ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Mapping Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease Distribution in Western Region, Ghana

Although the cocoa industry is the major backbone of Ghana’s economy, the industry is beset with a lot of problems with the cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV) disease being the major one. Available literature suggests that the mealy bug is the main vector which causes the CSSV disease. In addition, environmental factors including; temperature, precipitation, proximity to forest, elevation and aspect also influence the distribution trend of CSSV in the cocoa growing areas. Despite the conscious efforts made to eliminate or reduce CSSV disease, the eradication process of the mealy bug seems to be slow and ineffective. Little has been done on the study of the spatial distribution of CSSV disease with the aim of eradicating or containing the disease in the field. This has led to the fast spread of the CSSV disease from the earliest cocoa fields to new unaffected areas of production with the Western region being a typical example. Moreover where an outbreak may occur next is also not known. This study was therefore undertaken to model the distribution of CSSV disease, to determine the environmental variables and their relationship to the prevalence of CSSV disease, and to model probable sites for reintroduction of CSSV disease for effective management. The spatial distribution of CSSV was identify by the creation of distribution map, through literature research six environmental variables with influence of the prevalence of CSSV were identified. Statistical analysis was performed to select suitable environmental variables with significant influence on CSSV disease, overlay of presence points with environmental layers was executed to determine locations with influence of CSSV disease, and the probable sites for reintroduction of CSSV disease was model using MaXent to determine sites with greatest risk of CSSV infection. The result indicated that, mapping CSSV disease distribution with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to determine the actual distribution of the CSSV disease is more efficient and reliable than the visual inspection of cocoa trees for manifestation of stem swelling and leaf symptoms of eradicating the disease. An overlay of CSSV presence points with environmental layers to establish the relationship between environmental variables and CSSV occurrence offered the opportunity to determine locations with influence of CSSV. Furthermore modelling the potential risk sites for reintroduction of CSSV with MaXent provide insight into areas of possible disease outbreaks.

Source: KNUST
Mapping lateral extent of Suevites at Northern Part of Lake Bosumtwi using resistivity and seismic refraction methods

Electrical resistivity imaging and seismic refraction method have been used to map the lateral extent of suevites in northern lake of Bosumtwi. Seven electrical resistivity tomography and two seismic refraction pro les were surveyed. The lengths of the pro les varied between 160 and 600 m. The multi electrode system was combined with roll along techniques for resistivity data collection using gradient array. Roll along was also executed for the seismic refraction survey where two geophones were overlapped to extend the survey length. The data was acquired in 2D where 4 m as electrodes separation was also equal to geophones spacing, while shooting interval was 8 m. Depth of investigation for resistivity and seismic refraction surveys are 25 m and 26 m respectively. Data was processed with Res2dinv and Re exW for the resistivity and seismic refraction respectively. Electrical resistivity and seismic refraction tomography identi ed fractured zones as well as suevite deposits which were observed within 12 m depth. Resistivity of northern Bosumtwi suevites varies between 1.56 and 25 m, and the P wave velocity ranges from 3000 to 3900 m/s. The results also showed that the subsurface is made up of either two or three layers: unconsolidated top soil and moist clay, soil with moisture content or clayey soil and fractured claystone. The seismic refraction tomography and the electrical resistivity tomography agree well in revealing subsurface geological units based on their velocity and resistivity values

Source: KNUST
Mapping irrigation potential in the Upper East Region of Ghana

The Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy of 2003 mentions the Upper East Region together with the other two regions in Northern Ghana (Upper West and Northern Region) as locus of perennial food deficit. Despite, the provision of over 200 small scale dams and various mechanisms calculated toward poverty alleviation, the region is still plagued with poverty and yearly food shortages. To achieve food security and alleviate poverty in the region however, modernization of agriculture through irrigation is deemed inevitable. While it is true that considerable potential still exists for future expansion of irrigation, it is also true that water is becoming scarcer in the regions where the need for irrigation is most important, hence mapping the irrigation potential of the region will be the first step toward ensuring sound planning and sustainability of the irrigation developments. In this study, an attempt has been made to map out the irrigation potential of the Upper East Region. The river basin approach was used in assessing the irrigation potential. The catchments drained by The White Volta River, Red Volta River, Sissili River and Kulpawn River were considered in the assessment. The irrigation potential for the sub basins were computed by combining information on gross irrigation water requirements, area of soil suitable for irrigation and available water resources. The capacity of 80%, 70%, 60% and 50% time of exceedance flow of the available surface water resources in the respective sub basins were estimated. The area that can be irrigated with this flow was computed with selected cropping pattern. Combining the land suitability map and the land use map of the respective subcatchments, an, irrigation potential map has been generated showing potential sites in the upper east region that can be brought under surface irrigation in the respective subcatchments. The total area that can be irrigated using the flow at 80% and 50% dependability are over 1000 ha and 20000 ha respectively. The results of this study provide a base for the formulation of strategies for irrigation development and also give a bench mark for monitoring progress within the irrigation sector. Keywords: Irrigation potential, irrigation water requirement, land evaluation, dependable flow

