ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Accessing the role and impact of the KNUST CECAST in the cultural development of Ghana

This thesis seeks to assess the role of the KNUST Centre for Cultural and African Studies in the preservation and development of Ghanaian culture, find out its impact on the KNUST community, identify the challenges faced by the Centre and offer some recommendations to solve these problems. This work has examined the various definitions of culture, its components and characteristics, the culture of Ghana, under which the researcher looked at the land, its people, their religion and artforms. It also studied the types of development and assessment, the changes that have occurred in Ghanaian culture and the role of culture in national development; in terms of creating jobs and promoting tourism attraction. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. A survey conducted with 200 people, to find out their views about the KNUST Centre for Cultural and African Studies and its impact on their lives, revealed that 17.5 percent of respondents had been on campus for two years but did not know about the Centre, 20 percent of those who knew, had no idea that courses in Sound Engineering, Keyboard skills, Acting techniques and Sight Singing could be accessed there, and 84 percent of the respondents believed that the Centre had broadened their knowledge about Ghanaian cultural practices. The report gives a brief history of the KNUST Centre for Cultural and African Studies, its staff and their roles, collaborations, learning and skill acquisition at the Centre, and the Centre’s most crucial needs. It was found out that the Centre has helped to preserve and develop Ghanaian culture, through the teaching of students about their cultural values and that of others. This report offers some recommendations in the last chapter which can help to improve upon the Centre’s services if they are adopted by the authorities of the University.

Source: KNUST
Accommodation for Members of Parliament (Accra)

Out of the forty (40) or so years of independence, democratic rule has been put on ice for over three decades. Parliamentarians have never been provided a purpose built accommodation to serve as a duty post. The residential deficit of Ghana sums into several hundreds of thousands. This deficit has also affected members of the legislature whose constituencies are outside the capital. In government’s attempt to solve this problem, some MPs have showed bad faith as captured in a headline of the Daily Graphic in 1997. This read ‘89 MPs TO QUIT FLATS”. The report considers steps taken to forestall future occurrences of these problems and a design proposal for an accommodation facility to house MPs as a DUTY POST

Source: KNUST
Accountability practices in selected Christian health association of Ghana (chag) hospitals

The study focuses on accountability practices in CHAG health facilities in the Volta Region. It was conducted in three CHAG health facilities which include Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital, Kpando, Anfoega Catholic Hospital, and Matter Ecclesiae, Sokode. In this research, non-probability sampling was employed. This method was used because the researcher purposely selects who to include in the study based on their capabilities to provide essential data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data gathered. It was revealed that there was no clear written accountability framework in the CHAG health facilities and internal controls available were very weak. Internal auditors were not allowed to carry out their work professionally and independently. According to the findings, it was recommended that the health facilities should strengthen their internal control to increase productivity as well as performance. Also, there should be regular training for internal auditors and all other categories of staff for increased performance. Budget and Procurement committees should be well established to enhance accountability practice in the health facilities.

Source: KNUST
Accounting and ethics: the case of selected accountants in the Kumasi Metropolis

A lot of concerns have been expressed about unethical decisions and actions of accountants. These have been fuelled by the unravelling of serious accounting malpractices in the business world in recent times which have led to the collapse of many a big business. Since the discovery of these unethical phenomena, the question that has been in the inquiring mind has been whether professional accounting codes of ethics are potent enough to make the accountant ethical. The expectations of stakeholders in businesses and the general public have been mainly the introduction of stiffer measures against culprits. This research studies the causes of accounting malpractices whether or not there are effective codes of accounting ethics, and to suggest measures to be put in place to at least mitigate the situation in organisations. The study centred on accountants in the Kumasi metropolis, specifically at the central business district (Adum) and its immediate surroundings. To achieve the research objectives, primary data were collected for analysis through questionnaires, interviews and discussions. Others were from the internet and literature sources such as books, journals, newspapers, published conference proceedings, etc. Cross-tabulation, cluster analysis and factor analysis were employed to analyse the interview data whiles simple frequency was used to analyse data from interviews and discussions. The study revealed that the causes of accounting malpractices in our area of research have to do with (1) lack of adequate training in business and accounting ethics, and (2) inadequate formulation, promulgation and implementation of ethical and welfare policies and procedures.

