Chlamydial species among wild birds and livestock in the foothills of Mt. Afadjato,Ghana

The members of family Chlamydiaceae have a broad host range and cause many kinds of diseases in humans and animals. Several cases of Chlamydiaceae being detected in atypical hosts have been reported recently. Consequently, cross-species monitoring of Chlamydia in wildlife and livestock is pertinent for public health, animal hygiene and wildlife conservation. In this study, we conducted molecular surveillance of Chlamydia in wild birds and livestock around a small village in the foothills of Mt. Afadjato, Ghana where direct contact between wildlife and livestock occurs. Among 29 captured wild birds and 63 livestock, 5 sheep, 30 goats and 28 chickens, the positive ratios of Chlamydia were 24.1%, 40.0%, 43.3% and 26.9%, respectively. Chlamydia pecorum was detected in wild birds, goats, sheep and chickens. On the basis of the variable domain 2 region of ompA, several samples from different hosts showed identical sequences and were phylogenetically located to the same clusters. In addition, using ompA, C. psittaci, C. abortus and C. gallinacea were also detected in this small habitat. Further genetic and pathogenic analyses of the chlamydial distribution in this area, which represents the interface of wild and domestic animal interactions, may improve our knowledge of their transmission among different hosts.     

Changes in soil fertility and Striga hermonthica prevalence associated with legume and cereal cultivation in the Sudan savannah zone of Ghana

In the Sudano–Sahelian zones of West Africa, cultivated land is degraded due to reduced fallow periods and Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. infestation, and poses a serious threat to sustainable food production. To provide options for addressing these problems, we investigated the possibility of replacing the short fallow periods with food legume cultivation. We tested this in two farming communities within the Sudan savannah zone of Ghana. In the 1997 and 1998 cropping seasons, selected farmers within each community planted soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr.] or bambara groundnuts [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] on continuously cropped, Striga‐infested farmlands, whereas lands that were maintained under two or three years of bush fallowing were planted to millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] or sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Analysis of soil sampled from 0–15 cm (plough layer) revealed that contents of major plant nutrients were inadequate to support long‐term crop production. Within each farming community, total nitrogen content at initial sampling showed significant negative correlation with the number of Striga seeds in the plough layer. Under legume cultivation, soil organic carbon content increased and the number of Striga seeds per square metre decreased in both communities from a mean value of 28 183 seeds m⁻² to 8185 seeds m⁻². Under cereal cultivation Striga seed density increased from 9383 seeds m⁻² to 16 696 seeds m⁻². The study provides evidence that introduction of food legume cultivation on farmlands with high S. hermonthica infestation as an alternative to bush fallow system could help achieve sustainable crop production in the Sudan savannah zones of sub‐Saharan Africa. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection of anti-ebolavirus antibodies in Ghanaian pigs

Some filoviruses such as ebolaviruses and marburgviruses, cause hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. Pigs are suggested to play a potential role in the filovirus ecology. We investigated the seroprevalence of filovirus infection in pigs in Ghana. Using a viral glycoprotein (GP)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we detected filovirus-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in 5 of 139 samples. These positive sera showed specificities to four different filovirus species. Particularly, two of the positive sera reacted to GPs of two African ebolaviruses (i.e., Ebola virus and Taï Forest virus) in Western blotting. Our results suggest that these Ghanaian pigs were exposed to multiple filoviruses and emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of filovirus infection in pig populations in West African countries.     

The Experience of Irrigation Management Transfer in Ghana: A Case Study of Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme

Government disengagement from day-to-daymanagement of irrigation infrastructure hasbecome a widespread strategy in Asia,Africa and Latin America. This paperexamines a case study of managementtransfer of a rice irrigation scheme inGhana. The criteria used relate toagricultural, financial and economicperformance and environmental sustainability.The study showed that whilstboth cropping intensity and cultivated areadecreased after transfer, the relativelyhigh yields were sustained. The averageproduction cost before transfer decreasedby about 7% from $827/ha to $774/haafter transfer. Most importantly, averagenet income increased by more than 100%from $260/ha to $549/ha after transfer.Very high financial self-sufficiency ratioscoupled with low running cost achieved bythe farmers' co-operative led to theconclusion that transfer has resulted inbetter performance so far.     

