Causal effect of educational policy on child labour: A natural experiment from Ghana's FCUBE

Child labour remains a complex issue in developing countries, hindering child development. Therefore, policies and strategies to address this problem are crucial. This paper explores the potential effect of Ghana's Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) on child labour. Further analysis of the variations in the FCUBE effect among younger and older children, as well as sector-specific effects, was considered. Using data from the Ghana Child Labour Survey and the Ghana Living Standard Survey, the study employed the regression discontinuity design for the analysis. Overall, the study identified a significant reduction in the likelihood of children engaging in child labour and a decrease in hours worked in the last 7 days due to FCUBE. Similar findings were observed for younger children, while older children experienced a reduction in child labour participation both in the last 7 days and over 12 months. Notably, FCUBE appears to have a greater impact in reducing child labour on older children compared to younger children. The study also highlights a decrease in child labour in the agriculture sector due to FCUBE. These findings demonstrate the positive impact of FCUBE in reducing child labour in Ghana. However, additional interventions are needed to address child labour comprehensively across all sectors of the economy

The role of environmental regulatory quality in the relationship between natural resources and environmental sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa

Natural resources benefit economies through economic growth and development. However, continuing unsustainable exploitation of these resources tend to harm the sustainability of the environment. Therefore, this paper explores the role of environmental regulatory quality (ERQ) in the relationship between natural resources (NR) and environmental sustainability (ES). The study covered 28 sub-Saharan African countries (SSA) from 2005-2017. Regarding the estimations, we utilized cross-sectional dependence, first-and second-generation unit root, and cointegration tests for preliminary checks. Finally, we used the system-GMM estimation for the analysis. We found that environmental regulatory quality improves environmental sustainability in SSA. We also observed that natural resources degrade environmental sustainability. Furthermore, we noticed that natural resources complemented environmental regulatory quality to reduce environmental sustainability in SSA. Therefore, we establish that ERQ in SSA does not complement NR to induce environmental sustainability. Based on the findings, we appeal for effective and rigorous implementation of environmental policies and regulations in SSA

Money supply, budget deficit and inflation dynamics in Ghana: An empirical investigation

The paper investigates the long run dynamics of money supply, budget deficit and inflation in Ghana. It also tests the validity of the classical, monetary and fiscal theories of price level within the vector error correction framework. Using quarterly data from 1999Q1 to 2019Q4, the paper employs Granger causality test and the vector error correction model (VECM) for the analysis. The results from the VECM show that budget deficit has a significant positive effect on inflation while money supply negatively affect it. By contrast, inflation exerts a positive and negative effect on budget deficit and money supply, respectively. The results from the impulse response function also indicate that inflation responds more positively to budget deficit shocks. However, it tends to respond negatively to money supply (M2) shocks. Also, budget deficit responds positively (negatively) to inflation (money supply [M2]) shocks. Furthermore, money supply responds positively (negatively) to budget deficit (inflation) shocks. Based on the weak exogeneity test, the result favours the fiscal theory of the price level in explaining the nexus between money supply, budget deficit and inflation in Ghana. A corollary of our results is that a reduction in government expenditure coupled with restrictive bureaucratic nature of government officials have the tendency of ensuring favourable and stable inflation in Ghana

Effect of exchange rate on inflation in the inflation targeting framework: Is the threshold level relevant?

The continuous depreciation of the exchange rate in Ghana has raised concern about its effect on inflation and the economy at large. This paper examines the threshold effect of exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) on inflation using a monthly data from January 2002 to December 2018. The relevance of the exchange rate threshold in the Taylor rule has also been examined. Using the threshold autoregressive (TAR) method, the results of the ERPT model revealed that exchange rate depreciation beyond a monthly threshold of 0.70% has a significant positive pass-through effect on inflation, which gives credence to the relevance of threshold level. The results of the monetary policy rule model also showed that regardless of the threshold level of 0.51%, the exchange rate significantly influences the monetary policy rate positively. Therefore, paying proper attention to the exchange rate in the policy rule despite the threshold (0.51%) will prevent the exchange rate depreciation from exceeding the optimal level (0.70%) and hence no ERPT on inflation. Based on these findings, it is suggested that monetary regulators should view the exchange rate at any level essential to adjust the policy rate

