ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Development of a framework for capacity building of sme building contractors in Ghana through public procurement

The importance of public procurement in achieving governments’ socio-economic objectives in both developed and developing countries are widely acknowledged among policy makers, professionals, and the academia. One of such objectives that governments have sought to use procurement to achieve is building the capacity of their local industries, especially those in the SME categories. The construction industry in Ghana is made up of a significant number of smaller construction firms and ensuring their effective capacity building will contribute enormously to the economy. Again, considering the government as a major stakeholder in the Ghanaian construction industry, a lot can be achieved if government uses its procurement to help build the capacities of these construction firms. However, there is a dearth in literature with regards to the use of public procurement for capacity building in the Ghanaian construction industry. This research work therefore sought to develop a framework for capacity building of SME Building Contractors (SMEBCs) in Ghana through public procurement. The specific objectives of the research included: identification of significant factors affecting the capacity of SMEBCs in Ghana; identification of public procurement policies and strategies that inure to building the capacity of SMEBCs; and development of a framework for establishing public procurement policies and strategies to enhance the capacity of SME Building Contractors in Ghana. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Data obtained through the questionnaire survey were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentages), one sample t-test, and factor analysis. The study revealed the following as factors affecting the capacity of SMEBCs in Ghana: delay in payment for work done, limited access to credit, non-payment of interest on delayed payments, and lack of fair competition. In addition, the study revealed the following public procurement to be relatively important for capacity building of SMEBCs in Ghana: strict adherence to payment schedules;streamlining procurement procedures to make them more transparent and standard; encouraging collaborations among various stakeholders; joint venture arrangements; and subcontracting arrangements. The framework for capacity building of SMEBCs was developed using the findings from the literature review, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaire survey and by employing key concepts of problem solving methodology. The study has made recommendations which, if adopted, will help build the capacity of SMEBCs in Ghana. The content of the research work is expected to be of interest to major stakeholders of public procurement, particularly public procurement entities such as Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and District Assemblies (DAs).

Source: KNUST
Development of a framework for the measurement of construction works progress in Ghana

Progress measurement is very important in project management. Progress management encompasses project monitoring and evaluation. Construction project progress is key information in the integrated project management systems as it provides the baseline for comparing what is planned and/or actual cost/work. Among the various kinds of as-built information collected on a project, the project progress rate is one of the critical indices that represent the project performance and progress state. The progress rate aids timely and accurate decision-making through the provision of basic information that can be applied to project planning and control as well as cost engineering. Despite the importance of the progress information, it has come to light that many a time construction professionals disagree on the assessment of the percentage completion of construction projects. This is as a result of the lack of pragmatic methodology. Some professionals prefer to use cost as a basis whilst others use time elapsed or the resource requirements. The lack of pragmatic methodology in measuring construction works objcetively necessitates this research work so as to eliminate the subjectivity from the process. The aim for the research is to propose a pragmatic procedure and framework for measuring construction progress. In order to achieve this aim, a number of objectives were set. Key among them is identification of barriers to the realization of accurate assessment of progress and critical factors that will help drive the process of realistic assessment of construction progress. Existing literature revealed that time, cost and quantity of work are key factors in progress determination. The main tools for the collection of data included questionnaires and interviews. The target population for the data collection included senior management of large building construction companies (D1) and senior consultants of quantity surveying firms. Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS V 20) was used to analyze data obtained. Descriptive statistics, relative importance index, Mann-Whitney U Test and mean ranks were the tools used. The study revealed that the three most critical factors that will help drive the process of accurate progress measurement are cost/budget, quantity (scope of works) and schedule (time) whiles the four major barriers to the process are dependency of supervisor opinion without hard data to back, different units of measurement of bills of quantity items, unspecified method of progress measurement in conditions of contracts and difficulty in getting uniform work breakdown structure. By way of recommendation, contractors and consultants are asked to allocate adequate resources to construction work planning.

