ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effects of banks credit processes on the quality of loan assets- case study of Cal Bank Ltd

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of banks credit processes on the quality of loan assets and to give recommendations aimed at enhancing the credit processes using CAL Bank Limited as a test case. The sampling technique adopted for the study was purposive sampling technique. Questionnaires and unstructured interviews were the main research instruments used in this study in collecting primary data. The questionnaire was structured to elicit information about banks credit processes with respect to CAL Bank. A total of thirty- five (35) questionnaires were issued out to the respondents out of which thirty-two (32) responded representing about 91%. This data was analysed using Excel software and the results were exhibited as charts. It was revealed that the main credit processes adopted by the bank which impacts on the quality of loan assets which included business initiation, credit request, and credit appraisal or processing, approval seeking, disbursement, monitoring and control and repayment. It was recommended that the banks credit processes needed to be enhanced in order to impact positively on the quality of loan assets and some of the recommendations included the use of benchmarks in credit assessment criteria, Credit Officers with special backgrounds should be matched with similar specialized ventures, both on-site and off-site post finance monitoring activities should be enhanced, enhancement of relationship banking and the empowerment of the various business units of the bank. Limitations associated with this study included the use of only one bank for the study mainly due to time and resource constraints.

Source: KNUST
Effects of big data analytics capability on supply chain innovation among manufacturing multinational firms in Ghana: the mediating role of knowledge creation

Although supply chain innovation and big data analytics capability have drawn a lot of attention in the literature on supply chains, there is still a scarcity of research regarding the knowledge contents that play a mediating role between supply chain innovation and big data analytics capability. This study postulates that manufacturing companies that are able to apply new ideas in the face of knowledge creation tend to develop a strong supply chain that might help them to resist the effects of firm innovations as well as build a stronger hedge against future issues. The study was conducted to understand how big data analytics capability affect supply chain innovation with the mediating role of knowledge creation among multinational manufacturing companies in ghana. Based on the gaps identified in literature, a framework of four (4) hypotheses were developed. To achieve this, 250 owners and managers of manufacturing companies in ghana were sampled. A self-administered instrument was used to gather data from the 250 participants. The analyses were done using spss and smart pl-sem. The result showed that big data analytics capability has a positive significant influence on supply chain innovation and knowledge creation. The result further showed that the relationship between supply chain innovation and big data analytics capability is mediated through knowledge creation. The practical implication is that the relationship among bda, sci and kc is not a single directional relationship.

Source: KNUST
Effects of breadfruit, jackfruit, sauti and faara sweet potato starches on disintegration and dissolution behaviours of paracetamol tablet formulation

Disintegrant and binder properties of starches extracted from Jackfruit, Breadfruit, Sauti and Faara sweet potatoes were investigated in formulation of tablets (paracetamol). Tablet hardness, disintegration times and dissolution rates were monitored as assessment parameters for binder properties and disintegrant activity. Tablets formulated with the test starches showed comparable hardness with those of maize starch B.P. (Reference starch). The macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical properties (acidity and pasting/gelatinization characteristics) of both test and reference starches had effects on their respective disintegrant and binder activities. Granules from each of the test starches used both as a disintegrant and binder gave comparable flow properties with that of the reference maize starch suggesting the likelihood of good compression results. In some cases flow properties were found to be improved by addition of glidant. Crushing strength, disintegration and dissolution times of tablets from test starches were comparable with that produced by maize starch BP and characteristic of each. Dissolution rates of formulated tablets were compared with commercial brands. There was no significant difference between the two lines of tablets when 5%, 7.5% and 1 0%w/w starch were respectively used as disintegrants and 6% and 8%w/v as binder. The experimental starches were suitable as disintegrants over a wide range of concentrations (2.5-12.5%w/w). Test starches showed good binder effects in concentrations of 6% - 10% w/v.

