A GAME THEORY- REINFORCEMENT LEARNING APPROACH TO COMPUTING RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND SCHEDULING (Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering Innovations)

• Daniella Apeadu

Task scheduling in computing faces the dual challenge of fair resource allocation and thermal imbalance, which can lead to overuse of some resources, overheating, throttling, and hardware degradation. Traditional schedulers, such as First-Come First-Served (FCFS), focus on throughput but ignore fairness in load distribution and temperature, while basic Reinforcement Learning (Rl) approaches aim for adaptive thermal balance yet do not prioritize balanced load distribution. To address these limitations, this thesis proposes a cooperative game–theoretic hybrid model that integrates the Nash Bargaining Solution with Reinforcement Learning to achieve Pareto-optimal task allocations that are both fair and thermally aware. The efficacy of the model is evaluated using the Black-Scholes workload and compared against FCFS and a pure RL scheduler. Experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid scheduler achieves lower average core temperatures, reduced thermal variance, and more balanced utilization than the baseline algorithms, offering improved long-term energy efficiency and hardware longevity without sacrificing fairness

Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones in the Voltaian Formation of Ghana Using Geospatial Techniques (Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering Innovations)

• Beatrice Osei Konadu (COE)

Locating a potential groundwater exploitation point can be challenging, especially in the Voltaian formation of Ghana. The wet well success rate in the formation using current geophysical techniques has not been encouraging; it is under 50%. Remote sensing and GIS have proven to be valuable tools in hydrological analysis and groundwater studies elsewhere. This work aims to use remote sensing and GIS to supplement ground geophysical investigations for the selection of potential sites for groundwater exploitation in the Kintampo North Municipal and Kintampo South District areas. Individual thematic maps were generated using remote sensing techniques and GIS tools and ranked based on their influence on groundwater occurrence. The thematic maps were then weighted to create a groundwater potential map of the study area. The groundwater potential zones were classified into five groups, viz. Poor, Fair, Moderate, Good, and Very Good. About 52% of the study area falls within the Poor and Fair zone, 34% within the Good and Very Good region, and the rest in the moderate zone. The potential map was validated using the spatial distribution of existing boreholes sited using ground geophysical methods and their airlift yields. A good correlation was obtained between the predicted groundwater potential zones and the borehole yields. The results suggest that GIS and Remote Sensing can be integrated with geophysical surveys to maximize the wet well success rate in the Voltaian formation in Ghana.

CULTURAL PATHWAYS: DESIGNING WALKABLE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENCOURAGE EXPLORATION AND ENGAGEMENT (Urban Futures, Sustainable Cities, and Inclusive Governance)

• VERONICA SAKYI-ADJEI (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)
• Emmanuel Banahene Owusu (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)

This paper examines cultural pathways as a strategy for designing walkable environments that foster exploration, engagement, and community interactions. Cultural pathways are pedestrian connections that integrate cultural, historical, and artistic elements into the urban landscape. They transform ordinary streets into lively corridors where walking becomes a meaningful cultural experience rather than a mere necessity. Through public art, heritage markers, interactive installations, and distinctive architectural features, these pathways stimulate curiosity, social interaction, and a sense of belonging. By adopting a comparative case study approach, the paper reviews global examples from cities such as Melbourne, Paris, and Berlin. These cases demonstrate how cultural pathways have been integrated into pedestrian networks through art installations, performance venues, and green areas to produce tangible impacts on urban vitality. While the examples are primarily from global north contexts, the paper suggests implications for rapidly urbanizing regions where walkability and cultural identity are increasingly critical to sustainable development. The discussion highlights walkability as extending beyond accessibility to include cultural participation, collective memory, and community gathering. Well-designed cultural corridors serve as avenues for spontaneous conversations, performances, and collective memory by addressing urban fragmentation and fostering social connectedness. The paper contributes to urban design discourse by positioning cultural pathways as a replicable framework for enhancing walkability, cultural heritage, creative expression, cohesion, innovation, human capital development, and economic resilience across diverse urban contexts.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antileishmanial and Wound Healing Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants

• JOSEPH EDUFUL (KNUST)

