ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Value relevance of accounting information in emerging stock markets: evidence from the Ghana stock exchange

ABSTRACT The female has been given various representations in literature over the years. These varying portrayals have been either positive or negative, or both. Two images of the female dominate literary works; females are either represented as ‗pure‘ or ‗evil‘ (fallen woman) and recently, as both pure and evil. Thus this dissertation seeks to analyse Nawal el Saadawi and Hisham Matar‘s depiction of the virgin-whore dichotomy in their selected texts. The research focuses on discussing straightjacketing in the Maghreb Arab world and highlights the roles religion, culture and patriarchy play in maintaining the status quo between the male and the female. It also looks at what the female suffers in adhering to cultural and religious norms for femaleness and its effects on her psyche. It also discusses the lot of the female who rebels against these accepted norms. The study discusses how the virgin and whore images limit the female and result in her discontentment. Both images reduce her to a body that fulfils the roles prescribed for her under the respective class. However, the main focus of this thesis is not to solely identify female stereotypes in the chosen texts. Although the virgin-whore dichotomy in Arab literature plays an important part in this study, this study goes beyond just identifying stereotypes. It analyses the differences between male and female authors‘ portrayal of this classification. Their stand will determine the negativity or positivity with which they portray women under both classifications. This study will show that the virgin image is an idealised one that leaves women discontented while both virgin and whore images make victims of women. It will show that these images limit women and reduce them to objects and do not give them room to express themselves freely. For the purpose of this thesis, the selected texts will be analysed by applying feminist thoughts which relate to gender roles, stereotyping, culture and religion. These will help us understand the formation of gender roles and expose the role patriarchy plays in instituting sexual inequality. How the selected authors use literary devices such as realism, narrative technique, characterisation, flashback, conflict, dialogue and setting to depict the virgin-whore dichotomy in prose will also be studied. In order to holistically discuss the virgin-whore dichotomy, this research treats segregation, honour, veiling, female genital mutilation, education, marriage, motherhood, prostitution and physical and sexual abuse and their effects on the female. It then suggests ways of enhancing the socialisation process to eliminate discrimination among the sexes and promote an understanding of the sexes so that both males and females can equally participate in the domestic and public spheres. This will help avoid the tendency of defining the female based on what is male and cause her to be viewed as an individual.

Source: KNUST
Variabilite Et Interpretation Paratextuelles : Le cas d’Allah n’est pas obligé (Kourouma) et Le bel immonde (Mudimbé)

This thesis entitled “Variabilité et Interprétation paratextuelles: le cas d’Allah n’est pas obligé (Kourouma) et Le bel immonde (Mudimbé)” has aimed at studying the variability of paratextual elements and how their interpretation enable the comprehension of the two texts. The methodological approach used is the qualitative method and the paratextual approach as presented by Gerard Genette (1987) in Seuil. The study proved that even though the paratextual elements are not part of the texts they are part of the book. In some aspects, the elements present some similarities whereas others are completely opposed or different. They contribute in one way or the other to a deeper understanding of the texts under study.

Source: KNUST
VALUE RELEVANCE OF INFLATION-ADJUSTED EQUITY AND INCOME

The study investigates the value relevance of inflation adjusted and historical cost based data in predicting accounting information reported by listed firms in Ghana. Despite the renewed interest in finding optimal reporting method that conveys essential information to accounting information users, empirical research on this issue remains scant in the economic context of Ghana. Precisely, the study shows how inflation adjusted accounting information plays a role in explaining the market value of listed firms in Ghana. Using panel data from 2004 to 2013, the findings from the study reveal that both historical cost and inflation accounting influence financial ratios. On the value relevance of the two valuation methods, the study reveals that inflation adjusted information content is more value relevant than the traditional cost accounting in predicting the book value of the firms. Further evidence shows that both inflation and historical cost based earnings are value relevant. Therefore, it is recommended that the two valuation methods should not be substituted but should be concurrently used in the preparation and reporting of financial statements.

