ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An investigative study on project management practice of subcontractors in Accra

Buildings for commercial purposes or residential use have become complex and sophisticated. They require efficient and effective management to successfully complete them. The complex and sophisticated nature has made it necessary for prime contractors, sponsors or consultants of projects to acquire the services of subcontractors to execute specialize part of the bigger project. Air conditioning, fire system, electrical system and plumbing are some of the specialize aspect of building projects which are usually sublet to subcontractors to execute. Often than not, the attention is on the prime contractor when it comes to project management in the construction industry. This study will shift the attention from the prime contractors and focus on the subcontractors. The main objective of this study was to investigate how subcontractors are currently managing projects and also find out criteria or parameters subcontractors will use to judge a project as successful or not. A quantitative structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from participants. The participants are workers from subcontracting companies. The data collected was analyzed with SPSS. The study found out that subcontractors practice project management but do so in the informal way. There is no basic processes or methodology that is adopted by subcontractors. There is always someone in the project management position but such people are not certified project managers and most with less knowledge base in project management practice. The management of their projects are done through experience. In the area of success criteria, the study found out that meeting client‘s requirements, completing the work within time and completing within budget were the top three criteria subcontractors consider in judging how successful a project was. The study after conclusion recommended further studies into the activities of subcontractors in each of the knowledge areas separately in order to get full details on the activities of subcontractors when it comes to practicing project management.

Source: KNUST
Investment cost of small town water supply schemes in the Greater Accra Region

Ghana in line with the world community has committed itself to meet the water component of the MDG target. The low water coverage (59% urban in 2008 and 54.86% rural in 2007) suggests the need for more investments in water supply provision. Meanwhile there is lack of disaggregated investment cost dataand the understanding of the key factors that influence costs especially of Small Town Water Supply Schemes (STWSSs). The objective of this study is to determine the investment cost of STWSSs and identify key factors that influence cost to help inform planning and decision-making. The study was based on completed STWSSs (7 systems) investment cost in the Greater Accra region. The investment cost data excluding programme cost were obtained from payment certificates, bill of quantities, financial contract management forms and contract commitment reports. The investment cost of the various water schemes were adjusted for inflation using the Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) from the Ghana Statistical Service. Interviews with key informants were conducted for the information on the key factors that influence investment cost. The effects of these factors were examined on the seven « water schemes. The results indicated that investment cost of all the water schemes ranged between 58 and 151 GH<t per capita for the year 2008 as the base year. Cost adjustments with the PBCI were higher than the general inflation. The key factors identified to influence the investment cost of the water schemes in this study were the scale or scope of the schemes; inflation rates; and delays associated with water schemes' construction. Although hydrogeological conditions of a project area could be identified as a key factor but did not show to influence significantly the investment cost in Greater Accra region.

Source: KNUST
An investigation into the operations of microfinance institutions within the Kumasi Metropolis

