ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Aurantio-obtusin alleviates allergic responses in ovalbumin-induced rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a growing global health concern. Despite being non-fatal, it has a detrimental effect on people’s quality of life and poses a significant economic burden. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-allergic effects of aurantio-obtusin against ovalbumin-induced murine model of allergic rhinitis. Aurantio-obtusin was administered to rats orally after sensitization to ovalbumin. Results of the study suggested that aurantio-obtusin causes a significant reduction in nose rubs and sneeze as compared to the vehicle-treated disease control group. The aurantioobtusin treated group showed a dose-dependent significant reduction in serum TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-6 levels as well as histamine levels in the nasal mucosa. Additionally, it decreased neutrophil and eosinophil numbers in blood of AR rats’. In the nasal tissues of the vehicle-treated rats that were subjected to an OVA challenge, the histology of the nasal mucosa of AR rats revealed aberrant histological changes. A variety of histological abnormalities, including vascular congestion in the nasal mucosa, substantial inflammatory cell infiltration, and obvious alveolar wall oedema were present. In the rats treated with aurantio-obtusin, these characteristics were reversed. Collectively, the findings suggests that aurantio-obtusin could be used to enhance current AR treatment approaches.

Source: KNUST
Authority in Romans 13:1 – 7: its relevance to the chiefs and people of Gomoa Traditional Area in the Central Region of Ghana

The authority of rulers be it political, traditional or religious, is ordained by God for the good of their subjects. Subjects have to submit to their rulers, and refusing to do so is a rebellion against God. In this study, authority in Romans 13:1-7 is examined with particular attention to the chief and people of Gomoa Traditional Area. The study discussed authority using Romans 13:1-7 as a base and its relevance to traditional set ups. This study was largely done through interviews conducted by the researcher and his assistants with some chiefs, elders, church leaders and citizens of the study area. Also, biblical commentaries, handbooks as well as other relevant documents were consulted. The research has shown that Romans 13:1-7 – submission to authority - was not for Christians in Rome alone, but for Christians and non-Christians in and outside Rome. The relevance of the text cuts across all cultures including that of Gomoa. The study recommends that citizens of Gomoa Traditional Area recognize their rulers as people ordained by God – who is the source of all authority – for their good. Mutual respect, trust understanding and co-operation from both governing authorities and subjects in a state or traditional area always bring peace and for that matter development, and must be upheld.

Source: KNUST
An Authentication Architecture Based on the Concept of Single Sign-On (KNUST as a case study)

Most enterprises and institutions today have many applications available to its users across a local area network (LAN). In order to increase productivity, more users rely more on such applications. This translates into user and administrative problems. The most common problems are associated with multiple password retention, password complexities and multiple user account management. Users, who access multiple applications in institutions such as the case study institution (KNUST), require multiple passwords. Single Sign-On has been hailed as a solution to deal with the usability and security problems associated with multiple user authentications. The goal of this thesis is to determine an authentication architecture that would be suitable for the environment of KNUST and other similar institutions. This has entailed a review of existing single sign-on architectures and operating mechanisms, a study of the case study institution’s ICT setup, the design of the proposed authentication architecture and its concept of operations. The driving factors of the design are functionality and security. Other factors include availability and feasibility of integration. The results will serve as a blueprint for a more detailed design and the future development of such architecture in KNUST and similar institutions.

Source: KNUST
Automation of tax collection by Ghana Revenue Authority (Asokwa Office)

For any government to match in performance with the growth and expectations of its citizenry, it must significantly increase its fiscal ability of revenue collection without incurring costly recurring overheads that will erode it. Automated systems have been proven to be capable of introducing massive efficiencies to business processes that can result in increased revenue. Applying technological solutions towards the strategic goals for government will be a key step towards transforming government into an entity that can keep abreast of the needs, requirements and expectations of today's modern world. The aim of this study was to examine the automation of tax collection by the Ghana Revenue Authority. After interviewing twenty (20) officials from the Asokwa branch of Ghana revenue authority (GRA) in automation system it can be said that the automation is a powerful monitoring tool for GRA. The research reports findings based on interview of staff of GRA‟s experiences with automation, indicated an efficient and effective means of tax administration. The evidence suggests a positive effect of automation system usage and the cost of tax administration, and effective means of revenue collection. Additionally, automation was significantly related with tax clearance time. The research makes significant empirical contribution to analyzing tax automation and administration cost, time efficiency and effectiveness of revenue collection. The results are consistent with the notion that automation leads to efficiency in tax administration. As such, the primary aim of computerized revenue collection (automation system) must be to dramatically increase cash receipts and better monitoring in order to effectively sustain the utility and generate an acceptable return on investment related to the system.

