College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

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Acacia tumida prunings as source of nutrients for soil fertility improvement in Niger: biochemical composition and decomposition pattern
(SEPTEMBER, 2015) Iliasso, Aboubacar Dan Kassoua Tawaye
Limited sources of organic amendments for increasing nutrient availability for crop growth is a major challenge in Niger. Reports on the role of organic material in soil fertility improvement in the Sahelian zone of Niger have been focused merely on limited range of organic amendments such as animal manure and crop residues. There is however little information on the use of agro-forestry leaves for soil fertility improvement in Niger. The current study was therefore designed to (i) evaluate the quality of Acacia tumida prunings, (ii) determine the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Acacia tumida prunings (iii) assess the factors that influence the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of organic materials under Sahelian conditions. Litterbag experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of a factorial combination of (a) three types of organic amendments (Acacia tumida pruning, millet straw and cattle manure), and (b) two levels of insecticide application (with and without insecticide). The litterbag experiment was conducted on sandy and crusted sandy soil types. The percentage composition of N, P and K in Acacia tumida prunings were 2.30, 0.14 and 1.50, respectively on a dry weight basis. The decomposition of Acacia tumida pruning was faster (k/day = 0.014) than that of cattle manure (k/day = 0.012). On the average, 45 and 34 % of organic materials decomposed in the litterbags free of insecticide and litterbags treated with insecticide respectively. The contribution of termites to organic amendment decomposition was estimated to be 36 % for millet straw and 30 % for manure. The highest N release constant (k/day = 0.025) was recorded for millet straw whereas the highest P release constant (k/day = 0.035) was documented for manure. The highest potassium release constant (k/day = 0.114) was recorded for Acacia tumida pruning. This study has contributed to knowledge regarding the decomposition of Acacia tumida prunings which has an important implication for diversifying the source of nutrients for soil fertility improvement in Niger. Moreover, the results of this study indicate that the presence of termites and the intrinsic quality of the organic material play crucial roles in the decomposition of organic materials in the Semi-arid environment of Niger.
The Acceptance of E-Procurement in Ghana: A Study of Key Stakeholders in the Construction Industry in Greater Accra
(2015-02-23) Akibate, Pascal Percy
The Public Procurement Act of 2003 was intended to harmonise public procurement processes, secure judicious, economic and efficient use of state resources and ensure that public procurement is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. The research seeks to find out the acceptance of e-procurement on the local construction industry in Ghana. By policy or practice, the increasing numbers of Government Department in Ghana are mandating the use of information technology (IT) to administer and deliver service to public. Many institutions achieve, or expect to achieve, enhanced procurement service and productivity by using advance technologies in e-Procurement. The research community relies increasingly on e-Procurement-enabler users that massively registered to equip with the system. The effectiveness of the public delivering service regarding procurement is a relevant topic of discussion among the clients. Taking into consideration the gap in the literature, a study has been carried out on the acceptance of e-Procurement in the construction industry in Ghana and the factors that leads to the adoption of e-procurement in the sector as well as the challenging factors that inhibit the acceptance of e-procurement. The factors that lead to the acceptance of e-Procurement system are the framework of this research. Therefore, this research will focus on these factors as the moderating effect towards satisfaction level among the users.
Agricultural biodiversity and sustainable child nutrition in Dormaa West District of the Brong Ahafo Region
(OCTOBER, 2016 ) Otabil, Alex
The study assessed diversities of crops and animals, and the relationship between agricultural biodiversity, dietary diversity, and malnutrition prevalence of children between 24-60 months using a cross-sectional survey in the Dormaa West District between April-May 2015. A sample size of 217 households was targeted with 10 communities conveniently selected. Thereafter systematic sampling was used until the required sample was reached. Agricultural biodiversity was measured by counting plants and animals kept, grown and obtained from the wild. Dietary diversity was also measured using data from 24 hour recalls and their food groups calculated using dietary diversity score. Weight and height measurement of children were taken and their Z scores calculated for stunting, wasting and underweight. Pearson correlation was used to test the relationships between variables. The study revealed agricultural biodiversity to be high in the District but low among households. The household's dietary diversity level was medium with 24.5% of the households consuming from ten different food groups. Underweight (WAZ) prevalence was the highest rate (20.3%) and was (2.3%) and (7.9%) more than stunting (HAZ) and wasting (WHZ) rates respectively. There was a positive correlation between agricultural biodiversity (AB) and dietary diversity (DD) (p<0.01). However, agricultural biodiversity did not correlate with HAZ, WHZ, and WAZ (p> 0.05). With the exception of HAZ and WHZ, higher dietary diversity explained 21% of severe WAZ. Regardless of sex and age, agricultural biodiversity and high dietary diversity have a relationship with severe underweight among children in the Dormaa West District. Underweight should be given attention for children between the ages of 24-48 months through highly diversified diets.
