Dominic Dankwah Agyei

The rise of Diamond Open Access (DOA) represents a major transformation in scholarly communication, redefining traditional systems of knowledge distribution. Diamond open access model has gained recognition as the most equitable and sustainable form of open access publishing. This study aimed to assess the awareness, perception and knowledge of DOA publishing practices among researchers in Ghana. A cross-sectional study design was used to conveniently collect data from 237 researchers across various institutions in Ghana. Data were collected using structured questionnaires Via Microsoft Forms and analysed using STATA version 17. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, factor analysis, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were conducted to identify patterns and relationships in the data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Over half of the participants had no prior experience with Open Access (OA) publishing whilst about two-third of them had never heard of DOA. Only a small proportion could correctly identify the CC BY license, reflecting limited understanding of open licensing. Most of the respondents demonstrated poor knowledge of DOA, with many knowing about the concept through peers and informal networks. Knowledge of DOA was significantly associated with age, type of institution, current rank, and level of academic qualification. Perceived benefits of DOA, particularly regarding visibility and dissemination, differed significantly by current rank and academic qualification. The findings underscore the need for strong policy and institutional reforms to enhance awareness and adoption of DOA in Ghana. Universities and research institutions should develop clear OA and DOA policies, integrate open-access education into research training, and establish sustainable funding mechanisms to support equitable publishing. Strengthening library led advocacy, creating institutional repositories, and fostering national collaboration among academic bodies and policymakers are vital to promote transparency, inclusivity, and global visibility in scholarly communication.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) applications are transforming healthcare delivery by enhancing access, reducing costs, and supporting remote health management. Despite growing global interest and adoption, awareness and utilisation of mHealth in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, remain unclear. This study aimed to scientifically assess the level of awareness and utilisation of mHealth applications among patients who use the Ho Teaching Hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among 232 patients at the Ho Teaching Hospital. Systematic random sampling was utilised. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Stata version 17. Descriptive statistics, Chi-test, Fisher’s exact and logistic regression were employed to assess associations between sociodemographic variables and mHealth awareness, perception and usage. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Results: The majority of respondents were females 143 (61.6%), with a substantial proportion owning smartphones 162 (69.8%). Further, it was revealed that most 127(54.7%) of the respondents were unaware of mobile health (mHealth) apps. Over half of the respondents 123(53%) had a good perception of mHealth apps. A minority 79(34.1%) of the respondents had used mHealth apps, primarily for 56(53.3%) fitness tracking. The study found that awareness of mHealth applications was significantly associated with age, sex, education, occupation, and smartphone ownership. Perception of mHealth apps was predicted by sex, religion, education, smartphone ownership and awareness, while usage was significantly associated with various demographic factors, including age, marital status, ethnicity, education, occupation, and smartphone ownership. Conclusion: Despite high smartphone ownership, awareness and use of mHealth apps among patients at the Ho Teaching Hospital remain low. Targeted awareness campaigns and user education, especially among ethnic and religious groups, older, less-educated populations and smartphone owners, are essential to enhance adoption and optimise health outcomes through mHealth in Ghana.

Background Mobile health (mHealth) applications are transforming healthcare delivery by enhancing access, reducing costs, and supporting remote health management. Despite growing global interest and adoption, awareness and utilisation of mHealth in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, remain unclear. This study aimed to scientifically assess the level of awareness and utilisation of mHealth applications among patients who use the Ho Teaching Hospital. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among 232 patients at the Ho Teaching Hospital. Simple random sampling was utilised. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Stata version 17. Descriptive statistics, Chi-test, Fisher’s exact and logistic regression were employed to assess associations between sociodemographic variables and mHealth awareness, perception and usage. p-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Results Results were presented in tables and graphs. The majority of respondents were females 143 (61.6%), with a substantial proportion owning smartphones 162 (69.8%). Further, it was revealed that most 127(54.7%) of the respondents were unaware of mobile health (mHealth) apps. Over half of the participants 123(53%) had a good perception of mHealth apps. A minority 79(34.1%) of the respondents had used mHealth apps, primarily for 56(53.3%) fitness tracking. The study found that awareness of mHealth applications was influenced by age, sex, education, occupation, and smartphone ownership. Perception of mHealth apps was predicted by sex, religion, education, smartphone ownership and awareness, while usage was significantly associated with various demographic factors, including age, marital status, ethnicity, education, occupation, and smartphone ownership. Conclusion Despite high smartphone ownership, awareness and use of mHealth apps among patients at Ho Teaching Hospital remain low. Targeted awareness campaigns and user education, especially among ethnic and religious groups, older, less-educated populations and smartphone owners, are essential to enhance adoption and optimise health outcomes through mHealth in Ghana.

