Projects

In our upcoming research, AIDRE will collaborate with some researchers from the Economics Department, and with support from the International Growth Centre (IGC) to investigate whether CCTV Cameras on Streets in Ghana change behaviour. A summary of the proposed research project is provided below: The use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance has become an important tool for crime prevention and clearance in most countries, particularly in developed countries. African countries are behind in this regard; however, there is a rapid expansion of CCTV surveillance technology in most African countries including Ghana in recent times. With huge financial investment being made in this technology by African countries, can CCTV cameras reduce crime and increase case clearance as has been found in the developed world? In addition, what are citizens’ knowledge, perceptions, and behaviours toward this new technology? Though the empirical literature on CCTV cameras and crimes is growing, to the best of our knowledge there is a dearth of studies on these in Africa and for that matter Ghana. We use criminal and conviction data from the Ghana Police Service and employ the controlled interrupted time series estimation technique to estimate the effect of CCTV cameras on crimes, arrests, and convictions/clearance in Ghana. In addition, we use survey data to identify citizens’ knowledge, perceptions, and behavioural responses to this new technology. Theoretically, we expect the installation of CCTV cameras to reduce crime and increase arrests and convictions/clearance as these devices increase the probability of an offender being caught and punished. Also, we expect Ghanaians to be knowledgeable about these CCTV cameras, have good perceptions, and have a lower probability of committing crimes. May 31, 2023

The current COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had significant adverse effect on world democracies, especially elections scheduled this year, 2020. Per constitutional requirement, Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 7th December, 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With support from Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP), University of California, Berkley the COVID-19 Small Grants programme, AIDRE is conducting a study on how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the administration, participation, and outcome of Ghana’s 2020 elections. In particular the study focuses on perception of voters towards elections in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic; voters’ behaviours and preferences; and the extent to which COVID-19 affected voter turnout rate. There is a dearth of research on pandemic situations and elections in general, and more particularly the case of COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the proposed research will contribute to knowledge and provide evidence to inform electoral policy decisions in times of crises. Below is a Presentation on the findings at the EGAP Covid 19 Governance Series.  May 31, 2023

AIDRE partnered with the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) based in Abuja, Nigeria, on the Women in Trade Knowledge Platform Project with funding support from the Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada. The project focuses more on the intersection of women’s economic empowerment and trade in sub-Saharan Africa. The broad aim is to determine trade sectors that can create jobs beneficial to women and the policies needed to ensure that the sectors work optimally. Main objective of this project is to examine how trade can create employment for, and empower, women, and how trade can yield the maximum benefits for women. Specific questions: Why – and under what circumstances – do some trade sectors create more jobs for women and others do not? To what extent are the jobs created contributing to women’s economic empowerment? What strategies and policies are needed to ensure these sectors work optimally? Data was collected on four key areas covering: 1) Opportunities (2) Challenges (3) Enabling Environment and (4) Impact. Furthermore, the data will be collected across four countries – Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Madagascar – in sub-Saharan Africa. Data collection involve a mixed method approach (quantitative and qualitative) on SMEs in services, agriculture and manufacturing in Ghana. In Ghana, the data collection involves SMEs in Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi, over the period 2021-2022. May 31, 2023

AIDRE serves as a local partner of the Center for Evaluation and Development (C4ED), based in Mannheim, Germany on the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana project – also known as GrEEn Project. The GrEEn – project is a four-year joint action from the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and SNV. The project is aligned with the EUTF overall objective of addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa, and more specifically its strategic objective is to create greater economic and employment opportunities. The joint action focuses on creating climate resilient communities, addressing skill gaps, and increasing access to finance for selected returnees, youth, and women. Additionally, it supports job creation and self-employment opportunities by incubating and financing MSMEs, thereby creating decent and sustainable jobs. As the local partner to C4ED, AIDRE will follow a mixed-methods approach, with both quantitative and qualitative data collection to assess the impact of the intervention. This impact assessment aims to estimate changes that are experienced by the SMEs who receive incubation and/or acceleration services from SNV. The key outcomes of interest are business performance, the ability to create jobs, access to finance, and business resilience. The impact assessment will also shed light on how and why these changes occurred. The quantitative design is based on a panel data, capturing baseline characteristics of the SMEs and tracking beneficiaries’ outcomes over time. Three data collection waves will be conducted, one per year over the period 2021-2023. The tentative sample size for the three data collection waves are 66-100-100. May 31, 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2). The pandemic has undoubtedly had significant adverse effect on the global economy. To inform global policy response to the covid-19 pandemic, AIDRE in April 2020, launched the COVID-19 Global Socio-economic survey. The survey focuses on three key areas: How Covid-19 pandemic is impacting on individuals and households. Willingness to pay for COVID-19 testing and vaccine. Covid-19 pandemic and elections. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, self-administered questionnaires were sent to respondents through electronic mails and social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and WhatsApp. The data collection was conducted between May, 22 and July 22, 2020. Detailed analysis of the survey findings will be published in due course May 31, 2023