ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A Critique of Leprosy Control Approaches in Northern Nigeria, 1900–1965

The article examines two collaborative approaches to control leprosy in northern Nigeria. In the first approach, the colonial government and the Native Authorities (NA) established leprosy settlements under the supervision of the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association (BELRA). The second approach involved the missions and the NA, which led to the establishment of provincial leprosaria in northern Nigeria. The article uses primary and secondary data which show that the first approach involving BELRA failed to provide the required result until the establishment of leprosaria in provinces of northern Nigeria. The second partnership, which involved the missions and the NA setting up leprosaria, supervised by the colonial administration, provided a holistic approach to controlling and managing the infection, deformity, and stigma related to the disease through the provincial leprosaria.

Source: UG
A critique of the concept of quasi-physicalism in Akan philosophy

One important feature of recent African philosophical works is the attempt by writers to interpret some key concepts from within the context of specific African cultures. The interpretations of such writers, however, particularly in connection with Akan thought, have not been without problems. One such concept is the concept of a person. From the largely general position that a completely physical conception of the person is inconsistent with Akan cultural beliefs, the precise characterization of the non-physical constituent of the human being has been a source of great controversy. An expression that has of recent times been put forward as descriptive of that constituent is the "quasi-physical." The notion of quasi-physicalism is the brainchild of an Akan philosopher, Kwasi Wiredu, and is strongly held also by Safro Kwame, another Akan philosopher. This article attempts an explanation of the notion and argues that it is conceptually flawed in diverse ways, and as such philosophically indefensible. © University of Florida Board of Trustees, a public corporation of the State of Florida.

Source: UG
Crop diversification and household food security status: evidence from rural Benin

Background The government of Benin has initiated since 2006 many policies to promote crop diversification. The aim was to help rural household to be more resilient to food insecurity. The objective of this research is to determine how crop diversification has affected the food security status of the rural household. Methodology Primary data from 420 rural households were collected in the Collines Region in Benin. We use principal component analysis (PCA) to construct a multidimensional food security indices and a Simpson diversity index has been used to measure the degree of crop diversification. A linear regression model was used to determine the effect of crop diversification on household food security status. Results We found that crop diversification has a positive effect on household food security status. The diversity of crops grown through dietary diversity can improve household food security. In rural remote areas where household access to food depends largely on it production, crop diversification provides farmers with the different crops that they cannot access either because of the cost or because of the poor infrastructure constraints (physical access). Beyond, the results also show that some other factors are also affecting the household food security status such as access to extension services and storage facilities.

Source: UG
Crop loss, aetiology and epidemiology of citrus black spot in Ghana

Citrus Black Spot (CBS), caused by Guignardia citricarpa, was detected for the first time in Ghana and in West Africa. The disease was first observed in the Eastern Region in 1999 with typical disease symptoms including hard spot, virulent spot and false melanose were observed on several citrus species. A survey revealed that the disease has reached epidemic levels in the citrus-producing areas of the Eastern and Ashanti regions and is spreading rapidly within these areas and to other regions of the country. Currently, CBS is the most important fruit disease of citrus in Ghana, causing about 22% crop loss. Although the disease does not cause postharvest decay and the internal quality of the fruit is not affected, significant amounts of blemished fruit are discarded at the markets. Disease incidence and severity was found to be higher on mature than on young citrus trees. Pycnidia were found on fruit with hard spot symptoms, and pycnidia and pseudothecia typical of Guignardia spp. were found on decomposing leaves. Two species, G. citricarpa and G. mangiferae, were isolated from 15% of the samples collected and identified using the Oatmeal Agar test and by PCR with species-specific DNA primers. Isolates of G. citricarpa produced CBS symptoms after 80 to 233 days on 75% of the artificially inoculated young fruit of Valencia Late sweet orange. The fungus was re-isolated from symptomatic, inoculated fruit completing Koch’s postulates. Isolates of the endophyte G. mangiferae did not induce symptoms in the pathogenicity tests. In epidemiological studies, infections were detected from November to February for the minor cropping season and from May to November for the major season. Fruit of Valencia Late sweet orange were susceptible to G. citricarpa infection for up to 7 months after petal fall. Knowledge of the disease cycle in Ghana will improve methods for disease control.

