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Acquaye V., Addai-Mununkum, R., Acquah, S., Ananga E. (2022). The new B.Ed. Curriculum and the making of 21st Century teachers in Ghana: Perceptions of UEW teacher trainees on digital pedagogies. International Journal of Basic Education Research and Policy, 4,
Abstract
The promulgation of the National Teachers’ Standards has brought to the fore the need to prepare a 21st century teacher who is “effective, engaging, inspirational, and fully prepared to teach the basic school curriculum in order to improve the learning outcomes and life chances of all learners”. To do this, teachers ought to demonstrate soft skills, but more importantly literacy in Information & Communications Technology (ICT). With the introduction of the new B.Ed. curriculum for colleges of Education & Teacher Education Universities, scholarship is curious about how the promise of the new curriculum is manifesting its’ outcome in practice. To respond to this uncertainty, we designed a quantitative descriptive survey to explore how student-teachers perceive of the opportunities offered by the new B.Ed. curriculum for their ICT skills development. All 473 first year students enrolled in B.Ed. Basic Education programme at the University of Education –Winneba for the 2018/2019 academic year were engaged in the study that required them to fill out a 48-item questionnaire. Following descriptive quantitative analyses, the data revealed students’ access to smartphones can be harnessed by educators to facilitate teaching and learning. Yet, gender and age differences exist in students’ access to, abilities to, and appreciation of, ICT use. Besides, access to internet connectivity, and challenges relating to accessing credible information remain obstacles. Implications of these findings for scholarship and practice are presented for discussion.
The promulgation of the National Teachers’ Standards has brought to the fore the need to prepare a 21st century teacher who is “effective, engaging, inspirational, and fully prepared to teach the basic school curriculum in order to improve the learning outcomes and life chances of all learners”. To do this, teachers ought to demonstrate soft skills, but more importantly literacy in Information & Communications Technology (ICT). With the introduction of the new B.Ed. curriculum for colleges of Education & Teacher Education Universities, scholarship is curious about how the promise of the new curriculum is manifesting its’ outcome in practice. To respond to this uncertainty, we designed a quantitative descriptive survey to explore how student-teachers perceive of the opportunities offered by the new B.Ed. curriculum for their ICT skills development. All 473 first year students enrolled in B.Ed. Basic Education programme at the University of Education –Winneba for the 2018/2019 academic year were engaged in the study that required them to fill out a 48-item questionnaire. Following descriptive quantitative analyses, the data revealed students’ access to smartphones can be harnessed by educators to facilitate teaching and learning. Yet, gender and age differences exist in students’ access to, abilities to, and appreciation of, ICT use. Besides, access to internet connectivity, and challenges relating to accessing credible information remain obstacles. Implications of these findings for scholarship and practice are presented for discussion.
Matemba Y. H; Addai-Mununkum, R., (2021). . Religious Education in Malawi and Ghana: Perspectives on Religious Misrepresentation and Misclusion, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429331671 http://https://www.routledge.com/Religious-Education-in-Malawi-and-Ghana-Perspectives-on-Religious-Misrepresentation/Matemba-Addai-Mununkum/p/book/9780367741204. ISBN: 9780429331671
Abstract
Religious Education in Malawi and Ghana contributes to the literature on opportunities and complexities of inclusive approaches to Religious Education (RE). It analyses how RE in Malawi and Ghana engages with religious pluralisation and provides a compelling case for the need to re-evaluate current approaches in the conceptualisation, curriculum design and delivery of RE in schools in Malawi and Ghana. The book explains how a pervasive tradition of selection involving exclusion and inclusion of religion in RE leads to misrepresentation, and in turn to misclusion of non-normative religions, where religion is included but marginalized and misrepresented. The book contributes to wider discourse of RE on opportunities as well as complexities of post-confessional approaches, including the need for RE to avoid perpetuating the continued legitimisation of selected religions, and in the process the delegitimization of the religious ‘other’ as a consequence of misrepresentation and misclusion. Inspired by Braten’s methodology for comparative studies in RE, the book draws on two qualitative studies from Malawi and Ghana to highlight the pervasive problems of religious misclusion in RE. This book will be of great interest for academics, scholars and post graduate students in the fields of RE, African education, educational policy, international education and comparative education..