Source: KNUST
The development of a framework for the uptake of net zero energy buildings in Ghana

For decades Ghana’s economy has been fuelled by the abundant inexpensive hydropower. As a developing economy, Ghana’s electricity demand has been relatively low, though rising in recent times due to increasing economic growth, urbanisation and industrial activities. However, the rapid demand growth, as well as periodic hydrological changes leaves the country increasingly reliant on expensive oil and gas-based generation power plants, with a resultant drain on the national economy. The main electricity generation company, the Volta River Authority, is not able to generate enough electricity for all the demand sectors. The electricity supply-demand margins - the difference between peak demand and available supply - of the country fall short of the recommended engineering practice and thus presents a high supply security risk. The country has been experiencing an increase in the frequency of power cuts over the last ten years. It is clear that Ghana will have to expand and diversify its generation capacity in order to improve supply security. This study aims to assess the availability of renewable energy resources, examine the economic and environmental benefits of a promising renewable energy concept i.e. net zero energy buildings to ensure the efficient production and use of the Ghana's renewable energy resources, and develop a framework for the uptake of net zero energy. This was done by collecting data on the current energy system and its effect on people in Kumasi. It was found out that the current energy system causes huge losses in productivity and profit for a lot of people in Ghana. Through literature it was found out that the current high dependence on thermal sources of energy poses a lot of harmful effects to the environment. In order to solve these issues it was recommended that the country looks at developing its renewable energy resources through the concept of net zero energy buildings

Source: KNUST
Development of a Generic Food Safety Management System for Senior High Schools

Lack of personal hygiene among food handlers is one of the most commonly reported practices that contribute to foodborne illness. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected senior high schools. Questionnaires were designed to elicit information on written policies and procedures on food safety management including procedures for ensuring safety of food brought in by food vendors, procedures for ensuring safety of food prepared in kitchens, procedures for ensuring safety of foods brought from home, procedures on receiving and storing of food, as well as a crisis management plan that details the roles and responsibilities of staff and procedures for accounting for and releasing students in the event of an out-break of a food-borne illness. Only two schools (33.3%) had at least 2 written policies on ensuring food safety, and these policies were on ensuring safety of food brought from home by students and safety of food brought for sale by external vendors. Also, 66.7% of schools did not have an outbreak crisis management plan defining staff roles in an emergency. Though all schools had equipment for food preparation, none had equipment for ensuring food safety such as thermometers. The results of the present study indicate that senior high schools in the Greater Accra Region have limited to no systems in place to manage the safety of food served to students, placing these students at an elevated risk for food-borne diseases. It is recommended that schools be mandated to adopt and implement food safety management programs to safeguard the health and wellness of students.

Source: KNUST
Development of a model framework for simultaneous synthesis and selection of Anaerobic Digester Structures

The anaerobic treatment process has increasingly been recognized as an efficient technology for sustainable nutrient recovery, renewable energy generation, and environmental sanitation due to its strong potential to mitigate current energy resource and climate change challenges. However, the success of industrial-scale anaerobic digestion is only possible if the following two prerequisite factors are met: availability of a sustainable supply of organic feedstock and design of optimal process configurations containing appropriate digester subunits that are well adapted to the characteristics of the feedstock of interest. A lot of combinations of the fundamental anaerobic digester types exist, which becomes impossible to test all the possibilities in order to determine the one with the absolute best performance. This study did not focus attention on devising new digesters with the aim of improving the performance of the system, but rather optimally arranged some combinations of plug flow reactors (PFRs) and continuous stirring tank reactor (CSTR) systems. The objective of study was to establish a framework based on multi-criteria decision analysis, for optimal selection of anaerobic digesters and practical implementation of digester networks, which is amendable to any substrate and digester configuration. Anaerobic treatability study was performed using pineapple waste, pig waste, abattoir waste and food waste to obtain cummulative biogas yield curves followed by development of the digester configurations using the attainable region technique. A hybrid Analytical Hierachy Process and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution was used in the selection of plug flow anaerobic digesters for the configurations. The following biogas volumes were obtained at the end of the 30 days retention period; for pig waste, for abattoir waste, for food waste and for pineapple waste. Quantity of feedstock used was 5kg per sample. A novel framework for the selection of multi stage anaerobic digesters has been presented. Optimal digester configurations obtained differ based on substrate used. The selected plug flow anaerobic digesters for subunit were Expanded Granular Sludge Bed for scenario 1, scenario 2 and scenario 3 were Anaerobic Baffled Reactor.

