ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
FROM RURAL BANKS TO URBAN BANKS: WHY DO RURAL BANKS MOVE TO URBAN AREAS IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

Rural banks in Ghana were originally establish to bring banking services to the door step of the rural communities and also provide financing support to rural industries. However most appear to have relocated to the urban areas and thus defeating their original mandate. This paper was set out to ascertain the reason for this apparent development in the banking sector of Ghana. We employed varied methods of data collection to concretely bring out the fact from all stakeholders. The responses from about 130 stakeholders showed that rural banks in Ghana are drifting to the urban agencies to mobilize funds to increase their capital base; to provide credit to the urban poor and also to mobilize enough profit to support their activities (social responsibility projects) in their rural catchment. Undoubtedly, the rural banks are trying to be innovative but, their inability to compete favourably with the universal banks in the urban areas can destabilize them.

Source: UCC
From text to performance: The costumier versus other personnel in the theatre

The basis of this paper lies in the seeming misconception that clothing the actor is the sole responsibility of the costume designer. There are two components associated in the performing arts especially in the theatrical circle; the text and performance. In the text, the playwright puts his ideas together in the literal form and combines, among other things, dramatic elements and spectacle, logically applied to provide a more analytical coordination and also enable the text become intellectually appealing. Though, the onus of interpreting the text to create a character in a performance rests with the director, actor/performer, and designers (costume, make-up, set and light) it is envisaged to be the exclusive duty of the costumier. Using some theories, analysis and interpretation this paper shows how the costumier who, though directly associated with the clothes of performers, achieves this in conjunction with other personnel, especially the light and set designer. Ultimately the study contributes to our understanding of the critical examination for the aesthetic and intellectual intent of a text and the needed collaboration of theatre personnel in creating a believable character. It also makes a contribution to the on-going debates on why some characters are often (mis)represented in some stage/video/film productions

Source: UCC
Frontocutaneous Fistula Secondary to Frontal Sinusitis

Frontocutaneous fistula is a rare complication of frontal sinusitis. This mostly occurs as a result of osteomyelitis of the frontal bone on account of sinusitis. These are managed by endoscopic closure or by external approach depending on the cause and extent of sinusitis. We report on the case of a 57year old man who presented to our ENT Unit with a defect on the face medial to the right eye.

Source: UCC
Fruit eating knowledge and practices of student-teachers of Foso College of education in the Central region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate various reasons why student-teachers eat fruit. The study sought to find out whether student-teachers eat fruits for its medical purpose, nutritional value or any other reason other than these, and to find out student-teachers’ fruits eating pattern and mode. The study centred on teacher trainees of Assin Foso College of Education. Out of 945 trainees, 150 were used for the study 75 males and 75 females. The selection of respondents was randomly done by lot. In each class, 10 trainees were selected five men and five women from all the fifteen classes. Closed-ended form of validated questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The questionnaire comprised both blank-mode and a checklist mode. Data was presented using percentages. It was noted that, a greater number of respondents eat fruit for health reasons. About the type and nature of fruit, people eat most, it was realised that, raw fruits and oranges are mostly eaten. The number of those who eat fruit daily was largest. Health factor determines the choice of most fruit. About the quantity of fruits eaten by student-teachers, those who said they eat two mangoes were more than all, those who said they eat four bananas also had the largest number, about guava, those who selected two were more than all. About pawpaw, watermelon, pineapple, student-teachers who selected medium size were the largest. Orange/tangerine, had those who selected two being more than the rest and lime and lemon had those who selected less than 1 having the greatest number. The conclusion drawn was that, even though most respondents eat fruit for health and nutritional reasons, the difference between the number of these and those who eat fruit for other reasons were not large. So the researcher suggested that much education must be done to improve upon the eating habit of fruit by student-teachers.

Source: UCC
The Fruits of Apatampa

In trying to expand the modern post-tonal music practices and techniques, using traditional idioms, this work is focused on Apatampa dance music (a recreational dance of the Fante people in the Central Region of Ghana) in an original composition named ‘The Fruits of Apatampa.’ The study seeks to explore the rhythmic resources of Apatampa dance music in a contemporary art composition. It blends new trends in contemporary art compositions with traditional drum idioms found in Apatampa dance music to generate a post-tonal music. Considering the nature of the study, participant observation, interviews, video recording, modern musical composition techniques and documentary search are included in the data collection.

