School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences

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    Prevalence, Incidence And Molecular Phylogeny Of A Fungus (Phytophthora Colocasiae) Causing Taro Leaf Blight In Ghana
    (University Of Ghana, 2022-10) Yusif, A.
    Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is an e staple crop for millions of citizens in some developing nations. The crop popular dish in southern Ghana because of its high carbohydrate and protein content. Taro leaf blight caused by the fungus Phytophthora colocasia is a devastating disease of taro in many parts of the world where the crop is grown. Serious outbreaks of taro leaf blight in Samoa in 1993, as well as in Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria in recent years, have demonstrated the disease's catastrophic impact on the livelihood and food security of small farmers and local communities that rely on the crop. In several countries, it is responsible for up to 80 % of taro yield loss. In Ghana, the disease causes a 25–50 % reduction in yield. The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence, incidence, geographical distribution and molecular diversity of the fungus causing the blight disease of taro in Ghana. A survey was conducted to examine the extent of the posed by the pathogen as well as to acertain the disease awareness level of farmers. The disease was in all taro fields surveyed, with average incidence of 79.26%. The highest disease incidence and severity on the farmer’s field was observed in Anyinam whilst the least incidence was observed in Atimpoku in the Eastern Region. Field trials were set up in an RCBD and replicated three times. Ten taro accessions namely; Adenta (AD), Akim tafo (AT), Atimpoku (AP), Fawade (FW), Gyinyasi (GY), Haatso (HT), Kumasi tafo (KT), Koforidua (KF), Kasoa (KS) and Weija (WJ) were used in the study. The taro accessions were obtained from farmers in the Ashanti, Eastern, Greater Accra and Central region. The effect of the infection was assessed by measuring disease incidence and severity. Accession FW had the highest incidence of 96.67±5.77 and the least was KS with 60±52.9. Disease severity was significantly higher in accession Gyinyasi (GY) with 1.69±0.27 and the least in accession Atimpoku (AP) with 0.70±0.27. The effect of the disease on yield was also assessed. Gyenyasi (GY) was the accession with the highest yield of 71.47 kg/ha and the least yield was recorded in accession KT with 41.00 kg/ha. The average yield of all the accessions was 56.64 kg/ha as compared to a control yield of 198.67 kg/ha. Fungal isolation was done from the diseased leaves collected during the survey and morphologically identified under the light microscope. Koch’s postulate was conducted to confirm the isolated fungus. Fungal cultures placed on healthy leaves of fifteen potted taro plants per accession resulted in 100 % infection. DNA of the P. colocasiae was successfully extracted from the different fungal isolates. Molecular detection of the pathogen using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing were also be carried out using Sanger sequencing. Nine DNA template of the P. colocasiae from the samples collected from Midie farm 1, 2 and 3 (M1, M2, M3), Kasoa farm 1, 2, and 3 (K1, K2, K3) and Akim Tafo farm 1, 2, and 3 (T1, T2, T3) were successfully amplified using ITS1/ITS4 primer which gave the expected PCR product size of ~870 bp. Nucleotide sequence alignment reveal a high degree of similarities among the isolates from the three regions. Comparison of the Ghanaian isolates to sequences of other isolates available on the NCBI revealed nucleotide sequence identities in the range of 99.27 to 100 %. Based on the current findings, accession KS was found to be moderately resistant to taro leaf blight disease and could be employed in breeding programmes for the development of resistant varieties. The current findings provide the prerequisite information needed for extensive research and development management strategies to reduce the impact of the disease.
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    Design And Construction of a Parallel Plate Ionization Chamber for Dosimetry in Conventional Radiography
    (University of Ghana, 2020-10) Fatormah, A.M.
