ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the performance of equity mutual funds: A case study of some selected funds in Ghana.

Mutual funds are investment vehicles made up of a pool of funds collected from many investors for the purpose of investing in securities such as stocks, bonds and money market instruments. Equity mutual funds refer to financial service providers that pool investor monies and invest them in domestic and international equity and fixedincome securities. However, equity mutual funds are not allowed to be invested directly in real (tangible) assets thus; real estates, antiquities, commodities. The research measured how the equity mutual funds in Ghana have relatively performed against the Ghana Stock Exchange. Accordingly, the study sought to measure the following objectives; to find out whether the funds outperformed the Ghana Stock Exchange Index within the study period, to establish the impact of fund manager skills on equity mutual funds performance and finally to find out whether investment in mutual fund is better off than investment in a risk free rate fund. All the forty-six mutual funds operating in Ghana including the Government of Ghana 90-days T-bills returns (which acted as the risk free investment option) and finally the Ghana Stock Exchange return (as the benchmark investment index) constituted the study population. The study employed purposive sampling technique hence the study sample came from Databank Epack investment, SAS Fund and HFC Equity trust fund since they had a complete dataset for the whole eight-year period of the study time interval. It became evident that the mean return for all the three funds ranges from 2.30 to 7.49.The study found out that out of the three funds, HFC Equity trust outperformed both the Ghana Stock Exchange and the interest free rate investment options by a margin of 7.2 and 5.9 respectively. Also the study found out that the other two funds thus Databank Epack investment and SAS Fund performances all fell below the GSE market index and the T-bill rate average annual returns.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the physiological potential of Tetrapleura Tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn.) Seed lots using the Accelerated Ageing and Electrical Conductivity Tests

High seed quality is indispensable for optimum establishment in the field. As a result, it is necessary to have seed vigour tests that allow rapid, objective and accurate evaluation of seed quality. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the electrical conductivity and accelerated ageing (traditional and salt saturated methods) tests for the determination of the physiological potential of Tetrapleura tetraptera seeds. Eight seed lots were tested for: water content, germination (emergence), seedling root, shoot and total length and seedling dry weight, leachate conductivity of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 24 hours soaking solutions, traditional and salt saturated accelerated aging in temperatures of 38 and 41°C for 48, 72 and 96 hours. The experiment was conducted in a 8x2x3 factorial (lots x temperature x exposure time), in a completely randomized design. The seedling dry weight were not effective to distinguish the physiological quality of Tetrapleura tetraptera seeds. The accelerated aging test influences, similarly, the percentage of germination and vigour, but showed low sensitivity in lots differentiation. The electrical conductivity readings were significantly affected by soaking time and only 24hours soaking evidenced promising role to a stratification of the physiological quality of Tetrapleura tetraptera seeds lots in accordance with seeds emergence and seedling length.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the physical and chemical properties of 15year old normal and coppiced teak (Tectona grandis) woods for their effective utilization

The increasing demand for timber in Ghana has placed much pressure on some of the timber species whose technical information is known. The incumbent trend of deforestation has posed a threat on the sustainability of the country’s timber resources in the near future if adequate measures are not put in place to curb this problem. To this effort many exotic species have been introduced into the country and raised in plantations both on and off reserves to supplement the timber in the natural forest. Among these exotic species is the Tectona grandis. Despite the establishment of these hardwood species in plantations, wood users do not have adequate information which will encourage the maximum utilization of these species. The study was aimed at evaluating the physical which were moisture content, density the shrinkage and swelling while chemical properties were cellulose, lignin, extractives and holocellulose of coppiced teak wood and comparing to normal teak wood at the age of 15 years for its utilization. Three trees each were selected from plantations of the normal teak and the coppiced teak for the study. These trees were cut into three height portion (butt, middle and top) and wood samples selected for the test. For physical properties, 36 samples were taken from each height portion of which 18 samples each were taken along the radial direction of the stem (heartwood and sapwood). Samples for chemical analyses were taken from these samples tests of both heartwood and sapwood. These samples were replicated three times for each of the test samples. The mean values for moisture content were 49.07% and 48.73% for the normal and coppiced teak woods respectively. Density values were 842.95 kg/m 3 and 835.51 kg/m 3 respectively for normal teak wood and coppiced teak wood. Shrinkage values were 7.39% and 7.38% for coppiced and normal teak wood respectively. Coppiced teak wood swells (1.04%) more than that of the normal teak wood (0.98%). The highest density of Tectona grandis was found at the butt portion, followed by middle and top portion. Along the radial direction, it showed that the density was highest at iv sapwood followed by the heartwood. Percentage of moisture content increased from butt to top portion. Tree portion did not affect the lignin content, cellulose content, holocellulose and hemicellulose contents. From the study, the normal teak wood was proven to be better than coppiced teak wood in terms of both physical and chemical properties, but the coppiced teak wood can be utilized, in some respect, as a suitable substitute to the normal teak wood.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Possibilities of Research Institutions Industry Partnerships for Wealth Creation: the Case of CSIR/Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) and Ghana Cotton Company Limited (GCCL) - Tamale, in the Northern Region.

