ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Morphometric, meristic and allozyme studies of black- chinned tilapia, sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron (ruppell, 1852) (pisces: cichlidae), populations in coastal waters of Ghana

The black-chinned tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron, (Ruppell, 1852) is widely distributed and of socio-economic importance in Ghana but not much is known about the morphological and genetic variation within its natural populations in coastal waters. This study was aimed at determining the characteristics, variation and relationships among populations of S. m. melanotheron in coastal waters of Ghana based on morphometric, meristic and allozyme data. In all, 238 individual specimens were sampled from nine (9) lagoons across the entire coastline of Ghana for the study. Morphological screening of individual morphological characters indicated significant differences in their means among seven populations studied. Specimens from Ankobra lagoon showed the least intrapopulation variation, especially for morphometric characters while specimens from Hwin lagoon showed the greatest variation. For meristic characters, specimens from Hwin lagoon showed the least intrapopulation variation while the Fosu population recorded the highest. For each morphological character, homogeneous groups of populations within which no significant differences occurred as well as pairs of populations that differed significantly in their means were identified and these indicated moderate interpopulation variation for the subspecies. The most substantial differences in interpopulaton variation for individual characters was made by the Abbey population. For body proportion variables, significant differences in means were observed; however, no single population made the most significant contribution to variation observed. Total lateral line scale count range of 26 to 30 was observed in this study as against that of 27 to 30 by other workers, thus requiring its revision. Allozyme analysis based on data from standard horizontal starch gel electrophoresis showed that all nine S. m. melanotheron populations possessed identical alleles at all 13 loci screened. Of all loci screened, only MDH-3 was polymorphic thus giving mean low percentage polymorphic loci of 7.7% and mean heterozygosity of 0.040. Analysis of unbiased genetic distance and genetic identity by the method of Nei (1978) gave 0.0 and 1.0 respectively for all populations. Observations at each polymorphic locus in all populations showed deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The results suggest that the nine S. m. melanotheron populations have little genetic diversity and are genetically identical and form a homogenous group with no subdivisions.

Source: KNUST
Mosquito breeding site water temperature observations and simulations towards improved vector-borne disease models for Africa

Abstract An energy budget model is developed to predict the water temperature of typical mosquito larval developmental habitats. It assumes a homogeneous mixed water column driven by empirically derived fluxes. The model shows good agreement at both hourly and daily time scales with 10-min temporal resolution observed water temperatures, monitored between June and November 2013 within a peri-urban area of Kumasi, Ghana. There was a close match between larvae development times calculated using either the model-derived or observed water temperatures. The water temperature scheme represents a significant improvement over assuming the water temperature to be equal to air temperature. The energy budget model requires observed minimum and maximum temperatures, information that is generally available from weather stations. Our results show that hourly variations in water temperature are important for the simulation of aquatic-stage development times. By contrast, we found that larval development is insensitive to sub-hourly variations. Modelling suggests that in addition to water temperature, an accurate estimation of degree-day development time is very important to correctly predict the larvae development times. The results highlight the potential of the model to predict water temperature of temporary bodies of surface water. Our study represents an important contribution towards the improvement of weather-driven dynamical disease models, including those designed for malaria early forecasting systems.

Source: KNUST
Mosquito breeding site water temperature observations and simulations towards improved vector-borne disease models for Africa

An energy budget model is developed to predict the water temperature of typical mosquito larval developmental habitats. It assumes a homogeneous mixed water column driven by empirically derived fluxes. The model shows good agreement at both hourly and daily time scales with 10-min temporal resolution observed water temperatures, monitored between June and November 2013 within a peri-urban area of Kumasi, Ghana. There was a close match between larvae development times calculated using either the model-derived or observed water temperatures. The water temperature scheme represents a significant improvement over assuming the water temperature to be equal to air temperature. The energy budget model requires observed minimum and maximum temperatures, information that is generally available from weather stations. Our results show that hourly variations in water temperature are important for the simulation of aquatic-stage development times. By contrast, we found that larval development is insensitive to sub-hourly variations. Modelling suggests that in addition to water temperature, an accurate estimation of degree-day development time is very important to correctly predict the larvae development times. The results highlight the potential of the model to predict water temperature of temporary bodies of surface water. Our study represents an important contribution towards the improvement of weather-driven dynamical disease models, including those designed for malaria early forecasting systems

