ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the nutritional and health status of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Globally about 36.9 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS is responsible for more than 940,000 deaths. Most of these deaths are related to malnutrition. Cross-Sectional study design was used to assess the nutritional and health status of people living with HIV/AIDS (18-60) years. Purposive and convenience sampling were used to select four (4) hospitals and two hundred (200) people living with HIV/AIDS in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A structuredquestionnaire was used to collect data of participants and their anthropometrics, food frequency, 24-hour dietary intake, full blood count, and viral load were assessed. The prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity (using body mass index) were 17% and 37% respectively. Most respondents’ had adequate intakes of phosphorus (70.5%), inadequate intakes of calcium (95%), vitamin E (77.5%), vitamin A (94%), and excess intakes of sodium (93%), selenium (77%), copper (83.5%), and manganese (76%). The respondents’ daily intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and animal foods were 10.1%, 26.2%, 2.5%, and 7.3% respectively. The study found 20% of respondents on antiretroviral treatment with high/unsuppressed viral load (≥1000cp/mL) and about 87% of respondents with high monocytes (≥10%). The current mean monocytes (15.45+2.23)% was significantly different from the previous mean monocytes (within 6months prior to study)(8.13+6.26)% (p=0.0478). About 38%, 88%, 66% and 69% respectively of respondents had low haemoglobin (Hb <11g/dL), red blood cell (RBC<4.5 x1012/μL), haematocrit (Hct <37%), and mean platelet volume (MPV<9.5%). The study found no significant association between nutrient intakes of study subjects and biochemical/haematological parameters. There was also no significant association between anthropometric measures and biochemical/haematological parameters. In conclusion, a significant proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS had high prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity, inadequate nutrients intakes, and high viral load.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the operational perfomance of produce buying Company Limited (P.B.C.) after its enlistment at the Ghana Stock Exchange

The study which set out to find solutions to folding up of LBCs established that, the government of Ghana in 1993 realized that, the inclusion of private companies in the internal marketing of cocoa would benefit the nation in general and farmers in particular. The government’s idea was to increase the total tonnage of Cocoa in Ghana and also correct the situation where farmers’ produce were not completely purchased and was therefore left in the farms to spoil as a result of inefficiencies on the part of PBC. Despite this idea, some of the newly established LBCs started collapsing after just two or three years in operation hence defeating the purpose of their existence. This situation is eventually creeping into PBC (the premier LBC). The study found out that Ghana had ever been the world’s largest producer of Cocoa for about sixty-six years. This position was lost and now being occupied by Ivory Coast due to certain practices Ghana did not give much attention to which were vital to the sustenance of the production level. Farmers were poorly remunerated and as a result could not maintain their tree stock and or renew them, which resulted in the spread of diseases and others. The study further found that, despite the fall in market share, there was an increase of 20% in turnover (from ¢499.654 billion to ¢600.699 billion) during 2000/2001 season due to an increase in producer price. The company’s market share started declining after 1997/98 season. It was also discovered that PBC was more liquid than the Industry. The liquidity levels in PBC rose from a low of 1.16 in 1999 to a high value of 1.98 at the end of 2002.The 1.98 is considered immaterial so far as PBC is concerned because the Industry does not demand keeping huge amounts of money which could be invested elsewhere for profits. It was also realized that PBC being the oldest company a lot of its fixed assets being old and at, the accumulated depreciation lowers the carrying value of the assets. The study further revealed that, the Industry leveraged more than PBC. This was due to the fact that, the Debt Equity ratios were higher in the case of the Industry. The study used the ALTMAN’S Z-MODEL in analyzing soundness of the financial position of PBC. It was seen that, the Z values for all the years were higher than the rule of thumb of +2, hence PBC’s financial position came out as the best. This brought to mind that, the fall in market share was due to other things rather than financial. The study came out with certain recommendations and conclusions it was recommended that, if PBC wants to compete very well in the market, there is a need to adopt vibrant promotional programmes so that they can continuously retain their hard working farmers. The company should adopt a strategy by which seed fund would be send to the field to avoid embezzlement (like the one proposed in this study). The study finally concluded by recommending an area of study for further research.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the operation of value added tax system in the Kumasi Metropolis (1998-2008)

