UDS International Journal of Development

FARMERS’ CHOICE OF POSTHARVEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: DETERMINANTS AND FOOD SECURITY IMPLICATIONS IN THE TOLON DISTRICT OF GHANA

Samira Adam Abubakar — 2023-11-24

Postharvest losses remain a key threat to the efforts by developing countries to achieving the zero hunger global agenda. Farmers in many areas have employed mechanisms aimed at managing postharvest losses. This study, therefore, sought to analyze rice farmers' choice of postharvest management practices and its implication on household food security in Tolon district, Ghana. The results revealed that, the various postharvest management practices among rice farmers were chemical application, heat control method, and cleaning and sorting method. Estimation results from the multivariate probit model indicated that, FBO membership, household size, access to credits, farm size and farmer awareness of postharvest loss influence farmers’ choice of postharvest management practices. Likewise, the ordered probit results showed that farmers who employ heat control in managing postharvest losses were more likely to be at the acceptable level of food consumption. The effect of heat control was found to be more effective when combined with other postharvest management practices like chemical control and cleaning/sorting. The outcome of the study suggests the need to encourage the use of heat control postharvest management strategies which may go a long way to help in the achievement of the zero-hunger global agenda. This should be used in combination with chemical control and cleaning/sorting.

Keywords: Rice farmers, Postharvest losses, Food Security, Multivariate Probit, Ordered Probit model

VARIATION IN BIOCHEMICAL AND MINERAL QUALITY OF SHEA (VITELLARIA PARADOXA L.) LATEX ALONG GEOGRAPHICAL GRADIENT IN GHANA

Abdul Aziz Bawa — 2023-11-24

The research investigated the biochemical and mineral composition of Shea latex in three geographical locations in the transitional and savannah agro-ecological zones, considering a north-south gradient: Yagaba (10⁰13’37’’N, 01⁰16’11’’W), Nyankpala (09⁰25’93’’N, 01⁰00’42’’W) and Kawampe (08⁰44’70’’N, 01⁰33’58’’W). The biochemical compositions entailed phytochemical and proximate contents determinations. Crude protein and crude fibre levels were significantly highest in July (1.33% and 8.86%, respectively) and in August (1.29% and 8.80%, respectively). However, the mean monthly (May-October, 2014) proximate content of the Shea latex did not differ significantly for ash, carbohydrates, crude fat, and moisture. Shea latex crude protein level was significantly highest in Yagaba (1.22%) than Nyankpala (1.11%). Nyankpala and Kawampe had significantly highest levels of 40.66 mg/L and 39.53 mg/L for potassium (K), respectively and significantly highest levels of 0.02 mg/L each for zinc (Zn) than Yagaba (0.01 mg/L). The Shea latex crude protein levels were consistently relatively low and significant variations manifested with respect to geographical location and tapping period. Shea latex sodium (Na): potassium (K) ratio of less than one across the study segments (tapping period and geographical location) was also revealed. The shea latex phytochemical quality screening of diverse polar solvents extracts revealed the presence of reducing sugars, terpenoids, alkaloids and tannins. The study suggests that Shea latex may have nutritional and medicinal benefits, and the potential for the hypo-allergenic latex products manufacturing.

Keywords: Minerals, Proximate Analysis, Phytochemical Quality, Shea Latex, Vitellaria paradoxa

MICROBIAL PROFILE OF DAWADAWA VENDED IN TAMALE CENTRAL MARKET

D. M. Hallo — 2023-11-24

Dawadawa is a common spice used in most rural homes across West Africa to spike the protein source in meals. This study assessed the handling practices of vendors and the microbial load of dawadawa vended in the Tamale Central Market. Samples were collected from five sections of the market using the random stratified sampling technique. Eight of the samples (53.33%) had Salmonella spp, one sample (6.67%) had E. coli and all the samples (100%) had Staphylococcus aureus. Dawadawa that were covered on display recorded no count of Salmonella spp and E. coli but high counts for Staphylococcus aureus. The pH and temperature of the samples ranged 6.91 to 8.02 and 26.90 to 27.60, respectively. Factors accounting for the high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus might be cross-contamination associated with improper handling practices as the human skin is known to be a reservoir of the bacterium. There is the need for vendors to package dawadawa in neat disposal packs to reduce direct contact.

