ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Improved thermoelectric biomass cookstove

This paper documents the development of an improved, thermoelectric biomass cookstove, a product aimed at making the cooking process among off-grid communities more environment-friendly and safer for use. A biomass cookstove is embedded with a thermoelectric generator that uses the Seebeck effect to convert waste heat into electricity. Produced electricity is in return, used to blow air into the combustion chamber hence, increasing the air-to-fuel ration. In addition, this paper reports the building and testing of additional functionalities aimed at increasing efficiency of the stove. These are; automatic fuel-level indicator and fan-speed control. Results are recorded and analyzed, providing possible measures for optimization for the future.

Source: Ashesi
Improving accounting practices of small and medium scale enterprises in Ghana through application software

Small and Medium-scale businesses in Ghana contribute to the growth and development of the Ghanaian economy. It is, therefore, important that these businesses optimise their performance to generate more revenue and boost productivity to help the country develop. Generating and keeping accounting information is an essential way to track and improve a business’ performance. This paper presents a detailed design and implementation of an application which aids Small and Medium-scale Sole Proprietorships (businesses which are wholly owned and usually managed by a single individual) in generating and keeping accounting records and information for the analysis of business performance and, other business and financial purposes.

Source: Ashesi
Improving accuracy of GPS signals for use in land surveying application

Location based services applications are very common in our lives today. Services such as uber rely on them to deliver their core products. If a service does not require a very strict accuracy level, it is generally considered enough to use google maps with little or no improvement at all. However, to apply this in finding accurate locations under a meter, we need to do some improvement on the GPS data we receive to be able to pinpoint the location as needed. This project examines the deficiencies of google maps and come up with algorithm that combines various sensors in mobile devices to stabilise and improve the accuracy of the coordinates received. These include the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. The combination allows us to make an independent computation of direction and distance to decide if the location provided by location services is accurate. We develop a mobile application to try out the algorithm against traditional google maps. The algorithm was able to provide great consistence where google maps locations were fluctuating. It also able to trace a path straighter than google maps could

Source: Ashesi
Improving attendance tracking in tertiary institutions using automated face recognition and QR code technology

This applied capstone project aims to improve attendance taking in tertiary institutions by creating an automated attendance system that uses face recognition and QR code technology. The system employs a two-step authentication process to mark students present, which makes it more difficult for dishonest students to bypass attendance tracking. The study found that the automated attendance system significantly simplified the attendance taking process and provided more accurate attendance data. However, the system's user interface could be improved, and it was only 73% accurate in identifying students correctly using face recognition, with masks and glasses hindering the identification process. Despite these limitations, the system has shown great potential for application in tertiary institutions such as Ashesi and other industries and institutions with minor modifications. This project provides an opportunity to replace inefficient traditional attendance methods with a more streamlined and competent solution

Source: Ashesi
Improving financial recording practices of small and medium business owners in Ghana by incorporated voice recording

Small businesses play a vital role in the growth and development of the Ghanaian economy. To achieve sustainable economic growth, it is essential for small businesses to enhance their productivity and profitability. one way to achieve this is through effective sales recording and management. This paper proposes the implementation of a sales recording system equipped with voice recognition technology to assist small businesses in recording and monitoring their operations. This system will enable small businesses to generate accurate sales reports, analyze revenue trends, and make informed decisions regarding their future investments. The proposed system aims to provide a user-friendly and affordable solution for small businesses to overcome challenges related to manual record-keeping, financial management, and regulatory compliance. This study contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote entrepreneurship and economic growth in Ghana by offering a practical and innovative solution for small business owners.

Source: Ashesi
Improving Music Royalty Collection and Copyright Enforcement in Ghana Using AI and Blockchain

The Ghana music industry is besieged by ongoing issues emanating from the failure to collect correct and proper royalties, debilitating economic growth, and stability of artists and producers. The Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO), responsible for the management of the process, runs inefficient systems and lacks proper mechanisms for tracking and distribution of royalties. This study investigatesthe inefficiencies in the system that affect the collection of royalties, enforcement of intellectual property rights, and sustainability of Ghana's creative economy. To deal with this, the paper details the design and development of a blockchain solution that is tailored to the unique needs of the Ghanaian music sector. Leveraging the transparency, immutability, and security of blockchain, the proposed system allows for safe registration of copyrights, efficient distribution of royalties, and best-in-class tracking of infringement. The launch highlights progress in security, scalability, and trust among the stakeholders, with a viable model to address the challenges at hand. The initiative is under Sustainable Development Goal 9

