ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the national Agroforestry policy in response to a sustainable agricultural land use management in Ghana

It is increasingly recognised that Ghana’s environment is deteriorating and Agriculture is both a perpetrator and a causality especially in the process of land degradation. Agriculture contributes greatly to the economy of Ghana in terms of GDP, employment and foreign exchange earnings. In addition agriculture serves as the source of raw materials for manufacturing and agro-based industries. This notwithstanding the sector is dominated by traditional fanning systems which have a relatively low production capacity. Shifting cultivation, extensive mechanised land clearance for agriculture among others has been identified as the main threat to land resources. The effects of these problems have been the low performance of the sector. Ghana’s accelerated growth strategy as stated in the Vision 2020 aims at a growth rate of 8 - 10 per cent (GDP) and 4 per cent per annum in the agricultural sector. This has warranted the development of technologies and systems that are environmentally sound and sustainable to address the problems associated with agriculture and environmental degradation. The adopted technologies are those which prevent wind and soil erosion and seek soil protection and soil nutrient replenishment, reafforestation and energy saving technologies. An attempt has been made in this study to evaluate the success of the Agroforestry Policy focusing on the Upper East Region where land degradation is most intense in Ghana. The study approach employed a combination of methods including the review of literature, reconnaissance survey and direct observation, farmers interview and discussions with environmental experts, Ministries, ‘Departments and Agencies (MDAs), District Assemblies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Results of the study survey and field observation suggest that the Upper East Region’s environment is fast degrading and this is basically a natural phenomenon also associated with land use practices which is linked to the rural economy. The impact of the Agroforestry Policy has not improved the environment as expected due to certain social, economic, institutional and logistic problems.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the operations of the cultural education units in Ghana education service, Brong Ahafo

Cultural Education Unit has been in existence for many years but it is rather unfortunate whenever the units are mention in Ghana Education Service about its functions, most officers, teachers and pupils/students think of only “drumming and dancing”. When a cultural Co-ordinator introduces himself/herself at any gathering, the next question mostly asked is “so do you know how to dance?”, meaning people in society also associate the name culture with “drumming and dancing” which is just an aspect of the activities of the Cultural Education Units. This research is aimed at creating awareness on the mandate and operations of the Cultural Education Units and also evaluates their operations in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Due to the fact that, the Cultural Education Units in Brong Ahafo region have not been evaluated for the past twenty (20) years, related literature reviewed were selected from academic resources which concentrated on Culture and its Characteristics, Rationale for the Cultural Education Units, Agents for Cultural Education Units, Concepts of Evaluation, Theories and Models of Evaluation to better understand; how the units have been composed, how they operate and how best to evaluate their operations. In so doing, descriptive and evaluation research design under the qualitative method were used for the study. The population for the study consisted of Cultural Co-ordinators, Cultural Teachers and Artists. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling technique were used in the study. Interview and Observation were the main data collection instruments used. Results of the study showed that the Cultural Education Units are in the twenty-seven administrative Municipalities/Districts with their Regional Unit in the Regional Education Office at Sunyani. The study brought to the light Cultural Education Unit‟s goals, visibility, impact, efficiency and contribution to education in the nation. Finally, the Cultural Education Units should inform and educate stakeholders about their operations and also develop a policy that will state when and how evaluation of the units would be carried out

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the Level of Adherence to the Antimalarial Drug Policy by Prescribers in the treatment of Malaria in Child Health Directorate at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The medicines recommended in the National Drug Policy that was adopted in 2005 for uncomplicated malaria was Artesunate Amodiaquine and that for complicated malaria was Quinine. The aim of this study was to determine the level of adherence by the prescribers at the Child Health Directorate of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to the policy for the treatment of malaria. METHOD: The study design was retrospective, covering a six month period from August 2008 to January 2009. Five hundred paediatric patients aged one month to 14 years who contracted malaria and received treatment at the Child Health Directorate, of KATH was evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: The ages of the patients ranged from 0.08years (one month) to fourteen years. Sixty percent of the cases were children below five years. Most of the malaria victims were children below five years. The most prescribed anti-malaria drugs for the management of uncomplicated and complicated malaria were Amodiaquine plus Artesunate (90.5%) and Quinine (99.03%) respectively. The mean length of hospital stay for survivors was five days and the percentage mortality was 0.3% (n=1). The dosage form mostly prescribed for the period was syrup, constituting 68.9% followed by injectables (18.1%). The rest were tablets (10.6%) and suppositories (2.4%) CONCLUSION: the main anti-malarial prescribed for the management of uncomplicated and complicated malaria were Artesunate plus Amodiaquine (90.5%) and Quinine (99.03%) respectively. The level of adherence by the prescribers at the Child Health Directorate of KATH to the anti-malaria drug policy was high. This might have accounted for the high treatment success and the low mortality rate achieved.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the pattern for child growth and developmental processes through creative art

