Ghana’S Pension Reforms in Perspective: Can the Pension Benefits Provide a House a Real Need of the Retiree?

The Government of Ghana enacted another pension reform in 2008 to establish a three-tier Pension Scheme with the objective of enhancing pension payments, financial independence to the retired worker and also for capital mobilization for national development. The purpose of any policy reforms that seeks to protect vulnerability of people must be significant to address identified inadequacies in a previous one. This paper is very critical of the new pension reform (Act 716) of 2008 as it provides unrealistic benefit to the pensioner to meet vital needs (i. e A HOUSE), a cultural demand, the lack of it, is killing many retirees in Ghana. The significance of the concept of building a house in Ghanaian cultural setting and retirees is discussed extensively. The mortgage industry which the Act or Scheme relies on is also evaluated. The conclusions are very revealing that the mortgage industry in Ghana is very expensive, unaffordable and therefore unreliable to provide any low cost housing to low income earners and many civil servants in Ghana. The paper proposes that a holistic Pension Scheme that is focused and targeted to identified cultural needs must be established. Financial independence as emphasized in the pension reform act is good but myopic and cannot guarantee longevity. Keywords: Pension Reforms, Retirees, House Mortgage

Influence of Multiple Media Channels on Adolescents’ Knowledge and Intentions to use Contraceptives: A quantitative Study of Amasaman, the Capital of Ga West District Assembly in Ghana

Available literature depicts a strong association between exposure to mass media and intentions to use contraceptives in Ghana. However, little is known about the influence of multiple media on the reminiscence of exact contraceptive messages and intentions to use contraceptives among in- school and out-of-school adolescents. This article, therefore, examines adolescents’ exposure to multiple media messages on contraceptives and its implications on message reminiscence. Their knowledge of the types of contraceptives, their intentions to use contraceptives and their perceptions of usage were also studied. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Amasaman, the capital of Ga West District Assembly in Ghana. Quantitative data were collected from systematically sampled adolescents in-school and out-of-school. The findings indicate that all the adolescents had ever been exposed to media messages on contraceptives, but few had intentions to use a contraceptive within the year preceding the survey. The adverse intentions to use contraceptives were influenced considerably by their fear of being caught due to cultural norms against sexual intercourse at their stage, preference for abstinence based on religious doctrines and poor knowledge of contraceptive usage. Old adolescents (15-19 years) were exposed to multiple media messages on contraceptives more than young adolescents (10-14 years), while majority understood contraceptive messages from radio and television. Generally there was positive association between exposure to multiple media and recollection of contraceptive messages. In conclusion, multiple media should be used to disseminate elaborative contraceptive messages to adolescents, in order for them to make informed choices and as a result enhance a healthy reproductive life. We suggest that the content of the messages should address negative religious and cultural perceptions about contraceptives, as well as educating them further on the available contraceptive methods

The state of world fisheries from a fishworkers perspective: the Ghanaian situation

This study attempts to better understand the status of artisanal/small-scale fisheries and fishworkers in Ghana. It aims to establish the pre-eminence of the artisanal sector, with the ultimate objective of exploring the prospects, potentials and problems of sustaining and developing artisanal fisheries. The study aims to promote more equitable and sustainable fisheries. It provides baseline information on the status of artisanal/small- scale fisheries and fishworkers, especially with regard to technical, social and economic aspects. It analyzes the impact of industrial fisheries on the artisanal sector. It also identifies the main threats to artisanal fisheries, has well as the inshore fishers' potential to harvest fisheries resources that are currently harvested by industrial fisheries. The information provided in this study will help fishworkers build and strengthen their organizations. It will also be useful for policymakers, researchers, planners, academics and anyone else interested in fisheries and fishing communities. (104pp.

Suspended sediment transport into a water supply reservoir in southern Ghana

Weija reservoir on the Densu river serves as a source of water supply to parts of Greater Accra and Central regions of Ghana. The Densu river basin is characterised by accelerated land degradation. A number of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) interventions have been implemented in the basin. Reports suggest there has been an improvement of physicochemical parameters of the water resources. However, there is no recent study on fluvial sediment transport in the basin. This paper assessed sediment transport into the Weija reservoir via the Densu River. Weekly suspended sediment concentration and river discharge were monitored over a 1 year period to quantify sediment yield into the reservoir. The results indicated that total annual suspended sediment yield, and annual specific suspended sediment yield were 5375 t yr-1 and 2.0 t km-2 yr-1, respectively. These were relatively low compared to results obtained by past studies on the Densu basin at upstream Mangoase (6146 t yr-1 and 2.49 t km-2 yr-1) and other river basins in Ghana. Parameters established from a yield rating curve indicated that parts of the basin were degraded and sediment transport in the basin was largely due to the availability of sediment in the catchment and not just due to high river discharges. The relatively low sediment transport at Weija may be indicative of the success of the IWRM interventions. It is recommended that these be sustained and/or intensified

Physicochemical and biological properties of different Cocoa Pod Husk-based composts

