ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Environmental Education for Sustainable Development: The Case of University of Cape Coast-Ghana

To determine students’ knowledge in greening, sustainable development and the readiness to embrace environmental education as part of the curricular in the different programs offered at the University of Cape Coast-Ghana as a way of preparing them well for future work. Study Design: A survey was used for the study. A total of 270 students from 23 different departments of the University of Cape Coast were sampled and studied. A questionnaire was self-developed, pilot tested and distributed to the students. Their knowledge in sustainability, sustainable development, greening among others was assessed. Students’ interest in learning about environmental issues should it be introduced as part of the curriculum in different programs was sought. Out of the 270 questionnaires distributed, 254 were retrieved giving a response rate of 94%. There were 150 males and 104 females ranging from 19-33 years with a mean age of 23 years. Seventy-two percent of the students believed that the U.C.C. campus is green enough and 85% believed that there is a relationship between green and sustainability. About 87% welcomed the idea of adding environmental issues to the curricular of their respective programs and 83% suggested it be added to the curricular of all programs offered at the University. Students may have a good idea of what green, sustainability and sustainable development are but their willingness to study environmental issues will help augment their knowledge in these. There is need for further work to validate how this gained knowledge will transcend into helping graduates secure jobs after graduation and reduce graduate unemployment.

Source: UCC
Environmental education in senior secondary schools in the Sunyani municipality

Concerns have been raised in recent times concerning the negative attitude of Ghanaians towards the environment. In spite of efforts being made to change behaviour, very little seems to have been achieved. All over the world, the most powerful tool, which is used to surmount environmental problems is Environmental Education (EE). EE has been made part of the Senior Secondary School curriculum in Ghana. One would wonder the benefits of EE if environmental problems keep rising day by day. The research therefore, sought to examine the extent to which the content of Environmental Education in the Senior Secondary School syllabus is able to impart knowledge on environmental issues. To obtain useful data to help in achieving the objectives of the research, a Criterion Reference Test was conducted for final year students of four Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) in the Sunyani Municipality. Also a questionnaire was designed to elicit the views of teachers in the said schools on the topic. The I-leads of the various schools used in the study were also interviewed. The study revealed interesting results notable among which is the fact that, students who come out of SSS on the whole cannot be said to be knowledgeable in environmental issues. Among the reasons accounting for this were that, teachers were not using hands-on approaches in teaching EE. Again, the content of EE in the Social Studies Syllabus was also seen to be too small. To solve these problems that hinder the teaching and learning of EE, a number of recommendations have been made which, when implemented to the letter, would change the face of EE in our Senior Secondary Schools

Source: UCC
Environmental Health Impact of Waste Management Practices of the University of Cape Coast and its Surrounding Communities: Perception of Undergraduate Students.

Quality health status is paramount for a smooth academic work of students. However, poor waste management practices could expose students to adverse health impacts that could negatively affect their performance. The study assessed the environmental health impact of waste management practices of the University of Cape Coast and its surrounding communities. In this descriptive study, a stratified proportional sampling technique was used to select 4,400 students for the quantitative analysis. Three key informants were purposively sampled for face to face interview. Structured questionnaire, interview guide and observational checklist were used for the data collection. The inferential analysis on the quantitative data was done using Wilcoxon rank sum test, logistic regression analysis, and structural equation model (SEM). The qualitative responses were analysed through data reduction and thematic content analysis. The waste management practices of the students were generally good though evidence of poor waste management were observed in the communities. Again, it was observed that, poor waste management influences the health status of the students negatively. The university also follows the National Sanitation Policy to guide waste management practices. The main conclusion was that waste management practices have direct and indirect adverse impact on the health status of the students. The study recommends that the Environmental Health Section of UCC and the Environmental Unit of CCMA need to increase the frequency of waste collection. The Environmental Health Section of UCC and the Environmental Health Unit of CCMA need to sensitise students on the need to control the environmental health impact before its extent to affect their health.

