ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Akan noun–verb nominal compounds: The exocentric synthetic view

A synthetic compound is regarded as an endocentric construction in which a deverbal nominal head inherits the internal argument of the underlying verb. The Akan noun-verb nominal compound is analysed as a synthetic noun-noun compound with a deverbal righthand constituent. This is based on a pattern of downstep observed on the first syllable of the second constituent, triggered by a putative floating low tone of a deleted nominal(- izing) prefix. This approach, which makes the compound endocentric, is needed to account for the nominal syntactic category of the compound, given that the left-hand nominal constituent is not the head. In this paper, we discuss and reject this endocentric analysis, showing that the argument for the nominal status of the right-hand constituent based on tonal melody alone is weak because some constructs which meet the structural requirement fail to exhibit the specified tonal melody. We argue, however, that we can maintain the synthetic compound analysis without committing to defend the view that the righthand constituent is nominalized. This is the exocentric synthetic compound view. We present a constructionist account in which the syntactic category is a holistic constructional property of the compound, which is inherited from a meta-schema for Akan compounding. We also present a preliminary constructionist account of the tonal melody of the compound.

Source: UG
The Akan of Ghana

After completing The Sacred State, of the Akan and The Akan Traditions of Origin, I realized that these studies had only scratched the surface of an extremely interesting and important civilization. It was therefore a great pleasure when I was asked by Mr, D. M. Balme of the University College of the Gold Coast to continue my work; and when the Academic Council of the University Council offered me an award for further research during a period of six months, This is to record here my appreciation, and deep gratitude both to Mr. Balme, and to the Academic Council, who also gave me an allowance for a year to write up my material. Unfortunately a year was not enough: I spent almost six on the two volumes-The Akan of Ghana: Their Ancient Beliefs here presented, and The Akan Divine Kingship and its Proto-type in Ancient Egypt, now also ready for publication-though perhaps two years of these were taken up by illness, travel and other work. Egyptologists say that nothing in the ancient Egyptian civilization ever became quite obsolete. The same is true of the Akan culture and civilization in Ghana, Hence the many contradictions, the variations ,in the beliefs and customs, which are only intelligible if one realizes that these are the result of an uneven development: new ideas did not always supplant old ones, but often continued side by side with them. A marked development had taken place in the course of centuries, owing to the introduction of new ideas from other matrilineally organized countries. Evidence for this are the events in the reigns of two Bono kings: Obunomankoma (1565-1451) and Takyi Akwamo (1451-65). Obunomankoma introduced the cult of the King as the Son of the Sun-god (see Ch. V, 5), which not only revolutionized all the ideas connected with kingship and the state but also those connected with the After Life.

Source: UG
The Akan of Ghana Their Ancient Beliefs

After completing The Sacred State, of the Akan and The Akan Traditions of Origin, I realized that these studies had only scratched the surface of an extremely interesting and important civilization. It was therefore a great pleasure when I was asked by Mr. D. M. Balme of the University College of the Gold Coast to continue my work; and when the Academic Council of the University Council offered me an award for further research during . a period of six months. This is to record here my appreciation, and deep gratitude both to Mr. Balme, and to the Academic Council, who also gave me an allowance for a year to write up my material. Unfortunately a year was not enough: I spent almost six on the two volumes-The Akan of Ghana: Their Ancient Beliefs here presented, and The Akan Divine Kingship and its Proto-type in Ancient Egypt, now also ready for publication-though perhaps two years of these were taken up by illness, travel and other work. Egyptologists say that nothing in the ancient Egyptian civilization ever became quite obsolete. The same is true of the Akan culture and civilization in Ghana. Hence the many contradictions, the variations ,in the beliefs and customs, which are only intelligible if one realizes that these. are the result of an uneven development: new ideas did not always supplant old ones, but often continued side by side with them. A marked development had taken place in the course of centuries, owing to the introduction of new ideas from other matrilineally organized countries. Evidence for this are the events in the reigns of two Bono kings: Obunomankoma (1565-1451) and Takyi Akwamo (1451-65). Obunomankoma introduced the cult of the King as the Son of the Sun-god (see Ch. V, 5), which not only revolutionized all the ideas connected it kingship and the state but also those connected with the After Life

