Changes in Beliefs and Perceptions about the Natural Environment in the Forest-Savanna Transitional Zone of Ghana: The Influence of Religion

The potential of traditional natural resources management for biodiversity conservation and the improvement of sustainable rural livelihoods is no longer in doubt. In sub-Saharan Africa, extensive habitat destruction, degradation, and severe depletion of wildlife, which have seriously reduced biodiversity and undermined the livelihoods of many people in rural communities, have been attributed mainly to the erosion of traditional strategies for natural resources management. In Ghana, recent studies point to an increasing disregard for traditional rules and regulations, beliefs and practices that are associated with natural resources management. Traditional natural resources management in many typically indigenous communities in Ghana derives from changes in the perceptions and attitudes of local people towards tumi, the traditional belief in super natural power suffused in nature by Onyame, the Supreme Creator Deity. However, this is closely entwined with ecological, demographic and economic factors. Whilst these factors have driven the need to over-exploit natural resources, a situation which threatens the sustainability of community forests including sacred groves, religion has been used to justify such actions. This paper explores changes in tumi and the sustainability of sacred groves in the forest-savanna transitional zone in Ghana. It would confirm that changes in traditional animist beliefs, such as tumi, which informs the worldview of local people and underlies traditional natural resources management, is mainly due to the advances made by Christianity and Islam.Tumi, Sacred Groves, Forest-Savanna Transition, Sustainability, Traditional, Christianity, Islam

EXTRACTS OF EUPHOBIA HIRTA LINN AND PHYSALIS ANGULATA L. AND THEIR AMALGAMATION DEMONSTRATE POTENCY AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Objective: The goal was to investigate the antibacterial activity of the extracts of Euphobia hirta and Pysalis angulata from Ghana on clinical bacteria isolate found to associate with wound and skin infections.Methods: The aqueous and crude ethanolic extracts and extract-PEG ointment formulation as well as the combination of the extracts of P. angulata and E. hirta were tested against Psedomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus. aureus, using the agar diffusion bioassay. Antibacterial activities were indicated by the diameters of zones of inhibition of bacterial growth for both the test extracts as well the extract-PEG ointment formulations.Results: Ethanolic crude extract of E. hirta inhibited P. aeruginosa at inhibition zones ranging from 24±0.08 mm at 50 µg/ml to 21.00±0.40 mm at 250 µg/ml, whilst the aqueous crude extracts showed potency against P. aeruginosa at varying inhibition zones ranging from 20±0.60 mm at 250 µg/ml to 4.00±0.20 mm at 50 µg/ml. Ethanolic E. hirta crude extracts exhibited potency against S. aureus and was dose dependent, with a decrease in inhibition as concentration increased, recording a minimum zone of inhibition at 13.00±0.30 mm at 250 µg/ml and maximum zone of inhibition of 16.00±0.20 mm at 50 µg/ml. Only one concentration of 100 µg/ml at 20±0.60 mm zone for the aqueous extract of E. hirta was potent against S. aureus. Ethanolic crude extract of P. angulata inhibited P. aeruginosa at zones ranging from 23±0.30 mm at 100 µg/ml to 13.00±0.20 mm at 50 µg/ml, whereas the aqueous crude extracts showed potency against P. aeruginosa at dose dependent concentrations ranging from 10±0.30 mm at 50 µg/ml to 13.00±0.30 mm at 250 µg/ml. Here, inhibition zone increased as concentration was increased. Ethanolic P. angulata crude extracts exhibited potency against S. aureus, recording a minimum zone of inhibition at 12.00±0.40 mm at 50 µg/ml and maximum zone of inhibition of 21.00±0.30 mm at 250 µg/ml. At lower concentration of 50 µg/ml, the combination of ethanolic E. hirta and P. angulata inhibited S. aureus at a zone of inhibition of 2 mm for the combination of the crude aqueous extracts; P. aeruginosa was inhibited at the zone of 1.0 mm with extract concentration of 50 µg/ml. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the above values compared with the activity of Ciprofloxacin (positive control) indicated significant inhibitory activity by the unformulated P angulata and E hirta ethanolic crude extracts.Conclusion: The study indicates that crude extracts of E. hirta and P. angulate are possible sources of natural antibacterial agents against both skin and wound infections caused by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.Keywords: Inhibition, Amalgamation, Gram-negative, PEG-ointmen

Traditional Natural Resources Management Practices and Biodiversity Conservation in Ghana: A Review of Local Concepts and Issues on Change and Sustainability