This study explores the possibilities of creating working partnership arrangement between research and industry, and for that matter between public and private sector organizations, which can jointly provide managerial as well as directional agreement in undertaking projects. The work refers to wealth as benefits that the partnership will generate, it could be in the form of economic or social values, image, new skills or knowledge. It discusses the likely mutually beneficial outcomes of a partnership which is termed by the study as wealth, this is seen as focusing on new learning and ideas, which has a high tendency of supporting both public and private sector organizations in achieving their set goals for economic development. * The study outlines the context of Council for Scientific Industrial Research/Savanna Agricultural Research Institute and the Ghana Cotton Company limited, their, areas of operations, the aims and objectives of the partnership and the possible mechanisms that can hold the partnership together for a successful achievement of its goals. The result of the study indicates that it is possible for the two sectors to partner, undertake projects for mutual benefits. It provides possible areas where both organizations can work together identified by the organizations. It concludes by recommending what should be considered to pave way for partnerships to succeed, change and develop in future without much difficulty particularly between public and private sectors.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the post – harvest performance of two yam varieties (Dioscorea Species) UNDER two improved structures in the Ejura – Sekyedumase District of Ashanti Region

Post-harvest losses of yams in storage continue to be a great disincentive to the farming business. Every season, quite a sizeable and significant number of yam tubers undergo deterioration in storage due to sprouting, weight loss, rot and pest damage. This work therefore sought to assess and test the post-harvest performance of two newly constructed yam barns (Circular and Rectangular barn) on the storability of two local yam varieties; “Pona” and “Dente”. Two improved yam storage structures were constructed at Kasei; a farming village near Ejura. 480 yam tubers were marked and identified, weighed and stored in each barn with 240 tubers of each variety. The tubers were observed from 21st February, 2015 to 12th June, 2015 for the following parameters: Percentage tuber sprouts, Percentage tuber weight loss, Percentage tuber rots and Percentage rodent damage. Temperature and relative humidity in and outside both barns were monitored over the storage period. Results showed that, the average temperature and relative humidity in both Circular and Rectangular barns were 28.30°C and 66.7% and 28.9°C and 64.3% respectively while the ambient temperature and relative humidity recorded 31.2°C and 63.9 %, respectively. A survey was also conducted among farmers to find out the prevailing yam storage methods, farmers‟ knowledge on post-harvest losses and to ascertain the yam variety mostly cultivated by farmers. After the set period, the survey revealed three traditional storage methods as the most prevalent in the yam growing areas; Traditional barn, Burial in the soil and Heap on floor covered with straw methods. The traditional barn was found to be used by the majority (56%) of the farmers. Farmers attributed the cause of storage losses to a number of factors such as decay, injuries, pests, weight loss and sprout, of which majority (40.82%) indicated rot as their major concern. In addition, it was noted that about 52.0% of farmers cultivate Dente whilst 48% grow Pona. The storage study conducted however recorded the following cumulative results in both the circular and rectangular barns respectively: weight loss (Pona: 21%, 28.6%; Dente: 30.8%; 32.2%); tuber sprouts (Pona: 40.4%, 42.9%; Dente: 54.6%; 54.6%); tuber rots (Pona: 5.8%, 5.4%; Dente: 0%; 0.42%); rodent and insect damage (Pona: 6.9%, 1.7%; Dente: 0.63%; 0%) after 120 days of storage.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the performance of rural banks in Ashanti region :A Case Study of Nwabiagya Rural Bank Limited (2004-2013)

