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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 to:
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- 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.
- Grey literature consists of research and information produced outside conventional publishing channels, such as reports, policy briefs, working papers, and conference materials. It offers valuable insights and data that complement peer-reviewed sources, supporting research, policy, and practice.
- The J. H. Kwabena Nketia Archives preserve Ghanaian and African cultural heritage through music, oral traditions, photographs, and audiovisual collections. Guided by Professor Nketia’s vision that African traditional arts must be collected, preserved, practiced, and continually inspire creative expression, the Archives serve as a living resource for scholarship, teaching, and innovation
Recent Submissions
Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Water as a Potential Cause of International Conflict for Ghana(University of Ghana, 2025) Osei, K.A.Water resources have been and will always continue to be a very important resource globally. Given the growing scarcity of the resource amid global phenomena such as climate change and population growth, it is important to study how availability of the resource affects relationships that exist among nations. Focusing on Ghana, this study sought to identify the possibility of how available freshwater resources amid current global issues may impact the diplomatic relations of Ghana resulting in conflicting goals. Using the qualitative method of research, the study sought to examine how the mismanagement of resources could negatively impact the relations between nations in the international system. However, some of these agreements need to be reviewed, in order to accommodate the challenges that growing global issues such as change in climate that affect the hydrological cycle. Furthermore, although Galamsey poses an internal threat to water security, it involves foreigners who do not have the permission to engage in small scale mining according to the country’s legislation. The findings suggests that most international agreements need to be reviewed whereas the country also needs to enforce legislations that are meant to promote water security.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Human–environmental overlap of resistant Enterobacterales: genomic evidence linking coastal waters and community carriage of antimicrobial resistance in a low- and middle-income setting.(Frontiers in Antibiotics, 2025-12-18) Appiah-Korang, L.; Obeng-Nkrumah, N.; Sarpong, A.; Adomako, L.A.B.; et al.Background: Coastal waters contaminated by antimicrobial resistant hotspots may serve as reservoirs for third-generation cephalosporin resistant Enterobacterales (3GCR-E), extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)- producers, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), but their role in driving human carriage remains poorly understood. Aim: We investigated intestinal carriage of 3GCR-E, ESBL-producers, and CRE in coastal and inland communities in Accra, Ghana, and examined the genomic overlap between human and wastewater-derived CRE isolates. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2023 to June 2024 with 800 participants (400 from coastal and 400 from inland communities). We cultured fecal samples from participants and water samples from lagoons and shorelines for 3GCR-E, ESBL-producers, and CRE. The CRE isolates from both human and wastewater were whole genome sequenced for comparison. Results: Overall, 53.6% (n=429/800) of participants carried 3GCR-E, with 43.6% being ESBL-producers and 1.5% being CRE, the latter restricted only to coastal residents. In the pooled analysis, inland residence was independently associated with reduced odds of 3GCR-E carriage (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.48–0.85; p = 0.001). For coastal participants, not swimming was protective against ESBL carriage (aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.42–0.95; p = 0.030). All human and wastewater CRE isolates were E. coli and clustered in mixed-source phylogenetic clades (ST10, ST940) with >95% average nucleotide identity and pairwise SNP differences as low as 2–20. Both human and wastewater sources carried the identical carbapenemase gene blaOXA-181 on overlapping plasmid replicons, with 57–80% concordance across IncFIA, IncFIB (AP001918), IncX1, and Col440I Conclusions: Our findings indicate a shared resistance gene pool between human and environmental sources, characterized by bidirectional CRE exchange but dominated by an environment-to-human transmission pathway. This underscores the urgent need for effective wastewater treatment and improved sanitation practices to reduce human exposure and curb the spread of antibiotic resistance.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems and Its Environmental Implications: The Case of the Odaw River in Ghana.