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antileishmanial and Wound Healing Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants ( Joseph Famiyeh Eduful, Vivian Etsiapa Boamah, Nicholas Adjei Bae, Hayford Odoi, Yaw Duah Boakye, Theresa Agana, Christian Agyare) Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. Email: joefameyeh8@gmail.com Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, produces chronic skin lesions that are often slow to heal. These lesions serve as entry points for opportunistic microorganisms, leading to secondary infections that complicate treatment and delay recovery. Beyond leishmaniasis, wounds remain a pressing global health concern, intensified by aging populations, chronic conditions, and the shortage of accessible, effective therapies. Against this backdrop, medicinal plants are increasingly being explored for their wound-healing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiparasitic potential. Aim: To investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, antileishmanial, and wound-healing properties of aqueous extracts of Chromolaena odorata, Carica papaya, Anona senegalensis, Diospyros mespiliformis, Piliostigma thoningii, and Anchomanes difformis. Methods: Plant materials were collected, air-dried, and extracted with water. Extracts were screened for phytochemicals and tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Candida albicans to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MBC/MFC), and time-kill kinetics. Antileishmanial activity was evaluated using the MTT assay, antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging, and wound-healing efficacy in guinea pigs through excision wound contraction and histological assessment. Results: Active extracts demonstrated MIC values of 1.562–6.25 mg/mL and MBCs of 25–50 mg/mL, while weaker extracts showed higher thresholds. Antioxidant IC₅₀ values ranged from 107.2 to 246 µg/mL, and antileishmanial IC₅₀ values were 2.134–46.2 µg/mL. All extracts significantly (p<0.0001) enhanced wound contraction, supported by histological evidence of collagen formation. Conclusion: The findings support the traditional use of these plants for managing infections, mitigating oxidative stress, controlling leishmanial lesions, and promoting wound repair. Keywords: Antimicrobial, Wound healing, Antileishmanial, Antioxidant

CRISPR/Cas9- and whole exome sequencing-mediated novel gene discovery for craniosynostosis in Ghana (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Lord Jephthah Joojo Gowans (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi)

Background: Sutures of the human cranium remain patent postnatally to enhance cranial growth to accommodate the growing brain. Craniosynostosis ensues from the premature fusion of cranial sutures, adversely impacting brain growth. The condition has a multifactorial aetiology, with ~30% of cases being syndromic. The current study deciphered the contribution of genetic risk factors to CS aetiology in a Ghanaian cohort. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on DNA from 14 families employing Illumina HiSeq at 100X based on GRCh38. Quality control, read alignment and variant calling were conducted utilising Sentieon workflow. Normalised VCF files were annotated using Ensembl VEP. Variants having MAF >0.01 were filtered out, and pathogenicity of variants was ascertained using 12 dbNSFP tools, with variant prioritisation using VarElect ACMG guidelines. In zebrafish functional experiments, two sets of targets and fluorescent PCR primers were designed to target exons in EPHA8. sgRNA synthesis and its injection with Cas9 mRNA into 70 single-cell zebrafish embryos followed. Embryos were profiled for CRISPR activity using real-time PCR and Sanger sequencing. The best target sgRNA and Cas9 mRNA were injected into another set of 70 embryos. Positive and negative controls were set up as well. After 5 days post-fertilisation (dpf), embryos were phenotyped using a fluorescent microscope, and CRISPR activity was assessed as stated. Results and Discussions: WES revealed novel and de novo variants in genes such as EPHA8, CNOT2, ATP2B3, DVL3, PIEZO1, TJP2, ZEB2, EPHB3, IGFBP6, BBS9, CENPM, BCL11A, EFNA2, and ARID1B. Zebrafish crispants exhibited abnormal craniofacial bones and jaw morphology, fused and single eyes, and cyclops with disrupted faces, with over 78% of embryos being severely malformed and failing to thrive by five dpf. Conclusions: Novel genes and genetic variants contribute to craniosynostosis aetiology among Ghanaians. Our findings are crucial for elucidating pathophysiology, genetic counselling and personalised and precision medicine.

Hybrid AI Models Integrating Well Testing and Fluid Property Data for Accurate Reservoir Fluid Behavior Prediction (Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering Innovations)

• Kennedy Adusei

Accurate prediction of reservoir fluid behavior is fundamental for efficient reservoir management and optimized hydrocarbon recovery. Traditional reservoir engineering approaches, while robust, often face challenges in capturing complex fluid dynamics and integrating diverse datasets from well testing and fluid property analysis. This research presents a hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) model that synergizes machine learning techniques with physics-based reservoir engineering principles to predict reservoir fluid behavior and performance with enhanced accuracy. Using well testing data combined with pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) fluid property measurements, the proposed model employs advanced deep learning architectures constrained by reservoir physics to maintain physical consistency in predictions. The training dataset incorporates key reservoir fluid parameters such as viscosity, saturation, and pressure transient responses, enabling the model to dynamically forecast fluid flow characteristics and production performance metrics. Validation against historical production data and reservoir simulation results demonstrates that the hybrid AI model not only improves prediction accuracy but also provides a practical framework for near real-time fluid behavior forecasting. The integration of explainable AI techniques allows for model interpretability, bridging the gap between conventional reservoir engineering and modern data-driven approaches. This study contributes a novel methodology that enhances reservoir fluid characterization, supports decision-making for reservoir development, and offers a pathway for deploying AI-assisted tools in petroleum reservoir engineering.

