an emerging market

Purpose In line with the slogan “Africa rising”, the paper responds to the calls to shed light on the management knowledge of Africa, especially on the internationalisation of process of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Africa. This paper aims to explore the critical incidents that trigger the export initiation of SMEs from the garment and textile sub-sector of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on the qualitative multi-case study research approach, coupled with the critical incident method and uses 36 case firms from the garment and textile sub-sector of Ghana. Findings From the interview transcripts, it was found that being in the receipt of unsolicited order, wining government award and having international orientation are among the critical incidents that catapult SMEs in the garment and textile sub-sector of Ghana to initiate export business. Research limitations/implications The study is based on the interpretivist qualitative method; therefore, future studies could extend the results by improving the sample size and use statistical methods. Practical implications Based on the findings, it is recommended that what is needed to improve export participation of SMEs from Ghana is entrepreneurial orientation. Implicitly, public policy must promote entrepreneurship education, i.e whether the government expects to see improvement in export involvement of SMEs from Ghana. Such initiatives will catapult most entrepreneurs from their comfort zones to take advantage of the various critical incidents in the external business environment and become exporters. Originality/value The contribution of the paper is that unlike previous studies that use objective quantitative measures to examine the issue from other settings, the present paper uses the critical incident method which is proven to delve deeper into the phenomenon. Another contribution is that it sheds light on the internationalisation process of manufacturing SMEs from an under-researched and a new geographical context.

Source: UG
A critical look at rural-urban migration in Sub-Saharan Africa in the era of climate change

Research shows significant association between the environment and migration. The specific relationship between environmental changes and migration is a recent study area. Environmental change impacts have been explained as dependent on location and context, nature of environmental change and dominant social structures driving migration. Climate change and rural-urban migration in Africa is gaining increased prominence in research circles. Recurrent themes include food security, health, poverty, gender, vulnerability and urbanization. Some analysts labeled the situation in Sudan's Darfur region the "world's first climate change war" The term 'environmental refugee' was first used by Lester Brown of World Watch Institute in the 1970s, however, environmental migrants are invisible in the international system due to inadequate definition of environmental/climate-induced migrants under international law. [t is estimated that 17 million people were displaced by natural hazards (including geophysical events) in 2009 and 42 million in 2010. Climate change effects are mostly felt among rural populations whose livelihoods depend on natural resources and economies. A cross- country analysis of determinants of urbanization in SSA suggests deteriorating rainfall conditions increase rural-urban migration. Agricultural failure primarily harms the rural poor through food insecurity and low income. Different coping strategies depend on influencing factors such as demographic and economic what? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change identified climate change as a growing crisis with the greatest single impact on human migration. Migration in the face of global environmental change may be part of the problem and also part of the solution. Global and localized efforts are required to ensure environmental sustainability.

Source: UG
Critical migration policy narratives from West Africa

Although there are contesting perspectives on migration, there is little understanding of how narratives of various policy actors shape migration governance in West Africa. This paper relies on a desk- review and qualitative data to examine the narratives that shape migration policy formulation and outcomes in West Africa. The findings indicate that while various stakeholders have been championing divergent narratives on migration, programmes that have been adopted by West African countries to manage migration have largely been based on the narratives of political elite and international development partners, although there were situations where these narratives were not sup-ported by any strong evidence. While early views on the impacts of international migration portrayed it as a threat to socio-economic development, more recent narratives have recognized the potential of migration to contribute to socio-economic transformation. Consequently, various West African countries are developing policies to harness the benefits of immigration, emigration and return migration for socio-economic development.

Source: UG
Critical Reflection by Mature Students as Co-Developers of an Open Educational Resource in Foregrounding Their Learnin

This study explored learning which occurred when mature distance education students codeveloped an open educational resource (OER) with their lecturers using Smith’s critical reflection as a method to guide reflection on their learning. This study is significant since student learning on the codevelopment of an open educational resource could not be found in the literature. Within an interpretative paradigm, we used questionnaires with mainly open-ended questions to determine a particular group of students’ learning. Findings indicate learning about themselves, their interactions, and their contexts. The study puts forward specific implications to improve future practices based on the findings. The specific contribution is that students who engage in critical self-reflection change their perspectives, allowing them to self-examine and reflect on future actions. This learning experience assists students, lecturers and institutions of higher education in their approach toward critical reflection and the co-development of OER

Source: UG
Critical Reflection by Mature Students as Co-Developers of an Open Educational Resource in Foregrounding Their Learning

