ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Identity and knowledge production in the fourth generation

This paper examines the linked themes of identity and knowledge production embedded within the concept of insider scholarship. Insider scholarship maybe described as the production of knowledge by a scholar about a group with which he/ she identifies as a member. We are immediately compelled to complicate this question by asking how any such group is delineated and how member ship therein shapes knowledge production. The idea if insider scholarship thus evokes a series of queries about whom and for whom. The paper makes the argument that the discussion on insider scholarship has gained renewed relevance. In an effort to reclaim representation of Africa and Africans, earlier generations of African scholars might sometimes have based scholarly legitimacy on idealisations of race, culture and territory. From that historical point, we appear to be in a moment when notions of ‘cosmopolitanism’ and ‘universalism’ make nonsense of any attempt to ground scholarship in complex and shifting identities. As the fourth generation of scholars comes into its own, one of its defining tasks will be to negotiate this contested terrain. This paper represents such an attempt. It argues that the concept of insider scholarship cannot simply be discarded as irrelevant. To do so would constitute an ill-advised neglect or woeful ignorance of the politics of representing about Africa, and of the power differentials in different spaces within the field of African Studies. However, there are multiple grounds for claiming‘ insiderness’, and defining it by narrow parameters is unhelpful, if not damaging to any sense of common purpose. In this light, I present ‘shared struggle’ as a strategic basis for reconstituting the theoretical value and the viable practice of insider scholarship. I conclude the paper examining the implication of this conceptual shift.

Source: UG
Identity and Knowledge Production in the Fourth Generation

This paper examines the linked themes of identity and knowledge production embedded within the concept of insider scholarship. Insider scholarship may be described as the production of knowledge by a scholar about a group with which s/he identifies as a member. We are immediately compelled to complicate this definition by asking how any such group is delineated and how membership therein shapes knowledge production. The idea of insider scholarship thus evokes a series of queries about who produces what knowledge, about whom and for whom. The paper makes the argument that the discussion on insider scholarship has gained renewed relevance. In an effort to reclaim representations of Africa and Africans, earlier generations of African scholars might sometimes have based scholarly legitimacy on idealisations of race, culture and territory. From that historical point, we appear to be in a moment when notions of ‘cosmopolitanism’ and ‘universalism’ make nonsense of any attempt to ground scholarship in complex and shifting identities. As the fourth generation of scholars comes into its own, one of its defining tasks will be to negotiate this contested terrain. This paper represents such an attempt. It argues that the concept of insider scholarship cannot simply be discarded as irrelevant. To do so would constitute an ill-advised neglect or woeful ignorance of the politics of representation about Africa, and of the power differentials in different spaces within the field of African Studies. However, there are multiple grounds for claiming ‘insiderness’, and defining it by narrow parameters is unhelpful, if not damaging to any sense of common purpose. In light of this, I present ‘shared struggle’ as a strategic basis for reconstituting the theoretical value and the viable practice of insider scholarship. I conclude the paper by examining the implication of this conceptual shift.

Source: UG
Identity construction amongst individuals with binational heritage in Africa

This paper draws on interviews with Africans of binational parental heritage to expand the literature on identity formation in two ways. First, it takes on the factors that shape primary identity formation more fully by extending it beyond the current focus on state constrictures on primary identity formation. We argue in this paper that in addition to state constricture, closeness of family ties is yet another factor that shapes the primary identity of individuals with binationality. Individuals claim the identity of that parent whose extended family members have a cordial relationship with them as evident in communication patterns, visits, presence at rites of passage, and the extent to which extended family members embrace them as one of their own. Second, we interrogate the literature on hybridity beyond its focus on types to highlight the instrumental and intrinsic purposes to which hybridity can be put. We show how individuals with a primary identity would choose a secondary identity for instrumental reasons such as the education or work opportunities it provides. The intrinsic value of secondary identity is the entertainment options and sense of self it provides. This piece, focusing on both the factors that shape primary identity as well as when/for what purpose such individuals choose a secondary identity, highlights the agency of such individuals.

Source: UG
Ideological traces in Ghana's urban plans: How do traces get worked out in the Agbogbloshie, Accra?

Neoliberalism, rights to the city, and sustainable development are systems of ideas competing for the attention of policymakers and citizens worldwide. Analyzing Ghana's key urban reports, we produce a heat map of the intensity and fragility of ideas concerning the urban poor. We employ the Agbogbloshie informal settlement as a case study to explore conflicts among diverse planning goals: urban entrepreneurialism, environmental protection, formalization of parts of the informal economy, the reframing of citizenship, and settlement upgrading. Decongestion exercises, shack demolitions, and threats of relocation are strategies employed to restore order, but the settlement's regeneration is beset by transience and piecemeal actions. We introduce hypocrisy as a theoretical analytical perspective to call into question pro-poor urban planning interventions as a way of responding to continuous ambivalent planning measures and framing. Hypocrisy prompts an alternative focus on inconsistencies and contradictions in the planning system.

