ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Substrate Ultilization for Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Compounds

We design, evaluate and compare the biodegradation performance of the application of compost (made up of some dead plants), Poultry manure (Organic) and inorganic chemical fertilizer (Urea) in the bioremediation of soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbon. Four different levels of nitrogen application were augmented for each of the substrates. A combination of treatments consisting of the application of poultry manure, Chemical fertilizer, and Compost was evaluated ex situ during a period of 8 weeks of remediation. The aim was to (i) find the best performance of substrate for the process, (ii) the level of nitrogen which stimulate performance (ii) find if there exists a significant difference in both the substrate and the level of nitrogen (iv) the best combination of substrate and level of nitrogen good for bioremediation process using ANOVA and Tukey’s test of difference. Contaminated soil containing oil and total petroleum hydrocarbon with different levels was bioremediated by blending of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil with portions of compost, poultry manure and fertilizer. After eight weeks of remediation, the most efficient contributor to hydrocarbon decomposition was poultry manure, followed by compost and fertilizer respectively. Moreover, in all the four (4) fixed nitrogen levels, it was found that, the higher the level of nitrogen the better the rate of degradation. For the substrate used, poultry manure-hydrocarbon blend recorded the least residual of Oil/ grease and TPH values followed by the compost substrate and with fertilizer blend recording the highest.

Source: KNUST
Success Factors for Achieving Value for Money in Urban Road Construction in Ghana

The study aimed at exploring the success factors in achieving value for money in urban roads construction in Ghana. Three (3) objectives were established to identify the significant barriers inherent in achieving value for money in urban roads, to identify the success factors towards value for money and to identify the project management techniques that can be adopted by project managers to improve value for money in urban road construction in Ghana. Literature review was conducted on the objectives to identify relating variable to aid in the development of an instrument for the research. A closed-ended questionnaire was employed in eliciting responses from respondents in the Urban Roads Department. Forty (40) questionnaires were administered to qualified participants. The data collected was analysed using SPSS version 25. From the analysis, it was realized that, poor contract administration, lack of inexperienced and incompetent contractors\consultants were significant barriers to achieving value for money in urban road construction. Extensive stakeholder’s engagement, and project management techniques including quality management and time management were significant in achieving value for money in urban constructions. It was therefore recommended that government should introduce value for money practices in urban road construction projects. The study explores a relatively new area and consequently serves as the basis to spur future research.

Source: KNUST
Subsistence farmer knowledge of strategies alleviating food insecurity in the context of climate change in the lower river region of the Gambia

Knowledge of strategies to improve farm household resilience to food insecurity and counter adverse weather events and poor resource endowment is a pre-requisite for implementing solutions fitting local conditions. This paper examines subsistence farmer knowledge of strategies to cope with food insecurity and progressive climate change in the Lower River Region of The Gambia. The study applies survey data collected from the predominantly agricultural, poorly urbanized region in 2017 with regard to knowledge of eleven strategies, nine strategies directly related to farm practices and two related strategies associated with insufficient food crop production. Farmer strategy knowledge is estimated using the logit technique and identified farmer, farm household, farm practice, and environmental characteristics and factors significantly influencing such knowledge. The calculation of probability changes quantified the effect associated with a particular factor on knowing a strategy. Formal education, secondary household activities, gender, government support, farm size, and income influence the knowledge of selected strategies. Additionally, knowledge of some strategies is also associated with certain practices, e.g., planting trees. Insights gained from the study into the factors driving illiterate, ultra-poor farmer knowledge of available strategies are of use for multiple stakeholders helping to channel their efforts to reduce food insecurity in the studied region, The Gambia, other regions, which share similar socioeconomic and environmental conditions.

