Behavior In Ghana Research Articles

The Role of Fashion in Crime Symbolism in Ghana, West Africa

ABSTRACT This study delves into the intricate interplay between fashion and deviance, focusing on Ghana, West Africa to address the gap in understanding how clothing choices can serve as symbolic conduits for deviant behavior in Ghana. We adopted a qualitative approach, utilizing ethnographic research design to explore the complex relationship between clothing, symbolism, and deviant behavior in the Ghanaian cultural context. We conducted semi-structured interviews with three categories of participants: 10 deviant or criminal individuals from Nsawam prisons and in the communities through non-participant observation, 8 community members, and 2 law enforcement officers. We employed purposive sampling method to ensure that participants had relevant expertise and firsthand knowledge related to clothing symbolism in deviant subcultures. The study findings mainly revealed that clothes convey identities and codes subtly and is a potent emblem of group connection. The intricate dynamics surrounding the stigmatization and labeling of clothing symbolism have an impact on people’s self-esteem and interaction with law enforcement. To develop guidelines and training programs for law enforcement officers and community members on concrete methods of identifying and comprehending clothing symbolism within deviant and criminal subcultures, policy makers may form a collaborative task force consisting of law enforcement, community leaders, and cultural experts.

The Influence of Social Media on Consumer Behavior in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Empirical Evidence from Ghana

Social media network platforms have been widely accepted in Africa. Many policymakers argue that social media is a retarding factor of development dynamics of countries. Countries have developed ambiguous security reasons to ban and suppress social media accessibility. This paper seeks to examine how social media gears and steers the transactional behavior of consumers. Social media has a unique influence on the various stages of commodity transactions and the decision-making process. The prompt aim of the study is to explore the influence of social media on the purchase and interactive decisions of Ghanaian consumers. The study uses quantitative data analysis method to analyze survey data to achieve the objectives of this study. Overall, social media has a significant influence on consumer behavior in Ghana, particularly higher in the areas of information and commodity search as well as post-purchase decisions than in real-time purchase decisions.

Littering Prevention in Ghana: The Mediating and Moderating Effect of Awareness of Consequence with the Theory of Value-Belief-Norm

Litter is a global issue that pollutes water, air, and land, and has esthetic and environmental repercussions. Therefore, this study utilized the value -belief -norm (VBN) theory to analyze residents’ preventing littering behavior in Ghana. This study employed a random sampling approach and used an online survey to gather quantitative data from 511 participants. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. The results show that the “biospheric value,” “altruistic value,” and “egoistic value” had substantial beneficial effects on the new environmental paradigm. The findings revealed that the new environmental paradigm increased awareness of consequences, which strongly enabled the ascription of responsibility to address environmental concerns. Personal norms influenced residents’ preventing littering behavior. The study also discovered that the ascription of responsibility and new environmental paradigms promote residents’ preventing littering behavior indirectly through personal norms and awareness of consequences. The study found that awareness of consequences moderates the association between personal norms and residents’ preventing littering behavior. These findings provide new insights for litter prevention policymakers.

Decoding the shift: Assessing household energy transition and unravelling the reasons for resistance or adoption of solar photovoltaic

The transition to a sustainable economy with technological innovations has gained momentum in emerging economies. Among these innovations, household-based solar systems have emerged as one of the rapidly expanding sources of low-carbon power globally, possessing the potential to become the largest renewable energy source by mid-century. However, there is still a need to investigate the transition process of solar PV systems, considering the components affecting the acceptability or resistance of solar PV systems among households, particularly in Ghana. To address this, the current research employed thematic analysis through semi-structured questions with 22 heads of households, including both solar photovoltaic adopters and non-adopters. The interviews were designed to elicit attitudes, values, and reasons shaping households' motivations to embrace or resist solar PV systems. The results indicate that household values and attitudes in addition to context-specific variables such as cost implications, performance expectancy, technological complexity, and market design are major reasons against solar PV adoption whereas energy independence, cost saving, peer effects, and environmental concerns are pivotal reasons for solar PV adoption among the Ghanaian households. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of various factors that impact household behavior in Ghana's energy sector toward solar PV adoption. It provides valuable insights that can fuel the switch to sources of clean energy and inspire change in both developed and emerging economies, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. These findings offer novel perspectives to energy stakeholders, managers, policymakers, governments, and experts about household behaviors toward adopting solar PV systems.

