ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effect Of Brewer’s Yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Var. Ellipsoideus), Baker’s Yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) and Dual Culture (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Var. Ellipsoideus and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) on the Fermentation of Pineapple Juice into Wine

A study was conducted at the chemistry laboratory of Teshie Presbyterian Senior High School in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana to produce wine from pineapple juice using bakers‟ and brewer‟s yeasts. A 3 x 3 factorial in Complete Randomised Design was used and replicated three times. Parameters studied included sugar content (glucose, sucrose, fructose and total sugar), alcohol content, pH, titratable acidity and sensory analysis. The results revealed that as sugar content decreases, alcohol content increases; as pH decreases acid content increases. The total sugar content of the most containing 20ml (1.0×106 cfu/g) of yeast decreased from 17.3oBrix to 5.0oBrix as alcohol increased from 0% to 8.5% 10days, after incubation, and then decreased to 7.6% 14days after incubation. In the must containing 10ml (6.0×106 cfu/g) of yeast, total sugar decreased from 17.3oBrix to 5.3oBrix as alcohol content increased from 0% to 8.2% 10days after incubation and then decreased to 7.45% 14days after incubation. The control (must without yeast) also showed a gradual decrease in sugar content from 17.3oBrix to 9.3oBrix as alcohol content consistently increased from 0% to 5.3% 14days after incubation. Significant differences were observed between the yeast concentrations and the control (P<0.05). The study concluded that yeast strains and concentration were highly efficient in utilizing the pineapple sugar to produce wine with substantial alcohol content, maintaining the keeping qualities of pineapple juice wine, thus reducing wastage, and was highly accepted. The sensory analysis showed that the wine produced was in the category of standard wines (score of 13-16). The process of ageing for three months and racking at two weeks interval produced standard wine with neither outstanding characteristics nor defects.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Calcium and Phosphorus Fertilization on the Growth, yield and Seed Quality of Two Groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) Varieties

Two experiments were conducted on a sandy loam soil at the CSIR-Crops Research study Institute (CSIR-CRI), Kumasi in Ghana during the major and minor seasons of 2009 to the effects of calcium and phosphorus fertilization on the seed yield and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). A 2x2x3 factorial experiment laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used in this study. The factors studied were two groundnut varieties (Shitaochi and Nkosour), two phosphorus rates (0 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) and three levels of calcium (0, 100 and 200kg Ca ha-1). In the major season, the improved variety Nkosour out-yielded Shitaochi, the local variety in pod and seed yield whilst in the minor season the converse was obtained. In both seasons, the application of Ca fertilizer had a positive effect on the number of filled pods, shelling percentage and 100 seed weight. The application of 100 kg Ca ha-1 which was similar to 200 kg Ca ha-1, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) out-yielded the control in the number of filled pods, shelling percent and 100 seed weight and seed yield in both seasons. Calcium application also increased the calcium content, germinability, vigour and the oil content of the seeds. The application of phosphorus significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced vegetative growth and dry weight of the two groundnut varieties. It also increased the protein content of the seed in both seasons. The two varieties responded positively to calcium and phosphorus fertilization. The findings from of the major and minor seasons indicate that the application of 100 kg ha-1 as oyster shell powder has the potential to increase seed and pod yields of groundnut.

Source: KNUST
Effect of capital structure on asset quality of banks

The main objective of the study is to examine the effect of capital structure on asset quality of universal banks in Ghana. In order to achieve this objective, the study utilizes a panel data set obtained from 11 universal banks operating in Ghana with data spanning from 2015 to 2021. The study employs a quantitative approach and explanatory research design. With a 77-firm year observation, this study utilizes secondary data from the audited annual financial statements of the selected banks. To achieve the study objectives, the study conducts descriptive statistics and regression analysis in respect to each objective. The study also carries out the LM-test, F-test and Hausman tests to determine the appropriate model for this study and finds that the fixed-effect model was appropriate for this study. This study recommends that when more loans are granted to customers, the management of the respective banks should come out with stringent credit recovery policies to redeem such loans in order not to go bad and plunge the sector into liquidity crisis. Again, the study recommends that management of the banks under study should mostly go in for long term debt as it has wider duration of payment period and use such funds to grant loans to their customers to earn more interest.

