Community-led total sanitation(CLTS)implementation in West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly in Ghana.What do communities think eleven years on?

Objective Access to improved sanitation is a fundamental human right and an important aspect of Public Health.However,an estimated thousands of people in Ghana especially,the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly(WMMA)still have no access to adequate toilet facilities.This has brought untold health repercussions to the inhabitants,the community,and the environment at large.To address this menace,the community-led total sanitation(CLTS)was implemented.This study aimed to assess communities’perspectives on the implementation of CLTS and to understand the factors influencing its success and failures.Methods A mixed-method approach involving sequential qualitative and quantitative methods was employed in this study.Participants for the quantitative study were randomly selected and surveyed using questionnaires.The qualitative study employed focus group discussion involving purposively sampled participants including assembly members,opinion leaders,and assembly staff.Results The CLTS program in WMMA realized an apparent use of construction and proper use of household latrines leading to a reduction of open defecation free(ODF)and two communities achieving sanitized status in the history of the study area,enabling the training of latrine artisans and natural leaders to facilitate the CLTS expansion and sustainability,improved sanitation and hygiene,strengthened the enforcement of community rules and regulations and many others.Conclusion The CLTS program has received more widespread acceptance in the study area than the previous government policy of constructing public toilets,which was greeted with massive failures due to poor implementation.To ensure that gains achieved through CLTS implementation are sustained longer,it is recommended that chiefs and opinion leaders should be involved in the CLTS programs to ensure checks and enforcement.The entrenchment of bylaws and more education to address enduring myths and misconceptions will sustain the program.Subsidies in the form of sanitation loans for latrine construction materials by the government and supporting non-governmental organizations(NGOs)will be paramount in sustaining ODF.

The organic geochemistry of crude oil in the Saltpond Basin(Ghana):Organic source input,depositional environment,and thermal maturity

The Saltpond Basin,situated within the South Atlantic margin of Ghana,is a significant area for petro-leum exploration but has received relatively limited research attention.Previous studies have examined source rock com-position,but data on crude oil organic chemistry are lack-ing,hindering understanding of the basin’s petroleum system and evolution.To address this gap,we analyzed biomarkers and stable carbon-isotope ratios in Saltpond Basin crude oil using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry to eluci-date organic matter source,depositional environment,and thermal maturity.Findings were compared with oils from the West African segment of the South Atlantic margin,namely the Tano Basin and the Niger Delta Basin,to iden-tify potential correlations and gain insights into regional variations.Molecular and isotopic results unveiled a sig-nificant prevalence of organic matter derived from lower marine organisms.Patterns of organic matter deposition and preservation in Saltpond oil samples suggested a suboxic marine transitional environment,contradicting conventional understanding of terrestrial dominance in such settings.Moreover,the potential for degradation processes to obscure differentiation between terrestrial and marine organic mat-ter origins underscores the complex nature of organic mat-ter dynamics in transitional marine environments.Analysis of molecular thermal maturity indices suggested Saltpond oils were expelled from source rocks exhibiting thermal maturity at the early maturity stage.Correlation analysis unveiled genetic disparities among crude oils sourced from the Saltpond Basin and those from the Tano and Niger Delta Basin,primarily due to variations in source input and depo-sitional environment conditions.Saltpond oil exhibits lower terrestrial organic input than Tano Basin’s crude oils,which also have less terrestrial input than Niger Delta Basin crude oils.Additionally,its paleodepositional environment nota-bly differs from oils in the Tano Basin(anoxic transitional marine-lacustrine settings)and the Niger Delta Basin(sub-oxic–oxic terrigenous deltaic or marine or lacustrine envi-ronments).Thermal maturity range of Saltpond oil is com-parable to oils in the Tano Basin but lower than oils in the Niger Delta Basin.Thesefindings provide valuable insights into petroleum generation history and unique organic geo-chemical characteristics within the Saltpond Basin,essen-tial for exploration,production,and environmental manage-ment efforts in the region.Furthermore,correlation studies provide evidence that distinct biological,geological,and paleoenvironmental conditions shaped various oil types in the West African segment of the South Atlantic margin.

