ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Sexual and reproductive rights violations at sexual debut of male and female adolescents in Ghana

Objective: To examine the social and ethical challenges in enforcing sexual and reproductive rights of male and female adolescents abused at sexual debut in Ghana. Methodology: This was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data on 278 sexually experienced male and female teenagers from 12 communities selected by cluster random sampling in the Ejisu-Juben district. We extracted relevant data from a 2009 academic thesis project involving 481 respondents. We assessed differences between sexual debut experiences of males and females using Pearson's chi-square and ANOVA tests. P-values ≤0.05 were considered significant. Results: Mean ages at sexual debut for males and females were 16.05 ± 1.8 and 15.98 ± 1.47 years respectively (P=0.719). Adolescents of both sexes experienced defilement and forced sexual debut; similar proportions had early sexual debut. Females who had early sexual debut were more likely than their older counterparts to have low educational attainment and induced abortion. Conclusions: Many male and female adolescents experience sexual and reproductive rights breaches at sexual debut. Prevailing circumstances hinder optimization of sexual and reproductive rights of juveniles in Ghana. We recommend making clear provisions for young persons in the law on sexual offences in the criminal code to facilitate development of interventions to improve access to justice for offenders and victims.

Source: KNUST
Sexual behaviour and contraceptive knowledge and use among female adolescents in Senior High School in Manhyia submetro, Kumasi

Introduction: Unsafe sexual practices among school girls is one of the challenges in this 21st century. They are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and getting unwanted pregnancies that may result in unsafe abortion. In view of this, the study was conducted to assess the sexual behaviors, contraceptive knowledge and use among Senior High School girls. Method: this was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out among 240 Senior High School Girls from a purposively selected schools in Manhyia Sub Metro, in Kumasi Ghana. A Self-administered structured questionnaire was given to randomly selected girls in the chosen schools Results: the findings of the study reported 48.7% of the girls having had a boyfriend and 30.8% had ever had sex. Majority (62.1%) had knowledge of at least three methods of contraceptives. The recommended the condom as the method to be used by young people. The findings also showed that 19% of the students in the study used contraceptives. Age and ethnicity were found to be related to contraceptive use (OR=0.013 and 0.002 respectively). The unadjusted effect on risky behaviors showed that students who do not go to clubs (OR=0.25; 95% CI=0.13 – 0.49), cinema halls (OR=0.27; 95% CI=0.13 – 0.56), and do not drink alcohol (OR=0.22; 95% CI=0.09 – 0.52) had a lower odds of using a contraceptive method compared with those who do otherwise. Conclusion: The school girls in the area are sexually active. They have knowledge of contraceptives though they recommend only the use of condoms. A few of the sexually active girls use contraceptives. There is need to teach the girls about the other contraceptive methods that they can use together with the condoms. Authorities should take the responsibility to orient the girls on behavior change and contraceptive use.

Source: KNUST
Shared genetic risk between major orofacial cleft phenotypes in an African population

Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) represent a large proportion (70%–80%) of all OFCs. They can be broadly categorized into nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO). Although NSCL/P and NSCPO are considered etiologically distinct, recent evidence suggests the presence of shared genetic risks. Thus, we investigated the genetic overlap between NSCL/P and NSCPO using African genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data on NSOFCs. These data consist of 814 NSCL/P, 205 NSCPO cases, and 2159 unrelated controls. We generated common single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) association summary statistics separately for each phenotype (NSCL/P and NSCPO) under an additive genetic model. Subsequently, we employed the pleiotropic analysis under the composite null (PLACO) method to test for genetic overlap. Our analysis identified two loci with genome‐wide significance (rs181737795 [p = 2.58E−08] and rs2221169 [p = 4.5E−08]) and one locus with marginal significance (rs187523265 [p = 5.22E−08]). Using mouse transcriptomics data and information from genetic phenotype databases, we identified MDN1, MAP3k7, KMT2A, ARCN1, and VADC2 as top candidate genes for the associated SNVs. These findings enhance our understanding of genetic variants associated with NSOFCs and identify potential candidate genes for further exploration.

Source: KNUST
Sheet and scrap metal: a medium for today’s Ghanaian sculptor

This project has been under-taken to investigate the cause of the limitation m the use of nontraditional materials in Ghanaian Sculpture. In achieving the objectives, craftsmen were visited and carefully observed and questioned why metal sheet and scrap were not being used for sculpture. Experimental works using the material-sheet metal and scrap-in various ways according to designs were carried out. They were assembled to form new shapes and forms. This made it clear that the material could be used effectively as desired. As a result, new design patterns have been produced departing from the stereotyped approach employed by the traditional sculptors. It is common knowledge that, lack of knowledge in the use of some materials still exists among sculptors in many parts of the world, of which Ghana is no exception. This tends to militate against progress, development, growth and maturity in sculpture. The researcher has made a positive move towards the application of knowledge desired for the use of sheet metal for sculpture in-the-round. The challenge is now in the court of prospective present and future sculptors to use the knowledge available to transform the new materials into monumental sculptures.

