ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The asymmetry effect of oil price changes on inflation, and the welfare implication for Ghana

Purpose – High inflation levels remain a challenge in macroeconomic stabilization policies among developing economies. Oil price is identified as an important driver of inflation. In the wake of high and unstable international oil prices, the question regarding the relationship between inflation and crude oil prices, and its implication for economic welfare has become a fundamental empirical issue. Design/methodology/approach – This question is explored by estimating a non-linear autoregressive distribution lags (NARDL) model of inflation-oil nexus that examined the asymmetric response of inflation to oil price changes. The study then derived the welfare implication of the asymmetric responses, with implications for the petroleum pricing regime in Ghana. Findings – The study found that inflation responds asymmetrically to oil prices in the long-run but not in the short-run. The welfare cost associated with the asymmetric response increases with increasing rate. Practical implications – The findings of this study have some implications for petroleum product pricing in Ghana. Recently, Ghana has moved from regulating petroleum prices to the automatic adjustment system. By this policy, petroleum prices change in tandem with the crude oil prices and exchange rates on the international market. Whiles this policy might be comparatively efficient, the evidence of asymmetric response of inflation to changes in oil prices raises some issues about the welfare effect of the policy. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature on the inflation-oil price nexus by investigating critical questions that remain puzzling. These questions include; Does inflation respond asymmetrically to the positive and negative shock of equal magnitude in oil prices? Does inflation response to the asymmetry changes in oil prices have any implications for the welfare of the country? Is the effect of oil price changes pernicious?

Source: UG
Asymptotic Equipartition Properties for simple hierarchical and networked structures

We prove asymptotic equipartition properties for simple hierarchical structures (modelled as multitype Galton-Watson trees) and networked structures (modelled as randomly coloured random graphs). For example, for large n, a networked data structure consisting of n units connected by an average number of links of order n / log n can be coded by about H × n bits, where H is an explicitly defined entropy. The main technique in our proofs are large deviation principles for suitably defined empirical measures.

Source: UG
Asymptotics of the Partition Function of Ising Model on Inhomogeneous Random Graphs

For a finite random graph, we defined a simple model of statistical mechanics. We obtain an annealed asymptotic result for the random partition function for this model on finite random graphs as $n,$ the size of the graph is very large. To obtain this result, we define the \emph{ empirical bond distribution}, which enumerates the number of bonds between a given couple of spins, and \emph{ empirical spin distribution}, which enumerates the number of sites having a given spin on the spinned random graphs. For these empirical distributions we extend the large deviation principle(LDP) to cover random graphs with continuous colour laws. Applying Varandhan Lemma and this LDP to the Hamiltonian of the Ising model defined on Erdos-Renyi graphs, expressed as a function of the empirical distributions, we obtain our annealed asymptotic result.

Source: UG
(At) Tiring the Naked: Benjamin Kwakye’s Allegory of the Nation in the Clothes of Nakedness

In this paper I explore the ways in which the prevalent metaphor of clothes and nakedness drives Kwakye’s political and ethnical agenda in his novel. Kwakye’s metaphor suggests that he considers recourse to the skeptical ideals of the past through image and rhetoric as a viable means for contemporary postcolonial subjects to confront the realities of their world; a world in which the greed and powernanie of the clothes work to erode ethics in the community.

Source: UG
Athletes’ expectations about physiotherapy in sports injury rehabilitation in greater Accra region

Background:Physiotherapists play a key role in sports injury rehabilitation within the sports healthcare team. A strong athlete–physiotherapist relationship is necessary for effective treatment and shaping of athletes’ expectations of injury rehabilitation. Hence, it is necessary to factor the injured athletes’ expectations in structuring a rehabilitation program. Objective:The aim of this study was to determine athletes’ expectations about physiotherapy in sports injury rehabilitation. Methods:We performed a cross-sectional survey in which data was collected using the expectation about athletic training (EAAT) questionnaire from 120 recruited athletes of different sporting disciplines. Percentages, means and standard deviations of the expectation scores were computed. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics and athletes’ expectations of physiotherapy in sports injury rehabilitation were analyzed with the chi-square test. Differences between the athletes’ expectations of physiotherapy and demographic characteristics were also analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. Results:The study revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05 ) between gender, injury type, physiotherapy experience and mental skills experience and the athletes’ expectations. There was a significant difference (p<0.05 ) between competition level and athletes’ expectations. Conclusion:It was concluded that athletes in the Greater Accra Region have high expectations of physiotherapy in injury rehabilitation; thus sports physiotherapists would need to enhance their communication with athletes which may also help them better understand the risks, benefits, timeline and rehabilitation approach.

