Search

This study was focused on evaluating the factors influencing the decision of customers of GCB bank on the adoption of e-banking. The study used a descriptive design where a structured questionnaire was administered to 351 customers of five selected GCB bank branches in the Kumasi Metropolis using convenient sampling technique. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software. It was identified that although people have knowledge about e-banking, their focus on using it is a bit questionable. For instance, customers are much more conversant in the use of SMS banking and ATM as compared to their conversant use of credit cards, internet banking and phone banking. In terms of the useful features of e-banking that necessitates its adoption by customers, e-banking was seen as convenient, easily accessible, easy to use, useful, advantageous and highly secured. However, issues of inadequate education, huge security issues, high illiteracy, network failure, inadequate governmental policies and slow response from the bank are possible in curtailing the frequent adoption of the services by customers of the bank. Therefore, the management of the bank should put in structures and measures to make the e-banking platforms adopted by the bank more user friendly for customers to subscribe to the products.

The Pru district has been affected by large-scale land acquisition activities as most smallholder farmers have been affected. However, this study teased out the coping and the adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers to mitigate the effects of large-scale land acquisition in the Pru district in the Bono East Region of Ghana. The study employed a mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) approach, where farming households and smallholder farmers were interviewed. Focus group discussions were also conducted to solicit data from farmer-based associations to help in the attainment of the objectives of the study. Primary and secondary sources of data were employed in the study. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study found out that smallholder farmers cope and adapt to a situation differently as most cope with the re-location of farms too far places by leaving the house early and reducing the number of days of visit as smallholder farmers bought motorbikes as their adaptive strategies. The study revealed that smallholder farmers engaged in fishing activities, keeping backyard gardening and depending on family and friends for support as a coping and adaptation strategy.

This paper's value is in determining how the district assembly common money affects socioeconomic activity in NJM. The study, which focused on five thematic areas—instruction, health, poverty eradication, social facilities, and infrastructural development—obtained quantitative and qualitative data using questionnaires, interview guides, and observation. The sample size was thirty-two (32) and included every member of the NJM Assembly. According to the report, society has benefited from a number of advancements in the areas of health care delivery, poverty reduction, social amenities, and infrastructure development. Researchers suggest, based on their findings, that a program be funded by DACF with the goal of cooperating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to create a rural environment that is conducive to agricultural development. Last but not least, the management of the fund should be governed by tight rules. The impoverished should be the objective, not the wealthy. Received: 11 December 2022 / Accepted: 21 February 2023 / Published: 6 March 2023

Soil erosion is a major constraint to crop production on smallholder arable lands in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Although different agronomic and mechanical measures have been proposed to minimize soil loss in the region and elsewhere, soil management practices involving biochar‐inorganic inputs interactions under common cropping systems within the framework of climate‐smart agriculture, have been little studied. This study aimed to assess the effect of different soil and crop management practices on soil loss characteristics under selected cropping systems, typical of the sub‐region. A two‐factor field experiment was conducted on run‐off plots under different soil amendments over three consecutive cropping seasons in the semi‐deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The treatments, consisting of three soil amendments (inorganic fertilizer, biochar, inorganic fertilizer + biochar and control) and four cropping systems (maize, soyabean, cowpea, maize intercropped with soyabean) constituted the sub‐plot and main plot factors, respectively. A bare plot was included as a soil erosion check. Seasonal soil loss was greater on the bare plots, which ranged from 9.75–14.5 Mg ha⁻¹. For individual crops grown alone, soil loss was 31%–40% less under cowpea than under maize. The soil management options, in addition to their direct role in plant nutrition, contributed to significant (p 2 under soyabean cropping system but had VCR