Promotion of Private Veterinary Practice in Ghana: Perceptions of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians

A study was designed to identify factors perceived by veterinarians and veterinary technicians as likely to promote private veterinary practice in Ghana. The participatory appraisal approach was used. The response rates were 88% (n = 90), 100% (n = 9) and 86% (n = 200) for government field veterinarians, private veterinarians and government veterinary technicians, respectively. Significant proportions of government field veterinarians (67%, n = 79), and veterinary technicians (64%, n = 167) were willing to go into private practice if the necessary push was given. Factors perceived as likely to motivate them to go into private practice included availability of capital to cover start-up costs; provision of a vehicle; prospect of higher income; availability of loans with low interest rates; availability of credit facilities from suppliers; stable macroeconomic environment with low interest and inflation rates; high pet, poultry and livestock populations at locations earmarked for private practice; leasing of vacant government premises for use as clinic and for accommodation; and enforcement of legislation on private practice, especially that against moonlighting by government veterinarians and technicians. These should be considered and used in the promotion of private veterinary practice in Ghana.     

Dogs and pigs are transport hosts of Necator americanus: Molecular evidence for a zoonotic mechanism of human hookworm transmission in Ghana

Hookworm infection (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp) causes significant morbidity in resource‐limited countries. Dog and pig ownership is associated with human infection, although the mechanism through which animals increase risk remains unknown. We first confirmed this association in Kintampo North, Ghana, using a retrospective analysis and serology, followed by a prospective molecular study of animal faeces. As a proxy of exposure to dog faeces, we analysed immunoreactivity of human serum to the zoonotic nematode Toxocara canis. Anti‐Toxocara antibodies were present in 62% of samples (n = 89), and reactivity was associated with dog ownership. A subsequent prospective study revealed that 43% of dog and 56% of pig faecal samples contained hookworm eggs by microscopy. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of N. americanus DNA in 47% of samples from dogs and 56% pig samples. Nematode larvae were successfully cultured from samples collected from 36 dogs and seven pigs. These results demonstrate that dogs and pigs have a likely role in the transmission of N. americanus in endemic communities.     

Aquaculture feed technology adoption and smallholder household welfare in Ghana

This study employs double‐hurdle model and propensity score‐matching techniques to examine the determinants and extent of adoption and the welfare impacts of improved fish feed technology in Ghana using cross‐sectional data of fish‐farming households. The study focuses on the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, and western regions of Ghana. The results show that the quantity of improved feed used on‐farm is far below what is technically recommended for maximum yield. The analysis provides evidence that the adoption of improved feed technology increases fish income, as well as reduces poverty among fish‐farming households in the study area. In order to spur the adoption and intensity of the technology, complementary factors such as improving education, delivery of extension services and credit facilities, expansion of area under fish farming, and reduction in the price of improved feed are recommended.     

Improving the collection and germination of West African <Emphasis Type="Italic">Garcinia kola</Emphasis> Heckel seeds

Garcinia kola is highly used as chew-stick for dental care in West Africa, but it is nearly commercially extinct in nature. To help find methods to increase rate and percentage of germination, we investigated its seed germination responses by using several collections and pre-treatments. Seeds processed from 6-week old green fruits did not germinate, whilst those of 10-week old partly-mature, at the intermediate stage through full development, germinated 46%. Seeds from orange mature fruits reached maximum 54–62% germination. Radicles emerged 6 weeks after sowing and normal germination with emergence of the primary single shoot growth occurred after 12 weeks. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) between germination responses of seeds from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. Seeds did not germinate when dried to below ca. 30% MC. De-coating seeds or soaking intact seeds in a 70% ethanol solution increased germination to 82–92%, and also increased germination rate; however germination was not uniform. Because difficulties in germinating these seeds stem from the physical presence of the seed coats and the slow growth of the embryos contained therein, we recommend that fresh seeds from mature fruits be de-coated and immediately sown in preferably, an aerated medium (e.g., sawdust) for cultivation.     

Access to Information for Farm-Level Decision-Making

Radio is an important medium for conveying agricultural information among farmers in remote areas. This study assessed the channels of information available to four farming communities in Ghana and analyzed stakeholder networks in information generation and dissemination. About 50% of the farmers expressed a willingness to pay for relevant information, though they think general farm information should be free to all. Farmers ranked other farmers as their most important and least expensive sources. Farm-level decision-making requires timely, adequate, and appropriate information, which can bring smallholder farmers closer to their world competitors through increased production, effective marketing, and increased incomes.