ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A study of the lived experiences of selected brothel-based sex workers in Kumasi

The main purpose of this qualitative research was to explore the lived experiences of selected sex workers in the Kumasi, in order to understand their overall experiences beginning from their childhood right through to adulthood, including their pathways into sex work and their experiences while living as sex workers. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the six participants in this study. The main tool for the data collection was the interview guide and the interview was recorded on a tape recorder to aid the transcription and analysis of the data. The interview guide contained information on the Socio-demographic profile of the sex workers, how she came to experience prostitution and what prostitution means to her in general. Among the key finding from the study included their exhibition of high knowledge of STIs and their unyielding determination to avoid contracting STDs through the non-negotiable insistence on condom use with their clients. However, 5 out 6 participants in the study admitted a widespread incidence of condoms rupturing in their encounters or in the course of servicing the clients, thus putting them at risk of contracting STDs, the very risks they intended to avoid. In the light of this finding among others, a number of recommendations were made. A call on the government and other stakeholders to embark on rescue campaign to facilitate the exiting of many of the sex workers who wish to stop the work, was passionately made, in the light of the revelations which suggested that sex work was inherently harmful and also against the backdrop of the participants’ indication that prostituting was only transient and a means to accumulate capital to do start a legitimate business and then exit. The government can capitalise on this to meet such basic needs in order to rescue and properly integrate them into the society.

Source: KNUST
A study of the liquidity risk management practices at Kumawuman Rural Bank

Banks raise deposits by accepting money and other deposits from individuals and institutions in order to operate. The extent of the deposits mobilised is normally influenced by the extent of public trust in the banks to protect their money safely and give it back to them on demand. The business of banking is carried out on the principle of trust. Thus liquidity risk management plays an integral role in the performance and survival of rural and community banks (RCBs). The high growth potential of RCBs may be brought to a catastrophic halt if a sound and robust liquidity risk management regime is not enforced. This study sought to examine the current liquidity risk management practices and the organisational structure in relation to managing liquidity risk in Ghanaian rural banks, specifically at Kumawuman Rural Bank Ltd. The study employed interview guide and questionnaire to collect both primary and secondary data and analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that the bank adopts a variety of strategies including a well constituted organizational structure to manage risks and continuously monitoring its liquidity position before giving out credit facilities. However, the bank’s homegrown liquidity risk management practices are not documented for current and future use in liquidity problem solving. Although the bank has many academically qualified and experienced staff members, the study recommends that more should be done to provide training programmes on liquidity management and timely information flow within the organization for critical staff such as branch managers, accountants and other selected staff members. Despite this reservation, it is noteworthy to point out the enviable compliance attitude of the bank with respect to regulatory policies.

Source: KNUST
A Study of the Local Design Modifications on Imported Heavy Vehicles in Ghana

In Ghana, it is common practice to modify imported heavy vehicles to suit the owners intended purpose and sometimes the environmental conditions, nature and design of the roads. Some of these modifications include conversion from cargo to tipper truck, lengthening and shortening of trailer bed, reassembling or repair of cracked or broken leaf springs, increasing the bucket capacity of trucks, and modifying vehicle structure to work with available spare parts. This thesis presents findings of a study of the various design modifications on imported heavy vehicles at Suame Magazine in Kumasi, a large informal site where major vehicle modifications and repairs are carried out. The motive for the modifications is mainly economic. These modifications are carried out by artisans with little or no background in automobile sciences. Due to the very informal nature of the operations of the artisans and their general suspicion of researchers trying to study their activities, data had to be collected by observation supplemented by interviews in the few cases where the artisans agreed to be interviewed. Some of the materials used were badly corroded and some had visible cracks. Welded joints were of poor quality due to the presence of cavities, cracks and solid inclusions that resulted from poor surface preparation before welding. The research also observed illegal act of welding leaf springs, mismatch of leafs during re-assembly and lack of compatibility checks among associated leaf spring assembly as common practice among the artisans and these practices could be causes of failure during vehicle operation. Modifications, involving lengthening of vehicle chassis, which are also illegal, were also observed. Where modifications were made to increase the gross vehicle weight the engine capacity was not increased nor the brakes redesigned to match the new weight. Absence of proper documentation of the modifications done and the unavailability of the manufacturer’s vehicle documents make it difficult for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (the DVLA) to check the legality of most of the modifications. Comparison of the modifications done at Suame with international guidelines for heavy vehicle modifications showed serious implications for safety. There is little communication between the Ghana Standards Board, the Driver and Vehicle Authority and the artisans who carry out the modifications.

