Journal of Science and Technology (Ghana)

Students' Knowledge and Perceptions of Career Prospects in Jewellery and Metalsmithing

Cyril Etornam Adala — 2026-09-30

This study investigated the knowledge and perceptions of career prospects among jewellery and metalsmithing students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 87 undergraduate students via online questionnaires. Findings indicate that while a majority (62%) rated their knowledge of career opportunities as good or excellent, a significant portion (37.9%) felt less informed, with awareness varying across different career paths like Jewellery designer, entrepreneur, and gemmologist. Lecturers and coursework were primary information sources (69%), followed by online research (60.9%). Despite the general optimism about job prospects among students, (59.7% viewing them as promising or very promising), major concerns included high startup costs for entrepreneurship (62.1%), lack of industry recognition in Ghana (55.2%), and limited job opportunities (46%). Financial benefits (69%) and passion for the field (54%) were key factors influencing career decisions. While most students (82.8%) felt their education positively influenced their perceptions, a strong demand for more industry exposure (83.9%), business training (59.8%), and career guidance (55.2%) emerged. Notably, 63.2% would consider careers outside jewellery and metalsmithing, citing financial constraints, skill/support deficits, and job security. This study highlights the need for strengthened industry engagement and clearer career pathway communication within jewellery and metalsmithing programmes to address gaps in students’ perceptions of professional opportunities in the field.

Design and Fabrication of a Rigid Hand Exoskeleton for Stroke Rehabilitation in Low-Resource Settings

Ebenezer Martey — 2026-07-22

Upper limb impairments resulting from stroke significantly reduce hand functionality and limit the ability of affected individuals to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Conventional stroke rehabilitation methods, primarily administered through physical therapy, face limitations related to accessibility, personalisation, and rehabilitation intensity. Hand exoskeleton devices have emerged as promising rehabilitation solutions capable of enhancing motor recovery through assisted and repetitive hand movements. This study presents the design, fabrication, and preliminary evaluation of a rigid robotic hand exoskeleton intended for stroke rehabilitation in low-resource settings. The methodology involved the study of the anatomy and biomechanics of the human hand, which informed the development of three initial design concepts. The concepts were evaluated based on engineering design requirements, including cost, performance, wearability, portability, and usability, after which the most suitable concept was selected for further development. The hand exoskeleton was fabricated using 3D printing with PLA as the main material, and the necessary kinematic analysis was performed to support the design process. Initial testing of the assembled device under donned and doffed conditions demonstrated controlled flexion and extension movements and showed that the device was able to provide 10 out of the intended 14 degrees of freedom during operation. However, limitations, including restricted range of motion and rigidity-related movement constraints, were observed. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed rigid hand exoskeleton as a rehabilitation assistance device while highlighting the need for further improvements in adaptability, flexibility, and joint actuation performance.

Modeling the Association between Student Support Indicators and Tertiary Education Outcomes in Online Higher Education: Evidence from 60 Developing Economies (2018-2024)

Eric Appau Asante — 2026-08-19

This study examines the association between macro-level student support indicators and tertiary education outcomes in online higher education contexts across 60 developing economies from 2018 to 2024. Using panel data comprising 420 country-year observations and acknowledging that the constructs are operationalized through national-level proxy indicators drawn from international databases, we employ Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine four hypothesized associations: academic advising-related indicators and student retention, digital literacy infrastructure and learner engagement, psychosocial support proxies and student persistence, and institutional responsiveness and overall academic success. Our theoretical framework integrates the Technology Acceptance Model, Resource-Based View, and Institutional Theory. Results indicate that all four associations are statistically significant (p < 0.001). Academic advising-related indicators exhibit the strongest positive association with student retention (beta = 1.007, t = 43.783), followed by psychosocial support proxies with persistence (beta = 0.932, t = 33.286). The model explains 84.6% of the variance in academic success outcomes with strong predictive relevance (Q-squared = 0.810). Regional analysis reveals significant disparities, with Latin America and the Caribbean achieving the highest completion rates (58.42%), while Sub-Saharan Africa records the lowest (38.94%). Important limitations include the use of macro-level proxy indicators rather than direct institutional-level measures, the correlational (non-causal) nature of the design, and the risk of ecological fallacy in interpreting country-level findings. Notwithstanding these limitations, findings suggest that investment in advisory staffing, digital infrastructure, social protection, and institutional governance capacity may be positively associated with tertiary education outcomes. Policymakers are encouraged to prioritize comprehensive and context-specific support service frameworks when designing strategies to improve educational attainment in developing economies.

