ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Organizations’ Commitment to and Communication of CSR activities: Insights from Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine organizations’ commitment and communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a developing country’s context. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed an empirical quantitative approach by surveying 193 managers from multiple organizations in Ghana, and used independent sample t-test as well as descriptive statistics to examine the phenomenon. Findings – The study established that firms operating in Ghana know about CSR and are committed to it. But the level of understanding of the concept as evidenced by their practices is limited to philanthropic activities. The study further revealed that firms operating in Ghana communicate their CSR activities to stakeholders in many forms. Additionally, organizations employ equally varied channels in communicating their CSR initiatives. Practical implications – The study contributes the Ghanaian perspective of CSR to the Sub-Sahara African literature, and by that it enhances our present understanding of the commitment and communication channels of CSR activities by companies operating in Ghana. Originality/value – Empirical Literature on CSR communication in developing countries is limited. The paucity of academic enquiry on the issue has stimulated this research, based on the perceptions of managers of firms operating in Ghana about their principles of CSR, their way to disclose these activities and the kind of CSR activities done. Further research directions are also articulated.

Source: UG
Organized Labour and the Liberal State

The relationship between the state and various social groups is largely influenced by the kind of interests that the state at any particular point in time seeks to pursue. The relationship between state and organized labour will be influenced be the policy the state seeks to pursue and the particular social groups it seeks to carry along with it. Where state policy is in harmony with the expectations of particular social groups, relations with the group tend to be harmonious; otherwise, the relations with the group tend to be tractious and tension-packed and the state may use other means to influence or intimidate the group concerned. This chapter looks at the changing relations between organized labour and the Ghanaian state, principally since 7 January 1992 when the country returned to constitutional rule, though it also looks back on how the relationship between the state and organized labour has evolved since the first republic

Source: UG
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo furans (PCDD/Fs) in edible fish from Lake Volta, Lake Bosumtwi and Weija Lake in Ghana

specialization in Radiation Protection, IAEA Post-Graduate Education Course In Radiation Protection and Nuclear Security

Source: UG
Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Sediment Impacted by Cage Aquaculture in the Volta Basin of Ghana

Seventeen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and seven indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues in 80 sediment samples from four cage aquaculture farms on the Volta Basin were determined to fnd out the extent of their contamination as well as their risk to biota in the aquatic ecosystem. The extracted residues of the OCPs and PCBs were analysed on a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector and mass spectrometer, respectively. Eleven (11) OCPs: methoxy chlor, δ-HCH, o,p′-DDD, α-endosulphan, β-HCH, o,p-DDE, p,p-DDE, p,p′-DDT, β-endosulphan, endrin, and heptachlor and seven (7) PCBs: PCB 18, PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 138, PCB 153, and PCB 180 were detected in the sediments from the farms. The OCPs level ranged<LOD−33.0 µg/kg. δ-HCH (8.154±0.414 µg/kg), α-endosulphan (6.000±1.414 µg/kg), o,p′-DDD (2.010±1.46 µg/kg), endrin (13.867±8.716 µg/kg), and α-endosulphan (0.503±0.398 µg/kg) were predominant with frequencies of detection 100%, 45%, 68%, 92%, and 25% in fish farms A, B, C, D and controls, respectively. PCBs concentrations ranged 0.042–5.320 ng/g wet weight. PCB 153 recorded the highest concentration of 3.328±1.700 ng/g in farm D. PCB 18 and PCB 180 dominated the profles in the sediment from all the farms. The ecotoxicological risk of the OCPs and PCBs in the surface sediment using the SQGs indicated that ∑HCH in the sediment from all the farms except that the controls may pose a health risk to the benthic organisms. Therefore, a comprehensive remedial intervention is required to arrest the situation.

Source: UG
Organophosphorus pesticide residues in soils and drinking water sources from cocoa producing areas in Ghana

