Nitrate recycling from centrate as a strategy to mitigate odour release

En este trabajo fin de grado se utilizó un biorreactor integrado a escala piloto (anaeróbico-anóxico-aeróbico) con un volumen de trabajo de 12,9 L acoplado sedimentador de separación de biomasa para tratar aguas residuales mediante un proceso A2O. Se evaluó a escala laboratorio la recirculación de nitratos (provenientes de la oxidación de centrados) como estrategia de prevención de olores, estudiando tanto el proceso de tratamiento de agua residual como las cinéticas de oxidación de H2S con nitrato. Los parámetros de operación utilizados fueron velocidad de carga orgánica (OLR) de 0.079-0.132gTOC/Ld y tiempo de retención hidráulica (HRT) de 36-24h y tiempo de retención de los lodos (SRT) de 10 días. La operación del proceso a un HRT de 24h, El rendimiento de depuración de aguas residuales fue superior al 75% de eliminación para los contaminantes, con nitrificación completa del amoníaco afluente. De la cinética se establece que el nitrato que sirve como aceptor de electrones para la eliminación del sulfuro de hidrógeno y el proceso sería técnicamente viable.Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología del Medio AmbienteGrado en Ingeniería Químic

Expanding Rural Economies through Microfinance: Chronicling the Experience of Microcredit Clients of the Upper Manya Krobo Rural Bank of the Eastern Region of Ghana

Micro and small enterprises constitute an important feature of the economy of many countries. They are significant to socio-economic development and serves as important sources of employment and wealth creation. However, small businesses face teething financial challenges to operate effectively and efficiently. The microfinance paradigm which emerged in the 1970s was geared at providing financial services to poor entrepreneurs to enhance their activities and social welfare. This paper assesses the contributions of the Upper Manya Krobo Rural Bank’s (UPKRB) microcredit programme to business and household outcomes. The article is based on a doctoral research output that employed mixed methods approach. It therefore used structured questionnaire, in-depth interview guide and focus group discussion guide to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The sample size was 420 exited, repeated and permanent clients. The data was processed and analyzed using SPSS version 16 to generate descriptive results. To assess the probability of microcredit clients experiencing positive or negative business and household outcomes, STATA was used to generate probit regression models. One main finding of the paper is that, 72 percent of microcredit clients have achieved growth in financial, human, social, physical and natural assets. It also emerged that, using part of the loan for other purposes has no correlation with loan repayment difficulties. It is recommended to Microfinance Institutions of the need to consider discouraging the deduction of risk management fees from loans granted to clients since groups are jointly liable in the event of a member’s loan default. Keywords: Economies, Microfinance, Microcredit, ManyaKrobo Ban

Application of Organic Coagulants in Water and Wastewater Treatment

Coagulation is an essential mechanism that occurs in most conventional water and wastewater treatment plants. This occurs in a physical purification unit involving transport processes and the addition of coagulants for chemical reactions, charge neutralization, and formation of smaller flocs to agglomerate into larger flocs. This enhances the effective removal of recalcitrant contaminants by downstream processes. However, poor treatment of wastewater might have a high negative impact on biodiversity and the environment in general. This chapter seeks to address the limitation of employing inorganic coagulants by evaluating the efficiency of organic coagulants and exploring the factors and mechanism governing coagulation in a physiochemical treatment process of water and wastewater resources. The effect of pH, coagulant type and dosage to ease the high sludge production and discharge of residual metals into the downstream waters is addressed. The emerging of organic coagulants and technology to mitigate the performance and recovery of mineral coagulants from wastewater treatment residual is been proposed

A Critical Study of Matthew 18:15-18 in New Testament Greek and Selected Akan Mother-Tongue Translations: Implication for Peace-Making in Ghana

Current research suggests that the globe is growing more fractured, less peaceful, and riskier for future generations. The world has seen family, marriage, community, and national conflicts in recent years. Ghana has ethnic conflict in many areas despite its low sub-regional conflict score. In a country where over 70% of the population is Christian, contextualising the sacred text to provide a biblical peace approach is crucial. The study examined Matthew 18:15–18 exegetically to inform Ghanaian peace-making initiatives. The study proposes that Ghanaian Christians’ peace-making efforts could benefit from Jesus Christ's teachings in Matthew 18:15-18 interpreted in the Akan mothers’ vernacular

A Critical Study of Matthew 18:15-18 in New Testament Greek and Selected Akan Mother-Tongue Translations: Implication for Peace-Making in Ghana

Recent global research reveals a world characterised by increasing fragmentation, diminished peace, and mounting risks for future generations. Diverse conflicts, ranging from familial to national issues, persist, even among individuals sharing the same faith. In Africa, nations like Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone grapple with severe consequences of conflicts. In Ghana, pockets of ethnic discord impact education, healthcare, and social services, prompting the emigration of skilled professionals. Despite ongoing peace efforts in Ghana, effective approaches are crucial. With over 70% of Ghanaians identifying as Christians, contextualising peace-making within sacred texts becomes imperative. In this exploration, the study delves into a biblical approach, specifically scrutinising Matthew 18:15–18 through exegetical analysis in Greek language and mother-tongue hermeneutics. These approaches reveal a convergence between the biblical author’s original meaning conveyed in the Greek language and its interpretation in the mother tongue. The paper advocates private conflict resolution to avoid gossip, involving witnesses if needed and church leaders if the issue persists. Disciplinary measures may be necessary, emphasising personal dignity and adherence to God’s will. The paper significantly contributes to conflict resolution knowledge, providing valuable insights for fostering peace in Ghana and beyond

