ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Ethics of Health Care Delivery in a Pediatric Malaria Vaccine Trial: The Perspectives of Stakeholders From Ghana and Tanzania

This study explores ethical issues raised in providing medical care to participants and communities of low-resource settings involved in a Phase II/III pediatric malaria vaccine trial (PMVT). We conducted 52 key informant interviews with major stakeholders of an international multi-center PMVT (GSK/PATH-MVI RTS,S) (NCT00866619) in Ghana and Tanzania. Based on their stakeholder experiences, the responses fell into three main themes: (a) undue inducement, (b) community disparities, and (c) broad therapeutic misconceptions. The study identified the critical ethical aspects, from the perspectives of stakeholders, of delivering health care during a PMVT. The study showed that integrating research into health care services needs to be addressed in a manner that upholds the favorable risk–benefit ratio of research and attends to the health needs of local populations. The implementation of research should aim to improve local standards of care through building a collaborative agenda with local institutions and systems of health.

Source: UCC
Ethics of Wealth Creation in the Cape Coast Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana

This study sought to examine the biblical and moral response of the Methodist Church Ghana to the problem of wrongful means of wealth creation. Some key findings of the study included the fact that majority of people engaged in fraudulent means of acquiring wealth are within the ages of 26 and 35 who can best be described as youth. They engage in robbery, killing, fraud, prostitution and illicit trades such as human trafficking, smuggling of resources and dealing in drugs in order to create wealth. A small percentage, however, create wealth through proper planning and investments. Data was basically collected from respondents through well structured questionnaires, and interview guides were also used to collect data from some key informants. Out of the 350 questionnaires distributed, 285 representing 81.4 percent were returned. The study revealed that people engage in the get-rich-quick menace for various reasons and that the menace affects the individuals involved, their families, the nation and the Church socially, morally and economically. Though the Methodist Church Ghana, is playing a key role in mitigating the menace through its teachings, counselling and social services, these efforts are yet to yield the fullest benefits as not all members of the Church are aware of these efforts either because of high illiteracy rates and poor attendance at Church services and Class meetings. The government and the society at large are called upon to join hands with the Church to fight the menace of get-rich-quick.

Source: UCC
Ethnic-based motives and experiences at former slave sites

This paper examines the relationship between motivation, experience, and post-purchase intentions of five ethnic tourist segments at Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade attractions. Multi-group invariance test on 783 tourists revealed that relaxation motivation influenced the emotional experience of all ethnicities except Blacks in the diaspora whose emotional experience was influenced by social motives. Educational motivation influenced the educational experience of all segments except Black Africans though it impacted their aesthetic experience. Emotional experience influenced the behavioral intention of Blacks in the diaspora, Caucasian Americans, and Europeans while educational experience influenced that of Black Europeans and Africans. Implications of the findings are discussed

Source: UCC
Ethnobotany and ecology of plants of importance reproductive health: A case study of Subri River Forest Reserve in the Western Region of Ghana

Ethnobotanical and ecological studies were carried out to take inventory of the species used by the inhabitants surrounding the Subri River Forest Reserve for reproductive health care and to assess the ecological status of woody plant species of this reserve. The study was carried out between November 2005 and December 2006. Medical ethnobotanical knowledge was gathered from 80 inhabitants in 25 communities using questionnaires. Reproductive health conditions were categorized into 19 major conditions, some of which included abortion, breast cancer, miscarriage and sexual impotence; and 7 corporeal or body systems. A total of 185 medicinal plants species, distributed in 60 families and 155 genera were cited. The most cited species was Gouania longipetala (4.23%). Of these 185 species, 72.97% were woody, while 27.03% were herbaceous. The most frequently employed plant part was barks (32.49 %), followed by roots (29.95%) and leaves (21.32%). Phytosociological studies on woody species with girth of at least 10 cm were undertaken in 50 circular plots of 0.1 ha, making a total of 5ha study area. A total of 128 species belonging to 104 genera and 45 families were encountered. The importance value indices of these species were generally low (0.28 to 20.09). Their distribution into Raunkiaer's frequency classes showed that 92.19% of the species were rare and none was common. There were high species diversity indices of Simpson (0.96) and Shannon-Weaver (4.00). Species evenness was also high (0.82). Only 57 (44.53%) of the woody species were cited for reproductive health conditions. The Relative Importance (RI), calculated from an ethnobotanical perspective, showed that approximately 28% of the 57 plant species were versatile. Alchornea cordifolia was the most versatile species for the reproductive health conditions. However, there was no significant (p>O.05) association between the RI and the phytosociological parameter values of the 57 woody medicinal species. Provisions of sustainable harvesting methods, adequate knowledge about forest management and cultivation among others, will ensure the conservation and sustainable use of these medicinal plants.

