ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Miracle berry: Its utilisation in the production of a taste enhancer in the form of powder

This study assessed the utilization of miracle berry (Synsepalum dulcificum) and its sensory evaluation with a focus on the students in the University of Cape Coast. The study adopted an experimental research design. Four research questions were set in finding a solution to the problem under study. The data collected were in two folds, fruits and sensory data from the panellists. Purposive sampling technique was employed in sampling the panellists from the University of Cape Coast Vocational and Technical Education Department. The sample size for the study was 25. Data from the proximate analysis and the sensory evaluation were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and one-way ANOVA. The results indicated that miraculin can be extracted using the depulper machine. The results revealed that there were eight mineral elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, K, Na, P, Ca & Mg) in the food taste enhancers. Miracle Natural Enhancer (MNE) has much quantity of the chemical elements compared to the other two taste enhancers. The results on tasting sour lemon with the formulated taste enhancers indicated that the most accepted taste enhancer was Miracle Natural Enhancer (MNE) followed by Splenda Artificial Enhancer (SAE) and Equal Artificial Enhancer (EAE). The study recommends that the miracle berry trees should be protected and mass production of MNE should be encouraged to create jobs for the unemployed.

Source: UCC
MISLEADING PRESENTATION OF HAEMOGLOBIN ELECTROPHORESIS DATA

Haemoglobinopathies are common in sub-Saharan Africa. As such haemoglobin electrophoresis are required to in- form clinical decision making. However, haemoglobin electrophoresis is an assay that detects protein at either alka- line or acidic pH. Such assays do not interrogate gene sequences but rather the product of a gene. As many post- transcriptional and post-translational modifications impact the final output of the gene (i.e. protein), presentation of such protein-based assay must accurately reflect the technique employed. It is grossly misleading and scientifically inaccurate to report cellulose acetate and/or citrate agar haemoglobin electrophoresis results as ‘haemoglobin geno- type’. We propose a new paradigm in which haemoglobin electrophoresis data would be presented as ‘haemoglobin phenotype’ at a specified pH.

Source: UCC
Mission-state Relations in Education: A Historical Study of Islamic Education in Northern Ghana

The purpose of this study was to assess Islamic Mission relations with the State in the provision of Islamic religious and secular education in Northern Ghana. The critical importance of gleaning a better understanding of Islam and the perceived backwardness of Muslims in Ghana, notwithstanding the kind of education they (Muslims) pursue, motivated the study. The researcher used the qualitative historical research approach. Twenty (20) participants were purposively selected for semi-structured individual interviews and sevenmember focus group was also purposively selected for focus group discussions. So in all (27) participants were interviewed. Data was also collected from documents like articles, letters, newspapers, journals, periodicals, articles, journals, letters, periodicals, newspapers, and archival records. Inductive analysis resulted in the emergence of patterns and themes relative to the introduction of Islamic education and the management of Islamic education in Northern Ghana. It was found that participants showed mixed feelings about Mission-State relations in the provision of Islamic and secular education in Northern Ghana. While some felt the relations were positive, others disagreed, and some felt it was positive to some extent. Again, it was revealed that the Hausa, the Wangara, the Larbanga and other traders, brought Islam and her education to Northern Ghana. It was further indicated that colonial government did not manage Islamic education well. However, post-colonial government demonstrated interest in the growth and development of Islam and Islamic education. It was recommended that government should work with the Missionaries to improve the relations.

Source: UCC
Mixed cropping effect on agronomic parameters and mycorrhizal status of gladiolus grandiflorus hort and narcissus papyraceus ker-gawl

Investigation on the effect of mixed cropping of two famous cut-flowers namely, Gladiolus grandiflorus Hort. and Narcissus papyraceus Ker-Gawl. on various agronomic characters and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization was carried out. Five varieties of Gladiolus viz. Pricella, Fado, Blues, Victor Brogy and Chinon were sown in 3 × 5 m2 field plots with inter plant distance of 7 cm. Narcissus bulbs were sown in between the two Gladiolus corms. For comparison, bulbs of Gladiolus varieties and N. papyraceus were also sown in monocultures with inter plant distance of 7 cm. In general, mixed cropping with Narcissus increased root length and corm weights in Gladiolus varieties while exhibited no pronounced effect on days to sprouting and spike emergence, shoot and spike length, number of flowers and corm size. Except for reduction in root length of Narcissus due to mixed cropping with Victor Brogy, the effect of mixed cropping with different varieties of Gladiolus had no effect on various vegetative and reproductive growth parameters of Narcissus. In general, mycorrhizal colonization was significantly higher in mixed cropped Gladiolus as well as Narcissus plants than corresponding mono cultivated plants. The effect of mixed cropping on mycorrhizal colonization was more pronounced in Narcissus than in Gladiolus. The mixed cropping of Gladiolus and Narcissus increase mycorrhizal colonization in both the cut-flowers

