Context-specific Solutions Research Articles

Climate Change and Forest Governance: A Qualitative Review of Local Community Engagement in Rural East Africa

Community engagement plays a critical role in effective forest governance and climate change adaptation in East Africa. This qualitative review synthesizes evidence from 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024, using participatory governance theory to examine how rural communities engage in forest management amid climate pressures. The analysis centers on three themes: forms and levels of participation, barriers to meaningful engagement, and implications for climate-resilient forest governance. Findings indicate that while frameworks such as Participatory Forest Management (PFM), Collaborative Forest Management (CFM), and Community Forest Associations (CFAs) have broadened community roles, genuine participation is limited. Across the reviewed literature, over 70% of studies reported that engagement remained superficial due to centralized decision-making, insecure land tenure, elite capture, and inequitable benefit-sharing. Conversely, customary institutions were highlighted in nearly half of the studies as offering adaptive, context-specific governance solutions—yet these systems are often sidelined in national policies. Additionally, climate finance mechanisms like REDD+ were noted in 8 studies to risk deepening exclusion if local voices are not meaningfully integrated. The review brings to light the need for transformative engagement rooted in secure rights, equitable power-sharing, recognition of indigenous knowledge, and strong accountability mechanisms. Moreover, these findings contribute to ongoing regional and global debates on climate justice, decolonizing conservation, and the future of community-based natural resource management in East Africa.

Using formative evaluation to adapt a co-creation process within and between workplace contexts: A Health CASCADE study.

Using formative evaluation to adapt a co-creation process within and between workplace contexts: A Health CASCADE study.

Expanding and mainstreaming sociohydrology toward transdisciplinary praxis

Since its development in the early 2010s, sociohydrology has deepened our understanding of the long-term coevolution of humans and water by integrating insights from both the natural and social sciences, while also fostering an interdisciplinary community. Its modus operandi to date has been to focus on emergent phenomena, manifesting as unintended consequences, in a variety of contexts. The compound disaster that struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula in 2024, and similar experiences in other parts of the world, underscore the urgent need for systemic approaches that are co-developed by academia and practitioners and focus on context-specific solutions. This perspective piece thus calls for expanding and mainstreaming sociohydrology toward transdisciplinary praxis—transforming it into a dynamic and solution-oriented field that is more inclusive at all levels. Sociohydrology must become a driving force for innovation—promoting sustainable solutions that engage and empower local actors through transformative-transdisciplinary actions—involving real people in real places. Only through such transformative praxis can we co-create equitable, sustainable, and context-sensitive responses to the world’s most pressing water challenges.

School Management to Magnify the Quality of Inclusive Early Childhood Education Through Sekolah Penggerak

This study investigates the school management practices of inclusive Early Childhood Education at Harapan Bunda Wita within the Sekolah Penggerak (Mover School) program. It focuses on the role of effective management in enhancing educational quality through curriculum integration and teacher competency development. Unlike previous research that typically centers on the roles of principals or teachers, this study explores broader management strategies aimed at improving educational outcomes. This research employed a qualitative descriptive design using a case study approach. The study was conducted at Harapan Bunda Wita, an inclusive school located in Kartasura, Sukoharjo, from September to October 2024. Primary data were collected through interviews with key stakeholders, including the Chief of the Foundation, the Headmaster, and three teachers designated as mover teachers. Data analysis followed six stages: (1) data preparation and processing, (2) data review, (3) data coding, (4) thematic description and setting, (5) presentation of results, and (6) interpretation of data and findings. Findings reveal that school management at Harapan Bunda Wita within the Sekolah Penggerak program is effectively carried out through the four core management functions: Planning, Organizing, Actuating, and Controlling (POAC). These functions were found to be well-integrated into the school's daily operations. Despite the effective implementation of POAC, several challenges were identified, particularly in three key areas. Nonetheless, appropriate and context-specific solutions have been applied to overcome these obstacles, ensuring that the management processes continue to support the program's goals. The study highlights the importance of strategic and adaptive management in inclusive early childhood education within government-initiated improvement frameworks.

