Ghana

An understanding of religion as a practice of mediation has great potential to open up new methods and theories for a critical study of religion. Leading beyond the privileged medium of the text, this understanding approaches religion as a multi-media phenomenon that mobilizes the full sensorium. The central point of this article is that forms of visual culture are a prime medium of religion, and studying them offers deep insights into the genesis of worlds of lived experience. Pictorial media streamline and sustain religious notions of the visible and the invisible and involve embodied practices of seeing that shape what and how people see. Discussing the implications of the “pictorial turn” for the study of religion, I argue that a more synthesized approach is needed that draws these fields together. The methodological and theoretical implications of this approach are exemplified by turning to my research on video and representations of the “spiritual” in Southern Ghana.

This working paper examines the concept of metabolism and its potential as a critical analytical lens to study the contemporary city from a political perspective. The paper illustrates how the metabolism concept has been used historically, both as a metaphor to describe the technological, social, political and economic dimensions of human-environment relations, and as a concrete analytical tool to quantify and better understand how flows of matter and energy shape the territorial and spatial configurations of cityscapes. Drawing on the example of the urban water metabolism of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), the paper shows how the metabolism concept can be applied to study the politics of water in the city.

Interracial sex mattered to the British colonial state in West Africa. In Crossing the Color Line, Carina E. Ray goes beyond this fact to reveal how Gold Coasters—their social practices, interests, and anxieties—shaped and defined these powerfully charged relations across racial lines. The interplay between African and European perspectives and practices, argues Ray, transformed these relationships into key sites for consolidating colonial rule and for contesting its racial and gendered hierarchies of power.

With rigorous methodology and innovative analyses, Ray brings Ghana and Britain into a single analytic frame by examining cases in both locales. Intimate relations between black men and white women in Britain’s port cities emerge as an influential part of the history of interracial sex and empire in ways that are connected to rather than eclipsed by relations between European men and African women in the colony.

Based on rich archival evidence and original interviews, the book moves across different registers, shifting from the micropolitics of individual disciplinary cases against colonial officers who “kept” local women to transatlantic networks of family, empire, and anticolonial resistance. In this way, Ray cuts to the heart of how interracial sex became a source of colonial anxiety and nationalist agitation during the first half of the twentieth century.

From a close analysis of the idea of baptism in Pauline literature, one can identify the following conclusions: Paul nowhere identifies baptism in water as a work of merit that cannot save. Paul abundantly describes burial in water as best fulfilling his own description of baptism in Romans 6:4 and in Colossians 2:12. Paul describes baptism as a personal death of the one who is baptized, being "crucified with Him." This is similar to Peter's description of baptism as salvific and simultaneously, a pledge or promise to give up sin in ! Peter 3:21, as if it's a contract or agreement in which one agrees to give up sin while God in Christ forgives our past sins that He bore in his body on the cross in I Peter 2:24. Paul describes baptism as being buried and rising and being made alive with Christ. Hence, one is forgiven of past sins, circumcised not made with hands, include both male and female, performed by divine arrangement, and the Spirit is given as a gift, at that moment. Baptism is a personal conscious choice by the one baptized to enter a relationship with or being united with Christ. One is baptized into Christ and his death and in that moment one is forgiven, receives the Spirit as a gift, and is raised with Christ and made alive. So Paul who champions grace, nowhere describes baptism in water as a good work to be eschewed, relegated to a work of personal human merit. Let each party bring forth its prooftexts, and we shall conclude that there is no systematic or consistent theology in the Bible. Some think the Mashiach was to be a political or military leader but how does this view fit with the gentle, humble Yeshua who dies and is made aiive? Is there consistency in sacred scripture?

