ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Asante art and culture: the mainspring of Asante’s greatness and glory

The study makes a general survey of the Art and Culture involved in the greatness and glory of Asanteman; and in accordance with the research objectives, the thesis has mainly given an account of the role which Asante Art and Culture played in Asante’s greatness, and the role that Asante Art and Culture played to make Asante glorious. The thesis comprises five chapters. Chapter One which deals with the statement of the problem and its setting, which are the objectives, importance of the study, reasons for writing the thesis, delimitations, limitations, justification of the objectives, hypothesis, statements of assumptions, methodology, ethnographic background of Asante and the significance of the research. Chapter Two reviews some literature pertinent to the topic, whilst Chapter Three of the thesis concerns itself with the role which Asante art and culture have played in making Asante great. It therefore discusses the political, social, medico-religious, and economic aspects, as well as the arts that helped Asante to become great. Chapter Four investigates and discusses the role which Asante Art and Culture played in making Asante glorious; it therefore examines the various branches of art (the visual, body, performing and verbal ones) that contributed to make Asante glorious. Also, the role that some other cultural aspects, such as religion, traditional politics (that is chieftaincy) played in making Asante glorious has been considered. The last chapter (five) concludes the discussions, with the summary of the thesis and offers some suggestions for the development of the arts to make Asante more glorious. It has pointed out, however, that since art is dynamic, the identification and examination of the various artifacts, connected with Asante culture should be examined more properly, so that the archaic ones are done away with, and the good ones be promoted or retained, for the use of the future generations. The thesis has shown that Asante art and culture made Asante great and glorious. Art played and continues to play an important role in Asante’s greatness and glory as seen in all the chapters in this thesis. It is hoped that it will generate further investigations in order to arouse further interest in this area for future field researchers.

Source: KNUST
Asante Folklore and Kumasi Kiosk Architecture:a Visual Exploration of Hybridity and Mythography

This studio-based research improvises on the architectonics of Kumasi kiosks. I present the ensuing body of artefacts as a working prototype which joins on-going cultural conversations on hybridity in contemporary art. The typical Kumasi kiosk is referenced as a site for negotiation of boundaries in its design, setting and function, but I have also made allusions to suggestions of hybridity and boundary negotiation in the polyvalent structure of Asante myth and folklore. I made a close study of three hundred kiosks located in the urban quarters of Kumasi. I also engaged such thinkers on hybrid spaces as Homi Bhabha , Jacques Derrida, Michael Foucault, Stuart Hall, Paul Gilroy, etc, to discourse on Asante mythology. I laid emphasis on the myth of ɔhyeεni (ɔhene-king), a patriarchal figure who negotiates boundaries, Asante and Akan filial kinship narrative from Asante history. I employed a personal technique of painting, -Aberphoh, which is a reconfiguration of abstract expressionist and surrealist genres. Asante art forms laden with their myths, some of which visually portrayed mythology, especially the totems, were also studied as the basis upon which art works were recreated in the form of paintings on sculptural structures created with plywood. I used the Asante myth of Abubu-mmabaa to explore the structural dialogue of inside and outside in my hybridized artefact. I have also presented an iconographic catalogue of totems and symbols which appear on the inner and outer surfaces of my structures. I present my project as an artefact to be contained in a gallery space as well as a structure or site which contains other artefacts. Like the Kumasi kiosk, these structures are not intended to be permanently site-specific. Each is collapsible and foldable and thus portable to any possible location for re-erection and exhibition. It is a cross genre installation interfacing painting, sculpture, architecture, poetry and performance.

Source: KNUST
Asante folklore: a visual interpretation

Ghanaian contemporary art may have used folklore as an inspiration for artistic expression extensively in the performing arts than in any other field of study. E.K. Nyame, Nana Kwame Ampadu, agya Koo Nimo, Amakye Dede and his Apollo Kings, Nana Tuffour are only a few of the host of others who have used this idiom in Ghanaian highlife music. In the Ghanaian literary world notable examples are found in the works of Efua Sutherland and Dr. Martin Owusu. “The Marriage of Anansewaa” and “The Story Ananse Told” respectively. Although countless examples of folklore-inspired expression abound in indigenous Ghanaian visual arts, one cannot boast of the same degree of inspiration in contemporary Painting, Sculpture, Pottery or Metal work. The general appeal of visual images and the moral and educational value of this heritage make a perpetuation of Asante’s folklore by way of visual interpretation pertinent in our fast changing world.

