ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effect of rewards on employee performance in selected micro and small enterprises in Hohoe, Volta Region, Ghana.

Rewards establish a balance between employee’s contribution to the business and the business’s contribution to employees. Academics and human resource practitioners agree that rewards are instruments employers use to attract, retain, and stimulate appropriate outputs from employees. Extant research on rewards has focused on large and public enterprises with little focus on micro and small enterprises (MSEs). However, these large and public enterprises have proven incapable of providing employment for the teeming graduates; hence an overwhelming majority of employees in Ghana work in MSEs. This research complements existing knowledge on employee rewards by primarily focusing on MSEs. The qualitative phenomenological design, which entails conducting interviews as research tool, was employed to evaluate the existing reward practices; the procedures for rewarding employees; and the nexus between rewards and employee performance in selected MSEs in Hohoe. This research revealed that rewards in MSEs are not only different from large and public enterprises; but also deficient. The rewards were simplistic and limited to the payment of salaries with little or no emphasis on non-monetary rewards. As a result, most employees believed they deserved more than they were offered and therefore had no plans of maintaining the present work. Employers were found to discriminate in rewarding employees since the rewards were arbitrarily determined without recourse to any law, regulation, or policy. The nexus between rewards and performance of employees was not direct. Factors other than rewards such as unemployment and economic situation, humanitarian considerations, desire to gain work experience, and so on attributed to employees’ performances. Employees demanded reward parity with counterparts in large and public enterprises. This study recommends an improvement in the working conditions of workers in MSEs in line with existing regulatory frameworks. It further suggests an enactment of unique regulations to guide the obligations of employers to employees and vice versa in terms of rewards in MSEs.

Source: KNUST
Effect of salinity on growth and yield of seven rice ( Oriza Sativa L) varieties

A pot experiment was conducted at Crops Research Institute (CRI), Fumesua Kumasi, Ghana to evaluate the response of seven rice varieties (Sikamo, Gbewa Jasmine 85, Nerica L19, Tox 3377, Amankwatia, IR841 and Nerica/4) to different salt concentrations. Each pot was filled with 10kg of sterilized top-soil (of a ferric acrisol) obtained from the research field of the institute. The levels of salinity studied were: 0, 2, 4, and 6dS/m. The set up was a factorial experiment with treatments arranged in Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment was replicated four times. Ten seeds were sown per pot and seedlings were thinned to two per hill at two weeks after emergence. Saline treatments were imposed by irrigating each with water containing different concentrations of sodium chloride. The result showed that plant height and tiller production were significantly affected by soil salinity. Root biomass , however , was not affected by salinity. Rice grain yield and its components were all negatively affected by salinity. Under the conditions of this study, the rice varieties could tolerate up to salt concentration of 2dS/m.

Source: KNUST
Effect of rice husk biochar on maize productivity in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana

The production and use of biochar presents many opportunities for soil augmentation and carbon sequestration. The potential of biochar as a carbon pool has the ability to sequester carbon in soils and consequently reduce atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gasses. Maize and rice are staple crops produced in Northern Ghana. There is significant biomass available as potential feedstock for biochar production such rice husk, maize stover and cobs; however how much of these residue that could be used for biochar is not documented. The objective of this study was therefore to identify the types of feedstock, the opportunity cost of potential biochar feedstock, some chemical properties of the biochar produced from the rice husk and the effect of the biochar on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays). The trial consisted of 12 treatments in a split plot experimental design. The main factor is rate of biochar application (0, 2 and 4 t/ha) and the sub-plot was rate of nitrogen application (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha) with three replications. Sufficient quantities of P and K were applied as basal at 30 kg and 60 kg / ha respectively to ensure that none of these nutrients limited yield. Phosphorus and K were broadcast and incorporated at planting. Phosphorus source was triple superphosphate and the K source was muriate of potash. The data was analyzed with GenSTAT 2008 and where the effect was significant the least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate the means. The survey indicated that the potential feedstock available are maize stover, maize cobs, groundnut shell, rice husk, rice straw, shea nut shell, guinea corn stover and cowpea shell. The opportunity cost of using this potential feedstock for biochar preparation is low. Generally, trend of soil moisture content increased with the rate of biochar application in the order control < 2t/ha biochar < 4t/ha biochar. The application of biochar with inorganic fertilizers increased maize biomass production. Maize plant height and girth were increased significantly when biochar and inorganic N were applied. The yield obtained by combination of biochar and inorganic fertilizer was in significantly higher than the sole application of either biochar or inorganic fertilizer. The soil pH at the end of the experiment increased in all the treatments. Soil total N, % C and ECEC increased within all the treatments. Application of biochar resulted in less than 30% N recovery in the grain, husk and cob with all the treatment combinations. The addition of biochar 2t/ha and 4t/ha increased the grain yield and improved water use efficiency of the maize crop. Biochar can be used as a component in integrated soil fertility management to increase crop productivity.

