ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Determining Distance Education Students' Readiness for Mobile Learning at University of Ghana Using the Theory of Planned Behavior.

The use of mobile technologies in the classroom is transforming teaching and learning in higher institutions. This study investigated University of Ghana Distance Education students’ perceptions toward mobile learning. The paper using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) explained how students’ beliefs influenced students’ intention to adopt m-learning. Findings from the study showed that most of the students had mobile phones, and used them for conversation and texting. Young students were more likely to have smart phones that their older colleagues. Factor analysis was further conducted which showed strong loadings of factors such as intentions and perceived behavioral control confirming that the TPB explained the students’ m-learning readiness very well. Thus, attitude, subjective norm and behavioral control influenced students’ intention to adopt m-learning. The results provide valuable information on ways to implement mlearning programs incorporating the voice and needs of students.

Source: UG
Determining mobile money service customer satisfaction and continuance usage through service quality

Mobile money service is a major retail financial service provided by telecommunication firms and formal banking institutions in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The increased patronage of mobile money services demands that telecommunication firms enhance the quality-of-service delivery they offer in order to stay competitive. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the service quality factors that influence customer satisfaction and continuance usage of mobile money services. Data were collected from 494 users of mobile money services. Using structural equation modeling, this study tested hypotheses on the effect of service quality variables on customer satisfaction and continuance usage of mobile money services. The findings indicate that the availability of services, facilities, and security influence customer satisfaction, whereas the expertise of the service provider, the operator’s network system, and responsiveness influence continued use of mobile money services. The findings of this study will assist mobile money service providers and policymakers in planning services that will increase customer satisfaction and retention. The study contributes to identifying service quality constructs that influence customer satisfaction and continuance usage in the mobile money context.

Source: UG
Determining the Efficiency of the Government of Ghana’s Network of Grain Storage Facilities

Governments in developing countries design networks of grain storage facilities to help farmers store excess agricultural produce to prepare for climate induced crop failures. The efficiency of such networks has serious economic and food security implications on respective countries. Periodic review of the efficiency of such networks is necessary to identify lapses and opportunities for optimization. Past studies on efficiency of networks of facilities, which usually assume scenarios peculiar to the developed world used data that are usually unavailable or unreliable in developing countries. This work therefore developed an integrated approach that relies solely on readily available and reliable governmental and open source data to compute the short and long-term efficiencies of networks of grain storage facilities. This approach was used to analyze the efficiency of the government of Ghana’s network of forty-eight grain storage facilities. A transportation model was used to compute the total transportation cost within the existing network. A P-median model was then used to develop and compute the transportation cost of a theoretically optimal network. Outputs from a forecasting model were used with the transportation and P-median models to study the short and long-term efficiencies of the existing and optimal networks. The average short and long term efficiencies of the existing network were 66% and 26% respectively. The study also investigated the efficiencies of a rank network which is created by siting GSF’s in only high grain production districts. The short and long-term efficiencies of this network were 87% and 72% respectively. The study showed that Ghana’s GSFs were sub-optimally sited hence farmers would have to travel excessively longer distances than necessary to use it. This offers some explanation for its low patronage. Furthermore, the study shows that a rank network was not as efficient as the optimal network. This study therefore demonstrates the use of this integrated approach coupled with readily available data to analyze networks of grain storage facilities in developing countries.

Source: UG
Determining vector competence of Aedes aegypti from Ghana in transmitting dengue virus serotypes 1 and 2

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
A deterministic compartmental model for investigating the impact of escapees on the transmission dynamics of COVID-19

The recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has devastated many parts of the globe. Non-pharmaceutical interventions are the widely available measures to combat and control the COVID-19 pandemic. There is great concern over the rampant unaccounted cases of individuals skipping the border during this critical period in time. We develop a deterministic compartmental model to investigate the impact of escapees (individuals who evade mandatory quarantine) on the transmission dynamics of COVID-19. A suitable Lyapunov function has shown that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, provided 0 < 1. We performed a global sensitivity analysis using the Latin-hyper cube sampling method and partial rank correlation coefficients to determine the most influential model parameters on the short and long-term dynamics of the pandemic to minimize uncertainties associated with our variables and parameters. Results confirm a positive correlation between the number of escapees and the reported COVID-19 cases. It is shown that escapees are primarily responsible for the rapid increase in local transmissions. Also, the results from sensitivity analysis show that an increase in governmental role actions and a reduction in the illegal immigration rate will help to control and contain the disease spread

