ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Performance of West African Dwarf Sheep (the Djallonke) fed fattening diets containing agro-industrial by-products in Ghana

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of Djallonke rams on fattening diets containing Panicum maximum and concentrate rations formulated from agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs). Three concentrate diets were formulated to contain approximately 12.6% crude protein. Twenty-four Djallonke rams aged between eight to eighteen months with an average weight of 14.35 0.28kg were divided into three groups of eight animals each on age and weight basis and randomly assigned to three dietary treatments. Each animal was offered 250 grams of the concentrate diet daily. The performance of the animals on the various diets was comparable (P>0.05) for all the parameters measured. The rams grew at a rate of 63.21-71.43g/d. Dry matter intake ranged from 88.92g/day/kgw 0.75. Dry matter digestibility was between 71.04 % - 74.78% Dietary treatment did not significantly (P>0.05) affect the haematological values measured. Packed cell volume ranged from 27.45-29.13%. Haemoglobin was between 12.41 -13.60 g/ 100 ml, red blood cell, 11.42 x103/µl -11.92x103 /µl and white blood cell, 8.94 - 10.21 x 103/µl. All these values were within the normal physiological range reported for sheep. It is concluded that AIBPs including cotton seed cake, wheat bran and groundnut skin could be considered in fattening diets for sheep in Ghana.

Source: UG
Performance, Oral Poetics and Ideo-Aesthetic Heritages in the ‘Search for the Soul’ of a Poet-Cantor

This paper examines Eυe oral literature in the context of a poetic search for a departed poet-cantor in order to ascertain how dramaturgy and embodiment and oral poetics engage with knowledge production and dissemination. The paper makes a case that beneath the rhetoric surrounding major works pursued in African oral literature, there is still situated a broad topic concerning Eυe poetic funeral songs that has rather not received much attention. This study has been carried out by employing a combination of two methods of obtaining information: a collection of ethnographic data from Ʋeta-Gbɔta in the Ketu-North District of the Volta Region of Ghana, and relevant critical published works. These data have been textually and qualitatively examined. This approach is convenient and appropriate as it enabled me to describe, analyse and critique adequately data collected, and the subject matter as a whole. The analysis is based on the hypothesis that a ‘poetic search for the soul’ of a departed poet-cantor creates a platform for some understanding of culture: values, practices, and aesthetic qualities. This study is significant as it has demonstrated and ascribed meaning to this aspect of Eυe oral tradition

Source: UG
Performance-based grouping of adapted and exotic droughttolerant maize (zea mays L) inbred lines under stressed and nonstressed conditions

Knowledge of the heterotic responses of elite adapted and exotic maize inbred lines can facilitate their utilization for population improvement and hybrid development. In the present study, a line x tester mating design was used to determine the combining ability of 20 elite drought-tolerant maize inbred lines developed at CIMMYT and IITA and to classify them into heterotic groups under diverse growing conditions. The 20 lines were crossed each with two inbred line testers representing the tropical and temperate heterotic pattern established in West and Cental Africa (WCA), to generate 40 testcrosses. A trial comprising the 40 testcrosses along with the cross between the two testers and three hybrid checks were evaluated at two environments in the dry season and at six environments in the rainy season. GCA effects were more important than SCA effects in controlling grain yield in both seasons. Two exotic lines in the dry season and four exotic lines in the rainy season had significantly positive GCA effects. Only EXL22 was identified as a superior line in the two seasons. Only two adapted lines had significantly positive GCA effects in either or both seasons while three adapted lines consistently had significantly negative GCA effects in both seasons. Hybrid between EXL22 and tester 9071 showed broad adaptation to all test environments. The two testers separated some of the lines into two main heterotic groups. the lines in each heterotic group and the good combiners will be utilized for developing populations for extracting new improved inbred lines.

Source: UG
The Performing Arts and the Post-Colonial Ghanaian Experience: The Ghana National Symphony Orchestra in perspective

The National Symphony Orchestra was established some 50 years ago as one of several institutions to spearhead an African cultural renaissance agenda in Ghana. Of the several institutions established the orchestra was criticized the most, ostensibly for its paradoxical status as a foreign ensemble. In this article we recount the history of the national orchestra and argue that, like other indigenized colonial institutions, the debate over its cultural relevance or otherwise should focus on the uses(s) to which that ensemble is put in the Ghanaian context rather than on its history of origin and instrumentation.

Source: UG
The Performing Arts and the Post-Colonial Ghanaian experience: The National Symphony Orchestra in Perspective

The National Symphony Orchestra was established some 50 years ago as one of several institutions to spearhead an African cultural renaissance agenda in Ghana. Of the several institutions established the orchestra was criticized the most, ostensibly for its paradoxical status as a foreign ensemble. In this article we recount the history of the national orchestra and argue that, like other indigenized colonial institutions, the debate over its cultural relevance or otherwise should focus on the use(s) to which that ensemble is put in the Ghanaian context rather than on its history of origin and instrumentation.

