College of Humanities & Social Sciences

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Cultural significance of Edina Asafo Company posts.
(2006-07-13) Adentwi, Samuel Bentum
This dissertation is the cultural manifestation of the technical study conducted by the researcher. The main objective of investigating whether in line with modern socio-political and socio-economic development of Edina traditional area, the Edina people has affected the relevance of Edina Asafo was critically appreciated. The research looked into how the Edina Asafo Posts have influenced the modernization and urbanization of the Edina community. It also seeks to find out how the Asafo Posts have affected the Psyche of the Edina people as well as the political, religious, social, medical, economics, entertainment and educational (moral) standard of the people. This research is therefore to help attract and promote both local and foreign tourism in the Edina traditional area, and thereby help create income for the socio-economic development of the people, Edina and Ghana.
The impact of poverty on the health of rural communities in Ghana: a case study of the Amansie West District, Ashanti Region
(2008-08-05) Osei-Wusu Adjei, Prince
Many rural Ghanaian communities are saddled with major social problems that undermine efforts towards rural development in the country. In the Amansie West District, poverty and ill health are major problems that militate against many households in the rural communities. However, the impact of poverty on health among households in the District has attracted little concern over the years. The survey analyses the poverty situation and how poverty impacts ill health in the rural communities in the District. Hypotheses tested were that, poverty is the root cause of poor health; and that, adequate income and knowledge ensure better health for the rural communities of the Amansie West District. Focus group discussions, participant observation, questionnaires and in-depth interviews were the methods employed for data collection from a sample of three hundred and six (306) heads of household randomly selected from deprived rural communities for a thorough analysis of the relationship between poverty and health in the District. Relevant data obtained were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Percentage and frequency charts, cross tabulation and multivariate regression using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were the methods used to analyse the data. The results from the study clearly justified the hypotheses set for the study. Poverty was found to be the major cause of poor health. Respondents with adequate income experience relatively better health conditions in the rural communities in the District. Further, majority of the low income earners within the rural communities either do not often or not at all use the very few healthcare facilities available in the District because of inability to pay for the service cost. Generally, poverty was found to have a significant influence on some of the highly prevalent diseases in the rural communities in the District which included malaria, whooping cough, skin and diarrhoeal diseases, measles and intestinal disorders. It is concluded that any strategy or recommendation aimed at tackling poverty and health decay in the rural communities in the Amansie West District needs to focus on equipping the poor households with adequate and regular income as well as adequate level of health education. These could be achieved through the introduction of mechanized farming practices, effective implementation of government’s youth employment programme (YEP), intensification of rural community health education, extension of village infrastructure projects and promotion of the national health insurance scheme. With adequate and regular income coupled with adequate health education, the poor would be able to satisfy their basic needs to improve their quality of life and health conditions very significantly. The difficulty in quantifying some of the poverty indicators such as hygiene using conventional measuring tools was an analysis problem which was corrected by the use of the qualitative approach. The study has provided a framework for the study of the linkages between poverty and health with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies which, in some cases, were often studied independent of each other. It has further provided a philosophical base for defining and measuring poverty. It is recommended that further research be directed to examine factors other than poverty which affect rural health for a holistic strategy to reduce health decay in rural Ghana. The key methodological innovations for the study included the use of both income and knowledge poverty in relation to health , the relationship established between the indirect effects of poverty and health and the use of both qualitative and quantitative techniques in analyzing poverty and health.
Aesthetic impact of Ghanaian socio-cultural practices on the environment and its protection in Ghana
(2008-08-08) Avenorgbo, Stephen Kofi
The environment and its protection are of absolute importance to the development of humanity, socially, culturally, economically and physically. However, due to inadequate aesthetic considerations of the environment, bad cultural practices, ineffective education through art, little integration of art into scientific applications and lack of pragmatic artistic policies by governments, the degradation of the environment is rapidly on the ascendancy. In view of these, this research emphasizes the need to utilize aesthetic considerations and good socio-cultural practices to protect, beautify and conserve our natural as well as the built environments that will help improve the very livelihood of mankind. By employing the qualitative methodology to address the problems identified the research shows by its analysis, presentation, arguments and suggestions that artistic attributes and acceptable cultural values are very important to Ghanaians in enhancing the beauty of the environment, as well as preserve everything that can be found in it, such as forests, rivers, mountains, buildings and so on. This dissertation, however, is a valuable source of information and it is geared towards sensitizing other researchers, stakeholders, policy-makers, institutions, environmentalists and tourism promotion managers to be fully aware of the aesthetic aspects of the environment. The dissertation is presented in seven chapters. The first chapter, being the introductory chapter, deals with the problem and its statement. Chapter Two surveys the related literature on the subject under investigation while Chapter Three deals with an in-depth discussion on the relationship between indigenous aesthetics and the environment. Chapter Four, however, highlights on the methodology employed in the execution of the research. Chapters Five and Six form the findings of the dissertation and provide vivid discussions on the state of the environment as well as its aesthetic impact. These two chapters also present the results of the research. The thesis ends with the seventh chapter which deals with the discussions, conclusions and recommendations. By these indications, this research hopes that if the suggestions and recommendations are well embraced in national policies, our eco-system could be effectively protected from further degradation.
Assessing employees’ training needs as an important prerequisite for training programmes: a case study of Internal Revenue Service in Accra- Kinbu District
(2008-08-11) Acheampong, Ernest Yeboah
This research was undertaken as assessing employees training needs as an important prerequisite for training programmes at IRS in Accra, Kinbu district. The intent of the work was to find out whether IRS embarks on training needs analysis before designing training programmes to suit it. Training in IRS-Kinbu district appears to be routine and lacks any thorough pre-training investigations to determine who needs training or what training will be of maximum benefit to the general service goals. The research methodology involved informal interviews and questionnaires were administered to trainers/facilitators, heads of department, human resource manager and district director to assess the organisation training programmes. The analysis of the results of fieldwork clearly showed that there are loopholes in the organisation training programmes. For instance headquarters sole responsibility for initiating training programmes made it difficult for trainers to identify particular skills gap for the individuals since IRS does not employ training needs analysis to select the right and qualified people due for training. It came to light that most of the staff could not transfer whatever they have learnt to the job after training. The fieldwork showed that there is no post training evaluation system in place. It was found out that the organisation training programmes have got a very weak relationship with its performance. Finally the headquarters should provide the trainers with sufficient logistics and materials and carry out training needs analysis before embarking on productive and effective training. Effective evaluation system is highly recommended.
