ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Fair pricing of life insurance participating policies with embedded surrender option under stochastic interest rate model

The study analysed life insurance endowment policy, paid by sequence of periodical premiums with guaranteed minimum return to the policyholder. The main objective of the research is to estimate the \fair price" of life insurance participating policy under stochastic interest rate model, in particular, the study considered both the case in which the premium is constant and the case in which it is periodically adjusted according to the performance of a special investment portfolio (reference portfolio). This premium is implicitly de ned by an equation based on the actuarial principle of equivalence. Furthermore, the policy under examination is characterized by the presence of a surrender option, i.e., an American-style option that entitles policy owners to early terminate the contract and to receive a surrender cash value implied by a surrender charge. The study employed extended two-dimensional Cox- Ross and Rubinstein model to numerically estimate the \fair price" of the embedded surrender option.

Source: KNUST
Farmers' Adoption of Soil Conservation Technologies: A Case Study from Osun State, Nigeria

The main objective of this study was to determine the attitude of farmers towards erosion and the adoption of appropriate soil conservation technologies (SCTs). For the survey, farmers were selected from the communities Esa Oke, Elwure and Owode-Ede and Akoda in Osun State in Nigeria. In the first three communities farmers did receive training on soil conservation in the fourth not. About 60 farmers were interviewed to obtain information on personal and socio economic characteristics, awareness of environmental problems, attitude towards erosion control and experiences with SCTs. Statistical data analyses (analyses of frequencies, correlation, t-test, x2-test) were made to examine possible relationships among parameters and the influence of factors on adoption. Most respondents were advanced in years, responsible for large households and characterized by low levels of income and literacy. Soil erosion was seen as a problem confronting agriculturalproduction only to a small extent. The adoption rate of SCTs was low, as only mulching, cover cropping, contour tillage and cut-off drainage were practised and often rejected. Low labour demand, the availability of common equipment, low costs of application, ease of practice andcompatibility with the existing farming system influenced adoption.The observed positive correlation between level of education, knowledge of appropriatetechnologies, farming experience and the number of SCTs adopted emphasizes the importance for farmers of education and training. Strengthening agricultural extension agencies for capacity building is an important tool for improving soil conservation in Nigeria. The paper clarifies with specific examples the causes of the low rates of adoption of available technologies, with a reduced impact of research and of efforts to achieve food security andsustainable production at village level

Source: KNUST
FARMERS’ PERCEPTION ABOUT QUALITY OF PLANTED SEED YAM AND THEIR PREFERENCES FOR CERTIFIED SEED YAM IN GHANA

The study examined the effect of farmers’ perception about the quality of seed yam typically used for cultivation on their preferences for certified seed yam. Heckman’s sample selectivity probit model was applied on survey data collected from 380 yam farmers. The study found that farmers generally agree that the use of certified seed yam would help to improve yield because of minimum to no disease/pest infestation. Farmers expressed their willingness to purchase certified seed yam if the price is about 26% higher than those supplied from the informal system in as much as the quality can be assured. The study found that farmer educational level, experience, access to extension services and household incomes were factors influencing farmers’ perception about quality of seed yam cultivated. Variables such as age, educational level and income were also found to be factors that influence farmers’ preference for certified seed yam. The results were similar for both Pona and other white yam varieties. The study recommends promotion of farmer education through increased access to extension services on seed quality assessment together with other agronomic practices including farmer field schools, to help improve their ability to assess the quality of seed yam obtained from other sources as well as increase their preference for certified seed yam.