The Role of IoT in Agriculture in Sri Lankan Context: A Comprehensive Review

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into Sri Lankan agriculture offers transformative opportunities to improve the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of predominantly crop production and livestock systems, which are highly vulnerable to climate variability and resource constraints. This review systematically examined the application of IoT in key agricultural domains such as smart irrigation, real-time crop health monitoring, livestock management, and supply chain optimization within the unique agroecological and socio-economic context of Sri Lanka. By enabling continuous data acquisition through sensors and applying advanced analytics, IoT solutions facilitate precise water and nutrient management, early detection of crop diseases and animal health issues, and the minimization of losses during postharvest and post-production stages. Drawing upon empirical research and pilot initiatives conducted locally, this paper identifies several critical barriers to IoT adoption, including inadequate rural infrastructure, high initial investment costs, and insufficient digital literacy among farmers and livestock keepers. The study further proposed actionable recommendations including the development of supportive policy frameworks, expansion of rural internet connectivity, and the implementation of comprehensive farmer and livestock owner training programs to enhance technology uptake. The findings highlighted that successful scaling of IoT innovations requires collaborative efforts between government agencies, private technology providers, and academic institutions to develop cost-effective, scalable, and context-specific solutions. Future research should prioritize the design of affordable, user-friendly IoT systems that address both crop and livestock production challenges, ultimately advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening food security in Sri Lanka.

Real-time human-robot interaction and service provision using hybrid intelligent computing framework

Human-robot interaction has gained significant attention in various domains, including healthcare, customer service, and industrial automation. High computational cost, inefficient service matching, and elevated failure rates in dynamic service contexts are some primary disadvantages of existing query-processing systems. This research introduces a Hybrid Intelligent Computing Model (HICM) to improve robots’ ability to process inquiries autonomously. The goal is to make robots better at responding to human questions in real time with efficient, personalized, and context-specific solutions. Using self-organized computing approaches, robotic agents can reliably provide end-users with services suited to their demands. Due to their autonomous nature, robots must be able to calculate quickly and accurately to provide timely services. To meet these needs, the proposed HICM incorporates a sophisticated decision-support system to handle human questions and find the appropriate services. Within this decision-making framework, the model evaluates the characteristics and relevance of questions about accessible services by combining annealing and Tabu Search approaches. To avoid addressing queries incompatibly, the Tabu Search technique approaches query resolution as a non-convergent optimization issue. Comparing HICM’s performance to other models reveals significant improvements over CDS, DGTA, and CCS. In particular, HICM reduced calculation time by 8.67%, service time by 15.09%, and failure rates by 7.87%. In terms of important metrics, HICM fared better than the competing models. Its success factor was 11.8% higher, its matching ratio was 14.88% higher, and its failure rates were 6.22% lower. These findings demonstrate the model’s efficiency and reliability in terms of robotic query processing and real-time service delivery.

Historical, Cultural, and Structural Barriers for Cardiac Surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons Learned From Angola.

Cardiac surgery (CS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces unique challenges that go beyond resource scarcity. Historical, cultural, and structural barriers continue to hinder the development of the specialty in SSA, impacting professional accreditation and the organization of healthcare systems. The colonial legacy of the subcontinent has shaped health systems in ways that often sustain external dependency, limiting local autonomy, which is particularly true for a high-resource subspecialty such as CS. Additionally, cultural resistance, the undervaluation of the specialty, and a lack of institutional recognition create a difficult environment for African cardiac surgeons. Based on the recent experience in Angola, this article explores these challenges and highlights the need for context-specific solutions, including strengthening local training, improving hospital governance, and prioritizing CS as a public health necessity. Understanding these obstacles and their potential solutions is crucial to fostering sustainable progress and ensuring equitable access to cardiovascular care in the region and in similar environments.

A Conceptual Framework for a Successful Adoption of Digital Health Systems in Developing Countries.

Digital Health Systems (DHS) have the potential to enhance healthcare in developing countries, but challenges such as political instability, cultural resistance, poor infrastructure, and workforce limitations hinder successful implementation. A mixed-methods approach, including a systematic literature review, in-depth interviews (n=25), and surveys (n=350), was employed to develop the Network of Influence Framework (NIF). The refined NIF identifies critical success factors such as brain drain, capacity building, evidence-based practices, and organizational memory. It emphasizes the complex interplay of enablers and barriers, where leadership and regulatory frameworks are often hindered by systemic issues, including infrastructure gaps and resistance to change. To successfully implement DHS in developing countries, context-specific solutions addressing both enablers and barriers are necessary. Future research should explore the interdependencies between these factors to develop sustainable, inclusive strategies for to help improving healthcare delivery in developing countries.

