Wa Municipality Research Articles

Can the COVID-19 pandemic create a context for participatory urban e-planning in the Wa Municipality of Ghana?

ABSTRACT In many countries, policy and law have been reformed to make urban planning more participatory. Despite these initiatives, urban planning typically continues to be characterised by low participation. Drawing on the literature on social media and participatory e-planning, the paper argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has provided new opportunities for the introduction of effective e-participation in planning. We use a qualitative research approach to investigate how social media provides avenues for e-participation in planning in the Wa Municipality, Ghana. The assessment highlights how increased use of social media in the pandemic era may not necessarily translate into effective participatory e-planning largely due to poor internet infrastructure.

Correlates of Hepatitis B infection in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Wa Municipality, Ghana.

Despite the availability of an effective vaccine against viral hepatitis B infection, it remains prevalent, highly transmissible especially through mother-to-child, life-threatening, and a major public health challenge. A positive Hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg) mother has a 90% risk of transmitting the virus to the unborn child in the perinatal period. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk of Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. A cross-sectional study employing systematic random sampling was conducted among 183 consented pregnant women who went for antenatal care in nine health facilities in the Wa Municipality. A structured validated questionnaire was used to collect information about socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, awareness of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) transmission and its prevention. Blood samples (3.0 mls) were collected from each participant to test for HBV serum markers using a Wondfo One Step HBV rapid immunochromatographic assay (Catalog number W003) for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We conducted descriptive statistics including the prevalence and used multivariable logistic regression to determine the risk of Hepatitis B among study participants. Data was analysed using Stata/SE 15. About 20.2% of the 183 pregnant women screened tested positive for HBsAg. Generally, compared with younger pregnant women, older (> = 25) pregnant women were >9 times less likely to test positive for both chronic Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) and (HBeAg) Hepatitis B infections. However, pregnant women in polygamous relationship were more likely to test positive for both (HBcAb) and (HBsAg and HBeAg) Hepatitis B infections compared with those in monogamous relationship. In a multivariable analysis, pregnant women in a polygamous relationships were about 5 times more likely to test positive for HBsAg (AOR = 4.61, 95% CI: 2.06-9.89) and HBcAb (AOR = 4.89, 95% CI:1.52-6.81) and HBeAg (AOR = 4.62, 95% CI:1.21-6.39) compared with those in a monogamous relationship. This study highlights a high HBsAg prevalence among pregnant women with those in polygamous relationship and younger age more likely to test positive. Facility and community-based health services should emphasize the need for regular screening, education, and vaccination of pregnant women, especially those at high risk, to prevent mother-to-child transmission of viral hepatitis B.

Supply-side factors influencing national health insurance uptake, access and use of primary health care: Evidence from the Upper West Region, Ghana

Supply-side factors, such as the availability of health facilities, equipment, practitioners, and drugs, are crucial for improving global healthcare systems. However, systematic evidence of how these factors affect health insurance clients’ access to primary healthcare (PHC) services in Ghana is lacking. This study addresses this gap by examining the impact of these factors on insured individuals' access to PHC services in Wa Municipality. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed, involving a quantitative survey of 413 insured individuals randomly selected from 40 communities and 47 healthcare facilities. Purposive sampling was used for qualitative interviews with 17 healthcare providers and 20 key insured informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, independent t-tests, and binary logistic regression, while qualitative data were thematically analysed to provide insight into the quantitative findings. Result from quantitative data showed that Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) were more accessible than hospitals, diagnostic centres, and health centres. Proximity to health facilities influenced access to PHC services and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) uptake. Perceived availability and functionality of healthcare equipment also affected NHIS uptake. Qualitatively, health facilities reported a shortage of human resources, such as midwives and nurses, for PHC service delivery. Triangulating quantitative and qualitative results show that healthcare supplies and skilled professionals are essential for NHIS uptake and access to PHC services. This study recommends that Government of Ghana prioritise expanding healthcare facilities, recruiting and retaining skilled practitioners, procuring medical equipment, and equitably distributing essential medications to improve access to essential healthcare services in underserved areas.

