ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the growth response of soybean (Glycine max L.) to some commercial fertilizers in the guinea savannah agro -ecological zone of Ghana

Series of field experiments were undertaken in the Guinea Savanna agro - ecological zone of Ghana to assess the influence of some agricultural commercial products in optimizing soybean production. The field experiments were carried out using sixteen treatments at Akukayili, Cheshegu and Ghulahgu during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The treatments were replicated four times in a split – plot arranged in randomized complete block design. Soil chemical properties evaluated in the study areas before trial establishment indicated that the soil fertility status was below the optimum for soybean growth. The results showed that the use of starter N (25 kg N ha -1 ) is essential to increase soybean yields in the study area. Grain yields of 3321 and 3056 kg ha -1 were recorded respectively for Boost Xtra (BX) + 25 kg N ha -1 and BX + 5O kg N ha -1 at Akukayili where 25 kg N ha -1 + BX emerged as the best treatment in enhancing both Agronomic Efficiency (AE) and Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) of nitrogen. Furthermore, the sole use of Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculum did not significantly (P > 0.05) enhance grain yield. At Cheshegu, Fertisoil and Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculum treatments increased nodule dry matter accumulation by 51% and 407% respectively relative to the control. Moreover, P90 + FS, P60 + FS and P30 + FS produced grain yields of 3588, 3583 and 3524 kg ha -1 respectively, which were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control. Phosphorus application increased N uptake in the order, 30 > 60 > 90 kg P ha -1 . The use of 30 kg P ha -1 enhanced the AE and NUE of phosphorus when combined with Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculum (INO) and /or Fertisoil (FS). The emphasis on the benefit of combining more than one nutrient at a time was clearly observed across the study locations, where combined use of the various treatments (especially FS + N25P30 ) led to an increase in nodule dry weight, biomass and grain yield relative to their sole treatments. Also, the uptake of N and P were enhanced with the treatment combinations than the sole applications. At Ghulahgu, the application of Boost xtra iv resulted in a value cost ratio (VCR) of 5 which was the highest relative to VCR‟s obtained at Akukayili and Chesshegu.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the impact of Microfinance on petty traders: A case study of Kumasi Central Market

The high standard set by commercial banks in financing petty traders has created a gap in the economy that microfinance has filled. Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations have concluded that poverty among the petty traders could be solved through the concept of microfinance. But, has the era of commercializing micro financing lived up to this vision? Microfinance institutions in Ghana are seen as businesses that have profit making as their goal. What impact have they made on the petty traders in the society? A descriptive study that employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches was conducted to evaluate the impact of micro financing on petty traders in the Kumasi Metropolis. A non-random sampling method was used to select five microfinance institutions from the metropolis who have been in operation for more than five years, with identified branch managers or credit supervisors and also close to the market and 200 petty traders who are customers of these institutions and also operate at Kumasi Central Market were sampled out by the use of convenient sampling method for the study. Questionnaires were issued to petty trading customers whiles interview guides were administered to branch managers or supervisors and data gathered were analyzed through the use of simple regression and correlation. It was revealed that there was a very weak relationship between microfinance credit and savings on the one hand and petty traders’ profitability, business capital and livelihood on the other hand. The impact of Microfinance Institutions on petty traders was found to be low contrary to preview studies and literatures. In order to correct this, it has been recommended that government should partner with microfinance institutions to revise the approach of microfinance to a hybrid form that will combine profit making with subsidy.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution on the Environment of Dunkwa- On-Offin From Gold Mining Activities

All heavy metals are potentially harmful to organisms at higher levels of exposure. Concentrations of Hg, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, As and Pb were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in three fish species (Chrysichthys gariepinus, Clarias nigrodigitatus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis), sediments and water from Offin River, soils and terrestrial animals (Futa jallon, Capra hircus and Rattus rattus) sampled from Dunkwa township. The mean concentration of As in the water (17.91 ± 6.60 µg/l) was above the WHO guidelines value of 10 µg/L for drinking water. The mean concentration of As in the sediment samples (62.52 ± 19.69 mg/kg dry-wt) was the highest among the metals analyzed whiles in the soil samples, Zn that recorded a mean concentration of 25.37 ± 19.83 mg/kg, dry-wt was the highest. In the fish species, the gills, livers and muscles were analyzed whiles the livers, kidneys, lungs, brains, small intestines, colons, tongues and hearts were analysed in the Futa jallon and Capra hircus samples. In Rattus rattus, lung, liver, kidney and brain samples were analysed. The mean concentration of As in the water (17.91 ± 6.60 µg/l) was above the WHO guidelines value of 10 µg/L for drinking water. The mean concentration of As in the sediment samples (62.52 ± 19.69 mg/kg dry-wt) was the highest among the metals analyzed whiles in the soil samples, Zn that recorded a mean concentration of 25.37 ± 19.83 mg/kg, dry-wt was the highest. Among the three fish species, muscles and livers had mean Hg concentrations above the WHO permissible limit of 0.5 mg/kg. Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus had Hg concentrations of 1.04 ± 1.23 mg/kg, 0.98 ± 0.91 mg/kg and 1.08 ± 2.07 mg/g in their livers and 1.15 ± 1.27 mg/kg, 0.57 ± 0.11 mg/kg and 0.77 ± 0.99 mg/kg in their muscles respectively. All the mean concentrations of Zn in the organs of sheep (Futa jallon) samples were above the safety limit of 50 mg/kg set by USDA. In goat (Capra hircus) samples, almost all the tissues that were analyzed had their Zn concentrations exceeding the permissible limit for human consumption except that of brain and 50% of the colon samples. Among the terrestrial animals, wild rats (Rattus rattus) had the highest concentrations of As in their tissues. It could be concluded from this study that consumption of water and fish from the Offin river could pose a health hazard due to the high levels of As and Hg in the biota.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the implementation of focus antenatal care in the Ho Municipality

