International return migration has gained attention in recent years, though the connection between investment in a country of origin and return intentions remains underexplored. This paper uses an explanatory mixed-methods design to examine the effect of investment in a country of origin and the return proposition for Ghanaian immigrants in the United Kingdom. The study conducted a cross-sectional survey among 297 respondents and carried out 30 in-depth interviews. The results showed that the average age of respondents was 37.8 years, and the majority were married (77.1%), had a tertiary education (85.2%), and were employed (66.3%). More than two-thirds (76%) of them indicated that their motivation for investing in Ghana was driven by their desire to return. The desire to return to Ghana is higher among immigrants who are actively investing in Ghana's economy. The study found that Ghanaian immigrants with guaranteed legal status in the UK could secure jobs and operate businesses to accumulate capital for possible investment back home. There is a need for Ghanaian authorities to integrate investment sectors with digital and financial services to attract more interest, while migration policies should account for the transnational nature of migrants.
Globally, the number of international students rose from approximately 2.1 million in 2000 to nearly 6.9 million in 2022. Ghana is home to about 5,416 international students, but they are rarely the focus of research. A few studies that have been done about international students in Ghana were mainly quantitative and mixed methods, which considered communication among students in a multi-cultural learning environment and health-seeking behaviours for malaria treatment. There are not enough studies conducted to understand the adaptation challenges from the international students' point of view. This study explores the adaptation challenges of international students at the University of Ghana. A qualitative approach was adopted, and twenty-five (25) international students at the University of Ghana were recruited through a purposive sampling technique. Purposive sampling allowed the researcher to select participants based on their qualities and criteria determined by the research purpose. The data was collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews and subsequently analyzed using the seven-step framework analysis. Four (4) themes emerged under this study: 1) language barrier, 2) challenge navigating the environment, 3) financial problems 4) unmet institutional support needs. This study concludes that international students face challenges adjusting to university life in a foreign country, regardless of their country of origin. There is, therefore, a need to provide adequate support for them to adapt successfully to university life.
The study examines the impact of non-farm income on farm income across the income distribution of rural households in Ghana, as well as its effect on poverty incidence. Data were obtained from the 7th Round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey. Quantile and probit regression models with instrumental variables were employed to achieve the study's objectives. Quantile regression results show that non-farm income helps stabilize farm income but is less effective for the poorest households. A one-unit increase in non-farm income raises rural farm income by 14.2 percentage points (p < 0.05) at the 50th quantile and 14.7 percentage points (p < 0.05) at the 75th quantile but has no significant effect at the 25th quantile. The probit regression further reveals that non-farm participation reduces poverty, but this only holds for households in the lower half of the income distribution. Our findings underscore the need for complementary economic activities for improving the livelihoods of rural populations. It also calls for a review of the land tenure system, which the study identified as having adverse effect on the poorest households. This study provides new insights into the impact of rural non-farm activities on agricultural households, detailing their role in alleviating poverty across the income distribution.
This paper explores the relationship between the "Big Five" personality traits and energy conservation behaviour in Ghana. The energy conservation behaviours analysed are categorised as habit adjustment, energy investments, proactive conservation and brand loyalty. Drawing on a sample of 1,580 households from three regions, our findings revealed that individuals exhibiting agreeableness and conscientiousness tend to demonstrate a predisposition toward habit adjustment, whereas those characterized by openness, agreeableness, and neuroticism show a greater proclivity for engaging in strategic investments in energy-efficient appliances. While the traits of openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness are positively associated with proactive conservation behaviours, extraversion is negatively associated with taking the initiative to conserve energy within the household. Also, individuals high in agreeableness and openness are more inclined to select trusted brands. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring interventions designed to foster environmental responsibility to specific personality traits to advance a sustainable energy transition.
Gambling among young people in sub-Saharan Africa has emerged as a significant public health concern, with tertiary students in urban areas such as Accra, Ghana, being particularly vulnerable. This study examines gambling behaviours, motivations, and associated risks among undergraduate student gamblers from the University of Ghana, with a focus on gender dynamics and the influence of gambling advertisements. Using a cross-sectional design, the study reveals that gambling is a pervasive activity among tertiary students sampled; among these student gamblers, 84.5% gambled exclusively online (primarily sports betting), while a further 13.8% used both online and in-person modes and 1.7% gambled in person only. Male students reported higher gambling frequency. However, there were no statistically significant differences in gambling addiction levels. Although female students were more exposed to gambling adverts, the difference was equally not statistically significant. These findings notwithstanding, they highlight the need for gender-specific interventions. Financial pressures, peer influence, and the normalization of gambling through media were identified as key motivators for gambling. Exposure to gambling advertisements and financial losses were significant predictors of gambling addiction, emphasizing the role of targeted marketing in exacerbating gambling-related harms. The findings underscore the need for stricter regulations on gambling advertisements, financial literacy programmes, and universityled initiatives to mitigate the negative consequences of gambling among tertiary students. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on youth gambling in subtertiary students in urban contexts.
