ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Loan Portfolio Diversification on Banks’ Risks and Returns: Evidence from an Emerging Market.

Purpose: This paper tests whether diversification of credit portfolios across economic sectors leads to improved profitability and reduced credit risks for Ghanaian banks that have been characterized by high non-performing loans in recent times (IMF, 2011). Design/methodology/approach: Static and dynamic estimations, namely Prais Winsten, fixed and random effect estimators, feasible generalized least squares as well as the system generalized methods of moments are employed on annual data of 30 Ghanaian banks that operated between 2007 and 2014 to determine the effect of loan portfolio diversification on bank performance. Findings: The study shows that loan portfolio diversification does not improve banks’ profitability nor does it reduce banks’ credit risks. Research limitations/implications: The study focuses on a single banking system in Africa largely as a result of data limitation. Practical implications: The study emphasizes the need for banks to perform a careful assessment of the effects of their lending policies geared towards increased sectoral diversification on their monitoring efficiency and effectiveness. A further investment in loan screening and monitoring is necessary to minimize credit risks. Originality/value: This study is the first to present empirical evidence on the effects of loan portfolio diversification on bank performance in an emerging banking market in Africa.

Source: UG
Effect of local processing methods (cooking, frying and smoking) on three fish species from Ghana

The effect of processing methods (cooking, frying and smoking) on the chemical composition of two marine fish (Sardinella sp., Dentex sp.) and a freshwater fish (Tilapia sp.) was studied. The proximate compositions of the fish were similar to those of other fish reported in the literature. Processing per se had no effect on the composition of fish. Smoking and cooking did not affect the fatty acid composition of the fish. The palm-kernel oil used in frying masked the fatty acid pattern in the fried fish. Freshwater fish contains high levels of n-6 fatty acids. However, similar amounts were found in the freshwater fish and the marine fish. This is probably due to the freshwater fish feeding on mosquito larvae. The fish contained appreciable amounts of Na, Ca, P and Mg. Trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn and As) were also determined. There was no thiamine in flat sardine and tilapia, probably due to thiaminase activity. The content in Dentex sp. was low. Vitamins B2 and B6 were very low in all the fish.

Source: UG
Effect of macroeconomic variables on the ghanaian stock market returns: A co-integration analysis

This study investigates the effect of macroeconomic variables on the Ghanaian stock market returns using monthly data over period January 1992 to December, 2008. Macroeconomic variables used in this study are consumer price index (as a proxy for inflation), crude oil price, exchange rate and 91 day Treasury bill rate (as a proxy for interest rate). The study employs the Johansen Multivariate Co-integration Procedure. The empirical results reveal that there is co-integration between the four macroeconomic variables and stock returns in Ghana indicating long run equilibrium relationship. Further, the results reveal that; in the short run, Treasury Bill Rate significantly influences the stock returns, with and an elasticity of 0.005, implying that a 1% rise in the Treasury bill rate will lead to a 0.005% rise in the stock returns. The inflation rate is also significant at 1% with elasticity -0.135744, implying that a 1% increase in inflation rate will decrease stock returns by 0.14 %. The residual value of 0.785548 of the Error Correction Model indicates that about 79% of the deviations of the stock returns are corrected in the short run, which is quite high and encouraging for an emerging market like the Ghana Stock Exchange. In the long run, however, the stock returns are significantly influenced by Inflation rate, Crude oil prices, Exchange rate, and Treasury bill rate, with elasticities of 0.5479, -0.03021, 0.05213, and 0.00322 respectively. Crude oil price is negatively related to stock returns; 1% rise in Crude oil prices will decrease returns by 0.03%. Also a 1% increase in inflation rate increases stock returns by 0.54%; and a 1% rise in exchange rate increases stock returns by 0.052%. The effect of Treasury bill rate is highly inelastic with elasticity of 0.003. In both the short run and the long run results, inflation rate appears to be the most influential macroeconomic variable affecting stock market returns in Ghana. The results also reveal that investors are not compensated for inflationary increases in the short run, but are compensated in the long run. These results have implications for financial analysts, fund managers and policy makers.

Source: UG
The effect of marital status on psychological distress among single and partnered mothers in Ghana: The moderating role of employment status.

Literature indicated that generally, one-quarter to one-third of all families are headed by single mothers. In developing countries like Ghana, more than 25% of households are headed by single mothers. This phenomenon could be attributed to increased rate of divorce, desertion, death, and imprisonment. These mothers are confronted with many burdens. The study sought to find out how these burdens affect the level of psychological distress of mothers and whether single and partnered mothers differ on this variable. Some of the factors considered include employment status, family size, and educational level. Data was obtained using questionnaire and structured interview guide from 364 single mothers and 355 partnered mothers using purposive sampling, convenience and the snowball sampling. The design was descriptive survey. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analyses. There were significant differences between single and partnered mothers, as well as amongst those employed in the formal sector, those employed in the informal sector and the unemployed mothers on psychological distress. A significant negative relationship between the age of mothers and psychological distress was observed. These findings were discussed and intervention programmes recommended.

