Browsing by Author "Ahenkan, A."

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Achieving sustainable development in Africa: Progress, challenges and prospects,
(2014) Ahenkan, A.; Osei-Kojo, A.
This study analyses the achievement of sustainable development in Africa using the qualitative paradigm. Using secondary data, the study results are taken to suggest mixed indicators for the progress of Sustainable Development in Africa. It argues that whereas most African countries have significantly made progress, over the past decade, in building strong economies, strengthening democratic institutions, improving agriculture and reducing poverty, pressing challenges such as climate change, population growth, and inadequate employment opportunities continue to undermine efforts towards sustainable development. The study recommends that African governments must deepen their commitment to designing and implementing innovative policies to create jobs, tackle climate change and improve agriculture.
Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystem Services and Livelihoods in Ghana: Case Study of Communities around Sui Forest Reserve
(2012) Boon, E.,; Ahenkan, A.
The link between climate change, ecosystem services and livelihood in developing countries has been well established. Tropical forest ecosystems are particularly of great importance to the livelihood of millions of people. Recent decades of escalating climate change impacts on ecological systems and livelihoods worldwide and the vulnerability of forest dependent communities raise concerns about the consequences of ecosystem changes for human well-being. Applying the human ecological approach, this paper examines climate change impacts on ecosystem services and livelihoods of the communities around the Sui River Forest Reserve (SRFR) in the Sefwi Wiawso District in the Western Region of Ghana, the main drivers of the change, the vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies being used by the communities. The results of the study indicate that climate change impacts are decreasing the capability of the SRFR ecosystem to provide essential services to the communities. The principal livelihood sources affected by the climate change impacts are agriculture, forest resources and water resources. To minimize the impacts of climate change, the communities around the reserve have adopted various adaptation and coping strategies to improve agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and water resources management. The paper also suggests strategies that will enable policy-makers to effectively improve ecosystem services and climate change mitigation and adaptation in Ghana.
Assessing the Impact of Forest Policies and Strategies on Promoting the Development of Non-Timber Forest Products in Ghana
(2010) Ahenkan, A.; Boon, E.
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) farming is emerging globally as an important tool for establishing sustainable forest communities and supporting forest-based livelihoods. NTFPs are of great importance to millions of people whose livelihoods largely depend on them. Increasingly, forest policies of many countries are being revised to reflect the potential of NTFPs in achieving rural development and poverty alleviation. In Ghana, various forest policies have been formulated and implemented for developing a national forest estate and timber industry. However, most of the forest policies have failed to address the role of NTFPs in achieving poverty reduction in the country. Forest policies continue to remain a major hurdle to the growth and development of NTFP in Ghana.Through an exhaustive literature review, interviews conducted on various forest development stakeholders, forestry experts and forest dependent communities, this paper uses sustainability frameworks to critically evaluate Ghana’s forestry policies and their impacts on NTFPs utilisation and management in Ghana. The 1994 Forest and Wildlife Policy (FWP-94) and its implementation process from 1995 to 2008 were analyzed with regard to the development of NTFPs and a number of challenges facing this sub-sector identified. The results revealed that the lack of definite policy on NTFPs has impacted negatively on their promotion and development in the country. Until recently, most of the policy initiatives were aimed at forest conservation and timber production; the livelihood opportunities of NTFPs for local communities were ignored. The paper also urges government of Ghana to effectively place development and promotion of NTFPs farming as core element of the country’s forestry policy-making process and national development agenda.