A Critical Study of Matthew 18:15-18 in New Testament Greek and Selected Akan Mother-Tongue Translations: Implication for Peace-Making in Ghana

Current research suggests that the globe is growing more fractured, less peaceful, and riskier for future generations. The world has seen family, marriage, community, and national conflicts in recent years. Ghana has ethnic conflict in many areas despite its low sub-regional conflict score. In a country where over 70% of the population is Christian, contextualising the sacred text to provide a biblical peace approach is crucial. The study examined Matthew 18:15–18 exegetically to inform Ghanaian peace-making initiatives. The study proposes that Ghanaian Christians’ peace-making efforts could benefit from Jesus Christ's teachings in Matthew 18:15-18 interpreted in the Akan mothers’ vernacular

Factors Contributing to Low Tuberculosis Case Detection in West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana: A Community and Health Facility Based Study

This research has a keen interest into assessing health and community related factors that contribute and influences low TB case detection rate in the West Akim Municipality of the Eastern region of Ghana. Data was collected from a target group of community members and health workers using a well-structured questionnaire. Data from the field was collected using Epi Info 7 and then, exported to Microsoft Excel and finally transferred to SPSS version 24 for the analysis. Some statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, reliability of scale, t-test of independence, chi-square and analysis of variance was used to obtain results from the data analysis. Community related factors that has been identified as possible contributors to low TB detection rate are as follows, the availability of alternative means of health care (traditional healers, prayer camps, and herbs to manage suspected cases of TB. This turns to keep people away from the health facilities. The long time (2 days) it takes for an individual to get tested and to receive his/her tested results (time of diagnostics). The high levels of experienced stigma associated with psychological distress on suspected people with TB and on friends and relatives living with TB patients. the low knowledge of TB among some reasonable number of community members. The study also identified the possible health related factors influencing low TB case detection rate such as, Low TB trained personals and low TB education during health talks in creating awareness that TB is preventable, curable and treatable and that suspected people with TB (cough for more than two weeks) should seek medical attention. Community health nurses not including TB screening as part of their home visitation program and low level of contact tracing could also contribute to the low case detection rate. The highly inadequate number Gene Xpert machines, DOT centres and laboratories for the diagnostics of TB.  The study also found that, TB stigma even existed among health care providers against suspected patients. This negatively influence the health seeking behavior among suspected patients. This study became necessary to generate information for the Ghana national TB control Programme for appropriate remedial actions to be taken to forestall any catastrophe that may result from undetected and untreated TB cases in the West Akim municipality. Keywords: Gene Xpert machines, DOT Centres, Stigmatization, Psychological Distress, TB screening, Low TB Case Detection. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/72-11 Publication date:March 31st 202

Career Progression of Women: Does Work Life Balance Matter?

Purpose-The study empirically examined the influence of work-life balance practices on Career Progression of Women at Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP). Design, methodology/approach-Given the reliance on explanatory research design, the study utilized structured questionnaire for gathering the primary data quantitatively from 209 randomly selected participants. A second-order model was configured in SMART PLS for testing of the directional hypotheses formulated. Findings- Work-life balance practices have a moderate significant positive predictor on both career goal progress and promotion speed. However, it significantly predicts a weak positive variance in professional development ability of career progression. Research limitations- The study was limited to only female MoGCSP employees, and this may restrict the degree of generalizability to other ministries of the government of Ghana. Practical implication- The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection through its agency, must continually provide a favourable work life balance practices for its female staff as this would in order to make female workers happy, satisfied and progressed in the various careers. Originality/value- Empirically, the study enriches the theoretical understanding of how work-life balance if properly managed would affect female workers in progression in their career even in a masculine context as established by the role theory in Sub-Saharan country-context

Career Progression of Women: Does Work-life Balance Matter?

The study empirically examined the influence of work-life balance practices on the Career Progression of Women at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP). Given the reliance on an explanatory research design, the study utilized a structured questionnaire for gathering the primary data quantitatively from 209 randomly selected participants. A second-order model was configured in SMART PLS for testing the directional hypotheses formulated. The results indicated that work-life balance practices have a moderately significant positive predictor on both career goal progress and promotion speed. However, it significantly predicts a weak positive variance in professional development ability of career progression. The practical implication is that the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection through its agency, must continually provide favorable work-life balance practices for its female staff to make female workers happy, satisfied, and progress in their various careers. The study offers a better theoretical understanding of how work-life balance, if handled well, may influence female workers' career progression, even in a situation where men predominate, as per role theory. Empirically, the study enriches the theoretical understanding of how work-life balance, if properly managed, would affect female workers in progression in their careers even in a masculine context, as established by the role theory in Sub-Saharan country-context

Career Progression of Women: Does Work Life Balance Matter?

Purpose-The study empirically examined the influence of work-life balance practices on Career Progression of Women at Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP). Design, methodology/approach-Given the reliance on explanatory research design, the study utilized structured questionnaire for gathering the primary data quantitatively from 209 randomly selected participants. A second-order model was configured in SMART PLS for testing of the directional hypotheses formulated. Findings- Work-life balance practices have a moderate significant positive predictor on both career goal progress and promotion speed. However, it significantly predicts a weak positive variance in professional development ability of career progression. Research limitations- The study was limited to only female MoGCSP employees, and this may restrict the degree of generalizability to other ministries of the government of Ghana. Practical implication- The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection through its agency, must continually provide a favourable work life balance practices for its female staff as this would in order to make female workers happy, satisfied and progressed in the various careers. Originality/value- Empirically, the study enriches the theoretical understanding of how work-life balance if properly managed would affect female workers in progression in their career even in a masculine context as established by the role theory in Sub-Saharan country-context