Source: KNUST
Accountability, transparency and contribution. A case of church members of assemblies of god, western region (ghana)

This paper studied accountability, transparency and contribution in Assemblies of God church Ghana (Western region). The ingredients accountability and transparency are relevant to churches and other non-profitable organizations as it is to profit seeking organizations. The mismanagement and embezzlement of church funds is becoming prevalent in Africa and some parts in the western countries. Such shameful act has called for religious organization practicing accountability and transparency. The aim of this study was to examine the effect accountability and transparency have on contribution. This is a cross-sectional survey that employed structured questionnaire as the instrument to obtain information from respondents. A sample of two hundred and nineteen (219) comprising of pastors, leaders and members were drawn using non-probability technique. Purposive sampling was adopted and data was collected from respondents using close ended questionnaires. The normal linear regression model was used to analyze the data for the study. From the results of the study, the findings suggest that there is a strong positive and significant relationship between the independent variables (Accountability and Transparency) and the dependent variable (Contribution) thus an increase in the independent variables will lead to an increase in the dependent variable. The study concludes that accountability and transparency have a significant effect on contribution. The study hence recommends the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana to institute these measures suggested in raising funds from members in facilitating a smooth operation of the churches.

Source: KNUST
Accra Abattoir

Slaughterhouses or Abattoirs form a very vital link in the process of getting meat to the public. It is at slaughterhouses or slaughter premises that animals are killed and dressed ready for sale or use. To neglect such a vital link constitutes neglect for health of a nation or community. Strict health regulations are needed to ensure that good disease-free meat gets to consumers under good conditions. As .part of the general drive to achieve “Health for all by the year 2000” and Primary Health Care Programmes, it will be unfortunate to trust food or meat consumed, to any willing and eager but unqualified butcher. Ghana must see and appreciate the importance of what is taken in. The nation’s health is therefore in its own hands. Abattoirs operating under strict health and hygiene standards are a must!

Source: KNUST
Accra Minimum - Security Prison

Prison have being in existence from the beginning of times Society uses it as a result of retribution, punishment to separate and isolate persons who have come in contact or against the law The 21 century concepts of prisons have being to punish, deter, isolate, reform and reintegrates persons with the walls of prison The thesis design addresses the problems faced in prisons currently in the country and the world at large Overcrowding, lack or rehabilitation and reformation have being one of the major problems faced in our prisons today. The thesis seeks to address such issues and problems by providing a humane, secure and sustainable housing and work units for inmates to be reformed and reintegrated back into society when released. The design report is categorized into five main chapters to make effective proposals for the 21 century. Chapter one being the introduction, elaborates reasons why prison are in existence, their purpose, their need identification, justification of topic, scope, methodology, target group etc. The chapter two being the literature review elaborates on crime, the definition, types of prisons, facilities needed, regional distribution of prison and their population in Ghana. It also throws light on the design considerations, analysis need and all other literature needed for effective knowledge of prisons. The chapter three explains and describes the methodology employed for the thesis design. Findings for the design are being discussed in chapter four. This chapter describes the observations made and interprets the findings into design for the sustainability of the proposal. The final chapter five draws conclusion of the analysed data in chapter four for appropriate design.

Source: KNUST
Accra Turf Club (Abeka)

By creating the opportunity for fun, exercise, excitement and recreation; sports in various ways has the quality of providing an atmosphere by both participants and spectators. Sports and its spin-off effect on free time activities, including entertainment and tourism will shortly become one of the largest growth areas for investment seen this century. This assertion holds true on the present sporting scene in Ghana. Although this sector is predominated by a few regular activities such as football, boxing and tennis; other sporting disciplines have rapidly gained interest from the sports loving public. The “sport of kings” (horse racing) in Ghana, has recorded a remarkable growth and following. The introduction of the sport in 1925 and its continuous development has created the opportunity for both local and foreign lovers of horse racing to continue enjoying this unique sport. This has also lifted Ghana’s sporting image internationally. The potential of horseracing to sports, tourism and economic development is enormous. This potential has been recognised by the government and steps are being taken to improve and promote the sport. The present racing activity in the country leaves much to be desired. Careful planning; reforms and restructuring of this sector has been proposed and the process towards achieving this goal has been put into motion.

