ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Ghana’s Immigration Act 573 on the Employment and Residence of Foreign Personnel

Transnationalism had made it imperative and possible for the transfer of social, political and economic processes by people across borders. However, the extent to which foreigners are transnationalized in a country largely depend on the immigration policies and laws existing in the recipient country. Ghana since independence had had immigration policies which had regulated international migrations to the country. The adoption of the Ghana Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573) has influenced the extent to which foreign nationals can stay or reside in Ghana and work, especially with regards to employment in the oil industry. Therefore, this study focuses on analyzing the effects of Ghana‟s Immigration 2000 (Act 573) on the residence and employment of foreign personnel in the oil industry. The utilized the Transnationalism as the main theory for its analysis. The study is purely qualitative and relies primarily on literature review and interviews for data collection and analyses. Findings from the study reveals that the implementation of the Ghana Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573) has both positive and negative effects on the employment of foreign nationals in the oil industry. In terms of positive effect, the Act facilitates improvement in residence and work permits for expatriates through Quota System, to attract investors into the oil industry whilst the negative effect was revealed in how securing and sometimes renewal of work permits for foreign nationals take too much time. The study also reveals that the Ghana Immigration Service faces some challenges in the effective implementation of immigration policies with particular refence to of the Ghana Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573). Paramount among these challenges include conflict between the implementation of ACT 573 and the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Person, Goods & Services, ignorance of Act 573 and insufficient Logistics and financial constraints of the GIS. Following from the findings, the study concludes that, the implementation of the Ghana Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573) has significant effect on the residence and employment and of foreign nationals in the oil industry in Ghana. Towards this end, the study recommends that training of officers of the GIS is imperative if the right performance and productivity is envisioned. There should be a standard of training for officials at each level to ensure that officers become well engrossed with the knowledge in dealing with each legality and each situation. The GIS should have officials in all the districts in the country to enhance proper monitoring of foreign nationals who carryout economic activities.

Source: UG
Effects of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide on the Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber and Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Blend

The composites of properties of ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (E) and acrylonitrile butadiene-rubber (N) composites of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (G) were prepared by a combination of solution and open-roll method. They include single matrices (EGO and EG) and blends N/E, 20 part of hundreds of rubber (phr)/80 phr (A), 80 phr/20 phr (B), and 50 phr/50 phr(C) blend containing GO and G. The physico-mechanical properties including vulcanization, tensile, glass transition temperature (Tg), and dielectric spectroscopic properties were evaluated. The N-rich systems reinforced with GO, cured faster than the E-rich systems. Also, N-rich systems obtained the highest dielectric constant ðɛ′Þ, especially when GO and G were incorporated, for example, NG and N-GO obtained 317 and 283% increment in ɛ′ than EG and EGO, respectively. In terms of tensile properties, AGO exhibited the highest strength and elongation at break properties (%). Therefore, solution mixing technique of rubber blends filled with nanoinclusion can be achieved with the tendency of reducing cost without the use of compatibilizer and still maintain the integrity of the physical properties of the final product. The result obtained therefore shows that the current compositions can find various applications in oil/gas sealants, heat-resistant applications, and energy storage materials with minimal losses.

Source: UG
Effects of grinding surgical tissue specimens and smear staining methods on Buruli ulcer microscopic diagnosis

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
The effects of health worker motivation and job satisfaction on turnover intention in Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Background: Motivation and job satisfaction have been identified as key factors for health worker retention and turnover in low- and middle-income countries. District health managers in decentralized health systems usually have a broadened 'decision space' that enables them to positively influence health worker motivation and job satisfaction, which in turn impacts on retention and performance at district-level. The study explored the effects of motivation and job satisfaction on turnover intention and how motivation and satisfaction can be improved by district health managers in order to increase retention of health workers.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in three districts of the Eastern Region in Ghana and interviewed 256 health workers from several staff categories (doctors, nursing professionals, allied health workers and pharmacists) on their intentions to leave their current health facilities as well as their perceptions on various aspects of motivation and job satisfaction. The effects of motivation and job satisfaction on turnover intention were explored through logistic regression analysis.Results: Overall, 69% of the respondents reported to have turnover intentions. Motivation (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.92) and job satisfaction (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.96) were significantly associated with turnover intention and higher levels of both reduced the risk of health workers having this intention. The dimensions of motivation and job satisfaction significantly associated with turnover intention included career development (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.86), workload (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.99), management (OR = 0.51. 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.84), organizational commitment (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.66), and burnout (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.91).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that effective human resource management practices at district level influence health worker motivation and job satisfaction, thereby reducing the likelihood for turnover. Therefore, it is worth strengthening human resource management skills at district level and supporting district health managers to implement retention strategies. © 2014 Bonenberger et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Source: UG
The effects of healthcare governance and ownership structure on the performance of hospitals in Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of health-care governance and ownership structure on the performance of hospitals in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses multiple regression models based on a sample of 132 hospitals in Ghana. Findings – The results of the study indicate that hospitals with a governing board perform better than those without a governing board. The results of this study also suggest that board characteristics and ownership structure are important in explaining the performance of hospitals in Ghana. The results further indicate that mission-based and private hospitals with effective board governance structures exhibit better performance than public hospitals. Originality/value – This study makes a number of new and meaningful contributions to the extant literature and the findings support managerialism, stakeholder and resource dependency theories. The findings also have important implications for the effective governance of hospitals. © 2015 Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Source: UG
Effects of heparin and aminoguanidine on anaphylatoxin activity in the guinea-pig

Heparin inhibited the bronchoconstrictor and pressor responses to histamine and anaphylatoxin. However, anaphylatoxin-induced hypotension, in contrast to that induced by histamine, was resistant to heparin inhibition. Aminoguanidine alone had no effect upon histamine or anaphylatoxin but it abolished the heparin-induced inhibition. It is therefore concluded that histamine mediates the bronchiolar and pressor but not the hypotensive effects of anaphylatoxin. Furthermore, anaphylatoxin causes the release of heparin to modulate the bronchiolar effects of extra-pulmonary histamine

Source: UG
Effects of Higher Spousal Earnings on Women's Social Empowerment in Ghana

Existing research shows that access to employment and earnings appears to have ambiguous effects on women’s bargaining power and subsequent empowerment. This study explores the effect of higher relative earnings by women on the likelihood of social empowerment and examines to what extent the relationship is moderated by husbands’ education levels. The 2008 and 2014 rounds of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey are used for the analyses, and a Probit regression model, with interaction effects, is employed as a base model. In order to account for potential selectivity bias, a propensity matching technique is also employed. Findings indicated a strong positive relationship between wives’ higher earnings in Ghanaian households and a higher probability of social empowerment. The relationship appears to be moderated, to a significant extent, by partners’ education—the presence of educated husbands widens the social empowerment gap between women who earn more than their husbands and women who do not. Although the effect of differential earnings on social empowerment is smaller once selectivity was controlled for, the positive relationship is consistent. Other findings highlighted the role of various occupations, age at marriage, education, religion as contributory factors to women’s empowerment in Ghana, with attendant implications for policy.

Source: UG
The effects of IFRS adoption and firm size on audit fees in financial institutions in Ghana

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the effects of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) adoption and firm size on auditors’ fees determination in the Ghanaian financial industry. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use the annual report of 52 listed and non-listed firms spanning from 2003 to 2014. Guided by the hypotheses, the authors conditioned audit fees on IFRS adoption and firm size and execute robust fixed effects panel regression. Findings – The results show that IFRS adoption has a positive coefficient with audit fees suggesting that the adoption of IFRS, indeed, increases the audit fees paid by banks and insurance firms, as well as the industry as a whole. The results are consistent with the idea that IFRS adoption increases auditor efforts with respect to time and complex nature of some aspect of the standards. Again, as expected, the coefficient of size is positively and significantly related to audit fees. This indicates that the size of the auditee plays a vital role in determining audit fees. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited by industry (i.e. the financial services industry) and geography (i.e. Ghana). The authors propose further research that will widely consider other sectors and countries to improve the current scanty literature in this area. Besides, theoretically, the study is limited to the lending credibility theory and feels compelled to reiterate the importance of considering alternative theoretical perspective(s) in future research. Practical implications – This study is significant to practitioners as it demonstrates the importance of the determinants of the auditors’ fees. It helps auditors to apply the relevant charging formula when determining audit fees, while it helps managers to improve upon the quality of reporting to control audit bill and forecasting their audit expenditure. Originality/value – The results of the study extend the literature on the cost side of IFRS adoption by investigating the financial services industry and non-listed firms in a new context, i.e. a developing country where this research is uncharted. The existing studies based their analysis on either cross-section or pooled analysis and shorter post-adoption period (Cameran and Perotti, 2014). However, using an extended postadoption period data, the authors base the study on analytical panel model, which directly examine the cost side of IFRS adoption with size as joint key explanatory variables with emphasis on financial institutions and external auditors.

Source: UG
The effects of incorporation of Moringa oliefera leaves and sweet potato vines in the ration of growing grasscutters (thryonomys swinderianus temminck)

The effects of incorporation of sweet potato vines and moringa leaves into the freshly cut Panicum maximum diet of growing grasscutters were studied from February to April 2008 using 21 male grasscutters with an average weight of 1.20±0.09 kg at the CSIR Animal Research Institute, Achimota, Ghana. Mean feed intakes of fresh Panicum maximum alone diet (257±3.06 g/d) and Panicum maximum plus Sweet potato vine diet (262±3.06 g/d) were higher compared to the Panicum maximum plus Moringa leaves diet (173±3.06 g/d) respectively. However nitrogen intake was similar on all diets. Apparent digestibility of both DM and OM were observed to be higher for Panicum maximum plus Sweet potato vines diet than Panicum maximum alone and Panicum maximum plus Moringa leaves diets. There was a tendency for higher growth for grasscutters fed the Panicum maximum plus Sweet potato vine diet compared to animals fed Panicum maximum alone diet (5.88±0.66 g/d v. 4.29±0.66 g/d; p = 0.091) and significantly higher growth when the animals were fed Panicum maximum plus Sweet potato vine compared to Panicum maximum plus Moringa leaves diets (5.88±0.66 g/d v. 3.06±0.66 g/d; p = 0.003). The average daily growth rates were (4.29±0.66 g/d, 5.88±0.66 g/d and 3.06±0.66 g/d) for animals consuming Panicum maximum alone diet, Panicum maximum plus Sweet potato vine diet and Panicum maximum plus Moringa diet respectively.

Source: UG
Effects of irradiation on physical and sensory characteristics of cowpea seed cultivars (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) are leguminous seeds widely produced and consumed in most developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa where they are a good source of affordable proteins, minerals and vitamins to the mainly carbohydrate-based diet of sub-Saharan Africa. At storage cowpea may be attacked by insects that cause severe damage to the seeds. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of gamma irradiation on some physical and sensory characteristics of cowpea seed cultivars. Four cowpea cultivars were irradiated with gamma radiation at dose levels of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 kGy. Moisture content, thousand grain weight and bulk densities were determined as well as the amount of water absorbed during soaking and some sensory characteristics were equally determined. All the physical parameters studied were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the radiation. There was no significant (p>0.05) effect of the radiation on the sensory attributes like flavour, taste, texture, softness and colour of the cowpea seeds. Similarly, the radiation did not affect significantly (p>0.05) the acceptability of the treated cowpea cultivars. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
The effects of knowledge sharing and knowledge application on service recovery performance

This study set out to discover the effects of knowledge sharing (KS) and knowledge application (KA) on service recovery performance (SRP) through survey-based research. The population of the study consisted of front-line employees of hotels in Accra. The study found significant and positive effects of both KS and KA on SRP. Data were analysed using linear and multiple regression. © 2015, © The Author(s) 2015.

Source: UG
The effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia

Background: Forests play an important role in mitigating global climate change by capturing and sequestering atmospheric carbon. Quantitative estimation of the temporal and spatial pattern of carbon storage in forest ecosystems is critical for formulating forest management policies to combat climate change. This study explored the effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in the Wujig Mahgo Waren forest, a dry Afromontane forest that covers an area of 17,000 ha in northern Ethiopia. Results: The total carbon stocks of the Wujig Mahgo Waren forest ecosystems estimated using a multi-disciplinary approach that combined remote sensing with a ground survey were 1951, 1999, and 1955 GgC in 1985, 2000 and 2016 years respectively. The mean carbon stocks in the dense forests, open forests, grasslands, cultivated lands and bare lands were estimated at 181.78 ± 27.06, 104.83 ± 12.35, 108.77 ± 6.77, 76.54 ± 7.84 and 83.11 ± 8.53 MgC ha-1 respectively. The aboveground vegetation parameters (tree density, DBH and height) explain 59% of the variance in soil organic carbon. Conclusions: The obtained estimates of mean carbon stocks in ecosystems representing the major land cover types are of importance in the development of forest management plan aimed at enhancing mitigation potential of dry Afromontane forests in northern Ethiopia.

Source: UG
The Effects of Lucky Draw Sales Promotion on Brand Loyalty in Mobile Telecommunication Industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between lucky draw sales promotion (LDSP) and the four phases of brand loyalty in the telecommunication industry. Design/methodology/approach – A self-administered structure questionnaire was used to collect primary data from conveniently sampled 338 lucky draw winners in the Ghanaian telecommunication industry. A response rate of 67.1 percent was obtained for data analysis using structural equation modeling approach. Findings – It was found that LDSP positively relate to cognitive brand loyalty, and to behavioral brand loyalty through affective and conative brand loyalty. All hypothesized relationships among the sequential four-stage loyalty were confirmed, except the direct relationship between LDSP and behavioral brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications – The findings are limited to lucky draw winners in the telecommunication industry. Practical implications – Marketers can increase brand loyalty and profit more from their customers through targeted programs with hedonic benefits to build strong commitment level (conative brand loyalty), strong favoritism (affective brand loyalty) and strong beliefs about the superiority (cognitive brand loyalty) of a brand. Originality/value – Theoretically, this study fills the void of empirical studies on non-price sales promotion techniques of lucky draw and customer brand loyalty in the telecommunication sector in developing economy context, and contributes to the body of knowledge in the area of customer brand loyalty and LDSP.

Source: UG
Effects of lyophilization and storage temperature on Wuchereria bancrofti antigen sensitivity and stability

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
The effects of market power on stability: Do diversification and earnings strategy matter?

This paper examines whether the effect of the level of market power on bank soundness depends on the banks' decision to diversify and adopt a particular earnings strategy. We conduct the empirical approach in two stages. First, we estimate the Boone indicator, which is the measure for bank market power. We then regress this measure and other explanatory variables on the bank risk focusing on the role of earnings and diversification strategies. The results show that competition increases earnings management as the level of market power increases when banks diversify into non-interest income generating activities. The results also suggest that the relatively low insolvency risk among banks in Africa is attributed to the high degree of market power and the diversification strategy employed over the period.

Source: UG
Effects of marketing and trading activities on the Volta Lake shore environment in Ghana

This study examined the relationship between the conduct of marketing and trading activities at market centres along the Volta Lake and conditions of the lakeshore environment using descriptive and quantitative data. The analysis and discussions of the study were based on data gathered through intensive field survey involving interviews, group discussions and on-site observation at six selected markets centres. Water samples from the lake adjacent the six market yards and points upstream and downstream were analysed for some selected physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters as basic pollution indicators. Faecal coliform (FC) and total coliform (TC) concentrations of the lake were high ranging from 8. 2 to 27. 4 cfu/100 ml and 70. 4 to 120. 4 cfu/100 ml, respectively. These values were above WHO acceptable levels (FC 0 cfu/100 ml; TC 0-10 cfu/100 ml). Dissolved oxygen concentrations were also low (2. 9-5. 6 mg/l), below the background level of 7 mg/l, in view of high organic matter content of the water. The market yards contribute to pollution of the Volta Lake in addition to other pollution sources in the market town/village. The study emphasised that the limited market space, inadequate market infrastructure and facilities, low management capacity and poor attitudes of market participants towards waste disposal contribute to poor sanitary conditions at the market centres. The study concludes that the interconnections among market infrastructure, market organisation and management, and conditions of the environment should guide market development planning in order to mitigate the adverse consequences of the operation of market centres on the environment. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Source: UG