ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Concentration levels of some inorganic contaminants in streams and sediments in areas of pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical activities at the obuasi gold mine, Ghana

This study assessed the levels of selected inorganic contaminants in streams and stream sediments in the effluent areas relating to the pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical treatment of gold ores in the Obuasi gold mine, Ghana. Water and stream sediment samples were taken from specific locations during the consecutive rainy and dry seasons, and concentrations of phosphate (PO4 3-), nitrate (NO3 -), chloride (Cl-), sulphate (SO4 2-), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb), were determined. Alkalinity, pH, temperature and specific electrical conductivity were also measured. In the water samples, the average pH range for both the seasons is 6.9-7.4, most anions and metals have relatively higher concentrations in the wet season than in the dry season at both the metallurgical sites. Trace metals concentrations were comparatively low (\0.01-5.00 mg/l), higher in the dry season at the pyrometallurgical sites. Irrespective of seasons, SO4 2- (0.80-949.50 mg/l) and PO4 3- (\0.01-6.30 mg/l) were pronounced at the pyrometallurgical sites, while NO3 - (0.01-98.45 mg/l) and Cl- (1.88-49.05 mg/l) were higher at the hydrometallurgical sites. In water samples, Ca2+ and SO4 2+ were the dominant cation and anion, respectively. In the stream sediments, except pH, NO3 -, Cl-, Na+ and Mg2+, all other parameter values were relatively higher at the hydrometallurgical areas. The average concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, As and Fe are remarkably high at both metallurgical sites (3,217-46,026 mg/kg). Overall, the level of parameters in the water samples are pronounced at pyrometallurgical sites, whereas the levels in sediments are higher at the hydrometallurgical sites. © Springer-Verlag 2011.

Source: UG
Concentration of heavy metals in two fish species (Cynoscion regalis and Pomatomus saltatrix) from an oil drilling area in Western Coast of Ghana and public health risk assessment

This study assessed heavy metals (Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Cadmium (Cd)) concentration in water (from borehole, hand-dug well and the sea) and fish (Cynoscion regalis and Pomatomus saltatrix species) and possible health risk exposure by the consumption of these fishes. A total of 18 samples of water and samples of two species of fish (C. regalis and P. saltatrix) were collected from Jomoro, Ellembelle and Ahanta West District and analyzed for the concentration of Pb, Ni, Fe, Cr, and Cd using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Results revealed appreciable concentrations of Pb, Ni, and Fe in the fish muscle and Ni, Cr, and Fe in water. Cadmium and Cr were not detected in the fish samples. Heavy metals in fish increased in the order Pb < Ni < Fe. The Estimated Daily Intake of fish value for adult ranged 1.88 x 10-3 to 2.03 x 10-1 (mg/kg bw/ day), however, those for children were 4.40 x 10-3 to 4.74 x 10-1 (mg/kg bw/day). For health risk assessment, the Total Targeted Hazard Quotient for adults was < 1; however, those for children were >1 for C. regalis but less than 1 (< 1) for P. saltatrix mean ing children who consume C. regalis are exposed to health risk in their life time. The results confirmed that contaminated environments could result in bioaccumulation of metal pollutants in fish's muscle, which poses a health risk to humans when consumed. Awareness and education of the general public on the threshold of heavy metals in fish and water are crucial to safeguard against health risks.

Source: UG
The concentrations of five heavy metals in components of an economically important urban coastal wetland in Ghana: public health and phytoremediation implications.

Sakumo II is an urban wetland and a receptacle for domestic and industrial wastes from two cities in Ghana. It however supports viable populations of fish and crabs, is cultivated for food crops and grazed by farm animals. Components of the wetland can therefore accumulate pollutants, but the public health and phytoremediation implications of this are yet to be evaluated. We analysed Cd, As, Hg, Cu and Pb in the lagoon water, sediment, green algae, eight species of aquatic macrophytes, seven species of arthropods and one species of fish. The concentrations of Pb were generally below detection limit whilst Cu was detected only in the lagoon water and Pheropsophus vertialis. Cadmium ranged from 21 ± 4 ppb in algae to 69 ± 12 ppb in Typha domingensis and was generally higher than As and Hg. The highest concentration of As was 11.7 ± 2.1 ppb in Pistia stratiotes whilst Hg was highest in lagoon water (4 ± 2 ppb). The Cd concentrations generally, and Hg concentrations in macrophytes, were higher than US EPA guidelines indicating the wetland's resources were unsafe for regular consumption. Among the emergent aquatic macrophytes, T. domingensis, Ludwigia sp. and Paspalum vaginatum, respectively, had the highest accumulation capacity for Cd, As and Hg, but the floating aquatic plant P. stratiotes appeared to be a better accumulator of Cd and As.

