ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effects of tillage and weeding frequency on rice performance and soil physical properties

Tillage and weed control are two important inputs that affect rice (Oryza sativa L.) performance and soil properties. A field study was conducted under rainfed conditions at Nyankpala, located in the Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana to determine the effects of tillage and weeding frequency on the growth and yield of NERICA 4 rice, and soil physical properties. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three tillage practices as main plots, and four weeding frequencies as sub-plots. Each treatment was replicated three times. The tillage practices comprised of disc ploughing only, disc ploughing followed by disc harrowing, and no tillage. The weeding frequencies consisted of weeding with a hand hoe three times, two times, and one time. The fourth weeding frequency treatment was no weeding. Apart from plant height and number of leaves per plant, the results indicated significant differences in the growth and yield of NERICA 4 rice between the different tillage practices. The disc ploughing followed by disc harrowing treatment produced the tallest plant, highest number of leaves per plant, highest number of tillers per plant, highest number of panicles, longest panicle, highest panicle weight and highest number of spikelet‟s per panicle. Similarly, the disc ploughing followed by disc harrowing treatment presented the highest dry matter yield, highest number of grains per panicle, highest 1000-grain weight, and highest grain yield. The no tillage treatment gave the lowest growth and yield performance. There was statistically significant difference in the growth and yield of NERICA 4 rice between the different weeding frequencies. In general, weeding thrice resulted in the best growth and yield of NERICA 4 rice. The no weeding treatment recorded the poorest performance of the crop. Overall, there was no significant difference in soil bulk density, moisture content, air content and total porosity between the different tillage practices. Similarly, in general, the results did not show significant difference in soil physical properties between the different weeding frequencies. Therefore, under the soil and weather conditions of the experiment, the best tillage practice and weeding frequency identified for NERICA 4 rice production is disc ploughing followed by disc harrowing, and weeding three times

Source: KNUST
Effects of trade liberalization on the global decoupling and decomposition of CO2 emissions from economic growth

Evidence of climate change is widespread and severe across all parts of the world. This poses a threat to humanity, and the entire environment. Appropriate policies are therefore required to help reduce greenhouse gas emission levels, limit the rate of global warming and its impact on climate change while pursuing national growth targets. This study employs the Tapio decoupling method to analyse the decoupling relationship (DR) between economic growth and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from 1998 to 2018. We also apply the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method on an extended Kaya identity to analyse CO2 emissions drivers in 145 countries. Last, the study examined the relative impacts of trade intensity and trade efficiency on the DR between economic growth and CO2 emissions. The results revealed that regions with relatively many developing and emerging countries (i.e., SSA, EAP, LAC, MENA, and SA) generally performed Weak Decoupling (WD), Expansive Negative Decoupling (END) and Expansive Coupling (EC), and the decoupling process was largely unstable. The ECA and NA regions on the other hand, which are typically composed of developed economies performed stable WD and Strong Decoupling (SD) statuses throughout the study period. The evidence further revealed that while trade intensity, activity, population, output per carbon emission and Carbon Intensity (CI) effects promote CO2 emissions, trade efficiency and energy intensity (EI) hinder emissions. We recommend that developing countries should enforce laws and cooperate with the developed economies to gain access to green technology to promote environmental sustainability.

Source: KNUST
Effects of Trade Openness and Economic Growth on Carbon Dioxide (Co2) Emissions in Ghana

This study investigated the effect of trade openness and economic growth on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Ghana. Other variables considered were energy consumption and urbanization. It employed the use of annual time series data sourced from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators from 1971 to 2009. The ADF test proved all the variables to be stationary after first differencing. The Johansen multivariate test for cointegration indicated a one cointegrating equation among the series. The study found evidence for the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in the long-run. It found a statistically significant positive relationship between trade openness and CO2 emissions. It however found energy consumption (EC) and urbanization (URBAN) to have negative impact on CO2 emissions in the long-run but positive impact in the short-run. The Granger Causality test revealed a unidirectional causality running from energy consumption to CO2 emissions with no reverse causality observed.

