Evaluating the relevance (importance) of strategy in controlling business operation costs

Operations and project cost overrun is one of the many challenges faced by businesses in this current global market. The effects of cost overrun are numerous ranging from loss of profit, threat to business competitiveness and survival and many others. Therefore, the need a strategy that incorporates cost control cannot be over emphasized. This article discusses the different cost control techniques that can be employed when drawing a business strategy. Expert judgements from professionals in the oil and gas industry was gathered using a semi structured interview technique for the purposes of analysis for this structure. The findings revealed that one cost control method cannot be used to manage project cost overrun and hence integration of several cost control techniques relevant to a business is the way forward

Identification of seed-borne fungi of farmer-saved seeds of pepper and their control with some selected botanicals

A survey was conducted on the source of planting materials and pre-planting seed treatment practice by pepper farmers in Obenemasi and Ofoase-Kokoben communities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana using a well-structured questionnaire in June, 2011. Seed health test was conducted on 40 farmer-saved pepper seed samples collected from the farmers interviewed using the blotter method in the laboratory. Efficacy of garlic, ginger and neem botanical extracts in managing the seed-borne fungi of pepper seeds was also investigated in this study in-vitro. Results of the questionnaire-based survey indicated that, majority of respondent farmers, about 75% recycled seeds from previous harvest, 20% of respondents also used seeds obtained from friends and 5% obtained their pepper seeds from local markets. Nine genera of fungi including 12 species were identified from the pepper seed samples collected. The three botanical extracts proved effective as Mancozeb in controlling one or more of the test seed-borne fungi. Garlic aqueous extract (60% (w/v)) was effective as Mancozeb in controlling Colletotrichum capsici and Colletotrichum gloesporioides. Ginger aqueous extract (60% (w/v)) was also effective against seed-borne Fusarium and Aspergillus spp. whereas aqueous neem extract (60% (w/v)) was effective in controlling Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger

The effect of medical therapy on IOP control in Ghana

Background: To investigate IOP control following twelve months of continuous medical therapy in Ghana.Methods: This retrospective case series included 163 glaucoma patients diagnosed at a referral eye center between 1996 and 2006. Information collected included age, gender, IOP at presentation, six months and oneyear post treatment and types of anti-glaucoma medications prescribed. Optimal IOP control was defined according to results from the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS), which demonstrated arrest of visual field progression in patients with IOP < 18 mmHg at all visitations: Level 1 (post-treatment IOP . 21 mmHg); Level 2 (. 18 mmHg) and level 3 (. 16mmHg). The principal outcome measure was the achievement of IOP <18 mmHg at six months and twelve month visitations.Results: One hundred sixty three patients were analyzed. These included 68 males (41.7%) and 95 females (58.3%). The mean age was 57}16  (median 59 years; range 7 . 95 years). There was no significant difference in age (p=0.35) or mean IOP (p=0.08) between genders. The mean pre-treated IOP of 31.9}8.9 mmHg significantly decreased to 21.3}6.6  mmHg at 6 months (p=0.001), with 57.4% of eyes at Level 1 IOP control, 25.3% at Level 2 and 15.4% at Level 3 and decreased further at 12 months to 20.7}6.9 mmHg (p=0.48) with 69.7% of eyes at Level 1, 34.4% at Level 2, and 12.4% at Level 3.Conclusions: Current medical regimen is insufficient to reduce IOP to target levels as defined in the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study.Keywords: Glaucoma, POAG, IOP, Ghana, intraocular pressur

Fungi associated with sweet potato tuber rot at CSIR - PGRRI, Bunso, Eastern Region, Ghana

Rotten sweet potato root tuber samples were collected from a barn and experimental field of the CSIR - Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), Bunso. Isolation and identification of the fungi associated with the samples were carried out at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the same institute. In all, six fungal species belonging to four genera, namely Fusarium solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were isolated from the samples from both the barn and the experimental field of CSIR - PGRRI. Fusarium solani and Aspergillus niger were frequently isolated from the sweet potato tuber samples from both the field and the barn. Pathogenicity tests carried out using the six fungal isolates on fresh and healthy sweet potato tubers showed that all the six fungi isolated were pathogenic in causing rot of sweet potato tubers with Lasiodiplodia theobromae being the most virulent

Comparison of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients in Rural and Urban Ghana

