Effect of Fuel wood on the Quality of Smoked Freshwater Fish Species Sold in Tamale Central Market, Northern Region, Ghana

The study was conducted in Tamale and three villages around it. The method involved processing and smoking some raw freshwater fish species with different fuel wood species to ascertain the quality of the smokedproducts. A market survey was conducted to match the quality of the smoked products with those sold on the market and determine consumer preference on the Tamale Central Market (TCM). The results indicate thateight locally available fuel wood species produced preferred colours in the smoked fish; and have been classified as good fuel wood; while two imparted least preferred colours, and are considered bad fuel wood. All the fuelwood species had high relative efficiency (>5.5%). Thirty-one smoked freshwater fish species, belonging to 21 families were sold on the TCM. These come from 9 sources. Yeji supplied the highest quantity. Smoked freshwater fish species make a significant contribution to the economy of the Tamale Metropolis

An Approach to Seventh-day Adventist Radio Evangelism in Ghana

Since Ghana gained independence from colonial rule, religious broadcasting has undergone self- and governmental censorship. Post-independence governments have either clamped down on the activities of church organizations by disagreeing with them or have intimidated them in numerous ways to tone down some aspects of their activities that the government considers unacceptable. In recent times, both individual Ghanaians and government functionaries, especially, have looked at the Christian church with suspicion and skepticism. Many of them consider the Christian message, at least in the way it is presented, out of touch with, and irrelevant to the everyday needs and realities of the Ghanaian society. This criticism is justified in part in the Adventist attempt at radio evangelism in Ghana. For example, in the 1960s, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church began airing the American Voice of Prophecy radio broadcast in Ghana. This broadcast was used verbatim, just as it was first broadcast on American radio. Many of the examples and the illustrations used in the broadcast were alien to the Ghanaian public. The messages were good, but the illustrations were so irrelevant and foreign that they obviously colored the understanding of the message. This project develops an approach to a Seventh-day Adventist radio evangelism in Ghana. It does this first, by developing a theological perspective as explained in Paul\u27s philosophy of Christian service: by all means to save some (1 Cor 9:22). Secondly, by using the great gospel commission of Jesus Christ in Matt 29:16-20, which forms the basis for all Christian communication and witness. Relating the biblical concept and the contemporary situation points to a religious radio ministry that is both cross-cultural and cross-religious. The message will be shaped to reach directly to the hearts of all human beings irrespective of their religious affiliation. In addition, the study suggests that evangelism must be done by means of innovative holistic ways of presenting the gospel message, in a participatory and practical format. These practical approaches respond to the revolutionary, ideological situation in Ghanaian society, and reflect felt needs and problems that will assist the government in its economic and moral revolution. Reviewing current methodologies in radio programming, the project develops program scripts for pilot programs under four selected formats: the teaching-preaching, talk show/commentary, radio spot, and the religious news and commentary. These program scripts are aimed at presenting the gospel through teaching, and discussion, to show the government and people of Ghana that the Christian church is committed to addressing social issues to bring about change

A survey of fish species diversity and abundance in the White Volta at Nawuni, Northern Region, Ghana

The study was conducted in the White Volta River at Nawuni to identify the fishing gears used by the fishermen, assess fish species composition and their relative abundance. The results indicated that fishing gears such as gill nets, traps and hook-and-line were used. Most of the net mesh sizes used by the fishermen did not conform to those legally permitted by the Fisheries Department for inland capture fisheries. Forty-three (43) fish species belonging to seventeen (17) families were identified. The family Mochokidae had the highest species representation (7). Cichlidae were the most relatively abundant family (40%) with Sarotherodon galilaeus, scoring the greatest percentage frequency (29%). It is recommended that the use of 5.0 cm mesh size gill net should be encouraged to increase catch on a sustainable basis. Also S. galilaeus is recommended as the best species for culture based on the results of the study. It is concluded that fishing gears of mesh sizes lowerthan the recommended ones were used by the fishermen, and that the White Volta is rich in fish species diversity

Aspects of Biodiversity and Fish Production in The Kukobila Wetland in The Savelugu- Nanton District Of The Northern Region, Ghana

This study was conducted to provide baseline data on aspects of biodiversity and fish production in the Kukobila wetland. The objectives were to: identify the major animal and plant species of economic importance to the surrounding communities; identify fishing gears used and (iii) assess fish species diversity and production. Information on biodiversity was obtained through personal observation, transect walk, use of pair of binoculars and literature materials. Fish production figures were obtained by weighing daily catches of five fishermen operating in the wetland, during the dry season and in the wet season. The results indicate that Kukobila wetland has high diversity of animal and plant species that are exploited for various purposes by the local communities. Five types of fishing gears were used for exploiting the fishery resources of the wetland. Twentythree (23) fish species belonging to nineteen (19) families were encountered. Fish production was significantlyhigher during the dry season (75 000 kg) than in the wet season (45 000 kg). The high diversity probably reflects high tourism potential of the wetland

An Exploration of Women Experiences in Leadership Positions within African Immigrant Churches in the United States

