ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Regulation, governance and the role of the informal sector in influencing environmental quality?

We investigate the effect of the informal sector and a range of governance indicators on both global and local pollutants for a panel of 58 countries during 1996–2011. The analysis employs a fixed effects-instrumental variable generalized method of moments approach. We find that the size of the informal sector has a significant impact on environmental quality, which is conditional on the level of economic development. For developing countries, the informal sector has a significant positive impact on local pollutants, whereas for the developed countries the informal sector has a significantly negative effect on global pollutants. The findings also reveal that the impact of governance depends on the type of governance measure, the level of economic development and type of pollutant. Control of corruption emerges as the single most important factor especially in the non-OECD countries in improving environmental quality. We argue that the efficacy of an environmental policy for a country with a large informal sector will be low if the policy measures do not address governance, size of the informal sector and environmental policy targets.

Source: UG
Regulations and banking crisis: lessons from the African context

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the coordinated impact of regulations on the predicted probability of a banking crisis in Africa. Design/methodology/approach: The study used the dynamic panel instrumental variable probit regression model of 52 African economies over the period 2006 to 2018. Findings: The authors observe that banking crisis is persistent for few years but dissipates in the long run. The results show that board mechanism and ownership control are important in reducing the likelihood of banking crisis. The authors found a negative impact of regulatory capital and monetary policy on the predicted probability of a banking crisis, while regulatory quality was not strong in reducing the likelihood of banking crisis. There was also evidence to support regulatory capital and monetary policy augments the negative impact of board mechanism and ownership control on the predicted probability of a banking crisis. Research limitations/implications: The limitation of the study is that it did not explore all measures of regulatory framework and how they impact banking crisis. However, it has an advantage of using alternative measures of regulations in a banking crisis probability model. Therefore, future studies should include other macro-prudential regulations, regulatory environments and supervision and observe how they are coordinated to reduce possible crisis in a robust methodological framework. Practical implications: The research has policy implications for monetary authorities and policymakers to set coordinated regulations through internal banking mechanisms that are relevant in sustaining banking system stability goals. Countries in Africa should strengthen their quality of regulation in such a way that it can play a strong and complementary role to a robust internal control mechanisms, so as to maintain stability in the banking system. In general, regulators and policymakers should design greater coordination of external and internal regulations through a single regulatory framework and a common resolution mechanism that make the banking system more robust in curbing possible crisisSocial implications: The policy implication of the study is to build banking confidence in society. Originality/value: This study analyses the interactions of different components of internal and external regulatory framework in helping to reduce the probability of a banking crisis in Africa.

Source: UG
Regulations and Employees’ Commitment to Change: Does Emotional Intelligence Matter?

This paper examined literature on emotional intelligence, commitment to change and the role of regulations in change management. Empirical and theoretical literature were analysed, together with secondary data from the Ghana Revenue Authority. Commitment levels of employees is a key determinant of the success of any change action. However, to achieve this success, those leading the change effort together with those affected by the change must all exhibit high levels of emotional intelligence. Drawing on institutional theory, the study found that regulations serve as both catalyst and vanguard of any change program. The study contributes to the basket of literature examining the link between institutional regulations and commitment to change, and the role of emotional intelligence in such link. Regulations play a very significant role in any change effort.

Source: UG
Regulatory capital and its effect on credit growth, non-performing loans and bank efficiency

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the influence of the central bank’s regulatory capital on commercial banks specific performance outcomes such as credit supply, interest rate spread (as a measure of efficiency) and non-performing loans (NPLs). Design/methodology/approach – Using specific commercial bank-level panel data from 2002-2012, a system of equations was modeled that allows us to apply the system generalized methods of moment approach and estimate the equations, while controlling for specific bank level, industry and macroeconomic variables. Findings – The study finds a positive relationship between a net minimum capital ratio and the net interest margin. Although this is in contrast with the study expectations, the result suggests that a high net minimum capital requirement would widen the spread between the lending and saving rates. The study further finds evidence to support the fact that high minimum capital requirement and excess capital above the minimum required drive credit growth in the banking sector of Ghana. However, high excess capital increases risk-taking activities of the banks, as excess capital is found to be associated with high NPL ratios. Practical implications – Given the economic benefits and costs of sharply increasing bank regulatory capital, our results speak to the ongoing debates on the right level of capital, the effectiveness of the Bank of Ghana policy rate (PR) and the high lending rates that appear to respond only slowly to macroeconomic indicators such as the PR and the inflation rate. The finding also has practical implications for the adoption of the Basel III accord. Originality/value – The empirical literature has not paid enough attention to the impact of regulatory capital on the three specific bank-level outcomes – NPLs, interest rate spread and the nature of interrelationships among these variables, particularly in the African context.

