ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Antibiotics in animal agriculture on antimicrobia resistance a case study in the Upper East Region and Western Region of Ghana

The study was conducted to obtain information about the use of antibiotics on antimicrobial resistance in the Western and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The sampling technique used for the research was multi-stage sampling in all the study areas in the two regions. A total number of one hundred and fifty (150) animal farmers were sampled from the regions for the research. These farmers came from various Districts and municipalities from the regions. A structured questionnaire was designed and used to collect the data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed the data. Statistical Package for Social Scientists [SPSS] and Microsoft Excel (14.0.4734.100.2021) were used. The results indicated that all farmers used antibiotics to raise their animals. From both regions, the most abundant used antibiotic is penicillin and egg formula which represent 37% and 26% respectively from the Western Region. While in the Upper East Region, penicillin and egg formula also recorded 22% and 15% respectively. The farmers from the two regions believed that penicillin is more effective than the other antibiotics. It is undeniable fact that farmers lamented on the ineffective ability of some of the antibiotics. The farmers claimed that the use of some of the antibiotics do not meet the purpose for which they are used. 48% and 23% from Western and Upper East Regions respectively use antibiotics purposely for the treatment of diseases. With respect to where these antibiotics are purchased, 95 respondents from the Western region usually purchased them (antibiotics) from the veterinary stores against 5 respondents who also purchased from drug stores. From the Upper East Region, 39 University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xi respondents acquire antibiotics from veterinary store against 11 respondents who purchased from drug stores. 68% farmers from Western Region determine the dosage of the antibiotics base on how they were previously used against 21% who determine the dosage on the label or the inscription on the container. In the Upper East Region, 30% of the farmers also determine the dosage base on previous used and 17% base on the label. Notwithstanding, bad animal management practices such as lack of footbaths, use of clothes for both house and in animal farm, using a pair of wellington boot for everywhere, no proper medical examination before administering drugs, the use of medication base on previous use are very critical on the health of the animals and consequently antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture in both Western and Upper East Regions of Ghana. It is as a result of these findings that, recommendations such as laws on the sale and acquisition of antibiotics, adequate sensitization to broaden the minds of the farmers, training more veterinary staff etc need to be taken into serious consideration to curb the level at which antibiotics are used.

Source: UEW
Antioxidant and insecticidal potency of essential oil extract from lantana camara growing in Central Region of Ghana

Since ancient times, essential oils have been employed in cuisine as spices or herbs as well as in fragrance, cosmetics, and medicine. Although their primary usage in the nineteenth century was as additives for scent and flavor, their original application was in medicine. In this study, essential oil was extracted from fresh leaves of Lantana camara using hydro-distillation procedure. The yield of the oil obtained was 12.68g which represented a 2.54% yield. Gas Chromatography -Mass Spectrometry Analysis of the oil revealed that the essential oil from Lantana camara contains total of 76 compounds representing 99.40% of the oil with (E)- Caryophyllene as the predominant compound in the oil extract constituting 20.60%. The total flavonoid Content as well as the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of the essential oil extract from Lantana camara was determined. The essential oil extract was also examined using UV-Vis spectrophotometer according to the phosphomolybdenum assay. The free radical scavenging activity of the essential oil extract was also determined using the DPPH assay. A comparison of the total phenolic content (TPC) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the oil extract indicated a slight difference in activity of the TAC from the TPC, meaning there were more phenolic contents present in the oil extract, with a lower antioxidant capacity. Its (Lantana camara) widespread usage as a medicinal plant with the curative effect against a variety of diseases and conditions is supported by the presence of antioxidants in the essential oil.

Source: UEW
Appearance management and clothing a case study of female young adults in Gbewaa College of Education, Bawku Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Ghana

