The present study aims at investigating the nexus between unemployment and remittances in Ghana, ... more The present study aims at investigating the nexus between unemployment and remittances in Ghana, with a focus on the gender perspective. Using time-series data spanning from 1990 to 2021, the ARDL model is estimated. According to the findings, remittances, inflation, FDI, exports of goods and services, and gross capital formation all have a long-run association with the unemployment rate. Remittances positively correlate with unemployment in the long run. All else being equal, remittances in Ghana tend to also increase female unemployment in the long run. In the short run, while the contemporaneous coefficient is negative, the lagged remittance positively correlates with the unemployment rate in Ghana. The lagged remittance further positively correlates with female and male unemployment in the short run. Finally, we also found a mediating effect of GDP on remittances in reducing the unemployment rate in Ghana. The study therefore recommends that, for remittances to reduce unemployment in the short run, policymakers ought to incentivize deposits of remittances in Ghanaian banks using attractive interest rates. As a result, this might encourage savings, investment, and economic growth, which would eventually result in a decrease in the unemployment rate in the long run.
This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using... more This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using a cross-sectional data obtained from 196 households. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a binary probit regression for identification of factors that influence households’ decision in the usage of LPG in northern Ghana. The results show that LPG use in northern Ghana by households is very low (37.8%). The findings of the paper also show that LPG use in northern Ghana is influenced by education, household size, household income, cost of LPG, residence of household, fear of LPG explosion and access to LPG. It can therefore be concluded that in order to promote the use of LPG in northern Ghana, efforts must be on public education to address perception of high risk of LPG use for cooking in households by Energy Commission (EC), National Petroleum Commission (NPA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Community Based ...
Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in re... more Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in recipient countries because of the positive welfare implications of such transfers at the household, community and national levels at large. The study analyzed the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study used data from the Ghana Living Standard Survey data (GLSS 5). Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Tobit Regression Model for the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study results have shown that households who received external remittances decrease their budget shares on consumption aI nd some investment goods but increase their budget share on particularly housing than households without remittance income. The study also lends to the view that remittances cannot support to build the level of human capital and entrepreneurial investment in remittance – receiving nations; and point to the non-productive use of remittances in Ghana. To achieve economic growth and development with remittance income some actions should be taken. This would be possible within an enhanced government policy framework with the active participation of the financial sector in the country. This study recommends suitable policies such
There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnera... more There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. However, empirical research on smallholder farmers in Ghana has not paid adequate attention to social differentiation among smallholder farmers. This study sought to assess the perception of vulnerability and adaptation strategies of socially differentiated groups of smallholder farmers to climate change in Lawra district, north-western Ghana. Gender and age axis of social differentiation are the major focus of this work. The study employed a mix method study design involving 8 FGDs and 160 questionnaire surveys among smallholder farmers. Kendell’s W rank correlation was used to rank constrains identified, descriptive statistics and chi-square was used to determine adaptation patterns among different social groups. Results suggest that, smallholder farmers are not homogenous. Rather, males and females and youth and older folks differ in their perc...
Background Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care service... more Background Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care services is pervasive in Ghana. Understanding the drivers of inequity in maternal and child health (MCH) is important to achieving the universal health coverage component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and poverty reduction in developing countries. However, there is increasing disparities in MCH services, especially in rural -urban, and income quintiles. The study aimed to examine the disparities in maternal and child health care services in Ghana for policy intervention. Methods Data for this study was extracted from the nationally representative Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) round 4, 2011. Respondents of this survey were women of reproductive age 15–49 years with a sample size of 10,627 households. The models were estimated using multivariate regression analysis together with concentration index (CI) and risk ratio (RR) to assess the dis...
while road traffic crashes involving motorcycles cannot be completely prevented, the probability ... more while road traffic crashes involving motorcycles cannot be completely prevented, the probability and severity of head injuries following a crash can surely be mitigated through helmet use. In northern Ghana where motorcycles are popular means of transport, prevalence of motorcycle helmet use is low. This study identifies the barriers and facilitators to the use of motorcycle helmet in Tamale, Ghana. A questionnaire survey was administered to 300 motorcyclists at three different locations in the city. Data were edited, coded and entries made into SPSS version 20, and descriptive statistical analysis was extensively carried out. The study found that about 33% of motor cycle riders were using helmet of any type. The strongest facilitating factor for helmet use is the feeling for protection (62.2%) followed by respondent’s awareness that helmet use is mandatory (19.7%), and the presence of police on the street (15%). The evidence also suggests that the leading discouraging factor for no...
Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such a... more Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such as Ghana. Most of these deaths can be avoided by utilization of maternity health care services. The study examines the effect of antenatal care (ANC) visits and other socioeconomic factors on the utilization of health facilities for childbirth services in Ghana. The study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health survey. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Multinomial Logistic Regression for identification of factors that influences delivery in health facility. The study results have shown that, Antenatal care (ANC) visits and wealth significantly influence expectant mothers decision to use government health facilities for childbirth. Also, the study revealed considerable variations in region and between rural and urban utilization of this services in Ghana. It is recommended that to improve the AFRICA DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ADRRI) ...
This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using... more This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using a crosssectional data obtained from 196 households. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a binary probit regression for identification of factors that influence households' decision in the usage of LPG in northern Ghana. The results show that LPG use in northern Ghana by households is very low (37.8%). The findings of the paper also show that LPG use in northern Ghana is influenced by education, household size, household income, cost of LPG, residence of household, fear of LPG explosion and access to LPG. It can therefore be concluded that in order to promote the use of LPG in northern Ghana, efforts must be on public education to address perception of high risk of LPG use for cooking in households by Energy Commission (EC), National Petroleum Commission (NPA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Community Bas...
Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2018
There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnera... more There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. However, empirical research on smallholder farmers in Ghana has not paid adequate attention to social differentiation among smallholder farmers. This study sought to assess the perception of vulnerability and adaptation strategies of socially differentiated groups of smallholder farmers to climate change in Lawra district, northwestern Ghana. Gender and age axis of social differentiation are the major focus of this work. The study employed a mix method study design involving 8 FGDs and 160 questionnaire surveys among smallholder farmers. Kendell's W rank correlation was used to rank constrains identified, descriptive statistics and chi-square was used to determine adaptation patterns among different social groups. Results suggest that, smallholder farmers are not homogenous. Rather, males and females and youth and older folks differ in their perception of vulnerability and subsequent adaptation strategies. The results highlight the need for adaptation interventions that pay attention to different stakeholder needs in reducing smallholder farmers' vulnerability.
This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using... more This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using a crosssectional data obtained from 196 households. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a binary probit regression for identification of factors that influence households' decision in the usage of LPG in northern Ghana. The results show that LPG use in northern Ghana by households is very low (37.8%). The findings of the paper also show that LPG use in northern Ghana is influenced by education, household size, household income, cost of LPG, residence of household, fear of LPG explosion and access to LPG. It can therefore be concluded that in order to promote the use of LPG in northern Ghana, efforts must be on public education to address perception of high risk of LPG use for cooking in households by Energy Commission (EC), National Petroleum Commission (NPA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs). There is also the need for government to create and sustain an enabling environment for the public and private sectors investors to establish large LPG bottle refilling plants, that are able to test, certify and refill LPG cylinders for the market and also offer incentives to encourage private LPG retail/service companies to build up distribution network and retail outlets. It is also recommended that, government should reintroduce the door to door marketing and distribution of filled LPG cylinders and also redirect the current subsidy away from LPG fuel to domestic LPG equipment/appliances to make it possible to retarget the subsidy at domestic users. There is the need to intensify poverty reduction strategies by government to reduce income poverty so as to increase the usage of LPG in addition to improving access and affordability of clean fuels especially LPG to rural households. Finally, Policies on promoting universal education should be bolstered as they have varied implications on the decision to use LPG.
Ghana Journal of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, 2021
This paper analyzes the importance of irrigation investments in dealing with the new challenges o... more This paper analyzes the importance of irrigation investments in dealing with the new challenges of Africa’s agricultural development. The paper specifically examines the financial and economic implications of irrigation investments for job and wealth creation using primary and secondary data from irrigation facilities in northern Ghana. It is argued that one of the key tasks of transforming Africa’s agriculture into a modern and dynamic sector is a complex one, faced with a number of key challenges. These include limited investment, technologies, knowledge and infrastructure to link input and output markets across the continent. To meet this challenge, investments in water harvesting infrastructure and technologies for irrigable crop production is critical. Investments in irrigation infrastructure combined with the right farming systems can be effective in addressing the emerging challenges in Africa’s agricultural development. Specifically, the analyses showed that it does not make financial sense to promote mono-cropping of maize or rice under such irrigation investments but rather onion or tomato, which can make high enough returns to offset the cost of initial investments as early as the second year of production, all other things being equal. Thus, mono-cropping under irrigation for jobs and wealth creation is only recommended for onion and tomato production. Mixed cropping is also recommended as it provides high returns to investments with huge potential for job and wealth creation.