Source: UG
Regulatory Diversity as Key to the ‘Myth’ of Drug Patenting in sub-Saharan Africa

This article critiques the subject of patent protection of drugs in the light of the threat posed by HIV=AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. It contends that the basis for sustaining the prevailing international patent system in developing countries is a “myth”: one of deception. This “myth” is validated by highlighting the dysfunctions associated with the prevailing international patent system. The article proposes the adoption of diverse patent systems that would suit the cultural and human development needs of countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Such diversity implies a drug patent model that meets human needs and shows respect for communal interests, a model that permits differences and is amenable to change in the light of socio-economic needs, a model that confronts “unfreedoms” which constrain human development, and a model that ensures respect and protection for the fundamental right to health care.

Source: UG
Regulatory T cells suppress natural killer cells during plasmid DNA vaccination in mice, blunting the CD8+ T cell immune response by the cytokine TGFbeta

BACKGROUND: CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress adaptive T cell-mediated immune responses to self- and foreign-antigens. Tregs may also suppress early innate immune responses to vaccine antigens and might decrease vaccine efficacy. NK and NKT cells are the first responders after plasmid DNA vaccination and are found at the site of inoculation. Earlier reports demonstrated that NKT cells could improve plasmid DNA efficacy, a phenomenon not found for NK cells. In fact, it has been shown that under certain disease conditions, NK cells are suppressed by Tregs via their release of IL-10 and/or TGFbeta. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that NK cell function is suppressed by Tregs in the setting of plasmid DNA vaccination. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study we show that Tregs directly inhibit NK cell function during plasmid DNA vaccination by suppressing the potentially 10-fold, NK cell-mediated, augmentation of plasmid DNA antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. We found that this phenomenon is dependent on the secretion of cytokine TGFbeta by Tregs, and independent of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate a crucial function for Tregs in blocking plasmid DNA vaccine-elicited immune responses, revealing potentially novel strategies for improving the efficiency of plasmid DNA vaccines including chemical- or antibody-induced localized blockage of Treg-mediated suppression of NK cells at the site of plasmid DNA vaccine inoculation.

Source: UG
Rehabilitation of forest-savannas in Ghana: The impacts of land use, shade, and invasive species on tree recruitment

More than 90% of the closed canopy forests and their immense biodiversity in the forest-savanna ecological region of Ghana have been cleared since the late 19th century. Insights into the opportunities and the challenges of recruiting trees for the rehabilitation of these forests are much needed. This article examines the potential for the natural recruitment of trees from the soil seed bank following various types of agricultural land uses and conditions associated with them in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar district of the Eastern Region. Seedling recruitment data from soil seed banks are interrogated with Repeated Measures Analyses of Variance, and these data show that, first, tree life forms are not significantly greater than other life forms, and that in fact tree life forms are the minority in the conditions of the examined agricultural land uses. Second, the analyses indicate that the natural recruitment of tree seedlings for tree rehabilitation confronts enormous competition from non-tree species. The herb/shrub species, Chromolaena odorata is identified as a primary factor for the difficulties of tree recruitment. Drawing on these findings and the detailed narratives of farmers, the article submits that the challenge for the natural recruitment of trees in the study region is for farmers to adopt land management practices that significantly increase the numbers of tree species while reducing the competition from non-tree species, such as C. odorata. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
Reincarnation, resurrection and the question of representation

This article discusses critically the problems and significance of the concepts of reincarnation and the resurrection. It focuses on the contemporary debate on this topic between Robert Almeder and Stephen Hales. The Akan understanding of these concepts is invoked showing the contrast and,even comparison between the African and the Western understanding of the concepts. It is suggested in this article that the arguments for these concepts could still be ameliorated. This point is taken up by Ramose’s focus on the issues that arise from the critical discussion. Ramose points out that the concept of immortality requires a special place in the discussion since it is the axis around which both reincarnation and resurrection revolve. He complements the discussion accordingly. He further argues that the topic is as relevant today as it was since the dawn of humankind. Any attempt to exclude or discard the topic from philosophy is both questionable and an arbitrary limitation of the scope and meaning of philosophy.

