ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A study of amateur groups’ re-interpretation of traditional dances in Ghana: Role on continuity and safeguarding

The amateur dance category in Ghana has been a vibrant force in the performance of traditional Ghanaian dancing for over 20 years. Fluid in ideologies, they have been able to affect the paradigms of traditional dancing in Ghana so much that their activities cannot be overlooked. Even though they are mostly taunted as the ‘destroyers’ of traditional forms by some schools of thought, this category’s input is especially important as they have a direct influence on dance structures in Ghana through their re-interpretations of traditional dance forms. This paper seeks to identify some distinctive re-interpretative styles/patterns this category exerts on traditional dances and their effects on preservation of traditional dances in Ghana.

Source: UG
A study of amateur groups’ re-interpretation of traditional dances in Ghana: Role on continuity and safeguarding

Neo-traditional dancing has come a long way since it claimed the spotlight in the 1960s. Right from then, the influence of the proscenium stage and its effects on traditional dance structures and performance has contributed immensely to dance development in Ghana. The Ghana Dance Ensemble as the pioneer of dance experimentation and modern development provided inspiration to other smaller dance groups to continue in that direction. The amateur group’s reinterpretations of the Ghana Dance Ensemble’s choreographies have continued to alter the paradigms of neo-traditional dance concepts and performances for some time now. Largely situated in the capital city of Ghana, Accra, they have become a dominant force in the area of neo-traditional dancing so much that their involvement cannot be overlooked. In this presentation, I concentrate on two (2) amateur groups and their internal politics of power that influences their creativity and performances of neo-traditional dances within the context of appropriation and globalization. By exposition, I will examine how and why the amateur dance category effect changes in dances they have learnt from the traditional settings, the Ghana Dance Ensemble, among the amateur groups themselves, and from outside Ghana with regards to the adaptations to new situations. This will be analyzed through a comparative analysis of the Bawa dance to be able to shed light on the findings. The purpose of this presentation is not to assume the sole responsibility of influencing any changes in the dances as has been done over the years without due regard to concepts of cultural dynamism but rather to become conscious of them.

Source: UG
A study of autopsy procedures in Ghana: Implications for the use of autopsy data in epidemiological analyses

The study of cause of death certification remains a largely neglected field in many developing countries, including Ghana. Yet, mortality information is crucial for establishing mortality patterns over time and for estimating mortality attributed to specific causes. In Ghana, autopsies remain the appropriate option for determining the cause of deaths occurring in homes and those occurring within 48 hours after admission into health facilities. Although these organ-based autopsies may generate convincing results and are considered the gold standard tools for ascertainments of causes of death, procedural and practical constraints could limit the extent to which autopsy results can be accepted and/or trusted. The objective of our study was to identify and characterise the procedural and practical constraints as well as to assess their potential effects on autopsy outcomes in Ghana. We interviewed 10 Ghanaian pathologists and collected and evaluated procedural manuals and operational procedures for the conduct of autopsies. A characterisation of the operational constraints and the Delphi analysis of their potential influence on the quality of mortality data led to a quantification of the validity threats as moderate (average expert panel score = 1) in the generality of the autopsy operations in Ghana. On the basis of the impressions of the expert panel, it was concluded that mortality data generated from autopsies in urban settings in Ghana were of sufficiently high quality to guarantee valid use in health analysis. © D. Omare and A. Kanekar., 2011.