Determinants of Post-Tax Audit Compliance in Ghana

Governments derive a significant portion of their income from taxation. Collection of tax is however impeded by tax non-compliant activities as well as tax evasion. This necessitates measures to ensure tax compliance, such as tax audits. The study looked into the factors that influence taxpayers' post-audit compliance behavior in Ghana, with the Ho and Hohoe Small Taxpayer Offices as a case study. The focus of the study was on the effectiveness of tax audit procedures, post-tax audit compliance behavior of taxpayers, and taxpayers' experience with tax officers during and after the first tax audit. To achieve this aim, the study utilized the case study method of research. The researcher used the purposive sampling technique to select respondents for the questionnaire survey. The primary goal of the research was to investigate the efficacy of tax audit methods. The study identified that tax audit procedures were most effective in the Ho and Hohoe Small Taxpayer offices. The effectiveness of the audit procedures was ensured through the thorough examination of all relevant books and documents by skilled auditors. The second purpose of the study was to investigate the post-tax audit compliance behaviour of taxpayers. The study found that, after the audit procedures, taxpayers started filing tax returns accurately and timely. This improvement was primarily due to the level of education provided by tax officers during tax audits. Finally, the last objective sought to examine taxpayers' experience with tax officers during and after the first tax audit. The study found that there were very few cases (11.40%) where respondents agreed that auditors compelled them to do something to reduce the tax. However, tax officers endeavored to provide legal backing and explanation for every decision made. The learning process that tax officers took taxpayers through has built a cordial relationship between the two parties. Tax audits, when structured to ensure proper collection of taxes, can lead to minimal tax avoidance and tax evasion and strict compliance with the applicable tax laws, and an enhanced degree of voluntary tax compliance.

Social Marketing: Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to Predict Open Defecation Free Behaviour Among Households in Ghana

Background Despite global efforts to combat the menace of open defecation, the phenomenon persists, particularly in developing nations. It is estimated that about 14% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population still practice open defecation. Focus The study sought to examine the behavioral and psychological mechanisms that influence attitudes toward open-defecation-free behavior in Ghana by applying a behavior change theory. Key Hypotheses The following hypotheses were formulated and tested by this study: households’ attitude towards open defecation-free has a significant positive relationship with the actual open defecation-free behavior, household’s subjective norms towards open defecation-free have a significant positive relationship with their actual open defecation-free behavior and households’ perceived behavioral control over open defecation free has a significant positive relationship with their actual open defecation free behavior. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 550 respondents. Data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. Results All three variables of the theory of planned behavior were found to have a positive significant influence on Ghanaian households’ actual open defecation-free behaviors. Demographics such as income, educational level, and availability of latrines were found to moderate the relationships between subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and households’ actual open defecation behavior. Importance to Social Marketing Field The study extends the current literature on social marketing by demonstrating that the theory of planned behavior could be used to predict people’s attitudes toward open-defecation-free behavior. Though the theory of planned behavior has been empirically proven as a good predictor of behavior, by moderating its relationship with open defecation-free behavior with demographic variables our model fleshes out more nuances of the theory, thereby contributing to the development of a social marketing theory. Recommendations for Research or Practice This study employed a cross-sectional survey; hence it may presume static relationships among the constructs which can be cured by a future longitudinal study that could explain the pattern of behavior change. The study recommends that government facilitates the provision of latrines for households by providing financial assistance to those who cannot afford the construction of latrines. A social marketing campaign should also be adopted to encourage the use of latrines.

Waste management: Forecasting residents’ plastic waste recycling intention and behavior in Ghana

Waste management: Forecasting residents’ plastic waste recycling intention and behavior in Ghana

The Influence of Media on Voting Behavior in Ghana: The Case in Western North Region

The media have strong impact on Ghanaians’ voting decisions. Parties in multiple democracies have since harnessed the use of the media in our political process. The objective of the study was to investigate how the media influence voting behavior in the Western North Region of Ghana. In this study, Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used. The study adopted qualitative and quantitative research designs. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. A sample size of 404 respondents was studied. The study revealed that voters in the study area have access to communication devices for obtaining information through political campaigns, advertisements on broadcast, social, print, support, and transit media, which all have a significant impact on voting behavior in the study Region. The study revealed that 65.6% of those polled said the media had a major influence on their voting behavior in the 2020 general elections in the research Region. The study also revealed that party affiliation, party manifesto, current economic conditions, family and friends, and current government performance were other factors that influenced voting behavior in the study area apart from the media. The study, therefore, suggested that the technical infrastructure of the media in the study Region be expanded since voters demand increased and improved access to and usage of the media to get information on political parties’ operations in order to shape their voting behavior. Also, media sanity should be strengthened in the study Region.

