ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Alkaloidal constituent and some Pharmacopoeial Standards of the Stem Bark of Pachypodanthium Staudtii Engl. & Diels.

This thesis is a report on the study of the alkaloidal constituents and some phariacopocial standards of the stem bark of Pachypodanthium staudtii Engi & Diels, a tropical Annonaceae plant. Amongst its several uses in West African folk medicine, P • staudtii is used, together with other ingredients, for the treatment of benign tumours, the plant is also used in the treatment of lower abdominal pains following childbirth. Previous reports on the chemical study of the plant indicate that up to date, a total of 11 alkaloids have been isolated and identified from the stem bark. These alkaloids are all either protoberberines, oxoaporphines or aporphines. Preliminary TIC analysis of the total alkaloid extract indicated the presence of not less than 16 compounds, four of which were successfully isolated. One of these compounds was shown to be the oxoaporphine liriodenine. The second compound was tentatively identified as the tetrahydroprotobeberine discretine whilst the third compound, also a tetrahydroprotoberberine was found to be structurally related to the compounds corypalmine, isocorypalmine and caseanadine. The fourth compound was partia1y identified as either a proaporphine or an aporphine. The phytochemical significance of the isolated compounds is discussed. Also the presence of liriodenine, a cytotoxic agent, is discussed in relation to the folk medicinal use of the plant as an antitumour drug. In the study on some pharmacopoeial standards, the plant material is evaluated in accordance with some of the requirements set out in the pharmacopoeias for the standardization of crude drugs. The following requirements were applied; TLC analysis, Norphography, chemical tots, ethanol and water-Soluble extractives, ash values, moisture content, content of foreign matter and assay for total alkaloids. Upon the basis of the above investigations, both a descriptive and a set of numerical values were obtained for the characterisation of the plant material. These results and the significance of their application to the valuation and standardization of P. staudtii are discussed.

Source: KNUST
Allele Frequency Distribution of FGA and D18S51 STR Markers among the Asante Population of Ghana

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are highly polymorphic loci in the human genome and are used worldwide for forensic identification. STR loci or markers are motifs with 2-6 base pair repeats in the chromosome of an individual. A key problem with STR application is that; in most sub-Saharan African countries of which Ghana forms a part, there is limited knowledge and information concerning allele frequency distributions among different populations. In this study, the allele frequencies of 60 unrelated Asante individuals among the Ghanaian population were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Statistical parameters of forensic importance such as observed and expected heterozygosity (HO and He), homozygosity and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated for the study markers FGA and D18S51. The parameters indicated the effectiveness of the markers in forensic study among the Asante population. The PIC, He and Ho were 0.8580, 0.8704 and 0.3038 for FGA and 0.8358, 0.8530 and 0.2154 for D18S51, respectively. The obtained information on the FGA and D18S51 markers demonstrates that these loci are useful for forensic and identification purposes. This is the first time to establish the frequency distribution of FGA and D18S51 markers of which it is of much importance to the that Asante population and Ghana as a whole.

Source: KNUST
Alley cropping Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench with Senna siamea and fertilization in the Sudan savanna zone of Ghana

The relative contributions of a Senna siamea alley cropping system and application of inorganic fertilizer to the yield of Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench var ‘Belko” was investigated during two cropping seasons, at the Forestry Research Institute’s (FORIG) On-Station Experimental Plots in the Sudan Savanna zone at Kuka, near Bawku (11° 10’N; 0O 15’W) in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The objectives of the experiment were to determine S. siamea pruning biomass and nutrient yields, weed suppression by the prunings as well as Sorghum crop performance under fertilizer and the prunings. Results showed that S. siamea prunings biomass were 104.6 kg/plot (8.7t/ha) in 1994 and 94.7 kg/plot (7.91/ha) in 1995. Nitrogen levels were 2.3 and 1.4% in first and second prunings respectively in 1994 with corresponding values of 1.9 and 1.5% in 1995. The proportion of foliage in 1994 was 49% and 51% in 1995. Residual fertilizer significantly increased S. siamea vigour in height increment (p = 0.004) and number of coppiced shoots (p = 0.016) and dry matter production (p 0.032) in the fertilized plots compared with the unfertilized plots. Mulching with or without fertilizer application significantly suppress grass weeds (p 0.000). Mulching with fertilizer application, however significantly promoted non-grass weed production (p = 0.000). Weed suppression was due to the cover effect of the mulch rather than canopy shading of the S. siamea hedgerows. Sorghum bicolor yield was in the order: fertilized sole cropping > fertilized alley cropping> unfertilized sole cropping> unfertilized alley cropping in 1994 but the unfertilized alley cropping performed better than the unfertilized sole cropping in 1995. Reduction in sorghum yield was attributed to competition for soil nutrients by the S. siamea hedgerows rather than by shading. The fertilized sole cropping system produced the highest yield but the Senna siamea/Sorghum bicolor alley cropping system with or without fertilizer application is more beneficial than the continuous sole cropping system since it provides fuelwood and poles as additional outputs which are in very short supply for communities in the severely deforested area. The alley cropping system is also quite sustainable as modest amounts of foliage and, hence, organic matter and nutrients are added to the severely degraded soils.