Source: KNUST
A study of the ovarian activity of the royal antelope (Neotragus pymaeus L.) in the humid forest zone of Ghana

Ovarian activity of the royal antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus L) was studied for 12 months by examining 324 female carcasses at the fresh bushmeat market at ‘Atwemonom’, Kumasi. The results indicate that royal antelopes are polyoestrous throughout the year with only one egg being ovulated during each cycle and also that ovulation occurs at random between the left and the right ovaries. There were no statistically significant differences in the activity of the ovaries between the dry (November - February) and the wet (March - October) seasons at the 5% significance level. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between the closed (August- November) and the hunting (December-July) seasons in the activity of the ovaries. It was also observed that, implantation of the fertilised egg always occurred unilaterally in the right uterine horn irrespective of whether ovulation took place in the left or the right ovary. Pregnancies occurred throughout the year with a peak towards the end of the wet season (October) which also fell within the closed season of hunting of wild animals. This observation might suggest justification for the closed season for the hunting of wild animals imposed by the Wildlife Department. Royal antelopes are monotocous and give birth throughout the year. The births are bimodally distributed with peaks in the wet seasons (April-June and September).

Source: KNUST
A study of the performance of a band sawmill

A band sawmill system has been studied for lumber recovery, productivity, quality control, and forecasting and budgeting. A total of 78 mill-run logs (comprising of 70 Iroko Maclura excelsa) and eight Obeche (Triplochiton scluoxylon K. Schum) ranging from diameters of 57cm to ,154cm were studied under the normal industrial conditions prevailing at the mill. Lumber recovery was 43%. Solid residue and sawdust together constitute 57% of the log throughput. Factors contributing to the low recovery have been identified as excessive slabbing, edging and trimming, and persistent quarter sawing of logs. The effects of log diameter and log length on lumber recovery, sawing time and productivity have also been investigated and regression equations developed to quantify the relationships. The effect of log diameter on lumber recovery, sawing time and productivity were significant whereas only that of the log length on sawing time was significant. Productivity studies have shown that the mill was not being utilized to capacity. The proportion of productive time lost due to delays for a variety of reasons varied from 0.5 to 11%. Saw changing had an exceptional amount of 40% of the total non-productive time i.e. 10.8% of the total working time. Control charts showed that there was general lack of control at the machine centres. Thickness variations both within - and between boards were greater than similar variations in width of boards. The break-even point for the planned period would occur 3 at (81,520,000 and at an output of 3836m . It is considered that the most effective ways to improve the performance of the study mill would be through live-sawing of logs, initiation of proper preventive maintenance schedules and quality control programmes and adequate supervision.

Source: KNUST
A study of the planning processess and procedures in the agricultural sector - case study of the Asunafo District

One of the challenges of decentralised planning, as embodied in the Local Government Act, (Act 462), is to develop a planning process that is relevant and responsive to the needs and aspirations of local people where planning takes place. To give meaning to these legislative provisions, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has decentralised its administrative set up by the creation of: • Ten Regional Agricultural Development Units (RADUs) headed by a Regional Director and accountable to the Regional Co-ordinating Council; and • 110 District Agricultural Development Units (DADUs), headed by a District Director and accountable to the District Assemblies. In addition, staffs have been trained to provide the required orientation for decentralised planning and administration. In spite of these provisions, evidence gathered from the agricultural sector in the Asunafo District suggests that the planning processes mainly respond to standards set up by the ministry’s headquarters. Taking Asunafo District as a focus of analysis, the agricultural planning process and procedures as well as how planning can be improved to promote agricultural development in the district were studied. More specifically, the objectives of the study were to: 1. Study current planning processes and procedures adopted by the Department of Food and Agriculture in the Asunafo District; 2. Identify weaknesses in the planning processes and procedures; 3. Identify opportunities for improved planning; and 4. Make proposals for improved planning for agricultural development in the Asunafo District. The main technique of data collection was through semi-structured interviews. Results from a workshop organised, as part of the study at the district as well as secondary sources of information (both published and unpublished) were analysed and synthesised. The study revealed that the agricultural planning process, in the Asunafo District, is weak. Decisions are mainly generated from the regional and national levels hence local participation in the planning process is limited within MoFA. However, opportunities for improved planning exist. This will require an institutional analysis to identify tasks, skills and resource gaps to formulate appropriate strategies in response to existing opportunities. The recommendations, among others, included the adoption and application of basic planning tools to improve local level planning. The planning tools include: • Participatory Analysis; • Problem Tree Analysis; • Objective Tree Analysis; • The Logical Framework Method; and • Participatory Impact Monitoring and Evaluation. The roles of the District Director, GTZ Project Team Leader and the Regional Director have been emphasised in the recommendations in terms of ensuring that: • staff are sufficiently trained; • an institutional analysis is carried out; and • Planning tools recommended are adopted for improved planning.