Source: UG
Reinforcement of cement mortar with recycled polyethylene waste for construction applications

This current research work combines both experimental and theoretical study of the impact of cement mortar reinforced with recycled polyethylene waste for applications in the construction industry. The work explores incorporating low density polyethylene (LDPE) waste into cement mortar to improve its fracture toughness and flexural strength with balanced compressive strength. Different volume fractions (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40%) of the powdered LDPE were mixed with cement and the density, compressive strength, flexural strength, and the fracture toughness were observed under different testing conditions. All specimens were tested after curing of 7, 14, and 28 days. The results show that there was 6% increase in the fracture toughness at 5 vol. %, 7% increase at 10 vol. %, and 24% increases at 20 vol. % of LDPE. Also, it was observed that the weight and compressive strength decreased with increasing volume fraction up to 40 vol. % of LDPE waste. The results for the survival/failure probability show that the PE-mortar composites with PE volume percentages up to 20 vol. % had the highest survival probability. The composite with this volume percentage can withstand crack up to 6mm, with a survival probability of 0.6.

Source: UG
Rejected Ballots and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana’s Fourth Republic

Following the successful conduct of the 2008 general elections that led to a peaceful transfer of power from the ruling party to the opposition, Ghana’s respect and democratic credentials in Africa and among the international community has further boosted. The nation has received several commendations for the giant strides made towards democratic consolidation. Given the high incidence of rejected ballot papers that however characterizes the conduct of elections in Ghana, it is feared that the giant strides being made towards democratic consolidation may suffer severe set back. At the minimum, democracy is consolidated when elections are periodically held for the people to express their choice as to who should represent and lead them.This paper discusses the incidence of rejected ballots in Ghana since 1992 and argues that the high incidence of rejected ballots that have so far characterized elections in Ghana if not checked, poses a severe threat to the realization of the minimum requirement for democratic consolidation in Ghana. The study also discusses several measures that must be put in place to reduce the phenomenon in a manner that would ensure that the will of the people are clearly expressed and known after the conduct of elections

Source: UG
Relapse in Burkitt's lymphoma.

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
Relational Impact of Job Stress on Gender Based Managerial Effectiveness in Ghanaian Organizations.

This study explored the relationship between occupational stress and the perceived effectiveness of men and women managers in Ghanaian organizations. The exploration is underlined by attempt to understand the degree to which male and female managers in Ghanaian organizations experience occupational stress at the workplace. The purpose is to examine the sources and extents of occupational stress experienced by male and female managers in Ghana. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The results showed that female managers in Ghana are more likely to report of more stress experiences in the workplace than their male counterparts. The female managers are more likely to perceive role conflict and alienation as job stressors while the male managers perceived blocked career as a major source of workplace stress. It is concluded that despite the female managers experiencing enormous level of occupational stress, there was no significant differences between their managerial effectiveness and that of the male.

Source: UG
The Relational Orientation of the African and Performance Management Practices in Selected Institutions in Ghana

It is unsatisfactory to find that in the literature on employee performance appraisal management, enough attention has not been paid to the important factors in the socio-cultural context of the society in which organizations concerned are sited. Employing both qualitative and quantitative research approaches, the study explored the influence of certain socio-cultural values on performance appraisal practices in selected institutions in Ghana. Thus, the paper assesses some of the often neglected sociocultural factors and how they serve to moderate employee performance appraisal management in work organisations. It specifically discusses the relational orientation of the African and how it influences performance appraisal practices in organisations. Our hope is to enhance the understanding of researchers and human resource management practitioners of the realities of performance appraisal management within specific sociocultural contexts. The results reveal that in spite of the existence of established formal systems of performance appraisal in the universities studied, most of the officials in charge of appraisal face the challenge of objectivity and fairness due to their relational orientation. Virtually all the factors that pose this challenge to the officials are socio-cultural in nature. The express desire to maintain a good relation with subordinates and colleagues makes officials compromise on fairness and objectivity in appraising their subordinates. According to the study results, some managers believe that it is prudent to overrate one’s cordial relation with colleagues and subordinates over a strict adherence to institutional provisions provided one does not break any serious rule.

