Ghana Social Science Journal

The influence of socio-demographic factors on the significance of heritage resources

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 11:45:59 +0000

Though several studies have assessed the significance of heritage resources, they are generally exotic relative to Africa with very few examining the roles of socio-demographic characteristics in the levels of significance residents attach to heritage resources. This study explores the intricate relationship between socio-demographic factors and the significance attached to heritage resources in Ghana’s Upper East Region. By employing a mixed-methods approach, we uncover how variables such as age, gender, education, and religion influence perceptions of both tangible and intangible heritage. Our findings reveal that tangible heritage, like architecture and agriculture, is often valued more highly than intangible heritage, such as festivals and folklore. It was also found that males generally viewed almost all heritage resources as more significant compared to females, except traditional architecture which was perceived as more significant by a larger proportion of females. Furthermore, education showed a negative correlation with the significance of tangible heritage resources while the elderly were more likely to have a positive perception of heritage resources than the youth. These disparities underscore a need for targeted conservation strategies that consider community-specific socio-demographic dynamics. The study’s insights aim to inform sustainable heritage tourism development, ensuring that heritage resources are preserved and leveraged for economic and social benefits. Through this research, we contribute to the broader discourse on heritage conservation and tourism sustainability, advocating for a nuanced understanding of local contexts to foster inclusive and effective heritage management.

Collaboratively developing mental health promotion materials with champions in faith communities in Ghana: A pilot study

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 11:29:26 +0000

Collaboration with faith communities has been identified as a promising approach to addressing the huge mental health treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries. These collaborations can provide opportunities to develop mental health education materials and interventions in local forms. In this study, we identified champions (N=10) in Christian and Muslim communities in Ghana and co-developed mental health education materials focusing on mental illness myths, presentations of depression, anxiety, bipolar, and schizophrenia in lay terms. We also provided information on how to support people with mental health conditions. We subsequently supported the champions to use the co-developed materials within their faith communities. The champions found the materials both useful and easy to apply. They created opportunities and facilitated conversations around mental health with different groups, including both youth and adults, within their faith communities. Observations and interviews with the champions suggest that it is feasible to co-develop mental health education materials in partnership with faith community members in Ghana.

Navigating the maze: Factors influencing the career path of Ghanaian women in STEM fields

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 11:58:55 +0000

The paper examines the factors that influence the career trajectories of Ghanaian women in leadership roles within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Drawing on 20 in-depth interviews with women at various leadership positions in STEM fields, this paper examines the barriers to women’s leadership and the strategies employed to overcome them. Grounded in the feminist epistemology of intersectionality and structuration, the paper discusses the intersection of gendered norms, institutional cultures and individual agency in shaping women’s experiences in STEM. Self-efficacy, parental influence, female role models and mentors played significant roles in motivating participants to choose STEM. Pervasive gender biases, limited resources and mentorship opportunities, and patriarchal social expectations of caregiving continue to constrain women’s participation and leadership in STEM fields. We argue that women who successfully navigated these barriers relied on mentorship networks and inclusive work environments. Coordinated efforts emanating from the educational sector, as well as organisational and policy reforms, are critical to dismantling structural inequalities and fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM fields. Promoting gender equity in STEM is a matter of social justice and a strategic national development imperative in Africa.

Performance of autonomous executive agencies in Ghana’s politicized environment: A comparative analysis

Akpeko Agbevade — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 12:45:08 +0000

The search for result-oriented state institutions has been on the ascendancy in both academic and development discourse. Deploying the exploratory and qualitative methods of research, this study comparatively examined the performance of five autonomous executive agencies (National Petroleum Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Securities and Exchange Commission and Ghana Revenue Authority) in Ghana’s public sector using the New Public Management theory and Roll (2014) criteria of pockets of effectiveness as theoretical foundations. The study found that all the agencies deployed NPM ideals such as decentralization, e-governance, institutional collaborations, public private partnership, performance contracts and stakeholder involvement. These ideals significantly shaped their performance in achieving their mandates of providing public goods and services to the citizenry. The success of these agencies hinged on visionary leadership with passion for political rapport; political navigation and commitment to implementing the NPM ideals. However, poor conditions of service resulting in high labour attrition, excessive partisanship, political interference, and low level of ICT were the Achilles Heel of these autonomous executive agencies. State institutions can perform well with the appropriate mix of NPM, institutional autonomy blend with political responsiveness.

