ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Performance of Pona and Afebetoyen yam cultivars in two improved storage structures in the Yendi Municipality

Two improved prototype storage barns (circular and rectangular) were constructed by the Improved Yam Storage for Food Security and Income Project (IYSFSIP) at Zang community in the Yendi Municipality to store white yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata) for a period of four months. The objectives of the study were to determine sprouting rate, weight loss, rotting, shelf life and dormancy rate of two cultivars (Pona and Afebetoyen). It was found out that, the circular barn performed better than the rectangular one as it recorded average temperatures of 30.6 °C and 31.1 °C respectively with ambient temperature of 31.8 °C. Average relative humidity recorded in the circular barn was 52.1 % as against 53.7 % in the rectangular barn and ambient relative humidity was 53.4 %. Pona recorded averagely 31.5 % sprouting to Afebetoyen tubers which recorded 50.8 % in the circular barn, in the rectangular barn the reverse occurred; Pona recorded averagely 57 % against 51 % for Afebetoyen. Averagely 4.2 % of Pona got rotten as against 1.3 % for Afebetoyen in the circular barn. In the rectangular barn, the average amount of Pona that got rotten was 1.7 % and Afebetoyen was 2.10 %. Weight loss recorded 7.1 % averagely in Pona as against 7.8 % for Afebetoyen in the circular barn. However, in the rectangular barn both cultivars (Pona and Afebetoyen) recorded 8.9 %. Pona sprouts recorded 2.1 % and 0.94 % for Afebetoyen in the circular barn. In the rectangular barn, sprouts in Pona an average of 2.1 % against 1.2 % for sprouts of Afebetoyen. There was no recorded incidence of pest/rodent attack on any of the tubers in the two barns for the entire storage period. However it was observed that, the rectangular barn performed better than the circular barn in controlling tuber rot.

Source: KNUST
Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed Water and Urea Treated Neem (Azadirachta indica) Kernel Cake as Protein Supplements

In a study to evaluate the performance of broiler birds fed graded levels of water and urea-treated neem kernel cake (NKC), three hundred (300) day-old commercial broiler chickens (Cobb, 500) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments for 56 days. Each treatment was replicated thrice in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and where the analysis indicated significant treatment effect, the means were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (1995). Water and feed were given ad-libitum. Major parameters measured included: feed intake, water intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio carcass characteristics and biochemical and haematological qualities of the blood. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous to replace soya bean meal at 0% NKC, 5% WNKC, 10% WNKC, 5% WUNKC and 10% WUNKC for diets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. The results showed that Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average body weight gain (ABWG), average daily water intake (ADWI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed cost/kg live weight were significantly (p<0.05) different across dietary treatments, while the water/feed intake ratio did not show any significant (p>0.05) difference. Broilers fed the 0% NKC (control) diet had ADFI, ABWG, ADWI and feed cost/kg live weight values which were significantly (P<0.05) better than the birds on the 5% and 10% NKC diets. Results on carcass parameters were also significantly (p<0.05) different among the dietary treatments. Liver, gizzard, heart and intestinal weights of birds on the test diets were significantly (p<0.05) heavier than those on the control diet. With the exception of the red blood cell (RBC), globulin and total protein, all the haematological and biochemical parameters measured were not significantly (p>0.05) different across the dietary treatments. Economics of production revealed that a profit/bird on the control diet was GH¢5.20 as against GH¢3.39, GH¢1.14, GH¢2.76 and GH¢0.99 for birds on 5% WNKC, 10% WNKC, 5% WUNKC and 10% WUNKC. Values registered for birds fed the 5% inclusion levels of the NKC diets on average final body weight and water intake were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those which were on the 10% inclusion levels. It is therefore suggested that replacing soya bean meal with NKC at the inclusion levels used in this study may have a deleterious effect on growth performance of the birds and will also, not be cost effective.

