Ghana's Programme Research Articles

Influence of School Feeding Programs on Student Attendance and Academic Performance in Ghana, and Its Potential as a Model for Other West African Nations

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of school feeding programs on student attendance and academic performance in Ghana, and its potential as a model for other West African nations Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Influence of school feeding programs in Ghana reveals that these initiatives significantly improve student attendance and academic performance, particularly in underserved and rural areas. By providing daily meals, the programs help reduce hunger, improve concentration, and boost overall participation in school activities. Attendance rates have notably increased as families are more motivated to send their children to school, knowing meals are provided. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, human capital theory & social ecological model (SEM) may be used to anchor future studies on the influence of school feeding programs on student attendance and academic performance in Ghana, and its potential as a model for other West African nations. To maximize the impact on both attendance and academic performance, programs should focus on improving the nutritional content and consistent delivery of meals. Ghana’s school feeding program should serve as a policy model for other West African nations, but adaptations must be made to fit the specific contexts of each country.

Reaching adolescents with health services: Systematic development of an adolescent health check-ups and wellbeing programme in Ghana (Y-Check, Ghana).

Routine health check-ups may improve adolescent health, but global guidelines are lacking. Phase 1 of the WHO-coordinated Y-Check Research Programme involved three African cities to co-produce a programme of adolescent health check-ups. We describe a systematic approach to developing a routine adolescent health check-ups and wellbeing programme (Y-Check) to contribute evidence on whether adolescent health check-ups should be part of routine health services in Ghana. Y-Check Phase 1 was conducted in four communities in Cape Coast Ghana, over two stages using a variety of methods: (a) needs assessment and landscape analysis on the health of adolescents (existing policies/programmes, school system, adolescent health conditions) was conducted through desk-review and interviews with key informants to identify the potential content, delivery strategy and settings for adolescent health check-ups in this context; (b) co-designing the Y-Check intervention framework through person-centred participatory workshops and a consensus-building workshop with multiple stakeholders, including adolescents (10-19 years) and their parents. The study was conducted between January 2020 and October 2020. The Y-Check intervention consists of two check-ups with content that is tailored to the needs of younger adolescents and older adolescents; delivered at both school and community settings by a team of trained staff in multiple steps involving up to four stations. Y-Check includes a referral system for adolescents with any problems that cannot be investigated or treated on-the-spot. Our systematic approach to co-producing Y-Check has resulted in an intervention whose content and structure is determined by the local context, and which was adjudged by multiple stakeholders to be likely to be both useful and acceptable, and which builds on best practice. As a logical next step, the Y-Check will be subjected to pilot testing and implementation research to rigorously evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, coverage, yield of previously undiagnosed conditions and cost of these health check-ups.

Drivers of breast cancer and cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age: insights from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey

BackgroundThe two major causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana are breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC). These types of cancers typically do not show any symptoms until they have progressed. Therefore, it is important to screen for early detection. This research aimed to investigate the rate of breast cancer and cervical cancer screening, as well as the factors associated with it, among women of reproductive age in Ghana.MethodsThis study analysed data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 15,014 women aged 15 to 49 years were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were employed to analyse the data with the aid of STATA/SE, version 17.ResultsIt was found that 18.4% and 5.0% of the women had screened for BC and CC, respectively. Women aged 45–49 years were about three times more likely (aOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.88–4.24) to screen for BC compared to those aged 15–19 years. Women who had tested for HIV had increased odds (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.56–2.25) of screening for BC compared to their counterparts. Women within the richest wealth index (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.40–2.72) had increased odds of screening for BC compared to those in the poorest wealth index. Regarding CC screening, women with higher education (aOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.53–4.29) were two times more likely to screen for CC compared to those with no formal education. Women who did not use tobacco (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.21–0.96) had decreased odds of CC screening compared to their counterparts.ConclusionsThis study showed that the uptake of BC and CC screening services among women in Ghana was very low. The drivers of BC and CC screening included enabling, predisposing, and need factors. Stakeholders can leverage the mass media to raise awareness and educate women in reproductive age about the importance of BC and CC screening. This study provides relevant information that can inform BC and CC policies and programmes in Ghana.

