Supply Response of Rice in Ghana: A Co-integration Analysis

This study presents an analysis of the responsiveness of rice production in Ghana over the period 1970-2008. Annual time series data of aggregate output, total land area cultivated, yield, real prices of rice and maize, and rainfall were used for the analysis. The Augmented-Dickey Fuller test was used to test the stationarity of the individual series, and Johansen maximum likelihood criterion was used to estimate the short-run and long-run elasticities. The land area cultivated of rice was significantly dependent on output, rainfall, real price of maize and real price of rice. The elasticity of lagged output (12.8) in the short run was significant at 1%, but the long run elasticity (4.6) was not significant. Rainfall had an elasticity of 0.004 and significant at 10%. Real price of maize had negative coefficient of -0.011 and significant at 10% significance level. This is consistent with theory since a rise in maize price will pull resources away from rice production into maize production. The real price of rice had an elasticity of 2.01 and significant at 5% in the short run and an elasticity of 3.11 in the long run. The error correction term had the expected negative coefficient of -0.434 which is significant at 1%. It was found that in the long run only real prices of maize and rice were significant with elasticities of -0.46 and 3.11 respectively. The empirical results also revealed that the aggregate output of rice in the short run was found to be dependent on the acreage cultivated, the real prices of rice, rainfall and previous output with elasticities of 0.018, 0.01, 0.003 and 0.52 respectively. Real price of rice and area cultivated are significant 10% level of significance while rainfall and lagged output are significant 5%. In the long run aggregate output was found to be dependent on acreage cultivated, real price of rice, and real price maize with elasticities of 0.218, 0.242 and -0.01 respectively at the 1% significance level. The analysis showed that short-run responses in rice production are lower than long-run response as indicated by the higher long-run elasticities. These results have Agricultural policy implications for Ghana. Key Words: Supply response, Rice, Error Correction Model, Co-integration Analysis, Ghan

Effect of gold mining on total factor productivity of farmers: Evidence from Ghana

Gold mining comes with several benefits to developing countries, manifested mainly in the form of employment and revenue, but simultaneously impacts negatively on the immediate environment. It affects the economic structure including agriculture and its productivity. Hence, this study investigated the effect of gold mining on total factor productivity of farmers in Ghana using 110 cocoa farmers from Asutifi North and Asutifi South districts of the Brong Ahafo Region, categorised into mining and non-mining areas respectively. About 83 % of the farmers in the mining areas were affected by gold mining through channels such as land disputes, relocation of farm/residence, high cost of labour, illegal small-scale mining and dust settlement on crops. Also, about 64 % of cocoa farmers in the mining areas lost their farm lands (between 0.4 and 3.64 ha as a result of gold mining. The Tornqvist Total Factor Productivity (TFP) indices for cocoa farmers in the non-mining areas (mean TFP of 1.404) were also statistically higher than those in the mining areas (mean TFP of 0.371). The study concluded that gold mining activities adversely affect productivity of farmers in the catchment areas. The study recommends, among others, that a policy of land-for-land should be in place and effectively implemented to ensure that mining companies in order to enhance and ensure continuity of livelihoods must fully replace lands lost through mining activities

Evaluation of a learner-designed course for teaching health research skills in Ghana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In developing countries the ability to conduct locally-relevant health research and high quality education are key tools in the fight against poverty. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel UK accredited, learner-designed research skills course delivered in a teaching hospital in Ghana.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Study participants were 15 mixed speciality health professionals from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Effectiveness measures included process, content and outcome indicators to evaluate changes in learners' confidence and competence in research, and assessment of the impact of the course on changing research-related thinking and behaviour. Results were verified using two independent methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>14/15 learners gained research competence assessed against UK Quality Assurance Agency criteria. After the course there was a 36% increase in the groups' positive responses to statements concerning confidence in research-related attitudes, intentions and actions. The greatest improvement (45% increase) was in learners' actions, which focused on strengthening institutional research capacity. 79% of paired before/after responses indicated positive changes in individual learners' research-related attitudes (n = 53), 81% in intention (n = 52) and 85% in action (n = 52). The course had increased learners' confidence to start and manage research, and enhanced life-long skills such as reflective practice and self-confidence. Doing their own research within the work environment, reflecting on personal research experiences and utilising peer support and pooled knowledge were critical elements that promoted learning.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Learners in Ghana were able to design and undertake a novel course that developed individual and institutional research capacity and met international standards. Learning by doing and a supportive peer community at work were critical elements in promoting learning in this environment where tutors were scarce. Our study provides a model for delivering and evaluating innovative educational interventions in developing countries to assess whether they meet external quality criteria and achieve their objectives.</p

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The Ostrich Industry in Ghana: Prospects and Performance

The number of ostrich farms in Ghana has increased lately as a result of the high and faster financial returns these farms are accruing. This study assesses the performance of MacBaron Ostrich Farm by examining the trends in its output, operating performance, profitability, market structure, and future projections of income. Generally, there have been decreasing trends in meat output, value of hide exports, and sales at monthly rates of 0.58 percent, 0.25 percent, and 0.22 percent, respectively. Despite these low and declining trends, the profit level over the years has been increasing at 19.6 percent annually. The structure of the ostrich market mimics an oligopolistic market. Income projections using the three-year moving average revealed that the business will still be profitable over the next five years. The study recommends that MacBaron diversify its output by exploring other markets for ostrich products, such as processing the feathers and eggshells, and by increasing the bird slaughter rate since profit is a function of output. Water and electricity costs should be reduced by the use of energy saving bulbs and the maintenance of all thermostats in electrical systems in the brooder house. High-pressure, low-volume cleaning systems and nozzles on all water sprays should be employed The study further recommends that proper records be kept to ensure good management and planning of inventory

