ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An application to ghanaian maize farms.

This paper introduces the rank-based estimation method to modelling the Cobb-Douglas production function as an alternative to the least squares approach. The intent is to demonstrate how a nonparametric regression based on a rank-based estimator can be used to estimate a Cobb-Douglas production function using data on maize production from Ghana. The nonparametric results are compared to common parametric specification using the ordinary least squares regression. Results of the study indicate that the estimated coefficients of the CobbDouglas Model using the Least squares method and the rank-based regression analysis are similar. Findings indicated that in both estimation techniques, land and Equipment had a significant and positive influence on output whilst agrochemicals had a significantly negative effect on output. Additionally, seeds which also had a negative influence on output was found to be significant in the robust rank-based estimation, but insignificant in the ordinary least square estimation. Both the least squares and rank-based regression suggest that the farmers were operating at an increasing returns to scale. In effect this paper demonstrate the usefulness of the rank-based estimation in production analysis.

Source: UCC
Applications Of Cellulose-Based Fibres, Functionalised With Zinc Phthalocyanine, As Photosensitisers For Gas Sensing, Degradation And Bacteria Inactivation

Zinc phthalocyanine complex was synthesised and incorporated into natural cellulose-based fibres extracted, from oil palm mesocarp fibres and pineapple leaves wastes, with the view of producing ZnPc-functionalised fibres, to compensate for its’ aggregation challenge in most solutions and for easy recovery from reaction solutions, easy disposal after use and for repeated use. The ZnPc-functionalised fibres were characterised by different spectroscopic, thermal and microscopic methods. The results suggested that, the free zinc phthalocyanine dye was indeed embedded and well dispersed within the cellulose-based fibres. The physico-chemical properties of the functionalised cellulose-based fibres were also assessed and found to exhibit the same fluorescence behaviour, that is characteristic of zinc phthalocyanine in solution. This makes them promising for qualitative detection of gases by fluorescence quenching. The photoactivity and singlet oxygen production effects of zinc phthalocyanine were also preserved within the fibre matrices, making them promising photosensitisers for photo-oxidation and photodynamic applications. When applied for optical detection of nitrogen dioxide gas, photodegradation of crystal violet dye and invitro photodynamic antibacterial susceptibility tests, they showed promise for qualitative detection of nitrogen dioxide gas by fluorescence quenching, for the conversion of an organic pollutant, crystal violet in aqueous solutions and as a topical antibacterial agent against methicillin/multidrug-resistant strains, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa under day/sunlight and redlight radiations.

Source: UCC
Applying cluster refinement to improve crowd-based data duplicate detection approach

In this paper, we present an extension on a hybrid-based deduplication technique in entity reconciliation (ER), by proposing an algorithm that builds clusters upon receiving a pre-specified K numberof clusters, and second developing a crowd-based procedure for refining the results of the clusters produced after the clustering generation phases. With the clusters refined, we aim to minimize the cost metric 30(R) of the solitary and compound cluster generation algorithms, to achieve an improved and efficient deduplication method, to have an increase in accuracy in identifying duplicate records, and finally, further reduce the crowdsourcing overheads incurred. In this paper, in the experiments, we made use of three datasets commonly known to hybrid-based deduplication such as paper, product, and restaurant. The performance results and evaluations demonstrate clear superiority to the methods compared with our work offering low-crowdsourcing cost and high accuracy of deduplication, as well as better deduplication efficiency due to the clusters being refined

Source: UCC
Applying the Engell–Kollat–Blackwell model in understanding international tourists’ use of social media for travel decision to Ghana

The emergence of social media has affected every sector and/or industry. In tourism, social media has become prevalent in tourists’ decision-making to travel to any destination. The main aim of the study was to explore the stages in the decision-making process that social media is more inﬂuential on the decision to travel to Ghana. The study adopted the cross-sectional design and was underpinned by the quantitative method of research. The study revealed that tourists use social media for travel planning across all the stages in the decision-making process. However, tourists predominantly use social media at the need awareness and information search stages. Interestingly, the multiple regression analysis revealed that the use of social media at the evaluation and purchase stages positively inﬂuenced tourists’ decision to Ghana. In conclusion, social media is inﬂuential in tourists’ decision to travel to Ghana. It is recommended that GTA and tourism business should have their businesses visible on these social media platforms to quickly reach tourists who use them

