ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effect of variety and processing temperature on the yield, quality and shelf-life of milk from three varieties of soybeans by the Vitagoat system

Three improved varieties of soybean, Anidaso, Nangbaar and Quarshie were used in the study to determine the effect of variety and processing temperature on the yield, quality and shelf-life of soymilk produced by the VitaGoat processing system. Two kilograms of each of the varieties were processed into soymilk at three temperatures, 110oC, 115oC and 120oC. The yield of each variety at the various temperature levels was measured by the total volume the soymilk produced. Three samples of the soymilk from each variety were randomly selected for proximate analysis. Five samples were also randomly selected, kept at room temperature and monitored daily for three weeks to determine their shelf-life based on spoilage by coagulation. The yield of soymilk produced by Nangbaar was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of Anidaso and Quarshie. For processing temperature, soymilk produced at 110oC was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of 115oC and 120oC. The interaction between Anidaso and 110oC produced significantly (p<0.01) highest yield of soymilk than that of the other interactions. Anidaso produced significantly (p<0.01) highest content of protein than Nangbaar and Quarshie. Soymilk produced at 110oC was significantly (p<0.01) highest in protein content than 115oC and 120oC. The combined effect of Anidaso and 110oC was significantly (p<0.01) highest in protein content than that of the other combinations. The soybean varieties did not significantly (p<0.01) influenced the shelf-life of soymilk during the study. Soymilk produced at 120oC was significantly (p<0.01) longer in shelf-life than that of 110oC and 115oC. Quarshie by 120oC was significantly (p<0.01) longest in shelf-life than that of the other interactions. It is concluded that Anidaso at 110oC is rated the best among the varieties and processing temperature for producing high protein content.

Source: KNUST
Effect of variety, harvest date and fraction on the herbage yield, chemical composition and In `vitro gas production (Ankom RF gas production system) of napier grass (pennisetum puepureum) in the humid zone of Ghana

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of variety, harvest date and fraction on the herbage yield, chemical composition and In vitro gas production of Napier grass.The varieties were local, 16798, 16786 and 16840. Except for the local variety, all other varieties were improved varieties from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Source: KNUST
Effect of varying storage temperatures and vendor handling practices on the microbiological quality of street sold water in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

The study assessed the effect of varying storage temperatures and handling practices on the microbiological quality of street sold plastic-bagged sachet drinking water by vendors in the Kumasi Metropolis. Ten different brands of factory-bagged sachet water samples (thirty pieces each), purchased from distributors and vendors were stored at refrigerator (4oC), normal atmospheric (30oC) and room (26.1oC) temperatures over a six month period. Factory-bagged sachet water samples were also bought at random from vendors and the overall hygiene of the unopened bag assessed. Total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, and Salmonella numbers were determined as an index of quality. Bacterial indicator counts (geometric mean per 100ml) varied from 9.00 to 5.56x102 for total coliforms, 4.00 to 3.92x102 for faecal coliforms, 3.00 to 1.75x101 for E. coli, 2.00 to 3.71x102 for enterococci and 3.0 to 5.45 for Salmonella. The microbiological quality of most of the factory-bagged sachet drinking water tested deteriorates if stored at temperatures higher than refrigeration temperatures. Total coliform numbers in sachet water stored over the six month period increased by between 118-182% at normal atmospheric temperatures, 112-154% at room temperatures and decreased by 74% to 92% at refrigeration temperatures. Faecal coliform numbers followed the same trend; increasing by 128-193% at normal, 114-165% at room and decreasing by 79-82% at refrigeration temperatures. Escherichia coli increased by between 102 and 112% and decreased by 59- 93% at normal atmospheric, increased by 33-78% at room and decreased by -25-20% at refrigeration temperatures. Enterococci numbers increased by between 112- 180% at normal atmospheric, 104-147% at room and decreased by 35-96% at refrigeration temperatures. Salmonella decreased by between -28-47% at normal, room and refrigeration temperatures. Vendors handling of plastic-bagged sachet drinking water should be improved in order to avoid potential risk to human health. The numbers were sufficient to affect the WHO Guidelines Standard on drinking water quality and the Ghana EPA guidelines.