Source: UG
A Concept Mapping Study of Physicians’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Management and Control of Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa

Hypertension, once a rare problem in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), is predicted to be a major cause of death by 2020 with mortality rates as high as 75%. However, comprehensive knowledge of provider-level factors that influence optimal management is limited. The objective of the current study was to discover physicians’ perceptions of factors influencing optimal management and control of hypertension in SSA. Twelve physicians attending the Cardiovascular Research Training (CaRT) Institute at the University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, were invited to complete a concept mapping process that included brainstorming the factors influencing optimal management and control of hypertension in patients, sorting and organizing the factors into similar domains, and rating the importance and feasibility of efforts to address these factors.Thehighest ranked important and feasible factors include helping patients accept their condition and availability of adequate equipment to enable the provision of needed care.The findings suggest that patient self-efficacy and support, physician-related factors, policy factors, and economic factors are important aspects that must be addressed to achieve optimal hypertension management. Given the work demands identified by physicians, future research should investigate cost-effective strategies of shifting physician responsibilities to well-trained no-physician clinicians in order to improve hypertension management.

Source: UG
The Concept of Social Justice and a growing economy: Mimics from a colony

The term social justice has received enormous attention worldwide due to its critical impact on economies. Whereas some studies consider it as a fundamental issue in the human race, others regard it as prerequisite to peace and tranquility to a modern society. Over the past five decades, social injustice has been on the ascendancy as emerging countries rely on developed countries for survival of their economies. Since these dependencies by poor countries come at a cost, the developing economies continue to expand in their debt ratio to developed countries. At least since the Second World War (1939-45) and in some cases since the beginning of the twentieth century, there has been a general widening of the gap between the rich and the poor with no signs of these income differences closing anytime soon. In an emerging economy with high prospects for developing human resources like Ghana, social justice is considered abedrockfor healthy and sustainable living conditions. However, there have been high levelsof injustice measured in terms of income-related inequalities, notably in the ownership of capital and other assets, accessibility of variety of basic services and other benefits, and personal security that hitherto money could not buy. This paper examinesthe extent to which social injustice is perceived to be prevalent in the Ghanaian economy (once a colony).

Source: UG
The concept of vaccination failure

Despite remarkable success of immunization programmes on a global perspective, vaccines are neither 100% efficacious nor 100% effective. Therefore, vaccination failure, i.e. occurrence of a specific disease in an individual despite previous vaccination, may occur. Vaccination failure may be due to actual vaccine failure or failure to vaccinate appropriately. Universally accepted concepts and definitions of vaccination failure are required to assess and compare the benefit of vaccines used in populations. Here we propose general definitions for types of vaccination failure. In the future, these should be complemented by specific definitions for specific vaccines as needed depending on public health considerations.

Source: UG
Conception and experience of well-being in two Ghanaian samples: Implications for Positive Psychology

We conducted two studies to explore Ghanaian understandings of well-being through a situational sampling method in which participants described situations that increased and decreased their well-being. Participants in Study 1 were 80 community members (Mean Age = 41.962; SD = 13.900; 40 women, 40 men) who responded in the context of interviews through the medium of local languages. Coding analyses revealed that these situations descriptions emphasized sustainability-oriented themes of materiality (tangible support, economic hardship) and peace of mind (presence or absence of worry or strife) with greater frequency than growth-oriented themes of psychologization (growth, meaning, achievement) and affect (happiness, sadness). Participants in Study 2 were 125 students (Mean Age = 21.592; SD=2.759; 68 women, 57 men) at three universities in Ghana who responded via questionnaire in the medium of English. In contrast to the community sample, coding analyses revealed that the students’ situations emphasized growth-oriented themes of affect and psychologization with greater frequency than sustainability-oriented themes of materiality and peace of mind. We interpret these results within a theoretical framework that emphasizes the cultural-psychological foundations of well-being, and we consider implications for hegemonic perspectives of positive psychology.

Source: UG
Conceptions of love in Ghana: An exploration among Ghanaian Christians

We explored conceptions of love from the perspective of Ghanaian Christians. Using an ethnographic approach, we interviewed 61 participants (males = 39; females = 22; age range 20 to 70) on their understanding and experiences of love in the context of family. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed understandings of love expression in meeting material needs (of children, spouse, parents, and close relatives), helping other people in need (including the elderly, friends, and strangers), and affectionate care. Communal and maintenance-oriented love appears to characterise love expression among Ghanaian Christians.

