East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Estimating the Extent of Money Muling: The Case of a University Campus in Nairobi, Kenya

Peter Kibet — 2025-07-23

Money muling is not only a crime but is one of the major enablers of a 5 trillion United States Dollar (USD) criminal enterprise globally. Very little is known about money muling, yet it contributes significantly to money laundering, which is to blame for widespread terrorism, crime and proliferation financing globally. The lack of knowledge and data on this phenomenon significantly hampers efforts to measure, manage, and control money laundering and associated crimes. This study sought to assess and estimate the extent of money muling among university students at a university campus in Nairobi, Kenya, with the aim of adding to the literature and recommending tactical action. Using a sample of 121 respondents from a population of 174, the study found that there exist significant levels of money muling among respondents, with a 63% overall rate of involvement. Unwitting money muling was the most prevalent (90%), followed by complicit (44%) and witting (24%), respectively. This study also established that money muling was more prevalent among undergraduate students (93%), males (61%) and younger students aged below 40 years (93%). Consequently, several recommendations, including proposed amendments to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA) of 2009, targeted awareness and training of tertiary level students on financial crime and the need for better measurement and documentation of money laundering and crime statistics in universities and colleges ensued from the findings

Baseline Survey in Monitoring and Evaluation and Performance of Education Projects in Refugee Camps in Turkana County, Kenya

Joyce Namasaya Luvonga — 2025-07-24

Baseline surveys serve as a foundational instrument in monitoring and evaluation, significantly enhancing the performance and impact of education projects in refugee camps by providing critical benchmarks for planning, implementation, and assessment. This study examined the influence of baseline surveys in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) on the performance of education projects in refugee camps in Turkana County, Kenya. Guided by international frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Sustainable Development Goal 4, and the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees, the research focused on education initiatives implemented by Windle International Kenya in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). A census approach was employed, targeting a study population of 141 education stakeholders: 7 principals, 5 head teachers, 72 Board of Management members, 5 M&E officers, 1 County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (QASO), 1 Sub-County QASO, 15 education officers, 15 project coordinators, 15 finance officers, and 5 program managers. These education stakeholders were selected due to their central roles in the planning, execution, and oversight of education projects, ensuring that the study captured informed perspectives on the influence of baseline surveys within the project context. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and regression analysis. Qualitative findings from interviews further contextualised the quantitative results. The results indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship between the use of baseline surveys in M&E and the performance of education projects in refugee camps (r = 0.680, p < 0.05; β = 0.172, p = 0.020). Respondents reported that comprehensive baseline surveys contribute to setting project targets, tracking progress, guiding resource allocation, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses highlighted the importance of financial support, community sensitisation, and improved security as key factors for project success and teacher retention. The study concludes that baseline surveys are integral to effective M&E, serving as benchmarks for planning, resource allocation, and project evaluation, ultimately improving educational outcomes for refugees. This research recommends that education project implementers prioritise baseline survey practices, ensure stakeholder involvement, invest in staff training, and integrate baseline surveys within standard M&E frameworks to enhance the project's success and performance in refugee settings.

An International Survey of Literature on Military Spending and Economic Growth

Geoffrey Ssebabi Mutumba — 2025-07-30

This study is an extensive investigation of military spending and economic growth (1960-2024). The purpose of this study is to profile and summarise earlier work done about military spending and economic growth, which provides new meanings that guide decision-making. It uses meta-analytic and scientometric analysis to bring to light related literature on the military spending-economic growth nexus. This is useful in providing evidence and greater meaning to the scholarly work done so far on the subject. It provides valid information for decision-making about military spending and economic growth. It is anchored on four hypotheses: feedback, growth, conservation and neutrality. The selection of variables, models and techniques, and time periods has contributed to the intensified dissent within the findings. The debate had sparked off controversy that still requires further inquiry. The results are mixed, with 430 observations in this study having dissenting results, and this debate is not yet concluded. The results demonstrate that the growth hypothesis accounts for 72.2 %, feedback 9.8%, conservation 4.9%, and the neutrality hypothesis 13.1%. This study elevates debate for researchers on military spending and economic growth based on credible evidence of empirical work. It furnishes researchers and practitioners with leading antecedents on the nexus. This study is able to synthesise and provide relevant data for evidence-based policy making

Setbacks of Form One Orientation Programme in Secondary Schools: Lessons from Moshi Rural District, Tanzania

