ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Lifelong learning and the attainment of the education-related Millennium Development Goals 2 and 3 in Ghana: Is there a critical nexus?

In an environment of rapid technological change, countries in the developed and developing worlds need to improve the population’s skills and competences. Since 1992, education reforms and various education sector documents and policy frameworks have been implemented to improve quality of education by getting more children into school through the abolishing of school fees, and the school feeding programme, whilst special efforts are made to deal with issues of gender inequality and the empowerment of women to meet the goals of Education for All and the education-related Millennium Development Goals 2 and 3. Though gains have been made in the area of gross enrolment ratio, there are still gross disparities in net enrolment and completion rates at regional level, with girls lagging behind boys as they progress up the educational ladder. In dealing with these challenges to meet Goals 2 and 3, lifelong learning becomes the critical nexus. Ghana needs a lifelong policy to make the vision and practice of lifelong learning possible. The paper recommends a greater synergy between formal and non-formal learning and the establishment of equivalent programmes that are flexible to promote post-primary education so children, youth and adults can learn throughout the lifecycle. It argues that we need to return to informal learning, which is real lifelong learning in Ghana, to teach our children the value of education in order to live together as one people.

Source: UG
Lifelong learning for the African to become a twenty-first century person in the global system

The Dakar Conference on Education organized by UNESCO in 1972 led to the formation of a commission on education chaired by Edgar Faure. In 1996 the commission released what later on became known as Delores' Report on Education as a framework or philosophy on which member countries of UNESCO could base their education systems. The framework consists of four basic principles: Learning to be, Learning to know, Learning to do and Learning to live together. This article discusses how to learn to become a person from the home, to the school and throughout life (lifelong Learning) in Africa. The focus is on Africa because it is one continent where education does not seem to be making a significant impact, as it is doing in other parts of the world - preparing the people to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. © 2009 SAGE Publications.

Source: UG
A Liftless Intervention to Prevent Preterm Birth and Low Birthweight Among Pregnant Ghanaian Women: Protocol of a Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Every year, 20 million babies are born with low birthweight (LBW), about 96% of which occur in low-income countries. Despite the associated dangers, in about 40%-50% of PTB and LBW cases, the causes remain unexplained. Existing evidence is inconclusive as to whether occupational physical activities such as heavy lifting are implicated. African women bear the transport burden of accessing basic needs for their families. Ghana’s PTB rate is 14.5%, whereas the global average is 9.6%. The proposed liftless intervention aims to decrease lifting exposure during pregnancy among Ghanaian women. We hypothesize that a reduction in heavy lifting among pregnant women in Ghana will increase gestational age and birthweight. Objective: To investigate the effects of the liftless intervention on the incidence of PTB and LBW among pregnant Ghanaian women. Methods: A cohort stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial in 10 antenatal clinics will be carried out in Ghana. A total of 1000 pregnant participants will be recruited for a 60-week period. To be eligible, the participant should have a singleton pregnancy between 12 and 16 weeks gestation, be attending any of the 10 antenatal clinics, and be exposed to heavy lifting. All participants will receive standard antenatal care within the control phase; by random allocation, two clusters will transit into the intervention phase. The midwife-led 3-component liftless intervention consists of health education, a take-home reminder card mimicking the colors of a traffic light, and a shopping voucher. The primary outcome are gestational ages of <28, 28-32, and 33-37 weeks. The secondary outcomes are LBW (preterm LBW, term but LBW, and postterm), compliance, prevalence of low back and pelvic pain, and premature uterine contractions. Study midwives and participants will not be blinded to the treatment allocation. Results: Permission to conduct the study at all 10 antenatal clinics has been granted by the Ghana Health Service. Application for funding to begin the trial is ongoing. Findings from the main trial are expected to be published by the end of 2019. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, there has been no randomized trial of this nature in Ghana. Minimizing heavy lifting among pregnant African women can reduce the soaring rates of PTB and LBW. The findings will increase the knowledge of the prevention of PTB and LBW worldwide.

