Takoradi Technical University is a public tertiary education institution (university) located in Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region of Ghana. Takoradi Technical University was established as a Government Technical Institute in 1954, and became part of the State Tertiary Education System. Later after the passage of the Polytechnic Law of 1992 (PNDCL 321). It was replaced by Polytechnics Law (Act 745) in 2007. In 2016, the Bill to convert six out of the 10 polytechnics (including Takoradi Polytechnic) into a fully fledged university received a unanimous approval of Ghanaian legislators.
Under-five malaria remains a public-health priority in Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Ghana. This study analysed 132 monthly observations (2013–2023) to characterise trends, weather sensitivity, and near-term risk. Surveillance counts (incidence, severe cases, and deaths) were linked with monthly rainfall and temperature. Negative-binomial generalized additive models (NB-GAMs) with smooth long-term trends and cyclic monthly effects were fitted. Weather influences were evaluated as contemporaneous, lagged (1–3-month), and accumulated (3–6-month) rainfall indices. Model selection employed AIC, adjusted R2, deviance explained, dispersion, and residual autocorrelation. A 12-month forecast was generated using the selected model. Monthly incidence was high (median = 847 cases), while severe cases (median = 2) and deaths were rare. Adding rainfall “memory” (1–3-month lags; 3–6-month accumulations) improved the incidence NB-GAM (AIC 1,269 → 1,234; ΔAIC = − 35; deviance explained ≈ 80
Sustainable practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are critical for environmental resilience and economic viability, particularly in developing economies like Ghana's garment and textile sector. This study investigates the drivers of sustainable practices among SME drivers in the Western Region of Ghana, focusing on sustainability challenges, limited access to materials, and economic constraints. Employing a quantitative approach, data were gathered from textile and garment SMEs via simple random sampling through an online and offline approach. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM 4.0) was used in processing and analysing the 315 valid responses gathered. Findings revealed that sustainability challenges and limited material access have a significant effect, while economic constraints have an insignificant effect. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions, including investments in recycling technology and stakeholder collaboration. The study contributes to SME sustainability literature in developing contexts and offers practical recommendations to foster eco-friendly production, job creation, and regional leadership in West African textile manufacturing.
Introduction Crime has long been a persistent feature of human societies and has become a growing public concern in contemporary society, with its impact on community life and well-being. The influence of social ties with family, friends, and broader society on an individual's propensity toward or away from criminal behavior is often underestimated. This study explores the sociological drivers of violent crime in Ghana by examining the perspectives of key individuals connected to incarcerated persons, including family members, peers, prison officers, and inmate leaders.Methods Guided by an interpretivist paradigm, the study employed a qualitative, phenomenological approach to understand participants' lived experiences. Using purposive sampling, 79 participants were selected across two major correctional facilities: Nsawam Medium Security Prison (40 participants) and Ankaful Maximum Security Prison (39 participants), with interviews conducted both within the prisons (for prison officers and inmate leaders) and in designated visiting areas (for family members and peers). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes.Results and Discussion Findings indicate that violent behavior often arises from a combination of emotional neglect, unstable family backgrounds, peer influence, economic hardship, and cultural pressures tied to masculinity and power. These experiences reflect the relevance of Strain Theory and Social Learning Theory, highlighting how structural disadvantages and learned behaviors intersect to shape violent tendencies. The study recommends strengthening family support systems, expanding youth mentorship, integrating moral and social education in schools, and improving rehabilitation programs within prisons. By centring human relationships and social contexts, the study provides actionable insights for holistic crime prevention strategies in Ghana.
Rapid urbanization is profoundly transforming land use and surface thermal environments in West African cities, with implications for urban heat island (UHI) intensification and climate resilience. Unfortunately, the influence of urban growth and spatial determinants on surface temperature variability remains underexplored in Sekondi–Takoradi and across Ghana. This research addresses this gap by employing geospatial techniques and statistical models to assess the influence of land cover change from 1991 to 2023 and spatial drivers on temperature distribution in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Landsat images from 1991, 2009, 2016, and 2023 were classified using the random forest algorithm to map LULC transitions, while spectral indices, land surface temperature (LST), elevation, and proximity variables were employed to assess the spatial thermal dynamics. Statistical modeling combined Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to evaluate the relationships between LST and explanatory variables, and urban archetype analysis was applied to examine the role of spatial drivers on temperature variability. The findings revealed a 32.91
The transition to renewable energy is a critical component of global sustainability agendas, yet small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies often encounter substantial barriers to adoption. These challenges are typically rooted in low environmental awareness and weak financial capabilities, which limit readiness for green investment. This study investigates how Environmental Awareness (EA) and Financial Literacy (FL) drive Renewable Energy Adoption (REA) among SMEs in Ghana, with Green Investment Readiness (GIR) theorized as a mediating mechanism. Grounded in the resource-based view and the theory of planned behaviour, this study analysed survey data from Ghanaian 850 SMEs using PLS-SEM. Results show significant direct effects of both environmental awareness (β = 0.519, p < 0.001) and financial literacy (β = 0.398, p < 0.001) on renewable energy adoption. Crucially, GIR not only exerts the strongest direct effect on REA (β = 0.749, p < 0.001) but also significantly mediates the relationships between EA and REA (β = 0.459, p < 0.001) and FL and REA (β = 0.252, p < 0.001). Theoretically, this study advances the integration of behavioural and resource-based perspectives. Empirically, it provides robust evidence from relatively large sample of SMEs in Sub-Saharan African context. Practically, it underscores the need for integrated policy interventions that enhance financial literacy, environmental awareness, and investment readiness to accelerate sustainable energy transitions.
