Genetic Diversity of Wild Rice (Oryza longistaminata) in Ghana

Oryza longistaminata is a wild rice taxon and an excellent source of genetic variation that remains largely unexploited. This study was conducted to understand the genetic diversity between and within O. longistaminata populations, collected from different geographic locations in Ghana. In this study, SSR markers were used to determine the intra-specific variability in O. longistaminata, and how the variation is partitioned within and between different populations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed high levels of polymorphism (95.9%) within the populations. The overall genetic diversity for all the loci in the six populations was high (Shannon's Information Index I = 0.579, Nei's unbiased expected heterozygosity, He = 0.405). Hierarchical partitioning also indicated a high genetic diversity between and within populations, with some level of relatedness between samples taken from the Savannah agroecological area. The high genetic diversity observed in this study offer a great opportunity for screening useful traits among the populations of O. longistaminata in Ghana for rice breeding programs

Induction of Isochromanones by Co-Cultivation of the Marine Fungus Cosmospora sp. and the Phytopathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

Microbial co-cultivation is a promising approach for the activation of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that remain transcriptionally silent under artificial culture conditions. As part of our project aiming at the discovery of marine-derived fungal agrochemicals, we previously used four phytopathogens as model competitors in the co-cultivation of 21 marine fungal strains. Based on comparative untargeted metabolomics analyses and anti-phytopathogenic activities of the co-cultures, we selected the co-culture of marine Cosmospora sp. with the phytopathogen Magnaporthe oryzae for in-depth chemical studies. UPLC-MS/MS-based molecular networking (MN) of the co-culture extract revealed an enhanced diversity of compounds in several molecular families, including isochromanones, specifically induced in the co-culture. Large scale co-cultivation of Cosmospora sp. and M. oryzae resulted in the isolation of five isochromanones from the whole co-culture extract, namely the known soudanones A, E, D (1-3) and their two new derivatives, soudanones H-I (4-5), the known isochromans, pseudoanguillosporins A and B (6, 7), naphtho-γ-pyrones, cephalochromin and ustilaginoidin G (8, 9), and ergosterol (10). Their structures were established by NMR, HR-ESIMS, FT-IR, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy, polarimetry ([α]D), and Mosher’s ester reaction. Bioactivity assays revealed antimicrobial activity of compounds 2 and 3 against the phytopathogens M. oryzae and Phytophthora infestans, while pseudoanguillosporin A (6) showed the broadest and strongest anti-phytopathogenic activity against Pseudomonas syringae, Xanthomonas campestris, M. oryzae and P. infestans. This is the first study assessing the anti-phytopathogenic activities of soudanones

Evaluation of Credit Risk Management Practices in Societe Generale Ghana

The study evaluated the credit risk management strategies of SG-SSB Ghana. The research was an attempt to assess the extent to which the implementation of various credit risk management strategies by the bank has reduced the amount of non-performing loans. In order to answer the research objectives, the case study approach was employed where face-to face interview was conducted to collate the views of a senior credit officer at SG-SSB Ghana Ltd on credit risk management strategies. Besides, information on non-performing loans was obtained from administered questionnaires. The results from the study showed that SG-SSB has a clear, written guideline on credit risk management with the board of directors having an oversight responsibility for implementation. SG-SSB realigns the amount of credit within various sectors grouped into a credit portfolio depending on environmental factors such as political regime, macroeconomic strategy of political regimes, new and existing regulations and legislation, social concerns of operating markets and technological developments within the banking industry in Ghana.  The study recommends that SG-SSB should work in collaboration with credit reference bureau in the country to thoroughly investigate the past credit records of loan applicants so as to reduce the high rate of default

Examination of The Problems Associated with Revenue Collection at Electricity Company of Ghana. A Case Study of Afienya District

Revenue refers to the amount in a monetary unit received during a period of time. These monetary units are generated from different sources such as taxes, fines, borrowings, fees and bills. Revenue is important to an organization because an increase in revenue could mean an increase in profit, however if revenue increases, expenses will also (usually) increase and so on the percentage change in profit will not shift as much as one might think. The study examined the problems associated with revenue collection at Electricity Company of Ghana using Afienya District as a case study. Both primary and secondary data were sourced for the study. The data collected were analysed qualitatively using descriptive analysis like charts, graphs and tables. The major findings of the study were that though Afienya District of Electricity Company of Ghana applies guidelines like disconnections, taking action against illegal connectors, monitoring of consumption patterns of customers and billing customers. These guidelines are not effectively followed to enable it meet annual targets. The recommendations are that the company intensifies its monitoring, bill customers promptly, and take prompt and stringent action against illegal connectors and overdue accounts to maximize revenue

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Chlorophyll Content in the Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

The experiment was conducted to study the mutagenic effect of gamma rays on chlorophyll content at three different physiological stages in the cowpea: pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering. Five sets of cowpea seeds were subjected to individual doses of gamma rays: 400 Gy, 450 Gy, 500 Gy, 600 Gy and 0 Gy. The seeds were sown to raise the M1 generation. The M1 generation seeds were collected and sown in the next season to raise the M2 generation. Leaf chlorophyll content was measured for M2 generation plants. Mean chlorophyll content for pre-flowering stage ranged between 38.9 ± 8.17 (control) and 64.2 ± 6.16 (400 Gy). Flowering stage mean chlorophyll content ranged from 48.3 ± 14.4 (600 Gy) to 99.4 ± 6.22 (450 Gy). Post-harvest chlorophyll mean content ranged between 13.1 ±0.98 (600 Gy) and 38.0 ±1.90 (400 Gy). There were significant differences in treatment effects for pre-flowering (P = 0.021), flowering (P = 0.005) and harvest (P = 0.000). At pre-flowering treatment, treatment 400 Gy scored a significant increase of 64 percent (P = 0.02) above the control. The optimum dose for useful induced mutation for increases in chlorophyll concentration in the cowpea was 400 Gy

