ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the forces behind adoption of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) Practices in an Emerging Economy

The concept of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is becoming popular in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, empirical academic investigations into GSCM adoption in the region have been largely non-existent. The present study seeks to empirically explore the forces behind GSCM adoption in the region. Specifically, the study proposed that institutional pressures drive firms to develop GSCM capabilities, which enable them to adopt GSCM practices. Additionally, organizational culture is proposed as a moderator of the effect of GSCM Capabilities on GSCM Adoption. The study further proposed an additional dimension to institutional pressures, named Custodial Pressure, which captures the influence exerted by chiefs on organizations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data was collected from a survey of 341 manufacturing and extractive firms operating in Ghana, out of which 146 usable responses were obtained, representing a response rate of 42.8%. The results of the data analysis revealed that firms surveyed had above average to high levels of GSCM adoption and GSCM capabilities. The measurement model was sound, including the proposed new Custodial Pressures construct. The findings indicated that Institutional Pressures positively and significantly impact GSCM Capabilities, with GSCM Capabilities positively impacting GSCM Adoption. GSCM Capabilities mediated the effect of Institutional Pressures on GSCM Adoption. Organizational culture was also found to moderate the effect of GSCM Capabilities on GSCM Adoption. Implications of the study include developing more relevant contextualization of institutional pressures driving GSCM and providing academic and practical guidelines to help drive successful GSCM adoption in Ghana and the sub-region.

Source: KNUST
Exploring vulnerabilities in open source content management systems (cms: A case of Joomla

Websites are major sources of information today and internet is the dominating platform for deployment of various applications built for worldwide audience. Using open-source content management systems can be developed and managed more easily and quickly to provide information to stakeholders or any target audience. However, provision of information or needed platform for commonly used applications must not be at the expense of security. One of best ways to unearthing security flaws in CMS is by conducting Vulnerability Assessment. The aim of this study is to uncover vulnerabilities associated with Joomla content management systems and proposing solutions to mitigate issues discovered. The study adopted automated tools in the assessment of the vulnerabilities as this approach provide a deeper means of the scanning in unearthing and exposing flaws. This study began with configurations of tools before the actual assessment commenced. First, Zenmap was used to gather information on the host servers both local and online. Then OpenVAS was deployed to ascertain whether the host environment itself was secured enough in the first place. 17 vulnerabilities were identified on the server. Joomscan was used to conduct the assessment on the Joomla! CMS. Five issues were discovered in the assessment of the CMS which were Multiple XSS/CSRF, JSession SSL Session Disclosure, Frontend XSS, HTTP_REFERER not properly filtered and PHP_SELF not properly filtered. A 3-step solution was proposed to solved the issues that was identified from the assessment of the CMS. These were an Input Control Mechanism, Intermediary Script Handler and a Secure Web Server Hosting Architecture. The study will be beneficial to users of Content Management Systems most especially Joomla!

Source: KNUST
Exposure of heavy metals in manihot esculenta from some selected mining communities

Cassava remains the largest agricultural commodity produced in Ghana and it can grow on poor soils, easily propagated, needs little cultivation and tolerates periodic and extended periods of droughts. Natural and anthropogenic activities have made heavy metals ubiquitous in the environment which exposes humans via several pathways especially through the food chain. In this study, cassava samples were collected from some selected mining communities within three districts all in the eastern region of Ghana. The samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) for Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). The concentration of chemical in food, the mass of food consumed per day and body weight, were fitted using the @ Risk software. Lead and cadmium levels in the areas ranged from 0.27 – 4.45 mg/kg and 0.0006 – 0.0017 mg/kg, respectively. The lead range recorded higher values than the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Standard. The estimated daily intake of lead from the study was higher than the acceptable daily intake level. Furthermore, the central tendencies of the estimated cancer risk (ECR) for lead was above the acceptable limits. It can be concluded that samples from most of the areas were not safe for consumption since they recorded high levels of lead than the acceptable limits.

Source: KNUST
Exposure to carbon monoxide in rural households in Kintampo-North municipality, Ghana

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, scentless and profoundly poisonous gas, virtually undetectable by an individual during exposure and causes non-specific side effects such as headache or nausea. Accurate estimation of health risks has been hampered by a paucity of quantitative exposure information, with women and children being the main groups exposed to this form of smoke. This study looked at the environmental health risk of exposure to CO from biomass fuel smoke. Carbon monoxide monitoring took place in a total of 60 households purposively selected from Babatokuma, in the Kintampo-North Municipality of Ghana. The cooking technologies studied were the tripod stove of the area, LPG stoves, and a modified version of the tripod stove. Measurements were made on a minute basis using Aeroqual Series 500 (S500) gas monitor. It was discovered that CO concentrations produced during the use of the tripod stove surpassed background values by a large margin (on average by a factor of around ten to twenty times) with high levels of COHb of 23.44 % compared to 7.13 % of the cohort group (LPG). With regards to the improved tripod stove, an independent test revealed that, despite a reduction in CO concentration (of 47.91- 26.703 ppm), the rate of impact is not significant (p = 0.208). The study further revealed that, an increase in the number of windows, significantly reduced CO concentration (r = -0.666, p-value < 0.001). The study results further revealed that, almost all the study population showed mild symptoms from CO exposure, with only few within the moderate zone. LPG users showed no symptoms. Chronic exposure could further worsen the situation, therefore, the improved stove should be constructed by the Municipality as fast as possible to help salvage the situation.

