ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The effect of seed pre-treatment on the germination of garcinia kola, heckel,

Garcinia kola Heckel, is an important chewstick non-timber forest species in West Africa. Its exploitation for use as chewsticks has resulted in the decline of its perpetuation in the forests of Ghana. Artificial regeneration has been less successful due to an unusually long period required for seeds to germinate. A study was therefore conducted to find the effect of standard seed pretreatment methods on the germination of the seeds and further identify the type and cause of dormancy in the species. The pretreatment methods used were manual removal of testa of the seeds and soaking some and leaving some unsoaked, storage at different temperatures, soaking in water at different temperatures and periods, soaking in ethanol for different periods and treatment with potassium nitrate, a germination stimulant. All the treatments were compared with a control. Soaking the seeds in ethanol for 1 hour and 2 hours enhanced germination over the control. The germination percentages of control treatment, 1hour and 2 hour ethanol treated seeds were 51 % to 87 % and 92 % respectively in 244 days whilst removal of testa without soaking gave a percentage germination of 89 % in 221 days, thus reducing the germination time by about 10 months. Removal of testa with soaking, soaking in boiling water as well as hot water was rather detrimental to the seeds. Intact seeds soaked in water for different duration failed to enhance percentage germination and time to complete germination. Extracts from the seed tested on lettuce seeds to determine its effect as dormancy causal factor significantly depressed germination of lettuce seeds (P=0.05). The extracts were analyzed by dissolving in ethyl acetate, spotting and separating on both Paper and Thin Layer Chromatography. The Rf values of the resulting spots having been compared with standard Rf values indicated the probable presence of resorcinol, coumarin and galactose.

Source: KNUST
Effect of seed priming on rate of seedling emergence, establishment and yield of four bambara groundnut (Vigna SubterraNeaL. Verdc.) Landraces

The overall yield of any crop largely depends on high rate of seed emergence, adequate seedling establishment and growth and development. Bambara groundnut is a food security crop in the semi-arid savannas in Africa, providing human nutrition and health in subsistent households, yet, remains an underutilized legume species with little research intervention. This study assessed the effect of seed priming of four field-grown bambara groundnut landraces on seedling emergence, growth and grain yield at Wa and Kumasi in 2011 cropping season in the Guinea savannah and forest agro-ecological zones of Ghana respectively. There were marked site-specific significant differences (p≤0.05) among the traits assessed. Priming bambara groundnut seed in water for 24 h before sowing significantly enhanced final emergence, seedling establishment, growth and yield compared to the control (0hour prime). Furthermore, the primed Bambara groundnut genotypes flowered much earlier and produced greater dry matter, pod and grain yield at Wa than at Kumasi. The interactive effect of the landraces and the priming also revealed increased plant growth and grain yield in Kumasi than at Wa. This study offers useful information to improve bambara groundnut seed germination, plant stand and grain yield in the Guinea Savanna agro- ecological zone with more stressful environmental conditions. Finally, all the yield parameters were improved following seed priming, and 24 hours of soaking seeds in water is recommended since it appeared to be the best in most yield parameters.

Source: KNUST
The effect of settling harmattan dust on photovoltaic modules in Walewale, Northern Ghana

Solar module performance is of high concern for dusty regions with less rainfall especially during the harmattan season in Ghana. The suspended harmattan dust scatters sunshine radiation before reaching the panel and upon settling on the panel surface, the dust particles block (partially) the solar cells from receiving the solar radiation, thus reducing the maximum capture efficiency of the photovoltaic module and its electrical energy output. This work seeks to address the effect of settling dust on sun radiation reaching the panel surface. The PV module for this research is a 50W mono-crystalline silicon. Experimental data of modules voltage, atmospheric dust concentration, irradiation and wind velocity were recorded for 4 months (November, 2014 – February, 2015) at project site, Walewale – northern Ghana and analyzed. Settling dust affected the module performance by reducing its power output by 28.7% and panel efficiency reduction by 5.6%. A model for dust deposition and how it affects PV power output was also developed to better predict the power output and energy yields and to optimize the PV module, by ensuring cleaning schedules.

