Characteristics, multi-functionality, and water quality of reservoirs in North-East Ghana: Field Survey Report

The report present the results from the field study executed as part of the activities of the WP3 of the Aquatic Foods Initiative. It describes the characteristics, water uses and users, and water quality of eight reservoirs visited in North-East Ghana. The results will support the final selection of the pilot sites for fish-cage farming in selected reservoirs

A qualitative exploration of indigenous breastfeeding beliefs and practices among lactating mothers in rural northern Ghana

Background: The World Health Organisation recommends that infants should be fed their mother's milk exclusively for the first six months. However, this is not the case in some underprivileged societies in Ghana.Objective: This study aimed to explore indigenous breastfeeding beliefs and practices among lactating women in rural northern Ghana.Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to recruit 15 lactating mothers with babies less than six months of age. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth individual interviews. Each interview was audio recorded, transcribed and analysed.Results: Beliefs and practices before and during breastfeeding were reported. Participants reported that colostrum was not good for their babies, and mothers-in-law were reported as the custodians of these indigenous breastfeeding beliefs and practices. Indigenous breastfeeding practices are prevalent in rural Northern Ghana.Conclusion: More culturally appropriate breastfeeding campaigns need to be designed to curb negative breastfeeding practices

Effect of interest rate on savings behaviour among Ghanaians: evidence from Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore how Ghanaians respond to changes in interest rate on savings. In other to effectively explain how changes in interest rate affect the savings behaviour among Ghanaians, the study administered 200 questionnaires and analysis of the data was done with descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The results show that, in general, changes in deposit interest rate loosely explain why people save. Again, decision to save with respect to changes in deposit interest rate depends on the knowledge the individual have on deposit interest rate and notices they receive from banks with respect to changes in deposit interest rate. The study further noted that, changes in income strongly explain the reasons why individual save. The chi-square result showed that, interacting knowledge on deposit interest rate with changes in interest rate may influence savings. Thus, increasing interest rate on deposit alone will not bring about increase in savings; however knowledge on the variable in question (deposit interest rate) is significant

Effect of interest rate on savings behaviour among Ghanaians: evidence from Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore how Ghanaians respond to changes in interest rate on savings. In other to effectively explain how changes in interest rate affect the savings behaviour among Ghanaians, the study administered 200 questionnaires and analysis of the data was done with descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The results show that, in general, changes in deposit interest rate loosely explain why people save. Again, decision to save with respect to changes in deposit interest rate depends on the knowledge the individual have on deposit interest rate and notices they receive from banks with respect to changes in deposit interest rate. The study further noted that, changes in income strongly explain the reasons why individual save. The chi-square result showed that, interacting knowledge on deposit interest rate with changes in interest rate may influence savings. Thus, increasing interest rate on deposit alone will not bring about increase in savings; however knowledge on the variable in question (deposit interest rate) is significant

Corporate governance and performance of pension funds in Ghana : a mixed-method study

This paper assesses the relationship between corporate governance practices and the performance of pension funds in Ghana, which is an emerging market. Data for this study came from two sources: surveys of pension fund managers and annual financial reports of pension funds. Data analysis techniques include mean score ranking and panel regression. The results showed that corporate governance practices such as upholding the rights of shareholders to know the capital structure of the pension funds, equitable treatment of all shareholders, effective internal controls, and timely supervisory functions of audit committees influence the performance of pensions funds. In addition, ensuring proper board composition, the ethnic and gender diversity of board members affect the success of pension funds in the country. The study indicates that the current challenges facing pension funds in the country include poor investment decisions and market volatilities in the investment market. This study provides insight into the governance practices of pension funds. It is relevant for policies and corporate practices to be strengthened to enhance the performance of the firms

Impact assessment of ATM on customer satisfaction of banks in Ghana:a case study of Kumasi,Ghana.

Bank customers are selective with the banks to transact with since everyone wants the best service for their money. Asa result, there is competition in the banking sector. Each bank wants to give quality services and products to keep up existing customers and broaden their customer base as well. The purpose of this study is to find out if customer needs for direct service transactions with bank employees in the banking halls has reduced due to Automated Teller Machines (ATM) provided for Ghanaians at customer service points. The essential dimensions of an ATM service quality and its effect on customer satisfaction is also examined. Questionnaires were administered to users and nonusers of Automated Teller Machines, as well as bank staffs, to source data for the study. An analysis of data was done with descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. About the scope of the study, the results showed that, the demand for direct service transactions with bank employees had reduced with the ATM introduced in Ghana. ATM service quality dimensions that produced an effect on customer satisfaction were the reduced time spent on transactions, delivery of renewed ATM cards on time as well as safety during withdrawals at ATM service points. In conclusion, when Banks in Ghana enhance on the ATM service quality dimensions that impact on customer satisfaction, they shall increase their customer base, cut workload on bank staff and increase their turnover

