Bono East Research Articles

An exploratory study on excess weight gain: Experiences of Postmenopausal Women in Ghana.

Excess weight gain is a problem with a significant impact on health and quality of life as well as the consequent economic burden on human populations. While society advocates preference for excess weight gain, limited evidence exists concerning postmenopausal women's experiences in Ghana. The current study explored the experiences regarding excess weight (overweight and obesity) gain among Ghanaian postmenopausal women in Bono East (Techiman) region. This is a qualitative exploratory descriptive study where anthropometric measurements [body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)] were determined and participants who were identified with excess weight (obesity and overweight) were recruited to participate in a focus group discussion (FGD). Four focus group discussions were held and 24 postmenopausal women (>45 years) in Techiman took part. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. From the qualitative analysis of the FGD, three major themes emerged from the study namely, (i) perception of body weight, (ii) measures to reduce body weight, and (iii) support to adhere to the weight management program. Sub-themes revealed that weight gained was viewed as the presence of diseases and admired by society as a culturally accepted body image. Diet-related changes, a combination of diet modification and physical activity, and weight management supplements emerged as measures to reduce excess weight. Support to adhere to the weight program included health education, access, affordable exercise facilities, and social support. Sociocultural norms influence the image perception and acceptance of weight gain among postmenopausal women in Ghana, but there is an acknowledgment of the perceived negative health implications of such excess weight. Measures for weight reduction and support to adhere to the weight reduction programme require attention in Ghana.

Myth or reality? The Digitalization of Climate-Smart Agriculture (DCSA) practices in smallholding agriculture in the Bono East Region of Ghana

Digitalization of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices leverages the power of digital agriculture tools/services (DATs) of any form (hardware, software, or data) in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices to promote enhanced adaptation, GHGs emissions mitigation and increase productivity for smallholding agriculture. This research used a mixture of participatory and learning approaches with an emphasis on Expert Interviews and a Large-scale Household Survey involving 1219 farmers in the Bono East of Ghana to assess the awareness and utilization of DATs in smallholder farmers' CSA practices. Precisely, we assess farmers' engagement with Digital Agriculture Services (DAS) and DAT such as; TVs, Radios, Mobile phones/Tablets, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/Drones, Soil Sensor, Moisture Meters, Rain Gauges, Farm Management Software, Smartphone Applications, and Field Thermometers. The research suggests that the ubiquity of TVs, Radios, and feature phones in rural communities makes these tools the most used devices in farmers' climate-smart practices. However, the level of awareness, availability, accessibility, and utilization of complex tools such as UAVs and simpler tools such as soil sensors, moisture meters, field thermometers, rain gauges, smartphone applications (Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.), and farm management software is minimal among rural farmers.The DAS facilitating farmers' climate-smart practices is limited to Digital Agroadvisory Purposes (digital extension), Agri-Digital Finance, and Digital Procurement services, while engagement with other DAS, such as Agri E-Commerce which facilitates most CSA Institution/Market Smart practice, is non-existing in rural communities. In addition, the Digitalization of Climate-Smart Agriculture, in its present form, is only limited to a few CSA practices and DATs engagement among smallholders owing to unmet training and information needs for most Climate-Smart Agriculture practices and interventions. Challenges such as DATs' unavailability, inaccessibility, high cost, high (digital)illiteracy, and inadequate extension support for the digitalization of CSA practices limit uptake. The study proposes increased capacity building for smallholders on CSA practice and interventions. Likewise, a strong public–private partnership across multiple scales is needed to stimulate needed investment to enhance farmers' access to affordable, easy-to-use, and tailor-made DATs while recognizing the power dependence and inequalities these digital tools may unleash in rural communities. Finally, increasing sensitization on DAT's use and benefits in rural communities and the larger population is critical to enhancing the widespread Digitalization of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices in smallholding agriculture.

