ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Biology of Anopheles gambiae and insecticide resistance: Entomological study for a large scale of indoor residual spraying in South East Benin

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
Biology, Behaviours, T2DM and Hypertension among Young Adults in Accra, Ghana

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD) are a principal cause of death and disability globally. Ghana is in the middle of lifestyle transition and has a high prevalence of risk factors that contribute to the onset of NCDs. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension are among the most common NCDs. This research examines the links between lifestyle factors (nutrition, alcohol, smoking, sedentary behaviour and physical activity) with T2DM, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia status, among a group of young adults from the Greater Accra region of Ghana. A population-based sample of 117 participants aged 18 to 35 years were recruited. Data on anthropometric parameters (height, weight, skinfolds and several circumferences), blood pressure, and biomarkers (fasting plasma glucose/OGTT, and serum lipids- total cholesterol and triglycerides) were taken. Physical activity levels were subjectively and objectively measured with the IPAQ and actigraph respectively. Questionnaire data on demographic characteristics, dietary behavior, smoking, and alcohol consumption were also included in the analysis. There were no cases of T2DM and hyperglycaemia. Moreover, rates of systolic (3.3%) and diastolic (1.8%) hypertension were low. However; systolic pre-hypertension and diastolic pre-hypertension prevalence was 25.7% and 6.8% respectively. High cholesterol prevalence was 21.7 % and total elevated triglyceride prevalence 20.9%. Smoking prevalence was minimum (1.7%) compared to alcohol consumption (37.1%). Adiposity measures were high with 37.6% overweight/obesity and 21.4% central obesity prevalence. The actigraph results revealed that participants spent more than 73% of their time sedentary.

Source: UG
Biomarker of Anopheles exposure in Ghanaian children with hemoglobin S and C

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Biomarkers of renal dysfunction among Ghanaian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus- a cross-sectional study

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a heterogeneous collection of disorders characterized by reduced insulin sensitivity and increased glucose output. The abnormal vascular architecture observed within the first few years of diabetes onset suggests that complications such as nephropathy develop earlier in affected individuals than is generally known. Prompt determination of decline in renal function among diabetics is therefore very crucial. In the present study, we evaluated circulating levels of adiponectin, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) as novel biomarkers of renal dysfunction. One hundred and eight Ghanaian patients with T2DM were recruited for this study. Biochemical and immunoassays were employed in measuring the levels of the biomarkers for all participants. Metabolic syndrome indices including body mass index (BMI), serum glucose, and uric acid levels were not found to be associated with adiponectin concentrations. Fifteen participants had normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 79 had a mildly reduced eGFR, and 24 had moderately reduced eGFR representing 12.8, 66.9, and 20.3%, respectively. Proteinuria correlated significantly with decreasing eGFR. Serum levels of adiponectin, ADMA, and NOSTRIN (p = 0.002; p = 0.001; p = 0.012, respectively) were, however, found to be independently associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) among the type 2 diabetics. We observed that elevated circulating levels of adiponectin, ADMA, and NOSTRIN could be important in characterizing early CKD stages among type 2 diabetics.

Source: UG
Biomass-Based Innovations in Demand Driven Research and Development Projects in Africa

The case for demand-driven research and development has received important considerations among governments, donors and programme implementing partners in development planning and implementation. Addressing demand is believed to be a bottom-top approach for designing and responding to development priorities and is good for achieving development outcomes. In this paper, we discuss the concept and application of demand-driven research and development (DDRD) in Africa. We use evidence of six projects implemented under the BiomassWeb Project in Africa. We focus on parameters on level of engagement of stakeholders—whose demand is being articulated, the processes for demand articulation, capacity building and implementation processes, innovativeness of the project, reporting and sustainability of the project. We find that the nature of the institutions involved in articulation and implementation of demand-driven research and development projects and their partnerships influence the impact and reporting of demand-driven projects.

Source: UG
Biomedical Engineering in Ghana

Even though Biomedical engineering contributes significantly to healthcare delivery, its full potential is yet to be comprehended and appropriated by the health sector in Ghana. This paper therefore provides a comprehensive description of Biomedical engineering in Ghana as at November, 2011 and makes recommendations based on the situation in Ghana and some developed countries. Biomedical engineering in Ghana started in the late 1990s thanks to the combined efforts of the pioneering stakeholders of the field. Since then, the country has seen a steady increase in the number of institutions engaged in educating and employing biomedical engineers. Though Bioinstrumentation is the dominant subspecialty in Ghana, it employs less than half the graduates of the field annually. Regulatory bodies for medical devices and consumables exist in the country, though not operating at full capacity. For Biomedical engineering to be firmly established in Ghana there should be a massive campaign to educate the public on its relevance. Educational institutions should strive to supply well trained biomedical engineers to meet increasing demands, while the government provides funds for the necessary logistics for such a cause. To avoid redundancy in the roles each identified regulatory body should have clearly defined and differentiated tasks.