Source: KNUST
Farmers’ perception and willingness-to-pay for urban waste compost in ghana

Major challenges arising from rapid urban growth in Africa concern urban food security and municipal waste management. Both challenges can be connected through waste composting. In fact, due to the high price of industrial fertilizer, organic waste stream products receive increasing attention as soil ameliorant especially for urban and pen-urban agriculture (UPA). The research study aimed at assessing the perception and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for composted solid and faecal waste among UPA farmers and other potential compost consumers in and around three major Ghanaian cities. It is based on the premise that a compost station can be established and pays for itself? Participatory Rural Appraisal and Contingent Valuation Methods (CVM) were used. Primary and Secondary data were used for the study. SPSS 10.0 was used in the analysis of the data. The analysis shows that despite, the conflicting signs for most of the predictor variables in the probit model. The application of the probit analysis reveals that the incomes, age, perceptions of compost quality, education of the farmers, were significant determinants of respondents’ responses to the WTP elicitation question. Concerning demand for compost in the study areas, the estimates suggest that under consideration of subsidies from the municipal authorities (i.e. if compost would be provided for free), the capacity of the compost stations would have to be in the order of 11,000 ty-1 (Kumasi), 5,000 ty-1 (Tamale) and l8,532 ty-1 (Accra) based on positive willingness to pay irrespective of reference price of compost. However, without subsidies, the effective demand for compost producers with farmers WTP at the reference price ($5USD) or more will be 940t per year in Kumasi, 1324 and 262 in Accra and Tamale respectively. In the case of Kumasi, using IWMI/KNUST pilot compost station as an example, it was interesting to note that, 38% of those farmers can pay at $5USD or more are all located in the pen-urban area (i.e. pen-urban vegetable farmers) and not among urban farmers who are used to cheap poultry manure. From the price and cost figures used in this study, there is no effective demand for compost unless and until someone (government) is willing to subsidies the price. Certain cost reduction options could be given the needed policy support if social and environmental benefits are viable or are considered by the city authorities.

Source: KNUST
Farmers’ perception of agroforestry adoption in the Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Farmers’ perception of agroforestry adoption is important for the promotion of agroforestry which was the focus for this study conducted in the Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Agroforestry is considered to have the potential to improve farming in the Asunafo South District. However, it has been observed that some problems are affecting the adoption of agroforestry in the district. The objectives of the study were to assess farmers’ perceptions of adopting agroforestry technologies, assess farmers’ preferences of indigenous trees suitable for agroforestry technologies and to identify the socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of agroforestry technologies in the district. The instruments used for collecting data from the 120 respondents were questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS), version 16. Chi-square was used to test variables at 5% level of significance. Results indicated that 64.2% of the 120 respondents had knowledge of agroforestry whiles 35.8% had no knowledge. Some farmers (37.1%) practice agroforestry whiles a greater percentage of farmers (62.9%) are not practicing it. Indigenous trees identified by farmers that could be incorporated into agroforestry technologies are Onyina (Ceiba pentandra), Otie (Pycnanthus angolensis), Bese (Cola nitida), Essa fufuo (Celtis mildbraedii), Ofram (Terminalia superba), Onyamedua (Alstonia boonei), Nyankyerene (Ficus exasperata) and Emire (Terminalia ivorensis). The major socio-economic factors affecting farmers decision to adopt agroforestry technologies include land tenure (42.3%), risk and uncertainty (20.6%), low level of education (28.0%) and market availability (9.1%). The study recommends adequate education for farmers to promote adoption of agroforestry technologies. In addition, secure land rights when enforced would enhance adoption of agroforestry technologies in the district.