This study explored learning which occurred when mature distance education students developed an open educational resource (OER) with their lecturers, using Smith’s critical reflection as a method to guide reflection on their learning. This study is significant since student learning on the co-development of an open educational resource could not be found in the literature. Within an interpretative paradigm, we used questionnaires with mainly open-ended questions to determine a particular group of students’ learning. Findings indicate learning about themselves, their interactions, and their contexts. The study puts forward specific implications to improve future practices based on the findings. The specific contribution is that students who engage in critical self-reflection change their perspectives, allowing them to self-examine and reflect on future actions. This learning experience assists students, lecturers and institutions of higher education in their approach toward critical reflection and the co-development of OER

Source: UG
A critical reflection on the use of focus groups as a research method: lessons from trying to hear the voices of NGO beneficiaries in Ghana

The focus group method has been used extensively in social science research in order to gain a deep understanding of participant perceptions of specific topics of interest. However, the method has rarely been used in the social accounting and accountability literature. This paper reviews and critically reflects on the key characteristics of the method drawing on a research project examining NGO (non-governmental organization) beneficiary perspectives on the accountability processes employed by NGOs in Ghana. It offers insights and future research suggestions that might encourage greater use of the method by social accounting and accountability researchers.

Source: UG
A critical review and analysis of the context, current burden, and application of policy to improve cancer equity in Ghana

Background Cancer causes a major disease burden worldwide. This is increasingly being realised in low and middle-income countries, which account disproportionately for preventable cancer deaths. Despite the World Health Organization calling for governments to develop policies to address this and alleviate cancer inequality, numerous challenges in executing effective cancer policies remain, which require consideration of the country-specific context. As this has not yet been considered in Ghana, the aim of this review was to bring together and critique the social environmental, health policy and system factors to identifying opportunities for future health policies to reduce cancer burden in the Ghanian context. A critical policy-focused review was conducted to bring together and critique the current health systems context relating to cancer in Ghana, considering the unmet policy need, health system and social factors contributing to the burden and policy advances related to cancer. Conclusion The findings highlight the changing burden of cancer in Ghana and the contextual factors within the socio-ecosystem that contribute to this. Policies around expanding access to and coverage of services, as well as the harmonization with medical pluralism have potential to improve outcomes and increase equity but their implementation and robust data to monitor their impact pose significant barriers.

Source: UG
A critical review of child abuse and its management in Africa

Introduction: Child abuse in Africa is a major threat to the achievement of the sustainable development goals on the continent and has become increasingly topical with a dramatic increase in recognition and an appreciation of the long term harmful effects on the affected population. The aim of this review was to outline current management of child abuse (especially sexual abuse) and highlight current preventive practice that could be beneficial in a resource-limited environment. Methods: A search of Medline and reference lists of the literature on child abuse in African countries and relevant world literature was conducted in December 2016. The review was written narratively, rather than systematically as a general overview was desired, instead of a focused view of individual aspects of child abuse. Recommendations: Opportunities for early identification of child abuse, as well as research into preventative strategies should be prioritised. Establishing strong institutions and guidance to tackle abuse when it occurs is both beneficial to the survivors and the continent at large. © 2017 African Federation for Emergency Medicine

Source: UG
A critical review of intervention and policy effects on the health of older people in sub-Saharan 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
Critically &quot;Trending&quot; approaches to communication theory and methods of inquiry in Ghana

This chapter is an overview of Ghanaian contextual articulations of the theory and method of the discipline of communication studies. It observes communication's affinity with older fields of social study whose major concepts it has appropriated. Communication perspectives discussed span modernization dominated paradigms through to contemporary post-modernist analyses and interpretation. Critical communication theories, also western society located, are explored. Implicit in the discussion is the interconnectedness between theory and research. The School of Communication Studies is examined for curriculum content, teaching approaches, and faculty research and publication output as well as extension activities. The analysis helps situate the School's response to theory and method of communication. Finally, a prognosis of the future of theory and method is projected with a proposition for greater infusion of indigenous African thought systems into theoretical and methodological formulations to engage an African perspective within the universal construct.

Source: UG
A critique of irrational elements in Africa beliefs

Various researches show that irrational elements in human beliefs, otherwise known as superstition, just as they were criticized in ancient Greek and Roman societies, have been challenged in Europe and America as well. This paper highlights how individuals and organizations in Arica have similarly raised their voices against the increasing controversial stories of claims of supernatural influences or interferences in human affairs, suppression of thoughts, sexual abuse and extra-judicial inflicting of punishment or killing buy individuals professing authority from spiritual realm. After a brief consideration of the socio-religious atmosphere that engenders the romance with the supernatural sphere, this work shows how the prevalent recourse to mystery in providing reasons for extraordinary occurrences could be most subjective. It then relates how what may seem a private expression of socio-cultural or religious vies is confronted with criticism when it infests the public domain with disquieting concerns. The paper illustrates how practices rooted in superstition are perceived as growing threats to people’s welfare in the continent. When the subject in understood in these terms, more meaning could be added to the search for a solution to sporadic religious, political and social conflicts to Africa.

Source: UG