Source: KNUST
Extreme value theory of flood losses

Extreme value theory is used in recent times in most risk management fields for large risks and predictions so as to prepare sufficiently for these losses. This thesis provides an overview of the theory as a method for modelling and measuring extreme risks. There are two main models of extreme value theory. The older Block Maxima method and the more recent Peaks Over Threshold. The Peaks Over Threshold method is favoured over the older Block Maxima method because it provides a simpler tool for estimating tail risks and uses data more efficiently considering the rarity of extreme data. Two types of data sets were used. One is a simulated ood insurance claim data and the other being losses due to flooding in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the shape and scale parameters of the generalized pareto distribution, which is a natural model for the excess distribution over a high threshold. The mean residual life plot is employed and used along with the quantile-quantile plots to aid in the selection of threshold. Two risk measures required from the objectives of the study were estimated as well as the return levels and return periods of the extremes. For the simulated insurance claim data, the value at risk results obtained at the 95th and 99th qualities were GHC58,33.40 and GHC88,270.7 respectively, while results were also obtained for the ood losses data. The expected shortfalls for the corresponding value at risks were also obtained. The return levels obtained from the data included m-observation return levels and n-year return levels. Only m-observation was obtained for the simulated data because it was not simulated in yearly sets. For the next 500, 600 and 700, the return levels were GHC159,477.02, GHC172,149.37 and GHC183,878.28 respectively. Similarly for the flood losses data which were recorded on yearly basis, return levels for the next 50,60 and 60 observations return levels were estimated and for the next 2,3 and 4 years, expected return levels were GHC1,438,058.75 GHC1,891,37065 and GHC2,285,39.43 respectively. The theory proved to be a good model for the measurement of extremes in insurance and other areas.

Source: KNUST
FIingerprinting and criminal identification –a case study of Ashanti regional criminal investigation department.

Fingerprinting technique is a new age technology, specifically used for the identification of humans. The technology has been adopted by various institutions including the Ghana Police Service in order to link suspects to crimes. However, records on fingerprinting in Ghana’s security services have not been the best for successful criminal identification. Therefore, the present study was to evaluate the level of efficiency of fingerprint capturing and matching techniques adopted by the Ghana Police Service. A cross sectional design was used where descriptive method was adopted. A sample size of 210 criminal investigators within the Ashanti Region of the Ghana Police Service was selected via simple randomization. The investigators were taken through structured questionnaires which focused on the use, impact and challenges associated with fingerprint technique application in the Ghana Police Service. Criminal records at all the stations within the Ashanti Regional Command for 2018 were also analyzed to ascertain the cases that were linked to the technique. The results showed that the criminal investigators with the technological know-how on the application were more than 75% at all the divisions; however, only few successful cases (at most 0.71%) were linked to the technique. The investigators also had a lukewarm attitude towards the use of the technique even though they highly acknowledged the positive impact (approximately 4.00 ± 1.20, meaning highly agreed). Some of the significant impacts provided by the respondents include enhancement of productivity, speeding of criminal proceedings and reduction in ambiguity during criminal investigations. The major challenge to the application of fingerprint technique at the Ashanti Regional Command was the inadequate availability of resources (approximately 4.00 ± 1.52). The other mild issues relating to the application included improper fingerprint capturing and matching equipment, poor infrastructure for the technique and less training for personnel. All these findings clearly revealed the need to significantly improve on the application of fingerprint capturing and matching technique at the Ashanti Regional Police Command to facilitate criminal identification and prosecution in the region.

