ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Procurement Practices and Operational Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Ghana

Sustainable procurement has become an important agenda for governments and organisations across the globe. Governments in quest of demonstrating sustainable development in reaction to the Sustainable Development goals (Goal 12.7), among other things, seek to promote public procurement practices. According to United Nations World Summit (WSSD, 2014), public procurement practices ensure sustainable consumption and production (Goal 12). The aim of the study was to examine the effect of sustainable procurement practice on the operational performance of manufacturing firms in Ghana. The research philosophy adopted in the study was the positivism paradigm. The descriptive research design was adopted for this study where a quantitative approach was employed. Data was collected by administering structured questionnaires to 248 randomly sampled manufacturing firms. The findings on study indicated that, sustainable procurement practice (supplier involvement, ethical procurement and green procurement) had a positive significant effect on operational performance of manufacturing firms in Ghana. The study recommended that Ghanaian manufacturing firms should start to view sustainable procurement as strategic in value, since it will change the future of firm, impact society and the environment at large.

Source: UCC
Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices and Performance of Food Processing Firms in Selected Metropolises in Ghana

The study investigated the effects of sustainable supply chain management practices comprising green, lean, inventory and supply management on sustainable performance by relying on the systems theory and theory of constraints. Twelve hypotheses were developed and tested to address the study’s objectives. The quantitative approach and explanatory research design were employed; while primary data were gathered through structured questionnaires from 247 owners and or managers of the food processing firms. The IBM SPSS Statistics software (v. 26) and SmartPLS 3 were used for data processing. Data analysis was finally done to test for all the hypotheses using the partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) tool. It was discovered that all the SSCM practices play substantial roles in improving the SP of Ghanaian food processing firms. However, inventory management and green management significantly influenced all the three SP dimensions (i.e., economic, social and environmental), while lean management had no significant influence on economic performance. Finally, supply management had no significant influence on social and environmental performance. Conclusively, green and inventory management play crucial roles in improving the food processing firms’ SP. It was recommended that policy makers, practitioners and management should continue to strengthen and invest in the SSCM practices in order to promote SP.

Source: UCC
Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry: Drivers and Performance Outcomes

Considering the increased importance of social consequences, economic advantages, and safeguarding the nature, sustainable supply chain management has emerged as theme relevant to corporate managers, researchers and policy advocates in most transitioning countries like Ghana. The dynamics driving sustainably managed supply chains, as well as the sequel of these Sustainable supply chain management techniques on performance results were thoroughly explained in this study. Bringing to play the resource based view and the institutional theory, the study factually explored the effects of internal drivers of Sustainable supply chain (i.e., managerial attitude, support from top management, and employee levels of motivation) and external drivers of sustainable supply chain (i.e., mimetic, normative and coercive pressures) on the one hand, and associated influences on sustainable supply chain management practices on the other, as well as the link between Sustainable supply chain management practices (with regards to social, environment and economic) and firm performance outcomes (in terms of operational, financial and environmental) on the other. Based on a heuristic analysis of data from 261 upstream oil and gas supply chain firms, the study results show that internal and external sustainable supply chain drivers concurrently and collectively promote the adoption of sustainable supply chain management practices and Sustainable supply chain management practices demonstrating a remarkable positive causative link with firm performance facets.

Source: UCC
Sustainable use and management of cemeteries in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana

Land for burials is one of the issues that Metropolitan areas are confronted with. Cemeteries have become a valuable and a limited resource and should not be forgotten that land for cemetery usage in the Accra Metropolis is scarce. This calls for cemeteries to be very well planned and managed in the light of sustainability. However, despite actions taken by the government and local authorities in addressing this issue, there is no strategic solution to ensuring the sustainable use and management of cemeteries in the Accra Metropolitan. Area. The research, therefore, focuses on sustainable management of cemeteries in the Accra Metropolitan Area and addresses the question of examining cemetery management practices and evaluating of sustainable use of cemeteries within the Accra Metropolitan Area. The target population for the study were selected employees from sampled cemeteries within the Accra Metropolis such as Cemetery management staff, supervisors, non-management staff, and other stakeholders. Overall, thirty-eight (38) employees and stakeholders constituted the actual sample size for the study. It makes use of the structured and other open-ended questionnaires as the main survey data collection technique. The study concluded that cemeteries have made a significant contribution to the development of the Metropolis through the re-using of old graves and earth burial. Thus, the management of the cemeteries impacted positively on sustainability and recommends that stakeholders should develop a comprehensive national policy framework to guide the activities and management of cemeteries in the country.