Observing development and growth of the young child presents a distinctive system for observing and recording development of children ages 6 to 12 in classroom settings. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the artistic development of young children in St Dominic Basic School at Koforidua in the Eastern Region, the research focused on understanding whether a child’s artistic identity, confidence in artistic ability and artistic skill building in the creative arts will increase over time; next was to assess the pattern used in teaching creative arts (visual art); and finally to design a therapeutic intervention to bridge the gaps in the theoretical model for child growth and developmental processes through creative arts (visual art). The research design employed both qualitative and quantitative methods considering the case study and quasi- experimental research approaches. The researcher observed the children and interviewed them during the creative art class; and also evaluated the drawings they created in the creative art class from the first to last week’s using a rubric. In the effort of gathering information on the pattern used in teaching creative arts it was revealed that none of the four facilitators used for the study were art-trained but were teaching creative arts (visual art); in addition, all the facilitators involved used the whole class teaching method which according to most child psychologists like Piaget, Montessori, Lowenfeld is not appropriate for the creative art class considering the ages of the pupil respondents. A therapeutic intervention was adopted to help some pupil respondents like Vivian and Atsu to come out from their drawing deficiency. The results show that some children developed artistic creativity over the research period. The researcher also discussed how instruction could be improved in the creative arts (visual art) class to better assess and promote children’s development.

Source: KNUST
An Evaluation of the Performance Appraisal System and its Effect on Employee Performance: A Case Study of Selected Senior High Schools in the Kwahu-South District

Performance appraisals improve the work performance of employees by helping them realize their full potentials in carrying out their firm's mission and also, to provide information to employees and managers for use in making work-related decisions. They, also, provide feedback to employees and thereby serve as a vehicle for personal and career development. Performance appraisals, however, are beset with difficulties as a result of their complex nature. The general objective of the study, therefore, was to evaluate the performance appraisal system of the GES. The research design used in the study was the case study because it was appropriate for the achievement of the research objectives. The population for the study was 195 and a sample size of 100 respondents was selected using the non-random (Judgmental) sampling method. Interview and questionnaires were used as instruments for the study and out of 100 questionnaires distributed, 80 of them were retrieved from respondents. The data was analysed with tables, bar charts and pie charts. Among the main findings of the study was that the GES did not have a clear cut policy on the conduct of performance appraisal. This has in its wake, culminated in the low commitment of both appraisers and appraises in the conduct of performance appraisals. It is recommended in the study that there should a clear cut policy on the conduct of performance appraisal in the GES in order to improve on its conduct. Again, it is recommended that funds be earmarked for the conduct of performance appraisals in schools.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the performance of the ARB Apex Bank on rural banks in Ashanti: the case of Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank Ltd.

Since 1976, when the first rural bank was established in Ghana, the rural banking industry have gone through various development, administrative, legal and supervisory phases, culminating into the establishment of the ARB Apex Bank in 2002. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the ARB Apex Bank as a mini central bank for rural banks in Ghana. Evaluation of the performance of the ARB APEX Bank has become necessary because since the establishment of the APEX Bank, there has not been any independent systematic study to evaluate its performance. The Ashanti Region was chosen as a double case study for Apex and Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank because of the high localization of rural banks and the presence of an APEX Bank, making access to research units easier. Majority of the respondents from Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank and APEX Bank were at strategic position, to give valuable information. Desk study, interviews, questionnaires and direct observation were employed in the collection of data. Data analysis used both qualitative and quantitative methods. At the end of the study, it was realized that there is a mixed impact of Apex on Rural Banks. In respect of cheque clearing, specie and staff training, its impact is significant. However, in respect of clients, deposits and assets, its impact is insignificant. It has been suggested that, Apex bank needs to establish an on-site inspection unit to help in its monitoring activities.