Source: UCC
Appraisal of exercise prescription by keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to appraise exercise prescription procedures by the keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used. One hundred and thirty participants volunteered for the study. The instrument for data collection (questionnaire) yielded an internal consistency of 0.76. Percentages and frequencies were used to analyze the research questions postulated. The results indicated that keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis are not familiar with fundamental principles of exercise and do not consider age and gender in exercise prescription. It was concluded that keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis lack the basic principles of physical training with specific reference to type, duration and frequency of activity, and the effect of age, gender, fitness levels and health conditions on exercise. It was recommended that certificate courses should be organized for keep fit instructors by universities or other relevant bodies that conduct programmes in physical education.

Source: UCC
Appraisal of Managerial Roles of Study Centre Coordinators of College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast

The study assessed how students and course tutors on distance education programmes of the College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast appraised their study centre coordinators’ performance in terms of human relations, behaviour, organising teaching and learning facilities; and handling complaints. This type of appraisal, where students and tutors representing customers and subordinates respectively, is usually referred to as the 360-feedback method in human resource management. Concurrent embedded study design from the pragmatists’ epistemic approach was adopted for the study. Simple random and purposive sampling technique were respectively used to sample 1228 final year students and 217 course tutors from 53 study centres; and five coordinators from each of the three Zones across the ten regions of Ghana for triangulation purposes. Data was analysed with descriptive statistics, independent t-test and a one-way between-groups analysis of variance. The study found that coordinators’ behavior and human relations were rated higher as compared to complaints handling and organising study centre activities. This was blamed on lack of capacity to address most of students and tutors challenges; and teaching load of coordinators. It was recommended that the management of College of Distance Education should increase the capacity of coordinators for district and regional study centres as well as the Zones in terms of resources and technology to be able to take immediate steps to solve students and tutors’ complaints.

Source: UCC
An appraisal of recruitment, selection and placement processes at the Ghana Institute of Languages

This study was aimed at examining recruitment, selection and placement processes at Ghana Institute of Languages and the extent to which the human resource and administrative department of the Institute has contributed to achieving the mission and vision of the Institute. Out of one hundred and sixty one members of staff, questionnaires were distributed to ninety three of them. Both primary and secondary sources of research methodology including questionnaires and interviews were employed for the study. The outcome of the research indicated that although the best human resource practices were observed by the Institute, there were still some challenges to attend to. Some of these challenges included induction and orientation programmes for newly recruited staff, job description and proper succession plan. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that the manpower plan of the Institute be reviewed periodically, and that there should be a proper orientation and induction programmes organised for newly recruited staff hoping that these would enable the Institute to achieve its mission and vision.

Source: UCC
An appraisal of Susan Haack’s Foundherentism as a theory of justification

This study is an appraisal of Susan Haack’s foundherentism. Foundherentism as theory of justification is enmeshed in controversies. Some critics claim that the theory is not any different from already existing theories of justification such as foundationalism, coherentism and reliabilism. Haack on the other hand insists that foundherentism is a distinct theory of justification. By employing the method of epistemological theorizing, a means of conceptual analysis and critical argumentation, this study set out to ascertain whether foundherentism is actually distinct from the other theories of justification. The study, through an analysis of the internal dialectics of foundherentism and a critical examination of the critiques and responses to the theory, reveals that foundherentism is neither foundationalism nor coherentism inter alia but a hybrid theory of justification. The study found that the critics of foundherentism mainly ignore the character in virtue of which foundherentism is distinct from the other theories but brood over its similarity to the other theories. The study, however, identified some challenges with foundherentism, in its concepts of explication and ratification—the problem of transitioning from non-propositional to propositional source of justification, due to Haack’s double-aspect conception of justification. So, an attempt is made at the end to modify the theory in order to avoid those challenges.

