ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effect of Advertisement on the Sale of Over–The-Counter Drugs in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Though not yet a pill-popping country, Ghana is inching the Over-The-Counter (OTC) way. Ghanaian OTC healthcare is in nascent stages but, urban Ghana is catching up with the concept, thanks to the advent of technology, improved literacy levels, increasing health awareness. In fact, Ghanaian consumers, today, are confident about sharing healthcare responsibility, especially in case of common ailments. With the local manufacturing sector focused largely on providing OTC products in a saturated local OTC market, it becomes necessary to source markets for their products. This study seeks to address the effect of advertisement on the sale of OTC in the Kumasi metropolis. The objective of this study is to assess the type of media used for advertising, the cost associated with such media, the role of the pharmacist in the sale of OTC, sales trend for OTC and the effect of advertisement on the sale of OTC , and make recommendations towards improving it. Primary data was collected from selected pharmacy shops using simple random sampling technique to select clients for one–on–one interview through the administration of structured and semi- structured questionnaires for Consumer, staff and management personnel of these pharmacies in Kumasi. A total of one hundred and eighty-seven respondents consisting of 130 consumers, 50 staff and 7 management personnel were selected for the study. Secondary data was gathered from records of these selected pharmacy shops ,documents such as dispensed products and the number of consumer visits for certain periods were gathered. The study revealed that radio adverts was the most used of all the advertising media and the most accessible form of media to the populace, advertising had a positive effect on sales but the cost associated with it was high for some establishment. The results of this study also shoed that information from OTC adverts were deemed reliable by consumers and the role of the pharmacist was most crucial in the delivery of health care for the citizenry. The study concluded that OTC advertisement was very important to the sale of most brands and education should be geared toward the dispensing staff for an effective healthcare delivery.

Source: KNUST
Effect of academic counselling on the performance of Second Year Purchasing and Supply Students of Kumasi Polytechnic

Since Ghanaian polytechnics were upgraded to the status of tertiary institutions in 1993, students from wide-ranging educational backgrounds have been entering the polytechnics to pursue Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes. The reading and writing experience of the first year students who are all put in the same class, varies extremely. Hence study skills have become increasingly important in the ‘new’ polytechnics. A good number of the Polytechnic teachers themselves need support to acquire some specific pedagogic techniques, to facilitate students’ learning process. In this research, a study is made of the needs for academic counselling of students as a means of enhancing their study skills. Questionnaires were administered to academic staff and students to collect views on students’ learning difficulties. The evidence gathered was utilized in designing a model for academic counselling services. The model includes a programme of workshops on study skills as well as consultations with course teachers to negotiate and reflect on some pedagogical issues raised by students. A group of students with academic difficulties responded to an open invitation for academic counselling intervention, and were used as an experimental group to benefit from the counselling services. The intervention was evaluated by (a) comparing the pre-intervention and post-intervention examination results (GPA 1 and GPA 2) of the group; (b) comparing the post-intervention examination results of the experimental group and a quasi-control group of students who had academic difficulties but declined the offer of counselling. (c) Test of significance - a statistical analysis to determine whether the difference between the entry behaviour and the exit behaviour of the experimental group of students was so significant as to be attributed to the intervention and not to chance. The results highlight the value of professional counselling service as a promising strategy for improving the study skills of students in the ‘new’ polytechnic.

Source: KNUST
Effect of advertisement on the sale of over–the-counter drugs in the Kumasi metropolis.

Though not yet a pill-popping country, Ghana is inching the Over-The-Counter (OTC) way. Ghanaian OTC healthcare is in nascent stages but, urban Ghana is catching up with the concept, thanks to the advent of technology, improved literacy levels, increasing health awareness. In fact, Ghanaian consumers, today, are confident about sharing healthcare responsibility, especially in case of common ailments. With the local manufacturing sector focused largely on providing OTC products in a saturated local OTC market, it becomes necessary to source markets for their products. This study seeks to address the effect of advertisement on the sale of OTC in the Kumasi metropolis. The objective of this study is to assess the type of media used for advertising, the cost associated with such media, the role of the pharmacist in the sale of OTC, sales trend for OTC and the effect of advertisement on the sale of OTC , and make recommendations towards improving it. Primary data was collected from selected pharmacy shops using simple random sampling technique to select clients for one–on–one interview through the administration of structured and semi- structured questionnaires for Consumer, staff and management personnel of these pharmacies in Kumasi. A total of one hundred and eighty-seven respondents consisting of 130 consumers, 50 staff and 7 management personnel were selected for the study. Secondary data was gathered from records of these selected pharmacy shops ,documents such as dispensed products and the number of consumer visits for certain periods were gathered. The study revealed that radio adverts was the most used of all the advertising media and the most accessible form of media to the populace, advertising had a positive effect on sales but the cost associated with it was high for some establishment. The results of this study also shoed that information from OTC adverts were deemed reliable by consumers and the role of the pharmacist was most crucial in the delivery of health care for the citizenry. The study concluded that OTC advertisement was very important to the sale of most brands and education should be geared toward the dispensing staff for an effective healthcare delivery

