ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Condom use in sexual exchange relationships among young single adults in Ghana

This article discusses some personal and situational factors which hinder the use of condoms among young single adults ages 18 to 25 years engaged in sexual exchange relationships in a Ghanaian town. Based on focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, this article highlights some key impediments often not adequately discussed in the discourse on condom use but considered vital in any attempt to increase condom use and ultimately reduce HIV transmission. The includes the dilemma facing women who want to use condoms for HIV prevention in premarital sexual exchange relationships (quite different from prostitution) contracted with material gain in mind. Women may face the risk of losing material benefits from sexual exchange relationships if the man is unwilling to use condoms. It is recommended that HIV health educators must increase the involvement of young single adults in exploring these and situational impediments and together design interventions to improve condom use. PIP: Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews conducted in Cape Coast, Ghana, revealed significant obstacles to condom use among single women 18-25 years of age. Most female respondents were self-employed small-scale traders with low incomes, while male participants tended to be clerks or fishermen. In this society, men are considered the source of economic and physical power and in a position to demand sexual favors. Material recompense (e.g., money, food, or clothing) for premarital sex is standard practice outside the commercial sex work establishment and women often switch rapidly from relationship to relationship in search of a more materially rewarding arrangement. Such behavior is condoned--often encouraged--by young women's mothers. Condom use is rare and associated with infidelity. Thus, Ghanaian women face the dilemma of choosing between economic survival and unsafe sex. Since men perceive condoms as reducing sexual sensitivity, they are unlikely to remain with a partner who insists on condom use. Moreover, sexual relationships are embedded in an atmosphere of fear of violence. If women are to insist on condom use, they must believe the risk of HIV infection is not adequately compensated by the material gains received from the sexual encounter. It is recommended that community-level HIV preventive interventions target men with messages about the importance of trying condom use. Ultimately, however, reconstruction of gender-based power relationships and improvements in women's economic status are essential to reduce women's dependence on sexual networking.

Source: UG
Condom use negotiation among high school adolescents in Ghana: the role of gender

Gender has a profound effect on the sexual risk preventive intentions and behaviour of young people. However, little is known about the role of gender on condom use negotiation among adolescents in Ghana. This study explored gender differences in condom use negotiation among school-going adolescents in Ghana. Participants (n = 684) completed self-report measures based on attitudes towards condom use, subjective norms regarding condom use, perceived behavioural control over condom use, intentions to use condoms, and on actual condom use behaviour. Results revealed statistically significant differences in condom use by gender. Specifically, attitudes towards condom use were more favourable among male students than they were among female students. Male students perceived slightly greater control over condom use than did female students. Moreover, male students reported slightly more condom-protected sexual behaviour than did female students. These results highlight the usefulness of designing gender-specific sexual risk reduction programmes among high school adolescents in Ghana.

Source: UG
Conducting a qualitative research on suicide in Ghana using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA): A reflection after a decade

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) set of guidelines allow a researcher to gain access to the meaning of a phenomenon (e.g. suicide) through the individual person’s lived and personal experiences. In this paper I have discussed that the ethical challenges that confront researching suicide in Ghana the challenges of pursuing an idiographic rigor using the IPA may arise from the pervasive normative self-construal within Ghanaian communities. Though I admit the IPA has been useful in various studies within the African context, I have also interrogated such idiography within the normative social arrangement of such setting where sociocentric per spectives abound. This essay is a reflexivity on the IPA in a normative context after a decade, where suicidal behaviour is strongly proscribed and personhood is deeply shared. I have recommended that one way of addressing this challenge is to use a ‘funnel’ approach in interviewing from the general: the community, to the particular: the individual.