Source: KNUST
Development of a multi-purpose ceramic tile body from quartz-kaolinite-feldspar system using indigenous raw materials

This thesis presents the work carried out on the development of a multi-purpose ceramic tile body from quartz-kaolinite-feldspar system using indigenous raw materials. Various body compositions were formulated from the raw materials and these bodies are prepared and tired at various temperatures between 800 and 1230oC. The samples were tested and classified according to the European Union Standard EN 87: 1991 (BS 6431 Part 1: 1983). The areas of interest were grain site, forming pressure, maturing temperature, soaking time and mineralogical composition. The parameters tested were particle size distribution, hulk density, modulus of rupture, water absorption and shrinkage. X-ray diffraction method was used to determine the mineralogical composition of the samples. The results showed that h controlling the grain size, forming pressure, firing temperature and soaking time, a single composite ceramic body made up of Saltpond kaolin, Anfoega shale, Mouri feldspar and Oterkpolu limestone has been used to obtain floor and wall tile products. This multipurpose body composition may he used to manufacture 4 different tile products (BIII. BIIb. BIIa and BI tiles) by only changing the mould and the tiring temperature to obtain the product required.

Source: KNUST
Development of a HACCP Plan for a Model Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil Industry in Ghana

The positive health effect of virgin coconut oil has emerged stronger among Ghanaians, but its safety is less considered with regard to processing in commercial quantities in Ghana. The objective of this study was to develop a HACCP plan for cold pressed virgin coconut oil (VCO) processors in Ghana. The study considered the manufacturing line of GKV Investments limited as a model to implement a HACCP plan. The effectiveness of the HACCP plan was based on achieving a wholesome and safer cold pressed VCO which is free from food safety risk and capable of meeting laid down requirements. Two Critical Control Points (CCPs) were identified in the HACCP implementation: CCP1 was at incoming raw material (fresh mature coconut) reception. CCP2 was at tubular centrifugation process step. Finished product testing was outsourced from accredited laboratories traceable to Ghana Standards Authority and Aspirata testing laboratory in South Africa to allow adequate verification and validation of adopted control measures. Both reports yielded positive results: Pesticide residues and heavy metals (lead and Arsenic) were not detected in the product. Moisture content was 0.07%, Free Fatty Acid (FFA) was 0.2 mgKOH/g (0.02%), and Peroxide value was 8.27%. Microbiology criteria of the finished product were all met: E.coli, Salmonella, and Coliforms were not detected in the product, Aerobic Plate Count was < 1.0 x 100 cfu/g, and Yeasts/Moulds count was < 1.0 x 101 cfu/g. The fatty acid composition of saturated fats (MCFA) was within specification with lauric acid recording 50.1% (50125.90 mg/100g). This indicates that the HACCP plan was effective at producing safer and quality cold pressed virgin coconut oil.

Source: KNUST
Development of a parabolic solar dryer for efficient solar energy use in the rural areas in Ghana

The use of the solar resource for food drying has always been a food preservation technique which is widely practised in this part of the world but unfortunately some of the methods practised in the rural areas, have been wrought with many disadvantages one of which is the poor quality of food derived. There have been much research into developing more enhanced and more efficient means of drying but unfortunately much still remains to be done in this area. The thesis looked at bringing out a new design of the parabolic solar dryer, which combined the concept of the parabolic concentrator and the flat plat collector system with the aim of increasing the overall drying efficiency of the dryer. The dryer was designed primarily as a mixed mode passive dryer. A prototype was built and tested, with the test spanning a period of three days. A control test using the open sun drying method was conducted at the same time and under the same weather conditions as the prototype dryer. The test crop used was Okra with recorded initial moisture content on wet basis (w.b.) of 90.7%. The overall performance of the dryer after the assessment of the drying data was not satisfactory with the open sun drying method recording final moisture content about 9.7% w.b. lower than that of the solar dryer. The estimated average drying efficiency for one of the typical testing days was about 8.1%.

