ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Determination of skills required by project managers for managing risks in construction projects

Every project has risks as soon as it initiated, and how well the project manager succeeds with work associated with risks, can make or break, the whole project. The aim of this research was to determine skills required by project managers for managing risks in construction projects. In order to achieve the aim, the following objectives were set: to evaluate the various types of risks inherent in the construction industry; to assess the effects of risks in the construction industry, and to evaluate the skills required by project managers for managing risks in construction projects. A critical review of literature was conducted. The quantitative research strategy was adopted. Questionnaires were used to gather data from contractors as well as consultants in Kumasi metropolis. Purposive sampling technique was adopted. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics, mean score ranking, one sample t-test and Cronbach Alpha were the analytical tools. From the findings, Variations; Unrealistic contract duration; Unforeseen general conditions; Delay in payment to contractor for work done; Damages and delays during construction were ranked as the five most severe risk factors that affect construction projects. Furthermore, Loss to the economy; Time overrun; Cost overrun; Conflicts between stakeholders; Late site hand over were the most severe effects of risks in the construction industry. Lastly, Ability to identify risks; Monitoring and evaluation of project; Risk Analysis; Contract administration; Team Leadership were the most important skills required by project managers for managing risks in construction projects. It is recommended that top management should be strongly committed to the risk management process

Source: KNUST
The determination of some environmental pollutants in Obuasi and its environs

The emergence of strange diseases among residents of Obuasi and its surrounding villages is attributed mainly to the mining activities of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation (A.G.C.).’ The extraction of gold by A.G.C. releases arsenic (III) oxide, sulphur (IV) oxide, selenium (IV) oxide and cyanide into the environment. Mercury is also introduced by small scale and illegal miners who use the metal for gold extraction. This work aimed at determining the levels of these pollutants in water, fish, food crops, vegetation and soil and to provide data on variation of pollutant levels’ with the seasons and distance from the P.T.P. Colorimetric methods were used to determine arsenic, selenium and cyanide; turbidimetric method for sulphate while atomic absorption spectrophotornetric and standard methods were used for mercury and general water quality, respectively. The results showed that the A.G.C. is the main contributor of arsenic, cyanide, selenium and sulphate to the environment of Obuasi as samples from villages affected by the flue gases and/or the effluent showed elevated levels of pollutants. Total arsenic, cyanide, selenium and sulphate concentrations in fern samples from Kwabrafoso were 78.7mg/kg, 13.1mg/kg, 12.3mg/kg and 520.0 mg/kg respectively. Samples from sites in the wind direction showed higher pollutant levels than those from the leeward side; selenium levels in top soil samples from the wind direction were 3.3-4.6mg/kg and 2.1-2.7mg/kg in samples from the leeward side. Samples from sites along the polluted rivers showed high levels of cyanide. The concentration of cyanide in fern was 8.6-13.5 and 0.6-1.2mg/kg in plantain samples. Mercury levels were generally high ranging from 0.1-9.4 mg/kg. Pollutants originating from the P.T.P showed decreasing levels with distance from the P.T.P. At Kokoteasua, sulphate concent.ration in elephant grass samples was 301.7mg/kg and 46.9mg/kg at Domeabra. Pollutant 1evels in polluted waters also decreased in the rainy season; cyanide concentration in polluted water samples from Ampunyase was 11.3mg/L in March but reduced to 6.0mg/L in August. Mercury levels did not however vary regularly with distance. Water quality analysis of the drinking waters showed that pollutant levels were within permissible limits. Those along the polluted rivers however, showed higher levels of arsenic from 0.06-0.08 mg/L.

