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On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared COVID‐19 a global pandemic. Subsequently, governments worldwide implemented strict regimes of lockdowns and school closures to contain the transmission of the virus. Ghana's government on 15 March 2020 also announced a lockdown and closure of schools, lasting up till January 2021. Against this backdrop, the paper examined the implications of school closures on child labour in Ghana. Qualitative data for the study were collected between October 2020 to February 2021 in a small rural community in northern Ghana. Findings from 16 semi‐structured interviews with schoolchildren aged 8–13 years show how school closures have meant that children from contexts of poverty: (a) are driven into child labour as they are either forced to accompany their parents to work on farms or sell foodstuff by the roadside; and thus, ultimately (b) engage in no learning during the lockdown period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Covid‐19 pandemic is widely speculated to have disrupted the delivery of primary health care in low‐income countries. Yet, there is little rigorous empirical research identifying this effect. This paper estimates the impact of Covid‐19 on facility and skilled delivery and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services by comparing these outcomes for women who were pregnant/delivered before and during the Covid‐19 period. The results show that Covid‐19 led to 23% and 25% reductions, respectively, in the likelihood of facility delivery and four or more ANC visits during pregnancy. These findings highlight the need to build more resilient health systems in low‐income settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Review of Policy Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examines the effect of digital investment on firm performance amid the COVID‐19 pandemic in Ghana. Applying a difference‐in‐difference estimator to a panel of 7548 firm‐year observations from 2019 to 2020, we find a positive relationship between digital investment and firm performance. While these findings are robust to different estimation techniques, the complementarity of mobile money platforms and internet services yields a significant impact on firm performance than using either exclusively. We identify hiring new workers, downsizing and working from home as potential channels through which digital investment could influence firms' resilience amid the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the multi‐tasked role of women in caregiving and career during the COVID‐19 partial lockdown in Ghana. One hundred fifty three mothers with careers within the Accra Metropolis participated in the study through purposive and snow balling sampling methods of non‐probability sampling technique. To observe the COVID‐19 protocols of social distancing, the research instrument was designed using Google forms and distributed to respondents via social media platforms (emails and WhatsApp). The results revealed that caregiving mothers generally reported to work late from home than if there were in the office and were less effective and productive working from home but were assured of job security because they mostly worked in the public sector. Hours used for domestic activities rose steadily during the lockdown period and social support from non‐relatives in caregiving increased. The paper’s finding suggests that mothers working from home are faced with difficult and conflicting roles which puts more pressure on women during the pandemic period. Women who are unable to access social support continue to be stressed and burdened in an attempt to combine family, care giving, and career roles which ultimately affect their overall wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak and the subsequent lockdowns and restrictions by many countries worldwide to control the spread of the virus forced several organizations to shift work to homes, aided by digital technologies. However, digital infrastructure and homeworking space, which facilitate home‐based e‐working, are constrained in the developing world. It is, therefore, crucial to understand how developing country organizations maintain business operations under pandemic situations using home‐based e‐working and the challenges it poses. This study employs interpretive qualitative research methodology with a socio‐technical perspective to explore home‐based e‐working under COVID‐19 conditions using five reputable corporate organizations in Ghana. Findings from the study show that home‐based e‐working under pandemic conditions can be seen as a business continuity strategy that requires business continuity policy and plan, digital infrastructure and platforms, and cybersecurity. The findings also identified the challenges as partial work virtualization, cybercrime, transition cost, digital divide, and home environment constraints. The findings have implications for research and organizational management in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objective: We sought to investigate knowledge and skills of type 1 diabetes (T1D) management among young people living with the disease and their caregivers. Our aim is to provide baseline evidence to inform T1D self‐management education for young people living with the disease and their caregivers. Background: Both local and international guidelines recommend ongoing T1D self‐management education for people living with the disease. This is because T1D often develops among young people who rarely have the competencies to adequately manage their condition. However, the extent to which young people living with T1D and their caregivers can self‐manage this chronic disease in a low‐resource country like Ghana is unknown. Methods: Using a phenomenological study design, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 28 young people living with type 1 diabetes, 12 caregivers and 6 healthcare providers in southern Ghana. Data were collected at homes, hospitals and support group centres of participants via face‐to‐face interviews, photovoice and video‐conferencing. The data were analysed thematically using QSR NVivo 11. Results: The young people living with T1D and their caregivers demonstrated knowledge and skills in the self‐monitoring of blood glucose, and the treatment of hyperglycaemia. Areas of more marginal or lack of knowledge were concerning carbohydrate counting, severe hypoglycaemia and the management of intercurrent illnesses. Young persons living with T1D and their caregivers received their management information from healthcare and non‐healthcare