Identifying the Dominant Ecological Worldviews of Community Leaders and the Influences These Have in Managing Conservation Areas in Ghana

This study was set on the premise of a research question that sought to identify the dominant ecological worldviews of Community Resources Management Area (CREMA) leaders and the influences these have on the management prescriptions of their conservation areas. The relevance of the question was to identify whether the CREMA leaders subscribed to an eco-centric or an anthropocentric worldview which could have direct consequences for the control of resource levels of utilization after the devolution of authority. A phenomenological approach was thus applied to collect data from nine selected conservation leaders from three different CREMAs. Their ecological worldviews were found to be mixed—depending on the ecological worldview domain, the CREMA leaders showed leanings toward stances ranging from complete eco-centrism to ambivalent eco-centrism and ambivalent anthropocentrism. The findings, however, mostly suggested that the dominant ecological worldviews of the CREMA leaders were eco-centric and not anthropocentric. They exercised the middle ground, i.e., ambivalent ecological worldviews stances, to influence sustainable natural resource utilization while complete eco-centric worldviews were applied to protect balances in ecological functions. The leaders applied these determinations to promote the dual purposes of the CREMAs as they were set up for nature conservation and socio-economic development in Ghana. The study also recommends that the findings should be explored further to develop adaptable criteria that include ecological worldviews in the selection of CREMA leaders

Identifying the Dominant Ecological Worldviews of Community Leaders and the Influences These Have in Managing Conservation Areas in Ghana

This study was set on the premise of a research question that sought to identify the dominant ecological worldviews of Community Resources Management Area (CREMA) leaders and the influences these have on the management prescriptions of their conservation areas. The relevance of the question was to identify whether the CREMA leaders subscribed to an eco-centric or an anthropocentric worldview which could have direct consequences for the control of resource levels of utilization after the devolution of authority. A phenomenological approach was thus applied to collect data from nine selected conservation leaders from three different CREMAs. Their ecological worldviews were found to be mixed—depending on the ecological worldview domain, the CREMA leaders showed leanings toward stances ranging from complete eco-centrism to ambivalent eco-centrism and ambivalent anthropocentrism. The findings, however, mostly suggested that the dominant ecological worldviews of the CREMA leaders were eco-centric and not anthropocentric. They exercised the middle ground, i.e., ambivalent ecological worldviews stances, to influence sustainable natural resource utilization while complete eco-centric worldviews were applied to protect balances in ecological functions. The leaders applied these determinations to promote the dual purposes of the CREMAs as they were set up for nature conservation and socio-economic development in Ghana. The study also recommends that the findings should be explored further to develop adaptable criteria that include ecological worldviews in the selection of CREMA leaders

Leading Sustainability: Understanding Leadership Emergence in Community Resources Management Areas in Ghana

Community Resources Management Areas (CREMAs) establishment strategy in Ghana aims at putting some biodiversity rich communal lands belonging to families and traditional rulers under conservation. Community leaders play important roles in the success of the CREMAs conservation programmes to achieving the desired sustainability in the rural areas. This study applied phenomenological approach to collect qualitative data from community conservation leaders from three CREMA sites in northern Ghana. The major findings of the study showed CREMAs establishment origins vary from community initiated projects through interest group initiatives to cooperation between central government and community enterprises. Leadership emergence was found to be influenced by personal experiences, expected personal benefits and nominations from community members. Emerged leaders engaged state agencies and other external partners for technical and financial assistance in facilitating the establishment of CREMAs. Findings on decision making processes in the CREMAs suggested they were based on consultations. It is recommended that tailor made training programmes on leadership that emphasizes individual agency of responsibility to the CREMAs and their communities should be designed for those who emerge to lead

Mathematics Teachers’ Views and Use of Differentiated Instruction: The case of two teachers in the Winneba Municipality, Ghana

