ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Rural art and industry artistic impression of street children

Painting is regarded as a means of communication in which non-verbal messages are communicated through colour, shapes and other elements of art. In other words it is the conversion or putting together of one’s anxieties and joy into a mode of communication. The mode of communication therefore becomes the responsibility of the artist. It therefore holds that the artist must stir up an urge of attention in the observer. It is therefore this desire to translate my experiences and observation of the social problem of street children into artistic impressions, based on aesthetic principles, to the society, which basically prompted this project. In this respect, such a project is aimed at education society about the plight of these underprivileged children, through the artist’s aesthetic impressions of the plight of the street child. This will also serve as the artist’s contribution to an awareness drive of this social menance. The project is characterised by the dedicated exploration into the possibilities of different techniques in painting children. References were made to well-known artists who are noted for treating this subject matter. This is to help in understanding what others have done and what new ideas the project is projecting. The report follows this sequence; Introduction; which opens up the project report with identification of the problem; purpose of research; scope and experimental survey. The first chapter is a review of related literature and what others had accomplished on the subject matter. The second chapter talks about the paintings in the project, the concept, techniques and aesthetics of the works. Recommendations are made at the end of this report in an effort to appraise and foster better understanding of the project and its importance to the society. This is intended to help enlighten the public and to involve the observer into asking questions as he observes the paintings.

Source: KNUST
Rural bank credit and rural development: benefit incidence analysis (A case study of Amenfiman rural bank)

The rural parts of Ghana face seemingly intractable socio-economic challenges. One of these challenges is the access to little or no institutional credit which makes it difficult for the rural dwellers to adopt modern technologies in order to expand their various economic activities. They are left to seek credit from non-institutional sources like relatives and friends. This credit market is small and as such not able to meet their needs. A rural credit department was then established at the Bank of Ghana to alleviate this problem with rural banks being established subsequently in the rural areas. However, anecdotal evidence suggested that salary earners are the major beneficiaries of rural bank credit. This study was then conducted to seek empirical evidence to do a benefit incidence analysis to find out the category of rural dwellers who receive more of rural bank credit using Amenfiman Rural Bank (ARB) as the case study and 144 sample beneficiaries. The researcher used bar graphs and percentages to analyse the data thematically. The results from the study showed that between salary earners and farmers, the main beneficiaries of the credit provided by ARB are the former with the latter being the least beneficiaries. This assertion was deduced from the data collected from the bank displaying the total amount of loans disbursed in the year 2012 through to 2014. Within those three years, a total amount of GH¢1,805,870 was disbursed as loan and whilst salary earners received 25.2% of this amount, only 14.4% went to farmers. 10.1% and 50.3% of the total amount disbursed went traders and other business respectively. Furthermore, for farmers alone, a total of GH¢103,000 was received and only 16.5% of this amount went to the poor farmers whose monthly income was estimated to be below GHc100 whilst the rich farmers (earning above GH¢1000) received 36.9% of this amount. The same pattern was recorded for all the other occupational categories considered in the study. This shows that the rural poor (low-income earners) in general benefited less from the credit provided by ARB which also emphasizes that rural banks tend to give the bulk of their loan facility to the rural non-poor (high-income earners).

Source: KNUST
Rural banking and agricultural financing- A case study of Kwamanman Rural Bank Ltd

The study examined Rural Banks and agricultural financing a case study of Kwamanman Rural Bank Ltd. The objectives that underline this study were to find out the amount of finance the bank has provided to the agricultural sector from 2009 to 2013, to analyze the amount of deposit mobilized by the bank from the agricultural sector and the challenges in agricultural financing. In trying to achieve these objectives questionnaires were used to solicit for answers from the Head of Credit of the bank and 80 customers of the bank.A conclusion was deduced from this study based on the data gathered from the bank and the respondents. From the study it was realized that not even 10% of the total bank loans offering to their customers were given to the agricultural sector. The various literatures suggest that the success of agricultural is also the success of the economy of any country especially a developing country like Ghana. With more finance to the agricultural sector, it will enable the farmers to develop and improve upon their finances which in the long help them to increase their transactions with the bank for them to also increase on their profits.