Source: KNUST
Air Quality Pattern Assessment In Accra Using Multivariate Techniques

Air pollution is a major environmental problem around the world.The problem of air pollution is however more profound in developing economies such as Ghana where large proportion of the population is battling poverty with little resources to monitor the amount of gases and Particles released into the air.That not withstanding,air pollution brings with it adverse effect on the health of the population.Although there exist national and international guidelines to compare the level of pollution in the air,it has not been the solution to the problem.Unfortunately, much scholarly attention and research has not been given to this issue. There exist few or no data to inform policies that have bases on statistical analysis to address Ghana’s air pollution crises. This research seeks to identify the spatial features in the pattern of air monitoring sites within the monitoring area of the Environmental Protection Agency and identify the parameters that discriminate best in air pollution within the region by analyzing data collected from fourteen air monitoring sites by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana. Multivariate data analysis techniques were applied on the secondary data sourced from the EPA. The five major air pollutants monitored were,PM10,NO2,SO2,O3 and CO. HACA was performed on the raw data to identify the similarities and differences in the monitoring sites. Single Linkage method of the HACA was applied on the fourteen monitoring sites to produce two(2) independent groups based on the similarities in the monitoring sites. DA,which is to identify the most discriminating variables was performed on the two identified homogeneous groups using the stepwise mode in SPSS. The classification matrix gave an assignation of 70.6% of correct classification indicating that four parameters (PM10,NO2,SO2 and O3) discriminate best with a p < 0.001.PCA gave an assignation of 40.43% and 21.80% for the two(2) PC’s identified using an eigen value greater than 1 and loading >0.6.A cumulative variance of 60.23% of the total variation in the original data identified the composition pattern of the variable and the possible sources of pollution. Based on these research findings, we identified anthropogenic activites as the major source of pollution in the air within region.

Source: KNUST
The Allocation of Students Loan Using Means Testing at the Students Loan Trust Fund

It is an undisputable fact that, education especially, at the tertiary level, plays an important role in reducing poverty, inequality and promoting sustainable economic development (UNESCO, 2010; McMahon, 1999). Despite the significance of higher education, its acquisition entails a huge capital commitment, which many governments in most developing countries such as Ghana have been grappling with over the years. In response to the myriad challenges in financing higher education such as accessibility and rapidly growing demand for tertiary education, many countries are trying to introduce elements of cost sharing such as students’ loans, in order to expand the quality of higher education, of which Ghana is no exception. African countries like Kenya and Tanzania have adopted the use of means tested students’ loans to expand access to higher education to needy students. In Ghana, no or little studies have been conducted on means testing of students’ loan to tertiary students. Further, little is also known of how the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), allocates students loan using the means testing methodology to assess the financial needs of loan applicants. Therefore, the study aimed at exploring the allocation of students’ loan using Means Testing to assess their financial needs in order to give them appropriate loan amounts at the SLTF. Purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain the unit of analysis. Key-informant interview was used to collect primary data while secondary data on loan applicants for the 2011/12 academic year was obtained as a Microsoft Excel file from SLTF. Results from the analysis showed that, majority of the applicants constituting 83% were males, while the females were only 17%. It was also found out that, the loan applicants were grouped into ten (10) need categories based on their need assessment levels. In addition, findings from the study indicated that, majority (57%) of the loan applicants fell in the average need categories. The main challenge identified during the study is the provision of false information by applicants that may not be verifiable. The study however, concluded by asserting the essence of the means testing methodology for students’ loan allocations and reiterated the need to examine the critical factors that may limit the usefulness of the tool in the efficient allocation of students’ loan in Ghana. The study recommended among others that, there should be an increase in awareness creation of the means tested loans to students who are permanently residing in rural localities in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Alternative Livelihood for Women at Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited Catchment Area in the Kwaebibirem District

