Households In Ghana Research Articles

The role of child nutrition counselling, gender dynamics, and intra-household feeding decision-making on child dietary diversity in semi-arid northern Ghana

Every child has the right to proper nutrition. As such, child nutrition counselling is recommended to improve child dietary diversity and reduce malnutrition. However, there is limited empirical evidence on how child nutrition counselling, gender dynamics, and intra-household feeding decisions play a role and translate to child dietary diversity in rural contexts. Informed by theoretical conceptions from Health Belief Model (HBM) and Gender and Development (GAD) framework, we analyzed cross-sectional data from 517 smallholder households in Ghana's semi-arid Upper West Region to investigate the relationship between child nutrition counselling, gender dynamics, intra-household feeding decision-making, and their impact on child dietary diversity. Results from ordered logistic regression show that households that received child nutrition counselling reported higher child dietary diversity. Joint intra-household feeding decisions were associated with higher child dietary diversity. Households with good self-rated childcare, engaged in home gardening, and higher wealth, as well as those in the Waala ethnic group, were more likely to have high child dietary diversity. A decrease in household head age was linked to increased high child dietary diversity. On the other hand, female-headed households, Brifo ethnic groups, and those in the Wa East and Wa West districts were less likely to experience high child dietary diversity. Implementing interventions and policies prioritizing nutrition education in the Upper West Region and similar sub-Saharan African contexts is recommended. Strategies like scaling up child nutrition counselling, food demonstrations, mother-to-mother support nutrition outreach, and mobile nutrition clinics can empower women and improve children's well-being.

Challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 in Ghana: An assessment of the impact of economic crisis on urban household food security

There is an ongoing economic crisis in Ghana which has the potential to strain household finances, alter dietary patterns, and push people into a state of food insecurity. While rural areas have traditionally been the focus of food security research and interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is growing evidence of the challenges faced by urban residents which warrants investigation. This study aims to assess the current status of food security among urban households in Ghana, and examine the impact of the economic crisis on food dietary decisions and food security. This study surveyed 401 random sampling participants in two major urban areas, Accra and Takoradi. The structured questionnaire included the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and additional questions on income allocation to food and dietary changes. The results show a significant prevalence of food insecurity among urban households in Ghana, with over half of the respondents experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. The economic crisis has notably impacted food expenditures, with 81 % of participants reporting changes in their income allocation to food, and 75 % reducing the variety of foods they consume. A substantial portion of respondents now spends between 31 and 50 % of their total income on food which is an indication of the financial burden they face. Ordinal logistic regression identified household income as a critical factor influencing food security, with unemployed and lower-income individuals facing a significantly higher risk. These results emphasize the urgent need for both immediate food assistance, and long-term strategies to strengthen food systems and improve the economic situation to reduce vulnerability. Implementing the recommendations from these findings could contribute towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 in Ghana.

Health shocks and households’ welfare in Ghana: does social assistance mitigate the effects?

PurposeHealth shocks are among the factors that have impeded households from experiencing better welfare. To mitigate the consequences of these shocks, individuals have sought to enrol in a formal insurance scheme or borrow from banks. This study estimates the effects of health shocks on households' welfare while examining the mitigating role of social assistance in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized the three-stage least squares and feasible generalized least squares to estimate the impact of health shocks on households' welfare.FindingsThe authors find that health shocks put households at risk, particularly disability and severe illness, which significantly limits individuals’ ability to smooth consumption to increase welfare. We further find that hospitalization due to illness significantly allows households to increase welfare through consumption. Finally, we find that social assistance has the potential to reduce these adverse effects of shocks conditioned on the type of shock and the outcome variable in question.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, we only used cross-sectional data for the two waves and therefore lacked panel data across time for analyses. Second, the data do not provide information on the exact amount of cash received by beneficiaries, so it was quite impossible to measure the exact effect of social assistance on welfare. We could only track whether or not having such assistance could mitigate the effect of a health shock.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of the findings is that Ghana needs to build a resilient health system in order to withstand the health shocks of individuals.Originality/valueNo study has attempted to investigate the differential effect of health shocks – hospitalization, disability and labour days lost due to illness in Ghana. Our choice is dependent on the fact that these shocks have been an issue for many households in Ghana, thus the need to examine their impact on individual well-being. Second, social assistance has been Ghana’s flagship social protection programme, but what is missing in the literature is whether this programme is capable of reducing the effect of health shocks faced by beneficiaries’ households in Ghana.