Source: UCC
Fuelwood harvesting practices and human reliance in Navrongo Forest District

Global interest in fuelwood as a renewable biomass energy resource has soared in recent times because it can be developed and used sustainably. Ghana's forest resources are subject to many pressures, and therefore there is a need to consider sustainable long-term resource management options. Fuelwood remains the primary source of energy in both urban and rural areas within the study area. The current research aimed at gaining insights into the fuelwood harvesting activities in some selected rural communities in the Navrongo Forest District. Using a structured interview questionnaire comprising closed-ended questions, 246 actors from 20 local communities were interviewed across four political districts. Overall, 32 tree species belonging to 20 families were listed as tree-species commonly harvested and preferred as fuelwood. The study revealed that the most preferred tree-species for fuelwood were mainly indigenous trees, which were generally low in distribution in the area. The famous “Rosewood” (Pterocarpus erinaceus) currently listed by the IUCN as an endangered tree-species was found to be locally valued for its quality flaming and charcoal producing characteristics. Furthermore, there were more male actors (53.3%) in fuelwood harvesting activities than females (46.7%). Majority (52%) of the actors were least educated and in their late 40years. Knowledge of environmental conservation among the actors was high, and fuelwood harvesting constituted a significant part of their livelihood. Based on this study, less economic indigenous tree-species such as Anogeisus leiocarpus possess superior fuelwood characteristics, and they may be considered for inclusion in future energy plantation programs in the study area.

Source: UCC
Functional and pasting properties of cassava and sweet potato starch mixtures

Starch is an important carbohydrate contained in staple foods such as potato, wheat, maize, rice, and cassava. Native starches, irrespective of their source, are undesirable for industrial applications because of their inability to withstand processing conditions such as extreme temperature, diverse pH and freeze-thaw variation. In order to improve on the desirable functional properties, native starches are often modified. The functional and pasting properties of cassava starch and sweet potato starch mixtures at different ratios were investigated. Starches from four different cassava genotypes (‘Adehye’, AFS048, ‘Bankye Botan’ and OFF146) and one local sweet potato were used for the study. The swelling volume and swelling power of ‘Adehye’ and AFS048 starches decreased as the proportion of added sweet potato starch increased. The pasting and peak temperatures of cassava-sweet potato starch mixtures increased with higher proportions of sweet potato starch. However, peak viscosity and paste stabilities did not show any clear pattern. Ease of cooking of the starch was prolonged up to a ratio of 50:50 cassava-sweet potato starch mixture. The set back viscosity was improved for all the cassava varieties at a ratio of 20 per cent cassava starch to 80 per cent sweet potato starch. Overall results indicated that cassava and sweet potato starch mixtures could be employed industrially, where high pasting temperatures and low setback viscosity are required

Source: UCC
Functional models for longitudinal data with covariate dependent smoothness

This paper considers functional models for longitudinal data with subject and group specifc trends modelled using Gaussian processes. Fitting Gaussian process regression models is a computationally challenging task, and various sparse approximations to Gaussian processes have been considered in the literature to ease the computational burden. This manuscript builds on a fast non-standard variational approximation which uses a sparse spectral representation and is able to treat uncertainty in the covariance function hyperparameters. This allows fast variational computational methods to be extended to models where there are many functions to be estimated and where there is a hierarchical model involving the covariance function parameters. The main goal of this paper is to implement this idea in the context of functional models for longitudinal data by allowing individual specific smoothness related to covariates for different subjects. Understanding the relationship of smoothness to individual specific covariates is of great interest in some applications. The methods are illustrated with simulated data and a dataset of streamflow curves generated by a rainfall runof model, and compared with MCMC. It is also shown how these methods can be used to obtain good proposal distributions for MCMC analyses

Source: UCC
Functional paradox of leptin and adiponectin in diabetes patients and controls in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

Aim: To investigate the concept of obesity paradox in diabetes patients and nondiabetic control in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Materials and Methods: Levels of leptin, adiponectin, total antioxidant power (TAP), lipid peroxides, and C‑reactive protein (CRP) were assessed in 115 diabetics and an equal number of control respondents. Furthermore, various anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured using standard methods. Levels of biomarkers were compared between groups based on body mass index or blood pressure classifications. Results: Control respondents exhibited higher (P < 0.05) levels of leptin, adiponectin, and TAP but lower levels of CRP and peroxides than diabetes patients. In each study group, overweight/obese respondents exhibited higher (P < 0.05) leptin level but comparable (P > 0.05) mean levels of the various biomarkers, except TAP level which was higher (P < 0.05) in the overweight/obese diabetic respondents only. Mean level of adiponectin was lower (P < 0.05) only in systolic diabetic hypertensives with comparable (P > 0.05) levels of the other biomarkers between diabetes patients and their control counterpart. Irrespective of diabetes, obesity, or hypertensive status, leptin associated positively with various measures of adiposity. Adiponectin correlated positively with leptin (R > 0.38; P < 0.05) only in the control respondents, suggesting a possible functional paradox of the adipocytokines in this group of respondents. Conclusion: Overweight/obese respondents appear metabolically healthier than their normal‑weight counterparts. However, further studies are needed for proper understanding of this concept in the Ghanaian context.