The Status Of The Integration Of Technology Into Junior High School Science Teaching In Wa Municipality

The Status Of The Integration Of Technology Into Junior High School Science Teaching In Wa Municipality

Assessing the Contribution of Pito Brewing to the Growth and Development of Small-Scale Enterprising in Wa Municipality.

Assessing the Contribution of Pito Brewing to the Growth and Development of Small-Scale Enterprising in Wa Municipality.

The Phenomenon of Child Marriage Among Muslims in Ghana: Focus on Wala Muslims within Wa Municipality, Ghana

The Phenomenon of Child Marriage Among Muslims in Ghana: Focus on Wala Muslims within Wa Municipality, Ghana

Exploring the Interplay of Socio-Demographic Factors, Medication Preferences, and Adherence Behaviors in Candidiasis Treatment Outcomes in Ghanaian Females

Introduction: Candidiasis, a fungal infection caused primarily by Candida species, affects millions of people worldwide, particularly women. Despite the availability of antifungal treatments, treatment failures remain a significant challenge. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to treatment failures in candidiasis among females in the Wa Municipality, Upper West Region of Ghana, to inform targeted interventions and improve patient outcome Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 93 females with a history of candidiasis using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and correlations were used to analyse the data. Results: The majority of participants (92%) were aged between 11-30 years. More than half correctly identified candidiasis as a yeast infection, while others attributed it to poor hygiene and filthy environments. Oral medication was the most preferred treatment. Significant correlations were found between education, age, drug acquisition source, and treatment-related variables. Incomplete dosage intake was common, with reasons including perceived healing and saving medication for future use. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve candidiasis prevention, diagnosis, and management in the region. Recommendations include strengthening public education, enhancing access to quality-assured antifungal medications, promoting adherence support, and establishing antifungal resistance surveillance.

Modeling of soil erosion risk in a typical tropical savannah landscape

Tropical savannah landscapes are faced with high soil degradation due to climate change and variability coupled with anthropogenic factors. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of this is not sufficiently understood particularly, in the tropical savannah contexts. Using the Wa municipality of Ghana as a case, we applied the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to predict the potential and actual soil erosion risk for 1990 and 2020. Rainfall, soil, topography and land cover data were used as the input parameters. The rate of predicted potential erosion was in the range of 0–111 t ha−1yr−1 and 0–83 t ha−1yr−1 for the years 1990 and 2020, respectively. The prediction for the rate of potential soil erosion risk was generally higher than the actual estimated soil erosion risk which ranges from 0 to 59 t ha−1yr−1 in 1990 and 0 to 58 t ha−1yr−1 in 2020. The open savannah areas accounted for 75.8 % and 73.2 % of the total soil loss in 1990 and 2020, respectively. The validity of the result was tested using in situ data from a 2 km2 each of closed savannah, open savannah and settlement area. By statistical correlation, the predicted soil erosion risk by the model corresponds to the spatial extent of erosion damages measured in the selected area for the validation. Primarily, areas with steep slopes, particularly within settlement, were identified to have the highest erosion risk. These findings underscore the importance of vegetation cover and effective management practices in preventing soil erosion. The results are useful for inferences towards the development and implementation of sustainable soil conservation practice in landscapes with similar attributes.

Exploring the extent of refuse use on urban cropping in Zongo of the Wa Municipality, Ghana

Refuse heaps are common scenes in cities in developing countries amidst the springing up of urban cropping but with low yields. However, the linkages between refuse generation and use in urban cropping appear to be little addressed in the existing literature. This paper sought to explore the separation of refuse into biodegradable and non-degradable and the use of the biodegradable portion as compost in urban cropping to improve crop production often linked to urban food availability. Hence, refuse generation at the household levels and refuse at the dumping sites were determined and sorted out using Wa Zongo as a study area. By combining convenience and simple random sampling, fifteen respondents from fifteen houses within a 150-metre radius of a dumping site were interviewed. Descriptive statistics, connecting and classifying, were employed in the data analysis. Findings revealed that more refuse is generated; a greater portion is decomposable; 93.3% of the respondents do not know the use of refuse for cropping; and, 53.3% prefer inorganic fertilizers for farming. To reduce refuse and eliminate the heaps, this study recommends refuse segregation at home and dump sites, biodegradable refuse for the production of compost and the use of public education to achieve this feat.