Source: UG
Idiopathic spontaneous haemoperitoneum in the third trimester of pregnancy

Spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy, more especially idiopathic ones are rare and can be life threatening. We present a case of a 30 year old pregnant woman who at 29 weeks gestation developed spontaneous haemoperitoneum. An exploratory laparotomy was done which did not reveal the source of the bleeding. She subsequently had conservative management as an inpatient until term when she had elective caesarean section. A review of the literature was undertaken.

Source: UG
&quot;If in doubt, count&quot;: The role of community-driven enumerations in blocking eviction in Old Fadama, Accra

This paper describes the community-driven enumerations undertaken in Old Fadama, the largest informal settlement in Accra, which has long been threatened with eviction. After meeting with members of shack dweller federations from other nations, residents formed the Ghana Homeless People's Federation in 2003 (now known as the Ghana Federation of the Urban Poor (GHAFUP). Together with the NGO People's Dialogue on Human Settlements, they supported the first community-driven enumeration in Old Fadama in 2004 to counter the threat of eviction, by showing the large scale of economic activities in the community and the gap in accurate population data. This was followed by further enumerations, in 2006-2007 and in 2009, to counter new eviction threats from new city governments. These enumerations increased the residents' confidence, empowering them in terms of engagement with city government. They also changed government's perspective on informal settlements and helped shape policy away from forced evictions towards participatory relocations or rehabilitation. © 2012 International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

Source: UG
If Times Change, Should We Throw Away The Hearthstone? Exploring (Dis) Continuities In Autonomy And Decision-Making In The Lives Of Ghanaian Women

This paper attempts to investigate continuities and discontinuities between traditional and modern representations of womanhood and female gender roles focusing primarily on family and work settings. Using approaches informed by Sociology, Cultural Psychology, and African Studies, the paper explores traditional views of womanhood encapsulated in (and also transmitted intergenerationally) through proverbs. This customary perspective is contrasted with the results of the Everyday Lives Survey from the Pathways of Women's Empowerment Ghana project. The survey investigated the nature of everyday life- education, work, decision making, access to institutions, and autonomy in relationships-in six hundred (600) adult women in both rural and urban communities in three regions of Ghana. We argue that although the times are changing, there have only been modest disruptions in the lives of Ghanaian women as far as issues of autonomy and decision-making in are concerned. © 2014 Dzokoto and Darkwah.

Source: UG
&quot;If you do vasectomy and come back here weak, i will divorce you&quot;: A qualitative study of community perceptions about vasectomy in Southern Ghana

Male involvement in contraceptive use is increasingly becoming a global reproductive health issue. Vasectomy is one of the two male modern contraceptive methods espoused by the National Family Planning Policy in Ghana. Despite these advocacies, there are reports of low patronage of this method in Ghana. This study adhering to RATS guidelines on qualitative research therefore explored the social and cultural factors that may be affecting the low vasectomy uptake in Southern Ghana.

Source: UG
¿If you do vasectomy and come back here weak, I will divorce you¿: a qualitative study of community perceptions about vasectomy in Southern Ghana

Abstract Background Male involvement in contraceptive use is increasingly becoming a global reproductive health issue. Vasectomy is one of the two male modern contraceptive methods espoused by the National Family Planning Policy in Ghana. Despite these advocacies, there are reports of low patronage of this method in Ghana. This study adhering to RATS guidelines on qualitative research therefore explored the social and cultural factors that may be affecting the low vasectomy uptake in Southern Ghana. Methods The study was conducted in Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai (SBAB) District and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal area in the Western and Central regions of Ghana respectively. Twelve Focus Group Discussions were held with both male and female community members. In-depth interviews were also carried out with Community Health Officers (CHOs), Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and health managers at both the district and regional levels. The discussions and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Nvivo 10. Results The study revealed that vasectomy was perceived as an act against God, which was punishable either by death or answerable on judgement day. Vasectomy was also perceived to be a form of castration, which can make men weak and incapable, thereby unable to satisfy their wives sexually, leading to marital conflicts. Women were more concerned about the negative effects of vasectomy on men. Cafalgin and panacin which are locally manufactured analgesics were perceived to have contraceptive abilities and therefore used by men as an alternative to modern contraceptive methods. Conclusions Stigma and the misconceptions in the community may be accounting for the low vasectomy uptake in Ghana despite several advocacy strategies. Women were highly influential in a man's decision on vasectomy. This calls for the need to increase health education to demystify the misconceptions about vasectomy. Vasectomy-related campaign messages should target both men and women.