ABSTRACT & RÉSUMÉ & ZUSAMMENFASSUNG : Although Britain has been so far the hardest hit among the EU member states by the corona pandemic, Johnson persists to leave the EU at the end of 2020, whatever the cost. Presumably, the pandemic will have a by far bigger impact on the UK African trade than a no-deal Brexit. In Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa had been arguably the hardest hit country both by Brexit and Corona. However, the poor, mainly working in the informal sector, were more concerned about the economic impact of the pandemic than the disease itself. In Nigeria, many people envisaged Corona as a plague of the rich and the elite. President Buhari shared the hubris of many British that they are less vulnerable to the pandemic and could continue with high-flying Post-Brexit plans. Ghana counts among those countries in Sub-Sahara Africa which has been most severely hit by the corona pandemic. But unlike South Africa and Nigeria, the direct effects of the pandemic on the downturn of its economy are not as significant as in other African states. In Kenya the number of corona-death had been much lower than for the SARS pandemic of 2003, but the transmission of the COVID-19 virus had been significantly greater. Nevertheless, many Kenyan’s saw the Brexit as a disguised blessing because they pined their hope on massive FDI by UK investors. In any case, it is clear beyond doubt that those who are to suffer most by the combined effects of the corona-pandemic and Brexit in Africa (and presumably world-wide) are the poor and vulnerable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RÉSUMÉ : Bien que la Grande-Bretagne ait jusqu'à présent été la plus durement touchée par la pandémie corona parmi les États membres de l'UE, Johnson persiste à quitter l'UE fin 2020, quel qu'en soit le coût. Vraisemblablement, la pandémie aura un impact beaucoup plus important sur le commerce africain du Royaume-Uni qu'un Brexit sans accord. En Afrique subsaharienne, l'Afrique du Sud a probablement été le pays le plus durement touché par le Brexit et Corona. Cependant, les pauvres, travaillant principalement dans le secteur informel, étaient plus préoccupés par l'impact économique de la pandémie que par la maladie elle-même. Au Nigéria, beaucoup de gens considéraient Corona comme un fléau pour les riches et l'élite. Le président Buhari a partagé l'orgueil de nombreux Britanniques selon lesquels ils sont moins vulnérables à la pandémie et pourraient continuer avec des plans de haut vol après le Brexit. Le Ghana compte parmi les pays d'Afrique subsaharienne qui ont été les plus durement touchés par la pandémie de corona. Mais contrairement à l'Afrique du Sud et au Nigéria, les effets directs de la pandémie sur le ralentissement de son économie ne sont pas aussi importants que dans d'autres États africains. Au Kenya, le nombre de décès par effet corona a été beaucoup plus faible que pour la pandémie de SRAS de 2003, mais la transmission du virus COVID-19 a été nettement plus importante. Néanmoins, de nombreux Kenyans ont vu le Brexit comme une bénédiction déguisée car ils portaient leur espoir sur le IDE massif des investisseurs britanniques. En tout état de cause, il est clair, sans aucun doute, que ceux qui souffriront le plus des effets combinés de la pandémie corona et du Brexit en Afrique (et vraisemblablement dans le monde entier) sont les pauvres et les vulnérables. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ZUSAMMENFASSUNG : Obwohl Großbritannien unter den EU-Mitgliedstaaten bislang am stärksten von der Koronapandemie betroffen war, besteht Johnson weiterhin darauf, die EU Ende 2020 zu verlassen, unabhängig von den Kosten. Vermutlich wird die Pandemie einen weitaus größeren Einfluss auf den afrikanischen Handel im Vereinigten Königreich haben als ein No-Deal-Brexit. In Afrika südlich der Sahara war Südafrika sowohl vom Brexit als auch von Corona das vermutlich am stärksten betroffene Land. Die Armen, die hauptsächlich im informellen Sektor tätig sind, waren jedoch mehr besorgt über die wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen der Pandemie als über die Krankheit selbst. In Nigeria stellten sich viele Menschen Corona als Plage der Reichen und der Elite vor. Präsident Buhari teilte die Hybris vieler Briten, dass sie weniger anfällig für die Pandemie sind und mit hochfliegenden Plänen nach dem Brexit fortfahren könnten. Ghana zählt zu den Ländern in Subsahara-Afrika, die ebenfalls mit am stärksten von der Koronapandemie betroffen sind. Im Gegensatz zu Südafrika und Nigeria sind die direkten Auswirkungen der Pandemie auf den wirtschaftlichen Abschwung jedoch nicht so bedeutend wie in anderen afrikanischen Staaten. In Kenia war die Zahl der Koronatoten viel geringer als bei der SARS-Pandemie von 2003, aber die Übertragung des COVID-19-Virus war signifikant höher. Dennoch sahen viele Kenianer den Brexit als verschleierten Segen an, weil sie ihre Hoffnung auf massive ausländische Direktinvestitionen britischer Investoren setzten. In jeden Fall ist klar, dass diejenigen, die am meisten unter den kombinierten Auswirkungen der Koronapandemie und des Brexit in Afrika (und vermutlich weltweit) leiden müssen, die Armen und Verletzlichen sind

Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is one of the most widespread, chronic viral infections in sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of South America. Therefore, efforts are being made to implement strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of hepatitis B viral infections. One route of HBV transmission is through unsafe blood transfusion, which could occur from the use of less sensitive laboratory diagnostic kits. Information on the sensitivity and specificity of these kits is however limited in many developing countries. This study was therefore performed to describe the prevalence of HBV infections and also to evaluate the performance of five rapid immunochromatographic kits commonly used in Ghana. A cross-sectional study was designed to describe the prevalence of HBsAg infection and also evaluate the performance of rapid kits used for screening hepatitis B in the northern part of Ghana. A total of 164 prospective blood donors were enrolled in this study from January 2012 to December 2013. ...

