Ghana Experience Research Articles

Data Disaggregation for Inclusive Quality Education in Emergencies: The COVID-19 Experience in Ghana

The process of data analysis provides, undoubtedly, some of the major challenges facing organizations during the implementation of interventions in emergencies. The challenges are primarily due to the lack of direct access to beneficiaries and the rapidly evolving nature of emergencies. This paper outlines how Plan International's Making Ghanaian Girls Great! (MGCubed) project used phone-based surveys to assess the uptake of a Ghana Learning TV (GLTV) programme implemented in partnership with the government. Due to the emergency context and the need for real-time information to guide the implementation of this intervention, there was little time to undertake a major statistical analysis of survey data. This paper discusses how the MGCubed project adopted a simple data disaggregation method using a logic tree technique to gain valuable insights from the survey data. The method allowed for exploring the insights of the data set in real-time without requiring more complex and time-consuming analysis. All views expressed in this article are the author's and not of FCDO.

The impact of COVID-19 on stock returns of listed firms on the stock market: Ghana's experience

PurposeIn Ghana, even though scholars and experts in the field of economics and finance have expressed their opinions and perceptions on the effect of the pandemic on the Ghana Stock Exchange, there has been no study conducted to that effect. This study, therefore, aimed at examining the impact of COVID-19 on the stock returns on the Ghana stock exchange. This would help policy makers and investors in making efficient decisions.Design/methodology/approachThe outbreak of the novel COVID-19 has been a thorn in the flesh of the world in its entirety, affecting many aspects of life including the stock market. This study, therefore, examined the impact of the outbreak on the stock returns of the Ghana Stock Exchange. The study utilized data from the All Share Prices of the Ghana stock exchange, commonly known as the Ghana stoke exchange composite index (GSECI) for analysis. The data covered the period before the outbreak of COVID-19 and during the outbreak. It was revealed that the Ghana stock exchange experienced better returns on the market before the outbreak of the virus. The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to wide variations in the market increasing the risk of investments. The exponential General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) (1, 1) model also reveals that the outbreak of COVID-19 has a significant negative effect on the returns in the market. The market in these periods of COVID-19 is highly volatile. It is recommended that investors should carefully consider risk mitigation strategies to enable them diversify their investments effectively and efficiently against the high risk associated with the market in this COVID-19 era.FindingsIt was revealed that the Ghana stock exchange experienced better returns on the market before the outbreak of the virus. The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to wide variations in the market increasing the risk of investments. The EGARCH (1, 1) model also revealed that the outbreak of COVID-19 had a significant negative effect on stock returns in the market. The market during these periods of COVID-19 was viewed as highly volatile.Research limitations/implicationsThe outbreak of COVID-19 is hence deduced to have a negative impact on the Ghana stock exchange. However, the knowledge of how the market has been affected by the disease, it is important that financial risk mitigation studies be undertaken. This goes beyond what this study has done. The study can further be expanded to include other important economic variables such as GDP, inflation, exchange rates and the likes in to the model.Practical implicationsInvestors should carefully consider risk mitigation strategies to enable them diversify their investments effectively and efficiently against the high risk associated with the market in this COVID-19 era.Social implicationsIt is also important that investors consider diversification of their investments in order to reduce the risk in their investments. It will be more appropriate for most investors to invest with companies such as banks and the telecommunications companies listed on the on the market. This is because most of the telecommunication companies in these times have taken advantage and are making good profit on their businesses. Likewise, some of the financial institutions are considered essential institution in these times. Investing in industries such as manufacturing and the oil and gas sector may be more risky.Originality/valueThe decline in economic and financial market indicators could be credited to the failure of most business entities, organizations and firms which are struggling to sustain their operations in these times of COVID-19. These also include firms listed on the Ghana stock exchange with whom investors transact their daily businesses. However, about 70% of the Ghanaian economy heavily depends on these business and firms found in the private and informal sector. According to the Ghana Statistics Service COVID-19 Business Tracker Survey, about 131,000 businesses expressed their uncertainties with the business environment and also faced the challenge of financial accessibility. The study is appropriate to unearth the true effect and offer policy interventions.