Source: KNUST
Rural banking in Ghana: it’s impact on rural farmers (a case study of Adansi Rural Bank)

In 1976, the Ghanaian government, through the Bank of Ghana, established Rural Banks to channel credit to productive rural ventures and promote rural development. This strategy was intended to improve the economic and social life of the rural poor. The initial expectation was that, in the long term, credit will enable the poor to invest in agricultural and non-agricultural productive assets, as well as adopt new technologies and farming methods among others. However, three decades down the line the impact of rural banking on rural development, especially agricultural development has been described as very insignificant. Against this backdrop, the study sought to examine the impact of rural banking on rural farmers, using Adansi Rural bank in the Ashanti Region as a case study. Using convenient sampling technique, a total of 76 farmers who engage with the bank were selected to represent the farmers, whiles 19 credit officers drawn from seven branches of the bank to understand the bank’s perspective. The analysis of the result revealed that the bank’s financial support to farmers has significantly decreased over the past 6 years, raising concerns about lack of interest by rural banks in supporting farming activities. The result further revealed that rural banking has not impacted positively on the operations of rural farmers in the Adansi District of the Ashanti Region. The result further revealed that delays in loan processing, high interest rates and charges, demand of collateral security and short term repay ment period are some of the challenges hindering the ability of rural farmers to access financial support from rural banks. The study recommends, the government of Ghana should support rural banks to enable them provide financial assistance to farmers to improve their farming activities.

Source: KNUST
Rural banks financing of Small and Medium- Scale Enterprises (SMEs)

The main objective of the study is to explore how Rural Banks financing Small and Medium- scale Enterprises (SMEs) within Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana, taking cognizance of the roles and contributions of Juaben Rural Bank Limited. In the advanced countries, commercial banks are the main financiers of SMEs. However, in Ghana there are a number of macroeconomic, institutional and regulatory challenges that hinder the commercial banks from lending to SMEs. In addition, SMEs have high failure rates and for that matter commercial banks are unwilling to extend credit to players of the sector. Even where the commercial banks extend credit to SMEs the loans are secured with collateral, leading to stagnation of growth. By administering a questionnaire to ninety (90) SME operators and ten (10) staff of Juaben Rural Bank, the study has shown that lack of collateral security, unprepared accounts, poor financial history, limited years of operation, no business plan, and no reason and not being qualified are some of the major challenges SMEs face in accessing loans from rural banks. Moreover, high default rate of the SMEs, ineffective management of SMEs and ineffective monitoring of SME loan were challenges the bank faced. In view of the findings, it was recommended that rural banks should not use collateral security as a requirement for granting credit to SMEs; Bank of Ghana should ensure the rural banks reduce their interest rate; rural banks should train SME operators on effective management of resources and monitor how credit or loans they grant to SMEs are used in the sector; SMEs should form joint ventures to increase their capital base.

Source: KNUST
Rural energy needs and rural development: the case of Dangme West District, Ghana

Energy is basic for the daily survival of man and forms a basic input in domestic and socio—economic activity of man and so influences development. Information about the sources, pattern of use and impacts of energy in a society is therefore an important tool for development. In the Dangme West District such information is lacking to a large extent, and disorganized at best. The recognition of such information for development of energy and overall rural development influenced this study. The study through a sample survey of households in 10 settlements in the district brings out the high dependence of the district on biomass fuel - firewood and charcoal to meet domestic and non- domestic needs. Kerosene is also found to be the major source of fuel for lighting. The efficiency of use of these fuels was found to be very low and the level of consumption varies with household size - with smaller households consuming higher amounts per head. The demand level of fuelwood.in the district was found to be higher than the available supply and the scarcity is seen in the increasing distance to the source of fuel and also the proportion of households that purchase their fuelwood. The scarcity of fuel is also expressed in the damage to the environment through deforestation and erosion; which have resulted not only from meeting energy needs but also through inappropriate farming methods. The energy situation affects the development of the district by reducing the productivity of the people — as health hazards result from the use of and search for the energy, education is adversely affected and environment degraded. Another area where the energy situation affects the development of the district is the diversion of productive investment to meet energy needs. The need to intervene in the energy sector to improve the district’s development is recognised. Recommendations made for intervening in energy are aimed at increasing energy supply and improving the efficiency of energy use. Other areas recommended include the improvement in the farming practices and reduction in population growth. Implementation of suggested interventions can only be made through the decentralized administrative structure in the district and also through a system of community participation. The implementation of the recommendations is seen as a means of accelerating the district’s development