Violence in the Name of Faith: How Geopolitical Risk Fuels Religious Extremism Across Diverse Nations.

Geopolitical risk has become a major driver of instability, intensifying tensions that often escalate into religious violence worldwide. The complex relationship between geopolitical disruptions and the escalation of religious conflicts demands urgent attention tobetterunderstand its broader implications for global peace and security. This investigation examines the asymmetric impact of geopolitical risk on religious violence across ten selected countries: USA, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Israel, France, and Brazil. Unlike earlier studies, which mainly employed panel data tools and often neglected the unique economic environments of individual nations, the present work utilizes the advanced quantile-on-quantile tool. This approach allows for the independent assessment of variablechanges within each nation, improving precision and offering a more profound comprehension of each country's unique attributes. The findings highlight a strong and significant positive relationship between geopolitical risk and religious violence in most of the selected nations, with each country exhibiting unique patterns and responses to these dynamics. The results highlight the critical role of policymakers in applying rigorous estimations and forming customized policies to navigate the complex interplay between geopolitical risk and religious violence, ensuring more effective and context-specific solutions.

Agility in Decision-Making: Challenges and Coping Mechanisms of School Heads

This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences of school heads face in decision-making. In-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 10 purposefully selected participants. Thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns and themes related to decision-making challenges, coping strategies, and leadership insights. Findings revealed six major challenges that hinder school heads’ agility in decision-making: (1) rigid bureaucratic policies and slow approval processes, (2) conflicting priorities between policy compliance and school needs, (3) limited autonomy in implementing context-specific solutions, (4) resource constraints affecting quick decision-making, (5) resistance to change from stakeholders, and (6) unclear or changing guidelines from higher authorities. To address these constraints, school heads adopted various coping mechanisms, including (1) strategic networking and liaison with higher authorities, (2) practicing adaptive leadership and creative problem-solving, (3) delegating responsibilities and empowering teachers, (4) engaging in community and partnerships, (5) consensus-building and stakeholder involvement, and (6) continuous monitoring and proactive communication. Furthermore, insights drawn from the findings suggest that (1) balancing policies and school needs, (2) maintaining strong networks, (3) promoting shared leadership, (4) leveraging community support, (5) ensuring clear communication, and (6) staying informed about policy changes are essential in enhancing school heads' decision-making agility. The results indicate that bureaucratic constraints significantly impact school heads’ ability to make timely decisions, necessitating strategic approaches to leadership agility.

Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Urban Development: A Case Study from Tehran

The integration of green infrastructure (GI) in urban areas is vital for achieving sustainable development, and this article researches this interaction in Tehran, which accommodates more than 9 million inhabitants. In facing the critical challenge of balancing rapid urbanization with environmental sustainability, GI can play a key role, requiring a holistic approach encompassing diverse elements and location-specific strategies. The research adopts a case study approach to map and analyze the location of GI in District 2 of Tehran, which spans an area just west of the city center, stretching up to the northern border of the Tehran municipality. A novel Geographic Information Systems-based methodology is deployed to identify and assess eight distinct GI types, including parks, green roofs, and river corridors. The article concludes that this categorization of GI types can provide a methodology for the comprehensive analysis of GI distribution, which underscores the importance of location-specific GI strategies for mitigating air pollution and fostering urban sustainability. The study provides a valuable case example that can be used in cities with similar urban environments. By identifying spatial disparities in GI performance, context-specific solutions can be developed that can be integrated into the urban planning and development processes to create a network of green spaces that improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and promote biodiversity. GI can provide a framework for integrating green spaces, urban forests, green roofs, and other nature-based solutions into the urban fabric, thereby enhancing the overall sustainability and resilience of the urban environment. Received: 17 December 2024 | Revised: 17 March 2025 | Accepted: 25 May 2025 Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. Data Availability Statement The GIS data analysis that supports some of the findings of this study are held in a university environment. Further enquiries can be made via the corresponding author. Author Contribution Statement Seyedeh Zahra Hosseini: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing, Supervision, Project administration. Rojin Raofi: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing, Visualization. Shayesteh Hamidkhaniha: Conceptualization, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Farhad Daneshgar: Conceptualization, Software, Investigation, Resources, Writing - original draft, Visualization. Martin Wynn: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing, Visualization, Supervision.

