Scavenging for wealth or death? Exploring the health risk associated with waste scavenging in Kumasi, Ghana

By sheer dint of necessity, the urban poor in Ghana have invented an endless series of survival strategies to endure the high rate of  unemployment and widespread poverty by engaging in occupations such as waste scavenging. Whilst literature is replete with evidence of the economic significance of this livelihood activity, there is scanty empirical work on its health implications. This study examines the health implications associated with the occupation, using scavengers in Kumasi as a case study. The research is based on data collected through 10 key informant interviews with stakeholders in waste management and 30 personal interviews with waste scavengers drawn equally from the three largest solid waste dumpsites in the metropolis. The study reveals how scavengers are exposed daily to a myriad life threatening health problems as they sift for recyclable products. The paper concedes that given the economic implication of the enterprise, it is important that they benefit from  intervention programs that can reduce the adverse health outcomes associated with their job.Key words: scavenging; waste; livelihood activity; wealth; healt

Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Growth and Yield of Okro (Abelmoscus Esculentus)

The study was conducted to determine the effect of deficit irrigation on the growth and yield of the Dwarf Green Long Pod variety of okro (Abelmoschus esculentus). The location of the study was the School of Agriculture Research and Teaching farm of the University of Cape Coast,Cape Coast. Experimental design adopted for the study was the Randomised Complete Block Design and there were four (4) treatments which were replicated three times. Treatments one, two, three and four were the application of 100%, 80%, 70% and 60% of the amount of waterlost through evapotranspiration respectively. A daily irrigation water application was used. The study was conducted throughout the four growth stages of okro. The leaf area, number of pods per plant, pod weight, pod length and pod circumference were all measured at the various growth stages. Soil samples from the various treatment plots were analysed before and after 60 days of planting to determine the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P, and K). Similarly, moisture contents were determined before planting, at the developmental and mid stage of growth. It was observed that treatment two which was the 80% application of ETc performed better than the others. It was also observed that the 60% application of ETC gave the poorest results. It can be concluded that irrigating with 80% of estimated water requirement, is the best application for okro.Keywords: Deficit irrigation, okro, water, yield, evapotranspiratio

Nitrogen Uptake in Soils under Different Water Table Depths

A mathematical model was used to examine the interactions of NH4+ transport to rice roots, as well as to calculate root length densities required to relate N uptake to concentrations of NH4 + in solution around the rooting medium for three water treatments: water table 30 cm below the surface, 15 cm below the surface and a flooded system. Measured uptake was greatest for the plants under the 30 cm treatment, followed by the 15 cm treatment, then the flooded treatment. Solution concentrations were highest under the flooded treatment followed by the 30 cm treatment, then the 15 cm treatment. Calculated root length densities were greatest for the plants under the 30 cm water table treatment, followed by those under the 15 cm treatment, then the flooded treatment. Measured root length densities were similarly greatest for the plants under the 30 cm water table treatment, followed by those under the 15 cm water table depth treatment, then the flooded treatment. However, differences between measured and calculated root length densities became significant for all treatments after 30 days of treatment imposition. Transport rates varied with treatments but uptake rates did not reflect these differences in transport rates, thus, transport through the growth medium did not limit uptake of nitrogen by the plants

Distribution characteristics of mineral elements in tree Species from two contrasting secondary forests in Ghana

Tree species in two contrasting forests were evaluated on three plots of 0-19 ha (0.57 ha) in each secondary forest. Tree species populations were 44 in Akyaakrom (AS), 29 in Dopiri (DS), and families were 18 in AS and 16 in DS. Tree densities were 121 and 99 in AS and DS, respectively, in 0.57 ha. In terms of tree species population, diversity and density, AS was superior to DS. The distribution of major mineral elements in the leaves showed mean concentrations in decreasing order of K > Ca > Mg > P > N in AS and Ca > K > Mg > P > N for DS. The bark samples showed concentrations in decreasing order of Ca > K > Mg > N > P in both forests. Generally, concentrations of Ca in the tree species bark samples of both forests were about three times higher than they were in the leaves. Soil nutrients showed that Ca, Mg and N concentrations were higher in the DS than in AS within 0-60 cm soil depths. However, at 30-45 cm depth, Ca, Mg, K and N concentrations were higher in AS than in DS. The nutrient element concentrations were high at 0-15 cm than further down the soil depths for the two forests. The land quality indexes of the principal nutrients N, P, K, Ca and Mg were higher in AS than in DS. Thus, eight tree families in AS and five in DS, and tree species numbers 23 and 12 were peculiar to each site. This may suggest the higher tree population and diversity recorded for AS than for DS

Nutrient cycling in primary, secondary forests and cocoa plantation in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

Primary forest (reserved area), secondary forest and cocoa plantation land uses characterize uplands of Dwinyama watershed in Ghana within the dry semi-deciduous forest zone. The nutrients recycled in the land uses were studied through leaf litter fall, nutrient release, nutrient fluxes estimation and topsoil nutrient contents leading to the identification of appropriate land use in upland regions that may potentially influence lowland farming. Mean annual leaf litter produced by the primary and secondary forests was both 7.9 t ha-1 and that for cocoa plantation was 6.9 t ha-1. The primary forest leaf litter showed rapid decomposition than the secondary forest and the cocoa leaf litter. Nutrients released from the decomposing leaf litters were fast for N, P, K, Ca and Mg for the primary and secondary forests. Less leaf litter production and high rainfall regimes in South America and southeast Asia probably contributed to the lower annual nutrient fluxes recorded than that of the dry semi-deciduous tropical forest in Ghana. The soil under cocoa plantation was higher in Ca than in the secondary and primary forests soils. The primary forest recorded higher contents of top soil N, P. K, and Mg nutrients due to non-frequent removal of the vegetation, presence of organic matter that increases soil carbon content and cation exchange capacity. Generally, trends of nutrients released and the quantities of nutrient fluxes estimate in the land uses in Ghana suggested that nutrient cycling was better in the primary forest followed by the secondary forest and cocoa plantation. The trend in the land uses was primary > secondary > cocoa, suggesting that forests in uplands will protect watersheds, and, through leaching and erosion, nutrients may be transported to the lowlands for continuous and sustainable cropping with little or no inorganic fertilizer application

