Effects on growth of environmental policy in a small open economy

This paper examines the effect of environmental policy on economic growth in a small open economy in a neoclassical framework with pollution as an input. We show that environmental policy imposes a drag on long run growth in both the open and closed economy cases. The effect of environmental policy on growth is stronger in the open economy case relative to the closed economy model if the country has strong aversion to pollution and thus serves as a net exporter of capital in the international capital market. On the other hand, if the agents in the economy have low aversion to pollution and thus import capital, the effect of environmental care on growth is stronger in the closed economy relative to the open economy. Thus, from our set-up, environmental policy is harmful to growth but environmental sustainability need not be incompatible with continued economic growth.Economic growth, Pollution tax, Capital-output ratio, Open economy, Capital flight, Environmental Economics and Policy, O40, O41, Q56,

Motivation and attitude of grade nine learners towards mathematics in King Williams Town Education District, South Africa

Successive governments of post-apartheid South African have sought to address the problems of learners in Mathematics by introducing various pro-active measures. However, these efforts by governments have not yielded the desired results in Mathematics. King William’s Town Education District is not immune to this poor performance of learners in Mathematics. This study therefore sought to find out the motivation and attitude of grade Nine learners towards Mathematics in the District. Three hundred and sixty grade Nine learners were selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was adopted as a research instrument in collecting data from the learners. The study showed that, learners lack motivation from their educators to study Mathematics and this adversely affects their attitude towards the subject. Mathematics educators were recommended to provide extrinsic motivations such as praises, gifts, to learners during Mathematics lessons. Scholarship to well performing students in Mathematics, feedback and Visitation of learners at home by their Mathematics educators should also be encouraged. On the other hand, learners must develop a positive attitude towards Mathematics. They must love the subject and make consistent efforts of studying Mathematics every day.Keywords: Educators, King William’s Town Education District, Learners, Mathematics, Motivatio

Physical and Fuel Properties of Bambusa vulgaris of Different Age Groups and Their Effect on Producing Biofuel

Bamboo can be used to produce solid, gaseous, and liquid fuels, as well as to generate heat and biofuels for transport and electricity. The main objective of this study was to investigate the physical and fuel properties of Bambusa vulgaris in three ecological zones for their utilization potential for the production of biofuels. Thirty-six samples of Bambusa vulgaris culms from 3 ecological zones in Ghana were milled to powder to assess the physical and fuel properties. The physical properties; moisture content, high heating values, bulk density, density, and ash content were investigated. The fuel properties were based on ultimate analysis, carbon, hydrogen nitrogen, and oxygen. The mean moisture content (MC) for the green bamboo ranged from 68.8% (dead culm) to 148% (mature culm) and 168% (juvenile culm). The MC for dried samples ranged from 9.09 to 13.06%. The results showed that the % MC of the samples increased with decreasing values of high heating and ash content. The mean density of the matured bamboo culms varied from 616.84 to 641.68 kg·m–3 and dead bamboo culms from 609.01 to 632.72 kg·m–3. Marginal reduction in density was observed in dead bamboo culms across the three ecological zones as compared to the mature bamboo culms. This implies that when B. vulgaris overgrows, its density decreases. High heating values ranged from 16.12 to 18.14 MJ·kg–1. Bulk density determines the transportation and storage of biomass; it ranged from 0.12 to 0.52 g·m–3. The ash contents were within the threshold (≥3%) of European standard. The mean values for the ultimate analysis of carbon (48.46 to 53.31%), hydrogen (5.60 to 6.56%), nitrogen (0.58 to 0.61%), and oxygen (39.73 to 41.35) were higher. Fuel properties of Bambusa vulgaris are comparable to some wood types, lower to denser wood types, but higher than most of the herbaceous energy crops and agricultural residues. This means that Bambusa vulgaris may be a good feedstock for the production of bioenergy in terms of heat, charcoal, biogas, bio-power, and transportation fuel

Does Stock Market Development Enhance Private Investment in Ghana?

The paper investigates the extent to which stock market development enhances private investment in Ghana. Quarterly times series data for the period 1991(Q1) to 2011(Q4) are used. Stock market development is proxy by market capitalization. The paper adopts the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) method of estimation. The results for deposit interest rates, GDP per capita, and public investment confirm complementarity hypothesis, accelerator principle, as well as "crowding-in" effect for Ghana in the long-run in their respective cases. Market capitalization also increases private investment in the long-run. However, inflation reduces private investment. In the short-run, one quarter lag and two quarters lag values of private investment and public investment respectively increases private investment, while one quarter lag value of market capitalization reduces current levels of private investment. The paper recommends further development of the stock market since doing so will attract more investors and ultimately enhance private investment

Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Pterygota macrocarpa and Cola gigantea (Sterculiaceae)