Assessment of the Sustainable Livelihoods of Rural Cocoa Farmers in the Atwima Mponua District of Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Victor, P.; Kyerematen, R.; Ahenkan, A.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Department of Geography and Sustainable development
Livelihoods are the ways in which people satisfy their needs, or gain a living. In Ghana, cocoa production supports the livelihoods of more than 800,000 smallholder households and many others who depend on it for a significant share of their income. The primary objective of the study was to assess the sustainable livelihoods of rural cocoa farmers in the Atwima Mponua district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Mixed method approach was used and one hundred and fifty (150) cocoa farmers were sampled in three communities in the district. The results revealed that cocoa farmers perceived change in climate as reduced rainfall, increased temperature, change in rainfall patterns and weather extremes. The study revealed that cocoa output (kg) and yield (kg/acre) had increased over the 5 seasons. Analysis showed that climatic variables (rainfall and temperature) have had no influence on cocoa production and yield over the 5 seasons. Socioeconomic factors (such as experience, labour, land size, etc) influenced cocoa output (kg) and yield (kg/acre). Socioeconomic factors (such as sex, age, household head, etc) influenced diversification from crop farming by cocoa farmers. Cocoa farmers cultivated other crops alongside cocoa. Cocoa farmers get income from farm, off farm and non-farm activities and remittances received. Income was unequally distributed among cocoa farmers in the district. The study recommended that government and other stakeholders should help subsidize inputs prices and increase price of cocoa to enhance productivity, livelihoods of cocoa farmers and development of the country.
Collective learning and COVID-19 mitigation in Ghana
(Review of Policy Research, 2021) Osei-Kojo, A.; Ahenkan, A.; Kenney, P.L.; Damoah, C.M.
COVID-19 has created significant uncertainty and disruption among governments and people acrossthe globe. Policy studies present various theoretical frameworks that allow scholars and practitioners to make sense of these developments in a structured and systematic fashion. In this paper, we combined the collective learning framework with documentary data and process tracing analysis to describe, first, the features of the COVID-19 collective learning setting in Ghana. Next, we explored the linkages among learning processes, learning products, and COVID-19 mitigation. We found that diverse policy actors operated at distinct levels of government and performed different functions in managing the pandemic. Furthermore, we confirmed all three phases of learning (acquisition, translation, and dissemination) in Ghana's context. Lastly, policies such as public grooming management, mandatory mask-wearing, partial lockdown, and fiscal and tax reliefs enabled the government to mitigate the pandemic's impact on people. We conclude by highlighting the implications of these findings for policy learning scholarship
Commercialization of Non-timber Forest Products in Ghana: Processing, Packaging and Marketing
(2010) Ahenkan, A.; Boon, E.
The collection and marketing of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Ghana are being promoted as a potential solution to the current high rates of malnutrition, the poor health of the rural population and the spread and intensification of poverty. Accomplishing these goals requires an understanding of how NTFPs are extracted, processed and marketed in rural areas. It is an important means for economic growth and sustainable forest management in local communities. Despite the potential of NTFPs in poverty reduction and livelihoods improvement in rural areas in Ghana, little is known about their collection, procession, packaging and labeling. This paper examines the supply chain and commercialization of NTFPs in rural settings in Ghana and their potential to contribute to poverty reduction, food security and livelihoods improvement. The study uses an exploratory and qualitative research methodology, including an extensive literature review, consultations with key informants, administration of questionnaires, interviews and stakeholder consultations. The results of the study indicated that NTFPs contribute significantly to the food security, poverty reduction and livelihoods development in Ghana. The marketing of these products, however, faces a number of critical processing, labeling and marketing challenges. The NTFPs marketing often occurs in an informal way, resulting in uncertainty about prices and yields. Marketing is basically done individually; it is unorganized, dispersed and farmers lack the necessary marketing skills and information required for optimal performance. Promoting the development and commercialization of these products on a permanent basis will enormously help to create more sustainable employment and income-generation opportunities, enhance food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers, their families and communities. The paper also identifies and analyses a number of critical factors that hinder the commercialization of NTFPs in Ghana and recommends strategies for redressing them.
Community participation in enterprise development programmes for poverty reduction and sustainable development in Ghana
(Community Development, 2023) Nordjo, E.; Ahenkan, A.; Boadu, E.S.
