ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Why do food crop farmers have potential, but still under-produce pulses in Ghana?

Pulses are generally "orphan crops” that remain under-produced and less targeted in most countries south of the Saharan specifically, Ghana, even though they contribute immensely to protein needs and integrates well into climate smart agriculture (CSA). Pulses in this study refers to underutilized African pulse crops such as groundnuts/peanut, and beans (small beans, bambara beans, broad beans/peas (cowpeas). Pulses constitute an important food security crop, and most re-assuring, farmers have the potential to produce optimum yields. However, achieving potential production has remained a mirage for several decades. The tendency of small holder farmers producing pulses as well as the drivers that hinder production potentials demand attention and policy action. The neglect thwarts the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)– 2 of zero hunger. Especially given the emerging importance of the potential benefits in investing in orphan pulse crops, especially in relation to CSA, food sovereignty, and rural development. Relying on the Ghana Living Standards Survey Seventh round (GLSS 7), this article answers dual research questions of: What is the probability of a smallholder producing underutilized African pulse crops? What factors hinder production? Using classical count regression and zero inflated regression estimations, the findings show that socioeconomic, geography, and demographic factors hinder production. Specifically, households in the middle belt (Ashanti, Bono East, Bono, Ahafo regions) are more unlikely to produce a tonne of pulse annually relative to households in the southern sector (Greater Accra, Volta, Oti, Eastern, Central, Western and Western North regions). Farming households in the northern belt (Upper West, Savannah, Northern, North-East, Upper East regions) have a greater affinity toward pulses pro duction. Urban households are less likely to produce pulses in comparison to rural households. Household heads with no formal education and low English literacy show a higher probability of producing pulses. Poor house holds are more likely to produce pulses. The middle age and aged farm households show a higher probability to produce pulses compared to the youth. Efforts by agricultural extension and advisory services are encouraged to address hindrances that affect pulses production along co-constituted axes of socioeconomic, spatial, and de

Source: UG
Why do some Sanderlings Calidris alba winter in the Wadden Sea while others prefer tropical beaches?

Sanderlings Calidris alba occur worldwide along sandy beaches and have a wide range of non-breeding locations in different climate zones. Previous studies clearly indicated that ambient temperatures have profound effects on daily energy expenditures of Sanderlings. In this study we investigated the foraging ecology of Sanderlings on beaches near Esiama, Ghana and on the Wadden Sea island of Vlieland, The Netherlands. The diet was very different at the two locations. In Vlieland the birds fed predominantly on the polychaete Scolelepis squamata whereas a small shellfish Donax rugosus was taken in Esiama (Fig. 4,5). The latter prey item was very abundant in Esiama where a band of 2-14 m width containing densities of 5,700-14,300 individuals per m2 occurred. This resulted in caloric energy intake rates of 8 kJ/h foraging time in Vlieland and 130 kJ/h in Ghana. On Vlieland the birds spent on average 79% of their time foraging and in Esiama this was only 36% and most time (58 %) was spent resting (Fig. 2). We argue, however, that during the long resting breaks on roosts, Sanderlings in Ghana were in fact digesting and emptying their gut and intestines from indigestable shell remains. During future studies we plan to study annual and seasonal survival of sanderlings wintering at different latitudes in relation to disease risk and prédation probability.

Source: UG
Why Evictions Do Not Deter Street Traders: Case Study in Accra, Ghana

Like many major cities in developing countries, Accra, the capital city of Ghana, faces increasing congestion of vehicles, pedestrians and traders around its central business district. Repeated attempts to evict street traders have proven unsustainable. Using Accra as a case study, this paper investigates the apparent disconnect between urban authorities' concept of centralized city planning, the rapidly expanding informal economy, and the scope for alternative approaches to accommodate informal workers. Samples of street traders from two markets with high and low risk of evictions are compared to understand their motivations and how evictions affect their choice of location, livelihoods, and willingness to invest in fixed locations. The study finds that, while some risk-averse traders may relocate to outlying markets, many return because profits are higher in the congested areas. One implication is that growing urban centres need improved planning and consultative models to accommodate informal self-employment consistent with both regulatory requirements and workers' needs.

