Greater Accra Regions Research Articles

A qualitative exploration of policy interventions to improve the health-related quality of life of people living with HIV AIDS and co-morbidities of hypertension and/or diabetes in Ghana.

The intersection of infectious diseases, such as HIV, with chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes poses a significant challenge in global health. While advancements in antiretroviral therapy have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, a growing number of individuals with HIV now grapple with coexisting non-communicable diseases, impacting their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Despite strides in HIV care, there is a notable policy gap that undermines efforts to address HIV-associated co-morbidities, particularly hypertension and diabetes, especially efforts to improve access, early detection, and ultimately HRQoL for individuals with HIV and co-morbidities. This study seeks to explore policy interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of HIV patients with hypertension or diabetes. The study utilized a qualitative descriptive design to explore the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals and support staff regarding policy interventions for managing HIV patients with hypertension and/or diabetes co-morbidities in three regions of Ghana. The research was conducted in the Upper West, Ashanti, and Greater Accra regions among 11 participants, chosen purposively from professions involved in HIV patient care to understand their views on the implementation of policy interventions to HRQoL for individuals with HIV and co-morbidities. In-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face and tape-recorded. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data. The study involved 11 participants from three regions with varied years of experience. Implemented policies that potentially improve the HRQoL for individuals with HIV and co-morbidities involve support groups, home visits, provision of free drugs, and counselling. Barriers to policy implementation included non-adherence to medication, stigma, cost of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) medications, accessibility issues to NCDs services, lack of interest or understanding among implementers, and high staff turnover. Facilitators encompassed in-service training, guidelines in common platforms, knowledge sharing, external resources, regular check-ups, and motivational packages for patients. Individuals with HIV and comorbidities face complex challenges impacting their HRQoL, including emotional and financial dimensions. The study identifies critical policies and barriers, underscoring the need for tailored, patient-centered approaches. Facilitators like in-service training and regular check-ups offer actionable insights for effective policy implementation, emphasizing improved health outcomes for those with comorbid conditions. The study recommends integrated care approach and adherence support programs that address the unique challenges faced by people living with HIV.

‘The national health insurance policy provides little to no benefit to young persons living with type 1 diabetes (T1D)’: a qualitative study of T1D management cost-burden in Southern Ghana

BackgroundType 1 diabetes (T1D) management exerts a considerable financial burden on patients, caregivers, and developing nations at large. In Ghana, a key governments effort to attenuate the financial burden of T1D on patients was to fashion safety-net mechanisms through financial risk pooling/sharing known as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). However, there is limited research on patients and caregivers’ experiences with the cost of managing T1D within the NHIS in Ghana.ObjectiveThis study explored the cost of T1D management, and the impact of the NHIS policy on mitigating costs of care.MethodsA semi-structured interview guide was developed to collect qualitative data from 28 young people living with T1D (PLWD), 12 caregivers, 6 healthcare providers, and other stakeholders in Western, Central and the Greater Accra regions. Multiple data collection techniques including mystery client and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Thematic content analysis was performed with QSR NVivo 14.ResultsFive key domains/themes which are: cost of T1D management supplies; cost of clinical care; cost of transportation; cost of diet; and NHIS were identified. The daily cost of blood glucose testing and insulin injection per day was between GHC 5–7 (US$ 0.6 to 1.0). The NHIS did not cover supplies such as strips, glucometers, HbA1c tests, and periodic medical tests. Even for those cost which were covered by the NHIS (mainly pre-mixed insulin), marked government delays in funds reimbursement to accredited NHIS facilities compelled providers to push the financial obligation onto patients and caregivers. Such cost obligations were fulfilled through out-of-pocket top-up or full payment of insulin of about GHC 15–25 (US$ 2–4), and GHC 25–50 (US$4–8) depending on the region and place of residence.ConclusionThe cost of managing T1D was a burden for patients and their caregivers. There was a commodification of life-saving insulin on the Ghanaian market, and the NHIS did not function well to ease the cost-burden of T1D management on patients and caregivers. The findings call for the need to scale up NHIS services to include simple supplies, particularly test strips, and always ensure the availability of life-saving insulin in healthcare facilities.

