Welcome to UGSpace
UGSpace is the institutional repository of the University of Ghana. UGSpace is an open access electronic archive for the collection, preservation and distribution of digital materials to:
- facilitate the deposit of digital content of a scholarly or heritage nature
- and ultimately share, preserve and promote the intellectual output of the University in a managed environment.
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- Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.
- Grey literature consists of research and information produced outside conventional publishing channels, such as reports, policy briefs, working papers, and conference materials. It offers valuable insights and data that complement peer-reviewed sources, supporting research, policy, and practice.
- The J. H. Kwabena Nketia Archives preserve Ghanaian and African cultural heritage through music, oral traditions, photographs, and audiovisual collections. Guided by Professor Nketia’s vision that African traditional arts must be collected, preserved, practiced, and continually inspire creative expression, the Archives serve as a living resource for scholarship, teaching, and innovation
Recent Submissions
Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Diplomacy and Psychological Stress: The Case of the Ghanaian Diplomat(University of Ghana, 2024) Agbemav, R. E. A.The diplomatic profession has been perceived as inherently emotionally demanding and distressing. It is characterised by numerous stressors, including frequent interruptions, heavy workloads, and extensive responsibilities often unaccompanied by decision-making authority. This study investigated the psychological stress experienced by Ghanaian Foreign Service Officers and diplomats, with a particular focus on work-related, personal, organisational, and environmental stressors. Guided by Role Stress Theory (Kahn et al., 1964) and Transactional Stress Theory (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), the research explored how diplomats experience and cope with stress in a highly pressured environment. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys and semi-structured interviews to capture the multifaceted nature of stressors affecting Ghana’s diplomatic corps. A total of 37 respondents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration participated in the study. The findings revealed gendered experiences of stress, with female diplomats encountering additional pressures due to societal expectations and workplace microaggressions, while male diplomats faced role ambiguity in the context of shifting gender dynamics (Davidson & Cooper, 1992; Grant-Vallone & Ensher, 2001). Marital status further influenced stress experiences: married officers reported dual-role conflicts, whereas single and divorced counterparts experienced social isolation. Other identified stressors included long working hours, family separation, and insufficient institutional support, such as limited access to mental health resources (Ivancevich & Matteson, 1980). The study also uncovered systemic gaps, including poor enforcement of leave policies, underfunded psychological support services, and the absence of confidential peer support networks. To address these issues, the study recommends the implementation of mandatory stress management training, enhanced institutional support, structured career progression frameworks, family-inclusive policies, and recreational initiatives. In conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need for institutional reforms and tailored support systems within Ghana’s foreign service to mitigate psychological stress and promote the overall mental well-being and effectiveness of its diplomats. Overall, the study contributes to the understanding of psychological stress in high-stakes international professions and underscores the urgent need for targeted institutional reforms within Ghana’s foreign service.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Assessing the Declining State of Democratization in West Africa: The Case Of Burkina Faso and Mali(University of Ghana, 2024) Tetteh, T. Y.This dissertation examined the declining state of democratization in West Africa, with a specific focus on Burkina Faso and Mali. The study employed a qualitative approach, utilized key informant interviews and extensive literature review to analyse the factors which has contributed to democratic regression in these countries from 2014 to 2024. The research was grounded in social constructivism and Critical theories, provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay of social, political, and economic factors influencing democratic decline. The study revealed that both Burkina Faso and Mali have experienced significant setbacks in their democratic processes, characterized by military coups, erosion of civil liberties, weakening of institutions, and challenges to the rule of law. Key findings indicated that political instability, security threats from extremist groups, weak governance structures, and economic challenges have collectively undermined democratic consolidation in these nations. The research highlighted the implications of this democratic decline for regional stability and development in West Africa. It also explored the sociocultural impact of diminishing democratic norms on the populations of Burkina Faso and Mali. The study concluded by offering recommendations (Rebuilding Trust in Democratic Institutions, Balancing Security and Democracy, Addressing Economic Root Causes, Strengthening Civil Society and Enhancing Regional Cooperation) for reinvigorating democratic processes in these countries and strengthening democratic resilience across the West African region.