A user‐friendly colour matching system for tie‐dye/batik producers
(2009-07-13) Frimpong, Charles
The tie-dye/batik industry in Ghana has not lived to its full potential due to shortcomings that include the narrow range of colours available on the market, which in turn, have resulted in products having similar colour schemes. The methods employed in this project are a result of inspiration drawn from colour matching systems used in various industries. Test dyeing experiments were conducted to generate a scheme for generating different shades out of two colours. This scheme was used to generate 130 different shades out of an initial 9 colours. Spectrophotometer tests that serve to determine the unique characteristics of each colour were conducted and spectral curves generated for each mixture. Additionally, tests of reproducibility were conducted on selected mixtures to determine the extent of success of the scheme adopted for mixing. The colours generated, together with some vital information about the mixture have been documented in a catalogue that every tie-dye/batik producer can use and achieve same results. As the first step in changing the status quo, it has been recommended that this solution be brought to the knowledge of producers of tie-dye/batik through the organization of workshops and re-training programmes by interested governmental and private agencies. This coupled with the availability of the basic elements of the system will surely make this solution effective.
Addressing HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Ejura-Sekyedumase District: a study of knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour among unmarried 15-24 year-olds
(2009-08-05) Agyemang, Seth
Statistics show a rising incidence of HIV/AIDS infection in the Ejura-Sekyedumase District of the Ashanti Region in Ghana. In spite of this development, many people in the district have limited knowledge and serious misconceptions about the disease. Some deny its existence, while others attribute it to factors such as curses, witchcraft and mosquitoes. Discussions with parents, opinion leaders and young people also confirmed that premarital sex is on the ascendancy in the area, contributing to the increase in the pandemic. The research therefore sought to examine the effects of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitudes on the sexual behaviour of unmarried people aged 15-24 years in the study area. Both quantitative and qualitative data were employed. The quantitative data was obtained through questionnaire administered on a random sample of 450 unmarried people aged 15-24 years. The qualitative data was obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The effects of knowledge and attitudes on sexual behaviour were and the testing of the hypotheses were done using the chi square tests, with p≤0.05 as the level of significance. Other modes of analysis were frequency tables and bar graphs. There were four hypotheses for the study: (1) Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is significantly higher among people living in urban areas compared to those living in the rural areas. (2) Higher knowledge of HIV/AIDS results in less sexual activity. (3) Positive attitudes towards premarital sex results in less sexual activity, and (4) The higher the level of self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS, the lower the level of sexual activity. The study used a modified form of the Health Belief Model as its conceptual framework. The results showed that 47.3% of the respondents had had sex. The mean and the median ages at first sexual intercourse were 17.5 years and 18 years respectively. The most important sources of information on HIV/AIDS were radio and television. Three of the four hypotheses were justified. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS was significantly higher in the urban area compared to the rural areas (p=.000). Secondly, high self-perceived risk of getting HIV/AIDS was associated with less premarital sex (p=.000). Thirdly, positive attitudes towards premarital sex resulted in less sexual activity (p=.007). However, the hypothesis on the relationship between knowledge of HV/AIDS and sexual behaviour could not be justified as the result was not significant (p=.058). Other results were that education had a positive effect on knowledge and several attitude variables. Sexual activity was lower among respondents who perceived a higher self-efficacy to abstain from premarital sex (p=.000), and among those who believed they could refuse sex for money (p=.007). Condom use at last sexual intercourse was also higher among respondents who perceived a higher self-efficacy to insist on condom use (p=.012) and among those who believed that condoms are effective in preventing HIV/AIDS (p=.009). Contributions to knowledge by the research include the provision of a comprehensive conceptual framework and justification for a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in studying knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour. The findings call for increased access to formal education to defuse false perceptions and beliefs about HIV/AIDS, sustained education and communication on HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS education in health settings, accessibility to condoms, and financial/economic empowerment. Unmarried people also need practical skills to be able to translate knowledge on HIV/AIDS into behavioural change. Some areas for further studies have also been suggested.