Source: KNUST
Successful surgical management of intralobar pulmonary sequestration in Ghana

Pulmonary sequestration occurs when a portion of lung tissue receives its blood supply from an anomalous systemic artery. Three main presentations, intralobar, extralobar and communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations, have been described. It is the second most common congenital lung anomaly. The intralobar variant is the most common type seen in 75% of cases, especially in late childhood. Imaging of choice for diagnosis are computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Management involves surgical resection with ligation of the aberrant blood supply via thoracotomy or thoracoscopy. Endovascular therapy with coil embolization of the aberrant anomalous systemic artery as a standard therapy or as a hybrid therapy is an option. We present our successful surgical management of an infant diagnosed prenatally with congenital lung abnormality and confirmed postnatally as intralobar pulmonary sequestration.

Source: KNUST
Succession planning as a tool for addressing unexpected exits at Trades Union Congress (TUC) Headquarters, Accra

Filling of top management positions in labour organizations in Ghana as a result of unexpected exits has in most cases, been chaotic due to the lack of effective succession planning. The main purpose of this study is to investigate how effective succession planning can be used to resolve employees’ unexpected exits at the headquarters of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC). Data was collected from 30 out of 64 full time employees of the case study organization, using questionnaires and interviews, through a non-probability convenient and purposive sampling approach. The data was carefully analyzed with both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study revealed that even though the TUC effectively employs job rotation, internal promotions and buying-in talents from outside the organization as interim measures to fill unexpected vacancies, effective replacement planning was on the decline. The study further revealed that some managers and talented employees of the TUC leave the organization to other firms for greener pastures and better working conditions. It was again discovered that leadership of the TUC fail to implement succession planning policy in order to hang around for contract after retirement. The study also revealed that complications in the implementation of effective succession planning at the TUC are threat to the organization’s succession planning strategy. The study has therefore recommended that the management of TUC should adopt an effective succession planning model that will deal with unexpected exits in the organization. It was again suggested that management of the TUC must make succession planning policy framework simple and make conscious efforts to implement it. The study also recommended that the management of TUC must take replacement planning very seriously to enable the organization withstand shock as and when it occurs

Source: KNUST
Succession planning as a tool for organizational development: A case study of University of Education, Winneba - Kumasi Campus

In recent times, the growth in human resource issues and concerns has been experienced across global business circles. The absence of succession planning policy in most industries and institutions is considered one of the major causes of problems which are manifested daily in the lives of employees, affecting the level of satisfaction they derive. The study therefore seeks to explore how succession plan can be used as a Tool to develop University of Education Winneba, Kumasi campus. This study specifically explored the existence of succession planning, criterion used in selecting successors, to ascertain the functionalities of the succession planning policy and many more. The study employed descriptive survey research design and a case study of University of Education (Kumasi campus) was considered for the study. Quota sampling technique was adopted in choosing the respondents. A response rate of 86.25% was attained from a sample size of 80. Data were gathered with the aid of questionnaires and interviews. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were adopted in analyzing the data. The study revealed that University of Education, Kumasi Campus has a succession plan policy in place to fill key roles in the institution. The University is able to achieve this mainly through training and development and job rotation programmes. It evolved that potential candidates were taken through vetting, interview and a performance assessment regime alongside considering other personality traits of the candidates. Succession planning implementation in the University is challenged mainly by lack of funding in organising training programs and as well as to motivate workers. It is recommended that the University adequately motivate workers in order to reap the full benefit of succession planning.

Source: KNUST
Succession Planning in Small and Medium Enterprises in the Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana

The objective of the study was to find out factors affecting succession planning in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Takoradi Metropolis and again to suggest ways of enhancing succession planning in Small and Medium Enterprises in Takoradi. Descriptive survey was used for the study. Purposive sampling was used in selecting 125 SMEs for the study. A respondent each was required from the 125 SMEs and so stratified sampling was used to group the respondents into owners and workers. 60% quota was given to owners and 40% to workers through quota sampling. Convenience sampling was then used to sample the required number. Data was gathered through the use of questionnaire and analysed using percentages and frequency tables. The major findings of the study are that lack of trust was one of the factors affecting succession planning in SMEs. This was because many SMEs do not have clear objectives and policies of succession planning for the enterprise. The study found out that succession was not based on merit or succession was based on the relationship with the founder of the business. The study revealed that good management practices and clear objectives of the SMEs in terms of who would take over or assume position when the owner or founder retires or dies could relate to succession planning. The study again identified that many SMes do not involve their family or relatives in the operations of the business. The study recommended that SMEs should train prospective successors for the enterprises. Again there should be succession laws to regulate the smooth transition to new administration. Finally the study recommends that successors for the business should be based on merit to ensure that right and qualified people manage the enterprise.

