ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Classification of time series of NDVI for Assessment of land cover change in Ghana using Noaa/A VHRR data.

Land cover information constitutes key environmental information for many scientific, resource management and policy purposes, as well as for a range of human activities. Hence it has become a major focus for the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) and the International Human Dimensions Program (IHDP) at global and regional levels. Land cover information is currently scarce for Ghana. The country is currently undergoing rapid and wide-range changes in vegetation due to climate change, the practice of slash-and-burn or shifting cultivation. The stud y of these conversions necessitates the use of remote sensing because it provides data at synoptic scales and facilitates the discerning of large- scale ecosystem patterns. Although remote sensing technology has been used for mapping in Ghana for sometime now, there has been no attempt to use either unsupervised or supervised classification methods for NOAA/AVHRR images for the whole of Ghana. Therefore a qualitative approach to the use of historical series of low resolution NDVI data to produce land cover maps of Ghana and also to evaluate the relative change in land cover from 1982 to 2002 has been developed. The study was carried out through the principal component analysis and classification of long term average NDVI values. The interpretation of the resulting classes was based on the comparison between NDVI average temporal profiles of different classes and NDVI reference profiles for selected sites where detailed information about vegetation characteristics are available. The results show the potential of the proposed approach for studies at regional or national level where lack of climate data hinder the utilization of quantitative methods to determine the land cover change within the periods (1982-1992, 1992-2002 and 1982-2002). Again the results of the study shows that the dominant land coverchange process was conversion of natural vegetation to savannah and shrub thicket, which occurred at an annual rate of 4% and 6.5% respectively. Most of the land cover change process occurred in the first period (1982-1992). The overall annual rate of change in land cover (1982-1992) was highest for Savannah (3.8%) and lowest for water (1.03%). The results suggest that, year phenological behavior, as revealed by the NDVI data, can be used to map general patterns in the spatial distribution of Ghana‟s main vegetation formation.

Source: KNUST
Classifcation of invasive bloodstream infections and Plasmodium falciparum malaria using autoantibodies as biomarkers

A better understanding of disease-specific biomarker profiles during acute infections could guide the development of innovative diagnostic methods to differentiate between malaria and alternative causes of fever. We investigated autoantibody (AAb) profiles in febrile children (≤ 5 years) admitted to a hospital in rural Ghana. Serum samples from 30 children with a bacterial bloodstream infection and 35 children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria were analyzed using protein microarrays (Protoplex Immune Response Assay, ThermoFisher). A variable selection algorithm was applied to identify the smallest set of AAbs showing the best performance to classify malaria and bacteremia patients. The selection procedure identified 8 AAbs of which IFNGR2 and FBXW5 were selected in repeated model run. The classification error was 22%, which was mainly due to non-Typhi Salmonella (NTS) diagnoses being misclassified as malaria. Likewise, a cluster analysis grouped patients with NTS and malaria together, but separated malaria from non-NTS infections. Both current and recent malaria are a risk factor for NTS, therefore, a better understanding about the function of AAb in disease-specific immune responses is required in order to support their application for diagnostic purposes.

Source: KNUST
Civil Engineering Department - Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation

Solid waste collection services fall below 60 % in Kumasi Metropolis due to lack of funds, equipment and improper planning. The cost of solid waste management service delivery is on the increase due to high capital investment cost and increasing demand for improved waste management service delivery. The Kumasi Metropolitan Authority (KMA), faced with budgetary constraint, has contracted Waste Group Ghana Ltd. (a private waste management contractor) to provide House-to-House franchised collection services to the Bantama sub-metro district, as part of its private sector participation initiative. This is a pilot project aimed at making waste management service delivery sustainable and at the highest standard possible without denying other sectors their fair share of budgetary allocation from the Assembly. The study, through direct measurement of weight, interviews and personal meetings with the principal stakeholders, obtained data and information on the performance of the scheme. The contractor provides services twice a week to residential areas and daily to institutions and commercial establishments. The scheme’s established consistent Bill collection performance over the past three months is: 8.5%, 13.7% and 23.1% for April, May and June respectively. This trend is expected to continue because public educational programs have been intensified and the contractor has the reserve capacity to expand service coverage. However, the situation on the ground is incurring deficit due to the fact that the Scheme is in its youthful stage (barely 4-months old). The scheme can be replicated in other sections of the Metropolis without subsidy provided bill collection efficiency improves. By the end of first year of the five-year project life the deficit payable by KMA, could be reduced to about 1.2%. The beneficiaries will feel relieved if KMA reshapes the surface of collection route and reviews the waste bin purchasing agreement with beneficiaries. The service charge should be made per kilogram of waste generated by beneficiaries and on the basis of households.

