Producers and Consumer attitudes toward Biotechnology in Ghana

Over 265 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa face malnutrition, chronic hunger, and poverty. One of the technologies that could help alleviate the perpetuating cycle of chronic hunger is biotechnology. Genetic modification (GM) has the potential to enhance agricultural productivity and improve Africa’s food security, but little is known about the potential benefits and costs of using genetically modified maize in Africa - Ghana. African and Ghanaian policy makers, farmers, and consumers often have difficulty accepting new technologies. Their reluctance is due to the investment required for new technology, - aversion to risk, the changes required to traditional production practices, and incomplete- knowledge of new technologies. This study elicits the knowledge, views, acceptability, preference, adaptability, and willingness-to-pay for genetically modified GM corn (maize). A survey instrument was used in two corn growing areas in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, to identify the barriers to the adoption of GM corn. The results of the study suggest that maize growers in the Ashanti region are willing to try GM maize, contrary to the current government restrictions.Producers and Consumer attitudes toward Biotechnology in Ghana, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development, International Relations/Trade,

INFO2009 Group 6 - Data Security & the Data Protection Act

Content related to the second INFO2009 assignment for Group 6's radio interview on data security and the DP

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION: COULD MORALITY LEAD THE WAY?

Since time immemorial, almost all human societies and institutions have and still continue to suffer issues of corruption in one way or another. This makes the issue of corruption a global problem. The issue of corruption has garnered lots of attention over the years since it seems to be practically inevitable. It is one issue that most societies and institutions have tried to in so many ways to curb; however, it keeps rearing its ugly head. It is in this vein that this paper aims to find out if morality could help us in the fight against corruption. The paper also aims to find out if there is a way whereby corruption could be justified. Thus, the paper is organized into three parts. The first part is the introduction which generally introduces the paper. The second part deals with corruption in Ghana. The third part tries to find out if corruption can be justified by juxtaposing it with some moral theories. Finally comes some recommendations and conclusion. 

NUTRITIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF DIABETES ON DIABETICS: CASE STUDY IN THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL - GHANA

This study sought to assess the role of diabetes on food intake and the psychological impact of living with diabetes among diabetics in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. A self structured questionnaire was administered among 97 sampled diabetic respondents at the diabetic clinic in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The studies found out that diabetes does have a role to play on the food intake of diabetics in the Hospital.It was also found out that generally a healthy meal plan for the diabetic respondents is the same as a healthy diet for anyone. The outstanding difference in the food intake of the diabetics in the hospital was their no or limited intake of sugar which sometimes was substituted with honey. Mean individual dietary diversity score of 5.37 was obtained reflecting that the dietary diversity score for diabetics did not meet the optimum level (≥ 6). Male and Female diabetic respondents had mean FCS of 22.95 and 22.12 respectively which falls within the borderline food consumption category.On the psychological impact of diabetes, this studies found out that all diabetic respondents had the risk of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); about four out of every six diabetic respondents had 75% chance of being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of living with diabetes while one out of every six diabetic repondents had the greatest chance (above 75%) of being diagnosed with PTSD

AGOA: Economic and Political Effects on FDI Flows Into Sub-Saharan Africa

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is widely considered as an important stimulus to the economic growth in the form of employment, technology transfer; and regional economic integration among others. This paper seeks to determine the effects of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on FDI flows into SubSaharan Africa. Using a modified gravity model, results suggests that per capita GDP and AGOA participation status positively influences FDI inflow into Sub-Saharan Africa while being a member of other RTAs (Other Regional Trade Agreements) hinder FDI net flow. Also, countries with generally better political stability index score have higher average FDI net flow

Factors Associated with Haemoglobin Prevalence among Ghanaian Children Aged 6 – 59 months.