Importance of Training Needs Assessment at the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Questionnaires were forwarded to the target population of sixty, nonetheless fifty-two were retrieved which represents 86.6% of the total sample.  The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) research package and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze the data. It was discovered from the study that 63.5% of the Radiation Protection Institute’s staff had attended some form of training, both on-the-job and off-the-job; however, 36.5% indicated that they have not had the opportunity of attending any training program since employed. Majority also agreed that the wrong people are sometimes selected to attend training programs.  It was thus recommended that in order to achieve maximum objective of a training program, before embarking on a training the first step in the training process must be carried out, thus conducting need assessment to know if training and what training would be required to fill a gap.  This would go a long way to maximize the benefits of the numerous training program at the Institute.  The nomination to a training program must be on the bases of identified need. Keywords: On- the- job and Off- the -job training, Radiation Protection Institut

Substantial overlap between symptomatic and asymptomatic genitourinary microbiota states

BACKGROUND: The lack of a definition of urinary microbiome health convolutes diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially when non-traditional uropathogens or paucity of bacteria are recovered from symptomatic patients in routine standard-of-care urine tests. Here, we used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterize the microbial composition of asymptomatic volunteers in a set of 30 longitudinally collected urine specimens. Using permutation tests, we established a range of asymptomatic microbiota states, and use these to contextualize the microbiota of 122 urine specimens collected from patients with suspected UTIs diagnostically categorized by standard-of-care urinalysis within that range. Finally, we used a standard-of-care culture protocol to evaluate the efficiency of culture-based recovery of the urinary microbiota. RESULTS: The majority of genitourinary microbiota in individals suspected to have UTI overlapped with the spectrum of asymptomatic microbiota states. Longitudinal characterization of the genitourinary microbiome in urine specimens collected from asymptomatic volunteers revealed fluctuations of microbial functions and taxonomy over time. White blood cell counts from urinalysis suggested that urine specimens categorized as \u27insignificant\u27, \u27contaminated\u27, or \u27no-growth\u27 by conventional culture methods frequently showed signs of urinary tract inflammation, but this inflammation is not associated with genitourinary microbiota dysbiosis. Comparison of directly sequenced urine specimens with standard-of-care culturing confirmed that culture-based diagnosis biases genitourinary microbiota recovery towards the traditional uropathogens Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: Here, we utilize shotgun metagenomic sequencing to establish a baseline of asymptomatic genitourinary microbiota states. Using this baseline we establish substantial overlap between symptomatic and asymptomatic genitourinary microbiota states. Our results establish that bacterial presence alone does not explain the onset of clinical symptoms. Video Abstract

Assessment of the Internal Control Policies of Ecobank Ghana Limited

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of internal control in financial institutions. The study exploited information by the help of primary data from self-structured questionnaire and interview schedules. However, the purposive type of sampling was used in sampling. In all forty (40) respondents were sampled from the population. The data gathered was analyzed and interpreted using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The findings of the study revealed that there are measures put in place by the Ecobank Ghana to enhance compliance. The measurement put in place is management oversight responsibility for internal control whereby control policies and procedures are being adhered to. It came to light that, the internal audit unit was responsible for monitoring internal control policy compliance whiles management assesses risk but the internal audit unit is not part of branch operations, they only visit the branches on monthly bases. The recommendations drawn from the study was that the Ecobank Ghana Limited should set internal audit units at their various branches across the country, so that there shall always be internal audit personnel to ensure compliance to the internal controls that exist in the organization. In view of this, the internal audit personnel should also be rotated at regular intervals to avoid any form of malpractices. Keywords: Internal Controls; Financial Institutions and COS

THE ROLE OF HR DEPARTMENT IN THE ORGANZATION-A CASE STUDY OF ASN FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED, TEMA

The study examined the role of human resource department in organization, a case of ASN financial services limited. The issues studied included effectiveness of HR departments in contributing to the goals of organizations, evaluating the contributions of HR departments to the development of ASN financial services limited, the challenges faced by the HR department of ASN financial services in carrying out its duties. Both primary and secondary data were used in conducting the research. The population of the study included the entire senior staff of ASN financial services. A survey method was the statistical techniques used for the study and a purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 37 staff for the study. Majority of the respondents agreed that the HR department plays an essential role in the recruitment of staff, managing employee performance, analyzing the training needs of staff and organizing training and development programs for them and having a reward policy among others. Keywords: Organization, Financial Services, Employee Performance. Training and Development.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on deaf adults, children and their families in Ghana

This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on deaf adults, children, and their families in Ghana, focusing on issues of inclusion. We ask what it takes to ‘make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’ (United Nations Strategic Development Goal 11) for deaf people in the context of the global pandemic in a low-resource context. The exceptional challenge to inclusion posed by COVID-19 is examined in terms of issues for deaf children and their families, and from the point of view of deaf adults in advocacy and support organisations. The pivotal language and communication issues are shown through a bioecological analysis that illuminates the interdependent dynamics of development and context, and their influence on access to, and understanding of, crucial information. It is argued that the global crisis of COVID-19 exposes and deepens issues of societal exclusion for deaf adults, children, and their families, and provokes wider questions about what inclusion means, and how it can be realised, in different cultural contexts