Source: UCC
Functions and practices of curriculum supervision in senior high schools in the Assin North municipality of Ghana

This study examined the functions and practices of curriculum supervision among curriculum leaders and teachers in Senior High Schools in the Assin North Municipality of Ghana. Quantitatively, descriptive survey was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling procedure was employed to select 44 curriculum leaders and convenient sampling procedure was employed to select 120 teachers for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data from both curriculum leaders and teachers. Data were analyzed into frequencies and percentages. It was realized that there is a strong consensus among curriculum leaders and teachers on the premise that the major purposes of curriculum supervision include monitoring performance, sharing information and solving problems. It was recommended that the procedure to be used by the supervisors should be discussed with, and agreed upon by the supervisees.

Source: UCC
Fund Allocation, Fund Utilization And Financial Sustainability Of Non-Governmental Organisations In The Central Region, Ghana: A Case Of Red Cross Society

The concept of NGO financing based on donor support comes with its own challenges in terms of fund allocation, utilization and transparency. The purpose of this study was to examine whether how NGOs’ allocate and utilize funds is the key factor responsible for reduction in donor fund support which affect the financial sustainability of NGOs in Ghana. The study used primary data obtained from questionnaires that sought the opinions of staff who work with the various branch offices of the Red Cross Society in the Central Region of Ghana. In effect, Krejcie and Morgan’s Table of sample size determination was used and 150 questionnaires were administered to staff. However, 128 questionnaires were returned which was used as a unit of analysis. The findings revealed that NGOs in Ghana allocate funds based on their own developmental agenda, and the respondents agreed that this negatively affect their financial sustainability. It also emerged from the findings that fund allocation and utilization based on donors’ prescription influences the financial sustainability of NGOs in Ghana positively. In addition, the findings suggested that transparency in financial allocation and utilization among NGOs increases the donor confidence and illicit more support. This study finally concluded that fund allocation and utilization based on donors’ prescription have strong positive correlation with financial sustainability whiles a strong negative correlation exist between fund allocation and utilization based on NGOs’ own developmental agenda. The study recommended that there should be the need for management of NGOs in Ghana to seek funding form sources where there will be flexibility with less conditions attached to it.

Source: UCC
Fund management practices of public second cycle educational insittutions in the Central region of Ghana

The main ambition of most organizations today is to present good financial results that may have the impetus of propelling the organization into the realization of its grand objectives. One important part of this is to ensure an effective way of managing liquid capital or in other words fund management. The thrust of this document is to help improve the public sector financial management practices, with a particular reference to the second cycle institutions of Ghana Education Service. This is basically in consideration of the chunk of the national resources usually directed into the operations of the sector. Three different sources were used to extract the data. These included the use of questionnaire, personal interviews and official documentations. Questionnaires were sent to thirty second cycle schools and colleges, specifically to the key spending officers (headmaster/headmistress and the bursar). To make it possible for the respondents to express their thoughts beyond the asked questions, semi structured interviews were used. In addition to the questionnaire and the interviews, accessible official documents were utilized. One major conclusion from the analysis is that, the service has a great potential with fund management when adequate value is added to its fund managers and relevant staff and appropriate organizational environment is created.

Source: UCC
Fund management practices of public second cycle educational institutions in the Central Region of Ghana

The main ambition of most organizations today is to present good financial results that may have the impetus of propelling the organization into the realization of its grand objectives. One important part of this is to ensure an effective way of managing liquid capital or in other words fund management. The thrust of this document is to help improve the public sector financial management practices, with a particular reference to the second cycle institutions of Ghana Education Service. This is basically in consideration of the chunk of the national resources usually directed into the operations of the sector. Three different sources were used to extract the data. These included the use of questionnaire, personal interviews and official documentations. Questionnaires were sent to thirty second cycle schools and colleges, specifically to the key spending officers (headmaster/headmistress and the bursar). To make it possible for the respondents to express their thoughts beyond the asked questions, semi structured interviews were used. In addition to the questionnaire and the interviews, accessible official documents were utilized. One major conclusion from the analysis is that, the service has a great potential with fund management when adequate value is added to its fund managers and relevant staff and appropriate organizational environment is created.