Focused Antenatal Care (FANC) has been identified as a program that is aimed at pro-moting the health and sur¬vival of mothers and babies. FANC expects that a woman will receive individualized care primarily from skilled provider, consistently over a minimum of four visits. It was introduced in a context where many critical assessments were not being widely offered or ignored hence resulting in high mortality rates among pregnant women. This study is conducted to assess the implementation of FANC in the Ho municipality with a focus on how care is rendered to clients by nurses. The study was a cross sectional descriptive survey. Thirty (30) nurses were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A checklist was used to observe how clients were assessed by nurses, and also to assess the challenges faced with the practice of FANC. Data from the structured questionnaire was analyzed with SPSS version 16.0 A total of 12 facilities were visited, 30 ANC staff interviewed (16 Community Health Nurses and 14 Midwives), 96 maternal health records were reviewed. ANC staffs were observed interacting with 96 clients. The study revealed that the nurses were aware of the existence and practice of FANC. However, most of the staff have not had training in FANC, and therefore are not familiar with the details and components. The study revealed also that History taking on clients was poor, health workers are unable to take comprehensive history for early detection of diseases. Examination of ANC clients by health workers were also not optimal, procedures and findings are usually not explained to the women. Not all the procedures required to detect diseases in pregnancy were followed. This has also reflected in filling of the maternal record, where most of the records such as drug history, contraceptive history and physical history were not filled, but progress histories were filled. This is in line with examination done for client that is abdominal palpation and auscultation was done for all clients but ignoring the rest of the procedures. The respondents however, identified various challenges to the delivery of quality and appropriate FANC services. Chief amongst them were issues related to inadequate number of staffs, lack of infrastructure and appropriate equipment. The implementation of focused antenatal care did seem to increase the number of antenatal registrants and an increase in the number of deliveries with a skilled health care provider. But more needs to be done to increase the number of deliveries with skilled care provider. Generally, the practice of Focused Antenatal care is being implemented in the Ho municipality and it has improved upon the number of clients (pregnant women) that patronize the health facilities. Nonetheless, the structure at all levels in the facilities ought to be upgraded to support the total practice of FANC. There is also the need to orient the staff and the communities on Focus Antenatal Care.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the impact of performance appraisal on the employees of the Ghana Education Service: a case study of the Ashanti Region

Performance appraisal is viewed as a distinct and formal management procedure used in the evaluation of work performance. There has been a considerable growth and interest in the process in recent years as a result of the fact that it is considered to be one of the most important requirements for successful business and human resource policy. The study attempted to evaluate the impact of performance appraisal on the staff of the GES and the use to which the results of performance appraisal were put in the service. The descriptive survey method was used to seek answers to the research questions. Structured closed and open-ended questionnaire and interview were used to collect data for analysis. The purposive and simple random sampling methods were used to select 81 subjects for the study. Findings indicated that the respondents were aware of the appraisal policies in the GES and were also adequately prepared for the process. The study also fougd thai performance appraisal was conducted annually in the service since this time interval was seen to be very appropriate, In terms of the impact of the process on the work output of the staff of the service, the respondents maintained that performance appraisal when used for developmental purposes could assist organisations in retaining staff and even influence employees' attitudes. Recommendations resulting from the research findings were that, efforts should be made to train some younger officers to take over from the ageing officers in the section. It was again recommended that the use of the GES Appraisal Manual should be made mandatory to ensure uniformity and a systematic appraisal process in the service and that promotions of employees in the service should be preceded by an appraisal process to determine the kind of training (if any) the staff would need.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the importance that Institutions attach to supplier selection criteria in Public Procurement practices in Ghana