The purpose of this dissertation was to assess the operation of the Value Added Tax system in the Kumasi Metropolis. To achieve the said purpose, ten questionnaires and Ninety interview guides were designed and administered personally to collate views from the respondents. Out of the hundred sent out, eighty responded. The target population was the VAT field officers from Kumasi and all VAT registered persons within the metropolis the data was analysed by the use of tabulation and simple percentages. Majority of the respondents were of the view that VAT has been able to bring fairness in the tax system, uniformity in the tax administration, widened the tax net within the metropolis but majority were of the view that there were many challenges faxing the operation of the system which include: Misunderstanding of the operation of the system by the registered person’s, difficulty in calculation, perceived corruption of the tax officials, and lack of proper monitoring. Some of the recommendations suggested to solve the problems raised include intensification of the education of the general public, on the importance of tax in nation building, explanation of the operational mechanism of the VAT to the tax registered persons, proper monitoring system, weeding out of corrupt tax official and giving of tax rebates to faithful tax registered persons who properly and correctly honour their tax obligations, to enhance the operation of the system.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the operational performance of Vodafone Ghana Company Limited in the Ghanaian Telecommunication Industry

The telecommunication industry over the last decades have proven not only as an emerging economic sector but a rapidly growing sector with an immense chain of impacts towards the revolution of the social and economic structures of Ghana. This has brought in its wake the introduction of several telecommunication companies competing for the available markets in the local economy. Such competitions have equally presented myriad of challenges which have affected the corporate performance of the various telecommunication industries. This study therefore sought to assess the operational performance of Vodafone with respect to the regulatory frameworks, the extent of service coverage and market share, the resource base and technical capacity, customers’ assessment of products and services, operational challenges and administrative response to such challenges. In doing this, a case study of Vodafone’s branches in Accra and Kumasi was used in capturing all the major players of Vodafone Company including the management staff, customers and the vendors/retailers of sim cards and recharge vouchers. The study used the purposive and accidental sampling in the conduct of the study. Findings from the study revealed that, Vodafone’s offices in both Accra and Kumasi are equipped with adequate human and logistical resources in handling the operations of the company. Again, Vodafone’s share of mobile phone users in Accra and Kumasi for the 2009 to 2010 period increased by 29.6 percent and 34.7 percent respectively. Network coverage has improved by the increase in the number of cell sites from 180 in 1996 to 600 cell sites as at 2010 for Accra whilst that of Kumasi has also increased from 50 cell sites to 230 currently. Vodafone’s products sale in Accra and Kumasi has been increasing at a decreasing average rate of 7.6 percent.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the nutritional status and weight changes of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the Tamale Teaching Hospital

Weight of cancer patients including breast cancer (BC) are normally affected due to the effects of chemotherapy on food intake and body tissues from drug toxicity and tolerance or intolerance of chemotherapy as a whole. The aim of this investigation was to assess nutritional status and weight changes of BC patients receiving chemotherapy over the three periods of treatment. A prospective cohort study was conducted on 17 participants diagnosed BC, to collect data on three different occasions. Anthropometric parameters and nutritional food habits and food groups’ diversity were assessed using biomedical impudence machine and Food and Agricultural Organizational food diversity questionnaire on dietary diversity (WDDS). Biochemical profile data (haemoglobin and albumin) were obtained from patient’s file. The mean age of participants was found to be 43 (13.2) years. Patients were made of 23.5% businesswomen or traders, housewives (29.4%) and majority of 64.7% had no formal education, 17.6% who were educated at the tertiary level. Mean height of participants was 1.64 ± 0.07 m, and the mean weight had increased from 68.5 ± 21.20 kg to 69.3 ± 20.95 kg before chemotherapy and after second cycle treatment. A change in weight with mean of 0.99 ± 1.8 kg was observed. After second cycle of treatment the body mass index of six (6) and waist circumference of eight (8) respondents were at risk for comorbidities, breast cancer recurrence and cardiovascular diseases though thirteen (13) had normal level of skeletal muscle. Association was found between height and weight change. Means of haemoglobin and albumin were respectively recorded as 11.5 (1.1 g/dl) and 42.1 (9.0 g/l) after second cycle chemotherapy; three and two respondents had haemoglobin and albumin levels lower than normal (< 10.0 g/dl) and (< 35.0 g/l,) respectively after the second cycle treatment. Most (16; 94.1%) respondents consumed grains or starchy staple foods, legumes, nuts and seeds, meat, and 12 (70.6%) used dark green vegetables. Less than half of the sample 29.4%, 23.5%, and 41.1%, respectively, consumed milk and its products, vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruits, and other fruits and vegetables after second cycle chemotherapy. The change in weight after treatment had correlation with some anthropometric parameters such as height, body mass index, waist circumference and body fat