    The main objective of every radiodiagnostic procudure is to produce an informative image with minimum radiation exposure to patients. To be able to minimize dose to patients, and ensure image quality, there must be a regular quality control on the entire X-ray systems, which involves routine measurement of exposure and exposure rate. The most employed dosimeters for the adjustment and control measurements is the parallel plate ionization chamber. It is less intrinsic to energy dependence, hence mostly recommended for low dose rate measurement. It is in view of this, that a portable, and less expensive detector (parallel plate ionization chamber) has been designed and constructed for dosimetry in diagnostic radiography.The chamber comprises of a body made of Perspex (1.7 mg/cm²), a bias electrode made of copper plate, a measuring electrode made of an aluminium plate, guard rings made of an aluminium plate an entrance window made of a paper coated with graphite (shading the paper with HB pencil until the paper became electrically conductive) with the uncoated side pasted to a piece of unexposed developed radiographic film. The chamber has a sensitive volume of 2.8 cc which was vented to the environment. The operational bias voltage of the constructed ionization chamber was found to range from 200 V – 400 V. Two different conceptual designs were developed and evaluated. The concept with the highest overall utility value was selected and developed. The completed chamber was subjected to several performance characteristic and quality control tests: energy dependence, response reproducibility and constancy, angular dependence, response linearity and leakage characteristics. The chamber was cross calibrated against diagnostic multimeter (Piranha) with traceability to a secondary standard dosimetry laboratory (Swedac. Ackredictering, Sweden) and found to have a calibration coefficient (NK) of 1.7 x109 mGy/A. Beam quality correction factor for chamber could be expressed with a fourth degree polynomial equation in terms of HVL (mmAl) using 100 kVp and 20 mAs (200 mA) as the reference exposure parameters. Response reproducibility and constancy, angular dependence, response linearity were all within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61674 stipulated limit. A maximum deviation of 8.6% was observed at 90O clockwise of the gantry angle. This was as a result of cable leakage. A parallel plate ionization chamber has successfully been designed and developed and is applicable in a range of 50 -130 kVp.
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    Assessment of Paediatric Health Risk Associated with Trace Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) Contamination in Cereal-Based Baby Foods from the Greater Accra Region
    (University of Ghana, 2021-06) Domfeh, A.
    Dietary intake is a major route of human exposure to contaminants. Cereal-based baby foods, which are often used to complement breastfeeding can be contaminated with toxic compounds. Consequently, the health of babies can be compromised upon exposure to such contaminants depending on the concentrations and/or as a result of contaminant bioaccumulation even at trace levels. It should be expected that cereal-based baby food must be manufactured using high-quality raw materials and the best processing technology. However, this is not often the case as contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals (eg. cadmium and lead among others) can be introduced into baby foods due to poor processing protocols. This work, therefore, sought to evaluate the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals in locally produced cereal-based baby foods and estimate their toxicological effect on babies. To achieve the objectives, 50 samples comprising of varying cereal compositions (maize, rice, millet, wheat) were sampled from sales outlets including major markets and hospitals in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Samples were analyzed for metal content using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) following acid digestion (HNO3 - H2O2). PAHs were extracted following the QuEChERS method and analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed contamination of both metals and PAHs in the samples. The concentrations of the metals across all the 50 samples were in a range: 0.87–34.74 mg/kg (Fe), <0.001–1.00 mg/kg (Zn), <0.003–0.92 mg/kg (Cu), <0.002–0.82 mg/kg (Cd), <0.001–0.26 mg/kg (Cr), <0.005–0.23 mg/kg (Co), <0.001–0.58 mg/kg (Pb), and <0.001– 0.20 mg/kg (Ni). The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of metals that were predominantly measured were: 8.60 (Fe), 0.06 (Pb), and 0.20 (Cd). The risk indices (HI) were in a range of 0.10–59.84, 0.13–84.53, and 0.20–123.69 for the ages 6–8 months, 9–11 months and 12–23 months respectively with cadmium as the main contributing factor to the risk index. This observation is indicative of potential child health risks. Mean concentrations of ΣPAHs (15 PAHs), ΣPAH4 [benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(a)pyrene, and benzo(b)fluoranthene)], and benzo(a)pyrene [BaP] were 276.7 ± 256.2 μg/kg, 16.0 ± 32.2 μg/kg, and 5.0 ± 9.0 μg/kg respectively. Approximately 33.3 % of the samples analysed had concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs exceeding the FAO/WHO recommended limit of 1.0 μg/kg. The calculated carcinogenic risks (Rcar) for babies were in the ranges: 2.47 x 10 -6–1.40 x 10-5 (6–8 months) , 3.32 x 10-6–1.88 x 10-5 (9–11months), and 5.10 x 10-6 –2.88 x 10-5 (12–23 months) , while mutagenic risk (Rmut) were in the ranges: 2.47 x 10 -6–2.05 x 10-5, 3.32 x 10-6–2.75 x 10-5 and 5.10 x 10-6–4.23 x 10-5 for the ages 6–8 months, 9–11 months, and 12–23 months respectively. The health risk assessment showed that the presence of Pb, Cd, and BaP in the samples could potentially cause both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to babies in the Greater Accra region if they should be exposed via consumption of cereal-based baby foods. The outcome of such studies is necessary towards safeguarding public health, particularly babies.
