scholarly journals COVID-19 and the marginalized: an opinion piece on further measures to address COVID-19 in prisons in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Katey ◽  
Anthony Kwame Morgan ◽  
Moses Asori ◽  
Solomon Twum Ampofo ◽  
Robert Kwame Jumah Mpobi
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Correctional Facilities ◽  
Extensive Review ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Opinion Piece ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
National Governments

Purpose This paper examines prison services and how they can be managed to uphold COVID-19 prevention etiquettes, in light of the contemporary rise in COVID-19 cases across the sub-Saharan Africa continent and the world at large. Design/methodology/approach An extensive review of existing literature on COVID-19 was conducted to ascertain the nature of the pandemic in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa. Findings In line with empirical observations, the paper recommends regular disinfection of prisons and correctional facilities on the sub-continent. Again, there is the need for countries to resort to alternative punitive measures other than imprisonment, to curb the issue of overcrowding in prisons. Furthermore, there is the need for national governments to build ultramodern prison facilities, which would make room for emergency situations, as well as make provision for any future rise in the number of inmates while, at the same time, meeting fundamental needs as peculiar to prisoners. Finally, medical units in prisons need to be well-equipped against contemporary rise in COVID-19 cases. Originality/value The authors hereby declare that this submission is their handmade which has not been submitted to any other journal outlet.

A comparison of global suicide terrorism by region before and after 9/11 terrorist attacks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Guler ◽  
Mustafa Demir
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Suicide Terrorism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Global Terrorism Database

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on suicide terrorism in different regions of the world and changes in the trends in suicide terrorism according to regions before and after 9/11. Design/methodology/approach Using the data obtained from the Global Terrorism Database from 1981 to 2019, the descriptive statistics were computed first and then, independent samples t-tests were run to compare the monthly mean percentage of suicide-terrorism incidents that occurred in each region between the pre-9/11 and the post-9/11 periods. Finally, to statistically assess the effect of the 9/11 attacks and changes in the trends for the dependent variables over time, monthly interrupted time-series analyzes were conducted. Findings The results of monthly interrupted time series analyzes showed that after the 9/11 attacks, the trends for suicide-terrorism rates decreased significantly in three regions including South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa and Europe, while the trend for suicide-terrorism rates increased significantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, no statistically significant changes in the trends in suicide-terrorism rates occurred in three regions including North America, East Asia and Central Asia and Southeast Asia before 9/11, during November 2001 or after 9/11. Originality/value This study indicates the critical importance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in suicide terrorism and its impact on these events in different regions of the world. The research also provides some recommendations concerning the effectiveness of defensive and offensive counterterrorism policies against suicide terrorism.

A critical analysis of water PPP failures in sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Tariq ◽  
Xueqing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Construction Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rigorous Approach ◽  
First Case ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Sub Saharan

PurposeTop-down pressure from donors, public sector inefficiencies and fund deficits have steered the introduction of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in sub-Saharan Africa. However, PPP activities in the water sector have been quite insignificant compared to other infrastructure sectors in this region. In addition, a number of water PPPs have encountered great difficulties and subsequent failures. This study aims at unveiling the underlying reasons behind failures.Design/methodology/approachThis study has classified the failure types of water PPPs and reviewed the development of water PPPs in sub-Saharan Africa to identify failed ones. Eight failed case studies are completed through the rigorous approach of event sequence mapping.FindingsNine root causes of water PPP failure are identified through a thorough examination of these failed water PPP cases and the interrelationships between these failure causes are established. The failure causes are further generalized through literature focusing on water PPP failures in developing countries and problematic issues that hinder the implementation of successful water PPPs across different Sub-Saharan African countries. Recommendations are provided for future improvements in carrying out water PPPs in Sub-Saharan Africa by learning past lessons and drawing experiences.Originality/valueThis is the first case study on water PPP failures in Sub-Saharan Africa from a construction management perspective. This study will help governments and the private sector in developing stronger future water PPPs.

