ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Risk management practices of building construction project stakeholders in Tamale

Risk management is an emerging issue in the construction industry. Within the past two decades series of studies have been carried out to ascertain the practices adopted in various sectors and the construction industry as well. The aim of this study sought to examine the nature of risk management techniques among building construction project stakeholders in the Tamale Metropolis. The objectives of the study were to; identify risks factors associated with construction projects in Tamale; assess the awareness of risk among project stakeholders; and finally identifying the risk management techniques adopted. A questionnaire survey was used for data collection and both descriptive and statistical analysis were employed for analysis. Risk identification, risk treatment and risk monitoring and control were the practices of risk management mostly observed by the respondents. Moreover, it was realised that forty (40) out of the forty-one risk factors were significant such includes contractor financial difficulties, delay in payment, weather condition, price fluctuation, social and culture factors, vandalism amongst others. Finally, insurance, retention, bond were also identified as the most used risk mitigating strategies used in the Tamale Metropolis. Recommendations were made to Project Stakeholders to have a round table discussions and brainstorm the likely risk associated with a project before handing over site to the contractor; Project stakeholders should organize an in-house workshop for their workers to help them understand the risk management process so that they will know when a tagged risk is about to happen; Personnel with risk management background should be employed by Project Stakeholders to oversee the risk management process; and also further studies should be carried out in the two other Regional Capitals and specific projects to identify risk factors.

Source: KNUST
Risk management: an analysis of Ghanaian Rural and Community Banks

Over the years Risk Management has become the cornerstone of prudent banking practices across the globe. An effective and efficient risk management practice is therefore absolutely required in order to maintain financial soundness. Despite the contributions of Rural and Community banks (RCBs) to the banking industry in Ghana, they continue to face a number of challenges such as competition, ineffective risk management among others. Risk management has consistently become the major challenge of RCBs in Ghana. The purpose of the research therefore is to examine the extent to which Ghanaian RCBs deploy risk management practice in addressing the types of risk affecting their operations. The study was based on a questionnaire survey involving two gro\ips namely, respondents from RCBs and Bank of Ghana/ARB Apex bank. The RCBs respondents were selected from 47 out of the 126 rural and community banks using stratified sampling technique. 25 respondents were selected from 63 examiners and monitoring officers of the Bank of Ghana and ARB/Apex bank respectively. The study revealed that the four most important types of risk facing Ghanaians RCBs are credit risk, Liquidity risk, operational risk and legal /regulatory risk. The finding also showed that RCBs in Ghana were not efficient in managing risk affecting their operations. Consequently, the study recommended the enforcement of the regulatory function, the establishment of risk management department in the RCBs, the appointment of proficient staff to manage and serve as Board members, and the intensive training of RCBs staff on risk management practices.

Source: KNUST
Risk of Deaths, AIDS-Defining and Non-AIDS Defining Events among Ghanaians on Long-Term Combination Antiretroviral Therapy

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been widely available in Ghana since 2004. The aim of this cohort study was to assess the incidences of death, AIDS-defining events and non-AIDS defining events and associated risk factors amongst patients initiating cART in a large treatment centre. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from clinic and hospital case notes for patients initiating cART between 2004 and 2010 and clinical events graded according to recognised definitions for AIDS, non-AIDS events (NADE) and death, with additional events not included in such definitions such as malaria also included. The cumulative incidence of events was calculated using Kaplan Meier analysis, and association of risk factors with events by Cox proportional hazards regression. Data were closed for analysis on 31st December, 2011 after a median followup of 30 months (range, 0–90 months). Amongst 4,039 patients starting cART at a median CD4 count of 133 cells/mm3, there were 324 (8%) confirmed deaths, with an event rate of 28.83 (95% CI 25.78–32.15) deaths per 1000-person follow-up years; the commonest established causes were pulmonary TB and gastroenteritis. There were 681 AIDS-defining events (60.60 [56.14–65.33] per 1000 person years) with pulmonary TB and chronic diarrhoea being the most frequent causes. Forty-one NADEs were recorded (3.64 [2.61–4.95] per 1000 person years), of which hepatic and cardiovascular events were most common. Other common events recorded outside these definitions included malaria (746 events) and respiratory tract infections (666 events). Overall 24% of patients were lost-to-follow-up. Alongside expected risk factors, stavudine use was associated with AIDS [adjusted HR of 1.08 (0.90–1.30)] and death (adjusted HR of 1.60 [1.21–2.11]). Whilst frequency of AIDS and deaths in this cohort were similar to those described in other sub-Saharan African cohorts, rates of NADEs were lower and far exceeded by events such as malaria and respiratory tract infections.