Prevalence of the depression among heart failure patients in Ethiopia, 2024: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Heart failure (HF) is a major clinical condition contributing to high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Depression is increasingly recognized as a nontraditional risk factor for HF. However, data on its prevalence among HF patients in Ethiopia remain limited. This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression in Ethiopian HF patients. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using data abstraction from various electronic sources (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science direct, African journal, and online University repositories studies). Studies reporting the prevalence of depression among heart failure patients found until 28th November, 2024 were included. Analysis was conducted using STATA version 17 software, with assessment of heterogeneity and publication bias. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression. This study revealing a pooled prevalence of depression among Heart failure patients in Ethiopia is 43.93%. Subgroup analyses based on region, type of institution, and sampling method showed different prevalence rates: the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region had the highest rate at 60.13%, while Addis Ababa had the lowest at 35.18%. In terms of study institution types, teaching hospitals reported the highest prevalence at 46.81%, whereas referral hospitals showed the lowest rate at 31.05%. When considering sampling techniques, consecutive sampling yielded the highest prevalence at 55.09%, compared to just 15.40% for systematic random sampling. The analysis indicated a publication bias (p = 0.003), which warranted the use of trim and fill methods. The rate of depression among heart failure patients in Ethiopia is notably high, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions from the Ministry of Health to tackle this concern. It is essential to create multi-sectorial strategies that offer context-specific solutions, such as rehabilitation programs, to help reduce depression in heart failure patients. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO ID: CRD42023405077.

Prevalence of the depression among heart failure patients in Ethiopia, 2024: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a major clinical condition contributing to high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Depression is increasingly recognized as a nontraditional risk factor for HF. However, data on its prevalence among HF patients in Ethiopia remain limited. This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression in Ethiopian HF patients.MethodsThe study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using data abstraction from various electronic sources (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science direct, African journal, and online University repositories studies). Studies reporting the prevalence of depression among heart failure patients found until 28th November, 2024 were included. Analysis was conducted using STATA version 17 software, with assessment of heterogeneity and publication bias. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression.ResultsThis study revealing a pooled prevalence of depression among Heart failure patients in Ethiopia is 43.93%. Subgroup analyses based on region, type of institution, and sampling method showed different prevalence rates: the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region had the highest rate at 60.13%, while Addis Ababa had the lowest at 35.18%. In terms of study institution types, teaching hospitals reported the highest prevalence at 46.81%, whereas referral hospitals showed the lowest rate at 31.05%. When considering sampling techniques, consecutive sampling yielded the highest prevalence at 55.09%, compared to just 15.40% for systematic random sampling. The analysis indicated a publication bias (p = 0.003), which warranted the use of trim and fill methods.Conclusion and recommendationsThe rate of depression among heart failure patients in Ethiopia is notably high, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions from the Ministry of Health to tackle this concern. It is essential to create multi-sectorial strategies that offer context-specific solutions, such as rehabilitation programs, to help reduce depression in heart failure patients. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO ID: CRD42023405077.

Evaluation of the Impact of the 1.5 MAX Initiative on Climate Change Education (CCE) in Malawi Secondary Schools: An Education for Sustainable Development Framework Approach

This qualitative case study evaluates the impact of the 1.5 MAX initiative on Climate Change Education (CCE) in Malawian secondary schools through the dual lens of Education for Sustainable Development and decolonial theory. Malawi’s curricula prioritize Western agricultural models over Indigenous knowledge, resulting in fragmented implementation due to teacher training gaps, resource shortages, and a stark divide between students’ climate knowledge and actionable engagement. While the 1.5 MAX initiative enhances climate awareness and practical skills through interactive methods, its effectiveness is constrained by limited teacher preparedness, curricular misalignment, and systemic resource limitations. The research highlights the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge and adapting content to local contexts for greater relevance and effectiveness. By applying a decolonial lens, this research critiques the dominance of Western epistemologies in global educational initiatives and advocates for the co-creation of knowledge that centers local agency and context-specific solutions. While demonstrating the potential of international educational initiatives to complement local curricula, the study underscores the need for sustainable support systems and expanded teacher training. Future research should assess the long-term impacts of such interventions and explore strategies for aligning global practices with local needs, while dismantling colonial legacies to foster a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape.

