Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science And Technology Research Articles

Validity and reliability of the short-form adolescent health promotion scale among adolescents and young adults in Ghana: methodological study

Background and aimAssessing health promotion among adolescents and young adults is vital to identify healthy and unhealthy behaviours as well as to evaluate health promotion interventions. However, there is no valid and reliable scale to assess health promotion among Ghanaians. For the first time, this study determined the validity and reliability of the original version of the Short‐Form Adolescent Health Promotion (AHP) scale among adolescents and young adults in Ghana.MethodThis cross-sectional methodological study included 617 adolescents and young adults within Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data from study participants. The AHP-Scale was also used to collect data on participants health promoting behaviors. The scale’s validity was evaluated using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO), Bartlett’s test of sphericity and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), whilst the reliability was assessed using the Cronbach’s ɑ coefficient. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26.ResultsThe KMO and the Bartlett’s test of sphericity were reported to be 0.899 and χ2 (276) = 6682.338 respectively, allowing for EFA with orthogonal rotation. The EFA revealed five factors covering 54.62% of the total variance. The factor loading order of the items did not exactly correspond to the order obtained in the original version of the scale’s validity analysis as the original scale had six factors. This six-factor loading scale was valid in regards to construct validity. The obtained factors included: life appreciation, exercise, stress management, nutrition, and social support. In this current study, Cronbach’s ɑ was calculated at 0.87 for the whole scale and between 0.71 and 0.92 for its subscales. Thus, indicating the current scale reliable.ConclusionThe six-factor loading scale of the Adolescent Health Promotion scale developed in the present study is acceptable for the validity and reliability assessment. However, the construct validity of this scale should be checked in other samples as it did not cover a large variance of the population. Large population wide studies are also needed to augment the current study findings with additional modifications for the adopted AHP scale.

Assessing Trends of Vehicle Ownership and Use Among Tertiary Students in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Campus, Ghana

The study aims to assess trends of car ownership and usage among tertiary students on campus, with an emphasis on Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The research design employed in this study was descriptive survey, aiming to gather information from a sample population through their responses to specific questions. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, summarizing the responses quantitatively through bar charts, pie charts, frequencies, percentages as well as means and tables, created using Microsoft Excel. The results revealed that, a majority (70 percent) of the cars being used by students on the KNUST campus are owned by Ghanaian students with foreign students making up the minority of this number. The major challenges faced by students who own or use vehicles on campus are a lack of filling stations on and around campus, lack of student parking lots, and excess traffic. From the findings, it can be concluded that, students' psychological make-up is a major determinant of vehicle ownership among students. Moreover, the findings further revealed that most of the students who have vehicles on the campus exhibit or develop mostly negative habits after vehicle ownership and this in the long run may have negative effects on academic performance which is the sole purpose of being on campus. The study provides insights into the environmental and health impacts of increased vehicle use on university campuses, offering valuable insights for policy decisions, future research, and campus management, thereby enhancing student mobility.

A comparative study of population structure and genetic diversity of commercial and indigenous chickens from different agro-ecological zones in Ghana using SilicoDArT and SNP markers

