ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Quality of water for drinking and other domestic purposes in some selected communities in Asutifi North District of Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

The suitability of water for drinking and other domestic purposes from two major towns namely Ntotroso and Kenyasi in the Asutifi North District of Brong Ahafo Region were analyzed from November 2013 to February 2014.Water quality was monitored along four (4) main dimensions, namely metal concentration, physico-chemical, nutrient and microbiological parameters. Water samples were collected from twelve (12) sampling sites comprising two (2) major rivers, four (4) boreholes and six (6) hand dug wells and analyzed for temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, total hardness and some selected anions (phosphates, sulphates, chlorides, nitrates), some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Hg, Cu, As, Fe) and microbiological indicators (faecal coliforms, total coliforms, Enterococci, E. coli). The concentration of lead for the water samples ranged from (0.08 mg/l to 0.33 mg/l). The largest (0.33 mg/l) concentration was recorded from the Goa River (located in Kenyasi) whilst the least (0.08 mg/l) was recorded in Borehole (located in Ahenebronum, Ntotroso). All the values recorded were above the WHO and Ghana Standards values of 0.010mg/l. The largest (3.12 mg/l) concentration of iron was recorded from hand dug well (located in Akataase, Ntotroso) whilst the least (0.83 mg/l) was recorded in Tano River (located at Ntotroso). All the iron concentrations were above the WHO limit (0.3mg/l) and Ghana Standard value (0.5mg/l). Mean alkalinity for the water samples ranged from (198.00 mg/l in borehole located in Ahenebronum, Ntotroso to 398.00 mg/l in hand dug well located in Akataase, Ntotroso). The only sample source found within the WHO acceptable limit (200 mg/l) was borehole located in Ahenebronum, Ntotroso. It was observed that the largest concentration of faecal coliforms was recorded in hand dug well located in Kwadaso, Kenyasi. No faecal coliforms were recorded in Boreholes located in Ampedwee Kenyasi, Adum Kenyasi and Akataase v Ntotroso. Water from these boreholes were therefore found to be within the acceptable WHO and Ghana Standards limits (0.0000 CFU/100ml).The largest concentration of E. coli was recorded in the Tano River. No E. coli was found in Borehole located in Ampedwee Kenyasi and Adum Kenyasi. Parameters such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, zinc levels, turbidity, total dissolved solids, potassium and sodium were all within the acceptable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Standards (GS) 175 – 1: 2008. Levels of lead, copper, iron, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium and manganese were above the acceptable guideline limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Standards (GS) 175 – 1: 2008. These make the water in the two communities (Kenyasi and Ntotroso) unsafe for drinking and other domestic uses without prior treatment or purification

Source: KNUST
Quality of water for drinking and other domestic purposes in some selected communities in Asutifi North District of Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