Eliatosha Moses Mbwambo — 2025-07-31

The study objective was to identify the specific setbacks of the Form One Orientation Programme in secondary schools within Moshi Rural. A mixed-methods study approach was employed, conducted in two phases: a qualitative and a quantitative phase, with an exploratory sequential design. Four secondary schools were involved, with a total of 37 participants, including 2 Heads of Schools (HOS), 1 District Secondary Education Officer (DSEO), and 2 Schools Quality Assurers (SQA) participated in phase one, and 32 teachers participated in phase two. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, unstructured observations and the closed-ended questionnaire. The study revealed key setbacks in implementing the Form One Orientation Programme, including the transfer of students during the Programme's implementation, managing overcrowded classrooms, late student reporting, and a lack of training for teachers and school heads in implementing and supervising the Programme. The study recommended future studies that could adopt a quantitative or mixed-methods approach, taking larger samples to assess the setbacks of the Form One Orientation Programme for the generalisation of findings and examine strategies for unlocking the barriers to the successful Form One Orientation Programme

Co-Curricular Activities for Values-Based Science Education: A Case Study from Luweero District, Uganda

Geoffrey Kiyingi — 2025-08-04

In Uganda, co-curricular activities (CCAs) are often undervalued in formal education, yet they present opportunities to foster values critical for holistic learning. Despite their recognised potential, little is known about how science teachers in Ugandan primary schools use CCAs to promote values education, particularly through means such as CCAs. This study examined how science teachers utilise CCAs to foster values among learners in two government-aided primary schools in Luweero District, with the overall aim of identifying strategies to enhance the value-promoting potential of CCAs in science education. Anchored in an interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative case study design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five purposively sampled science teachers and focus group discussions with 28 purposively sampled pupils. Findings revealed that while some teachers and learners participated in CCAs such as debates, leadership roles, and occasional science exhibitions, their involvement was inconsistent and largely implicit, promoting values notably cooperation, sharing, and creativity among learners. Science-based CCAs, such as science clubs and fairs, were notably absent, primarily due to limited time, unclear responsibilities, and inadequate support. Nonetheless, all teachers acknowledged that CCAs have the potential to cultivate values such as cooperation, creativity, and responsibility. The study concludes that CCAs remain an underutilised avenue for values education in science. Their effective integration requires increased administrative support, timetabling these activities, teacher training, and adequate resources. It is recommended that education stakeholders provide guidance, capacity building, and policy backing to elevate CCAs as strategic platforms for values-based science education in Ugandan primary schools. These findings underscore the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between science teaching, values education, and reimagining CCAs as deliberate tools for fostering both science concepts and moral development in pupils.

Blockchain Resilience and Public Service Delivery: Empirical Evidence from Kenya’s National Government Ministries

Moses Kibet Yegon Ngetich — 2025-08-05

As governments increasingly adopt emerging technologies to improve public service delivery, blockchain has gained prominence for its unique attributes, including resilience. Resilience, in the context of blockchain, refers to the system’s ability to maintain functionality despite faults, disruptions, or cyber threats, making it especially relevant for sustaining uninterrupted service in critical government operations. This study examines the relationship between blockchain technology resilience and service delivery in Kenya’s national government ministries. Anchored in the New Public Management (NPM) theoretical framework, the study employed a cross-sectional survey involving 319 respondents: 220 government officials and 99 citizens, selected through stratified and purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed through multiple regression analysis. The results revealed a statistically significant and positive relationship between blockchain resilience and service delivery (β = 0.287, p < 0.05), suggesting that robust and fault-tolerant blockchain systems can enhance efficiency, continuity, and public confidence in service delivery. The study recommends that government institutions prioritise the integration of resilient digital infrastructure to strengthen service delivery outcomes

Examining the Effect of Policy Evaluation Practices on the Performance of Public Institutions in South Sudan

