ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessment of development control capacity of mmdas: a study of selected works department in the Gomoa district

Effective development with respect to the capacities of MMDA’s works department has been a major concern for districts across the shores of Ghana. This cancer has been as a result of a lot of factors including political interferences, bribery and corruption, the illegal conversion of residential structures for commercial usage, inadequate equipment and machinery needed for the effective discharge of duty at the various districts, understaffing and inadequate training of staff and many more. The objectives of this study are to assess development control capacity of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies with particular interest in the works department of MMDAs, investigating the challenges facing development control, with focus on the Gomoa Central, Gomoa East, and Gomoa West Districts in the Central Region of Ghana. The researcher adapted both quantitative and qualitative approaches with regards to the collection of a primary data from fifty respondents. Both deductive and inductive approaches were used for the analysis of the data with the validity and reliability of data being tested using Cronbach’s Alpha test. The empirical data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21). The results of the analysis revealed that the staffing level of the works department of the MMDA’s needed to be reconsidered to ensure that staff of the works department are not only adequately trained to understand nature and rudiments of their jobs; the staffing level be increased to accommodate more staff to help monitor the developments of buildings in the various communities as a step towards the effective control development in the ever-increasing urban population. Therefore, the study recommends that staff of the MMDAs be periodically trained and appraise on the legal rules for construction work, building regulation/code, land management, town and country planning rules/laws; They should also be made to understanding that as part of their requirement to undertake their dutiesiv in their various capacities, their knowledge of the various tools they need to equip themselves for the job is of eminent importance; MMDAS should use their internal staff to execute majority of their projects instead of hiring or giving out the projects on contract; The MMDAs adapt innovative method of financing public works, such as Public-Private-Partnership; The Central Government should be more flexible in releasing and allocating central budgets to the various MMDAs to better place the latter plan and work more efficiently; The MMDAs should improve remuneration/service conditions to attract more technical/professional staff into the service to help in the attempt to effectively control the development of buildings and other structure in the communities; and the MMDAs encourage stakeholder participation in determining local infrastructure needs.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of different maturity periods and processing methods on the seed quality of two okra varieties

The field experiment to obtain okra seeds was carried out at Nkwakwa in the Offinso-North District of Ashanti where okra is extensively grown. The Laboratory investigations were done at the Ghana Grains and Legumes Development Board seed laboratory in Kumasi. The experiment was carried out between August 2014 and April 2015. The principal aim of the experiment was to assess the seed quality of two okra varieties harvested at different maturity stages and processed using different methods. Pods were harvested at physiological maturity stages and that of farmers maturity stages. Seeds were later processed using hand shelling of pods and pod pounding in mortar. Seed were further dried to a moisture content of 10% before carrying out the quality investigations. Five aspects of seed quality were investigated and these included purity, vigour, germination percentage, seed fungi and thousand seed weight. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that, okra pods harvested at physiological maturity gave better seed quality than those harvested at the farmers harvest period. The research also revealed that processing of dried pods using hand shelling gave higher seed quality than those processed through pounding in a mortar. For good quality okra seeds in terms of purity, vigour, germination percentage, seed health and thousand seed weight therefore, pods should be harvested at physiological maturity period and processed using hand shelling method.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of domestic fire management in Kumasi Metropolis

Domestic fires is the highest incidence of fire outbreak in Kumasi (GNFS, 2013). In an attempt to address the alarming rate of fire outbreaks in Ghana, the Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulation (2003) LI 1724 was passed to enable Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to carry out inspection of proposed and existing premises, review building plan regarding fire safety and issuance of fire certificate. However, the law is enforced only on public buildings like hotels, schools, commercial buildings etc. to the neglect of private domestic residential buildings. This has led to increasing rate of fire outbreaks in Kumasi Metropolis leading to loss of life and property. As a result, the study sought to assess the management of domestic fires in Kumasi Metropolis. This was achieved through determination of the level of fire safety knowledge and residents’ level of compliance with fire safety regulations; evaluate the roles played by the relevant institutions in the management of domestic fires and examine the problems militating against effective management of domestic fires in the Kumasi Metropolis. Using four purposively selected fire prone areas in Kumasi, a cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. Both purposive and systematic sampling techniques were used for the study. Primary data obtained from the field were analysed using quantitative tool like tables, cross tabulation, pie chart as well as qualitative techniques. The study revealed that compliance with and knowledge on fire safety measures are low. The mean compliance of the house owners in the study communities was approximately two (2) meaning that each house owner is likely to comply with two fire safety measures. Poor house address system leads to inaccurate directions hindering prompt response by fire management institutions to fire emergencies. It is recommended that, Fire Precaution (Premises) regulation of Ghana, 2003 (LI 1724) on residential buildings should be implemented immediately to compel house owners to integrate issues in physical development.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in Ehi Community in the Ketu- North District of the Volta Region of Ghana