Does livelihood diversification improve food security among rural households?: evidence from Ghana

ABSTRACT Livelihood diversification (LD) is crucial for rural households due to increasing climate variability and declining farm incomes in the global south. Literature has extensively documented the benefits of LD in emerging economies. However, there is still a gap in the econometric evidence of LD on the food security of rural households in Ghana. This study addresses this gap by examining the factors that influence LD using the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7) data collected from 133 rural households in Northern Ghana. Results from the censored Tobit regression model, multiple linear regression, and Simpson Diversification Index (SDI) indicated that diversification averaged 0.313 and ranged from 0.000 to 0.709 (zero to 70.9%). Total food expenditures (TFE) measured as a proxy of food security declined at low levels of diversification. Beyond the diversification level of 0.480, total food expenditure increased steadily. The findings revealed that only 24.6% of the households had diversification scores higher than the turning point of 0.480. The Tobit model also showed that remittance income, technical education, household size, marital status, access to extension services, and ownership of mobile phones were significant drivers of LD. The findings have demonstrated that LD improves food security in rural Ghana.

The Potential for Bouillon Fortification to Reduce Dietary Micronutrient Inadequacy: Modeling Analyses Using National Survey Data from Cameroon, Ghana, and Haiti

BackgroundBouillon is commonly consumed in some countries where micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent, but it has not been widely adopted as a micronutrient fortification vehicle. ObjectivesWe modeled the potential impacts of bouillon fortification on dietary micronutrient adequacy to inform future discussions around bouillon fortification programs. MethodsWe analyzed the dietary intake of women of reproductive age (WRA) and 1- to 5-y-old children from a national dietary survey in Cameroon, and “apparent intake” (using the nutrient density approach) of WRA, children, and men from 3 household surveys in Cameroon, Ghana, and Haiti. We examined (apparent) intake of bouillon and simulated the impacts of bouillon fortification with varying levels of vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc on inadequate intake (below the estimated average requirement) and intake above the tolerable upper intake level (UL). Scenarios accounted for current mandatory fortification programs and different assumptions about iron absorption from bouillon. ResultsBouillon was consumed by >67% of households in Ghana and >90% in Haiti and Cameroon. Median (apparent) consumption ranged from 1.6 to 2.1 g/d for WRA, 0.7 to 1.0 g/d for children, and 1.8 to 2.2 g/d for men. Bouillon fortification at the highest micronutrient concentration modeled was predicted to reduce dietary inadequacy by 21–52 percentage points (pp) for vitamin A; 3–47pp for folic acid, and 4–90pp for vitamin B12, depending on the country and population group. In contrast, predicted impacts for iron were modest (2–17pp reduction) but would increase if absorption of iron from bouillon were enhanced. Simulated zinc fortification reduced inadequacy by 12–50pp, but zinc intake above the UL exceeded 10% among children in almost all scenarios. ConclusionsModeling indicates that bouillon fortification could improve dietary micronutrient adequacy beyond existing fortification programs. Further work is needed to identify fortification levels that meet criteria for nutritional benefit, technical and commercial feasibility, affordability, and cost-effectiveness.

Financial Literacy and Financial Well-Being in Rural Households in Ghana: The Role of Financial Information Consumption

Financial Literacy and Financial Well-Being in Rural Households in Ghana: The Role of Financial Information Consumption

The effect of green perceived values on urban homeowners’ greening intention: the mediating role of green attitude

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of urban homeowners’ green perceived values (i.e. green functional, emotional, ecological and aesthetic values) on their greening behavioural intention. The study further tested the mediating role of green attitude in the relationship between the green perceived value dimensions and greening intention through the theoretical lens of the customer value theory (CVT) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey design was employed for this study. Empirical data were drawn from 501 households in Ghana using a purposive sampling technique. The hypothesized relationships were analysed using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results of this study revealed that urban homeowners’ intention to adopt greening behaviour is directly influenced by their perception of green functional, ecological and aesthetic values. In addition, the study found that green attitude partially mediated the links between homeowners’ green functional, ecological and aesthetic values and their greening intention. Green emotional value on the other hand did not have a significant direct effect on homeowners’ greening intention. However, it had an indirect effect on greening intention through green attitude. Thus, we can conclude that green attitude fully mediated urban homeowners’ perception of green emotional value and their greening intention.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to attempt to integrate the CVT and the TPB to understand urban homeowners’ greening intention. The study which focuses on Ghana provides new insights into the pathway for promoting voluntary greening behaviour within a developing country

