Hepatoprotective properties of Gentiana SPP: Against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease characterised by the accumulation of fat in the liver. It is estimated that 33 % of the UK population have NAFLD with 2-5 % progressing to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Due to a lack of an outright therapy for NAFLD, treatment has been mainly focussed on managing the conditions associated with the disease such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia. This study aimed to investigate the means by which hepatocyte protection is conferred by Gentiana plants (Gentiana lutea, Gentiana macrophylla, Gentiana scabra and Gentiana rigescens) used in herbal medicine for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). The role played by some of the inherent Gentiana phytochemicals including: gentiopicroside, sweroside and swertiamarin in promoting hepatocyte protection against the cytotoxic effects of fatty acids were also investigated. Gentiana species: lutea, macrophylla, rigescens, and scabra are known to protect and enhance hepatocyte viability via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and bitter components including: amarogentin gentianine, iso-orientin, swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, and sweroside. This study was necessitated due to a lack of adequate research on the hepatoprotective effects of the above-named Gentiana species and phytochemicals with special emphasis on their effect on mitochondrial respiration in the presence of fatty acids. At the time of submission, this was the first study to utilise the seahorse mitochondria stress assay to investigate the Gentiana species as well as phytochemicals: gentiopicroside, sweroside and swertiamarin. It was also found that the most abundant phytochemical in all four Gentiana species was gentiopicroside (up to 4.6% g/g), followed by swertiamarin (0.21–0.45% g/g), and sweroside (0.03- 0.4 % g/g). Furthermore, it was also observed that the methanolic extracts of all four Gentiana protected HepG2 and THLE-2 cells by inhibiting arachidonic acid from diminishing cell replication but showed a mitogenic effect mostly observed in gentiopicroside, Gentiana lutea and Gentiana macrophylla. It was concluded that phytochemicals: gentiopicroside, sweroside and swertiamarin play key roles in the hepatocyte protection exerted by methanolic extracts of Gentiana lutea, Gentiana macrophylla, Gentiana scabra and Gentiana rigescens against the cytotoxic effects of fatty acids. This protection is conferred by enhancing mitochondrial function in terms of increasing maximal respiratory capacity in response to high influx of fatty acids, promoting ATP production as well as scavenging ROS produced as a result of high fatty acid influx and increased mitochondrial respiration. However, the mitogenic effect observed in gentiopicroside and Gentiana macrophylla requires further studies using unmodified primary hepatocytes to gain better understanding

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Ghanaian Micro-Finance Institutions in Promoting Entrepreneurs in Accra Metropolis

Bank of Ghana in 2011 issued Micro-finance Rules and Guidelines with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship activities in micro and small enterprises in Ghana. The study examined the effectiveness of Micro finance Institutions in promoting entrepreneurs in Accra Metropolis in the period 2011 to 2013. A purposive and simple random sampling technique was employed to draw the sample from the population. Personal interviews and structured questionnaires were used to facilitate the acquisition of relevant data which was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics which involves simple percentage and illustrations was purposefully applied in data presentations and analysis. The research revealed that only a few entrepreneurs had accessed loans from Micro Finance Institutions, due to high interest rates, ignorance of the existence of Micro Finance Institutions as well as lack of trust and confidence in the Micro Finance Institutions. It was concluded that Micro Finance Institutions in Accra Metropolis are less effective in promoting entrepreneurs. The researchers recommended that the Bank of Ghana and Ghana Association of Microfinance Companies must ensure transparency and integrity in Micro Finance Institutions operations to increase their outreach. In addition, Ghana Association of Microfinance Companies and its members must enhance public awareness about Micro Finance Institutions operations through various promotional strategies. Keywords: Micro-Finance Institutions, entrepreneurs, micro and small enterprises, Accra Metropolis, GAM