Source: KNUST
Mapping the global distribution of Buruli ulcer: a systematic review with evidence consensus

Background Buruli ulcer can cause disfigurement and long-term loss of function. It is underdiagnosed and underreported, and its current distribution is unclear. We aimed to synthesise and evaluate data on Buruli ulcer prevalence and distribution. Methods We did a systematic review of Buruli ulcer prevalence and used an evidence consensus framework to describe and evaluate evidence for Buruli ulcer distribution worldwide. We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception to Aug 6, 2018, for records of Buruli ulcer and Mycobacterium ulcerans detection, with no limits on study type, publication date, participant population, or location. English, French, and Spanish language publications were included. We included population-based surveys presenting Buruli ulcer prevalence estimates, or data that allowed prevalence to be estimated, in the systematic review. We extracted geographical data on the occurrence of Buruli ulcer cases and M ulcerans detection from studies of any type for the evidence consensus framework; articles that did not report original data were excluded. For the main analysis, we extracted prevalence estimates from included surveys and calculated 95% CIs using Byar’s method. We included occurrence records, reports to WHO and the Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network, and surveillance data from Buruli ulcer control programmes in the evidence consensus framework to grade the strength of evidence for Buruli ulcer endemicity. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018116260. Findings 2763 titles met the search criteria. We extracted prevalence estimates from ten studies and occurrence data from 208 studies and five unpublished surveillance datasets. Prevalence estimates within study areas ranged from 3·2 (95% CI 3·1–3·3) cases per 10 000 population in Côte d’Ivoire to 26·9 (23·5–30·7) cases per 10 000 population in Benin. There was evidence of Buruli ulcer in 32 countries and consensus on presence in 12. Interpretation The global distribution of Buruli ulcer is uncertain and potentially wider than currently recognised. Our findings represent the strongest available evidence on Buruli ulcer distribution so far and have many potential applications, from directing surveillance activities to informing burden estimates. Funding AIM Initiative.

Source: KNUST
“Market Organisation and Consumers’ Perception of Locally Produced Rice in the Ashanti Region of Ghana”

Poor perception or attitude of consumers concerning local rice has adversely affected its production and consumption. It is general knowledge that there is a preference for imported rice and so local rice has a competitive disadvantage against imported rice. The question is, what factors account for the poor perception or attitude towards locally produced rice? This study was conducted to find out how the marketing of local rice was organised and coordinated in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study investigated the socio-economic profile of the market participants, the structure, conduct and performance of the local rice market, the perception or attitudes of consumers towards local rice. Information and data were collected from rice farmers, millers, paddy traders, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential methods. The descriptive method included the use of frequencies and percentages in analysing some of the trends or characteristics of the data. Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance (W) was used in the inferential analysis. The W was used to analyse the attributes of rice on which preferences were based by consumers. These attributes included colour, presence of stones or foreign material, taste, aroma or fragrance and cooking quality. Results indicated that at each level of the marketing chain, there were large numbers of sellers and buyers. None of the market agents controlled a sufficiently large share of the marketed volume, which they could use to influence prices to their advantage. Apart from their traditional roles, millers also provided other services such as loans and credit for farmers, and provision of storage facilities. Paddy traders also provided loans to farmers. Consumer ratings of local rice attributes that influence their choice depended on colour, aroma, stickiness, tastes, absence/presence of foreign materials, expansion and percentage of broken rice. Constraints identified were non-uniform weights and measures, inadequate information, difficulty in accessing transportation in the remote areas and difficulty in accessing loans. To help improve the system, it was recommended that the milling machines be provided with de-stoners to improve the quality of local rice. Provision of adequate market information and improved road network in the remote areas were also recommended.