Ghana health service performance appraisal system: a cross-sectional study on practices and perceptions among employees in the Bono East Region of Ghana, West Africa.

the fulcrum of every organization lies in the productivity of its employees. Consequently, organizations have adopted a policy of fostering an organizational culture that promotes employee development, resulting in the consistent use of performance evaluation systems particularly, performance appraisals (PA). Nonetheless, the issue of concern for several organizations is whether PA will truly be an adequate tool for maximizing employee´s performance. Here is where it becomes important to gauge the perceptions and practices of Ghana Health Service (GHS) employees in the Bono East Region of Ghana, West Africa, towards these performance appraisal systems (PAS). the study used an institutional-based cross-sectional study. Using simple random sampling, 375 health workers were recruited using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Stata. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significance. the study revealed that the majority of the respondents (86.7%) had completed the performance appraisal form. Out of which 47.7% complete and submit PA every year, followed by those who complete and submit during promotion time (24.3%), every half year (15.1%) and anytime (12.9%). The key determinants of PA completion include; increasing age (AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.08-4.62), male staff (AOR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.16-4.91), permanent GHS employees (AOR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.07-7.86), respondents who had worked for 3 to 7 years (AOR=5.53, 95% CI: 2.48-12.36) and those with over 7 years working experience (AOR=20.80, 95% CI: 5.43-79.74). the study identified that the majority of the respondents completed PA, but quite an encouraging number of them do not complete PA at the required period as expected. Age, male staff, permanent employment, and increasing years of experience were the significant predictors of PA completion. Continuous professional development for GHS staff on PAS is required. The GHS human resource division should organize stakeholders´ engagement with facilities managers and employees on the PAS to inform all managers and employees on what is required from everyone.

The Use of Religious Capital as a Coping Strategy in Self-care by Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Ghanaian Hospital

Given the importance Ghanaians attribute to spirituality and religiosity in terms of disease causation and management, this study explored the use of religious capital as a coping strategy by individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in self-care at the Techiman Holy Family Hospital Diabetes Clinic in the Bono East Region of Ghana. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research design was employed for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of twenty-seven (27) individuals recruited from the diabetes clinic. Content analysis was employed to find themes, which included: (1) Use of Prayer and Fasting for Courage from God, (2) Reliance on God as the Creator of Human Beings who Cures and Heals Diseases in the Body, (3) God as Source of life in times of Illness (Drawing life from God in times of illness), (4) Faith and Hope in God, and (5) Doctors and Nurses as Substitutes for God. The findings advocate the need to incorporate religiosity and spirituality into the provision of healthcare for individuals with diabetes to help them live productive lives.

Preferences for Seed Quality and Cultivar Characteristics of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) by Farmers in Ghana

Peanut remains a major staple and important cash crop in Ghana. Seed quality is a critical component of successful peanut production in Ghana. A survey of 200 peanut farmers documented perceptions of seed quality attributes in 2019 in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Bono East, and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. Farmer-saved seed was the main source of seed for planting. High germination rate was the primary attribute of seed in the selection process. Farmers indicated that a premium would be considered for high quality seed. Farmers also agreed that certified seed and farmer saved seed provided high quality relative to seed found in local markets with respect to cultivar purity, germination, and seedling vigor. Shitaochi was the most popular cultivar. Early maturation was the most desired characteristic listed by farmers. These findings support the need for greater investment in seed quality for certified seed production and the need for improved regulation of seed sold in open markets.

Mapping under-five child malaria risk that accounts for environmental and climatic factors to aid malaria preventive and control efforts in Ghana: Bayesian geospatial and interactive web-based mapping methods

BackgroundUnder-five child malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, especially among sub-Saharan African countries like Ghana. In Ghana, malaria is responsible for about 20,000 deaths in children annually of which 25% are those aged < 5 years. To provide opportunities for efficient malaria surveillance and targeted control efforts amidst limited public health resources, the study produced high resolution interactive web-based spatial maps that characterized geographical differences in malaria risk and identified high burden communities.MethodsThis modelling and web-based mapping study utilized data from the 2019 Malaria Indicators Survey (MIS) of the Demographic and Health Survey Program. A novel and advanced Bayesian geospatial modelling and mapping approaches were utilized to examine predictors and geographical differences in under-five malaria. The model was validated via a cross-validation approach. The study produced an interactive web-based visualization map of the malaria risk by mapping the predicted malaria prevalence at both sampled and unsampled locations.ResultsIn 2019, 718 (25%) of 2867 under-five children surveyed had malaria. Substantial geographical differences in under-five malaria risk were observed. ITN coverage (log-odds 4.5643, 95% credible interval = 2.4086–6.8874), travel time (log-odds 0.0057, 95% credible interval = 0.0017–0.0099) and aridity (log-odds = 0.0600, credible interval = 0.0079–0.1167) were predictive of under-five malaria in the spatial model. The overall predicted national malaria prevalence was 16.3% (standard error (SE) 8.9%) with a range of 0.7% to 51.4% in the spatial model with covariates and prevalence of 28.0% (SE 13.9%) with a range of 2.4 to 67.2% in the spatial model without covariates. Residing in parts of Central and Bono East regions was associated with the highest risk of under-five malaria after adjusting for the selected covariates.ConclusionThe high-resolution interactive web-based predictive maps can be used as an effective tool in the identification of communities that require urgent and targeted interventions by programme managers and implementers. This is key as part of an overall strategy in reducing the under-five malaria burden and its associated morbidity and mortality in a country with limited public health resources where universal intervention is practically impossible.