Aims: Direct methods of measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), either in situ or in the laboratory, are time consuming and very expensive. Several Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are available for estimating Ks, with each having its own limitations. In this study, the performances of four popular PTFs were evaluated on different soil classes in the semi deciduous zone of Ghana. The PTFs considered herein were Puckett et al. (1985), Campbell and Shiozawa (1994), Dane and Puckett (1994), and Ferrer-Julià et al. (2004). In addition, five local data derived PTFs were used to study the possibility of using local datasets to validate PTF accuracy. Materials and Methods: A total of 450 undisturbed soil cores were collected from the 0 – 15 cm depth from three benchmark soils, namely, Stagni-Dystric Gleysol (SDG), Plinthi Ferric Acrisol (PFA) and Plinthic Acrisol (PA). The Ks of samples were measured by the falling-head permeameter method in the laboratory. Sand, silt and clay fractions, bulk density, organic matter content, and exchangeable calcium and sodium were measured and used as input parameters for the newly derived PTFs. Accuracy and reliability of the predictions were evaluated by the root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of correlation (r), index of agreement (d), and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) between the measured and predicted values from both tested and newly derived PTFs. The relative improvement (RI) of the newly derived PTFs from this study over the existing ones were also evaluated. Results: The newly derived PTFs in this study had higher prediction accuracy with r, d, RMSE and NSE ranging from 0.80 – 0.99, 0.79 – 0.94, 0.14 – 1.74 and 0.84 – 0.98, respectively, compared with 0.32 – 0.45, 0.27 – 0.50, 4.00 – 4.90 and 0.41 – 0.47 for the tested PTFs. The relative improvement of the newly derived over the tested PTFs ranged from 56.50 – 95.71% in the SDG, 70.73 – 96.89% in the PFA, and 65.37 – 95.81% in the PA. Generally, RI was observed to be highest for Model 1 in the SDG, and Model 4 in both PFA and PA, and lowest for Model 5 in all three soils. It was observed that the inclusion of exchangeable calcium and sodium as predictors increased the predictability of the newly derived PTFs.

Two factorial pot experiments arranged in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with three replications were carried out to assess the impact of different levels of soil compaction and fertilizer amendments on root growth and biomass yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) plants. The treatments were different rates of bulk densities – 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 Mg m-3 and fertilizer amendments comprising 100% poultry manure (applied at 15 g/plant), 100% 15:15:15 NPK fertilizer (applied at 2.89 g/plant) and 50% rate each of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer (applied at 7.5 g poultry manure + 1.45 g NPK/plant), and control (no fertilizer amendments). Soil compaction reduced the heights of maize and soybean plants. Increasing soil compaction resulted in the accumulation of most of the root biomass in the uncompacted soil above the compacted layer. Application of soil amendments increased the relative root biomass of maize plants in the uncompacted soil, while that in the compacted soil was reduced. In the case of soybean plants, although the relative root biomass in the uncompacted soil was relatively greater than that of maize plants, application of soil amendments tended to slightly decrease the relative root biomass to that of the control. The shoot biomass of both crops decreased with increasing soil bulk density. All the applied soil amendments significantly increased the shoot biomass of maize and soybean plants over the control. The magnitude of response of the crops to the soil amendments was greater in soybean than in maize plants. Soil compaction and amendments significantly influenced root/shoot ratio of both crops. The root/shoot ratio decreased with increasing compaction from 1.3 to 1.5 Mg m-3, however, at 1.7 Mg m-3, the root/shoot ratio increased. The fertilizer amendments significantly influenced the root/shoot ratio of maize but not soybean plants. The fertilizer amendments increased the biomass of both roots and shoots, being higher in the former than in the latter. The fertilizer amendments x compaction interactions showed that the root/shoot ratio was influenced by the type of crop, and the confounding effects of factor interactions on the relative increases/decreases in shoot and root growth. Overall, soil compaction accounted for 52 to 100% of the variations in the magnitude of the measured parameters of maize plants, and 62 to 98% for soybean plants. The ideal bulk density for shoot biomass production of both crops should, therefore, be within the range of 1.3 – 1.5 Mg m-3. At soil bulk density of 1.5 Mg m-3 and above, soil amendment should be added to ameliorate the negative impact of soil compaction.

The complex nature of contemporary world leaves several challenges which includes ethical conduct at the workplace that needs to be resolved. The health institution which is one of the focal points in every society more often than not is confronted with ethical challenges. Vednan Medical Center, just as any health institution, is expected to increase output and at the same time perform the highest level of ethical conduct. In this regard, this study attempts to explore the determinants of workplace ethics and organizational performance at Vednan Medical Center. Specifically, the study examined the main determinants of workplace ethics at Vednan Medical centre in Kumasi, explored procedures put in place to address unethical behaviours among employees at Vednan Medical centre in Kumasi and exactly how work ethics influencing organizational performance. A qualitative study was conducted. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to select 8 respondents from the center and analysed using inductive content analysis. The outcome of the study even though there may be situations where a practitioner may experience ethical dilemma, when such individual considers the available rules, proper supervision and channel of communication, issues of unethical conduct could be addressed. The study clearly depicts that ethical conduct and workplace performance are not in isolation. They tend to work together for better result for both patients and workers of the facility. This therefore indicates that worker’s progress is dependent on their ability to work in an ethical fashion at Vednan Medical Center for positive output. The study recommends further research studies in how personal morals and emotions could influence the ethical conduct at the workplace. Received: 2 May 2022 / Accepted: 30 June 2022 / Published: 5 July 2022

