Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Background The quality of chocolate during storage influences its consumer acceptability. In this study, quality grading of chocolate formulated with okra pectin was evaluated for its sensory characteristics (texture, appearance, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel and aftertaste) simultaneously with instrumental texture and colour analysis to assess changes during storage at ambient conditions. A quality grading scale was developed by a quality grading panel to evaluate the sensory qualities of the chocolates on a monthly basis over a four‐month storage period. The quality properties of the stored chocolates were described and quantified based on consensus agreement by the trained quality panel. Spearman's correlation test was used to analyse the relationship between the sensory and instrumental data. Results Overall, the formulated chocolate and the control samples experienced changes in the sensory and instrumental parameters during storage. The most remarkable changes for the formulated chocolates were observed for appearance. The formulated samples were described as slightly bloomed or moderately bloomed after the first month of storage and persisted throughout the storage period by scoring either a 5 or a 6. F17 (control) was the hardest sample after fourth month, recording 18642.20 ± 4215.95. Conclusion The present findings show the sensory and texture profile of okra pectin chocolate during storage and can be exploited by the confectionery industry.

Background The nutritional status of communities susceptible to Buruli ulcer (BU, a skin NTD caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans) remains almost completely obscure. We have assessed the diets of BU patients vs. controls from the same BU-endemic communities, and compared their circulating biomarkers of nutrients and inflammation. Methods/Principal Findings We investigated two cohorts of BU patients and controls. The first were administered food frequency and multi-pass 24-hour recall questionnaires to determine patterns of foods consumed, nutrient intake and nutrient adequacy. The second used archived serum samples collected as baseline to measure the circulating concentration of zinc, vitamin C, CRP, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6. Stunted growth was more prevalent than expected (31%), while 18% of participants were underweight and most had inadequate intake of all micronutrients except for carbohydrate. BU patients had a lower intake of, selenium, vitamin B12 and zinc, and for selenium and vitamin B12 a higher proportion had dietary insufficiency (40% vs. 15% and 80% vs. 55%, respectively). In line with this, BU patients had significantly lower levels of zinc in their serum, and more had levels below the normal range (72% vs. 43%). Despite many participants having a good intake of vitamin C, serum levels were low, and lower amongst the BU patients. As expected, there was little evidence of systemic inflammation (CRP <0.6 mg/L). Elevated IL-6 levels were present in several participants suggesting that environmental enteric dysfunction may be prevalent in these communities, however this was similar in cases vs. controls. Conclusions/Significance Diet and nutritional status may be a contributing factor to BU pathogenesis. Protein and the micronutrients zinc, selenium, vitamin B12 and vitamin C may be of particular importance. Nutritional interventions may have potential for both prophylaxis and treatment of BU, which may be a cost-effective approach to achieving the NTD Roadmap goals.

Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is largely rainfed and managed by smallholder farmers. We assessed and projected the impact of climate change on Ghana’s agriculture using cassava production as exemplar. We first used a mixed-research method which included 15 participants from 8 communities in a focus group discussion and a purposive sampling of 254 cassava farmers to assess their perception of climate change and its impact on yield. In addition, annual crop data from 1993 to 2020, agroclimatology data from NASA Power and WorldClim was used to predict the near (2021–2040) and far (2081–2100) climate scenarios. The result showed that yield among farmers were significantly influenced by years of farming (P = 0.002), sex (P = 0.001) and source of labour (P = 0.003). Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis revealed that climatic factors accounted for 19.4% and 10.2% of the variations in cassava production and yields respectively. In addition, the model predicted an increase of 0.1 °C to 0.2 °C in maximum temperature under SSP5 in the near future and a significant increase of 1 °C and 3 °C under SSP2 and SSP5 respectively in the far future. Minimum temperatures are projected to show similar pattern under SSP2 (1 °C) and SSP5 (3.2 °C) and a decline in precipitation is expected under both future scenarios. In conclusion, future crops production will experience higher climate vulnerability, especially with only 2% of Ghana’s arable land under irrigation. Therefore, investing in climate education and long-term adaptation strategies could provide a precondition for farmers ability to adapt to the unavoidable impact of climate change.