Chicken production, both in the local and commercial sectors, contributes significantly to human livelihood and food security. Precise use of diverse genetic resources is primary in breeding programs. The study analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of commercial chickens and indigenous chicken ecotypes from three different agro-ecological zones (Semi-Deciduous Rainforest Zone, Guinea Savannah, and Coastal Savannah) using SilicoDArT and SNP markers, utilizing whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic data. Phenotypic data were collected from 72 indigenous chicken ecotypes across the three AEZs, and 32 commercial birds kept at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). DNA samples used for sequencing were obtained from 88 chickens (62 indigenous chicken ecotypes and 26 commercial chickens). A total of 54,995 SilicoDArT and 85,396 SNPs markers were generated from DArTseq genotyping. After filtering, 44,784 SilicoDArT and 58,353 SNP were used for genetic diversity and population structure analysis. Both markers showed high reproducibility and call rate. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.00 to 0.50, while ≥ 50 % showed PIC values more than the median. Furthermore, we obtained FST values, Nei’s genetic distance, dendrogram analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) of commercial and indigenous chickens. The FST and Nei’s genetic distance showed that there is high genetic diversity between the commercial chickens and the indigenous chicken ecotypes. However, there was low genetic diversity among the indigenous chicken ecotypes. The PCA analysis indicated a clear separation between the commercial and indigenous chicken ecotypes, while no clear separation was observed between the indigenous chicken ecotypes. The phenotypic data and the dendrogram indicated that naked and frizzle genes do not markedly alter the genetics of indigenous and commercial birds, and their influence on economic traits may be solely determined by the prevailing environmental conditions. The results indicate that there is high genetic differentiation between commercial and indigenous chickens based on SilicoDArT and SNP markers. The indigenous chickens from the agro-ecological zones have low genetic diversity and might have a common origin. Naked neck and frizzle genes do not markedly alter the genetic performance of birds in terms of economic traits. Therefore, the superiority of birds carrying these genes in economic traits may be solely due to environmental variation.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE SECURITY FEATURES ON UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATES IN GHANA: A CASE OF SOME SELECTED PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

This study examines the security features integrated into academic certificates issued by five public universities in Ghana: The University of Ghana (UG), Legon, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, and University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa. The research aims to identify the existing security features, evaluate the control processes used to maintain certificate authenticity and compare these features against international standards to determine their effectiveness in preventing forgery. Through a comprehensive analysis, this paper provides insights into how these institutions safeguard the integrity of their academic qualifications. The study reveals that Ghanaian universities employ a variety of traditional and modern security features in the production of academic certificates and the application of control processes to protect the integrity of their academic certificates. The inclusion of the holder's date of birth and photograph on certificates from UMaT, though less common among the rest of the specimens, offers additional security benefits. While these measures are largely effective, the adoption of advanced technologies such as blockchain could further enhance security. Aligning with international standards not only prevents forgery but also facilitates global recognition of Ghanaian academic qualifications.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0744/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Phenotypic characterization and analysis of genetic diversity between commercial crossbred and indigenous chickens from three different agro-ecological zones using DArT-Seq technology.

Indigenous and were used to study genetic diversity and population structure analyses. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.0 to 0.5, with 21,285 SNP markers (35%) being in the lowest PIC value range (0 to 0.15) while 13,511 (commercial chickens have developed unique adaptations to their environments, which may include nutrition, pathogens, and thermal stress. Besides, environmental pressures and artificial selection have generated significant genome-wide divergence in chickens, as those selection pressures contribute a considerable evolutionary force to phenotypic and genotypic differentiation. Herein, we determined genomic diversity of indigenous chickens from semi-deciduous rainforest (SDR), coastal savannah (CS) and Guinea savannah (GS) agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in Ghana and commercial crossbreds (CC) reared at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). We generated SNP markers from 82 chickens (62 indigenous chicken ecotypes and 26 commercial crossbred ecotype) using DArT-Seq technology. A total of 85,396 SNP markers were generated and after filtering the data, 58,353 markers 21%) were in the highest PIC value range (0.45 to 0.50). The CC were more genetically diverse than the indigenous birds, with the highest expected heterozygosity value of 0.220. Between the commercial crossbreds population and the indigenous ecotypes, pairwise FST values were estimated to be 0.105 between CS, 0.096 between SDF, and 0.133 between GS. Furthermore, PCA analysis showed that the CC, SDF and GS chickens clustered together and are genetically distant from the commercial crossbred. We herein show that chickens from the AEZs studied can be considered as one population. However, due the abundance of agro-byproducts in the SDR compared to the CS and GS, chickens from the SDR AEZ had better growth compared to their counterparts. It is suggested that the genetic diversity within the local ecotypes could form the basis for genetic improvement.

