Brong-Ahafo Region Of Ghana Research Articles

An assessment of current status, future trends and opportunities for improving mango production in Ghana

Ghana has a very young, rapidly expanding, mango sector with commercial production commencing from the early 2000s. Fresh export has proved challenging but significant processing industries which produce dried and fresh-cut mango have emerged as leading players. Despite considerable potential for mango production and the steady growth in yields over the last decade, mango production in Ghana is being constrained by a number of technical, agronomic and structural problems. Eastern and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana are the leading areas of mango production. Of the total mango production in Ghana, 60% is under small-scale production of less than 15 acres. A traditional system based on big trees and rain feeding and dominated by one cultivar ('Keitt') makes up 94% of all mangoes established. Over-reliance upon a single cultivar has resulted in large seasonal variation in production and a short production window. Crop failure, due to failure to induce flowering and flower death, is common in Ghana's highly unpredictable rainfall pattern. Pest infestations caused by fruit fly and increasingly mango seed weevil have undermined efforts to promote fresh export and are a major cause of reject fruit. As a young industry, there is not the experience or technical know-how required to address these issues. Inadequate infrastructure hampers the integration of more rural farmers and further raises the cost and risk of production and export of mangoes from Ghana. It is estimated that Ghana has a little over 12,000 acres under mango production which produces about 23,000 t year-1. Acreages are increasing by 1000-2000 acres year-1 and establishments are continuing. From the total mangoes produced, 40% are exported in any form, with the rest being consumed on the local markets. The private sector have been at the forefront of advancing the mango sector by raising standards and encouraging moves towards higher density and small tree systems, introduction of new cultivars, building farmers' capacity, inputs accessibility and export market promotion. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to assist farms to achieve Global GAP certification.

Effects of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre on Rural Enterprise Growth among Women Beneficiaries in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana

Effects of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre on Rural Enterprise Growth among Women Beneficiaries in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana

Human health risk assessment of cyanide levels in water and tuber crops from Kenyasi, a mining community in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

BackgroundCyanide is among the most harmful substances on Earth and it is harmful to humans and most aquatic life even at low concentrations. Free, total cyanide levels and other physicochemical parameters were determined in fish, cassava, cocoyam, dam and borehole water samples collected from Kenyasi, Ghana. A total of sixteen (16) water samples, five (5) fish samples, twenty (20) cassava and cocoyam tubers were collected from the study area. Free and total cyanide levels were determined using Skalar San++ Automated Wet Chemistry Analyser with Continuous Flow method.ResultsThe mean free cyanide levels in fish, cassava, cocoyam, dam and borehole water samples were 63.09, 33.26, 15.44, 0.16 and 0.18 mg/L, respectively, while the mean total cyanide levels were 93.60, 43.47, 29.62, 21.70 and 25.09 mg/L in fish, cassava, cocoyam, dam and borehole water samples, respectively. The mean pH value in fish, cassava, cocoyam, dam and borehole water samples were 6.90, 6.46, 6.82, 5.84 and 6.59, respectively. The mean conductivity was 153.64, 156.83, 76.03, 207.39 and 205.99 in fish, cassava, cocoyam, dam and borehole water samples, respectively. Results of two-way Analysis of Variance test showed that the variation in free cyanide levels was significant (p < 0.05) in the fish, cassava, cocoyam, dam and borehole water samples. Moreover, the hazard index results via ingestion and dermal contact with children are >1, including fish ingestion by an adult. This signifies adverse non-carcinogenic risk. The persistent intake of cassava and cocoyam can probably induce adverse health effects.ConclusionsFrom the results, it can be concluded that fish, cassava and water samples at Dam 4, Dam 7 and BH1 were not safe for consumption since they recorded values higher than the set limits. Therefore, people are advised not to feed on the cassava product, fish and consume water samples located close to Dam 4, Dam 7 and BH1.

An Exploration of Edible Palm Weevil Larvae (Akokono) as a Source of Nutrition and Livelihood: Perspectives From Ghanaian Stakeholders.