Source: Ashesi
Improving public transportation for people with disabilities in Ghana through digital technologies

Despite being valued members of society, in Ghana, people with disabilities (PWDs) are often overlooked when it comes to public transportation, making it difficult for them to perform their day-to-day activities. Public transportation services in Ghana need more fundamental elements that will allow PWDs to use their services more seamlessly, discouraging them from using the more expensive private transportation services that continue to promote traffic. This research aims to look at the current state of public transportation for PWDs, the measures being put in place by the government to curb these issues, how digitalization is changing the public transportation space, and how this digital transformation can be used to benefit PWDs. This paper will look to develop a practical solution to some of the problems PWDs face by creating a web application programming interface (API) that can be used as a companion for existing transportation applications in Ghana.

Source: Ashesi
Improving the efficiencey and accountability of the Fertiliser Subsidy Programme in Ghana using technology

The fertiliser subsidy system introduced by the government of Ghana in 2008, was designed to increase crop yield in the country thereby reducing overall food prices. The inefficiencies in the system have however prevented this goal from fully materialising. There has therefore arisen the need for a system that can manage the fertiliser subsidy system. This system must be secure, efficient and allow for accountability. This paper proposes a Fertiliser Subsidy System aided with Web and Mobile technology that is equipped to solve the fertiliser subsidy management problem.

Source: Ashesi
Improving the interactivity of chemistry in junior and senior secondary schools in Ghana through virtual reality

Virtual Reality has been around since the 1960’s but it was a very expensive technology until Oculus and Google released the Oculus Rift and the Google Cardboard VR headset in 2015 respectively. These releases have made virtual reality more affordable and there has been an increase in apps and materials to develop content. The Virtual Chemistry Lab is a mobile application in VR that aims to allow to students simulate experiments in a virtual lab via the Google Cardboard. The focus of the project is to improve the interactivity of chemistry in Senior Secondary Schools in Ghana. The current Integrated Science and Elective Chemistry syllabus assigns a lot of time on practical sessions. However, this has not been the case in some Ghanaian schools due to many challenges such as the lack of infrastructure and resources in many rural parts of Ghana. This paper outlines the various tools and processes used in building and testing the Virtual Chemistry Lab. It also outlines the challenges encountered during the development of the application and how they were solved to achieve the desired outcomes. It will discuss the feedback received from the users who were interviewed and tested the application. Finally, this paper will evaluates the application and discuss the future of virtual reality in education in Ghana.

Source: Ashesi
Improving the State of Health (SOH) estimation accuracy in lithium battery management systems

The correct state of health estimation is an essential factor in determining lithium battery packs' safe operation and longevity. The state of health information helps the user and battery management system decide on the pack's load, the possible current output, and temperature control measures that can be applied. The methods of state-of-health estimation suffer from low accuracy. This study explored different solutions to improving the state of health estimation. Two models were developed based on Recurrent Neural Networks because of their best performance working with sequential data. The first model was built using LSTM algorithm. The second model was built using the Bi-LSTM algorithm, Attention Mechanism and Cuckoo Search algorithm for hyperparameter optimisation. The Bi-LSTM model was found to be more effective at predicting the continuous sequential data of battery packs with and R-squared value of 0.96. The Bi-LSTM was then adapted for further applications.

Source: Ashesi
Improving trotro commuter experience in Ghana

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is seldom ever used for jitney navigation in Ghana, where the jitney system is more often referred as "trotro". Due to Ghana's poor street naming practices, conductors, and drivers of "trotros" may provide fictitious names to their numerous stops, confusing passengers who may not always be aware of the routes that these vehicles travel. Many residents of Accra make use of trotros as it is the cheapest means of legal transport. Other alternative transport modes are walking, the use of private vehicles, and ride-hailing services. However, most people use the trotro to go to markets, schools, churches and others. Several jitney trip planning solutions including Google Maps Transit at a global level in selected countries, as well as Trotro App in Ghana, have been created to solve this problem. This project builds on an existing capstone project to improve the proximity and live map services. The capstone project designs a web-based solution which leverages of Neo4j graph database and Google Maps API. The result of this capstone project is a web-based solution built with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Google Maps APIs due to the redaction of the Neo4j Restful API.

