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Copyright of Regional Studies is the property of Routledge 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.)

It is believed that low wages are an important reason why doctors and nurses in developing countries migrate, and this has led to a call for higher wages for health professionals in developing countries. In this paper, we provide some of the first estimates of the impact of raising health workers’ salaries on migration. Using aggregate panel data on the stock of foreign doctors in 16 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, we explore the effect of a wage increase programme in Ghana on physician migration. We find evidence that 6 years after the implementation of this programme, the foreign stock of Ghanaian doctors abroad had fallen by approximately 10% relative to the estimated counterfactual. This result should be interpreted with caution, however, given the sensitivity of the results to changes in model specification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School leadership, head teacher professional development and school management practices in sub-Saharan Africa have varied little from the model of schooling established during colonial rule. Leadership for Learning (LfL) is a programme of school leadership developed at the University of Cambridge over a period of 10 years in conjunction with an international group of researchers and practitioners. This paper reports the results from questionnaire data gathered from a cohort of 125 head teachers who participated in the LfL programme in Ghana between 2009 and 2011, and speculates on the successes and barriers to leadership and learning. Implications arising from the scaling up of the LfL programme to include all Ghanaian schools are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• The paper uses novel hand-collected data from audit reports on local political corruption and merges it with election data. • Theory shows that politically aligned politicians have incentives to control corruption to appease their party leaders. • Empirics show that alignment reduces corruption by 1.9 percentage points, about half of average in non-aligned districts. • Heterogeneous effects on electoral competitiveness, financial endowments and gender of politicians are identified. I analyze the link between partisan alignment of local politicians and the incidence of political corruption, using novel hand-collected data on local political corruption in Ghana. The empirical analysis, based on 205 districts observed over the period 2013–2018, suggests significantly lower levels of political corruption in aligned districts. Partisan alignment reduces corruption by 1.9 percentage points, equivalent to about half of the mean-level in non-aligned districts. In line with political ambition theory, I attribute this result to local politicians aligned with the national government having incentives to control fiscal irregularities within their localities in order to appease their national party leaders and preserve their party's reputation. Alternative explanations are considered through empirical means and can be excluded. The estimated effect is more pronounced in districts that (i) are party strongholds, (ii) have better financial endowments, and (iii) have female local parliamentarians. It appears that political centralization and a politicized bureaucracy, as observed in Ghana, are important explanations for this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper demonstrates how the global commodity chain approach has mutated from a critical tool for studying the production of inequality in the global economy to an instrument of development policy that extends the frontiers of marketization to so-called “peripheries” in the Global South. Taking an outgrower scheme for the global production of organic mangoes in northern Ghana as point of departure, and situating this case study within the broader context of market experiments in the Ghanaian agricultural sector, it develops an account of global capitalism as a diverse, heterogeneous and messy arrangement of local borderlands. As a zone of inclusive exclusion these borderlands are brought into being by an economic discourse which separates the inside of the capitalist world from its supposed outside. The so-called integration of smallholders into global markets relies on exclusionary representations and the forging of new associations. First, economic practices in northern Ghana are portrayed by economists as defective and in doing so determine what lies outside the market. Second, within this “outside” – on which the “inside” actually depends – global capitalism mediated through the market models and rhetoric of international development organizations now literally touches the ground in specific geographical settings. Hence Frontier regions as represented by our case study bear the paradoxical character of the work of economics and are an instructive example for the performative power of economic theories. Marketization is revealed as a complex and socio-technically entangled process full of hidden prerequisites and unforeseen consequences that open up new social spaces of multiple ontological reconfigurations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper analyzes the willingness of consumers to pay a premium for organic watermelon and lettuce using contingent valuation data from urban Kumasi in Ghana. The effects of the determinants of consumer willingness to pay a premium are estimated with a bivariate Tobit model. The empirical findings indicate that in addition to socioeconomic characteristics, product freshness and cleanness tend to have positive effects on consumer willingness to pay a premium for organic watermelon compared to conventional watermelon. Whereas product size has a negative influence on consumer willingness to pay premium for organic lettuce, less insect damage to vegetables tends to have a positive effect. The study estimates the willingness to pay a premium for organic watermelon/lettuce compared to conventional watermelon/lettuce. The estimated mean consumer willingness to pay premium for 1 kilogram of organic watermelon is GH¢0.5554 (US$ 0.4575) and that of organic lettuce is GH¢1.2579 (US$1.0361). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using pooled data from the 1998 and 2003 Demographic and Health Surveys, this paper investigates the association between religion and contraceptive behavior of married women in Ghana. Guided by the particularized theology and characteristics hypotheses, multinomial logit and complementary log-log models are used to explore denominational differences in contraceptive adoption among currently married women and assess whether the differences could be explained through other characteristics. We found that while there were no differences between women of different Christian faiths, non-Christian women (Muslim and Traditional) were significantly more likely to have never used contraception compared with Christian women. Similar observations were made on current use of contraception, although the differences were greatly reduced in the multivariate models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial (meningococcal) meningitis is a devastating infectious disease with outbreaks occurring annually during the dry season in locations within the 'Meningitis Belt', a region in sub-Saharan Africa stretching from Ethiopia to Senegal. Meningococcal meningitis occurs from December to May in the Sahel with large epidemics every 5-10 years and attack rates of up to 1000 infections per 100,000 people. High temperatures coupled with low humidity may favor the conversion of carriage to disease as the meningococcal bacteria in the nose and throat are better able to cross the mucosal membranes into the blood stream. Similarly, respiratory diseases such as influenza and pneumonia might weaken the immune defenses and add to the mucosa damage. Although the transmission dynamics are poorly understood, outbreaks regularly end with the onset of the rainy season and may begin anew with the following dry season. In this paper, we employ a generalized additive modeling approach to assess the association between number of reported meningitis cases and a set of weather variables (relative humidity, rain, wind, sunshine, maximum and minimum temperature). The association is adjusted for air quality (dust, carbon monoxide), as well as varying degrees of unobserved time-varying confounding processes that co-vary with both the disease incidence and weather. We present the analysis of monthly reported meningitis counts in Navrongo, Ghana, from 1998-2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Higher Education Institutions (HEI) become more marketised and increasingly promotionalised, brand building gains in intensity and names become increasingly important. This conceptual paper plans to explore the application of the Renaming Process Model which depicts the key components that impact the organization brand renaming process, regarding the renaming of the African HEI Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). This work will not only apply the model to a service organization renaming, but will investigate it in terms of its relationship to nation branding regarding the potential to rebrand Africa such that its virtues would be widely communicated to the international community, to enhance the brand equity of the continent. Additionally, the individual African country's ability to create brand awareness, unique competitive identity and customer loyalty is crucial in today's competitive global environment, thus the role of renaming one of its most important and visible institutions will be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Using rich panel data on all of Ghana’s districts’ local public finances over 11 years, this paper investigates the way that intergovernmental and other transfers to local governments affect local governments’ incentives to collect internally generated revenues and funds (IGF). We find that despite an incentive scheme built into one of the major intergovernmental grants, the flow of all grants taken together discourages, rather than encourages, IGF. This is reflected both in the depressing effect of transfers on IGF levels, as well as on IGF growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND Given the high value placed on children in sub-Saharan Africa, previous research suggests that infertility increases the risk of psychological distress and marital conflict, encourages risky sexual behavior and deprives infertile individuals and couples of an important source of economic and social capital. This paper explores the implications of infertility for women in Ghana, West Africa. METHODS Semi-structured interview data collected from 107 women (aged 21–48 years, mean 33 years) seeking treatment in gynecological and obstetric clinics in Accra, Ghana, are analyzed. Based on iterative open coding of the interviews, the focus of the analysis is on mental health, marital instability, social interaction and gendered experiences. RESULTS Infertile women report facing severe social stigma, marital strain and a range of mental health difficulties. Many women feel that they shoulder a disproportionate share of the blame for infertility and, by extension, face greater social consequences than male partners for difficulties conceiving. Women who do not self-identify as infertile corroborate these findings, asserting that the social consequences of infertility are severe, particularly for women. CONCLUSIONS Infertility in Ghana has important consequences for social interactions, marital stability and mental health. These consequences are not perceived to be shared equally by Ghanaian men. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Economic liberalisation is characterised by the entry of foreign companies and the emergence of new domestic institutions to compete with the existing institutions of lending, and there is a view that the process leads to greater efficiency, especially because foreign banks bring new expertise. Extracting information from accounts lodged with Ghana Central Bank, this paper ranks the cost efficiency of banks, Theil decomposition of the cost efficiency scores allows for a comparison of performance between banks under different types of ownership. There is pronounced differences in efficiency scores within and between groups by type of ownership, but foreign ownership, per se, is not the determining factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formal institutions such as business chambers have been assumed to be a key indicator of the health of state-business relations (SBR). Yet in Africa these organizations have seldom risen to the level of access and influence enjoyed by some of their counterparts elsewhere in the developing world. A number of recent studies of SBR in Africa continue to overstate the importance of business associations (BAs). Yet despite the widespread marginality of BAs in Africa, the receptiveness of African states to leading firms and business interests has increased markedly. While this poses certain risks of increased corruption, collusion and monopoly, the institutional and political environment for doing business has also improved, thereby fostering new opportunities for further business-related growth and business sector development among bona fide firms. Drawing on evidence from Zambia and elsewhere, this paper finds that the benefits provided to individual firms who enjoy state access can, paradoxically, contribute to an improved environment for other private sector actors whose interests are directly represented only in moribund formal associations. Even without strong BAs, when aided by the state, individual firms, and/or international actors, Africa's improved business environment has a salutary impact on growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Partnerships are increasingly common in conducting research. However, there is little published evidence about processes in research-policy partnerships in different contexts. This paper contributes to filling this gap by analysing experiences of research-policy partnerships between Ministries of Health and research organisations for the implementation of the Mental Health and Poverty Project in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia. Methods: A conceptual framework for understanding and assessing research-policy partnerships was developed and guided this study. The data collection methods for this qualitative study included semi-structured interviews with Ministry of Health Partners (MOHPs) and Research Partners (RPs) in each country. Results: The term partnership was perceived by the partners as a collaboration involving mutually-agreed goals and objectives. The principles of trust, openness, equality and mutual respect were identified as constituting the core of partnerships. The MOHPs and RPs had clearly defined roles, with the MOHPs largely providing political support and RPs leading the research agenda. Different influences affected partnerships. At the individual level, personal relationships and ability to compromise within partnerships were seen as important. At the organisational level, the main influences included the degree of formalisation of roles and responsibilities and the internal structures and procedures affecting decision-making. At the contextual level, political environment and the degree of health system decentralisation affected partnerships. Conclusions: Several lessons can be learned from these experiences. Taking account of influences on the partnership at individual, organisation and contextual/system levels can increase its effectiveness. A common understanding of mutually-agreed goals and objectives of the partnership is essential. It is important to give attention to the processes of initiating and maintaining partnerships, based on clear roles, responsibilities and commitment of parties at different levels. Although partnerships are often established for a specific purpose, such as carrying out a particular project, the effects of partnership go beyond a particular initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papeles de Europa is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid 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.)

Summary: Fertilizer subsidies have been reinstituted in many African countries with innovations seeking to avoid the downsides of past programs. The new subsidy paradigm however does not address how to curtail political manipulation which exacerbated inefficiencies of previous programs. This paper analyzes whether politics affected voucher allocations in Ghana’s 2008 fertilizer subsidy program. We find that more vouchers were targeted to districts that the ruling party had lost in the previous presidential elections and more so in districts that had been lost by a higher percentage margin. This evidence shows that a significant threat to the efficiency of fertilizer subsidies remains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two themes are evident in housing research in Ghana. One involves the study of how to increase the number of dwellings to correct the overall housing deficit, and the other focuses on how to improve housing for slum dwellers. Between these two extremes, there is relatively little research on why the existing buildings are poorly maintained. This paper is based on a review of existing studies on inadequate housing. It synthesises the evidence on the possible reasons for this neglect, makes a case for better maintenance and analyses possible ways of reversing the problem of inadequate housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new irrigation technologies introduced in sub-Saharan Africa aim at ensuring safer vegetable production when untreated waste water is used as irrigation water. This paper examines the adoption of safer irrigation technologies and crop choices among vegetable farmers, using cross-section data from urban Kumasi in Ghana. The study employed a two-stage conditional maximum likelihood approach to examine the impact of crop choices and farm-level characteristics on the adoption of safer irrigation technologies. The empirical results