Ehi community depends on bore holes, surface water and shallow hand dug wells. The aim of this study was to assess the drinking water quality of these sources, between November, 2010 and March 2011. Total coliform, E. coli and total heterotrophic bacteria were enumerated using membrane filtration method. Comprehensive physicochemical parameters were determined. Overall, higher bacterial counts were recorded for all sources, except for Bore hole. Values recorded for both physicochemical and bacteriological were within WHO guideline values. Most of chemical ions concentrations were well within WHO guideline values for all the six samples except that higher level of sodium was recorded at Biasevudo well and higher level of Iron at Dzago stream. The ranking in terms of potability are in the order; bore hole water > shallow well water > surface water. Water from shallow hand dug wells, and surface waters upon which the community depends is of poor quality as these are sited close to refuse pits, latrines and areas accessible to domestic animals. The data are being used to advise the district assembly. An integrated approach is therefore required to minimize feacal pollution of wells and surface water bodies within the community.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of effect of international finance facility for the development of rural infrastructure and community service: a case of Millennium Development Authority in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality in Ashanti Region

This study was carried out to assess the effects of MiDA’s rural infrastructure and community service intervention on rural development in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality. Primary data were obtained through a questionnaire survey of 144 selected household heads from four communities namely Kasei, Kobriti, Aframso and Hiawoanwo. These communities were purposively selected because of the presence of rural infrastructure provided by MiDA. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics tools in SPSS. Analysis of the data revealed that the contributions of MiDA in the communities have been the provision of educational, water and warehouse facilities. As an effect, the respondents indicated an improved school participatory rate and increased access to potable water in the communities. However, it was found that the warehouse facility has not been used frequently as most farmers rate the service charges as expensive. From the analysis, it was found that while majority of the respondents did not participate towards the provision of the facilities, others participated at various levels including project identification and implementation. With regard to the maintenance and repair of the provided facilities, majority of the respondents indicated no knowledge of either a maintenance fund or a locally trained technician for repair works. Furthermore, most of the respondents attributed management of the educational facilities to the local assembly while management of the water and warehouse facilities were attributed to private caretakers. Most respondents raised concerns such as lack of prioritisation of needs, poor siting of facilities, mismanagement and high service cost as issues they believe do not go well with the interventions of MiDA. The study concludes that beneficiaries of such interventions will benefit more from such interventions if they participate fully to ensure that their pressing needs are provided. Therefore, the study recommends for more local participation in rural development interventions.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of drinking water quality in Akunakope and Dzogbedzi communities of Shai Osudoku district of Greater Accra region

Lack of potable drinking water and basic sanitation system is a severe concern in Ghana, and as a result households without access to potable water are forced to use less reliable and less hygienic water sources contributing to most water related diseases. Investigations were conducted to assess the drinking water quality of boreholes and surface water in the Akunakope and Dzogbedzi communities of the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. The geographical locations of the boreholes and the surface water were determined using global positioning satellite (GPS). Water quality analyses of some physic - chemical and bacteriological parameters were carried out on the water samples. The social survey revealed that 83% of the respondents perceived their water sources for drinking as poor and attributed farming along the banks of the water body, indiscriminate dumping of waste in and around the water body and bathing/washing in the water body as the major contributing causes.Turbidity, colour, EC, TDS, TSS, total alkalinity, total hardness, bicarbonates, nitrates, chlorides, sulphate, fluoride, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and total iron values for the surface water samples were significantly higher as compared to those in the boreholes. However, with the exception of EC, temperature, chloride and turbidity whose levels in both surface water and borehole far exceeded the WHO guideline values for drinking water, all other physico-chemical parameters were within the WHO recommended limits. No total coliform or faecal coliform counts were detected from the borehole water samples during the entire study period. The surface water, however recorded total coliform counts which ranged from 630±20.8 – 1115±73.5cfu/100ml and faecal coliform (120±54.2 -292.5±10.5cfu/100ml) which far exceeded the WHO recommended limit.This study therefore accentuates the need to treat the water sources before drinking or using for domestic purpose because of the high microbial counts.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of drivers’ capacity in applying road signs and regulations on the highways in the Sunyani Municipality