Source: UG
Akan Religious Ontology and Environmental Sustainability in Ghana

In this paper, using ethnographic field data from three indigenous Akan communities, we show that Akan religious ontology about the natural world provides a formidable resource and framework for managing the environmentally destructive tendencies of the human being. We further prove that while these ontologies about the natural world emerge from the intense religiosity of the Akan and the metaphysical worldview of the indigenous Akan, they contain strong environmental ethical norms and values worth resourcing for environmental sustainability in Ghana. We, consequently, argue that significant attention ought to be paid to these religious ontologies—beliefs, norms and practices—of the indigenous Akan, as an effective means of achieving environmental sustainability. We, therefore, propose the resourcing and adoption of indigenous religious ontologies on the natural world that have the potential of informing and enhancing environmental policies and initiatives towards environmental sustainability in Ghana.

Source: UG
Akan terminology: English-Akan Linguistics and Media Glossary

The book identifies terminology as the process of forming or creating, terms of a special subject discipline meant to satisfy the social, occupational and communicative needs of its users, specialists and professionals. There are two categories of terminology users namely the direct and the intermediary users. The direct users are the specialists in the specific subject field. The intermediaries are language professionals like translators, technical writers, and interpreters who need terminology to enhance their profession and to facilitate communication (see Cabré 1999:12). The book also discusses the following principles of terminology as a guide to the choice of terms harmony, brevity, economy, precision, appropriateness, transparency, purism, institutional acceptability, internationalisation and learnability. Terminology is a direct reflection of the state of a society’s sciences, industry, and economy. In our current study, the demand for Akan terminology is based on the need for the development, teaching, and learning of the Akan language. The process and methodology in the creation of Akan Linguistic Terminology involves the adoption of an original term with its original meaning, redefining existing terms and words, using indigenous descriptive expressions or derivations, adopting foreign terms, and preference of general vocabulary items.

Source: UG
‘Akan Verbal Taboos'

This paper addresses the status of taboo expressions in Akan society looking at it from traditional usage and the changes in contemporary Akan society. It looks at verbal taboos (VT) from the theory of language ideology. The paper argues that a change in language and culture has some direct bearing on VT. We shall discuss the functions of taboo expressions in the Akan society. We shall also consider taboo and the social class that normally use taboo expressions and why. We shall also discuss the influence of taboo expressions on other, non-taboo expressions, intralingually and interlingually. The paper discusses the sociolinguistics of VT and sees how societies put sanctions on free speech. We will thus argue that even though speech is free, there is a limit to the extent one can freely use language. The paper further considers the current state of verbal taboos especially with the advent of western education, globalisation, religion and urbanization and the prospects for Akan verbal taboos. Finally, we shall look at the problems encountered with research into Akan verbal taboos.

Source: UG
Akanization of the Hill Guan arts.

The original inhabitants of the Akuapern Hills were predominantly Guan. From the mid-eighteenth century, they experienced fundamental political changes which marked a transition from the rule of priest-chiefs to secular chiefs. This new political order introduced new art forms and regalia. The cultural contact which took place in Akuapem did not result in an even diffusion of elements of Akan art and culture, but has been one of uneven and unbalanced adoption, modification and even rejection of some new art and religious forms. This article discusses the process of introducing an Akan type political system and its accompanying art in a group of Guan communities on the Akuapem Hills. Art and regalia in Akuapem portray the acceptance of new art forms, yet preserving some Guan traditional art forms amidst major artistic adoptions from the Akan. it therefore analyses whether the Akanization process was partial or complete.