Source: UG
Crops - Legumes

This chapter discusses the different processing technologies applied to legumes, which are grouped as traditional and modern processing technologies. The major traditional techniques used in the processing of legumes are soaking, dehulling, milling, boiling/cooking, roasting, pounding and grinding, frying, steaming, germination, fermentation, and popping. Modern processing technologies for legumes involve the use of sophisticated equipment and result in the mass production of products. Some of these technologies include extrusion cooking, high-pressure cooking, air classification, agglomeration, and canning. The chapter deals with some of these technologies as applied to the processing of legumes and their effects on the nutritional and physical characteristics of legumes. It concludes with a discussion on the ingredients obtained from legumes and the applications of legumes. A list of some of the potential and current applications of legume flours and fractions including pulses is presented.

Source: UG
Cross mating studies among five fruit fly parasitoid populations: Potential biological control implications for tephritid pests

The reproductive compatibility between four different species/populations of the tephritid parasitoid Psyttalia (Walker) species from Kenya and individuals of the morphologically identical Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from a laboratory culture in Italy used in augmentative biological control of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was assessed through cross mating tests using single-pair and group mating methods. Reciprocal crosses among the species resulted in the production of viable offsprings up to the second generation. In spite of the successful production of viable offspring in the laboratory, Psyttalia species are known to have specific host fruit and/or host fly preferences and populations/species may be isolated in one way or the other. However, it is not known whether these populations/species interbreed in the field. We discuss the ability of these parasitoids to interbreed and the potential effects of that on their use as biological control agents, especially in environments where other closely related species are present or in situations where multiple parasitoid introductions are intended. © 2007 International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC).

Source: UG
Cross mating studies of Psyttalia species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Potential implications for biological control of tephritid pests

The reproductive compatibility between four different species/populations of the tephritid parasitoid Psyttalia (Walker) species from Kenya and individuals of the morphologically identical Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from a laboratory culture in Italy used in augmentative biological control of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was assessed through cross mating tests using single-pair and group mating methods. Reciprocal crosses among the species resulted in the production of viable offsprings up to the second generation. In spite of the successful production of viable offspring in the laboratory, Psyttalia species are known to have specific host fruit and/or host fly preferences and populations/species may be isolated in one way or the other. However, it is not known whether these populations/species interbreed in the field. We discuss the ability of these parasitoids to interbreed and the potential effects of that on their use as biological control agents, especially in environments where other closely related species are present or in situations where multiple parasitoid introductions are intended.

Source: UG
Cross-channel message consistency in herbal medicine advertising: A comparative analysis of packaging information and radio presenter mentions

Purpose – For many developing country citizens, traditional herbal medicines offer affordable alternatives to expensive orthodox options. Consumers learn about them from different sources including the packaging, which by regulatory demands must provide certain information. In countries such as Ghana, many herbal medicine brands combine packaging information with radio presenter mentions (PMs) as the primary modes of advertising. The purpose of this study is to compare radio PMs of herbal medicines to their packaging information to see how consistent they are in providing credible information to consumers. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses comparative qualitative content analysis to compare information about disease indications, directions for use and warnings/cautions as provided on the packaging and in PMs to gauge the extent of their congruence. Findings – Findings show that there are substantial cross-channel message differences. These differences range from under-representation to sometimes, blatant misinformation, suggesting the possibility that audiences will have difficulty relying on them for decisions. Research limitations/implications – This study only addressed issues with the manifest content of herbal drugs’ packaging and PMs. It does not include any interviews with consumers to gauge the extent of their consciousness of the lapses identified, and how they are affected by such. In addition, the study sample is context-specific. Ghana presents an interesting setting for the study but it is none-the-less only one country, denying us the power to generalize the findings. Practical implications – The study points to a need to pay closer attention to message salience and consistency where multiple channels are used in promoting herbal medicinal products. Due to their historically traditional context of consumption in many developing countries, regulatory frameworks on herbal medicine markets are often lax. This study calls attention to a need for better policing on how herbal medicinal products promote themselves, particularly where they use multiple media channels that introduce variations into their messages. Originality/value – The study calls attention to the credibility of cross-channel messages in supporting consumers of medicinal products. Secondly, because of the predominance of the normative view in medical advertising, channels such as PMs that accommodate message variation and improvisation have eluded critical analysis. By its focus on the presenter mention advertising format, the study also draws attention of health communication scholars to begin to include emerging modes of medical advertising in their analysis