Source: KNUST
Rural energy resources utilization and District development - a case study of Nkoranza District

Energy plays a vital role in the domestic and economic activity of man. Energy, in any form, influences the pattern of development in every society. For the energy sector to contribute its quota and enhance development, it is important that information is gathered on energy sources, levels of consumption, the types of fuels commonly used for domestic and non-domestic activities and the various end-use devices commonly used. The recognition of the need to gather such information to direct development of a sound energy base to promote overall development in Nkoranza District influenced the present study. This study through a sample survey of 40 households in 4 settlements and 10 small-scale enterprises highlights the high dependence of the district on biomass fuel, notably firewood and charcoal to satisfy both domestic and industrial needs. Kerosene is found to be the major source of fuel for lighting, using hurricane lamps. The local brazier (coalpot) and the 3-stone fireplace were the common end-use devices used for cooking and brewing. Levels of consumption, it was observed from the survey, vary with household size - smaller households consume higher amounts of the three basic fuel types especially firewood and kerosene.

Source: KNUST
Rural Industrial Complex, Awaham Nkwanta

Development strategies the world over have for long laid undue emphasis on the use of high level technology in industry, most often inappropriate to existing economic, social and physical situations. Diligent industrial developments often thrive in urban areas at the expense and strangulation of rural communities, in so far as they largely incite and perpetuate a rural-urban migration of the youth who are by all means ‘the blood of rural settlements’. Urbanisation has not only led to intractable problems in banditry, vandalism and wanton unemployment, but has largely exposed men to ludicrously complicated urban and city management systems. These problems have often disposed several governments to awkward and desperate situations, and motivated them towards evolving measures to either check, or reverse wanton migration to cities from the countryside. Incontestably however, all such attempts are deemed to exquisite failure unless rural areas are given their fair share of the national cake by way of physical development in the first instance. The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government of Ghana has drawn up an Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) which emphasises the consolidation of our national agricultural base; a laudable idea which together with its policy of decentralization of the national administrative machinery promises to constitute a suitable platform for take-off to regional development. In the very short term therefore, rural industrial concerns that will largely employ agricultural products as basic input deserve emphasis. Such rural industrial concerns may not only discourage rural-urban migration, but sliinore-pT-ticu1arly become growth poles thereby presenting formidable joints for both backward and forward industrial linkages for the total development of Ghana. Fortunately, a few conscientious Ghanaian Industrialists, who certainly deserve all encouragement and support from central government as well as the blessings and prayers of the rural poor, have decided to take advantage of the government rural industrialisation policy. One of such pragmatic nationalist’s is Mr. J.K. Kwaw of Gokab Limited, who has acquired a tract of land of about 11,34 hectares ( 28 acres) at Awaham Nkwanta, between Asaniankese and Osenase, in the Eastern Region of Ghana for a rural industrial complex. There are cogent signs that Ghanaians may soon be ushered into a true ‘rural industrial revolution’, and era that will rely on the use of appropriate technology and locally available input in rural industrial concerns. It is one of the objectives of this thesis to create an architectural entity for the proposed Rural Industrial Complex at Awaham Nkwanta, in order to demonstrate physically the feasibility of the concept of rural industrialization.

