ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A Critical Study Of Sculpture Sections of Visual Arts Departments In Selected Senior High Schools In the Brong Ahafo Region

Overview “In addition to giving our children the Science and Maths skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education’’ (Barack Obama, 2008). This statement by the US president puts art on a very high pedestal of teaching and learning as far as creativity and development is concerned. The combination of knowledge gained in Art, Science and Maths as well as other subjects would rather put nations on a competitive global economy. Sculpture which is a branch of Art is an important means of providing artistic and creative skills to those who study it. However, personal experience shows that the teaching and learning of Sculpture in many Senior High Schools encounter many problems, and therefore this study tried to find out how best the study of this subject could be made simple and easier for students in Senior High Schools. This chapter presents in detail, the background of the study, statement of the problem and objectives of the study. In addition to these are the research questions, the significance of the study and definitions of the various terms used in the study.

Source: KNUST
Critical success factors for design build procurement method in subsidy-based projects: a case study of the IDA/World Bank sanitation and water project in Ghana

Studies on project success and the critical success factors (CSFs) are considered to be a means to improve the performance of the project. Procurement methods normally focus on the ability of the method to manage risk in project undertaking. The construction industry is dynamic in nature due to increasing uncertainties in technology and development process. Design and Build which is one of the innovative techniques, has gained popularity over time with a cost saving reputation. The basic concept of Design and Build require the project to be contracted to a single organization that would be responsible for design, procurement, engineering and commissioning. This research studies the critical success factors for design-build procurement method in subsidy based project by assessing the challenges in design-build procurement method and critical success factors enabling the performance of the design build procurement method in subsidy based project. A detailed literature review was carried out to properly discuss the critical success factors of design-build procurement method that can promote the successful implementation of design-build procurement method. Well-structured questionnaires were distributed to procurement practitioners, which enabled them to rate the critical success factors of Design and Build and also make recommendations using the mean score of 5 as the highest possible ranking. This research shows that more of procurement practitioners are aware of the design build procurement method. To fulfill its aim, a quantitative approach was used and forty (40) questionnaires were administered to Sixteen (16) Metropolitan Municipal Assemblies within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. The results also show that there is difficulty in defining clearly requirements for the design build procurement method and still leave room for contractor’s creativity. Furthermore, critical success factors for implementing design build procurement also shows that all project participants accepted the risk and legality they had to face whiles the critical success factors enabling the performance of design build also shows all project participants resolved conflicts quickly. Given the recommendation , the study recommends that key project participants and stakeholders must be involved early in the process to ensure that client requirement are clearly articulated and communicated. Adequate time and effort must be invested in order to get this key process accomplished.

Source: KNUST
Critical success factors for public private partnership (PPP) highway infrastructure projects in Ghana

Construction of roads requires huge financial resources to achieve. Governments all over the world, likewise Ghana have financial constraints, which makes it difficult to achieve the developmental goals and infrastructure demand. In the midst of these challenges of securing funds for the construction of roads, governments worldwide are exploring the use of PPP schemes to secure the needed funds for construction of roads. Even though PPP is a means where the private sector compliments government’s effort to meet its infrastructure needs in terms of funding, there are constraints that can inhibit the successful delivery of PPPs that needs to be managed to give the private investors the confidence to invest in the road sector. The aim of this study was to identify the critical success factors of PPP highway infrastructure in Ghana and create the needed awareness mechanisms that can be employed to implement the critical success factors as the country explore the use of PPP scheme to meet its infrastructure needs in the area of roads. Questionnaire was developed and used in gathering primary data from professional and practitioners in the road sector. After the analysis of the data using IBM SPSS version 20, it was realized that the respondents were in agreement with the identified CSF. It was emphasized that Competitive and transparent procurement process; thorough and realistic assessment of the cost and benefits are the two key critical success factors in PPP highway infrastructure in Ghana. The study also identified Private financing; Lack of tendering and contracting capacity as two key important constraints inhibiting successful PPP highway infrastructure. Eight mechanisms were also recommended that the MRH can employ to ensure successful PPP highway project delivery in Ghana. The study further recommended that government take the necessary steps to build the capacity of the road sector staff in PPP and its associated negotiation skills, seek appropriate legal advice on PPP contract agreements before signature to achieve value for money as it embarks on implementation of projects using PPP schemes.