Source: KNUST
Mothers’ perception of non-resident migrant father’s involvement in the wellbeing of the left-behind children in the Drobo Traditional Area

This study examines the effects of non-resident father‘s involvement on child wellbeing among migrant families in the Drobo Traditional Area. A mixed method approach combining a crosssectional survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions was used to determine whether migrant father‘s contact, verbal communication and over-prolonged stay abroad significantly influenced child internalizing behaviour, academic achievement and externalizing behaviour. Utilizing a combination of cluster sampling and purposive sampling, a total population of one hundred and thirty-one (N=131) was used for this study. From the bivariate tables and chi-square tests, it was realised that father‘s contact with left behind children was not dependent on mother‘s marital status. Father‘s verbal communication negatively influenced child academic achievement and father‘s contact did not relate to differences in boys and girls internalizing behaviour. Finally, the study revealed that father‘s over-prolonged stay abroad did not influence boys and girls externalizing behaviours. From the findings of this study, it was recommended that father absence is a major determining factor in child psychological outcomes and the involvement of migrant fathers to child upbringing aside the financial contributions would produce more positive outcomes for child wellbeing.

Source: KNUST
Motile micro-organism based trihybrid nanofluid flow with an application of magnetic effect across a slender stretching sheet: Numerical approach

The steady magnetohydrodynamic ternary hybrid nanofluid flow over a slender surface under the effects of activation energy, Hall current, chemical reactions, and a heat source has been reported. A numerical model is developed to increase the rate of energy transfer and boost the efficiency and outcome of heat energy dissemination for a diverse range of biological applications and commercial uses. The rheological properties and thermal conductivity of the base fluids are improved by framing an accurate combination of nanoparticles (NPs). The ternary hybrid nanofluid has been prepared, in the current analysis, by the dispersion of magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide (TiO2), and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) NPs in the base fluid. The physical phenomena have been expressed in the form of a system of nonlinear PDEs, which are degraded to a dimensionless system of ODEs through the similarity replacement and numerically solved by employing the MATLAB software package bvp4c. The graphical and tabular results are estimated for velocity, mass, and energy curves vs distinct physical factors. It has been noticed that the variation in the magnetic effect enhances the energy profile while the increasing number of ternary nanocomposites (MgO, TiO2, and CoFe2O4) in water lowers the energy curve. Furthermore, the effect of both Lewis and Peclet numbers weakens the motile microbe’s profile.

Source: KNUST
Motivating Teachers posted to peripheral areas in the Ejisu/Juaben District of the Ghana Education Service.

Education is the live wire of every nation and for a people to be educated, schools have to be provided but schools cannot function without teachers. Teachers who are posted to peripheral ‘deprived’ areas refuse to go and those eventually accept the posting because they have no choice also most often do not function effectively due to lack of motivation from their employers and the community they find themselves in. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors which would motivate teachers to accept postings to peripheral areas and stay there to work effectively. The methodology involved interviews, administration of questionnaires and observations carried out during questionnaire administration. The respondents included teachers teaching in some of the peripheral (deprived) schools. The data obtained from the survey was statistically analyzed and it revealed that lack of motivation of these teachers affected their morale and output adversely. The motivational package implemented by GES was inadequate and did not meet their expectations, while most of them were not even aware of the package. The GES needed to re-assess and restructure its motivational package to suit the needs of teachers, which were basically, monetary incentives, accommodations, and career advancement among others. It is imperative that teachers posted to peripheral areas need to be motivated for them to give out their best to help in the education of our children.

Source: KNUST
Motivation and employees’ performance: case study of Okomfo Anokye teaching hospital.