Source: UCC
Sustaining hygiene behaviour change: A case study of the Central regional rural water and sanitation project in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem district

This study sought to find out whether improvements in hygiene behaviour during the implementation of the Central Region Rural Water & Sanitation Project (CRRWSP) from 1990 to 1998 was sustained. Eight communities in the KEEA district which benefited from the CRR WSP were randomly selected for the study. Questionnaires were administered to 20 randomly selected respondents in each community making a total of 160 respondents. Forty people were also observed for hygiene behaviour while 20 pupils each from two schools, which benefited from institutional latrines provided by the project were also interviewed. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also held for the Water and Sanitation Committees (W A TSAN s) formed in the eight communities to see to the operation and maintenance of the facilities and also carry out hygiene promotion. The findings from the field indicated that even though hygiene education was made part of the second phase of project the Water and Sanitation Committees (W ATSANs) appeared to be weak and lacked sufficient knowledge to sustain hygiene education. Hygiene behaviours that had been sustained over the period included reliance on borehole water for drinking purposes (60.3% of respondents) and contributing towards operation and maintenance (68%). Some of the behaviours that could not be sustained included defecating in the bush, patronising unsafe sources of water, poor disposal of waste and poor environmental sanitation due to lack of consistent hygiene education. The study therefore recommends that the use of W ATSANs as the sole institution to undertake all follow up activities including hygiene promotion needs to be examined critically especially with regards to their voluntary role. There will be the need to involve already existing structures like the Environmental Health Unit, Community Health Nurses and the School Health Education Programme (SHEP).

Source: UCC
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) yield parameters, soil chemical properties2 and cost benefit ratios following incorporation of poultry manure and inorganic3 NPK fertilizers in low nutrient Ghanaian soils

The impact of sole poultry manure (6t PM ha-1), sole NPK (200kg NPK ha-1) and their combinations (3t PM + 100kg NPK ha-1 and 1.5t PM + 150kg NPK ha-1) on sweet potato yield parameters and soil nutrients was assessed at Adiembra and Fiaso in Ghana between June, 2011 to November, 2011 using RCBD. Nutritional levels of the sweet potato tubers and the amended soils were analyzed with standard laboratory procedures. The 3t PM + 100kg NPK ha-1 produced significantly (p=0.05) the highest tuber yield (tonnes ha-1), tuber length and diameter, and also had the highest percentage of marketable tubers. The total percentage soil nitrogen, organic matter, Total Base Saturation (TEB) and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC) were significantly (p=0.05) highest in the 6t PM ha-1 treatment. The 6t PM ha-1 treatment had the highest tuber nutrient values for Ca, Mg, P, S and N. The 3t PM + 100kg NPK ha-1 had the highest cost benefit ratios of 1:4.38 and 1:8.15 at Adiembra and Fiaso respectively. The results demonstrated that combined application of PM and NPK increased sweet potato tuber yield and soil nutrient levels in a cost-effective manner

Source: UCC
The Symbolic Meaning of Clothing Regalia of Chiefs in Anlo State in the Volta Region of Ghana

This study sought to examine the forms of clothing regalia and its symbolism used by chiefs in Anlo State in the Volta Region of Ghana. Ethnographic research design embedded in qualitative paradigm was adopted for the study. Data was gathered from a purposively sampled eight (8) key informants, two (2) for each chief, through the use of a semi-structured interview guide and a non-participant observation. The results identified various forms of clothing regalia used by the Anlo State chiefs which were; the type of cloth (Ewe Kete or Adanuvor), jumper, a hat (Fiakuku), chiefs’ sandals (Fiafokpa), a walking stick and must adorn themselves with Dzonu (beads). The Lashi or Sorshi also formed part of their clothing regalia. The results also revealed that, the Anlo chiefs clothing regalia were influenced by the occasion they attended, colour and their role as chiefs. Occasions like installation, confinement and coronation of the chiefs depicted different clothing regalia. The clothing regalia of the Anlo chiefs symbolized spiritual protection for them. It also symbolized a historical event that occurred in the past as well as depicted their affluence and authority. It was recommended that, although society is being transformed rapidly through modernization, there is the need to preserve the culture, traditions and the identity of the Anlo chiefs. It was also important that kingmakers or keepers of Anlo traditions and customs should as much as possible document important aspect of the clothing regalia of the chiefs and not rely solely on oral tradition which can be altered or debunked by others

