ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Microbeal content of meant and poultry product sold at Kumasi Central market

Meat is an integral aspect of human diet from ancient times and has seen variety and improvement over the years through the advancement in technology and industrialization. In developing countries such as Ghana, meat quality particularly raw meat from abattoirs and markets has been a matter of health concern due to the poor hygienic practices persisting at these sites. This study set out to investigate the microbial quality of the meat sold on the Central market of the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The sampling comprised four meat; chevon, beef, chicken and offals which were taken from abattoirs and sale points mainly streets within and around the Central market and analyzed at the microbiology Laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST. The analysis comprised the total aerobic count, total Coliform count, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella using the ISO protocols. The results obtained from the study indicated the meat to available on the markets to the generally not safe and of poor microbial quality. The total aerobic count indicated the presence of some aerobic microorganisms in appreciable loads; Chicken recording the least aerobic contamination of averagely 3.57×105 cfu/g with cow and goat meat recording 2.2×106 cfu/g and 2.1×107 cfu/g, respectively. Offals recorded a mean load of 9.49×106 cfu/g. All the meat samples recorded the presence of Coliforms in levels exceeding the threshold ranging from 5.0×102 cfu/g to 1.67×106 cfu/g. Cow recorded the least Coliform load of 5.1×103 cfu/g whereas chicken recorded 1.94×104 cfu/g with goat and offals recording 2.6×105 cfu/g and 3.8×105 cfu/g respectively. Though undesirable, the outcome of this study indicated the presence of Escherichia coli in all the samples. Cow recorded the highest E.coli contamination with a mean level of 2.38×105 cfu/g with offals, goat and chicken recording levels of 1.97×105 cfu/g, 7.34×104 cfu/g and 1.47×104 cfu/g respectively. The various microorganisms were detected in the meat samples taken from the Central market of the Kumasi metropolis; Escherichia coli, Enterococci spp., Staphylococcus spp and some Coliforms and aerobic microorganisms that could not be generically identified.

Source: UEW
Microbiological quality of food contact surfaces in some selected senior high schools' kitchens in the Bono Region of Ghana

A high occurrence of acute infections and chronic sequelae will cost billions of dollars in medical expenses, lost productivity, and repeated recalls if no preventative steps are taken. The main goal of this study is to look into the microbiological quality of food contact surfaces in various Senior High Schools in Ghana's Bono Region specifically to evaluate the microbial load on the food contact surfaces, to classify the microorganisms that live on food surfaces and to to compare the contamination levels in the schools that were chosen. The study used an expe rimental design to test the mic robiological consistency of food touch su rfaces. The schools we re catego rized into th ree g roups: A, B, and C, which se rved as st rata. The study's findings we re quantitatively analyzed. The Food Standa rd Code was used to dete rmine the mic robial quality of food, which was classified as adequate, fine, o r unsatisfacto ry based on the mic robial load. Compa ring Levels of Mic robial Contamination among the selected School Catego ries/Su rface types were analyzed. The la rgest concent ration of colony fo rming units of bacte ria was found on wooden su rfaces of food p rocessing sites (school kitchens), due to gaps on the su rfaces whe re food pa rticles hide and fe rment if not adequately washed.The study revealed that ave ragely E. Coli had the highest microbial count (3.69) followed by Staphylococcus (3.60), and Salmonella (3.41) respectively. Statistically, majo rity of mic roo rganisms were found on wooden su rfaces (4.05 log10 cfu/g),followed by i ron and plastic su rfaces which we re almost identical (3.73 log10 cfu/g and 3.71 log10 cfu/g, averagely), while the kitchen staff's hands had the lowest count of 2.77 log10 cfu/g.Total Viable Count (TVC) and Total Colifo rm Counts (TCC) we re highest in Catego ry C schools with an average values of 4.33 and 3.34 log10 cfu) , indicating poor sanitation and the p revalence of mic roo rganisms on food se rved in dining halls. It is recommended that, school administ ration should establish functional school health sanitation committees to supe rvise and repo rt issues relating to food safety and hygiene p ractices in the schools' kitchens in o rde r to p romote good envi ronmental cleanliness and pe rsonal hygiene.

