Twenty yellow-, red- and purple-kernel maize accessions were collected from three geographic regions in Ghana for the study. The objective was to determine the presence of opaque -2 gene and -carotene content of the grains as a means of assessing nutritional quality. Variability in -carotene content was determined by HPLC while presence of opaque 2-gene was determined by a light box. Significant variations were found in the -carotene and carotenoid content of all accessions. Accession DYF had the highest carotenoid and -carotene concentrations of 12.0327 and 2.0313, respectively and performed well in various yield parameters and therefore potentially useful in the fresh maize market as well as food for infants. No significant correlation was observed between kernel colour and -carotene content. Generally, the amount of -carotene increased with increasing carotenoid content but this may not always be the case as few exceptions may be found as revealed by the study. None of the accessions contained the opaque-2 gene and therefore did not fit the description of Quality Protein Maize (QPM).Information presented may be useful to the breeder, the farmer and the consumer.

Keywords: Carotenoid; -carotene; Opaque-2 Gene; maize accessions; yellow-, red- and purple-kernelled maize; Ghana.