ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessment of farmers’ indigenous knowledge of soil quality management practices in Ghana: A case study of crop farmers in Ada West District

The efforts to increase soil productivity has been field-based experiments with little information on farmers’ indigenous knowledge of soil quality acquired through experience. This study assessed farmers’ indigenous knowledge on soil quality and fertility management practices in the Ada West District of Ghana. Two hundred-and-twelve farmers from five communities (Yomlekope, Aditsirekope, Zuenor, Fantevikope and Asigbeykope) were interviewed using pre-tested questionnaire. Fifteen farmers were selected from each community identified and made to classify their soils into high, medium and low soil quality. Thirty-six soil samples were collected based on farmers’ categorization and analysed to determine some physicochemical prop erties to determine the differences in soil quality categories. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to select effec tive indicators as the Minimum Data Set (MDS). Results showed that 89% of farmers’ used soil amendments, out of which 71.1% combined organic and inorganic fertilizer, 19.6% applied only organic and 9.3% applied only inorganic fertilizers. The soil quality indicators used by farmers were based on visually observable indicators such as soil colour, presence of living organ isms, soil moisture, vigour plant growth, crop yield, soil texture, presence of plants and weeds, erosion and thickness of topsoil. Farmers’ soil quality categorization was contrary to the laboratory reports, although soils from perceived high quality soil were relatively higher than medium and low soils. In Principal Component 1 (PC1), electrical conductivity, available phosphorus, or ganic carbon, organic matter, calcium, and magnesium had a higher positive loading. In PC2, sand and silt had the highest fac tor loading, while clay and sodium had the highest factor loading for PC3 and PC4, respectively. Farmers have good knowledge of soil quality but did not know the rate of soil amendments to apply. It is suggested that farmers’ indigenous knowledge should be supplemented with scientific soil information. There is a need for more training and education on the application rates of soil amendments.

Source: UG
Assessment of fluoride removal in a batch electrocoagulation process: A case study in the Mount Meru Enclave.

The presence of excessive amounts of fluoride than prescribed standards has been reported in various sources of domestic water supply around the slopes of Mount Meru and other parts in Tanzania. Efforts to remove the excessive fluoride have been carried out using various technologies. In this study, electrocoagulation experiments were carried out to as- sess its efficiency on fluoride removal. The fluoride concentration tested ranged from 1.37 to 48 mg/L in both synthetic and natural waters. The voltage applied in the electrocoag- ulation (EC) process ranged from 0 to 50 V while maintaining pH values of 4 to 9. The representative experimental results for the Ngarenanyuki river water with initial fluoride concentration of 29.5 mg/L accomplished a removal efficiency of 90% at an optimal elec- trolysis time of 30 min, an applied voltage of 30 V and an optimal pH of 6. The method showed efficient fluoride removal in water to allowable limits by World Health Organiza- tion (WHO) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) (1.5 mg/L). Despite the voltage applied (30 V), the pH at neutrality remained unchanged thus making the process more efficient. At this voltage (30 V) the process has been reported previously also to have the capability of disinfecting the water and hence rendering such water safe for use.

Source: UG
Assessment of four plant extracts as maize seed protectants against Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus in Ghana

Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus can cause weight loss of about 20 to 90% of untreated stored maize seeds. This study assesses four plants (Lantana camara, Moringa oleifera, Citrus sinensis and Hyptis suaveolens) extracts as seed maize protectants against the two insects in Ghana. The study was laid out in a CRD with three replications. Dried powders (5 and 10% w/w) and aqueous extracts (0.05 and 0.1 g/mL) of the botanicals were evaluated for their insecticidal activity with untreated control and Actellic included as checks. Oviposition and survivorship of insects decreased in grains treated with plant extracts. The phytochemical analysis revealed that compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins and pheno lic, steroids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, phlobatannins, cardiac glycosides and ter penoids were recorded in all four plant extracts. These compounds may have caused lower progeny emergence, inhibitory effect, repellent action and antifeedant effect to S. zeamais and P. truncatus in grains treated with the botanicals. Maize seeds treated with botanicals after 10 weeks in cribs recorded a reduction in the percentage of seeds damaged and weight loss caused by the two insects compared to the untreated seeds. The study proposes that the botanicals tested, especially H. suaveolens have the potential to enhance quality seed production thereby boosting growth in the seed industry. The botanicals are recommended for use by seed producers and farmers to control P. truncatus and S. zeamais in stored maize seeds.

