A sour taste in your mouth: consumer privileges and the socio-ecological imperatives of chocolate as pedagogy

This article describes how I use autoethnography as a methodological approach to display the multiple layers of my consciousness as a critical global sustainability educator. I use writing to demonstrate how my reflective processes on my work with chocolate as pedagogy in schools facilitate an exploration of the philosophical and pedagogical underpinnings of what it means and what it takes to educate for sustainability and global awareness and in culturally diverse settings. My desire here is to share insights by writing, describing, examining and theorising my experiences of using chocolate as a pedagogical resource for global education and socio-ecological learning to university students. By using autoethnography, I take the position that writing is a way of knowing, as well as a method of self-discovery and analysis. My aim, therefore, is simple: to use autoethnography as a processual avenue to demonstrate how I used cocoa production in Ghana, and chocolate consumption around the world, to deepen understandings of larger issues around production and consumption, as well as the linkages between learning, society and sustainability. In doing so, I foreground my personal reflective experiences in using chocolate as a teaching resource. Those experiences are objectified as the focus of the research, and I become the subject of research

Perceptions of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) farmers on production technologies in the Agona West Municipality, Central Region - Ghana

The study sought to assess the dynamics of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Produc­tion Technologies being used in the Agona West Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Farmers were selected from 20 communities with the help of staff from the Department of Ag­riculture and were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The results revealed that though the grasscutter farmers were varied in their views, the dissemination of grasscutter technologies through video in the study area was deemed to be effective. The results of the Logistic regression model (R-Square values of 0.119 and 0.158) showed that the impact of the dissemination pro­gramme on the livelihoods of farmers who had adopted the grasscutter production technologies was best predicted by age, household size and level of education of farmers. The overall mean, 3.99 showed that the livelihoods of the farmers had highly been improved. The paper makes a strong case for a more participatory approach anchored on inclusive problem identification and formulation of research solution that will further ensure that problems that are targeted by re­search emanate from farmers. This is expected to ensure a more effective extension of research technologies to farmers and other actors along the grasscutter value chain in the area. Keywords: Grasscutter; Production Technologies; Agona West Municipality; Central Region; Ghan

Mindscapes and Landscapes: Learning to Adapt in Transnational Climate Adaptation Collaborative in Africa

This paper foregrounds notions of learning and how they are framed in transnational adaptive capacity building processes. While supporting emerging adaptation governance mechanisms that recognize the boundlessness of climate change impacts, the paper draws attention to learning and the role it plays in such processes. Learning, for the most part, is framed as an event rather than a series of conscious, reflexive, adaptive and multi-layered processes. Such framing, the paper argues, is limiting and is based on flawed understandings of adaptation to climate change. Instead, learning should reflect the underlying complexity of both the climate change phenomenon and socio-ecological systems change processes. This paper argues that current conceptualization of climate change fails to present climate change as emerging, evolving and complex and, in the process, influences how learning in adaptation is perceived, framed and pursued

Mobile Telephony and Agriculture Information Communication in Ghana: the Ho West District under Review

The use of mobile phones among stakeholders in Ghana in communication agricultural related information is gaining grounds. The findings show that farmers in the Ho West District of Ghana are beginning to adhere to the dictates of technology to enhance information delivery for their farming activities. The study shows factors such as level of education, income levels have a direct correlation to the use of the technology. Despite these, it is still the case that mobile penetration into agricultural communication is receiving attention from farmers

The dynamics of agricultural extension delivery along the value chain: Assessment of agricultural extension activities of MMDAs in Ghana

This paper assessed agricultural extension delivery in 216 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana. It examined the extent of balance and the nature of extension delivery with respect to input supplying, production, processing and marketing. A survey of Heads of the Department of Agriculture in 80 MMDAs randomly selected nationwide was conducted using structured questionnaires. The data were triangulated with in-depth interview sessions with farmers, regional extension officers and private extension providers. The study showed a production-oriented nature of extension delivery across the country with 90% of respondents claiming to have focused extension delivery in their localities on production. This had led to the rather inadequate attention directed at processing and value addition on account of limited capacity of agricultural extension agents. While extension on input supplying was observed to be a private sector-driven activity in the hands of input dealers, the study showed limited extension delivery on marketing as most farmers made their own marketing arrangements. This paper makes a strong case for an extension policy that ensures a reasonable balance and one that introduces competitiveness in value chain activities. The paper also calls for sustained institutional capacity building to give providers a more balanced extension delivery