Genetic counseling in South Africa: A growing profession

The Genetic Counseling profession in South Africa (SA) was established 35 years ago when the first degree program was initiated at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1989. A second program was developed at the University of Cape Town in 2004. This article aims to describe the development of the profession in SA, with a focus on the last decade. The profession has been growing against the backdrop of a diverse population of 62 million with high rates of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and a poorly functioning health care system. SA was one of the first countries to regulate the profession when the Health Professions Council recognized genetic counselors (GCs) as health care professionals in 1992. Since 2017, the student body (now including some internationals) is becoming more representative of the local population and SA graduates are assisting in establishing counseling and training programs in Ghana and Oman. The professional group (GC-SA), formed in 2008, now represents the profession locally and internationally. Challenges remain, although training programs are established, and registration and billing in place. State employment opportunities are few and graduates have to become entrepreneurs, setting up private practice and seeking work in laboratories and research projects. With about a third (16) of qualified GCs (47) leaving the country and only 31 presently working locally, only about 10% of the genetic needs of the population can be met. Addressing these issues, as well as the lack of funding and political will, is a priority for the future.

The politics of the targeting and expansion of pro-poor programs in Ghana

ABSTRACT The paper examines how the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty program in Ghana is politicised and its implications for poverty reduction. Data from 26 in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions were analysed. The paper observes that a broad cross-party consensus exists because the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program has been politicised by the two main political parties, namely the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party, who target the policy to their politically supportive districts and communities. The key pathway for the politicisation and subsequent expansion of the program is partisan manipulation of the District Level Implementation Committees (DLICs), partisan selection of beneficiaries, and party membership card as a requirement for inclusion. These political considerations tend to result in wrong targeting, where undeserving beneficiaries are included, thereby undermining sustained poverty reduction and inclusive development potential of the LEAP program.

Examining the Quality of Learning Environment of Sandwich Programmes in Ghana: A Case of Institute of Education

This paper reports on a study that examined the quality of the learning environment of sandwich programmes in Ghana. The study used a sequential explanatory mixed method design and focused on tutors and 400 students of the programme. The Total Quality Management Theory, Expectation Confirmation/Disconfirmation Theory, Context, Input, Process, and Product Evaluation Model underpined the study. A disproportional stratified selection method was used to select 1,000 students and 50 tutors from each of the four teaching centres. While a purposive sampling method was employed to select 12 students and eight tutors involved in sandwich programmes for follow-up interviews. The data were collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed using means and standard deviation, while the qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. These findings revealed that the tutors show concern for the welfare of the students and offer chances for student-teacher contact. However, big class sizes limit how much faculty can customise the learning environment. Also, students were friendly, helpful, cooperative, and supported one another during activities. The study recommended that the management of the Institute of Education and centre coordinators make every effort to secure spacious classrooms to help reduce large class sizes and increase opportunities for student-teacher interactions, cohesiveness, and students' participation in the classroom. In addition, tutors should foster an atmosphere that invites student interaction and identify students' strengths and weaknesses.

Impact of School Feeding Programs on Student Attendance and Performance in Ghana

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of school feeding programs on student attendance and performance in Ghana.Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.Findings: School feeding programs in Ghana significantly boost student attendance and academic performance, particularly benefiting girls and children in rural areas. These programs reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and increase engagement, leading to enhanced educational outcomes and lower dropout rates.Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, social cognitive theory & expectancy-value theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of school feeding programs on student attendance and performance in Ghana. Implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of feeding programs regularly. Integrate school feeding programs into national educational policies as a fundamental component of the educational framework.

Feasibility, safety, and impact of the RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine when implemented through national immunisation programmes: evaluation of cluster-randomised introduction of the vaccine in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi

The RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine (RTS,S) was introduced by national immunisation programmes in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi in 2019 in large-scale pilot schemes. We aimed to address questions about feasibility and impact, and to assess safety signals that had been observed in the phase 3 trial that included an excess of meningitis and cerebral malaria cases in RTS,S recipients, and the possibility of an excess of deaths among girls who received RTS,S than in controls, to inform decisions about wider use. In this prospective evaluation, 158 geographical clusters (66 districts in Ghana; 46 sub-counties in Kenya; and 46 groups of immunisation clinic catchment areas in Malawi) were randomly assigned to early or delayed introduction of RTS,S, with three doses to be administered between the ages of 5 months and 9 months and a fourth dose at the age of approximately 2 years. Primary outcomes of the evaluation, planned over 4 years, were mortality from all causes except injury (impact), hospital admission with severe malaria (impact), hospital admission with meningitis or cerebral malaria (safety), deaths in girls compared with boys (safety), and vaccination coverage (feasibility). Mortality was monitored in children aged 1-59 months throughout the pilot areas. Surveillance for meningitis and severe malaria was established in eight sentinel hospitals in Ghana, six in Kenya, and four in Malawi. Vaccine uptake was measured in surveys of children aged 12-23 months about 18 months after vaccine introduction. We estimated that sufficient data would have accrued after 24 months to evaluate each of the safety signals and the impact on severe malaria in a pooled analysis of the data from the three countries. We estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by comparing the ratio of the number of events in children age-eligible to have received at least one dose of the vaccine (for safety outcomes), or age-eligible to have received three doses (for impact outcomes), to that in non-eligible age groups in implementation areas with the equivalent ratio in comparison areas. To establish whether there was evidence of a difference between girls and boys in the vaccine's impact on mortality, the female-to-male mortality ratio in age groups eligible to receive the vaccine (relative to the ratio in non-eligible children) was compared between implementation and comparison areas. Preliminary findings contributed to WHO's recommendation in 2021 for widespread use of RTS,S in areas of moderate-to-high malaria transmission. By April 30, 2021, 652 673 children had received at least one dose of RTS,S and 494 745 children had received three doses. Coverage of the first dose was 76% in Ghana, 79% in Kenya, and 73% in Malawi, and coverage of the third dose was 66% in Ghana, 62% in Kenya, and 62% in Malawi. 26 285 children aged 1-59 months were admitted to sentinel hospitals and 13 198 deaths were reported through mortality surveillance. Among children eligible to have received at least one dose of RTS,S, there was no evidence of an excess of meningitis or cerebral malaria cases in implementation areas compared with comparison areas (hospital admission with meningitis: IRR 0·63 [95% CI 0·22-1·79]; hospital admission with cerebral malaria: IRR 1·03 [95% CI 0·61-1·74]). The impact of RTS,S introduction on mortality was similar for girls and boys (relative mortality ratio 1·03 [95% CI 0·88-1·21]). Among children eligible for three vaccine doses, RTS,S introduction was associated with a 32% reduction (95% CI 5-51%) in hospital admission with severe malaria, and a 9% reduction (95% CI 0-18%) in all-cause mortality (excluding injury). In the first 2 years of implementation of RTS,S, the three primary doses were effectively deployed through national immunisation programmes. There was no evidence of the safety signals that had been observed in the phase 3 trial, and introduction of the vaccine was associated with substantial reductions in hospital admission with severe malaria. Evaluation continues to assess the impact of four doses of RTS,S. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and Unitaid.

Investigating the Impact of IMF Programs on the Bank of Ghana and the Ghanaian Economy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has played a pivotal role in shaping the economic policies of developing countries, including Ghana. This study aims to investigate the impact of IMF programs on the performance of the Bank of Ghana and the Ghanaian economy. Employing a quantitative research design, the study utilizes secondary data from reputable sources such as the World Bank, IMF, and the Bank of Ghana. Regression analysis is conducted to establish the relationship between IMF programs and the performance of the Bank of Ghana, as well as their impact on the overall Ghanaian economy. The findings of this study will significantly contribute to our understanding of the effectiveness of IMF programs not only in Ghana but also in other developing countries. Moreover, it will offer valuable insights into the key factors influencing the success of IMF programs in shaping the Ghanaian economy and the performance of the Bank of Ghana. Additionally, practical recommendations will be provided for policymakers, the Bank of Ghana, and other stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of IMF programs in Ghana.

Assessing the Implementation Determinants of Pilot Malaria Vaccination Programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi through a Complexity Lens: A Rapid Review Using a Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

In 2019, national immunization programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi commenced the implementation of RTS,S/AS01 vaccination in large-scale pilot schemes. Understanding the implementation context of this malaria vaccination in the pilot countries can provide useful insights for enhancing implementation outcomes in new countries. There has not yet been a proper synthesis of the implementation determinants of malaria vaccination programs. A rapid review was conducted to identify the implementation determinants of the pilot malaria vaccination programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, and describe the mechanism by which these determinants interact with each other. A literature search was conducted in November 2023 in PubMed and Google Scholar to identify those studies that described the factors affecting malaria vaccine implementation in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. Thirteen studies conducted between 2021 and 2023 were included. A total of 62 implementation determinants of malaria vaccination across all five domains of the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) were identified. A causal loop diagram showed that these factors are interconnected and interrelated, identifying nine reinforcing loops and two balancing loops. As additional countries in Africa prepare for a malaria vaccine roll-out, it is pertinent to ensure that they have access to adequate information about the implementation context of countries that are already implementing malaria vaccination programs so that they understand the potential barriers and facilitators. This information can be used to inform context-specific systems enhancement to maximize implementation success. Going forward, primary implementation studies that incorporate the causal loop diagram should be integrated into the malaria vaccine implementation program to enable immunization program managers and other key stakeholders to identify and respond to emerging implementation barriers in a timely and systematic manner, to improve overall implementation performance.