The social and economic well-being of most developing nations as relating to workforcemotivation is putting a threat on the future prospect in terms of industrialization. Health workers working in urban health facilities in Ghana face many difficulties. In general, salaries of health personnel are very low, working conditions are poor, and furthermore, there are poor personnel management practices and procedures and there are no explicit policies for incentives. The study assessed the motivational packages and incentives that help the health sector to achieve desirable performance, especially in the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The researcher used a sample size of 50 respondents drawn from the population of over 1000 permanent employees in the sample divisions of various departments of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). The technique used to analyse data was by use of SPSS (statistical package for social scientists) however personal coding and categorizing data were done manually. The findings revealed that the motivational packages, irrespective of the type or kind has a positive influence on the employees in one way or the other. Effective motivation was seen to have influenced loyalty, job satisfaction and the many associated working novelties. The study revealed that an even despairing of motivation influence in employee. It ranges from, for employees loyalty to being punctuality at work. Inner satisfaction is the second most influenced work characteristics represented by of respondents. It was recommended that management should approve of new motivational packages which influence performance at the hospital. The new employee on clerical schedule can be given car loan and enhanced salaries to motivate him/her to stay longer. The supervisors and managers can be given housing loan and recognition, such as best loan recovery/deposit mobilizing officer for the year, etc. to continuously seek and work for higher achievements. Management can do well by increasing the value of the motivational packages which is already in existence to enhance performance.

Source: KNUST
Motivation and job commitment among teachers in four selected Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Motivation is of enormous importance with regard to enhancing performance and commitment in any organization. In this study the researcher was interested in examining the motivational level of Senior High Schools teachers in Ashanti region of Ghana and how it affects their performance and commitment. Using data obtained through the survey method the study examined the motivational level of teachers in four Senior High Schools in Ashanti region and the link between motivation and job commitment. The study revealed that the overall motivational level of teachers in the four selected Senior High Schools was high and majority of the teachers are satisfied with their job at the Ghana Education Service (G.E.S). The level of motivation and satisfaction of the teachers have a positive effect on their job commitment since majority of the teachers were committed to their job at G.E.S. The source of the high motivation of the teachers includes opportunities to use special abilities, secure future and the chance to earn good money. The study also revealed that majority of the teachers are above thirty years. The study concluded with some recommendations to G.E.S and the government on how to improve the motivational and commitment level of Senior High School teachers. The recommendations include improving the condition of service of Senior High School teachers through the increase in salaries, free accommodation and medical care and scholarships for wards of teachers. The G.E.S and the government should grant more scholarships and study leave with pay to Senior High teachers to improve their professional and leadership skills. Improved pension packages, expansion of the National teachers award scheme, timely promotion and subsidized electricity and internet access were also recommended. The government and the G.E.S should recognize the pivotal role of teachers in the educational system of the country and resource them to play their role effectively.

Source: KNUST
Motivation and Performance of Librarians in Public Universities in Ghana

Motivation is of enormous importance with regard to enhancing performance in any organisation. This paper discusses motivation and performance of librarians in public universities in Ghana. The study examined motivation of librarians, the effect of motivation on performance, the views of librarians on motivation, the level of satisfaction of librarians and the effort the public university managements are making to motivate librarians. Through literature review, the concept of motivation and its effects on performance were discussed. Using a survey method, questionnaire were designed and distributed to seventy-two targeted librarians in six public universities in Ghana, out of this, sixty returned the duly completed questionnaire. The questionnaire sought to identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors which motivate librarians and how it affects their performance. The study revealed that the motivational level of librarians in public universities in Ghana is high and that the motivational level affects majority of librarians positively. The public university managements have made some efforts to motivate librarians but they need to do more to improve the current situation. The study concludes with some recommendations on how to improve motivational systems in place in public university libraries. The discussions in the paper provides some insights into intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate librarians in public universities in Ghana. The paper will therefore be of great value to managers in the public university libraries in Ghana and other developing countries in getting the best out of their staff if adequately motivated.

Source: KNUST
Motivation and productivity at public universities: the case of the University Of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani.

The adoption of employee performance strategies or motivational strategies aimed at increasing productivity within academic institutions across the globe has become increasingly significant. The goal of such strategies is to improve performance and productivity. In pursuing a study of this nature, it was necessary to choose a number of employees from the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani. In all 60 staff members and 5 managerial members were sampled. Questionnaires and structured interviews were used to collect data from participants. Findings from the study indicated that, the university has adopted both financial and non-financial strategies such regular payment of salaries and allowances, employee appraisals, job redesigning, and free accessible health care to promote motivation and productivity. It was also found that finance limits management‘s ability to promote motivation. It was also found that employee motivation significantly improves productivity largely through satisfying the needs of employees, transforming attitudes and reducing turnover rates.