Source: KNUST
The effect of advertising on sales - a case study of the Ghana Breweries Limited

Marketing is the name of a game in the modern business field. Companies are producing more than needed by consumers and therefore, it requires some selling efforts for them to survive and to generate profits. Although advertising service is one element in marketing mix, it has become almost the only commercial venture that companies use to achieve corporate objective and long term profitability. Advertising management is complex indeed, and it covers everything of man’s thoughts; ranging from economic, social, cultural, political and international factors. Admittedly, the style of advertising service has changed overtime. It has evolved from its simple form of announcement to a system of argument based on aggressive marketing. Therefore, companies are developing and resorting to advertising campaign and other marketing techniques to make their products uniquely different from others in order to outwit competitors. Interestingly, advertising service becomes important in the business field where firms are producing similar products and supported with lower production cost structure, and competitors are prepared to go all out with selling activities to make sales whereby such decisions will affect the turnover of a given company in the industry. This means that a company has to develop sound marketing activities in the competitive business environment in a manner that will ensure high turnover and profits relative to the rivals. In the light of preceding that the researcher decided to find out the role of advertising and promotion appropriation on the turnover of the Ghana Breweries Limited in the industry in Ghana. It has been revealed from the findings of the study that, advertising and promotions budget is the maker of the company’s turnover as the pricing decision of the company has little to do to generate profit for the company. Also, the company has to watch competitors marketing strategies very careful as such decisions will decrease its share of the market. The researcher has the opinion that, the company can generate adequate profit from its new bottling plant by developing a sound product policy, which is far from the quality. This is so because, without the product, there is nothing to sell, and all marketing activities become nonsense. But with the sound product policy may require less selling effort in the marketplace. It is upon this reason that the researcher charges the Ghana Breweries Limited to spend money on research to minimise or eliminate slight headaches associated with its products portfolio by consuming more bottles of the beer products by its numerous customers.

Source: KNUST
The effect of advertising on the purchasing behavior of bank customers A case study of E-zwich

Continuous advertising and product diversification seem to have done little to modify public perception that banks are all alike. Customer’s behaviour is often self-contradictory. Most of the leading organizations in quality would now reach a decision that quality is about how an organization goes about meeting and satisfying the needs of its customers, but many are still driving quality into their organizations through a production orientation rather than through the eyes of their customers. Contrary to the conventional wisdom that continued spending in advertising is needed to uphold high levels of sales, the concept of advertising persistence proposes that short-term advertising campaigns can have long-lasting influences on sales. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of advertising on the purchasing behaviour of bank customers. This study is based on an aided questionnaire issued to students, government workers, market men and women and operators of E-zwich drawn from a convenience sample size of 180 in the Accra metropolis. Seven commercial banks were also used in the survey to confirm whether or not the information gathered from the users of E-zwich was true. The study revealed that, the adoption of effective advertisement, thus through television and radio is most likely to increase the purchasing behaviour of bank customers. It is also good to note that other methods such as personal selling and cross selling will also help improve the purchasing behaviour of the E-zwich services, speeding up the rate of transactions by the organization, making it attractive to customers and increasing their turnover. This study recommends the need for continuous and effective advertisement and services. E-zwich should be improved to make it easy to use by all and reduce the time intervals involve performing each transaction.