Interdisciplinary research (IDR) has the potential to drive scientific innovation, economic development, and sustainable solutions to Africa’s complex challenges. By integrating knowledge across disciplines, IDR fosters holistic approaches to pressing issues such as public health crises, food security, climate change, and technological innovation. However, its implementation in Africa is hindered by structural, institutional, and financial barriers. Rigid academic frameworks, disciplinary silos, and limited funding impede collaboration, while inadequate research infrastructure, fragmented data-sharing mechanisms, and policy inconsistencies further stifle interdisciplinary engagement. Additionally, sociocultural and political challenges—including language barriers, historical power imbalances, and political instability—complicate efforts to build inclusive and effective research communities. To address these challenges, this paper explores key strategies for strengthening IDR in Africa. These include fostering collaborative research cultures, enhancing interdisciplinary training programmes, and leveraging regional and international networks to facilitate knowledge exchange. The establishment of unified regulatory frameworks, streamlined ethical review processes, and interdisciplinary funding mechanisms is essential to sustaining IDR efforts. Furthermore, capacity-building initiatives—such as specialised fellowships, mentorship programmes, and Intellectual Property (IP) management training—are critical for equipping researchers with the skills necessary for effective interdisciplinary collaboration. By investing in IDR through policy advocacy, institutional reforms, and increased funding, African nations can harness the transformative power of interdisciplinary science to bridge knowledge gaps, stimulate innovation, and address the continent’s most pressing development challenges. A coordinated effort among governments, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and international partners is imperative to fostering an enabling environment for IDR.

The study explores the language barriers between two language minority populations and healthcare professionals in the Volta Region of Ghana. An interpretive description with a qualitative approach to data collection and analysis was used. This study was carried out in the Tafi-Atome and Avatime-Vane communities, the Hohoe Municipal Hospital and the Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital in the Kpando Municipality. In all, 46 respondents comprising 19 purposively sampled community members (patients) from the two selected communities and 27 conveniently sampled healthcare professionals from the two health facilities were interviewed. The face-to-face in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. The study revealed a barrier in language use between healthcare professionals and patients from the two language minority communities. While healthcare professionals preferred to use English, Akan and Ewe, the patients, on the other hand, preferred their native languages, which are Sideme and Tegbor. The services of unqualified interpreters were utilised by both healthcare professionals and patients. Study participants were aware of these challenges, which prevented the patients from receiving optimum healthcare services, and the healthcare workers from delivering client-centred healthcare services. The presence of communication challenges emanating from language barriers between healthcare professionals and patients should be considered as a key hindrance to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal Three (SDG3), which aims to promote health and well-being at all ages. Therefore, stakeholders in the healthcare delivery system in Ghana need to prioritize stronger communication and translation practices and policies.

The outbreak of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) generated health and social concerns for the world. Beyond the loss of lives, the pandemic had social effects like lockdowns and physical distancing, devastatingly affecting human lives. One area of the Ghanaian economy that was severely affected by the pandemic is the education sector, particularly institutions of higher learning. Academic activities in most institutes of higher learning thrive and revolve around the existence of dynamic academic libraries. To circumvent the social challenges of the pandemic, most academic libraries utilised collaborative technologies to stay connected to their users. The motivation of libraries for choosing collaborative technologies is yet to be scientifically investigated in the Ghanaian setting. Thus, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology II model, this study examined how libraries in Ghana relied on collaborative technologies to stay connected with users during the pandemic. In all, sixteen librarians were purposively selected from four libraries in the Volta Region of Ghana. Semi-structured interview guides with questions that sought to respond to the objectives of the study were used to glean data from the study participants. The data were thematically analysed. Few libraries stayed connected to their users. It was realised that Zoom, Moodle, WhatsApp, email, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype were the common collaborative tools used by libraries. Decisions regarding the acquisition of these tools came from non-librarians. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions were the librarians’ primary criteria for adopting these tools.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and use of Reference Management Software (RMS) among university students pursuing various degrees in health and related programmes in Ghana. It further sought to find out respondents’ motives for choosing a particular RMS and also the various sources of support for users of such programmes. Design/methodology/approach: This descriptive cross-sectional study used a questionnaire to solicit for data from third year, fourth year and postgraduate students of the University of Health Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana, on their knowledge and use of RMS in their academic and scientific writings. Findings: This study found out that more males use RMS than females. It was also confirmed that Mendeley was the most known and used RMS and that training organised by the library contributed to the increased knowledge and utilisation of the RMS. Lack of knowledge about RMS and institutions not requiring students to use RMS contributed to their non-usage. The primary use of RMS among the respondents was for insertion of citations and generation of bibliographies for their assignments and theses. Originality/value: In Ghana, institutes of higher learning have witnessed the use of RMS among their constituents. However, apart from a recent study conducted among researchers at CSIR, no scientific study had been conducted among students on the purpose of this study. Thus, the findings of this study will inform librarians and policymakers to appreciate what their students require as far as the management of their bibliographic needs is concerned.

There are many claims to the benefits of open access publishing in general and for Africa in particular. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of scholarly journals expected to publish articles on public health from a number of African countries. Using African Journals Online and African Index Medicus, 174 journals from 13 African countries were identified. The six countries above the group’s median gross domestic product (GDP) published 145 journals, while the seven countries at or below the median GDP published 29 journals. Two thirds of the journals were freely available to download, but only a third had a Creative Commons licence, and most were not indexed. Around half of the journals levied full article processing charges (APCs) – journals from countries at median GDP or below were less likely to charge APCs than those from countries above the median GDP. One of the key findings is that only a few journals were indexed, limiting the ability of potential readers to find the results of research performed in local settings. The results suggest a need to assist journals and researchers to make the work they publish more accessible to the audience who might want to use the results.