ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Impact of human disturbance on water quality of the sakumo lagoon in the greater accra region, ghana

Lagoons play a very important role on the planet in terms of economic, social and ecosystem benefits. The Sakumo Lagoon is considered very important but its quality is currently being impacted by human activities within the catchment. The study determined the impact of human disturbance on the quality of water in the Sakumo Lagoon, Ghana by assessing some physico-chemical and heavy metal parameters. The sampling sites were georeferenced using global positioning satellite (GPS) and water samples collected from upstream, midstream and downstream. The physico-chemical and heavy metal analysis were determined using standard methods over a four month period. Physico-chemical parameters including temperature, pH, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were measured in-situ; Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) analysis was used to determine the heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr and Cd) concentrations. The results revealed less impact of human activities on both temperature (28.9 - 30.5 oC) and pH (7.3 to 7.7) as they recorded values suitable for the sustainability of aquatic ecosystem and ideal for aquatic organisms. Total Dissolved Solids (1275-1005.08 mg/l); DO (2.62-6.87 mg/l); Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) (41.28 to 23.14 mg/l); Nitrate (2.4-3.8 mg/l); Phosphate (1.94 to 2.6 mg/l) exceeded the levels in most natural waters suggesting possible impact from human interference. The concentrations of heavy metals in water samples were: Cd (0.017 to 0.089 mg/l); Pb (0.36 to 0.5 mg/l); Cu (0.005 to 0.018 mg/l); Zn (0.02 to 0.08 mg/l); Cr (0.003 to 0.028 mg/l). There was less impact from human activities on Zn, Cu and Cr whereas Pb, Cd and Fe suggested some influence from human disturbance. Data analysis using principal component analysis identified iii some pollution sources such as dumping of waste and other domestic discharges, agriculture and industrial activities. The main challenges observed from the management and preservation of the Sakumo Lagoon during the study include encroachment with unauthorized structures within the catchment, illegal activities such as dumping of solid wastes and removal of boundary pillars. The uncontrolled human activities within the catchment area of the Sakumo Lagoon has impacted on the quality of water and management needs to enforce laws and come out with comprehensive policies and regulations to address the situation.

Source: KNUST
Influence of Safety Climate on Safety Behavior in the Construction Industry

Occupational safety problems continue to remain prevalent in the construction industry despite considerable efforts to ensure safer operations. Massive economic and personnel costs are currently being incurred by the construction industry especially those in developing countries as a result of work-related injuries. Research posits that these accidents are worsen by human factors and climatic factors around work. The human factors which are seen in unsafe practices have been noted to account for quite a greater percentage of occupational safety incidents. Thus, if construction workers can be influenced to engage in safe rather than at-risk work behaviours, then a possible decrease in the rate of work-related injuries shall be achieved. As a result of the problem at stake, this study sought to find out how safety climate factors influenced safe behaviour on construction projects. The study employed the quantitative research design and used purposive sampling in choosing construction companies for data collection. Descriptive analysis, mean score ranking and partial least square (structural equation modeling) were used to report on the data. Two hundred and ten (210) questionnaires were received out of 250 distributed for analysis. The results from the data revealed that, four (4) out of five (5) safety climate factors which are; management communication and commitment, safety training, safety supervision and safety promotion significantly supported the hypothesis developed. However, awareness and competence did not support the research hypothesis having a negative relationship with safety behaviour, therefore, rejecting the earlier set hypothesis of the study. The study had limitations such as data solely collected from one region of Ghana, the use of only quantitative method making the study constrictive. It was therefore recommended that, Management must provide continuing safety program development for its workers to improve worker safety behaviour. Finally, future research should be done to include other geographical areas in Ghana to obtain a more solid conclusion.

Source: KNUST
Key indicators for assessing sustainability during the construction phase of building projects in Ghana

The attainment of sustainable development would be elusive until due attention is given to sustainability performance assessment. Globally, there is a proliferation of methodologies meant to offer a means of evaluating sustainability performance. Nevertheless, the existing sustainability assessment tools focus more on design and operation issues at the expense of construction-related issues. The sustainability of the project delivery process is equally important, due to its considerable environmental, social and economic impacts. The context sensitivities exhibited by the sustainability concept requires that indicators are established for suitable local application. This study sought to examine key sustainability indicators (SIs) for assessing the sustainability performance of building projects during their construction phase. It specifically sought to assess the degree of familiarity of professionals with the sustainability assessment tools in the Ghanaian Construction Industry (GCI) and identify environmental, economic and social SIs. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey, following the comprehensive review of literature to determine the sustainability assessment tools that have been used in the GCI and identify the relevant candidate SIs, by adopting the purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Out of a total of 330 questionnaires administered, 167 responses were received and analysed. The data analysis consisted of descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, mean score ranking, normality testing and finally the Kruskal-Wallis and MannWhitney tests. In all, 28 sustainability indicators - 10 environmental, 9 social and 9 economic, were identified as critical for construction-phase sustainability assessment of building projects in Ghana. It was recommended that all stakeholders make a concerted effort to enhance the widespread uptake of sustainability practices within the GCI. Further studies can be undertaken to develop a full-fledged index for sustainability assessment, in consequence of indicator development.

