ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effects of variety, harvest age and pre-treatment on the drying characteristics and baking quality of cassava flour

Cassava is an important tropical crop that is widely grown and consumed in different forms across various countries in the tropics. It has great potentials for use in the bakery and other food industries for the production of value added products. The effects of harvest age, chipping, grating, toasting and citric acid pre-treatments on drying characteristics and baking quality of Ampong, Broni and Otuhia cassava varieties were investigated. Pre-treatment had the greatest influence on the drying characteristics as more than 50 % of the drying time was saved by toasting and grating pre-treatments. Henderson and Pabis, Page and Newton models adequately predicted the drying behaviour of the cassava varieties but the best prediction was achieved with the Page’s model. The proximate composition of the cassava flour was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by harvest age, variety and pre-drying treatments. The flours obtained had satisfactory quality attributes in terms of protein, fat, fibre, ash, carbohydrate, moisture content, pH and cyanogenic potentials. The three cassava varieties produced flours with low cyanide contents of 2.48 mg HCNeqv/kg to 6.99 mg HCNeqv/kg dry matter. These values are below the WHO recommendation of cyanide content which is not to be greater than 10 mg HCNeqv/kg dry matter of cassava flour (WHO/FAO, 2013). Hence the flours could be safely consumed by humans without any concern of cyanide toxicity. The water binding capacity, swelling power, water and oil absorption capacities of the cassava flours were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by variety, harvest age and pre-treatment while solubility was affected by only harvest age and pre-treatment. The Otuhia cassava variety had relatively lower gelatinization temperature and peak time values while Otuhia and Ampong varieties had higher peak and final viscosity values. The setback viscosity values of the flour from the three cassava varieties did not differ iv from each other. Grating pre-treatment had the highest peak viscosity value while the setback and final viscosity values of toasted and grated samples were higher than the others. The early gelatinization, high peak viscosity, setback and final viscosities generally exhibited by the flour samples were good indicators of their suitability for use in the bakery industry. Results from the baking experiment indicated that the specific volume and sensory attributes of bread samples containing 20% cassava flour produced from five different pre-treatments of Otuhia variety harvested at 14 months compared very well with the control sample. Composite bread with acceptable sensory qualities were produced from flour containing up to 40% toasted and 30% grated cassava which was not significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from bread containing 100% wheat flour.

Source: KNUST
Effects of wildfire on farming system dynamics in the fire-prone forest belt of Ghana

Wildfires have become very influential in the ecology and socio-economic dimensions of the rural landscape in the transition zone of Ghana. Eight farming communities around four forest reserves with short fire return intervals were studied to determine the role of fire in farming system dynamics in the fire-prone forest belt of Ghana. The study focused on the major changes in farming system attributable to wildfires, the evolved responses of farmers to wildfires and assessment of farmers’ perception of the influence of present farming practices on wildfire incidence. Results show that farmers use fire predominantly to reduce labour during land preparation. Other benefits of fire are control of pests and diseases, improved soil fertility and shade management. Fire is also considered as a requirement for the effective cultivation of certain crops. In spite of its usefulness the risk of fires getting out of the intended boundary during land clearance has increased in recent times due to changes in the physical environment and the vegetation, and this is of serious concern to farmers. Recurrent annual wildfires and other related factors have caused major changes in the farming system of the study area. A notable change is the replacement of secondary forest with grasses and Chromolaena odorata fallow, which is cleared for farming. Other important changes are a dramatic shift from the growth of perennials to annuals, high labour requirements for land clearance, low soil productivity, low yields, decreasing fallow length, and a declined interest in the cultivation of cocoa which, was the backbone of the rural economy in the fire-prone forest belt. Farmers have the perception that the cultivation of vegetables and annuals is closely linked with wildfires, since it does not encourage investment in fire prevention and suppression. Besides, vegetable farmers burn slash during the period when fire risk is highest. Farmers have evolved strategies for managing the wildfire menace over the years. These are fire prevention education, precautionary measures and farm management practices. Further studies are proposed on adopted measures for fire management by farmers.