The Significance of Activity-Type in Reducing Poverty among Women in the Informal Sector. Insights from the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Charles Peprah — 2026-08-19

Despite the significance of informal sector activities (ISA) in reducing poverty among women, little is known regarding activity-type vis-à-vis the impact of sector towards poverty reduction among female informal sector workers in urban areas in low- and middle-income countries. The paper addresses this gap using the individual poverty perspective of poverty theories. The philosophical underpinning of the study was pragmatism. It applied the cross-sectional design using multiple data collection instruments to elicit data from 356 women engaged in three dominant ISA types in six selected communities within Kumasi Metropolis. Reliability, Mann-Whitney U and T- Tests (95% confidence level) tests were used to assess the instruments and analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study found that 96% of the women attributed their improved poverty status to involvement in ISA. Beyond income deprivation, the most salient manifestations of poverty were poor health, poor housing infrastructure, pervasive insecurity and inadequate access to basic services such as education. It concludes that there was no statistically significant (p=.237) association between level of poverty and ISA type; thereby substantiating the relevance of ISAs as a mechanism for poverty reduction among women. The findings have implications for the realization of United Nations poverty-related SDG targets. The study recommends provision of services and strong collaboration between the major institutions and stakeholders within the informal sector to foster business formation and strategy development to enhance the entire variety ISA of the women.

Planting Density Modulates Growth and Biomass Allocation of Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata [L.] Walp) in Iron Industry Effluent-Contaminated Soil

Damilare S. Akinyemi — 2026-08-19

Industrialisation and improper effluent discharge practices are major contributors to soil contamination, raising concerns about crop productivity and food safety. This study assessed the influence of iron industry effluent on growth performance and biomass accumulation of Vigna unguiculata under varying planting densities. Soil samples from an effluent-contaminated site (ECS) and a non-contaminated control location (CL) were analysed, and cowpea was cultivated in both soils at five densities (1-5 plants/pot). Relevant growth, nodulation, and biomass indices were evaluated. The study revealed significantly higher levels of cadmium, lead, and organic matter in ECS compared to CL. Plants cultivated in CL exhibited higher vegetative and biomass indices and nodulation across all densities. Both effluent contamination and plant density significantly influenced most growth parameters (p≤0.05), with reduced performance at higher densities, especially in ECS. The study demonstrates that effluent-contaminated soils impair cowpea productivity and that intra-specific competition intensifies stress effects. These findings underscore the need for strict effluent management and density-specific agronomic strategies in polluted agroecosystems.

Emission Profiles and Toxicity Assessment of Sawdust–Waste Paper Briquettes for Clean Household Energy

Kwadwo Boakye Boadu — 2026-08-31

The study examined the emission characteristics and toxicity index of biomass briquettes produced from sawdust and waste paper, an area that remains relatively underexplored in briquette research. Five different sawdust–paper blends were prepared and analysed for carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM₂.₅), and an overall toxicity index. These properties were examined under simulated household cooking conditions using standardized experimental procedures. The results indicated that increasing the proportion of waste paper in the briquettes consistently reduced CO, CO₂, and PM₂.₅ emissions. Accordingly, the 100% waste paper formulation exhibited the cleanest combustion profile. In contrast, briquettes with higher sawdust content emitted significantly greater levels of CO, CO₂, and PM₂.₅. Importantly, all briquette samples emitted CO and CO₂ concentrations below internationally accepted indoor safety thresholds. Only the 100% waste paper briquettes and the 30/70 sawdust-paper blends met the U.S. EPA 24-hour PM₂.₅ limit of 35 µg/m³. These findings are consistent with previous studies on biomass combustion and provide empirical support for substituting conventional wood-residue biomass with paper-based waste. The study provides important insights into optimiszing cleanburning biomass fuels in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean energy, public health, responsible production, and climate action. Overall, the findings demonstrate that paper-dominant briquettes offer a practical pathway for reducing indoor air pollution while advancing circular waste management.