Source: KNUST
A study of the quality of well-water supplies as drinking water sources for rural communities in the Ashanti region of Ghana in relation to health and disease

In man’s quest to attain health for all peoples of the world by the year 2000, emphasis is placed on the eradication of selected diseases and the improvement of the health profile of the inhabitants of the world. Towards this laudable end one cardinal problem in the developing world is to do with water and sanitation. The greater proportion of the population of developing nations is found in rural settlements. Rural Water and Sanitation is therefore a salient issue to be addressed in its entirety. In Ghana, rural water supply is an issue that is viewed with all the seriousness it deserves. The quality of water available to the rural folk leaves a lot to be desired and this contributes immensely to the high incidence of water-related diseases amongst the rural dwellers in most of these rural settlements diarrhoeal diseases are a bane in the existence of the inhabitants. This problem may be overcome when emphasis is placed on the provision of good quality drinking-water for the rural folk. This work was undertaken as a development-oriented research, geared towards pin-pointing the cause of high incidence of diarrhoeal diseases in identified rural districts. in such rural districts the source of water available to the inhabitants range from deep hand-dug uncovered wells to subterranean water sources; these burst out onto the surface to form shallow wells Of various diameters. Wells which were fitted with a pumping mechanism (boreholes) were also included in the work since rural settlements which depended on these had low incidence of diarrhoeal diseases. The results of the study bear testimony to the scientific fact that the level of occurrence of diarrhoeal diseases anywhere has not only to do with the quality of the water available to the people but also to the sanitation situation of the environs of the water sources. The study underlines the absolute need to put in place a rural water and sanitation programme which should include water source monitoring and surveillance, especially the non-pipe borne water sources to ensure that its potability is maintained over the entire period of utilization.

Source: KNUST
A study of the relationships between Ghanaian building contractors and material suppliers working In Kumasi Metropolis

The building construction industry plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of every country. Generally, there is interdependence between the construction sector and the economic development. Despite this strategic importance, the building construction industry in general is characterized by high fragmentation, low productivity, high cost and time overruns and conflicts and disputes among clients, contractors, surveyors, designers and suppliers. Improving the industry’s supply relationship is therefore critical for the overall development of the industry as well as the country. The aim of the study was to explore the type of relationships that exist between building contractors and material suppliers in the construction industry in Ghana, with a case of the Kumasi Metropolis. The specific objectives included: to identify the best –practice contractor-supplier relationships and to identify the challenges that exist betweencontractors and material suppliers in the construction industry. The study adopted a case study approach. Data was mainly gathered through questionnaires administered to staffs of D1K1 firms in the industryand the data was analysed using statistical package for social scientist (SPSS) version 16 software and relative importance index (RII). The results of the study revealed that there should be proper strategies to establish long term relationship with their material suppliers in the building construction industry in Ghana since this has a lot of positive effect on both parties. The players in the industry rated such benefits to include mutual trust. Effective coordination between parties, frequent communication, Transparency and collaboration. However, the full benefits of effective relationship between material suppliers in the industry have not been recognized in the Ghanaian economy. The findings of the study showed that lack of trust poor communication, market charges, delays in responding to order and Non- conformance to specification, poor quality of supplies relationship among parties in the industry is a major problem. It was recommended that contractors should put in strategies to establish long term relationships with their suppliers since this has a lot of positive effects on both parties to serve as a foundation to build and manage the industry

