ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Construction of optimal portfolios of selected companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange

A portfolio is a collection of financial assets consisting of investment tools such as stocks, bonds, gold, foreign exchange, asset backed securities, real estate certificates, bank deposits, etc. which are held by a person or group of persons, companies, governments etc. In Ghana, constructing optimal portfolios with standardized optimization still remains a myth. In this paper, we analyse the estimated mean returns and standard deviation of thirty-two (32) listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange and select five stocks to generate ten optimal portfolios utilising Matlab based on the Markowitz mean-variance analysis. Historical monthly stock prices and dividend per share from 2011 to 2013 were used. Historical monthly stock prices and dividend per share from 2007 to 2008 of the five selected stocks in addition to their data from 2011 to 2013 were used in generating the ten optimal portfolios. The study revealed the best performing sector is the agriculture sector while the information and communication technology and mining sectors had negative mean returns for the years analysed. The study also revealed that, ideally, a risk-lover investor should invest all of his/her funds into buying the stocks of SCB. A risk-averse investor should invest 69.60%, 16.41%, 0.40% and 13.96% of his/her funds into buying stocks of FML, SCB, SPL and MLC correspondingly. While a risk-neutral investor is free to invest in any of the ten optimal portfolios.

Source: KNUST
Construction of a novel convolution based fractional derivative mask for image edge analysis

This thesis presents a new approach in constructing a more efficient fractional derivative mask for image edge analysis based on the definition and properties of convolution. By the definition of convolution, the generalised Strivastiva-Owa’s operator was rewritten with its order restricted to the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative. Applying linearity, commutative and derivative properties of convolution to the resultant expression, a new mask with higher efficiency, memory effect and computational equivalence to the classical edge detector is developed as per the experimental results obtained. From the experimental results, it is observed that, the new mask has the potency to find edges in details quite significantly as well as hidden edges which is a deficiency of the classical edge detectors. It can also be used on a region growing algorithm during region segmentation acting as an edge function in its termination process. The experiments conducted on the mask were done using some selected well known synthetic and medical images with realistic geometry. Using visual perception and performing both mean square error and peak signal-to noise ratios analysis, the method demonstrated significant advantages over other known methods

Source: KNUST
Construction planning and scheduling practices in road construction firms in Ghana

Planning and scheduling techniques are indispensable in delivering successful projects. Successful projects also are tied with profit making and in consequence survival in the construction industry. Unfortunately, planning and scheduling can be very difficult, arduous and time-consuming. The good news is that there have been attempts over the past years to streamline planning and scheduling. However, these practices have not been well integrated into the Ghanaian Construction Industry and especially the Road Construction Industry (RCI). The aim of this study is anchored to explore the construction scheduling techniques and methods adopted in the Road Construction Industry in Ghana. The study utilises survey questionnaire to elicit responses from the professionals in the Road Construction Industry. The findings basically identified the various planning and scheduling techniques employed in the RCI and the challenges impeding the adoption of these techniques in the industry. It was revealed that the industry is inclined to the use of traditional techniques as opposed to ‘modern’ 4-D CAD scheduling tools. The significant challenges identified are: Complexity of Tools Cost of Modern planning and scheduling tools (Cost of Software), Technological Challenges. To improve the likelihood of affording these modern 4-D CAD visualisation software and hardware, small companies should consider forming amalgamations and cartels to increase their purchasing power. The findings on the challenges of planning and scheduling; and also the usage also provide an avenue for Continuous Professional Development. This will ensure that professionals are able to manipulate advanced and sophisticated to improve project performance.