An Evaluation of the Groundwater Potential and Its Implications on Climate: Case Study of Ilorin and Its Adjoining Areas, Central Nigeria

Kehinde Olawuyi — 2026-08-31

Borehole lithologic logs, Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) as well as pumping test data been used to investigate the aquifer parameters of the underground system in Ilorin and adjoining areas. The aim is to ascertain the groundwater potential of the area. The static water levels were control correlated with the depth to basement contour. Five boreholes located at random within the area were pump tested. The aquifer system consists of two major aquifers and the overburden thickness ranges from about 4m to 35m. The yield of the boreholes were determined and found to be between 4325 ltrs/hr- 21600 litrs/hr, transmissivity using Jacob’s analysis range between 18m2/day, the permeability or hydraulic conductivity (k) found to be between 1.07 x 10-5 and 6.9 x 10-1. These values are reasonably high and consistent with a large group discharge. Preliminary geochemical analysis shows that although CaCO3- and HCO3- ions occur in higher concentrations compared with the Na+, K+, C1-, Fe+ and S04-- but are still relatively lower than expected values from WHO standard. Generally, the water is of basement type with low storativity and transit time. The yield and depths to basement have been correlated, the correlation coefficient is 0.10. The correlation coefficient of the yield with static water level is 0.2. The two correlation coefficients are low which show a weak relationship. Climate change becomes of ever greater concern and although this issue is getting a great deal of attention, its effects on groundwater is still underexposed. By combining the yield and static water level correlation (0.0), with yield and depth to basement correlation (0.4) the study introduces an integrated perspective that has not previously been documented for this area. The results generate new understanding that can support groundwater resource development and management.

Analysis of the Relationship between Abundance Surrogates of Phytoplankton of Lake Bosomtwe (Ghana), And Their Relationship with the Physicochemical Environment

Francis Emmanuel Awortwi — 2026-08-31

Parallel determination of phytoplankton abundance surrogates viz, cell numbers, wet biomass, chlorophyll a and their derivatives were investigated in Lake Bosomtwe (Ghana) by collecting samples from an index station. In the laboratory cells were counted and fitted to geometric shapes for wet weight determination while chlorophyll a was estimated by fluorometry. No significant correlation was observed between the phytoplankton crop of cells and wet biomass (r=+0.26, n=33), chlorophyll a and cells (r= -0.23, n=33) and chlorophyll a and wet biomass (r= -0.16, n=33) respectively (p˃0.05). Chlorophyll a content per unit cell (0.34±0.24 µg cell-1, n=33; CV=71.8%) and per unit wet biomass (0.45±0.32 %, n=33; CV=71.3%) were low and both decreased significantly with increase in cells (r = -0.68) and wet biomass (r = -0.49) respectively (p˂0.05, n=33). Factors that significantly affected the variability of both chlorophyll a per unit cell and per unit wet biomass were mixed layer depth, ratio of mixed layer depth to euphotic depth, secchi depth and the extinction coefficient (p˂0.05). In both cases, ratio of mixed layer depth to euphotic depth caused the most significant variability in chlorophyll a per cell (r2=59%; n=33) and chlorophyll a per unit wet biomass (r2=67%; n=33) respectively. The low chlorophyll a content per unit phytoplankton cell or wet biomass is attributed to cyanobacteria dominance which generally has low chlorophyll a content compared to other phytoplankton. The negative relationships between phytoplankton crop of cells or wet biomass and chlorophyll a per unit cell or per unit wet biomass is attributed to cell size reduction as abundance increase, physiological changes, light and hydrodynamic variability in the lake. Also, the chlorophyll a content per unit phytoplankton crop of cells or wet biomass seem to be controlled mostly by a combination of energy-related and hydrographic factors whiles nutrient-related factors appeared unimportant. Our study shows that the phytoplankton abundance surrogates of Lake Bosomtwe do not correlate well with each other and that the use of chlorophyll a as an abundance measure should be done with caution and all abundance surrogate measures should be measured in any study of the lake.