Source: UG
The study of bacterial contamination of drinking water sources: A case study of Mpraeso, Ghana

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
A Study of Bank Efficiencies in Ghana

Reform of the financial system in Ghana started in the late 1980s. To date, the foreign exchange market and interest rate regimes have been liberalized; distressed banks have been restructured and the range of financial services available have been diversified. Reform has also meant a more liberal approach to bank licensing. As a result, the number of banks in the economy has increased, so has bank-intermediated debt. There is now some integration of the Ghanaian financial system with the global economy. The central bank however believes that the capital bases of the banks are too low and too shallow to support significant lending. To address this situation it proposes to increase the minimum capital requirements of banks nine fold over a maximum of four years (two in some cases). This study investigates the technical efficiency and economies of scale of Ghanaian banks to obtain a sense of what might happen to efficiencies in the industry when banks get bigger. Have large banks been more efficient than small banks? A data enveloping analysis was performed on annual bank data from 2000 to 2006. Findings suggest that the technical efficiencies of large banks as a group, and small banks as another are similar. However, the findings also suggest that small banks have larger scale efficiencies than the big banks. The implication of this is that (on the average at least) the large banks in Ghana are more removed from the point of their lowest average costs than the small banks and the central bank should be careful about encouraging banks to get bigger if its objective is to improve scale efficiency.

Source: UG
A study of Childhood and Youth at Winneba

There is nothing more important and fascinating than a study of childhood and youth. In the following pages an attempt has been made to trace the growth and development of children from the pre – natal stage through the baby, crawling, toddling, infant, pre – school, school and adolescent stages up to the verge of adulthood when the child becomes ready to lend a hand in the affairs of the community. In this survey, based principally on Winneba children, there is a wide panorama of interests, paradoxes, problems and activities which the reader will find both stimulating and instructive.

Source: UG
A study of nephron function in normal tropical residents using the creatinine and lithium clearances.

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG
A Study of Secessionist Movements in Cameroon

Cameroon since its inception in 1961 has faced a series of secessionist struggles, mainly from its English region. Anglophone Cameroonians who feel marginalized and violated have in recent years revived a quest to secede from Cameroon. This study analyses the secessionist movements in Cameroon, bringing to light the reasons behind their formation, their actors, strategies as well as their chances of success or failure. The study employs the theory of secession as it captures and explains in full detail the occurrences and happenings in Cameroon. In conducting the study, the qualitative research approach and the purposive sampling method were used to attain a representational sample of Cameroonians. The findings from the study identified economic, political and cultural factors as the underlying reasons behind the formation of secessionist movement in Cameroon. It also pointed to the Cameroonian government and lawyers and teachers in the Anglophone regions as the main actors behind the secessionist struggle. Further findings indicated that the secessionist use both overt and covert strategies to ensure the realization of their quest for independence. Findings on the prospects of success or failure reflected that the Cameroonian government is willing to make some adjustments but highly unwilling to give into the secessionist request. The study concluded that the secessionists have genuine reasons for embarking upon the uprising and thus the central government should come out with a clear-cut policy to address the impasse. In view of these revelations, the study recommended the suspension of Cameroon from international organisations and the reversal of policies that impose French in the English systems.

Source: UG
A Study of some aspects of the life of the Nzema people with special reference to their Diet

The main objective in writing this pierce of work is to bring to the notice of the girls and women of Nzema in the middle schools.Secondary schools and training colleges the present existing conditions in Nzema in relation to the poor housing conditions and wrong wrong feeding among children and adults so as to encourage them to do all they can to improve the of families in Nzema, to build well ventilated houses and to eradicate all existing practices of malnutrition

Source: UG
A Study of the Application of R2P in Cote D’ivoire and Libya: A Semblance of a Crime of Aggression?