User Manual: Google earth engine script for semi-automated mapping of small reservoirs using sentinel-2 satellite imagery

This user manual describes the methodology to be followed to use the Google Earth engine script for semi-automated mapping of small reservoirs using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. It is developed to support suitability analysis for multiple uses (including fisheries) of reservoirs in Ghana

Neonatal jaundice in Ghanaian children: Assessing maternal knowledge, attitude, and perceptions

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a major cause of preventable childhood mortality and long-term impairment especially in countries with significant prevalence of the inherited condition, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) defect. In Ghana, routine screening of pregnant women for G6PD defect is standard care. Prevention of poor health outcomes from NNJ is contingent on population health literacy and early diagnosis. As part of a project to evaluate a screening tool for NNJ, we assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of Ghanaian mothers on NNJ at baseline. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, mothers attending antenatal and postnatal clinics at 3 selected health facilities in 2 geographical regions of Ghana were interviewed. Data on mothers’ understanding, perceptions, beliefs, and actions towards NNJ were evaluated. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between selected maternal characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and perception to NNJ. Results: Of the 504 mothers interviewed, 428(85.4%) had heard about NNJ, 346 (68.7%) said the earliest signs are seen in the eyes, 384(76.2%) knew NNJ may be harmful and 467(92.7%) recommended seeking healthcare for the jaundiced newborn. None of the women knew about G6PD or their G6PD status following antenatal screening. Most did not know the signs/symptoms of severe NNJ. Of the 15 mothers who had had a jaundiced neonate, cost was the most perceived (8 out of 15) barrier to accessing health care. There were significant associations (p-value ≤ 0.05) between maternal age, educational level, and knowledge of NNJ. Conclusion: Despite the high level of awareness of NNJ, gaps still exit in the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of mothers concerning NNJ. Improving education of women about the causes, symptoms/signs, and the role of G6PD in severe NNJ is recommended. Addressing barriers to accessing healthcare for the jaundiced infant may enhance timely management of NNJ and reduce the associated complications and mortality

Trends and correlates of maternal, newborn and child health services utilization in primary healthcare facilities:an explorative ecological study using DHIMSII data from one district in the Volta region of Ghana

BackgroundSustainable Development Goal 3 aims at reducing global neonatal mortality to at least 12 per 1000 livebirths, under-five mortality to at least 25 per 1000 livebirths and maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 livebirths by 2030. Considering the achievement so far, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana are not likely to achieve these targets. Low utilization of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services partly account for this predicament. This study explored the trend and correlates of MNCH services utilization in one administrative district in the Volta Region of Ghana.MethodsThis is an explorative ecological study employing trend analysis of 2015–2017 data from Ghana Health Service District Health Information Management System II. Univariate Poisson regression models were used to determine the factors associated with MNCH services utilization at 95% confidence level.ResultsCumulative record of 17,052 antenatal care (ANC) attendance and 2162 facility-based spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVDs) was discovered. Compelling evidence of potential unskilled deliveries was observed in 23% of the 26 facilities reported in the DHIMSII data. High cumulative number of midwives in health facilities associated positively with high records of ANC visits (IRR = 1.30, [95% CI:1.29, 1.32]; p = 0.0001), facility-based SVDs (IRR = 1.30 [95% CI:1.25, 1.35]; p = 0.0001) and BCG immunizations (IRR = 1.32 [95% CI:1.29, 1.34]; p = 0.0001). Likewise, high records of ANC visits correlated positively with high facility-based SVDs and child immunizations records (p < 0.0001).ConclusionTargeted health system and community level interventions alongside progressive frontline health staff motivation and retention strategies could further enhance enrollment and retention of mothers in pre-natal and postnatal care services throughout the continuum of care to guarantee better MNCH health outcomes. Investments in universal coverage for quality ANC services has the potential to enhance utilization of supervised deliveries and post-natal care services such as immunizations

A Scoping Review of the Health of African Immigrant and Refugee Children

Migration is a growing phenomenon around the world, including within the African continent. Many migrants, especially African children, face challenges related to health and social inclusion and can face increased health risks. A systematic scoping review of available literature on the health of African migrant children across the globe was conducted to offer insight into these health risks. The review was conducted over a 15-month period from January 2019 to April 2020, yielding 6602 articles once duplicates were removed. This search included electronic databases, reference lists of articles reviewed, and searches of libraries of relevant organisations. A total of 187 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 159 were quantitative, 22 were qualitative, and 6 used mixed methods. The findings reveal decreased health in this population in areas of nutrition, infectious diseases, mental health, birth outcomes, sexual and reproductive health, physical and developmental health, parasitic infections, oral health, respiratory health, preventative health, endocrine disorders, health care services, and haematological conditions. The findings offer insights into factors influencing the health of African immigrant and refugee children. Further studies, especially qualitative studies, are needed to determine barriers to service access after migration and to investigate other underexplored and overlooked health concerns of African migrant children, including pneumonia and child maltreatment