ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The development of green skills for the informal sector of Ghana: towards sustainable futures

Informed by the capability approach and critical discourse analysis, this article examines how the development of green skills among master craftspersons and apprentices in the informal sector of Ghana could be promoted for cleaner production and sustainable futures. The findings show that inequality and poverty; cyclical policy trap; sectoral green initiatives and the green coordination gap; and limited human resource capacity including uncoordinated informal learning approaches serve to constrain the development of green skills among master craftspersons and apprentices in the informal sector of Ghana. To address these challenges, the current study proposes the development of a framework that (1) harmonises the different sectoral initiatives and stra tegies on green skills to avoid the cyclical policy trap; (2) expands the current green Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) agenda to include green skills development for individuals in the informal TVET sector; (3) closes the coordination gap in government green initiatives by creating an agency responsible for national green agenda; and (4) creates clear qualification models and strategies for the development of green skills in the informal sector

Source: UG
Development of melamine-impregnated alginate capsule for selective recovery of Pd(II) from a binary metal solution

An “ionic barrier” concept is proposed to introduce selectivity function to adsorbents towards precious metals (PMs) in the present study. As a model system, melamine-impregnated alginate capsule (MIAC) was prepared and used as a Pd(II) selective adsorbent from a binary metal solution containing Pt (IV) and Pd(II). The MIAC exhibited excellent Pd(II) selectivity for a pH around 4.3, where the selectivity coefficient reached a high value of 2190.66. In comparison to the very low Pt (IV) uptake, a high maximum uptake of Pd(II) was estimated of 316.92 ± 9.50 mg/g by the Langmuir isotherm model. Sorptiondesorption studies showed that the MIAC had a good reutilization property. The selective process for Pd(II) recovery was proposed as follows: the electroneutral Pd(OH)2 but not anionic PtCl5 first penetrate the outer ionic barrier; then, the penetrated Pd(OH)2 was bound by the inner melamine through chelation. The ionic barrier-based sorbent thus can be considered as an alternative one for separation and recovery of Pd(II).

Source: UG
Development of microsatellite markers for grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, RODENTIA) using next-generation sequencing technology

The grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a hystricomorph rodent that inhabits mainly Sub-Saharan Africa and its meat is highly relished by most people in this region. The animal is hunted in the wild using techniques that are sometimes detrimental to the environment. It is therefore being domesticated to make the meat readily available to forestall the negative consequences of hunting. There are currently no genetic markers available and we report here, 33 novel microsatellite markers developed using next-generation sequencing technology. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 11 (mean 6. 4) while the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0. 188 to 1. 000 (mean 0. 591) and 0. 322-0. 873 (mean 0. 713), respectively. Cumulative probability of identity (PI) for all loci was very low (PI = 3. 1 × 10 -33), indicating that these markers can be used for individual identification in the domestic setting. They will also be useful to study the genetic diversity of the grasscutter in the wild for population monitoring and conservation. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Source: UG
Development of Modified-Release Diclofenac Sodium Capsules Using Blends of Pectin-Clay Multiparticulate Hybrid Systems as Release Retardants

A combination of inorganic and organic hybrid systems is of high research interest as they provide novel hybrid systems for the improvement of existing properties, overcoming limitations of the parent materials, and for the optimization of their controlled release potential. Tis study sorted to develop and pharmaceutically assess the release profle of diclofenac sodium using cocoa pod husk (CPH) blended with diferent proportions of either talc or bentonite as multiparticulate composite release modifers. Preformulation investigations of the multiparticulate hybrid systems included pH, swelling index, moisture content, elemental contents, and fow properties. Te FTIR was also used to investigate the compatibilities between pectin and bentonite (PB), pectin and talc (PT), and diclofenac and pectin-talc (DPT), as well as diclofenac and pectin-bentonite (DPB). Te diclofenac content, uniformity of the weight of capsules, in vitro drug release, and the kinetics and mechanism of release of diclofenac from the hybrid systems were also investigated using mathematical models. Te pectin yield was 23.3%, with the water-holding capacities of pectin-talc (PT) and pectin-bentonite (PB) hybrid systems being 6.4% and 5.0%, respectively. Te swelling indices of PT and PB were 110.0 and 130.0 in 0.1 M HCL at pH 1.2 and 130.0 and 149.0 in phosphate bufer at pH 6.8, respectively. Tis system was also found to exhibit excellent fow properties, and there were no diclofenac-excipient interactions. All formulated batches passed the pharmacopoeial and nonpharmacopoeial tests. Tey also demonstrated controlled release properties via diferent release kinetics and mechanisms. Tis study shows that the pectin-talc and pectin-bentonite multiparticulate composites could be used as release modifers in pharmaceutical preparations