Source: UCC
Environmental implications of Oil and Gas activities on livelihoods of Citizens in Akyinkyin in the Western Region of Ghana

The development of Ghana requires adequate revenue generation from the oil and gas sector. In the country’s quest to generate revenue for its development, a number of damages are caused to both the livelihoods of people in the oil producing areas and the environment. The research examined the environmental implications of oil and gas activities on the livelihoods of citizens in Akyinkyin in the western region of Ghana. Both the probability and non-probability methods of research were used. The study also employed the simple random sampling and purposive sampling methods in selecting respondents for the study. Questionnaire and focus group discussion guide was the main data collection instrument and a sample size of 350 respondents was used along with one focus group discussion. Frequencies, tables, percentages and thematic approaches were also used to present the data. The research found that the exploration of oil and gas activities led to high teenage pregnancies, reduced fishing and farming activities and loss of farmlands. It was also found that plant species and traditional herbs used for medicines have been lost and there have been oil spills into water bodies. It is therefore recommended that there should be an intensification of oil and gas monitoring activities in order to reduce oil spills and other environmental dangers.

Source: UCC
Environmental Justice Education: Empowering Ghanaian Students to become Environmental Citizens

This article highlights the need to integrate environmental justice (EJ) education into environmental science programs offered in Ghanaian universities. The study was conducted at the University of Cape Coast, which is close to the oil-drilling region in western Ghana. Predominant instances of environmental injustice often accompany oil drilling and extraction of natural resources. Three issues are addressed: students’ perceptions of EJ, their attitudes toward studying EJ, and perceived barriers to the practical application of EJ. The history and important concepts of the EJ movement are reviewed for the purpose of educating students. The World Values Survey for determining Ghanaians’ perceptions and attitudes toward various environmental issues is also reviewed. Qualitative research design was used. A questionnaire was developed based on the themes of EJ from the review and administered to 75 students. Students showed a satisfactory level of EJ perception and assessed barriers to practicing EJ. Implications for EJ education are covered.

Source: UCC
Environmental management and sustainable tourism development: The case of hotels in Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana

Due to calls for more sustainable tourism practices, environmental management, which was the preserve of the smokestack industries, has engaged managers of most hotels around the globe. The literature is replete with environmental management practices and initiatives by hotels in North America, Europe and Asia and therefore not much is known about environmental management in hotels in a developing country like Ghana. This article therefore explores the environmental management and sustainable tourism practices in hotels in Ghana based on a survey of 52 managers of various categories of hotels in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Source: UCC
Environmental management practices among hotels in the greater Accra region hotels in the greater Accra region

This study investigates the environmental management practices among different categories of hotels in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana. Existing literature on hotels’ environmental management practices provided the theoretical underpinning for the study. Using the stratified sampling method, a sample of 52 hotel managers from the various categories of hotels in region completed questionnaires on the study. A test on the hypothesis using the chi-square method supported the fact that larger hotels (Three to five star) were at the forefront of adoption and practice of environmental management practices. Also, for the hotels with environmental policies, such policies were geared towards achieving safe, clean and healthy environments

Source: UCC
Environmental Performance of Hotels in Accra

The steady growth in number of hotels 10 Accra is a source of environmental concern. This study sought to assess the environmental performance of hotels in Accra from the perspective of hotel managers, international tourists and other stakeholders. A stratified random sampling method was employed in surveying 200 hotel managers from the different categories of hotels in Accra. Additionally, 343 international tourists at various attraction sites in Accra and an in-depth interview of six key informants from stakeholder organizations and host communities were covered. Collectively, the hotels performed creditably in terms of environmental health and pollution prevention, support for local communities and in green purchasing. However, they performed poorly in the area of voluntary environmental programmes. There were also significant differences in the environmental performance of different categories of hotels with 3-4 star hotels being the best performers in all 10 areas of environmental management practices. International tourists had a positive attitude towards environmental management by hotels and were even willing to pay more to stay in hotels that are environmentally conscious. To improve the environmental performance of hotels in Accra, there should be greater education and training of managers, government policy to encourage voluntary environmental programmes and a shift towards green hotel development.