Source: KNUST
Effect of rewetting and drying on selected physical properties of Asontem Cowpea Variety

This study assessed the effect of rewetting and drying on some selected physical properties of asontem cowpea at eight selected moisture contents namely, 8.07, 11.45, 17.20 and 22.54% w.b. for rewetting; and 9.58, 11.50, 15.13 and 19.00% w.b. for drying. The length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, surface area, volume, 1000 grain mass, bulk density, true density, porosity, filling angle of repose and the static coefficient of friction increased with increasing moisture content during rewetting. In the moisture content range of 8.07% w.b. to 22.54% w.b., the length, width and thickness increased non-linearly from 7.00 to 7.29mm, 6.27 to 6.33mm and 4.54 to 4.69mm respectively. The geometric mean diameter, surface area, volume and 1000 grain mass increased from 5.83 to 5.99mm, 107.03 to 113.09mm2, 104.45 to 113.45mm3 and 120.15 to 130.58g respectively; while bulk density and true density decreased non-linearly from 752.95 to 682.93kg/m3 and 1219.90 to 1161.39 kg/m3. Porosity increased linearly from 38.13% to 41.16%. The filling angle of repose increased non-linearly from 27.81 to 32.31; whiles the coefficient of static friction also increased non-linearly from 0.29 to 0.41, 0.30 to 0.45 and 0.25 to 0.32 for plywood, mild steel and rubber respectively. Sphericity decreased from 83.7% to 82.6% with increasing moisture content. The result obtained for drying showed that with decreasing moisture content, length, width and thickness dimensions as well as 1000 grain mass and filling angle of repose decreased from 8.16mm to 7.11, 6.36mm to 6.28, 4.77mm to 4.61, 132.85g to 120.93g and 29.350 to 27.920 respectively. The geometric mean diameter, surface area and volume decreased from 5.89 to 6.27mm, 109.46 to 123.87mm2, and 108.02 to 130.23mm3respectively; while bulk density and true density increased non-linearly from 710.93 to 663.12kg/m3 and 1185.92 to 1063.80 kg/m3; porosity increased non-linearly from 37.55 to 39.98%. However, the values of static coefficient of friction for plywood, mild steel and rubber appeared to increase in the moisture content range of 11.50 and 15.13% wb and then decreased at 19.00% wb. The overall result of this study shows that linear dimensions increased non-linearly with increasing moisture content during rewetting and decreased with decreasing moisture content during drying. The filling angle of repose and the coefficient of static friction also increased non-linearly with increasing moisture content. Plywood offered the highest coefficient of friction during drying followed by mild steel and rubber. However, for rewetting, mild steel offered the highest coefficient of friction followed closely by plywood then rubber.

Source: KNUST
The effect of sand quality on the strength of sandcrete products- case study of sand won from Esreso, Aputuogya and the Adagya in the Atwima Kwawoma District of the Ashanti Region

Sancrete blocks are widely used in Ghana for various purposes such as laying of foundations and walling. The quality of blocks produced, however, differs from one manufacturer to the other due to the different methods employed in the proper use of the constituent materials.

Source: KNUST
The effect of savings and loans companies on the operations of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kumasi Metropolis

Savings and Loans industry has become a major backbone in the sustenance and survival of SMEs in Ghana. The incapability of SMEs to meet the credit requirement of the formal banking sector provides an avenue for SLCs to fill the gap. Nonetheless, the interest rates of the SLCs are higher than the traditional banks. It is against these backdrops that the current study seeks to assess the effect of SLCs on the performance of SMEs in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study employed both qualitative and qualitative approaches to survey 95 SMEs owners/managers and 20 Credit Officers of SLCs in an attempt to employ a questionnaire investigate the adequacy of loans given by SLCs, identify the challenges of SMEs in accessing credit facilities, determine the credit utilisation of SMEs and assess the influence of SMEs access to credit on performance. The result of the study shows that SMEs in the Kumasi metropolis sourced start-up capital from personal savings, friends and relatives. The operational credit of the SMEs is also sourced from personal savings, friend and family, and SLCs. The average maximum annual credit facility of GH¢77,500 was obtained in 2014 at a high average interest rate of 6.3% per month. This interest rate partly contributed to the default rate of 6.28% per annum among the SLCs. Another major factor for the high default rate was credit diversion among the SMEs. Basically the amount of credit accessed from the SLCs was inadequate and so such efforts needed to be complemented by personal savings. The SMEs predominantly utilized the accessed credit facilities for the payment of labour wages, purchase of raw materials, the purchase of production machine and the purchase of new technology. The sourced credit facilities led to the growth of SMEs through improved assets, investment, employee size, profits, production and sales. However, SMEs were confronted by several challenges in accessing credit facilities including bureaucracy and huge volume of paper work, lack of opportunity to take second loan, high risk and uncertainty, high level of interest rate on credit, low level of knowledge about credit sourcing, high cost of financing, non-availability of start-up capital, shorter repayment period, and others. Based on these findings, the study makes several recommendations including reduction in the credit accessing process and paper work, reduction in the interest rate charges, provide a negotiable repayment period, and educate SMEs on credit sourcing and the need for government to expand its assistance to SMEs.