Source: KNUST
Variabilities in Rainfall Onset, Cessation and Length of Rainy Season for the Various Agro-Ecological Zones of Ghana

This paper examines the onset and cessation dates of the rainy season over Ghana using rain gauge data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) over the period of 1970–2012. The onset and cessation dates were determined from cumulative curves using the number of rainy days and rainfall amount. In addition, the inter-annual variability of the onset and cessation dates for each climatic zone was assessed using wavelet analysis. A clear distinction between the rainfall characteristics and the length of the rainy season in the various climatic zones is discussed. The forest and coastal zones in the south had their rainfall onset from the second and third dekads of March. The onset dates of the transition zone were from the second dekad of March to the third dekad of April. Late onset, which starts from the second dekad of April to the first dekad of May, was associated with the savannah zone. The rainfall cessation dates in the forest zone were in the third dekad of October to the first dekad of November, and the length of the rainy season was within 225–240 days. The cessation dates of the coastal zone were within the second and third dekad of October, and the length of rainy season was within 210–220 days. Furthermore, the transition zone had cessation dates in the second to third dekad of October, and the length of the rainy season was within 170–225 days. Lastly, the savannah zone had cessation dates within the third dekad of September to the first dekad of October, and the length of rainy season was within 140–180 days. The bias in the rainfall onset, cessation and length of the rainy season was less than 10 days across the entire country, and the root mean square error (RMSE) was in the range of 5–25 days. These findings demonstrate that the onset derived from the cumulative rainfall amount and the rainy days are in consistent agreement. The wavelet power spectrum and its significant peaks showed evidence of variability in the rainfall onset and cessation dates across the country. The coastal and forest zones showed 2–8- and 2–4-year band variability in the onsets and cessations, whereas the onset and cessation variability of the transition and savannah zones were within 2–4 and 4–8 years. This result has adverse effects on rain-fed agricultural practices, disease control, water resource management, socio-economic activities and food security in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
The variation of culex quinquefasciatus population density as an index of pollution in urban, peri-urban and rural locations

A seven-month study of the variation of Culex quinquefasciatus population density was undertaken in three locations (i.e. an urban, pen-urban and rural) to establish that the population density of Culex quinquefasciatus could be used as an index of organic pollution. Weekly sampling of the larvae as well as two nights per month catches of the adult mosquitoes using human baits was carried out. At the end of the period, it was observed that in all the three locations, Culex. quinquefasciatus preferred organically polluted water for oviposition . The population density increased with the level of organic pollution. The more polluted sites containing human excreta had the highest densities. The result also showed that water quality is a determining factor of the type of mosquito species that would breed in a particular breeding site. It was further concluded that Culex is an urban mosquito, since the population densities obtained in the urban location for both the larvae and the adults were significantly (P <0.05) higher than those of the pen-urban and rural locations. Similarly, An. gambiae was identified to be a rural mosquito. The biting activities of Culex quinquefasciatus was more concentrated between 8.00pm and 12 midnight with the peak at 11.30pm, while that of Anopheles gambiae was between 11 .30pm and 5.00am, with peak at 1 .30am. The distribution of rainfall rather than the amount is an important determinant of the distribution of the population density of mosquitoes.

Source: KNUST
Variations in levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in type 2 diabetes mellitus between rural and urban Ashanti Region of Ghana

Background: A surge in pro-inflammatory markers, Il-6 and TNF-α, has been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there is no data on the dynamics of these markers in T2DM Ghanaian populations. The aim of this study was to determine variations in the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in T2DM patients. This study also examined the associations of IL-6 and TNF-α with anthropometric measurement and the effect of co-morbidity with hypertension using rural and urban dwellers in the Ashanti region, Ghana. Methods: A nested case–control design using participants aged 25–70 years consisting of 77 T2DM ± hypertension patients and 112 controls were selected from a larger study on Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM). Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and body fat percentage were measured. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glucose, IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Results: The median level of IL-6 was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) among rural dwellers compared to urban dwellers. Inversely, urban dwellers had significantly higher (p = 0.0424) median level of TNF-α compared to rural cases. No significant differences were observed in IL-6 (p = 0.3571) and TNF-α (p = 0.2581) among T2DM patients compared with T2DM ± hypertension patients. A weak negative correlation was found between IL-6 and BMI in urban T2DM. Discussion: The average level of IL-6 was higher in rural T2DM participants compared with those in urban setting. However, higher levels of TNF-α was observed among the study participants with T2DM in urban settings compared to those of rural. In this study, we observed that co-morbidity of hypertension had no significant effect on the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. We are of the opinion that higher physical activity levels among rural particpants and high obesity levels in urabn participants explain the observation but needs more numbers to validate. Conclusion: This study revealed that IL-6 levels were higher among rural dwellers than urban while TNF-α levels were higher in urban dwellers than rural in patients with T2DM. There was no association of body fat percentage and body mass index with IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Co-morbidity of hypertension with T2DM had no effect on IL-6 and TNF-α levels.