Source: UCC
Ethnographic research, local power brokers and the political reorganization of Colonial Ewedome, British mandated territory, 1914-1930s

Present-day scholars have critically examined the nature and dynamics of indirect rule in Africa and have found it to be riddled with contradictions and ambiguities. Colonial officers were often accused of imposing colonial structures on local people in the name of tradition. Native Authorities (NAs), for instance, were seen as colonial inventions that often lacked real legitimacy. This article, however, extends the counter argument that the colonial state was actually the product of complex local dynamics rather than a straightforward ‘imposition’. This article uses both primary and secondary sources to provide evidence which shows how ethnographic research shaped the British policy of amalgamation in colonial Ewedome and secondly adds to our knowledge on the role of local power brokers in the formulation of colonial policies in Africa

Source: UCC
Ethnomedicinal extracts of three Ghanaian plants attenuate oxidation in SC-1 fibroblasts, while perturbing cellular migration

Background: Ethnomedicinal preparations have for many years served as medication for treatment of diverse diseases. These possess various pharmacologically-active phytochemicals which may be harnessed for the treatment of diseases such as wounds. This study investigated the ability of ethnomedicinal extracts prepared from Aspilia africana CD Adams, Boerhavia diffusa L. and Erythrina senegalensis DC. to alter reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and cellular migration in SC-1 fibroblasts as surrogate markers for wound healing. Methods: Extracts were screened for major phytochemical classes using thin-layer chromatography and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS). Cytotoxicity in SC-1 fibroblasts was assessed using sulforhodamine B staining, and morphological examination via microscopy. The effect on AAPHinduced ROS release was measured using dichlorofluorescein diacetate activation. The effect on cellular migration was determined microscopically using the scratch wound method. Results: Phytochemical classes such as alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols were identified in all three extracts. Chromatograms created using UPLC-TOF-MS showed the absence of ascorbic acid, and kaempferol, whilst traces of neobavaisoflavone was detected in E. senegalensis. None of the extracts was cytotoxic. E. senegalensis reduced intracellular ROS and cellular migration by 35% and 65% at 100 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Although E. senegalensis reduced oxidative stress, cellular migration was hindered. Free radicals are associated with activation of proliferative and migratory pathways, and thus may be implicated in the reduced migration observed. The latter may result in reduced wound healing. Further investigation is necessary to identify bioactive components, and elucidate the mechanistic pathways involved.

Source: UCC
An ethnomedicinal survey of plants used to treat malaria in the Central Region of Ghana

Herbal medicines form a major component of traditional medicine in Africa because they are perceived to be efficacious and safe. The study aimed at investigating anti-malarial plants used by the indigenous people in the Central Region of Ghana. The study was conducted in three districts: Cape Coast (CC), Assin and Asikuma Odoben-Brakwa (AOB). Ethnomedicinal data on antimalarial plants was collected using a convenient sampling technique consisting of field observation, collection of vouchers and semi-structured interviews of herbalists/herbal practitioners and general public. Respondents interviewed constituted Herbal practitioners/Vendors (8%), Traditional birth attendants (TBAs, 6%), Chiefs/Opinion leaders (2%), and general public (84%). The female respondents formed 54% and 46% were males. Eighty-nine plant species belonging to 41 families were recorded as useful in treating malaria. Leaves were the commonest plant part used for herbal preparation (49.5%), followed by Stem bark (21.2%), roots (14.1%), fruits (7.2%), seeds and whole (3.0% each) and flowers (2.0%). Thirty-two plant species belonging to 23 families were found to be common in all study areas. Herbal medicine patronage for malaria treatment in Central Region of Ghana is high with common species occurring in all study areas

Source: UCC
The Ethnopharmacological and Nutraceutical Relevance of Launaea taraxacifolia(Willd.) min ex C. Jeffrey

Launaea taraxacifolia (Willd.) Amin ex C. Jefrey is a herb found mostly in tropical Africa. Te plant, commonly found in West Africa, is used in the management of many diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory, haematological, endocrine, and metabolic diseases in Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Serra Leone, and Senegal. Tis piece provides comprehensive and updated information on the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological and toxicological information available on Launaea taraxacifolia to support its medicinal uses and also unearth knowledge gaps for future studies. An electronic literature search using search engines, namely, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, was carried out to obtain information on the plant. Both common and scientific names of the plant were used as keywords for the search process. Tis paper captured information on Launaea taraxacifolia from 1985 to 2018. Te search revealed that the leaves of the plant possess nutritional/pharmacological effects on diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, malaria, bacterial infections, and arthritis. The leaf has been shown to be a rich source of phytoconstituents such as favonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, coumarins, triterpenoids, ascorbicacid, lycopene, and B-carotene. Also, isolated phytoconstituents as well as the safety profile of the plant have been documented. This review on Launaea taraxacifolia has provided a one-stop documentation of information in support of the several purported ethnopharmacological uses of the plant. It also reveals information gaps such as the need to research into its pharmacokinetics, interactions with drugs of importance, and its development into a plant-based drug in order to expand its clinical use