Atem Madut Yaak Kur — 2025-08-06

This study examines how policy evaluation practices influence the performance of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs in South Sudan. The Ministry faces significant recruitment and selection challenges due to limited infrastructure, resources, and a developing education system, challenges that are intensified by the country's post-conflict environment. To explore these issues, the research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with 342 respondents (response rate: 85.9%) and qualitative data from 30 key informant interviews using semi-structured protocols. The theoretical framework integrated Institutional Theory, which explains how organisational norms shape policy practices; Policy Implementation Theory, focusing on the processes affecting policy delivery; and Resource Dependency Theory, highlighting how resource constraints influence organisational behaviour. These theories guided the development of measurement tools and interpretation of results, especially regarding the impact of institutional and resource factors on policy evaluation effectiveness. Quantitative analysis using regression modelling at a 5% significance level (p<0.05) revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.692) between policy evaluation practices and organisational performance, with an R² of 0.479. This indicates that nearly 48% of performance variability can be explained by the extent of policy evaluation efforts. The findings emphasise the crucial role of systematic evaluation mechanisms in enhancing organisational outcomes. The study recommends strengthening policy evaluation frameworks, investing in education and infrastructure, establishing regular monitoring and feedback systems, and enhancing capacity-building for personnel involved in policy evaluation. Additionally, stakeholder engagement and performance-based incentives are suggested to further improve policy impact. Future research should explore how contextual factors such as post-conflict recovery, political stability, and external support influence policy evaluation effectiveness. Overall, this research provides empirical evidence supporting systematic policy evaluation as vital for improving organisational performance and stability in fragile states like South Sudan.

Distributive Equity around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda: Benefits, Accessibility, Perceptions, and Realities among Adjacent Communities

Junior Ainomujuni — 2025-08-07

Distributive equity in natural resource governance ensures the fair allocation of benefits and burdens among stakeholders, emphasising fairness for marginalised groups. Despite its critical role in natural resource management, persistent inequalities remain a significant challenge. This study investigated distributive equity around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, examining community perceptions, accessibility, and benefit distribution among residents of Kisoro, Rubanda, and Kanungu districts. The study used a mixed-methods approach, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data from 120 households and 30 key informants through interviews, workshops, questionnaires, and observations. Conducted between July and December 2024, the data were analysed using SPSS and NVivo, allowing a thorough assessment of benefit distribution and accessibility, especially for marginalised groups. Economic benefits were the most reported, primarily accessed through Uganda Wildlife Authority, tourism businesses, and NGOs. However, most respondents believed that some groups benefit more than others, highlighting widespread perceptions of inequality. The study identified governance shortcomings in benefit-sharing, stressing the need for transparency, inclusive participation, and accountability. It recommends an equitable governance framework that ensures inclusive decision-making and clear benefit-sharing mechanisms. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, conservation practitioners, and community leaders aiming to enhance benefit-sharing and promote sustainable conservation at Bwindi

Analysis of the Legal and Institutional Framework for Oil and Gas Governance in Hoima, Buliisa and Kikuube Districts, Bunyoro Sub-region, Uganda

Vincent Kisembo — 2025-08-07

The discovery of commercially viable oil and gas in 2006 in the Albertine region, specifically in the districts of Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube, has signalled a social and economic transformation of Uganda. However, the legal, institutional and human rights frameworks governing the sub-sector remain contested. The study explores the effectiveness of Uganda’s oil and gas governance in Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube districts by analysing the legal and institutional frameworks, environmental governance, community participation, land rights and human rights. Drawing on the qualitative approach with 120 stakeholders through FGDs and KIIs, the findings reveal that centralised governance, legal pluralism, weak environmental enforcement, and gender inequities undermine inclusive development. The study recommends enhancing fiscal decentralisation, integrating the customary tenure system, and enforcing rights-based safeguards for equitable oil governance

Land Informality and Financial Exclusion Contributing to The Mortgage Dilemma in Uganda’s Housing Sector

Margaret Nakiwala — 2025-08-08

The limited availability of affordable housing is one of the top development priorities in Uganda. The country has a total deficit of 2.4 million housing units. Approximately 70% of those who suffer from housing insecurity in Uganda fall within the low-income bracket. While mortgage financing options could help a number of people purchase houses, Uganda’s mortgage market remains underdeveloped. The mortgage market contributes to less than 1% of GDP, and is largely inaccessible to low-income earners. The primary constraints include the high interest charges (16% - 24%), a lack of secure land tenure systems, widespread informal employment (which involves over 75% of the entire labour force), and low financial literacy levels. The purpose of the study was to understand the accessibility of mortgage financing to low-income people in Uganda and to identify whether land tenure systems and socioeconomic issues affect exclusion from the market. The study employed a desk-based qualitative approach to document a review of academic literature and policy developments, to understand the institutional, legal and economic obstacles to achieving inclusive housing finance. Overall, the findings noted that policies on land tenure continue to reflect historical as well as current patterns of social exclusion, as ongoing challenges with Mailo and customary tenure continue to stop people from accessing land titles securely. This encourages banks to step away from providing credit. Formal housing generally remains unattainably expensive due to speculative development and constraints on affordable. New concepts to help low-income people may include micro-mortgages, digital credit scoring and incremental loans.

