ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the savings and investment knowledge and habits of formal and informal sector workers in Ghana: evidence from asuogyaman district

The study sought to investigate the savings and investment knowledge and habits of formal and informal sector workers with particular focus on workers in the Asuogyaman District. To achieve the set objectives, the study employed the quantitative approach based on the descriptive survey design and obtained primary data from a sample size of 200 workers. The dataset was analyzed using both descriptive analysis (frequency, percentages, and means) and inferential analysis (chi square test). The study established that formal and informal sector workers possess medium and low levels of knowledge respectively on both savings and investment. It was also discovered that workers prefer low risk investment assets namely treasury bills and secured deposits to other high-risk marketable securities. It was again found that workers are predominantly motivated to invest in order to buy real assets, to grow wealth and to safeguard financial independence on retirement. The study established that there is no significant association between the sector of worker and amount of money saved from disposable income but a significant association is found between the sector of worker and the preference for financial investment assets. A conclusion is made that although sector do not influence the level of savings by workers, it has influence on preference for financial asset which may be due to the disparity in the level of knowledge possessed by workers belonging to the two extremes on savings and investment. Hence, relevant stakeholders (such as banks, financial institutions, local and national trade associations, etc.) Must develop strategies to boost the financial knowledge of workers, especially those in the informal sector, to help boost their knowledge on savings and investment which would help to increase their interest in savings and investment, thus, enhancing capital accumulation for deficit units in the economy.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the use of contemporary methods of construction in the Ghanaian construction industry

Contemporary construction involves the process of preparation, scheming, manufacturing, moving and assembling building elements for fast site assembly. Although the use of contemporary methods of construction provides several significant advantages and it can help solve problems associated with duration of work, quality and further reduce cost when compared to ‗traditional construction‘ which is widely practiced in the Ghanaian construction industry. In an attempt to address this issues, a study was carried out to help simplify the Ghanaian construction industry‘s‘ perception on contemporary construction methods and establish how it would help improve real estate development industry. To achieve this aim, the objectives were; to identify the extent of awareness of contemporary methods of construction, identify the challenges associated with the implementation of these methods of construction and identify strategies needed to alleviate the challenges inhabiting the implementation of these methods to resolve social housing needs in Ghana. The study was positioned in the positivist paradigm which enabled the researcher to make an objective analysis by using the quantitative research strategy which involved a questionnaire survey. A sum total of One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were administered and One hundred and twenty (120) responses were retrieved from Project managers, Quantity surveyors, Architects, suppliers and manufacturers of off-site produced building components and Site Engineers all from construction related firms in Accra and Kumasi. The data was then statistically analysed and found that contemporary methods of construction reduce material waste, improves product quality, improves safety on site, increases profits and helps reduce construction duration. The challenges that were dominant were transportation restraints, the rigid nature inhibiting changes on site and restricted design options. Recommendations such as; forums and teachings about the changing and the use of construction methods should be held periodically for building practitioners in major firms. Comparative value analysis should be done for both traditional and contemporary methods of construction especially on cost for the clients‘ consideration.

Source: KNUST
Export performance and market promotion of some lesser - used Ghanaian timber species

A survey into the ownership, availability of timber species and wood supply, processing, marketing and end -uses of timber species especially the lesser - used ones in the timber industry was conducted. Questionnaires were administered to hundred log and lumber exporters and personal interviews were conducted in some institutions directly related to the industry. Private Ghanaian entrepreneurs dominate the industry most of whom especially those in the processing sector do not own concession. Lesser - used species are available and ineffectively exploited to the detriment of the primary and regularly exploited ones some of which are almost extinct from the forest. Marketing of both logs and lumber is export oriented with little attention paid to the local market. The results of the survey also revealed that the lesser - used species have a wide range of uses and when treated can be substituted for the traditional species. Based on the problems of exploitation, processing, marketing and end - uses of the lesser - used species it is recommended that, inter alia, the Forestry Department and other related institutions in the Forestry sector must be well equipped with the necessary logistics to enable them to continue the management of the forest on sustainable basis.

Source: KNUST
EXPLORING THE USE OF RAW HONEY AS A FUEL SOURCE FOR MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technologies are making headway in developing and expanding renewable energy through the conversion of organic matter to electricity. Various substrates can be used in the MFCs technology to enable energy generation, either pure substances or complex mixtures of organic materials. This study aims to consider the feasibility of raw honey as a fuel for mediator-less double-chamber MFC. The cell voltage was monitored in mediator-less double-chamber H2O2 cathode microbial fuel cell. The Mfensi clay partition and the raw honey were analyzed using FTIR-ATR. The results show the highest open-circuit voltage of 1414 mV with a maximum current density of 0.6540 A/m2 and a maximum power density of 247.0 W/m2. These results demonstrate that raw honey can be used for power generation in MFCs and for practical applications.