Yieldwise model adoption on post-harvest loss reduction and livelihood of smallholder maize farmers in the Wa Municipality of Ghana

This study sought to assess the impact of adoption of the YieldWise model on postharvest loss reduction and livelihood of smallholder maize farmers in the Wa Municipality using an established crop aggregation center, Antika for a case study. The study employed random and purposive sampling techniques to sample 140 smallholder maize farmers and 10 Antika crop aggregation center managers in the Wa Municipality. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the selected sample population. The findings revealed that the timelines of input supply, ready market, access to extension service, availability of recommended inputs, and training on post-harvest loss reduction are factors influencing the adoption of the YieldWise model by smallholder farmers in the Wa Municipality. The availability of recommended inputs was the main influencing factor, followed by access to extension service, while ready market was the least. The introduction of the YieldWise model had an impact on the harvesting and postharvest loss reduction among smallholder maize farmers in the selected study area. The adoption of the model contributed to a reduction in harvesting losses by an average of 46.24 kg/ha (25.66 %), reduction in shelling and threshing losses by 28.11 kg/ha (19.74 %), reduction in storage losses 12.85 kg/ha (54.99 %), whereas transportation losses remained almost same; thus, 0.62 kg/ha and 0.68 kg/ha for Antika and non-Antika farmers respectively. The study revealed that, the adoption of the YieldWise model by Antika for it business operation has contributed to the improvement of the livelihood of smallholder maize farmers in the Wa Municipality. Many farmers (30.4 %) could secure food for their families throughout the year, 26.5 % could pay for their children’s school fees, 17.1 % of the farmers have been able to purchase a motorcycle or tricycle, 11.1 % of the farmers have been able to expand their main occupation, 10.6% have built new houses, and 4.3 % have been able to marry. The study recommends that a ready market is incorporated into the YieldWise model to help farmers market their produce promptly. The model should also consider transportation assistance to smallholder farmers to reduce transportation losses.

Dyslipidemias: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Lactating Women in a Lower- and Middle-Income Country, Ghana.

Dyslipidemia, an abnormally high level of lipids in the blood, has a negative impact on the health status of the individual and has lately emerged as a major public health concern, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) globally, including Ghana. However, it is still unclear what the burden and drivers of these lipid abnormalities are, especially among lactating women in the Upper West of Ghana. Thus, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its associated factors among lactating mothers in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2020 in 8 health facilities within the Wa Municipality. Multistage and simple random sampling methods were used to select the facilities and the 200 study subjects. Sociodemographic data were collected using questionnaires, while blood samples were taken to determine the lipid profile of participants. Dietary patterns were also assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 17 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The chi-square test and multiple regression analysis were performed to determine the predictors associated with the various types of dyslipidemia, with statistical significance set at a p value < 0.05. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C), hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia (TG) was 57%, 59%, and 22%, respectively. Chi-square and multinomial regression analysis revealed that duration of lactation (X2 = 3.95, p = 0.047), religion (AOR = 0.375, 95% CI 0.144-0.978, p = 0.045), low income (AOR = 0.116, 95% CI 0.026-0.514, p = 0.005), middle income (AOR = 0.163, 95% CI 0.044-0.600, p = 0.006), and alcohol intake (AOR = 6.312, 95% CI 1.108-35.949, p = 0.038) were associated with LDL-C, while age (AOR = 0.963, 95% CI 0.910-1.019, p < 0.001) and educational status (AOR = 0.365, 95% CI 0.140-0.954, p = 0.040) predicted HDL status. Dyslipidemia is common among lactating mothers of Wa Municipality, and it is predicted by lifestyle factors. Furthermore, future research to look at a larger sample size on dyslipidemia during lactation is recommended.