Source: UG
Biomethane Production From Residual Algae Biomass (Ecklonia maxima): Efects of Inoculum Acclimatization on Yield

This paper presents the effects of inoculum acclimatization on biomethane production from extraction residues of the seaweed (Ecklonia maxima) via anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion of Ecklonia maxima has been studied with and without acclimatized inoculum under mesophilic conditions (~37 °C) for a digestion period of twenty (20) days. The acclimatized inoculum-seaweed sample recorded the highest methane yield of~ 862 ml CH4/gVS (~ 55% of the total biogas produced) compared to the~580 ml CH4/gVS recorded for the non-acclimatized inoculum- seaweed sample, both within the first ten (10) days. Kinetic studies on acclimatized and non-acclimatized samples were carried out using the modifed Gompertz model. The model showed coefcients of determination (R2 ) of 0.99 and 0.98 with an estimated yield rate (µ) of~296 ml/ gVS/day (0.4 days phase lag, λ) and~60 ml/gVS/day (3.4 λ) for the acclimatized and non-acclimatized samples respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed the presence of carboxylic, hydroxyl, ketone and ether groups which further corroborated the suitability of E. maxima for biogas production. The implications of the results are discussed to elucidate the potential of seaweed as a renewable energy source for macroalgae biorefnery.

Source: UG
Biometric Identification for Socioeconomic Development in Ghana

This paper draws on interpretive case study methodology and e-government enactment framework to understand Ghana’s biometric identification initiative implementation and its failure to achieve the intended socioeconomic development impacts. To better understand how such initiatives can be deployed to achieve the desired impacts, the findings on the reasons for the failed Ghana’s case are compared with that of a successful developing country’s case. The study offers contributions to research, policy and practice.

Source: UG
Biometric system for protecting information and improving service delivery: The case of a developing country’s social security and pension organisation

The conception of biometric systems as a means of securing sensitive information and enhancing service delivery remains under-researched. To address this knowledge gap, we explore the case of a public-sector social security and pension organisation in Ghana using a qualitative interpretative study approach and the information security model of confidentiality-integrity-availability as an analytical lens. The study’s findings indicate that integrating and using biometric identification and authentication as part of delivering social security and pension services can protect availability, confidentiality, and integrity of information. The findings further show that the use of a biometric system for social security and pension information security can contribute to reducing service turnaround time and vulnerability to fraudulent manipulation of benefits payments. The study provides implications for research, practice, and policy. For research, the paper opens up biometric systems’ study from the perspective of information security and service improvement. For practice and policy, the study demonstrates the importance of aligning biometric systems’ deployment and use with domain application requirements.

Source: UG
Biometric technology for voter identification: The experience in Ghana

Our study examines how and why Ghana’sfirst attempt to use biometric technology for voteridentification and verification in its 2012 general elections failed. We employ activity theory as theanalytical lens and interpretive case study as the methodology. Ourfindings show that theeffectiveness of biometric technology to provide reliable identification does not depend solely onits technical qualities but also on real-time connectivity between registration centres and anelectronic national register. Furthermore, the electoral officials need to be trained intensively tooperate the machines and given guidance on how to handle situations when breakdowns occur.While biometric technology does introduce powerful capabilities, it is just one piece of a complexhuman activity system.

Source: UG
Biometric technology for voter identification: The experience in Ghana

Our study examines how and why Ghana’s first attempt to use biometric technology for voter identification and verification in its 2012 general elections failed. We employ activity theory as the analytical lens and interpretive case study as the methodology. Our findings show that the effectiveness of biometric technology to provide reliable identification does not depend solely on its technical qualities but also on real-time connectivity between registration centres and an electronic national register. Furthermore, the electoral officials need to be trained intensively to operate the machines and given guidance on how to handle situations when breakdowns occur. While biometric technology does introduce powerful capabilities, it is just one piece of a complex human activity system.