Ergonomics and Occupational Health Issues in Diagnostic Imaging: A Survey of the Situation at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

The practice of Radiology requires the performance of many labour-intensive tasks relating to the delivery of quality patient care. Poor working conditions could lead to increased adverse effects on the professional which, in turn may have deleterious effects on the work performance; hence the need to ensure effective working conditions. The study sought to assess the ergonomic situation of the various imaging units at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). The subjects were final year student radiographers, qualified diagnostic Radiographers, and Radiologists at the KBTH. A quantitative research design, using a descriptive survey, was conducted as the researcher sough to obtain information about what existed with respect to the conditions within the imaging departments. A response rate of 95% was achieved.  The majority of the respondents (87.3%) lacked training on workplace ergonomics.  Additionally, there were ergonomic injuries that existed among the participants and these affected their health. The ergonomic situations at most imaging units within KBTH were not up to standard and these affect the productivity and health of the professional in the form of musculoskeletal disorders, thus requiring attention. Key words: Ergonomics, Radiographers, Radiologists, Sonographers, Musculoskeletal injurie

Influence of improved technology adoption on livelihoods of small ruminant farmers in Ghana

The study was conducted with the objective of finding how the adoption of small ruminant technologies affected the livelihood outcomes of small ruminant farmers in Ghana. Data collected using questionnaires which were triangulated with focus group discussions. A sample size of 180 small ruminant farmers comprising 141 men and 39 women was used. Socio-economic factors such as sex, age and contact with extension agents were observed to have significant effects on adoption. Also, a significant relationship was found between adoption and incomes, ability to afford school fees, payment of utility bills and access to veterinary drugs. There was also a significant relationship between adoption and food security and group membership. Adoption of improved technologies had influenced most of the livelihood outcomes of the farmers. It is recommended that extension officers continue to intensify education on the improved technologies so that more results can be obtained on livelihoods of the farmers

Occupational hazards and injuries among oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) farmers in the Kwaebibirem District in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) production in Ghana is associated with high levels of injury mainly because of the use of manual labour with little use of machinery. Using descriptive survey design, 100 oil palm farmers (50 males and 50 females) selected from each of the five-oil palm growing communities in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region, Ghana, were interviewed to identify the leading occupational hazards and injuries among oil palm farmers. The study showed that the major injuries farmers encountered during pre-planting operations were cutlass injury, stump injury, bee/wasp sting, general body pains and snake bites. Harvesting operations recorded body pains, objects on eyes, harvesting tool injury, snake bites and mattock injury as the major injuries, while post-harvest operations also recorded waist pains, injury on finger nails, cutlass injury and general body pains. Besides, the study showed significant difference between injuries experienced by both male and female oil palm farmers on their farms. The paper calls for sustained safety education and awareness creation on precautionary measures, and first aid operations at the farm level with special emphasis on the mandatory use of personal protective equipment

Relationship between Patient Anatomical Thickness and Radiographic Exposure Factors for Selected Radiologic Examinations

The most common cause of errors in radiographic examinations is inappropriate selection of exposure factors, which depends on the patient’s anatomical thickness. Inappropriate selection of exposure factors could lead to either underexposed or overexposed radiographs and unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient. The study sought to assess the relationship between patient anatomical thickness and their corresponding radiographic exposure factors used in the selected examinations. Anatomical thicknesses of patients aged 18 years and above, who presented for chest, lumbar spine or pelvis radiographic examinations at the Korle-Bu Polyclinic, from April to May 2014, were measured and recorded using a calliper of least count 0.1cm. The corresponding exposure factors (kVp and mAs) used for each examination were recorded as well as the demographic data of the patients. The study established a correlation between patient anatomical thickness and exposure factors. The results revealed a positive correlation between kVp, mAs and anatomical thickness in almost all the examinations under study. A low-negative correlation between mAs and kVp was recorded for lumbar spine lateral examinations. As mAs increases, kVp reduced marginally. KEYWORDS: kVp, mAs, anatomical thicknes