A predictive model and socioeconomic and demographic determinants of under-five mortality in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone is among the countries that recorded high under-five child mortality rate in the world. To design and implement policies that can address this public health challenge, the present study developed a predictive model of factors that explained under-five mortality in Sierra Leone using the 2008 and 2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS) datasets. LASSO regression technique was used to select the predictors to build the under-five predictive single-level logit and multilevel logit models. Statistical analyses were performed in the R freeware version 3.6.1. About 588 (10.4%) and 1320 (11.1%) children under five were reported dead in 2008 and 2013, respectively. The significant predictors of under-five mortality in Sierra Leone were the total number of children ever born, number of children under five in the household, mother's birth in the last five years, mother's number of living children, and number of household members, household wealth, maternal contraceptive use and intention, number of eligible women in the household, type of toilet facility, sex of the child, and weight of the child at birth. The study identified certain predictors that deserve policy attention and interventions to strengthen the efforts of creating child welfare and survival atmosphere in Sierra Leone

International trade and environmental pollution in sub-Saharan Africa: do exports and imports matter?

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Africa in general are known as the lowest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, CO2 emissions in SSA are increasing, making it a problem of concern and calls for attention given its adverse consequences on human health and climate change. International trade is argued to have a vital role in global and SSA emissions in diverse ways, leading to doubts of whether trade is good or bad to the environment. As a result, we explore the environmental effect of international trade in 33 SSA countries from 1990 to 2020. The study further evaluates the differential effect of exports and imports on environmental pollution. The generalized method of moment estimator and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (D-H) causality test were utilized. The results revealed that the overall effect of trade reduces environmental pollution by about 0.10% and 0.79% in both the short and long run, respectively. Again, we observe that exports and imports minimize environmental pollution of about 0.07% and 0.45% (0.08% and 0.58%) in the short run (long run), respectively. Regarding D-H results, we noticed the existence of bidirectional causality between total trade and environmental pollution, whereas exports and imports have a unidirectional causality from CO2 emissions to exports and imports. We conclude based on the findings that international trade causes pollution reduction in SSA. Furthermore, we establish that exports and imports have a homogeneous impact on environmental pollution in SSA. Given the results, we call for trade initiatives that ensure improvement in environmental and energy efficiency technologies related to production and transportation of exported and imported goods and services.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature

Prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and its association with glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver (MAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are interconnected metabolic disorders that pose serious repercussions on health, yet a comprehensive understanding of the extent of their co-occurrence in Africa is lacking. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MAFLD and its association with glycemic control (HbA1c) in persons with T2D in Africa. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Global Health, and Web of Science from their inception to December 6, 2023. Data on MAFLD prevalence and correlation coefficients for the association with glycemic control were pooled in random effect meta-analyses. Potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. A total of 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis of MAFLD prevalence, while 2 incorporated in the analysis of the association between MAFLD and glycemic control. The pooled prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D was 48.1% (95% CI: 36.1–60.3). By region, the prevalence recorded were 44.7% (95% CI: 28.7–62.0) in sub-Saharan Africa and 55.3% (95% CI: 36.2–73.0) in Northern Africa. We observe an increasing trend in MAFLD prevalence, recording 55.1% (95% CI: 43.6–66.1) in the recent five years. There was a weak positive correlation between MAFLD and HbA1c (r = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.18 – 0.47). There is a high prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D in Africa, with a suggested link between MAFLD and suboptimal glycemic control

Trade, institutional quality and economic growth in Africa: does China and United States trade matter?