Source: KNUST
Market Orientation and Firm Performance:The Case of Manufacturing Firms in Ghana

The study investigated the relationship between market orientation and Firm performance among manufacturing firms in Ghana. The research forms part of the effort to improve upon the performance of Ghanaian manufacturing firms in the midst of stiff competition faced in the global business environment. To achieve the research objectives, the study employed a semi structured questionnaire containing market orientation and performance related questions. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered to manufacturing firms in the Accra Metropolis out of which 72 valid responses were obtained for the study. The findings from the study revealed that customer Orientation has a positive influence on Firm performance in the manufacturing sector in Ghana. The results lend credence to literature that a business that increase its customer orientation will improve its market performance. Secondly, Interfunctional Coordination was found to have a direct relationship with Firm Performance. Thus, business organizations that ensure effective coordination of its marketing activities are more likely to achieve higher profit levels. It is recommended that manufacturing firms in Ghana should endeavour to achieve high levels of customer orientation by sufficiently understanding the needs of their buyers and creating superior values for them continuously. Besides, manufacturing firms should pay more attention to the issue of interfunctional Coordination so as to achieve high level of efficiency in its operation towards the ultimate goal of profit maximization.

Source: KNUST
Market Orientation in Practice (Case Study of Promasidor Ghana Limited- Accra)

Market orientation is conceptualized as the speed by which a company gathers information customers and competitors, disseminates the information throughout the organization, arrives at a shared meaning, and implements a response. The increasing and intense nature of competition has necessitated the need for companies to be fully aligned to the needs of their customers and to appreciate and respond appropriately to what their competitors are doing. The market place has thus shifted from the practice of attracting customers to the era of retaining them by meeting their needs with custom made responses. Within this context, the study sought to carefully examine how Promasidor Ghana Limited has adopted and is practicing the basic tenets of market orientation. Questionnaires were designed and used to elicit information and responses from customers and staff of Promasidor Ghana Limited. Consideration was also given to the distribution structure of the company. In this regard, most of the customers and staff interviewed were selected from Accra and Kumasi which had about 75% of the total customers as well as the staff of the company. The findings from the study have shown that with the incorporations of some of the tenets of market orientation, Promasidor has been able to meet some of the needs of customers to a large extent. It was also noted that should management connect much more with their trade partners then the degree of market orientation could be much more enhanced. Interdepartmental engagements to drive down the concept of market orientation amogg the other supporting departments such as Finance and Logistics should also be encouraged through annual sports programs, newsletters, joint training programs, sharing of market intelligence reports equally among senior and departmental heads in the company. Such efforts appear to foster an understanding of a common objective of the company and align the managers in other departments in achieving such objectives. The strategic implication for the company is to ensure market orientation permeates the entire fabric of the company in order that it becomes the driving force of the business. Ill

Source: KNUST
Market Orientation of Public Institution: A Case Study of Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ashanti

The research focused on the market orientation of public institution. Market orientation is a business approach or philosophy that focuses on identifying and meeting the stated needs and wants of customers/farmers, through its own or acquired products/services. The main objective was to evaluate market orientation of public institutions in Ghana, using Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) as a case study. The specific objectives were to identify the market orientation strategies that can be adopted, to find out how these strategies will help improve the public institution performance in terms of services, meeting customers’ needs etc., and finally, to identify the problems militating against the attainment of effective marketing strategies in MOFA. The basic data collection tools used were questionnaire and semi-structured interview. A sample size of hundred (100) was taken and descriptive statistics was used to summarized the information. The main findings were, emphasis on market orientation of Ministry of Food and Agriculture has not been as strong as expected, and responsiveness in terms of customers’/farmers’ change in products/services needs is not encouraging. The research revealed that, there was enough evidence of gender balance among all categories, good number of young and energetic youth farmers gradually showing interest in agriculture and respondents have full knowledge, skills and competence on the subject matter. Major challenges identified was that, farmers do not contact MOFA for advice in their day to day activities, MOFA do not provide market for food crop products, inadequate training for to both farmers and MOFA staff, poor storage facilities, road network, and high input prices. The study recommended that, MOFA should therefore, pay attention to complaints of customers, and secondly, should develop both internal and external good relationship with its employees and customers, and better understanding of their needs to increase productivity and attain customer satisfaction.