Source: KNUST
Ascertaining the commitment of management in maintaining an effective quality assurance system: a case study of Ejisu-Juaben District, Ashanti Region, Ghana

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been recently engaged in the establishment of QA teams, In Eastern, Upper West, Central, Volta and fairly recently Ashanti Regions. The Ejisu district is one of the eighteen districts in Ashanti Region, where a QA team has been institutionalised in the Juaben hospital since May 2000. However, the District Directorate suggests an ineffective QA System in the hospital. The commitment, of management appears not forthcoming. Establishing QA teams is no guarantee that functions will be performed. Management has a role to play in the establishment and maintenance of any QA system: through the provision of clearly defined principles, training, timely and adequate allocation of resources, provision of tools for supervision and monitoring. In their work Adogboba et al (March, 2000) suggest a further study into other areas of QA operation in respect of management practices. Hence the decision to embark on this project to help define the central role of management in maintaining these QA teams structures on a continuous basis. Hopefully policies could be formulated in this direction to help ensure the discharge of management’s duty with respect to QA operation. The project was basically a descriptive cross-sectional study and a purposive evaluative study of the QA team in the Juaben Hospital. Twenty- nine (all but one) management members in all five sub-districts were given self-administered questionnaire and client evaluation study at Juaben hospital. A focus group was then held which brought together eight people (three patients, three members of staff and two management members) of the Juaben hospital. From the study it was realised that there is no well-communicated principle for the operation of QA. It was also realised that there is no demonstrable commitment QA operation by management by way of resources. It was also realised that training for low level management in QA has not been done to a large extent, Supervisory and monitoring tools for QA structures have not been provided and finally even though a large majority of patients are satisfied with services being rendered at the Juaben hospital, they have not been provided with an interface through which their grievances could be brought to the notice of management. It is hoped that this will help management to know their responsibility in ensuring the sustenance of the QA system on a continuous basis; even though it must be admitted that the QA team in Juaben hospital is only about 6 months old and probably not due for evaluation at this stage.

Source: KNUST
Ascertaining the general uses and nutritional composition of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) identified in the West Gonja District of Ghana

A study was conducted to identify the general uses and determine the nutritional components of oil nuts, fruit pulp and leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca. Information on general uses of the plant (Balanites aegyptiaca) was collected through household survey using a semi structured questionnaire. A total of 100 respondents comprising both females and males were interviewed. The results indicated that 60% of respondents use the leaves of the plant for soup, 93% of respondents lick the pulp of the fruits and none of the respondents has ever extracted oil from the nuts. Fresh leaves and dried fruits of Desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) were collected from the study area and their nutritional compositions were determined. The fruits pulp had 15.57% of moisture, 84.43% of dry matter, 8.87% of ash, 0.97% of crude fat, 6.71% of crude protein, 5.19% of crude fiber, 83.45% of carbohydrate, 348.61% of energy, 78.26% of nitrogen free extract and 0.453mg/g of vitamin C. However, the leaves had 61.78% of moisture, 38.21% of dry matter, 8.92% of ash, 1.94% of crude fat, 30.77% of crude protein, 14.22% of crude fiber, 58.37% of carbohydrate, 317.11% of energy, 44.16% of nitrogen free extract and 0.490mg/g of vitamin C. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the fruits and leaves with respect to nutritional composition except for ash content (p > 0.05). 12kg of dried nuts was processed to extract the oil. The percentage of oil extracted from the 12kg of nuts was 44%. Physicochemical properties that were determined from the oil were moisture content (0.15%), free fatty acid such as oleic (1.73%), peroxide value (7.96meq/kg) and vitamin C (52.22mg/g).The experimental design used was completely randomized design (CRD). In conclusion, the leaves and fruits pulp of the desert date plant contain some nutritional components for human consumption. I recommend that, further research should be conducted on the edible oil of the nuts of the plant.

Source: KNUST
Ascertaining the Quality of Water for Irrigation and Its Impact on Vegetable Quality: A Case Study Along the Bibini River in Kumasi.

Farmers in peri-urban areas use diluted wastewater for irrigation. Over time, heavy metals may accumulate in agricultural soils and food crops causing health problems when consumed. Physicochemical, heavy metals (cadmium, lead and chromium) and microbial analysis of water, soil and vegetables were conducted to ascertain the quality of water and vegetables using standard methods. The results of the study showed that the water quality indicators; dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and water temperature were not within the recommended standards of Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency. The presence of heavy metals in the water, soil and vegetables were in the order of; soil (1.47 ± 0.017 of cadmium, 0.0019 ± 0.00011 of chromium and 0.541 ± 0.017 of lead) > vegetable (1.472 ± 0.044 of cadmium, 0.0020 ± 0.00010 of chromium and 0.474 ± 0.021 of lead) > water (0.068 ± 0.009 of cadmium, 0.0047 ± 0.00037 of chromium and 0.110 ± 0.014 of lead). Cadmium, chromium and lead concentrations in soil, vegetables and water varied significantly. Cadmium and lead concentrations as well as coliform counts in water and vegetables exceeded Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Health Organization’s maximum permissible levels. Soil samples from the control site showed almost negligible concentrations of heavy metals (0.00017 mg/kg of cadmium, 0.00014 mg/kg of chromium and 0.0011 mg/kg of lead) whereas farm sites had heavy metals as a result of long-term wastewater irrigation. Cadmium and lead concentrations in the water and vegetables makes them toxic and microbial populations of faecal coliform in water and lettuce indicated faecal contamination. Therefore, the quality of vegetables produced using the Bibini river is low and unsafe for human consumption.