indicate that apart from household and farm characteristics such as access to extension agents, belonging to a farmer's organization and education, cropping patterns tend to influence adoption of irrigation technologies for safer vegetable production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of non-farm work on household income and food security among farm households in the Northern Region of Ghana. We analyze the impact by employing propensity score matching method that accounts for self-selection bias. The matching results show that participation in non-farm work exerts a positive and statistically significant effect on household income and food security status, supporting the widely held view that income from non-farm work is crucial to food security and poverty alleviation in rural areas of developing countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Agricultural growth in Africa has accelerated, yet most of this growth has been driven by land expansion. Land expansion potential is reaching its limits, urging governments to shift towards a green revolution type of productivity-led growth. Given the huge public investments required, this paper aims to assess the potential impacts of a green revolution. Results from a CGE model for Ghana show that green revolution type growth is strongly pro-poor and provides substantial transfers to the rest of the economy, thus providing a powerful argument to raise public expenditure on agriculture to make a green revolution happen in Africa. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper examines how farmers in a developing country search for information. Using data on farmers’ decisions to connect with other farmers in order to ask for information about different agricultural problems, we explore the role played by identity in accessing information. We show that farmers target different subsets of acquaintances when searching for different types of information, supporting the view that identity cannot be the main determinant of such decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many people living with HIV in Ghana make use of spiritual therapy, however complex. This paper describes the complexities of these therapies in the context of increasing access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and high levels of HIV stigma. The study took place in Kumasi and Offinso, both in the Ashanti Region of Ghana (the most populated region, with around 4.5 million people), and is the result of 15 months of anthropological and ethnographic research utilising observations and in-depth interviews with 48 HIV-positive persons, their families, and other significant people in the lives. The article describes the participants' experience of their HIV infection as a 'spiritual challenge,' which thereby formulated a personal need to 'heal body and soul.' The findings illustrate how crossing religious and denominational boundaries is an important element in people's search for healing and wellbeing. The article argues that, especially in the context of high levels of HIV stigma in Ghana, spiritual therapy is one pragmatic option available to people living with HIV as it helps them to find meaning to their predicament or extends their coping mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper investigates the effect of foreign presence at the sector and firm levels on the productivity of manufacturing firms in Ghana. We examine both labor and total factor productivity (TFP) and control for a number of observed factors as well as unobserved heterogeneity. We find robust evidence that the presence of foreign firms in a sector has a negative effect on domestically owned, but a positive effect on most foreign-owned firms. Unlike in recent work on China, it does not appear that the negative level effect is compensated for by a positive growth effect, at least not in any reasonable time period. We find no evidence of any wage effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper builds on work on the dynamics of vulnerability and multiple stressors through a case study in the Afram Plains of the Eastern region in Ghana. A vulnerability framework is applied in the community of Mimkyemfre to identify and explain the multiple underlying political, socioeconomic and environmental forces that influence the ways in which people are exposed and sensitive to climate, and their capacities to adapt to changing conditions. The results of the study indicate that the community experiences a range of biophysical and socioeconomic conditions that contribute to its vulnerability. Vulnerability was found to change over time and in some cases was cyclical, in that certain actions taken for the purposes of adaptation were found to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Processes of vulnerability were also found to occur at several scales and were experienced unevenly at the community level. The findings of this assessment have important implications for the design and implementation of successful adaptation initiatives, both in Africa and elsewhere. In particular, they demonstrate the need to understand the social, economic and institutional challenges to development as a basis for any contemplation of adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a renaissance in urban railway transit supply in Ghana with a railway masterplan seeking to increase the rail network from 947 to 4007.6 km. However, some passenger trains are beginning to face demand downturns, which require empirical investigation. Research on railway operation and passenger demand in Africa is scarce. This paper fills this gap by investigating the causes of declining ridership for the 25 km rehabilitated Sekondi-Takoradi sub-urban train service in Ghana, West Africa. The authors employed a cross-sectional survey of 600 residents in 14 communities within Sekondi-Takoradi and fitted an ordered logit regression model. From the results, the causes of declining ridership are the train's route location, easy access to alternative modes, the pricing system, and the limited supply of only two OD trips per