CLIMATE AND NUTRITION EFFECTS ON CHILD COGNITION AND GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING APPROACH (Climate Resilience, Environmental Sustainability, and Food Systems)

• Fiifi Amoako Atta Panyin Essiam (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.)

Background: A complex interplay of environmental and dietary exposures shapes child cognition and growth. While nutritional status is often assumed to mediate these effects, evidence on the relative importance of direct versus indirect pathways remains limited. Objective: This study examined the direct and indirect relationships between climate exposures, dietary patterns, and child cognition and growth outcomes, focusing on the role of anthropometric indicators. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 110 infants aged 6-23 months in the East Mamprusi Municipality assessed socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometry, and food frequency using standard procedures: cognition and other developmental milestones were examined using the Caregiver-Reported Early Development Index. The study employed solar flux and meteorological datasets, including temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and radiation indices, from Janga, Ghana, using a Campbell Scientific CR6 datalogger installed during the WASCAL (WRAP 2.0) CONCERT project. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to estimate direct and indirect pathways between climate, diet, growth, and cognition. Key Findings: Overall, the prevalence of stunting was 41.8%, underweight 19.1%, and wasting 17.2% while 88.2% experienced food insecurity. Five dietary patterns emerged. Elevated ambient temperature was negatively associated with cognition (β = -0.20, p < 0.001), while shortwave radiation predicted lower WHZ (β = -0.008, p = 0.021). Among dietary patterns, the milk- and formula-based diet was positively associated with cognition (β = 0.329, p = 0.023) and HAZ (β = 0.322, p = 0.017). A plant-based diet also strongly predicted higher cognition (β = 0.741, p < 0.001) and HAZ scores (β = 0.676, p = 0.005). The Cereal, Drink and Light meals pattern improved WAZ (β = 0.371, p = 0.020) and WHZ (β = 0.813, p = 0.003), while the Breast milk–dominant pattern enhanced cognition (β = 0.251, p = 0.043) and weight outcomes (p < 0.05). No significant indirect effects through growth indicators were found. Implications: Climate exposures and dietary patterns directly effected child cognition and growth, while anthropometric indicators did not mediate these associations. Interventions should address environmental and dietary determinants directly, rather than assuming pathways operate solely through growth. Keywords: Climate exposure, Cognition, malnutrition, underweight, Ghana, Structural Equation Modelling

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF OFFICE BUILDINGS IN GHANA (Urban Futures, Sustainable Cities, and Inclusive Governance)

• Ama Owusuaa-Aduonim (Student)

Climate change poses significant challenges to the built environment, particularly in tropical regions such as Ghana, where rising temperatures threaten the thermal performance and energy efficiency of office buildings. This study investigated the thermal performance of office buildings in Kumasi under future climatic data. The performance of the building is analyzed for both current and projected future climate data and mitigation strategies are further explored. This was done using climate models and building performance simulation tools to project future climatic conditions of 2050 and 2080 from current ones. This study applied the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 1-2.6 scenario to make its future climatic projections. An existing office complex was developed into a parametric simulation model using Rhinoceros 3D-Grasshopper and validated against measured energy data. In assessing the walling material performance, rammed earth and timber walls were considered with the conventional sandcrete blocks. In 2050, the predicted mean vote (PMV) percentile values range from 0.46 in August to 0.73 in February with minimal variations occurring in 2080 as they range from 0.49 to 0.77. For future projections, the alternative materials reduced cooling demand by 15–20%, lowered PPD by up to 20%, and maintained PMV values within or closer to the neutral comfort range, highlighting the need for passive design measures and considerations to adopt alternative walling materials to improve energy efficiency and enhance occupant comfort. The findings highlight the need for passive design strategies, material innovation, and climate-responsive planning to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable office building design in Ghana. This study contributes to the discourse on climate adaptation in the built environment and supports policy development toward energy-efficient construction practices. Keywords: Climate change, Thermal performance, Passive design, Energy efficiency, Simulation.