Climatic and non-climatic factors driving the livelihood vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Ahafo Ano North District,Ghana

Smallholder farmers in Ahafo Ano North District,Ghana,face multiple climatic and non-climatic issues.This study assessed the factors contributing to the livelihood vulnerability of smallholder farmers in this district by household surveys with 200 respondents and focus group discussions(FGDs)with 10 respondents.The Mann–Kendall trend test was used to assess mean annual rainfall and temperature trends from 2002 to 2022.The relative importance index(RII)value was used to rank the climatic and non-climatic factors perceived by respondents.The socioeconomic characteristics affecting smallholder farmers’perceptions of climatic and non-climatic factors were evaluated by the binary logistic regression model.Results showed that mean annual rainfall decreased(P>0.05)but mean annual temperature significantly increased(P<0.05)from 2002 to 2022 in the district.The key climatic factors perceived by smallholder farmers were extreme heat or increasing temperature(RII=0.498),erratic rainfall(RII=0.485),and increased windstorms(RII=0.475).The critical non-climatic factors were high cost of farm inputs(RII=0.485),high cost of healthcare(RII=0.435),and poor condition of roads to farms(RII=0.415).Smallholder farmers’perceptions of climatic and non-climatic factors were significantly affected by their socioeconomic characteristics(P<0.05).This study concluded that these factors negatively impact the livelihoods and well-being of smallholder farmers and socioeconomic characteristics influence their perceptions of these factors.Therefore,to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change,it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive and context-specific approach that accounts for climatic and non-climatic factors.

Determinants of Modern Contraceptive Uptake among the Youth in Akuse Township in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Ghana

Background: Access to safe and effective contraception is crucial for sexual and reproductive health to be at its best. This allows improved pregnancy results and the avoidance of unintended births. Teenagers’ views on using contraceptives are influenced by the information available at their disposal. The study assessed the influential factors affecting the utilization of modern contraceptives among the youth in Akuse in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods: The data for the study were gathered from 378 consented youth aged 15 - 24 years using a quantitative cross-sectional study design and a well-structured questionnaire. Person’s Chi-Square test was adopted to measure the association between the outcome variable and selected independent variables. Logistic regression models were utilized to measure the odds of the factors influencing modern contraceptive use among the respondents. Results: The results of the study suggested a high knowledge level of contraceptives;however, the prevalence of utilization was low. The level of education and age were factors found to influence the uptake of contraceptives. A bivariate analysis to examine the association between selected socio-demographic variables revealed that educational level (p = 0.044), religious affiliation (p = 0.002), and ethnicity (p = 0.016) were statistically associated with modern contraceptive use among the respondents. All other tested demographic variables including the age groups, gender, marital status, and residential status proved otherwise at the observed p-values greater than the 0.05 threshold. Respondents who indicated staying with partners were 6.79 times more likely to use contraceptives compared to their counterparts staying with a parent, after controlling for all other covariates. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that high contraceptive knowledge influences the choice of contraceptive preferred by the youth, and contraceptive use is also influenced by the advancement in age and educational level of the youth. It is however recommended that parents, guidance, and teachers be entreated to offer relevant and timely sexual information or education as these will most likely improve the uptake of modern contraceptives among the targeted population.

The Alzheimer’s Dementia Patients’ Observed Illness Course and Experience in Ghana and Care Lessons to Be Learnt: A Mental Health Professional’s Perspective

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and associated dementia patient numbers continue to increase globally with associated economic costs to healthcare systems. Of note is the increase in numbers in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) including Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, which already face challenges with their health budgets from communicable and non-communicable diseases. Ghana, an SSA country, faces the problem of healthcare budgetary difficulties and the additional impact of AD as a consequence of increasing population strata of old aged persons (OAPs) due to the demographic transition effect. This article uses examples of known patients’ illness courses to give a perspective on the lived experience of patients with dementia (PWD) in Ghana, living amongst a populace with a culture of stigmatization of PWD, and a relatively fragile public mental health system (PMHS) for those with mental illness, including AD. The lived experience of AD patients is characterised by stigmatisation, discrimination, non-inclusiveness, diminished dignity and human rights abuses in the face of their mental disability, and eventually death. This article is an advocacy article giving voice to the voiceless and all persons suffering from AD and other dementias in Ghana, whilst pleading for a call to action from healthcare professionals and responsible state agencies.