Source: KNUST
Sheanut and sustainable poverty reduction in Northern Ghana: a case study of West Gonja District

Poverty is major problem confronting many rural people in Ghana .This is especially true in the case of the people of the three northern regions of Ghana. Despite the fact that Ghana has chalked remarkable gains in her poverty reduction effort over the past two decades the North still records the highest levels of poverty. The Ghana living standard survey indicates that poverty is more severe among food crop farmers as compared to the cash crop farmers. The West Gonja District in the Northern Region of Ghana experiences a high level of poverty which is manifest in high illiteracy, malnutrition, and a perennial food crisis, a combination of which makes it difficult for the poor to come out of poverty as a result the interaction effect. The district however abounds in shea nuts ( Vitellaria paradoxa) a non-timber forest product which grows in the wild and is currently among the top ten Non-Traditional Exports of Ghana. Apart from the fact that there is growing demand for shea nuts the industry is dominated by rural women who are normally the most economically disadvantaged group due to their limited access to productive assets. There is the opportunity therefore to use shea nuts as an alternate source of livelihood for West Gonja District which forms the basis of this study. In order to completely investigate the problem an inductive research design approach was adopted for the conceptual design of the research. The research process began with the problem statement following an introductory background. Research objectives were then derived. The research problem which together with the desk study informed the design of data collection instruments to suit the technical design of the research. In the technical design the study combined the survey and the case study methods of data collection and analysis. Interviews were held with officials of various relevant institutions including opinion leaders and traditional authority. The results from the study showed a very high level of poverty in the District especially among women. The study also indicated that women were mainly engaged in the non- farm informal sector largely made up of shea based activities which unfortunately is less rewarding as compared to the effort. The little gains made from the shea nuts are however used on food provisioning, education and investment in agriculture which constitutes significant net additions to what is earned from farming. Following these findings the study concludes that a national shea policy should be put in place by the government for the setting up of a shea nut board tasked with the exclusive research and marketing of shea nuts. The formation of cooperatives should also be encouraged and all other stakeholders should help solve the teething problems confronting shea nut collectors, processors and those engaged in marketing. It is hoped that the development of sheanut into a dependable cash crop will drastically reduce poverty in the District in particular and the entire Northern Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Shear behaviour of self compacting concrete beams reinforced with palm kernel fibre

The shear strength of palm-kernel-fibre-reinforced self compacting concrete (SCC) was investigated by experimental means. The SCC with palm kernel fibre were cast without web reinforcement. An experimental programme was designed for twenty fibre reinforced SCC beams incorporating bottom longitudinal steel bars. The beams were simply supported and subjected to 4 – point monotonic and cyclic loading tests. The variable parameters used were two different nominal coarse aggregate sizes 10 mm and 20 mm and different amounts of fibre reinforcements; 0, 0.25, 0.5 ,0.75 and 1 percentages by weight of cement. With the beams subject to loading, crack patterns were marked and cracking and ultimate loads were recorded. The deflection at all load points were also recorded. Test results indicated that the cracking behaviour with the addition of fibre was more effective in 10 mm nominal coarse aggregate size beams than the 20 mm nominal coarse aggregate size beams. This was because all the 10 mm nominal coarse aggregate size beams had the crack widths under service loads less than 0.3 mm. On the other hand, some of the 20 mm nominal coarse aggregate size beams recorded crack widths greater than 0.3 mm under monotonic and cyclic loading. The shear strength of the 10 mm nominal coarse aggregate size beams were observed to be more than the 20 mm nominal coarse aggregate size beams. In terms of the failure modes, all the beams, with the exception of one beam which failed by crushing at the support, failed by shear failure mode.