Clothing generally is of great interest to mankind and it is influenced by the culture of people. The study therefore attempts to assess the changing trends and significance of culture regarding dresses, appearance management and personality. To give a firm indication and implication for immediate action to be taken. The researcher used a descriptive survey for the study and the instruments used to collect the data were questionnaire, interview and observation. The population of the study was centered mainly on female young students and female tutors in GBE - Pusiga and BPNMC - Bawku. Purposive sampling and Basic Random Sampling were used to conduct this research. The sample size was three hundred and ten (310). This was made up of two hundred and ninety two female young students from both institution and eighteen female tutors from both institutions. The Researcher analysed the data using a descriptive statistics (Tables, Charts, Mean and Standard Deviation). Among others, the study revealed that most female young students in both colleges do not have an in-depth knowledge of appearance management and clothing, therefore dress inappropriately. Another, findings revealed that some female young students do not know that clothes can improve their appearance but rather think of only diet, exercise, drugs and surgery that can improve their appearance. To address these issues of ignorance, the researcher recommended that, appearance management should be taught at all levels of education to further improve upon the outlook or appearance of female students. It is recommended that producers of fashion goods use relevance figure types for a particular style and the marketing strategies should be based on individual figure types of female young adults of both institutions. It is hoped that study will inform all female young adults about their appearance and how to manage them with clothes.

Source: UEW
Application of a novel technique for band sawing using a tip-inserted saw regarding surface profiles

One way of achieving a successful forest management leading to biodiversity conservation is to ensure that wood is processed in an efficient manner. The authors succeeded in developing a new technology for bandsawing using a tip-inserted saw. The material used for the tipped edge was High Speed Steel (HSS) of designation SHK 51 according to the Japan Industrial Standard (JIS). The efficiency of the tip-inserted saw was investigated considering its effectiveness in controlling tooth marks and washboarding patterns that sometimes occur during bandsawing. The surface profile of the workpiece generated after sawing with 700 mm and 1100 mm diameter bandmills of the laboratory and industrial type respectively were determined using a CCD laser displacement sensor of scanning length 250 mm and scanning speed of 3 mm/sec at a sampling rate of 50 Hz. Under a setup wheel rotation speed of 200 rpm and feed speed of 1 m/min, washboardings were induced during sawing with the tip-inserted saw of uniform pitch. Thereafter, a tip-inserted saw of random pitch was constructed without removing the saw from the pulley and cutting tests were performed under the same cutting conditions when washboardings were induced during sawing with the uniform pitch tipped-inserted saw. It was observed that the washboarding pattern disappeared completely. Thus the tip-inserted saw of random pitch was very effective in controlling the washboarding pattern. Comparisons of the surface profiles of the workpiece generated by sawing with uniform pitch tip-inserted and stellite-tipped saws under both laboratory and industrial conditions indicate that regardless of the type of bandmill used, the surface profile measured with the laser displacement sensor was smoother for tip-inserted saws than stellite-tipped saws. � Springer-Verlag 2005.

Source: UEW
Application of an index-based scheme to fish pond culture in Ghana

The problem of stocking fish types to fish pond in the Ghanaian setting is highlighted and addressed using a simple but powerful algorithm. A case study of matching fish types of specific quality requirement to a given pond quality at a given location in Ghana is illustrated. The proposed model is used as a management tool to identify criteria which do not satisfy the desired pond standards, and also to assist policy makers in making informed decisions for implementation, monitoring and evaluation. These would ultimately reduce risk, uncertainty and hazard associated with fish pond culture. Keywords: Fish pond culture, Utility function, Inclusion matrix, Index Scheme.

Source: UEW
Application of an index-based scheme to fish pond culture in Ghana

The problem of stocking fish types to fish pond in the Ghanaian setting is highlighted and addressed using a simple but powerful algorithm. A case study of matching fish types of specific quality requirement to a given pond quality at a given location in Ghana is illustrated. The proposed model is used as a management tool to identify criteria which do not satisfy the desired pond standards, and also to assist policy makers in making informed decisions for implementation, monitoring and evaluation. These would ultimately reduce risk, uncertainty and hazard associated with fish pond culture.

Source: UEW
The application of entrepreneurial skills in the fashion industry: A case of Tanoso in the Kwadaso Municipality