Source: UG
Development of nurse education in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Ghana: From undergraduate to doctoral programmes

Doctoral programmes in nursing have a long history in the US where traditional research based PhDs and more clinically based doctoral programmes are common. In the rest of the world PhDs are better accepted though professional doctorates with a thesis component are common in the UK. In countries with newly established or planned doctoral programmes in nursing the research PhD seems the degree of choice. Here we discuss developments in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Ghana. This study used official documents, strategic plans, curriculum developments and other documentary evidence from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Ghana. We compared doctoral programmes and development with other countries by reference to the literature. We offer the example of public health and non-communicable diseases in particular as one area where doctorally trained nurses applying international standards in collaboration internationally may be of benefit.

Source: UG
Development of optimised protocols for paediatric whole-body computed tomography examinations: a figure-of-merit approach

Background Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) technique involves higher radiation doses, resulting in increased stochastic health risks, especially when used for paediatric patients. Hence, protocol optimisation is recommended to maximise its benefit-risk ratio, with several available strategies to achieve it. This study used the figure-of-merit (FOM) approach to develop optimised protocols for paediatric WBCT examinations. The rationale is to enhance diagnostic accuracy while minimising radiation exposure, ultimately improving patient safety and outcomes for paediatric patients undergoing WBCT. Methods Newborn and child (5-year-old) anthropomorphic phantoms were scanned with different scan protocols and evaluated for dose and image quality using the CT-Expo and ImageJ programs, respectively. The protocols for trunk examinations were divided into arterialphase-only and combined arterial and venous phase to develop appropriate protocols based on patients’ initial focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) results. The protocols with the highest FOMs were selected as the best optimised protocols. Results The estimated WBCT ED (WBED) for the optimised protocols ranged from 2.6 mSv to 5.8 mSv with estimated FOM of 3.83 to 59.35. The mean effective doses (EDs) for newborn and child arterial phase-only protocols were not significantly lower than the combined arterial and venous phase protocols (p=0.069, 0.082 respectively), while the mean signal-to-noise ratio of the combined phase protocols for newborn and child phantoms were insignificantly higher than the single-phase protocol (p=0.089, 0.662 respectively). Conclusion The estimated EDWB from this study were lower than established values. The selected protocols are recommended for newborns and children (1–7 years) using the GE Revolution CT and Siemens SOMATOM Definition Edge CT scanners

Source: UG
Development of porous ceramic bodies from kaolin deposits for industrial applications

The possibility of fabricating porous ceramic bodies from kaolin using maize, rice, saw-dust, charcoal, millet and Styrofoam as pore formers have been explored in this work after chemical analysis of two kaolin deposits located at Assin Fosu and Saltpond both in the Central Region of Ghana.Batch formulations of the Kaolin samples were formed into greenbodies and fired to 1400°C at a controlled rate. Samples with charcoal, millet, sawdust, maize and rice pore formers showed severe surface cracks and low thermal shock after firing. A control batch process using Styrofoam exhibited uniform surface characteristics with pores, high strength, thermal stability and no surface cracks thereby confirming the viability of the process modules. Apparent porosity as high as 38% has been calculated.

Source: UG
The development of school libraries in Ghana

Libraries occupy an important position in the learning and teaching programmes of any educational system. “To become educationally effective and significant however, the school library programme must be planned and developed as an integral component of the overall educational design.“i The same serious thought and ingenuity required for shaping an academic programme of excellence must be employed in designing and structuring the school library programme. Not enough has been done in research on school library facilities and services in Ghana. Perhaps people do not appreciate its usefulness or people are apathetic about what goes on in the schools provided their children and wards are able to pass their examinations. But a serious reflection on the issue of the importance of school libraries in the educational programme may lead to more considerations being given to the need for changes and improvement in the library facilities, if the library is to play its role to direct involvement in the learning and teaching process.

Source: UG
Development of size-specific dose estimates for common computed tomography examinations: a study in Ghana

