This study was undertaken to investigate the mineral profile of pito, a traditionally brewed alcoholic beverage popularly consumed along West Coast of Africa. Pito samples from four cities in Ghana namely; Bolgatanga, Tamale, Wa and Accra were analysed for their metal content. Concentrations of Na, K, Mn, Cu and Zn, were measured in all the samples analysed. However, Fe, Ni, Cd and Pb recorded 70%, 83%, 58% and 79% incidence respectively in the samples, but Cr was measured below detection limit in all the samples. The concentrations of Na, K, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Ni, Pb and Cd recorded ranged between 15 to 66mg/L, 581 to 1108mg/L, 0.152 to 0.808mg/L, 0.076 to 0.308mg/L, 0.456 to 0.910mg/L, 0.308 to 2.832mg/L, 0.040 to 0.176mg/L, 0.056 to 0.272mg/L and 0.011 to 0.048mg/L respectively. With the exception of Mn, all the essential minerals measured were below the recommended WHO maximum limits in water. Hence pito is a good source of K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn. The detected concentrations of Ni, Pb and Cd in the pito samples were however, above the respective maximum WHO guideline in water. Therefore pito is susceptible to metal contamination due to poor handling and primitive equipment used in the production and consumers should be apprehensive of the environs where the pito is prepared.

The low borehole yielding potential and the high drilling failure rate of the Voltaian sedimentary rocks of Northern Ghana have been of concern to many local hydrogeologists and international donors. Consequently, several donor-supported projects have been instituted within the last few years with the view to study the hydrogeological characteristics of this 'difficult' rock system. One such project is the geophysical borehole logging of 13 boreholes drilled into the Voltaian sedimentary rocks of Northern Ghana to enhance detailed hydrogeological assessment. Natural gamma detectors embedded in the five exploratory logging tools employed for the study ensured depth control by comparing their individual gamma log signatures. The combined gamma and formation resistivity/ conductivity response logs provided more detailed lithological information than were shown in the driller's/geologist's logs. Significant discrepancies between the logging results and the reported drilled depths, construction depths, and screen settings were observed in seven of the thirteen investigated boreholes. Thus, the reliability of driller's borehole records seems questionable, which will hamper hydrogeological studies and the mapping of groundwater resources. Further, it may be supposed that the productivity of most wells in Ghana is compromised by poor depth control of screen placement.

Hydrofracturing of low-yielding boreholes in hard rocks is a widely used technique in Africa for improvement of yield, thus making them qualified for installation of a hand-pump for domestic water supply. However, the success rate of the hydrofracturing campaigns seems not to be that high as generally claimed by contractors. One reason amongst others might be that the selection of zones for hydrofracturing in the individual borehole is based on pre-hydrofracturing investigation using conventional electrical logs only. Thereby, the zones selected are the occurring resistivity minima interpreted as weak zones with some fracturing. However, resistivity minima can also be caused solely by lithological reasons, which then in most cases could have been seen on a gamma log as corresponding increased gamma radiation. The advantages of using gamma logging in combination with conventional electrical logging technique for prediction of fractured zones in basement rocks is illustrated by investigations of three low-yielding boreholes located in different geological environments in crystalline basement rocks in Ghana.