ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of furniture quality and quality control practices in Ghana

A study of 20 Furniture Manufacturing firms in Kurnasi and Accra as conducted to evaluate product quality in relation to raw material quality and existing quality control practices adopted by firms. Structured questionnaires were utilised and using product quality assessment models developed for this study, the identification of visual defects and dimensional accuracy of sample chairs were determined from randomly selected firms. Results obtained identified the highest proportion of defects as rough surfaces and defective joints. Rough surfaces were observed for 81.7 percent of chairs from small-scale, 76.5 percent from medium-scale and 51 .7 percent for large- scale firms. The highest occurrence of other defects was observed on chairs from small-scale firms, and was slightly reduced for medium and large-scale firms. Dimensional accuracy was also improved for chairs from large-scale firms. Improved product quality was found to be related to quality control schemes adopted by furniture firms. In a related study to determine customer perceptions of selected furniture quality attributes and their influence on purchase decisions, the most important attributes were the absence of defects (4.55), structural integrity (4.48), and wood species (4.43). To improve product quality and industrial competitiveness it will be necessary for furniture manufacturers to adopt Total Quality Management systems and the use of appropriate technology.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of growth, yield and root quality of four (4) cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) varieties in the semi-deciduous zone of Ghana

Evaluation of crops is crucial to select superior varieties for a targeted region. A field experiment was conducted at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute of Ghana (CRI) experimental field within the semi-deciduous zone of Ghana from April 2013- April 2014 to evaluate the growth, yield and root quality of four cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) varieties. The varieties (treatments) were; Ampong, Agbelifia, Doku (all improved varieties) and Debor (local) variety. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four (4) replications. All agronomic/ field management practices were carried out when necessary. The growth parameters measured were plant height, number of branches, length/ height at branching and the stem diameter. Top weight and the total crop biomass were also taken at harvest. Results indicated that, plant height showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the varieties at 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11 months after planting. Number of branches per plant also showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Length of branching showed significant differences among the varieties during 8 months after planting (P<0.05). Varietal differences were highly significant for the height at branching across all the sampling period (P<0.001). Yield components measured were; number of roots, average number of roots per plant, number of stands, root weight, root length, root diameter. Most of the yield components were not significantly different from each other. But, root length and diameter showed significant differences among the varieties (P< 0.05). Quality of the root was also evaluated based on the cooking and starch content. Cooking quality showed highly significant differences among the varieties (P< 0.001). The, response of the varieties to external factors within the agro-ecological environment was also measured and such parameters measured were; light interception, soil moisture, temperature iii (canopy, leaf and soil), relative humidity, diseases as well as other leaf response variables; stomatal conductance and the leaf chlorophyll content. Varieties were significantly different from each other (P< 0.05) for temperature (canopy, soil and leaf), soil moisture, humidity, diseases and the leaf chlorophyll content. The over-all result obtained indicates that; in most of the growth parameters measured, the improved varieties showed greater responses in terms of number of roots, root yield, dry matter and harvest index than the local the variety. This conforms that the improved varieties are superior in performance and have been developed and selected for special purposes than the local. In terms of cooking and starch quality, the local variety, Debor was however, the best.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of health and safety practices and policies at Electricity Company of Ghana, the Case of the Ashanti East Region

Employers in Ghana are required by the Ghana Labour Act 2003, Act 651 (sections 118, 119 and 120) to ensure their employees are not exposed to conditions that would lead them to work-related injuries or illnesses. Workplace is associated with numerous risks in connection with injury or illness, which results from accidents. Some workers in ECG climb long poles and work with life wires and some also stay at the control rooms and the substations that are full of electro-magnetic x-ray machines for long hours. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the health and safety policies and practices at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ashanti East Region. In achieving the study objectives, 109 respondents were used which included one (1) top level management, nine (9) middle level management, twenty five (25) frontline officers and gang leaders and seventy four (74) lower level employees. The study made use of two research instruments: questionnaires and interviews. Data from questionnaires were analysed using the SPSS package. The study found higher level of awareness about ECG safety policies but significant numbers of such employees do not know the content of such policy. The study revealed that employees normally encounter electrical shocks, burns, conductor cut when they are not well protected. The study revealed that safety planning, monitoring and implementation are carried out at the various levels at ECG. It was however found that policy on health and safety are not carried out fully as 50% of the respondents claim that they have not had any training on health and safety. This implies that a greater majority of employees at ECG were not following the policy for lack of knowledge. A situation that looks worrying for a company like ECG. It was recommended that all newly and existing employees should be educated and trained so that all the workers will be aware of the health and safety issues in the policy. It was also suggested that employees should be involved in decision making on health and safety issues to engender ownership and commitment.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of growth, yield, seed quality and aflatoxin build-up in selected local and improved groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties

A field trial was conducted on a sandy loam soil at the research fields of the CSIR- Crops Research Institute, during the major season of 2011 to study the growth, yield and seed quality of ten groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties, in a 3 × 10 randomized complete block design (RCBD). Following the field trial, samples of the ten groundnut varieties were dried and afterwards, germination, vigour and dormancy tests were carried out in the laboratory in four replicates of hundreds seeds per replicate. Samples of the seed were also stored in two storage receptacles: storage in jute bag and storage in jute bag interlaced with polyethylene, all at ambient conditions. Factors were studied in 2 × 2 × 10 factorial in completely randomized design (CRD). Pod and seed yields were generally higher for both improved and local varieties while germination rates were significantly (p<0.05) higher for fastigiata than the hypogaea. Other agronomic and yield attributes were generally influenced by varieties and differed significantly among and between the hypogaea and fastigiata sub-species. A further microbial examination revealed that the various seed samples were susceptible to various species of saprophytic and pathogenic fungi. Aflatoxin levels detected were generally not above the critical maximum though some varieties had aflatoxin levels well over 100% above recommended levels for acceptable groundnut seed.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of HBA1C as an Objective Marker for Monitoring Blood Glucose Control for Diabetes Patients on Treatment at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital

The unavailability or the expensiveness of new technologies such as glycosylated haemoglobin test to monitor long term glycaemic control is a problem in the Dormaa municipality. This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration and levels of instant fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration and mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration over a three-month period of diabetes patients on treatment. Hundred and fifty whole and plasma samples were collected from systematic grouping of diabetics on treatment (100) attending diabetes clinic at Dormaa Presbyterian hospital as consistently hypoglycaemic <3,5mmol (20), consistently normal 3.5-5.9 mmol/l(20),consistently above normal 6-6.9mmol/l (30) and hyperglcaemic ≥ 7.0 mmol/l(30) and 50 non diabetics healthy people in Dormaa Ahenkro, in Ghana. All laboratory assays were performed according to reagent and equipment manufacturers’ standards. HbA1c assays were measured by DCA 2000 immunossay method, FPG were performed using glucose hexokinase method and haemogobin levels (Hb) were assayed using Cyanmethaemoglobin assay. Socio-demographic data of all eligible participants was captured using a structured questionnaire. On the average, the diabetics (49.28±1.42 yrs) and the non-diabetics (48.98±2.92 yrs) were age matched. The mean systolic blood pressure of the diabetes group and its systematic groupings were significantly higher (p < 0.001) as compared to the control group. However there were no significant differences between diastolic pressures for both diabetics and non-diabetics. Even though the mean fasting plasma glucose of the diabetic group (5.17±0.19) was comparable to that of the control group (5.17±0.079) p>0.05, the levels of HbA1c among the diabetics were significantly higher as compared to the control group. There was significant positive correlation between HbA1c and the various monthly instant fasting plasma parameters as well as the mean fasting plasma glucose. It was observed that the strongest positive linear correlation existed between the HbA1c concentration and the average FPG concentration for the three-month period. Mean glycaemia strongly correlates with HbA1c be reliably depended on as an index of prognosis of diabetes mellitus. During treatment, for good prognosis the goal must be to keep HbA1c less than 7%

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Hospital Autonomy and Its Effects on Human Resource Management: A Case Study of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Management of human resources in health is a major challenge to health systems development in Ghana. This includes planning for, production, deployment and utilization of health personnel. Although a number of measures have been instituted to meet this challenge, considerable gaps still remain. Recently, hospital autonomy was introduced with a major emphasis to help improve efficiency in the delivery of health services by the public sector. Hospital Autonomy is essentially a form of decentralization that seeks to address the division of economic and administrative power and responsibility between the central and sub-national units of the government of Ghana. It therefore refers to the extent of decentralised decision making in six key management areas: strategic management, procurement, financial management, human resources management, administration, and clinical governance. Using Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a case study, this research sought to explore the potential effects of Hospital Autonomy on Human Resource Management. Questionnaires and interview were used to obtain primary data for the study. Respondents were those employees who have worked in KATH for more than eight years, whilst purposive sampling was used to select the head of the human resource unit. The data was entered into SPSS software 16.0 version to assist organize and generate descriptive statistics. It examined whether Hospital Autonomy in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital had some benefits and challenges with particular reference to human resources management. The study revealed among other things that although hospital autonomy improved some aspect of human resource management in KATH, for example the timely promotion of staff, other areas of human resource management that had to do with the remuneration of staff had not seen much improvement. The research showed that salaries were still processed by the central administration. The study recommends that the government or Ministry of Health (Ghana) should give more autonomy to hospitals to enable management take decisions especially in areas where the government still has much control.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of herbicides and fungicides on groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea l.) quality and productivity.

