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.