Source: UG
Biomonitoring of airborne heavy metals along a major road in Accra, Ghana

Lichens collected in an unpolluted forest (background) in November 2004, transplanted at 41 sampling sites along the Madina-Tetteh Quarshie road, retrieved in February 2005 and analysed were found to contain higher concentrations of Manganese (Mn), Vanadium (V), lead, Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni) than in the background area. Observations showed that of all the heavy metals studied, Manganese concentrations were highest at all sampling points with maximum values around a traffic light, an intersection and car fitting/mechanic workshops. Significant correlations were found between Ni and Mn, Mn and Cr and Mn and V. Statistical analysis also revealed a relatively even dispersion of the studied elements on the eastern side of the road than on the western side. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2007.

Source: UG
Biomonitoring of metals in blood and urine of electronic waste (E-waste) recyclers at Agbogbloshie, Ghana

There is growing evidence that e-waste recyclers may be exposed to potentially high levels of metals though associations between such exposures and speciﬁc work activities is not well established. In addition, studies have focused on metals traditionally biomonitored and there is no data on the exposure of recyclers to elements increasingly being used in new technologies. In the current study, levels of metals were measured in blood and urine of e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie (Ghana) and a control group. Blood and urine samples (from 100 e-waste recyclers and 51 controls) were analyzed for 17 el- ements (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Ce, Cr, Eu, La, Mn, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tb, Tl, Y) using the ICP-MS. Most e-waste recyclers reported performing at least 4 different tasks in decreasing order as e-waste dismantling (54%), trading/selling of e-waste (45%), burning wires only (40%), and collecting wires after burning (34%). Mean levels of blood Pb, Sr, Tl, and urinary Pb, Eu, La, Tb, and Tl were signiﬁcantly higher in recyclers versus controls. In general, the collectors and sorters tended to have higher elemental levels than other work groups. Blood Pb levels (mean 92.4 mg/L) exceeded the U.S. CDC reference level in 84% of the e-waste recyclers. Likewise, blood Cd, Mn, and urinary As levels in recyclers and controls were higher than in reference populations elsewhere. E-waste recyclers are exposed to metals traditionally studied (e.g., Pb, Cd, As) and several other technology-critical and rare earth elements which previously have not been characterized through human biomonitoring.

Source: UG
Bionomic responses of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) to lethal and sublethal concentrations of selected insecticides

Since 2016, the invasive insect Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctui dae) from the Americas has made maize production unattainable without pesticides in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. To counteract this pest, farmers often resort to the use haz ardous pesticides. This study aimed to investigate botanicals, microbials, and semi-syn thetic insecticides in Ghana for pest control without harming local ecosystems. Under laboratory and on-station conditions, the present study evaluated the acute and sublethal responses of S. frugiperda to: (i) Pieris rapae Granulovirus (PrGV) + Bacillus thuringiensis sub sp. kurstaki (Btk) 5 WP, (ii) Btk + monosultap 55 WP, (iii) ethyl palmitate 5 SC, (iv) aza dirachtin 0.3 SC, (v) acetamiprid (20 g/l) + λ-cyhalothrin (15 g/l) 35 EC, (vi) acetamiprid (30 g/l) + indoxacarb (16 g/l) 46 EC, and (vii) emamectin benzoate 1.9 EC. The results showed that at 96 hours post-exposure emamectin benzoate-based formulation has the highest acute larvicidal effect with lower LC50 values of 0.019 mL/L. However, the results suggested strong sublethal effects of PrGV + Btk, azadirachtin, and ethyl palmitate on the bionomics of S. frugiperda. Two seasons on-station experiments, showed that the semi-synthetic ema mectin benzoate and the bioinsecticide PrGV + Btk are good candidates for managing S. frugiperda. The promising efficacy of emamectin benzoate and PrGV + Btk on the bionomics of S. frugiperda in the laboratory and on-station demonstrated that they are viable options for managing this pest.

Source: UG
Bionomics of the sweet potato weevil, Cylas puncticollis (Coleoptera: Brentidae) on four different sweet potato varieties in sub-Saharan Africa

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is an important staple food crop in sub-Saharan Africa. A limiting production factor is infestation by the sweet potato weevil Cylas puncticollis (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Brentidae). The use of host plant resistance is an essential component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Therefore, the bionomic parameters of C. puncticollis were studied under laboratory conditions (30 ± 1 °C and 75 ± 5 % RH) on four sweet potato varieties commonly grown in Ghana (Apumoden, Ligri, Bohye, and Okumkom) to determine their susceptibility to the pest. There were significant varietal differences between some of the parameters. Egg to adult development time was highest on Okumkom while larval survival, emergence rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and the net reproductive rate were lowest on Bohye. The results of this study indicate that Bohye was the least susceptible variety compared to the other varieties tested and can be used in host plant resistance as part of an IPM programme against C. puncticollis in Ghana.

