The Continuation School System in Ghana: Revisiting Technical/Vocational Education at its Best

The study is a historical analysis of the Continuation School System (CSS) in Ghana. An examination of relevant archival data retrieved from the offices of Public Records and Archival Administration Department (PRAAD) in Ashanti and Central Regions in Ghana were scrutinized. Three persons who were identified as having   adequate knowledge of the CSS in the country also provided relevant information to aid the study. In addition, secondary data relating to CSS was also used to enhance analysis of the primary data retrieved. The major findings were that the CSS achieved its main goal of predisposing and equipping its beneficiaries with practical/vocational skills to make them productive in their future lives. However, the CSS policy was abolished with the introduction of the 1987 Educational Reforms in the country. Its total abolition was rather unfortunate since its ultimate goal and that of the New Educational Reforms were somewhat similar. One anticipated that it should have been overhauled to incorporate the new ideals of the New Educational Reforms. In particular, the utilization of the local non-professional artisans as teachers in the CSS could have been maintained to ensure adequate and continuous supply of local expert instructors without incurring much cost. &nbsp

School-business partnerships for organisational leadership development

Leadership and how it is developed have become a top priority for almost all organisations, particularly schools and business organisations, to survive and secure growth (Bolden, 2004). Equally, the concept of partnership has become a panacea for solving complex and ‘wicked’ problems in diverse organisations (Armistead, 2007). This study therefore investigates how school-business partnerships could serve as alternative means for organisational leadership development. The study is principally influenced by earlier work in the leadership development field by Day (2000) and Allen and Hartman (2008). Following a review of literature on leadership and partnership, four main sub-questions were formulated. An explanatory multi-case mixed-methods research design (Yin, 1984) was adopted to answer these questions, using qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection – interviews and survey questionnaire – in two schools and two banks in the South-East of England. Data analysis was carried out in two stages – within-case and cross-case analyses (Yin, 1994) – and the data combined to provide composite research findings. The key finding and main original contribution of this study to knowledge is that school-business partnership activities that promote experiential leadership learning experiences can support organisational leadership development. The study identifies twenty-five (25) different learning approaches which enable members of the organisation to develop four main experiential leadership learning experiences: spiritual, emotional, academic and practical leadership competencies. Some of these learning approaches are found in existing literature on leadership development including leadership apprenticeship, job placement, job mixing, degree programmes as well as online learning, action learning and reflections. Other leadership learning approaches such as recitals, records of enlightenment, counselling, reflections, story-telling and themes from the Bible are found to be new to literature in the leadership development field

Climate Variability and Change Impact on Crop Production: Evidence from Ghana

This paper explores the impact of climate variability and/or change on two major crop yields (cassava and maize) and cash crop (cocoa) in two districts in different agroecological zones - Atwima Mponua (Semi-Deciduous Forest Zone) and Ejura-Sekyeredumase (Transition Zone) of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A comparative-case mixed-methods research design was adopted for the study, involving household survey questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews with key informants to discuss farmers’ perceptions about changes in climate and impact on crop yields. Three hundred participants were involved in the study - 150 from each district. The study also used time series panel data approach to analyse the impact of climate variables (mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures; and total rainfall) on the three crops over the period 1992 - 2014.Farmers perceived changes in the weather patterns - mainly increasing temperature and erratic and low rainfall. Besides, farmers had observed invasion of weeds; and dryness of aquatic habitats (especially, during dry periods); and loss of major staples. The findings from the analysis of secondary data corroborate farmers’ perceptions about changes in climate and its negative impacts on cassava and maize yields for the past 20-30 years. However, qualitative feedback about impact of climate variables on cocoa yield conflicted with the findings of analysis of secondary data. The findings from this study can form a basis for policy makers to develop region specific adaptation policies to address climate change impacts on crops studied and extend it to other crops. Keywords: Climate variability and change; Vulnerability; Food crop; Cash crop. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-12-03 Publication date: December 31st 202

Livelihood Vulnerability Index: An Approach to Assess Vulnerability of Crop Farmers to Climate Variability and Change in Ghana