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Vitamin A And Zinc or Vitamin A, Zinc & Multivitamin Supplementation on Morbidity Due to Malaria

Interventions with vitamin A or zinc have been shown in various studies to reduce incidences of malaria and other illness. However the effect of supplementing with vitamin A, Zinc and multivitamins has not been studied. We measured the effect of combining vitamin A, zinc and multivitamins on malaria morbidity. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in children in the Ejusu-Juaben Municipality of Ghana. Children (n=542) aged between 6 to 60 months were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 intervention groups; group 1, control - vitamin A (single dose 200 000 IU), group 2-vitamin A (single dose 200 000 IU) & zinc (10 mg daily), group 3-vitamin A (single dose 200 000 IU) with multivitamin (according to age) and zinc (10mg daily). Malaria episodes were detected by surveillance or cases self-reported to a community health worker. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted at the beginning and the end of the study period. The primary outcome was an episode of malaria (temperature ≥37.5°C) which was confirmed by microscopy and testing with a rapid test kit for malaria antigen (HRP2) of plasmodium falciparium. The risk of malaria infection among the children who received vitamin A, zinc & multivitamin during the study period was reduced to 62% (RR = 0.62, p = 0.018) of the risk in children who received vitamin A alone. The risk of children who received vitamin A & zinc was 81% though this decrease was not significant (RR = 0.81, p = 0.109).The children in the vitamin A alone group had the highest geometric mean parasite density the end of the study. Amongst the groups, it took those in the vitamin A, zinc & multivitamin group a longer time (112 days) to develop the first episode of malaria compared to the vitamin A alone group (93days, p = 0.004); differences in time to develop malaria between the other groups were not significant.; vitamin A & zinc; 94 days and vitamin A; 93 days. The results suggest that combined supplementation with vitamin A, zinc and multivitamins reduces the risk of malaria infection appreciably.

Source: KNUST
Effect of watering regime and cocoa pod husk on soil fertility and growth of hybrid cocoa seedlings in the semi - deciduous forest zone of Ghana

The establishment and rehabilitation of smallholder cocoa farms, aimed at replacing over 42 % ageing and non productive stock using seedlings is limited by poor soil fertility and inadequate water application resulted in the less vigorous cocoa seedlings. The experiment was conducted in two planting seasons (November, 2010 and February, 2011) at Buako Cocoa Station in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana to determine the effect of watering regime and cocoa pod husks on soil fertility and growth of hybrid cocoa seedlings in nursery using clone 42 and 85 to replace the old stock in the field. The experimental design used was factorial with three replications. The analysis showed that the soils in the study areas were sandy clay, deficient in magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, calcium and nitrogen which have the potential of negatively influencing the soil fertility status. Application of cocoa pod husks improved significantly (P<0.05) soil water holding capacity, soil organic matter content, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, hydrogen, calcium concentration and reduced soil bulk density. The study revealed that watering regimes II (0.18 l/seedling) and III (0.36 l/seedling) were the most effective treatments in improving leaf minerals and growth parameters of seedlings in both seasons and could be adopted as water requirement for hybrid cocoa seedlings. Leaf mineral concentrations in cocoa seedlings nursed in soil + cocoa pod husks composite increased significantly (P<0.05) compared to cocoa seedling nursed separately in only soil and cocoa pod husks. Also soil + cocoa pod husk composite influenced the plant height, leaf area, stem girth, number of leaves and root length growths compared to samples from cocoa pod husks and soil. Finally, results showed that statistically, there were no differences in leaf mineral and growth parameters among the seedlings nursed in the water sachets, COCOBOD, and IITA poly bags and that water sachets could be effectively adopted in raising hybrid cocoa seedlings up to five months.

Source: KNUST
Effect of wildfire on plant species composition and some soil physico-chemical properties of Bomfobiri wildlife sanctuary, Ghana

Forest all over the world is dwindling at a faster rate due to several factors including wildfires. The effects of wildfire on soil physico-chemical properties and vegetation composition were evaluated in Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary in the transitional vegetation zones of Ghana. Four forest types were analyzed; dry deciduous forest fire undisturbed (DDFFU), dry deciduous forest fire disturbed (DDFFD), savannah forest fire undisturbed (SFFU) and savannah forest fire disturbed (SFFD). Dry deciduous forest fire undisturbed and savannah forest fire undisturbed were used as control. Forty (40) sample plots of size 25 m × 25 m, ten (10) from each forest category were demarcated and laid randomly for the collection of plants and soil samples. Four composite soil samples from the dry deciduous (fire undisturbed and disturbed) and savannah (fire undisturbed and disturbed) were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, organic carbon, moisture content and pH. The results of soil analyses showed 0.075% nitrogen in DDFFD as compared to 0.120% in DDFFU and 0.045% in SFFD while SFFU recorded 0.065%. Phosphorus followed similar pattern with 0.017%, 0.027%, 0.013% and 0.014% in DDFFD, DDFFU, SFFD, SFFU, respectively. In terms of potassium, 0.040%, 0.107%, 0.019% and 0.067% were recorded in DDFFD, DDFFU, SFFD and SFFU, respectively. DDFFD, DDFFU, SFFD, and SFFU had moisture content of 12.58%, 21.62%, 11.87% and 10.95%, respectively. Organic matter had 3.73% in DDFFD as compared to 4.33% in DDFFU with 3.72% for SFFU and 1.50% in SFFD. The concentration of soil nutrients measured were significantly higher in the control sample plots as compared to fire disturbed sites. Generally, with plant species diversity, disturbed forest have higher as compared to undisturbed. In terms of plant species composition, trees have higher diversity followed by shrubs with herbs being the least in all the forest types. However with species distribution, trees were evenly disturbed (1.09) in deciduous undisturbed than all the other vegetation cover. It is recommended that there should be fire management plan for all protected areas in Ghana as well as educational campaign to educate the fringe communities on the need to manage the Bomfobiri wildlife sanctuary.