Financial sector reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the past few decades, including the liberalization of the capital account, have had a positive impact on capital inflows to the region. This paper examines the effect of capital account liberalization on external debt in SSA. We use the Chinn-Ito Index as a measure of capital account liberalization utilizing a robust panel data set from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund databases for the period 2007 to 2021 on 42 SSA countries. The study employs the Dynamic System Generalized Method of Moments (SGMM) estimation technique. We find a positive and significant effect of capital account liberalization on external debt, suggesting that greater capital openness is associated with higher levels of external debt. We also find that the stock of external debt increases the likelihood of further debt buildup, which is indicated by the significant and positive coefficient of the lagged external debt variable. Further results show that economic growth and trade openness reduce external debt, while investment increases it. These findings highlight the dual nature of capital account liberalization: it expands financing opportunities but also raises debt vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for cautious liberalization and stronger debt management in SSA. The study therefore recommends that SSA countries adopt a cautious, sequenced approach to the management of capital accounts, given the existing liberalized regime, strengthen debt management frameworks, and ensure that external borrowing is channelled into productive, growth-enhancing investments. Additionally, promoting sustainable economic growth and trade competitiveness will be essential to reducing the increased reliance on external borrowing and safeguarding long-term debt
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated vulnerabilities among marginalised populations worldwide, particularlyin urban settings. Grounded in crisis and vulnerability theories and frameworks, the paper explores how systemic inequalities and public health shocks heightened food insecurity and induced diverse coping strategies among internal migrants in Accra. Using a survey of 100 migrants from Old Fadama and Agbogbloshie as well as interviews with four migrants and an assemblyman, this paper analyses food security trends across three time periods: pre-COVID, during COVID and post-COVID, allowing for a comparative analysis of food security across these phases. The study finds that the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 disproportionately affected these migrants, leading to a range of coping strategies including reducing meal portions, purchasing food on credit, and relying on less expensive foods. While food security showed slight improvement post-pandemic, it remained belowpre-COVID-19 levels. The study underscores the inadequacy of formal social protection programmes and, in some cases, the structural exclusion of migrants from these interventions, further deepening their vulnerability. By combining a three-period application of the USDA 18-item scale with qualitative interviews among internal migrants in two slum communities in Accra, the study advances understanding of food security among this group in urban Ghana. It reveals how changes in food security are linked to coping strategies and barriers to formal support, thereby informing the design of crisis-responsive social protection programmes that target migrants' specific needs in the city.
This studyinvestigates probation sentences and juvenile reoffending in Ghana, drawing on the opinions of Probation Officers at the Department of Social welfare in Accra. Drawing on phenomenological research methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 Probation Officers to obtain their views on the effectiveness of probation in Ghana. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the qualitative data. The results reveal the factors which predispose juveniles to commit crime: delinquent peer association, poverty, and lack of parental supervision. The roles played by probation officers are also discussed in the article. Additionally, location/residential change, involving probationers in decision making and providing for the material needs of probationers were some of the factors found to reduce reoffending. Finally, the challenges that probation officers encounter are discussed. The study strengthens the debates on what works to reduce reoffending among probationers.
Inequitable access to sanitation remains a major barrier to sustainable urban development, as sanitation services are central to public health, environmental quality and economic well-being. By integrating environmental, infrastructural, and household-level indicators, the study moves beyond narrow assessments of sanitation access This study examines spatial variations in access to sanitation across Tema in Ghana, focusing on communities 3, 12 and Newtown. Conceived as Ghana's first planned city after independence and initially connected to a unified sanitation grid, Tema now faces significant infrastructure strain as rapid urbanization, population growth and chronic municipal funding limitations have transformed its sanitation landscape. Using a multi-methods approach that integrates biophysical and urban data in the ArcGIS software, access to sanitation across Tema was mapped via a multi-criteria analysis approach, and the results were explained using qualitative data. Findings reveal significant infrastructural gaps between the legacy planned system and newer residential developments, many of which remain unconnected to the formal sanitation grid. Intra-urban disparities in sanitation provision are apparent in all residential areas with communities inhabited by more affluent residents typically receiving better-quality services, more reliable infrastructure, and greater municipal attention than low-income and marginalized neighbourhoods. The study underscores the need to align sanitation planning with biophysical and urbanization realities.