Formative Assessment Conceptions and Practices of Junior High School Social Studies Teachers in the Techiman Municipality of Ghana

The study investigated formative assessment conceptions and practices among the teachers of social studies in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region of Ghana. The research was undertaken with the view of finding answers and making suggestions that could help improve the formative assessment practices specifically in social studies. A census was conducted in the eighty-four (84) public Junior High Schools in the Techiman Municipality in the Bono East Region. All the ninety-five (95) Social Studies teachers in the public Junior High Schools in the Municipality were selected for the study. A 50-item questionnaire including 2 open-ended questions was developed for the teachers. The data collected were analysed by using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that, the teachers had correct conception of formative assessment and saw its relevance in the classroom, however, their assessment practices were not formative enough. The teachers’ assessment practices were influenced by external factors. It is recommended that pressures such as demand for continuous assessment marks to grade students ought to be reduced to allow the teachers practice assessment as professionals.

Factors Affecting Trainees’ Performance in Organic Chemistry in Colleges of Education in Ghana

This study aimed to investigate the underlying fundamental causes of trainees’ poor performance in organic chemistry. For the study, a descriptive survey design was employed. In all, 182 level 300 science students from four Colleges of Education in the Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions which constitute the ASHBA zone were purposively selected. Participants in the study were given a set of self-created questionnaires to fill out in order to get their opinions on the perceived causes of trainees’ poor performance in organic chemistry. The data collected were analyzed quantitatively using factor analysis. The results from the study showed that teacher factors, student factors and school related factors affect trainee’s low performance in organic chemistry. It was therefore recommended that colleges must provide a conducive environment and teaching learning materials for teachers to use appropriate teaching methodology to help trainees enhance their performance.

Empirical examination of financial and economic viability of Moringa oleifera production in the Bono East Region, Ghana

ABSTRACT This paper aims to assess the financial and economic viability of Moringa oleifera production as well as processing yield using data collected from 75 moringa farmers and a processing firm in the Bono East Region of Ghana. Descriptive statistics, as well as the discounted and non-discounted measures of project worth, were employed as analytical tools. A three-scenario based sensitivity analysis followed this to measure the robustness of the viability indicators to varying parameter values. The results revealed that an investment in Moringa oleifera production has a payback period of 1 year, 10 months, NPV of GH₵ 4,857.46(US$ 833), a BCR of 1.65 and an IRR of 63%, indicating Moringa oleifera production in the Bono East Region is viable. Considering the viability of this plantation and the potential it portrays for sustainable development, income generation, and job creation, we recommend that governments, Non-Governmental Organizations, and donor agencies support, invest, and encourage the cultivation, consumption, and activities of value addition to Moringa oleifera in their programs. This will lead to nutritional security, youth empowerment and liberation of villages and rural communities from intense poverty. It is also recommended that the government includes moringa plantation in its planting for food and jobs programs.

The need for adoption of improved technologies to address challenges in small-scale cassava processing in Ghana

