ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Management of conventional sewerage system: case study of Tema Sewerage System

Sanitation systems usually fail because of poor management of the physical facilities. Many sanitation systems in most developing countries have deteriorated resulting in a lower service level and consequent deterioration of environmental conditions. Presently, the sewerage system in the Tema Township is not functioning the way it should. The three pumping stations and the treatment plant have been shut down and raw sewage flows through a by-pass into the sea without treatment, creating an environmental hazard. Field visits, interviews and questionnaires were the methods used to collect data for the study. The study found out that the organization responsible for the management of the sewerage system in Tema which is T.M.A lacks key personnel; equipment, logistics and funds to manage the system. The organization has neither separate budget for operation and maintenance of the sewerage system nor separate account for the sewage revenue. The study also found out that 33% of the residents using the sewer are not billed. Besides that, there is non-payment of bills and the industrial sewage tariff is low. The study further found out that the sewerage system is grossly abused by the users for lack of education. The study has concluded that T.M.A lacks the capacity in terms of personnel, equipment and logistics to manage the sewerage system in the Tema Township. Secondly, revenue does not march O&M cost. The third conclusion the study has drawn is that T.M.A needs a yearly amount of $361,214.90 to cover O & M cost. The study further concludes that domestic sewage tariff is adequate and there is the need to adjust the industrial sewage tariff based on a further study to determine the willingness and ability to pay. The final conclusion the study has drawn is that sewer users are not satisfied with the services provided by T.M.A. The study recommends that T.M.A build capacity to improve upon its performance. The study further recommends that T.M.A improve upon its financial management, adjust the industrial tariff and carry out public education on the use of the sewer and the need to pay for sewer services. Further study should also be done to determine the willingness and ability of the industries to pay increased tariff.

Source: KNUST
Management of cottage industries by Ghanaian artist – entrepreneurs: a Case Study of the Ceramic Industry

The research has the objectives of examining the system of managing the cottage industries. The focus is on those established and managed by Ghanaian artist entrepreneurs with special attention to the ceramic industry. The thesis is about a group of highly educated artist entrepreneurs excluding the illiterate indigenous artists. Year after year the ceramic section of College of Art U.S.T. and other institutions of higher learning turn out graduates ceramic artists who fizzle out of the system. This paradox cannot however be attributed to lack of clay. On the contrary clay abounds in every region in Ghana. The problem can however be attributed to the system of education which does not include business management and administration as necessary production support. Part of the problem is due to maladministration, low capital formation, lack of machinery, expensive glaze materials and unfavourble government policies. The research established a fact of abundant supply of cheap labour mainly of school leavers, who could be trained at a lesser cost to offer efficient services to the ceramic industry. The research thus recommends favourable government investment policies, formation of ceramic bodies and ceramic artist entrepreneurs among others.

Source: KNUST
Management of domestic solid waste as a partnership between Municipal Assemblies and Households: an exploration at Kojo Beedu, Winneba

Many towns in Ghana, including Winneba in the Awutu Efutu Senya District (AESDA) of the Central Region, look littered with malodorous, choked gutters full of wastes. The AESDA is responsible for wastes management in the District. The Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit (EH&SU) of the Assembly carries out the task of managing solid wastes. In this study questionnaires were administered to residents of Kojo Beedu community. officials of the AESDA and EH&SU to ascertain the causes of unmanaged wastes in the community. The researcher crried out waste characterization in households in Kojo Beedu to find out the composition, weights and volumes of domestic solid wastes (DSW). This information is needed to select the best way of managing wastes in a community. The untidy appearance of the community was found to he due to the inability of the AES[)A to provide equipment to the EH&SU to collect wastes regularly, leading householders to unsuccessfully dispose of their solid wastes. Thirty seven percent of the residents were aware of the dangers of improper SWD. The EH&SU also faced the problem of acquiring landfill sites. The main components of the DSW were found to be: organics 58%, plastics 22% and miscellaneous 18% by volume. The quantities of these components to be dealt with by the AESDA can be minimized by waste reduction in households, thus saving costs and making their operations more efficient. A public education exercise conducted seemed to indicate that some households could practice wastes reduction by waste segregation, composting of organics and plastics collection ii intensive or long-term information, education and communication (IEC) on wastes reduction. especially targeted at children, is undertaken.

