National Development In Ghana Research Articles

Scientific human resource for national development in Ghana: Issues and challenges

Studies have established that science and technology applications have culminated in the discovery of new products, new processes, improved and faster services, better ways of solving human and environmental challenges as well as opportunities for new jobs. Therefore, understanding and use of scientific knowledge is critical in responding to national development needs and challenges. The paper provides evidence of Ghana's scientific and technological responsiveness to leveraging scientific human potentials in order to confront societal and development challenges. A cross sectional survey was conducted in 33 public and private tertiary institutions in Ghana. Census was used to select public institutions while private institutions were purposively selected to assess science student enrolment, science academic staff, science infrastructure including laboratories, as well as funding sources for research activities. The results observed inadequate scientific infrastructure in tertiary institutions. Master’s degree holders constitute the majority of the science academic staff. Total PhD enrolment in public tertiary institutions increased by 86.7%, while PhD enrolment in science programmes decreased by 22.3% from 2013 to 2015. The paper recommends a holistic approach to tertiary level scientific education to enhance national development in Ghana.

Decentralization, Partisan Politics, and National Development in Ghana

This study examines the relationship between decentralization reforms and political parties from the perspective of citizens. It is based on a national sample survey of 3018 citizens from 72 districts of Ghana. The findings show that the majority of the respondents believe that the process is already political, which is inconsistent with a party-free local government system per the 1992 Constitution. Interesting, though, is the fact that less than 20% would want to see a partisan local government system. Majority of the respondents (70%) also indicated that the District Chief Executives should be elected rather than appointed by the President.

Research Data Management (RDM) Strategy for Academic Libraries in Ghana: Setting a National Development Agenda

Academic libraries have in tandem, gradually assumed a superior role in a nation’s development. Academic library policies and practices over the world have therefore advocated holistic research data management in a physical and virtual landscape. These dynamics have posed challenges and consequences for socio-economic development for academic libraries in Ghana. This study analyses and assesses research data management policies and practices in academic libraries in order to develop a strategic and comprehensive framework that depicts real time coordination among stakeholders for socio-economic development, thus asetting a strong agenda for national development in Ghana. Using ethically professional research methods, this study adopted the purposive sampling techniques to select its sample size, scooped both quantitative and qualitative data from survey-based secondary data sources and modifies existing research data management theories and models to unravel and explain its findings. The Ghana Library Board (GLB), the Consortium of Academic and Research Li-braries in Ghana (CARLIGH), and the Ghana Library Association (GLA) are key policy formulation agencies in Ghana’s academic library industry with a goal of negotiating licensing agreements and play leadership roles to re-inforce research data management. Poor level of collaboration between researchers and librarians, lack of research data management skill, lack of technological innovation and financial constraints are key challenges of academic libraries in Ghana. Surely, academic libraries in Ghana have ex-hibited potentials for revitalizing research data management in the areas of health, education, employment, land and housing, governance, water and sanitation, agriculture, energy, urbanization, youth and gender studies, and the environment. The recommended national research data management policy framework with an embedded enterprise wide research management information system will assure the world’s academic library industry of an effective RDM strategy that drives global development, hone the expertise of academic libraries in Ghana and direct their research data management strategies.

Harnessing indigenous knowledge for sustainable forest management in Ghana

This paper makes a case for harnessing indigenous knowledge (IK) for sustainable national development in Ghana. IK is the local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. It is the basis for local-level decision-making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, natural resource management, and a host of other activities in rural communities. According to the World Bank the basic component of any country‟s knowledge system is its indigenous knowledge. It is upon this knowledge that scientific research builds. In Ghana the Government has recognized the need to harness IK for sustainable national development and has therefore incorporated it into the National Science, Technology and Innovation Development Programme. There is no evidence however that scientific research in Ghana bases its activities on IK. The paper discusses the need to take IK seriously in Ghana and establishes its importance as a foundation for scientific research. It discusses the concept of indigenous knowledge in the forestry sector, its relevance in scientific discourse and the need for harnessing IK for national development. It further goes on to give some examples of IK application in the forestry sector of Ghana and emphasizes its importance in forest management. In harnessing indigenous knowledge, several issues need to be considered. For example who owns the local knowledge, who is responsible for validating it, what factors need to be considered during the validation process and what methods can be used to record, store and retrieve the IK identified.