Source: KNUST
Determination of some environmental pollutants in the mining environs of Konongo in the Ashanti region of Ghana

Various chemicals, some of which are deadly poisons, are used in mining activities in Ghana, resulting in the production of toxic substances with no proper method of disposal of the wastes. Some of these toxic products are inhaled or taken up by biological species. Others eventually find their way into our waters (both surface and underground). In the present work the results of a study to determine the environmental pollutants in the Mining Environs of Konongo in the Ashanti Region of Ghana are presented. The possible environmental pollutants in the mining environs of Konongo are CN- , Zn, Pb, B and Mn. In the course of the study the general quality of waters in the mining environs was determined. A titrimetric procedure was adopted to determine CN- . Spectrophotometric or colorimetric method was employed to determine Zn, Pb, Mn and B. Standard methods were used to determine the general water-quality parameters. Accumulation of pollutants in water-bed sediment, fauna and flora in the mining environs of Konongo was in the range of 0.011-0.064μgg-1 for CN-; 0.l88-1.17μgg for Zn; 0.015- 0.l22μgg-1 for Pb; 0.101-2.76μgg-1 for Mn and 0.05-0.60μgg-1 for B. The results of the work indicated that Konongo water-bed sediment, fauna and flora are not polluted by the mining processes and that if the present surveillance of the discharge of wastes was maintained, mining could continue without any adverse effect on Konongo environs. However, Konongo drinking-water did not meet the WHO (World Health Organization) Aesthetic quality.

Source: KNUST
Determination of some heavy metals in biological samples from Tarkwa and its environs

Atomic Absorption Speetrophoiornetry technique was used to determine the lvels of the heavy metals zinc, cadmium and lead in food samples drawn from Tarkwa and its environs, a mining area, after wet digestion with cone HNO3. The preliminary studies showed very high values for Taikwa above tiiose of the other sites; Acheampoa, Ahwetieso, Hunyanu and Kojo Djan. The impact analysis was therefore focused on Tarkwa and zero. 4 in on the two suburbs Atuabo and Brahabebor, close to the mine Goldfields Ghana Limited. The range of the concentration (ppm, dry weight) of the metals is as follows: Atuabo: Zinc, 30.20 to 85.70 (±16.84) Cadmium, 4.20 to 7.4C (±1.05) Lead, 14.90to25.20 (±3.32) Brahabebor: Zinc, 33.20 to 266.50 (±67.65) Cadmium, 4.7Oto 8.40 (±1.16) Lead 6.10to34.20 (±17.60)

Source: KNUST
Determination of Some Factors that Influences Loan Default Payment: Case Study: Customers from Akatakyiman Rural Bank Ltd Komenda

Loan Default is the failure of an applicant to fulfil his/her obligation with respect to repayment of loans. Loan default lowest the financial capacity of the agency to fulfil its promises to other applicants. This study seeks to determine some risk factors that influence loan default repayment among customers in Akatakyiman Rural Bank Ltd –Komenda. To this end, some secondary data on some variables which influenced whether a customer defaulted or not in a loan accessed, was obtained from the credit department of Akatakyiman Rural Bank Ltd –Komenda. A total of 100 observations for a period of four (4) years (2006-2010). There were eleven (11) variables in the data set. A logistic regression model was fitted to the data. It was found that among the variables that were used, Security and Type of Loan were significant to the study where as Sex, Marital Status, Age, Educational Level, Town were not significant to the study. We conclude that the risk of default for a customer who used collateral as a security in accessing the loan is less than for a customer who used personal guarantee. Taking transport loan as a reference group, the risks of a customer defaulting when given a personal loan is less than when given a transport loan, all other factors being equal.

Source: KNUST
Determination of some herbicide residues in sweet potato

Abstract: The use of herbicides in weed control is on the increase but such chemical residues in crop plants mostly cause health risks. The objective of this work was to determine the level of some herbicide residues in sweet potato. The sweet potatoes were cultivated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications at the Crops Research Institute Agronomy fields, Kwadaso, Ghana. The different treatments made up of combinations of five pre-emergence herbicides (butachlor [50 g/L—3 L/Ha], imazethapyr [240 g/L—3 L/Ha], metolachlor [333 g/L—4 L/Ha], pendimethalin [500 g/L—3 L/Ha] and terbutryn [167 g/L—4 L/Ha]) and one (1) post emergence herbicide (propaquizafop [100 g/L—1.2 L/Ha]) were applied. After harvest, samples were randomly selected and extracted using a modified QuEChERS extraction method followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to determine the residual levels of the herbicides. The results showed that butachlor, imazethapyr, terbutryn and propaquizafop were not detected in their respective sweet potato samples analysed. However, pendimethalin and metolachlor residues were detected at concentrations of 0.0023 µg/g and 0.0029 µg/g, respectively. The findings suggest that the herbicide residue levels detected were considerably lower than the maximum acceptable limit (0.05 µg/g) and thus the application of these pre-, and post-emergence herbicides at the recommended rates in sweet potato is safe from the residual point of view.