Religious Education in Malawi and Ghana contributes to the literature on opportunities and complexities of inclusive approaches to Religious Education (RE). It analyses how RE in Malawi and Ghana engages with religious pluralisation and provides a compelling case for the need to re-evaluate current approaches in the conceptualisation, curriculum design and delivery of RE in schools in Malawi and Ghana. The book explains how a pervasive tradition of selection involving exclusion and inclusion of religion in RE leads to misrepresentation, and in turn to misclusion of non-normative religions, where religion is included but marginalized and misrepresented. The book contributes to wider discourse of RE on opportunities as well as complexities of post-confessional approaches, including the need for RE to avoid perpetuating the continued legitimisation of selected religions, and in the process the delegitimization of the religious ‘other’ as a consequence of misrepresentation and misclusion. Inspired by Braten’s methodology for comparative studies in RE, the book draws on two qualitative studies from Malawi and Ghana to highlight the pervasive problems of religious misclusion in RE. This book will be of great interest for academics, scholars and post graduate students in the fields of RE, African education, educational policy, international education and comparative education..
Acheampong, E.Y., Sarpong, E.O. & Mahamah, M (2022). Understanding sports betting among young male student-teachers in Ghana. Journal of Gambling Issues, 49,
Abstract
Drawing on sports betting, leisure studies and the rationality concept provide information to understand how those training to be teachers are gradually gravitating towards gambling to the detriment of their studies at the university. A thorough analysis of 42 young male adults interviewed at betting shops in the university community revealed how they have become involved in sports betting activities for additional financial rewards. Results show that peer pressure is a strong persuader drawing new student-teachers to sports betting activities, which makes it difficult for them to effectively focus on their studies. This has resulted in certain of the students getting poor grades, loss of concentration in class, strained relationships, increased exclusion or rejection from study groups, as well as significant negative effects on academic work, health and well-being, family, and society at large. This study recommends that stakeholders in education address this increasing social issue among young male adults through effective preventive strategy and educational promotion as an intervention to avoid thwarting the progress of the new educational reforms in Ghana.
Drawing on sports betting, leisure studies and the rationality concept provide information to understand how those training to be teachers are gradually gravitating towards gambling to the detriment of their studies at the university. A thorough analysis of 42 young male adults interviewed at betting shops in the university community revealed how they have become involved in sports betting activities for additional financial rewards. Results show that peer pressure is a strong persuader drawing new student-teachers to sports betting activities, which makes it difficult for them to effectively focus on their studies. This has resulted in certain of the students getting poor grades, loss of concentration in class, strained relationships, increased exclusion or rejection from study groups, as well as significant negative effects on academic work, health and well-being, family, and society at large. This study recommends that stakeholders in education address this increasing social issue among young male adults through effective preventive strategy and educational promotion as an intervention to avoid thwarting the progress of the new educational reforms in Ghana.
Bansie, M.A., & Sarpong, E.O. (2022). Assessment of Physical Activity Participation Levels among Workers in Financial Institutions. Researchjourali's Journal of Public Health, 8,
Abstract
Working in financial institutions can be more time consuming. The available literature on physical activity participation levels among workers in financial institutions in Ghana is scarce. This was the stimulus for this study. The study assessed physical activity levels of participants in financial institutions. Descriptive design within quantitative approach was adopted for the study. One hundred and twenty-six respondents were sampled using multi-stage sampling techniques. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-Long Form) was used for data collection. The findings revealed that participants in Micro Finance Institutions recorded the highest mean Metabolic Equivalence of Task (MET) of 1237.80, followed by those in Credit Unions with mean MET of 422.17 and Bank participants recording a mean MET of 318.18 for the work domain. Results also showed that participants in Micro Finance Institutions recorded the highest mean MET in the transportation domain of 523.78, followed by Credit Unions (423.10) and Banks (387.67). Results further indicated that, male participants significantly recorded a higher MET scores of (531.82) than their female counterparts (331.44). An independent samples t-test revealed a statistical difference between male and female Bank workers (t= - 4.04, df= 33.34, p < 0.05). Male Bank workers (M= 565.54; SD = 281.02) recorded higher significant levels of PA than did female Bank workers (M= 324.40; SD = 118.45). Also, a statistical significant difference in PA levels was recorded between male and female Credit Union workers (t= - 2.52, df= 42.88, p < 0.05). Male Credit Union workers (M= 565.15; SD = 162.00) recorded higher significant levels of PA than did females Credit Union workers (M= 448.64; SD = 146.95). A statistical significant difference in PA levels was also recorded between male and female Micro Finance workers (t= - 2.61, df= 23.07, p < 0.05). Male Micro Finance workers (M= 1984.73; SD = 162.00) recorded higher significant levels of PA than did female Micro Finance workers (M= 1431.47; SD = 489.74). It was concluded that workers in financial institutions did not do active physical activities. It was recommended that Managers of Banks and Credit Unions in La Dade Kotopon Municipality of the Greater Accra Region should periodically organise fitness programmes on weekends for their workers to help enhance their physical activity levels. Also, Banks and Credit Unions workers in La Dade Kotopon Municipality of the Greater Accra Region should be encouraged by the Human Resource Manager (HRM) to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activities daily during off times at least 5 times a week or 2 hours on weekends.