National health insurance enrolment among elderly ghanaians: the role of food security status

Older people with food insecurity in Ghana are often exposed to poor health conditions, highlighting the importance of the National health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) enrolment for ensuring they receive necessary medical attention through access to health care services. However, we know very little about the association between food insecurity and National Health Insurance Scheme enrolment among older people in Ghana. To address this void in the literature, this study uses a representative survey of adults aged 60 or older from three regions in Ghana (i.e., Upper West, Bono, and Greater Accra regions (n = 1,073)). We find that 77% of older adults reported not being enrolled into the NHIS. Results from logistic regression analysis show that older people who experienced severe household food insecurity were less likely to enroll in the National Health Insurance Scheme than those who did not experience any food insecurity (OR = 0.48 p < 0.001). Based on these findings, we argue that in addition to the traditional socioeconomic factors, addressing severe food insecurity may improve health insurance enrolment among older adults. Additionally, policymakers should also consider older people’s socioeconomic circumstances when formulating policies for them to enrol in health insurance.

Assessing the impact of climate variability on maize yields in the different regions of Ghana-A machine learning perspective.

Climate variability has become one of the most pressing issues of our time, affecting various aspects of the environment, including the agriculture sector. This study examines the impact of climate variability on Ghana's maize yield for all agro-ecological zones and administrative regions in Ghana using annual data from 1992 to 2019. The study also employs the stacking ensemble learning model (SELM) in predicting the maize yield in the different regions taking random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting (GB), decision tree (DT), and linear regression (LR) as base models. The findings of the study reveal that maize production in the regions of Ghana is inconsistent, with some regions having high variability. All the climate variables considered have positive impact on maize yield, with a lesser variability of temperature in the Guinea savanna zones and a higher temperature variability in the Volta Region. Carbon dioxide (CO2) also plays a significant role in predicting maize yield across all regions of Ghana. Among the machine learning models utilized, the stacking ensemble model consistently performed better in many regions such as in the Western, Upper East, Upper West, and Greater Accra regions. These findings are important in understanding the impact of climate variability on the yield of maize in Ghana, highlighting regional disparities in maize yield in the country, and highlighting the need for advanced techniques for forecasting, which are important for further investigation and interventions for agricultural planning and decision-making on food security in Ghana.

Spatio-temporal characteristics of Tuberculosis in Ghana

Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a key contributor to global mortality; ranks second as the most fatal infectious disease and seventh among the top ten causes of death in Ghana. There is insufficient literature regarding the utilization of Bayesian hierarchical models for examining the spatial and spatio-temporal dynamics of tuberculosis risk in Ghana. Aim This study addresses this gap by determining TB hotspots regions in Ghana using the Bayesian modeling framework. Methods TB data were obtained from the Ghana Health Service and National Tuberculosis Programme for the 10 administrative regions of Ghana, from 2008 to 2017. Spatial and spatio-temporal TB relative risk for each region were estimated under the Bayesian modeling frameworks. Maps for TB risks were created to visualized regions with TB hotspots. Model fitting and parameter estimation were conducted using integrated nested Laplace approximation via R version 4.3.2. Results Among the baseline predictors, TB cure rate, TB success rate, knowledge about TB, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence, percentage of literacy, and high income were found to be most significant predictors of TB risk in Ghana. We noted an increased risk of TB infection in the Northern zone and the Eastern and Greater Accra regions in the Southern zone. Spatio-temporal distribution of TB infection risk was predominantly concentrated in the Southern zone. Clustering of TB risk was observed among neighboring regions. Conclusion Factors influencing tuberculosis (TB) risk in Ghana are TB cure rate, TB success rate, knowledge about TB, HIV prevalence, literacy rate, and income level. The risk distribution was mainly concentrated in the Southern zone, with clusters of TB risk observed among neighboring regions. To achieve a significant reduction in TB cases, it is essential to allocate resources to TB hotspots regions and also implement measures to control significant predictors of TB infection risk.

Knowledge of HIV transmission during pregnancy among women of reproductive age in Ghana

IntroductionHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant health challenge affecting many people including those from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Even though HIV can be transmitted through various means, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains the major route of transmission in children under the age of five. This study examined the correlates of knowledge of HIV transmission during pregnancy among reproductive-age women in Ghana.MethodsData for this study were obtained from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The sample consisted of 9,106 women aged 15 to 49 years. We conducted both descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine the prevalence and factors associated with knowledge of HIV transmission during pregnancy. The results were presented using frequencies, percentages, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsApproximately, 69.41% of women of reproductive age knew of HIV transmission during pregnancy. Women who had two (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.01, 1.72]) or three (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.07, 1.76]) births were more knowledgeable of HIV transmission during pregnancy. Women who read the newspaper (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.31, 1.86]), listened to the radio (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.05, 1.45]), lived in rural areas (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI [1.09, 1.54]) or ever been tested for HIV (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI [1.05, 1.37]) were more likely to be knowledgeable of HIV transmission during pregnancy than their counterparts in the reference categories. Compared to those in the Western Region, women in the Upper East (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI [0.32, 0.63]), Upper West (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.35, 0.85]), Ashanti (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.58, 0.97]) and Greater Accra Regions (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.56, 0.98]) were less knowledgeable of HIV transmission during pregnancy.ConclusionsThe study highlights a gap in the knowledge of HIV transmission during pregnancy among women in Ghana. Continuous public education is required to educate women on HIV transmission from mothers to their children during pregnancy and how this may be interrupted. Such programs should involve the use of the media and take into consideration the demographic and geographic characteristics highlighted as determinants in this study. This will ultimately contribute to the reduction of MTCT of HIV in Ghana.

Spatio-temporal characteristics of Tuberculosis in Ghana

Background Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a prominent contributor to global mortality, standing as the second most fatal infectious disease and holding the seventh position among the top ten causes of death in Ghana. There is insufficient literature regarding the utilization of Bayesian hierarchical models, specifically within the framework of Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA), for examining the spatial and spatio-temporal dynamics of tuberculosis risk in Ghana. This study addresses this gap by determining TB hotspots regions in Ghana using the Bayesian modeling framework within the INLA. Methods TB data were sourced from the Ghana Health Service and National Tuberculosis Programme for the 10 administrative regions of Ghana, from 2008 to 2017. The relative risk of TB for each region and year was estimated utilizing Bayesian spatial and spatio-temporal modeling frameworks. Baseline predictors of TB risk were also considered. Maps for TB risks were created to visualized regions with TB hotspots. Model fitting and parameter estimation were conducted using R version 4.3.2. Results Among the baseline predictors, factors such as TB cure rate, TB success rate, knowledge about TB, HIV prevalence, percentage of literacy, and high income were found to be most significant in influencing the TB risk across the ten regions in Ghana. We noted an increased risk of TB infection in the Northern zone and the Eastern and Greater Accra regions in the Southern zone. Spatio-temporal distribution of TB infection risk was predominantly concentrated in the Southern zone. Clustering of TB risk was observed among neighboring regions. Conclusion To achieve a significant reduction in TB cases, it is essential to allocate resources to TB hotspots regions and also implement measures to control significant predictors of TB infection risk.

Greenhouse tomato farmers' knowledge, perceptions, and management of tomato bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) disease

A major constraint to tomato cultivation is bacterial wilt disease. The use of greenhouses to cultivate tomato is vital to controlling the bacterial wilt disease. Bacterial wilt can be successfully managed when farmers are well-informed with better knowledge of bacterial wilt in tomatoes. This study was conducted to assess farmers’ knowledge and experiences on the cultivation practices, prevalence, detection, spread, and control of bacterial wilt disease in tomato in greenhouses in the Volta, Eastern, Central, and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. Questionnaires were administered for fifty (50) greenhouse farmers, purposefully selected using a database of greenhouse tomato producers in southern Ghana provided by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). Frequency data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. The majority (86%) of respondents had formal education. Most of the greenhouses in operation were in the Greater Accra Region, and none was under cultivation in the Volta region at the time of the study. Most respondents have been involved in greenhouse tomato cultivation for barely three years. The frequency of greenhouse tomatoes production varied from one region to the other. Only 28% of greenhouse farmers knew the test to detect the disease with 64% of greenhouse farmers without any knowledge about how the disease spreads. 62% of respondents used roughing and burying of the infected plants to control the disease. Out of the 54 greenhouses (domes) surveyed, 12 were infected with the bacterial wilt disease. Greenhouse farmers had little knowledge on the spread, detection, and control of the bacterial wilt disease of tomato. The findings of this study would lead to the design of targeted training programs on cultivation practices, detection, spread and management of bacterial wilt of tomato to increase yield and boost income levels of greenhouse tomato farmers in Ghana. Key words: bacterial wilt, tomatoes, spread, detection, control, greenhouse, farmers, constraints