Fragments and Stitches of Ghanaian Idioms: A Catalogue of the Life and Works of Kwaku Asaku-Gyapon, An African Modernist Sculptor

This study sought to explore the practice and philosophical foundation of Kwaku Asaku-Gyapon (1932 – 2018), an artist educationist of the African modernist stock, from the 1960s to the 1980s that shaped the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) artistic traditions and generally the Ghanaian sculptural representation. The study seeks to contribute to existing literature on African modernism, following up on karî’kachä Seid’ou’s “J. C. Okyere’s Bequest of Concrete Statuary in the KNUST Collection: Special Emphasis on “Lonely Woman” which sheds light on the artist’s ethos and practice in the midst of seeming erasure and wrong attributions. The study looked at the artist’s three-decade practice, in mainly concrete statuary, terra cotta, wood, and metal (rarely), as part of mid-20th century Ghanaian nationalist repositioning. This is part of the African art that evolved by blending foreign materials and techniques with native African concepts in which artists used revolutionary tools and methods, along with indigenous storytelling practices, to tell their stories in various forms. The study adopted archival research and interviews of the artist as well as descriptive-analytic research methods of the qualitative approach. The study revealed that the artist’s concepts and themes emerged from his personal experiences, sociocultural environment, and political events of his era. It also shows the artist’s practice as commission-dependent in which personal explorations of materials (cement, metal, terrazzo, wood, clay) and techniques in life modelling, casting, and carving were prioritized. The Authors conclude that Kwaku Asaku-Gyapon was a prolific but less exposed Ghanaian modernist artist educationist, in the light of how he adopted the indigenous Asante storytelling approaches through the application of traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques. Keywords: Asaku-Gyapon, Ghanaian Idiom, Artworks, African Modernist Sculptor, Indigenous Storytelling

The psychosocial experiences of pregnant women in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective qualitative study.

Pregnant women are among the most vulnerable and suffer the most during pandemics, according to earlier studies. Pregnant women had to seek healthcare for both themselves and their unborn child(ren) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was unprecedented. Pregnant women's psychosocial experiences during pandemics are crucial since they both directly and indirectly affect the course of pregnancy and childbirth. The study therefore sought to explore the psychosocial experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this retrospective qualitative study, 15 nursing mothers who were attending a postnatal clinic at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) hospital in Ghana were recruited. Individual interviews were conducted with mothers who were pregnant between March and December 2020. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductively analysed into themes. Nursing mothers were aged 25-30 years and had infants ranging from 5 months to 15 months. Thirteen (13) were married and two were single. Two (2) major themes and five (5) subthemes emerged from the study. The unpleasant feelings connected to the potential for contracting COVID-19 and experiencing stress were described by the theme, "Fear and Stress". Participants' social experiences (support from significant others), alterations in daily routine and the economic impact because of the pandemic were presented as the "Socioeconomic impact". Pregnant women go through several challenges during pregnancy such as perceived stress and anxiety. These are likely to heighten during a pandemic, as presented in the study. They therefore need emotional and psychosocial support in such uncertain times to improve outcomes of pregnancy.

'Digitising health protection schemes in Ghana': An enquiry into factors associated with the use of a mobile phone-based health insurance contribution payment system among tertiary students.

In 2018, Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) introduced a mobile money payment system for membership renewal and premium payments to enhance enrolment and retention rates. However, the adoption of such innovations depends on various factors, including personal traits and public perceptions. This study aims to explore the determinants of NHIS membership renewal and premium payment via the mobile renewal system. Conducted at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana, the study used a survey design to gather data from 951 KNUST students. Employing logistic regression analysis, the study identified key factors influencing the use of the NHIS mobile renewal service. The findings revealed that individuals aged 19-21, 25-27 or above 27, without mobile money accounts, and those with no history of online purchases were less likely to adopt the mobile renewal system (P < .05). Conversely, those perceiving the system as useful and easy to use were more likely to utilise it for NHIS membership renewal (P < .05). In conclusion, policymakers should prioritise system quality, accessibility, perceived ease of use, and usefulness to facilitate the adoption and usage of the NHIS mobile payment system. These findings contribute valuable insights for enhancing the effectiveness of health insurance innovations.