Source: KNUST
Food packaging practices for street vended rice meals

Choice of packaging material for food is very crucial, as the package has numerous benefits such as concealing and protecting food from external environmental influences and preserves the food for future use. However, relatively little is known about the knowledge of package materials by vendors for street vended rice meals and also consumers reactions food packaging practices the street vended rice meals. This study therefore examined the food packaging practices for street vended rice meals in Lashibi. A structured questionnaire was designed and used to collect data from 67 vendors and 322 customers. The statistical software, STATA version 13, was used to analyse the data. The study found that the preferred ready to eat rice meal was jollof and waakye. With takeaway pack being the most preferred medium for packaging of food for both food vendors and consumers. It was also observed that both rice meal vendors and consumers have relatively high knowledge on food packaging practices and there is a significant relationship between the background characteristics of the respondents and their choice of food packaging. The study however, concludes that there is no significant relationship between the level of knowledge of people on food packaging practices and their choice of food packaging. The study therefore recommends that the Ministry of Health and the Foods and Drugs Authority should intensify education on food packaging practices and their health implications. This will go a long way to influence the decision making of both consumers and food vendors with regards to food packaging practices.

Source: KNUST
Forensic Investigations of Antibiotic Adulteration in Herbal Medicinal Products sold in Kumasi Metropolis

Adulterated herbal medicines, are threat to public health, consumer safety, and undermine national health policies with serious economic consequences. In Ghana and most other African countries, herbal medications are commonly used as remedies for a wide variety of conditions and are highly patronized nationwide. However, these medications are also prone to adulterations with a variety of chemicals and substances. In light of this, the present study investigated the adulteration of selected antimicrobial herbal medicines sold in the Kumasi metropolis. In all, 21 samples (5 liquid samples, 6 capsules, 3 powdered samples and 7 creams) were analysed for the presence of four antibiotics using HPLC at the Aflatoxin Laboratory, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Results showed that 71.43% of the herbal creams were contaminated with at least one of selected antibiotics (trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacillin). Also, 75% of the liquid samples had various concentrations of the four antibiotics. Furthermore, 42.86% of the powdered samples had various concentrations of the selected antibiotics while only 16.67% of the herbal capsules showed adulteration. Thus, some herbal medications on the Ghanaian market contain antibiotics and therefore proper surveillance is needed to avoid antibiotic abuse which may subsequently lead to antibiotic resistance.

Source: KNUST
Formaldehyde exposure and it’s potential health risk in some beauty salons in Kumasi metropolis

Formaldehyde and compounds that release formaldehyde are used in cosmetic products to prevent spoilage and health hazards likely to be caused by microbial contamination. Exposure to high levels of formaldehyde may pose health risks to humans since it is classified in group (1) of human possible carcinogens by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Cosmetologists may be potentially exposed to high levels of formaldehyde than the general public as a result of their exposure to formaldehyde released from the various cosmetic products used in the beauty salons. In order to assess the exposure of cosmetologists to formaldehyde, the indoor air in sixty beauty salons across the ten sub-metros in Kumasi were sampled to determine the formaldehyde levels and the associated non-carcinogenic human health risks. Sampling was done using System Service Innovation Incorporation air sampler model 1000i and the MBTH spectrophotometric method was used for analysis. The formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 21 to 434 μg/m3. Out of the sixty salons sampled, 36 salons representing 60% had formaldehyde levels above the WHO permissible limit of 100 μg/m3 for eight hours working period and also exceeded the 55μg/m3 and 9μg/m3 chronic and acute reference exposure limit set by Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Twenty-four (24) salons representing 40% had formaldehyde levels below the WHO permissible limit of 100μg/m3 for eight hours working period. The results of this study revealed that the number of customers that visit the salon in a week, number of salon services offered and age of salon had positive significant correlation with the level of formaldehyde determined in each salon. The health risk study also revealed that about 50% of the salons had Hazard Quotient (HQ) above the safety limit (HQ=1) and may therefore pose health risks to cosmetologists in these salons. Results from the analysis of the questionnaire revealed that hairdressers in salons that provide the entire salon services captured in the study are at higher risk to the effects of formaldehyde.

Source: KNUST
Heavy metals concentrations in cereals and legumes sold in the tamale aboabo market

Cereals and legumes are essential foodstuffs for daily consumption among people in Tamale, and these are consumed more than once daily. The main threats of heavy metals on human health are associated with exposure to arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead. This study sort to assess the levels of both toxic metals and essential mineral nutrients such as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in some cereals and legumes sold in Tamale Aboabo Market in the Northern Region of Ghana. Twenty-one (21) samples [3 each of cereals (maize, rice, millet and sorghum) and 3 each of legumes (cowpea, groundnuts and soybean)] were randomly collected from the Aboabo Market in Tamale, digested and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Based on the metal concentration, non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk assessments were carried out. The concentration of As in cereals ranged from 0.048 - 0.051 mg kg-1 for maize, 0.10 - 0.20 mg kg-1 for rice, 0.017 - 0.10 mg kg-1 for millet and 0.065 - 0.0710 mg kg-1 for sorghum, whilst in legumes, it ranged from 0.074 - 0.083 mg kg-1 for cowpea, 0.049 - 0.060 mg kg-1 for soybean and 0.060 - 0.074 mg kg-1 for groundnut. The hazard Index (HIderm)for adults and children exposure dose via dermal of the cereals and legumes containing As, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn varied from −2.70 x 10-5 to 1.64 x 10-4and −6.30 x 10-5to 3.98 x 10-4, respectively. The concentrations of As in the legumes and cereals exceeded the FAO/ WHO standard limit. The study revealed that As concentration of all the cereals and legumes crops sold in the Tamale Aboabo market cannot be risk-free from consumption. The elevated concentrations in the cereals can be attributed to application of arsenic containing pesticides, fertilizer and runoff from other agricultural fields. The hazard index via ingestion (HIing) values for both adults and children were found to be less than 1, indicating no need for potential non-carcinogenic concern. Generally, the people of Tamale thus adult or children are not at cancer risk with consumption of the cereals and legumes in terms of Pb and Cd. Urgent implementation of monitoring and regulation of the arsenic containing pesticides, fertilizer and runoff from other agriculture fields are needed.