Microfin‎‎anc‎e s‎ervic‎es in th‎e fin‎‎anci‎‎al s‎ector h‎‎av‎e spr‎e‎‎a‎d ‎‎all ov‎er th‎e n‎‎ation to s‎erv‎e th‎e n‎e‎e‎ds of th‎e poor ‎‎an‎d th‎e comm‎unity ‎‎as ‎‎a whol‎e. Th‎e in‎d‎ustry ‎‎also ‎em‎erg‎e‎d ‎‎as ‎‎an innov‎‎ation in l‎en‎ding to th‎e r‎ur‎‎al poor in ‎‎Afric‎‎a. ‎B‎ut l‎‎ack of ‎d‎u‎e ‎dilig‎enc‎e ‎‎an‎d ‎eff‎ectiv‎e m‎‎an‎‎ag‎em‎ent pr‎‎actic‎es h‎‎as l‎e‎d to th‎e coll‎‎aps‎e of most microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions within th‎e K‎um‎‎asi m‎etropolis. H‎enc‎e, th‎e ‎‎aim of th‎e st‎u‎dy w‎‎as to ‎explor‎e op‎er‎‎ations of microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions within th‎e K‎um‎‎asi m‎etropolis. Th‎e sp‎ecific o‎bj‎ectiv‎es w‎er‎e to i‎d‎entify th‎e ch‎‎all‎eng‎es ‎eff‎ecting th‎e ‎eff‎ectiv‎e op‎er‎‎ation‎‎al m‎‎an‎‎ag‎em‎ent of microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions within th‎e K‎um‎‎asi m‎etropolis, to ‎ev‎‎al‎u‎‎at‎e f‎‎actors which ‎‎attri‎b‎ut‎e‎d to th‎e coll‎‎aps‎e of som‎e microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions within th‎e K‎um‎‎asi m‎etropolis ‎‎an‎d to i‎d‎entify th‎e str‎‎at‎egic ‎‎appro‎‎ach‎es for ‎eff‎ectiv‎e op‎er‎‎ation‎‎al m‎‎an‎‎ag‎em‎ent of microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions within K‎um‎‎asi m‎etropolis. Thro‎ugh ‎‎a thoro‎ugh lit‎er‎‎at‎ur‎e r‎evi‎ew q‎u‎estionn‎‎air‎e w‎‎as ‎d‎ev‎elop‎e‎d ‎‎an‎d ‎‎a‎dminist‎er‎e‎d to t‎en (10) microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions involving fiv‎e (5) op‎er‎‎ation‎‎al st‎‎affs within ‎e‎‎ach s‎et‎up. ‎D‎‎at‎‎a g‎en‎er‎‎at‎e‎d from th‎e s‎urv‎ey were f‎urth‎er ‎‎an‎‎alys‎e‎d ‎using ‎d‎escriptiv‎e st‎‎atistics involving p‎erc‎ent‎‎ag‎e, fr‎eq‎u‎ency, m‎e‎‎an ‎‎an‎d st‎‎an‎d‎‎ar‎d ‎d‎evi‎‎ation. Th‎e following w‎er‎e r‎ev‎e‎‎al‎e‎d ‎‎as th‎e ch‎‎all‎eng‎es to ‎eff‎ectiv‎e op‎er‎‎ation‎‎al m‎‎an‎‎ag‎em‎ent of microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions, n‎‎am‎ely: ‎dishon‎est ‎employ‎e‎es, l‎‎ack of ‎un‎d‎erst‎‎an‎ding in th‎e ‎d‎efinition ‎‎an‎d conc‎ept of microfin‎‎anc‎e ‎by th‎e cli‎ents, l‎‎ack of st‎‎an‎d‎‎ar‎diz‎e r‎eporting ‎‎an‎d p‎erform‎‎anc‎e monitoring syst‎em for microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions w‎er‎e th‎e m‎‎ajor Mor‎eov‎er, most c‎‎a‎us‎es in th‎e coll‎‎aps‎e of microfin‎‎anc‎e instit‎utions w‎‎as ‎‎as ‎‎a r‎es‎ult of mism‎‎an‎‎ag‎em‎ent, ill‎eg‎‎al op‎er‎‎ation with ‎un‎ethic‎‎al pr‎‎actic‎es ‎‎an‎d ‎disr‎eg‎‎ar‎d of ‎d‎u‎e ‎dilig‎enc‎e. ‎B‎‎as‎e‎d on th‎e ‎‎a‎bov‎e fin‎ding th‎e following r‎ecomm‎en‎d‎‎ations w‎er‎e ‎d‎e‎em n‎ec‎ess‎‎ary. Circ‎umsp‎ection in r‎ecr‎uitm‎ent ‎‎an‎d s‎el‎ection of th‎e right ‎‎an‎d q‎u‎‎alify h‎um‎‎an p‎ersonn‎el, ‎D‎u‎e ‎dilig‎enc‎e ‎by m‎‎an‎‎ag‎em‎ent in th‎e l‎eg‎‎al op‎er‎‎ation with ‎ethic‎‎al pr‎‎actic‎es ‎‎an‎d control of p‎u‎blic r‎umor in ‎‎avoi‎ding p‎‎anic with‎dr‎‎aw‎‎al. P‎erio‎dic c‎ustom‎er’s s‎emin‎‎ar ‎by m‎‎an‎‎ag‎em‎ent on v‎‎ario‎us s‎ervic‎es ‎‎an‎d policy g‎ui‎d‎‎anc‎e to prosp‎ectiv‎e c‎ustom‎er on th‎eir ‎b‎usin‎ess g‎ui‎d‎‎anc‎e ‎‎an‎d op‎er‎‎ations with r‎esp‎ectiv‎e fin‎‎anci‎‎al instit‎utions.