Background: Pests and diseases are recognised as major factors responsible for the decline in cocoa yield in Ghana. This has resulted in an increased use of pesticides to increase productivity. The regular application and indiscriminate use of chemicals have been associated with unintended environmental and human health consequence. The objective of this study was to determine levels of 13 organophosphorus pesticide residues in soils and drinking water sources in and around cocoa farms in Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Methods: Organophosphorus pesticide residues were determined by the use of a high resolution Varian CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph equipped with pulse flame photometric detector (PFPD) in 32 soils and 64 drinking water samples from 16 cocoa farms in the Dormaa West District of Ghana. Results: Four organophosphorus residues were detected in the soil and water samples at varying concentrations. The organophosphorus residues detected in soil samples were chlorpyrifos (0.01–0.04 mg/kg), profenofos (0.02–0.04 mg/kg) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.01–0.04 mg/kg) while the organophosphorus residues recorded in the water samples were chlorpyrifos (0.01–0.05 μg/L), diazinon (0.01–0.04 μg/L) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.01–0.03 μg/L). The concentrations of organophosphorus pesticide residues in the soil samples analysed from the various sites were generally below and within US MRLs for agricultural soils. However, mean concentrations of chlorpyrifos and pirimiphos- methyl recorded at Nkrankwanta (S1) were found to be above their respective US MRLs for agricultural soils. The trends of organophosphorus pesticide residues in the water samples analysed from the various distances to cocoa farms decreased with increase in distance to cocoa farm (ranking; 0–15 > 16–30 > above 30 m). All organophosphorus pesticide residues recorded in the water samples from the various sites within the various distances were below and within their respective WHO MRLs for drinking water except chlorpyrifos at Diabaa (S2) and Kwakuanya (S4) at distance 16–30 m and diazinon at Kwakuanya (S4) at a distance 0–15 m which exceeded their WHO MRLs. There were no significant (p > 0.05) sites differences in mean values of pesticide residues detected in soils and water samples. Conclusions: The presence of organophosphorus in the samples analysed was an indication of the use of the pesticides by cocoa farmers in the study area to control pest and diseases. The pesticide residues in the soil poses danger to soil organisms as well as contaminate surrounding water bodies through runoff and leaching. In addition, there is the likelihood of translocation of these residues from the soil into the cocoa beans and other crops (like vegetables that are commonly intercropped with cocoa) through the root system, thereby posing health risks to consumers. Chlorpyrifos and diazinon concentrations in drinking water exceeded their respective WHO MRLs at some sampled sites and may pose health hazard to farmers’ household and the communities

Source: UG
Origin and diversification of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni is the most widespread of the human-infecting schistosomes, present in 54 countries, predominantly in Africa, but also in Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Neotropics. Adult-stage parasites that infect humans are also occasionally recovered from baboons, rodents, and other mammals. Larval stages of the parasite are dependent upon certain species of freshwater snails in the genus Biomphalaria, which largely determine the parasite's geographical range. How S. mansoni genetic diversity is distributed geographically and among isolates using different hosts has never been examined with DNA sequence data. Here we describe the global phylogeography of S. mansoni using more than 2500 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 143 parasites collected in 53 geographically widespread localities. Considerable within-species mtDNA diversity was found, with 85 unique haplotypes grouping into five distinct lineages. Geographical separation, and not host use, appears to be the most important factor in the diversification of the parasite. East African specimens showed a remarkable amount of variation, comprising three clades and basal members of a fourth, strongly suggesting an East African origin for the parasite 0.30-0.43 million years ago, a time frame that follows the arrival of its snail host. Less but still substantial variation was found in the rest of Africa. A recent colonization of the New World is supported by finding only seven closely related New World haplotypes which have West African affinities. All Brazilian isolates have nearly identical mtDNA haplotypes, suggesting a founder effect from the establishment and spread of the parasite in this large country. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Source: UG
Origin and tectonic significance of the metavolcanic rocks and mafic enclaves from the Palaeoproterozoic Birimian Terrane, SE West African Craton, Ghana

The Palaeoproterozoic Birimian Supergroup of the West African Craton (WAC) consists of volcanic belts composed predominantly of basaltic and andesitic rocks and intervening sedimentary basins composed predominantly of wackes and argillites. Mafic metavolcanic rocks and granitoid-hosted enclaves from the Palaeoproterozoic Lawra Belt of Ghana were analysed for geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data to constrain the geological evolution of the southeastern part of the WAC. The metavolcanic rocks display mainly tholeiitic signatures, whereas the enclaves show calc-alkaline signatures. The high SiO2 contents (48.6–68.9 wt%) of the enclaves are suggestive of their evolved character. The high Th/Yb values of the samples relative to that of the mantle array may indicate derivation of their respective magmas from subduction-modified source(s). The rocks show positive εNd values of þ0.79 to þ2.86 (metavolcanic rocks) and þ0.79 to þ1.82 (enclaves). These signatures and their Nd model ages (TDM2) of 2.31–2.47 Ga (metavolcanic rocks) and 2.39–2.47 Ga (enclaves) suggest they were probably derived from juvenile mantle-derived protoliths, with possible input of subducted pre-Birimian (Archean?) rocks in their source(s). Their positive Ba–Th and negative Nb– Ta, Zr–Hf and Ti anomalies may indicate their formation through subduction-related magmatism consistent with an arc setting. We propose that the metavolcanic rocks and enclaves from the Lawra Belt formed in a similar island-arc setting. We infer that the granitoids developed through variable degrees of mixing/mingling between basic magma and granitic melt during subduction, when blobs of basic to intermediate parental magma became trapped in the granitic magma to form the enclaves.

