ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Towards municipal solid waste source separation at the household level in Accra, Ghana

Municipal solid waste source separation at the household level has been endorsed as the way forward by all stakeholders in the waste management sector in Ghana. The study using waste stream analyses and laboratory investigations assesses the feasibility of this intervention in the Accra Metropolitan Area which has been divided into three income zones. The mean waste percentage composition was dominated by 75% organic and 8% plastic waste. Mean values for total carbon, available carbon, nitrogen, C/N and moisture values were 90.2, 45.1, 1.83, 27.6 and 51.7% respectively. The low income high density zone recorded higher separation levels followed by high income low density and middle income low density zones. The study recommends that the policies to guide its successful implementation should be supported by public education and the right infrastructure. Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Source: UG
Towards phylogeny and zoogography of the genus rheotanytarsus thienemann et bause, 1913 (diptera: Chironomidae)

Additions and corrections to the generic diagnosis of the genus Rheotanytarsus Thienemann et Bause is given. A list of all described species is given. Tanytarsus apenninicus Rossaro (1993: 233) is a junior synonym of Rheotanytarsus nigricauda Fittkau (1960: 397). R. kwangungensis Ree (1989: 211) probably is a junior synonym of Tanytarsus thermae Tokunaga (1940: 304), but not formally synonymized. The genus can be divided into four groups based on pupa alone, the 'ceratophylli', 'pellucidus', 'nigricauda', and 'curtistylus' groups. The first three appear to be clearly monophyletic, while the 'curtistylus' group is not. In order to determine the phylogeny of the genus all previously described species were re-examined from specimens available or from the literature. Different parsimony analyses were performed. The preferred tree using constraints based on the pupal types and species pairs repeatedly found in parsimony analyses yielded 15 groups: The aestuarius group consisting of 2 species only, the acerbus group with 6 species, the muscicola group with 13 species, the monotypic pentapoda group, the pellucidus group with 9 species, the sessilipersonatus group with 3 species, the globosus group with 5 species, the ororus group with 7 species, the aquilus group with 6 species, the thermae group with 5 species, the trivittatus group with 7 species, the curtistylus group with 3 species, the exiguus group with 6 species, the orientalis group with 4 species, and the guineensis group with 17 species. The preferred tree has the aestuarius group as the sister group of the remaining species with the following sequence (aestuarius gr. ((acerbus gr., muscicola gr.) (pentapoda gr. ((pellucidus gr. (sessilipersonatus gr. ((globosus gr., ororus gr.) (aquilus gr. (thermae gr., trivittatus gr.))))) (curtistylus gr. ((exiguus gr., orientalis gr.) guineensis gr.)))))). Geographic coevolutionary analyses were performed using Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA). Based on the area cladogram ancestral area analyses using the methods of Bremer (1992) and a modification of Ronquist (1994) and Michelsen (1994) counting terminal shifts only were also done. The genus Rheotanytarsus likely originated in Pangea prior to the final split between Africa and South America, but much later than the first break-up of the continents in the south. The ancestral area probably included Northeast Africa and South Asia. The genus shows a warm / eurythermic vicariant Gondwanan pattern with multiple sister group relationships between the South Asia subregion and the Afrotropical regions. The East Asia - North America linkage is likely of post-Miocene origin. African - West Palaearctic and South Asian - West Palaearctic vicariance are found in several groups. The evidence for West African - Brazilian vicariance is present, but very limited. Correspondence: O. A. Sæther, Museum of Zoology, Department of Zoology, University of Bergen, N-5007 Bergen, Norway. E-mail: ole.sather@zmb.uib.no.

Source: UG
Towards prediction of degenerate CTL epitope recognition

The cellular immune system is characterized by flexibility with respect to epitope recognition at the level of peptide binding to HLA molecules and HLA-peptide complexes to T-cell receptors (TCRs). For epitopes recognized by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), amino acid substitutions at different positions have varying impact on recognition. By analyzing the frequencies of specific amino acid substitutions at each position in conjunction with HLA-peptide binding and immune-response data, we have developed new methods to predict cross-reactive recognition of epitope variants by CTLs. We derived position-specific substitution matrices (EPSSMs) through the analysis of known HLA ligands and achieved relatively accurate prediction of detrimental and tolerated amino acid substitutions. Initial analysis of amino acid substitutions in CTL epitopes with degenerate recognition showed strong position-specific preferences. This first systematic analysis further suggested that spatial constraint may be the major molecular factor determining the degenerate epitope recognition. As the data cumulates, we anticipate that eventually EPSSMs will be available for prediction of degenerate T-cell epitope recognition.