Source: UCC
Environmental Reporting Practices of Minerals Extraction Companies in Ghana: a Case Study of Shaanxi Mining Company and Upper Quarry Ghana Limited

In recent years, concerns about sustainability and Environmental Accounting and Reporting (EAR) disclosures have received a great amount of discussion in various countries and industries, particularly in the mining industry. The purpose of this study was to assess the motivations of mineral extraction firms in Ghana to undertake environmental reporting practices and the perceived benefits accrued from it. A case study method was employed involving primary data from a census of management and accounting staff from Shaanxi Mining Company Limited and Upper Quarry Limited in the Upper East Region. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the determinants of EAR practices of the two firms. The study offered support for the political economy, legitimacy and stakeholder theories generally applied to the study of EAR practices. Specifically, the study concluded that EAR practices are common to mining and quarry firms in Ghana. Pressure from government, media influence, shareholders‟ influence and the existence of environmental committee in the firms are perceived to influence mineral extraction firms‟ level of EAR practices. Meanwhile, perceived benefits from EAR practices include fostering cordial relationship between mining and quarry firms and the society, preventing government fines and improving firm reputation. The study recommends that government should adopt green tax policy to encourage EAR practices while regulatory bodies make the practices mandatory.

Source: UCC
Environmental sanitation management and sustainable development: evidence from the catchment area of Benya lagoon in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem municipality, Ghana.

Environmental sanitation has become a topical issue in contemporary development discourse due to its implications for livelihood and sustainable development. This study explored the sanitation management practices in the catchment area of Benya Lagoon, Ghana. The objective was to examine the implications of sanitation management for sustainable development in the area. Employing the mixed methods and multi-stakeholder approaches, data were gathered from 479 household interviews, 53 in depth interviews, eight focus group discussions as well as observations and documentary reviews, and analysed using descriptive statistics as well as thematic and content analyses. The study found that, sanitation affected livelihoods and sustainable development through its implications for human, physical, financial and natural capitals; and that income and mental poverty, inadequate and poorly managed sanitation infrastructure, limited education, weak regulation management regime as well as weak collaboration among stakeholders, conspired to render sanitation management ineffective for sustainable development. It concluded that, until the stakeholders seriously committed and collaborated to address these issues through strategic management of infrastructure, education and regulation, improper sanitation practices would continue to constrain sustainable development in the study area, and by extension, Ghana. The onus in this regard, was on the government, as represented at the local level by the municipal assembly, to partner more effectively with the other key stakeholders for the maintenance of acceptable sanitation practices for sustainable development.

Source: UCC
Environmental Surveillance of Poliovirus in four Districts within two Regions of Ghana

The eradication of poliovirus is at its last phase through the efforts and strategies of Global Polio Eradication Initiation (GPEI). There are very few countries that are still endemic with wild poliovirus (WPV) and others with circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV). The aim of the study was to detect silent circulation of WPV and VDPV in four districts within the Eastern and Volta region of Ghana. A systematic longitudinal design was used for the study. The open sewage systems were located in New Juabeng and Ho districts while the close sewage systems were located in Asuogyaman and Ketu South districts. A total of 35 sewage samples were collected from September 2018 to May 2019. L20B and RD cell lines were used for isolation poliovirus (PV) while real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) was use to characterize the serotypes of the PVs. The findings of the study showed that the prevalence of non-polio enterovirus (NPEV) and Sabin were 65.71% and 14.29% respectively. The characterized Sabins were serotype 1 and serotype 3 which were circulating in the two districts within the Eastern Region. The open sewage systems were located in New Juabeng and Ho districts while the close sewage systems were located in Asuogyaman and Ketu South districts. The study did not detect any WPV and VDPV but isolated Sabin strains of the poliovirus. This necessitates the need for continuous environmental surveillance for poliovirus nationwide.

Source: UCC
Environmental Sustainability And Decent Work Potentials Among Organic Pineapple Farmers In The Ekumfi District In The Central Region Of Ghana

The agricultural sector is critical to a country's overall economy because it employs more people than any other sector in many nations around the world. The introduction of neoliberal policies which concentrated much on the economic aspect of agriculture took away the interest in environmental and social concerns. Yet, for agriculture to be sustainable, there is the need to pay attention to all three dimensions of sustainability. Even though neoliberal policies have been argued to contribute to economic improvement, sustainability is weak if it does not improve the social and environmental dimensions. The study sought to explore environmental sustainability and decent work potentials among organic pineapple farmers in the Ekumfi District. An interpretivist approach which uses a qualitative research design was adopted. The target population was organic pineapple farmers, farmworkers, and stakeholders/ key informants in the Ekumfi District. It adopted the purposive sampling procedure, and data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions. The study concludes that organic pineapple farming promotes environmental sustainability. This is because farmers adopt the best organic practices based on organic principles, which present their activities as very safe since they do not engage in the use of harmful chemicals and burning. Also, the decent work indicators give organic pineapple farmers good work conditions, better access to training, credit, safety and increase in income. The study recommends that government policies need to focus on areas with the greatest potential for organic farming and set policies to favour the work conditions of farmers.