Source: KNUST
Effect of shade trees in cocoa agroforestry systems on cocoa microclimate and productivity

The research was conducted to evaluate the effect of shade trees in cocoa systems on the availability of soil moisture, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), temperature and relative humidity for cocoa in the dry seasons and how these environmental factors influence cocoa productivity. The study was carried out in the Atwima Nwabiagya District (a moist semi-deciduous forest zone) of the Ashanti region of Ghana. Sixteen different shade trees were selected and categorized as low, medium and tall canopy heights. An effect ratio comparing tree sub-canopy effects to the open area effects was adopted and data were analyzed using the R Statistical Package. Soil moisture contents were higher for the medium (0.09) and tall (0.06) canopy height trees but lower for the low canopy heights (-0.07). Morinda lucida (0.19), Spathodea campanulata (0.16) and Ficus capensis (0.13) showed favourable soil moisture effects, however Citrus sinensis (-0.26) revealed lower soil moisture levels in the sub-canopy during the dry seasons. Photosynthetic active radiation was significantly higher for the tall (48.5%) and medium (31%) canopy heights but lower for the low canopy heights (10.7%). Entandrophragma angolense and Terminalia superba had the highest transmitted percentage PAR of 69.2% and 67.1% respectively and the lowest being Mangifera indica (3%). The effect of single standing shade trees in cocoa systems to buffer temperature and relative humidity in the dry seasons were not significant. Cocoa aboveground biomass was higher in the sub-canopies of tall (0.07) and medium (0.01) canopy heights but was however significantly lower for low canopy heights (-0.24). Aboveground biomass was highest in the sub-canopy of Entandrophragma angolense (0.26) but lowest under Mangifera indica (-0.37). The study revealed that potential yields of cocoa were as well higher in the sub-canopies of tall (0.12) and medium (0.06) canopy heights but lower for low (-0.16) canopy height. The pod yields of cocoa were highest under Ficus capensis (0.40) and Ficus exasperata (0.40) but lowest under Terminalia ivorensis (-0.55). Tall and medium canopy height trees in cocoa agroforestry systems potentially ensure higher soil moisture content and PAR availability in the sub-canopy, especially during the dry seasons, which could translate into higher cocoa aboveground biomass and pod yields. The inclusion of low canopy height trees must be done with caution as it may lead to potential yield reduction

Source: KNUST
Effect of small scale gold mining on rivers Jimi and Nyame at Obuasi

Small scale gold miners in Ghana rely mostly on water resources for gold processing resulting in the release of harmful substances that impact negatively on water quality. The purpose of this study was to examine the heavy metal content and physicochemical parameters of River Nyame and River Jimi at Obuasi and its environs in Ashanti Region of Ghana. To achieve these objective, standard methods for portable water quality were used to examine the physicochemical parameter whilst Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the concentrations of metals in the sampled water. The study found that most of the concentrations of physicochemical parameter such as, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), and metals such as mercury, zinc, lead, and manganese, as well as toxic anions like Nitrate (NO3− ), Sulphate (SO4 2−) and Phosphate (PO4 2−) were within the prescribed limit for water quality standards. However, the study identify higher concentrations of Arsenic slightly above the prescribed water quality guideline values and also realized that, the concentration of cadmium had also reached the maximum prescribed permissible limit of 0.003 mg/L given by World Health Organization. Retrospective analysis shows that the pH of the water bodies had influence on the concentration of metals such as zinc, arsenic, and manganese by altering their availability and toxicity. Although mitigation efforts have had a limited impact, it is expected that the policy recommendations of this study if adopted and strictly adhered to will help reduce, if not completely ameliorate the environmental ramification of small scale mining in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
The effect of site layout planning on labour productivity on construction sites in Ghana (A case study of construction sites in Accra)