Source: UG
Light Microscopic Morphology of Indigenous Ghanaian African Hair from Scalp, Eyebrow, Axilla, and Pubic Regions

Context Relatively scanty literature on autochthonic African Negroid hair morphology provokes research interest for anthropological, forensic, and cosmetic purposes. Aims This study aimed to contribute basic morphological information on Ghanaian African hairs. Settings and Design The study was done in selected second-cycle schools in Accra, Ghana, using convenient sampling. Subjects and Methods Hairs were obtained by pluck method, from 30 males and 30 females aged 15–20 years. Ghanaian African autochthony was established if individuals had two generations of indigenous Ghanaian parentage. Scalp, eyebrow, axilla, and pubic hairs were image captured using a digital light microscope eyepiece connected to a computer. Diameters of hair strands were measured; types of the medulla and the form and shape of the hair roots were studied. Statistical Analysis Used ANOVA test (SPSS Version 17.0) was used to compare the means of quantitative hair features among the sexes and the four regions of the body studied. Results Pubic hair shaft was thickest (respective male and female diameters were 100.21 μm, 88.40 μm) and eyebrow hair was thinnest (53.97 and 46.69-μm diameters in males and females, respectively). Axillary and scalp hairs were the closest in diameters with 76.21 and 72.02 μm, respectively, in males and 73.07 and 71.15 μm, respectively, in females. Continuous type medulla was predominant in all hairs, with a trend of percentage occurrence in descending order from the pubic, axilla, eyebrow, and scalp in both sexes. Conclusions Bodily regional differences in diameter of hair shaft and medullary presence were affirmed.

Source: UG
Light-soaking tests of zinc oxide photoanodes sensitized with an indoline dye on different transparent conductive substrates

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were prepared using porous zinc oxide (ZnO) films on aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) transparent conductive glass substrates. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that, the porous ZnO films were crystallographically oriented differently on the two transparent substrates. The two DSCs were prepared using metal-free indoline dye as the sensitizer and a liquid electrolyte as the hole conductor. Measurements of the power conversion efficiency of the two DSCs over a period of time showed deterioration in the conversion efficiency of the DSCs with the deterioration being faster in ZnO/FTO than ZnO/AZO. The deterioration is attributed mainly to the decrease in light-harvesting ability of the sensitizer and recombination of photo-excited electrons resulting in the decrease in the short-circuit photocurrent densities and the open-circuit voltages in both DSCs during the light-soaking process.

Source: UG
Lignin-derived heteroatom-doped porous carbons for supercapacitor and CO2 capture applications

The present study reports the economic and sustainable syntheses of functional porous carbons for supercapacitor and CO2 capture applications. Lignin, a byproduct of pulp and paper industry, was successfully converted into a series of heteroatom-doped porous carbons (LHPCs) through a hydrothermal carbonization followed by a chemical activating treatment. The prepared carbons include in the range of 2.5 to 5.6 wt% nitrogen and 54 wt% oxygen in its structure. All the prepared carbons exhibit micro- and mesoporous structures with a high surface area in the range of 1788 to 2957 m2 g−1. As-prepared LHPCs as an active electrode material and CO2 adsorbents were investigated for supercapacitor and CO2 capture applications. Lignin-derived heteroatom-doped porous carbon 850 shows an outstanding gravimetric specific capacitance of 372 F g−1 and excellent cyclic stability over 30,000 cycles in 1 M KOH. Lignin-derived heteroatom-doped porous carbon 700 displays a remarkable CO2 capture capacity of up to 4.8 mmol g−1 (1 bar and 298 K). This study illustrates the effective transformation of a sustainable waste product into a highly functional carbon material for energy storage and CO2 separation applications. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Source: UG
The limited effectiveness of legislation against female genital mutilation and the role of community beliefs in upper east region, Ghana

Female genital mutilation (FGM) has long been practised in many communities in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Although the Ghanaian state has a long tradition of supporting women's rights, it has not been successful in eradicating FGM, despite a law against the practice in an amendment to the Criminal Code in 1994 and the Domestic Violence Act 2003. This qualitative study in the Upper East Region examined the role of the state in stopping the practice of FGM through legal means, and why FGM continues to be practised in the community. In-depth interviews were conducted with six state officials, a circumciser, the president of a women's advocacy organisation, and semi-structured interviews with 32 community members. Although FGM has been criminalised, political support to ensure that the law is effectively implemented has been lacking. FGM education and eradication must be given more priority and significant funding by the Ghanaian state. For interventions to be effective, legal measures need to be combined with social measures. Communities practising FGM must be involved in the planning and implementation of anti-FGM interventions. Successful eradication of the practice is possible if education and dialogue between state institutions, gender and human rights groups and practising communities is strengthened.

