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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:

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Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
An Examination of the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Promoting Human Rights in Africa - The Case of Human Rights Reporters Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2025) Sewornu, D. E.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in promoting human rights, particularly in regions where systemic inequalities, political repression, and governance failures persist. This study examines the role of NGOs in human rights advocacy in Africa, using Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) as a case study. The research investigates HRRG’s contributions, challenges, and strategies for sustainability in advancing human rights in Ghana. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with HRRG stakeholders, including executives, volunteers, and partner organizations. The findings reveal that HRRG plays a significant role in advocacy and awareness creation, legal assistance, research documentation, coalition-building, and the empowerment of marginalized groups. However, the organization faces critical challenges such as financial constraints, political resistance, cultural opposition, and human resource limitations, which hinder its operational effectiveness. To enhance its sustainability, HRRG employs strategies including diversified funding, capacity-building, community engagement, adaptation to the socio-political environment, and the use of technology and social media. The study highlights the implications of these findings within the broader discourse on human rights advocacy and grassroots NGO sustainability in Africa. It underscores the importance of collaboration between NGOs, policymakers, and international actors in strengthening human rights initiatives. The study contributes to the literature on grassroots human rights activism by providing insights into the operational dynamics of HRRG and offering recommendations such as the organization putting in efforts to strengthen its network to enhance the effectiveness and longevity of similar organizations across Africa.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Role of International Organizations in Global Health Governance: A Case Study of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2026) Ackon-Mensah, R.
This study examines the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in global health governance, with a focus on its interventions in Ghana. It aims to analyse the WHO’s role in shaping global health policies, identify key initiatives implemented in Ghana, and assess their impact on health outcomes. The study is guided by Global Health Theory. Using a qualitative research design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with eight health sector stakeholders and supported with secondary data from WHO reports and academic literature. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The findings show that the WHO plays a key coordinating and advisory role in global health governance by setting standards, providing technical support, and strengthening health systems. Major initiatives implemented in Ghana include the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and regulatory capacity-building programmes. These interventions have contributed to improved immunisation coverage, disease control, and strengthened regulatory systems. The study concludes that WHO remains an important partner in improving Ghana’s health system and recommends stronger collaboration, sustainable financing, and greater national ownership of health programmes to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Access status: Open Access ,
Assessment of Co-Exposure of Aflatoxin, Lead and Cadmium in Children at Ejura Sekyedumase District, Ashanti Region of Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2026) Odamtten, M.
Background Major public health risks in Ghana are caused by aflatoxins and heavy metals, and children are more vulnerable because of their developing bodies and greater rates of consuming contaminated food and water. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus fungus, which are common in staple foods like groundnuts and maize. This toxin when it exceeds safety thresholds, can cause immunological suppression, liver damage, and stunted growth. Soil, water, and food are most times contaminated by heavy metals like lead and cadmium. And this is as a result of mining, industrial processes, and inappropriate e-waste disposal. These toxic metals can cause severe health problems including neurodevelopmental disorders, kidney damage and cancer. Aim To assess the effects of aflatoxins and heavy metals on the kidneys and liver biomarkers of children from Ejura Sekyedumase District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Method The study design was a cross-sectional one. One hundred and sixty-two (162) participants between the ages of 3 and 9 were recruited from the Ejura-Sekyedumase district for this study. Blood, (5mLs) was taken from the antecubital fossa vein in the upper arm of all participants. The blood was divided into two, 2 mLs into EDTA and 3 mL into serum gel tube labeled with participant’s name and identification number. Whole blood specimen (EDTA tube) was used to analyze reduced glutathione and full blood count using KX Sysmex 21(Sysmex Corporation, Japan). Serum samples were used to analyze heavy metals using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (GFAAS; PinAAcle 900H), liver and kidney bioarkers using KX Sysmex chemistry automated analyzer (Sysmex Corporation, Japan). Spot urine was collected from participants and used to run aflatoxin levels using Shimadzu HPLC system with fluorescence detection (Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). All analyses of data obtained were performed in R (version 4.3.2; R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) within the RStudio environment. Results In this study, there were elevated concentrations of aflatoxins in 26 males and 24 females’ participants. No sex-specific differences in Cd, Pb and AFM1 levels between males and females. Hematological parameters demonstrated significant positive correlations, particularly between AFM1 and neutrophil count and between Pb and albumin levels. Although the antioxidant biomarker GSH showed negative correlations with all three exposures, none of the correlations were statistically significant. In the overall sample, none of the exposures (Cd, Pb, or AFM1) demonstrated significant associations with glutathione (GSH), haemoglobin, or most haematological parameters. The combined exposure to cadmium, lead, and aflatoxin M1 showed generally non-significant associations with most haematological and biochemical biomarkers protein, sodium, while AFM1 strongly influenced ALT and monocytes, and lead contributed most to chloride and AST. Conclusion This study revealed a high concentration of aflatoxin M1(AFM1) in the urine of participants. AFM1 showed a negative correlation with monocytes and positively correlated with urea which can result in immunosuppression and kidney disease respectively. Lead showed positive correlation with chlorine whereas cadmium had a positive association with potassium which can cause metabolic dysfunction in the future. The findings from this study emphasize the need to put in measures to prevent aflatoxin and heavy metals from contaminating our foods.