Source: UCC
A mixed method study exploring adherence to and acceptability of small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) among pregnant and lactating women in Ghana and Malawi

Background: Supplementing pregnant and lactating mothers with small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) has resulted in improvements in birth outcomes in some low-income settings. In order to be effective, SQ-LNS must be consumed regularly over sustained periods. Methods: The objective was to assess and compare acceptability of and adherence to SQ-LNS consumption among pregnant and lactating women in Ghana and Malawi throughout 12 months of supplementation. We enrolled women before 20 gestation weeks into randomized trials in Ghana (n = 1320) and Malawi (n = 869). In the SQ-LNS group participants received a 20 g sachet of supplement per day during pregnancy and the first 6 months of lactation. In the control groups participants received multiple micronutrients (MMN) during pregnancy and lactation or iron and folic acid (IFA) during pregnancy and calcium during lactation. We used questionnaires to collect data on self-reported adherence to daily use of supplements and conducted in-depth interviews with women in the SQ-LNS group to examine acceptability. Results: The mean self-reported adherence during the supplementation period was lower in Ghana (79.9 %) than in Malawi (91.7 %) for all supplements (difference 11.8 %, P < 0.001). Over time, adherence increased in Malawi but decreased in Ghana. In both countries, adherence in the SQ-LNS group was non-inferior to that in the control groups. Participants typically reported consuming SQ-LNS as instructed but when interviewers queried about experiences, most of the women described incidents of non-adherence. A usual reason for not consuming SQ-LNS was nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Especially in Malawi, women reported sharing SQ-LNS with families and friends. Sustained use of SQ-LNS was attributed to expected health benefits and favorable sensory attributes. Often women compared their pregnancy to previous ones, and were of the view that SQ-LNS made a positive difference. Conclusion: Self-reported sustained adherence to consume SQ-LNS daily was high in both sites but lower in Ghana than in Malawi. In Ghana, adherence decreased over time whereas in Malawi adherence increased. Acceptability and adherence appeared interlinked, complex and context-related. Sustained consumption of SQ-LNS may require tailoring interventions by context

Source: UCC
Mixing Metaphors, Modifiers And Affect Towards Sentiment Evaluation

The use of figurative language, with a major emphasis on metaphors and a minor emphasis on oxymorons, has been widely accepted as part of everyday language, not just in literary language. Over the last few years, there has also been a large move towards automated sentiment analysis tlu·ough which diverse corporations seek feedback on the sentiment (or affect: emotions, value judgments, etc.) that customers bear towards their goods and services. The need for this feedback has been particularly challenged by the use of social media, which allow the use of non-literal language, including shorthand, abbreviations and emoticons. Begilming with an overview of metaphors, sentiment analysis, modifiers, and how they relate to each other in terms of conveying affect, this thesis examines the accuracy of relying on lexical libraries like SentiWordNet and WordNet in an attempt to extract sentiment-related information on language in discourse. Following a set of empirical studies and experiments, I examined how some existing systems are carrying out analysis of metaphors and oxymorons, and how those systems evaluate metaphors that have made use of modifiers. I demonstrate that modifiers do enhance the sentiment conveyed by metaphors, though their placement within the metaphor, if not done well, can distort the intended meaning, providing a good motivation for non-literal text identification systems to be integrated into existing sentiment analysis systems. I also prove by analysis that SentiWordNet has inherent inaccuracies that introduce errors in sentiment extractions, and recommend that it is crucial to identify non-literal text before sentiment is extracted in order to avoid incorrect judgments

Source: UCC
A Mn(II) complex of boradiazaindacene (BODIPY) loaded graphene oxide as both LED light and H2O2 enhanced anticancer agent

Cancer cells are more susceptible to H2O2 induced cell death than normal cells. H2O2- activatable and O2-evolving nanoparticles could be used as photodynamic therapy agents in hypoxic environments. In this report, a photo-active Mn(II) complex of boradiazaindacene derivatives (Mn1) was used as a dioxygen generator under irradiation with LED light in water. Moreover, the in vitro biological evaluation for Mn1 and its loaded graphene oxide (herein called Mn1@GO) on HepG-2 cells in normal and hypoxic conditions has been performed. In particular, Mn1@GO can react with H2O2 resulting active anticancer species, which show high inhibition on both HepG-2 cells and CoCl2-treated HepG-2 cells (hypoxic cancer cells). The mechanism of LED light enhanced anticancer activity for Mn1@GO on HepG-2 cells was discussed. Our results show that Mn(II) complexes of boradiazaindacene (BODIPY) derivatives loaded GO can be both LED light and H2O2-activated anticancer agents in hypoxic environments.

