ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
“Ayi Kwei Armah as a Chronicler of his People”

Ayi Kwei Armah has been acclaimed as one of the most authentic voices of African Literature and no discussion of African Literature would be complete without the inclusion of the works of Ayi Kwei Armah. Since the publication of his first novel The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born in the late 1960s, Armah’s novels have consistently dealt with the problems of the destruction of the African peoples and African continent. A thorough reading of all his novels to date will also reveal that there is a conscious effort to give an account of the various epochs in the lives of the African peoples from Origin to the present. And Armah himself has stated in a recent interview to the West African Magazine that, “My agenda as a writer is built around retrieval of lost knowledge. Lost knowledge about our culture as Africans. That’s what interests me and I am picking information from our entire history and trying to use it to present Works of Literature which I hope will have some value for students for the years to come”(No.4l28 15-19 Dec 1996, P.1923). Thus through his novels, the history of the African peoples can be read. The purpose of this thesis is to examine how far Armah is able is fulfill this agenda. The thesis aims at showing how Armah chronicles the different epochs of the African peoples. It must however be noted that Armah does not present his chronicle in a chronological manner. That is in the manner of writing and publication Armah does not follow, the real time of the events described. However, what will be done in the thesis is to rearrange Armah’s novels in order of chronology of events. Therefore, Two Thousand Seasons will assume the first position followed by The Healers, The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born, Why Are We So Blest? Fragments and finally Osiris Rising It is my belief that at the end of the thesis, I will be able to justify my rearrangement of novels of Armah in this manner. It is also hoped that at the end of the thesis, the history of the African people will be recognised in these unique works of literature of Ayi Kwei Armah.

Source: KNUST
Awareness of Financial Market Products in Ghanaian Universities: A Case Study of Christian Service University College, Garden City University and Univesrsity of Education, Winneba- Kumasi.

Many studies document substantial heterogeneity in individual financial portfolios, including the fact that many consumers hold no stocks, a feature that is known as the non-participation puzzle (Mankiw and Zeldes, 1991; Haliassos and Bertaut, 1995). Limited financial market participation has important implications for individual welfare and the explanation of the equity premium puzzle. On the welfare issue, Cocco, Gomes and Maenhout (2005) calculated the welfare loss from non-participation in stock markets can be substantial, between 1.5 and 2% of consumption in calibrated life-cycle models. On the equity premium front, Mankiw and Zeldes (1991) treat share ownership as an exogenous individual characteristic and show that differences in the consumption patterns of stockholders and non-stockholders tend to lower the level of risk aversion necessary to justify the equity premium. Attanasio, Banks and Tanner (2002) estimate ownership probabilities to separate “likely” stockholders from non-stockholders, and don’t reject the prediction of the consumption capital asset pricing model for the group of stockholders. The thesis documents the awareness of the various investment products in the Ghanaian financial market by the staff of Christian Services University College, Garden City University College and University of Education, Winneba-Kumasi. The researcher used Logit regression model and found that there was about 68% likelihood of financial awareness among the sampled respondents in the study area, the youth and the single invest more than the aged and the married. Finally, most of the respondents prefer investing in single products than diversifying.

Source: KNUST
Bacterial causes of respiratory tract infections among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive patients at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi.

This study was undertaken from January 2008- June 2008 to investigate the bacterial causes of respiratory tract infection among some selected patients infected with HIV at KATH, Kumasi. Sputum specimen from 200 HIV patients with complaints suggestive of respiratory tract infection and 200 non HIV patients were cultured. The prevalence of bacterial species responsible for the respiratory tract infections among the HIV seropositive patients was 23.5%. In the HIV seronegative patients used as controls, the prevalence was 22.5 %. In the HIV seropositive patients, 4 (22%) different Gram negative bacteria and 1(1.5%) Gram positive bacterium was isolated. Also, of the HIV seropositive patients that had isolates in their sputum, 15.9% had dual infections. Susceptibility patterns revealed that Klebsiella pneumoniae were susceptible to ciprofloxacin (95.8%), gentamicin (95.8%), cefotaxime (83.3%), amikacin (79.1%), and cefuroxime (70.8%). Also, Escherichia coli were susceptible to amikacin (91.7%), cefotaxime (91.7%), gentamicin (75%), ciprofloxacin (66.7%), and cefuroxime (58.3%). The susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to gentamicin was 83.3% and to ciprofloxacin was 66.7%. All the Proteus mirabilis isolated were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, cefuroxime and cefotaxime. Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, cloxacillin and erythromycin. This study demonstrated that, bacteria responsible for respiratory tract infections at KATH, Kumasi in both HIV seropositive and seronegative patients were similar. However, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae which are often reported as the major causes of respiratory tract infections were not isolated.

