ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Socio-Economic determinants of child survival in the Gomoa East District of the central region of Ghana.

Among the important issues of health concerns in every nation is the issue of child survival. The survival of children under age five is highly dependent on the general social, environmental and economic atmosphere they find themselves. This study sought to examine National Health Insurance Scheme and some selected socio-economic variables in determining child survival chances. Gomoa East District in the Central Region of Ghana was selected for the study. Mixed methods approach was employed, making use of social survey with 260 mothers and face-to-face interviews with 12 purposively selected mothers. Chi-square statistic and Binary logistic regression models were fitted to the survey data collected whereas thematic analysis was done for the interviews. The study revealed that maternal factors such as age, education, religion and parity were significant predictors of child survival. Main source of drinking water for households, household income and child enrolment on health insurance also significantly predicted child survival. Household income was ascertained as working through proper nutrition and payment of medical bills to influence survival chances of children. Household enrolment on health insurance saved the households income for other expenses which would have otherwise gone into health expenditure. Subscription to National Health Insurance Scheme facilitates the increased frequency of the use of health services which positively affected child survival outcomes. Based on the findings from the study, recommendations such as encouraging girl-child education and intensifying the coverage and depth of National Health Insurance Scheme among others were made.

Source: KNUST
Socio-economic factors that influence enrolment and retention on the national health insurance scheme in the Asokore Mampong municipality of Ghana.

The study aimed at investigating the socio-economic variables that influence enrolment and retention on the National Health Insurance Scheme in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of Ghana. The study made use of primary data collected from the 2018 field survey using a sample of 400 respondents through personally administered questionnaire. The binary logistic regression model was the empirical model of estimation. The study, among other findings, revealed that sex, monthly income, marital status and education were the factors that influence enrolment whilst sex, age, religion, marital status, and education were found to be the factors that influence retention on the National Health Insurance Scheme. Specifically, the study found that female respondents were more likely to enroll compared to male respondents, but male respondents are more likely to be renewing their insurance. Again, respondents with high income were found more likely to enroll relative to those with income below GH¢100. Furthermore, aged people were revealed to be less likely to retain their cards even as it was free for them. The few tertiary educated were found more likely to retain their cards compared to the uneducated even though respondents with basic and tertiary were found more likely not to enroll. Given the above: policies to encourage male, boost the income level of the people, a more easily and better accessible ways (like automatic renewal for the aged), better packages to motivate people, intensive monitoring of the service at the health delivery centers and education by the Government, the NHIA, the GHS and all stakeholder, could be effective tools in improving enrollment and retention.

Source: KNUST
The socio-economic impact of the liberalization of the internal marketing of cocoa in Ghana

The adoption of liberalization policy as a means of strengthening the efficiency of public sector institutions and systems has been the hallmark of the country’s economic reform programme. In 1993 the Government through the Agricultural Sector Adjustment Credit Programme re-introduced competition into the internal marketing of cocoa. This policy was aimed at eliminating the waste in the monopsony buying of cocoa by the Produce Buying Company Limited (PBC) and improves the operational and financial performance of the internal marketing system. It was expected that the Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) would pay higher producer prices to farmers and improve their marketing services through competition. The motivation behind this research is that if cocoa should continue to play its mothering role for the nation, there is the need to adopt a marketing system that would be sustainable and eventually increase the wealth of the nation. The study was therefore intended to determine the extent to which the objectives as outlined in the liberalization policy have been achieved and the contribution made towards the socio economic development of the farmer, the rural community and the country in general. This is the challenge that faced this research work. The study began with a review of literature of internal marketing system which provided background information about the structure of marketing arrangements as practised in Ghana over the years and the market structure and cocoa sector experiences of other cocoa producing countries. The fieldwork of the study employed questionnaire administration to obtain primary data from farmers and LBCs. The data was subjected to multi-variate technique of analysis to arrive at the benefits accrued to the farmers and their community through the competition and the problems that faced the system currently. A review of secondary information extracted from Cocoa Board records was also carried out to determine the impact of the system on the industry and the economy in general. The results of the analysis of the data showed that farmers have benefited from the policy in terms of: (i) Prompt purchase and payment of produce. (ii) Financial incentives like credit scheme and short term loan. (iii) Other farmers support scheme. (iv) Community improvement projects. The industry and the economy were found to have benefited by way of quick evacuation of cocoa to take over points, operational efficiency and cost savings. However, the operation of the competitive market as practised currently was found bedeviled with some problems which included embezzlement of cash meant for cocoa purchases, theft of cocoa at farmgate and purchase of low quality cocoa by some LBCs. Finally, the study ended with recommendations for the effective management of the internal marketing system.

