ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Procurement Processes in the Ghana Armed Forces.

One of the key functions of government is Public procurement. An effective, efficient and honest evaluation of procurement processes are crucial to ensuring that scarce public funds are well spent and that important public projects are carried out. However, such processes are often best engulfed by waste, corruption and inefficiency within Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The Public Procurement Processes within the GAF are frequently in secrecy, compared with other sectors. Such phenomenon engenders failings at all stages of the procurement cycle: policy and planning, budgeting, decision-making processes, and monitoring and evaluation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the procurement process within Ghana Armed Forces: A study of Directorate of Engineering Services from which eighty, (80) questionnaires were purposively distributed and sixty, (60) were completed representing seventy five percent (75%) rate of response. The data was analyzed using one tailed test and frequency distribution tables as statistical tools for data presentation and interpretations. It was identified from the study that GAF procurement processes are often not evaluated for lessons learnt, the procurement process being too long and bureaucratic and that evaluating the procurement process exerts positive significance on Public Procurement Management as the evaluating process: ensures compliance with procurement rules and procedures, creates value for money and ensures transparency, encourages competition within the process and among prospective tenderers, prevents irregularities and upward adjustment of contract prices and leads to continuous process improvement in the procurement process. Recommendations were however made upon request for future procurement process improvement for Ghana Armed Forces.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the quality, microbial load and pesticide residue on some selected vegetables in three major markets in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana

The study was carried out to analyse the vitamin content, microbial load and pesticide residues on vegetables sold in three major markets in the Ho municipality. Twelve (12) samples made up of four (4) vegetable types were randomly sampled from three (3) local markets and were analysed for vitamin content, microbial loads and pesticide residues using appropriate technique, media and Gas chromatography method. (Vitamin A) was highest among (vitamins A, C and D) content in vegetables sampled from the three markets with vegetables from Shia market having the highest (Vitamin A) content of (78.40mg/g). Among the vegetables, cabbage recorded the highest (vitamin A) content of (91.97mg/g) with cabbage from Ho Dome market having the highest (Vitamin A) content. Tomatoes from the Ho central market however recorded the lowest (Vitamin A) content of (51.84mg/g). Lettuce from Ho Dome market had the highest (Vitamin C) content of (45.21mg/g). (Vitamin D) was lowest among the vitamins tested in vegetables selected from the three markets. Ho central market recorded the highest faecal enterococci load of (6.04 log cfu/g) on vegetables whiles Ho Dome market recorded the least. Cabbage from Ho central market recorded the highest faecal enterococci loads of (8.92 log cfu-1) with tomatoes from the Ho central market recording the lowest faecal enterococci load of (2.58 log cfu-1). In all faecal coliform were highest on vegetables from shia market meaning the dirties; with lettuce from shia market having the highest load of (6.95 log cfu-1) and the least load of (5.41 log cfu-1) on tomatoes from Ho dome market. Cabbage recorded the highest E.coli loads of (5.38 log cfu-1) with tomatoes having the lowest load of (4.35 log cfu -1). Lettuce from Ho central market had the highest E.coli loads of (5.55 log cfu-1). Lettuce from Ho Dome was found to be highest in total mould count. Lettuce was again highest in total viable count having a total viable count of (5.58 log cfu -1). All microbes detected on vegetable samples were above the recommended level of (1x103 100g-1) fresh weight. Pesticides like delta HCH, Heptachlor, Aldrin, p,p’-DDT and p,p’-DDE were also detected on all vegetable sampled; and all delta HCH, Aldrin, Heptachlor, p,p’-DDT, o,p-DDT, p,p-DDE pesticides detected on interaction effects of market and vegetable type were all above MRL recommended. The survey further revealed (80%) of farmers added fertilizer (organic and inorganic) to the soil; 28(93%) applied pesticides at preharvest level and 18(60%) re-used fertilizers containers as packaging material. The results also give an indication that vegetable growers in the study area use some of the restricted/banned pesticides to control pests on their vegetable farms. Education should be intensifying on safe and proper handling of food to ensure food safety. There should be tougher laws to regulate imports and use of pesticide in the country.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the role drawing plays in educating primary school children in the Kintampo District of Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana.

