ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Sustainable development in Ghana's gold mines: Clarifying the stakeholder's perspective

Using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), this study examined critical stakeholder's perceptions, experiences and competence in assuring the sustainable management of Ghana's major gold mines. The investigation was inspired by a synthesis of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the global community in September 2015; it places human resource capacity at the center of a sustainability struggle between local and international businesses. The findings of this study encompass two opposing but interesting perspectives. On the one hand, the study showed that sustainable development is understood differently by stakeholders within the gold mining sector in Ghana, which is why gold mining companies employ different approaches in their pursuit of sustainability objectives. On the other hand, the study revealed that, as mining activities are similar across different mining companies, common understanding and operation of sustainable development in the country's gold mines is a more practical approach to sustaining mining operations. This study further revealed that to facilitate the effective implementation of sustainable development within Ghana's gold mines and to ensure its alignment with SDGs, a regulatory framework is required and this should be developed based on the input of stakeholders.

Source: UG
Sustainable Energy Transition in Russia and Ghana Within a Multi-Level Perspective

This paper is a case study based on a critical review of existing literature and primary data through interviews to investigate energy transition framing and manifestation in the Global South. It provides critical insights into sustainable energy transition in Ghana and Russia within a multi-level perspective (MLP). We argue that whereas Ghana’s energy transition concepts and policies are mirrored by landscape, regime, and niche; practical transitioning has been slow due to inadequate resources and incentives, limited historical culpability in global greenhouse gas, and the country being locked-in to existing hydrocarbon socio-technical systems. The MLP approach is useful in describing energy technologies, markets, and consumption practices. But in Russia, social policy at distinct levels is united by centralised energy, law and technical systems, as well as institutional rules and differences based on costs in economic regions. This paper contributes to the energy transition discourse within the Global South, using Russia and Ghana as cases to highlight how transition policies and practices differ from country to country, driven by economic, political, social, cultural, and historical elements with global frameworks serving as guides. Rigid application of landscape, regime, and niche concepts is challenged in describing and analysing the context-specific nuances in sustainable energy transition policy across spaces. There is a fundamental challenge in mechanical fusing a one-fits-all approach to sustainable energy transitioning in developing countries and societies due to differences in historical contributions to climatic issues and inequality of access to resources and technologies. Energy transition processes and practices should be compatible with social justice.

Source: UG
Sustainable genomic research for food security in sub‑Saharan Africa

Although traditional selective breeding has had a tremendous impact on both livestock and crop production in Africa, this has not kept pace with the high demand for animal and plant products on account of increasing urbanization, improved livelihoods and a rapidly growing human population. These challenges justify the need for more innovative and sustainable ways of improving animal and crop production to meet this demand. Over the last two decades the potential of genomics as a key tool to achieve improvement in desirable phenotypic traits has revolutionized the field of applied animal and plant biology. However, well informed use of such techniques has yet to be fully exploited within the context of local resources and capacity-building. The objective of this review is to highlight the rich agricultural biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa, the potential of genomics in their sustainable use for food security, the challenges of genomic research and the strategies that can be adopted to overcome them in the implementation of agricultural genomic research in Africa. The lack of state-of-the-art laboratory research facilities, skilled human resources, poor funding and non-availability of scientific research resources, paucity of collaborative links between African researchers and a lack of engagement between key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain were identified as major barriers that affect agricultural genomic research in Africa. Finally, the recommended strategies to overcome these challenges will guide policy-makers, researchers, development partners and key stakeholders in the smooth advancement of sustainable agricultural genomic research for improved food security in Africa.

Source: UG
Sustainable gliadin - Metal oxide composites for efficient inactivation of Escherichia coli and remediation of cobalt (II) from water

Bio-based materials facilitate greener approach to engineering novel materials with multifunctional properties for various applications, including water treatment. In this study, we extracted gliadin from wheat gluten using alcoholic solvent. The aggregation limitations of gliadin protein were overcome by functionalization with metal oxides (MOs) TiO2, AgFe2O3, and AgFe-TiO2 prepared by chemical precipitations. The novel composites were characterised by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), Brunauer Emmet-Teller (BET), and zeta potential. The multifunctionality of MOs-gliadin composites was tested through toxic Escherichia coli (E. coli) inactivation and Co2+ adsorption from water. The antibacterial results showed excellent inhibition under both dark and light conditions. The maximum Co2+ uptake of 101 mg/g was reached with TiO2@gliadin after 24 h and best fitted the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order model with an equilibrium adsorption capacity, qe2 = 89.86 mg/g, closer to the experimental data. Thermodynamic investigations indicated that ΔG◦ = − 9.677 kJ/mol, ΔH◦ = − 123 kJ/mol, and ΔS◦ = 0.490 J.K./mol, respectively, suggesting that adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The The regenerated TiO2@gliadin composite was still efficient after five consecutive cycles. This study demonstrates that MOs-gliadin-blend composites are sustainable for water purification.

