Example Of Ghana Research Articles

Examining attitudes and the law on homosexuality in non-Western Societies: The example of Ghana in West Africa

Examining attitudes and the law on homosexuality in non-Western Societies: The example of Ghana in West Africa

Assessment of the impact of new media and political news channels in West Africa: on the example of Ghana and Nigeria

Rapid technological changes that take place in recent years affect all aspects of life. The emergence and popularization of the Internet is one of the examples of how people get access to political information and news. Previous research were focused on examination of the impact of media upon the audience, or people’s distrust to new media. The online quantitative study that involved 199 respondents from Ghana and Nigeria revealed that many people read political news online, or sometimes listen to the radio in these two regions. Print media received the lowest rating, as people’s interest in it declines. The conclusion is made that the population of Ghana and Nigeria tend to read new media for political news compared to mainstream media. Therefore, mainstream media should invest adequate resources to improve their online presence and the quality of their news content. It is indicated that new media is currently the number one tool worldwide of enticing people to protest against government policies that they believe would have negative consequences for their lives. It is shocking that the majority of respondents claimed that they watch political news on TV, compared to minority who listen to radio. The authors’ special contribution lies in determination of the most frequently used means of political communication among the residents of West African countries. It opens eyes for political communication and researchers, which requires further study.

The question of school language in multilingual societies: the example of Ghana

The language used in school represents a crucial and polemic question in multilingual societies. Sub-Saharan Africa represents a world region with a significant linguistic diversity. Until recently, most of these countries were European colonies. During colonial times, the colonizer language generally dominated in schools. After their independence, many countries have continued using that language as the instructional language. It is observed that quite often, children are schooled in a second language, and teachers must teach in a foreign language. This situation results in potentially negative consequences affecting school learning. The specific example of Ghana is examined. It is pointed out that in Ghana during recent years frequent changes have been introduced in school language. Commonly, English is used as the primary school language. Because this association between language and school learning, speaking English provides not only significant social prestige, but also results in better working opportunities. The question of so-called “international schools” in Ghana is also examined; most of these schools do not teach any of the Ghanaian languages, but a foreign language, such as French, Spanish, or Portuguese. It is argued that these international schools may have adverse consequences on Ghanaian children who attend them. Ghana, however, has been a strong advocate of the so-called “African personality” and the use of English as the medium of instruction is in overt opposition to this ideology. It is concluded that children schooled in a second language, and teachers teaching in language that they do not master well enough may represent a potential barrier for the social, scientific, and economic development of sub-Saharan African countries, such as Ghana.

Pedestrians safety in developing countries on the example of Ghana

As the number of vehicles increases, the number of transport accidents in developing countries increases. Accidents are the second cause of death in Ghana after malaria. Pedestrian accidents remain the main problem in Ghana, as they represent the largest percentage of deaths in traffic accidents. The death rate among pedestrians was 3 times higher than among vehicle users. Insufficient lighting of roads and lack of infrastructure for pedestrians are the cause of an increased number of fatalities among pedestrians. Increasing the visibility of pedestrians on the road and increasing the emphasis on education in the field of road safety could reduce the number of road accidents involving pedestrians.

Accounting systems in developing countries under sustainability: first glance from Ukraine and Ghana

The dissemination of sustainability reporting and integrated reporting is a key trend in the development of accounting systems under the influence of the concept of sustainable development. This statement is fair not only for developed countries, but also for developing countries. On the example of Ghana and Ukraine, a comparative study of regulatory requirements and conceptual frameworks for the compilation of sustainability reporting and integrated reporting has been conducted; the dynamics, size of reporting companies, their sectoral affiliation and the standards used are researched. It was proved that the basis for the promotion sustainability reporting and integrated reporting in these countries are regulatory requirements, as well as increasing the perception of CSR, the transparency and accountability of business, the practices of stakeholder participation and assurance the reliability of reporting for stakeholders.

Development of the Capital Service Market in Agriculture: The Emergence of Tractor-Hire Services in Ghana