Three essays on economic impact assessment of the use of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative for poverty reduction in Ghana
(2010) Osei-Fosu, Anthony Kofi
Ghana applied to join the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in 2001. The argument was that HIPC spending will help to develop capacity of the poor (through human development), give them capital for investment (through micro-credit), improve their labour productivity (through improvement in health and rural water and sanitation), enhance rural agriculture (through feeder roads construction and rehabilitation), give them skill training, etc. These will enhance the incomes of the poor in the immediate future and help them come out of the vicious cycle of poverty. After eight year of implementation there was the need to assess the impact of the initiative on poverty reduction. This study therefore investigates the economic impact of the utilization of the HIPC relief fund on poverty reduction in Ghana. Specifically, the study objected to: assess the extent to which the HIPC relief fund has helped to reduce poverty, both at the individual and community levels; determine the relative effectiveness of the various HIPC funded programmes to the reduction of poverty; assess the impact of the HIPC micro-credit on poverty reduction and its benefit incidence; examine how the poor themselves feel about how the programmes have improved their welfare and hence reduced their poverty situation; and examine the extent to which the HIPC initiative has improved the asset, need-base and capabilities of the poor that will make them function as economic and social being. These research concerns were addressed in the thesis in a three separate but related essays on; Economic Impact Assessment of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative on Poverty Reduction in Ghana; The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative Micro-credit and Poverty Reduction in Ghana: a Panacea or a Mirage?; and Assessment of the Impact of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative on Poverty Reduction: The Subjective-Multidimensional and Deprivation Approach, in that order. The techniques that were used for the analysis included: FGT Index method (Foster, Greer and Thorbecke, 1984); Community Poverty Ratio method (Sullivan, 2002); Benefit Incidence Analysis methods (Demery, 2003); Subjective-Multidimensional Model (Van Praag et al, 1982); Multidimensional Deprivation method (Barrientos, 2003); Capabilities and Functioning model (Sen, 1983), among others. The definitions and details of these approaches are provided in the appropriate essays that constitute the Thesis. The study used method with no counterfactual (before and after), which compares the performance of key variables after the initiative with those prior to the initiative. The approach uses statistical methods to evaluate whether there is a significant change in some essential variables over the period. The study uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data were derived from household survey. Some of the major findings of the study are summarised as follows: In the first essay, the study found that over the period when the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative was implemented per capita income of the households have significantly increased and therefore decreasing the proportion of the people below the poverty line. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) Poverty Gap Index (PGI) also indicates that the proportion of income needed to transfer the poor above the poverty line has also significantly reduced over the period. By implication over the period poverty incidence has been reduced. Secondly, the extent of community deprivation of social amenities reduced. That is over the period of the HIPC implementation (2001-2008) more social amenities were provided to the communities. For example 27 more communities were provided with health facilities, 30 were connected with electricity, 40 got access to telephone facilities and 33 communities had their feeder roads re-shape to all weather roads. It also came out that there was improvement in human development outcomes; school enrolment, attendance, retention, completion rate, school performance, adult literacy rate, life expectancy at birth, coverage of vaccination, and delivery assistance increased over the period while infant mortality, maternal mortality, malnutrition, malaria rate, cholera cases, and guinea worm cases went down. Furthermore, the study found that the improvement in the human development outcomes significantly relate to HIPC initiative funds, except in the case of school performance, adult literacy rate and malaria cases. Hence, it can be said that with respect to the provision of social amenities for communities the HIPC initiative has done marvelously well to reduce poverty in Ghana. Thirdly, the ordinary least square (OLS) analysis proved significantly that the poverty reduction is positively related to the initiative. Hence, the hypothesis that the HIPC initiative has reduced poverty in Ghana is accepted and therefore the strategies used under the initiative have high potential to Ghana’s future poverty reduction, growth and over-all economic development. Furthermore, the study found that the most effective programme to poverty reduction is education, followed by health and water and sanitation. These programmes proved statistically significant relationship to the poverty reduction over the period. This means that when funds are shifted from micro-credit, private sector development and good governance, the rate of poverty will fall. The study however found that over the period the intensity of poverty (inequality among the poor) increased implying that the HIPC initiative appears not pro-poorest. This was shown by the increase in the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) squared poverty gap index from 2000 to 2008. This means the proportion of income needed to move the more poor to catch up with the less poor has increased over the period. This implies that the initiative was more regressive to the poorer and hence not pro-poor. This suggests that even though the initiative has helped to reduce poverty, it impacted significantly on the less poor in the country than the poorest. Again, some of the programmes; example, the micro-credit, private sector development and good governance appear not to impact on the poor meaning they were probably poorly implemented or they might have long term effects on poverty reduction whose impact cannot be immediately felt. From the second essay, the study found that the HIPC micro-credit is a panacea to poverty reduction in Ghana. That is it has the potential for poverty reduction because between the HIPC implementation period (2001- 2008), the beneficiaries of the HIPC micro-credit had significant increases in their incomes than the non-beneficiaries. However, from the benefit incidence analysis in section 4.5.2 the distribution of the HIPC micro-credit was skewed. Both the standard and the marginal benefits of the micro-credit were distributed regressively towards the rural areas and the poorest income-quintile of the population. This therefore explains why the intensity of poverty (inequality among the poor) increased as discussed in section 3.4.1. By implication, if efforts are made to channel the HIPC micro-credit to the rural areas and the poorest income-quintile of the population, the country is likely to reduce poverty drastically, if not completely eradicate it. The third essay revealed that both the head count and poverty gap indices from Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) were very high. Also, over the period there was no significant reduction. From counts of domain satisfaction on average over 60% of the households felt that they were poor by all the welfare indicators and therefore it is clear that from the subjective point of view that the initiative did not significantly reduce the poverty situation of the populace. Furthermore, the study found that the initiative did not significantly improve the households’ basic-needs, asset-needs and capabilities that will enable them enhance their well-being and help them to function as economic and social beings. There was no significant statistical difference between the conditions of the households’ basic-needs, asset-needs and capabilities in 2000 and 2008. The study therefore concludes that with respect to basic-needs, asset-needs and capabilities the initiative did not positively impact on poverty reduction over the implementation period.
A Historical Study of the Impact of Colonial Rule on Indigenous Medical Practices in Ashanti: A Focus on Colonial and Indigenous Disease Combat and Prevention Strategies in Kumasi, 1902-1957
(2010) Adu-Gyamfi, Samuel
The study addresses the question of lack of in-depth study of the history of medicine in Asante and Kumase specifically. The study is an attempt to fill this lacuna. It examines the influence of the Colonial Administration on indigenous medical practices in Asante and Kumase as well as a focus on Colonial and Indigenous diseases combative and preventive strategies in Kumase. The study traces how indigenous medical practices have continued to be in existence from the nineteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century Asante. It accesses untapped information that deals with the operations of indigenous healers in Kumase and its environs as well as colonial influence. One of the noted influences include the permission granted the Asante Confederacy Council by the Colonial Administration to register indigenous physicians who were known to be genuine. Attestation mostly came from chiefs or native heads whose jurisdictions the practitioners practised and usually it had to be assented to by the Nsumankwaafieso. The closure of witch-finding shrines in Asante and Kumase specifically is one of the noticeable colonial influences. Significantly, there was the development and adoption of some modern techniques and practices in indigenous medical practices and the cessation of such practices as witch finding which was considered injurious to humans by the standards of the Colonial Administration. It also studies the impact made by the Colonial Administration among other things, the registration of unqualified midwives in Kumase and the establishment of Child Welfare Clinic in Kumase and its consequences for the people of Asante. The study highlights the contribution of the Colonial Administration in curing of diseases as well as disease prevention and health promotion in Asante. The information gleaned from various archival sources and interviews threw light on how the Colonial Administration used legislation to influence the way of life of the people of Asante from 1902 to 1957 to ensure that disease transfer was hampered and health promotion effected. The consequences of such colonial influence are carefully documented.