Source: UG
Deterministic seismic ground motion modelling of the greater Accra Metropolitan area, Southeastern Ghana

The seismic ground motion of the greater Accra Metropolitan Area has been modelled for land use planning and disaster mitigation. The deterministic computation, a hybrid method based on the modal summation and finite difference method was used. Using these techniques, the seismic ground motion along four profiles located in the metropolis has been computed. The 1939 earthquake of magnitude 6.5 (ML) was used as the scenario earthquake. Synthetic seismic waveforms from which parameters for engineering design such as peak ground acceleration, velocity and spectral amplifications have been produced along the geological cross sections. The peak ground acceleration and velocity computed for the metropolis ranges from 0.14 g to 0.57 g and 9.2 cms -1 to 37.1 cms-1, respectively. These correspond to intensity ranging from VII to IX on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. Areas in the metropolis underlain by unconsolidated sediments experience the largest shakings. The results illustrated represent a useful guide for civil engineers in the design of buildings in the metropolis for safe and sustainable development. © 2009 December Geological Society of South Africa.

Source: UG
Developing a Cloud Computing Framework for University Libraries

Our understanding of the library context on security challenges on storing research output on the cloud is inadequate and incomplete. Existing research has mostly focused on profit-oriented organizations. To address the limitation within the university environment, the paper unravels the data/information security concerns of cloud storage services within the university libraries. On the score of changes occurring in the libraries, this paper serves to inform users and library managers of the traditional approaches that have not guaranteed the security of research output. The paper is built upon the work of Shaw and the cloud storage security framework, which links aspects of cloud security and helps explain reasons for university libraries moving research output into cloud infrastructure, and how the cloud service is more secured. Specifically, this paper examined the existing storage carriers/media for storing research output and the associated risks with cloud storage services for university libraries. The paper partly fills this gap by a case study examination of two (2) African countries’ (Ghana and Uganda) reports on research output and cloud storage security in university libraries. The paper argues that in storing university research output on the cloud, libraries consider the security of content, the resilience of librarians, determining access levels and enterprise cloud storage platforms. The interview instrument is used to collect qualitative data from librarians and the thematic content analysis is used to analyze the research data. Significantly, results show that copyright law infringement, unauthorized data accessibility, policy issues, insecurity of content, cost and no interoperable cloud standards were major risks associated with cloud storage services. It is expected that university libraries pay more attention to the security/ confidentiality of content, the resilience of librarians, determining access levels and enterprise cloud storage platforms to enhance cloud security of research output. The paper contributes to the field of knowledge by developing a framework that supports an approach to understand security in cloud storage. It also enables actors in the library profession to understand the makeup and measures of security issues in cloud storage. By presenting empirical evidence, it is clear that university libraries have migrated research output into cloud infrastructure as an alternative for continued storage, maintenance and access of information.

Source: UG
Developing a Cloud Computing Framework for University Libraries.

Our understanding of the library context on security challenges on storing research output on the cloud is inadequate and incomplete. Existing research has mostly focused on profit-oriented organizations. To address the limitation within the university environment, the paper unravels the data/information security concerns of cloud storage services within the university libraries. On the score of changes occurring in the libraries, this paper serves to inform users and library managers of the traditional approaches that have not guaranteed the security of research output. The paper is built upon the work of Shaw and the cloud storage security framework, which links aspects of cloud security and helps explain reasons for university libraries moving research output into cloud infrastructure, and how the cloud service is more secured. Specifically, this paper examined the existing storage carriers/media for storing research output and the associated risks with cloud storage services for university libraries. The paper partly fills this gap by a case study examination of two (2) African countries’ (Ghana and Uganda) reports on research output and cloud storage security in university libraries. The paper argues that in storing university research output on the cloud, libraries consider the security of content, the resilience of librarians, determining access levels and enterprise cloud storage platforms. The interview instrument is used to collect qualitative data from librarians and the thematic content analysis is used to analyze the research data. Significantly, results show that copyright law infringement, unauthorized data accessibility, policy issues, insecurity of content, cost and no interoperable cloud standards were major risks associated with cloud storage services. It is expected that university libraries pay more attention to the security/confidentiality of content, the resilience of librarians, determining access levels and enterprise cloud storage platforms to enhance cloud security of research output. The paper contributes to the field of knowledge by developing a framework that supports an approach to understand security in cloud storage. It also enables actors in the library profession to understand the makeup and measures of security issues in cloud storage. By presenting empirical evidence, it is clear that university libraries have migrated research output into cloud infrastructure as an alternative for continued storage, maintenance and access of information.