Source: KNUST
The effect of work-life balance on job performance and turnover intentions: A case study of Barclays Bank Ghana Ltd. Ashanti Region

Work-life balance (WLB) is a state in which employees are able to create an acceptable balance between their paid work and personal/social life. This concept has attracted a lot of interest from both industry and academia due to the changing nature of the job market and society as a whole. This particular exploratory study was undertaken to assess the effects of WLB policies and practices on job performance and turnover intentions of employees at Barclays Bank Ghana Limited (BBGL). Out of one hundred and fifty-eight (158) employees drawn from the ten (10) branches in the Ashanti Region, hundred (100) responses were retrieved. In addition, four (4) Branch Managers and the Regional Manager were also interviewed. The findings of the research show that, though some practices of WLB are in place, there is no document that explains the WLB policies and practices of BBGL in its entirety. The employees lack awareness of these policies and go through a lot of challenges in the access and usage of the known WLB practices. Findings from the data collected show that employees are not able to balance their work and life and wish that something could be done to help improve their WLB which they believe will enhance their job performance. The study also revealed that majority of employees had intentions of leaving the organisation. This may be attributed to the inability of employees to find a meaningful balance between their work and life domains. The interview results also confirmed that the performance of employees can be improved. It is suggested that HRM Department should intervene and make the WLB policies effective. Moreover, conscious efforts can be made to provide flexible working arrangements, career progression, on-site childcare and relocation facilities. It is hoped that these practices will reduce employees’ stress and increase their level of performance and minimise the turnover intentions.

Source: KNUST
The effect of Work/Life Balance on Productivity- A case study of Zenith Bank Ghana Limited

Work-life balance has always been a concern for those interested in the quality of working life and its relation to broader quality of life. The effective management of employees’ work-life balance requires organizations to recognize and account for the array of non-work roles that impact on their working-lives. This study therefore examined the issue of Work-life balance at Zenith Bank and its effect on productivity. The case study was used as a strategy in conducting this research. Interviews and questionnaires were instruments used in gathering the needed data. A sample size of 100 respondents, made up of senior and junior staff was used. On the whole, respondents generally indicated that they are unable to maintain good balance of work and life. Most respondents indicated that work pressures often interfere with their personal life. It was also found that most bank staff usually find their job interfering with their personal priorities more than their personal priorities interfering with their job. On the level of stress experienced in the last six months, 78.3% indicated that they had experienced significant stress as a result of their job, suggesting an increasing stress on most staff of Zenith Bank. Most respondents only reported of the annual leave provisions which create some conditions for staff to balance work and life. There was no provision found limited to staff without children. Respondents indicated that there was not adequate support for parents to arrange child care. Although most staff indicated that supervisors generally show a sincere interest in employees’ well-being, they reported that the bank does not actively support programmes that create effective work-life balance. Respondents also revealed that usually staff who seek to further their education have to contend with several challenges. The study recommended that available work-life balance options are effectively communicated to staff. Also, there should be a deliberate policy to afford employees the opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect them.

Source: KNUST
Effect of working capital management on firm profitability in Ghana

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between working capital management and profitability of firms listed on the GSE. The study is focused on key working capital management variables such as Average Payment Period (APP), Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) and Inventory Turnover (IT). The variable that was used to measure the profitability of firms was Return On Assets (ROA). The study sought to determine relationship between Average Payment Period (APP), Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC), and Inventory Turnover (IT) and the profitability of manufacturing firms listed on the GSE. The study was conducted among the manufacturing firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) from 2014 to 2018. A quantitative research method was used for the study. Secondary data were collected from financial statements of the selected firms for the study. With the sample of 10 manufacturing firms and the use of correlation, multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics, the study concluded that there is a relationship between components of working capital management such as APP, CCC and IT and ROA. The study concludes that a longer APP leads to increase in ROA of firms. Again, a shorter CCC leads to an increase in ROA of firms while a shorter IT also leads to an increase in ROA of firms. The study recommended that GSE should introduce policies that will ensure firms listed on the GSE maintain certain level of all the components of working capital management such as CCC, APP, and IT which will ensure that managements are obliged to pay more attention to improving their working capital management in order to improve their profitability which will in turn enhance the profitability of GSE as a whole. Again, similar study can also be extended to SME in the country to understand how they are also doing in terms of working capital management.