Source: Ashesi
Inclusive Virtual Reality: A Novel Myopia Enhancement Framework for Personalized Vision Improvement

This research discusses virtual reality (VR) technology, focusing on its use by individuals with myopic eye conditions. Virtual reality has gained an audience worldwide, offering diverse experiences across education, health, and entertainment. Unfortunately, a critical flaw emerges: the lack of inclusivity for individuals with myopic eye conditions. This study aligns with existing literature that confirms the exclusion of visually impaired individuals from the advantages of VR technology. This study contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10, which aims at reducing inequalities within and among countries. The study proposes a VR-based vision enhancement system that contains features like magnification, edge detection, brightness, and contrast, tailored to individuals with myopia. Experiments are performed to explore the feasibility and usability of the proposed system. By integrating qualitative insights with the proposed interactive test, this research strives to pave the way for a more inclusive and accessible virtual reality landscape, especially for those with visual impairments.

Source: Ashesi
Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on brand performance in Ghanaian banks

This study examines the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on brand performance in the CSR dimensions: ethical, environmental, and social CSR. Against the backdrop of the 2017 banking crisis, the research examines how CSR initiatives can rebuild customer trust, enhance brand loyalty, and the study adopts a quantitative, cross-sectional design, collecting data from 239 bank customers through structured questionnaires. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed relationships and to assess the mediating roles of brand loyalty and brand awareness. Findings reveal that ethical CSR significantly impacts brand loyalty, awareness, and performance, while social CSR positively influences loyalty and awareness but not performance directly. Environmental CSR enhances brand awareness but does not affect loyalty or brand performance. Moreover, brand loyalty emerges as a consistent mediator between CSR and brand performance, whereas brand awareness does not show a significant mediating effect. These results underscore the strategic relevance of ethical and social CSR initiatives in trust-sensitive markets and highlight the limitations of visibility-based strategies in isolation. The study contributes to CSR literature by offering dimension-specific insights in an emerging market context and supports regulatory efforts such as Ghana's Sustainable Banking Principles. It also provides practical guidance for banks seeking to align CSR strategies with long-term brand development goals, along with limitations and suggestions for future research.

Source: Ashesi
Innovative Filtration Solutions for Gravitational Vortex Hydro Turbine: Balancing Efficiency and Debris Performance

This capstone project focuses on designing an innovative filtration system for gravitational vortex-driven micro hydro turbines to address energy and debris challenges in Ghana. By combining computational simulations, bio-inspired designs, and experimental testing, the project explores methods to optimize the dual performance of turbine efficiency and debris filtration. Drawing inspiration from the baleen whale's adaptive filtration mechanism, a clog-resistant filtration system was developed and evaluated. The project integrates SolidWorks simulations, physical prototyping, and performance testing to balance flow efficiency with effective debris management. The system aligns with Sustainable Development Goals by promoting clean energy, reducing environmental impact, and addressing off-grid energy needs in rural communities. Results from simulations and physical tests underscore the filtration system's efficacy, though discrepancies highlight the need for further refinement under real-world conditions.

Source: Ashesi
Insider Threat Detection in Organizations: A Framework Based on Psychological and Behavioral Indicators