Organizational resilience remains paramount to the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery by public institutions. This is because it allows organizations to effectively respond to and recover from crises and disruptions. By focusing on resilience, organizations can enhance their ability to withstand uncertainties, ensure institutional continuity, and sustain long-term success in a dynamic and unpredictable environment. These characteristics are fundamental to the success or otherwise of any learning organization, especially those deemed as guardians of democracies. In Ghana, the Electoral Commission (EC) is the main guardian of democracy and one of the leading institutions of elections in Africa and all developing countries. It has successfully conducted elections resulting in four successful turnovers in the last three decades (2001,2009,2017,2025). Nevertheless, the EC has faced a diverse array of challenges that have tested its resilience across various fronts. These include electoral violence and political vigilantism during voter registration and by-elections. Others include political interference in its work. But no other event challenged the EC as much as the COVID-19 pandemic, which required additional security measures and the adoption of reforms like continuous voter registration. In this study, we developed (from the extant literature) a theoretical framework for building resilient organizations and use it to study and analyze Ghana's EC. This study will be beneficial to other Electoral Commissions in developing countries, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also be beneficial to all other public organizations that aspire to provide better and more efficient public services to citizens in a democracy.
The role of financial stability in the relationship between foreign direct investments (FDI) and economic growth is examined to provide an understanding of the level of financial stability required for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) economies to benefit from FDI. Both stocks and annual inflows of FDI are used in establishing the relationship between FDI and Growth, while assessing the moderating effects of financial stability in that relationship. The two-step system generalized method of moments (SGMM) estimator is used to analyse annual data for thirty-four (34) SSA economies from 2002 to 2021. The study reveals that FDI causes SSA economies to grow only in the presence of stable financial systems. FDI stocks and annual inflows tend to only drive economic growth in the presence of financial stability. The place of stable financial systems in ensuring sustained economic growth in SSA cannot be overemphasized, as its absence may cause other factors such as FDI which would have otherwise been beneficial, to rather be a curse.
This study uses data from recent waves of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) to examine the nature and extent of gender gaps in school attendance, and to explore the underlying factors influencing the gender gaps. In pursuit of this, graphical analysis and probit regressions are employed. Focusing on persons aged between 6 and 21 years, the findings support the view that a gender gap (favouring boys) in school attendance exists for those aged 15 years and above. The paper also highlights the important role of parental education in influencing school attendance. The study further suggests that Ghana's gender gap in school attendance is driven by societal norms about the relative importance of girls' schooling versus that of boys, as well as various challenges girls face in post-puberty years. This study's findings have considerable policy relevance for education within the Ghanaian context.
Though several studies have assessed the significance of heritage resources, they are generally exotic relative to Africa with very few examining the roles of socio-demographic characteristics in the levels of significance residents attach to heritage resources. This study explores the intricate relationship between socio-demographic factors and the a mixed-methods approach, we uncover how variables such as age, gender, education, and religion influence perceptions of both tangible and intangible heritage. Our findings reveal that tangible heritage, like architecture and agriculture, is often valued more highly than intangible heritage, such as festivals and folklore. It was also found that males generally viewed almost all heritage resources as more significant compared to females, except traditional architecture which was perceived as more significant by a larger proportion of females. Furthermore, education showed a negative correlation with the significance of tangible heritage resources while the elderly were more likely to have a positive perception of heritage resources than the youth. These disparities underscore a need for targeted conservation strategies that consider community-specific tourism development, ensuring that heritage resources are preserved and leveraged for economic and social benefits. Through this research, we contribute to the broader discourse on heritage conservation and tourism sustainability, advocating for a nuanced understanding of local contexts to foster inclusive and effective heritage management.
This study explored the lived experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes and the challenges of self-care management. A qualitative design (interpretative phenomenological analysis approach) was employed where ten adolescents consisting of males and females, with a mean age of 16.8 years were interviewed from two hospitals. Data was analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis, which generated three superordinate themes: 1) Searching for answers, 2) Adjusting to diabetes diagnosis and 3) Coping with diabetes. Adolescents described experiencing 'abnormal' symptoms which led them to seek medical attention, and the negative emotions they experienced upon diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. They reported their diabetes self-care management as demanding and exhaustive, with disruptions from school activities. Their ways of coping included receiving social support from family and friends, having faith in God, and receiving education from medical experts and diabetes support groups. Findings were evidence of an incomplete care system for these adolescents as their main model of care was biomedical care. There is therefore the need to include psychological and social interventions to constitute a holistic care system for improved wellbeing after diagnosis.
This study employs authenticity as a framework to propose a clear understanding of how an authentic gastronomic experience could be marketed to reflect cultural identities. It is based on a meta-analysis of existing studies that have examined gastronomy tourism and authentic food tourism experiences to propose dimensions that can serve as a guide for destinations to promote their authentic local foods to tourists. The meta-analysis of studies between 1995-2021 from different geographical backgrounds reveals consensus over three broad dimensions of authentic gastronomy experiences. We assert that authentic gastronomy experiences must be created by considering attributes such as socio-cultural, quality and value, and environmental factors. We draw implications from the results to propose strategies for creating gastronomic experiences that engage key stakeholders to take practical actions.