Source: UG
Limited effects of shade on physiological performances of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) under elevated temperature

Shade is one of the recommended management solutions to mitigate the effects of heat stress, which is a major challenge for cocoa production globally. Nevertheless, there are limited studies to verify this hypothesis. Here, we evaluate the effects of heat and shade on cocoa physiology using experimental plots with six-month old potted seedlings in a randomized complete block design. Infrared heaters were applied for one month to increase leaf temperatures by an average of 5–7 ºC (heat treatment) compared with no heat (unheated treatments), and shaded plants were placed under a shade net removing 60% of the light compared with no shade (sun treatments). Plants under heat treatments in sun and in shade showed severe reduction in photosynthesis. Measurements of chlo rophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic light response curves indicated that heat caused damages at photo system II and additionally resulted in lower rates of maximal photosynthesis. Temperature optima for photosynthesis were at 31–33 ºC with only small differences between treatments, and as light saturation was reached at low PAR levels of 325 – 380 µmol m− 2 s − 1 in shade and 427 – 521 µmol m− 2 s − 1 in sun, ambient rates of photosynthesis were comparable between sun and shade treatments. Heat treatments resulted in decreased concentrations of chlorophyll and changed pigment composition, reduced specific leaf areas, and plant biomass. While shade may benefit cocoa seedlings, our results indicate that the positive effects may not be sufficient to counteract the negative effects of increased temperatures on cocoa physiology.

Source: UG
Limited field evaluation of a rapid monoclonal antibody-based dipstick assay for urinary schistosomiasis.

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
Limited Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus in the General Population of the Offin River Valley in Ghana

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Limited immunological recognition of critical malaria vaccine condidate antigens

Current vaccine development strategies for malaria depend on widespread immunological responsiveness to candidate antigens such as the zygote surface antigens and the sporozoite coat protein, the circumsporozoite (CS) protein. Since immunological responsiveness is controlled mainly by genes mapping within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), the humoral immune response to the zygote surface antigens and the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to the CS protein were examined in MHC-disparate congenic mouse strains. Only two of six strains responded to the 230-kilodalton zygote surface antigen and another two strains responded to the 48/45-kilodalton surface antigen. From two mouse strains, expressing between them five different class I MHC molecules, there was recognition of only a single CTL epitope from the CS protein, which was from a polymorphic segment of the molecule. The restricted CTL response to this protein parallels the restricted antibody response to this protein observed in humans and mice. These findings suggest that subunit malaria vaccines now being developed may be ineffective.

Source: UG
Limited potential of school textbooks to prevent tobacco use among students grade 1-9 across multiple developing countries: A content analysis study

Objective: To evaluate the content of school textbooks as a tool to prevent tobacco use in developing countries. Design: Content analysis was used to evaluate if the textbooks incorporated the following five core components recommended by the WHO: (1) consequences of tobacco use; (2) social norms; (3) reasons to use tobacco; (4) social influences and (5) resistance and life skills. Setting: Nine developing countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Benin, Ghana, Niger and Zambia. Textbooks analysed: Of 474 textbooks for primary and junior secondary schools in nine developing countries, 41 were selected which contained descriptions about tobacco use prevention. Results: Of the 41 textbooks, the consequences of tobacco use component was covered in 30 textbooks (73.2%) and the social norms component was covered in 19 (46.3%). The other three components were described in less than 20% of the textbooks. Conclusions: A rather limited number of school textbooks in developing countries contained descriptions of prevention of tobacco use, but they did not fully cover the core components for tobacco use prevention. The chance of tobacco prevention education should be seized by improving the content of school textbooks.

Source: UG
Lin’s creative pedagogy framework as a strategy for fostering creative learning in Ghanaian schools

Educating students who have higher order thinking skills and making sure they develop con ceptual understanding of the various concepts learnt in school makes it imperative for educators, to help students develop creative learning strategies. It is for this reason, among others, that the concept of creative learning has been identified as the way to mould the 21st-century learner, and compelling evidence can be adduced from the Finnish and Singaporean models of creative learning environment. Apart from these models from these two countries, extant literature has proved that children can live more independently when they are allowed to use their creative abilities and when this is enhanced in the school setting. We, in this light, gleaned and reviewed relevant literature pertaining to fostering creative learning and its concomitant challenges. In the end, we positioned Lin’s creative pedagogy as a framework that is instrumental in fostering creative learning in Ghanaian classrooms and that in spite of the challenges that may arise from implementing this framework, there are inherent strategies that are helpful in making learners creative.