Meeting the nutritive needs of infants and young children is a challenge in Ghana. Alternative animal source foods, including insects, could enhance infant and young child dietary quality while also improving livelihoods. To investigate the perspectives of Ghanaian stakeholders on the acceptability of the palm weevil larvae ( akokono) as a food source and the feasibility of micro-farming this local edible insect as a complementary food for infants and young children. We conducted an ethnographic study in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. First, 48 caregivers were asked questions about feeding and care practices, including attitudes toward production and consumption of akokono. Then, a selection of previously interviewed respondents joined 1 of 8 focus group discussions to provide further insight on key themes that emerged from earlier interviews. Concurrently, interviews with 25 other key local stakeholders were conducted. Respondents generally had favorable perceptions of akokono as a nutritious food. A small minority would not consume akokono for religious reasons. Key factors positively influencing the acceptability of akokono as a complementary food were familiarity with the consumption of akokono by the primary caregiver and health worker endorsement of akokono. Stakeholders consider the larvae farmable and were open to its domestication. Anticipated barriers to scaling up akokono micro-farming include a need for greater familiarity with and acceptance of the insect as food for infants and young children and creation of a sustainable market. Engagement with stakeholders, including health workers, will facilitate use of akokono as a complementary food.

Relationship Lending and Its Effects on Transaction Cost of Obtaining Credit. The Case of Maize Farmers in Ghana

This paper investigates the effects of relationship lending on the transaction costs of obtaining credit from financial institutions by maize farmers in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana. A survey 380 farmers from five and three districts respectively in Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana was employed to gather the data used in this study. Multi-stage purposive and randomized sampling technique was used to sample the maize farmers. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate transaction costs and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents while multiple regression analysis was used to measure the effects of relationship lending on transaction costs of maize farmers when taking credit facilities. The transaction cost model was estimated using OLS regression. Similar to many financial institutions operating in other developing countries, access to a loan in Ghana imposes high transaction costs upon mostly poor rural households who are engaged in maize production and sale. The results showed that access to financial information, prompt repayment of loans when it falls due and having investments with banks have the tendency to reduce the transaction cost of obtaining credit by farmers significantly. Also keeping non mandatory savings and increase in the number of years of dealing with the bank have the likelihood of reducing transaction cost of borrowing. However dealing with multiple banks increases the transaction cost for the farmer. Thus, any policy aimed at improving farmer-banker relationships would significantly reduce the farmers transaction cost of borrowing.

Collateral Pledge: Does Relationship Lending Matters? The Case of Maize Farmers in Ghana

A survey was employed to gather the primary data needed to assess how relationship lending affect the collateral that must be pledged by the maize farmer borrowers when taking credit from financial institutions. The farmers were selected from 8 districts in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana. Multi-stage purposive and randomized sampling technique was used to sample 380 maize farmers. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate collateral and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents while logit regression analysis was used to measure the effects of relationship lending on collateral used to secure loans taken by maize farmers. The results revealed farmer’s access to information has a reverse and significant with the collateral used to secure loans .multiple banking relationships is significant and directly related to the collateral used by farmers. The previous loan repayment behavior inversely affects the collateral pledge and is significant. Farmers who have investments with the bank are able to argue for lower or no collateral since those investments are used as securities. This explains the negative relationship with the collateral pledge. Thus farmers are encouraged to build more relationship with their banks in the form of investments, good repayments, getting more information minimizing the number of banks they deal with.

Application of livelihood vulnerability index in assessing smallholder maize farming households' vulnerability to climate change in Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana

Climate change is adversely affecting smallholder farming households in Africa and in particular in Ghana because their activity depends on climate-regulated water resources. This study examined the vulnerability of smallholder maize farming households to climate change in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana by employing the Livelihood Vulnerability Index with particular emphasis on access to and utilization of water resources. The primary data were based on 150 maize farming households, complemented by secondary data on rainfall and temperature over the period 1983–2013. To assess the climate change effects and related vulnerability, a comparative analysis was performed for the Wenchi and Techiman municipalities in the Brong-Ahafo region. The empirical results revealed that farming households in Wenchi municipality were more vulnerable to climate change and weather variability in terms of food, water, and health than those in Techiman municipality. Furthermore, farming households in Wenchi municipality were more vulnerable in terms of adaptive capacity, taking into account the socio-demographic aspects, social networks, and livelihoods of households in the municipality than those in Techiman municipality. These results have implications for the initiation and implementation of climate change adaptation and household resilience projects by the government, donor agencies, and other related organizations in the two municipalities in the region.

