Assisting Basic Six Pupils of Presbyterian Women’s College of Education Demonstration School, Aburi-Akuapem, To Discover the Product of Two Multi-Digit Multiplicands Using the Lattice

An action research was performed with the aim of solving problems involving two multi-digit multiplicands using the lattice to give pupils’ conceptual understanding of multiplication in basic six at the Presbyterian Women’s College of Education Demonstration School. Twenty-five pupils out of fifty (50) were selected using The simple random sampling technique from a combined class of Six ‘A’ and Six ‘B’ who have difficulties in answering questions under multiplication involving two multi-digit numbers, after writing a teacher made test (Pre-Test). The Pre- Test produced 16% pass mark as compared to the post-test which gave 88% pass mark after the intervention. The discovery method of teaching was used in the intervention procedure to find the multiplication of multi-digit numbers. Pupils were directed to use the lattice to perform activities which had the potential of developing their conceptual understanding of the topic. The data collected indicated that some pupils improved their understanding but some pupils needed more time to re-learn the subject. This research only presents some practical solutions proposed within the time available. Keywords: Action Research, Pre- Test, post-test, Multi-Digit Number

Sensory and Physicochemical Properties of Pasteurized Coconut Water from Two Varieties of Coconut

Coconut water is traditionally consumed fresh and is widely patronized by all and sundry. Storage of coconut water has however become a challenge due to it susceptibility to microbial attack coupled with several biochemical changes that takes place to alter it properties. Pasteurization is a mild thermal process used for fruit juice and beverage preservation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of pasteurization on the qualities of coconut water. Coconut water was extracted from two varieties, Malayan Green and Malayan Yellow and each variety was pasteurized at 90oC for 5 minutes, 80oC for 15 minutes and 70oC for 25 minutes. Sensory evaluation was conducted and the most preferred pasteurized sample for each variety was selected. Total soluble sugars (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), total phenols and vitamin C of the most preferred pasteurized sample and the control for each variety were determined. Findings from the study revealed that, panellists mostly preferred the Malayan Green and Malayan Yellow samples pasteurized at 90oC for 5 minutes and 80oC for 15 minutes respectively. A higher TSS of 5.8 oBrix and pH of 4.78 were recorded for unpasteurized Malayan Yellow sample. The Malayan Green recorded higher values in all the other physicochemical properties analyzed. It recorded 0.14% of TA, 95.15 mg/L for total phenols and 30.18 μg/mL for vitamin C content. Reduction in the properties occurred in pasteurized samples of both varieties. This indicates that pasteurization had a reducing effect on microbes, sensory and nutritional value of coconut water. However, the Malayan Green variety was found to be more stable to pasteurization conditions compared to the Malayan Yellow variety. Keywords: Malayan Yellow coconut, Malayan Green coconut, pasteurized coconut water, sensory evaluation, physicochemical propertie

Vegetables: New Zealand Children Are Not Eating Enough

We know that eating a variety of vegetables every day is associated with favorable health across the lifecourse. Internationally, food-based dietary guidelines encourage the consumption of a variety of vegetables and fruit but globally,people are not eating enough vegetables to meet the three-or-more-a-day guideline. Vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals, fiber, and many bioactive compounds that promote health and provide energy. They also help reduce hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies) and support the healthy growth and development of children. New Zealand is a world leader in the production of diverse nutrients and foods yet poverty and other environmental barriers mean only one in two children eats three-or-more servings of vegetables a day. Price and availability are limiting factors. The proliferation of community, school and home vegetable gardens and vegetable cooperatives may improve access. On a macro level, upstream policies such as a “living wage,” affordable housing, and land-use planning are required. International dietary solutions include an agricultural shift to intensified horticulture with a focus on vegetables. The consumption of more plant-based foods including vegetables would reduce green-house gases, reduce land clearing, and help prevent diet-related disease if consumed daily across the lifecourse

The School Counsellor and Students' Career Choice in High School: The Assessor's perspective in a Ghanaian Case.