Source: UG
The Effect of Maternal Education on Child Health: Some Evidence from Ghana.

Ghana has witnessed marked improvement in child health over the past three decades, albeit the progress has been slow and unevenly distributed across the country. The country's under-five mortality rate, though better than the average for sub-Saharan Africa, lags behind that of some low and middle-income countries in the sub-region. The situation is not different from the incidence of diseases such as acute respiratory infection (ARI), diarrhoeal diseases and fever among children in Ghana. While a number of studies have been conducted to investigate the factors that influence child health, there is limited evidence regarding the effect of maternal education on child health in Ghana. This paper seeks to examine the effect of maternal education on under-five morbidity particularly the incidence of ARI, diarrhoea and fever in Ghana. Using the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) and employing logistic regression, the paper shows that higher maternal education significantly and consistently reduces the incidence of diarrhoea, ARI and fever among children aged under-five in Ghana. The paper recommends the integration of maternal education in maternal and child health policies in Ghana.

Source: UG
Effect of mechanical activation on mullite formation in an alumina-silica ceramics system at lower temperature

Purpose-This work aims to analyze the effect of mechanical activation on structural disordering (amorphization) in an alumina-silica ceramics system and formation of mullite most notably at a lower temperature using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also, an objective of this work is to focus on a low-temperature fabrication route for the production of mullite powders. Design/methodology/approach-A batch composition of kaolin, alumina and silica was manually pre-milled and then mechanically activated in a ball mill for 30 and 60 min. The activated samples were sintered at 1,150°C for a soaking period of 2 h. Mullite formation was characterized by XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Findings-It was determined that the mechanical activation increased the quantity of the mullite phase. SEM results revealed that short milling times only helped in mixing of the precursor powders and caused partial agglomeration, while longer milling times, however, resulted in greater agglomeration. Originality/value-It is noted that, a manual pre-milling of approximately 20 min and a ball milling approach of 60 min milling time can be suggested as the optimum milling time for the temperature decrease succeeded for the production of mullite from the specific stoichiometric batch formed. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Source: UG
Effect Of Mechanisation Use Intensity On The Productivity Of Rice Farms In Southern Ghana

This study analysed the effect of farm mechanisation on productivity of rice farms in southern Ghana. The empirical results of the stochastic frontier model of primary data solicited from 360 rice farmers in southern Ghana revealed that land size cultivated, agrochemical expenditure, tillage intensity, threshing intensity, education and transportation intensity were significant factors that positively influenced partial factor productivity with respect to mechanisation. On the other hand, reaping intensity, over use of fertilizers, and age of farmers negatively influenced partial factor productivity with respect to mechanisation. These results have implications for capacity building and government support to increase productivity on rice farms.

Source: UG
Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the quality of minimally processed pineapple cv. 'Smooth Cayenne' fruit

The effects of modified atmosphere (MA) conditions on the quality of minimally processed pineapple slices were determined. Commercial pineapple slice packs sealed with 40 μm thick polyester film were kept at 4.5°C for 14 d. The oxygen transmission rate of the film was 23 ml m-2 day -1 atm-1 (at 25°C, 75% RH). In-built atmospheres and the quality of the products were determined. O2 concentrations within the packs stabilised at 2%, while CO2 concentrations increased to 70% by day 14. The high CO2 level suggested an inappropriate lidding film permeability for the product, and hence affected its quality. Three batches of pineapple slices were packed in the laboratory using lidding films with oxygen transmission rate of 75, 2790 or 5000 ml m-2 day-1 atm-1 (at 23°C, 0% RH). Headspace atmospheres from laboratory-packed pineapple slices suggested an optimum equilibrium modified atmosphere of ca. 2% O2 and 15% CO2. Respiration data from the laboratory-prepared packs were pooled together and used to develop a correlation model relating respiration rates to O2 and CO2 concentrations. The model showed a decrease in respiration rate with decreasing O2 and increasing CO2 concentrations. Respiration rate stabilised at 2% O2 and 10% CO2. The high concentrations of CO2 observed in the commercial packs did not fit the range in the respiration model. The model could aid in selection of MA conditions for minimally processed pineapple fruit.