The suitability of water for drinking and other domestic purposes from two major towns namely Ntotroso and Kenyasi in the Asutifi North District of Brong Ahafo Region were analyzed from November 2013 to February 2014.Water quality was monitored along four (4) main dimensions, namely metal concentration, physico-chemical, nutrient and microbiological parameters. Water samples were collected from twelve (12) sampling sites comprising two (2) major rivers, four (4) boreholes and six (6) hand dug wells and analyzed for temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, total hardness and some selected anions (phosphates, sulphates, chlorides, nitrates), some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Hg, Cu, As, Fe) and microbiological indicators (faecal coliforms, total coliforms, Enterococci, E. coli). The concentration of lead for the water samples ranged from (0.08 mg/l to 0.33 mg/l). The largest (0.33 mg/l) concentration was recorded from the Goa River (located in Kenyasi) whilst the least (0.08 mg/l) was recorded in Borehole (located in Ahenebronum, Ntotroso). All the values recorded were above the WHO and Ghana Standards values of 0.010mg/l. The largest (3.12 mg/l) concentration of iron was recorded from hand dug well (located in Akataase, Ntotroso) whilst the least (0.83 mg/l) was recorded in Tano River (located at Ntotroso). All the iron concentrations were above the WHO limit (0.3mg/l) and Ghana Standard value (0.5mg/l). Mean alkalinity for the water samples ranged from (198.00 mg/l in borehole located in Ahenebronum, Ntotroso to 398.00 mg/l in hand dug well located in Akataase, Ntotroso). The only sample source found within the WHO acceptable limit (200 mg/l) was borehole located in Ahenebronum, Ntotroso. It was observed that the largest concentration of faecal coliforms was recorded in hand dug well located in Kwadaso, Kenyasi. No faecal v coliforms were recorded in Boreholes located in Ampedwee Kenyasi, Adum Kenyasi and Akataase Ntotroso. Water from these boreholes were therefore found to be within the acceptable WHO and Ghana Standards limits (0.0000 CFU/100ml).The largest concentration of E. coli was recorded in the Tano River. No E. coli was found in Borehole located in Ampedwee Kenyasi and Adum Kenyasi. Parameters such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, zinc levels, turbidity, total dissolved solids, potassium and sodium were all within the acceptable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Standards (GS) 175 – 1: 2008. Levels of lead, copper, iron, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium and manganese were above the acceptable guideline limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Standards (GS) 175 – 1: 2008. These make the water in the two communities (Kenyasi and Ntotroso) unsafe for drinking and other domestic uses without prior treatment or purification.

Source: KNUST
The Quality of Water from Hand Dug Wells in the Akim Oda Township

This study conducted in the Akim Oda Township which is the capital of the Birim Central Municipality sought to examine the suitability of water from hand dug wells in the township. The town was categorized into four suburbs, Old town, Community 6, New town and Quarters respectively. For every suburb, four sample sites were selected. Samples were taken over a period of four months from selected wells in quadruples for 4 months (i.e. October – January). Total coliform, faecal coliform and Escherichia coli were enumerated using the Most Probable Number technique. Some physiochemical parameters (pH, Conductivity, Turbidity, TDS, Total hardness and Fluoride, Nitrate and Sulphate anions) were also measured. The Well water from all the suburbs within the community did not meet the WHO zero faecal coliforms guidelines for drinking water except water from Well B3. Community 6 showed good quality water compared with all the suburbs. All the physiochemical parameters measured were very low and below the WHO permissible standards. Pollution sources such as closeness of well to KVIPs, septic systems, refuse dump, cemetery market etc which could have contribute to the microbial quality of the water did not have much influence on the water quality in this study. The quality of water from the hand-dug wells in the Akim Oda was found to be unsuitable for drinking in accordance with WHO standards but could be used for other domestic purposes.

Source: KNUST
The Quality of Water in Goo Reservoir and a Water Supply Well in Navrongo, Kassena Nankana Municipality of Upper East Region of Ghana

The study was conducted to assess the quality of water in GOO reservoir and vegetables irrigated at the site as well as a water supply well located close by. The reservoir and water supply well are close to each other and located in Navrongo, the capital of the Kassena Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Water quality was based on physicochemical parameters, concentration of heavy metals and microbial analysis of samples collected from the reservoir and water supply well. Generally, many of the physicochemical parameters analyzed were well within the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and standards values for drinking water quality. Total dissolved solids ranged from 167 to 172 averaging 16.9 mg/l from a total of four mean values, with conductivity ranging from 280 to 295 with an average of 286 μS/cm. Sulphate ranged from 16.9 to 30.5 mg/l averaging 21 mg/l and pH ranged from 7.0 to 7.4 averaging 7.1 with nitrate-nitrogen ranging from 2.9 to 13.2 with an average of 7.7 mg/l. Turbidity of the water ranged from 506 to 704 averaging 589 NTU while iron concentration ranged from 3 to 6.9 averaging 4.7 mg/l and manganese ranged from 0.8 to 2.2 averaging 1.4 mg/l. However, zinc concentrations were low and that of copper and lead were below detection limits of 0.020 and 0.005 respectively. The microbial loads of the water from the reservoir and that of the lettuce and garden eggs were very high. Total coliform in water from the reservoir ranged from 120,268 to 272,871 /100ml averaging196,310/100ml. Faecal coliform on the other hand ranged from 258 to 125,000 averaging 62,440 /100ml. Total coliform in the lettuce and garden eggs are 155,291 and 465,199 CFU/g respectively and that of faecal coliform is 95,021and 130,062 CFU/g. The water from the water supply well was free of total and faecal coliforms as well as having low turbidity of 1 NTU and very low heavy metals concentration except manganese. The level of microbial pollution of the reservoir was very high and therefore makes it a potential source of contaminating the vegetables. The water from the water supply well is generally safe for consumption based on the Ghana Standards Board standards for drinking water. Key words: storm runoff, water quality, heavy metal pollution, coliforms, Goo reservoir, and water supply well.