The agronomic qualities of the mexican sunflower (tithonia diversifolia) for soil fertility improvement in ghana: an exploratory study
(2015-05-22) Tetteh Partey, Samuel
Soil fertility depletion remains a major biophysical constraint to increased food production in Ghana even when improved germplasm has been made available. With the growing concern of the potential of low input agriculture in mitigating soil fertility challenges, exploratory researches are imperative in selecting best quality organic materials that meet this expectation. This study was conducted to assess the suitability of Tithonia diversifolia green biomass as a nutrient source for smallholder agriculture in Ghana using both on-station and on-farm trials. The on-station research comprised an evaluation of the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of T. diversifolia in comparison with well-known leguminous species of agroforestry importance: Senna spectabilis, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia auriculiformis. Concurrently, field trials were conducted to appraise the quality of T. diversifolia green biomass in relation to its biophysical effects on soil properties and the agronomic characteristics of crops. This was a comparative study with S. spectabilis, G. sepium and mineral fertilizer on a ferric acrisol. Field trials were also conducted to determine best practices for optimum biomass production of T. diversifolia using different pruning regimes and cutting heights as factors. The on-farm research was conducted at Dumasua in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana to appraise 200 farmers’ preliminary knowledge of T. diversifolia and evaluate the effect of T. diversifolia green biomass on soil fertility indicators and crop yields. The results of the decomposition study confirmed significantly high N, P, K concentrations in T. diversifolia comparable to levels recorded for the four leguminous species. In addition, T. diversifolia recorded the highest decomposition and nutrient release rates which differed significantly (p < 0.05) vii from rates of the four leguminous species. Although decomposition and nutrient release rates of species were related to quality of leaf material, P and Mg concentrations in particular were most influential in decomposition and nutrient release based on significant results. The on-station trials showed significant effect of the green manures (particularly T. diversifolia) on soil properties and the biomass and fruit yield of okro (Abelmoschus esculentus). These results were comparable and in some cases greater than fertilizer treatments. Total yield response in T. diversifolia treatment was 61% and 20% greater than the control and fertilizer treatments respectively. From the pruning experiment, it was evident that height of cutting, pruning frequency and their interaction significantly affected dry matter production of T. diversifolia. Dry matter production was highest (7.2 t ha-1yr-1) when T. diversifolia was pruned bi-monthly at 50 cm height. Results from the sociological survey confirmed farmers’ general knowledge on T. diversifolia at Dumasua was poor. Although majority of respondents had seen the plant growing, none could give a common name. Only the ornamental importance of T. diversifolia was identified. Meanwhile, the on-farm trials revealed a significant synergistic effect of combining T. diversifolia and fertilizer on soil nutrient availability and harvest index of maize. The results showed that the application of Tithonia either alone or in combination with fertilizer can increase yield by 24% and 54% respectively compared to plots which received no inputs.
