West African Countries Research Articles

Talent development environments in sport in selected African countries as perceived by young elite football players

ABSTRACT Most African football nations need to strengthen their talent development environments (TDEs) in sport in order to nurture young elite players at the level of global competitiveness. However, despite the established importance of the environment to the striving and thriving of athletes, studies on TDEs in African football academies are scarce. This study’s objectives were twofold: (a) to test the reliability of the French version of the TDEQ-5 across three representative French-speaking African countries: Morocco (North Africa), Cameroon (Central Africa) and Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa), and (b) to assess and compare the quality of their TDEs in football. A sample from the three African countries selected consisted of 504 male academy footballers aged between 10 and 23, who completed the French version of the TDEQ-5. Confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency analysis revealed a fair model fit of the TDEQ-5, therefore allowing its use in this context. However, the TDEQ-5’s factor of social support network was omitted in the comparisons because of low internal consistency. For the remaining four TDEQ-5 features, Moroccan players had the most favourable perception, while Cameroonian and Ivoirian players shared similar and less favorable perceptions of their TDEs. Across the selected countries, long-term development focus and holistic quality preparation were a strength and an area of improvement respectively. These findings suggest that the TDEQ-5 tends to validate differences and similarities in TDEs in sport between North, Central, and West African countries. It thus emerges as a reliable instrument to monitor and support the talent development journey of African academy footballers.

The Prevalence of Crime Cases Involving Police Officers in a West African Country

ABSTRACT This study investigates the Prevalence of Crime Cases Involving Police Officers in a West African Country, employing a quantitative research design to gather insights from a sample size of 50 police officers in Cape Coast through a two-staged sampling technique using both purposive and simple random sampling. Through the lens of Routine Activity Theory, the findings revealed that the motivating factors identified include personal grievances, psychological issues, and dissatisfaction with remuneration, while there is a notable lack of consensus on the influence of financial incentives and peer pressure. The study mainly recommends the establishment of a transparent and accountable organizational culture within the police force.

Conquering Acceptability: A Study of Stakeholder Inclusion Practices in Evaluation Process in Francophone West African Countries

Conquering Acceptability: A Study of Stakeholder Inclusion Practices in Evaluation Process in Francophone West African Countries

Morphological and biological characterization of Spermophagus niger (Motschulsky, 1866) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from four West African countries.

In Burkina Faso and many West African countries, Spermophagus niger (L.) is the main insect pest of Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds stored with considerable damage. Variations in bioclimatic conditions can lead to significant changes in the morphology and biology of populations of the same insect species, leading to strains that are morphologically and biologically different and that would react differently to a given control method. In this study, strains of S. niger from Niger (Niamey), Ghana (Navrongo), Benin (Parakou) and five localities in Burkina Faso (Diébougou, Banfora, Saaba, Mani, and Manga) are studied under controlled conditions (32 °C ± 0.1, 43% ± 1 r.h., L: D 12:12). The results showed that males from Niamey and Parakou lived longer, while females from Niamey and Diébougou had a statistically high longevity. The larval survival rate of the Niamey strain was significantly lower than Manga, Parakou, and Navrongo. The Niamey strain recorded adults compared to the other strains. In terms of weight, the females and males from Banfora and Niamey were statistically heavier than other strains. At the end of the study, S. niger' strains showed different morphologies in terms of weight. Furthermore, adult longevity, larval survival rate, and emergence rate were strain dependent.

Health Expenditure, Governance Quality, and Health Outcomes in West African Countries