Source: KNUST
Performance of District Assembly Consultants on Common Fund Projects Based on Iso 9000 Quality Management Systems

The quality of service delivered by consultants has not been a subject of thorough investigation because clients have underestimated the impact of substandard consultancy service to the success of a construction project. Many of the problems in construction can be traced to consultants. Consultants supervise projects on behalf of most District Assemblies in Ghana. Evaluation of project consultants is a means of ensuring that consultants are aware of their performance for continuous improvement. ISO 9000QMS certification guarantees benefits to both client and consultants. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of District Assembly project consultants. In order to assess the performance of consultant, a list of roles of building consultants developed by Hong Kong Housing Authority, a public agent in Hong Kong was adopted as the roles of consultants. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 80 District Assemblies by post and in person. An incremental scale was developed, system of weights and rating was used to assess the importance of each role. Results showed that District Assemblies considered design solution, presentation of drawings, quality of tender documents, tender evaluation, supervision of contractors and quality of end product, final measurement and final account the most important roles of consultants within the list of roles used as the evaluation criteria. District Assemblies were of the opinion that consultants performed well in their recommendations, reports, design quality of tender documents, tender evaluation, handling of claims and final measurements. District Assemblies were also of the view that consultants performed poorly in their final drawings, presentation of drawings, collection of information during the design phase and cost estimates during design and construction phase. Overall, consultants achieved a slightly above average performance composite mark of 62%. Results also showed that of the documented benefits of ISO 9000 implementation, increasing accuracy of project budget estimation, saving cost, promoting communication with client, meeting clients’ deadline and reducing time for responding to queries were considered important by the District Assemblies. There was also a significant difference in the expected benefits of ISO 9000 implementation and the level of benefits achieved from consultants.

Source: KNUST
The Performance of High Rise Building in Ghana Perspective of the Occupants

According to the International Building Code and the Building Construction and Safety Code, high-rise buildings are buildings of 75 feet or greater in height measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupiable story. In Ghana, high-rise buildings increase in number every year and the most common high rise buildings are the commercial ones, but recently investors have turned part of their attention to residential high rise buildings which is also on the increase and for that matter the focus of this study. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of high rise living upon residents’ satisfaction. The study specifically attempts to determine the important benefits of living in high rise buildings, to determine the critical challenges faced by residents of high rise buildings, to determine the level of satisfaction of occupants of high rise buildings and to make recommendations to improve on present and future high building schemes. In achieving the objectives of this paper, the survey design was chosen. The target population involved all occupants of residential high rise building with a convenient sample of 65 respondents selected randomly to participate. The structured questionnaire was used to collect views from respondents and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyse the data. The study found that despite the challenges occupants faced with high living, occupants were generally satisfied and also enjoyed the benefits of privacy and luxury living. The study however, ended with some recommendations such as providing inlet breeching water machines to pump water to the upper floors and to also serve as underground water backup system, efficient standby plant, public education and many others.

Source: KNUST
Performance Measure of Value at Risk Using Monte Carlo Approach and Historical Simulation

Value at risk (VaR) is a management tool for measuring and controlling risk. Individual and institutional investors rely their investment decisions increasingly on the risk inherent in a security. In this theses, calculating of VaR are implemented using Historical Simulation and Monte Carlo approach on stock portfolio. Di erent Values of con dence levels are also used for each of the method. The study is conducted on six fundamentally di erent stocks. Data on daily prices on collected for a period of eight years (2007-2014) for all stocks assets and their corresponding log returns calculated. From our analysis, Monte-carlo Simulation had an optimal values of VaR as compared to Historical simulation in both the VaR 95% and VaR 99% con dence levels. Nonetheless, the VaR 95% has the highest simulation time.

Source: KNUST
Performance of evaluattion of AngloGold Wastewater Treatment Plant (PWTP) Obuasi Mine Ashanti Region

The study focused on the evaluation of the AngloGold wastewater treatment plant for the removal of Arsenic and Cyanide located at Sulphide Treatment Plant,(STP). The company's Tailings waste generated and discharged annually is estimated to be about 2,483,815 tons, they constitute about 80% of As and CN.

Source: KNUST
Performance measurement system in the health delivery at Eastern Regional Medical Stores.