Source: UCC
Mobile Banking And Revenue Mobilisation Of Small And Medium-Sized Businesses (Smbs) In The New Juaben South Municipality

The main objective of this research is to assess mobile banking and its role in enhancing revenue mobilisation of small and medium-sized businesses in the New Juaben South Municipality. The study employed quantitative approach of collecting data where questionnaires were used as the main research instruments. A sample of one hundred and eighty (180) respondents including owners/managers was considered by the study. The convenient sampling technique was used to sample the owners/managers of selected small and medium-sized businesses in the municipality. The quantitative data obtained was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science. The main findings of the study showed that mobile banking contributes positively and significantly to revenue mobilization since small and medium-sized businesses can make proper financial projections based on data and proper records of payments of goods and services. It was further revealed that unstable network, high costs of banking transactions, taxes on mobile money transactions are the main challenges adversely affecting the adoption of mobile banking. The study recommends that management of telecom firms, banking institutions and government should collaborate to educate owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses about security steps and policies that exist to minimize mobile money fraud. Again, government should collaborate with telecommunication firms and National Communication Authority to improve the internet connectivity to help improve mobile money transactions among small and medium-sized businesses and customers.

Source: UCC
Mobile communication and the culture of self-expression: The case of smsing to radio in Ghana

Over the last two decades, mobile telephony has wrought a tremendous impact on interpersonal communication over the world. In Ghana, however, the communicative significance of this new media as a means of promoting the culture of self-expression, particularly on the radio, is relatively unknown. In this paper, I examine the uses and gratifications of approximately 500 SMS texts, arguably the commonest new media, on the panel discussions of two major radio networks, drawing on Katz et al.’s (1974) uses and gratifications theory. Key findings showed that posting messages on radio panel discussions (RPDs) is motivated by six major gratifications, prominent among which are ideological formations and expressions of dissatisfaction about personal, social and national issues. These findings not only characterise RPDs as a unique discourse type, but quintessentially reveal the nature of participatory democracy on RPDs in Ghana. The findings bear theoretical implications as well as raise concerns for media practice

Source: UCC
Mobile learning support in delivering distance education: perception of students of university of cape coast, Ghana

This paper explored the perception of University of Cape Coast distance education students on the use of mobile technologies to facilitate interactions among students and tutors as a learning-support system. The paper aimed at establishing whether distance education students would accept to be taught using a blend of mobile technologies and biweekly direct face-to-face tutorials on weekends. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 300 students pursuing various Diploma, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees by distance at University of Cape Coast using systematic sampling technique. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. It was found that scheduled face-to-face tutorial sessions of distance education in University of Cape Coast were not supportive enough to address students’ learning needs. Also, all the respondents possessed mobile devices and perceived blending of mobile learning in distance education as an avenue to enhance collaborative learning with faculty and colleagues. It was recommended that curriculum and instructional designers of distance education courses must consider incorporating mobile learning pedagogies in the distance courses and learning experiences to address students’ learning needs using mobile technologies.

Source: UCC
Mobile Media and Citizen Journalism in Social Activism: A Case Of #Fixthecountry Movement

The proliferation of smartphones among citizens in Ghana has accelerated their contribution to user-generated media content on social media to political discourse and activism in Ghana. The attention of researchers on citizens-led political activism on social media platforms against economic quagmire and political failures has not been impressive. The present study explored the communication styles and challenges used by citizen journalists in #Fix-the-Country Movement on social media in Ghana. The study adopted qualitative research approach and case study design. Using purposive sampling and snowballing, the researcher selected five convenors and ten citizen journalists for interviews and ten selected online posts from the official Facebook handle of #FixTheCountry movement. Guided by social movement theories, the researcher analyzed the data and discovered that citizen journalists utilized hostile communication style largely to communicate their grievances through the social media platform. The communication styles were effective, and this was informed by the platform or channel of delivering the information. Also, the study revealed that convenors and citizen journalists faced challenges such as threats from political authorities, financial constraints, verbal attacks and politicization of the movement. The underlying factors that preempted the movement are social, economic, health, governance and educational issues in the country, Ghana. The researcher recommends comparative study of social activism onsite and online.

