ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Multi-Temporal Landsat Images and Ancillary Data for Land Use/Cover Change (LULCC) Detection in the Southwest of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Accurate quantification of land use/cover change (LULCC) is important for efficient environmental management, especially in regions that are extremely affected by climate variability and continuous population growth such as West Africa. In this context, accurate LULC classification and statistically sound change area estimates are essential for a better understanding of LULCC processes. This study aimed at comparing mono-temporal and multi-temporal LULC classifications as well as their combination with ancillary data and to determine LULCC across the heterogeneous landscape of southwest Burkina Faso using accurate classification results. Landsat data (1999, 2006 and 2011) and ancillary data servedas input features for the random forest classifier algorithm. Five LULC classes were identified: woodland, mixed vegetation, bare surface, water and agricultural area. A reference database was established using different sources including high-resolution images, aerial photo and field data. LULCC and LULC classification accuracies, area and area uncertainty were computed based on the method of adjusted error matrices. The results revealed that multi-temporal classification significantly outperformed those solely based on mono-temporal data in the study area. However, combining mono-temporal imagery and ancillary data for LULC classification had the same accuracy level as multi-temporal classification which is an indication that this combination is an efficient alternative to multi-temporal classification in the study region, where cloud free images are rare. The LULCC map obtained had an overall accuracy of 92%. Natural vegetation loss was estimated to be 17.9% ± 2.5% between 1999 and 2011. The study area experienced an increase in agricultural area and bare surface at the expense of woodland and mixed vegetation, which attests to the ongoing deforestation. These results can serve as means of regional and global land cover products validation, as they provide a new validated data set with uncertainty estimates in heterogeneous ecosystems prone to classification errors.

Source: KNUST
Multi-Temporal Landsat Images and Ancillary Data for Land Use/Cover Change (LULCC) Detection in the Southwest of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Abstract: Accurate quantification of land use/cover change (LULCC) is important for efficient environmental management, especially in regions that are extremely affected by climate variability and continuous population growth such as West Africa. In this context, accurate LULC classification and statistically sound change area estimates are essential for a better understanding of LULCC processes. This study aimed at comparing mono-temporal and multi-temporal LULC classifications as well as their combination with ancillary data and to determine LULCC across the heterogeneous landscape of southwest Burkina Faso using accurate classification results. Landsat data (1999, 2006 and 2011) and ancillary data served OPEN ACCESSRemote Sens. 2015, 7 12077 as input features for the random forest classifier algorithm. Five LULC classes were identified: woodland, mixed vegetation, bare surface, water and agricultural area. A reference database was established using different sources including high-resolution images, aerial photo and field data. LULCC and LULC classification accuracies, area and area uncertainty were computed based on the method of adjusted error matrices. The results revealed that multi-temporal classification significantly outperformed those solely based on mono-temporal data in the study area. However, combining mono-temporal imagery and ancillary data for LULC classification had the same accuracy level as multi-temporal classification which is an indication that this combination is an efficient alternative to multi-temporal classification in the study region, where cloud free images are rare. The LULCC map obtained had an overall accuracy of 92%. Natural vegetation loss was estimated to be 17.9% ± 2.5% between 1999 and 2011. The study area experienced an increase in agricultural area and bare surface at the expense of woodland and mixed vegetation, which attests to the ongoing deforestation. These results can serve as means of regional and global land cover products validation, as they provide a new validated data set with uncertainty estimates in heterogeneous ecosystems prone to classification errors.

Source: KNUST
A multigene genetic programming model for thyroid disorder detection

Two common diseases of the thyroid gland, which releases thyroid hormones for regulating the rate of the bodys metabolism, are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The classi cation of these thyroid diseases is one of the considerable tasks. Before a patient is classi ed as being normal (thyroid gland is functioning well) or su ering from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, there are a lot of information and tests conducted on the patient by existing models and these are costly in terms of time and money. This research is conducted to enhance the detection of thyroid disorder based on attributes collected from patients. A mathematical model is developed using Multigene Symbolic Regression Genetic Programming technique. A statistical test is conducted to ascertain the goodness of t of the model. The test result showed that the model is good and is even able to reduce the number of attributes used to classify a patient as Normal, Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism.