Source: UG
Conference of Independent African States Declaration and Resolution 22nd April, 1958

We, the African States assembled here in Accra, in this our first Conference, conscious of our res-ponsibll1ties to humanity and especially to the peoples of Africa, and desiring to assert our African Personality on the side of peace, hereby proclaim and solemnly reaffirm our unswerving loyalty to the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration of the Asian-African Conference held at Bandung. We further assert and proclaim the unity among ourselves And our solidarity with the dependent peoples of Africa as well as our friendship with all nation.. We resolve to preserve the unity of purpose and action in international affairs which we have forged among ourselves In this historic Conference: to safeguard our hard-won Independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and to preserve among ourselves the fundamental unity of outlook on [foreign policy so that a distinctive African Personality will play its part in co-operation with other peace-loving nation to further the cause of peace

Source: UG
Conference on ‘Nutrition dynamics in Africa opportunities and challenges for meeting the sustainable development goals’

Although a substantial amount of nutrition research is conducted in Africa, the research agenda is mainly donor-driven. There is a clear need for a revised research agenda in Africa which is both driven by and responding to local priorities. The present paper summarises the proceedings of a symposium on how evidence can guide decision-makers towards context-appropriate priorities and decisions in nutrition. The paper focuses on lessons learned from case studies by the Evidence Informed Decision Making in Nutrition and Health Network implemented between 2015 and 2016 in Benin, Ghana, and South Africa. Activities within these countries were organised around problem-oriented evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM), capacity strengthening and leadership, and horizontal collaboration. Using a combination of desk-reviews, stakeholder influence-mapping, semi-structured interviews and convening platforms, these country-level studies demonstrated a strong interest in partnership between researchers and decision-makers, and the use of research evidence for prioritization and decision-making in nutrition. Identified capacity gaps were addressed through training workshops on EIDM, systematic reviews, cost-benefit evaluations, and evidence contextualization. Investing in knowledge partnerships and the development of capacity and leadership are key to driving the appropriate use of evidence in nutrition policy and programming in Africa.

Source: UG
Conference on ‘Nutrition dynamics in Africa: opportunities and challenges for meeting the sustainable development goals’

Social protection (SP) has been demonstrated as an effective tool against poverty and severe hunger. In Ghana, SP interventions have been employed to address vulnerability to poverty since 1965. Nevertheless, its potential for enhancing nutrition has hardly been explored. To harness the cross-sectoral benefits of scaling up nutrition-sensitive actions in Ghana, the The National Development Planning Commission requested an assessment of nutrition linkages across existing SP policies and programmes. The present paper presents gaps and opportunities for improving the nutrition-sensitivity of existing SP programming in Ghana. The evidence draws heavily on desk review of available published and grey literature. The data show that SP provides an entry point for mainstreaming nutrition into other programmes. However, designing and coupling SP programmes with nutrition programmes remains a challenge in Ghana. Local SP interventions are predominantly designed as standalone services and therefore are implemented independently of each other. To increase synergy between SP and nutrition, including nutrition as an explicit objective of SP policies/strategies is recommended

Source: UG
Conference on the study and teaching of history 31st August – 3rd September 1959

Since the Conference was intended to promote informal discussion about the history syllabus for the School and higher School Certificate exanimations, it was decided" not to issue any formal report, but in response to many requests the lectures have been cyclostyled. Certain suggestions which commanded a fair measure of agreement were 9 however, submitted to the Cambridge University Local examinations Syndicate and to the various education authorities in the Federation. These suggestions are set out at the end of my lecture on 'The Case for African History'. From the replies I have received it would appear that a good deal of further thought and discussion is called for before the education authorities would be prepared to recommend alterations to the existing syllabus. Undoubtedly one chief drawback to giving a more prominent place to the history of Africa is the lack of adequate textbooks. It is hoped that this deficiency will be remedied in the next few years. Certainly no person seriously concerned with education in this country can remain complacent in face of a situation in which so little teaching is given in the higher forms regarding the history of. The continent in which we live.

Source: UG
Conflict and cooperation in environmental management in peri-urban Accra, Ghana

The chapter draws on fieldwork conducted in five villages within the periurban area of Accra: La Bawaleshie, the closest to the centre of Accra and which has been totally surrounded by urban development; Pantang, which lies beyond the physical limit of the city; and Ashale Botwe, Agbogba and Gbawe, which are located between these in the area experiencing the most rapid landuse change (see Figure 14.1). These villages were first studied during 1995/1996, when focus group discussions were held with the chief and elders, youth groups and women’s groups, and a census survey, questionnaires and indepth interviews were conducted in each village. Our interest in these settlements has been ongoing informally since 1995; but in February 2003 we again conducted formal focus group discussions with the same three groups, enabling us to trace the changes that have taken place.