The study adopted the qualitative inquiry approach to investigate the role drawing plays in educating primary school children which requires the multi-method strategy including observation of real situations and in-depth interview of persons in order to solicit information to understand the issues involved. The population studied consists of 86 teachers and 190 children selected in 20 out of 119 primary schools in the Kintampo District of Brong Ahafo Region. The sampled studies are located in 11 different circuits. Information was solicited from all the circuits to have a true reflection of the real situation in the district as a whole. From the above it could be inferred that the supply of art materials to teachers as it used to be some years back is no more. The Ghana Education Service as the regulatory body for teaching and learning as well as schools management no longer supplies materials like coloured chalk, coloured pencils, sketch pads, cardboards and drawing papers for teachers to use when preparing their lessons and also for use in the classroom. Those teachers who are bent on using drawings have to use their own resources to acquire these materials. For some years now Visual Arts teachers are not seen to be up and doing. This stems from the fact that the Ghana Art Teachers Association (GATA) which used to be a very vibrant mouthpiece of Art teachers is no more and currently at the district and regional education offices nationwide, Art is placed in the hands of cultural coordinators. When this association is revived, it could go a long way to point out the wrongs of not having Art on the Primary school timetable and therefore advocate its return on the timetable. Drawing and Art works should be included on the Primary School Time Table.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the use of internally generated funds by metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies in community development: a case study of la nkwantanang madina municipal assembly (lanmma)

This study sought to explore the use of internally generated funds (IGF) in community programmes by the La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly (lanmma). In the pursuit of this the study identified and focused on four objectives. These objectives are: to examine the trend and extent of IGF contribution to development projects; to examine the extent of involvement of the local people in planning and decisions on community development; to ascertain the challenges confronting IGF mobilization; and to identify way to improve on IGF mobilization. The study employed the case study strategy based on the mixed-method research approach. Key respondents were selected from lanmma and the local community using the purposive or selective sampling method. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data was obtained via interviews with interview guide as the data collection instrument whilst the secondary data were obtained from annual reports and financial statement of the assembly. The secondary data were analyzed using trend analysis while the primary qualitative data were analyzed with using content analysis. It was found that IGF contribution to community development programmes remain woefully inadequate with the highest percentage of IGF contribution to community development over the five-year period from 2015-2019 being 10 percent. It was also found that the local people are involved in community development activities mostly through the opinion leaders in the community. The study again found major challenges to IGF mobilization to be weak enforcement of bye-laws and unwillingness to tap new revenue resources. The study recommends that management improve on the existing level of community involvement by getting closer to the masses. It is also recommended that enforcement of revenue mobilization bye-laws be improved to deter non-compliant individuals as well as taking steps to improve the current scope of IGF revenue sources by exploring new areas.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation and Selection of Eleven Lines of Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) at different spacing for seed yield and quality

An experiment to evaluate and select new lines of hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) for seed yield and quality was conducted at the Research fields of the Department of Horticulture, KNUST and the Crops Research Institute, Kwadaso, between May 2007 and November 2008. Eleven lines were multiplied and five best performed lines (ICPN16#3, ICPN16#4, ICPN16#6, ICPN16#7 and ICPN16#9) were selected and further evaluated, using spacing levels of 70cm x 30cm, 70cm x 40cm and 70cm x 50cm. The 5 x 3 factorial experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results showed that, line ICPN16#4 which was a tall variety, produced narrow canopy, more branches, higher fruit yield and was among the lines with high germination percentage and seed vigour. Line ICPN16#9 was a short variety, produced more branches with medium canopy spread and early maturing. The same line gave the highest seed yield but was among those with lower germination percentage and seed vigour. Line ICPN16#3 had the highest percentage plant survival in the field. The widest spacing 70cm x 50cm produced the highest number of branches, wider canopy spread and shorter plants. The medium spacing 70cm x 40cm produced heaviest fruits and 70cm x 30cm produced longest fruits. Fruit and seed yields were highest in 70cm x 30cm spacing followed by 70cm x 40cm and 70cm x 50cm respectively. The interaction of variety and spacing was significant for most of the parameters studied. Line ICPN16#9 planted at 70cm x 40cm spacing was the first to attain 50% flowering in 25 days after transplanting whilst Line ICPN16#9 planted at 70cm x 50cm spacing interaction took 30 days to reach 50% flowering. Percentage plant survival was highest in ICPN16#9 and ICPN16#3 combinations with 70cm x 50cm. Line ICPN16#7 at 70cm x 50cm and 70cm x 40cm spacing produced heaviest fruits but longest fruits were produced from ICPN16#7 at a spacing of 70cm x 30cm. The line ICPN16#7 at 70cm x 50cm spacing produced the highest number of seeds per fruit. While ICPN16#4 at 70cm x 30cm produced the highest fruit yield per hectare, line ICPN16#9 at 70cm x 30cm produced the highest seed yield per hectare. The highest germination percentage and seed vigour occurred when ICPN16#6 was planted at 70cm x 40cm. The results on seed health revealed the presence of fungal pathogens including Penicillium, Fusarium solani, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Collectotricum dematium, Rhizopus and Fusarium moniliforme on the seeds of all the lines regardless of the spacing used.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation and improvement of exist1ng packaging methods for wholesale marketing of tomato fruits in Ghana