Livelihood from a broad point of view embodies elements which define people’s ability to ensure a good living which extends to their household. Low paid work is associated with women involved in part time work and those living in disadvantaged areas. Casual female employees of GOPDC Limited engage in alternative livelihoods as a response to their underemployment situation which generates low income. Empirical studies have highlighted that the living conditions of a population better explain development, especially in developing countries. The state’s role in the distribution of resources for improved quality of human life cannot be underestimated. The study assesses alternative livelihood and the socio-economic development of women in the catchment area of GOPDC, in the Kwaebibirem District. GOPDC catchment area was selected for the study and 157 women with alternative livelihoods were interviewed. The District Assembly and selected financial institutions and the Chemical Sellers Association provided information about the economic opportunities being created for women and the extent of resource distribution in the district. Aside the field data, relevant secondary data on livelihood and development were sourced and comparisons made in the analysis and discussion section. The quasi-experimental and cross-sectional designs formed the basis for the preparation of questionnaires and interview guide. The Sustainable Livelihood Framework was used for the analysis. Key findings from the study indicate that most of the current activities women engage in are service related activities, which do not conform to their job priorities. The major challenge constraining women’s activities is the low access to credit or loans. Also, women’s livelihoods are not sustainable because they contribute less to society in terms of tax payment and generation of employment. There is an increasing commitment of women towards female dependents education, but women need to do more with their activities. Again, institutions are concentrated at the district capital and these provide only gender-neutral interventions. Furthermore, women are surviving on low income enough to provide the basic needs of the household. On the basis of promoting alternative livelihoods, this study recommends the need for infrastructure provision, accessibility to credit facilities, development assistance to women, broadening the range of resources and improving female dependent education. The study concludes that alternative livelihood is a source of empowerment for rural women.

Source: KNUST
Ambient air quality and the health of communities around Chirano Gold Mines Limited

In communities where mining operations take place there are lot of environmental problems that comes with their processes. One of the greatly affected parts is ambient air quality. This studies aims at investigating the pollution status of the ambient air and the state of health of the communities living within its catchments. With the vitalograph, lung function tests namely; Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec., Peak Expiratory Flow and Forced Expiratory Flow were performed on inhabitants of Paboase and Akoti communities in the concession of the Chirano Gold Mines Limited. The PM10 and Total Suspended Particles (TSP) in the ambient air were also monitored for a period of 8 months at 7 sampling stations. Results show that the mean PM10 level (64.04 μgm-3) was below the EPA- Ghana standard (70 μgm-3) but above the WHO standard (50 μgm-3). Also the levels of PM10 were below these standards except at all sampling stations except at the Rom Pad (166.72 μgm-3) possibly due to the crushing of rocks and its feeding into the processing plant causing greater liberation of particulate matter into the atmosphere. Mean TSP level (138.93 μgm-3) was also below both the EPA- Ghana standard (230 μgm-3) and WHO standard (200 μgm-3). For similar reasons, higher levels (367.62 μgm-3) than the standards were recorded at the Rom Pad. There was a statistical difference (p<0.00) between the predicted and the measured ling functions suggesting that the ambient air is not polluted and hence, there are health effects associated with the prevailing ambient air quality.

Source: KNUST
Amplifying the Ghanaian Bead through Publication Design

Adornment with beads is a strong feature in Ghanaian culture. From the north to the south of Ghana, beads are commonly used for various rites, celebrations and everyday purposes. However, in cultural promotion, beads have not been given as much attention as the wearing of our local textile prints or Kente. In view of this the research sought to achieve the following objectives. That is, to examine categories of beads classified as Ghanaian and their characteristics, to review trends that have evolved in the bead-making and bead-stringing industry, to ascertain the extent of consumption and knowledge about Ghanaian beads among the general public and to develop a publication design format that will amplify interest in Ghanaian beads and advocate for wider consumption. Data needed for the study were gathered from bead-makers, bead collectors, bead sellers, bead jewelers and bead users. Sampling techniques such as snowball sampling and purposive sampling were employed to locate and select respondents who were interviewed. Face-to-face interviews guided by interview list or questionnaires (depending on the respondents) and participant observation were the data collection techniques and tools used in retrieving information for the study. The study identified two schools of thought with regard to classification of Ghanaian beads. Furthermore, it revealed the innovative trends in bead making and stringing. It also discovered that most beads users have very little knowledge about beads. The study, thus, recommended and developed a Catalogue on beads titled “STRUNG WITH PRIDE; Ahwenepa, Ghanaian Beads in Print” to aid in the education and promotion of Ghanaian beads, as well as to attract prospective investors into the industry.