Source: KNUST
The effect of saw-milling on small scale wood artisans and other workers based at Anloga in Kumasi

Occupational hazards refer to factors that have the capabilities of causing disorders of the body or the mind as a result of one’s working environment. These hazards such as excessive noise, dust, stress and neglect of proper ergonomic design in the working environment are common in Ghanaian artisan workshop. In this work, attempt was made to evaluate some of the occupational hazards faced by the Small Scale Wood Artisans and other people who are engaged in the buying and selling in Anloga a suburb in Kumasi Ghana, where there is a cluster of small scale wood industries. Again attempt was made to establish which of the occupations was most prone to hazards, assess which types of hazards and which age groups are most vulnerable to a particular type of hazard. To achieve the mentioned objectives, a questionnaire was administered in a restricted random sampling manner and since the people were barely literate, this was done through face-to-face verbal interaction. Also, the mean sound levels in the various workshops were determined using Crest Sound Level meter (Model 2700) and the mode of sampling was restricted random. A Pure-tune Audiometer was used to assess the hearing ability of a sample of the workers to see the effect that the noise had on their hearing. Results showed that, noise was the worst occupational hazard in the wood industry resulting in significant number of the workers showing Noise Induced Hearing loss (NIHL). With regards to NIHL, males were significantly prone to the hazard than females. It was also noted that the older the worker the higher the risk for this particular hazard. Machine loaders and Carpenters were the most affected. Machine and Mixed (Machine and Carpentry) shops were found to be of significantly high noise levels. Again it was noted that the masters were the most prone to accidents. Poor patronage of protective clothing i.e. 17.6%, resting periods within the job hours as well as use of old and poorly serviced machines contributed so much to the numerous accidents as well as the occurrence of NIHL, nasal irritation, backache, waist pains, catarrh and others. As much as 60.8% of the sample suffered from waist problem and 66% also suffering from backache. Education on the adoption and adherence to modern ergonomic designs in the workshops will help bring down the accident rate. Also advice on the use of protective ear muffs as well as replacement of old and very noisy machines will help bring down the rate of NIHL. A lot more work needs to be done on different Small Scale Wood industries in different part of the country to be able to generalize the findings.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Sawdust and Grass Clipping as Bulking Materials on Composting of Organic Waste from KNUST Campus

The increase in student population has led to a corresponding increase in the generation of waste on the KNUST or university campus. Composting of the biodegradable portion of waste is seen as a better option to reducing the volume of waste and managing it at the same time. This study hence aimed to investigate the effect of some bulking materials on composting of the biodegradable portion of the waste generated. Bin composting was employed for this analysis. Composting was conducted over a 60 days period at the sewage treatment plant on the KNUST campus. Wastes were mixed in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 (v/v) ratio for sawdust/food waste (SSD 1:1, SSD 1:2, SSD 2:1) and grass clipping/food waste (SGC 1:1, SGC 1:2, SGC 2:1). Turning of compost was done manually at three days interval during which the volume was also recorded. Temperatures were taken on daily basis, three times within a day. Total coliform and faecal coliform decreased to levels even below the standard of less than 3.00log10 MPN/g (< 1000 MPN/g) set by the USEPA for sanitary composting. There was a steady decrease in carbon content, nitrogen content and C/N ratio for all the ratios. Percentage content of potassium, phosphorus and pH all decreased gradually to appreciable levels which was adequate for compost manure. Volume of all bins reduced as percentage organic matter decreased leading to an increase in percentage ash to between 39.1 % and 64.5 %. Percentage moisture showed a decreasing trend as percentage total solids increased. By the end of eight weeks of analysis, the grass clipping/food (SGC 1:1, SGC 1:2, and SGC 2:1) waste ratios were seen to decompose faster than the sawdust/food (SSD 1:1, SSD 1:2, and SSD 2:1) waste ratios. Again, the grass clipping/food waste ratios had C/N ratio levels below 20 which are deemed matured for land or soil application as compared to the sawdust/food waste ratios which had C/N ratio levels above 20. The grass clipping/food waste ratios (especially the SGC 2:1) therefore gave better compost compared to the sawdust/food waste.