Source: KNUST
Effect of working capital management on firm profitability: the case of listed manufacturing firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

The impact of working capital management on the profitability of manufacturing firms has attracted the attention of researchers in different countries of the world in recent times. Working capital is needed for day-to-day operations of a firm. This research expands the horizon of knowledge in this area by shedding more light on working capital management as measured by the cash conversion cycle and how the individual components of the cash conversion cycle influence the profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana. The primary purpose of this research was therefore to examine the effect of working capital management on firm profitability. More manufacturing firms would have been covered for the study, but due to lack of complete data on some of the manufacturing firms, only seven listed manufacturing firms were selected. ROA was used to measure profitability. The descriptive statistics, correlation matrix of the variables and the regression analysis were based on a panel sample of listed manufacturing firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The results revealed a negative relationship between number of days accounts receivable, number of days inventory, the cash conversion cycle: and the profitability. In addition, there was a positive relationship between the number of days accounts payable and the profitability. Therefore managers can increase the profitability of their firms by shortening the number of days accounts receivable, number of days inventory and the cash conversion cycle. However, the number of days accounts payable is expected to be relatively longer than the number of days accounts receivable in order to increase profitability. In the nut shell, the outcome of the research clearly pinpoint that working capital management as represented by the cash conversion cycle accompanied by the control variables influence firm profitability.

Source: KNUST
Effect Of Working Capital Management On The Profitability Of Listed Manufacturing Companies In Ghana

Effective Control Of Working Capital Is Thus Vital To The Profitability Of Companies, And It Is Wise For The Management Of Firms To Make Available The Correct Quantity Of Resources To Handle Working Capital. The Key Objective Of The Analysis Was To Create A Statistical Relationship Between The Profitability Determined By The Return On Assets And The Working Capital Components, Such As The Cash Conversion Time (Ccc), The Average Account Receivables (Aar), The Average Account Payables (Aap) And The Inventory Turnover Days (It). Size And Growth Have Been Established As Control Variables. Sample Size Of Six (6) Manufacturing Firms Listed On The Ghana Stock Exchange (Gse) For The Financial Years 2009 To 2019 Was Used For The Study. The Findings Revealed A Fairly Negative Relationship Between The Profitability And Inventory Turnover And Cash Conversion Cycle, Whiles A Positive Relationship Between The Average Account Receivables And The Average Account Payables. This Implies That A Reduction In The Periods For Receiving Cash, A Decrease In The Period For Paying Cash And A Reduction In The Cash Conversion Cycle Will Cause An Increase In Profit. All Other Control Variables Showed A Positive Relationship With Profitability. Hence, The Study Recommends That Trading Companies Should Manage Their Working Capital More Efficiently To Keep It In Equilibrium.

Source: KNUST
THE EFFECT OF WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ON FIRMS PROFITABILITY: A STUDY OF LISTED MANUFACTURING FIRMS ON THE GHANA STOCK EXCHANGE

Working capital is the backbone of each firm and on the off chance that it is productively overseen٬ it gets to be useful to the firm in light of the fact that it has an immediate effect on company's benefit. Working capital management is an important part of financial management and its primary task is concerned with the matching of asset and liability movements over time. The study of the effect of different variables on working capital management was used and this includes Average collection period, Average payment period, inventory turnover in days, Cash conversion cycle, Debt ratio, Current ratio and the Size of the firm on Return on Total asset as dependent variable of Ghanaian firms. Correlation and Regression were used for the analysis and the results showed that there is a negative relationship between profitability and, the number of day’s account receivables and the number of days account payable. However, the study found a positive relationship amongst the number of days of inventory the cash conversion period and profitability for the selected manufacturing firms in Ghana. Besides, the study found that current ratio and the size of the firm affects profitability positively. Some of the recommendations suggested were that, manufacturing firms should implement policies or strategies aimed at ensuring that the number of days of account receivables is shortened in order to enhance on their profitability levels. Likewise, manufacturing firms ought to attempt to pay their obligation commitments on time with a specific end goal٬ to abstain from sending terrible signs to the business that organizations have some budgetary issues and it may go bankrupt٬ resultantly its goodwill will be ruined and the estimation of its shares will go down which may influence their operations.

Source: KNUST
EFFECT OF WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ON PROFITABILITY OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN KUMASI

The study examined the effect of working capital management on the profitability of selected microfinance institutions in Kumasi from 2011-2014. The study has revealed that Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) has a significant negative effect on the profitability (financial performance) of the selected MFIs. It was also revealed that, Acid Ratio (AR) and Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) have significant positive impacts on the profitability of the selected MFIs. The study further revealed that gearing has a positive but insignificant effect on the financial performance of the selected companies. Among the recommendations for MFIs are: striving to reduce their CCC periods and also, MFIs should improve their acid ratios.

Source: KNUST