Source: KNUST
Management of Financial Resource in the Districts Assemblies: A Case Study in the Ga South Municipal Assembly

The purpose of this study is to find out how the Ga South Municipal Assembly manages internally and externally generated funds. On this basis, Eighty (80) questionnaire were prepared and administered and interviews were also conducted to collect relevant data. The simple random sampling method was used to select the sample for the study. Simple percentages were employed to analyze and interpret the data. The findings were that the district assembly’s spending pattern favours capital expenditure than recurrent expenditure. It was also revealed that internally generated revenue is far below their budget in the years under study. In order to solve these problems, it is recommended that, the district intensify their revenue generation programme by employing more hand to the revenue unit and widening their coverage in revenue generation to areas where they are not generating revenue as well as reviewing their rates for property to fulfill their development roles and also take into consideration realistic economic condition before constructing their budget.

Source: KNUST
The management of field pests on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) using botanicals [Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves, neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves, ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes and onion (Allium cepa) Bulbs]

Theinsecticidal effect of four plant extracts tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves, neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves, ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes and onion (Allium cepa)bulbs onpests of cowpea was studied. The study was conducted at the Soil and Irrigation Research Centre, Kpong of the University of Ghana, Legon during the minor rainy season (September to mid November, 2012).Aqueous extracts of these botanicals were sprayed on the cowpea plants. A synthetic chemical insecticide,cymethoate, was used as the standard insecticide, and a treatment without any of the extracts (negative control), i.e. just water.The completely randomized design (CRD) was used and each treatment was replicated three times. The effects of these treatments on the population dynamics of the insect pests, total pod weight, total number of pods, number ofdamaged pods and grains, 100 grain weight (g) and grain yield (Kg/ha) were assessed. Results showed that cymethoate effectively controlled field pests of cowpea such as whiteflies, aphids and pod borers during the study. It also resulted in higherweight, pod numbers, and grain yield as well as less number of damaged pods and grains. Neem extract showed no significant difference over the other botanicals for the control of whiteflies, aphids and pod borers and consequently better yield of the cowpea. A hundred (100)grain weight and control of whiteflies at eight weeks after planting (WAP) were significantly different between the treatments (P =0.0120). Although adequate yield was not obtained from ginger, onion and tobacco treated plants, they still showed higher yield compared to the cymethoate. The study also revealed that the two weeks spraying interval employed was effective.Based on the results of the study two key recommendations were made namely, (1) Neem and tobaccoof the botanicals can be used to effectively replace synthetic chemicals as the botanicals are more environmentally safe and less expensive, and adoption of the two-week interval spraying, because of its effectiveness, so as to minimize cost of production.

Source: KNUST
Management of funds/finance in the rural churches a case study: churches around the Birim North District.

It has always been a problem when it comes to managing of funds in organisations and the worst culprit are the non- profit organisations which includes the church. Religious organisations occupy a greater importance in society today and there is the need therefore to check how funds are managed. The main aim and purpose of the church is to win souls for Christ but there is the need to be able to manage the resources such as money at their disposal. The rural churches have peculiar problems with people who manage the accounts, procedures used and supervision. The main aim of this study was to assess the management of church funds/finances in rural churches in Ghana by assessing the people who manage the funds, identify procedures for managing and controlling the funds, find out the challenges of managing finance and finally looking at the effectiveness of financial management in rural churches in Ghana. Data was collected from 16 communities from 54 churches through questionnaires and oral interview targeting the account clerks/stewards on one side and the entire church members on the other end. Data was analysed descriptively using percentages. It was revealed that many people who are in charge of the accounts section do not have knowledge in accounting or finance. The study further found that most of the tools that are used to control or manage accounts are not being followed like budgeting and auditing. Most of the churches save their money in the bank which is a very good step in finance management. There are challenges which confront therural church and needs to be addressed. It is therefore recommended that money should still be deposited in the banks with adequate checks. Adequate sanctions (disciplinary measures) needs to be meted out to those who embezzle church funds. Refresher trainings are needed for account clerks as well as church policies needs to be made known to the entire congregants.

