Transition of Colleges of Education in Ghana to Tertiary Institution: Perceptions of Principals about Changes Experienced in the Colleges

A non-experimental survey and basic interpretive study were conducted to examine the perceptions of principals of colleges of education in Ghana about change initiatives in the colleges. Data were collected from all the principals of public colleges of education through a Likert-type survey questionnaire and using a semi-structured interview protocols from a focus group. Data collected from the survey were analysed using Chi-square test of independence, while the data from the interview were put into themes and descriptions provided on the adopted change approach and targeted activities undertaken for change initiatives in the colleges.  Based on the study findings, the study concluded that change initiatives in the colleges of education were predominantly in the area of establishing governance and administrative structures with focus on priority activities of developing college strategic plan, constituting functional committees of the academic board, adopting committee system for decision making, and operationalizing college governing councils. A major recommendation for practice was that the leadership of the colleges of education should consider the long-term impact of change initiatives in the colleges and adopt the reconstructive approach in executing change. Keywords: educational change, change strategies; institutional governance, decision making DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-23-08 Publication date:August 31st 202

Adinkra Symbol Recognition using Classical Machine Learning and Deep Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative influence, engendering paradigm shifts in global societies, spanning academia and industry. However, in light of these rapid advances, addressing the underrepresentation of black communities and African countries in AI is crucial. Boosting enthusiasm for AI can be effectively accomplished by showcasing straightforward applications around tasks like identifying and categorizing traditional symbols, such as Adinkra symbols, or familiar objects within the community. In this research endeavor, we dived into classical machine learning and harnessed the power of deep learning models to tackle the intricate task of classifying and recognizing Adinkra symbols. The idea led to a newly constructed ADINKRA dataset comprising 174,338 images meticulously organized into 62 distinct classes, each representing a singular and emblematic symbol. We constructed a CNN model for classification and recognition using six convolutional layers, three fully connected (FC) layers, and optional dropout regularization. The model is a simpler and smaller version of VGG, with fewer layers, smaller channel sizes, and a fixed kernel size. Additionally, we tap into the transfer learning capabilities provided by pre-trained models like VGG and ResNet. These models assist us in both classifying images and extracting features that can be used with classical machine learning models. We assess the model's performance by measuring its accuracy and convergence rate and visualizing the areas that significantly influence its predictions. These evaluations serve as a foundational benchmark for future assessments of the ADINKRA dataset. We hope this application exemplar inspires ideas on the various uses of AI in organizing our traditional and modern lives.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 5 table

Public Health Act and Vaccine Manufacturing in Ghana

Objective: To analyze Ghana's Public Health Act 2012 applying the CRuPAC policy review methodology regarding its adequacy and provisions for enabling domestic vaccine manufacturing, especially considering shortages during the COVID-19 response.  Method: Granular examination of Ghana law's relevant sections pertaining to infectious disease control, biologics regulation and health emergency directives. Contrasted with vaccine manufacturing policy approaches from India, Brazil and Mexico. Assessed against imperatives around ethics, equity and WHO technological capability transfer guidance.Results: Determined Act originally lacks explicit clauses directly addressing vaccine development ecosystems. However, stop-gap utilization of certain clauses governing inoculations, public health emergencies and biologics were justifiably invoked amid COVID to facilitate interim domestic production. Long-term sustainability requires dedicated institutes, private incentives and public infrastructure policies akin to analog countries. Contributions: Structured analysis revealed legal limitations but also ethical grounds for temporary interventions expanding vaccine access, until amended legislation transforms the Act into an instrument actively enabling self-reliance.Practical Significance: Informs resource allocation and policy reforms for vaccine equity globally post-pandemic. Provides developing country policymakers a framework to scientifically evaluate laws regarding health security aims. Keywords: Vaccine manufacturing, Health legislation, Public policy, Equity, Self-reliance DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/139-05 Publication date: January 31st 202

User Research for Youth Sports Division Website: Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation

Final project for INST490: Integrated Capstone for Information Science (Fall 2019). University of Maryland, College Park.In the last legislative session, a new Maryland law was passed addressing youth sports delivery that presents an exciting new challenge for the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department is in the process of establishing a new division to meet this challenge while continuing to deliver a wide variety of sports through in-house programs and with partnership organizations. The new Division will feature “one stop shopping” enabling community members to to view schedules, register their children, and learn about opportunities for engagement. This project’s survey was developed to gather community input to that can inform what content would best serve users.Prince George's Count

Lipid profile and cardiovascular risk indices of women on various types of contraceptives in the Ho Municipality of Ghana

Background: Hormonal contraceptives (HCs) have been successfully used worldwide to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and implantation. These contraceptives have effects on lipid metabolism, body fat and blood pressure which are all risk factors for cardio vascular disease (CVD). Some studies have reported that prolonged use of these hormone-based contraceptives have negative effect on cardiovascular risk indices, however, few of such studies have been done in Ghana, hence this study sought to examine the effect of various forms of contraceptives on cardio vascular risk indices in the Volta Region of Ghana.Methods: Purposive random sampling was employed in selecting women on various forms of contraceptives and aged-matched controls into the study. Fasting blood sample was collected from each participant after overnight fast for 10-16 hours into plain tubes and the sera used to determine lipid profile. Socio-demographic and BMI variables were also analyzed in this case-control study.Results: Statistically significant differences were observed for Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (p=0.0153), High Density Lipoprotein levels (HDL) (p=0.001), and the atherogenic index (p=0.0101) between the cases and the controls.Conclusions: The use of HC significantly affects the DBP, HDL and atherogenic index and these could pose substantial risk for the development of CVD

