Academic literature on the topic 'Grand Accra (Ghana)'

Recent scholarship on Ghana’s oil industry has focused primarily on its grand contributions to the national economy while its intra-city impact has received less academic attention. Borrowing from Terry Karl’s interpretation of the paradox of plenty, and drawing on empirical evidence from 25 purposefully selected interviewees, the study examines how the oil production off the shores of Sekondi-Takoradi is creating complex processes of accumulation, contradiction, and displacement in a low-income community—New Takoradi. The results point to the accentuation of socio-economic risks in the community following the inflow of oil revenue which is shaping government’s macro-level policies. The paper opines that without attention to place-specific contexts, understanding its socio-economic risks and decadence, and its semblance of strong resilience becomes deceptive. The paper concludes that context and situation are significant for how and to what degree the oil boom matters in the oil city.

ABSTRACTThis article investigates a series of development strategies pursued in Ghana from the mid-1940s under British colonial rule to the early independence period of the 1960s, seeking to understand how the pace and location of development affected the wider built fabric and especially housing production. While two contrasting visions emerge — of rural extractive agriculture versus industrial urban manufacturing — the impact of these endeavours was most strongly felt in the accompanying housing developments. Attempts to create a new artisan school capable of manufacturing building materials, and a laboratory tasked with developing new local building materials, sought to preserve a mainly rural-based population and lifestyle while reducing costs and making dwellings more durable. However, with advancing industrialisation and rapidly expanding urban centres, efforts to accommodate this change with revised urban boundaries and new construction standards failed adequately to address the housing issues and revealed fundamental problems in the governance of newly urbanising and suburban settlements. Could the solution be to ’start again’, to build a new town without the difficulties of the past? This was the approach of the elected nationalist government that commissioned the new town of Tema, east of the capital Accra. As one of the grand projects of the then prime minister, Kwame Nkrumah, Tema has been the focus of much scholarly attention, but a new source has recently come to light that changes understanding of the project. The notebooks kept by Michael Hirst, one of those charged with its design and realisation, show how Tema became an unwitting design school with its own series of trials and tests performed by a team of newly qualified architects. It was not only a political new beginning, but also an experimental attempt to create a new urban environment built on the promise of an industrialised future.

