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 to:

  • 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.

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Communities in UGSpace

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 16
  • Book Chapters  
    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.
  • Conference Proceedings and Papers  
  • Grey Literature  
    Grey literature consists of research and information produced outside conventional publishing channels, such as reports, policy briefs, working papers, and conference materials. It offers valuable insights and data that complement peer-reviewed sources, supporting research, policy, and practice.
  • Heritage Materials  
  • Institute of African Studies (IAS) J. H. Kwabena Nketia Archives  
    The J. H. Kwabena Nketia Archives preserve Ghanaian and African cultural heritage through music, oral traditions, photographs, and audiovisual collections. Guided by Professor Nketia’s vision that African traditional arts must be collected, preserved, practiced, and continually inspire creative expression, the Archives serve as a living resource for scholarship, teaching, and innovation

Recent Submissions

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    Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Strategies De Communication Chez Les Étudiants De Français Langue Étrangère (Fle) En Production Orale À L’université Du Ghana, Legon.
    (University of Ghana, 2024) Appiah-Thompson, E.M.
    Cette étude examine l’utilisation des stratégies de communication (SC) par les étudiants de français langue étrangère (FLE) à l’Université du Ghana, avec pour objectif principal de comprendre comment ces stratégies aident les apprenants à surmonter les obstacles linguistiques et à améliorer leur compétence communicative. Ce travail vise avant tout à identifier les SC employées par ces apprenants dans leurs discours et à déterminer comment ces stratégies leur permettent de surmonter les blocages langagiers. Un autre objectif est de comparer l’usage de ces SC dans deux tâches communicatives distinctes. Le cadre théorique repose sur la théorie de l’accès lexical proposée par Levelt et al. (1999), enrichie par les recherches de Segalowitz (2010) sur les langues étrangères/secondes, pour mieux comprendre les processus cognitifs liés à l’utilisation des SC. La méthodologie repose sur la classification des SC proposée par Dörnyei (1995) et combine des approches quantitatives et qualitatives, s’appuyant sur des questionnaires, des observations de tâches et des entretiens rétrospectifs. Les résultats montrent que, malgré les défis linguistiques, les étudiants maintiennent leur communication en recourant principalement aux pauses, à l’utilisation de remplisseurs non lexicalisés, à la traduction littérale et aux répétitions. Des recommandations, ainsi qu’une fiche pédagogique pour intégrer les SC dans l’enseignement du FLE au Ghana, sont proposées, en soulignant le potentiel de ces stratégies pour encourager un apprentissage autonome et efficace. Cette étude met en avant l’importance des SC pour l’apprentissage du FLE au Ghana et ouvre des perspectives pour des futures recherches, notamment l’exploration des SC dans divers contextes multilingues.
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    Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Comparative Analysis Reveals Concentration-Dependent And Site-Specific Detoxification Gene Expression Patterns In Pyrethroid Resistant Anopheles Gambiae S.L. From Accra, Ghana
    (Scientific Reports, 2026-01-09) Owusu-Asenso, C.M.; Abdulai, A.; Sraku, I.K.; Attah, S.K.; Aboagye-Antwi, F.; Afrane, Y.A.
    The role of detoxification enzymes in pyrethroid resistance intensity among malaria vectors remains a critical area of research. This study evaluated the role of detoxifying enzymes in driving resistance intensity in Anopheles mosquitoes from high insecticide resistance sites in Accra, Ghana. Larvae were collected from Tema, Abossey Okai, and Dansoman, and bioassays were performed on 3–5 days old adult females by exposing them to deltamethrin at discriminating concentrations (1× = 0.05%, 5× = 0.25%, and 10× = 0.5%) to assess resistance intensity. A piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist assay was used to test the involvement of cytochrome P450s, while qRT-PCR quantified expression of detoxification genes (CYP6P1, CYP9K1, CYP6M2, CYP6P3, CYP4G16, GSTE2, and CYP6Z1). kdr mutations (L995F, L995S) were genotyped. High-intensity resistance was observed across all sites [deltamethrin 10× MR = 75–91%]. Pre-exposure to PBO significantly increased mortality (Tema: 13–56%; Abossey Okai: 20–91%; Dansoman: 34–88%, P < 0.001), however, complete susceptibility was not restored. The L995F mutation was present at similar frequencies in resistant and susceptible mosquitoes. Transcriptomic profiling revealed concentration-dependent and site-specific expression: Tema; CYP9K1, CYP6M2, CYP6P1, and CYP6P3 were significantly overexpressed (FC = 43.71–1222.98, P < 0.05), while CYP4G16 expression increased with insecticide concentration. In Abossey Okai, CYP9K1, CYP6P1, CYP6M2, and CYP6P3 were overexpressed (FC = 5.54–162.84). Mosquitoes from Dansoman showed generally low expression, however, CYP6M2 and CYP6P3 were overexpressed (FC = 120.80–292.68). These findings may suggest the dominant role of metabolic resistance, particularly P450-mediated detoxification in driving high pyrethroid resistance intensity in Ghana.
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    Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Determinants of Households’ Access to Improved Water Sources, Geospatial Modelling and Water Quality Monitoring in Talensi District