Selecting and evaluating the right suppliers is important for organizations’ global marketplace competitiveness. The need to improve organisational efficiency, reduce waste, overcome supply chain risk, and achieve competitive position has made companies to start considering appropriate factors for supplier selection and evaluation. To this extent, environmental and sustainability management is playing an increasingly important role in business supply chain management in a dynamic global business environment. Consequently in today’s competitive business environment the choice of the best supplier have become a major strategic issue that needs scientific, rational and efficient evaluation criteria. The need for comprehensive criteria and methods that conform to environmental and sustainable concern prompted this study. The study used structured questionnaire to ascertain the importance that public institutions attach to supplier evaluation criteria. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and scale ranking. The findings revealed that many public institutions rate delivery (4.48), quality (4.48) price (4.27), and warranties claims (4.09) criteria high and important for supplier selection and evaluation relative to the other sustainable criteria for example reusable and recyclable materials which were rated 1.94 and 1.85 respectively. This suggests that the use of these modern business criteria is not yet fully integrated into Ghanaian business practices. This study offers recommendations to public procuring entities and the PPA to review procurement practices to include modern business criteria of environmental and sustainability concerns.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the investment policies of the pension fund in Ghana: a case of the SSNIT Pension Scheme

There has been widespread public concern and perception about the inadequacy of the defined benefits provided by Pension Scheme to pensioners in Ghana. The Pension Scheme in Ghana is committed to providing income replacement for Ghanaian workers and their dependents in the event of stoppage or loss of income resulting from old age, invalidity or death. To be able to payout guaranteed pension benefits as a form of Social Insurance, there must be prudent investment of surplus funds in order to achieve such a feat. In this study, thorough analyses are made on the performance of the investment activities of the portfolio and asset classes of the SSNIT Pension Fund. The Portfolio Nominal and Real Rate of Returns (1997-2006) are analyzed as well as that of the Asset Classes. The assessment of the level of riskiness of the performance of the Fund is based on the Standard Deviation, Coefficient of Variation as well as the Sharpe Ratio of the Portfolio and the Asset Classes over the period under study. An examination of the relationship between the Proportion of Return on Investment and Proportion of Investment Balances of Portfolio and the Asset Classes are also conducted. An analysis of the goodness of fit test (represented by R-square) is conducted on the Portfolio and Asset Classes between Investment Returns and Investment Balances in order to ascertain the extent to which Return on Investment determines the allocation of Investment Balances.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in water samples of Lagos Lagoon using solid phase extraction method

Water samples were collected from 6 different locations of the Lagos lagoon at 0.5 and 2.5 m depths, respectively and from 2 other river bodies in Lagos and analyzed for the presence of 9 OCPs (organochlorine pesticides) residues. Samples were extracted using solid phase extraction method and were analyzed with gas chromatography. The analytes quantified included chlordane (0.006 to 0.950 µg/L), heptachlor (N.D: 0.067 µg/L), methoxychlor (N.D: 0.123 µg/L), hexachlorobenzene (0.015 to 0.774 µg/L), endosulfan (0.015 to 0.996 µg/L), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (0.012 to 0.910 µg/L), Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (0.005 to 0.477 µg/L), dieldrin (0.015 to 0.996 µg/L) and aldrin (0.080 to 0.790 µg/L). The ratio of DDE/ DDT obtained was 0.812 and this indicates that the degraded metabolite formed a significant proportion of the total DDTs. The overall mean total concentration of aldrin was the highest while heptachlor was the lowest. Concentration of methoxychlor and heptachlor were relatively low and below the detection limit in 50 and 57% of samples analysed respectively. The mean concentrations of organochlorine pesticides were higher than European Community allowable residual limit (0.1 µg/L) for individual OCPs in drinking water in 37.3% of samples analyzed.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the Management of Emergency Drug Boxes in Wards at Komfo Anokye Hospital (KATH)

This is an evaluative study into the management of the emergency drug boxes at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana. It was aimed at assessing the extent of adherence to the emergency drug management policy of the hospital. By simple random sampling, 29 wards were selected for the study in addition to the interview of 60 staff conveniently selected. An observation checklist, an interview guide and a questionnaire were used to assess the emergency drug boxes, ward in-charges and pharmacist, and other health professionals respectively. The results showed that 34% of the wards did not have emergency drug boxes because it had not been requested for (40%), or it had not been given to the ward (40%). Eighty four percent (84.2%) of the emergency drug boxes available were found in the wards, 68% of the boxes were not labelled and, 37% of the boxes did not have drug list available. Access to the content of the boxes were difficult because 68% did not have keys readily available for use. Of those that had keys available, 68% contained expired drugs. Ninety percent of staff interviewed was dissatisfied with the management of the emergency drug boxes because; drugs were not replaced (79.6%). The reason for non-replacement of the content of the emergency drug boxes included workload (46.2%) and forgetfulness (30.8%). The emergency drug boxes were not regularly monitored (32%). Out of the boxes regularly inspected, there was no documentation (50%) for that activity. It was concluded that the management of the emergency drug boxes at the wards of KATH from June 2008-August 2008 did not meet the prescription for the emergency drug boxes guidelines of the hospital. It was therefore recommended that the hospital management revive the essence of the use of emergency drug boxes and ensure strict supervision on its effective management by the directorates.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the management practices in the healthcare delivery system of Ghana: a case study of Dunkwa Municipal Hospital, Dunkwa-On-Offin