The objective was to evaluate the properties of cocoa pod husk-based composts for potential application as soil amendments for crop production. The physicochemical and biological properties of the compost types were analysed. Four compost types were prepared by mixing cocoa pod husk, poultry manure and Panicum maximum in different proportions. A phytotoxicity test was carried out using maize (Zea mays L.) to test whether the compost types contain substances that inhibit seed germination or growth of the radicle. Bulk densities of the compost types were higher than 0.160 Mg m-3, an indication that the compost types as soil amendment will restrict root growth thereby inhibiting plant growth. The average pH of the compost types falls within the optimum range of 6.5 to 8.5 and thus, the composts are stabilized. The compost types had high nitrogen content, so when utilized as a soil amendment would improve the nitrogen content of soils. Copper concentrations in the compost types were far below the WHO/FAO permissible limit of 100 mg kg-1, therefore can be applied at high rates without any problem of copper accumulation in soil. Phytophthora palmivora and Phytophthora megakarya were not detected from the compost types, therefore the compost types could be used without Phytophthora disease infection. Germination percentage and germination index showed that the analyzed compost types achieved high percentages of the germinating capacity of maize seeds and had no phytotoxic substances. The cocoa pod husk-based composts showed substantially varied physicochemical and biological properties suitable to support plant growth. The results clearly showed that, CPHcomp3 made from CPH residues, poultry manure and Panicum maximum at the ratio 6: 1: 2 mixture is recommended for use as a soil amendment for crop production

Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genotypes prevalent in West Africa

Findings from previous comparative genomics studies of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) suggest genomic variation among the genotypes may have phenotypic implications. We investigated the diversity in the phenotypic profiles of the main prevalent MTBC genotypes in West Africa. Thirty-six whole genome sequenced drug susceptible MTBC isolates belonging to lineages 4, 5 and 6 were included in this study. The isolates were phenotypically characterized for urease activity, tween hydrolysis, Thiophen-2-Carboxylic Acid Hydrazide (TCH) susceptibility, nitric oxide production, and growth rate in both liquid (7H9) and solid media (7H11 and Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J)). Lineage 4 isolates showed the highest growth rate in both liquid (p = 0.0003) and on solid (L-J) media supplemented with glycerol (p<0.001) or pyruvate (p = 0.005). L6 isolates optimally utilized pyruvate compared to glycerol (p<0.001), whereas L5 isolates grew similarly on both media (p = 0.05). Lineage 4 isolates showed the lowest average time to positivity (TTP) (p = 0.01; Average TTP: L4 = 15days, L5 = 16.7days, L6 = 29.7days) and the highest logCFU/mL (p = 0.04; average logCFU/mL L4 = 5.9, L5 = 5.0, L6 = 4.4) on 7H11 supplemented with glycerol, but there was no significant difference in growth on 7H11 supplemented with pyruvate (p = 0.23). The highest release of nitrite was recorded for L5 isolates, followed by L4 and L6 isolates. However, the reverse was observed in the urease activity for the lineages. All isolates tested were resistant to TCH except for one L6 isolate. Comparative genomic analyses revealed several mutations that might explain the diverse phenotypic profiles of these isolates. Our findings showed significant phenotypic diversity among the MTBC lineages used for this study

A molecular and epidemiological study of Vibrio cholerae isolates from cholera outbreaks in southern Ghana

Cholera remains a major global public health threat and continuous emergence of new Vibrio cholerae strains is of major concern. We conducted a molecular epidemiological study to detect virulence markers and antimicrobial resistance patterns of V. cholerae isolates obtained from the 2012-2015 cholera outbreaks in Ghana. Archived clinical isolates obtained from the 2012, 2014 and 2015 cholera outbreaks in Ghana were revived by culture and subjected to microscopy, biochemical identification, serotyping, antibiotic susceptibility testing, molecular detection of distinct virulence factors and Multi-Locus Variable-Number of Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA). Of 277 isolates analysed, 168 (60.6%) were confirmed to be V. cholerae and 109 (39.4%) isolates constituted other bacteria (Escherichia coli, Aeromonas sobria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae and Enterococci faecalis). Serotyping the V. cholerae isolates identified 151 (89.9%) as Ogawa, 3 (1.8%) as Inaba and 14 (8.3%) as non-O1/O139 serogroup. The O1 serogroup isolates (154/168, 91.7%) carried the cholera toxin ctxB gene as detected by PCR. Additional virulence genes detected include zot, tcpA, ace, rtxC, toxR, rtxA, tcpP, hlyA and tagA. The most common and rare virulence factors detected among the isolates were rtxC (165 isolates) and tcpP (50 isolates) respectively. All isolates from 2014 and 2015 were multidrug resistant against the selected antibiotics. MLVA differentiated the isolates into 2 large unique clones A and B, with each predominating in a particular year. Spatial analysis showed clustering of most isolates at Ablekuma sub-district. Identification of several virulence genes among the two different genotypes of V. cholerae isolates and resistance to first- and second-line antibiotics, calls for scaleup of preventive strategies to reduce transmission, and strengthening of public health laboratories for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing to guide accurate treatment. Our findings support the current WHO licensed cholera vaccines which include both O1 Inaba and Ogawa serotypes