Source: KNUST
Effects of blanching and dehydration methods on the quality of moringa leaf powder used as herbal green tea

In order to determine the best processing and preservation method that will minimize nutrient loss of Moringa leaves used for the production of herbal tea, the effect of blanching and three different drying methods on the nutritional and physicochemical composition of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala were studied. Part of the harvested leaves (both species) was panellisted to steam blanching and part Un- blanched, and three different drying methods (shade, solar and oven) applied. Parameters assessed were water insoluble ash (WIS), water soluble extractives (WSE), pH, stalks, 13-carotene, light petroleum extractives (LPE), polyphenolics, proximate analysis, zinc and iron using standard methods. Sensory evaluation was also carried out to determine the best processing method resulting in best sensorial properties. Results revealed that among the three drying methods (solar, shade and oven), oven drying at 60 °C for 6hrs resulted in the best nutritional and physicochemical properties of the Moringa leaf powder. Blanching had variable effects on processed tea leaves with significant (p < 0.05) reductions in crude ash contents and a significant increase in 13-carotene, fibre, WIS and pH values in both species. Sensory results showed that tea infusions of blanched and oven-dried leaf powder infusions received significantly higher sensory scores. Results also revealed that Moringa herbal green teas (mean scores ranging between 6.47 and 7.73) were preferred to the commercial green tea (mean score 5.87). It is therefore evident that different methods of processing could have an effect on the nutritional, physicochemical and sensorial properties of Moringa leaves and the overall acceptability by consumers.

Source: KNUST
The effects of capitation on hospital administration in some selected districts of the Ashanti Region

While many countries are contemplating incentive-based health sector reform, emphasizing competition and supply-side cost-sharing, the evidence on how they work and the extent to which they succeed in achieving the goals of cost containment, quality and efficiency improvement, etc. remains limited, especially for developing countries. In this context, this study was carried out in the Ashanti Region to assess the effects of capitation on hospital administration in five selected public districts. A non-experimental, cross-sectional design was adopted for the study. Also, the purposive and simple random sampling techniques were adopted to select two hundred (200) respondents who completed the survey instrument. Hypotheses were tested using correlational and regression analytical procedures. There was a significant positive relationship between hospital administration and health care delivery. Also, the study showed a positive significant relationship between capitation and health administration. Some of the challenges affecting the capitation programme were late transfer of capitation payment, some providers are unable to get the list of people capitated to their facilities on time, the amount used for blanks are not being used by the providers for the intended purpose, NHIS subscribers are forced to pay additional amount to cover their bill (co-payment). It is recommended that monitoring and evaluation are important to ensure the proper functioning of the reform and good quality data should be collected for that purpose and funds should be transferred to the capitation hospitals on time.

Source: KNUST
The Effects of Bureaucracy on Policy Implementation in the Public Sector ‘A Case Study of Ghana Audit Service, Ashanti Region’

Policy implementation is one of the challenges facing public sector institutions. This study attempted to find out the bureaucratic effect of policy implementation within the Ghana Audit Service (GAS), Ashanti Region. In all, 76 structured questionnaires were administered to staff of different ranks in Ghana Audit Service, Kumasi Office. The questionnaires were analysed using Statistical Package of Social Scientist (SPSS), where relationships between variables were established. The results from the study show that there are various policies such as performance appraisal policy, Computer Assisted Audit Techniques and Risk based Audit approach policy etc. within the GAS. However, implementation is poor and affected by bureaucracy, dissemination of information and lack of logistical supports. Most of these policies are formulated from the GAS Headquarters in Accra and rolled to the regional and district offices. Though GAS has means of evaluating and monitoring policies, these structures are less effective resulting in poor implementation of policies. It is therefore recommended that there should be proper decentralization of policy issues to regional and district offices. Furthermore, frequent transfer of staff should also be reduced to enable staff fully benefit from policies implementation programmes rolled out to them. Training Programmes should also be adequately provided to help with appropriate orientation, skills and best practices of techniques to minimize bureaucratic tendencies. It is therefore recommended that further research on effectiveness of policy evaluation mechanism and how to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks within GAS should be carried out.

Source: KNUST
Effects of cedi volatility on importation in Ghana.