Analyses of perceptions and adaptations to climate change by rice farmers: case study in the Ashanti and Northern Regions of Ghana
(NOVEMBER, 2016) Adusei, Kwame
Climate change is becoming a serious global problem that is expected to pose a serious threat on the environment and many sectors of economic growth such as agricultural production and food security and especially on rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on the use of natural resources are likely to bear the burden of the adverse impacts. The extent to which these impacts are felt depends in large part on the extent of adaptation in response to climate change perceived by farmers. This study analyses the perceptions and adaptations of rice farmers to climate change in the Ashanti and Northern regions of Ghana. To carry out this analysis, a multinomial logit model, in which the choices of rice farmers' adaptations to climate change are specified to be a function of socioeconomic and institutional variables, and is estimated using the maximum likelihood method. Cross sectional data was collected from a sample of 249 rice farmers from the Adansi South district, Ahafo Ano South district and the Tolon-Kumbungu districts. The results show that rice farmers in all the surveyed districts are aware of the changing climatic conditions, and recognize climate change. The overall perception index (CBPI) of sampled rice farmers about climate change across the surveyed districts is 0.5, suggesting that rice farmers have a positive perception about climate change and as well agree to most of the perception statements about climate change. Hence, they are always willing to put measures in place to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The main adaptation strategies used by rice farmers are migrating to urban areas, diversification of crop, making of bonds (irrigation) and engaging in off-farm jobs. The results reveal that age significantly but negatively affects the decision of farmers to make bonds on their rice fields as well as migrate to the urban area when faced with climate variability. Policy should therefore aim at encouraging and motivating the young people to go into the rice farming business. Farm size also had negative influence on a farmer ’s choice of vi making bonds his rice field. It is therefore recommended that the bonding method of irrigation on rice fields is improved and mechanized as farmers with very large rice fields are not able to invest in the method. Off-farm income negatively influence the likelihood of a rice farmer making bonds, migrating as well as diversifying his crop types. Rice farmers should properly manage their off-farm income-earning opportunities so that these jobs do not interfere with their farm activities. The size of a rice farmer's household, distance from house to farm, educational level, farming experience and land acquisition were all found to negatively influence a farmer's choice of an adaptation strategy. However, gender and fixed agreement between land owner and the rice farmer positively influence a farmer's choice of adaptation to climate change. It is recommended that land acquisition and property rights should be clearly defined to both land owners and rice farmers. Lack of financial resources, High cost of labor and inputs and transportation problems are the most pressing problems facing rice producers in the surveyed districts. The study therefore recommends that policies that would improve access to credit, extension service delivery, off-farm jobs, land acquisition and property rights should be pursued.
Analysis of factors influencing the adoption of improved groundnut storage technology in Ghana
(2013-11-03) Attah, Festus Selorm Kofi
This study employs the Logit model to analyze factors influencing farmers' choice of groundnut storage technologies, cost incurred and awareness of storage conditions on aflatoxin growth...
Analysis of modified taungya system from socio-economic and biodiversity perspective: A case study in Sunyani Forest District, Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana
(June, 2009.) Amoah, Alexander
Taungya plantation development schemes based purely on technical grounds and national economic criteria are bound to be unsuccessful, if the social and economic needs of the farmers are not incorporated into the taungya forest plantation development schemes. Failure of taungya plantation development has a much more negative impact on the environment and its biodiversity than even the incidence of fire. The forest reserves in the Sunyani Forest District are within the fire-prone forest-savannah transitional zone of Ghana, which exist in equilibrium with occasional fire incidence. The objective of the study was to assess the employment, income opportunities, biodiversity implications and problems of taungya plantations establishments in Sunyani Forest District. Data collected included consultations with staff of Sunyani Forest Service District, field visits, individual interviewing using semi-structured questionnaire and group discussions. The Sunyani Forest Service District taungya system operations offer employment to 180 labourers per year and 47 forestry staff to carry out the various operations in the taungya system. The average wage per manday over the years was GH¢1.20 which is below the current minimum wage of GH¢1.80 and hence insignificant when using taungya plantation development as one of the poverty alleviation strategies most especially in the rural communities. Between the periods 2005–2009 volume of teak wood extracted in the Sunyani Forest Services District was about 31,040 cubic meters with an estimated value of about GH¢4,345,600.00 accrued to the government and not to the taungya farmers. Thus, the socio-economic aspects of the taungya farmers are not considered as far as the tree component of the taungya system is concern. However, some farmers (22 %) benefit from firewood from teak branches and slabs from sawmill companies in the study area. Unfortunately, the farmers do not benefit from the timber/pole output of the taungya system. Within the farming system maize is the most preferred crop (31.88 %) by farmers among the other staple crops. From the perspectives of the respondents (e.g. farmers, herbalists, hunters and forest technical officers) indicate that less number of different flora species grow in taungya plantations and these are the plant species that are mostly left standing in the course of land preparation for taungya plantations establishment. Again from the view points of the respondents inter alia farmers, herbalist, hunters and forest technical officers different fauna species commonly encountered in taungya plantations are abysmal. Transport for taungya operations in the study area was identified as one big constraint to successful taungya operations. Irrespective of the innovative move to improve taungya operations, partly to provide employment and alleviate poverty in the rural communities, if the Ghana Government Plantation Policy framework governing the National Forest Plantation Development Project (NFPDP), launched in September, 2000 is not fully implemented for the taungya farmers to benefit, in the long term, from the output of the tree component, the objectives of the modified taungya system, as a strategy to provide employment, alleviate poverty and produce high quality wood, so as to reduce the mounting pressure on the natural forest resources will still remain elusive.
