Browsing by Author "Yeboah, A."
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Item Biofertilizer Activity of Azospirillum sp. B510 on the Rice Productivity in Ghana(Microorganisms, 2021) Sarkodee-Addo, E.; Tokiwa, C.; Bonney, P.; Aboagye, D.A.; Yeboah, A.; Abebrese, S.O.; Bam, R; Nartey, E.K.; Okazaki, S.; Yasuda, M.Rice production in Ghana has become unsustainable due to the extremely nutrient-poor soils. It is caused by inadequate soil fertility management, including the inefficient application of fertilizers. A practical solution could be the biofertilizers, Azospirillum sp. B510. We performed field trials in Ghana and Japan to compare the effects of B510 colonization on selected Ghanaian rice varieties grown. The B510 inoculation significantly enhanced the rice cultivars’ growth and yield. The phenotypic characteristics observed in rice varieties Exbaika, Ex-Boako, AgraRice, and Amankwatia were mainly short length and high tillering capacity. These features are attributed to the host plant (cv. Nipponbare), from which the strain B510 was isolated. Furthermore, Azospirillum species has been identified as the dominant colonizing bacterium of rice rhizosphere across a diverse range of agroecologies in all major rice-growing regions in Ghana. Our results suggest that the utilization of B510 as a bio-fertilizer presents a promising way to improve rice growth, enhance soil fertility, and sustain rice productivity in Ghana.Item Evaluation of Yield, Reaction to Diseases, and Grain Physical Attributes of Some Introduced Rice Hybrids in Ghana(International Journal of Agronomy, 2019-03) Abebrese, S.O.; Yeboah, A.; Dogbe, W.; Dartey, P.K.A.; Akromah, R.; Gracen, V.E.; Offei, S.K.; Danquah, E.Y.Hybrid rice technology is one of the promising, sustainable, and proven technologies for increasing rice production and productivity with a yield advantage of 15–30% over modern inbred varieties. The potential of hybrid rice has so far not been exploited in Ghana. This study was undertaken to evaluate the yield potential, reaction to diseases, and physical grain attributes of some introduced hybrids. The trials were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates across three locations. Data were taken on grain yield, yield components, reaction to diseases, and grain physical characteristics. Four promising hybrids (SWARNA 2, ARGH 1501, ARGH 1502, and ARGH 1503) with a mean yield advantage of 15–20.8% over the best inbred check “AgraRice” were identified. With few exceptions, the hybrids were broadly adapted and had adequate resistance to blast and bacterial leaf blight. Most of the test hybrids had long slender grains which make them acceptable to the Ghanaian market but lacked aroma.Item Fifteen years of programme implementation for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in Ghana: Impact of MDA on immunoparasitological indicators(Public Library of Science, 2017) Biritwum, N.K.; Souza, S.K.; Marfo, B.; Odoom, S.; Alomatu, B.; Asiedu, O.; Yeboah, A.; Hervie, T.E.; Mensah, E.O.; Yikpotey, P.; Koroma, J.B.; Molyneux, D.; Bockarie, J.M.; Gyapong, J.O.Item Maternal Dietary Intakes in the Third Trimester and Pregnancy Outcomes(University of Ghana, 2020-09) Yeboah, A.Background: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is a major determinant for birth outcomes and consequently, offspring health outcomes in later life. Poor maternal nutrition, particularly during the third trimester is a major cause of low birth weight (LBW) in developing countries.Inadequate intakes of specific nutrients such as iron and folate in pregnancy have been reported to lead to a variety of poor maternal and infant outcomes including anemia and preterm birth respectively. The pregnant woman is tasked to prioritize her nutritional needs and practice good dietary habits to achieve optimum birth outcomes. Aim: To assess the dietary intake and pregnancy outcomes of women in their third trimester attending antenatal clinics at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods: A cohort design was employed for this study. The cohort design recruited third trimester pregnant women (N=81) between the ages of 18-49 years from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra Region. Dietary intake data were obtained based on a 52-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Daily supplement dosages of participants were recorded. Serum concentrations of iron (ferritin) and folate were respectively determined using the AccuBind ELISA microwells. Data obtained were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25 and nutrients analysis was done using West Africa Foods Analysis (WAFUDS). One-way anova test was used to determine differences among mean weights of the participants. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to determine the strength and relationship between dietary intakes and birth outcomes as well as ferritin and folate sera levels of participants and birth outcomes. Means, median, mode and standard deviations were used to summarize continuous and categorical variables. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 81 participants were involved in this study. Their mean age was 32.22 (±6.00) years. A greater percentage (82.7%) of them was married and almost all (92.6%) the participants were formally educated with the majority (67.9%) involved in either trading or a vocation. The vast (76.9%; 100%; 86.4%) proportion of the participants were not involved in pica practice, consuming alcohol and skipping meals in the day during the 3rd trimester respectively. Majority (60.5%) of the participants ate thrice in the day with a substantial proportion (28.4%) also eating 4-5 times per day in the 3rd trimester. A sizeable proportion (11.1%) experienced some difficulties in food intakes during the 3rd trimester. Mean nutrients intake of dietary iron and folate were 13.54 (±8.30) mg and 331.16 (±113.97) mcg respectively. Mean intake of iron and folic acid supplement were 42.70 (±48.80) mg and 5.50 (±11.10) mg respectively. Majority (74.1%; 86.4%) of the participants did not meet recommendations for daily total iron and folate respectively. Most of the participants, however, had serum ferritin and folate levels in the normal range (82.7% and 87.7% respectively). In this study, almost all the participants obtained positive birth outcomes and the significant predictor of birth outcome was total dietary iron (p=0.041). Conclusion: The study showed that, the participants’ dietary habits were generally good. However, the amount of food consumed by majority was suboptimal which might have led to a greater percentage not meeting the dietary recommendations for both nutrients (folate and iron). Adherence to supplement intake was generally good which might have resorted to the normal serum ferritin and folate levels obtained. The good dietary habits and normal serum levels obtained could be a major contributing factor to the positive birth outcomes observed in the study.Item Progress towards lymphatic filariasis elimination in Ghana from 2000-2016: Analysis of microfilaria prevalence data from 430 communities(PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2019-06-05) Frempong, K.K.; Biritwum, N.K.; Verver, S.; Odoom, S.; Alomatu, B.; Asiedu, O.; Kontoroupis, P.; Yeboah, A.; Hervie, E.T.; Marfo, B.; Boakye, D.A.; De Vlas, S.J.; Gyapong, J.O.; Stolk, W.A.BACKGROUND: Ghana started its national programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) in 2000, with mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin and albendazole as main strategy. We review the progress towards elimination that was made by 2016 for all endemic districts of Ghana and analyze microfilaria (mf) prevalence from sentinel and spot-check sites in endemic districts. METHODS: We reviewed district level data on the history of MDA and outcomes of transmission assessment surveys (TAS). We further collated and analyzed mf prevalence data from sentinel and spot-check sites. RESULTS: MDA was initiated in 2001-2006 in all 98 endemic districts; by the end of 2016, 81 had stopped MDA after passing TAS and after an average of 11 rounds of treatment (range 8-14 rounds). The median reported coverage for the communities was 77-80%. Mf prevalence survey data were available for 430 communities from 78/98 endemic districts. Baseline mf prevalence data were available for 53 communities, with an average mf prevalence of 8.7% (0-45.7%). Repeated measurements were available for 78 communities, showing a steep decrease in mean mf prevalence in the first few years of MDA, followed by a gradual further decline. In the 2013 and 2014 surveys, 7 and 10 communities respectively were identified with mf prevalence still above 1% (maximum 5.6%). Fifteen of the communities above threshold are all within districts where MDA was still ongoing by 2016. CONCLUSIONS: The MDA programme of the Ghana Health Services has reduced mf prevalence in sentinel sites below the 1% threshold in 81/98 endemic districts in Ghana, yet 15 communities within 13 districts (MDA ongoing by 2016) had higher prevalence than this threshold during the surveys in 2013 and 2014. These districts may need to intensify interventions to achieve the WHO 2020 target.Item University Of Ghana Research Report, 2014/2015(Sub-Saharan Publishers, 2014) Gyapong, J.; Adjei, A. A.; de-Graft Aikins, A.; Anoku, J.; Yeboah, A.; Biney-Nyamekye, B.S.; Appiah, D.Item Working with Farmers' Groups, An Extension Experience(University of Ghana, 1997-06) Yeboah, A.; Fiadjoe, F.Y.M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe study aimed at researching into the prevailing farmers' groups and examine the capability of the nature of farmers' groups and extension interactions with them to influence the expected improvements in their farming activities. The study was carried out in the West Akim district of the eastern region of Ghana. All the twelve FLS in the field as well as the two extension supervisors in the district were interviewed. Fourteen extension farmers' groups and four non-extension farmers' groups were interviewed from five sub-districts. From each farmers' group interviewed five of its members were randomly selected and interviewed. A total of 84 individual farmers were consequently covered in the study. Four other extension supervisors from the DAES as well as three from other extension organisations involved in the study were also interviewed. They included officers in charge of field operations in the district, regional and national headquarters. Data collection started from 14th November 1995 and ended on 18th January 1996. The result of the study revealed that in the West Akim district the DAES deals with both autonomous and sponsored groups. The autonomous groups were found to be more sustainable than the sponsored groups.'The sustainability of the autonomous groups was attributed to their nature, mode of format ;>n and the existing internal dynamics. In sustainable groups the extension agent has the opportunity to plan for series of lessons which together can bring about improvements in the farming activities of group members.