Effects of Economic Growth, Trade Openness, and Urbanization on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Ghana, 1960 to 2014

This paper examines the effects of per capita gross domestic product (GDP), trade openness, and urbanization on the total carbon dioxide emissions of Ghana using time-series annual data from 1960 to 2014. The 55-year period, from 1960 to 2014, covered economic transformation of Ghana from a low-income agrarian country to a lower-middle income country. The analysis used the autoregressive distributed lag method of co-integration. The results showed that per capita GDP, trade openness, and urbanization all significantly influenced both long-run and short-run levels of carbon dioxide emissions in Ghana. However, increased trade openness led to reduced total emissions, while rising per capita GDP and increased urbanization both increased total emissions albeit at different intensity levels

Quality Assurance and Internationalization in a Private University College

This study examined quality assurance practice and internationalization in a private university College (Wisconsin International University College, WIUC) with the intention of improving teaching and learning especially for international students.  A descriptive design of cross-sectional nature was used. It explored from the views of respondents important issues that constitute learning satisfaction and ways to enhance effective teaching and learning especially for students.  One hundred (100) respondents who are international students completed the questionnaire.  Students viewed external and internal audits by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and Quality Assurance and Institutional Relations Unit (QAIRU) of the WIUC respectively as essential to enhance quality. On student’s evaluation of lecturers, respondents agreed that appropriate feedback following evaluation is essential to facilitate student participation in future events. To assure quality and improve teaching and learning in the University College, respondents agreed that full engagement of students through the amount of time and effort put into teaching, learning and assessment as well as the commitment of more institutional resources, curricula and other learning opportunities are important to promote experiences that lead to more learning, satisfaction and successful graduation. Key Words: Quality assurance, accreditation, institutional, assessment, satisfactio

Effect of Education and Social Factors on Hygiene and Prevention Behavior of Women in Ghana

Women’s hygiene and prevention behavior was analyzed using the 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) couple’s dataset.  Effects of education, residence, lineage, self-determination and social support networks were examined. Results revealed a consistent positive educational effect on hygiene and prevention behaviors.  Urban living provided consistent positive results for hygiene and malaria prevention but did not significantly improve responsible sexual behavior. There were mixed results for matriliny. There was evidence that the self determination and social support variables added explanatory power in the models.  For malaria prevention, these variables added explanatory power but did not mediate any effects of education, residence, or lineage.  With hygiene behavior the, self determination and support network variables explained additional variance and mediated some of the effects of the demographic variables. Keywords: Education, Residence, Self-Determination, Lineage, Social Supports

Prevalence of Apo A and Apo E in extracellular vesicles using different purification methods

Apolipoprotein (Apo), a protein portion of plasma lipoprotein, can attach to and distribute blood lipids to different tissues in the body for metabolism and utilization. It is primarily synthesized in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in the small intestine. High levels of apolipo-proteins may affect blood lipid metabolism and use, causing the onset and progression of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis that might lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. However, these lipid-protein molecules are also present in extracellular vesicles (EVs) samples. The study shows various extracellular vesicle purification methods to detect apolipoproteins as well as how the apolipoprotein yield correlates with apolipoproteins and cholesterol fractions measured by routine methods in a clinical laboratory

Barriers to Internal Quality Assurance in Ghanaian Private Tertiary Institutions

This study examines the understanding of the national quality assurance system and existing barriers to the implementation of internal quality assurance in some Private Tertiary Institutions in Ghana.  Academic, administrative staff and students from the private institutions completed a set of questionnaires that tapped their perceptions on issues causing implementation barriers to internal quality assurance. Quality management decisions emerged as a major barrier to the implementation of internal quality assurance, especially the failure to link identification of quality objectives to the institutional strategic plan. Student involvement, lack of effective coordination, weaker emphasis on strategic planning and quality management as well as dominance culture not opened to change and improvement were barriers that adversely affected the implementation of internal quality assurance.  The study concludes that transparency, openness, responsiveness and creativity should form the basis of the ideal culture for quality improvement in private higher education institutions. Key words: Internal Quality Assurance, Accreditation, Implementatio

Class Communication Tools in a Blended Graduate Course

The study presents a research carried out at the School of Continuing and Distance Education at the University of Ghana during the second semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. The research was carried out over a period of sixteen weeks from August to November 2015 for a course DEEL 612 taught at the graduate level. The study involved 11 graduate students who were studying for a Master’s Degree delivered in a blended mode. An in-depth telephone interview of the eleven students conducted by a trained and experienced interviewer was carried out. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Results show that, respondents studying online enjoyed equality in the ability to share thoughts and ideas. They found studying online with the use of the Sakai LMS to be useful, flexible and convenient. Respondents in the study affirmed that, Sakai LMS enhanced interactivity with peers and the instructor in ways that supported trusted relationship building. This helped learning to take place, made it of fun and innovative. Keywords: Blended mode, online, Sakai LMS, interactivity, student learning DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-13-10 Publication date:May 31st 202