Source: KNUST
Construction Procurement Decision in Ghana

Construction works in almost every country are procured via a number of tendering systems examples being open competitive, selective, negotiated tendering to mention but a few. The choice of the most appropriate system for a particular project is dependent on factors such as type of client, level of risk, time availability, etc. The basis for the selection of such systems has been branded by many as by experience which is tied to an individual and not available to others via documentation. The development of a scientific tool which facilitates the selection of procurement routes for projects is therefore seen by this work as a means to enhance the quality of management decisions on projects. This work developed such a tool by: • Reviewing literature on procurement systems and tracing the path of development of such systems; • Reviewing the current practice of construction procurement in Ghana; • Identifying the key factors affecting the choice of procurement systems in Ghana: • Developing a performance weightage system of the key procurement factors as mentioned above: • Proposing and developing a novel approach towards construction procurement decision-making in Ghana; • Demonstrating the feasibility of this approach by applying the model to a made-up case. The model comprises three main sections: Input, processing and output sections. The user reads certain priority questions and enters the relative importance of each variable into the system via a scale of 1-20. The processing section computes what is termed rationalized priority ratings. These ratings are again used for the computation of another quantity by a simple multiplication with certain simple multiplications are added up for each procurement system and ranked with the system presenting the highest result being the most appropriate for a particular project. This research shows among other things that procurement decision-making can be modeled for management use. It also shows that although many factors can be identified as having inputs in such decisions, a few can be identified as very important, rated, ranked and manipulated into a practical system. Finally the study concluded that the choice of procurement system is very crucial in determining the success or otherwise in project delivery, as such the model developed will guide all stakeholders in the choice of the right procurement method in any given circumstances.

Source: KNUST
Construction plant management practice adopted by D1K1 and D2K2 Contractors

A number of organizations involved in the construction industry have conceded that plant and machineries are one of the most important resources required to complete the construction phase of a project. However, the unprofessional plant resource management of construction processes among our local contractors’ ends up in delays, abandoning a project, shoddy works and making them uncompetitive to the foreign contractors in the sector of construction. The Ghanaian construction sector is declining as a result of it not being considering plant management as a major aspect of its projects. The issue of plant management has been without recognition of its importance. It is of this reason therefore that proper plant management for the local contractors to be taken seriously and measures put in place for these companies to see Plant management as the hallmark of increasing productivity and executing projects to its requirements. The study thus aimed to evaluate the standard project plant management practices amongst D1K1 and D2K2 category of contractors in the Ghanaian construction industry. The objectives set to guide the study were to identify the selection criteria for onsite plant in the Ghanaian construction industry; determine the effect of plant management on D1K1 and D2K2 contractors; and identify possible ways of improving construction plant management practices on Ghanaian construction sites. The study adopted the quantitative research approach to address its objectives. The SPSS version 19 was used to process the data gathered from 51 construction professionals from the D1K1 and D2K2 in Ghana. Descriptive statistics as well as the multiple linear regression analysis were used to present findings from the field. Twenty-two (22) selection criteria for onsite plant in the Ghanaian construction industry were identified -and out of that, five (5) were considered significant, sixteen (16) as moderately significant, and only one (1) was considered as less significant. Also, it was revealed that all the identified plant management practices had positive effect on project delivery by D1K1 and D2K2 contractors after the regression. That is to say plant management practices were consistent with construction project delivery. Finally, twelve (12) possible ways were identified to improve plant management practices on site, where constant maintenance and repair of plants and equipment was considered the most significant factor whereas using automation and robotic plants and equipment before selection was considered the least. The recommended that plant management practices like those identified in this document must be adhere to as they are consistent with construction project delivery.

Source: KNUST
Construction of roads using labour based technology; opportunities and challenges in feeder roads

The use of construction investments as a tool for governments to stabilize the economy shows the industry’s key position in national development strategy. Construction of transport infrastructure specifically feeder roads provides a great stimulus for development. Labour Based Technology is seen not only as a sustainable approach to feeder road construction delivery but as a critical means of providing employment to the wider rural community. Despite this, literature shows that the adoption of this technology is on the decline. Against this background, this study sought to identify the level of experience of contractors in using labour based technology in feeder road construction, the opportunities for road contractors in the construction of feeder roads using labour based technology and to identify the challenges for road contractors in the construction of feeder roads using labour based technology. Following the literature review, quantitative research approach was adopted to collect data. The data was collected by administering questionnaires to the contractors based in the Upper East region with experience in Labour Based Technology. Adopting convenience sampling approach, a total of 25 contractors were surveyed. Relative Importance Index and Mean Score Analysis were used in analysing the survey data collected. The results revealed that the major challenge to using Labour Based Technology is the need for training and skills development of the workforce. The study also found that misconception about labour based technology poses a pronounced impediment to it being adopted and used. Moreover, employment was the most paramount opportunity provided by labour based technology. Key recommendations include provision of training programs to increase the skills and capacity of labour based road contractors.