ABSTRACTThe study investigates the role of governance quality on the effect of health expenditure on health outcomes captured by life expectancy at birth, infant mortality, under‐five mortality, crude mortality and maternal mortality rates in West African Countries. Although these countries have made significant efforts to increase health expenditure over the years, health outcomes have only responded marginally in West African Countries, raising concerns about the importance of health expenditure in improving health outcomes. This study analyses the relationship between the role of governance and health expenditure and health outcomes using the feasible generalised least squares estimation techniques. The data for the study were sourced from the World Development Indicators and World Governance Indicators for the 15 West African countries from 1996 to 2022. The findings indicate that improving the governance composite index improves selected health outcomes in West African Countries. Furthermore, improving the interaction term between the composite index of governance and health expenditure improves health outcomes in West Africa. Therefore, the study recommends that governments make conscious efforts to allocate more resources to the health sector to improve health outcomes; and fully implement universal healthcare coverage (UHC) as the Côte d’Ivoire government in 2012 to alleviate high poverty levels and health expenses for people. Also, to improve public funds' efficiency and effectiveness and achieve better health outcomes, it is imperative to implement national policies on the institutional environment, and consistently improve governance issues plaguing the health sector. Increasing the salaries of public health workers could help to curb corruption and income inequality and improve their living and working conditions. Doing so will enable the West African countries to achieve health goals and agenda, as outlined in the SDGs.

Effects of Locust Bean Pod (Parkia Biglobosa) Extract on Workability and Strength of Concrete

Purpose: Predominantly in the northern part of Ghana and other neighbouring West African countries, the Locust Bean Pod Extract (LBPE), known for its adhesive and cohesive properties, has enjoyed high patronage in its incorporation in various traditional construction formulations, especially in the production of clay floor tiles and bricks for some time now. To justify the material’s continual use, this paper explored the impact of the LBPE on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. Design/Methodology/Approach: LBPE was obtained by soaking the pods in 10g per litre of water for different extraction periods. Based on LBPE replacement percentages and soaking durations, 469 concrete cubes were formed from 9 different concrete mixes. The slumps for the various mixes and the strength of hardened concrete were tested after curing durations of 7 days to 28 days. Findings: The experimental results revealed that LBPE enhanced the strength of concrete and gave it more workable mixes than concrete made with ordinary water. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis on the control indicates the presence of Oligoclase, whilst the LBPE samples indicate the presence of Albite. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed the differences in element composition of both the control and LBPE samples. LBPE extraction at 4 days and 75% LBPE replacement of water achieved 54.67% more 28-day strength and over 21% more workability than the control. Fourier Transform Infrared results indicate that tannins are the primary functional element in LBPE. Research Limitations: This study established that replacing water with LBPE significantly improves the workability and strength of concrete. The extraction at 4 days and 75% water replacement with LBPE yielded optimum results. Practical implications: This study provides a sustainable and low-cost solution to the mutually exclusive problem of increasing concrete workability and strength. Social Implication: This study will assist practising engineers in dealing with the issue of artisans increasing the water-cement ratio of mixes to obtain workable mixes, which results in weak concrete strength and subsequent failure of concrete structures Originality/ Value: This original experimental laboratory study addresses the problem of artisans using too much water to mix concrete to ensure workable mixes.

Subnational mapping of anemia and etiologic factors in the West and Central African Region.

Despite bold commitments to reduce anemia, little change in prevalence was observed over the past decade. We aimed to generate subnational maps of anemia among women of reproductive age (WRA), malaria transmission, and hemoglobinopathies to identify priority areas, but also explore their geographical overlap. Using the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), we first mapped anemia clusters across Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) and identified the WCA as a major cluster. Geographic clusters with high anemia and related etiologic factors were identified using spatial statistics. Multilevel regression models were run to identify factors associated with any, moderate and severe anemia. West and Central African countries (n=17). WRA (n= 112,024) residing in 17 WCA countries. There was a significant overlap in geographical clusters of anemia, malaria, and hemoglobinopathies, particularly in the coastal areas of the WCA region. Low birth interval (0.86 [0.77, 0.97]), number of childbirth (1.12 [1.02, 1.23]), being in the 15-19 age range (1.47 [1.09, 1.98])) were associated with increased odds of any anemia. Unimproved toilet facility and open defecation were associated with any anemia, whereas the use of unclean cooking fuel was associated with moderate/severe anemia (P<0.05). Access to health care facility, living in malaria prone areas, and hemoglobinopathies (HbC and HbS) were all associated with any, moderate or severe anemia. Interlinkages between infection, hemoglobinopathies, and nutritional deficiencies complicate the etiology of anemia in the WCA region. Without renewed efforts to integrate activities and align various sectors in the prevention of anemia, progress is likely to remain elusive.