Source: UG
Performing theory/embodied writing

This essay performatively expresses specific theoretical ruminations on class, language, and race. This writing is a performance, while it is or is not necessarily for the “stage.” The performance seeks a felt‐sensing meeting between theory, writing, and performing. The performer claims an uneasy possession of performance as a means of both subjectivity and freedom. Theory becomes another way to know performance better; and performance becomes the desired illuminator of theory. From the burlesque to the sublime, the performer conjures four different encounters with her theoretical fathers: Karl Marx, Ferdinand de Saussure, Jacques Derrida, and Frantz Fanon. Needing useful theory‐from the ‘high’ ground of scholarship to the ‘low’ ground of ancient re/tellings‐for useful purposes, the performer must first remember where theories begin.

Source: UG
Peri-urbanisation and loss of arable land in Kumasi Metropolis in three decades: Evidence from remote sensing image analysis

This paper examined the effects of peri-urbanisation on arable land in Kumasi Metropolis. The study involved classification of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) 1986 imagery and images from Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) 2004 and Landsat 8 Operational Land Image and Thermal Infrared Sensor (OLI/TIRS) image for 2016 to show land use and cover changes in the Metropolis. The results show that the Metropolis has undergone significant land use and land cover changes in thirty years with negative repercussions for food crop production. While urban land use increased by 54.6% between 1986 and 2016, arable land declined by 15.6% over the same period. The results show a strong positive correlation between the size of arable land and crop output over a fifteen-year period. The paper calls for legislative enforcement as well as standards on urban land use and development as enshrined in the 2016 Land Use and Spatial Planning Act to ensure that land use in the city is consistent with sustainable principles.

Source: UG
Perinatal mortality among infants born during health user-fees (Cash &amp; Carry) and the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) eras in Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Background: This research determined the rates of perinatal mortality among infants delivered under Ghana's national health insurance scheme (NHIS) compared to infants delivered under the previousCash and Carr system in Northern Region, especially as the country takes stock of its progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 and 5. Methods: The labor and maternity wards delivery records of infants delivered before and after the implementation of the NHIS in Northern Region were examined. Records of available daily deliveries during the two health systems were extracted. Fisher's exact tests of non-random association were used to examine the bivariate association between categorical independent variables and perinatal mortality. Results: On average, 8% of infants delivered during the health user-fee (Cash & Carry) died compared to about 4% infant deaths during the NHIS delivery fee exemption period in Northern Region, Ghana. There were no remarkable difference in the rate of infant deaths among mothers in almost all age categories in both the Cash and Carry and the NHIS periods except in mothers age 35 years and older. Infants born to multiparous mothers were significantly more likely to die than those born to first time mothers. There were more twin deaths during the Cash and Carry system (p = 0.001) compared to the NHIS system. Deliveries by caesarean section increased from an average of 14% in theCash and Carr era to an average of 20% in the NHIS era. Conclusion: The overall rate of perinatal mortality declined by half (50%) in infants born during the NHIS era compared to the Cash and Carry era. However, caesarean deliveries increased during the NHIS era. These findings suggest that pregnant women in the Northern Region of Ghana were able to access the opportunity to utilize the NHIS for antenatal visits and possibly utilized skilled care at delivery at no cost or very minimal cost to them, which therefore improved Ghana's progress towards meeting the MDG 4, (reducing under-five deaths by two-thirds).

Source: UG
Perinatal outcomes after hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in a low resource setting

objective The objective of this study was to evaluate perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in an urban sub-Saharan African setting. methods A prospective cohort study of 1010 women of less than 17 weeks of gestation was conducted at two antenatal clinics in Accra, Ghana, between July 2012 and March 2014. Information about hypertensive disorders was available for analysis on 789 pregnancies. The main outcomes were pre-term birth, birthweight, Apgar scores, small for gestational age and mortality. Relative risk (RR, 95% confidence interval (CI)) for the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes was assessed using logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. results A total of 88.7% of women remained normotensive, 7.5% developed pregnancy-induced hypertension, 2.0% had chronic hypertension, and 1.7% developed (pre-)eclampsia. No adverse effects were observed in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Women with chronic hypertension were more likely to have a lower gestational age at delivery (38.0 2.3 weeks vs. 39.0 1.9 weeks, P = 0.04) and higher risk of pre-term delivery (aRR 4.63, 95% CI 1.35–15.91). Women with pre-eclampsia had emergency Caesarean section significantly more often (88.9% vs. 50%, P = 0.04), with a higher risk for low birthweight infants (aRR 7.95, 95% CI 1.41–44.80) and a higher risk of neonatal death (aRR 18.41, 95% CI 1.20–283.22). conclusion Comparable to high-income countries, in Accra hypertensive disorders during pregnancy were associated with increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes necessitating maternal and newborn care.