The Attitudes and Perceptions of Students about the Study of English Grammar: The Case of Selected Senior High School Students in Northern Region
(2010-11-09) Akurugu, Brigandi Michael
The poor quality of English, both spoken and written, of Ghanaians in general, and of our students in particular, has become a source of worry to many well meaning educationists, parents and the general public. Several reasons have been given for the falling standards. Included among them are reading habits, poor teaching, inadequate library facilities, decline in the teaching of grammar and the de-emphasis of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction. There are those who believe that the use of the mother tongue at the basic level of education helps the learner to relate similar grammatical concepts in the L1 to those of the English Language. Much as the aforementioned could be said to be accountable, there is a fundamental phenomenon that acts as the underlying cause of the problem. The role that perception and attitude of the learners plays in the acquisition of skills in English has, over the years, been terribly ignored. The perception of students, teachers, policy makers, and the larger community, which includes parents, has played a considerable role in bringing about the fall in the standard of English. This study investigates the extent to which the fall in the standards of English could be attributed to attitudes and perceptions. The study has revealed that a serious disconnection exists between the needs of students and the solutions that are being used to raise the standard of English Language among learners. The study also reveals that, in most cases, parents, teachers and policymakers cannot escape blame for the problem either for their action or inaction regarding the promotion of the learning of the language. Though the study may have identified other reasons for the decline in the standards of English, the study focuses, to a large extent, on the very attitude and perception of the learner. It has suggested ways of developing positive perceptions and attitudes v towards the language. These suggestions include sound approaches to the teaching and learning of the language. The approach is carved in a manner that would make English more attractive to learners thus leading to attitudinal and perceptual change, which in turn would lead to enhanced performance of learners in English.
Anticonvulsant and related neuropharmacological effects of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of synedrella nodiflora (L.) gaertn (FAM:Asteraceae).
(2011-07-19) Amoateng, Patrick
Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. (Family: Asteraceae) is an annual herb which grows to about 60-120 cm high and occurs throughout the West African region. In Ghanaian traditional medicine, the whole plant is used for the treatment of epilepsy. This study presents the anticonvulsant, sedative, muscle relaxant, antinociceptive, antioxidant, the effect on anxiety and the safety of a hydro-ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Synedrella nodiflora. Four murine models of experimental epilepsy were employed for the anticonvulsant screening of the extract, namely; pentylenetetrazole-, picrotoxin- and pilocarpine- induced seizure and penetylenetetrazole- induced kindling. The ability of the extract to cause sedation was investigated using the pentobarbitone- induced sleep test. The neuromuscular effects of the extract were also determined in vivo using the rota-rod test and in vitro with the chick biventer cervicis preparation. Moreover, formalin induced pain and acetic acid induced writhing assay were the tests employed to assess the antinociceptive effects of the extract. The antioxidant effects of the extract was also determined by measuring the total phenols, antioxidant capacity, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, reducing power assay and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation. The elevated plus maze, the light/dark test and the Versamax animal monitor were used to investigate the effect of the extract on anxiety in rodents. The acute toxicity test was also done to assess the safety of the extract as herbal medicine. The extract, SNE, showed significant anticonvulsant effect against seizures induced by PTZ by dose dependent increase in both the onset of the myoclonic jerks and latency to myoclonic seizures and a reduction in the duration of seizures. However this effect was not significant compared to the vehicle treated group and not dose dependent. SNE significantly and dose- dependently delayed the latencies to myoclonic jerks and tonic-clonic seizures induced by picrotoxin. SNE also reduced the duration of seizures significantly. SNE also significantly reduced the total frequency of seizures. SNE, also, dose-dependently reduced the total duration of seizures induced by pilocarpine in the mice treated. SNE significantly suppressed the PTZ- kindled seizure at all the dose levels used. SNE (100-1000 mg kg-1) dose-dependently inhibited lipid peroxidation in the PTZ-kindled rats. SNE also, dose-dependently, increased the duration of sleep induced by pentobarbitone in mice. The ability of SNE to attenuate PTZ-, picrotoxin- pilocarpine- induced seizures, PTZ- induced kindling, enhanced sedation of pentobarbitone suggests the possible involvement of GABAergic, anti-cholinergic, or antioxidant mechanism(s). SNE at 1000 mg kg-1 produced a significant reduction in the time spent on the rota-rod at 24 rpm over the two-hour period thus suggesting motor impairment at this dose. Baclofen at 10 mg kg-1 significantly reduced the duration spent by pre-treated mice on the rota-rod. SNE also antagonised acetylcholine- induced contractions in the chick biventer cervicis preparation, thus a neuromuscular blocker. These results suggest a skeletal muscle relaxant effect by S. nodiflora possibly via centrally mediated mechanism(s) involving neuromuscular blockade. In the formalin-induced pain and the acetic acid- induced writhing, morphine and diclofenac were used as standard opioid and NSAID respectively. The hydro-ethanolic extract of S. nodiflora (100-1000 mg kg-1, p.o) and morphine (1-10 mg kg-1) dose-dependently decreased both phases of the formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. The antinociceptive effects of S. nodiflora (300 mg kg-1, p.o) on the first and second phases of formalin-induced pain were significantly blocked by caffeine but not by naloxone. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, diclofenac and S. nodiflora significantly reduced the number of writhes dose-dependently. Also, the effect of the S. nodiflora (300 mg kg-1) was blocked by caffeine (3 mg kg-1) but the analgesic effect of diclofenac was significantly enhanced. The observed effects of caffeine on the central and peripheral analgesic effects of S. nodiflora in the formalin and acetic acid- induced writhing suggest the possible involvement of adenosinergic mechanism(s). The extract (0.1-3.0 mg ml-1 ) was found to contain phenolic compounds which could be responsible for the antioxidant properties. The extract also exhibited antioxidant properties by reducing Fe3+ to Fe2+ in the reducing power test, scavenged DPPH free radicals and effectively inhibited linoleic acid autoxidation. In the EPM paradigm, S. nodiflora extract (10-300 mg kg-1) exhibited anxiogenic-like activity by dose-dependently decreasing the number of entries into both the open and closed arms, no significant effect on the percent number of entry into the open arms and a decrease in the time spent in the open arm in comparison to the vehicle-treated group. Similarly, S. nodiflora extract (SNE) dose-dependently decreased the number of head dips and stretch-attend postures and the duration of grooming. In the LD test, SNE also exhibited anxiogenic-like effect by significantly and dose-dependently reducing the number of entry into the light compartment, the number of transitions and not significantly, the time spent in the light area. In the EPM and LD test, diazepam (0.1-1.0 mg kg-1), a reference anxiolytic drug, produced a directly opposite response to that exhibited by SNE. The extract, in the VAMS, decreased the locomotor activity of pretreated-mice dose dependently and significantly. SNE reduced the distance travelled and time spent at the center of the observation cage indicating an anxiogenic-like effect. The extract‟s ability to cause a general reduction in locomotor activity suggests sedative effects rather than anxiogenesis. Oral administration of SNE (1000-10,000 mg kg-1) yielded no mortality in the treated mice over a 24 h of observation. Thus the LD50 was approximated to be greater than 10,000 mg kg-1. Thus the extract can be said of as being less toxic. Also high protective indexes produce in the PTZ-, picrotoxin- and pilocarpine-induced seizures by the extract suggest that it has a safe therapeutic profile. In conclusion, the hydro-ethanolic extract of S. nodiflora has anticonvulsant effect in the acute and chronic seizure models of epilepsy used and indicates a possible GABAergic mechanism(s); exhibits central analgesic effect possibly mediated through adenosinergic mechanism and a peripheral anti-inflammatory activity and a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger, a muscle relaxant and has anxiogenic-like and sedation effects.
La specificite artistique de boubacar boris diop dans le temps de tamango, les tambours de la memoire et les traces de la meute
(2014) Djorbuah, Nartey Melvin
This work is an adventure into the fictional world of Boubacar Boris Diop by means of the Narratological Approach. It seeks to demonstrate that there is nothing mysterious about narratological analysis and that facing problems of literature from the perspective of narratology as an analytical method enables one to ask extremely pertinent questions and, indeed, find satisfactory solutions to them. This work does not claim to be exhaustive, but humbly seeks to demonstrate that enonciative narratology could be seen as a simple but effective theoretical method that helps to tackle literary problems in a more scientific manner. We further prove that, far from being characterized as chaotic writing as Kesteloot would have it in her work: “Histoire de la literature africaine”, Boubacar Boris Diop’s narrative technique allows a person to grasp at a go, all the symbolic manifestations of the African reality which is undergoing constant changes.
An exploratory study of corporate social responsibility practices among rural and community banks in Ghana
(2015) Kofi Mensah, Henry
The attitudes and perceptions of students about the study of english grammar: the case of selected senior high school students in northern region
(2015-05-22) Akurugu, Brigandi Micheal
The poor quality of English, both spoken and written, of Ghanaians in general, and of our students in particular, has become a source of worry to many well meaning educationists, parents and the general public. Several reasons have been given for the falling standards. Included among them are reading habits, poor teaching, inadequate library facilities, decline in the teaching of grammar and the de-emphasis of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction. There are those who believe that the use of the mother tongue at the basic level of education helps the learner to relate similar grammatical concepts in the L1 to those of the English Language. Much as the aforementioned could be said to be accountable, there is a fundamental phenomenon that acts as the underlying cause of the problem. The role that perception and attitude of the learners plays in the acquisition of skills in English has, over the years, been terribly ignored. The perception of students, teachers, policy makers, and the larger community, which includes parents, has played a considerable role in bringing about the fall in the standard of English. This study investigates the extent to which the fall in the standards of English could be attributed to attitudes and perceptions. The study has revealed that a serious disconnection exists between the needs of students and the solutions that are being used to raise the standard of English Language among learners. The study also reveals that, in most cases, parents, teachers and policymakers cannot escape blame for the problem either for their action or inaction regarding the promotion of the learning of the language. Though the study may have identified other reasons for the decline in the standards of English, the study focuses, to a large extent, on the very attitude and perception of the learner. It has suggested ways of developing positive perceptions and attitudes v towards the language. These suggestions include sound approaches to the teaching and learning of the language. The approach is carved in a manner that would make English more attractive to learners thus leading to attitudinal and perceptual change, which in turn would lead to enhanced performance of learners in English.