KNUST aging and human immunodeficiency virus outcomes-Study protocol.

Globally, 7 million people with HIV (PWH) aged over 50 years exist. 5 million of them live in sub-Saharan Africa, the epicenter of the HIV epidemic. In Ghana, every 1 in 6 PWH is aged over 50 years. However, access to geriatric health care is grossly limited in Ghana and the sub-Saharan Africa region. This has resulted in a lack of focus on geriatric syndromes, a multi-factorial clinical condition common in older PWH, that do not fit discrete disease categories. Consequently, this gap threatens the life expectancy for aging PWH, necessitating the need to promptly fill it. The KNUST Aging and HIV Outcomes (KAHO) study will help identify priorities and opportunities for developing an effective integrated model of HIV and geriatric healthcare in Ghana. The KAHO study will recruit 151 PWH aged 50 years and older at the Infectious Disease Unit (IDU) of the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The study will be conducted over a 2-year period and participants will be seen at months 0, 6 and 12. Participants at each visit will be taken through assessments and questionnaires on geriatric health, cognition, social vulnerability, HIV-related conditions and they will provide biospecimens for laboratory testing. We will also conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews of PWH, healthcare providers, policy makers and study research assistants. Quantitative data will be analyzed using one sample proportion test and linear regression models appropriately. The Levesque's framework will be used as a guide to analyze qualitative data.

Traditional Wood Carving and Contemporary Wood Sculpture in Ghana

Traditional wood carving and contemporary wood sculpture are amicable in the world of art and have coordinated their working ways in shaping the wood art traditions. The study, comparatively, assesses Ahwiaa traditional wood carving and contemporary wood sculpture in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana based on their materiality, forms and functions. The study adopts descriptive research design using observation, interviews and photography to gather data from twenty (20) purposively sampled experts in the study area. Data collected for the study were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis tool. The outcome of the study shows that Ahwiaa carvers used locally produced tools for carving while KNUST contemporary carvers employ sophisticated equipment in their carving activities. However, both traditional and contemporary wood practices in the study area used wood as the common material to produce carvings that impact Ghanaian cultural heritage, social progress and artistic practices. The study therefore concludes that traditional and contemporary woodcarving practices in the study area are two interconnected forms of wood art that have the potential to inspire, challenge, and complement each other when collaboration and interdependence exist between them. The study calls for collaboration and interdependence between Ahwiaa traditional wood carvers and KNUST contemporary wood sculptors to inspire and open up exciting opportunities for artistic exploration, adventure, innovation, cross-pollination of ideas and expertise for the growth of wood art in the study area.

Tropical Modern Architect

Professor John Owusu Addo is a Ghanaian tropical modern architect and a pioneer in architectural education and practice in the nation-building of Ghana and other Commonwealth countries. His contributions to the modern architecture discourse seem to be overshadowed by the cohort of architects of both Western and Socialist origin who practiced in Africa during the decolonization era. The Community Center at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus in Kumasi-Ghana was designed by him; it represents a classic example of ‘unknown’ heritage within the narrative. This short essay examines both primary and secondary data, including unpublished interviews, master series events, articles, and papers to contextualize Prof. Owusu Addo as an exemplary protagonist to be explored for the benefit of tropical modern architects, especially in African settings.