Keywords: Dawadawa, E. coli, Handling Practices, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus

GOLD IN TREES AND HIDDEN ANOMALIES IN DIVERSE REGOLITH TERRAIN: A CASE STUDY AT PELANGIO MAMFO CONCESSION, GHANA

A-W. Imoro — 2023-11-24

Deep-rooted trees absorb minerals including gold from the weathered materials and translocate the resources to different structures of their body. This occurs as part of general elements translocation process and those considered toxic to trees move to the extremities and other preferential areas away from the tree biological functioning zones. After investigation of several plant species, Sapele (Enthandrophragma cylindricum) tree bark was used as supplementary medium to soils in areas under cover; sixteen samples were collected from roots, barks, twigs and leaves. Fire assay was used and analysis of the results divulged differences in gold signatures in samples. The highest gold expression of 1045 ppb was found in bark samples with a minimum of 9 ppb occurring in twig samples. Gold averages from Sapele (i.e., from the leaves, twigs, roots and bark sampled) were 116.44 ppb, 89.53 ppb, 209.25 ppb, and 352.31 ppb, respectively. The high gold in leaves over twigs may be an attribute of aeolian gold contamination coalescing with the absorbed gold. Roots being close to source of mineralization had lower gold than bark samples and this is accredited to gold toxicity and its subsequent movement away from the xylem to the bark. The best part of a tree considered appropriate as a supplementary medium to soil samples is bark samples.

Keywords: Gold, Regolith terrain, Pelangio Mamfo, Sapele, Geochemical

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: EVIDENCE FROM TWO LUXURY 3-STAR RATED HOTELS IN THE BONO REGION OF GHANA

J. R. A. Ayam — 2023-11-24

The hospitability industry continues to face mounting pressures and demand for increased customer satisfaction by customers. The increased relevance of Supply chain management (SCM) influence on services rendered by the industry and the ripple effect on the satisfaction of customers of businesses in the value chain has been well articulated. This study examines the influence of SCM practices on customer satisfaction in two 3-Star rated hotels in the Bono Region of Ghana. Quantitative survey research methodology was adopted with data collected from a sample of 32 employees and 92 customers of the selected study hotels in the Bono Region of Ghana using a structured survey questionnaire. The outcome identified three SCM factors namely: strategic supplier partnership, inventory management and lean practices which showed significant relationship in determining customer satisfaction in the 3-Star hotel cohorts under study in the region. The results also showed an overall positive significant relationship between SCM factors and customer satisfaction in the facilities studied. The factors, thus: strategic supplier partnership, inventory management and lean practices were found to be significant in predicting best fit equation for customer satisfaction. The study recommended that practitioners should maintain accurate databases of suppliers to facilitate effective information sharing and routine training of their employees.

Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Customer Satisfaction, 3-Star Hotels, Hospitality Industry, Ghana

SOCIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN GHANA: A RURAL DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE

B. Y. Boasu — 2023-11-24

In Ghana, efforts by successive governments to assure basic income for the poor and the vulnerable, especially women, have resulted in the promulgation of various social protection policies. Recent studies however, have identified a number of challenges bedevilling these social intervention programmes. This study examined how the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) cash transfer has actually empowered women economically, using Bawku as a case study. Purposive and quota sampling techniques were used in selecting a combined 112 respondents in a case study design. Primary data were gathered through interviews. The study revealed that; the LEAP cash transfer has enabled 41(45.1%) women beneficiary to upkeep their families solely whilst further 24 (26.4%) share the home responsibilities with their husbands. The study found that the LEAP programme has helped improve the trading activities of 45.6% women beneficiaries whilst further 32.2% beneficiaries have either engaged and or expanded their crop farming activities, with another 13.2% depending on the cash transfer as direct remittance to support their families. Notwithstanding these gains, the study revealed that, the meagre nature of the LEAP cash transfer makes it tough for beneficiaries to fully cover the reasons for which it was given them. The programme is also bedevilled with undue delay and irregular payment schedules which invariably distort the business and expenditure plan of the beneficiaries. The paper recommends that the LEAP programme should be backed by an Act to ensure regular payment schedule and realistic amount of payment to beneficiaries in case donor funding ceases.

Keywords: Social Protection, Poverty, Empowerment, Cash Transfer, Social Intervention

TOWARDS ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY IN GHANA: ASSESSING THE INTEGRATION OF FOOD SECURITY ELEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL POLICIES. THE CASE OF METASIP (I & II) AND IFJ

E. Guo — 2023-11-24

Universally, indicators used in measuring food security are difficult. Nonetheless, FAO together with the IFAD and the WFP have proposed a suite of dimensions (Availability, Accessibility, Utilisation and Stability) that describe food security in which the world appears to be comfortable with. This study therefore sought to evaluate the scope to which METASIP I & II and IFJ took into consideration the four main food security dimensions. A systematic desktop search strategy to gather literature from scientific databases and policy reports was adopted. The study found that only the availability and stability dimensions of food security were extensively considered, covered and implemented under the policies.

