Browsing by Author "Yiran, G."
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Item Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon and soil pH within the cocoa agroecological zones of Ghana(Geoderma, 2021) Quaye, A.K.; Doe, E.K.; Attua, E.M.; Yiran, G.; Arthur, A.; Dogbatse, J.A.; Konlan, S.; Nkroma, Y.D.; Addo, D.Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil pH is an important component of soil fertility management in sustainable cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production. Spatial precision of cocoa soil fertility management in Ghana is rare due to paucity of spatially precise knowledge of farm soil properties. This study sought to provide spatially explicit knowledge of the underlying trends of SOC and pH in and across cocoa agroecological zones, covering 61 cocoa districts in Ghana. Soil samples collected at 20 cm depth from 739 newly established cocoa farms were analyzed using classical and geospatial statistical methods. We described the spatial pattern (clustering) of SOC and pH and predicted their spatial continuity from observed and unobserved locations. Results generally revealed unsuitably low SOC (0.39 ± 0.009 g/100 g) and strong acidity (5.35 ± 0.027). Univariately, SOC varied more continuously (58%) over a longer distance (1.424 km) than pH, which varied moderately around 55.7% over a shorter distance (0.598 km). Covariates improved the co-regionalized structure and homogeneity of the predictions. Thus, the spatial dependencies of SOC and pH were moderate but the risk of imprecision was higher for SOC than pH. This knowledge is crucial in our understanding of the geo-physicochemical phenomena controlling the spatial distribution of SOC and pH in the cocoa farms and districts across the agroecological zones. The findings underscored dwindling SOC and pH in line with historic boom-bust cycle of cocoa production hot and cold spots transitions. The findings are also indicative of the adverse implications of relying on current blanket fertilizer recommendations. Therefore, a change from the current agronomic practice of fertilizer use to one that recognizes the SOC and pH needs of specific areas, farms and cluster of districts is recommended.Item Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon and soil pH within the cocoa agroecological zones of Ghana(Geoderma, 2021) Quaye, A.K.; Doe, E.K.; Attua, E.M.; Yiran, G.; Arthur, A.; Dogbatse, J.A.; Konlan, S.; Nkroma, Y.D.; Addo, D.Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil pH is an important component of soil fertility management in sustainable cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production. Spatial precision of cocoa soil fertility management in Ghana is rare due to paucity of spatially precise knowledge of farm soil properties. This study sought to provide spatially explicit knowledge of the underlying trends of SOC and pH in and across cocoa agroecological zones, covering 61 cocoa districts in Ghana. Soil samples collected at 20 cm depth from 739 newly established cocoa farms were analyzed using classical and geospatial statistical methods. We described the spatial pattern (clustering) of SOC and pH and predicted their spatial continuity from observed and unobserved locations. Results generally revealed unsuitably low SOC (0.39 ± 0.009 g/100 g) and strong acidity (5.35 ± 0.027). Univariately, SOC varied more continuously (58%) over a longer distance (1.424 km) than pH, which varied moderately around 55.7% over a shorter distance (0.598 km). Covariates improved the co-regionalized structure and homogeneity of the predictions. Thus, the spatial dependencies of SOC and pH were moderate but the risk of imprecision was higher for SOC than pH. This knowledge is crucial in our understanding of the geo-physicochemical phenomena controlling the spatial distribution of SOC and pH in the cocoa farms and districts across the agroecological zones. The findings underscored dwindling SOC and pH in line with historic boom-bust cycle of cocoa production hot and cold spots transitions. The findings are also indicative of the adverse implications of relying on current blanket fertilizer recommendations. Therefore, a change from the current agronomic practice of fertilizer use to one that recognizes the SOC and pH needs of specific areas, farms and cluster of districts is recommended.Item Learning to Solve Africa's Problems by Africans: Innovations for Learning to Solve Africa's Problems by Africans(2016-04-01) Odingo, O.; Fadairo, O.; Ameyaw, J; Yiran, G.; Mutisya, E.; Mfune, O.; Fuh, D.; Nyerere, J; Sulemana, N.There is a global consensus that addressing corruption and building good governance are pre-requisites for developing people, markets and the environment. Many researches on corruption and institutions measuring corruption perceptions have rated many African countries as being corrupt and suggestions for addressing corruption have been drawn mainly from developed countries without significant recourse to Africa‟s specific peculiarity. This paper raises the question on whether African governments and its people are completely adamant to the problem of corruption. The paper therefore explored endogenous innovations in organisational practices, developed within African countries aimed at stifling corruption, factors stimulating the development of such innovations and how these innovations may be improved. The paper used secondary data and interviews with key informants in three African countries: Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. Endogenous innovations against corruption in Africa are mainly spearheaded by individuals as additional measures to government anti-corruption strategies. While a few of the innovations are crude in nature and may inflict punishment on a few individuals as scapegoats, they have however restraint and compelled attitudinal change among possible culprits to a large extent. Africa needs to raise a critical mass of individuals with appropriate thinking capacities and innovativeness to sustain the momentum generated by the innovations and to achieve wider impact.Item The Role of Higher Education in Building a Sustainable African Society(2016-04-01) Nyerere, J.; Mfune, O.; Fuh, D.; Mutisya, E.; Yiran, G.; Fadairo, O.; Ameyaw, J; Odingo, A.Africa has a shared history and the common challenges of slow economic growth, and inadequate response to the issues facing the continent that include youth unemployment, food insecurity, environmental degradation and conflict. The provision of relevant and quality education is considered key to responding to these challenges and improving the livelihoods of millions of Africans. As a result, African nations are now emphasizing the importance of higher education, scientific research and innovations in a bid, not only to industrialize and increase the pace of economic development, but also to meet the social aspirations of their populace whileat the same time, ensuring the wellbeing of the environment. In short, increasingly, African nations see higher education, science and technology as critical to the achievement of sustainable development. As a result, in recent years, there has been a focus on ensuring that the wealth of knowledge generated within universities is relevant to sustainable development and most importantly, this knowledge is shared so that society in general can benefit from university scientific and technological expertise. In this vein, this paper examined how selected African universities have embraced the notion of sustainable development in their curricula, research and community engagement in order to contribute towards building sustainable African societies. Further, the paper analysed the science, technology, and innovations of policy initiatives put in place for higher education in Africa, initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development. The paper focused on universities in three African regions: Eastern (University of Nairobi), Southern (University of Zambia) and West Africa (University for Development Studies in Ghana). The paper shows that since the 1990s, universities in Africa have not only embraced sustainable development(SD) in the teaching and learning, but have also gone beyond the walls of their universities to engage with communities in their search for solutions to the numerous problems faced in African societies. Their efforts, however, were constrained by inadequate funding to support research and technology development. Further, while policy support for higher education, science and technology prevailed, such support, in most cases, ignore teaching strategies aiming to teach creative thinking, instrumental to sustainable and resilient societies. The scientific excellence emphasized leans more towards research and not as much focus was given to teaching excellence which is key in building a resilient society.