Source: UG
Effect of Morphologically Different Conductive Agents on the Performance of Silicon Anode in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The performance of electrochemical electrodes, is largely dependent on the extent of efficient electrical contacts between particles, and secondly, between the current collector and the particles, amongst other factors. We report on the electrical conductivity of silicon anode electrodes that have been prepared by using conductive agents with different morphological properties. Super P® Li (SP), VGCF®‐H vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCF), and their mixture were incorporated separately into the anode electrode to observe their distinctive resultant performance. The morphological characterization was done using scanning electron microscopy whilst the electrochemical properties of the prepared electrodes were characterized by electrical resistivity test, cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The combination of VGCF®‐H and Super P® Li, results in improved performance of the anode, due to their synergistic interactions which reduce the effects encountered during the failure of the silicon anode electrode caused by large volume changes. These findings unlock new opportunities for the exploration and development of other morphologically useful conductive agents to improve silicon anode in lithium ion batteries.

Source: UG
Effect of Mucuna Pruriens Mulch on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L.)

A study to assess the effect of Mucuna pruriens mulch on the growth and yield of maize was conducted at the Crop Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon from October 1994 to June 1998. Treatments comprised maize plants in Mucuna pruriens mulch plots and no-mulch plots superimposed with nitrogen rates of 0, 50, 100 and 200kg/ha arranged in a split plot design, with three replications. Maize plants in the mulch plots grew faster and yielded more than maize plants in plots without the mulch. However, the addition of 50kg/ha of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to mulch plots gave the highest grain yield. The decomposition rate of the Mucuna forage was moderate compared to values stated for other legumes elsewhere. Mulching with the Mucuna led to higher soil moisture content, lower soil temperature, lower weed growth, lower bulk density, lower acidity and higher levels of soil organic matter and nitrogen. Second season maize grown on the residual mulch plots yielded significantly higher compared to those grown on the no-mulch plots. However, the yield was lower than that obtained from the first season mulched plot. The result clearly indicates that Mucuna pruriens is a good source of mulch material for planting maize in the first season followed by another one in the second season.

Source: UG
Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water use efficiency of maize (zea mays L) under controlled irrigation

Population growth, urban expansion and economic development are increasing competition for water use between agriculture and other users. In addition, the high rate of soil degradation and declining soil moisture in the Sub-Saharan African Region have called for several crop production management and irrigation options to improve soil fertility, reduce water use by crops and produce more crops per drop of water. Notwithstanding, this, considerable variations exist in the literature on water use efficiency. WUFewu (economic yield per water used) for maize (Zea mays L) across climates and soil management practices. Different views have been expressed on the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) application on transpiration efficiency. TE (biomass product per unit of water transpired). The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of different rate of N -enriched municipal waste co-compost and its derivative on TE, WUEewu and yield of maize (Z mays L) in comparison to inorganic waste fertiliser. The green house put experiment was conducted in Accra, Ghana a study loam soil (Ferric Lisisol) using a split plot design. The main plot treatments were soil (S) dewatered focal study (DES) municipal solid water compost ( C) co-compost from municipal solid waste and dewatered focal study (Co) compost enriched with (NH4)2SO4. The sub-plot treatments were different rates of application of nitrogen fertilizer applied at the rate at 91, 150 and 210 kg n ha-1 respectively …

Source: UG
The effect of NaOH catalyst concentration and extraction time on the yield and properties of Citrullus vulgaris seed oil as a potential biodiesel feed stock

In this work, oil was extracted from Citrullus vulgaris (watermelon) seeds for potential feedstock in biodiesel production. The results showed that, the oil content from Citrullus vulgaris seeds oil during extraction reached an average yield of 50%. Biodiesel was produced via transesterification using NaOH as catalyst. The effect of NaOH on the yield of the biodiesel was investigated at three different concentrations; 0.13, 0.15 and 0.18 g and oil to methanol ratio of 5:1 under different reaction times; 90, 120 and 150 min at 60 °C. The yield of biodiesel from NaOH concentration of 0.13 g was found to be 70% as compared to those of concentrations, 0.15 g and 0.18 g which were 53% and 49% respectively. Gas chromatography was used to identify the methyl ester groups present in the biodiesel and the results revealed both concentration and time-dependent increase in oil yield. The physicochemical properties of the watermelon seed oil such as flash point (141.3 ± 0.4–143.4 ± 0.2), density (0.86 ± 0.04–0.91 ± 0.01 g/cm3), kinematic viscosity (30.50 ± 0.1–31.20 ± 0.04 mm2/s) and acid value (mg KOH/g) are similar to conventional vegetable oils. This work therefore, highlights the potential utility of water melon seeds for biodiesel production. © 2018 The Authors

Source: UG
The effect of natural fibre reinforcement on polyurethane composite foams –A review

The use of natural fibre reinforced polyurethane composite foams is becoming increasingly popular in the cellular foam industry. This demand is due to the increase in the use of ecofriendly, biodegradable, and sustainable materials to produce polyurethane composite materials for such applications. In this regard, natural fibres from agro-waste are being preferred to their synthetic counterparts due to readily availability, strength, lightweight, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. In addition to their renewable nature, the use of natural fibre in polyurethane foams produces composite foams with better properties than the neat polyurethane foams. This review explores the preparation, and properties of nat- ural fibre reinforced polyurethane composite foams and discusses the effect of chemical modification of these fibres on the interfacial adhesion of the fibre-polymer matrix sys- tem. It also assesses the trends and future potential of the global market of natural fibres and the polyurethane composite foams.