Background: Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care servic... more Background: Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care services is pervasive in Ghana. Understanding the drivers of inequity in maternal and child health (MCH) is important to achieving the universal health coverage component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and poverty reduction in developing countries. However, there is increasing disparities in MCH services, especially in rural-urban, and income quintiles. The study aimed to examine the disparities in maternal and child health care services in Ghana for policy intervention. Methods: Data for this study was extracted from the nationally representative Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) round 4, 2011. Respondents of this survey were women of reproductive age 15-49 years with a sample size of 10,627 households. The models were estimated using multivariate regression analysis together with concentration index (CI) and risk ratio (RR) to assess the distribution of MCH indicator groups across the household wealth index. Results: The results show that women with secondary school level and above were more likely to receive family planning, prenatal care, and delivery by a skilled health professional than those without formal education. Mothers with low level of educational attainment were 87% more likely to have their first pregnancy before the age of 20 years, and 78% were more likely to have children with under-five mortality, and 45% more likely to have children who had diarrhoea. teenage pregnancy (CI = − 0.133, RR =0.679), prenatal care by skilled health worker (CI = − 0.124, RR =0.713) under five mortality, child underweight, reported diarrhoea, and suspected pneumonia, though not statistically significant, were more concentrated in the poorer than in the richer households, The RR between the top and bottom quintiles ranged from 0.77 for child underweight to 0.82 for child wasting. Conclusion: Geographic location, income status and formal education are key drivers of maternal and child health inequities in Ghana. Government can partner the private sector to implement health policies to address inequalities in MCH services through primary health care, and resource allocation skewed towards rural areas and the lower wealth quintile to bridge the inequality gaps and improve MCH outcomes. The government and the private sectors should prioritize female education, as that can improve maternal and child health.
Over the past few decades, there have been major advances in crop productivity across the world, ... more Over the past few decades, there have been major advances in crop productivity across the world, which has been made possible through a combination of productivity enhancing technological innovations. Beyond this achievement however, most parts of Africa are still battling with low crop productivity resulting in food shortages and food insecurity. The yields of many staple crops are still far below their agronomic potentials with output increases being attributed largely to area expansion. This paper examines the implications of the current trends of crop/plant productivity for food security and rural livelihood development in Africa using Ghana as a case study. The paper argues that crop production in Africa is becoming a less viable and unattractive livelihood activity with farmers diversifying out of agriculture into non-agricultural activities such as illegal small-scale mining, which have negative consequences on the ability of African countries to attain the Sustainable Develo...
Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such a... more Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such as Ghana. Most of these deaths can be avoided by utilization of maternity health care services. The study examines the effect of health insurance holding and other socioeconomic and demographic factors on the choice of health facility for childbirth in Ghana. The study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health survey. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Multinomial Logistic Regression for identification of factors that influence delivery in health facility. The study results have shown that, holding of health insurance and wealth significantly influences expectant mother's decision to use government health facilities for childbirth. Also, the study revealed considerable variations in region and between rural and urban utilization of this services in Ghana. It is recommended that in order to improve the utilization of health facility for childbirth services and hence maternal health care utilization, there is the need to improve public awareness and efforts should also be taking by policy makers to integrate the private sector properly into the National Health Insurance scheme. Policy should also target mothers who have had the experience of child birth on the need to use health care facility services for each pregnancy. The government and other service providers (NGOs, religious institutions and private providers) may endeavor to improve on the distribution of health facilities, human resources, good roads and necessary infrastructure among other things in order to facilitate easy access to health care providers especially for rural dwellers.
Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in re... more Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in recipient countries because of the positive welfare implications of such transfers at the household, community and national levels at large. The study analyzed the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study used data from the Ghana Living Standard Survey data (GLSS 5). Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Tobit Regression Model for the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study results have shown that households who received external remittances decrease their budget shares on consumption aI nd some investment goods but increase their budget share on particularly housing than households without remittance income. The study also lends to the view that remittances cannot support to build the level of human capital and entrepreneurial investment in remittance – receiving nations; and point to the non-productive use of remittances in Ghana. To achieve economic growth and development with remittance income some actions should be taken. This would be possible within an enhanced government policy framework with the active participation of the financial sector in the country. This study recommends suitable policies such
The present study aims at investigating the nexus between unemployment and remittances in Ghana, ... more The present study aims at investigating the nexus between unemployment and remittances in Ghana, with a focus on the gender perspective. Using time-series data spanning from 1990 to 2021, the ARDL model is estimated. According to the findings, remittances, inflation, FDI, exports of goods and services, and gross capital formation all have a long-run association with the unemployment rate. Remittances positively correlate with unemployment in the long run. All else being equal, remittances in Ghana tend to also increase female unemployment in the long run. In the short run, while the contemporaneous coefficient is negative, the lagged remittance positively correlates with the unemployment rate in Ghana. The lagged remittance further positively correlates with female and male unemployment in the short run. Finally, we also found a mediating effect of GDP on remittances in reducing the unemployment rate in Ghana. The study therefore recommends that, for remittances to reduce unemployment in the short run, policymakers ought to incentivize deposits of remittances in Ghanaian banks using attractive interest rates. As a result, this might encourage savings, investment, and economic growth, which would eventually result in a decrease in the unemployment rate in the long run.
This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using... more This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using a cross-sectional data obtained from 196 households. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a binary probit regression for identification of factors that influence households’ decision in the usage of LPG in northern Ghana. The results show that LPG use in northern Ghana by households is very low (37.8%). The findings of the paper also show that LPG use in northern Ghana is influenced by education, household size, household income, cost of LPG, residence of household, fear of LPG explosion and access to LPG. It can therefore be concluded that in order to promote the use of LPG in northern Ghana, efforts must be on public education to address perception of high risk of LPG use for cooking in households by Energy Commission (EC), National Petroleum Commission (NPA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Community Based ...
Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in re... more Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in recipient countries because of the positive welfare implications of such transfers at the household, community and national levels at large. The study analyzed the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study used data from the Ghana Living Standard Survey data (GLSS 5). Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Tobit Regression Model for the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study results have shown that households who received external remittances decrease their budget shares on consumption aI nd some investment goods but increase their budget share on particularly housing than households without remittance income. The study also lends to the view that remittances cannot support to build the level of human capital and entrepreneurial investment in remittance – receiving nations; and point to the non-productive use of remittances in Ghana. To achieve economic growth and development with remittance income some actions should be taken. This would be possible within an enhanced government policy framework with the active participation of the financial sector in the country. This study recommends suitable policies such
There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnera... more There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. However, empirical research on smallholder farmers in Ghana has not paid adequate attention to social differentiation among smallholder farmers. This study sought to assess the perception of vulnerability and adaptation strategies of socially differentiated groups of smallholder farmers to climate change in Lawra district, north-western Ghana. Gender and age axis of social differentiation are the major focus of this work. The study employed a mix method study design involving 8 FGDs and 160 questionnaire surveys among smallholder farmers. Kendell’s W rank correlation was used to rank constrains identified, descriptive statistics and chi-square was used to determine adaptation patterns among different social groups. Results suggest that, smallholder farmers are not homogenous. Rather, males and females and youth and older folks differ in their perc...
Background Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care service... more Background Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care services is pervasive in Ghana. Understanding the drivers of inequity in maternal and child health (MCH) is important to achieving the universal health coverage component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and poverty reduction in developing countries. However, there is increasing disparities in MCH services, especially in rural -urban, and income quintiles. The study aimed to examine the disparities in maternal and child health care services in Ghana for policy intervention. Methods Data for this study was extracted from the nationally representative Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) round 4, 2011. Respondents of this survey were women of reproductive age 15–49 years with a sample size of 10,627 households. The models were estimated using multivariate regression analysis together with concentration index (CI) and risk ratio (RR) to assess the dis...
while road traffic crashes involving motorcycles cannot be completely prevented, the probability ... more while road traffic crashes involving motorcycles cannot be completely prevented, the probability and severity of head injuries following a crash can surely be mitigated through helmet use. In northern Ghana where motorcycles are popular means of transport, prevalence of motorcycle helmet use is low. This study identifies the barriers and facilitators to the use of motorcycle helmet in Tamale, Ghana. A questionnaire survey was administered to 300 motorcyclists at three different locations in the city. Data were edited, coded and entries made into SPSS version 20, and descriptive statistical analysis was extensively carried out. The study found that about 33% of motor cycle riders were using helmet of any type. The strongest facilitating factor for helmet use is the feeling for protection (62.2%) followed by respondent’s awareness that helmet use is mandatory (19.7%), and the presence of police on the street (15%). The evidence also suggests that the leading discouraging factor for no...
Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such a... more Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such as Ghana. Most of these deaths can be avoided by utilization of maternity health care services. The study examines the effect of antenatal care (ANC) visits and other socioeconomic factors on the utilization of health facilities for childbirth services in Ghana. The study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health survey. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Multinomial Logistic Regression for identification of factors that influences delivery in health facility. The study results have shown that, Antenatal care (ANC) visits and wealth significantly influence expectant mothers decision to use government health facilities for childbirth. Also, the study revealed considerable variations in region and between rural and urban utilization of this services in Ghana. It is recommended that to improve the AFRICA DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ADRRI) ...
This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using... more This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using a crosssectional data obtained from 196 households. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a binary probit regression for identification of factors that influence households' decision in the usage of LPG in northern Ghana. The results show that LPG use in northern Ghana by households is very low (37.8%). The findings of the paper also show that LPG use in northern Ghana is influenced by education, household size, household income, cost of LPG, residence of household, fear of LPG explosion and access to LPG. It can therefore be concluded that in order to promote the use of LPG in northern Ghana, efforts must be on public education to address perception of high risk of LPG use for cooking in households by Energy Commission (EC), National Petroleum Commission (NPA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Community Bas...
Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2018
There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnera... more There is growing attention on socially differentiated stakeholder groups in understanding vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. However, empirical research on smallholder farmers in Ghana has not paid adequate attention to social differentiation among smallholder farmers. This study sought to assess the perception of vulnerability and adaptation strategies of socially differentiated groups of smallholder farmers to climate change in Lawra district, northwestern Ghana. Gender and age axis of social differentiation are the major focus of this work. The study employed a mix method study design involving 8 FGDs and 160 questionnaire surveys among smallholder farmers. Kendell's W rank correlation was used to rank constrains identified, descriptive statistics and chi-square was used to determine adaptation patterns among different social groups. Results suggest that, smallholder farmers are not homogenous. Rather, males and females and youth and older folks differ in their perception of vulnerability and subsequent adaptation strategies. The results highlight the need for adaptation interventions that pay attention to different stakeholder needs in reducing smallholder farmers' vulnerability.
This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using... more This paper examines the determinants of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Northern Ghana using a crosssectional data obtained from 196 households. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a binary probit regression for identification of factors that influence households' decision in the usage of LPG in northern Ghana. The results show that LPG use in northern Ghana by households is very low (37.8%). The findings of the paper also show that LPG use in northern Ghana is influenced by education, household size, household income, cost of LPG, residence of household, fear of LPG explosion and access to LPG. It can therefore be concluded that in order to promote the use of LPG in northern Ghana, efforts must be on public education to address perception of high risk of LPG use for cooking in households by Energy Commission (EC), National Petroleum Commission (NPA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs). There is also the need for government to create and sustain an enabling environment for the public and private sectors investors to establish large LPG bottle refilling plants, that are able to test, certify and refill LPG cylinders for the market and also offer incentives to encourage private LPG retail/service companies to build up distribution network and retail outlets. It is also recommended that, government should reintroduce the door to door marketing and distribution of filled LPG cylinders and also redirect the current subsidy away from LPG fuel to domestic LPG equipment/appliances to make it possible to retarget the subsidy at domestic users. There is the need to intensify poverty reduction strategies by government to reduce income poverty so as to increase the usage of LPG in addition to improving access and affordability of clean fuels especially LPG to rural households. Finally, Policies on promoting universal education should be bolstered as they have varied implications on the decision to use LPG.
Ghana Journal of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, 2021
This paper analyzes the importance of irrigation investments in dealing with the new challenges o... more This paper analyzes the importance of irrigation investments in dealing with the new challenges of Africa’s agricultural development. The paper specifically examines the financial and economic implications of irrigation investments for job and wealth creation using primary and secondary data from irrigation facilities in northern Ghana. It is argued that one of the key tasks of transforming Africa’s agriculture into a modern and dynamic sector is a complex one, faced with a number of key challenges. These include limited investment, technologies, knowledge and infrastructure to link input and output markets across the continent. To meet this challenge, investments in water harvesting infrastructure and technologies for irrigable crop production is critical. Investments in irrigation infrastructure combined with the right farming systems can be effective in addressing the emerging challenges in Africa’s agricultural development. Specifically, the analyses showed that it does not make financial sense to promote mono-cropping of maize or rice under such irrigation investments but rather onion or tomato, which can make high enough returns to offset the cost of initial investments as early as the second year of production, all other things being equal. Thus, mono-cropping under irrigation for jobs and wealth creation is only recommended for onion and tomato production. Mixed cropping is also recommended as it provides high returns to investments with huge potential for job and wealth creation.