Over some years, many projects in Ghana have experienced delay and abandonment due to improper initial work management plan, which includes site layout planning. This situation has led to cost and time overruns in distinct projects in the country. Hence, the main purpose of the project is to assess the effect of site layout planning on labour productivity on construction sites in Ghana. To achieve the purpose, an empirical study is conducted, gathering quantitative relevant information, to address the key questions featured in the study, namely, what are the merits of employing site layout plan on construction sites in Ghana? What are the factors that are considered in achieving an effective site layout planning on construction sites in Ghana? And what are the effects of site layout planning on labour productivity on construction sites in Ghana? Survey questionnaires were administered to 60 management staff and 90 labourers involved in an on-going construction project. A total of 12 merits, 12 consideration factors and 4 effects are identified based on their sources and their content in detail. These compilations with their respective significance levels will help practitioners, central state agencies, and researchers in managing problems involved in the planning of site layout especially on labour productivity on construction sites in developing countries. The study recommends that a best practice framework for facilitating the effective adoption of proper site layout planning on construction sites in Ghana be developed.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Smoke from Senna Siamea (Lambk) on Sitophilus Zeamais (Motschulsky) in Stored Maize

The use of botanical protectants in traditional management of storage pests in the tropics cannot be overemphasized. Earlier studies on the use of smoke from twigs of Senna siamea (Lambk) (Syn. Cassia Siamea) revealed that the smoke minimized insect pest damage and prevented the growth of some storage fungi. The objective of the study was to evaluate the insecticidal, repellence, persistence and fungicidal properties of the smoke on maize in smoke fumigation chambers. In a completely randomized design, clean and whole-grained shelled and dehusked Obatanpa maize variety was infested and fumigated against the various developmental stages of Sitophilus zeamais (Motshulsky) « (Coleoptera:Curculionidae). The differences in numbers of the weevil that emerged when maize containing the different developmental stages of the weevil was fumigated, were not significant. The smoke did not exhibit any significant insecticidal effect on the insects on dehusked (intact) cobs. Increasing the duration of fumigation from 1 hour to 4 hours, had no significant effect on the insects on shelled maize. Fumigating undehusked cobs, for 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours and sampled at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after fumigation, showed significant reduction in infestation and damage when compared with unfumigated maize for all the durations of fumigation. To assess the repellency of the smoke, a modified Mohan and Field (2002) technique was used. Plastic bottles; measuring 20 cm x 5 cm (height and base diameter respectively) with holes created at an interval of 1 cm were used. The set - up was replicated three times with 300 g of maize fumigated for 4 h. The greatest number of the weevil was repelled during the 1st hour of exposure with decreasing numbers at 24h and 48 h. Three hundred grams of shelled maize was also fumigated for 4 h and assessed for contact toxicity. Mortality was recorded at 1, 24 and 48 hours after fumigation. The fumigated maize grains did not exhibit'any contact toxicity on the pest. Fumigating the adult Szeamais for 1 or 4 hours did not kill the weevils. Obatanpa maize variety, fumigated for 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours, were evaluated for their health status using the Blotter method. There were no significant differences in the incidence of Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium verticelloides and Penicillium sp after * fumigation. Although the fumigated maize had no contact toxicity and the smoke did not kill the fumigated weevils, the fumigation exhibited a repellent activity on S. zeamais. The twigs of S. siamea can therefore be used in traditional post harvest systems where fire is set under maize barns and platforms. Burning the twigs under such structures will result in the pest been repelled by the smoke.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Soaking Temperature on the Physical Properties and Water Diffusion Coefficients of Selected Cowpea Varieties