School counsellors play significant role in the total development of students in respect to career choices. in view of that career development interventions are provide to support the provision of information to guide students make well informed choices in personal, academic and social aspects. This study thus, aimed to examine whether the role of the school counsellor has any influence as well as guide students in their bid to choose career. Using the mixed method approach the study sought answers to; what specific role the school counsellor play to assist SHS students' career choice and also whether there is any significant relationship between the role played by school counsellors and  students' choice of career. Results from the study showed that students strongly agreed that career guidance and counselling, career goal identification, organization of career days and conferences, administration of occupational interest inventory on students were among career intervention roles by the school counsellor influence their choice of career. Further, there was a positive correlation between the role of the counsellor and its influence on students choice of career. it is thus recommended that frequent intervention programmes need to be provided to support students make well informed choices. Keyword: School Counsellor, High School, Occupational Interest, Group Guidance, Career Choice, Vocational Guidanc

Physicochemical Properties of Pumpkin Fruit Pulp and Sensory Evaluation of Pumpkin-Pineapple Juice Blends

Abstract Pumpkin pulp has rich source of vitamins and mineral salts for human consumption. However, there is limited utilization in terms of it commercial acceptability. The aim of this study was to determine some physicochemical properties of pumpkin pulp and the sensory properties of pumpkin-MD2 pineapple juice blends. The pulp of round and cylindrical pumpkin fruits containing white seeds were analyzed for some physicochemical properties such as protein, ash, titratable acidity (TA), pH and minerals (Ca, Na, Zn, K, Mg and Fe). The pulps of the fruit were peeled, cut, grated, fermented and the juices extracted were blended with MD2-pineapple juice in different formulation ratios. Sensory evaluation of the juice blend was carried out using the nine-point hedonic scale. Preference ranking test was also carried out on the formulated juices. The result showed moisture content of (95.03 and 95.66%), ash (0.66 and 0.83%), crude protein (2.58 and 2.42), pH (4.39 and 4.13), titratable acidity (0.38 and 0.34% as citric acid), for round and cylindrical pulp, respectively. Significant differences (p<0.05) existed in TA, ash, pH and moisture contents of the pulps from the round and cylindrical fruits. The predominant minerals in the pulps were potassium and calcium which were 266.30 and 13.18 mg/100g for the round and 363.05 and 9.63mg/ 100g for the cylindrical, respectively. The results showed that the most accepted blend was (55:45) pumpkin (round)-MD2 pineapple juice. In the case of the cylindrical fruit, the 100 % pineapple juice was the most accepted. The 100 % pumpkin juice had the lowest acceptability. Thus, the (55:45) pumpkin-MD2 pineapple juice blend with the pulp from both round and cylindrical fruits has the potential to compete with single strength pineapple juice on the market

The Effects of Politics on the Implementation of Government Programs/Projects: Insights from a Developing Economy

Over the years, Ghanaian governments have invested huge sums of money in programs and projects for socioeconomic development to improve their citizens’ well-being. However, the implementation of most of these programs and projects have failed and been abandoned. There is a lack of research addressing this issue and the specific causal mechanism through which politics and culture shapes these failed implementations and program abandonments. Partisan politics—which demonstrates strong favoritism toward one’s preferred political party, adherence to party policies, and reluctance to compromise with political opponents— provides an appropriate framework to clarify the role of politics in programs and projects ineffective implementation and abandonment debates. Drawing on political theory and the partisan politics literature, this study explores the role partisan politics plays in the implementation failure and abandonment of government programs and projects in Ghana. Our analysis reveals three causal factors: political culture, political corruption, and poor planning and implementation, which are shaped by partisan politics in the Ghanaian context. This impacts negatively on the unity and socioeconomic development of the country

Water quality modelling and quantitative microbial risk assessment for uMsunduzi River in South Africa