According to Kurz (2010) Entrepreneurship in the fashion industry is a significant issue since the fashion business landscape consists of many small players that compete on the fashion market. He further stressed that the many fashion entrepreneurs who start up their own businesses are confronted with personal and business challenges. These businesses need a structured venture and strong business foundations including entrepreneurial skills to help them survive in difficult times like the COVID 19. Also, it has been established that many start-ups always face challenges during the first few years of a new entrepreneurial venture (Cytak et al, 2016). The purpose of the study explored how entrepreneurial skills could be applied in the fashion industry at the Tanoso in the Kwadaso Municipality. The objective of the study looked into the nature of activities in the fashion industry, the entrepreneurial skills used by the professionals in the fashion industry, the challenges faced by professionals in the fashion industry and the importance of entrepreneurial skills in the fashion industry. The study used the quantitative research design with a sample size of fifty (50). The study adopted convenience and purposive sampling procedures to select the 50 respondents. The research instruments used were questionnaires and interviews guides. The study revealed that entrepreneurial skills can positively enhance Business Growth. It was discovered that business incubators for creative entrepreneurs, the partnership of a fashion designer and business partner could help support the growth of the fashion firms. Finally, the research called for Government support, Banks and Donor agencies to financially support entrepreneurs and further sponsor a comprehensive training programme for successful fashion businesses to enable them gain the required entrepreneurial skills for greater job creation, social stability and economic welfare in Ghana.

Source: UEW
Application of Information Technology in school administration in Public Senior High Technical schools in Upper West Region, Ghana

The study seeks to examine the application of Information Technology in the administration of public senior high/technical schools in Upper West Region. The objectives of the study sought to examine how school administrators apply information technology in human resource administration, physical resource administration, financial resource administration and also to examine the challenges facing school administrators in the application of information technology in school administration in public senior high/technical schools in Upper West Region. A survey research design was used to conduct the study. The targeted population consist of administrators of public senior high/technical schools in Upper West (36 schools). The sample size was twenty schools (n=20) with each school having 6 participants. This brings the total sample size to one hundred and twenty (n=120). A simple random sampling procedure were adopted. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. From the analysis, the following conclusions were made: Most public senior high/technical schools have adopted the use of information technology as a good tool in their day-to-day operations, in the area of human resource administration, IT is applied in monitoring staff attendance, keeping of personal records of both staff and students, e-learning, training of teachers in basic application as students’ reports, enrolling students during admission. It is also used in financial administration of schools and many others. These were however not without challenges. These challenges have hindered the effective application of IT in school administration. They include lack of IT personnel, inadequate funds, lack of/inadequate computers and lack of backup power supply.

Source: UEW
Application of portable near infrared spectroscopy for classifying and quantifying cocoa bean quality parameters

Fermentation duration (FmD), fermentation index (FI), pH, and moisture content (Mc) are vital quality attributes of cocoa beans. In this study, portable near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and multivariate analyses were used for rapid determination of FmD, FI, pH, and Mc of cocoa beans. The samples were scanned in 900- to 1,700-nm wavelength, and the spectral data were pretreated independently with first derivatives (FD) and second derivatives (SD), multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), mean centering (MC), and standard normal variate (SNV), while linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), and partial least squares regression (PLS-R) were used to build the prediction models for FmD, FI, pH, and Mc. MSC plus SVM gave an accurate classification of 100%. For predicting FI, pH, and Mc, the PLS-R model gave coefficient of correlation of 0.87, 0.82, and 0.89, respectively. The results showed that portable NIRS could be employed for cocoa bean examination. Novelty impact statement: Fermentation is the single most essential postharvest operation that influences cocoa beans quality parameters including moisture content, fermentation index (FI) and pH. Unlike stationary laboratory based wet chemistry technique or table top NIR spectroscopy, this study revealed that the relatively inexpensive portable NIR spectroscopy could provide very fast (within 30�s) results in the routine onsite evaluation of cocoa beans moisture content, fermentation index and pH on farmers field in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, the study outcome highlights the potential application of portable NIR spectroscopy based on machine learning for efficient classification of fermentation duration and quantification of moisture content & pH of cocoa beans in real-time usage. � 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Source: UEW
Apprenticeship training methods effect on quality in garment construction (a case study in Kumasi metropolis)

Apprenticeship as a mode of training skilled labour has and continues to produce skilled labour in various fields of work to feed Ghanaian industries. The apparel industry in Ghana is one such industry which has most of its skilled labour trained by apprenticeship. In apprenticeship, master craftsmen train a new generation of skilled practitioners in their fields of expertise on the job. It is sad however to note that the quality levels of garments produced by such skilled persons do not compare favorably with international ones. The main objective of the study was therefore to examine the apprenticeship training programme in Ghana and its impact on the quality of construction in garments manufactured by apprentices and those trained by this method in Kumasi. This study used quantitative research approach thereby employing descriptive survey design, which also used questionnaires and interviews as the research tools. The snowball sampling technique was used to obtain the needed sample. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and the results tabulated for easy understanding. The study revealed that apprenticeship training needed improvement in instructional detail and recommends a syllabus structured and made available to both master craftsmen and apprentices. Aspects of quality construction in garments must also be taught to and instilled in trainees. It was also discovered that no uniform standards exist for the construction of quality garments for garment producers in Ghana and therefore the research recommends the provision of a garment standards and specifications document for them to adhere to.