Source: KNUST
Effect of seasonal variability on the incidence and transmission patterns of malaria in Urban, Peri-urban and Rural Communities around Kumasi, Ghana

Changes in temperature, rainfall and relative humidity are expected to influence malaria directly, by modifying the behaviour and geographical distribution of malaria vectors and by increasing or decreasing the length of the life cycle of the parasite. This study was aimed at investigating the impact of these changes on malaria incidence in the Kumasi metropolis and a rural district in the Ashanti region, Ghana. Data on climatic variables from December 2009- November 2011 were obtained from the Owabi, Emena and Airport weather stations. Data on malaria cases from December 2009- November 2011 were obtained from Nkawie hospital (near Owabi weather station), Aninwaa Medical Centre (near the KNUST Weather station) and Manhyia hospital (near Airport weather station) from December 2009- November 2011. Based on malaria morbidity data, three communities were selected and sprayed for mosquitoes using the pyrethrum spray catch method. Data analysis was conducted with Microsoft Excel and Statistical Software Package, SPSS version (16.0). Pearson’s correlation analysis was done to establish the relationship between climatic variables and malaria transmission. In all the communities, Anopheles gambiae was the highest mosquito vector caught with few or no Anopheles funestus over 60% of which were fed with the dry season recording the highest percentage of fed mosquitoes. Over 90% of the fed mosquitoes had fed on human blood. Sporozoite rates for Nkawie were 6% between April and July 2011, 5.6% between August and November 2011 and 2.6% between December 2010 and March 2011. In Emena, the rates were 4.0%, 5.0% and 3.0% between April and July 2011, August and November 2011 and December 2010 and March 2011 respectively while Asawasi had 6.6%, 4.8% and 5% April and July 2011, August and November 2011 and December 2010 and March 2011 respectively. The annual Entomological inoculation rates (EIR) for Nkawie were 245.6, 203.6 and 52.4ib/p/yr April and July, August and November and December 2010 and March 2011. In Emena, August to November recorded the highest annual EIR of 182.5ib/p/yr, followed by April to July with a value of 175.2ib/p/yr and then December 2010 to March 2011with 94.9ib/p/yr. In Asawasi, April to July recorded the highest annual EIR of 245.4ib/p/yr followed by August to November and December 2010 and March 2011with 229.9ib/p/yr and 109.5ib/p/yr respectively. There were direct xii relationships between minimum temperature and human bite rate, maximum temperature and sporozoite rates, rainfall and number of mosquitoes caught during the study period and between malaria incidence and the entomological inoculation rate. There were also indirect relationship between maximum temperature and the number of mosquitoes caught. This research shows that malaria transmission is caused by a multiplicity of factors including climatic, environmental and socioeconomic factors. These factors play diverse roles on malaria vector biology as well as on the parasite.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Scheduled Inspection and Preventive Maintenance on Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Economy

The level of emissions and fuel economy at the maintenance stage of an automobile was studied on the DAF TB 2175 PE and YAXING JS 6120 GIH buses at the workshop of Metro Mass Transport Limited in Kumasi – Ashanti Region. The opacities of exhaust gases from the buses were measured with the OPUS 50 gas analyzer before and after servicing the buses. The buses were made to travel a total distance of 5000 km after which emission levels and fuel economy (distance travelled when 1 litre of fuel is consumed) were measured. Results indicated that emission levels reduced from 7.94% to 2.32% (a drop of 70.78%) for the DAF TB 2175 PE buses and from 5.27% to 3.20% (a drop of 58%) for the YAXING JS 6120 GIH buses over the study distance. These indicate that maintenance has great tendency to reduce emission levels, barring other factors such as driving pattern, fuel quality and traffic situation. Also the study revealed that after servicing the DAF TB 2175 PE buses could cover a distance of 2.775 km per litre of fuel instead of a shorter distance of 2.576 km with the same amount of fuel after 5,000 km (a drop of 7.2%). A similar observation was made for the YAXING JS 6120 GIH buses which covered 2.76 km after servicing and 2.55 km after 5,000 km, using one litre of fuel in each case. Additional 140 and 149 litres of diesel are needed to travel a distance of 5000 km by the DAF and YAXING buses respectively if preventive maintenance is ignored. These are at respective costs of GH¢241.36 and GH¢256.88 for the DAF TB 2175 PE and YAXING JS 6120 GIH buses, given the current price of diesel as GH¢ 1.724 per litre. Although other factors such as fuel quality could influence engine performance, the results suggest statistically significant improvement in exhaust emission reduction and fuel economy, calling for vehicle operators including governmental and non-governmental organizations to be well resourced and encouraged to undertake scheduled maintenance to save resources and reduce pollution.

Source: KNUST