DESIGNING A FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE ORGANIZATIONAL DIGITAL FORENSIC READINESS USING AI / ML (Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering Innovations)

• DAVID DANKWAH APPIAH

This paper presents the design and validation of an integrated framework to enhance organizational digital forensic readiness through the application of artificial intelligence / machine learning. Motivated by the increasing volume, the variety of log and analytics data in modern IT settings, as well as the ongoing deficiencies in proactive evidence gathering. The study formulates a Design Science Research approach to develop a practical, standards aligned artifact. The framework combines a streaming data ingestion pipeline, robust preprocessing and feature extraction, a hybrid AI/ML analysis layer that couples unsupervised anomaly detection with supervised event classification, graph-based evidence correlation engine and tamper evident integrity controls. Also, an investigator interface that surfaces explainable model outputs. Prototype implementations and controlled simulations demonstrate that the integrated system improves detection sensitivity while maintaining precision, accelerates timeline reconstruction and materially reduces time to assemble verifiable evidence. Key contributions include; the hybrid algorithmic design that balances novel anomaly discovery with labeled classification, the operationalization of provenance and cryptographic integrity within an automated pipeline. The empirical evidence of improved investigator efficiency in testbed scenarios. The paper discusses methodological choices, evaluation metrics, practitioner feedback and limitations. It outlines directions for scaling, domain adaptation and responsible deployment. By bridging analytic automation and forensic practice, the proposed framework offers both theoretical advancement in forensic readiness research and a pragmatic pathway for organizations seeking to strengthen their incident preparedness and response capabilities.

Does Widowhood Accelerate Cognitive Ageing? A Target Trial Emulation Using WHO SAGE Ghana Data (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Emmanuel Konadu (University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)

**Background:** Widowhood is a significant psychosocial stressor linked to adverse health outcomes, yet its causal impact on cognitive ageing remains underexplored in sub-Saharan Africa. Most existing studies are cross-sectional and prone to bias. We applied a target trial emulation framework to rigorously evaluate the effect of widowhood on cognitive decline among older adults in Ghana. **Methods:** We analysed data from the WHO Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) Ghana, Waves 1 (2007–2010) and 2 (2014–2015). Eligible participants were married/cohabiting adults aged 50 years or older with complete marital status and cognitive data at both waves. The exposure was marital transition (married → widowed) versus remaining married. The outcome was a change in a standardised composite cognitive score (memory, verbal fluency, digit span). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced baseline covariates, including age, sex, education, wealth, depression, social engagement, and baseline cognition. Weighted linear regression was used to estimate the average treatment effect (ATE), with sensitivity and subgroup analyses conducted to test robustness. **Results:** Of 816 participants, 104 (12.8%) transitioned to widowhood during follow-up. Compared with those who remained married, widowed participants experienced significantly greater cognitive decline (IPTW β = –1.55; 95% CI: –2.55, –0.55; p = 0.002). Findings were consistent in sensitivity analyses. Subgroup effects were stronger among men, participants aged 50–59 years, those without formal education, the physically inactive, and individuals in the highest wealth quintile. **Conclusion:** Widowhood accelerates cognitive decline in older Ghanaians, with vulnerability varying by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. These findings highlight widowhood as a determinant of healthy ageing in sub-Saharan Africa and demonstrate the value of target trial emulation for causal inference.

Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance Research Gaps in sub-Saharan Africa – A One Health Approach (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Angela Krobea Asante (Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine)
• Samuel Agordzo Kekeli (Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine)

The overuse of antibacterial agents in human and veterinary medicine has led to reduced effectiveness, and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global health threat. While high-income countries have established robust antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance systems, low- and middle-income countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, face significant gaps in monitoring. Coinfections with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) further complicate this challenge. This project aims to strengthen AMR and NTD management across seven sub-Saharan countries by enhancing local capacity to identify key transmission pathways. Using a One Health approach, researchers from eight participating countries are investigating AMR linkages between humans, animals, and the environment. This includes sampling from various sectors, screening for extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing E. coli (ESBL-EC) as well as Carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CREC) and Salmonella. The additional evaluation of hygienic practices will lead to the development of guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs), which will be made accessible via a mobile application. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of 80 human isolates identified ESBL-EC (58%), CREC (4%), and Salmonella (0%). Among 165 chicken cecal samples, ESBL-EC (87%), CREC (1%), and Salmonella (6%) positive samples were detected. In 70 cattle cecal samples, ESBL-EC (71%), CREC (1%), and Salmonella (7%) positive samples were identified. Sampling of 60 raw vegetables from local markets revealed ESBL-EC (21%), CREC (1%), and Salmonella (11%) positive samples. Out of 45 wastewater samples, results showed positive ESBL-EC (32%), CREC (9%), and Salmonella (42%). These findings underscore the urgent need for effective AMR surveillance and intervention. Strengthening local capacities through a One Health framework is essential to curbing AMR spread and improving public health in sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, surveillance, neglected tropical diseases.