Source: UG
Conflict and dialogue perspectives to social change: Insights from an African culture

I examine the conflict and dialogue perspectives to social change. Distinguishing between conflict and aggression, I argue that although conflict of interest is inevitable, it is also inevitable that we use aggression to deal with our conflicting interests. The conflicting nature of human interests makes at least verbal conflict to be unavoidable, but I distinguish between verbal conflict and verbal aggression. With the help of Aristotle's components of persuasion, I further distinguish between verbal conflict approaches such as rational nonaggressive, rational aggressive, and character-or emotiontargeted verbal aggression. With insights from the Akan of Ghana, I argue that effective constraints against aggressive behaviour can be built into social policy and, ultimately, culture. Incidentally, a critical but non-Aggressive approach to verbal conflict rhymes with an agonistic mode of dialogue that redeems traditionally congenial dialogue from much of its weaknesses.

Source: UG
Conflict And Higher Education In The Midst Of Political Instability: The Case Of The Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny In Cote D’ivoire.

This research focuses on the impact of conflict on higher education in Africa using the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Cote D’Ivoire for analysis. There have been widespread of conflict with their devastating impacts on all facets of lives. Education is one sector which have suffered from prolong conflicts. For example, conflict had a detrimental effect on the academic calendar; Students have been of campuses for a long time; teaching and learning have stalled. Some students even abandon school to take part in the conflicts etc. Notwithstanding, there seems not to be much scholarly attention on the impact of conflicts on Higher Education. To contribute to the knowledge, the research study employed a qualitative methodological approach utilizing a personal interview technique. Using a purposive sample of eleven (11) participants made up of 6 teaching staffs, 4 student leaders and a Representative of the Association of African Universities (AAU). On the whole the study found out that both students and staff were deeply affected in many ways, psychologically and economically. Specifically, the study found out that, students were negatively affected as there was loss of skills and knowledge, loss of valuable learning, decline in enrolment, displacement of households and widening inequalities at the onset of the conflict. The findings show that higher education was largely affected in relation to the sources of funding which was not forthcoming despite the disproportionate low share that higher education receives from the annual education budget. The findings also reveal that infrastructure of the university was affected as some were badly damaged. Furthermore, the findings show that some students were found to be involved directly or indirectly in the activities of the rebel groups. It is therefore prudent therefore for all stakeholders to rise to protect higher education as its contribution to the building of society is very highly commendable. The study recommends the strict enforcement of the ECOWAS conflict prevention mechanisms so as to forestall future occurrence of civil wars among others.

Source: UG
The conflict of the Epistemologies in Turgenev’s Russia and its resonance with the African intellectual crisis

Turgenev’s fathers and sons is not only about a generational conflict, it also depicts a crisis in the paradigms of knowledge in nineteen the century Russia. While the nobility revel in the arts, letters and aesthetics, the nihilists dismiss them as romantic nonsense. For them the only worthwhile knowledge is that which has practical value and can be varied in the laboratory. This paper sifts the nuggets from the otherwise nihilist dross, and pushes the debate to the frontiers of the African experience insinuating the culpability of the dominant intellectual paradigms in perpetuating the continent’s crisis of underdevelopment.

Source: UG
Conflicts and governance of landfills in a developing country city, Accra

A key challenge associated with rapid urbanization in much of the developing world (including Ghana) is the disposal of municipal solid waste. This has engendered numerous conflicts between municipal authorities and communities located near landfills. While these conflicts have attracted much media concerns in Ghana, not enough academic research has been carried out to unearth the root causes and consequences of these conflicts. More importantly, increased urbanization and concomitant growth of real estates in peri-urban areas of large Ghanaian cities such as Accra, have meant that landfills must compete with residential land use resulting in closer proximity of landfill sites to residential neighbourhoods. Thus, increasingly due to the intense competition for land the capacity of the peri-urban areas of large cities to absorb urban-generated waste is compromised. This paper attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by highlighting the issues of conflicts and governance using two peri-urban landfills in Accra as a case study. It argues that landfill-related conflicts are the result of the existing land ownership system and the consequent outcomes of poor spatial planning and management of metropolitan fringe areas. The study concludes that resolving landfill-related conflicts must start with tackling the land question which should then create a space for promoting forward planning involving the active participation of chiefs and community members. Again, studies on the acquisition, management and governance of landfills in the developed world could provide useful lessons for Ghana and other developing countries