Source: KNUST
Automation System Procedure of the Ghana Revenue Authority on the Effectiveness of Revenue Collection: A Case Study of Customs Division

For any government to match in performance with the growth and expectations of its citizenry, it must dramatically increase its fiscal depth without incurring costly recurring overheads. Automated systems have been proven to be capable of introducing massive efficiencies to business processes that can result in increased revenue. Applying technological solutions towards the strategic goals for government will be a key step towards transforming government into an entity that can keep abreast of the needs, requirements and expectations of today's modern world. The aim of this study was to examine the automation system procedures of the Ghana Revenue Authority on the effectiveness of revenue collection. After interviewing forty (40) officials from the Customs Division (CD) with specific duties and responsibilities in automation system management at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) it can be said that the automation is a powerful monitoring tool for GRA. The research reports findings based on cross sectional approach to investigating GRA’s experiences with automation, efficiency and effective tax administration. The evidence suggests a positive impact of automation system usage and the cost of tax administration, automation and effectiveness of revenue collection. Additionally, automation was significantly related with tax clearance time. The research makes significant empirical contribution to analyzing tax automation and administration cost, time efficiency and effectiveness of revenue collection. Some of the results are consistent with the notion that automation leads to efficiency in tax administration.. As such, the primary aim of computerized revenue collection (automation system) must be to dramatically increase cash receipts in order to effectively sustain the utility and generate an acceptable return on investment related to the system.

Source: KNUST
An autoregressive time series model of measles propagation: a case study of the Kumasi District

In 1985, the Government of Ghana assisted by the World Bank and other organizations, initiated a programme of mass vaccination aimed at eradicating six childhood killer diseases namely, measles, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, diphtheria, tuberculosis and tetanus. In this study we attempt to assess the effectiveness of this intervention for the particular case of measles incidence in the Kumasi District. Using the Box-Jenkins method we obtain autoregressive (AR (2)) models of the pre intervention data, post intervention data and the entire interrupted times series data. Further, using interrupted time series analysis, we are able to show that the parameters before and after the intervention were significantly different at the 5% level of significance. In particular, the intercepts of linear trend lines were 27.56 and 29.04 cases per month before and after the intervention respectively. The slopes were —0.084 and -0.130 cases per month before and after the intervention respectively. The methods used in this study can clearly be used to investigate the effectiveness of any intervention aimed at controlling some time dependent natural or socio-economic phenomena.

Source: KNUST
Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Intervention Analysis Model for the Major Crimes in Ghana. (The case of the Eastern Region)

This research work sought to estimate and assess the nature of the impact of the establishment and operations of the Community Policing Unit of the Ghana Police Service as a major intervention in crime prevention and control in Ghana using ARIMA intervention analysis. Using time series data (total monthly crime for the five major crime categories) covering the period 2000 to 2011 obtained from the Regional Crime Unit of the Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service, an impact assessment model was obtained. Empirical results from the study indicate that the pre-intervention period could best be modeled with an AR(1) error process based on which the full intervention model was obtained. The intervention event actually had an effect of reducing crime in the region by an approximate monthly reduction of 16 cases, which however was found to be abrupt but temporal and statistically significant. Its corresponding long term effect was also found to be approximately a reduction of 17 which is almost the same as the intervention effect. However, statistically insignificant rate of decay ( ) of 0.0406 resulted in the temporal nature of the duration of the effect of the intervention. The results concluded that the overall intervention model was statistically significant based on the hypothesis tests by means of the Portomanteau test (Ljung-Box and Pierce), coupled with the analysis of the residual plots as well as the penalty statistics (as in AICs, AICcs and BICs) based on the principle of parsimony. Appropriate recommendations have been made based on the conclusions from the findings for consideration.

