ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Digital photography: influence of smartphone usage in relation to visual communication.

This study describes the results of a phenomenological research aimed at enquiring on the influence of smartphone photography activities on the mainstream digital photography in relation to visual communication. New knowledge and new frontiers have emerged from the results. Previous studies revealed that smartphone photography being a newly emerged visual communication practice is reuniting families and friends through the act of mobile photography. Fifteen participants were purposefully selected and interviewed for their experiences in smartphone photography within three major cities in Ghana namely: Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. The responses were integrated into a body of data out of which three themes were developed: Technological Convergence, User- applications and Improvement in image resolution to deal with the three research objectives respectively. The results show that professionals and non-professionals alike will continue to experience the practice of smartphone photography because the practice is seen as a new medium of social interconnectivity. However, on the issue of whether the DSLRs could be replaced by the emergence of the smartphone, results suggest the contrary. The study also revealed increased human rights infringements like “voyeurism” and “secret filming” of victims as part of the activities due to dramatic improvement in the image quality. The study therefore elicits promulgation of governmental policy or some regulations on the use of smartphone photography especially in public spaces to reduce the incidence of human rights abuses

Source: KNUST
Digital Portrait Painting in Geometric Shapes

This project demonstrates three techniques of digital portrait painting using geometric shapes. These techniques have been expressed through the use of manual drawing skills and computer software. Why should the artist/painter eliminate or cover all the marks they make when it comes to portrait painting as if it does not belong to the art work? Over the years, in the field of painting, works have been produced based on the materials and tools available at that time. Many amateur and professional artists in Ghana do not use the digital technology to paint because of the difficulty in using the mouse to draw and paint. The focus of the researcher is to give artists who use the digital technology in painting more stylistic options in the execution of their works and also to add to the already existing techniques in digital painting. The researcher adopted qualitative research design for the study. Descriptive research method was used in writing the various steps involved in the execution of the project works. Interviews and observations were the main tools employed in gathering data for the project. This project ultimately aimed at inspiring and motivating more artists in the usage of the digital painting technology in their paintings.

Source: KNUST
Digitalisation of local revenue collection in ghana: a case of bolgatanga municipal

This study sought to get a better understanding of local revenues and what role the use of digital technologies has play in improving local revenue mobilization. The case study approach aided the researcher to present an in-depth analysis of a District Assembly thus, bringing out the digitization of local revenue collection in Ghana in a detailed and precise manner. The study revealed that with the introduction of the District Local Revenue Software, revenue mobilization would be more transparent and effective as compared with the traditional method of mobilizing of revenue. However, it is noteworthy that the introduction of the District Local Revenue, revenue collection has not achieved perfect results at the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly. Despite of the four year success (i.e., 2019 to 2022). District Assemblies should improve the perception of tax system through improving tax disputes resolution mechanism and improving transparency. District Assemblies should broaden their tax base through strengthening ratepayer registration, strengthening business intelligence and analysis, strengthening taxation of the informal sector, and strengthening their own source revenue generation capacity

Source: KNUST
Digitisation and financial sector development in sub-saharan african countries

The study sought to examine how digitisation–innovation interaction shocks affect financial development in Sub-Saharan African countries. The explanatory research design based on the positivist research paradigm was adopted. All 54 Sub-Saharan Regions were chosen as the demographic for this research. Census sampling was used in this study to sample all 54 Sub-Saharan Regions due to data availability. Secondary data was gathered through the WDI database. The information was gathered from the period (2000-2021). Bayesian Panel Vector Auto-Regressive (BPVAR) was adopted to estimate the parameters involved in the study objectives. In conclusion, the studies highlighted the positive impact of digital innovation on financial development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The results indicate that digitalisation can help to increase financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, and promote the development of new financial products and services, all of which can contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction. The findings also suggest that other factors, such as financial inclusion, economic development, institutional quality, government support, and infrastructure, are important for the development of the financial sector and should be addressed in conjunction with digital innovation. Policymakers in Sub-Saharan Africa should take note of these findings and work to create an enabling environment that supports digital innovation and financial sector development. Efforts to improve institutional quality, governance, and infrastructure can help to create a more conducive environment for financial development and economic growth. Overall, the studies suggest that digitalisation has the potential to complement financial sector development in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions, and can play a key role in promoting economic growth and poverty reduction