Source: KNUST
A study of the ovarian activity of the royal antelope (Neotragus Pygmaeus L.) in the humid forest zone of Ghana

Ovarian activity of the royal antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus L) was studied for 12 months by examining 324 female carcasses at the fresh bushmeat market at ‘Atwemonom’, Kumasi. The results indicate that royal antelopes are polyoestrous throughout the year with only one egg being ovulated during each cycle and also that ovulation occurs at random between the left and the right ovaries- There were no statistically significant differences in the activity of the ovaries between the dry (November - February) and the wet (March - October) seasons at the 5% significance level. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between the closed (August-November) and the hunting (December-July) seasons in the activity of the ovaries. It was also observed that, implantation of the fertilised egg always occurred unilaterally in the right uterine horn irrespective of whether ovulation took place in the left or the right ovary. Pregnancies occurred throughout the year with a peak towards the end of the wet season (October) which also fell within the closed season of hunting of wild animals. This observation might suggest justification for the closed season for the hunting of wild animals imposed by the Wildlife Department. Royal antelopes are monotocous and give birth throughout the year. The births are bimodally distributed with peaks in the wet seasons (April-June and September).

Source: KNUST
A Study of the Person of Jesus in the Bible and the Qur’an: its relevance for Christian-Muslim dialogue in the Kumasi Metropolis

Christians and Muslims have cohabited in the same community and vicinity in Ghana since the 19th century. Adherents of both religions have known and seen each other, relating well in their communities and live in mutual understanding. The faiths, being Abrahamic origin, have some common beliefs about Jesus which if well understood would help foster peaceful relations between members of the two religions. The research is about the person of Jesus in the Bible and the Qur’an; its relevance for Christian Muslim dialogue in Kumasi Metropolis. The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods of research. It used questionnaire and interviews in collecting the data for the work. Purposive sampling technique was used in soliciting for views through interviews. The findings were analysed and discussed and some findings were made. Jesus is presented in the Qur’an as Isa. The Bible and Qura’an agree on the Immaculate Conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary. It found out that both holy books consider Jesus as Prophet par excellence. It was also revealed that if members acknowleged the various differences and similarities their teachings on Jesus, greater understanding leading to tolerance and respect will be the hallmark in the Christian-Muslim dialogue. The study recommends that dialogue for Christians and Muslims should focus more on the commonalities which are found in the respective faiths. This would yield more results. Dialogue held with open mind and free from prejudice will result in each party gaining a better understanding of the other’s faith.

Source: KNUST
A study of the roles of public works departments of metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the delivery of construction projects in selected regions in Ghana

There is growing concern over the successful implementation of projects, that is, the smooth execution that meets specified requirements at optimal cost and delivered within time. Among the many institutions and organizations involved in construction projects, the subject is of the most importance to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA‟s) because they are basically the unit responsible for managing public funds on development at the grassroots. The aim of this stud y was to appraise the roles of Public Works Departments (PWD) which is the department s under the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA‟s) responsible for infrastructural projects delivery. The challenges faced by the PWD‟s in the performance of their roles were assessed as well as strategies to improve the status quo. The study sought the opinion of professionals who work with the MMDA through a questionnaire survey using purposive and snowballing sampling techniques. Out of the ninety (90) targeted professionals for the study, sixty-two (62) responded to the questionnaire representing a high response rate of 69%. Data generated from the survey were further analysed using percentages, frequencies, mean and Relative Importance Index (RII). The key findings were that, respondents perceived the overall development of jurisdictional areas of PWD‟s, post construction monitoring and support services, provision of other works and services as community health /environmental protection, promotion and provision of support for productive activities were the PWD‟s principal roles. In addition, it was revealed that, weather and other environmental challenges was the major reason for most delays on construction projects among others such as poor site management and unrealistic timelines for project delivery. Subsequently, strategies such as ensuring qualificatio n of contractors‟ key personnel, effective communication management, better incentives and remuneration to attract and retain experienced personnel, provision of logistical support for supervision on projects were also identified. A key recommendation was for policy formulators and planners of PWD to ensure execution of infrastructural projects within periods where inclement weather is unlikely so as to avoid slip-ups, possible design variations and other undesirable effects

Source: KNUST