Multiyear Rainfall and Temperature Trends in the Volta River Basin and their Potential Impact on Hydropower Generation in Ghana

The effects of temperature and rainfall changes on hydropower generation in Ghana from 1960–2011 were examined to understand country-wide trends of climate variability. Moreover, the discharge and the water level trends for the Akosombo reservoir from 1965–2014 were examined using the Mann-Kendall test statistic to assess localised changes. The annual temperature trend was positive while rainfall showed both negative and positive trends in different parts of the country. However, these trends were not statistically significant in the study regions in 1960 to 2011. Rainfall was not evenly distributed throughout the years, with the highest rainfall recorded between 1960 and 1970 and the lowest rainfalls between 2000 and 2011. The Mann-Kendall test shows an upward trend for the discharge of the Akosombo reservoir and a downward trend for the water level. However, the discharge irregularities of the reservoir do not necessarily affect the energy generated from the Akosombo plant, but rather the regular low flow of water into the reservoir affected power generation. This is the major concern for the operations of the Akosombo hydropower plant for energy generation in Ghana

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Health Economic Value of Blood in Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast: The Case of Maternal Bleeding

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, severe bleeding accounts for up to 44% of maternal deaths, and the need for blood products far outstrips supply.Aims and objectives: We aimed to map the causes and consequences of blood shortage in Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast and estimate the health economic impact of overcoming blood shortages resulting in maternal bleeding.Methods: We conducted a targeted literature review to evaluate the impact of blood shortage on maternal mortality rates due to post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). Clinical experts from the selected countries were included as an additional source of information. Using a de novo budget impact model, costs associated with severe maternal bleeding were compared with investment costs to adequately manage maternal bleeding.Results: Of the estimated 4 000 941 births/year, 118 428 will be confronted with severe PPH requiring blood transfusion. The estimated total yearly value of life years lost for the three countries combined would be 57 104 042 USD. The total cost to provide adequate blood supply (13 units/patient) was 33 781 945 USD, meaning that blood transfusion in PPH results in 23 322 097 USD saved with savings starting from the first year onwards in Kenya and Ghana, and from the second year onwards in Ivory Coast.Conclusion: In Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast, an increased investment in blood supply would likely provide large cost savings in less than two years. French title: Valeur économique du sang pour la santé au Kenya, au Ghana et en Côte d'Ivoire : le cas de l'hémorragie maternelle Contexte : En Afrique subsaharienne, les hémorragies sévères représentent jusqu'à 44 % des décès maternels, et le besoin en produits sanguins dépasse de loin l'offre.Buts et objectifs : Nous avons cherché à cartographier les causes et les conséquences des pénuries de sang au Kenya, au Ghana et en Côte d'Ivoire et à estimer l'impact économique sur la santé de la résolution des pénuries de sang entraînant des saignements maternels.Méthodes : Nous avons effectué une revue ciblée de la littérature pour évaluer l'impact de la pénurie de sang sur les taux de mortalité maternelle due à l'hémorragie du post-partum (HPP). Des experts cliniques des pays sélectionnés ont été inclus comme source d'information supplémentaire. À l'aide d'un modèle d'impact budgétaire de novo, les coûts associés aux saignements maternels graves ont été comparés aux coûts d'investissement pour gérer correctement les saignements maternels.Résultats : Sur les 4 000 941 naissances/an estimées, 118 428 seront confrontées à une HPP sévère nécessitant une transfusion sanguine. La valeur annuelle totale estimée des années de vie perdues pour les trois pays combinés serait de 57 104 042 USD. Le coût total pour fournir un approvisionnement en sang adéquat (13 unités/patient) était de 33 781 945 USD, ce qui signifie que la transfusion sanguine dans l'HPP permet d'économiser 23 322 097 USD avec des économies à partir de la première année au Kenya et au Ghana, et à partir de la seconde à partir d'un an en Côte d'Ivoire.Conclusion : Au Kenya, au Ghana et en Côte d'Ivoire, un investissement accru dans l'approvisionnement en sang permettrait  probablement de réaliser d'importantes économies en moins de deux ans. &nbsp

Research capacity. Enabling the genomic revolution in Africa.

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