Source: KNUST
Risk of Exposure to Trace Elements through the Application of Facial Makeup Powders

e study aimed to ascertain the levels of trace elements present in the face powders marketed in Ghana. Fifteen di erent brands of facial makeup powders were purchased from a local market in Ghana. e samples were analyzed using an X-ray uorescence (XRF) analyzer to determine the concentrations of 16 elements (Pb, As, Hg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ti, Cu, Ni, Co, Sb, Cd, Ag, Sn, and Au). e contents of the trace elements were ordered in the following descending order according to the maximum concentrations: Fe > Zn > Ti > Mn >Cr > Hg >As > Pb >Cu, Ni, Co, Sb, Cd, Ag, Sn, and Au. Pearson correlation statistics showed strong positive relationships between Pb and Zn (r 0.71), Pb and Cr (r 0.57), Hg and Zn (r 0.63), Hg and Fe (r 0.73), Hg and Cr (r 0.61), Zn and Fe (r 0.69), Zn and Cr (r 0.88), Fe and Cr (r 0.67), and Fe and Ti (r 0.62). Except for Pb and Cr, all the other elements had their margin of safety (MOS) values less than 100. e hazard indices (HIs) for Pb, Mn, Cr, and Ti were less than 1, indicating no risk. However, the HIs for As, Hg, Zn, and Fe were more than 1, indicating a potential risk of usage in adults. As a result, using face powders could put users at risk of exposure to trace elements. Dermal exposure to trace elements from cosmetics resulted in a lifetime cancer risk (LCR) that was higher than what was considered tolerable (LCR >10−6 ) due to the presence of Pb, As, and Cr. Mercury was identi ed as a potential skin sensitizer in the cosmetic samples examined by an exposure-based sensitization quantitative risk assessment (SQRA)

Source: KNUST
Risk of Hiv infection among adolescents in Asokore Mampong municipality

This study sought to identify risk factors for HIV/AIDS among Junior High School students in the Asokore Mampong Municipality through assessing the knowledge of adolescents on HIV/AIDS and sex education, identifying risky sexual behaviours and also exploring cultural practices which could increase adolescents‟ risk of contracting HIV. A cross-sectional school-based design using simple random sampling technique was employed. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaires among 403 adolescent High School students and analyzed using STATA version 14.0. The results were presented in frequencies, percentages for descriptive analysis and logistic regression were also used to determine the relationship between selected independent variables on the dependent variables with p < 0.05 being the threshold to measure statistically significant association. The results indicated that majority (50.2%) of the students between the age group 10-14 years and are mostly in JHS 2 (49.8%) had more knowledge on HIV with internet their major source of their knowledge than their counterparts. Majority (51.4%) of the students between the age group 10-14 years and are mostly in JHS 2 (62.5%) indicated not having sex before and majority of students who have had sex before between the age group 10-14 years representing (55.3%) had sex partners between 1-3 and are mostly in JHS 2 (67.1%). A significant number of students (51.1%) between age group 10-14 years indicated that cultural practices in their communities exposed them to blood contact or bodily fluids and the most dominant cultural practice as indicated by the students was male circumcision. Results from the logistic regression shows that, socio-demographic factors such as age (p=0.385), religion (p=0.435), class (p=0.615), were not found to be associated respondent‟s perceived of having HIV , level of knowledge of perceived risk of HIV were found not statistically significantly associated with the perceived risk of having HIV which indicated no significant influence( p=0.770) on perceived risk of HIV. Respondents who indicated that they had ever had sex had a significantly (p = 0.016) higher perceived risk of having HIV.

Source: KNUST
Risk of dietary acrylamide exposure to an adult sub population of consumers of koose

Acrylamide is proven to be carcinogenic in rodents and a probable human carcinogen with increasing evidence of positive associations with human cancers. Acrylamide forms in certain foods, particularly plant based foods that are rich in carbohydrates and protein, during processing or cooking at high temperatures. The objective of the study was to determine the acrylamide content in koose and to assess the average dietary acrylamide consumption and the risk posed to Ghanaian adult sub population living in Tamale. The content of acrylamide in the tested 153 samples ranged from 1.12- 74.77 μg/g. A first order Monte Carlo was run in favour of acrylamide content, mass of koose, body weight of respondents, daily consumption of koose and ingestion rate of acrylamide for determination of the risk. The daily dietary acrylamide exposure was computed using a probabilistic risk assessment method. Acrylamide content contributed the largest to the cancer risk associated with consumption of koose according to the correlation analysis. From the study, six (6) out of every ten thousand (10,000) consumers of koose in the Ghanaian sub population of Tamale stand the risk of getting cancer from acrylamide every year. The high risk obtained in this study calls for the creation of awareness of the presence of acrylamide in koose and the potential danger to the health of Ghanaians with its attendant socio-economic effects.