“In the dry season, our suffering doubles”: Barriers to water access in poor urban settlements in Ghana

If current trends of water insecurity continue, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-scarce conditions by 2025. Nevertheless, qualitative studies on barriers to water access, particularly in informal settlements, remain limited. This study used in-depth interviews to examine the daily barriers to water access faced by urban poor households in Ghana. A total of 30 (n = 30) semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with residents in water-insecure areas in Tamale and Accra, Ghana. Four themes emerged from our analysis: lack of financial resources, distance and travel time, land and topography, and poor water infrastructure. Sustainable Development Goal Six cannot be achieved if the water needs of the urban poor, particularly those who dwell in informal settlements, are unmet. Thus, governments and systems must implement measures to eliminate inequalities and inequities in water distribution.

Analysis of urban households’ perception and factors that influence participation in urban agriculture in Kumasi, Ghana

The agricultural sector in Ghana heavily relies on rural farmers, but burgeoning population growth and rapid urbanisation, driven by the pursuit of higher incomes, pose challenges to food security. The increasing demand for agricultural products has outpaced production, resulting in a heightened dependence on imports. To address these challenges, urban agriculture emerges as a potential solution. This study examines the dynamics of urban farming participation by surveying 363 urban farming households in Ghana. The study uses descriptive statistics, perception index analysis, and regression analysis to find that urban agriculture participation is 59.8 %, depending on factors like household size and length of time in the current residence. Urban households generally perceive urban agriculture positively, associating it with increased income and improved food accessibility. The majority of participants focus on food production (89.86 %), with a notable portion also incorporating livestock farming (45.78 %). Primary purposes include household consumption (97.74 %) and commercial use (38.95 %). Binary logistic regression identifies set of contributors to participation, such as household size, income, available land, time availability, and positive perceptions of backyard gardening. The study recommends governmental intervention, emphasising policy formulation and regulation by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, alongside zoning regulations that integrate urban agriculture into infrastructure planning for sustainable development.

Electricity Conservation among Rural Households in Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District in the Northeast Region of Ghana

Residential energy use contributes significantly to the world's energy demand. It makes up 20% of all energy use. It is expected to rise by 40% by 2040 in developing nations due to urbanization. The adoption of energy conservation measures presents the possibility of reducing electricity consumption by reducing the price and quantity of electricity required by households. This paper examines the nature of electricity conservation among rural households in Ghana. The study was conducted through the administration of questionnaires to 156 households in six rural communities. The findings revealed that the average household size in the study area is above the national average, which affects electricity conservation practices. Level of education was found to have an influence on conservation practices; those who have attained some form of formal education adopted conservation practices. Many of the households did not know that a change in electricity saving behaviour reduces electricity consumption. Therefore, there is a need for the Ghanaian government and the electricity service providers to conduct periodic awareness campaigns in rural areas to educate them about electricity conservation and save energy waste.

Achieving food security: Household perception and adoption of home gardening techniques in Ghana

As global food crises and high food prices continue to impact communities, there is a growing focus on strengthening local food systems and improving livelihoods. Home gardening techniques have gained renewed attention as a means of food production and enhancing household food security. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the perception and adoption of home gardening techniques. This study therefore fills this gap by examining the perception and adoption of home gardening techniques among households in Ghana. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 348 households and data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Using a 5-point Likert scale, we analyzed the households' perception of home gardening techniques, and utilized a multivariate probit regression model to examine the factors influencing multiple adoption of home gardening techniques. The Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to test the level of agreement among ranked constraints in adopting home gardening techniques. The generalized Poisson regression was used to examine the number of adoption of home gardening techniques. The results revealed that most households perceived home gardening techniques as a way to improve household food security. Households were found to adopt multiple home gardening techniques, such as use of pots, sacks, and tires. Empirically, factors such as sex, education, occupation, income, technology cost, and social network had a significant influence on multiple adoption of home gardening techniques. Also, age, education, household size, income, technology cost, social network, inadequate space and insect and disease damages significantly influenced the number of adoptions of home gardening techniques. Furthermore, lack of time and inadequate space were the main constraints limiting the adoption of these techniques. We suggest government interventions to spur the adoption of home gardening techniques to improve household food nutrition.