To trickle down poverty in rural areas, development partners and national governments have instituted enterprise development programs which call for the establishment of some participatory frameworks to enable rural entrepreneurs determine for themselves the exact Business Development Service (BDS) they desire to bring about economic improvement and social change. In ensuring that the concept of participation is not merely a wish list, the article modified Choguill’s ladder of community participation as a de facto lens to examine whether “participation” really exists in these programmes by drawing on evidence from the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) in Ghana. Using qualitative, in-depth interviews grounded in a single case study design (REP), the study observed that despite the existence of structures that appear to involve entrepreneurs at all stages of the decision-making process, beneficiaries think otherwise. Notwithstanding, some context and power-induced factors were identified to have accounted for these discrepancies.
The Dynamic Relationship Between Economic Globalisation, Institutional Quality, And Ecological Footprint: Evidence From Ghana
(The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 2022) Amegavi, G.B.; Ahenkan, A.; Buabeng, T.; Langnel, Z.
Research on the relationship between globalisation and the environment tends to focus on on the direct effect of globalisation, rarely considering the role of institutions. This paper introduces insights from political economy, which suggests that environmental sustainability models would be greatly improved if institutions are considered. We tested this hypothesis by estimating the relationship between economic globalisation, bureaucratic quality, and ecological footprint in Ghana for the period 1984–2016. The long-run analysis is based on the autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bound testing approach to cointegration. The result supports the hypothesis that expansion in economic globalization has a reducing effect on environmental quality. Bureaucratic quality appears to exert a significant positive effect on ecological footprint. Furthermore, the estimation shows that the quality of institutions is critical for environmental quality. Based on the results, the paper presents some policy recommendations.
An e-government framework for assessing readiness for public sector e-procurement in a lower-middle income country
(Information Technology for Development, 2020-05-24) Adjei-Bamfo, P.; Domfeh, K.A.; Bawole, J.N.; Ahenkan, A.; Maloreh-Nyamekye, T.; Adjei-Bamfo, S.; Darkwah, S.A.
Governments globally are leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) growth towards improving the quality of public procurement services for socio-economic development. However, the extent of its application differs across nations. Notwithstanding the extant theoretical and empirical literature on IT for development, knowledge on how to assess readiness for adopting a full e-procurement system in the public sector of lower and lower-middle income countries (LMICs) begs for understanding. With the narrative of Ghana, we address this gap by drawing on the institutional and economic theory and the United Nations E-Government Development Index towards a holistic framework beyond the dyad of linear website functionalities and internet focus of prior e-government adoption models. Elite interviews gathered from multiple cases from Ghana’s public sector reveals the key readiness determinants for a full public sector e-procurement system. This study has significant implications for shaping the process-oriented management of government e-procurement projects towards socio-economic development in LMICs amid their complex institutional and socio-technical environments.
External stakeholders in the governance of slums in Ghana
(Social Responsibility Journal, 2023) Agyabeng, A.N.; Bawole, J.N.; Ahenkan, A.; Mensah, J.K.; Preko, A.
Purpose – In the space of slums are many stakeholders; the extent to which their assistance contributes to slum administration is sparsely studied. The study aims to examine how external stakeholders contribute to slum administration within the Ghanaian context. Design/methodology/approach – Using the stakeholder theory, the study used an exploratory qualitative design based on face-to-face, in-depth interviews among 21 respondents. Participants were purposively selected from stakeholder organisations and slum residents based on the stake in slums governance in Ghana. Findings – The results indicate that stakeholders have contributed towards slums livelihoods in the general areas of housing, trading, skill development and capacity building. It shows that stakeholders’ contributions tend to enhance slums’ living conditions and affect local assemblies positively. The study finds that slum dwellers categorise stakeholders’ contributions as short-term relief and long-term solutions. Additionally, it emerged that in the areas of policy design, implementation and policy feedback, external stakeholders have supported the government in that regard. Research limitations/implications – The conclusion drawn from the study is limited to the four communities and the stakeholder organisations. However, communities with similar characteristics globally might benefit from the findings. Practical implications – The study uncovers a context-specific role and assistance of external stakeholders in the domain of slums. This provides a guide to the government regarding key areas of stakeholder collaboration towards slum governance in the Ghanaian context. Theoretically, this study has contributed to new knowledge about stakeholders’ contribution to the overall governance of slums. Originality/value – The study expands the frontiers of knowledge in the field of slum administration by focusing on external stakeholders. This study departs from previous studies, which have examined, in broader perspectives, stakeholders’ roles within the space of slums.
