Ghana Journal of Science, Technology and Development

Contamination of Fish Feed with Pathogenic Organisms: Implications on Fish Diseases in Aquaculture Systems

Rhoda Lims Diyie, Emmanuel Odartei Armah — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tracing contamination to its ultimate source is considered difficult as multiple factors affect stable microbial community in culture water. Feed, covering over 60 percent of production cost although less considered, could represent a significant source of fish diseases, the major constraint in aquaculture production. The present study based on the sensitivity of quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, indicated low to high concentrations of bacteria and fungi in fish-feed from various aquaculture farms in Ghana. Prevalence rate of bacteria isolated from the gut of fish (26.09%) were similar to that from diseased portions (26.89%). Although mode of transmission of most infections are largely through the water in which the fish are submerged, Staphylococcus aureus was not isolated from the culture water samples but occurred with the highest prevalence (60%) in fish-feed, thus confirming contamination of fish-feed as a significant pathway for entry of pathogens. Advancements towards the safety of fish should include the surveillance of fish-feed for microbial quality, and incorporation into human foodborne disease surveillance systems to ensure holistic effectiveness.

Assessment of technical efficiency and its determinants among smallholder pepper farmers in Tolon district of Ghana

Benjamin Tetteh Anang, Clever Apedo, Mark Appiah-Twumasi — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The main purpose of the study was to assess technical efficiency (TE) and its determinants among smallholder pepper farmers in a less developed country, Ghana. The study used a stochastic frontier approach and the translog production function to analyze TE of the selected pepper farmers. The mean technical efficiency was estimated at 81.4% implying high efficiency of production among the producers. Pepper output increased with the cost of ploughing as well as the quantity of seed used in production. Furthermore, respondent’s age, years of formal education, household size, weeding frequency, livestock ownership and access to credit were identified as significant factors affecting TE. The study recommends provision of credit to farmers, training on effective weed control and soil fertility management alongside integration of livestock rearing as measures necessary to boost TE of pepper farmers.

The Nexus between Citizen Participation and Engagement in Elections and Development in Ghana: Empirical Evidence from Voters in Four Electorally-Swing Constituencies in Ghana

Gbensuglo Bukari, Eliasu Mumuni, Adam Osman Oscar — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper establishes the relationship between individual citizens' voting participation in national elections and their felt socio-economic outcomes in Ghana. The paper adopts a micro-level approach and utilises data from a random sample of 600 respondents in four electorally-swing constituencies. The aim is to ascertain their views on a range of socio-economic issues related to elections and felt individual and community outcomes. The analysis of the results was conducted using standard multi-regression. The results of the analysis established that the relationship between individual and household economic welfare related to personal income, employment opportunities, personal and household educational opportunities and personal and household health status and voting participation is varied. The conclusion is that the unique circumstances of voter participation and choice in an election in the electorally-swing constituencies in the country are contingent on superior socio-economic policies of an incumbent government or political parties in electoral competition with the aspiration to win political power and dominance in a future electoral contest in Ghana. Therefore, based on the results, the enhancement of democracy through active participation in the political and electoral processes should place a premium on inclusive access of citizens to income, health, education and employment opportunities.

Keywords: elections, democracy, participation, engagement, development, voting behaviour, Ghana