ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Alternative drinking water supply in low-income urban settlements using tankers ; A quality assessment in Cape Coast, Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to verify claims that water supplied by operators of tanker trucks in Cape Coast does not meet quality standards recommended for human consumption, and to investigate the sources of any contamination. Design/methodology/approach – Samples were collected from a water hydrant from which tanker operators draw water from the Ghana Water Company Limited distribution system in Cape Coast and a number of tankers sampled at random. Additional samples were taken from the premises of a patron of the tanker service and a regular customer of the Ghana Water Company Limited. All samples were subjected to physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses and the results compared with the World Health Organization’s guidelines for drinking water. Findings – It was found out that water supplied by the tanker operators indeed failed to meet the World Health Organization’s guidelines for some quality parameters as alleged by patrons of the service. The tanker-supplied water was found to contain high levels of Escherichia coli, colour, turbidity and total iron. This was found to arise from the management of the water hydrant and the tankers by the Ghana Water Company Limited and the tanker operators respectively. Originality/value – The study provides a basis for the set of actions that must be taken to safeguard public health and consumer confidence in drinking water supply using tankers as an emerging alternative to conventional water supply in urban centres of the developing world

Source: UCC
Alternative livelihood programme for mining communities: a study of Obuasi municipality

Alternative livelihoods programmes (ALPs) have been adopted as an alternative form of livelihoods for people whose original means of livelihood have been taken for other purposes. ALPs have been seen as viable option for people of the under privileged class. However, despite the increasing importance of ALPs in Ghanaian mining communities especially in the Obuasi Municipality, little studies have been conducted to assess the real impacts of the ALPs on the livelihood of the inhabitants. The study employed interview schedule to collect data from all beneficiaries of the ALPs in the Obuasi Municipality whereas in-depth interview guide was employed for key stakeholders. The main findings indicate that most of the beneficiaries were generally satisfied with the ALPs. Also, the beneficiaries indicated that jobs under the ALPs are preferred to their previous jobs. There was collaboration between the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and AngloGold Ashanti in the implementation of the ALPs. The main challenge encountered by AngloGold Ashanti in implementing the ALP was minimal cooperation from chiefs. Based on these findings, it was recommended that AngloGold Ashanti should broaden the base of the projects under the ALPs to other communities within the Municipality. Also, both the Municipal Assembly and AngloGold Ashanti should continue to consolidate the current collaboration to sustain the ALPs.

Source: UCC
Alternative Livelihood Strategies of Fishing Families at Moree

Fishermen and fishing communities have recognized the limitations of relying solely on fishing as their primary source of income and livelihood. Studies have shed light on the alternative livelihood strategies employed by fishing families to complement their fishing occupation and support their families in Ghana, but they did not provide insights into the range of strategies that fishing families and communities utilize. The purpose of the study was to explore different alternative livelihood strategies for fishing families in Moree. A descriptive study was employed to obtain responses on alternative livelihoods and activities used by the fishing families. A proportionally stratified and simple random sample (lottery method) was used to sample one hundred and fifty-four (154) respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics (such as frequency and percentage) and statistical test including binary logistics were used to analyse the data. Results showed that the alternative livelihood strategies used by the fishing families include borrowing, tailoring, grocery selling and retailing. The most determinant of alternative livelihood strategies of fishing families in Moree was low income. Binary logistics test of all the socio-demographic variables, income level was significant (p= 0.005). Based on these findings, it was recommended that the government should implement programmes that may support fishing families with financial services.

Source: UCC
Alternative livelihood support for reducing poverty: snail project for kwaprow community in Cape Coast

The critical importance of employment for sustained poverty reduction and curbing ruralurban migration necessitated this action research. It was embarked to introduce snail farming as alternative livelihood support for reducing poverty in the Kwaprow community at the University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast. The participatory action research design was adopted. Ten perceived poor people were selected from the community with the assistance of the key informants and other participatory rural appraisal techniques. The results were compared and analyzed for emerging themes and patterns. From the research that was conducted, it could be realized that the nature of poverty in the Kwaprow community exists in terms of material deprivation, lack of voice and influence, low human and health development and vulnerability to shocks and disaster. The extent of poverty in the area could be said to be relatively high with indicators of poor housing facilities, poor drainage facilities, low employment, high household dependency ratio, poor road network, environmental pollution and low access to potable water. The causes of poverty were found to gender inequity, lack of access to financial capital for business and low access to land for farming activities