Compositional Profile of Honeys from Stingless Bees and Honeybee Honey from a West African Country Using 1H NMR Spectroscopy

Compositional Profile of Honeys from Stingless Bees and Honeybee Honey from a West African Country Using ¹H NMR Spectroscopy

Russia in struggle for Niger

The article is devoted to Russia's eff orts to stabilize the military-political situation in the Sahara-Sahel zone, primarily in Niger, and to assist in the economic development of the country, as well as the promotion of cultural ties in it. The attempts of the USA and France to keep this country in the orbit of their infl uence are analyzed. An attempt is being made to explain why on July 27, 2023, Niger became the third country in the Sahara-Sahel zone, where military personnel carried out a coup against the pro-Western Mohamed Bazoum, who held the presidency since April 2021. The coup was led by the commander of the Guard, General Abdurahman Ciani. On July 28, he was proclaimed interim head of State. The Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) has imposed economic sanctions against the country and has even considered military intervention. As before in Mali and Burkina Faso, during all these events, citizens of Niger shouted anti-French slogans and carried Russian flags, as well as symbols of the Wagner PMCs, which gave which gave the West a pretext to accuse Moscow of involvement in this. Many Russian political scientists interpreted the outbreak of hatred of Africans towards the former metropolis and increased sympathy for Russia as a continuation of the struggle against neocolonialism. Approximately the same explanation comes from the new military regimes in 3 countries of the Sahara-Sahel zone, where coups have taken place over the past 2 years. This was overlaid by the "shuttle diplomacy" of Deputy Defense Minister Yu-B. Yevkurov in August-September 2023, his numerous negotiations and meetings with the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Central African Republic, after which a military-political alliance of the three Sahel countries was proclaimed on September 17, where coups took place. And all this against the background of the withdrawal of French troops and UN peacekeepers from Mali and the departure of French diplomats from Niger. Although in reality we are talking about the failure of the French colonial model of governance and development of the former colonies.

Teal-WCA: A Climate Services Platform for Planning Solar Photovoltaic and Wind Energy Resources in West and Central Africa in the Context of Climate Change

To address the growing electricity demand driven by population growth and economic development while mitigating climate change, West and Central African countries are increasingly prioritizing renewable energy as part of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This study evaluates the implications of climate change on renewable energy potential using ten downscaled and bias-adjusted CMIP6 models (CDFt method). Key climate variables—temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed—were analyzed and integrated into the Teal-WCA platform to aid in energy resource planning. Projected temperature increases of 0.5–2.7 °C (2040–2069) and 0.7–5.2 °C (2070–2099) relative to 1985–2014 underscore the need for strategies to manage the rising demand for cooling. Solar radiation reductions (~15 W/m2) may lower photovoltaic (PV) efficiency by 1–8.75%, particularly in high-emission scenarios, requiring a focus on system optimization and diversification. Conversely, wind speeds are expected to increase, especially in coastal regions, enhancing wind power potential by 12–50% across most countries and by 25–100% in coastal nations. These findings highlight the necessity of integrating climate-resilient energy policies that leverage wind energy growth while mitigating challenges posed by reduced solar radiation. By providing a nuanced understanding of the renewable energy potential under changing climatic conditions, this study offers actionable insights for sustainable energy planning in West and Central Africa.

Towards Poverty Reduction and Sustainability in West African Countries: Role of Entrepreneurial Empowerment

Poverty reduction in Africa is one of the main issues African governments and their financial partners face. Over the years, billions of U.S. funds have been invested to aid African countries in fighting pervasive Poverty. Despite efforts to implement changes and promote growth initiatives, it is obvious that expected outcomes have not been met yet. This study examined the Impact of Entrepreneurial Empowerment on Poverty Reduction and Sustainability in West African Countries with empirical evidence from the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The study's purpose is to assess how the TEF Entrepreneurship Program contributes to poverty reduction in West African countries and adopts an ex-post research design from the TEF financial report expenses on entrepreneurship programs in West African countries. The study finds that TEF entrepreneurship programs contribute to poverty reduction in West African countries by just 28% which is quite impressive. These findings also highlight the significant growing expenses. In developing West African nations, the value of generous organizations that help facilitate the success of those businesses contributes to progress toward the global SDGs through the trend. The study therefore recommends that the analyses should provide strong evidence and validation that these TEF Program pillars are critical for entrepreneurial success and should therefore be retained and continue to be mandatory pillars of the poverty reduction Program.