Correlates of Mistimed Pregnancy and Unmet Need for Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age in Sandema, Ghana

Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. In developing countries, over 100 million females have unmet need, and national surveys in Ghana indicate 23% unmet need rate. Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based approach, a sample size of 300 women of reproductive age were selected using multi-step cluster sampling techniques. The study was quantitative, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two-third (66%) of the women in reproductive age still had unmet need, 71% were currently pregnant, and more than a third (36%) confirmed ever having a mistimed pregnancy. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the women confirmed never communicating with their partners on family planning issues, a little below half (45%) took their own health care decisions. Seventy nine percent (79%) ever received family planning services from a health professional. Factors related to unmet needs included mistimed pregnancy, level of education, preferred birth/pregnancy interval, communication between partners and the autonomy to spend self-earnings. Conclusion: Considering that high rates of unmet need results in mistimed pregnancy, improved policies around the influence of unmet need on mistimed pregnancies are needed.

Optimization of Diesel and Crude Oil Degradation in a Ghanaian Soil Using Organic Wastes as Amendment

Soil contamination by hydrocarbons poses numerous environmental, health and agricultural problems. The degradation of these pollutants can occur naturally but very slowly. It is therefore generally necessary to stimulate this degradation by different means. Thus, this study aimed to improve the bio-degradation of diesel and crude oil in a Ghanaian soil by biostimulation. For this, the sampled soil was characterized by standard methods and contaminated with diesel and crude oil at a proportion of 1% (w/w). Then, contaminated soil samples were supplemented with biochar-compost, poultry manure or cow dung at the proportion of 10% (w/w). Periodically, fractions of these samples were taken to evaluate the density of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) and the residual quantities of diesel or crude oil. The characteristics of the soil used show the need for supplementation for better degradation of hydrocarbons. The results of the study show that supplementing the soil with organic substrates increases HUB loads in soils contaminated by diesel and crude oil. They also show that the residual quantities of diesel and crude oil are generally significantly lower in supplemented soils (p = 0.048 and p < 0.0001 respectively). In addition, the study shows that degradation was generally greater in soils contaminated by diesel compared to those contaminated by crude oil, especially at the end of the study.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Consultants’ Roles in Improving Value for Money in Public Infrastructure Projects in Ghana

Ghanaian construction projects encounter a number of challenges, including low health, safety, and environmental requirements, poor performance, and time and cost overruns. To provide value for money (VFM) on government infrastructure projects in Ghana, this research assesses the roles of project consultants, specifically architects and quantity surveyors, and highlights important obstacles. A cross-sectional survey design involving architects and quantity surveyors yielded a 96% response rate after 100 questionnaires were distributed. Consultants’ responsibilities also include monitoring standards compliance, providing advice on delays, controlling budgets, and advising on project completion dates. Difficulties encompass a lack of promptness in decision-making, unethical conduct, political pressure, and inadequate focus on contract administration and construction audits. Project urgency, longevity, political clout, timely decision-making, and team experience are important variables that impact VFM. Policy makers and construction management practitioners should take note of the implications for Ghana’s public infrastructure projects.

Electrical Installation Safety Assessment of Buildings in Kumasi, Ghana

This study aims to evaluate the safety status of electrical installations in residential and commercial buildings within the Suame ECG strategic business unit, Ghana, focusing on compliance with international and Ghanaian wiring standards. The research assesses key factors influencing safety, including the certification of electricians, the quality of cable brands used, proper cable sizing, adherence to wiring color codes, the awareness and use of Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), and the protection of earth electrodes. A descriptive research design was utilized, involving extensive field surveys and electrical installation audits. Data were collected using standardized tools and analyzed with SPSS software to evaluate the professional competencies of artisans and their adherence to safety standards. The findings indicate significant safety risks, with 69.7% of electricians lacking proper certification, leading to the widespread use of non-approved cable brands, improper cable sizing, and deviations from wiring color codes. Additionally, deficiencies were found in the awareness and use of RCCBs and the protection of earth electrodes. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance electrical safety, including mandatory certification for electricians, public awareness campaigns, regular inspections, and ongoing training and development programs. These measures are crucial for improving the overall safety and quality of electrical installations in the Suame area, Ghana.