Source: KNUST
Dimethylglyoxime based ion-imprinted polymer for the determination of Ni(II) ions from aqueous samples

A Ni(II)-dimethylglyoxime ion-imprinted polymer {Ni(II)-DMG IIP} was synthesised by the bulk polymerisation method. The morphology of the Ni(II)-DMG IIP and non-imprinted polymer were observed by scanning electron microscopy and the chemical structures were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy. Selectivity of the Ni(II)-DMG IIP was studied by analysing, using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, for Ni(II) ions that were spiked with varying concentrations of Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II), Fe(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), Na(I) and K(I) in aqueous samples. The studies revealed Ni(II) recoveries ranging from 93 to 100% in aqueous solutions with minimal interference from competing ions. Enrichment factors ranged from 2 to 18 with a binding capacity of 120 µg∙g−1. Co(II) was the only ion found to slightly interfere with the determination of Ni(II). Selectivity studies confirmed that the Ni(II)-DMG IIP had very good selectivity, characterised by %RSD of less than 5%. The limits of detection and quantification were 3x10-4 µg∙mℓ−1 and 9x10-4 µg∙mℓ−1, respectively. The accuracy of the method was validated by analysing a custom solution of certified reference material (SEP-3) and the concentration of Ni(II) obtained was in close agreement with the certified one. The Ni(II)-DMG IIP was successfully employed to trap Ni(II) ions from a matrix of sea, river and sewage water. It is believed that the Ni(II)-DMG IIP has potential to be used as sorbent material for pre-concentration of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions by solid-phase extraction.

Source: KNUST
Digitisation, financial development and economic growth in emerging economies.

The belief that digitisation directly contributes to promoting financial development and economic growth in emerging economies has occupied much of development policy discourse of most governments and international development organisations over the past decades. This study therefore examined digitisation, financial development and economic growth in emerging economies. The specific objectives of the study are: to examine the effect of digitisation on financial development, to examine the sensitivity of the indicators of digitisation to financial development and to explore the effect of digitisation and financial development on economic growth. Secondary data on 30 emerging economies and between the period of 2004 to 2015 from World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI) database and the International Telecommunications Union were used in the estimations. The Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimations were implemented to analyse the data on the study objectives. In terms of results on the determinants of financial development, digitisation is found to have a statistically significant effect. Other key determinants of financial development are the inflation, GDP per capita, trade openness and institutional quality. Results on the sensitivity of digitisation indicators to financial development show that fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people and mobile cellular telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants, as key proxies of digitisation, are very sensitive to financial development. With regards to the effect of digitisation and financial development on economic growth, the study found trade openness, digitisation, institutional quality, Foreign Direct Investment and government spending to be significant. There is evidence of a strong mediating role of financial development in a digitisation-economic growth nexus. The study recommends that emerging economies need to increase their investment in technology development, formulate effective policies on Information Communication Technology (ICT) that will encourage the use of ICT. Since institutional quality and trade openness were also found to be significant in the financegrowth relationship, emerging economies should strengthen their institutions in terms of clearly defined property rights, independence and transparency of the legal system so as to promote trade, financial development and economic growth.