Source: UG
Assessment of Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Infestation Levels on Citrus in Abura Asebu Kwamankese District, Ghana

Citrus spp. (Rutaceae), is a major cash crop inGhana and is cultivated in the semi-deciduous for-est zone, which covers parts of the Ashanti,Brong-Ahafo, Eastern, Western, Central and Voltaregions of the country (Anno-Nyarko 1998). Cur-rent production as at 2013 is estimated at over700 000 t annually (FAO 2013). One of the majorthreats to the citrus industry is fruit fly infestation.Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among themost important insect pests of fruits, especiallymangoes (Lux et al. 2003; Vayssières et al. 2008;Ekesi et al. 2009). Female fruit flies lay eggs underthe skin of the fruit, which hatch into larvae thatfeed in the decaying flesh of the crop. Infestedfruits quickly rot and become inedible or drop onthe ground, thus causing direct loss to the farmer.Besides the direct damage to the fruit, indirect lossis associated with quarantine restrictions that areimposed by fruits and vegetable importing coun-tries.

Source: UG
Assessment of genetic diversity among African cassava Manihot esculenta Grantz accessions resistant to the cassava mosaic virus disease using SSR markers

A study was conducted to determine the extent of genetic diversity among African cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) accessions resistant to the cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD), using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The accessions included a breeding stock (clone 58308), five improved lines, 62 CMD resistant and 10 CMD susceptible landraces. Genetic diversity was assessed among accessions in five cluster groups derived from UPGMA analysis on data from 18 SSR primer pairs. Average gene diversity, He, was high in all cluster groups, with an average heterozygosity of 0.591 ± 0.061. The estimator of inbreeding Fis revealed a low level of inbreeding within groups and averaged -0.262 ± 0.142. Gene diversity among all accessions was 51.4% and gene diversity within cluster groups was 46.6%, while 4.8% was due to diversity between the different cluster groups. The amount of genetic differentiation measured by Gst and Fst were 9.6% and 12.1% respectively, indicating a weak genetic structure. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

Source: UG
Assessment of genetic gains for grain yield and components from introgression of temperate donor inbred line into tropical elite maize inbred lines: II. Performance inter se

In maize breeding programs, temperate germplasm can be used to introgress genes from temperate inbred lines into elite tropical maize inbred lines to improve grain yield and its components across environments. This study’s objective was to determine the genetic gains for grain yield and its components achieved by the introgression of temperate maize germplasm in tropical elite maize inbred lines for adaptability to South African environments. One hundred and twenty-two Introgressed inbred lines developed using the pedigree breeding method were crossed to four tropical elite inbred line testers using a line x tester mating design to obtain 488 experimental single cross hybrids. Subject to availability of adequate seed for evaluation, a panel of 444 experimental single-cross hybrids were evaluated using an augmented design in two experiments defined as populations A and B at three sites in South Africa environments. Grain yield and ear prolificacy had positive realized genetic gains of up to 58 and 26%, respectively, relative to the panel mean and commercial check hybrids. Secondary traits, such as anthesis and silking days, had gains ranging from 1 to 37%. Negligible gains were attained for stalk and root lodging and grain moisture content at harvest. Despite the need for further improvement, introgressed inbred lines performance inter se indicated significant grain yield potential improvements following one breeding cycle. The following experimental single-cross hybrids 12C22785, 12C20628, 11C1774, 12C20264, 12C20595, 11C1645 13XH349 outperformed the best commercial check hybrid PAN6Q445B, a leading hybrid on the South African market for grain yield performance potential. These seven selected single-cross hybrids also combined high grain yield potential performance with good ear prolificacy, in particular, experimental single-cross hybrids 12C20628, 11C1774 and 12C202595. Two experimental single-cross hybrids 12C2064 and 13XH349, combined high grain yield performance potential with low grain moisture content at harvest and improved standing ability relative to commercial check hybrids. Parents of these selected experimental single-cross hybrids will be advanced in the breeding program and will be the basis of future breeding for adaptation to South African environments. However, the general trend showed that many of the selected experimental single-cross hybrids did perform poorly for standability data depicted by plant aspects such as plant and ear height, stalk, and root lodging. Therefore, there is a need to improve these plants further to enhance the adaptability of tropical germplasm in South African environments. In conclusion, the introgression strategy effectively enhanced tropical elite inbred lines for the desired economic traits, to the extent that several of their combinations resulted in superior hybrids that are highly desired for South African markets.

Source: UG
An Assessment of Ghana’s Contribution Towards West African Integration.

