ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effects of the construction of the Bui dam on the livelihoods of the surrounding communities

The main objective of the study was to assess the effects of the Bui Dam on the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Employing a mixed method design, 188 households in the eight (8) affected communities were selected for the study through census. In addition, ten (10) key informants and stakeholders were purposively selected. Using interview schedules, in-depth interview (IDI) and observation, the data collected were analysed and presented using frequencies, percentages, cross tabulations and direct quotations. The study revealed that the main assets from which the people draw their livelihoods are natural, physical, social, financial and human assets, with natural assets being the most dominant among the assets. Before the dam construction, farming and fishing were the major livelihood activities. However, the introduction of the dam has led to a great shift in the livelihood activities of the people from predominantly agriculture (farming and fishing) to trading, due mainly to decrease farmlands and loss of access to rivers and streams. It also revealed that the dam construction has led to both positive impacts like access to infrastructures like housing, schools and roads and negative impacts like decreased in farmlands, food insecurity and loss of culture. It can be concluded that, the construction of the Bui Dam has brought more negative effects on the livelihoods of the affected communities. It is therefore recommended that, to ensure livelihood security, the Bui Power Authority should support technical and vocational training to enhance the employability of the residents in other sectors of the economy.

Source: UCC
Effects of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) on socio-economic development in Ghana: a case study of Tano-South District assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

The District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) is an important component of the operationalisation of the decentralisation agenda in Ghana. Over the years, the fund has increasingly become the main source of funds for the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The effect of the fund on the development of the Tano-South District Assembly is the focus of this study. Using both primary and secondary data, the effect of the fund on socio-economic development is studied. The key finding of the study is that the Fund has had a positive effect on the socio-economic development of the District. Other findings include; delay in disbursement of funds from the central government, the decline of IGFs by the assembly as a percentage of total revenue, low participation of citizens in the choice of projects the fund should be used for. Also, there is a lot of deduction at source so the funds that finally get to the assembly is inadequate to effect the needed change. The study recommends that IGF mobilisation should be improved, there should be a timely disbursement of funds and local participation in the decision making processes of the assembly should be strengthened.

Source: UCC
Effects of the intake of natural cocoa powder on some biochemical and haematological indices in the rat

Background: Natural cocoa and cocoa products are increasingly attracting the attention of many investigators and the general public because of their potential nutritional and medicinal properties and other claims. Objective: This study sought to evaluate the effect the consumption of natural cocoa powder has on some biochemical and hematological indices in the rat, as a way of establishing the biochemical basis for some of the claims made for the consumption of cocoa and its products. Methods: Male Wistar albino rats were fed natural cocoa powder in an aqueous suspension for 48 days; Biochemical and hematological indices were then determined from blood samples. Results: The treatment had no significant effect on ALT, AST, ALP, uric acid, total protein, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. However, there were significant reductions in the total cholesterol level (2.52 ± 0.07 mmol/L) versus (1.88 ± 0.23 mmol/L), LDL – cholesterol level (1.09 ± 0.03 m mol/L) versus (0.74 ± 0.06 m mol/L), and in triglyceride level (1.28 ± 0.15 m mol/L) versus (1.08 ± 0.04 m mol/L) after treatment (p <0.05). The results further indicated significant increases in white blood cell (7.53 ± 0.19 × 103/mm3) versus (10.40 ± 1.66 × 103/mm3) and platelet counts (379± 112.0× 103/mm3) versus (583.8±11.4× 103/mm3). Conclusion: The administration of natural cocoa powder to rats caused significant reductions in total serum cholesterol levels, LDL-cholesterol levels and triglycerides with a significant increase in white blood cell counts

Source: UCC
The effects of the microfinance programme of initiative development- Ghana on women clients in Nima, a suburb of Accra

The research investigated the effects of the microfinance programme by Initiative Development-Ghana on its women clients in Nima, a suburb of Accra. The main instrument used in the study was a structured interview designed to tap the views of the selected respondents who were clients of ID-Ghana on the effects of the microfinance programme on them and their nuclear family, (i.e. husbands and children). It was found out that, majority of ID-Ghana’s clients engaged in trading and had been doing business with ID-Ghana between the past three-to-five (3 5) years. They said the interest rate charged on loans was 10% and they were made to pay back within six (6) months. Beneficiaries of loans had savings which they did on daily Susu basis with ID-Ghana who also ensured that they organized training programmes for their clients to enable them improve on their businesses. The microfinance programme had brought massive improvement in the lives of their clients in terms of their ability to pay their ward’s school fees, utility bills and provided fairly balanced meals for their families which affected their health status positively. Clients had also seen expansion in their businesses. Women who were non-clients of ID-Ghana also had some effects as a result of the microfinance programme. The research concluded that, there was a positive correlation of gains from microfinance with improvement in standard of living. It also concluded that, microfinance had a positive effect on household consumption.