Source: UEW
Minimising the risk of floods through resilient design and construction - a case study of Tamale metropolis

This study examined how to minimize the risk of floods through resilient design and construction with Tamale Metropolis as a case study. Perennial floods constitute a major challenge to humanity due to the socioeconomic implication for individuals and government. The outcome of floods results in destruction of facilities ranging from buildings to civil infrastructure. It is in this light that designers have a major role to play through resilient designs that can withstand the effects of floods. The study employed a quantitative approach with questionnaires administered to design consultants in the Tamale Metropolis. The survey findings suggest the major causes of floods to include; lack of adequate provisions in the design of facilities to counter the effects of floods, lack of sufficient vegetative cover to wither the metropolis, lack of regard for the topology (ordinance bench mark) of residential lands, lack of adherence to zoning laws with the results that houses are built on water ways. The study findings on key design features that could offer sufficient resilience to the effects of floods include; adequate landscaping in and around properties, enforcement of building codes bordering on design of facilities and enforcement of same by municipal engineers, ensuring that designs take into consideration the spots of developmental lands above sea level (Temporary Bench Marks and correctly transferring datum marks during construction) and incorporating design features to accommodate flood waters (quality materials, adequately designed storm water drainage, effective maintenance of facilities designed to encounter the effects of floods.

Source: UEW
Mining and community conflict, a case study of Anglogold Ashanti and Sanso community in the Obuasi municipality

One can not dispute the fact that AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) has contributed to the development of Sanso community. Nevertheless, its activities in the community have been a source of worry and at times have caused clashes between AGA security guards and the people of Sanso especially the youth. The study was all about finding the factors that fuel conflicts between AGA and the people of Sanso, knowing the effects of such conflicts on AGA and Sanso, finding out whether AGA has implemented any mining intervention in Sanso and the extent of appreciation by the local people. It also sought to find out some of the measures that are used to resolve conflict situations in the area. The research was a purely qualitative one with case study as its design. The participants selected for the study were 22. The selection of the participants was done using non- probability sampling techniques such as snowballing sampling, purposive sampling and convenience sampling. The data for the study was collected through the use of open- ended questionnaire, semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. Three police personnel and four AGA staffs were given the open-ended questionnaire to answer. Three opinion leaders, two AGA security guards and one person from the Obuasi Municipal Assembly were involved in the semi-structured interviews. The last group the researcher contacted was the galamsey operators and they were nine. They were involved in focus group discussion. Data collected from these participants were analyzed qualitatively using the thematic method. After the presentation and discussion of data, it came out that, AGA not employing the local folks, AGA not performing its social obligations very well towards the people of Sanso, AGA planning to reconnect Sanso community to the ECG power supply for the people of Sanso to pay light bill were some of the factors that have fueled conflicts between AGA and Sanso community. The study also revealed that, injuries and deaths have been recorded in instances where there have been clashes between AGA security guards and the people of Sanso especially the galamsey operators. From the study, during such clashes, the economic activities of the people slow down affecting their livelihoods. It came to light that, the people of Sanso do not appreciate the social interventions implemented by AGA in the community. This has made them to develop negative and unfavourable attitude towards AGA and its interventions. The results from the study showed that, only one means was used to resolve the conflicts and that was dialogue. In general, some of the recommendations made are, creation of jobs for the local folks, establishment of special office at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to deal with mining related issues that have the tendency of causing serious clashes in the mining communities.

Source: UEW
Mining groups of factors influencing bus/minibus crash severities on poor pavement condition roads considering different lighting status

Objective: This study employs a data mining approach to discover hidden groups of crash-risk factors leading to each bus/minibus crash severity level on pothole-ridden/poor roads categorized under different lighting conditions namely daylight, night with streetlights turned on, and night with streetlights turned off/no streetlights. Methods: The bus/minibus data employed contained 2,832 crashes observed on poor roads between 2011 and 2015, with variables such as the weather, driver, vehicle, roadway, and temporal characteristics. The data was grouped into three based on lighting condition, and the association rule data mining approach was applied. Results: Overall, most rules pointing to fatal crashes included the hit-pedestrian variable, and these crashes were more frequent on straight/flat roads at night. While median presence was highly associated with severe bus/minibus crashes on dark-and-unlighted roads, median absence was correlated with severe crashes on dark-but-lighted roads. On-street parking was identified as a leading contributor to property-damage-only crashes in daylight conditions. Conclusions: The study proposed relevant countermeasures to provide practical guidance to safety engineers regarding the mitigation of bus/minibus crashes in Ghana. � 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UEW
Misconceptions held by first year general science students about the concept ‘solutions’_ a case study of students of Keta Senior High Technical School, Volta Region of Ghana

This study was aimed at unveiling and establishing the extent of misconceptions students held about the concept ‘solutions’. The study used both qualitative and quantitative designs in a mixed Senior High School. The study involved one hundred and thirty-six participants. Data collection for the study was done using questionnaires, interview and the classroom observation. Analyses of the data from all three instruments revealed very similar findings. The study revealed that majority (60%) of the students held the misconception that alcohol in water was not a solution, 44.08% of the participants involved in the study were also of the view that a solution is only formed when a solid substance dissolves in a liquid . It was also revealed that the teacher(s) who taught the concept used an ineffective and traditional teaching approach which perhaps contributed to the misconceptions the students held. The results were interpreted using Descriptive statistics after the data analyses using Microsoft Excel. The findings indicated that due to the large extent of misconception held, this could affect the understanding of certain key concepts in the course of their study. This study has therefore made appropriate recommendations which when implemented could eliminate or reduce to the barest minimum the extent of misconception in future students of Keta Senior High Technical School