Children especially girls are under different types of oppression in Sub-Saharan Africa due to various practices, belief systems, values, and laws. In Ghana, one practice that seems to subjugate women and girls in particular is the troxorvi system. Troxorvi or trokosi is a practice that involves the acceptance of human being especially virgin girls for the atonement of real or alleged misconduct of a family member. The committed girl stays in the shrine as a "slave" and owes allegiance to the deity for the rest of her life. However, contemporary societies frown upon and make laws to eradicate any form of slavery due to its human right abuses. In 1998, Ghana amended her laws prohibiting the troxorvi practice as well as committing herself to human rights values by signing most of the international laws on human rights including those on children and women. After a decade of promulgation of the Law against the troxorvi practice, not even a single culprit has been arrested. The study explores the human rights abuses within the troxorvi system and efforts LIST OF A TABLE

Performance contract (PC) is one of the initiatives under the impulse of reforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to among other things, ensure improved SOE performance. Studies however show mixed results in relation to improved SOE performance, and the general perception is that targets in PCs are not challenging enough. Drawing on the goal setting theory, this article provides further theoretical explanations for the application and impact of PCs using evidence from Ghana, the first Anglophone nation in Africa to adopt and implement the PC reform programmes. Relying primarily on data from PCs, SOE evaluation reports, and interviews, findings suggest that the quality of targets in PCs has been improving over the years. Moreover, the goal setting theory element, commitment, is crucial to achieving desirable outcome from PC as a performance evaluation tool.

The symptoms of severe malaria and their contribution to mortality were assessed in 290 children in northern Ghana. Common symptoms were severe anemia (55%), prostration (33%), respiratory distress (23%), convulsions (20%), and impaired consciousness (19%). Age influenced this pattern. The fatality rate was 11.2%. In multivariate analysis, circulatory collapse, impaired consciousness, hypoglycemia, and malnutrition independently predicted death. Children with severe malaria by the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification, but not by the previous one (1990), showed relatively mild clinical manifestations and a low case fatality rate (3.2%). In hospitalized children with severe malaria in northern Ghana, severe anemia is the leading manifestation, but itself does not contribute to mortality. In this region, malnutrition and circulatory collapse were important predictors of fatal malaria. The current WHO criteria serve well in identifying life-threatening disease, but also include rather mild cases that may complicate the allocation of immediate care in settings with limited resources.

The paper describes the findings of a geographical mapping and analysis of residential care facilities in four regions of Ghana. The mapping exercise study identified 24 residential facilities with 944 children, amounting to 22% of residential facilities and 27% of children in residential facilities in Ghana. Most of the residential facilities were privately run with their budgets funded by international donors. Seventy-five percent of the residential facilities were unlicensed because they did not meet the national standards for residential care facilities. Most of the children in the 24 residential facilities were male and aged 11 to 17 years. Nine percent of the children in the residential facilities were 0-3 years, but 28% had been admitted aged 0 to three years. The average length of time the children spent in the residential facilities ranged between three and five years. In many of the residential facilities, the main reason for children's admission was poverty-related without involvement of social welfare officers. The implications for future service development emerging out of the study include ensuring that the residential facilities are licensed and have functional administrative systems to enumerate the children in their care, screen volunteers before they work in the facilities and reunify children in care because of poverty.

Crop residues are common in rural Ghana due to the predominant role agriculture plays in livelihood activities in these communities. In this paper we investigate the prospects of exploiting agricultural crop residues for rural development in Ghana through bioenergy schemes. A theoretical energy potential of 623.84 PJ per year, which is equivalent to 19,781 MW was estimated using crop production data from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and residue-to-product ratios. Ghana has a total installed generation capacity of 4577 MW which is four times less the energy potential of crop residues in the country. Cocoa pod husks were identified as important biomass resources for energy generation as they are currently wasted. To further assess the energy potential of cocoa pod husks, different cocoa pod husks samples were collected across the six cocoa growing regions in Ghana and thermo-chemically characterised using proximate and ultimate analysis. The low levels of nitrogen and sulphur observed, together with the high heating value, suggest that cocoa pod husks and for that matter crop residues are eco-friendly feedstock that can be used to power rural communities in Ghana.