As a result of the failure of the UN and the entire international system to protect people against genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity such as was committed in Rwanda and Srebrenica in 1994 and 1995 respectively, the international system deemed it necessary to settle on a legal and political structure for a united international action (humanitarian intervention) that will protect people against genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. This led to the institution of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine which was unanimously adopted by UN member states at the 2005 World Summit held in New York. The main objective of R2P is to guide the UN and the international system in protecting people against genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. This dissertation uses the interventions in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya under the R2P doctrine as case studies to investigate whether the operationalization of the R2P concept has in principle and practice protected the rights of citizens or otherwise perpetuated crimes. More specifically, the study seeks to find out if the use of military intervention under the third pillar of R2P is a semblance of the Crime of Aggression. The study is based on the theory of humanitarian imperialism. Humanitarian imperialism is chosen as the relevant theory for this study because of its assumption that humanitarian interventions can become problematic for developing countries within which the intervention is carried out. This assumption is useful in determining whether or not this was the case in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya under the R2P doctrine. As a case study, the research employs a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling technique, to collect the requisite data from the target population. The findings of the study shows that operationalization of R2P in Côte d’Ivoire and Libya has not protected the rights of the citizens but rather ascended crime perpetuation since some atrocities committed against citizens in both Côte d’Ivoire and Libya were committed by operators of R2P in both states. Also, the findings of the study reveal that the application of R2P in Côte d’Ivoire and Libya, specifically the use of military force, has resulted in acts that could be likened to the crime of aggression. This finding is therefore a critique against the R2P doctrine. In conclusion, the study recommends that all states, specifically states in Africa, should make use of democratic institutions this is largely due to the similar deep-seated concerns of unconstitutional changes of government and territory occupation which births such atrocities and rights abuse. Given that democratic institutions are effectively in place and followed, there would be no need for humanitarian intervention hence, R2P.

Source: UG
A Study of the Change in Sodium and Potassium Ion Concentrations in Stored Donor Blood and Their Effect on Electrolyte Balance of Recipients

Background. Preserved blood cells undergo progressive structural and functional changes that may affect their function, integrity, and viability after transfusion. )e impact of transfusion of stored blood on potassium, sodium, or acid-base balance in the recipient may be complex, but information on it is inconsistent. )is study therefore sought to determine the changes in the potassium and sodium levels in whole blood stored at 4°C for 28 days and clinical outcomes when such blood are transfused. Methods. Whole blood were taken into double CPDA-1 bags and 50 ml transferred into the satellite bags for the study. Electrolyte concentration determinations were made on each of the blood sample on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 using the Vitalab Selectra Junior chemistry analyser. )e remaining blood in the main bags was transfused after the 28-day period, and biochemical analysis carried out on the patients before and after the transfusion. One-way ANOVA was used for the analysis of variance between the weekly ion concentrations and independent sample Mann–Whitney U test for the data obtained from the patients. Results. )e mean potassium level of all the samples started with a normal value of 3.45 mmol/L on the first day followed by a sharp rise to 9.40 mmol/ L on day 7, 13.40 mmol/L on day 14, 14.60 mmol/L on day 21, and 15.40 mmol/L on day 28. Sodium on the other hand started with a high value of 148.4 mmol/L on day 0 and then reduced to 146.4 mmol/L on day 7, 140.8 mmol/L on day 14, 135.6 mmol/L on day 21, and a low value of 130.8 mmol/L on day 28. No adverse clinical outcomes were seen in patients after they were transfused with the blood. Conclusion. It can be deduced that potassium concentration in refrigerated blood increases, whilst sodium concentration reduces with time and when such blood is transfused, it may not result in any adverse clinical outcome.

Source: UG
A Study of the Implementation of International Treaties on Child Marriage in Ghana

In 1998, Ghana enacted the children’s Act 560 (1998) to harmonize its national laws to the principle of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This Act was enacted to protect children. Twenty years on, children in Ghana are still exposed to harmful practices which have extreme consequences on their development. Child marriage is one of the harmful practices to which children in Ghana remain exposed. Currently, the national child marriage prevalence rate stands at 21% in Ghana. This study assessed the implementation of international treaties on child marriage in Ghana. It explored the strategies by government to end child marriage as per international treaties ratified. It further explored the implementation of the treaties thus far and the contributions of development partners in addressing the problem of child marriage. The study was conducted using qualitative research methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with selected persons with child protection mandates at the district and national levels including development partners UNICEF and International Needs Ghana. Case studies of child marriages survivors were also constructed through interviews with five girls from Hini, Gomoa Osbonpanyin, Gomoa Akwamu, Amissakrom and Eshiem. The findings show that Ghana has adequate laws to end child marriage and other child protection violations. The government has also made some strides in efforts to deal with the practice yet there are gaps between legal intent and practice. The challenge remains with the effective implementation of these treaties Ghana has signed as there are financial and technical constraints as well as tensions between statutory law and customary practices. It is concluded from these findings that for Ghana to be able to end child marriage by 2030, an effective bottom-up approach should be adopted in policy implementation and adequate financial and technical resources must be invested in the work of institutions with child protection mandates. It is mainly recommended that Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs) be established to intervene in various child protection violations as the country does not have enough resources to make interventions, especially at the community level to ensure children are safe.

