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Evaluation of potential botanicals (Virnonia amygdalina and Ipomoea batatas) on the post-harvest quality characteristics of farmer-saved seed maize (Zea mays L.)
(KNUST, 2015-12) Mohammed, Sulley
ABSTRACT This study was conducted in order to evaluate the potentials of two botanicals, bitter leaf (Virnonia amygdalina) and sweet potato leaf (Ipomoea batatas) on the postharvest quality characteristics of farmer-saved seed maize (Zea mays L.) collected from respondents in the study areas, that is, Ejura, Sekyedumasi and Nkoranza communities. The seeds were treated with the tested botanical materials and stored for a period of four (4) months. The plant extracts, also called botanicals were compared with a synthetic chemical (Insector T45) dust, as a standard, and without chemical treatment as controls The same rates, 5.0% w/w,of each of the two plant extracts in powdered form and a synthetic chemical (Insector T45) at the rate of 0.25% w/w were admixed with one hundred grams seed lots of each of the five different seed maize varieties obtained across the study areas and packaged into high density polythene bags. Seed treatment with synthetic chemical and another without chemical treatment were used as a comparative control for the plant extract treatment. Results showed that all the two tested botanicals, Virnonia amygdalina and Ipomoea batatas have the ability to protect the seed maize quality characteristics during storage. This present finding or study recommend ground powder of bitter leaf (Virnonia amygdalina) and sweet potato leaf (Ipomoea batatas) as a good substitute to the synthetic chemical, insector T45, as a seed maize preservative during storage. The results are also discussed on the need to use plant extracts by resource poor small scale maize farmers as a sustainable and cost effective treatment application of stored seed maize as an alternative to synthetic chemical application treatment of seed maize during storage
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The challenges of continuous voter registration under the c.i.91 in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipal, Western Region.
(KNUST, 2019-06) Asante, Juliana Akosua
The purpose of this research is to examine how one such electoral reform, the C.I.91 has impacted on deepening the democratic culture. This research study was based on a review of available relevant literature and empirical study undertaken by the researcher. The empirical research was implemented through a qualitative study approach using semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in the electoral process. The study produced some key findings; that the adoption of electoral reforms under the C.I.91 has vastly improved the confidence, trust and participation of the Ghanaian electorate by the use of the biometric voter registration and subsequent biometric verification of voters during the elections. The C.I.91 improved upon the CI 75 and created a sense of relative political stability and acceptability, especially after 2013 NPP election petition at the Supreme Court on the 2012 presidential election. Ghana won international praise and made the country a reference point for peaceful democracies most importantly after the Supreme Court. The ruling identified some shortcomings in the operational and legal framework of the EC and subsequently called for electoral reforms to keep the EC abreast with Current electoral needs and trends. On of such reform culminated in the enactment of the C.I.91. This study found out that these achievements of the EC are being hampered with some limitations among which are the implementation these reforms in rural districts and its impact on the delivery of election services to the electorates. The main conclusions drawn from the study were thatelectoral reforms were indispensable for the country’s march towards an advanced democracy; and that these limitations without redress seek to derail the benefits accrued from these reforms. Following on, this study argues for active participation and collaboration among stakeholders in proposing, promoting and implementing adequate electoral reforms.
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Politics in the implementation of decentralisation policy in Ghana: a case study of Ho Municipal Assembly.
(KNUST, 2018-09) Okley, Stella Dede
The main objective of the study was to assess how politics play a role in the implementation of decentralisation policy in the Ho Municipal Assembly and how it has effect within the Municipality. A quantitative method was adopted where questionnaires were used as the tool to collect data. A sample of two hundred and twenty seven (227) respondents consisting of community members, assembly members and staff of the assembly was considered. Random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze gathered data. The study revealed that partisan politics contributes to the implementation of decentralisation policies. It was further revealed that over politicization of policies, discontinue of policies initiated by previous governments, undue delay in the release of funds to implement decentralisation process, duplication of functions that creates room for corrupt practices are the challenges related to the effective implementation of decentralisation policy in Ghana. The study recommends that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should be empowered to embark on a massive education drive on how politics play a part in the implementation of decentralisation policies. Again, the supervisory bodies like the Auditor General should ensure full compliance of the Local Government Act 2016 so that there will be smooth continuation of decentralisation policies irrespective of the government or political party in power.
