ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Is Ghana’s Budget Deficit Sustainable? A Cointegration Analysis

The study evaluates budget deficit sustainability of Ghana between 1960 and 2007 using the present value budget constraint approach. By applying annual time series data, the ADF and PP tests for unit root rejected the null hypothesis at 1 percent significance level after first difference. Hence, both government expenditure and revenue of Ghana are stationary and integrated of order one. The Granger causality test supported a bi-directional causation such that both expenditure and revenue of Ghana have temporal precedence over each other. This means past and present values of government revenue provide important information to forecast future values of expenditure. The test for cointegration favoured the sustainability of budget deficit of Ghana at 10 percent significance level in the strong sense. In this case, government can continue to service its past accumulated deficits without large future correction to the balance of income and expenditure. Again, the study achieved the conventional negative sign of the speed of adjustment to long run equilibrium following shocks to the system at 5 percent significance level. It indicates that 53 percent of disequilibrium is restored every year following shocks to the system. This means that any disequilibrium within the budget deficit of Ghana in the short run is quickly adjusted and converged back to equilibrium in the long term. The CUSUM and CUSUM Q tests failed to detect the existence of possible structural breaks in the annual data of Ghana at 5 percent significance level. In this case, we conclude that government expenditure-GDP and revenue-GDP series during the study period exhibit stable long run cointegration. Hence, the budget deficit of Ghana is sustainable over the entire study period.

Source: KNUST
Is there a need for Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense and B. japonicum reinoculation in subsequent cropping seasons under smallholder farmers’ conditions?

Reliable information on the persistence of rhizobium in soil in the absence of host between growing periods is important in deciding whether inoculation on the same plot in subsequent seasons is necessary. This study determined the survival of introduced rhizobium strains and predominant factors that influence the declining rates of their populations. Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense (BR 3267) and B. japonicum (USDA 110) were manually incorporated into soils at four different locations (Kpalga, Tanina, Tunayilli and Busa) in northern Ghana at 2.5 × 108 (log10 8.4) and 2.5 × 107 (log10 7.4) cells g−1 peat, respectively, per 6 m2 . The populations of sur viving cells were estimated at 0, 21, 42, 81, 142 and 296 days using the Most Probable Number (MPN) count technique. Several decline functions were applied to the data with hyperbolic regression function emerging as the option that provides the best fit for B. yuanmingense strain BR 3267 and B. japonicum strain USDA 110 at all locations. There was no significant difference in the declining rates between the different locations; however, there were differences in the declining rates for the sampling times. At 296 days, the numbers of surviving cells of B. yuanmingense strain BR 3267 and B. japonicum strain USDA 110 were log10 1.9 and log10 1.7, respectively. Native rhizobium population and soil moisture were the predominant factors that affected the survival of the introduced strains. It is evident from the studies that these strains can survive in sufficient numbers at least within a year; therefore, re-inoculation may not be necessary for a following season especially when using B. yuanmingense strain BR 3267.

Source: KNUST
Is social support associated with hypertension control among Ghanaian migrants in Europe and non‑migrants in Ghana? The RODAM study

Hypertension (HTN) control is crucial in preventing HTN-related complications such as stroke and coronary heart disease. Yet, HTN control remains suboptimal particularly among sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations partly due to poor self management. Self-management of HTN is infuenced by social support, but the evidence on the role of social support on HTN control particularly among SSA populations is limited. This study assessed the association between multiple proxies for social support and HTN control among Ghanaians resident in Ghana and Europe. The Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study participants with HTN and who self-reported HTN (n =1327) were included in this analysis. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between proxies of social support and HTN control (SBP<140 mmHg and DBP<90 mmHg) with adjustments for age and socioeconomic status (SES). Among Ghanaian males in both Europe and Ghana, cohabiting with more than two persons was associated with increased odds of having HTN controlled. Male hypertensive patients cohabiting with ≥5 persons had the highest odds of having HTN controlled after adjustment for age and SES (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.16–0.57; 0.60; 0.34–1.04, respectively). This association was not observed among females. Relationship status, frequency of religious activity attendance and satisfaction with social support did not show any signifcant association with HTN control. Our study shows that cohabitation is signifcantly associated with HTN control but in males only. The other proxies for social support appeared not to be associated with HTN control. Involving persons living with Ghanaian men with HTN in the treatment process may help to improve adherence to HTN treatment. Further research is needed to explore in-depth, how these social support proxies could contribute to improved HTN control among SSA populations.