Source: KNUST
Determination of Some Herbicide Residues in Sweetpotato

Weeds are undesirable in agriculture activities since they compete with food crops for available soil nutrients, air, water, sunlight and space. Reports indicate that when these herbicides are applied, only about 1% is effective whereas the remaining 99% exist as residues in the surroundings thus posing serious threats to human health, the environment, wildlife and other non-target organisms. The objective of this work was to determine the level of some herbicide residues in sweetpotato. The sweetpotatoes were cultivated in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with four replications at the Crops Research Institute Agronomy fields, Kwadaso where different treatments made up of combinations of five (5) pre-emergence herbicides (butachlor [50g/L-3L/Ha], imazethapyr [240g/L-3L/Ha], metolachlor [333g/L-4L/Ha], pendimethalin [500g/L-3L/Ha] and terbutryn [167g/L-4L/Ha]) and one (1) post-emergence herbicide (propaquizafop [100g/L-1.2L/Ha]) were applied and a control which involved strictly hoeing. After harvest, samples were randomly selected and extracted using a modified QuEChERS extraction method followed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) to determine the residual levels of the herbicides. The results showed that sweetpotato samples from the control (field work which was strictly hoeing as the method of weed management) had no residues detected. Butachlor, imazethapyr, terbutryn and propaquizafop were also not detected in their respective sweetpotato samples analysed. However, pendimethalin and metolachlor residues were detected at concentrations of 0.0023 µg/g and 0.0029 µg/g, respectively. The findings suggest that herbicide residue levels detected in this study were considerably lower than the maximum acceptable limit (0.05 mg/kg) and thus the dietary exposure could be considered safe to humans.

Source: KNUST
Determination of some water soluble vitamins in pharmaceutical dosage forms by HPLC

A High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method was designed to analyse multivitamin preparation with respect to vitamins C, B6, B1, B2, and nicotinamide. The mode of elution was isocratic, using a reversed-phase column, and UV detection at 254 nm. There was a good resolution among all the vitamins when eluted with a phosphate buffer at alkaline pH . Higher pH values were however, found to hasten the breakdown of thiamine and ascorbic acid in particular. The rate of solvent flow, pH of mobile phase and light were found to be important factors that affected precision and accuracy of the method. Comparison with official spectrophotometric methods indicated that the HPLC method was more precise with respect to nicotinamide and riboflavin although less accurate in the latter, and about the same with ascorbic acid. The amount of thiamine could not be determined with any good precision. In terms of man-hours, labour intensity and precision, HPLC was found to be faster, less laborious, more precise and with minimal exposure to harmful chemicals.

Source: KNUST
Determination Of The Depth Of Suevites Formation In The North Of Bosumtwi Impact Crater Using Ground Penetrating Radar And Electrical Resistivity Methods