A district-wide study was undertaken in a rural population of northern Ghana to identify factors influencing the acceptance and use of insecticide-impregnated bednets (IIBNs). A series of focus group discussions were conducted during 2 years of implementation of IIBNs to gauge community reactions to the introduction of the nets and a structured questionnaire was administered t9 approximately zoo0 randomly selected individuals. Although the IIBNs were accepted and used because they provided protection from mosquito bites, seasonal factors, patterns of use, and questions of cost were key factors likely to influence the dissemination and effectiveness of bednets. Use of the bednets was highly seasonal. Almost all recipients used their IIENs in the rainy season (99%), corresponding to the period of high mosquito density and 20% used them in the dry seasons, the period of low mosquito density. Mothers with young children were more likely to wash the bednets frequently (because the children soiled the bednets with faeces and urine), resulting in no protection from the insecticide. Provision of wider bednets, or the provision of plastic sheets with the bednets or possible incorporation of the insecticide in washing soaps could improve protection for young children. cost of the package and the time of year that it is delivered. Financing mechanisms for individual and village groups are discussed. Social research effectively monitored the intervention in this study, and it should be included as an important component of national malaria control programmes. The success of the promotion of IIBNs in malaria control programmes will depend on the keywords impregnated bednets, acceptance, malaria, financing, Ghana

Global climate action plans risk resulting to climate maladaptation and shocks when prudent measures are inapt. Adaptation strategies require multidisciplinary approach from all sectors with periodic monitoring and evaluation which are carefully planned, locally adaptable and results-oriented. For decades, various governments, development practitioners and international organizations have made concerted efforts in tackling large scale climate events. These stern initiatives forms part of Millennium Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 13 meant to combat climate change. The increasing demand for frameworks that effectively monitor and examine the outcomes of these huge investments made by policy-makers across regions have enhanced the evaluation and monitoring of various climate change adaptation strategies. This study sought to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of initiated adaptation strategies. The study used descriptive statistics based on informants’ ...

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained tremendous attention in the policy implementation of some organizations. National governments and societies have developed keen interest in the operations of organizations under this jurisdiction. Therefore, companies may not only be profit oriented but would seek to enhance the welfare of the people as they operate in a more sustainable way without harming the environment. It is on this premise that this article attempts to assess stakeholder participation and sustainability of corporate social responsibility programmes implemented by AngloGold Ashanti in Obuasi, Ghana. CSR programmes initiated by AGA-Obuasi are categorized into four main areas: Community Health and Malaria Control Programme, Social Infrastructure, Education and Sports as well as Art, Culture & Heritage programmes (AngloGold Ashanti, 2013). Activities of the mines affect Obuasi and their allocated unit areas environmentally, socially, economically and culturally and hence, the company is not only profit oriented but has assumed responsibility of developing the community through CSR and the reclamation bond or process. CSR programmes are undertaken voluntarily by the mine corporation to facilitate its operations. CSR policies, plans, program and projects are broad and hence, the study was conducted mainly to assess stakeholder participation and sustainability. The relevant stakeholders in various communities in the AGA-Obuasi operational area were involved in the formulation and implementation of CSR programmes through consultative committee meetings, community/public meetings in various allocated communities. Program were formulated and implemented based on request from host communities.

We developed and validated a new analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of artemether and lumefantrine in fixed-dose tablets and powders for reconstitution into pediatric suspensions (PSs). The method showed linearity (r 2 > 0.9947), precision (coefficient of variation < 2%), accuracy (deviation of mean from actual concentrations < 4%), and specificity (peak purities > 99%). The validated method was used to analyze 24 batches of fixed-dose tablets and PSs of artemether and lumefantrine. Of the samples, 23 were obtained using convenience sampling of commonly available brands within Accra in Ghana and one was obtained from Aarhus University Hospital. In all, 83.3% (confidence interval: 80-120%) passed for both artemether and lumefantrine contents, 16.7% failed by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards, 8.3% failed for one content, and 8.3% failed for both contents. All four products (16.7%) that failed were PSs, and two (8.3%) showed higher levels of artemether than prescribed (222% and 756%).

There is evidence linking the Metabolic Syndrome with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, previously thought to be rare in Africa but now a major public health concern. To determine the frequency of occurrence of the Metabolic Syndrome among patients presenting with cardiovascular disease at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. This was a case-control study of 100 consecutive cardiovascular disease patients and 100 age- and sex- matched controls who underwent an interview and physical examination. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples for plasma glucose and lipids were taken. The National Cholesterol Education Programme: Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used for the diagnosis of the Metabolic Syndrome. The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among cases and controls was 54% and 18% respectively, with the prevalence increasing with advancing age. Hypertension and central obesity were the two components with the highest frequency among individ...

