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20TH and 21ST Century Literary Voices on Colonialism and Beyond: The Case of Adichie and Achebe
(University Of Ghana, 2019-07) Opare, P.D.
Colonialism and its aftermath remain a perennial theme of modern African literature. This theme has attracted a lot of comments from literary critics: there have been concerns that African literature has sacrificed art for politics, that it has remained imaginatively timid and dull. African literature of the 21st century is expected to have a new face, a new face it will have, perhaps, by putting behind her the dark past of colonialism, racism and marginalization so that she can be more imaginatively aggressive and expansive. Yet the theme of colonialism remains, sitting side by side with the new concerns that 21st century African writers address in their works. This thesis seeks to examine the perennial theme of colonialism in 20th and 21st century African literature. I examine the peculiar approaches that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie adopts in writing stories about colonialism and beyond, comparing her works to Chinua Achebe in a bid to identify where they converge and diverge in telling the African story. I also examine how the concepts of transnationalism, cosmopolitanism and interstitial postcoloniality impact the commitment a writer takes in telling stories of colonialism and beyond. The study argues finally that the bold new approaches that Adichie has adopted in telling postcolonial stories are as a result of the heritage of Achebe as a forerunner in African literature, and more importantly because of her expansion of her work through extra-territorialism and cross-cultural initiations (Bhabha, 1994.)
A Study Of Family Planning Practices Among The Muslims Of Ashaiman
(University Of Ghana, 2020) Sadiq, A.M
The state of poverty among Muslims in Ashaiman is very high. Yet, Muslims continue to produce children in large numbers relative to their earnings. This poverty situation has affected the quality of family life. Family planning practice by Muslim couples is also very low. It is for this reason that this research was organized to examine the situation. For this purpose, Muslim couples, Religious leaders and family planning officials in the Ashaiman Municipality were interviewed to collect data for this study. At the end of the research, it was discovered that men have the final say in matters concerning family planning practice. Women are not normally given the opportunity to contribute to discussions concerning the subject. This has led to some of them secretly accessing family planning services even without the knowledge and agreement of their spouses. Based on the findings outlined above, the researcher suggests that men’s superiority over women should be discouraged in order to open the opportunities for all to come together to make decisions regarding the peaceful co-existence and progress of the family. Husbands should not be the only ones to decide when to embark on family planning. It is prudent the engagement and involvement of relevant religious leaders in family planning are sought. All these stakeholders must be educated on the issue of family planning due to the erroneous conviction held by some Muslim men that Islam scowls and condemns the practice.
An Absorptive Capacity Perspective of Organizational Learning through Social Media: Evidence from the Ghanaian Fashion Industry
(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Owusu- Bempah, E.; Boateng, R.; Effah, J.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities Business School Department of Operations and Management Information Systems
Learning is key to the advancement of organizations. Organizations that learn have the tendency to adapt to change better than organizations which do not learn. Organizational learning can be facilitated by social media, which is a component of Web 2.0 technologies. Social media is composed of tools, applications and web applications, which have the potential of absorbing external knowledge. The Absorptive Capacity Theory was used as the theoretical lens for this study to help analyze how organizations absorb new knowledge using social media tools and applications; and the extent to which the usage of social media makes knowledge absorption possible in the Ghanaian fashion industry. The mixed method approach was used in this study, a survey of fashion designers and employees numbering 196 was carried out in 55 fashion firms whereas two fashion firms were used in a case study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Structural Equation Modeling. This study adds to the few existing studies in the field of Information Systems (IS) that have studied Organizational Learning and social media use. In terms of originality, it is the first study that has studied organizational learning through social media using the Absorptive Capacity Theory (ACT) as its theoretical lens. The findings from the study suggest that Ghanaian fashion designers do not intensively use social media to assimilate knowledge but rather to acquire, transform and exploit knowledge. The popular social media applications used by Ghanaian fashion designers include; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogger, YouTube, Printrest, Flickr, Google Plus, and Tumblr. Facebook for instance is used on a daily basis by most Ghanaian fashion designers. Fashion designers use social media to acquire, transform and exploit knowledge through research, interaction, communication, and marketing with suppliers, customers and other fashion designers. They are able to gather information on fashion trends, styles and customer preferences through these social media web applications. The study will further serve as a guide for future IS research on Organizational Learning (OL) and social media. This study discussed the use of social media for learning among organizations in the Ghanaian fashion industry. However, future research can extend this work by looking at Organizational Learning and social media use in a different industry.
