Assessing Public Perception of Beach Quality for Ecotourism Development: A Case Study in Kokrobite Beach in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Tourism has become a major economic force in the world in recent times and seen as one of the fastest growing sectors of the 21st century. Over the years, tourism sector in Ghana has seen a drastic growth and ranked as the fourth foreign exchange earner for the country with a contribution of 6.2% to GDP in 2008 and 6.9% in 2011. However, tourism in Ghana still remains largely undeveloped and leaves much to be desired; with minimal support for tourism infrastructure. The objective of this paper is to assess the public preferences in selecting a beach and their perceptions of the quality of Kokrobite beach to recommend some management strategies and policies toward tourism development. A reconnaissance survey was conducted, followed by a survey of 150 beach users to collect relevant data. The study revealed that the preference for Kokrobite beach is influenced by specific characteristics such as less noise, security and landscape. Most of the tourists were satisfied with the availability of restaurants and bars, accommodation, noise level and access to the beach. They were, however, not satisfied with the level of sanitation and toilet facilities. It is recommended that the conservation of the natural environment, sanitation and an improvement in toilet facilities should be treated with utmost priority by managers of the beach to promote its patronage. Fencing of the beach was also recommended to prevent intrusion by humans as well as animals. Sea defense is also recommended to be built to check erosion, and lighting systems provided to promote the use of the beach at night. Key words: Environment, Greater Accra, landscape, Kokrobite beach, tourism and sanitation

The Computer-Assisted Language Learning in Teaching English as a Foreign Language: A Challenge or Myth in Benin Secondary Schools?

Nowadays, the use of technologies has swept through every domain in human endeavor and particularly in the field of education. This phenomenon has been influencing everyday classroom practices over the world. Unfortunately, this has not been a reality yet in Benin classes. Therefore, this research work explored and shed light on the opportunities related to the use of the computer in Teaching English as a Foreign Language on the one hand. On the second hand, it strove to diagnose the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of Benin educational system that can contribute to promote, delay or impede the use of the computer to support English teaching. To easily address the different aspects, the study combined interviews, direct observations plus questionnaires. The findings were far from smooth and the key issues surrounding them were questioned

Mathematics learning through classroom assessment: Evaluating the value of weekly class tests

This study adopted a descriptive case study to explore the impact of weekly class test alongside two other modes of assessment strategies: use of project work and class presentation on learning outcomes in mathematics among 145 year-one high school students in the Central Region of Ghana. Subject evaluation questionnaire and scores obtained in weekly class test, end of term examination, class presentation and project work were the main sources of data collected for the study. The results indicated that scores obtained from all the modes of assessment (class test, class presentation and project work) used in the study correlated with end of term examination; however, the best predictor of end of term examination was class test. Thus, the study revealed that employing class test as an approach in the classroom drives students to deepen their understanding of concepts taught, encourage students to review their notes ahead of each new class session and consequently enhance their learning outcomes. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that students who were most committed in the subject, as evidenced by participation in all class tests, fared significantly better in the end of term examination than those who failed to participate in most of the class tests and those who participated mid-way. Consequently, the study reiterates that increased frequency of class test has the potential to impart student learning outcomes.

Anthelmintic Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. in Wild-caught Achatina achatina Linnaeus, 1758 from the Sefwi Wiawso District, Ghana

Parasitic infection in edible snail species such as Achatina achatina has the potential of reducing growth and requires investigation.This study assessed the anthelmintic effect of Moringa oleifera in A. achatina. Using dissecting and microscopic techniques, the proportion of parasitic infection in A. achatina group fed with M. oleifera was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ²(1) = 14.97; P = 0.0001). The mean parasite intensity recorded for the kidney of both treated (2.17) and control (3.33) groups of snails were significantly different (bootstrap t = 2.31; P = 0.041). Similar observation was made in the lung of treated (1.43) and control (3.14) snail groups (bootstrap t = 3.54; P = 0.005). However, no significant mean parasite intensity in the spermoviduct of treated (1.80) and control (1.96) snail groups was observed (bootstrap t = 0.475; P = 0.627). The results generally highlight anthelmintic value of M. oleifera in the control of parasites in A. achatina. Fresh foliage of M. oleifera may serve as useful addition to the feed of reared edible snails

Evidence on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Ghana: A rapid scoping review

In Ghana, more than four in ten deaths in 2016 resulted from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours are important risk factors for NCDs. No previous systematic reviews examining physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Ghanaians were identified. Therefore, this rapid scoping review was conducted to find and synthesise what is known about the epidemiology of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children and adults in Ghana. MEDLINE was searched for eligible studies and a narrative synthesis was conducted based on 17 identified papers as well as the 2008 Demographic and Health Survey report. Little recent high-quality data on prevalence of physical activity or sedentary behaviour in Ghana was found. Existing nationally representative data is now more than ten years old. The data identified suggest that the majority of Ghanaian adults, aged 18+ years, are physically active, achieving or exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations (84.3% according to data collected in 2007-2008). Studies reporting sedentary behaviour in adults further suggest that the majority of Ghanaians are minimally sedentary. The most consistent associations with physical activity were by gender (men achieved more than women), employment (the employed, particularly in skilled manual jobs, achieved more than the unemployed), urban or rural residence (rural inhabitants achieved more than urban inhabitants) and socio-economic status (lower physical activity with increasing socio-economic status). Meanwhile, the few existing studies of physical activity in children (all of which investigated children aged 12+ years) suggest that the proportion of children achieving WHO recommendations on physical activity may be lower than for adults. A similar gender trend exists for children as in the adult data, with boys achieving more physical activity than girls. Physical activity is accrued most frequently through active travel, and active occupations, while leisure time physical activity is low. This means that the Ghanaian population may be vulnerable to becoming increasingly inactive as work and travel become more frequently mechanised and sedentary.&nbsp