Purpose: To compare the clinical features of glaucoma patients who present at a rural hospital in North Eastern Ghana and an urban hospital in the capital city of Accra.Methods: This is a multi-center retrospective case series involving records of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients with emphasis on primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Information collected included basic demographic data, intraocular pressures and optic disc measurements.Results: A total of 949 patients (437 rural; 512 urban; 1868 eyes) were included. Rural vs. urban comparisons, respectively: mean age, 53.2 ± 16.3 vs. 54.5 ± 16.4 years; male: female ratio, 3:2 vs. 1:1; POAG, 78.1% vs. 50.6%; POAG suspect, 10.3% vs. 41.9%; IOP, 39.2 ± 7.1 vs. 31.8 ± 7.3 mmHg; bilateral blindness, 34.1% vs. 17.5%; uniocular blindness, 52.2% vs. 32.9%. Females at the rural hospital were twice as likely to present blind in at least one eye (OR 2.04, CI 1.36 - 3.07, p<0.001).Conclusions: Patients with POAG at the rural hospital present with more advanced disease characteristics.Keywords: glaucoma, open angle,Ghana, Urban, rura

Nomogram for predicting the probability of the positive outcome of prostate biopsies among Ghanaian men

Introduction and objectives: Several existing models have been developed to predict positive prostate biopsy among men undergoing evaluation for prostate cancer (PCa). However, most of these models have come from industrialized countries. We therefore, developed a prostate disease nomogram model to provide a basis for predicting a prostate biopsy outcome by correlating clinical indicators and diagnostic parameters among Ghanaian men.Subjects and methods: The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional prospective one which was under- taken at the Department of Surgery (Urology Unit) Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) from December, 2014 to March, 2016. In all a total of 241 patients suspected of having a prostate disorder due based on an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings and, or elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) level underwent Trans-Rectal Ultrasonography (TRUS) guided biopsy of the prostate. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of a positive initial biopsy. Age, prostatespecific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE) status, prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), history of alcohol consumption and history of smoking findings were included in the analysis. Two nomogram models were developed that were based on these independent predictors to estimate the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy. Receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to assess the accuracy of using the nomograms and PSA and PSAD levels for predicting positive a prostate biopsy outcome. Results: Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 63 out of 241 patients (26.1%). Benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed in 172 (71.4%) of patients and the remaining 6 patients (2.48%) had chronic inflammation. Significantly elevated levels of PSA and PSAD were observed among patients with PCa compared to patients without PCa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was observed that age, DRE, PSA, PSAD, history of smoking, and history of alcohol consumption were significantly independent predictors (p < 0.05) of prostate cancer. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of nomogram I and II were 87.3 and 84.8 respectively which were greater than that of total PSA (AUC = 75.8) and PSAD (AUC = 77.8) alone for predicting a positive initial prostate biopsy. Conclusion: We conclude that, nomograms offer a better and accurate assessment for predicting a positive outcome of prostate biopsies than the use of traditional tools of PSA, DRE and PSAD alone

A reevaluation of the tolerability and effects of single-dose ivermectin treatment on Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in the skin and eyes in eastern Ghana

Mass administration of ivermectin (IVM) has significantly reduced onchocerciasis prevalence, intensity, and morbidity in most endemic areas. Most IVM clinical trials were performed long ago in persons with high-intensity infections that are uncommon in West Africa today. This cohort treatment study recruited participants from a hypoendemic area in eastern Ghana to reevaluate the efficacy and tolerability of IVM with a special focus on the kinetics of microfilaria (Mf) clearance. Mf in the skin and anterior chambers (AC) were assessed by skin snip and slit lamp examinations at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after treatment with IVM 150 μg/kg. Most participants (184-231, 79.7%) enrolled were treatment-naïve. The baseline geometric mean skin Mf count was 12.67/mg (range 3-86). Although persons with MfAC at baseline (64/231, 27%) had significantly higher skin Mf counts than people without MfAC, 7 of 39 (15%) of persons with skin Mf counts in the range of 3-5 Mf/mg had MfAC. Skin Mf were detected in 14% (31/218) and 45% (96/216) of participants 3 and 6 months after IVM treatment, respectively. MfAC were detected in 12 of 212 (5.7%) study participants at 6 months. 81% (187 of 231) of participants experienced 439 adverse events within 7 days after treatment; all adverse events were mild (96.1%) or moderate. This study has provided new data on the kinetics of Mf in the skin and eyes after IVM treatment of persons with light to moderate intensity Onchocerca volvulus infections that are common in Africa at this time