Government Communication during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Ghana

ABSTRACT One key approach to managing a pandemic is through effective government communication. How countries have utilized communication strategies during this novel Covid-19 pandemic has not yet been well documented in the literature. Using a qualitative document analysis approach, this paper seeks to answer the question; what communication strategies have been used by the government of Ghana to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic? The study identified that the government of Ghana has been using frequent Presidential Addresses, Minister’s Press Briefings, designated Covid-19 Website, and Social and Traditional Media to communicate to its citizens. We argue that these communication strategies used by the government to “Spread Calm, Not Fear” seems to have had a positive effect on the Covid-19 fight in Ghana. Documenting the experiences of Ghana in the literature will greatly contribute to knowledge especially as Ghana has been one of the highlights in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pearls in the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of older adults’ lived experiences in Ghana

This study investigates older Ghanaian adults’ lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic along the trajectory of social, healthcare, childcare, self-care and humanitarian dimensions and how they navigated the effects thereof, utilizing interpretive methodology based qualitative dataset. The sample [n=10] was selected using purposive sampling technique. The paper finds that the current pandemic poses significant social challenges. The restrictions on human social movements has implications for social isolation. Social isolation can lead to loneliness and depression. Essentially, loneliness and long-term social distancing physiologically have the propensity to decrease the ability of an individual to fight infections and inflammations. In consequence, the study participants adopted a myriad of survival strategies such as social bonding with grandchildren, keeping busy, fending for and socialising children outside the traditional classroom environment and yet keeping them focused academically. These activities facilitate social interaction among older adults and children with implication for bridging the childcare gap that the closure of schools has brought about with some form of relief for working mothers. It also serves as an income generating avenue in disguise albeit meagre. In conclusion, more reflection on and the study of the social, psychological/emotional, self-care and childcare challenge dimensions of the pandemic is imperative.

Doing fieldwork the Ghanaian way: The dilemma of conducting research in rural Ghana

This paper describes the fieldwork experience in rural Ghana of a Ghanaian student studying in Canada. It provides a background of self‐reflections that juxtapose the need to pay attention to the researcher's positionality and personality and how that can impact fieldwork and research outcomes. Recognizing that researchers' personalities have received less consideration in geographical qualitative research methodologies, this paper focuses on how both the researcher's positionality and personality can contribute to building rapport and sustaining relationships with the researched. I argue that while researchers' positionalities can influence access to research participants, personal traits form a backbone for building trust and sustaining relationships. I conclude that the research process can be rewarding if a common ground between the researcher and research participants is established. This can be created by building partnerships in the research process.

The Livelihoods Impacts of Irrigation in Western Africa: The Ghana Experience

Although agriculture remains the mainstay of the African economy, it is currently going through stress because of a multitude of factors including climate change. Thus, many countries in their efforts to transform their agricultural sectors are employing climate-smart initiatives including the provision of water harvesting technologies for irrigated crop production during the dry season. This paper examines the role of irrigation in the drive towards a transformation of smallholder agriculture in Africa. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews and individual questionnaires were employed for the data collection. The data were analyzed using the regression adjustment (RA) technique. The results indicate that irrigation has significant and positive impacts on farm incomes, employment, consumption, food security and non-farm businesses, all of which are necessary conditions for a successful transformation of smallholder agriculture in Africa. The impacts of irrigation on health and environmental sustainability are mixed—the positive being the ability of irrigators to pay for improved healthcare for their families and the negatives include the outbreak of waterborne diseases associated with irrigation water. Construction of irrigation facilities causes destruction to the environment but improves provisioning ecosystem services. It is generally concluded that access to irrigation is associated with higher farm incomes, employment, consumption, food security and engagement in non-farm business activities. The key policy implication of these findings is that African governments must formulate strategic policies that will accelerate investments in the provision of irrigation facilities to better promote the agenda to transform smallholder agriculture in the continent.