Health systems are complex entities with different stakeholders that are related by accountability relationships. The measurement of performance is to aid hold the different entities to account by enabling these stakeholders to make informed decisions. The researcher therefore found it interesting and necessary to evaluate the effective implementation of performance measurement systems in the health delivery system at the Eastern Regional medical stores. The research data was collected from the staff of the Eastern Regional Medical Stores, customers and face-face interview was carried out. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments was used. This study revealed some indicators that enhance the implementation of performance measurement systems which included; ability to test the quality of products and service on time, adherence to quality standards by clients and health facilities, time frame for the placement of order at the Eastern Regional Medical stores and on time delivery of items in relation to the total number of deliveries recorded among others. Indications from the study showed that the implementation of the performance system is faced with challenges that comprise the inability to meet the demands of client and health facilities, coupled with the inability of clients to make payment on time and prompt payment of claims to health facilities by insurance providers as indicated by more than 40% of the respondents to impede the performance measurement systems. Another major challenge that impedes the performance measurement system was the poor working relationship with health facilities and suppliers as indicated by 47.8% of the respondents. Furthermore, data collection has become reliable and development of schedule delivery itinerary for all other health facilities has also become effective with the use of systems for performance measurement. In addition, proper and efficient systems to monitor the movement of goods and proper establishment of baseline were indicated to be mostly true success for the adoption of systems for performance measurement. The challenges expressed by the respondents need to be addressed through the adoption of effective performance measurement systems with appropriate enforcement mechanism. From the study, it is recommended that staff education on performance measurement system and enforcement of legislations should be intensified. Also, e-procurement, information technologies as well as the integration of supply chain management process should be intensified to meet the needs of their facilities and to help achieve effective implementation performance measurement systems in both public and private sector.

Source: KNUST
Performance of IPOs on the Ghana Stock Exchange

The study sort to determine the short run and long run price performance of IPOs on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Data was collected from the Ghana Stock exchange, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bank of Ghana. Initial returns are calculated where the "event period is the closing price on the first full trading day after the IPO is floated on the Jexchange. 3 year buy-and-hold returns are calculated for a sample of initial public offerings IpPOs) on the Ghana Stock Exchange in order to test the robustness of earlier results which suggest that IPOs deliver abnormally low long-run returns. A bootstrapped and skew- adjusted t statistic is employed. Overall, there is little evidence of significant abnormal long- mn performance. Further tests reveal that the financial institution IPOs experienced by far the highest initial returns and their long-run abnormal performance was also significant. This may be the result of chance, or alternatively the sector may offer an isolated area of empirical support for theories of irrational stock market behaviour.

Source: KNUST
Performance of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly Contractors on Construction Projects Based 0n ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems

The subject of performance in recent time has being of interest to all. However, the performance of project contractors at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA) level in Ghana has not been thoroughly investigated. Most of the quality problems faced by the client can be attributed to the contractor who is the final manufacturer or constructor of the development project. To ensure the development of the MMDAs, quality delivery of project by the contractor should be of paramount importance to the MMDA client. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of MMDA project contractors based on ISO 9000 Quality Management standards. This was achieved by the adoption of roles of building contractors developed by Nduro, (2010). Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 102 MMDAs using stratified random sampling approach; by post and in person with a response rate of 52.94%. An incremental scale was developed, system of weights and rating were used to assess the importance of each role. Results showed that MMDAs consider quality of final construction product, client satisfaction, and standard of workmanship, prompt correction of defects and period of construction (delivery on schedule) as the most important roles of contractors. Additionally, the MMDAs were of the view that the contractors performed to their satisfaction on factors such as, standard of workmanship, quality of final construction product, client satisfaction, and prompt correction of defects. The contractors however trailed on factors such as effectiveness of communication, employee development, equipment holding, operational base of contractors and attention to site welfare and safety, according to the MMDAs. The respondent therefore generally rated the oval performance of the contractors based on performance factors from Nduro (2010) after analysis at 53.58%; an average performance of the contractors. Results also showed that of the documented benefits of ISO 9000 quality management standard (QMS) implementation, increased quality awareness in the firms, better documentation procedures, improved quality of products and customer service, improved efficiency in quality system and increased accuracy of project budget estimation were considered very important by the MMDAs to the MMDA contractors. However, with exception of minimizing project risk and saving cost which had no different and insignificant deference respectively when the actual and the expected benefits of ISO 9000 QMS to the contractors were compared, all the remaining expected benefits were higher than the actual benefits of ISO 9000 the MMDAs derive from the contractors.