Working in financial institutions can be more time consuming. The available literature on physical activity participation levels among workers in financial institutions in Ghana is scarce. This was the stimulus for this study. The study assessed physical activity levels of participants in financial institutions. Descriptive design within quantitative approach was adopted for the study. One hundred and twenty-six respondents were sampled using multi-stage sampling techniques. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-Long Form) was used for data collection. The findings revealed that participants in Micro Finance Institutions recorded the highest mean Metabolic Equivalence of Task (MET) of 1237.80, followed by those in Credit Unions with mean MET of 422.17 and Bank participants recording a mean MET of 318.18 for the work domain. Results also showed that participants in Micro Finance Institutions recorded the highest mean MET in the transportation domain of 523.78, followed by Credit Unions (423.10) and Banks (387.67). Results further indicated that, male participants significantly recorded a higher MET scores of (531.82) than their female counterparts (331.44). An independent samples t-test revealed a statistical difference between male and female Bank workers (t= - 4.04, df= 33.34, p < 0.05). Male Bank workers (M= 565.54; SD = 281.02) recorded higher significant levels of PA than did female Bank workers (M= 324.40; SD = 118.45). Also, a statistical significant difference in PA levels was recorded between male and female Credit Union workers (t= - 2.52, df= 42.88, p < 0.05). Male Credit Union workers (M= 565.15; SD = 162.00) recorded higher significant levels of PA than did females Credit Union workers (M= 448.64; SD = 146.95). A statistical significant difference in PA levels was also recorded between male and female Micro Finance workers (t= - 2.61, df= 23.07, p < 0.05). Male Micro Finance workers (M= 1984.73; SD = 162.00) recorded higher significant levels of PA than did female Micro Finance workers (M= 1431.47; SD = 489.74). It was concluded that workers in financial institutions did not do active physical activities. It was recommended that Managers of Banks and Credit Unions in La Dade Kotopon Municipality of the Greater Accra Region should periodically organise fitness programmes on weekends for their workers to help enhance their physical activity levels. Also, Banks and Credit Unions workers in La Dade Kotopon Municipality of the Greater Accra Region should be encouraged by the Human Resource Manager (HRM) to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activities daily during off times at least 5 times a week or 2 hours on weekends.
Sarpong, E.O., Adomah, C.D.,Appiah, B.M., Aniabre M. & Tsikata, E. (2022). Variables Associated with Low Female Participation in College of Education Sports in Central, Western and Western North Regions of Ghana. Universal Journal of Sports Sciences, 2,
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine factors associated with low female participation in colleges of education sports. The population of the study was made up of female colleges of education athletes from Central, Western and Western North Regions of Ghana. Purposive and simple random techniques were used to the colleges of education and the respondents for the study. All the all the six colleges of education were purposively sampled and sampling technique was used to select the one hundred and eighty (180) participants who participate in the College of Education Sports Association (CoESA) games and in the Central, Western and Western North Regions of Ghana were used for the study. The main instrument for the study was a self-structured questionnaire (r= 0.92) containing items based on a five-point Likert scale was used for data collection. The data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square test to determine the relationship among the factors. The study revealed that there is the need for college authorities and female coaches in the colleges of education to take care of female athletes and make adequate provision for more modern sports facilities and equipment to sustain their interest in sports participation. The study recommended that, that the coaches should be mindful of their approach to prospective sportswomen. It is also recommended that, various colleges of education should make a concerted effort to organize programmes and seminars regularly to educate females in the colleges on the career benefits of sports participation and iron out their misconceptions.