South African rivers generally receive waste from inadequate wastewater infrastructure, mines, and farming activities, among others. The uMsunduzi River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is among these recipients with recorded poor to very poor water quality. To identify parts of the uMsunduzi River that are polluted by Cryptosporidium and Escherichia coli (E. coli), this study mapped out pollutants emanating from point and non-point sources using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Streamflow calibration in the upper and lower reaches of the catchment showed good performance with R-2 of 0.64 and 0.58, respectively. SWAT water quality output data were combined with a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) to understand the microbial health implications for people using river water for drinking, recreational swimming, and non-competitive canoeing. QMRA results for Cryptosporidium and pathogenic E. coli showed that the probability of infection for most users exceeds the acceptable level for drinking and recreation as outlined in the South African water quality guidelines, and by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The results of this study can be used as a baseline to assess the economic and health implications of different management plans, resulting in better-informed, cost-effective, and impactful decision-making

An Experiment to Determine the Prospect of using Cocoa Pod Husk Ash as Stabilizer for Weak Lateritic Soils

A study was conducted to determine the extent to which the engineering and geotechnical properties of a lateritic soil for road construction works can be improved by using cocoa pod husk ash (CPHA) additive.Natural lateritic soil samples were collected from test pits near El wak Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana and were subjected to Atterberg’s limit and particle size distribution tests as well as compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests. The soil was then treated with 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 4.0%, 6.0%, 8.0%, and 10.0% of CPHA and then tested for variations in the engineering properties.From the various tests carried out on the natural soil sample, and when CPHA was added, it was observed that CPHA has a significant negative effect on the maximum dry density and a positive significant effect (p<0.05) on the liquid limit. The addition of CPHA to the soil however, did not significantly (p>0.05) affect the California Bearing Ratio, optimum moisture content, plastic limit and plasticity index, and therefore the CPHA is regarded as a poor soil stabilizer. Other findings show that CPHA has no pozzolanic properties. Keywords: Cocoa pod husk ash, stabilizer, lateritic soil, pozzolanic properties

Effect of Sawdust on the Compressive Strength of Concrete

This study was undertaken to investigate the properties of concrete produced by partial replacement by weight of sand with sawdust generated from different species of wood. The sawdust used in this investigation consist of the wood species, Piptadeniastrum africanum (leguminosae family), Triplochiton scleroxylon (sterculiaceae family) and Celtis mildbraedii, locally known as Dahoma, Wawa and Essa respectively. The addition of sawdust to the concrete was done by 5% increment up to 25% by weight of the fine aggregate. Concrete cubes of size 150mm x150mm x 150mm were prepared after batching and mechanical mixing for the compressive strength tests.  The compressive strength tests were carried out after 28 day curing of the concrete cubes in accordance with BS EN12390-3:2009 series. Sawdust blend concrete from wawa - a lightwood species gave the best result of 5.3 N/mm2 at 28 days. The optimum replacement of sand with sawdust has been found to be 5% for lightwood species. Keywords: Batching, Mechanical mixing, Sawdust, Compressive strength

Diaspora Entrepreneurs’ Push and Pull Institutional Factors for Investing in Africa: Insights from African Returnees from the United Kingdom

Applying the institution-based views, this article conceptualises how diaspora entrepreneurs take stimuli from the push and pull institutional factors to develop business enterprises in their countries of origin. Using cases of African diaspora entrepreneurs in the UK and the grounded theory methodological approach, our conceptualised model demonstrates that the diasporas use the new knowledge, skills and wealth they have gained in the UK in tandem with support from trusted family, kinship and business ties at home to develop enterprises. It further demonstrates that diaspora entrepreneurs foster resilience to withstand weak formal institutions in their countries of origin and the discriminatory obstacles in the UK. We also found that institutional barriers which served as push factors that encouraged or forced migrants to leave their home countries to seek greener pastures abroad may later become pull factors that enable them to engage in diaspora entrepreneurship which is often characterised by paradoxes. Particularly, the informal institutions that constrain foreign investors can become assets for African diaspora entrepreneurs and help them set up new businesses and exploit market opportunities in Africa. The implications of the study for diaspora entrepreneurship literature are outlined