Climate change and human economic misery in West Africa: evidence from a tail-dependence model

ABSTRACT Climate change severely impacts Africa due to the high sensitivity of its economic activities to climate variability and its geographical position at lower latitudes, causing around 80% of the damage. The region's vulnerability is exacerbated by structural weaknesses, government failures, and a lack of financial, technical, and institutional capacity to address these effects. This study uses a panel quantile via moment model to examine the potential impact of climate change on human misery in 16 West African countries. The findings reveal that climate change disproportionately increases misery in the most affected countries, linked to their inability to cope with or adapt to the impacts. This suggests that without incorporating climate change into economic policies, West African countries may face increasingly severe welfare challenges. Also, the study finds that emission abatement and climate risk mitigation programs can reduce economic misery by moderating climate change effects. Increases in remittances and government spending are shown to alleviate human economic misery, highlighting the importance of fiscal policies and remittance inflows on economic well-being. Therefore, the study recommends including emission reduction, climate change mitigation, and remittance improvement measures in policies aimed at promoting economic welfare in West Africa.

Effect of photoperiod and 20-hydroxyecdysone on post-embryonic development and diapause disruption in Cirina butyrospermi Vuillet (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract Cirina butyrospermi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), commonly known as the shea caterpillar, is an edible insect in several West African countries. However, this insect is seasonal due to a long pupal diapause. This study therefore aims to explore the potential for mass rearing of C. butyrospermi by determining the role of photoperiod and 20-hydroxyecdysone in disrupting or shortening diapause. Exposure of larval growth to different photoperiod conditions, i.e. L.D. 6:18, L.D. 8:16, L.D. 10:14 and L.D. 12:12, affected larval weight and adult emergence. With respect to the photoperiod treatments applied to larval growth from neonate to fourth instar, caterpillars reared under L.D. 6:18 conditions weighed more than those reared under the other photoperiods. However, photoperiod treatments did not significantly affect the pupation rate. Adult emergence was only observed under L.D. 6:18 photoperiod conditions for a diapause average duration of 140.85 days. The recorded emergence percentage was 38.46 ± 1.33%, and emergences occurred over a period of ten days. When the L.D. 6:18 photoperiod conditions were applied only on the fourth instar larvae, 24.39 ± 1.41% of pupae developed to adults in 34.50 days on average and emergences were grouped in 4 days. Injections of increasing doses of 20-hydroxyecdysone into diapausing pupae resulted in diapause breaking within 23-28 days in 7-47% of treated pupae, depending on the dose of 20-hydroxyecdysone and the pupal weight. Conversely, diapause remained in non-treated pupae during the study period. Short photoperiod and 20-hydroxyecdysone are key drivers for diapause termination in C. butyrospermi. The possible interaction between 20E doses and treated pupae weight provides new insights into the hormone’s efficacy in breaking pupal diapause in C. butyrospermi. While the results need further clarification, they represent a significant step towards mass breeding of this important food insect.

Challenges Associated With Re-Emergence of Lassa Fever in Nigeria: An Exploratory Study of Epidemiology, Phylogenomics, and Recommendations Toward Its Eradication.

Lassa fever (LF) is a viral hemorrhagic illness endemic in Nigeria and other West African countries. In recent years, the number of reported cases of LF in Nigeria has increased. In this study, we discussed the epidemiology of LF, the phylogenomics of the LF virus, issues associated with the increased cases of LF, and recommendations for tackling the future occurrence of LF in Nigeria. Epidemiology data on LF were obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control database and analyzed using Microsoft Excel software. About 59 partial and complete sequences consisting of both small and large segments of the LF virus were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information from 1969 to 2013 to study the evolutionary relationship of the LF virus in Nigeria. Nigeria has been shown to have the highest prevalence of Lassa fever among African countries, with seasonal occurrence in both wet and dry seasons. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis of the LF virus showed a great relationship with several outbreaks of LF in Nigeria and other African countries. To combat the increasing cases of LF in Nigeria, there is a need to increase the molecular diagnosis capacity in Nigeria, improve public health awareness about the disease in rural and urban settlements, integrate a surveillance system through the One Health lens, and support LF vaccine research in Africa.