Improving Citizens’ Participation in Local Government Planning and Financial Management in Ghana: A Stakeholder Analysis of the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly

Ghana‘s decentralization concept was initiated to promote popular grassroots participation in the management and administration of local governance institutions for improved conditions of life. This is believed to be an important means to improving the effectiveness of service delivery and empower the local people to participate in the development processes that affect their lives. Despite this important role of local communities and stakeholders in the local governance processes, their involvement in decision making on planning, budgeting and financial management of local government agencies is only marginal. This low level of participation is one of the most structural challenges confronting Ghana‘s decentralisation process and local government financial management. Using Stakeholder Analysis, this paper examines the role and level of participation of stakeholders in planning, budgeting and financial management of the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly. The results of the study indicate that, there has been very little space for local participation and that most of the stakeholders lack proper understanding of the planning, budgeting and the financial management systems of the district assemblies. This lack of space for stakeholder participation has constrained the promotion of effective, responsive and responsible government at the local level for poverty reduction. Procedures and structures for community engagement in the monitoring and evaluation of development interventions seldom exist. The paper argues that an effective engagement of local communities and other stakeholders will enhance transparency and improve upon service delivery within the local government systems. A conscious effort to build capacities and create space for local engagement will enhance the efforts of decentralisation and fast track poverty reduction and national development in Ghana

A comparative study of ethnic residential segregation in Ghana’s two largest cities, Accra and Kumasi

The rate of urbanization is far more rapid in sub-Saharan Africa than in any other major region of the world. However, little is known about patterns of ethnic residential segregation in rapidly urbanizing African cities. This paper is crafted to make an important contribution through its focus on Ghana’s two largest cities: Accra and Kumasi. Making use of the most recent population and housing census data of 2000 to generate a Location Quotient index, the analyses explore the cities’ degree of ethnic diversity and concentration for comparative purposes. In relative terms, the study reveals that the level of residential ethnic segregation is fairly balanced in Accra compared to Kumasi. However, there are important differences between the findings of this Ghanaian case study and findings from research in the West, where the residential segregation is heavily determined by cultural/racial factors in addition to socio-economic factors. In the absence of institutional and ethnic discrimination, the most fundamental underlying cause of segregation in the Ghanaian case appears to be the socio-economic circumstance of ethnic groups present in the cities. The paper concludes by exploring the implications of the study for urban and national development in Ghana as well as the future patterns of ethnic clustering likely to emerge in Accra and Kumasi.

Followership or Followersheep? Searching for Transformational Leaders for Accelerated National Development in Ghana

The recent interest in transformational leaders is based on the fact that this type of leadership is change-oriented and focuses on followership development. In Ghana, a long history of failed development strategies and different political leadership styles has left the citizens disappointed in their leaders. This paper argues that Ghana needs transformational leaders who will be able to raise the quality of life of its citizens. Political leaders need to structurally transform the economic base, deal with corruption, and accelerate the pace of empowerment of ordinary Ghanaians through an effective decentralization programme.

Towards A Sustainable Development Of The Bamboo Industry In Ghana

The potential role of bamboo is underscored in Ghana. This paper aims at highlighting the potential for sustainable use of bamboo in national development in Ghana. Information on sources, potential and perceived uses of bamboo as well as constraints in the bamboo sector were obtained through structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews from locations spreading across all major ecological zones of Ghana. Results indicate availability of bamboo on community lands, farmlands, fallow fields and forest reserves and that its economic use is more pronounced in the Southern part of the country. Key challenges facing the bamboo industry that need consideration for its effective development revolve around the need for improvedfast growing quality bamboo resources and development of effective sustainable management and harvesting techniques in natural stands. Efficient processing and preservation techniques are also major areas of concern as well as product development and promotion. To improve the bamboo sector and ensure its competitiveness as an alternative source of wood and a sustainable enterprise, a comprehensive policy is required to put in place relevant interventions. Key interventions must include regulations for extraction of bamboo and support for relevant research institutions to improve resource quality and quantity as well as product quality. The capacity of large and small scale entrepreneurs must be enhanced for improved value addition and marketing of products.Keywords: Bamboo sector development, bamboo production-to-consumption systems, non-timber forest products