This study determined the size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) of computed tomography (CT) examinations and derived mathematical expressions for dose output estimation and optimization in a teaching hospital in Ghana. Demographic and scanner output indices, including CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product for adult head, chest and abdominopelvic (ABP) CT examinations carried out at the hospital from 2018 to 2020, were retrieved from the picture archiving and communication system of the CT scanner machine. Other indices such as the antero-posterior diameter (DAP), lateral diameter (DL) and diagonal diameter (Ddia) of the patients’ bodies were measured on the mid-slice axial image using a digital caliper. The effective diameter (Deff) was then calculated as the square root of the product of the DAP and DL. The SSDEs were calculated as the product of the CTDIvol and the size-specific conversion factors obtained from Report 204 of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. Regression analyses were performed to find the relationship between SSDE and the various parameters to derive mathematical equations for the dose estimations. There were more female samples (n = 468, 56.3%) than male samples (n = 364, 43.7%) for each CT procedure. The SSDEs and size-specific diagnostic reference levels (SSDRLs) were: head (83.9 mGy; 86.9 mGy), chest (8.1 mGy; 8.7 mGy) and ABP (8.4 mGy; 9.2 mGy). The variations between CTDIvol and SSDEs for head (2.50%), chest (25.9%), and ABP (26.2%) showed an underestimation of radiation dose to patients, especially in chest and ABP examinations, if CTDIvol is used to report patient doses. The SSDEs of the chest and ABP CT examinations showed linear correlations with the CTDIvol. The estimated values could be used to optimize radiation doses in the CT facility. The SSDE and SSDRLs for head, chest and ABP CT examinations have been developed at a teaching hospital in Ghana. The SSDEs of chest and ABP examinations showed linear correlations with the CTDIvol and hence can be calculated using the mathematically derived equations in the study.

Source: UG
The development of sociology and anthropology in Ghana and future trends

This chapter documents the development of the fields of Sociology and Anthropology in Ghana from the early writings of travellers as well as colonial officials in the then Gold Coast to the formal development of the subjects as fields of study in the country beginning in 1950. It traces the development of the first two Departments of Sociology in the country, specifically the Department of Sociology at the University of Ghana and the Department of Sociology at the University of Cape Coast as well as the Departments/Programmes of Sociology in other universities in the country. The chapter also outlines the nature of intellectual disagreements among scholars in the existing departments as well as the collaborative efforts of sociologists/anthropologists in the country evident in both the establishment of the Ghana Sociological Association as well as the Ghana Journal of Sociology and later the Legon Journal of Sociology. It concludes with an assessment of the future of Sociology/Anthropology in the country. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Development of sorghum hybrids for stable yield and resistance to grain mold for the Center and South-East of Senegal

Panicle mold infestation is reported to cause 30–100% yield loss in sorghum. Therefore, breeding for mold resistance becomes a necessity. Due to difficulties in predicting genotype by environment interactions (GxE), multi-location tests are required in the breeding process to identify high-yielding and stable genotypes across environments. The present study aimed at assessing the performance and stability for yield and resistance to grain mold of five local sorghum hybrids evaluated over five years across four locations in the Center and South-East regions of Senegal. The combined ANOVA showed a strong effect of year, genotype and location on the days to anthesis, plant height, grain yield components and panicle grain mold rating score. The GxE interaction was significant for grain yield but not for panicle mold infestation. Year x location explained 25% of total variation of grain yield while year and location explained 22% and 19% respectively. With regard to panicle grain mold infestation, year explained 32% of total variation followed by year by location (29%), genotype (7%) and location (6%). Although year and location better explained the variation for the traits, broad-sense heritability was high, indicating a possibility to improve these traits through selection. For most of the traits, the hybrids had higher performance compared to the parental lines used as check, showing an expression of heterosis. The GGE biplot approach was used to identity hybrids with high performance and stability. Hence, hybrid G4 followed by G2 and G3, were the best in terms of yield performance and stability. Moreover, location STM15 followed by DAR15 were the best closest to an ideal location. Overall, G5 was pointed out as the best hybrid combining grain yield and mold tolerance across years and locations. These results in addition to providing details on the performance and stability of the five sorghum hybrids helped to identify the best hybrids to be released and disseminated in the Center and South-East regions of Senegal.

Source: UG
The development of speech and gesture in Sesotho oral narratives

This study focuses on the development of speech and gesture in a narrative task in children between 6-10 years of age and adults in Sesotho, a member of the Bantu language family spoken in southern Africa. Previous studies show that speech and gesture develop with age. However, cross-linguistic studies demonstrate that language and cultural expectations relating to narratives also impact on speech and gesture development. A comparison of isiZulu with French show some differences that point to culture’s influence. Does multimodal narrative development in Sesotho show similar cross-linguistic differences? We analyzed 36 narratives produced by Sesotho speaking children aged 5-6 years (N=12), 9-10 years (N=10) and adults (N=10), who watched a wordless cartoon and narrated the story back to an interlocutor. Our results show similar developmental trends to those found in other studies showing speech and gesture increases and becomes more complex with age and that spoken discourse and gesture development are closely related (Colletta et al. 2015). Like isiZulu speakers, Sesotho speakers produced a higher proportion of representational or iconic gestures. This result contrasts with findings for other languages such as French where adults produce a higher proportion of pragmatic gestures

Source: UG
Development of Strategies and Transformation Paths for Structured and Targeted Digital Change: The Case of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Trinity Congregation