An Academic in Politics: A Study of Emeritus Professor Albert Adu Boahen, 1932-2006
(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Ashong, T.
The mid-twentieth century undoubtedly marked a watershed in African history and historiography. One striking feature of the period was the emergence of a new crop of African historians who were poised to challenge the hegemony of Eurocentric scholarship. Kenneth O. Dike, a prominent Nigerian historian blazed the trail with his magnum opus Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta, 1830-1885. In Ghana, the trailblazer was Prof. Albert Adu Boahen who was a teacher, scholar and an astute politician. As a teacher, he taught and mentored students while researching and writing about the Ghanaian and African past. He was a staunch critic of military rule and always laid emphasis on constitutional governance, the freedom of speech, and freedom of the individual. In spite of his remarkable contribution to the country, existing literature has only had a cursory look at him. Thus, a specific scholarly study devoted to his life and career is yet to be written. This study therefore provides a scholarly biography of Prof. Albert Adu Boahen. The study maintains that Adu Boahen was not just a renowned historian who contributed to pioneering Ghanaian and African historiography; but was also instrumental in attempts to consolidate democratic culture in Ghana. This study makes use of archival evidence from the private archives of Adu Boahen and PRAAD in Accra. In addition, secondary sources including relevant books, dissertations, academic articles and photographs are interrogated. These sources are augmented with extensive interviews conducted with relatives, friends and colleagues of Adu Boahen. Overall, this study provides a scholarly biography of Adu Boahen in order to show his contributions to Ghanaian and African historiography, academic institutions and professional associations. In addition, the study shows Adu Boahen’s place in Ghana’s struggle for democracy and constitutional governance since the early years of independence.
Academic Stress, Academic Performance and the Psychological Well-Being of Senior High School Remedial Students in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
(University Of Ghana, 2015-07) Duncan-Williams, B.; Opare-Henaku, A.; NYARKO, K.; University Of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology
This study investigated the influence of academic stress and academic performance on the psychological well-being of Senior High School (SHS) remedial students ranging from 18 to 25 years. The moderating role of social support, africultural coping, gender and socio-economic status in the relationship between academic stress and psychological well-being were also investigated. The moderating role of academic self-efficacy, in the relationship between academic performance and psychological well-being was also investigated. Data was collected from One hundred and eighty-two (182) SHS remedial students from two remedial schools in Accra. Questionnaires administered were the Student-Life Stress Inventory (SLSI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS- 42), the Africultural Coping Systems Inventory (ACSI), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale. Results from the analysis using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient indicated a positive relationship between academic stress and psychological well-being (increasing scores on the DASS-42 indicates poorer psychological well-being). Similarly, Academic performance was not related to psychological well-being. Further analysis using, Hierarchical Multiple Regression analyses showed that social support, africultural coping, gender, and socio-economic status did not moderate the relationship between stress and psychological well-being. Lastly, an analysis using the independent t-test indicated gender differences in the psychological well-being of the students.
Acceptance of E-Government Strategies by Local Authorities in Ghana: A Case Study of Accra Metropolitan Assembly
(University of Ghana, 2017-06) Adu, E.P.
The study adopted the case study research design and the qualitative research approach of social research in examining the acceptance of the use of point of sale devices in revenue collection and electronic registration of marriage, at Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). In all, one-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-seven (27) participants. Interpretive analyses, as well as, secondary data from the literature review, were used to analyse the results of the study. The study found that at the AMA point of sale devices was mainly adopted to collect rates, whereas the online registration of marriage was used in the registration and the verification of ordinance marriage. It was also established that apart from perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, acceptance of these e-government strategies was influenced by social, cultural and political factors. Also, findings point to the fact that, between the two strategies, the usage of the point of sale devices is more accepted as compared to online registration of marriages. The acceptance of the usage of point of sale devices was attributed mainly to its perceived usefulness, which was also shaped by adequate training of target users. Most remarkable of factors accounting for the low acceptance of the marriage registration portal was the low level of perceived usefulness associated with it. The low level of perceived usefulness was shaped by socio-cultural issues like the norms of clients; corruption; the cost of e-government usage; and the lack of trust. The cost associated with e-government was not only identified as a challenge but also a negative factor in the acceptance of both e-government strategies. The study, therefore, recognised that to sustain e-government strategies at the AMA, there is the need for policymakers to use incentives to encourage citizens and public servants to accept e-government strategies. The study also established the necessity of training and awareness creation on egovernment strategies to boost acceptance by target users.