Source: UG
Sustainable human resource management and social harm of deviant tourism employees

Research on how sustainable human resource management (HRM) can alleviate the social harms of tourism employees is limited. Therefore, this study conceptually examines the influence of sustainable HRM on the social harms of deviant tourism employees by drawing on multiple theoretical perspectives. The findings suggest that social harms of tourism employees are the result of social learning. Additionally, they imitate deviant tourists’ behaviours, and generate social harms for the stakeholders both in and outside the tourism work environment. However, this can be counter balanced by sustainable HRM practices that shape social learning forces, and directly reduce social harms. Accordingly, our study contributes by developing a multidisciplinary theoretical framework to guide practices and research on critical social issues within the tourism workplace.

Source: UG
Sustainable land-use evaluation on steep landscapes and flood plains in the New Juaben district of Ghana: A GIS Approach

Specific criteria are stipulated and recommendations made for the sustainable management of landscapes in Ghana. Yet, evaluation is scarcely conducted to determine whether real performance of land-use strategies are meeting expected standards of suitability. The paper reports on an evaluation study conducted on a landscape with various levels of slopes and flood plains. The study sought to demonstrate the application of information technology in achieving the objectives of sustainable land-use management. Landscape of the area was modeled in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Slope was derived from digital elevation model (DEM) and spatially analyzed with land use-/cover information generated from satellite data. The performance of existing land-use was compared with expected land use performance criteria for steep landscapes and flood plains. Steep slopes and areas within 100m of the Densu River have been denuded of forest vegetation. Rather than making only a marginal use of geo-information technology in generating data, we must leverage its inherent analytical potentials that enable innovative, creative and enhanced management decisions for sustainable land resource use. Continually monitoring and evaluating the performance of land-resource utilization will provide feedback information necessary for directing resource use on sustainable trajectories.

Source: UG
Sustainable long-term intensive application of manure to sandy soils without phosphorus leaching: a case study from Ghana

Long-term application of manure to sandy soils to ensure high crop productivity may lead to phosphorus (P) leaching, which, in turn, may deteriorate the quality of recipient waters because of eutrophication. The risk of P leaching depends on contents of aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides that are strong P sorbents and of calcium (Ca) that can form sparingly soluble Ca–P compounds. While P sorption by Al and Fe oxides is limited, the formation of sparingly soluble Ca–P may theoretically continue as long as enough Ca is available, i.e. under such conditions long-term application of manure may be environmentally sustainable. This hypothesis has been tested on soils formed on beach sand at Keta, Ghana, which have been used since the 1930s for intensive cultivation based on manure application. Soil samples were collected from different depths down to 80 cm in profile pits on cultivated soils that received manure over 70 years and on uncultivated plots (controls). The samples were analyzed for texture, pH, total C and P and poorly ordered Al and Fe oxides as well as different P forms as assessed by the Hedley fractionation method. The results showed a fourfold P increase in the top 40 cm of the cultivated soils, whereas in the deepest soil layers the P contents in the cultivated and uncultivated soils were almost the same indicating very limited downward P transport despite long-term manure application. This was supported by comparable P concentrations in groundwater taken under cultivated and uncultivated sites. P fractionation showed that the cultivated top soils were dominated by sparingly soluble Ca–P compounds that accounted for about 70% of the P gain. Thus, the results suggest that intensive crop production under tropical semi-arid conditions may be environmentally sustainable when based on manure fertilization ensuring enough Ca supply and neutral to alkaline pH. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

Source: UG
Sustainable management of two key pests of cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (Brassicaceae), using homemade extracts from garlic and hot pepper

Cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata L., is an important leafy vegetable that provides vitamins and minerals for healthy body development. However, insect pest attack is a key contributing factor to its low yield. An experiment was undertaken at the agricultural research field of Crops Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Kwadaso in Ghana, during the major seasons of 2010 and 2011 to explore the potential of homemade extracts from garlic, Allium sativum L., and hot pepper, Capsicum frutescens L., in the management of insect pests of cabbage. Emamectin benzoate (ATTACK®) and lambda-cyhalothrin (BOSSMATE® 2.5EC) were used as reference insecticides. There were ten treatments made up of three levels (10, 20 and 30 g L-1 w/v) each of garlic, pepper, a mixture of garlic and pepper, ATTACK®, BOSSMATE® and control (tap water). The key insect pests recorded were the aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L., and the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. Generally, the efficacy of garlic and pepper was comparable to that of ATTACK®, with BOSSMATE® being the least efficacious. Pepper (20 g L-1 w/v) and ATTACK® (1 ml L-1 v/v) were more effective in controlling P. xylostella than the other treatments. Natural enemies encountered were the Coccinellidae, Syrphidae and Araneae. Generally, BOSSMATE® caused the greatest reduction in natural enemies' abundance, followed by ATTACK®, with the plant extracts having a mild effect on the natural enemies. Cabbage head yield was comparable among insecticide-treated plots and botanical plots with the control plots doing well in some instances. Garlic and pepper offer a significant potential for further exploration and development into affordable plant protection products for cabbage pests' management, especially in smallholder farms and backyard gardens and organic vegetable production systems. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Source: UG
Sustainable market orientation: a competitive strategic tool in an emerging economy context

The purpose of this research is to test the effect of sustainable market orientation (SMO) as a strategic tool on banks’ sustainable balanced firm performance (SBFP) in an emerging economy. The research data was collected via the survey approach through self-administered questionnaires to 445 bank employees. Exploratory Factor Analysis was employed to establish the dimensionality of the research constructs, whereas multiple linear regressions were utilised to test the research hypotheses. Results suggest that SMO is positively and significantly related to sustainable balanced performance of banks. The study confirms the SMO concept promulgated in prior studies. Employees’ opinions on bank Managers incorporating sustainability management variables into market orientation as a strategy are encouraged by scholars to engender SBFP. Strategic approaches of this kind leads to balance performance of organisations and the larger society which is central to all stakeholders. This study may be the initial quantitative investigation into SMO and SBFP in the strategic marketing literature.

Source: UG
Sustainable mushroom production in Africa: A case study in Ghana

This study investigated a sustainable alternative to grow crops using organic wastes as biofertilizers. Fresh fish waste (FFW) and cooked fish waste (CFW) mixed with sawdust from Tryplochyton scleroxylon wood species (Wawa) were made into compost heaps. Control compost from rice bran (CRB) was also prepared. Higher temperatures were recorded from compost heaps prepared from both FFW (38 - 52° C) and CFW (37 - 52° C) than from CRB (33 - 45° C); with reduction in composting time and generation of large numbers of microorganisms in the fish-based compost heaps. Mycelial colonization of compost bags and subsequent growth of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus species) were faster in fish-based substrates (FFW and CFW) as compared to CRB. P. eous and P. oestreatus exhibited uniform spread of mycelia in the compost bags than P. eous hybrid. However, P. eous hybrid produced the fastest rate of mycelial growth, completely colonizing the substrate within 26 days. Growth of each species of mushroom investigated was independent of the substrate in which it was grown. Irrespective of the substrate used to grow the mushroom, the pattern of utilization and growth remained the same. Oyster mushrooms grown on fish-based substrates produced bigger and firmer fruiting bodies. This alternative could be very attractive to small farmers throughout the world, who are known to operate under adverse conditions and limited resources. © 2008 Academic Journals.

Source: UG
Sustainable P-enriched biochar-compost production: harnessing the prospects of maize stover and groundnut husk in Ghana’s Guinea Savanna

Farmers in resource-poor areas of the Guinea Savanna zone of Ghana often face declining soil fertility due to the continuous removal of nutrient-rich harvested produce from their fields. This study focuses on the Lawra Municipality in the Guinea Savanna zone of Ghana, where low soil fertility, specifically, limits phosphorus (P) bioavailability and hinders crop production. The objective of this research is to formulate P-enhanced biochar-compost from maize stover (MS) and groundnut husk, which abound in the area, to close the nutrient loop. MS was co-composted with groundnut husk biochar at varying rates of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% by volume. To facilitate decomposition using the windrow system, the composting heaps were inoculated with decomposing cow dung, and the moisture content was kept at 60% throughout the monitoring period. The addition of biochar shortened the lag phase of composting. However, rates above 20% resulted in reduced degradation of MS. Biochar incorporation enriched the available phosphorus content in the final compost from 286.7 mg kg−1 in the non-biochar-compost to 320, 370, 546, and 840.0 mg kg−1 in the 10, 20, 30, and 40% biochar-compost, respectively

Source: UG
Sustainable Water Utilisation In Ghanaian Breweries: Current Practices And Prospects