Source: KNUST
Shelf Life Studies of Vacuum Packaged Fanti-Kenkey

‘Kenkey’ is an important food to the Ghanaian community with relatively lower shelf life. In the face of modern day consumer’s quest for convenience, it is imperative that studies be conducted to extend the shelf life of the product. This work sought to vacuum package ‘Fanti kenkey’ to extend its shelf life. One hundred and twelve (112) ‘Fanti kenkey’ samples were used for the study. The samples were divided into two and one part vacuum packaged. Each was then stored under ambient and refrigerated condition for 28 days. Samples (4 for each treatment) were picked at four (4) days interval for physicochemical and microbial load determination. Results from the parameters determined were then used to predict shelf life of the samples using statsgraphic centurion version 18. Physicochemical changes such as water activity and moisture did not have any significant relationship on the shelf life as days increase. Hence, they were not used in the shelf life prediction. In contrast, changes based on pH and yeast and molds had significant effect on the shelf life of ‘Fanti kenkey’ as days increase and therefore were used as major parameters for shelf life prediction. Shelf life predictions base on pH stored under four different treatments had approximately 29 days, 25 days, 24 days and 12 days for unvacuum package refrigerated condition, vacuum package ambient condition, vacuum package refrigerated and unvacuum package ambient respectively. On the other hand, shelf life prediction base on yeast and molds recorded the highest shelf life of about 30days for vacuum packaged ‘Fanti kenkey’ stored under refrigerated condition and 25 days for vacuum packaged ‘Fanti kenkey’ stored under normal ambient. Unvacuum packaged ‘Fanti kenkey’ stored under refrigerated condition and unvacuum package ‘Fanti kenkey’ stored under ambient recorded 9 days and 5 days respectively. In conclusion, vacuum packaging has the potential to increase shelf life of ‘Fanti-kenkey’ and could be exploited to satisfy the busy modern day people and enhance its appeal by local and international consumers.

Source: KNUST
Shelf Life Studies Of Vacuum Packaged ‘Fanti-Kenkey’

ABSTRACT „Kenkey‟ is an important food to the Ghanaian community with relatively lower shelf life. In the face of modern day consumer‟s quest for convenience, it is imperative that studies be conducted to extend the shelf life of the product. This work sought to vacuum package „Fanti kenkey‟ to extend its shelf life. One hundred and twelve (112) „Fanti kenkey‟ samples were used for the study. The samples were divided into two and one part vacuum packaged. Each was then stored under ambient and refrigerated condition for 28 days. Samples (4 for each treatment) were picked at four (4) days interval for physicochemical and microbial load determination. Results from the parameters determined were then used to predict shelf life of the samples using statsgraphic centurion version 18. Physicochemical changes such as water activity and moisture did not have any significant relationship on the shelf life as days increase. Hence, they were not used in the shelf life prediction. In contrast, changes based on pH and yeast and molds had significant effect on the shelf life of „Fanti kenkey‟ as days increase and therefore were used as major parameters for shelf life prediction. Shelf life predictions base on pH stored under four different treatments had approximately 29 days, 25 days, 24 days and 12 days for unvacuum package refrigerated condition, vacuum package ambient condition, vacuum package refrigerated and unvacuum package ambient respectively. On the other hand, shelf life prediction base on yeast and molds recorded the highest shelf life of about 30days for vacuum packaged „Fanti kenkey‟ stored under refrigerated condition and 25 days for vacuum packaged „Fanti kenkey‟ stored under normal ambient. Unvacuum packaged „Fanti kenkey‟ stored under refrigerated condition and unvacuum package „Fanti kenkey‟ stored under ambient recorded 9 days and 5 days respectively. In conclusion, vacuum packaging has the potential to increase shelf life of „Fanti-kenkey‟ and could be exploited to satisfy the busy modern day people and enhance its appeal by local and international consumers.

Source: KNUST
Shelf Life Studies on Wheat-Cassava Composite Bread stored under Different Conditions by Bread Stakeholders

The advocacy to substitute indigenous flour in 100% wheat bread is becoming more apparent as bread consumption keeps increasing. However the storage conditions to which bread is subjected could affect its shelf life and stability. The main objective of this study was to determine the shelf life of wheat and cassava-wheat composite bread at different storage conditions used by bread stakeholders (retailers, consumers and bakers) as obtained through a baseline survey. 10% substituted High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) bread (tea and sugar), 100% wheat bread (tea and sugar) were stored under room temperature conditions (25-31°C) and elevated temperature conditions under the sun (26-35°C) for 7 days. Data from chemical (moisture, water activity, free fatty acid), microbial (yeasts and mould, total plate count) and physical analyses (descriptive sensory evaluation using a 10 point ordinal scale) were obtained and three parameters (yeasts/mould, water activity and descriptive sensory evaluation) were used to predict the overall shelf life through simple and multiple regression modelling. Bread stored at room temperature had a longer shelf life; between 6 and 8 days whereas bread stored at elevated temperature conditions had a shelf life between 5 and 7 days. The results also showed that the sugar bread samples had a better storage life of between 5 and 8 days than the tea bread samples which had a shelf life of 5 and 7 days probably because the more sugar in sugar bread served as a preservative. Composite bread had a shelf life of between 5 and 7 days whilst the 100% wheat bread had a shelf life between 7 and 8 days.