Source: KNUST
Succession Planning as a Tool for Organizational Development: a Case Study of Britak Steel Company Limited

Succession planning can be said to mean the processes through which companies plan for the future transfer of ownership and/or top management. It needs to be managed to ensure proper or smooth transition and effective practices wherever it is practised because the success of every firm/industry be it private or public in this technology infested world, rely mainly on effective, efficient, dedicated and well trained managers. It is in the light of these circumstances that the study was undertaken with the main objective of investigating the succession planning processes and its impact on the development of Britak Steel Complex limited which is a family company. Questionnaires were the instrument used to collect data and Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS) software was used for analysis and presentations were made accordingly. The findings of the study revealed that even though succession planning policy is informally practiced at Britak Steel Company, much is not being done to put the process in the main stream hence heavy reliance on external sources to fill vacant positions in the organization especially managerial positions. Recommendations made by the researcher to the company include, the empowerment of the junior staff through periodic development career training programmes, comprehensive and formidable succession planning programmes with clear implementation policies among others.

Source: KNUST
Succession planning measures of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) family businesses in Ghana

Although family businesses play significant role in the new global economy than any other type of organisation, yet many of them fail to survive in the next generation due to poor succession planning measures. This study attempts to make contributions to academia by providing a greater insight into succession planning among family businesses in Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to examine the succession planning process of family businesses, identify the factors affecting succession planning in family businesses, as well as the problems encountered by family businesses during succession planning. The study took a descriptive survey format design using both quantitative and qualitative approach. The sample size for the study was 260 family businesses. A purposive sampling technique was employed for the selection of appropriate samples for the study. Responses from the respondents was analysed by descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. It was evident from the study that most of the family businesses in Ghana have succession planning put in place. Although successors are said to help family businesses for longevity in the next generation, some portion of the family businesses in the country did not often train them. However, it was revealed that nearly not all of them have a procedure or process to appoint a successor. Only few of them have a proper laid down process to transfer their business to a successor. The study also concludes that succession planning among most family businesses in Ghana is influenced by the personal need to protect the business and its fortune for the next generation without any consideration for the level of risk, skills, competencies, and experiences required of successors, dissatisfaction and lack of motivation of potential successors, and ability of the potential successor and willingness to take over among others.

Source: KNUST
A suggested art syllabus for nursery school

Though the integration of art into the activities of the nursery school helps in providing an all - round education involving the cognitive, effective and psychomotor domains of learning during formal education, the actual classroom experience that children go through shows that the art programme being used in the nursery school in Ghana is not adequately organized to enhance learning and in most nursery schools does not exist at all. This prompted a research to find out the type of art syllabus being used in the nursery school, analyse its content and then propose an art syllabus which will be consistent with the general objectives of nursery education in the country. The descriptive and analytical methods of research were used to collect compile and analyse data for possible solutions of the problem. The first chapter of the study is an introduction to the problem and its related issues. Chapter two is devoted to the available literature related to child art. Such related literature was reviewed and compiled to throw light on the previous work that has been carried out by educators on the work The population for this study and the general procedure embarked upon to carry tile research through is elaborated in chapter three, giving the sources of the data collected and how it was gathered. The art programme being used by the nursery school was then evaluated; finding out its consequent effects on the other art related activities of the nursery school. This was taken care of in chapter four. Chapter five dilates upon the nursery school child and art. It explains the purposes that art should serve in nursery education. In chapter six of the study, the results of the research, analysis and interpretation have been compiled. The summary, conclusion and recommendations arising from the study have been noted down in the final chapter of this write-up. The author has been able to come out with a suggested art syllabus for nursery school which could be used effectively by both the professional and untrained nursery teachers to achieve better results.