This paper examines spontaneous construction of new housing in Obuasi, the largest gold mining town in Ghana after its closure in 2014. Obuasi has become spatially different as more new luxury houses have been developed by the former miners over a relatively short period without coordination. The paper explores the role of lump sum severance packages received from industrial collapse on housing. Using in-depth interviews with former miners who have built their houses after the mine closure, the reasons for the use of the severance packages to build and thoughts behind the choices of housing typologies have been discussed. This paper established that the former workers built their new houses with their take-home money to overcome the bottlenecks in the formal housing finance market and to fulfil continuity of "good-living" privileges previously enjoyed for working and living in the gold mines. The paper concludes that industrial workers should be provided livelihood options training before they are laid off from their respective employments.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a major cause of morbidity globally. Type 2 diabetes is more common and is increasingly becoming an important medical and public health issue. This study identified the risk factors associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Hohoe Municipality. Method: This was an unmatched case-control study that recruited 75 cases and 151 controls to trace various exposures of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A face-to-face interview was employed to administer semi-structured questionnaires to participants. Fasting/random blood glucose and blood pressure levels, weight and height were measured with appropriate instruments. Findings: Diabetes prevalence rate was 70.7% in the cases and 8.6% in the controls. Controlled diabetes was 29.3%. Approximately, 69.3% of diabetics had hypertension as compared to 53.6% among non-diabetics (p=0.031). Prevalence of hypertension among controls was also 53.6%. Married respondents were 88% times less likely to have diabetes as compared to those who were single (AOR=0.12, p<0.001). Artisans and were 5.21 times more likely to develop diabetes as compared to those who were unemployed (AOR=5.21, p=0.032). Those who consumed fruits 1-3 times and more than 3 times per week were 82%  and 92%  times less likely to develop diabetes (AOR=0.18, p=0.039) and (AOR=0.08, p=0.007) respectively. Participants whose occupation involved vigorous exercise were 69% times less likely to develop diabetes as compared to those whose work did not (AOR=0.3, p= 0.039).  Conclusion: Uncontrolled diabetes was high with 3 out of 4 diabetics not able to control their blood sugar levels. About 7 out of every 10 diabetics had hypertension. A very high (8.6 %) proportion of adults had diabetes and were not aware. Married adults were 83% less likely to have diabetes. We recommend that intensive education of the management and control of diabetes and periodic screening for diabetes be instituted to curb the incidence among adults in the Hohoe Municipality.

Animal products like milk and meat are often found to be contaminated with residues of persistent pesticides and other toxic substances. The major source of entry of these compounds to animal body is the contaminated feed and fodder. So, unless the residues are managed at this stage, it is very difficult to prevent contamination in milk and meat. Therefore, the status of residue level of most persistent organochlorinated pesticides (OCP) in feed and fodder should be monitored regularly. The frequency of occurrence and contamination levels of OCP residues in different kinds of animal concentrate feed and straw samples collected from Bundelkhand region of India were determined. Out of 533 total samples, 301 i.e. 56.47% samples were positive containing residues of different OCPs like hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) complex, endosulfan and dicofol. Among different HCH isomers, the mean concentration of β-HCH was highest, and total HCH varied from 0.01 to 0.306 mg kg −1 . In case of DDT complex, i.e. DDD, DDE and DDT, the concentration ranged between 0.016 and 0.118 mg kg −1 and the pp | isomers were more frequently encountered than their op | counterparts. Endosulfan was also found in some samples in concentration ranging from 0.009 to 0.237 mg/kg, but dicofol could be recorded in very few samples. Although feed samples were found to contain OC residues, after comparing their levels in positive samples with the limiting values of respective pesticides, only very few were found to exceed the threshold level. Otherwise, they were mostly within safe limits.

Background: Waste poses a threat to public health and the environment if it is not stored, collected, and disposed of properly. The perception of waste as an unwanted material with no intrinsic value has dominated attitudes towards disposal. This study investigates the domestic waste practices, waste disposal, and perceptions about waste and health in an urban community. Methods: The study utilised a mixed-method approach. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire and in-depth interview were used to collect data. A total of 364 household heads were interviewed in the survey and six key informants were interviewed with the in-depth interviews. Results: The results of the study revealed that 93.1% of households disposed of food debris as waste and 77.8% disposed of plastic materials as waste. The study also showed that 61.0% of the households disposed of their waste at community bins or had waste picked up at their homes by private contractors. The remaining 39.0% disposed of their waste in gutters, streets, holes and nearby bushes. Of those who paid for the services of private contractors, 62.9% were not satisfied with the services because of their cost and irregular collection. About 83% of the respondents were aware that improper waste management contributes to disease causation; most of the respondents thought that improper waste management could lead to malaria and diarrhoea. There was a general perception that children should be responsible for transporting waste from the households to dumping sites. Conclusion: Proper education of the public, the provision of more communal trash bins, and the collection of waste by private contractors could help prevent exposing the public in municipalities to diseases.

