ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The development of agricultural education in colonial Ghana, 1874-1957

This thesis, “The Development of Agricultural Education in Colonial Ghana: 1874-1957”, explores the evolution and change of agricultural education in colonial Ghana. It examines the structures that supported the development of agricultural education and how such structures were reorganized to meet new challenges that faced agricultural education in the colony. The period of the study, 1874-1957, is significant because it is the time frame of British colonialism in the Gold Coast. The aim of this study is to determine how agricultural education was promoted to aid in the exploitation of the cash crops by the British government in the Gold Coast. The nature of agricultural education in colonial Ghana is examined to ascertain whether agricultural education in colonial Ghana was for the interest of the indigenes or the colonial state. Considering the efforts made by the British government in providing administrative structures and measures in the development of agricultural education in the formal and non-formal sectors of colonial Ghana, this study shows that agricultural education in colonial Ghana was designed and implemented to serve the colonial state.

Source: UCC
Development of an efficient plant regeneration protocol for sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cv. Blesbok

An efficient and reproducible plant regeneration protocol for the South African sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) cultivar Blesbok was developed in this study. The effect of different hormone combinations and type of explant on shoot regeneration was evaluated in order to optimize the regeneration protocol. Explants in the form of stem sections, leaf discs, apical shoots and axillary buds derived from in vitro stock plant cultures were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 36 combinations of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1 mg/L). The highest percentage of shoot regeneration was obtained when apical shoot explants (31%) and axillary bud explants (22%) were cultivated on MS supplemented with 0.01 mg/L NAA + 1 mg/L BAP. Leaf discs and stem section explants produced highly recalcitrant callus that did not regenerate into shoots in shoot induction medium (SIM). Callus from apical shoots explants cultured on SIM developed into shoots. The shoots rooted readily on root induction medium (RIM) and then in hormone free MS medium. Regenerated plants appeared normal and showed a 100% survival rate when transferred to soil. The regeneration protocol described in this study will be used in a plant transformation protocol to produce transgenic sweet potato with broad virus resistance

Source: UCC
Development Of An Integrated Water Quality Index For Monitoring Water Quality Of Selected Estuaries In Ghana

There is currently no country-specific water quality index (WQI) for monitoring estuarine water quality in Ghana. This study addresses this gap by developing an integrated WQI for monitoring the quality of estuarine water in Ghana, i.e., IWQIGh. This was achieved by reviewing literature on limitations and potential of adapted WQIs for water quality monitoring in Africa; field assessment of water quality of Ankobra, Volta, Whin and Kakum Estuaries using physicochemical parameters and benthic fauna; and developing the IWQIGh using multivariate statistical approaches. From results, the Weighted Arithmetic and Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment WQIs were the most adapted with major limitations occurring in parameter selection and final index classification schemes. Statistical approaches in parameter selection and logical linguistic descriptions in classification schemes were suggested to ensure objectivity in WQI development process. Moreover, Kakum and Whin Estuaries were moderately polluted. Despite the moderate pollution levels, Kakum was the most diverse of the four estuaries. Based on ecological stability, Kakum Estuary was ecologically healthier than Whin, Volta, and Ankobra Estuaries, in that order. The most representative parameters for IWQIGh that contributed to high index values included nutrients, turbidity, electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand as well as pollution-tolerant low scoring taxa. Based on the IWQIGh, the selected estuaries were categorised as “polluted-Class 4”. Incorporation of benthic fauna in the WQI development process in further studies was recommended to address region-specific concerns in Africa rather than adapting existing WQIs.