(Re)assessing Climate-Smart Agriculture practices for sustainable food systems outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa:The case of Bono East Region,Ghana

This research paper assesses the reality of Climate-Smart Agriculture(CSA)practices’potential to promote the outcomes of sustainable food systems(SFS)within Ghana’s smallholding agriculture context.The study demon-strates that rural farmers generally perceive CSA’s contribution to‘food and nutrition security’and‘economic performance’as more important than CSA’s contribution to‘social equity’and‘environmental stewardship’.From a narrow perspective,the study demonstrates that farmers perceive CSA’s potential to‘prevent pest and disease outbreaks’and‘increase human capital information’as the most important contribution of CSA to SFS outcomes.In contrast,CSA’s potential to promote environmental stewardship is perceived as the least important among Ghana’s rural farmers.This enormity of displacement of smallholders’perceptions at large is motivated by de-mographic,socioeconomic and ecological factors.Moreso,the CSA for SFS outcomes narratives is driven by farmers’self-apprise,social networks and other local information dissemination agents.Furthermore,research findings suggest farmers’awareness of CSA practices and interventions is deficient owing to unmet training and information needs for approximately 82%of the CSA practices and interventions.This situation elucidates the dichotomy of CSA practices’narratives as tools for attaining food,nutrition security and economic performance to the detriment of critical issues such as increasing awareness and building farmers’capacity to engage with CSA practices while also managing socio-ecological trade-offs that emerge over time due to engagement with CSA.Critical(re)orientation is needed across the scale to drive CSA practices and interventions that confine cli-mate adaptation and food production practices within safe planetary boundaries without undermining social,economic,food and nutrition security needs.

Occurrence of Salmonella Enteric Serovar Typhi Antibodies among Blood Donors in Ghana

Background: Donated blood contaminated with S. Typhi can cause post-transfusion sepsis. This study aimed to determine the correlation between some risk factors of typhoid fever and seroprevalence of antibodies against S. Typhi among blood donors. Methodology: Following informed consent, socio-demographic and information on risk factors of typhoid infection was obtained using pre-structured questionnaires from 400 apparently healthy blood donors at the Tema General Hospital. Blood was also collected for serology and cultured for identification of pathogens by standard bacteriological method. Results: Blood culture did not reveal any S. Typhi isolate out of the tested 400 (348 males and 52 females) samples from apparently healthy blood donors. However, IgM and IgG antibody seroprevalence of 9.3% and 3.5% were detected. Age group of 17 - 24 years was the highest risk group, persons with a history of typhoid infection, and sources of drinking water were major risk factors for typhoid infection. It was also observed that prevalence of IgM was highest among new donors (62.2%), but lower in donors with a history of 1 to 3 blood donations (32.4%) and least among regular donors (>3 donations (5.4%)). In addition, typhoid prevention awareness and typhoid knowledge (knowledge about typhoid transmission) among the donors were poor (4.3% and 5.9% respectively). Conclusions: This study has shown an overall seroprevalence of 9% and 3.5% for IgM and IgG antibodies respectively among blood donors in the Tema area in Ghana. We advocate for the mandatory screening of donor units intended for transfusion for S. Typhi. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for the health education of all persons in Ghana on preventive measures and the spread of S. Typhi.

Social interactions in periodic urban markets and their contributions to sustainable livelihoods:Evidence from Ghana

Periodic markets are an important aspect of local economies,providing a platform for farmers(producers),wholesalers,retailers,and consumers to interact face-to-face and exchange goods and services.These markets have been increasing in urban areas in Africa,Asia,and South America because of urbanization.The increase of periodic urban markets(PUMs)in urban areas is observed as an index of modernization,reflecting a response to transition process.However,there are limited studies on how social interactions in PUMs contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This study investigated the types of social interactions occurring in PUMs in Ghana,the benefits of social interactions for participants of PUMs,and how social interactions contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This research interviewed 162 participants,comprising 27 farmers(farmers were regarded as producers in this study),61 retailers,47 wholesalers from 9 selected PUMs across Ghana,and 27 officers from government institutions and non-governmental market associations to obtain their opinions.We analyzed the interview data using the NVivo software.The results showed that there are seven kinds of social interactions in PUMs,including(i)producer-wholesaler relationship,(ii)producer-consumer relationship,(iii)wholesaler-retailer relationship,(iv)retailer-consumer relationship,(v)trader-driver relationship,(vi)trader-institution relationship,and(vii)trader-international buyer relationship.We found that these social interactions in PUMs enhance sustainable livelihoods by supporting human,social,financial,natural,and physical assets of traders(traders refer to producers,wholesalers,and retailers in this study).Therefore,we concluded that the development of policies to improve PUMs could strengthen social interactions,enabling the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries.