“How can I get diabetes! I want to get healed”: Experiences of adoles-cents living with type 1 diabetes in Ghana

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explored the lived experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes and the challenges of self-care management. A qualitative design (interpretative phenomenological analysis approach) was employed where ten adolescents consisting of males and females, with a mean age of 16.8 years were interviewed from two hospitals. Data was analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis, which generated three superordinate themes: 1) Searching for answers, 2) Adjusting to diabetes diagnosis and 3) Coping with diabetes. Adolescents described experiencing ‘abnormal’ symptoms which led them to seek medical attention, and the negative emotions they experienced upon diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. They reported their diabetes self-care management as demanding and exhaustive, with disruptions from school activities. Their ways of coping included receiving social support from family and friends, having faith in God, and receiving education from medical experts and diabetes support groups. Findings were evidence of an incomplete care system for these adolescents as their main model of care was biomedical care. There is therefore the need to include psychological and social interventions to constitute a holistic care system for improved wellbeing after diagnosis.

Psychological growth and emotional strain: A phenomenological study of orphaned adolescents in Ghana’s care homes

Dora Awuah, Johnny Andoh-Arthur, Annabella Osei-Tutu, Charity S. Akotia — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Residential care in Ghana presents both opportunities and challenges for orphans, with evidence indicating dual impacts on their well-being. Adolescence, a pivotal stage for emotional and psychological stability, may be significantly influenced by the residential care environment, shaping long-term mental health outcomes for residents. Hence, this study employed an interpretive phenomenological design that offers insights into participants’ perspectives of the meanings made from experiences in care settings. Through in-depth individual interviews, 30 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years were purposively selected. The data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Two themes emerged: psychologically stimulating and emotionally depriving experiences. These contrasting themes underscore the subjective interpretations orphans assign to their experiences. This indicates that despite access to growth-enhancing opportunities in care homes, emotional challenges persist. These findings have implications for the mental health and well-being of adolescent orphans. Creating awareness of these impacts among stakeholders in residential care is essential.

Authentic experiential gastronomy: A meta-analysis of cross-regional perspectives on tourism and cultural identity

Lydia Osei — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study employs authenticity as a framework to propose a clear understanding of how an authentic gastronomic experience could be marketed to reflect cultural identities. It is based on a meta-analysis of existing studies that have examined gastronomy tourism and authentic food tourism experiences to propose dimensions that can serve as a guide for destinations to promote their authentic local foods to tourists. The meta-analysis of studies between 1995-2021 from different geographical backgrounds reveals consensus over three broad dimensions of authentic gastronomy experiences. We assert that authentic gastronomy experiences must be created by considering attributes such as socio-cultural, quality and value, and environmental factors. We draw implications from the results to propose strategies for creating gastronomic experiences that engage key stakeholders to take practical actions.

Factors influencing Ghana’s gender gaps in school attendance: A cross-sectional study using data from Ghana Living Standards Surveys

Louis Boakye-Yiadom — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 12:54:16 +0000

This study uses data from recent waves of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) to examine the nature and extent of gender gaps in school attendance, and to explore the underlying factors influencing the gender gaps. In pursuit of this, graphical analysis and probit regressions are employed. Focusing on persons aged between 6 and 21 years, the findings support the view that a gender gap (favouring boys) in school attendance exists for those aged 15 years and above. The paper also highlights the important role of parental education in influencing school attendance. The study further suggests that Ghana’s gender gap in school attendance is driven by societal norms about the relative importance of girls’ schooling versus that of boys, as well as various challenges girls face in post-puberty years. This study’s findings have considerable policy relevance for education within the Ghanaian context.