ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Microemulsion Synthesis of CuO Nanorod-Like Structures

Copper oxide (CuO) nanorod-like structures made of spherical nanocrystals were synthesized at moderate temperature (80°C) starting from CuCl2•2H2O crystals in a water/n-heptane microemulsion stabilised by the nonionic Brij-30 surfactant. Whole Powder Pattern Modelling of the X-ray diffraction pattern shows absence of linear and planar defects with crystalline domains in the range of 4 - 8 nm. A linear correlation between the average size of the particles and the quantity of water in the system was observed: all synthesised specimens show a large blue shift of the energy bandgap (up to 2.7 eV versus 1.2 eV of bulk CuO) resulting from quantum confinement effects. The mechanism of growth of the spherical nanoparticles into nanorod-like structures has been elucidated.

Source: UG
Microenterprise financing preference: Testing POH within the context of Ghana's rural financial market

Purpose-The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of financing preference of Micro and Small Enterprises whilst distinguishing a broader range of financing sources beyond what is typically the case within the corporate finance literature. Design/methodology/approach- Under the framework of ordinal logistic regression, the study also tests whether there is evidence of hierarchical preference ordering as predicted by POH using field survey data for 2009. Findings We relate that new enterprises are more likely to prefer low cost and less risky or less formal financing such as internal or bootstrap finances. However, as the enterprise gets established or matures its capacity to seek formal financing increases thereby becoming more likely to prefer or being in a higher category of formal financing. While we affirmed the POH, we argue that this order is a consequence of severe persistent constraints other than sheer preference. Our findings further reveal that, microentrepreneur’s and MSE’s-specific level socio-economic characteristics such as owner’s education or financial literacy status, households’ tangible assets, ownership structure, enterprise size as well as sensitivity to high interest rates in the credit market are important determinants of either past (start-up), present or future financing preference. Originality/value- The main value of this paper is to analyse the determinants of financing preference of Micro and Small Enterprises within the context of rural financial market from a developing country perspective.

Source: UG
Microenterprise performance amidst environmental turbulence and resource scarcity: an integrated capital approach

Purpose – Microenterprises in emerging economies are known to operate in turbulent and resource-scarce environments.We test our hypothesis that a more comprehensive “Integrated Capital-Based Model” (ICBM) is needed when explaining the performance of microenterprises in such an environment. The model combines traditionally researched financial, human and social capital with more recently emphasized psychological and cognitive capital, providing greater explanatory power than models using only the traditional types of capital. Design/methodology/approach – We use a pooled linear regression to analyze an existing survey of more than 900 independent business owners who were interviewed seven times between 2008 and 2012 in the Accra and Tema marketplaces in Ghana. We measure the performance of microenterprises using three dependent variables (revenue, profits, and productivity).We contrast the explanatory power of ICBM models against the more traditional models. Findings – The ICBM has significantly higher levels of explanatory power over the traditional models in examining the performance of these microenterprises. These results highlight the importance of psychological and cognitive capital in emerging economies. Research limitations/implications – We advocate for a more comprehensive view of capital as shown in our ICBM. However, the data were gathered only in an urban setting, which limits the generalizability to rural parts of emerging economies. Practical implications – These findings suggest the utility of government and appropriate agencies finding ways to enhance the level of psychological and cognitive capital of microenterprise owners. Originality/value – This paper’s originality stems from hypothesizing and empirically confirming the higher predictive efficacy of ICBM against more traditionally researched capital sources.

Source: UG
Microfinance in Ghana: A Comparative Study of Performance of the Formal versus Informal Rural Financial Institutions

A growing number of formal commercial banks are increasingly showing interest in financing the vast underserved and untapped market of microenterprises in Ghana. However, the greater majority are still on the fence and are hesitant to venture into microlending. Using field survey data from a wide range of rural financial institutions and tracing the evolution of microfinance in Ghana, the study analyzes the performance in microlending (both in terms of non-performing loans (NPLs) and managers’ perception of growth performance) of formal banks, compared to the traditional MFIs while emphasising the incentives and disincentives, as well as risk mitigation strategies. The study finds that while the main incentives driving banks into microlending were profitability and changing market conditions, disincentives ranged from high cost of transactions to perceived high risks associated with microentrepreneurs. Further, while asset-based collateral was found not to affect the performance of FIs, we find evidence to support the hypothesis that collateral leads to a reduction of NPLs. However, informal FIs were found to perform better in reducing default rates than the formal FIs. On depth of outreach, whereas FIs with clients dominated by women were more likely to perform better, those located in rural areas were more inclined to have higher NPLs. Finally, while a higher scope of outreach was found to be significant for performance, high lending rates charged by FIs led to higher levels of default rates.