The purpose of the study was to examine factors associated with low female participation in colleges of education sports. The population of the study was made up of female colleges of education athletes from Central, Western and Western North Regions of Ghana. Purposive and simple random techniques were used to the colleges of education and the respondents for the study. All the all the six colleges of education were purposively sampled and sampling technique was used to select the one hundred and eighty (180) participants who participate in the College of Education Sports Association (CoESA) games and in the Central, Western and Western North Regions of Ghana were used for the study. The main instrument for the study was a self-structured questionnaire (r= 0.92) containing items based on a five-point Likert scale was used for data collection. The data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square test to determine the relationship among the factors. The study revealed that there is the need for college authorities and female coaches in the colleges of education to take care of female athletes and make adequate provision for more modern sports facilities and equipment to sustain their interest in sports participation. The study recommended that, that the coaches should be mindful of their approach to prospective sportswomen. It is also recommended that, various colleges of education should make a concerted effort to organize programmes and seminars regularly to educate females in the colleges on the career benefits of sports participation and iron out their misconceptions.
Sarpong, E.O (2022). Physical activity participation variables as predictors of cardiorespiratory fitness of Greater Accra fitness club members. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 9,
Abstract
Regular participation in physical activity improves health and well-being. This study therefore sought to establish the relationship between physical activity participation variables and cardiorespiratory fitness levels of members in Ghanaian fitness Clubs. A descriptive correlational design was used for the study. The sample for the study was 546 Club Members from 18 fitness clubs randomly selected from clubs within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Questionnaire and Cooper ‘12 minutes’ walk/run test were used to gather data for the study. Inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression were used to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that: 1. (74.9%) of the club members possess minimum levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) needed to develop health whilst (25.1%) had low levels that needed improvement 2. Positive significant relationships existed between CRF and Physical Activity Index (PAI) (‘r’=.324, p=.000), Exercise Equipment and Machines (EEM) (‘r’=.178, p =.000), Variety of Physical Activity (VPA) (‘r’=.115, p =.007) while no positive significant relationship existed between CRF and Mode of Instruction (MOI) (‘r’= .065, p=.178 all 2-tailed; and 3. (14.1%) of CRF was predicted by all variables (R square =.141) The study concluded that members in Ghanaian fitness clubs had minimum levels of CRF required for health development implying that improvements in fitness levels can be achieved if the right knowledge on the specific aspects of exercise prescription is applied. It was recommended that stakeholders in the Ghanaian fitness industry should collaborate to institute national policies for the organization of mass sports
Regular participation in physical activity improves health and well-being. This study therefore sought to establish the relationship between physical activity participation variables and cardiorespiratory fitness levels of members in Ghanaian fitness Clubs. A descriptive correlational design was used for the study. The sample for the study was 546 Club Members from 18 fitness clubs randomly selected from clubs within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Questionnaire and Cooper ‘12 minutes’ walk/run test were used to gather data for the study. Inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression were used to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that: 1. (74.9%) of the club members possess minimum levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) needed to develop health whilst (25.1%) had low levels that needed improvement 2. Positive significant relationships existed between CRF and Physical Activity Index (PAI) (‘r’=.324, p=.000), Exercise Equipment and Machines (EEM) (‘r’=.178, p =.000), Variety of Physical Activity (VPA) (‘r’=.115, p =.007) while no positive significant relationship existed between CRF and Mode of Instruction (MOI) (‘r’= .065, p=.178 all 2-tailed; and 3. (14.1%) of CRF was predicted by all variables (R square =.141) The study concluded that members in Ghanaian fitness clubs had minimum levels of CRF required for health development implying that improvements in fitness levels can be achieved if the right knowledge on the specific aspects of exercise prescription is applied. It was recommended that stakeholders in the Ghanaian fitness industry should collaborate to institute national policies for the organization of mass sports
Sarpong, E. O , Sedegah, M. M. & Ofosu, E. K. (2022). Prevailing Injuries among Senior High Students-Athletes in the Akuapem Municipality. Universal Journal of Sports Sciences, 2,
Abstract
Sports injuries among student-athletes in high schools have become prevalent in most developing countries such as Ghana. In identifying the prevailing injuries among senior high student-athletes in the Akuapem municipality, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 610 student-athletes were purposely selected for the study to respond to the DEMASS inventory questionnaire regarding their opinion on the prevailing sports injuries. The results indicated that wounds (67.8%), knee injury (65.1%), muscle cramps (56.1%), and thigh injury (55.1%) were prevailing in S.H.S tournament than sprain (37.8%), strain (32.0%), dislocation (30.0%), fracture (31.3%), nose bleeding (31.3%) and groin injuries (23.1%). Participants who played more games professed that the number of games played contributed to sustaining sprain, strain, dislocation, and nose bleeding. Further studies should be carried out at other places and districts to uncover more about injuries sustained during high school sports competitions to minimize their occurrence.