Climate change has emerged as a global concern, especially its negative impacts on agriculture, particularly amongst poor subsistence and smallholder farmers because of the sector’s dependency on rainfall. The impacts of climate change and climate related extreme events may vary among farmers within the same locality based on the interplay of factors such as differences in households’ socio-demographic and economic characteristics. The extent of the impacts of climate change depends on the capacity of farmers and appropriateness of the adaptation measures undertaken to mitigate such impacts. This study adopts the Livelihood Vulnerability Index to assess the vulnerability of the two districts (Atwima Mponua and Ejura-Sekyeredumase) in different agro-ecological zones (Semi-Deciduous Forest and Transition Zone respectively). The study used household questionnaires to collect primary data from150 farming households from each district as well as using secondary data on rainfall and temperature from the Ghana Meteorological Agency. The Livelihood Vulnerability Index was used to assess the vulnerability of the two districts. The overall LVI indicates that Ejura-Sekyeredumase District may be more vulnerable to climate change impacts than Atwima Mponua District. The vulnerability triangle indicates that Ejura-Sekyeredumase District is more sensitive to climate change and variability impacts than Atwima Mponua District.  Although Atwima Mponua District may have a higher adaptive capacity than Ejura-Sekyeredumase District, the difference is relatively small. The study found that while it is important to have generic policies that address the main agricultural issues in Ghana, development and implementation of region-specific adaptation policy is crucially important. Keywords: Climate variability and change, Livelihood Vulnerability Index, exposure, sensitivity, adaptative capacity DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-1-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

The Role of Talent Management on Organizational Performance Focusing on Ghana Revenue Authority, Sunyani

Although, talent management is progressively becoming a part of corporate strategy in most of the organizations which Ghana Revenue Authority cannot to be overestimated, there are only a few empirical studies to date analyzing the impact of talent management on organizational performance. The study therefore investigates into the role of talent management on organizational performance at Ghana Revenue Authority. The study was purely descriptive in nature. The sample size adopted for the study was fifty respondents through the help of Simple random sampling techniques. Descriptive analysis factors like frequency tables, mean scores and percentages were generated and their interpretations thoroughly explained and interpreted. The study found out that, the most prominent role of talent management was that; it provide employees with satisfaction, learning and growth (Mean Score =1.90). The second most prominent role of talent management was that; it provides an opportunity to help employees to achieve their personal best (Mean Score =1.72). The third most prominent role of talent management was that it reduces employee attrition. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommended that organizations should offer favorable working conditions to their employees as the best talented employees who contribute to good organizational performance. This will prevent poaching of their workers by other organizations. Keywords: Organizational performance, Talent management, Management policies and Talent Selection Processes

Interactive forest governance to conflict management in Ghana

This paper analyzes forest governance and conflict management in the Ghanaian forest sector from the perspective of forest experts. It does so by applying interactive governance theory (Kooiman et al. 2005, 2008) to characterize the governing system in terms of governance modes, actors and elements.ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

The effects of drought and shade on the performance, morphology and physiology of Ghanaian tree species

In tropical forests light and water availability are the most important factors for seedling growth and survival but an increasing frequency of drought may affect tree regeneration. One central question is whether drought and shade have interactive effects on seedling growth and survival. Here, we present results of a greenhouse experiment, in which seedlings of 10 Ghanaian tree species were exposed to combinations of strong seasonal drought (continuous watering versus withholding water for nine weeks) and shade (5% irradiance versus 20% irradiance). We evaluated the effects of drought and shade on seedling survival and growth and plasticity of 11 underlying traits related to biomass allocation, morphology and physiology. Seedling survival under dry conditions was higher in shade than in high light, thus providing support for the “facilitation hypothesis” that shade enhances plant performance through improved microclimatic conditions, and rejecting the trade-off hypothesis that drought should have stronger impact in shade because of reduced root investment. Shaded plants had low biomass fraction in roots, in line with the trade-off hypothesis, but they compensated for this with a higher specific root length (i.e., root length per unit root mass), resulting in a similar root length per plant mass and, hence, similar water uptake capacity as high-light plants. The majority (60%) of traits studied responded independently to drought and shade, indicating that within species shade- and drought tolerances are not in trade-off, but largely uncoupled. When individual species responses were analysed, then for most of the traits only one to three species showed significant interactive effects between drought and shade. The uncoupled response of most species to drought and shade should provide ample opportunity for niche differentiation and species coexistence under a range of water and light conditions. Overall our greenhouse results suggest that, in the absence of root competition shaded tropical forest tree seedlings may be able to survive prolonged drought

