ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Capitation Grant: Impact on enrollment of pupils in the Basic Education Schools in Ghana:A Case Study of some selected Junior High Schools in Sunyani Municipality.

This study provides an assessment of the impact of the capitation grant on the enrollment of pupils in the basic education schools in Ghana. It provides an empirical platform for assessing how the capitation grant is contributing to the enrollment of pupils in the basic schools in Ghana more especially in the Sunyani Municipality. It used a survey to assess the opinion of head teachers, teachers and other stakeholders of education regarding the impact of the capitation grant policy on pupils’ enrollment in the municipality. A survey of hundred (100) respondents within 20 selected schools captured questions on staff demographics, capitation grant and pupils’ enrollment, capitation grant and pupils’ performance, and capitation grant and its challenges. The findings of the study revealed that the capitation grant has actually led to increase in the enrollment of pupils in the basic schools. However, it notes that given a rise in enrollment year after year with the introduction of the capitation grant, the amount of the grant as a percentage of unit cost per primary child represents a minute rise, and this raises concerns about the ability of the policy to enhance educational quality. The paper argues that capitation grant provides an opportunity to increase quality and suggests the need to link capitation grant to classroom-based policies such as pupil-teacher ratio, performance, drop-out and irregular attendance in order to impact on quality. Besides, the researcher recommended complementary education programmes help serve the most disadvantaged or remote areas. The paper provides three key policy messages: increase in capitation grant should target disadvantage groups. Again there could be provision of incentives to schools with good record of progression and completion and effort should go towards the shortening of the capitation grant delivery chain.

Source: KNUST
Carbohydrate composition and amylase activity of sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas) root

Selection of sweetpotato clone(s) for production and utilisation depends on its quality attributes especially sugars, dry matter, starch content and amylase activity. The levels of these attributes are however influenced by factors such as the diversified production environments, cooking treatments, and genotypic compositions. The aim of the study is to determine the range of variation and factors of significant influence on concentrations of these attributes during growth and processing of sweetpotatoes. Development of an efficient and accurate technique for rapid assessment of these quality attributes was also relevant to the study. In order to achieve the overall aim, two main approaches were adopted; varying the levels of identified factors that alter the concentration of the attributes, and using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy technique to develop a prediction model for their assessment. Sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose and maltose), starch, dry matter content, amylase activity and sweetness were evaluated at harvest, during heating and after cooking. Adaptive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model was employed to ascertain the magnitude of interactions between the factors tested. It was established that concentrations of the quality attributes were significantly affected by all the factors examined. Genotype contributed the highest variability during the growth stage while cooking treatment produced the highest effect during processing. Effect of interaction was more pronounced on amylase activity compared to sugars, dry matter and starch content. Sucrose was the predominant sugar in the raw form while levels of maltose increased substantially during cooking. High precision calibration was also developed for evaluating sugars and starch content in cooked sweetpotato roots. Sweetpotato varieties in Ghana have a wide range of quality attributes, making it a versatile crop for many food applications. Nonetheless recommendation for specific application should consider choice of production environment and processing conditions, which have significant impact on the final quality of the processed product.

Source: KNUST
Carbon dioxide fluxes from contrasting ecosystems in the Sudanian Savanna in West Africa

Background: The terrestrial land surface in West Africa is made up of several types of savanna ecosystems differing in land use changes which modulate gas exchanges between their vegetation and the overlying atmosphere. This study compares diurnal and seasonal estimates of CO2 fluxes from three contrasting ecosystems, a grassland, a mixture of fallow and cropland, and nature reserve in the Sudanian Savanna and relate them to water availability and land use characteristics. Results: Over the study period, and for the three study sites, low soil moisture availability, high vapour pressure deficit and low ecosystem respiration were prevalent during the dry season (November to March), but the contrary occurred during the rainy season (May to October). Carbon uptake predominantly took place in the rainy season, while net carbon efflux occurred in the dry season as well as the dry to wet and wet to dry transition periods (AM and ND) respectively. Carbon uptake decreased in the order of the nature reserve, a mixture of fallow and cropland, and grassland. Only the nature reserve ecosystem at the Nazinga Park served as a net sink of CO2, mostly by virtue of a several times larger carbon uptake and ecosystem water use efficiency during the rainy season than at the other sites. These differences were influenced by albedo, LAI, EWUE, PPFD and climatology during the period of study. Conclusion: These results suggest that land use characteristics affect plant physiological processes that lead to flux exchanges over the Sudanian Savanna ecosystems. It affects the diurnal, seasonal and annual changes in NEE and its composite signals, GPP and RE. GPP and NEE were generally related as NEE scaled with photosynthesis with higher CO2 assimilation leading to higher GPP. However, CO2 effluxes over the study period suggest that besides biomass regrowth, other processes, most likely from the soil might have also contributed to the enhancement of ecosystem respiration.

