ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant, And Antimicrobial Activities Of Ripe And Unripe Ghanaian Habanero Pepper (Capsicum Chinense)

This study compared the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of ripe and unripe Ghanaian habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) against some selected foodborne pathogens. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the pepper extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while the radical scavenging potential of the pepper extracts was assessed using the DPPH and ABTS assays. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), combinatory effects with standard antimicrobial agents, and inhibition of biofilm formation were used to assess the antimicrobial activity of the pepper extracts. The results showed that the ripe pepper extract outperformed the unripe pepper extract in terms of TPC and radical scavenging potential. The TPC values of 1004.52 µgGAE/g and 1362.79 µgGAE/g were obtained for unripe pepper and ripe pepper extract, respectively. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging potential were 28.80 % and 91.32 % for unripe extracts and 34.27 % and 92.96 % for ripe pepper extract. In addition, varying degrees of MIC and MBC were obtained for both the unripe and ripe pepper extracts against test organisms. Combinatory effects with antimicrobial agents and antibiofilm formation activity varied for both pepper extracts. In conclusion, the use of pepper in food preparation could help reduce the menace of foodborne diseases.

Source: UG
Total Quality Management in Academic Libraries: The Perception and Expectations of Graduate Students of The University of Ghana, Legon

This study focused on the perception and expectations of graduate students on Total Quality Management (TQM) in academic libraries with special reference to the University of Ghana Central Library (The Balme Library). The main theme of the study is the analysis of data in relation to service excellence, service effectiveness, service efficiency and continuous improvement in the Balme Library. This study used the quantitative survey method to generate data from 200 respondents out of the 450 total graduate population and the responses were analyzed using Krukal Wallis One-Way ANOVA (non-parametric) model to test the differences in perception and expectations of postgraduate users of the library. The study found out that in practical terms TQM is not being applied as a management technique in the Balme Library. It therefore concludes that the importance of TQM is not centered around postgraduate students' perception and expectations only, but also in anticipating and exceeding the demands of a fast changing environment of service delivery especially the academic libraries.

Source: UG
Total Reward Concept: A Key Motivational Tool for Corporate Ghana

This paper examines the concept of total reward and its application in motivating employees in Ghana. Total reward as an integral element of reward management is the combination of financial and non-financial rewards given to employees in exchange for their efforts. The aim of total reward is to maximize the combined impact of a wide range of reward elements on motivation, commitment and job engagement. Hence, total reward embraces everything that employees’ value in the employment relationship. In spite of the growing need to pay attention to the concept of total reward, it appears most Ghanaian organisations place more emphasis on traditional rewards that are typically extrinsic and financial in nature. Thus, most Ghanaian organisations pay too much attention to financial rewards at the expense of non-financial rewards. This paper thus examines existing literature on the concept of total reward to determine whether the adoption of total reward strategy could be the answer to corporate Ghana in its bid to obtain maximum efforts from employees.

Source: UG
Total Serum Magnesium Levels and Calcium-To-Magnesium Ratio in Sickle Cell Disease

Background and Objectives: Imbalance of calcium/magnesium ratio could lead to clinical complications in sickle cell disease (SCD). Low levels of magnesium have been associated with sickling, increased polymerization and vaso-occlusion (VOC) in sickle cell due to cell dehydration. The K-Cl cotransport plays a very important role in sickle cell dehydration and is inhibited by significantly increasing levels of magnesium. The study evaluated total serum magnesium levels and computed calcium/magnesium ratio in SCD patients and “healthy” controls. Materials and Methods: The study was a case-control cross-sectional one, involving 120 SCD patients (79 Haemoglobin SS (HbSS)and 41 Haemoglobin SC (HbSC)) at the steady state and 48 “healthy” controls. Sera were prepared from whole blood samples (n = 168) and total magnesium and calcium measured using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Variant 240FS manufactured by VARIAN Australia Pty Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia). Calcium/magnesium ratios were calculated in patients and the controls. Results: The prevalence of hypomagnesemia and hypocalcaemia among the SCD patients was observed to be 39.17% and 52.50% respectively, higher than the controls (4.17% and 22.92%, for hypomagnesemia and hypocalcaemia, respectively). Level of magnesium was significantly lower in the SCD patients compared to their healthy counterparts (p = 0.002). The magnesium level was further reduced in the HbSS patients but not significantly di erent from the HbSC patients (p = 0.584). calcium/magnesium ratio was significantly higher in the SCD patients (p = 0.031). Although calcium/magnesium ratio was higher in the HbSC patients compared to those with the HbSS genotype, the di erence was not significant (p = 0.101). Conclusion: The study shows that magnesium homeostasis are altered in SCD patients, and their levels are lower in HbSS patients. Although calcium/magnesium ratio is significantly higher in SCD patients compared with controls, there is no significant di erence between patients with HbSS and HbSC genotypes. Magnesium supplementation may be required in sickle cell patients.