Access and Trends of Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services among Rural Women in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District in the Central Region of Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Ampong- Ansah, F.; Maloreh-Nyamekye, T; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Business School, Department of Public Administration and Health Service Management
The death of a mother as a result of maternal healthcare implications is a source of worry to all and sundry. The formation of MDGs in the year 2000 was very timing. It led to the introduction of various healthcare interventions globally with the aim of improving access to maternal healthcare utilization and subsequently reduce maternal mortality. This study, therefore identified the factors that influence utilization of Maternal healthcare services among rural women in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa whiles looking at the relationship between provision of both geographic and financial accessibility and its impact on the trend of utilization of ANC and DAHP after the introduction of such policies. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, data was collected from both primary and secondary sources and analysed using SPSS version 20. The cross sectional descriptive survey designed was used to draw inferences from responses of 267 study participants among rural women in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa. It was revealed that; the need characteristics of health seeking behaviours; evidence of sickness, perceived presence of sickness and experience of previous complications were the major factors for utilizing ANC and DAHP services by rural women in AOB. Again, age of a women, her level of education, employment or poverty level coupled with the number of previous births/children have various level of influence on her decision to utilize ANC services. Availability of Health Facility (HF) in a woman‟s‟ village, the distance covered to the nearest HF and possession of a Free Maternal Healthcare Policy (FMHCP) card had little significance on utilization but did not fully guarantee utilization. Religious and cultural dynamics and marital status on the other hand has no influence on utilization. Further efforts at expanding the healthcare coverage to all corners of the country, especially the rural areas, coupled with the proper maintenance or reconstruction of access roads and complete removal of all charges on all ANC and DAHP services and effective strategies to promote domiciliary midwifery by training more Community Health Nurses is very essential if indeed Ghana desires to reduce the operations of TBAs and subsequently meet the target of MDG 5 in 2020. Moreover extensive research work need to be conducted at various ecological levels and specific policy directions admonished to address specific contextual health needs rather than generalization which rather benefit the middle class and urban dwellers.
Access and Use of the Members of Parliament Share of the District Assemblies Common Fund in Selected Constituencies in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2018-12) Asante, O.
The question of how best developing countries must organize and allocate resources for effective decentralization and local governance has been one that scholars have been grappling with for decades. Several models have been proposed by scholars as a way of providing the most effective and judicious allocation of resources for local government. The focus of this study was to examine the issues of access and use of the Members of Parliament (MPs) share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) in selected constituencies in Ghana. The objectives of the study were to identify the amount selected MP's receive from the District Assembly Common Fund, identify challenges MP’s encounter when accessing the fund, examine the use of the MP’s share of the District Assembly Common Fund, and assess the developmental performance of MPs share of the DACF in the selected constituencies over the years. The study adopted the qualitative approach and made use of the case study design in gathering the requisite data for the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 16 respondents for the study and data was gathered through interviews. The data gathered from interviews was transcribed, analyzed and organized into categories, based on themes, concepts, or similar features in order to bring order, meaning and interpretation to the data gathered from the samples selected. The study found that the MPs receive quarterly disbursements averaging Ghc 50,000. This sums up to a total of Ghc 800,000 in the four years in office for each MP. The study also found that the MPs share of the fund is always in arrears and is not paid on time, and even when the funds are released there are delays in administrative processes to get the funds paid to the MPs. In addition, the study established from the MPs perspective that the fund is inadequate to undertake big development projects. The study found that the fund is generally used for minor projects such as payment of medical bills of vulnerable people, payment of school fees for needy pupils, supply of portable water through digging bore holes, supply of agro-chemicals, fertilizers, and farm implements at subsidized prices etc. it could be inferred from the findings that the developmental impact/performance of the MPs share of the DACF is minimal because constitutionally, no law supports the fund and this accounts for the paltry nature of the amount and consequently the minimal developmental performance of the fund. The study recommends that government either increases the amount allocated to MPs so that they can undertake significant developmental projects or they should abolish it and make the position of MCEs/DCEs electable so that MCEs/DCEs would have a political interest in using the monies allocated for developing their constituencies judiciously. The study also recommends that the challenges to accessing the fund - such as delays in the disbursement of funds, non-availability of the MCEs and their officers for processing of release of funds, and too much bureaucracy when the MPs party is no longer in government – should be addressed to make the process smooth and less cumbersome. Furthermore, the developmental performance of the MPs share of the common fund could be made significant by the MPs looking for additional sources of funds such as local partners to bring development projects. Finally, the study recommends that there should be a policy which requires MPs to bring their intended projects to parliament for vetting and open tender processes to properly vet and monitor MPs use of their share of the common fund.