Climate-Based Model of Meningitis Epidemiology and Early - Warning in Ghana. (Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering Innovations)

• Elizabeth Owusu Ansah (Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, KNUST.)

Meningitis in West Africa exhibits strong seasonal patterns shaped by climatic conditions, yet changing climate patterns, rapid urbanization, and uneven surveillance complicates outbreak predication beyond the traditional meningitis belt. In this study, we developed Ghana’s first spatially explicit, climate-informed epidemiological model of meningitis that integrates case data, carriage and serogroup information, and high-resolution climate drivers. The compartmental process model captures carriage dynamics, climate-driven host susceptibility, and transmission heterogeneity across urban, peri-urban, and rural settings. Forced with observed and projected climate data, the model reproduces past epidemic timing and highlights elevated future risk in northern and transitional zones under warming scenarios. It also distinguishes differing outbreak potentials between densely urban and rural districts. This climate-driven model functions as a prototype early-warning system for Ghanaian health authorities, supporting targeted vaccination and preparedness. It also offers a transferable approach for other West African countries facing climate-sensitive meningitis risks.

Association between Pregestational Body mass index and gestational weight gain and adverse outcomes among women with late onset preeclampsia (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Isaac Elikplim Amedoe (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)

Background Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is well recognized for its mortality and morbidity rate in both mother and foetus. Globally, it affects about 5% of all pregnancies. This rate is slightly higher in developing countries (1.8-16.7%) such as Ghana. In clinical settings, it is classified as early onset preeclampsia (developed after 20 weeks but less than 34 weeks of gestation) and late onset preeclampsia (developed after 34 weeks of gestation). Although late onset preeclampsia is more prevalent, it is associated with less severe symptoms and outcomes. Available data provide information on the impact of preeclampsia on pregnancies but there is limited data on the association between pregestational BMI and gestational weight gain and their associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes in late onset preeclampsia women in Ghana. This study aimed to determine the association between pregestational body mass index and gestational weight gain and adverse pregnancy outcomes among late onset preeclampsia women. Methodology A retrospective case-control study conducted using maternal records of 161 pregnant women who attended Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital from September 2023 to May 2024. We included participants with singleton pregnancies, nulliparous/multiparous and ≥34 weeks of gestation. All controls were normotensive. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included in the study are: stillbirth, preterm, foetal distress, asphyxia, maternal death, prolonged labour, placental previa, placental abruptio, HELLP syndrome, IUFD, PPROM, PPH. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were performed using SPSS v27.0. Results 57.7%, 28.8% and 13.5% of the control group gained inadequate, excess and adequate gestational weight respectively. Despite these findings, there was no significant association between pregestational BMI and gestational weight gain among the controls. Also, no adverse pregnancy outcome was recorded among our controls, thus no significant association between pregestational BMI and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In the late onset preeclampsia group/cases, 52.3%, 26.6% and 20.2% gained excess, adequate and inadequate gestational weight respectively. Pregestational BMI was significantly associated (p<0.001) with gestational weight gain. Among the adverse outcomes studied, only placenta abruptio was associated with pregestational BMI (p=0.036). Binary logistic regression analysis to determine the predictors of gestational weight gain and placenta abruptio showed no significant results. Conclusion Pregestational BMI was significantly associated with the amount of gestational weight gain in the late onset preeclampsia group but plays minimal role in the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Keywords: Preeclampsia, Pregestational BMI, Gestational weight gain

CHARACTERISTICS OF RECURRENT INDIVIDUALS WITH TUBERCULOSIS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UNSUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OUTCOMES, SOUTH AFRICA, 2019–2023 (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Sinothando Dlamini (University of the Witwatersrand)