Source: KNUST
Availability of natural gravel for road construction in Ghana

Most road pavements in Ghana have for many years been built of natural gravel as the subbase and base layers. Natural gravel are the most economical material for road construction when available within economic haulage distances. However, there has been a gradual shift to the use of a blend of natural gravel and other materials (stabilization) or crushed stone as the layer materials for subbase and base. In addition, various studies have been done to improve the engineering properties of natural gravel underscoring the difficulty of finding suitable material for construction in Ghana. However the extent of the problem is unknown. This study evaluated some material properties (CBR, grading and Atterberg limits) of natural gravel samples from 454 borrow pits distributed throughout the country for their suitability or otherwise for road construction as a subbase, base and Otta seal. Each material property was compared with G30, G40, G60 and G80 MoT specifications. The ones meeting the criteria were denoted as passed or failed if otherwise. The results showed that it is difficult getting natural gravel meeting the specification for G80 base material. However, there is significant improvement when a relaxed specification of G60 is used. This indicated grading plays a very important part in deciding whether a natural gravel material meets specification or not. Generally Western Region had the greatest difficulty of meeting grading requirement. The overall proportion of samples meeting the requirements of subbase and base are 26% and 2% respectively. It is almost impossible to find a natural gravel pit meeting the requirements of Otta seal without processing. Most natural gravel in the country will need two cycles of screening for them to meet the gradation requirement for Otta seal.

Source: KNUST
Availability and use of essential emergency obstetric care services in the Bosomtwe District in Ashanti Region

Improving maternal health by reducing maternal mortality constitutes the fifth Millennium Development Goal that represents a key challenge in Ghana. All pregnant women are at risk of obstetric complications. In roughly 15 percent of deliveries, an unpredictable complication occurs, such as severe bleeding, hypertension, infection, and obstructed labour. Emergency obstetric care interventions carried out in the Bosomtwe district over the years remain fairly similar. The objective was to investigate the utilization of essential emergency obstetric care services in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region. The survey was carried out in the months of August and September, 2014. The interviewer administered questionnaires and information was elicited from 398 selected respondents. These were nursing mothers in households who had their deliveries through cesarean section, vacuum and forceps and manual removal of placenta within the year 2013. The maternal and child health facility, delivery, antenatal and postnatal registers were used to select the women using simple random sampling. In addition, facility heads (policy makers) and one midwife each from all the fourteen facilities was included in the study. This study has shown that percentage of expected deliveries in EmOC facilities gave 79% compared with the UN Guidelines minimum accepted threshold of 15%. There was high availability of Comprehensive EmOC (20%) and relatively high basic EmOC units (80%) in the district. However there is only one Gynaecologist in the district who super sees all referral cases of mothers in the district. The pregnant women (84%) in the district were highly knowledgeable on when to seek for EmOC services The respondents who patronized private clinics reported that the quality of services rendered was very good and expressed the desire to use the same facility when the need arises. On the perspective of those who used the government hospitals, they were of the opinion that the services rendered to them were poor and some also indicated that the quality of service was close to average. The study indicated that there were availability of EmOC services. There were 3 and 11 comprehensive and basic EmOC facilities respectively per 101724 populations indicating a higher coverage of EmOC services in the district compared with the UN standard of 500,000 population and these were made accessible to pregnant women in the district. In addition, women’s knowledge on EmOC services was found to be high and therefore utilized the services. Mothers rated attitude of midwives in the public facilities to be poor. It is recommended that the DHMT take steps to maintain the EmOC and keep it functioning. Also the DHMT should collaborate with RHD for additional Gynaecologist to support work done at the district.

Source: KNUST
Availability of resources for emergency care at a second-level hospital in Ghana: A mixed methods assessment

Introduction: Emergency care is an essential component of health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We sought to assess the availability of resources to provide emergency care at a second-level hospital in Ghana. By doing so, deficits that could guide development of targeted intervention strategies to improve emergency care could be identified. Methods: A qualitative and quantitative assessment of capacity for care of emergency patients was performed at the Emergency Centre of the Police Hospital, a second-level hospital in Accra, Ghana. Direct inspection and job-specific survey of clinical, orderly, administrative and ambulance staff was performed. Responses to quantitative questions were described. Qualitative responses were examined by content analysis. Results: Assessment revealed marked deficiencies in many essential items and services. However, several successes were identified, such as laboratory capacity. Among the unavailable essential items, some were of low-cost, such as basic airway supplies, chest tubes and several emergency medications. Themes from staff responses when asked how to improve emergency care included: provide periodic training, increase bed numbers in the emergency unit, ensure availability of essential items and make personal protective equipment available for all staff caring for patients. Conclusion: This study identified opportunities to improve the care of patients with emergency conditions at the Police Hospital in Ghana. Low-cost improvements in training, organization and planning could improve item and service availability, such as: developing a continuing education curriculum for staff in all areas of the emer gency centre; holding in-service training on existing protocols for triage and emergency care; adding checklists to guide appropriate triage and safe transfer of patients; and perform a root cause analysis of item non-availability to develop targeted interventions.