Source: KNUST
Civil society organisations and the promotion of good governance: a case of NGOs in The Sunyani Municipality.

Ever since Ghana returned to constitutional rule in 1992 after the various military interventions since independence, the country has undergone various developments in terms of democracy and good governance. These developments have been associated to different institutions and organisations. While some scholars attribute the progress towards democratic good governance to the effectiveness of political institutions in the country, others link it to the work of NGOs. However, the role of NGOs in enhancing democratic good governance is seen to be more of speculations rather than based on empirical evidence. With the above competing claims in mind, this study is undertaken with the objective of examining critically the actual role of NGOs in promoting democracy and good governance in the Sunyani Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study seeks to examine the role NGOs play in promoting democratic good governance within the context of election monitoring, political education, policy advocacy and access to justice. The study also examines the challenges NGOs face in promoting democracy and good governance in the Sunyani Municipality. The study employed both evaluative and case study designs to assess the role of four indigenous NGOs (CODEO, Women and Youth in Development, World Clock and CHREP-Aid) in the Sunyani Municipality in promoting democratic good governance. Both primary and secondary data were gathered for the analysis. Analysis of the study was accomplished through the use of the mixed research approach involving both the qualitative and quantitative techniques in finding answers to the research questions. Using the Pearson Chi-square test and an independent t-test, there was evidence to suggest that NGOs activities promote democratic good governance (government legitimacy, citizens’ participation, government accountability and rule of law) in the Sunyani Municipality. In spite of the achievements of these NGOs, the survey revealed a number of challenges which tend to limit the extent of their work. These setbacks included financial constraints, limited human resource capacity, inadequate logistics, and misappropriation of funds on the part of the leadership. Based on the survey results, the study recommends the following: adoption of effective means of mobilising resources, increase collaboration and cooperation among NGOs and between NGOs and their constituents, and the strengthening or establishment of a strong regulatory body.

Source: KNUST
Classification of Tumours from Breast Cancer Metastasized Sites using Artificial Neural Network on Somatic Mutation Data

The primary site of a given cancer and its histopathology are two major factors that predict a human cancers clinical behavior. However due to metastasis, primary and secondary sites can’t be distinguished in some instances even after a careful radiological examination. It becomes a great challenge to the effectiveness of the cancer treatment method used since some treatment methods like surgery are applied depending on the nature of the primary site for the cancer. If the primary site of a given cancer is identified correctly then treatment that works well for the cancer in question may be applied making the treatment method more effective. There has been an enormous increase in the amount of sequenced gene data due to the development in the sequencing technologies. However application of simple linear classifiers on the numerous data available is a major obstacle in improving classification performance. To address this challenge a cancer primary site classifier was developed by applying the Artificial Neural Network algorithm on somatic mutation data from the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC). The classifier was able to classify cancer primary sites that are primarily invaded by breast cancer with an accuracy of 77.03%. The error involved in the classification was estimated using the negative logarithm function. Data collected for this study did not include tumours from brain and bones. It is therefore recommended that tumours from these sites should be included while collecting data for classification of primary sites of organs basically invaded by breast cancer.

Source: KNUST
Classification trees as a tool for decomposing inequalities in under -five mortality in Ghana

The study explores the socio-economic and demographic inequalities that exist in under- ve mortality using Ghana DHS 2008 data.These inequalities were inves-tigated using Classi cation trees developed by Breiman et al (CART). The data was analyzed using the Rpart of the R software 3.01 At the end of the analysis, total number of children ever born by mothers, pre-ceding birth interval, region of residence, ethnicity, highest educational level and wealth index were identi ed to contribute positively to these inequalities in under- ve mortality. It was also observed that Sex of a child and whether a child was born by cesarean does not contribute to these inequalities in the under- ve mor-tality in the GDHS data.

Source: KNUST
Client's Perception of Architects Performance in the Building Industry in Ghana

The aim of this research is to examine clients' perception of performance criteria in the Ghanaian building industry. The aim was guided by the following objectives; To identify the set of performance criteria for evaluating architects' performance. To assess clients satisfaction with the performance of architects based on the identified performance criteria. To formulate possible further steps that will enhance the performance of architects in successful project delivery...

