Articles

Practice guidelines recommend fixed combinations of calcipotriol, a topical vitamin D analogue, and betamethasone dipropionate, a high potency corticosteroid, as first line topical treatment for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis of the body and scalp. A new foaming lotion for treatment of Psoriasis was developed and patented by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Invention patent reference number 202030824). The foaming lotion is composed of clobetasol, papaverine hydrochloride, spironolactone, milk-peptide-complex and propylene glycol. Three cases with moderate Psoriasis aged 34, 36 and 66 years old were treated with our new foaming lotion for 7-8 days. The three patients reported important improvement in the itching sensations and remission of the scaled lesions. Before and after application of the new foaming lotion, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores improved in the first patient from 24.3 to 1.8, in the second patient from 26.1 to 1.8, and in the third patient from 27 to 1.8. Our results show the short-term effectiveness of the new foaming lotion in treating moderate and extensive Psoriasis. Long follow-up is needed to evaluate the remission period of Psoriasis and possible side effects of the new topical treatment.

The purpose of this study was to examine the contributions of Beach Resorts to the development of coastal communities in the Central Region of Ghana. A mixed-method approach was adopted for the study. The population for this study comprised five communities selected from two municipalities and a district in the Central Region of Ghana (Brenu Akyinim and Elmina in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abrem Municipality (KEEA), Moree in Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District (AAK) as well as Anomabo and Ekumfi Otuam in the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly) Sample Random and Purposive sampling techniques were used to select the communities’ and respondents (Community members, Government agencies, and Resort management) for the study. The main instruments used for the study were questionnaires, Focus Group discussions and interviews. 240 questionnaires were administered, 40 by tourists and 200 by the inhabitants of the study area. Eighteen opinion leaders and management leaders in the study areas were also interviewed. The quantitative data entry and analysis were done by using the SPSS software package. The qualitative data was analysed by the use of the interpretative technique based on the themes arrived at during the data collection from the focus group discussions. It was realized that beach Resorts are a force to reckon with because the communities benefit a lot from job creation, income, infrastructure development, improvement in aesthetics, improved sanitation and many more. Education and skill training of the youth in the coastal communities is very crucial if they are to be employed and be paid well. Some of them need foreign exposure to enlighten them about the need of foreign tourists to help manage the resort facilities very well and to make their services more competitive with beach resorts in other coastal regions in Ghana and Africa at large. It is recommended that the District Assemblies and Ghana Tourist Authority should institute policies to ensure that the education of the youth in the coastal communities (study areas) are given priority and also access to financial support be made available to the local investors. Beach resort owners should liaise with Ghana Tourism Authority and the Chiefs to establish a training institution to train and update the skill of those who work in the tourism sector.

The purpose of the study was to examine the Motives of Tourists; Socio-Economic and Challenges of tourism in Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised six (6) communities (Mpraeso, Atibie, Obomeng, Obo Oworobong, and Nketepa in Kwahu South District Assembly (KSDA) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed to select two hundred (200) respondents for the study. The main instrument used for data collection was questionnaires. The study employed the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) to code and process the collected data. Descriptive and relational statistical techniques involving frequencies, percentages, summations, diagrams, and tables were employed in analysing the data. The Chi-square test analysis was used to explore the relationships and differences in perceptions. The study indicated that every tourist, whether local (Ghanaian) or foreign, had at least one of the following motives in mind for participating in the festival; To socialize; For relaxation; For education to participate and witness the paragliding festivals; To take photographs of festival scenes; Other motives like to sell items, especially souvenirs. The study also revealed that the KEF has had some positive socio-economic impact or implications on the area. These among others include: job creation, income generation for locals of the area, infrastructural development, and projection of the image of the area as the festival has become one of the biggest gatherings of revellers in the country, drawing people from all walks of life, nationally and internationally as a result of the introduction of paragliding since 2005, socialization enhancement, medium for cultural exchange and education, and finally serves as a medium for portraying the cultural identity of the people of Kwahu. The study also indicated that the major challenges encountered by tourists during the event were listed in order of degree of intensity: High cost of living, poor road network in the area, intermitted electricity and water supply, poor sanitary conditions in the area, poor health facilities, and unwelcoming attitude of some local residents of the festival area. It is recommended that, residents must be educated about the potential benefits of tourism as an industry helping to achieve sustainable community development. It is also recommended that Ghana tourism authority and Kwahu District Assembly should collaborate to improve on social amenities in the municipality to attract more foreign and local tourists during the festivity.