Source: KNUST
Management of health and safety risk factors at Ghanaian construction sites

The aim of this study was to explore the management of health and safety risk factors at construction sites in Ghana. With this aim, four (4) objectives were set which were to ascertain the awareness of health and safety risks at construction sites, to identify health and safety risk factors that occur at construction sites, to Identify the risk management approaches on construction sites and to ascertain the challenges in effective risk management on construction sites. The study adopted a quantitative research method in which structured questionnaire were designed and administered to D1K1 and D2K2 construction firms in Accra. The data was analyzed using the mean score ranking. From the analysis, it was realized that, construction firms have a satisfactory level of awareness on the health and safety risks on construction sites. Also, it was realized that, the most significant risk factor was working too close to other colleagues followed by noise. Furthermore, it was realized that, the most significant approach to risk management was reference to historical experience followed by brainstorming. With the final objective it was realized the most significant challenges to risk management was financial constraints followed by negligence or human error on the part of workers. Based on the findings, it was recommended that, flow charts should be mostly used to identify risks at construction sites. Every project is a unique engagement, and the risks of historic engagement may not be associated with the current project. However, the use of flow charts enables the identification of all activities that will take place in the delivery of a particular project; making it appropriate to identify the various risks that are inherent in the activities. Also, construction firms must develop and effectively implement safety policies, programmes and guidelines. This will enhance a structured supervision and an effective directive.

Source: KNUST
Management of insect pests of tomato (Solanum lycopersium L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) using karate (lambda cyhalothrin) with alata samina

Field experiments were conducted in 2014 at the Plantation Crops Section of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), to evaluate the effect of karate (lambda-cyhalothrin) with 1% and 2% of alata samina on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) for the management of insect pests of the two crops. A control plot that received only water was also maintained. Two species of Podagrica, P. sjostedti (Jacoby) and P. uniformis (Jacoby), Aphis gossypii (Glover) and Thrips tabaci (Linderman) were collected on okra. In both seasons, karate, karate + 1% and karate + 2% alata samina significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the aggregations of the insects than the control. A. gossypii, T. tabaci, and B. tabaci Gennadius were collected from the tomato plots. Karate, karate + 1% and 2% alata samina significantly reduced aggregations of the insects as compared to the untreated plots. Significantly (P < 0.05) less number of Bemisia tabaci aggregated on the karate + 2% alata samina treatment plots in the major and minor cropping seasons. With regard to okra, significantly (P < 0.05) fewer T. tabaci, A. gossypii and Podagrica spp. were collected from the plots that received applications containing karate, in the major season. Similar results were obtained in the minor season for T. tabaci and A. gossypii but, significantly fewer Podagrica spp. were collected on the karate + 2% alata samina treatment plots. Application of karate + 2% alata samina significantly (P < 0.05) reduced damage to tomato fruits compared to fruits on the untreated control plots in both the major and minor seasons. Significantly (P < 0.05) less percent defoliation was recorded on the karate-treated plots than the untreated control plots in both seasons. Karate + 2% alata samina application also significantly (P < 0.05) increased yield of tomato in both seasons. Significant increase in yield of okra was obtained from the karate + 2% alata samina plots, but no significant differences were obtained in the number of damaged okra fruits. The best protection of the crops against the insect pests was obtained from weekly applications of karate + 2% alata mixture.

Source: KNUST
Management of internally generated funds in public hospitals: a case stud y of the cape coast metropolitan hospital cape coast, central region of Ghana

