Robert Aidoo

DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN THE SEKYERE-AFRAM PLAINS DISTRICT OF GHANA

The conducted clinical and instrumental study revealed that the aggregate group of the patients with chronic diseases of throat differs by increased frequency of isolated and combined disorders of gastrointestinal tract. If a patient has such symptoms as hoarseness, tickling, scratching, burning, feeling of dryness in throat, frequent variant of gastro-intestinal tract disorders is gastroesophageal reflux disease with pharyngolaryneal reflux. There are such severe pathologies of throat as pachydermia of vocal cords and nodules of vocal cords among more frequently met disorders at gastro-intestinal tract diseases. High probability of accompanied pathology of throat in the form of pachydermia and nodules of vocal cords at patients with gastro-intestinal tract disorders stipulates for the necessity of conducting fibrorhynolaryngoscopy in combination with fibergastroscopy.Study presents short overview of drug situation’s indicators during the first, or heroin decade of drugs, and then during the second, soft and synthetic drugs decade of drugs in Slovakia. Then the results of series of nation-wide school surveys, mapping development of licit and illicit drugs use among children and youth during nineties are outlined. The results indicated constant growth of licit and illicit drugs consumption among primary school pupils, and secondary school students until the fourth wave of nation-wide school surveys in the years 2006 – 2007. However, the next wave after four years has detected profound change in the expected pattern of further growth in the case of illicit drugs. Instead of this decline of use or at least stabilization occurred among Slovak youth. At the same time we have found growth of use in the case of licit drugs – alcohol and tobacco, more profoundly among girls. Also the use of new synthetic drugs among young people was revealed via traditional school survey.

Technical efficiency in Ghana's cocoa industry: Evidence from Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District

This study empirically examined the production efficiency of cocoa farmers in Bibiani-AnhwiasoBekwai District in Ghana using farm level data. Results presented were based on data collected from a random sample of 300 cocoa farmers in fifteen (15) communities/villages using standardized structured questionnaires. The productivity and technical efficiency in cocoa production were estimated through stochastic frontier production function analysis. Empirical results showed that cocoa farms in the study area exhibited increasing returns-to-scale (RTS=1.26), indicating reducing average costs (AC) of production. This implies that cocoa farmers were operating in the irrational zone of production (stage I), an indication of inefficiency in production. The technical efficiency levels in cocoa production were estimated to range between 3 and 93% with a mean technical efficiency of 49%. The main factors that significantly affected technical efficiency in cocoa production were found to be farmer’s experience in cocoa production, farmer’s participation in the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control (CODAPEC) programme, and household size. The study recommended subsidies on chemical inputs for disease and pest control to improve resource use efficiency in cocoa production.

Determinants of response of street food entrepreneurs in Ghana to business management training

Considering the fact that business management training has the potential to improve performance of micro and small enterprises, it is surprising why participation rates in most freely offered management training courses remain low. The purpose of this paper is to explore factors that determine an invitee’s decision to participate in a capacity building management training for street food entrepreneurs in Ghana.,Using data from a baseline survey, the study invited 314 street food entrepreneurs, selected through a stratified random technique from a list of 516 eligible food entrepreneurs. Training participants were invited to the programme through official invitation letters which were hand-delivered. Data on reasons for non-participation were collected either through phone interviews or on-site visit when a vendor could not be reached on phone. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise characteristics of vendors and businesses as well as reasons for non-participation while probit model was used to estimate determinants of participation.,The study found that whereas vendors with higher formal education better appreciate the benefits of education and training, their counterparts with fewer years of schooling do not. The latter’s perceived knowledge deficiencies appear to explain the difference in participation rates. Also, total workforce does not necessarily increase the probability of participation, especially when there are no trusted workers in the business who will take over critical activities such as handling of finances in the absence of the owner. The study also found that distance between vending premises and training centres had significant negative effects on vendors’ participation in the training programme.,The external validity of the study findings and conclusions may not be limited to all informal sectors of the developing economies due to high degree of heterogeneity of the informal economy.,The study focusses on an informal sector in developing country dominated by women. The study focusses on understanding informal entrepreneurs’ response to formal training.