Source: KNUST
Islam and family planning in Ghana: a study of Mampurugu Muslim Communities

Islam maintains that the relationship between the husband, wife and the children should be based on mutual love and care, joy, happiness, co-operation, peace, unity, tranquility and the husband and the wife ought to console each other in other to forfeit the adornment of life. In other words, the couples should be family oriented for sustainability and survival of the family. A majority of Muslims in Mampurugu are of the view that children are the gift of God and He will sustain the lives of these children, hence the call for the establishment of large families within the Muslim communities while caring for them is left at the mercy of the Almighty Allah. The assumption, therefore, is that Islam attaches much importance to giving birth to many children but the responsibility of the upbringing of the children by the parents is neglected and rather put into the care of God, hence, there is lackadaisical attitude by Muslim parents towards birth control or family planning in the communities. The general view of a majority of Muslims is that family planning is haram (forbidden) but it is rather Makruh (not allowed) in Islam. It is observed that family planning would be of great benefit to an individual and the whole nation at large. The holy Qur’an and Traditions of the Prophet where used as references concerning Islam and family planning and the use of contraception. Secondary sources of data in the form of extracts from existing literature in topics related to the subject matter of the study were used. Participant observation technique was also used to gather information for the study. The study revealed that there is no categorical statement in the Holy Qur’an in favor or against the use of contraception, but it is evident that birth control was practiced during Prophet Mohammed’s lifetime by azl (cointus interruptus). The general ruling of the use of contraception is that it is Makruh (undesirable) and not haram (forbidden). The scholars should ensure that they explain the Islamic perspective of family planning, the use of contraceptives and the conditions to consider before going for it to the people in the communities.

Source: KNUST
Islamic Centre, Tamale

Religion has always been a source of power in most societies in the world. In the northern region of Ghana, Islam has been the dominant religion and so leaders apart from chiefs have emerged under the shade of Islam. The fusion of the two cultures, Islam and traditional, has been realised in this scheme as it is evident in t he cultural practices of the people. It was therefore the intention of this thesis to produce design concepts that will identity itself with the architectural values of the region. A careful architectural investigation was made in both cultures, Islamic and northern, based on plan forms, landscaping and surface treatments. The study was not limited to unit buildings but also to entire urban planning levels which revealed compatibility, Hierarchy and sense of direction as a response to climatic social and religious factors in both eases. The octagonal shape which has featured so much in Islamic architecture was used in display. Forecourts, courtyards have been used to define formal and informal spaces. The main walling material is brick treated both on plan and elevation to depicit the northern culture. Water bodies; have been combined with selected trees of relatively small leaves to take care of the harsh dust laden harmattan winds. These architectural components used, should help rescue the user from the rigours of the prevalent climate.

Source: KNUST
Islam and human rights: a case study of Hohoe Muslim Community

Many individuals in the Hohoe Muslim community continue to struggle with human rights and domestic violence-issues. People’s rights are still abused and violated among Muslims even though, Allah has ordained and proclaimed justice for all in the Qur’ān, and explained by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). There are commissions, documents, policies and programmes put in place to promote and to protect rights of human kind but, the unacceptable phenomenon still exist. This study looked at the state of human rights in Islam in the Muslim community of Hohoe and their level of awareness. Recorded cases of human rights abuses and domestic violence at the various Commissions and Units, notably, Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Department of Social Welfare (DSW) and the Law Court in the promotion and protection of human rights in Hohoe Municipality. The study relied on interviews and questionnaire which targeted leadership of the responsible organizations on human rights, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the general public. Other sources were documents search and observations through field visits. The outcome of the study indicated that, human rights and domestic violence is recognized by all stakeholders but, victims’ failure to report to the agencies both formal and informal resulted in the increasing rate of the abuses. In addition, although the institutions have the constitutional mandate to promote and protect human rights, they are not well resourced and also confronted with socio-cultural challenges. Some officials are also not effective in their duties. Due to these, their activities on human rights are less felt in the Hohoe Muslim community. Many Muslims seem not to know about the institutions, let alone their activities. The study made numerous recommendations which will serve as mechanisms of checks and balances and will improve the effectiveness of the activists and the officials in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Source: KNUST
Isolation and bioassay of anti diabetogenic phytochemicals from momordica charantia linn (cucurbitaceae)

