Theses

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://197.255.125.131:4000/handle/123456789/22146

A long essay or dissertation or thesis involving personal research, written by postgraduates of University of Ghana for a university degree.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Item
    Environmental exposure and potential health impact of heavy metals in previous mining communities in Ghana
    (HSI Journal, 2024) Opoku, R.B.; Dankyi, E.; Christian, A.; Aryeetey, R.
    Heavy metal exposure arising from metal mining is a significant source of pollution in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, concerns have been heightened due to increasing artisanal mining activities. Although efforts are being made to curb illegal mining activities, including a ban on artisanal mining by the government of Ghana, the devastating impacts of mining activities can persist in the environment for a long period. This study was carried out to assess the impact of mining activities on the exposure of toxic and potentially toxic metals in food, vegetation, soil, and water samples from communities where mining activities have been halted for several years. The samples were digested using a microwave digestion system employing a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and analyzed for mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Co), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe), using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results showed generally elevated levels of metals in water, food, vegetation, and soils. For example, in vegetation, the average concentrations of Pb, Hg, Cd, and As were 198 μg/kg, 303 μg/kg, 75 μg/kg, and 519 μg/kg, respectively, while the average levels of As and Pb were 11,111 μg/kg, and 3,518 μg/kg, respectively, in soil samples collected from abandoned mining sites. Food crops (cassava and plantain samples) grown in abandoned mining fields had elevated levels of Pb (602 μg/kg) and Hg (15.7 μg/kg). Based on our findings of widespread exposure, high concentrations, and potential health risks posed by these metals, proactive measures for the reclamation and remediation of affected land are needed to protect the environment and human lives in these previous mining communities.
  • Item
    Nutrition intakes and nutritional status of school age children in Ghana
    (Journal of Food Research, 2017) Owusu, J.S.; Colecraft, E.K.; Aryeetey, R.; et al.
    This paper compares the nutrition intake and nutritional status of school children from two public schools in neighbouring communities of Ghana with different school feeding programmes. One hundred and eighty-two caregiver and school-age child pairs were interviewed concerning socio-demographics, dietary practices, and food security in a cross-sectional design. The independent t-test was used to compare the contribution of the publicly funded Ghana School Feeding Programme and Private School Feeding Programme meals to the total daily nutrient intakes of the children. Predictors of the nutritional status of the children were assessed using logistic regression models. The private school feeding programme contributed more energy, protein, and micronutrients as compared to the government school feeding programme. About two-thirds (67.0%) of the children were stunted, underweight, or anaemic. The child’s age was a significant predictor of stunting. Undernutrition was prevalent among children from both programmes. Improved quality of diet from the feeding programmes may contribute to addressing malnutrition in these children.
  • Item
    Factors influencing the use of adequately iodated salt in Ghana
    (African Journal of Food Science, 2012) Ahiadeke, C.; Ackah, C.; Aryeetey, R.; Acquah, A.
    Ghana is one of the largest producers of salt in the West African region yet, access to and the use of adequately iodized salt is not widespread. Using the Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2006, this paper examined the factors influencing the use of adequately iodized salt in Ghana. Factors that influence the use of adequately iodized salt include knowledge, access to information, and wealth status. Where access to formal education opportunities was not available, access to information through media still served as an important instrument to educate the public and increase the community’s knowledge on the nutritional value of consuming adequately iodized salt. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the cost of iodized salt should be reduced to make it more affordable particularly for the poor since wealth is an important factor influencing the use of adequately iodized salt. Furthermore, monitoring and ensuring enforcement of the law of salt fortification with iodine would help Ghana achieve universal salt iodization.