Source: UCC
ALTERNATIVE MODEL FOR FINANCING SMEs IN GHANA

The role of SMEs in the economic development of a country cannot be over-emphasized. They contribute to employment, GDP, innovations, human resource development and poverty alleviation. However, they are constrained by access to credit. The main objective of this paper was to develop an alternative model for raising funds. It also looked at why lenders are cynical in advancing credit to SMEs. It was found that inappropriate risk management, moral hazard and possible adverse selection limit their access to credit. The SMEs Network Fund developed suggested the formation of a self managed fund by the SMEs to finance their activities, which would require no collateral if SMEs access funds and offer relatively cheaper capital to SMEs.

Source: UCC
Alternative Models for the Conditional Heteroscedasticity and the Predictive Accuracy of Variance Models Empirical Evidence from East and North Africa Stock Markets

Using empirical evidence from East and North Africa Stock Markets, this paper examines and compares alternative distribution density forecast methods of three generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models. We employed the symmetric GARCH, Glosten Jagannathan and Runkle version of GARCH (GJR-GARCH) and Exponential GARCH methods to investigate the effect of stock return volatility using Gaussian, Student-t and Generalised Error distribution densities. The results show that the use of GJR and EGARCH with non-normal distribution densities appear justified to model the asymmetric characteristics of both indices. The evidence so far shows that in both markets, negative shocks would generally have a greater impact on future volatility than positive shocks, confirming the existence of leverage effect. The presence of leverage effect suggests that investors in these markets should be rewarded for taking up additional leverage risk as a fall in equity value (resulting from volatility) would mean a rise of debt to equity ratio and therefore, increase in financial distress risk. With respect to forecasting evaluation, the results indicate that clearly, symmetric GARCH model completely dominates the others in Kenya, while both GARCH and EGARCH best capture the Tunisian market.

Source: UCC
Alternative Water Supply Systems and Household Water Security in the Krowor Municipality of Greater Accra Region, Ghana

The disparity in water supply which creates household water insecurity, makes a case to highlight the usefulness of water supply systems to water security. Informed by the rational choice theory and capability approach, the study examined alternative water supply systems for household water security in the Krowor Municipality in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study adopted a mixed methods approach and employed stratified and systematic random and purposive sampling procedures. A sample of 395 households and five key informants were drawn for this study. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation were employed for quantitative analyses, while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative analyses. The results revealed that in periods of water supply shortages for domestic water needs, households use alternative water supply systems for their household water security. The availability of reservoirs and water tanks as alternative water supply systems predominates, but the water tank (Poly tank) is the most preferred alternative water supply system for household water security. Furthermore, households’ choice of alternative water supply systems is influenced by water security reasons (accessibility, availability, affordability) for their household water security. Other determinants such as household income level, location and time spent in water collection, cost of purchasing water and seasonal variations are invariably associated with households' preferred alternative water supply systems. In addition, alternative water supply systems have positively influenced water shortages, water scarcity, stress and vulnerabilities, productive activities and dependency on conventional water supply systems for household water security. The study recommends the urgent need for collective usage of the identified alternative water supply systems for household water security, while, at the household level, there should be investment in mini water storage tanks and water installations at public vantage points to store water for domestic needs in times of water insecurity in the Municipality.

Source: UCC
Alternatives for Financing Waste Management: Implications for Ghana’s Growing Electronic and Electrical Equipment Waste

The waste of electrical and electronic equipment pose an environmental and human health challenge for some developing countries, including Ghana. Despite such challenges, it contributes to job creation and income generation if properly collected and processed. This type of waste may contain precious minerals including gold and mercury. However, the processing of such waste is dominated by the informal sector. Due to the availability of finance, they resort to unhealthy such as burning and crushing as a means of processing this waste, thereby, exposing themselves and the environment to poisonous metals and substances. To curtail the problems created by this waste, the government proposed the establishment of a fund to enable the country secure the needed capital to deal with this waste problem. The paper uses documentary review to assess the proposed government approach to funding of this waste. It proposes an alternative model of financing of this waste. It recommends, among other things, the need to promote the sector as a business venture and encourage the participation of private, public, foreign and domestic investment. The said investment is expected to promote the acquisition of the needed technology to manage e-waste.

