ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Consumer perception of groundnut quality, aflatoxin awareness and willingness to pay for safe groundnuts in the Northern region, Ghana

The major purpose of this thesis is to measure the consumer perception of groundnut quality, their level of aflatoxin and willingness to pay for safe groundnuts in the Northern Region of Ghana. The major contribution of the report is to help protect groundnut consumers in the region from the menace of aflatoxins and promote consumption of safer groundnuts. The following objectives were embarked upon by the researcher: (1). To determine the consumer perception of good quality groundnuts (2).To determine the level of aflatoxin awareness among groundnut consumers and establish if it differs significantly among consumers at different levels of education. (3). To evaluate the relationship between the income level of households and their frequency of groundnut consumption. (4).To determine the percentage of consumers who will patronize groundnuts certified as safe for human consumptions at an extra cost of GH¢0.7 per ‘bowl’ or ‘olonka (2088g). (5)To determine the factors which will significantly influence willingness of consumers to pay for certified groundnuts. The perception of consumers of groundnuts with respect to the conditions of groundnuts which expose them to aflatoxin contamination is low and hence they will accept groundnuts of low quality for household consumption. When it was measured, the level of awareness of aflatoxins was found to be very low in the Northern Region of Ghana. This level of awareness did not vary significantly among the mean awareness level of the different categories of residents in terms of their educational statuses. The frequency of groundnut consumption by residents of Northern Region has an inverse relationship with the household income levels. Hence households with lower incomes tend to consume groundnuts more often than those with higher incomes. In determining the factors which would influence consumer willingness to pay for groundnuts certified as safe for human consumption, the significant variables include the household income levels and the educational status of respondents.

Source: UCC
Consumer preferences for rice quality characteristics and the effects on price in the Tamale Metropolis, Northern Region, Ghana

Rice has become an important staple in Ghana where it serves as a convenience food for both urban and rural consumers. In Ghana rice has become the second most important staple food after maize and its consumption continues to increase with population growth, urbanization and changes to consumption habits. The study aimed to determine influential factors on consumer preference for various rice brands in the metropolis of Tamale and the quality characteristics which affect prices. One hundred (100) respondents were randomly sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to determine the factors that influence consumer preference. The hedonic price model was used to analyze the effect of these preferences on price. The attributes that define the quality of rice most preferred by consumers were taste, cooking quality, cooking time and aroma. The attributes least preferred by consumers were price, impurities (presence of foreign matter) and the source of rice. The hedonic price model showed that the consumer payed higher premiums for aroma and source of rice (local or foreign). Rice processors, distributers and retailers must ensure that their product is free of foreign matter while breeding programmes for rice need to emphasize the quality attributes preferred by consumers, namely: taste, cooking quality, cooking time and aroma.

Source: UCC
Consumers' Environmental Concerns And Its‘ Influence On Purchasing Of Eco-Friendly Products

The study investigated consumers‘ concerns about the environment and how it affected their preference for eco-friendly goods. The study was conducted in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. This study was conducted using a qualitative research approach. The descriptive phenomenological research design was used. The study sampled thirty-six consumers. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews, observation, and a focus group discussion. The method developed by Colaizzi to analyse phenomenological data was used in this investigation. The results were broken down into overarching themes with supporting subthemes. According to the results, many consumers were vaguely aware of the concept of eco-friendly items and had little experience with them. Consumers were more interested in conventional goods than eco-friendly goods since the latter lacked the visual attractiveness of the former. The study's findings pointed to two channels (primary groups and advertisements) as consumers' primary information sources. Products that were both biodegradable and packaged in biodegradable materials were shown to be more appealing to consumers. Consumers preferred eco-friendly goods since they contributed to a healthier ecosystem. In light of these results, it is suggested that businesses ensure their eco-friendly products are high quality and appealing to a wide range of consumers. Since consumers have yet to realise the importance of eco-friendly products, manufacturers should take steps to make products more attractive and high-quality so that their products will attract consumers.

