ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The digital image data transmission and storage in today’s cyberspace has increase with privacy and security concerns. Digital media collected from different sources such as surveillance systems, forensic databases, medical images are very sensitive hence security concerns regarding the safe transmission and authentication of such digital data across secured and unsecured communication channels needs to be addressed. This security to such images should be easily used to identify the source, detect modification and secure the content of the image as well as avoiding pixel loss during the original image recovery process. In this paper, we proposed a hybrid image cryptographic encryption and digital watermarking technique for the encryption and authentication of digital image content. The image encryption was done on the RGB channels and the spatial watermarking was successfully applied to the RGB-colour bands of the digital image and this rendered the watermark visibly subtle and difficult to detect under regular viewing. The digital watermarking technique was engaged to authenticate the image and detect modifications to the watermarked image. The watermark visibility and detection was difficult to detect and the image was successfully reconstructed without any loss of pixel value after decryption. The programming and implementation was done using MATLAB. Keywords- Cryptography, digital image, Encryption, Watermarking, pixel, authentication

The digital image data transmission and storage in today’s cyberspace has increase with privacy and security concerns. Digital media collected from different sources such as surveillance systems, forensic databases, medical images are very sensitive hence security concerns regarding the safe transmission and authentication of such digital data across secured and unsecured communication channels needs to be addressed. This security to such images should be easily used to identify the source, detect modification and secure the, content of the image as well as avoiding pixel loss during the original image recovery process. In this paper, we proposed a hybrid image cryptographic encryption and digital watermarking technique for the encryption and authentication of digital image content. The image encryption was done on the RGB channels and the spatial watermarking was successfully applied to the RGB-colour bands of the digital image and this rendered the watermark visibly subtle and difficult to detect under regular viewing. The digital watermarking technique was engaged to authenticate the image and detect modifications to the watermarked image. The watermark visibility and detection was difficult to detect and the image was successfully reconstructed without any loss of pixel value after decryption. The programming and implementation was done using MATLAB

Source: UCC
Digital literacy skills as a determinant of teacher‟s Preparedness to use the 2019 curriculum: a case of basic School teachers in cape coast metropolis

The study sought to ascertain the preparedness of basic school teachers concerning their digital literacy skills towards the implementation of the 2019 standards-based curriculum introduced at the pre-tertiary level of education in Ghana. For the study, conducted in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana, some 335 public basic school teaching staff were sampled and administered with the study questionnaire which contained items to measure relevant constructs of the study such as Functional Skills, Digital Culture, Critical Thinking Skills, Collaboration and Creativity Skills, Online Safety Skills, and ultimately Teacher Preparedness – the dependent variable of the study. The study employed the correlational research design. Key findings of the study revealed that there are significant positive correlations between the six variables measured, indicating that these variables may be useful in predicting each other. It was also evident that on average, the teachers in the sample feel moderately well-prepared in terms of digital literacy. However, there is also considerable variability in the data obtained, with some teachers reporting much higher or lower levels of preparedness concerning digital literacy skills and the implementation of the standardsbased curriculum. It was concluded that it was necessary for policy makers to plan and train teachers in areas that would advance their digital literacy skills. With respect to recommendation, it is significant for educational stakeholders, especially the government, to provide opportunities that would assist the teachers in the development of their digital literacy skills as it would lead to their preparedness in implementing the curriculum at the basic school level.

Source: UCC
Digital Technology Adoption, Supply Chain Integration, Supply Chain Transparency, Supply Chain Traceability In Ghana’s Health Sector

This study examined Digital Technology Adoption (DTA), Supply Chain Integration (SCI), Supply Chain Transparency (SCTR), and Supply Chain Traceability (SCTB) in Ghana’s Health Sector. The theoretical underpinnings of the study were the Network Theory (NT) and the Resource-Based Theory (RBT). Data were collected from 357 using survey procurement practitioners at the health facilities in the Central Region based on a post-positivism paradigm. The data was analysed using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling. The study found that DTA and SCI enhanced the achievement of SCTR, subsequently enhancing SCTB in Ghana’s Health Sector. Moreover, SCI partially mediated the relationship between DTA and SCTR, DTA and SCTB. The study recommended that Ghana's Health Sector adopt digital technology that would enable them to integrate the supply chain at their various health facilities, enabling SCTR and SCTB. The study would comprehend the currently explored subjects, difficulties, and future headings concerning Digital technology innovation from the specialised perspective in the health care system. Moreso, the study was conducted in health facilities in the Central Region, hence the generalisability of the findings across the country may not be possible, hence further research should consider the health facilities in the country so that the results can be generalised for a developing country.