Source: KNUST
Bad Debts analysis of non-banking financial Institutions: the case of Unique Trust Financial Services Ltd.

The importance of the development of the financial sector of the economy of Ghana cannot be over —emphasized. Since greater attention is being given to this sector as the engine of growth more groups are found engaged in this sector. These groups due to the minimum capital requirement set out by the Bank of Ghana the statutory regulator are formed by group of individuals, organizations or joint venture of firms and individuals. The commercial banks form the majority in the financial sector. Unfortunately most of their clientele are in the formal sector of the economy. Due to this the informal sector is not adequately catered for. It is in the light of this that the non banking financial institutions that offer loans and advances have a key role to play in complementing the work of the banks that normally shy away from the risky informal sector. One of the pioneers of these non banking financial institutions is the Unique Trust Financial Services Ltd. This company was adjudged the best financial institution in Ghana in 2005. It was also adjudged the second best company in Ghana in 2005 and had been the best non-bank financial institution since 2003. These were the out come of a research conducted by Ghana Investment Promotion Council. With these accomplishments this study is conducted to analyze the bad debts of this company and to find out how its operations are conducted. Closed- ended questionnaire was prepared as a major instrument to sample information and views on a sampled population of 35 staff and 200 clients. Primary data was collected through interviews guided questionnaires on management. Secondary data was also taken from management to analyze the bad debts of the company from 2004 to 2007. Descriptive method was used to analyze the findings. Summary of the study, recommendations and conclusions were made to guide management in improving their operations and assist future researchers in this area of study.

Source: KNUST
Bacterial Contamination of Infant Formula and Expressed Breast Milk

There is a high mortality of infants in Sub-Saharan Africa and diarrhoeal illnesses contribute significantly to this mortality. Cases of diarrhoeal infection in children have been epidemiologically linked to the consumption of contaminated feeds. The aim of this study was to investigate bacterial contamination of prepared formula and expressed breast milk. Seventy-two samples of prepared formulae on lying-in wards and nurseries, Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) and medical children’s ward of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and 34 samples of breast milk from lactating mothers on MBU were collected for the study. These milk samples were cultured for microbial contamination. Expressed breast milk samples (EBM) were stored at room temperature and cultured at zero (T0), three (T3), six (T6) and nine (T9) hours after collection to determine bacterial propagation over time. 85% (61/72) of the prepared formulae were contaminated primarily with Acinetobacter sp. (85.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (34.4%), Enterococcus sp. (18%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (13.1%). Only 2 out of the 72 prepared formula had plate counts of bacteria greater than the maximum acceptable limit of 1.0 × 105 CFU/ml. Acinetobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. were the isolates from these two samples. Bacterial contamination was found in 97.1% (33/34) of EBM. The dominant bacteria isolated from EBM were Staphylococcus epidermidis (82.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.6%), Acinetobacter sp. (14.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus (10%). The numbers of organisms in EBM during the 9-hour period of storage were consistently low. The majority of EBM (85.3%) had plate counts of bacteria less than 1.0 × 105 CFU/ml. The findings indicate that control measures to eliminate microbial contamination of prepared formula on the wards were not adequate. However, safety of prepared formula could be assured as plate counts of organisms were less than the maximum acceptable limit of organisms. The results also demonstrate that it is possible to use EBM for baby’s consumption up to 6 hours of storage at room temperature (mean = 27.9OC). It is recommended that stringent measures should be put in place to ensure that health staff on the pediatric wards comply with basic principles of good hygiene. Mothers should be educated on the possibility of using unprocessed breast milk to feed babies up to 6 hours after expression if access to refrigeration is unavailable.

Source: KNUST
Bacteria related to Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense from Ghana are effective groundnut micro-symbionts

The identification of locally-adapted rhizobia for effective inoculation of grain legumes in Africa’s semiarid regions is strategic for developing and optimizing cheap nitrogen fixation technologies for smallholder farmers. This study was aimed at selecting and characterising effective native rhizobia, from Ghanaian soils for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) inoculation. From surface-disinfected root nodules of cowpea and groundnut plants grown on farmers’ fields, 150 bacterial isolates were obtained, 30 of which were eventually found to nodulate groundnut plants. After testing the symbiotic potential of these isolates on groundnut on sterilized substrate, seven of them, designated as KNUST 1001–1007, were evaluated in an open field pot experiment using 15N labelled soil. Although 15N dilution analyses did not indicate differences among treatments in the proportion of nitrogen (N) derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa), all seven strains increased total N derived from N2 fixation by inoculated groundnut plants as compared to the non-inoculated control. Inoculation with KNUST 1002 led to total N accumulation as high as that of the groundnut reference strain 32H1. Genetic characterisation of the isolates by sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene, 16S – 23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region and nodC gene revealed that isolates KNUST 1003 and 1007 were related to Rhizobium tropici, a common bean symbiont. The other five isolates, including KNUST 1002 belonged to the Bradyrhizobium genus, being closely related to Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense. Therefore, this study revealed novel native Ghanaian rhizobia with potential for the development of groundnut inoculants