Source: KNUST
Shelf Stability of Vacuum Packaged Peeled Plantain

Plantain (Musa spp) is a tropical staple fruit in West Africa which belongs to the genus Musa of the family Musaceae is widely consumed in its green unripe state in Ghana. There is however limited available preservation techniques to maintain its green starchy stage after harvest. The objective of this study was to explore suitability of vacuum packaging in the preservation of green unripe plantain fruits. Unripe green plantain fruits were peeled, washed, sliced and blanched at different times. Blanched peeled plantain samples were vacuum packaged in different concentrations of saline solutions in high density polyethylene (HDPE) bags and stored for 30 days. The total sugar content of the stored samples were determined before storage and after storage using the Anthrone method. Data obtained were analysed using the Response Surface Methodology and ANOVA at 5% significance level. ANOVA results indicated the model, plantain variety, interaction of blanching time and NaCl treatment had significant effect (p<0.05) on the sugar response. Apantu plantain variety blanched for 1 min and pretreated in 0.5% NaCl solution had the least total sugar response (10.44 %) whereas the least sugar response (18.17%) for Apem plantain variety was recorded for samples blanched for 5 min and pretreated in 0.3% NaCl solution.

Source: KNUST
Shelter for the Displaced - Dawhenya

Man’s attempt to have dominion over nature has not been completed. As such periodically nature exhibits excesses through climatic changes - flood, rainstorms and earthquakes. Secondly when society is predominantly engulfed with greed, mistrust and to a large extent driven by the quest for survival, civil tension, suspicion, wars and fear of political persecution are inevitable. Thirdly our inability to refine and reform certain obnoxious cultural practices in the Ghanaian social system which has come into conflict with modernity and which also exhibits excesses through outcast and pacification. In what ever form such excesses exhibit itself some people are always victims (displaced either internally or internationally). HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Ghana has not been spared of problems of human displacement over the past years. This commitment has been reflected in the institutionalization of series of bodies of relief and rehabilitation. But however, no structures were put in place for such displaced persons until 1997, when Sanzule Krisan camp was built for such a purpose. The current organizations handling disaster problems in the country are national Mobilization Programme, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) like Red Cross Society, A.D.R.A., Assemblies of God, Christian Council, Catholic Secretariat, World Vision International and also United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). OBJECTIVES The objective of this design is to [a] Design a multi-purpose and multi-functional facility capable of handling variety and mass displaced persons. [b] To provide relief and rehabilitation centre capable of providing the basic needs of the displaced persons to handle the psychological trauma associated with displacement. [c] To increase Ghana’s capacity and capability in managing disasters and conflicts which invariably culminate mass movement of people as and when they occur. [d] To improve inter-agencing co-ordination between Ghana Government and other bodies to avert the vices associated with mass movement. FEATURES OF THE DISPLACED PERSONS [a] The displaced persons feel very traumatic and insecure. [b] The displaced persons feel unwanted, useless and rejected by society or nature. [c] The displaced persons believe that the end of the world has come. [dl The displaced persons feel there is no hope for the future.

Source: KNUST
Short-term interest rates, inflation and demand for real money balances 1988-2000

Until 1987, the financial system in Ghana was highly repressed. Among other, interest rates ceilings, credit rationing and liquidity requirements were pursued under the controlled or repressed regime. With high inflation rates over and above the prevailing rates of interest as set by the monetary authorities, real interest rates turned out to be negative. Hence, Very typical of a developing economy, the demand for real money balances remained determined mainly by income and the rate of inflation. In the wake of the financial reforms that commenced in the latter part of 1987, interest rates were liberalized and became market—-determined. This led to a rapid upsurge in the stock of money market instruments associated with short-term interest rates. 1-lowever, the high rates of inflation experienced during the repressed era also continued to plague the economy even well over a decade after the reforms. A robust co—integration test of real money demand in Ghana that incorporated short— term interest rate in addition to the conventional variables of income and inflation post financial reforms, proved to be significant. Regressions were run both for the long run and also for the short run. All the estimates were obtained using the Eviews Version 3.1 software package. The long-run regression results were consistent but not significant. However, the short-run (dynamic) results based on the first difference method were neither consistent nor significant. When a partial adjustment model (PAM) was used, again the results turned out to be Consistent but still highly insignificant. However, for parsimonious estimates, the interest rate variable became statistically significant at the 5% level. All the other included independent variables were also consistent and highly significant. The implication is that indirect monetary control (via the transmission mechanism) cannot be completely ruled out as ineffective in Ghana for the sample period. it is suggested that appropriate measures must be taken to reduce drastically the dominant influence’ of government in the money market in order to render indirect monetary control more effective and thereby generate the desired output growth. One such recommended measure is for the monetary authorities i.e. the Bank of Ghana to encourage the existing financial institutions to develop and deal in short-term securities that also offer competitive rates of returns.

Source: KNUST