Keywords: Food security, METASIP, IFJ, Availability, Accessibility, Utilisation, Stability

ELECTRONIC VOTING PERCEPTIONS IN GHANA - IN SEARCH OF A CRITICAL MASS

K. K. Kubuga — 2023-11-24

To establish Ghana's readiness to deploy electronic voting at the national level and determine when (year) it will be socio-technically feasible to hold national elections using electronic means. The study employed the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and a self-administered questionnaire through the online survey method to collect data from 197 respondents in Ghana. The quantitative responses were coded and analysed using SPSS v25 while qualitative responses were thematically analysed. The findings indicate that Ghanaians have a strong positive perception that electronic voting system will yield more acceptable and more accurate results. They are generally sure of their personal abilities to use any future eVoting system but not sure of the abilities of other citizens. This study suggests that it would be possible to reach critical mass by the 2024 elections if stakeholders make efforts by way of education and campaigning. Partly due to COVID-19 restrictions on movement, the survey component of the research resorted to the use of electronic forms for data collection. This would invariably skew data elicitation, even though purely voluntary, towards people with good enough familiarity with digital tools. The implication of this research is the empirical evidence that the time is ripe for the implementation of electronic voting in Ghana. It paints a clearer picture of the mindset towards the acceptability of such electronic systems. Unlike previous studies where the focus is on trust (or perceptions) of the respondent on the particular electoral body (institution), this work goes further to attempt to quantity and predict the point of critical mass for acceptance of eVoting in Ghana.

WATER EDUCATION IN GHANA: EMPOWERING PEOPLE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

L. Kwoyiga — 2023-11-24

The role of education in promoting Sustainable Development has been recognized globally, culminating in the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. However, unlike Environmental Education, education about water resources is given less attention despite the escalating water challenges in the world. Water is barely considered in most research literature by environmental academics and teacher educators. Nonetheless, recently, there has been a renewed interest in Water Education in higher educational institutions such as universities as a tool for promoting water knowledge and participation in decisions. Ghana is not only endowed with water resources but also besieged with water challenges such as fallen groundwater tables, stressed surface water resources, transboundary water issues and hydrometeorological-related disasters. Therefore, the study intended to identify in Ghanaian public universities the nature of the existing Water Education programmes, the emerging water issues that need attention and the reasons for the absence of these programmes. Guided by expert responses of academics and researchers in water and its related fields, primary data were generated for the study. Also, a desktop review of policy documents, articles and programmes’ information at universities’ websites in Ghana provided useful secondary data. The study revealed that out of the ten Ghanaian public universities studied, five of them do not have programmes relating to the subject of water. Notably, two universities established to deal with the environment and natural resources are among the five universities without water related programmes. It emerged that issues such as coping with extreme hydrological disasters, water diplomacy, gender and water utilization need educational attention too. This notwithstanding, funding of water programmes has been identified as a major challenge that universities face.

Keywords: Water; Education; Sustainable Development; Universities; Ghana

TOURISTS' PERCEPTION AND SATISFACTION AT RATTERY PARK - GHANA

S. Biney — 2023-11-24

Parks have great value such as being an attraction for leisure and recreation which contributes positively to travel for tourism and the economy. The realization of this potential however, hinges mostly on facilities, management, and visitors. This research was conducted in the Rattray Park in Kumasi (Ghana). The main aim was to ascertain the attributes which influence the overall visit to the park. Data were sourced from park visitors employing the use of questionnaire administration, and observation in the park facility. Summarized and numerically coded survey data were placed in a Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 23. Basic statistical analysis, such as descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, and cross-tabulations were used to analyze users’ demographic characteristics and personal information, knowledge and awareness, including perception and satisfaction with physical features at the park. Results indicate that tourists’ perception of accessibility to the park was positive and visitors were mostly satisfied. Meanwhile, from the aspects of tourism products, attractions and management, patrons had a negative perception which indicates that these two aspects needed a lot of improvement. It is recommended that, rehabilitation and maintenance of facilities at the park should be enhanced to put it in proper condition, while management needed to pay more attention to customer care through smart service provision.

Keywords: Rattray Park, Perception, Recreation, Satisfaction, Tourism

Editorial

Prof. G. A. Teye — 2023-11-24

The UDS International Journal of Development (UDSIJD) has published its second Issue for the year, Volume 10 No. 2, 2023. This Issue has a total of ten papers, four in Agricultural Sciences and six in the Humanities. All Directorates, Faculties and Schools of the University are encouraged to publish their research output with us. The Journal is open access and thus offers a wider coverage for their research output. We continue to encourage researchers, academics, and authors from varied fields to submit their research manuscripts for consideration and publication. The Editorial Team continues to be grateful to the University Management, authors, reviewers and staff of the Journal and all those who in diverse ways have supported in making this Issue of the Journal a reality. The Editor-in-Chief Prof. G. A. Teye