Source: KNUST
Managing requirements change in global software development using cloud computing

This thesis presents a study of the techniques used by Global Software Development (GSD) experts for Managing Changes in Software Requirements. Ultimately, it presents the challenges faced and suggests an improved model for managing or minimizing these changes in requirements. The qualitative research approach was used to explore the existing ways of managing changes in requirements. Challenges like difficulty in Coordination, Communication and Control of processes, variance in nature of processes; different levels of practical expertise, Non-existence of Shared Repositories for Storing Requirements etc. are some of the challenges identified. A practical case study of how requirement change management (RCM) is done in a GSD company was embarked on to understand the techniques involved in the process. The study proposed an advanced model named (GSD - RMFC) that uses cloud and some simplified communication and coordination technologies for RCM in GSD. The proposed model was simulated using Global Network Simulator 3 (GNS 3). Experts reviews of the simulation results revealed that GSD – RMFC could minimize the root causes of Requirement Change, and solve some of the major problems in GSD. MARCH, 2018

Source: KNUST
Markov chain modelling of rainfall: a case study of Eastern region of Ghana

It is a fact that Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) predicts Weather in Ghana. But empirical research has shown that GMA uses Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR) for weather prediction in the country and for reason of cost of equipment and maintenance the spread of monitoring stations are few. So, in order to keep costs down and make more specific weather predictions in remote areas of the region, a first-order Markov Chain was used to model the monthly rainfall data from 1998-2003. The twelve weather models were developed from Average Probability Vectors and Markov Chain Theory Inverse Technique under the assumption that in the long –term study of the weather, Average Probabilities equal steady-state vectors. The transition matrices showed the short-run behaviour of Markov chains while the equilibrium state probability indicated the long-run behaviour of the chains. The Markov Chain analysis for Eastern region in the short – run showed that the probability of rain there varies day by day whiles the long-term probability values also differ. There was rainfall throughout the year. The developed models revealed bimodal rainfall patterns in the study area. The least rainfall occurred in December and the wettest months are June and October. In the long-term analysis of the weather in the region, typically, there are approximately 64% of dry days and 36% of wet days indicating more dry days than wet days. Further observations made on the long-term probabilities revealed that areas in the region during the months of December, January, February and March tended to be dry. All because the long-term rainfall values were generally low. The developed transition matrices converge and the close conformance between the predicted figures and actual figures validates the use of Markov chains to model rainfall data in Eastern Region of Ghana. The developed Chains have been tested and found to be reliable and besides, predict weather accurately in the region, hence good for application by our National Weather Agency.

Source: KNUST
Mathematical modelling of Bacteria Conjunctivitis Disease with Control

In this research, a mathematical model of bacteria conjunctivitis disease was formulated. The local stability of the model were determined. The model is reformulated into an optimal control problem by introducing time dependent controls. Maximum principle was employed to derive the necessary condition for the existence of optimal control. The optimality solution was numerically solved and computed to assess the optimum control strategy that would be effective in reducing the number of exposed and infective. The analyses revealed the possibility of the epidermic to spread when the basic reproduction number is more than one.

Source: KNUST
Mathematical Modelling of Bacteria Conjunctivitis Disease with Control

In this research, a mathematical model of bacteria conjunctivitis disease was formulated. The local stability of the model were determined. The model is reformulated into an optimal control problem by introducing time dependent controls. Maximum principle was employed to derive the necessary condition for the existence of optimal control. The optimality solution was numerically solved and computed to assess the optimum control strategy that would be effective in reducing the number of exposed and infectives. The analyses revealed the possibility of the epidermic to spread when the basic reproduction number is more than one.