To determin the extent to which parvovirus B19 (B19V) and co-infection of B19V and malaria contribute to risk of anaemia in children. Methods: B19V DNA and malaria parasites were screened for 234 children at the PML Children's Hospital in Accra. The role of B19V and coinfection with B19V and malaria in anaemia was evaluated by analysing full blood cell counts, malaria and B19V DNA results from these children. Results: The prevalence of B19V, malaria and co-infection with B19V and malaria was 4.7%, 41.9% and 2.6%, respectively. Malaria posed a greater risk in the development of mild anaemia compared to severe anaemia (OR=5.28 vrs 3.15) whereas B19V posed a higher risk in the development of severe anaemia compared to mild anaemia (OR=4.07 vrs 1.00) from a non-anaemic child. Persons with co-infection with B19V and malaria had 2.23 times the risk (95% CI=0.40-12.54) of developing severe anaemia should they already have a mild anaemia. The degree of anaemia was about three times affected by coinfection (Pillai's trace=0.551, P=0.001) as was affected by malaria alone (Pillai's trace=0.185, P=0.001). B19V alone did not significantly affect the development of anaemia in a non-anaemic child. Microcytic anaemia was associated with B19V and co-infection with B19V and malaria more than normocytic normochromic anaemia. Conclusions: B19V was associated with malaria in cases of severe anaemia. The association posed a significant risk for exacerbation of anaemia in mild anaemic children. B19V and co-infection with B19V and malaria may be associated with microcytic anaemia rather than normocytic normochromic anaemia as seen in cases of B19V infection among persons with red cell abnormalities.

A serological survey of toxoplasmosis in pigs in Ghana was carried out between October 1997 and April 1998 in the three ecological zones of Ghana: the Coastal Savannah, the Forest Belt and the Guinea Savannah. Antibody against Toxoplasma gondii was measured in pig serum using a microplate-ELISA which had a sensitivity and specificity of 90.2 and 92.3%, respectively when compared with IFAT. A national seroprevalence of 39% was obtained in pigs, with the ecological distribution being 43.9, 30.5 and 42.5% for the Coastal Savannah, the Forest Belt and the Guinea Savannah, respectively. The age of the animal, the breed, the environmental conditions and the management practices appeared to be the major determinants of prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was found to increase with age (P B0.05). Pigs from the two Savannah zones had a significantly higher (PB0.05) antibody prevalence than those sampled from the Forest belt. Antibody prevalence (46.8%) in crossbreed pigs was significantly higher (PB 0.05) than that of the exotic Large White breed (38.8%).

Performing routine lumbar punctures in children with febrile seizures has been controversial. This study aimed to determine the positive yield of lumbar punctures in a setting where routine lumbar puncture is routinely carried out and to determine if any other parameter could ...

Spatio-temporal data on cytotaxonomic identifications of larvae of different members of the Simulium damnosum complex collected from rivers in southern Ghana and south-western Togo from 1975 until 1997 were analysed. When the data were combined, the percentages of Savannah blackflies (S. damnosum sensu strict0 and S. sirbanum) in the samples were shown to have been progressively increasing since 1975. The increases were statistically significant (P < O.OOl), but the rates of increase were not linear. Further analyses were conducted according to the collection seasons and locations of the samples, to account for possible biases such as Savannah flies occurring further south in the dry season or a preponderance of later samples from northern rivers having more Savannah flies. These analyses showed that the increasing trend was statistically significant (P < 0.0001) only during the periods April to June and October to December. The presence of adult Savannah flies carrying infective larvae (L3) indistinguishable from those of Onchocerca volvulus in the study zone was confirmed by examinations of captured flies. The percentages of Savannah flies amongst the human-biting populations and the percentages with L3s in the head were higher during dry seasons than wet seasons and the Savannah species were found furthest south (5"25'N) in the dry season. Comparisons of satellite images taken in 1973 and 1990 over a study area in south-western Ghana encompassing stretches of the Tano and Bia rivers demonstrated that there have been substantial increases in urban and Savannah areas, at the expense of forest. This was so not only for the whole images but also for subsamples of the images taken at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 km distant from sites alongside the River Tano. At every distance from the river, the percentages of pixels classified as urban or Savannah have increased in 1990 compared with 1973, while those classified as degraded or dense forest have decreased. The possibility that the proportionate increases in Savannah forms of the vectors of onchocerciasis, and hence in the likelihood of the transmission of Savannah strains of the disease in formerly forested areas, were related to the decreases in forest cover is discussed.