Source: UCC
Consumers' Knowledge, Understanding and Use of Food Label Information, and How it Affects Purchasing Decision in Ho, Ghana

The main objective of the study was to assess consumers' knowledge, understanding and use of food label information. Data was collected from the capital city of Ho Municipal district in the Volta Region of Ghana using a Survey questionnaire and observation. Participants were adults, aged 18-65 years (n=600; 53%, 47%) randomly selected to assure increased response rate. Observation, reading, knowledge, understanding and use of food label- information were the main outcome measures used. Chi–square and Kruskal test were used to assess differences in participants‟ characteristics and use of food labeling in food purchase. Findings showed high awareness (P< 0.05) and frequency in food label reading among participants but this did not necessarily influence their purchase of food. Insufficient knowledge, time constraints and small font sizes were reported by participants as the main factors that prevented them from reading and using food label. Although sex (P<0.89) did not influence participants‟ reasons for reading labels, age did at P< 0.01. Younger consumers read labels to compare products; older ones did so out of curiosity and for special dietary needs. Knowledge, understanding and use of food label information did not significantly differ with gender but did with age. Understanding food labels through education is needed to promote use among both young and old consumers.

Source: UCC
Consumers’ Acceptability of Fortified Soya-Millet-Yakeyake (“Somillyake”) and Its Nutritional Composition

The study examined consumers’ acceptability of fortified soya-millet-yakeyake (“Somillyake”) and its nutritional composition in the Cape Coast Metropolis. This investigation was guided by six objectives which were transformed into three research questions and three hypotheses respectively. The pre-experimental design, specifically the static-group comparison design as well as the cross-sectional survey design were employed in the conduct of this investigation. The population of this study comprised yakeyake consumers within the Duakor community. Using a purposive sampling technique, questionnaires were administered to 75 panel members for the sensory evaluation test. Sixty-five (65) questionnaires were however filled and returned, this resulted in an 87% response rate. Hence, all the analyses on the sensory evaluation were based on 65 respondents. The data gathered were analysed using means and standard deviations as well as one-way repeated measures (ANOVA). It was discovered that respondents had high preference for food sample 3 (i.e., CSMY 2) as the most preferred somillyake endorsed by the panellists due to the savoury aroma and aftertaste of the product. It was therefore concluded that the endorsement of food sample 3 as the overall acceptable food sample was as a result of the fact that the product had savoury sensory attributes such as aroma and aftertaste which were most preferred by respondents. Dieticians, nutritionist, public health workers, and dietetics are therefore encouraged to educate and counsel yakeyake consumers and the general public on the importance of adding soya beans and millet to their diets since soya beans and millets have important sensory attributes and nutritional contents required for body growth and nourishment.

Source: UCC
Contact lens prescribing patterns in Abuja, Nigeria

Purpose: To determine contact lens prescribing pa�erns among optometrists in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and twenty registered optometrists were randomly selected from prac�ces in Abuja and were surveyed about contact lenses prescribing pa�erns in their prac�ces from January to December 2016. Demographic data for each pa�ent prescribed with contact lenses were taken. In addi�on, data rela�ng to lens type, design, replacement methods and the care regime advised to each pa�ent were recorded. The data collected were analysed using the Sta�s�cal Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The optometrists that par�cipated were 38% males and 62% females. A total of 321 contact lens were ﬁ�ed among pa�ents aged 15 to 55 years with a mean age of 27.3 ± 6.6 years by the optometrists. Two hundred and ninety-two (91%) pa�ents were females and 29 (9%) were males. A good number of the pa�ents (86.6%) were between 20 to 40 years and most (91.8%) contact lenses prescribed were daily wear. Conven�onal so� contact lenses (96.9%) and 3 month replacement modality (70%) were the most prescribed contact lens and modality of wear respec�vely. Majority (78.4%) of the contact lenses prescribed were spherical contact lenses and a good number (62.5%) were reﬁts. Most (78.2%) contact lenses ﬁ�ed were for refrac�ve purposes. Mul�purpose lens care system was the most (98.2%) prescribed lens care system. Conclusion: This survey showed that contact lens prescribing pa�ern in Abuja follows the global trend of contact lens prescribing.