Three Essays on Economic Impact Assessment of the Use of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (Hipc) Initiative for Poverty Reduction in Ghana
(2015-05-22) Osei-Fosu, Anthony Kofi
Ghana applied to join the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in 2001. The argument was that HIPC spending will help to develop capacity of the poor (through human development), give them capital for investment (through micro-credit), improve their labour productivity (through improvement in health and rural water and sanitation), enhance rural agriculture (through feeder roads construction and rehabilitation), give them skill training, etc. These will enhance the incomes of the poor in the immediate future and help them come out of the vicious cycle of poverty. After eight year of implementation there was the need to assess the impact of the initiative on poverty reduction. This study therefore investigates the economic impact of the utilization of the HIPC relief fund on poverty reduction in Ghana. Specifically, the study objected to: assess the extent to which the HIPC relief fund has helped to reduce poverty, both at the individual and community levels; determine the relative effectiveness of the various HIPC funded programmes to the reduction of poverty; assess the impact of the HIPC micro-credit on poverty reduction and its benefit incidence; examine how the poor themselves feel about how the programmes have improved their welfare and hence reduced their poverty situation; and examine the extent to which the HIPC initiative has improved the asset, need-base and capabilities of the poor that will make them function as economic and social being. These research concerns were addressed in the thesis in a three separate but related essays on; Economic Impact Assessment of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative on Poverty Reduction in Ghana; The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative Micro-credit and Poverty Reduction in Ghana: a Panacea or a Mirage?; and Assessment of the Impact of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative on Poverty Reduction: The Subjective-Multidimensional and Deprivation Approach, in that order. The techniques that were used for the analysis included: FGT Index method (Foster, Greer and Thorbecke, 1984); Community Poverty Ratio method (Sullivan, 2002); Benefit Incidence Analysis methods (Demery, 2003); Subjective-Multidimensional Model (Van Praag et al, 1982); Multidimensional Deprivation method (Barrientos, 2003); Capabilities and Functioning model 6 (Sen, 1983), among others. The definitions and details of these approaches are provided in the appropriate essays that constitute the Thesis. The study used method with no counterfactual (before and after), which compares the performance of key variables after the initiative with those prior to the initiative. The approach uses statistical methods to evaluate whether there is a significant change in some essential variables over the period. The study uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data were derived from household survey. Some of the major findings of the study are summarised as follows: In the first essay, the study found that over the period when the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative was implemented per capita income of the households have significantly increased and therefore decreasing the proportion of the people below the poverty line. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) Poverty Gap Index (PGI) also indicates that the proportion of income needed to transfer the poor above the poverty line has also significantly reduced over the period. By implication over the period poverty incidence has been reduced. Secondly, the extent of community deprivation of social amenities reduced. That is over the period of the HIPC implementation (2001-2008) more social amenities were provided to the communities. For example 27 more communities were provided with health facilities, 30 were connected with electricity, 40 got access to telephone facilities and 33 communities had their feeder roads re-shape to all weather roads. It also came out that there was improvement in human development outcomes; school enrolment, attendance, retention, completion rate, school performance, adult literacy rate, life expectancy at birth, coverage of vaccination, and delivery assistance increased over the period while infant mortality, maternal mortality, malnutrition, malaria rate, cholera cases, and guinea worm cases went down. Furthermore, the study found that the improvement in the human development outcomes significantly relate to HIPC initiative funds, except in the case of school performance, adult literacy rate and malaria cases. Hence, it can be said that with respect to the provision of social amenities for communities the HIPC initiative has done marvelously well to reduce poverty in Ghana. 7 Thirdly, the ordinary least square (OLS) analysis proved significantly that the poverty reduction is positively related to the initiative. Hence, the hypothesis that the HIPC initiative has reduced poverty in Ghana is accepted and therefore the strategies used under the initiative have high potential to Ghana‟s future poverty reduction, growth and over-all economic development. Furthermore, the study found that the most effective programme to poverty reduction is education, followed by health and water and sanitation. These programmes proved statistically significant relationship to the poverty reduction over the period. This means that when funds are shifted from micro-credit, private sector development and good governance, the rate of poverty will fall. The study however found that over the period the intensity of poverty (inequality among the poor) increased implying that the HIPC initiative appears not pro-poorest. This was shown by the increase in the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) squared poverty gap index from 2000 to 2008. This means the proportion of income needed to move the more poor to catch up with the less poor has increased over the period. This implies that the initiative was more regressive to the poorer and hence not pro-poor. This suggests that even though the initiative has helped to reduce poverty, it impacted significantly on the less poor in the country than the poorest. Again, some of the programmes; example, the micro-credit, private sector development and good governance appear not to impact on the poor meaning they were probably poorly implemented or they might have long term effects on poverty reduction whose impact cannot be immediately felt. From the second essay, the study found that the HIPC micro-credit is a panacea to poverty reduction in Ghana. That is it has the potential for poverty reduction because between the HIPC implementation period (2001- 2008), the beneficiaries of the HIPC micro-credit had significant increases in their incomes than the non-beneficiaries. However, from the benefit incidence analysis in section 4.5.2 the distribution of the HIPC micro-credit was skewed. Both the standard and the marginal benefits of the micro-credit were distributed regressively towards the rural areas and the poorest income-quintile of the population. This therefore explains why the intensity 8 of poverty (inequality among the poor) increased as discussed in section 3.4.1. By implication, if efforts are made to channel the HIPC micro-credit to the rural areas and the poorest income-quintile of the population, the country is likely to reduce poverty drastically, if not completely eradicate it. The third essay revealed that both the head count and poverty gap indices from Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) were very high. Also, over the period there was no significant reduction. From counts of domain satisfaction on average over 60% of the households felt that they were poor by all the welfare indicators and therefore it is clear that from the subjective point of view that the initiative did not significantly reduce the poverty situation of the populace. Furthermore, the study found that the initiative did not significantly improve the households‟ basic-needs, asset-needs and capabilities that will enable them enhance their well-being and help them to function as economic and social beings. There was no significant statistical difference between the conditions of the households‟ basic-needs, asset-needs and capabilities in 2000 and 2008. The study therefore concludes that with respect to basic-needs, asset-needs and capabilities the initiative did not positively impact on poverty reduction over the implementation period.