Source: UG
Origin of Harmattan dust settled in Northern Ghana - Long transported or local dust?

The Harmattan is a dry, dust-laden continental wind which has its origin in the Bodélé Depression in the Chad basin. In Ghana the Harmattan can be experienced from November to March, when the Harmattan replaces the dominant south westerly maritime Monsoon wind. The hypothesis of this study is that the majority of dust deposited in northern Ghana may not be from the original Harmattan source in the Bodélé Depression. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the origin of deposited dust in Tamale, Ghana. This is examined by comparing wind data, grain size distribution, mineralogical and geochemical data from dust samples deposited during the Harmattan and Monsoon seasons, and topsoil. This study shows that despite a clear difference between the wind directions in the Harmattan and Monsoon seasons in Tamale, northern Ghana, no distinct differences are observed between the mineral or elemental compositions of the bulk dust samples. Traces of minerals in the clay fraction of the Harmattan period dust may have their origin in the Bodélé Depression or other saline environments. The Harmattan dust deposited in Ghana shows only little resemblance to dust from the Chad basin and with Harmattan dust deposited in Niger. This study therefore suggests that the dust deposited during the Harmattan period in northern Ghana is not under significant influence of sediments from the Bodélé Depression. Similarity in the mineral and elemental composition of the dust from both the Harmattan and Monsoon periods indicates that the dusts settled are mainly of local origin. © 2011 Elsevier B.V..

Source: UG
Origin of major dissolved ions in groundwater within the Lower Pra Basin using groundwater geochemistry, source-rock deduction and stable isotopes of 2H and 18O

Hydrochemical and stable isotopes (18O and 2H) analyses of groundwater samples were employed to establish the origin of major dissolved ions in groundwater within the Lower Pra Basin. Results showed that, the major processes responsible for chemical evolution of groundwater include: silicate (SiO4)4- dissolutions, ion exchange reactions, sea aerosol spray and pyrite (FeS2) and arsenopyrite (FeAsS) oxidations. The groundwater is strongly acidic to neutral, with pH generally range from 3.5 to 7.0 pH units and mean 5.9 (±0.5). Approximately 89 % of boreholes had pH values outside the World Heath Organization (WHO, Guidelines for drinking water quality, 2004) guideline value for drinking water due principally to natural biogeochemical processes and therefore, not suitable for potable purposes. Electrical conductivity (EC) range from 57.6 to 1,201 μS/cm with mean 279.3 (±198.8) μS/cm. Total dissolved solids (TDS) range from 32 to 661 mg/L with mean 151.7 (±106.8) mg/L, with 98.6 % of groundwater as fresh (TDS &lt; 500 mg/L). The chemical constituents generally have low concentrations and are within the WHO (Guidelines for drinking water quality, 2004) guideline value for drinking water. The relative abundance of cations and anions is in the order: Na+ &gt; Ca2+&gt; Mg2+ &gt; K+ and HCO3 - &gt; Cl- &gt; SO4 2-, respectively. A plot of ∂18O ‰ against 2H ‰ showed that, ground and surface waters clustered on or closely along the Global Meteoric Water Line, suggesting that, the waters emanated principally from meteoric source with evaporation playing an insignificant role on the infiltrating water. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Source: UG
Origin of Reverse Zoned Cr-Spinels from the Paleoproterozoic Yanmenguan Mafic–Ultramafic Complex in the North China Craton

We conducted petrological and mineral chemistry investigations of Cr-spinel in ultramafic rocks of the Yanmenguan mafic–ultramafic complex in the North China Craton. The Cr-spinel grains occur as inclusions in enstatite, tschermakite, phlogopite, and olivine, or as interstitial grains among the aforementioned silicate minerals, and show concentric or asymmetrical textures. Back-scattered electron and elemental images and compositional profiles of the spinel grains indicate the presence of Cr- and Fe-rich cores and Al- and Mg-rich rims. The host silicate minerals display a decrease in Al and Mg contents accompanied by an increase in Cr and Fe away from the spinel. These textures and compositional variations suggest that subsolidus elemental exchange more likely gave rise to the compositional zonation, resulting in the transfer of Al and Mg from the silicate minerals to the spinel. The Mn, Ni, and Ti contents in spinel and the major elements of olivine-hosted spinel are relatively stable during subsolidus elemental diffusion and thus are more reliable tracers of primary high-temperature processes. The temperature estimates reveal that the subsolidus diffusion might have occurred at 600–720 °C, which could be linked to the regional metamorphic event.