Access status: Open Access ,
Electrocardiographic Profiles and Associated Factors in Ghanaians with Type 2 Diabetes
(University of Ghana, 2026) Ameyaw-Gyan, S.
Background: Globally, type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains highly prevalent among adults and is closely linked to cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD). Individuals with T2D face a twofold increased risk of developing CAD compared to the general population. CAD significantly raises the likelihood of fatal complications, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. Electrocardiography (ECG) serves as a valuable tool for identifying individuals with CAD. For individuals with type 2 diabetes, routine resting electrocardiograms are advised by the American Diabetes Association and the European Society of Cardiology/European Association for the Study of Diabetes. However, the benefits of these routine screenings have not been well established in many populations, including Ghanaians with T2D, due to a lack of data on the prevalence and patterns of ECG abnormalities in these groups. General Aim: To determine the prevalence of resting ECG abnormalities and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors and current/prior adverse cardiac events in Ghanaian adults with T2D. Methodology: In a cross-sectional design, resting standard 12-lead supine digital resting electrocardiography (ECG) testing was conducted on 430 Ghanaian adults with T2D managed at the National Diabetes Management and Research Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. A standard 12-lead supine digital resting electrocardiography (ECG) was recorded using the Vitalograph BT12 ECG™ and its Spirotrac® Software (Vitalograph, United Kingdom). The ECG tracings were processed with the device’s inbuilt University of Glasgow 12-Lead ECG Analysis Algorithm1. Two additional methods were used to evaluate each ECG: Minnesota coding and a trained physician's assessment. The ECG abnormalities were classified into seven main groups namely 1) QS pattern abnormalities, 2) QRS-axis deviation abnormalities; 3) R-waves abnormalities; 4) ST-segment abnormalities; 5) atrioventricular conduction defects; 6) ventricular conduction defects; and 7) arrhythmias including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and ventricular contractions or premature atrial. The identified ECG abnormalities were further categorized as either minor or major abnormalities. The prevalence of each abnormality was determined. Univariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of potential predictor variables with the various pooled abnormality categories. Following this, a multivariate logistic regression model was built to assess predictors of each abnormal ECG category. The odds (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were determined. A statistical test of significance was set at p-value<0.05. Results: In total, 61.6% of the study participants had abnormal ECG (23.9% had major abnormalities and 37.7% had minor abnormalities). Overall, 73.9% of the study participants were women. The mean (±standard deviation) age, BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, and total cholesterol concentrations were 61.87 (±10.09) years, 29.46 (±5.81) kg/m2, 135.33 (±18.50) mmHg, 75.56(±11.20). 18.03 (±10.01) years, 8.74 (± 2.25) % and 4.96 (± 1.45) mmoll/L. The proportion of smokers, individuals on statin therapy, and individuals who used insulin were 4.9%), 39.8%), and 36.3%, respectively. Compared to the normal ECG, individuals in the abnormal ECG group were significantly older (62.85 vs 60.30, p=0.011). Aside age, the two groups did not differ in any of the baseline characteristics. In the study population, the mean heart rate was 73 beats per minute. The mean RR interval, PR interval, PQ interval, ST segment duration, QT interval, and corrected QT interval were respectively 839.24 ms, 167.13 ms, 166.11 ms, 114.99, 399.86 ms, and 422.36 ms respectively. The mean P wave and QRS complex widths were 114.83 ms and 94.97 ms respectively. The mean pooled p-axis, QRS-axis, and T-axis were 114.83°, 32.46°, and 32.60°, respectively. While the mean heart rate did not significantly differ between the two groups, the mean RR interval was 4% longer in the abnormal ECG group compared to the