Road transportation provides benefits both to nations and individuals by facilitating the movement of goods and people. It enables increased access to jobs, economic market, education, recreation and health care, which in turn have direct and indirect positive impacts on the health of populations. However, the increase in road transportation has also placed a considerable burden on people’s health, especially in the form of road traffic deaths and injuries. In finding reasons for high accident occurrence, the questions the study seeks to answer include; social characteristics of commercial drivers in the Sunyani Municipality; trends and nature of accidents in the Sunyani Municipality; relationship between the characteristics of commercial drivers and incidence of accidents in the Sunyani Municipality; roles of the stakeholders in reducing the rate of accidents in the Sunyani Municipality. One hundred and twenty-eight (128)structured questionnaires were administered to commercial drivers at selected lorry parks in the Sunyani Municipality. Data were also collected from the management staffof institutions such as GPRTU, DVLA, MTTU and GPRTU. Both descriptive and quantitative analyses were used for data presentation. Findings indicated that about 79 percent of the drivers were below 35 years of age. Also, more than 88 percent of them had no more than secondary education - out of which 20.3 percent had no formal education. The study subsequently identified a positive linear correlation between these characteristics and the occurrence of accidents in the study areas, as it was revealed that, the 37.4 percent drivers who had never been to school frequently had recorded accidents – 59 cases out of 158. In contrast, the 13.4 percent drivers who had some tertiary education only recorded 18 accidents. The study calls for proactive drivers’ education and training as well as effective law enforcement in order to reduce the level of carnage on the roads, from the drivers’ perspective.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Effect of Leachate on Well Water Quality at Atonsu Dompoase Landfill Site

Globally, safe drinking water is important and is fundamental to health, survival, and growth. Well water sources are treated and managed for safe use in developed countries like Germany whiles in developing countries like Ghana well water is assumed to be free from all pathogenic organisms and consumed without prior treatment. Only a small proportion of the populace have access to treated piped water across the globe including Ghana of which residents of Atonsu Dompoase is of no exception. The closeness of a landfill facility to well water sources have a potential of infiltrating the water and causing health related problems like cholera, skin rashes and diarrhoea as alluded to by residents of Atonsu Dompoase. The objective of this research was to assess the possible effect of leachate percolation on well water quality at Atonsu Dompoase Landfill Site. Concentrations of various physico-chemcial parameters including heavy metal elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) and microbiological parameters (total coliform, TC and faecal coliform, FC) were established in both leachate and well water samples. The effect of distance of wells from the Atonsu Dompoase Landfill was also investigated. Leachate and well water samples were collected from Atonsu Dompoase Landfil Site and Atonsu Dompoase community, respectively. Results were subjected to statistical evaluation using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The ANOVA was conducted with the Genstat software. All analyses were conducted at a significance level of 5 %. TC and FC counts; pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were significantly higher in well water samples collected from Atonsu Dompoase vicinity than the Ghana EPA/GSB standards and are of great concern to public health when the water from these wells is consumed without prior treatment.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of effective drug procurement in District Hospitals (a case study of Kwahu Government Hospital)

Procurement is described as the acquisition by a manufacturer for his necessary primary material, supplies, equipments and so forth by any method whatsoever. Although the successful implementation of Public Procurement Act has helped organizations in checking out huge and unsustainable foreign debt, excessive budget deficits, huge payment of debt and arrears. The main objective of the study was to investigate the procedures of effective drug procurement in Kwahu Government Hospital. The Kwahu Government Hospital which is located at Atibie in the Eastern Region of Ghana was used for the study. Descriptive survey was adopted as the research design. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting a sample size of 150. In this study, the respondents were of the view that, there were no copies of the Act which personnel could refer to guide them in their daily activities in procurement processes. The staff and management of the health facilities in the Kwahu Government Hospital did not know the details of the Public Procurement Act, which would guide them on purchases in the implementation of the Act to the letter. Accepting stocks into the stores was mostly done by listing all items in the store receipt voucher booklet. The study indicated that, transparency; cost reduction in terms of health care delivery, efficient and effective way of purchases and few others have been the major contributions since the introduction of the Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663). It was indicated from the study that, factors that restrain the health personnel’s from utilizing procurement act were; lack of qualified procurement staff, poor procurement organization and procedures. Officers in procurement have to be given thorough training on the subject so that its implementation will not be a problem.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of emotional and administrative support services in the reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates: a case study of the Sunyani Central Prisons

Imprisonment in its actuality deprives inmates of their fundamental human rights to a very large extent. Prisoners are made to live in a world of restriction and self-denial. Due to the strict standards and high security implications of the Ghana Prisons Service, very little studies have been conducted in this area of research hence the researcher took the advantage of accessibility as an officer of the Prisons Service to fill the research gap with this study. This research study was conducted at the Sunyani Central Prison due to accessibility and availability of data as well as time and resource constraints. Qualitative research method which included participant observation and individual in-depth interviews were used in obtaining the findings of this study. In all, fifteen (15) respondents consisting of ten (10) Prison officers, two (2) Social Workers and three (3) ex-convicts participated in the study. It was established that emotional support and administrative support for inmates help a lot in reforming and rehabilitating them. It was discovered the prisons are inadequately resourced to offer vocational and technical training to the inmates. Some inmates have never received any visit from any family member since their incarceration. The study again revealed that there had been some instances that officers compromised their professional standards to traffic items to inmates, thereby leading to strict sanctions. Also, it was found that some inmates prefer the life in prison to that outside, hence they become recidivist. It is therefore recommended that, governments, families, prison officers, and all and sundry should offer emotional and administrative support to inmates so as to ensure their successful reformation and rehabilitation. Governments and policy makers should review the law that prohibits ex-convicts from employment in state owned institutions. Also, it is recommended that government should channel some of the projects it embarks on, such as the construction of public buildings, schools, classroom furniture, school uniforms and others to the Ghana Prison Service as contracts to help the service generate internal income to support its operations.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of electronic banking services in commercial banks In Ghana: the case of Unibank

The purpose of the study is to assess electronic banking services in commercial banks in Ghana using uniBank as a case study. The study was basically a cross-sectional survey which used quantitative approach (structured questionnaires) to gather data and the results presented using figures and tables using SPSS (version 18. Data was collected from two hundred (200) respondents of UniBank. This was made up of 199 customers and 1 staff member. The study identified thirteen (13) electronic banking services that are provided by UniBank in the Kumasi Metropolis. They include Unimobile savings account, UniWEB, UniALERT, UniCARD, Smart Deposit, UniBank Master Card, Debit Gold Card, Standard Debit Card, Prepaid Card, Fast Pay, Fast Credit, Sika Collect and Automated Teller Machine (ATM). About 80 percent of respondents used all the electronic banking products except Smart deposit, prepaid card, Fast Credit and fast pay. Electronic banking has benefited customers in areas such as making it easier for them to make business transactions, control over finances, efficient management of finances, time saving, convenience and privacy. The results indicate that the cost or charge for using electronic banking and educational background of persons are some of the major determinants of usage of electronic banking. Customers complained that electronic banking usage are sometimes frustrating, poorly handled by service providers, slow to use and insecure internet connections. The study recommends that management of banks should make effort to bring electronic banking services to the doorstep of each and every one. Also, charges on electronic banking usage should be moderately priced to encourage non-users to develop the interest in using electronic banking.

Source: KNUST