Source: UCC
The effects of the strategies of evangelisation on community development: The case of the Akuapem Presbyterian church of Ghana, 1980-2005

This study was an historical appraisal of the strategies of evangelisation adopted by the Akuapem Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) in the Eastern region of Ghana from 1980-2005. The purpose was to investigate the linkage between the strategies of evangelisation and community development. The study was conducted in seven Church Districts using a sample size of 515 respondents, interviewees and discussants comprising members in leadership positions, ordinary members, Directors of Mission and Evangelism and Development and Social Services of the PCG. Members of the Grace Evangelistic and Deliverance Ministry and community members were also interviewed. Both the simple random and the purposive sampling techniques were employed to select respondents and interviewees respectively. A descriptive survey design was used since the research was a qualitative one. Six research questions were formulated to guide the study. Questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides were prepared for the study because “most research methods [techniques] can be used in either qualitative or quantitative studies” (Silverman, 2004, p. 89). The key findings of the study showed that Presbyterians in the Akuapem Presbytery perceived evangelisation as the main task of the Church with two main dimensions namely, internal and external. About twenty different strategies of evangelisation were identified to have been used during the period 1980-2005. The study also showed that there is a direct linkage between evangelisation and community development. There was co-operation between the Presbytery and the larger community to promote evangelisation and community development.

Source: UCC
Effects of the Twelve-Step Facilitation and Motivational Interviewing Treatments on Alcohol Consumption among Undergraduate University Students in the Central Region, Ghana

The study sought to ascertain the effects of the twelve-step facilitation and motivational interviewing treatments on alcohol consumption among undergraduate university students in the Central Region of Ghana. Quasi-experimental design was used. The objectives were to ascertain the effects of the twelve-step facilitation and motivational interviewing treatments on alcohol consumption, to examine the influence of gender, age and religion on the alcohol consumption among participants in the experimental groups. To achieve these, four hypotheses were postulated and tested. The population for the study was 9,922 being third year regular students from the three public universities in the region. Simple random sampling was used to select one academic department and one programme in each university. Based on this, 370, being the accessible population in the three selected programmes was administered the questionnaire and 87 met the inclusion criteria. However, 60 participants were selected using simple random sampling technique for the intervention. Alcohol Consumption Inventory was used to collect data. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANCOVA. The findings showed both the twelve-step and motivational interviewing treatments were effective in reducing alcohol consumption among the participants significantly. Gender had significant influence, however, age, and religious background did not have significant influence on the alcohol consumption of participants in the experimental groups. It was recommended that, University Counsellors should make use of the twelve-step facilitation and the motivational interviewing treatments in counselling students with risky and abusive alcohol consumption behaviour.

Source: UCC
The effects of the use of computers on students’ learning of trigonometry in mathematics in selected senior high schools in Ho Municipality

This study investigated the effect of the use of computers on students’ learning of Trigonometry in Mathematics. A class was selected in each of two randomly selected schools. The pretest-posttest non-equivalent quasi experimental design was used. The students in the experimental group learned Trigonometric concept through the Computer Based Instruction (CBI), whereas the students in the control group were taught the same concepts using the conventional approach.The conventional approach consisted of lecture, discussions and question and answer teaching methods.T-test was used to analyse students’ pre-test and post-test scores. Results determined that computer-aided instruction did have a significant effect on students’ achievement in learning trigonometric concepts. The students also in the CBI group showed positive attitudes towards CBI when they were interviewed. It has therefore been recommended that the computer should be used to supplement the teacher’s lessons delivery in classroom.