External stakeholders in the governance of slums in Ghana
(Social Responsibility Journal, 2023) Agyabeng, A.N.; Bawole, J.N.; Ahenkan, A.; Mensah, J.K.; Preko, A.
Purpose – In the space of slums are many stakeholders; the extent to which their assistance contributes to slum administration is sparsely studied. The study aims to examine how external stakeholders contribute to slum administration within the Ghanaian context. Design/methodology/approach – Using the stakeholder theory, the study used an exploratory qualitative design based on face-to-face, in-depth interviews among 21 respondents. Participants were purposively selected from stakeholder organisations and slum residents based on the stake in slums governance in Ghana. Findings – The results indicate that stakeholders have contributed towards slums livelihoods in the general areas of housing, trading, skill development and capacity building. It shows that stakeholders’ contributions tend to enhance slums’ living conditions and affect local assemblies positively. The study finds that slum dwellers categorise stakeholders’ contributions as short-term relief and long-term solutions. Additionally, it emerged that in the areas of policy design, implementation and policy feedback, external stakeholders have supported the government in that regard. Research limitations/implications – The conclusion drawn from the study is limited to the four communities and the stakeholder organisations. However, communities with similar characteristics globally might benefit from the findings. Practical implications – The study uncovers a context-specific role and assistance of external stakeholders in the domain of slums. This provides a guide to the government regarding key areas of stakeholder collaboration towards slum governance in the Ghanaian context. Theoretically, this study has contributed to new knowledge about stakeholders’ contribution to the overall governance of slums. Originality/value – The study expands the frontiers of knowledge in the field of slum administration by focusing on external stakeholders. This study departs from previous studies, which have examined, in broader perspectives, stakeholders’ roles within the space of slums.
Health Literacy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) Among University of Ghana Female Students
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Abroso, A.; Ahenkan, A.
The motivation to study the influences of health literacy and sexually transmitted infections emanates from the fact that there is a high rate of infection of STIs and an associated death toll globally. The study, a cross-sectional design, in the University of Ghana employed quantitative methods using a survey approach to sample views from female students from various academic levels and across the humanities and Science disciplines. The study found that female students had appreciable knowledge in the causes and prevention of STIs but exhibited less knowledge on symptoms and type of STIs. Abstinence was noted as the commonest mode of prevention and only 2.3% of female students have had an STI before, reflecting prevalence rates in the Africa region. Ninety percent of female students showed Adequate functional health literacy. There was no significant variation, however, of health literacy level with respect to educational level, suggesting a lack of variation in the academic level of students. Correlational analysis showed a weak association between Health literacy and attitudes towards STI but suggested that high literacy level led to a healthy attitude toward STI and sexual health. Other results are that students used different treatment avenues such as hospitals, clinics and herbalists to treat STIs. A recommendation is to develop knowledge about STIs among the female students by raising awareness and building capacity of the students. Further research should sample participants from very distinct educational strata and factor in culture to determine the role it plays in attitudes towards STIs given education and health literacy levels.
The impacts of dams on local livelihoods: a study of the Bui Hydroelectric Project in Ghana
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Obour, P.B.; Owusu, K.; Agyeman, E.A.; Ahenkan, A.; Madrid, A.N.
The construction of the Bui Dam was expected to boost socio-economic development in Ghana. This article examines the impacts of the project on the livelihoods of the local people. Data were collected using a mixed-research approach and a case-study design. The study finds that, while there have been significant improvements with respect to resettlement and compensation issues as compared to the earlier dam projects in Ghana, there are still some shortfalls. It is recommended that agriculture be improved by providing extension services and inputs to improve food security and the economic status of the local people.