Rural Land Policy: Case Comparisons of Ethiopia, Lesotho and Botswana

Rural land policy is crucial in shaping agricultural productivity, food security, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. The article conducts a comparative analysis of rural land policies in Ethiopia, Lesotho and Botswana, examining their distinct historical, social and economic contexts. Ethiopia's state-centric land tenure system, Lesotho's leasehold approach and Botswana's decentralised tribal land management offer diverse frameworks for understanding land governance. By employing a comparative approach and integrating the Evolutionary Theory, the article explores the impact of different land tenure systems on agricultural productivity, tenure security and access to credit. The analysis reveals tenure security as a core objective across all three countries, with varied effectiveness in land reforms. Ethiopia's large-scale state interventions, Lesotho's systematic land regularisation and Botswana's rural diversification highlight distinct policy outcomes. Key findings emphasise context-specific solutions, participatory governance and integrating customary and statutory systems. The study emphasises the critical role of women in land management and addressing gender disparities in land rights to enhance socio-economic development. In light of climate change and globalisation, the article advocates for climate-resilient agricultural practices and rural diversification to mitigate external impacts. Insights gathered offer valuable lessons for policy-makers, scholars and development practitioners aiming to enhance land tenure security, promote sustainable land use and improve rural livelihoods in Africa. This study contributes to the broader discourse on land governance and rural development through cross-country learning and adapting best practices.

Economic and healthcare determinants of under-five mortality in low-income countries

BackgroundUnder-five mortality (U5MR) remains a critical development challenge, particularly in low-income countries (LICs), where children face the highest risk of preventable deaths. This study explores the influence of three key variables, per capita Gross Domestic Product (PGDP), DTP1 immunisation coverage, and Government Healthcare Expenditure (GHE), on U5MR across 19 LICs from 2000 to 2020, providing a clearer understanding of their individual and combined effects.MethodsA balanced panel dataset was analysed using both fixed-effects and random-effects panel regression models. Additionally, country-level insights were derived through multiple linear regression (MLR) to capture variations across different LIC contexts.ResultsThe analysis revealed a strong inverse relationship between PGDP and U5MR, highlighting the role of economic growth in improving child survival. DTP1 immunisation coverage showed mixed effects, positively linked to reduced mortality in most LICs, but unexpectedly associated with higher U5MR in specific contexts like Malawi and the Central African Republic, suggesting challenges in access or implementation. Similarly, GHE showed varied impacts, with some countries benefiting significantly, while others demonstrated weaker or adverse effects, likely due to inefficiencies in spending.ConclusionsThe findings highlight that reducing U5MR in LICs requires more than isolated actions. It calls for combined strategies that connect economic improvements with fair healthcare investments and better immunisation delivery. Policymakers must design context-specific solutions to ensure lasting and meaningful progress in child health outcomes.

Design framework to develop sustainable innovations for addressing One Health challenges.

The complexity of global health challenges requires integrated approaches that crosses traditional boundaries. One Health (OH) offers a holistic approach to address health issues at the crossroads of human, animal, and environmental domains. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a prime example of a cross-sectoral issue and OH challenge, highlights the need for coordinated interventions that consider multiple stakeholders. Current approaches to improve OH challenges and AMR have limited success, often due to a lack of a structured theoretical approach that informs the design and development of solutions for long-term sustainability. Existing frameworks focus primarily on human or veterinary sectors in isolation, leaving a gap in comprehensive, integrated approaches that align with OH principles. The proposed framework addresses this gap by offering a structured approach to both implementing and evaluating interventions that consider all three sectors. This paper proposes the HEARTf of OHC (Holistic Engagement and Adaptive Responses Theoretical framework of One Health challenges), a user-centered design approach aimed at developing sustainable and innovative OHC interventions. The HEARTf of OHC integrates knowledge from social sciences, computer science, industrial design, pedagogy, and health sciences to create context specific solutions that address the specific needs of end-users in the human, animal, and environmental sectors. Additionally, this paper reviews existing frameworks addressing AMR, identifies limitations and outlines the need for a transdisciplinary approach when tackling OHC. By emphasizing the importance of the user-centered design, transdisciplinarity, and continuous evaluation, the HEARTf of OHC aims to bridge the gap between current strategies and improve the development and evaluation of innovative solutions or services. The HEARTf of OHC is a generalizable framework for the design, implementation, and evaluation of OH interventions, where we use AMR as a case study to demonstrate its application.