Trend Analysis of Exchange Rate of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar Using Time Series

Exchange rate volatility or its stability is a key determinant of the state of a country’s economy. The Ghana cedi’s performance against the US dollar in recent times has been the worse in the past decade. This has resulted in high inflation, high cost of living and high cost of production in Ghana. Despite the recent economic recovery growth, the cedi continues to strife in high rate of exchange against the dollar. This study examines and models a trend, and makes predictions of future rates of the cedis against the US dollar. Methodology: The study used a 13-year data of exchange rates of Ghana cedi and the US dollar spanning from 2010 to mid-2023 from the Bank of Ghana’s economic data on exchange rates, Ghana Stock Exchange and the World Bank. The ARIMA and SARIMA models were used to model the trends and for forecasting, taking into the consideration the asymmetric and seasonal effect of the data. Results: The outputs show that, the Ghana cedi will continue to rise but steadily against the US dollar for the remaining months of 2023 except in December, and continue to decline afterwards through into 2024. Conclusion: The cedi continues to weaken in value and the strength of its purchasing power. A weaker currency depicts a “junk” economy which affects its foreign investment. As the US dollar continues to rise, the Government and policy makers must implement effective policies to stabilize its rise against the cedi. Export of commodities must increase in addition to import restrictions to balance trade deficit and to strengthen the Ghana Cedi.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Agricultural Mechanization Technologies by Women Farmers in the Karaga District of Ghana

Labour-saving or mechanization technologies have become the driving force behind modern agriculture, yet adoption of these technologies remains low in many parts of the developing world, particularly among female farmers in Ghana. This study aims to investigate the factors that hinder the adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies by female farmers in the Karaga District of the Northern Region of Ghana. This region is known for its large agricultural lands and significant role in commercial farming. The research was conducted using qualitative research methodology and involved interviewing 60 female farmers using an interview guide. The principle of sample saturation was used, meaning that further interviews were deemed unnecessary after the 60th interview. The results showed that low adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies is due to poor access to commercial lands, gender biases, lack of access to credit, and poor awareness about the benefits of these technologies. In conclusion, the low adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies is preventing women farmers in the Karaga District and elsewhere in Ghana from fully participating in commercial agricultural production. It is recommended that gender biases and cultural stereotypes be addressed to improve women farmers’ access to lands and credit, which will facilitate the adoption of mechanization technologies and lead to improved agricultural production.

Rainfall Variability Patterns in West Africa： Case of Cote d＇lvoire and Ghana

This study is focused first on the rainfall variability in C6te d＇Ivoire and in Ghana; second, on the determination of the climatic zones of these areas. Monthly rainfall heights recorded in 43 weather stations from 1964 to 2000 is carried out. This study suggests a sudivision in three climatic zones which are： the littoral zone that borders the tropical Atlantic, the center zone that is located in the central region of both countries, and the northern zone whose seasonal cycle is close to that of the Sahel of West Africa. The study of the interannual variability of the rainfall shows some patterns which are differently influenced by sea surface temperature. Such work could be useful for agricultural activities and to better quantify the role of the vegetation dynamics.

Morphological Characterization of Some Water Yam （Dioscorea alata L.） Germplasm in Ghana

The Asiatic Dioscorea alata yam species is an important food crop, especially in Cote d＇lvoire. It has high yield and stores longer than Dioscorea cayenensis/rotundata yam and therefore fills the hunger gap created when other yam types arc not available. However, very little research has been done on it. Several cultivars are susceptible to pests and diseases and lack the aesthetic values of smooth skin and elegant tuber shape ofDioscorea rotundata that appeal to consumers in the market. This study therefore sought to establish the genetic variability and relationships among 35 accessions of Ghanaian Dioscorea alata together with 14 accessions introduced from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Nigeria. Morphological variation was studied to establish genetic relationship among 49 accessions assembled as Dioscorea alata in Ghana. Principal component analysis （PCA） indicated that the first two principal components accounted for 25.27% of total variation from accessions with PCA1 and PCA2, contributing 13.92% and 11.35%, respectively. Cluster analysis performed clearly separated the 49 accessions into three main groupings using unweighted neighbour-joining method. Morphological descriptors were able to group the accessions into distinct clusters independent of place of collection.

Impact of Safety-Maintenance Practices on the Overall Performance of an Industry

The study aims to evaluate how safety-maintenance practices affect the mechanical engineering industry’s overall performance in Ghana. The study used a descriptive survey design technique to ascertain the type of maintenance engineering that was practiced in Ghanaian mechanical engineering workshops at the time of the study. In the mechanical engineering workshops, respondents provided both qualitative and quantitative data using a variety of data collecting instruments, with the quantitative approach being more common. The study employed Kumasi, Tamale, and Accra’s mechanical engineering workshops as a case study. The number of mechanical engineering workshop enterprises that made up the sample size for the questionnaire administration was sixty (60), chosen at random from the AGI membership registry. Primary data was gathered using interview guides and questionnaires. To analyse the data, descriptive statistics were employed. According to the study’s findings, mechanical engineering companies combined different maintenance techniques in order to best fit their organisational culture and equipment. Preventive shut-down, with a mean score of 4.78 and RII = 0.98, placing first (1st) in the Likert rating order, is the most frequently used maintenance system by respondents. The maintenance procedures employed by mechanical engineering organisations were influenced not only by their equipment and organisational culture but also by other factors such as cost, personnel expertise and external partnerships.

Wastewater Quality Assessment of a Petroleum Refinery in Ghana

TOR （Tema oil refinery） is the only petroleum refinery in Ghana. To assess the quality of the wastewater, wastewater samples taken from three points of discharge into the treatment plant and the treated effluent were analyzed for physico-chemical characteristics. The levels of the pH, temperature, conductivity, COD （Chemical Oxygen Demand）, TDS （Total Dissolved Solids）, TSS （Total Suspended Solids） and phenol were assessed from January to June, 2011. The results obtained indicate varied levels of contaminants in both the untreated and treated wastewater. The average values of the treated effluent parameters analyzed were 38 ℃, 6,258 μs.cm-1, 314 mg-L-1, 115 mg.L-1, 2,689 mg-L-1 and 1 mg.L-1 for the temperature, conductivity, COD, TDS, TSS and phenol, respectively. The results suggest that both the raw wastewater and the treated effluent did not meet the discharge limit set by Ghana Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore, the treated effluent required additional treatment before it can be discharged into the environment. This suggests that the wastewater treatment plant of TOR is ineffective for the type of wastewater produced.

Smallholder Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Northern Ghana

Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are engaged in the promotion of soil and water conservation practices in Northern Ghana, but adoption is believed to be low. This study thus examines the determinants of conservation practices adoption by farming households in the area. Data for the study were collected from 445 households located in 15 communities in Northern Ghana. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate probit models were used to analyse the decision to adopt six conservation practices in the area. Results show that the major determinants of adoption are plot and cropping characteristics such as location; and socio-economic and institutional variables such as number of contacts with extension officers, membership in farmer association and distance to major market. A policy implication of the study is the strengthening of extension service in the area to significantly boost conservation adootion.

Indigenous Methods of Processing Shea Butter and Perceptions about Rancidity in Northern Ghana

This study aimed at the geographical variation in methods of processing shea butter that has been passed on from generation to generation and storage procedures （materials and containers used/perceived shelf life of the products used for preservation and local perceptions about rancidity）. Little variation was found in indigenous processing methods, utilization and storage across most of the three regions. Only among the Dagomba tribe in the Northern region did women intentionally use shrubs to add yellow colour to butter particularly that for the market. The use of onions and lemon/lime leaves to prevent rancidity and also improve the taste and smell of butter was found to be practiced by only one missionary group. Perception about shelf life of the butter was found to vary widely among the processors and consumers （3 months to 2 years）. Though this was the main focus of the study, most of the indigenous processors and consumers apart from the missionary group had little experience as far as this problem was concerned. This was due to the fact that most of them consumed the butter within one or two months after processing and so the product is not kept long enough to give any appreciable signs of rancidity.