Source: KNUST
Constructive Heuristic for the Inspection of Electricity Meters – A Case Study of Asylum Down, Accra - Ghana

Referring to the 2009 Annual Report and Financial Statements of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) under a very important subheading Outlook for the Year 2010 (page 21 of 57), the first two points were: (i) reduce commercial losses through aggressive monitoring of customer metering facilities to verify the integrity of meters and to check energy theft and (ii) accelerate the deployment of prepayment metering and general improvement of metering technologies across operational areas; From above it is undeniably evident that the realization of these sensitive objectives will require movement of some officials to physically inspect, install, repair, report and in some cases arrest defaulting tenants. Hence the need for proper planning of the routing of streets to achieve this at a minimum cost to the ECG or any subcontracting firm. The objective of this study is to obtain the optimal solution for a meter reader to traverse his assigned route of streets within the shortest (time, distance) way in Asylum Down, Accra - Ghana. In this study a meter reader is seeking the shortest (time, distance) way to complete his assigned route of streets at Asylum Down. Each street must be traversed at least once and the meter reader must end up at the same place where he began his route. The Chinese Postman Problem (CPP) and the Fleury’s algrorithms were the mathematical methods used for this study. At the end of the study, it was realized that the electricity meter readers walked a little more than the total distances in their respective areas repeating very few streets.

Source: KNUST
Consumer preferences and willingness to pay locally produced rice in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

In Ghana rice has become the second most important staple food after maize and its consumption continues to increase with population growth, urbanization and changes to consumption habits. Even though rice continues to form a major part of the Ghanaian diet, locally produced rice is not largely patronized. A survey of 400 rice consumers was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana to ascertain consumer preferences and willingness to pay for locally produce rice, as a basis for quality improvement of local rice. There is little information about the preferences of consumers toward the ...............

Source: KNUST
Consumer Characteristics and Consumption Analytics of Frequently Consumed Food Categories in Mining Areas

The WHO/FAO have requested data on food consumption to better understand the increasing toxicological results of foodstuffs. The aim of this study was to determine the food consumption characteristics of the consumers living in smallscale mining areas. Commonly consumed food crops of each category: fruit, cereals, vegetables, legumes and root tubers were selected. In all, 308 consumers were sampled using a one-week dietary recall tool and a stratified sampling method of the consumers. The @Risk Microsoft add-in was used to analyze the data. The results show that the adolescents (10-17 years) consumed cowpea (233.90 g/day) and cassava (666.96g/day) at a relatively higher level compared to children (3-9 years) and adults (18-64 years). Likewise, adults consumed yam (136.65g/day), maize (1739.37g/day), rice (1272.40g/day), pineapple (184.97g/day) and watermelon (656.55g/day) at a relatively higher level compared to children and adolescents. On the contrary, whereas children generally consumed lower quantities of food, they presented higher exposure frequency to cowpea (364 days/year), root tubers (36-364 days/year) and grains (286-364 days/year) compared to adults and adolescents. Both adolescent and adult population subgroups presented higher exposure frequency to vegetables (364 days/year) relative to children (104-364 days/year). The findings further show that, in increasing order rice and maize are the most consumed crops. The adult population subgroup, in the study area may be vulnerable to contaminants in maize grains than other dishes categories due to the high mass consumed and high exposure duration. Children may be vulnerable to contaminants in maize grains because of the high exposure frequency.

Source: KNUST
Consumer ethnocentrism: the response of Ghanaian consumers to foreign made products.