Source: KNUST
Bad loans portfolio: the case of ADB

Lending is a principal business activity for banks. Loan portfolio therefore form a substantial amount of the assets of banks because it is the predominate source of interest income. However, when loans go bad, they tend to have some serious effects on the financial health of banks through provisions for bad debts, in line with banking regulations. In view of the critical role banks play in the economy of a country, it is worth finding out the impact of bad loans on financial performance of bank. The study was carried out to establish the impact of bad loans on the financial performance of banks, focusing on the ADB. It specifically focused on the effect of bad loans on loan interest income, profits and lending. The study also looked at the trend of bad loans during the five-year period under review and the factors that account for bad loans. Primary and secondary data were used in the study. The findings showed that the bank recorded huge amount of bad loans during the period under consideration. It was established that these provisions negatively impacted on the financial performance of the bank through reduction in loan interest income, profits and lending funds. The study identified ineffective loan monitoring and poor credit vetting as the major factors accounting for bad loans. To improve on the quality of the bank’s loan portfolio, some measures have been recommended to management of the bank. These are credit training programme, effective loan monitoring, and adequate collateral, establishment of agriculture infrastructural facilities and use of credit bureaus.

Source: KNUST
Bamboo as a Source of Bioenergy Feedstock in Ghana

Bamboos are used for several purposes for both domestic and industrial uses. They are used for making handicrafts and furniture, building, decorating, paper making and as firewood in many parts of the developing world. However, its potential as an energy crop has not received much attention. Its ability to grow on nutrient poor soils, little requirement of silvicultural management, easy harvesting characteristics, vegetative propagation, fast growth and a host of other desirable characteristics make it a good candidate as an energy crop. Energy crops are cultivated solely for use as sources of energy either through their conversion into gases, alcohols or direct burning (combustion). Among several other criteria, the basic ones for choosing a good energy crop includes ash content, calorific value and moisture content of the crop at harvest This study set out to determine the potential of some bamboo species found in Ghana to be used in the combustion process for the production of energy. The three bamboo species were collected from Subri Plantations in the Western Region of Ghana; Bambusa v. vulgaris and Bambusa v. vittata which are native bamboo species in Ghana and Bambusa heterostachya, an exotic species that has been introduced into Ghana, and tested for their fuel properties. Tests carried out were combustion in a furnace at 500oC for ash content, bomb calorimeter for determination of gross calorific value and oven method was used for moisture content. Analysis of the ash was done as well to test for the proportion of Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Chlorine and some metallic elements as well. Other tests done included determining proportion of cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose and extractives present in the bamboo. All three species proved to have good fuel characteristics that are suitable for combustion processes in bioenergy production especially when compared with energy crops such as Miscanthus x giganteus and Panicum virgatum (switchgrass). They all have gross calorific values (17.24-17.84 GJ/kg) that fall within the range for woody biomass which is of 15-20 GJ/kg. Their very low ash contents (0.9-2.90%) and average moisture content (16.30 - 11.41%) in addition to characteristic lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and extractives content gives them desirable fuel properties that make them potentially suitable plant species for the reliable production of energy through the combustion process. Out of the three however, Bambusa heterostachya proved to be the most viable with a higher gross calorific value, very low ash content and the lowest moisture content.

