ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Electricity generation and economic growth in Ghana

The sectorial relevance and direction of energy policy in the Ghanaian economy as energy demand continue to rise with constant growth in services and a steady decrease in manufacturing growth, requires empirical analysis of the relationship between electricity generation and economic growth. This study analyses time series data from 1983 to 2015 to examine long run cointegration between electricity generation and economic growth using Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) bounds testing of cointegration and Granger causality. We find that in the long run electricity generation affects economic growth. We establish a feedback effect between electricity generations to economic growth. The policy implication is that as more investments are made in the electricity sector, it will boost economic growth which will lead to more investments in the energy sector for further growth.

Source: UCC
Electricity generation using a hybridized zeolite adsorption heat pump and heat engine

The use of adsorption in Thermal Energy Storage has gained considerable research interest of late. Some applications have focused on the use of TES for transformation of low temperature heat in applications such as cooling and heating. Zeolite and water have been studied as suitable materials. Their characteristics as environmentally friendly materials and high affinity makes them conspicuous. The unique properties of zeolites to hold adsorbed water/heat with very minimal loss is also significant. With the aid of a dynamo, a Stirling engine as heat engine and the adsorption energy storage system serving as heat pump was used to generate electricity. The relationship between electricity generation and temperature was investigated. The obtained average temperature and pressure of the zeolite - water adsorption heat pump was also compared with the basic adsorption cycle

Source: UCC
Electrochemical evaluation of ion substituted- hydroxyapatite on HeLa cells plasma membrane potential

This study reports the electrochemical activities of a novel ion substi- tuted-Hydroxyapatite (HAp) material in contact with HeLa cells. The work was performed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of various concentrations of HAp on ion transfer mechanisms in HeLa cells. The materials (n = 2: HAp1 and HAp3) were prepared at different stirring times from Achatina achatina snail shells and phos- phate-containing solution. The structure of the materials and the trace elements concentration were evaluated using x-ray diffractometry and infrared spectrometry as well as atomic absorption spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies conducted on the cells after 30 min of exposure to the materials demonstrated different responses as elucidated by cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms revealed HAp1 to be non-redox whereas HAp3 was redox active. Minimal concentrations of HAp1 showed high anodic peak current when compared to the HeLa cells alone, indicating a hyperpolarization of the cells. The peak current gradually reduced as the con- centration of HAp1 was increased, and then followed by a sudden rise suggesting inhibition of the cell action potential. HAp3 showed a wavy pattern of the anodic peak current when the material concentration was varied. Peak currents of 0:92 0:03 nA and 0:57 0:01 nA were recorded for HAp1 and HAp3, respectively at the highest concentration of 5 µL. The results suggest that different inhibitory mechanisms are at play on the voltage-gated ion channels of the cells, indicating the possibility of using the materials to achieve different cancer proliferation inhibition.

Source: UCC
Electrochemically roughened nanoporous platinum electrodes for non-enzymatic glucose sensors

A sensitive and reliable non-enzymatic electrochemical blood-glucose sensor has been fabricated using a nanoporous platinum sensing interface prepared by successive electrochemical formation and reduction of thick hydrous platinum oxide layers. The fabricated nanoporous platinum electrode exhibits sensitive amperometric responses to glucose in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as well as ascorbic acid and uric acid. At an applied electrode potential of + 0.4 V (vs Ag|AgCl|satd. KCl) the oxidation current is non linear with glucose concentration following a Langmuir-like relation, with r2 = 0.994. The sensitivity over a linear range of 1 – 10 mM is (5.67 ± 0.18) µA cm-2 mM-1 with a detection limit of 0.8 mM. The lower limit of quantitation, at which the relative standard uncertainty is 10 %, is 2.3 mM. The sensor measured glucose concentration in human blood samples, showing good agreement with a commercial sensor. The results obtained make the proposed sensor a promising device for practical glucose monitoring in human blood

Source: UCC
Electronic Banking Adoption Among Smes Banking With Gcb Bank Limited: Evidence From Accra Metropolis

