ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessment of operation and maintenance of water point systems North Tongu (Adidome) District Volta Region, Ghana

The assessment of operation and maintenance of Water Point Systems (boreholes) was carried out in the North Tongu (Adidome) district of the Volta Region of Ghana. The problem of poor operation and maintenance of community water facilities is of great concern to Governments, External Support Agencies as well as local communities. The North Tongu (Adidome) district is of no exception. Questionnaires were prepared and administered to key stakeholders. The analysis of the existing problem of operation and maintenance was done using the SWOT Matrix and the Logical Framework Analyses as complementary approaches. The study covered 100 boreholes in 35 communities randomly selected in the district. The research found out that: - The average reliability of the Water Point Systems was at least 95%. - 60% of the hand pumps were performing well, 28% partially performing and 12% not performing. - The members of the District Water and Sanitation Team (DWST) are not permanent employees of the District Assembly. - Four cost recovery mechanisms were in operation: Pay-as-you-fetch, Monthly household contributions, Monthly contributions from persons above 18 years and Contributions when pump breakdown. - Average cost recovery for operation and maintenance was 65.7%. The findings led to the conclusion that the general cost recovery for O & M is low, and the facilitation of O & M will be adversely affected if the DWST members are not permanent employees of the District Assembly. It is recommended that the District Assembly employ permanent staff to form the DWST, train and provide them with logistics to work. The DWST and POs should intensify education of the watsan committees and community members on the need to pay for water services in order to improve the general cost recovery for O & M.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of organizational citizenship behaviour among frontline staff in three hotels intThe Greater Accra Region

Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) is essential to the proper functioning and effectiveness of organizations. In this regard, a few studies have been focused on the hotel industry This based on an OCB model proposed by Wang et al (2008) for use as a strategic human resource management tool in the hospitality and tourism industry, seeks to asses OCB among frontline staff in three hotels in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Three elements of OCB- Job Satisfaction, Perceived Organizational Support and Service Encounter were used to determine the level OCB performed and how it impacts employees‟ job performance in the selected hotels. Literature was reviewed on OCB and questionnaires and interviews used to gather data from respondents The study found out that while all three hotels were aware of the important role of OCB to job performance and it indeed affected their assessment of a staff in one way or another. It was also found that given the level of positive response employees offered to the model, some hotels are more likely to record high incidents of OCB while others may record much less. It was recommended that management of hotels should apply themselves to understanding factors that motivate performance of OCB and implement them. Among the three elements examined, job satisfaction was particularly found to impact employee‟s OCB more and therefore attention should be paid to promotion of job satisfaction across all levels of the hotels.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of organochorine, organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides residues on cocoa beans produced in the Sefwi-Wiawso District of the Western Region of Ghana

To protect food and cash crops from pests and increase yield, pesticides are being used indiscriminately especially on cocoa farms in Ghana. This practice leaves high levels of pesticides residues in cocoa beans often above the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and thus reduces the value of cocoa beans. This study assessed some pesticide residue levels in cocoa beans from five selected cocoa farming communities in the Sefwi-Wiawso District of the Western Region, Ghana. The results showed that 66 percent of cocoa farmers use bifenthrin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid which are approved pesticides by the Ghana Cocoa Board. However, 34 percent of farmers use unapproved pesticides (diazinon, dithofencarb, fenvelerate, chlorpyrifos, actamiprid, fenitrothion, malathion and dimethoate). The organophosphates: ethoprophos, phorate, diazinon, fenophos, parathion, chlorfenvinphos and profenofos were not detected in cocoa bean samples from all the five communities. However methamidophos was detected in cocoa beans from all the communities except Nsawora although the level of methamidophos was below the EU MRL in all the four communities. Dimethoate was also detected in cocoa beans from Nsawora and Penakrom while pirimiphos-methyl was detected in Tanoso and Asawinso communities but the levels were below the EU MRLs. Malathion and fenithrothion were detected in Penakrom and Tanoso respectively but their levels were below the EU MRLs. Of the organochlorines only aldrin and chlorpyrifos were detected. Among the five communities, aldrin was detected in only the Nsawora community. Chlorpyrifos was however-, detected in Nsawora, Tanoso and Penakrom communities and the levels were below the EU MRLs. Some traces of banned pesticides (eg. aldrin) were detected in some cocoa bean samples but were below the EU MRLs.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Opportunities for Small Scale Irrigation in the Ahafo-Ano South District