Access and Use of the Members of Parliament Share of the District Assemblies Common Fund In Selected Constituencies in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2018-12) Asante, O.
The question of how best developing countries must organize and allocate resources for effective decentralization and local governance has been one that scholars have been grappling with for decades. Several models have been proposed by scholars as a way of providing the most effective and judicious allocation of resources for local government. The focus of this study was to examine the issues of access and use of the Members of Parliament (MPs) share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) in selected constituencies in Ghana. The objectives of the study were to identify the amount selected MP's receive from the District Assembly Common Fund, identify challenges MP’s encounter when accessing the fund, examine the use of the MP’s share of the District Assembly Common Fund, and assess the developmental performance of MPs share of the DACF in the selected constituencies over the years. The study adopted the qualitative approach and made use of the case study design in gathering the requisite data for the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 16 respondents for the study and data was gathered through interviews. The data gathered from interviews was transcribed, analyzed and organized into categories, based on themes, concepts, or similar features in order to bring order, meaning and interpretation to the data gathered from the samples selected. The study found that the MPs receive quarterly disbursements averaging Ghc 50,000. This sums up to a total of Ghc 800,000 in the four years in office for each MP. The study also found that the MPs share of the fund is always in arrears and is not paid on time, and even when the funds are released there are delays in administrative processes to get the funds paid to the MPs. In addition, the study established from the MPs perspective that the fund is inadequate to undertake big development projects. The study found that the fund is generally used for minor projects such as payment of medical bills of vulnerable people, payment of school fees for needy pupils, supply of portable water through digging bore holes, supply of agro-chemicals, fertilizers, and farm implements at subsidized prices etc. it could be inferred from the findings that the developmental impact/performance of the MPs share of the DACF is minimal because constitutionally, no law supports the fund and this accounts for the paltry nature of the amount and consequently the minimal developmental performance of the fund. The study recommends that government either increases the amount allocated to MPs so that they can undertake significant developmental projects or they should abolish it and make the position of MCEs/DCEs electable so that MCEs/DCEs would have a political interest in using the monies allocated for developing their constituencies judiciously. The study also recommends that the challenges to accessing the fund - such as delays in the disbursement of funds, non-availability of the MCEs and their officers for processing of release of funds, and too much bureaucracy when the MPs party is no longer in government – should be addressed to make the process smooth and less cumbersome. Furthermore, the developmental performance of the MPs share of the common fund could be made significant by the MPs looking for additional sources of funds such as local partners to bring development projects. Finally, the study recommends that there should be a policy which requires MPs to bring their intended projects to parliament for vetting and open tender processes to properly vet and monitor MPs use of their share of the common fund.