Breast Cancer-Associated Emergencies at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana

Samuel Mensah — 2026-09-01

Background: People with breast cancer present late to health facilities leading to increased morbidity and mortality. A significant proportion of emergency department (ED) admissions are due to breast cancer-related emergencies. This study aimed at assessing the clinico-pathologic characteristics of patients presenting to the emergency department with breast cancer-associated emergencies.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective review of all breast cancer emergencies managed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. The medical records of patients treated for emergencies associated with breast cancer at the emergency and the oncology units were reviewed retrospectively, and data was analyzed. Continuous variables were presented as means and standard deviations. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe categorical variables and compared using the Chi-square test.

Results: A total of 175 patients presented with breast cancer (histologically confirmed) associated emergencies at the oncology or emergency units. The majority were 171(97.7%) females. The age ranged from 24 to 91 years, with a median age of 51. Dyspnoea was the most common presenting complaint (41.7%). Distant metastasis to the chest (43%) was the most common diagnosis (lung parenchyma 16%, Pleural cavity 18.9%, and lung plus pleura 8%).

Conclusion: The most common reason for breast cancer patients presenting to the emergency department is dyspnoea, with the predominant region of distant spread being the chest. The length of stay of these patients at the ED could have economic implications, and early presentation, detection and treatment of breast cancer can mitigate this problem.

Cataract Ambulatory Surgery: Patients Experiences at the Kumasi South Hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Vida Baiden-Walker — 2026-09-01

Cataract surgery, a well-established medical procedure, has evolved over the years, increasingly adopting ambulatory surgery, where patients can return home on the same day, leading to benefits like reduced costs and improved patient convenience. Meanwhile, limited studies have been conducted in Ghana to explore the experiences of patients undergoing cataract ambulatory surgery. This qualitative study explored patients' experiences with ambulatory cataract surgery at the Eye Clinic of Kumasi South Hospital. The study adopted the Expectancy-Disconfirmation Theoretical (EDT) framework while also employing purposive sampling to gather data from participants. A semi-structured interview guide was used to gather data from 22 participants. The study revealed that participants reported positive experiences with the surgery itself, along with satisfaction with procedures and staff interactions. This underlies the importance of client-centred care and effective communication. The findings suggest prioritszing comprehensive preoperative counselling to enhance client satisfaction and reduce post-operative emotional distress.

Electronic Health Information Management System and Quality Healthcare Delivery: Experiences of Healthcare Providers in a Quasi-Government Health Facility in Ghana

Douglas Forkuoh — 2026-09-02

The transition from paper-based health records to Electronic Health Information Management Systems (EHIMS) addresses significant challenges such as data inaccessibility and transcription errors, and enhance clinical decision-making. However, the healthcare providers’ experiences with the EHIMS and its impact on healthcare delivery is not adequately investigated using qualitative methods in Ghana. This study’s aim was to explore healthcare providers’ experiences and the impact of EHIMS on healthcare delivery at the Kwadaso Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital. A qualitative phenomenological case study design was used in this study. Fourteen (14) healthcare professionals, including clinicians, administrators, and health information managers, were purposively sampled. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically using both deductive and inductive coding approaches. Findings revealed that EHIMS improved the efficiency of healthcare delivery, enhanced the accessibility and security of patient information, and reduced medical errors. The system also fostered better interdepartmental collaboration and strengthened patient-provider relationships. However, challenges such as staff adaptation difficulties were also noted. This study recommended for a continuous training, system optimisation, and broader implementation of EHIMS to be prioritised to enhance healthcare service delivery in Ghana.