Source: UEW
Misconceptions held by first-year general science students about the concept ‘solutions’: A case study of students of Keta Senior High Technical School, Volta Region of Ghana

This study was aimed at unveiling and establishing the extent of misconceptions students held about the concept „solutions‟. The study used both qualitative and quantitative designs in a mixed Senior High School. The study involved one hundred and thirty-six participants. Data collection for the study was done using questionnaires, interview and the classroom observation. Analyses of the data from all three instruments revealed very similar findings. The study revealed that majority (60%) of the students held the misconception that alcohol in water was not a solution, 44.08% of the participants involved in the study were also of the view that a solution is only formed when a solid substance dissolves in a liquid . It was also revealed that the teacher(s) who taught the concept used an ineffective and traditional teaching approach which perhaps contributed to the misconceptions the students held. The results were interpreted using Descriptive statistics after the data analyses using Microsoft Excel. The findings indicated that due to the large extent of misconception held, this could affect the understanding of certain key concepts in the course of their study. This study has therefore made appropriate recommendations which when implemented could eliminate or reduce to the barest minimum the extent of misconception in future students of Keta Senior High Technical School.

Source: UEW
Misuse of Adinkra symbols by textile designers implications on Ghanaian cultural ethics

In Ghana, adinkra symbols as cultural heritage bring out historical and philosophical ideas, educational as well as understanding of values, norms, and beliefs of the Ghanaian people especially among Akans. Therefore, how these symbols are adopted and used by individuals in the society become a concern since they play an integral role in transmitting traditional values and structures. In this regard, the current study investigated the misuse of adinkra symbols by textile designers and their implications on Ghanaian cultural ethics. The study employed qualitative research approach. The study recruited 15 respondents including student/professional designers (6), local designers (6) and custodians of adinkra symbols (3) using purposive sampling technique. Data collected for the study were analysed using thematic content analysis. Information gathered from the study indicates that most textile designers misuse adinkra symbols in textile designing to a large extent although textile designers possess knowledge on traditional implications of adinkra symbols.Moreover, results on traditional custom or norm for regulating the use of adinkra symbols indicate that there is no custom for regulating the use of adinkra symbols in the Ghanaian society. The implication of the current investigation lies in the additional information to existing knowledge in the fashion design and textile industry as in-depth knowledge on Adinkra symbols has been advanced. Based on the findings, the study recommends extensive education as well as classifying usage of adinkra to help safeguard cultural elements such as shape and meanings associated with the symbols. In conclusion, the study envisages that stakeholders of adinkra symbols will appreciate the value of the Adinkra symbols and consequently use norms or customs to improve its education, understanding and commerciality.

Source: UEW
Mmoa ntotohosɛm a ɛda adi wɔ akanfoɔ mmɛ mu

Dwumadie yi yεε Akanfoc abεbuo mu mpjnsjmpjnsjmu faa mmj ahodoɔ a Akanfoɔ bu fa mmoa binom ho. Jhwεε sεdeε mmoa ntotohosεm di dwuma wɔ mmoa ho mmε ahodoɔ mu, nsεntitire a jda adi wc saa mmε yi mu, ne berε ne beaeε ahodoɔ a Akanfoɔ tumi de mmε ahodoɔ εfa mmoa ho no di dwuma. Megyinaa adwenemusεm ‘Conceptual Metaphor Theory’ so na εyεε mpεnsεmpεnsεmu yi. Nnipa dodoɔ a mede wcn dii dwuma yi yj nnum (5) a wcadi mfej aduasa kcsi aduosia num. Beaej nkutahodie kɔɔ so yj Takyiman kuro a εwc Bono Apueeε mantam mu ne Adwumako. Nhwehwjmu yi mu no, mefaa nkɔmmɔtwetweε so, ne deε animdefoɔ binom ada no adi wɔ nwoma ahodoɔ mu na εpεε me nsεmmoano. Ne nyinaa mu no meboaboaa mmoa ho mmε ɔha ne aduonum mmienu. Nhwehwԑmu yi da no adi sԑ ntotohosεm da adi wɔ Akanfoɔ mmԑ a wɔbu fa mmoa ho mu; mmoa no bi ne ananse, akokɔ, nantwie, ɔdwan, ɔsono ne mmoa bebree. Nsεmmoano no kyerεε sԑ mmoa ho mmԑ ahodoɔ yi da Akanfoɔ adwenemusԑm a wɔwɔ fa mmoa suban ne nneyԑԑ ahodoɔ ho adi. Nsԑntitire a ԑda adi wɔ mu no bi ne nkabom, adwumaden, setie, ahobrεaseԑ, ɔtan, akwadorɔ ne deε ԑkeka ho a wchyj ho nkuran ne dej wckasa tia no boa tenetene nnipakuo binom abrabc ne wcn nneyjj a jno nso boa ma nnipa asetena mu yj anika ne ahomeka. Jyj me nsusuij sj nhwehwjmu foforc bjsan akc so a εbεgyina adwenemusεm yi ara so ahwε mmε ahodoɔ a εfa abɔdeε nkaeε binom ho na jnam so ada Akanfoc mmε ahodoc binom a dwumadie yi anhwj hc no nyinaa adi.

