Gender and Ethical Behaviour of Accounting Students: An Empirical Evidence of University of Cape Coast

This study examined the difference between gender and ethical behaviour of accounting students. The study covered University of Cape Coast level 400 accounting students. Descriptive survey was employed to achieve the objective of the study. Stratified and simple random sampling technique was used to sample 200 respondents for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. It was revealed that ethical beliefs of the respondents were influenced mainly by their ‘Religion’. Additionally, this present study found no significant difference in mean in the ethical sensitivity of male and female accounting students. Furthermore, the outcome of the study conducted on gender and ethical behaviour revealed that, male accounting students behaves more ethical than their female counterpart though female accounting students showed higher intentions in behaving ethically. From the findings it is recommended that conscious effort should be made by lecturers to sensitise and enlighten the students on the importance of making ethical decision even when not back by law to do so, for ethics goes beyond legal actions. Secondly, ethics must not only be taught but lived by the lecturers. This is because some of the respondents did state that the lifestyle of their teachers and lecturers influence their ethical beliefs. Thirdly, managements and policymakers should establish accounting ethics as a standalone course; this will help improve the ethical behaviour of the students. Keywords: Accounting, Accounting Students, Ethics, Ethical Behaviour, Ethical Sensitivity, Gende

The changing epidemiology of esophageal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa – the case of Ghana

Introduction: Esophageal cancer portends a grim prognosis. Most patients present with incurable disease. Scanty epidemiologic data on the disease has contributed to its low priority on the national. We sought to evaluate the current national trend in the presentation and outcome of esophageal cancer using our institutional experience from 1992 – 2010. Methods: This is a retrospective study based on 152 patients who were seen in our institution during the study period. The perioperative data of these patients were retrieved and the relevant details recorded. Histopathological reports were available for 75 patients managed over the period. The study setting was The National Cardiothoracic Centre, which serves as the only tertiary referral centre in the country for cardiothoracic problems. Results: There were 122 males and 30 females with a mean age of 57.8±11.7 years. The yearly trend from 1992 to 2010 showed a steady increase in the incidence of esophageal cancer. High alcohol consumption and smoking dominated the history of 82.2% of the patients. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for 78.7% and adenocarcinoma 21.3%. Distribution of esophageal carcinoma by anatomical location was 84.9% for distal third, 11.8% for middle third and 3.3% for upper third. All patients presented with incurable disease. Conclusion: The study shows an increasing incidence of esophageal carcinoma in this country. Alcohol abuse and smoking are major risk factors; squamous cell carcinoma is the dominant histological type in this study.Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 13:

Physical distancing and risk of COVID-19 in small-scale fisheries: a remote sensing assessment in coastal Ghana

The novel coronavirus is predicted to have dire implications on global food systems including fisheries value chains due to restrictions imposed on human movements in many countries. In Ghana, food production, both agriculture and fisheries, is exempted from restrictions as an essential service. The enforcement of COVID-19 prevention protocols, particularly social distancing, has been widely reported in Ghana's agricultural markets whereas casual observations and media reports on fish landing sites suggest no such enforcements are in place. This study aimed to provide sound scientific evidence as a basis for informed policy direction and intervention for the artisanal fishing sector in these challenging times. We employed an unmanned aerial vehicle in assessing the risk of artisanal fishers to the pandemic using physical distancing as a proxy. From analysis of cumulative distribution function (G-function) of the nearest-neighbour distances, this study underscored crowding at all surveyed fish landing beaches, and identified potential "hotspots" for disease transmission. Aerial measurements taken at times of peak landing beach activity indicated that the highest proportion of people, representing 56%, 48%, 39% and 78% in Elmina, Winneba, Apam and Mumford respectively, were located at distances of less than one metre from their nearest neighbour. Risk of crowding was independent of the population at the landing beaches, suggesting that all categories of fish landing sites along the coast would require equal urgency and measured attention towards preventing and mitigating the spread of the disease

Voices of Youth, Parents, and Stakeholders: Findings From Case Studies in the YouthSave Project

Voices of Youth, Parents, and Stakeholders: Findings From Case Studies in the YouthSave Projec

Engineered column treatment of greywater using raw and pyrolyzed coconut husk powder

Reclaimed water from wastewater has become a prominent water source option to manage water scarcity. This study explores the potential of coconut husk biomass, a common waste material in Ghana, as a valuable low-cost resource for greywater treatment. Engineered column treatment was applied to investigate the influence of pyrolysis and biochar properties of coconut husk biomass waste on greywater treatment. Coconut husk biomass waste was pyrolyzed at 600°C and characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD. Three engineered columns with 1) raw coconut husk powder (RCHP), 2) charred coconut husk powder (CCHP), and 3) sand-gravel filters (control setup) were used. A hydrostatic head of greywater with a throughput of 8.0 ml/min and a hydraulic retention time of 45 min was maintained for engineered columns. The SEM image suggested an increased surface area and pores due to the pyrolysis of the husk biomass. RCHP and CCHP contributed to 63% and 95% turbidity removal, respectively. Experimental results showed high removal efficiencies of 71% COD for CCHP. The nitrate removal efficiency of 78.93%, 88.38%, and 28.65% was observed for RCHP, CCHP, and control respectively. The log removal of faecal coliform by CCHP was two orders of magnitude higher than RCHP. Faecal and total coliform removal was 2.87 log units for CCHP. Significant differences were observed between CCHP and RCHP, p < 0.05 for electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids of effluents. CCHP showed a promising potential for greywater treatment. Pyrolyzed coconut husk powder is a promising adsorbent applicable to greywater treatment

Dimensions of Accessibility and Use of Information Communication Technology Among Cocoa Farmers in Atwima Mponua District, Ghana

This research examined the drivers of accessibility and use of information communication technologies (ICTs) by cocoa farmers. A sample size of four hundred (400) cocoa farmers was selected using a multi-stage random sampling procedure. Data were analysed using percentage, means, standard deviation, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance and multiple linear regression model. The study revealed that mobile phones, radio and television are the most available (Mean=4.99, 4.95 and 4.85 respectively), accessible (Mean=4.97, 4.83 and 4.40 respectively) and utilised (Mean=4.97, 4.81 and 4.30 respectively) ICT tools by cocoa farmers. There is a relatively high level of availability of ICT (Mean=3.57), a moderate level of accessibility (Mean=2.90) and low use (Mean=2.19) of ICT tools. Cocoa farmers’ mainly used ICTs tools to acquire information on their cocoa farm activities (Mean=4.82). Gender, age, education and farmer-based organisation participation affected farmers accessibility of ICT tools. Age, education and farm experience significantly affected farmers’ use of ICT tools. The greatest challenge faced by cocoa farmers in accessing and using ICT tools is a lack of skills in operating the tools (Mean rank=2.24). Training on ICT use should be intensified by all relevant stakeholders to enable cocoa farmers to increase their use of ICT tools