This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of anaemia and to investigate various factors associated with haemoglobin (Hb) prevalence in children aged 6–59 months in Ghana. The data set used was based on a longitudinal study from the fourth round Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). This was a national survey conducted by Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to monitor the progress of women and children. A sample of 7,626 children under-five years across the country between 2009 and 2011 were selected for the survey. Multiple logistic regression and bootstrap technique for parameter estimates were used to determine the relationship of biological, socio-economic, nutritional and other factors associated with Hb concentration. The prevalence of anaemia among children between 6 – 59 months in Ghana found in this study was 64.7% which is quite high even though lower than the 2008 GDHS rate of 78%. This is so because it is still higher than the WHO cut-off point of 40% making it a serious public health concern. The highest rate of 36.2% occurs within the 6 – 23 months. The factors observed to be highly significantly associated with anaemia among these children included malaria prevalence (p-value=0.000), age of the child (p-value=0.000), household economic status (0.000), region of residence (p-value=0.000), mothers educational level (p-value=0.000) and sex of the child (p-value=0.000). All other factors considered such as area of residence and ethnicity were not significant (p-values > 0.05). In a nutshell, children who are born to more advantaged women who have high educational levels, economically sound, live in areas that are not infested with malaria, live in the southern part of Ghana and are females have low probability of becoming anaemic than their counterparts who are disadvantaged and live in malaria prone environment. Keywords: Haemoglobin, Prevalence rate, Anaemia, Malaria, Socio-Economi

Women and Medicine on the Gold Coast, 1880-1945

Prior to colonial rule and the imposition of western medicine and practices, several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa relied on traditional medicine to treat tropical diseases that ravaged the populace. Specialists in traditional medicine, both men and women, restored and preserved their patients\u27 health through herbarium and spiritism. Like their male counterparts, female traditional medicine practitioners on the Gold Coast were highly respected by people for their knowledge and competence as their communities\u27 primary healers and caregivers. This study, drawing on various primary and secondary sources, including oral traditions, colonial reports, medical journals, and historical accounts, argues that women played a substantial role in traditional medicine on the Gold Coast. However, the disruption of traditional medicine practises caused by the imposition of colonial rule and Western medicine in the late nineteenth century led to the exploitation, marginalisation, and exclusion of women in some fields of the newly imposed colonial medical system on the Gold Coast. This study explores native women\u27s roles in medicine on the Gold Coast during the pre-colonial period and how Western medicine and practices altered their role and place in the field during colonial times

Design and implementation of a low-cost and portable noise masking system

Capstone Project submitted to the Department of Engineering, Ashesi University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, May 2021Noise pollution has been given more awareness because of its adverse impacts on human health and comfort. The portable low-frequency noise reduction device built in this project can effectively solve low-frequency noise pollution problems using active noise cancellation. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology has been a tremendous challenge in modern science. The main reason for ANC's slow adoption is its higher initial cost compared to passive methods. Thus, considering this, this project seeks to build a costeffective and attractive ANC system to overcome this economic hurdle using essential hardware resources such as microphones, amplifiers, and speakers. ANC technology uses the destructive interference principle of waves to cancel out a signal by superposition with its inverted signal. This capstone report presents the possible results of implementing a cost-effective ANC system to facilitate an enclosure's sound level. Simulations in Proteus and Multisim and hardware testing results reveal that the noise can be decreased by 6 - 17 dB for low frequencies. However, the system attenuated sounds of low frequencies (less than or equal to 1kHz) much better than high frequencies. The noise source position and movement, intensity, and frequency of the noise signal influence these sound effects.Ashesi Universit

The Contribution of Female Human Capital toward Economic Growth in Zimbabwe

Most Societies want more investments in women education and health because of the greater social returns (external benefits) accruing from women’s human capital as compared to that of men. An Improvement in women’s health increases productivity by increasing life expectancy and reducing mortality. Female education equips girls at all education levels with skills to effectively compete in the labour market and contribute to their economies. Education also has some significant consequences for the composition and skills of the labour force the ultimate driver of economic growth. This research uses published statistics on growth domestic product, labour, capital, education enrolment at different levels and life expectancy to calculate the contribution of female human capital towards economic growth in Zimbabwe. The study further more introduced a Cobb Douglas Production function as the mathematical model that was suitable to study separate male and female human capital. Human Capital was taken as education enrolment at different levels and life expectancy as a proxy for health for the years 2000 to 2016. Alongside we made use of labour, capital and gross domestic product. The results indicated that female human capital is significant and therefore has a positive impact on economic growth.Further-morerecommendations have been given to the government, institutions as well as individuals on the steps to be taken towards a female empowered economy