ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Determining the glycaemic load of varieties of fufu in Ghana

Knowledge about the glycaemic load of a food is very important in minimizing the prevalence of diabetes and other Non-Communicable Diseases. This study seeks to determine the glycaemic load of varieties of fufu that are often eaten in Ghana. The study was a crossover experimental study which used 10 healthy participants, who were given 50 g of pure glucose and subsequently served with a measured amount of test foods; cassava – plantain fufu, cassava – cocoyam fufu and cassava – yam fufu, containing 50 g of carbohydrate. Fasting blood glucose was taken and after ingestion of test foods, capillary blood was also taken within a 2-hour period and assayed for postprandial glucose concentration. The glycaemic loads were determined using the GI values taking into account the typical portion size of fufu. Sensory evaluation was carried out to identify the most preferred variety. A proximate analysis was also carried out on all three varieties to assess their nutritional components. Findings from proximate analysis indicated that, cassava – plantain combination had the least amount of carbohydrate of 34.87%, followed by the cassava – cocoyam with an amount of 36.10% and the cassava – yam with an amount of 43.00%. All three varieties had low glycaemic index, however, they had high GL. Cassava- plantain fufu had GL of 40%, cassava – yam fufu had 22% and cassava - cocoyam fufu had 29%. This was attributed to the large portion sizes of fufu eaten. Results from sensory evaluation revealed that cassava – plantain fufu variety was much preferred among the three varieties. Culture was identified as the main reason why panelists preferred a particular fufu variety to the others. Consumers must take smaller portion sizes of any of the fufu variety in order to minimize the effect on their blood sugar level.

Source: UCC
Determining the glycemic load of boiled yam, cassava and plantain in Abura, Central Region of Ghana

Glycemic load and index of local foods is becoming a topical issue in food science. Therefore, determining glycemic load and index of locally consumed foods in is necessary. The aim of this research was to determine the glycemic load of boiled yam, boiled cassava and boiled plantain among the people of Abura. In finding answers to the problem being investigated, three research questions and one research hypothesis were set to guide the study. Theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed to give better understanding and background to the study. True experimental design was adopted to be used for the study. A total of 10 participants were purposively and conveniently sampled and screened to meet the criteria needed before participating in the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of University of Cape Coast before conducting the study. The data obtained were analysed and tested with mean, standard deviation, graph and ANOVA. The study revealed that boiled plantain had the lowest glycemic load (12.62) followed by yam (20.39) and cassava (26.71) in order of magnitude. Again, boiled plantain had the least effect on blood glucose level; and had the least content of protein, fat/oil, fibre and carbohydrate as compared to boiled yam and cassava. Also, the moisture content in boiled plantain was higher than yam and cassava in order of magnitude respectively. The study recommended that the consumption of plantain and its related meals can be suggested more often to diabetic patients. In addition, more recipes from plantain should be developed by stakeholders in the hospitality industry and food product development.

Source: UCC
Determining Thinking Levels Required in West African Senior Secondary School Certificate on Core Mathematics Multiple Choice Items

There have been many criticisms with regard to the low performance of students in the examinations conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) especially in core mathematics which is one of the perquisites for the students to gain admission into the University. This situation presupposes that WAEC mathematics test items are seen to be very difficult by students. It is essential to investigate this claim by the students. This study aimed to determine the thinking levels required in West African senior secondary school certificate on core mathematics multiple choice items. The research design adopted for this study was descriptive and survey was the method employed. The data were gathered from the multiple-choice items of 2013 and 2014 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) of WAEC. Data analysis was carried out using frequency, percentage, and chi-square test. Findings revealed that the thinking levels required in the test items varied. Analyzing was the thinking level required to a greater degree in both tests relative to the other thinking levels. There was no significant difference in the thinking levels required in both examinations. Overall, the thinking levels required in the tests are categorized in higher-order cognitive learning domain. The findings may serve as input for WAEC in the review of the test items and for secondary schools in enhancing their mathematics instruction.

Source: UCC
Developing a Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein (M-LDL-C) Friedewald’s Equation as a Substitute for Direct LDL-C Measure in a Ghanaian Population: A Comparative Study