This study focuses on the effects of cedi volatility on importation in Ghana. Time series data covering thirty years have been used for the analysis. Trend analysis was carried out on the volatility of the Ghana cedi. Unit root test were conducted to determine the stationarity of the variables using Phillip-Peron test. To determine whether the variables for the study move together in the long-run Johansen cointegration test was conducted. The results indicated absence of cointegration among the variable. Consequently Vector Autoregressive (VAR) approach was employed to analyze the variables. The results of trend analysis for the study revealed that, the exchange rate of Ghana when compared to the dollar kept rising from 1986 to 2015 due to ineffective policies in controlling the volatility of the exchange rate. The study also indicated that, imports and exports were found to be increasing since 1986 to 2015, with highest imports and exports being taking place in China and Burkina Faso respectively. The results of the importation and vice versa. time series data using VAR revealed that the higher the exchange rate the higher the importation in Ghana. It was also revealed that an increase in gross domestic product and exchange rate increase importation, whilst a decrease in inflation decreases In order to control the volatility of the exchange rate, the government and bank of Ghana should put in place appropriate fiscal policies aimed at stabilizing the currencyand reduce inflation to a single-digit. The study also recommends government to help in the establishment of manufacturing industries in Ghana to reduce the level of dependence on imported goods.

Source: KNUST
Effects of celebrity endorsements on sales performance: a case study of adonko company limited

The research study sought to examine the effect of celebrity endorsement on sale performance of adonko company limited, with focus on celebrity’s credibility, popularity and acceptance as a measure of celebrity endorsement on sales performance. Few studies exist without any clear-cut idea on which factors firms can use to evaluate the strength and weakness of potential celebrity endorsers in Ghana and most especially in the alcoholic industry. Literatures were reviewed theoretically. Data collected were analyzed using statistical package for social scientists (spss), whereas structural equation modelling (sem) technique, smart partial least square (pls) software version 3.0 was also employed to determine the hypothesized relationships of the study. The research design is purely descriptive and data collected using cross-sectional survey method. The survey conducted on a total of 100 respondents out of which 100 responses were received representing 100% response rate. The findings, however confirmed significant relationships that exist between celebrity endorsement and sales performance. In the light of the analyses and interpretations, it is suggested and recommended that firms should intensify the use of popularity and credibility as a measure of celebrity endorsement in promoting their products, hence not leaving out celebrity’s acceptance to protecting brand image.

Source: KNUST
Effects of chloroquine on some aspects of reproduction in rodents

Chloroquine is an antimalarial drug which is used extensively in treatment of falciparum malaria in tropical countries including Ghana. Eicosanoids which are metabolites of arachidonic acid have various roles in physiological processes of the body. The present investigation is to test the hypothesis that administration of chloroquine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, to albino mice and Wistar rats would reveal any possible interference with aspects of the normal processes of reproduction. Different doses of chloroquine, equivalent by weight to human adult doses of 2.5 mg/kg, 5.0 mg/kg and 10.0mg/kg were given to the rodents. The doses of 10.0mg/kg impaired the processes of reproduction. The dose of 5.0mg/kg was more or less a threshold dose as different experimental animals gave different reactions. The male animals had their sperm counts reduced. The non-pregnant female animals had degenerated ovum and endometrium in the pregnant female animals, the drug caused under developed foetuses and abortion. The significant importance of the eicosanoids in reproduction is clearly established. Thus chloroquine should be used with extreme caution during reproductive years.

Source: KNUST
Effects of changes in the rates of Value Added Tax on VAT revenue in Ghana from 2003 to 2010

One of the critical activities of any government is the raising of revenue to achieve fiscal policy objectives of matching expenditure to the revenue and reducing budget deficit. Most of these revenues are raised through taxes. The most viable of which is indirect tax which include VAT. The Value Added Tax was introduced in March 1995, but had to be withdrawn barely after three months of operations as a result of public outcry against the tax. It was however reintroduced in December 1998 after intensive consultation and repackaging. Since then, the VAT has contributed a lot to government total tax revenue. This improvement in revenue has made successive governments increase the VAT rate from the initial 10% to 12.5% and then to 15% which pertains now. The main purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of the changes in the VAT rates on VAT revenue. The researcher used ARDL cointegration procedure to analyse the effect of changes in the VAT rate on VAT revenue in Ghana. The study revealed that changes in the VAT rates have not had any significant effect on the VAT revenue. Rather, government expenditure and improvement in GDP had a more significant impact on the VAT revenue, even though the tax buoyancy was generally low and this is attributed to lapses in the tax system in Ghana. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations have been made and it is expected to serve as a guide to management of the VAT Service, policy makers and other stakeholders in tax revenue mobilisation.

