Research Article
Exploring the Impact of Demographic Characteristics on Access to Basic Social Services in Ghana: A Multivariate Regression Analysis Approach
Iddrisu Bariham*
,
William Kofi Nkegbe
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
101-117
Received:
15 April 2026
Accepted:
24 April 2026
Published:
16 May 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ss.20261503.11
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Views:
Abstract: Most people living in the underserved rural communities in Ghana, do not have access to basic social services, such as portable water, electricity, mobile phones and internet, to promote healthy and productive living. Consequently, this research explores the influence of demographic variables on people access to basic social amenities using the Afrobarometer survey Round 10 data on Ghana. A total of 2,400 respondents were randomly sampled across all districts in the 16 regions. Structured questionnaires were the main instruments used for data collection. The data was analyzed using inferential statistics, such as correlation and multivariate regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The findings show a significant effect of socio-spatial, educational, and gender disparities in access to basic social services in the country. Individual level of education emerged as a strong predictor of access to the internet, mobile phone ownership and portable water. People's location, particularly the rural-urban divide, proved to be a major determinant of access to basic social amenities, while regional inequalities were evident across nearly all the outcome variables. The study recommends positioning education as a central instrument for socio-economic empowerment and civic engagement; targeted, context-specific development planning policies that prioritize expansion of infrastructure and social amenities to underserved communities; bridging the digital divide; and implementation of gender-sensitive digital inclusion strategies to reduce technology access gaps that constrain women's socio-political participation.
Abstract: Most people living in the underserved rural communities in Ghana, do not have access to basic social services, such as portable water, electricity, mobile phones and internet, to promote healthy and productive living. Consequently, this research explores the influence of demographic variables on people access to basic social amenities using the Afr...
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