Source: KNUST
Quality response of cocoa beans to different storage materials in the Samreboi District of Ghana Cocobod in The Western Region

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of different storage bags over different storage periods on the quality of dried cocoa beans. The study was conducted at Samreboi Cocoa District which is part of Wassa Amenfi West District of Western Region of Ghana. The study was made up of two parts namely survey using questionnaire and laboratory analysis. In all 70 cocoa purchasing clerks were sampled and interviewed using convenient sampling technique on the qualities, forms of defects and problems in cocoa beans storage in the district with the help of closed and opened questionnaires. Their res ponses were analyzed with the help of SPSS. The experiment was a 3×7 factorial arrangement laid out in a randomized complete design (RCD) with three replications. The factor A was made up of jute sack, woven nylon and hermetic bag. Factor B was a lso varying time of storage (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months). Cut test was conducted to assess effects of the experimental treatments on the physical attributes of the stored cocoa beans. Proximate analysis was carried out at the KNUST Biochemistry department laboratory. Analysis of Variance was carried out on the data using Statistix Student Version 9. Tukey's HSD was used for mean separation at probability level of 0.01. The survey revealed that wet beans (65.7%) followed by mouldy beans (35.7%), slaty beans (27.1%), impurities (38.1%) and purple beans (42.9%) were the five most common forms of defects in cocoa beans in the district. The results indicated that cocoa beans stored hermetically recorded the least mould, germinated and other defects except slate and purple, among the methods of storage used in this study. Hermetic bag recorded the lowest moisture content of 6.80% whilst the jute sack and woven nylon recorded 8.59% and 7.47% respectively. The jute sack and woven nylon recorded higher fat, nitrogen free extract, free fatty acids and pH compared with hermetic bag. The use of hermetic sacs resulted in superior quality stored beans. It is recommended that hermetic storage material should be used by stakeholders for storage of cocoa to increase shelf-life

Source: KNUST
Quality service delivery and customer retention in the banking industry in Ghana, the mediating role of Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

The banking industry in Ghana has undergone tremendous change over the years as a result of competition amongst the players. Companies are constantly putting strategies in place in order to retain customers by the adoption of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) practices. The study focused on investigating the effect of service quality on customer retention in the banking industry, the mediating role of CRM in Ghana. Firms that do not adhere to building strong laden relationships to facilitate customer retention tend to decrease their revenues and profits, bad word of mouth from customers, decrease shareholder wealth as well as fuelling switching behaviours of customers. The survey was conducted on a total of 254 respondents out of which 223 responses were received representing 87.80% response rate. The study collected data using questionnaires and interview guide. The study adopted purposive and convenience sampling techniques in selecting management and customers respectively. Service quality delivery is important as it determines whether a customer is retained or will spread good word of mouth about the company. The results showed that banks forge a mutual connection and communication in order to build a strong relationship with customers; the activities of the banks are also regulated by the top management of the banks; the banks have also developed ways to grow and maintain long standing relationships with their customers; and have also won the trust of their customers and problems that confront customers are also amicably resolved. Customer retention in the corporate or business banking is relatively high with only a few dormant accounts compared to personal or individual banking due to the competition in the industry and the entrance of new banks in to the country. The study found that CRM plays a partial mediating role as far as delivering service quality and customer retention is concerned. The study recommended constant improvement in quality customer service delivery through the minimization of the process flow, CRM practices should be intensified through good database management systems due to the mediating role it plays in customer retention efforts and organizational) policies and strategies should be customer oriented.