Source: KNUST
Risk of dietary acrylamide exposure to an adult sub population of consumers of Koose

Acrylamide is proven to be carcinogenic in rodents and a probable human carcinogen with increasing evidence of positive associations with human cancers. Acrylamide forms in certain foods, particularly plant based foods that are rich in carbohydrates and protein, during processing or cooking at high temperatures. The objective of the study was to determine the acrylamide content in koose and to assess the average dietary acrylamide consumption and the risk posed to Ghanaian adult sub population living in Tamale. The content of acrylamide in the tested 153 samples ranged from 1.12- 74.77 µg/g. A first order Monte Carlo was run in favour of acrylamide content, mass of koose, body weight of respondents, daily consumption of koose and ingestion rate of acrylamide for determination of the risk. The daily dietary acrylamide exposure was computed using a probabilistic risk assessment method. Acrylamide content contributed the largest to the cancer risk associated with consumption of koose according to the correlation analysis. From the study, six (6) out of every ten thousand (10,000) consumers of koose in the Ghanaian sub population of Tamale stand the risk of getting cancer from acrylamide every year. The high risk obtained in this study calls for the creation of awareness of the presence of acrylamide in koose and the potential danger to the health of Ghanaians with its attendant socio-economic effects

Source: KNUST
The Risk of Loan Default: a Case Study of Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank Ltd., Pakyi No. 2

This study was undertaken using methods of Survival Analysis to determine (i) The risk of loan default (ii) The age group(s) highly prone to loan default (iii) Other factors affecting the risk of loan default With these objectives in focus, the Hazard Function that is a function of survival data in the form of time, in months, to default of loan for two hundred and seventy (270) individuals was modeled. This model is then used to explore the effect of the explanatory variables Age, Sex, Marital Status and Occupation on the survival experience of these individuals in the study. * The best-fitted model among alternatives was identified and subjected to an adequacy check, to find whether an appropriate set of explanatory variables was included and the correct functional forms used. The system was found to be adequate in terms of the explanatory variables and their functional forms. The Kaplan-Meier estimates for survival for the different categories of each of the explanatory variables was computed and test of significance performed using the Log rank (Mantel-Cox), Breslow and Tarone-Ware tests. At 10% significant level, Occupation and Marital Status registered significant differences between categories. However, due to the effect of multiple co-linearity, Marital Status was rejected in the presence of Occupation in the final model. It was observed that Occupation as a factor at three levels is the only variable that has explanatory power on the risk of default of loan. The risk, however, was highest for individuals in category two (Informal Trades Occupation) and least for those in category one (Formal Occupation). Statistically, there was no significant difference between categories two and three (Informal Trades and Informal Commerce) since the confidence interval (0.870 - 2.315) for the hazard ratio included 1. To minimize risk of default and for that matter maximize recovery of loans, it is recommended that preference be given to individuals in Formal Occupation especially for loans involving huge sums of money.

Source: KNUST
Risk of Mother-To-Child Transmission of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection among Pregnant Women in the Greater Accra Region

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii which can be acquired orally or congenitally. Congenital infection of infants is known to result in several neurological, brain and ophthalmic disorders later in life. This study therefore sought to determine the risk of mother-to-child transmission of T. gondii among women at delivery in a hospital facility in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Ninety- three (93) pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years voluntarily participated with their babies. Maternal Blood, Umbilical cord blood and tissue samples were taken at delivery after the expulsion of each placenta. Finger-prick blood was taken from infants of participating mothers two to six weeks post-natal. ELISA was used to detect anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in all blood samples while Nested-PCR was used to detect T. gondii DNA extracted from placental tissue. Data collected were analysed using SPSS (Version 16). Overall, 37.6% (35/93) maternal blood were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG with 39.5% (36/91) umbilical cord blood also positive for anti-T. gondii IgG. Fifty-seven percent (23/40) of post-natal infant blood was positive for anti-T. gondii IgG. All of the blood samples were negative for IgM. T. gondii DNA was detected in 39.8% (35/88) of placental tissues. 38.4% (33/86) of matched maternal and foetal samples were positive for anti-T.gondii IgG and/or T. gondii DNA. Toxoplasma gondii DNA detected in placenta may be largely from cysts and is indicative of infection of the mother in the course of gestation. Placental toxoplasmosis exposes the foetus to the risk of infection which implies that almost 40% of the infants were at risk of congenital infection. Further studies needs to be done to determine the rate of mother-to-child transmission of T. gondii in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Risk – Return Analysis of Optimal Portfolio using the Sharpe Ratio