Source: KNUST
Exploring the use of networking for capacity building of procurement professionals in Ghana (case study: Takoradi)

The importance of public procurement has received worldwide acknowledgement. Owing to this, a raft of policy interventions has been made in several developing countries, including Ghana to make its processes more efficient, and effective. Some of such interventions aim at building the capacity of the various professionals who manage the various procurement activities through conventional ways such as sponsored training programmes, and workshops. This research however took a different dimension by exploring the use of networking for capacity building of public procurement professionals in Ghana. In order to achieve this aim, specific objectives were set which included the identification of conditions for effective network formation, identification of opportunities in networking for capacity building of procurement professionals in Ghana and identification of potential challenges for using networking for knowledge capacity building of procurement professionals. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to interrogate the various objectives. The data that was obtained was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative (using descriptive statistics) analysis techniques. In the end, it was revealed that networking can offer public procurement professionals the opportunity to acquire new knowledge from external professionals, know global trends about procurement practice, and obtain new information from other institutions about procurement. Again, it was revealed that most important potential challenges that can be faced are lack of mechanisms to check the accuracy of information that is shared, poor human relations, and reluctance in sharing knowledge with the network. It is recommended that a platform that can support a network of procurement professionals in Ghana should be developed in order to ensure effective interaction among procurement professionals for their capacity building.

Source: KNUST
Exportable fruit packing plant, Accra

The drive to increase export is one of the cornerstones of attempts being made to revive the flagging national economy in Ghana. The need to import vital inpute for our social-economic development whilst simultaneously servicing our external debts, coupled with the continual price fluctuations and dwindling domestic production level of cocoa (which alone account for 65 to 70 per cent of total export exchange,) has necessitated the promotion of our non-traditional exportable commodities with good market potential. These commodities include fresh horticultural produce, or which fresh fruits is the most significant single sub-grouping, accounting for an average of over 80 per cent of non-traditional fresh horticultural produce export. There are however several impediments to the goal of exporting more fresh fruit is the most significant single non-grouping, accounting for an average of over 80 per cent of non-traditional fresh horticultural produce exported. There are however several impediment to the goal of exporting more fresh fruit, the most crucial being the lack of efficient and well planned packing plants. Due to the highly perishable nature of fresh horticultural produce and the high quality grade requirement of the export market, there is the need for the establishment in Ghana of packing plants for exportation fresh fruits to facilitate efficient produce handling and storage operations. This thesis has researched into the feasibility of establishing a packing plant in Ghana for fresh fruits destined for the export market. It is a design for a 56 tonne per day fruit packing plants and 156 tonne capacity refrigerated storage facility. In addition it incorporated a small scale squash production plant which provides a profitable means for the disposal of by-product.

Source: KNUST
Exposure And Risk Associated With Metals In Cocoa Based Products

In recent years, the level of metals in food products has generated public concerns due to anthropogenic activities in the forest regions where most of the cash crops are harvested. This study evaluated the exposure and health risk of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and lead (Pb) in both local and exotic cocoa products. Fifty products were sampled from the market and their metal contents digested and quantified by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Consumption data was collected from 300 consumers using a semi-structured questionnaire in October, 2016. Probabilistic exposure and risk were quantified using the recommended USEPA protocols based on Monte Carlo Simulations of hazard and cocoa consumption data. The 95th percentile chronic daily intake (CDI) estimates were above the recommended daily dietary limits for the metals. Similarly, the 95th percentile hazard quotients (HQ) of Mn, Zn and Cu in the products were above the acceptable limit of 1. Cancer risk from Pb intake was implicated at exposure levels of the 50th percentile (3.01 x 10-5 to 1.08 x 10-4) and 95th percentile (1.05 x 10-3 to 2.22 x 10-3) according to a deminimis of 10-6. The results suggested that chronic high consumption of cocoa products could result in lifetime adverse health effect.