(University of Ghana, 2023) Amekugbe, M.In Ghana, escalating plastic waste has amplified microplastic pollution in the environment. The Odaw River in Accra, an urban waterway grappling with sanitation issues, has become increasingly polluted, necessitating and investigation on microplastics in this ecosystem. Despite various pollutant studies in the river, microplastics have been largely unexplored. To address these issues, this study investigates the occurrence of microplastics and their interactions (including mesoplastics) with heavy metals in the Odaw River while assessing the impact of behavior and risk perceptions regarding plastic use. Water and sediment samples were collected from 16 sites along the Odaw River. Samples were then analysed in the lab through various process; digestion, density separation, filtration and identification. Microplastics were examined under a microscope to determine their abundance, types and spatial and temporal distribution. Polymer identification was conducted through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and the ecological risk of these microplastics was assessed using ecological risk indices like the pollution load index and polymer hazard index. To examine the interaction between heavy metals and microplastics, heavy metal concentrations were measured from samples of micro/ mesoplastics and sediment samples collected from seven locations along the river and analyzed for heavy metals using the aqua regia method and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Ecological Risk indices were also used to assess the level of pollution of the Odaw River with heavy metals. Quantitative and qualitative survey methods were employed to gather data from respondents in four communities along the river. This data aimed to understand their behavior regarding plastic use, plastic waste management, risk perception, and knowledge about microplastics, with questionnaires serving as the primary research instrument. In the study's findings, microplastic particles were found in both water (14 - 56 items per liter) and sediment (12 - 60 items per 50 grams) at all sampling sites along the Odaw River. The highest abundance in MPs in surface water was located at Korle Gonno (Estuary) (55.33 items/l), and that for sediments was at Agbogbloshie (61.00 ±11.17 items/ 50g). The lowest concentrations of MPs were recorded at the source of the Odaw River in Brekusu (Brekusu 2) (14.00 ± 1.89 items/l; 12.00 ± 1.90 items/50g) in water and sediment samples, respectively The concentration of microplastics was more significant during the wet season compared to the dry season. Fiber-shaped microplastics were the most common, making up 73.4% of the samples, with sizes between 1000-3000 μm being the most abundant. Polyethylene was the predominant polymer, accounting for 48% of all particles. Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Polymer Hazard Index scores were remarkably high, particularly downstream. The average concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Hg) in meso/microplastics were higher than in the sediments. Pollution indices like Igeo, CF, and PLI were generally relatively low. The study underscores the importance of considering factors such as behavior, risk perception, plastic waste management, and microplastic knowledge in addressing excessive plastic usage. Respondents were aware of the adverse environmental and health effects of plastics, yet the use of plastics, including single-use plastics, persisted. In essence, addressing the challenges posed by plastic pollution in the Odaw River necessitates a comprehensive strategy that encompasses individual accountability, industry standards, effective monitoring, cooperative initiatives, innovation, regulatory measures, incentives, and heightened consumer awareness. By tackling each of these components, we can collaboratively strive for a future characterized by reduced plastic consumption and a diminished impact of plastic pollution on our environment.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Pharmacologic and Clinical Risk Factors of Poor Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Rifampicin-Susceptible Tuberculosis in Selected Hospitals in Ghana.(University of Ghana, 2023) Opoku, M.M.Introduction: The global reduction in Tuberculosis (TB) incidence and deaths since 2015 is not progressing as rapidly as required to meet the established milestones of a 50% reduction in the 2015 incidence rate and a 75% reduction in the 2015 mortality rate. The rate of decline in the African region is even slower. However, the milestones are achievable with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Adequate plasma concentration of the recommended multi-drug regimen for each patient is important for treatment success. Current evidence linking plasma concentration to treatment outcomes has not been conclusive. This study sought to determine the pharmacologic and clinical risk factors of poor TB treatment outcomes in patients with rifampicin-susceptible TB in Ghana. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in four hospitals in three districts in the Ashanti Region and one hospital in the Bono East Region of Ghana. New and relapse TB patients eligible for management with the first-line anti-TB regimen were recruited and followed up monthly to the end of treatment in 6 months. The sample size was determined to be 164. Eligible participants were recruited by consecutive sampling. The primary outcome variable was treatment outcomes measured on a binary scale, unsuccessful and successful. The main exposure variables of interest were peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Cmax was dichotomized using universally accepted thresholds. Blood samples were collected for all participants between the 4th and 8th week after treatment initiation. Validated high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the determination of the drug concentrations. To determine the association between low Cmax and treatment outcomes, cross-fit partialing-out lasso for Poisson models was used. The baseline and longitudinal risk factors for bacteriologic failure were determined using generalized estimating equations with an “independent” working correlation and a logit link. Results: A total of 164 participants were selected into the study. The proportion of participants with low Cmax of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol were 94.4%, 87.0%, 31.3% and 52.2%, respectively. Low rifampicin Cmax was associated with a 19% reduced likelihood of sputum smear conversion at the end of the intensive phase of treatment (IRR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.89; p < 0.001). Patients with low pyrazinamide Cmax had an increased incidence of unsuccessful end-of-treatment outcomes (IRR = 5.92; 95% CI: 2.72, 12.88; p < 0.001). When those lost to follow up were excluded from the outcomes category the effect size was 9.11 (IRR = 9.11; 95% CI: 1.66, 50.07; p = 0.002). Low ethambutol Cmax increased the risk of unsuccessful outcomes by 5.74 times (IRR = 5.74; 95% CI: 1.88, 17.53; p = 0.002). Normal rifampicin Cmax perfectly predicted successful treatment outcomes at the end of the continuation phase. Patients with concurrently low Cmax in all the four anti-TB drugs were 12.40 times more likely to have unsuccessful end-of-treatment outcomes (IRR = 12.40; 95% CI: 2.20, 69.76, p = 0.004). Bacteriologic failure over the course of treatment was more likely among participants with low rifampicin Cmax than those with normal rifampicin Cmax (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI: p =0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that low rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol plasma concentrations are risk factors for poor TB treatment outcomes. In addition, a concurrent deficiency in the plasma concentration of all the four first-line anti-TB drugs increases the susceptibility to poor treatment outcomes. Recommendation: Dose adjustment strategies for patients with rifampicin-susceptible TB must be pursued. This includes incorporating therapeutic drug monitoring into clinical practice for TB management and conducting research into the use of higher doses of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and/or ethambutol. These will help to reduce the likelihood of unsuccessful treatment outcomes.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Prevalence And Determinants Of Underweight And Overweight/Obesity Among Ghanaian Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Using DHS Data In Ghana(BMJ Open, 2025-11-25) Dam, K.M.; Alhassan, P.D.A.; Addai, J.; Apanga, S.; Adjei-Mensah, E.; et al.Background There is a global rise in the burden of childhood obesity, increasing the risk of early onset adult obesity. Most developing countries face the double burden of malnutrition; overnutrition as overweight/obesity and undernutrition. Objectives To determine the current burden and determinants of childhood thinness, overweight and obesity using national survey data. Design Data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2022 were used. Setting Data from the seventh Demographic Health Survey conducted in Ghana were used. Participants The participants included 4417 children ≤59 months. Method The seventh Ghana Demographic Health Survey in 2022 employed a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design, selecting 618 clusters to create a nationally representative sample. Weight and height were measured using the SECA 874U scale and Shorrboard, respectively. Children’s heights were measured recumbent (<24 months) or standing (>24 months). Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between thinness and obesity, as well as the independent factors. Outcome variable The outcome variable was obesity, determined by a WHZ of >+2SD. Results The weighted prevalence of overweight/obesity and thinness in children under 5 years is 9.9% and 5.2%, respectively. Children who were overweight or obese had a mean age of 23.11 months, those who were thin or severely thin had a lower mean age of 21.02 months, and those with normal nutritional status were relatively older, with a mean age of 28.41 months. The Upper West, Northeast and Northern regions had the lowest densities of obesity. In the multivariate logistic regression model, children residing in Ashanti, Oti, Northern, North East and Upper East regions had significantly reduced odds of being obese compared with those in the Ahafo region. The average haemoglobin for those overweight/obese was 10.8 g/dL, and 10.7 g/dL for those who were normal and marginally reduced, 10.5 g/dL for those who were thin. Conclusion Regional disparities, maternal nutritional status, socioeconomic conditions and unsafe water sources were significant determinants of child nutrition outcomes. These findings call for targeted, multipronged interventions that integrate maternal-child nutrition, safe water, sanitation and regional context.