Source: KNUST
Quand les hommes parlent á leurs dieux et á leurs ancêtres: étude des textes de libation ewe en tant que genre poetique

Que se passe-t-il quand les hommes parlent á leurs dieux et á leurs ancêtres en Afrique, á travers la pratique de Ia libation? Quel est le sens de ce rite chez les Tongu Ewe dans la Region Volta du Ghana? Telle est Ia question generale á laquelle nous tenterons de répondre dans ce mémoire. D’après Louis-Vincent Thomas et René Luneau: <<(...) un monde <<étranger>> est toujours plus complexe qu’il n’y paraît au premier abord et chacun des éléments qul constituent, chacune des valeurs qul le justifient demandent pour être véritablement compris, á êtres situés dans l’ensemble socio-culturel auquel ils se réfèrent et en dehors duquel us n’ont plus de signification>>1 C’est pour contribuer au débat sur la richesse de la culture africaine aussi bien que pour montrer le role que joue la littérature orale dans la vie des Africains (des Ewe en particulier) que nous entreprenons ce projet d’étude. C’est une vérité incontestée qu’une langue peut être utilisée sous deux formes: l’Oral et l’Ecrit. Or, il existe une difference fondamentale dans la competence de ceux qui utilisent l’une ou l’autre des deux formes. Cette difference de base se fonde sur le fait que tous ceux qui peuvent parler une langue particulière ne peuvent pas tous l’écrire. De plus, tout ce qu’on n’a pas encore écrit ne sera pas nécessairement écrit. Par ailleurs tout ce qu’on a déjà écrit, dans les Iivres, les romans etc. a déjà existé a l’état non-écrft au sens traditionnel. Or, certaines choses comme par exemple d’autres aspects de la libation qu’on n’a pas encore considérés, des nouvelles idées, des traditions orales qui sont transmises a l’état oral sans écriture au sens traditionnel du mot, existent déjà. Aussi, ce qui est écrit, avait déjà existé á l’oral mais ce n’est pas tout ce qui est á l’oral qui est, il y en a qui ne sont pas encore écrit. Cette étude qui compte partir á la recherche de la civilisation atricaine á travers un type de textes appartenant au patrimoine culturel d’un groupe ethnolinguistique particulier, vise á montrer l’importance des gestes — paroles de la libation. Ceci parce que, comme le suggèrent Louis-Vincent Thomas et René Luneau.

Source: KNUST
Quality response of robusta coffee (coffea robusta var. canephora) beans to methods and depths of drying.