Source: KNUST
Exposure and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin Ingested Cereals and Grains by University Students

The objective of this study was to assess the exposure and health risks associated with the consumption of kenkey by students of KNUST. Students completed a food dietary questionnaire to gather their exposure frequency and amount of kenkey eaten. Kenkey samples were collected from various students’ food joints and homogenized. Sirhan method of extraction and purification was used to extract the aflatoxin from the kenkey. HPLC was used to determine the concentrations of each group of aflatoxin. The probabilistic approach was used to model the chronic exposures using the Monte Carlo simulation of the Palisade @Risk software. The mean concentration of aflatoxin was 4.78 ng/g. Probabilistic approach was used to estimate the chronic daily exposure. The chronic exposures ranged between 0.024-1.09 ng/g bw/day. The chronic exposure and reference dose of aflatoxin were used to estimate the hazard quotient. The hazard quotient was below the tolerable limit (1). The chronic exposure for both carcinogen and non-carcinogen groups of aflatoxins were also estimated of exposure. There was a significant health concern as the margin of exposure (792.06) for the carcinogen group was below the threshold level (10,000). Aflatoxin contamination must be given a serious attention and effective measures must be in place to curb the contamination of aflatoxin.

Source: KNUST
Export performance on economic growth in Ghana

Since 1983, Ghana has embraced a policy of trade liberalization as a strategy for growth after more than a decade of unprecedented economic decline. Trade liberalization – according to neoclassical trade theory - would result in reallocation of resources in line with a country’s comparative advantage. This would lead to export-led growth. The objective of this study was to assess the validity of the export-led growth hypothesis for Ghana using annual data from 1980-2009. Though there has been extensive research on the relationship between exports and economic growth, the results is mixed and ambiguous. In this study, some modifications were made to previous methodology used to test for export-led growth hypothesis. Before analyzing the data quantitatively, descriptive analysis was done to identify the relationship among the variables. To avoid a possible specification bias, a vector autoregressive (VAR) model was built in the production function context. Since some variables in the production function are independent variables, bi-variate vector autoregressive model with exogenous variables was developed. The cointegration and causality test results obtained using this model was compared with that of bi-variate vector autoregressive model without exogenous variables. The study found that there exist a positive relationship between export and economic growth in the long-run. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate bidirectional causality between export and economic growth in the long-run and unidirectional causality running from GDP to exports in the short-run. In view of the positive relationship between export performance and economic growth, the study suggested that, attempt should be made to increase export as a way of enhancing GDP growth. To this end, government should assist Ghanaian firms to penetrate international markets by offering fiscal incentives such as reduction in export taxes or offering export subsidies, subsidized loans for exporters as well as training and capacity building to improve the quality and packaging of export products to enhance their competitiveness. In addition, opportunity should be provided (with government assistance) to Ghanaian exporters to participate in international trade fairs to expose “Made in Ghana” products and create new market for Ghanaian goods.

Source: KNUST
Exposure of automobile technicians to lead (pb) and self reported health symptoms among male adults in the Sunyani municipal magazine

Background: Lead (Pb) is found naturally at diminutive levels in earth crust, largely as lead sulfide. However, as an industrial metal its presence in the environment could largely be attributed to anthropogenic activities. Lead (Pb) exposure account for 143000 deaths annually and 0.6% of the global burden of disease. Lead (Pb) intoxication occurs when people who directly or indirectly interact with the metal (lead) are exposed to inorganic lead (Pb) chemical or other materials that may habour lead (Pb) as its component. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to December 2017 among male adults between age 18 and 60 years old working in the Sunyani Municipal Magazine. 200 respondents were randomly selected from the garages association register. Data was collected using well-structured questionnaire containing both open and close-ended questions whereas urine sample were collected using acid-washed, decontaminated 20ml polyethylene containers and sent to Ghana Standard Authority for the analysis. Descriptive statistics as well as tests for associations using Chi square and multiple logistic regression were conducted between the outcome and independent variables Results: The mean urine lead level in all 200 respondents was 3.78µg/L with a standard deviation of 3.12µg/L. However, Radiator repairers (5.28µg/L) recorded the highest urine lead level, followed by Battery charging specialist (4.96µg/L), Spray painters (4.44µg/L) and then Mechanics (3.53µg/L). Auto-electricians recorded the least mean urine lead level of 1.94µg/L. There was association between urine Pb level and self-reported health symptoms of respondents. The mean urine lead level among respondents who reported to have hypertension, Chest pains, Heart palpitation, Low libido, Reduced sperm count, Anemia, Headache, Dullness, Muscular tremor, Loss of memory, poor attention span, Irritability, Stuff nose rhinitis, chest tightness and wheezing had significantly higher compared to the mean urine lead levels of those who did not have such symptoms (p-values <0.05) Conclusion: Findings from this study have revealed that occupational factors, awareness of Pb hazards, practice of personal hygiene and lifestyle factors were the major factors that put automobile technician at risk of Pb exposure hence there is the need for various control measures such as training and health education as fundamental means in the prevention of lead exposures in automobile technicians.

Source: KNUST
Exposure of automobile technicians to lead (bP) and self reported health sysmtoms among male adults in the Sunyani municipal magazine

Background: Lead (Pb) is found naturally at diminutive levels in earth crust, largely as lead sulfide. However, as an industrial metal its presence in the environment could largely be attributed to anthropogenic activities. Lead (Pb) exposure account for 143000 deaths annually and 0.6% of the global burden of disease (WHO, 2013). Lead (Pb) intoxication occurs when people who directly or indirectly interact with the metal (lead) are exposed to inorganic lead (Pb) chemical or other materials that may habour lead (Pb) as its component (ILO, 2002). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to December 2017 among male adults between age 18 and 60 years old working in the Sunyani Municipal Magazine. 200 respondents were randomly selected from the garages association register. Data was collected using well-structured questionnaire containing both open and close-ended questions whereas urine sample were collected using acid-washed, decontaminated 20ml polyethylene containers and sent to Ghana Standard Authority for the analysis. Descriptive statistics as well as tests for associations using Chi square and multiple logistic regression were conducted between the outcome and independent variables Results: The mean urine lead level in all 200 respondents was 3.78µg/L with a standard deviation of 3.12µg/L. However, Radiator repairers (5.28µg/L) recorded the highest urine lead level, followed by Battery charging specialist (4.96µg/L), Spray painters (4.44µg/L) and then Mechanics (3.53µg/L). Auto-electricians recorded the least mean urine lead level of 1.94µg/L. There was association between urine Pb level and selfreported health symptoms of respondents. The mean urine lead level among respondents who reported to have hypertension, Chest pains, Heart palpitation, Low libido, Reduced sperm count, Anemia, Headache, Dullness, Muscular tremor, Loss of memory, poor iv attention span, Irritability, Stuff nose rhinitis, chest tightness and wheezing had significantly higher compared to the mean urine lead levels of those who did not have such symptoms (p-values <0.05) Conclusion: Findings from this study have revealed that occupational factors, awareness of Pb hazards, practice of personal hygiene and lifestyle factors were the major factors that put automobile technician at risk of Pb exposure hence there is the need for various control measures such as training and health education as fundamental means in the prevention of lead exposures in automobile technicians.

Source: KNUST
Exposure levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in wild rats in Kumasi, Ghana

Wild rats were trapped from communities in Kumasi, Ghana, to determine the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. The results of the study showed that phenanthrene (0.51 ± 0.08 ng/g dw) was the most abundant individual PAH in the liver of wild rats. The ΣPAH concentrations in liver ranged from 0.05 to 1.64 ng/g dw in Bomso (a community) and city centre, respectively. Abundance of individual PAHs in the liver of wild rats decreased in the order: phenanthrene > pyrene > acenaphthene > naphthalene > fluoranthene and > anthracene. Levels of phenanthrene and pyrene detected were significantly higher than other PAHs. Naphthalene and fluoranthene were detected in 80% and 78% of the samples collected respectively. Heavy metals in the liver of wild rats in Kumasi decreased in the order Zn > Cu > As > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd > Cr.

Source: KNUST
Exposure assessment of lead in rice

The Asante Akim Central municipality, with Konongo as its capital is known for its small scale mining activities. It was expected that human and commercial activities, as well as deposition of heavy metals in the environment that may lead to contamination of the food chain with heavy metals. The main occupation of the inhabitants is farming which include rice farming, hence the need to perform exposure assessment of lead (Pb) in rice in the area. The main objective of this research was to evaluate lead exposure and potential health risk of consuming local rice produced in the Asante- Akim area. The levels of Pb were compared with that of the WHO/FAO recommended values. Pb content in rice ranged from 0.06 to 0.70 mg/Kg with a mean of 0.235 mg/kg. With 70 % of the samples, the concentration of Pb was below the recommended values proposed by the WHO/FAO guidelines. The chronic daily intake (CDI) of Pb was calculated based on the rice consumption data to be 1.72857×10-5mg/Kg bw/day for adults. The exposure assessment in mean levels showed that health risk associated with Pb through the consumption of rice was present. Even the 5th percentile which represents the lowest exposed consumers showed that there is significant risk associated with Pb through rice consumption. It is recommended that consumer wash rice thoroughly and cook before consuming since these practices help reduce heavy metal content.

Source: KNUST