Many healthcare delivery issues are managerial rather than policies. There is therefore the call for effective management practices in healthcare facilities.However, there is no specific management training system for doctors and others who become chief executive officers of these facilities. This study thus evaluates the management practices of healthcare delivery in Dunkwa Municipal Hospital and how it relates with quality of healthcare delivery. The study was a case study. The population of this study was 200 health staff and 50 patients. A sample size of 112 health staff; included 22 management and senior staff, 90 junior staff and 27 patients who visited the hospital were used. The purposive sampling method was used to select the management and senior staff of Dunkwa Municipal Hospital. The simple random sampling technique was used in this study to select the junior staff and patients. The instruments used for the study were questionnaires and interviews. The data was organized into frequency tables, pie-charts, bar charts and line graphs using MS-Excel 2007 and SPSS (version 16.0). Pearson’ Correlation Coefficient was used to test for significant relationship between healthcare management practices and healthcare delivery systems. The hospital had amenities and facilities were functional. Doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physician assistants, laboratory technicians, labourers, orderlies and security personnel were not sufficient. Healthcare management practices and healthcare delivery were positively and significantly related. Self-medication, superstition, cost of health care, attitude of the medical staff affected health care delivery in the hospital were challenges to efficacy healthcare management practices. The study recommends that the management should continue to improve management practices in hospital. Ghana Health Service should to post dieticians, physiotherapist and more doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physician assistants, laboratory technicians, labourers, orderlies and security personnel to the hospital. The management of the hospital should undertake outreach programmes in the communities to sensitize the people on the bad effects of self-medication and superstition among the people, and use strategic planning in the management of health care delivery in the hospital.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the Mineral Composition, Antioxidant Properties, Phytochemical and Anti-nutrient Composition of African Palmyra Palm (Borassus aethiopum) Fruit Flour

African palmyra palm (Borassus aethiopum) grows widely across Africa. Previous studies indicated its fruit flour has a great potential in food applications. However, there is limited information on the mineral composition, antioxidant properties, anti-nutrient composition and phytochemical composition of the flour. The main objective of this work was to investigate the effect of drying methods on the above mentioned properties of the African palmyra palm flour. Previous works carried out on the flour however indicated that drying had an influence on some quality attributes of the flour. The fresh fruit pulp was obtained, freeze dried, oven dried, solar dried and milled into flour (particle size: 450 microns and below). Phytochemical screening, mineral analysis, anti-nutrient analysis and antioxidant analysis were conducted on the flour obtained. The flour had total phenols (1518.00 - 3896.71 mg GAE/100g), potassium (237.00 - 276.73 mg/100g), magnesium (211.61 - 293.62 mg/100g) and saponin (36.10 – 55.62 g/100g). The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of many phytochemicals including glycosides. Drying had a significant effect on the analysed composition of APP flour.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the microbiological and physicochemical quality of borehole water in the Offinso District of Ashanti Region

The quality of borehole water from seven administrative town councils namely Asuoso (AS), Akenkaasu (AK), Samproso (SA), Abofour (AB), Offinso (OF), Afrancho (AF) and Bonsua (BO) in the Offinso District of Ashanti region were analysed from January 2007 to June 2007. Water samples were collected from thirty-five boreholes comprising five boreholes in each town council and analysed for temperature, pH, colour, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness and some selected anions PO3-4, NO2-,SO2-4) some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb), total and faecal coliforms. From the results, pH of the water was slightly acidic (5.03-6.53) and was unaffected by the seasonal variation. The water was moderately soft to slightly hard (12.8-226.80mg/l CaCO3). The nutrient loads observed in the water were slightly low and fell within the WHO standards. There were isolated cases of cadmium contamination at Asuoso (AS), Abofour (AB) and Bonsua (BO) recording 0.00198, 0.00124, 0.00158 and 0.00164, respectively. With the exception of pH, all the other parameters analysed were influenced by seasonal variations. There was a general increase in all the parameters during the wet season with turbidity, conductivity and total dissolved solids recording high values. The mean total coliforms ranged between 10 and 20CFU/100ml while all the samples analyzed recorded zero for faecal coliforms. The results suggest that borehole water sources in the Offinso district were of acceptable quality.

Source: KNUST