Source: KNUST
The effect of capital structure on bank profitability in Ghana

capital structure has attracted intense debate and scholarly attention across industries in the corporate finance literature over the past four decades. Nonetheless, in the context of the banking industry, the subject has received a limited research attention. Capital structure is the combination of debt and equity that make up the total capital of firms. The choice and level of this mix is crucial for efficient running of organisations (Abor, 2005) The study investigated the relationship between capital structure and profitability of fourteen Ghanaian banks over a 10-year period, (between 1997 and 2006) using a panel data methodology. Panel data technique involves the pooling of observations on a cross-section of units over several time periods and provides results that are simply not detectable in pure cross-sections or pure time-series studies (Baltagi, 2005). The study revealed that approximately 87% of the total capital of banks in Ghana is made up of debt. Of this, 65% constitute short-term debts while 22% is made up of long-term debts. This has re-emphasised the fact that banks are highly levered institutions and also highlights the knportance of short-term debts over long-term debts in bank financing in Ghana. Furthermore, the study found that deposits are not important in determining shareholder value or POE) in the banking sector of Ghana. This may be due to increasing costs of doing the business f banking in Ghana, which is driving down profits among other things. However, the study has ndicated that net interest margin or profitability is significant and negatively related to debt. This implies that as deposits increase in the banking sector of Ghana, profitability expressed as net interest margin falls. This suggests that deposits are not being fully utilised in Ghanaian banks and further indicate that profitable banks in Ghana depend more on internally generated funds relative to external financing. This lends support for the pecking order theory of firm financing and also supports Amidu (2007). Finally, the study revealed that as banks in Ghana increase in size, their profitability falls, which implies that diseconomies of scale exist in the banking sector of Ghana. However, the study observed that banks in Ghana increase their profitability as their level of sales grows.

Source: KNUST
Effect of capital structure on profitability and stock returns of listed firms on the Ghana stock exchange.

The financial decisions set by management of firms are very important in determining the optimal capital structure of these firms. Notwithstanding, the recent turbulence in the Ghanaian financial sector, the sector has become alarming since almost all firms in one way or the other depend on financial institutions for loans to maintain a suitable capital structure in running their businesses. This is a quantitative study that was conducted on 37 listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange with an aim of examining the effect of capital structure on firm profitability and stock returns of firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The primary research was conducted by examining the financial data from 2009 to 2014 (6 years). Secondary data from the Ghana Stock Exchange covering 6-year period from 2009-2014 was used for the study. A total number of forty firms were listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange but thirty-seven had complete financial statements and as such, 37 firms constituting 75% were used for the study. Regression analysis and Chi-square tests were the main tools used for analysis. The findings of the research revealed that short term debt to total assets has positive effect on return on assets of listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. It was also identified that the age of the firm has positive effect on return on assets of listed firms on Ghana Stock Exchange. Again, the study found that sales growth has significant positive effect on return of assets of listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. However, the findings revealed that sales growth has significant positive effect on return of assets of listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Finally, the study indicates that capital structure has no effect on stock returns but significant effect on the profitability of listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The study recommends to various firms to take into cognizance the amount of leverage incurred since it is a significant determinant of firm's performance.

Source: KNUST
Effect of capital structure on profitability of listed frims in ghana

The study aimed to investigate the impact of different types of capital structures on firm profitability, employing a positivist paradigm and explanatory research methodology. Utilizing secondary data from financial reports, a purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 15 firms from Ghana. The study used panel data techniques and conducted fixed-effect panel regressions to examine the association between capital structure and profitability. The results of different capital structure ratios' impact on profitability reveals varying relationships. For Total Debt to-Assets Ratio (TDAR), both Model 1 and Model 2 indicate a positive relationship with profitability (ROA and ROE). Higher TDAR is associated with improved profitability, attributed to tax shield benefits, leveraging assets for growth, and positive creditor confidence. The Total Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TDER) in Model 1 shows a positive association with ROA, while in Model 2, it has a negative link with ROE. Increased TDER can enhance ROA through magnified returns, but also elevate financial risk. Short-Term Debt-to-Assets Ratio (STDAR) in both models demonstrates a positive connection with both ROA and ROE, signifying short-term debt's role in enhancing liquidity, seizing opportunities, and optimizing capital structure. Long-Term Debt-to-Assets Ratio (LTDAR) exhibits a positive link with ROA in Model 1, while Model 2 displays a negative association with ROE. Long term debt's impact on asset expansion and stability aligns with profitability, but higher leverage can reduce ROE due to interest costs and risk. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between debt ratios and profitability, shaped by financial theories and considerations of risk and growth. These findings underscore the importance of balancing debt levels to optimize profitability while managing financial risks. It is crucial for companies to carefully consider their capital structure and leverage ratios to effectively leverage debt for enhanced profitability without exposing themselves to excessive financial risk. Maintaining an optimal mix of debt and equity enables companies to maximize returns on assets and generate higher profitability.

Source: KNUST
Effect of capital structure on performance of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana .

This study empirically examines the effect of capital structure on performance of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana. The investigation was performed using data from ten (10) listed firms from the period of 2005 to 2011. Three performance indicators namely return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin’s Q (Q) were used as the dependent variables. Capital structure represented by three leverage variables (shortterm debt, long-term debt and total debt) was used as independent variables. The study included control variables which were Size, Growth, Age, Tangibility, Liquidity index and Asset Turnover. Results indicate that manufacturing firms in Ghana finance their operations mainly by debt as oppose to equity with short-term debt constituting the greatest amount of debt. Also, Firm performance measured by ROA has a negative relation with long-term debt and total debt whilst ROE and Tobin’s Q have no relation with the leverage variables. Moreover, the study revealed that size and age in business is statistically significant with all the performance indicators (ROA, ROE and Q) whilst asset turnover is statistically significant with ROE and Q only. The study recommends among others that manufacturing firms should take cognizance of the amount of debt they incurred since it a major determinant of their performance. Also they should seek more long-term debt so as to have a reasonable time to undertake viable projects to improve their performance.

Source: KNUST
Effect of cash holdings on firm performance: the role of board independence and institutional ownership

This study examines the effect of cash holdings on firm performance with corporate governance as moderating variable. The time horizon is twelve (12) years from 2010 to 2021, involving eighteen (18) non-financial firms. The study is quantitative, and panel regression is employed to analyse the data. The study finds that cash holdings has a positive relationship with firm performance. The study further finds that board independence positively moderates the relationship between cash holdings and firm performance. The study also finds that ownership structure negatively moderates the relationship that exists between cash holdings and firm performance. This study recommends that Non-financial firms optimise their cash management strategies for long-term growth. They can achieve this by conducting a thorough analysis of the company's cash flows, considering both inflows and outflows; determining the optimal level of cash reserves required to meet operational needs; investing in growth initiatives; and navigating economic uncertainties. Consider allocating cash towards research and development, market expansion, technology upgrades, and other initiatives that enhance competitive advantage and firm performance. By optimising their cash management strategy, firms can ensure that they have the right amount of cash on hand to meet their short-term needs while also investing in growth initiatives that will benefit the company in the long term.

Source: KNUST
The effect of certified herbal medicines non - inclusion in the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) on health care delivery within the Kumasi metropolis

Background: Herbal medicine, the most prevalent form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), is highly utilized in many countries across the globe. A very large percentage of Africans rely on herbal medicine to meet their primary health needs. In Ghana, herbal medicine has been integrated into the mainstream of health care delivery since 2011. Though eight years into the integration process, not a single certified herbal drug dispensed to clients patronizing the services of the herbal unit at government hospitals is covered by the NHIS. Objectives: To assess the effect of certified Herbal Medicines non-inclusion in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on health care delivery within the Kumasi Metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August, 2019. Primary data was collected from four hundred and thirteen participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Purposive and convenience sampling technique were used to select the participants. Results: Majority of the study respondents were females (54.0%) and the median age was 35 years. It was ascertained that 80.9% of the respondents interviewed preferred Herbal Medicine to Orthodox Medicine. Factors established to influence preference of Herbal Medicine to Orthodox Medicine were occupation, nature/severity of condition and cost of certified herbal drugs dispensed at the herbal unit. A little above half (51.5%) of the respondents described the cost of certified herbal drugs dispensed at the herbal unit as very expensive. As many as 72.1% of the respondents also believed that the cost of certified herbal drugs adversely affect the utilization of the herbal unit at government hospitals. A positive correlation coefficient (r = 0.5498) was obtained for respondents’ rating of cost of certified herbal drugs dispensed at herbal unit within government hospitals and its adverse effect on vi utilization of the herbal unit. Interestingly, 99.5% of respondents recommended for the inclusion of certified herbal drugs in the National Health Insurance Drug List (NHIDL). Conclusion: The study reveals that the cost of certified herbal medicines negatively affects the utilization of the services provided by the herbal unit at government hospitals. It is, to improve the extent of utilization of the herbal units, necessary for certified herbal drugs dispensed at these units to be included in the NHIDL of the country.

