ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Optimal Location of an Additional Hospital in Ejura – Sekyedumase District (A Conditional P – Median Problem)

This dissertation focuses mainly on conditional facility location problems on a network. In this thesis we discuss the conditional p – median problem on a network. Demand nodes are served by the closest facility whether existing or new.The thesis considers the problem of locating a hospital facility (semi – obnoxious facility) as a conditional p – median problem, thus some existing facilities are already located in the district.This thesis uses a new a new formulation algorithm for for the conditional p- median problem on a network which was developed by Oded Berman and Zvi Drezner (2008) to locate an additional hospital in Ejura – Sekyedumase district. A 25 – node network which had four existing hospital was used. The result indicated that additional hospital should be located at Frante (node 7) with an optimal objective function value of 113252. The additional facility at Frante will largely help reduce the pressure on the existing hospitals and improved the quality of service.

Source: KNUST
Optimal Location of a Hospital Facility (Case study: Amansie West District)

The problem of locating a facility on a network to optimize certain objective criteria has been object in the past few years of growing interest for its relevance in the context of minimizing maximum travel distance between demand nodes. This thesis considers the problem of locating a semi-obnoxious facility (hospital) as a p-center problem under the condition that some existing facilities are already located in the Amansie –West District. The Berman and Drezner (2008) method was used on a 12-node network which had four existing facilities. A new facility location was added. Three sites, namely Manso Atwere, Antoakrom and Moseaso were determined by the method. Factor rating analysis was used to select Antoakrom and the distance of the farthest patient to the hospital at the new location (Antoakrom) was determined to be 8km.

Source: KNUST
Optimal Location of Mobile Telecommunication Masts. A Case Study of Cape Coast Metropolitan Area

Locating a set of facilities (resources) in order to minimize the cost of satisfying some set of demands (of customers) with respect to some constraints has been under study for a long time. Several location problems have been solved using a number of mathematical models and methods. In this thesis, a determination of optimum location of Mobile Telecommunication masts owned by mobile service providers in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area was under study. The general layout of siting telecommunication mast is based on transmission and receiving conditions. The proliferation of masts across our landscapes nowadays has been in direct response to increased desire for mobile communication services by the public. In order to prevent chaotic building of masts or towers all over the metropolis and to placate the citizenry who are nervous about possible health and environmental impact of these masts, co-location has been widely recommended by industry experts. A number of location strategies such as Centroid Method, Location Break-even Analysis, Factor Rating and Factor Analysis were observed by the researcher. Factor Rating method was adopted to solve this problem. The goal of Factor Rating is for a mobile service provider to be able to carefully derive the maximum benefit that can be used to achieve the company’s objectives by considering all relevant factors involved in deciding to site a mast. Following the strict implementation of factor rating method on mast locations in the Cape Coast metropolitan area by five mobile service providers, optimal locations were discovered. Based on findings, propositions which can be inferred include; relocation of existing mast, mounting of additional telecommunication equipments on existing mast, sharing of telecommunication infrastructure, outsourcing of tower and mast management to third party companies, and finally, consideration for co-location by telecom companies.

Source: KNUST
Optimal Location of Additional Hospital Facility in Berekum Municipality

Locating a facility (resources) in order to minimize the cost of satisfying some set of demands (customers) with respect to some constraints has been under study for a long time. Several location problems have been solved using a number of mathematical models and methods. In this thesis, a determination of optimal location of additional hospital in Berekum municipality was under study. This thesis therefore considers the problem of locating a hospital facility as a – centre problem under the condition that there are some existing facilities already located in the Berekum Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region. Berman and Drezner (2008) method was used on 19 – nodes network which had seven existing hospital facilities at Berekum, Akroforo, Namasua Abisaase, Koraso, Mpatasie, and Jininjini. An additional hospital facility using Berman and Drezner (2008) should be located at Nsapor with an objective function value of 5. The objective function value of 5 implies that the minimum distance travelled by the farthest patient to the new facility at Nsapor and any other health care centre is 5 kilometers.

Source: KNUST
Optimal location of semi-obnoxious facility (Case study: location of student clinic with an ambulance at KNUST)

This thesis seeks to locate students’ clinic at a central position among the students’ halls on the KNUST campus. The problem was considered to be a semi-obnoxious facility location problem and modelled as a Robust 1-center problem on a general network with demand weights. Robust 1-centre problem seeks to minimize the maximum weighted distance necessary for students to access the student clinic. We focus on the halls of residence and population at the hall spanning over three academic years. We collected data on the road distance between the halls of residence together with total student population at the halls of residence on KNUST campus. We developed a solution approach based on the decomposition of the network into basic intervals. We employ some methods of solution including the Floyd Warshal, Local Centre and Regret Analysis, to enable us find a location to place the student clinic. In the end, our method found a location on the road link between Republic Hall and Independence Hall at a distance 105m from Republic hall. The maximum weighted distance from the facility to the farthest node is 1,553,043 metres.