normal ECG group (853.94 ms vs. 818.54 ms, p = 0.020). Similarly, the mean PQ interval was 4.5% longer in individuals with abnormal ECG compared to those with normal ECG (169.21 ms vs. 161.83 ms, p = 0.018). The mean QT interval was 2% longer in participants with abnormal ECG compared to those with normal ECG (402.63 ms vs. 394.40 ms, p = 0.015). The mean QRS axis also differed significantly between the two groups (29.56° in the abnormal ECG group vs. 36.26° in the normal ECG group, p = 0.037). Additionally, the mean T-axis showed a significant difference between the groups (29.00° in the abnormal ECG group vs. 36.20° in the normal ECG group, p = 0.045). Among participants who reported symptoms of CAD, the majority (16.3%) reported angina symptoms; 3.0% of the study population reported symptoms of myocardial infarction. The proportion of individuals with CAD symptoms was higher in the abnormal ECG group compared with the normal ECG group (22.3% vs 9.7%, p=0.001). This was driven largely by differences in angina symptoms (20.8% vs 9.1%, p=0.001). In the multivariable regression model, hypertension was independently associated with QS pattern anomalies [odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.21 – 1.88, p= 0.049], very tall amplitude R-waves [1.31 (1.07 – 1.82), 0.041], ST-segment abnormalities [1.64 (1.31 – 1.93), 0.033], and ventricular conduction disorders [1.68 (1.32 – 1.99), 0.042]. HbA1c concentration > 7% was associated with abnormal Q-waves [1.27 (1.11 – 1.37), 0.032] while obesity was associated with atrioventricular conduction abnormalities [1.77 (1.36 – 2.17), 0.022] Conclusion: This study shows a high burden of ECG abnormalities in Ghanaians with T2D. Which correlated with angina symptoms. Hypertension was the CVD risk factor most frequently independently associated with specific ECG abnormalities in our study population, including QS pattern anomalies, very tall amplitude R-waves, ST-segment abnormalities, and ventricular conduction disorders. Poor glycemic control and obesity were also independently associated with abnormal Q-waves and atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, respectively. These findings could inform the institution of frequent ECG testing in select groups of Ghanaians with T2D, to aid in the prevention of adverse CVD events.
Access status: Open Access ,
Digital Innovations and Organizational Resilience: The Case of SMEs in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2026) Tetteh, I. A.
This study examined the relationship between digital innovation practices and organizational resilience among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. It also explored the role of organizational leadership as a moderating variable on the relationship between digital innovation practices and organizational resilience. Understanding the most adopted digital innovation practices (data analytics, social media, automation and e-commerce) by SMEs in Ghana can help these firms channel their limited resources toward building resilient organizations. Nevertheless, few studies have been undertaken on the most adopted digital innovation practices among Ghanaian SMEs and their direct impact on organizational resilience. As a result, the study employed Dynamic Capabilities Theory to fill this gap. Using a quantitative research approach and survey data from SMEs, 400 questionnaires were distributed to 200 SMEs in Greater Accra. The analysis was conducted on 309 valid responses retrieved from the SMEs using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicated that data analytics had a significant influence on capital resilience but no significant influence on learning or relationship resilience. E-commerce had a significant influence on relationship resilience but no significant effect on capital or learning resilience. Automation showed no significant influence on any of the resilience dimensions. Additionally, organizational leadership served as a moderator only between e commerce and learning resilience but did not moderate the relationship between the other digital innovation practices and the organizational resilience variables. However, social media emerged as the most commonly adopted digital innovation practice among Ghanaian SMEs.

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