Novel Strategies for Malaria Vaccine Design

The quest for a licensed effective vaccine against malaria remains a global priority. Even though classical vaccine design strategies have been successful for some viral and bacterial pathogens, little success has been achieved for Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the deadliest form of malaria due to its diversity and ability to evade host immune responses. Nevertheless, recent advances in vaccinology through high throughput discovery of immune correlates of protection, lymphocyte repertoire sequencing and structural design of immunogens, provide a comprehensive approach to identifying and designing a highly efficacious vaccine for malaria. In this review, we discuss novel vaccine approaches that can be employed in malaria vaccine design

Does Asset Quality Persist on Bank Lending Behaviour? Empirical Evidence from Ghana

Purpose: The objective of this study is to examine the persistence of bank asset quality on bank lending behaviour in Ghana. Data/Methodology: Using a dataset from the Bank of Ghana for 25 Ghanaian banks from 2005 to 2010, the study employed a random effects (RE) model with AR(1) and heteroskedastic disturbances to test the relationship between bank lending behaviour proxied as the ratio loans and advances to total asset and bank asset quality (ratio of nonperforming loans to gross loans and advances) while controlling for deposit mobilization, equity, management efficiency, intermediation spread and income diversification. Findings: The empirical estimation found that the effect of the deterioration of bank asset quality (high levels of non-performing loans) on bank lending behaviour is persistence and not contemporaneous. Additionally, bank deposit mobilization, intermediation spread and equity were also found to influence bank lending behaviour. Originality/Value: This paper is the first study to examine the persistence impact of the three classes of asset quality on bank intermediation functions in Ghana

Empowering the Next Generation of Tropical Forage Researchers: A New e-Journal for the 21\u3csup\u3est\u3c/sup\u3e Century

Grassland researchers in the 21st Century need 21st Century publication opportunities. A new, open-access online journal, Tropical Grasslands–Forrajes Tropicales, to continue the tradition of the former Tropical Grasslands (published by the Tropical Grassland Society of Australia Inc. during 1967-2010) and the former CIAT journal Pasturas Tropicales (1984-2006), is presented. It is published by CIAT in Cali, Colombia, and sponsored by CATAS, China, and ACIAR, Australia. Articles appear in English or Spanish with abstracts in both languages, and include research papers, short communications, review papers and farmer communications

Does Asset Quality Persist on Bank Lending Behaviour? Empirical Evidence from Ghana

Purpose: The objective of this study is to examine the persistence of bank asset quality on bank lending behaviour in Ghana. Data/Methodology: Using a dataset from the Bank of Ghana for 25 Ghanaian banks from 2005 to 2010, the study employed a random effects (RE) model with AR(1) and heteroskedastic disturbances to test the relationship between bank lending behaviour proxied as the ratio loans and advances to total asset and bank asset quality (ratio of nonperforming loans to gross loans and advances) while controlling for deposit mobilization, equity, management efficiency, intermediation spread and income diversification. Findings: The empirical estimation found that the effect of the deterioration of bank asset quality (high levels of non-performing loans) on bank lending behaviour is persistence and not contemporaneous. Additionally, bank deposit mobilization, intermediation spread and equity were also found to influence bank lending behaviour. Originality/Value: This paper is the first study to examine the persistence impact of the three classes of asset quality on bank intermediation functions in Ghana

Association of MYH9-rs3752462 polymorphisms with chronic kidney disease among clinically diagnosed hypertensive patients: a case-control study in a Ghanaian population

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant comorbidity among hypertensive patients. Polymorphisms in the non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9 gene (MYH9) have been demonstrated to be significantly associated with CKD, among African- and European-derived populations. We investigated the spectrum of MYH9-associated CKD among Ghanaian hypertensive patients. Methods: The study constituted a total of 264 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients with glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \u3c 60 ml/min/1.73m (CKD-EPI formula) or clinically diagnosed were defined as case subjects ( = 132) while those with eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73m were classified as control subjects ( = 132). Demographic data were obtained with a questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken. Five (5) millilitres (ml) of venous blood was drawn from study subjects into gel and EDTA vacutainer tubes. Two (2) mL of EDTA anticoagulated blood was used for genomic DNA extraction while three (3) mL of blood was processed to obtain serum for biochemical measurements. Genotyping of MYH9 polymorphisms (rs3752462) was done employing Tetra primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System (T-ARMS) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Spot urine samples were also collected for urinalysis. Hardy-Weinberg population was assessed. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and CKD. Results: The cases and control participants differed in terms of age, sex, family history, and duration of CKD (-value \u3c 0.001). The minor allele frequencies of rs3752462 SNP were 0.820 and 0.567 respectively among the control and case subjects. Patients with the heterozygote genotype of rs3752462 (CT) were more likely to develop CKD [aOR = 7.82 (3.81-16.04)] whereas those with homozygote recessive variant (TT) were protective [aOR = 0.12 (0.06-0.25)]. Single nucleotide polymorphism of rs3752462 (CT genotype) was associated with increased proteinuria, albuminuria, and reduced eGFR. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that MYH9 polymorphisms exist among Ghanaian hypertensive patients and rs3752462 polymorphism of MYH9 is associated with CKD. This baseline indicates that further longitudinal and multi-institutional studies in larger cohorts in Ghana are warranted to evaluate MYH9 SNP as an independent predictor of CKD among hypertensive patients in Ghana