Source: KNUST
Invstigating Efficiency of Some Sample Measures of Skewness Using Simulation Study

Skewness is a degree of distributional asymmetry, is one of the important characteristic in population studies. Study seeks to examine and investigate efficiency or performance of some sample measures of skewness using simulation study. The study focuses on five commonly known sample measures; Classical, Pearson, Groeneveld, Tajuddin and Holgersson. Data were simulated 1000 samples from three (3) distributions namely Weibull, log normal and beta of sample sizes 20, 50 and 100.The measures were estimated and their efficiencies were analyzed using their Mean Square Error (MSE) to determine which measure was robust and best. Under Weibull distribution Groeneveld measures had a minimal bias and hence efficient compared to the other measures. Under Beta distribution, Groeneveld and Tajuddin had minimal bias but Classical measure was more efficient compared to other the measures. Under log normal distribution Groeneveld measure had a minimal bias but the Pearson measure was more efficient compared to the other measures.

Source: KNUST
Involving children in community planning: the case of Asunafo South District

The involvement of children in development activities, including planning, is still a new approach that slowly appears worldwide with the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. World experiences have demonstrated that the involvement of children have many advantages, such as the promotion of citizenship skills among children, the development of accurate information about children’s felt problems and needs, the development of children’s self-esteem and confidence, among others. However, in the context of Ghana, children’s involvement in decision making or in any development activities inside of their communities or the country in general has not been much encouraged, due to different reasons. This research examines the feasibility to involve children in community planning in Asunafo South District, through an attempt of initiating its concrete practice. Also, the study aims to compare the results of children’s views with adults’ and to suggest possible ways to facilitate their participation. Through the field results, the research reveals interesting information from the children that can be used in the planning process of the district, in terms of the childrens assessment of the community problems and of their felt problems and needs. The issues of gender differences and rural/urban disparities are also part of the results, giving the chance to the corresponding institutions to take over and work on the problems detected. The main areas for recommendations to facilitate children’s participation in community development process are under education and CBOs encouragement. These two areas can be the pivots for future extension of children’s involvement in the decision-making processes in the context of Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Iron and folic acid supplementation and compliance among pregnant women in Nanumba North district of Northern region, Ghana

BACKGROUND: Available scientific evidence has shown that routine supplementation with iron and folic acid (IFA) during pregnancy is an effective way of preventing anaemia in pregnant women most especially in areas where its prevalence is high. Anaemia affects an estimated two billion people worldwide, thus 30% of the world‟s population mainly due to iron deficiency. Even though, several studies have been conducted with numerous recommendations, the implementation of iron and folic acid supplementation varies with the geographical and socioeconomic factors at the place of implementation. This research was therefore conducted to assess the compliance and utilization of iron and folic acid supplements in the Nanumba North district of Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used for the study. Quantitative method was used to achieve the set objectives of this study. Data on IFA distribution and utilization was collected among pregnant women using semi-structured questionnaire in addition to the review of maternal child health record booklets. A total number of 290 pregnant women were recruited for the study using convenience sampling technique. RESULTS: From the findings 51.4% the women booked for ANC within the first trimester whilst 43.8% and 4.8% commenced ANC visits in the second and third trimesters respectively. In addition, 67.9% of the respondents received IFA tablets during ANC services whilst 32.1% did not. However, 51.4% of the participants did not know the reason(s) why IFA is giving during pregnancy. The results also revealed that 53.8% had no form of education/counselling on IFAS. The results pointed out that 23.4% have ever defaulted in taking their IFA with reasons such as forgetfulness, fed-up with taking the drug, lack of supplements, and deterred by the inconvenience associated with the drug such as difficulty in swallowing due to the scent of the drug, feeling nauseous and vomiting. It was discovered that 53.5% of clients do not get regular supply of IFA. It was also revealed that women who have attained tertiary education were 8 times likely to adhere to IFA (OR: 7.97; CI: 1.38 - 45.8; p-value: 0.020) whereas women who knew the required number of IFA tablet required every month were 4.8 times likely to adhere to IFA tablets (OR: 4.79; CI: 2.15 - 10.68; p-value: 0.001). CONCLUSION: Generally, the time mothers booked for ANC service is not good enough to be able to obtain the recommended four plus visits. Also the knowledge level of mothers on the importance of taking IFA was equally poor. Gains will be made in IFAS if there is an improvement in SBCC and logistical supply.