Abstract Introduction: Non- Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL) are a heterogeneous group of clonal malignant diseases arising from the lymphoid system with many subtypes showing both biological and clinical heterogeneity. However, the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of NHL in resource poor countries still remain a challenge in the absence of routine immunohistochemistry and molecular studies. In Ghana, a low middle-income West African country, there has been no previous systematic study of the distribution of the major subtypes of NHL. Methods: A retrospective review of case folders of all patients age 13 years and above, diagnosed with NHL between January 1, 2008 and October 31, 2013, at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, the largest hospital in Ghana, and one of only two hospitals in the country with a cancer unit. Information obtained from the case folders included age, sex, histological subtype, subtypes using the Working Formulation and WHO classifications. Treatment given and follow up information were also evaluated. Results: A total of 279 cases of NHL were identified within the study period. The mean overall age of the patients was 48.8 ± 17.0 years with a minimum age of 13 years and maximum 87 years. There were 156 males (55.7 %) and 123 females (43.9 %) with a male to female ratio of approximately 1.5:1. The majority of cases seen (53%) were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (22.2%) was the next commonest subtype. Other sub types seen, in order of frequency, included diffuse mixed cell lymphoma (6.4%), gastric lymphomas (3.9%), mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (2.9%), Burkitts lymphoma (1.8%), splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (1.1%), lymphoblastic lymphoma (1.1%), mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type B- cell lymphoma (0.7%) and follicular lymphoma (0.7%). Others, which included anaplastic large cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and mycosis fungoides, collectively accounted for 3.6% of the NHL cases reviewed. Based on the Working Formulation classification with broad histologic categories of low-, intermediate-, and high-grade lymphomas, 83 out of 279 (29.7%) had low grade NHL, 170 (60.7%) intermediate and 26(9.4%) had aggressive/high grade NHL. Table 1 shows chemotherapy regimens administered and first year treatment outcomes. One-year survival for cases of NHL in the study was found to be high (98.6%). However, only 115/279(41.2%) of patients were seen for follow up in the second year post-treatment, with 85 of these (73.9%) still in clinical remission. In the third year only 37/279(13.3%) reported for follow up. Conclusions: This study provides a baseline overview of the distribution of NHL subtypes and their outcomes in adolescent and adult patients in a resource constrained setting. Patient loss to follow up in the 2nd and 3rd year post treatment was very high and the reasons for this should be explored in a future study. Immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics and specific molecular studies, which are important in characterization of NHL, should be made affordable and accessible in low-income countries. Table 1. FIRST YEAR OUTCOME FOR ALL NHL SUBTYPES AND TREATMENT GIVEN TYPE OF CHEMOTHERAPY GIVEN CHOP CVP R-CHOP CHLORAMBUCIL + PREDNISOLONE CODOX-M/ IVAC TOTAL INDOLENT TYPE NHL CR 37 34 2 2 0 75 (26.9%) PR 3 1 0 0 0 4 (1.4%) NR 1 0 0 0 0 1 (0.4%) LTF 2 0 0 0 0 2 (0.7%) TOTAL 43 (15.5%) 35 (12.5%) 2 (0.7%) 2 (0.7%) 0 (0.0%) 82(29.4%) INTERMEDIATE TYPE NHL CR 120 3 9 0 0 132 (47.3%) PR 32 4 0 0 0 36 (12.9%) NR 1 0 0 0 0 1 (0.4%) LTF 2 0 0 0 0 2 (0.7%) TOTAL 155 (55.6%) 7 (2.5%) 9 (3.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 171 (61.3%) AGGRESSIVE TYPE NHL CR 9 0 3 0 1 13 (4.65%) PR 12 0 0 0 1 13 (4.65%) NR 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0.0%) LTF 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0.0%) TOTAL 21 (7.5%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.7%) 26 (9.3%) GRAND TOTAL 219 (78.5%) 42 (15.1%) 14 (5.0%) 2 (0.7%) 2 (0.7%) 279 (100%) CR: CLINICAL REMISSION, PR: POOR RESPONSE, NR: NO RESPONSE, LTF: LOST TO FOLLOW-UP Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Introduction Sleep habits among school-age children in North American and European countries is well-documented and most health recommendations are based on those data. What is woefully lacking in the literature is objective sleep data from the Global South, particularly from sub-Saharan African countries. Lack of data in this population represents a major gap in our knowledge and a barrier to the establishment of guidelines for healthy sleep for all children. Here, we begin to broaden the view of child sleep by characterizing sleep and chronotypes of school-age children in Accra, Ghana. Methods Children (N=34; Mage=10.03, range:9-13 years; 51.5% female) wore actigraph watches for two weeks (M=11 nights). Additionally, children and their caregivers completed surveys pertaining to demographics, sleep habits, and household environment. Chronotype was assessed using the Children’s Chronotype Questionnaire. Daytime drowsiness was assessed using the Sleep Behavior Questionnaire. Results Children’s average sleep duration was 519.5±66.9mins. Average sleep onset was 21:02(± 49.7mins) and average wake onset was 5:46(± 47.5mins). Sleep duration was longer on weekends (M=536.9mins) vs. weekdays (M=506.8mins; p=.001). Sleep onset was similar across all days, while wake onset was significantly later on weekends (6:07) vs. weekdays (5:29; p<.001). Only 21.6% of children obtained adequate sleep for their age (9-11hrs) according to WHO recommendations, yet none reported high levels of daytime drowsiness (M score=9.93, range: 5-16; possible range: 5-25). Sleep/wake onset were both earlier than averages found in prior research with similar-aged children, with only 8.8% falling asleep later than 22:00. Variability in sleep midpoint (SD) was low (M=34mins), with 11.7% of children experiencing sleep timing that varied >60 mins on average. For chronotype, children were primarily morning types (n=24, 70.6%). Conclusion While many children in this sample did not meet WHO recommendations for sleep duration, their sleep timing was earlier than other reports and with low night-to-night variability. This may be related to the consistency in day length in Ghana which may support their overall sleep quality. Future directions will explore impact of daylight exposure and other environmental factors (air/noise pollution) on children’s sleep, along with continued data collection from more diverse SES neighborhoods in Accra. Support (if any) National Geographic Society Exploratory Grant [NGS-64242R-19]

Background: Conflicting reports about the toxicity of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn (family Asteraceae), a plant traditionally used in Ghana for the management of epilepsy, abound in literature. The present study evaluates the effect of a 90-day continuous oral administration of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods: The toxicological evaluation of the extract (100, 300 and 1000 mgkg-1) was focused on haematological, serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes of some isolated organs.Results: The extract produced no mortality in the rats treated during the study period. Only SNE 100 mgkg-1 produced significant decrease in white blood cell and neutrophil counts and an increase in albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, total protein and potassium levels. The higher doses (SNE 300 and 1000 mgkg-1) had no significant effect on all the haematological and biochemical parameters measured. Histopathological assessment of the liver, kidney and heart revealed no abnormalities in rats treated with the extracts. Only the SNE 1000 mgkg-1 produced distortions of the branching arrangements of the myocardial fibres and a congested vessel which indicates a healed infarction.Conclusions: The findings suggest hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn generally has a low toxicity profile following a 90-day continuous oral administration in male Sprague-Dawley rats under the present laboratory conditions. However patients with renal or cardiac problems should use the plant with caution.Funding: Jointly supported by the International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden, through a grant (# F/5191-1) to Dr. Patrick Amoateng and the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, grant awarded to Dr. Patrick Amoateng (reference number: URF/6/ILG-002/2012-2013)Keywords: : Synedrella nodiflora, Sprague-Dawley rats, histopathological, haematological