Source: UG
“If You Don’t Have Money Why Do You Want To Become a Chief?” The Commercialization of the Judicial Processes at the Houses of Chiefs

Using largely empirical data obtained from an extensive survey of proceedings at the Houses of Chiefs, this paper analyses the judicial process and the various expenses disputants incur when seeking justice in the Houses of Chiefs. The paper argues that access to justice in the Houses of Chiefs has become increasingly commercialized. As a result, only wealthy litigants can meet the high costs associated with seeking justice in the Houses of Chiefs. The consequence of the commercialization of justice is the delaying or denying of justice to the poor. The paper concludes by challenging the state to be more supportive of the judicial process and personnel in the Houses of Chiefs so as to relieve the disputants of the numerous fees charged by the various Houses and thus make justice accessible to all.

Source: UG
IGJ and SPATS2L immunohistochemistry sensitively and specifically identify BCR::ABL1+ and BCR::ABL1-like B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Therapeutic management and prognostication for patients with B-acute lympho blastic leukaemia (B-ALL) require appropriate disease subclassification. BCR::ABL1- like B-ALL is unique in that it is defined by a gene expression profile similar to BCR::ABL1+ B-ALL rather than a unifying recurrent translocation. Current molecu lar/cytogenetic techniques to identify this subtype are expensive, not widely acces sible, have long turnaround times and/or require an adequate liquid biopsy. We have studied a total of 118 B-ALL cases from three institutions in two laboratories to iden tify surrogates for BCR::ABL1+/like B-ALL. We report that immunoglobulin joining chain (IGJ) and spermatogenesis associated serine-rich 2-like (SPATS2L) immuno histochemistry (IHC) sensitively and specifically identify BCR::ABL1+/like B-ALL. IGJ IHC positivity has a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 95%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 89% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%. SPATS2L stain ing has similar sensitivity and NPV but lower specificity (85%) and PPV (70%). The presence of either IGJ or SPATS2L staining augments the sensitivity (93%) and NPV (95%). While these findings would need to be validated in larger studies, they suggest that IGJ and/or SPATS2L IHC may be utilized in identifying BCR::ABL1-like B-ALL or in selecting B-ALL cases for confirmatory molecular/genetic testing, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Source: UG
IJGO: Committed to research capacity strengthening

As a peer‐reviewed journal, the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics (IJGO) is at the end of the research cycle. Our main involvement is in the dissemination of research findings. This last step in the research process can be one of the most frustrating because there is never a guarantee that a manuscript submitted for peer review will eventually be accepted for publication. There are many different reasons why a manuscript might not be accepted, including being poorly written and not presented in the format required by the journal. One of the challenges of modern day publication is the limited number of papers that can be published by any one journal. IJGO receives more than 1200 submissions annually but, due to page limitations, we can only publish a little over 200 papers in one year. This means that some papers that end up being rejected are relatively well written, but are not competitive enough compared with other submissions. Manuscripts that catch the eye of editors and reviewers include those that are analytical or that address contemporary issues in the field of study. Manuscripts that are purely descriptive or simply a repetition of previously published research carried out in a different setting tend not to be accepted for publication.

Source: UG
IL10 Haplotype Associated with Tuberculin Skin Test Response but Not with Pulmonary TB

Evidence from genetic association and twin studies indicates that susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) is under genetic control. One gene implicated in susceptibility to TB is that encoding interleukin-10 (IL10). In a group of 2010 Ghanaian patients with pulmonary TB and 2346 healthy controls exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, among them 129 individuals lacking a tuberculin skin test (PPD) response, we genotyped four IL10 promoter variants at positions 22849 , 21082 , 2819 , and 2592 and reconstructed the haplotypes. The IL10 low-producer haplotype 22849A/21082A/2819C/2592C, compared to the high-producer haplotype 22849G/21082G/2819C/2592C, occurred less frequent among PPD-negative controls than among cases (OR 2.15, CI 1.3–3.6) and PPD-positive controls (OR 2.09, CI 1.2–3.5). Lower IL-10 plasma levels in homozygous 22849A/21082A/2819C/2592C carriers, compared to homozygous 22849G/21082G/2819C/2592C carriers, were confirmed by a IL-10 ELISA (p = 0.016). Although we did not observe differences between the TB patients and all controls, our results provide evidence that a group of individuals exposed to M. tuberculosis transmission is genetically distinct from healthy PPD positives and TB cases. In these PPD-negative individuals, higher IL-10 production appears to reflect IL-10-dependent suppression of adaptive immune responses and sustained long-term specific anergy.