Source: UEW
An approach to enhance welfare in upper east region of Ghana through rural electrification

The study was on an approach to enhance welfare in Upper East Area of Ghana through Rural Electrification projects. The study used both the qualitative and quantitative designs. The research instruments used were questionnaires, and focus group discussion. The population for the study was 317 respondents of which 161 were residents from rural communities with electricity and 156 were residents from rural communities without electricity. Quantitative data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for social sciences (SPSS), version 18 and Microsoft Excel. The study results indicates that, the absence of electricity has limited the rural people from engaging in income generating activities especially those that use electricity to become economically empowered. Moreover, majority of the respondents were interested in engaging in some form of business after the introduction of electricity in their communities. The specific way in which the lack of electricity affects the economic activities of the people included high expenditure on fuel, restriction in the number of hours of work, as well as restriction on the kind of businesses to venture into. Furthermore, rural electrification had an impact on economic activities of micro-businesses in the study area. The most significant changes which rural electrification had brought for micro-enterprise is that, the number of micro-business has grown as result of rural electrification, and that access to electricity has increased the use of modern equipment and tools by micro-business. The study recommended that the Government of Ghana and other energy stakeholders such as VRA/NEDCO and ECG should extend the rural electrification projects to other remote areas to improve their economic, education, health and social livelihoods. Moreover, the provision of other complementary development programmes such as markets and access to credit will be critical to the economic growth of businesses in the communities.

Source: UEW
Approaches teachers use in teaching daily living skills to pupils with visual impairment at Akropong School for the blind in the eastern region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to find out the approaches teachers use to teach daily living skills to pupils with visual impairments at Akropong School for the Blind. The study was mainly qualitative and adopted a case study design. The study used purposive sampling technique and semi-structured interview guide wasused to gather data from 10 participants. The findings revealed that hand-over-hand technique; hand-under-hand method, and peer tutoring were approaches teachers used to teach daily living skills to the pupils. Teachers mainly concentrated on three areas of daily living skills which included personal care skills, housekeeping skills and home management skills. Additionally, teachers made use of tactile learning materials, visual learning materials and few auditory learning materials as ways of adapting the daily living skills for the pupils. The results of the study revealed challenges teachers face during the teaching and learning of daily living skills which included, inadequate provision of teaching and learning materials, and lack of fine motor skills and poor teacher-pupil ratio .Views of the pupils with visual impairment were also sampled. The researcher further recommended that, the school must include the areas of the daily living skills in the school curriculum; teachers should make use of other approaches such as one-on-one teaching, teacher-directed approach and group learning. Again, teachers should make intensive adaptations to the environments and teaching and learning materials. Finally, adaptation must be made to the environment and the materials available. Also, the school administration should provide intensive training opportunities to teachers in the area of daily living skills in other to reduce the challenges.

Source: UEW
Are Developing Countries Using Climate Funds for Poverty Alleviation? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

This study seeks to analyse whether countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are using climate finance for poverty alleviation. It investigates SSA�s readiness to apply climate finance to achieve poverty alleviation goals. Data for 44 SSA countries over the period 2006�2017 were employed and analysed, using System Generalized Method of Moment. Two poverty alleviation variables are employed; GDP per capita and social inequality. Readiness was segregated into social, economic and governance readiness. The findings show that climate finance helps poverty alleviation. However, climate finance indicated a worsening effect on social inequality when countries strengthen regulatory quality and control of corruption. The study finds evidence to support that economic readiness is relatively important in eradicating poverty compared with social and governance readiness. It is recommended that climate funds should be disbursed through channels (social and governance readiness), which would yield more poverty-reduction effects, under greater supervision. � 2022, European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI).

Source: UEW