Genomic epidemiological analysis identifies high relapse among individuals with recurring tuberculosis and provides evidence of household recent TB transmission in Ghana

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the cause of recurring tuberculosis (rcTB) among pulmonary TB participants recruited from a prospective population-based study conducted between July 2012 and December 2015. METHODS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates obtained from rcTB cases were characterized by standard mycobacterial genotyping tools in addition to whole genome sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analysis to assess strain relatedness. RESULTS: A greater proportion (58.3%, 21/36) of individuals with rcTB episodes had TB recurrence within 12 months post treatment. Only 19.4% (7/36) of participants with rcTB harbored a strain with isoniazid (INH) resistance at baseline of which 29% (2/7) were additionally resistant to rifampicin. However, 27.8% (10/36) harbored an INH resistant strain upon recurring of which 40% (4/10) were MDR-TB strains. Recurrent TB was attributed to relapse (same strain) in 75.0% (27/36) of participants with 25.0% (9/36) attributed to re-infection. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that unresolved previous infection due to inadequate treatment may be the major cause of rcTB

Agronomic potentials of quality protein maize hybrids developed in Ghana

A quality protein maize (QPM) hybrid programme was started in 1991 to develop and promote high and stableyielding QPM hybrids to increase production of nutritionally superior maize varieties in Ghana. Six 3- way QPM hybrids developed from inbred lines originating from germplasm of the International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) were evaluated on research stations and in farmers\' fields in Ghana from 1995 to 1996. In the on-station evaluations, grain yields across 10 sites in both years averaged 6.0 ton ha-1 for the three hybrids (GH132-28, GH110-5 and GH2328-88), 5.22 ton ha-1 for Obatanpa, and 3.60 ton ha-1 for the local maize variety. In farmers\' fields, data from over 50 farm sites in 1995 and 1996 showed mean yields of 4.95 ton ha-1 for the three hybrids, and 4.28 ton ha-1 for Obatanpa compared to 3.59 ton ha-1 for farmers\' varieties. On the average, the hybrids were similar to Obatanpa in days to 50 per cent silking, but were shorter in plant height and ear placement. Consumer preference tests showed that the three hybrids were rated similar to the local variety in popular traditional food preparations such as ‘kenkey\' and ‘tuo zafi\'. In 1997, the National Variety Release Committee approved the release of GH132-28, GH110-5, and GH2328-88 under the local names Dadaba, Mamaba, and CIDA-ba, respectively. These hybrids are recommended for planting in all the major agro-ecologies to boost maize production in Ghana.Les variétés de maïs hybride (Zea mays L.) dont les plus sésirées que les variétés de pollinisation libre à cause de leur uniformté et leurs potentiels de rendement plus élevés. Pour augmenter la production de variétés de maïs nutritionnellement supérieures au Ghana, I\'Institut de Recherche de Cultures a mis en place un programme hybrid de maïs protéique de qualité (MPQ) en 1991 pour développer et promouvoir des hybrides de MPQ de rendement élevés et stable. Six hybrids en trois de MPQ développés d\'issu de la même souch provenant de germeplasmes de CIMMYT (Centre International pour I\'amélioration de maïs et de blé) étaient évalués aux stations de recherches et aux champs d\'agriculteurs au Ghana de 1995 à 1996. Dans les évaluations sur place, les rendements de grain à travers 10 sites dans les deux années ont atteint la moyenne de 6.0 ton ha-1 pour les trois hybrids (GH132-28, GH110-5 et GH2328-88), 5.22 ton ha-1 pour \'Obatanpa\' et 3.60 ton ha-1 pour la variétés de maïs local. Sur les champs d\'agriculteurs des données de plus que 50 sites de champs en 1995 et 1996 montraient les rendements moyens de 4.95 ton ha-1 pour les trois hybrids et 4.28 ton ha-1 pour les \'Obatanpa\' comparées à 3.59 ton ha-1 pour les variétés d\'agriculteurs. En moyenne, les hybrides étaient semblables à \'Obatanpa\' en jours jusqu à 50% d\'apparition de soie maïs étaient plus courtes en taille de plante et en placement d\'épi. Les essais de préférence de consommateur montraient que les trios hybrides étaient évalués semblables à la variété locale dans les préparations de nouriture traditionnelle populaire telle que \'kenkey\' et \'tuo zafi\'. En 1997, le comité pour la mise en vente de Variété Nationale a approuvé la mise en vente de GH132-28, GH110-5 et GH2328-88 sous les noms locaux respectifs de Dadaba, Mamaba, et CIDA-ba. Ce hybrides sont recommandés pour la popultion dans toutes les agroéclogies majeures pour stimuler la production de maïs au Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 40 (1) 2007: pp. 81-8