CT scan chest findings in symptomatic COVID-19 patients: a reliable alternative for diagnosis

Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the chest plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 pneumoniashows typical CT Scan features which can aid diagnoses and therefore help in the early detection and isolation of infected patients. CT scanners are readily available in many parts of Ghana. It is able to show findings typical for COVID-19 infection of the chest, even in instances where Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) misses the diagnosis. Little is known about the diagnostic potential of chest CT scan and COVID-19 among physicians even though CT scan offers a high diagnostic accuracy

Evidence on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Ghana: A rapid scoping review

In Ghana, more than four in ten deaths in 2016 resulted from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours are important risk factors for NCDs. No previous systematic reviews examining physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Ghanaians were identified. Therefore, this rapid scoping review was conducted to find and synthesise what is known about the epidemiology of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children and adults in Ghana. MEDLINE was searched for eligible studies and a narrative synthesis was conducted based on 17 identified papers as well as the 2008 Demographic and Health Survey report. Little recent high-quality data on prevalence of physical activity or sedentary behaviour in Ghana was found. Existing nationally representative data is now more than ten years old. The data identified suggest that the majority of Ghanaian adults, aged 18+ years, are physically active, achieving or exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations (84.3% according to data collected in 2007-2008). Studies reporting sedentary behaviour in adults further suggest that the majority of Ghanaians are minimally sedentary. The most consistent associations with physical activity were by gender (men achieved more than women), employment (the employed, particularly in skilled manual jobs, achieved more than the unemployed), urban or rural residence (rural inhabitants achieved more than urban inhabitants) and socio-economic status (lower physical activity with increasing socio-economic status). Meanwhile, the few existing studies of physical activity in children (all of which investigated children aged 12+ years) suggest that the proportion of children achieving WHO recommendations on physical activity may be lower than for adults. A similar gender trend exists for children as in the adult data, with boys achieving more physical activity than girls. Physical activity is accrued most frequently through active travel, and active occupations, while leisure time physical activity is low. This means that the Ghanaian population may be vulnerable to becoming increasingly inactive as work and travel become more frequently mechanised and sedentary

Field measurements and statistical analysis of perforated grating surfaces for grating fresh cassava into mash in Ghana

Processing of cassava into mash requires grating of fresh cassava tubers through the abrasive action of the grating surfaces of cassava graters that grind against the cassava and transforms it into mash. Over the years, improved cassava graters have been designed and made available on the market. In spite of improvements in design, there are no standards for the manufacture of grating surfaces and this affects interchangeability of the product. Mechanised grating of fresh cassava into mash contributes to reduce postharvest losses of cassava, increase its shelf life and improve food security. However, majority of the cassava grating surfaces are poorly made with substandard measurements that affect the desired particle size of mash for gari, a staple food for millions of people in West Africa. This study assessed cassava grating surfaces focusing on the abrasive elements (tooth diameter and inter-tooth spacing). Qualitative data were gathered from local metal fabricators and female gari processors in separate focus group discussions. The purpose was to gather the narratives underlying the issues being studied so as to complement and enrich the quantitative data. 112 tooth diameters and 112 inter-tooth spacing of perforated cassava grating surfaces were randomly measured in 16 different study areas in 3 regions of Ghana, namely Western, Central and Ashanti. Results from the qualitative data showed that grating of cassava was done repeatedly (about 2-3 times) before reaching the desired particle size of mash for gari. Most customers desire grating surfaces that ensure effective contact between the cassava and the metal grating surface to reduce grating time. Results from the field measurements showed high variation in existing tooth diameters (min=1.80, max=4.50 mm) and inter-tooth spacings (min=3.50, max=12.00 mm) that resulted in non-uniform particle size of cassava mash. Using statistical analysis, tooth diameters (min=3.18, max=3.42mm) and inter-tooth spacings (min=7.12, max=7.78mm) were determined at 95% confidence interval. For practical purposes, tooth diameter of 3 mm and inter-tooth spacing of 8 mm are recommended. The availability of such data will contribute significantly to standardise perforated cassava grating surfaces to achieve product interchangeability and desired quality of grated mash for gari. This will contribute to improve the manufacture of cassava graters and sustainable gari processing business in Ghana and Africa.Keywords: Fresh cassava, cassava grating surface, gari, food quality, Ghan