Source: KNUST
Multiple Logistic Regression Model on Microfinance Loan Default (Case study Agave Rural Limited)

Microfinance have been the main source of accessing loans by the poor who cannot provide the needed security to access loan from banks in Ghana and increasing in the trend of default which is swallowing most Rural & community banks. Therefore this study seeks to evaluate the effect of independent variables on loan default using multiple logistic regression model and examine the association between factors such as customer: gender, age, marital status, number of children (dependency ratio) and loan size have any significant effect on default, secondary source data used for this study was to acquire from microfinance department of the Agave Rural Bank limited on 134 default customers in default using multiple logistic regression model. Thus the odds of default increase 0.42 times for a 1 unit increase in Gender and default increase 1.00 times for a 1 unit increase in Loan size, however from the coefficient of the p-values of the predictors indicate that; gender and loan size are statistically significant to defaulting in repayment of loan due to gender difference and poor appraisal while age, marital status and number of children (dependency ratio) are not statistically significant to the model hence the model is good fit. The researcher recommends that more variables be added or different variables should be used in exploring the variation in repayment status, this study to serve as a foundation ground for further analysis into the focus problem.

Source: KNUST
Multilingual Validation of the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status in West Africa

Background and Purpose—The Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status (QVSFS), a method for verifying stroke-free status in participants of clinical, epidemiological, and genetic studies, has not been validated in low-income settings where populations have limited knowledge of stroke symptoms. We aimed to validate QVSFS in 3 languages, Yoruba, Hausa and Akan, for ascertainment of stroke-free status of control subjects enrolled in an on-going stroke epidemiological study in West Africa. Methods—Data were collected using a cross-sectional study design where 384 participants were consecutively recruited from neurology and general medicine clinics of 5 tertiary referral hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana. Ascertainment of stroke status was by neurologists using structured neurological examination, review of case records, and neuroimaging (gold standard). Relative performance of QVSFS without and with pictures of stroke symptoms (pictograms) was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results—The overall median age of the study participants was 54 years and 48.4% were males. Of 165 stroke cases identified by gold standard, 98% were determined to have had stroke, whereas of 219 without stroke 87% were determined to be stroke-free by QVSFS. Negative predictive value of the QVSFS across the 3 languages was 0.97 (range, 0.93–1.00), sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were 0.98, 0.82, and 0.80, respectively. Agreement between the questionnaire with and without the pictogram was excellent/strong with Cohen k=0.92. Conclusions—QVSFS is a valid tool for verifying stroke-free status across culturally diverse populations in West

Source: KNUST
Multiple comparison and random effect model on cocoa production in Ghana (from 1969/70 to 2010/11 production years)

The study analyses the production of cocoa in Ghana from 1969/70 to 2010/11 .The study area ( Ashanti, Western,Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern and Volta regions) were particularly chosen for this study because of their prime places in cocoa production in Ghana. The descriptive statistics used to analyze the results showed that majority (56.33%) of cocoa produced in the country comes from western region of Ghana with the mean annual production of 142823.9 metric tonnes while the lowest production(0.5%) of cocoa comes from volta region with mean annual production being 4897.00 metric tonnes. The ANOVA analysis revealed that there is significant difference(significance= 0.0001) between the mean production of cocoa in the country and further analysis using the multiple comparison (pair wise tests) also showed that the mean annual production of cocoa differ in terms of the six region of cocoa production in the country. Multiple comparison to detect where the difference lies using the three the comparison tests in the study(Tukey,LSD,Scheffe and Bonfferoni) showed that the mean difference between Ashanti and Western region was not significant but the mean difference between Ashanti and Central, Eastern, Volta ,Western were significant with mean difference of 53679.23,39441.73,83654.48 and -54272.38 respectively. Further analysis using mixed effect model also revealed that from 1969/70 production, all the six regions with the exception of Volta region experienced increasing cocoa production trend as time increased. Western and Ashanti regions had the highest production over the years. Random intercept with variance-covariance assumption also showed that the different regions had variations in the mean cocoa production.

Source: KNUST
Multiplicative Attributes Derived from Graph Invariants for Saztec4 Diamond

is study consists of developing some closed and updated formulas derived from multiplicative graph invariants such as general Randic index (GRI)R 0(8) for 0 { ± 1, ± 1/2}, ordinary general geometric-arithmetic (OGA), general version of harmonic index (GHI), sum connectivity index (SI), general sum connectivity index (GSI), 1st and 2nd Gourava and hyper-Gourava indices, (ABC) index, Shegehalli and Kanabur indices, 1st generalised version of Zagreb index (GZI), and forgotten index (FI) for the subdivided Aztec diamond network. Aztec diamond is constructed based on the squares boxes. ese square boxes are placed at the centre point and nourish the condition |s− (1/2)| + |r− (1/2)| n. Furthermore, we put a new vertex of degree-2 at each edge of the small boxes, squares in shapes. A new structure is obtained that has the same properties as its parental graph and is called a subdivided Aztec diamond and symbolised as Saztecn. Subsequently, we compute the multiplicative topological attributes to get some new formulas. For this purpose, a simple, connected, and the nite graph is considered by supposing it Y as the graph of the Saztecn. e order and size have also been discussed in this study and found three di erent kinds of edges (2, 2), (2, 3), and (2, 4) for computing. e discussion on the networks mentioned above provides us with essential results that can be used in the determination of bio and physio activities and can be interspersed with the molecular compounds and their graphical structures better to understand their physical as well as biological properties.