A Conceptual Study of Cognitive Atrophy in Homo Sapiens through A Darwinian Analysis of Overreliance on Artificial Intelligence

Mwalimu Musheshe — 2025-08-11

This conceptual study investigates the potential cognitive and evolutionary consequences of overreliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies among Homo sapiens. Framed through Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, the research explores how the increasing delegation of mental functions such as memory, problem-solving, and decision-making to AI systems may lead to cognitive atrophy and, over time, mental regression. The study draws on interdisciplinary literature from neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and technological ethics to argue that persistent dependence on AI poses a risk of “technological evolutionary displacement,” whereby intrinsic human cognitive abilities are gradually devalued in favour of machine efficiency. It assesses how these patterns manifest globally, with notable disparities between technologically advanced societies and regions still anchored in traditional knowledge systems, particularly in the Global South. The findings suggest that AI-induced cognitive atrophy could diminish traits historically favoured by natural selection, such as critical thinking and adaptability, raising concerns about long-term human development and mental resilience. The study proposes a reframing of AI development strategies toward models that emphasise symbiotic co-evolution, cognitive stimulation, and ethical safeguards. Ultimately, this research warns that while AI offers profound efficiencies, its unchecked expansion may redefine the adaptive landscape in ways that challenge the cognitive integrity and evolutionary trajectory of the human species

The Politicization of Urbanization: An Analysis of City Creation in Uganda

Tinamukama Albert Gumisiriza — 2025-08-11

Urbanisation is a transformative global phenomenon, profoundly shaping societies and economies in the 21st century. In Africa, many governments are actively pursuing the creation of new cities as a strategy to stimulate economic growth, enhance decentralisation, and implement governance reforms. Uganda, aligning with its Vision 2040 strategic development framework, has embarked on an ambitious initiative to transition from a predominantly agrarian economy to a modern, urbanised nation through the establishment of new cities. In 2020, ten new cities were declared by the Ugandan government, with further plans for additional urban centres by 2025, aiming to bolster local economies, upgrade infrastructure, and decentralise administrative functions. However, this initiative has not been without significant contention. Scholarly discourse suggests that political motivations have been a primary driver in determining which towns are elevated to city status, frequently overshadowing genuine developmental needs and economic viability. This politicisation of urban development is not unique to Uganda; studies across sub-Saharan Africa indicate that urban administrative reforms are often influenced by political agendas aimed at consolidating power, securing electoral victories, and manipulating demographic voting blocs. This paper critically analyses the city creation process in Uganda, examining the extent to which political considerations have shaped urbanisation trends and their subsequent impact on governance structures and the efficiency of service delivery. By investigating the interaction between political objectives and urban development outcomes, this research aims to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities for sustainable urbanisation in Uganda and offers recommendations for a more equitable and development-focused approach to city creation.

Historizing Gender in Household Production and Use of Cooking Fuels in Amuru District, Northern Uganda

Ezekiel Mbazalire — 2025-08-22

This study examined the gendered historical production and use of cooking fuels in Amuru District in Northern Uganda, focusing on household gender involvement, specialisation, and division of labour in cooking. The availability and accessibility of cooking fuels significantly affect household energy security, health, power relations, and gender dynamics (Bamwesigye et al., 2020). This study used a qualitative approach and historical research designs. The methods of data collection used were participatory rural approach (PRA), focus group discussions, participant observation (ethnography), document analysis, and one-on-one individual interviews. Respondents included the elderly, young women, young men, and children. The major findings revealed that the primary cooking fuels used in these rural communities included firewood, black charcoal, crop residues, and kerosene. Gender plays a crucial role in producing and using cooking fuels, with women predominantly responsible for collecting firewood and other biomass resources. This gendered division of labour has implications for women's time burden, health, and overall well-being. The study concluded by identifying challenges faced by rural communities in accessing clean and sustainable cooking fuels. The reliance on traditional biomass fuels contributes to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and adverse health effects. This study recommends the involvement of women in decision-making processes related to household production and the use of cooking fuels, including planning, implementation, and monitoring. This will ensure that their needs and perspectives are taken into account, provide training and capacity-building opportunities to women on sustainable charcoal production techniques, efficient stove use, and environmental conservation practices. This will empower women to participate more actively in the green charcoal value chain and address gender-based barriers by ensuring women have equal access to land, finances, technology, and other necessary resources for green charcoal production. This can be achieved through targeted policies and programs.