Background: Anaemia is a frequent complication of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and may have multiple causes. The objective of this study was to find out if blood haemoglobin measurement could be used as an indicator for the progression of HIV/AIDS in resource-limited setting.

The main reason for the growth of MNCs in SSA is a positive change in SSA political and economic environment with democratization and economic integration making the biggest impact. The spread of democracy is gradually making economic systems more plausible and also opening up entrepreneurial opportunities and fostering a new market place

This study examined the spatial, socioeconomic status (SES), and temporal patterns of ambient air pollution in Accra, Ghana. Over 22 months, integrated and continuous rooftop particulate matter (PM) monitors were placed at a total of 11 residential or roadside monitoring sites in four neighborhoods of varying SES and biomass fuel use. PM concentrations were highest in late December and January, due to dust blown from the Sahara. Excluding this period, annual PM 2.5 ranged from 39 to 53 µg/m 3 at roadside sites and 30 to 70 µg/m 3 at residential sites; mean annual PM 10 ranged from 80 to 108 µg/m 3 at roadside sites and 57 to 106 µg/m 3 at residential sites. The low-income and densely populated neighborhood of Jamestown/Ushertown had the single highest residential PM concentration. There was less difference across traffic sites. Daily PM increased at all sites at daybreak, followed by a mid-day peak at some sites, and a more spread-out evening peak at all sites. Average carbon monoxide concentrations at different sites and seasons ranged from 7 to 55 ppm, and were generally lower at residential sites than at traffic sites. The results show that PM in these four neighborhoods is substantially higher than the WHO Air Quality Guidelines and in some cases even higher than the WHO Interim Target 1, with the highest pollution in the poorest neighborhood.

The production of liquid biofuels has become an issue of concern in many developing countries, due mainly to the establishment of large-scale biofuel feedstock plantations. These plantations present potential socio-economic benefits, particularly in terms of agricultural employment, as well as risks. The spread of large-scale commercial production of biofuel crops in Ghana has raised concerns from civil society organizations, local communities and other parties. This paper draws on studies that have been conducted in Ghana to assess the socio-economic impact of large-scale production of biofuel crops, especially Jatropha, on the livelihoods of local communities and people in Ghana, focusing on land grabbing and alienation, impact on food production and security, and impact on employment and income generation. Even though the biofuel industry in Ghana is still in its early stages of development, the paper reveals that commercial biofuel production impacts significantly on the livelih...

The Consortium for Educational Access, Transitions and Equity (CREATE) is a Research Programme Consortium supported by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Its purpose is to undertake research designed to improve access to basic education in developing ...

An essential component of integrated schistosomiasis control as promoted by WHO is adequate clinical care for patients presenting at health care facilities. We evaluated the functioning of the Ghanaian health system for diagnosis and treatment of schistosomiasis by interviewing health workers from 70 health care facilities in 4 geographical areas in April and May 2000. Results from presentation of 4 hypothetical cases and a subsequent interview demonstrated that patients presenting with symptoms related to schistosomiasis have a small chance of receiving adequate treatment: often health workers do not recognize the symptoms, especially those of Schistosoma mansoni; patients are frequently referred for a diagnostic test or treatment with a large risk of non-compliance; and praziquantel was not available in 78% of the health care facilities with reported schistosomiasis in their coverage area. The overall cost of treatment is considerable: t~2.13 for S. haematobium and t~1.81 for S. mansoni patients, with drug costs contributing approximately 40% of the total cost. To better meet WHO recommendations for passive case detection as part of integrated schistosomiasis control, the Ghanaian health system needs to emphasize training of health workers in schistosomiasis case recognition and case management and increase the availability of praziquantel. Experience from other West African countries indicate that this is feasible.