Source: KNUST
Diorama Art for Museum Education

The project report recognizes the traditional role diorama plays as an effective medium for museum education. The diorama is a potent tool for keeping proper records and documentation of a valuable cultural and historical information. It is a presentation of scenes or images in which three-dimensional figures and objects are displayed in an appropriate natural setting in a cabinet. The study therefore seeks to produce a diorama to popularize it for Ghanaian populace to embrace. It identifies the researcher’s attempt to use non-traditional material for modeling figures to enhance creativity in the preparation of the diorama. The introductory chapter describes the background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives, hypotheses, abbreviations, importance of the study and concludes with the arrangement of the rest of the text. The review of relevant related literature is dealt with in chapter two. It covers the definition, history, composition, importance, use, preparation and examples of diorama. Chapter three identifies and describes the suitable tools and materials for the project. The research methods employed in the project and the systematic process of producing the diorama are discussed under chapter four. Here, the descriptive, experimental and analytical methods of research are identified and described to show how each of them is used in the project. Similarly, methods of production through the preliminary design to finishing and decoration stage are also discussed. The finished work is photographically documented and appreciated on its aesthetic and utilitarian qualities. A guided background notes on the subject of the diorama is provided to enhance its efficiency as an instructional medium. The results of the project indicates that corn shucks and cobs which have less use in our environment as raw materials can be used as modeling media to produce sculpture. It was also found out that preparing a diorama did not require special tools and materials that are difficult to acquire. The success of the project is that, it was possible to produce a model diorama to portray a past way of life which shows so much creativity and artistic dexterity. Realizing the boundless potential in the use of diorama to tell about things that do not exist anymore or have not been made yet, the following suggestions are put forward for consideration. It is recommended that the diorama making techniques should be adopted at the various levels of the Visual Arts programme, especially for those offerring sculpture and pointing or picture making as a way of soliciting interest in the use of the medium. Secondly, student artists should be encouraged to undertake projects in diorama to unearth scenes of equally historical and cultural importance for the development of museum education in the country. Finally it is recommended that the project report be adopted as a reference material for interested artists, art educators, curators and other researchers.

Source: KNUST
Dilemmas In Model Selection In Time Series Analysis

This study seeks to resolve two important dilemmas in model selection in time series analysis. These are to compare the performance of the graphical and the information criterion methods in selecting the true model. In addition, Yu et al. (2005) relative precision performance stability was modi ed. For the graphical and information criterion comparison, dataset from ARIMA models were simulated. Also the cocoa production and rainfall datasets in Ghana were used to validate the modi ed relative precision performance stability of Yu et al. (2005). It was observed from the study that, in comparison to the performance of the graphical method and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) in selecting the ARIMA models, the information criterion performs better than the graphical method. Also, in verifying for the size of the evaluation sets in forecasting, whether to select a single model or combine the models of di erent models, our ndings showed that the size of the evaluation sets may not in uence the decision of selecting or combining since 97% of the decisions were to combine the models. In addition to that, though there was a modi cation on the computations of the relative prediction performance stability formerly utilized by [Yu et al., 2005], the decision rule still remains the same. Hence, whether the use of the mean or median on di erent the size of evaluation sets and interval, the combining strategy still outperforms.

Source: KNUST
Diorama Construction

This is to examine the extent, nature, and scope of diorama in museum display outcome and its significant direction to enrich the understanding of our culture. The language of dioramas is a small or full-scale model of real or imaginary environments which serves as a vehicle for artistic expression. Diorama can also be described as a group narrative. The concept of “group narrative” mostly portrays the idea or feeling of togetherness and a common language perceived in things around us. In most cases, this concept is expressed through sayings, proverbs, installations and other art forms like painting, sculpture and graphics. Conceptual and methodological issues involved in the construction of diorama are discussed. Existing research that addresses dioramas and the part it plays in museum art is reviewed. The part diorama plays in an individual’s life is considered and it’s part in future research is also discussed. This is achieved by the construction and exhibition of dioramas through modelling, carving and painting as well as assembling of objects to portray naturalism. The same foam models can change in action by way of what it is been used to communicate. In diorama installation, foam models have advantage over other sculptural material models. The researcher has recorded, described, analyzed and interpreted his findings in five chapters. It is recommended that students are encouraged to undertake projects in diorama to unearth important scenes of cultural and historical importance. Installation art must be incorporated in the sculpture programme and made to form an integral part of the syllabus of study.

Source: KNUST
Direct Economic Impact of Vehicular Corrosion

ABSTRACT This research was conducted to document the direct economic impact of vehicular corrosion. The study was carried out in Suame, a suburb of the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Commercial vans and saloon taxis were targeted for the study in twelve corrosion auto mechanic shops. Data was accumulated through a wellorganized semi-structured interviewing checklist given to masters of the work shop and the drivers of the vehicles interviewed. A total of sixty cases were recorded and analyzed using the statistical package for social scientist (SPSS) over a period of six months, with results presented in bar charts. The study revealed that the average direct cost of corrosion repairs was between GH₵100 - GH₵200 per each repair visit to the workshop. The most affected part of the vehicle was the running board, recording about 28.33%. Furthermore the most dominant form of corrosion was filiform corrosion which normally occurs under protective cover. The study further revealed that the major cause of corrosion was due to the maintenance culture of the vehicle owners.