Despite the availability of several homogenous LDL-C assays, calculated Friedewald’s LDL-C equation remains the widely used formula in clinical practice. Several novel formulas developed in different populations have been reported to outperform the Friedewald formula. This study validated the existing LDL-C formulas and derived a modified LDL-C formula specific to a Ghanaian population. In this comparative study, we recruited 1518 participants, derived a new modified Friedewald’s LDL-C (M-LDL-C) equation, evaluated LDL-C by Friedewald’s formula (F-LDL-C), Martin’s formula (N-LDL-C), Anandaraja’s formula (A-LDL-C), and compared them to direct measurement of LDL-C (D-LDL-C). The mean D-LDL-C (2.47±0.71 mmol/L) was significantly lower compared to F-LDL-C (2.76±1.05 mmol/L), N-LDL-C (2.74±1.04 mmol/L), A-LDL-C (2.99±1.02 mmol/L), and M-LDL-C (2.97±1.08 mmol/L) p < 0.001. There was a significantly positive correlation between D-LDL-C and A-LDL-C (r=0.658, p<0.0001), N-LDL-C (r=0.693, p<0.0001), and M-LDL-C (r=0.693, p<0.0001). M-LDL-c yielded a better diagnostic performance [(area under the curve (AUC)=0.81; sensitivity (SE) (60%) and specificity (SP) (88%)] followed by N-LDL-C [(AUC=0.81; SE (63%) and SP (85%)], F-LDL-C [(AUC=0.80; SE (63%) and SP (84%)], and A-LDL-C (AUC=0.77; SE (68%) and SP (78%)] using D-LDL-C as gold standard. Bland–Altman plots showed a definite agreement between means and differences of D-LDL-C and the calculated formulas with 95% of values lying within ±0.50 SD limits. The modified LDL-C (M-LDL-C) formula derived by this study yielded a better diagnostic accuracy compared to A-LDL-C and F-LDL-C equations and thus could serve as a substitute for D-LDL-C and F-LDL-C equations in the Ghanaian population.

Source: UCC
Developing A Novel Onsite Detection Technology By Using Chemometrical Analysis Of Hand-Held Near-Infrared Sensor Technique For Assessing Coffee Quality

This study aims to apply handheld infrared spectral technique to develop a predictive model for the identification of adulterants and rapid estimation of the quality of coffee products. For the classification of coffee varieties, the novel potable NIR spectrometer combined with multivariant qualitative algorithms gave 98.8%, 99.72% and 99.22% identification for raw, roasted and roasted powdered coffee, respectively. Also, in the classification of Africa coffee types, it gave 99.76%, 99.78% and 99.88% identification for raw, roasted and roasted powdered coffee, respectively. Qualitatively, FD-LDA performed better with 97.78% and 100% in both calibration and prediction sets in the determination of coffee husk in roasted coffee powder. Quantitatively, in the detection of coffee adulteration, SPAPLS model had the best results with R=0.9711 and 0.9897 in both calibration and prediction sets respectively. The novel handheld spectroscopy could be employed for the discrimination of coffee varieties and African robusta coffee in three forms (raw, roasted and powder) and quantification of coffee husk in coffee. With 10% occurrence frequencies, two fungi, Aspergillus niger and flavus were found in commercially sold powder coffee in some of the major markets in Ghana with acrylamide levels below the benchmark threshold (400ug/kg) set by the European Commission. The proximate analysis conducted on the commercially sold coffee powder revealed high moisture and ash attributed to a substantial amount of impurities in the coffee samples. Furthermore, minerals namely nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium were found in the coffee powders.

Source: UCC
Developing a remediation strategy for phosphorus immobilization: effect of co-blending, al-residual and ca-mg amendments in a manure impacted spodosol

A remediation strategy called “co-blending” was developed for rapid phosphorus (P) immobilization. Immobilization was achieved through the combination of an Al-based water treatment residual (Al-WTR) with Ca-Mg-based materials (Slag and magnesium oxide) for use in incubation and leaching experiments. Al-WTR was co-blended with Slag and MgO as “Al-WTR+Slag” and “Al-WTR+MgO,” respectively. Sequential extraction was used to delineate P species into operationally defined fractions: soluble or exchangeable, Al-Fe, and Ca-Mg-bound pools. Results from soils used in the incubation experiment showed that Al-amended material tended to sequester P bound (∼26%) to the Al-Fe pool. On the other hand, Ca-Mg-based materials tended to sorb (∼70%) of P greatly associated to the Ca-Mg pool. Amendments were applied at 2% or 20 g kg-1 as Al-WTR, MgO, and Slag and at 1%+1% or 10 g kg-1+10 g kg-1 as co-blended Al-WTR+MgO and Al-WTR+Slag, respectively, on mass basis. Results from leaching data suggest that treatment effects on pH are significant at (p < 0.0001) and also significant (p < 0.01) with weeks of leaching. A similar significant (p < 0.0001) trend was observed for effects of treatment on redox potential (Eh). However, treatment effects on weeks of leaching were not significant. Cumulative soluble P (mg) of leachate showed linear reduction (96%) from the control (without amendments) using a regression model. Potential co-blended material selected was Al-WTR+Slag (1%+1%) due to less P in leachates, moderate effect on pH, and fewer amounts of Al-WTR and Slag used compared with 2% Al-WTR and Slag, respectively. In addition, the RMSE of Al-WTR+Slag data fitted to a regression model was the least. Results suggested that the metal cations Al, Ca, and Mg tended to bind different forms of total P at any given pH. Through co-blending, less soluble P may be lost to the environment than using sorption materials independentl