Access To And Use Of Ict Infrastructure In Teaching And Learning: A Comparative Study Of Rural And Urban Public Junior High Schools In The Ga South Municipality
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Sey, J.; Asante, E.A.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research
Ghana is committed to transforming teaching and learning at all levels of education through the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). However, the successful introduction of ICT into basic education depends largely on the availability of ICT infrastructure and the capacity of teachers and students to use them. Using rural and urban public Junior High Schools (JHS) in the Ga South Municipality as a case study, this study investigates the availability and use of ICT infrastructure among students and teachers of rural and urban schools. It was found that access to ICT infrastructure by teachers and students was inadequate. Nonetheless, there were differences in access to ICT infrastructure between students and teachers of rural and urban schools. Students of urban schools had more access to ICT infrastructure and therefore used it for studies than their rural counterparts. Also, the use of ICT infrastructure in the classroom had more positive impacts on the learning motivations of students of urban schools than those of rural schools. Teachers of urban schools were also more likely to have access to ICT infrastructure than those of rural schools. There was, however, no significant difference between rural and urban teachers in their confidence in the use of ICT infrastructure for teaching. Since ICT infrastructure had positive motivations for teaching and learning activities in basic schools, it is recommended that the Ministry of Education provides all basic schools across the country with ICT infrastructure. Also, efforts should be made to build the capacity of all teachers in order to facilitate the efficient introduction of ICT in education. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) should be given enough funds to carry out its mandate of ensuring universal access to ICT by unserved and underserved communities in Ghana.
Access to Basic Services among Male and Female-Headed Migrant Households in Old Fadama, Accra
(University of Ghana, 2017-07) Botchway, N.E.E.
Old Fadama is an informal settlement which lacks legal recognition and is often exempted from the city’s planning and development agenda. Basic services such as toilet, electricity, water, bathhouse and housing are often under pressure due to the high population within the area. Studies done on the accessibility of basic services within the area often focus on the migrant household as one unit without distinguishing between those of the male and female migrant households and their differences in accessibility of basic services. This study seeks to investigate the extent of financial and physical accessibility of basic services to the male and female- headed migrant households of Old Fadama. This study examined the physical and economic accessibility of basic services among male and female-headed migrant households within Old Fadama. In addition, it discussed their coping strategies as well as the effect of acessibility on their livelihoods. The study employed the use of the mixed method approach involving the issuing of seventy-two (72) and forty-eight (48) structured questionnaires to male and female-headed migrant households respectively. In-depth interviews were also conducted with officials from Ghana Water Company Limited, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Electricity Company of Ghana, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, Ministry of Works and Housing as well as an opinion leader within the community. The study revealed that basic services such as water, toilet, bath house and waste collection bins were not found within the residence of male and female-headed migrant households. They therefore relied on informal vendors to provide them with these services, due to the refusal of service providers of these basic services to extend their services to them. Informal vendors charged exhorbitant prices forcing migrant households to develop various coping strategies so as to meet their household needs. Female-headed migrant households spent more than their male counterparts in accessing basic services. To meet household needs, they engaged in multiple livelihoods. Their male counterparts on the other hand, were willing but unable to engage in multiple livelihoods due to the lack of jobs and unavailable capital to start their own. Male households therefore relied more on their networks and agency than their female counterparts in order to access basic services or survive in the urban poor space of Old Fadama. The study recommended for a dialogue between the government and appropriate institutions about the future of Old Fadama which should include a possible relocation of the entire market and slum area to a more planned vicinity with a check on the sprouting of illegal structures. Additionally, it recommended a possible check on the activities of private vendors of water, waste, public toilets and baths as well as other services so as to prevent extortion by these businesses of urban poor individuals.
Access to Education for Poor Children: A Case Study of Compassion International in the Agbogba Community, Ghana
(2017-12) Darku, E.N.D.
Education has been recognized as an important tool in reducing poverty, especially due to its intergenerational effects. Thus poverty reduction efforts have often targeted the educational sector with national governments leading the way. Government interventions have however been unable to adequately ensure educational access for all. As a result, Non-Governmental Organisations such as Compassion International (CI) have stepped in to provide complementary programmes to make education attainable to poor children. The research aims to analyse the role of personal characteristics (gender, parent’s education, family size, school type) and membership to the Compassion International (CI) intervention to explain the difference in educational attainment of students in Agbogba. In order to achieve this aim, data was collected on students’ performance and personal characteristics for 162 students between the ages of 15-19 in the Agbogba community. These constitute two groups of students: one group that are beneficiaries of the CI intervention and another that did not benefit from the intervention. Regression methods are applied to identify the roles of these factors for the two groups of students. Results show that parental education and being on the intervention are important determinants of school performance, with positive and negative association, respectively, with performance on the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Further analysis showed however that lower BECE scores of beneficiaries of the intervention did not impede their educational progress, and that CI actually improved the participants’ progress holistically.