Source: KNUST
Multiplicity in struggle: ceramic sculptures

This project in artistic renditions captures the philosophies nature offers to mankind through the movement and behaviour of ants and uses it to create pieces suitable for explaining philosophies. Bringing diversity in design concepts from the environment and breaking monotony in the function of forms became a target of the project. This project adapted basic studio forming techniques in producing three large ceramic sculptures using slabs and throwing methods. Three works were produced titled Struggle for Food, Struggle for Wealth and Struggle for Knowledge. The artist’s analysis and evaluations shows that the aesthetic appeals of the sculptural pieces produced coupled with the concepts developed, promote meaningful responses to them. It also showcases multisectional arrangements of pieces using simple mechanisms of firing in smaller kilns as opposed to the size of the art work. The diversity in the development of philosophical forms in the production of ceramic pieces elude the monotony surrounding its existence and attracts enormous interests from viewers. The multi-sectional approach makes the works efficient in maintaining higher quality standards and in providing diversity in building large pieces. It is evident in this work, that the environment can provide enormous inspiration far above what have commonly been utilized by the artist into developing ideas and concepts for ceramics productions.

Source: KNUST
Municipal Solid Waste Minimisation through Household Waste Segregation In Bantama, Kumasi

Solid waste management costs large amounts of money in many countries for its collection, transfer and disposal. Garbage elimination without separation creates increased difficulty in the disposal process in landfills, as well as dissipation of potential reusable and recyclable components. This study examined the implementation of source waste separation, reuse and recycling at the household level as a means of managing municipal solid waste. Data were collected through field observations, questionnaire, interviews and actual measurement of masses of segregated household wastes. The results indicated that the low income residents produced the highest fraction of organic waste of 84.4%, whilst those of the lower middle and upper middle were 81.0% and 53 .0% respectively. Recyclable waste produced were 4% for low, 17% for lower middle and 32% for the upper middle group. For non recyclable waste, the three income residents produced 12%, 3.3% and 8.2% respectively. The results also indicated that the bulk of household wastes in the community Bantama was organic, which was almost 80% of the total waste. This amount of waste can effectively be used to make good compost that householders can use as manure for backyard gardening. It was also observed that the residents were willing, and would be able to practice segregation at the household level when educated, encouraged and motivated. Yet these wastes were left on the streets and in drains to cause health and environmental problems. It is therefore recommended that householders should be educated, encouraged and motivated to do waste segregation in order to reduce the amount of wastes that go to our limited landfills.

Source: KNUST
Municipal solid waste characterisation and quantification as a measure towards effective waste management in the Takoradi Sub-Metro (Ghana)

Waste collection and disposal is a challenge for many metropolitan and municipal assemblies in Ghana and the Takoradi metropolis is no exception. Currently, all the waste generated in Takoradi sub-metro ends up at the final disposal sites without any recovery of the valuables in the waste. Waste separation efficiency and willingness to separate waste at source, the physical composition and the per capita waste generated per each household within the Takoradi metropolis were studied over a five week period. Questionnaire survey and interviews with key stakeholders were also carried out. The results show a solid waste composition of 60.01% biodegradables, 11.47% plastic, 7.35% paper and cardboard, 2.38% metals, 1.51% glass, 1.22% leather and rubber, 2.91% textiles, 8.04% inert materials and 4.98% miscellaneous materials. Over 80% of the waste had the potential for reuse (potentially recyclable) and of the usable material, 22.67% can be recycled and 63.64% for composting. The average per capita waste generated was 0.70 kg/ca/day. The average moisture of biodegradables waste was 54.99%. The data generated on the quantity and composition of the waste stream in the metropolis would play a positive role in solid waste management and help solid waste managers make informed decisions on waste management options.

Source: KNUST
Multivariate Time Series A Data Analysis on Real Economic Activity Data Case Study: Ghana, November 1990 to December 2011

One of the key objectives of every economy whether or not developing or developed is to achieve a high and sustained economic growth rate coupled with low rates of inflation and interest rate. The real sector growth is particularly the concern, considering the effects that inflation and interest rate could have on it. As a result, this study investigates the nexus between interest rate, inflation and real economic activity in Ghana for the period November, 1990 to December, 2011. The study employed the newly developed multivariate cointegration estimation technique via vector autoregression modeling. The results show that there exists a unique long run relationship between real economic activity and its covariates, although these variables were found to be nonstationary at their levels. Further, interest rate and inflation are identified as important determinants of real economic activity growth in Ghana. The obverse showed that real economic activity does not significantly determine inflation and interest rate. Interestingly, the immediate results suggest the need to critically look at the prime rate and therefore interest rate to help streamline the investment patterns of the economy although according to the study period the interest rate does not affect real activity.