Source: UCC
Digitizing distance learning materials: Measuring students’ readiness and intended challenges

This study sought to explore distance education students’ readiness to use digital learning materials from a College of Distance Education programme which was in the process of transforming the face to face approach of delivery to a more digitized one in Ghana.Using a descriptive survey design, 400 distance learning students were randomly sampled to respond to a 14-item questionnaire. However, 306 students duly responded and completed the questionnaire on their readiness to use digital tools, their access to digital technologies and the internet as well as challenges they envisage to confront in using digitized learning materials. The results revealed that majority of the students affirmed their readiness to use digital learning materials for learning. While respondents of the study did not report high access levels of some digital technologies such as tablets/iPad, desktop computers and laptops, majority of the students had personal access to smartphones with internet capabilities. Thus, the study highlights the potential of mobile phone device usage in distance learning and contends that in the midst of challenges bothering on access levels and high cost of internet, distance education institutions can operate the policy on bring-your-owndevice (BYOD) in which distance learners make use of their personally owned devices to access digital content to support their learning.

Source: UCC
Dilemma of Access and Provision of Quality Basic Education in Central Region, Ghana

A survey research was conducted to find out if reported improvements in access to education in Ghana are reflected in comparable improvements in delivery of quality education. The study examined theoretical constructs on adequacy and quality assurance in education to ascertain the state of quality provision in education, and whether there is a significant difference in existing quality provisions in education and what the quality provisions should be as perceived by the study respondents. Questionnaire and quality indicators observation check list were used to collect data from the study respondents consisting of heads of basic schools in the Central region of Ghana who were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and gap analysis that utilized paired samples t test procedure.Major findings reported in the study showed that reported improvements in access to education do not correspond to improvements in the provision of educational facilities to assure the delivery of quality education. Also, there was statistically significant difference in existing quality provisions in education and what the quality provisions should be. Keywords: Educational Access, Enrollment, Quality Provisions, Educational Infrastructure

Source: UCC
The dilemma of building campus radio stations on a business model: the case of ATL FM in Ghana

The quest for competitiveness and popularity of a campus radio station needs to be balanced with the epistemological frames of community radio, which include participation, community ownership, and opposition to hegemonic discourse in the mainstream media as well as independence from political and market influences. I contribute to these reflections by highlighting how within this frame ATL FM is facing dilemmas and challenges that have not occupied community media theorists so far. Through content analysis and in-depth interviews, I investigate whether a community radio can serve and encourage the participation of the local community when professional rather than community members exclusively manage it. I propose a conscious incorporation of stakeholders in the community radio business model as a possible solution to this dilemma

Source: UCC
The Dilemma Tale and the Continuities of African Oral Tradition in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson And Kwaw Ansah’s Heritage Africa

This study explores the dilemma tale as a narrative technique used in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson (1990) and Kwaw Ansah’s Heritage Africa (1988) to examine the meaning of legacy or historical past to the African and the African American. This comparative exploration comes against the backdrop that there has been a search for an alternative narrative style in African-related poetics and the use of dilemma tale as an African oral literary element has been a resourceful option. This way of locating African tradition places it in transition which ultimately engenders a dialogic surrounding the continuities of African tradition. Tradition is explained in this work as the conventions and practices held communally among a particular group of people. Situated within the broader context of orality and dwelling on the dilemma tale as the analytical tool, this study therefore argues that August Wilson and Kwaw Ansah use the dilemma tale as a narrative style in The Piano Lesson and Heritage Africa respectively, and that this narrative style helps both writers to frame the dialogic surrounding what historical past or legacy means to the African and the African American. The conclusion is that in a complex society like the African and African American societies, historical past has a divergent interpretation. The dilemma tale therefore serves as the narrating tool to narrate this complexity which ultimately helps to redefine the alternative path for these societies to gesture into their future by suggesting a reconnection to the centre—Africa. This study has implications for the comparative study of the intersection between orality, and African and African American studies.