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Evaluation of strategies for the reduction of maternal mortality in the Sekyere East District: a view through Michael Patton’s focused-utilization model.
(KNUST, 2017-11) Amoh-Agyei, Grace
Strategies for preventing maternal deaths have been in existence for more than 20 years in almost all health facilities throughout the world. The study was an evaluation of the existing strategies for the reduction of maternal mortality within the broad framework of the Safe motherhood programme in the Sekyere East District. A focused-case descriptive study in the context of Patton Utilisation-focused evaluation model was employed to evaluate safe motherhood initiatives. This was done using structured questionnaire and observation checklist to observe pregnancy care, labour and delivery processes. The study involved women in reproductive age who developed complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery. In all 412 women who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected, using simple random sampling while purposive sampling was used to select 22 health staff comprising midwives, orderlies, pharmacist, medical officers and health administrators from Effiduase Hospital. The study results showed that all the essential logistics and supplies needed to save mothers during pregnancy, labour and delivery were available and functioning. There were trained personnel at post. All strategies suggested by the World Health Organization assist mothers during complications in pregnancy were implemented, 76% of the clients attested that there was an enabling environment, 88% said it was not difficult to access the facility, 87% reported that there was service adequacy, while 72% asserted that strategies were acceptable. Strategies appeared effective and resulted in increased utilization which was evident in the low case fatality rate of 0.082%. The study found that the maternal mortality reduction strategies in the district were effectively implemented according to safe motherhood protocols. It is recommended that the necessary resources continue to be provided for the sustenance of the achieved results of the maternal mortality reduction strategies in the district.
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Accessibility and Utilization of Family Planning Services in Selected Districts in Central Region of Ghana
(KNUST, 2015-08) Amankwaa ,John
ABSTRACT Family planning has been considered to contribute immensely to child survival and reduction in maternal mortality, hence targeted as one of the main reproductive health services in achieving the fifth millennium development goal (MDG 5). The 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey report indicates that use of modern contraceptives in Central region has improved from 17.0 percent in 2008 to 29 .1 percent in 2011 and subsequently decline of unmet need for contraceptives from 49.7 percent to 22.6 percent for the same years respectively. In spite of this improvement, there is huge variations in utilization of family planning methods especially between districts in the region, particularly in Upper Denkyira East and Mfantsiman, and the causes of this variations are not clearly known. Hence, the main aim of the study is to assess the level of accessibility and utilization of family planning services in the selected districts and factors influencing them. The study design adopted was descriptive cross –sectional, using both quantitative and qualitative approach for data collection. The sample size was 373 women of reproductive age 15 – 49 years. Again, 66 husbands/male partners were also interviewed to solicit for their views about the subject matter. Eight health institutions as well as 22 religious establishments were also interviewed. The study revealed high knowledge level of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age (93 percent) and men (88 percent) in general. There is little (0.3 percent) difference in contraceptives use between the Upper Denkyira East (25.9 percent) and Mfantsiman (25.6 percent) district. Poor data management in facilities in Upper Denkyira East was accounting for the huge variations. Factors such as proximity to facility or clinic (12.5 percent), privacy and confidentiality at clinic (19.5 percent), wanting to delay pregnancy (49.2 percent) among others motivate use of contraceptives whiles factors such as desire for many children (14.8 percent) , health concerns (9.7 percent) and fear of side effects (7.6 percent) accounted for non-use. Again, social issues such as stigma of use (3.5 percent), husbands/partners opposition (4 percent) and religious prohibition (1.6 percent) among others hinder the use of contraceptives among women. There is good physical accessibility with respect to location of clinic providing family planning services in all study districts. Again financial accessibility to family planning services is good despite unapproved charges for family planning services by health facilities in the study districts. Social accessibility regarding service providers’ attitude, privacy and confidentiality is also good in FP facilities, however social factors such as stigmatization, husband/partner opposition, religious opposition among others hinder access and utilization of contraceptives. To improve on family planning services in the study districts, there is the need for family planning (FP) data collection tools’ training for all FP service providers in the facilities in order to improve on FP data quality. Also, family planning awareness or education should be intensified particularly with respect to health concerns, side effects as well as prices of contraceptives or FP services.
