ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Feeding and social behaviour of common primates in the Kakum national park- central region of Ghana

This research was carried out from August 1997 to September 1998 in the Kakum National Park in the Central Region of Ghana. It was centred mainly on the feeding and social behaviour of the common primates with empliasis on factors that are currently or potentially threatening or enhancing their existence. The possibility of incorporating the viewing of monkeys in the management of the p~k to attract tourists was also investigated. Five species of primates ,were seen, Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mOlla), Spotnosed monkey (c. petaurista), Green monkey (c. aethiops), Black and White colobus monkey (Colobus polykomos) and Olive Colobus (Procolobus versus). A sixth, the bush baby (Galago sp) was not seen but identified by its nocturnal calls. C. mOllO, C. Petaurista and P. versus were frequently seen but C. petaurista was the commonest. C. mOllO, C. Petaurista and P. versus occupied the lower canopy while ColobltS polykomos stayed in the highest canopies most of the time. C. aethiops stayed in the secondary forests outside the park put run back into the park when they sensed danger. C. dialla which had been declared endangered by the park authorities was never seen. Three fruit trees, Musallga cecropioides, Pycllalltlllls allgolellsis and Raphia llOokeri were the most popular sources of food for the monkeys and existed throughout the forest. Apart from R. hookeri fruits which were available all year round all other monkey fruit trees did not bear fruits during the dry season. All the primates encountered ate from the trees found. Cercopithecus /ilOilO, C. Pelartrista and Procolobus versus formed various combinations of mixed species troops with C. petaurista being a member of the speciescombinations most times. The white crested hOl1lbill and the black and Maxwell's duikers were found to associate with the monkeys during feeding. No natural predators 10 monkeys were found. The agility of the monkeys coupled wilh various lliarm-response mechanisms seemed to prevent predators from getting close. Poaching by the surrounding communities seemed to be a problem in the Kakum National Park and this affected any initiation of monk;y viewing as a tourist attraction. Viewing of monkeys as a viable tourist attraction may not be realised because Ihe monkeys were seen to be afrai~ of humans probably because of the poaching menace. Thus the tourism potentials were very low and depended on human (poaching) influences. Cercopithecus /ilOilO, Cercopithecus pctourista and Procolobus versus could be viewed or watched after hiding effectively during times that the monkeys were aclive. More research needs to be done in the Kakum National Park especially on the monkeys to add to the compilation of a comprehensive document on rainforest primates.

Source: UCC
Feeding frequency and survival of Anopheles ambiae in a rice-growing area in Ghana

Mortality rates, determined by dissection, of predominantly M form female Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) were estimated. Mosquitoes were collected in tent traps and light traps in an irrigation project village in Ghana in June and July 2010, when much of the area was fooded. Both M and S form larvae were collected from rice felds (74 of 80 specimens were M form). Adults were collected in equal proportions from the two traps (90 of 107 specimens from the light trap and 106 of 116 specimens from the tent trap were M form). During the study, collection numbers rose from 105 to 972 per night. A total of 1787 of the 15 431An. gambiae collected were dissected. Of these, 953 (53%) were found to have taken their frst bloodmeal, either as virgins or following mating. The age profles of mosquitoes collected alive and dead, respectively, were similar. Eighteen of 2933 (0.61± 0.49%) specimens were found to be positive for sporozoites in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lagged cross correlations among the different age groups implied that the mosquitoes fed on days 2 and 4 following emergence prior to oviposition and every 2.65 ± 0.17 days thereafter. The best model to describe the observed population patterns implied a daily mortality of 84%. The results are discussed in relation to possible mosquito control measures for the village

Source: UCC
Feeding practices and nutritional status of children in Ampain Refugee Camp, Ghana

Children under five years are known to be more vulnerable and susceptible to nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition worldwide than any other group of people. Child malnutrition especially is responsible for over a million direct and indirect causes of death worldwide. The effects are even higher in developing countries. It was against this backdrop that the purpose of this study found out the feeding practices and nutritional status of children in Ampain refugee camp in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was adopted for the study. One hundred and fifty children between 6 - 59 months and their mothers were census sampled. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data. Ethical clearance was sought prior to data collection. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive (means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (ANOVA, Independent T test and Chi square). Feeding practices of the children were not optimal which may account for malnutrition among children in the camp. Age group of child, sex of household head and income level of the caregivers were significantly different at P > 0.05. Majority (98.7%) of the children showed some degree of severity of food insecurity with only few (1.3%) being food secure. Specific educational programmes about adequate nutrition, breast feeding and weaning were recommended