Does economic freedom improve health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa?

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1633-1649
Author(s):  
Anand Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Economic Freedom ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of economic freedom on four key health indicators (namely, life expectancy, infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate and neonatal mortality rate) by using a panel dataset of 34 sub-Saharan African countries from 2005 to 2016.Design/methodology/approachThe study obtains data from the World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank and the Fraser Institute. It uses fixed effects regression to estimate the effect of economic freedom on health outcomes and attempts to resolve the endogeneity problems by using two-stage least squares regression (2SLS).FindingsThe results indicate a favourable impact of economic freedom on health outcomes. That is, higher levels of economic freedom reduce mortality rates and increase life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa. All areas of economic freedom, except government size, have a significant and positive effect on health outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study analyses the effect of economic freedom on health at a broad level. Country-specific studies at a disaggregated level may provide additional information about the impact of economic freedom on health outcomes. Also, this study does not control for some important variables such as education, income inequality and foreign aid due to data constraints.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that sub-Saharan African countries should focus on enhancing the quality of economic institutions to improve their health outcomes. This may include policy reforms that support a robust legal system, protect property rights, promote free trade and stabilise the macroeconomic environment. In addition, policies that raise urbanisation, increase immunisation and lower the incidence of HIV are likely to produce a substantial improvement in health outcomes.Originality/valueExtant economic freedom-health literature does not focus on endogeneity problems. This study uses instrumental variables regression to deal with endogeneity. Also, this is one of the first attempts to empirically investigate the relationship between economic freedom and health in the case of sub-Saharan Africa.

Hackers may exploit insecure Africa internet

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Mobile Internet ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Internet Connectivity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Commerce ◽  
The World ◽  
Internet Penetration ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Fixed Line

Subject Implications of Africa's growing internet connectivity Significance Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which has lagged behind the rest of the world in terms of internet connectivity, is now the continent in which internet penetration is growing the fastest. This includes improvements in both fixed line and mobile internet connectivity. However, this growth will be accompanied by an explosion in cybersecurity threats. Impacts Cybercrime will undermine confidence in African online businesses, denting prospects of online commerce. The rise in cybercrime in SSA will necessitate improvements in law enforcement capabilities. This could mean greater assistance from and cooperation with other countries.

What determines financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa?

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney Chikalipah
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of financial inclusion (FI) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design/methodology/approach The paper uses the World Bank country-level data from 20 SSA countries for the year 2014. Findings The empirical findings in this study indicate that illiteracy is the major hindrance to FI in SSA. The findings provide useful information to government agencies and international development organisations. Also, the findings can help accelerate and strengthen FI strategies among SSA countries. Research limitations/implications Some countries were excluded from the final analysis due to lack of data. Practical implications In the last two decades, there has been renewed interest in fighting financial exclusion in Africa. Therefore, this study provide evidence which clearly shows that enhancing literacy levels in a country can immensely contribute towards building the financially inclusive societies in the SSA region. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to empirically test the determinants of FI in SSA using the World Bank FI data set. Furthermore, this is the first attempt to estimate the determinants of FI with a combined data of SSA countries.

scholarly journals Managing university records in the world of governance

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathews J. Phiri ◽  
Alistair George Tough
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collective Case Study ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and records management in the context of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative research taking the form of a collective case study of six institutions. Findings That good records management can and does contribute to effective corporate governance and accountability. However, this relationship is not necessarily present in all circumstances. Research limitations/implications That further corporatisation in higher education is likely to be supported by, and result in, better records management. Originality/value The paper proposes governance record keeping as an approach to managing records and documents in the world of governance, audit and risk.