Source: KNUST
Household vulnerability and adaptation to floods: a comparative study of rural and urban Ghana.

The study examined household vulnerability and adaptation to floods involving a comparative study of rural Central Gonja and Kumasi Metropolis using an adapted MOVE (Methods for the Improvement of Vulnerability Assessment in Europe) analytical framework. It employed a concurrent triangulation mixed method design of quantitative and qualitative methods, using both primary and secondary sources of data. A survey of eight communities each from Kumasi Metropolis and rural Central Gonja involving 367 and 400 households respectively were undertaken. Different methods involving one-on-one in-depth interview, focus group discussions and direct observation, were used to collect primary data from households and key informants. Data from household survey was analysed using appropriate statistical tools in IBM SPSS (Version 21) and Microsoft Excel 2010 for household quantitative data and NVivo 9 qualitative data analysis software for the qualitative data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including percentages, Pearson‘s Chi-square and logistic regression were used for analysing the quantitative data while the qualitative data has been presented mainly as direct quotations. Satellite images were analysed using ERDAS imagine 13 remote sensing and ArcGIS 10.2 geo-information software. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of the study districts were used to show the relief of the study areas from which the stream networks were derived. The MAKESENS and time series plots were used to detect the monotonic trend of the rainfall data with data analysed using the Mann-Kendall test (Z) and Sen‘s slope (Q) tests. The study found that anthropogenic factors rather than physical-environmental factors are responsible for the past cases of floods in both rural Central Gonja and Kumasi Metropolis urban. The rural households were more vulnerable to floods than the urban households in respect of all the indicators and criteria used for vulnerability assessment. From economic and health effects point of view, a higher proportion of the rural populations suffered negatively than their urban counterparts. The non-structural measures of adapting to floods were limited. Over-reliance on the structural defence mechanisms has not helped to mitigate the sufferings of the rural and urban flood-prone communities. Institutional interventions in flood risk mitigation have not been effective due to mainly financial constraints. It is recommended that there should be sustained public education, institutional strengthening and enforcement of land use regulations as enshrined in the Land use and Spatial Planning Act (Act 925).

Source: KNUST
Imagery of Sissala Clan Totems as a Resource for the Tumu Paramountcy Textile Regali Imagery, Regalia, Resource, Textile

In many cultures, chiefs are regarded as the custodians of cultural values, beliefs and practices. Their unique position as intermediaries between ancestral spirits and the people they represent, makes them sacred figures and their regalia sacred objects with symbolic significance. These objects are often a representation of an animal/bird or an incident of past history of the traditional area. Tumu traditional area in the Upper West Region is home to a variety of such animals and birds which serve as totems to their clans, yet the regalia of their paramountcy skin have little or no symbolic significance and are nonrepresentative of them (Sissalas). Most Sissala youth are also fast losing sight of the significance of their clan totems that unite and remind them of their ancestry. The study therefore sought to explore Sissala clan totems for design and production of symbolic textile regalia for the Tumu Paramountcy. The ethnographic action research through studio-based paradigm adopting the Universal Design Model by Zeidman (2003) was employed to study, identify, sketch and develop concept images of Sissala clan totems. Seven (7) unique textile regalia were designed and produced which reflect the traditional setting of Tumu paramountcy. The results of the study were discussed and analysed. The study revealed that Sissala clan totems have an endearing bond of unity among the various clans. The findings of the study largely confirmed that clan totems are a great source of inspiration for idea development and designs to artists and craftsmen. The study recommended that the artefacts should neither be displayed in direct sunlight nor washed with soap or detergents-they can simply be cleaned with damp cotton cloth if they are dirty. The new symbolic textile regalia could be used as a source of inspiration for future studies. Other researchers should also conduct further studies in the remaining Sissala clans to discover more totems for textile designing and production of artefacts.

Source: KNUST