Source: UG
Total spinal following labour epidural analgesia managed with non-invasive ventilation

A 30-year-old woman developed total spinal anaesthesia during establishment of labour analgesia via an epidural catheter The subsequent respiratory failure was successfully managed with non-invasive ventilation. This report describes the use of non-invasive ventilation in the parturient and the process of managing the parturient safely in an appropriately monitored environment. This case displays the potential benefit of this technique in the setting of a total spinal block in preventing the need for intubation and ventilation (and subsequent emergency caesarean section) and providing adequate ventilatory function until the block subsided adequately.

Source: UG
Total-Factor Energy Efficiency and Productivity of ECOWAS States: A Slacks-Based Measure with Undesirable Outputs

Sub-Saharan Africa consumes far less energy per capita than world energy use per capita, yet energy efficiency is far lower in Africa. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been active in developing an energy efficiency policy aiming to improve efficiency levels in the region to be comparable to world levels. However, benchmarks used for the policy are based on traditional efficiency and intensity ratios. We examine the energy efficiency and energy productivity changes of ECOWAS members using nonparametric non-radial efficiency and dynamic productivity assessment techniques that take into consideration undesirable outputs. We find differences in the nature and levels of energy efficiency and sources of inefficiency among member states. We also observe that the major source of energy productivity growth in the region mainly relates to technical changes outside direct state control. There is a need for institutionalization of energy efficiency in the region by considering country-specific policies. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis

Source: UG
‘‘Tougher than ever’’: An exploration of relapse prevention strategies among patients recovering from poly-substance use disorders in Ghana

Objective: Drug dependency has been typified as a persistent relapsing disorder. Overall, 65% of people with substance use disorders relapse within one year after treatment. Recent interventions have focussed on contextually relevant relapse prevention strategies. This study explored relapse prevention strategies utilised by patients recovering from poly substance use disorders one year after treatment at a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit in Ghana. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive phenomenology design and was conducted at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit of the Regional Hospital, Sunyani, Ghana. A purposive sample of 15 patients recovering from poly-substance use disorders were recruited. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with a semistructured guide and analysed using the content analysis procedures. Results: Five key themes emerged from the analysis of the data that described participants’ relapse prevention strategies. These include clinical strategies, self initiated tactics, spirituality and religious engagements, communalism and social support network. Conclusions: The evidence from this study supports a multilevel treatment strategy for patients with poly-substance disorders. We found that a combination of clinical, individual and contextual factors significantly contribute to relapse prevention efforts in the Ghanaian context. Clinicians and treatment services should explore, evaluate, strengthen and incorporate these emerging themes into their relapse prevention interventions protocols

Source: UG
Tourism and economic wellbeing in Africa

The importance of tourism as a driver of economic growth and development in countries is well explored in the literature. In this chapter, we extend this line of research by incorporating the concept of economic wellbeing to tourism research in Africa. The chapter explores the effect of tourism on economic wellbeing for 44 African countries for the period 1995-2015 using fully modified least square method. The empirical evidence shows there is a strong, positive and statistically significant relationship between tourism and economic wellbeing, indicating that increased tourism is associated with increased economic wellbeing. The evidence also indicates bi-directional causal linkages between tourism and economic wellbeing in the short and long run, implying that tourism leads to economic wellbeing while economic wellbeing also leads to the expansion of tourist activities both in the short and long run. The chapter therefore contributes to a deeper understanding of tourism as an important factor for the economic wellbeing of destination countries.

Source: UG
Tourism Governance and Attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa

Inclusiveness that improves tourism governance is significant for development if benefits from tourism are distributed equitably. Declaration of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have seemingly brought tourism to the forefront of development even where the SDGs have limited tourism focus. This paper examines how tourism governance is poorly applied in Africa. It interrogates the challenges of integrating tourism governance, mining, and conservation within the SDGs framework in Africa. Sustainable tourism governance frameworks have not comprehensively inculcated trust, justice, social capital, power, and participation. Using mining and conservation in South Africa and Zimbabwe respectively, it analyses how mining affects sustainability, as actors in tourism are unable to conserve and protect tourism sites. Achieving the SDGs requires collaboration between international actors, governments, the private sector, and locals in an inclusive governance based on justice, inclusion trust and equitable power relations.