Consumer attitude and disposal behaviour to second-hand clothing in Ghana

The issue of second-hand clothing which is exported from Europe and America into the African market remains a critical problem that poses threats to the eco-system. These clothing are sometimes unusable and have a limited life span which is eventually disposed of into landfills and water bodies. Thus, producing smells and toxic chemicals that pollute the air and environment when burnt or left to decompose. These indiscriminate disposals have been a major concern to citizens, stakeholders, and Governments. With the recurring threats posed by this practice, new technological innovations have been proposed and developed by leading brands and new start-ups in the industry to limit such negative impacts. Several studies on second-hand clothing are from the Global South, with limited research conducted by researchers within developing countries to understand the influence of behaviours and attitudes of consumers on the purchase of this clothing. Hence, this paper presents the first attempt to understand consumer attitudes towards the purchase and disposal of second-hand clothing in the environment of Ghana. Furthermore, the initial sections of the paper highlight new technologies and approaches developed by global brands and start-ups in Africa to curb second-hand clothing waste. A structured online questionnaire was developed and used to collect empirical data from 135 consumers in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions of Ghana, a context that few studies have focused on. The regression analysis revealed that both attitude and disposal behaviour have a significantly positive influence on the consumption intention of consumers. Lastly, attitude had a positive and no significant impact on the relationship between disposal behaviour and consumption intention. Findings contribute to appropriate policy and regulation formation, the need for education, and environmental perspectives on the effects of these clothing for the implementation of circular initiatives. Hence, the study recommends the provision of waste bins, the establishment of recycling plants, and the enforcement of strict regulations to limit the importation of second-hand clothing into the Ghanaian markets.

Predictors of mosquito bed net use among children under-fives in Ghana: a multilevel analysis of the 2019 malaria indicator survey

BackgroundMorbidities and mortalities due to malaria can be prevented by the use of insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets (ITN), which has been proven for malaria control and elimination. The purpose of this study was to assess the critical factors that predict the use of ITN among children under-fives in Ghana.MethodsThe study utilized data from the 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey (GMIS). The outcome variable was mosquito bed net use among children under-fives. To determine critical factors that independently predict ITN use, multilevel multivariable logistic regression was employed using Stata version 16. Odds ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals and p-values were reported. A p < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.ResultsThe overall prevalence of ITN usage was 57.4%. Utilization of bed nets was 66.6% in the rural areas and 43.5% in the urban areas, was highest in the Upper West region (80.6%) even when stratified to rural (82.9%) and urban areas (70.3%) whilst Greater Accra region (30.5%, rural = 41.7%, urban = 28.9%) had the least. The community level multilevel analysis showed that bed net utilization was higher among children in rural areas [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.32–3.01, p = 0.001] and in household with wooden wall materials [AOR = 3.29, 95% CI 1.15–9.40, p = 0.027]. Bed net utilization was however, less for households with 3 + children under-five [AOR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.19–0.46, p < 0.001), 4 years old (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI 00.48–00.92, p = 0.014], without universal access to bed net [AOR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.37–0.73, p < 0.001], those in the Greater Accra [AOR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.13–0.51, p < 0.001], Eastern [AOR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.95, p = 0.036], Northern [AOR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.20–0.88, p = 0.022], middle [AOR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.35–0.94, p = 0.026] and rich/richest [AOR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.29–0.92, p = 0.025] household wealth quintile. Substantial unobserved household and community level differences in bed net use were found.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the need to intensify promotion of ITN use to those in urban areas, Greater Accra, Eastern and Northern regions, houses without wooden wall materials, middle and rich/richest households. Interventions should be targeted at older children and households with more under-five children and to ensure full access and use of ITNs among all children under-fives in each household as part of the overall goal of achieving the health-related SDGs.

Modelling the adoption of electronic vehicle diagnostic technology for vehicle repairs: A structural equation modelling approach

The introduction of emission legislation around the world has led to an increasing number of innovations including the use of on-board diagnostic techniques for pin-pointing faults on vehicles. Generally, the adoption of Electronic Vehicle Diagnostic Technology (EVDT) for the repair of vehicles is low in Ghana. The objective of the study was to develop an Electronic Vehicle Diagnostic Technology Acceptance Model (EVDTAM) to assess the mechanics' intention to use and the actual use of EVDT for the repair of vehicles. The model developed was derived from the original Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by considering the technological factors (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness), and Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (DTPB). In this research, a convenient sampling technique was used to select a population of 384 auto mechanic master craftsmen from the Volta and Greater Accra Regions in Ghana where automobile repair workshops especially local and corporate garages were dominant.The results indicated that the majority of the structural relationships supported the hypotheses with positive significant links. The technology facilitating condition emerged as the strongest predictor of intention to use EVDT. The adoption of EVDT was strongly predicted by the resource facilitating conditions. The empirical findings of the study are a step forward towards filling the research gap given the fact that testing and validation of the EVDTAM model has not been performed by any other study. The proposed model was found acceptable per the requirements of measurement and structural model testing. Practical and theoretical implications were also discussed.