An Appraisal of Risk Management Practices of Microfinance Institutions in Ghana

The inherent features of microfinance institution afford these institutions the potential to absorb unskilled and semi-skilled labour to nurture as well as promote small scale enterprises. However, in the Ghanaian economy, these benefits are not forthcoming due to the high failure rate of microfinance institutions. Relevant literatures were reviewed to bring out salient issues on the subject matter of this paper. The chief source of information for this write up is secondary method of data collection. It was discovered that the barriers to microfinance institutions success includes numerous and varied obstacles. Studies conducted confirmed microfinance institutions managements are ignorant pertaining to the risks their organizations face with risk management techniques deployed reactively and ineffectively. By embedding a structured approach to enterprise risk management within MFIs, potential benefits such as reducing the over-management of risks and organizational alignment towards the microfinance institution’s mission can be realized. Keywords: Microfinance institution, risk, risk management, strategic risk management

A Literature Review of Fraud Risk Management in Micro Finance Institutions in Ghana

Due to the recent financial crisis, micro finance institutions cannot afford to be indifferent to fraud risk management practices in the battle for survival, financial sustainability and self-sufficiency. Microfinance institutions serve some of the world’s most financially challenged population who otherwise would not have access to financial services. This paper is a theoretical study on effective fraud risk management in micro finance institutions in Ghana. The study adopts exploratory approach by reviewing and analyzing the views of scholars and practitioners in the area of fraud risk management. The research revealed that corrupt board of directors, senior management and employees, weak systems of internal control, policies and procedures, weak regulatory institutions, greed on the part of culprits, inadequate staffing, inadequate training and retraining, ineffective internal and external audit functions and a macro-economic environment that eulogises wealth irrespective of how it is made constitute aids to fraud in micro finance institutions in Ghana. The researchers recommend that microfinance institutions and Bank of Ghana must ensure the creation of a culture of transparency and integrity among staff members and clients; and educate clients on their rights and ensure there is a mechanism for whistle-blowing. Keywords: Fraud, Micro finance institutions, Ghana, Internal control, Audit

Leading Organizational Change

Almost all organizations require some form of change to keep up with globalization and current technological trends to enhance development. However, the implementation of change in most organizations is greeted with high resistance if it is not correctly introduced and implemented. Robbins and Delenzo (2001) define change as the alteration of an organization’s environmental structure, technology or people. Fullan (1992) also asserted that change is the process of learning new ideas and things and he further mention that the process of change is complex, and organizational leadership must exercise great circumspection when implementing change. This analysis includes a discussion of the importance of change in organizations and the role of leadership in the implementation of change. Keywords: organizational change, leadership, organizations, institutions of higher education DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-33-05 Publication date: November 30th 202

Underlying Forces of Organisational Control on Administrative Behavioural Theoretical Insights

Control, for a long time, has been a constitutive aspect of organisational sociology. However, much of the scholarly account on the concept has overlooked a critical character of discretion in organisational discourse. By meticulous application of Herbert Simon’s theory of administrative behaviour, this theoretical piece reveals the interesting dynamics of organisational control to bring the enduring significance of discretion in the control of subordinates at work. The analysis draws on the idea that control is not merely about the predetermination of goals that are achieved at the lower level. In views of this, the research advances a primary conceptualisation of control as double-edged model, adding the application of discretion that, occasionally, makes subordinates lead and encourage vital control practices that drive the life of the organisation

Determinants for the adoption of climate change policies for urban Africa: A study of urban local governments in Ghana

Scholars have reiterated that development discourse is concerned not just with the practices of development, but crucially with the politics and power of knowledge and ideas that shape development: their origins, content, contestation, diffusion and dissemination (Moore, 1995; Roy, 2010; Escobar, 2012). One issue facing all countries is climate change. Though contested, climate change has emerged as an urgent issue around which both ideas of development and practice are crystallising both in the north and south. However in this discourse, the diffusion and adoption of climate change adaptation and mitigation policy ideas to urban governments in Africa have received limited research attention. International reports indicate a low uptake of climate change policies in Africa generally, and urban areas in particular. The concern with climate change seems not to dwell much on seeking better understanding of the factors that determine the spread and adoption of climate change policy as well as the barriers to adoption in different world contexts. With particular reference to Ghana, this study examines the ideas and material conditions associated with policy diffusion to examine what drives diffusion and adoption of climate change policies in Africa’s urban areas. The study investigates climate change ideas: how climate change ideas move from ‘international spaces’ to national and, most crucially, urban localgovernment policy spaces. Drawing on social science, institutional and organisational concepts of change, it seeks to answer questions of how and to what extent climate change ideas are received and converted into policy and programmes at local government level. The conceptual framework suggests that international pressure, norm imitation, policy utility and emulation are potential concepts to explain adoption of climate change policies by metropolitan governments. To investigate which of these concepts adequately explain the situation in Ghana, data was collected using qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews with key policy makers in local government and urban development planning in Ghana. This is complemented by content analysis of grey literature, urban development plans, and policy documents, and a focus on 3 metropolitan urban areas of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. Results suggest that the government of Ghana has instituted directives for climate change considerations in metropolitan development plans. The national urban policy has a climate change component. An investigation of metropolitan development plans indicated that climate change related projects were initiated in response to national directives. This emphasised exogenous pressure as a determinant of adoption by metropolitan governments in the context of Ghana. On the other hand, political and public interests shape the extent to which the directives on climate change are integrated in development plans. Moreover material constraints and agents’ limited conceptualisation of climate change policy place barriers to adoption. The research concludes that national guidelines and directives, underpin the response by Ghana’s metropolitan governments, whilst actors and resources shape the mechanisms for the adoption and barriers to comprehensive climate change policies