Knowledge of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic prescription practices among prescribers in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana; a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance (ABR) has become a major public health challenge in most parts of the world including Ghana and is a major threat to gain in bacterial disease control. The role of prescribers in the control of antibiotics is identified as crucial in developing interventions to control ABR. To guide policy recommendations on ABR, a study was carried out among prescribers to identify gaps in their knowledge of ABR and to document their prescription practices.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted among prescribers from both public and private facilities in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana using both quantitative and qualitative methods in 2014.ResultsThree hundred and seventy nine prescribers participated in the quantitative study and a subset of 33 participated in in-depth interviews. Majority (50.0%) of the prescribers interviewed were nurses. Most (51.0%) of the prescribers were located in hospitals. Knowledge of ABR was high among all the prescribers. About 80.0% percent of all prescribers agreed that the antibiotics that are currently used could lose its efficacy in future. There is no singular formal source of information on antibiotic resistance. The prescribers held a strong perception that antibiotic resistance is imminent though their knowledge on various resistant bacterial strains was limited. Prescribers attributed ABR burden to factors such as poor prescription practices and limited ABR control measures. The prescription practices of the prescribers vary but were mostly inappropriate among the lower cadre.ConclusionThe knowledge of ABR is high among prescribers. There is however a gap in the knowledge and perception of optimal antibiotic prescription practices among prescribers. There is the need for a formal source of information on ABR to support prescriber’s antibiotic prescription practices.

Two years post affordable medicines facility for malaria program: availability and prices of anti-malarial drugs in central Ghana

BackgroundThe Affordable Medicines Facility for malaria (AMFm) Program was a subsidy aimed at artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in order to increase availability, affordability, and market share of ACTs in 8 malaria endemic countries in Africa. The WHO supervised the manufacture of the subsidized products, named them Quality Assured ACTs (QAACT) and printed a Green Leaf Logo on all QAACT packages. Ghana began to receive the subsidized QAACTs in 2010.MethodsA cross-sectional stock survey was conducted at 63 licensed chemical shops (LCS) and private pharmacies in two districts of the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana to determine the availability and price of all anti-malarial treatments. Drug outlets were visited over a 3-weeks period in October and November of 2014, about 2 years after the end of AMFm program.ResultsAt least one QAACT was available in 88.9% (95% CI 80.9% – 96.8%) of all drug outlets with no difference between urban and rural locations. Non-Assured ACTs (NAACT) were significantly more available in urban drug outlets [75.0% availability (95% CI 59.1% – 90.9%)] than in rural drug outlets [16.1% availability (95% CI 2.4% – 29.9%)]. The top selling product was Artemether Lumefantrine with the Green Leaf Logo, a QAACT. There was a significant difference in the mean price of a QAACT [$1.04 USD (95% CI $0.98 – $1.11)], and the mean price of a NAACT in both the urban and rural areas [$2.46 USD (95% CI $2.11 – $2.81)]. There was no significant difference in the price of any product that was available in urban and rural settingsConclusionAbout 2 years after the AMFm program, subsidized QAACTs in Ghana were widely available and more affordable than NAACTs in the Kintampo North District and Kintampo South Municipality of Ghana. The AMFm program appeared to have mostly succeeded in making QAACTs available and affordable.

The gender gap in relation to happiness and preferences in married couples after childbirth: evidence from a field experiment in rural Ghana

BackgroundHow does the gap in preferences between married couples affect their happiness after childbirth? Are couples that share similar preferences happier? In recent years, gender, marriage, and happiness have been considered to be key issues in public health research. Although much research has examined the happiness status of married couples, practically no study has explored the gender gap in relation to happiness and the preferences of married couples after childbirth. Therefore, our study was conducted to assess the association between the preference gap and the happiness status among married couples in the afterbirth period.MethodsWe conducted a field experiment in rural communities in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana. Participants were 80 married couples who had experienced childbirth within 2 years prior to the survey. As preference indicators, we measured trust, reciprocity, altruism, and risk lovingness through an economic experiment. Then, we assessed how, for a couple, the gap between these preferences affected their happiness.ResultsWives’ happiness was positively associated with the absolute value of the gap in risk lovingness between a couple (OR = 4.83, p = 0.08), while husbands’ happiness was negatively associated with the gap in trust (OR = −3.58, p = 0.04) or altruism (OR = −3.33, p = 0.02). Within a couple, wives felt greater happiness than their husbands if there was a wider gap in trust (OR = 6.22, p = 0.01), reciprocity (OR = 2.80, p = 0.01), or risk lovingness (OR = 3.81, p = 0.07).ConclusionsThe gender gaps in the preference indicators were found to be closely associated with the happiness levels between married couples after childbirth. For the further improvement of maternal and child health, we must consider the gender gaps between couples in relation to happiness and preferences.