Source: KNUST
Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: microbiological contamination in farms and markets and associated consumer risk groups

Ghana is a typical low-income sub-Saharan African country facing significant sanitation challenges. In Ghana, fresh salads are not part of the normal diet, but have become a common supplement to urban fast food served in streets, canteens and restaurants. In Accra, about 200 000 people consume from such supplements every day. The figure also describes the size of the risk group from contamination, which comprises all income classes including the poor and children. The purpose of this study was to investigate widespread water pollution in urban and peri-urban areas, where 95% of the lettuce consumed in the city is produced. Over 12 months (April 2004– June 2005), lettuce samples from the same production sites in two cities were followed and analyzed along the “farm to fork” pathway for total and faecal coliform (FC) and helminth egg numbers. Questionnaire surveys were conducted among producers, sellers and consumers to quantify lettuce flows to the final risk group. The study identified the farm as the main point of lettuce contamination. Besides the irrigation water, contamination was also attributed to manure application and already contaminated soil. Despite poor sanitary conditions in markets, post-harvest handling and marketing did not further increase the farm-gate contamination levels. To reduce the health risk associated with the consumption of contaminated lettuce; safer farming and irrigation practices are required while the remaining risk could best be addressed where lettuce is prepared for consumption.

Source: KNUST
The iron status in normal and anaemic individuals before and after iron chemotherapy by chemical methods

Serum Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TTBC), Percentage Saturation (PSAT), Serum Ferritin, Haemoglobin levels and Sickling status were determined in 228 pregnant women, 57 anaemic children, 71 rural children, 90 urban children (control group for the children) and 69 adults ( control group) before iron chemotherapy and after. The assays were mainly conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (K.A.T.H, Kumasi) and the St. Theresa’s Hospital (Nkoranza). Ferritin determinations were carried out at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra). Samples were obtained from Accra, Kumasi and Nkranza. Serum Iron and TIBC were estimated using a new colorimethc method which was designed. PSAT was estimated from the serum Iron and TIBC results. Where samples were insufficient for TIBC determination, as in some paediatric cases, Transferrin was determined by RadialImmuno-Diffusion, and the TIBC estimated. Ferritin was determined by Enzyme ImmunoAssay techniques using AXIA II equipment. Iron deficiency (as measured by total serum iron) in pregnant women was 26.1 per cent; 42.3 per cent in the rural children; 40.4 percent in hospitalized anaemic children; 4.2 per cent in urban children and 10 per cent in the adult group, before chemotherapy. After 4 weeks iron chemotherapy, iron deficiency dropped to 12.5 per cent in the pregnant women; 22.8 per cent in the hospitalized anaemic children; 22.5 per cent in the rural children and 1.4 per cent in the adult control group. The urban children did not undergo iron chemotherapy because they had good serum iron levels to begin with. There was no correlation between the sickling status and serum iron parameters. However, there was a positive correlation between age and the haemoglobin concentration.

Source: KNUST
Iron and folic acid supplementation and compliance among pregnant women in Nanumba north district of northern region, Ghana

BACKGROUND: Available scientific evidence has shown that routine supplementation with iron and folic acid (IFA) during pregnancy is an effective way of preventing anaemia in pregnant women most especially in areas where its prevalence is high. Anaemia affects an estimated two billion people worldwide, thus 30% of the world’s population mainly due to iron deficiency. Even though, several studies have been conducted with numerous recommendations, the implementation of iron and folic acid supplementation varies with the geographical and socioeconomic factors at the place of implementation. Therefore, this study was to assess the compliance and utilization of iron and folic acid supplements in the Nanumba North district of Ghana. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of compliance and utilization of Iron and Folic Acid tablets among pregnant women in Nanumba North District of Northern Region- Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used for the study. Quantitative method was used to achieve the set objectives of this study. Data on IFA distribution and utilization was collected among pregnant women using semi-structured questionnaire in addition to the review of maternal child health record booklets. A total number of 290 pregnant women were recruited for the study using convenience sampling technique. RESULTS: From the findings 51.4% the women booked for ANC within the first trimester whilst 43.8% and 4.8% commenced ANC visits in the second and third trimesters respectively. In addition, 67.9% of the respondents received IFA tablets during ANC services whilst 32.1% did not. However, 51.4% of the participants did not know the reason(s) why IFA is giving during pregnancy. The results also revealed that 53.8% had no form of education/counselling on IFAS. The results pointed out that 23.4% have ever defaulted in taking their IFA with reasons such as forgetfulness, fed-up with taking the drug, lack of supplements, and deterred by the inconvenience associated with the drug such as difficulty in swallowing due to the scent of the drug, feeling vi nauseous and vomiting. It was discovered that 53.5% of clients do not get regular supply of IFA. It was also revealed that women who have attained tertiary education were 8 times likely to adhere to IFA (OR: 7.97; CI: 1.38 - 45.8; p-value: 0.020) whereas women who knew the required number of IFA tablet required every month were 4.8 times likely to adhere to IFA tablets (OR: 4.79; CI: 2.15 - 10.68; p-value: 0.001). CONCLUSION: Generally, the time mothers booked for ANC service is not good enough to be able to obtain the recommended four plus visits. Also the knowledge level of mothers on the importance of taking IFA was equally poor. Gains will be made in IFAS if there is an improvement in SBCC and logistical supply.