Source: KNUST
The socioeconomic outcomes of the Participatory Learning and Action Research (PLAR) approach to the transfer of Agricultural Technology (IRM) in rice cultivation

For many years now, the linear model of technology transfer has been used by Extension Agents in Ghana to transfer improved agricultural technologies to famers. This model of transferring agricultural technologies has led to the low adoption of many improved agricultural technologies and where adoption has been attempted, these technologies are often abandoned by famers. This work looks at the effectiveness of the participatory model (Participatory Learning and Action Research – PLAR) as an alternative to the transfer of agricultural technologies. This was necessitated by the fact that many authors have criticized the conventional approach as ineffective in transferring agricultural technologies to farmers. First the study was to examine the impact of the approach on farmers’ knowledge concerning improved practices in rice cultivation. Secondly the study was to find out how the knowledge acquired could influence farmers’ outputs and farmers’ profits per an area of land. To examine these questions an investigative survey was conducted in three rice cultivating communities in Ghana where PLAR has been used to transfer Integrated Rice Management as a technology. Results from the study, using KASA analysis, indicated that in all the three communities the PLAR farmers showed higher levels of improved knowledge and practices in rice cultivation than their non PLAR counterparts. Results from independent sample t-test at a significance level of 5% also showed that the PLAR farmers in all the three communities had significantly higher outputs per acre and also higher cost of production than their non PLAR counterparts, whiles the non PLAR farmers had higher gross profit margins than their PLAR counterparts in all three communities. The study recommends that PLAR should be re-designed to make it less expensive for farmers to practice to ensure higher gross margins among farmers. Provision of subsidies to farmers to reduce the cost of using recommended agricultural technologies is also recommended by this study.

Source: KNUST
The socioeconomic status of women and academic attainment of their children: a study at Srodae, Betom and Adweso in the New Juaben Municipality

The past four decades have witnessed a significant rise in women’s social and economic well-being, particularly among women with children in the home. This shift has sparked considerable academic debate regarding the consequences mothers’ socioeconomic background has on the development of their children, especially their academic attainment. Surprisingly, this area of study has received little attention in the Ghanaian context. The general objective of the study was to examine the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) of women (occupation, marital status, economic status of women and women’s education) on the academic attainments of their children. The study also sought to determine which of the four identified SES significantly predicted academic attainment of children. To achieve these objectives, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured interview guide on a probability sample of 275 respondents identified through the multi-stage sampling technique. Respondents consisted of women who were 41+ years and had a child. The data was analyzed using direct logistic regression and chi-square test of independence. The results of the bivariate analysis showed that, occupation of women, education of women, marital status of women and economic status of women were all significantly related to the academic attainment of their children, at α = 0.05. The direct logistic regression analysis also revealed that none of the four SES variables measured proved to be a statistically significant determinant of children’s academic attainment. However, women who were professionals were three (3) times (OR = 3.49) more likely than non-professionals to have children with high level of academic attainment. Mothers who were educated were three (3) times (OR=3.29) more likely to have children with high academic attainment than mothers who were not educated. Women who were married were also two (2) times (OR= 2.16) more likely than unmarried women to have children with high level of education. The economic status of women on the contrary had a negative effect on the likelihood that children will attain high education. Findings of the study suggest that, women SES affect the academic attainment of their children. The researcher recommends that, women groups in Ghana such as Ghanaian Women's Social Leadership Program (GWSLP), Ghana International Women’s Club (GIWC) should all add their voice to emphasizing women education and for that matter, female education in their programmes taking a cue from this study.