day (operating ≤ 50% of capacity). We recommend a dynamic pricing mechanism, shuttle service, and passenger incentives for increased ridership. • The Sekondi-Takoradi sub-urban train with a capacity of 600 passengers travels only two OD trips in a day. • The train's route location and the pricing system are the main contributors to declining ridership. • The accessibility to alternatives modes affects the demand for trains. • Providing shuttle services for train terminals can increase demand in cities with changing land-use mix. • Shared mobility incentives and dynamic spatial planning can increase passenger train ridership in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Patterns in pesticide practice were studied among smallholder farmers in Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal, growing cotton, vegetables, pineapple, cowpea, and mixed cereals and legumes, for export and local markets. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine pesticide use and handling, costs and access and health, welfare and sustainability issues. Drivers encouraging pesticides as the dominant form of pest management include food staple varieties highly susceptible to insect attack; increased pest incidence; lack of advice on alternative methods; a growing informal market in ‘discount’ and often unauthorised pesticides; subsidy; and poor attention to the economics of pest control. The paper contrasts the situation of food crops for African consumers with the increasing attention to food safety and pesticide restrictions in export horticulture to Europe and the growing demand for organic cotton, and discusses challenges for implementation of IPM and safer practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper documents the evaluation of a 20-month project to provide voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) to a mobile population of youth surrounding the Agbogbloshie market in Accra, Ghana. The specific objectives of the evaluation were to determine: 1) to what extent targets for providing VCT services to the specified population were reached; 2) how HIV prevalence among clients compared to that of the general population; 3) to what extent former clients self-reported behaviour change; and 4) whether useful lessons could be drawn regarding fees, hours, and location of services, as well as use of peer educators to increase use of VCT services among the target population. Various methodologies, including questionnaires, focus group discussions, a review of the service statistics and an exit poll of clients were used to evaluate the project. The service statistics demonstrated that the project exceeded the life-of-project target for number of clients by nearly 40%. Prevalence for the VCT client population (aged 15-25) was higher than for the general population (aged 15-24), although the gender differentials were similar. Focus group data suggested that clients may have adopted behaviour changes as a result of VCT. Finally, focus group discussions and VCT service trends showed that the high number of clients was largely influenced by three factors: services being free, location and hours of services being convenient to the target population, and use of peer educators to promote the services. In addition, the evaluation highlighted the importance of the counselling component of VCT, even as counselling can get short-changed at the expense of HIV testing when large numbers of clients are involved. The evaluation stressed the need to appropriately remunerate peer educators for their work whenever possible. Finally, VCT programmes continue to face challenges such as: HIV stigma as a barrier to people coming to be counselled and tested; insufficient availability of medication, support and services for HIVpositive clients; and difficulty of ensuring the sustainability of VCT programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiplicative and mediating variables are combined with a demographic variable, in non‐linear multiple regression models to assess the effect of population growth on agricultural land use in two agro‐ecological zones of Ghana. The paper uses data from a retrospective household survey (conducted among 1568 farmers in 504 households in 24 communities), population census reports of Ghana, for 1960, 1970, 1984 and 2000, agricultural census data for 1992 and 2000 and a land suitability map. Predictions of cropped area required to meet anticipated population growth are computed for 2010, based on multiple regression models and projected populations. Required cropped area is matched with actual arable area that would be available, based on a land suitability analysis. Predictions show that three and two districts in the dry and derived savannah zones, would, respectively, experience agricultural land shortfall. The rest of the districts in the two agro‐ecological zones would have agricultural land available to support future population growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ethnocentrism of Ghanaian consumers and their attitudes toward a “buy local” campaign. Two hundred and thirty three consumers were interviewed in Cape Coast, the capital city and administrative centre of the Central region of Ghana. Data for the study were collected through interviewing using the mall intercept approach and factor analysed. Our findings show a relationship between ethnocentrism and attitudes of Ghanaian consumers toward the “buy local” campaign. Furthermore, the factor analysis results indicate that the attitudes of the Ghanaian consumers to the buy locally-made products can be characterized as protectionist, nationalistic, and self-interest. Implicitly, the consumers will buy Ghanaian-made products where they are of comparable quality and price as foreign-made products. This requires companies to ensure that their products are of high quality and prices are commensurate with quality. This study contributes to the ethnocentrism and country of origin literature pertaining to the African region, which is sorely under-researched. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Through a rich empirical study of forms of collective action in Ghana, this paper examines how groups sustain co-operation in the absence of strong legal institutions and mechanisms (such as legal contracts or regulated loan finance) that are often taken for granted in most 'western' economies. It presents evidence from case studies of micro-saving groups, palm oil processing groups and transport associations, which indicate that co-operation is based on trust and power, both of which are based on culturally specific norms. Decisions to co-operate are shaped by a combination of conscious calculations, habitual actions and unquestioning compliance or obedience. The way that trust and power are articulated also varies according to local context, and attempts to facilitate and support co-operative activities have to build on the existing co-operative structures that are embedded in the local, culturally specific, social relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African countries face opportunities for the export of cultural products. Demand for these products has increased in recent years and has found distribution outlets via American and European mass retailers. The potential for African countries to exploit demand for locally produced crafts and cultural products depends critically on their ability to anticipate and respond to the market. This paper compares and contrasts craft production in Kenya and in Ghana in order to analyze the impact of culture on the countries' ability to exploit export opportunities. Key distinctions are raised in the areas of internally focused versus externally focused production and between products that are subject to local control in their production versus those that are not. Issues of authenticity versus representativeness are also raised relative to demand for craft products. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

African economies depend largely on agriculture. Most people in Africa spend most of their lives in rural areas. Agriculture is an important sector of African industry and economy, it employs more than half of the population and accounts more than half of the national income. Due to population increase the food security remains an issue. In accordance of the lack of domestic capacities of African countries to deal with the problem, it is particularly important to increase assistance from developed countries. African States are expected to demonstrate the ability to implement policies that will change with the funds received/while receiving funds. However, for various reasons, despite numerous aid packages, it/Africa remains backward. This article examines the impact of foreign aid on agricultural productivity and the impact of the quality of management on development aid flows. As examples, it was decided to take such countries as Ghana, Cameroon and Mali. The purpose of this article is to confirm the hypothesis that development assistance correlates positively with the productivity of agriculture. The second hypothesis suggests that development aid flows respond to the quality of public administration. As for the results, the impact between the variables was recorded, but the results were ambiguous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexuality education in African contexts is riddled with socio-cultural complexity, tension and taboo. Such tensions are compounded when the focus of intervention is primary school children who are presumed ‘innocent’. However, sub-Saharan Africa remains the region of the world most severely impacted upon by the human immunodeficiency virus and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, thus heightening the need to talk to children about sex and sexuality. This paper explores the role of consulting pupils, participation and dialogue as methodological innovations that have the potential to enable new ways of thinking about sex and sexuality and the transcendence of ‘dead end debates’ about what should and should not be taught. The paper is based on data from an action research project in Kenya, Ghana and Swaziland. The data show that the desire to create a space characterised by consultation, listening and dialogue in which adults and children could participate ‘as if’ they were social equals was inevitably not straightforward or ever fully realised. Nevertheless, pupils were able to make their voices heard at many points in these spaces and powerful moments of dialogue did exist with some of the adults undergoing significant changes of opinion throughout the process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ABSTRACT Food security is an all-inclusive concept, with a lack of access to sufficient food on one end of the spectrum and access to plentiful, desirable foods on the other. Archaeology's long-term perspective allows us to trace contexts in which food insecurity emerged by investigating the pillars of food security outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO): food availability, access, use, and preference. Using these criteria, I evaluate food security in Banda, Ghana from 1000 to 2009 C.E. by combining ethnographic, archaeological, archaeobotanical, and environmental data. These multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that while changing environmental conditions may have impacted the availability of staple crops during two periods of droughts in the past, a decrease in access to preferred foods occurred only recently in the 1890s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the evidence of relationship among household structures, the institutions that shapes them and the human capital accumulation in China, Indonesia, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. It discusses the analysis on the role of polygamous household to the capital accumulation based on the income, age and education of the head of the family members. Moreover, the study on the extended family has also been conducted in which according to the author had manifested that households which accommodate inactive members of the extended kin group are wealthier than other, comparable households.