Sustainability of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in Ghana: a cost-effectiveness analysis in the context of donor transition.

Streptococcus pneumonia is responsible for 18% of infant deaths in Ghana. With co-financing from Gavi in 2012, Ghana introduced the PCV13 into the childhood immunization programme to reduce the burden of Streptococcus pneumonia. However, Ghana will graduate to the Gavi fully self-financing phase in 2026, when the nation assumes full responsibility of paying for the PCV13. This research aims to evaluate the health impact and cost-effectiveness of PCV13 immunization in Ghana since its implementation and after the cessation of support from Gavi. We used the UNIVAC tool to evaluate two main scenarios of cost-effectiveness, from vaccine introduction (2012-2025) and after Gavi transition (2026-2031) in comparison with no vaccination. The sources of data include national data, international estimates and expert opinion. Cost was considered from both the government and societal perspectives. We discounted health outcomes at 3%. Currency values were stated in US Dollars. We tested the robustness of the base case results by performing scenario and sensitivity analyses. PCV13 will reduce the pneumococcal disease burden by 48% from 2012 to 2031. The vaccination programme costs are USD 130 million and USD 275 million in 2012-2025 and 2026-2031 respectively. It also has a budget impact of USD 280 million for the 2026-2031 period from the perspective of government. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios are USD 89 and USD 73 respectively from the perspectives of government and society in 2012-2025. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios are USD 530 and USD 510 respectively from the perspectives of government and society in 2026-2031. The PCV13 vaccination programme in Ghana is cost-effective at 50% GDP per capita threshold even when Gavi withdraws co-financing support from 2026 onwards.

Uncovering the determinants of health in deprived urban neighborhoods in Accra, Ghana: a qualitative and participatory reconnaissance study.

Delivering primary care services within the context of rapid urbanization and a changing disease burden is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Rural models of primary care, including the "Community-based Health Planning and Services" (CHPS) programme in Ghana, have shown improved health outcomes. However, adapting these to the urban context has proved problematic. Differences in the determinants of health found in these settings may help to explain the challenges of delivering CHPS in poor urban neighborhoods in Accra. To inform the redesign of CHPS for the urban context, we aimed to understand the determinants driving health and engagement with health services in three informal settlements in Accra. This study formed a reconnaissance phase for a subsequent participatory action research study. We used qualitative and participatory methods to explore the influence of wider and proximal determinants on health and the use and perceptions of CHPS. Three transect walks with community leaders across the study settings informed interview guides and the recruitment of suitable participants for key informant and focus group interviews. Using a Framework Approach, we analysed transcripts and reports from these activities and developed themes and sub-themes in participants' experiences accessing healthcare. Our findings highlight the importance of wider and proximal determinants of health including physical environment, gender and other social stratifiers including age, ethnicity, religion and disability, on health, health seeking behavior and personal behaviors such as substance misuse, tobacco use and alcohol. Utilization of CHPS was low and seen primarily as a service for maternal and child health. Private providers, ranging from informal drug stores to private clinics, were used most commonly. Community leaders and groups were active, but engagement was limited by opportunity costs for members. Traditional service delivery packages need to be adapted to include non-communicable diseases driven by risk behaviors such as tobacco, unhealthy diet, alcohol and substance abuse. Assets such as volunteerism and nurses embedded within communities are challenging to attain in complex urban settings, yet other assets exist including occupational associations and a range of informal and private providers that could support delivery of preventive and promotive health care with equitable reach.

Barriers to school-based health programs implementation in basic schools in Ghana: education stakeholders' perspective.

School health has been identified as a neglected aspect of primary health care in Ghana, leading to compromised health, well-being and life satisfaction among students. To address this concern, this study identified the barriers hindering the implementation of school-based health programs in Ghana. It employed a qualitative approach, including 116 respondents who participated in interviews. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo software. In line with the research objective, findings show that the implementation of school-based health programs faces several teething challenges that serve as barriers to the success and sustainability of the programs. These barriers included resource constraints; a lack of adequate parental and community participation and a lack of adequate collaboration between stakeholders' management and leadership issues, governance issues and political issues. The findings from the study have a relevant and innovative contribution to achieving good health and well-being and quality education as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and shaping primary healthcare management in the context of a developing country. It recommends that policymakers and health practitioners pay special attention to school-based health programs as a key strategy for primary health care management in developing countries.