This article examines the role of the capital service market in increasing the use of mechanical technology in smallholder agriculture. Custom hiring services have been essential to the widespread use of agricultural machines in many countries where small farms predominate. In the past, some governments in Africa south of the Sahara (SSA) had attempted to supply agricultural mechanization services when there was no demand for such services. Recently, however, demand for mechanization in SSA has been on the rise. Tractor ownership has also increased considerably among medium- and large-scale farmers, who use the tractors on their own land and also hire them out to others. Using the example of Ghana, we examine the behavior of tractor owners and the role they are expected to play in the development of mechanization in SSA. We use survey data from eight districts in the transition and savannah agroecological zones of Ghana. The survey covered 1,843 farming households, including 408 tractor owners and was aimed at characterizing the transition from smallholder farming to medium- and large-scale commercial farming, including patterns of agricultural-machinery ownership and patterns of demand for agricultural mechanization. First, we analyze the relationships between tractor ownership, farm size, and tractor service provision using correlation analyses. Second, we estimate a tractor service cost function based on the hypothesis that hiring a tractor service is not a perfect substitute for owning one, especially for large-scale farmers. Our findings suggest that providing tractor services significantly increases the rate of tractor use, a precondition for economic use of tractors. Agricultural mechanization service providers are primarily medium- and large-scale farmers. These farmers buy tractors even if they cannot make full use of them on their own farms, and they provide tractor services to fellow farmers. Smallholders' use of these services is quite high. Increasing tractor use is essential to counter any risk that may be associated with owning a tractor. Traveling to a different rainfall zone to provide services or extending tractor use during the postharvest period (e.g., for shelling) can help to achieve this objective. While service provision and markets offer strong potential for the widespread adoption of mechanization, medium-scale farmers in particular will be important for spreading the use of tractors among farmers in SSA. The findings presented here support our belief that mechanization can develop where there is potential for a service market, even under smallholder agriculture.

The United States and Democracy in Africa:Discrepant Orientations of Anglophone and Francophone Africa Toward Democratic Practices (Good Governance, Administrative Reforms and Human Rights)

President Obama’s first trip to Africa [as US President] in July 2009 took him to Ghana. The U.S. President made Ghana his first stop on the continent because he was probably highly impressed by the institutionalization of democratic processes in the country. While in Ghana, the president highlighted that country's commitment to peaceful democratic transition and establishment of effective governance practices. Obama also called on other African leaders to follow the example of Ghana by creating democratic institutions, embracing good governance practices, and showing respect for the human rights of their citizens. The recently concluded U.S.-Africa Summit (August 6-7, 2014) convened by President Obama in Washington, D.C. was no doubt initiated to advance the political agenda of his 2009 visit to Ghana, and also to establish stronger economic and cultural ties with Africa. The 2014 summit brought together an unprecedented number of African leaders to Washington, D.C. for a two day conference that covered a broad array of topics ranging from health Care, trade and investments, security and terrorism, to good governance, democratic institutions and human rights. A partnership between the United States and Africa is important and strategic because both partners must work together in order to function effectively in a complex global environment that is increasingly plagued by terrorism, political instability, devastating public health epidemics, economic inequalities, poor governance and the failure to effect credible administrative reforms in a number of African nations. This paper proposes to examine the content of U.S. support for the establishment of democratic institutions and good governance practices in Africa against the backdrop of the inability, unwillingness, or failure of some African nations to fully embrace the processes upon which such US support is supposed to be predicated. It is apparent that The Anglophone nations in West, East and South Africa have been more responsive to the political practices advocated by the United States and are in fact reforming their administrative processes and procedures, while most Francophone nations in West and Central Africa are content with the status quo. Why is there a discrepancy between the English-speaking and French-speaking African nations toward embracing democratic and good governance practices? It is to answering this question that this paper aspires to accomplish through a comparative analysis of the performance records of a select number of Anglophone and Francophone states in West and Central Africa. How have these English (Ghana, Botswana, South Africa) and French-speaking( Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) countries fared since President Obama first acknowledged the great strides made by Ghana during his 2009 visit?

Why is dracunculiasis eradication taking so long?

The long time needed for global eradication of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) was not anticipated at the outset. The successful eradication of smallpox in 10 years compares with the target date set in 1985 for dracunculiasis eradication - 1995. Seventeen years after that date, transmission continues. Why? Various factors are responsible, mainly lack of resources, or resources ineffectively used. The example of Ghana, where the programme stagnated for a decade, sheds light on this delay. When more resources were put into Ghana's programme in 2007, transmission of the disease was interrupted in 3 years. The variable success of dracunculiasis eradication in different countries provides lessons for future disease eradication programmes.

Truth and reconciliation commissions, restorative justice, peacemaking criminology, and development

This paper argues that restorative justice approaches such as truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) and peacemaking criminology could greatly enhance a country’s democratic practice paving the way for wider societal development. Drawing on the example of Ghana’s National Reconciliation Commission, the paper contends that the principles and practices of restorative justice and peacemaking criminology do not only enhance our understanding of the aims and significance of TRCs but also serve victims, the community, and perpetrators better than a criminal prosecution approach in a country’s effort to address post‐conflict justice. This provides an enabling environment for democracy to take root giving rise to political stability and societal development.