Exports of Palm Oil from Ghana: A Demand Analysis

Studies have shown that the economy of Ghana cannot afford to rely solely on cocoa exports. It is imperative to diversify the export base of the Ghanaian economy. In this respect, the palm oil sub-sector of the agricultural sector, which until the early part of the 20th century was the major agricultural export commodity of Ghana, needs to be considered for promotion. Currently the palm oil industry faces the challenge of bleak export potential. This study examines trends in the quantity exported of Ghana's palm oil and quantifies the effects and magnitudes of the determinants of export demand. Empirical analysis of Ghana's palm oil exports from 1987 to 2006 reveals a general upward growth over the study period at an annual growth rate of 23.2 percent.This result can be attributed to the privatization of state-owned oil palm plantations in the 1980s and 1990s.The effects and magnitudes of the determinants of the demand for Ghana palm oil were achieved with ordinary least squares regression. The study identifies the following significant determinants of the demand for Ghana's palm oil: real export price and real domestic price of Ghana's palm oil, real export price of Malaysia's palm oil (a competitor with Ghana's palm oil exports), and real exchange rate in Ghana.A one-percent fall in the real domestic price of Ghana's palm oil will bring about an 11.9-percent increase in the quantity exported (demanded) of Ghana's palm oil by her trading partners; a one-percent increase in the export price of Malaysia's palm oil will increase the demand for Ghana's palm oil by 2.1 percent; quantity demanded of Ghana's palm oil increases by 0.4 percent for every one-percent decrease in the export price of Ghana's palm oil; and a one-percent depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the U.S. dollar will bring about an 11.1-percent increase in the demand for Ghana's palm oil by her trading partners, all other things being equal. This study recommends that a price support system (i.e., maximum­ price legislation) be instituted in the domestic palm oil market to minimize domestic price increases. Policymakers and stakeholders in the palm oil industry should consider the export price of Malaysia's palm oil when pricing Ghana's palm oil in the international market. Exchange-rate stabilization policies should be strengthened in order to promote mutually beneficial trade between Ghana and palm oil-importing countries

Increasing Income of Ghanaian Cocoa Farmers: Is Introduction of Fine Flavour Cocoa a Viable Alternative

Consumers’ taste and preference for differentiated cocoa based on darkness and flavour quality has been rising over the years. Added value of such specialty cocoa is expressed by consumers’ willingness to pay more than the standard commodity price for the attributes and associations such as augmented health benefits that differentiate the product. Conventional cocoa production systems often planted with local landraces and to some extent hybrids often have low yields that cannot match farmers’ investment decisions. An ex ante analysis of fine flavour cocoa was investigated for Ghana vis-à-vis existing farming conditions, using economic decision criteria. Fine flavour cocoa is differentiated on the basis of clonal planting material as opposed to regular pods and by its superior flavour qualities at during post-harvest handling. Results of hypothetical fine flavour systems are compared with business-as-usual systems with high input fine flavour system emerging as clear winner in terms of profitability. Sensitivity analysis shows that increasing percentage of producer price with fertiliser subsidies dramatically improves farmers’ income

Examining the Nexus between Dry Season Vegetable Production and Household Food Security in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Rates of food insecurity in Ghana have been rising before the onset of COVID-19 and have remained unchanged since then despite the economy's expansion in the 1990s to date. Dryseason commercial vegetable production is one of the people's key activities for survival in the Upper East Region. This study sought to examine the extent and determinants of food insecurity through an econometric estimation with household data from 322 dry-season vegetable farmers in the region. The study revealed that close to half (45.7%) of the sampled farm households are food insecure (FI) while food secure (FS) is 54.3%. FI households have a head count index of 33.33%, a food insecurity gap of 31.20 and a severity of food insecurity of 12.97%. Vegetable income, non-farm employment and own food production have positive marginal effects on households’ calorie availability in the region. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) should provide logistics and capacity-building workshops for the Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) to improve their knowledge and skills and ensure their accessibility to dry season vegetable farmers to improve the productivity, increase output and income of farmers to enhance food security in the region

Intensity of and factors affecting land and water management practices among smallholder maize farmers in Ghana

Using count models, this paper assesses the intensity of land and water management practices among smallholder maize farmers in Ghana and the factors driving the number of practices adopted. Farmers’ use of fertiliser, non-burning of farmland and ploughing-in of vegetative cover are the practices adopted the most. The paper cautiously notes that the farmers who combine three of the land and water management practices have the highest average productivity. Access to extension contact, credit and farmers’ experiences of food shocks are important driving factors. The findings have implications for a comprehensive land and water management policy within which different strategies are articulated to increase the productivity of the farmers. Fertiliser application, no burning, zero tillage and ploughing-in of the vegetative cover are important. However, the regression results for maize yields suggest that the adoption of a high number of the technologies might not necessarily result in better yields