Changing land cover: Clustering of agents per moral responsibility and culpability

Are all humans morally responsible and deserving of blame for land cover change? Land cover change research has yet to provide an answer to this moral question. The purpose of this study was to answer the moral question of land cover change by conducting a land cover change analysis in six sampled metropolitan/municipal/districts [MMDAs] in Ghana, identify the agents of land cover change, and cluster the agents based on their moral responsibility and culpability. Supervised classification of Landsat images from 1987 to 2022 for the six MMDAs indicated that farmlands increased the most in area size although one-third of the respondents (agents) were into farming and agro-processing occupation. Based on respondants actions, knowledge and norms they were clustered into seven groups (“responsible and culpable”-25.1 %, “responsible due to culpable ignorance”-17.7 %, “responsible although lack knowledge”-14.1 %, “responsible due to weak norms”-9.1 %, “not responsible”-11 % and “not responsible due to culpable ignorance”-9.3 %) using Mason moral responsibility and culpability decision tree. The large number of respondants found to be responsible and culpable was because they had less knowledge about the consequences of land cover change, which limited their participation in environmental protection initiatives. The findings give sufficient evidence to promote educational programs for responsible land cover conservation and alternative livelihoods programs in Ghana.

Fostering the wellbeing of adolescent girls through an out-of-school sexuality education programme in Ghana

ABSTRACT Ghanaian adolescents face considerable sexual and reproductive health challenges that can disrupt human capital formation. However, a positive and healthy transition from adolescence to adulthood can be achieved by increasing access to sexual and reproductive health information, education, and services. This paper documents emerging findings from an adolescent girls’ programme delivered in 56 districts of Ghana. Data were collected from girls and young women aged 10–24 years who participated in the programme as part of a larger study that included in-school and out-of-school participants. In-depth interviews (IDI) [N = 49] and focus-group discussions (FGDs) [N = 13] were conducted in November 2021 and November 2022. An abductive approach was used to develop key themes from the data. The analysis revealed that the programme showed promise in changing the attitudes of beneficiaries towards safe sexual practices through condom use, in increasing assertiveness towards sexual and gender-based violence, and in real-life application of the knowledge and skills gained for health and social wellbeing. Out-of-school sexuality education programmes such as the one described here can be important catalysts for developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with others through the provision of information and education, and service delivery.

Nurse-patient relationship and its implications for retention in the PMTCT of HIV programme in Ghana: an appreciative inquiry

BackgroundRelationships established between nurses and midwives, and their patients have far-reaching implications; the most significant being their impact on the health-related outcomes of patients. These relationships are especially relevant in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) programme as women, diagnosed with HIV navigate the emotional and psychological effects of their diagnosis while carrying pregnancies. This study aimed to explore the relationships between nurses, midwives and mothers diagnosed with HIV and its impact on retention in the PMTCT Programme.MethodsAn Appreciative Inquiry approach that employed qualitative research methods was conducted among twenty-four participants made up of 12 HIV positive mothers, and eight midwives and four community health nurses engaged in the PMTCT programme. Individual generative interviews were conducted among the mothers while paired interviews were conducted among the health professionals. Thematic analysis guided by Colaizzi’s approach was conducted.ResultsThree main themes emerged each with its subthemes. Under Establishing Rapport, two sub-themes emerged; making the connection and building trusting relationships. The second theme, Journeying Together, describes how the nurse-patient relationship evolved as the participant engaged in the programme; sub-themes include developing mutual goals, impactful communication, and showing commitment and building self-worth. The third theme; Ending the professional relationship details two sub-themes; continuity of care across the cascade, and termination of care which proved unsuccessful in some relationships due to blurring professional boundaries.ConclusionsThe nurse-patient relationship in the PMTCT programme evolved as the relationship progressed along the PMTCT cascade. Strengthening of the nurse-patient relationships was underscored by building trust through the maintenance of confidentiality, setting mutual goals, shared emotional experiences and personal stories, and building clients’ self-worth. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that professional boundaries are set and maintained to reduce the occurrence of over-dependence of the clients and burnout of the nurses.