Source: UCC
Development of an ion-channel sensor for heparin detection

The ion-channel sensor technique was used to determine heparin concentrations in artifcial and horse serum with cyclic voltammetry. The sensor is based on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thioctic acid on which rotamine is attached as a receptor to control the rate of [Mo(CN)8]4− oxidation or [Fe(CN)6]3− reduction in the presence of heparin. The analyte, heparin, with its negative charges, neutralizes the ositive charges on the rotamine receptor and at high heparin concentrations provides the electrode surface with an excess of negative charge, thereby repulsing the marker ions from the electrode surface. This decreases the redox currents and makes them a function of the analyte concentration. In artificial serum, a linear concentration range of 0.05–1.5 mg/ml was obtained for the heparin response at a scan rate of 10.24 V/s when [Mo(CN)8]4−was used as marker. Repeated measurements of heparin in artifcial and horse serum gave average heparin concentrations of 1.30 and 1.56 mg/ml, respectively, compared to 1.25 mg/ml heparin that was introduced into the serum. Measurements of heparin in horse serum using a fresh electrode for each sample, however, gave an average heparin concentration of 1.21mg/ml with a standard deviation of 0.026 mg/ml. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Source: UCC
The development of architecture in Kumase, 1874-1960.

This thesis examines the development of architecture in Kumase from 1874 to 1960. In other words, the study focuses on the rebuilding of the built environment of Kumase from 1874 to 1960. Using qualitative evaluation of archival documents, interviews with Asante chiefs, owners of houses, heads of families, trustees of households etc., and some secondary sources of historical information, this work discusses the traditional architecture of Kumase and, how the British colonial government and its agents joined forces with the Asante political authorities and the entire citizenry to architecturally reconstruct the city. The collaboration between the local people and the Europeans produced striking alterations within the built space of Kumase. This study shows that the alteration of the traditional Kumase architecture did not only affect the city’s built environment, but it also had impact on the cultural values of Asante. This is because British and European building technology did not completely and entirely support the observation and performance of some aspects of Asante cultural values and practices which found customary expression within the domain of a built environment. This thesis is a contribution to architectural history and the history of built environment which as fields of study are burgeoning within the historiography of Ghana.

Source: UCC
Development of DOAS remote sensing system for ground-based measurements of trace gas emissions in an industrial area

A DOAS system has been developed and deployed to determine horizontal concentrations of such pollutants as NO2, SO2 and O3 in Bologna, Italy and Tema, Ghana. Measurements were conducted in Italy during the winter season of March 2005 and in Ghana during the dry harmattan season in January 2008 and raining seasons in July and August 2008. Their average line-of-sight concentrations were determined by measuring the scattered solar radiation through three optical windows in the zenith and two horizontal directions. The retrieval method was based on DOAS and a radiative transfer model. The slant column of NO2 was retrieved within 4360-4600 Å and SO2 and O3 within 3120-3270 Å and 3100-3300 Å respectively. In Italy concentration values of NO2 (in μgm-3) were in the range 28.21 ≤ NO2 ≤ 55.51 while in Ghana they were: 0.16 ≤ NO2 ≤ 35.48, 0.43 ≤ SO2 ≤ 159.43, 0.03 ≤ O3 ≤ 764.29 for measurements in the dry season and 0.02 ≤ NO2 ≤ 25.71, 0.15 ≤ SO2 ≤ 166.37, 1.46 ≤ O3 ≤ 688.84 for measurements in the raining season. NO2 values were usually high during mornings, reduced towards the afternoon, due to dissociation, and increased again towards sundown. Gradual increases in SO2 and O3 concentrations from morning to evening indicated a build-up due to industrial and vehicular activities. Results compared with in-situ measurements carried out by the Environmental Protection Agencies in Italy and Ghana as the first method of validation showed good agreement with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.8. This DOAS technique presents an attractive approach for ground-based measurements of atmospheric trace gases in selected directions.