The Epidemic Preparedness of the Tain District in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana: A Case for the Meningitis Outbreak of 2015/2016

The Epidemic Preparedness of the Tain District in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana: A Case for the Meningitis Outbreak of 2015/2016

Evaluating the Constraints to Development of Agricultural Insurance for Cashew Crop Farmers in Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana

Research evidence from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in 2011 gives credence to the notion that cashew development would mitigate the impact of climate change on cocoa in 2012. This makes cashew development imperative, however to do so requires access to credit from financial institutions, which ration credits when it comes to lending to the agricultural sector. Research evidence has shown a correlation between agricultural insurance and loan uptake in Malawi and Ghana. However an evaluation of the cashew subsector in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana with an aim of developing agricultural insurance schemes for cashew crop farmers has not been without constraints. This study sought to investigate the key constraints that would impede the development of agricultural insurance for cashew crop farmers in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Based on a positivist research philosophy, the study employed quantitative techniques. A multistage sampling technique was employed, which involved purposively selecting stakeholders of Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool (GAIP). A simple random sampling technique was also employed to select 30 pool stakeholders from GAIP. Data were collected by means of structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed by employing descriptive statistics, and the Kendall coefficient of concordance was used in identifying and analyzing the perceived constraints to developing agricultural insurance for the cashew crop farmers in the study area. The result from the survey indicated that high marketing cost; high premiums (making the product unaffordable); lack of agricultural insurance legislation; low availability of data; lack of knowledge about product development; and lack of qualified personnel in the area of agricultural insurance were some of the perceived constraints that would impede the development of agricultural insurance in the study area. Thus a Public Private Partnership approach, as well as research and development, is imperative to overcome the financial, marketing, institutional, technical data, human resources and legal constraints to agricultural insurance and cashew development in the study area.

Assessment of Honey Quality in Ghana: A Pilot Study of Honeys Produced in Drobo and Berekum

Honey is a natural source of food with countless health benefits. This study was to investigate the quality of honey from well-known honey extraction modes in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. 24 honey samples were taken from bee farms in two districts in the region and subjected to physicochemical and microbiology analysis. Moisture content of the honeys, their pH, water insoluble solids, and sugar were determined. ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 16140-1: 2016 methods of microbial assays were done to determine the presence of aerobes, coliforms, E.coli and fungi. Statistical analysis was carried out using the GraphPad Prism 5. The results indicated that moisture content of the honeys ranged from 14.46%-22.31%. The pH values were within the acidity range (4.1-4.3), whiles water insoluble solids ranged from 0.56% to 8.50%; sucrose level ranged from 2.64%-3.12%, but the pressed honey had the highest glucose+fructose (90%). There was significant differences (p<0.05) in the microbial quality of the honeys from the two districts, and under the different treatments. Cold extracted honeys recorded the highest bacterial count of 4.614 × 103 cfu/g, honey from pressed method had the least count of 3.30 × 102 cfu/g. Food pathogens were not detected. Aerobes were within safe limits; hence, these honeys were classified as safe for consumption. The results indicated that the best mode of honey extraction was by honey press. All the detected counts fell within the acceptable limits. The study concluded that generally, honey produced locally is safe for consumption.

What are the drivers of cocoa farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies in Ghana?

This study analyses cocoa farmers’ perception on climate change and adaptation strategies in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Better understanding of these perceptions would help identify knowledge...

Review of Maternal Mortality and Near-Miss Events in Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Review of Maternal Mortality and Near-Miss Events in Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Drinking pito: conviviality, popular culture and changing agricultural production at the rural–urban interface in Brong Ahafo, Ghana

This paper examines the spread of consumption and commercial brewing of pito (sorghum beer) from its production base in the northern savanna region of Ghana to the southern transition zone in Brong Ahafo and the resulting drinking culture. It draws on fieldwork conducted in Brong Ahafo and northern Ghana to discuss the connections among rural migration, ecological and economic changes and how these affect consumption patterns in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Focusing on the vibrant drinking activities of two pito bars, it shows that when viewed through the lens of political economy and contemporary Ghanaian history, the spread of consumption of pito can provide a window into social transformation and the construction of inter-ethnic relations and identities while speaking simultaneously to an emerging northern Ghanaian middle class

Contamination levels of organophosphorus and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides in cocoa beans from Ghana