Suevite is a rock derived as a result of meteorite impact and is found at meteorite impact crater sites. In Ghana, suevites have been seen at the Bosumtwi meteorite impact crater. The suevites are situated in the Southern and the Northern parts inside the outer rim of the crater. This work is done at the Northern part of the crater, inside the outer rim. This study mapped the depth of suevite formation, determined the resistivity of the subsurface with depth and modeled the lithological layers of the study area. The methods used in this study were Electrical Resistivity and Ground Penetrating Radar. The Mala GPR system using the 100 MHz Rough Terrain Antenna (RTA) and the multi-electrode ABEM Lund resistivity imaging system were used for conducting the geophysical survey for GPR and Electrical resistivity surveys respectively. Seven (7) profiles were taken across the North-eastern part of the impact crater within the outer rim of Lake Bosumtwi. The data gathered was processed using Reflex-Win software and RES 2D INV software for GPR and Electrical Resistivity data processing respectively. The results obtained unveiled the presence of suevite at depth ranging from 2 m to 10 m. Also graywacke, phyllites with clay are also found at the depth where suevites are found due to the very low resistivity values (1.56 – 99 Ωm) encountered at the area. However, few areas with high to very high resistivity values (500 – 6000 Ωm) in the subsurface are as a result of the presence of possibly claystones and buried rock bodies or plutonic intrusions due to their extreme resistivities. From the GPR data, the lithology of the survey area at Lake Bosumtwi is modeled which revealed that the subsurface of the survey area is characterized by two (2) layers. The first layer is made up fragments of graywacke, phyllites, clay and unconsolidated breccia that have accumulated due to impact event. The second layer is a uniform claystone layer, with a break in the second layer indicating possible intrusive rock.

Source: KNUST
Determination of the Dominant Bacterial Causal Agents of Pneumonia at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Appropriate treatment of “typical” bacterial pneumonias depends on the knowledge of the likely aetiological agents in any community. Little is known about the aetiological pattern of “typical” bacterial pneumonias in our community. This study was undertaken at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to determine the dominant bacterial causal agent of “typical” bacterial pneumonia, the appropriate and affordable antibiotics for treatment and whether pneumonias in our community have any underlying predisposing diseases. One hundred and fifty (150) children aged five (5) years and less with clinical and radiological evidence of pneumonia attending the hospital for medical care were studied within a period of one year. Pleural aspirates, nasal swabs, and throat swabs were obtained from the study cases and investigated by microscopy and bacterial culture methods. The study population constituted of 84 (5 6%) males and 66 (44%) females. Forty-one percent (4 1%) of the pneumonia cases studied were due to bacteria, either as a single pathogen infection or in association with other bacteria. Seventy percent (70%) of the isolates were Gram-positive, while the remaining 30% were Gram-negative. Strep. pneumoniae was the dominant bacterial causal agent (36%), followed by Kleb. ppcurnoiiie, (25%), Staph. aureus (17%), Streptococcus viridans (13%), . E. coli (4%) and Staph. albus (2%). Strep. pneumoniae was isolated from children of all age groups. Kieb. pneumoniae, was the commonest bacterial species isolated from children aged two (2) years and less. Staph. aureus was found to be common in children aged between 24-36 months. Irrespective of the bacterial strain isolated, 87% of the isolates were found to be sensitive to erythromycin, 76% were found to be sensitive to gentamicin, 70% were sensitive to Co-trimoxazole and 70% of the isolates being sensitive to ampicillin and 67% to chioramphenicol. Erythrornycin was found to be the most effective of all the test antibiotics against Strep. pneurnoniae (MIC ≥ 0.03mg/l) and Staph. aureus (MIC 0.06mg/l). One hundred and nine (73%) of the children studied were found to be healthy before the onset of pneumonia, while 31 (21%) had measles before the pneumonia attack and 9 (6%) had Coryza before the onset of pneumonia. This study highlights the following findings: (i) Strep. pneumoniae is the dominant bacterial causal agent of “typical” bacterial pneumonia in children in our community. (ii) H. influenzae is not a bacterial causal agent of “typical” bacterial pneumonia in children in our community. (iii) Nasal swabs and throat swabs are of diagnostic value in the absence of pleural aspirates for the determination of the bacterial aetiology of pneumonia. (iv) Erythrornycin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, chioramphenicol and ampicillin can be used for blind therapy. (v) Underlying diseases can be said not to be predisposing factors for pneumonia in our community.

