Indigenous institutions, a resource for environmental impact assessment and planning in Ghana

Doctor of Philosoph

Growth and Yield Response of Carrot (Daucus Carota L) to Different Green Manures and Plant Spacing

A field experiment was carried out to study the growth and yield response of carrot to different green manures and plant spacing at the College of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba-Mampong Campus in 2015 and 2016. Four different soil amendments (10 t/ha Mucuna pruriens, Chromolaena odorata, Gliricidia sepium, 300Kg/ha NPK (15, 15, 15) and control) along with three spacing regimes (25 x 10cm, 25 x 15cm and 25 x 20cm) were employed in the investigation in Randomized Complete Block Design. The result revealed that the application of 10 t/ha Mucuna pruriens, Chromolaena odorata, Gliricidia sepium and 300Kg/ha NPK (15, 15, 15) improved the vegetative growth of carrot and translocated the assimilates into the final gross and marketable yield of the root compared to the control. Among the spacing regimes, 25 x 20cm produced the best vegetative growth. Application of 300kg/ha NPK was found suitable for maximum gross and marketable yields (28.73 t/ha and 27.23 t/ha, respectively) in 2015. In 2016, Mucuna pruriens, Chromolaena odorata, and Gliricidia sepium treatments produced gross and marketable yields similar to 300kg/ha NPK. With the spacing regime, 25 x 10cm produced maximum gross and marketable yield in both years. The combined treatment effect of 300kg /ha NPK and 10 t /ha of Mucuna pruriens at 25 x 10cm spacing resulted in the best performance in terms of gross and marketable yields. From the production as well as economic points of view a combination 10t/ha Mucuna pruriens at 25 x 10cm spacing may be suggested for maximizing carrot production in the study area. Keywords: Mucuna pruriens, Chromolaena odorata, Gliricidia sepium, green manure, plant spacing, vegetative growth, gross and marketable yields

Same-Sex Marriage in Ghana: Scripture, Health Law and Bioethics

Same-sex relationship is not a recent phenomenon. In the Christian scripture (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13) are traces of sexual prohibitions which have guided the morality of Christian marriage for years. Also, early colonial regulations in the Gold Coast (and perhaps other British colonies) contained strict prohibitions against homosexuality. In Ghana today, same-sex marriage is an illegal and ethical subject attracting diverse opinions. Whilst some Western countries recognize same-sex marriage and provide free movement as well as residency permits for same-sex couple, the marriage is repressed, criminalized and forbidden in most parts of Africa (if not entirely). The paper is to examine same-sex marriage and the extent to which scripture, health law and bioethics have shaped and informed attitudes toward homosexual activities in Ghana today. The paper examines Christian scriptural and bioethical responses which can serve as a means for co-existence. Keywords: Same-sex marriage, Scripture, Health law, Bioethics, Co-existence DOI: 10.7176/DCS/11-4-04 Publication date: April 30th 202

Determinants of Capital Structure: Evidence from Ghanaian Firms

This paper investigates the determinants of capital structure using dataset from 33 listed and non-listed companies during the period 2003 – 2007 in Ghana.  A multiple regression analysis of pooled-cross sectional and time-series observations have been employed in the analysis.  The results identify long-term debt to be irrelevant component of capital structure of large unquoted and quoted firms in Ghana as there is a greater reliance on equity.  Furthermore, profitability, size, business risk and tangible assets have positive correlation with level of gearing of companies in Ghana.  On the other hand, growth, and tax indicate a negative correlation with the level of gearing. Keywords: Capital structure, financing decisions, listed, non-listed, Ghana