Ann Veneman: getting UNICEF back to basics

Ann M Veneman a farmers daughter who was the first female US Agriculture Secretary and is now Executive Director of the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has made child mortality public enemy number one for the agency which had broadened its agenda under former head Carol Bellamy. Under Veneman UNICEF is returning to an earlier mission of tackling diseases such as pneumonia diarrhoea and malaria that together with other factors claim the lives of 10.5 million children each year. The attainment of Millennium Development Goal 4--to reduce under-5 child mortality by two-thirds by 2015--is a key part of this strategy said Veneman. "In order to do that we really have to figure out what works and how to measure the results" she told The Lancet. Veneman cited the example of Ghana which is benefiting from the Accelerated Child Survival and Development programme that aims to strengthen community-based health systems and implement cheap evidence-based health and nutrition measures. Initial surveys indicate that child mortality has been cut by up to 50% in a region where this programme was implemented whereas in other regions rates have stagnated or even increased. "Its not just getting immunisation to kids its getting the mother good nutrition early on its being sure that the children then get the nutrition as well as the immunisation its making sure you get clean water" she commented. (excerpt)

Marine ecosystem variability and human community responses: The example of Ghana, West Africa

This study describes variability in the marine ecosystem of Ghana, West Africa, on several temporal and spatial scales and discusses how the human communities using this ecosystem respond to this variability to cope socially and economically. Ghanaian marine waters are part of an upwelling system with strong seasonal and inter-annual variability. Much of this variability is forced at large spatial scales in the tropical Atlantic and by El Niño—Southern Oscillation events in the Pacific Ocean, which influence inter-annual variability of sea surface temperature and pelagic fish landings off Ghana. At decadal scales, Ghanaian marine waters experienced cool sea temperatures and low fishery landings during the 1960s, rapid warming and increases in fishery landings during the late 1970s and 1980s, and variable temperatures and fishery landings during the 1990s. In the late 1990s, pelagic and demersal fish populations appeared to be declining, partly due to over-fishing, although the per capita supply (domestic production plus net imports) of fish was kept high by increased imports. Artisanal fishers and fishing communities in Ghana have devised strategies to deal with variability on seasonal and inter-annual scales. These livelihood strategies include: (i) exploiting marine and terrestrial natural resources more intensively, initially at local scales but expanding to regional scales; (ii) ensuring multiple and diversified income sources; (iii) investing in social relationships and communities for support; and (iv) undertaking seasonal or permanent migrations. In addition, the national government imports fish to deal with shortages. However, these strategies may be less adapted to variability at decadal scales, and may not be sustainable when viewed at the larger scales of environmental change.

Speed control in developing countries: issues, challenges and opportunities in reducing road traffic injuries

Speed has been determined to be one of the most common contributing factors in vehicle crashes. This study explores vehicle speed as a factor in the causation of road traffic crashes, using the example of Ghana. It examines the effectiveness of various speed control measures, based on policereported traffic crashes in Ghana and published works on speed control measures in both industrialized and developing countries. In Ghana, pedestrians were the main victims of road traffic injuries. The dominant driver error assigned by traffic police was loss of control, with the underlying factor being excessive vehicle speeds. The ‘speed factor’ alone accounted for more than 50% of all Ghanaian road traffic crashes between 1998 and 2000. While the enforcement of speed limits by traffic police may not be affordable for most developing countries, rumble strips and speed humps were found to be effective on Ghanaian roads. Rumble strips installed on the main Accra-Kumasi highway reduced crashes by about 35% and fatalities by about 55%. Reducing vehicle speeds may be one of the most effective interventions to stem traffic crashes in low-income countries. However, setting lower speed limits is not an effective intervention without the traffic law enforcement resources to ensure that limits are followed. Developing countries must also look to other speed reduction measures such as speed bumps and rumble strips, roads that segregate high- and low-speed users, and technological solutions such as speed governors, as well as greater public awareness of the problem.

Quel avenir pour la zone franc ?

The end of the French Franc due to the EMU is an opportunity for examining the future of the Franc Zone. This paper addresses three issues : It describes first the working of the institutions of the Zone, and the resulting advantages for members. Despite the stability of their currency, called the CFA Franc, the African members of the Franc Zone did not avoid a hard economic crisis^ due to both falling prices in raw materials (mainly cocoa and coffee) and an increasing foreign debt. Nevertheless, we argue that they are not worse off than the other African countries. The problem of the parity of the CFA Franc is looked at in a second part. According to the political and economic situation of the members of the Zone, to maintain the value of their currency at it present level of 1 CFAF for 0,02 FF seems to be in their interest. The example of Ghana, the currency of which has been strongly devalued, shows that such an exchange rate policy, if good for Ghana, would be inefficient for the members of the Franc Zone. In the third part, some proposals are made to improve the working of the Zone, in order to grant it a future in a world where EEC would be substituted to France as Africa's main trade partner.