After several efforts at forming a body that will seek to integrate the entire sub-region, ECOWAS was finally formed in 1975. However, after forty years of existence ECOWAS is still far from achieving its integrative agenda. ECOWAS is faced with the challenge of its leaders’ perception and will bearing on the manner in which sub-regional policies and protocols are implemented. Thus there is the general perception that governments of West African countries have dealt with the issues of the sub-region with different emphasis. There is however very little research or comparative frameworks to serve as a measure to determine how various member countries have contributed to the sub-regions integration agenda. This case study research therefore sought to establish whether Ghana as an individual country has since her independence in 1957, contributed significantly towards the sub-regional integration agenda. The study showed that over the years, various Ghanaian governments have either been passive or active with the sub-regions integration agenda. The passive integration era for Ghana was as a result of domestic challenges. Ghana however became committed to the sub-regions integration drive in the early 1990’s and has since assumed a leading role in integration scheme. Ghana has been at the forefront of economic, infrastructural and security developments. Ghana however needs to double its efforts at meeting the criteria for the sub-regions conversion to a single currency regime, as well as resolve its trade differences with Nigeria so as to serve a booster for the much craved for community common market.

Source: UG
An Assessment of Ghana’s Efforts in Achieving Sustainable Development

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, called on all countries to adopt National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDS) that will integrate and harmonize development policies by ensuring that they balance economic, social and environmental objectives. It also called for the establishment of solid and resourced institutions that can ensure this integration in a more coherent and coordinated manner. This paper assesses Ghana’s efforts in the implementation of sustainable development (SD) strategies with particular emphasis on the period 1990-2002. The study does this using SD indicators selected by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment. Analysis of the data indicates that the country has made some efforts in ensuring SD through the formulation of new policies and/or the modification of existing ones to suit SD objectives. In the area of economic sustainability, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flow, net Overseas Development Investment (ODI), Gross National Savings (GNS) and Gross Domestic Investment (GDI) has all increased. However, dependence on external loans, huge trade and current account deficits as well as the inability to add value to primary product pose a threat to SD. On the social indicators, poverty and inequality has generally reduced. Also, access to sanitation and safe water has improved together with other health and education indicators. In the area of environment, total land area under cultivation has increased together with irrigated agricultural land though the increase is marginal. Sadly, the percentage of people using biomass is very high. Carbon dioxide emissions from the consumption of Petroleum and Carbon Intensity on the average have increased though in global terms, Ghana’s emission of carbon dioxide from the use of petroleum products is quite low. Inspite of these successes, there are many challenges. General and specific policy measures aimed at improving the implementation of the SD agenda are provided.

Source: UG
An Assessment of Ghana’s Efforts Towards the Attainment of SDG 4 and 16: A Case Study of The Prohibition of Corporal Punishment in Ghanaian Basic Schools

The United Nation’s SDG 4, Target 4.a and SDG 16, Target 16.2 respectively stipulate the provision of “safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environment for all” and an “end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children”. In pursuant of the United Nations convention on the Rights of the Child (UNHCR), a directive from the Ghana Education Service (GES) officially banned all forms of corporal punishment of children in Ghanaian schools in 2017. Three years after the ban, it is crucial to assess the extent of implementation, systems put in place to ensure adherence, the successes and challenges faced. This study focuses on assessing the efforts towards implementing and monitoring the ban on corporal punishment in basic schools in Ghana, in conformity with SDG 4 and SDG 16. This dissertation is a case study research which employs a qualitative approach using both random and purposive sampling techniques. In addition to secondary data, semi-structured interview guides were used to collected primary data from target population in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The qualitative content analysis was chosen as a tool for analysing data for this research. The findings of the study reveal that although head teachers, teachers and a majority of pupils were aware of the ban on corporal punishment in Ghanaian schools, they had limited knowledge with regard to what the policy actually entailed. Findings further revealed that GES field officers and circuit supervisors through periodic visits and supervision do monitor all other educational activities in schools, including but not exclusively corporal punishment. Reporting systems established by GES and Ministry of Gender were mostly not resorted to by both parents and students, mainly attributed to a lack of awareness on these channels. The study also shows that students, teachers and parents are aware of the ban on corporal punishment; and the observance of the ban has led to a significant increase in school enrolment and reduction in school based violence against children. In conclusion, the study recommends that the GES should continuously educate stakeholders of education on the rights of the child as well as sensitize them on the implications of corporal punishment and alternative ways of correcting the child. Future research works on the implementation of the ban on corporal punishment in second cycle schools in Ghana could be explored with a statistical analysis of the impact of the ban on enrollment and retention of students.