Sports injuries among student-athletes in high schools have become prevalent in most developing countries such as Ghana. In identifying the prevailing injuries among senior high student-athletes in the Akuapem municipality, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 610 student-athletes were purposely selected for the study to respond to the DEMASS inventory questionnaire regarding their opinion on the prevailing sports injuries. The results indicated that wounds (67.8%), knee injury (65.1%), muscle cramps (56.1%), and thigh injury (55.1%) were prevailing in S.H.S tournament than sprain (37.8%), strain (32.0%), dislocation (30.0%), fracture (31.3%), nose bleeding (31.3%) and groin injuries (23.1%). Participants who played more games professed that the number of games played contributed to sustaining sprain, strain, dislocation, and nose bleeding. Further studies should be carried out at other places and districts to uncover more about injuries sustained during high school sports competitions to minimize their occurrence.
Appiah-Otoo, I & Kursah, M. B. (2021). Modelling spatial variations of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Evidence from a global perspective. GeoJournal, ,
Abstract
In late December 2019, strange pneumonia was detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China which was later termed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. At present, the virus has spread across 232 countries worldwide killing 2,409,011 as of 17 February 2021 (9:37 CET). Motivated by a recent dataset, knowledge gaps, surge in global cases, and the need to combat the virus spread, this study examined the relationship between COVID-19 confirmed cases and attributable deaths at the global and regional levels. We used a panel of 232 countries (further disaggregated into Africa-49, Americas-54, Eastern Mediterranean-23, Europe-61, Southeast Asia-10, and Western Pacific-35) from 03 January 2020 to 28 November 2020, and the instrumental variable generalized method of moment’s model (IV-GMM) for analysing the datasets. The results showed that COVID-19 confirmed cases at both the global and regional levels have a strong positive effect on deaths. Thus, the confirmed cases significantly increase attributable deaths at the global and regional levels. At the global level, a 1% increase in confirmed cases increases attributable deaths by 0.78%. Regionally, a 1% increase in confirmed cases increases attributable deaths by 0.65% in Africa, 0.90% in the Americas, 0.67% in the Eastern Mediterranean, 0.72% in Europe, 0.88% in Southeast Asia, and 0.52% in the Western Pacific. This study expands the understanding of the relationship between COVID-19 cases and deaths by using a global dataset and the instrumental variable generalized method of moment’s model (IV-GMM) for the analysis that addresses endogeneity and omitted variable issues.
In late December 2019, strange pneumonia was detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China which was later termed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. At present, the virus has spread across 232 countries worldwide killing 2,409,011 as of 17 February 2021 (9:37 CET). Motivated by a recent dataset, knowledge gaps, surge in global cases, and the need to combat the virus spread, this study examined the relationship between COVID-19 confirmed cases and attributable deaths at the global and regional levels. We used a panel of 232 countries (further disaggregated into Africa-49, Americas-54, Eastern Mediterranean-23, Europe-61, Southeast Asia-10, and Western Pacific-35) from 03 January 2020 to 28 November 2020, and the instrumental variable generalized method of moment’s model (IV-GMM) for analysing the datasets. The results showed that COVID-19 confirmed cases at both the global and regional levels have a strong positive effect on deaths. Thus, the confirmed cases significantly increase attributable deaths at the global and regional levels. At the global level, a 1% increase in confirmed cases increases attributable deaths by 0.78%. Regionally, a 1% increase in confirmed cases increases attributable deaths by 0.65% in Africa, 0.90% in the Americas, 0.67% in the Eastern Mediterranean, 0.72% in Europe, 0.88% in Southeast Asia, and 0.52% in the Western Pacific. This study expands the understanding of the relationship between COVID-19 cases and deaths by using a global dataset and the instrumental variable generalized method of moment’s model (IV-GMM) for the analysis that addresses endogeneity and omitted variable issues.