We investigate the relationship between China and the United States’ trade with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the region's economic growth (EG). The research analyzes trade dynamics, distinguishing between the effects of exports and imports, while highlighting the significant role of institutional quality (IQ) in shaping EG within the context of China–US trade with Africa. Despite increasing trade with China and the US, SSA’s growth has lagged, prompting exploration into the specific trade forms contributing to EG and the role of IQ. Using data from 30 SSA countries from 2002-2020, we employed AMG and IV-2SLS estimations for our analysis. The study reveals that IQ complements Chinese and US trade to promote EG. Importantly, Chinese and US imports from Africa consistently boost growth, with the impact of exports diminishing. Chinese trade proves influential in countries with strong institutions but lacks impact in those with weaker institutions at higher levels of IQ. In contrast, US trade benefits growth in both strong and weak institutional contexts. These findings are instrumental for policymakers, offering insights into the specific trade activities that drive growth in SSA. Additionally, we emphasize the pivotal role of robust institutions in ensuring the positive impact of trade on growth

Prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and its association with glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are interconnected metabolic disorders with significant health implications. However, a comprehensive understanding of the extent of their co-occurrence in Africa is lacking. The aim of this review was to determine the prevalence of MAFLD and its association with glycemic control (HbA1c) in persons with T2D in Africa. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Global Health, and Web of Science from their inception to December 6, 2023. Data on MAFLD prevalence and correlation coefficients regarding its association with glycemic control were pooled through random effect meta-analyses. Potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. A total of 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis of MAFLD prevalence, while 2 were incorporated in the analysis of the association between MAFLD and glycemic control. The pooled prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D was 48.1% (95% CI: 36.1–60.3). The subgroup analysis revealed regional variations in MAFLD prevalence, with rates of 44.7% (95% CI: 28.7–62.0) in sub-Saharan Africa and 55.3% (95% CI: 36.2–73.0) in Northern Africa. Additionally, we observed an increasing trend in MAFLD prevalence, recording 55.1% (95% CI: 43.6–66.1) in the recent five years. There was a weak positive correlation between MAFLD and HbA1c (r = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.18–0.47). The findings of this study highlight a high prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D in Africa, with a suggested link between MAFLD and suboptimal glycemic control. Therefore, healthcare providers should prioritize the screening and management of MAFLD in individuals with T2D to enhance their metabolic health

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are serious public health concerns globally and a growing burden in Africa. Both conditions have serious repercussions on health when they co-occur, yet the extent of their co-occurrence in Africa remains unknown. Therefore, this review aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, African Index Medicus (AIM), and African Journals Online (AJOL) for observational studies that reported the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity among type 2 diabetes patients in Africa. The prevalence data from individual studies were aggregated through a random-effects meta-analysis. The I2 statistic was used to evaluate between-studies heterogeneity, while subgroup analysis and mixed-effects meta-regression were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. We assessed publication bias using funnel plots and Egger’s test. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Of 1753 records retrieved, 80 articles were eligible for this review, with 74 cross-sectional studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity was 35.6% and 25.6% respectively, while the overall prevalence of both overweight and obesity was 61.4%. Also, the pooled prevalence of both overweight and obesity across the five geographical areas in Africa ranged from 56.9% in East Africa to 88.5% in Southern Africa. Nineteen factors were significantly associated with overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes is a significant public health concern that transcends geographical boundaries within Africa. The findings from this review highlight the need for innovative weight management interventions that are tailored to the cultural context of the African setting.KEY MESSAGESThere was a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among the type 2 diabetes patients.Nineteen factors were identified to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity among type 2 diabetes patients.Only 12 out of the 80 included studies primarily focused on the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity which reflects a dearth of interest in this topic. There was a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among the type 2 diabetes patients. Nineteen factors were identified to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity among type 2 diabetes patients. Only 12 out of the 80 included studies primarily focused on the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity which reflects a dearth of interest in this topic.</p