Source: UCC
Feeding practices and nutritional status of children under two years in Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts in Ghana

Child undernutrition is a public health problem. In Ghana, less than one out of five children is fed on a minimum acceptable diet. However, less is known about the cultural dynamics of child feeding practices. Also, most previous studies focused on just single feeding indicators and this does not allow for a holistic assessment of how feeding practices determine the nutritional status of children. The purpose of this study was to explore the socio-cultural, maternal and household factors that influence the feeding practices and the nutritional status of children under two years in the Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts of Ghana. Moreso, a composite feeding index was constructed and its associations with the nutritional status of children were examined. Focused group discussions were conducted involving grandmothers and health workers to collect qualitative data. For the quantitative data, 935 mothers were interviewed to assess maternal and household factors that are associated with the feeding practices and nutritional status of children. The qualitative data was thematically analysed while logistic regression models were used to determine the association of the maternal and household factors with the feeding and nutritional status. The results revealed that cultural norms prevent mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their babies and feeding them with certain nutritious foods. Only 37.0% and 22.1% of the children had a minimum dietary diversity score and a minimum acceptable diet respectively. The prevalence of wasting (19.1%), underweight (29.5%) and stunting (20.4%) were high. Small household size, access to a toilet facility, being employed, a high educational level, high decision-making power and financial independence of a mother were associated with a higher likelihood of children receiving an adequate minimum acceptable diet. Education on the importance of child nutrition, family planning and crop diversification, providing employment opportunities for mothers and improvement in girl-child education is recommended.

Source: UCC
Fela “The Black President” as Grist to the Mill of the Black Power Movement in Africa

On November 23, 2009, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who created the music genre afrobeat, was celebrated by Broadway with a production called FELA!, produced by “Jay-Z,” Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Patrons of music and performing arts, who thronged the venue, paid homage to the memory, person, and life of the talented composer, singer, and instrumentalist who died in 1997. His legendary status, in the realm of music, indubitably has outlived him. Fela was a social commentator, whose critical comments often made the government of his country persecute him. Moreover, he advocated for a political, cultural, economic, and social renaissance of Africa and people of African descent and encouraged, through his music style and lyrical composition, and non-musical speeches, the idea of Blackism, which fundamentally corresponded with the nationalist ideological sentiments that the Black Power Movement, in the U.S., had projected from the 1960s onward. This study, stepping away from the traditional biography and hermeneutics of Fela as a prodigy of music, harsh critic of Nigeria’s nation politics, and an enigmatic phallocentric, discusses him and his musical career as bridges for the Black Power Movement to Africa. It examines Fela as a charismatic continental African who, as a proponent of the empowerment of the diaspora and continental African community, advocated key ideas and sentiments of the Black Power Movement in Africa—a movement that took its genesis from the varieties of that African/Black nationalism tradition and the nationalist sentiment of the African (Black)-American community of the U.S. in the 20th century.

Source: UCC
Fela “The Black President” as grist to the mill of the black power movement in Africa

On November 23, 2009, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who created the music genre afrobeat, was celebrated by Broadway with a production called FELA!, produced by “Jay-Z,” Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Patrons of music and performing arts, who thronged the venue, paid homage to the memory, person, and life of the talented composer, singer, and instrumentalist who died in 1997. His legendary status, in the realm of music, indubitably has outlived him. Fela was a social commentator, whose critical comments often made the government of his country persecute him. Moreover, he advocated for a political, cultural, economic, and social renaissance of Africa and people of African descent and encouraged, through his music style and lyrical composition, and non-musical speeches, the idea of Blackism, which fundamentally corresponded with the nationalist ideological sentiments that the Black Power Movement, in the U.S., had projected from the 1960s onward. This study, stepping away from the traditional biography and hermeneutics of Fela as a prodigy of music, harsh critic of Nigeria’s nation politics, and an enigmatic phallocentric, discusses him and his musical career as bridges for the Black Power Movement to Africa. It examines Fela as a charismatic continental African who, as a proponent of the empowerment of the diaspora and continental African community, advocated key ideas and sentiments of the Black Power Movement in Africa—a movement that took its genesis from the varieties of that African/Black nationalism tradition and the nationalist sentiment of the African (Black)-American community of the U.S. in the 20th century

Source: UCC
Female Access and Participation in Tertiary Education: Do Traditional Beliefs and Practices Matter?

