ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Accounting for Weather Variability in Farm Management Resource Allocation in Northern Ghana: An Integrated Modeling Approach

Smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana face challenges due to weather variability and market volatility, hindering their ability to invest in sustainable intensification options. Modeling can help understand the relationships between productivity, environmental, and economic aspects, but few models have explored the effects of weather variability on crop management and resource allocation. This study introduces an integrated modeling approach to optimize resource allocation for smallholder mixed crop and livestock farming systems in Northern Ghana. The model combines a process-based crop model, farm simulation model, and annual optimization model. Crop model Simulations are driven by a large ensemble of weather time series for two scenarios: good and bad weather. The model accounts for the effects of climate risks on farm management decisions, which can help in supporting investments in sustainable intensification practices, thereby bringing smallholder farmers out of poverty traps. The model was simulated for three different farm types, represented in the region. The results suggest that farmers could increase their income by allocating more than 80% of their land to cash crops such as rice, groundnut, and soybeans. The optimized cropping patterns have an over 50% probability of increasing farm income, particularly under bad weather scenarios, compared with current cropping systems.

Source: UG
Accramycin A, A New Aromatic Polyketide, from the Soil Bacterium, Streptomyces sp. MA37

Abstract: Drug-like molecules are known to contain many di erent building blocks with great potential as pharmacophores for drug discovery. The continued search for unique sca olds in our laboratory led to the isolation of a novel Ghanaian soil bacterium, Streptomyces sp. MA37. This strain produces many bioactive molecules, most of which belong to carbazoles, pyrrolizidines, and fluorinated metabolites. Further probing of the metabolites of MA37 has led to the discovery of a new naphthacene-type aromatic natural product, which wehave named accramycinA1. This molecule was isolated using an HPLC-photodiode array (PDA) guided isolation process and MS/MS molecular networking. The structure of 1 was characterized by detailed analysis of LC-MS, UV, 1D, and 2D NMR data. Preliminary studies on the antibacterial properties of 1 using Group B Streptococcus (GBS) produced a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 27 g/mL. This represents the first report of such bioactivity amongst the naphthacene-type aromatic polyketides, and also suggests the possibility for the further development of potent molecules against GBS based on the accramycin sca old. A putative acc biosynthetic pathway for accramycin, featuring a tridecaketide-specific type II polyketide synthase, was proposed.

Source: UG
Accreditation Improves Quality of Oncology Education in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Perspectives of African Oncologists

The purpose of this study is to understand the perspectives of African Oncologists on the role of accreditation and on global standards. We developed a survey that addressed African oncologists’ opinions on the role of accreditation. The survey also included 187 standards from World Federation of Medical Education Postgraduate medical education (PGME) standards, American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-I standards for hematology/oncology, and the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada Medical Oncology standards. A 3-point scale was employed for each standard: 1 = not important, 2 = important but not essential, 3 = essential. The survey was sent to 79 physicians, 38 responded. Eighty-seven percent agreed that accreditation ensures quality. Forty-five percent agreed it will not increase migration of qualified doctors. Twenty-two individuals who completed the entire survey were analyzed for the standards. Five standards received the highest ratings of 3 (essential) from all respondents. One standard received a rating of < 2.0. The majority of standards had ratings between 2.6 and 2.94 indicating African oncologists found most standards to be useful. Ratings < 2.6 were mostly related to resource constraints. Most African Oncologists believed that accreditation ensures quality of education, and most standards were considered important. This data is useful for developing and adapting accreditation standards in resource-constrained settings. © 2019, American Association for Cancer Education.

Source: UG
Acculturation inclinations and subjective health status of internal migrants in James Town, an urban slum settlement in Accra

Abstract The impact of acculturation on health status has been a subject of debate for over three decades. In this exploratory study, we use cross-sectional data to examine the relative effects of acculturation inclinations on self-rated health statuses among migrants in a poor, urban neighborhood in Accra. Much emphasis is placed on the role of the urban environment in disease outbreaks within the city, the patterns of communicable and non-communicable diseases, spatial health inequalities, and the distribution of sexual and reproductive illness risks in Accra. However, the ways by which acculturation inclinations and dimensions may exert positive or negative influence on health outcomes in such contexts have not been examined. We developed proxies for four main acculturation elements: assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization. We used results from a semi-structured survey questionnaire with 296 migrants. After controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and social capital, findings from Ordinal Logistic Regression models

Source: UG
Accumulation by dispossession: The timber ‘salvage’ project on Ghana’s Volta Lake