Source: UCC
Developing and Promoting Active Lifestyles for Healthy Living and National Development

Living a healthy lifestyle is a panacea to quality of life. As many people live healthy lifestyles, the national development is positively affected. This paper examined the role of active lifestyles in healthy living and national development. It first examined the concept of lifestyle in relation to health. Healthy lifestyle is viewed as life choices fundamentally driven by health consciousness. An active lifestyle has physical activity and diet at its core, interacting with other healthy lifestyle choices. The benefits of physical activity and diet are examined in relation to health and development. It is evidenced that healthy people are more productive and lead a more fulfilling life, while unhealthy people are a drain on the national economy. To promote active living for health and development areas that need to be addressed include creating enabling environments in terms of resources and policies, and providing creative leadership and supportive programmes. Specific sectors with critical roles to play in promoting active lifestyles for national development include health, education, food and agriculture, youth and sports, sanitation and water resources, business, media, NGOs, philanthropists, policy makers, district assemblies, families and individuals.

Source: UCC
Developing appropriate storage technology for sweet potatoes (Ipomoea Batatas Lam) in the coastal savannah zone of Ghana

The storage of sweet potato tuberous root in Ghana is a major challenge to farmers and retailers. In this research, a factorial combination of four pre-storage treatments (Ash, Brine, Lantana camara extract and Control), two sweet potato varieties (TIS 2 and Ukerewe) and two storage structures (Evaporative cooling barn and Pit storage structure) in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications were used and evaluated over a three-month period. All the parameters studied (weevil damage, weight loss, shrinkage, decay, sprouting and wholesomeness) showed that significant differences existed among the pre-storage treatments used. Sweet potato tuberous roots pre-treated with Lantana camara extract exhibited the least weevil damage, the lowest weight loss and decay, and had more wholesome sweet potato tuberous roots. For the two varieties, TIS 2 generally stored better than Ukerewe. It was also more resistant to: weevil damage, decay, weight loss and shrinkage. Again the tuberous roots were more wholesome at the end of three months of storage. The two storage structures improved the shelf-life of sweet potatoes over eight weeks. However, after ten to twelve weeks, the Evaporative cooling barn was significantly better than the Pit storage structure. TIS 2 sweet potato variety pre-treated with Lantana camara extract was recommended for storage in Cape Coast while the Evaporative cooling barn was the preferred storage structure for sweet potato tuberous roots.

Source: UCC
Developing Climate And Weather Information For Planning And Decision Making For Smallholder Farmers In Northern Ghana

The evidence of climate change and variability and its risk to climatedependent livelihoods is enormous. The sensitivity of rain-fed agriculture to climate demands evidence-based climate risk management by smallholder farmers. The production and access to useful climate information are imperative in building smallholder farmers' resilience and adaptive capacity. This research established the evidence of climate change, the relationship between ENSO and the climate over the North of Ghana, and produced relevant agricultural climate information useful for smallholder farmers' planning and decision-making. The study was framed on the theory of planned behaviour as its theoretical lens in guiding the presentation of the study's outcome. The climate data used spans from 1960 to 2018. This study has revealed that rainfall in the north of Ghana and the rainfall-dependent relevant agricultural information have not changed over the years but remains variable. The southern part of the study area has a spatial and temporal advantage over the northern part of the studied agriculturally relevant information. The day and night temperatures have all changed with spatial and temporal dynamics in the study area. Evaporation is increasing in the entire study area, and for some parts of the north, there is a significant increasing trend in evapotranspiration. There is a weak teleconnection between the climate of the study area and ENSO, although the correlation is relatively stronger with temperature compared to rainfall. The spatial and temporal dynamics require location-specific information for climate risk management decisions for any climate information services delivery.

Source: UCC
Developing cultivation practices to combat early drought challenges: The case of Sorghum in Mali

Rainfall variability and early season drought are among the most severe consequences of climate change in the Sahelian zone of Mali in West Africa that affect the production of key staple crops such as Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Therefore, a three-step research was conducted with trials in the laboratory, pots and field to improve seed germination and reduce crop establishment failure. The experiments were set up to evaluate the effects of heat and drought stress, priming of seeds and the zaï pits practice on the performance of nine sorghum varieties. During all steps, a wide series of recognized germination performance indicators were used to assess in promising varieties and pre-seed treatments (hydro or osmo-priming) in laboratory and pot trials for their impact on crop yield. The findings showed that the varieties Banidoka, CSM63E and Saba-tienda performed best under heat and drought stress conditions. Hydro-priming in tepid or hot water was an effective technique to improve seed germination and seedling growth parameters in general. Water derived from the river or well was most effective for hydro-priming whilst a hydro-priming duration of 8 hours at room temperature (25 ºC) equaled the effect of 20 minutes priming in hot water (70 oC), but in both cases, treated seeds had to be immediately sown. Osmo-priming with 50 ppm of KH2PO4 or 100 ppm of K2SiO3 significantly improved seed germination and seedling growth in early drought conditions. A combination of priming and the zaï pits practice, which involves an application of organic matter, increased grain yield by 34% and straw yield by 42% over the control without priming and sown on the ridge.