Government Expenditure on Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Ghana

The role of the government in a market economy cannot be underestimated. In reality, the public sector plays significant role in an economy. Markets do fail sometimes, and for that reason, government intervention is needed to provide public goods or handle externalities and enforce competition in an economy. In the quest of government playing its role in an economy, it faces the challenge of an appropriate level of government size (government final consumption % of GDP) that can ensure sustained economic growth. Data on government fiscal behavior in Ghana over the last two decades generally shows a rising trend in government expenditure, yet the economic growth rate has not risen commensurately. The study set out to provide additional empirical evidence on the linkage between government size and economic growth in Ghana by a time series data analysis and to test the optimal threshold level of which government final consumption could lead to rapid growth in Ghana. The study concluded that total government expenditure has a direct positive impact on economic growth. As a result of that, the study recommended that government expenditure should not exceed the optimum threshold level of 0.114% to maximize economic growth. The study, therefore, advocates for fiscal discipline and control to keep government spending at the optimal level so as to trigger a positive ripple effect to other sectors of the economy and avoid a crowding out effect in the Ghanaian economy.

The Impact of Servant Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior in Ghana: The Mediation of Employee Voice

Innovation is a crucial concept for organizational sustenance and development. The study investigated the impact of servant leadership on employee innovative work behavior by examining the mediating role of employee voice in Ghana. This was done to contribute to fostering innovation in the nation and stimulate the idea of servant leadership behavior in Ghanaian organizations where generally, power appears to be distant.Data from 200 full-time Ghanaian workers were used in this cross-sectional study. Pearson’s correlation, linear regression, and SEM were utilized in the data analysis. The empirical findings from the study demonstrate that servant leadership and employee voice correlate significantly and positively with innovative work behavior. However, employee voice failed to mediate the effect of servant leadership on employee innovative work behavior. Servant leadership in Ghana also failed to exert positive influence on employee voice.The implication of this research infers that organizational leaders in Ghana can have confidence in putting on servant leadership behavior to increase innovative work behavior in employees as is critical for organizational productivity and survival. The deliberate attempt to augment innovation also means that organizations necessitate the intentional creation of atmospheres (climate for innovation) for breeding and nurturing practical, innovative concepts. This study also gives employers the assurance that encouraging employee voice in the workplace is critical since it keeps the lines of communication open and serves as a deterrent to operational behaviors that hamper organizational advancement. The study further elaborates a detailed discussion of the research results, implications, limitations, and prospects for future studies. Keywords: Servant leadership, innovative work behavior, employee voice, Ghana DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/14-2-08 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Unearthing mask waste separation behavior in COVID-19 pandemic period: An empirical evidence from Ghana using an integrated theory of planned behavior and norm activation model.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a surge in mask usage around the world. This situation could spur environmental consequences which when not well managed, may compound waste and waste management, and further drive the spread of viral infections. Therefore, this study explores the antecedents of mask waste separation behavior in Ghana using an integrated model composed of the theory of planned behavior and the norm activation model. With the use of the questionnaire survey approach, data was drawn from 570 respondents, and further analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. Results revealed that the relationship between awareness of consequences and other constructs, except attitude, and the relationship between ascription of responsibility and other constructs, except attitude, are significant. Moreover, significant relationships between subjective norm and attitude, subjective norm and personal norm, and subjective norm and perceived behavior control were validated. However, no significant relationship exists between awareness of consequences and attitude, and between awareness of responsibility and attitude. On the basis of the study findings, insightful implications for policy and suggestions for future research are presented.

Religion as Meaning-Making Resource in Understanding Suicidal Behavior in Ghana and Uganda.

Suicidal behavior is condemned by religions and tradition, and suicide attempts are criminalized by law in several African countries, including Ghana and Uganda. Suicide and suicide attempts may have severe consequences for both the entire family and the community. Religion is known to act as a protective coping force that helps people to make meaning and find comfort when dealing with stressful life events or situations like suicide. In this article, we focus on the cultural interpretations of the dominating religion in Ghana and Uganda, Christianity, and whether these affect attitudes toward suicidal behavior, meaning making, and coping possibilities for people who have attempted suicide or are bereaved by suicide. This article is based on data material from previous studies on the mentioned topics by the authors.