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans la thématique de la participation politique qui continue d’être au coeur de la problématique du fonctionnement des démocraties consolidées comme de celles qui sont en voie de consolidation. Premièrement la thèse porte sur la participation politique de la diaspora ghanéenne première et deuxième générations dans la politique britannique généralement et lors de Brexit. La thèse examine le lien entre la construction de l’identité ghanéenne à Londres et l’engagement politique en Grand Bretagne. Deuxièmement elle analyse l’engagement politique transnational de la diaspora envers le Ghana, en s’appuyant sur le cas de la diaspora à Londres. Elle étudie les actes qui peuvent se traduire comme pratique politique de la diaspora ghanéenne notamment dans le cas d’absence de droit de vote de la diaspora ghanéenne à l’étranger. Troisième elle examine l’engagement politique des « retournées » au Ghana comme les gardiens de la démocratie ghanéenne. Cette thèse s’inscrit dans la notion que peu d’études ou travaux de recherche ont été réalisés sur l’engagement politique de la diaspora Ghanéenne dans le pays d’accueil et le pays d’origine. Elle a pour objectif de démontrer qu’à travers l’engagement politique, comment une communauté diasporique s’intègre dans le pays d’accueil, et à travers ce même processus d’engagement politique transnational, comment ils deviennent une force politique dans leur pays d’origine.L’étude reconstitue l’engagement politique de la diaspora à Londres et les stratégies utilisées par les élites de la diaspora lors des élections nationales au Ghana. Elle se concentre sur l’engagement politique de cette élite diasporique une fois au Ghana, les stratégies mises en place pour consolider leur place de l’élite politique issue de la diaspora. Les villes de Londres et Accra ont été choisies pour observer :- les interactions, aux niveaux national et international.- les logiques véhiculées par les groupes influents ainsi que- leur emprise sur le jeu politique, tout en rendant compte, à partir d’une étude longitudinale, ethnographique, des entretiens, discussions depuis 2010 et exploitation des questionnaires semi-directive administrés, auprès des membres de la diaspora à Londres et les « retournées » à Accra.Les résultats de ces enquêtes de terrain ont démontré que la diaspora ghanéenne a historiquement joué un rôle important dans la construction politique et démocratique du Ghana et elle continue ainsi à jouer le rôle du développement du pays à la fois politique et économique
This thesis deals with the topic of political participation, which continues to be at the core of the debates on the functioning of democratic institutions in emerging democracies as well as in consolidated democracies. Focusing specifically on the political engagement of the Ghanaian diaspora (first –and-second generations) in UK politics and transnational political engagement of first-generation Ghanaians towards Ghana, also returnee diaspora political engagement in Accra, Ghana. Firstly, it analyses the scope and extent to which the Ghanaian diaspora identity is formed in the UK with ties to the Black British identity and its influences on the Ghanaian community voting patterns in UK politics especially during the Brexit vote in 2016. Furthermore, how does political participation in UK politics fosters integration, or integration fosters political participation of the Ghanaian community? Secondly it examines how the Ghanaian diaspora negotiates their transnational identity and political participation towards Ghana. Being disenfranchised to exercise their external voting rights, how does it impact the power relations between Ghanaian diaspora and the Ghanaian government? Thirdly, what are the role returnee diaspora play in Ghanaian politics? Are political returnees the vanguards of Ghana’s political stability?Drawing from a longitudinal and ethnographic field work investigations and analysis, in Accra and in London since 2010 coupled with focused group discussion in both locations. A semi-structured interviewees method and questionnaires were administered to respondents in both locations to ascertain how the diasporic and returnee populationJamila HAMIDU-YAKUBU Doctoral Thesis in Political Science 2021 5perceive the lack of diaspora political participation in the context of Ghana’s democratisation processes. The objective of this thesis is to demonstrate the historic role that the Ghanaian diaspora have contributed in Ghanaian political and democratic governance and how they still contribute to Ghana’s political and democratic consolidation. The fieldwork analysis has demonstrated that the Ghanaian diaspora still remains an important component of development in Ghana both politically and economically. The fieldwork results have also illustrated the contribution of Ghanaian diaspora in UK political diversity

The study focused on the impacts and challenges associated with the introduction of FCUBE with particular emphasis on the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programmes in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data was collected from Six Basic Schools in the Sub- Metro under Circuits 12 and 13. This study found out from the participants that the introduction of these policy options even though has improved enrolment and the quality of education is faced with a lot of obstacles and challenges such as access to school, shortage of teachers, economic and social cultural practices etc. It seems evident from the analysis in this study and observations that despite the achievements of government, there still are a number of children out of school in Ghana and being denied the right to education and therefore the goals of universal access to primary quality education cannot be achieved through the linear expansion of existing public schools system alone. One limitation was that the sample was quite small due to limited time and resources. The study contributes to the understanding of what the various education policies say and what really happens on the ground. It provides a foundation for further studies on a more extensive scale so as to get a broader picture of what the education sector really experience, as well providing guidance for the ministry to take actions that make it more friendly.