Analysis of Primary Stakeholders Participation in Forest Resources Management: The Case of the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve, Ghana
(2010-06-19) Adams, Marshall Alhassan
Ghana’s forest resources are vital for the country’s sustainable development and various forestry reform initiatives have been implemented to improve governance in the forestry sector. Participatory approach such as collaborative forest management in Ghana aims at achieving representation of a broad segment of primary stakeholders, especially most vulnerable groups. The study aimed at analyzing primary stakeholders participation in forest resources management at various levels of participation. The link between primary stakeholders participation in forest resources management of the Krokosua Hill Forest Reserve in Juaboso District of Ghana and a set of socio-demographic factors was analyzed. The communities studied include five forest-dependent communities around the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve. A sample of 407 primary stakeholders was selected by the use of the proportional random sampling method. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools which included key informant interviews and direct observation were employed in the study. Household questionnaire interview were also conducted. The data were analyzed by the use of participation index and descriptive statistics such as frequency and cross-tabulation using chi-square. The study found the average participation index of primary stakeholders participation in forest resources of Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve to be 0.3. The index for their involvement in planning, implementation and monitoring stages was 0.3 and that for benefit sharing of benefit accrued from the reserve was 0.2. Significant associations were found between the following variables: primary stakeholders participation in planning and gender (p = 0.055), and education (p = 0.001); primary stakeholders participation in implementation and distance (p = 0.001); primary stakeholders participation in monitoring and age (p = 0.001), and distance (p = 0.001); and primary stakeholders participation in benefit-sharing and age (p = 0.018), and education (p = 0.001). The study concludes that participation of primary stakeholders in forest resources management is still low and depends on the socio-demographic profile of an individual and proximity of forest-dependent communities from the forests. These findings have implications on the sustainability of forest resources in Ghana. The main policy implication drawn from the findings are that resource managers should and policy makers need to be sensitive to create more practical right-based participatory strategies to secure meaningful representation and participation from forest-dependent communities. The success of the collaborative system approach relies heavily on a positive relationship between the forest-dependent community and the resource manager. In designing participatory management activities, differences in socio-demographic variables and empowerment interventions should be considered by resource managers and policy makers to ensure broad representation of primary stakeholders.
Analysis of project management practices in the public sector-the case of Weija-Gbawe municipal assembly
(JANUARY, 2021) Pinkrah, Justice;
The study was set out to assess the project management practices among MMDAs in Ghana using a case study of Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The specific objectives were as follow; to identify the current project management practices carried out by the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly and to identify the challenges associated with project management practices by the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly. The study made use of descriptive survey designed to assess the project management practices and the challenges associated with it. A total number of 35respondents were selected from the assembly for the survey. The study used both primary and secondary data. The data was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study found that 80 percent of the respondents sees procurement activities at the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly as a core activity whiles 20 percent sees it as a non-core activity. Also, majority of the respondents indicated that there was no specific unit designated by the assembly to carry out project management related activities and also there were no specific personnel assigned to carry out project management related activities. The study also revealed that the personnel/ units that undertake project management activities at the assembly were identified to be field technician, specific project manager to a project, procurement personnel, contractors, audit unit, M & E personnel and others such as contractors. With respect to the current project management practices by the Weija- Gbawe Municipal Assembly, the study revealed that the topmost project management practices carried out by the assembly were; setting up overall project mission, purpose and goals, effective team building, effective procurement plan, ensuring top management support, instituting a well-laid out project specifications, effective consultations with project stakeholders and setting up project scope. The study also found that the assembly does not effectively practice the following project management practices; project integration, deliberate quality management practices, effective communication among project team members, monitoring and evaluation activities with time management plan being the least practiced. The study found that the top seven most challenges constraints associated with project management practices by the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly identified were; corruption, payment difficulties and delays, poor coordination and communication structures, political interference, delays by contractors, fiscal constraints and extensive controls and as well, poor understanding of procurement practices. The study therefore recommends that the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly should set up a unit to be responsible for project management related activities. It is also recommended that the assembly put more attention and emphasis on the project management practices that they currently fail in terms of implementation. They are; project integration, deliberate quality management practices, effective communication among project team members, monitoring and evaluation activities with time management plan being the least practiced. The assembly should also work to ensure that corruption or its perception is minimized through transparent award of contracts and effective supervision of project delivery devoid from political influences and interference to ensure that projects are delivered in accordance with the right standards. It is finally recommended that personnel in the assembly in charge of project management should be given regular training on project management and its related activities to ensure that they are well equipped to implement projects of the assembly efficiently and effectiveness.