Source: KNUST
Market parking system using wireless sensor networks

To meet the explosive need of tra c optimization in and around market areas, the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) was adopted to curb this challenge. The WSNs consisting of sensor nodes and networks as we know o ers powerful services such as sensing, computing and communicating. Until now, there had been several approaches of vehicle detection, but this work proposes an approach of the Market Parking System (MPS) using WSNs. The system detects vehicle as it approaches the lot, di erentiates what vehicle class category it falls under. it also monitors the state of the parking space by already deployed sensor nodes buried in each of the parking space. After accurate detection of the vehicle the Low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) routing protocol of the WSNs is used to route the information as regard the parking lot to the base station, and the availability of parking spaces would be known by the administrator. All results, methods and techniques was simulated and veri ed using MATLAB.

Source: KNUST
Market Orientation Strategies of Intravenous Infusions Limited.

Marketing is not like Euclidean geometry, a fixed system of concepts and axioms. Rather, it is one of the most dynamic fields within the management arena. The market place continually throws out fresh challenges and companies must respond. New marketing ideas keep surfacing to meet new market place challenges in line with current marketing thinking. The growing emphasis on quality, value, customer satisfaction and retention as well as relationship building occasioned by the phenomenon of globalisation has affected businesses in Ghana, the pharmaceutical sector being no exception. Whiles efficiency has been injected into the system, at the same time, there are threats of extinction of many a local industry as a result of this phenomenon. It is this latter effect that is worrisome and has necessitated this study. The study discusses the market orientation strategies of Intravenous Infusions Limited. It is structured in five (5) parts. The introductory chapter gives an over-view of the pharmaceutical industry in Ghana with specific reference to its development and current mode of operation. The objectives, justification and scope of the study are captured in this part. A key component of the introduction is the problem statement cited above ie, the threat of extinction of local industry resulting from changes in the market place. Literature review on the concept of market orientation, its antecedents and consequences are discussed in chapter two. The chapter expounds the various connotations given by Marketing Practitioners and Academics on the concept of market orientation. The third chapter focuses on the methodology of the research. Primary and secondary data were used and relevant information was elicited by the use of interviews. The key findings of the study namely, the state of affairs of the company and its effect vis-a-vis changing market trends are discussed in the forth chapter. The study is concluded in chapter five by a recap of issues discussed and relevant recommendations proposed to remedy the problem stated above.

Source: KNUST
The market system in West Gonja District, Ghana, implications for local level development

The study area – West Gonja District – is located in the Northern region of Ghana. The district is one of the largest in physical size in Ghana. Settlement are, however few and scattered. The district is served by only two all weather roads. Feeder roads linking farmer and fishing villages are few and appear more like tracks. Accessibility is, therefore, a major development problem which has a bearing on the operation of the market system. This study aims at evaluating the market system in the district from the perspective of its operation, organization and spatial coverage with the ultimate objective of underlining the implications for local level development. Using data on the origin and destination of commodities, the local sphere of influence of market is delineated. The level of market activity is also assessed. This helps us to establish the type of market existing in the district and their organisation into a system. In line with this, issues arising from weak market linkages are detailed. The organization of the meeting schedules of market as a feather conditioning the operation of the market system is also examined. It is revealed that, market in West Gonja have a restricted local service area; are characteristised by low level of market activity and that the market system is more of a dendritic set up where producers away from the major market centre are at a considerable disadvantage. Finally, the potential of the market system as a guide for local level development are highlighted. Cognizance is also taken of the constraints inhibiting these potentials. The study concludes by recommending measures which would enhance inter – district market linkages, widen the service area of market and make exchange competitive.

Source: KNUST
Marketability and sustainability of food security programmes : products and productivity of agricultural projects

This paper addresses the marketability and sustainability of food security programmes in Limpopo Province. Food security features prominently because poverty and inequality remains a huge challenge in South Africa’s rural sector. Thus the Government has initiated the establishment of agricultural community projects as part of interventions for creating jobs and improving income levels. However, lack of monitoring mechanisms in established projects create a challenge of nonsustainability of these projects. The study has used formative evaluation approach to determine the effectiveness of the established food security programme. A mixed model approach was used to collect data from key informants and project members. Descriptive statistics were computed using SPSS. Most projects were on vegetable, poultry and piggery production. The study has found that 64.1% of the respondents reported that access to inputs was not a challenge. Project products are sold to community members who accounted to 79%, and few (1%) to individuals owning business, clinics and outside the community. Project members advertised their produce mainly verbally (47.2%). Marketing strategies for project products were lacking and this creates a negative impact on income generated and sustainability of projects. The paper concludes by suggesting that project members should be advised on appropriate marketing strategies.

Source: KNUST