Source: KNUST
Bamboo as a viable medium for sculpture

The objectives of this project are to offer a general introduction to bamboo as a sculptural material and to identify bamboo species that are more convenient for carving. However, in order to fully explore the potential of bamboo, development effort should be directed at the key areas of preservation, designing and technical studies which will be essential to identify factors which govern current bamboo usage and those which will influence its use in the future. Once these issues have been addressed, bamboo will be ideally recognised as a principal sculptural material for the 21st century and beyond. The project also aims at producing sculpture in the round, relief sculpture and construction and assemblage using bamboo. The outcome of the project will therefore be valuable to art educators, sculptors, visual artists, art students and curators. The report would serve as a reference material on bamboo sculpture. It would be beneficial to sculptors as well as Ghanaians to substitute wood with bamboo in order to save the forest, and finally it would also create the needed awareness for the existing materials in Art Education and institutions of learning. The Research methods used are the Experimental, Descriptive and Analytical. The research tools employed are interviews, observations and photography. Among the works done by the researcher was laminated stool. Firstly bamboo culms were split and constructed into boards and beams, and later carved and constructed into a stool. Other images and figures were also carved with gouges, and finally polished with lacquer to enhance their beauty. In all ten pieces of art works were made through the use of bamboo throughout the processes. Chapter one deals with the Introduction, the Background study, the Problem Statement, Objectives and Hypothesis. The rest are Delimitation, Limitations, Definition of Term, Importance of the Research ‘and the Arrangement of the Text. Chapter two surveys the Literature Review in which materials relating to the topic are discussed in detail from various sources. Chapter three also introduces Tools, Materials and equipment used in the project. Chapter four deals with Methodology. Chapter five constitutes Appreciation (Inventory, Technical qualities, interpretation and functions of the work. Chapter six contains the Main Findings. Chapter seven are the Summary, Conclusions and Recommendation.

Source: KNUST
Bamboo Technology as a Sustainable Vocation for Senior High School Visual Arts Leavers

The Objectives of this project are to identify interested group of Senior High School leavers and train them how to design and construct bamboo artifacts to make them self-reliance. Many Senior High School Visual Arts leavers have the problem of practicing what they were taught in School, partly because, some were not equipped with the requisite skill needed to enable them establish themselves in any of the aspects in visual arts. Some also find it difficult to acquire the raw materials necessary for the production process. This plight makes them unemployed hence increasing dependency ratio and also defeating the vocational objectives of the Education reforms of the Government in 1987. The project aims at giving the needed skills and potentials to Visual Arts leavers such that they will be able to design and construct bamboo artifacts that will meet market standards. Another aim is to use bamboo technology to teach Visual Art leavers to be self-employed. The project also seeks to create awareness in Art Education that bamboo grows fast; it is cheap to grow as a glassy material. Simple tools are used in its construction. Many beautiful items can be produced out of bamboo due to its versatility. Finally, it would also create the needed awareness for the existing materials in Art Education and institutions of learning. The research method used is action research. The research tools employed are interview guide, observation and photography. The findings of the research will help in the promotion of bamboo technology in Art Education.

Source: KNUST
Bank financing and growth of SMEs in the Kumasi metropolis: A case study of Prudential Bank Ltd.

The study examined the role of Prudential Bank Limited in financing small and medium enterprises in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region. Among the issues studied include identifying the specific products and services offered by Prudential Bank to SMEs in the Kumasi Metropolis, assessing the contribution of Prudential Bank‘s products and services on the development of SMEs and assessing the challenges faced by Prudential Bank and SMEs in financing. The study was based on the use of questionnaires and interviews. Primary and secondary data were used in the course of the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Fifty (50) SME operators were used with one staff member from Prudential Bank Ghana Limited. The results from this study indicated that Prudential Bank Ghana Limited has lots of products and services for SMEs, these include prudential enterprise account, prudential business accounts, savings account among others. These products have impacted on SMEs by increasing revenue for SMEs. Among the challenges faced by SMEs are interest rates on facilities and difficulty in accessing facilities. Prudential Bank on the other hand is faced with loan recovery challenges and high default rates. The researcher offered useful suggestions and recommendations in conclusion to address these challenges.

Source: KNUST
Bank selection criteria of Nigerian residents in Ghana: a case study of traders and students in Kumasi

Ghana’s banking sector has witnessed an unprecedented increase in size and input into the economy following major banking sector reforms in the late 1990’s. It was enhanced further in the early part of 2000 when universal banking licenses were issued to some local and foreign banks to carry out universal banking operations. Fallout from this development was heightened competition amongst industry players in their bid to capture and control a bigger market share as a precursor to assured profitability. The research was exploratory and made use of structured questionnaires which had both closed and open ended questions, to gather the opinions of Nigerians with regard to their bank selection choices understood. The Nigerian population in Ghana is estimated to be over 1million with about 70,000 of them being students. The nonstudents are mostly engaged in informal sector businesses with significant financial turnovers. The researcher used Kumasi-based Nigerians as a case study to find out factors that influence their bank selection criteria. It was found that; Efficient international money transfer systems, Quick and efficient services and access to loans and overdrafts were the three most influencing factors for traders. Students chose efficient international money transfer systems, efficient Ebanking services and parental influence as three most important factors. It is recommended that, banks that seek to maximize gains from Nigerians doing business in Ghana, should improve on their international money transfer systems since that is very important to these customers.

Source: KNUST