Source: KNUST
An optimal model for the ultimate water-use goals in the Kumasi Metropolis

This thesis is designed to model a water Treatment problem and forms part of an on-going project to apply optimisation technic1ues to real-life firms in Ghana to obtain quantitative answers to questions concerning such situations, to help improve efficiency and quality of the environment. The thesis examines the current water treatment operations of the Barekese Water Headwork’s of the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (G.W.S.C), proposes a drinking-water quality target for colour, pH and residual chlorine for adoption and attainment in treated water at the plant, and tries to determine the optimal costs that could be needed to achieve the proposed ( high) quality target for treating 330 million gallons of raw water (as a unit volume) abstracted from the Barekese Dam monthly during the Wet and Dry periods of the year. The study considers that colour, pH and pathogens are the water-quality parameters of concern in the raw water. It further assumes that money spent on procuring water treatment inputs is the only source of treatment cost to the Headwork’s. Thus administrative, operational and maintenance costs are not included in the model. The Simplex Method for linear programming techniques was used to solve the separate problems for each period. It was found out that, averagely, the proposed (high) drinking water quality target if adopted, the overall attainment in a unit volume of raw water abstracted from the Dam, will cost the G.W.S.C. no more than they are currently spending in each month of each period, if optimisation techniques are applied. It was therefore recommended that the proposed drinking water quality target be adopted as working quality criteria at the Barekese Headwork’s, since on average, this quality describes a safer drinking-water compared to the current quality.

Source: KNUST
Optimal Location of Semi-Obnoxious Facility Case Study: Location of a Hospital at Adansi North District

This thesis seeks to locate a hospital at a central position of the Adansi North District. The problem was considered to be a semi-obnoxious facility location problem and modeled as an absolute 1-centre problem on a general network with demand weights. Absolute 1-centre problem seeks to minimize the maximum weighted distance necessary for the people to access the hospital. I focus on the sub-districts and population at the sub-districts spanning over three years. I collected data on the road distance between the sub-districts together with the total peoples population at the Adansi North District. I developed a solution approach based on the decomposition of the network into intervals. I employ some methods of solution including the Floyd Warshall, Local Centre and Regret Analysis, to enable me find a location to place the hospital. In the end, my method found a location on the road link exactly 4000m from Asokwa to Fomena. The minimum weighted distance from the facility to the farthest node is 603668000m.

Source: KNUST
Optimal Pipeline Connection for the Water Supply System in the Kwahu South District of Ghana

Water supply is becoming more than a challenge with increasing demand due to the increase in population. Various interventionist approaches have been adopted including boreholes. In this thesis, a mathematical model for finding a minimum spanning tree length was used to determine an optimal pipeline connection for the water supply system in the Kwahu South District of Ghana. The study found out the possible implications of the minimum spanning tree length on the cost of water supply in the Kwahu South District. The distances between the nodal towns were thus determined to estimate the lengths of the pipelines required. The data was arranged in a matrix form and the Prim’s algorithm applied to the data. The study revealed that the total minimum length of pipelines required to supply the captured nodal towns is fifty-two (52) kilometres. The study also showed that with this minimum spanning tree length, the total cost of procuring pipelines would be significantly reduced. This consequently will make resources available for other productive ventures in the water treatment sector.

Source: KNUST
Optimal open pit planning and design

This work does not presume to unearth and solve a new problem. It is a critical evaluation of a genuine normal mining problem: it takes a look at a mineral reserve that has sound prospects for good economic returns but is beset by serious geological and technological hindrances. In solving these problems, this work seeks to map out in salient fashion the steps that must be taken to accomplish the shareholder’s objective in the development of a practical mining design. In this project, Surpac Mining Software is used to erect a geologic (block) model of a small part of the Pepe Hill deposit on the concession of Gold Fields Ghana Limited in Tarkwa. That part of the deposit is then optimised for open pit mining, using Whittle Four-D Optimiser. Analysis of the Whittle optimisation is done, and an optimal pit is selected on the basis of maximum economic returns, using the Net Present Value as a criterion. An attempt is also made to incorporate in the choice the stability (relative insensitivity) of the optimal pit to nose-diving gold prices. The product of the Whittle optimisation and analysis is used as shells around which a detailed pit design is done.