This research is a case study for assessing the performance of Rural Banks in Ashanti Region with Nwabiagya Rural Bank Ltd as a case study. The bank was established in August 1987. Currently, the bank has eight (8) branches, about 125,000 customers and 201 staff in Ashanti Region. In assessing their performance, a ten year annual financial statements for the period of 2004 to 2014 was used. As a financial institution, some of major challenges being confronted with include loan default, fraudulent practices and competition from other banks. In the mist of these challenges, the bank sometimes put up splendid performance which warranted awards from some organizations. The study has been grouped into five chapters. Chapter one deals with introduction to the study which consists of background of the study, problem statement, research, general and specific objectives. Other areas explored include scope, justification, brief methodology, limitations and organization of the study. In chapter two, various literatures were reviewed to find out what others had written about the work, what were missing out in their works and why what were missing out were very important to this study. In Chapter three both primary and secondary data were collected. The primary data were collected using questionnaire and interview guides. The secondary data were collected from the data base of the bank. The major statistical tools employed for analyzing the performance were SPSS, Minitab software, bar and pie charts. In chapter four, the data were analyzed to find out whether they were similar to or different from previous studies. In chapter five, the main findings were that, the major determinants of bank’s performance were profitability, customer growth, number of agencies established. The major challenges included loan default, competition from other banks and high taxes from the government. It was also revealed that the bank either reinvested its profitability in other agencies or shared it as dividend among their shareholders. The main recommendations were that, in order to increase their performance further, the bank should employ the services of experts to restore their net work problems confronting them, install ATM at their premises and other areas; and offer more projects to assist the people in the community using part of their profits.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the post – harvest performance of two yam varieties (dioscorea species) under two improved structures in the Ejura – Sekyedumase District of Ashanti Region

Post-harvest losses of yams in storage continue to be a great disincentive to the farming business. Every season, quite a sizeable and significant number of yam tubers undergo deterioration in storage due to sprouting, weight loss, rot and pest damage. This work therefore sought to assess and test the post-harvest performance of two newly constructed yam barns (Circular and Rectangular barn) on the storability of two local yam varieties; “Pona” and “Dente”. Two improved yam storage structures were constructed at Kasei; a farming village near Ejura. 480 yam tubers were marked and identified, weighed and stored in each barn with 240 tubers of each variety. The tubers were observed from 21st February, 2015 to 12th June, 2015 for the following parameters: Percentage tuber sprouts, Percentage tuber weight loss, Percentage tuber rots and Percentage rodent damage. Temperature and relative humidity in and outside both barns were monitored over the storage period. Results showed that, the average temperature and relative humidity in both Circular and Rectangular barns were 28.30°C and 66.7% and 28.9°C and 64.3% respectively while the ambient temperature and relative humidity recorded 31.2°C and 63.9 %, respectively. A survey was also conducted among farmers to find out the prevailing yam storage methods, farmers’ knowledge on post-harvest losses and to ascertain the yam variety mostly cultivated by farmers. After the set period, the survey revealed three traditional storage methods as the most prevalent in the yam growing areas; Traditional barn, Burial in the soil and Heap on floor covered with straw methods. The traditional barn was found to be used by the majority (56%) of the farmers. Farmers attributed the cause of storage losses to a number of factors such as decay, injuries, pests, weight loss and sprout, of which majority (40.82%) indicated rot as their major concern. In addition, it was noted that about 52.0% of farmers cultivate Dente whilst 48% grow Pona. The storage study conducted however recorded the following cumulative results in both the circular and rectangular barns respectively: weight loss (Pona: 21%, 28.6%; Dente: 30.8%; 32.2%); tuber sprouts (Pona: 40.4%, 42.9%; Dente: 54.6%; 54.6%); tuber rots (Pona: 5.8%, 5.4%; Dente: 0%; 0.42%); rodent and insect damage (Pona: 6.9%, 1.7%; Dente: 0.63%; 0%) after 120 days of storage.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Potential of Laterite in Adsorbing Cadmium from Mine Leachate and Surrogate Cadmium Solutions: A Case Study at Anglogold Ashanti Iduaperiem Gold Mine Ltd, Tarkwa

Increased mining activities have resulted in the generation of huge stockpile of waste rocks. Subsequent heavy metal laden leachate emanate from these waste rocks. This has resulted in deleterious effects on adjacent water bodies and ecosystem thus posing issues of health and environmental concerns. Waste rock samples were obtained from two active waste rock dump sites. The waste rocks were characterized using XRF and XRD. Leach test was then performed using US Geological Survey Field Leach Test (USGS FLT). Batch and columns test were conducted using United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) batch type procedures for estimating soil adsorption of chemical elements (eg. heavy metals). Cadmium level of 0.0505 mg/l obtained from the leach test exceeded WHO’s guideline value of 0.03mg/l for potable water. Optimal time, pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature and initial concentration of 1hour, 9, 10 g, 20 0C and 10 mg/l respectively were obtained from the batch tests. Langmuir isotherm provided a better fit for the experimental data resulting in a maximum adsorption capacity of 10689.31mg/g. From the ΔG° values (-1027.98, -147.23, -249.63, -662.87, -1765.21) J, ΔS° value (36.9726) and ΔH° value (10432.36) J obtained from the thermodynamic study, it can be inferred that adsorption of cadmium onto laterite is feasible, spontaneous and endothermic. Breakthrough time of 3 hours and exhaustion time of 11 hours were established from the column tests. Hence laterite proves as an appropriate adsorbent for cadmium.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Potential of Electronic Procurement in the Public Sector: The Case of Accra Metropolis