Source: KNUST
Fashion House

The Association of fashion designers is under the kind patronage of the Ghana Export Promotion Council, Ghana Textile Products, V.LI.S.CO, a Dutch company and Akosombo Textiles limited in this pressing project. The request of the association of fashion designers for vatious spaces in its proposed premises is geared towards improving the local and International impact of Ghanaian fashion. CLIENTS BRIEF An indoor and an outdoor space for fashion shows An office for the administration of the facility. Shops for the display of designers work as advertisement. An indoor and an outdoor space for fashion shows November 1997, John Galliano a designer for Christian Dior, created a show staged in pt, under the patronage of the Egyptian first lady. This show was rife with themes from Egyptian mythology; Nerfetiti, Cleopatra, the pyramids and also concepts from the 4debele tribe of South Africa & it raised 4 million dollars for charity & tourism The super-model arena, over the past decade has had a distinct black presence. Ike (Ghana), Iman (Ethiopia), and Noarni Campbell (USA), are redefining traditional views on fashion. Chris Seydou the Senegalese originator, of the Bogolon fabric, Aiphadi the design genius is examples of Africa’s fashion resource. The awakening, of the fashion industry in Ghana, to its potential, has its roots in the works also of people like Casely Hayford, a designer for Princess Diana and Oswald Boateng of saville row fame also a designer in the upper echelons of a very discriminate European aristocracy. It is, against this backdrop, that the association of fashion designers in order to achieve a hold over a large potential markets internationally need machinery for trade exposes, orientation of trends and general publicity. These intentions require the framework of special considerations, hence the decision of the association to get its own premises.

Source: KNUST
Fast fourier transform (FFT) analysis on NDVI timesSeries for fssessment of vegetation patterns in Ghana

Time series analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery is a powerful tool in studying vegetation phenology in data scarce and inaccessible areas. Application of these datasets involves typically, per-pixel analysis of multi-temporal Vegetation Indices(VIs), which are frequently subject to high-frequency fluctuations (i.e. noise) caused by changing atmospheric conditions and varying sun-sensor-surface geometries...

Source: KNUST
Farmers’ willingness to pay for environmental services on farmlands and implications for resource governance in Sene East District, Ghana

Farmers’ ability to provide environmental services on farmlands is undermined by poor governance of agro-ecosystems. This study analyses farmers’ willingness to pay for environmental services through integrating timber trees on farmlands and the required institutional structures and governance arrangements to support the integration. The study was conducted in the Sene East District of Ghana, where a total of 177 farmers were selected from six communities using stratified and simple random sampling. Informal interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire to gather information on farmers’ willingness to pay for environmental services and other bio-data by means of the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). It was found that Forest Service Division (FSD) hardly carries out its monitoring and supervisory roles in the study area and majority of farmers set fire at the roots of timber trees as opposed to weeding around fruit trees. The study identified tree ownership problems, activities of illegal chainsaw operators, lack of accountability in timber revenue disbursement and weak policies to be the major reasons why farmers destroy timber trees on farmlands. It was observed from the study that, 59% of farmers were willing to pay for provision of environmental services through integrating timber trees on farmlands. However, the multiple regression results show that gender, age, educational status, access to land and farmers’ perception of climate change are significant variables influencing farmers’ willingness to pay for provision of environmental services. Based on the above results, the study suggest that favourable land tenure systems, equitable benefit sharing, accountability in timber revenue disbursement, enforceable forestry laws and policies are vital to the provision of environmental services on farmlands as well as good governance of agro-ecosystems. Keywords: Agro-ecosystem, environmental services, willingness-to-pay, institutional structures, resource governance, REDD+.

Source: KNUST
FEASIBILITY OF ABSTINENCE AS A PREVENTIVE STRATEGY FOR HIV/AIDS CONTROL IN THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT COMMUNITY IN KUMASI, GHANA