The Ghanaian government developed and implemented an ICT in Education Policy in 2008. ICT was integrated into instructing and education at all levels of the country's educational system as a result of this approach. This study looks at the challenges that rural communities in Ghana confront in securing the benefits of ICT in tutoring at various levels. The study used a sample size of 142 ICT instructors and heads of schools, as well as a small number of students, with a 90% confidence level. The district's respondents were chosen using planned and practical sampling methods. A structured form was used to gather primary data from all participants; however, only 93.67 percent responded. With the use of SPSS, tables were used to examine the primary data. According to the students, the number of hours per week dedicated to teaching ICT in schools is positively connected with their dedication to learning ICT. In terms of the impact of ICT on students' daily lives in the district, the reading discovered that ICT instruction had both beneficial and adverse consequences for kids. Based on the findings, the various stakeholders in education should conduct periodic on-the-job training for all teachers on evolving e-learning high-tech and approaches to provide them with the necessary abilities to effectively teach ICT. Received: 29 April 2022 / Accepted: 29 June 2022 / Published: 5 July 2022

Soil compaction is a major problem associated with conventional agriculture characterized by usage of heavy farm machinery. However, only few studies have quantified the dynamics of soil nutrients in compacted soils under restorative interventions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Field and pot experiments were therefore conducted to evaluate the extent to which soil compaction modulates NH4+ and NO3− dynamics under organic amendment in Ghana. Soils were bulked to three (1.3, 1.5, and 1.7 Mgm−3) and four (1.3, 1.5, 1.7 and 1.9 Mgm−3) density levels in field and pot experiment respectively. The treatments were laid out in a factorial experiment, replicated three times with poultry manure applied at 4 and 6 t ha−1 with a control (0 t ha−1). Mineral N generally increased from 21 to 42 days after amendment (DAA) and declined at 63 DAA in both experiments. Soil compaction decreased NO3− more than NH4+ levels, the effects being more pronounced at 21 and 63 DAA in the field experiment. Application of poultry manure (PM) at 6 t ha−1 offsetted, to a large extent, the impact of soil compaction. The 4 and 6 t ha−1 PM produced similar (p > 0.05) grain yields of 3000.00±169.04 and 3004.44±277.99 kg ha−1 in the field experiment respectively. However, grain yield decreased by 135% in compacted soil at 1.7 Mgm−3, which received no amendment, compared to same compacted soil that received 4 t ha−1 poultry manure in the field experiment. Our finding suggests that addition of 4 t ha−1 PM is required for yield improvement in compacted soils less than 1.7 Mgm−3.

Soil erosion has been widely measured using different approaches based on models, direct runoff and sediment collections. However, most of the methods are, poorly applied due to the cost, the accuracy and their tedious nature. This study aimed to develop and test a new method for runoff characterization, which may be more applicable and adaptable to different situations of soil and crop management. An experiment was carried out on runoff plots under different cropping systems (sole maize, sole soybean and maize intercropped with soybean) and soil amendments (NPK, Biochar, NPK + Biochar and Control) in the Semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The study was a two-factor experiment (split-plot) in which cropping systems constituted the main plot whereas soil management the subplot. To assess the quality of the method, different statistical parameters were used: p-values, coefficient of determination (R2), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), root mean square (RMSE) and, root square ratio (RSR). The NPK + Biochar under each cropping system reduced surface runoff than all other treatments. At p < 0.001, R2 ranged from 0.88 to 0.94 which showed good accuracy of the method developed. The dispersion between the predicted and observed values was low with RMSE varying from 1.68 to 2.66 mm which was less than 10 % of the general mean of the runoff. Moreover, the low variability between parameters was confirmed by the low values of RSR ranging from 0.38 to 0.46 (with 0.00 ≤ RSR ≤ 0.50 for perfect prediction). NSE values varied from 0.79 to 0.86 (≥0.75 being the threshold for excellent prediction). Though the sensitivity analysis showed that the method under high amount of runoff (especially on bare plots) was poorly adapted, the dimensions of runoff plots could be based on runoff coefficient of the region by analyzing the possible limits of an individual rainfall amount of the site. The findings provide alternative approach for monitoring soil degradation.