Effects of COVID-19 on Living Standards of Households in the North East Region of Ghana: A Linear Mixed Effects Model Approach

Abstract The world was severely hit by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the latter part of 2019. The coronavirus is an ongoing global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and was first identified in Wuhan, China. The pandemic has devastated every sector of Ghana's economy and has significantly affected the living standards of people in the country. This study seeks to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on the living standards of households in Ghana using the North East Region as a case study. A sample of 399 respondents was drawn from the six (6) districts/municipalities using a single-stage cluster sampling technique. A linear mixed-effects model was used to investigate the fixed effects and the random effects in the study. Results from the study showed that variables such as the marital status of respondents, highest educational level of respondents, dependents, and employment status of respondents had significant fixed effects on the living standard of households in the Region. Overall, the study results showed that COVID-19 had significantly affected most households which has resulted in deteriorating living standards making the overall living standards worse in the Region. It was recommended in the study that a similar investigation be carried out in other parts of the country to get a more holistic view of the effects of the pandemic.

Energy and Nutrient Intakes of Mothers and Children Assessed by Weighed Food Intake Compared to Recommended Intakes in Rural and Urban Households in Ghana

Energy and Nutrient Intakes of Mothers and Children Assessed by Weighed Food Intake Compared to Recommended Intakes in Rural and Urban Households in Ghana

Ethnoveterinary treatment of livestock in Ghana: Cultural importance and consensus on plants used

The traditional free-range system of livestock rearing contributes to the socioeconomic well-being of most rural households in Ghana. The traditional management system exposes livestock to a high disease incidence, but healthcare support for animal production is limited. Ethnoveterinary practice is an integral part of livestock treatment, particularly in rural communities where veterinary services are poor. However, documentation of the plants used for ethnoveterinary treatment of livestock is scant in the country. Given the dearth of information on ethnoveterinary treatment, this study aimed to document the cultural significance and level of agreement of plant species used for treating livestock ailments in the Adaklu district. Ethnoveterinary data were collected from 120 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices were used to ascertain the most culturally significant plant species for livestock healing. It was found that 38 plant species were used to treat various livestock ailments. Ethnobotanical indices revealed that Mangifera indica, Elaeis guineensis, Khaya senegalensis, Spondias mombin, and Physalis peruviana were the most culturally significant plant species for treating livestock ailments. Mangifera indica was found to be the most versatile species for treating livestock ailments and had the highest cultural importance (CI). This study reveals the high cultural importance of plants in the Adaklu district to improve livestock healthcare. The perceived efficacy influences the selection and utilization of a resource for folk medicine. The study recommends isolating and characterizing the active compounds in the most culturally significant plants and testing the properties on the medical conditions attributed to these plants.

The COVID-19 pandemic and dynamics of livelihood assets in the Kwahu South District of Ghana: determinants and policy implications

ABSTRACT The debate on the changes in livelihood assets as a function of health shocks remains inconclusive, thus spurring attention from scientists and development practitioners across the globe. This paper analyses COVID-19-induced changes in the livelihood assets of rural households in Ghana. While content analysis was employed in qualitative data analysis, the quantitative data set was analysed using a binary logistic regression model. The analyses led to the following conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a more significant decline in financial assets than social assets. Although several socio-economic factors determine changes in the livelihood assets of households, the assets base of migrants was disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Further, women were disproportionately affected since market access restrictions significantly affected their income and savings and, consequently, their ability to buy farm necessities. These results suggest the need to emphasise the resilience of financial assets in times of pandemics, especially for migrants. This study provides new insights to inform the sustainable livelihoods framework, emphasising pandemics and changing livelihood strategies. Studies to uncover the coping strategies of migrants in the context of health shocks are required to complement this position.

Financial inclusion and improved water usage among households in Ghana

BackgroundIn Ghana, about 76% of households are at risk of drinking water polluted with faecal matter, hence, poor sanitation and unsafe water are responsible for 80% of all diseases in the country. Given this, some studies have been carried out concerning the factors that determine access and use of improved water among households in Ghana. However, although financial inclusion can make it easy for households to afford and hence, use improved water, it has received very little attention. This study, thus, examines the effect of financial inclusion on the use of improved water among households in Ghana.MethodsThe Ghana Living Standards Survey round 7 (GLSS7) is used as the data source while the binary logit regression is employed as the main empirical estimation technique.ResultsThe results show that households with financial inclusion (employing an indicator which has not been disaggregated into formal and informal financial inclusion) have a higher likelihood of using improved water sources relative to those without financial inclusion. The results are robust using formal financial inclusion as well as a combined index of financial inclusion.ConclusionEnhancing financial inclusion, especially formal financial inclusion can be utilised as a major policy instrument towards increasing access and use of improved water sources among households in Ghana.