Source: KNUST
Micro Finance and Women Empowerment

Microfinance has a very important role to play in women empowerment by supporting women's socio-economic activities. This is why Opportunity International Sinapi Aba and Savings and Loans Ltd (OISASL) has established itself as one of the most important microfinance institutions in Ghana to support women with microfinance services. The objective of this study is to examine microfinance and women empowerment in the area of socio-economic development, examine the role of micro enterprises and the extent to which they have been able to assess credit from financial market in Ghana, the effect of micro finance on micro entrepreneurs, especially women, the effect of microfinance on the empowerment of women in Ghanaian society. The work has been organized into six chapters and it is as follows: Chapter one is the review of the general introduction of microfinance. It also states the objective of the study, problem statement, and outline of the as well as the background of the study area. Chapter two examines the literature review of the study. Chapter three discusses the methodology of the study. Chapter four captures the presentation of findings. Chapter five discusses the data analysis of the study through questionnaires administered, interviews and personal observation during the filed work. The final chapter discusses the summary of the major findings, conclusion of the findings and recommendation which needs to be looked at and possible action taken to benefit clients and Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd.

Source: KNUST
Modelling the transshipment problem of bottled Water processing company based in Accra, Ghana

Enhancement of production and customer satisfaction depends on efficient and reliable supply chain system. Useful application of Network models of supply chain system is the management and efficient use of scarce resources to increase productivity. These applications include operational problems such as the distributions of goods, production scheduling, transportation network design just to mention a few. Problem of redundancy at destination centers and high cost of transporting products from manufacturing centers to consumers has impose a huge challenge on most industries as the supply chain system becomes large. The transportation problem as a Linear Programming Problem seeks the determination of a shipping plan for a single commodity from a number of sources to a number of destinations whilst satisfying the demand at all destinations. The objective of this study is to model the transportation and the distribution network of a bottled-water processing company as a transshipment problem and also minimize the cost of shipping commodities from their sources through the warehouses to the final destinations. The study considered a numerical example of a transshipment problem. A primary data was collected from the bottledwater processing company. We formulated the Transshipment problem as a Transportation problem and we solved it by using QM for windows (Software for Quantitative Methods, operations Research and Management Science) with the Initial Basic Feasible Solution obtained by Vogel’s Approximation Method (VAM). The study revealed that a significant savings of GH¢843502.25 could be made if Bottled-water processing company adapt this method

Source: KNUST
Multiple regression analysis on cocoa yield in Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly

The purpose of this study is to indicate how significant the given predictor variables are to cocoa yield and to develop a model that can be used to predict cocoa yield annually. Secondary data for this research was obtained from the farmers, PBC, and Cocoa Abrabopa and the World Bank data website. The dependent variable was cocoa yield of Upper Denkyira East Municipality, and the independent or explanatory variables used were the application of fertilizer per year, number of times applied insecticides per year, land size in acres, and the number of labor applied per year. The was then tested to make sure that it satisfied all the possible assumptions of a good regression data using Anderson-Daring’s test, and related plots. Regression Analysis was then used to further analyze the data using R-code as a tool. In conclusion, the regression model used to explain the significance of the independent variables; however, one of the five predictor variables was significant

Source: KNUST
Multivariate and metal pollution studies in surface soil from Asafo in Kumasi, Ghana

Heavy metals pollution and the resultant accumulation to toxic levels in soil may threaten human health through possible routes of exposures. Twenty composite soil samples were taking from different locations within two different zones at the Asafo automobile shops. The soil samples were analyzed for the presence and levels of heavy metals including Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb and Cd using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Physicochemical properties such as, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic matter and carbon contents were determined using standard methods to identify the pollution status of the soil. Pearson’s correlation principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to determine the relationship between the heavy metals and their possible sources. Pollution indexes such as enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and pollution index (PI) estimations were used to assess the extent of heavy metal pollution of the top soil from the study area. Recorded mean values of the physicochemical parameters of soil samples from the two zones were slightly above their respective parameters of the control soil sample. The extent of heavy metal pollution of soil in Asafo was in the decreasing order of Fe > Pb > Cu > Cr > Zn > Cd for zone 1 whereas the order of metal concentrations of soil in zone 2 was Fe > Pb > Zn > Cd > Cu > Cr. The mean EF values calculated for Cd and Pb in the soil samples from Zone 1, using Fe concentrations in the background value were greater than one (1). Also, an extreme contamination ((Igeo <5) of Cr and Zn in most soil samples from zone 2 was observed. The present study therefore concluded that the artisanal activities at the Asafo automobile shops could contaminate the soil and eventually pose threat to humans. The study indicated that the main pollution source within the area of study could be related to the anthropogenic activities, mainly metal fabrication and auto works.