Source: UEW
Mobile payment system usage among tertiary students. A case study of Kumasi Metropolitan

The primary purpose of the study was to examine mobile payment system usage among tertiary students in Ghana. The study employed a descriptive research design for the conduct of the study. Tertiary students from the University of Education Winneba-Kumasi and the Kumasi Technical University were considered as the population. Using the quota sampling technique, a total of 297 participants were sampled from the two institutions to participate in the study. Questionnaires were adopted as the main data collection instrument and the study discovered that tertiary students feel comfortable in using mobile payment systems on their own and are also able to initiate transactions on their own even if there was no one available to help them do so. Also, the study discovered that network challenges, easiness of sending money to the wrong person, too many transactional charges as well as the high probability of being defrauded while using the system, forgetting your PIN and the limitations on the amount one can conveniently cash out from a merchant are the major challenges confronting the use of mobile payment systems. It was then recommended that the benefits of educating students regarding mobile payment systems and services are that the knowledge of the system will be readily available to the students and most significantly the level of understanding will be high compared to the current situation. Also, it was recommended that mobile payment service providers strive to address promptly the challenges student faced by students while using the service to ensure that the services students feel safe and secured while using the service.

Source: UEW
Mobile phone technology and financial inclusion among rural population of the Upper Denkyira West District

Over the years, financial inclusion has gained interest in both economic and financial discourse and it has a development policy especially in developing economies. Developing countries such as Ghana are developing various policies and regulatory framework to ensure they reach all those excluded financially especially the rural dwellers. Mobile phone technology has served as an option for rural populace to embark on financial transaction such as payment, transfers, savings and mobile banking. The study therefore examines the role of Mobile phone technology in providing financial inclusion among rural population of Upper Denkyira West District. Using structured questionnaire for a sample size of 400 respondents, the study used both probit and multinomial regression as an estimation technique. It was found that, the usage of mobile phone technology have a positive effect on financial inclusion among rural population of Upper Denkyira West District. The study further found age, average income, household size, perceived trust and employment as the factors that influence the usage of mobile phone technology in providing financial inclusion. Also, the study found transaction cost, distance to bank, trust, volume of transaction, income, age, household size and employment as the factors that determine the usage of bank account, mobile phone and both for making transaction. In other to ensure inclusive finance in rural Upper Denkyira West District, the study recommends that, the Ministry of Finance through Ghana revenue authority should reduce taxes for mobile network Operators. Bank of Ghana should charge financial sectors such as microfinance institutions to build branches in these areas and also implement policies that aim at restoring individual’s confidence in the usage of financial institutions.

Source: UEW
Mobile technology and Akan proverbs moral relevance in modern Ghanaian society

Akans pride themselves as one of the great custodians of tradition among ethnic groups in Ghana. However recent trends among the younger generation indicate that there is a gradual shift from this age old assumption. A critical look at the behaviour of the youth of the Akan show that they are not in tune with the values of the Akan. Hitherto there were oral traditions of which one was proverbs that steered the youth in the right direction. In recent times proverbs have lost its place in the moral foundation of the Akan youth because they barely know the proverbs. This study aims at making Akan proverbs relevant in the moral education of contemporary Akan youth via the use of mobile technology named Sankofa Abɛbuo. It sought to assemble twenty Akan proverbs on mobile application software to make proverbs readily available to the youth. In doing this, qualitative research instrument such as interviews and questionnaire were used in data collection. However, the descriptive and thematic analysis techniques were used for analysis of data obtained from questionnaires and interviews. The study revealed that proverbs, one of the bedrock of morality, has lost its place in the lives of the youth and will gradually lose its place among Akans with the passage of time. The study also noted that traditional institutions of socialization of the youth on the cultural ideal have given up on their duty, giving way to western values propagated mostly by formal education, media and technology. The implication of this is a social climate where the youth are alienated from their culture and live by an adopted culture that is seen by the society as a deviation from the norm. Therefore, this research recommends that the society should take advantage of the youth’s affinity to the media, technology and formal education and channel proverbs to them to reinforce socially accepted behaviour.

Source: UEW