RELIGIOSITY AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOR: A STUDY OF CONSUMPTION PATTERNS FOR ALCOHOLIC AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AMONG ANIMIST, CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM CONSUMERS IN THE CONTEXT OF GHANA

Researchers' interest in consumer religiosity and behavior is explained by the fact that religion influences not only the social behavior of individuals, but also their consumption behavior. Most of the studies on the subject come from Western and Asian countries with a few of such studies been conducted in Africa and particularly in Ghana. The aim of this paper is to explore the concepts of religiosity and consumer behavior in Ghana, in order to consider the role of culture in the management and marketing of industrial products. Ghana is a country where religion plays an important role in shaping lives and ensuring community cohesion. However, a determined part of the believers contributes to increasing the consumption of industrial beverages, and the obliviousness in the marketing sector also seems to be a barrier that slows the production and consumption of non-alcoholic industrial beverages. The research approach is exploratory and qualitative. The collection of qualitative data is done with the aid of a SONY voice recorder through some semi-structured interviews. Then, the qualitative data are transcribed manually and verbatim analyzed. The results show that in the context of Ghana, religiosity of believers affects the behavior of the consumer and that consumer behavior towards non-alcoholic industrial beverages affects religiosity. Keywords: Religiosity, Consumer Behavior, Industrial Beverages, Consumption, Marketing, Ghana.

Exploring Ethos in Contemporary Ghana

In this article, we discuss contemporary Ghanaian ethos reflecting on female sexual behavior as a discursive construction that shifts and changes across time and space. Borrowing from Nedra Reynold’s concept of ethos as a location, we examine the various social and discourse spaces of different rhetors on female sexual behavior in Ghana and how each establishes ethos through identity formations and language use from various positions of authority. With multiethnic, multilingual, and multiple religious perspectives within the Ghanaian population, how does ethos and moral authority speak persuasively on female sexual behavior? We examine contemporary discourses governing normative female sexual behavior and presentation as revealed in both proverbs and social media to drive the discussion toward how these discourses of female sexual behavior and ethos are discursively constructed in contemporary Ghanaian society.

Colonial Education and Women’s Political Behavior in Ghana and Senegal

AbstractDuring Africa’s anti-colonial movements, women in French colonies were less politically active than women in British colonies. Hern examines how differences in British and French education policies in the Gold Coast and Senegal between the 1920s and the 1950s shaped women’s opportunities for participating in nationalist activity and becoming involved in early-independence politics. Compared to girls’ education in Senegal, girls’ education in the Gold Coast was more widespread, came from a variety of providers, and was less focused on domesticity. Women in the Gold Coast were thus more likely to be mobilized as political agents during the nationalist movement and integrated into Ghana’s new independent government.

Stigma, discrimination, violence, and HIV testing among men who have sex with men in four major cities in Ghana

ABSTRACT LGBTQ populations experience human rights abuses worldwide; data need to document the health impact of these experiences in Africa. In Ghana, we measured events of sexuality-based stigma, discrimination, and violence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the impact on HIV testing behavior. Data are from respondent-driven sampling surveillance surveys in Accra/Tema, Kumasi, Cape Coast/Takoradi, and Koforidua. Discrimination was common among MSM: 6.2%–30.6% were refused services, 29.0%–48.9% experienced verbal/symbolic violence, 2.8%–12.8% experienced physical violence, 12.3%-30.0% experienced sexual violence due to their sexuality in the preceding year. MSM who experienced sexual violence in their first male sexual encounter were less likely to ever test for HIV in Accra/Tema and Cape Coast/Takoradi. Further studies are needed to examine the impact of stigma and violence on MSM's HIV health-seeking behavior in Ghana. Structural interventions are needed to mitigate the consequences of stigma and discrimination on MSM health and well-being.