Undergraduate Students’ Post-Covid-19 Experiences with E-learning Platforms at Selected Public Universities in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

The study investigated students’ post-Covid-19 experiences with e-learning platforms among undergraduate students of public universities selected in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The study respectively drew 289 respondents from two public universities, i.e., Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Business School, and the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) Business School in Ghana. Given that the population from the two public universities was fairly high, sampling had to be done. The overall population of the study was 480 students, randomly sampled from the two public universities, using the sampling ratio given by Alreck and Settle (2004). The population constituted 360 students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Business School, and 120 from the Kumasi Technical University Business School (KsTU). The study employed questionnaires as a data collection tool. The data gathered were 289 responses out of 480 questionnaires administered; therefore, the response rate was 60.2%. The data were analysed using pie charts, bar charts, percentages, and line graphs. Findings revealed that the e-learning platforms were still useful. However, the students used them on a weekly basis in the post-Covid-19 era, unlike during the Covid-19 era, when they were used daily. All other academic activities, with the exception of examinations, are still undertaken on the e-learning platforms; however, they are being underutilised in the post-Covid-19 experience. The study recommends that universities should invest in infrastructure development to enable all academic activities, most especially examinations, to be undertaken by using e-learning platforms to curtail future challenges.

Presence and levels of potential trace elements in lettuce and spring onion grown in Kumasi, Ghana

Vegetables are essential for human nutrition and health, and their consumption is increasing dramatically in every part of the world. However, irrigated water used in cultivation is usually not portable. The aim of the study was to determine the presence and level of potential trace elements in lettuce and spring onions grown and sold at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and its environs. The Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t XRF Analyzer measured the heavy metal concentrations in the lettuce and spring onions. The samples were taken from three farms on the KNUST campus. The heavy metals determined in the samples were arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, nickel, and lead. Most heavy metal concentrations determined in the vegetables were above the permissible limit of WHO/RML standards, except for Mn and Ni. However, Ni (88.22 mg/l) in Farm A was above the permissible limit (67.9 mg/l). The contamination of these metals showed a low degree of contamination of heavy metals in lettuce and spring onions from the various farms, except Nickel, which showed moderate contamination from Farm A (3.01 and 2.12 mg/) for lettuce and spring onion, respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI), health quotient (HQ) and health index (HI) calculated generally indicated that most of the vegetables had low risk to human health, apart from those grown in Farm A, which had values above the permissible limit. However, long-term intake of these vegetables can be harmful due to accumulated effects.

Modelling the influence of socio-demographic attributes on students’ trip generation at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus

ABSTRACT This research investigates the influence of socio-demographic attributes on students’ trip generation on the campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). A cross-sectional and mixed-method approach were employed, collecting primary data from 113 students through an online questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis and ordinal logistic regression explored the relationships between generated trips and socio-demographic attributes, including age, household size, vehicle ownership, educational level, income, and trip purpose. Age and household size were significant influencers of trip generation in the multiple linear regression. The ordinal logistic regression showed that, males are 2.40 times more likely to generate higher trip counts than females. Individuals aged 16–21 are 0.11 times less likely to produce more trips compared to older age groups. Single-occupant households have a 0.09 times lower likelihood of generating more trips than households with two or more occupants. However, individuals attending morning and afternoon lectures, only morning lectures, and morning and evening lectures among other activities have substantially higher odds of producing more trips, with odds ratios of 22.14, 15, and 567, respectively, compared to those exclusively attending evening lectures. Recommendations include improving shuttle services, pedestrian infrastructure, and promoting sustainable mobility solutions tailored to student demographics.