Source: KNUST
An Evaluation of the Performance of the Works Procurement Methods in the Public Sector Regime of Ghana

Since the enactment of the Public Procurement Act of Ghana (Act 663) in 2003, incidents of corruption, fraudulent acts and collusive behaviour have pervaded the public procurement regime and the direct consequence has been that people at the helm of affairs are taking advantage of the loop holes in the Procurement Methods and their procedures to influence decisions on contract awards. As a result quality delivery on most infrastructure works projects have become poor, and value for money in terms of cost and timely delivery have not been achieved. This research study, premised on the assumption that the Consultants were performing at optimum levels during Pre-Contract and the Post-Contract stages of Works procurement, was undertaken by interviewing 23 Officers comprising Procurement Officers from some select Ministries, Departments and their Consultants with the objective of identifying the loopholes in the Works Procurement Methods and procedures prescribed by the Public Procurement Act and to suggest strategic ways of mitigating corruption and fraudulent acts in the Works Procurement process. Among other findings, the Researcher identified lack of education as a bane to the achievement of the objectives of Act 663 and therefore suggests a collaborative effort between the Public Procurement Authority and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where Procurement related programmes are been run to subsidize the tuition fees to enable public officers study Procurement related courses at various levels. The study also identified that Procurement Entities and the Public Procurement Authority were not exercising enough due diligence to determine the capacities of Contractors recommended for Works Contracts and therefore suggested that the decision to recommend a contractor should not be based exclusively on tender submissions but investigations as well. It was also suggested that the appointment of the officials of the Public Procurement Authority should be non-partisan, as it would lessen the level of political influence in works procurement.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the Post Harvest Handling Of Mango Fruit (Mangifera indica L.) In The Akwapim-South, Dangme-West, Lower Manya and the Yilo Krobo Districts of Ghana

Ghana as a tropical country has a great potential for the growth and development of the mango industry. There are many problems facing the mango industry, especially, the post harvest handling of the fruits. A study was set up in the Akuapem-South , Dangme-West , Lower Manya and YiloKrobo Districts of Ghana to evaluate the postharvest handling practices of mango and how they affect the fruits and to identify the major postharvest problems handlers in the industry are facing .In this study ,information was sought from mango farmers ,fruit sellers , processors, exporters, officials from Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Ghana Export Promotion Export (GEPC) through questionnaires, interviews, field study , and observation .The best postharvest handling practices that could maintain and enhance the quality of the mango fruits were used as parameters .The parameters used were harvesting and maturity indices used for harvesting , sorting and grading , packaging , transportation , storage ,processing , postharvest diseases and pests , sanitation practices and technologies used to extend the shelf-life of mangoes. It was realized from the study that the handlers, especially ,the farmers had received some support and training from the Ministry of Food Agriculture and Non-Governmental Organizations but the emphasis had been on the pre-harvest handling of the crop .The fruit sellers had not received any form of training. The major problems that handlers had been encountering include inadequate and unskilled labour for harvesting , high incidence , pests and diseases , lack of cold storage facilities , mechanical injuries due to improper handling , bad road network , inappropriate transport , poor packaging , and few processing plants . These identified problems , if properly addressed as has been recommended in the study could enhance the quality and quantity of mango fruits offered for sale at the market.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the post acquisition performance of UT Bank Ghana limited.

