This dissertation constructs a computable general equilibrium model for Ghana using the social accounting framework. The model is used to examine the macroeconomic effects of policies that alter the sectoral terms of trade in the Ghanaian economy. The study shows the macroeconomic effects at a greater level of disaggregation for this country than previous studies on the Ghanaian economy and achieves this through using updating techniques to construct social accounting matrices for three periods. / The results show that though improvements in the terms of trade for the Cocoa sector through currency devaluations, increases in the domestic price of exportables or through lower export taxes are critical to correcting the trade and government budget deficits however, excessive changes in these variables are destructive in their effects on sectors that rely on domestic demand for growth.

No description available.

Steady increases in breast cancer burden have recently been observed in Ghana. Despite the low incidence of the disease compared with other African countries, breast cancer deaths are high in this West African country. However, the uptake of breast cancer screening programs remains extremely low among Ghanaian women. Using a mixed methods approach comprising quantitative surveys and focus groups interviews, this study examined the influences of individual and contextual level factors on Ghanaian women’s intention to perform breast self-examination or undergo clinical breast examination and mammography screening. The results suggest that health beliefs, knowledge, and sociodemographic, cultural and health system factors individually and collectively influence intentions towards breast cancer screening. These findings highlight the need for health education interventions to promote breast cancer screening programs, while addressing systemic, psychosocial, and cultural barriers to screening. / viii, 187 leaves ; 29 cm

No description available.

Equitable allocation of health care resources is crucial for promoting health equity. Since the emergence of the resource allocation working party (RAWP) formula nearly three decades ago, many countries have implemented resource allocation policy reforms aiming to improve equity. Little is known about whether, how and the extent to which, most of these policies have actually improved equity. This study examined whether, and the extent to which, decentralisation of health resource allocation decision-making in Ghana has improved equity in funding within regions and explored the factors that influenced the equitable allocation of resources for health care in Ghana. The study used a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods. Two of the ten regions in Ghana: Ashanti and Northern, covering the southern and northern sectors of the country, were purposefully selected. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to measure levels of relative deprivation of districts applied as a proxy of need. An equity-adjusted share index (EAS) was developed and used as a yardstick against which equity in funding was assessed. Factors influencing the equitable allocation of resources were explored qualitatively through open-ended interviews with policy makers and other health sector stakeholders. The study found that resource allocation in the Ashanti and Northern Regions were largely inequitable, in terms of differentially benefiting the most disadvantaged districts. The proportion of variance in the actual share of funds that could be explained by the predicted EAS was below 50% for all the years examined, except for the allocation of government funds to the Ashanti Region for 1999, where the proportion of variance was 56%. Resource allocation in the Northern Region favoured three urban districts over their rural counterparts. However, in the Ashanti Region, there was a significant shift in resources from richer to poorer districts from 2000 to 2002. The Kumasi Metro district, for example, saw its share of donor-pooled funds reduced drastically from 20% of the total budget in 2000 to 7.2% in 2001 and 5.6% in 2002. Key factors influencing resource allocation and equity included low funding of the health system, local capacity to utilise funds efficiently, manpower availability, politics, donor influence and the nature of collaboration with the local government. The study concluded that intra-regional resource allocation in Ghana???s Ashanti and Northern regions was less equitable than expected, despite efforts to redistribute funds. It recommended more effective mechanisms for promoting equity through intra-regional resource allocation in Ghana.

Köln, University, Diss., 2007.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 125 p. : ill., col. map. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-105).

Thèse--Institut universitaire de hautes études internationales--Genève, 1979. N°: N °307.

Originally presented as author's Thesis (doctoral--University of Tampere, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication). / Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-235). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://acta.uta.fi/pdf/951-44-6023-5.pdf.

Thesis (M.A.)--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-100).