Source: KNUST
Clients’ perception of architects performance in the building industry in Ghana

The aim of this research is to examine clients’ perception of the performance of architects with respect to rating of importance over a set of performance criteria in the Ghanaian building industry. The aim was guided by the following objectives; To identify the set of performance criteria for evaluating architects’ performance. To assess clients satisfaction with the performance of architects based on the identified performance criteria. To formulate possible further steps that will enhance the performance of architects in successful project delivery. A survey involving clients from both public and private sectors on recently completed building projects in Ghana was undertaken. Data analysis included comparing similarities and differences using standardized ratio, Mann Whitney U test or Mann-Whitney- Wilcoxon tests. The results showed that private sector clients are likely to be more concerned with cost, while public sector clients are more concerned with buildability of design. A total of 79 per cent of the criteria were similarly selected by both sectors with respect to importance of the criteria. Architects need to improve their performance significantly in about 82 per cent of the whole set of 28 criteria. Achitects performed better on the public sector than the private projects sector, and 14 per cent of the criteria were indicated as being statistically different in terms of architects’ performance. The results provide vital feedback information to architects' or project managers’ which can be incorporated in their future projects so as to ensure successful project implementation, and to promote relationship between project “parties” in the building delivery process.

Source: KNUST
Climate Change and Its Impacts on Flooding In Accra-Greater Accra Metropolitan Assembly

Climate change resulting in high precipitation is of utmost importance as it yields floods of varied amounts. Such floods result in loss of lives and properties worth billions of Ghana Cedis (BGH₵). Accra, the capital city of Ghana, has experienced various levels of floods with the July 1995 incidence recorded as the highest floods over the basin. This research work seeks to investigate the impacts of floods over Accra basin as the future experiences changes in the climate system. Aptitude to predict future precipitations depends on established climate scenarios. Landuse characteristics and atmospheric parameters define the changes in the hydrologic cycle hence the resultant precipitations. This affects the variations in the precipitation pattern as the years proceed. Known precipitation values are used to develop flood vulnerability maps and their impacts due to changes in the precipitations assessed under each of the scenarios in an ARCGIS model for this work. Six main scenarios are developed based on the landuse characteristics of the basin. These are HISTORICAL_1995, SDAN_2020, SDOK_2040, SDIK_2060, SDIOL_2080 and SDIOK_2100 yielding precipitation values of 249.30mm, 234.09mm, 149.58mm, 24.93mm, 124.65mm and 398.88mm respectively. These precipitation values are integrated into the HYDROCAD software to generate runoff depths or flood levels, flood volumes and hydrographs for each of the sub basins within GAMA. Vulnerability assessment depends on known precipitation data; hence the historical_1995 precipitation used to develop the flood vulnerability map of Accra as the reference point for impact assessment. Climate change impacts on floods are then assessed based on the obtained precipitation values under each of the generated scenarios. Therefore, the developed climate scenarios helped to forecast precipitation values over the GAMA basin and assess their future impacts on floods. This will serve as an urban planning tool for the Government of Ghana (GoG) and other flood disaster management agencies.

Source: KNUST
Climate change and sustainable development: an insight into perceptions of the Offinso South District

This study was conducted to seek the perceptions of the residents of Offinso South district on climate change and resilience. The main aim of the study was to obtain an understanding of community’s perception about climate change and resilience. A multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting the 308 respondents from five (5) communities within the Offinso South District. Data was analyzed using SPSS and results were presented using tables, graphs and charts. Results show that respondents believe climate change was mainly a change in the weather condition. They had also observed major changes in rainfall intensity and pattern, sunshine and wind intensity which contributed to the prolong dryness hence increase in food shortage and poverty. It was made clear that respondents perceived that climate change is a natural phenomenon and that its part of earth’s natural cycle. Respondents further indicated that climate change had increased poverty both at the individual and community level. Respondents also perceived that education and sensitization on climate change and diversification of livelihoods would help improve their resilience against climate change. In conclusion, results from the study shows that climate change is affecting the lives and properties of rural individuals. The sad thing is most of community members have no idea about what to do and things to avoid in this era of climate change to improve their resilience. These major impacts of climate change and naivety of individuals and community as a whole on actions to take with regards to climate change may bring development to a halt if not reversed.