Adult male Swiss albino mice groups were made diabetic by injection with streptozotocin. Oral treatment of 190 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract residue of Mormodica chcirantia Linn suspended in saline solution was administered to the test group. After 30 days of streptozotocin administration the glucose level rose by 13.0 mmol/L (p<0.001), body weight by 0.4 g, fluid intake from 8,5 to 21.1 mi/mouse/day (p<0.00) and food intake increased from 4.2 to.7. 1 g/mouse/day (p<0.001). The control group (treated with distilled water) after 30 days of streptozotocin administration exhibited an increase in blood glucose level by 29 mmol/L (7.9 to 37.6 mmol/L; p<0.001), body weight decreased (33.4g to 28.6 g; p<0.001), fluid intake increased by 25.7 mi/mouse/day (12.2 to 37.9 mi/mouse/day) and food intake increased from 4.3 to 9.1 g/mouse/day (p<0.001). Mice in the test group showed a low value in blood glucose level, fluid intake, food intake and gain in weight relative to the mice in the control group. The methanolic extract residue was screened phytochemically and found to contain glycosides, alkaloids, saponins and triterpenoids. The presence of flavonoids, tannins and polyphenols were not detected in the extract. Three compounds were isolated (W0”, W1” and W3”) but found to be impure, making their structure elucidation rather difficult. However, chemical tests indicated that W0” and W3” were carotenoids whiles W1” was a triterpenoid.

Source: KNUST
Isolation and Identification of Flavanone Derivative Eriodictyol from the Methanol Extract of Afzelia africana Bark and Its Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

Background. Afzelia africana is a plant species with well-documented ethnobotanical and medicinal properties. The plant is reported to have various secondary metabolites and had been applied for the treatment of various diseased conditions. Objectives. The study objectives include fractionation, isolation, purifcation, and characterization of eriodictyol from the bark of A. africana, and the determination of its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Methodology. Te series of methodologies that were employed include fractionations and purifcation (column chromatography), characterization (HPLC, LC-MS, IR, 1 H, 13C, DEPT-135, HSQC, and HMBC), antimicrobial assays (microbroth dilution and checkerboard assay), and antioxidant activities assays (ABTS and DPPH scavenging capacity). Results. The study reports the identifcation and characterization of eriodictyol from the bark of A. africana which exhibited potent antioxidant activities against ABTS and DPPH radicals with scavenging capacities (SC50) of 2.14 ± 0.05 and 2.51 ± 0.06 µg/mL, respectively. The compound exhibited its antimicrobial activity by reporting good bacteriostatic activities (MBC/MIC> 4) against Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and fuconazole-resistant Candida albicans (CA2). Moreover, a broad spectrum of bactericidal efects (MBC/MIC ≤ 4) was reported against Streptococcus mutans (SM), Escherichia coli (EC), Bacillus subtilis (BS), Klebsiella pneumonia (KP), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Salmonella typhi (ST), and standard Candida albicans (CA1). The compound further exhibited synergistic efects against EC, KP, ST, and MRSA; ST; and CA2 when combined with ciprofoxacin, tetracycline, and nystatin, respectively. However, antagonistic efects were observed against PA and CA1 when combined with ciprofoxacin and ketoconazole, respectively. Conclusion. Te study reports for the frst time the identifcation of eriodictyol from the bark of A. africana which exhibited signifcant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Source: KNUST
Isolation and characterisation of the chemical constituents and the hypoglycaemic potentials of the fruit of Tetrapleura Tetraptera T. (Mimosaceae)

The fruit of T. tetraptera is a popular spice and component of many traditional medicinal products in West Africa. It is used for the treatment of various disease conditions including hypertension, malaria, inflammation, leprosy, rheumatoid pains, convulsion and epilepsy. In some communities of Ghana, the fruit is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (Amoako-Atta B., Director-CBUD, KNUST, 2001, personal communication). However, there is no scientific data to ascertain this claim. Besides, there is no documentation on the antidiabetic/hypoglycaemic property of the fruit. In the light of these facts, this project was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic activity of the alcoholic extract of the fruit in normoglycaemic rats and also to isolate and elucidate the structures of the chemical constituents present in the alcoholic extract of the fruit. Basic phytochemical screening of the extract confirmed the presence of saponins, reducing sugars and phenolic compounds. However, cyanogenetic glycosides though previously reported were not detected in this study. Series of column and preparative thin layer chromatography of the alcoholic extract led to the isolation of five compounds. On the basis of spectral data the identities of these compounds were established as sucrose; two known chalcones, 2’, 4, 4’- trihydroxychalcone and 2’, 3, 4, 4’—tetrahydroxychalcone; a known flavanone, 4’, 5, 7- trihydroxyflavanone along with a new monodesmosidic saponin, 3-0- {2’-aceto- ,8-D- glucopyranosyl} olean-12 (13)-ene-28-oic acid. All these isolates except sucrose are being reported in T tetraptera for the first time. The hypoglycaemic effect of the alcoholic extract of the fruit of T. tetraptera was studied in normoglycaemic rats. The extract administered per os at doses of 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight exhibited a biphasic effect in the rats. It caused an initial increase in blood glucose level followed by a falling blood glucose level. The hypoglycaemic effect of the extract at the dose of 2000 mg/kg was comparable to that of glibenclamide (standard drug) between the 2 and 8th hour after administration. In the 10th hour however, the extract at 2000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg showed a significantly better (P<0.001) blood glucose lowering effect than the glibenclamide. This thus validates the traditional use of the fruit in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and present an opportunity to develop a molecular antidiabetic drug.