The study assessed the opportunities for small-scale irrigation, in the Ahafo-Ano South District. The sustainability, method of water application, major crops grown, water resources and constraints to the development of small-scale irrigation in the District were also assessed. Irrigation development is one of the approaches to addressing problem of poverty which is given significant attention in the economic development programme in the Ahafo-Ano South District. Survey of 100 farmers randomly sampled from five (5) communities was carried out. The study areas are Mankranso, Adugyama, Potrikrom, Barniekrom and Dunyan Nkwanta. Semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were undertaken to assess the opportunities for small-scale irrigation. Parameters such as water application methods, water resources and availability, type of crops cultivated, sustainability of water resources, constraints and opportunities, types of fertilizer used, land management programme were considered in the assessment. Descriptive statistics was used to assess the impact of small-scale irrigation on farmer’s livelihood before and after he/she adopts irrigation. The criteria for selection of communities’ ability were small-scale irrigation, availability of secondary data and the crops cultivated. The analysis of results and personal observations revealed that farmers face many problems, thus resulting in smaller farm size, poor yields and low marketability of the produce during the season. The research had given specific objectives. These were to ascertain the sustainability of water availability and its application for small-scale irrigation farming and to determine availability and quality of water for small-scale irrigation farming. It was revealed that, the District is endowed with many water resources to sustain any agricultural venture but water management and protection are the main key problems hindering sustainability. The district has two major rivers Mankran and Dunyan. The second objective was to determine water resources, their availability and quality for small-scale irrigation farming. As indicated from secondary data analysis water in the area is of high quality and hence its usefulness. Farmers using traditional river diversions for rice production and diesel pumps for vegetable production had higher mean gross household income than farmers not using irrigation and also to determine the Opportunities and constraints for small-scale irrigation farming. The district has substantial water resource potential. What is constraining production is access to appropriate water management technologies infrastructure and institutional support services including finance, road, market, knowledge and capacity for technology development, pumps breakdowns and enabling the environment for effective private sector involvement.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of operatives’ adherence to health and safety regulations on building construction sites in Ghana. (A case study in Accra)

The second largest industry in Ghana to the manufacturing industry is construction and it employs a large workforce which most times becomes difficult for the employers to achieve their goals and objectives due to problems of safety of operatives. The construction industry provides the homes we live in, the buildings we work in and the transport infrastructure we rely upon. However, for many operatives and their families and friends, involvement in the construction industry leads to the unimaginable pain and suffering associated with an accidental death or serious injury as a result of not being protected properly. This study aims explores the extent of operatives adherence to health and safety regulations with its objectives being to identify measures in place to enhance adherence as well as health and safety regulations adhered to by operatives. The general methodology of this study relied largely on the survey using questionnaires which were administered to operatives within the construction industry. A thorough literature review was initially conducted by using references from journals, text books, handouts, leaflets, and also browsing of construction websites to be abreast with what other authors think about this study. In total, fifty questionnaires were distributed: forty were collected for the analysis which helped in the Data analyses. The study revealed that several control and preventive measured were being put in place to enhance the adherence by operatives and it is in conformity to the laws provided by the lab our Act 2003(Act 651),Workmen Compensation Act,1987 PNDCL 187 and the Factories ,office and shops 1970. The study therefore recommends several or numerous measures or policies that can be put in place to enhance the adherence by operatives on the construction sites Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Organophosphate Pesticide Residues on Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) at the Farm Gate in the Atwima Nwabiagya District, Ghana