Source: KNUST
The Disabled and Art: lives and works of selected Ghanaian physically disabled artists:a case study

Many people who have distinguished themselves in many subject areas have been documented and publicized. In the field of Art, brief biographies of some artists have been publicized none of whom is physically disabled from Ghana. Some disabled artists in Ghana exhibit a lot of rich knowledge and practical skills which have not been written down and may be lost after their death. It was the pursuit of this researcher to contribute to the documentation of selected disabled artists’ lives and works to serve as a resource material for art education. Through qualitative research, an enquiry was made into the following issues related to the practice of art by selected contemporary physically disabled artists:(a) demographic information, (b) nature of art work (c) techniques of art production, (d) conceptualization of art, (e) management of tools and equipment, (f) handling of media for art production and (g) description of works. . These fourteen physically disabled artists were interviewed using traditional face-to-face method. Besides, analysis of selected works of art by these artists was done. Since it is important for art educators to present a diverse representation of artists, materials, and processes in the classroom, examples of physically disabled artists and pictures of some of their works are provided for young students. The results of the research largely confirmed that art could help one acquire a job irrespective of one’s age at a certain level with minimal training. Furthermore the results confirmed that the disabled artists produce artworks to solve problems of the society. Finally, the study also reveals that their products portray their emotions, their personal nature, ideas and philosophy. It is recommended that more physically disabled persons should learn an aspect of art as a trade since art provides varying types of employment for disabled persons.

Source: KNUST
The disappearing genetic resources: biodiversity conservation: The study of flora and fauna of Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve.

In terms of biological diversity, the destruction of primary moist tropical forest could cause the extinction of vast numbers of animal and plant species. The conservational status of Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve may be tenuous due to factors such as slash-and-burn, nomadic agriculture, lumbering and quite recently exploration for surface mining. The present study was carried out to quantify and compare the relative abundance of plant and animal species in the natural forests, secondary forests and the degraded forest areas of Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve. The aim of the study was to provide baseline data for management, longterm monitoring and project impact assessment. The flora and fauna populations were quantified in a randomly distributing quadrats in the study areas. Butterflies were trapped using the baited trap technique. Visual survey technique was used for determining the populations of amphibians and reptiles. Small mammal populations were determined using the method described by Hutterer and Happold (1983). Questionnaire survey was used to assess the conservational status of tree species in the study areas. The results of the study demonstrated that slash-and-burn agriculture could significantly affect the floristic composition of semi-deciduous tropical forest such as Ajenjua forest Reserve. Animal life could be equally affected. Farmers should be educated to approach the natural forest with a gentle hand, attempting to do no more than thin the canopy to introduce a tree of their choice to replace the original forest. Such farms will endure and the soils will remain unchanged.

Source: KNUST
Disbursement and management of public funds in Mmdas: (A case study of the Offinso north district assembly)

The purpose of the study was to assess the disbursement and management of public funds in the MMDAs. This study was based on the objectives which included identifying and examining the various sources of funding for development in the District, finding out the correlation and linkage between public funding and district development expenditures, analysing the extent to which managers of public funds are aware of the rules and regulations pertaining to the disbursement and management of public funds and examining the role of auditors in ensuring financial prudence. The research design adopted was explanatory research method and data used included both primary and secondary, with primary data collected by use of self-administered questionnaires. The study covered a sample of 200 respondents. Purposive sampling was used; questionnaires were used as the instrument for data collection. The findings revealed that there is a strong correlation between Development Expenditure and Public Funds and correlations were significant at 0.01. The study further revealed that public funds need to be properly managed in the District. The researcher recommended that, Management of the District Assembly should ensure that laid down procedures are followed to the latter and that in their locative functions, they should consider first, communal priority needs.

Source: KNUST