Source: KNUST
The rural energy sector and the environment: a case study of West Gonja District, Ghana

Energy is an important basis input necessary in both household and economic activities. In West Gonja District of the Northern Region of Ghana more accurate information on the specific energy source, needs, consumption pattern for their environmental impacts is lacking. Such data is necessary for planning towards the provision of reliable and cheap source of energy based on a stable supply, for the overall development of the district. This study, through a household survey of six sampled settlement in the District finds a very high depending of the population on kerosene, firewood and charcoal as sources of energy. Consumption levels are found to vary with household size. Efficiency of energy utilization is very low due to the inefficient and – use devices employed in most household. Fuel scarcity in the District is perceived through increasing distances to sources of supply and longer collection time. Indications of environmental pressures are evident in the form of deforestation and soil erosion resulting not only from energy needs, but also from inappropriate farming practices. The implications of the findings are that planning is necessary to address the areas of energy conservation and environmental protection. The recommendation suggested aim at improving the efficiency of energy utilization, augmentation of viable source of energy, improving methods of fuel exploitation and improving farming practices in the District. If the recommendations are acted upon, taking into account suggestions made in the implementing institutional structure at District and local level, the District, will be on its way towards achieving a reliable energy base.

Source: KNUST
Rural-urban migration phenomenon and its impact on church growth: A case study of The Ahafo-Ano South District of the Ashanti Region.

The study examined how rural-urban migration is impacting Church growth in rural areas, with Ahafo-Ano South District of Ashanti Region of Ghana as a case study. Out-migration has brought about rural depopulation, poverty and low level of socio-economic development. Church activities like evangelism and discipleship are adversely affected since the Church is unpleasantly deprived of human capacity that could otherwise be tapped to promote Church growth in rural areas as a result of rural-urban drift. This phenomenon has affected the Church in fulfilling its mandate to evangelize, teach, and to bring its people into spiritual maturity in the rural community. It is in the light of this threatening challenge to the growth of the Church that this study was carried out to ascertain the extent to which rural-urban migration is affecting Church growth in rural areas and to seek redress. Both primary and secondary data that are relevant to the study were sought. Primary data were sought through interviews and administering of questionnaire to selected individuals in positions of authority in the community. Simple random and stratified random techniques were chosen to interview a sample size of selected people from three denominations in the Ahafo-Ano South District. Different secondary sources comprising books, articles, journals and dissertations relevant to the work were accessed. The data collected were qualitatively analysed, discussed and conclusions were drawn. The study revealed a high tendency of residents migrating from the Ahafo-Ano South District to the nearby cities and towns. Most of the Churches lose appreciable members of their youth to migration. This has had a greater turning effect on the Church’s weekly incomes and quantitative and qualitative growth. The researcher therefore recommends that the Church must champion the cause of the youth by urging the government to put in place sufficient empowerment and employment programmes to keep the youth from migrating to the cities for non-existent greener pastures.

Source: KNUST
Safe construction of appendages to residential buildings - a case study of Kaneshie Awudome Estate, Accra – Ghana

The term ‟appendages ˮ in the building industry refers to after construction activities such as addition or alterations and such structures are normally attached to the external envelope posing threat not only to the occupants but also passers-by and the properties as a whole. In addition to numerous threats posed by the built environment on community safety, the rapid growth of appendages has long been a major problem in Ghana. Interestingly, associated empirical studies have been rare, even though much has been said on this topic. The objective of this study is to assess the extent of the appendages and also, to establish the actual effects of the appendages on residential buildings with the view of developing a framework to aid in the design and safe construction of these appendages to residential buildings. Using random sampling technique, 100 household questionnaires were distributed to residents of the study area from a population of 754 houses. Eighty of them were retrieved and this represented a response rate of 80%. The data was analysed using descriptive statistic and means scores. The findings indicated that 86% of the houses surveyed at Kaneshie Awudome Estate have some form of appendage. The findings also indicated that, growth in population, mismatch between architectural design and actual needs of the owners, commercialisation of the facilities, were some important factors that led to the construction of the appendages to the residential buildings. With the effects posed by the appendages, lighting and ventilation, deface of building, devalue of buildings were some of the major effects. On safe design and construction of the appendages, it became clear that, provision of access roads, adequate lighting and ventilation, were some of the measures needed to be taken. It is recommended that, Building Inspectors should be given the needed mandate to monitor the various suburbs. Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) should liaise with various assembly members. It is further suggested that, The AMA should make it mandatory to landlords to follow the framework for safe design and construction of the appendages. The researcher is of the view that, this study will provide insights for the powers that be and the general public in addressing the problem of unsafe construction of appendages to residential buildings.

Source: KNUST