Kumasi Technical University

The effectiveness of combining biological agents, comprising Telenomus remus, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhabditis rainai, against the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) in maize fields across two ecological zones in Ghana was evaluated. The four treatments tested were sole T. remus, T. remus + M. rainai, T. remus + B. bassiana, and T. remus + M. rainai + B. bassiana, with the entomopathogens applied 24 h after T. remus release. Parameters collected included parasitized egg masses and larval mortality of S. frugiperda, maize leaf and cob damage, re-infestation after treatment and yield. Egg parasitism rates (43.24–61.53%) were similar across treatments, indicating the compatibility of the parasitoid and entomopathogens. However, larval mortality was significantly higher (75.00–87.65%) in combined treatments compared to sole T. remus (4.03–7.89%) with increased yield. Leaf damage varied, with the highest levels recorded in plots treated with T. remus, while cob damage remained consistently low across treatments. Ecological zone type influenced egg parasitism, re-infestation, and yield. Incorporating T. remus with these entomopathogens into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies as one of the components significantly reduced fall armyworm damage in Ghana.

Purpose The study investigates stakeholder engagement in public procurement of works within tertiary institutions in Ghana, emphasizing its role in advancing environmental sustainability. It aims to determine the present level of stakeholder engagement, assess stakeholders' understanding of environmental sustainability and explore barriers hindering effective engagement. Design/methodology/approach Structured questionnaires were administered to procurement professionals, stakeholders and institutional representatives. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-test, and mean score ranking to identify patterns, levels and barriers to stakeholder engagement. Findings The results highlight that stakeholder engagement is most prominent at the preparation and planning stage, while later procurement phases, such as tendering and contract implementation, experience reduced participation. Stakeholders demonstrated a generally high understanding of environmental sustainability. However, significant barriers were identified, including difficulty in identifying representatives, lack of clear benefits and financial constraints. These systemic and resource-related challenges limit comprehensive stakeholder involvement across procurement phases. Practical implications The findings emphasize the need for tertiary institutions to adopt comprehensive stakeholder mapping, implement structured engagement frameworks and promote transparency. Tailored training programs and adequate resource allocation are necessary to overcome identified barriers and ensure sustainable procurement practices. Originality/value This study offers new insights into stakeholder engagement in Ghana's tertiary institutions, providing a localized understanding of the interplay between procurement practices and environmental sustainability. It proposes practical strategies to enhance participation and sustainability outcomes, aligning procurement processes with global best practices.

Abstract Introduction Anaemia is one of the most prevalent global public health challenges, particularly among women of reproductive age and children. According to the World Health Organization, anaemia is defined as a hemoglobin concentration below 13.0 g/dL in adult men, 12.0 g/dL in non-pregnant women, and 11.0 g/dL in pregnant women. Hemoglobin measurement therefore plays a critical role in diagnosis, classification, and monitoring of anaemia at both clinical and public health levels. Hemoglobin estimation allows early identification and intervention in at-risk populations. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted at Aniniwaa Medical Centre, Kumasi, involving 100 participants who visited the laboratory for a complete blood count. Venous blood samples were collected aseptically into EDTA tubes and analysed first with the fully automated analyser, followed by the two Hb meters. Data were analysed using Chi-square tests, Bland–Altman plots, and descriptive statistics. Results Results showed that the prevalence of anaemia varied across methods: 28% by the analyser, 60% by Urit, and 64% by Mission. Both meters demonstrated 100% sensitivity but lower specificities (55.6% for Urit and 50.0% for Mission). Bland–Altman analysis indicated negative biases (Urit = –1.665 g/dL; Mission = –1.55 g/dL), suggesting both underestimated hemoglobin values compared to the reference. Conclusion The study revealed that while Hb meters offer convenience and portability for field screening, the fully automated analyser remains more accurate and reliable for diagnosing anaemia in clinical settings.

Purpose This study examines the relationship between operational supply chain transparency (OSCT) and sustainable supply chains using business regulatory compliance (BRC) as a moderator and supply chain complexity (SCC) as the mediator in manufacturing firms in Greater Kumasi, Ashanti region. Design/methodology/approach The survey used 200 of 223 manufacturing firms from Greater Kumasi. Both direct, mediating and moderating effects among the research variables were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling and SPSS. Findings The findings indicate that BRC and OSCT significantly enhance sustainable supply chains. OSCT has a direct effect on the sustainable supply chain. Again, SCC did not support a sustainable supply chain, and SCC does not mediate this relationship either. However, BRC strengthens the effect of OSCT on sustainable supply chains. Practical implications This study gives manufacturing firm managers evidence-backed guidance on matching their operations with regulatory standards. The study also provides insights on how to use transparency and compliance together to boost sustainability results, which helps inform decisions in complex supply chain settings. Originality/value By integrating BRC and OSCT into a single model, this study breaks new ground in understanding how these variables jointly affect sustainable supply chains. The study offers a fresh viewpoint by exploring the ways these two elements work together, an area that has been largely overlooked by scholars.

Purpose Poultry sectors in many developing economies face persistent feed cost pressures due to their dependence on imported ingredients. Using Ghana as a case study, this research aims to examine whether locally-sourced rice bran can be elevated from an underutilized by-product to a cost-effective feed ingredient that strengthens farm profitability and reduces import dependence. Design/methodology/approach A 42-week commercial-scale randomized controlled trial evaluated four rice bran inclusion levels against a wheat bran control diet. Daily production, egg quality traits, feed costs and revenues were captured using standard farm accounting procedures. Profitability was assessed using gross margins, supported by deterministic price-sensitivity analysis modeling the effects of varying feed and egg prices. Findings Formulations containing 25–30% rice bran matched the control in egg output and egg-quality characteristics while lowering feed costs by 9.5–11.4%. The 30% inclusion level yielded the highest returns, increasing gross profit margins by 5.4 percentage points. Sensitivity analysis showed that high-inclusion feed remained profitable under adverse market conditions, whereas the control and low-inclusion feed formulations were less profitable. Research limitations/implications Broader adoption requires addressing rice bran's perishability and validating performance across agroecological zones, farm sizes and feed processing systems. Originality/value This study offers rare long-cycle, commercial-scale evidence from West Africa demonstrating the economic viability of agro-waste valorization in poultry feed and presenting a practical, theory-informed model for advancing import substitution while improving farm-level profitability.

ABSTRACT Background Ghana's national rollout of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine marks a major milestone in cervical cancer prevention. However, early implementation experiences highlight emerging challenges that may undermine vaccine uptake and equitable access. Drawing on recent public health reports and peer‐reviewed studies, this commentary examines the sociocultural and communication factors shaping HPV vaccine acceptance in Ghana. Main Argument Despite high awareness of cervical cancer risk, persistent parental hesitancy, questions surrounding consent for minors, and misinformation about vaccine safety continue to constrain coverage. Structural issues, including uneven service delivery, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and the legacy of mistrust from prior immunization campaigns, further complicate implementation. Evidence from Ghana and other sub‐Saharan contexts suggests that successful HPV vaccine uptake depends not only on availability but also on transparent communication, trust in institutions, and culturally responsive messaging. Strengthening collaboration between the Ghana Health Service, community leaders, and faith‐based organizations could foster local ownership and address moral or informational concerns. Ultimately, sustaining Ghana's HPV vaccination initiative requires a comprehensive communication strategy that integrates scientific evidence with community values, ensuring informed consent and public confidence. Conclusion These lessons have broader implications for immunization programmes in low‐ and middle‐income settings, where public trust remains pivotal to achieving global vaccination goals.

Mazkur maqolada cholg‘u ijrochiligini o‘qitishda innovatsion pedagogik yondashuvlarning mazmuni va ahamiyati tahlil qilinadi. Raqamli texnologiyalar, interfaol metodlar va kompetensiyaviy ta’lim asosida ijrochi tayyorlashning samarali yo‘llari yoritiladi.

Man has suffered from diseases of all kinds since the beginning of human life several millennia or centuries ago. Uncountable illnesses, both those that science can easily explain and those that to date are inexplicable, have affected, killed and weakened many from antiquity till now.

Feedstocks derived from waste materials are advantageous for valorisation due to their low cost and role in addressing waste disposal issues. Cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), derived from inedible cashew nut shells, has emerged as a notable precursor in the coating industry, replacing petroleum and other detrimental chemicals. CNSL resins are cost-effective, eco-friendly, high-temperature stable, and offer strong adhesion and flexibility. The present work demonstrates an eco-friendly technique for producing and characterising coatings devoid of alkyds, utilising CNSL, a bio-derived precursor, and boric acid crosslinking. CNSL, aliphatic alcohols, and sulphamic acid (catalyst) were employed in the development of sustainable polymeric films for bio-based coatings. Using the same synthetic route, CNSL-based resins were successfully synthesised by substituting boric acid for aliphatic alcohols, with sulphamic acid serving as a catalyst. Bio-based coatings were synthesised by amalgamating the resins with CNSL-based polymers, eliminating the necessity for alkyds. The films and coatings produced were evaluated for their physical and functional properties using FTIR, 1HNMR, SEM-EDS, zeta potential analysis, particle size measurement, viscosity assessment, and mechanical performance testing. The boric acid-modified coatings exhibited a promising combination of stability, hardness, and favourable mechanical properties relative to a commercial coating, indicating their potential application in the coatings industry. Future studies on corrosion resistance and long-term environmental stability would enhance the evaluation of the coatings’ industrial applicability. The study, which advocates greener industrial coatings, indicates that the sustainable CNSL-based coatings performed comparably to commercial coating systems, which is promising for their durability.