Source: UG
Conceptions of Motherhood in Proverbs Used by Ghanaian Women

Motherhood has been established as a key distinguishing factor of African gender relations. What remains unexplored is the circumstances under which African women find motherhood to be most fulfilling. In this paper I examine this subject by analyzing proverbs used by Kasena women from northern Ghana. The women take advantage of a socially sanctioned medium, the joking relationship that exists between a woman and her husband’s kin, to critique traditional constructions of motherhood via an innovative use of proverbs. From using clever and witty modifications of traditional proverbs, to creating brave new ones, Kasena women subvert, critique, and deconstruct the meaning of existing proverbs during joking in order to register their views on motherhood. Via their proverbs women indicate that motherhood is neither the only indicator of female identity nor the sole source of female fulfillment, as ‘traditional’ Kasem proverbs seem to suggest. They draw attention to other aspects of their identity, presenting themselves as persons with aspirations and ambitions for individual fulfillment and group well being.

Source: UG
A conceptual framework of groundwater flow in some crystalline aquifers in Southeastern Ghana

A conceptual groundwater flow model was developed for the crystalline aquifers in southeastern part of the Eastern region, Ghana. The objective was to determine approximate levels of groundwater recharge, estimate aquifer hydraulic parameters, and then test various scenarios of groundwater extraction under the current conditions of recharge. A steady state groundwater flow model has been calibrated against measured water levels of 19 wells in the area. The resulting recharge is estimated to range from 8.97×10-5m/d to 7.14×10-4m/d resulting in a basin wide average recharge of about 9.6% of total annual precipitation, which results in a basin wide quantitative recharge of about 2.4 millionm3/d in the area. This compares to recharge estimated from the chloride mass balance of 7.6% of precipitation determined in this study. The general groundwater flow in the area has also been determined to conform to the general northeast-southwest structural grain of the country. The implication is that the general hydrogeology is controlled by post genetic structural entities imposed on the rocks to create ingresses for sufficient groundwater storage and transport. Calibrated aquifer hydraulic conductivities range between 0.99m/d and over 19.4m/d. There is a significant contribution of groundwater discharge to stream flow in the study area. Increasing groundwater extraction will have an effect on stream flow. This study finds that the current groundwater extraction levels represent only 0.17% of the annual recharge from precipitation, and that groundwater can sustain future increased groundwater demands from population growth and industrialization. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
Conceptual methodologies in agro-environmental systems

When continuous measurement of relevant above- and below-ground environmental factors is made, and the dynamics of crop growth and phenology is followed, it is shown that small-plot agronomic experimentation can provide information vital to the development and testing of simulation models. Such models for crops of maize (Zea mays) and the legume cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), grown as sole crops and in an intercrop system, were used to simulate yield at two separate sites in the main savanna farming zones in Ghana, West Africa. Simulation was carried out for these three cropping systems using 20 years of historical rainfall data for the two sites, investigating the effect on yield of management options which included time of planting, rate of nitrogen fertilizer application, and crop planting density. The yield results of this series of simulations were then subject to two different types of analysis in order to assist the evaluation of agricultural options for the nation. The first analysis was an economic evaluation based on gross margins, but using the stochastic-dominance technique to rank the profitability of the alternative cropping and management systems. The second, more general methodology employed was multi-criteria analysis (MCA). This analysis covered economic returns and their variability, the amount and quality of residue returned to the soil, and the aerial cover provided by the crop. Other factors which could affect the sustainability of production in the long term, but which could only be evaluated qualitatively, were also included in the analysis, as allowed in MCA methodology. The MCA was then carried out for three scenarios in which different weightings were given to economic outcomes and to factors which are believed to encourage ecological sustainability. These scenarios allow recognition of different priorities which might be given by traditional subsistence farmers as compared to commercial producers. Outcomes of this broad analysis of development alternatives provided scientific support for the traditional Ghanaian practice of grain/legume intercropping which is also widespread in the tropics. The suite of methodologies illustrated by the case study appears to be suitable for the evaluation of alternative farming systems at the scale of a small nation such as Ghana. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

Source: UG
A conceptual model and empirical assessment of HR security risk management

This study develops a conceptual model and assesses the extent to which pre-employment, during employment, and post-employment HR security controls are applied in organizations to manage information security risks. The conceptual model is developed based on the Agency Theory and the review of theoretical, empirical and practitioner literature. Following, an empirical data is collected through a survey from one hundred and thirty-four IT professionals, internal audit personnel, and HR managers working within five major industry sectors in a developing country to test the organizational differences in pre-employment, during employment, and post-employment HR security measures. Using analysis of variance, the findings reveal significant differences among the organizations. Financial institutions perform better in employee background checks, terms and conditions of employment, management responsibilities, security education, training and awareness, and disciplinary process. Conversely, healthcare institutions outperform other organizations in post-employment security management. The government public institutions perform the worst among all the organizations. An integration of a conceptual model with HR security controls is an area that is under-researched and under-reported in information security and human resource management literature. Accordingly, this research on HR security management contributes to reducing such a gap and adds to the existing HR security risk management literature. It thereby provides an opportunity for researchers to conduct comparative studies between developed and developing nations or to benchmark a specific organization’s HR security management.