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    Design and Production of a Turbojet Engine for Varied Applications
    (University of Ghana, 2020-10) Dzormeku, E.C.
    It is acknowledged that turbojets were built with the traditional objective to run aerospace machines. A Turbojet Engine is an air-breathing engine. It produces thrust by ejecting highenergy gas stream from the engine exhaust nozzle. For a while now, Turbojet Engines do not only see operation in the air; they have also become highly essential on the ground. They are mostly used in generating electrical power in the Oil Fields, Mining Sectors and the Heavy Manufacturing Industries. Some Agricultural Industries employ the high heat energy generated from the nozzle of a Turbojet Engine as heat source for drying purposes. Software tools for designing and fabricating machines were some of the major tools used in this project for the construction of the Turbojet Engine. The built Turbojet Engine generated a maximum Thrust of 3.5N, at 100000 Revolution Per Minute (RPM) at a Temperature of 780OC.
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    Development Of A Miniature Neutron Source Reactor Simulator For Training And Education
    (University of Ghana, 2020-10) Diop - Frimpong, D.D.
    This research project is aimed at developing a virtual dynamic simulator for a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor with GHARR-1 as a model. The GHARR-1 core which is surrounded above, beneath and around by metallic beryllium reflectors has undergone core conversion and now has a LEU core. The simulator modelled the reactor’s self-limiting transient behavior as well as the reaction to the control rod movement, thermal reactivity feedback and fission product poison build up during the normal reactor operation. Using the point kinetic model of neutronics, a simplified model of fission product poisoning and lumped parameter modelling of thermal hydraulic exchanges between different zones of the reactor, ordinary differential equations were developed for the time gradients of reactor power and the temperatures of the different reactor zones. These equations were solved with LabVIEW 2019 Control and Simulation Toolkit, using its Runge-Kutta 45 ordinary differential equation solver. The reactor control panel, built with the LabVIEW 2019 graphical user interface, allows the user to vary control rod position, and configure the differential equation solver parameter. Outputs of reactor inlet and outlet temperatures, fuel clad temperature and reactor power are displayed in simulation time and can be retrieved into a file. For simulation of reactor presets after control rod full insertion, the simulator depicted similar trends in output to those obtained by experiment. These values were however overestimated by the simulator by varying levels of deviation. The simulator was capable of qualitatively predicting the power, and temperature trends of the GHARR-1 at 17 kW and 34 kW.
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    Design of Lighter Weight Concrete Electricity Poles as an Alternative for Power Distribution in Support of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Plant Programme
    (University of Ghana, 2021-07) Ladze, B.C.
    Electricity is an essential commodity or utility for individuals and nations alike. With the advancement of technology, access to electrical power is paramount to the economic development of a country. The World Bank ranked electricity as the second most important constraint to business activities in the country. It estimated that Ghana lost about 1.8 per cent of GDP during the 2007 power crisis. Key elements of the electricity distribution network in Ghana are the electricity poles, conductors, transformers and insulators. The primary materials used for the construction of poles are timber, concrete and steel with timber being the most common due to its relatively low cost and availability. Timber, however, is plagued by varied agents of destruction which include termite and fungal action, as well as destruction by outbreaks of fire. Concrete poles though unaffected by these destructive elements, tend to be quite heavy. This poses a unique problem for the transport and management of such poles. This study is focused on improving the design of the concrete poles such that they are lighter than the previously used concrete poles while ensuring strength and stability. A proposed model of a tapered pole with a rectangular cross-section was designed according to guidelines stated in the EUROCODES design manual and analysed in ETABS 2016. From the analysis results, the pole design was found to have successfully passed all design requirements with a weight of 450kg and 575kg for the 9 meter and 11-meter pole respectively. Though these pole designs are not as light as timber poles, they are about half the weight of previously used concrete poles. This study could enhance the electricity distribution infrastructure in Ghana. In anticipation of the introduction of nuclear power into the energy generation mix of the country, the lighter weight reinforced concrete poles designed in this study could be utilised to increase the accessibility of electricity to the end-user.