Conformity of filling stations to safe distance guidelines in urban Ghana: A case study of the Wa Municipality

Conformity of filling stations to safe distance guidelines in urban Ghana: A case study of the Wa Municipality

Drivers of financial inclusion in Ghana: Evidence from microentrepreneurs in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region

Drivers of financial inclusion in Ghana: Evidence from microentrepreneurs in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region

Finding a home away from home: Housing choices of itinerant immigrant retailers in the Wa municipality, Ghana

AbstractGlobally, cross‐border migration has become a common phenomenon as people search for social and economic prospects and opportunities. Intra‐regional migration and trade, as espoused in several treaties, are expected to encourage the movement of people, goods and services across national borders. Among those involved in intra‐Africa migration are itinerant retailers who have been variously studied, albeit with little attention to their housing choices when they arrive in destination areas. This study draws evidence from Wa to examine the residential choices of itinerant immigrant retailers using a qualitative research approach via in‐depth interviews with 22 immigrants, eight landlords and four informal rent agents. The itinerant immigrants were contacted at the Wa central market as well as their popular networking and relaxation spaces in town. The responses obtained from the interviews were categorized into themes and presented in narrations and quotations. The study found that itinerant immigrants preferred low‐income residential neighbourhoods close to the central business district that they secure through friends and relatives and informal rent agents. However, the housing units were generally bereft of basic amenities, and they face tenant–landlord and tenant–tenant conflicts over the payment of utility bills and home maintenance, as well as overpricing of rent by the informal rent agents. Efforts to regulate the activities of informal rent agents and petty landlords to provide minimal protection for immigrants should be the way forward in dealing with the challenges.

Discourse of Composite Budgeting System in Ghana: Contextual Perspectives on Its Potentials and Constraints from the Wa Municipality, Upper West Region

Decentralization is accepted globally as a way of enhancing development and a trigger for good governance. Effective decentralization is premised on fiscal decentralization, which transfers finances to the local level. To make fiscal decentralization a reality, Ghana implemented the composite budgeting system (CBS) in 2011. This paper used qualitative case study design, where in-depth interviews from key informants were the main methods used to collect data. We found six main challenges of the CBS thus: policy and regulatory challenges; inadequate knowledge on the CBS by staff; political meddling in the implementation of projects; and untimely and inconsistent release of funds for the Assembly. We also found that CBS holds the following prospects: waste is minimized; transparency in resource use is assured; unified processes of budgeting and monitoring and evaluation; and ensures local participation. We conclude that district assemblies while “muddling through” intractable challenges, could strive to maximize on the potentials identified.

Unpacking the processes and factors affecting household solid waste collection within a democratic decentralised governance system: Experiences from the Wa Municipality, Ghana

Decentralising solid waste collection to local authorities is expected to respond positively to the enigma of solid waste collection. The study contributes to a contextual understanding of household solid waste collection governance in rapidly growing secondary cities within democratic decentralised government systems. Specifically, the study examined the processes and factors affecting household solid waste collection in a rapidly growing municipality in the Upper West Region, the Wa Municipality. Eleven key informants were purposefully selected and interviewed for data. The results show that the main waste collection modes were house-to-house and communal container collections, although unorganised dumping sites and organised dumping through dugout pits were also found. There was also a mismatch between the quantity of waste generated and that collected. The study found that the local government context - arrangements for financing the local government, partisan politics in the local government, and weaknesses in skills and logistics affect the local government’s ability to collect waste effectively. The study recommends intense education complemented with necessary bylaws to effect positive attitudes on solid waste collection in residents. The beneficiaries of the communal container collection system should be made to pay for service delivery to cater for container repairs. At the same time, the Municipal Assembly should prosecute households that practise indiscriminate dumping.