This paper reviews the importance of traditional natural resources management practices in Ghana. It highlights the roles of traditional beliefs, taboos and rituals in the management and conservation of key natural resources in the country. The paper is based on desk studies undertaken as part of anthropological studies conducted in the forest-savanna transitional agroecological zone of Ghana to study the spirituality of forests and conservation. Among the major conclusions of the paper is that although the potential of traditional natural resources management for biodiversity conservation in Ghana is enormous, the sustainability of these practices is seriously threatened. This stems from the rapid changes in the belief systems. Both biophysical and socio-economic factors were found to underlie these changes. The breakdown of traditional beliefs and associated taboos which underpin traditional natural resources management practices were found to be the greatest threat to the sustainability of these practices. The paper recommends that more anthropological research should investigate local perceptions of forest space and landscape, biodiversity conservation and traditional beliefs, and their significance for natural resources management. Such studies would provide valuable insights into the changing values of local people in relation to protected areas such as sacred groves and forest reserves and the management of other natural resources

A review of chest radiographic patterns in mild to moderate novel corona virus disease 2019 at an urban hospital in Ghana

Introduction: The novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was diagnosed in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and, in Ghana, in March 2020. As of 30th July 2020, Ghana had recorded 35,142 cases. COVID-19 which can be transmitted by both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals usually manifest as pneumonia with symptoms like fever, cough, dyspnoea and fatigue. The current non-availability of a vaccine or drug for COVID-19 management calls for early detection and isolation of affected individuals. Chest imaging has become an integral part of patient management with chest radiography serving as a primary imaging modality in many centres.Methods: The study was a retrospective study conducted at Ga East Municipal Hospital (GEMH). Chest radiographs of patients with mild to moderate disease managed at GEMH were evaluated. The age, gender, symptom status, comorbidities and chest x-ray findings of the patients were documented. Results: 11.4 % of the patients had some form of respiratory abnormality on chest radiography with 88.9% showing COVID-19 pneumonia features. 93.8% showed ground glass opacities (GGO), with 3.1% each showing consolidation (CN) only and CN with GGO. There was a significant association between COVID-19 radiographic features and patient’s age, symptom status and comorbidities but not with gender.Conclusion: Most radiographs were normal with only 11% showing COVID-19-like abnormality. There was a significant association between age, symptom status and comorbidities with the presence of COVID-19 like features but not for gender. There was no association between the extent of the lung changes and patient characteristics

Impact of Aboriginal Belief Systems on Natural Resources Management: Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP)

Limited research exist on the effect of beliefs systems on management of the natural resources especially in Africa. Past decades has experienced efforts made by NGOs, IGOs, Aboriginal people and government to facilitate an effective mechanism to collaboratively manage the forest resources. Nonetheless, a biodiversity hotspot is still being threatened and the collaborative management is ‘pretentious’ in MCNP. This research argues that, unless the complexities and dynamics of the belief and indigenous knowledge are understood and the incorporated into management of natural resources management, collaborative and sustainable management is impractical on MCNP. Sample selection was done using EpiInfo 6.04d (CDC, 2001). We use survey of 238 household randomly selected from 14 of the 41 villages in MCNP (487 questionnaires), focused group discussions, key informant interviews and participant observations were used to collect data. Secondary data was obtained from the Ministry of forestry and Wildlife and also from park management. We find significant evidence (67%) that native beliefs which affect resource management exist in all the four clusters in MCNP. The rural area of Bomboko cluster are more prominent in practicing beliefs 78.3% followed by the Buea cluster with 62.5%. Only 18.5% confirmed that management observed beliefs. A majority of the people (89.5%) perceived that degradation of natural resources is as a result of disregard of native beliefs. Traditional forest conservation was practiced in areas that have traditional beliefs associated with forest resources P<0.001. Spearman’s Rho showed significant relationship between perceived traditional importance of forest and perceived importance of collaborative forest management. Focused group discussions disclosed dissatisfaction in management especially from the hunters and also exposed a momentous decline in the use of the bakweri language which has caused the erosion of culture and indigenous knowledge. We recommend empowerment of local people and integration of cultural beliefs and indigenous knowledge as well as active involvement of the aboriginal people in management and decision making of natural resources in MCNP. Keywords: Cultural beliefs, collaborative management, national parks, indigenous knowledge, natural resources management

Dynamics of Maize Price in Ghana: Linear versus Nonlinear Cobweb Models

This paper intends to study the price dynamics of maize in Ghana using cobweb models derived from linear demand and nonlinear supply function and then compare with that from linear demand and supply functions which are constructed from real economic price and production data of maize. Comparative analysis of stability conditions of the equilibrium was discussed