Source: KNUST
Performance of mutual funds in Ghana: a case study of the epack fund (1999-2004). programme: Master in Business Administration Department: Economics and Industrial Management

In this dissertation a comprehensive assessment of existing mutual fund performance models is presented. The search for the most suitable model to measure mutual fund performance is addressed using four different methods to characterize or measure performance: The arithmetic average of the monthly returns for each fund over the sample period; The Standard deviation of the monthly returns for each fund over the sample period; The Sharpe ratio; Treynor’s measure and the Jensen’s alpha. The added value of this study lies in the fact that it is a pioneer study attempting to assess performance of mutual funds in Ghana using the conventional methods of measurement outlined above using database provided by Databank and the Ghana Stock Exchange. The term Mutual funds, which is one of the most recent investment vehicles in Ghana’s Capital Market has still not been fully ingrained into the investment culture in our country. With Ghana currently having five mutual funds to its credit, it is essential that one knows what a mutual fund is as well as understand how its performance is measured. Though there was an overwhelming response of the general public to these mutual funds, the returns posted by the mutual funds at the close of 2004, were not commensurate with investor expectation. With an average existence of six months, these funds posted returns as low as 3.9%, as compared to an 8.9% return on the 182-day treasury bill for the same period. 2005, being a new year would be a test case for all the mutual funds in Ghana in that all the funds would have the benefit of a full year to deliver attractive returns to the investor.

Source: KNUST
The performance of mutual fund in Ghana: a case study of Anidaso Mutual Fund

The study examines the effect of key macroeconomic variables, specifically exchange rate, interest rate and inflation, on the performance of mutual funds in Ghana.To achieve this objective, monthly firm-specific data were sourced from Anidaso Mutual Fund for the period 2012 to 2015 while country-specific variables were obtained from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the World Development Indicators (WDIs) from the World Bank. The study employed the Autoregressive Distributed lag (ARDL) model for the estimation.The study revealed that generally there was deterioration in inflation, exchange rate, and interest rate over the period 2012-2015 in Ghana. Exchange rate has negativebut insignificant impact on the performance of mutual funds in Ghana in both the long- and short-run. Further, there was evidence to support any significant effect of inflation on the performance of mutual funds in Ghana. Again,the long-run effect of interest rateon the performance of mutual funds in Ghana was negative; the short-run effect was also negative.Based on these findings, the study recommended that the government of Ghana must create a conducive macroeconomic environment aimed at reducinginterest rates which would enhance the performance of the mutual funds. Again since the interest rate serves as a premise to an extent in fixing the lending rates of financial intermediaries, a low interest rate would lead to a low lending rate which would enable households and firms to invest more into the fund.

Source: KNUST
Performance of private solid waste collection companies in Kumasi

The study focused on the performance of private solid waste collection companies in Kumasi. The study objectives were to assess the performance of private solid waste collection companies and the factors influencing the performance and also to assess the contribution of private solid waste collection companies in terms of percentage of waste the companies collect. The data used for the study were from questionnaires and landfill records on the performance indicators and the factors influencing the performance. Primary data were collected from six private solid waste collection companies in Kumasi and secondary data from nineteen private solid waste collection companies in four other cities in Ghana. The data were analysed and the performance of the companies in Kumasi was compared with the performance of the companies in the four other cities. The results of the study revealed that the average performance in terms of vehicle productivity (ton/day/vehicle) for the six companies in Kumasi was 17.2 and only two companies out of the six were above average. The average vehicle utilisation was 62% and two out of the six companies were above average. This implies the majority of the companies in Kumasi were under utilising their waste collection vehicles. Across the cities, the average vehicle productivity (tonnes/day/vehicle) was 16.02 and the average performance of companies in three cities (Tema, Accra and Kumasi) was above this value. Also the average vehicle utilisation of companies across the cities was 60% and the performance of companies in three out of the five cities was above average. The proportion of waste collected by the private companies across the selected cities in Ghana was comparatively higher than that of the metropolitan assemblies. The study also revealed that there was a correlation between market share and vehicle productivity of private solid waste collection companies. This means that market share influences vehicle productivity. There was also a correlation between vehicles supervision and vehicle productivity. It implies vehicles supervision affects vehicle productivity.

Source: KNUST