Source: KNUST
Determination of the baseline titre level of salmonellae antibodies in the sera of the normal population of Asante Akim North District of Ashanti Region, Ghana using the widal test for the diagnosis of typhoid fever

The Widal test was used to determine the frequency distribution of S.typhi, S. paratyphi A, B, and C residual antibodies among 300 normal individuals with no history of typhoid fever and TAB vaccination in the Asante Akim North District of Ashanti Region-Ghana. Agglutinins against S.typhi are found more frequently in the district. The reasons for this and the possible cause of the observed relatively high incidence of agglutinins against the antigens of S.Paratyphi A, B, and C is also discussed. The basal antibody titre level in the normal population was found to be 29.1, 21.4, 24.9 and 25.3 respectively for the 0 antigen of S typhi; S paratyphi A B and C. On the other hand, 25.5 .35.6, 25.5 and 24.0 respectively for the H antigen of S.typhi. S. paratyphiA, B and Cwere scored. Less than 5% of the population studied showed agglutination titre of greater than 1/80 for both 0 id H antigens. A significant titre for the widal agglutination test in the district was found to be ≥ 1/160 for the O.antigen and ≥ 1/320 for the H — antigen. The distribution of the healthy individual’s agglutinins against the various Salmonellae serotypes and the diagnostic limitations of the Widal test are also presented.

Source: KNUST
Determination of the glycemic index of local staples in Ghana and the effect of processing on them

Glycemic index measures the blood glucose raising ability of foods. It is a measure of the quality of a carbohydrate food. Current knowledge on the effect of carbohydrates on diabetes and other metabolic diseases has increased concerns on carbohydrate quality and factors that affect it. The aim of the study was to determine the glycemic index (GI) of some carbohydrate-rich Ghanaian staple foods and to assess the influence of processing on the GI of foods. The study was a crossover trial involving 10 apparently healthy individuals served with 50g portions of pure glucose on two different occasions. They were subsequently given measured amounts of the test foods containing 50g available carbohydrates. The GI values were determined by measuring the capillary blood glucose levels of the subjects at fasting and after ingestion of the glucose and test foods within a 2-hour period. Sampling started 15 min after consumption and subsequent samples taken at the 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120min. A glucose response curve was drawn for each subject for both reference food and test foods. The GI of the test foods were calculated by dividing the incremental area under the glucose response curve of the test food by the incremental area under glucose response curve for the reference food and multiplying the result by 100.The glycemic responses to four major Ghanaian staples, Banku, Tuo Zaafi, Fufu (Pounded and Industry processed), Ga Kenkey were determined in ten apparently healthy individuals (8 males and 2 female) with mean age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) of 30.9±6.4 years, 26.94±5.2 kg/m2 and 88.6±13.8 cm respectively. Fufu prepared from industry processed fufu flour had the least glycemic response followed by Ga Kenkey and locally pounded fufu all falling within the Low GI category. Tuo Zaafi had a medium GI and Banku had a moderately high GI. A multiple comparison of GI of the various foods by ANOVA revealed a significant difference between the GI of locally pounded fufu (LPF) and fufu prepared from industrially-processed fufu flour (IPF) (p = 0.026) implying that the processing influenced glycemic quality. In conclusion, the glycemic response of commonly consumed Ghanaian staples Banku, TZ, Kenkey, industrially-processed fufu (Neat® Fufu) and locally pounded Fufu were determined, and should guide health professionals and Ghanaians in their choices of local staples and meal planning. It is recommended that a study to determine the complete nutritional profile of the various local foods be made alongside their serving sizes to aid in the determination of glycemic load of these foods.

Source: KNUST
Determination of the Free-Air Gravity anomalies over Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana

Free-air gravity anomalies over Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana on a regular 2.5×2.5 arc minute grid is determined from combined surface gravity and digital elevation model data using Simple Bouguer anomaly procedure and Gravity Reconstruction method of gridding. The Geodetic Reference System 1980 (GRS80) ellipsoid was used as the reference ellipsoid for computation of the normal gravities at the grid points. The results of this study shows that the residual free-air gravity anomalies over Brong- Ahafo Region range from -63.07 to -3.56 mGal, with the negative values indicating places where the normal gravity values are higher than the corresponding free-air values and that the ellipsoid is below the geoid surface.

Source: KNUST