In this study, we investigate the conditional heterogeneous impact of environmental taxes and governance on carbon emissions among 23 African nations, considering the moderating impact of governance quality. The study employs Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) with hierarchical regression for robustness over the period 1994–2020. To address potential endogeneity, we employ 2SLS estimations and consider lagged effects. The findings indicate that the impact of environmental taxes on carbon emissions varies across all distributions of carbon emissions. The coefficient of environmental tax is significantly negative. The result shows a positive impact of governance on carbon emissions. The study finds a significantly positive interaction effect of governance and environmental tax on carbon emissions. The findings support green dividends but cannot validate neoclassical theory. The findings suggest that the role of governance in the nexus between environmental tax and carbon emissions is weak. Policymakers should consider their countries’ emission levels before rolling out environmentally related taxes to champion the carbon neutrality agenda. While implementing environmental taxes, policymakers must concentrate on strengthening their institutional capacities to monitor compliance and facilitate public engagement.

Road users’ perceptions about traffic congestion and its contributing factors, influence their traffic congestion satisfaction and travel behaviours. However, how road users interpret traffic congestion factors has not received much attention in studies especially in low and middle-income countries. This study used a stated preference data, obtained from road users during a questionnaire survey, to establish factors, which significantly contribute to traffic congestion. It further employed confirmatory factor analysis to explore how road users’ cognitive assessment of contributing factors of congestion could reveal interrelationships among the factors and their underlying constructs. The study revealed that road users perceive poor functioning traffic signal, presence of potholes on roadway, high traffic volume, presence of on-street market, indiscriminate on-street parking and rainfall as some critical contributing factors of congestion on the roadways in Kumasi. Also, road users perceive the contributing factors of congestion in four main interconnected dimensions namely traffic demand, control devices, side frictions and incidents. The findings of this study can inform the decisions of transport planners and engineers on how to prioritise resources for congestion mitigation and tailor initiatives to address the key factors that need much attention and likely to result in higher payoff and consequently, sustainable transport.

Background Hepatitis B is one of the major global health issues, which presents a particularly severe challenge within the confines of African prisons, characterized by high rates of transmission and limited access to adequate healthcare. The prevalence of Hepatitis B in these settings represents a silent crisis. Objective This research highlights the critical public health emergency posed by Hepatitis B in African prisons, underscoring the need for urgent intervention and comprehensive strategies. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted to investigate the public health challenges posed by Hepatitis B in African prisons. The search focused on peer‐reviewed articles, policy documents, and original literature published from 2000 to 2024. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were utilized. Results The prison environment, marked by overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and high‐risk behaviors, fosters the rapid spread of Hepatitis B. The transmission is further exacerbated by limited access to vaccination, insufficient screening programs, and a lack of awareness among inmates and prison staff. Consequently, the incidence of Hepatitis B in African prisons is significantly higher than in the general population, creating a reservoir of infection that poses a broader public health threat upon prisoners' release. Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach. Conclusion This research calls for immediate and sustained action to mitigate the Hepatitis B crisis in African prisons. By prioritizing this issue within public health agendas, we can reduce transmission rates, improve health outcomes for inmates, and protect broader community health. The urgency of addressing Hepatitis B in African prisons cannot be overstated, as it represents a critical juncture in the fight against infectious diseases in marginalized populations.

The wetland ecosystems on Mount Cameroon’s eastern slope, known for their agroecological significance and biodiversity, are facing potential threats such as heavy metal and bacterial contamination due to poor waste management systems and anthropogenic activities. A study was conducted to quantify the heavy metals and bacterial loads in Solanum scabrum Mill., Amaranthus cruentus L., and Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss., three major vegetables grown in the area. Soil and water samples were collected and analysed for the concentrations of 24 elements, including heavy metals, using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) approach. The bacteria in the samples were isolated and cultured in lactose broth, and the total coliform count was estimated using the maximum probable number (MPN) technique. The heavy metals in both soil and plant samples occurred in the order Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Co > Pb > Fe > Al. The contamination indices of Mn > 5807.3 and Cr > 4698.3 indicated varied sources of these metal contaminants. The bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC) was > 1 for most of the metals, with T. fruticosum having the highest BAC value (3.60) for the leaves. The mean bacteria count indicated high contamination with Enterobacteria (600 coliform forming units (CFU)) and E. coli (500 CFU) in vegetables across all sampling sites. The high concentration of bacterial contaminants in the soil, water, and plants across the study sites indicates a high health risk, making the ecosystem not pristine and thus impossible for these wetlands to improve food security. Consequently, this study provides crucial information for policymakers and stakeholders to develop effective strategies for the conservation and sustainable management of these wetlands.