Source: UCC
Contaminant Fate and Human Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals In Selected Contaminated Soils in Ghana

The study was based on quantitative methods. The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) analytical method was used for the extraction and cleanup to quantify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in agricultural soils and female blood samples. Four composite soil samples were taken from Accra and Cape Coast to represent cultivated soils, industry, decommissioned waste dump and forest reserve at a depth of 30cm for the analysis of potentially Toxic elements (PTE) (Fe, Cd, As, Pb Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn), Phthalates and Bisphenol A. Twelve composite samples were taken per site to determine soil quality. Menstrual blood, samples were collected on aluminum foil and transferred into a vacutainer tube. Also survey questionnaire administered to 300 respondents in selected communities was used to determine individual understanding of pesticide use and health effects of EDCs. Ordinary least squares regression and multivariate statistics were fitted to the data obtained. The study indicated low level of knowledge of health effects of EDCs among the three communities. The study also indicated that generally PTEs and EDCs in soils were within recommended thresholds except for arsenic (As) and bisphenol A (BPA). Similarly, carcinogenic exposure risks of Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) via non-dietary routes were lower than 1 × 10−6 however; the ingestion cancer risk (CR) values of Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb) exceeded the threshold value. Traces of Diethyl phthalates (DEP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were found in menstrual blood ahowever, the carcinogenic exposure risks of DEHP via various routes were much lower than 1 × 10−6.

Source: UCC
A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF OUTSOURCING ON COST CONTROL IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

The shrinking state subvention to many African universities have compelled them to look for more alternatives for funding their various programmes or look for more prudent ways of reducing cost of operations to improve their financial positions. The paper looked at how local outsourcing initiatives could be used to provide cost effective distance education. Qualitative content analyses method was used. Data was mainly gathered from published documents, financial statements and contract documents. Descriptive statistics was used in some instances to show trends in gains from outsourcing. It was found that an institution can reap both monetary and non monetary gains through local outsourcing. A detailed description of key local outsourcing initiatives that the UCC DE programme adopts is given. The paper indicates that a local outsourcing initiative is a cost effective means for providing quality distance education. The approach helped the institution improve upon its financial performance by reducing its operational costs significantly. For Universities that are into DE or entering into it, the UCC’s approach is an experience worth emulating.

Source: UCC
Content Analysis of the Local Content Policy in Oil and Gas Sector: A Comparison Between Ghana and Nigeria

The discovery of oil and gas in many parts of the world has become a curse to the nations than a blessing. There have been several efforts by many nations to ensure that, this trend is reversed to bring joy to the oil producing countries. The objective of the study was to analyse the local content policy of Ghana and to find out how it has been implemented since its inception. The research question was what is the extent of local inclusion in the production and marketing of the oil and gas in Ghana? and what is the achievement of oil and gas local content policy in Ghana The study would be significant in helping to know the extent to which Ghanaians participate in the oil and gas industry which would help in future research to know the number of people and the contribution of the locals in production and marketing the crude oil from Ghana. The research was carried out in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry in Ghana. Most of the data was collected form Journals, articles, books and paper on similar work on the subject. These included internet sources and other relevant sources. The research revealed that local recruitment in Ghana over the years have been good, and may be exceeded in the near future by the overall numbers.it also revealed that local content policy of Ghana has certain systems put in place to enable it implement the local content policy as it is done in Nigeria. The research concluded that there is limited data on the operations and achievement of the Local Content Policy. It was recommended that there should be a data collection agency to collect and analyse data relating to the petroleum activities in Ghana, so that these data can be compared with the objectives of the Local Content Policy to find out if there is progress being made or not in terms of the achievements of the Local Content Policy.

Source: UCC
A Content Analysis of Upstream Oil and Gas Laws in Ghana

The finding of deposits of petroleum resource has adversely been a curse to some countries instead of an opportunity for economic growth and development. Oil-rich countries have striven through strategic legislations and policies to avoid the resource curse hypothesis. This study submits that this unfortunate situation could be avoided through the effective implementation of appropriate laws. Based on exploration research design and purposive sampling methods, a content analysis of Ghana’s upstream Petroleum laws is performed to assess the weaknesses or otherwise in the quest for effective exploration, production and utilization of the oil and gas resources of the country. All respondents confirmed that they have knowledge of and, have worked with and within the confines of the upstream Petroleum Laws. Applying same, however, they were all quick to point out that some weaknesses exist with the exploration and production, health and safety, local content, and petroleum revenue management laws, with overlaps in the way governance institutions operate. The laws and regulatory framework also exclude some key areas that need to be addressed. Mechanism for bidding contracts and environmental reporting were identified to be areas that need amendment to optimize gains from hydrocarbon resources. The Ministry of Energy is advised to appraise existing upstream oil and gas laws. The assessment must identify and include all relevant sectors on exploration and production, environment, health and safety, local content policy revenue mobilization, and utilization to optimize production and maximize benefit.