Source: KNUST
A Sociological Assessment Of The Causes And Consequences Of Youth Violence In The Kumasi Metropolis

This study was undertaken to assess the sociological causes and consequences of youth violence in the Kumasi Metropolis. Violence by young people is one of the most visible forms of violence in society. Around the world, newspapers and the broadcast media report daily on violence by gangs, in schools or by young people on the streets. Therefore, with the use of a mixed method approach, 71 youth in the Kumasi Metropolis were randomly selected whereas 10 participants were chosen to take part in a focus group discussion. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and findings show that the principal categories of violence were manifested in noise making, rape, murder, stealing and drug addiction, obscene gestures, robbery, stealing, bullying, hitting, fighting, swearing, threatening, shoving/pushing, yelling, sexual abuse and embarrassing. The study suggests peer pressure as the key factor that induced youth violence. It was also noted that becoming physically ill, death, injury, disability, fear and panic when in the dark, low level of community development and shame and disgrace were some of the ramifications of violent behaviours in the community. Finally, to reduce the incidence of violence among youth in the Kumasi Metropolis, the study revealed that education on security tips, equipping the police with logistics targeted at youth gangs, schools and areas where young people congregate and socialize, and the activities of volunteers were security measures employed by their communities in controlling violent behaviours. However, these strategies were dependent on the Government, Chiefs and Non-Governmental Organizations in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Software for the National Health Insurance Scheme: Pharmacy Management

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has a drug list with predetermined maximum price of the drugs for accredited providers of Pharmaceutical Services. These accredited Pharmacy shops encounter difficulties as regards dispensing drugs to the clients of the scheme as it is done manually. Again the processing of claims is also very cumbersome and at a cost to the service providers. Therefore, the need to design software to eliminate the deficiencies in the existing system. The main result for the thesis is that we used Visual Basic and SQL Sever to design Pharmacy Management Software (Pharmas) for NHIS to make potential service providers readily apply for accreditation, generate all required reports, monitor inventory levels and finances, speed up the processing of claims, facilitate speedy dispensing of drugs to the clients, monitor events and assess the profitability of the rvices being rendered, and to provide comprehensive and up-to-date reports for effective and timely decision-making.

Source: KNUST
Soil and water conservation in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Inadequate land management and agricultural activities have largely resulted in land degradation in Burkina Faso. The nationwide governmental and institutional driven implementation and adoption of soil and water conservation measures (SWCM) since the early 1960s, however, is expected to successively slow down the degradation process and to increase the agricultural output. Even though relevant measures have been taken, only a few studies have been conducted to quantify their effect, for instance, on soil erosion and environmental restoration. In addition, a comprehensive summary of initiatives, implementation strategies, and eventually region-specific requirements for adopting different SWCM is missing. The present study therefore aims to review the different SWCM in Burkina Faso and implementation programs, as well as to provide information on their effects on environmental restoration and agricultural productivity. This was achieved by considering over 143 studies focusing on Burkina Faso’s experience and research progress in areas of SWCM and soil erosion. SWCM in Burkina Faso have largely resulted in an increase in agricultural productivity and improvement in food security. Finally, this study aims at supporting the country’s informed decision-making for extending already existing SWCM and for deriving further implementation strategies.

Source: KNUST
Soil Application of Poultry Manure and Some Nematicides for the Control of Root Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Spp.) of Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea Var. Capitata)