Source: UG
The Akim Abuakwa Crisis

Of the Jackson Report on Akim Abuakwa, reams could be written, but the time is yet to come for that. Mr. H.K. Akyeampong’s review of that Report is a foretaste of what might be expected from the pen of an able writer in defence, or at any rate, in the interest of the State. For the good of Akim Abuakwa, its owners- the Chiefs and the people, as well as their sympathisers, the people of Ghana- should acquire a first hand acquaintance with its affairs. This pamphlet provides one such opportunity.

Source: UG
The Akim Abuakwa Handbook

AKIM ABUAKWA is one of several independent States in the Gold Coast, British West Africa. Kibi (pronounced Kye-bi), its capital and seat of government, is sixty miles inland from Accra, capital of the Colony and headquarters of the British Government. Formerly extending from the Meridian of Greenwich to the first degree west longitude, the territorial extent of the State was considerably reduced when part of the south-eastern frontier was sold in I875 to the British Government for the New Juaben Settlement, now a prosperous State with the "modern Koforidua as its capital. Akim Abuakwa has an area of about 3,000 square miles, i.e., over a hundred thousand acres larger than the West Riding of Yorkshire, and the territory covers about an eighth of the total area of the Colony (23.490 sq. miles). The census of I92I gave its population as 90,306. This makes Akim Abuakwa the fourth most populous State in the Eastern Province, but a reliable forecast places the aggregate in I928 at I23,000 souls, or' a tenth of the total population of the Colony (I,I7I,913)• Like all the States in the Colony and Ashanti, Akim Abuakwa is an agricultural country, and it is not yet-thank Heaven-an industrialised manufacturing country. Its chief economic products are Cocoa, Cola and Rubber, all but the first being natural to the soil and " growing wild in marketable quantities. Lying as it is in the grip of the West African forest belt, it yields an abundance of West African Mahogany, and this, for the most part, is at present undeveloped, The country is well watered, and its principal river, the Birrim, noted for its rich deposits of gold and diamonds, takes its source from Apapam , a village near Kibi, The Scarp-a rather peculiar feature of the topography of the Gold Coast-cuts across the Northern portion of the State, and Akwawa, the highest hill, rising 2,585 feet above sea level, li s at Begoro, one of the Divisional scats of government in Akim Abuakwa.

Source: UG
Akwa Ibom AIDS indicator survey: Key findings and lessons learnt

Background The burden of HIV/AIDS epidemic is huge, but this varies widely by population in Nigeria. Data that could be used to guide the scale up of HIV prevention and control strategies has significant gaps. The study sought to estimate the prevalence of HIV and its associated determinants in Akwa Ibom state. Methods Akwa Ibom AIDS Indicator Survey (AKAIS) is a population based cross-sectional survey, with a two-stage probability sampling. The survey had both behavioural and biological com ponents. Tablet-based questionnaire was used to collect data on participant’s household information, demographics, socio-economic, and behavioral risk factors associated with HIV; while the biological component involved collection of venous blood samples for partici pants who were over 19months. For children aged 18months on less, capillary blood from finger prick sample was used. Participants were tested for HIV. Other biomarker tests for HIV positive participants included CD4, HIV-1 RNA viral load and incidence assays. Results In all 15,609 people (8,963 adults aged 15 years and older (55% females), 6,646 individuals less than 15 years (51% males), from 4,313 households, participated in AKAIS. Overall, 2.8% (423 persons; 422 HIV-1 and 1 HIV-2) were found to be HIV positive. HIV prevalence was 4.8% in adults (15 years and above) and 0.4% in pediatric (< = 14 years) participants. HIV prevalence was significantly higher in females (5.6%) than males (3.7%) aged 15 years and older (p <0.001). Overall HIV incidence was 0.41% Conclusions HIV prevalence among adults was 4.8% with an overall incidence of 0.41%. These esti mates are essential to inform strategic control and prevention of HIV epidemic in Akwa Ibom state targeting the affected populations.

Source: UG
Akwamu 1650 – 1750 A Study of the Rise and fall of a West African Empire.