Does democracy enhance economic growth? The case of Anglophone West Africa

This article investigates the relationship between democracy and economic growth in five Anglophone West African countries using annual data from 1970 to 2014 and dynamic panel data estimation techniques which control for endogeneity, heteroscedasticity and spatial effects. The findings for the full sample estimation show a negative relationship between democracy and economic growth, however country specific differences apply. Consistent with the sceptical view we conclude that several other factors influence the ability of countries to grow, besides which political regime is in place. These factors among others are capital investments, human capital development, a productive labour force and technological progress

ASSESSING THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE OF THE KWANYAKU WATER TREATMENT PLANT

The study assessed the Maintenance Performance of the Kwanyaku Water Treatment Plant. Availability and reliability of eleven facilities from the old and Jubilee treatment plants were compared. Twenty respondents view on the Maintenance Schedule at the Kwanyaku Headworks was also obtained. The t-test was the main statistical tool used with an alpha level of 0.05. There were significant differences in the availability of the equipment at the two treatment plants where the old recorded 93.33% better than the jubilee 77.50%. Also, there were significant differences in the average reliability of 48.20 days and 11.00 days for the facilities at the old and the jubilee plants respectively which fell below the GWCL benchmark and plant manufactures’ standard. The assessment further revealed significant differences in the maintainability of the two plants which were within the GWCL benchmark of 1 – 5 hours. Finally, the study revealed that the main causes of frequent plants and equipment failure at the treatment plant were power outages and instrumentation issues

Levels of awareness and concentrations of heavy metals in the blood of electronic waste scavengers in Nigeria

Background - Electronic waste (e-waste) contains both valuable and hazardous materials. E-waste scavengers specialize in the collection and crude recycling of waste electronics to retrieve valuable metals, which are then sold. These activities provide an income for scavengers, but also expose them to toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and copper (Cu). Objectives - The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of awareness and concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn)) in the blood levels of e-waste scavengers at Jakande dumpsite, Alaba International Market, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods - Material and data were collected by empirical survey with the use of a questionnaire to obtain information from e-waste scavengers. Blood samples of the scavengers in the present study (30 adult males exposed to recycling processes) were collected and concentrations of heavy metals were determined through acid digestion and the use of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AGILENT 55B AA, 2010). Results - The geometric means of blood levels of Pb, Cu, Zn and Mn were 11.0, 33.85, 126.15 and 19.38 µg / dL, respectively. High concentrations of Pb and Mn (11.0 and 19.38 µg / dL) were found in the blood samples, while Zn and Cu (126.15 and 33.85 µg / dL) showed low concentrations. The maximum blood level of lead (BPb) (24.0 µg / dL) was extremely high compared to the maximum BPb of occupationally exposed males. Statistical analysis of the questionnaires showed that all of the respondents were male, and more than half (56.7%) were between 21-30 years of age and had been involved in recycling of e-waste for 1-5 years. The results showed that 83% of the respondents were aware that hazardous fractions in e-waste require special treatment, while 76.7% were aware of the possible negative impact on their health. Conclusions - Lack of education, poverty and lack of effective enforcement of e-waste management and regulations are the major contributors to the current situation and thus scavengers carry on with their activities unhindered. The authors recommend the use of protective clothing, sensitization visits and awareness campaigns on the safe disposal of hazardous components

Malaria epidemiology in the Ahafo area of Ghana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria remains endemic in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana. The epidemiology of malaria in special areas, such as mining areas needs to be monitored and controlled. Newmont Ghana Gold Limited is conducting mining activities in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana that may have an impact on the diseases such as malaria in the mining area.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prior to the start of mining activities, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2006/2007 to determine malaria epidemiology, including malaria parasitaemia and anaemia among children < 5 years and monthly malaria transmission in a mining area of Ghana.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1,671 households with a child less than five years were selected. About 50% of the household heads were males. The prevalence of any malaria parasitaemia was 22.8% (95% CI 20.8 - 24.9). <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>represented 98.1% (95% CI 96.2 - 99.2) of parasitaemia. The geometric mean <it>P. falciparum </it>asexual parasite count was 1,602 (95% CI 1,140 - 2,252) and 1,195 (95% CI 985 - 1,449) among children < 24 months and ≥ 24 months respectively. Health insurance membership (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45 - 0.80, p = 0.001) and the least poor (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37 - 0.90, p = 0.001) were protected against malaria parasitaemia. The prevalence of anaemia was high among children < 24 months compared to children ≥ 24 months (44.1% (95% CI 40.0 - 48.3) and 23.8% (95% CI 21.2 - 26.5) respectively. About 69% (95% CI 66.3 - 70.9) of households own at least one ITN. The highest EIRs were record in May 2007 (669 <it>ib/p/m</it>) and June 2007 (826 <it>ib/p/m</it>). The EIR of <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>were generally higher than <it>Anopheles funestus</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The baseline malaria epidemiology suggests a high malaria transmission in the mining area prior to the start of mining activities. Efforts at controlling malaria in this mining area have been intensified but could be enhanced with increased resources and partnerships between the government and the private sector.</p