Using Motivation, Opportunity, and Ability Model in Social Marketing to Predict “Galamsey” Behavior in Ghana

Background: Illegal mining (hereafter referred to as “galamsey”) has adverse effect on human life, the environment, and other living organisms that support human existence. However, the traditional strategies employed by governments and other stakeholders to tackle “galamsey” have proved ineffective in changing “galamseyers” behavior. Focus: This research thus aims to apply the motivation, opportunity, and ability (MOA) model in social marketing to predict and explain behavior change toward galamsey activities in Ghana. Specifically, the paper investigates the influence of Motivation (i.e., attitudes toward stopping “galamsey” activities, beliefs and subjective norms) on intentions toward the behavior, as well as opportunity and ability on the intentions–behavior nexus. Key Hypotheses: The study tested the following key hypotheses: There is a positive and significant relationship between beliefs and intention to stop galamsey activities, there is a positive and significant relationship between attitude and intention to stop galamsey activities, there is a positive and significant relationship between social norms and behavioral intention to stop galamsey activities, and there is a positive and significant relationship between intention to stop galamsey and galamsey behavior change. Methods: Self-administered survey was used to collect data from “galamsey” operators ( n = 238) in Kyebi-Ghana, using convenience and snowball sampling techniques. The hypothesized relationships were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: The findings of the study reveal that “galamseyers” behavioral intention toward stopping “galamsey” is mainly determined by the respondents’ beliefs about and positive attitudes toward the behavior. The results further establish a positive significant relationship between intention and actual behavior change. Moreover, the findings suggest a strong interactive relationship between intentions and ability, intentions and opportunity and actual behavior. The study however did not find a significant relationship between social norms and intentions to stop “galamsey” activities. Recommendation for Research or Practice: These findings can be used to develop interventions aimed at fostering positive behavior change toward “galamsey.” Importance to Social Marketing Field: By applying the MOA model to a social marketing context, the study contributes to knowledge by providing a deeper theoretical understanding from an emerging economy context. Limitation: Although the MOA model was able to predict “galamsey” behavior change, the model has been criticized for including opportunities and failing to mention that inhibitors (barriers) to be reduced to foster sustainable behavior change. Hence, future studies should include other variables in the model to cater for this gap.

Grammatical pragmatics: Language, power and liberty in Ghanaian political discourse

This study demonstrates the interconnectedness between language, power and liberty. Using two of Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah’s letters written to President Nkrumah (Ghana) and working within the frameworks of language and power and language and liberty (Obeng, present article), we demonstrate that although by being candid, Ghanaian political actors in opposition risk personal danger, such actors have strategies for seeking the protection of their liberty (positive and negative) and for challenging powerful political actors’ actions. The syntactic features used for seeking liberty include factives, antithetic constructions, collocations and voice; the discourse-pragmatic features include inferencing, political pronouns, presupposition, in-group anthroponyms, politeness and metalanguage. In conclusion, language behavior in Ghana’s political ecology is intricately coordinated with political actors’ worldview of and stance on liberty and their willingness to speak candidly instead of giving up on words.

Political Marketing Strategy: Soundbites and Voting Behaviour in Contemporary Ghana

ABSTRACT This study examines the influence of soundbites, political media, rationality, and emotion on voter behavior utilizing the Rational Choice Theory in the context of political marketing. Data were collected through questionnaire self-administered to 557 voters. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the significant effects among the studied constructs. The findings revealed that soundbites, political media, rationality, and emotion positively influence voter behavior in Ghana. Again, the finding showed that the language used in communicating the soundbites significantly moderates the relationship between soundbites and voter behavior. Overall, the study establishes that soundbites and emotion relatively contribute higher to voter behavior. The study suggests that soundbite is gaining recognition in Ghana’s politics as a political marketing strategy to disseminate information to voters.

Using Theory in Social Marketing to Predict Waste Disposal Behaviour among Households in Ghana

ABSTRACTThe study sought to examine how a behavioral change theory (theory of planned behavior) could be used in social marketing to predict households’ waste disposal behavior in Ghana. A quantitative approach using self-administered questionnaires was used for this study. Empirical data was drawn from 343 respondents in the Greater Accra Region. Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyze the hypothesized paths/relationships. The study found that attitude was the strongest predictor of behavior, followed by subjective norm and then intention. In relation to waste disposal behavior, this paper provides evidence for issues of potential research and managerial interest. Practically, the study findings will help social marketing implementers and policy-makers to develop effective waste disposal intervention programs using variables that are applicable in our context. This study appears to be the first to systematically and quantitatively apply the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in social marketing to investigate waste disposal behavior in an emerging economy context, thus providing empirical evidence for academics, practitioners and public service practises.