Gender,

Cooking Fuels, Deforestation, Historizing Cooking

A Review of the Tietze Extension Theorem

Amos Sosoo — 2025-09-17

The Tietze Extension Theorem maintains its position as a fundamental basis in general topology, particularly in understanding how continuous functions behave over normal spaces. At its core, the theorem states that any continuous real-valued function defined on a closed subset of a normal topological space can be extended over the entire space while maintaining continuity. This foundational insight bridges the gap between abstract separation axioms and functional extendibility. The proof of the Tietze extension theorem builds on Urysohn’s Lemma, gradually extending a bounded continuous function from a closed subset to the whole normal space in a way that preserves both continuity and the original bounds. From this perspective, the theorem demonstrates how a purely theoretical result can provide a practical method for extending information without distortion. As time progresses, the theorem has inspired extensive generalisations and applications, ranging from vector-valued function spaces to constructive settings and logical frameworks. Its impact can be seen in computational topology, geometric modelling, and data interpolation, where the smooth extension of data is essential. Moreover, its influence extends into diverse areas of mathematics such as functional analysis, data interpolation, computational topology, and categorical logic, making it a timeless bridge between pure mathematical theory and practical application

A Journey through Moduli Space

Jacob Issaka — 2025-09-19

Every mathematical landscape has its terrain, and moduli spaces form one of the richest terrains of all. They are the maps we draw to navigate families of shapes, curves, and structures, capturing both their similarities and their hidden symmetries. This work explores the rich theory of moduli spaces, which are geometric objects that classify families of algebraic or topological structures up to isomorphism. Starting with moduli functors, the study examines the conditions under which fine and coarse moduli spaces exist, and the role of algebraic stacks, especially within the framework of algebraic stacks, in handling cases involving automorphisms. The exposition also connects moduli theory to topology through classifying spaces and homotopy theory, and discusses how deformation theory reveals the local structure and behaviour of moduli spaces. Overall, the journey through moduli space unifies diverse mathematical tools and perspectives to provide a unified understanding of classification problems in geometry and beyond. This work is an invitation to walk through that landscape—from the first guiding ideas to the more intricate pathways of stacks, classifying spaces, and deformation theory—before ending by looking toward new horizons

Contemporary Pedagogical Strategies and Learners’ Academic Achievement in National Teachers’ Colleges (NTCs) in Uganda

Atuhire Clare — 2025-09-24

The study examined the effect of contemporary pedagogical strategies, specifically problem-based learning and learning contracts, in National Teachers’ Colleges (NTCs) in Uganda. The objectives of the study were to: i) examine the effects of problem-based learning on academic achievement of learners in NTCs in Uganda & ii) analyse the effect of learning contracts on academic achievement of learners in NTCs in Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and was underpinned by pragmatist philosophy with an explanatory sequential type of mixed methods. Data was collected from 681 respondents with the help of questionnaires, Key informant interviews, and document review. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 29 for statistical data, while qualitative data was analysed in themes to draw conclusions for the study. The results revealed that there was a strong positive relationship between learning contracts and completion rate, with a correlation of 0.71 at a p-value of <0.01. Learners in NTCs gained skills and values to enhance their ability to teach and learn in lower secondary schools (pedagogical skills). Further, there was a strong positive relationship between problem-based learning and academic achievement of 0.31 with a p-value of < 0.01 on skills. It was concluded that Problem-based learning increased learner engagement and aided them to score better grades, while Learning contracts motivated learners in NTCs to do their coursework, project work, and research. The study recommended continuous professional development and support supervision to teacher trainers so as to enhance their skills in the implementation of contemporary pedagogical techniques, specifically problem-based techniques.

Effect of Computer Simulations on the Retention of Biology Content Among Form Three Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kesses Sub-County, Kenya

Joshua Hydah Karambu — 2025-09-26

This study investigated the effect of computer simulations on the retention of Biology content among Form Three students in public secondary schools in Kesses Sub-County, Kenya. Guided by Constructivist Learning Theory, this study adopted a mixed-methods approach combining a quasi-experimental design using the Solomon Four-Group model with a descriptive survey design. The population consisted of 1,755 Form Three students and their Biology teachers across 39 public secondary schools. A sample of 240 students from four co-educational schools was selected using simple random sampling. The experimental groups were taught using computer simulations. In contrast, the control groups received instruction through conventional methods such as chalk-and-talk and traditional Practical over a six-week instructional period. Data were collected through pre-tests and post-tests to assess academic performance and content retention, as well as questionnaires and lesson observation checklists to evaluate student engagement and teaching practices. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and ANOVA. The results indicated that students exposed to computer simulations demonstrated significantly higher retention of Biology content compared to those taught using traditional methods. The findings provide practical implications for Biology teachers, curriculum developers, education policymakers, and stakeholders interested in leveraging technology to enhance science education in Kenya