Trials of Motherhood: Amma Darko’s Portrayal of Conflicts in Mother-Daughter Bonds in Her Novels: Beyond the Horizon, The Housemaid, Faceless and Not without Flowers
(2015-05-22) Yeboah, Philomena
This study has addressed the question of the lack of in-depth analysis of the trials of motherhood in Africa and in Ghana specifically. The study is an attempt to fill this lacuna. It traces the nature of the trials of motherhood and analyzes the causes and effects of the trials of motherhood on mothers and daughters. How can daughters appreciate their mothers when they consider the latter as failed mothers not worth emulating? The study argues that the trials of motherhood, if not eliminated, will result in daughters electing not to bear children rather than becoming mothers in a system that circumscribes mothers even when this same system seeks to honour them. Four novels of Amma Darko have been selected to investigate Darko‘s portrayal of her mother figures. There is seen in these four novels a fictionalization of the myriads of trials that mothers battle with in a changing Ghanaian society. Reality is carried on exaggerative wings to reveal Darko‘s keen understanding of the trials of motherhood. There is also seen in these novels a relentless march towards addressing not only the trials of motherhood but also the triumph that unrelenting mothers achieve even in the face of trials. The life-styles of these mother figures indicate that mothers have regenerative as well as destructive potentials. It takes mothers whose desire it is to churn out good daughters to tap into their regenerative potentials and train daughters well. This study also highlights the strategies used by those mothers who are able to train good daughters irrespective of the challenges they face as mothers. These mothers inject hope into a society where women‘s ability to mother daughters well is gradually turning out to be a mirage. ix The lessons gleaned from this study throw light on how women can mother daughters well. It also provokes a discourse on the importance of fellow feelings among mothers who want their daughters to step into their shoes. Accordingly, this work adduces unmistakable evidence that women can carve out dignified images of themselves, also through motherhood.
Three Essays on Small-Scale Gold Mining Operations in Ghana: An Integrated Approach to Benefit-Cost Analysis
(2015-05-22) Opoku-Antwi, George Lord
The thesis is a monographic piece of three essays or papers on small-scale gold mining in Ghana synthesized into one document. The essays therefore, represent different but related essays as indicated in the title of the thesis. The first essay highlights on contemporary issues on small-scale gold mining operations in Ghana. The second essay focuses on comparative study in the Bibiani, Bolgatanga, Dunkwa and Tarkwa Mining districts of the Minerals Commission of Ghana. The third essay which is the most dominant of the study is on an integrated approach to benefit-cost analysis on smallscale gold mining operations in the Bibiani, Bolgatanga, Dunkwa and Tarkwa Mining districts of the Minerals Commission of Ghana. The objective of the first essay is to discuss current issues, specifically, the challenges and potentials of small-scale gold mining operations in Ghana. Output, revenue and employment effects from small-scale mining; environmental and occupational health issues; operational constraints including financial issues, skills and training, occupational safety, constraints on women’s participation; child labour abuse issues, tensions and conflicts of interest between large scale gold mining companies; and the long process involved in obtaining permits to operate as licensed small-scale miners are the main highlights of the essay. The research methodology used was a survey design. The essay concludes that small-scale mining in Ghana is beset with environmental, occupational health and operational constraints or problems and that addressing them would help promote (a successful existence of) small-scale gold mining as a socially and economically viable activity in the country. The second essay aims to provide a comparative study on small-scale gold mining industry in the Bibiani, Bolgatanga, Dunkwa and Tarkwa Districts of the Minerals Commission of Ghana. Variations in production, employment, number of licensed operators/concessions were the main focus of the essay. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. iv The statistical tool employed was a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study tested for statistical interdependence of the means of equality between the mining districts (distance, that is, row effect) and the means of equality across time (years from 2005 – 2008, that is, column effect). The essay concludes that even though the small-scale mining sub-sector in Ghana is plagued with a number of challenges, production and employment levels as well as the number of licensed operators or concessions have increased considerably over the years. Managerial structures, choice of technology and profitability are among the factors or issues that explain the magnitude of the differences in the mining districts. Small-scale mining should be recognised as a significant contributor of rural livelihoods that has the potential to alleviate poverty and be a tool for sustainable development. The essay suggests that adequate technical, financial, economic and organizational assistance or support should be provided to enhance small-scale mining operations in Ghana. The third essay undertakes to measure the expected net benefits, net future values and benefit-cost ratios resulting from small-scale gold mining operations particularly, in the Bibiani, Bolgatanga, Dunkwa and Tarkwa mining districts of the Minerals Commission of Ghana. The essay discusses the conceptual and methodological framework, specification of benefit-cost operational models, data collection and analysis methods and empirical results and analysis. A benefit-cost analysis was carried out in the individual four mining districts before a combined total benefit-cost analysis was performed for all the four mining districts. It must be emphasized that in this study, benefit-cost analysis (BCA) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) imply the same thing. Hence, they are used interchangeably. The results showed that, the Bolgatanga Mining District that recorded an average net benefit of GH¢39,966,554.83 and therefore, promises to be worthwhile and worth continuing with the existing mining activities in that district. The outcomes of all the other mining districts: Bibiani, Dunkwa, Tarkwa with the combined total however, recorded negative average net benefits of (GH¢1,572,088.66), (GH¢ 7,588,627.13), (GH¢121,483,027.35) v and (GH¢90,252,809.70) respectively. This suggests that small-scale mining activities in these mining districts (Bibiani, Dunkwa and Tarkwa), are not worthwhile or viable and therefore, not worth continuing with the existing mining activities. In general, smallscale mining activities in all the four mining districts (Bibiani, Bolgatanga, Dunkwa and Tarkwa) combined are also not economically viable. The analysis of variance indicates that enterprise profitability of operation across the activity sectors matters much in profitability of operation, though, location or mining district/area does not matter much so far as profitability of operation is concerned. The Chi square (χ2) test also indicates that both the benefit and cost variables between the Bibiani, Bolgatanga, Dunkwa and Tarkwa mining districts/areas and across sector activity, namely: physical environmental, social and aggregate economic factors are not statistically related or associated with each other. The sensitivity analysis performed shows that real NFVs tended to be responsive to the real rate scenarios. The essay concludes that small-scale mining in Ghana is not economically viable and that if the small-scale mining sub-sector is to achieve its full potential, then more attention should be paid to the high negative environmental, social and aggregate economic impact or costs. The essay recommends that regulations and guidelines that aim at promoting efficiency in mining operations; minimizing the negative environmental, social and aggregate economic costs or impact; promoting high health and safety standards; and identifying obligations for all stakeholders should be developed to make small-scale mining operations in Ghana economically viable and sustainable.
Characterization of Glucoamylase Produced by Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus sp.