Poor soil fertility remains a threat to crop production and livelihoods in the Sahel. Understanding the impacts of proposed soil fertility management technologies on soil fertility status and millet yield is essential. We conducted a 2-year experiment to assess changes in selected physical properties of an Arenosol and their impacts on millet yields at Karabedji, Niger. Treatments consisted of four fertilizer rates applied on top and bottom farm types selected from a long-term experiment. Mixed-model analyses indicated considerable effects (P = 0.055) of fertilizer rates and farm types on soil structural stability being higher in the top farm than in the bottom farm type. Dexter’s soil physical quality index (S) varied significantly with soil depth. A significant correlation (R2 = 0.24) was found between the aggregate stability index and S. Plant available water recorded in fertilizer-treated soil was higher than the control and higher on the top farm than in the bottom farm. Fertilizer rates and ...

The description of contaminant transport behavior in porous media is essential to optimally manage soils and subsurface aquifers, and to deal with chemical pollution in these resources. This study was conducted to examine the transport behavior of Pb through soil columns at different concentrations of Pb. Soil columns were collected from three different agricultural fields, namely, close canopy cocoa (CCC), open canopy cocoa (OCC) and an arable field grown with maize. The soils from all the three fields had a loamy sand texture. Soil from the CCC field had the best structure as evinced by the high total porosity (f), macroporosity (fm), soil organic carbon (SOC), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), and low bulk density (BD). The results indicated that high concentrations of applied Pb resulted in high concentrations of Pb in the effluents. In addition, the transport of Pb through the soil columns were found to be significantly affected by SOC, f, fm, Ks, and BD. The highest rates of Pb leaching at all application concentrations were observed in the CCC soil, and the least in the arable field. Keywords: Agrochemicals, Contaminant, Groundwater pollution, Lead, Sewage sludge

Soil erosion is a multifactor threat to crop production and the environment. Most studies on soil erosion characterization have not focused on soil nutrient loss associated with erosion. The aim of this study was therefore to quantify the magnitude of nutrient loss through soil erosion under different cropping systems and amendments to inform agronomic practices in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A field experiment was carried out on runoff plots with different cropping systems (sole maize, sole cowpea, sole maize and maize intercropped with soybean) as main plots and soil amendments (biochar, NPK (Nitrogen +Phosphorus +Potassium) fertilizer, NPK + biochar and a control (no amendment)) constituting the subplots in a randomized complete block design. For each block, a bare plot was included to assess the efficiency of the different crop and soil management practices on soil erosion. The study was carried out in three consecutive cropping seasons in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The bare plots had the highest amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) eroded: 33.88, 12.35 and 12.75 kg ha-1 respectively followed by the control plots with magnitude of 20.43, 8.42 and 7.87 kg ha-1 respectively for N, P and K. Sole maize had the highest amounts of nutrient loss: 19.71, 8.12 and 7.27 for N, P and K respectively compared to all the other cropping systems where the losses varied respectively from 12.38 to 17.12, 6.67 to 7.49 and 5.81 to 6.75 kg ha-1 The legume-based cropping systems under inorganic fertilizer and biochar management effectively reduced nutrient loss more than all other treatment combinations. The off-site effect of soil erosion expressed as enrichment ratio (ER) was higher for all plots, which received inorganic fertilizer inputs varying from 1.93 to 3.06 while the other treatments had ERs of 1.51 to 2.03. The ERs of fine soil particles were greater than 1 (ranging from 1.14 to 3.6) being relatively higher than that of coarse particles (sand) with values below 1 (ranging from 0.62 to 0.88). The least cumulative monetary value of nutrient loss (30.82 US$ ha-1) was observed under cowpea cropping system which received NPK + BC treatment. Soil erosion affected directly soil nutrient depletion through nutrient loss; however, integrated soil fertility management associated with legume-based cropping systems can be alternative options to reducing its effects on croplands in SSA.

The Millennium Development Goals call for a 50 per cent reduction in the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Provision of these services by city authorities is often absent in slum(1) settlements in developing countries as these settlements are classified as illegal by city authorities. A field survey was conducted in two urban slums in the Asawase constituency of Kumasi, Ghana to ascertain the extent of “improved” water and sanitation coverage as defined by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. The study revealed adequate levels of improved water coverage, but both communities had extremely low coverage for improved sanitation (toilet) facilities within the households and most people depended on a very inadequate number of poorly maintained public toilets. Waste management practices in the two communities were also very poor. Findings from this study can be used by city authorities in planning effective sanitation intervention strategies for the communities.