Source: KNUST
The effects of wildfires on soil and vegetation in selected forest reserves in the transitional zone of Ghana

The effects of wildfire on soil and vegetation were evaluated in three forest reserves in the transitional zones of Ghana namely Afram Headwaters, Bosomkese and Worobong South Forest Reserves. These reserves are part of pilots reserves selected for the Wildfire Management Project being implemented by the Forestry Commission of Ghana. This research examined the response of the soil and vegetation following continuous wildfires for about 15 years. Data from soils in burnt sites within each reserve were compared to that in an adjacent unburnt sites as well as comparing burnt and unburnt sites among the reserves. Using standard laboratory procedures, both physical and chemical properties (soil texture, bulk density, pH, % organic carbon, total nitrogen, % organic matter, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, base saturation and cation exchange capacity) were determined. Again surface organic layers and vegetation (pioneer and successional species) were also examined. .Results indicated a 100% loss of surface organic layers in the burnt site of Afram Headwaters and also a 74% and 4% loss in Worobong and Bosomkese Forest Reserves respectively. Soil texture increased (P ≤ 0.05) significantly on burnt site compared to unburnt site with regards to sand, and silt with the exception of clay which declined on the burnt site at Afram Headwaters. However, there was no significant difference on burnt and unburnt sites with regards to texture and bulk density at both Bosomkese and Worobong South forest reserves. Results presented suggest that wildfires can significantly increase chemical properties like soil pH, potassium, and cation exchange capacity. However, soil levels of organic matter and total nitrogen are reduced after wildfires. Common pioneer species found within burnt and unburnt sites in reserves include; Griffonia simplicifolia, Celtis malbraedii and Khaya anthotica. Common successional species recorded include; Chromolaena odorata and Broussonatia papyverifera. A better understanding of the role fire plays as a natural disturbance in our forests should allow for intelligent management of these important, yet rapidly vanishing ecosystems.

Source: KNUST
Effects of working capital management and Cash Holdings of Private Universities: A Case Study of Garden City University College

The study aims at assessing the effects of working capital management on cash holdings of Garden City University College (GCUC). The objective of this study is to ascertain how GCUC working capital management practices affect their cash holdings, which influence their operational expansion. The university’s six years financial information, 2008- 2013 was used for the analysis. Among the key findings included: 1) The University’s cash performance for both 2008 and 2012 years for the period under study was below expectation; compared to the acceptable benchmarks of percentiles (25th, 50th and 75th percentiles). 2) GCUC’s short-term liabilities within the balance sheet totals for 2008 to 2013 measure 1%, 3%, 9%, 7%, 6% 5% and respectively depicting an increased trend. This in turn, negatively related to have unsatisfactory on cash holdings level of the university. Researchers’ key recommendation is that GCUC must employ the technique of Economic Order Quantity and Just-In-Time as well as policy documentation about working capital

Source: KNUST
Effects of working capital management practice on performance of manufacturing smes in ghana

This study was conducted to examine the effect of working capital management practices on the performance of manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. This study employed quantitative cross-sectional descriptive research. Convenient and purposive sampling was used to select 154 participants. To gather information, mostly a pre-made questionnaire was employed. The statistical analysis was performed using both SPSS v26 and SmartPls v4. The result reveals that the cash conversion cycle had an insignificant direct influence on financial performance. The result reveals that inventory management had a significant direct influence on financial performance. Finally, the result concludes that account receivable management has a direct effect on financial performance. This study contributes valuable knowledge to the realm of business and finance, offering a well-rounded understanding of the dynamics that shape financial performance. The findings serve as guiding beacons for businesses seeking to optimize their operations and strategies, ultimately contributing to sustainable financial success in today's dynamic business environment.

Source: KNUST
The effects of work environment on employees productivity in government organizations. A case study of Obuasi Municipal Assembly

The study sought to investigate the effects of work environment on employee’s productivity in government organizations in Obuasi Municipality. The research design for this study was the survey research design to assess the relationship between work environment and employee’s productivity at Obuasi Municipal Assembly. Thus, the population of the study comprised all employees of Obuasi Municipal Assembly. The Assembly which has total staff strength of 255 employees was used as the case study. In an attempt to realize the objectives of the study, 100 questionnaires were administered to the employees of Obuasi Municipal Assembly. In order to ensure that all the strata of the population were fairly represented and all cases within each stratum had equal chance of being selected, stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 100 employees for this research. A response rate of 78% was achieved. The data collected from the employees was analyzed using multiple regression and descriptive statistics. It was found that, each of the components that define work environment were statistically significant to productivity of the Municipal Assembly. However, the social work environment of employees of Obuasi Municipal Assembly was the most conducive work environment at Obuasi Municipal Assembly and the psychological environment of the Assembly was least conducive. In the end, work environment at Obuasi Municipal Assembly was statistically significant to the productivity of employees at the Municipal Assembly. It was among other things recommended that for the productivity of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to be enhanced, the Assembly must improve upon its psychological environment so as to improve upon the psychological health of its employees.