Source: KNUST
Motivation and retention of health workers in deprived districts in Ghana: A Study of Kassena-Nankana East District

Motivation and retention of health workers especially in rural areas have become topical issues for health managers in developing countries like Ghana. The situation in the upper east region and the study area in particular is very critical hence, the need to undertake this present research to come out with findings that can assist health managers to effectively address the issue of motivation and retention. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative methods in the study. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS Version 16.0 software. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and chi-square tests were used to analyse the quantitative data. Various hypotheses were tested for significant relationships using chi-square and correlations tests. The qualitative data were analysed according to themes and discussed alongside the quantitative data. The two-tailed Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant positive association between staff willingness to work in health facilities in the district and key variables (staff happiness at the work side, managerial support for staff welfare issues, availability of basic medical supplies to work with and availability of good residential accommodation). The association between staff motivation to work hard and key variables was also confirmed as statistically significant using the two statistical techniques above. Chi-squared analysis confirmed the statistical significance of this association thus ensuring that the research findings were authentic. The focus group discussion and the open-ended questions revealed that both financial and non-financial incentives serve as motivation for health workers with the non-financial factors dominating. Overall, the findings from this study suggest that to motivate and retain health workers in the Kassena-Nankana East District health managers should use both financial and non-financial incentives.

Source: KNUST
Motivational measures used by project managers to improve team performance and productivity: A case study of Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa

Team Performance and Productivity are influenced by how well the team is motivated. This study explores the motivational measure available for the Project Manager to manage their team members. The study adopted quantitative research approach. Purposive sampling technique was used based on the objectives to define the population of sixty (60) Project Managers working at Goldfields Ghana Limited Tarkwa site, out of which fifty-two (52) sampling size was selected. The Krejcie and Morgan sample size table was used to select a sampling size of fifty-two (52) from a population of sixty(60) with the confidence level score of 95% and the margin of error of 5%.A closed ended questionnaire was issued to the respondent and only thirty (30) Project Managers responded. The resulting data analyzed with the aid in SPSS and presented the result with descriptive, frequencies, percentages and mean score ranking.The motivational measures include Financial (Bonus and allowance, incentive Pay or salary, etc.) and non-financial (Job Security, Opportunity for advancement etc.) which play a major role in the influencing of team performance and productivity. In addition, motivation should be a concern of project managers because it has an effect on the performance and productivity of their team members and also helps in the minimization of conflict and team performance. In conclusion, team members‟ needs are unlimited; and have made it difficult for the Managers to identify their needs to be able to satisfy them. It has also made it difficult for the Project Manager to Manage conflict and team agitations. It was therefore recommended that motivation plays a major role in any organization that wants to maximize productivity and performance of their employees. Managers must review their leadership style, creating assurance of job security and reasonable periodic salary increase scheme to be able to influence the performance and productivity of their team members

Source: KNUST
Motivational Measures used by Project Managers to Improve Team Performance and Productivity: A Case Study of Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa

ABSTRACT Team Performance and Productivity are influenced by how well the team is motivated. This study explores the motivational measure available for the Project Manager to manage their team members. The study adopted quantitative research approach. Purposive sampling technique was used based on the objectives to define the population of sixty (60) Project Managers working at Goldfields Ghana Limited Tarkwa site, out of which fifty-two (52) sampling size was selected. The Krejcie and Morgan sample size table was used to select a sampling size of fifty-two (52) from a population of sixty(60) with the confidence level score of 95% and the margin of error of 5%.A closed ended questionnaire was issued to the respondent and only thirty (30) Project Managers responded. The resulting data analyzed with the aid in SPSS and presented the result with descriptive, frequencies, percentages and mean score ranking.The motivational measures include Financial (Bonus and allowance, incentive Pay or salary, etc.) and non-financial (Job Security, Opportunity for advancement etc.) which play a major role in the influencing of team performance and productivity. In addition, motivation should be a concern of project managers because it has an effect on the performance and productivity of their team members and also helps in the minimization of conflict and team performance. In conclusion, team members‟ needs are unlimited; and have made it difficult for the Managers to identify their needs to be able to satisfy them. It has also made it difficult for the Project Manager to Manage conflict and team agitations. It was therefore recommended that motivation plays a major role in any organization that wants to maximize productivity and performance of their employees. Managers must review their leadership style, creating assurance of job security and reasonable periodic salary increase scheme to be able to influence the performance and productivity of their team members

Source: KNUST