Source: UG
Biopesticides in Ghana: vegetable farmers’ perception and willingness to pay

The study investigates farmers’ perceptions of pests, pest control practices and their Willingness to Pay (WTP) for a new biopesticide in Ghana. The survey results suggest a rising trend in vegetable pest intensity with significant variation in farmers’ pest control practices, especially their choice of pesticide(s). Farmers are willing to pay a substantial price premium for improved agricultural environmental safety and cost reduction or yield enhancing benefits of a new biopesticide. Farmers’ perception that vegetable pest intensity is increasing, and their experience in farming and with the use of Dipel, a biopesticide, are identified to be the statistically significant determinants of farmers’ WTP for the new biopesticide. Evidence of farmers trying out other biopesticides or botanical products is an indication that there is good market potential for new biopesticides, although the market growth is likely to be slow. However, existing pest control practices combined with other results of this study indicate a need for enhanced and targeted education of farmers on the use of alternative pest control methods. Other recommendations include intensifying current initiatives geared at reducing the misuse of chemical pesticides, education of specific target groups, increased promotion of botanical products such as neem extracts, and wider dissemination of biological control and integrated pest management techniques.

Source: UG
A Biophysical and Socioeconomic Review of the Volta Delta, Ghana

Delta regions are dynamic and rich environments with diverse economic activities and are often densely populated.Deltas are being shaped by multiple drivers, including changes in sediment delivery to the coastal zone due to catchment changes, especially construction of dams on major rivers, intensified agriculture and/or aquaculture, mining, urbanisation, human-induced subsidence, climate change, and sea-level rise. These environmental challenges have significant implications for the livelihoods of delta residents. Thus, the integrated assessment of deltas is now attracting the attention of the scientific research community to analyse and understand deltas as coupled biophysical and socioeconomic systems. Most attention has been focussed on the major deltas. This review focusses on the smaller but regionally significant Volta delta, Ghana. Previous scientific studies are limited, with more focus upstream on the Volta River basin. Many contemporary problems are recognised in the Volta delta, especially erosion and flooding of the open coast fringe, such as at the town of Keta. However, these problems are treated independently, which may hinder identifying the root causes and the most effective solutions. Equally, the emergence of new problems might be anticipated and hence better managed or even avoided. This paper reviews the present delta with emphasis on biophysical processes and socioeconomic characteristics and considers in particular the current drivers and challenges.With this information, a research agenda will be established for a more systemic approach to understanding the Volta delta, including its residents and development.

Source: UG
Biophysical and Socioeconomic State and Links of Deltaic Areas Vulnerable to Climate Change: Volta (Ghana), Mahanadi (India) and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (India and Bangladesh)

We examine the similarities and differences of specific deltaic areas in parallel, under the project DEltas, vulnerability and Climate Change: Migration and Adaptation (DECCMA). The main reason for studying Deltas is their potential vulnerability to climate change and sea level rise, which generates important challenges for livelihoods. We provide insights into the current socioeconomic and biophysical states of the Volta Delta (Ghana), Mahanadi Delta (India) and Ganges- Brahmaputra-Meghna (India and Bangladesh). Hybrid methods of input-output (IO) construction are used to develop environmentally extended IO models for comparing the economic characteristics of these delta regions with the rest of the country. The main sources of data for regionalization were country level census data, statistics and economic surveys and data on consumption, trade, agricultural production and fishing harvests. The Leontief demand‐driven model is used to analyze land use in the agricultural sector of the Delta and to track the links with final demand. In addition, the Hypothetical Extraction Method is used to evaluate the importance of the hypothetical disappearance of a sector (e.g., agriculture). The results show that, in the case of the Indian deltas, more than 60% of the cropland and pasture land is devoted to satisfying demands from regions outside the delta. While in the case of the Bangladeshi and Ghanaian deltas, close to 70% of the area harvested is linked to internal demand. The results also indicate that the services, trade and transportation sectors represent 50% of the GDP in the deltas. Still, agriculture, an activity directly exposed to climate change, plays a relevant role in the deltas’ economies—we have estimated that the complete disappearance of this activity would entail GDP losses ranging from 18 to 32%

Source: UG