In this paper, we analyse how processes of accumulation by dispossession take place and are exacerbated on Ghana’s Volta Lake, the largest artificial lake in the world. Drawing on the case of an underwater timber ‘salvage’ project on the lake, we argue that contrary to dominant discourses in policy circles that the project would boost the local economy, enhance safer lake transport, and help to mitigate climate change, the project led to the commodification of the lake thereby negatively affecting fishers’ livelihoods. Following David Harvey, we argue that the underwater timber ‘salvage’ project on the Volta Lake is just another vehicle of ‘accumulation by dispossession’. The study shows that the state and extractive company accumulate profit at the expense of fishers whose livelihoods have been curtailed following restrictions in access to the lake and landowners who are challenging ownership of the timber being extracted from the lake. Global connections are made, and the inequalities and injustice enacted through the execution of the project are amplified.

Source: UG
Accumulation of heavy metals and human health risk assessment of vegetable consumption from a farm within the Korle lagoon catchment

The Korle lagoon is known to have high concentration of heavy metals. The use of land for agriculture and water for irrigation within the Korle Lagoon’s catchment constitutes a potential health risk. Due to this, the study assessed the concentration of heavy metals in some vegetables (Amaranth, Spinach, Eggplant, Lettuce, Cauliflower, and Onion) and their corresponding soil from a farm within the Korle Lagoon’s catchment. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) was used to assess their health risks. Among the vegetables tested, heavy metals in lettuce exceeded their recommended guideline level. Additionally, the concentrations of Fe (265.94–3599.60 mg/kg) and Zn (76.77–294.70 mg/kg) in all vegetables were above the recommended guideline level. Also, Zn (227.30–534.57 mg/kg) and Pb (101.53–407.58 mg/kg), in soil were above the recommended guideline level for soil. The results also showed not only the severity of heavy metal pollution of soil in the study area, but also risks that were deemed carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic to both adults and children as a result of consumption of vegetables from the study area. The hazard index for adults (0.46–41.156) and children (3.880–384.122), were high for all vegetables tested and are associated with cancer risk due to high Cr and Pb levels. The risk assessment showed that children may suffer more carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risk than adults. The study concluded that vegetables grown within the Korle lagoon’s catchment is not suitable for consumption due to the associated adverse health effect.

Source: UG
Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Metalloid in Foodstuffs from Agricultural Soils around Tarkwa Area in Ghana, and Associated Human Health Risks

This study was carried out to assess the extent of heavy metals and metalloid accumulation from agricultural soils to foodstuffs (viz, M. esculenta (cassava) and Musa paradisiaca (plantain)) around thirteen neighboring communities within Tarkwa, Ghana; and to estimate the human health risk associated with consumption of these foodstuffs. Concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were measured with an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer and mercury analysis was done using a mercury analyzer. From the results, 30% of cassava samples collected, contained higher concentrations of Pb when compared to Codex Alimentarius Commission standard values. Bioconcentration factor indicated that Ni had higher capacity of absorption into food crops from soil than the other heavy metals. For both children and adults, the target hazard quotient (THQ) of Pb in cassava in communities such as Techiman, Wangarakrom, Samahu, and Tebe (only children) were greater than 1, which is defined as an acceptable risk value. This indicated that residents could be exposed to significant health risks associated with cassava consumption.

Source: UG
Accumulation of persistent organochlorine contaminants in milk and serum of farmers from Ghana

In the present study, the concentrations of persistent ogranochlorie (OC) pesticides such dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomer (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and dieldrin in pooled samples of human breast milk (n=109), and serum (n=115) from vegetable farmers in Ghana, during 2005, were determined. Ghana chromatography with mass spectrometry was used to quantify residue levels on a lipid basis of the OCs. The pattern of OCs in human fluid showed that DDTs was consistently the prevalent OC in milk sample donors (rs = 0.606, 0.770 and 0.540, respectively). When blood serum levels of the OCs were compared between male and female farmers, no pronounced relationship for HCHs and HCB (p >0.05) was observed. However, DDTs and dieldrin residues were significantly higher (p<0.05) in males than in females. There was association between breast milk and serum residues. The daily intakes of DDTs and HCHs to infants through human breast milk were estimated, some individual farmer (in the case of DDTs) and all farmer (in the case of HCHs) accumulated OCs in breast milk above the threshold (tolerable daily intake, TDI, guidelines proposed by Health Canada) for adverse effects, which my raise concern on children health.