Source: UCC
Funding higher education at College of Agriculture Education in Mampong: the role of internally generated Fund

Over the years, attempts have been made by the public that universities should be funded fully by their Internally Generated Funds due to constrained on public funds and the huge financing of the universities. One of the major problems now facing the Ghanaian public universities is the problem of under-funding. Therefore it has recently become nationally referenced for building up public universities in Ghana. For these, an internally generated fund deserves the attention of policy- makers of the universities and scholars. This has led to several works being explored into such a proposal. This study aims to examine to what extent internally generated funds could be used to financed universities. The study offers a descriptive analysis of the components of internally generated funds. The study reveals that there are lots of resources, and when harnessed effectively would have enormous positive effect on the financial structure of the College. Therefore major funds generating problems that do not allow free flow and effective collection of funds should be eliminated.

Source: UCC
Funding of infrastructural facilities in public universities in Ghana

The study explored funding of infrastructural facilities in Ghanaian public universities along the lines of opportunities for funding, adequacy of funds, areas that institutions prioritise for funding and challenges associated with funding of infrastructural facilities. The study adopted the quantitative approach, descriptive research design and relied on descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages and pie charts) to address the research objectives set for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 275 respondents, consisting of academics in management positions and administrators in the three selected public universities (UG, KNUST, and UCC) in Ghana for data analysis. The data was processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics (version 26). The results showed that public universities mostly fund their infrastructural facilities through GETFund, grants from international donors, state-owned enterprises and corporations like GNPC, VRA and VALCO. Again, the study found that lecture rooms and residential halls are two most prioritised facilities that need funding. Also, funds from the Government, royalty income, state-owned corporations and GETFund were shown to be woefully inadequate. Finally, it was found that inadequate private investment frameworks and political interferences were major challenges to infrastructural facility funding. The study therefore concludes that universities place high premium on infrastructural facilities that seek to promote academic and research work. Again, private investment roles and nongovernmental interferences are vital to infrastructural facility funding in Ghanaian Public Universities. The study recommends that universities find other innovative means of funding their infrastructure needs aside the already existing mechanisms.

Source: UCC
Funds Generation from the Internal Activities of an Academic Library Based on the Resource Based View (RBV) Theory

Purpose- The purpose of the study is to explore the income generating activities performed by a Ghanaian academic library and new ways through which income can be generated to support the limited budget allocation. Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted within a pragmatism paradigm. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Purposive sampling was done: thus, the researchers interviewed the Deputy University Librarian, the heads of department, the accountant attached to the library, as well as the sectional and unit heads. In addition, ten senior staff with the rank of Chief and Principal Library Assistant were also selected purposively to respond to a questionnaire. This was supported by documentary checks to serve as evidence of obtaining valuable information from the staff. Findings: The study revealed that the major source of income of the library is the Academic Facility Users Fees (AFUF), funds (IGF) are also generated through technical support services, the University lack policy that will position the Library as an income generating department, the library also source for funds through proposal writing and the celebration of Library Week enabled the library acquire some funds. Limitations: The study is limited to the internal income generating activities of the Sam Jonah Library. Originality/value: The researchers adopted the Resource Based View (RBV) theory to indicate how the resources of Sam Jonah Library can be manipulated to create a competitive advantage. Practical implications. The inadequate funds provided for academic libraries call for such libraries to be proactive in creating funds internally.

Source: UCC
Fungus covered insulator materials studied with laser-induced fluorescence and principal component analysis

A method combining laser-induced fluorescence and principal component analysis to detect and discriminate between algal and fungal growth on insulator materials has been studied. Eight fungal cultures and four insulator materials have been analyzed. Multivariate classifications were utilized to characterize the insulator material, and fungal growth could readily be distinguished from a clean surface. The results of the principal component analyses make it possible to distinguish between algae infected, fungi infected, and clean silicone rubber materials. The experiments were performed in the laboratory using a fiber-optic fluorosensor that consisted of a nitrogen laser and an optical multi-channel analyzer system. Index Headings: Fluorescence; Polymeric insulators; Fungal growth; Lidar; Remote sensing

Source: UCC