The Ghanaian consumers attitude to foreign made products as compared to the locally made products has been a major concern to many key stakeholders (like the government, local manufacturers and or local industries) in the country as it affects the economic, social and cultural values of the country. The researcher sought to elicit response from Ghanaian consumers regarding their use of foreign made products. This was done through questionnaires to some selected Ghanaian consumers in the Ashanti region of Ghana who could conviniently be reached to examine the factors that control their purchase decision, determine the implications of purchasing foreign-made products, find out the perception that Ghanaian consumers have on foreign made products and the policies that have been put inplace to ensure patronage of locally made products. The sample size was five hundred (500) but the response rate was four hundred and eighty (480). The findings of the study revealed that the major factor that controls the purchase decision of Ghanaian consumers is the information they have about that particular product. The study also demonstrated that Ghanaian consumers have opinion that the buying of foreign products is the highest implication since it hurts the performance of local businesses. Again, the study acknowledged that Ghanaian consumers highly perceive that the design of foreign products looks better. Moreover, the govenment has put some policies in place to ensure patronage of locally made products though they are not enough. Futhermore, the study discovered that Ghanaian consumers do somehow have the ethnocentric tendencies for locally made products. From the findings, the researcher recommended that there should be some economic research bodies to encourage local prosperity, govenment should give sustainable subsidies to support local businesses and Ghanaian producers should use qualified sales persons or marketers to create awearness or sell their produce.

Source: KNUST
Construction Professionals Perspective on the Criteria for Rating Contractor Performance in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

Performance measurement is the regular measurement of the results and efficiency of services or programmes. In recent past, it has become vital to the achieving of business and organizational goals worldwide. Indeed, previous studies internationally have indicated that the development of a set of measurable criteria is key to any performance measurement system. In the absence of any empirical data for legitimizing performance measurement, this study provides a framework for the Ghanaian construction industry within which contractors’ performance could be measured by means of a set of criteria. A survey was conducted in Ghana among consultants to identify a set of performance criteria that would be relevant and applicable to the Ghanaian Construction Industry. In all, 65 respondents completed the questionnaire. The data obtained was analyzed, that is, ranking the variables using One Sample T-test with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Software. The findings suggest that 10 out of 20 criteria identified from the literature could be utilized for the proposed framework for performance measurement of contractors in Ghana. The 10 criteria were quality of final building product, standard of workmanship, site management practices, labour relations at site, relations with subcontractors and statutory authority, appropriateness of organizational structure, employee development, client satisfaction, equipment holding and financial stability. It is expected that the findings of the study could be used as the foundation for developing a performance rating mechanism for assessing the performance of Ghanaian contractors.

Source: KNUST
Construction site management practices and their influence on the performance of local contractors in Ghana

The performance of large construction firms in any developing economy is key to the growth and survival of its construction industry. It is thus imperative that everything should be done to improve and enhance the performance of such firms. It is unfortunate to observe, however, that most of the “big” construction contracts in a developing country like Ghana are awarded to foreign contractors. Some researchers have attributed this to the notion that these foreign contractors are better organized and employ more efficient site management practices as compared to the local firms. Something ought to be done to reverse the situation and this study is a modest attempt to do that. The research study began by first identifying site management practices employed by local construction firms in Ghana. This was then followed by determining the relative influences of identified site management practices from literature on the performance of local construction companies. A quantitative research approach coupled with the use of questionnaire as main data collection instruments was employed. Cross tabulation and relative importance index analysis tools were employed for this study. With a response rate of 84%, results of the findings showed that practices such as documentation of site instructions, provision of safety signs at vantage points to educate and inform workers and visitors on site, timely delivery of materials, progress reporting and other site management practice had very high influence on the performance of construction companies in Ghana. It was suggested that contractors insist that consultants reduce their verbal instructions into written ones to avoid their claims being contested as well as enforcing health and safety rules governing construction projects they undertake in order to avoid site accidents. It is expected that lessons drawn from this study will help equip the large established local firms with efficient and effective ways of managing site activities so as to be able to contend with their foreign equals and perform better on construction projects they undertake.

Source: KNUST