Analysis of socio-economic factors influencing household food security among small holder vegetable farmers. a case study of Tano-South district, Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana
(August, 2015) Seidu, Mahama Boateng
This study set out to investigate the socio-economic factors influencing smallholder vegetable farmers’ household food security and food insecurity coping mechanisms in the Tano South district of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The data was obtained through personal interviews by the use of structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to identify the spread of the observations and the outlying values and distinctive patterns whiles the logistic regression model was used to determine the factors influencing household food security with twenty independent variables. Households applied short-term consumption and income coping strategies to cope with food shortages and income shocks. Using the Item Response Indicator (Bickel et al., 2000), the vegetable farmers could generally be considered food insecure without hunger. From the logistic regression, eight variables were found to be significant at the 1, 5, and 10 percent significance levels. And all the variables had their expected signs. Vegetable production represent a viable instrument for coping with food security because of the relatively short cycle of the crops in question, and thus help improve household resilience in the event of food shortage. Hence, direct measures for improving food security, such as access to credit to boost production and cultivating more than one type of vegetable crop, are likely to become priorities.
Ascertaining the general uses and nutritional composition of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) identified in the West Gonja District of Ghana
(August, 2016) ) Mukaila, Salia
A study was conducted to identify the general uses and determine the nutritional components of oil nuts, fruit pulp and leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca. Information on general uses of the plant (Balanites aegyptiaca) was collected through household survey using a semi structured questionnaire. A total of 100 respondents comprising both females and males were interviewed. The results indicated that 60% of respondents use the leaves of the plant for soup, 93% of respondents lick the pulp of the fruits and none of the respondents has ever extracted oil from the nuts. Fresh leaves and dried fruits of Desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) were collected from the study area and their nutritional compositions were determined. The fruits pulp had 15.57% of moisture, 84.43% of dry matter, 8.87% of ash, 0.97% of crude fat, 6.71% of crude protein, 5.19% of crude fiber, 83.45% of carbohydrate, 348.61% of energy, 78.26% of nitrogen free extract and 0.453mg/g of vitamin C. However, the leaves had 61.78% of moisture, 38.21% of dry matter, 8.92% of ash, 1.94% of crude fat, 30.77% of crude protein, 14.22% of crude fiber, 58.37% of carbohydrate, 317.11% of energy, 44.16% of nitrogen free extract and 0.490mg/g of vitamin C. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the fruits and leaves with respect to nutritional composition except for ash content (p > 0.05). 12kg of dried nuts was processed to extract the oil. The percentage of oil extracted from the 12kg of nuts was 44%. Physicochemical properties that were determined from the oil were moisture content (0.15%), free fatty acid such as oleic (1.73%), peroxide value (7.96meq/kg) and vitamin C (52.22mg/g).The experimental design used was completely randomized design (CRD). In conclusion, the leaves and fruits pulp of the desert date plant contain some nutritional components for human consumption. I recommend that, further research should be conducted on the edible oil of the nuts of the plant.