Source: KNUST
Carbon Sequestration in Four Land Use Systems in a Moist Semi Deciduous Ecological Zone of Ghana

Carbon sequestration potential of four land use systems, namely; Natural forest, Teak plantation, fallow land and cropland were assessed in a moist semi deciduous ecological zone of Ghana. Natural forest data were taken from Bobiri Forest Reserve while data on other land use systems were collected from compound of Forestry Research Institute of Ghana. The main aim of the study was to assess the contribution of four land use systems in ameliorating global warming through reduction of atmospheric carbon and also to assess the change in amount of carbon lost or gained when one land use is converted to another. Out of the six carbon pools of terrestrial ecosystem, carbon sequestration of four (aboveground, litter, herbs and soils) were experimentally assessed and one was extrapolated (belowground) from data of aboveground carbon. Total carbon was highest in natural forest, followed by teak plantation. Fallow land had a marginal increase in total carbon compared to cropland which had the least. Aboveground carbon was highest in natural forest and teak plantation. Fallow land and cropland however had their most carbon in soils. Litter carbon was more appreciable in teak plantation mainly because of broader and much lignified nature of Teak leaves that prevents it from decomposing easily. It was observed that converting natural forest to any of the land use types result in emission of CO2 and reforesting Fallow and Crop lands to teak plantation results in removal of atmospheric carbon (Removal Factor) but conversion of natural forest to teak plantation results in CO2 emissions (Emission Factor). It is concluded that enhancing natural forest to sequester carbon and also cultivation of teak plantation would be more appropriate among the four land use systems when carbon sequestration option is being considered. Fallow lands could be enhanced through improved fallowing rather than resulting to natural fallow. Agroforestry as opposed to slash and burn agriculture is recommended for improved CO2 sequestration. These mitigation options would in the long run, seek to reduce the problem of climate change.

Source: KNUST
Carbon Stock in Plantations of Indigenous Tree Species in the Wet Evergreen Vegetation of Ghana

Carbon sequestration is one of many valuable environmental facilities that forests provide. Traditionally, society has enjoyed the benefits of environmental conditions such as clean air, nutrient cycling, and watershed protection without any payment. The role of terrestrial ecosystem in mitigating the effects of climate change entails the assessment of carbon stocks in various pools. This thesis seeks to provide information about growth and carbon stock of thirteen indigenous and one exotic tree species (Terminalia ivorensis, Terminalia superba, Milicia excelsa, Ceiba pentandra, Entandrophragma angolense, Aningeria robusta, Heritiaris utilis, Khaya ivorensis, Antiaris toxicaria, Mammea africana, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Pycnanthus angolensis and Cedrela odorata) in agroforestry, mixed and pure plantations in the wet evergreen vegetation of Ghana. A three (3) hectare plot was evaluated at the Oda Kotoamso Agroforestry Project site in the Western Region of Ghana. Results revealed that carbon accumulation and growth performance per tree species increased from trees in pure to mixed and to agroforestry plantations. Results from this study also indicated fast growing species (Ceiba pentandra, Milicia excelsa, Terminalia superba and Terminalia ivorensis) had the highest carbon accumulation per tree. Also shade, age and initial planting distance were observed as key factors that influenced growth parameters among tree species in plantations. Among the tree species studied, Ceiba pentandra recorded the highest amount of carbon per tree in pure plantation (52.2 kg C), 95.6 kg C in mixtures and 184.9 kg C in agroforestry plantation. The volume growth performance of Ceiba pentandra was the best among the remaining tree species with the highest volume of 0.4 m3 in the agroforestry plantation. Four different allometric equations were used in calculating amount of carbon in tree species. Results indicated variations in all four allometric models used for estimating carbon. Lastly, an assumed carbon concentration (50%) and specific carbon concentrations were used to convert tree biomass to carbon stored. It was observed that the assumed carbon concentration overestimated the carbon stock by 1.8% to 3.6% per tree species and 3.0% on substantial scale (per hectare) compared to specific carbon concentration of the same tree species. This research therefore supports the concept that tropical plantations can serve diverse economic, social, and ecological functions while also ultimately helping reduce atmospheric CO2 accumulation.

Source: KNUST
Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of organochlorine pesticide residues in processed cereal-based complementary foods for infants and young children in Ghana

Fourteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues were analyzed in 10 brands of processed cereal-based complementary foods with the aim of assessing the health risk to infants and young children. The QuEChERS method was used for extraction and clean-up of pesticide residues. Subsequent detection and quantification were done using GC with ECD and PFPD. Levels of p,p0-DDE, dieldrin, b-endosulfan, b-HCH, and c-HCH detected in the processed cereal-based complementary food were higher than their respective MRL. The mean estimated daily intakes of OCPs in infants were significantly higher than that of young children. Exposure levels of heptachlor and dieldrin were higher than their respective ADI’s. Their HIs recorded were greater than 1 indicating the possibility of adverse health effect on consumers. Hazard ratio for carcinogenic risk posed by b-HCH, dieldrin, heptachlor, c-HCH and c-chlordane were greater than 1. This result raises concerns of possible carcinogenicity for infants and young children.

