Koforidua Technical University

Urban heat and hardscapes increase cooling electricity demand, stressing power grids and disproportionately burdening deprived neighborhoods. While previous studies have documented the cooling benefits of urban tree canopy, most analyses remain at coarse spatial scales and do not isolate the canopy’s marginal effect from built surfaces, limiting their utility for equitable neighborhood-level planning. We introduce a novel neighborhood-scale (census block-group, CBG) model to estimate cooling-season energy demand across Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Maryland. We quantify demand drivers and actionable tree-canopy targets while controlling for built surfaces. Correlation analysis shows demand increases with developed fraction and imperviousness, and decreases with tree canopy and other vegetated or water cover. Using an explainable monotone gradient-boosted tree model (SHAP) with controls for imperviousness and development, we isolate the canopy’s marginal effect. Demand reductions begin once the canopy exceeds ~11% in Baltimore City and ~23% in Baltimore County, with diminishing returns beyond ~18% (City) and ~24% (County). This flattening is strongest in highly impervious CBGs, while low-impervious county areas show renewed reductions at very high canopy (>55–60%), consistent with forest-dominated microclimates. Spatial hotspots cluster in Baltimore City and southern Baltimore County, where low canopy and high hardscapes coincide with elevated demand; 61% of City CBGs fall below the 18% threshold. We translate these findings into priority intervention tiers combining demand, hardscapes, jurisdiction-specific canopy thresholds, and an equity overlay, identifying 21% of City and 1.2% of County CBGs as high-priority targets for greening and energy-relief interventions.

Healthcare professionals' and students' willingness to provide abortion influences access to care and workforce readiness. We conducted a literature synthesis to identify patterns in willingness across various clinical scenarios. Systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, and CINAHL) and gray literature for studies (January 2014 to February 2025) without language restrictions. Eligible studies reported cross-sectional data on providers' willingness, while we excluded conditionally framed scenarios. Willingness was defined as the intent, readiness, or affirmative response to provide abortion. Summary-level data on theme-specific willingness were extracted and re-coded into binary or proportional format (yes/no or n/N). Estimates were pooled using random-effects models. Meta-regression and publication bias assessments were performed. Study quality was assessed using a novel in-house tool tailored for survey-based research. We included 36 studies (n = 18,779), reporting 137 estimates across 24 themes. Willingness to provide was highest for lethal fetal anomalies (88.7%, 95% CI: 76.1%-95.1%) and maternal physical health risks (88.6%, 95% CI: 55.7%-98.0%) but substantially lower for on-request scenarios (33.1%, 95% CI: 14.9%-58.4%), surgical abortion (32.1%, 95% CI: 11.6%-63.0%), and social reasons (range 20.1%-32.0%). Multilevel modeling captured both converging and diverging response patterns across categories. Meta-regression indicated that students had consistently higher willingness than professionals. Dominant religion was also observed to be more strongly associated than legal status and other country-level indices. Evidence of small-study effects was limited apart from in a few themes. Risk of bias was high in 31% of studies, with our tool showing strong structural overlap with Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) frameworks. Providers often prioritized abortion in life-threatening contexts but hesitated in non-urgent scenarios. Values-based training and systemic reforms are needed for equitable access to and expansion of abortion care. PROSPERO: CRD42025634868.

Land use land cover changes (LULCC) caused by mining-related activities have profound impacts on agricultural production, particularly in areas of rich mineral resources in Ghana. The three districts of study are undergoing significant land transformation due to major mining-related activities. In recent times, mining has destroyed much of the arable land as farmers rent their farmland for mining activities, resulting in the destruction of farmland and a decline in crop production. This research assessed the relationship between LULCC and mining and its ensuing effect on crop yield in Central Region of Ghana, of Ghana. Remote sensing data and ground truth data were used to determine the land use changes and the patterns of agricultural land loss resulting from both legal and illegal mining, random forest algorithm in Google Earth Engine (GEE) was used for the classification. Questionnaires, focus group discussions and crop yield data were analysed together with the classified maps to assess the extent mining activities have affected agricultural output. The results showed massive land use change from one class to another. From 2016 to 2022, mining and built-up increased by 61.9% and 22.0% per year, respectively, while Dense Forests, agricultural lands, and water bodies decreased by 5.1%, 5.7% and 4.2% per year, respectively. Thus, crop loss was significant in mining areas (i.e. 35%) when compared to dominant agricultural areas (i.e. 18%). The findings of this study offer valuable insights to assist planners and decision-makers in formulating strategies to preserve green belts in the region.

Purpose Supply chain social capital (SCSC) has become indispensable in supply chain management owing to its relevance in achieving competitive advantage. Despite the far-reaching attention that scholars and practitioners have paid to the concept, when and how SCSC can drive enhanced operational performance is less understood. Through the lens of social capital and contingency theories, we attempt to fill this gap by examining the extent to which (1) SCSC could drive operational performance (OP), (2) supply chain quality integration (SCQI) may mediate SCSC and OP and (3) the influence of SCSC on SCQI and OP may vary at different levels of absorptive capacity (AC) and institutional environment (IE). Design/methodology/approach This study tests the proposed model using survey data from 341 managers of manufacturing firms in Ghana. Structural equation modeling was employed to validate the model and test the hypotheses. Findings The findings reveal that SCSC significantly enhanced both OP and SCQI. They further showed that SCQI directly and partially mediates SCSC and OP. IE significantly moderated the SCSC-OP nexus. Similarly, AC moderated the SCSC-SCQI relationship. Practical implications This study offers valuable insights for managers and policymakers, suggesting that firms should simultaneously develop SCSC and quality integration strategies to achieve superior OP, while considering the institutional environment and developing absorptive capabilities. Originality/value This study is among the few attempts to unearth the mechanism (SC quality integration) and boundary conditions (absorptive capacity and institutional environment) through which resources embedded in supply chain networks can best be leveraged to drive operational excellence. Although several factors have been identified that influence the performance implications of social capital, the integration of quality within the supply, absorptive capacity and institutional environment is rare.

This work looks at the human-animal relation displayed in Ewe personal names in Ghana, Togo, and Benin by studying sociolinguistics and etymology. Using cultural and socio semiotic theories, the study adopted the qualitative method. This research reviews twenty animal-related Ewe names to find the cultural, symbolic, and spiritual reasons for their use. The study reveals that these names relate closely to shared memory and views, acting as markers of identity, values, and knowledge passed down through generations. Ewe animal-based names show totemic links, ecological awareness, moral lessons, and expectations. As such, they act as a linguistic link connecting language, environment, beliefs, and social structure. This study adds to African onomastics by showing how naming practices hold native ways of knowing and keep cultural heritage alive.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the emergency response measures implemented by the Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong, following a foodborne disease outbreak in September 2023 that affected 51 students. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was used, drawing on key informant interviews, focus group discussions with 22 stakeholders, and analysis of secondary data from the college’s After-Action Report and medical records. Key informant interviews took place in a scheduled office on campus and lasted about 45 minutes. Focus group discussions, also held on campus, lasted approximately 60-90 minutes per session. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed word-for-word with participants' informed consent to maintain the accuracy and authenticity of their responses. The evaluation was guided by the OECD-DAC criteria and the UNHCR Emergency Handbook. Results: The College implemented five key interventions: community health education, emergency planning, clinical investigations and referrals, hygiene and safety enforcement, and stockpiling of emergency supplies. The outbreak was contained within four days, with no fatalities. While overall response efforts were timely, effective, and aligned with national health policies, prolonged emergency meetings and resource constraints in stockpiling were noted challenges. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder coordination, effective communication, and rapid response planning in managing foodborne disease outbreaks. Recommendations include streamlining emergency planning and enhancing logistical readiness. These findings have practical implications for policymakers, educational authorities, and public health agencies in developing frameworks that strengthen outbreak preparedness and response in resource-limited academic settings.

The financial integration literature has mostly focused on traditional growth measures, which is a narrow form of growth. To enhance the body of knowledge on financial integration, this study addresses a gap in the existing literature by adopting a broader perspective on growth, specifically focusing on inclusive growth. Also, it has largely neglected one of the mechanisms through which financial integration enhances growth. Consequently, this study contributes to the existing knowledge by analysing how economic freedom mediates the relationship between financial integration and inclusive growth in a panel of 48 African countries from 2000 to 2021. The empirical results are based on the instrumental variable generalised method of moments (IV-GMM). The findings show that financial integration promotes inclusive growth in Africa. In addition, the results revealed a partial mediation effect of economic freedom in the financial integration-inclusive growth nexus. The study recommends that policymakers should simplify regulations and cut bureaucratic hurdles for financial institutions and businesses. Strengthening legal frameworks to protect property rights and enforce contracts is essential for economic freedom. This enhances investor confidence, aids financial integration, and promotes inclusive growth.