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of soaking temperature on the physical properties and water diffusion coefficients of three cowpea varieties (Asontem, Hewale and Asomdwee) grown in Ghana. 10 g of all three cowpea varieties were subjected to four soaking temperatures (30, 40, 50 and 60 ℃) for 10 h during which measurements were taken at 30 min interval. The initial values for moisture content, length, breadth, thickness, equivalent radius, and thousand seed weight of Asontem were 16.53% (d.b), 7.19 mm, 6.01 mm, 4.78 mm, 3.46 mm and 146.9 g, whereas the geometric mean diameter, surface area, seed volume and sphericity were 5.90 mm, 111.00 mm2, 341.06 mm3, and 0.83, respectively. The initial values for moisture content, length, breadth, thickness, equivalent radius, geometric mean diameter, surface area, seed volume, thousand seed weight and sphericity of Hewale were 12.40% (d.b), 6.88 mm, 5.54 mm, 4.45 mm, 3.26 mm, 5.53 mm, 96.44 mm2, 281.75 mm3, 122.27 g and 0.81, respectively. The initial average values for moisture content, length, breadth, thickness, equivalent radius, geometric mean diameter, surface area, seed volume, thousand seed weight and sphericity of Asomdwee were 13.63% (d.b), 7.20 mm, 5.44 mm, 4.63 mm, 3.08 mm, 5.66 mm, 100.81mm2, 299.99 mm3, 125.36 g and 0.79, respectively. As soaking temperature increased from 30 ℃ to 60 ℃, the values of the physical properties of the three cowpea varieties decreased linearly. The length, breadth, thickness, geometric mean diameter, surface area, seed volume and sphericity of Asontem decreased linearly from 9.60 mm, 7.13 mm, 5.98 mm, 7.42 mm, 173.5 mm2, 678.2 mm3, 0.77 to 8.85 mm, 6.61 mm, 5.56 mm, 6.91 mm, 149.9 mm2, 542.7 mm3 and 0.77, respectively. The length, breadth, thickness, geometric mean diameter, surface area, seed volume and sphericity of Hewale also decreased linearly from 9.93 mm, 6.98 mm, 5.89 mm, 7.42 mm, 173.1 mm2, 673.6 mm3, 0.75 to 9.64 mm, 6.59 mm, 5.50 mm, 7.06 mm, 156.1 mm2, 576.6 mm3 and 0.73, respectively. The length, breadth, thickness, geometric mean diameter, surface area, seed volume and sphericity of Asomdwee decreased linearly from 9.69 mm, 6.59 mm, 5.52 mm, 7.07 mm, 156.9 mm2, 581.4 mm3, 0.73 to 9.42 mm, 6.34 mm, 5.20 mm, 6.77 mm, 144.0 mm2, 511.3 mm3 and 0.72, respectively. The water absorption kinetics of Asontem, Hewale and Asomdwee cowpea varieties followed the Fick’s law of diffusion during the first hours of soaking. The values of water diffusion coefficients determined for Asontem, Hewale and Asomdwee cowpea varieties, within the temperature variation from 30 ºC to 60 ºC during soaking ranged from 5.12 x 10-10 m2/s to 6.64 x 10-10 m2/s, 3.96 x 10-10 m2/s to 5.12 x 10-10 m2/s and 4.93 x 10-10 m2/s to 6.08 x 10-10 m2/s, respectively. The influence of temperature on the water diffusion coefficient was adequately described by an Arrhenius-type equation giving activation energy values for Asontem, Hewale and Asomdwee cowpea varieties as 7.27 kJ/mol, 7.26 kJ/mol and 6.26 kJ/mol respectively.

Source: KNUST
Effect of soaking, autoclaving and repeated boiling on oligosaccharides in cowpea.

Oligosaccharidesin beans are known to be the major cause of flatulence associated with beans consumption. The effects of soaking, autoclaving and repeated boiling on the oligosaccharide levels in ten cowpea varieties were studied. The oligosaccharides were extracted in 70% aqueous ethanol and separated by thin layer chromatography(TLC) method. The quantitation was done using the spectrophotometer. The results showed that the total oligosaccharide content varies among the cowpea varieties; 0.197 - 0.918g/100g. IT93K-596 had the lowest oligosaccharide content (0.197g/100g) and IT94K-410-2 the highest (0.918g/100g). Autoclaving, soaking and repeated boiling had a reductive effect on the total oligosaccharides content in the cowpeas used.Autoclaving reduced raffinose level by 23-68%,stachyose level by 12-81% and total oligosaccharides level by 23- 74%. Repeated boiling reduced the raffinose level by 23-61%; stachyose, 20-58% and total oligosaccharide by 15-55%. The loss of raffinose and stachyose after soaking ranged from 18.2-53.6% and 20.4-75.1% respectively and the total oligosaccharide loss, 25.1-63.9%. These treatments are therefore recommended for oligosaccharide reduction in cowpeas however their efficiency is variety dependent. These processing methods promise improved utilization or consumption of cowpea in the sense of curbing flatulence associated with beans meal.