Source: KNUST
Irrigation of Groundnut with Water of Different Salinity Levels and their Effect on Soil Hydro-Physical Properties and Crop Performance

This study was carried out to evaluate the different levels of salinity on some physical, hydrologic and chemical properties of soil in a greenhouse study. Groundnut was used as a test crop. Different levels of salinity on growth parameters and yield performance of groundnut were also investigated. The study was carried out at Soil Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana. The soil used was a chromic Lixisol from the Transitional Agro-ecological Zone of Ghana. Three levels of sodicity were used with zero salinity as the control. The experiment was a split plot design with Complete Block Design (CBD), with four replications. In this pot experiment, four seeds were sown per pot and later thinned to two. Saline treatments were imposed by irrigating each pot with water containing varying concentrations of sodium chloride. These concentrations corresponded with Electrical Conductivities (EC) of 2.0 dSm-1, 4.0 dSm-1 and 6.0 dSm-1 respectively with 0.0 dSm-1 as the control. The results indicated that salinity levels consistently increased the bulk density but decreased total porosity and air-filled porosity. Saliniity also consistently decreased soil infiltration rate. Sorptivity and apparent hydraulic conductivity also consistently decreased with increasing salinity levels. Salinity consistently decreased growth and significantly reduced the yield of groundnut. The residual moisture increased with increasing salinity levels indicating reduction in water uptake by the groundnut. Salinity also decreased the Evapotranspiration (ET) of groundnut. The residual nutrient contents of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus increased as salinity levels increased indicating the reduced ability of groundnut to take up nutrients under high saline conditions. ii Increasing concentration of sodium chloride concomitant increase in sodium concentration in groundnut leaves, which could be associated with nutrient imbalance effect caused by sodicity. Salinity increased the bulk density while it decreased the porosity of soil. It also decreased water entry and movement in soil. Salinity had negative impact on growth and yield of groundnut.

Source: KNUST
Is pulmonary tuberculosis in pregnant women a problem in Ghana? Observations and lessons from the National Tuberculosis Prevalence Project

Background: Despite appropriate prevention and control measures, tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of the disease in pregnancy is usually challenging, as the symptoms may be attributed to the pregnancy. Little is known about the true burden of the disease and its associated risk factors among pregnant women. This study sought to assess the prevalence of TB among pregnant women and associated sociodemographic characteristics in Ghana. Methods: The study used nationally representative data gathered from the national TB project in 2013. A total of 1747 pregnant women were sampled from 56 randomly selected diagnostic health centers across the ten regions of Ghana. TB was confirmed with Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique using morning sputum samples from pregnant women who reported coughing for more than 2 weeks. We assessed how the observed TB prevalence differed by some sociodemographic characteristics and other factors. We further examined the regional spatial distribution of pregnant women with TB in the country. Results: Up to 11.2% of the pregnant women had a history of cough during pregnancy. Eighteen (1.1%) cases of TB were confirmed among the pregnant women during the 2‑year period, with the Eastern region of the country recording the highest (n = 13, 72%), followed by Volta region ( n = 2, 11.1%). No cases were recorded in five regions. The geographical region of residence was the only determinant of TB in pregnancy significantly associated with TB (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Although the burden of TB was found to be low, appropriate control measures have to be put in place to detect the disease during the early stages of pregnancy to safeguard the health of the expectant mother and the unborn child.

Source: KNUST