Source: UCC
Dilemma Theory and Path to Cross-Cultural HRM Synergy within Multinational Firms

Multinational companies (MNCs) have become the most significant players in world trade, with the world’s 100 largest MNCs now controlling approximately 20 per cent of global foreign assets. However, MNCs as they grow out of their national borders into foreign countries face a problem managing people because they often find themselves in a dilemma as to how to find equilibrium with regard to parent company’s HRM policies and practices and local environmental factors in the location of the subsidiary. In the face of the complexities and the problems associated with the dilemma, MNCs attempt to build synergy between the two extremes for an option beneficial to both subsidiary and parent company. The purpose of this paper is to assess how the central HRM problem is managed along the path to synergy building. The paper uses the dilemma theory as the main tool and predominantly popular and academic literature on MNCs HRM transfers for the assessment. Major contributions are the development of cycle of cross-border HRM dilemma; cross-border HRM transfer framework; and path to cross-border HRM synergy building. A key finding is that parent company has greater influence in the trade-off thereby advancing, to a greater extent, the global integration option of the dilemma

Source: UCC
Diode laser spectroscopic studies of biological materials using absorption and emission techniques

Two diode lasers with optical spectroscopic properties for absorption and emission spectroscopy have been used as sources in the study of economically important biological materials. In the emission spectroscopy a fluorosensor with a diode lasing at 396 nm was used to conduct in-vivo and in-vitro water-stressed study on the leaves of male and female plants by recording their chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics at the red and far-red bands as well as their ratios. Using the chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics curves in combination with multivariate data analysis method, discrimination and classification models were formulated which made it possible to differentiate and classify the sexes of the nutmeg plant which can be used as a tool for the early sex prediction of the plant. In the absorption spectroscopy molecular oxygen in some fruits and wood species were probed by means of GAs in Scattering Medium Absorption Spectroscopy (GASMAS) technique using a continuous diode laser emitting at 760 nm. The wavelength modulation second derivative absorption signals of the oxygen gas were measured relative to their direct absorption signals and a ratio established. This ratio was found to be directly proportional to the gas concentration in the scattering medium under study. For the wood the equivalent optical path lengths in different directions reflected its anisotropic nature while the differences in equivalent optical path length were found to relate to their densities. The different time constants obtained for the fruits and wood species is a potential technique for identifying and characterizing these species.

Source: UCC
Diode Laser Spectroscopic Studies of Biological Materials Using Absorption and Emission Techniques

Two diode lasers with optical spectroscopic properties for absorption and emission spectroscopy have been used as sources in the study of economically important biological materials. In the emission spectroscopy a fluor sensor with a diode lasing at 396 nm was used to conduct in-vivo and invitro water-stressed study on the leaves of male and female plants by recording their chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics at the red and far-red bands as well as their ratios. Using the cWorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics curves in combination with multivariate data analysis method, discrimination and classification models were formulated which made it possible to differentiate and classify the sexes of the nutmeg plant which can be used as a tool for the early sex prediction of the plant. In the absorption spectroscopy molecular oxygen in some fruits and wood species were probed by means of GAs in Scattering Medium Absorption Spectroscopy (GASMAS) technique using a continuous diode laser emitting at 760 nm. The wavelength modulation second derivative absorption signals of the oxygen gas were measured relative to their direct absorption signals and a ratio established. This ratio was found to be directly proportional to the gas concentration in the scattering medium under study. For the wood the equivalent optical path lengths in different directions reflected its anisotropic nature while the differences in equivalent optical path length was found to relate to their densities. The different time constants obtained for the fruits and wood species is a potential technique for identifying and characterizing these species.

Source: UCC
Diplomatic Relations, Environment and Development: an Interrogation of Ghana-china Relations and Illegal Gold Mining in the Amansie South District