Source: KNUST
Asessing the impact of credit risk management on the performance of selected commercial banks in Ashanti Region- (Kumasi Metropolis)

Banks play a crucial role in the economy by connecting lenders to borrowers. The banks as well as other firms are exposed to several kinds of risk but seek ways to manage their risks while striving to maximize performance for this value to be created. This performance is as a result of the banks issuing credits to customers from money deposited by shareholders or savings from customers thus engaging them at risk in case of default. This project is geared towards assessing how selected commercial banks in Kumasi undertake their credit risk management activities with regards to non-performing loans ratio of the banking system, the requirements the Banks consider about companies and individuals before granting them credits, and how the results of credit granted affects the banks performance positively or negatively. This study was carried out using a quantitative research method, and a survey instrument of Questionnaires, were administered on a sample size of 60, out of a sample frame of 103 comprising branch managers, loan managers, loan officers and loan recovery officers, from a target population of about 720 which comprises all the workers of the four selected commercial banks in Ashanti region. The total population of the study is about10,000 representing the population of entire workers of all commercial banks in Kumasi. Stepwise multiple regression and SPSS were used in analyzing the data. The analysis of the empirical data showed that a credit risk exposure occupies an indispensable source of risk that can have adverse impact on the banks performance. It also goes ahead to show that the relationship between credit risk management policy and performance of the commercial banks was very strong. In order for greater results of credit risk management to be attained, banks must critically assess all information about the customer perfectly before granting them loans, and channel resources to application of credit monitoring tools to ensure that credit risk management technology are being fully utilized, to positively influence Banks’ performance.

Source: KNUST
Aspects of air and surface water pollution in the mining areas of Tarkwa

Environmental issues have assumed unprecedented prominence the world over the past few years as a result of environmental pollution. Years of neglect or indifference to environmental aspect on mineral exploitation and other industrial activities have brought in their wake substantial problems in many countries, including Ghana. Effects of mining on the environment axe two fold; firstly there are direct effects arising from mining as a physical activity, which include disturbance of the land surface and accumulation of waste. Secondly, there are indirect deleterious effects resulting from the treatment of mineral products, such as ore processing, smelting and other metallurgical processes. These frequently result in contamination of soil and groundwater, pollution of the atmosphere and an adverse effect on vegetation and wildlife. Given that most of the mining industries In Ghana are concentrated in the Tarkwa District, the pollution of air and water bodies in the district cannot be ruled out since the production and processing of minerals interacts extensively with the environment. It is against this background that this research is being undertaken to determine the extent of air and surface water pollution in the mining areas of Tarkwa. Air pollution in the ambient was fairly and accurately determined by means of chemical analysis of monthly rain water samples collected from a dust deposit gauge installed at U.S.T School OF Mines, Tarkwa. Surface water pollution was also determined by means of chemical analysis of bi-monthly water samples collected from streams around the mining companies into which their mine effluent flow. Two large scale mining companies, Goldfields Ghana Limited (Tarkwa Mine) and Ghana National Manganese Corporation (G.N.M.C) and two small scale mining companies, Modern Electrical Works and Dakete Mining Company went chosen in this wise. Water sample collected analyzed for pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids and a few base metals. The results indicated the following: - the extent of air pollution was found to be minimal or negligible. - some level of pollution of streams into which effluents from some mining companies flow, was detected. This calls for the introduction of more stringent measures to monitor and regulate mining activities in the Tarkwa District.