Spatio-temporal characteristics of Tuberculosis in Ghana.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a prominent contributor to global mortality, standing as the second most fatal infectious disease and holding the seventh position among the top ten causes of death in Ghana. There is insufficient literature regarding the utilization of Bayesian hierarchical models, specifically within the framework of Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA), for examining the spatial and spatio-temporal dynamics of tuberculosis risk in Ghana. This study addresses this gap by determining TB hotspots regions in Ghana using the Bayesian modeling framework within the INLA. TB data were sourced from the Ghana Health Service and National Tuberculosis Programme for the 10 administrative regions of Ghana, from 2008 to 2017. The relative risk of TB for each region and year was estimated utilizing Bayesian spatial and spatio-temporal modeling frameworks. Baseline predictors of TB risk were also considered. Maps for TB risks were created to visualized regions with TB hotspots. Model fitting and parameter estimation were conducted using R version 4.3.2. Among the baseline predictors, factors such as TB cure rate, TB success rate, knowledge about TB, HIV prevalence, percentage of literacy, and high income were found to be most significant in influencing the TB risk across the ten regions in Ghana. We noted an increased risk of TB infection in the Northern zone and the Eastern and Greater Accra regions in the Southern zone. Spatio-temporal distribution of TB infection risk was predominantly concentrated in the Southern zone. Clustering of TB risk was observed among neighboring regions. To achieve a significant reduction in TB cases, it is essential to allocate resources to TB hotspots regions and also implement measures to control significant predictors of TB infection risk.

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Meteorological Drought and Wetness Events across the Coastal Savannah Agroecological Zone of Ghana

Drought and wetness events have become common due to global warming, warranting the need for continuous analysis and monitoring of drought and wet events to safeguard people’s livelihoods. In this study, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was utilized to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of drought and wetness events in the coastal Savannah agroecological zone from 1981 to 2021. Climate data from 14 locations across the zone were used to characterize drought and wetness events at the 3 and 12 month timescales. Except for September 1995 and November 2002, when changepoints occurred, the results revealed the homogeneous nature of temperature and rainfall in the zone. More drought events were observed in the dry and minor seasons, while the wet season had more wetness events under both the SPEI-3 and SPEI-12 timescales. The results also showed that, while moderate-to-severe drought events were common for most years, extreme drought events were more typical in the 1980s and 1990s than in the 2000s under both the SPEI-3 and SPEI-12. Furthermore, the 2000s saw more moderate-to-severe wetness events than the 1980s and 1990s, while the greatest number of extreme wetness events occurred in 1987, followed by 1997 and 2021 under the SPEI-3, and a few moderate-to-extreme wetness events occurred in 1987, 1991, 1997–1998, 2012–2013, 2018, and 2020–2021 under the SPEI-12. Under the SPEI-12, only extreme drought events showed a significant positive trend with a small magnitude of change. On the spatial scale, drought and wetness events occurred more frequently in the Central and Volta regions than in the Greater Accra region; however, the intensity and duration of the events were stronger and lasted longer in the Greater Accra and Central regions than in the Volta region. The regular monitoring of drought and wetness events is required to protect the livelihoods of people in the zone.

Gamma irradiation effect on the microbial load and physicochemical properties of honey from Ghana