The concentrations of pesticide residues in fermented dried cocoa beans were assessed from sixteen (16) selected cocoa farms in the Dormaa West District in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The samples were extracted and analysed for 13 organophosphorus and 9 synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues using a partially modified multi-residue method for agricultural chemicals by a Varian CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph equipped with a pulse flame photometric detector (PFPD) and 63Ni electron capture detector (ECD), respectively. The study revealed the presence of three organophosphorus pesticide residues namely; chlorpyrifos (0.04 mg/kg), pirimiphos-methyl (0.03 mg/kg) and diazinon (0.01 mg/kg), with chlorpyrifos occurring most frequently, and six synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues namely; allethrin (0.01 mg/kg), lambda-cyhalothrin (0.03 mg/kg), deltamethrin (0.03 mg/kg), cypermethrin (0.04 mg/kg), bifenthrin (0.02 mg/kg) and permethrin (0.02 mg/kg), with cypermethrin occurring most frequently. None of the detected pesticides’ average residues did exceed their European Union Maximum Residue Limits for cocoa beans. Considering levels of pesticide residues in the fermented dried cocoa beans analysed against the European (EU) commissions’ regulations on pesticides residues, cocoa beans from the study area will not pose any significant threat to the cocoa industry in Ghana as far as shipment to Europe is concern. The presence of organophosphorus and synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues in the cocoa bean samples analysed could be attributed to their usage by cocoa farmers in the study area. The routine monitoring of pesticide residues in the study area is necessary for the prevention, control and reduction of environmental pollution, so as to minimize health risks.

An outbreak of pneumococcal meningitis among older children (≥5years) and adults after the implementation of an infant vaccination programme with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Ghana.

BackgroundAn outbreak of pneumococcal meningitis among non-infant children and adults occurred in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana between December 2015 and April 2016 despite the recent nationwide implementation of a vaccination programme for infants with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13).MethodsCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from patients with suspected meningitis in the Brong-Ahafo region. CSF specimens were subjected to Gram staining, culture and rapid antigen testing. Quantitative PCR was performed to identify pneumococcus, meningococcus and Haemophilus influenzae. Latex agglutination and molecular serotyping were performed on samples. Antibiogram and whole genome sequencing were performed on pneumococcal isolates.ResultsEight hundred eighty six patients were reported with suspected meningitis in the Brong-Ahafo region during the period of the outbreak. In the epicenter district, the prevalence was as high as 363 suspected cases per 100,000 people. Over 95 % of suspected cases occurred in non-infant children and adults, with a median age of 20 years. Bacterial meningitis was confirmed in just under a quarter of CSF specimens tested. Pneumococcus, meningococcus and Group B Streptococcus accounted for 77 %, 22 % and 1 % of confirmed cases respectively. The vast majority of serotyped pneumococci (80 %) belonged to serotype 1. Most of the pneumococcal isolates tested were susceptible to a broad range of antibiotics, with the exception of two pneumococcal serotype 1 strains that were resistant to both penicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. All sequenced pneumococcal serotype 1 strains belong to Sequence Type (ST) 303 in the hypervirulent ST217 clonal complex.ConclusionThe occurrence of a pneumococcal serotype 1 meningitis outbreak three years after the introduction of PCV13 is alarming and calls for strengthening of meningitis surveillance and a re-evaluation of the current vaccination programme in high risk countries.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1914-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Three new species of Stiphrornis (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Afro-tropics, with a molecular phylogenetic assessment of the genus

We describe three new species of forest robin in the genus Stiphrornis; two from West Africa and one from the Congo Basin. Each species represents a distinct phylogenetic lineage based on genetic analysis. In addition to genetic differentiation, each new species is diagnosable from other Stiphrornis lineages by morphology, and by plumage. One of the new species appears to be restricted to the Central and Brong-Ahafo Regions of Ghana, and another is restricted to Benin and the Central Region of Ghana. In Ghana, these two new species presumably come into contact with Stiphrornis erythrothorax (Western Region of Ghana and westward), and there is evidence that one of the new species has a distinguishably different song from erythrothorax. The distribution of the third new species is primarily on the south bank of the Congo River, near the city of Kisangani. Recognition of these species provides additional evidence that Afrotropical forests are harbouring substantial cryptic diversity, and that our knowledge of the drivers of this diversity remains poorly documented across the region.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BF2A0BE6-1140-4EFF-9035-380D61AB03AE

IMPACT OF DISCIPLINE ISSUES ON SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS: THE VIEWS OF SOME GHANAIAN PRINCIPALS

This research focuses on discipline issues as one of the major concerns of educators in public schools in Ghana. Qualitative and quantitative enquiries were undertaken into discipline issues and their implications on student learning as perceived by senior high school principals in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The study reveals that senior high school administrators perceived indiscipline as an issue affecting their administration, and prevented the provision of congenial atmosphere for effective teaching and learning. In addition, it tarnished the image of the schools before the outside world, thus discouraging donors, parents and other interest groups from having interest in the schools. Recommendations for involvement of students in decision making and the provision of guidance and counselling services are explored.