Empirical Relation between Specific Absorption Rate and Distance from Mobile Phones

Frederick Sam — 2026-09-07

Mobile phone usage continues to expand, and its applications keep evolving. However, recent research suggests possible radiofrequency health concerns associated with the long-term mobile phones use, making exposure reduction measures key to mitigating potential risks. The study investigated the empirical relationship between the head's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and the separation distance from regulatory-compliant and non-compliant mobile phones using a ComoSAR measuring system. The SAR of both phone categories was below the recommended limits. The regulatory-compliant phones’ SAR values decreased regularly with increasing phone distance. However, SAR levels of the regulatory non-compliant phones were inconsistent, where instead of a reduction in SAR levels, an increase in phone distance resulted in an over 70% rise in SAR level, potentially creating localised hotspots and the possibility of localised tissue heating. An exponential decay and single-phase exponential functions were formulated to estimate the SAR of the regulatory non-compliant and regulatory-compliant phones, respectively. The study provided simplified mathematical relations which relate SAR to phone distance. Additionally, the results highlighted the need to tighten controls over the illegal sale of non-compliant phones and their usage by the unsuspecting public. The study outcome also provided the need to consider incorporating SAR-level trends in the regulatory testing regime for mobile phones.

Predicting Land Surface Temperature in Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality: A Comparison of Time Series Models

Saviour Mantey — 2026-09-08

Land Surface Temperature (LST) prediction is a crucial environmental monitoring activity that has applications in both urban and rural areas for evaluating thermal conditions and humanenvironment interactions, especially in developing countries. This study compares the performance of three time-series models: Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTM) and Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLP) for LST prediction in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA), Ghana, where daily LST data (MODIS Terra MOD11A1 product) from 2014 to 2023 was aggregated to weekly time steps and used to train and test the models. The performance of the models was evaluated based on Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error (SMAPE). The results indicate, the LSTM model performed better (RMSE = 1.3533, MAE = 0.9991, MAPE = 3.8037%, SMAPE = 3.7166%) compared with RNN (RMSE = 1.3863, MAPE = 3.9078%) and MLP (RMSE = 1.9674, MAPE = 5.9421%). In comparison with the MLP, the LSTM model reduced the RMSE by 31.2% and MAPE by 36.0%, while comparing with the RNN model, the RMSE and MAPE were reduced by 2.4% and 2.7%, respectively. The superiority of the LSTM model is due to its gated memory structure, which captures long-range temporal dependencies in the LST time series. Hence, the LSTM is suggested as the best approach for the prediction of LST in TNMA. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to explore extended hyperparameter tuning, advanced preprocessing methods and additional explanatory variables.

Shapley Regression Based Income Inequality Decomposition of Households in Forest Areas of Southwestern Nigeria

Bolaji Kofoworola Adedigba — 2026-09-09

The study decomposed income inequality of households in rural southwest Nigeria by Shapley Regression-based decomposition. The Shapley value decomposition approach estimates marginal impact on the level of inequality, which makes it advance over other regression-based inequality decompositions. A proportionate sampling approach was employed, along with a formal survey, to gather information from 450 household heads, of which 430 were deemed valid. Summary statistics tools (specifically percentage, frequency, and mean) and Shapley Regression Base Income Decomposition were used for the analysis. The socioeconomic characteristic showed that maleheaded households constituted 92%, and the majority of the household heads were married. The mean age was 47.63 years, and the average household size was 6.92 persons. Age (0.42), farm size (0.021), distance to market (0.029), and education (0.27) had the highest attributed income share, therefore increasing income inequality. The analytical approach regression result showed that income inequality was exacerbated by being a male-headed household (β=0.6811 high household size (β=0.07) and farm size (β =0.14), while age (β=-0.23) reduced it, the Gini inequality decomposition using Shapley value gave sources that largely explained inequality such as farm size and household size with relative contributions sum up to 25.40%. The weighted marginal contribution results for all the income source variables show that there was a progressive inequality impact, which reduced from level 2 to level 10. This study emphasized that inequality cannot be attributed to a single factor, but rather to a combination of factors. Therefore, stakeholders should not focus solely on a single factor to address the challenges of inequality.