    (University of Ghana, 2024) Opare-Boafo, M.S.
    The study assessed factors that influence households’ access to improved water sources in both rainy and dry seasons, likewise the impacts of land use and land cover on water quality. Water quality at intake and point of consumption was also determined as well as seasonal variation. The quality of water was evaluated by applying Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index model (CCME WQI). Non-carcinogenic risk associated with chemical exposure was achieved based on the estimation of hazard quotient and hazard index and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), which was used to estimate the disease burden and risk of infection due to microbial contamination of water. Geospatial analysis and techniques enable us to measure and estimate water quality, and the population at risk and visualize it over a space using Geographic Information System. The study found that households’ access to improved water sources significantly improved from 81.67% in the dry season to 90.83% in the rainy season (p<0.0012). In both survey seasons, compared to residents in non-mining communities, residents in mining communities were less likely to have access to improved water sources. At higher temperatures 27.79-27.98, households had lower odds of having access to improved water sources in the dry season. According to the Land use/Land cover map, there was a significant decrease in water levels during the dry season. The analysis conducted on the median difference in water quality parameters among water sources and households revealed significant deterioration in some water quality parameters in households. Total Coliform was higher in the households compared to the main sources (z = -2.337, p = 0.0195), Faecal Enterococci (z = -2.100, p = 0.0357), and E. coli (z = -2.907, p = 0.0037) were also higher in the households compared to the main source. Seasonal variation of water pollutants revealed a strong negative impact of rains on microbiological contaminants. Total coliform decreased in the dry season (Z=3.379, p=0.0007), Faecal Enterococci deteriorated during the rainy season (Z = 4.270, p = 0.0000), There was higher in E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella during the rainy season respectively (Z= 5.410, p = 0.0000, Z= 3.602. P= 0.0003 and Z= 3.726, p= 0.0002). The study revealed some physico-chemical and metals having lower concentrations during the rainy season than the dry season. pH levels tend to be higher in the dry season compared to the rainy season (Z = -2.220, p = 0.0264). Temperature was also higher during the dry season than the rainy season (Z= -9.223, P= 0.0000). TDS of the water was significantly lower in the rainy season (Z = -2.133, p = 0.0329). Sanitary inspection conducted at the main source and household showed that most boreholes and other water sources were installed near source of pollution with the majority of the pumps damaged at the point of attachment. Most of the households’ sanitary practices were not in accordance with UNICEF and WHO guidelines. The risk priority matrix showed that in the rainy season, 64% of the water points analyzed had a very high risk of Total Coliform contamination based on the established threshold by WHO. For the dry season, bacteriological testing revealed that 34% of the sites had counts greater than 100 CFU/10mL, 42% had Total Coliform counts between 11 and 100 CFU/100mL and 12% had low risk. The study found that arsenic levels in water samples pose a significant carcinogenic risk to residents, with 16% below detection limits, 14% within optimal range, 70% above thresholds during the rainy season, and 60% below detection limits, with 8% within the optimum range and 32% above the threshold during the dry season. The hazard index (HI) for As, Hg, and F- varied during the rainy and dry seasons. The target organ for these ions is the kidney, with 16% of sample points exceeding the safe limit. For Arsenic and Nitrate, targeting the liver, 10% of points were above the safe limit, while 2% were recorded in the rainy season. QMRA on the other hand indicated significant differences in the diseases burden arising from the various sources of water. A major part of the annual risk of infection originated from Shigella (9.89 X 10-1) was from the household and the least important contributor was E. coli at the main source. The majority of the water points had disease burden higher than the reference standard set by WHO of (10-6). The water quality map showed areas with good to excellent water quality for human consumption. During the rainy season, western parts like Balungu and Shia have marginal water quality, while eastern parts like Gbane Kejetia and Gbane Obuasi have marginal water quality. In the dry season, most eastern water points improve, while western Balungu has marginal water quality. The study identified areas with groundwater fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L, affecting the population relying on groundwater for daily needs. The north-western (Shia) part of the district was at high risk, with fluoride levels above WHO reference standards during both survey seasons. A total of 438 children between the ages of 0-15 years were at risk as a results of Fluoride exposure during the dry season while 516 children were at risk during the rainy season. An estimated of 1950 people were potentially exposed during the dry season and 2012 during the rainy season.
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    Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Effect of Peer Support Intervention on Adherence to Anti Retroviral Therapy Among HIV-Positive Youths in Two Districts in the Ashanti Region, Ghana.