providers. Access to diabetes self‐management education influenced T1D management knowledge and practices. Conclusion: Young people living with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers possessed limited scope of knowledge on type 1 diabetes self‐management. Multiple sources of T1D knowledge were found, some of which may not be helpful to patients. The knowledge gaps identified compromises transitional independence and self‐management capacity. Relevance to Clinical Practice: It is important for clinicians and organizations that provide T1D education to provide diabetes self‐management education also on managing hypoglycaemia, carbohydrate counting and managing T1D during intercurrent life events among young people living with T1D. No Patient or Public Contribution: Patients and their caregivers were interviewed as research participants. They did not conceptualize, analyse, interpret or prepare the manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic outbreak has dealt consequences on global engagements and structures. With the ongoing search for pandemic‐mitigating measures and the excesses (notably corruption) erupted in its wake, concerns have been raised about the decline in public trust, transparency and satisfaction – particularly in Ghana. This situation has spurred multilevel governance discussions regarding pandemic management. Ensuingly characterising policy makers' propositions in this regard is the civil society's salience as a control valve to governance deficits like corruption. Therefore, transcending the anecdotal claims on civil society's efficacy, this study takes a state‐society perspective to probe its relevance in fostering trust, transparency and satisfaction, relative to corruption‐stricken pandemic governance. The current study engages the general systems theory as a conceptual lens. The structural equation modelling technique was used in analysing data (n = 519) gathered through the questionnaire survey approach. Though results of data analysis affirmed the negative effects of corruption on trust, transparency and satisfaction, the civil society received affirmation as an enhancer of trust, transparency and satisfaction. In view of these study findings, implications and future research suggestions are delimited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) (COVID‐19) pandemic devasted the general life of people and various human activities across the globe, and Ghana is of no exception. This led to development of vaccines within record time to combat morbidity and mortality associated with the virus. In Ghana, COVID‐19 vaccines were introduced in addition to existing COVID‐19 protocols. However, the vaccines have adverse events among those who received them. In this study, we determined the prevalence of some common adverse events of the COVID‐19 vaccines and its associated sociodemographic factors in Ghana. Methods: An online snowball cross‐sectional survey was conducted between April and June 2021 among 240 people who had taken at least one dose of any of the COVID‐19 vaccines approved in Ghana. The penalized binary logistic regression model was used to assess the factors associated with experience of at least one adverse event and the experience of number of adverse events using Stata version 16. Results: Among the 240 participants, 88.2% had experienced at least one adverse event. The most common adverse event after the first dose was pain at injection site (65.8%), headache (57.5%), tiredness (55.8%), fever (51.7%), chills (39.6%), and muscle pains (38.3%). Experience of adverse events was 16 times higher among those who took their vaccines in Ghana (adjusted odd ratio [AOR]: 16.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.98–132.56, p = 0.009), 94% less among those who took AstraZeneca (India) compared to AstraZeneca (Oxford) (AOR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.37, p = 0.002) and 86% less among 40–49 years compared with less than 30 years old (AOR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03–0.58, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Pain at the injection site, headache, tiredness, fever, chills, and muscle pains were the most frequently reported adverse events. The study identified country of vaccination, country of origin of AstraZeneca vaccine and age to be associated with adverse events of vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has established a strong association between COVID‐19 digital health literacy (DHL) and subjective well‐being among several populations, including students. With the growing misinformation and heightened fear of COVID‐19 among persons with an underlying medical condition, several scholars have questioned the direct relationship between DHL and well‐being. This study assessed the moderating roles of information accuracy concerns and the existence of an underlying medical condition among students. Methods: Using a cross‐sectional design, a multi‐stage sampling approach was used to select 1392 students from senior high schools in Northern Ghana who completed a questionnaire containing information on DHL, information accuracy, subjective well‐being, and underlying health condition, with reported internal consistency coefficients above 0.70. The data which was processed with SPSS version 25, was analyzed using correlation (Pearson and biserial), and Hayes' PROCESS for the moderation and mediation analyses. Results: A significant positive relationship was found between (a) DHL and subjective well‐being, (b) DHL and information accuracy concerns, and (c) information accuracy concerns and subjective well‐being. However, the prevalence of underlying health condition was negatively associated with information accuracy, DHL, and subjective well‐being. Information accuracy concerns and the existence of an underlying medical condition significantly regulated the relationship between DHL and subjective well‐being. Conclusions: Demonstrating satisfactory levels of DHL does not necessarily result in improved subjective well‐being. However, emphasis should be placed on whether individuals attach much importance to the accuracy of information retrieved as well as having or not an underlying health condition. Patient or Public Contribution: We collaborated with head teachers, teachers and students before and during the administration of the survey instrument across selected public secondary schools in the Northern and Upper Regions of Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite impressive strides toward proper health education about the pandemic, in resource‐limited contexts, health information dissemination occurs within