Source: KNUST
Acculturation and Food Intake Among Ghanaian Migrants in Europe: Findings From the RODAM Study

Objective: This study examined the role of migration and acculturation in the diet of Ghanaian migrants in Europe by (1) comparing food intake of Ghanaian migrants in Europe with that of Ghanaians living in Ghana and (2) assessing the association between acculturation and food intake. Design: Data from the cross-sectional multicenter study Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants were used. Food intake was assessed using a Ghana-specific food propensity questionnaire (134 items and 14 food groups); foods were grouped based on a model of dietary change proposed by Kocturk-Runefors. € Setting: Ghana, London, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Participants: A total of 4,534 Ghanaian adults living in Ghana and Europe, with complete dietary data. Of these, 1,773 Ghanaian migrants had complete acculturation data. Main Outcome Measure: Food intake (the weighted intake frequency per week of food categories). Analysis: Linear regression. Results: Food intake differed between Ghanaians living in Ghana and Europe. Among Ghanaian migrants in Europe, there were inconsistent and small associations between acculturation and food intake, except for ethnic identity, which was consistently associated with intake only of traditional staples. Conclusions and Implications: Findings indicate that migration is associated with dietary changes that cannot be fully explained by ethnic, cultural, and social acculturation. The study provides limited support to the differential changes in diet suggested by the Kocturk-Runefors’ model of dietary change.

Source: KNUST
Accummulation And Bioaccessibility Of Heavy Metals In Some Root Tubers And Soil In Selected Communities In The Ashanti Region Of Ghana

The presence of metal contaminants in agricultural soils or lands and subsequent uptake of heavy metals by food crops pose serious risk to human health. The study assessed the levels of toxic metals -arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc- in soils and some edible root tuber crops in the Ashanti region to evaluate the potential human health risks associated with exposure to these metals. Concentrations of heavy metals in the 154 samples were initially screened using field portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer prior to confirmation on an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. The mean metal concentrations analyzed in the various samples were in the order; As ˂ Cu ˂ Ni ˂Cr ˂ Zn ˂ Mn ˂ Fe for cassava and cocoyam, As ˂ Cu ˂ Zn ˂ Ni ˂ Cr ˂ Mn ˂ Fe, As ˂ Zn ˂ Cu ˂ Ni ˂ Cr ˂ Mn ˂ Fe As ˂ Cu ˂ Ni ˂ Cr ˂ Mn ˂ Fe and Cu ˂ As ˂ Ni ˂ Cr ˂ Z n ˂ Mn ˂ Fe for yam, sweet potato, cassava peels and soil respectively. Soil pH and electrical conductivity ranged between 5.30 to 9.17 and 37.8 µS/cm to 4020 µS/cm respectively. The contamination indices indicated low to moderate contamination. The bioaccumulation factor of these heavy metals in foodstuffs from soil indicated that cassava peels had higher capacity to absorb zinc and iron gave the lowest capacity of absorption. Arsenic recorded the highest value in terms of target hazard quotient (THQ) followed by nickel and chromium, the least value. Comparing the THQ values for adults and children, results for children were higher than that of adults which indicates that children are more likely to express the effect than adults.

Source: KNUST
Accumulation of Copper from Application of Copper-Based Fungicides and its Relationship with Soil Chemical Properties and Microbial Biomass in Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District of Ghana

Black pod disease is a major cause of yield loss in cocoa production worldwide and the disease is mostly controlled by copper-based fungicides. However, prolong usage of these fungicides might have negative impact on soil fauna and other soil chemical properties. Ghana Cocoa Board continues to assist farmers to spray their cocoa farms with copper-based fungicides. This study was conducted in selected cocoa farms and uncultivated forests close to these farms which have never been sprayed with fungicides as reference. The study was to investigate the extent of accumulation of copper from the application of copper-based fungicides and its relationship with soil chemical properties and microbial biomass in three communities namely Akaasu, Kyeikrom and Tuntum in Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District. Soil samples were collected at two distinct depths, 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. The fresh soil samples were divided into two. One was immediately sieved through 4 mm mesh and stored at 4 0C for the soil microbial test. The other half was air dried, sieved through a 2 mm mesh and stored in plastic bags for the chemical analysis. Results showed that Tuntum cocoa plantation recorded the highest concentration of total copper (286.54 mgkg-1) while Akaasu cocoa plantation recorded the least total copper concentration of (215.63 mgkg-1). Extractable and total copper vary significantly (P < 0.05) in both top and sub soils of the cocoa plantations from their respective reference values. However, soil pH, nitrogen and organic matter from soils of the cocoa plantations did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) from their reference soils. Results from correlation analysis revealed that extractable and total copper in both the top and sub soils correlated negatively with the levels of organic matter. The relationship between extractable and total copper with microbial biomass were also negatively correlated but not significant (P > 0.05) from the regression analysis in all the study locations. The findings have also shown that the concentrations of copper in the soils of cocoa plantations have not reached their critical levels.