Source: KNUST
Isolation and physico-chemical studies on some alkaloids of cryptolepis sanguinolenta (periplocaceae)

The root and stem extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has long been used for the treatment of various ailments in the West African sub-region. This research piece seeks to investigate and establish certain physic-chemical properties of these alkaloids after their isolation. The alkaloids were isolated by both column and preparative thin layer chromatography. The structures of both cryptolepine and quindoline were confirmed by comparison of data obtained to those obtained by earlier workers. The structure of the third alkaloid CSA—3 was elucidated for the first time. The dissociation constant (pKa) of cryptolepine, was determined both spectrophotometrically and titrimetrically. The pKa of CSA-3 and quindoline were determined titriinetrically. The partition coefficients of the alkaloids were determined in octanol-buffer and octanol-water systems. The solubilities of cryptolepine and quindoline in octanol were determined. That of cryptolepine heptane and hexane was also investigated. However, cryptolepine was found to be insoluble in the non-polar solvents. The indicator properties of cryptolepine was investigated and established. Boric acid was successfully assayed using cryptolepine indicator. In non-aqueous titrations, the use of cryptolepine as an indicator was not feasible.

Source: KNUST
Isolation and Characterization of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria from Petroleum Storage Facilities in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area.

Hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms isolated from five different petroleum storage facilities in the Kumasi Metropolitan area were investigated. A total of five bacterial isolates were obtained. Culture-based techniques i.e., isolation, enumeration, purification, biochemical tests were carried out to obtain the aforementioned organisms. The isolates (Pseudomonas cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter, Proteus and Bacillus), were from petroleum sludge of gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The research also focused on screening for the potentials of the isolates in utilizing the following hydrocarbon substrates (gasoline, diesel and kerosene) in Bergs Mineral Salt Medium (BMSM). The effects of different nutrients (soy and pito waste) supplementation on biodegradation indices were also assessed. The biodegradation indices that were evaluated include Optical Density (OD 600 nm), floating abilities of the isolates, emulsification (E24) indices and Gas Chromatography (GC) profiles. The isolates were able to reduce the hydrocarbon substrates considerably as revealed in the percent area report values over the time frame of two weeks compared to the control (abiotic). The results from the GC profiles showed that all the isolates had well above 80% reduction in the hydrocarbon substrates. Enterobacter cloacae showed the greatest potential with respect to gasoline degradation efficiency under soy supplement thus (99.66%) followed closely by consortium (soy added), Proteus mirabilis (soy added) had 99.4%, followed lastly by Bacillus firmus (97.2%). For diesel degradation, Pseudomonas cepacia (soy added) and the consortium (no nutrients added) were the same with respect to the degradative efficiency of 99.80% followed by Enterobacter cloacae (soy added) with 99.6%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and consortium each gave an efficiency of 99.55% with soy added. P. Aeruginosa gave the least efficiency of 93.0% under pito waste inclusion. For kerosene degradation studies, Enterobacter cloacae (soy added) gave 96.0%; consortium (no nutrient added) gave 95.60%; Enterobacter cloaeca (no nutrient added) recorded 95.5% with the least efficient being Bacillus (soy added) recording 83.4%. Compared to the controls these degradation efficiencies were relatively high.

Source: KNUST
Isolation and Development of an HPLC Method for the Quantification of a Biomaker in the Roots of Paullinia Pinnata (Sapindaceae)

Paullinia pinnata is an African medicinal plant employed for the management of various ailments in various parts of the continent. It is known locally as Toa-ntini and is normally employed in wound healing remedies and this has been investigated scientifically...

Source: KNUST