    (University of Ghana, 2025) Boadu, I.
    Background: Adherence to treatment in chronic diseases is a major challenge, particularly in HIV treatment and management, because Anti-Retrovirals (ARVs) are needed over a lifetime. Non-adherence to treatment is especially common among youth (15-24 years) living with HIV, with global and national evidence consistently showing lower adherence rates. Suboptimal adherence rates limit treatment effectiveness, increase the risk of disease transmission, increase morbidity and mortality, and undermine global HIV control efforts. There is limited evidence on strategies to improve adherence to ARV use among young people. This study assessed the effect of a peer support intervention on adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among young people living with HIV in Ghana. Method: A quasi-experimental study involving a control and intervention arm was conducted among 228 youths aged 15-24 years diagnosed with HIV. Study participants were recruited from Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) clinics from two district hospitals in the Ashanti region, Ghana. With the support of clinic staff, HIV-positive peers were trained to deliver the study intervention. Participants from the intervention group received treatment support from their trained peers including a monthly home visit, daily Short Message Service (SMS) reminders on taking their medication, phone call reminders for scheduled clinic appointments, and monthly support group meetings in addition to HIV standard of care. The control group received the standard of care from the ART clinic as per the Ghana Health Service guidelines for the treatment and management of HIV. The primary outcome of the study, adherence, was measured using the Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) and complemented by the pill count method at enrolment and six (6) months after the intervention. In addition, data on participant’s demographic and clinical characteristics, depressive state, stigma, disclosure, and viral load (from medical records) were obtained. Focus group discussions were conducted to explore the experience of participants on their involvement in the intervention. Results: At pre-intervention, there was no significant difference in adherence levels (71.9% vs.70.2% by MMAS-8, 62.3% vs. 64.9% by pill count), depression state (31.6 % vs. 29.0%), internal stigma score (12.61 vs. 13.04), HIV disclosure (43.0% vs. 41.2%), and viral suppression (64.7% vs. 62.2%) between the intervention and control groups respectively. A difference-in-differences analysis showed that at post-intervention, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in ART adherence [change in MMAS-8: 19.1% (95% CI: 2.8, 35.4), change in Pill count: 30.2% (95% CI: 13.0, 47.4)]. Prevalence of depression state decreased significantly in the intervention group (-26.1%, 95% CI: -42.6, -9.6), while internal stigma also showed a significant reduction of 2.61 (95% CI: -3.85, -1.35) percentage points. HIV disclosure and viral suppression improved slightly among the intervention group but were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: The peer support intervention was effective in improving adherence to ART, reduced depression and internal stigma among youths living with HIV. However, the intervention had no significant effect on HIV disclosure or viral suppression. These findings suggest that peer support intervention can be a valuable approach for enhancing ART adherence and addressing psychosocial challenges, such as depression and stigma among youths living with HIV. Additional strategies such as sustained adherence monitoring, prolonged intervention duration, and/or more frequent counselling may be required to achieve viral suppression and promote disclosure behaviours.
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    Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    The White Wedding in Ghana: Wedding Professionals in Perspective
    (University of Ghana, 2018) Kyei-Sakyi, P.
    Marriage studies offer considerable insight into understanding African societies. Several scholars have written on the traditional marriage ceremonies of the various African societies. However, this scholarly interest in marriage has not been reflected in the contemporary marriage ceremony popularly known as the “white wedding”. In this work, I posit that there is a depth of knowledge to be got from focusing academic attention on the white weddings, and particularly on the wedding professionals whose festal services are highly sought after in today’s society. I focus on their works and the functions they perform in the marriage process, analyse their general activities vis-à-vis the concepts of westernisation, modernisation, globalisation and glocalisation, and also look for nuanced gender issues. Through a series of cyberethnographic study and content analysis of other media documents, participant observation and interviews, I gather data and do a thematic analysis under blurring gender lines (particularly with regard to relationships, men and women’s works and exploring sexualities), functions of wedding professionals, adapting the global in the local- exchanging culture and showing social presence, and the future of weddings and further implications. I find that there are visible shifts in socio-cultural expectations of the services rendered towards the success of today’s marriage ceremonies, and the changes are a continuous process that need further research data to understand contemporary Ghana vis-a-vis the institution of marriage.