The use of pesticides to control insect pest has gradually increased over the past decade. In Ghana, the increase and inappropriate use of pesticides in vegetable production has led to accumulation of pesticide residue on vegetables. This study sought to find out the types of organophosphate pesticides farmers use and their knowledge about its use, determine the level of organophosphate pesticide residues on cabbage and the level of pesticide residues in the various leafy layers which forms the cabbage head in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Most farmers (82%) do not use a mixture of pesticides as the practice leads to chemicals harmful to the health of farmers. Majority of the respondents (46 %) do apply pesticides 1-5 times before harvesting. For the same period of the cabbage life cycle, spraying intervals also vary. Most farmers (66 %) apply pesticide within 7-14 days after the previous application. All the respondents use knapsack sprayer in controlling insect pest. The organophosphates pesticides that farmers use include Sunpyrifos, Pyrinex 48EC, Dursban 4E, Perferthion, Frankophos and Termex. Using gas chromatography technique, 11 organophosphates pesticide residues (ethoprophos, phorate, dimethoate, fonofos, pirimiphos-methyl, fenitrothion, malathion, chlorpyrifos, parathion, chlorfenvinphos and profenofos) were detected in the cabbage samples. The highest pesticide residue concentrations detected (0.02 mg/kg) was recorded for profenofos and chlorpyrifos. However, none of the pesticide residues detected was above the recommended Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for cabbage. Fourteen (14) organophosphate pesticide residues were detected in all the various leafy layers of the cabbage samples. Only chlorpyrifos (0.01 mg/kg) was in the third layer which is far below the permissible level. The lower concerntrations and low degree of variability of pesticide residues found in cabbage this study suggests that farmers are adhering to appropriate use of pesticides as recommended by Agric Extension Agents (AEAs), colleague farmers, agro-input dealers and development workers. This shows that cabbage from the study area relatively wholesome for human consumption.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of personal hygiene and food safety practices of food handlers among selected senior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana.

Access to quality maternal health care services before, during and after childbirth remains critical in the efforts by world leaders towards reducing maternal mortality. Whilst an estimated 90 percent of all births in most developed countries benefit from the services of trained healthcare professionals, less than half of births in developing countries (which accounts for 99 percent of the world‟s maternal deaths), benefit from trained maternal care service providers. Ghana, a middle-lower income country among other efforts targeted at reducing maternal mortality, implemented the free maternal health care policy initiative in July 2008 eliminating the barrier of financial access to quality maternal health care services. Twenty years on after the successful implementation of this policy initiative, this study seeks to examine the impact of the free maternal health care policy on maternal mortality in St. Francis Xavier Hospital in the Assin Foso Municipality. The study was a descriptive study which made use of secondary quantitative data collected from the biostatistics unit and maternal records from the maternity unit from 1997 – 2018. The free maternal care policy among other interventions, contributed to a reduction in maternal mortality ratio (pre and post policy MMR mean = 1332.68 /100000LB and 311/ 100000LB respectively). ANC coverage and distribution of midwives and registered nurses had a statistically significant impact on maternal mortality ratio (p = 0.001, 0.036 and 0.048). PNC coverage and institutional deliveries however had a statistically insignificant impact on maternal mortality ratio (p = 0.883, 0.872). The free maternal care policy over the years, has played a role in the decline of Ghana‟s national maternal mortality ratio and should be maintained and strengthened with the equipping of health facilities with trained health staff and logistics.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of personal hygiene and food safety practices of food handlers among selected senior high schools in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Background: Cautious or accidental contamination of food in the process of large scale food preparation compromises the health of consumers and have enormous effects on a country. In ensuring food safety, food handlers therefore play crucial role. Methods: Data were collected from 15 Senior High Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis involving 226 food handlers. Of the 226 respondents, 141 dining staff and 85 food vendors were recruited using simple random and convenience sampling techniques respectively. Methods of data analyses included both descriptive statistics and inferential analytical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and chi-square test. Results: Results from the study showed a satisfactory number (≥80%) of food handlers having knowledge on most of personal hygiene and food safety principles. More than 90% of food handlers as well regularly engage in healthy personal hygiene and food safety practices. These healthy practices include washing of hands before and after cooking, use of an apron when cooking and protection of cooked food from insects. Also, 96.9% and 94.2% of food handlers confirmed inspection of food safety practices by Sanitary Inspectors and Food and Drugs boards respectively, however, the inspection is done occasionally. In addition, there was statistically significant association between the educational levels and reading of inscription on packed foods to know how to use or store them (0.000), eggs washed before cooking or frying (0.029), use of an apron when preparing food (0.028) as well as dishes washed with detergent and soap (0.039). Conclusions: In conclusion, institutional bodies safeguarding food safety standards need to empower food handlers through update courses, domestic training, uninterrupted food safety education, workshops, and seminars on food safety

Source: KNUST
An assessment of payment delays in public construction projects and its effect on project pre-financing in Ghana – case study, educational buildings