Little is known of the Akwamu State. It is not until Akwamu emerges as a coastal and imperial power, in the second half of the seventeenth century, that there commence numerous references to Kwamu in the series of reports on local affairs written by servants of the Danish, Dutch and English trading companies operating along the Gold Coast. From that time onwards it becomes possible to reconstruct the history of Akwammu in considerable detail. Nevertheless, a few isolated references to Akwamu in its pre-imperial period survive, and enable one to attempt a tentative outline of the consolidation of the state that period

Source: UG
Alaskan-type nature and PGE mineralization of the Wuxing mafic–ultramafic complex in eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic belt

The Wuxing mafic–ultramafic complex is located in the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). It consists of hornblende-olivine clinopyroxenite, hornblende clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, gabbro and diorite. Hornblende occurs in all the rock types of the complex and is pargasite in composition. Clinopyroxene is diopsidic in composition with high CaO and low TiO2 contents. The flat REE and sub-parallel trace element patterns of both clinopyroxene and hornblende suggest that these rocks were formed by fractional crystallization from common magma with no significant crustal contamination. Enrichment in large ion lithophile elements relative to high field strength elements of the silicate minerals, together with the variable sulfur isotope compositions (δ34S = -2.55 ~ 11.01‰) of the sulfides, indicate the involvement of subducted oceanic materials into the mantle source. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical features strongly suggest the Alaskan-type nature of the Wuxing complex. The hydrous parental magma of the Wuxing complex was derived from partial melting of the mantle wedge, which had been metasomatized by subducted melts/fluids. The Wuxing complex is a unique Pt-Pd-rich Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in the CAOB. The ore minerals, which are dominated by pyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite and platinum-group mineral (PGM), mainly occur in clinopyroxenite and hornblende clinopyroxenite. The sulfide ores are predominantly present as net-textured and disseminated textures. Pentlandite and chalcopyrite associated with pyrrhotite commonly occur in the marginal zone of the pyrrhotite grains. The PGMs occur as interstitial grains at the contact between base-metal sulfides and silicate minerals or along the crack of pyrrhotite or clinopyroxene, or as inclusions in pyrrhotite. The occurrences of sulfides and PGMs in the Wuxing complex, together with sulfur isotope compositions and PGE patterns, reveal that the PGE enrichment of the Alaskan-type complexes can be attributed to the high-degree partial melting of the mantle source, sulfur involvement in the source, and PGE transportation of hydrous melts.

Source: UG
Alcohol consumption and fruits and vegetable intake among older adults in Ghana: a cross-sectional survey based on WHO-SAGE Wave 2 data

Background Alcohol consumption and inadequate fruits and vegetable (FnV) intake are major reasons for the shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the years. The older Ghanaian adult is at high risk of NCD and data on alcohol and FnV consumption are required to guide policy to mitigate its effect. This analysis aimed to determine the factors associated with alcohol consumption and assess the relationship between alcohol consumption and FnV intake among Ghanaians aged 50 years and older. Methods This analysis used WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) Wave 2, Ghana data set conducted between 2014 and 2015. Data on demographic characteristics, FnV intake, and alcohol consumption were collated and analysed. Multivariable Poisson, logistic and probit regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between alcohol consumption and inadequate FnV intake. Results A total of 3533 Ghanaians aged 50 years and older, 41.0% men and 59.0% women, were included in this study. The prevalence of lifetime alcohol consumption was 22.8% (95% CI 20.7% to 25.1%). Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with sex, age group, marital status, religion, place of residence and history of smoking. The prevalence of adequate FnV intake was 52.6% with a mean daily intake of 6.45 servings: 2.98 for fruits and 3.47 for vegetables. There was a significant positive correlation between inadequate FnV intake and alcohol consumption. Inadequate FnV consumption was significantly higher among lifetime alcohol consumers compared with non alcohol consumers. (Poisson estimate; adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR) (95% CI)=1.35 (1.12 to 1.63), logistic estimate; adjusted Old Ratio (aOR) (95% CI)=1.13 (1.05 to 1.21) and probit estimate; adjusted normalized coefficient (aβ) (95% CI)=0.19 (0.07 to 0.31)) Conclusion About a quarter and nearly half of older Ghanaian adults consume alcohol and inadequate FnV, respectively. Alcohol consumption is significantly associated with inadequate FnV intake. Interventions to address inadequate FnV intake among older adults in Ghana should also include policies that regulate the use of alcohol in this population.

