The practice of integrated healthcare and the experiences of people in Ghana’s Ashanti region

Background The Ghanaian government has implemented interventions that integrate traditional medicine (TM) into its national health system in response to the high prevalence of TM use. However, empirical evidence of the experiences of service users and the practice of integrated health in Ghana is scanty. Therefore, this study explored the experiences of people with TM integration into the formal health system in Ashanti region using an adapted TM integration framework. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods study design comprising survey administration and in-depth interviews for data collection was utilised to address the research objective. Framework analysis was used in analysing the qualitative data and for triangulation of results. Results Participants were aware of licensing and training of TM practitioners in a science-based university in Ghana. However, knowledge of the existence of TM units in selected hospitals in the region was minimal. Integration knowledge was largely influenced by sex, marital status, household size and residential status, where males and urban dwellers were more familiar with the process than females and rural dwellers. Low patronage of integrated health services in the region was attributable to weak cross referrals. However, service users who had engaged with the integrated system recounted a satisfactory outcome. Conclusion Service users’ unfamiliarity with the presence of integrated facilities in Ghana could be an impediment to the practice of integrated healthcare. Sensitisation of the public about the practice of an integrated system could refine the Ghanaian integrated system. Regular evaluation of patient satisfaction and outcome measures might also serve as an effective strategy for improving health services delivery since evaluation is becoming an important component of health service design and implementation. There is the need for future studies to focus on exploring the perceptions and experiences of health practitioners and hospital administrators regarding the practice of integrated health in Ghana.

Reducing GHG and NOx Pollutant Emissions by Hydrogen Burning with Technical Oxygen

Traditional Ghanaian furniture designs are known as an exhibition of the splendor and elegance of decorative objects or decorative ornaments that carry profound philosophical and sacred meanings. The features found in Ghana’s traditional Ghanaian design can be considered as objects for international players, with their own identity and not found elsewhere. This paper therefore seeks to identify and illuminate some of these Akan cultural objects in Ghana by referring to the Ashanti region. This paper also shows with examples how these design elements can be developed and maintained by integrating them into modern furniture and interior designs or as a straightforward or adaptive design.

An analysis of the effect of procurement practices on public institutions: an examination of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (mmdas) in the Ashanti region of Ghana

Governments in both affluent and developing countries employ procurement strategies to decrease costs, resulting in large cash outflows that have a substantial influence on their economy. However, especially in the public sector, public procurement practices are usually disregarded in terms of their impact on an organization's success. As a result, utilizing Metropolitan, Municipal, and Distract Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana's Ashanti Region as case study institutions, it is unavoidable to investigate public sector procurement practices and their impact on organizational performance. The survey study design was used to map out the data collection process. A purposively sampled cohort of 113 people was used to administer the questionnaire. Using the Probit Regression Model, the study claims that procurement practices such as planning, sourcing, and contract management have a substantial positive link with organizational success. Given the interdependence of all dimensions of procurement practices, procurement practitioners are urged to give each factor proportionate attention to improve organizational performance.

THE The Heritage of Ghanaian Traditional Furniture Culture

Traditional Ghanaian furniture designs are known as an exhibition of the splendor and elegance of decorative objects or decorative ornaments that carry profound philosophical and sacred meanings. The features found in Ghana’s traditional Ghanaian design can be considered as objects for international players, with their own identity and not found elsewhere. This paper therefore seeks to identify and illuminate some of these Akan cultural objects in Ghana by referring to the Ashanti region. This paper also shows with examples how these design elements can be developed and maintained by integrating them into modern furniture and interior designs or as a straightforward or adaptive design.

The Use of Explicit Instruction in Writing Amongst Students of Colleges of Education in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

The study sought to examine the use of Explicit Instruction in writing lessons at some selected Colleges of Education in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The collective case study design informed by constructivist grounded theory data analysis methods was used. Data were collected and analyzed using three instruments namely a semi-structured interview, sample texts on argumentative and expository essays and observations. The study revealed that combining the cognitive strategy of text structure knowledge application with the metacognitive strategy of self-monitoring supports the development of academic writing in students in the Colleges of Education. Also, students make mistakes in their writing and these mistakes include verb errors, article errors and wrong words. It was also revealed that with regards to Explicit Instruction in the classroom, tutors comprehensively used instructions in the language class to enhance students writing skills. This study further showed that tutors have a variety of evidence-based instructional practices that improve many different skills and student’s writing knowledge. The researcher recommended that students in Colleges of Education in Ghana are made to read extensively outside the curriculum to broaden their vocabulary repertoire so that the over-reliance on tutors for corrections can be minimized.

Hydrochemical peculiarities and groundwater quality assessment of the Birimian and Tarkwaian aquifer systems in Bosome Freho District and Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Ghana

The Birimian and Tarkwaian aquifer systems are the main sources of water supply for the Bosome Freho District and Bekwai Municipality inhabitants in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A hydrogeochemical assessment was carried out to ascertain the natural baseline chemistry of the groundwaters and the factors influencing groundwater chemistry in these two areas. A multivariate statistical tool consisting of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) together with hydrochemical graphical plots was applied on 64 groundwater samples. The Q–mode HCA results were used to explain the changes in groundwater chemistry along the flow paths where three spatial groundwater zones and water types were delineated. The first type consists of Ca–Mg–HCO3 freshwater (recharge zone), which transitions into Ca–Na–HCO3 or Na–Ca–HCO3 mixed waters (intermediate zone) and finally evolves to the third type of Na–Ca–Mg–HCO3–Cl water (discharge zone). The study also reveals that the natural process influencing water chemistry is groundwater–rock interaction from carbonate and silicate weathering/dissolution, aided by carbonic acid from precipitation and releases concentration of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3− into the groundwaters significantly. The chloro-alkaline indices also reveal cation exchange as the principal natural factor that controls groundwater chemistry in the area. Inverse geochemical modelling shows the dissolution of primary minerals such as dolomite, plagioclase, halite, gypsum, and precipitation of calcite and chlorite along the groundwater flow path. Anthropogenic activities have little influence on groundwater chemistry. The quality of groundwater in the Bosome Freho District and Bekwai Municipality is suitable for irrigational use and drinking water consumption. The results obtained so far will contribute to research paucity in the study area and serve as a guide for decision-makers for improved water resources management.

Activity-Based Teaching and Learning Approach and Students’ Academic Performance: Evidence from Among Stakeholders from Barekese District Ashanti Region of Ghana

In this study, the authors explored the level of awareness and views on the activity-based approach to teaching and learning (ABTLA) in enhancing skills, competency and academic performance among students and other stakeholders from Senior High Schools (SHS) and Colleges of Education (COE) in Barekese District of Ashanti Region of Ghana. A survey involving 510 various stakeholders was conducted within the Barekese District of Ashanti Region of Ghana, using sets of a self-administered structured questionnaire. The study revealed that the Ghanaian stakeholders of second cycle and COEs are highly aware of ABTLA and its potency for enhancing skills, competency and academic performance among students. Policy implications and further future research directions were provided.