Source: UCC
Development of efflux pumps and inhibitors (epis) in A. baumanii

Over the past three decades, Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide. Certain strains of A baumannii are now resistant to many common antimicrobial agents, including fuoroquinolone, and multidrug resistance (MDR) is often responsible for the failure of antibiotic therapy. Reasearchers have paid close attention to the emergency of MDR-AB, and PDR (pandrug-resistance)-AB, even XDR (extreme-drug resistance)-AB isolated from clinical patients, mediated primarily through the production of β-lactamases, aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs), mutation in gene for DNA gyrase subunit A (gyrA) and DNA topoisomerase (parC), as well as efflux pumps. In this article, we discussed the roles of various efflux pumps expressed in Acinetobacter baumanii and effux pump inhibitors (EPIs), aimed at providing an overview of the mechanism to antibiotics in Acinetobacter baumanii

Source: UCC
Development of Gluten-Free Noodles Based on Cassavabambara Groundnut Composite Flour

Noodles are now a common food in the World, eaten by many from different cultural backgrounds and races. However, noodles made from wheat are often seen as less healthy. As people become more health-conscious, researchers are experimenting with different ingredients to make noodles that are healthier, gluten-free, and meet changing food preferences. The study was centered on the development of gluten-free noodles from Casava-Bambara groundnut composite flour and the determination of the functional, textural, colour, sensory and nutritional composition of the resulting noodles. A simplex centroid mixture design in Minitab software was used for the formulations with the two mixture variables: Cassava flour [X1 (% w/w)] and Bambara groundnut flour [X2 (% w/w)] equaling 100 %. The ash, protein and fibre contents significantly increased (from 0.84 % to 1.52 %, 4.16 % to 7.27 % and 3.01 % to 4.48 % respectively) whereas the moisture and carbohydrate contents decreased (from 8.35 % to 7.35 and 87.23 % to 82.84 % respectively) as the percentage of Bambara Groundnut Flour increased. In addition, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium for Bambara Groundnut Flour incorporated noodles increased. Cooking losses were also minimal for formulations containing Bambara groundnut flour compared to the noodles prepared from 100 % Cassava Flour. Noodles with 30 % Bambara Groundnut Flour was the most preferred after the sensory evaluation. The results are relevant for utilizing Bambara groundnut as an ingredient in gluten-free noodle production as its addition improved the functional properties, nutritional composition and sensory attributes.

Source: UCC
Development of herb tea from Hibiscus Sabdriffa, ginger and dandelion

The drinking of tea started hundreds of years prior explicitly in China, and has over the course of the years become an indivisible piece of most societies around the world. This study, hence, determined to develop a tea from hibiscus sabdriffa, ginger, and dandelion to help improve the nutritional and health status of workers and give alternative use of these plants to people and families. Experimental research design was used for the study. Eighty sedentary workers were purposively sampled, to evaluate 6 herb tea samples code named CHT, DHT, LHT, LDHT, CCT and LCT and a control Lipton. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from the research participants. The samples were formulated from hibiscus, ginger and dandelion. The nutrients and sensory appeal of the herb tea were nutrient dense with high protein content ranging from 15.49 in CCT to 0 .86 the least in the control. Although the control had the least in protein content, it turned out to have 10.42 as the highest in moisture content. CHT, DHT, LHT, LDHT, CCT and LCT ranges from 62.29, 62.14,55.49,55.40 ,54.49,52.57 respectively in carbohydrates and fibre but lower in fats. The dry matter content was higher in infusion with magnesium recording very insignificant in the infusion. All the formulations recorded high mineral contents in the composite tea. LCT was the most accepted, followed by CCT, LDHT, LHT, LIPTON, DHT and CHT in that other. Comments received from the evaluation by panellists showed that the appealing colour and the aroma of LCT made panellist prefer it most to the other formulations and the control. Using hibiscus flavoured brand of lipton as control will be well acceptable to the other formulations.