Effect of Calcium Chloride (Cacl₂) Solution on the Physicochemical Properties of Tomato Fruits in Ghana Stored Under Cold and Ambient Temperatures

Linda Afriyie Gyimah — 2026-09-18

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the most produced vegetable globally (186.82 million tonnes in 2022), yet postharvest losses of 25-42% worldwide and approximately 30% in Ghana devastate smallholder income and food security. Calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) is a low-cost, food-grade postharvest treatment whose efficacy on the predominant Burkina variety under Ghanaian storage conditions has not been documented. Objective: This study investigated the effect of CaCl2 solutions (0%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%, 2.50%) on physicochemical quality of Burkina tomato variety stored at ambient (28±1°C) and relatively low (10±1°C) temperatures.

Methods: Red ripe Burkina tomato variety were dipped briefly (60 seconds) in CaCl2 solution, packaged in low-density polyethylene bags, and assessed for weight loss, pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), and moisture content at 3-day intervals over 9 days (28±1°C) and at 5-day intervals over 25 days (10±1°C). One-way ANOVA with Least Significant Difference (LSD) post-hoc tests were used for statistical comparison at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: CaCl2 treatment significantly reduced physiological weight loss: treated fruits averaged 3.46 ± 0.41% versus 8.01 ± 0.78% (control) at ambient temperature, and 0.97 ± 0.14% versus 22.93 ± 2.11% (control) at low temperature (p ≤ 0.05). Treated fruits maintained higher TTA (mean 0.41 ± 0.02%) compared to controls (mean 0.30 ± 0.02%), and moisture content was better retained at higher CaCl2 concentrations. TSS was not significantly affected by CaCl2 treatment at either temperature. The 1.50% CaCl2 concentration produced the least weight loss (4.11%) at ambient temperature on day 9.

Conclusion: CaCl2 coating is an effective, inexpensive postharvest strategy for preserving the quality of Burkina tomatoes in Ghana. Combined low-temperature storage with CaCl2 treatment offered the greatest shelf-life extension.

Pollution indices and health risk due to mercury in the Buhemba artisanal and small-scale gold mine of Tanzania

Erasto Focus — 2026-09-23

This study assessed mercury (Hg) contamination and associated ecological risks in soils from the Buhemba artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) area in Tanzania. Soil samples (n =40) were collected from depths of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm and analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) utilizing the XOPOS 4R0138 instrument. The findings revealed that the average total Hg levels in mining soil were 23.58 mg/kg at a depth of 0-20 cm and 7.30 mg/ kg at 20-40 cm—exceeding national and international limits. The contamination/pollution factor and geo-accumulation index were 78.60 and 3.97 at 0-20 cm, and 24.33 and 2.28 at 20-40 cm. Additionally, the prospective ecological risk index and risk quotient were respectively 3143.73 and 589.45 at 0 20 cm, and 973.15 and 182.47 at 20-40 cm. Hg concentrations in Buhemba ASGM soils ranged (1.23–41.25 mg/kg). Pollution indices (CF ≥16; I-geo 3–4; ER ≥320; RI ≥600; RQ ≥1) confirmed severe Hg contamination. The significant difference of (p < 0.05) was revealed between soil depths and a positive relationship between Hg level and risk indices. These results suggest that ASGM activities are the primary source of pollution. On the other hand, analytical limitations and the use of international background values may lead to uncertainties. This work highlights considerable potential human health and ecological risks, underscoring the need for remediation plans and reinforced environmental management. Carrying out Hg remediation plans and soil improvement technologies are immediately needed. Community-based interventions and strengthened regulatory oversight are also recommended.