Source: UG
Relations at workplace, cynicism and intention to leave: a proposed conceptual framework for organisations

Purpose Although employee relations are recognised as important mechanisms for initiating organisational competitiveness and output, existing research has focused primarily on how these relations embed employees’ job and performance, rather than on the declining outcomes from such relations. This paper aims to integrate research on co-worker relations at workplace and cynicism with social exchange as a theoretical grounding to propose a process model that focuses on how employees’ positive relationship at workplace impacts negatively on their cynical behaviours in organisation leading to their intention to stay rather than their intention to leave. Design/methodology/approach This study offers a conceptual analysis and a review of the literature to explain employees’ behavioural intentions which may lead to their psychological threat or psychological safety in work organisations. Findings This work positions cynicism as psychological threat that moderates and predicts the likelihood that negative relations at workplace will actively engage employees’ intention to leave the organisation. Similarly, the model positions job satisfaction and commitment as psychological safety that predicts the likelihood that positive relations at workplace will engage employees’ intention to stay. The outcome of this study is the creation of a model which provides a comprehensive methodological framework for conducting behavioural research. Research limitations/implications This is a conceptual paper. Practical implications This study has major implications for managing and communicating with workers, as well as organisational socialisations and practices related to co-worker relations for effective human resource management practices from both managerial and practitioner perspective. Originality/value This work has been able to create a theoretical framework that provides an understanding for management to learn from its end-state competencies and contributions. By this, the model created would enable research to examine the empirical relationship between co-worker relations, cynicism and intention to leave. Thus, the contribution of this paper identifies the roles that management and organisational leadership can play in the practice of employee behavioural intentions.

Source: UG
Relationship between Africentric Worldview and Psychological Distress among Ghanaian Mothers of Children with Intellectual Disability

This study examined the relationship between an Africentric worldview and psychological distress among 55 Ghanaian mothers of children with intellectual disability. The study hypothesized the protective effects of an Africentric worldview on psychological distress, and their association with parenting stress. Results showed that an Africentric worldview was negatively associated with psychological distress and parenting stress, and that parenting stress was positively related to psychological distress. Further hierarchical regression analysis showed that an Africentric worldview did not moderate the relationship between parenting stress and psychological distress. However, parenting stress mediated the relationship between an Africentric worldview and psychological distress. These findings reveal the positive influence of an Africentric worldview on psychological functioning of mothers of children with intellectual disability. Additionally, the findings underscore the need to develop culturally relevant interventions to help improve the well-being of mothers of children with intellectual disability. Implications for clinical and counselling practice are discussed. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Source: UG
Relationship between animal health and livestock farmers’ wellbeing in Ghana: beyond zoonoses

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
Relationship between care-givers' misconceptions and non-use of ITNs by under-five Nigerian children

BACKGROUND: Malaria has been a major public health problem in Nigeria and many other sub-Saharan African countries. Insecticide-treated nets have shown to be cost-effective in the prevention of malaria, but the number of people that actually use these nets has remained generally low. Studies that explore the determinants of use of ITN are desirable. METHODS: Structured questionnaires based on thematic areas were administered by trained interviewers to 7,223 care-givers of under-five children selected from all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Bivariate analysis and multinomial logit model were used to identify possible determinants of use of ITN. RESULTS: Bivariate analysis showed that under-five children whose care-givers had some misconceptions about causes and prevention of malaria were significantly less likely to use ITN even though the household may own a net (p < 0.0001). Education and correct knowledge about modes of prevention of malaria, knowing that malaria is dangerous and malaria can kill were also significantly associated with use of ITN (p < 0.0001). Knowledge of symptoms of malaria did not influence use of ITN. Association of non-use of ITN with misconceptions about prevention of malaria persisted with logistic regression (Odds ratio 0.847; 95% CI 0.747 to 0.960). CONCLUSIONS: Misconceptions about causes and prevention of malaria by caregivers adversely influence the use ITN by under-five children. Appropriate communication strategies should correct these misconceptions.

Source: UG