We All Need Philosophy Of Science: Analyticism As A Vehicle For Explanatory Understanding In Multi-method Research

Abstract Explaining and Understanding are considered mutually exclusive in political research. In this view, Explaining involves making observations as an outsider, with emphasis on causal laws, generalizations, and predictions. Conversely, Understanding occurs from the inside, with emphasis on meaning-making. This research note addresses Explaining, Understanding, and the related concept of reflexivity in multi-method/mixed-method research involving fieldwork. Rather than taking for granted the dichotomy between Explaining and Understanding that stems from Cartesian anxiety, I argue for the non-mutually exclusive alternative of ‘explanatory understanding’ and propose analyticism as the appropriate methodological path. An analyticist methodology involves creating a model that is a general account of a phenomenon, which is then used in case-specific analytical narratives to reveal departures from the model. Since understanding requires adequate explanation, explanatory understanding helps us better make sense of the world. Therefore, Explaining and Understanding are not merely oppositional stances between identifying causes and making sense. We cannot identify causes without making sense, and making sense involves a degree of causal inference. Explanatory understanding also necessitates reflexivity, which I conceptualize as methodological and personal positionality. I apply these arguments to my study of post-election violence in West Africa, drawing on fieldwork experience in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Specialization in Primary Products, Industrialization and Economic Development of Ghana

This paper examines whether Ghana's continuing reliance on primary products has contributed to its economic growth and such economic growth would be sustained in the long run. It shows that Ghana's economic growth since the 1990s can be attributed to a series of fortunes and heavy reliance on a few primary products will not lead to a sustainable development. The experience of Ghana provides important policy implications. Structural reforms, such as a well-designed industrial policy, would be needed for the long run economic development. For Ghana, industrialization did not progress since the 1980s. The infrastructure could not support the manufacturing development and the tertiary level education is not appropriate, particularly in science and engineering. Focusing on selected industrial estates would be meaningful in light of the limited resources. It is needed to prepare a stable supply of electricity and to reduce an exchange rate volatility. A modification of tariff structure depending on the stages of processing and an active utilization of export incentive schemes would be helpful. The government is to pay attention to a further development of the agro-processing industry, textiles and garments industry, aluminum production and the petrochemical industry.

Does regional reorganization have implications on socio-economic development? Understanding Ghana's experience

PurposeThe study aimed at examining the regional reorganization and its implications on socio-economic development on the people of Oti region, Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized both textual data and in-depth interviews in context. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 35 participants from the Oti Region.FindingsThe study found some critical services, and public goods have been provided and established in Oti Region since its establishment. Furthermore, it was established that residents have mixed reactions in terms of their expectations of the establishment of the new region on their livelihoods.Research limitations/implicationsThe conclusion and the outcome of this study cannot be generalized as a representation of the whole population of Oti Region due to a qualitative approach.Practical implicationsThis study discovered country- and community-specific understanding, expectations and elucidations of socio-economic development.Originality/valueThe outcome of the study has expanded and further advanced the sparse literature in the domain, which could help politician and policymakers in future, policy direction and further help to ignite scholars' interest in the field in future

Older people's challenges and expectations of healthcare in Ghana: A qualitative study.

The increase in the number of elderly persons in developing countries has not had a corresponding increase in social and health care support systems for the elderly. There is a substantial difference in the quality of healthcare received by older people in developing and developed countries. Elderly persons in developing countries including Ghana are increasingly becoming marginalised and isolated. There is, however, limited evidence of healthcare challenges and expectations by elderly persons in Ghana. This study explored healthcare challenges and expectations of elderly persons to inform policy that could lead to improved quality of life for elderly persons in Ghana. Qualitative exploratory descriptive study design was used in conducting this study. Semi-structured interviews were used in collecting data from 30 participants from three regions in Ghana (10 from each region). Data analysis was carried out through content analysis. Four themes were extracted from data. These themes were: 1. Inadequate information from health workers regarding care of the older person. 2. Queuing frustrations. 3. Financial burden. 4. Focused elderly care demand. The elderly in Ghana experience challenges of healthcare which include inadequate information, queuing frustrations and financial burdens. Elderly persons also have expectations of healthcare which include having dedicated professionals and units that will attend to them during their hospital visits. Academic and clinical gerontology experts could collaborate and help improve gerontology knowledge of health workers through workshops and conferences. Improving knowledge of health workers in gerontology may be a positive step towards meeting healthcare expectations of older Ghanaians.