Source: UCC
Development of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Methods for Assessment of Iodine and Selected Elements in Ghanaian Foods Using Low Power Research Reactors

Various types of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) method were developed for the determination of Iodine and 30 major, minor, and trace elements in samples of Ghanaian foods. Most of the elements were analysed by conventional INAA with anticoincidence counting. A number of INAA methods were evaluated for selenium and iodine determinations. The methods included: conventional and Pseudo-Cyclic TNAA (PCINAA) with Compton suppression gamma-ray spectrometry for selenium. The INAA methods developed for iodine determinations were Conventional Flux and Epithermal INAA (EINAA) using Compton suppression gamma-ray spectrometry. The relative method of standardization was used for quantification of all the elements. Additionally, quantification 01' iodine and some selected elements was carried out using ko- NAA standardisation method. The Nisle unified formulation was investigated for the ko-NAA method and compared with the well known Hogdahl convention and Westcott formalism. Precision and accuracy were evaluated through the analysis of standard reference materials (SRMs). The measured values were found to be in good agreement with the certified values; generally, within ± I0%. Detection limits were calculated and found to vary from 1.0 ng.kg·\ for antimony and gold to 400 mg.kg-1 for sulphur. The overall uncertainty associated with the measurement of Iodine using both the relative and the ko methods of standardization were evaluated. In general, most of the Ghanaian food items were found to contain the required concentration of iodine and other elements of nut6tiol1al importance.

Source: UCC
The development of integrated reporting. The perception of accounting practitioners in Ghana

The evolution of accounting theory has led to the development of ways to improve corporate reporting with the aim to make corporate reports more transparent and user friendly to all stakeholders. The main objective of the study was to determine the development of Integrated Reporting (IR) in Ghana, among practicing accountants. The study adopted the qualitative research approach, specifically, the exploratory research design. The findings of the study revealed that, when it came to general awareness of IR, accounting practitioners had a limited idea on what the concept is. Another finding was that, respondents could not make clear distinction between IR and sustainability reporting. Respondents’ responses revealed that, their lack of knowledge in the activities of the IIRC and the IR framework hence their inability to fully interpret and appreciate the meaning and scope of IR. Finally, the study revealed that, their responses about challenges and benefits of adopting and implementing IR, stems from their own thoughts, experiences and competences. The study recommended that the IIRC further articulates and refines aspects of the framework to give a comprehensive understanding of the concept of IR. Again, the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG) in partnership with other institutions and accounting bodies should develop a local framework of IR aimed at addressing issues that are specific to the Ghanaian context. Also, the ICAG should publish relevant issues pertaining to IR on its website regularly to increase its awareness in the accounting community. Finally, academic institutions should incorporate IR in their curricular.

Source: UCC
Development of maize streak disease resistant lines using gamma radiation

Maize streak disease (MSD) is the most important viral disease affecting maize production in Ghana. Management options employed to mitigate the effect of the disease has not been successful. Breeding for disease resistant is the most sustainable option. Mutation breeding was used in this study to develop maize mutants’ lines that are resistant MSD. Radiosensitivity was first carried out to determine the optimum dose for mutation induction in six cultivars of maize grown in the study region. Four maize genotypes namely Obatanpa, Honampa, Pann 53 and Dapango were selected based on the radiosensitivity test results and acutely irradiated at 288.5 Gy, using a cobalt 60 (60Co) source delivering at a dose rate of 300 Gy hr-1. The irradiated seeds were planted with controls. Separate field trials for the selected maize genotypes were conducted from M1 to M4 generations to screen for MSV resistance and improved agronomic traits. Fourteen putative mutants were selected across the four maize genotypes at the end of the M4 generation based on disease severity score and yield indices. The selected mutants were planted in a screen house and challenged with MSV to confirm resistance by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and visual symptomology. The results indicate that, four (TZS/KPO/140001 TZS/KPO/140003 TZS/KPO/140004 and TZS/KPO/140005) out of the 14 mutants selected were resistant to MSV while the remaining ten (10) were susceptible. The four mutants were all mutated from the Obatanpa maize genotype. This study was therefore conducted to induce host plant resistant to MSD