Source: UG
‘Why give birth to many children when you cannot take care of them?’ Determinants of family size among dual-earner couples in Ghana

The family size in Ghana is increasingly changing from large to small family sizes due to modernization. As societies become modernized, couples begin to limit their family size despite the high value society places on children in marriage and the family. In this study, we explore the factors influencing reproductive behaviour among Ghanaian dual-earner couples by highlighting the subjective views on factors that influence the number of children they have or hope to have as a couple. A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse data. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 47 dual-earner couples from rural and urban communities selected from five regions in Ghana. Twenty key informant interviews were held with community leaders to provide the social context of the study areas. The data were analysed thematically. The study observed that there were no differences in the factors influencing family size in rural and urban communities in Ghana. Also, the findings are consistent with previous studies that identified factors such as the cost of raising children and women’s participation in the labour force although the meanings and interpretations that couples attribute to these factors have changed slightly. Couples’ family size was influenced by the need to ensure a comfortable life for their children. Access to modern contraceptives and infertility also came up as influencing family size. Overall, the changing family size among dual earner couples can be attributed to a combination of factors that are interrelated and interdependent.

Source: UG
Why medical students choose psychiatry - A 20 country cross-sectional survey

Recruitment to psychiatry is insufficient to meet projected mental health service needs world-wide. We report on the career plans of final year medical students from 20 countries, investigating factors identified from the literature which influence psychiatric career choice. Methods. Cross sectional electronic or paper survey. Subjects were final year medical students at 46 medical schools in participating countries. We assessed students' career intentions, motivations, medical school teaching and exposure to psychiatry. We assessed students' attitudes and personality factors. The main outcome measure was likelihood of specializing in psychiatry. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine the joint effect of factors upon the main outcome. Results: 2198 of 9135 (24%) of students responded (range 4 to 91%) across the countries. Internationally 4.5% of students definitely considered psychiatry as a career (range 1 to 12%). 19% of students (range 0 to 33%) were "quite likely", and 25% were "definitely not" considering psychiatry. Female gender, experience of mental/physical illness, media portrayal of doctors, and positive attitudes to psychiatry, but not personality factors, were associated with choosing psychiatry. Quality of psychiatric placement (correlation coefficient = 0.22, p < 0.001) and number of placements (correlation coefficient =0.21, p < 0.001) were associated with higher ATP scores. During medical school, experience of psychiatric enrichment activities (special studies modules and university psychiatry clubs), experience of acutely unwell patients and perceived clinical responsibility were all associated with choice of psychiatry. Multilevel logistic regression revealed six factors associated with students choosing psychiatry: importance of own vocation, odds ratio (OR) 3.01, 95% CI 1.61 to 5.91, p < 0.001); interest in psychiatry before medical school, OR 10.8 (5.38 to 21.8, p < 0.001); undertaking a psychiatry special study module, OR 1.45 (1.05 to 2.01, p = 0.03) or elective OR 4.28 (2.87- 6.38, p < 0.001); membership of a university psychiatry club, OR 3.25 (2.87 to 6.38, p < 0.001); and exposure to didactic teaching, OR 0.54 (0.40 to 0.72, p < 0.001). Conclusions: We report factors relevant to medical student selection and psychiatry teaching which affect career choice. Addressing these factors may improve recruitment to psychiatry internationally. © 2014 Farooq et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Source: UG
Why national development experts are not included in development policy-making and practice: The case of Ghana

Motivation: This article contributes to the debate around understanding whether and how the identity of aid workers (e.g. nationality, race, etc.) can contribute to inequality within various aid relationships. As “decolonizing development” is often employed either as a slogan or genuine goal, it is imperative that the politics of exclusion among/within development experts is critically scrutinized. Purpose: This article explores the processes of and the motivations behind how national development experts (NDEs) are frequently excluded in development policy-making and practice in Ghana. Methods and approach: This article relies on qualitative research methods and draws from semi-structured interviews conducted in two phases in 2017 and 2018 in Ghana. We focus on the narratives of the NDEs in Ghana are perceived to be well placed to elucidate the different mechanics of exclusionary processes and practices. Findings: International development experts (IDEs) are able to set agendas and exercise development decision-making power as their governments or organizations provide funding for many development projects. projects. This allows IDEs to influence development policies and practices in a way that eventually excludes NDEs from development policy-making in Ghana. We also reveal internal competition and power relations between NDEs and local actors (i.e. bureaucrats and politicians) can also exclude the NDEs from development policy-making processes, a feature that is non-existent in current scholarship. Policy implications: The exclusion of NDEs from national development decision-making processes undermines efforts to promote national ownership. It is important to adopt a holistic approach that does not just focus on one particular aspect (e.g. power inequality among different actors) of exclusionary practice in international development but also looks into local political and cultural settings as well as possible internal competition for resources.