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The use of kinaesthetic activities as art therapy tools to improve performance in pre-reading and pre-writing among kindergarten pupils.
(KNUST, 2015-07) Baidoo, Gladys Starlinda
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to find out the existing teaching strategies for teaching at the kindergarten, their usage in the classroom as well as their impact on pupils’ performance. The study sought to identify instructional materials and activities that teachers of KNUST Nursery School engaged the pupils in when teaching the English alphabet and their related sounds, as well as the challenges associated with them and what teachers do to manage such challenges. The study employed the qualitative research approach to critically study the Curriculum and Handbook for Pre-School Education, both of which guide the teachers in order to find out the existing strategies used in teaching the letters and sounds of the alphabet. Observation, questionnaire and interview were used to identify and study how teachers employ the existing strategies, activities and instructional materials in the classroom and their impact on the pupils’ performance in pre-reading and pre-writing. The major findings of the study indicated that the KG 1 and KG2 teachers in the school were not abreast with current strategies because their lessons centred mostly on patterns, joining of patterns and songs were used to teach the letter names and sounds. They employ child centred teaching approaches with play activities in the teaching and learning of the alphabet and sounds. Because some of the pupils had challenges writing the letters accurately, new art based activities were introduced for the teaching and learning of the alphabet and their sounds which made the pupils very active in class and got them fully involved. The activities motivated them to work sometimes without supervision and on the playground. At the end of the study, pupils’ showed positive signs of improvement in their reading and writing of the alphabets. To improve the pupils performance, it is recommended that the Kindergarten teachers be trained to use the kinesthetic teaching and learning strategies and related instructional materials to teach their pupils to learn to read and write the letters of the English alphabet and recognise them by their sounds.
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Streamlining monitoring and evaluation systems in managing social development interventions: a study of Ahafo mine area livelihood programmes.
(KNUST, 2015-05) Acheampong, Ernest Kwaku
ABSTRACT Monitoring and Evaluation as a discipline, is increasingly recognized as an essential component in project management functions (Khalid, 2002). However, consciously or otherwise development programmes are faced with limited integration of monitoring and evaluation systems in the management functions to gauge its performance. This key planning and implementation weaknesses poses key challenges to the management functions of development programmes including livelihood programmes (Khan, 2003). The study therefore seeks to examine the extent to which monitoring and evaluation systems of development programmes adopts standard practices. The study adopted a case study approach where three livelihood programmes operating within the Asutifi District were chosen. Programme Managers, Staff, beneficiaries and key institutional stakeholders were selected as respondents for the study. The study revealed that, monitoring and evaluation systems of some livelihood programmes lacks critical tools like robust database, review and capacity building plans were found to be absent. Also it was revealed that some programmes operate without trained monitoring and evaluation practitioners. Despite these shortfalls the study affirmed that the practice of M&E influences programme decisions leading to reforms in the programme components. Also, the study identified a high level of stakeholder participation –groups and institutions supporting the implementation of the programme. It is therefore recommended for policy designs on programme monitoring and evaluation that programme managers should be obliged to include the design of a robust database for data capture and retrieval, review and capacity building plans in the set-up of programme monitoring and evaluation systems as the concept keeps evolving. Again, development programmes should engage the services of trained practitioners directly on programmes to coordinate the monitoring and evaluation activities of the programmes.