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent globally. Recurrent TB episodes, defined as individuals diagnosed more than twice between 2019 and 2023, pose significant public health challenges, contributing to poor treatment outcomes, prolonged morbidity, and ongoing transmission, with an incidence of 468 per 100,000 population in South Africa. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of individuals with recurrent TB and to investigate factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes in two high drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) burden provinces, Gauteng and Western Cape, from 2019 to 2023. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the Electronic Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Register, including all individuals diagnosed with DR-TB during the study period. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Centre for TB and the University of the Witwatersrand. Descriptive statistics were generated, followed by univariable analysis to determine crude odds ratios. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 11,481 TB records were included in the analysis. Descriptive analysis showed that the majority of individuals with recurrent TB were male (59.0%), aged between 25–44 years (57.8%), and living with HIV (59.7%). Most cases occurred in the Western Cape (61.9%), with a higher proportion of patients experiencing ≥3 episodes compared to Gauteng. Patients with five TB episodes had significantly higher odds of unsuccessful outcomes (aOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2–6.0). DR-TB individuals in the Western Cape were more likely to experience treatment failure compared to those in Gauteng (aOR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.3–1.6). Short-course treatment regimens were associated with improved outcomes (aOR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.6–0.8). Conclusion: A trend of worsening outcomes and rising complexity (e.g., pre-XDR/XDR-TB) was evident with each additional episode. Treatment failure was much higher in the Western Cape, which may be attributed to higher TB burdens, diagnostic practices, health system differences, or potential delays in care initiation. These findings highlight the need to reinforce strategies addressing loss to follow-up and highlight the potential of short-course regimens in enhancing treatment success and reducing TB transmission.

EXAMINING THE ADOPTION OF MOBILE GOVERNMENT BY CITIZENS IN GHANA: A STUDY OF NHIS MOBILE MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL SERVICE (Urban Futures, Sustainable Cities, and Inclusive Governance)

• Selorm Asiedu-Addo (KNUST)
• Nii Tagoe (KNUST)
• Senyo Kokroko (KNUST)

Mobile government (m-government) services have emerged as critical tools for enhancing public service delivery, yet adoption rates in developing countries such as Ghana remain suboptimal despite high rates of mobile penetration. This study addresses the gap in understanding the factors that influence m-government adoption in Ghana, citizens increasingly demand for accessible digital government services yet, limited usage. The research aims to identify the key determinants of m-government’s acceptance and provide insights for improving digital service delivery strategies in developing economies. The study employed the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework to examine the factors influencing m-government adoption. Data for the study were collected through structured online surveys administered to Ghanaian citizens with mobile phone access. The collected data were then analyzed using structural equation modeling via SmartPLS to test the hypothesized relationships between UTAUT constructs and m-government adoption intentions and actual usage. The analysis revealed that performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions significantly predict behavioral intention to use m-government services in Ghana. Behavioral intention demonstrated a strong positive effect on actual m-government usage. Interestingly, effort expectancy, while positively related to intention, did not show statistical significance, suggesting that perceived ease of use may be less critical in this context as compared to performance benefits and social factors. The findings validate the applicability of the UTAUT model in the Ghanaian m-government context and provide actionable insights for policymakers and technology implementers. The results recommends that governments should focus on demonstrating clear performance benefits of m-government services, leveraging social networks for promotion, and investing in robust technological infrastructure. This research contributes to the extant empirical literature on m-government adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa and offers practical recommendations for enhancing digital governance strategies in similar developing country contexts. Keywords: Mobile government, technology adoption, digital governance, citizen services, developing countries

Assessment of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification as a Diagnostic Tool for Mansonella perstans in Ghana (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• DORCAS OWUSU (Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, KNUST)

Background: Accurate diagnosis of Mansonella perstans infection is essential for effective disease detection, treatment, and control programs. The Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay serves as a sensitive, straightforward molecular tool suitable for resource-limited environments. It is a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable diagnostic method. The LAMP assay employs three pairs of primers to amplify specific nucleic acid sequences at a constant temperature. This study aimed to optimize the LAMP assay for targeting the Mp419 repetitive sequence under various conditions, evaluating its application for detecting M. perstans in clinical blood samples collected in Ghana. Methods: The research consisted of a laboratory-based experiment and an observational study involving 224 participants' blood samples. These samples were analysed for M. perstans using microscopy, quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), and the LAMP assay to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP method. The conditions for the LAMP assay were refined to enhance its detection threshold. Results: The M. perstans LAMP assay demonstrated a clinical sensitivity of 72.98% (95% CI, 55.61-85.63), a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 97.49 – 100), and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% (95% CI, 84.5 -100) compared to an established M. perstans Q-PCR assay and microscopy. The Kappa value between LAMP PCR and microscopy was found to be 81.8% (95% CI, 70.8-92.8). The optimal condition for the LAMP assay to identify the M. perstans Mp419 repetitive sequence was determined to be amplification at a steady temperature of 63˚C for 45 minutes, with the lowest limit of detection of 0.05 mf/mL of whole blood. Conclusions: The M. perstans-specific LAMP assay showed no cross-reaction with other filarial parasites, demonstrating diagnostic performance comparable to that of the combined efficacy of M. perstans Q-PCR and microscopy. Therefore, the LAMP assay can serve as an effective alternative molecular diagnostic tool for M. perstans, especially in low-resource settings. Keywords: M. perstans, LAMP, diagnosis, PCR, accuracy.