HIV is spreading and the youth bear the brunt of its onslaught. Though abstinence until marriage is thought to be the most effective method of HIV prevention for the youth, others think it is ineffec tive. This study assessed the feasibility of abstinence in preventing HIV/AIDS spread among terti ary students of the KNUST. Study type was non- interventional, descriptive and design current cross- sectional. Study participants were selected by stratified sampling, followed by systematic sam pling. A total of 300 participants were sampled. Seventy nine (79%) (95% CI, 73.9-83.8) said STIs could be avoided by abstaining from sex. Ninety six (96%) (95% CI, 93.5-98.3%) said HIV could be acquired via sex. Ninety six (96%) (95% CI, 93.8- 98.5%) of those who said HIV could be avoided said it could be done by abstaining from sex. Seventy two (72%) were of the view that sex should start only after marriage. Sixty nine 69% (95% CI, 63.3-74.4%) said they would wait till after mar riage to involve in sex. Sixty seven (67%) (95% CI, 60.7- 72.1%) were encouraged by peers to ab stain from sex, Seventy four (74%) (95% CI, 68.5- 79.1%) thought colleagues their age had pre marital sex and 28% (95% CI, 22.5- 33.4%) said they were pressured to have sex. Thirty one (31%) (95% CI, 25.6- 36.7%) of respondents were sexually experienced. There is the general view that HIV/AIDS spread among the youth can be reduced by abstaining from sex until marriage and that abstinence could and should be encouraged as a preventive strategy for HIV/AIDS

Source: KNUST
Feasibility of Electronic Health Information and Surveillance System (eHISS) for disease symptom monitoring: A case of rural Ghana

Introduction The current surge of mobile phone use in many African countries creates the opportunity to provide caregivers with limited access to the health care system with vital health recommen dations. At the same time such communication system can be utilised to collect tempero spatial data on disease symptoms. Objective We assessed the feasibility of an mHealth system among caregivers with children under five years, designed as a health information and surveillance tool in a rural district of Ghana. Methods A mobile phone-based electronic health information and surveillance system was piloted from February to December 2015. Toll-free numbers were provided to 1446 caregivers, which they could call to receive health advice in case their children showed disease symp toms. The system was setup to evaluate the illness of a sick child. Symptoms reported via the system were evaluated and compared to clinician’s report after follow-up. Cogency of the reported symptoms was assessed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Results A total of 169 children with disease symptoms were identified based on phone calls from caregivers. The predominant reported symptoms were fever (64%; n = 108), cough (55%; n = 93) and diarrhoea (33%; n = 55). Temporal pattern of symptomatic cases revealed a peak saturation in the month of September, with fever registering the highest number of symptoms observed. Reported symptoms and clinician’s report revealed a very good

Source: KNUST
Feasibility of using solar Pv and light emitting diodes (Leds) for street-lights in Ghana: A case study of Wenchi Municipality

Most of the street lights in Ghana uses high pressure sodium vapor lamps and bulbs running from the national grid to light the street. The streetlight energy consumption in Ghana rose from 31 GWh in 2000 to 274 GWh in 2011 which translate to about $32,880,000 using an end user tariff of $0.12 /kWh. Even though there has been a steady and systematic increase in electricity rates over the years, the current street lighting levy of 0. 5% per unit electricity consumed by customer and government subsidy of 1.7% is not adequate to cover the payment of maintenance and the energy bills due to street lights. The main purpose of this research is to determine the technical possibilities and benefits of using Solar Energy through the combination of photovoltaic cells and Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights to power streetlights in Ghana. The cost involved in purchasing the equipment and maintaining a solar-powered/LED system are linked with the cost of using electricity to run grid connected street lights. The project concentrated on the feasibility of using solar energy to power the lights in the area surrounding Wenchi Municipal Assembly. The findings had to be consistent with merit of converting new areas to independent solar powered lighting and Light Emitting Diode (LED) systems. An economic analysis is also conducted to determine if the project is cost effective. The project also considered the amount of savings in the form of energy, Greenhouse Gas emission reduction the technology would bring if found to be technically viable. The research found out that though the initial cost of implementing the solar street light is higher than the traditional street lights, the final result in the long run makes the technology viable. The research considered 300 lamps and concluded that after 25 years of uses, solar street lights additionally makes savings at the end of the design life alongside the savings of energy for the national grid. The project pays for itself at the end of the seventh (7) year. It also saves the environment by preventing 2,312 tons of CO2 that would have been produced by the grid connected street lights.