Due to the poor quality of coffee beans arising from poor processing methods, studies were conducted at KwahuBepong, with laboratory support at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) and the Horticulture Department of KNUST from November, 2010 to March, 2011. The objectives of the studies were to; (I) determine the combined effect of the method of drying and the depth of drying on the coffee cup quality of Robusta coffee beans, (II) determine the effect of the drying process (method and depth) on the incidence and percentage infestation of fungal mould as a determinant of quality. The experimental design was a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block with three replications. The first factor was methods of drying at three levels - M1:- drying on a raised raffia mat at 0.8 m above ground; M2:- drying on a concrete floor and M3:- drying on a black polythene sheet on concrete floor. The second factor was the depth of drying at three levels - D1:- 5 cm; D2:- 10 cm and D3:- 15 cm. Data collected included number of days to drying, percent caffeine and crude protein contents, temperature and moisture within bean heap, fungal load and defective beans. The number of days to drying, temperature and moisture within heaps, total fungal load and defective beans differed significantly (P < 0.05) with respect to drying methods and depth of drying of the coffee beans. However, the treatments did not have any effect on the caffeine contents. Microbial counts were found in all samples during drying of the coffee beans with Aspergillusspecies being the most prevalent. Generally, beans dried on raised raffia mat dried faster and with less microbial count. There was a significant relationship between percentage crude protein content and temperature within the heap of coffee beans. The temperature in the heap of coffee beans during drying accounted for 77% of the variation in total crude protein content. The relationship is expressed as Total Crude Protein = 0.891 + 0.098 (Temperature); R2 = 0.77; P = 0.002. The study concluded that drying coffee beans on black polythene sheet on concrete floor at a depth of 5 cm resulted in desirable effects similar to those obtained using the raised raffia mat. The desirable effects included faster drying time and increased crude protein content of beans coupled with lower fungal load contamination. Consequently, in the absence of a raised raffia mat due to the unavailability of its basic materials, the black polythene sheet on concrete floor could be a worthy substitute without compromising on coffee bean quality with its consequent effect on cup quality.

Source: KNUST
Quantifying maize yield and erosion influencing factors for soillLoss prediction udner different tillage and soil amendments

The study was conducted in Anwomaso, Kumasi, in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana to assess the contribution of tillage and soil amendments on soil erosion control for sustainable maize production on a Ferric Acrisol. The treatments were tillage systems – no-till, plough-plant and plough-harrow-plant; and soil amendments – NPK, poultry manure (PM), ½ NPK + ½ PM and no amendment. The experiment was a 3x4 factorial; split plot arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications and was laid on an average slope of 6 % and 12 m long. Standard methods were used to quantify the input parameters of the Universal Soil Loss Equation under site-specific conditions. The test-crop was maize (Zea mays), Obaatanpa variety. The results showed Plough-plant to record greater moisture storage at the 15 -30 cm depth than the no-till and plough-harrow-plant. Seasonal variability in kinetic energy of rains was higher than the annuals, with the minor season having the highest CV of 37 %. The major season erosivity was 25 % and 16 % higher than minor season and annual erosivity respectively. Rainfall amount and total kinetic energy followed the same trend as erosivity with similar peaks and lows. Soil erodibility ranged from 0.01 to 0.026 Mg.ha.h /(ha.MJ.mm). The erodibility of plough-harrow-plant was significantly lower than that of the no-till and plough-plant. Tillage x soil amendments reduced soil loss relative to the bare fallow. No-till had the least soil loss under the tillage x amendments. Soil depth reduction, organic matter and nutrient losses followed the same trend as soil loss. Grain yield ranged from 741 kg/ha under no-till to 954 kg/ha under the plough-harrow-plant. The low yield was due to the incidence of a long dry spell and moisture stress during the experimental period. Total biomass ranged from 6342 kg /ha in plough-harrow-plant to 7669 kg/ha in the no-till. No-till with proper residue management and plough-plant amended with combination of NPK and poultry manure were identified as best options in sustainable land management practices.

Source: KNUST
Quantitative Analysis of Approximate Models to the Saint Venant Equations

Approximate models such as (nonlinear Burgers’ Equation Model and nonlinear Kinematic Wave Model) to the normalized Saint Venant Equations are very important models that can be used in place of the Saint Venant Equations. In addition to these approximate models, a third order approximate model is proposed and presented in this research. The constants of the previous models are preserved in the third order approximate model and the magnitude of the estimated constant of the third derivative is F 2/3(1−4/9F 2). The four o o point Preissmann is used to discretize the normalized Saint Venant Equations and the three approximate models (including the third order model). The algorithms are programmed and the models are simulated. The positive and negative surges are both experimentally considered in the application of a dam break problem. The quantitative results of the approximate models are compared to the normalized Saint Venant equations. The third order derivative is found to equal the Saint Venant equation at lower level than the BEM

Source: KNUST