PROTEIN ANALYSIS OF GABOON VIPER (BITIS GABONICA) VENOM OBTAINED FROM GHANA (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Harriet Kodjie (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)

PROTEIN ANALYSIS OF GABOON VIPER (BITIS GABONICA) VENOM OBTAINED FROM GHANA Harriet D. Kodjie, Lolynda S. Ocloo, Prince A. Agyemang, Jeffrey N.A Bonsu, Mark Opoku, Caleb Kesse Firempong* Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. *E-mail: calebuse @yahoo.com / ckfirempong.cos@knust.edu.gh ABSTRACT Snake envenomation is still a major public health concern across sub-Saharan Africa, where Gaboon viper (*Bitis gabonica*) is considered one of the most medically significant venomous snakes due to the deadly nature of its venom. This study therefore investigated the protein composition of *B. *gabonica* venom obtained from Ghana using standard protocols. The Bradford assay was used to determine the protein concentration of the venom while the SDS-PAGE was used to separate the various venom proteins based on their molecular sizes. The functional groups of the different venom proteins were also evaluated using FTIR spectroscopy while the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) was determined using the Karber method. The results showed that the total protein concentration of the snake venom was 1.15 mg/mL, which confirmed the likelihood of several bioactive molecules in the venom. The SDS-PAGE analysis displayed five distinct protein bands at molecular weights of approximately 10.07 kDa to 68.35 kDa, which were consistent with some venom proteins including metalloproteinases, serine proteases, phospholipase A₂ and disintegrins. FTIR analysis also confirmed the presence of protein-associated amide bonds, phosphate groups, and nucleotides, which highlighted the biochemical complexity of the venom. The LD₅₀ was determined as 0.78 mg/kg, which supported the venom as highly toxic among known range of this species. The findings confirmed the high protein diversity and toxicity of Gaboon viper venom from Ghana and provided essential baseline data that supported region-specific antivenom development for improved clinical management of snakebite envenoming. Keywords: *Bitis gabonica*, Venom, Proteomics, SDS-PAGE, Envenomation, Median lethal dose, FTIR

Polymicrobial Infections in Buruli Ulcer Wounds: Preliminary Insights into the Co-occurrence of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas spp. in Ghana (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Morrah Oppong (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology/KCCR)

Background: Buruli ulcer, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is a debilitating skin disease prevalent in tropical regions. Secondary bacterial infections may complicate this condition, necessitating comprehensive bacteriological investigations to inform effective treatment. This study aimed to determine the presence and prevalence of Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., and Escherichia spp. in wound samples from Buruli ulcer patients and evaluate their impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: A total of 177 samples were collected from patients with Buruli ulcer lesions. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the bioMérieux® VITEK-2 Compact system, while Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) genes were detected with an optimized real-time PCR assay. Results: Out of 177 isolates, 48 (27%) were Gram-positive and 128 (73%) were Gram-negative. Among the Gram-negative isolates identified, Pseudomonas spp. constituted the largest proportion (24, 19%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (16, 13%) and Escherichia spp. (11, 9%). The predominant bacterial species identified were Escherichia coli (9, 81%), Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae (9,56%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19,79%) were found among Escherichia spp., Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas spp., respectively. Lesions with higher bacterial diversity and load were linked to delayed healing (p=0.001) and both K. pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae and P.aeruginosa persisted in lesions during treatment. A significant antimicrobial resistance profile was seen in E. coli against commonly used antibiotics such as Tetracycline (6/8, 75%), Ampicillin/Sulbactam (4/8, 50%), Ciprofloxacin (3/8, 38%), Cefotaxime (3/8, 38%), and Cefpodoxime (3/8, 38%). For K. pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae, resistance to Tetracycline (3/8, 38%) and Ampicillin (9/9, 100%) was observed. Additionally, ESBL genes (bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM) were found in both E. coli and K. pneumoniae ssp., emphasizing the clinical importance of these multidrug-resistant pathogens in Buruli ulcer infections. Low resistance was observed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Piperacillin/Tazobactam (2/13, 15%), Ceftazidime (2/17, 12%), and Ciprofloxacin (3/17, 18%). Conclusion: This study reveals the presence and resistance patterns of Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., and Escherichia spp. in Buruli ulcer patients. These findings emphasize the need to integrate effective strategies for managing secondary bacterial infections into Buruli ulcer treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes.