Source: UCC
Environmental system analysis of tomato production in Ghana

Tomato (Lycoperscicum lycopersicum) production in Ghana is characterised by low yields and high fertiliser input. This is compounded in the long run by production shocks due to environmental pressures such as drought, pests and diseases. Tomatoes among other vegetables are more susceptible to these biotic constraints than other crops. Chemical pesticides and, to a limited extent, integrated pest management practices have been applied to control the pests and diseases but with limited success. Pesticides use has been ineffective, leading farmers to apply high dosages. The aim of this study was to identify the most important sources of greenhouse gases, acidifying and eutrophying compounds associated with tomato production in Ghana and identify options to reduce the environmental impacts. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology was used in the analysis (Cradle to gate approach). The inventory analysis involved collection of data on raw material, energy consumption and emissions. From the results, it was revealed that approximately 8,544 kg CO2-equivalents of greenhouse gas was emitted per hectare of tomato production in Ghana. Among the three main components of greenhouse gases, CO2, CH4 and N2O, N2O accounted for the highest value followed by CO2. When we considered the activities that generated greenhouse gases, fertiliser application ranks the first with a share of 97%. The total hectare acidifying emissions from SO2 and NOX were calculated to be 19.50 kg SO2 –equivalent. When we considered the result in terms of actual and SO2 equivalent, emission of NO X was larger than that of SO2. About 211.50 kg PO4 equivalent of eutrophying compounds was found to be discharged per hectares. With regards to options to reduce environmental impact of tomato production in Ghana, practices that recover investment cost and generate a profit in the short term are preferred over practices that require a long term to recover investment costs: practices that have a high probability associated with expected profits are desired over practices that have less certainty about their returns

Source: UCC
Enzymatic Activity of HPGD in Treg Cells Suppresses Tconv Cells to Maintain Adipose Tissue Homeostasis and Prevent Metabolic Dysfunction

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are important for pre- venting autoimmunity and maintaining tissue homeo- stasis, but whether Treg cells can adopt tissue- or immune-context-specific suppressive mechanisms is unclear. Here, we found that the enzyme hydroxy- prostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD), which catab- olizes prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) into the metabolite 15-keto PGE2, was highly expressed in Treg cells, particularly those in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g (PPARg)-induced HPGD expression in VAT Treg cells, and consequential Treg-cell-medi- ated generation of 15-keto PGE2 suppressed conven- tional T cell activation and proliferation. Conditional deletion of Hpgd in mouse Treg cells resulted in the accumulation of functionally impaired Treg cells specifically in VAT, causing local inflammation and systemic insulin resistance. Consistent with this mechanism, humans with type 2 diabetes showed decreased HPGD expression in Treg cells. These data indicate that HPGD-mediated suppression is a tissue- and context-dependent suppressive mecha- nism used by Treg cells to maintain adipose tissue homeostasis.

Source: UCC
Ephrin and Eph receptor signaling in female reproductive physiology and pathology

Ephrins are ligands of Eph receptors (Ephs); both of which are sorted into two classes, A and B. There are five types of ephrin-As (ephrin-A1–5) and three types of ephrin-Bs (ephrin-B1–3). Also, there are 10 types of EphAs (EphA1–10) and six types of EphBs (EphB1–6). Binding of ephrins to the Eph receptors activates signaling cascades that regulate several biological processes such as cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. Clarification of their roles in the female reproductive system is crucial to understanding the physiology and pathology of this system. Such knowledge will also create awareness regarding the importance of these molecules in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic medicine. Hence, we have discussed the involvement of these molecules in the physiological and pathological events that occur within the female reproductive system. The evidence so far suggests that the ephrins and the Eph receptors modulate folliculogenesis, ovulation, embryo transport, implantation, and placentation. Abnormal expression of some of these molecules is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovarian cancer, tubal pregnancy, endometrial cancer, uterine leiomyoma (fibroids), cervical cancer, and preeclampsia, suggesting the need to utilize these molecules in the clinical setting. To enhance a quick development of this gradually emerging field in female reproductive medicine, we have highlighted some “gaps in knowledge” that need prospective investigation.

Source: UCC