Welcome to UGSpace
UGSpace is the institutional repository of the University of Ghana. UGSpace is an open access electronic archive for the collection, preservation and distribution of digital materials.
- facilitate the deposit of digital content of a scholarly or heritage nature
- and ultimately share, preserve and promote the intellectual output of the University in a managed environment.
Communities in UGSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
- Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.
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Recent Submissions
Implementation of Ropaa through Ghana's Diplomatic Missions: Prospects and Challenges
(University of Ghana, 2023) S.K. Hassan
Increased demand by citizens to engage in democratic processes to determine
governmental leadership has heightened the importance of enfranchisement of voters.
Significant constitutional developments across democracies over the last century has developed
reliable and efficient ways to empower and facilitate suffrage. In most democracies around the
world citizens are no longer disqualified from voting rights and contesting elections based on
their gender, literacy, social status, or class; simply one man to one vote. This has added
credibility to the belief that voting is as inclusive, with results providing a true representation
of the will of citizens. In view of this, this study is aimed at examining the reasons why
Ghanaian citizens are currently disenfranchised based on their geographical location; despite
constitutional provisions to do so and to also offers measures which could facilitate external
voting. The Representation of the People's Amendment Act (ROPAA) (Act 699), the law that
allows for Ghanaian citizens to vote from outside the country has not been executed in any
election in
Ghana’s history. This study “Prospects and Challenges in the implementation Of ROPAA
through Ghana's Diplomatic Missions” sought to identify the key processes involved in
facilitating external voting for citizens living outside the country; explore the role of host
nations and key actors involved in the processes associated with overseas voting; assess the
main challenges States face in implementing the ROPAA act 699; and identify how eternal
voting can be successfully operationalized through Ghanaian Embassies and High Commission
overseas. The study used the semi-structured interview guide to gather primary data; however,
secondary data was also used for the study analysis; the study revealed some challenges such
as host country negotiation, logistic and financial support. The further explored the opportunity
Ghana’s electoral management body (EMB) has to implement external voting by utilizing its
missions abroad, potentially enabling the minimization of costs whilst also avoiding tedious
negotiations with host countries.
Understanding How Users Make Purchase Decision on Social Media: Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis Approach.
(University of Ghana, 2023) Kudjordji, R.M.
The continuous advancement of technology has profoundly influenced users' decision-making
process, particularly within social media. With social media platforms firmly ingrained in our daily
lives, users are confronted with an abundance of choices and information that profoundly shape
their decision-making behaviours. A notable consequence of the evolution of social media is the
rise of social commerce, which empowers users to engage in commercial activities directly on
these platforms. By leveraging social media, businesses can effectively showcase their products or
services, while users can make purchases without leaving the platform.
In light of this dynamic landscape, the primary objective of this study is to delve into the intricacies
of how users navigate their purchase decisions on social media, primarily focusing on the role
played by the available attributes within these platforms. This research sheds light on the factors
influencing users' decision-making processes in social media-based transactions by closely
examining these social media attributes, such as user reviews, product descriptions, visual content,
and social endorsements.
Through a comprehensive exploration of these dynamics, this study aims to provide valuable
insights into the interplay between social media attributes and users' purchase decisions.
Ultimately, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour in the realm
of social commerce and provide actionable knowledge for businesses seeking to optimize their
strategies in this rapidly evolving landscape.
The study employed an experimental design to manipulate social media attributes to comprehend
the study participants' choices. The consumption values theory and the random utility model
guided the research. The consumption values theory enables the segmentation of user choices based on their attached values. At the same time, the random utility model acknowledges that users
have varying preferences for options and ultimately select the option that provides the most
significant utility or satisfaction.
The research focused on students, and simple random sampling was used to collect responses from
a total of 304 students from the University of Ghana (UG) and the Ghana Institute of Management
and Public Administration (GIMPA). The collected data was analysed using choice-based conjoint
analysis and hierarchical Bayes estimation as the analytical techniques.
Based on the study's findings, users tend to consider several factors when making purchase
decisions on social media platforms, such as warranty terms, vendor attributes (such as a verified
account), sponsored ad characteristics, and product attributes (such as the price). Additionally, the
study revealed that these preferences vary based on users' demographics, including gender, age,
and level of education.
The study offers valuable implications across research, practice, and policy domains. In terms of
research, it encourages further exploration of social media purchase decision-making using diverse
perspectives, populations, theories, and methodologies. In practice, businesses on social media can
optimize their strategies based on user preferences identified in the study, thereby increasing lead
generation. From a policy perspective, implementing measures related to warranty, account
verification, transparent pricing, and informative advertising can aid consumers in making well
informed purchase decisions on social media platforms.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination In A Privately Funded Program In Ghana: A Qualitative Case Study.
(Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2024-08-23) Marfo, E.; Salami, B.; Adjei, C.; MacDonald, S.
HPV vaccination is one of the safest and most effective interventions against HPV-related cancers. From
2013 to 2018, HPV vaccination was piloted in Ghana in preparation for a national program. Yet, at the
time of this study, there was no publicly funded HPV vaccination program in Ghana. We explored an
existing privately funded HPV vaccination program in Ghana to identify challenges and gaps and to
gather insights to inform vaccination practice and national policy. This study used a qualitative case study
research design. We conducted semi-structured interviews on experiences, barriers, and challenges in
HPV vaccination at the Greater-Accra Regional Hospital between October 1 and November 26, 2023.
