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UGSpace is the institutional repository of the University of Ghana. UGSpace is an open access electronic archive for the collection, preservation and distribution of digital materials.
- facilitate the deposit of digital content of a scholarly or heritage nature
- and ultimately share, preserve and promote the intellectual output of the University in a managed environment.
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- Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.
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Recent Submissions
Expression Pattern of APC And P53 Proteins in Left-Sided and Right-Sided Colorectal Cancer in Ghanaians
(University of Ghana, 2023) Asaku, B N A.
Background: The development of colorectal cancer tumours is significantly impacted by the loss
of APC and p53 protein function. The anatomical difference between the left and right colon,
significantly influence tumorigenesis of left-sided and right-sided colorectal cancers. Additionally,
because of genetic and environmental differences, there are variations in how APC and p53 affect
the tumorigenesis of left- and right-sided colorectal cancer in different racial groups. Differences
in the genetic characterization of left-sided and right-sided colorectal cancers has informed the use
of tailor-made treatment that has contributed to increased survival rate in the developed countries.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the expression pattern of APC and p53 proteins in left and
right-sided colorectal cancer in Ghanaians and compare results to expression pattern of APC and
p53 in left and right normal colon.
Methodology: Ninety formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks were subjected to semi automated immunohistochemistry staining to determine the pattern of APC and p53 protein
expression in left-sided and right-sided colorectal cancers. Two independent assessors scored the
expression levels of the APC and p53 proteins in colorectal cancer and healthy colon tissues
independently, and Cohen's Kappa was used to determine the inter-rater reliability of the results.
To determine the significance of these proteins in the development and progression of colorectal
cancer in Ghanaians, the expression of the APC and p53 proteins in left-sided and right-sided
colorectal cancer were compared to the controls.
Result: APC protein was found in 74.4% of the total number of colorectal cancer cases and 100%
of normal colons, with a p-value of 0.012. Protein p53 was found in 73.3% of colorectal cancers
compared to 94.7% of normal colon (p-value = 0.044). APC protein expression was found in 70% of left-sided colorectal cancer and 100% of left normal colon. APC protein expression was found
in 86.7% of right-sided colorectal cancers and 100% of right normal colon. The p53 protein was
expressed in 75% of left-sided colorectal cancers and 100% of left normal colons. Protein p53
expression was found in 70% of right-sided colorectal cancers and 87.5% of right normal colons.
With a p-value of 0.001, high p53 expression was significantly associated with LCRCs versus
RCRCs. There was no correlation between protein expression and tumour stage or grade.
Conclusion: The significant difference in APC expression between healthy and cancerous colons
demonstrates that loss of APC expression influences the development of colorectal cancer in a
small percentage of Ghanaians. The high proportion of APC protein expression in both left-sided
and right-sided colorectal cancers may demonstrate the majority of colorectal cancers in Ghanaians
are not caused by loss of expression of wild type APC protein, and that other molecular genetic
factors contribute to the initiation of colorectal cancer in Ghanaians.
The Socio-Cultural Impacts of Flimani Kɔku Dance and Rituals on Kadzakɔƒe - An Ethnographic Overview.
(University of Ghana, 2022) Torgboh, J.
This study documents the historical origins and significance of Flimani Kɔku, its dance, song and
ritual performances in Kadzakɔƒe, a small farming community in the Ketu South District of the
Volta Region of Ghana. Just like Yeve, Flimani Kɔku and its variants Afesa and Tu are restricted
societies whose rituals and practices are strictly kept from the public space although many people
are aware of the fascinating supernatural powers that are put in the public domain on celebratory
occasions among the Ewes. The practice of Flimani Kɔku and its variants Afesa and Tu are mainly
the preserve of the Ewe ethnic group that is spread across West Africa including Ghana, Togo,
Benin and some parts of Nigeria. Essentially, Flimani Kɔku, which is the focus of this study, is
an Aŋlɔ-Eʋe religious and cultural practice with its own music and dance patterns.
The study, therefore, presents the significance of Flimani Kɔku, by documenting its practice –
dance and music performance patterns as well as its values and rituals in Kadzakɔƒe. This study
area of study is complete virgin territory and was therefore replete with some challenges, which
but for the researcher‟s own early immersion into vodu practice, would have derailed the work.
In documenting Flimani Kɔku, the study conceptualises the practice as an embodiment of
AŋlɔEʋe indigenous Knowledge systems and is an archive of history, beliefs and culture, which
impart social values and a sense of identity by ensuring the spiritual development of its members.
The study therefore aims to preserve and protect the practice from the onslaught of foreign
religions, especially the Judeo-Christian faith, which is at the forefront of denigrating traditional
religious practices as exemplified in a similar attack on the „Trokosi‟ religious practice with the
justification that it was not a „religion‟ but an enslavement of women and girls.
Based on the data collected by this study, Flimani Kɔku practice is clearly not only an age-long
religious belief of Kadzakɔƒe of other Aŋlɔ-Eʋe communities who benefit from its spiritual protection and guidance, the inculcation of moral values, impartation of generational knowledge
while fostering social cohesion in the communities of practice.
The study relies on an ethnographic field work approach which explores and documents the
practice of Flimani Koku through participant observation and other ethnographic techniques in
the community of Kadzakope.
Finally, the study used a qualitative approach of enquiry of intensive ethnographic exploration
with its tools and mechanisms - interviews, focus group discussions, observation, participant
observation and audio-visual recordings - in documenting Flimani Kɔku, its history, dance and
socio-cultural impact on the Kadzakɔƒe
Mental Health Status of Health Care Workers in Saltpond Government Hospital in the Context of Covid-19
(University of Ghana, 2023) Ameyaw, I.