Source: KNUST
Critical success factors for safety management on road construction projects in Ghana: - A case study of Sefwi Asanwineso – Akontommra – Boodi road

The construction industry in Ghana contribute higher percentage to the country’s economic gross domestic product (GDP), creation of employment, contribute to gross domestic capital formation (GDCF), and also produce capital assets and facilities to increase of other sectors such as hospitals for quality health services. Many civil and building construction workers are injured and killed every year as a results of the activities they perform on site; some also suffer different ill health. Other tress-passers also injured or killed due to the fact that, road construction activities in Ghana are not been properly planned, managed, monitored and controlled. Even though Project Managers and HSE managers and officers in the construction industries, especially, road works division in Ghana are trying their best to minimize accidents that can cause serious ill-health problems or death, but the knowledge on how health and safety risks are managed on Ghanaian building construction and civil engineering sites is limited and need to be improved. The purpose this research study is to identify critical success factors (CSFs) for safety management road construction projects in Ghana of selected D1 and K1 Contractors, case study of Desicom Road Construction Company (DRCC Ltd.) in the Western Region of Ghana. The study set objectives to: (1) identify the most important factors that affect health and safety management performance of road construction projects in Ghana, (2) identify the challenges encounted during the implementation of health and safety measures on road construction projects sites, (3) identify worker’s behavior towards road construction safety management and (4) evaluate the enforcement of appropriate mechanisms and measures to ensure the success of health and safety management on road projects construction sites in Ghana. Field survey was conducted through a questionnaire and interview. The collected data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. It was recommended that, a greater measure such as induction training and toolbox talks structures should be put in place to improve HSE systems and also to reduce the rate of construction accidents in building and civil engineering industries in Ghana

Source: KNUST
Criticism in Akan traditional visual art

The purpose of this research is threefold: (a) To find out how Akans criticize their art works. (1) To find out what Akans regard as qualitative criteria in their arts. (a) To re-assess Akan art against the background of continuing cultural eclecticism. The term art has a very wide meaning for the Akan, but for the purpose of this research it is limited to works of Sculpture, Pottery and Textiles. The Akan critic has a good knowledge of the art he criticizes and he is well conversant with the media as well the as mode of production. The Akan critic also knows the producer of the arts that he criticizes. He is able to identify the artist by his forms and style. Ho is knowledgeable about his training and the sources of his ideas. He is therefore able to bridge the gap, between the artistic intent and aesthetic achievement of the artist. The Akan critic is himself identifiable, by his knowledge of the art works, the artist, and by his store of critical vocabulary. The latter is an essential part of the critical process which, among the Akans begins with a judgment, followed by reasons, and. ends with a qualification of the reasons, Akan art of today is no more what it used to be. Changes continue to occur against the background of new societal trends, such as in economics, politics, religion, science and technology as well as culture.

Source: KNUST
Crop water productivity of some urban irrigated vegetable farms

The main aim of this study was to assess the crop water of some urban irrigated vegetable farms with the view to: (1) assessing he irrigation water applied by farmers for vegetable production in some urban areas; (2) comparing water applied by farmers to a desired amount required; (3) determining the water productivity of the vegetable crops grown and the purpose better water management practices and (4) assessing the economic benefits accruing to the farmer in the urban irrigated vegetable production...

Source: KNUST
Cross-sectional study of association between psychosocial stressors with chronic kidney disease among migrant and non-migrant Ghanaians living in Europe and Ghana: the RODAM study

Objectives The association between psychosocial stressors (PS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations is unknown. We examined the association between PS and CKD prevalence among rural and urban Ghanaians and Ghanaian migrants living in three European cities. We also assessed if the influence of PS on CKD is partially mediated by primary risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) of CKD. Design A multi-centred cross sectional data from the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants study. Setting Rural and urban Ghana and three European cities (Amsterdam, Berlin and London). Participants A random sample of 5659 adults (Europe 3167, rural Ghana 1043 and urban Ghana 1449) aged 25–70 years. Explanatory measures PS defined by negative life events, perceived discrimination, perceived stress at work/ home and depressive symptoms. Three CKD outcomes were considered using the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes severity of CKD classification. Comparisons between PS and CKD outcomes were made using logistic regression analyses across all sites. Results We observed higher proportion of negative life events (68.7%) and perceived permanent stress (15.9%) among Ghanaians living in Ghana than Ghanaians living in Europe. Depressive symptoms (7.5%) and perceived discrimination (29.7%) were more common among Ghanaians living in Europe than Ghanaians living in Ghana. No significant association was observed between any of the PS constructs and CKD outcomes across sites except for positive association between stress at work/home and albuminuria (2.81, 95% CI 1.46 to 5.40) and CKD risk (2.78, 95% CI 1.43 to 5.43) among Ghanaians living in Berlin. Conclusion Our study found a positive association between stress at work/home and albuminuria and CKD risk. There was no convincing evidence of associations between the other PS constructs and the prevalence of CKD risk. Further studies are needed to identify potential