Ghana in recent times is facing severe challenges on healthcare funding by the government. This is worrying as a rising country where poverty level among the populations is high. It is vital that the state must show commitment in reversing this development by resourcing the public hospitals adequately to carry on its mandate. The purpose of this study was to assess the management of internally generated fund in a public hospital in Ghana. Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital in the Central Region of Ghana was purposively selected for the study. The study employed the quantitative approach by designing closed-ended questionnaires to solicit appropriate numerical data necessary to address the study objectives. In carrying out the study to address the problems or challenges associated with management of internally generated fund, a total of fifty-six (56) respondents were drawn from a total population of sixty-five (65), the entire staff of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital who were directly or indirectly involved in the revenue administration and mobilization as at Jul y, 2020 (Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital Report, 2019). The study adds to the bod y of existing knowledge on internally generated fund (IGF).The key findings from the study indicate that, IGF is the most reliable source of funds to Public Hospitals in Ghana. However, in ranking the sources of IGF, out-patient department (OPD) services, consultation, and laboratory services respectively are the top three services that raise enough IGF to Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital. The study recommends that the hospitals should be encouraged to increase IGF by being innovative in creating other unique services for the high-class clients who can afford to spend as extra source of finance. In addition, funds must be spend prudently and supervisory procedures must be in place to address inefficiency of the hospital systems.

Source: KNUST
Management of Irrigation Projects in Ghana: Case Study of the Dawhenya Irrigation Project

The Dawhenya Irrigation Project (DIP) is located on the Accra-Coastal plain approximately 40 km East of Accra-Aflao Highway. The construction of D.I.P had occurred over numerous phases first, as of 1959 to the commissioning of the pump station in 1973 and was mainly for rice production. For these years before the major rehabilitation in 1999-2000, farmers at D.I.P. only cultivates once a year, with low average yield of rice and low average income. After the rehabilitation, the average yield of the farmers increased from 5.5 tons/ha to about 7,8 tons/ha. This means maintenance is a key component in yield increase and management of irrigation projects. This research was therefore undertaken to study the management and to assess the crop yield of DIP, thereafter to recommend improvement strategies of DIP for the sustainability of the irrigation project, hence increasing the fanner's productivity and their income. The results indicated that 80% of the farmers currently working at the (DIP) confirmed that access to inputs was difficult, whereas 83% stated that the absence to credit facilities was a limitation to the farming activities. There was low coordination and integration of agricultural activities and poor monitoring of farm activities at project site by the management of Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) which brought about failure to achieve project objectives. Moreover, there was poor information flow between project engineers and the farmers on technical guidance in the operation and maintenance activities and also the number of staffs from (GIDA) for the planting periods was on a decline which delayed implementation of decision. Another important findings were the poor maintenance of the irrigation systems and low soil nutrients (organic carbon, total nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorous, potassium), which appeared to be major constraints in sustaining adequate levels of the crop yield. For operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems to be improved, there must be effective co-operation between the farmers1 organisation and GIDA. Farmers' organisation must be educated in cooperative management and administration, as well as building on their capacity in management of the project by GIDA extension staff to increase their productivity. The executives of the farmers' organisation must play a leading role for farmers to have direct access to inputs and credit facilities.

Source: KNUST
Management of Leachate from Waste Rock Dump: A Case Study at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited – Ahafo Kenyasi

Concentrations of heavy metals –i.e. Fe, Mn, Cu, As, Zn, Ni and Cd- and physical parameters in surface and ground waters at some controls and compliance points within the NGGL’s concession at Ahafo South were assessed. Water samples were taken from seven sampling locations within the mining area between the months of October 2011 and March 2012. Heavy metals’ concentrations were determined using the AAS whilst those of physico-chemical parameters were determined using standard methods for examination of water. Mean concentrations of the heavy metals in rainfall samples were 0.02, 0.02, 0.00, 0.003, 0.003, 0.00 and 0.00 mg/L respectively, and those in groundwater were respectively 0.197, 0.280, 0.00033, 0.064, 0.0067, 0.00 and 0.0012mg/L. Surface water recorded 0.470, 0.041, 0.002, 0.0017, 0.00, 0.00 and 0.00003 mg/L, respectively. Mean manganese and arsenic concentrations in groundwater at two control points exceeded EPA Ghana standards of 0.1mg/L for mining water discharge. The mean values of the physico-chemical parameters in surface and ground waters were within acceptable limits of EPA Ghana standards; sulphate in surface water just at the threshold. The study indicates that pyrite oxidation from the waste rock is evident, causing high concentrations of sulphate, above the Ghana standards, to leach directly from the waste rock. However, there is no potential for acid generation due to the high carbonate content of the rocks acting as a buffering material.

Source: KNUST