Subjective Poverty, Family Support and Health-Related Well-Being of School-Aged Children in Single-Parent Households in Ghana: The Role of Health Literacy and Duration of Parental Separation

This study expands ongoing inquiry and debates on the influence of single-parent households on child health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the phenomenon is rapidly increasing. It examines how conventional (i.e., access to money for children—conceived as experience of poverty—, family support, and experience of social isolation) and contemporary (i.e., health literacy) factors shape the health-related well-being of children in single-parent homes in Ghana in the short-, medium- (five years or less) and long-term (6 years +). It also investigates the extent to which health literacy explains how other factors influence their health-related well-being. Data was gathered through a cross-sectional survey conducted in Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana (n = 337). Based on binary logistic regression and structural equation modelling analysis, health literacy (Odds Ratio, OR, = 1.086, p < 0.05) and social isolation (OR, = 0.584, p < 0.05) were associated with the health-related well-being of children who had been separated from a parent for five years or less while family support (OR = 1.592, p < 0.05) was associated with the health-related well-being of children separated from a parent for more than five years. Health literacy explained the association of experience of poverty (β = -0.012, p < 0.05) and experience of social isolation (β = -0.010, p < 0.10) with their health-related well-being. However, these significant relationships did not differ according to the duration of separation. The results underscore the need to invest in policies and programmes that can reduce exposure to health risks and empower children in single-parent households to contribute to protecting their health-related well-being.

The effect of microinsurance on the financial resilience of low-income households in Ghana: evidence from a propensity score matching analysis

The effect of microinsurance on the financial resilience of low-income households in Ghana: evidence from a propensity score matching analysis

Food label literacy among urban dwelling households in Ghana

ObjectiveThe current study examined food label literacy (FLL) among urban-dwelling households. DesignA cross-sectional survey. SettingAccra, the capital city of Ghana. ParticipantsA total of 510 participants. Main outcome measuresFood Label Literacy (FLL) was the dependent variable. FLL was assessed by participant’s ability to correctly interpret information on the use of nutrition facts table, ingredient list and health and nutrition claims when presented with ‘dummy’ food labels. Nutrition-related knowledge of food labels and food label use were the main independent variables. AnalysisData was analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. ResultsA third of participants reported using food labels. The adequacy rate for FLL was low. However, individuals who were labels users, had adequate nutrition-related knowledge of label and their use were more likely to have adequate FLL. Conclusions and implicationsData from this study suggests that there is a need for educational interventions and labelling policy reforms such as the introduction of Front-of-package nutrition labelling to encourage, enable, and improve consumer use of food labels in Ghana.

Advancing the Adoption of Net Metering: An Economic Assessment of Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Urban Homes in Ghana

Net metering schemes are pivotal in advancing grid-tied solar PV systems and promoting renewable energy adoption in developing nations. This study investigates the economic viability of implementing net metering within urban households in Ghana, considering the existing block tariff structure and a proposed time-of-use (ToU) structure for grid-tied PV systems. The study employed PVSOL premium (2023 R3) software for the economic performance assessment of the net metering schemes for simulated grid-tied residential PV systems in selected cities of Ghana’s Coastal, Forest, and Savannah climatic zones. The evaluation encompasses key economic metrics, including the levelized cost of electricity, accrued cash flow, annual cash savings, internal rate of return, and payback period. The study findings showed that, in most scenarios, the existing block tariff structure initially proved more economically favourable than the proposed two-tier Time-of-Use (ToU) structure. Consequently, financial investments were recouped within the project’s lifespan under net metering schemes based on the existing block tariff structure, whereas investments were not recouped under the ToU-based schemes. Nevertheless, factors such as improved daytime consumption, rising electricity tariffs, and aligning peak demand pricing hours with solar power generation hours emerged as potential drivers that could make ToU-based net metering schemes more attractive than block tariff structures. The study findings have significant implications for policy development related to tariff structures, particularly concerning the implementation of net metering for grid-tied solar PV systems within the residential sector of Ghana and other developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa.