Registration status, mercury exposure biomarkers, and neuropsychological assessment of artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) from the Western Region of Ghana

Background. Mercury is a toxic metal with effects on human health ranging from acute to chronic in a very short time of exposure. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the main source of direct human exposure to mercury. Human exposure to mercury (Hg) can occur through both direct inhalation of mercury vapor and consumption of material taken from contaminated areas. To protect the health of ASGM workers and surrounding communities, a health assessment of mercury exposure and its effects is urgently needed. However, analysis of hair and urine samples as a proof test for mercury toxicity is very expensive. Therefore other tests must be considered to identify the first symptoms of mercury toxicity in miners and the surrounding community. Objectives. The present study aimed to determine the effects of mercury exposure on renal function along with the hematological parameters of gold miners and the community as a first indication of mercury exposure symptoms. Methods. The study was designed as a purposive field sampling study and was conducted in 3 main villages in Sekotong District, West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The 100 subjects were miners that have been exposed to mercury for at least 5 years and their wives and children (non-miners) who lived around the gold processing area. Blood and urine samples were then obtained from the subjects. The miners and non-miners were questioned about their mercury exposure over the previous 5 years, duration of exposure, and how mercury was handled in their daily life. Blood and urine samples were collected at the time of the study, around 10 ml of urine and 0.1 ml of blood (2 drops) were collected per subject. In order to determine the parallel results between the blood-urine and hair results, hair from the miners was collected at a different time for analysis. Results. The results showed that the subjects had low proteinuria, hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations as a consequence of chronic mercury intoxication. This finding was parallel with results of high mercury concentrations in urine (>7 – 273.3 μg/l) and miners' hair (>1 – 12.93 μg/g). Miners and non-miners in the exposure area were found to have proteinuria levels of more than 0.3 g/L. Proteinuria (≥0.3 g/L) was observed in 92.6% of miners and 72.4% of non-miners. Conclusions. The results of the present study suggest that urinalysis of proteinuria and hemoglobin values can be used as a screening test to detect renal impairment due to mercury intoxication.

Download Full-text

Financing Small Scale Oil Palm Producers in the Western Region of Ghana-Ahanta West District

Business and Economic Research ◽

10.5296/ber.v6i1.8808 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 272

Author(s):

Martha Coleman ◽

Daniel Odei Okyere

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Oil Palm ◽

Small Scale ◽

Western Region ◽

Medium Scale ◽

Personal Savings ◽

The Western Region

Business finance has been a major problem facing most businesses, both the small and large companies as well as the medium ones. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are no exceptions of the problems faced by businesses. These enterprises are mostly managed by low income earners. Some of these enterprises cannot grow into large companies because of lack of funds. The objectives of the study are to identify the various forms of funds available to SMEs in the oil palm producing sector of the Ahanta West District of the Western Region of Ghana, find out the funds that have been actually accessed by oil palm producers in the Ahanta West District, and identify some other means of financing the oil palm production. The study revealed that majority of oil palm producers in the Ahanta West District finance their operation with personal savings and have not accessed any loan from the banks.

Download Full-text

IDENTIFYING SEED UPTAKE PATHWAYS: THE SPREAD OFAGYA AMOAHRICE CULTIVAR IN SOUTHWESTERN GHANA

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479708006170 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 257-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

K. A. MARFO ◽

P. T. DORWARD ◽

P. Q. CRAUFURD ◽

F. ANSERE-BIOH ◽

J. HALEEGOAH ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rice Variety ◽

Small Scale ◽

Western Region ◽

Seed Systems ◽

Equitable Distribution ◽

Rice Farmers ◽

Rainfed Rice ◽

Rapid Spread ◽

The Western Region ◽

Small Scale Farmer

SUMMARYA study was carried out to identify the factors that contributed to the natural spread and uptake of a rainfed rice variety namedAgya Amoahin the Western Region of Ghana after introduction of a small amount (0.5 kg) of seed in 1987 by a small-scale farmer. Fifteen years after its introduction over 73% of rice farmers had grown the variety in the Western Region. Initial awareness of the variety was created by information provided mainly by friends, seeing the variety grown in fields and from relatives. Seed for initial planting of the variety was purchased from other farmers by 67% of farmers, but in the most recent season 77% of farmers used their own saved seed. Annual incremental income per household from the replacement of the previously most widely grown variety withAgya Amoahwas estimated to be US $282. The results show that informal systems can result in relatively fast spread and extensive uptake. Local seed systems need to be understood to design appropriate activities that are likely to lead to rapid spread and equitable distribution of introduced varieties, irrespective of characteristics such as wealth and kin.

Download Full-text

The “Galamsey” Menace: Implications on the Archaeological Record at Awudua Dada, Western Region, Ghana

Legon Journal of the Humanities ◽

10.4314/ljh.v32i1.5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 103-133

Author(s):

Fritz Biveridge

Keyword(s):

Gold Mining ◽

Historical Research ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Small Scale ◽

Western Region ◽

Cultural Resources ◽

Archaeological Record ◽

Gold Miners ◽

European Trade ◽

Metal Products

This article discusses the socio-cultural consequences of small-scale artisanal gold mining on the archaeological record and other heritage resources at Awudua Dada, located in the Prestia-Huni Valley District of the Western Region, Ghana. The settlement witnessed vibrant commercial exchanges between Wassa and Dutch traders in the mid-seventeenth century because of its abundant gold resources, much of which was exchanged for novel European trade goods such as varieties of alcoholic beverages, guns, gunpowder, and finished metal products among many others. Currently abandoned and desolate, groups of small-scale artisanal gold miners continue to prospect gold there, and along the banks and bed of the Ankobra River which lies close-by. Archaeological, historical, and ethno historical research constituted the principal methods used to derive data for the study which revealed that mining had not only negatively impacted the archaeological record and other cultural resources there but had also caused significant environmental degradation.

Download Full-text

Small Scale Maize Farmers Attitude towards Opinion Leaders in the Western Region of Kenya in the Agricultural Reform Era

Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Studies ◽

10.47191/jefms/v4-i6-15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 04 (06) ◽

Author(s):

Adijah Mukabana Olubandwa

Keyword(s):

Random Sampling ◽

Opinion Leaders ◽

Small Scale ◽

Western Region ◽

Maize Production ◽

Systematic Random Sampling ◽

The Western Region ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

Local Leaders ◽

Extension Staff

Agricultural reforms in Kenya led to the government cutting down incentives to small scale farmers. These also coincided with reduction of agricultural extension staff hence farmers have to rely on advice from opinion leaders. The study looked at farmers’ attitude towards opinion leaders on maize farming in the western region of Kenya because maize is the main staple for most of the Kenyan population and Western Region is the food basket. The study used Ex-post facto research design via cross sectional survey. The counties were purposively selected to represent the Western Region of Kenya. Two sub-counties from each of the four Counties were selected by simple random sampling. Small scale farmers were selected from focal areas through systematic random sampling. Four key informants were sampled purposefully based on their positions of authority. In addition, 52 extension staffs were sampled through systematic random sampling. The small scale farmers were interviewed with the help of interview schedule containing both open and closed ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that a high percentage of respondents from all the study Counties agreed that what other farmers said about maize production helped them to invest in the enterprise. The study concluded that small scale farmers from all the Counties, were influenced by other farmers to invest in maize production. In addition most of the respondents always followed the recommendations given by the chief and other local leaders concerning agricultural production. The study recommended that extension staff use farmer groups and local leaders to ensure that the innovations are diffused to a large number of farmers.

Download Full-text