Source: KNUST
Accuracy of Diagnosis of Intestinal Helminth Parasites, and Relative Prevalence of Necator Americanus and Ancylostoma Duodenale Infections at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi.

There is a growing concern that stool reports from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) parasitology laboratory are frequently negative for intestinal helminth parasites. Over the years the wet mount technique has been the only method used at the KATH laboratory for diagnosis of intestinal parasites. The study evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity of the traditional direct wet mount technique using the formol-ether concentration as the gold standard method. After approval from the Committee on Human Research, Publications and Ethics, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, and with the permission of the hospital management, 2000 stool samples were collected from out-patients who visited the KATH parasitology laboratory between May and October, 2008 to do stool routine examination. Each stool sample was processed within 2 hours after collection using the direct saline wet mount, Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods in accordance with standard protocols. All hookworm positive stool samples were cultured using the modified Harada-Mori test-tube technique and the isolated hookworm filariform larvae were identified by their morphological features in accordance with established criteria. Formol-ether concentration, gave the highest overall prevalence of 11.1% of helminth parasites made up of hookworm (2.9%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (2.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (2.1%), Schistosoma mansoni (1.8%), Hymenolepis nana (1.4%), Taenia species (0.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.1%). The direct wet mount and Kato-Katz detected total prevalence of 3.2% and 5.1% respectively. Direct wet mount was found to be 29.3% sensitive. Kato-Katz showed good agreement with the ether concentration for detection of hookworms, T. trichiura and S. mansoni infections (99.1% sensitivity; 95.0% CI, 97.1%-100%, with positive and negative predictive values of 100% (95% CI, 100%-100%) and 99.5% (95% CI, 99.0%-100%), respectively. Interestingly, no Ascaris lumbricoides eggs were detected using any of the three methods employed. EPG (eggs per gram) of feces counted by Kato-Katz method showed that most patients (89.9%) harboured low intensity infections of the parasites found. All 58 (100%) hookworm positive cases were identified as Necator americanus. This study reconfirmed reports that the direct wet mount has low sensitivity. It is recommended that stool samples that are negative for parasites by the wet mount method should be re-examined using the formol-ether concentration technique as the confirmatory test. This approach will improve the detection of helminths from stool specimens for accurate diagnosis of intestinal helminth infections, for effective management of patients and ultimately improve the quality of life of individuals in the communities.

Source: KNUST
Accuracy of clinical diagnosis, mammography and ultrasonography in preoperative assessment of breast cancer

Background: Cancer of the breast is the most common malignancy affecting women in many parts of the world. Its early detection has, therefore, become necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, radiological imaging, histology and management programs are associated with challenges. Objectives: This study seeks to assess the validity of clinical diagnosis, mammography and breast ultrasonography in the preoperative assessment of suspected breast cancer patients for accurate detection of the disease to enable appro priate management. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the Radiology Department of Komfo Anokye Teach ing Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, between November 2007 and July 2008 with a sample size of 103. All patients with a clinical suspicion of breast cancer who gave informed consent were recruited, underwent bilateral mammography and whole breast ultrasonography and then biopsy for all BIRADS categories 4 or 5 lesions. The histopathology results were retrieved to complete the study. Result: In this study the definition of malignancy was made using histology as the gold standard. A total of 103 patients were recruited for this study with mean age of 55(+15) years, out of which 52 (50.5%) had malignant lesions. The overall sensitivity of clinical diagnosis was 50.5%. While the overall sensitivity and specificity for mammogram and ultrasound were 73.0%, 80.0% and 100%, 80.4% respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that clinical diagnosis, ultrasound and mammography can potentially predict breast cancer disease with considerable sensitivity and specificity.

Source: KNUST