Browsing by Author "Addo, A.A."

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Ananse as a Folkloric Character in New Ghanaian Drama
(University of Ghana, 2013) Addo, A.A.; Owusu, M.; Arkhurst, S.
This study explores the various roles that Ananse play in Ghanaian Drama and how this folkloric character has evolved and transformed with time. The study also seeks to determine if Ananse as a folkloric character is justifiably a villain as society has most often dubbed him, or if he has other redeeming qualities which equally need to be highlighted. This thesis therefore seeks to answer the question of who Ananse really is as a folkloric character as well as what motivates his actions. Again it assesses the features of Anansegoro as the basis for the study. The appropriate framework within which this thesis is embedded in the post- colonial theoretical discourse. This is because it forms part of the theatre in post- independent Africa. Within this framework, Ghanaian writers made conscious efforts to explore the indigenous socio-cultural structures such as their history, cultural beliefs, practices, customs and the totality of the African experience in creating their own unique theatres. Apparently, this theatre can very easily be identified and described as a true reflection of African and Ghanaian heritage in particular. The study also documents the contributions of four Ghanaian playwrights namely; Efua Sutherland, Yaw Asare, Martin Owusu and Efo Kodjo Mawugbe in the growth and development of theatre in Ghana. It focuses its analysis on four plays in which Ananse is depicted as a folkloric character in order to examine Ananse’s role and what he seeks to achieve in the various plays. The analysed plays include, The Marriage of Anansewa (1975) by Sutherland, Ananse in the Land of Idiots (2006) by Asare, The Story Ananse Told (1999) by Owusu and Ananse- Kweku Ananse (2004) by Mawugbe. The study examines new perspectives to certain features of Anansegoro mostly in the style and the treatment of Ananse as a character by each playwright. The subject-matter and motivations of the playwrights in each play is also discussed. The study reveals that Ananse as a folkloric character is not always a villain. He is a cultural hero in whom most of our traditional values, customs and practices are reflected. He is also a hero from whom we gain advice and learn traditional values. At other times he is merely a narrator or the owner of the story whose role is to tell us how things are in the society. In other words, my study argues that against the traditional stereotype of villainy, Ananse is a multi-dimensional character that epitomizes the attributes of heroism and villainy.
Assessing Heavy Metal Load of Fish and Shorebirds in The Densu Delta Ramsar Site, Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2017-06) Addo, A.A.
The study aimed at assessing the impact of pollution on shorebirds at Densu Delta in Ghana. In view of this study, data on trace metals in water, sediment and biotic factors (fish and shorebirds) were collected and analyzed from August 2016 to February 2017 in four sampling stations within the Densu Delta. The trace metals assessed from the study were copper, zinc, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. From the study, the dominant trace metals assessed in water, sediment, fish and shorebirds were copper and zinc. From the wet season, the average concentration of copper and zinc in sediments was 6.68 ± 0.24 mg/kg and 28.99 ± 0.95 mg/kg respectively. For the dry season, the average concentration of copper and zinc in sediments was 6.01 ± 0.21 mg/kg and 30.02 ± 0.99 mg/kg respectively. Regarding water samples, the average concentration of copper and zinc was 1.54 ± 0.11 mg/kg and 2.98 ± 0.38 mg/kg respectively during the wet season while in the dry season, the mean concentration of copper and zinc was 1.11 ± 0.07 mg/kg and 13.04 ± 0.4 mg/kg correspondingly. Mean concentrations of these dominant trace metals between the dry and wet seasons were significantly different (p < 0.05). Concerning fish samples, the mean concentration of copper and zinc was 0.14 ± 0.17 mg/kg and 5.35 ± 0.81 mg/kg correspondingly for Sarotherodon melanotheron (Blackchin tilapia) while for Coptodon zillii (formerly known as Tilapia zillii) (Red belly tilapia) the mean concentration of copper and zinc was 0.11 ± 0.09 mg/kg and 4.20 ± 0.56 mg/kg correspondingly. However, the variation in dominant trace metals for both fish species was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Regarding shorebirds, the study focused on three main species including Cerylerudis (Piedkinfisher), Phalacrocorax africanus (Longtail Cormorant) and Egretta ardesiaca (Black Heron). The mean concentration of copper was 1.57 ± 0.24 mg/kg, 6.16 ± 0.55 mg/kg and 11.89 ± 0.15 mg/kg correspondingly for Cerylerudis (Piedkinfisher), Phalacrocorax africanus (Longtail Cormorant) and Egretta ardesiaca (Black Heron) while for zinc, the respective concentrations were 4.36 ± 0.75 mg/kg, 12.41 ± 0.01 mg/kg and 17.58 ± 0.16 mg/kg. The variation in concentration of the trace metals for the shorebirds was significant (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis in terms of trace metals revealed a strong association (R2 = 0.81 – 0.93) with fish (prey items). From the results, the concentration of the dominant trace metals in the shorebirds was below the threshold limit, indicating that these shorebirds within the Densu Delta of Ghana are not polluted. To ensure that these bird species are protected from pollution, some recommendations have been provided including consistent environmental monitoring of the Densu Delta by appropriate authorities
Food insecurity and perceived stress but not HIV infection are independently associated with lower energy intakes among lactating Ghanaian women
(Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2011-01) Addo, A.A.; Marquis, G.S.; Lartey, A.A.; Pérez-Escamilla, R.; Mazur, R.E.; Harding, K.B.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive women living in low-income communities may have difficulty meeting the increased energy requirements that are associated with both lactation and HIV infection. Data on household food security and maternal socio-demographic characteristics, perceived stress, anthropometry, reported illness, dietary intakes and preferences, and exposure to nutrition education were collected from 70 lactating women [16 seropositive (HP), 27 seronegative (HN), and 27 who refused to be tested and had unknown HIV status (HU)]. Diet was assessed with three 24-h recalls (one market day, one weekend day, and one non-market weekday). Data were collected at 8.4 (SD = 4.7) months postpartum. Most women (74.3%) reported being in good health at the time of study. Three-day mean energy intakes did not differ by HIV status [HP: 12 000 kJ (SD = 3600), HN: 12 600 kJ (SD = 5100), and HU: 12 300 kJ (SD = 4800); P = 0.94]. Protein, fat, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and zinc intakes also did not differ by group (P > 0.10). There was a higher proportion of women with high stress levels in food insecure households compared with food secure households (55.6% vs. 26.5%; P = 0.01). Energy intake was independently negatively associated with food insecurity [high: 11 300 kJ (SD = 3500) vs. low: 13 400 kJ (SD = 5400), respectively; P = 0.050] and stress [high: 10 800 kJ (SD = 2800) vs. low: 13 400 kJ (SD = 5300), P = 0.021]. These results suggest the need to integrate multi-dimensional interventions that address economic and mental health constraints which may limit some women's ability to meet their dietary needs. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.