Source: KNUST
Cardiothoracic Centre, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

Disease is a universal phenomenon and therefore affects all people everywhere, but not always to the same degree or in the same way. This no doubt explains why health delivery becomes indispensable and without socio-economic development shall be impaired. According to Susan Sontay; a hospital Architect: “illness is an unlikely, yet familiar, stimulus for metaphor”. According to her illness is an issue of physical trauma and culture reckon with disease and has little to do with each other. Rapid quest to develop, bringing about industraliasation especially in the developing countries in the recent years have change eating habits and have also polluted the environment. This has no doubt affected respiratory system and subsequently cardiac and cardiothoracic system. The heart is a sensitive organ which when affected or impaired can lead to morbidity, high mortality rates and other attendant diseases or problems. These problems are so sensitive that it needs a consulted effort from the government to address. It is because of this that the government help establish a Cardiothoracic center at Korle – Bu in 1992. The work load and pressure on it from within and internationally has necessitated a second one at Komfo Anokye teaching hospital the realization of this need and as a contribution to the development of the national health delivery system. It has been chosen to compile, analyse and synthesis required background information and present a design proposal of such a facility for implementation as design thesis for the postgraduate diploma in architecture The procedure for the thesis has been first to present a general background information on cardiovascular and cardiothoracic issue in the country focusing on the Northern Sector of the country and for that matter in the macro sense of the whole country in totality. Flowing from this, feasibility studies were then undertaken to review Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and establish the need and viability of the project in the light of current economic, social and health conditions in Ghana. Certain related disciplines, such as chest and respiratory problems were selected and critical areas for a health delivery of this sort and comparative studies made on them.

Source: KNUST
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment among Patients Attending the Cardiac Clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

Over the last ten years, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have risen to be among the top causes of admission and institutional deaths in Ghana. Assessment of an individual’s “total” predicted risk of developing a CVD event in 5 or 10 years using risk scores has been identified as one of the ways to determine the burden of CVD risk and to guide treatment decisions. However, there is little information on the assessment of “total” cardiovascular disease risk in Kumasi. The objective of this study therefore was to assess the ten year cardiovascular disease risk among patients attending the cardiac clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending the cardiac clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, aged 30 – 84years. Four hundred and forty one hospital records of patients without overt cardiovascular disease but attending the cardiac clinic were randomly selected and reviewed. Cardiovascular disease risk assessment was based on the most recent Framingham Risk Score by D’Agostino et al., 2008. The prevalence of low, medium and high total CVD risk were 41.5% (95% C I 36.9 – 46.1), 28.1% (95% C I 24.0 – 32.3) and 30.4% (95% C I 26.1 – 34.7) respectively. More men were at moderate to total CVD high risk compared to females (64% vs 52.2%, p value for trend = 0.003). Increase in Body Mass Index, alcohol consumption and triglycerides did not show a significant trend with increase in total CVD risk (p= 0.492; p=0.820; p=0.057) respectively. Being male, aged, diabetic, a smoker and having high LDL-C levels coupled with low HDL-C levels were significantly associated with high total 10year CVD risk.

Source: KNUST
Cardiovascular disease risk prediction in sub-Saharan African populations — Comparative analysis of risk algorithms in the RODAM study

Background: Validated absolute risk equations are currently recommended as the basis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification in prevention and control strategies. However, there is no consensus on appropriate equations for sub-Saharan African populations. We assessed agreement between different cardiovascular risk equations among Ghanaian migrant and home populations with no overt CVD. Methods: The 10-year CVD risks were calculated for 3586 participants aged 40–70 years in the multi-centre RODAM study among Ghanaians residing in Ghana and Europe using the Framingham laboratory and non laboratory and Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) algorithms. Participants were classified as low, moderate or high risk, corresponding to b10%, 10–20% and N20% respectively. Agreement between the risk algorithms was assessed using kappa and correlation coefficients. Results: 19.4%, 12.3% and 5.8% were ranked as high 10-year CVD risk by Framingham non-laboratory, Framing ham laboratory and PCE, respectively. The median (25th–75th percentiles) estimated 10-year CVD risk was9.5% (5.4–15.7), 7.3% (3.9–13.2) and 5.0% (2.3–9.7) for Framingham non-laboratory, Framingham laboratory and PCE, respectively. The concordance between PCE and Framingham non-laboratory was better in the home Ghanaian population (kappa = 0.42, r = 0.738) than the migrant population (kappa = 0.24, r = 0.732) whereas concordance between PCE and Framingham laboratory was better in migrant Ghanaians (kappa = 0.54, r = 0.769) than the home population (kappa = 0.51, r = 0.758). Conclusion: CVD prediction with the same algorithm differs for the migrant and home populations and the inter changeability of Framingham laboratory and non-laboratory algorithms is limited. Validation against CVD outcomes is needed to inform appropriate selection of risk algorithms for use in African ancestry populations

Source: KNUST
Cargo Loading Problem: (A Case Study: Agate Transport and Services Ltd.)