Source: UG
The periodical literature of library and information in Africa

In the view of Joswick (1999), library and information service journals remain the primary outlet for the communication of research findings among librarians. However, it must also be accepted that the journals must be easily accessible to the read- ers in order that the information they contain will be useful to them. It is thus considered imperative to have research findings reported in journals that are commonly found in the area of research focus so that research findings are more accessible to local researchers. In this way, whatever findings and recom- mendations are made in a research, can easily be seen and applied in the local environment. In some cases, new innova- tions that have been applied elsewhere can be adopted to the African environment only if they have been seen in journals that are common in Africa. Library and information professionals in Africa have for a long time been disadvantaged in this area because journals published in Africa generally have a short lifespan. It was mainly with these problems in mind that the African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science was established in 1991 with the following mission, vision and goals: Mission To provide on a regular and sustainable basis an excellent scholarly journal that will provide a forum for librarians, documentalists, archivists and other information specialists, for reporting empirical research findings, studies on highly theoretical aspects of the various disciplines in the informa- tion profession, with emphasis on the Africa setting. The journal will serve as a gateway for the latest developments in the information profession all over the world and Africa in particular. Vision The journal is expected to be the major medium for reporting research findings in the information profession in Africa.

Source: UG
The periodical literature of library and information in Africa: 1990–1995

TheAfrican Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science(AJLAIS) is 5 years' old. Despite its relatively young age, it has become the most consistent and reliable journal for information professionals in Africa. This study is an analysis of the papers covered in the first five volumes (1990–1995). Sixty-nine papers are analysed including the status of the authors, gender, country of origin, and types of research. The type and origin of cited documents the authors used in writing articles were also explored. When compared to previous studies, this study reveals an increase in the number of publications from Africa. Of particular interest is the increase in the number of female contributors. The major areas of interest are information technology, rural libraries and status/image of librarians.

Source: UG
Peripartum Hysterectomies at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital: A Review of 182 Consecutive Cases

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to determine the incidence, maternal characteristics, indications, the maternal and perinatal outcomes and the complications of emergency peripartum hysterectomies done at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Study design: This is a retrospective descriptive study covering the period January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2003. Setting: Maternity Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Results: The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy during the study period was 4.34/1000 deliveries. The main indication was severe uterine bleeding from uterine rupture 89 (48.9%), uterine atony 60 (33%), placenta accreta 20 (11%) and post caesarean uterine wound sepsis and necrosis 11 (6%). The average blood loss was 2.02 (SD 0.86) L and all patients received blood transfusion. The mean age of the patients was 31.6 (SD 5.3) years and the mean parity was 2.7 (SD 1.7). Complications occurred in 28 (19.8%) patients. The stillbirth rate was 483.5/1000 deliveries and the maternal mortality was 12.9%. The average duration of hospital stay was 11 (SD 8) days. Conclusions: The incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy is high. It is performed for young nulliparous women through to elderly grand-multiparous women. The surgery is associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Timely expert management in a well resourced centre is advocated.

Source: UG
Peripheral neuropathy in patients with human immunodeficiency viral infection at a tertiary hospital in Ghana

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the most frequent neurological complication in people living with HIV/AIDS. Neurological damage was identified to not only be caused by the viral infection itself but also through neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy (ART). PN is associated with a variety of risk factors; however, detailed knowledge is scarce for sub-Saharan African popula- tions, bearing among the highest HIV/AIDS infection burden. In a cross-sectional study, we assessed the prevalence of PN in 525 adult outpatients suffering from HIV/AIDS and admitted to the largest tertiary hospital in Ghana. Through a detailed questionnaire and clinical examination including neurologic assessment and laboratory blood sample testing, this study investigated associations of PN with demographic and health determinants and identified risk factors associated with sensory neuropathy. The prevalence of PN in the Ghanaian cohort was 17.7% and increased odd ratios (OR) when patients were taller (> 1.57 m; OR = 3.84; 95% CI 1.38–10.66) or reached the age > 34 years (p= 0.124). Respondents with longer education duration had significantly less PN (≥9 years of education; OR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.26–0.92). The study also identified significant association of PN to both waist and hip girth and neutrophil counts. Curiously, higher adjusted odd ratios (aOR) of PN of patients under ART treatment were observed when CD4 lymphocytes were elevated (aOR = 0.81; 95% CI 0.36–1.83 and aOR = 2.17; 95% CI 0.93– 5.05, for 300 and 600 counts, respectively). For patients on ART, an increase of 10 CD4 cell count units increased their chance of developing PN by 1% (aOR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03). Despite current drug application regulations, prevalence of PN is still unacceptably high in sub-Saharan African populations. Reduction in chronic morbidity through a health system with routine monitoring, early diagnosis and prompt intervention, and effective case management can improve people living with HIV/AIDS’quality of life.