Access to Education for Poor Children: A Case Study of Compassion International in the Agbogba Community, Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2017-12) Darku, E.N.D.
Education has been recognized as an important tool in reducing poverty, especially due to its intergenerational effects. Thus poverty reduction efforts have often targeted the educational sector with national governments leading the way. Government interventions have however been unable to adequately ensure educational access for all. As a result, Non-Governmental Organisations such as Compassion International (CI) have stepped in to provide complementary programmes to make education attainable to poor children. The research aims to analyse the role of personal characteristics (gender, parent’s education, family size, school type) and membership to the Compassion International (CI) intervention to explain the difference in educational attainment of students in Agbogba. In order to achieve this aim, data was collected on students’ performance and personal characteristics for 162 students between the ages of 15-19 in the Agbogba community. These constitute two groups of students: one group that are beneficiaries of the CI intervention and another that did not benefit from the intervention. Regression methods are applied to identify the roles of these factors for the two groups of students. Results show that parental education and being on the intervention are important determinants of school performance, with positive and negative association, respectively, with performance on the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Further analysis showed however that lower BECE scores of beneficiaries of the intervention did not impede their educational progress, and that CI actually improved the participants’ progress holistically.
Access to Finance and Performance of Firms in the Construction Sector of Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2019-05) Bonful, P.E.J.
The purpose of this research study is to investigate the relationship between financial inclusion, to be specific access to finance and its impact on the performance of firms in the Construction sector of Ghana. As it is well known in the literature that financial inclusion generally has a positive influence on performance, will the results differ if the scope is narrowed down from country level to firms with similar characteristics? Firstly, the paper seeks to identify the level of financial inclusion among firms in the Construction sector of Ghana. Secondly, through the use of OLS regression methods, the relationship between financial inclusion variables and performance is analysed. Taking crosssectional data from 42 Construction firms in the Greater Accra Region registered with the Association of Builders and Contractors Ghana. The analysis showed that not all financial inclusion variables were significant to the performance of firms in the construction sector. However, agreeing with existing literature that there is a positive causality relationship between access to finance and financial performance. Heavy influences on financial performance came from long term financial services. And a discovery that regulations could greatly influence financial performance as well. These results speak loads into future policy formulation especially for a country that suffers from a great infrastructural deficit. The performance of construction firms can be greatly enhanced if these policies make firms in the sector more financially inclusive. The focus of these policies must be on long term financial service provision which will be the funds most beneficial to construction firms in Ghana.
Access to Rural Water and its Effects on Girl Child Education: A Case Study of Boti Area in the Yilo Krobo District
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Abdallah, M.B.; Aryeetey, E.B.D.
A number of factors are responsible for the basic educational progress of the girl-child in rural Ghana. Among these factors can be access to potable water by households and basic schools. Lack of potable water or its inaccessibility is likely to hinder the education of the girl-child. The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of access to rural water on girl child education in the Yilo Krobo area, using 3 communities in Boti Area. The researcher tried to assess some characteristics of water supply systems in relation to girl-child school participation i.e. attendance, punctuality and completion of assignment. The study adopted a variety of sampling techniques including a systematic random sampling in selecting a sample size of 90 girls from JHS 1, 2 and 3.