Source: UG
Microfinance Intermediation: Regulation of Financial NGOs in Ghana

Purpose – This study aims to seek to fill a gap in regulatory impact assessment in developing countries by presenting an analysis of how formal regulation impact on the efficiency and productivity of financial non-governmental organisations (FNGOs) in Ghana. Much has been written about the formal financial sector, but very little is known about the lower end of microfinance and the impact of formal prudential regulation on FNGOs providing microfinance services. The Bank of Ghana (BOG), nevertheless, in the year 2011, extended formal prudential regulation to FNGOs without any empirical basis. This study uses regulatory theories and empirical evidence to aid in the evaluation of whether formal prudential regulation is appropriate for FNGOs operating within the microfinance sector. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence derived from FNGOs, regulatory agents, consumers and financial lawyers within the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions of Ghana served as the basis of the analysis in this study. Descriptive statistics, frequency counts and percentage scores, were used to analyse the data collected. Findings – The existing structures of FNGOs in Ghana are unsuitable for formal prudential regulation. The BOG does not have adequate staffing and funding to supervise and monitor the microfinance activities of FNGOs. Formal prudential regulation could impede growth and efficient delivery of microfinance services. Research limitations/implications – The BOG is the only regulatory agency responsible for regulating the financial market in Ghana, thus access to officers with knowledge in the regulatory regime was very limited. Practical implications – The study revealed in depth information about FNGOs, microfinance and the impact of formal prudential regulation on FNGOs. Originality/value – The study is the first to use empirical studies and theories of regulation to assess the impact of extending formal prudential regulation to FNGOs in Ghana. Data from the regulator, the regulated and consumers, the key players in any regulatory process, served as the basis of the analysis in the study resulting in the unravelling of in-depth information on the regulation of FNGOs.

Source: UG
Microfinance With Education In Rural Ghana: Men’s Perception Of Household Level Impact

Microcredit schemes have been shown to enhance women’s Income Generation Activities (IGA), household food security, and child nutrition. However, spouses or Male Household Heads (MHH) can influence how women’s loans are invested and how incomes ensuing from the investments are expended. This study describes how MHH perceived and experienced the participation of female caregivers from their household in the Enhancing Child Nutrition through Animal Source Food Management (ENAM) project. The ENAM project was designed as an integrated intervention providing microcredit, entrepreneurship, and nutrition education to women in rural communities in Ghana. Eighty-five MHH of ENAM project caregivers in two regions of Ghana were interviewed about their awareness of the microcredit and education intervention, their involvement in the IGA that the caregivers’ loans were invested in, and their perceptions of the impact of the project on the caregivers’ IGA as well as household and child nutrition. The majority of MHH indicated that they had been consulted by the caregivers about the decision to participate in the ENAM project. The most common reasons given for consenting to the caregivers’ decision to participate in the program were expectations that the caregiver would receive business capital (30.6%), education on optimal child feeding (36.5%), and income to enable caregivers to contribute more to household expenses (31.8%). Concerning the project’s impact, MHH perceived that the caregivers’ project participation had a positive impact on their business practices, particularly concerning improved customer relations. The MHH perceived that caregivers’ incomes increased because they participated in ENAM as evidenced by regular income savings and increased contributions to household food and non-food expenditures. However, MHH reported decreases in their contributions to almost all household expenditure categories in response to the perceived increase in caregivers’ incomes. The MHH also perceived improvements in home meal quality. In summary, MHH credited the ENAM project with improved caregiver’s incomes and increased share of household expenses. However, this outcome resulted in unanticipated declines in MHH contribution to household expenses. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of empowering women through social experiments on households.

Source: UG
Microfinance, gender and entrepreneurial behaviour of families in Ghana

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between microfinance participation and entrepreneurial behaviour of Ghanaian families as well as the moderating role of the family head’s gender. It is argued from a resource-based theory perspective that microfinance is a financial resource that removes credit constraints to entrepreneurial behaviour of families. However, gender of the family head creates heterogeneity in this relationship in line with the gender theory. Design/methodology/approach In order to test these claims, cross-sectional data from 2,727 families on microfinance participation and household characteristics in Ghana are utilised. Findings The study finds that microfinance participation has a positive and significant relationship with a family’s decision to own an enterprise. Also, the study finds that female-headed families are better utilizers of microfinancial resources for entrepreneurial purposes compared to their male counterparts. This difference is a pure gender effect. Originality/value This finding is in contrast to the dominant stream of gender-based entrepreneurship research that suggests that women are subordinate to men and need to be helped to become “honorary men”. From a policy standpoint, solutions aimed at reversing discrimination against women in economic markets must consider women within their own right. The study makes a contribution to the literature by showing empirically the source of heterogeneity in entrepreneurial returns to microfinance participation by families.