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    Assessment of The Quality and Suitability of Radiopharmaceutical Cold Kits and 99mo/99mtc Generator used at The Nuclear Medicine Unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
    (University of Ghana, 2020-07) Sarkodie, A.A.
    The study investigated the quality and suitability of 99mTc radionuclide labelled cold kits used at the Nuclear Medicine Unit of Ghana’s Premier Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) for diagnosis of diseases. The quality evaluation involved: (a) appraisal of four (4) imported 99Mo/99mTc generator packages to ensure compliance with United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) and International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) recommended acceptance criteria; (b) assessment of radionuclide purity (99Mo breakthrough [MoBT] or 99Mo contamination); (c) evaluation of the chemical purity (Al3+ content) of 99mTc eluate using colorimetric method; (d) suitability of fusing 99mTc eluate with human blood; (e) the radiochemical purity (RCP) of three (3) formulated radiopharmaceuticals: methylenediphosphonic acid (99mTc-MDP); diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (99mTc-DTPA); 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI); and, (f) the accuracy of the well type γ-counter and the Capintec dose calibrator, as well as the geometry dependence of the dose calibrator. The Wipe Test for radioactive material contamination showed no radiation leakage. The respective 1-meter radiation exposure measurements of 525, 415, 225 and 305 (μR/h) for the four generators used were all below the USNRC recommended value of 719.9×106 μR/h (200 mrem). Sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) eluate quality from the 99Mo/99mTc generators were high as a result of low MoBT (0.0001-0.039 μCi 99Mo/mCi 99mTc) for all elutions. The MoBT range is lower than the IAEA and US Pharmacopeia recommended MoBT of ≤ 0.15 μCi 99Mo/mCi 99mTc. Low MoBT signifies high γ-camera image quality (resolution); and absence of excess radiation from formulated radiopharmaceutical (RP). Chemical purity (Al3+ breakthrough) of ˂ 10 ppm were obtained for each of the 38 elutions from the four generators. This observation satisfies the ≤ 10 ppm recommended Al3+ leakage from the generator into the Na99mTcO4 eluate; signifying eluate of good quality and safe for formulation of radiopharmaceuticals. Interestingly, 99mTc eluates from all four generators gave a measured respective pH of 7; which is within the European Pharmacopeia recommended pH of 4-8 for 99mTc eluates, and appropriate and safe for fusing into human blood (pH 7.35-7.45). The assessed RCP for 99mTc-MDP and 99mTc-DTPA ranged 94.2-99.8% and 96.8-99.8% respectively. The estimated RCP for 99mTc-MIBI range from 92.6 to 96.8%. The RCP ranges obtained revealed the absence of unacceptable radiation in the three formulated radiopharmaceuticals.. The estimated RCPs for 99mTc-MIBI and, 99mTc-MDP in addition to 99mTc-DTPA were comparable to respective recommended RCP ≥ 94% (99mTc-MIBI) plus ≥ 95% (99m Tc-MDP and 99m Tc-DTPA) set by the IAEA, and the United States and European Pharmacopeiae. Quality testing of the Well-type γ-counter and Capintec Dose Calibrator gave reliable results. The accuracy test for both instruments revealed that calculated percentage (%) errors were within the IAEA recommended ±5% error margin. For geometry, the Capintec dose calibrator response of the 99mTc radioactive source established that 10 mL, 5 mL and 2 mL syringe volumes had Volume Correction Factors (VCF’s) within the IAEA recommended range of 0.95˂VCF˂1.05; and additionally, the plot of VCF for 15 consecutive days showed good regression coefficients [ R2 =0.8492 (10 mL syringe), R2 = 0.962 (5 mL syringe) and R2=1 (2 mL syringe)]. The 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals and cold kits were suitable for use in nuclear medicine diagnostics because all the quality assessments complied with globally accepted/recommended criteria.