Poverty Alleviation Programs for Female Slum Dwellers in Ghana: The Case of Ashaiman

Although poverty is a global problem, it hugely affects the slum population who are mostly located in the developing and underdeveloped countries. Slums experience higher levels of poverty partly due to their limited access to resources, and limited poverty alleviation programmes from governments, as they are treated as informal and illegal settlements. Female slum dwellers in Ghana experience high poverty levels, as their limited access to resources and programmes has been exacerbated by patriarchy in the country which has disempowered many women. This qualitative study explores poverty alleviation programmes for women in Ashaiman. It was found that both the government and civil society have been active in alleviating poverty among the women in Ashaiman, through programmes like the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), formation of savings groups and training in income generating skills. While these programmes have assisted some females in Ashaiman, they have been challenged by some factors, necessitating the resolution of such impediments so that the optimal benefits of such interventions can be achieved.

COVID-19, health care and self-medication issues in resource-limited settings: Findings and implications based on experiences in Ghana

Introduction and Objectives: There have been concerns with the level of misinformation regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its treatment, drug shortages, as well as increased use and prices of anti-malarials, antibiotics and hygiene products during the recent pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a significant role in disease prevention and treatment in the fight against COVID-19 including providing hygiene information and medicine availability across Africa and generally. Consequently, there is a need to review the role of community pharmacists in preventing unintended consequences during any pandemic as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the demand, availability and prices of suggested medicines for its management. Materials and Methods: Multiple approaches involving a qualitative review of the management of COVID-19 across countries coupled with a pilot study in Ghana among six purposely selected community pharmacists during the early stages of the pandemic assessing patterns of demand, availability and prices of medicines suggested for the management of COVID-19. Alongside this, pharmacists' future role enhancing appropriate medicine use in Ghana and wider combined with the help of senior level co-authors. Results: The majority (five out of six) of pharmacists in Ghana reported increased demand for hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics and vitamins as immune boosters resulting in shortages with price increases particularly for anti-malarials. Conclusion: The global lockdown had impacted on the supply and prices of medicines in Ghana similar to other countries. Community pharmacists can play a key role with encouraging safe medicine use, reducing self-purchasing of medicines and planning workflows during future pandemics including vaccinations. They can also help address potential misinformation and its consequences as well as the unintended consequences of pandemics including better management of non-communicable diseases.

Bus rapid transit implementation with the inclusion of incumbent paratransit operators in African cities: lessons from Accra

ABSTRACT Bus rapid transit (BRT) is considered the cheapest and fastest to implement mass transportation system compared to rail and tram. However, the implementation of BRT becomes complicated where there are incumbent paratransit service providers. In African cities, it has become mandatory to include these operators because they are the most extensive public transport service providers, employ many people, and make governments unpopular when excluded. In Accra, the government sought to implement BRT with the inclusion of incumbent paratransit operators but could only implement a conventional bus service. This article analyses the approach adopted to examine the reasons behind the inability to execute the planned BRT and draw lessons from the Ghana experience. This article adopted informal transportation and BRT characteristics based on the African experience to analyse the incorporation of incumbent paratransit operators in Ghana. The findings show the challenges the implementing agency encountered, resulting in a shift from BRT to a conventional bus. The underlying reason for the difficulty is the depth of change required by both paratransit operators and government institutions. Given the depth of change for capital investment, capacity, and governance reforms required, the paper recommends a more gradual BRT implementation approach in African cities.

Breastfeeding in Primary Healthcare Setting: Evaluation of Nurses and Midwives Competencies, Training, Barriers and Satisfaction of Breastfeeding Educational Experiences in Northern Ghana.