Source: UG
Permanent Complete Heart Block Following Surgical Correction of Congenital Heart Disease

Background: The risk of complete heart block (CHB) from congenital heart repairs in Ghana is unknown. This information is important for referring physicians and in pre-operative counselling of patients and facilitates the process of obtaining informed consent for such repairs. Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of permanent post-operative CHB requiring pacemaker implantation; and the post-operative problems related to the pacemaker. Design: Retrospective study design. Setting: The National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC), Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Method: Review of all patients who had intra-cardiac repair of congenital heart disease known to predispose to post-operative complete heart block from January 1993 to December 2008 was carried out with computation of the frequency of complete heart block according to the intra-operative diagnoses. Results: Six out of 242 patients (2.5%) developed permanent post-operative CHB. All underwent closure of a large perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) either as an isolated defect (2 of 151 or 1.3%) or in the setting of conotruncal anomalies (4 of 73 or 5.5%). The dominant parental concern relating to the implanted device was the financial implications of future multiple surgeries to replace a depleted pulse generator. Conclusion: Permanent post-operative complete heart block occurred in 1.3% of patients undergoing VSD repair and 5.5% of those undergoing repair of conotruncal anomalies (Fallot’s tetralogy). The dominant anatomic risk factor was a large perimembranous VSD as an isolated defect or as part of a conotruncal anomaly. Permanent pacemaker implantation in this setting is attended by a low morbidity.

Source: UG
Peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection for the highly sensitive determination of fluorescence-labeled chlorpheniramine with suzuki coupling reaction

sensitive and selective high performance liquid chromatography-peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of chlorpheniramine (CPA) and monodesmethyl chlorpheniramine (MDCPA) in human serum. The method combines fluorescent labeling with 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1 H-imidazole-2-yl)phenyl boronic acid using Suzuki coupling reaction with PO-CL detection. CPA and MDCPA were extracted from human serum by liquid�liquid extraction with n-hexane. Excess labeling reagent, which interfered with trace level determination of analytes, was removed by solid-phase extraction using a C18 cartridge. Separation of derivatives of both analytes was achieved isocratically on a silica column with a mixture of acetonitrile and 60 mM imidazole-HNO buffer (pH 7.2; 85:15, v/ v) containing 0.015% triethylamine. The proposed method exhibited a good linearity with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 for CPA and MDCPA within the concentration range of 0.5�100 ng/mL. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) were 0.14 and 0.16 ng/mL for CPA and MDCPA, respectively. Using the proposed method, CPA could be selectively determined in human serum after oral administration.

Source: UG
A perpetual source of DNA or something really different: Ethical issues in the creation of cell lines for African genomics research

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
Persistence of Multiple Paramyxoviruses in a Closed Captive Colony of Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum)

Clinical Anatomy, Clinical Pathology, Medicine, Surgery, Theriogenology, Epidemiology and Disease Prevention, Food (Meat and Milk Hygiene and Inspection, Zoonoses and Environmental Health, Obstetrics, Mastitis and Udder Management, Veterinary Economics and Business Management, Veterinary Ethics, Jurisprudence and Extension, Clinics and Student Project. Long Vacations

Source: UG
Persistence of profit of banks in Africa

This paper applies Markov chain to analyse the extent and mobility of profit persistent, dynamic auto regressive model is used to assess the speed of convergence and the quantile regression technique is employed to examine the determinants of profit persistent of 330 banks across 29 African countries. The results show that a high level of profit persistence and relatively low speed of convergence provide no support for the hypothesis that there is lower persistent of profits in developing countries due to more intense competition. We also find that competition reduces the level and the speed of banks profits persistence and that, earnings management has a significant impact.

Source: UG
The persistence of profits of banks in Africa

Abstract This paper analyses the profit persistence of African banking sector, focusing on the role of the level of competition and banks earnings management. We apply Markov chain to analyse the extent and mobility of profit persistence, dynamic auto regressive model to assess the speed of convergence and the quantile regression technique to examine the determinants of profit persistence of banks in Africa. The results show a high level of profit persistence and relatively low speed of convergence. There is also evidence that regulation and banks earnings management affect both the level and persistence of banks profitability. We also find that competition as well as 2007/2008 financial crisis reduce the level and the speed of profit persistence.

Source: UG