Source: KNUST
Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Profiles of Some Selected Local Varieties Of Rice, Soybean and Groundnut

The aim of this study was to determine the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of some locally grown rice, soybean and groundnut varieties and to make recommendations for their use in formulating various weaning diets. This was considered a crucial research area as part of efforts being made towards the determination of the total nutritional quality of foodstuffs, especially in their possible utilization in complementary weaning food formulation. The amino acid profiles of five rice varieties; Digang, Nerica-1, Jasmine-85, Nerica-2 and Sikamo were determined. The amino acid and fatty acid profiles of four varieties of soybean; Anidaso, Jenguma, Quarshie and Salintuya and four varieties of groundnut; Sinkarzie, Chinese, Manipinta and F-Mix, all grown in Ghana, were also determined. For amino acid analyses, the method used was acid hydrolysis followed by HPLC analysis employing ELSD detection. For fatty acid analyses of the extracted oils, methylation followed by gas chromatography employing flame detection was used. Results obtained showed that Nerica-1, Sinkarzie and Quarshie had the best amino acid profile for rice, groundnut and soybean varieties respectively. Results also showed that Salintuya and F-Mix had the best fatty acid profiles for soybean and groundnut respectively. The study has shown that Nerica-1 can be used to complement F-Mix in weaning food formulation. Salintuya can be used to complement both Nerica-1 and F-Mix due to its excellent amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Anidaso and Manipinta can also be used as alternatives to Salintuya and F-Mix respectively to complement Nerica-1.

Source: KNUST
An analysis of nurses’ turnover and retention at Agogo Presby Hospital.

Although nurses seem to enjoy the autonomy to change jobs more easily than many other employees, the frequency with which nurses are seeking for release to leave Agogo Presby hospital has become alarming over the past years. It was in this vain that the researcher investigated nurses’ turnover and retention at Agogo Presby Hospital. The objectives of the research were to investigate the cause of nurses’ intention to to leave, examine retention factors in place to curb nurses’ voluntary turnover and investigate the leadership attributes of the Nursing Administrator that contribute to nurses’ retention at Agogo Presby Hospital. This study adopted a quantitative, descriptive and census case study to achieve its results. The study collected primary data through the use of a structured questionnaire that was selfadministered to one hundred and one (101) professional nursing staff of Agogo Presby Hospital. To get accurate information and to increase the response rate of participants, census of all the nursing population was conducted. In all, 73 of the questionnaires were returned. SPSS was used to analyse the data. It emerged from the study that 60% of the professional nurses had intentions to leave and would want to work with a CHAG facility should they leave Agogo Presby Hospital. Nurses were dissatisfied with rural allowance (91%), career development, adequate staff and resource and work environment. About 60 % of the nurses were not satisfied with the leadership attributes of the Nursing Administrator though they agreed that their leader was visible and accessible (72%) and good manager and leader (64%). Recommendation on increament in rural allowance, enhancing career development, recruiting adequate staff and resources, and giving leadership training to the Nursing Administrator were made.

Source: KNUST
An analysis of stock market performance and gross domestic product growth in Ghana.

There is a general assertion that a vibrant and representative stock market will reflect the economicgrowth of a country. This importance attached to the performance of stock markets has triggered curiosity and interest among investors, business owners, governments and policy makers regarding capital markets. This has generated a debate as to whether or not an exact relationship exists between the performance of stock markets and GDP growth. Therefore, an important question that must be answered is, does stock markets really contribute to growth in the GDP? A few researches have been conducted about the contributions of stock markets to the growth in the GDP but has produced varying results. This study employed the ARDL estimation techniques using the GSE Composite Index and the GDP to examine the relationship between the two variables. Results from the ARDL estimation techniques showed that, the stock market Composite Index used as a proxy for stock market performance has a positive relationship with GDP growth statistically only in the long run. Again, inflation has a positive relationship with GDP growth positively in the long run but negatively in the short run. Finally, labour impacts GDP growth positively in the long run but negatively in the short run. The study recommends that, regulators of the securities industry should meticulously ensure that, funds raised by companies on the market are managed and utilized efficiently, and also channelled to appropriate and productive ventures in order to contribute to Ghana’s GDP growth. Secondly, policies that are geared towards improving human capital should be advanced to tap the positive impacts of labour on GDP growth. Finally, since there is a positive relationship between inflation and GDP growth, policy measures should be put in place such that, inflation rate will not exceed its desired level and hamper growth.

Source: KNUST
An appraisal of ICT innovation in the banking industry.

This study focuses on evaluating the performance of innovation in the banking industry. Primary data was mainly used and was obtained through a questionnaire survey. Standard questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample size of 66 respondents from 21 commercial banks in Ghana. The study shows that twenty three (23) ICT innovation products have been introduced by commercial banks in Ghana over the last decade. The application of ICT in the banking industry also presents its own challenges which range from insecurity, cybercrime and fraud which scare some customers away. Among the recommendations of the study is that, Ghanaian Banks should investment in ICT equipment procurement, installation, training and retraining of members of staff. To deal with the problem of cyber risk, banks should give careful consideration on digital extortion, hacking and wholesale fraud by utilizing hazard diminishing systems to rouse trust in potential clients.

Source: KNUST