Browsing by Author "Arthur, Eric"

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    Effect of oil price volatility on the trade balance in sub-Saharan Africa
    (OPEC Energy Review, 2022-09) Forson, Priscilla; Dramani, John Bosco; Frimpong, Prince Boakye; Arthur, Eric; Sulemana, Mahawiya; 0000-0002-4863-7065; 0000-0002-3640-2664; 0000-0002-2829-9257; 0000-0003-2327-1797; 0000-0003-2281-3590
    Crude oil price volatility as an important driver of the trade balance of economies has been widely documented in the literature. However, studies on the effect of oil price volatility on the trade balance in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) are limited. In this paper, we explore the effect of crude oil price volatility on the trade balance across 34 SSA countries using Pooled Mean Group (PMG) and Common Correlated Effect Pooled Mean Group (CCEPMG) estimators for the period January 2004 to December 2017. We find that crude oil price volatility exerts a negative effect on the trade balance of SSA countries. We further demonstrate that inflation, interest rates and exchange rates are significant transmission channels for oil price volatility to impact trade balance. We suggest that policymakers hedge as well as adopt price-smoothing schemes to minimise the volatility of oil prices on trade balance. Again, countries should adopt an inflation-targeting regime to ensure the stability of the general price level. Finally, central banks of the respective countries should apply a combination of foreign exchange market interventions and interest rate changes to reduce the effect of oil price volatility on their trade balance when the exchange rate is taken into account.
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    Influence of Maturity Stage and Postharvest Calcium Chloride Treatment on the Quality and Storage Life of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill)
    (2014-08-04) Arthur, Eric
    The postharvest quality and storage life of tomato fruits harvested at different maturity stages (breaker, pink and light red stage) and dipped in different concentrations of CaCl2 (2 %, 6 % and 0%) for different dip durations (10, 20 and 30 min.) were studied. The experiment was in 3 phases under ambient conditions with average temperature and relative humidity of 26.85oC and 82.75 % respectively. The first phase was preliminary and was carried out to determine the appropriate dip time to start with. The second phase was carried out to determine the best stage of maturity; which involved treating the 3 stages of maturity with different concentrations of CaCl2 (2 %, 6 % and 0 %). The third phase involved the selection of the best stage of maturity in the second phase and dipping it in different concentrations of CaCl2 for different dip durations. The preliminary study results indicated that, dipping for up to 40 minutes was injurious to the fruits skin. Results from the second phase showed that, fruits harvested at the pink stage recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher amount of titratable acidity and vitamin C after 10 days of storage. All calcium chloride treated fruits showed a significant (P < 0.05) delay in the changes of weight loss, firmness, decay titratable acidity and vitamin C as compared to the control (0%). Third phase results indicated that, tomato fruit dipped in 6 % CaCl2 was more effective than in the 2 % CaCl2 and the 0 % in maintaining quality. Both 20 and 30 minutes dip time were significantly (P < 0.05) effective in maintaining weight loss, firmness, vitamin C content and also extending storage life as compared to the 10 min dip time. Therefore, tomato fruits harvested at the pink stage and dipped in 6 % CaCl2 for 20 better facilitated the extension of storage life and the preservation of quality.
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    Influence of maturity stage and postharvest calcium chloride treatment on the quality and storage life of tomatoes (lycopersicon esculentum, mill)
    (2014-08-13) Arthur, Eric
    The postharvest quality and storage life of tomato fruits harvested at different maturity stages (breaker, pink and light red stage) and dipped in different concentrations of CaCl2 (2 %, 6 % and 0%) for different dip durations (10, 20 and 30 min.) were studied. The experiment was in 3 phases under ambient conditions with average temperature and relative humidity of 26.85oC and 82.75 % respectively. The first phase was preliminary and was carried out to determine the appropriate dip time to start with. The second phase was carried out to determine the best stage of maturity; which involved treating the 3 stages of maturity with different concentrations of CaCl2 (2 %, 6 % and 0 %). The third phase involved the selection of the best stage of maturity in the second phase and dipping it in different concentrations of CaCl2 for different dip durations. The preliminary study results indicated that, dipping for up to 40 minutes was injurious to the fruits skin. Results from the second phase showed that, fruits harvested at the pink stage recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher amount of titratable acidity and vitamin C after 10 days of storage. All calcium chloride treated fruits showed a significant (P < 0.05) delay in the changes of weight loss, firmness, decay titratable acidity and vitamin C as compared to the control (0%). Third phase results indicated that, tomato fruit dipped in 6 % CaCl2 was more effective than in the 2 % CaCl2 and the 0 % in maintaining quality. Both 20 and 30 minutes dip time were significantly (P < 0.05) effective in maintaining weight loss, firmness, vitamin C content and also extending storage life as compared to the 10 min dip time. Therefore, tomato fruits harvested at the pink stage and dipped in 6 % CaCl2 for 20 better facilitated the extension of storage life and the preservation of quality.
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    Political economy and the pursuit of universal health coverage in Ghana: a case study of the National Health Insurance Scheme
    (Health Policy and Planning, 2021) Novignon, Jacob; Lanko, Charles; Arthur, Eric; 0000-0002-4718-9328
    The road to universal health coverage depends on resources committed to the health sector. In many cases, the political structure and strength of advocacy play an important role in setting budgets for health. However, this has, until recently, not been of interest to health system researchers and policymakers. In this study, we document the political path to the establishment of the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as well as continuous political interest in the scheme. To achieve our objectives, we used qualitative data from interviews with key stakeholders. These include stakeholders instrumental in the design and establishment of the NHIS. We also reviewed party manifestoes from the two main political parties in the country. Promises relating to the NHIS were extracted from the various manifestos and analysed. Other documents that account for the design and implementation of the scheme were reviewed. We found that the establishment of the NHIS was down to political commitment and effective engagement with relevant stakeholders. It was considered a solution to the political promise to remove user fees and make healthcare accessible to all. A review of the manifestos shows that in almost every election year after the NHIS was established, there has been some promise related to improving the scheme. There were several policy propositions repeated in different election years. The findings imply that advocacy to get health financing on the political agenda is crucial. This should start from the development of party manifestos. It is important to also ensure that proposed party policies are consistent with national priorities in the medium to long term.