Source: UG
Accuracy of using leaf blade length and leaf blade width measurements to calculate the leaf area of Solanum aethiopicum Shum group

Leaf area is an important parameter when determining growth response under normal as well as stressed environments. No attempt had been made to come up with an affordable but accurate alternative of measuring leaf size in research neglected leafy vegetable crops. Other techniques such as use of leaf area meters are either destructive, expensive or both. A study was conducted to determine leaf area in like-shaped leaves of research neglected crop plants, taking case of S. aethiopicum Shum group (SAS) germplasm. Data was collected on 552 individual plants (including pure lines and hybrids) at eight weeks after planting where a third fully open leaf from top of each plant was considered. Leaf blade length (LBL) and leaf blade width (LBW) were linearly measured while leaf area (LA) was measured using a leaf area meter. This was followed by correlation and regression analysis of LA with LBL, LBW, and LBL + LBW. Correlation coefficients at p < 0.001 ranged between 0.84 and 0.92, 0.79 and 0.88, 0.86 and 0.95 for total germplasm, pure lines and hybrids, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2) ranged between 0.72 and 0.92. The best prediction for LA was obtained with hybrid plants (LA = -165.82 + 5.38LBL + 16.17LBW) at R2 of 92%. The implication is that we can accurately and affordably predict LA from duo measurements of LBL and LBW in SAS as well as in other crops having similar leaf shapes.

Source: UG
ACE inhibition prevents myocardial infarction-induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction

Heart failure is associated with alterations in cardiac and skeletal muscle energy metabolism resulting in a generalized myopathy. We investigated the molecular and cellular effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEi) on skeletal muscle metabolism in infarcted animals. Myocardial infarction (MI) was obtained by left descending coronary artery ligation. Sham, MI, and MI-treated rats (perindopril, 2 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) given 7 days after MI) were studied 1 and 4 mo after surgery. Oxygen consumption of white gastrocnemius (Gas) muscle was studied in saponin-permeabilized fibers, using the main substrates of mitochondrial respiration. mRNA expression of nuclear factors (PGC-1alpha, NRF-2alpha, and mtTFA), involved in the transcription of mitochondrial proteins, and of MCIP1, a marker of calcineurin activation, were also determined. Echocardiographic left ventricular fractional shortening was reduced in both MI and perindopril group after 1 and 4 mo, whereas systemic blood pressure was reduced by 16% only in the MI group after 4 mo. The capacity of Gas to oxidize glutamate-malate, glycerol-triphosphate, or pyruvate (-30%, P < 0.01; -32%, P < 0.05; -33%, P < 0.01, respectively), was greatly decreased. Furthermore, PGC-1alpha (-54%), NRF-2alpha (-45%), and MCIP1 (-84%) gene expression were significantly downregulated. ACEi improved survival, left ventricular function, and blood pressure. Perindopril protected also totally the Gas mitochondrial function and preserved the mRNAs concentration of the mitochondrial transcriptional factors. Moreover, PGC-1alpha correlated with Gas oxidative capacity (r = 0.48), mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase (r = 0.65), citrate synthase (r = 0.45) activities, and MCIP1 expression (r = 0.44). Thus ACEi totally prevented MI-induced alterations of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and protein expression, halting the development of this metabolic myopathy.

Source: UG
Acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis alleviation by Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich in Sprague Dawley rats

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder characterized by immune system dysregulation, with oxidative stress and humoral immunity significantly involved. While many advances in therapy exist, ongoing challenges highlight the need for new therapies. Medicinal plants, like Xylopia aethiopica, show promise due to their ability to modulate inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance tissue healing, all with fewer side effects and lower costs. This study sought to investigate the chemo-profile of the aqueous ethanol extract of the dried fruit of X. aethiopica and its alleviating potential of ulcerative colitis induced with acetic acid in rats. After extraction of the dried fruit of X. aethiopica, HPLC finger print was generated using established method. Sprague Dawley rats were treated with Xylopia aethiopica extract at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg for 8 days with colitis being induced on the 4th day of treatment, using normal saline and 500 mg/kg sulphasalazine as naïve and positive controls, respectively. The different compounds identified in the dried fruit extract of X. aethiopica were seven bands. Findings from this study also showed that treatment with X. aethiopica extract suppresses macroscopic and histologic damage, improves mucosal regeneration by reducing silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions, and significantly increases antioxidant enzymes; ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Thus, the hydroethanolic dried fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica is effective in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis and may serve as alternate therapy or source of drug leads in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and this may be attributed to a myriad of compounds in the extract.