E-Procurement is more than just a system for making purchases online. Some countries implement e-procurement and succeed while others fail. This study was carried out to assess the potential of e-procurement in the public sector of Ghana with Accra metropolis in focus. The study had three objectives: 1. To explore the challenges of the current paper based procurement system; 2. To investigate the prospects of e-procurement in the public sector and 3. To explore the potential challenges of implementing e-procurement by public sector entities. The research involved a survey of only public entities in the Accra metropolis. A purposive sampling techniques was adopted for the study and out of the target number of 50 respondents, 30 questionnaires were validly completed and retrieved. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft excel presented in tables, pie and bars charts. The factors presented to respondents for assessment were categorized into four themes (data/technology, process, people and compliance). The study revealed that the paper based/manual procurement is suffering challenges from all the four themes presented. Study further reveal under the four themes that e-procurement systems are not without challenges and majority of such challenges would be technology related. The study recommends that the legal and regulatory framework of the procurement Act 2003 (Act 663) be reviewed to include elements of e-procurement so as to start incorporating aspects of technology aided procurement practices in public sector procurement. Procurement entities should endeavour to establish corporate procurement units to promote continuity of public procurement as well as achieving value for money and the independence of procurement entities should be upheld and freed from government interference.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the practice of green procurement in Coca-Cola Company limited

The prominence of green sourcing is driven by various key factors being the increasing corrosion of the environment, reduction of raw materials, neglected waste sites and the rise in levels of environmental pollution. There are several studies on impact of green purchasing to supplier’s performance and involvement in the green strategies by companies and found that the link between GP and supplier performance is supported by green supplier development. However, these studies are predominantly in developed countries therefore, the current study seeks to assess green procurement practices in Coca-Cola Company Limited. This study uses survey research design and a quantitative research approach. The target population for this study was all employers in procurement department of Coca-Cola Company limited. In the study, the researcher adopted random sampling technique in administrating the questionnaires. This was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and MS excel. The study revealed that green procurement plays a very important role at the establishment by way of reduction of waste procurement, reduces lead-time and cycle time. It further revealed that, green procurement has generated knowledge of the environmental impacts on products and services, from the responses of the respondents. Also, there is little awareness of the presence of green procurement policies in the organization which requires further management attention. It can be concluded based on the findings that Coca-Cola has not really made any great impact or significant improvement embracing the sustainability of Green Procurement into consideration. Also, Coca-Cola take Green procurement more seriously and invest more into it, it will help bring out the potential challenges existing in its practice and work towards helping improve its sustainability.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the prospects and challenges of public private partnership in the provision of public transport services in Ghana: A case study of Metro Mass Transit Company Limited

In 1983, Ghana adopted the Economic Recovery Programme and its success was predicated on export-led growth. The tenets of the programme were based on the development of an open and liberalized economy, reduced state participation in trading activities, and a growing economy, which is private sector oriented.Recognizing the significant role of transportation in the socio-economic development of a country,the Government of Ghanaestablished Omnibus Services Authority (OSA), City Express Services (CES) and the State Transport Corporation (STC) to assist in the mobility of people within Ghana. These state owned companies were not profitable even though the government continued to spend money on their operations. This led to the government’s decision to diversify STC and the liquidation of OSA.However, the huge investment that is associated with public transport operation coupled with none immediate return often discourage many private organisations and individuals from entering into the business. Government therefore entered into partnership with the State Insurance Company (SIC), National Investment Bank (NIB), Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), Agriculture Development Bank (ADB), Prudential Bank Limited (PBL) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to establish Metro Mass Transit Limited in 2003. Even though the objective for its establishment has been good, the numerous debts and none payment of dividends to shareholders since its operations has raised serious reservations with regard to its sustainability. Using a total sample size of 273, comprising passengers, management, shareholders and key informants, it was revealed that the company encounters many challenges including revenue leakages, high budget on fuel, poor infrastructure at depots and terminals and non-payment of dividends to shareholders. In spite of the challenges, the company has better prospects since the affordability of fares,good sitting arrangements, high level of safety and reliability, high level of competence of drivers, availability in most parts of the country, among others continue to give it more comparative advantage. It was therefore recommended that infrastructural development and physical facilities at the various depots and bus terminals be developed; electronic ticketing should be practised and enforced with proper monitoring and evaluation. Shareholding structure of the company should also be reassessed to ensure equity and fairness among shareholders.

Source: KNUST