Source: UCC
Ambient air quality assessment at a palm kernel oil production site in Cape Coast

Ambient air inhalable particulate matter, Black Carbon (BC) and heavy metal concentration levels in the ambient air derived from combustion at a local palm kernel production site was assessed in this study. The goal of this work was to identify the effect of biomass burning from palm kernel oil production activities on ambient air quality at Akotokyir and its environs and the possible health effects. An IVL sampler and a Sierra Anderson (GAST) pump were used to sample PM10 air particulate matter from 20th December, 2014 to 23rd March, 2015. Elemental and black carbon concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Smoke Stain Reflectometer respectively. The average mass concentration of the PM10 particulates was found to be 121.19 µg/m3 with maximum and minimum values of 658.68 µg/m3 and 21.01 µg/m3 respectively. The maximum and minimum BC mass concentration in PM10 particulates were 30.04 µg/m3 and 11.42 µg/m3 respectively and the mean percentage of BC was 8.5%. Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co, Ca, Mg, Na and K in the air particulates were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Na, Fe, Ca, and Mg were present as major elements whiles the rest were present in trace quantities. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed 5 major sources; biomass burning (36.69%), two stroke engines (17.46%), soil dust (16.76%), and Sea salt (7.81%). The fifth source could not be identified. Comparative Air Quality Index (AQI) analysis revealed that only 48.88% of the sampling days had air quality which could be classified as good, 32.55% as moderate, 6.98% as unhealthy, 6.98% as unhealthy for sensitive group and 4.61 % as hazardous.

Source: UCC
Ameliorating Compaction in a Ghanaian Coastal Savanna Acrisol with Compost

Soil compaction has deletenous effects on crop production by preventing soil to realize its full productive potentials even if crop residue is applied. The study sought to evaluate the efficiency of using compost to ameliorate soil compaction. A research was carried out during the major and minor season of 2019 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the School of Agriculture University of Cape Coast, in the Central Region of Ghana. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete Block design (RCBD) with four replications. The four different levels of compaction that were imposed were NTP, 3 mild, moderate and high they were used to assess the effect of compaction on the growth of plant. The different types of compost used were maize compost (MC), cassava compost (CC) and pineapple compost (PC). The composts treatments were the sub-plots whilst the main plots were the various forms of soil compaction imposed. Composts were replicated 4 times in each block. In total, there were 48 sub-plots (4 main blocks 3 plots 4 replications). The physical (porosity, bulk density, HC and moisture content) and chemical (pH, CEC, OC, Tot.N and Avai.P) properties of the soil were measured and data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using GenStat Statistical package (12th Edition). Data gathered from the various blocks indicate that regardless of the level of soil compaction, maize compost alleviated soil compaction compared to other composts. In addition, maize compost resulted in the highest grain yield.

Source: UCC
Ameliorative Effect of Vernonia amygdalina Plant Extract on Heavy Metal-Induced Liver and Kidney Dysfunction in Rats

Heavy metal toxicity contributes to liver and kidney dysfunction and damage through oxidative stress mechanisms; however, from previous studies, extracts from the Vernonia amygdalina plant have shown to possess potent antioxidant properties. *is study was aimed at uncovering the potential ameliorative effects of ethanolic extract from Vernonia amygdalina plant in heavy metal toxicityinduced liver and kidney dysfunction. For this study, 44 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups.*econtrol group received a basal diet and water only while the treatment groups received varied dosages of the heavy metals.*ecopper (Cu) and lead (Pb) groups had five subgroups. *e Cu only and Cu recovery subgroups were administered with 16 mg/kg Cu intraperitoneally daily for 14 days, whereas the Pb only and Pb recovery subgroups were administered with 13 mg/kg Pb intraperitoneally daily for 14 days. Subsequently, the Pb only and Cu only subgroups were sacrificed. *e three Pb and Cu treatment subgroups received oral graded doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of the extract for 21 days. *e Cu recovery and Pb recovery subgroups were left to recover for 21 days. After histological examinations, the Pb and Cu pretreatment groups showed evidence of focal necrosis accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltrations. *e serum levels of liver biomarkers AST, ALT, and GGT, as well as urea and creatinine, were significantly elevated (P � 0.01) following copper and lead exposure. Upon posttreatment of the rats with the extract, the physiological levels of the biomarkers were restored and tissue architecture of the organs improved. *us, the ethanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina is capable of ameliorating the effects of heavy metal toxicity through potent antioxidative mechanisms.