a structural context that restricts the enactment of agency and further marginalizes the most vulnerable. Through observations of and reflections about Ghana's work in health communication about the COVID‐19 pandemic, this essay examines the key processes and outcomes of COVID‐19 information dissemination in Ghana, highlighting the structural factors that contribute to health inequities during the pandemic. We argue that although Ghana has been commended continentally and globally for the country's efforts in containing the virus and vaccinating its populace, there is evidence of health information access disparities across the country, especially in rural communities. In doing so, we increase knowledge about health information needs and gaps, and conclude by making recommendations for public health practitioners in Ghana and similar contexts. Highlights: Health information access disparities, particularly in rural areas of Ghana worsened the impact of COVID‐19. Gaps in access and structural inequities have the largest impact on the most vulnerable populations. To increase effectiveness of health information dissemination, it is important to critically engage with culture and larger socio‐cultural structures that may impact community members' enactment of agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ghana and South Africa proactively implemented lockdowns very early in the pandemic. We analyze a three‐wave panel of households in Accra and Greater Johannesburg to study the mental and economic well‐being of the urban poor between the COVID‐19 lockdown and the "new normal" one year later. We find that even if economic well‐being has mostly recovered, life satisfaction has only improved slightly and feelings of depression are again at lockdown levels one year into the pandemic. While economic factors are strongly correlated with mental health and explain the differences in mental health between South Africa and Ghana, increasing worries about the future and limited knowledge about the pandemic (both countries) as well as deteriorating physical health (South Africa) and trust in government (Ghana) explain why mental health has not recovered. Therefore, we need broad and country‐specific policies, beyond financial support, to accelerate the post‐pandemic recovery of the urban poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical part of the national economy is small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SME owners are vital contributors to the overall economy. Due to their limited capital and assets, they are more vulnerable. In comparison to their contribution, the value of assessing SME owner's depression, anxiety, and mental stress has been very minimal during the COVID‐19 outbreak. Firms were forced to close due to lockdown, and they faced substantial business losses. Thus, this study aims to investigate SME owners' psychological distress due to business losses during this pandemic. The study used psychological parameters: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21) to examine SME owners' psychological distress. A total number of 217 owners were surveyed through a judgmental sampling technique using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed employing partial least square‐based structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM). The findings showed that DASS‐21 parameters and fear of business loss affected psychological distress. Besides, fear of business loss increases psychological distress, whereas government support lessens the distress. Theoretically, this study extended the scope of DASS‐21 scale and contributed to the literature of psychology. In terms of policy implications, this study provides useful information for government, policymakers, and SME owners about the effects mentioned above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the critical prerequisites for accelerating the distribution of the COVID‐19 vaccine in developing countries by using Ghana as a case study. A qualitative study method and content analysis approach was used. In‐depth interviews were conducted with health experts from the Ghana Health Service, World Health Organization (WHO), AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Medtronic Inc. in Ghana. Our analysis of data revealed that new structures, committees, advisory bodies and lines of communication in government evolved during this pandemic and are underlying the current strategy development and decision‐making on COVID‐19 vaccines. The interviews gave insights into six major factors that will aid COVID‐19 vaccine acceleration in Ghana. These factors are: (1) Access to vaccines through delivery, (2) national manufacturing of vaccines, (3) choosing the best vaccine candidates, (4) financial resources, (5) transparency, and (6) vaccine roll‐out and administration. These results could guide policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in prioritizing activities that will aid COVID‐19 vaccine acceleration in Ghana and other lower‐middle‐income countries, tailored to their specific context. As a recommendation, the Ghanaian government should embrace a multisectoral synergy approach to fight the disease. The study also provides insights into how vaccine adoption can be accelerated in the case of future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiences of COVID‐19 differ at both micro and macro levels. This emphasizes the need for differentiated responses that account for the varying vulnerabilities of diverse groups regarding the pandemic. In Ghana, much of the attention on COVID‐19 has been on urban centres, particularly the country's two largest metropolises in southern Ghana. This has created a gap between national level policy and the experiences of COVID‐19 among rural dwellers in Ghana. This is despite evidence that the world's poorest populations will bear the brunt of COVID‐19 effects, and that globally, four out of five people living below the poverty line reside in rural areas. Using the Upper West Region as a case study, we discuss the differentiated vulnerabilities that agrarian communities in Ghana face regarding the pandemic. We situate our discussions within the theories of vulnerability and feminist political economy to highlight how interlocking vulnerabilities regarding historical, environmental, geopolitical, socio‐economic, health, and gendered inequalities affect the disposition of agrarian communities to cope with and recover from the COVID‐19 pandemic. We call for more nuanced COVID‐19 responses that account for the needs and experiences of agrarian communities in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]