Globalization, Financial Development, and Environmental Degradation: Evidence from West African Countries Using Ecological Footprint

This study examines the effects of globalization and financial development on environmental degradation, incorporating renewable energy consumption and per capita income for selected West African countries over the period 1990-2018. Researchers in this area mostly use carbon dioxide emissions as an indicator for environmental degradation. In contrast, the current study uses ecological footprint––a broader indicator of environmental sustainability. Owing to the presence of cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity in the panel data, the study deploys Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators. The findings demonstrate that globalization and financial development are inimical to the environment by increasing ecological footprint. Furthermore, economic growth contributes to environmental degradation. The findings of this study have very salient policy implications for the selected African countries.

Paradox within the Healthcare System: An Intersectional Analysis of Health Seeking Experiences of Migrants in the U.S.

ABSTRACT This study examined the complexities surrounding migrants’ health-seeking behaviors in the United States. Using intersectionality as a guiding analytic, we conducted in-depth interviews with 15 visa-holding migrants from West African, East, and Southeast Asian countries to understand their experiences navigating healthcare in another country. Participants mentioned the convergence of three power systems: nativity/language of origin status, education status, and migration (legal) status. Based on participants’ experiences navigating these converging systems, we identified two paradoxes migrants’ experience when seeking health information: (1) the empowerment and disempowerment in the pursuit of health information and (2) the scarcity and sufficiency in the accessibility of health information. Our findings offer a more nuanced understanding of migrant health processes. In particular, we propose that more theorizing and practical interventions should consider intersectional tensions and paradoxes that emerge from individuals whose identities grant them both access and limitations when it comes to seeking healthcare information.

Dengue virus importation risks in Africa: a modelling study.

Dengue is a significant global public health concern that poses a threat in Africa. Particularly, African countries are at risk of viral introductions through air travel connectivity with areas of South America and Asia in which explosive dengue outbreaks frequently occur. Limited reporting and diagnostic capacity hinder a comprehensive assessment of continent-wide transmission dynamics and deployment of surveillance strategies in Africa. In this study, we aimed to identify African airports at high risk of receiving passengers with dengue from Asia, Latin America, and other African countries with high dengue incidence. For this modelling study, air travel flow data were obtained from the International Air Transport Association database for 2019. Data comprised monthly passenger volumes from 14 high-incidence countries outside of Africa and 18 countries within the African continent that reported dengue outbreaks in the past 10 years to 54 African countries, encompassing all 197 commercial airports in both the source and destination regions. The risk of dengue introduction into Africa from countries of high incidence in Asia, Latin America, and within Africa was estimated based on origin-destination air travel flows and epidemic activity at origin. We produced a novel proxy for local dengue epidemic activity using a composite index of theoretical climate-driven transmission suitability and population density, which we used, in addition to travel information in a risk flow model, to estimate importation risk. Countries in eastern Africa had a high estimated risk of dengue importation from Asia and other east African countries, whereas for west African countries, the risk of importation was higher from within the region than from countries outside of Africa. Some countries with high risk of importation had low local transmission suitability, which is likely to hamper the risk that dengue importations would lead to local transmission and establishment of a dengue outbreak. Mauritius, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Kenya were identified as countries susceptible to dengue introductions during periods of persistent transmission suitability. Our study improves data-driven allocation of surveillance resources, in regions of Africa that are at high risk of dengue introduction and establishment, including from regional circulation. Improvements in resource allocation will be crucial in detecting and managing imported cases and could improve local responses to dengue outbreaks. Rockefeller Foundation, National Institute of Health, EDCTP3 and Horizon Europe Research and Innovation, World Bank Group, Medical Research Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Google, Oxford Martin School Pandemic Genomics programme, and John Fell Fund.