The Influence of Climate Variability and Change on the Attainment of Energy Security in Ghana: A Study of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Power Project
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Boadi, S.A.; Ahenkan, A.; Owusu,K.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Department of Geography and Resource Development
ABSTRACT The impacts of climate variability and change including the influence of ENSO are real and affect several productive economic sectors such as agriculture, water, forest resources and energy. Energy is a very important sector for achieving sustainable development. Ghana has continuously relied heavily on Akosombo and Kpong hydropower stations to supply electricity for household and industrial use. Historical records have shown that variability and change in rainfall including the influence of ENSO has affected lake water levels and consequently the amount of power generated by these hydropower projects. This led to power crises and periodic blackouts in 1984, 1998, 2003, and 2007. The current power crisis has been ongoing for the past three years. This study therefore sought to assess the likely effect climate variability and change will have on Ghana’s energy security since many projections for the country point to a warmer dry future. This study used regression analysis, F-test and t-test to analyze the influence of rainfall, ENSO, lake level elevation and net lake inflow on power generation at the Akosombo Hydroelectric power station from 1970 to 2010. The study found that ENSO explained 19.5% of the variability in rainfall inputs into the lower Volta Basin where Ghana’s hydropower projects are found. Rainfall variability accounted for 21.2% of the year to year fluctuations in power generation from the Akosombo Hydroelectric power station between 1970 and 1991. Additionally, ENSO and lake water level accounted for 72.4% of the interannual fluctuations in power output between 1991 and 2010. The occurrence of an El Niño episode was found to reduce Akosombo power output by 1169.64GWh per year. The study therefore concludes that the country should diversify its power needs away from hydropower in order to attain energy security for current and future generations.
Integrating Traditional and Orthodox Medicines in Healthcare Delivery in Ghana: A Study of Wenchi Municipality
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Opoku-Mensah, F.A.; Ahenkan, A.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities Business School Department of Public Administration and Health Service Management
Over the years, different societies combine traditional and orthodox medicines in different proportions in the treatment of ailments. While some societies have well developed combination of the two, others are not. This study examines the integration of traditional and orthodox medicines in WM. The purpose was to examine; the relationship between educational level and place of residence and medical systems use and as well the challenges of integrating traditional and orthodox medicines. Based on the objectives, two hypotheses were tested and one research question answered. A mixed approach based on a comparative design was used. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were adopted to select 104 participants with 6 of them being key informants for interviews and the rest answering questionnaires. An analysis of variance shows; the effect of education was significant on the use of medical systems but that of residential status was not. The challenges found to affect integration of TM and OM were multi-dimensional and range from legal-attitudinal-policy issues. Among other things, it is recommended that; traditional medicine and healthcare providers should be placed on the NHIS and more value added to the branding of traditional medicines. Besides, it is recommended that a research be conducted to examine; the effectiveness of existing national policies on integrating traditional and orthodox medicines, to look at how people use traditional medicine for self-treatment; specific herbs that are used to treat particular diseases and how the activities of traditional medicine practitioners help in the promotion of culture.
Local Economic Development in Ghana: From the “Lost Decade” to a Policy Maturing Stage.
(2017) Mensah, J.K.,; Bawole, J. N.,; Ahenkan, A.
Local economic development in Ghana: From the ‘lost decades’ to a policy ‘maturing’ stage
(Taylor & Francis, Informa UK Limited, 2017-04-28) Mensah, J.K.,; Nyigmah, B. J.,; Ahenkan, A.
Analysis and studies of local economic development (LED) tend to be under the rubric of case studies to the neglect of their historical context and the role of international development agencies. This article attempts to fill this gap by focusing on the experiences of Ghana. Adopting a systematic review of the policy documents and existing literature, it was found that, despite its significance, LED was not the priority of the governments of pre and post immediate independence era. In the fourth republic of Ghana, LED gained prominence in the various policy documents but this appears to be rhetoric and camouflage because they have not seen real implementation. However, international development agencies have played a significant role in initiating, funding and implementing specific LED activities in the various districts in Ghana. Overall, LED in Ghana has crawled from the ‘lost decades’ to a policy ‘maturing stage’.