Source: UCC
Effects of Three Herb-Based Alcoholic Beverages Manufactured in Ghana on Sperm Characteristics and Reproductive Hormones in Rats

Background: Advertisements of most alcoholic beverages in Ghana persuasively entice con- sumers with herbal constituents believed to enhance sexual performance, although, alco- hol has negative effect onfertility. The impact of herbal constituents in these alcoholic bev- erages on the known negative effects of alcohol on fertility remains to be evaluated. This study evaluated the effects of three alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on male reproductive function in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received 0.5, 2.5 or 5 ml/kg of 3 herb-based alcoholic beverages (Brand A, B & C), 42% v / v ethanol or distilled water p.o. for 21 days. On day 22, blood was collected and assayed for serum prolactin, testosterone and, hematological parameters. Testes were removed for histology and sperm from the cauda epididymis an- alyzed for sperm count, motility and morphology. Total antioxidant capacity of the testes was determined. Results: The three alcoholic beverages did not cause any changes in hematological param- eters and relative weight of the testes. However, Brand C reduced epididymal sperm count and increased serum prolactin and induced loss of germinal epithelial cells, necrosis, inter- tubular edema in seminiferous tubules and lipid and fluid accumulation in the Sertoli cells. Both Brands A and B caused tubular atrophy and enlarged spermatogonia at 5 ml/kg. All three brands significantly ( p < 0.001) reduced sperm motility and serum testosterone, al- though they increased total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: The herb-based alcoholic beverages evaluated did not enhance or exert a ben- eficial effect on male reproductive function but rather demonstrated spermatotoxic prop- erties irrespective of the presence of medicinal plants.

Source: UCC
Effects of three herb-based alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on sperm characteristics and reproductive hormones in rats

Background: Advertisements of most alcoholic beverages in Ghana persuasively entice con- sumers with herbal constituents believed to enhance sexual performance, although, alco- hol has negative effect onfertility. The impact of herbal constituents in these alcoholic bev- erages on the known negative effects of alcohol on fertility remains to be evaluated. This study evaluated the effects of three alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on male reproductive function in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received 0.5, 2.5 or 5 ml/kg of 3 herb-based alcoholic beverages (Brand A, B & C), 42% v /v ethanol or distilled water p.o. for 21 days. On day 22, blood was collected and assayed for serum prolactin, testosterone and, hematological parameters. Testes were removed for histology and sperm from the cauda epididymis an- alyzed for sperm count, motility and morphology. Total antioxidant capacity of the testes was determined. Results: The three alcoholic beverages did not cause any changes in hematological param- eters and relative weight of the testes. However, Brand C reduced epididymal sperm count and increased serum prolactin and induced loss of germinal epithelial cells, necrosis, inter- tubular edema in seminiferous tubules and lipid and ﬂuid accumulation in the Sertoli cells. Both Brands A and B caused tubular atrophy and enlarged spermatogonia at 5 ml/kg. All three brands signiﬁcantly (p<0.001) reduced sperm motility and serum testosterone, al- though they increased total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: The herb-based alcoholic beverages evaluated did not enhance or exert a ben- eﬁcial effect on male reproductive function but rather demonstrated spermatotoxic prop- erties irrespective of the presence of medicinal plants.

Source: UCC
Effects of three herb-based alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on sperm characteristics and reproductive hormones in rats

Background: Advertisements of most alcoholic beverages in Ghana persuasively entice consumers with herbal constituents believed to enhance sexual performance, although, alcohol has negative effect onfertility. The impact of herbal constituents in these alcoholic beverages on the known negative effects of alcohol on fertility remains to be evaluated. This study evaluated the effects of three alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on male reproductive function in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received 0.5, 2.5 or 5 ml/kg of 3 herb-based alcoholic beverages (Brand A, B & C), 42% v/v ethanol or distilled water p.o. for 21 days. On day 22, blood was collected and assayed for serum prolactin, testosterone and, hematological parameters. Testes were removed for histology and sperm from the cauda epididymis analyzed for sperm count, motility and morphology. Total antioxidant capacity of the testes was determined. Results: The three alcoholic beverages did not cause any changes in hematological parameters and relative weight of the testes. However, Brand C reduced epididymal sperm count and increased serum prolactin and induced loss of germinal epithelial cells, necrosis, intertubular edema in seminiferous tubules and lipid and fluid accumulation in the Sertoli cells. Both Brands A and B caused tubular atrophy and enlarged spermatogonia at 5 ml/kg. All three brands significantly (p<0.001) reduced sperm motility and serum testosterone, although they increased total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: The herb-based alcoholic beverages evaluated did not enhance or exert a beneficial effect on male reproductive function but rather demonstrated spermatotoxic properties irrespective of the presence of medicinal plants.