Aspects of the ecology of fruit bat (eidolon helvum) in the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani
(2015-11-05) Agyei-Ohemeng, James
Aspects of the ecology of straw coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), including population dynamics, seed dispersal and effect on the roosting trees, were investigated in the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani from January 2013 to July 2014. The Continuous Point Count Method was used to estimate the monthly population size of E. helvum. Using 64m2 (4m x 4m) quadrats and 32 seed traps made from plastic sheets, the contribution of dispersed plant species to the total undergrowth plant cover in the area was sampled and catalogued to show the contribution of undergrowth from bat droppings in the area. Using six (20m x 20m) sample plots each for areas occupied by bats and areas unoccupied by bats, basal area, canopy, and heights of identified trees with DBH ≤ 1m were measured to show the impact of bats on the roosting trees. The results indicated that: (1) bats were present in the study area throughout the survey period, however, their numbers varied between months. The bat population estimates in 2013 were high in March (180,000) and December (240,000), but between the months of May to October their population were low, (12,400; 15990; 12,500; 18,500; 10,600 and 28,500) respectively, in the colony. This pattern is similar to the year 2014. The mean number of bats per month was estimated at 55,469.55 bats (S.E=4.34, CV=8.68%) for the study period. The mean population estimates in the dry season count was 85,955.5±87,272.3 whilst the mean population estimate in the rainy season count was 46,932.3±58,122.9. However, there was no significant difference between the mean dry and rainy season population count of bat in the study area, t(8) = -0.922, p>0.05(2) Undergrowth plant species sampled indicated that the percentage contribution of some of the species dispersed by bats were Mallotus opposotifolia,(16.1%), Broussonetia papyrifera (10.6%), Ficus exasperata (6.6%), Solanum erianthum (6.2%) and Morus mesozygia (4.6%). These plant species altogether contributed 1.7% of the seedling composition in the undergrowth in the study area. These plants contributed to the ecological improvement by increasing the biodiversity in the study area through increased species cover and regeneration of dispersed species of the roost site.(3) Height and basal area of trees were the only factors that led to tree selection as roost by bats in the occupied zone. Trees in bat occupied areas, showed significant damages by bats through premature defoliation as well as loss of branches which resulted in reductions in canopy foliage of host trees, compared to the bat unoccupied areas. The main physical plant features that were affected are the tree canopy size and canopy cover. These bats have been known to have limited roost sites, so good management of their population to reduce threat to their survival is important. Sound strategies like monitoring population, roosting trees and habitat, in relation to the climatic conditions are required to be documented overtime to promote sound decisions and add to scientific knowledge to the study of bats.
Aspects of the ecology of Noack’s roundleaf bat (Hipposideros Aff. Ruber) in Ghana
(2014-07-27) Ewald Nkrumah, Evans
The roost of bats in five caves in the central parts of Ghana were investigated. A total of 10,226 bats belonging to nine species were mist-netted within two years. There was a significant difference in species composition of the caves. The Noacks’s roundleaf bat, Hipposideros aff. ruber was found to be the most dominant species roosting inside the cave and some aspects of its ecology were further investigated. The flight activity of Hipposideros aff. ruber was limited to certain periods of the night at Kwamang cave one while it was uniform at Kwamang cave two. The estimated mean home range size of this species using radio-tracking was thirty-six hectares with a foraging range of 1.2 km. There was no significant difference in the home range sizes of the males and females. Hipposideros aff. ruber used 50% of its home range as the foraging area and 2% as the core area. Pregnant females had smaller home ranges and foraged not more than 0.2 km away from the roost cave. Hipposideros aff. ruber used all available habitats around its roost but strongly preferred to forage in fallow lands ahead of other habitats. This bat used tree farms such as cocoa as flight paths to commute between roost caves and foraging areas and exhibited a trimodal activity pattern foraging at dusk, midnight and dawn. Hipposideros aff. ruber is a strong flyer commuting over longer distances. A three kilometre radius around its roost should be included in the protection of its home range. In highly impacted agricultural landscapes, fallow lands are recommended as conservation units to support this bat. In such landscapes, provision of canopy trees as flight paths is recommended to allow them to commute between roost and habitats that support higher prey densities.
Assessing democratic representation in multi-stakeholder platform design. A the case of a EU-Chainsaw Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Process in Ghana
(April, 2016 ) Owusu-Ansah, Nelson
There has been an increased advocacy across the globe for greater participation of stakeholders in the management of natural resources. In the forestry sector of Ghana, this is evident in the design and implementation of several multi-stakeholder platforms such as the National Forest Forum, Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue, and so on. The assertion is that grassroot involvement in decision-making will lead to more responsive policies and programmes, as well as improved governance in the sector. For multi-stakeholder dialogue to be democratic and effective, it has been advocated that representatives should be responsive and accountable to their constituents. This study examined how designers of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue process contemplated democratic representation. The study used qualitative techniques to enable detailed understanding of the discourse; contemplation and design of democratic representation processes in Ghana. The study used structured and semi-structured interviews, participant observation and desk study. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the data. The study, contrary to initial hypothesis, established that designers of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue process adequately contemplated democratic representation. However, the involvement of the grassroot in the decision making process was merely symbolic. The transaction cost of engaging the stakeholders at the lower level of the process was not catered for by the project, and therefore activities there were not facilitated by the organizers. Disorganized stakeholder groups impeded exchange of information between the platform and the participating stakeholder groups, thereby alienating the Grassroot from the engagement process. Even though the discourse shows there was symbolic democratic representation, in practice there was no substantive engagement of stakeholders especially at the lower level platforms.