The Role of Education, Religion and Politics in Resolving the Dilemma of the Modern African State

The cultural practices and value system of the African has helped maintain peaceful co-existence among various tribes thereby holding the nations together in one piece. A nation of twenty-four million people as is Ghana and over seventy different languages and so many different ethnic groups would have disintegrated as is the case with some other countries of the world had it not been for the heritage that was passed on from the ancestors. The sustainability of this peace and tranquility is all threatened in the modern state that is poised to move away from the culture and value system of old. The advent of politics of insults is a good testament to this. Resolving the dilemma of the modern state is about how to bring modern educational systems and philosophies to bear with the indigenous value system in such a way that restores harmony, trust and peaceful co-existence among various socio-cultural, religious and ethnic dimensions in the country. This paper was born out of a focus group discussion of a team comprising politicians, people of faith, policy makers, teachers and learners. Issues pertinent to the resolution of the dilemma of the modern state discussed emphasized the roles of education, religion, politics, and policy making. Discussants agreed that the time is right for such discussions and pointed out that resolving the dilemma would mean how best to interface the difference between education, religion, politics and policy making, education providers and learners. Keywords: Education, dilemma, religion, politics, modern stat

The Role of Internal Audit in Risk Identification and Management: The Case of a Publicly Funded University in Ghana

Risk management is an integral part of the organizational process effected by an entity's management and personnel. It is designed to identify and address risks and to provide reasonable assurance in pursuit of the entity's mission. Risk management is to an organization’s strategic management as it raises the probability of success, and reduces both the probability of failure and the uncertainty of achieving the organization’s overall objectives. This study is set to ascertain the role of Internal Audit in risk identification, analysis and management in a Public University in Ghana. This single case study is situated at University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa. The research goes beyond the evidence in the public domain and includes questionnaire and interview of key personnel for data collection. The research revealed that, Internal Audit function plays an important role in making risk management at UMaT effective by carrying out activities such as pre-audit, revenue checking, updating procedures, provision of recommendations, and ensuring policies and procedures are complied. These go a long way to contribute to the achievement of the University objectives. Financial risk is found to be the major risk that threatens the operations of the University. The questionnaire administration indicated more than 77% of respondents agreed that the Internal Audit helps to reduce risk, conducts regular evaluation and review of risk, has qualified staff and management considers recommendations made by the unit as valuable. Respondents were, however, critical regarding professional training of staff, low percentages of respondents (30% and below) agreed to assertions in areas such as professional training of staff, adequate logistics and staff strength. It is recommended that there should be a documented risk management policy and when possible size of the Internal Audit staff should be increased to enable wider coverage of audit activity within the University be carried within the shortest possible time to ensure timeliness and relevance. In addition, staff should be encouraged to attend professional training periodically. Keywords: Risk Management; Organization; Internal Audit DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-12-11 Publication date:June 30th 202

Dissociation of Immune Responses from Pathogen Colonization Supports Pattern Recognition in C. elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans has been used for over a decade to characterize signaling cascades controlling innate immune responses. However, what initiates these responses in the worm has remained elusive. To gain a better understanding of the initiating events we delineated genome-wide immune responses to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in worms heavily-colonized by the pathogen versus worms visibly not colonized. We found that infection responses in both groups were identical, suggesting that immune responses were not correlated with colonization and its associated damage. Quantitative RT-PCR measurements further showed that pathogen secreted factors were not able to induce an immune response, but exposure to a non-pathogenic Pseudomonas species was. These findings raise the possibility that the C.elegans immune response is initiated by recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns. In the absence of orthologs of known pattern recognition receptors, C. elegans may rely on novel mechanisms, thus holding the potential to advance our understanding of evolutionarily conserved strategies for pathogen recognition

Influence of Risk Management Practices on Service Quality in Health Care Delivery

The paper examined impact of risk management practices on service quality in healthcare provision in the Accra metropolis and compared analysis between private and public hospitals. Seven items relating to risk management practices for hospital staff were presented with responses based on a five point Likert Scale; ranging from strongly agree , agree, uncertain, disagree and strongly disagree. Questions tapping respondents’ feedback on expectations and experience of service provided were asked to patients in health facilities. Results of the study revealed that, private hospitals implemented more risk management practices and this positively impacted on their service quality from both the staff and patients’ perspectives. Public hospitals did not effectively practice risk management which showed up negatively on service quality performance from patients’ perspectives. The study shows that, management support and commitment is very important to all risk management strategies and managers in public health should commit more organizational resources toward the effective implementation of quality improvement initiatives.