Source: UCC
Effects Of Three Traditional Sauces Commonly Consumed In Côte D'Ivoire On Glycaemic Index Of Rice Tested In Normoglycemic Adults

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three traditional sauces commonly consumed in Côte d’Ivoire on glycaemic index of rice. On different occasions, human volunteers consumed 50 g of carbohydrate from white rice without sauce and with the palm nut sauce, groundnut sauce and eggplant sauce after 10-12 h overnight fast. Glycaemic index values were calculated after measured capillary-blood glucose before and after ingestion at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min. The addition of the palm nut sauce (GI = 34) and groundnut sauce (GI = 45) had a lowering effect on the GI of white rice (GI = 54). Eggplant sauce increased GI of white rice (GI = 76). White rice, rice with the groundnut sauce and rice with the eggplant sauce recorded high glycaemic load values of 27, 24 and 38 respectively. Rice with palm nut sauce seems to be the best food due to its low glycaemic index and medium glycaemic load (GL = 17). The present survey reveals a significant effect of Ivorian traditional meal sauces on glycaemic index. Data showed differences of clinical importance and could be basis for dietary counseling of diabetic subjects in Côte d’Ivoire.

Source: UCC
Effects of training and development on performance at Koforidua polytechnic

In today’s competitive business environment, Training and Development has become a valuable activity in all organisations in which Koforidua Polytechnic is no isolation. It is therefore incumbent on Koforidua Polytechnic to pay much attention to training and development of its workforce to enable it compete with other educational institutions. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training and development on performance at Koforidua Polytechnic. Data was obtained from a total of 202 administrative staff of the Polytechnic comprising Senior Members, Senior Staff and Junior Staff using structured questionnaire and interviews. Both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used and Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used to analyse the data. Result from the study indicates that training and development should be organised for all staff and not for selected staff, selection for training and development programmes must be transparent and above all management must support it with funds. Results from the study reveals that majority of staff have undergone training and development programme and that the training was related to their job. A large number of them also thinks that management support has been a major challenge to training and development programmes. It is recommended that management pay much attention to training and development issues since it would help the Polytechnic to be abreast of new ways of doing things.

Source: UCC
Effects of training and development on the performance of staff in the fire and rescue service department, Central Region

The roles to prevent and also fight fires, in order to save lives and protect property, are still fundamental to the goal of fire service departments in many Countries This study therefore set out to assess the effectiveness of training and development programmes on the Central Regional Fire Service department. The study adopted a mix of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and a descriptive design to study 30 fire service personnel who had participated in any of the training programmes Questionnaires were used to collect data from the selected fire service personnel and an in-depth interview with the Deputy Regional Commander was conducted using an interview guide. The study concluded that a mix of methodologies were needed to be applied in training the fire service personnel. Informative, interactive, and vestibule methods were require in the form of lectures, role plays, and simulations. The key finding is that trainees were best suited for their jobs after training and that the training programme was aligned to the training needs of the personnel. Also, the training programme had significant improvement on the performance of the personnel in all the practical fields of fire fighting. However training programmes were challenged by funding constraints to train the required number of personnel, to acquire enough gadgets for practice and simulations, as well as participatory training and also to upgrade the technology needed to improve on the fire fighting abilities of the personnel. More stress-coping activities were recommended during training. Collaborative efforts with donors to fund training and the acquisition of gadgets were also recommended.

Source: UCC
Effects of training on employee retention at St. Mary’s Hospital, Drobo in the Brong Ahafo Region

The hospital sector is a service and labour-intensive sector and it is common to suffer turnover rates higher than other sectors. Due to the impacts of employee turnover in the hospital industry there exist a need for management to monitor and measure turnover in order to take remedial action. Employee training has been identified by various scholars to be very crucial to an organization. Organizations are therefore encouraged to train their employees in order to retain. The study was conducted to assess the effect of training on employees’ retention at Saint Mary’s Hospital. The study employed the explanatory research design due to its research objectives. The study adopted the quantitative research approach to analyzing the data in respect of the nature of the research objectives pursued. Out of a population of 250 workers at the hospital, a sample of 200 was used. The respondents were selected through the simple random sampling technique. Primary data were collected with the use of structure questionnaire. The questionnaires were self administered through the drop-and-pick method and standard multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the effect of training on employee retention. It was found that the respondents perceived that the training system at St. Mary’s Hospital positively affect their retention. Again, it was found that training benefits was a significant predictor of employee retention at St. Mary’s Hospital. It was recommended that management must continuously engage in training programmes such as problem solving, team work, interpersonal training, communication and management change training so as to improve employee retention at Saint Mary’s Hospital.

Source: UCC