ABSTRACT Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Ghana are adopting e-banking due to its ability to significantly reduce information search and transaction expenses, making business operations more efficient with payment, credit processing, and other tasks taking less time. Dwelling on the technology acceptance model, and the institutional theory, this study adopted the quantitative research approach and the explanatory research design to assess the adoption of electronic banking and its effects among small and medium-sized enterprises within the Accra Metropolis that transact banking businesses with GCB Bank limited. The study sought to examine the adoption of e-banking among SMEs concerning the awareness level of SMEs on e-banking, SMEs' level of knowledge and usage of e-banking, benefits derived from e-banking adoption, and the challenges firms encounter when adopting e banking. The study used a quantitative method and questionnaires as a means of data collection. The result of the study indicated that SMEs of the selected branches of GCB are generally aware of the various e-banking platforms available at their respective branches. The study revealed that an average of 65.9% of SMEs stated that difficulty in assessing e-banking services informs their decision to use e banking products in their businesses. Finally, ignorance of SMEs regarding the security of e-banking services was identified as one of the main challenges affecting the smooth adoption of e-banking services among SMEs. The study recommended that SMEs should consider their weakness before adopting e-banking

Source: UCC
Electronic banking and their implications for human resource management: A case of Agricultural Development Bank

The study was guided by four broad objectives; to explore the perception of employees and customers about the introduction electronic banking services,examine staff and customers perceptions of these innovations, assess the effects of these innovations on staff training and management and ascertain how staff are coping with the innovations. In all, 82 ADB staff including junior, middle and management and 120 customers responded to the questionnaire. The researcher conveniently selected 6 staff each from 13 of the branches in Accra and an additional 4 from the Head office. The researcher ensured that the various sub groups were adequately represented. They included 3 junior, 2 middle and 1 managerial staff. This procedure was repeated at all the 13 branches. The remaining 4 were purposively selected from the Head office and are, Head of IT, Head of data Centre, Head of HRD and Head of research. Also using the accidental sampling method, which is a non-probability sampling technique, 120 out of a total population of 180,000 representing 0.06% customers of the bank who were available at any point in time were also selected for the study. The study clearly established the fact that indeed ADB had introduced some innovative ideas into their banking system particularly the ATM and the concept of networking. The result also indicated customers were very positive about the use of innovative ideas at the bank. It was also found out that less staff were trained and some of them also feel threatened. Nevertheless, majority of staff were competent in using the innovations at the bank. Besides, it was also revealed that the human resource function is becoming more strategically involved with the business, evolving from a purely personnel or administrative role since the head of HR is a member of the management.The introduction of modern trends in banking has indeed brought improvement in banker customer relationships greater relationship between managers and employees. It was therefore recommended that: management must share their visions, missions and objectives for innovation with their subordinates and make them an integral part of the same; Organization must provide employees the rational for change; Organization need to develop their Human Resource proactively to achieve competitive advantage; Banks must necessarily and continuously review their innovative strategies in order to remain in business.

Source: UCC
Electronic Commerce Adoption and Performance of Small Fashion Design Enterprises in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

According to research, the small enterprise sector is characterised by the slow adoption of e-commerce, which impedes business operations, development, and efficiency. Small enterprises make up the majority of Ghana's fashion industry, which should ideally be driven by e-commerce. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of studies on the industry's acceptance and use of e-commerce. The study looked at the adoption and influence of e-commerce on the performance of Small fashion design enterprises in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. A structured questionnaire was utilised to collect data from a convenience sample of 264 respondents, based on the post-positivist research paradigm. Descriptive analysis and partial least squares structural equation modelling revealed that the Small fashion design enterprisesto some extent use electronic commerce in their operations. The findings also revealed that performance expectancy, efforts expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions are determinants of electronic commerce adoption among small enterprises. Again, electronic commerce adoption has a significant positive influence on firm performance while firm size moderates the electronic commerce adoption and firm performance nexus. It is recommended that owners and managers of fashion small enterprises increase the adoption of e-commerce in their business operations and enact policies that will enhance the influence of the aforementioned e-commerce determinants on firm performance.

Source: UCC
Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Cloud Security: The Current Issues

With the advent of the cloud computing and its associated challenges, building a secured electronic health record (EHR) in a cloud computing environment has attracted a lot of attention in both healthcare industry and academic community. Cloud computing concept is becoming a popular information technology (IT) infrastructure for facilitating EHR sharing and integration. In this study we discuss security concepts related to EHR sharing and integration in healthcare clouds and analyse the arising security and privacy issues in access and management of EHRs. This paper focus on the current challenges that comes with the use of the cloud computing for EHR purposes.