Rapid Detection of Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Salad Vegetables Using PCR and 16S rRNA Sequencing (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• REGINA OFORI ASANTE (KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)

Fresh salad vegetables are widely consumed, and repeated microbial analysis on these vegetables over the years persistently indicates the presence of microbial contaminants in the salad vegetables that pose food safety risks to the consumer. Standard, culture-based detection methods are mostly used in the detection of bacteria. These culture-based methods are biased toward detecting fast-growing mesophilic bacteria and often miss viable but non-culturable (VBNC) or thermophilic species. Recommendations from previous studies suggest the use of modern technologies at the molecular level, such as the use of PCR and 16S rRNA, for the full detection of the microorganism. This study employed PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing tools to investigate bacterial diversity in 120 samples of cabbage, carrot, cucumber, green pepper, lettuce, and tomato from 20 farms across Ghana’s Eastern Region. Unlike conventional techniques, this approach enabled the detection of thermophilic bacteria such as Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Parageobacillus caldoxylosilyticus, and Bacillus thermoterrestris, organisms that require high incubation temperatures (>50°C) and are virtually undetectable using the conventional lab protocols. The method also identified VBNC and environmentally adapted species, including Bacillus stercoris, Mycobacterium mangenotii, and Clostridioides mangenotii, revealing a more complete picture of microbial contamination. Amplicon sizes ranged from 1280 to 1500 bp, with smaller fragments in some vegetables suggesting primer mismatch or low-complexity templates. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of known pathogens (Bacillus anthracis, Campylobacter jejuni), alongside beneficial or spoilage-associated strains. These findings highlight the unique strength of molecular diagnostics in detecting hard-to-culture bacterial threats and expand the understanding of microbial risks in farm-fresh salad vegetables. Incorporating such DNA-based tools into food safety monitoring is essential, especially in tropical agricultural systems where thermophilic and VBNC organisms may thrive unnoticed.

Effect of maternal postpartum depression on child feeding among first time mothers in Bamvim community, Northern region (Health Systems, Basic sciences, Biomedical Advances, pharmaceutical Sciences and Human Wellbeing)

• Atubiga Alobit Baba (University for Development Studies)
• Aweeya Joseph Alale (Navrongo Research Institute, Navrongo)
• Atubiga Aloba John (University of Energy and Natural Resources)

Background: Depression among first time postpartum mothers may influenced how their babies are fed. Despite reported cases of depression in Bamvim community in Northern region, little studies have assessed the effect of depression and its relationship with child feeding. Aim: To examine the effect of maternal postpartum depression on child feeding among first time mothers in Tamale metropolis Method: The study employed analytical cross sectional study design consisting of 52 first time postpartum mothers. The data was collected using a validated questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. All statistical test were conducted at 5% significance level. Findings: The study revealed that 89% of respondents reported depression above the screening cutoff. Respondents who showed severe depression were 4.12 times more likely not to breastfeed their babies as compared to those who were not depressed (AOR 4.12, 95% CI 0.12-6.91; p <0.001). The study found that, respondents who showed severe depression were 2.22 times more likely to have malnourished children as compared to those who were not depressed (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 0.12-4.41; p=0.002). From the findings, 67% respondents who were depressed did not pressure their babies to feed. Conclusion: Respondents who showed postpartum depression exhibited poor feeding practices as compared to those without depression. Depressed mothers were more likely to have malnourished children. The study recommended that, health staff should conduct early depression screening of first time mothers at the first trimester to help reduce the effect on child feeding in Bamvim community. Keywords: Depression, postpartum, malnourished, feeding, Bamvim

Bio-activity guided fractionation of fermented seeds of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don

• Jeffrey Apau

The abstract summarises the bioactivity assessment, isolation and characterisation of compound/s from fermented seeds of Parkia biglobosa.The compound isolated was N-(2-phenylethyl) tetracosanamide.