Students’ Satisfaction of Blended Problem-Based Learning: An Academic Experience at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Implementation of problem-based learning has been a challenge in most African institutions of higher learning including Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) due to deficiencies in the secondary education system. This article seeks to investigate the effect of blended problem-based learning (BPBL) practices on students’ satisfaction at KNUST during the Enhancing Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability in Higher Education in Africa (EEISHEA) 2019–2022 project. In line with this objective, a survey instrument was prepared and validated and a multistage sampling technique with an effective sample size of 1,304 students (621 female and 883 males), 71 lecturers, and 16 technicians across the six colleges of KNUST were obtained. The generalized linear models, simple and multiple logistic regression, were estimated from the data to compare effect of teacher-centered and BPBL paradigms on students’ satisfaction. To prevent overfitting, a cross-validation was performed on the fitted models. Receiver operating curve and area under curve were employed to ascertain the predictive power of the models. Results indicate about 67.35% of students posited that lecturers have incorporated some problem-based learning (PBL) elements into their course delivery. About 72.13% of respondents submitted that the integration of the PBL ignited their self-directed and collaborative learning and improved learner’s problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the fitted models suggest that BPBL, gender, level of program, and college influence students’ satisfaction. The odds of satisfaction of an individual in the BPBL group is 7.4 times higher than respondents in the traditional group with a confidence interval for the odds ratio (OR), (OR 7.4, 95% CI: 4.31–13.16).

Frailty syndrome and associated factors among patients with hypertension: A cross-sectional study in Kumasi, Ghana.

Frailty is a condition marked by accumulation of biological deficits and dysfunctions that come with aging and it is correlated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension. Hypertension continues to be a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases and premature death globally. However, there is dearth of literature in sub-Saharan Africa on frailty syndrome among hypertensives on medication. This study evaluated frailty syndrome and its associated factors among Ghanaian hypertensives. This cross-sectional study recruited 303 patients with hypertension from the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical factors were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Medication adherence was measured using Adherence in Chronic Disease Scale, and frailty was assessed by Tilburg Frailty Indicator. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26.0 and GraphPad prism 8.0. p-value of < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered statistically significant. The prevalence of frailty was 59.7%. The proportion of high, medium and low medication adherence was 23.4%, 64.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Being ≥ 70years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.33, 95% CI [3.72-18.67], p < 0.0001), unmarried (aOR: 2.59, 95% CI [1.37-4.89], p = 0.0030), having confirmed hypertension complications (aOR: 3.21, 95% CI [1.36-7.53], p = 0.0080), medium (aOR: 1.99, 95% CI [1.05-3.82], p = 0.0360) and low antihypertensive drug adherence (aOR: 27.69, 95% CI [7.05-108.69], p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of increased odds of developing frailty syndrome. Approximately 6 out of 10 Ghanaian adult patients with hypertension experience frailty syndrome. Hypertension complications, older age, being unmarried, and low antihypertensive drug adherence increased the chances of developing frailty syndrome. These should be considered in intervention programmes to prevent frailty among patients with hypertension.

Pharmaceutical Assessment of the Impact of the Method of Extraction on the Suitability of Pectin from Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Peels as a Suspending Agent in Oral Liquid Formulations.

Natural polymers such as pectin have gained increased utilization in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors because they are affordable, easily accessible, nontoxic, and chemically modifiable, with the potential to be biodegradable and biocompatible. Musa paradisiaca (plantain) peels make up 30-40% of the overall weight of the fruit. The extraction of pectin from these residues can therefore be viewed as a possible waste of wealth. This study, therefore, focused on evaluating the suspending properties of pectin obtained from Musa paradisiaca (plantain) peels (through acid and alkaline extraction) and presented an alternative suspending agent in the pharmaceutical formulation of suspensions. The unripe peels of Musa paradisiaca were acquired and authenticated at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. Pectin was extracted from the peels using both acid and alkaline extraction processes, respectively, characterized, and evaluated for its phytochemical properties. Different concentrations of the acid and alkaline pectin extracts were employed as a suspending agent in paracetamol suspensions, using acacia gum as a standard. The pectin yields obtained were 4.88% and 7.61% for the acid and alkaline extraction processes, respectively, while phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, tannins, saponins, and phenols in both extracts. The alkaline pectin extract recorded higher equivalent weight, degree of esterification, ash content, and crude content than the acid pectin extract, while FTIR identified similar functional groups in both acid and alkaline pectin extracts. The test suspensions reported significant differences (P < 0.05) in flow rates, ease of redispersion, sedimentation volumes, and rates compared with acacia gum. Moreover, when the acid and alkaline pectin extracts were compared, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in sedimentation rates and sedimentation volumes, suggesting that the extraction method may affect suspending properties. Ultimately, the alkaline pectin extract had better suspending properties than the acid pectin extract; however, they both can be used as an alternative to acacia gum as a suspending agent.