The Modern portfolio Theory is based on Harry Markowitz’s 1952 work on mean – variance portfolios. He stated that a rational investor should either maximize his expected return for a given level of risk, or minimize his risk for a given expected return. These two principles lead to an efficient frontier of portfolios, among which the investor is free to choose. Fifty years on, there are no widely accepted practical implementations of mean – variance portfolio theory. The mean – variance approach puts excessive weights on assets with large excess returns, regardless of possible estimation errors. It yields unstable portfolios and extra gains do not make up for the excess transaction costs. The goal of this project is to develop robust portfolio optimization methods. We develop a multi - factor objective function reflecting our investment preferences and solve the subsequent optimization problem using the Sharpe’s ratio. Many investors and portfolio managers always seek maximum returns with relative low risk or conversely, minimum risk with maximum expected returns. Which model or approach best meets investor’s investment decisions and portfolio selection. The Markowitz model in 1952 and subsequently 1959, amongst other things seeks to address such dilemma faced by investors. In this thesis, we shall explore the Markowitz model in constructing optimal stock portfolio, analyze its modern relevance, and also predict its future durability in finance theory. We explore the mean – variance approach by Harry M. Markowitz in portfolio selection in single – period index model, and provides the basis for many important financial economic advances, including the Sharpe single – index model (Sharpe, 1964). This thesis highlights the concept of utility function in determining the risk preference of investors. Again, we analyze diversification under Markowitz portfolio construction and its impact on risk minimization, given unsystematic risk of a corporate organization. We shall be dealing with optimization problem like maximize expected return of a portfolio subject to a given level of risk, or conversely minimize risk subject to a given expected return (Markowitz, 1952, 1959, 1991), Merton (1972), Kroll, Levy and Markowitz (1984). In addition, we shall use some statistical parameters such as mean, variance (standard deviation), co – variance and correlation for our model formulation of the Markowitz framework.

Source: KNUST
Risks and Crises Management in the Ghana Mining Industry: a case study

Risks and crises have long been recognised as inherent in any mining venture in the world in general but more pronounced in developing countries in which Ghana cannot be ruled out. When risk is not properly managed it develops into crisis and when crisis is not well handled it develops into chaos. In this thesis, the results of a research conducted into the various types of risk, their rankings as causes of crises and management in Ghanaian mining industry and at Bogoso Gold Limited have been presented. The results indicated that all the various types of risk namely business/economic, technological/technical, political/legal and social/cultural have been found to exist in both the Ghanaian mining industry and Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL). The primary causes of crises have been found to be from the various types of risk of which some have resulted in closure of some mines. Potential risk and crisis are looming in the air in some mines while future ones are envisaged. It was also found that Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) has been able to manage its risk and handled its crisis effectively in the past and presently. Some sub-risk elements such as illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), process technology for transition and sulphide ores, funding community displacement exercise, compensation and gold price fluctuations are predicted to be the main causes of future crises at BGL. If these are not managed effectively, the future of the mine is likely to be jeopardised. These are also true for the mining industry in Ghana as a whole. There are also the perceptions of mining communities, which need to be well managed through management, labour and union attitudes and practices. A collaborative effort should be made by all mining companies to intensify activities on sustainable alternative livelihood projects to assist in generating employment opportunities for the communities in the areas they operate during pre and post mine closure. The government of Ghana should review the Mining & Minerals law periodically to give more protection to large-scale mining companies in the area of illegal small-scale mining and offering competitive incentives.

Source: KNUST
Risks Associated with Lowest Evaluated Bid Selection on Contracts Performance

World Bank procurement guideline for procurement of works is largely based on the lowest evaluated bid selection procedure and it has also been indicated in Public Procurement Act.2003 Act 663 Part V section 59 (3) which states that “the successful bidder shall be the bidder with lowest evaluated bid price .With the recent downturn in the construction industry, most of the contractors are competing more and more aggressively to secure the relatively few new contracts that come to the market. Some informed clients appear to consider this to be good news and are reverting to the practice of awarding contracts on the basis of the lowest evaluated tender price and are ignoring the associated risks and adverse consequences. It seems the Public Procurement Act 663 Act 2003 in using the lowest evaluated tender as means of selecting a Contractor does not make provision for comparing the bids to the Consultant‟s estimate and this may be one of the causes of project failure in terms of cost, time and quality standards. The study involved sampling the views of A1B1 to A3B3 road contractors and client on the risks associated with lowest evaluated bid selection procedure. Questionnaire survey approach was adopted for the study. Seventy questionnaires were distributed and Sixty three was retrieved representing a response rate of 90%. The study revealed the risks are associated with the lowest evaluated bid selection procedure. The major conclusions from both client and contractors were that termination of contract is the topmost risk associated with lowest evaluated bid selection procedure. From the client, unrealistic low price, time over run, increase overall cost of contract unsatisfactory quality was major risks that would affect contract performance. From the contractors, it was shown that some of the key risks that would affect contracts performance include unsatisfactory quality, unrealistic low price, and contractual claims among others.

Source: KNUST