Source: UCC
Electronic Health Record System for Health Service Delivery in Central Region, Ghana

This study assesses the Lightwave Hospital Information Management System for health service delivery in the Central Region of Ghana. The Theory of Planned Behaviour, Technology Acceptance Model, and the ISO Usability Framework underpinned the study. The study design adopted was cross-sectional and phenomenology. The survey recruited 1126 health professionals and 30 Unit Heads for the qualitative interviews from 10 healthcare facilities that utilised the LHIMS. Data was analysed using SPSS v26, and Amos v26. Weighted Averages (3.44 – 3.88) indicated that respondents found the LHIMS effective, efficient, and satisfied using the LHIMS for service delivery. Health professionals' satisfaction with the use of the LHIMS was significantly influenced by variables such as work experience (OR=0.563, 95% CI=0.415-0.763), status of training (OR=0.652, 95% CI=0.454-0.937), training duration (OR=0.606, 95% CI=0.416-0.883), and computer proficiency (OR=0.767, 95% CI=0.588-1.00). Structural Equation Modelling showed a significant positive association between satisfaction and efficiency (b=0.120, s.e. =0.030, p=0.000), effectiveness and satisfaction (b=0.254, s.e.=0.031, p=0.000), and effectiveness and efficiency (b=0.118, s.e.=0.034, p=0.001). Also, results from the qualitative revealed technology, technical, and human-related challenges associated with using the LHIMS. Despite these bottlenecks, the study concludes that LHIMS has positively enhanced healthcare delivery in Ghana, particularly improving service efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction which significantly contributes to progress towards attaining Goal 3 of the SDGs and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Source: UCC
Electronic Health Record System: A Survey in Ghanaian Hospitals

Developing countries are slow adopters of new technologies, particularly with regards to the health services of these countries. This study explores the data collection and management challenges in four Ghanaian hospitals using a survey study approach and proposes implementing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system as a solution to these challenges. Some challenges that would impede the implementation of EHR in a Ghanaian hospital are the initial huge start up costs, poor computer skills of healthcare professionals, poor maintenance culture, and lack of policy to spearhead the implementation of the system. The weak state of information infrastructure at the hospitals is another challenge in an EHR implementation. EHR could potentially reduce waiting times for patients, reduce the cost of the hospital‘s operations, improve interdepartmental communication and collaboration, provide opportunity for sharing best practices among physicians within Ghanaian hospitals, and enhance better resource allocation. The data an EHR could primarily capture would be patients‘demographics, care plans, laboratory results, billing and NHIS claims information.

Source: UCC
Electronic Health Record System: A Survey in Ghanaian Hospitals

Developing countries are slow adopters of new technologies, particularly with regards to the health services of these countries. This study explores the data collection and management challenges in four Ghanaian hospitals using a survey study approach and proposes implementing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system as a solution to these challenges. Some challenges that would impede the implementation of EHR in a Ghanaian hospital are the initial huge start up costs, poor computer skills of healthcare professionals, poor maintenance culture, and lack of policy to spearhead the implementation of the system. The weak state of information infrastructure at the hospitals is another challenge in an EHR implementation. EHR could potentially reduce waiting times for patients, reduce the cost of the hospital‘s operations, improve interdepartmental communication and collaboration, provide opportunity for sharing best practices among physicians within Ghanaian hospitals, and enhance better resource allocation. The data an EHR could primarily capture would be patients‘ demographics, care plans, laboratory results, billing and NHIS claims information.

Source: UCC
Electronic Health Records System and Quality Healthcare of Accra Medical Centre, Goldfields Ghana Limited

The study focused on assessing the effect of electronic health records system and quality healthcare: the case of the Accra Medical Centre at the Tarkwa mines (Goldfields Ghana limited). The qualitative approach as well as descriptive research design was used for the research. The study also examined the impact of the EHR to healthcare delivery by identifying the benefits and challenges of the implemented system. With a quantitative approach, data was gathered from the users of the system and the system administrators using in- structured questionnaires. Results indicated sufficient preparations made by the hospital prior to the systems introduction through thorough understudying of other implemented systems in other hospitals, the establishment of an Information Technology (IT) department, provision of infrastructure and network connections, and the training of staff. Simple random sampling as well as the purposive sampling under non-probability technique was the sampling method used. Descriptive statistical tools were employed to analysis the demographic characteristics of the respondents. Whereas regression analysis was used to assess the influence electronic health records system and quality healthcare: the case of Accra Medical Centre in the Tarkwa mines (Goldfields Ghana Limited). The research therefore concludes that the hospital should support and sustain the HER scheme and that concrete measures should be taken to curb evolving difficulties faced by the use of the EHR scheme. Implement a change management strategy to address resistance to new technologies.