Source: KNUST
Aspects of the ecology of noack’s roundleaf bat (Hipposideros Aff. Ruber) in Ghana

The roost of bats in five caves in the central parts of Ghana were investigated. A total of 10,226 bats belonging to nine species were mist-netted within two years. There was a significant difference in species composition of the caves. The Noacks’s roundleaf bat, Hipposideros aff. ruber was found to be the most dominant species roosting inside the cave and some aspects of its ecology were further investigated. The flight activity of Hipposideros aff. ruber was limited to certain periods of the night at Kwamang cave one while it was uniform at Kwamang cave two. The estimated mean home range size of this species using radio-tracking was thirty-six hectares with a foraging range of 1.2 km. There was no significant difference in the home range sizes of the males and females. Hipposideros aff. ruber used 50% of its home range as the foraging area and 2% as the core area. Pregnant females had smaller home ranges and foraged not more than 0.2 km away from the roost cave. Hipposideros aff. ruber used all available habitats around its roost but strongly preferred to forage in fallow lands ahead of other habitats. This bat used tree farms such as cocoa as flight paths to commute between roost caves and foraging areas and exhibited a trimodal activity pattern foraging at dusk, midnight and dawn. Hipposideros aff. ruber is a strong flyer commuting over longer distances. A three kilometre radius around its roost should be included in the protection of its home range. In highly impacted agricultural landscapes, fallow lands are recommended as conservation units to support this bat. In such landscapes, provision of canopy trees as flight paths is recommended to allow them to commute between roost and habitats that support higher prey densities

Source: KNUST
Aspects of the ecology of Noack’s roundleaf bat (Hipposideros Aff. Ruber) in Ghana

The roost of bats in five caves in the central parts of Ghana were investigated. A total of 10,226 bats belonging to nine species were mist-netted within two years. There was a significant difference in species composition of the caves. The Noacks’s roundleaf bat, Hipposideros aff. ruber was found to be the most dominant species roosting inside the cave and some aspects of its ecology were further investigated. The flight activity of Hipposideros aff. ruber was limited to certain periods of the night at Kwamang cave one while it was uniform at Kwamang cave two. The estimated mean home range size of this species using radio-tracking was thirty-six hectares with a foraging range of 1.2 km. There was no significant difference in the home range sizes of the males and females. Hipposideros aff. ruber used 50% of its home range as the foraging area and 2% as the core area. Pregnant females had smaller home ranges and foraged not more than 0.2 km away from the roost cave. Hipposideros aff. ruber used all available habitats around its roost but strongly preferred to forage in fallow lands ahead of other habitats. This bat used tree farms such as cocoa as flight paths to commute between roost caves and foraging areas and exhibited a trimodal activity pattern foraging at dusk, midnight and dawn. Hipposideros aff. ruber is a strong flyer commuting over longer distances. A three kilometre radius around its roost should be included in the protection of its home range. In highly impacted agricultural landscapes, fallow lands are recommended as conservation units to support this bat. In such landscapes, provision of canopy trees as flight paths is recommended to allow them to commute between roost and habitats that support higher prey densities.

Source: KNUST
Assemblage and Construction in Stone Carving

This project is about using stone with varied materials to produce assemblage and construction for sculpture. A process involving cutting, piling and carving of stones using other materials such wood, metal fastened together with the help of adhesive, steel rods, bolts and nuts to create sculptures in-the-round or relief. The mentioned materials were successfully assembled in a harmonious way to create a beautiful mixed medium, which works together as in the case of Dominic Benhura. Some of the sculptures are assembled like beads on a string Like Noguchi; some of the researchers’ sculptures were assembled from individual pieces of carved stone without benefit of adhesives, but piling pieces of stones together with hole drilled through them. It is hoped that these sculptures of assemblage and construction will urge sculptors to go into stone as a material for sculpture and further to explore new approaches to sculpture.

Source: KNUST
Assemblage of wood pieces as an experience of power dialogue

The powerful presence and physicality of wood has changed over the period with contemporary art practices .Wood working methodologies have evolved leading to the expansion of it presumed boundaries. This shift and rethinking, the process, form and materiality generate a very interesting discourse. Assembling wood off cuts using joining as the methodology in favor of carving or other methods, creating a flexible sculptural form capable of taken various display experiences is explored. This display experiences is used in questioning the dialoged of power experiences in our society. That is studying the structure, practices, and conditions as we engage with it.

Source: KNUST
Assemblies of God Retreat Centre - Afienya

Although Ghana cannot be said to be an all Christian country, the Christians dominate with about 6O of her population. This percentage includes all religious orders that preach Jesus Christ as the Messiah and believes in the ideology of the Trinity that is: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Christians are grouped under three major categories by their way of worship. These are: a) The Orthodox Churches b) The Pentecostals c) The Spirituals Under these categories are several churches which have their different beliefs and rules which make up the fundamentals of a church. However, one key factor which all Christians believe in is Prayer - To communicate with the Almighty God, the Divine, Unseen Spirit. The act of Prayer, and the level of importance, in terms of time devoted and composure towards it may differ from church to church or individual to individual. They all have their meaningful interpretations to the verse “The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” That is to say, no matter how or when you pray, the most important thing is that you prayed fervently. At this point, it should be stated clearly that no judgement is passed on how one went about his/her prayer.

Source: KNUST