Background:Breastfeeding education is critical in improving healthcare professionals’ competencies in providing breastfeeding care to mothers. We evaluated breastfeeding competencies, training, barriers and satisfaction of breastfeeding educational experiences among nurses and midwives in the Sagnarigu Municipality, Ghana.Methods:This cross-sectional study included nurses and midwives providing maternal and child health services at various primary healthcare facilities in Sagnarigu Municipality.Results:Nurses and midwives had higher pre-service breastfeeding training than in-service training with a mean training score of 10.0 and 5.2, respectively. Nurses and midwives who had both pre-service and in-service training had better satisfaction score (P = .003), positive attitudes (P = .016) and higher confidence level about breastfeeding (P = .007). Approximately, 80% of the nurses and midwives reported that they need further training/updating on breastfeeding while 40% reported clinical/professional practice as the significant contributor to their breastfeeding counselling competencies. Mean satisfaction score correlated positively with confidence levels about breastfeeding counselling (r = .224, P = .022) and pre-service training (r = .342, P < .001); confidence levels about breastfeeding counselling also correlated positively with attitudes towards breastfeeding counselling (r = .348, P < .001). Commonly reported barriers to breastfeeding counselling were mother’s poor compliance with breastfeeding recommendations, too much workload, inadequate time and materials for breastfeeding counselling.Conclusion:Nurses and midwives in this study felt confident about breastfeeding counselling, had positive attitudes towards breastfeeding counselling and generally, satisfied with their breastfeeding educational experiences. Despite nurses and midwives agreeing that breastfeeding counselling is integral in their professional practice, their role in providing breastfeeding counselling is hindered by individual and health systems barriers.

Exploring caregiver experiences of stigma in Ghana: They insult me because of my child

Families of children with disabilities experience stigma by association with their child. This article examines social and internalised stigma experienced in the family by caregivers who participated in a caregiver programme in Ghana. Stigma is pervasive, and gendered, with most mothers blamed for bringing disability into the home. Emotional distress, isolation and lack of support are common experiences. We argue that the mothers can experience forms of disablism. Stigma is multi-layered, and a range of factors intersect with disability-related stigma, including poverty. A support group model can have a positive impact on caregiver internalised stigma and begin to address isolation. This should be part of a wider package of support to address wider structural issues. Families can play an important role in mediating change, but first we need to better understand the social disruption caused by disability-related stigma at the familial level. Points of interest Stigma amongst family members with a child with cerebral palsy, is very common in the Ghana context, and fuelled by traditional beliefs. Caregiving and disability-related stigma is gendered. The stigma of childhood disability is often associated with women's role in child bearing and rearing. Better engagement with fathers, and other key members of the family, is needed. Emotional distress, isolation and lack of support are common caregiver experiences in Ghana. A support group model for caregivers has an impact on how they feel about themselves, reducing levels of self-blame and feelings of isolation. We know that the quality of caregiving is really important in the early years of a child's development, so it is important to address any stigma. Factors, such as poverty, play a role in fuelling stigma. These other factors also need to be addressed if we want to reduce levels of stigma experienced by families.

Molecular diagnosis for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: lessons learnt from the Ghana experience

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 is currently causing a worldwide pandemic. The first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded in Ghana on March 12, 2020. Since then, the country has been combatting countrywide community spread. This report describes how the Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) is supporting the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to diagnose infections with this virus in Ghana. The National Influenza Centre (NIC) in the Virology Department of the NMIMR, adopted real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) assays for the diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 in January 2020. Samples from suspected cases and contact tracing across Ghana were received and processed for SARS-CoV-2. Samples were 'pooled' to enable simultaneous batch testing of samples without reduced sensitivity. From February 3 to August 21, the NMIMR processed 283 946 (10%) samples. Highest number of cases were reported in June when the GHS embarked on targeted contact tracing which led to an increase in number of samples processed daily, peaking at over 7,000 samples daily. There were several issues to overcome including rapid consumption of reagents and consumables. Testing however continued successfully due to revised procedures, additional equipment and improved pipeline of laboratory supplies. Test results are now provided within 24 to 48 hours of sample submission enabling more effective response and containment. Following the identification of the first cases of SARS-CoV-2infection by the NMIMR, the Institute has trained other centres and supported the ramping up of molecular testing capacity in Ghana. This provides a blueprint to enable Ghana to mitigate further epidemics and pandemics. The laboratory work was supported with materials from the Ghana Health Service Ministry of Health, the US Naval Medical Research Unit #3, the World Health Organization, the Jack Ma Foundation and the University of Ghana Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. Other research projects hosted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research contributed reagents and laboratory consumables. The funders had no role in the preparation of this manuscript.