Performance and Prospects of the Wa Municipal Assembly in Revenue Generation

The Wa Municipality has several developmental challenges such as rapid population growth, high rates of illiteracy, poor environmental sanitation, and poverty. Besidesthe developmental challenges, the Municipality’s average contribution of IGF to its total annual revenue basket is minimal. This has created room for more dependence on external sources for development funds which often fluctuate and are generally on a decline. The study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the prospects of the Wa Municipal Assembly in relation to levels of revenue generation. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Questionnaires and structured interview schedules were used to collect primary data from 467 respondents within the Municipality. The study shows that the Assembly’s potentials in relation to revenue generation are tourism promotion, investment in agriculture, improving on the database, expanding the revenue base, and taking advantage of the presence of NGOs and CBOs. It is concluded that the Wa Municipal Assembly should properly identify and valuate properties in a timely manner, adopt good resource mobilisation strategies, properly train Revenue Collectors and finally take keen interest in tapping into the prospects identified by the study so as to improve on levels of revenue generation.

Assessment of water quality in boreholes from Tagrayire (Magazine) in Wa Municipality

ABSTRACT This paper reports a study of the water quality of different boreholes used for drinking water by auto mechanics in Wa Municipality, Ghana. Eight boreholes and two dugouts labelled AW, BW, CW, DW, WW and AD, BD, CD, DD, WD were sampled for analysis at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The results showed that all the heavy metals and pH values were above the WHO-recommended threshold, but temperature, NO3- and PO43- were all below the WHO thresholds except CW (xx) and DD (xx) for EC, and AW (xx) and WW (xx) for DO, respectively.

Dietary and obstetric correlates of anaemia among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study from the Wa municipality, Ghana

Introduction/Aims Anaemia is the most severe pregnancy-related hematological condition globally and affects approximately 32.4 million pregnant women. This study's aim was to identify factors influencing anaemia in pregnancy at 36 weeks in the Wa municipality. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 pregnant women. The participants' haemoglobin levels and obstetric variables were extracted from antenatal record books. Data were analysed using multivariate binary logistics regression analysis to determine risk factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy at 36 weeks. Results The prevalence of anaemia at 36 weeks was 81.5%. Predictors included no previous use of family planning methods, paragravidity, low dietary diversity and an average monthly income of &lt;1000 Ghanaian Cedi. Conclusions The prevalence of anaemia at 36 weeks was high. Preventive interventions targeting preconception nutrition and promoting regular antenatal care visits throughout pregnancy are urgently required.

Role of the construction project team in health and safety management: a study of construction projects in the Wa Municipality of Ghana

ntroduction: The building industry is vulnerable to a variety of hazards, many of which pose a significant risk to workers' health and safety. This research aimed to examine the role of the construction project team in health and safety management in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. Methods: This study used a descriptive survey with a quantitative approach as the research design. The study's population consisted of 52 construction project sites from the municipal. All 52 construction project sites in the area were chosen for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summaries information from respondents. Results: The study revealed that monitoring construction sites and ensuring the companies comply with state regulations on health and safety in the workplace obtained the highest ranking, ensuring workers comply with safety and health procedures and use personal protective equipment at construction project sites were ranked as the topmost roles of the construction project team, poor culture and attitudes existed amongst construction workers, supervisors, and top management of companies toward health and safety. Conclusion: It revealed a lack of health and safety management at all levels of the construction chain. First, there is poor culture and attitudes of construction workers, supervisors, and companies toward health and safety. Secondly, ineffective operation of safety regulation, inefficient institutional frameworks responsible for governing construction activities, and a lack of attention to safety management by main contractors/team. Despite the institutional provisions for construction safety in Ghana (the Labor Act, 2003 and the Factories, Offices, and Shops Act, 1970), there is no compliance with these Acts during construction.