Knowledge and perceptions of lymphatic filariasis patients in selectedhotspot endemic communities in southern Ghana.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne neglected tropical disease that is one of the leading global causes of permanent disability. To date, LF interventions have been largely biomedical, focusing on drug treatments to disrupt parasite transmission and manage disease morbidity. Although important, these Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programs neglect the significance of socio-economic burden to the health of LF patients, which are compounded by social stigmatization, discrimination and associated depressive illnesses. The MDA program also typically fails to engage with local community beliefs and perceptions of LF, which may differ markedly from biomedical explanations and may have fueled non-compliance to treatments which is one of the major challenges of the Mass Drug Administration program. LF is not only a biomedical issue but also a social issue and LF interventions need to understand people's world views and the contexts through which they interpret bodily maladies. Hence, an effective LF intervention must bring together both the biomedical and the social components. The goal of this exploratory study was to assist in refining a large qualitative study (currently underway) that seeks to integrate culturally appropriate LF interventions into current LF control programs in Ghana. In this paper, we discuss the findings of a pre-intervention, exploratory study aimed at gaining a baseline grasp of a local culturally informed understanding of lymphatic filariasis and the knowledge gaps looking at three endemic Ghanaian communities in the Ahanta West District. A structured questionnaire was employed to assess the wellbeing, social inclusion, and cultural understanding of LF with a geographic focus within LF-endemic areas in Ghana. Interestingly, 45.8% of the 72 participants reported to have received information about LF from health care providers and the MDA program but only 5 out of the 72 (6.9%) respondents believed that LF was transmitted by mosquitos. This baseline study revealed several alternative interpretations and misconceptions about the disease, as well as the social and economic impacts, and importantly, the need to integrate qualitative research to develop culturally appropriate interventions and increase engagement with existing control programs.

Determinants Of Intention To Emigrate Among Final Year Medical Students And Junior Doctors In Ghana

Objective: Historically, doctors left the shores of Ghana for professional development and greener pastures; however, the institution of Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to train postgraduate doctors locally significantly reduced the rate of emigration. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey-based study of final year medical students of the University of Ghana Medical School, house officers and medical officers working at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Demographic data, Push Factors (poor conditions of service, lack of equipment and facilities, and economic instability) and Pull Factors (better career opportunities, shorter length of training programmes, family or spouse living abroad and improved conditions of service) were collected and analysed. Results: Of the 189 respondents, 94.18% intended to pursue postgraduate medical education, with greater than half wanting to go outside Ghana due to push factors. The existence of a well-established postgraduate training programme in Ghana, was a consideration that could influence their decision to stay for 24.27% of the participants who wished to emigrate, however for 65.05%, this did not influence their decision. Other factors like the Covid-19 pandemic had no impact on the decision to emigrate among most respondents. Conclusion: Physician emigration, although dynamic, is not as rife as it was two to three decades ago in Ghana. This study recommends a review of existing policies and strategic planning among all stakeholders to ensure that postgraduate training is locally attractive to stem the possibility of another cycle of brain drain.

Impact of agricultural policy intervention on yield and profitability of maize farmers: The case of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme in Ghana

Impact of agricultural policy intervention on yield and profitability of maize farmers: The case of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme in Ghana

An Analysis of Gender Mainstreaming in National Agricultural Policies and Programs in Ghana

Aim: The study examined the extent of gender integration in agricultural policies at the regional and national levels in Northern Ghana.
 Methods: Three Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) were purposively sampled from the 16 MMDAs in the region. The interview method was used to obtain information from 24 purposively selected key informants of MoFA and gender focal persons in Accra, Tamale, Savelugu, Zabzugu. Ten selected agricultural policy documents that addressed gender integration in agricultural policies were reviewed and descriptive and content analysis of the documents were conducted. The study applied a framework developed by Gumuchio and Rueda (2015) to analyze the extent of gender mainstreaming in agricultural policies and programmes.
 Results: The study found that most national-level agricultural policies and programmes on gender recognize the need for gender equality by specifying issues of concern, but fall short of highlighting the means of addressing the issues. It was also observed that most agricultural policies are moving from gender-blind policies to integrating gender in the objective or cross-cutting issues category, emphasizing an increasingly positive response in the extent of integrating gender in agricultural policies and programmes but with little or no budget provision to operationalize gender integration. 
 Conclusion: The study concludes that recent agricultural policies (2015 to 2023) are progressively shifting from gender-blind policies to integrating gender at different levels of policies and programmes. The predominance of women’s issues in gender policy documents coupled with a lack of clear gender indicators to little or no budget provision to operationalize gender integration in programs and projects.
 Recommendation: The study recommends that gender mainstreaming should move beyond women to include men to ensure gender equity. Also, policies and programmes on gender-specific issues of concern should highlight the means of addressing such issues and also ensure that gender-specific policies are accompanied by resource allocations.