Title of study: Mental health status of health care workers in Saltpond government hospital in the
context of COVID-19.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public mental health.
During a pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to many stresses that predispose them
to psychological disorders. To learn more about these issues, this study was conducted to assess
the mental health status of health care workers in a selected government hospital in Ghana. The
outcome of this study is expected to inform strategies to improve mental health status of health
workers in such situations.
Method: This study used a cross-sectional analytic design with a simple random sampling method
and a close-ended structured questionnaire to collect data. Chi square and fisher exact tests and
multiple logistic regression were used to identify and test the association between dependent and
independent variables. A total of 296 healthcare workers in Saltpond Government Hospital were
involved in the study.
Results: Among healthcare professionals, depression, anxiety, and stress was prevalent.
Approximately 55(20.27%) health workers were depressed, 44(15.07%) anxious, and 76(22.79%)
stressed. The study found that depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly associated with
socio-demographic characteristics such as marital status and gender. About 169(57.24%) had
“excellent knowledge” and 102(34.48%) had “good knowledge” of COVID-19 among the
participants.
Conclusion and Recommendations: A significant proportion of health workers in the study area
were found to be depressed, anxious, and stressed. Mental health services should be strengthened by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to reduce the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress
among healthcare workers. Periodic screening should be conducted among hospital staff. The
counseling and public health education units of GHS should be strengthened to enhance awareness
among healthcare workers the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and relevant
coping strategies.
Effect of Pretreatment Times on the Quality Characteristics of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ofsp) Flour
(University of Ghana, 2023) Akpey, M.
Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) flour presents a promising alternative to traditional flours,
offering enhanced nutritional benefits, particularly in Vitamin A content. This research delves into
the drying characteristics of OFSP slices and the subsequent quality of its flour. The primary focus
was to ascertain the impact of chemical and hot water blanching pretreatment durations prior to
air drying at varied temperatures.
The OFSP samples, sourced from a farm, underwent a process of washing, peeling, and slicing to
a thickness of 3mm. These samples were then subjected to blanching in hot water and ascorbic
acid for durations ranging from 1 to 3 minutes, followed by drying at temperatures of 50, 60, and
70℃. Key drying characteristics, such as drying curves, moisture ratio, and effective moisture
diffusivity, were meticulously studied. Quality attributes, including color, water absorption
capacity, and swelling index, were also analyzed, with color assessment conducted using a
HunterLab colorimeter.
Findings revealed that a drying temperature of 70℃ resulted in the shortest drying time. Ascorbic
acid pretreatment for 3 minutes retained the highest moisture content across all temperatures.
Effective moisture diffusivity values oscillated between 1.081 to 1.171×10-9 m²/s, with samples
dried at 70℃ showcasing higher values. Five thin-layer models were employed to interpret the
drying curves, with the Page model proving optimal for temperatures of 50oC and 60℃, and the
logarithmic model for 70℃.
The research underscores that varying combinations of pretreatment, duration, and drying
temperature can yield diverse outcomes concerning quality criteria. In the broader context of the
food industry, the insights from this study can pave the way for the large-scale production of high-quality OFSP flour, potentially revolutionizing flour-based products with enhanced nutritional
profiles.
Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Ghana’s Free Senior High School Policy: The Case of Two Municipalities in Greater Accra Region.
(University of Ghana, 2022) Mensah, M.
Article 25 of the 1992 constitution calls for the introduction of Progressive free education in
Ghana. In response, the government of the New Patriotic Party in 2017 introduced the Free
Senior High School Policy. The Free Senior High School Policy has been in existence for
nearly five years and has received varied feedback in the media landscape of Ghana among
stakeholders on the success and challenges of the policy. In recent times, the Free senior high
school policy has come up for media discussion following reports of food shortage in the senior
high schools around the country. These reports make a clarion call for the review of the policy.
However, what is clear from the foregoing is the lack of empirical data to inform some of the
stakeholders’ discussion on the policy. Few studies about the policy have mainly explored
teachers’ perspectives on the implementation of the double track system in Ghana (Mensah,
2019) and on the impact of free senior high education (Duflo et al., 2021). However, studies
on stakeholders’ perspectives on Ghana’s Free Senior High School policy is missing. This
study therefore set out to explore the perspectives of stakeholders regarding the FSHS policy
in the Ga West and Ga Central Municipalities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The
objectives were to: find out the benefits associated with the implementation of the FSHS policy,
challenges associated with the implementation of the FSHS policy and to explore
recommendation by stakeholders in the implementation of FSHS policy. Basic interpretative
qualitative research design was employed for the study. A purposive sampling technique was
adopted to select 30 participants for the study. This was against the backdrop that the researcher
needed to select participants who possessed characteristics critical for the study. Data was
collected utilizing face-to-face interviews with the aid of a semi-structured interview guide.
Data were analysed using Charmaz’s (2006) three-stage thematic standard coding. The results
of the study showed, since the introduction of FSHS policy there have been remarkable increase
in enrolment, completion rates and over all, the policy has eased the financial burden of parents and guardians. The findings further indicate that the FSHS policy has brought in its wave
challenges including teaching related issues, infrastructural challenges, delay in disbursement
of funds, and lack of proper monitoring and collaboration with the school management
committee. Additionally, the findings revealed that monitoring of the policy, expansion in
infrastructure, and prompt release of funds as recommendations by stakeholders. The study
recommends that government should ensure there is an opportunity to consult with
stakeholders on the issue of sharing the cost with them. Also, the study recommends that the
Ministry of Education employ more teachers and recruit national service personnel as support
teachers to reduce the workload on teachers.