Source: UG
Developing a Community-Based Resilience Assessment Model with reference to Northern Ghana

Faced with adversarial climatic and physical conditions and an inept socioeconomic development priorities, Northern Ghana remains one of the regions that are most vulnerable to climate-related shocks and disturbances in semi-arid Africa. Because of the effect of frequent floods, droughts, and bushfires, entire livelihoods in Ghana’s predominantly smallholder agricultural population are under threat. In this paper, we present a model for community-based resilience assessment. This model was developed through an experiment conducted in selected rural communities in the Tolon and Wa West Districts in the Northern and Upper West Regions of Ghana. This experiment underpinned an ongoing five-year collaborative research project, Climate and Ecosystem Change Adaptation and Resilience Research in Semi-Arid Africa: An Integrated Approach (CECAR-Africa), and involved researchers and scientists from institutions in Ghana and Japan. Drawing on the findings from extensive literature review, field surveys, focus group discussions, unstructured interviews with various stakeholders, and participatory observations, we developed a matrix for assessing the different categories of community resilience (ecological, engineering, and socioeconomic). The outcome of this resilience matrix, herein called an “integrated” assessment model, offers a mix of factors that could improve societal reorganization when faced with shocks or disturbances. The integrated model provides a workable assessment criteria and key indicators for community level resilience assessments. This experiment proved valuable and highly effective in selecting case study communities for CECAR-Africa. The next step will involve the testing and development of similar criteria and indicators to measure household level resilience.

Source: UG
Developing a contextually and culturally relevant benefit-sharing framework for pathogen genomic research and biobanking in africa: a deliberative expert approach

Background Globally, researchers are struggling to implement benefit-sharing plans in genomics research and biobanking. In the African context, there are currently limited benefit-sharing frameworks to guide researchers, and some often rely on personal relationships and judgments in making decisions. Consequently, there have been calls for the development of contextually and culturally relevant benefit-sharing frameworks for pathogenic research and biobanking in Africa. This study responds to that call by using a deliberative experts approach to propose and develop a benefit-sharing framework for pathogen genomic research and biobanking. Methods Data were collected through deliberative expert key informant interviews. A total of 25 participants, comprising genomics researchers, policymakers, Nagoya Protocol Focal persons, members of institutional review boards, Sponsors and Experts in the field of genomics and biobanking were purposively sampled from 12 countries. Open-ended topic guides were designed and used to facilitate the interviews. The interviews explored issues such as the need for a benefit-sharing framework, the principles underpinning the practice of benefit-sharing, and key features of a possible benefit-sharing framework. Interviews were conducted in English, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Transcripts were imported into Nvivo 14 software, coded and analysed using the framework approach for qualitative data analysis. Results The participants reported on the key issues to consider in the development of a benefit-sharing framework. These included motivations for sharing benefits, key elements of a benefit-sharing framework and suggestions for monitoring the implementation of the framework. Based on these expert responses, we proposed and developed a three-phase framework. The first phase presents the contextual benefit-sharing process, which includes the benefit sharing process, iterative benefit-sharing cycles and post-benefit-sharing responsibilities. The second phase comprises the implementation phase with templates on a step-by-step approach to achieving the three areas in phase 1 and the third concentrates on workplans to accommodate future emerging issues such as designing strategies to map out best practices on benefit-sharing, making efforts to publish the selected strategy and implementing the selected benefit-sharing. Conclusions The deliberative approach used in this study allowed for not only contextually and culturally relevant factors to be identified but also enabled reflexive decision-making. The framework developed has the potential to provide practical guidance to pathogen genomic stakeholders in the identification and implementation of benefit sharing opportunities in their research programmes. More empirical studies are however required to test and evaluate the framework. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Source: UG
Developing a culturally appropriate family planning program for the navrongo experiment