Source: UCC
Development of Micro-Grid in Sub-Saharan Africa: an Overview

The slow growth in electricity production in the last four decades has left Sub-Saharan Africa region in partial darkness marked by unreliable power supplies and insufficient generating capacity. This has been the greatest barrier to the economic and industrial growth in this part of the world and has left many people, in search of a greener pasture in other regions. In the last few years, Sub-Saharan Africa started to provide opportunities for micro-grid (MG) initiative by bringing electricity access to remote rural and sub-urban communities in the region. The MG concept is seen as a viable energy strategy due to the fact that Africa is endowed with both renewable and non-renewable resources that are primary sources for MG. This paper reviews and discusses the MG idea, recent development of MG, in Sub-Saharan Africa, MG potential and pilot projects across some part of Sub-Saharan Africa. Also, the benefits, challenges and solutions for a successful MG implementation in the region are discussed

Source: UCC
Development of oil palm (elaesis guineensis JACQ) tissue culture protocol

This research was carried out to find the most appropriate conditions and requirements needed to propagate Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) through tissue culture. The explants used were young non-chlorophyllous leaves or ‘cabbage’, immature inflorescence and zygotic embryos from Dura and Tenera seeds. Decontamination of Dura and Tenera seeds as well as cabbage explants was achieved by stirring the explants in a 10% Sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 minutes. A modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) tissue culture medium containing 84mg / l 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was much more successful in inducing callus from all the explants. Tissue culture media usually contain amino acids like Arginine, Asparagine, and Glutamine. In this experiment, complex organic compounds were used in place of standard amino acids. These were Casein hydrolosate, malt extract and coconut milk. The results obtained showed that, although the media containing complex organic compounds were able to induce callus, the best results were obtained from media containing standard amino acids. The media containing malt extract induced more callus than those containing Casein hydrolysate and coconut milk. With the successful decontamination of Oil palm explants and the initiation of callus from various explants on MS medium containing 84 mg/l 2,4-D, it is recommended that further work should be carried out to produce somatic embryos from callus produced from Oil palm explants.

Source: UCC
The development of road transport in Southern Ghana and Ashanti since about 1850

The story of the development of road transport in Southern Ghana and Ashanti begins much earlier than the nineteenth century, but the choice of the date 1 850 is not entirely arbitrary. If the economic history of Ghana were to be written, perhaps one might discover that most of the basic features of the country's present-day economic system had begun to emerge by about the middle of the nineteenth century. Complaints about many aspects of the country's economic life had been made before, but they became more insistent and more urgent during the 1850s. One of the subjects for loud complaints was that of road transport

Source: UCC
Development of Sesame Spread and Consumer Acceptability in Ghana.

This study attempts to innovate and develop a healthy, nutritious spread from sesame seed with different inclusion ratios of peanut. The overall goal of the research was to promote the consumption of sesame seed through its utilization in different food. The purpose of the research was in three folds. The first, to develop four spreads with different inclusion ratios of peanut, to determine the proximate composition spread, and to evaluate sensory properties of the spreads. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether there was significant difference between the control and the newly developed spreads. Significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05 with multiple comparisons through post hoc testing done with Tukey (HSD). The findings of the study showed that spread could be developed from the sesame seed with different inclusion ratios of peanut and sesame seed. Sensory evaluation of food attributes of the spread presented PWSS (75% peanut and 25% sesame) and SAPS (50% peanut and 50% sesame) as the most preferred spread samples by consumers. This study concludes that there was significant difference in nutritional composition as well as consumers’ preference for the spreads. This called for a rejection of the study’s hypothesis. Acceptability of the spreads to consumers declined as the proportion of the sesame in them increased. Hence, the two most accepted spreads PWSS (75% peanut and 25% sesame) and SAPS (50% peanut and 50% sesame) were seen to have a higher inclusion ratio of peanuts in them. They were also found not to be significantly different from each other and the control. The study recommended the promotion of PWSS and SAPS as substitute for high diary fat based spreads.

Source: UCC