Source: UCC
The symbolic meaning of clothing regalia of chiefs in Anlo state in the Volta Region of Ghana

This study sought to examine the forms of clothing regalia and its symbolism used by chiefs in Anlo State in the Volta Region of Ghana. Ethnographic research design embedded in qualitative paradigm was adopted for the study. Data was gathered from a purposively sampled eight (8) key informants, two (2) for each chief, through the use of a semi-structured interview guide and a non-participant observation. The results identified various forms of clothing regalia used by the Anlo State chiefs which were; the type of cloth (Ewe Kete or Adanuvor), jumper, a hat (Fiakuku), chiefs’ sandals (Fiafokpa), a walking stick and must adorn themselves with Dzonu (beads). The Lashi or Sorshi also formed part of their clothing regalia. The results also revealed that, the Anlo chiefs clothing regalia were influenced by the occasion they attended, colour and their role as chiefs. Occasions like installation, confinement and coronation of the chiefs depicted different clothing regalia. The clothing regalia of the Anlo chiefs symbolized spiritual protection for them. It also symbolized a historical event that occurred in the past as well as depicted their affluence and authority. It was recommended that, although society is being transformed rapidly through modernization, there is the need to preserve the culture, traditions and the identity of the Anlo chiefs. It was also important that kingmakers or keepers of Anlo traditions and customs should as much as possible document important aspect of the clothing regalia of the chiefs and not rely solely on oral tradition which can be altered or debunked by others.

Source: UCC
Symbolism of Clothing as an Element of Cultural Tourism: A Study of Three Selected Ghanaian Kings

In Ghana the clothing of kings is one of its artistic cultural expressions. The clothing items of traditional rulers and their narratives are collective memories of various kingdoms which can be interpreted in ways that will make them conducive in attracting tourists. The study investigated the symbolism in the clothing of three kings in Ghana and assessed it's potential for use in tourism. The Asantehene, the Awoamefia of the Anlos, and the Nayiri of Mamprugu were purposively selected to represent the southern, middle and northern areas of Ghana as well as three different ethnic groups. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, key informants provided the needed data. The results indicated that the kings used clothing mainly for spiritual protection and to portray their power, status in society and also to portray their hi story and environment. The clothing articles of symbolism include head wears, clothes, sword, staff, foot wear, and jewellery. The materials used in making the clothing of the three kings consist of metals, leather, fabrics, flora, fauna, and clays with the type and variety used being influenced mainly by the location of the kingdom. In terms of management, the regal ia of the Asantehene, is acquired and managed by the state while for the Awoamefia and the Nayiri only the installation items are acquired by their clansmen. For the tourism industry, some of stories behind the clothing could be enacted during festivals. Museums could display the clothes and their symbolism. The stories attached to the clothes could also be made into documentaries for teaching and entertainment. It is recommended that the symbolism of clothing of various traditional rulers in Ghana be documented as knowledge for education.

Source: UCC
Symbolism of Clothing as an Element of Cultural Tourism: A Study of Three Selected Ghanaian Kings

In Ghana the clothing of kings is one of its artistic cultural expressions. The clothing items of traditional rulers and their narratives are collective memories of various kingdoms which can be interpreted in ways that will make them conducive in attracting tourists. The study investigated the symbolism in the clothing of three kings in Ghana and assessed it's potential for use in tourism. The Asantehene, the Awoamefia of the Anlos, and the Nayiri of Mamprugu were purposively selected to represent the southern, middle and northern areas of Ghana as well as three different ethnic groups. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, key informants provided the needed data. The results indicated that the kings used clothing mainly for spiritual protection and to portray their power, status in society and also to portray their hi story and environment. The clothing articles of symbolism include head wears, clothes, sword, staff, foot wear, and jewellery. The materials used in making the clothing of the three kings consist of metals, leather, fabrics, flora, fauna, and clays with the type and variety used being influenced mainly by the location of the kingdom. In terms of management, the regal ia of the Asantehene, is acquired and managed by the state while for the Awoamefia and the Nayiri only the installation items are acquired by their clansmen. For the tourism industry, some of stories behind the clothing could be enacted during in festivals. Museums could display the clothes and their symbolism. The stories attached to the clothes could also be made into documentaries for teaching and entertainment. It is recommended that the symbolism of clothing of various traditional rulers in Ghana be documented as knowledge for education.