Society’s behavior is largely influenced by traditional practices, beliefs and perceptions. It is therefore probable that the likelihood of females continuing their education to the tertiary level would be affected by these practices, beliefs and perceptions. Achieving gender equality is one of the six goals of the global Education for All campaign that UNESCO leads (David, 2016). This paper reviews the question of gender disparities in educational access to tertiary education in Ghana in relation to traditional beliefs and practices. The focus was on the Odompo and Ayeldo communities in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region. A qualitative research paradigm was used for the study. Using the snowball sampling technique, a total of 33 respondents were sampled. Interviews were used to elicit their perceptions in relation to female access to tertiary education. It was found out that although community members support female education, the ability to financially support girls in school determined whether the girls would further their education. The traditional belief that the female would marry and leave the home influenced parents option to invest in the male child in tertiary education. Given the opportunity the girls themselves would rather participate in tertiary education. As there are positive perceptions towards female participation in tertiary education policy makers need to create conducive and attractive mechanisms that would induce females to access to tertiary education in the country. Policy and sensitisation need to continue to further promote female education and transform the patriarchal society through conscientisation and awareness creation

Source: UCC
Female adolescents’ knowledge, access and usage of contraceptives in three selected junior high schools, in the Cape Coast metropolis.

Though contraceptive knowledge has become widespread among FemaleAdolescents in Ghana, its use has persistently remained low for which the Central Region is no exception. Several studies have shown no evidence of empirical study conducted on Adolescents knowledge, Access and Usage of contraceptives among female adolescents in the Cape Coast Metropolis. To fill this literature gap, this study assessed the Adolescents knowledge level of contraceptive usage, the availability and accessibility of contraceptive, the rate of contraceptive usage, and the barriers to contraceptive use, using 150 adolescents in three selected schools in the study area. The descriptive study style was employed using structured questionnaire which was self-administered. Frequencies and percentages of data were displayed using tables, non-parametric equivalent of the One-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis method of data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that, knowledge on contraceptives was universal with almost every respondent being knowledgeable in the variables provided. Principally most respondents knew the pharmacy as the only sales point or source for contraceptives. A low prevalence rate of contraceptive use was also revealed. Aside from that, results from both culture and religion clearly showed that, both were not in support of contraceptive use for adolescents. The study therefore recommends the need to improve awareness among the study population.

Source: UCC
Female adolescents’ reproductive health decision-making capacity and contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa: What does the future hold?

Given the social, economic, and health consequences of early parenthood, unintended pregnancy, and the risks of HIV infection and subsequent transmission, there is an urgent need to understand how adolescents make sexual and reproductive decisions regarding contraceptive use. This study sought to assess the association between female adolescents’ reproductive health decision-making capacity and their contraceptive usage. Data was obtained from pooled current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 32 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The unit of analysis for this study was adolescents in sexual unions [n = 15,858]. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using Pearson chi-square tests and binary logistic regression respectively. All analyses were performed using STATA version 14.2. Results were presented using Odds Ratios [OR] and adjusted Odds Ratios [AOR]. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Source: UCC
Female Criminality in Ghana: Perspectives of Inmates and Significant Others of the Sekondi and Kumasi Prisons

Global urban crime and violence is estimated to be between three to five percent per year. Alongside this dramatic increase in the world, female crime has also become a major socio-economic problem in Ghana in recent years. Although there are plethora of studies on the subject, little is known about female criminal activities in Ghana, especially when it comes to all female gang and reasons why women commit crime. Data was collected drawing on a semi structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with women in the Sekondi and Kumasi Prisons. The Travis Hirschi (1969) Social Bond theory and Rational Choice theory by Cornish and Clarke and other relevant empirical studies, were used to explain the nature of female criminality in Ghana. From the study, murder, child stealing, narcotics, smuggling, manslaughter, stealing, child assault and robbery were identified as the common crimes committed by women. It was also discovered that age, education, religion and marital status has no influence on female criminality. It was also noted that women societal role did not actually link them directly to the commission of crime. The study is useful for policy formulation of appropriate and relevant policies that will enhance the reduction or eradication of female criminality in Ghana and would contribute to the literature on sociology of crime/criminology and penology. The study recommends a social support system for women.