Assessing gender, tenure relations and Income Distributions in the Shea Business in the Bole District
(2015-11-03) Mogre, Diana
The study assesses gender, tenure relations and income distribution in the shea business in the Bole District of the Northern Region of Ghana. The data employed in the study was obtained from 120 local indigenous shea nut pickers, processors and retailers in Bole and its environs. It was revealed that communal land tenure is generally practiced in the study area with community lands entrusted to the chief and landlords serving as spiritual heads of the land and advisors to the chief on land issues. Women are not traditionally allowed to own farmlands in the study area. Farm lands are owned by their husbands and sons. Women‟s main form of land acquisition is to plead for land from their husbands or their husband‟s family members or to rent. Women can also buy some lands although not all communities sell lands. . Men were found not to be main pickers of shea but rather support their wives in shea picking. Majority of the people pick shea from the uncultivated lands followed by leased land. Picking of shea from someone‟s family or leased land is a problem and not allowed. There exist significant differences in the various activities in the shea business among gender. There are significant differences between income from shea picking, processing and retailing. The income from shea business is unequally distributed among single women, married women and children. The shea business favours women with low income in the study area compare to men. Shea picking favours the women with low income whereas shea processing and retailing favours the rich women, indicated by the positive gini correlation coefficient. The shea income from women leased land and from the bush or uncleared land favours the women with low income in the study area. Individuals‟ access to family or leased land does not mean they don‟t operate on the uncultivated lands.
Assessing performance of micro and small scale Agribusinesses in Northern Ghana: Non-Financial and Stochastic frontier analysis
(2009-08-05) John, Bidzakin Kanburi
The need for the reduction in poverty status of rural people through the development of agribusiness is of paramount concern to most governments. Agribusiness in Africa is considered the catalyst for economic growth and poverty reduction. It is a business solution to rural poverty if redistribution mechanisms work. From literature reviewed, the importance of agribusiness to the development of Ghana is quiet clear however much is not being done to develop agribusiness. The broad question is whether, they are doing well. The main objective of this study is to assess the financial and non-financial performance of micro and small agribusinesses in Ghana. This study analysed the performance of micro and small agribusiness. Performance was assessed in two dimensions; through the non-financial method and profit efficiency using the stochastic efficiency frontier model. With the non-financial method, it was clear that the entrepreneurs achieved most of the objectives that were identified. Each objective scored below 50%, hence the level of satisfaction was fairly distributed and not concentrated on some few objectives. The level of success was low. The average measure of profit efficiency of 60.0 percent was recorded in the area. This suggests that an average of about 60 percent of potential maximum profit is gained due to production efficiency, while the remaining short fall of discrepancy between observed profit and the frontier profit can be attributed to both technical and allocative inefficiencies. The variables in the inefficiency model that have negative coefficients, meaning that as these variables (educational level, farming experience, and household size) increase the profit efficiency of the farmer increases. Whiles the variables (sex of proprietor and age) are positive and hence vice versa. The positive coefficient of age is in agreement with the work of Abdulai and Huffman (1988) while the negative coefficient of educational level was in conformity with Kumbhakar and Bhattacharya (1992b), Ali and Flin (1989), Abdulail and Huffman (1988) and Huffman (1974). The result of this study has clearly shown that employing the stochastic profit frontier model allows a detailed analysis of the determinant of specific farm efficiency. The average profit efficiency of 0.601 suggests that considerable amount of profit is gained among maize producers in the sampled area.
Assessing the Challenges of Procurement Outsourcing in Ghana (A Case Study Of Owere Gold Mines Limited)
(2015-02-20) Buabeng, Joshua Afari
The research style employed for this study was a single case study on Owere Gold Mines Limited to access the challenges of procurement outsourcing in Ghana. Fifty (50) participants (senior members, unit heads and key staff including procurement officers and finance officers) who are engaged in procurement process and or activity at Owere Mines Limited were purposively selected for this study. The research also used descriptive statistics in the data analysis. The research findings point to three main conclusions: (1) that the main purpose or rationale for procurement outsourcing at Owere Gold Mines Limited is no other reason than to improve the focus of the company, (2) there are indeed challenges associated with procurement outsourcing. From the case company‟s perspective, hidden cost is the most common challenge they encounter so far as procurement outsourcing is concern, and (3) the study concluded that these challenges identified could be managed when outsourcing organizations do exercise tactfulness in the selection of outsourcing service providers with a wide skill-set and operational coverage. The researcher again recommended that future research should try and include other stakeholders of procurement as far as the company is concerned. This is because other stakeholders such as contractor/suppliers, transporters etc. could volunteer vital information that could enrich the findings of the study.