Estimating the Actuarial Funding Towards the Micro Pension Scheme in Ghana, A Hybrid of The Multiple Decrement Model and the Markov Process Model

Alfred Obeng-Tawiah — 2026-09-28

The issue of the financial sustainability of the micro pension scheme of Ghana based on the adequacy of the contribution rates to meet the benefit obligations is a matter of great concern. This study estimated the actuarial funding requirements of Ghana’s Micro Pension Scheme through the use of hybrid Multi-Decrement Model and Multi-state Markov Process approach. A multiple decrement model and Markov process model were used to develop a more integrated approach towards examining the actuarial funding requirements in Ghana’s Micro Pension Scheme. By incorporating the various decrement causes such as retirement, disability, withdrawal on volition, death, and the stochastic nature of the transition of the workers, a dynamic analysis of the pension contributions was realized. Using the Entry Age Normal Cost Method actuarial funding requirements were estimated to emphasize on meeting contributions in beneficiaries’ working years. The Actuarial Present Value of Benefits, APV (B), from Obeng-Tawiah A et al. (2025) was applied to estimate the Normal Cost Percent, P, and the Actuarial Present Value of Contributions, APV (C). The results revealed that it was cost-effective for contributors to enroll early while those that joined later experienced a higher cost percentage. The findings stress the need to adapt pension models considering economic and demographic variables. This study’s results can assist policymakers and pension officers in deriving a sustainable micro pension scheme to enhance retirement benefits of Ghana’s formal workers.

Prevalence, Mean Intensity and Abundance of Ectoparasites in Cage-cultured Nile Tilapia in Ghana

Abigail Amankwah — 2026-09-28

This study examined the prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance of ectoparasites in cage-cultured Nile tilapia in Volta Lake, Asuogyaman District, Ghana. Data on the peak infestation periods were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 30 cage farms. Five farms were purposively selected for monthly parasitological examinations over six months (February to July 2023), with 30 fish sampled from each farm per month. Ectoparasites were identified morphologically using taxonomic keys, and infestation parameters were estimated. The survey responses revealed two peak infestation periods: a major peak from February to March, and a minor peak from November to January. The ectoparasites identified included Trichodina, Ichthyophthirius, Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus, Cichlidogyrus, Diplostomum, Myxosporean, and Argulus. Significant monthly variations were observed in both the prevalence (p = 0.004) and abundance (p = 0.0495), with the highest levels observed in March. The percent prevalence, mean intensity, and relative abundance ranged from 3.3% to 51.77%, 0.51 to 2.04 and 1.7 to 4.4%, respectively. Trichodina was the most prevalent, intensive, and abundant ectoparasite genus. This study recommends longer-term seasonality work to better understand infestation trends and the identification of ectoparasites at the species level using molecular tools. Also, farmers should increase monitoring and apply preventive measures before and during peak infestation periods (February-March and November-January).

Gold In Plants: A BiogeochemicalApproach In Determining GoldAnomalies Undercover- A Case Study At Homase/Akokerri, Ghana

Maxwell Maxwell — 2026-09-29

This study examines whether gold concentrations in tree bark can be used to identify geochemical anomalies beneath regolith at Homase/Akokerri, Ghana. Forty bark samples were collected from four plant species: Kokoma (10), Nyamedua (10), Sesamasa (10), and Ofram (10). The samples were analysed for gold and selected pathfinder elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Kokoma recorded the highest average gold concentration, whereas Nyamedua and Ofram had lower values. Gold concentrations above the 0.5 ppm threshold reported by Lintern (2007) occurred in several samples. The results also include measurements of copper and arsenic for comparison with gold. The variation observed among the plant species indicates that tree bark may provide useful geochemical information in regolith-covered areas, although the plant results require confirmation with geological and conventional geochemical data.

Narrative, Visuals, and Utility: Examining the Film “Pregnancy” Tips as an Educational Media

Emmanuel Joel Ayu Nyarko — 2026-09-30

For many years, films have been used as a means of educating people about public issues. But how film formal elements and narrative styles influence its use as a health education and communication tool has not been researched much. To contribute to addressing this gap, this study engaged 13 health workers in the Ga South Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana through semi-structured interviews to examine how the formal features and narrative style of the film “Pregnancy Tips” shaped health workers' acceptance and use of the film for maternal health education. The findings were interpreted through the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU). The study found that the film’s direct educational style, familiar local food items, a relatable midwife as the message source, and the use of threat and efficacy appeals, which were mainly presented in Twi and supported by English narration, made it easy for health workers to use the film. Health workers also reported workload reduction because they delegated aspects of their educational work to the film as they performed other duties. They also used the film to reinforce their professional authority. The use of Twi language and the focus solely on nutritional messages were mentioned as limitations. The study contributes in-depth, context-specific insights into how film functions as an educational technology and exposes some contextual issues that should inform future production and use of films for health education in Ghana.