Source: KNUST
Optimal portfolio selection (a case study of Ghana Stock Exchange)

The knapsack model is employed in many fields of study including Business, Engineering and Economics to solve problems related to resource constraints. The knapsack problem is a form of integer programming problem that has only one constraint and can be used to strengthen cutting planes for general integer programs. These facts make the studies of the knapsack problems and their variants extremely important area of research in the field of operations research. This thesis seeks to apply the branch-and-bound algorithm to construct an optimal portfolio from the listed shares on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) in the model of the 0-1 knapsack problem. This paper will among other things seek to contribute to making the financial market efficient with particular reference to accessing information of listed companies. The paper will also consider the factors to note when forming a portfolio and its capitalization. The model developed could be adopted for decision making in choosing shares for the optimal portfolio. In the end, we form a portfolio from the listed shares on the Ghana Stock Exchange using the concept of the 0-1 knapsack model to see if we will obtain a good return on our investment. All listed shares of the GSE were considered and it proved out that AADS, ACI, AYRTN, CAL, CMLT, CPC, ETI, GCB and GOIL shares should be selected to obtain an optimum output and recommend that Knapsack problem model should be adopted by fund managers and other financial market players.

Source: KNUST
Optimal Portfolio Selection: An empirical study of SIC Insurance Company’s Investments

Numerous intelligent systems techniques have been used to select an optimal investment portfolio. These techniques take into consideration the return and the risk of each asset in order to build the best portfolio. This research sets up to evaluate the investment performance of SIC portfolio through optimal portfolio selection. The research identifies specifically the overall investment objective of SIC, its assets selection, the portfolio mix and to evaluate their overall portfolio performance using the Sharpe,Treynor and Jensen Alpha models. The research methodology dwells on functionalist philosophy using a case study as research strategy. It uses the inductive approach to help provide new insights into optimal portfolio selection process. The triangulation method was also used to validate the data and quantitative techniques was used for the analysis. The paper finds out that, SIC Insurance has not been able to make strides expected from their investment management although their returns look good. Application of the Sharpe, Treynor and Jensen Alpha indicates that the performance of the portfolio is below the market index and therefore there is a need to look at the selection procedure. The ability of SIC to undertake good research in order to add value to their various investments may be a key decision in optimal portfolio selection. The work revealed that measurement and management of risk is a central issue in finance and a huge effort must be made in order to analyse it. It concluded by making a number of recommendations that asset allocation should be the mix of asset classes that promises the highest long-term expected investment return. There is therefore a need to examine investment behavior from the overall risky asset composition.

Source: KNUST
An Optimal Portfolio Selection of Epack Mutual Fund, Case Study: Databank Financial Services Limited

Risk plays a very important role in the decision-making process for both investors and companies. It is important that the level of risk associated with investment be quantified so that investors would be able to manage or control it. The main objective of the study is to efficiently allocate funds to assets of Epack portfolio and quantify the risk associated with it by using Konno and Yamazaki model. Databank financial services limited was selected for the case study. Its annual report of Epack mutual fund from 2000 to 2009 was collected for the analysis. The study showed that an amount of GH¢25,998.48 should be allocated to Enterprise Insurance(EI), GH¢55,357.71 to Fan milk(FAM) GH¢18,643.81 to Aluworks(ALM) and no amount to Standard Chartered Bank(SCB), Guinness Ghana Ltd(GGL), Social Security Bank(SSB) and Unilever Ghana limited(UG). In the process the risk is reduced by GH¢37,908.69. According to the study, it is highly recommended that more resources should be allocated to Fan milk which forms part of consumable assets and little or no amount to the banks.

Source: KNUST
Optimal production of potable water case study: Agona Swedru - Ghana water company limited (GWCL)

Water is a constrained natural resource and in many areas of the Planet water shortage is considered to be possibly the most critical issue to be resolved. Water supply chain management and optimization are evolving as the most difficult and urgent problems, since the water demand and availability vary significantly with time. This makes it necessary to reflect upon the long term viability of some of the approaches advocated and their challenges. More specifically, the basic idea of the research is the development and implementation of a beneficial mathematical model using linear programming and the effect level of inputs on the mode in order to optimize the total water value. The collection and analysis of data using optimization techniques from the Kwanyaku Headworks took eight month. The research identified regular power outage leading to high cost of maintenance, electricity cost, chemical cost, capacity of low and high pumps and labour among others as the reasons for the irregular and expensive cost of water treatment to Swedru and its environs. However chemical cost, electricity cost and extra-duty cost (labour) are the major factors influencing water treatment. An estimated cost used in the research revealed a 7.12% less the treatment cost in the same volume of water (746,520m3 ) in the dry season and13.15% less the treatment cost in the same volume of water (787,285.716m3) in the wet season.