Abstract. Larbi DA, Klutse CK, Adotey DK. 2022. Gamma irradiation effect on the microbial load and physicochemical properties of honey from Ghana. Cell Biol Dev 6: 94-107. The honey's high sugar concentration and low pH give it antimicrobial properties and make it difficult for microorganisms to grow. This study is to ascertain microorganisms' presence in Ghanaian honey, the sources of microbial contamination, the physico-chemical properties of honey, and the effect of gamma radiation on the microbial load. Furthermore, 90 honey samples were collected from Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, and Greater Accra, Ghana, with 30 from each region. Honey was sampled directly from the beehive with the comb before the farmer harvested, and honey was sampled from retailers who buy directly from the farmer. The effect of gamma radiation on the microbial load was studied using a 60Co source gamma irradiation facility at doses of 20 kGy, 30 kGy, and 40 kGy on the presence of microbes and the physicochemical properties (pH, reducing sugar, apparent sucrose, and ash content) of honey. The pH values obtained for the Honey Comb samples were in the range of 3.6-3.9, and the pH for the Retail samples was in the range of 4.9-5.6. Microorganisms were not detected in about 70% of the honey sampled directly from the honeycomb. The mean microbial count in the remaining 30% was within the range of 30-35%, whereas all the honey sampled from the retailers was contaminated with microbes. The mean microbial counts in the retailer samples were 148 CFU/g, 183 CFU/g, and 271 CFU/g for Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, and Greater Accra Regions, respectively. These values were significantly higher than the required maximum relative to the MERCOSUR (Mercado Comun del SUR) standard (? 100 CFU/g). The low level of microbial detection in the Honey Comb samples (30-35 CFU/g) could be due to their relatively low pH levels (3.6-3.9) compared to the retailer samples with pH within 4.9-5.6. The ash content of all the honey sampled and analyzed was within the required standard, with an average of 0.16% in the honeycomb samples and an average of 0.62% for the retail samples. The apparent sucrose concentration (in percentage) in honey sampled from the retailers was within the range of 22-33%, which is beyond the required maximum as stipulated by the CODEX Alimentarius Commission (? 10%). The study showed that a 20 kGy gamma radiation dose was enough to denature the microbes and preserve the honey's essential qualities. Finally, to ensure good quality honey on the Ghanaian market, it is recommended that honey meant for human consumption should undergo gamma irradiation (cold pasteurization).

Assessing the role of respectable engagement in improving construction employee’s safety perception

PurposeEmployee unsafe behaviours and failure to adhere to safety standards resulting from poor safety perception among employees contribute to the high rate of accidents in the construction industry. This study seeks to examine the role of respectable engagement in improving construction workers' safety perceptions in the Ghanaian Construction Industry.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a quantitative research method where survey questionnaires were administered to respondents. Sixty-six construction workers who were actively involved in ongoing construction projects in Kumasi and Greater Accra regions of Ghana were selected through stratified purposive sampling. The analytical tools utilised in the data analysis include a one-sample t-test, descriptive statistics and mean score ranking.FindingsThe study identified five key drivers and strategies of respectable engagement from pertinent literature. The findings confirmed that all these drivers and strategies play a key role in improving workers' safety perception. The study further revealed that improving employees' safety perception will enhance and sustain their awareness of the organisation's commitment to health and safety. Employees will therefore portray positive safety behaviour by adhering to the safety standards of their organisation.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will contribute to construction site safety improvement by informing contractors, site supervisors and other stakeholders of their role and the need to improve their worker's safety perception.Originality/valueThis research is unique in that; it identifies the role of respectable engagement in improving construction workers' safety perception. This research creates awareness among management and site supervisors on the need to be present for their workers, affirm them, attend to their needs, understand and appreciate them, and communicate and listen to them.

Preference for grasscutter offal by some consumers in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana

The objective of this study was to assess the preference for grasscutter offal among consumers in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana. The stratified three-stage random sampling was adopted for the selection of respondents. A total of 140 respondents (120 consumers; 20 operators) were used in this study. In the Ashanti region, 93 consumers and 13 chop bar operators were considered. Within the Greater Accra region, only one market was selected (Agbogbloshie market), where 27 consumers and seven chop bar operators were considered. Relevant information was collected through the administration of well-structured questionnaires. Results obtained showed a relatively higher offal preference by consumers in the Ashanti region (91.4%) as compared to the Greater Accra region (81.5%). Most consumers preferred the intestines and intestinal contents in both represented areas 60% from the Ashanti region and 45.6% from the Greater Accra region. 90.6% and 81.8% of the consumers from the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, respectively preferred cooked offal to either smoked or roasted. These regional differences were not statistically significant. The rate of offal consumption was higher in the Ashanti region (i.e., on a weekly basis) as compared to the Greater Accra region (i.e., occasionally), represented by 63.5% and 68.2%, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). The taste was considered the most significant, relevant and important factor affecting consumer preference for grasscutter offal consumption in both regions. It is concluded in this study that the grasscutter offal has relatively high patronage by the respondents in this study. Further studies should be focused on the possible health implication of offal consumption on consumers as the intestines, and their contents might contain some parasites and other bacteria which can be harmful to humans. Further studies should be carried out to obtain a nationwide view of grasscutter offal consumption.