Source: UCC
Developing higher education systems in Africa - Selected country views

Knowledge, science, technology and innovations have emerged as predominant factors of production in the 21st century. As such, global economies have joined the race to produce knowledge through investments, regulatory frameworks and macro-economic policies that favour research and innovation. Higher education stands out as a key antecedent of knowledge. Within Africa, from issues of limitations and restrictions to access, higher education service provision has been diversified; the number of Universities increased and enrolments have soared amidst funding and quality challenges. This study of six countries shows how African higher education system are striving to cope with the new context of knowledge production, over and above the traditional role of producing skilled labour. National governments have come up with initiatives and policy documentation that will ensure that Africa can fit within the knowledge economy dispensation. The study affirms that beyond the policy documents, African governments have to fully engage in the business of knowledge production if they are to remain relevant in this competitive global space

Source: UCC
Developing Leadership for Learning in Ghana: opportunities and challenges

A current major initiative of the Centre for Commonwealth Education at the University of Cambridge is a collaboration with the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, aimed at improving the quality of pedagogy in Ghanaian basic schools through learning-centred school leadership. Headteachers throughout the country are participating in a programme devised and facilitated by fifteen Ghanaian educators known as Professional Development Leaders, who have been prepared for this role by working with colleagues at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education, first at a workshop in Ghana and then at a summer school in Cambridge. The work takes as its theoretical framework the Leadership for Learning principles and framework developed through the Carpe Vitam Leadership for Learning project. In the early stages of the initiative it was essential to ascertain the current situation and to consider the context in which the development was to take place. This paper reports the Professional Development Leaders’ perceptions of the opportunities and challenges for developing Leadership for Learning in Ghanaian basic schools.

Source: UCC
Developing local managers in the Ghanaian mining industry: an indigenous talent model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide varied conceptualisation of talent management and development (TMD) by building managerial talent development model that is more appropriate to the context of the Ghanaian gold mining industry. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use two sets of data – foundation pillars of TMD and industry and definition of TMD. The authors first create a TMD framework by conducting constructive alternative analysis using the TMD foundation pillars that inform local talent situation, and then use the results and evaluation of industry definition of TMD to build the model. Findings – The authors find that the model departs from the predominantly Western version of human resource management that has characterised TMD in industry. Developed from indigenous perspective, the model is more likely to be effective tool for the development of local managers in industry. Practical implications – From practical viewpoint, the study has provided insight into understanding of expatriate managers to integrate locally relevant experiences, which are of meaning to trainee managers into their development for successful outcome. Originality/value – This is the first study which has explored prevailing talent situation and expectations of local managers in the Ghanaian gold mining industry. The constructed model provides an innovative approach for context-specific approach to the development of its local managers to satisfy the mining sector localisation policy.

Source: UCC
Developing Moral Values in Children: Observations from a Preschool

Moral education typically refers to teaching pupils the difference between right and wrong. The study attempted to identify and understand how moral values of preschool children are developed. Four teachers (2males, 2 females) in 2 kindergarten classes in Bawku participated in the study. Each teacher was observed for 3 hours a day for three consecutive days resulting in 36 hours of videotaped data. The teachers were also interviewed. There were 284 incidents in which teachers engaged in some form of moral or deductive instructions. The study established that teachers perceived themselves as moral educators. In addition, moral values such as right and wrong as well as honesty were being transmitted to the children through methods such as individual education, group education, opportunity education and storytelling. Results indicated that the teachers transmitted moral values once in a while but more socialization skills were transmitted frequently. The implications of these findings were discussed.

Source: UCC
Developing Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers through Collaborative Design

Although many studies have shown the need to pay attention to teachers’ preparation for the integration of technology in classroom practice, most teachers in Ghana have not had any preparation that develops their technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK).This paper presents a case study of four pre-service mathematics teachers from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, who worked in two design teams to develop lessons, and subsequently taught in a technology-based environment for the first time. It was evident from the findings that more systematic efforts are needed to engage pre-service teachers in technology-rich design activities, to develop their TPCK adequately. The study also showed the potential of TPCK as a new frame for developing pre-service teachers’ experiences in technology integration within initial teacher education, particularly in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Source: UCC