Source: UG
Microflora and chemical composition of Momoni, a Ghanaian fermented fish condiment

A total of 67 microbial strains were isolated from momoni, a Ghanaian fermented fish condiment obtained from retail outlets. The strains belonged to nine genera of micro-organisms namely Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, Pediococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Debaryomyces, Hansenula and Aspergillus with Bacillus having a predominant occurrence of 37.7%. Average values of 5.8 × 107 - 4.1 × 108 cfu/g were obtained for the microbial count. The chemical constituents of fermented fish condiment were a moisture content of 50%, protein values of 16.8-21.9%, a titratable acidity of 2%, and a pH of above 6.0. The predominant amino acid of the momoni samples was glutamic acid (12.4-14.5%). The high pH and the low level of lactic acid bacteria (103 cfu/g) and the high salt content of momoni (294-310/kg) suggest that the fermentation process of the fish condiment is mediated by the endogenous enzymes of the fish rather than the associated micro-organisms. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
The microflora of bile in Ghanaians

Bile was obtained from the gall bladder of 104 patients undergoing cholecystectomy for gall stone disease. Bile was also obtained from the common bile duct and T-tube of 17 patients who also had exploration of common bile duct. During the same period, 148 cholecystectomies were performed. The specimens were sent for culture and sensitivity and 32.7% of the specimens grew bacteria. The factors that were associated with positive culture were emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and empyema of gall bladder, carcinoma of gall bladder and obstructive jaundice. The commonest organisms were E. Coli (28.2%) and Klebsiella (17.9%). Pseudomonas surprisingly formed 10.2% of the cultured organisms. Salmonella that causes typhoid, which is an endemic disease in Ghana, formed only 7.7% of the isolates. Most of the organisms were resistant to Ampicillin and tetracyclines. The antibiotics that most were sensitive to were Gentamicin and Cefuroxime. Therefore the antibiotics that are recommended for use as prophylaxis in biliary tract surgery are Gentamicin or Cefuroxime.

Source: UG
The microflora of fermented nixtamalized corn

Nixtamalization is a traditional process that improves the nutritional quality of corn. To provide a means of utilizing the nutritional benefits of nixtamalized corn and improve product acceptability, lactic acid fermentation was applied. The objective of the study was to study the microbial profile and establish the important lactobacilli of fermenting nixtamalized corn dough. Two batches of cleaned whole corn were subjected to the process of nixtamalization, using two concentrations of lime (0.5 or 1.0%), milled, made into a dough (50% moisture) and fermented spontaneously for 72 h. A control sample was prepared without alkaline treatment. pH and titratable acidity of the dough were measured. Aerobic mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds were enumerated on Plate Count Agar (PCA), deMan, Rogossa and Sharpe (MRS) Agar and Malt Extract Agar (MEA), respectively. The identity of lactobacilli present was established at the species level using API 50 CHL. The pH of all the fermenting systems decreased with fermentation time with concomitant increase in titratable acidity. Lactic acid bacteria in numbers of 1.6×109, 2.3×109 and 1.8×109 cfu/g, respectively yeasts and molds, and numbers of 8.0×107, 5.0×105 and 1.7×105 cfu/g, respectively were observed in the control and the two nixtamalized (0.5% and 1.0% lime) samples after 48 h of fermentation. Lactobacilli identified in the fermenting nixtamalized corn dough were Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus cellobiosus as well as Pediococcus spp. The study demonstrates that nixtamalized corn though alkaline in nature can be subjected to spontaneous fermentation to produce a sour product. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Micronutrient composition and acceptability of Moringa oleifera leaf-fortified dishes by children in Ada-East district, Ghana

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), a green leafy vegetable, is a good source of minerals and vitamins which could be consumed as part of diet to improve human health and well-being. Drying M. oleifera leaves could make it readily available for use as a food fortificant. The objectives of the study were to determine micromineral and β -carotene content of dried M. oleifera leaves, and leaf-incorporated local dishes, and also assess school children's (4-12 yr) acceptability of dried M. oleifera leaf-incorporated local dishes and feasibility of introducing dried leaves into a school lunch menu. M. oleifera leaves were solar dried, milled into powder, and packaged into polythene bags. Moisture level in the dried leaves and pH were determined. Minerals in the leaf powder were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Beta-carotene levels were determined by spectrophotometry. Acceptability tests of dishes fortified with M. oleifera leaf powder were conducted with score sheets (Smileys) on a 5-point hedonic scale of “Like Extremely” to “Dislike Extremely”, and dishes ranked to determine preference. Dried M. oleifera leaves contained high levels of micronutrients: 0.36 ± 0.04 mg/100 g Copper (Cu); 5.80 ± 0.68 mg/100 g Manganese (Mn); 20.96 ± 1.37 mg/100 g Iron (Fe); 6.79 ± 1.82 mg/100 g Zn; and 21.42 ± 1.67 mg/100 g β-carotene. The dishes showed significant levels of these minerals compared to the nonfortified dishes (P < 0.05). M. oleifera leaf-fortified dishes were also highly acceptable to the children (highest mean score of 5.0 ± 0 of 5 and lowest of 3.50 ± 1.43 of 5). M. oleifera leaf powder contains high levels of the micronutrients β-carotene, Zn, Mn, and Fe, comparable to levels found in amaranth and spinach. M. oleifera leaf-fortified local dishes were well accepted by children in Ada-East district. M. oleifera leaf fortified dishes could be good sources of β-carotene and other minerals for children vulnerable to malnutrition in Ghana. © 2016 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Source: UG
Microorganisms associated with Maari, a Baobab seed fermented product

A microbiological study was carried out on Baobab fermented seeds (Maari) obtained from 4 different production sites in Burkina Faso (Mansila, Toulfé, Ouagadougou and Gorgadji).A total of 390 representative isolates comprising 251 aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) and 139 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated and identified to species level using a combination of pheno- and genotypic methods including conventional morphological analysis, carbohydrate fermentation profiling, rep-PCR ((GTG)5-fingerprinting) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.The fermentation of Baobab seeds was initiated by the AMB identified as Bacillus subtilis (82% of AMB isolates) and Staphylococcus sciuri (18% of AMB isolates). No lactic acid bacteria were isolated at the beginning of the process. After 24. h fermentation time, Enterococcus faecium appeared in the fermenting seeds and remained until the end of the fermentation, as the predominant LAB.In Maari collected from retail outlets the AMB count ranged from 6.7. log10. CFU/g to 10. log10. CFU/g while the LAB load ranged from 4.4. log10. CFU/g to 9.9. log10. CFU/g. The AMB were identified as belonging to genus Bacillus (12 species), Staphylococcus (3 species) and one species of Aerococcus, Macrococcus, Leifsonia, Kurthia, Proteus, Acinetobacter and Globicatella, respectively. A putatively novel, previously undescribed Corynebacterium sp. was also found. E. faecium was the dominant LAB in all investigated retail samples except one sample dominated by Pediococcus acidilactici. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Source: UG
Microplastic ingestion by pelagic and demersal fish species from the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, off the Coast of Ghana

We present data on the occurrence of microplastics in fish from the Guinea current region off Ghana's Coast. Frequency of occurrence of microplastics in the fish species followed the order: Sardinella maderensis (41%) > Dentex angolensis > (33%) > Sardinella aurita (26%). Mean numbers of microplastics ingested were 40.0 ± 3.8, 32.0 ± 2.7 and 25.7 ± 1.6 for S. maderensis, D. angolensis and S. aurita respectively. Industrially produced pellets were the most dominant (31%) microplastic type followed by microbeads (29%), burnt film plastics (22%) and unidentified fragments (9%). Microfibers (2%), threads (2%) and foams (< 0.1%) were the least occurring microplastics in the fish species. Condition factors estimated for D. angolensis and S. aurita were>1 and below 1 for S. maderensis. The findings of the study show the common occurrence of microplastics in fish stocks and pave the way for future studies on microplastics in this Region

Source: UG
Microsatellite mapping of QTL affecting growth, feed consumption, egg production, tonic immobility and body temperature of Japanese quail

Abstract Background The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is both an animal model in biology and a commercial bird for egg and meat production. Modern research developments with this bird, however, have been slowed down by the limited information that is available on the genetics of the Japanese quail. Recently, quail genetic maps with microsatellites and AFLP have been produced which open the way to comparative works with the chicken (Gallus gallus), and to QTL detection for a variety of traits. The purpose of this work was to detect for the first time QTL for commercial traits and for more basic characters in an F2 experiment with 434 female quail, and to compare the nature and the position of the detected QTL with those from the first chicken genome scans carried out during the last few years. Results Genome-wide significant or suggestive QTL were found for clutch length, body weight and feed intake on CJA01, age at first egg and egg number on CJA06, and eggshell weight and residual feed intake on CJA20, with possible pleiotropy for the QTL affecting body weight and feed intake, and egg number and age at first egg. A suggestive QTL was found for tonic immobility on CJA01, and chromosome-wide significant QTL for body temperature were detected on CJA01 and CJA03. Other chromosome-wide significant QTL were found on CJA02, CJA05, CJA09 and CJA14. Parent-of-origin effects were found for QTL for body weight and feed intake on CJA01. Conclusion Despite its limited length, the first quail microsatellite map was useful to detect new QTL for rarely reported traits, like residual feed intake, and to help establish some correspondence between the QTL for feed intake, body weight and tonic immobility detected in the present work and those reported on GGA01 in the chicken. Further comparative work is now possible in order to better estimate and understand the genetic similarities and differences of these two Phasianidae species.

Source: UG