Francis Owusu | Iowa State University (original) (raw)

Books by Francis Owusu

Livro - IPEA: Brasília/DF, 2011

Fundação pública vinculada à Secretaria de Assuntos Estratégicos da Presidência da República, o I... more Fundação pública vinculada à Secretaria de Assuntos Estratégicos da Presidência da República, o Ipea fornece suporte técnico e institucional às ações governamentais -possibilitando a formulação de inúmeras políticas públicas e programas de desenvolvimento brasileiro -e disponibiliza, para a sociedade, pesquisas e estudos realizados por seus técnicos.

Papers by Francis Owusu

Journal of agricultural education, Mar 31, 2024

Routledge eBooks, Nov 28, 2022

Journal of agricultural education, Mar 31, 2024

Lynne Rienner Publishers eBooks, Jul 1, 2010

Routledge eBooks, Feb 23, 2023

Africa Today, Jun 1, 2008

Journal of Rural and Community Development, 2013

Local groups are increasingly being promoted as a vehicle for effective involvement of community ... more Local groups are increasingly being promoted as a vehicle for effective involvement of community members in development initiatives in the Global South, with expectations of successful and sustained achievements. Previous studies on participation and leadership in groups yield mixed results, implying that some underlying and contextual factors influence participation dynamics. In this study, using 281 household interviews and discussions with 21 farmers' groups in southeast Uganda, we established that group participation is positively associated with age of household head, household size and proximity to trading and health facilities. Group leadership is positively associated with educational level of household head, land size and non-agricultural sources of income, the latter two indicating wealth of an individual. Implications for development programs and policies include special efforts to support participation of youth as well as dedicating extra efforts to reach remote hous...

Managing Africa’s Natural Resources, 2014

The budding commercial exploitation of oil in Ghana has simultaneously raised expectations and co... more The budding commercial exploitation of oil in Ghana has simultaneously raised expectations and concerns in this African nation, widely considered by donors as a “model country,” given its successes in democratic governance and good economic performance despite its internal regional disparities and widespread poverty. Ghana’s oil has also contributed to the large and growing literature on the multiple challenges of the oil industry in Africa’s development efforts. These are indication of the extent of attention that Ghana’s oil has been able to attract, both within the country and internationally. However, there is also the widespread fear among many analysts that Ghana’s oil manna could turn into a nightmare and paralyze all of Ghana’s developmental efforts, particularly those related to its macroeconomic and political stability, potentially threatening internal peace and social cohesion, and stifling the expected economic and social benefits expected from this crucial commodity. Certainly, the lessons learned from other African countries’ experiences in the oil sector, the increased international attention, the media’s effort in creating awareness and sharing information about this resource, and the roles of civil society and international and local non-state actors have already made a significant difference in Ghana’s experience.

Routledge eBooks, Jul 28, 2022

Paper Proceedings. National American Association for Agricultural Education Conference. May 15-18, 2023, Raleigh, NC., 2023

The government of Uganda has over the years adopted different extension approaches to building fa... more The government of Uganda has over the years adopted different extension approaches to building farmers' capacities, however, limited extension agents always hampered its progress necessitating partnerships with organizations. This study assessed progress made by the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods as a case study in building farmers' capacities in agronomy practices. We surveyed 454 households, of whom 48.2% had trained in agronomy between the 2014-2018 assessment period. The majority (58.4%) trained in seven modules considered in this study including soils, composting, land-use planning, agronomical practices, micronutrient gardening, postharvest, and marketing. By frequency of training, 55.7% trained between 1-7 of 21 maximum rounds, we found a higher average score of 84.7% in knowledge comprehension and retention. In application, trainees engaged most in micronutrient gardens (sack, keyhole, and kitchen gardens), used tarpaulins while drying crops, and had harvest reserves for food security. On changes in crop production, we established a general decrease in households' engagement in production for all seven crops traced in this study including amaranths, soybeans, millet, maize, beans, potatoes, and cassava. Most changes in livelihoods were attributed to food production especially cassava, potatoes, and beans. Income was mostly linked to sales from maize, millet, and beans. We recommend improvements in field monitoring to encourage participation in training and the adoption of agronomical practices.