Source: KNUST
Climate change and city dwellers adaptive capacity: the case of flooding in the Kumasi Metropolis

Climate Change is a reality, evidenced by changing and unpredictability of climatic factors such as increasing temperature, evapo-transpiration, rainfall, disruption in climatic patterns; and increasing frequencies and intensities of extreme event. According to Ghana‟s country report to the UNFCCC in 2000, the mean daily temperatures in Ghana will increase by about 2.5° C to 3.2°C, if the mid-range atmospheric sensitivity of 2.5°C is assumed, over the 1961 to 1990 baseline temperatures by the year 2100. This is higher than the global average of about 2°C in the same period. In the rainforest and moist semi-equatorial zones, increases are expected in the rainfall pattern. Clearly, the above shows that Ghana is being affected by climate change with some negative effects recorded for some decades now. Of all the effects of climate change, flooding presents danger to cities than the other effects, with significant number of disasters happening in the last decades being flood were in areas considered urban. In spite of the overwhelming evidence suggesting that climate change is responsible for flooding in cities in the world, there are reasons to suggest that Kumasi‟s flooding incidence is otherwise. Therefore, the study sought out whether climate change is happening in Kumasi and if so, is it responsible for the flooding incidence experienced of late in the Metropolis. Information for the study was collected utilizing the case study approach, which enhanced the use of multiple evidences for the conclusion drawn at the end of the study. In all data was collected from households in seven suburbs of the city including Bremang, Dichemso, Aboabo, Oforikrom, Atonsu, Asafo and Adiembra. These were augmented by data from the Ghana Meteorological Department, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Engineering Department and Town and Country Planning Department of KMA. Available meteorological data on temperature and precipitation for Kumasi from the Ghana Meteorological Agency evidently shows increasing temperature and rainfall patterns since 1961 with variations for temperature of about 0.2°C above the mean for the last ten years (1990-2009), evidently an increment of about 0.4°C for the decade. It therefore suggests that Kumasi is experiencing climate change as experienced by the whole country, though on a moderate scale. Other evidence pointed out in the thesis suggest strongly that Kumasi‟s vi flooding is as a result of human factors such as sanitation, poor planning and ineffective and blatant disregard for physical development laws in the city. Just as the research sought to identify causes, it also proposed a number of policy options to mitigate this developing phenomenon. It proposed both short and long term options in mitigating this flooding phenomenon so as to make Kumasi a more resilient and sustainable city.

Source: KNUST
Climate Change and Food Crop Security in Ghana: A Case of Bibiani – Ahwiaso – Bekwai District

Climate Change (CC) poses threat to food crop production especially in a developing country like Ghana. As a result, this study examined the impact of CC on output of maize, cassava and plantain in the Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai (BAB) district and farmers adaptation strategies. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, interview guide and direct observation were the main instruments used for gathering primary data from 231 households, selected randomly and purposively from six communities. Again, 31 years’ time series data points from secondary sources were used to perform multiple regression analysis. Analysis was done using the Eviews software for Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), MAKESENS Excel template for Trend analysis, IBM SPSS version 20 for Cross tabulation, Microsoft Excel, 2013 for frequency charts and thematic analysis for all qualitative data analysis. The results of the study revealed that, changes (increase) in temperature has a significant negative impact (decrease) on output of maize. From farmers’ perspective, negative impacts of CC on crops are greatly felt during fruits development and maturation stages in the production process. Again, some farming practices (like deforestation and slash and burn) apart from contributing to anthropogenic induced CC, also exacerbate the effects of CC on crops. Also, the quantity of output of crops is positively related to land area with high significance level. Finally, mixed cropping and mulching were mostly used by farmers to adapt to CC which were basically determined by farmers’ years of farming experience and the fact that they were relatively cost effective. Unfortunately, institutional mitigation strategies were not functioning (were very weak) in the district. The study thus recommended that mitigation should be made ‘crop and stage specific’ in the production process and experienced farmers should be involved in public education on best adaptation options. Communication and education about CC should also be intensified and made more meaningful to farmers if institutional mitigation strategies would be effective.

Source: KNUST
Climate related risks and its implications on the insurance industry in Ghana

The effect of Climate related risks on the insurance industry has long being acknowledged. The purpose of the research was to examine the potential effects of climate related risks on the insurance industry and to identify risk management techniques and mitigation measures implemented by the industry to contain the potential implications of Climate related risks. Questionnaires and interviews, tables, pie charts and graphs were used to gather and analyze data respectively. The study revealed that increases in underwriting losses on property insurance, withdrawal of cover from certain geographical areas, Premium increases, insolvencies, International reinsurance cost/capacity are some of the identified implications of Climate related risks. These potential occurrences consequently affect claims outlays, difficulty in obtaining co-insurance, difficulty in obtaining reinsurance, profitability and solvency as well as capacity and ability to absorb large risks. The research further revealed that compulsory risk survey, premium loading, accepting cover but imposing deductibles, warranties and other policy conditions are some of the risk management measures adopted by the insurance industry.

Source: KNUST