Source: KNUST
Feasibility studies on the use of activated clays as coagulants / coagulant aids for water treatment

Three clay samples (from Asokwa, Kasi and Mfensi in the Ashanti Region) have been studied for their possible use as coagulants / coagulant aids in the treatment of water. Before use, each clay sample had a portion of it heat activated and another portion acid activated. Each activated clay was used for treatment of raw water samples from Barikese. The water samples were similarly treated with alum to serve as a control test. The changes in colour, turbidity, pH, iron, chromium, manganese, faecal and total coliform content were then monitored. All the acid activated clays performed well as coagulants. However, the heat activated clays did not give any encouraging results. 10% acid activated Asokwa clay sample (AAA 10) was the best coagulant among the treated clay samples. It gave comparable results in colour, turbidity, and iron reductions as alum. AAA10 reduced colour and turbidity by 95% and 88.9% respectively. The effective pH range for optimum performance of AAA10 was 4.5 — 7.0 as compared to 5.5 — 7.5 for alum. AAA1 0 significantly reduced the pH of the water, thus the final pH at the optimal dosage of 8g/1 was 4.9. Furthermore a reduction of 93 and 100% in faecal and total coliform were recorded. Iron and chromium removals were 62.5 and 50% respectively and a settling time of 25mm was recorded. A major demerit of AAA10 was that the sludge produced was about 100 times that of alum. All the treated clays performed as coagulants aids. The heat activated clay samples performed better as coagulant aids, however, their capacity to remove heavy metals were lower. Therefore, 10% acid activated Asokwa clay sample (AAA10) was again the best coagulant aid among the treated clay samples. Using AAA10 as coagulant aid, high reductions in colour, turbidity, iron and chromium were obtained (colour- 95%, turbidity- 88.9%, iron-100%, chromium- 100%). Also a reduction of 85.8 and 100% in faecal and total coliform were obtained respectively. The effective pH range for optimum performance of AAA 10 as coagulant aid was 5.5 — 9.5. An optimal dosage of 0.065g/l of alum with 0.lg/l AAA10 as coagulant aid was obtained at a pH of 6.68. A settling time of 40mm was recorded, however the sludge produced was about twice that of alum. This study has therefore revealed that activated clays are technically feasible for the treatment of surface water.

Source: KNUST
A feasibility study for planning on erosion control and drainage management for rural poverty alleviation

One of the most difficult tasks facing the central government of Ghana on the issue of rural housing is its quest to provide a long-term intervention against the collapse of rural houses due to erosion. The goal of the study is to provide basic information that will serve as the basis for effective planning on erosion control and drainage management for rural poverty alleviation. Objectives set to answer this goal were investigating the dimension of the problem in Mankranso (case study area) and cost of mitigation, investigating the impact of erosion on public health of study area, determining the socioeconomic interest of households to embark upon ECDMP, and based on the mentioned objectives, determine the financial feasibility of the ECDMP. The methodology comprised the gathering of data using desk study. interviews, administering of survey questionnaires, observations and site photograph of defects, analyzing the field data collected and writing of this report. Simple numerical and statistical methods were used for data analysis. Graphical presentations and in some instances tables were used to explain trends of results. The study was able to establish that the prevalence of malaria in the study area is linked to the erosion problem. It furthermore revealed that an annual amount close to 33 million may be saved on medication of malaria in the study area if the project is implemented, well operated and maintained. There was an encouraging level of socioeconomic interest by households to embark upon the ECDMP. Assessment of financial feasibility of ECDMP for the standpoint of community showed that it is feasible. Revelations obtained from this feasibility analysis suggests to anyone the importance of such a study for planning on the ECDMP and may therefore become the necessary impetus that should precede the master plan for ECDMP. The fact that it offers tremendous savings over its service life makes it crucial as an intervention for alleviating poverty. It is also essential to raise the effectiveness of the project by educating the rural settlers to desist from their usual practice of constant weeding and sweeping that enhances the erosion phenomenon.

Source: KNUST