The cassava processing industry in Ghana is dominated by small-scale processors who contribute valuably in terms of processed products such as gari, cassava flour, and cassava dough, among others, and as a result play a major role in the postharvest food system of the country. Their activities depend mostly on traditional methods of processing which have limitations in relation to the quality and quantity of the processed cassava products. They also rely mostly on manual labour which can be slow, costly or unavailable. Mechanisation of key operations in cassava processing activities has been identified as a means of increasing production, reducing postharvest losses as well as saving time. This study sought to assess the need for adoption of interventions to address challenges encountered during processing of cassava into a local staple known as gari (roasted fermented cassava grits). Cassava processors in selected parts of Ashanti and Bono East regions of Ghana were involved in the study. Focus group discussions and semi-structured questionnaires were employed for data collection. Results show that the main technological interventions used by small-scale processors in gari production are the grating machine and screw press. It was, however, noted that other key areas that require interventions are peeling and roasting. All the processors interviewed use manual means for cassava peeling and it was identified as the operation that requires the highest number of persons (15-18 people), to peel about 5-6 tonnes of cassava using about 6-9 hours. The process of manual peeling was identified as the main source of postharvest loss during small-scale processing of gari, resulting in about 13.90 (±1.26) % loss of fresh cassava which can produce about 178 kg of gari (from 5-6 tonnes of cassava). An effective mechanical peeler is therefore identified as key to facilitate gari processing in terms of operation speed and eliminating the over-dependence on manual labour. Other important developed interventions like mechanical roasters and improved stoves are also recommended to enhance gari processing. Outcome from this study is useful to researchers, investors, processors, policy makers and other stakeholders on the specific aspects of the gari processing to focus on in terms of research and investment. Key words: Cassava processing, gari, peeling, drudgery, postharvest losses, mechanisation, manual labour

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among healthcare professionals in the Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana.

To assess the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitation among Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in the Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana. An analytical cross-sectional study. The study was carried out in the Kintampo North Municipality. All health care professionals within the Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. In all, 215 HCPs were included in this study. The overall vaccine acceptance was 78.6% among HCPs, while 21.4% were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority (57.7%) of HCPs believed that COVID-19 vaccines were safe. The following factors were found to influence vaccine acceptance significantly; those who knew someone who has taken the vaccine (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]; 14.9, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI];5.0-45.0, p<0.001), those who think COVID -19 vaccine in Ghana was safe (AOR;9.2, 95%CI;3.3-25.8, P<0.001), those who said vaccines are effective in controlling COVID-19 transmission (aOR=5.0, 95%CI;2.1-12.4, p<0.001), and those who have never refused vaccines in the past (aOR=7.8, 95CI;1.6-37.8, p=0.01). The study indicated high COVID-19 vaccination acceptability among HCPs. However, some HCPs are hesitant to take COVID-19 vaccinations immediately. Increased adoption of COVID-19 vaccinations among HCPs and the broader Ghanaian population requires concerted efforts, including strengthening public health education on the perceived risks and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. None declared.

Risk factors for COVID-19 virus infection among health workers: A case-control study in the Bono East Region of Ghana

BackgroundDisproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infection among health workers prompts the need to identify the risk factors to help guide the design and implementation of interventions. The aim of this study was to characterize the risk factors for COVID-19 infection among health workers.MethodsA case-control study was designed to recruit 154 health workers who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and 308 who tested negative from 8 hospitals and 11 health directorates in the Bono East Region of Ghana. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors.ResultsHand hygiene compliance for the recommended moments ranged from 55.3% to 77.4%. Personal protective equipments (PPE) use was 59.5% when patients’ COVID-19 status was unknown and at least 90.7% when patient was positive. We identified years of practice experience (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.07, 3.07; p=0.028), adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) when in contact with patients whose COVID-19 status is unspecified (AOR=1.71; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.70; p=0.020) and type of facility (AOR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.62; p=0.019) as risk factors.ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for health workers to improve in COVID-19 risk perception.

Descriptive Data Analysis of Tuberculosis Surveillance Data, Sene East District, Ghana, 2020

Introduction: Globally, Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health problem. In 2018, 10 million cases were diagnosed with 2.5 million in Africa and 44,000 in Ghana. Ghana's TB surveillance generates data routinely to be analyzed to detect changes in time, suspect outbreaks, rapidly respond to an event and monitor the impact of interventions. We analyzed TB surveillance data from Sene East District, Bono East Region of Ghana to estimate the TB case notification rate and describe the trends of confirmed TB cases and treatment outcomes.

Community pharmacists perception and role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease conditions: Evidence from Ghana.

Globally, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading non-communicable diseases with a high mortality if not detected and managed early. The study assessed community pharmacists' perception and determined their role in CVDs prevention and management. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 registered community pharmacists in the Ahafo, Bono and Bono East regions of Ghana. Data was collected using validated questionnaires through an online and in-person surveys. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and STATA 14.1. Community Pharmacists had knowledge on the concept of pharmaceutical care (n=93, 92.2%). The roles that Pharmacists played in CVD management and control included educating clients on their conditions and drug therapy, checking for possible drug interactions and screening for risk factors. The barriers to CV health promotion were increase of the pharmacist's workload (n=96, 93.2%), lack of time (n=91, 88.4%) and lack of CVD educational materials and clinical tools (n=56, 54.4%). Community pharmacists have a positive perception of their role in CVDs and performed various activities to reduce the burden of CVDs. However, cardiovascular health promotion in community pharmacies is hindered by increase of the pharmacist's workload, lack of time and lack of CVD educational materials.