Source: UG
An Atlas of African History

When this Atlas of African History was first published 10 1958, practically the whole continent was still under colonial rule, and the academic study of its peoples' past was only just beginning. Nearly twenty years later, the situation is very different. There is hardly an African territory which is not now recognised as an independent state. But this momentous change need not have occasioned a completely new edition of the Alias. As in fact was done in 1963 and 1965, it could have been dealt with simply by the revision of those maps showing recent political history. What has necessitated the production of a wholly revised second edition has been the rapid and expansive flowering since the mid- I 950S of historical and archaeological research Into the African past. This is directly associated with the growth of universities, as of education generally, in the new Africa, and of the acceptance of the history and archaeology of Africa as valid subjects for study in the universities of other countries. If only because the colonial period of African history was so very short for the most part concentrated within the years 1880 1960, hardly more than a human life-span-many of the most spectacular advances in knowledge have related to the very much longer period of some two thousand years since iron-working was initiated south of the Sahara, and particularly perhaps to the seven or so centuries before the Europeans' scramble for African colonies, the period during which most of the politics they conquered were shaped. As a result, many of the maps originally conceived for this formative period of African hi tory had become inadequate or unsatisfactory, and It also became possible to conceive new maps relating to times or to areas whose history had hitherto been chiefly characterised by its obscurity. Thus, comparing the Atlas now presented to the public with the original edition of 1958, there arc 21 completely new maps, while 11 of the old ones have been deleted, and quite a few of the others have been subjected to Some alteration or rearrangement.

Source: UG
Atmospheric burden of organochlorine pesticides in Ghana

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are subject to the Stockholm Convention on POPs and have been banned or restricted globally. In Ghana, concerns of illicit applications of some OCPs have been raised in recent times. Applying polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers (PAS), the levels of OCPs in the atmosphere and their spatial resolution were investigated. It was the first nationwide coverage of OCPs monitoring in Ghana. ∑DDTs and endusulfans constituted the highest burden of atmospheric OCPs in Ghana, at average concentrations of 156±36 and 153±28pgm-3, respectively. Mirex had the lowest concentration (0.2±0.01pgm-3). From the chemical signatures of the various OCPs, we deduced that DDT, endosulfans and heptachlor were freshly applied at certain sites, which were all agricultural sites. The OCPs were spatially resolved as a function of the types of crops cultivated in different areas, legacy issues and recent applications. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
Atmospheric monitoring of organochlorine pesticides across some West African countries

Most African countries have ratified the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and are expected to reduce emissions of POPs such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) to the atmosphere. Emerging evidence, however, suggests that there are contemporary sources of OCPs in African countries despite the global ban on these products. This study investigated the atmospheric contamination from OCPs in four West African countries—Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon—to ascertain the emission levels of OCPs and the characteristic signatures of contamination. Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers (PAS) were deployed in each country for ca. 55 days in 2012 and analyzed for 25 OCPs. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and DDTs constituted the highest burden of atmospheric OCPs in the target countries, at average concentrations of 441 pg m−3 (range 23–2718) and 403 pg m−3 (range 91–1880), respectively. Mirex had the lowest concentration, ranged between 0.1 and 3.3 pg m−3. The concentration of OCPs in rainy season was higher than in dry season in Cameroon, and presupposed inputs from agriculture during the rainy season. The concentrations of ∑25 OCPs in each country were in the following order: Cameroon &gt; Nigeria &gt; Benin &gt; Togo. There was significant evidence, based on chemical signatures of the contamination that DDT, aldrin, chlordane, and endosulfan were recently applied at certain sites in the respective countries. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Source: UG
Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia in helicobacter pylori-associated antral gastritis

Although the causal relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease appears established, the relationship between the organism and gastric carcinoma remains tenuous. We have reviewed 268 gastric antral biopsies from the Department of Pathology, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Kuwait, in an attempt to assess the relationship between H. pylori colonizations and the presence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, recognized premalignant lesions of the stomach. H. pylori were found in 219 (81.7%) patients of which 62 (28.3%) had atrophic gastritis and 33 (15.1%) intestinal metaplasia. Both atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia increased with age. The mean age of patients with intestinal metaplasia was about 8 years older than that of patients without intestinal metaplasia. Higher prevalences of both lesions were associated with lower density H. pylori colonization as well as an increasing grade of chronic inflammation. Our results confirm previous findings of a probable causal relationship between H. pylori infection and both atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. The higher prevalence of these premalignant lesions in older subjects would suggest progressive changes associated with persistent H. pylori infection.