Source: KNUST
Crossability of selected Progeny from interspecific crosses between Oryza Sativa and Oryza Glaberrima (Nericas)

Sterility of F1 between Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima is well documented. It could be traced to the presence of sterility genes on Chromosomes 2, 3, and 6 of O. glaberrima as well as chromosome 6 of O. sativa. Biotechnological techniques were used to overcome the sterility barrier by Africa Rice Centre. This led to the development of New Rice for Africa (NERICAs). NERICA varieties differ in many characters and combining these characters into a desirable plant type will be easier through conventional crosses than repeating the original interspecific crosses. Some selected first and second generation upland NERICAs were, therefore, intercrossed to find out their level of cross compatibility and the extent of sterility in the NERICAs. All hybrids were highly sterile and showed significant differences in their seed set (0.6-33.09%). The direction of cross partly affected crossability in the NERICAs. Hybrids from crosses that maintained O. glaberrima cytoplasm showed significantly higher (p≤ 0.05) seed fertility than those that maintained O. sativa cytoplasm. Pollen fertility tests indicated reduced pollen viability in the hybrids. Seed set was improved (up to 65%) when hybrids were backcrossed to either NERICA parent. Raising a large F1 population through emasculation could result in increased F2 population. Ratooning the F1 plants could further increase F2 population. Cytoplasmic factors probably affected the degree of sterility in the NERICAs.

Source: KNUST
Crowd representation in Sculpture.

Crowd representation has been explored by painters and sculptors around the world. These artists and others yet to explore crowd are fascinated with number, movement and emotions of which I am no exception. With perception as the background study to the research; crowd representation not only was a stimulus in the execution of it, but raised discussion on preconception, misconception and prejudice in our society. The main project was successfully executed through the use of stones and other found objects which had illusions of human faces. The main project is in two parts: a relief and in a round sculpture giving some reminiscence of the deformed in society who are part of crowds. Amusing viewers has been the by product of the terracotta heads in the representation of the crowd.

Source: KNUST
Cryptosporidium SPP contamination and risk associated with the irrigation of lettuce with contaminated water in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite which can be transmitted via food and water. Some studies have shown irrigation water to be routes of transmission for Cryptosporidium into the food chain, however, little information is known about Cryptosporidium levels in water used for irrigation in the Kumasi Metropolis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Cryptosporidium contamination and risk associated with the irrigation of lettuce with contaminated water in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The study considered Cryptosporidium detection and enumeration in water and on lettuce samples using light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy and molecular identification using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 54.10% of all water samples tested positive by using microscopy or nested PCR (HSP70) approach. A comparative assessment for microscopy and nested PCR (HSP70) showed that 37.5% of all water samples were positive for Cryptosporidium using microscopy whilst 41.67% showed positive presence using nested PCR approach. The study revealed that water samples from irrigation water contaminated with hospital waste upstream had the highest number of oocyst with a total of 263.15±0.92 oocysts /10 L on all rounds of sampling. Water contaminated with effluent from a waste stabilization pond had no detectable number of oocysts on all rounds of sampling. All irrigation water with the exception of water contaminated with effluent from a waste stabilization pond exceeded the recommendation of WHO/FAO for protozoan parasites (1 egg/L); however, there was no statistical difference between oocysts counts from the various water samples from the farms. Temperature had an inverse relationship with oocyst concentration from the farms whilst pH and turbidity had no significant relationship with oocyst concentration. Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium using nested PCR (HSP70) showed that 50.00% of all lettuce iv samples analysed were positive for Cryptosporidium. Risk analysis indicated that all water sources for irrigation posed risk as possible sources of human infection through direct contact with these water sources. The risk was higher than the WHO accepted threshold of threshold. However, risk analysed using the E. coli conversion for Cryptosporidium distribution resulted in an underestimation of risk. Based on the risk assessment, measures should be put in place to reduce pathogen concentration in water sources in order to reduce risk posed to farmers.