To determine the contribution of the interactive effect of weed control methods and fungicides application on groundnut growth, yield and quality, two experiments were conducted in the major and minor seasons of 2015 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Kwadaso station. Experiments were factorial laid in RCBD with four replications and variety Yenyawso was planted. Weed control treatments in the major season were: 3X Hand weeding (HW), Butachlor (preemergence), Bentazone @ 3 weeks after planting (WAP), Propaquizafop @ 3 WAP + HW @ 5 WAP, Bentazone + Propaquizafop @ 3 WAP, Butachlor + Bentazone + Propaquizafop @ 5 WAP, and Butachlor + HW @ 5 WAP. Minor season weed control treatments were: Metolachlor (PRE), Imazethapyr (POST) @ 3 WAP, PRE + POST, PRE + HW @ 5 WAP, POST + HW @ 5WAP, PRE + POST + HW @ 5 WAP, 2X HW, and a Non-weeded control. Fungicide treatments were: No Fungicides application or Terbuconazole (4 and 6 WAP) followed by Azoxystrobin (5 and 7 WAP) for both seasons. No fungicides and herbicide interaction (p>0.05) were recorded due to the dry weather conditions in 2015, which did not support disease development, apart from the tolerance of the variety planted. Bentazone was effective on Commelina benghalensis while Imazethapyr effectively suppressed Commelina benghalensis and Euphorbia heterophylla. All weed control treatments except preemergence only or the non -weeded effectively (p<0.05) reduced weed density and growth; and enhanced peanut growth and yield. Pod yield of 2.1 – 2.2 tons/ha was recorded for 2-3X HW, herbicides - manual weeding integration recorded 1.6 -2.3 tons/ha, and preemergence followed-up with postemergence, 1.7 – 2.1 tons/ha. Preemergence only and non-weeded resulted in yield loss of 43 – 71%. The weight of 100 seed lots were, however, similar (P>0.05) regardless of treatments. While preemergence herbicides only or non-weeded treatments had ≤ 55% unfilled pods, ≤ 20% unfilled pods were recorded for other weed control treatments. Aflatoxin levels of fresh and dried seeds were very low (≤ 2.0 ppb). Herbicides – manual weeding integration reduced weed control time requirement by 55 – 70% relative to manual weeding only (64 -67 man-days/hectare/season). Cost of manual weeding was GH₵790.00 – 1,668.00 depending on farmer practice and herbicide – manual weeding integration reduced manual weeding cost by 26 – 66%.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Households Solid Waste Generation and Disposal: A Case Study in Ejisu, Kwamo and Fumesua in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ghana

In order to curtail waste management challenges in Ejisu–Juabeng Municipality, a study was conducted in three urban centers within the municipality namely; Ejisu, Kwamo and Fumesua, to quantify the solid waste composition generated at source (houses) and to assess the current disposal methods. The three towns were purposively selected based on the premise of population, histological and commercial activities. Data was gathered through field investigation, survey and face-to-face interviews. Semi–structured questionnaire were administered to households sampled for the research. The study revealed high levels of putrescible waste in all the three towns. Ejisu recorded the highest mean quantity of solid waste generation, followed by Kwamo and Fumesua, respectively. The mean per capita waste generations in the three towns were 0.2 kg, 0.2 kg, and 0.3 kg per day for Kwamo, Ejisu and Fumesua, respectively, which were all within the national average per capita waste generation of 0.5 kg per day. The influence of socio–economic factors such as household size, income and education on waste generation was not significant. The study revealed high dependence on communal waste containers as the methods for waste disposal. Waste sorting was not practiced in the study areas. There were inadequate waste containers and skips for the collection of waste and the limited skips available were not emptied regularly which resulted in skips overflow. It was found out that inadequate resources for waste management institutions to effectively collect and dispose of the waste generated were some of the major factors hindering effective solid waste disposal in the study areas. vi In dealing with these challenges, the research recommended possible interventions such as the adequate supply of skips, regular collection of waste and conveying of waste containers on time, proper management of the dumpsite, adequate resourcing of the waste management institutions and public education on sanitation in the study areas.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Icacina senegalensis and Jatropha curcas Extracts for the management of sweet potato beetle Cylas spp. (Coleoptera: Brentidae)