Source: KNUST
The Effects of Training and Development on Employees’ Performance in the Hunger Project - Ghana

Organizations today are required to function in a world full of change and complexity, and it is more important than ever to have the right employees in order to survive the surrounding competition. In any organization that offers services or products to the general public, a critical and key area of relevance is the performance of its employees. One of the larger aspects of developing employees’ skills and abilities is the actual organizational focus on the employee to become better, either as a person or as a contributor to the organization. Performance is an extremely important criterion that relates to organizational outcomes and success. The main aim of the study was to assess the impact of training and development on employees’ performance. The focus of the study was The Hunger Project-Ghana. Descriptive survey was adopted as the research design. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting a sample size. It was realized from the study that, training provided in the organization was as a response to what competitions are doing and also they were provided only when problems occur. Most of the respondents were of the view that there were no training and development policies in the organization. Majority of the respondents indicated that, the average training days per employee provided in a year were between the ranges of one to two days. It was recommended that the organization should try its best to come up with the training and development policies and practices since they are the strategic link between the organization’s vision and its day-to-day operations. It was also suggested that a Human Resource Unit be established to take charge of training and development needs of employees.

Source: KNUST
The effects of training and development on the performance of Administrators in the Registrar’s offices, Knust

Many organizations in Ghana and indeed the public sector engaged in training and development of staff have departments, units and sections in charge of training and development. KNUST is one of such organizations that has been practising training and development since its establishment. It however appears training in KNUST is haphazard, unplanned and unsystematic, and several of its employees such as junior and senior staff workers have not qualified for any form of training, because the criteria for selecting workers for training has not been spelled out to the workers. The main objective of the study was to find out how training and development have influenced the performance of administrative staff in the offices of the Registrar at KNUST. The methodology employed in the study included the use of questionnaires and interviews. A stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain the needed sample. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software. The results were explained with the help of well-defined illustrations in tabular and figure forms for easy understanding. The study revealed that administrators at the KNUST were privileged to the knowledge of the existence of training and development programmes. Again it was discovered that the training needs of the administrative workers of KNUST were determined with very little consultation with workers. Also, the study established that the performance of workers after training was improved even though it was found out that the evaluation of their performances were not carried out both before and after training. The research recommends that management of the KNUST should consult workers in identifying their training needs, assess the performance of vi staff before and after training to determine the effect of the training on the staff, initiate mentoring as well as internal training programmes.

Source: KNUST
Effects of training on loan repayment among small scale farmers: A case study of the IVRDP in the Ahafo-Ano South District, Ashanti Region

Capacity building through training is now considered a vital component in maintaining competitiveness in the agricultural sector. The IVRDP therefore trained its beneficiary farmers in both the rice crop production techniques and financial management inter alia. This was aimed at improving the loan repayment performance of the project beneficiary farmers. The IVRDP in the Ahafo-Ano South District of the Ashanti Region was used as a case study to mainly assess the effects of training on loan repayment among the beneficiary small scale farmers. Specifically, the study sought to identify the credit facilities and management strategies used by the ADB under the project, determine the production training needs of the beneficiary farmers and also examine the content and quality of the training given to the farmers prior to loan disbursement. Questionnaires were administered to collect data from one hundred (100) respondents, sampled using the purposive sampling method. The data collected were analyzed using the Microsoft Excel software and the descriptive statistical tools of frequency tables and percentages. The results showed that farmers obtained higher crop yields resulting from the application of the crop production methods trained in. It is recommended that the ADB shortens the loan processing time between application and disbursement to about two weeks to avoid diversion of loan funds. The ADB also needs to improve upon its frequency and timing of monitoring and recovery of the funds disbursed under the project. The Project Co-ordinating Unit (PCU) of the IVRDP should also consider including in its training regime effective marketing strategies to enable the farmers sell their produce and pay off the loan in time.