Urban Flood Resilience in India: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges, Assessment Strategies, and Future Directions

Urban flooding is a critical and recurring challenge in India, driven by rapid urbanization, unplanned development, and increasing extreme weather events. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of urban flooding in Indian cities, highlighting key causes, assessment methodologies, governance gaps, and future directions for resilience-building. The study explores case studies from major cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, and underrepresented smaller cities like Gorakhpur, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by these regions. The review reveals that while technical tools such as GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological models are extensively applied for flood risk assessment, socioeconomic dimensions, particularly the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities, remain inadequately addressed. Emerging technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and machine learning demonstrate significant potential for real-time monitoring and predictive modeling but are underutilized in Indian cities. Nature-based solutions (NBS), such as wetland restoration and green infrastructure, offer sustainable flood mitigation options but lack integration into urban planning frameworks. In addition, governance challenges, including fragmented institutional coordination and weak enforcement of policies, exacerbate the impact of urban flooding. The findings highlight critical research gaps, including the underrepresentation of smaller urban centers, insufficient socio-economic inclusion, and the absence of multi-hazard frameworks. The review recommends localized and tailored approaches, stronger adoption of emerging technologies, integration of NBS and strengthened governance to address these challenges. A shift from reactive flood management to proactive and holistic resilience strategies is essential for mitigating future flood risks and ensuring sustainable urban development in India. This study serves as a foundation for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers to design context-specific solutions, fostering urban resilience against the increasing threats posed by flooding and climate change. . KEYWORDS :Urban flooding, Resilience, Hydrological modeling, GIS, Climate change, Disaster management

Electrified transportation for sustainable mobility in developing countries – a review of challenges and opportunities

Electrified transportation is emerging as a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable mobility in developing countries, where reliance on fossil fuels remains high. This study examines the current status, challenges, and opportunities of electrified transportation across road, rail, air, and water modes, focusing on Ghana. The research systematically synthesised studies by applying defined criteria to extract key objectives, methodologies, findings, and policy recommendations. The review reveals that while electrification offers significant benefits such as lower operating costs, reduced CO₂ emissions, and enhanced energy efficiency, its implementation in Ghana is hampered by high upfront costs, insufficient charging infrastructure, and outdated regulatory frameworks. Key initiatives, including the electric vehicle policy and the Railway Master Plan, indicate promising progress yet underscore the need for integrated, context-specific solutions. Recommendations from the review advocate for increased public-private partnerships, strategic investments in renewable energy integration, and capacity building to modernise infrastructure and update policy measures. These measures are essential to overcome technical and financial barriers and align Ghana’s transportation sector with international decarbonisation targets and sustainable development goals. Ultimately, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by synthesising diverse Ghana transportation findings, offering actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. It underscores the urgency of adopting multimodal strategies tailored to local socioeconomic realities, paving the way for a resilient, low-carbon transport future in Ghana and similar developing regions.

Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Public Services Through Information Technology: A Case Study of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Justice

This study explores the novel application of the Ajendamento online scheduling system in Timor-Leste’s passport services, addressing gaps in prior research by focusing on its dual role in enhancing transparency and accountability while confronting unique local challenges. Unlike broader e-government studies, this research provides empirical evidence from a least-developed country (LDC) context, where infrastructural and literacy barriers significantly impact digital adoption—a dimension underexplored in existing literature. Using a qualitative case study design, the study analyzes interviews with 12 stakeholders, document reviews, and observational data from Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Justice. Findings reveal that the Ajendamento system reduces broker interference, improves service efficiency, and fosters procedural transparency. However, persistent issues such as uneven internet access (54.2% penetration), low digital literacy (especially among rural and elderly populations), and institutional capacity gaps (e.g., 26% contracted staff, limited training) hinder equitable implementation. These challenges contrast with studies in more advanced digital economies, highlighting the critical need for context-specific solutions. The study contributes to e-government theory by emphasizing the interplay between technological systems and socio-institutional readiness in LDCs, a nuance absent in Heeks’ (2002) generalized frameworks. Practical implications include targeted investments in infrastructure, literacy campaigns, and inter-agency collaboration to ensure inclusive digital transformation. By bridging the gap between policy aspirations and grassroots realities, this research offers a model for similar settings globally.