Source: UG
Cross-Cultural Bonds Between Ancient Greece and Africa: Implications for Contemporary Staging Practices.” In Classics in Post-Colonial Worlds

Classics in Post-Colonial Worlds examines the continuing impact of Greek and Roman drama, literature, and art on the cultures of societies that have emerged from colonial domination. It is well known that classical literature, ideas, and architecture was used to express colonial authority and in some cases dominated the education of the elite among both colonized and colonizers. But classical themes and motifs were also appropriated to challenge colonialism and, after independence, have continued to be an important and sometimes problematic aspect of the development of cultural identities and politics in post-colonial societies. The essays in this book represent the latest research in the interaction between classical texts and post-colonial societies. They demonstrate how this engagement is a crucial aspect of creative practice in the work of poets and dramatists, such as Derek Walcott, Seamus Heaney, Athol Fugard, Femi Osofisan, and Christopher Okigbo, and has illuminated cultural politics in many parts of Africa, Europe, India, and the Caribbean. They also reveal how changes in perception of the ancient world, its written and material texts and ideologies, are created by transplanting these into other languages and cultural contexts. The diverse ways in which classical texts have migrated and been translated worldwide, and the variations in how they have been received and re-used also open up new questions about the nature and trajectories of cultural activity in post-colonial contexts, and thus contributing to wider debates about cultural change.

Source: UG
Cross-cultural communication imperatives: Critical lessons for Western expatriates in multinational companies (MNCs) in sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose Given the rising expansion of Western multinational companies (MNCs) to the African contexts, the development of expatriates and local employees has become increasingly important to the human resource management of these MNCs. This paper aims to provide critical lessons on cross-cultural communication competences for Western expatriates working in the sub-Saharan Africa business environment. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a qualitative phenomenology that makes use of lived experiences of senior expatriate staff working in Ghana in the form of direct interviews. Findings Results showed that cross-cultural communication competence is very important for Western expatriates’ functioning in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings also established a plethora of cross-cultural communication skills that are essential for Western expatriates’ successful adaptation and work outcomes in Africa. Practical implications This research argues that there is the need for the appreciations of the differing cultural patterns of expatriates and local staff, and this provides the underlying assumptions of intercultural and cross-cultural communication in global business. Originality/value A critical perspective of international business that has scarcely been studied offers lessons for Western expatriates working in sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: UG
Cross-cultural differences in eyewitness memory reports

Increasingly, investigators conduct interviews with eyewitnesses from different cultures. The culture in which people have been socialised can impact the way they encode, remember, and report information about their experiences. We examined whether eyewitness memory reports of mock witnesses from collectivistic (sub- Saharan Africa) and individualistic (Northern Europe) cultures differed regarding quantity and quality of central and background details reported. Mock witnesses (total N = 200) from rural Ghana, urban Ghana, and the Netherlands were shown stimuli scenes of crimes in Dutch and Ghanaian settings and provided free and cued recalls. Individualistic culture mock witnesses reported the most details, irrespective of detail type. For each cultural group, mock witnesses reported more correct central details when crime was witnessed in their own native setting than a non-native setting, though for different recall domains. The findings provide insight for legal and investigative professionals as well as immigration officials eliciting memory reports in crosscultural contexts.

Source: UG
Cross-dialectal similarity of registers: The case of the sentence across Ghanaian and British newspaper editorials

The claim of register theory is that there is cross-dialectal similarity in linguistic choices across texts from the same register because language used in a register serves a specific communicative purpose in a given situational context. In this empirical study, the sentence was investigated across a specialized corpus of editorials from Ghanaian and British newspapers with the hope of ascertaining the similarities or otherwise in this aspect of language use across native and nonnative dialects of English. In the light of Biber and Conrad's (2009) model of register, we argue that quantitative dominance of specific sentence types and consistency in their distributional patterns across the two sociocultural contexts are indicative that those dominant sentence types are functional to the editorial register. The data reveal that in spite of a few distributional discrepancies, which reflect regional adjustments in situational and cultural contexts, sentence types are generally similarly distributed across editorials from the two sociocultural contexts, with declarative and complex sentence types being consistently dominant across the two texts.

