Assessment of nutrients status of areas supporting optimum oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. L) cultivation in Ghana

In Ghana, information on the fertility status to support oil palm growth and productivity and possible fertilizer recommendation is not common. The objective of this study was to assess the nutrition-related limitations to production of oil palm across areas climatically delineated as optimum for sustainable oil palm production. Based on Ghana Interim Soil Classification System, benchmark soils identified in these areas were: Temang (Lixisols), Akroso (Acrisol), Kokofu (Alisols), Basitia (Acrislos), Firam (Acrisols) and Nkwanta (Acrisols). Results indicated generally strongly acidic soil and exchangeable acidity values obtained were high and consistent with very acidic soil conditions. There were generally- high C: N ratios (>20) except some few sites, thus supplementary nitrogen is required to reduce C: N ratio and improve N availability. The Total Exchangeable Bases (TEB), Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC) and available P values were less than the optimum values for sustainable oil palm production. Both soil and foliar analysis indicated that soils in areas assessed have low soil fertility with relatively good soil physical conditions. It is recommended that instead of superphosphate fertilizer application, rock phosphate should be administered due to high acidity. Raising the low ECEC levels of the soil calls for composted empty fruit bunches incorporation

Reduced Semen Quality And Risk Behaviour Amongst Men Consulting A Referral STD Clinic

A CAJM article on the reduced semen quality among Zimbabwean men who consult referral STD clinics.Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infertility are public health challenges that continue to represent a high demand and costly adult medical care conditions in most developing countries. Few studies address strategies for prevention of infertility secondary to STDs through behavioural change and early and prompt STD treatment. A prospective cohort design was used to study the effects of urogenital infection on semen quality in consenting consecutive subjects that presented with chronic or recurrent sexually transmitted diseases. Health seeking behavioural correlates and socio-economic variables were compared between index subjects at a genito-urinary referral clinic and those that presented with non-STD conditions at a referral polyclinic

From the Singular to the Plural: Exploring Diversities in Contemporary Childhoods in sub-Saharan Africa

The challenges that sub-Saharan Africa has faced in the post-colonial period have come to characterise the way the region is perceived. These narratives are especially evident in the various ways children’s lives are discussed, leading to a particular focus on childhoods in difficult circumstances or at the margins. This has eclipsed the mundanities of everyday life for many children whose lives are not characterised by ‘lacks’. This article seeks to move beyond an overwhelming focus on childhoods defined by what they lack by illustrating the multitude of childhoods which exist in the continent

Does postnatal care have a role in improving newborn feeding? A study in 15 sub–Saharan African countries

Breastfeeding is known as a key intervention to improve newborn health and survival while prelacteal feeds (liquids other than breastmilk within 3 days of birth) represents a departure from optimal feeding practices. Recent programmatic guidelines from the WHO and UNICEF outline the need to improve newborn feeding and points to postnatal care (PNC) as a potential mechanism to do so. This study examines if PNC and type of PNC provider are associated with key newborn feeding practices: breastfeeding within 1 day and prelacteal feeds

Leverage and firm investment: the role of information asymmetry and growth

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate how financial leverage impacts firm investment and the extent to which this relationship is conditional on the level of information asymmetry as well as growth. Design/methodology/approach The paper relies on data from 2,403 Indian firms during the period 1995-2014, generating a total of 19,544 firm-year observations. Analysis is conducted by using various panel econometric techniques. Findings Drawing insights from agency theories, the paper uncovers that financial leverage is negatively and significantly related to firm investment. It is also observed that the impact of financial leverage on firm investment is significant for high information asymmetric firms. Finally, the paper shows that the relationship between leverage and firm investment is significant for low-growth firms. However, no significant relationship is found between leverage and investment for high-growth firms. Originality/value This paper provides fresh evidence on the leverage–investment nexus and, to the authors’ knowledge, it the first paper to examine the extent to which this leverage–investment relationship is driven by the level of information asymmetry

Sustainability orientation, CSR implementation and new venture growth

Purpose: Building on the upper echelons theory and sustainability orientation (SO) literature, we examined the possibility that the relationship between chief executive officers’ (CEOs’) SO and venture growth might be mediated by levels of CSR implementation. Design/methodology/approach: We used data obtained from from 211 new ventures operating in Ghana. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings: We found that CSR implementation mediates the relationship between SO and venture growth. In addition, we found that, at higher levels of financial slack, the effect of SO on CSR implementation is attenuated. However, our results show that, at higher levels of CEO power, the influence of SO on CSR implementation is amplified. Originality: To the best of our knowledge, this study is among the first to examine mediating role of CSR implementation in the relationship between SO and venture growth, and also, examines two internal contingency factors (i.e., CEO power and financial slack) on this association. Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study builds on prior scholarly works by articulating a key managerial characteristic that shapes the implementation of environmental and social policies. Specifically, we show that SO influences venture growth through CSR implementation. We also provide insights on the connection of CSR implementation to growth of new business ventures. Practitioner/Policy Implications: Our study encourages CEOs to voluntarily adopt CSR and sustainability initiatives. The analysis also reinforces the need that higher levels of CEO power have a major impact in amplifying the effects of sustainability orientation on degree of CSR implementation. There is a need for government to create forums where organizational decisionmakers, i.e., CEOs, exchange not only the best knowledge about CSR implementation and sustainability, but also best practices to provide opportunities for cross fertilization of ideas and increased innovations