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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- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Global Perspectives on Obesity and the Burden of Health Risks on Women: The Perspectives of Health Workers in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2024) Amuzu, P. S.Obesity has emerged as a critical global health challenge, increasingly affecting populations in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of health workers in Ghana on the rising burden of obesity and its associated health risks for women. Drawing on the Constructivist theoretical framework, the study investigates three key areas: the capacity of health workers to accurately diagnose and manage obesity among women; the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental determinants of obesity; and the systemic challenges Ghana faces in addressing obesity-related health concerns. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with sixteen healthcare professionals across diverse public and private institutions in urban Ghana. Thematic analysis revealed eight major themes, including diagnostic limitations due to overreliance on BMI, inadequate interdisciplinary training, cultural norms valorizing larger body sizes, economic barriers to care, and environmental factors such as urbanization and limited recreational infrastructure. The findings also highlighted systemic constraints such as the lack of national obesity guidelines, fragmented care pathways, and limited follow-up mechanisms. Despite these challenges, participants identified opportunities for intervention through culturally sensitive education, improved insurance coverage, and community based prevention programs. The study concludes that obesity among women in Ghana is shaped by a confluence of clinical, socio-cultural, economic, and structural factors, and recommends integrated, context-specific, and gender-responsive policy responses. This research contributes to the global discourse on obesity by centering the voices of frontline healthcare providers and offering practical insights for enhancing women’s health equity in Ghana.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Ecowas and the Challenge of Regional Integration: An Examination of Member States Contestation and Institutional Factors(University of Ghana, 2024) Atsutse, A. R.One of the most laudable initiatives undertaken by the pioneers of integration in West Africa was the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Notwithstanding its initial focus on economic integration, the ECOWAS has undergone a significant transformation in its mandate, expanding from an economic organization to include issues of security and governance. After 49 years of largely maintaining stability in the sub region and upholding its principles despite challenges, three of its founding members—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—announced their unilateral decision to leave the sub-regional body. The study employed Neo-Functionalism as a theoretical framework to examine the root causes of member state contestation within the ECOWAS and its implications for the organization's effectiveness as a unifying body in West Africa. A qualitative methodological approach was adopted, utilizing semi-structured interviews with experts and academics, alongside an analysis of the ECOWAS protocols, policy documents, reports, and books. The findings reveal that bad governance, frustration with the ECOWAS's inconsistent approach to governance, inconsistent application of its protocols, neo-colonial influence, and a lack of pragmatism in addressing regional insecurity as a result of institutional challenges such as insufficient funding, lack of skilled personnel for complex operations, poor coordination, logistical inefficiencies among member states, are key factors contributing to member state contestation. The withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso presents considerable challenges to West Africa's regional integration efforts, particularly in areas such as security, trade, governance, economic development, and has the potential of weakening the ECOWAS’s collective influence and solidarity on the international stage. The absence of the ECOWAS oversight in the Sahel risks exacerbating instability, with potential spill over effects undermining security in coastal states and emboldening extremist groups. The study recommends investing in preventive diplomacy and mediation to address political crises, strengthening the ECOWAS's institutional capacity and national governance to uphold democratic norms, diversifying funding sources for sustainability, promoting grassroots mobilization for regional integration, and fostering dialogue and research to enhance policymaking and regional cooperation.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , The Role of the International Monetary Fund in Facilitating Neo-Colonialists and Neo-Imperialists Dynamics: An Analysis of Policy Impacts in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2024) Andoh, S. A.This dissertation critically examines the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in facilitating neo-colonialist and neo-imperialist dynamics in Ghana, focusing on the socio economic and political impacts of its interventions during the country’s 4th Republic (1993 present). Using Dependency Theory and Neo-Colonialism Theory as theoretical frameworks, the study explores how IMF policies align with the interests of powerful global actors while constraining Ghana’s developmental autonomy. The research employs a qualitative methodology, integrating semi-structured interviews conducted amongst eight participants with secondary data analysis to assess the economic, social, and governance implications of IMF programs. The findings reveal that IMF interventions often prioritize macroeconomic stabilization at the expense of long-term developmental goals, perpetuating dependency through fiscal consolidation, privatization, and austerity measures. These policies disproportionately burden vulnerable populations, exacerbate inequality, and undermine policy sovereignty, reinforcing neo-colonial structures of control. Furthermore, public sentiment reflects widespread skepticism about the IMF’s developmental role, with stakeholders advocating for alternative frameworks rooted in Pan Africanism to promote self-reliance and regional integration. The dissertation concludes that while IMF programs have achieved short-term economic stabilization, their socio-economic costs and governance constraints necessitate more inclusive and context-sensitive policy approaches. Recommendations emphasize the need for reforms within the IMF and the pursuit of African-driven solutions to foster sustainable development and economic independence.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Climate-Induced Displacement and It Simplications on Human Security: A Case Study of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2024) Frimpong, O. D.Climate change through extreme weather events such as flooding, drought, and sea-level rise, increasingly drove displacement globally. In Ghana, such displacement presented severe challenges to economic stability, health, and social cohesion within affected communities. This study aimed to explore the drivers, socio-economic impacts, and policy responses to climate induced displacement in Ghana, with a focus on its implications for human security. A mixed methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative surveys of displaced households and qualitative interviews with government officials, community leaders, and NGO representatives. Quantitative data were analysed through descriptive and Chi-square analysis using SPSS version 27, while qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis. Findings indicated that flooding, drought, and coastal erosion were the primary drivers of displacement in Ghana. Displacement led to substantial socio-economic challenges, including loss of income, unstable housing, and limited access to healthcare, education, and sanitation. Coping strategies were mostly informal, with many individuals migrating to urban centres or relying on community networks, which offered only temporary relief. Policy responses were viewed as fragmented and insufficient, with limited awareness of support programs and perceived inadequacy in providing long-term recovery assistance. Climate-induced displacement in Ghana adversely affected human security, highlighting a critical need for integrated policy frameworks addressing both immediate and long-term needs. Enhanced coordination between government and NGOs, alongside sustained financial support, was deemed essential to effectively support displaced populations and build resilience against future climate threats. The study underscored the necessity for structured policy interventions, community-based adaptation measures, and improved public awareness to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity among displaced communities in Ghana.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , The Us-China Competition and Its Economic and Political Implications on Africa.(University of Ghana, 2024) Berewono, B.This study examines the economic and political implications of the US-China competition on Africa, focusing on its economic and political impact, challenges, opportunities, and the continent's potential strategies for navigating this global power struggle. Guided by the hegemonic stability theory, the research employs qualitative methods, including interviews with policymakers, scholars, and diplomats, as well as an analysis of secondary data. Findings reveal that Africa occupies a strategic position in the US-China rivalry, with significant implications for its trade, governance, and development trajectories. Economically, China has emerged as Africa's largest trading partner, facilitating infrastructure development and industrial growth. However, this has resulted in trade imbalances and rising debt levels. Politically, the competition has revived Cold War-style bloc politics, with African leaders largely advocating neutrality to maintain flexibility and avoid alienation. The rivalry presents opportunities for Africa, including increased investments, trade partnerships, and strategic leverage; however, it also poses challenges such as coercive diplomacy, resource dependency, and risks to sovereignty. To mitigate the adverse effects, the study recommends strengthening regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), diversifying partnerships, promoting governance reforms, and fostering economic resilience by reducing raw material dependency. The research underscores Africa’s agency in shaping its developmental trajectory amidst the intensifying US-China competition, advocating for pragmatic strategies to harness opportunities while safeguarding its autonomy.