Small Area Estimation of Poverty in Four West African Countries by Integrating Survey and Geospatial Data

The paper presents methodology to generate experimental small area estimates (SAE) of poverty in four West African countries: Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. Due to the absence of recent census data in the four countries, household level survey data are integrated with grid-level geospatial data, which are used as covariates in model-based estimation. Leveraging geospatial data enables reporting of poverty estimates more frequently at disaggregated administrative levels and makes estimation feasible in areas for which survey data are not available. The paper leverages the availability of a recent census in Burkina Faso for evaluation purposes. Estimates obtained with the same survey instruments and candidate geospatial covariates as the other four countries are compared against estimates obtained using recent census data and an empirical best predictor under a unit level model. For Burkina Faso, estimates obtained using geospatial data are highly correlated with the census-based ones in sampled areas but moderately correlated in non-sampled areas. The results demonstrate that in the absence of recent census data, small area estimation with publicly available geospatial covariates is feasible, can lead to large efficiency improvements compared to direct estimation, and improve the timeliness of small area estimates.

Impact of the ITF Relationship and the Onset of Rainfall on Precipitation in the Republic of Guinea

Republic of Guinea is one of the West African countries which share form a border with the southern. The rainfall onset in this country is one of the major problems that the farmers face. For it, we determined with more precision, the rainy season onset in eight synoptic stations in Republic of Guinea: Boke, Conakry, Faranah, Kankan, Koundara, Labe, Mamou and NZerekore. Then, we studied the InterTropical Front (ITF) position compared to each station at the onset date. This work better analyses the atmospheric dynamics leading to rainfall particularity. We used the daily rainfall data provided by the National Meteorological Service of Guinea for (1991-2020) years and the dekadal (10-day) ITF position data produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for (1990-2021) years. Using these daily rain of the eight stations and the ITF data, we calculated, the dekadal, monthly and annual rain amount, then we established a relation between the ITF position and the precipitation for each station. Results obtained show that the rainy season begins on May 18th, April 20th, May 4th, May 14th, June 8th, May 12th, April 28th and March 20th in Boké, Conakry, Faranah, Kankan, Koundara, Labe, Mamou and NZerekore regions, respectively. Compared to these dates, the ITF is located 2247.77 km north of Boke, 2136.13 km north of Conakry, 2121.24 km north of Faranah, 2136.13 km north of Kankan, 2236.61 km north of Koundara, 2247.77 km north of Labe, 2236.61 km north of Mamou and 2136.13 km north of NZerekore. The good correlation is obtained between the ITF position and the monthly precipitations for eight regions. This study will allow farmers to know with more precision the rainfall onset in Republic of Guinea.

A New Approach to Integrating Renewable Energies in the Design of a Shea Kernel Solar Mill

The development of the agri-food sector in West African countries is limited by energy and technological factors. As a result, the main shea nut producers in these countries, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Mali, export their production to the benefit of large industries in northern countries. One of the most difficult operations involved in transforming shea nuts into shea butter is grinding. Processing shea kernels into shea butter requires a mill or grinder. The types of energy (diesel and electricity) used by these mills are fossil-based, difficult to access and pose huge environmental issues. The objective of this work is to design a mill, operating with photovoltaic solar energy as an energy source, in a design approach using design rules and industrial engineering tools. To this end, a survey on the practices of the networks of agri-food equipment stakeholders on the use of renewable energy and the characterization of the network of solar mill stakeholders were carried out. The results of the surveys and the network characterization of the stakeholders, combined with those of the literature review, made it possible to define rules for integrating renewable energy into the design of the solar mill. The use of functional analysis and a tool to help choose energy-efficient technological solutions enabled to apply the rules for integrating renewable energy into the design of the shea kernel solar mill for validation purpose. The results of the functional tests of the solar mill showed a production capacity of 270 Kg of shea kernel paste, a solar energy consumption of 11,532 kWh equivalent to an energy consumption of 1.82 USD in 6 hours operational time per day.