Source: KNUST
Effects of climate variability on tomato crop production in the Offinso north district of Ashanti region

Climate variability is one of the serious environmental challenges that has received a lot of public outcry in most parts of the world due to its consequence on agriculture, energy and industry. This study therefore sought to tease out the effects of climate variability on tomato crop production in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Structured interview guide, focus group discussion guide, in-depth interview guide and participant observation were instruments for data collection covering 378 tomato farmers randomly selected from three communities in the study area. The result of the study suggests an increase in both maximum and minimum temperatures coupled with unreliable rainfall distribution over the last two decades as the cause. The study identified poor yield as a major effect of climate variability on tomato production as reported by the farmers in the District. A regression analysis indicated the significant effect of the climate variables (temperature and rainfall) on tomato production while controlling other confounding variables. It was also observed that in the wake of climate variability and risks, farmers in the study area employ several adaptation strategies to absorb the shock. It is recommended that heat resistant tomato crop that can withstand the pressures of the climatic variations especially high temperatures be developed by the Crops Research Institute of Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Effects of commercial microbial inoculants and foliar fertilizers on soybean nodulation and yield in northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria

The use of microbial inoculants and less expensive sources of plant nutrients such as foliar fertilizers are ways to practice low-input agriculture, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where smallholder farmers’ soil nutrients are depleted. However, the application of microbial inoculants and foliar fertilizers are influenced by agroecological specific factors. Here we show the effects of microbial inoculants and foliar fertilizers application on soybean, under smallholder farmers’ conditions in northern Guinea savannah. Three microbial inoculants; Bradyrhizobium spp. (RACA 6), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizatech) and Trichoderma harzianum (Eco-T) and two foliar fertilizers; Agroleaf high P and Agrolyser were evaluated. The trial was carried out during 2011 cropping season in randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 4 replicates. The shoot dry weight was increased separately by the Reference treatment with N, P chemical fertilizers, Rhizatech and RACA 6 + triple superphosphate (TSP) over 21% compared to the control. Significant effect existed among treatments for soybean nodulation and shoot phosphorus concentration. Grain yield was relatively increased by the application of RACA 6 + TSP, RACA 6 + Eco-T + Agrolyser and RACA 6 + Rhizatech + Agrolyser compared to the control. The experiment suggested that soybean co-inoculation with rhizobial and fungal inoculants and application of foliar fertilizers in northern Guinea savannah could lead to improved grain yield.

Source: KNUST
Effects of climate variability on water and food security In the North East Region of Ghana.

The study examined water and food security in the midst of climate variability in the North East Region of Ghana. It employed a concurrent triangulation mixed-method design of quantitative and qualitative methods, using both primary and secondary sources of data. A survey of four communities each from West and East Mamprusi Municipalities involving 136 and 100 households respectively were undertaken. Different methods involving one-on-one in-depth interviews, structured interviews, and focus group discussions, were used to collect primary data from households and key informants. Data from the household survey were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools in IBM SPSS (Version 21) and Microsoft Excel 2016 for household quantitative data and NVivo 11 qualitative data analysis software for the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics, including percentages, median, and frequencies were used for analyzing the quantitative data while the qualitative data has been presented mainly as direct quotations. The MAKESENS and time series plots were used to detect the monotonic trend of the rainfall and temperature data with data analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test (Z) and Sen’s slope (Q) tests. Again, time-series data points from secondary sources were used to perform multiple linear regression analyses, using a regression tool embedded in the IBM SPSS (Version 21). The analyses of rainfall and temperature revealed that almost all the months and the annual total for both have monotonic increasing trends, of which some of the trends were statistically significant. Again, there is a high variability of both rainfall and temperature occurring within the months as well as years over the period of investigation. The study further found that the sources of water in the study locality are boreholes, well, streams/rivers, and tap water. However, the availability of water from these sources is negatively affected by climate variability. Again climate variability has caused little variations in the staple food crops production (maize, millet, and groundnut), although the variations are insignificant. In ensuring that water is available for sustainable uses in the study locality, the study found that adaptation to water harvesting, raising water awareness among consumers, agriculture water conservation among others are imperatives. The study recommends Ghana meteorological agency coordinate with the Department of Food and Agriculture in the study locality to offer periodic climatic information, expressly to farmers. The study also recommends water budgeting for various application from either agricultural and or domestic uses, should take into cognizance the changing patterns of the climatic variables in the study environment.

Source: KNUST