Source: UCC
Appraisal of the Practice of Ocular Self-Medication in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

The purpose of the present study was to assess the practice of ocular self-medication among people of the Cape Coast Metropolis, Central Region of Ghana. A population-based survey involving 421 respondents ≥18 years old was conducted. A pre-tested interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, ocular symptoms for which selfmedication was practiced, medical knowledge and self-care orientation. Households were systematically and randomly selected as study units. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Descriptive results were expressed as frequency, percentage, and mean±standard deviation, χ 2 test was used for associations, and logistic regression was used to test for predictors of the practice of ocular self-medication. Prevalence of ocular self-medication was 23.3% with itchy eye being the main ocular symptom for which self-medication was practiced. Local pharmacies were the main source of drug for ocular self-medication. There was no association between medical knowledge and the practice of ocular self-medication (χ 2=0.126; P=0.722). Some 25.5% experienced adverse effects. In conclusion, the practice of ocular self-medication was without recourse to adequate concept of the practice of self-care but its negative effect was mitigated by the low self-care orientation of the people.

Source: UCC
Appraisal of the practice of ocular self-medication in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

The purpose of the present study was to assess the practice of ocular self-medication among people of the Cape Coast Metropolis, Central Region of Ghana. A population-based survey involving 421 respondents ≥18 years old was conducted. A pre-tested interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, ocular symptoms for which self- medication was practiced, medical knowledge and self-care orientation. Households were systematically and randomly selected as study units. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Descriptive results were expressed as fre- quency, percentage, and mean±standard devi- ation, χ2 test was used for associations, and logistic regression was used to test for predic- tors of the practice of ocular self-medication. Prevalence of ocular self-medication was 23.3% with itchy eye being the main ocular symptom for which self-medication was prac- ticed. Local pharmacies were the main source of drug for ocular self-medication. There was no association between medical knowledge and the practice of ocular self-medication (χ2=0.126; P=0.722). Some 25.5% experienced adverse effects. In conclusion, the practice of ocular self-medication was without recourse to adequate concept of the practice of self-care but its negative effect was mitigated by the low self-care orientation of the people.

Source: UCC
Appraisive Attitudes and Citizens’ Participation Behaviour at the Sub-National Electoral Levels: A Study of Cape Coast Metropolis

This study sought to assess the effect of appraisive attitudes on citizens’ participation behaviour at the sub-national electoral levels in Ghana using the Cape Coast metropolis as a case. The study adopted a quantitative approach. The stratified sampling technique was used to collect data from 265 delegates from the Cape Coast North and Cape Coast South constituencies through self-administered questionnaires. Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses postulated. The findings revealed that the study supported the assertions that evaluations of candidates’ policy responsiveness positively affected citizens’ participation behaviour. Given the second study objective, the study found that appraisal of candidates’ performance positively affected citizens’ participation behaviour. Finally, the study proved that examination of candidates’ candidates’ integrity has a positive effect on citizens’ participation behaviour. The study showed that the perception of honesty and trustworthiness of the parliamentary candidate is a crucial determinant of citizens’ participation behaviour. The study concludes that the appraisive attitudes of election candidates regarding responsiveness evaluation, performance evaluation, and integrity evaluation determine the citizens’ participation behaviour regarding their voting decisions. Therefore, the study recommends that political parties should ensure free and fair primaries to ensure that only candidates rationally evaluated and endorsed by voters represent the party in the general elections.

Source: UCC
Approaches to Church Fundraising and their Implications for Christians in Ghana: Case Studies of Some Selected Churches in Cape Coast

Even though fundraising has been part of the religious practices of the Church since its inception, concerns have been raised in recent times regarding the rationale for adopting certain unfamiliar strategies of raising funds towards church activities today. This study evaluates the rationale and the implications of the plethora of fundraising strategies currently being practiced by some Ghanaian churches. With across method triangulation, an in-depth analysis of the ideas of the leadership and the experiences of a portion of the laity regarding the phenomenon was made. The results of this study indicate that the rationale for the plethora of fundraising strategies was to meet the ever-increasing demands of the churches. In addition, the study posits that aside meeting their demands, the generated funds of the churches are also used as part of the churches5 co-operate responsibility to bring social change in the lives of adherents, non-adherents and social institutions. Despite this positive function, the plethora of strategies has, to some extent, created fatigue in giving, which has led the act of giving among the minority of the sampled population been influenced by social factors. Although, the majority of the sampled believers may also be affected by the fundraising strategies in the church, like the Macedonian Christians, they practiced the godly model of giving. Further, recommendations were made to aid the churches wean themselves from over-depending on their congregants for financial support. This： to some extent will help to reduce the fatigue in giving among congregants. Recommendations were also made regarding prudent use of church funds and effective stewardship.