Source: UCC
Electronic payment systems; user accessibility and challenges: a case study OF Nzema East Municipality

Electronic commerce is now thought to hold the promise of a new commercial revolution by offering an inexpensive and direct way to exchange information and sell or buy products or services. The purpose of this study was to access electronic payment systems; user accessibility and problems using Nzema East Municipality as a case study. A sample size of 380 respondents was selected from individuals and business owners in the municipality. Convenience sampling technique was adopted by the study to ensure ease in questionnaire distribution and completion. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that mobile money is the most popular and most patronised electronic payment system in Nzema East municipality. Again, the study concludes that electronic payment systems in the Nzema East Municipality are not user friendly. It also concludes that availability of payment systems and convenience are the most influential factors that determine people’s accessibility of EPS in the municipality. Also, it can be concluded from the study that lack of knowledge and skills in basic computing and inadequate point of sale terminals are the biggest challenges that affect user accessibility of electronic payment in the municipality. Moreover, provision of point of sale devices, simplification of electronic payment process, improving security and reduction of cost on transactions can improve user accessibility of electronic payment systems. Finally, the study recommends that mobile money should lead the revolutionalisation of electronic payment systems amidst enforcement of regulations by regulatory bodies to ensure maximum accessibility and patronage and the introduction of Interactive Voice Recognition Technology.

Source: UCC
Electronic properties of single-walled chiral carbon nanotube electronic properties of single-walled chiral carbon nanotube

The electronic properties of single-walled chiral carbon nanotube has been studied using the model based on infinitely long carbon atoms wrapped along a base helix of single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWNTs). The problem is solved semiclassically, and current density j , resistivity p, thermopower az and electrical power factor P calculated. It is noted that the current density j displays negative differential conductivity, whiles the resistivity p increases with increasing electrical field, p also slowly increases at low temperatures and then gradually increases with increasing temperature. The thermopower az shows interesting behavior. Very intriguing is the electrical power factor which shows relatively large values

Source: UCC
Electronic Salary Payment Voucher System and the Prevention of Payroll Fraud in Ghana: a Study of the Controller and Accountant General Department

A plethora of payroll fraud activities have bedeviled Ghana’s public sector over the years. This led to the introduction of innovative and technology driven mechanisms to curb the incidence of payroll fraud in the public sector by the Controller and Accountant General Department (CAGD). This study thus examined the effect of electronic salary payment voucher system on the prevention of payroll fraud in the Ghanaian public sector. The study specifically sought to evaluate the effect of biometric identification number, bank verification number and electronic transfer system on the prevention of payroll fraud. The study adopted a quantitative method and a survey design to carry out the study. A sample of two hundred and seventy (270) respondents using a quota sampling technique were used in the study by administering questionnaires. The study found that electronic systems of payment – biometric identification and bank verification numbers and electronic transfer system – are not statistically significant to the prevention of payroll fraud in Ghana. The study recommends that government agencies and bodies expedite action on the adoption of electronic payment voucher systems in the remuneration of workforce.

Source: UCC
Electronic Spectra of ortho-Substituted Phenols: n Experimental and DFT Study

The electronic spectra of phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2-aminophenol, and 2-nitrophenol have been studied both experimentally and computationally. The effect of the substituents on the solvatochromic behavior of the phenols were investigated in polar protic (methanol) and aprotic (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) solvents. The spectra of 2-nitrophenol recorded the highest red shift in methanol. The observed spectral changes were investigated computationally by means of density functional theory (DFT) methods. )e gas phase compounds were fully optimized using B3LYP functionals with 6-31++G(d,p) bases set. The effects of the substituents on the electron distribution in the σ-bonds as well as the natural charge on the constituent atoms were analyzed by natural bond orbital (NBO) and natural population analysis (NPA). Second-order perturbation analyses also revealed substantial delocalization of nonbonding electrons on the substituents onto the phenyl ring, thereby increasing its electron density. Full interaction map (FIM) also showed regions of varying propensities for hydrogen and halogen bonding interactions on the phenols

Source: UCC