„ The nature of a farmers' group thus affects its sustainability and the opportunity for extension agent and farmers to teach and acquire knowledge respectively. The effectiveness of extension delivery is also influenced by the nature of farmers' groups. The extension agents of the DAES'were not able to arrange and meet farmers' groups according to the visit schedules as envisaged under the T-&V system being practised by the DAES. The expected two weeks interval between consercutive meetings of extension agents and farmers' groups was not fully achieved. Thus regular teaching and learning opportunities were not created by the extension agents. i The monthly: training sessions which could have reinforced the extension delivery skills of the extension agents were directed towards technical topics. Extension agents were not adequately equipped to contribute much to the social life of farmers' groups. Extension interaction with extension and non-extension farmers' groups in the West Akim district enhanced the production levels of farmers, but not much was achieved in the development and sustainability of the farmers' group life. , N To work effectively and efficiently with farmers' groups, extension organisations among others need to renew and meet the needs of their clients, and also train their agents to be adept in working with farmers' groups and encouraging farmers to form their groups.Item Working with Farmers' Groups, An Extension Experience(University of Ghana, 1997-06) Yeboah, A.; Fiadjoe, F.Y.M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural ExtensionThe study aimed at researching into the prevailing farmers' groups and examine the capability of the nature of farmers' groups and extension interactions with them to influence the expected improvements in their farming activities. The study was carried out in the West Akim district of the eastern region of Ghana. All the twelve FLS in the field as well as the two extension supervisors in the district were interviewed. Fourteen extension farmers' groups and four non-extension farmers' groups were interviewed from five sub-districts. From each farmers' group interviewed five of its members were randomly selected and interviewed. A total of 84 individual farmers were consequently covered in the study. Four other extension supervisors from the DAES as well as three from other extension organisations involved in the study were also interviewed. They included officers in charge of field operations in the district, regional and national headquarters. Data collection started from 14th November 1995 and ended on 18th January 1996. The result of the study revealed that in the West Akim district the DAES deals with both autonomous and sponsored groups. The autonomous groups were found to be more sustainable than the sponsored groups.'The sustainability of the autonomous groups was attributed to their nature, mode of format and the existing internal dynamics. In sustainable groups the extension agent has the opportunity to plan for series of lessons which together can bring about improvements in the farming activities of group members.„ The nature of a farmers' group thus affects its sustainability and the opportunity for extension agent and farmers to teach and acquire knowledge respectively. The effectiveness of extension delivery is also influenced by the nature of farmers' groups. The extension agents of the DAES'were not able to arrange and meet farmers' groups according to the visit schedules as envisaged under the T-&V system being practised by the DAES. The expected two weeks interval between consercutive meetings of extension agents and farmers' groups was not fully achieved. Thus regular teaching and learning opportunities were not created by the extension agents. The monthly: training sessions which could have reinforced the extension delivery skills of the extension agents were directed towards technical topics. Extension agents were not adequately equipped to contribute much to the social life of farmers' groups. Extension interaction with extension and non-extension farmers' groups in the West Akim district enhanced the production levels of farmers, but not much was achieved in the development and sustainability of the farmers' group life. To work effectively and efficiently with farmers' groups, extension organisations among others need to renew and meet the needs of their clients, and also train their agents to be adept in working with farmers' groups and encouraging farmers to form their groups.