Source: KNUST
Effect of social media advertisment on customer trust of banking services: the case of adb bank

This study main aim is to explore the effect social media advertisement on customer trust. The study is case study research combined with descriptive design. The study uses purposive and convenient sampling technique. The population of the study is ADB Bank customers in Kumasi Metropolis. Questionnaires are used to collect the data for the study. Statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, frequencies, percentages and simple regression analysis, are used to present the data. The study included a sample of 59 employees, and 278 ADB customers. The study’s findings revealed ADB Bank uses social media advertisements in marketing its services. The social media sited identified as used by the bank are Facebook, whatsapp and youtube. The study also concluded that social media sites of the bank are accessible, secure, and user friendly. It is also concluded. The level of trust among ADB Bank customers in its services is high. Lastly, it is concluded that social media advertisement of the Bank has significant positive effect on customer trust. It is therefore recommended that the bank takes steps to ensure its social media sites are protected to keep customers level of trust now and the future

Source: KNUST
Effect of Social Media Promotion on Consumer Patronage in the Creative Design Industry: The Mediating Effect of Customer Service

The creative design industry is gradually becoming an online industry that mostly uses Facebook promotion. Information about creative design services are easily found by consumers through Facebook. Some creative design entities that use Facebook for promotion focus only on using their creative design service to get consumer to make purchase, ignoring customer service and the online consumer behavior; two important things that will make consumers and potential ones repeat patronage. The gap in knowledge has made the objective of the research to find the meditational effect of customer service on the impact Facebook promotion has on consumer patronage. This exploratory research had a sample of 274 respondents using Facebook and being part of an active Ghanaian graphic design group on Facebook. Data for the research was obtained using questionnaires with five-point Likert scale. Different regression analyses were performed using SPSS. The study showed that Facebook promotion has a significant impact on consumer patronage and also customer service had a full mediating effect on the relationship between Facebook promotion and consumer patronage. By recommendation, creative design entities should know about the online consumer behavior towards patronizing service so that strategies could be designed on social media to influence consumer patronage but more importantly customer service should be improved to affect the influence of Facebook promotion; this will make customers satisfied enough to repeat patronage. Pages of design businesses should be more responsive so that consumers and potential ones can easily contact them and solve their problems.

Source: KNUST
Effect of soaking, autoclaving and repeated boiling on oligosaccharides in cowpea.

Oligosaccharides in beans are known to be the major cause of flatulence associated with beans consumption. The effects of soaking, autoclaving and repeated boiling on the oligosaccharide levels in ten cowpea varieties were studied. The oligosaccharides were extracted in 70% aqueous ethanol and separated by thin layer chromatography(TLC) method. The quantitation was done using the spectrophotometer. The results showed that, the total oligosaccharide content varies among the cowpea varieties; 0.197 - 0.918g/100g. IT93K-596 had the lowest oligosaccharide content (0.197g/100g) and IT94K-410-2 the highest (0.918g/100g). Autoclaving, soaking and repeated boiling had a reductive effect on the total oligosaccharides content in the cowpeas used. Autoclaving reduced raffinose level by 23-68%,stachyose level by 12-81% and total oligosaccharides level by 23-74%. Repeated boiling reduced the raffinose level by 23-61%; stachyose, 20-58% and total oligosaccharide by 15-55%. The loss of raffinose and stachyose after soaking ranged from 18.2-53.6% and 20.4-75.1% respectively and the total oligosaccharide loss, 25.1-63.9%. These treatments are therefore recommended for oligosaccharide reduction in cowpeas however their efficiency is variety dependent. These processing methods promise improved utilization or consumption of cowpea in the sense of curbing flatulence associated with beans meal.

Source: KNUST