Little research has been conducted to understand the experiences of the women in leadership positions in the African immigrant church in the United States. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of women in leadership positions in African immigrant churches in the United States to inform efforts toward enhancing representation of women in church leadership. The study used an interpretative phenomenological analysis research approach, guided by Bass and Riggio’s transformational leadership theory. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 12 women in leadership positions in African immigrant churches. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Women leaders explained that the challenges they experience in reaching leadership positions include African values and expectations, gender-related challenges, challenges related to available resources, and doctrinal challenges. Some get support when performing leadership roles through training and mentoring. The personal factors that contribute to the success of women in their leadership role in the church include family relationships, prior experiences, determination, and motivation. The outcome of the study may serve to reduce stigma towards women in leadership position while empowering the proponents of inclusive leadership in African immigrant churches with information on policy changes and challenges that need to be addressed. The results also provide a better understanding of the challenges and the opportunities women leaders have in African immigrant churches and be used to guide debate on steps that need to be taken to encourage inclusive leadership

Solid state fermentation of maize (Zea mays) cob by Pleurotus ostreatus strain EM-1: Biopolymer profiles and cellulose degradability

The low digestibility and low protein content of maize cob are major limitations to its use as animal feed in Ghana. The possibility of enhancing the feed potential of maize cob through solid state fermentation byPleurotus ostreatus strain EM-1 was investigated. At the end of spawn run, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose content had decreased by 42.3, 5.6% and 41.0% respectively. No further reduction in lignin content occurredthereafter. In contrast, after 28 days, cellulose and hemicellulose had been degraded by 36.0% and 58.5% respectively. A biphasic protein profile, characterized by a 6-fold increase by day 14, followed by a dramatic decline was observed. The rate of release of reducing sugars from spent maize cobs during incubation with exogenous cellulase was 400% greater than that of untreated maize cobs. The present findings indicate that the positive effects of P. ostreatus strain EM-1 on the nutritive value of maize cob appear to be optimal after complete colonization by mycelia. At this stage, maximum biodegradation of lignin had occurred, protein content was markedly elevated and the reduction in cellulose content was negligible. Thus, solid state fermentation by Pleurotus ostreatus strain EM-1 may be an efficient means of transforming maize cob into nutritive animal feed. Keywords: Oyster mushroom, delignification, animal feed, biodegradation, cellulose, hemicellulose

Households’ Coping Dynamics to Climatic Shocks of Flood and Drought in Northern Ghana

The Guinea and Sudan Savannah zones of Ghana experiences much of the recent climate change effects than any other ecological zone in the country. This paper presents the coping strategies adopted by households in response to the climate change effects of floods and droughts in Northern Ghana. The study espoused a case study design. Key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions and household interviews were the methods applied in gathering primary data from 250 household heads randomly selected from six farming communities along the white Volta basin within three disaster prone districts. The descriptive statistic tool of SPSS was employed in analyzing, summarizing and describing the data obtained. Key subjective views of the participants were also presented using quotations. Destruction of food crops and livestock, decline in crop yield and food shortage as well as destruction of building were identified by the study as the most devastating effects of floods and droughts in the study areas. To cope with these effects, households adopted various coping dynamics which included decision not to farm or build in lowlands areas or waterways, migration, reliance on external support and early planning of activities. The study concludes that the effects of both floods and drought in Northern Ghana poses great challenges to livelihoods of households who have adapted by find coping strategies. The findings reveal new dimensions of the empirical accounts on households’ coping dynamics in response the climatic effects of flood and drought. Keywords: Floods; droughts; climate change; coping strategies; rural househol

Does reproductive performance improve with age in female European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris?

1 online resource (v, 18 p.) : illustrationsIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (p. 14-18).Studies have shown that the most energetically costly event in a bird’s life cycle is that of breeding, particularly for females who lay nutrient-rich eggs. Studies also show that older males and females are often preferred as mates. Potential reasons include older individuals having experience with locating good feeding sites, and provisioning offspring, as well as being in better condition or possessing superior genes. European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are cavity-nesting passerines with bi-parental care, and have hackles whose length of iridescence allows classification of adults into one of two age categories (Second year, SY, who are breeding for the first time; After Second Year, ASY, who likely bred at least once before). The objective of my study was to determine if older females had higher reproductive performance than younger females, using four years of data. I predicted that ASY females would be in better condition than SY females, and that they would have larger clutch sizes, a higher mean egg mass, and greater hatching and fledging success. In support of my predictions, ASY females were in significantly better condition than SY females, and had larger clutch sizes. ASY females also tended to have higher fledging success, although mean egg mass and hatching success did not differ between ASY and SY females. Condition and reproductive performance in this population of European Starlings were higher for older females than first-time breeding females, suggesting that these older females might be expected to be preferred as mates

Effect of Depuration on Microbial Content of Mangrove Oyster (Crassostr Ea Tulipa) From Benya Lagoon, Ghana

Mangrove oysters and water samples collected from Benya lagoon, located at Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana were investigated for microbial contamination. A total of nine fungal isolates were identified. These were Aspergilus niger, A. sulphurus, species of Penicillium, Rhizopus, Trichoderma, Fusarium, Saccharomycetes and Sterilia mycelia. Accumulations of fungal and bacterial populations in the non-depurated oysters were greater than the surrounding water. However, when mangrove oysters were depurated, populations of fungi and bacteria showed marked reduction, with some of the species disappearing completely. Saccharomycetes had a mean population of 6.3 x 102CFUs/g before depuration of oysters. This reduced to 0.0 CFU/g after depuration for 12 hours; and 7.0 x102 CFUs/g before depuration and 4.0 x 102 CFUs/g after depuration during the first and second investigations, respectively. Bacterial populations present on selective media (Levine Eosin Methylene Blue agar and MacConkey agar) suggested possible presence of sewage indicators, which are surrogates for water quality assay.Key Words: Depuration, Non-depuration, Microbial content, Benya lagoon