A study was carried out in the Sudan savanna zone in the Upper East Region of Ghana to assess the rate of sedimentbound nutrient export (NE) into five small reservoirs (Dua, Doba, Zebilla, Kumpalgogo and Bugri) and to analyse the implications of this export. The catchment soils and reservoir sediments from the various study sites were sampled and analysed for their bulk density, particle size distribution and nutrient content. Assessment of the nutrient concentrations indicated that the reservoir sediments were richer not only in nutrients and organic carbon, but also in clay and silt, than the catchment soils, having enrichment ratios >1. Nutrient export rates (NE; kg ha )1 year )1 ) from the reservoir catchments ranged from 0.755 (±0.264) for OC, 0.104 (±0.0245) for N, 0.0020 (±0.0003) for P, 0.016 (±0.0038) for K, 0.009 (±0.0024) for Na, 0.113 (±0.017) for Ca and 0.027 (±0.0093) for Mg. These rates were lower than those of other studies, likely due to the low nutrient content in the catchment soils. The relationships established between NE and specific sediment yield (SSY) indicated the NE was positively correlated with SSY (R 2 = 0.66‐0.98). The derived empirical equations can be satisfactorily used to predict the quantity of sediment-bound plant nutrients lost from similar catchments and subsequently stored in the reservoir sediments. The study results also suggest the need for sustainable land management practices to forestall erosion in the catchment areas and to reduce reservoir sedimentation, for enhancement of the livelihoods of the communities in the study area.

Article published in International Journal of Enviromental Science and Development, Vol. 2, No. 2, April 2011

The essential oil content, composition and the physicochemical properties of Lippia multiflora leaves from twelve different regions in Ghana were characterized in this study. The Ghanaian oils showed a significant variability in their chemical composition and five chemotypes were identified. The oil from Aframso Bridge was yellow with a refractive index (RI) of 1.4853, density (DE) of 0.894 and was dominated by linalool (29%) and germacrene D (28%) with fresh, and slightly medicinal and spicy aroma. Ghanaian samples from Seikwa, Buem Nsuta and Golokwati were characterized by high levels of sesquiterpenes (45–70%). The aroma was medicinal/herbaceous and the color was typically yellow, except the oil from Seikwa which was dark orange-yellow, RI ranging from 1.4920 to 1.5043 and DE 0.893 to 0.93 D. The oils from Nyankpala, Sari, Amantin, Atebubu and Kobre contained high levels of aromatic monoterpenes (p-cymene 14–19%, thymol 30–40%, and thymyl acetate 14–17%). The oils were characterized as spicy a...

Water shortage in the maize root zone during critical crop development stages is a major constraint to sustainable crop production especially under rainfed agriculture. A study was conducted to assess soil moisture storage and maize response to different soil amendments within two conservation tillage systems at the Agricultural Research Station, Anwomaso in Ghana. The amendments (poultry manure, poultry manure + NPK fertilizer and NPK fertilizer) were applied to their respective treatment plots two weeks after planting (WAP). At five WAP, plots amended with poultry manure + NPK fertilizer, and NPK fertilizers were top dressed with N in the form of urea. There was no significant difference in the soil moisture storage under no-till and plough-plant tillage systems. Soil moisture storage, however, increased with depth at each dry spell period under both tillage treatments. In all cases, moisture storage was greater in the 15–30 cm than the 0–15 cm depth indicating a positive effect on in-situ moisture conservation. The soil amendments significantly influenced the grain, stover and total biomass yields.

Water and soil fertility are the most limiting biophysical factors affecting crop production in semi-arid West Africa. . This study was conducted in Nadion (south Sudan zone of Burkina Faso) to assess the impact of tillage practices (no-till, tied ridging; ripping and conventional tillage) combined with soil fertility management options (compost, NPK + Urea, crop residues, Compost+ NPK + Urea and a control) on soil moisture content and sorghum yield. The soil moisture was monitored weekly using the Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) method and the soil bulk density was evaluated 30 days after planting. Zero tillage increased the soil water storage capacity compared to the other tillage practices at 0-30 cm depth. Sorghum straw residues application improved soil water content by 20%. Conventional tillage decreased surface soil (0-10 cm) bulk density. Compost + NPK + Urea application increased sorghum yield by 74% over the control while, NPK + urea and compost increased sorghum grain yield by 50% and 29%, respectively relative to the control (no soil amendment). Conventional tillage led to decrease in yield compared to zero tillage after two years of experimentation. The zero tillage combined with compost, NPK and urea increased sorghum yield by 28% compared to tied-ridging regardless of the fertility management options. Zero tillage is a promising option for sorghum production in the South Sudan agro-ecological zone of Burkina Faso. Keywords : Bulk density, fertility management, sorghum yield, South Sudan zone, tillage, water conservation.