National Identity Card and Citizen Inclusion in Uganda

Martin Buhamizo — 2025-09-29

The paper argues that the claimed correlation between national identity cards and efficient service delivery is questionable in Uganda. In addition to claims of enhanced efficiency, technology also serves as an instrument of governmentality, increasing the state’s power to control individuals and resources. The paper draws on the global rise of digital identification systems, which is causing interesting and uneven transformations in government identification systems, including in Uganda. Some of the most dominant discourses about digitalisation explain its expansion by claiming that it allows more people to obtain legal proof of identity and enhances the inclusivity of citizens in development programs. Additionally, there are claims that it will help the government improve the delivery of public services and humanitarian assistance through various agencies. However, digital identification technologies, including biometric IDs with features like fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition, are instrumental in making citizens visible to the state in new ways, facilitating security and surveillance, and enhancing the state’s ability to control its citizens. The paper investigates such digital transformation in this context by using contemporary Uganda as a case study, drawing on qualitative interviews with key actors, mainly citizens located at the interface with local offices of national ID registration bureaucracies. It analyses contradictions in the mixed logics of the state associated with the introduction of new ID technologies and their implications regarding service delivery. This raises a question: How does the new national ID system affect the proclaimed efficiency of service delivery?

Enhancing Educational Governance and Financing in Ghana: A Contemporary Synopsis

Robert Ampomah, PhD — 2025-10-02

Educational governance and financing are critical issues faced by many countries, which are closely tied to central government control over policies and investments in education. This article reviewed papers and policy documents in the governance and financing of education. It examined the historical and contemporary role of governments in controlling education, highlighting the centralisation of policy authority under the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, and the implications of such control on policy implementation and institutional autonomy. The review also analysed the financing of education in Ghana, trends in budgetary allocations across basic and secondary education, as well as the persistent challenges of underfunding and inefficiencies in resource allocation. Specifically, the article identified the strengths and weaknesses contained in the literature. The study revealed that there is a need for coordination, accountability frameworks, and localised decision-making among stakeholders at the educational districts, boards of education and civil society organisations in policy frameworks. The findings underscore the importance of adaptive educational governance and sustainable financing models to achieve equitable and quality education in the face of socio-economic and political transformation in Ghana

Advancing Gender-Responsive AI in Higher Education: A Participatory Rural Appraisal of Traditional and Modern Food Processing Innovations in Uganda

Wilberforce Okongo — 2025-10-06

This study explores how gender-responsive artificial intelligence (AI) can transform higher education participatory rural appraisal (PRA) research to advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 - Zero Hunger - by harmonising traditional and modern food processing practices in Uganda. Amidst rapid technological progress, AI’s potential remains disproportionately urban-centric, sidelining rural women who dominate Uganda’s traditional food systems yet face systemic barriers to accessing modern innovations. Through a mixed-methods approach including a systematic review of global AI applications in agriculture, analysis of national and international policy frameworks, and community-driven PRA case studies, this research uncovers critical gaps in gender-equitable AI adaptation within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Findings reveal that socio-economic disparities, limited digital literacy, and infrastructural inequities exclude women from AI-driven solutions, thus undermining Uganda’s progress toward sustainable agriculture. However, HEIs emerge as pivotal agents of change. This is because, by embedding gender-responsive AI into participatory research curricula, universities can co-design inclusive technologies that amplify women’s expertise in traditional food preservation while integrating modern efficiencies. This study proposes a tripartite strategy: (1) Gender-sensitive AI training programs tailored to rural contexts, (2) Low-cost, culturally relevant AI tools for decentralised food processing, and (3) Cross-sector partnerships linking academia, policymakers, and grassroots innovators to align AI initiatives with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) targets. This work challenges the global AI paradigm by centring marginalised voices and demonstrating how participatory, gender-responsive education frameworks can catalyse equitable technological adoption. Its actionable insights offer a blueprint for HEIs worldwide to harness AI as a tool for social justice, bridging the divide between tradition and innovation to build resilient, inclusive food systems.