Source: UG
Attaining SDG 5.6: An Assessment of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women in Ghana

In the efforts towards the full realization of the UN SDGs, indicators were assigned to each goal as a means of assessing progress in attaining the goals. SDG 5: Gender equality has two indicators which includes Indicator 5.6.2: Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee women aged 15-49 years access to sexual and reproductive health care, information, and education. Indicator 5.6.2 measures the extent to which the existing laws enable or disable women’s full and equal access to SRHR. Although there have been various legislative changes in response to the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women in Ghana, implementation and outcomes have been disparate. This study seeks to assess pre-existing policies as well as other instruments that guarantee women’s full and equal access to SRHR in Ghana. The qualitative research approach was used to obtain primary and secondary data for analysis and discussion. The primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and secondary sources including journal articles, books, policy documents, reports, internet sources and articles. Key findings indicate that Ghana has made some commendable efforts in the implementation of policies to provide SRHR services to women in Ghana, additionally initiatives have been put in place to bridge gaps in areas such as Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the school curriculum. The study identifies barriers encountered in the availability and accessibility of SRHR services in Ghana. Challenges faced in the implementation of SRHR policies of women in Ghana are outlined. These include low prioritization of SRHR policies, no full integration of CSE into school curriculum, low demand for SRHR services, low level of knowledge of SRHR services, inadequate funding, and cultural and religious factors.

Source: UG
Attempted suicide in Ghana: Motivation, stigma and coping

To understand the experiences of suicidal persons in Ghana, 10 persons were interviewed after they attempted suicide. Thematic analysis of data showed that motivation for suicidal behavior included social taunting, hopelessness, and partner's infidelity. Suicidal persons reported stigma expressed through physical molestation and social ostracism, which left them traumatized. However, they coped through social support from relations, religious faith, and use of avoidance. Community-wide sensitive education should target reducing stigma and also increase mental health education on suicidal behavior in Ghanaian communities.

Source: UG
Attempted Suicide in Ghana: Motivation, Stigma, and Coping

To understand the experiences of suicidal persons in Ghana, 10 persons were interviewed after they attempted suicide. Thematic analysis of data showed that motivation for suicidal behavior included social taunting, hopelessness, and partner's infidelity. Suicidal persons reported stigma expressed through physical molestation and social ostracism, which left them traumatized. However, they coped through social support from relations, religious faith, and use of avoidance. Community-wide sensitive education should target reducing stigma and also increase mental health education on suicidal behavior in Ghanaian communities. © 2015, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UG
Attitude and Perception of Ghanaians toward the Church

Although a secular state by legislation, Ghana is highly considered a religious one with a significant number of the population being Christians. Using Christians in some selected municipalities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, this study examines the opinions of believers toward Ghanaian churches. Through a quantitative method, the study revealed that prayer service is the least important practice of the church liked by Christians. In addition, majority of Christians disliked their churches because of unfaithful pastors, long sermons and late closure of church services. Again, the study revealed that churches concentrate on the message of personal prosperity more than repentance toward salvation. They have an overly monetized and materialistic leaning in their sermons. The study recommends the need for churches in Ghana to leverage on the importance of research on regular basis to ascertain the opinions of the mem bers to give churches the right direction to develop.

Source: UG
Attitude and Perception of Ghanaians toward the Church

Although a secular state by legislation, Ghana is highly considered a religious one with a significant number of the population being Christians. Using Christians in some selected municipalities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, this study examines the opinions of believers toward Ghanaian churches. Through a quantitative method, the study revealed that prayer service is the least important practice of the church liked by Christians. In addition, majority of Christians disliked their churches because of unfaithful pastors, long sermons and late closure of church services. Again, the study revealed that churches concentrate on the message of personal prosperity more than repentance toward salvation. They have an overly monetized and materialistic leaning in their sermons. The study recommends the need for churches in Ghana to leverage on the importance of research on regular basis to ascertain the opinions of the members to give churches the right direction to develop.