Public building construction projects in Ghana construction industry are experiencing a wide spread of payment delays. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors causing delays and their effects on building construction projects in Ghana. Almost all the effects of delayed payments attributes were identified through detailed literature review. Structured interviews and questionnaire survey were conducted across stakeholders that included, among others, consultants, contractors and financiers to gather their views on the major source of funds for project pre-financing in Ghana; the major causes on delayed payments; how delayed payments affect contractors; how contractors deal with delayed payments and how delayed payment is affecting project pre-financing arrangements in the construction industry. The problem of the contractors and sub-contractors have is cash flow and mainly due to delayed payment which can severely affect the implementation and performance of any project. The objectives of this study are to identify the sources of funds for project pre-financing arrangements in the construction firms and the causes of delayed payment issues in construction projects in Ghana. Consultants, Financiers and D3K3-D4K4 construction firms were the target of the research and also a population of Medium to small categorisation of construction firms were considered within the study area of Accra. A targeted sample size of fifteen (15) participants: five (5) from the construction firms in building as well as additional five (5) from consultants and (5) project financiers. In conclusion it was noted that the recipient of the repercussions of payment delays and its associated cost is the society who are the end-users of the projects. However, this research did not capture their views on the subject matter. It would be interesting for future researchers to find out their perceptions with regard to the subject matter. The findings from this study would be valuable for all construction professionals.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of pesticides residue levels in Cocoa Beans from the Sefwi Wiawso District of the Western Region of Ghana

Cocoa is the most important agricultural export crop in Ghana, and the country has an enviable reputation of producing high quality cocoa. The nymphs, adults of mirid species and the stink bugs are important insect pests of cocoa. The main method of their control is by the application of conventional insecticides. Consumer awareness on food safety and environmental concerns raise major issues on chemical pest control in cocoa. The research study aimed to determine the residue levels of pesticides and its effect on cocoa beans quality in the Sefwi Wiawso District. A multi-stage sampling procedure which included purposive and simple random sampling techniques was employed. The findings of the research study included the following: Insect pests and diseases particularly capsids, mirids and black pod disease were mentioned by the respondents as a major production constraint. Majority (98.8 %) of the farmers used chemicals to control pests on their cocoa farms and was knowledgeable about the dos and don’ts with pesticide usage. About 10.0 % of them reported to have been combining different pesticides and higher doses of approved pesticides for spraying with the aim to boost efficacy. The pesticide residue analysis revealed that permethrin, a synthetic pyrethriod, which is unapproved to be used on cocoa, had a concentration of 0.07 mg/kg which exceeded Japan MRL of 0.05 mg/kg in bulked sample from all the selected communities in the district. No pesticides residue was detected in the roasted cocoa samples. A chi square test value at 5 % showed that there was a significant (p=.011) relationship between the farmers’ pesticide usage patterns and the pesticide residue levels in cocoa bean samples from the Sefwi Wiawso cocoa district. The need for increased efficiency of the CODAPEC programme, education and train ing, and more governmental support in terms of incentives are recommended

Source: KNUST
Assessment of pesticides residue levels in cocoa beans from the Sefwi Wiawso Dstrict of the Western Region of Ghana

Cocoa is the most important agricultural export crop in Ghana, and the country has an enviable reputation of producing high quality cocoa. The nymphs, adults of mirid species and the stink bugs are important insect pests of cocoa. The main method of their control is by the application of conventional insecticides. Consumer awareness on food safety and environmental concerns raise major issues on chemical pest control in cocoa. The research study aimed to determine the residue levels of pesticides and its effect on cocoa beans quality in the Sefwi Wiawso District. A multi-stage sampling procedure which included purposive and simple random sampling techniques was employed. The findings of the research study included the following: Insect pests and diseases particularly capsids, mirids and black pod disease were mentioned by the respondents as a major production constraint. Majority (98.8 %) of the farmers used chemicals to control pests on their cocoa farms and was knowledgeable about the dos and don’ts with pesticide usage. About 10.0 % of them reported to have been combining different pesticides and higher doses of approved pesticides for spraying with the aim to boost efficacy. The pesticide residue analysis revealed that permethrin, a synthetic pyrethriod, which is unapproved to be used on cocoa, had a concentration of 0.07 mg/kg which exceeded Japan MRL of 0.05 mg/kg in bulked sample from all the selected communities in the district. No pesticides residue was detected in the roasted cocoa samples. A chi square test value at 5 % showed that there was a significant (p=.011) relationship between the farmers’ pesticide usage patterns and the pesticide residue levels in cocoa bean samples from the Sefwi Wiawso cocoa district. The need for increased efficiency of the CODAPEC programme, education and train ing, and more governmental support in terms of incentives are recommended.

Source: KNUST