Source: UG
Lin’s creative pedagogy framework as a strategy for fostering creative learning in Ghanaian schools

Educating students who have higher order thinking skills and making sure they develop conceptual understanding of the various concepts learnt in school makes it imperative for educators, to help students develop creative learning strategies. It is for this reason, among others, that the concept of creative learning has been identified as the way to mould the 21st-century learner, and compelling evidence can be adduced from the Finnish and Singaporean models of creative learning environment. Apart from these models from these two countries, extant literature has proved that children can live more independently when they are allowed to use their creative abilities and when this is enhanced in the school setting. We, in this light, gleaned and reviewed relevant literature pertaining to fostering creative learning and its concomitant challenges. In the end, we positioned Lin’s creative pedagogy as a framework that is instrumental in fostering creative learning in Ghanaian classrooms and that in spite of the challenges that may arise from implementing this framework, there are inherent strategies that are helpful in making learners creative.

Source: UG
Linguistic Complexity and Second Language Advertising Audiences: Is There a Case for Linguistic Exclusion?

In many Anglophone developing countries, the language of most public service advertising is English, a language that is second rather than primary for audiences. Set in a dual-language context where English exists alongside several local languages, as means of interaction, this means that audiences must engage with messages in a language not necessarily preferred for conversation. In addition, messages are often carried on radio, a transient medium where meaning can be lost in the temporality of messages. This increases the task on audiences for processing messages, as the ability to understand most advertisements becomes contingent on their attainment of formal education. While this highlights the critical role of the English language in determining the effectiveness of public service advertisements among second lan guage audiences, it remains understudied in media/communication scholarship. Using a textual analysis of two public service advertising campaigns in Ghana, the study unpacks the English used and examines the implications for audience comprehension

Source: UG
Linguistic Complexity and Second Language Advertising Audiences: Is There a Case for Linguistic Exclusion?

In many Anglophone developing countries, the language of most public service advertising is English, a language that is second rather than primary for audiences. Set in a dual-language context where English exists alongside several local languages, as means of interaction, this means that audiences must engage with messages in a language not necessarily preferred for conversation. In addition, messages are often carried on radio, a transient medium where meaning can be lost in the temporality of messages. This increases the task on audiences for processing messages, as the ability to understand most advertisements becomes contingent on their attainment of formal education. While this highlights the critical role of the English language in determining the effectiveness of public service advertisements among second language audiences, it remains understudied in media/communication scholarship. Using a textual analysis of two public service advertising campaigns in Ghana, the study unpacks the English used and examines the implications for audience comprehension.

Source: UG
LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2/graphite cells adopting polyolefin and non-polyolefin separators for potential application in industrial manufacturing of energy storage devices

This study features comprehensive physical and electrochemical properties of different polyolefin and non polyolefin separators. These separators include polypropylene-polyethylene-polypropylene (PEP), polyethylene (PE), Al2O3-coated polypropylene (C-PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Silicon carbide mat (SiCmat). The interaction of the different separators and the electrolyte was investigated in terms of ionic conductivity, contact angle test, electrolyte uptake, and electrolyte oxidation. The full cells fabricated using the different separators were also studied for charge–discharge performance, cycle performance, and internal resistance. Results showed that the different separators demonstrated different physical and electrochemical behavior. The non-polyolefin separators registered a small electrolyte contact angle due to their high porosity and structural compatibility with the electrolyte. At 10 C-Rate, the specific capacity is in the order of PET > SiCmat > C-PP > PE > PEP corresponding to 90 mAh/g, 85 mAh/g, 70 mAh/g, 60 mAh/g and 40 mAh/g respectively. After 100 cycles at 1.0 C-rate, the cycle performance is in the order of PE > PET > C-PP > SiCmat > PEP corresponding to 70 %, 65 %, 61 %, 51 % and 49 % respectively. Thermally, PET, C-PP and SiCmat showed better thermal stability compared to the other separators. Therefore, Industrial production that requires high thermal stability may rely on C-PP, PET, or SiCmat, while PET and SiCmat offer better cycle performance and may replace commercially available PE and PEP.

Source: UG
The link between firms’ investment opportunity set and corporate governance In Africa: an empirical evidence

This study examines the link between corporate governance and firm investment and growth opportunities in Africa. Panel data covering the period 1997-2001 from 103 firms selected from Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya is used and analysis carried out within the panel data framework. Results show that, indeed, firms with investment or growth opportunities employ large board sizes (high board and auditor fees), have longer CEO tenure and are profitable, and that the extent of growth response to governance structures are influenced by both country and sector specific effects.

Source: UG