Management of used face/nose masks in a higher learning institution: Lessons from the developing world

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in medical waste, including used masks, reaching record levels. This study assessed used face/nose mask management awareness, attitude, and practices of the students and staff of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The total and fecal coliform loads of used face/nose masks were also analyzed. Using a descriptive cross-sectional research design, the data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Total and fecal coliforms were estimated using the Most Probable Number technique which was followed by incubation on selective media. The findings of the study showed that plastic wastes are the most commonly generated waste in KNUST (75.0%). Awareness of solid waste management was significantly related to the study level of the respondents (chi-square value = 30.463, p-value = 0.002). A majority of the respondents (88.6%) dispose of their used masks in bins and only a few disposed of theirs using other methods; burning (3.6%) or on the street (2.1%). The study revealed that an individual's level of education was significantly associated with poor solid waste management (x2 = 26.433, p-value = 0.009), level of awareness of face masks (x2 = 30.463, p-value = 0.002), types of solid waste generated (x2 = 27.514, p-value = 0.001) and the types of used face/nose mask generated (x2 = 34.279, p-value = 0.000). The mean total and fecal coliforms count recorded were 9.24 × 106 ± 6.25 × 106 cfu/100 ml and 1.56 × 106 ± 9.86 × 105 cfu/100 ml, respectively. Establishing and implementing proper waste management protocols and infrastructure for handling the increased volume of used masks is crucial to ensure public health and environmental protection.

Work Environmental Factors and its Impact on Employee Productivity: The Mediating Role of Employee Commitment

Employee efficiency is vital to an organization’s success and sustainability. As such, the work environment can significantly influence employee productivity, either positively or negatively. Recognizing the importance of employees, top-performing organizations prioritize creating a supportive workplace, given that employees spend a substantial portion of their lives performing work-related tasks. Conversely, unsuitable, and unfavourable work environments can contribute to job-related stress. This study investigates the work environment factors that affect employee productivity and explores how these elements can boost employee performance. Data was collected through a survey of 300 randomly selected staff members from three tertiary institutions Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to test the conceptual framework. The findings revealed a positive relationship between the workplace environment and employee commitment, suggesting that employee commitment partially strengthens the impact of the workplace environment on employee performance. This study offers practical insights for academic institution management, emphasizing the need to enhance workplace environmental conditions to facilitate effective academic work within these institutions. Keywords: Work environment, employee productivity, employee commitment, employee efficiency

Comparative Review of Sculpture Programmes in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University Of Education, Winneba

The desire for Ghana's economic liberation through skill-oriented education to raise the required human capital for economic transformation makes Sculpture or Art essential to the Education system of Ghana and around the world. However, the majority of students who graduate from or complete the Sculpture section of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Education, Winneba, deviate from practising Sculpture or Art into other fields. The effectiveness of any educational system in terms of learner academic performance is dependent on the quality of teaching and learning techniques, material resources, human resources, and the transition or history of the program or section. The study was designed to review the Sculpture programmes at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). Data elicited through questionnaires, interviews, and observation of the participants were mainly analyzed thematically and explicitly presented in percentages, tables, and photographs with detailed textual explanations. A total of 105 students, 7 lecturers, 3 non-teaching staff, and 2 heads of the department participated in the study. The KNUST Sculpture Programme has been run for 59 years and the UEW Sculpture Programme for 27 years in the same infrastructure inherited from colleges with considerably lower standards. The university administration and the government should come to an agreement to collaborate on improving the infrastructure, facilities, and equipment of both programmes.