Source: UCC
Ethnopharmacological evaluation of schistosomicidal and cercaricidal activities of some selected medicinal plants from Ghana

The adulticidal and cercaricidal activities of five Ghanaian medicinal plants, namely, Phyllanthus amarus, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Morinda lucida and Nauclea latifolia against S. mansoni were evaluated in this study. Six weeks old ICR mice (n = 25) were percutaneously infected with S. mansoni cercariae.Nine weeks later, infected mice (n = 5) were anaesthetised and perfused for adult S. mansoni. Cercariae were treated with different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25 μg/mL) of methanolic extracts of the experimenting plants in triplicates. Adult S. mansoni incopula were also treated with same concentrations of each extract or 20 μg/mL praziquantel. The cercariae and adult worms were observed at time intervals for 180 min and 120 h to assess mortality and viability respectively. Additionally, 9-week cercariae-infected mice (4 groups of 5 mice)= were treated with either 500 mg/kg po A. indica or V. amygdalina, 400 mg/kg po praziquantel or distilled water for 14 days. The mice were euthanized after adult worms were recovered from them. The liver was processed and histologically examined for granuloma formations. Results: All the plants exhibited varying cercaricidal and adulticidal activities against S. mansoni in a time and concentration-dependent manner. A. indica (3 h IC50 = 27.62 μg/mL) and V. amygdalina (3 h IC50 = 35.84 μg/mL) exerted the highest cercaricidal activity. Worm recovery after treatment with V. amygdalina, A. indica and praziquantel in vivo was 48.8%, 85.1 % and 59.9 % respectively (p < 0.05). A. indica and V. amydalina treated mice recorded lesser mean liver and spleen weights compared to untreated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A. indica demonstrated the highest cercaricidal and alduticidal activities in vitro, whereas V. amygdalina exhibited the most potent aldulticidal activity in vivo. This study could provide baseline information which can be used to develop plant-based alternative commercial drugs against S. mansoni

Source: UCC
Ethnopharmacological evaluation of schistosomicidal and cercaricidal activities of some selected medicinal plants from Ghana

Background: The adulticidal and cercaricidal activities of five Ghanaian medicinal plants, namely, Phyllanthus amarus, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Morinda lucida and Nauclea latifolia against S. mansoni were evaluated in this study. Six weeks old ICR mice (n = 25) were percutaneously infected with S. mansoni cercariae. Nine weeks later, infected mice (n = 5) were anaesthetised and perfused for adult S. mansoni. Cercariae were treated with different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25 μg/mL) of methanolic extracts of the experimenting plants in triplicates. Adult S. mansoni incopula were also treated with same concentrations of each extract or 20 μg/mL praziquantel. The cercariae and adult worms were observed at time intervals for 180 min and 120 h to assess mortality and viability respectively. Additionally, 9-week cercariae-infected mice (4 groups of 5 mice) were treated with either 500 mg/kg po A. indica or V. amygdalina, 400 mg/kg po praziquantel or distilled water for 14 days. The mice were euthanized after adult worms were recovered from them. The liver was processed and histologically examined for granuloma formations. Results: All the plants exhibited varying cercaricidal and adulticidal activities against S. mansoni in a time and concentration-dependent manner. A. indica (3 h IC50 = 27.62 μg/mL) and V. amygdalina (3 h IC50 = 35.84 μg/mL) exerted the highest cercaricidal activity. Worm recovery after treatment with V. amygdalina, A. indica and praziquantel in vivo was 48.8%, 85.1 % and 59.9 % respectively (p < 0.05). A. indica and V. amydalina-treated mice recorded lesser mean liver and spleen weights compared to untreated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A. indica demonstrated the highest cercaricidal and alduticidal activities in vitro, whereas V. amygdalina exhibited the most potent aldulticidal activity in vivo. This study could provide baseline information which can be used to develop plant-based alternative commercial drugs against S. mansoni.

Source: UCC
Etude Du Processus Redactionnel Dans L’enseignement De Redaction Dans 9 Lycees De La Metropole De Cape Coast