Participants (N = 16) included HPV vaccinators (n = 8) and program/policy leaders (n = 8). Our thematic
analysis focused on HPV vaccination processes, practice challenges, and policy interests. Four main
themes emerged from our analyses. Our findings revealed many challenges faced by the HPV vaccination
program. These include a lack of guiding policy/framework for the HPV vaccination program, an emphasis
on sexual history, cervical screening, and HPV DNA test in determining vaccination eligibility by vacci nators, and a lack of formal provider and recipient HPV education programs. Although many vaccinators
advocated for a universal HPV program, some policy/program leaders were reluctant to prioritize HPV
vaccination advocacy due to their focus on acute health concerns. A vaccination program without
a policy can be limited in quality and efficiency, as there will be no accountability and sustainability
measures. We recommend the need to develop standardized guidelines to support evidence-based HPV
vaccination practice.
Women and Power in Africa: A Case of the Akan (KOKOFU) Women in Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2023) Tandoh, R.S.A.
This thesis seeks to move the discourse on women and power from prevailing notions of
powerlessness to cultural notions of power and authority which brings the discourse closer
to different notions of agency and actions of women. The presumption that African
women lack power and agency to effect change is well established in academia.
Unfortunately, recent studies have not sufficiently addressed this case empirically.
Evidence from Nigeria and Tanzania show on the contrary that women in some African
societies have power and agency which raises many empirical questions about notions and
perceptions of power. The issue of women and power has been a global preoccupation for
many years. However, different societies approach it differently to reflect their peculiar
areas of concern or circumstance. In the twenty-first century, there are still key issues to
address, even though the United Nations prefer a global front using the human rights
approach. Given that the various member states chartered their individual roads to
emancipation, and evolved to where they find themselves today at differing times and
chalking different milestones, it seems contradictory to prescribe global indicators to
measure where we are and what has been achieved. For example, women in Africa, Ghana
specifically should not be measured only by the yardstick used in measuring advancement
in Europe or elsewhere. History and cultures produce different perceptions and as such
culture is relevant to policy and should be operationalized in their appropriate context.
Powers that women possess differ from culture to culture and are defined from culture to
culture. Women, in trying to move with the times have also redefined their goals in certain
context. Women in Afghanistan for example may still walk behind the men, even in 2020
not because of religious and cultural reasons, but because of the existence of landmines in
the fields due to wars. Similarly, women at the Gambaga witch camp in Ghana often return to the witch camp after long and hard fought
and-won family reunifications. They cite better economic and social conditions at the camp. After instrumentation
of certain rights, compelling African countries to sign them and trying every conceivable way to incorporate them
into domestic policies, some African women are secretly going through a medical procedure to fit back into the
cultures which ‗western liberators‘ fought so hard to free them from. The philosophy that underpinned the study is
interpretivism, with a qualitative research study design, using interviews, focus group discussions and
observations in studying a sample of 44 participants of the Akan Asante Kokofu community in Ghana. I examine
the origin and etymology of power (tumi), and their gendered forms and how they have evolved overtime.
Finally, I analyze how women in this society define and utilize power from their own standpoint, and how the
Ghanaian society in general, and communities around them view the whole discussion of the society from their
own standpoint. Based on focus group discussions with traditional leaders and lay persons in the Akan community
of Kokofu, this study asserts that women in these societies had power and have always had power, except that this
power is exercised differently and does not fit into western notions of power and authority which in Akan parlance,
is referred to as tumi and tumidie respectively. Consequently, this study concludes, inter alia, that the premise of
empowerment as a development tool and goal is flawed because it assumes powerlessness.
Impact Of National Health Insurance Enrolment On Farm Investments In Sub-Saharan Africa: Empirical Evidence From Ghana.
(Agricultural Finance Review, 2024-09-02) Asiedu, E.; Sowah, D.; Karimu, A.
Purpose – The study aims to explore the impact of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) enrolment on
farm investments in a developing country setting. We classify farm investments into (1) soil and land
investments and (2) hired adult labour.
Design/methodology/approach – This study used data on 5,883 farm households from the sixth round of
the Ghana Living Standard Surveys (GLSS), which is nationally represented data at the household level. The
data also includes a Labour Force Survey module. The sample frame was divided into a primary and
secondary sampling unit, with interviews taking place in 1,200 enumeration areas (EAs). The estimation of
impacts was carried out using ordinary least squares (OLS) estimations and addressed endogeneity concerns
using propensity score matching (PSM) and instrumental variable (IV) estimators.
Findings – The study finds a strong positive association between the NHIS enrolment status of farm
households and investments in agricultural land and soil health improvement. Precisely, farm households who
are enroled in the health insurance system tend to invest about 32% more in soil and land improvement
activities and 30% more in hired farm labour than households who are not enroled in NHIS.
Practical implications – The overall evidence from our study suggests that instead of high investments in
fertilizer and otherinput subsidy programmes in Africa, sustainable smallholder agricultural investments can
be achieved if concerns and issues of farmers’ health coverage are adequately addressed.
Originality/value – This is one of the first papers that have explored the impact of NHIS in developing
countries on farm investments.