Local Economic Development Initiatives in Ghana: The Challenges and the Way Forward
(2013) Mensah, J. K.,; Bawole, J. N.,; Ahenkan, A.
This case study presents and analyses Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives and challenges from two districts in Ghana. The study is a qualitative case study that uses individual interviews through purposive selection from officials who are directly involved in the formulation and implementation of district development initiatives. The study found that the district does not have a LED policy in place but have initiated and implemented a number of programmes that are pro-LED. These programmes are in the area of agriculture, human resource development, financing and infrastructure development. However, the implementation of these initiatives has encountered many challenges such as inadequate human resource, finance, absence of LED policy and improper collaboration among local level actors. The paper provides the way forward for the initiation and implementation of LED at the local level.
Local Government Financing of Climate Change in Ghana: Politics of Aid and Central Government Dependency Syndrome
(Journal of Asian and African Studies, 2018-12) Musah-Surugu, I.J.; Ahenkan, A.; Bawole, J.N.
Uncertainties about the amount of resources needed to combat climate change, dwindling local resources, limited local autonomy and limited expertise constrain local governments (LGs) in their response to the effects of climate change. As a result, financing climate change remains a major nightmare for LG actors across diverse nested territorial containers. It certainly requires the embracing of a multifaceted approach – the use of system thinking where local governments’ resource husbandry is optimised to support external aid and central government transfer. A multifaceted approach brings onboard blended resources, diverse stakeholders, diverse resource mobilisation skills and schemes, and accountability measures. Also, given projected increases in future climate-induced public expenditure, albeit with uncertainties, reliance on a single resource mobilisation approach will be a recipe for inefficiency. This article argues that developmental aid and central government’s transfer remains inadequate to meet the increasing demand for adaptation cost at the local level in Ghana. In the face of the unequivocal impact of climate change risk, we contend that local resource husbandry must be optimised through different innovations to complement other major sources of financing. Our contention resonates with the school of thought that argues local level resources are more resilient to politicisation, are stable, and are predictable compared to international aid and central government transfer. Through qualitative in-depth interviews, empirical data has been drawn from local governments in Ghana to justify our claims.
Localizing the Millennium Development Goals in Ghana - An Assessment of Goal 7 in the Ketu-South Municipality
(University of Ghana, 2013-05) Lawson, R.V.; Ahenkan, A.
The main objective of the study was to assess Ghana‘s progress towards localizing Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7 on improving access to water and improved sanitary facilities with the Ketu-South Municipality as a case study. Specifically, the study sought to identify the key measures put in place by the Government of Ghana to improve access to improved water and sanitary facilities in Ketu-South, assess the institutional challenges hindering the achievement of MDG7, assess the local and environmental factors hindering the achievement of MDG 7 in the Ketu-South Municipality and lastly, to recommend contextual solutions which will support the efforts being employed towards achieving Goal 7 in Ghana. The case study design was employed in the assessment of MDG 7, Target 7c using the Ketu-South Municipality, under the qualitative approach to Social Science Research. Purposive sampling was used to select the ten (10) in-depth interview respondents. The thirty-five (35) respondents who answered the semi-structured questionnaires were conveniently sampled. The findings of the study were presented using four themes, in line with the research objectives. The study found that although the Government had made strides regarding the improvement of access to improved water sources, not much had been done in the area of improving sanitary facilities. The principal conclusion of the study was that although the government had put in place various measures to improve the access to water and sanitation, a coordination of efforts and an increased stakeholder involvement is necessary to achieve sustainability. The recommendations are that the people of Ketu-South become empowered through increased community participation. There is the need for the assembly to explore and create avenues for economic well being. In addition to the enactment of policies, government should show leadership by providing clear guidelines for implementation of policies and programmes geared toward the achievement of goal 7 in Ketu-South. This will engender the accountability of all sector players.