Source: KNUST
The effect of certified Herbal Medicines non-Inclusion in the NHIS on health care delivery within the Kumasi Metropolis

Background: Herbal medicine, the most prevalent form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), is highly utilized in many countries across the globe. A very large percentage of Africans rely on herbal medicine to meet their primary health needs. In Ghana, herbal medicine has been integrated into the mainstream of health care delivery since 2011. Though eight years into the integration process, not a single certified herbal drug dispensed to clients patronizing the services of the herbal unit at government hospitals is covered by the NHIS. Objectives: To assess the effect of certified Herbal Medicines non-inclusion in the NHIS on health care delivery within the Kumasi Metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August, 2019. Primary data was collected from four hundred and thirteen participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Purposive and convenience sampling technique were used to select the participants. Results: Majority of the study respondents were females (54.0%) and the median age was 35 years. It was ascertained that 80.9% of the respondents interviewed preferred HM to OM. Factors established to influence preference of HM to OM were occupation, nature/severity of condition and cost of certified herbal drugs dispensed at the herbal unit. A little above half (51.5%) of the respondents described the cost of certified herbal drugs dispensed at the herbal unit as very expensive. As many as 72.1% of the respondents also believed that the cost of certified herbal drugs adversely affect the utilization of the herbal unit at government hospitals. A positive correlation coefficient (r = 0.5498) was obtained for respondents’ rating of cost of certified herbal drugs dispensed at herbal unit within government hospitals and its adverse effect on utilization of the herbal unit. Interestingly, 99.5% of respondentsvi recommended for the inclusion of certified herbal drugs in the National Health Insurance Drug List (NHIDL). Conclusion: The study brings to light that the cost of certified herbal medicines negatively affects the utilization of the services provided by the herbal unit at government hospitals. It is, to improve the extent of utilization of the herbal units, necessary for certified herbal drugs dispensed at these units to be included in the NHIDL of the country.

Source: KNUST
Effect of chlorpyrifos application at different growth stages on insect pests ’ incidence, damage and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L)

Field studies were conducted at the Plantation Crops Section of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (KNUST), Kumasi in the major and minor planting seasons of 2013 to evaluate the effect ofChlorpyrifos applications at different growth stages of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L) and tomato (Solanumlycopersicum L) for the management of insect pests of the two crops. The treatments were: Chlorpyrifos at 1.5 ml / 0.5 l of water applied (i) at the vegetative stage of the crops (sprayed vegetative), (ii) at the reproductive growth stage of the crops (starting at 50 % flowering of the crops – sprayed reproductive) and (iii) throughout the crops’ growth period (sprayed throughout). A control plot that received only water was also maintained. In both seasons, significantly (P < 0.05) less number of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius and Thrips tabaci(Linderman)were collected from the insecticide treated tomato plots than the untreated control plots, but no significant difference was observed among the treatments in the aggregations of Aphis gossypii(Glover) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner).With respect to okra, significantly (P < 0.05) fewerT. tabaci, B. tabaci, A. gossypii and Podagrica spp. were collected from the sprayed throughout plots than the other treatment plots, in the major season. Similar results were obtained in the minor season. Over 99 % of the Podagrica species collected on okra were P. uniformis(Jacoby). Chlorpyrifos application in the sprayed throughout plots significantly (P < 0.05) reduced damage to tomato fruits in the major season but not in the minor season. Tomato fruits from the sprayed vegetative and sprayed reproductive plots had comparable damage as the fruits from untreated control plots. Chlorpyrifos application also significantly (P < 0.05) increased yield of tomato from the sprayed throughout plots in both seasons. Significantly (P < 0.05) less percent defoliation was recorded on the insecticide-treated plots than the untreated control plots in both seasons. However, significant increase in yield of okra was obtained from only the sprayed throughout plots, but no significant differences were obtained in the number of damaged okra fruits. The best protection to the crops against the insect pests was obtained from weekly applications of chlorpyrifos throughout the entire growth period of the crops(sprayed throughout plots).

Source: KNUST
Effect of changes in monetary policy rate on the profitability of commercial banks in Ghana.

The main objective of this project is to analyze the impact of monetary policy rate changes on the profitability of commercial banks in Ghana by examining the financial statements of all commercial banks in Ghana. The study analyses aggregate figures for commercial banks in Ghana for the period 2005 to 2015 using a regression model. In this study, the average monetary policy rate (MPR), the 91-day Treasury bill rate which was used as a proxy for short-term market interest rates, Credit risk, Capital adequacy ratio and liquidity risk were used as independent variables. The analysis showed that there is an inverse relationship between monetary policy rate and commercial banks’ profitability meaning an increase in monetary policy rate will translate to a reduction in profitability of the commercial banks in Ghana, aggregately. The study also found a positive relationship between the profit indicators and 91-day T-bill rate and capital adequacy. There was however, a negative relationship between credit risk and profitability of commercial banks. Liquidity risk was positively related to Return on Asset but inversely related to Return on Equity. The study suggested the need for management of banks to support monetary policy rate reductions and also the need to be well capitalized whiles maintaining quality assets to enhance profitability.

Source: KNUST