The search for result-oriented state institutions has been on the ascendancy in both academic and development discourse. Deploying the exploratoryand qualitative methods of research, this study comparatively examined the performance of five autonomous executive agencies (National Petroleum Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Securities and Exchange Commission and Ghana Revenue Authority) in Ghana's public sector using the New Public Management theory and Roll (2014) criteria of pockets of effectiveness as theoretical foundations. The study found that all the agencies deployed NPM ideals such as decentralization, e-governance, institutional collaborations, public private partnership, performance contracts and stakeholder involvement. These ideals significantly shaped their performance in achieving their mandates of providing public goods and services to the citizenry. The success of these agencies hinged on visionary leadership with passion for political rapport; political navigation and commitment to implementing the NPM ideals. However, poor conditions of service resulting in high labour attrition, excessive partisanship, political interference, and low level of ICT were the Achilles Heel of these autonomous executive agencies. State institutions can perform well with the appropriate mix of NPM, institutional autonomy blend with political responsiveness.
The paper examines the factors that influence the career trajectories of Ghanaian women in leadership roles within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Drawing on 20 in-depth interviews with women at various leadership positions in STEM fields, this paper examines the barriers to women's leadership and the strategies employed to overcome them. Grounded in the feminist epistemology of intersectionality and structuration, the paper discusses the intersection of gendered norms, institutional cultures and individual agency in shaping women's experiences in STEM. Self-efficacy, parental influence, female role models and mentors played significant roles in motivating participants to choose STEM. Pervasive gender biases, limited resources and mentorship opportunities, and patriarchal social expectations of caregiving continue to constrain women's participation and leadership in STEM fields. We argue that women who successfully navigated these barriers relied on mentorship networks and inclusive work environments. Coordinated efforts emanating from the educational sector, as well as organisational and policy reforms, are critical to dismantling structural inequalities and fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM fields. Promoting gender equity in STEM is a matter of social justice and a strategic national in Africa.
Residential care in Ghana presents both opportunities and challenges for orphans, with evidence indicating dual impacts on their well-being. Adolescence, a pivotal stage for emotional and psychological stability, may be significantly influenced by the residential care environment, shaping long-term mental health outcomes for residents. Hence, this study employed an interpretive phenomenological design that offers insights into participants' perspectives ofthe meanings made from experiences in care settings. Through in-depth individual interviews, 30 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years were purposively selected. The data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Two themes emerged: psychologically stimulating and emotionally depriving experiences. These contrasting themes underscore the subjective interpretations orphans assign to their experiences. This indicates that despite access to growth-enhancing opportunities in care homes, emotional challenges persist. These findings have implications for the mental health and well-being of adolescent orphans. Creating awareness of these impacts among stakeholders in residential care is essential.
Collaboration with faith communities has been identified as a promising approach to addressing the huge mental health treatment gap in low-and middle-income countries. These collaborations can provide opportunities to develop mental health education materials and interventions in local forms. In this study, we identified champions (N=10) in Christian and Muslim communities in Ghana and co-developed mental health education materials focusing on mental illness myths, presentations of depression, anxiety, bipolar, and schizophrenia in lay terms. We also provided information on how to support people with mental health conditions. We subsequently supported the champions to use the co-developed materials within their faith communities. The champions found the materials both useful and easy to apply. They created opportunities and facilitated conversations around mental health with different groups, including both youth and adults, within their faith communities. Observations and interviews with the champions suggest that it is feasible to co-develop mental health education materials in partnership with faith community members in Ghana.
The spread of the Internet has led to advanced technological inventions. One of the technological innovations considered engaging is the Virtual assistants (VAs), designed to imitate human-like behaviours. This study was designed to investigate the awareness and use of VAs focusing on postgraduate students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, and a multistage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that most students were aware of VAs and had a high level of use. VAs were used for various purposes, mainly general knowledge, work-related tasks, and entertainment. The students used VAs because of the following: the multitasking ability of VAs, the ability of VAs to provide immediate feedback to users, the ability of VAs to provide personalised and individualised communication with users, the fun derived from the use, the ability of the user to pick up on other signals or information that are conveyed through VAs, and the ability of VAs to understand and convey information in everyday language that its users easily understand. A major challenge associated with use is that VAs sometimes misunderstand the students' requests or commands because of differences in accents. Since an individual's understanding of VAs plays a crucial role in their utilisation, stakeholders should consider providing education and training programmes that could increase users' knowledge and confidence in interacting with VAs to ensure increased and continuous usage. VA developers need to improve on language and accent recognition.