The situation faced: The Church, irrespective of its steady growth from 4 members in 1965 to 2910 members in 2015, struggles to reach out to larger (newer) communities and improve money collection. It struggles as well in reaching its local community especially its members at the right time with the right message. In brief, for the Church to engage its members and the public concerning worship service, publicizing its social activities (evangelism, donations to the needy, visits to prisons, etc.) and payment of voluntary contributions, it had to count on their physical presence in its premises. (b) Action taken: The Church developed an interactive online presence (website) with payment integration for payment of tithe, offertory, voluntary thanksgiving, etc. Social media accounts were established to help create an online community with the secondary objective of driving traffic to the website and engaging the congregation remotely outside church service hours. Mobile money and a point of sale (POS) device were used to facilitate cashless transactions. Supportive committees were set up while interconnecting existing ones. Some of the pastors upload videos to social media as a supplement to morning devotions. Events were promoted on the website and social media. (c) Results achieved: Amongst the lot, there is currently an increase in social media engagements through event posts, live streaming, images, and other post formats and also an increase in participation in church events by almost 50% on average as well as an increase in the number of website visitors from 2558 (901 unique visitors) in the first year after deployment to 11,612 visitors (5841 unique visitors) in the third year as of September 2017. Even though membership statistics surprisingly indicated a 638 decline in 2017, which is worth investigating. (d) Lessons learned: Although deploying the online system was successful, it came with its lessons drawn from challenges that cannot be ignored. These include trust in electronic payments, the need for a strategic framework in the adoption of technology, and the need to educate users. Other lessons include the need for management support and readiness of employees/volunteers and resource availability as a precursor to achieving strategic IS innovation objectives.

Source: UG
A Development-Focused Allocation of the Special Drawing Rights

The original purpose of the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was to increase international liquidity, but here the emphasis is on the potential role of SDR creation in providing funds for development finance. The chapter describes the historical development of 'regular' SDRs, including their purpose and the problems associated with their creation and allocation. It then introduces the recent proposals for development-oriented SDRs, and analyses these proposals with a focus on the arguments for and against them. Next, the mechanisms proposed for the creation of development SDRs are discussed, including the institutional and structural changes in international finance that may support their creation. The concluding section of the chapter assesses the effects of development SDRs on the resource situation in poor (developing) countries and how they will be perceived. © Oxford University Press, 2013.

Source: UG
Developmental Constitutionalism and the Fourth Branch: Ghana’s Independent Constitutional Bodies and the Redress of Poverty and Inequality

Ghana’s Constitution has long emphasised the importance of equality, democracy, human rights and development. These principles are entrenched in a separation of powers framework that includes independent constitutional bodies that operate semi-autonomously from the tripartite executive, legislative and judicial branches. As part of a symposium on so-called ‘fourth branch’ institutions that provide redress for poverty and inequality, this article explores two institutions: the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the National Development Planning Commission. The first is a 30-year-old national human rights institution, which monitors and investigates alleged violations of human rights, corruption and the misappropriation of public moneys, and provides redress, partly through its increasing focus on economic and social rights and the claims of the most vulnerable, including women, children and persons with disabilities. The second, currently executive body, is the subject of current calls for constitutional reform in Ghana. These reforms would entrench national development planning to enhance features of autonomy, technical capacity and partisan independence. As such, these proposals offer a dis tinctive and yet also paradigm-defying model of fourth branch arrangements in developmental constitutionalism, raising questions about the usurpation of policymaking and the deficits of democracy that are commonly raised against courts, international financial institutions or other international economic arrangements.

Source: UG
Developmental morphology of Ledermanniella bowlingii (Podostemaceae) from Ghana

Ledermanniella (c. 44 species) is the largest podostemoid genus in Africa. This paper deals with the structure and development of the Ghanaian species Ledermanniella bowlingii (J.B. Hall) C. Cusser (subgenus Ledermanniella). Characters typical for L. bowlingii include: green ribbon-like roots with exogenous lateral roots and endogenous shoots up to 120 cm; most leaves 3-7 times forked, with intrapetiolar stipules; flowers solitary or in clusters, borne on elongate stems or directly on roots; each flower bud inverted within a spathella; flowers unistaminate; tricolpate pollen in dyads; ovary mainly unilocular but bilocular at the base due to a rudimentary septum; mature capsule with eight ribs, 1.0-1.8 mm long, containing 12-34 seeds, dehiscing by two equal valves; capsule stalk with pedicel (10 mm) and gynophore (2 mm); silica bodies absent in all plant parts. Several characters of L. bowlingii are described here for the first time. The paper shows that accurate morphological analyses of African Podostemaceae are badly needed.

Source: UG