Coping and Adaptation Strategies by Small-Scale Farmers in the Pru district of Ghana: Legal Orders Imposed by State and Non-State Actors

The Pru district has been affected by large-scale land acquisition activities as most smallholder farmers have been affected. However, this study teased out the coping and the adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers to mitigate the effects of large-scale land acquisition in the Pru district in the Bono East Region of Ghana. The study employed a mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) approach, where farming households and smallholder farmers were interviewed. Focus group discussions were also conducted to solicit data from farmer-based associations to help in the attainment of the objectives of the study. Primary and secondary sources of data were employed in the study. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study found out that smallholder farmers cope and adapt to a situation differently as most cope with the re-location of farms too far places by leaving the house early and reducing the number of days of visit as smallholder farmers bought motorbikes as their adaptive strategies. The study revealed that smallholder farmers engaged in fishing activities, keeping backyard gardening and depending on family and friends for support as a coping and adaptation strategy.

Sustainable charcoal production drive in rural communities in Ghana, West Africa

Data was gathered with semi-structured questionnaires from 492 charcoal producers in three rural communities (Adaprase, Komfourkrom, and Papaase) in the Bono East Region of Ghana. This study assesses the demographics of charcoal producers, species used for charcoal, and how producers intend to sustain the charcoal industry in terms of acquisition of wood resources/raw materials. Seven major species, namely Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea tree), Anogeissus leiocarpus (Kane), Pterocarpus erinaceus (Krayie), Erythrophleum ivorense (Potrodom), Afzelia africana (Papao), Parkia biglobosa (Sorono), and Daniella oliveri (Senya) were identified for charcoal production. Among these species, Shea tree was ranked first in exploitation and used by about 80% of the entire population of charcoal producers in the researched communities and puts the future of this species at risk if no intervention. Meanwhile, shea tree has been identified as a very high economic value in Ghana. In addition, people with various genders, educational backgrounds, and occupations were engaged in charcoal production, but most of them were male and between the ages of 15–47. Most charcoal producers intend to establish plantations to sustain the industry while others believe in natural regeneration of species. The charcoal industry serves as a major source of income for over 90% of the inhabitants in these communities and is it therefore not recommend-able to close the industry but incorporate interventions towards sustainability.

Trade credit from agrochemical vendors as an alternative source of finance for cabbage producers in the Bono East Region of Ghana

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine trade credit from agrochemical vendors as an alternative source of finance for cabbage producers in the Bono East Region of Ghana. The determinants of trade credit supply and impact on cabbage producer’s profitability are investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample size is 260. The perception index, probit regression, negative binomial regression and the propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to assess the perception of trade credit, factors influencing trade credit supply and the impact of trade credit supply on the cabbage producer’s profitability and agrochemical vendor’s welfare respectively.FindingsThe perception index analysis revealed that the agrochemical vendors, in general, had a positive perception of trade credit. Different groups of factors influence trade credit supply. Further along, the number of times trade credit was used by the cabbage producers was influenced by several factors. On the PSM result, trade credit use had a significant positive impact on the cabbage producer’s profitability. In detail, all the matching estimations revealed that profitability increased above Gh¢ 4,000.00 (US$ 692.04). Likewise, the robustness check result (Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA)), was no different from the matching estimations. Generally, the result indicates that the impact of trade credit supply on the agrochemical vendor's welfare using total household expenditure, total savings and income as proxy variables for welfare were positive.Originality/valueTrade credit has encountered less attention in the agricultural finance discourse; however, this study makes an imperative contribution on the same. Specifically, the study reveals the determinants of trade credit supply from agrochemical vendors and a positive impact of trade credit use on the cabbage producer’s profitability, a result which has not been investigated in the trade credit literature.