Accessibility and Utilisation of Primary Health Care Facilities in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region
(University of Ghana, 2001-03) Fiah, B. K
The thrust of this study was to identify the factors which influence accessibility and utilization of health care facilities in the Dangme West District, and to find solutions to problems which were identified. The study covered nine fully operational health centres and health posts in the district, as well as randomly sampled service providers such as nurses, personnel of NGOs. heads of some government departments, opinion leaders and the district director of health services. The method of data collection was by structured questionnaires administered to patients, and interview guides were used to collect information from the service providers, opinion leaders, and the heads of government departments. The data were analysed using the SPSS and ArcView GIS software packages to determine relationships and the spheres of influence of the health centers and posts. The study showed that factors which played important roles in accessibility and utilization of the Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in the Dangme West District, were socio-demographic ones like age and gender, distance and institutional factors such as the number and distribution of health centers, inducements offered to patients, and quality of care. For example, the relatively high antenatal and postnatal coverage for the health center at Prampram is attributed to the free meals offered to children who use the service. The major community wide factor was the poor road network. Some factors which did not play an important role included the educational level and occupation of the respondents. Ways in which PHC can be strengthened in the district to make health care facilities accessible to all are recommended. These include the granting of greater autonomy to District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to hire competent staff to ensure quality health delivery. It is also recommended that support for and supervision of the health posts should be increased. The need for effective networking among the government agencies and NGOs working in the health sector in the district was advocated.
Accessibility to Health Care in the Ga West Municipal Area.
(University of Ghana, 2014-07) Nyatepe, D.E; Kufogbe, S,K; Nikoi,E; University of Ghana, College of Humanitie, School of Social Sciences, Department of Geography and Resource Development
The study set out to examine the distribution of health facilities in the Ga West Municipal Area. The research also examined factors that influence accessibility to health care in the study area Both quantitative and qualitative data were used for the research. A total of three hundred and one (301) questionnaires were distributed to the heads of households in 6 randomly selected communities in the study area. Secondary data were obtained from documentary sources. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that health facilities are not adequately distributed, making accessibility difficult. The roads linking the inadequate health facilities are in bad shape. Most people have to travel several kilometers on deplorable roads before patronizing health care thereby reducing accessibility. This makes respondents to resort to self medication or adopt the “wait and see” attitude thus visiting health facilities mostly during emergencies by means of a hired taxi. The critical factors that influence accessibility to health care are service costs, distance, waiting time and socio-demographic factors; sex and income. The study concludes that some of the health facilities should be upgraded to a higher status. Poorly constructed roads should also be rehabilitated to reduce the travel time to health facilities.
Accessing capacity Building Initiatives for Caretakers of Rural Water Supply, Sena District
(University of Ghana, 2000-09) Okyere, A.K.; Aryeetey, E.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health
A much-discussed criterion for evaluating development NGO activities concerns the "sustainability of their projects - that is, their ability to remain viable after external support ceases - and their replicability - the degree to which groups not directly assisted by the NGO take up NGO projects on their own. If the benefits of NGO work cease when the resources do, the NGO is merely providing “aid”, if the benefits continue past the period of NGO involvement, “development” has been initiated (Korten 1990). This study examines the issue of sustainability of the water system through training on operation and maintenance in the Sene District. World Vision International Ghana established Ghana Rural Water Project as its branch for water activities in 1984/85 just after the long drought period in 1983. Ghana Rural Water Project was set up to provide potable water or drill boreholes for rural people (World Vision assisted communities) to combat the guinea-worm disease. The major concern of this water project is to guarantee sustainable systems in the beneficiary communities. It is against this background that World Vision Ghana Rural Water Project (WVGRWP) is incorporating a major training component in the programme. The process of sustaining projects depends on both the donor agency and the beneficiary communities. Training enhances the skills and build the capacity of selected volunteers, it has therefore, been identified as very vital to the effort towards sustainability. The general objective of the study is to find out the link between training and maintenance in the process of sustainability of the water project in the Sene District. The findings revealed that Ghana Rural Water Project between 1994 - 1996 drilled 134 boreholes in 74 communities and had conducted 1st level training for all the selected volunteers from the beneficiary communities. It is the policy of the organisation to encourage women to be part of the trainees, so almost in every community there is a female trainee. From the study it was realised that before the training programme, the communities relied on pump technicians from outside the district. The maintenance charges by these technicians and the cost of non-available spare parts were so exorbitant that most communities abandoned their faulty boreholes. Thus, the issue of sustainability ended when the boreholes broke down. After training, all the 30 selected volunteers could repair and maintain the borehole without any supervision, and this has reduced maintenance cost and also ensured regular flow of water. Analysis showed that 22 trainees have also trained one or two people to replicate the knowledge and skills acquired. The knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the trainees have changed as a result of training received. The laissez-faire attitude of the people has been neutralized, and the people have acquired the culture of maintenance to support community projects. Projects have now been seen as theirs and no more government projects and so must be taken care of. Community management and the state of the water system has not been up to expectation according to the findings. There is a recommendation that management committees must relate to each other very well in order to ensure good community participation in the crusade for the sustainability.