Source: KNUST
Development of a suggestive framework for the management of risk in the procurement process of the Oil/Gas Industry at Tullow Oil, Ghana

Procurement has been identified as capable of adding to an organizations’ competitive edge and also as a major player in every successful project. Procurement like all other endeavors comes with risk, and very crucial are the risks that come with the undertaking of Procurement activities in the oil/gas industry. This study was a case study geared towards the Procurement Unit (PU) of Tullow Oil, Ghana (TOG) and involved twenty working staffs from TOG. Data was collected using questionnaires which most were close-ended questions and a few being dichotomous questions which demanded yes or no answers. Analysis of the data was done using SPSS software which gave a statistical description of the data for convenient and relevant discussions to be carried out on the results. Findings showed that TOG has a six steps procurement process which involved: identifying a need, requesting for the need, approval of budget for the need, reviewing the scope of work/specification, sourcing –which involved tendering/request for quotation, and then tender evaluation plan. Findings also showed that TOG has a general risk management plan for the perusal of the whole organization, but has none for the individual departments within the organization, thus posing challenges for departments in undertaking their risk management tasks, which the PU was not an exception. The study also revealed the lack of familiarization with the AHP and Decision Tree Model (DTM). The study therefore suggested for the adoption of the Procurement Risk Management Framework developed, which has the tendency of providing efficient results, as similar kind of framework has been applied to complex works like the establishment of an oil refinery worth millions of dollars and has been proved worthwhile.

Source: KNUST
Development of a Reverse-Phase Hplc Method for the Quantification of Cryptolepine in the Dry Roots of Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is a slender, thin-stemmed climbing shrub with orange-coloured juice in the cut stem which is distributed throughout the west coast of Africa. The aqueous root extract is a popular antimalarial in West African ethnomedicine. It is commonly known in Ghana as Ghana quinine or “Nibima” (Twi language). The dry roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta were obtained from Center for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Akropong-Mampong. Roots were authenticated by comparing with herbarium sample at the Department of Pharmacognosy, KNUST. The major alkaloid in the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, cryptolepine, was isolated by means of gravity column chromatography of the total alkaloidal extract followed by preparative TLC (Mobile phase: ethylacetate:methanol:ammonia (35%) 80:15:5) using a reference cryptolepine(CLP-R) sample. The authenticity of the isolated cryptolepine was confirmed by determining the UV, Infrared, 13C and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometric data and the assignments were in agreement with those reported by by Grellier et al., (1996) and Dwuma-Badu, et al., (1978). As a step towards efforts to standardize and to ensure quality in herbal preparations containing extracts of the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a simple reverse-phase HPLC method with UV detection was developed and validated to quantify the levels of cryptolepine in the roots of the Cryptolepis plant. An isocratic elution of extractable cryptolepine in methanolic extract of dry roots of Cryptolepis was performed using methanol: water (90:9) modified with trifluoroacetic acid(TFA,98%) to a pH of 2.4 as mobile phase set at flow rate of 1ml/min on a Hichrom Zorbax C8 Column (5micron 15cm×4.6mm id) and cryptolepine monitored at 366nm. The average retention time of cryptolepine was found to be 2.723±0.069 min(n=8). The method developed was found to be precise since the intra-day and inter-day precision were <2% RSD in the concentration range of 1.02μg/ml-10.2μg/ml. Since the coefficient of correlation(r2) of 0.9976 for the regression line of peak area(y) against % v concentration of cryptolepine(x) was greater than 0.995, the method was said to be linear in the concentration range. The method was also found to be robust since deliberate alteration of pH, flow rate and wavelength of detection in the range of 2.4±0.2units , 1±0.3ml/min and 366±2nm respectively did not affect the precision of the method. Hence, it could also be inferred that the method was accurate. The Limit of detection(LOD) and Limit of Quantitation(LOQ) of the method were found to be 0.574μg/ml and 1.740μg/ml respectively. The developed method was used to determine the percentage content of extractable cryptolepine in the roots of the Cryptolepis plant and it was found to be 2.763±0.185% w/w (n=9). This quantity of cryptolepine is the highest reported so far in the roots of the Cryptolepis plant.

Source: KNUST