The main function of logistic companies is to load and transport cargo. Loading operations are often done arbitrary without due regard to weight and volume constraints of the vehicle. This thesis seeks to model loading operations at ATS limited, Tema as a linear programming problem so that profits could be maximized. This involves the use of simplex algorithm and application of QM software to analyse the data. The study revealed an optimal profit of Gh₵ 12140.00 was made. It also established an optimal loading plan in each of the three compartments of the vehicle used. Among other recommendations offered was that computer applications give a systematic and transparent solutions as compared to arbitrary method.

Source: KNUST
Carotenoid Eggs from Layers Fed with Annatto {Bixa Orellana) Concentrate for the Health Conscious Consumer

The difference in yolk colour of the local layer and that of the commercial layer is one of the shortcomings of eggs from commercial poultry farming apart from high cholesterol levels. The objective of this study was therefore to naturally enhance the yolk colour of commercial table eggs using annatto. Annatto concentrate (50kg feed: 50kg annatto seeds) was added at the rate of 1%(R1), 4%(R2), 7%(R3) and 10%(R4) to the feed, carophyll yellow (Ca) as additive in one treatment and feed from Agricare Ltd was used as control. Proximate composition of the various feeds was assessed using AO AG methods. Functional properties analysed included emulsion studies, foaming capacity and stability, water and oil binding capacity. Egg samples were assessed by sensory evaluation and egg yolk colour intensity was measured with the Image J software. Cholesterol content was assessed using the human-liquicolor method while antioxidant determination adopted the method of Oyaizu. The R2 composition was the optimum with the Image J analysis. Cholesterol levels were not affected (p>0.05) by inclusion of annatto in the feed. Antioxidant properties of freshly laid eggs, those stored in the fridge, cool place and in the sun showed that annatto has antioxidant activity which was transferred into the freshly laid eggs (0.127-2.501) and those obtained from the fridge (0.123-1.926) when compared to the standard antioxidant n-propyl gallate (0.161-3.079). The research shows that annatto can be applied at 1% to give generally acceptable colour intensity.

Source: KNUST
Carriage and antibiotic susceptibility profile of group B streptococcus during late pregnancy in selected hospitals in Greater Accra

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) also known as Streptococcus agalactiae colonizes the genital and gastrointestinal tract found in 15–50% of healthy adults. Its infection is a major health problem among infants and adults. In pregnancy, vertical transmission of GBS to the newborn can cause neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of GBS in pregnant women in their third trimester, its antibiotic susceptibility profile and serotype distribution in two districts in Greater Accra. Methods: Rectovaginal swabs were collected from a total number of 400 third trimester pregnant women between 35 - 37 weeks of gestation attending routine antenatal clinics at Mamprobi Polyclinic, Accra and Dangme West District Hospital between August 2012 and March 2013. The samples were cultured in Todd Hewitt Broth with 5% sheep blood, sub cultured on sheep blood agar and incubated at 37ºc for 24 hours. Identification was based on the Gram staining, presence of β-haemolysis, absence of catalase production, and agglutination with group-specific and serotype antiserum. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method. Results: GBS colonization on average was confirmed in 26.8% of pregnant women and proportion of GBS isolated from the vagina (77.4%) as compared to the rectum (17.9%) and both vagina and rectum (5.7%). The prevailing serotype were Ia, II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX (0.9, 0.9, 6.6, 9.4, 6.6, 40.2, 6.6 and 29.8 %) respectively. Area of residence has not shown, significantly, to have any influence on GBS colonization (MPC = 28.0%, DWDH = 25.5%) P < 0.05. All isolates were found to be resistant to vancomycin, penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, ceftrixone and cefotaxime (15, 50, 26, 42, 33 and 38%) respectively. Conclusion: A high prevalence of 26.8 % was detected among the pregnant women. There is a need for screening of pregnant women attending antenatal care for this bacterium, including knowing the antibiotic susceptibility so an appropriate intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis can be offered. Further studies are required to verify the presence of antibodies to the serotype and their immunobiological function in the pregnant women.

Source: KNUST