Source: UG
Towards reconstructing Africa: Recuperation and responsibility in Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Healers

A product of Africa’s pre-colonial and colonial history, Ayi Kwei Armah’s fifth novel, The Healers (1978), is steeped in an African communalistic worldview and the functional conception of art. In this article, we examine the multiple dimensions to recuperation within the context of the reconstruction of Africa, the continental search for utopia, and the responsibility that this places on Africans. Using Armah’s communitarian perspectives on health as As a guide, we identify six interlocking subsets of recuperation: healing, re-creation, renascence, repossession, recall, and Sankofa (return). Informed by Molefi Kete Asante’s construct of agency and Armah’s communalistic injunctions to readers, we establish that permeating each of these building blocks is the responsibility of Africans to operationalize the reconstruction of Africa, the leitmotif of the novel. As helpers, visionaries, and custodians of vital traditional knowledge and skills, the healers facilitate the sharing of information on Africa’s past and future against the background of British colonial domination. We also show that Armah deliberately gives the novel this polysemic title to transcend the spatial, cultural, and epistemic limitations imposed on the continent by the colonial order. We conclude that the social orientation and creative configuration of health in the work are consistent with the diverse and intermingling meanings of recuperation

Source: UG
Towards Resilient Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of the English Language Literature on Health Workforce, Surveillance, and Health Governance Issues for Health Systems Strengthening.

Background: Meeting health security capacity in sub-Saharan Africa will require strengthening existing health systems to prevent, detect, and respond to any threats to health. The purpose of this review was to examine the literature on health workforce, surveillance, and health governance issues for health systems strengthening. Methods: We searched PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane library, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, EBSCO, Google scholar, and the WHO depository library databases for English-language publications between January 2007 and February 2017. Electronic searches for selected articles were supplemented by manual reference screening. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Out of 1,548 citations retrieved from the electronic searches, 31 articles were included in the review. Any country health system that trains a cadre of health professionals on the job, reduces health workforce attrition levels, and builds local capacity for health care workers to apply innovative mHealth technologies improves health sector performance. Building novel surveillance systems can improve clinical care and improve health system preparedness for health threats. Effective governance processes build strong partnerships for health and create accountability mechanisms for responding to health emergencies. Conclusions: Overall, policy shifts in African countries’ health systems that prioritize training a cadre of willing and able workforce, invest in robust and cost-effective surveillance capacity, and create financial accountability and good governance are vital in health strengthening efforts.

Source: UG
Towards standardised and valid anthropometric indicators of nutritional status in middle childhood and adolescence

There is growing recognition of the significance of nutrition across middle childhood (5–9 years) and adolescence (10–19 years), particularly in the context of global food insecurity and rising overweight and obesity. Until now, policymakers have been slow to respond to rapidly changing patterns of malnutrition across these years. One barrier has been a lack of consistent and regular nutrition surveillance systems for this age group. There is ongoing debate around what should be measured, as well as how best to operationalize anthropometric indicators that have been the cornerstone of nutrition surveillance in younger children and adults. Even with consensus on the importance of a given anthropometric indicator, different terminologies, reference data and cut-offs present difficulties in interpreting trends over time and between countries. We highlight the need for revisiting anthropometric indicators across middle childhood and adolescence, a process that will require WHO and UNICEF coordination, with the engagement of national implementors and policymakers, and partnership with the research communities and donors.

Source: UG
Towards Striga-resistant Gene pool in Nigerian Pearl millet landraces

Parasitism of crop plants by Striga species is a major constraint in the savannah zones of West Africa. A germplasm collection comprised of 240 accessions of pearl millet was screened under natural Striga hermonthica infestation to identify sources of Striga resistance. Data were collected at different time points, specifically at 70, 90 and 140 days after planting for Striga count, Striga vigour and Striga severity. Number of panicles weight and Grain yield were also measured. The results revealed significant variation in the resistance of pearl millet genotypes to Striga. Fifteen genotypes identified as the most resistant were free of emerged Striga shoots. 10 genotypes supported 1–4 4 Striga shoots but with appreciable yield and 15 genotypes supported 1-4 Striga shoots and low grain yield. Principal Component and cluster analyses grouped these genotypes into 3 main clusters medium yielding tolerant to Striga, low yielding susceptible to Striga and medium to high yielding resistant to Striga. The high level of resistance observed in some breeding lines enabled the selection of suitable parents for population development.