Source: UG
Toward a framework for understanding the distressed organization: Insights from practitioner-based organizational interventions in an emerging economy

Organizational distress, sickness, and ill health are important concepts given the consequences of organizational failure on the lives of people. It seems, however, that there is no comprehensive framework within organizational psychology for theorizing about organizational sickness. Most work in this area has focused on individual experience of organizational life to the neglect of the organizational level of analysis. This article presents a framework by drawing on practitioner interventions in 6 organizations in an emerging economy in Africa. The findings suggest 6 main indicants of organizational ill health: executive delusions of grandeur, procedural weakness, employee alienation of the malicious and redundant forms, organizational hemorrhaging or constipation, and corporate directionlessness. These indicants are discussed and a continuum of organizational health-sickness-distress is advanced. Copyright 2005 by the Educational Publishing Foundation and the Society of Consulting Psychology.

Source: UG
Toward a Museum Culture in Ghana: Processes and Challenges

This article discusses how the Institute of African Studies mounted a community-based exhibition drawing on indigenous knowledge and narratives of culture contact and influence, with the hope that this, and similar exhibitions in Ghana, would help to develop a museum culture in local communities. The article also addresses the methods and procedures used in developing the content of the local exhibition, including consultations with leaders of Sekondi and neighboring areas.

Source: UG
Toward a national innovation strategy: A critique of Ghana's science, technology and innovation policy

The science-centric nature of Ghana's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) framework could be expected but the fact that it places innovation only in the realm of science and technology (S & T) means that Ghana needs a broader national innovation policy or strategy. This should be a strategy that embraces a wider conception of innovation and as such include solutions that are not necessarily science-based. These non-science innovations could prove to be equally crucial to national development as the S&T-based ones. In a situation where a lot of commitments (financial and beyond) must be sacrificed to strengthen the structural foundation for science and tech innovations, it is important that non-science innovations and their pursuit are promoted. The rewards could be massive as can be seen in the examples of the National Friday Wear and Chocolate Day programmes instituted by the Ghanaian government.

Source: UG
Toward a Socially Oriented Agricultural Model for Africa’s Renaissance

In this paper, African Renaissance is discussed from the perspective of new interests in African agriculture. Opportunities in Africa in agribusiness are growing. But accompanying this growth is a model of agriculture based on application of high technical inputs, under the narrative of agricultural intensification. However, there is evidence to suggest that new interests and practices toward harnessing Africa’s potential for agricultural development for the African Renaissance are not sustainable due to constraints and disadvantages to small-holder farmers. This paper draws from empirical qualitative research on sugarcane farming in the Chemelil area in western Kenya to demonstrate that the high technical input model of agricultural intensification stifles farmers’ political power and will to control their lands and thus to innovate to benefit from their lands. The paper calls for a socially oriented model of agriculture toward contributing to the African Renaissance.

Source: UG
Toward Achieving Smart Cities In Africa: Challenges To Data Use And The Way Forward

The advent of smart and digital cities is bringing data to the forefront as a critical resource for addressing the multifaceted transitions faced by African cities, from rapid urbanization to the climate crisis. However, this commentary highlights the formidable considerations that must be addressed to realize the potential of data-driven urban planning and management. We argue that data should be viewed as a tool, not a panacea, drawing from our experience in modeling and mapping the accessibility of transport systems in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. We identified five key considerations, including data choice, imperfections, resource intensity, validation, and data market dynamics, and propose three actionable points for progress: local data sharing, centralized repositories, and capacity-building. While our focus is on Kumasi and Accra; the considerations discussed are relevant to cities across the African continent.