Background: Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care servic... more Background: Inequities in the distribution of and access to maternal and child health care services is pervasive in Ghana. Understanding the drivers of inequity in maternal and child health (MCH) is important to achieving the universal health coverage component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and poverty reduction in developing countries. However, there is increasing disparities in MCH services, especially in rural-urban, and income quintiles. The study aimed to examine the disparities in maternal and child health care services in Ghana for policy intervention. Methods: Data for this study was extracted from the nationally representative Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) round 4, 2011. Respondents of this survey were women of reproductive age 15-49 years with a sample size of 10,627 households. The models were estimated using multivariate regression analysis together with concentration index (CI) and risk ratio (RR) to assess the distribution of MCH indicator groups across the household wealth index. Results: The results show that women with secondary school level and above were more likely to receive family planning, prenatal care, and delivery by a skilled health professional than those without formal education. Mothers with low level of educational attainment were 87% more likely to have their first pregnancy before the age of 20 years, and 78% were more likely to have children with under-five mortality, and 45% more likely to have children who had diarrhoea. teenage pregnancy (CI = − 0.133, RR =0.679), prenatal care by skilled health worker (CI = − 0.124, RR =0.713) under five mortality, child underweight, reported diarrhoea, and suspected pneumonia, though not statistically significant, were more concentrated in the poorer than in the richer households, The RR between the top and bottom quintiles ranged from 0.77 for child underweight to 0.82 for child wasting. Conclusion: Geographic location, income status and formal education are key drivers of maternal and child health inequities in Ghana. Government can partner the private sector to implement health policies to address inequalities in MCH services through primary health care, and resource allocation skewed towards rural areas and the lower wealth quintile to bridge the inequality gaps and improve MCH outcomes. The government and the private sectors should prioritize female education, as that can improve maternal and child health.
Over the past few decades, there have been major advances in crop productivity across the world, ... more Over the past few decades, there have been major advances in crop productivity across the world, which has been made possible through a combination of productivity enhancing technological innovations. Beyond this achievement however, most parts of Africa are still battling with low crop productivity resulting in food shortages and food insecurity. The yields of many staple crops are still far below their agronomic potentials with output increases being attributed largely to area expansion. This paper examines the implications of the current trends of crop/plant productivity for food security and rural livelihood development in Africa using Ghana as a case study. The paper argues that crop production in Africa is becoming a less viable and unattractive livelihood activity with farmers diversifying out of agriculture into non-agricultural activities such as illegal small-scale mining, which have negative consequences on the ability of African countries to attain the Sustainable Develo...
Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such a... more Maternal and child mortalities are among major health problems facing developing countries such as Ghana. Most of these deaths can be avoided by utilization of maternity health care services. The study examines the effect of health insurance holding and other socioeconomic and demographic factors on the choice of health facility for childbirth in Ghana. The study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health survey. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Multinomial Logistic Regression for identification of factors that influence delivery in health facility. The study results have shown that, holding of health insurance and wealth significantly influences expectant mother's decision to use government health facilities for childbirth. Also, the study revealed considerable variations in region and between rural and urban utilization of this services in Ghana. It is recommended that in order to improve the utilization of health facility for childbirth services and hence maternal health care utilization, there is the need to improve public awareness and efforts should also be taking by policy makers to integrate the private sector properly into the National Health Insurance scheme. Policy should also target mothers who have had the experience of child birth on the need to use health care facility services for each pregnancy. The government and other service providers (NGOs, religious institutions and private providers) may endeavor to improve on the distribution of health facilities, human resources, good roads and necessary infrastructure among other things in order to facilitate easy access to health care providers especially for rural dwellers.
Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in re... more Migrant remittances have gained recognition as an alternative source of development finance in recipient countries because of the positive welfare implications of such transfers at the household, community and national levels at large. The study analyzed the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study used data from the Ghana Living Standard Survey data (GLSS 5). Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics as well as a Tobit Regression Model for the relationship between external migrant remittances and household expenditure patterns in Ghana. The study results have shown that households who received external remittances decrease their budget shares on consumption aI nd some investment goods but increase their budget share on particularly housing than households without remittance income. The study also lends to the view that remittances cannot support to build the level of human capital and entrepreneurial investment in remittance – receiving nations; and point to the non-productive use of remittances in Ghana. To achieve economic growth and development with remittance income some actions should be taken. This would be possible within an enhanced government policy framework with the active participation of the financial sector in the country. This study recommends suitable policies such
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