Poster Proceedings. National American Association for Agricultural Education Conference. May 15-18, 2023, Raleigh, NC., 2023., 2023

This special issue attempts to further a line of critical inquiry in African politics, administra... more This special issue attempts to further a line of critical inquiry in African politics, administration and development discourse, which we refer to here as the ‘posts’. In our terminology, the ‘posts’ constitute a body of narratives, which critique the heterogeneous assortment of orthodoxies in the mainstream African development discourse. The ‘posts’, although part of the mainstream thinking, interrogate themes within that discourse for their disingenuous intellectual and policy approaches to African problems (see Bourdieu and Wacquant, 1999 for a general discussion of the subject). The ‘posts’ charge that mainstream discourses, far from being beacons of enlightenment about Africa, often reflect a broad intellectual inertia, manifested in failed policies to address poverty-alleviation, the region’s main development challenge

How urban form effects sense of community: a comparative case study of a traditional neighborhood... more How urban form effects sense of community: a comparative case study of a traditional neighborhood and conventional suburban development in Northern Virginia

Handbook of Emerging 21st-Century Cities, 2018

Journal of Planning Education and Research

This report examines ways to better support international students in U.S. and Canadian planning ... more This report examines ways to better support international students in U.S. and Canadian planning schools based on a survey and focus groups conducted by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Global Planning Education Committee (GPEC). Findings show that international students often face alienation and structural barriers to navigating universities and living in an unfamiliar culture, along with identity ambiguity, inadequate career services, and narrowly focused urban planning curricula. This suggests the need for greater mentorship; explicit recognition in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts; tailored professional development; and more holistic support systems.

SSA's interlocking urban environmental problems are magnified by shortcomings in management and o... more SSA's interlocking urban environmental problems are magnified by shortcomings in management and oversight by both governments and the private sector. Patrick lives in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he works as a chef at a Chinese restaurant. Patrick is a mixed-race South African, born in Cape Town. He worked for many years as a cook on oil tankers, where many of the crew members were Bangladeshi, Filipino, or Tanzanian, the latter often from the Zanzibar islands or from Dar es Salaam.

Livro - IPEA: Brasília/DF, 2011

Fundação pública vinculada à Secretaria de Assuntos Estratégicos da Presidência da República, o I... more Fundação pública vinculada à Secretaria de Assuntos Estratégicos da Presidência da República, o Ipea fornece suporte técnico e institucional às ações governamentais -possibilitando a formulação de inúmeras políticas públicas e programas de desenvolvimento brasileiro -e disponibiliza, para a sociedade, pesquisas e estudos realizados por seus técnicos.

Journal of agricultural education, Mar 31, 2024

Routledge eBooks, Nov 28, 2022

Journal of agricultural education, Mar 31, 2024

Lynne Rienner Publishers eBooks, Jul 1, 2010

Routledge eBooks, Feb 23, 2023

Africa Today, Jun 1, 2008

Journal of Rural and Community Development, 2013

Local groups are increasingly being promoted as a vehicle for effective involvement of community ... more Local groups are increasingly being promoted as a vehicle for effective involvement of community members in development initiatives in the Global South, with expectations of successful and sustained achievements. Previous studies on participation and leadership in groups yield mixed results, implying that some underlying and contextual factors influence participation dynamics. In this study, using 281 household interviews and discussions with 21 farmers' groups in southeast Uganda, we established that group participation is positively associated with age of household head, household size and proximity to trading and health facilities. Group leadership is positively associated with educational level of household head, land size and non-agricultural sources of income, the latter two indicating wealth of an individual. Implications for development programs and policies include special efforts to support participation of youth as well as dedicating extra efforts to reach remote hous...

Managing Africa’s Natural Resources, 2014

The budding commercial exploitation of oil in Ghana has simultaneously raised expectations and co... more The budding commercial exploitation of oil in Ghana has simultaneously raised expectations and concerns in this African nation, widely considered by donors as a “model country,” given its successes in democratic governance and good economic performance despite its internal regional disparities and widespread poverty. Ghana’s oil has also contributed to the large and growing literature on the multiple challenges of the oil industry in Africa’s development efforts. These are indication of the extent of attention that Ghana’s oil has been able to attract, both within the country and internationally. However, there is also the widespread fear among many analysts that Ghana’s oil manna could turn into a nightmare and paralyze all of Ghana’s developmental efforts, particularly those related to its macroeconomic and political stability, potentially threatening internal peace and social cohesion, and stifling the expected economic and social benefits expected from this crucial commodity. Certainly, the lessons learned from other African countries’ experiences in the oil sector, the increased international attention, the media’s effort in creating awareness and sharing information about this resource, and the roles of civil society and international and local non-state actors have already made a significant difference in Ghana’s experience.