Source: UCC
Female participation in secondary education:A case study of Brekum District in the Brong Ahafo Region

The study was conducted to investigate female participation in secondary education in the Berekum District. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select a total of 136 respondents involved in the study. The instruments used were questionnaire and documentation. The results from the data collected indicated one critical fact. It was found that parents would opt to educate their boy children even though they considered that there were numerous benefits in relation to the education of the girl child. At the end of the research, four phenomenal reasons accounting for the incidence of basic school dropouts among girls in the Berekum District were unearthed. The first among them was that, a sizeable number of the girls enrolled in the basic schools got pregnant along the line. This was followed by the issue of financial constraint on the part of parents/guardians, for which reason they could not educate the girls as much as they did for the boys. The third reason was that quite a number of the girls performed poorly academically. Unfortunate incidence of protracted ill-health was found to be another reason which prevented girls from pursuing secondary education. Among the recommendations made were the need for the government to intensify its sensitization programme aimed at getting more girls to enter higher institutions so as to be self-dependent. Again individual schools should endeavour to offer motivational packages to girls who perform well in schools by offering them educational materials to serve as a booster. Also special classes, especially in Mathematics and Science should be organized for girls in the second cycle to help them attain a higher grade in the subjects. The need for further research on participation of girls in secondary school has also been stated.

Source: UCC
Female participation in technical education and career choice in Cape Coast Metropolis: Implications for counselling

Many females in the junior high schools think that certain occupations are designated for males and others for females. The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of participation of females in technical education and find out strategies to be adopted to promote junior high school girls interest in technical education. The study was guided by three research questions and four hypotheses. A random sample of 300 form three girls was drawn from 30 public junior high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis for the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data pertaining to the research questions while inferential statistics (χ2 and t-test) were used to analyse data regarding the hypotheses. The results show that (a) Junior High School girls have positive perception of technical education (b) the girls’ choice of career was influenced by their self-interest and gains and not by parental, teachers or peer influence, and (c) these girls lack of effective career guidance in the junior high schools by guidance co-ordinators affects their level of understanding in job trends. The test for hypothesis 1 indicated that school type influenced girls’ participation in technical education. Hypothesis 2 indicated that girls who live in an environment that has positive regard towards technical education might have positive perception on technical education. Hypothesis 3 indicated that girls who live in stereotyped environment are gender stereotyped than girls’ who live in non-stereotyped environment. Hypothesis 4 shows that girls type of programmes relate to their career choice. Each hypothesis was tested at 0.05 significant level.

Source: UCC
The female partners’ perspective on vasectomy in the central region of Ghana

Background: Vasectomy is one of the safest and inexpensive modern contraceptive methods but it remains relatively ‘invisible’ in Ghana. Support of women may be a significant incentive in influencing their partners to adopt vasectomy. Objective: To examine the perspectives of women on vasectomy as a contraceptive option. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 298 women accessing long-term or permanent family planning methods at health facilities in three selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Pearson’s Chi-square was used to test associations between variables and the attitudes of women towards vasectomy. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant Results: Awareness of vasectomy was low (32%). About 66% of the women who became aware of vasectomy during the study would prefer their partners to go for vasectomy compared with 50% of those who were aware prior to the study. Women who would either not prefer vasectomy or support their partner’s choice of vasectomy cited fear of impotency (39.6%). There was a statistically significant association (p<0.05) between ethnicity, previous contraceptive use, awareness of male methods, and preference for vasectomy instead of bilateral tubal ligation (BTL). A statistically significant association (p<0.05) was also found between age of participant, duration of marriage, religious affiliation, and the willingness of women to support their partner’s choice of vasectomy. Conclusion: There is, therefore, the need for the involvement of women in the promotion of vasectomy through vigorous publicity and education.

Source: UCC