Source: KNUST
Cryptosporidium contamination of lettuce and associated risk factors at some production, markets and street food vendor sites in urban and Peri Urban Kumasi

Wastewater has been used for several decades in agriculture in both the industrialized and developing countries including Ghana due to the scarcity of clean water for irrigation. However, its use may pose danger to farmers as well as consumers because it contains pathogens including Cryptosporidium. This study investigated the Cryptosporidium contamination of lettuce and associated risk factors at production, markets and street food vendor sites in urban and peri urban Kumasi. A total of 596 lettuce and 192 water samples were collected between October 2006 and February 2007 for the dry season and between April and July 2007 for the wet season. The samples were washed and centrifuged using the KVL protocol to isolate the oocysts. Slides were prepared from the isolated samples and allowed to air-dry. The slides were examined under the light microscope using the oil immersion lens after staining using the Ziehl-Neelsen's technique. Structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and observation check lists were used to assess the risk factors at all stages of sampling and the statistical package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 13.0 was used for testing the various statistical relationships between and within variables. Cryptosporidium oocysts recovered from the irrigation water and farm lettuce had a mean of between 0.25-0.88/L and 0.15-0.40/10g wet weight respectively whiles refreshing water (water used to keep the vegetables fresh) and market lettuce had a mean of between 0-0.10/L and 0-0.08/10g wet weight respectively. However, no oocyst was counted on the chopped lettuce leaves sold to consumers at the street food vendor sites. The number of Cryptosporidium oocysts decreased by 100% from the farm to the street foocl vendor level. Considering the fact that the farms studied depended mainly on wastewater from hand dug wells for irrigation, education should be intensified on the need to use sanitizers to wash vegetables before consumption.

Source: KNUST
The Cultural and Aesthetic Significance of Motifs on Selected Asante Temples

Asante temples are small edifices built over one or two hundred years ago to house the shrines of some of the deities of the Asante. They are adorned with beautiful motifs which tell a lot about the culture of the Asante. But the lack of adequate and comprehensive studies on them has kept them away from the public. This study therefore studies the history of selected Asante temples and the cultural and aesthetic significance of their motifs. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, the researcher used the qualitative research method. The primary sources of data of the study were interviews and observation. They were carried out at the villages where the temples are located. The researcher selected some people from the villages where the temples are who could provide him with the primary data and consulted them for the data. He also contacted some scholars of Asante culture for the primary data. The secondary data was obtained from books and the internet. The motifs tell a lot about the religious beliefs and social norms of the Asante. They also reveal a lot about symbolism in Asante art and serve as decorations on the temples. They symbolise concepts and beliefs personified in human and animal forms and geometric shapes. The findings go to confirm the theory that African, and for that matter Asante, arts are influenced by the culture (believes, practices, notion of beauty and world view) of the people. The arts are also used to send symbolic, social and religious messages to the people.

Source: KNUST
The cultural interpretation of body marks among selected Dangme groups in Ghana

Body marks is both an elusive and a sensitive issue. Most people do not want to associate themselves with bearers of body marks and this has attached a sense of stigmatization to the issue of body marks as it is vivid that there is the lack of understanding of the cultural basis behind the making of these marks. There is therefore the need for exploration into the issue to understand the reasons for making body marks and to understand the cultural ramifications of these marks. Most literature available focuses on body marks in countries like Nigeria, Sudan and Benin. Ghana is a country that also has body marks among various cultures and ethnic groups yet; the cultural and educational undertones of these marks have not been explored in certain parts of the country. This study was therefore conducted to find out the various types of body marks present among some ethnic groups in Ghana and to understand the cultural interpretations of the marks. Three ethnic groups from the Ga-Dangme tribe were selected for the study and these are Ningo, Prampram and Ada. Data were collected from the three Dangme groups based on the understanding of body marks according to the culture of the Dangmes. The qualitative research method was used, with interviews and observations being the main forms of data collection instruments. Out of the overall accessible population of 90 respondents, a sample size of 60 was purposively selected based on the information provided about body marks. The results of the study showed different body marks that are made for different cultural reasons. The cultural interpretations were discussed based on religious, political, medical, social and educational interpretations. It is recommended that various reasons for pursuing body marks be brought to light by further research in order to weave members of different tribes as one to help bring unity among Ghanaians through culture.

Source: KNUST