Nutrition and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: a causality test using panel data

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-189
Author(s):  
Kolawole Ogundari ◽  
Adebayo Aromolaran
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Dynamic Panel ◽  
Causality Test ◽  
Panel Causality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Causality Tests ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Sub Saharan

Purpose This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between nutrition and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. Design/methodology/approach A dynamic panel causality test based on the Blundell-Bond’s system generalized methods-of-moment was used. To make efficient inference for the estimates, the authors check for the panel unit root and co-integration relationship amongst the variables. Findings The variables were found to be non-stationary at level, stationary after first difference and co-integrated. The results of the causality tests reveal evidence of long and short-run bidirectional causality between nutrition and economic growth, which implies that nutritional improvement is a cause and consequence of economic growth and vice versa. Originality/value This is the first study to consider causality between nutrition and economic growth in the region.

Trade liberalization and technology absorption in a less developing country context

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-170
Author(s):  
Alamedin Bannaga
Keyword(s):  
Trade Liberalization ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Panel Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Technology Absorption ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The paper aims to investigate the relationship between trade liberalization and technology absorption in a less developing country context. The objective is to empirically test the relationship between these two variables. This analysis was conducted in Sub-Saharan African economies. Design/methodology/approach – A panel regression of 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa was estimated based on a model that takes into account both trade policy and non-policy factors affecting technology absorption. Findings – A positive and significant relationship was found between trade liberalization and technology absorption. This relationship is valid across a variety of model specifications, technology absorption proxies and estimation techniques. Moreover, non-policy factors such as geographical spillover play significant role in technology absorption. Originality/value – The paper examines the link between the trade liberalization and the technology absorption in Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis is empirical in nature and builds on panel estimations. The novelty of the paper comes from the topic investigated and the focus on a region which has not attracted much attention in the literature.

The recursive interplay of capabilities and constraints amongst microfinance entrepreneurs

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kimmitt ◽  
Dimo Dimov
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practice Approach ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Entrepreneurial Action ◽  
Loan Officers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate, through practices and capabilities, how entrepreneurs use microfinance in a context of serious constraints.Design/methodology/approachThe chosen methodology for this paper is longitudinal. A three-and-a-half-year study was conducted to be able to capture the entrepreneurial journeys of ten entrepreneurs at a micro-level in the developing economy of Ghana. This was augmented by a further 15 interviews with entrepreneurs and loan officers. This data is used to develop a theoretical model of entrepreneurial practices in this context.FindingsThe paper identifies two distinct pathways for understanding the recursive nature of entrepreneurial practices. It highlights how entrepreneurs generate capabilities through microfinance resources through convergent or divergent venturing in response to the serious constraints they face. This is identified as a generative recursive mechanism for the process, representing the “chain of actions” and how entrepreneurs engage with their “settings” and “intended relations” in practice.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited by its focus on one nation in Sub-Saharan Africa and therefore how the findings may be transferred to other contexts.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a practice approach in entrepreneurship by identifying how mechanisms of practice relate to entrepreneurial action in this context. It also provides an important contribution to discussion at the intersection of entrepreneurship and the capabilities approach by using Amartya Sen's concepts of process and opportunity freedom to understand practices.

Examining user experience of eLearning systems implemented in two universities in Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-55
Author(s):  
Joel S. Mtebe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Hedonic Quality

Purpose This study aims to investigate the factors that influence user experience (UX) of eLearning systems implemented in two institutions in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted questionnaire consisting of Nielsen’s heuristics and didactic metrics as pragmatic metrics and hedonic metrics followed by focus group discussions with students. Findings The study found that the eLearning system of University of Dar es Salaam had 43 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 54 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. The eLearning system of the Open University of Tanzania had 50 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 59 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. Moreover, the two systems provided positive UX hedonic quality on identification and evocation dimensions while stimulation was perceived to be neutral. Research limitations/implications The study has used learners as evaluators rather than expert evaluators. Learners are not particularly experienced in the learning domain, and therefore, it is difficult for them to identify many didactic violations of the eLearning systems. Originality/value The study contributes toward finding the underlying factors for non-use or underuse of the installed eLearning systems in various universities in sub-Saharan Africa.

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