Source: UG
Achievement of Strategic ICT Business Objectives through Customer Retention in a Ghanaian Telecommunications Company

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of customer retention on the achievement of strategic ICT business objectives at Airtel Ghana Limited, a telecommunications company in Ghana. Customer retention plays a critical role in enhancing Airtel’s strategic objectives. We discuss the factors that increase customer retention rate; which include customer care, customer satisfaction, service quality and commitment of staff. We used questionnaires to collect data from the staff of the customer unit, who are directly in charge of customer service, customer retention and marketing. The quantitative method was used for data analysis. The main findings of the study were that customer retention strategies existed for Airtel Ghana and that management was committed to implementing these strategies and that these strategies contributed significantly to the achievement of Airtel Ghana Limited’s business objectives. Although challenges existed, management was keen to overcome them because of the expected benefits of customer retention. These include increase in customer base, customer loyalty and profitability. We recommended that more effort be put in by management of Airtel Ghana to arrest the challenges by providing effective systems and funds when required, adequate IT support, reduction in management approval level bureaucracies and adequate staffing for the customer retention unit.

Source: UG
Achieving carbon neutrality in Africa is possible: the impact of education, employment, and renewable energy consumption on carbon emissions

This paper analysed the causal link between education, employment, renewable energy consumption and carbon emissions in Africa, where there is scant evidence. Relying on panel data obtained from the World Development Indicators for thirty-two African countries covering a period of 19 years, and fve panel rigorous regression mod els, we found that renewable energy, investment in education, school enrolment, net national income per capita, and employment had negative and signifcant efects on carbon emission, thus increasing these predictors would result in signifcant reduction in carbon emission in Africa. We identifed a bidirectional causality between carbon emissions and net national income per capita, education expenditure and renewable energy consumption, and car bon emissions and employment. Our fndings suggest that investment in education, renewable energy, and employ ment are relevant in mitigating carbon emissions in Africa. We recommend African governments to invest heavily in education, improve school enrolment, environmental education, renewable energy and employment provision to mitigate carbon emissions.

Source: UG
Achieving E-commerce Benefits in a Garment Manufacturing Firm

ubject area – Enterprise, Strategy Study level/applicability – This case study documents the history of e-commerce adoption and usage in a fabric and garment manufacturing firm operating in an African country. Lessons drawn from the case could be applied to understanding the achievement of e-commerce benefits through the complex interrelationships between firm-level, national and global resources. Case overview – The case study presents a summary of e-commerce capabilities in the firm, the key resources developed and actions taken to deploy e-commerce capabilities and the notable benefits obtained through these e-commerce capabilities. The study shows that, first, the ability to access information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure matters in developing countries, but managerial capabilities matter more. Managerial capabilities enable firms to find external resources (both in-country and globally) to substitute for internal resource deficiencies. Second, intangible social resources – trust, reputation and credibility – play a critical role in determining whether the e-commerce strategies of firms are successful or not. Expected learning outcomes – An understanding of how managerial capabilities influence the creation of e-commerce capabilities and the achievement of e-commerce benefits, especially in an African or Ghanaian context. Learners can also draw lessons that could be applicable to understanding how a firm’s strategic orientation, resource portfolio and the nature of its target market differentiate the extent of integration or adoption and usage of e-commerce in the firm. Supplementary materials – Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Source: UG
Achieving free compulsory universal basic education through school feeding programme: Evidence from a deprived rural community in northern Ghana

This study sought to examine the extent of contribution of school feeding programmes towards the achievement of the Free CompulsoryUniversal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy in countries. Based on a purposive sampling of a deprived rural community in northern Ghana, the study utilised the concurrentmixedmethoddesign relyingmainly on documentary analysis, questionnaires and interviews as data sources. A sample of 377 participants made up of teachers and parents were drawn for the research. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The main finding of the study was that the programme had a positive influence on school enrolment and retention which are key indicators of the achievement of the FCUBE policy. Recommendations proffered pointed to the need to extend the SFP to other deprived areas, and to give the programme in Ghana a constitutional backing among others. © 2018 The Author(s).

Source: UG
Achieving Gender Equity in Ghana: How useful is the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy?

The overarching goal of Ghana’s first poverty reduction strategy paper was to ensure equitable growth. One of the means to achieve this outlined in the strategy was the achievement of gender equity. This chapter uses a gender lens to examine the strategies of GPRS I with a view to determining whether their implementation would result in progress towards achieving gender equity. It does this by assessing the adequacy of the gender analysis in the document and whether the monitoring plan utilises gender-sensitive indicators. It finds that the gender analysis of poverty in GPRS I was weak and the opportunities to develop and report on gender-sensitive indicators were not always exploited.

Source: UG