Source: KNUST
Awareness and prevention of cervical cancer among female health professionals: a study of three health institutions in Winneba, Ghana

Globally, every two minutes, at least one woman dies from cervical cancer. It is the second most common cancer worldwide for women after breast cancer. Every year, around 494,000 develop cervical cancer globally and almost 49.5% (233,000) die from the disease annually with about 80% (376,000) in developing countries. Little evidence exists on the extent of cervical cancer awareness among health professionals in the Winneba Municipality. This was a cross-sectional study with the aim of assessing the awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention amongst female health professionals in the Winneba Municipality. A sample of 204 respondents was selected by a multi stage cluster sampling technique. The awareness of cervical cancer among the female health professionals was generally high (99%), with their predominant source of information being school (37%) followed by the internet (22%). Knowledge about the signs and symptoms of the disease were insufficient as about half of the respondents did not know whether persistent lower back pain, bleeding from vagina, persistent pelvic pain and unexplained weight loss were signs and symptoms of the disease or not. Also, knowledge about the risk factors was inadequate as some of the respondents were not sure whether smoking any form of cigarettes (65%), infection with Chlamydia (51%), having a sexual partner who is not circumcised (29%), having many children (65%) and not going for regular pap smear (50%) increased one‟s risk of developing cervical cancer or not. The study revealed inadequate knowledge about cervical cancer amongst female health professionals in the Winneba Municipality. Interventions by stakeholders especially the Winneba Municipal Health Directorate should be geared towards addressing the inadequacy of cervical cancer knowledge amongst its health providers by organising training programmes to address the setback.

Source: KNUST
Ayi Kwei Armah and Ngugi Wa Thiong’o: a symbolist study of the beautyful ones are not yet born and petals of blood.

The dissertation sets out to make a comparative study on the use of symbols in Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautiful Ones Are Not yet Born and Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s Petals of Blood. We made a thorough examination of documentary evidence in both novels, consulted some authorities who had worked in this field and discussed certain pertinent issues on symbols with some lecturers. Interestingly enough, we found out that symbols suggesting social, political, economic and religious problems are the same in Ngugi’s Kenya with those of Armh’s Ghana. Characters, images and themes in Nagugi are replications of Armah despite the vast geographical area separating Ghana and Kenya. The problems confronting these two former British colonies are therefore similar. Both novelists also offer solutions to the hydra-headed problems facing their countries. The work is divided into four chapters. The first chapter looked at symbols of decadence in the societies both authors write about. The second chapter examined shit symbols in both novels. The third chapter tried to find out whether Armah and Ngugi are pessimists or optimists in the way they try to project Africa globally. The final chapter examined both authors to find out whether they are patriots or traitors in putting their counties in a bad light. Finally, there is a conclusion where the whole work has been summed up.

Source: KNUST
The awareness, access and usage of electronic journals among academic staff in KNUST

The escalating prices of printed journals and the dwindling resources of many libraries have forced libraries across the globe, to take a reflect on how to stay abreast of time. The introduction of electronic journals provided an avenue for the restocking of periodicals by many libraries. This phenomenon has however provided an avenue for studies to be conducted around the globe to investigate the perception, reaction and use of these electronic materials among scholars. It was in this light that this study was situated. The study sought to access the level of awareness, access, usage and challenges users of electronic journals (academic staff) faced. The study reviewed literature relating to the definition of electronic journal, its historical development and elaborated on various studies aimed specifically at faculties across the world. The study was quantitative in design. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data from academic staff from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The survey yielded 109 usable questionnaires, with a response rate of 49%. The study showed a high level of awareness of the existence of electronic journals on the Internet, as well as electronic journal services provided by the University by the respondents. Majority of respondents used these electronic materials mainly in writing articles for publication. Issues of slow Internet speed and the frequent electrical power outages on campus were some of the challenges hindering usage of electronic journals.

Source: KNUST
Awareness of Financial Market Products in Ghanaian Universities: A Case Study of Christian Service University College, Garden City University and University of Education, Winneba-Kumasi

Many studies document substantial heterogeneity in individual financial portfolios, including the fact that many consumers hold no stocks, a feature that is known as the non-participation puzzle( Mankiw and Zeldes, 1991; Haliassos and Bertaut, 1995)...

Source: KNUST