Land Use / Land Cover Change And Impact On Carbon Stocks In The Atacora Chain Of Mountains, A Biodiversity Hotspot In Benin (West Africa)

Mountain areas are fragile ecosystems that play important roles in people’s livelihoods and maintenance of the global ecosystem through the provision of many ecosystem services. Land use/cover (LULC) change is considered one of the major threats to mountain areas due to its effects on ecosystem services including carbon stocks. In this study we assessed LULC change between 1987 and 2015 and its impact on aboveground carbon stocks in the Atacora Chain of Mountains (ACM) in Benin, West Africa. Supervised classification was performed to delineate LULC classes on three dates (1987, 2001 and 2015), and forest measurements carried out in the land cover classes, to estimate the aboveground biomass and the subsequent carbon stocks. Seven land cover classes were delineated: gallery forests, woodlands, savanna, water, settlements, bare lands and farm lands. LULC changes were characterized by three transitions: 1) the change of man-made land cover into savanna, 2) the change of natural vegetation into man-made land cover and 3) the degradation of gallery forests and woodland into less wooded vegetation. The aboveground carbon stock in gallery forests, woodland and tree savanna were significantly greater than in shrub savanna. During the 28 years of assessment, LULC change in gallery forests, woodland and savanna caused an estimated overall aboveground carbon release of 17.10% in the ACM. From the aboveground carbon quantity in the ACM, it appeared that this ecosystem is a potential carbon reservoir. Because the aboveground carbon stock in shrub savanna is significantly lower as compared to gallery forests, woodland and tree savanna and the rates of degradation from gallery forests and woodland to savanna are high, 53.62% and 59.99% respectively in 28 years, LULC change may undermine the ACM ability to store carbon and contribute to climate change mitigation. There is a need to investigate the drivers of this degradation for actions to preserve the natural vegetation in the ACM. Keywords: Atacora Chain of Mountains; Land use/land cover (LULC); Benin; West Africa; Carbon stock DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-6-13 Publication date:June 30th 202

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

The Macroeconomic Consequences of Renouncing to Universal Access to Antiretroviral Treatment for HIV in Africa: A Micro-Simulation Model

AIM: Previous economic literature on the cost-effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs has been mainly focused on the microeconomic consequences of alternative use of resources devoted to the fight against the HIV pandemic. We rather aim at forecasting the consequences of alternative scenarios for the macroeconomic performance of countries. METHODS: We used a micro-simulation model based on individuals aged 15-49 selected from nationally representative surveys (DHS for Cameroon, Tanzania and Swaziland) to compare alternative scenarios : 1-freezing of ART programs to current levels of access, 2- universal access (scaling up to 100% coverage by 2015, with two variants defining ART eligibility according to previous or current WHO guidelines). We introduced an "artificial" ageing process by programming methods. Individuals could evolve through different health states: HIV negative, HIV positive (with different stages of the syndrome). Scenarios of ART procurement determine this dynamics. The macroeconomic impact is obtained using sample weights that take into account the resulting age-structure of the population in each scenario and modeling of the consequences on total growth of the economy. RESULTS: Increased levels of ART coverage result in decreasing HIV incidence and related mortality. Universal access to ART has a positive impact on workers' productivity; the evaluations performed for Swaziland and Cameroon show that universal access would imply net cost-savings at the scale of the society, when the full macroeconomic consequences are introduced in the calculations. In Tanzania, ART access programs imply a net cost for the economy, but 70% of costs are covered by GDP gains at the 2034 horizon, even in the extended coverage option promoted by WHO guidelines initiating ART at levels of 350 cc/mm(3) CD4 cell counts. CONCLUSION: Universal Access ART scaling-up strategies, which are more costly in the short term, remain the best economic choice in the long term. Renouncing or significantly delaying the achievement of this goal, due to "legitimate" short term budgetary constraints would be a misguided choice