Source: UG
An Assessment Of Ghana’s Engagements With Its Diaspora Under The Fourth Republic

ABSTRACT The discourse on linkages between migration and development is receiving a lot of scholarly attention. With the increasing interest in the discourse of the diasporas of Africa as a great potential contributor to Africa’s development, it has become imperative for research to be conducted on the new methods and policies that African states have implemented to tap into this developmental potential. In view of the foregoing, this study seeks to investigate the strategies Ghana has adopted to engage its diaspora under its Fourth Republic. Within the framework of transnationalism, the study adopts a qualitative research approach aimed at exploring the state led engagement initiatives undertaken during this period. It identifies the successes and challenges that have been associated with their implementation and whether or not these programmes have culminated into gains for Ghana’s political and socio-economic development. The policies are also critically examined to determine whether or not they have been undertaken on the long term being continued by successive governments. Relying on primary sources of data obtained by interviewing experts on the topic, as well as secondary sources comprising books and journal articles, the study found that most of the programmes were not long term not because successive governments failed to continue them; rather these were not designed to be long term and some lacked proper coordination. The study thus concluded that Ghana’s engagement with its diaspora has been conducted in an ad hoc manner mainly due to a lack of a comprehensive national engagement policy. The study thus emphasized the need to launch the national engagement policy and also extend more rights to its diasporians amidst other pragmatic ways of integrating them into the homeland.

Source: UG
An Assessment of Ghana’s Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Addressing the Phenomenon of Child Trafficking

Cognizant of the fact that children are vulnerable and need protection, the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child was enacted in 1989 to safeguard the welfare of children. This development spurred the child rights agenda in most countries across the globe, and Ghana was no exception. Indeed, Ghana set the pace by being the first country to ratify the Convention. Thereafter, the 1992 Constitution and the 1998 Children’s Act were promulgated, and these became the linchpins for the promotion of the well-being of children in Ghana. Almost three decades after this landmark Convention and its domestication, the research, using primary as well as secondary sources, makes an assessment of its implementation, particularly in the area of child trafficking. The study relies on data obtained qualitatively through purposive sampling of expert opinions, using semi-structured interviews. The county has come under international scrutiny in recent years due to the prevalence of the threat in Ghana. For this reason, the study focuses its lenses on Article 35 of the Convention as it pertains to child trafficking. It throws light on the fact that despite the adoption of the Convention, and the efforts made so far in its implementation, a lacuna exists between what is prescribed on paper and what is practiced. An examination is made of the policy, legal and institutional structures put in place to guarantee the realization of the UNCRC in Ghana. Cultural abuses, lack of awareness and strong institutions to serve as a deterrent, poverty, are among the factors that exacerbate the trafficking of children in Ghana. These children are trafficked into labour in key sectors of the economy such as mining and agriculture, and sometimes for sex. Despite the progress made in building partnerships, major challenges persist in other areas of the fight against trafficking such as prosecution of offenders and the protection of victims. It therefore behoves on Ghana, as the main stakeholder to put in place appropriate measures that will fulfill the stipulations of Article 35. The study therefore makes recommendations in this regard, in order that, the incidence of child trafficking will not only be significantly reduced in the short run, but ultimately eliminated in the long run.

Source: UG
An Assessment of Ghana’s Performance under the Three-Year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from April 2015 to December 2017

Ghana joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at independence in 1957 and has benefitted from fifteen stabilisation programmes with the current Extended Credit Facility (ECF) being the sixteenth. This study seeks to critically assess the performance under the programme from April 2015 to December 2017. It argues that, the fundamental challenges that necessitated a bailout from the 20th century to present has not changed that much, hence a need to address the root causes of the perennial macroeconomic challenges. The study is guided by Compliance conceptual framework which explains why states implement international agreements or otherwise and this is relevant to the study because, it explains how policies adopted will be implemented given the implications of failing to comply. Using a qualitative research design, the study finds that, lack of fiscal discipline caused the missing of programme targets under the review period especially in 2016. The study concludes that, if economic challenges that led to this stabilisation programme are not addressed holistically, the country may opt for another stabilisation programme which comes with conditionalities in the future. Conditionalities lead to the implementation of austerity measures by government such as tax hikes, reduced spending and net hiring freeze in essential sectors of the economy. This study recommends that, the root causes of Balance of Payment (BoP) deficit can be mitigated by embarking on import substitution industrialisation and export led growth. More so, strict compliance to Public Financial Management Act (2016) Act 921 will prevent fiscal slippages especially in election years. This is because the Act clearly stipulates the penalty for the breach of the law.

Source: UG