Source: UG
Why some women deliver in health institutions and others do not: a cross sectional study of married women in Ghana, 2008.

Existing inequalities in an environment where men wield so much authority can have negative implications for women's reproductive health outcomes. Using a quantitative approach, the study explores the relationship between some selected socioeconomic variables, women's status and choice of place of delivery. All three indicators of status employed by the study were significantly associated with whether a woman had an institutional delivery or not. This association however diminished after controlling for other confounding socio-economic variables. The findings indicate that a woman's status does not act independently to affect her choice of place of delivery but these effects are channelled through some socio-economic variables. Wealth and educational status of the women and their partners emerged predictors of choice of place of delivery. Expansion of economic opportunities for women, as well as female education must be encouraged. In addition, these should not be done in neglect of male education.

Source: UG
Why we need epidemiologic studies of polycystic ovary syndrome in Africa

The primary objective of the Ghana Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Epidemiology and Phenotype (Ghana-PEP) study will be to assess the relevance and phenotypic distribution of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in a medically unbiased population of reproductive-aged women. In addition, the study will also attempt to identify sociodemographic, environmental, and psychological factors that may play a role in the development of PCOS phenotype. The study aims to recruit 990 randomly selected women aged 18-45 years living in Nsawam, the district capital of the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipality, in the Eastern region of Ghana. Participants will complete a questionnaire with the aid of trained personnel, undergo a physical examination, and undergo ultrasonography and biochemical evaluations relevant to PCOS. It is anticipated that the study will provide the population prevalence and phenotypes, and distribution of PCOS.

Source: UG
Widening access to tertiary education for women in Ghana through distance education

Distance education (DE) is seen as a tool for widening access to education at all levels. It is an educational tool that breaks most of the divides in education – age, gender, race, income, space, time etc. For the past decades, irrespective of the extensive expansion of tertiary institutions in the country, provision of tertiary education in Ghana has not been adequate enough to absorb all qualified applicants. This situation has peculiar effect on women who for socio-cultural factors drop out of formal education as they climb the ladder. The limited access to tertiary education has been the concern of various governments in the country. Various educational reforms have been made to this effect. In view of the exclusive potential of DE in widening access to education in a unique way, it has been recommended in the most recent educational reform that DE be promoted by establishing an open university and open colleges in addition to encouraging dual mode of delivery in the existing public universities. By its peculiar nature of being flexible and bridging space and time, studies have confirmed that DE has been an educational format that suits women’s study plans and learning styles. This paper explores the unique nature of DE for widening access to tertiary education most especially for women in Ghana and the issues to consider in the process.

Source: UG
The wildlife trade in Ghana: a threat to biodiversity conservation

The rich biodiversity of Ghana is currently under threat from anthropogenic influences, including local and international trade in wildlife. This study investigated the effect of this trade on biodiversity conservation initiatives in Ghana. The methodology involved the use of interviews and structured questionnaires administered in four towns in the Eastern and Greater-Accra regions of Ghana. The results indicated that the level of awareness of wildlife law was high among the exclusively make dealers in the trade. Trapping was the most widely used hunting method, but this involved a lot of brutality to the captured animals before they were finally killed. Expert permit fees charge by the Wildlife Division were found to be very low and based on uncertain international market prices, posing potential threats to the national economy and wildlife heritage. It is recommended that a policy framework should be developed to regulate the production and use of killer traps in hunting of wildlife. Export permit fees and penalties for non-adherence to wildlife law also need to be increased to high levels to serve as a deterrent to the over-harvesting and exportation of wildlife

Source: UG
Will African agriculture survive climate change?

Measurement of the likely magnitude of the economic impact of climate change on African agriculture has been a challenge. Using data from a survey of more than 9,000 farmers across 11 African countries, a cross-sectional approach estimates how farm net revenues are affected by climate change compared with current mean temperature. Revenues fall with warming for dryland crops (temperature elasticity of -1.9) and livestock (-5.4), whereas revenues rise for irrigated crops (elasticity of 0.5), which are located in relatively cool parts of Africa and are buffered by irrigation from the effects of warming. At first, warming has little net aggregate effect as the gains for irrigated crops offset the losses for dryland crops and livestock. Warming, however, will likely reduce dryland farm income immedia-tely. The final effects will also depend on changes in precipitation, because revenues from all farm types increase with precipitation. Because irrigated farms are less sensitive to climate, where water is available, irrigation is a practical adaptation to climate change in Africa. © 2006 Oxford University Press.