Source: UG
Towards Sustainable Journalism In Sub-Saharan Africa Policy Brief

In sub-Saharan Africa, Fojo Media Institute and five other organisations are jointly promoting independent journalism and protecting the space for civil society organisations and human rights defenders. Bringing together academics and researchers in four universities in South Africa and Sweden, this project is part of the project: Consortium to Promote Human Rights, Civic Freedoms and Media Development (CHARM) project. The main objective is to introduce the concept of sustainable journalism, define what the concept could entail in a sub-Saharan context and investigate the implications for media development in sub-Saharan Africa. Stakeholder discussions were held with relevant media actors in four countries within sub-Saharan Africa on the subject matter. The findings, which provide clear policy directions, are shared in this report.

Source: UG
Towards Sustainable Post-Conflict Development in Africa: The Promise of Human Security

Since the end of the Cold War, rebuildinginfrastructure, political and social institutions, and generally creating conditions that sustain peace and development in post conflict countries have become a staple in the business of the international community. The recent Arab Springs in North Africa and ongoing challenges in Syria have generated even more post-conflict and peace-consolidating concerns for the international community. At the center of these conflicts are human beings. Any meaningful plan for post-conflict development must therefore protect and empower individuals affected by violent conflict. This is in accordance with human security which generically advocates for the individual as the referent object of security. This notwithstanding, the current practice is dominated by the liberal democratic paradigm and traditional notions of security that stress the security of the state often above the security of the individuals living in the state. Consequently,the focus has tended to be on improving macro-economic indices, organizing democratic elections and building democratic institutions in a manner that make these institutions look like ends rather than means to an end. The implication has often been the inability to restore confidence in post-conflicts governments timely enough to garner support from war-affected population for sustained post conflict development. It is therefore not surprising that a number of post-conflict countries are challenged by the threat of relapse. In interrogating the context of post-conflict development, this paper argues that a holistic application of the human security framework is the lynchpin to preventing relapse in post-conflict countries. It further notes that in its application, human security should remain at the core of strategy rather than ancillary to other strategies.

Source: UG
Towards the Access to and Usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Polytechnic Education

This paper focuses on access to and use of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in Polytechnic Education in Ghana using the Accra Polytechnic, as a case study. The study assessed the impact ICT has had on teaching and learning in polytechnic education. Using a quantitative survey research methodology, data was collected from twenty (20) lecturers and one hundred (105) students of Accra Polytechnic. The data for the study was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16. The results of the study revealed that the majority of lecturers (90%) and students (74%) of Accra Polytechnic had access to and use ICT facilities but there were inadequate facilities, little access time and little use of the application software available to them to improve teaching and learning. For these reasons, the promised benefits of ICT in education as illustrated in this paper would only be achieved, if Accra Polytechnic gets enough and new technology, facilitates the right ICT curricula and pedagogies and acquires long-term financial commitments for ICT implementation.

Source: UG
Towards the development of analytical monograph specifications for the quality assessment of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus urinaria

Many people in developing countries rely on herbal remedies for their primary healthcare needs. The challenge however is that several of these products lack proper documentation of quality and safety. To ensure consistent quality, validated methods are needed to establish and control quality attributes associated with identity, purity, and levels of bioactive constituents of the respective herbal materials. The present study focused on Phyllanthus urinaria (PU), a widely used medicinal plant in Ghana and West Africa that lacks the necessary quality control standards. The study aimed to develop an HPTLC identification method, which together with UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS analysis established the identity of PU samples and differentiated PU from other closely related Phyl lanthus species. Quantitative UPLC and HPTLC methods were developed to assess the contents of selected active markers in the PU samples, which invariably led to the proposal of acceptance criteria for the active markers. Prior to the content analyses, the sample extraction procedure was optimized through the use of Design of Experiment method. The effects of harvest time and geographic origin on the content of active compounds were demonstrated in the investigations. PU samples were also found to be contaminated with higher levels of pes ticides like chlorpyrifos and folpet. Essentially, this study provides analytical protocols, insights into the quality status of PU samples in Ghana, and analytical specifications contained in a drafted monograph for future consideration in regional and subregional African pharmacopoeias.