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Refugee Health Literacy Program (R-HeLP)

Problem Statement: United States refugees often encounter significant barriers when adapting to their new host country; such as cultural and language barriers, and difficulty in navigating through the American healthcare system. For example, navigating through the American Pharmacy system to buy or refill medications is a great challenge for most refugees. To make matters worse, most refugees have difficulty understanding medications instructions which puts them at risk for making medication errors. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the feasibility of delivering an evidence based health literacy medication educational program for all newly-arrived refugees attending refugee orientation classes at the Kentucky Refugee Ministry (KRM) in Lexington Kentucky, United States. The project, Refugee Health Literacy Program (R-HeLP) was designed to enhance medication knowledge among new refugees in Lexington and to bridge some healthcare barriers they encounter when they first come to the United States. Methods: A convenience sample of 12 new refugees attending the newcomer orientation classes at the KRM were recruited to participate in the Refugee Health Literacy Program(R-HeLP). A script of a simple power point presentation that met the health literacy level for refugees was designed and delivered (and translated into Arabic, French, Spanish, and Swahili). A Pretest/ posttest design was used to examine the change in participants’ knowledge of medication use before and after the intervention. A Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) was used to assess participants’ satisfaction with the program. Results: The participants (N=12) were either Arab (58%) or African (42%) refugees. They were primarily males (75%), between 18-30 years of age (58%). There was overall increase in participants’ knowledge of medication use scores from baseline to post intervention (pretest to posttest in 62.5%; 5/8) of the questions; however, Wilcoxon signed-Ranks test indicated the change was not statistically significant (Z=1.1, p= 0.500). Program development and delivery at KRM was feasible. Participants rated high satisfaction with the educational intervention based on the CSQ evaluation questionnaires (range, mean). The median satisfaction score was 23 (range=19-24). The success of the program was demonstrated by the fact that all participants rated the program as good or excellent; 75% said all needs were met and, 88% reported that they would come back to the educational program and 75% reported that they would refer a friend to the program. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Refugees have low English proficiency and low health literacy, they originate from diverse cultural backgrounds. Existing literature affirm that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are affected more by health literacy barriers compared with native English speaker. Therefore, culturally appropriate health literacy programs should be developed for LEP persons such as refugees to improve their knowledge of health literacy

Gender and Access to Agricultural Resources by Smallholder Farmers in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Men and women continue to have differential access to agricultural resources despite the seemingly equal roles they play in agriculture in many developing countries. The study sought to determine the relationship between gender and access to agricultural resources in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 400 farmers disaggregated into men and women from four districts in the region. Statistically significant differences were observed between gender and access to land, labour, inputs and radio, extension agents and input suppliers (p<0.05) while there was no significant difference between gender and access to credit (p>0.05) even though women also have more access to credit than men. It has been recommended that more aspects of the culture of the people be improved to pave way for more access to agricultural land in particular. Levels of credit support are very low in the region and financial institutions need to reduce some of the bottlenecks to allow easy access to credit. Also extension agents should endeavour to educate smallholders on how to access information through electronic platforms and also make them seek more information from input suppliers as the current situation demands. Key words: Gender, Inputs, Credit, ICT