This study was carried out to evaluate the post-merger and acquisition performance of Banks in Ghana with specific focus on Unique Trust Bank Ghana. Banks mergers and acquisitions entail a business combination strategy involving one entity (an acquirer) obtaining control of another entity, an acquire or combination of two or more separate corporations in such a way that legally a single entity survives or a new entity is formed without creating a subsidiary or using a joint venture. Mergers and Acquisitions have been used by business organisations both locally and internationally as strategic synergistic competition tools. The objectives of the study were to analyse pre-acquisition period activities of BPI and UT Financial Service; examine the transition procedure of UT Financial services to UT Bank Ghana Limited from application through assessment of viability to final approval of the acquisition; assess the post-merger synergy of UT Bank Ghana Limited in terms of its value, staff, employment, deposits, products and service offering and; evaluate the post-merger challenges confronting UT Banks operations. The main instrument employed was a questionnaire to solicit the opinions of management and employees of UT Bank and a sample size of 100 was used. Frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs were used in the discussion of the responses to the questionnaire in cognizance of the objectives of the study. The findings indicated that integration of people, organizational cultures and establishment of new leadership; systems and procedures to standardize operations; products lines and services portfolio were key determinant of success of mergers and post-acquisition performance. The study also highlighted the principal post-merger challenges that might escape pre-acquisition professional prognosis. The study therefore recommended, inter alia, that policies and strategies be established by management, for instance, Intensive, continual and periodic training programmes for staff should be put in place to equip staff with knowledge and skills that will up their respective and collective performances.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the potential of the Kwahu Forest Reserve as a National Park

National Parks play very important role not only in conservation of plant and animal species but also attract tourists and contribute to the economic development of a nation. !ii Ghana, there are many Parks and Reserves but the two most important that attract international tourists are Kakum and Mole National Parks. These Parks are severely under human pressure therefore there is the need to create more National Parks by converting the existing potential forest reserves to National Parks. One of these reserves is the Kwahu Forest Reserve. There was the need to conduct ecological studies in order to determine whether Kwahü Forest Reserve would meet the criteria as a National Park. Questionnaire and field survey were conducted to determine the floristic and fiuna composition. The survey also attempted to identify sites of scientific and recreational beauty and availability of facilities for tourists. The results indicated that the Kwahu Forest Reserve, being a montane forest is still in its primitive state. About half of all the tree species were big trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) more than 10cm. The fist growing species such as Musanga cercropoides which is one of the number of plant species often found growing in abandoned farm areas was almost absent in the quadrats in the forest It may be inferred that the authorities have taken steps to prevent, or eliminate all exploitati01 or occupation and to enforce effectively a proper respect for the ecological, geomorphological or aesthetic features of the area. Exploitation of natural resources, including agricultural and hunting activities could have been excluded by the topography of the area. The natural features of the forest which could attract tourists include vegetation types, waterfalls etc. Although the number of species of large and conspicuous mammals was relatively small, there were more species of other vertebrates particularly monkeys and birds. These mammals could attract tourists from temperate countries. About eleven hotels located in the vicinity of the forest which although may not be classified as ‘star’ hotels have modest facilities, which could serve the purpose of not very rich tourists.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the post-acquisition performance of UT bank Ghana limited

This study was carried out to evaluate the post-merger and acquisition performance of Banks in Ghana with specific focus on Unique Trust Bank Ghana. Banks mergers and acquisitions entail a business combination strategy involving one entity (an acquirer) obtaining control of another entity, an acquire or combination of two or more separate corporations in such a way that legally a single entity survives or a new entity is formed without creating a subsidiary or using a joint venture. Mergers and Acquisitions have been used by business organisations both locally and internationally as strategic synergistic competition tools. The objectives of the study were to analyse pre-acquisition period activities of BPI and UT Financial Service; examine the transition procedure of UT Financial services to UT Bank Ghana Limited from application through assessment of viability to final approval of the acquisition; assess the post-merger synergy of UT Bank Ghana Limited in terms of its value, staff, employment, deposits, products and service offering and; evaluate the post-merger challenges confronting UT Banks operations. The main instrument employed was a questionnaire to solicit the opinions of management and employees of UT Bank and a sample size of 100 was used. Frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs were used in the discussion of the responses to the questionnaire in cognizance of the objectives of the study. The findings indicated that integration of people, organizational cultures and establishment of new leadership; systems and procedures to standardize operations; products lines and services portfolio were key determinant of success of mergers and post-acquisition performance. The study also highlighted the principal post-merger challenges that might escape pre-acquisition professional prognosis. The study therefore recommended, inter alia, that policies and strategies be established by management, for instance, Intensive, continual and periodic training programmes for staff should be put in place to equip staff with knowledge and skills that will up their respective and collective performances.

Source: KNUST