ABSTRACT The thesis interrogates the environmental impacts of Chinese involvement in illegal gold mining (IGM) and how diplomatic relations impede programmes put in place to deal with this menace. Ghana-China diplomatic relations aim to promote cooperation, trade and economic development among the two states. Ghana-China relations have therefore, promoted trade, Chinese migration and their involvement in IGM in Ghana. Recent reports of the depletion of Ghana’s forests and water resources by Chinese illegal miners have sparked a raging debate in development circles on the future of Ghana-China relations and diplomacy. Environmental degradation as a result of illegal mining is a threat to the livelihood of individuals, countries and the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially Goal 15. The study uses the dependency, neoliberal and sustainable development theories to explain the concepts of trade, bilateral relations, environment and development in relation to Ghana China relations. To achieve the objective of the study, the qualitative research approach was used. A total of 26 individuals were interviewed. Exploratory and descriptive research designs were employed for the study. As part of data management, collected data from field work were cleaned and edited for spelling mistakes and inconsistencies before entries were made for analysis. Data analysis was carried out manually. For the different research objectives, content and thematic analyses were conducted. Finally, the study found that diplomatic relations conspire or combine to impede programmes put in place to deal with illegal mining, therefore, resulting in the destruction of the natural environment especially forest and water resources.

Source: UCC
“Dipo” Womanhood Rites: A Control Mechanism of Young Girls in Yilo-Krobo, Ghana

Pre-marital sex is popularly considered to be a forbidden or a deviant act in the Ghanaian socio-cultural context. Violators are punished in some societies to serve as a deterrent since the act has both religious and social implications. The Krobo ethnic group of the Eastern Region of Ghana, is a conservative and patrilineal society where virginity is valued. They coduct Dipo womanhood rites for young girls who have reached the marriageable age into womanhood. The young girl undergoing the Dipo rites is known as Dipo-yoo (Dipo girl) and is expected to be a virgin. Accordingly, Dipo womanhood rites was instituted to mainly ensure that young girls in Krobo protect their chastity until marriage. Contemporarily, while a school of thought argued that the rites has lost its value due to modifications, another school of thought also claim that the rites is relevant in controlling the sexual conduct of young girls. Given these divergent views, the current study adopted Hirschi’s (1969) social control theory to deepen the understanding of the relevance or otherwise of Dipo womanhood rites in controlling early pre-marital sexual debut of young girls. To achieve this, the mixed methods (ie. quantitative and qualitative) was employed to gather data from respondents made up of 286 and 66 young girls and boys respectively aged 15-24 years and 16 key informants from communities in Yilo-Krobo Municipality. Findings indicate that commitment and involvement in the rites significantly reduce the likelihood of young girls to engage in early pre-marital sex. On the other hand, attachments to parents/guardians and beliefs in the principle of the rites were not statistically significant in explaining the likelihood of young girls’ engagement in early pre-marital sex. The study recommends that the community should engage the social control factors more critically to help the effective use of Dipo as a cultural mechanism to control the sexual behaviour of young girls until they are married or matured enough to negotiate safe sex. Keywords: Dipo, Womanhood rites, Control Mechanism, Young girls, Yilo-Krobo

Source: UCC
Direct current generation due to wave mixing in zigzag carbon nanotubes

Generation of direct current in zigzag carbon nanotubes due to harmonic mixing of two coherent electromagnetic waves is being considered. The electromagnetic waves have commensurate frequencies of Ω and Ω. The rectification of the waves at high frequencies. i.e is quite smooth whiles at low frequencies there are some fluctuations. The nonohmicity observed in the characteristics is attributed to the nonparabolicity of the electron energy band which is very strong in carbon nanotubes because of high stark component. It is observed that the current falls off faster at lower electric field than the case in superlattice. For Ωτ the external electric field strength for the observation of negative differential conductivity occurs around which is quite weak. It is interesting to note that the peak of the curve shifts to the left with increasing value of Ωτ

Source: UCC
Direct current generation in carbon nanotubes by terahertz field

We report on a theoretical investigation of a direct current generation in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are stimulated axially by terahertz (THz) field. We consider the kinetic approach based on the semiclassical Boltzmann’s transport equation with constant relaxation time approximation, together with the energy spectrum of an electron in the tight-binding approximation. Our results indicate that for strong THz-fields, there is simultaneous generation of DC current in the axial and circumferential directions of the CNTs, even at room temperature. We found that a THz-field can induce a negative conductivity in the CNTs that leads to the THz field induced DC current. For varying amplitude of the THz-field, the current density decreases rapidly and modulates around zero with interval of negative conductivity. The interval decreases with increasing the amplitude of the THz-field. We show that the THz-field can cause fast switching from a zero DC current to a finite DC current due to the quasi-ballistic transport, and that electron scattering is a necessary condition for switching

Source: UCC