Water is extremely essential for all life forms and their very existence. It is a fundamental necessity for livelihoods, economic growth, health and development and environmental sustainability. In the brewery sector, water is the single most important used raw material for production and cleaning purposes, Nonetheless, given the alarming nature of climate change, water pollution, population dynamics and land use evolutions, the brewery industry faces an enormous business risk as the diminishing of freshwater volumes pose a threat to its business continuity. Thus, breweries require a strong commitment to cleaner production processes that hinge on sustainable water management practices for continuous production. This study investigates the patterns and current trends in sustainable water use, opportunities for optimizing water use and organizational commitment to sustainable water management using sur\'e) data from the two main breweries in Ghana for the 2015 to 2018. Using 48 monthly specific water use data from January 2015 to December, 2018. the specific water usage for both ABL and GGBL are statistically significantly different from the international benchmark value of 6.50hL/hL at the I% level although, ABL's average water use has a stronger significance or is more sustainable over the study period than GGBI's average water use. Furthermore, the average specific water usage for both ABL and GGBL are compared with the best technology level of 4.00hL/hL and test results reveal that during the period under consideration, ABL's average specific water usage of 4.45hL/hL is statistically significantly different from the best technology level of 4.00hL/hL whiles GGBL 's average specific water usage is not statistically significantly different. Thus, considering water use at the best technology level of 4.00 hL/hL, GGBL is more sustainable than ABL. The study recommends collaborative partnerships between the brewery industry and government agencies that will lead to the development of sustainable water usage index or a local benchmark that factors local challenges and standards for monitoring water usage in the local economy.

Source: UG
Sustained impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction on rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalizations in children &lt;5 years of age, Ghana, 2009–2016

Introduction Ghana introduced monovalent rotavirus vaccine in April 2012. We sought to determine the long-term impact of routine rotavirus vaccination on rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalizations in Ghana during the first 4 years following rotavirus vaccine introduction. Methods Active sentinel surveillance for acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations among children <5 years of age was conducted at two sites from July 2009 through June 2016. Stool specimens were collected from enrolled children and tested by enzyme immunoassay. Changes in the proportion of all-cause gastroenteritis hospitalizations due to rotavirus pre- (July 2009–June 2012) and post-vaccine introduction (July 2012–June 2016) were compared using chi-square test. Results The proportion of acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations due to rotavirus among children <5 years of age significantly declined by 42% from a pre-vaccine median of 50% (343/684) to a post-vaccine median of 29% (118/396) (p < 0.001). The age distribution of rotavirus hospitalizations shifted toward older ages with 64% (759/1197) of rotavirus hospitalizations occurring in children <12 months of age pre-vaccine introduction to 47% (212/453) occurring in children <12 months of age post-vaccine introduction (p < 0.001). Discussion The decline in rotavirus hospitalizations following rotavirus vaccine introduction have been sustained over the first 4 years of the vaccination program in Ghana. Continued vaccination against rotavirus will ensure that this burden remains low. Previous article in issue

Source: UG
Sustaining Hope: A Narrative Inquiry Study Exploring Midwives' Hope-Focused Practices In HIV Care in Ghana

HIV remains a statistically significant issue for women of childbearing age in Ghana. Nurses and midwives form the backbone of care providers for the prevention of mother-to- child transmission programmes. However, nurses and midwives receive little support to provide the emotional aspects of HIV/AIDS care. Aim: Our aim was to build an understanding of how midwives currently embrace their experience of hope and hoping to support mothers living with HIV. Design: This is narrative inquiry study. Methods: We engaged in two to three conversations with five midwives in rural settings in Ghana to understand their experiences of hope and hoping in their interactions with mothers living with HIV. Using the narrative inquiry common places of temporality, the social and personal, and space/place, we wrote narrative accounts for each participant and then searched for resonances across the narrative accounts. Results: We highlight three emerging narrative threads that resonated across narrative accounts. The three emerging narrative threads were (1) sustaining hope by drawing on life experiences across time and place; (2) hope is sustained through a focus on relational engagement with mothers; (3) midwives embrace the possibility to learn more about hope-focused practices. Conclusion: The midwives began, although tentatively, to shine light on the things and events that diminished their abilities to maintain a hopeful perspective. At the same time, they became more comfortable and familiar with the notion of making hope visible and accessible in their experiences. Impact: Since the midwives welcomed additional support to cope with the challenges they were experiencing, we imagine one day being able to make sense of how nurses and midwives engage with a narrative pedagogy of hope. Including hope-focused practices in nursing and midwifery preservice and in-service opportunities is important. Patient or Public Contribution: There was no direct patient or public involvement in this study.

Source: UG
Sustaining rotavirus vaccination in Africa: Measuring vaccine effectiveness

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG