ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Personal inward remittances through Banks in Ghana; A case study of some selected branches of Ecobank Ghana Limited

Personal inward remittances have become a source of external finance whose magnitude exceeds the amount of official development assistance in some developing countries. This study was used to assess the personal inward remittance to identify the different channels, determine the factors that influence the choice of the channel by remittance recipients and to find the challenges that hinder remittances services The main objective of the study was to investigate personal inward remittances through banks in Ghana using Ecobank Ghana Limited as a case study, identify the different channels, determine the factors that influence the choice of the channel, as well as find the challenges that hinder remittances services. A sample size of 260 was taken out of 2250. Questionnaire was the main research instrument used for the collection of relevant data from the respondents. The results revealed that, most of the customers were aware of the various transfer channels at their disposal and mainly use the bank’s channel for money transfer. The customers’ main likeness about the money transfer service was due to its speed which was agreed upon by most of the customers, whereas what they dislike was the associated cost with it. It was recommended that a level platform of communication should be created between the technical team and the bank’s staff to address technical problems such as software and internet issues early enough to help deliver a better services to the customers.

Source: KNUST
Perspective on the use of virtual reality in the Ghanaian building construction industry

With the increasing complexity of construction projects, there is the need to find ways to manage these projects and deliver within time, budget and meet quality expectations. Generally, digital technology offers such opportunity in the 21st century. This study focused on one aspect of the emerging digital technology landscape. That is Virtual Reality and how technology can contribute to the improvement of project delivery in the Ghanaian building industry. The study sought to examine the use of virtual reality in the building construction sector in Ghana. The methodological paradigm used was the pragmatist approach and relied on the use of questionnaires. There were sixty respondents (60) out of eighty- two questionnaire distributed and comprises of individuals from the Building construction industry (D1K1, D2K2, Design consultancies and Real Estate developers). The study found that the Ghanaian building industry has the exposure to virtual reality technology; however, are unaware of the full potential it has to offer. Majority of users considered it a useful marketing tool first before all others. The virtual reality technology is utilised mainly during final visualisations and clients meetings. A significant setback, however, was the lack of awareness of the benefits of the technology and the corresponding budgetary constraints with its adoption.

Source: KNUST
Personalized Affective Robotic Assistive Technology for Children with Autism

Social robots are gradually becoming an integral part of human livelihood and have achieved significant results in healthcare, education and entertainment. Recently, research has geared towards identifying ways that such robots can be harnessed in special needs education for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autistic children have deficits in social interaction, communication and often portray repetitive behaviours. Although technology-based intervention strategies for autistic children could promise great results, many autistic children from resource-constrained environments have been left behind due to the cost implications and technical requirements associated with robotassisted learning. This thesis focused on investigating the suitability of a humanoid robot as an assistive technology for Ghanaian children with autism and proposing strategies for personalization of robot-mediated learning sessions. An iterative prototyping approach was used to design and develop a novel low cost humanoid robot, RoCA, which has been used together with another robot Rosye in a series of empirical studies to assess the initial reaction of some autistic children towards the robots and the engagement levels of the children through longitudinal studies. Results from the preliminary and longitudinal studies indicated that the robot was able to engage some of the children in imitation and general tasks and also succeeded in persuading some children to perform the robot’s requests via multiple prompted cueing. The thesis also presents a deep fuzzy framework for personalized affective robot assisted learning in autistic child￾robot interactions. This framework is based on a proposed deep learning model, SingleShot Emotion Detector (SED) and a fuzzy based engagement prediction engine ii which can use scores, IQ levels and task difficulty as input variables for estimating the engagement levels of autistic children while interacting with social robots. The framework was implemented in the humanoid robot RoCA and another empirical study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the personalization approach provided by the deep fuzzy framework on learning gains in autistic child – robot interactions. Statistical significance of improved learning gains associated with the deep fuzzy approach adopted by RoCA was confirmed by Mann Whitney tests. The thesis also investigated the behavioural intention of special needs teachers to use robots in the classroom to teach autistic children using Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as research model. The results indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence positively affect the behavioural intention of special needs teachers to use robots to teach children on the autism spectrum.

Source: KNUST
Perspectives of patients on quality healthcare delivery in two hospitals in the Asokore Mampong municipality

Quality of healthcare delivery provided by healthcare practitioners has been a major drive for patient satisfaction over the years. Meanwhile most healthcare practitioners still pay little attention to meeting the requirements of their patients. Studies have shown that patients receive poor treatment in their attempt to seek for medical care (Reis et al, 2005). Understanding patients’ problem and providing satisfaction is important as patients perceive quality of healthcare delivery from the kind of reception and treatment given to them. Patients who perceive poor quality of healthcare delivery in their dissatisfied state may decide to seek for complementary and alternative medicine (Traditional Medicine) and self-medication (Kim, 2015). The objective of the study was to assess the quality of healthcare delivery provided by healthcare practitioners from patients’ perspectives. The study was quantitative using cross-sectional survey design to determine satisfaction with quality of healthcare delivery. Data were collected from 120 respondents. A descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding revealed 107(89%) of the respondents representing the majority specified that good quality of service was provided by the healthcare practitioners. Also majority of the respondents 75(62.5) are satisfied with the overall attitude and 117(97.5) have intension to seek for medical attention at the Garden City Hospital and Anwiam Hospital in Asokore Mampong where the study was conducted. However, others still had concerns so it was recommended that a survey should be conducted twice every year and healthcare providers must be allowed to be evaluated by patients so that management can relate their work output to patients’ satisfaction.

Source: KNUST
Perspectives of patients on quality healthcare delivery in two hospitals in the Asokore Mampong municipality

Quality of healthcare delivery provided by healthcare practitioners has been a major drive for patient satisfaction over the years. Meanwhile most healthcare practitioners still pay little attention to meeting the requirements of their patients. Studies have shown that patients receive poor treatment in their attempt to seek for medical care (Reis et al, 2005). Understanding patients’ problem and providing satisfaction is important as patients perceive quality of healthcare delivery from the kind of reception and treatment given to them. Patients who perceive poor quality of healthcare delivery in their dissatisfied state may decide to seek for complementary and alternative medicine (Traditional Medicine) and self-medication (Kim, 2015). The objective of the study is to assess the quality of healthcare delivery provided by healthcare practitioners from patients’ perspectives. The study was quantitative using crosssectional survey design to determine satisfaction with quality of healthcare delivery. Data was collected from 120 respondents out of 145 semi-structured questionnaires administered. A systematic sample technique under the probability sampling method was used to avoid impacting on the outcome. A descriptive and inferential analysis were conducted using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding indicated 107(89%) of the respondents representing the majority specified that quality of service was provided by the healthcare practitioners. Also majority of the respondents 75(62.5) are satisfied with the overall attitude and 117(97.5) have intension to seek for medical attention at the Garden City Hospital and Anwiam Hospital in Asokore Mampong where the study was conducted. However, others still had concerns so it was recommended that a survey should be conducted twice every year and healthcare providers must be allowed to be evaluated by patients so that management can relate their work output to patients’ satisfaction.

Source: KNUST
Perspectives on visual effects: Challenges of CGI and live action integration in the Ghanaian film industry

Visual effects are essential components of film production. The advent of new technologies has laid a strong foundation for artists to be able to create scenes which could only have been imagined. Many production houses endeavour to compliment productions by integrating live action footages with Computer-Generated Imagery. Nevertheless, in the case of local film production in Ghana, many of the visual effect audiences see on screens are not able to stimulate the intended effects. Visual effects techniques that are being employed are done amidst many setbacks. This study therefore sought to examine visual effects in the Ghanaian film industry with the intent to identify the challenges of integrating live action and CGI footages. It also sought to understand in particular the implementation of Matchmoving techniques in production workflow in the Ghanaian movie industry. Approaching the study from a qualitative perspective, it makes use of a single case study technique utilizing interviews and observation to gather subjective data. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes that help to analyse the data and to achieve the findings from the study. Major findings indicate that the industry is braved with lack of knowledge and expertise, limitations in available technology and inefficient production processes. The study is of interest to practitioners in the local film industry, educational and training institutions, policy makers and researchers. It concludes that VFX implementation in film production has had a good impact on the industry amidst the myriads of setbacks; and also recommended a full inclusion of the visual effects artists, supervisors and directors in the whole film making process.

Source: KNUST
Pesticide and heavy metal concentration in irrigation dams: (a case study of the Botanga and Golinga Dams)

Pesticides and heavy metal concentrations in irrigation dams of Botanga and Golinga were studied to ascertain the level of pollution. The pesticides Atrazine and Glyphosate were extracted from water using diethyl ether and analysed using HPLC with mixture of acetronitrile and ammonium acetate buffer at a pH of 6.0 as the mobile phase and methanol as the stationary phase. The waters of the Botanga dam had an initial Atrazine concentration of 0.0198ig/m1. However, no Atrazine could be detected after the 12 day. On: the other hand, the waters of the Golinga dam had an initial concentration of 0.0265ig/m1, which could also not be detected after 15 days of the first rains. Glyphosate concentration in the waters of both dams were initially 0.0001 µg/m1 and could not be detected after 3 days. The rapid degradation of the pesticide was attributed to the alkaline nature of the reservoirs, water and the high temperatures. A bivirate correlation of degradation with temperature and pH showed a negative correlation and was significant (p>O.O5) which attributes the degradation to these factors. Since the exposure time to these chemicals was short and the concentrations in water lower than the WHO recommended values, they do not constitute a hazard to the consumers of the water. Heavy metals including Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd and Cr were analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was found that the concentration of all the metals analyzed increased with an increasing depth of the waters with the highest concentration being found in the sediments. Whereas the concentration of Cu, Zn, and Ni were below the WHO guidelines for drinking water, those of Cd and Cr were above the standard. Cd and Cr therefore constitute a health hazard to the people.

Source: KNUST
Pervaporative separation of ethanol-water mixtures using Ghanaian zeolite-clay filled PVA composite membrane

A pervaporative separation of ethanol-water mixture was successfully performed using a PVA based composite membrane filled with zeolites made from Ghanaian clay. The substrate for the ultra-thin PVA composite membrane was made of polysulphone. The pervaporation cell was fabricated locally from scrap aluminium and feed concentrations of ethanol-water mixture ranging from 60 to 90 v% were separated. The clay samples used in the development of the membranes were obtained from Abonku, Anfoega and Teleku-Bokazu. The effective surface area of the membranes for separation was 0.007854 m2. The experiments were carried out at room temperature of 300C. For each run, a feed concentrations of 60 v%, 70 v%, 80 v% and 90 v% ethanol was used and respective permeate concentrations were measured accordingly. The pressure at the feed was kept at atmospheric while that at the permeate side was kept at vacuum pressure in the range of 0.10 to 0.15kg/cm2. For all the feed concentrations, the final retentate concentrations after 10 hours of experiment produced relatively higher concentrations of ethanol, signifying separation of the mixture. For a feed concentration of 90 v %, the mixture was enriched to concentrations more than 95 v% and a separation factor of 85.09 and more was obtained.

Source: KNUST
Pesticide and Pathogen Contamination of Vegetables in Ghana’s Urban Markets

The objective of the study was to determine and compare the current level of exposure of the Ghanaian urban population to hazardous pesticide and fecal coliform contam ination through the consumption of fresh vegetables produced in intensive urban and periurban smallholder agriculture with informal wastewater irrigation. A total of 180 vegetable sam ples (lettuce, cabbage, and spring onion) were randomly col lected under normal purchase conditions from 9 major markets and 12 specialized selling points in 3 major Ghanaian cities: Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. The samples were analyzed for pesticide residue on lettuce leaves, total and fecal coliforms, and helminth egg counts on all three vegetables. Chlopyrifos (Dursban) was detected on 78% of the lettuce, lindane (Ga malin 20) on 31%, endosulfan (Thiodan) on 36%, lambda cyhalothrin (Karate) on 11%, and dichloro-diphenyl-trichlo roethane on 33%. Most of the residues recorded exceeded the maximum residue limit for consumption. Vegetables from all 3 cities were fecally contaminated and carried fecal coliform populations with geometric mean values ranging from 4.0 · 103 to 9.3 · 108 g–1 wet weight and exceeded recommended standards. Lettuce, cabbage, and spring onion also carried an average of 1.1, 0.4, and 2.7 helminth eggs g–1, respectively. The eggs were identified as those of Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Schistosoma heamatobium, and Trichuris trichiura. Because many vegetables are consumed fresh or only slightly cooked, the study shows that intensive vegetable production, common in Ghana and its neighboring countries, threatens public health from the microbiologic and pesticide dimensions. Standard recommendations to address this situation (better legislations, law enforcement, or inte grated pest management) often do not match the capabilities of farmers and authorities. The most appropriate entry point for risk decrease that also addresses postharvest contamination is washing vegetables before food preparation at the household or ‘‘chop’’ bar (street restaurant)

Source: KNUST
Pesticide Contamination of Vegetable Farms along the Onyasia Stream in Ga East Municipality Greater Accra Region, Ghana

The use of pesticides in controlling pests of different types is one of the essential measures of modern agricultural practices. However, the residue resulting from misapplication of pesticides on vegetables is a crucial concern not only to the people of Ghana but the international community at large. The ill-health effect on humans can be minimised to a great extent if the residues are kept below the prescribed maximum residue level, a standard set by the EC. A number of pesticide residues in vegetables were studied in three communities in the Ga East Municipality in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana for a period of nine months. Vegetables produced along the Onyasia Stream were used as samples. A total of 120 fresh vegetables (carrot, lettuce and cabbage) were sampled for the study due to their commercial importance and potential consumption. All samples were taken in accordance with the guidelines of the European Union (EU) (European Commission, 1979); which means that as far as possible the samples were taken at various distributed places throughout the lot. The vegetables were subjected to extraction, SPE, clean up and analysed by Gas Chromatograph Electronic Capture Detector for pesticide residues mainly organo chlorines. The results obtained revealed that most of the vegetables analysed contain residues of the monitored pesticides above the accepted maximum residue level. However some pesticides were not detected in all the vegetable samples. The results obtained showed that 54.2% of the vegetable samples were above the MRL and 45.8% were below the standard. Most vegetables are consumed fresh or slightly cooked and as such intensive vegetable production threatens public health from pesticide dimensions. Standard measures to address this situation would require mass sensitisation and regulations. Education of the farmers to follow strictly label instructions is also essential.

Source: KNUST
Pesticide residue levels in imported rice (oryza sativa) in some selected container terminals at the Tema port, Ghana

The indiscriminate use of pesticides in modern rice production and their inherent toxicity poses a threat to the environment and human health. This study assessed the residues of orgnochlorine, organophosphorus and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides in imported rice from eight container terminals at the Tema Port. A total of 30 rice varieties were randomly sampled within the months of September to October 2016 and April to May 2017 for the study. Samples were tested for the presence of 35 pesticide residues using the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method, followed by GC-ECD (Gas Chromatograph – Electron Capture Detector) and GC-PFPD (Gas Chromatograph – Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector). Twenty eight (28) out of the thirty (30) samples analysed were contaminated with various pesticide residues with twenty one (21) and seven (7) of them having single and binary residues, respectively. Whereas 49% of the samples analysed had their mean residue concentrations below the European Union Maximum Residue Levels (EU MRLs), 51% of the samples exceeded their MRLs. None of the samples recorded organochlorine residues. Two organophosphorus; pirimiphos-methyl and chlorpyrifos, and two synthetic pyrethroids; permethrin and cypermethrin residues were detected. Permethrin was the most frequently detected synthetic pyrethroid and the most ubiquitous pesticide residue with a percentage frequency of 77%. The highest mean concentration of permethrin pesticide residue was detected in rice sample A2 (0.3167 mg/kg) in GSL – Scanco (MPSCN) whilst the lowest mean concentration were detected in rice samples A15, A24, A28 and A30 (0.0100 mg/kg) in Tema Container Terminal (TCT), APMT2, Africa Coastal Services (ACS) and Nick Scan. The highest and lowest mean concentrations of cypermethrin pesticide residues were detected in rice sample A14 (0.1433 mg/kg) and A15 (0.0100 mg/kg), correspondingly in Tema Container Terminal. Pirimiphos-methyl was recorded in only one rice sample, A12 with mean residue level of 0.0167 mg/kg below the 0.05 mg/kg EU MRL. The highest mean concentration of chlorpyrifos pesticide residue was detected in rice sample A19 (0.1033 mg/kg) in Shed 10 whilst the lowest mean concentration was detected in rice sample A20 (0.0100 mg/kg) in State Warehouse. Given that four pesticide residues were identified under this study especially chlorpyrifos which is on the priority list of yet to be banned pesticide residues, it is imperative that continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in all imported rice be strictly enforced by relevant state agencies at the port level to ascertain their safety level for human consumption prior to their release onto the Ghanaian market.

Source: KNUST