Browsing by Author "Asare-Nuamah, P."
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Item Determinants of COVID-19 Response Strategies in Selected African Countries(SAGE, 2021) Asare-Nuamah, P.; Dick-Sagoe, C.; Sakah, B.N.; Muze, H.; Asamoah, J.O.; Kessie, K.O.Using protection motivation theory as the theoretical framework, this study investigates the factors that motivate COVID-19 response in Ghana, Cameroon, Lesotho and Uganda. Through simple random and snowball sampling techniques, 651 participants were selected. The study collected data with the aid of a survey questionnaire, which was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results show high perceived COVID-19 threats among the respondents. Consequently, response strategies, such as wearing of nose mask, hand sanitizer application and social distancing, which are perceived to be effective, have been adopted. It is evident that respondents’ demographics influence their COVID-19 threats and coping strategies. Nevertheless, the severity of COVID-19 impacts (p = .00), efficacy of response strategies (p = .00) and access to COVID-19 information (p = .02) were the significant predictors of COVID-19 response, even though the efficacy of COVID-19 response strategies (beta = .55) emerged as the best predictor. It is imperative for African governments to prioritize COVID-19 education to control the spread of the pandemic and minimize its impact.Item Do farmer-actor interactions in the agricultural innovation system drive technological innovation adoption in Ghana?(African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2022) Onumah, J.A.; Asante, F.A.; Osei, R.D.; Asare-Nuamah, P.The low level of technological innovation adoption among farmers has been a development concern. However, not much attention has been paid to how agricultural innovation system actors contribute to the adoption of technological innovations among farmers. This paper, therefore, analyzed the factors that drive the adoption of technological innovations using the agricultural innovation system concept. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach where qualitative data from focus group discussions was used to triangulate findings obtained from the quantitative data analyzed. A two-period panel data set of 3486 observations of randomly sampled agricultural households across Ghana was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the multinomial logit regression model. Findings showed that farmers with strong ties in the innovation system had a higher probability of adopting multiple sets of innovations, compared to those with weaker linkages. Platforms that encourage actor interactions, such as innovation platforms, should be strengthened to increase the innovative performance of smallholder farmers. This study is one of the few that has quantified the effect the agricultural innovation system has on the adoption of innovations and hence makes a positive contribution to the budding literature regarding the importance of unpacking actor interactions whilst considering a holistic inquiry of the agricultural innovation system.Item Farmers’ maladaptation(Environmental Development, 2021) Asare-Nuamah, P.; Dick-Sagoe, C.; Ayivor, R.Adaptation has become crucial in developing economies due to climate change impact, especially on agriculture, which is the backbone of many economies and the main source of livelihoods and food security. Some adaptation strategies applied in the context of developing countries, however, produce maladaptive outcomes, which are usually ignored in the planning phase of adaptation policies and programmes. This mixed methods study therefore explores adaptation strategies and the associated maladaptation outcomes of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. The study administered questionnaire survey to 378 farmers and 41 key informants were interviewed. The major adaptation strategies of farmers included crop and livelihood diversification, agrochemicals application, and reduction in the number and size of meals. However, farmers’ adaptation strategies result in maladaptation outcomes through the release of greenhouse gases, environmental degradation, and contamination of water bodies as well as resource conflicts and increasing pressure on lands, among others, which affect their capacity to respond to future climate change. Adaptation policy makers and development practitioners should prioritize the minimization of maladaptation outcomes through intensive review and modification of programmes prior to their implementation and extensive education on best practices among smallholder farmers.Item Helping the Helpless: Contribution of Rural Extension Services to Smallholder Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptive Capacity and Adaptation in Rural Ghana(International Journal of Rural Management, 2019-11-15) Onumah, J.A.; Botchway, E.; Asare-Nuamah, P.While there is no doubt that extension services play an active role in promoting smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity and adaptation to climate change, there is a dearth of information and research on how this institution champions climate change adaptation in rural farming communities in Ghana. This study employed a qualitative case study design and interviewed 15 extension officers and 26 smallholder farmers to understand how extension services enhance smallholder farmers’ climate change adaptive capacity and adaptation in the rural Adansi North District in Ghana. The findings indicate that extension services adopt multiple strategies to build the adaptive capacity of farmers to climate change. Through the transfer of skills and knowledge, technology and innovations, supply of inputs, technical advice and liaison role with existing local institutions, farmers are able to adapt to climate change. The study further revealed that extension services are hindered by geographical, sociocultural and economic challenges which affect their alignment and fitness to effectively assist smallholder farmers. The study recommends strengthening the capacity of the extension institution. Moreover,more experts must be trained to provide special, targeted and important services to smallholder farmers in respect of climate change sensitization and adaptation