Source: KNUST
Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Thevetia Peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. (Milk Bush) Root in the Control of Major Insect Pests of Cowpea

Insect pests are a serious constraint to cowpea production in sub-Saharan Africa. Every phenological stage in the life cycle of the crop has at least one major insect pest. Aphids, Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) attack cowpea especially at the seedling stage, flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) at flowering, the pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at flowering and pod formation stages, and, a complex of pod sucking bugs at pod formation stage. The cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is the major storage pest. The attack of one or more of these pests may result in total crop loss. Their successful management is therefore critical to ensuring food security. Reports show that these pests are developing resistance to some of the synthetic pesticides commonly used for their control. This and many other reasons have led to the quest for extracts from pesticidal plants to control these pests. The efficacy of ethanolic extract of the roots of milk bush, Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum, was therefore assessed for the control of the major field insect pests of cowpea in the 2008 minor season and 2009 major season. The extract was prepared from the dry coarse powder using 77% v/v ethanol in a soxhlet apparatus for four hours. The concentrations of the extract used were 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% in the first experiment but changed to 5%, 10% and 15% in the second experiment. These concentrations were compared with the recommended insecticide, cymethoate 25 EC (cypermethrin + dimethoate). The root extract at 15% was superior in reducing insect populations and compared favourably with the synthetic insecticide for many of the parameters measured. Pod density was also enhanced on cowpea plants treated with 10% and 15% of the extract compared with the control plots (P≤0.05). M. vitrata was the most susceptible to the extract whilst M. sjostedtii was not much affected. Cymethoate was consistently superior to all the root extract treatments in substantially reducing the population densities of all the insect pests. But the results of this study indicate that, root extract of T. peruviana has the potential to replace synthetic products for the control of the major insect pests of cowpea.

Source: KNUST
The efficacy of cleansing agents in handwashing

The global disease burden is enormous, with the developing countries bearing the heaviest part of this burden. Hygiene practices have been neglected for a long time, thus allowing preventable diseases to take their toll on the lives and health of millions of people. Most of these diseases, for example the faecal-oral diseases such as diarrhoea, are preventable through simple but effective and cost-effective personal hygiene practices, including handwashing. Although handwashing is an age old practice, it is done for varied reasons, and without adequate knowledge about its ability to save lives through the reduction of disease causing pathogens. The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy of various cleansing agents employed in handwashing, to reduce microbial load on hands, since hands are known to be “mechanical vectors” in the transmission of diseases. It also offered the opportunity to identify cleansing agents available even in rural poor communities, effective in reducing pathogens and the ultimate reduction of diseases. The study was undertaken at the Ayeduase Roman Catholic Junior High School. A questionnaire survey was carried out with 100 respondents to ascertain the practice of handwashing and cleansing agents used. Samples of the thumb, index and middle fingers of the right hand of 80 students were taken to assess the level of microbial contamination on unwashed hands. Participants washed their hands with soap, dipped their right hands in seeded water (suspension of microbes) and samples of the thumb, index and middle fingers of the right hands were taken. Participants then washed their hands with the various cleansing agents provided after which final samples of the three fingers were taken. For purposes of the study, cleansing agents provided were water only, ash, citrus lime and soap. Chromocult agar was the medium used for the isolation of pathogens which were Escherichia coli, Sallmonella typhi, other Coliforms and other Enterobacteriaceae. Data from the questionnaires administered showed that 83% of respondents washed hands after using the toilet and 77% used soap in handwashing. Laboratory analysis showed that some individuals’ fingers were very dirty. Again, cleansing agents used were able to reduce microbes by more than 50%. Findings from the study indicated that hands do carry microbial contaminants. Also all the cleansing agents provided –water only, ash, citrus lime and soap – have the ability to reduce microbes on the hands. It is recommended that education be carried out to inform people, particularly the rural poor communities, to wash their hands with any of the agents that are available locally, for disease prevention and healthy lives.

Source: KNUST
Effects of Work Pressure on Employee Safety Behavior in the Construction Industry in Ghana.

The construction industry generally continue to record relatively very high rates of workplace injuries and work related illnesses compared to many other industries globally. The situation is even worse in nascent economies where workplace safety laws and standards are far from adequate and monitoring and evaluation of safety performance is either minimal or practically non-existent. There is growing empirical evidence suggesting that work pressure has a positive relationship with work related accidents and injuries. This study scrutinizes worker perceptions about the effects of work pressure on their safety behavior and their exposure to accidents in the construction industry in Ghana. The study adopts a descriptive survey approach and uses primary data from a field survey of 187 construction site workers in Ghana. The results of the empirical investigation suggest that there are high levels of work pressure related accidents in the construction industry in Ghana. The findings also point to the fact that work pressure is mostly caused by work overload, delayed schedules, and a mismatch between employee skills and allocated tasks. Recommendations made based on the findings, suggestions made by the respondents of the study, and the reviewed literature include: construction firms in Ghana should employ appropriate number of employees to reduce work pressure caused by work overload; supervisors should encourage workers by providing incentives for hard work and appreciate worker effort and construction firms in Ghana should start projects on time.