Assessment of Polypharmacy among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Diabetes Center of Excellence: Patterns and Associated Factors

Margretta Odame Antwi — 2026-10-06

Background: Polypharmacy, the use of five or more medications, is often associated with the management of chronic conditions, particularly Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy in T2DM patients.

Method: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at the Diabetes Centre of Excellence, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana, one of West Africa's largest tertiary hospitals and referral centres, to assess polypharmacy among individuals with T2DM. The study included 346 patients aged 40 years or older, following ethical approval. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (p < 0.05) using SPSS.

Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of polypharmacy (72.25%) among participants, influenced by gender, age (especially over 70), and employment status. Significant (p<0.05) comorbidities linked to polypharmacy included hyperlipidemia (86.67%), infectious diseases (79.07%), macrovascular complications (76.98%), and neuropathy (90.48%). The study also found significant associations (p<0.05) between polypharmacy and the use of analgesics (87.50%), anti-neuropathy medications (58.82%), antiplatelet/coagulant medications (93.83%), antibiotics (28.57%), antihypertensive medications (74.15%), lipid-lowering medications (79.17%), and other non-diabetes medications (88.89%).

Conclusion: The 72.5% prevalence of polypharmacy among the participants provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between comorbidities and polypharmacy in T2DM. The study recommends a multidisciplinary approach, including establishing a comprehensive diabetes registry and implementing medication therapy management (MTM) programs to optimise patient treatment.

Analysis Of Conventional Method of Teaching Studio-Based Practical Clay Courses in Higher Education During Covid-19

Betty Essuman — 2026-10-14

The study examined the switch to online teaching of practical clay courses in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to analyze traditional teaching methods and their impact on motivation, interest, digital literacy, self-regulation and task difficulty. Using a mixed methods design, the study collected quantitative data through 148 student questionnaires and qualitative findings from interviews with six class representatives. A five-point Likert scale (1= strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3= no opinion, 4= agree, 5= strongly agree) was used to express the construct measurement. Results showed that studio-based clay instruction was challenged by technological advances and lack of physical interaction during lockdown. Students showed little interest in online practical activities and experienced stress and anxiety. There is a necessity for pedagogical reforms and recommended adopting online methods for teaching clay courses to ensure academic continuity and better adaptation to future crises.

Branding a Paramount Chief Through Visual Identity Design: Evidence from Global South

Eric Agyarkoh — 2026-10-22

In Sub-Saharan African culture, the supremacy of chiefs is highly respected therefore, the study used artistic research to promote the supremacy of the paramount chief of Yilo Krobo Traditional Area in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study identified the indigenous totems of the traditional area and used them to design a customised clothe to brand the paramount chief. Constructionism philosophy and qualitative research approach were used. Expert purposive sampling was also used to select 34 participants, and focus group discussion and document study were used for data collection. The data was analysed thematically and findings revealed that, there are six divisional totems used by the traditional area and one state totem used by the paramount chief. However, the traditional area does not have any traditional clothe that identifies their paramount chief. The researchers based on the findings to design a customised clothe that gives unique identity to the paramount chief. The customised clothe was further discussed through aesthetic appreciation by using Edmund Burke Feldman’s criticism model as a criteria. The model prescribes that, aesthetic appreciation of an art work must reflect the following elements: description of the work, analysis of the technical qualities of the work, making logical interpretations of the work based on the concept, and making informed judgment to indicate whether the work is good or bad. The aesthetic appreciation revealed that, the elements used in the design actually reflects the traditional totems and symbols of the Yilo Krobo ethnic group. It also creates unique identity for the paramount chief and accentuates his supremacy in the traditional area.