Three experiments including a survey, laboratory analyses, designing and developing an improved packaging unit were conducted to evaluate and improve upon the existing packaging types and methods for marketing of tomato fruits in Ghana. The survey was carried out in four major tomato growing/marketing areas within Ashanti and Upper East Regions of Ghana. This was achieved through administering questionnaire to three sectors of the tomato industry, namely:- producers/farmers, distributors/wholesalers and retailers. Based on the survey results, two wooden crate sizes, small and big, found to be the most common packaging units for bulk distribution of fresh tomato fruits in Ghana were evaluated. Tomato fruits, transported in these two different crate sizes, from the four farm-gates (Tono, Vea, Akumadan and Agogo) to the Kumasi wholesale market, were sorted into fruits that were with slight damages, those not damaged at all, i.e., sound fruits and fruits that were completely squashed. The fruits were then analysed for ascorbic acid, pH, titratable acidity as percent citric acid, total soluble solids and reducing sugars according to crate size. In the small crates, the number of sound fruits was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in the big crates. Yet, they were not effective enough to be employed in an economic venture considering the percent damage (56%) it recorded. Besides, tomato fruit quality characteristics such as pH, percent titratable acidity, percent soluble solids, percent reducing sugars and ascorbic acid contents were not significantly affected by the crate sizes evaluated. Based on the results of the survey and laboratory analyses and literature available, an improved wooden crate designed, constructed and evaluated achieved a 91% of its total fruit content by weight as sound fruits.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of a neglected waste stabilization pond

A functional pond, among a series of three neglected ones was evaluated during a two month period for its operational efficiency by measuring the flow rates, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Solids, Bacteria and Coliform counts, Nitrat.es and Phosphorus levels of both the influent and effluent. The influent flow rates of 290 metre cube per day were higher than the design value of 270 metre cube per day. The effluent flow rate was 230 metre cube per day. The ponds detention period of 7.6 days was markedly different from the design value of 53.6 days. The influent and effluent BOD were 210 and 21.5 mg/l respectively indicating 90% efficiency with respect to BOD reduction. The calculated surface loading BOD of the pond was 256 kg/ha/d which was less than the maximum of 751 kg/ha/d obtained with the fomular of McGarry and Pescod) that the pond can handle without failing. Levels of nitrate, phosphorous, and total solids in the influent and effluent indicated a higher efficiency of their removal in the effluent. The MPN and the Ammonia Nitrogen showed a very low performance. This shows that there is the need to further treat the effluent before discharging into a nearby river or better still to increase the detention period by increasing the volume of the pond. The condition of other ponds in the country is also included.

Source: KNUST
An Evaluation of Access to Training and Development among Teachers in Selected Public Second Cycle Schools in Kumasi Metropolis

Education is recognized the world over as the single most important social institution that influences and is influenced by other social institutions. One may wonder whether the institutional, structures within which training and development programmes are organized efficient enough to facilitate effective teaching and learning. It was precisely this concern that matured this study. This work was designed to evaluate the Access to training and development and its influence on performance among teachers in selected public second cycle schools in the Kumasi Metropolis. A sample size of two hundred was selected using the simple random sampling methods. The sample included Headmasters, Assistant Headmasters and Teachers from selected second cycle schools in the Kumasi Metropolis. The instruments used for the study were questionnaires and interviews. The data was analyzed using tables, pie and bar charts. Among the main findings of the study were: there was no well structured training policy for training of teachers in GES, Lack of funds and resources persons were the main problems associated with training in GES. Proper analysis was not normally done before training programmes are organized. The main recommendations were; careful analysis of all performance gaps should be undertaken before deciding on whether or not training is the solution to the problem. The management should revise the training programme of the human resource of GES. .GES should set up special funds meant for training and development programmes in order to ease the over dependants of Government funds. The training policies of GES must be reviewed periodically in response to changes in their respective environment.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of acid neutralizing and buffering capacities of selected antacids in Ghana