Two experiments (pot and field) were conducted to investigate the effect of soil application of poultry manure and some nematicides for the control of root knot nematodes of cabbage at the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi. There were five treatments with four replications. The treatments were 1,5t/ha of poultry manure, 3.0t/ha of poultry manure, two nematicides (Neemazal 0.3 EC and Marshal 5G) and the control (no nematicide or soil amendment). Completely randomized design was used for the pot experiment. All pots were inoculated with 2000 root knot nematode eggs a week before the application of the different treatments. The parameters studied included; plant height, plant girth, number of leaves, root galling, egg mass indices, population density of Meloidogyne juveniles, shoot and root weight of cabbage. Poultry « manure application was found reduce Meloidogyne infestation and application of 3.0t/ha recorded the largest shoot and root weights. For the field study, a naturally infested root knot nematode field was used. The treatments were as above. Randomized complete block design was used with four replications. The eggs used as inoculums were extracted from the roots with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution. Data were collected on the following parameters: distribution of nematodes in the experimental site, root galls, egg mass index, density of Meloidogyne spp. juveniles per 100 ml of soil, root weight, head diameter and head weight of cabbage. The least number of Meloidogyne juveniles and lowest infection indeces ( root gall and egg mass indeces) were recorded for 3.0t/ha poultry manure treatments while the highest values were recorded from the control. Similarly the largest head diameter and head weight of cabbage were obtained from poultry manure treated plots when compared with other treatments. There was significant difference among the treatment means for root galls, egg mass index and density of Meloidogyne spp. juveniles per 100 ml of soil. The superiority of poutry manures over Neemazal 0.3 EC and Marshal 5G nematicide for cabbage production was observed.

Source: KNUST
Soil carbon stock and nutrient characteristics of Senna siamea grove in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

We report soil carbon stock (SCS) and nutrient characteristics of a pure stand of Senna siamea grove in comparison with adjacent cropland using t-test. This study was conducted in 2018 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Soil sampling up to 50 cm depth was carried out from five subplots in each ecosystem. The SCS of the grove at 0–15 cm depth was over 100% greater (30.78 Mg/ha) than that of the cropland (15.16 Mg/ha). Soil pH and total N content of the grove were 5.75 ± 1.22 and 0.10 ± 0.03% in the topsoil (0–15 cm) and 5.52 ± 0.80, 0.06 ± 0.01% and 5.03 ± 1.22, 0.04 ± 0.01% in the 15–30 and 30–50 cm depths, respectively. Although these values were greater in the grove than the cropland, the available phosphorus content was 3–4 fold greater in the latter soil. The two ecosystems affected soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents significantly (p < 0.05) only in the topsoil, but had a significant influence on soil available phosphorus in both the topsoil and the subsoil. Sand content of the grove seemed to explain greater variability in its SCS (R2 = 0.81) than clay content. The greater SCS of the Senna grove demonstrates its role in soil carbon storage in tropical climate in the era of climate change.

Source: KNUST
Soil Amelioration and Nutrient Export in Senna Siamea [Cassia Siamea], Gliricidia Sepium and Leucaena Leucqcephala stands at age four years.

Soil amelioration potential was investigated for four- year-old stands of Senna siamea [Cassia siamea] , Gliricidia sepium and Luecaena leucocephala established at the IRNR Farm, University of Science and Technology (UST), Kumasi (06° 43’W, 01o 36’N) Soils under tree stands and an adjacent grass fallow were analysed for pH, CM, total N, available P and K, exchange cations and CEC at 0-15cm, 15-30cm and 30-60cm soil depths. AWC, equilibrium infiltration rate and bulk density were also determined for each stand. Trees were destructively sampled for biomass yield and tissue nutrient analysis. Data generated was subjected to Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design with four replicates of each treatment. Stands increased pH, CM and CEC by 24-26%, 9-31% and 44-110% respectively in the 0-15cm depth of profile. N and P levels declined by 38-49% and 80-89% respectively. Grass fallow had better chemical properties than tree stands in most parameters measured including pH, CM, N, P and CEC. These properties decreased in the order: Grass > Senna Leucaena > Gliricidia. Among trees, Senna had significantly higher (p < 0.01) above-ground biomass than Gliricidia and icaena. This resulted in higher nutrient accumulation for Senna in Kg/ha of 266 for N, 34 for P1 261 for K, 833 for Ca and 113 for Mg. Gliricidia had the lowest N and Mg accumulation while Leucaena had the lowest P, K and Ca. Low proportions of foliage biomass made estimates of nutrient export still, high even if foliage were retained on site at harvest. Regressions of total N, pH, CEC, available P and bulk density on OM are included to show the influence of GM on soil improvement. Estimates of nutrient-use efficiencies of the tree species are also included.

Source: KNUST