Financialisation and the Myth of Poverty Alleviation in Ghana: A Theoretical and Empirical Investigation of the Impact of Financial Liberalisation on Sustainable Economic Development

The key theme of the thesis is that the rise of finance (financialisation) in Ghana has done very little, if any, in the fight against poverty. It has, however, resulted in rising financial profits, financialising poverty and stagnating the real sector of the economy. The thesis analyses financialisation in a low middle-income country. The focus is to investigate the impact of the exponential growth of finance on poverty alleviation in Ghana. It adopts a political economy approach to the changing behaviour/conduct of banks, industrial enterprises and households. Different strands of thoughts are reviewed in their understanding of financialisation. The theoretical framework is set vis-à-vis the empirical reality to assess whether the Ghanaian economy is financialised. It has been presented in this thesis that Ghana is indeed a financialised economy. However, it demonstrates several unique characteristics for different sectors because of its subordinate/inferior status shaped by imperial relations between states in the world market. The thesis found rising profit for the banking industry, but limited lending to industrial enterprises for long-term investment. However, what is unique in the context of Ghana is excessive lending to the government. The capital structure of firms in Ghana composed of mainly internal funds, as banks are reluctant to lend to firms due to the lucrative returns on less risky government securities. Banks then demand high collateral from firms together with high interests on capital. These obstructive factors, coupled with other contradictions in the political-economic arrangement, impact high cost on firms and therefore limit their ability to make enough profit. Consequently, firms employ less labour and are unable to pay higher wages, resulting in chronic poverty. This thesis presents that financial inclusion policy as a way of empowering the poor makes poverty a financial problem, which requires new credit relation- the financialisation of poverty. The thesis, therefore, argues that poverty should be viewed as a monetary and non-monetary problem

Understanding differential effects of energy governance constraints in Nigeria: a transitional justice perspective

Sub-Saharan nations face a plethora of constraints in advancement of their economic development, a phenomenon particularly vivid in the extractive sector. A large chunk of the limitations – inherited and retained in the post-colonial era – adversely affect an effective and efficient governance of energy and natural resources. Drawing on the case study of Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producing nation, this paper looks as to how energy governance is constrained by the historical legacy of colonialism and post-colonialism? The paper argues that the colonial legacy has had a profound impact on the effectiveness of energy governance and its institutions in the post-colonial era, in particular those confined to oil and gas. Drawing on transnational justice and energy governance theories, the paper seeks to reconcile the demands of today – including the need for improved efficiency and skilled management as well as investment liberalization and resilience of the energy system – with the colonial and post-colonial legacies that are deeply rooted in the energy sector and beyond. Using a systematic literature review method, the paper outlines its content analysis and research findings in a form of a set of recommendations addressed at the country’s policymakers and decision makers calling for a greater accountability and consistency in Nigeria’s energy policy

The Pandemic and the Economy of Africa: Conflicting Strategies between Tanzania and Ghana

While the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths [35] continues to rise all over the world, the numbers in Africa are not as high as predicted. With the exception of South Africa and Egypt, other countries in the continent seem to be faring well. There are still conflicting reasons as to how Africa has coped well in the face of the pandemic. While some countries, like Ghana, introduced lockdown measures, others, like Tanzania, dismissed the idea of a lockdown. Still, both countries have relatively less confirmed deaths. This article explores how messages conveyed by the Tanzanian and Ghanaian governments have played a role in dealing with the pandemic and the economic impact they face. We argue that the government messages did play a role in the registered confirmed cases. Tanzania, for instance, stopped registering cases and deaths after the president expressed distrust in the cases that were being announced, worried about what it could do to the economy. In Ghana, while the president took a different approach, his messages of hope and care prompted people to be more cautious, worrying about the economy later

e-Government development: Benchmarking Ghana and Tanzania

Using time-series data from the United Nations e-government Surveys, this paper presents the comparative assessment of e-government (e-gov) in Ghana and Tanzania over the last two decades. The findings confirm tremendous progress in e-government development in bothnations. However, while Ghana has made significantly moreprogress, the indicators for both countries are below th eworld averages, suggesting the need for strategies to boost e-gov development. Furthermore, to accelerate e-gov implementation, both nations need to go beyond systematizing existing procedures by engineering new practices to transform the relationship between government and citizens

Nutrient composition, pest and microbial status and effects of discarded biscuits on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and economic profiles of growing-finishing pigs

A ten-week experiment was conducted to evaluate discarded biscuits (DB) as an alternative to maize in pig diets. Proximate composition, pest and microbial status of the DB and its effects on growth performance, economics of production and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs were determined. Twenty Large White starter pigs aged 9-10 weeks with an average initial weight of 16.6kg were allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) based on their weight and sex. They were fed ad libitum with isonitrogenous diets containing 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% levels of DB replacing similar amounts of maize and labelled 0%DB (Control), 10%DB, 20%DB and 30%DB, respectively. Prior to the feeding trial, samples of the DB were studied for their proximate composition, pest and microbial status. The DB contained 17.0% moisture, 9.90% crude protein (CP), 0.63% crude fibre (CF), 11.0% ether extract (EE), 0.50% ash and 60.97% nitrogen-free extract (NFE). Tribolium species was the main insect pest identified in the samples; both live and dead forms were observed. The microbial analysis uncovered three (3) fungi species, namely Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus versicolor with Penicillium sp. being the most dominant. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the values for the average daily feed intake (ADFI), total feed intake (ATFI), daily weight gain (ADWG), total weight gain (ATWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the four dietary treatments. There was a linear decrease in feed cost as the level of DB increased in the diet, and the cost of gain followed a similar trend. Carcass characteristics were similar (P>0.05). It was concluded that DB could constitute as much as 30% of the diet and replace about 60% of the maize in the diet of growing pig without any adverse effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics.Keywords: Back fat, discarded biscuit, carcass, insect pests, microbial status, pig

Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among adult patients at the eye clinic of a teaching hospital

Background: Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is an irreversible blinding disease that often presents late because it is symptomless in the early stages. Prognosis depends on early diagnosis and treatment and patient understanding of their condition. Many patients present late because of poor awareness and knowledge. This study was conducted to assess patient’s awareness and knowledge of glaucoma in a referral Teaching Hospital.Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among glaucoma patients aged 40 years and above attending the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Patients were selected by simple random sampling. They were recruited after informed consent had been given. A questionnaire on demographics, socio-economics and awareness of glaucoma was administered.Results: There were a total of 117 participants, 61 males and 56 females. The median and modal age group was 50 and 59 years. Amongst the participants, 74% were aware of glaucoma. There were no significant statistical difference in the various age groups, sex, ethnic group or religion and their awareness of glaucoma (P>0.05).There were statistically significant differences between those who had higher education and their awareness of glaucoma (P< 0.001). Yet only 27% of these had accurate knowledge of glaucoma.Conclusion: Glaucoma awareness in patients attending Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is high. Higher education was associated with higher awareness yet this was not translated into accurate knowledge as there were significant misconceptions .There is the need to review the contents of health education with the aim of reducing dangerous misconception of glaucoma and targeting the lower socioeconomic population.Key words: Glaucoma, Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, Knowledge, Awareness, Blindnes

A Two-Dimensional Chebyshev Wavelet Method for Solving Partial Di erential Equations

In this paper, we introduce a two-dimensional Chebyshev wavelet method (TCWM) for solving partial di erential equations (PDEs) in L2(R) space. In this method, the spatial variables appearing in the PDE each has its own kernel, as well as wavelet coecient for approxi- mating the unknown solution of the equation. The approximated solu- tion of the equation is fast and has higher number of vanishing moments as compared to the Chebyshev wavelet method with only one wavelet coecient for two or more separated kernels for the variables appearing in the PDE

Ecology of emergency care in lower-tier healthcare providers in Ghana: An empirical data-driven Bayesian network analytical approach

The healthcare landscape in Ghana is primarily composed of lower-tier providers, which serve as the initial point of contact for most medical emergencies. This study aimed to assess the emergency care preparedness and readiness of primary healthcare providers using a robust evaluation approach. A multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 460 healthcare facilities using the standardised Health Facilities Emergency Preparedness Assessment Tool (HeFEPAT). Data were analysed via Bayesian Belief network. Emergency preparedness was associated with facility location, type, ownership, and in-charge personnel. Over 70% of facilities lacked specialised emergency/critical care personnel. Although 65% of in-charges reported protocol knowledge, only 7.8% could execute cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 90% of facilities lacked onsite defibrillators, and over 80% had no cerebrovascular accident medications. Road traffic accident protocols were largely unavailable, with an estimated 53% probability of lacking such protocols. Private-owned facilities were more likely to lack protocols for road traffic accidents (76% vs 20% probability) and general acute care (62% vs 32%) compared to government-owned facilities. Significant gaps in emergency preparedness were identified across the studied health facilities, indicating limited capacity to manage critical situations effectively. Urgent investments in emergency medicine training, essential resources, and evidence-based protocols are needed. Standardised emergency preparedness assessments should be implemented for accreditation and quality improvement. Further research can inform the development of national guidelines and targeted interventions to strengthen emergency response capacities

Missed Opportunities for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana; Polymerase Chain Reaction, A Better Tool

The diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) has mainly relied on sputum microscopy and culture. The use of molecular techniques such as the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and its overwhelming advantages compared with conventional diagnostic methodologies cannot be overemphasized. The main aim of this work was to compare the diagnostic sensitivities of microscopy, culture and PCR. Suspected PTB sputum samples were prospectively collected from six hospitals in the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana. Microscopy was carried out on all samples at the field sites. Apart from culture and PCR, repeat sputum microscopy was carried out in the laboratories of the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR). Out of the total 425 cases recruited for the study, 123 (29.0%) were smear positive on site in contrast to 275 (64.7%) positivity rate at KCCR. Regarding culture, 254 (59.9%) samples were culture positive whilst PCR technique using INS 1&2 and PR 8&9 primers were positive in 59.9 % and 56% of cases respectively. The proportion of missed positive cases of microscopy were 131 (51%) compared with culture and 1.1% missed cases when compared with PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of microscopy were 123/254 (48.4%) and 154/302 (50.99%). The study confirms the superiority of PCR in the diagnosis of PTB and indicates that a substantial proportion of PTB cases are missed when microscopy alone is used. In areas where the incidence of PTB is high and at referral hospitals, PCR can be done to augment the diagnosis of TB.Keywords: Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Sputum Microscopy, Culture, Polymerase Chain Reactio