Source: KNUST
The Effect Of Alpha-Thalassemia on Malaria Parasitaemia and Microcytic Hypochromic Anaemia in Children Attending the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

It has been almost entirely established that alpha thalassemia does offer some degree of protection against the deadly consequences of malaria. However, the mechanism of the said protection, and the type of a-thalassemia that offers the said protection have been a point of controversy. In addition to its observed protective influence on malaria, a- thalassemia has also been linked to some other disease conditions. For instance, it is reported to essentially contribute to microcytic hypochromic anemia. This, however, has not yet been fully established, especially in Africa. This study seeks to assess whether a+-thalassemia has a discernible effect on malaria parasitaemia as a mechanism of protection, and also to determine the extent to which it contributes to microcytic hypochromic anemia. Four hundred and fifty-six (456) children presenting with fever were recruited at the Polyclinic out patients department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. The tests conducted included Malaria Parasite Test, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Serum Ferritin Test, and the Single-tube Multiplex-PCR. Tests were conducted at both KATH and the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) - a major research facility associated with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Alpha-thalassemic children recorded a significantly lower (28,705.0 pL"1) mean parasite density (MPD) compared to normal/ non-a+-tha!assemic children (35,483.0 pL"') (p<0.0001). Interestingly, the homozygotes recorded a significantly lower (691.3 pL"1) MPD compared to 36,350.0 pL" 1 for the heterozygotes and 35,483.0 pL"1 for the normal/ non-a+-thaiassemic children (p = 0.0001). Out of 120 microcytic hypochromic anemia cases (with iron deficiency excluded), sixty-three (52.50%) had a+-thalassemia, while 38.10% of suspected iron deficiency cases also had a+-thalassemia. Alpha-thalassemia was found to protect against malaria probably via a reduction in the parasite density. The homozygous status was found to be probably responsible for the said protection. Alpha-thalassemia was also found to be a key contributor to microcytic hypochromic anemia. Finally, and quite interestingly, a high prevalence of a+-thalassemia was found amongst cases that were suspected for iron deficiency. This necessitates that suspected iron deficiency cases be screened for a+-thalassemia so as to avoid the unnecessary administration of iron supplement.

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Aframomum Danielli on Ochratoxin A (OTA) Production; an Emerging Hazard in Dry Cocoa Beans

Forty-eight cocoa beans samples from bruised cocoa pods were analyzed for Ochratoxin A (OTA). Samples of 5000 g cocoa beans each containing initial OTA concentration of 5.66 ng/g were treated with varying quantities of Aframomum danielli spice powder ranging from 5 g to 250 g (w/w). The samples treated were analyzed for OTA concentrations using HPLC with a fluorescent detector. The study was done using response surface design. The effect of the spice powder was evaluated on two (2) quality attribute of cocoa i.e. Free Fatty Acid and Acidity (pH). Results from the study established a clear trend whereby OTA concentrations in treated cocoa samples decreased from 5.66 ng/g to 0.61 ng/g i.e. 89.22% reduction at 65.79 g of A. danielli powder. There was a decline in the development of OTA in the treated samples (i.e. samples treated with A. danielli powder) as compared to the control samples. Validating the results of the A. danielli at 65.79 g within 95% Confident Interval of 0.45 to 0.81 yielded a residual OTA from 5.66 to 0.63 ng/g, Free Fatty Acid from 3.09 to 1.48% and pH from 6.71 to 7.30. In conclusion, A. danielli spice powder exhibited a bio-preservative effect on OTA i.e., inhibit and reduce its growth in OTA contaminated cocoa beans at maximum level of 65.79 g per 5000 g of cocoa beans above which the quality of the beans will be affected.

Source: KNUST
The effect of Aframomum Danielli on Ochratoxin A. (OTA) production; an emerging hazard in dry cocoa beans

Forty-eight cocoa beans samples from bruised cocoa pods were analyzed for Ochratoxin A (OTA). Samples of 5000 g cocoa beans each containing initial OTA concentration of 5.66 ng/g were treated with varying quantities of Aframomum danielli spice powder ranging from 5 g to 250 g (w/w). The samples treated were analyzed for OTA concentrations using HPLC with a fluorescent detector. The study was done using response surface design. The effect of the spice powder was evaluated on two (2) quality attribute of cocoa i.e. Free Fatty Acid and Acidity (pH). Results from the study established a clear trend whereby OTA concentrations in treated cocoa samples decreased from 5.66 ng/g to 0.61 ng/g i.e. 89.22% reduction at 65.79 g of A. danielli powder. There was a decline in the development of OTA in the treated samples (i.e. samples treated with A. danielli powder) as compared to the control samples. Validating the results of the A. danielli at 65.79 g within 95% Confident Interval of 0.45 to 0.81 yielded a residual OTA from 5.66 to 0.63 ng/g, Free Fatty Acid from 3.09 to 1.48% and pH from 6.71 to 7.30. In conclusion, A. danielli spice powder exhibited a bio-preservative effect on OTA i.e., inhibit and reduce its growth in OTA contaminated cocoa beans at maximum level of 65.79 g per 5000 g of cocoa beans above which the quality of the beans will be affected.