Source: UG
Alcohol intake, smoking, self-medication practices and burden of anaemia among traders in Tamale metropolis of Ghana

Objective Lifestyle choices including physical inactivity, smoking, abuse of alcohol and drugs, unhealthy diet are common among traders and market women and these behavioural activities predispose individuals to ill-health conditions including cardiovascular diseases and chronic anaemia. We evaluated lifestyle choices such as alcohol intake, smoking and resorting to self-medication among traders in the Tamale Central market in Ghana. We then associated these lifestyle choices with anaemia. Results A total of 400 participants were recruited for this study. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels of participants were measured using Mission® Plus Hb meter and anaemia was diagnosed by Hb<12 g/dl for non-pregnant females and Hb<13 g/dl for males. Of the participants, a majority (69.3%) were males, and most of them (56.0%) were within 18–35 years age bracket. While alcohol intake and smoking were uncommon, self-medication was a common practice among the participants. Anaemia was a common condition; diagnosed in 44.5% of participants, but was independent of age, alcohol intake and smoking. However, anaemia was more common in females (χ2=15.9, p<0.001) and was associated with self-medication (χ2=5.7, p=0.017). We recommend that traders in the Tamale metropolis should seek routine health check-ups to help avert adverse health consequences associated with anaemia.

Source: UG
Alcohol use by school-going adolescents in Ghana: Prevalence and correlates

This study investigated the risk factors that are associated with alcohol use among a nationally representative sample of school-going adolescents in Ghana. The 2012 version of the Ghanaian Global School-based Student Health Survey on adolescents aged 11–19 years old (N = 1984) was used. Logistic regression was employed to study the relationship between alcohol use variables and socio-demographic characteristic, mental health problems, psychosocial variables and parental involvement. The prevalence of alcohol use behaviours were 6.8%, 11.1% and 12.6% for alcohol problem, lifetime drunkenness and current alcohol use respectively. Loneliness, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts were found to independently increase the odds of alcohol use behaviours (current alcohol use, lifetime drunkenness and alcohol problems) among adolescents. Similarly behavioural problems such as truancy, current smoking of cigarette, being bullied, being physically attacked, being involved in a physical fight were found to independently increase the odds of alcohol use behaviours (current alcohol use, lifetime drunkenness and alcohol problems). Having close friends was protective of current alcohol use but not for drunkenness and alcohol problems. These results underline the need for the development of school-based health interventions for early identification of adolescents who may be at-risk for alcohol-related problems.

Source: UG
AlF3 reactive Al2O3 foam filter for the removal of dissolved impurities from molten aluminum: Preliminary results

Filters coated with AlF3 can be used to filter molten aluminum to simultaneously remove nonmetallic inclusions and dissolved alkali and alkaline earth metal impurities. Coating experiments were carried out in which anhydrous HF gas was generated from reactions involving NaF or CaF2 and concentrated H2SO4, and used in a reaction with Al2O3 ceramic foam filter to produce a layer of AlF 3 coating on the surface of the Al2O3 filter. Samples from these experiments were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. Preliminary results of the coating experiments showed that it is possible to coat Al2O 3 filters with AlF3 by this method. Increasing the pressure of HF gas increased the yield of AlF3 in the filter. Theoretical evaluation of the removal efficiency of dissolve impurity elements showed that dissolved calcium can be removed up to 99.8% within 30 s of contact time between the filter material and the molten aluminum.

Source: UG