Source: UCC
Mobile money services and the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises in Ghana: SMES in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality

This quantitative study investigated the effects of mobile money services on the growth of SMEs in Ghana using SMEs in Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality as a case study. The study sought to answer the questions:which types of mobile money services are SMEs currently aware of and use for their business?How have mobile money services affected the sales revenue of SMEs; and what is the level of service quality of mobile money services in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality? For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of 150 SMEs owners using a convenience sampling technique. The data was analysed using Statistical Package and Services Solutions (SPSS). Findings were reported using means, frequencies, paired sample t-test and standard deviations. The survey finding revealed that although there was very high awareness of mobile money services, with mobile money service providers- MTN, tiGo Airtel and Vodafon-in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, adoption rate for sales purposes was very insignificant. The survey data did not prove that proliferation of mobile money services have impacted on sales growth among the selected SMEs. The regression analysis proved that the correlation was weak (r=0.01) and it was not surprising that the hypothesis was statistically not significant (p >.0005, sig. =0.311), hence the conclusion that there is no effect of mobile money services on growth of SMEs in Tarkwa Nsuaem. It is recommended that mobile money service providers provide sensitisation on the effective use of mobile money in business to boost the growth of SMEs. That is, more tailored made products must be design by the telecommunication companies to facilitate business transactions at reasonable cost.

Source: UCC
Mobile Money, Income and Welfare of Smallholder Farmers in Selected Districts in Ghana

Mobile money offers promising ways of making financial services available to rural smallholder farmers but little is known in the Ghanaian context. The study adopts a quasi-experimental design to analyse the impact of mobile money on income and welfare of 460 smallholder farmers from Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Adansi South, and Shama districts in Ghana. The study utilises the propensity matching scores (PSM) and the inverse probability weighting (IPW) estimation techniques to analyse the impact of mobile money adoption among these smallholder farmers. The study finds that accessibility of mobile money significantly drives mobile money adoption. Also, the study finds that, mobile money adoption has significant positive impact on both income and welfare among smallholder farmers in the study areas. Based on the results, the study recommends that mobile money network operators should encourage people to become agents in the rural farming communities of Ghana. Again, education on mobile money should form integral part of the extension services provided to smallholder farmers.

Source: UCC
Mobile phone adoption for marketing Information by Smallholder food crop farmers in Assin North District of Ghana.

The study investigated the determinants that enhance the adoption of mobile phones for marketing information by smallholder food crop farmers in the Assin North District of Ghana. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 400 farmers from a total population of 69,678 food crop smallholder farmers in the Assin North District of Ghana. The study adopted cross sectional survey design. Data was collected using structured interview guide. Percentages, frequencies, mean, standard deviations, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, and binary logistic regression model were applied to analyse the data. The study concluded that younger smallholder food crop farmers who are male with higher number of years in schooling and are active participant of Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs) have a greater tendency to adopt mobile phones for marketing information. Also, smallholder food crop farmers who have higher access to extension services, lower farm experience, higher annual income and larger farm size have a greater tendency to adopt mobile phones for marketing information, which encouraged timely and accurate marketing information and improves yield and sales of output. Difficulties in the use of the internet was the most limiting constraint in the use of mobile phones to access marketing information. The study recommends that mobile phones can be used in conjunction with other AMITs, but they are not a complete substitute. Also, through stakeholders (donor agencies, policy makers, and district Ministry of Food and Agriculture department) extension officers and FBOs can be empowered to create an enabling environment to attract especially female smallholder food crop farmers. Intensive education on the usage of the internet is needed to make smallholder food crop farmers’ internet usage friendly. Also, government and internet service providers may prioritize infrastructure development to ensure reliable and high speed internet connectivity reaches small holder food crop farmers. This may be done by investing in technology like fibre optic or satellite internet.

Source: UCC
Mobile phone use and livelihoods: qualitative evidence from some rural and urban areas in Ghana.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the past two decades have witnessed a phenomenal increase in the use of mobile phones which has attracted diverse research. This paper explores mobile phone use and livelihood activities in some urban and rural areas of Ghana. Qualitative data were extracted from a larger study that covered 24 sites ranging from urban to remote rural locations in Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. The Sustainable Livelihood Framework provided guidance for the study. The main findings of the study indicate that mobile phones provide direct phone-related employment and indirectly enable some others to secure jobs through contact with friends/relations and also facilitate marketing of farm produce in terms of reduction in transaction cost, access to ready market and contacts for better prices for produce. Additionally, phone use enhances job organization through communication between apprentices and their bosses and also facilitates the migration process of some irregular migrants. As a livelihood capital, mobile phone has the potential to reduce vulnerability and improve upon people’s livelihood outcomes. There is therefore the need to make mobile phones more affordable, expand mobile phone network coverage and improve upon service quality to facilitate livelihood activities, particularly in rural areas of the country.

Source: UCC