Source: UG
Toward cultural narratology: Indigenous Frafra and Akan perspectives on resilience

There is a distinct conceptualization of the problematic of resilience emerging from cultural narratives and ontologies/epistemologies in considering the possibility of surviving in our precarious present and uncertain futures. This article engages with the distinct narratives of Frafra and Akan Indigenous people for whom the narrative of storytelling is consciously and explicitly at the center of their culture-specific processes of resilience, including those deriving from building climate resilience and environmental adaptation. This article probes the important implications that a better understanding of narratives of resilience may have for the possibility of surviving in our precarious present and uncertain futures. It is suggested that Indigenous narratives of resilience, such as those represented in active Frafra and Akan traditions and ontologies/epistemologies highlight the relevance of bearing in mind cultural specificity for advancing the theorizing on resilience, and what thinking with, and through hegemonic resilience paradigms may entail. I conclude by making a strong case for the potential of cultural narratives to subvert and problematize resilience to reimagine alternative resilient ways of being and knowing in the world, while also touching upon some implications for inter-disciplinarity, trans-disciplinarity, and multi-disciplinarity.

Source: UG
Toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution among E7 Economies: Assessment of the Combined Impact of Institutional Quality, Bank Funding, and Foreign Direct Investment

Abstract Technological innovation and its paradigm, that is, the Fourth Industrial Revolution-4IR, have shown strong impact on income levels of adopters across the globe. To this end, this analysis examines the impact of bank funding and institutional quality on technological advancement. This study adds additional variables such as high-technology exports and foreign directinvestment (FDI) as control variable. Our study period spans from 2000 to 2018 on an annual frequency for E7 economies (Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, India, Turkey, Russia, and China). This study leverages on cross-sectional ARDL, Augmented Mean Group (AMG), and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group Estimates (CCEMG) estimation techniques to examine long-run relationship between the outlined variables. Empirical findings show that institution quality, bank finance, income, high-technology exports, and foreign direct investments exert a positive effect on advancements in technology. Furthermore, the interaction between bank finance and institution quality on technological advancement is also positive and statistically significant. Based on the findings, it is concluded that large-scale funding is crucial for businesses to leverage revolutionary technology. Likewise, access to large capital sources if made easier encourages technology affordance as well as innovation and operational excellence. Thus, economies with established legal and financial systems stand to offer businesses such security, which encourages business innovation. Consequently, E7 economies ought to improve their financial and legal systems to boost financial security, creativity, and competitiveness of businesses. Keywords

Source: UG
Towards a comprehensive breastfeedingfriendly workplace environment: insight from selected healthcare facilities in the central region of Ghana

Background: In the last three decades, Ghana has championed the objectives of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives to provide pregnant women and nursing mothers with the skills and support systems necessary for attaining optimal breastfeeding. Yet, little is known in literature on how these intervention regimes practically promote breastfeeding-friendly work environment in healthcare facilities and their level of effectiveness. This study explores the extent to which healthcare facilities in Ghana’s Effutu Municipality provide breastfeeding-friendly workplace environment to breastfeeding frontline health workers. Methods: A descriptive mixed-method approach was employed to collect data from fifty-four participants, comprising healthcare facility representatives and breastfeeding frontline health workers. A self-administered questionnaire with structured responses was administered to frontline health workers, followed by interview guides for representatives of hospital management. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview responses. Responses to questionnaires were processed with SPSS version 23.0 and presented using frequencies and percentages. Results: Three main themes emerged, namely, Standpoints on workplace breastfeeding support; Breastfeeding support, and Suggested future directions. Beyond this, six sub-themes emerged, including backings for workplace breastfeeding support; perceived benefits of breastfeeding support; factors of poor breastfeeding workplace support; maternity protection benefits; workplace support gaps, and awareness creation on benefits. Breastfeeding frontline health workers held that their hospitals have no breastfeeding policy (96%), no breastfeeding facility (96%), they do not go to work with baby (96%), but had 12 weeks maternity leave (96%) and worked half-day upon return to work (70%). Conclusion: Health facilities in the study do not provide a breastfeeding-friendly work environment except for the privileges provided by the Labor Act and conditions of service. Continuous advocacy on breastfeeding workplace support and stakeholder engagement to build consensus on the mix of strategies suitable to cushion breastfeeding frontline health workers is recommended for optimal breastfeeding and improved productivity.

Source: UG
Towards a Comprehensive System of Community Based Mental Healthcare in Ghana: Social Work Perspective

The Chapter reflects on how Ghana can learn from the strategies adopted by some developed countries in caring for the mentally ill. In this chapter, the author proposes the implementation of a community based mental health care for the mentally ill based on the experiences she gained over a three year period working in community mental health settings in the United States and Canada. The chapter also looks at the history of mental health care in Ghana, indigenous beliefs about mental health and how they affect care and attitude towards people with mental illness.

Source: UG