Source: UG
A cross-linguistic syntactic analysis of telicity in motion predicates in Southern Tati, Mandarin, and Ghanaian Student Pidgin

This paper proposes an analysis of telicity in motion predicates within the framework of the Exo-Skeletal Model (Borer 2005b). We hypothesize that a motion event is syntactically represented by a Path component, the core of which is a vP that introduces a Figure argument. This Path component is interpreted as quantity in the sense of Borer (2005b) when there is a certain type of morpheme present in the structure, such as a verb that denotes the reaching of an endpoint. A quantity Path component can then assign a semantic value to a functional projection called AspQP, which returns a telic interpretation. Data from Mandarin, Ghanaian Student Pidgin, and Southern Tati show AspQP can be assigned a value either with or without overt head movement. We further propose a distinction between Path and direction, which explains data that were left unexplained in previous studies and seemingly contradict our claim.

Source: UG
A cross-national comparative study of work demands/support, work-to-family conflict and job outcomes: Ghana versus the United Kingdom

This study compared relations between work demands and support, work-to-family conflict (WFC) and job outcomes in Ghana and the United Kingdom. Data were obtained from 217 Ghanaian employees and 198 British employees using structured questionnaires. Results from multigroup structural equation modelling analyses showed that job pressure was positively related to WFC in Ghana and the United Kingdom, whereas supervisor support was negatively related to WFC in Ghana only. WFC was negatively related to job satisfaction and positively related to turnover intentions in both countries. More importantly, the relationship between job pressure and WFC was stronger for British employees than for Ghanaian employees. Finally, job pressure was indirectly related to job satisfaction and turnover intentions via WFC in both countries, whereas supervisor support was indirectly related to job satisfaction and turnover intentions in Ghana only. The implications of these findings for cross-cultural research on the work–family interface and managerial practice are discussed.

Source: UG
A cross-over trial comparing once daily levobunolol with once and twice daily timolol.

The intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy of once-daily levobunolol 0.5% was compared with timolol 0.5% twice-daily and timolol 0.5% once-daily in 20 chronic open angle glaucoma and 5 ocular hypertensive patients. The design used was a randomised double blind cross-over trial with three periods each of 8 weeks separated by 2 weeks of no treatment. We found that following levobunolol a two week washout was not sufficient for the IOP to return to its original baseline level suggesting that levobunolol is a longer acting drug than timolol. Adjusting for this carryover effect, we found on significant difference in the IOP lowering effect among the three regimes (p = 0.53). Reduced cost, less ocular discomfort and better compliance are the main potential advantages of the once daily treatments.

Source: UG
Cross-regional assessment of dental pathologies: Evidence for predicting oral health and intra-vitam stress among Ghanaian ancestors

Background and aim. — WHO’s definition of oral health extends beyond the state of the teeth and dental pathologies. However, dental pathologies form a significant component of oral health and impact a person’s quality of life. Thus, dental pathologies can elucidate intra-vitam oral health and dietetics of ancient or contemporary populations. This paper aimed at predicting the oral health and intra-vitam stress of past inhabitants across five regions in Ghana from dental pathologies. Method. — The study employed the mixed research approach involving standard anthropo logical observational scoring systems to examine five dental pathologies: caries, calculus, abscess, enamel hypoplasia, and cementum hyperplasia. The scores were translated into absent (0)/present (1) pathology categories and the frequency was calculated in an Excel sheet. Results and discussion. — Dental pathologies constituted 60% of the total pathologies recorded on human remains, with calculus being dominant (35%), followed by caries (30%), enamel hypoplasia (21%), abscess (9%), and hypercementosis (7%). In general, the individuals from Sekondi presented the highest percentage of dental pathologies, i.e., 69% caries, 66% calculus, 50% abscess, 44% enamel hypoplasia, and 5% hypercementosis. Begho and Yapei individuals had equal percentages of abscesses, enamel hypoplasia, and calculus, while hypercementosis was relatively low in all cases. More than one individual combined multiple dental pathologies, while 6 had none. Grounded on the high caries and calculus expression rates and their direct influ ence on other dental pathologies, the individual’s oral health could have been compromised by dietary patterns, developmental factors, functional stress on the teeth, and inadequate oral hygiene. Conclusion. — The assessment of the dental pathologies of these Ghanaian ancestors offered valuable insights into dietetics, oral health, and some intra-vitam developmental and functional stress on the teeth.

Source: UG