Source: KNUST
Assessing the operations of the bulk oil storage and Transportation Company Limited in petroleum products delivery to Northern Ghana

The government of Ghana realising the importance of petroleum products, established the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) in 1961 in order to process crude oil into finished products for the Ghanaian market. Also knowing that the growing demand for petroleum products throughout the country was posing distribution challenges in the midst of a poor road network system, it established the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) with depots across the country. The depots in northern Ghana are located in Buipe and Bolgatanga to store petroleum products not only for strategic reasons but also to serve the people there. Buipe lies close to the Black Volta River, and was strategically chosen to enable cost effective Lake Transportation of petroleum products to northern Ghana. But the use of road transport to convey products to the north continues while the area occasionally experience shortages of petroleum products. The study adopted the case study method to find out the factors that hinder the smooth operations of BOST, Buipe, in the delivery of petroleum products to northern Ghana. The targeted units of analysis were BOST, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the Tamale Metropolis and Tanker drivers who lift products at the depot. The study revealed that BOST, Buipe, has enough physical storage capacity. The major causes of products shortages in the north included shortages of products at the depot, breakdown of tankers, upfront payment for products by OMCs, and periods of change of government. Recommendations such as full utilization of the storage capacity of the depot, strategically using Lake Transportation and transparency in contracts for the supply of crude or finished products have been made. These are meant to improve the operations of BOST, Buipe, in the delivery of petroleum products to northern Ghana in an effort to boost agricultural production and trade, alleviate poverty and better the living standards of the people.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Operations of Centralized Procurement System: The Case of Process and Plant Sales Ghana Limited (PPS)

The procurement operational systems as operated by most corporate organizations are the centralized, decentralized and the hybrid. This thesis documents analyze the operations of the centralized procurement system of PPS. In centralized procurement, the procurement is coordinated and regulated from the headquarters of an organization. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the centralized procurement operations of PPS and to find out the challenges facing the centralized procurement system of the company. The main aim of it is to capture the economies of scale by unifying the purchasing processes of an organization’s different units. Qualitative research method was employed with the help of quantitative analysis to come to the conclusion of this study. The instrument used for this study was structured questionnaire with opened ended and closed ended questions on the operations of centralized procurement system. The study established that the operation of the centralized procurement unit of PPS was very effective and it is managed by professionals with qualify skills on the job. Some of the challenges established by this study were: need for formal contracting and commitments to suppliers; Benchmarking process intimidating; Environmental challenges; and transportation. It is therefore recommended that delays in payment of suppliers as impediment against the function of the procurement team should avoided.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Performance of Dompoase Wastewater Treatment Plant and Its Effect on Water Quality of the Oda River in Kumasi

Treatment performance of the Dompoase wastewater treatment plant and the effect of final effluent on the Oda River were evaluated. Influent and effluent wastewaters as well as receiving water qualities were monitored for a period of three months within 2 weeks intervals. The study showed mean percentage removal of 51.23 (± 15.34), 89.18 (± 8.43), 36.11 (± 34.65), 80.80 (± 17.85), 58.02 (± 41.05), 22.51 (± 15.53), 22.23 (± 18.93), 60.94 (± 42.79), 68.52 (± 26) and 92.20 (± 3.82) % for TDS, TSS, Fe, COD, BOD, N, P, Pb, total coliforms and faecal coliforms respectively. In contrast, K and pH revealed higher mean effluent than influent values, hence percentage removals of -27.59 (± 34.40) and - 10.24 (± 1.03) were obtained for K and pH. Reduction from influent to effluent values showed statistical significant differences among mean values for TDS, TSS, COD, BOD, N, K, pH, and Pb (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference observed for mean values of P, Fe, total and faecal coliforms (P>0.05). Total dissolved solids (TDS), TSS, COD, BOD, N, P, Pb, total coliforms and faecal coliforms in effluent wastewater were above the recommended EPA guidelines. But pH was in the acceptable range of 6- 9. It was concluded that effluents fell short of standard requirement before discharge into surface waters. Even though, concentrations of all parameters decreased with distance from the discharge point in River Oda, downstream values of most parameters were higher than upstream values. Water quality parameters of the Oda River were affected as rainfall increases from May through to July.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the operations of the Ghana Prisons Service Credit Union in Kumasi.