Pterygota macrocarpa and Cola gigantea are African medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of sores, skin infections, and other inflammatory conditions including pains. This study therefore aims at investigating the antimicrobial properties of ethanol leaf and stem bark extracts of P. macrocarpa and C. gigantea using the agar diffusion and the micro-dilution techniques and also determining the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts of these plants in carrageenan-induced foot edema in seven-day old chicks. The minimum inhibitory concentration of both ethanol leaf and bark extracts of P. macrocarpa against the test organisms was from 0.125 to 2.55 mg/mL and that of C. gigantea extracts was 0.125 to 2.75 mg/mL. Extracts with concentration of 50 mg/mL were most active against the test organisms according to the agar diffusion method. All the extracts of P. macrocarpa and C. gigantea at 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg body weight except ethanol leaf extract of C. gigantea exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects (P ≤ 0.001)

Assessing the Impact of Capacity Building Initiatives on the Service Quality of Library Professionals in Selected Private Universities in Ghana

The need for capacity building is imperative if academic libraries are to provide the information resources needed to support the teaching, learning and research purposes of the institution. The purpose of the study was to test the relationship between capacity building and service quality among library professionals. The study also sought to test the moderating effect of effective planning and decision making between capacity building and service quality. The cross-sectional survey approach was employed in this study. The sample for the study constituted 118 library professionals from four selected private Universities in Ghana namely Methodist University College, Pentecost University College, Central University College and Valley View University. The Convenience sampling technique was employed in the actual selection of respondents for the completion of questionnaires. Data collected through the use of the questionnaires was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 from which descriptive, reliabilities and inferential statistics such as correlation and moderated hierarchical regression analyses were computed. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between capacity building initiatives and service quality. Also, the study revealed that effective planning and decision making significantly moderates the relationship between capacity building and service quality. In view of these findings, it was recommended that academic libraries focus more on capacity building programmes that seek to train and provide leadership and team work in order to enhance the quality of services provided by academic libraries. Keywords: Capacity Building, Training, Leadership, Teamwork, Support, Planning, Decision Making and Service Qualit

Are Fc gamma receptor polymorphisms important in HIV-1 infection outcomes and latent reservoir size?

Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) are cell surface glycoproteins which trigger specific effector-cell responses when cross-linked with the Fc portions of immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies. During HIV-1 infection, the course of disease progression, ART response, and viral reservoir size vary in different individuals. Several factors may account for these differences; however, Fc gamma receptor gene polymorphisms, which influence receptor binding to IgG antibodies, are likely to play a key role. FcγRIIa (CD32) was recently reported as a potential marker for latent HIV reservoir, however, this assertion is still inconclusive. Whether FcγR polymorphisms influence the size of the viral reservoir, remains an important question in HIV cure studies. In addition, potential cure or viral suppression methods such as broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAbs) may depend on FcγRs to control the virus. Here, we discuss the current evidence on the potential role played by FcγR polymorphisms in HIV-1 infection, treatment and vaccine trial outcomes. Importantly, we highlight contrasting findings that may be due to multiple factors and the relatively limited data from African populations. We recommend further studies especially in sub-Saharan Africa to confirm the role of FcγRIIa in the establishment of latent reservoir and to determine their influence in therapies involving bNAbs

Issues of the Industrial Training Programme of Polytechnics in Ghana: The Case of Kumasi Polytechnic

The purpose of the study was to explore some issues of students’ industrial training programme at Kumasi Polytechnic. Data were collected from 282 students by simple random survey through self completion questionnaire based on a four point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. The findings revealed that the overall state of preparation of students for the attachment programme was suitable. The study established, among the challenges that students had competition for attachment places from other institutions, tough work environment for students, high expectations by firms; financial challenges and lack of appropriate skills, tasks and jobs. Finally, strategies that could improve the attachment programme were proposed and it summed up as strong relationship between the Polytechnic and industry. It was recommended that Polytechnic education should be given the needed resources and recognition to produce graduates who may end up solving the problems of the nation. Keywords: Kumasi Polytechnic, industrial attachment, education, graduates, industrial liaison office and unemploymen

Students’ Consumption Determinants and Academic Performance Nexus: A Case Study of Private University Students in Ghana

The paper seeks to ascertain the factors that influence the private university student’s consumption and subsequent influence on academic performance. A linear model of the consumption function was used. The Ordinary Least Square technique was employed to determine the factors that influence students’ consumption. Following econometric procedures and data collected from field work; gender, marital status, age, average grade point, residential status, occupation, price levels, and disposable income were found to influence private university students’ consumption in Ghana. Also, from the correlation matrix, there is an inverse relationship between student’s performance and their consumption. The paper recommends redirection of students spending to impact on academic performance. Keywords: Academic Performance, Consumption, Ordinary Least Square, Students