Secondary Education – A ‘Tool' for National Development in Ghana. A Critical Appraisal of the Post-Colonial Context

No Abstract Available Africa Development/Afrique et developpement Vol.XXVIII, Nos 3&4, 2003: 186-210

Role of multipurpose community telecentres in accelerating national development in Ghana

This paper examines the development, growth and potential sustainability of small business communication centres in cities in Ghana. It investigates the extent to which these enterprises are using modem communication tools to provide services and its impact on rural development. It describes the type of technologies available at these centres and demonstrates how these centres could be used to provide services to urban, rural and other underserved populations. Additionally, it draws attention to how information technology could be used to alleviate the information needs of Ghanaians. Lastly, it provides a comprehensive listing of the major communication/information centres in the country.

Telecommunications' role in national development in Ghana

Ghana has recognized the need for efficient and reliable telecommunication services. The widespread availability of these services will promote the nation's economic advancement and the decentralization of the government's activities. To achieve the objective of bringing telecommunications to all the people of Ghana, private sector participation is considered essential as a source of management skills, technology, and financing that will be required for the provision of services. In order to attract such participation, Ghana is putting in place the necessary policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks to create an enabling environment for private sector investment in the telecommunication sector.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Book reviews : Organising the Farmers: cocoa politics and national development in Ghana By BJÖRN BECKMAN (Uppsala, Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976), 299pp., n.p

Book reviews : Organising the Farmers: cocoa politics and national development in Ghana By BJÖRN BECKMAN (Uppsala, Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976), 299pp., n.p

Bjorn Beckman. Organizing the Farmers: Cocoa Politics and National Development in Ghana. Uppsala: Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976. Distributed by Holmes and Meier Publishers, Inc., New York. 299 pp. Maps, tables, appendices, notes, bibliography. $14.00 paper - Martin Igbozurike. Problem-Generating Structures in Nigeria's Rural Development. Uppsala: Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976. Distributed by Holmes and Meier Publishers Inc.,

Bjorn Beckman. Organizing the Farmers: Cocoa Politics and National Development in Ghana. Uppsala: Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976. Distributed by Holmes and Meier Publishers, Inc., New York. 299 pp. Maps, tables, appendices, notes, bibliography. $14.00 paper - Martin Igbozurike. Problem-Generating Structures in Nigeria's Rural Development. Uppsala: Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976. Distributed by Holmes and Meier Publishers Inc., New York. 140 pp. Figures, notes, bibliography. $11.00 paper - Volume 4

Reviews

Organising the Fanners: Cocoa Politics and National Development in Ghana,by Bjorn Beckman, Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, Uppsala, 1976. Lonrho ‐ Portrait of a Multinational,by S. Cronje, M. Ling &amp; G. Cronje, Julian Friedmann and Penguin, London, 1976. Lonrho Ltd., Investigation under Section 165(6) of the Companies’ Act, 1948, Report,Dept. of Trade, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1976. Towards aNew International Economic Division of Labour? Patterns of Dependence and Conditions for Liberation in the Periphery of Capitalism,1975, by Jan Annerstedt &amp; Rolf Gustavsson (available [£1.50/$3.60] from RUC Boghandel &amp; Forlag, Marbjergvej, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark). Development, Income Distribution and Social Change in Rural Egypt 1952–70,by Mahmoud Abdel‐Fadil, Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, 1976. £5.80.

Organising the Farmers: cocoa politics and national development in Ghana by Björn Beckman Uppsala, Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976. Pp. 299. Sw. Kr. 40.00.

Organising the Farmers: cocoa politics and national development in Ghana by Björn Beckman Uppsala, Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1976. Pp. 299. Sw. Kr. 40.00.