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Examining the Balance Between Counterterrorism Measures and Human Rights: The Case of Border Communities in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2024) Adofo, K.A.This study aims to assess the effects of countermeasures against human rights in Ghana's border communities, identify and analyze the key challenges in maintaining a balance between security measures and human rights protection in Ghana's border regions, and compare the perspectives of various stakeholders regarding security and human rights issues in Ghana's border communities. This study employs Critical Terrorism Studies and Human Security Theory to investigate this delicate balance, focusing on the border areas of Hamile, Paga, and Tumu. The study employs a qualitative approach, involving in-depth interviews with community members, security personnel, civil society organizations, and experts in counterterrorism and human rights. This methodology facilitated a nuanced exploration of the lived experiences of those affected by these measures. Key findings reveal a complex landscape where security imperatives often conflict with human rights considerations, highlighting challenges in implementing human rights-respecting practices due to legal ambiguities, operational constraints, and socio-cultural tensions. Perceptions of the security-human rights balance vary across border regions, influenced by local histories and community-state relations. Analyzing counterterrorism through the lenses of Critical Terrorism Studies and Human Security Theory uncovers underlying power dynamics affecting individual security and civil liberties. Based on these findings, it recommends a more nuanced approach to counterterrorism that emphasizes community involvement in decision-making processes and culturally sensitive security operations. The study contributes to the broader discourse on security and human rights in Africa, offering insights aimed at fostering a more harmonious approach to security that respects human rights in Ghana's border regions and similar contexts.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Perceived Mobile Health Technology Use among Literate Pre and Post Natal Attendants at the Community-Based Health Planning and Services Centres in Dodowa(University of Ghana, 2025) Amoah, A.Background Mobile phone technology use in Ghana has advanced, reaching deprived and remote areas. The basic functionalities of smart phones with regards to social media, audio and video call are well comprehended by both illiterates and literates. There is the need to reduce primary health care access gap by reaching the unreached to complement the traditional Community Health-base Planning and Services (CHPS) concept to improve pre-and post-natal care with mobile technology. General Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential use of mobile health in the delivery of health services at Dodowa CHPS based on the perception of service providers and service beneficiaries. Methodology A qualitative research approach was adopted, using focus group discussion and in-depth interview to obtain data from twelve (12) pre-and postnatal attendants and five (5) health personnel. Data was gathered and analysed, engaging Creswell and Poth (2018) six steps thematic analysis. Results The findings of the study show that, all the participants considered mobile health technology use in health service delivery as good and effective. Even though, respondents perceived smartphone and data as expensive, however, proximity, reduced stress and convenience were outstanding. Conclusion The health care providers as well as pre- and postnatal literate attendants embraced the use of mobile technology in service delivery. The study indicated that amongst the social media applications, WhatsApp platform was much more popular and known for dissemination of information on health care services.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Perceived Mobile Health Technology Use Among Literate Pre and Post Natal Attendants at the Community-Based Health Planning and Services Centres in Dodowa(University of Ghana, 2025) Amoah, B.Background Mobile phone technology use in Ghana has advanced, reaching deprived and remote areas. The basic functionalities of smart phones with regards to social media, audio and video call are well comprehended by both illiterates and literates. There is the need to reduce primary health care access gap by reaching the unreached to complement the traditional Community Health-base Planning and Services (CHPS) concept to improve pre-and post-natal care with mobile technology. General Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential use of mobile health in the delivery of health services at Dodowa CHPS based on the perception of service providers and service beneficiaries. Methodology A qualitative research approach was adopted, using focus group discussion and in-depth interview to obtain data from twelve (12) pre-and postnatal attendants and five (5) health personnel. Data was gathered and analysed, engaging Creswell and Poth (2018) six steps thematic analysis. Results The findings of the study show that, all the participants considered mobile health technology use in health service delivery as good and effective. Even though, respondents perceived smartphone and data as expensive, however, proximity, reduced stress and convenience were outstanding. Conclusion The health care providers as well as pre- and postnatal literate attendants embraced the use of mobile technology in service delivery. The study indicated that amongst the social media applications, WhatsApp platform was much more popular and known for dissemination of information on health care services.