This study has evaluated the acid neutralizing and buffering capacities (BC) of nine selected antacid brands (“L1-L9”) in Ghana. The active acid neutralizing ingredients were recorded and the preliminary antacid test (PAT) determined with 0.5 N HCl after 10 min. The acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) was evaluated with 1 N HCl by neutralizing the excess with 0.5 N NaOH after 15 min stirring. Buffering capacity (BC) was estimated with 0.1 N HCl and titrated with 0.1 N NaOH at 5 min interval up to 50 min. All determination were at 37±3 °C using a pH meter. All brands had as part of their active ingredients dried aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, with 67% containing simethicone as antifoam. The PAT declared all brands to be antacids with pH range of 4.38 ± 0.21– 6.43 ± 0.06. The ANC of all brands were in the range 13.16 ± 0.55–20.70 ± 0.18 mEq/g with “L4” and “L9” having the lowest and highest values respectively. “L9” further demonstrated a considerably higher BC up to 40 min whiles “L6” had the least BC up to 15 min. The ability of an antacid to have a high ANC and to resist significant changes in pH (longer BC) is crucial in assuring quality and efficacy of the brand.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of acid mine drainage potential of waste rock at Iduapriem gold mine

An ARD (AMD) evaluation study was carried out on waste rock material mined from four pits and an existing waste dump at Iduapriem Gold Mine, located at Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana. The waste rock materials were subjected to various analysis namely, x-ray diffractometry, microscopic examination, chemical and evaluation Acid Base Accounting (ABA). The study revealed that material Pits I & 2, showed presence of pyrite, a potential source for ARD generation. Material from Pits 3 & 4, did not show any presence of pyrites, rather acid consuming material, such as calcites, feldspar and amphibole. The acid generation potential of material from Pit I was confirmed from leachate emanating from Block I North waste dump. Leachate samples showed levels of low pH and increasing concentration of metal ions in solution and other parameters. Sulphate ions also increased significantly as a result of the products generated in the reaction process. The most prominent indicators were manganese ion (Mn2+), sulphate ion (S042-) and conductivity. The information gathered was then used in proposing the suitable waste dump design which could control the generation of acid. The first suggestion was the inter-layering of the waste with acid-generating and acid-consuming waste material from Pits I &2 and Pits 3&4 respectively. Also suggested was the review of the economic viability of re-handling (digging out) part of the reactive waste and then capping it with acid consuming waste material. This could be compared with the cost of treating leachate from the waste dump, which could take many years.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of aesthetics of indigenous architectural structures in metropolitan Kumasi from pre-colonial era to the present

Aesthetics in architecture involves appreciation and criticisms, and forms an essential human experience which is carried out not in an isolated environment, but in a wider context of the community. Knowledge in aesthetics is an important vehicle for the educational and cultural process which contributes positively to individual and national development. The main objectives of the thesis seek to identify different types of indigenous architecture, document and analyse the aesthetics in indigenous architecture in Asante. A breakdown of the problem reveals the link between the people and their art which are represented in their indigenous architecture in the form of religious temples. The research identified some Asante’s indigenous architecture and revealed that artifacts are composites of indigenous architecture. Some symbolic designs in the buildings showed that the elements of design were so organised as to expose balance, rhythm, contrast, symmetry, unity and harmony. The thesis is presented in four chapters. The first chapter being the introductory deals with the problem and its setting, Chapter two surveys the related literature while chapter three deals with the history, values and aesthetic of some selected indigenous Asante architecture. The third chapter forms the main body of the thesis and provides fresh information on aesthetics in indigenous Asante’s architecture. The chapter identifies the art in the buildings and how Asante’s architecture bas evolved to date. The research ends with the fourth chapter which deals with results, conclusion and recommendation.

Source: KNUST