The aim of the study is to explore the role the credit union plays in the welfare of prisons officers, particularly considering the financial implication of officers educating their children and themselves, providing financial support to nuclear and extended families, acquiring private properties and saving and investing to secure their future. Credit unions have historically provided superior services to members and committed to helping them improve their financial situation. This study examined the operations of the Ghana Prisons Service credit union in Kumasi. It is worth mentioning that the credit union has contributed immensely and positively to the welfare and growth of the members in diverse ways. The researcher used convenience sampling technique to select a sample of 12 management staff of the credit union for interview sessions and administered questionnaires to sixty (60) prisons officers randomly. It was unearthed from the study that the prisons service credit union makes available credit facilities to its members at an interest rate less than that provided by the commercial banks. It also contributes technical assistance to officers; which includes exposure on basic knowledge in personal finance and investment, bookkeeping skills and others. The strategies put in place to motivate the members’ savings habits include direct payroll deduction, ease of withdrawals on accounts and ease of membership subscription. Based on the research findings, the following recommendations are preferred; that the operations of the credit union are decentralized so that members can process and access their investment and other services at the regional level; adoption of insurance packages against loans and credits facilities to secure the operations of the credit union and the adoption and utilization of information technology and online services in the operations of the credit union to improve services rendered to the members.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Performance of Local Contractors on Government Projects in the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly Akropong-Akuapem, E/R

This research work seeks to find out the performance of local contractors on government projects. Assessing the performance of local contractors was identified as the independent variable and the government projects were identified as the dependent variable. The persistent poor quality of on-going and finished projects and unmet deadlines of local contractors has contributed to the perception that the local contractor is inefficient. The researcher therefore sought to find out whether local contractors have the technical capacity to undertake project awarded to them. The researcher needed also to find out the mode of local contractor selection. The literature provided discussions on some captions like the performance assessment in the construction industry in Ghana, the Procurement Act, performance indicators and the like. Information was gathered, using questionnaires and interview guides. They were made of both close and open ended questions. Eighteen questions on the questionnaire and sixteen questions on the interview guides were designed for staff from various department selected and local contractors respectively. Data was sourced from both primary and secondary sources. The non probability sampling technique was adopted in selecting the sample from the population. Data gathered was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science. It was found out that most local contractors performed unsatisfactorily due to the use of inferior material even though they were monitored regularly. It was also found out the Assembly delayed in making payment to the local contractors. It was recommended that prompt payment should be made to local contractors to enable them complete their projects on time.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the performance of the grain legume marketing system in northern Ghana

The main objective of this study was to examine costs, returns and efficiency levels associated with the activities of key players in the grain legume marketing chain in northern Ghana. A total of 140 market participants comprising 93 retailers, 39 wholesalers and eight (8) assemblers/aggregators were selected from major and satellite markets in the three Northern Regions of Ghana through a multi-stage sampling approach. Data for the study was obtained through personal interviews with the use of structured questionnaire. In addition to descriptive statistics, gross marketing margin, net margin and marketing efficiency analyses were performed using field data. The study identified a long chain of greater than four different channels/pathways through which grain legumes moved from farm gate to final consumers. Marketing of grain legumes in the study Districts was found to be profitable, as only 18% of gross marketing margin was spent as marketing costs, with the remaining amount retained as net marketing margin. The study further showed that net marketing margins were not equitably distributed among different trading partners along the marketing chain. Generally, net marketing margin for assemblers/aggregators was far higher than that received by wholesalers and retailers. Marketing activities by all traders in the grain legume value chain were performed efficiently, with efficiency ratios far in excess of 100%. Trading in groundnut was far more profitable than trading in cowpea and soyabean. The main constraints identified by grain legume traders were limited access to credit, high cost of transportation, poor road network and inadequate storage facilities

Source: KNUST