Effect of large-scale land acquisition by domestic and international entities on farm investment in northern Ghana.

Rural households remained the access-marginalized demographic in Africa despite massive land rushes by both domestic and foreign enterprises. As a result, investment decisions made by agricultural households are affected. To resolve this issue, a study that examines how exposure to large-scale land acquisition (LSLA) impacts people's agricultural investment decisions is required. Using data from 664 households selected using a multistage sampling technique, we examined the nexus between LSLA under local and foreign organizations and short-term investment (STI) and long-term investments (LTI) in land-improving measures. The results revealed that although LSLA under domestic and foreign entities tends to have a negative and statistically significant impact on the probability of LTI, it has a positive and significant impact on the probability of doing so for STI. The results also showed a simultaneity between LSLA and farm investment. Thus, giving farmers legal ownership safeguards them as they undertake LTI. To encourage household investment and reduce further exposure to LSLA, improvements in legal land ownership can be made.

Covid-19 vaccination intensions among literate Ghanaians: Still the need to dissipate fear and build trust on vaccine efficacy?

PURPOSE: The study examined Covid-19 vaccinations intentions among literate Ghanaians and how it is been influenced by vaccine mistrust and the fear of the unforeseen side effects. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: We used cross sectional data collected from 223 respondents by means of questionnaire disseminated through social media from 16th to 20th April, 2021. Likert-scale questions were asked regarding the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of literate Ghanaians towards COVID-19 vaccines. Kruskal-Wallis and sample t-test were performed to ascertain the differences in vaccination intentions between key socioeconomic variables. A pairwise correlation was performed to examine the relationship between vaccination intensions and fear of the unforeseen, mistrust of the vaccine and concerns of profiteering. Finally, a binary probit regression model was fitted to examine the predictive effect of key variables on respondent's vaccination intentions. FINDINGS: The results revealed a relatively low level of knowledge about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. The sample t-test showed that males have a relatively positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccines than females at 5% level of significance. Mistrust of vaccine safety and efficacy have a significant negative influence on vaccination intensions at 1% significance level. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study provides the Ghanaian government and other stakeholders with useful information to aid in educational campaigns on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. More campaign efforts towards females could help increase uptake given their relatively poor attitudes towards the vaccine.