Source: KNUST
Efficacy of cocoa (Theobroma Cacao l.) Leaf extract in the control of storage spoilage microorganisms associated with export grade white yam (Dioscorea rotundata poir.)

Ghana is the largest exporter of yam in West Africa. There are constraints associated with yam storage as a result of yam rot during and after the pre-export handling period. The predominant method of control is the use of synthetic pesticides, which could pose health hazard to consumers. Therefore, this study aimed to test the efficacy of cocoa leaves (CL) extracts as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. A preliminary survey was conducted on pre-export handling operations. Fresh cocoa leaves were collected, steam-blanched, dried, powdered and qualitatively analyzed. Polyphenolic compounds were extracted using standard methods. Crude Aqueous CL Extract was also prepared by cold maceration for 7 days. Antioxidant assays conducted on the respective extracts such as total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity. Fungi were isolated and identified from yam collected from marketplaces and exporters’ warehouses. Agar Well Diffusion and Broth Micro Dilution Assays were used to determine the antimicrobial activities and Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) in vitro. In vivo, separately treated white yams with extracts were inoculated with test fungi. The experimental design was factorially arranged in CRD. Ethylacetate Purified CL Extract recorded the highest in both total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity whereas the Crude Aqueous CL Extract was the least active. The occurrences of Apergillius flavus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolinifa and Penicillium spp. isolated and identified from the samples collected, recorded 15.15%, 18.18%, 27.27% and 39.39% respectively. Among the extracts, Ethylacetate Purified CL Extract (5.4mm) was significantly (p< 0.5) effective followed by Acetone Purified CL Extract (3.13mm), while Crude Aqueous CL Extract (0.0mm) showed no inhibition against the four test fungi in the Agar Well Diffusion Assay. Regarding the MICs, the most effective extract was obtained from Mancozeb (2mg/ml) followed Ethylacetate Purified CL Extract (2.5mg/ml) and the least was Crude Aqueous CL Extract (15mg/ml) in vitro. Crud Aqueous CL Extract and Distilled Water treated tubers significantly showed the highest and lowest weight losses respectively. Percentage incidence of rot was significantly higher on tubers treated with Distilled Water (6.94%), followed by Crude Aqueous CL Extract (4.1%), Ethylacetate Purified CL Extract (2.78%) and Mancozeb (2.78%). Hence cocoa leaf extracts especially Ethylacetate Purified CL Extract, which showed similar potential to that of Mancozeb, could be an ideal alternative to synthetic pesticide use in controlling rot-causing pathogens on export grade white yam.

Source: KNUST
The Efficacy of Ethanolic Root and Leaf Extract of Chromolaena Odorata in Controlling Sitophilus Zeamais in Stored Maize

Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is among the important pests which attack stored maize. It is listed in addition to Prostephanus truncatus as the two most damaging species of maize in West Africa. In Ghana about 15% of maize grains harvested is lost to S. zeamais. A laboratory study was conducted at the Entomology laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, to determine the efficacy of Chromolaena odorata (L) R. M. King and H. Robintson ethanolic root and leaf extract for Sitophilus zeamais control. The bioactivity of these extracts was assessed under average laboratory conditions of 26 °C and relative humidity of 80%. The leaf and root extracts at four dosage levels (0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ml) were mixed with 50 g of disinfested MAMABA maize variety in 750 ml plastic containers and the effect on insect mortality, progeny production and grain damage were assessed. The repellent action of these extracts at 0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 ml on Sitophilus zeamais was also evaluated. The leaf extract showed significant difference between 10.0 and 5.0 ml on one hand and 2.5 and control on the other hand. The 10.0 ml that recorded the highest mortality could inflict only as low as 8.75% after 7 days. There was no significant difference between the different levels of the root extract on mortality. The maize grain treated with the various dosage levels of the leaf extract showed much promise by significantly reducing the number of progeny produced by S. zeamais as compared with the control. Grain weight loss in leaf extract treated grains was dose dependent ranging from 3.51% in the highest dose to 11.34% in the control with significant differences. There were no significant differences in progeny production and grain weight loss with root extract treatments. Both the leaf and root extracts were not repellent to the weevil. The correlation between grain weight loss and progeny production was very strongly positively correlated in the leaf extract effect.

Source: KNUST