Source: UG
Confronting Nollywood’s Hegemony In Ghana: A Historical Perspective Of Akan Video Movies In Ghana

The literature on Ghana’s cinema practices have focused primarily on the English-language film industry centralized in the capital, Accra. The last two decades, however, witnessed a significant rise in Akan-language videos originating largely from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The number of movies produced and the audience reception resulted in a decline in circulation of the Accra English-language movies as well as those from Nollywood, which dominated the African film spectrum. Despite these successes, the Akan video industry is largely understudied. This article relies on observations and interviews with practitioners within the Kumasi film production enclave to suggest that the adoption of indigenous languages for film is consequential to the break in former Nollywood film dominance in Ghana. I examine key historical accounts and the nature of the Akan video film industry as a countermovement to the status quo as well as a cultural resistance strategy that successfully challenged the Nollywood hegemony, which stretched throughout the continent and beyond.

Source: UG
Congenital maxillomandibular syngnathia: Case report.

Introduction: Congenital maxillomandibular fusion is a very rare condition with few cases reported. Cases of combinations of bony or soft tissue adhesions between the mandible and maxilla with cleft of the lip or palate, aglossia, popliteal pterygium and van der Woude syndrome have been reported. Case report: The aim of this paper is to report a case of fibrous maxillomandibular fusion of the jaws, with synechiae of buccal mucosa and the gingivae, which was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial team of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana soon after delivery. Separation of the fusion was done under nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation. Cleft of the hard palate was discovered during surgery. Conclusion: Maxillomandibular syngnathia is considered rare and synechiae with other maxillofacial abnormalities without syngnathia could exist and should not be ruled out. This report adds more information to the literature, by reporting a baby with synechiae and a cleft of the palate. Prompt, definitive diagnosis and management of other abnormalities in the baby could only be done under deep sedation. This was necessary to avoid deformity and early death. © 2009 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.

Source: UG
Congenital syphilis in the newborn.

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Congenital toxoplasmosis and pregnancy malaria detection post-partum: Effective diagnosis and its implication for efficient management of congenital infection.

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Conidial mass production of entomopathogenic fungi and tolerance of their mass-produced conidia to UV-B radiation and heat

We investigated conidial mass production of eight isolates of six entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Apha nocladium album (ARSEF 1329), Beauveria bassiana (ARSEF 252 and 3462), Lecanicillium aphanocladii (ARSEF 6433), Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato (ARSEF 2341), Metarhizium pingshaense (ARSEF 1545), and Simplicillium lanosoniveum (ARSEF 6430 and 6651) on white or brown rice at four moisture condi tions (75e100%). The tolerance of mass-produced conidia of the eight fungal isolates to UV-B radiation and heat (45 C) were also evaluated. For each moisture content compared, a 20-g sample of rice in a polypropylene bag was inoculated with each fungal isolate in three replicates and incubated at 28 ± 1 C for 14 days. Conidia were then harvested by washing the substrate, and conidial concentrations deter mined by haemocytometer counts. Conidial suspensions were inoculated on PDAY with 0.002% benomyl in Petri plates and exposed to 978 mW m 2 of Quaite-weighted UV-B for 2 h. Additionally, conidial suspensions were exposed to 45 C for 3 h, and aliquots inoculated on PDAY with benomyl. The plates were incubated at 28 ± 1 C, and germination was assessed at 400 magnification after 48 h. Conidial production was generally higher on white rice than on brown rice for all fungal species, except for L. aphanocladii ARSEF 6433, regardless of moisture combinations. The 100% moisture condition provided higher conidial production for B. bassiana (ARSEF 252 and ARSEF 3462) and M. anisopliae (ARSEF 2341) isolates, while the addition of 10% peanut oil enhanced conidial yield for S. lanosoniveum isolate ARSEF 6430. B. bassiana ARSEF 3462 on white rice with 100% water yielded the highest conidial production (approximately 1.3 1010 conidia g 1 of substrate). Conidia produced on white rice with the different moisture conditions did not differ in tolerance to UV-B radiation or heat. However, high tolerance to UV B radiation and heat was observed for B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and A. album isolates. Heat-treated conidia of S. lanosoniveum and L. aphanocladii did not germinate.

Source: UG