Source: KNUST
The effect of agricultural development on the environment (a case study of the farming systems in the Ga District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana)

Agriculture supports 80% of the total population of Ghana through farming, distribution of farm produce and the provision of other services to the agricultural sector. It is also the largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accounting for 45 percent. However, the issue of meeting food requirements given the rapid population growth has resulted in mounting pressure on the country’s natural resources as well as the destabilisation of the ecosystem. This research reports on the effect of farming systems on the environment within the Ga District of the Greater Accra Region. The study reports on findings from a survey of 15 farmers in each of 10 selected farming communities. The survey also covered officials of the district office of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana National Fire Service, Ministry of Lands and Forestry and the Ga District Assembly. The findings revealed that small holder farmers representing 78.7 percent of the farming population employ the slash and burn method of land preparation contributing to the high incidence of bush fires during the dry season in the district. The study further revealed the use of outmoded farming practices such as the extensive system of livestock management resulting in over grazing, over-dependence of agro-chemicals, poor land use planning which has resulted in land degradation and the pollution of water bodies among others. The biological productivity of environmental resources that support agricultural development has therefore been reduced. Farmers within the district however attributed the lack of finance, poor farmer-extension agent relationship among others as limiting factors to the effective performance of their work which has contributed to their continued use these outmoded farming practices. In the light of these findings, it is recommended that proper coordination be established between the various stakeholders involved in agricultural production and environmental protection. These stakeholders should be adequately resourced to facilitate better and improved relations with farmers. In addition off-farm economic activities should be promoted in the various communities to reduce the pressure on the land whilst enhancing the income of household in rural areas. Reduction in rural poverty will go a long way to halt the cycle of poverty associated with resource depletion.

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Article 78 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana on the Oversight Role of the Parliament of Ghana

The Study was undertaken to identify how the Parliament of Ghana performs its oversight role in relation to Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana; to determine whether Article 78(1) affects the oversight role of the Parliament of Ghana; and to contribute to public debate on whether Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution should be amended. To address the objectives of the Study, The 1992 Constitution of Ghana, The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, books on how the Parliament of Ghana functions, the internet and other sources of existing literature on parliamentary oversight role and executive-parliament relations were consulted. Further, questionnaires were administered to one hundred and twenty (120) Members of the House to collect primary data on the subject matter. Interview guides were also used to tap the experiences of seven (7) key informants including three (3) veteran Parliamentary Staff. The Study indicated that the Parliament of Ghana performs its oversight role by using its Committee System to undertake investigations and scrutiny of policies; asking Ministers Questions; and moving Motions. Furthermore, the Study revealed that Article 78(1) which places an injunction on the President to appoint majority of Ministers from the Parliament of Ghana, undermines the oversight role of the Parliament of Ghana. This is evidenced by the fact that 54.2% of those to whom questionnaires were administered and six (6) out of the seven (7) key informants interviewed thought Article 78(1) affects the oversight role of the Parliament of Ghana more adversely than favourably. The conclusion of the Study was that, Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana should be amended to have strict separation of powers in order to strengthen the Parliament of Ghana to perform its oversight role more effectively.

Source: KNUST
Effect of audit quality on the financial performance of selected banks in Ghana

This study examines the effect of audit quality on the financial performance of selected banks in Ghana. This study specifically sought to examine; the quality of audit, the financial performance, and confirm the relationship that exists between audit quality and the financial performance of these selected banks. The study adopts a quantitative research design and the purposive sampling method is used to select the banks. The study also uses secondary data of the annual financial reports of the five sampled listed banks from 2014 to 2018 used to achieve the objectives. Data was coded and scrutinized by the use of descriptive statistics using Excel 2019. STATA version 14 is used to analyze the descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation tests and regression. The result shows that audit fees have a negligible positive relationship with financial performance. However, there is a moderate inverse relationship between Audit fees and financial performance, and whiles audit experience has moderate inverse effect, with Audit independence has weak positive effect with financial performance. Based on the regression, Audit experience was found to have any significant effect on financial performance, audit fees, audit size and audit independence had no significant effect on financial performance. Based on the outcomes and findings of the study, it can be concluded that generally, audit experience affects financial performance, and the study recommends that therefore there is the need for institutions especially in the banking sector to pay closer attention to audit experience and put in measures to engage auditing firms that have more experience.

Source: KNUST