(2015-05-22) Nyamful, Andrew
Amylase enzymes are important enzymes employed in starch processing industries for hydrolysis of polysaccharides into simple sugars. Microorganisms including a number of fungal species have been used to produce amylases more economically than from other sources. Glucoamylase (C3009H4570N782O1012S13) is an exoenzyme that removes glucose units consecutively from the nonreducing ends of starch and oligosaccharides. The enzyme also cleaves α-1, 6- and α-1, 3-bonds but at a slower action. Glucoamylase is used in processed-food industry, fermentation technology, textile and paper industries. In this study, four native fungal isolates, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus species and Fusarium oxysporum and the potential of five solid substrates, wheat bran, rice bran, groundnut pod, maize bran and cocoa pod for glucoamylase production were investigated using Solid-State Fermentation process. Isolates of Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus species on wheat bran as substrate at spore concentrations of 1 x 107 per ml produced the highest enzyme activities under optimum growth conditions. Glucoamylase production was found to be affected by temperature, pH, incubation period, nature of substrate and the kind of microorganism used. Glucoamylase production by Aspergillus niger was found to be affected by nitrogen. Glucoamylase produced by Aspergillus niger yielded maximum enzyme activity of 6.66 U/ml in 18 hours of incubation period at a temperature of 40ºC, nitrogen concentration of 0.2 g/l and at pH 5.0. Similarly, glucoamylase produced by Rhizopus species gave maximum enzyme activity of 4.44 U/ml in 18 hours of incubation period at a temperature of 40ºC and pH 4.5. Molecular weights of proteins in culture filtrates were determined by SDS-PAGE. Proteins with molecular weights 61.48, 29.68, 21.06 and 12.33 KDa were identified from culture filtrates of Aspergillus niger and proteins with molecular weights 96.40, 65.56, 51.80, 29.05 and vii 19.75 KDa were found from culture filtrates of Rhizopus species. Kinetic studies using Hanes-Woolf’s plot and starch as substrate gave Kmax = 0.0009548 g/l and Vmax = 2.387 g/l.min for enzyme produced by Aspergillus niger and Kmax = 0.0007443 g/l and Vmax = 2.481 g/l.min for enzyme produced by Rhizopus species.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation in a Sub-Saharan African Nation: An Empirical Test of Competing Models and Theories
(2015-07-07) Asamoah, David
In this study, the researcher developed a modified research model to examine the antecedents and impact of extent of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems implementation on Process Management Capability, and its subsequent impact on firm performance. The existing model was extended by the addition of the following constructs: Ethical Factors, Data Culture, Organizational Integration, and Organizational Performance. In exploring ERP implementation in Ghana, a Sub-Saharan African (SSA) nation, two competing theories, the Institutional theory and the Panoptic theory, were tested using empirical data collected from a survey involving 115 respondents from organizations in Ghana that had implemented ERP systems. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling-partial least squares. The findings indicate that the Panoptic theory explains the relationships between the constructs better and confirms the positive impact of higher extent of ERP implementation on process management capabilities. Theoretical implications of the study include (1) the emergence of the Panoptic theory as a strong predictor of ERP implementation in SSA (2) the mediating effect of the Ethical factors and Organizational Integration (3) the panoptic theory has more predictability and can be more easily generalized than institutional theory, allowing the research to have a more global impact beyond SSA and (4) Contextual factors such as industry type, employee size, and ERP type influence ERP implementations in SSA. Practical Implications are: (1) ERP systems create information visibility which checks the ethical behaviour of employees and causes them to behave in a socially responsible manner (2) Organizations can achieve greater organizational integration by increasing their extent of ERP implementation and (3) Governments and regulatory bodies must institute policies and protocols that encourage ERP adoption.
Financial literacy among University students: evidence from Ghana
(2015-07-11) Mireku, Kwame
The effects of organizational work-life balance policies on employee engagement
(2015-07-13) Asiedu-Appiah, Felicity
Underpinned by the boundary management theory, organisational support theory, role theory and other related theories, the study proposed and tested a multi-level model that simultaneously examined the intermediate linkages or mechanisms through which work-life balance (WLB) impact individual and organisational work-related outcomes. First and underpinned by boundary management theories, the study examined at the organisational level, collective employee awareness and usage of organizational WLB policies, as pathways through which the adoption and implementation of WLB policies influences collective experience of WLB at the organizational level. Second and, underpinned by organisational support (perceived organizational support) and social exchange (employee engagement) theories, the study examined cross level mechanisms through which experienced WLB may influence employee work-related attitude and behaviour such as cognitive engagement and perceived organisational support. At the individual level of the model, the study investigated the linkages between job resources and its potential outcomes such as work-life enrichment, perceived organizational support and behavioural engagement on the basis of organizational support theory, role and spill-over theories. Propositions made in this study were also tested with multisource data obtained from junior and senior staff, and managers of 30 organisations from the three major sectors of the Ghanaian economy. Results of the hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) analysis revealed that (i) collective employee awareness and usage of WLB policies influenced collective experience of WLB at the organisational level. Additionally, results of hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) tests of the cross-level influences on the motivational implications of WLB revealed that, collective awareness, usage and experience of WLB had positive and significant influence on perceived organizational support at the individual level. The result also indicates iii that employees‘ collective experience of work-life balance (EWLB) significantly but negatively moderates the relationship between employee cognitive engagement and perceived organisational support (POS) such that at low levels of cognitive engagement, high EWLB influences POS more than low EWLB. Results from HMR analysis of level one hypotheses revealed that job resources led to work-life enrichment, perceived organizational support and behavioural engagement among employees. Employees‘ satisfaction with WLB policies partially mediated the relationship between job resources and employees‘ behavioural engagement, while traditional gender role partially mediated the relationship between work-life enrichment and perceived organizational support. Additionally, perceived organisational support had a direct influence on behavioural engagement. Based on the findings of the study, theoretical and managerial/practical implications for WLB research are discussed. Limitations related to the field-nature of the study as well as content areas for future programmatic research aimed at enhancing the nomological network of WLB and employee engagement are also discussed.

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