Source: UCC
Symbols on Akan Linguist Staff: Meaning and Moral Implications for the Asante

Today, symbols are the embodiment of the Akan of Ghana and are used to express what they stand for and their view of the world, life and co-existence. African Traditional symbols are pictorials or artistic expressions that represent some traditional knowledge in other forms. These symbols, therefore, induce the mind to correlate the pictorial image to the relevant representation of traditional knowledge. As such, the mind situates itself in constant search for meaning and actively explores, processes, and analyzes symbolic content. This study investigates the moral implications on some selected Asante linguist staff. The study concentrates on Asante traditional linguist staff symbols, particularly the eight clans and their moral implications. The problem therefore is, how the Asante, especially the youth, will find meaning in the linguist staff symbols with regards to the moral values and how the values can impact on their lives in the face of the infiltration of foreign culture and religions. The study adopted the qualitative research design to seek relevant information from respondents by using purposively sampling method to sample respondents who were targets as the population for the study. Interview guide was used to solicit responses from the respondents. The study found out that Asante symbols and the staff or the various items the chiefs use to adorn themselves also play important roles when it comes to sharing of information. The study concluded that much recognition is not given to the linguist staff because many individuals do not participate in indigenous cultural and traditional activities in their various Asante communities. The study recommends that linguist staff symbols be inculcated in education and tourism priorities for sustainable tradition.

Source: UCC
Symptomatic Accommodative Disorders and Asthenopia: Prevalence and Association in Ghanaian Children

Background: There is a scarcity of data on asthenopia and accommodative disorders in children in Ghana as optometrists sometimes fail to carry out comprehensive assessments because of the lack of appropriate instruments. Aim: To establish the prevalence of asthenopic symptoms and symptomatic accommodative disorders among Junior High School children in Cape Coast metropolis (in their habitual vision state) and to investigate if there are any associations between asthenopic symptoms and the disorders. Method: A prospective cross-sectional school-based study using a multistage sample of 627 participants aged 12–17 years from Junior High Schools in Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana, was conducted. Participants completed a reliable asthenopic symptoms questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.866), and 220 participants who expressed two or more severe or very severe symptoms were selected for comprehensive accommodative system assessment over their habitual vision state. Results: The prevalence of symptoms of asthenopia (two or more severe or very severe) and symptomatic accommodative disorders were 35.1% and 17.4% respectively. For specific symptomatic accommodative disorders, the prevalence was as follows: 7.7% accommodative insufficiency, 4.5% accommodative infacility, 1.4% accommodative excess and 3.8% accommodative fatigue. There were significant associations between some specific accommodative disorders and some specific asthenopic symptoms even though these asthenopic symptoms overlapped in other accommodative disorders. Conclusion: Specific asthenopic symptoms do not discriminate between the presences of specific types of accommodative disorders. A comprehensive accommodative system assessment with appropriate instruments is relevant to the diagnosis and management of accommodative disorders to relieve asthenopic symptoms.

Source: UCC
Symptomatic Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in Pregnancy a High Risk for Adverse Obstetric and Perinatal Outcome

Both symptomatic and asymptomatic chronic Hepatitis B viral infections in pregnancy have been found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome for the mother and the baby. This comparative study compared maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy between mothers with symptomatic HBV infection and those who were asymptomatic. The results revealed that HBV infected pregnant women with low income, low educational level and are rural dwellers are more likely to be symptomatic. There was statistical significant difference in maternal outcomes (parity, premature rapture of membrane, foul smelling liquor, history of abortion and STI/UTI) between symptomatic and asymptomatic HBV infected mothers. A positive association exists between symptomatic HBV infection and gestational age (P<0.001), birth weight (p<0.001), Apgar score at minute one (0.001). Apgar score at minute five (p<0.001), stillbirth (0.001) and asphyxia (P<0.001). Antenatal care services must target screening and effective management of HBV infected individuals to reduce the adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Source: UCC
Symptomatic Classic Convergence Insufficiency Treated with Dot Card Orthoptic Exercise

Although lots of studies have been reported on convergence insufficiency (CI), no specific case of CI among African patients has been reported. We report a case of symptomatic classic convergence insufficiency in a female student who previously had been misdiagnosed and managed for refractive error. This case highlights the need for comprehensive binocular vision assessment, administration of validated symptom questionnaires in cases of suspicious CI, and the use of simple and inexpensive vision therapy procedures to manage CI in optometric centres in developing countries.

Source: UCC