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.

Communities in UGSpace

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 16
  • 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 ,
    Peer Learning and Technology Adoption in Cashew Nut Production: Evidence from APPEALS Cluster Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria.
    (Research on World Agricultural Economy, 2025-11-19) Sahibu, U.M.; Adejoh, S.O.; Adejo, P.E.; et al.
    In the context of increasing global demand for cashews and the need for sustainable agricultural innovation, this study examines how peer learning facilitates the adoption and diffusion of cashew production technologies among farmers within a World Bank‑supported Nigeria Agro Processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) project. A cluster sampling technique was used to select 180 cashew nut farmers. A questionnaire, direct interviews, records from focus group discussions, and iel trips were used to collect data. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and theTobit regression model. Results showed that there was active participation in the sharing and exchange of ideas, technologies, information, and innovations among farmersthroughone‑on‑onecontactwithfellowfarmers,technicaladvisory/extensionvisitsbytheAPPEALSteam, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and iel trips and demonstrations. Most of the technologies, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), ie terracing, nursery preparation techniques, and marketing, were at the interest, trial, and adoption stages, except for the soil sampling technique, which was at the awareness stage. Education, farming experience, marital status, and household size signi icanty in luence the probability of intensifying the adoption of cashew production technologies. It is recommended that efforts should be made to strengthen the adoption of technologies.
  • Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Exploring the Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (STEM) Leadership Positions: A Study in Ghana.
    (University of Ghana, 2024) Abrokwah, E.
    Globally, gender disparity in STEM is apparent despite the increasing attention and intervention to bridge the gap. The numerous studies available have not yet exhausted the entire scope of the subject matter. In Ghana, while several studies have investigated STEM and STEM-driven initiatives, there is still a paucity of research on women’s representation in STEM fields in general and STEM leadership in particular. This study therefore explores STEM educators and students’ perceptions and attitudes toward females’ involvement in STEM and STEM leadership positions in Ghana. Using an explorative qualitative approach, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select thirty (30) respondents from two public universities in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed thematically. The major themes that emerged from the study are: favorable perception and attitude toward females’ involvement in STEM, persistent personal and social factors or challenges, favorable evaluation of female leadership capacity and non-gendered view of leadership, and non-gendered preference and cordial relationship with female STEM leaders. The study concludes that the respondents have favorable perceptions and attitudes toward females’ involvement in STEM and STEM leadership positions. The study also highlights the fact that changing people’s perceptions and attitudes about females in STEM and STEM leadership is the key to building a sustainable intervention to bridge the gender gap. This can be done through increasing education and enlightenment on the relevance of female inclusion in STEM and STEM leadership positions.
  • Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Experiences of LGBTQ Community Members During Utilisation of Healthcare Services in Accra Metropoplis
    (University of Ghana, 2024) Womonia, A. A.
    Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals experience higher rates of mental health disorders and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and substance abuse compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of LGBTQ community members during utilisation of healthcare services in Accra Metropolis. The Andersen's health utilisation (AHU) model was used as an organising guide for this study. This qualitative study adopted an exploratory descriptive design. Fifteen (15) LGBTQ community members who met the inclusion criteria within the Accra Metropolis were purposively selected. Data was collected by means of face-to face and phone interviews using a pretested semi structured interview guide. The study adopted Braun and Clarks‘ reflexive thematic analysis approach in analysing the data. six (6) themes were generated and include the following; Patterns of healthcare utilisation among the LGBTQ community, Health challenges of the LGBTQ community, Facilitators of healthcare utilisation, Barriers to healthcare utilisation, life experiences of the LGBTQ community and recommendations for improved healthcare access. The study found STIs, and mental health issues to be of health concern and negative experiences including discriminations and services denial, while negative provider attitude and financial constraints present major barriers to healthcare. Considering the findings of the study, development of inclusive and non-discriminatory healthcare policies was recommended for implementation by the Ghana Health service to enhance healthcare access by this minority population in Ghana
  • Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Phytoplankton Community Structure, Species Diversity, and Environmental Interactions in the Anyanui Creek.
    (University of Ghana, 2024) Opoku, C.
    This study aimed to assess the structure and distribution of phytoplankton communities in the Anyanui Creek, focusing on species composition, diversity, and the relationships between environmental factors and phytoplankton populations. The Anyanui Creek was zoned into three Zones A (upstream), Zone B (midstream), and Zone C (downstream) based on salinity levels from a preliminary study. Phytoplankton samples were collected between April 2023 and March 2024. A total of 34 phytoplankton species were identified, which were dominated by diatoms, comprising 92.92% of the population. The most abundant species, Chaetoceros sp. (36.85%), thrives in silica-rich environments, facilitating bloom formation and affecting the ecosystem dynamics. The presence of bloom-forming species raises concerns regarding eutrophication risks, whereas toxin-producing species pose potential threats to ecological and human health. The diversity of phytoplankton was assessed using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′), with values ranging from 1.38 to 3.04, indicating low pollution levels. The high Pielou's evenness of species distribution (0.995-0.999) suggests a stable phytoplankton community structure across zones. Cluster analysis based on phytoplankton species compositions across the sampling zones isolated upstream, likely due to its higher salinity and absence of cyanobacteria, whereas midstream and downstream exhibited high similarity. Cluster analysis based on phytoplankton species compositions across the sampling period indicated seasonal influences, with March 2024 and April 2023 forming a distinct group due to variations in environmental conditions. Correlation analysis highlighted the relationship between the physicochemical parameters and species abundance. Salinity and dissolved oxygen were negatively correlated (r = -0.689, p < 0.01). Chaetoceros daniscus preferred oxygen-rich waters, whereas Nitzschia sp. preferred ammonium rich waters, low-oxygen conditions. This study provides insights into the factors shaping the phytoplankton community structure in the Anyanui Creek, which can inform future management and conservation strategies to preserve the creek’s ecological health.
  • Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,
    Effects of Tissue Heterogeneities on Dose Estimation in Brachytherapy.
    (University of Ghana, 2024) Kwarfo, G.
    This study investigated the impact of tissue heterogeneities on dose estimation during brachytherapy treatments. Variations in tissue densities can significantly influence dose distribution, potentially affecting treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. The research was conducted at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre (NRONMC) at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. A Perspex phantom was fabricated to replicate the human body, and materials such as NaOH, Frytol vegetable oil, Quartz Total (SAE15W-40) engine oil, and air were used to simulate various human tissues, including liver, muscle, adipose, and lungs (exhaled). The results revealed discrepancies between the dose calculated by the treatment planning system (TPS) and the measured dose, suggesting that the actual dose received by the tumor can be influenced by tissue heterogeneities. The percentage dose differences, which ranges from -34% to 2.10% in summary, highlighted the significant role of tissue density and positioning in shaping dose distribution during brachytherapy. While the study demonstrates the importance of accounting for tissue heterogeneities, the limited range of materials used to mimic human tissues represents a limitation, suggesting the need for further research with a broader variety of tissue-equivalent materials. These findings emphasize the necessity of incorporating tissue density variations into dose calculations for more accurate brachytherapy treatment planning.