We have observed that one of the factors that explain the inability of learners to perform satisfactorily in essay writing or the fundamental reason responsible for lack of confidence by French students to practice writing is the lack or absence of the necessary pedagogical enablement: the failure of the syllabus to make the necessary provision and teachers’ inability to handle the aspect of writing adequately. In some cases, and especially in teaching and learning French as a Foreign Language in Ghana, it appears teachers do not guide learners through the processes involved in writing an essay. This study, therefore aims at researching into pedagogical practices Senior High School teachers of French in Cape Coast Metropolis engage in with respect to facilitating essay writing in French as a foreign language. The theoretical framework consists of psycholinguistic approach of writing and some relevant studies conducted in the area of writing in Ghana and abroad. Questionnaire has been administered to some French teachers in the Cape Coast metropolis to help find their approach to teaching of essay, the activities they propose with respect to Hayes & Flower (1980) model of writing essay to guide the written task. Also, an interview has been used among some Form 3 teachers to understand clearly how they go about the teaching of essay writing. At the end of the study, it has been shown that though 93% of the respondents read a course related to teaching of French as a Foreign Language as part of their teacher training programme, they lack the methodology of teaching essay writing. They usually do not end the writing process with the students but they leave the writing task to the learners as an assignment for the most part. It has also been established that the provision in the Senior High School teaching syllabus of French is inadequate to teach essay writing appropriately with the aim of helping learners to become independent writers. We hope that when a programme is designed to help teach essay writing, the teaching of essay writing would be enhanced hence minimizing the difficulties related to essay writing by students in the secondary schools.

Source: UCC
Etude Pragmatique Des Formules De Demande Et D‟Excuse Chez Les Apprenants Du Niveau 400 Du Departement De Français A L‟Universite De Cape Coast

This present work seeks to conduct a pragmatic study of request and excuse formulas among 400 level learners in the Department of French at the University of Cape Coast. The major objectives of this study are to identify the sociolinguistic variables that influence the learners‟ choice of polite formulas, to verify the strategies used by the leaners in realizing the speech acts of request and apology and to look out for the pedagogical factors that are likely to contribute to the learning of the polite markers in expressing a request and an apology. This study uses Brown & Levinson‟s (1987) theory of politeness as well as Cross-Cultural Speech Act Realization Project (CCSARP) proposed by Blum-Kulka, House & Kasper (1989). The data of this study was collected through Discourse Completion Test (DCT) from sixteen level 400 French students 8 being males and 8 being females. The analyses of our study show that the students‟ choice of certain polite formulas is influenced by the sociolinguistic variables. It also revealed that the learners have little knowledge about the different strategies used in performing the acts of apology and request thereby limiting them to a particular way of realizing these speech acts. Our study further brings to the fore the role of teaching pragmatics in a FLE class in the pragmatic performance of a FLE learner. Finally, this study offers some pedagogical recommendations for educators to implement in a FLE class in order to facilitate the learners‟ mastery of the polite formulas in performing the speech acts of apology and request in French.

Source: UCC
Etude sociolinguistique des inscriptions sur les vehicules commerciaux de quelques gares routieres: le cas de la metropole D'Accra

The main objective of this thesis is to determine the meaning and the idea behind inscriptions (signboards) on commercial vehicles. From the study, it was realized that those who create these inscriptions really have some interesting experiences to share with the larger population. The writings are also made up of ideas relating to culture, socio-politics and shared knowledge of a given linguistic group in which they occur. The writings serve as a means of identification of the vehicle, its owner or the driver. They also bring out the creativity of those who create them. The artistry of the sign writers who wrote them is also displayed on the vehicles. Another factor that came to limelight was the effects these writings could have on those who read them. Views were varied in this case. To some of the respondents, these writings are consolation (30%), education (22,5%) encouragement (21.3%), and spiritual inspirations (18.8%) to them. After all, (7.5%) thought writing on vehicles is not necessary. It was also realized from a sociolinguistic point of view that a particular domain of use determines the type of language that is to be used. In Accra and among the commercial drivers, Akan is more used than Ga, the language of the area. Also, in language contact, while Akan is expanding through these writings, Ga and French are seen to be losing ground. All the twelve respondents, in addition to their mother tongue, understand and speak English and Akan. This shows that multilingualism is a phenomenon that is prevalent among commercial drivers.

Source: UCC
An etymological study of the word ‘aborɔfo’ (Europeans) and its Impact on Akan Language

The Akan word ‘aborɔfo’ (Europeans) came into existence in Akan through a derivational process. However, two schools of thought exist concerning the actual meaning of the word ‘aborɔfo’. Those who perceive the colonial masters to be wicked (due to their activities in the country) interpret the word as aborɔ-fo(ɔ) ‘wicked people’. The other school of thought has it that the Europeans got the name aborɔfo because they came to the Gold Coast by sea, hence, a-borɔ-fo(ɔ) (i.e. from behind the horizon). This paper seeks to use both historical and linguistic evidence in support of the latter. For the historical evidence, the paper considers the behavior of the Europeans or what they did when they first set foot on the soils of our mother land that could possibly earn them the name ‘wicked people’. It also looks at when they got that name; and also before they were seen to be wicked what was their name. Linguistically, the word aborɔ-fo(ɔ) is compared with ɔbo-fo/abo-fo ‘wicked people’ to indicate that our ancestors would have preferred abo-fo to aborɔ-fo if they wanted to refer to the Europeans as wicked people

Source: UCC