Selenium Geo-Availability in Stream Sediments in Selected Communities in the Kintampo Area of the Bono East Region of Ghana

Selenium is a necessary trace element naturally found in rocks, soil, water and some food crops that contributes to human development. Due to its role in maintaining normal functions of the human body and the health problems associated with its deficiency and toxicity, it is referred to as the 'double-edged sword element'. A total of 43 stream sediment samples were collected using a Global Positioning System receiver to navigate predetermined locations. Selenium concentration in the samples was assessed using inductively coupled plasma/optical mass spectrometry technique and pH measured with a pH meter. The pollution status of Selenium was determined by calculating the degree of contamination, pollution load and geo-accumulation indices. Stream sediments were underlain by sedimentary rocks with lithologies such as sandstone, mudstone, shale and phyllite. Out of the 43 samples analyzed, 35 (81%) were deficient in selenium. Selenium levels ranged from &lt; 0.2 mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg with a geometric mean of 0.11 mg/kg reflecting the global background value in sedimentary rocks. The study found almost the entire area to be deficient in selenium. The low selenium geo-availability may adversely affect its bioavailability in food crops with profound public health implications for inhabitants of the study area who derive dietary selenium through the consumption of these crops. Consequently, our findings call for further research into the link between Se content of food crops grown in the study context, human blood selenium levels and health outcomes in the population to facilitate the potential implementation of remedial public health interventions.

Pre- and Post-Harvest Practices and Varietal Preferences of Tomato in Ghana

Tailored interventions in the tomato sector require current information on production and marketing systems along with the constraints faced by the stakeholders. We conducted this study to understand the current production practices, stakeholders’ varietal preferences, tomato market trends, and challenges along the crop’s value chains. A multistage sampling method coupled with a random walk was used to identify survey locations and identify 180 respondents across seven regions in Ghana. The study showed that tomato was predominantly produced by male (81%) and literate farmers (84%). Tomato farmers were smallholder farmers generally cultivating less than five acres. Tomato was mainly cultivated under rainfed conditions. Farmers used both bought seeds and their own saved seeds for production. Farmers in Bono, Greater Accra, and the Upper East region largely cultivated improved tomato varieties, while farmers in the Bono East region cultivated local varieties. Across the regions, being a male and having access to irrigation facilities increased the probability of using improved varieties by 19% and 51%, respectively. The most important farmer and market preference criteria included high yield, medium to large fruit size and rounded fruit shape, red color, time to maturity and disease resistance. The major production challenges of tomato production included diseases, pests, and poor access to water for irrigation. The average yield of tomato varied from 6902.26 kg/ha in the Bono Region to 16,213.98 kg/ha in Bono East. Tomato was exclusively produced for fresh market. The major marketing challenges were low producer prices, low demand for produce, and competition from other farmers. This study provides key information to improve tomato value chains and guide the introduction or breeding of improved tomato varieties.

National inventory of authorized diagnostic imaging equipment in Ghana: data as of September 2020.

Introductionto address the challenge of inadequate and non-equitable distribution of diagnostic imaging equipment, countries are encouraged to evaluate the distribution of installed systems and undertake adequate monitoring to ensure equitability. Ghana´s medical imaging resources have been analyzed in this study and evaluated against the status in other countries.Methodsdata on registered medical imaging equipment were retrieved from the database of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and analyzed. The equipment/population ratio was mapped out graphically for the 16 regions of Ghana. Comparison of the equipment/population ratio was made with the situation in other countries.Resultssix hundred and seventy-four diagnostic imaging equipment units from 266 medical imaging facilities (2.5 units/facility), comprising computed tomography (CT), general X-ray, dental X-ray, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gamma camera, fluoroscopy, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were surveyed nationally. None of the imaging systems measured above the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average imaging units per million populations (u/mp). The overall equipment/population ratio estimated nationally was 21.4 u/mp. Majority of the imaging systems were general X-ray, installed in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. The regional estimates of equipment/population ratios were Greater Accra (49.6 u/mp), Ashanti (22.4 u/mp), Western (21.4 u/mp), Eastern (20.6 u/mp), Bono East (20.0 u/mp), Bono (19.2 u/mp), Volta (17.9 u/mp), Upper West (16.7 u/mp), Oti (12.5 u/mp), Central (11.9 u/mp), Northern (8.9 u/mp), Ahafo (8.9 u/mp), Upper East (6.9 u/mp), Western North (6.7 u/mp), Savannah (5.5 u/mp) and North-East (1.7 u/mp).Conclusionmedical imaging equipment shortfall exist across all imaging modalities in Ghana. A wide inter-regional disparity in the distribution of medical imaging equipment exists contrary to WHO´s recommendation for equitable distribution. A concerted national plan will be needed to address the disparity.