Proximate Analyses of Three Brands of Bread under Different Storage Conditions Available on the Ghanaian Market

A study was conducted to evaluate the proximate value of three brands of bread under different package conditions available on the Ghanaian market. Bread samples were analyzed at the Crops Research Institute laboratory in Kumasi for proximate composition (moisture, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash and crude fibre) of the freshly baked bread and bread of 10 days storage duration. The treatment was a 3×2 factorial with three replicates. Factor A (bread types - wheat, sugar and butter); and factor B (storage condition- refrigeration and ambient). The proximate analyses showed that the raw material for baking the three bread types was composite flour and there was a significant difference between the bread types with regards to carbohydrates, crude protein, crude fibre and ash contents even though the difference in crude protein level between sugar and butter breads were not significant. There was a significant difference (P?0.05) in the crude fibre content between wheat and butter bread and ash content between wheat, sugar and butter breads. Wheat bread had the highest ash and moisture contents compared with sugar and butter types but there was no significant difference in moisture content between sugar and wheat. Key Words: Proximate, Analysis, Wheat, Sugar, Butter, Brea

Physico-chemical Assessment of Mosquito Breeding Sites from Selected Mining Communities at the Obuasi Municipality in Ghana.

A survey was conducted in the Obuasi Municipality in Ghana to assess the impact of some physic-chemicals in waters of mosquito breeding sites from 15 randomly selected communities. The water samples, collected fortnightly for eight months, were analyzed using spectrophotometry and other standard laboratory protocols at the AngloGold Ashanti Environmental Quality Assurance Laboratory for temperature, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and pH. The physico-chemical parameters which ranged from 17.03 ± 0.18?C - 24.06 ± 0.18?C (temperature), 17.03 ± 4.04mg/L - 96.67 ± 4.04mg/L (TSS), 1.09±3.23mg/L - 35.67±3.23mg/L (TDS), 3.97 ± 0.13mg/L - 7.43 ± 0.13mg/L (DO), 17.00 ± 1.30µScm-3 - 83.00 ± 1.30 µScm-3 (EC) and 7.77 ± 0.0 - 10.70 ± 0.01 (pH) were much lower relative to the EPA Maximum Permissible Limits. It is apparent that under rising temperature conditions of climate change, the mosquito’s habitat may be highly favoured for adaptation and prolific breeding in the tropics and this further creates the opportunity for research partners to get actively involved in finding integrated control measures to counteract the life cycle of the pest. Keywords: Anglogold Ashanti, Obuasi Municipality, Physio-chemical Analysis, Mosquito Breeding Water

Quality Determination of Groundwater for Drinking at Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region of Ghana

The physical, trace element and microbiology of groundwater randomly collected from four boreholes namely (BH3, BH5, BH103 and BH105) at Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region of Ghana were examined by comparing it to the Ghana standards for drinking water using various standard methods of analysis and the results were compared to the Ghana standards in 2011. The microbiological data indicated that the water from all the boreholes surveyed was safe for drinking since no thermotolerant colifom bacteria were detected in them. Although the results revealed evidence of minimum physical variations in terms of colour (0.67 Pt. Co - 61.0 Pt. Co), conductivity (819µs/cm - 1052µs/cm) and turbidity (0.59 NTU - 23.5 NTU), as well as relatively higher manganese (0.038mg/L - 0.638mg/L) and aluminum (0.064 - 0.479mg/L) concentrations in some boreholes, the values obtained were generally acceptable when compared to the Ghana water Company’s Standards and WHO Guideline values. The boreholes with high levels of manganese were all located in the same area which signified a possible rock mineral and groundwater interaction.  Additionally, nitrogen concentration was found to be within the acceptable limits according to Ghana Water Company’s Standard even though at p<0.05, both forms of nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate), showed significant difference (p<0.00094) among their corresponding means (0.058, 0.054, 0.072 and 0.060) mg/L in BH3, BH5, BH103 and BH105 respectively. Frequent monitoring programmes and education are recommended to ensure implementation of safe water plans for the Nkawkaw area where tapping of groundwater from richer aquifer reserves appears unavoidable.   Keywords: Groundwater, Nkawkaw, Borehole, Ghana Water Company, Bacteria, Physico-chemical, Traced Metal

Bacterial Contamination Levels of Lettuce Irrigated with Waste Water in the Kumasi Metropolis

Consumption of vegetables contaminated with pathogenic micro organisms, particularly, in areas where urban waste water is used to irrigate vegetable crops is suspected to be a factor in outbreaks of some public health diseases. The microbiological quality of lettuce on three farms where waste water is used in the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana was therefore studied for their Total colifoms, faecal coliforms, enterococci, E. coli and Salmonella CFU levels using standard methods. Total coliforms on the lettuce varied from 4.93×104CFU to 6.17×104CFU. Faecal coliforms ranged from 3.48×103CFU to 4.66×104CFU and E. coli 2.98×103CFU to 3.86×104CFU. Samonella and enterococci levels ranged from 2.50×102CFU to 2.72×102CFU and 0.68×100CFU to 2.05×100CFU respectively. In most cases the highest bacterial contamination was associated with lettuce grown at Atonsu and the lowest was at Karikari farms located within the Kumasi Metropolis. The differences in total colifom counts at the two locations were significant (P < 0.001). Differences in bacteria counts for faecal colifoms (P < 0.000) and E. coli (P < 0.000) were significantly higher than counts associated with the other bacteria from all the three farms. In general, bacterial counts on farm lettuce exceeded the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) and International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food (ICMSF) standards of 103. Wastewater use on farms therefore, could be the main contributor to lettuce contamination and outbreak of communicable diseases. Education on use of effective de-contamination methods before eating will help reduce the risk associated with the consumption of such contaminated vegetables. Key Words: lettuce, contamination, bacteria, Kumasi, Ghana

Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil by Quarry Dust at Asonomaso in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Environmental pollution caused by quarry dust and heavy metals is a problem for many years in Asonomaso. The main aim of this paper was to determine the amount and types of heavy metal pollutants associated with the quarrying and also identify the probable adverse effects they have on human health and the environment. About 30 quarry dust samples were collected from two sampling sites between August and November, 2011 for analysis using AAS. Evaluation using SPSS 17.0 statistical programme revealed appreciable amounts of As, Hg, Mn, Cu Zn and Pb and Fe which differ from one site to another. AAS analysis revealed relatively higher concentrations of As, Ag, Cu and Zn in both primary and secondary quarry dust than dust away from the site. However, concentrations of Mn, Fe and Pb were higher in secondary quarry dust and dust away from the primary site. Heavy metal pollution of the Asonomaso environ attributable to the quarry is thus significant and its repercussions on the health of the residents must be seriously looked at. Keywords: Quarry Dust, Heavy-metal, Impact, Asonomaso

Traced Metals and Nutrients in Mosquito Breeding Sites at the Obuasi Municipality of Ashanti Region in Ghana

A survey was conducted in the Obuasi Municipality to assess the impact of some trace metals and nutrients on mosquito breeding sites from 15 randomly selected communities. The water samples, collected fortnightly for eight months, were analyzed using spectrophotometry and other standard laboratory protocols at the AngloGold Ashanti Environmental Quality Assurance Laboratory. The results on trace metals, and nutrients did not reveal any significant pattern of attendant pollution that would influence the breeding patterns of mosquitoes. However, the trace metals ranged from 0.12±0.01mg/L - 13.42±0.01mg/L and 0.01±0.01mg/L - 0.30±0.01mg/L for Fe and Pb respectively in the waters whilst As and Zn were not detected. For the nutrients - nitrate values which were > 1 ranged from 2mg/L – > 40mg/L. Sulphate levels varied between < 20mg/L and > 200mg/L and were above the EPA Maximun Permissible Limit of 1.5 mg/L  for polluted  natural water bodies. There was no definite pattern in the concentrations of phosphates which varied between 0.1mg/L and 1.5mg/L in the waters. It is apparent that under rising temperature conditions of climate change, the mosquito’s habitat may be highly favoured for adaptation and prolific breeding in the tropics and this further creates the opportunity for research partners to get actively involved in finding integrated control measures to counteract the life cycle of the pest. Keywords: Anglogold Ashanti, Obuasi Municipality, Traced Metal Analysis, Mosquito Breeding Water

Impact of Community Participation in Adaptive Wildlife Resources Management at Mole National Park, Ghana

Purpose: Wildlife resources constitute indispensable nature's strongholds for human livelihoods strategies in forest, savanna zones across Ghana and the worldwide although, it often engendered conflicts. Impact of community participation on adaptive wildlife resources management was strategically assessed at Mole National Park. Research methodology: 60 randomly selected park environs residents were interviewed for valid responses using semi-structured questionnaires. Findings: High wildlife products demand has transformed bush meat into lucrative business through poaching by thousands of youths and adults, causing habitat destruction and sharp wildlife population decline. Hunters, poachers, middlemen, restaurant operators constituted game-trade-market-value chain. Limitations: Funding subjectivity reduced scope of the study to only few communities in dry season. Temptation to reject the questionnaires on suspicion of force evacuation plots against some park adjoining villages was later refuted. Hence, recovery rate was 100%. Contribution: We recommend that Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission should strengthen synergies on community participation in adaptive wildlife management by coopting educational interventions that positively influence indigenous behaviors through seminars, workshops, face-to-face interactions. This will better define the rights, roles, responsibilities of key partners towards resolving communal wildlife conflicts. Keywords: Community participation, Wildlife management, Park sustainability, Poaching, Game-trade-market-value chai

Sacred Groves as Potential Ecotourism Sites at Tolon and Diare in Northern Region, Ghana

Purpose: Relic plant communities commonly referred as “sacred groves” in Ghana and comparatively anywhere are ecologically, genetically important resources indigenously protected as “abodes of gods or ancestral habitats” through traditional or religious beliefs and taboos. This study mainly evaluated the potentials of sacred groves for development as tourist sites at Tolon and Diare in the Northern Region of Ghana. Research methodology: Data was collected using semi structured interview questionnaire aided by vegetation survey, observational field walk through the Jaagbo and Tindangung Sacred Groves to screen natural features of the destinations and determine its potential for ecotourism. Findings: Potential areas for visitor amateurism such as the wonderful baobab tree, crocodile pond, misty stone bird sanctuary, were identified in both groves. About 220 different species of plants were identified in the entire groves. The study further discovered that with effective management measures in place, the ecotourism potentials of these sacred groves will optimize if developed to attract visitors and generate income for sustainable socio-economic development of the adjoining communities in northern Ghana. Limitations: Although the target population was above 200 people, relatively small sample size (≤ 36%), could be chosen since the opinion leaders considered the groves as sacred and were less prepared to divulge information about them. Islam and Christianity rather counteracted certain beliefs of the traditional people who adopted local measures to enhance sustainability of these sites for ecotourism functions. Contribution: The study advocates the adoption of bylaws to promote sustainable management of the sacred groves for sustainable benefits. Keywords: Jaagbo, Tindangung, Sacred grove, Crocodile pond, Bird sanctuary, Traditional bylaws, Land use pla