Assessment of Student of Single Parents’ Support at Konongo-Odumase Senior Higher School in Ashanti Region

The study aimed at assessing single parents’ support of their wards at Konongo-Odumase SHS in the Ashanti Region. The study adopted the descriptive design. The study used all students from single parental homes at Konongo-Odumase SHS. A sample of 97 participants was used for the study and participants were selected from form three students. The study used questionnaires to obtain information from participants and used descriptive statistics to analyse the research questions. The study revealed that students’ of single parent receive support in the form of books and attendance of PTA meetings and other school activities. However, it was shown that single parents do not pay their wards fees on time as well as having less time to supervise their academic work. Furthermore, the study showed that the support wards receive from single parent were not effective. Again, the study revealed that inadequate time of single parent to participate actively in PTA meetings and inadequate funds are the major challenges students of single parenthood face at Konongo-Odumase SHS. It is imperative to note that many children born outside marriage are likely faced challenges with the negative aspect of having to grow up in single parent families. From the results obtained, it is recommended among others that the staffs of Konongo-Odumase SHS should be encouraged to pay attention to single parented pupils so as to help them adjust better and successfully pursue their academic work. Keywords: assessment, challenges, senior high school, single parent, support DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-31-05 Publication date: November 30th 201

The Role of Bakweri Traditional Beliefs in the Management of Mount Cameroon National Park

The sustainability of Parks are threatened because traditional beliefs are not enshrined in the management processes. Despite efforts made by many researchers to demonstrate the significance of these traditional beliefs in Africa, the traditional beliefs are side-lined in resources management. This research investigated the situation in Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP), where natural resources management has been challenging despite numerous management strategies. MCNP is the home or ‘chariot of gods’ of the gods of Bakweri clan ‘Ihvarza Mote’ the practice of traditional beliefs has declined and so have the natural resources. We surveyed 228 households and randomly selected 14 from the 41 villages in MCNP. Four hundred and eighty seven (487) questionnaires were administered (minimum of 30 per village). Focused Group Discussions (FGD), key informant interviews and participant observations were used as study instruments. Secondary data was obtained from the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife and also from Park management. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple response analysis (MRA) to compute aggregate score within conceptual components. We found significant evidence P<0.05 that there are traditional beliefs in the gods of Mount Cameroon ‘Ihvarza Mote’ which affect natural resource management in all the four clusters in MCNP. Majority of the respondents (89.5%) perceived that degradation of natural resources was due to disregard of traditional beliefs. Chi square indicated significant association (P<0.001) that traditional forest conservation was practiced in areas that have traditional beliefs associated with forest resources. Spearman’s Rho elucidates significant (P<0.05) relationship between perceived traditional importance of forest and perceived importance of collaborative forest management. Focused group discussions disclosed dissatisfaction in management strategies especially from hunters. There has been a momentous decline in the use of the Bakweri culture which has caused erosion of culture and indigenous knowledge. We conclude that the non-enshrinement of the traditional beliefs has caused degradation of natural resources, unsustainable livelihood; non-compliance of regulations and poor participation in collaborative natural resource. We recommend enshrinement of traditional beliefs, empowerment and involvement of local people in decision making processes in MCNP. There is a need for an in-depth study of traditional beliefs and culture to inform policy makers and management in resources conservation worldwide. Keywords: ‘Ihvarza Mote’, Traditional Beliefs, Collaborative Management, Natural Resources Management, Mount Cameroon National Park

School Board Efficiency in Financial Management and Human Resource in Public Senior High Schools: An Evidence from Ashanti Region, Ghana

Education reform has led to the replacement of public senior high schools by the governing council, which is responsible for handling and managing the flow of resources in Ghana. Notwithstanding these lawful necessities and government financial provision for schools, it is unfortunate that poor facilities, poor performance and low morale among both teaching and non-teaching staff continue to impede the academic achievement of most Ghanaian public Senior high schools. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Board of Management (BOM) in financial and human resource management in Ashanti region of Ghana. This research adopted descriptive survey design. Thirty-five headmasters and 215 BOM participants from 35 public senior high schools in Ashanti region, Ghana contributed in the study. Using representative survey questionnaire, data were gathered. The study established that, in supervising and managing financial activities in the sampled schools, the BOM was not up to task. Nevertheless, it was observed that, BOM were efficient in managing human resources and its related activities. The study proposes that, the Ministry of Education develop a strategy or framework that obligates the government to provide BOM members with functional training as required by the basic law of education