Source: UCC
Context matters: fostering, orphanhood and schooling in Sub-Saharan Africa

A growing body of research suggests that orphanhood and fostering might be (independently) associated with educational disadvantage in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, literature on the impacts of orphanhood and fostering school enrolment, attendance and progress produces equivocal, and often conflicting, results. This paper reports on quantitative and qualitative data from 16 field-sites in Ghana and Malawi, highlighting the importance of historical and social context in shaping schooling outcomes for fostered and orphaned children. In Malawi, which has been particularly badly affected by AIDS, orphans were less likely to be enrolled in and attending school than other children. By contrast, in Ghana, with its long tradition of ‘kinship fostering’, orphans were not significantly educationally disadvantaged; instead, non-orphaned, purposively-fostered children had lower school enrolment and attendance than their peers. Understanding the context of orphanhood and fostering in relation to schooling is crucial in achieving ‘Education for All’

Source: UCC
Contextual Factors Affecting Professional Development Implementation: A Study from College Physics Tutors in Ghana

Professional development takes place within a context (school, district, regional and national) which has strong influence on the content, process and outcome. The colleges of education in Ghana have been involved in a continuous professional development for the past four years with support of Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL). The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the implementation of the professional development ideas by the physics tutors in the colleges. The study employed qualitative case study using four physics tutors who were purposively selected from four different colleges of education. Using typological analysis for interview data collected, it was identified that the factors that affect the implementation of the professional ideas can be put into two themes; positive and negative factors. It came out that the commitment of school leadership and support of the professional development team help in the implementation of the professional development ideas. Unwillingness of tutors to change, tutors’ perception, lack of resources, lack of time and the long period of the professional development are factors thwarting the implementation process. It was recommended among others that assessment practices especially end of semester examination must be aligned with ideas tutors learn in the professional development programme. Also, there should be an explanation by the T-TEL team to tutors as to why the programme has extended so long and if possible a time that the professional development session will end.

Source: UCC
Contextual Influences on Science Teachers’ TPACK Levels

Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) levels were investigated through multiple embedded case studies of five science teachers who were regular users of technology in their teaching. The case studies reported in this chapter revealed that teachers used technology to support inquiry learning through a wide range of ways in lower levels of high school but mostly to clarify concepts and theories for senior level students. This chapter identified that teachers demonstrated different TPACK levels of expertise and engagement in the use of technology when transferring different types of knowledge from one teaching and learning context to another and for addressing differences amongst learners. The context of assessment driven teaching influences science teachers’ TPACK for integrating technology in instruction. The chapter noted that having teachers actively evaluate the effectiveness of the technology on students’ learning may help increase teachers’ TPACK levels.

Source: UCC
Contexual bible readings of 1 Corinthians 14:34-40 and women's ministry: A case study of some selected churches in Accra

This work sought to use Contextual Bible Reading, where the text(1 Cor. 14: 34- 40) was read with ordinary readers (women’s groups) to find out what meaning they derive from the text. In preparation for the Contextual Bible Reading, a textual analysis of 1 Cor. 14:34-40 was done. The research went on to establish the implications of the text on the churches with regard to their doctrinal standpoint including the decisions of church councils or General Assemblies of the churches concerning women in Pastoral leadership in general and also the possibilities of their progression to higher positions of the Church’s hierarchy even if they are given the opportunity for it. Recommendations were also made in the above mentioned regard, for improving women’s leadership in the church particularly in the pastoral area. The research came out with some findings. Firstly, more and more women take part in ministry and some aspects of leadership in the Church, though there are still decisions of the church that limit women from Pastoral leadership in the Church. The women were of the view that there is a need for them to take up responsibilities for themselves. They opined that they needed to start training their young women to prepare them for leadership positions in the future. The women also said there is the need for the Church leadership to make deliberate policies to include women in higher pastoral positions in the Church. They also recommended an encouragement of a more proactive interaction where both ordinary and scholarly readers can learn from each other through discussions.

Source: UCC