Source: UG
Will COVID‐19 be a litmus test for post‐Ebola sub‐Saharan Africa?

In 2014, the worst outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) emerged in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) causing fear and panic. The outbreak which started in Guinea quickly moved across to Sierra Leone and Liberia. With an average EVD case fatality rate of around 50% (range: 25%‐90%), there were many casualties, and the number of recorded deaths exceeded 11 300 by June 2016.1 Activities in the affected countries were severely disrupted, with the social and economic burden estimated at US $53.2 billion, the most significant component being attributed to deaths from non‐Ebola causes

Source: UG
Will they buy it? The potential for marketing organic vegetables in the food vending sector to strengthen vegetable safety: A choice experiment study in three West African cities

Considering the hazardous use of synthetic pesticides in vegetable production in urban West Africa, this research investigated the marketing potential of organic vegetables in the food vending sector of Cotonou (Benin), Accra (Ghana) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Certified organic production and marketing was examined as a potential strategy to improve chemical food safety. A stratified random sampling strategy was applied to study the preferences of food vendors (n = 180) and consumers (n = 360); vegetable use, risk perception, choice preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for organic certification were specifically analyzed. The results showed that awareness of chemical contamination risks was generally low. Appearance of a product was central to vendor choice; consumers attributed similar utility to taste and organic certification. Consumer WTP was calculated to be a premium of 1.04 USD (per plate) if the food served contained only certified organic vegetables. In restaurants, this would mean an average premium of 19% for a meal. If certified organic vegetable production is to make a positive impact on food safety in urban West Africa, we suggest concentrating marketing efforts on the educated “elite” who frequent restaurants. However, considering that restaurant owners exhibited a lower preference for organic certification than lower class food vendors, the marketing situation is difficult. We therefore conclude that demand from the food vending sector alone will not institutionalize domestic certification mechanisms; this underlines the need for public commitment to facilitating such change.

Source: UG
Will they tell others to taste? International tourists' experience of Ghanaian cuisines.

Memorable local food experiences can influence tourists' intentions to recommend. However, food tourism literature has provided limited insights in this area of scholarship. This paper sought to explore international tourists' experiences regarding local foods in Ghana. The results from a random survey of 654 international tourists indicate that local food experience is multiple ranging from cultural, educational, novelty, hedonism-meaningfulness, and adverse experience. The study also found that tourists' local food experience has a statistically significant influence on their willingness to recommend. The study, therefore, concluded that the provision of memorable experience could be a viable approach for generating referral marketing of local foods. Theoretical and practical implications of the study findings are discussed.

Source: UG
Willing but unable? Extending theory to investigate community capacity to participate in Ghana’s community-based health planning and service implementation

While primary health care programmes based on community participation are widely implemented in low- and middle- income settings, empirical evidence on whether and to what extent local people have the capacity to participate, support and drive such programmes scale up is scant in these countries. This paper assessed the level of community capacity to participate in one such programme – the Community-Based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) in Ghana. The capacity assessments were drawn from Chaskin’s (2001) theorised indicators of community capacity with modifications to include: sense of community; community members commitment; community leadership commitment; problem solving mechanisms; and access to resources. These capacity measures guided the design of an interview guide used to collect data from community informants, frontline health providers (FLP) and district health managers. Key qualitative themes were built into a questionnaire administered to households selected through systematic sampling approach. Findings showed that growing individualism, low trust in neighbours and apathetic behaviours undermined the capacity of mutual support for CHPS. The capacity to support CHPS was high for local leadership and community social mobilisation groups who often dedicated time to working with FLP to promote maternal and reproductive health service use, and in advocating broader support for CHPS. Within the wider community, commitment to voluntarism was low as members perceived CHPS to be owned by, and run on government funds and resources. Poor voluntarism was compounded by poverty that crippled the capacity to provide needed resource support for CHPS. Findings have great implications for building strong capable communities for participation in community oriented health programmes.

Source: UG