Source: UG
Origin of sapphirine- and garnet-bearing clinopyroxenite xenoliths entrained in the Jiande basalts, SE China

We present petrological and geochemical data of sapphirine- and garnet-bearing clinopyroxenite xenoliths entrained in the Jiande Cenozoic basalts, SE China, to investigate their igneous and metamorphic history, and reconstruct of the thermal-tectonic evolution of the lithospheric mantle. These xenoliths have an unusual mineral association consisting of clinopyroxene + garnet/kelyphite + spinel (±sapphirine). Clinopyroxene has high Mg# (89–93) and displays convex-upward REE pattern. Garnet, partially to completely kelyphitized, is rich in pyrope end-member. It usually includes relics of spinel, suggesting that garnet was formed at the expense of spinel. The spinel has high MgO (20.8–22.9 wt%) and Al2O3 (64.8–67.9 wt%) contents. Sapphirine, forming a rim on spinel, has homogeneous SiO2 (14.5–14.9 wt%), Al2O3 (60.9–61.7 wt%) and MgO (19.7–20.1 wt%) contents, interpreted to be of metamorphic origin. The subsolidus reaction for the formation of sapphirine is as follows: spinel + garnet = sapphirine + clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene. Thus, the earliest mineral assemblage recorded in these xenoliths was spinel + clinopyroxene. The clinopyroxene in the Jiande clinopyroxenite xenoliths has Li abundances (1.04–1.63 ppm) similar to high-P mafic cumulate but much lower than those in crustal eclogite. In addition, the clinopyroxene and garnet do not show positive Eu anomalies. Therefore, the protolith of these three clinopyroxenite xenoliths was most likely a pyroxenite, originating as clinopyroxene + spinel cumulates from mafic melts percolating through the mantle. Many reaction textures such as formation of garnet and sapphirine were developed during decompression possibly coupled with cooling and melt percolation. During this process, the earlier composition of clinopyroxene and spinel also changed. The latest P-T conditions recorded in these xenoliths were at pressure of 8–10 kbar and temperatures of 1069–1094 °C. These observations imply that these rocks have been tectonically uplifted to shallower levels. The uplift process may have been related to lithospheric thinning process accompanied by lithosphere extension and upwelling of the asthenosphere in eastern China.

Source: UG
The origin of spongy texture in minerals of mantle xenoliths from the Western Qinling, central China

Spongy textures are observed in mantle peridotite xenoliths hosted in Cenozoic kamafugites from the Western Qinling, central China. These textures are mainly developed in clinopyroxenes and spinels, and occur as spongy rims consisting of low-Na clinopyroxene, ilmenite, and bubbles, enclosing nonspongy cores. The ilmenites and bubbles exhibit shapes and sizes that vary with the width of the spongy rims. The spongy-textured minerals preserve primary shapes and well-defined grain boundaries and do not show apparent interaction with contact minerals or observed melts except the subsequent melts forming melt pockets. The xenocrysts display reactive zoning textures with host magmas rather than spongy textures. Compositionally, the spongy rims are enriched in Ca, Ti, and most trace elements, have high Cr#, and are depleted in Na, Al, Fe, AlVI, and AlIV/AlVI compared with the cores. These observations suggest that melts/host magmas did not play any significant role in the formation of the spongy textures. We therefore propose that spongy-textured clinopyroxenes and spinels in Western Qinling peridotite xenoliths developed from a decompression-induced partial melting event prior to formation of melt pockets and xenolith entrainment in host magmas. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.

Source: UG
Origins of Birimian (ca 2.2Ga) mafic magmatism and the Paleoproterozoic 'greenstone belt' metallogeny: A review

The Birimian of the West African Craton is an important repository of Paleoproterozoic mafic magmatism, described by many workers as petrologically dominated by basaltic to andesitic rocks. In spite of extensive work done, opinions still differ on the origin and other salient features in these globally significant igneous rocks. Even less well understood is the relationship that may exist between the mafic rocks and prolific metalliferous deposits such as manganese and gold that are hosted in these rocks. This review suggests that the frequently observed association between mafic rocks and important mineral deposits may have far more genetic implications than previously envisaged. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Source: UG
Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Ghana: a 6-year prospective study

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Ghana: a 6-year prospective study

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG
The Orthography of Ewe and Logba: The Role of North German Missionaries

The North German Missionaries contributed more to the development of the Ewe language than other missionary groups before independence and even the post independence contributions that we see being made by political administrators, academics and other groups are without doubt based on the firm foundations they had built. The NGM adopted strategies that helped in reducing the Ewe language in writing. Through their dedication a written Ewe language emerged known as a standard Ewe (SE) Duthie (1963:3). This standard written form was employed as TL for translation of the Bible and church hymns. These translations continue to influence the Ewe language. The paper also notes that with the publication of a concise grammatical sketch on Logba by Westermann a firm foundation was been laid for Logba to be written. The paper focuses on the historical background on the NGM and continues with issues related to reducing Ewe and Logba to writing

Source: UG