Career women have varied responsibilities in society, and therefore, finding a balance among work, family, and personal life duties is becoming increasingly difficult. The literature explains that there is no one-size-fits-all standard for work-life balance. This study sought to explore ways of coping with family life and schooling among Ghanaian nurses and midwives pursuing graduate programmes without study leave. The paper was carved out of a more extensive study exploring female graduate students’ life experiences, combining work, family, and schooling. The study used an exploratory descriptive qualitative design through a purposive sampling approach to recruit 20 female nurses and midwives pursuing graduate programmes in three public universities in Ghana. The study obtained ethics approval from the Noguchi Memorial Institutes of Medical Research. Participants used social media, people in their social circles and religion to cope. Families, friends, church leaders, managers at work, and coursemates assisted in various ways. The support was in the form of money, help with household chores and childcare, granting off days, assistance with assignments, and counselling. Participants neglected the care of their husbands and children to concentrate on work and schooling. The graduate students watch movies, TikTok videos and listen to various music. Some forced themselves to sleep and as well, walk with loved ones to relief stress. Above all, participants relied on God via prayers and words of inspiration from motivational speakers. The authors believe that establishing and implementing family-friendly human resource policies targeting career women to empower themselves through graduate education will be beneficial.

Introduction: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAPs) regarding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers at the Ho Teaching Hospital and Ho Municipal Hospital in Ghana. Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 157 healthcare workers whose KAPs were assessed using a standard questionnaire. Results: The overall knowledge of the respondents about MRSA was sufficient (mean score = 0.58 ± 0.15). Medical doctors demonstrated the highest knowledge (mean score = 0.80), but their knowledge on the challenges in implementing effective preventive measures against MRSA acquisition, risk factors for transmission, and predominant mode of transmission were poor (mean scores = 0.18-0.37). The respondents' MRSA-related attitudes (mean score = 2.74 ± 0.31) and perceptions (mean score = 2.88 ± 0.29) were generally positive, with the highest scores recorded among laboratory staff (n = 10) (mean attitude score = 2.92 ± 0.25; mean perception score = 3.06 ± 0.24). The factors that influenced MRSA KAPs included age group (knowledge [p < 0.001]), educational level (knowledge [p < 0.001], and perception [p = 0.044]), and healthcare worker designation (knowledge [p = 0.044]). Nurses were six times more likely to have good knowledge about MRSA compared to pharmacy staff (OR = 6.05, p = 0.045). Conclusions: The respondents had adequate knowledge, and positive MRSA-related attitudes and perceptions, although some knowledge deficits were identified. These knowledge deficiencies can be addressed during the design of educational programs on MRSA, and by increasing research on KAPs regarding MRSA, among key stakeholders in healthcare, particularly, in Ghana.

This study examined the implications of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae on the Catholic faithful in the Kumasi Archdiocese of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of natural family planning methods, such as abstinence and the rhythm method, endorsed by the encyclical, and to explore how these teachings align with the reproductive health goals of Catholic women in the region. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using questionnaires and interviews with Catholic Parish Priests, Catechists, Church leaders, and healthcare practitioners. Data were thematically analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences of the Catholic community regarding birth control. The findings reveal that many Catholics in the Kumasi Archdiocese lack sufficient knowledge of Humanae Vitae and its promotion of natural birth control methods. This awareness gap has led to varied interpretations and practices, with some Catholics resorting to methods that better suit their personal and family needs. The study concludes that the Catholic Church needs to step up its efforts in educating the faithful on the ethical considerations of birth control, aligning religious teachings with the practical realities of the community. This research contributes to scholarship by highlighting the disconnection between papal teachings and the everyday experiences of Catholic laity, calling for a reassessment of Humanae Vitae to better support the reproductive health and well-being of Catholics globally. Keywords: Birth Control, Scriptures, Humanae Vitae, Stewardship, Ethical, Contraception.