Source: UG
The effect of neighbourhood mortality shocks on fertility preferences: a spatial econometric approach.

According to the demographic transition theory, fertility rates fall in response to declines in child mortality rates. Although national statistics indicate that child mortality rates have been declining over time, Ghana’s fertility rates appear to have stalled. This paper hypothesises that women’s fertility behaviours may be more responsive to child mortality experiences at more localised levels. Using all rounds of the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (1988–2008) and employing a variety of spatial and empirical estimation techniques, results indicate that in addition to own-child mortality, neighbourhood child mortality shocks are also a determinant of women’s fertility in Ghana. Women in neighbourhoods with large child mortality shocks may desire more children as an “insurance” against future losses, as a result of their increased perceptions of own-child mortality risks.

Source: UG
Effect of nixtamalization on the chemical and functional properties of maize

The high utilization and consumption levels of maize in developing countries calls for investigations into new methods of processing to help introduce variety as well as improve the functionality and nutrient quality of maize-based foods. This study was carried out to determine the effect of nixtamalization on the chemical and functional characteristics of maize. A 2×4 factorial experimental design with cooking time (0, 30 min) and lime concentration (0, 0.33, 0.5 and 1.0%) was performed. Chemical composition (moisture, protein and ash), pH, titratable acidity, water absorption, colour, cooked paste viscosity and texture were determined using standard methods. The cooking time and lime concentration significantly (p≤0.05) influenced the moisture, pH and colour of the samples. Water absorption capacity was dependent on the lime concentration and all the indices increased with increasing lime concentration used. The effects of lime concentration on cooked paste viscosity, ash and protein were not significant (p≤0.05); however, a slight increase in protein content was observed. Maize nixtamals, with appropriate moisture and texture for the production of snack products, can be prepared from maize with acceptable quality characteristics. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Effect of Nutritional Content of Processed Cassava Chips on Development of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn)

Samples of four differently processed cassava chips of two varieties were analysed for their chemical contents. Thereafter, they were infested with adults of Prostephanus truncatus at temperature of 25-34°C and relative humidity of 61-92% and studied for their susceptibility to pest in storage. The processed chips differed in their overall chemical contents and their responses to P. truncatus attack were significantly different (P<0.05). The beetles performance and overall development was high on fermented cassava chips which had highest pest population density (619.9±74.5) and suffered the greatest weight loss (71.7±8.8) than on parboiled chips with population density of (220.6± 48.6) and loss of (20.9±5.0). Correlation analysis between the biology of the pest and the chemical composition of the chips showed that association between the starch and population density of the pest was positive and significantly high (r = 0.71, P<0.05). Weight loss due to insect feeding also showed significant association with the starch content of the cassava chips (r = 0.82, P<0.05).

Source: UG
Effect of nutritional status on concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I in milk from Holstein cows

The effect of diet on concentrations of milk insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and their relationships with plasma IGF-I, and with somatic cell count (SCC) were evaluated in two trials. In Trial1, 32 multi-parous Holstein cows at 4 to 5 wk of lactation received 4 different diets formulated to provide high (H) or low (L) dry matter intake (DMI) with H or L metabolisable energy (ME) density for 5 wk. Dietary treatment did not affect milk IGF-I concentrations, but concentrations were repeatable in individual cows. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.78 ± 0.05 and 0.73 ± 0.06 in a.m. and p.m. samples, respectively, when concentrations were measured for 7 consecutive days. The association between milk IGF-I and plasma IGF-I concentration was weaker (R2 = 0.140; P = 0.035) than the association between milk IGF-I concentrations and the natural logarithmic value (Ln) of SCC (R2 = 0.249; P = 0.004). The effects of body condition score (BCS) at calving and level of grain supplementation in early lactation on IGF-I concentrations in milk were evaluated in Trial 2 with 21 Holstein cows that grazed pasture. The BCS at calving did not affect milk IGF-I concentrations; neither did supplementation with 1 or 6 kg of grain. Milk and plasma concentrations of IGF-I were not associated (R2 = 0.002; P = 0.830), whereas the association between milk concentrations of IGF-I and Ln SCC was significant (R2= 0.342; P=0.005). Concentrations of IGF-I in milk were not a sensitive measure of dietary changes in lactating pasture-fed Holstein cows.

Source: UG