Source: UCC
Ameliorative Effect of Vernonia amygdalina Plant Extract on Heavy Metal-Induced Liver and Kidney Dysfunction in Rats

Heavy metal toxicity contributes to liver and kidney dysfunction and damage through oxidative stress mechanisms; however, from previous studies, extracts from the Vernonia amygdalina plant have shown to possess potent antioxidant properties. This study was aimed at uncovering the potential ameliorative eﬀects of ethanolic extract from Vernonia amygdalina plant in heavy metal toxicity- induced liver and kidney dysfunction. For this study, 44 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups. The control group received a basal diet and water only while the treatment groups received varied dosages of the heavy metals. The copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) groups had ﬁve subgroups. The Cu only and Cu recovery subgroups were administered with 16 mg/kg Cu intraperitoneally daily for 14 days, whereas the Pb only and Pb recovery subgroups were administered with 13 mg/kg Pb intraperitoneally daily for 14 days. Subsequently, the Pb only and Cu only subgroups were sacriﬁced. The three Pb and Cu treatment subgroups received oral graded doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of the extract for 21 days. The Cu recovery and Pb recovery subgroups were left to recover for 21 days. After histological examinations, the Pb and Cu pretreatment groups showed evidence of focal necrosis accompanied by inﬂammatory cell inﬁltrations. The serum levels of liver biomarkers AST, ALT, and GGT, as well as urea and creatinine, were signiﬁcantly elevated (P � 0.01) following copper and lead exposure. Upon posttreatment of the rats with the extract, the physiological levels of the biomarkers were restored and tissue architecture of the organs improved. Thus, the ethanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina is capable of ameliorating the eﬀects of heavy metal toxicity through potent antioxidative mechanisms.

Source: UCC
Ameliorative Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Palisota hirsuta K. Schum (Commelinaceae) on Vincristine-Induced Neuropathic Pain in

Vincristine-induced neuropathy is a major dose-limiting side effect of cancer chemotherapy and thus effective therapeutic strategy is required. The present study utilized a rodent model of neuropathy to determine whether an ethanolic leaf extract of Palisota hirsuta (PHE), a plant widely used in West African traditional medicine for pain management and CNS disorders, could attenuate vincristine-induced neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by injecting rats intraperitoneally with vincristine (0.1 mg kg-1 day-1 in two 5-day cycles with a two-day break). Randall-Selitto Paw Pressure, Hargreaves, cold water (4-5˚C) and Von Frey Filaments tests were performed. These tests were used to assess the degree of mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia and cold and tactile allodynia respectively as an index of peripheral and central pain sensation Oral administrations of PHE (30-300 mg kg-1) significantly and dose-dependently ameliorated vincristine-induced pain-related behaviors. It significantly reduced both mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and completely reversed vincristine-induced tactile allodynia at 100 and 300 mg kg-1 after 24 h. It however showed little effect on cold allodynia. These effects were similar to that of the gabapentin-treated group. In conclusion, oral administration of an ethanolic leaf extract of Palisota hirsuta attenuates pain-related behavior in vincristine-induced neuropathic pain model.

Source: UCC
Ameliorative Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Palisota hirsuta K. Schum (Commelinaceae) on Vincristine-Induced Neuropathic Pain in rats

Vincristine-induced neuropathy is a major dose-limiting side effect of cancer chemotherapy and thus effective therapeutic strategy is required. The present study utilized a rodent model of neuropathy to determine whether an ethanolic leaf extract of Palisota hirsuta (PHE), a plant widely used in West African traditional medicine for pain management and CNS disorders, could attenuate vincristine-induced neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by injecting rats intraperitoneallywith vincristine (0.1 mg kg-1 day-1 in two 5-day cycles with a two-day break). Randall-Selitto Paw Pressure, Hargreaves, cold water (4-5˚C) and Von Frey Filaments tests were performed. These tests were used to assess the degree of mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia and cold and tactile allodynia respectively as an index of peripheral and central pain sensation.Oral administrations of PHE (30-300 mg kg-1) significantly and dose-dependently ameliorated vincristine-induced pain-related behaviors. It significantly reduced both mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and completely reversed vincristine-induced tactile allodynia at 100 and 300 mg kg-1 after 24 h. It however showed little effect on cold allodynia. These effects were similar to that of the gabapentin-treated group. In conclusion, oral administration of an ethanolic

Source: UCC