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a cardiac disorder characterized by an accessory pathway known as the bundle of Kent, which bypasses the atrioventricular node and predisposes patients to tachyarrhythmias, including supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. The prevalence of WPW syndrome ranges from 0.1% to 0.5% globally, with a higher incidence in males and diagnosis typically occurring between ages 10 and 30. Although many individuals remain asymptomatic, WPW presents a risk of life-threatening arrhythmias, including sudden cardiac death, particularly when atrial fibrillation progresses to ventricular fibrillation. Effective risk stratification is essential for managing WPW syndrome; this involves evaluating symptomatic presentation, accessory pathway properties, and underlying cardiac conditions using clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiological data. Recent advances in risk stratification models enable clinicians to identify better patients at high risk for arrhythmia recurrence or sudden death, informing treatment strategies such as catheter ablation. This study emphasizes the importance of personalized risk assessment in guiding therapeutic decisions, minimizing unnecessary interventions, and improving outcomes. This review’s novel contribution lies in its updated analysis of risk stratification models, which incorporates new research on the genetic and epidemiological factors influencing Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. This analysis emphasizes the evolving role of catheter ablation as a first-line treatment for high-risk patients, demonstrating its potential to provide long-term arrhythmia control with minimal complications. Our findings underscore the necessity for ongoing post-ablation surveillance to monitor for recurrence and to optimize patient care, ultimately improving clinical outcomes.

This paper examines how innovation mediates the relationship between design management capabilities (DMCs) and firm performance. While these concepts have attracted attention in strategic management literature, how they interact to drive the success of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) is not fully understood. Drawing on the dynamic capability perspective, and empirical data from SMEs in Ghana, the proposed model was validated. Survey data were gathered from 209 managers/owners of SMEs in Ghana. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the proposed relationships in the model. The findings revealed that there is an insignificant but positive link between design management capabilities and the performance of businesses. Also, innovation is seen to fully mediate the design management capability–firm performance relationship. The results confirmed that SMEs that exhibit good innovative skills in addition to demonstrating design management capabilities can perform well in the market. Studies on design management capability–firm performance relationship is quite rare in the African context. Thus, this paper provides a contemporary view to help stakeholders achieve sustainable benefits by understanding the dynamics of design management capabilities–firm performance relationship.

Background The isolation and culture of Mycobacterium ulcerans (Mu) as a primary diagnostic modality for Buruli ulcer (BU) disease are limiting due to their low sensitivity and slow-growing nature. M. ulcerans cultures can also be overgrown with other bacteria and fungi. Culture, however, remains an important tool for the study of persisting viable M. ulcerans, drug susceptibility tests, and other molecular assays to improve management of the disease. The challenge of contamination with other fast-growing bacteria necessitates decontamination of clinical samples prior to culturing, but current methods may be too harsh, resulting in low yields of M. ulcerans. We aimed to evaluate a Tika-Kic decontamination process for M. ulcerans that uses supplements to stimulate M. ulcerans growth to improve recovery. Methods Swab and Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) samples were collected from 21 individuals with confirmed BU at baseline (week 0) and weeks 2 and 4 after initiating antibiotic treatment. Samples were decontaminated with Tika-Kic decontamination medium and the modified Petroff (NaOH) methods then inoculated each into Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) or Löwenstein Jensen (LJ) medium. Time to growth detection and confirmation by qPCR as well as the proportion of positive cultures for all three methods and the proportion of positive cultures for all three time points were documented. Common contaminating bacteria were also isolated and identified. Results The proportion of M. ulcerans positive cultures obtained was higher for Tika-MGIT samples [14/43 (32%)] compared to Petroff-MGIT samples [10/43 (23%)] and Petroff-LJ samples [8/43 (19%)]. Baseline samples had a higher isolate proportion [17 (53%)] compared to samples collected after treatment initiation [9 (28%) for week 2 and 6 (19%) for week 4]. Contaminating bacteria isolated include Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella pneumotropica, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus. Conclusion Our study shows an advantage for culturing Mycobacterium ulcerans from clinical samples using the Tika-Kic decontamination and growth medium. Further research is needed to refine sample processing to improve M. ulcerans recovery.