Source: KNUST
Nana Yaa Asantewaa : dimensions épique et socio-culturelle d’une héroїne traditionnelle Asante

Nana Yaa Asantewaa – the epic and sociocultural dimensions of a traditional Asante heroine, is the title of our dissertation. The research focuses on the heroism of Nana Yaa Asantewaa. Our analytical tool was sociocritics. The problem was the ambiguity around the heroism of Nana Yaa Asantewaa. Our aim was to study the heroic role of Nana Yaa Asantewaa in the last resistance war against the English colonial administration; to expose the epic characters of Nana Yaa Asantewaa's narrative, to study the quality of the artistic composition of the narrative and to give some visibility to women in relation to the narrative of Nana Yaa Asantewaa. This goal has pushed us towards the demand of our main questions: How do we define and recognize the epic? Does the narrative of Nana Yaa Asantewaa meet the criteria of the epic? How does the speaker of the epic construct his image and that of the characters in his narrative? - What is the quality of the artistic composition: the effects of style, the variety of the figures of rhetoric, the oratorical performance of the griot / orator in this asante epic? Through interviews with her great-grandchildren, we had information that helped us analyze and establish the truth, in order to restore that value to all women. The value of the research established Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s heroism and revealed that despite this epic dimension of Nana Yaa Asantewaa's narrative there is an ideological / philosophical dimension: - Nana Yaa Asantewaa is a deconstruction of patriarchal conventions; - Nana Yaa Asantewaa is a model of patriotism and nationalism; - Nana Yaa Asantewaa has a stylistic dimension; - The narrative of Nana Yaa Asantewaa has a feminist dimension. We humbly recommend that the narrative must occupy a large part of the Asante memory, and that each family must be able to ensure its transmission.

Source: KNUST
Obstetrics complications: effects and concerns at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kath)

Obstetrics complication is an acute condition arising from indirect or direct causes of maternal death. Approximately 20 million of these claim the lives of 67,000 women. These deaths represent 11% of all pregnancy-related mortality in Ghana. A logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of age, marital status, education level, occupational status and place of delivery on the likelihood that women experienced obstetric complications. The study was based on 320 women between 15 􀀀 49 years from May to August, 2015. Women who were younger than 30, unemployed, single with low education and of low socio-economic status were thrice more likely to have abortion than those with eclampsia complications. Increasing levels of education was associated with increased likelihood of having eclampsia. Increasing in age was associated with increased likelihood of experiencing eclampsia complication but decreasing in age was associated with reduction in the likelihood of having abortion. Also, a unit change in marital status (being married) was associated with a reduction in experiencing eclampsia. It was evident that only 107(33.4%) of the women used contraceptives after treatment indicating unmet need of family planning. It is recommended that women should use contraceptives in order to avert unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion and eclampsia which ends in maternal morbidity and mortality.

Source: KNUST
Perceptions of Ghanaian Digital Artists Regarding the Utilization of Digital Technologies in Painting: A Case Study in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Painting has been in existence for over decades and new styles, theories have been developed and digital technologies have been explored. And every time there is new changes in a particular innovation it suffers rejection and later accepted. Digital technologies like photography had been in existence since decades. Like all the painting mediums, it was rejected. It has been over 50 years since digital art introduction and yet, it has not been fully accepted as an art form (Miller, 2007). This qualitative study seeks to understand the digital artists’ perceptions on the use of digital technologies as an art tools and its benefit to the artists and art education. Grounded theory was used as a methodological guide for the study. Respondents for the study were drawn from Eleven (11) digital art instructors, digital art students (131) and practicing digital artists 30. The research elicited the perception of artists on the use of digital technologies, otherwise known as digital mediums in painting. The study relied on interviewing as a method of data collection, which was triangulated with reviewed literature relating to the research

Source: KNUST
Predicting bank insolvency: a comparism of Two bankruptcy models

In recent past years, the Ghanaian banking industry has been hit by a number of Corporate failures as a result of financial distress and=or bankruptcy. The con_dence Of customers of these banks in the banking sector is likely to wane over the years Ahead. The effects of this will be worrisome. This study seeks to identify the Altman Z-score linear regression as a model for predicting bank insolvency for selected Distressed banks. The study employed the use of secondary data, which were audited financial statement of the distressed banks five years prior to the banks becoming insolvent. The model was fitted using the predicator variables to obtain the Z-Score values. The study also established that the collapse of the banks was as a result of both Internal and external factors. Among them includes weak management practices, Weak capital and deposit, poor central bank monitoring and regulation and general Economic condition of the country. From this study, it is apparent that the ratio ;'Book Value of equity to total liabilities' has signicant results to prove it possesses bank Failure prediction capabilities.

Source: KNUST