Source: KNUST
Effects of training on the performance of employees in the public utility companies in the Ashanti Region

The quality of the human resource of an organisation is vital to its achievement. Thus, an organisation must seek to improve the quality of its employees. One way of achieving this is through training. Training can only be valued with a clear understanding of its direct effects on employee performance. An enhancement in employee performance also leads to an improvement in the company’s performance. It is in this respect that the public utility companies (ECG and GWCL) were analyzed to establish a relationship between its training programmes on the performance of employees and the overall performance of the company. The study reviewed literature on the concepts of training and performance and defined training as a systematic process of changing the behaviour, knowledge and motivation of current employees to improve the level of performance. Data was derived through questionnaires distributed to selected employees and an interview held with the managers. The results revealed that the public utility companies have training programmes that some employees were not aware of. Most employees no matter their educational background, age or number of years with the organisations had benefitted from the training programmes. The objective of training varied from different employees although the training had positive effect on their personal goals in the organisation. The public utility companies are advised to conduct appropriate training needs assessment to ensure that, training content for employees would result in efficient and improved interpersonal relationship. The possibility of best practices training programmes should be considered for employees of Ghana Water Company Limited in particular. It was again recommended that all employees are made aware and have access to the training programmes available. And that training programmes are constantly evaluated to ensure their compatibility with the current trends in the utility industry for added advantage.

Source: KNUST
Effects of two different drying mats at different loading densities on the physical and chemical qualities of cocoa beans

Sun drying produces the best quality cocoa beans if it is properly done, but more often than not bad weather conditions make sun drying inefficient and produce beans of inconsistent quality. Various drying methods have been adopted in a bid to arrive at beans that meet the aroma and flavor characteristics required by chocolate manufacturers. This research work was, therefore, set up to compare the drying potentials of the SNSpac drying mat and the raffia drying mat at three different loading densities, ie. 3kg, 6kg, and 9kg, and to assess their impact on the physical and chemical qualities of the dried beans. In terms of drying time, there were significant differences among all the treatments indicating that the type of mat used and the various loading densities all affected the rate of drying of the beans. Fastest drying rates were observed in the 3kg loadings on both mats, but upon chemical analysis it was found that beans from these treatments contained high acidities and free fatty acid levels that were higher than the permissible levels recommended by the Quality Control Company of the Ghana Cocoa Board (QCC). The cut test analysis showed that the treatments on the raffia mat resulted in higher percentage brown beans and lower percentage purple beans, but these were not significantly different from the scores obtained from the SNSpac. Surface moulding was observed in the medium and high (6kg and 9kg) loading on the SNSpac mat, while slight surface moulding occurred only on the high (9kg) loading on the raffia mat. Significant differences in Polyphenol concentrations were due to the different loading densities and not the drying mats. However, the range of total Polyphenol concentration in all the treatments fell within the levels recommended by the QCC. Overall quality assessment showed that the 9kg treatment on raffia mat produced reasonably good quality beans as compared to the other loadings.

Source: KNUST
Effects of two neem kernel extracts in the control of Whitefly (Bemisia Tabaci) on tomato

Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) are major insect pests of tomato plants in Ghana. The danger of these insect pests developing resistance to most synthetic insecticides has necessitated the need for alternative methods of controlling them. Neem products which are practically non-toxic and relatively harmless to man and beneficial insects are the best alternative against the control of these pests. Field trials were conducted in the minor rainy season of 2008 and major season of 2009 to assess the effectiveness of different neem-based products namely, aqueous neem kernel powder extract (ANKPE) and neem kernel powder extract (NKPE) against and B. tabaci and on the yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Karate (Lambdacyhalothrin) was used as reference synthetic pesticide. The field design used was the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and there were four treatments with three replications. Data were collected on insect numbers, number of damaged leaves and the number of plants infected with tomato yellow leaf curl virus. The field trial was conducted on an experimental farm near the Sewage Treatment Plant at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. B. tabaci was detected on the tomato plants two weeks after transplanting in both seasons. The number of whiteflies was significantly lower (F = 194.06; P < 0.0001) in the neem - treated plants compared to the control plants but significantly higher than the karate - sprayed plants in the minor season. During the major season, the number of whiteflies on the karate - sprayed and neem - treated plants was significantly lower (F = 96.38; P < 0.0001) than the control plants. There was significant difference (P < 0.001) between ANKPE and NKPE in the minor season. However, there was no significant difference between the neem extracts in the major season. The number of damaged leaves on the control plants was significantly more (F = 27.92; P < 0.0001) than the karate - sprayed and neem - treated plants. The number of plants infected with tomato yellow leaf curl virus in the control was significantly (F = 11.54; P < 0.0001) more than the karate and ANKPE - sprayed plants but did not differ significantly from NKPE. The number of plants infected with tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in NKPE did not differ significantly from ANKPE - sprayed plants in the minor season. No infection of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was observed on all treatments during the major season. There was no significant difference (F = 3.11; P < 0.0887) in terms of yield among all the treatments in the minor season and in major season (F = 0.19; P < 0.897). Karate (Lambdacyhalothrin) did not prove superior to ANKPE and NKPE in the minor and major seasons. B. tabaci proved to be susceptible to the two neem extracts in the minor and major seasons. The neem extracts can therefore be used in the control of B. tabaci.

Source: KNUST
The effects of unauthorised developments on the environment - a case study of Atonsu, Kumasi

The springing up of unauthorised development is assuming alarming proportion in the city of Kumasi and other big cities in Ghana. The spate of developments in the city and its environs seems to have overwhelmed the planning authorities to an extent that they are not able to maintain a strict regime of control on development. This has further been exacerbated by the lack of logistics, poor service conditions, inadequate staffing etc, Coupled with the recalcitrance and ignorance of prospective developers. Despite the various enactments such as the Town and Country Planning Ordinance of 1945 (Cap 84), Local Government Act, Act 462 of 1993 and National Building Regulations L.I 1630, Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490) and a host of others, which empower District/Metropolitan Planning agencies to control developments, the problem of unauthorised development seems to be escalating. This unsavoury situation has resulted in the creation of Myriad of problems, which have political, social, economic and environmental implications. This has compelled government officials, bodies and individuals to decry this unhealthy development and call for a halt to such state of affairs. Unauthorised developments are undesirable in as much as their presence impinge negatively on the residents in all fabric of their lives. For the situation to be curtailed, a number of recommendations have been advanced. It is hoped that when such measures are put in place, the rate at which unauthorised developments Spring up will be minimised or completely be stopped from society.

Source: KNUST
Effects of urbanisation on energy consumption in Ghana.

According the findings of Garg and Halnes (2008), energy security plays a crucial role in the growth and sustainable development of every country. Meanwhile the fast increasing urbanization in urbanization projected by the United Nations Population Division (2007) is hypothesized to affect energy consumption significantly. As a result, this study used time series Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to investigate the quantitative effect of urbanization on energy consumption in Ghana for the period 1990 to 2013. The integrating properties and the long run relationships among the study variables were investigated using the unit root test and ARDL bounds test approach to co-integration.From the results, it was found that, Ghana’s energy consumption correlates with urbanization, industrialization and GDP both in the short run and in the long run. Energy consumption was found to granger cause GDP while GDP had no causal effect on energy consumption. No causal relationship exists between urbanization and energy consumption. There exist however a feedback effect between urbanization and industrialization. Hence, it is recommended that, any government policy to increase Ghana’s GDP should target increasing energy consumption in both the short run and the long run.

Source: KNUST
The effects of various types of reward systems on the performance of construction workers in Ghana

One major problem facing managers is to obtain optimum performance from employees. This is possible when employees are recognized and rewarded for a high performance. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of various reward systems on the performance of construction workers in Ghana. The researcher adopted a fieldwork research method. Ashanti region and for that matter Kumasi was chosen for the study. The registered D1K1 classes of contractors in Ashanti region were sixty two however; twenty five were active with the sample sizes fifty. Data collection was in the form of both primary and secondary data. A thorough literature review was also undertaken in order to explore the views of other researchers and authors on corporate reward systems. Other relevant information were collected directly from the organization through interviews. From the study, the following were some of the findings discovered: lack of information on the reward systems available in the organization; employees equally see non-financial rewards as important as financial rewards; there is correlation between reward systems and performance; and lack of personal growth. However, some of the recommendations made were: that policies on reward packages be outlined in a brochure for employees at the time of employment because some of the respondents were not aware of some of the reward systems available in the organization especially on the operatives, that a multiple function and integration of framework which seeks to attract, retain and motivate employees to induce high performance must be implemented in the organization, that there is a strong correlation between performance and employees‟ reward systems therefore failure to institute reward systems could lead laxity, non-performance and loss of productivity, that employers institute the realistic type of financial reward systems, that career progression and development should be available and accessible to enable employees build their capacity to take potential opportunities and improve performance.

Source: KNUST