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    Implementation of Pretreatment Patient – Specific Quality Assurance for Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy
    (University of Ghana, 2021-04) Baidoo, A.M.
    Clinical implementation of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) has begun in Ghana, despite this advancement, to date, there has been no implementation of patient-specific IMRT verification Quality Assurance (QA) in Ghana. If this is not addressed, the degree of accuracy and dose conformity in our IMRT plans may not be realized clinically. The main objective of this study was to verify the actual dose that would be delivered to the patient during an IMRT treatment at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (NCRNM), based on implementation of patient – specific Quality Assurance for IMRT prior to external beam radiation treatment using Gamma Index method. Ten (10) IMRT plans were generated for a phantom study using 3, 5, 7 or 8 fields IMRT, based on clinical objectives for the treatment of 10 patients with varying prostate and head and neck cancers. The procedure involved linear accelerator commissioning, absolute dose determination, calibration of patient – specific QA device, IMRT treatment planning, plan verification for IMRT, treatment delivery and data analysis using the gamma index (3%/3 mm, threshold 5%) criteria with 95% passing rate. All prostate IMRT cases enrolled in the study passed the acceptance criteria, with values that ranged from 95.50 to 98.43%.The mean passing rate, based on the gamma index method (γ≤1) for treatment of each of the cases using the MatriXX was 96.82±1.22%, showing good compliance with the prescribed rates for all 5 cases.The mean value for the pass rate of the head - and - neck IMRT cases was 96.42±1.14% with one case failing the acceptance criteria of the gamma evaluation method, and the passing values ranged from 94.60 to 97.70%. The reference doses calculated at TPS were accurately delivered by the medical linear accelerator, and the gamma criteria for acceptance were mostly satisfied by the selected cases throughout the research for both cancer sites under study. The measurements and the results demonstrated that the delivery equipment, the treatment planning system, the QA tools and their corresponding software were accurate and therefore acceptable for IMRT implementation at the centre. The analysis made demonstrated that these IMRT results were consistent with peer reviewed baseline data for a well-commissioned IMRT program.
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    Occurrence of Glyphosate in Groundwater and Surface Water Within Farming Communities in Central Tongu District, Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2016-10) Afemeku, C.M.
    The study investigated the occurrence/presence of glyphosate residues in groundwater and surface water from selected farming (Pepper, Maize and Cassava) communities within the Central Tongu district of Ghana. The study also evaluated the potential health risk posed to children and adults through drinking of ground and surface water. This was achieved through: (i) assessment of the levels of glyphosate residues in groundwater (Boreholes) and surface water within farming communities of Central Tongu; (ii) appraisal of physical parameters of the waters, as well as assessment of their influence on the levels of glyphosate residues via Principal Component Analysis (PCA); (iii) investigation of the relationship between glyphosate levels and water resources within Central Tongu district using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA); and, (iv) estimation of the Human Health Risk associated with consumption of groundwater (Borehole) and surface water by inhabitants (children and adults). Glyphosate residue levels were determined by LC-MS/MS; after extraction of glyphosate residues from water using dichloromethane. pH, Temperature, Salinity, Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were measured on-site using LaMotte PockeTester Multi-meter. The pH of the borehole samples ranged from slightly acidic (5.69) to near neutral (7.4); whiles the pH of the surface water samples ranged from near neutral (7.35) to weakly basic (8.0). Temperature of borehole samples was between 29.7 to 33.5 ℃. The temperature of the surface water samples was also between 30.5 ℃ and 31.8 ℃. Conductivity of surface water ranged from 1025 to 1175 μS/cm; with that for groundwater samples (Borehole) ranging from 1350 - 11320 μS/cm. Salinity ranged from 450 to 570 mg/L; and 640 and 6640 mg/L for surface water and groundwater (Borehole) respectively. TDS for surface water ranged from 670 to 850 mg/L; and 920 to 7780 mg/L for borehole samples. Levels of glyphosate residues (Groundwater: 2.57 - 9.21 μg/L; Surface water: 25.10 - 42.50 μg/L) obtained were below the 280 μg/L Recommended Guideline Value for Canada; and the USEPA Maximum Allowed Concentration of 700 μg/L. However, the levels of glyphosate residue obtained were higher than the recommended 0.1 μg/L glyphosate residue in drinking water by the European Union. pH was identified as the sole physicochemical parameter influencing glyphosate residues in the water resources (through Principal Component Analysis [PCA]). Glyphosate residues were high in slightly basic water samples; and low in slightly acidic water samples. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) also established close association between levels of glyphosate and the type of Water resources. The levels of glyphosate in groundwater were relatively low compared to the high levels of glyphosate in surface water. Assessment of Non-carcinogenic Risk using Hazard Quotient (HQ) for acute and chronic exposures revealed some level of risk associated with the consumption of groundwater and surface water from the selected farming communities in the Central Tongu district. For acute exposure, the HQ for groundwater ranged from 0.18 to 0.65 for adults; 0.36 - 0.80 and 1.19 - 1.29 (for two communities; Bakpa Dzave and Kanikope) for children. For surface water, HQ ranged from 1.77 - 3.01 (Adults) and 3.51 - 5.95 (Children). For chronic exposure, the HQ for groundwater ranged from 0.05 - 0.19 (Adults) and 0.10 - 0.37 (Children); whiles the HQ for surface water ranged from 0.51 - 0.86 and 1.00 - 1.70 for adults and children respectively. Groundwater/borehole water did not pose any potential health risk to both adults and children from chronic exposure. Though surface water did not pose any potential health risk chronically to adults; children are at risk. For acute exposure, borehole water did not pose a potential health risk to both adults and children; notwithstanding, children in Bakpa-Dzave and Kanikope were at risk. Acute exposure to surface water poses a potential health risk to both adults and children.
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    Levels of Radon And Hydrochemistry of Hand-Dug Wells in the Keta Municipality
    (University of Ghana, 2020-10) Ahiave, S.E.
    Over exploitation of hand-dug wells in the Keta municipality is on the rise though less works on the radon levels and the hydrochemistry of hand-dug wells, have carried out in Keta. The objective of the research is to assess the quality of hand dug wells in the Keta Municipality with respect to Radon (222Rn) levels and hydrochemistry. The study was carried out in 10 communities in the Keta Municipality. Water samples were collected from 30 sampling points from November to March. Physical parameter (pH, salinity, alkalinity, TDS) were analysed in the field, whereas chemical parameters were analysed in the laboratory for radon and the hydrochemistry parameters. A t-test was conducted to find the differences in the seasons using mathematical analytical tool MATLAB R2015a (The Math Works Inc., Natick, Massachusetts US. MATLAB R2015a, 2015). Differences were considered significant at a p-value of 0.05. The results revealed significant differences in pH (7.14 –9.29), salinity (200 mg/L- 3830 mg/L), TDS (149mg/L-9870 mg/L), chloride (17.99 mg/L- 2823 mg/L), Calcium (38.40 mg/L- 180.8 mg/L), Sodium (30 mg/L- 497 mg/L) and sulphate (2.81 mg/L-37.35 mg/L). Phosphate, magnesium, salinity, Total hardness, chloride and sulphate were beyond the WHO recommended levels. The water quality index had most of the water to be poor and unfit for drinking. The Comprehensive Pollution Index results showed 80% of the samples to be moderately polluted. The Sodium Adsorption Ratio values obtained showed that the water have permeability issues with 93.33% being sodic waters having values above 13. Radon levels in the water ranged from 0.4 Bq/l - 111 Bq/l. The highest radon levels were recorded in Tetevikope. The annual effective dose for ingestion and inhalation ranged from 0μSv/y - 642.4μSv/y and 1.26μSv/y - 277μSv/y respectively. About 60% of the total samples were above the water quality limits set by World Health Organization (2011) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (2010). Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the water quality of the hand dug wells are unsafe for drinking and irrigation. However, the water from the hand dug wells present no significant health risk with respect to radon to the inhabitants. The results also show that the sea water intrusion into the groundwater aquifer has huge effects on the hydrochemistry of the hand-dug wells in the Keta Municipality.