The adverse environmental effect of synthetic pesticides such as environmental pollution, destruction of beneficial insects, disruption of the ecosystem and contamination of harvested produces, have necessitated the call for environmentally safer, easily degradable and target specific insecticides. An experiment was therefore, conducted at the College of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba, Mampong Ashanti Campus to determine the efficacy of different parts of Icacina senegalensis and Jatropha curcas leaf extracts for the management of sweet potato beetle (Cylas spp.). The treatments which were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block with three replications consisted of one time application of the following: 0.3 kg/ha fresh tuber extracts of I. senegalensis (T1), 0.3 kg/ha dried tuber extracts of I. senegalensis (T2) and 0.3 kg/ha of fresh leaves extracts of I. senegaleensis (T3) (0.18 g /1.5 L of water each per 6 m2 plot). The others were two times application of 0.15 kg/ha of fresh tuber of I. senegalensis (T4), 0.15 kg/ha of dried tuber extracts of I. senegalensis (T5), 0.15 kg/ha of fresh leaves extracts of I. senegalensis ( T6 ), (0.09 g/750 ml of water each per 6 m2 plot). And one time application of (0.3 kg/ha each of fresh and dried leaves extracts of J. curcas respectively represented T7 and T8 (0.18 g/1.5 L water each per 6 m2 plot). 30 ml of Dursban (chlorpyrifos) in 15 L of water represented T9 and T10 the control (no pesticide). The fresh leaf and tuber extracts of I. senegalensis (0.15 kg/ha and 0.3 kg/ha) and the chlorpyrifos treated plots had significantly fewer beetles at the base of the crop. The fresh leaf and tuber extracts of I. senegalensis (0.15 kg/ha and 0.3 kg/ha) and chlorpyrifos treatments also suppressed beetle infestation of the tubers, reduced tuber damage and increased marketable tubers. Extracts of the fresh plant parts were more effective than extracts from the dried parts where damaged almost doubled and yield halved. Beetle population correlated positively with vine damage, tuber damage significantly (p<0.05) and negatively with marketable yield. It is therefore, recommended that sweet potato growers in the transitional ecological zone of Ghana can minimize tuber damage by Cylas spp. through application of fresh plant extracts of I. senegalensis during land preparation and one month after planting on the planting ridges.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of households solid waste generation and disposal: A case study in Ejisu, Kwamo and Fumesua in the Ejisu–Juaben Municipality of Ghana

In order to curtail waste management challenges in Ejisu–Juabeng Municipality, a study was conducted in three urban centers within the municipality namely; Ejisu, Kwamo and Fumesua, to quantify the solid waste composition generated at source (houses) and to assess the current disposal methods. The three towns were purposively selected based on the premise of population, histological and commercial activities. Data was gathered through field investigation, survey and face-to-face interviews. Semi–structured questionnaire were administered to households sampled for the research. The study revealed high levels of putrescible waste in all the three towns. Ejisu recorded the highest mean quantity of solid waste generation, followed by Kwamo and Fumesua, respectively. The mean per capita waste generations in the three towns were 0.2 kg, 0.2 kg, and 0.3 kg per day for Kwamo, Ejisu and Fumesua, respectively, which were all within the national average per capita waste generation of 0.5 kg per day. The influence of socio–economic factors such as household size, income and education on waste generation was not significant. The study revealed high dependence on communal waste containers as the methods for waste disposal. Waste sorting was not practiced in the study areas. There were inadequate waste containers and skips for the collection of waste and the limited skips available were not emptied regularly which resulted in skips overflow. It was found out that inadequate resources for waste management institutions to effectively collect and dispose of the waste generated were some of the major factors hindering effective solid waste disposal in the study areas. vi In dealing with these challenges, the research recommended possible interventions such as the adequate supply of skips, regular collection of waste and conveying of waste containers on time, proper management of the dumpsite, adequate resourcing of the waste management institutions and public education on sanitation in the study areas.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of incentive packages to farmers for tree planting: a case study of Ashanti Region of Ghana

Rural dwellers rely on forest resources for their livelihood. However, population pressure, poor farming practices, indiscriminate felling of trees etc, have resulted in forest resource depletion and degradation. Tree planting by rural people has been recognised as one of the measures to reverse this situation Nevertheless, rural people are resource poor and for that reason need to be assisted and/or encouraged by way of incentive packages for the adoption of tree planting. This study was undertaken in forty communities from eight districts in Ashanti Region of Ghana to identify the organisations that provide incentive packages, the items they provide, and the recipients of the packages through field observations, household interviews, and participatory rural appraisal techniques as well as from secondary data sources. An important aspect of the study was the examination of beliefs, perception and attitudes of farmers on incentive packages on tree planting. A number of factors were identified to affect tree planting and its success. Among these were socio-economic variables like education, income, perception of farmers, and commitment on the part of adoptors, expected benefits and tenure. Results of the study revealed that on the average, most farmers do not get access to incenoive packages like working tools, food, cash, insecticides etc. Farmer’s prefer cash in the form of credit and/or grants to other items like food, seeds/seedlings, working tools, insecticides etc. Incentive packages motivate farmers in tree planting. Finally, tree planting and conservation projects must carry with them financial gains and input supply schemes to realise the success required.

Source: KNUST