Source: KNUST
Optimal production planning and scheduling, case study: Guinness Ghana Brewery Limited, Kumasi

Effective production planning and scheduling is paramount to the success of every manufacturing company. Regardless of your manufacturing industry, finding the best way to purchase, allocate and utilize your production resources to efficiently satisfy your customers while minimizing cost is a constant challenge. But without the right production planning and scheduling solution, it is near impossible. With the aid of computer software, a new approach makes it easier to bring out the basic principles involve and lead to a simple solution with respect to the manual iterations. This project seeks to avoid common problems such as high inventory levels, poor customer delivery times, low yield, high scrap and inefficient usage of capacity and production capabilities. With the use of TORA computer software, the company can use a tactical production planning to manage real-time interaction between sales, planning and production and maintain low inventory while promising realistic delivery dates to keep their customers satisfied to save money and resources. The production was modelled as a balanced transportation problem and solved using computer software TORA to obtain the optimal production plan. The results from the analysis showed that overtime production is not necessarily throughout the year but should apply effective planning and scheduling to their production activities to ensure optimum output. The main aim is to maximize profit and minimize cost in a more convenient approach than the tedious calculations of the three main methods, Northwest Corner Rule, Least Cost and the Vogel approximation method (VAM) involved in transportation.

Source: KNUST
An optimal production schedule for a poultry farm based in the Greater Accra Region

This thesis is designed to model Production Schedule Problems and forms part of an ongoing project to apply optimization techniques to the operations of real life poultry farm problems in Ghana to help improve their efficiency. The main aim of the study is to determine the optimum production and sale of feed mix, fertile eggs and poultry birds of the farm subject to limitations of Market, Machine, Labour and Storage Capacities based on a sound conceptual understanding of the role that quantitative methods plays in the decision making process. A linear programming model which is one of the quantitative analysis techniques was developed and the Simplex Method used to solve the problems. It was found out that the optimal profit for each department of the poultry farm operating separately was more than the profits that the farm realizes in its operations. We therefore draw the conclusion that each of the departments could improve its operation by applying quantitative analysis, such as a linear programming model to schedule production in order to make the best possible decision.

Source: KNUST
Optimal production scheduling, case study: Guiness Ghana Brewery limited, Kumasi

As Production systems expand, there is a tendency for the scheduling activities to become complex, or at least more demanding with respect to the time required for their performance Previous production scheduling involves complicated iterative procedures. A new approach brings out the basic principle involved and leads to a simple solution. Production of a given commodity is to be scheduled for a regular and capacity to meet known future requirements while minimizing total production and inventory costs. For the objective function, I intend to find the optimum production schedule by minimizing the total production and inventory cost calculated through the production schedules of orders. The Northwest Corner Rule, the Least Cost Method, and the Vogel’s Approximation Method (VAM) were used to obtain an initial basic feasible solution (bfs). Improving solution to optimality was carried out using The Modified Distribution Method (MODI). The production was modelled as a balanced transportation problem and solved using an excel solver to obtain the optimal production schedule and the results reported. Results from the analysis indicated that the company need not carry out overtime production throughout the year but should apply scheduling to their production activities to ensure cost reduction, optimum utilization of capacity, proper inventory control management, overall quality output and above all optimality.

Source: KNUST
Optimal Production Schedule: A Case Study of Pioneer Food Cannery Limited

Production scheduling is a decision-making process that is used in manufacturing and service industries to achieve efficiency and minimize production cost. This study presents a production scheduling problem and its optimal solution for Pioneer Food Cannery, a manufacturing firm based in Tema, Ghana. The objective of the study is to determine the quantity of goods to produce in a given time period that will minimize total production cost of the company. A capacity data for one financial year was collected from the company for the study. The production problem was modeled as a transportation problem and the QM software for windows was used to solve the problem to optimality. The results showed that the firm could have reduced the production cost for the year under review and still meets its demands. It is recommended to the management of Pioneer Food Cannery Limited to use the model to determine its optimum level of production necessary to meet a given demand at a minimum cost.

Source: KNUST