Source: KNUST
Museum for Ashanti Culture

The influx of foreigners to the African Continent has been rising over the years. The main source of attraction being what the continent has to show in terms of the different cultures existing all over the continent. In Ghana our rich culture has so much to offer and considering the revenue that is obtained from the tourist industry, revamping of the tourist industry has been inevitable. The awareness of what the tourist industry can do for the nation as a whole as well as individuals is making the local people strive to promote to the highest possible level our culture in an unadulterated manner at both local and international level. Existing already is a combination of castles on our beaches with numerous stories to tell about various cultures as well as artefacts from years back. However, the very outstanding tourist attractions are the durbars and festivals of the various tribes in Ghana which do well to show the artefacts, regalia etc. of the tribes. Other outstanding materials are our arts and crafts. In all only a few African countries can rival this. Ghana’s potential as a tourist destination is beyond doubt, as a result of the rich cultural heritage and secondary attractions such as sunny weather and tropical food. Tourism development in Ghana is hindered by lack of investment and if available very little. Thus there is not enough for full exploitation of our cultural heritage. The necessary infrastructure is already in existence. There are good roads, railway and airlines between major tourist centres. There is therefore the need for further and impressive development of numerous tourist attractions and spots together with promotional and publicity policies to attract both investors and foreigners. Ashanti Region, one of the most popular and powerful areas in Ghana has a very rich cultural heritage and has very interesting information as pertains its history and culture from the beginning of the Ashanti Kingdom till present. THE PROJECT This project approved by Clients; Ghana Tourist Board, Ghana Museums and Monuments board in collaboration with Ashanti Regional house of Chiefs is to provide a Museum for Ashanti Artefacts in Kumasi. This will house all artefacts of the Ashanti Kingdom acquired or made through the years and, tell the story of this great Kingdom from the beginning till now. SCOPE Facilities to be provided include: Galleries or exhibition rooms (permanent) Temporary exhibition spaces Snack Shop Offices for management Library Auditorium Shops for the sale of souvenirs Areas for relaxation before and after tours OBJECTIVES The aims and objectives of this project are to provide spaces for the secure storage and impressive display of our artefacts, regalia etc which are priceless because of their age, quality and material and to provide a facility which aside meeting user requirements will enhance the aesthetic character of the surroundings of the original Kumase, lift up the image of the area and also give delight to the user and local inhabitants of present Kumasi and Ashanti region as a whole. TARGET GROUPS Tourist from all over the world - men - women - children

Source: KNUST
Museum education in Ghana

ABSTRACT Since 1957, Ghana has establish several museums under the Museums and Monument Board and these museums are required to play social, educational and economic development of a nation. However, it is distressing to note that with the highly endowed museum assets of Ghana, such as the Cape Coast Castle Museum, Ghana National Museum, Fort Appolonia Museum of Nzema History and Culture, the Elmina Castle Museum, Ho Museum, Bolga Museum, Wa Museum, Museum of Science and Technology, and The Head of State Museum both in Accra, the nation ought to be receiving more and contributing to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product. Significantly, the museums are not doing well in the areas of satisfactory visitor experience and education. There appear to be sketchy ideas and a no concretized framework to guide museum education in Ghana. In this view, this study sought to study the state of the museums under the Ghana Museum and Monument Board and also assess visitors experience and education and finally develop a framework that would enhance a better museum education in Ghana. Employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the study used a triangulation of Observations, Interviewed and Questionnaire to assemble data from the field. Extensive visits to Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC in the United States and particularly Smithsonian Museum of African Art, as well as Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio also in the US and studies on Kenya Museums and British Museum were made to understand their models and frameworks. The Ghana Museum and Monuments Board were involved in Focus Group Discussion on the phenomenon. These study unveiled the state of the museums which led to the design of a framework for GMMB. The state of the facility and collections even though they harbour the culture and identity of the Ghanaian societies, most of them are in deplorable state. This calls for much attention from the museum management and government to come out with a strategic plan to salvage an asset of great importance to the development of the nation. On the satisfaction of museum audience experience the study unveiled that it is undeniably unsatisfactory. This therefore resulted in the development of an educational framework which is hinged on five main pillars of educational strategy. It is however recommended that the Ghana Museum and Monument Board adopts the framework to enhance its educational activities.

Source: KNUST