Accessing Healthcare in Ghana: Challenges Of and Strategies Adopted By Persons with Physical Disability in the Accra Metropolis
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Abrokwah, R.
Access to quality and timely healthcare is essential to the health and well-being of all individuals with no exception to persons with physical disability. However, people in developing countries tend to have less access to healthcare than those in developed countries, with Ghana not being an exception. The issue of inadequate healthcare services at health facilities and the absence of disability friendly environment have made it difficult for persons with physical disability to access healthcare. However, there is very little information on access to healthcare for persons with physical disability in Ghana. This study explored access to healthcare for persons with physical disability in the Accra Metropolis. The study sought to ascertain the barriers persons with physical disability face in accessing healthcare in the Accra Metropolis, identify strategies persons with physical disability in the Accra Metropolis employed when they were ill and find out participants’ suggestions for improving healthcare services provided by health professionals in the Accra Metropolis. The study adopted a qualitative research design with twenty-one participants purposively sampled from the Ghana Blind Union, Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled and the Ghana National Association for the Deaf. The study found that persons with physical disability in the Accra Metropolis encountered barriers including physical, financial, attitudinal, communication, transportation and inadequate knowledge of health professionals on disability issues in accessing healthcare. The findings also revealed that persons with physical disability resorted to strategies such as hospital care, pharmacy visit, self-medication and exercising faith when they were ill. From the findings, participants suggested that availability of University of disability desks and sighted guides at health facilities would help improve healthcare provided by health professionals in the Accra Metropolis. The study concludes that, there is the need to address the issues associated with healthcare for persons with physical disability in order to improve on their overall well-being.
Accountability in Governance A Comparative Study of Athenian And Ghanaian Institutions of Accountab
(2011-07) Gyamfi, K.; Adenkannbi, G.O.; Ackah, E.K.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Arts, Department of Philosophy and Classics
The ability of citizens to scrutinise officials is a long-standing power, and central to the strength of democracy. Consequently, it is of critical importance to the well being of any society, and the individuals who are a part of it, that their government, and the people who manage it, are held highly accountable for their actions or, in some cases, their failure to act, since this helps to minimise human deprivation and corruption. For ancient Athenians, making officials accountable through strengthened institutions of public accountability — such as the Heliaia (the populr tribunal or the supreme court of the land), the dokimasia(an investigative body constituted either by the boule or in the heliaia, to test whether a man was formally qualified to hold an office), the euthyna (the body that examined the accounts of every public official),the boule (the popular council or the council of citizens appointed to run daily affairs of the city) and the ecclesia (the principal assembly of the Athenian democracy) — was the key to lent. This thesis concentrates on the systems and procedures two institution^ ^^accountability in the oldest established democratic government in the world (A th en s),% ^d o y flia1a§;and the euthyna, and attempts to establish a correlation between the two institutions of accountability aforementioned with two institutions of accountability for public officials (the appointments committee of parliament and the audit service) in one of the first country to achieve independence in sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana). The euthyna was the companion of the dokimasia. Dokimasia and euthyna were ways of ensuring the proper public behaviour of politicians. The dokimasia was an obligatory procedure by which a jury checked that those voted in or drawn by lot for a particular official position were entitled to hold it. The euthyna occurred at the end of the official s tenure, and was compulsory for all citizens elected or allotted to perform public duties, bar jury members. The procedure of euthyna came in two parts. First, there was a financial audit to ensure that the official had not embezzled money (klope), or accepted bribes (dora). Second, the official faced investigation in the open agora, at which any citizen who wished (ho boulomenos) might bring forward accusations of neglect of duty or improper use of power. An in-depth study of the appointments committee of parliament and the audit service of the present Ghanaian democratic dispensation reveals that these state institutions of accountability share some similarities and dissimilarities lessons can be derived from the Athenian experience for advancing the emerging

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