Work Environment and Employee Productivity: The Role of Job Satisfaction

This paper examines the effect of work environment on employee productivity. The mediation role of job satisfaction in the nexus amidst work environment and employee productivity is also assessed. The cross sectional design and survey approach was deployed. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Public Second Cycle teachers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana formed the population of the study. The study adopted Ordinary Least Square in SPSS as the data analysis technique. The study found significant positive effect of work environment on employee productivity. Lastly, the nexus amidst work environment and employee productivity was found to be partially mediated by job satisfaction. It is recommended that management should pay much attention to workplace conditions so that employees feel comfortable. Management should ensure serene environment in the workplace to improve employee productivity. Management should implement acceptable job conditions to motivate employees to achieve their targets. This will ensure that employees submit high quality work. It will also encourage employees to demonstrate positive attitude towards work. By so doing, employees will deliver work on time and meet deadlines. Notwithstanding, employees will seek opportunities for growth in order to increase their productivity. Keywords: Work Environment, Job Satisfaction, Employee Productivity, Ghana Education Service DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-19-06 Publication date: December 31st 202

An Ad-Hoc Crime Reporting Information Management System

Criminals often escape punishment due to delayed sharing of information with law enforcement agencies. The traditional method of reporting crimes is slow, thus, the need for a faster and modern approach, one that uses modern technology to apprehend perpetrators. It is therefore important to have a well-organized system for reporting criminal activities. This system should be free and easily accessible to the public. With information being delivered promptly and remotely, there is no need for visits to police stations, which can be time-consuming and tedious. This project aims to curb criminal activities by developing a smartphone application that enables victims or witnesses to report real-time information to security agencies, including GPS coordinates. The use of real-time data would prompt quick responses in emergency situations and make reactions proactive rather than reactive. The proposed methodology for the project involves designing and developing a user-friendly mobile app as well as a professional web application for security agencies. The creation of an integration platform allows for the registration of police stations and staff members. Feedback from users would help maintain and improve upon the app. Ultimately, this project aims at increasing public safety and improving crime reporting and management in Ghana by using modern technologies. By enabling citizens to report crimes in real-time, the mobile application has the potential to revolutionize crime reporting and foster a safer and secure environment. By collaborating with law enforcement agencies, the proposed solution can help provide a more efficient and proactive crime reporting system in Ghana.     &nbsp

PHENOTYPIC TRAITS AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF JATROPHA CURCAS SEEDS FROM NORTHERN GHANA

This study was carried out to examine the physical features, proximate composition and oil quality of Jatropha curcas seeds from Nyankpala and Bole in the Northern Region of Ghana. The unit mass of J. curcas seed and kernel, length, width, breadth, geometric and arithmetic mean diameter, volume, bulk density, solid density and sphericity were considered. The physical properties of J. curcas seed and kernel between the two provinces were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) with the exception of bulk density. The geometric features of seeds and kernel from Nyankapla were greater than those from Bole. Proximate composition of crude protein for Nyankpala and Bole was 21.67 ± 0.795 and 23.14 ± 0.781 respectively. Ether extract of J. curcas seeds from Bole (22.41± 2.98%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than from Nyankapla (18.37± 2.14). Oil properties indicated stability and high saturation among the oil samples. The study reveals that variation in agro-climatic conditions of the two provinces influence the seed physical features. This finding will serve as useful data for the design and improvement of J. curcas seed and kernel processing machine and for the use of J. curcas seed meal as potential feed in animal husbandry

Board meetings and bank performance in Africa

This study examines the relationship between a board meeting and banks performance in Africa. This paper provides insight on this question after taking into account the endogeneity of the relationship between board meetings and performance. Specifically, we use the GMM technique and a sample of 635 banks from 48 countries in Africa between 2000 to 2016 to test our hypothesis and found that more board meetings, averagely 6, reduce banks’ performance in sub-Sahara Africa. In the Northern Africa context, with an average board meeting of 7.68, however, we document a positive and significant association between a board meeting and bank performance. Our result suggests that fewer board meeting enhances the shareholder value of Banks in Sub-Sahara Africa but not their counterparts in North Africa. Our paper provides insights to policymakers responsible for improving the governance mechanisms in African banks