Source: UG
Towards the elimination of the bioko form of simulium Yahense from Bioko: Planning and insecticide trials

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Towards the establishment of national imaging practice guidelines: A preliminary study of the basic computed tomography imaging protocols in Ghana

Background There is a need to harmonize imaging practices in computed tomography (CT) imaging. This study, therefore, investigated the variability of the basic imaging protocols used for CT imaging of common indications in Ghana in order to generate recommendations for the development of national imaging practice guidelines in CT imaging. Method A cross-sectional study, utilizing a structured online questionnaire, was undertaken (between December 2018 to March 2019) to collect indication-based imaging protocol data (scan coverage, scan series, image quality requirement, slice thickness, reconstruction, scan mode and orientation, required window, AEC usage, scan and breath hold techniques etc.,) across the various CT facilities in the country. Data were analysed and with experts’ input, recommendations were made. Results The imaging protocols used across the CT facilities in the country were largely similar, with a few variabilities for similar examinations. These variabilities were found in scan coverages, series and slice thicknesses. In particular, for a brain tumour examination, 92% of the 25 facilities used both non-contrast and contrast phases while 8% preferred only the IV contrast phase. Seventy percent of all the facilities (n=10) performing pulmonary angiograms in the country also used a two-sequence scan, and others (30%) worked with only the angiogram phase. A majority (89%) of the 19 facilities that were engaged in CT-IVU procedures also used 3-4 scan phases, while 11% preferred a split-bolus technique. None of the facilities employed the low-dose or ultra-low dose protocol for kidney stone examination. Conclusions The study's outcome provides an important preliminary roadmap that could lead to the development of imaging practice guidelines to ensure harmonization of imaging practices to improve the protection and safety of patients across the CT facilities.

Source: UG
“Towards the Retrieval of the Lost Voice: Contestation and Reclamation of Discourse in Half a Century of African Women’s Europhone Fiction”

Propelled by politics, sub-Saharan African women’s fiction witnessed a phenomenal growth in the twentieth century. On the basis of African women’s primary role in early child education and the transmission of oral literature, their creative writing, coming after their exclusion from the public sphere, represents attempts at the re-appropriation of lost literary space and discursive power. This essay seeks to study the contestatory elements constitutive of the literary production by African women writers from the late 1940s to the end of the twentieth century. The essay establishes that two phases emerge from this creativity. First, between 1947 and 1974, female African women’s writing is marked by the politicization of the domestic. In the second cycle spanning the period between 1975 and 2000, feminist African creative writing is characterized by the deepening and radicalization of the already politicized private realm.

Source: UG
Toxic leadership behaviour of nurse managers on perceived job satisfaction and productivity of nursing workforce in sub-Saharan Ghana: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

Abstract Aim: This study aimed at assessing the nature and effect of toxic leadership of nurse managers on the perceived job satisfaction and productivity of the nursing workforce. Background: Nursing job outcomes such as job satisfaction and productivity are influenced by various factors in the nursing practice environment including leadership. Due to rising health care expenses and depleting material resources, the productivity of nurses that is expected to improve the efficiency of health care organizations is mostly low. Managers’ toxic behaviour towards nurses affects their job satisfaction and subsequently low productivity. Method: A multi-centre, cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Validated tools were used to collect data from participants, and data were analysed using descriptive, correlation, and hierarchical linear regressions. Results: Registered nurses appraised the leadership behaviour of nurse managers to be toxic, with most managers exhibiting narcissistic leadership behaviour. Though all the components of toxic leadership behaviour of manager and job satisfaction were associated with the perceived productivity of the nurses; only intemperate leadership behaviour of the managers (β = .301, p < .005), and job satisfaction (β = .296, p < .001) significantly predicted perceived productivity among nurses (R2 = .238, F(7, 922) = 41.088, p < .001). Conclusion: Nurse managers’ leadership behaviours were toxic. Nurses’ job satisfaction and all components of managers’ toxic leadership behaviour influenced productivity. Implications for Nursing Management: There should be a policy developed to guide the creation and maintenance of efficient nursing leadership to enhance job satisfaction and productivity among nurses.

Source: UG