Department of Environmental Sciences

Preliminary assessment of heavy metal distribution in the soils of the university of cape coast nature reserve, Ghana

2021-09-08T16:42:19Z

Preliminary assessment of heavy metal distribution in the soils of the university of cape coast nature reserve, Ghana Pappoe, Alex Nii This study investigated the effect of Ncomputing technology on management of computing resources in Rwanda, by considering Nyamata District Hospital as a case study. Its findings would be significant to policy makers and other stakeholders who are involved in making vital decisions as far as computer resources are concerned. The study intended to investigate the usage of Ncomputing technology at Nyamata District Hospital, Rwanda , to determine how computing resources are managed at Nyamata District Hospital, Rwanda, and to determine how Ncomputing technology affects the management of computing resources at Nyamata District Hospital, Rwanda.The population of sixty five (65) employees were targeted as employees who have access on Ncomputing technology shared computers.The sample size was sixty five (65) employees of Nyamata District Hospital. The sampling technique in this study was census, due to the small population size considered. Questionnaires were administered to the staff of Nyamata District Hospital, while interviews were conducted with IT services in charge and Hospital Director. Data quality control was ensured by piloting instruments at CHUK and Rwamagana District Hospital .The study reviewed various documents to get secondary data about the topic. As far as methodology was concerned, the study used a case study design in which qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, where the findings were described using frequencies, percentages, weighted means, standard deviations and Pearson correlation. The Pearson correlation found that the correlation coefficients, R between independent variable (server virtualization) and dependent variables (device sharing, data back-up, centralized computing and security features) were 0.951, 0.914, 0.922 and 0.926 respectively. This indicated a strong positive correlations between independent variable (server virtualization) and dependent variables (device sharing, data back-up, centralized computing and security features). The correlation coefficients, R between independent variable (desktop virtualization) and dependent variables (device sharing, data back up, centralized computing and security features) were 0.904, 0.817, 0.720 and 0.933 respectively. This indicated a strong positive correlations between the independent variable (desktop virtualization) and dependent variables (device sharing, data back up, centralized computing and security features). The two interview guides were analysed qualitatively using content analysis where Ncomputing technology was said to provide cost saving benefits through the single license used. Ncomputing technology reduced costs of maintenance, data management and staff management though three challenges such as power failure, internet connectivity problem and staff attitude to ICT use were encountered. The study recommended Nyamata District Hospital to provide training to all staff about Ncomputing technology usage in order to use technology frequently and effectively. The study also recommended increasing the internet bandwidth such that network performance would be improved. In addition, an automatic power generator was also recommended.

Working conditions of male and female artisanal and small-scale Gold miners in Ghana: Examining existing disparities

2021-06-21T10:02:11Z

Working conditions of male and female artisanal and small-scale Gold miners in Ghana: Examining existing disparities Armah, Frederick Ato; Boamah, Sheila A.; Quansah, Reginald; Obiri, Samuel; Luginaah, Isaac Artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) provides a livelihood to more than 100 million men and women Worldwide, mostly in the global south. Although the sector is male-dominated, the number of women engaged in its activities has increased dramatically in recent years, underscoring the need for critical assessment of their environmental, health and safety working conditions. Based on a cross-sectional survey of482 male and 106 female artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Ghana, this study examines the disparities in the mean scores of the environment, health, safety and economic working conditions between male and female gold miners. Using four counter factual decomposition techniques, inequality in working conditions was disaggregated according to group differences in the magnitudes of the Determinants and group differences in the effects of the determinants. The difference in the mean value of the estimated coefficients accounts for much of the difference in environment, health, safety, and economic working conditions between the male and female artisanal and small-scale gold miners. This implies that the gap in working conditions between the two groups may be attributed to discrimination, but it may also emanate from the influence of unobserved variables. Gender-specific differences exist for the artisanal and small-scale gold miners surveyed: age and years of experience are salient for men, whereas education and number of years lived in the community are more important for women 11p:, ill.

Women's empowerment in the context of millennium development goal 3: A case study of married women in Ghana

2021-06-18T11:53:58Z

Women's empowerment in the context of millennium development goal 3: A case study of married women in Ghana Boateng, Godfred Odei; Kuuire, Vincent Zubedaar; Ung, Mengieng; Amoyaw, Jonathan Anim; Armah, Frederick Ato; Luginaah, Isaac This paper assesses women's empowerment in Ghana in the light of the Millennium Development Goal 3. Data for the study were drawn from the 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Survey with an analytic sample of 1,876 married women aged 15-49. Using binary logistic regression in determining the factors that influence women empowerment, this paper examines the relationship between wealth and women's involvement in household decision-making in the context of healthcare, large household purchases, daily house hold purchases and mobility. The findings show that wealthier married women were significantly more likely to be involved in decision-making on their own healthcare (OR = 2.14, p < 0.001). Also, age, tertiary education and employment significantly shaped the involvement of married women in household decision-making in Ghana. Surprisingly, married women in the Upper East region (the second poorest) were significantly more likely to be involved in three measures of decision-making except for decisions on large household purchases relative to those in the Greater Accra region (the capital). Policies oriented towards an increase in accessibility to tertiary education, employment equity and the creation of income generating activities for women would enhance women's empowerment in Ghana 23p:, ill.

Women’s bigger burden: disparities in outcomes of large scale land acquisition in Sierra Leone

2021-06-18T11:39:16Z

Women’s bigger burden: disparities in outcomes of large scale land acquisition in Sierra Leone Yengoh, Genesis Tambang; Armah, Frederick Ato; Steen, Karin Women farmers make up a majority of small-scale food producers in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite their important role in the food and livelihood security of their households and communities, women continue to face substantial challenges in their rights of and access to land resources in the region. In a number of countries such as Sierra Leone where large-scale land acquisition is ongoing, we posit that women’s predicament may further deteriorate. Using data drawn from a survey of household and livelihood activities, focus groups and interviews we examine the outcomes of large-scale land acquisitions on women at the local level in two districts in Sierra Leone. We found that frst, women depend more on land-based natural resources that directly affect the day-to-day welfare of households (such asfirewood and medicinal plants) than men. Second, land acquisitions have led to a significant fall in the incomes of women and men. The effects of the fall of women’s income have more direct and profound consequences on household wellbeing compared with men. Third, men tend to rank the effects of land acquisitions on women lower than women do. We conclude that current social and cultural norms and women’s role in rural societies is complex and predisposes women to negative livelihood processes and outcomes associated with large-scale land acquisitions. Policy interventions designed to address local and national challenges to socio economic and cultural development should recognize the crucial role played by women and be responsive to their special needs 25p:, ill.