Compositional and Structural Deficiencies Causing Failure of Local Fire Assaying Crucibles in Ghana

Locally produced crucibles in Ghana experience dimensional failures during fire assaying of ores, therefore, even with a higher cost, imported crucibles are still the most preferred choice by laboratories in Ghana because of the stable performance of up to three cycles. Assay crucibles of locally manufactured, imported and theoretically composed were sampled and analysed via reverse engineering to identify factors that are attributed to the failure during use. Field investigation and compositional, physical and structural investigations were carried out using XRD, water boiling and SEM-EDS analyses, respectively. The results indicated that failure of the local crucible can be attributed to low mullite phase in both content and planes, which could ease the crack development and enhance the thermal stability of the crucible; non converted quartz into cristobalite, which stabilises the volume expansion coefficient during the fire assaying cycles; excess quartz content and absence of alumina content weakened the corrosion resistance against attack from the basic flux of litharge; and high porosity, allowed penetration of molten charge into the structure of crucible, leading to the dissolution of free silica content into the charge and causing structural failure. To overcome such deficiencies, higher firing temperature (~1240 °C), extra soaking time, and blending of high alumina contained clay/minerals were suggested.

Government Communication during the Covid-19 Pandemic; the Case of Ghana

ABSTRACT With the novel nature of the Covid-19, different researches are being carried out in various fields of which public administration is no exception. Public administration as an applied field offers more insights on how governments are responding to the pandemic. One key approach to managing the pandemic is through effective government communication. As novel as the Covid-19 situation is, how countries have utilized communication strategies to fight against this Covid-19 pandemic have also not yet been well documented in the literature. Using a qualitative document analysis approach, this paper seeks to answer two questions; what communication strategies have been used by the government of Ghana to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic? How have these communication strategies been effective in fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic in Ghana? The study identified that the government of Ghana has been using frequent Presidential addresses, Minister’s Press Briefings, designated Covid-19 Website, and Social and Traditional Media to provide information to the citizens. These communication strategies have been used by the government to “Spread Calm, Not Fear” and to drive the entire population with the government in the fight against Covid-19. Documenting the experiences of Ghana in the literature will greatly contribute to knowledge especially as Ghana has been one of the highlights during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Technopolitics of Infrastructure Breakdowns: A Historical Overview of Dumsor

In sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana is considered a beacon of success because of its high electricity access rate: 84.3 per cent as at 2018. Despite this success, the sector is entangled in a crisis. Crisis as used here refers to the crisis of electricity supply where supply deficits results in prolonged periods of blackouts and load rationing. Between 2012 and 2016, blackouts christened dumsor (Twi word for off/on) became a regular experience in Ghana with more blackouts than electricity supplied: 24 hours lights out, 12 hours light supplied. Using a historical narrative, this article provides a summarized account of how dumsor unravelled- the momentous cascading socio-economic interruption dumsor caused, the dramatic user responses it evoked and the ways in which it became the subject of intense political debate. Primary data was gathered from ethnographic fieldwork and secondary data from online and archival sources. This narration reveals the generative potential of uncertain infrastructure and its ability to foreground the “under the radar” interdependences between infrastructure and political power. It details how an “imperfect” electric infrastructure produced new user subjectivities, challenged the conduct of electricity governance and revealed electricity provisioning to be a starkly contested technopolitical process. Keywords: Technopolitics, Blackouts, Dumsor, Infrastructure

Move to Online Learning during COVID-19 Lockdown: Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences in Ghana

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has brought another dimension to teaching and learning across the levels of education. The lockdown imposed in many countries to curtail the pandemic forced many institutions of learning to shift to the online mode of teaching and learning. Using a descriptive survey research design, this study explored the online learning experiences of pre-service teachers at a Ghanaian university during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study focused on the pre-service teachers’ preparedness for online learning in terms of their digital literacy and technological devices used for online learning, their positive online learning experiences, and the challenges they encountered learning online. The findings suggested that the pre-service teachers were digitally literate and mostly accessed online learning using smartphones. Besides, online learning enabled them to communicate and collaborate actively with their course mates and lecturers. It was found that the flexibility of online learning increased the students’ motivation to learn. However, poor internet connectivity, the high cost of data, erratic power supply, lack of appropriate devices, inability to effectively manage their time, and family interruptions were some of the challenges experienced by the pre-service teachers.