Source: UCC
Approaches to learning and initial professional development of accounting students in Ghana

study assessed the effects of accounting students‘ approaches to learning on their initial professional development in the University of Cape Coast. The explanatory research design and the descriptive-inferential survey design were employed in the study. The stratified sampling and the systematic sampling techniques were also employed in the study. The ASSIST Scale was used to elicit responses on the students‘ approaches to learning and the IPD scale, birthed out of the IESs manual, was also used to measure the students‘ initial professional development. Out of 210 accounting students, 207 responded to the questionnaires. Mean, standard deviation, Friedman‘s test and the structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data from the accounting students. Findings indicated that they are more strategic in their learning. Also, findings indicated that strategic and deep approaches to learning had a significant positive effect on technical competence, professional skills, and professional values, ethics and attitudes development of accounting students, with the deep approach being the highest contributor to the three competencies development. However, the study also revealed that there is a significant negative effect of surface approach to learning on technical competence and professional skills development; and a non-significant negative effect on professional values, ethics and attitudes. Thus, the deep and the strategic approaches to learning increase the initial professional development of accounting students. Accounting educators are entreated to create a learning environment that would stimulate the use of the deep approach to learning so as to enhance the initial competencies development of accounting students.

Source: UCC
Approaches to succession management of non-academic leaders in higher educational institutions: evidence from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

The University of Cape Coast, Ghana has 15 doctorates and centres with their heads designated as directors. The paper assesses the approach(es) to succession management of non-academic directors of the university. We conducted in-depth interviews with nine of the 15 directors. We presented the qualitative data which was analysed applying inter-textual analytical tool by examining the relationship among our three sets of data to ascertain the extent to which our research objective is achieved. We found that the university does not adopt any formal approach due to the absence of a formal succession plan. The institution therefore depends on its statutes which make succession appear as an ordinary role replacement, thereby departing from the conversional approach to managing talent. We recommend that the university should design and commit to its own leadership succession plan and consider competence/performance record as well, instead of depending solely on seniority as ‘succession’ criterion.

Source: UCC
Aqueous Ethanol Fruit Extract of Xylopia aethiopica and Xylopic Acid Exhibit Antiinflammatory Activity Through Inhibition of the Arachidonic Acid Pathway

In the form of a decoction, X. aethiopica is traditionally employed in the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism in Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. This study establishes the inhibitory effect of X. aethiopica and its principal constituent, xylopic acid, on the arachidonic acid pathway of inflammation. Hydrogen sulphide is endogenously produced in mammalian tissues from the enzymatic activity of cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase on L-cysteine. Its involvement in the local and systemic inflammatory process has been documented in animal models. Recent studies have identified its activation of phospholipase A2 as the mechanism involved in its anti-inflammatory role. We henceforth conducted this study to investigate the inhibitory role of X. aethiopica and its principal constituent xylopic acid on hydrogen sulphide-induced inflammation and eventual effect on the activation of phospholipase A2. Sodium hydrogen sulphide (NaHS) was injected into the mouse hind paw and oedema was monitored for 60 min. Paws were examined by the histological method. X. aethiopica extract (30, 100, 300 mg kg-1) suppressed the mean maximal swelling attained at 15 min to 42.58±1.66%, 42.58±1.66% and 34.91±2.39%, respectively compared to the mean inflamed control response of 61.51±3.90%. The total paw swellings induced over the 1 h were also significantly suppressed by 31.82±5.28%, 36.19±6.01%, and 31.65±5.16%, respectively. The xylopic acid (10, 30, 100 mg kg-1) suppressed the mean maximal swelling attained at 15 min to 41.75±1.24%, 40.26±1.68% and 38.26±2.52%, respectively relative to the control response while the total paw swelling was significantly suppressed by 34.08±4.49%, 38.19±4.50% and 43.40±5.09% respectively relative to the inflamed control response. Histologically, there was a significant (P < 0.0001) reduction in cytoplasmic vacuolation, inflammation, cellular degeneration, loss of tissue organisation and necrotic tissues with administration of X. aethiopica extract and xylopic acid in the inflamed paws of the mice. This study establishes that X. aethiopica extract, and xylopic acid mediate their anti-inflammatory actions in part through inhibition of hydrogen sulphide-induced inflammation and subsequently has an inhibitory role on phospholipase A2 activation.

Source: UCC