Source: UG
Ileal stricture following strangulated inguinal hernia.

Small intestinal stenosis due to ischaemia following strangulated hernia is uncommon as patients with external hernias have ready access to elective herniorrhaphy. Small intestinal stenosis secondary to ischaemiamay lead to acute small bowel obstruction, acute-on-chronic obstruction or chronic small bowel obstruction. Itmay also give rise to the blind loop syndrome. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition is difficult.We report four cases of small intestinal stenosis who presented to one surgical unit at the Korle-BuTeaching Hospital with acute intestinal obstruction over a period of 15 months.

Source: UG
Illness meanings and experiences for pre-ulcer and ulcer conditions of Buruli ulcer in the Ga-West and Ga-South Municipalities of Ghana

AbstractBackgroundGhana is a Buruli ulcer (BU) endemic country yet there is paucity of socio-cultural research on BU. Examining distinctive experiences and meanings for pre-ulcers and ulcers of BU may clarify the disease burden, illness experience and local perceptions of causes and spread, and environmental features of BU, which are useful to guide public health programmes and future research. This study aimed to explain local meanings and experiences of BU for persons with pre-ulcers and ulcers in the Ga-West and Ga-South municipalities in Accra.MethodsSemi-structured interviews based on the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue framework were administered to 181 respondents comprising 15 respondents with pre-ulcers and 166 respondents with ulcers. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare categories of illness experiences (PD) and perceived causes (PC) among respondents with pre-ulcer and ulcer conditions. The Fisher&#8217;s exact test was used to compare the most troubling PD and the most important PC variables. Qualitative phenomenological analysis of respondents&#8217; narratives clarified illness experiences and meanings with reference to PC and PD variables.ResultsFamilies of respondents with pre-ulcers and the respondents themselves were often anxious about disease progression, while families of respondents with ulcers, who had to give care, worried about income loss and disruption of school attendance. Respondents with pre-ulcers frequently reported swimming in ponds and rivers as a perceived cause and considered it as the most important PC (53.3%). Respondents with ulcers frequently attributed their BU illness to witchcraft (64.5%) and respondents who claimed they had no water contact, questioned the credibility of health messagesConclusionsAffected persons with pre-ulcers are likely to delay treatment because of social and financial constraints and the absence of pain. Scepticism on the role of water in disease contagion and prolonged healing is perceived to make ideas of witchcraft as a PC more credible, among respondents with ulcers. Health messages should address issues of locally perceived risk and vulnerability. Guided by study findings, further research on the role of environmental, socio-cultural and genetic factors in BU contagion, is also needed to clarify and formulate health messages and strengthen public health initiatives.

Source: UG
Illness meanings and experiences for pre-ulcer and ulcer conditions of buruli ulcer in the Ga-west and Ga-south municipalities of Ghana.

Background: Ghana is a Buruli ulcer (BU) endemic country yet there is paucity of socio-cultural research on BU. Examining distinctive experiences and meanings for pre-ulcers and ulcers of BU may clarify the disease burden, illness experience and local perceptions of causes and spread, and environmental features of BU, which are useful to guide public health programmes and future research. This study aimed to explain local meanings and experiences of BU for persons with pre-ulcers and ulcers in the Ga-West and Ga-South municipalities in Accra. Methods: Semi-structured interviews based on the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue framework were administered to 181 respondents comprising 15 respondents with pre-ulcers and 166 respondents with ulcers. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare categories of illness experiences (PD) and perceived causes (PC) among respondents with pre-ulcer and ulcer conditions. The Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the most troubling PD and the most important PC variables. Qualitative phenomenological analysis of respondents’ narratives clarified illness experiences and meanings with reference to PC and PD variables. Results: Families of respondents with pre-ulcers and the respondents themselves were often anxious about disease progression, while families of respondents with ulcers, who had to give care, worried about income loss and disruption of school attendance. Respondents with pre-ulcers frequently reported swimming in ponds and rivers as a perceived cause and considered it as the most important PC (53.3%). Respondents with ulcers frequently attributed their BU illness to witchcraft (64.5%) and respondents who claimed they had no water contact, questioned the credibility of health messages Conclusions: Affected persons with pre-ulcers are likely to delay treatment because of social and financial constraints and the absence of pain. Scepticism on the role of water in disease contagion and prolonged healing is perceived to make ideas of witchcraft as a PC more credible, among respondents with ulcers. Health messages should address issues of locally perceived risk and vulnerability. Guided by study findings, further research on the role of environmental, socio-cultural and genetic factors in BU contagion, is also needed to clarify and formulate health messages and strengthen public health initiatives.

Source: UG