Source: UG
Attitude toward cheating among Ghanaian undergraduate students: a parallel mediational analysis of personality, religiosity and mastery

Attitude toward cheating drives academically dishonest behaviors particularly at higher education institutions. Personality, mastery and religiosity are common associates of attitude toward cheating; however, these relationships have received little research attention in Ghana. This study therefore explores the relationship between these variables among undergraduate students in Ghana. A total of 333 students (M = 20.84; SD = 4.68) were conveniently sampled to complete measures on Big Five Personality Inventory, Dimensions of Religiosity Scale, Pearlin Mastery Scale and Attitude Toward Cheating Scale. Findings from correlational and regression analysis revealed that personality traits (i.e., conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism), mastery and religiosity were related to attitude toward cheating. Further exploration of the data with path analysis revealed that both mastery and religiosity indirectly influenced the relationship between conscientiousness and attitude toward cheating. Taken together, these findings highlight the need to design intervention programs that seek to reduce incidences of academic cheating behaviour by targeting students’ attitude toward cheating via mastery and religiosity.

Source: UG
Attitudes and experiences of women admitted to hospital with abortion complications in Ghana

Unsafe abortion is one of the major contributors to high levels of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite a relatively liberal legal environment. This paper presents findings from a semi-structured hospital-based survey of 131 Ghanaian women who had experienced unsafe abortion. The majority of respondents were young and single, with no children or just one child. Most had middle-school education or higher and were employed, as were their partners. While knowledge of family planning was high, knowledge of specific methods was barely moderate and only 17% respondents had ever used it - much lower than the national ever-use of 39%. There were widespread misunderstandings about who could use family planning and 41% said they were afraid of side-effects. Eleven percent said their pregnancy was planned and 31% that they wanted their pregnancy but were pressured by partners or families to abort. Overall, about one-third of respondents said they aborted because they were not married and two-thirds said they aborted because of socio-cultural pressures. This study highlights clear ongoing failings of the family planning programme which needs to be revamped, as well as an urgent need for improving public knowledge about access to safe, legal abortion services.

Source: UG
Attitudes and Practices Associated with Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) of Nursing Mothers in Bolgatanga Municipality

This study investiga ted the attitudes and practices of nursing mothers on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the Bolgatanga municipality using a qualitative approach. A total of 12 nursing mothers recruite d from the Antenatal clinic of the Bolgatanga Regional H ospital were interviewed on their attitudes and practices on EBF. Results indicated that participants did not appropriately and effectively practice EBF. Results include late initiation of EBF, inappropriate positioning of babies during breastfeeding and inadequate feeding frequency. Recom mendations based on the findings included teaching mothers not only to exclusively breastfeed but the details of EBF practice.

Source: UG
). Attitudes and views on same-sex sexual behavior in Ghana

There is little research in sub-Saharan Africa on same-sex and other non-normative sexual relationships. In the era of HIV and AIDS which is mostly sexually transmitted in sub-Saharan Africa, and given previous authors’ findings regarding the HIV epidemic among black MSM across the African diaspora, we argue for focusing on the social implications of same-sex sexual behavior. Using evidence from Ghana and positioning our findings within recent scholarship on same-sex relationships in some parts of the world, particularly within African settings, we contribute to the body of knowledge on this issue. With 81 individual and group qualitative interviews from persons aged 10-80 years, we focused on the hostilities and prejudices directed against such non-normative sexual expressions. We also traced the historical and socio-geo-political trend influencing homophobic attitudes towards same-sex relationships from existing literature, pointing out that the current hostilities and branding of these behaviors may have been integrated into traditional views of sexuality in Ghana, with time. We concluded that there was a high level of stigma attached to same-sex sexual behavior by our respondents. We recommend further studies on the transitional histories of same-sex and persons who have sex with both males and females’ relationships and the cultural and related social contexts in which these have evolved and thrive

Source: UG
Attitudes of basic school teachers in the cape coast municipality toward staff development activities

Continuing education through staff development activities meant to enhance skills, knowledge, abilities, and beliefs are inextricably linked to effective teaching and learning. This study sought to determine the attitude of basic education teachers in Ghana toward staff development programmes. Two hundred and twenty-two (222) basic school teachers from Uper primary and Junior Secondary Schools (JHS) in the Central Region were selected using stratified random sampling method for the study. The main instrument used for the data collection was a researcher-designed questionnsire following the princioples of the LIkert Scale to ascertain teachers’ personal characteristics and attitudes towards staff development programmes. The data obtained was analysed using the Statisticak package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study showed that basic school teachers in Cape Coast Municipality have positive attitude towards staff development programmes. However, a more positive attitude is possible if staff development programmes are organised on regular basis and teachers are encouraged to appreciate the importance of staff development activities to the teacher and the school as a whole. The study also revealed that there is no systematic evaluation of the impact of staff development activities especially the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enforce proper supervision and evaluation of the impact of such programmes.

Source: UG