Assessing the economic performance of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana
(October, 2015) Akoto-Adjepong, Vera
In Ghana cocoa occupies a key position in terms of foreign exchange earnings and domestic incomes, as well as being the major source of revenue for the provision of socio-economic infra-structure. Agroforestry is an important category of agriculture that provides potential benefit to farmers, communities and society at large with a wide array of forest-related goods and services. The main objective of the study was to assess the economic performance of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana. The analysis is expected to assess the relative attractiveness of the various shade levels to cocoa farmers as well as to the society. Research data were collected by the means of Focus Group Discussion, household structured interviews and in depth case study. Data were analyzed through quantitative economic methods and models. The results of the present research indicated that the medium and low shade levels were financially viable whiles high shade level and full sun plantation were not profitable. However, to the society cocoa agroforestry production had a positive impact on the overall welfare of the society irrespective of the shade level. There also exist some barriers to the adoption and the motivation of existing cocoa agroforestry system in Ghana, including, inadequate education on; the benefits derived from the inclusion of shade trees in cocoa plantations, which species to plant and how to plant them, tenure ship and logging as well as compensation for destroyed crops are possible threats to the realization of the full benefit of the cocoa agroforestry system.
Assessing the economic viability of the slash and char system for carbon sequestration and agricultural productivity: a case of smallholder maize farmers in Ghana
(2015-09-25) Otabil, Prince Kwesi
This thesis looked at the viability of the slash-and-char system under smallholder maize production in Ghana, with a particular reference to the slash-and-burn practice which leads to increased Green House Gas emissions. Analysis is made for carbon sequestration using biochar under a maize production system for three locations in Ghana. The study, shows that carbon sequestration through the slash and char system for maize production is not a profitable alternative to the slash and burn system, both in the short term and in the long term from the perspective of the farmer. For both short and long term agricultural decisions, the farmer would not adopt the slash-and-char practice relative to the slash and burn practice. The proposed carbon sequestration practice is only profitable from the farmers‟ point of view if there is an incentive scheme for maize farmers. However, the slash-and-char system is a profitable alternative to the slash and burn practice from the view point of the society. The study therefore recommends that farmers should be motivated to adopt the carbon sequestration practice since it leads to a net positive impact on the economy in terms of national income and clean environment. It is further recommended that such incentives should at least be more than the farm income forgone as the farmer changes from the slash and burn practice to the slash and char practice.
Assessing the Effect of Seed Quality Characteristics on the Growth and Yield of Four Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) Varieties
(2013-12-18) Baysah, Nataline Sonnie
A study was conducted to investigate how the parameters of variety, seed size, seed health and some biochemical qualities of the seed affect the growth, yield and viability of the harvested cowpea seeds. Field and laboratory experiments were carried out from November 2012 to March 2013 at the Crops Research Institute of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) at Fumesua near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Results of the study showed that there were no significant differences among varieties and seed size in terms of germinability for both original and harvested seeds. However, Nhyira large and Asontem small seed sizes had significant higher germination before planting. Nine (9) and ten (10) seed borne fungi were however, identified on the original and harvested seeds respectively, after conducting seed health test using the blotter method. On the effect of the incidences of seed-borne pathogens on seeds tested for germinability, a regression analysis showed that Macrophomina phaseolina and Corynespora cassiicola were predominant seedborne pathogens that had major effect on germination. The study also showed that plants from small seeded cowpeas emerged earlier when compared to large cowpea seeds. Small seed size of all the varieties emerged earlier when compared to large seed sizes of the same varieties. Higher seedling establishment was found in large cowpea seeds planted (95%) when compared to that of small seeds (88.6%). Plants from the large seeds were taller than plants from small seeds from 2 to 3 weeks after planting but did not have any advantage from week four up to the end of the growing period . Among varieties, Asontem had the highest height and Soronko recorded the least. There were no differences in pod and seed yields among varieties as well as in seed sizes. Large seeds planted produced larger seeds compared to small seed size. There were also no differences in proximate composition among varieties for original and harvested seeds. Large seed size had the higest proximate composition and that was significantly different from small seed size except for carbohydrate content which was high in small seeds than large seeds.