To ensure that the global sustainable development goal on education is achieved, the implementation of differentiated instruction (DI) is beginning to gain attention in the Ghanaian education system. But is Ghana embracing and implementing DI effectively in the mathematics classroom? This paper investigated two junior high school (JHS) mathematics teachers’ views and use of DI in their mathematics classrooms. Qualitative data obtained through observations and semi-structured interviews in an embedded mixed methods study that employed the Solomon four group quasi-experiment design were analyzed and in this report. The results show that teachers used flexible grouping, tiered assignment, end of unit assignments, worksheets and ICT tools (though extremely challenging) as the convenient DI strategies. The interview data after the experiment disclosed that, DI impacted students’ performance positively. However, the data showed that DI is time consuming, extremely challenging, expensive and required resources not readily available in public schools. Recommendations are made for the embracing of convenient strategies of DI in Ghanaian classrooms

A Multiple Colour Bobbin Winder: An Enhanced Accessory for Transforming Indigenous On-Loom Weaving

Indigenous hand weaving is an ancient traditional handicraft practised in many cultures across Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe and Latin America. The looms and accessories are made from local materials and the mechanism for their operation involves simple technologies that are easy to learn. These traditional hand weaving looms mostly produce long, narrow strips of patterned woven fabric that are sewn together to construct cloth, carpets and other specialized end-user woven products. Bobbin winding is an integral aspect of weft preparation for weaving. Bobbin winders used by cloth weavers in the indigenous Ghanaian textiles industry have capacity to produce single bobbins only at a time, which lengthens the yarn preparation and weaving periods, and reduced productivity of cloth weavers. The bobbin winder described in this article is semi-automatic, capable of winding multiple bobbins with single or multiple coloured yarns of uniform tension concurrently within a short time for higher rate production of woven fabrics in direct contrast with existing bobbin winders. This bobbin winder was based on the Universal Design Methodology and constructed with the sole aim of resolving limitations of existing bobbin winders in order to transform the traditional weaving industry. Testing the bobbin winder for broadloom weaving by 58 textiles students proved the technology is simple, efficient and effective; easy to manipulate and wind multiple bobbins within a short time. This implies time saving in weft preparation and hand weaving for increased productivity in Ghana’s indigenous textiles industry. Keywords: bobbin winder; weft preparation; hand weaving; traditional loom; indigenous textiles industry

Profile and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary institution hospital in Ghana

Background: In high-income countries, mortality related to hospitalized patients with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is approximately 4-5%. However, data on COVID-19 admissions from sub-Saharan Africa are scanty.Objective: To describe the clinical profile and determinants of outcomes of patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted at a hospital in Ghana.Methods: A prospective study involving 25 patients with real time polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the treatment centre of the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana from 1st June to 27th July, 2020. They were managed and followed up for outcomes. Data were analysed descriptively, and predictors of mortality assessed using a multivariate logistic regression modelling.Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.3 ± 20.6 years, and 14 (56%) were males. The main symptoms at presentation were breathlessness (68%) followed by fever (56%). The cases were categorized as mild (6), moderate (6), severe (10) and critical (3). Hypertension was the commonest comorbidity present in 72% of patients. Medications used in patient management included dexamethasone (68%), azithromycin (96%), and hydroxychloroquine (4%). Five of 25 cases died (Case fatality ratio 20%). Increasing age and high systolic blood pressure were associated with mortality.Conclusion: Case fatality in this sample of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was high. Thorough clinical assessment, severity stratification, aggressive management of underlying co-morbidities and standardized protocols incountry might improve outcomes