Background. Infections such as malaria, schistosomiasis, hepatitis B and HIV have been suggested as major causes of the nephrotic syndrome (NS) in African children. We retrospectively analysed the course of the NS in 32 children from Ghana and reviewed the literature on NS from 18 different African countries for the presence of 'the tropical nephrotic syndrome'. Methods. Thirty-two children (22 boys, 10 girls, median age 12 years, range 1-18 years) with NS were treated from 2000-2003 at Battor Hospital, Ghana. Thirteen out of 32 children underwent a renal biopsy which was investigated by light, immune and electron microscopy. All 32 patients were initially treated with oral prednisone (PRED) therapy (29 with standard therapy for 8 weeks and three individually tailored), and steroid-resistant children received also intravenous methylprednisolone pulses (three children) or oral cyclophosphamide (two children). Results. All patients fulfilled the clinical and laboratory criteria of a NS. The initial median serum creatinine was 65 mmol/l (range 44-133 mmol/l). Renal biopsy was performed in 13/32 children and revealed focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 10 patients, minimal change disease (MCNs) in two and no conclusive result in one patient. Glomerular immune complex deposition was absent in all biopsies. After treatment with PRED, oedema disappeared in 24/32 patients; however, proteinuria normalized in 16/32 patients only. The NS relapsed in 9/16 steroid-sensitive patients after cessation of PRED therapy, and two children were frequent relapsers. however, steroid resistance and FSGS resulted in a high mortality.

The performance of N'Dama and West African Shorthorn cattle in the humid forest zone of Ghana was evaluated using records (1969-1979) on these breeds kept at the UST livestock farm. The mean age at first calving for N'Dama was 32.07 months. Calving intervals of 501.92 and 462.83 days were obtained for N'Dama and West African Shorthorn cattle respectively. The secondary sex ratio for N'Dama calves was not significantly different from the expected theoretical value of 50%; that of the West African Shorthorn was, however, significantly different from the expected theoretical value mainly due to the small size of the population. Average birth weight for the two breeds was not significamly affected by breed, season of birth, weight and age of dam. Sex significantly affected the birth weight of the N'Dama calves. Pre-weaning and post-weaning growth rates of N'Dama male calves were significantly greater than the pre-weaning and post-weaning growth rates of females. For the West African Shorthorn sex did not significantly (P>O.05) affect these traits. Calf mortalities for the two breeds were 10.53% for N'Dama and 21.05% for the West African Shorthorn. Calving percentage was not affected by breed. The productivity indices per cow per year were 72.7 kg for N'Dama and 32.1 kg for the West African Shorthorn. The productivity indices per 100 kg cow maintained per year were 36.8 kg for N'Dama and 16.6 kg for the West African Shorthorn.

To provide a socioeconomic profile of rural and semi-urban settings in Ashanti, West Africa and to investigate the relationship between urbanization and sources of salt in the diet. 12 villages (6 rural, 6 semi-urban) participating in a cluster randomized controlled trial of a health promotion in the Ashanti region of Ghana. 1013 adult men (N = 385) and women (N = 628), aged 40-75. Between June 2001 and June 2002, participants completed a detailed questionnaire on demography, occupation and education, housing, radio and television use, personal and family medical history, drug therapy, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet. 532 subjects lived in semi-urban and 481 in rural communities. Ninety-two percent of the participants were of the Ashanti tribe and 94% spoke Twi. The semi-urban villages were closer to Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana, had larger population (1727 vs 1100 people) and household sizes (14.6 vs 8.8 persons per household; P &lt; .001), had fewer farmers (53%...

Abstract Economic development thrives on the availability and reliability of power supply. This is because energy is a vital input to every economic activity. In this study, we trace the electricity reforms of Ghana, examine the challenges and provide recommendations to improve power supply and supply in Ghana. Key literature and policy papers on the power reform in Ghana are evaluated. Further, the role of the private sector in electricity supply is examined. The study recommends that policies such as net metering, flexible, independent and investor friendly regulatory framework, reliable off-taker and investment in LNG facilities to ensure availability of natural gas for thermal power generation. Key words: Power Sector Reform, Electricity Demand, Electricity Supply, Intermittent power supply

Over 300 different operations have been described for the management of hypospadias. In recent times, the numbers of operations used in various centres have gradually reduced as the principles necessary to ensure adequate cosmetic and functional results with minimum complications are better understood. The aim of this article was to review the different types of operations used for managing hypospadias in a tertiary hospital in a developing country, to analyse the complications of surgery and discuss the factors that contribute to complications. Patient folders, theatre, and ward records were used to obtain the required information. The age at surgery, types of hypospadias at presentation, types of operations done and complications were analysed. With three main types of operations, tubularised incised plate urethroplasty and meatal advancement and glanuloplasty incorporated for anterior hypospadias (glanular, coronal, subcoronal, distal, midpenile), and lateral based flap urethropl...