Insider threats to organizations lead to significant losses in terms of security breaches, finances, and reputational damage. Such threats are quite complex to manage since they are executed by insiders with legitimate access to sensitive information and systems. Most of the existing security frameworks emphasized external security threats with little or no regard to the behavioral patterns or psychological aspects of employees that trigger insider threats[3]. This thesis presents an AI-based behavioral analysis framework for innovative insider threat detection using psychological and behavioral indicators of the relevant personnel, focusing on a dual-model AI framework integrating psychological and behavioral analysis to address this gap. This research proposes a hybrid machine learning framework that combines behavioral anomaly detection with psychometric risk profiling to enhance the detection of potential insider threats. Behavioral data, including USB device activity, email patterns, and file access was extracted and processed from the CERT Insider Threat Dataset (r4.2). In parallel, simulated psychometric profiles based on the Big Five Personality Traits were integrated to contextualize user behavior, with particular attention to the risk-inducing traits of high neuroticism and low conscientiousness. User behavior was first preprocessed and clustered using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and K-Means to group users with similar operational profiles. Isolation Forests were then employed within each cluster to detect anomalous behaviors, which were further assessed against psychological risk factors using a risk-weighted scoring mechanism. Visual and statistical evaluations, such as Silhouette Coefficients and Calinski-Harabasz scores demonstrated high intra-cluster similarity and inter-cluster separation, validating the model’s effectiveness. Given that the focus of this study is on the human element, this research seeks to create an effective real-time threat detection system that bridges the gap between the security practices currently in place by leveraging on Artificial Intelligence and behavioral and psychological indicators to monitor for and detect early warning signs for an effective detection and mitigation of Insider attacks. The framework will help to provide organizations with the ability to address the insider threats and mitigate them effectively.

Source: Ashesi
Integrated Deepfake Video Detection System

With over 5.5 billion internet users globally, the rise of deepfake media fabricated content generated using AI poses challenges to distinguishing truth from falsehood. The reaction to this challenge has been the development of many deepfake detection tools that tackle various media such as deepfake images, videos and audios. However, existing deepfake detection tools exist as standalone systems lacking real-time, user-friendly integration with social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok just to mention a few. With a primary focus on deepfake videos, this project addresses this gap by building a deepfake video detection system that integrates advanced neutral network analysis with an accessible browser extension interface, empowering users to identify and report misinformation in real tiem, advancing SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Leveraging the XceptionNet architecture, a specialized model was trained that achieved 96% accuracy in distinguishing between authentic and synthetically manipulated video content. The detection system was deployed on Google Colud Run, enabling scalable, on-demand analysis of video frames extracted directly from social media platforms and websites. The browser extension is currently available on Chrome Web Store for download and for immediate public use the the name Deepfake Detector. Experimental results demonstrate the system's effectiveness across multiple platforms and video types, highlighting its potential as a practical defense against the spread of synthetic media.

Source: Ashesi
Integrated Exam Management Application: Streamlining Exam Schedules, Seat Assignments, and Clearance Status for Enhanced Student Access and University Efficiency

This applied project addresses the challenges in exam information dissemination at Ashesi University, where the current fragmented email-based system creates unnecessary stress for students during examination periods. The research identifies key issues including inefficient communication through multiple emails, privacy concerns regarding publicly visible financial clearance statuses, and delayed access to critical exam information. The central question guiding this work is: How can an integrated digital system improve the exam experience for students while streamlining administrative processes for staff? The project implements a comprehensive web-based Exam Management System that centralizes exam schedules, seat assignments, and financial clearance information 1n a single platform with role-specific interfaces. Using a three-tier architecture with React frontend and Node.js backend, the system enforces privacy through role-based access controls while providing real-time notifications for updates. Testing results demonstrate significant improvements in communication efficiency, privacy protection, and overall user experience. Key findings reveal that centralized information access reduces student stress and administrative workload, while privacy-focused design eliminates discomfort previously experienced by students. The implementation process highlighted important insights regarding the learning curve for modern frontend frameworks, the complexity of educational administration processes, and the critical importance of user-centered design in educational technology. This work contributes to the field by demonstrating how targeted technological solutions can address specific institutional challenges while enhancing the educational experience for all stakeholders.

Source: Ashesi
Integrated Solar PV and Solar Thermal Water Heating System

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is hindered by limitations in charging infrastructure, particularly long charging durations caused by thermal constraints on battery systems. Excessive heat generated during high-current fast charging can degrade lithium-ion batteries and pose safety risks, thereby necessitating effective thermal management solutions. This capstone project investigates the use of phase change materials (PCMs) as a passive cooling method to mitigate battery overheating during fast charging. A detailed literature review was conducted to explore the historical development of EVs and recent advancements in battery thermal management using PCMs. Three PCM typesity analysis further showed that increasing PCM mass significantly improves thermal performance, while higher charging currents drastically reduce PCM effectiveness. The findings support the potential of PCM-based systems to enhance charging speed and battery safety, laying the groundwork for future hybrid thermal management systems and physical prototyping.

Source: Ashesi