Agricultural extension and its effects on farm productivity and income: insight from Northern Ghana

BackgroundIn agricultural-dependent economies, extension programmes have been the main conduit for disseminating information on farm technologies, support rural adult learning and assist farmers in developing their farm technical and managerial skills. It is expected that extension programmes will help increase farm productivity, farm revenue, reduce poverty and minimize food insecurity. In this study, we estimate the effects of extension services on farm productivity and income with particular reference to agricultural extension services delivered by Association of Church-based Development NGOs (ACDEP).MethodsThe study used cross-sectional data collected from 200 farm households from two districts in the Northern region of Ghana. The robustness of the estimates was tested by the use of regression on covariates, regression on propensity scores and Heckman treatment effect model.ResultsThe study found positive economic gains from participating in the ACDEP agricultural extension programmes. Apart from the primary variable of interest (ACDEP agricultural extension programme), socio-economic, institutional and farm-specific variables were estimated to significantly affect farmers’ farm income depending on the estimation technique used.ConclusionsThe study has reaffirmed the critical role of extension programmes in enhancing farm productivity and household income. It is, therefore, recommended that agricultural extension service delivery should be boosted through timely recruitment, periodic training of agents and provision of adequate logistics.

Is there any economics in smallholder cocoyam production? Evidence from the forest agro-ecological zone of Ghana

BackgroundCocoyam is an important food security crop in Ghana because it stores better than all other root and tuber crops. Despite its socio-economic relevance, production has declined persistently since the last decade. This study attempts to examine the profitability of cocoyam production to smallholders in Ghana by estimating the returns on critical production resources. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 150 cocoyam producers were randomly sampled across three major producing regions in Ghana.ResultsEmpirical results reveal that cocoyam production is generally not profitable given the present cost of capital in Ghana, suggesting why farmers are shifting from its production. A disaggregated analysis reveals that producers in Fanteakwa district have a competitive advantage over their counterparts in Asante Akyem South and Asunafo North districts in terms of relative profitability owing to higher yield and better produce price at terminal markets. Gross margin, net profit, and returns on assets, land as well as unpaid labour and management significantly varied across districts. Producing cocoyam on sole crop basis was found to significantly return higher than the predominant intercropping culture of production. Apart from production cost, gross margins, net income and returns to critical production factors under the mono-cropping system were found to be significantly higher, at 5% significance level, compared to the intercropping system.ConclusionThe study concludes that smallholder cocoyam production is presently not profitable, and hence, production scales have reduced to subsistence levels. Due to higher yield and better produce prices, Fanteakwa farmers have a competitive advantage over other producing districts. Production under the mono-cropping system is relatively profitable than under the intercropping system. However, the financial leverage of cocoyam production could be enhanced via policy alternatives directed at ensuring farmers’ access to and intensification of productive inputs.

Resource use efficiency among maize farmers in Ghana

BackgroundDespite the enormous importance of maize in Ghana, maize farmers in the country continue to experience low yields, making Ghana self-insufficient in the production of the crop. For maize farmers to be helped to increase productivity, the focus should not only be on whether or not they have adopted productivity-enhancing technologies, but it is necessary to carefully examine whether they are even making maximum use of the technologies or inputs available to them. This study analysed resource use efficiency for Ghana’s maize farms.MethodsThe data used were obtained through a cross-sectional survey of 576 maize farmers in the Northern Savannah, Transitional, Forest and Coastal Savannah zones of Ghana using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier analysis and the ratio of marginal value product to marginal factor cost were the methods of analysis employed.ResultsThe results showed that generally, maize farmers in Ghana were inefficient in their use of resources available to them. Fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, seed, manure and land were underutilized, while labour and capital were overutilized by the farmers. The results further showed that maize farmers in Ghana exhibit increasing returns to scale, indicating that the famers can increase their output by increasing the use of some of the key resources.ConclusionIncentives and strategies aimed at encouraging farmers to optimize the use of fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, seed, manure and land are recommended to ensure improved maize productivity in Ghana. Currently, incentives and strategies could take the form of better management by government of the current fertilizer subsidy programme and efficient input distribution through farmer-based organizations to ensure easy access by farmers.

Consumers’ Perception of Safety of Leafy Vegetables and Its Effect on Their Vegetable Purchasing Decisions in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Aim: The study sought to determine consumersperception of the safety of leafy vegetables and how it affects their decision to purchase leafy vegetables in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Methodology: Data employed in the study comes from 200 consumers in the study area. Perceptions of consumers were assessed by using a 5 -point Likert-type scale. Consumers were asked to indicate the extent to which they agree to statements about safety of vegetables in the retail market of Kuma si-Ghana. These perception scores were averaged to form the consumer perception index. Consumersdemographic characteristics were cross tabulated against their perception to find the influence one has on the other. Also, consumersperceptions were cross -tabulated against their purchasing decision of leafy vegetable to fi nd the association between them. OriginalResearch Article