Routledge eBooks, Jul 28, 2022

Paper Proceedings. National American Association for Agricultural Education Conference. May 15-18, 2023, Raleigh, NC., 2023

The government of Uganda has over the years adopted different extension approaches to building fa... more The government of Uganda has over the years adopted different extension approaches to building farmers' capacities, however, limited extension agents always hampered its progress necessitating partnerships with organizations. This study assessed progress made by the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods as a case study in building farmers' capacities in agronomy practices. We surveyed 454 households, of whom 48.2% had trained in agronomy between the 2014-2018 assessment period. The majority (58.4%) trained in seven modules considered in this study including soils, composting, land-use planning, agronomical practices, micronutrient gardening, postharvest, and marketing. By frequency of training, 55.7% trained between 1-7 of 21 maximum rounds, we found a higher average score of 84.7% in knowledge comprehension and retention. In application, trainees engaged most in micronutrient gardens (sack, keyhole, and kitchen gardens), used tarpaulins while drying crops, and had harvest reserves for food security. On changes in crop production, we established a general decrease in households' engagement in production for all seven crops traced in this study including amaranths, soybeans, millet, maize, beans, potatoes, and cassava. Most changes in livelihoods were attributed to food production especially cassava, potatoes, and beans. Income was mostly linked to sales from maize, millet, and beans. We recommend improvements in field monitoring to encourage participation in training and the adoption of agronomical practices.

Poster Proceedings. National American Association for Agricultural Education Conference. May 15-18, 2023, Raleigh, NC., 2023., 2023

This special issue attempts to further a line of critical inquiry in African politics, administra... more This special issue attempts to further a line of critical inquiry in African politics, administration and development discourse, which we refer to here as the ‘posts’. In our terminology, the ‘posts’ constitute a body of narratives, which critique the heterogeneous assortment of orthodoxies in the mainstream African development discourse. The ‘posts’, although part of the mainstream thinking, interrogate themes within that discourse for their disingenuous intellectual and policy approaches to African problems (see Bourdieu and Wacquant, 1999 for a general discussion of the subject). The ‘posts’ charge that mainstream discourses, far from being beacons of enlightenment about Africa, often reflect a broad intellectual inertia, manifested in failed policies to address poverty-alleviation, the region’s main development challenge

How urban form effects sense of community: a comparative case study of a traditional neighborhood... more How urban form effects sense of community: a comparative case study of a traditional neighborhood and conventional suburban development in Northern Virginia

Handbook of Emerging 21st-Century Cities, 2018

Journal of Planning Education and Research

This report examines ways to better support international students in U.S. and Canadian planning ... more This report examines ways to better support international students in U.S. and Canadian planning schools based on a survey and focus groups conducted by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Global Planning Education Committee (GPEC). Findings show that international students often face alienation and structural barriers to navigating universities and living in an unfamiliar culture, along with identity ambiguity, inadequate career services, and narrowly focused urban planning curricula. This suggests the need for greater mentorship; explicit recognition in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts; tailored professional development; and more holistic support systems.

SSA's interlocking urban environmental problems are magnified by shortcomings in management and o... more SSA's interlocking urban environmental problems are magnified by shortcomings in management and oversight by both governments and the private sector. Patrick lives in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he works as a chef at a Chinese restaurant. Patrick is a mixed-race South African, born in Cape Town. He worked for many years as a cook on oil tankers, where many of the crew members were Bangladeshi, Filipino, or Tanzanian, the latter often from the Zanzibar islands or from Dar es Salaam.

Africa Today, 2019

Globalization is one of the most important socioeconomic processes of recent decades, but it has ... more Globalization is one of the most important socioeconomic processes of recent decades, but it has elicited a reactionary backlash in some countries, leading to calls for reform. President Trump's rise to power in the United States and his determination to rewrite his country's involvement in globalization have brought substantial changes to foreign policy, including the US-Africa relationship. His administration's policies appear undeveloped, but we can determine distinct trends and tendencies. This article examines the effects of these policies on Africa to argue that they go beyond a return to the benign neglect shown by many US presidents before the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, to include a malign governmental gaze, exemplifying a retreat from US global hegemony through selective delinking in aid, and manifesting economic and security interests in Africa in particularly detrimental ways.