Source: UG
Conceptual Reflections on Approaches to Religious Diversity and Modes of Coexistence in Urban West Africa*

The MIASA Working Paper series serves to disseminate the research results of work in progress prior to publication in order to encourage the exchange of ideas and academic debate. The series aims to publish research findings from the work of the MIASA Interdisciplinary Fellow Groups (IFGs) and other MIASA fellows in an open-access manner. Inclusion of a paper in the MIASA Working Paper Series does not constitute publication and should not limit publication in any other venue. Copyright remains with the authors

Source: UG
Conceptualisations of personal growth in Ghanaian Orthodox Christians

Personal growth is integral to mental health. Hegemonic psychological theories about personal growth were formulated in an individualistic culture where people experience an independent self. Conceptualisations of personal growth may be different in collectivistic cultures where people experience an interdependent self. Ghanaian Orthodox Christians are embedded in a collectivistic culture where religion permeates every-day life. The aim of this study was to investigate how Ghanaian Orthodox Christians conceptualise personal growth. We interviewed 12 participants from the University of Ghana who belonged to different Orthodox Christian Churches. The results showed that the participants wanted material success, and they acknowledged that this takes effort. Relationships were facilitating their ambitions, and for that reason learning to adapt to social norms was important. Most important of all was their relationship to God. The results implied a conceptualisation of personal growth that relies on an interdependent experience of the self.

Source: UG
Conceptualising appropriation, usage and gratifications of new media technologies: The e-teen model perspective

The study argues that teens (e-teens) have different characteristics, attitudes, motivations and needs regarding new media usage and appropriation and, thus, have to be studied in a different context than any other group. It is also contended that theories and models regarding uses, gratifications and appropriation of new media technologies are generalised and therefore cannot aptly be applied to the study of e-teens. Grounded in concepts from uses and gratifications, model of technology acceptance and technology appropriation theories, as well as e-teen literature, the study proposes a conceptual model that strives to explicitly explain how teens use and appropriate new media technologies. It is intended that the model is adopted in empirical studies that aim to study how teens use and appropriate new media technologies, as well as tested for its representativeness and durability.

Source: UG
Conceptualising Male Vulnerability in a Ghanaian Context: Implications for Adult Education and Counselling

Gender advocates have bemoaned the diatribe about women inequality at the neglect of males’ vulnerability in abstract narratives. We propose that achievement of female empowerment will be complimented by empirically exploring men’s vulnerability themes wrapped in “masculinity” with cultural differences. This study documented views on male vulnerability in the Ghanaian environment using mixed-method design with 189 respondents conveniently. Chi square goodness-of-fit test, and thick descriptions were applied to the open-ended questionnaire items. Indeed, 74% of the participants agreed that Ghanaian males were vulnerable with 26% expressing contrary views. With nine overarching themes generated, gender was not a significant factor in categorising male vulnerability (Σ2 (8)=10.836, p>.05). We concluded that both sexes appear to have shared views on Ghanaian males’ vulnerability issues and recommended for gender advocates to expand the equality discourse to cover males’ vulnerability. Implications for adult education and guidance and counselling practices are indicated.

Source: UG
Conceptualising Male Vulnerability in a Ghanaian Context: Implications for Adult Education and Counselling

Abstract Gender advocates have bemoaned the diatribe about women inequality at the neglect of males’ vulnerability in abstract narratives. We propose that achievement of female empowerment will be complimented by empirically exploring men’s vulnerability themes wrapped in “masculinity” with cultural differences. This study documented views on male vulnerability in the Ghanaian environment using mixed-method design with 189 respondents conveniently. Chi square goodness-of-fit test, and thick descriptions were applied to the open-ended questionnaire items. Indeed, 74% of the participants agreed that Ghanaian males were vulnerable with 26% expressing contrary views. With nine overarching themes generated, gender was not a significant factor in categorising male vulnerability (Σ2 (8)=10.836, p>.05). We concluded that both sexes appear to have shared views on Ghanaian males’ vulnerability issues and recommended for gender advocates to expand the equality discourse to cover males’ vulnerability. Implications for adult education and guidance and counselling practices are indicated.

Source: UG