Ensuring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of “no poverty” and “zero hunger” in the face of changing climatic conditions is crucial for developing countries like Nepal, which, due to limited domestic resources, must rely on foreign aid to strengthen food production. This study examines the critical role of foreign assistance in achieving SDG 2, which focuses on ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture. Specifically, we investigate the threshold impact of foreign agricultural aid on agricultural production in Nepal from the first quarter of 1975 to the fourth quarter of 2020. Using threshold analysis, we find a nonlinear relationship between agricultural aid and agricultural production. Below the threshold, agricultural aid boosts production significantly, but above it, the relationship reverses. Additional variables, such as cultivated areas, public agricultural expenditure, and agricultural credit, increase production substantially, although their effects vary between regimes. The farm labor force shows contrasting effects, with a negative impact below the threshold and a positive impact above it. Rainfall negatively affects agricultural production in a low-aid regime but becomes beneficial in a high-aid regime. In contrast, temperature has an insignificant positive impact below the aid threshold but significantly hinders production above the specified threshold. Our findings indicate that leveraging substantial foreign aid to increase public investment in agriculture, specifically through infrastructure, research and development, and extension services, will enhance the effectiveness of aid in boosting food production and reducing hunger.

Introduction Aurantio‐obtusin is a trihydroxyanthraquinone found in the seeds of Cassia tora and Cassia obtusifolia. Its neuroprotective, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐allergic, and antioxidant potential has been documented in multiple studies. While previous reports mention its potential as an antiasthma agent, its effects on allergen‐induced airway inflammation have not been explored. Method Our study reports on the mechanisms by which aurantio‐obtusin exerts its effects on underlying inflammation in experimentally‐induced allergic asthma. The effect of aurantio‐obtusin pretreatment on molecular and histological changes in guinea pig lungs when challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin was assessed. Results Our results showed that aurantio‐obtusin significantly reduced ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced increase in serum OVA‐specific immunoglobulin E (OVA‐sIgE) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1. Aurantio‐obtusin further suppressed inflammatory cytokine expression (IL‐8, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin) as well as malondialdehyde, a product of oxidative stress in bronchial lavage. The histopathological assessment showed a reduced transit of inflammatory cells and reduced deposition of collagen in the lungs of aurantio‐obtusin‐treated guinea pigs. Conclusion Overall, the data suggests that aurantio‐obtusin mitigated ovalbumin‐induced airway inflammation by impeding the production of OVAsIgE and suppressing levels of key pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Our findings suggest that aurantio‐obtusin has potential benefits in the management of allergic airway inflammation in type 2 asthma.

In this study, the effects of feather cover and feather colour genotypes and their interactions on the fertility, hatchability, external and internal egg qualities of 24-week-old locally developed layer parent lines were assessed. A 2 x 3 factorial experiment laid out in a randomized complete block design of two feather colour variants (brown and white) and three feather cover genotypes (naked neck, frizzle and normal feather) was used for this study. A total of 3,196 eggs from 360 layers of three feather genotypes were set for incubation. Data on fertility, hatchability, egg quality characteristics and chick weight were analysed using the PROC MIXED of SAS and differences between means were separated using LSD at 5% probability level. Percentage fertility of eggs of naked neck and frizzle feathered birds were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in the normal feathered birds (71.98%, 70.29% vs 63.17%). Eggs of frizzle feathered birds (76.81%) recorded higher (p<0.05) hatchability than those of the naked neck (65.07%) and normal feathered birds (59.64%). Feather cover genotype had no significant difference (p>0.05) on weight of day-old chick. Feather colour genotype significantly (p<0.05) influenced egg weight but not other external egg characteristics. Feather cover and colour genotypes had significant (p<0.05) effect on some of the internal egg qualities. Follicle numbers in the ventral, dorsal and lateral regions were lower (p<0.05) in the naked neck birds relative to the frizzle and normal feathered birds. The incorporation of F and Na alleles into layer parent stocks in hot humid areas could improve fertility, hatchability and egg quality traits of birds.