Health care waste management in health facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana

Background: Healthcare waste management (HCWM) system in healthcare facilities is essential in dealing with the spread of infectious diseases, especially during an outbreak period such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study assessed health care waste management situation in selected healthcare facilities in the greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This was a multi-facility-based cross-sectional study that used a monitoring tool of the health facilities regulatory agency of Ghana to collect information on health care waste management practices at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was gathered from 501 healthcare facilities in the greater Accra (335) and Ashanti (151) regions. Descriptive, Chi-square and multiple logistic regression were performed. All statistical analyses were considered significant at an alpha level of 0.05.Results: Less than half (45.7%) of the health facilities were assessed as having HCWM systems with majority (54.3%) having effective infectious waste management system. The health facilities in the greater Accra region (38.8%) and Ashanti region (60.9%) were categorized as poor on healthcare waste management system. The assessment levels of governance/leadership, management, quality assurance system, human resource, infection prevention and control equipment and water management were all significantly associated with the adherence to good HCWM systems.Conclusions: Health facilities were assessed as having good healthcare waste management systems, especially in the greater Accra region compared to the Ashanti, however treatment and safe disposal should be improved.

Meteorological and Air Pollution Assessment from Road Use and Construction in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions (Ghana)

The study identified the impacts of air pollutants and their relationships with meteorological parameters. Pollutants generated from road construction and use compared with WHO and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) guidelines revealed the median of PM 10 (76µg/m 3 ), PM 2.5 (26.1µg/m 3 ), NO 2 (36µg/m 3 ), SO 2 (236 µg/m 3 ), noise (75dBA) at Somanya sampling location were above the WHO guidelines for air quality. Whiles PM 10 , SO 2, and noise were above the (GSA) permissible limits. The Mataheko location had median values of PM 10 (100.4 µg/m 3 ), PM 2.5 (24.9µg/m 3 ), NO 2 (41.0 µg/m 3 ), SO 2 (26 µg/m 3 ), noise (75.5 dBA) above the WHO limits, whereas only noise and PM 10 , were above the GSA limits for ambient air quality. Construction activities released PM 10, PM 2.5 , NO 2 , SO 2, and noise above WHO and GSA limits. Though the quantities detected are not directly comparable to air quality recommendations, which are based on 24-hour or annual averages, they raise concerns about public health and policy. Keywords: road, road construction, air pollutants, atmospheric parameters, Ghana DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-3-04 Publication date: March 31 st 2022

Impact of Cultural Diversity on Overall Organizational Performance: A Moderating Role Education

This study focused on the impact of cultural diversity on organizational performance as moderated by employees’ educational attainment. The study measured cultural diversity as language, religious and value system diversity. Organizational performance was measured as team building, communication, and employee productivity. The study collected primary data from 353 employees from ten different manufacturing companies in the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana. The study employed mean and standard deviation for descriptive analysis. The study employed a structural equation model for the estimation. Cultural diversity was found to be prevalence in the sampled companies. However, team building, and communication were effective, and employee productivity was high. The educational attainment of employees significantly reduced the negative impact of language, religious, and value system diversity on each organizational performance indicator. Stakeholders in Ghana’s manufacturing industry should encourage continued human resource development through the pursuance of higher education, internal and external training, and seminars.

Food Security in Ghanaian Urban Cities: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

Urbanisation in Ghana could be negatively impacting the state of food security, especially in economically vulnerable groups. Food supply, safety, and quality are all aspects of food security which could be impacted. We conducted a scoping literature review to understand the nature and magnitude of evidence available on the urban food security situation in Ghana. A literature search was conducted in Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, Scopus, Web of Science, Africa Wide Information and Google Scholar to identify relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature. 45 studies, mainly cross-sectional surveys/food samples analysis, met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were concentrated in the Greater Accra Region (n = 24). Most studies focused on food safety and quality (n = 31). Studies on supply and stability were, however, scarce. Qualitative research methods were uncommon in the included studies. The existing literature on food security are concentrated in two regions: The Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Future studies exploring food security in urban Ghana should focus on exploring the lived experiences and perceptions of food insecurity and food stability by urban-dwellers using qualitative methods. The evidence suggesting that the safety/quality of foods sold in Ghanaian markets is poor should be a concern to consumers and policy makers.