Source: UG
A study of the interactions of carbon based fillers in acrylonitrile butadiene rubber matrix for high deformation sensor applications

A strain sensor was prepared by reinforcing acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)-5 parts per hundred of rubber (phr) carbon black (CBH) separately with small concentration (∼0.1phr) of reduced graphene oxide (GL), multi-walled, and carbon nanotube (NTL) via a combination of conventional solution and solid processing techniques. The interactions and the electronic properties among carbon based fillers NT, CB, G and their synergy effects (NBR-CBH-GL and NBR-CBH-NTL) were investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) modeling approach. The DFT predictions were in correspondence with the experimental results. The optimum design (NBR-CBH-GL) was found to show high curing, mechanical and improved electrical properties. On account of strain sensing performance, NBR-CBH-GL exhibited high gauge factor (GF) ∼105 at 0– 40% strain, which was over 900% than NBR-CBH (GF ∼104 at 0–30% strain) and the highest reported so far. This was explained by the breaking of CB networks caused by tight NBR-G structures on straining, leading to high electrical resistance. The NBR-CBH-GL also demonstrated high stability and repeatability in the cyclic loading. In terms of applications, NBR-CBH GL exhibited high capability for vibration detections and wearable sensing, especially for detection of human bodily motions like speeches, facial deformations, bending, and relaxation of the fingers.

Source: UG
A study of the reading interests of graduates on national service scheme in Ghana

A highly educated person, such as a university graduate, is normally expected to continue to read on diverse subjects as a desirable lifelong activity. Any such person who deviates from this behaviour is considered to have transformed into an aliterate. Against this background, using the survey design and the random sampling technique, this study sought to find out if fresh graduates of tertiary institutions are reading immediately out of school or are already exhibiting signs of heading towards aliteracy. Graduates of Ghanaian tertiary institutions who graduated in 2009 and were serving the nation under the Ghana National Service Scheme formed the population of the study. Two hundred copies of a designed questionnaire were distributed to such graduates serving at the University of Ghana between June and July 2010, out of which 167 usable copies were returned for a response rate of 83.5%. The study found out that the majority of the respondents were still reading, and also perceived reading as essential for lifelong learning. However, it does not appear that they placed as much premium on reading as they did in school. The paper calls on academic libraries to pay attention to providing resources and services to improve the leisurely reading habits of their students, alongside academic reading requirements, so that students leave the university with acquired and cultivated habits of reading outside of academic requirements and settings.

Source: UG
A study of the relative clause as a modifier in two Ghanaian newspapers

This article investigates the use of the relative clause as a modifier in two major Ghanaian newspapers-Daily Graphic and Daily Guide. Specifically, it examines how the three main relative clauses; namely, defining, non-defining and sentential have been used in the selected newspapers. Analyzing data drawn from both newspapers from 1st June-30th November, 2011, we discovered that both newspapers contained violations of the syntactic and semantic rules with regard to the use of relative clauses. These violations, we argue, could create potential sources of confusion for the reader in the interpretation of the sentences. The paper describes the nature of the violations and recommends that editors pay greater attention to this aspect of written communication. Furthermore, language courses in schools and institutes of journalism as well as universities in Ghana should pay substantial attention to the teaching of relative clauses as modifiers. © MCSER-Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research.

Source: UG