Tamakloe, R., Sam, E. F., Bencekri, M., Das, S., & Park, D. (2022). Mining groups of factors influencing bus/minibus crash severities on poor pavement condition roads considering different lighting status. Traffic Injury Prevention, ,
Abstract
Objective: This study employs a data mining approach to discover hidden groups of crash-risk factors leading to each bus/minibus crash severity level on pothole-ridden/poor roads categorized under different lighting conditions namely daylight, night with streetlights turned on, and night with streetlights turned off/no streetlights. Methods: The bus/minibus data employed contained 2,832 crashes observed on poor roads between 2011 and 2015, with variables such as the weather, driver, vehicle, roadway, and temporal characteristics. The data was grouped into three based on lighting condition, and the association rule data mining approach was applied. Results: Overall, most rules pointing to fatal crashes included the hit-pedestrian variable, and these crashes were more frequent on straight/flat roads at night. While median presence was highly associated with severe bus/minibus crashes on dark-and-unlighted roads, median absence was correlated with severe crashes on dark-but-lighted roads. On-street parking was identified as a leading contributor to property-damage-only crashes in daylight conditions. Conclusions: The study proposed relevant countermeasures to provide practical guidance to safety engineers regarding the mitigation of bus/minibus crashes in Ghana.
Objective: This study employs a data mining approach to discover hidden groups of crash-risk factors leading to each bus/minibus crash severity level on pothole-ridden/poor roads categorized under different lighting conditions namely daylight, night with streetlights turned on, and night with streetlights turned off/no streetlights. Methods: The bus/minibus data employed contained 2,832 crashes observed on poor roads between 2011 and 2015, with variables such as the weather, driver, vehicle, roadway, and temporal characteristics. The data was grouped into three based on lighting condition, and the association rule data mining approach was applied. Results: Overall, most rules pointing to fatal crashes included the hit-pedestrian variable, and these crashes were more frequent on straight/flat roads at night. While median presence was highly associated with severe bus/minibus crashes on dark-and-unlighted roads, median absence was correlated with severe crashes on dark-but-lighted roads. On-street parking was identified as a leading contributor to property-damage-only crashes in daylight conditions. Conclusions: The study proposed relevant countermeasures to provide practical guidance to safety engineers regarding the mitigation of bus/minibus crashes in Ghana.
Samlafo, B.V, Kofi Essel, Bright Ankudze (2022). Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Via Consumption of Cassava, Cultivated on Reclaimed Mining Land Sites in Prestea-Huni Valley District, Ghana. Food and Public health, 12,
Abstract
The soil determines the quality of food and hence the health of the individuals. However, most lands in the District are under mining or concessions to the detriment of livelihood. This situation resulted in the cultivation of food crops on reclaimed mining land sites contrary to the accepted norm. To assess the human health risk and the quality of cassava cultivated on reclaimed mining land sites in Prestea-Huni Valley District, soil and cassava samples were taken randomly in separate polyethylene bags in triplicates from four farms located on reclaimed mining land sites within the Pres-tea-Huni Valley District. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) technique was employed in the determination of the metals after digestion. The precision and accuracy of the analytical methods were evaluated by analysing IAEA-soil-7 and 1547-Peach leaves, which are standard reference materials with recoveries ranging from 87-98 %. The trend in metal tolerance for both the cassava tuber and its peel were similar and in the order Cd > Pb>Cr>Zn >As. Both soil Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) were below their respective values. Using the health index of 0.8017< 1.0 ( ) as a criterion for human health assessment, the cassava cultivated on reclaimed mining land sites in the Prestea-Huni Valley District, are safe and of high quality since health index was below the threshold level of 1.0, a level below which the cassava is deemed fit for human consumption. Keywords: Prestea-Huni Valley, cassava, peel, heavy metals, Health index, bioaccumulation
The soil determines the quality of food and hence the health of the individuals. However, most lands in the District are under mining or concessions to the detriment of livelihood. This situation resulted in the cultivation of food crops on reclaimed mining land sites contrary to the accepted norm. To assess the human health risk and the quality of cassava cultivated on reclaimed mining land sites in Prestea-Huni Valley District, soil and cassava samples were taken randomly in separate polyethylene bags in triplicates from four farms located on reclaimed mining land sites within the Pres-tea-Huni Valley District. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) technique was employed in the determination of the metals after digestion. The precision and accuracy of the analytical methods were evaluated by analysing IAEA-soil-7 and 1547-Peach leaves, which are standard reference materials with recoveries ranging from 87-98 %. The trend in metal tolerance for both the cassava tuber and its peel were similar and in the order Cd > Pb>Cr>Zn >As. Both soil Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) were below their respective values. Using the health index of 0.8017< 1.0 ( ) as a criterion for human health assessment, the cassava cultivated on reclaimed mining land sites in the Prestea-Huni Valley District, are safe and of high quality since health index was below the threshold level of 1.0, a level below which the cassava is deemed fit for human consumption. Keywords: Prestea-Huni Valley, cassava, peel, heavy metals, Health index, bioaccumulation