Source: KNUST
Variations in some soil physico-chemical properties - a case study for reclassification of soils developed over tarkwaian rocks in the high rainfall forest and the moist semi-deciduous forest zones of Ghana

Morphological and chemical properties of soil series developed on the Tarkwaian rocks within the High Rainfall Forest Zone (HRF) and the Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest (MSDF) Zone of Ghana were studied. The main objective was to critically examine the differences in the soils developed over the Tarkwaian rocks in the two ecological zones and to find out if these differences justify reclassification of the soils. Four (4) sites in each of the HRF and MSDF Zones were selected for the study. The soils were identified in the field at the series level along the catena using auger borings and mini pits up to 120 or 150cm or to the parent rock as well as road cuttings encountered in the two areas. Soil characteristics such as soil depth, colour, drainage, texture, structure, and various types of concretions, surface gravelliness and other physical parameters were examined. Nineteen (19) soil profile pits were dug and hundred and thirty (130) soil samples were collected from the profiles in the HRF Zone. In the MSDF Zone, sixteen (16) soil profiles were dug and one hundred and five (105) soil samples were collected. The studies revealed that the physico-chemical properties of the two groups of soils differ from each other. The differences are attributed principally to differences in the climatic conditions prevailing in the two zones. The soils of the HRF Zone which receive nearly 2000mm annual rainfall were found to be deeply weathered and strongly leached than those of the MSDF Zone which receives about 1500 mm of annual rainfall, it was also found that clay bulges were conspicuously absent in the soils of the HRF Zone but glaringly present in the upland sub-soils of the MSDF Zone. Using the FAO/UNESCO and the USDA Classification Systems the soils found in the two ecological zones have been classified. Matured soils in the HRF Zone are mainly Ferralsols by the FAD/UNESCO System (1990) or Oxisols by the USDA System (1998) while those in the MSDF Zone are mainly Alfisols and Ultisols by the FAO/UNESCO System, (1990) or Oxisols by the USDA System (1998).

Source: KNUST
Varietal Susceptibility of Improved Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) (Walp.) Cultivars to Field and Storage Pests

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics as food for man and livestock. The crop is highly prone to pests and diseases which limit its production. Resistant cowpea varieties have become increasingly important in the management of both field and storage pests. Three improved cowpea varieties and one local variety were screened for their susceptibility to field and storage pests. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and three replications. The different pests infesting the plants were identified and counted. Aphids and thrips were scored on a scale of 0-5, depending on the levels of infestations. Natural enemies’ numbers, leaf damage, pod damage and yield were assessed. Callosobruchus maculatus infestations during storage and weight reduction were determined over a six week period. Aphids and M. sjostedti score, M. virtrata and Empoasca sp. numbers did not differ significantly; however, significantly more pod sucking bubs attacked the local variety than the improved varieties. Natural enemies’ numbers on the various cultivars did not differ significantly. Yield was however significantly better in the improved varieties. The local variety suffered the largest weight reduction (20.91%) during storage while Nhyira suffered the least weight reduction of 4.23%. The use of improved varieties and application of pests’ control measures will increase cowpea production in Ghana

Source: KNUST
Varietal screening and genetic analysis for iron toxicity tolerance in rice

Two major field experiments were carried out in Korhogo in Northern Cote d’Ivore, between Sept, 1994 and June 1996 to study the tolerance of rice varieties to iron toxicity. Twenty eight varieties were transplanted into adjacent iron toxic and non-toxic fields. A randomised complete block design was used with three replications. Leaf symptoms of iron toxieity were scored on six occasions during the growing period, using the IRRI scale (1-9). Data were also taken on the number of tillers at the maximum tillering stage, pl4nt height at maturity and grain yield and its components. Iron toxicity symptoms ranged between 2.0 and 7 0. Significant associations were observed between iron toxicity tolerance and reduction in yield (r=0.63**). No such relationship was, however, observed between iron toxicity tolerance and reduction in number of tillers. Scoring for iron toxicity symptoms at 75 days after transplanting (DAT) emerged as the best date for symptom expression. However, a comparison between the highest scores, 75 DAT scores and the cumulative scores (sum of the six highest scores) indicated cumulative scores as providing a more accurate assessment of varietal tolerance. Following the results of the screening trial two groups of populations were derived from crosses between selected tolerant and susceptible parents for genetic studies. Heritability estimates for tolerance to iron toxicity ranged between 25% (in cross II) and 73.57% (in cross I). The genetic analysis showed that the character is probably controlled by a few numbers of genes with epistatic effects, which resulted in heterosis in one of the crosses

Source: KNUST
Vegetation dynamics in the southwest of Burkina Faso in response to rainfall variability and land use

Assessing vegetation dynamics is relevant for ensuring sustainable development especially in regions where natural vegetation is altered by anthropogenic land use and rainfall variability. This is particularly crucial in the Sudan savannah of West Africa where vegetation dynamics remains poorly understood and is subject to debate. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the response of vegetation dynamics to rainfall variability and land use in the southwest of Burkina Faso. For this purpose, Landsat data (1999, 2006 and 2011) and ancillary data were used to determined changes in Land Use/Cover (LULC) with random forest classifier. Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) and correlation analysis were used to determine rainfall variability and the relationship between vegetation indices (NDVI and EVI) and rainfall respectively. Lastly, the integration of temporal persistence analysis and Mann-Kendall’s trend test was employed to detect trends in vegetation based on MODIS NDVI 250 m data (2000-2013). Local perceptions have also been determined. The results revealed that multi-temporal LULC classification significantly outperformed mono-temporal data classification. However, combining mono-temporal imagery and ancillary data significantly enhanced the accuracy to the level of multi-temporal classification. In the period 1999-2011, LULC dynamics in the study area was mainly characterised by expansion of agricultural area and bare surface and reduction of woodland and mixed vegetation. In all the decades within the period 1981-2012, the study area was frequently under near normal conditions of rainfall with intermittent occurrence of extreme events. A non-significant increasing rainfall trend was predominant mainly in the periods 1981-2012 and 2001-2012. Vegetation dynamics was found to be strongly related to rainfall, and NDVI was slightly more sensitive to rainfall than EVI. This research also showed that the study area (83.8%) was dominated by inconsistent dynamics of vegetation in the period 2000-2013. Decreasing trajectory (14%) was prominent among the detected trends and was particularly found in agricultural area and also in areas under high and moderate human footprint. Greening trend (2.2%) was observed mainly in woodland and areas less affected by human footprint. Human was identified as the main driver of vegetation trends in the study area. The perception of local population of vegetation trends was in agreement with the remote sensing observation. In general, between 2000 and 2013, the vegetation of the study area was found to have reduced, and this is more because of unsustainable land use than rainfall conditions. These findings call for more sustainable land use management practices in this part of Burkina Faso.

Source: KNUST
Vegetable Handling, Distribution, and Wholesale Profitability in “Abinchi” Night Market, Kumasi-Ghana

The study was conducted on vegetable handling practices, distribution and wholesale haulage profitability in Abinchi night market Kumasi, Ghana. Focus group discussions were held for middlemen, market queens and men, and 150 market queens and men were randomly selected and interviewed to elicit prevailing handling practices. SPSS was used to analyze data obtained and financial analytical tools; profit margin, return on investment and benefit cost ratio were used to assess the profitability of the vegetable wholesale haulage. Open and closed trucks, mini vans and taxis were identified to be regular modes of transport of vegetables. Vegetables are packed and stored in jute sacks with shelf life ranging from 3 to 7 days with visible deterioration over days. The wholesale haulage of vegetable was viable in the months of July, August and September. In mid September 2013, a 150 Kg sack full of cabbage in Tepa, a major hub of vegetable production in the Ashanti region was selling for an average of GH¢15 on farm. This constitutes 39% of the total cost of a sack full of cabbage with about 61% constituting the cost of overheads and transportation at the wholesale centre. The sales price of an average sack of cabbage to middlemen was GH¢40, with a net revenue of GH¢ 1.20 on each sack of cabbage sold. A 40Kg jute sack full of carrot sold at GH¢20 on farm, representing 77% of the total cost per sack.

Source: KNUST