Universal coverage and utilization of free long-lasting insecticidal nets for malaria prevention in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMalaria continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, especially among children and pregnant women. The use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) has been recognized and prioritized as a major intervention for malaria prevention in Ghana. This study aims to establish the factors influencing the universal coverage and utilization of LLINs in Ghana.MethodsThe data used for this study was from a cross-sectional survey carried out to assess LLINs ownership and use in 9 out of the 10 old regions of Ghana from October 2018 to February 2019 where free LLIN distribution interventions were implemented. The EPI “30 × 7” cluster sampling method (three-stage sampling design) was modified to “15 × 14” and used for the study. A total of 9,977 households were interviewed from 42 districts. Descriptive statistics using percentages as well as tests of associations such as Pearson Chi-square and the magnitude of the associations using simple and multivariable logistic regression were implemented.ResultsOf the 9,977 households in the study, 88.0% of them owned at least one LLIN, universal coverage was 75.6%, while utilization was 65.6% among households with at least one LLIN. In the rural and urban areas, 90.8% and 83.2% of households, respectively, owned at least one LLIN. The was a 44% increase in universal coverage of LLINs in rural areas compared to urban areas (AOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02–2.02). There were 29 higher odds of households being universally covered if they received LLIN from the PMD (AOR: 29.43, 95% CI: 24.21–35.79). Households with under-five children were 40% more likely to utilize LLIN (AOR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.26–1.56). Respondents with universal coverage of LLIN had 25% increased odds of using nets (AOR: 1.25 95% CI: 1.06–1.48). Rural dwelling influences LLIN utilization, thus there was about 4-fold increase in household utilization of LLINs in rural areas compared to urban areas (AOR: 3.78, 95% CI: 2.73–5.24). Household size of more than 2 has high odds of LLINs utilization and awareness of the benefit of LLINs (AOR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.18–1.71).ConclusionAbout nine in 10 households in Ghana have access at least to one LLIN, three-quarters had universal coverage, and over two-thirds of households with access used LLIN. The predictors of universal coverage included region of residence, rural dwellers, and PMD campaign, while households with child under-five, in rural areas, and with universal coverage were positively associated with utilization

Therapeutic efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine combination for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana

In 2020, Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DHAP) was adopted as a second-line antimalarial for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana following a review of the country’s antimalarial medicines policy. Available data obtained in 2007 had shown PCR-uncorrected therapeutic efficacy of 93.3% using a 28-day follow-up schedule. In 2020, the standard 42-day follow-up schedule for DHAP was used to estimate efficacy levels among febrile children aged 6 months to 9 years in three malaria sentinel sites representing the three main ecological zones of the country- savannah, forest, and coastal. PCR genotyping distinguished between recrudescence and re-infection using merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2)-specific primers for FC27 and 3D7 strains. Per protocol analyses showed day 28 efficacy of 100% in all three sentinel sites with day 42 PCR-corrected efficacy ranging between 90.3% (95% CI: 80.1 – 96.4%) in the savannah zone and 100% in the forest and coastal zones, yielding a national average of 97.0% (95% CI: 93.4 – 98.8). No day 3 parasitemia was observed in all three sites. Prevalence of measured fever (axillary temperature ≥ 37.5°C) declined from 50.0 - 98.8% on day 0 to 7.1-11.5% on day 1 whilst parasitemia declined from 100% on day 0 to 1.2 - 2.3% on day 1. Mean haemoglobin levels on days 28 and 42 were significantly higher than pre-treatment levels in all three sites. We conclude that DHAP is highly efficacious in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. This data will serve as baseline for subsequent DHAP efficacy studies in the country

Implementation, usage, and effectiveness of Ghana climate change policies: an assessment of the national CSA Action Plan and CSA Investment Framework

" Five years after the adoption of CSA Action Plan, followed by a CSA Investment Framework, it was crucial to assess the level of implementation and usage and draw lessons on the effectiveness of these two policy documents. This study aims to provide a scientific-based assessment of the level of implementation, usage, and effectiveness of the above-mentioned two Ghana climate change policy documents. Due to low awareness of stakeholders, the implementation of the CSA Action Plan and CSA Investment Framework is low (19% of studied districts). The usage of the CSA Action Plan focuses more on crop value chain development followed by livestock and fish value chains. The CSA Investment Framework was used to mobilize resource to develop climate-resilient cropping systems, alternative livelihood systems, post-harvest management, market systems, and water conservation activities. The effectiveness of the CSA Action Plan and CSA Investment Framework depends on the number of target beneficiaries, budget allocation and funds mobilized. Multipurpose policy instruments are critical for bringing about a conducive environment to address climate change and related risks. Increasing awareness of the CSA Action Plan is a key pathway to enhance its usage, implementation and effectiveness across scales. To enable effective use of the CSA Investment Framework, there is a need to enhance the capacity of key stakeholders on the development of bankable proposal