This article describes the first six months of the strategic planning process to develop a culturally appropriate community health and family planning program for a traditional community in a district of northern Ghana, served by the Navrongo Health Research Centre. To explain the context within which fertility decisions are made, this article describes the district's severe ecological, social, economic, and health constraints to family planning. It discusses related programmatic obstacles and presents the strategies developed to respond to them. A system of care has been developed that is closely coordinated with traditional leaders and communication networks. Management systems support outreach workers by emphasizing the importance of peer leadership, supervisory support, and community liaison in the implementation of village-based services. A large-scale experiment will be fielded to test the demographic impact of this approach. -Authors

Source: UG
Developing a Digital Engagement Strategy For Ghanaian University Libraries: An Exploratory Study

Today, information in the modernized world has become much more accessible with the use of an online environment. Library and information services have fallen victim to the constant change in user needs. The study represented a framework that digital libraries can leverage to increase the usage and visibility of digital resources in university libraries. The adopted qualitative research aims to develop a digital engagement strategy for the libraries in the University of Ghana (UG). Data is collected from participants (digital librarians) who are key stakeholders of digital library service provision in the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). It revealed that digital services included rare collections, e-journal, e-databases, e-books, microfilms, e-theses, and e-past questions. The author found out that engaging users to be more active rather than passive by optimizing digital library services, digital devices, literacy programmes/instructions, social media platforms, IT equipment, software, internet and establishing exchanges between users and the library. The feedback informs the university library of its offerings and helps solve library problems. The current book chapter contributes empirical, theoretical and practical ideas on digital user engagements and derives implications for pioneering research on digital engagement strategy (DES) in Ghana and DES applications in libraries. In conclusion, DES helps UGLS foster new relationships, connect with new audiences, and establish new or improved brand identity.

Source: UG
Developing a Digital Engagement Strategy for Ghanaian University Libraries: An Exploratory Study.

This study represents a framework that digital libraries can leverage to increase usage and visibility. The adopted qualitative research aims to examine a digital engagement strategy for the libraries in the University of Ghana (UG). Data is collected from participants (digital librarians) who are key stakeholders of digital library service provision in the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). The chapter reveals that digital library services included rare collections, e-journal, e-databases, e-books, microfilms, e-theses, e-newspapers, and e-past questions. Additionally, the research revealed that the digital library service patronage could be enhanced through outreach programmes, open access, exhibitions, social media, and conferences. Digital librarians recommend that to optimize digital library services, literacy programmes/instructions, social media platforms, IT equipment, software, and website must be deployed. In conclusion, a DES helps UGLS foster new relationships, connect with new audiences, and establish new or improved brand identity.

Source: UG
Developing a framework of core competencies in implementation research for low/middle-income countries

The field of implementation research (IR) is growing. However, there are no recognised IR core competencies in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), nor consistent curriculum across IR training programs globally. The goal of this effort is to develop a framework of IR core competencies for training programs in LMICs. The framework was developed using a mixed-methods approach consisting of two online surveys with IR training coordinators (n = 16) and academics (n = 89) affiliated with seven LMIC institutions, and a modified-Delphi process to evaluate the domains, competencies and proficiency levels included in the framework. The final framework comprised of 11 domains, 59 competencies and 52 sub-competencies, and emphasised competencies for modifying contexts, strengthening health systems, addressing ethical concerns, engaging stakeholders and communication especially for LMIC settings, in addition to competencies on IR theories, methods and designs. The framework highlights the interconnectedness of domains and competencies for IR and practice, and training in IR following the outlined competencies is not a linear process but circular and iterative, and starting points for training may vary widely by the project, institution and challenge being addressed. The framework established the need for a theory-based approach to identifying proficiency levels for IR competencies (ie, to determine proficiency levels for IR based on generalisable educational theories for competency-based education), and the relevance of various IR competencies for LMICs compared with high-income settings. This framework is useful for identifying and evaluating competencies and trainings, and providing direction and support for professional development in IR.

Source: UG