Source: KNUST
A suggested syllabus for pottery in the senior secondary schools

It is undoubtedly true that the educational system of every nation plays a major role towards the total development of the nation. The growing concern for national development and the obligation which confronts the present education system of Ghana make it imperative that art plays a more important role in the education of the youth. The present secondary education is characterised by the production of unskilled students. Each year, thousands of school leavers pass out from our second cycle institutions with only a negligible number of them finding their way into the third cycle Institutions. A majority of them roam the urban centres in search of non-existing jobs. The emphasis on vocational skills such as Pottery, Basketry, and Leatherwork etc. lead to self - employment and reduce unemployment. Such an emphasis is also in line with the national decision to provide students with experiences that will enable them acquire practical skills within the policy guidelines of the “New Structure and Content of education for Ghana” 1974. The teaching of pottery, like some other vocational subjects, has not received enough attention. This is due to the content of our educational system which stresses academic courses at the detriment of vocational and technical courses Under the current educational reforms, it is inevitable that a syllabus will be needed for the effective instruction in pottery at the Senior Secondary School level, The purpose of this protect then is to assist and equip art educators, curriculum planners and teachers with a workable syllabus for the teaching of pottery in tie Senior Secondary School (S.S.S.)

Source: KNUST
Suitability Of Drinking Water From The Tano River And Other Sources In The Wassa Amenfi West District, Western Region Of Ghana

River Tano is a prominent river in the Wasa Amenfi West District of the Western Region of Ghana. It runs through several rural farming communities in the district and serves as the main source of drinking water and other domestic purposes in the communities. An assessment of the quality of the water for drinking purposes and other drinking water sources (Kakafu and Awura) was conducted by determining levels of some physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, TDS, turbidity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total alkalinity, manganese and cyanide), concentrations of some heavy metals (iron, arsenic and mercury), the levels of total coliform, and faecal coliforms and the nutrient concentrations (sulphate, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and chloride) of the water samples. Samples were taken from three points along the river at Affiena (upstream point), Moseaso (midstream point) and Pantoso (downstream point) monthly from November 2014 to February 2015. All parameters (pH, temperature, turbidity, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, ammonia, conductivity, total dissolved solid, hardness, (total, calcium and magnesium), iron, chloride, sulphate, total coliform and faecal coliform) were measured using the standard methods. (Palintest method, EDTA titration method, pour plate count methods etc.) Microsoft Excel 2010 version was used in computing for the means and standard deviations. The SPSS was used to find One-way randomized analysis of variance (ANOVA). All statistical tests were conducted at 95% confidence. P-value was considered significant at ≤ 0.05. The results showed that all the physicochemical parameters of water samples were within the minimum permissible limits for drinking water as suggested by the Ghana Standards Board and WHO except those of Turbidity (530.70±117.2-868.67±141.09 NTU). With the exception of arsenic all the heavy metals (iron and mercury) recorded extremely high levels than the Ghana and WHO standard values of 0.01 and 0.006, respectively. Faecal coliform and total coliform loads were extremely high from all the sampling sites, which do not conform to the Ghana and WHO standards of zero (0) for potable drinking water. Nutrient levels conformed to the Ghana and WHO standards set for potable drinking water. Due to the high levels of turbidity, mercury, iron, arsenic, cyanide, total coliform and faecal coliforms of the Tano River and the other drinking water sources, it is unsafe for human consumption and other domestic purposes. The levels of the parameters should be controlled and maintained. Where the control or elimination of these parameters is impossible, alternative source of potable water should be provided to the communities who rely on these sources for water.

Source: KNUST
Suitability of cassava starch as adjunct substitute for barley in the brewing of beer (stout beer)

Cassava starch has featured in many foods recipes and industrial applications. However its use as an adjunct in brewing has not received much attention. This work therefore sought to establish the suitability of cassava starch as an adjunct substitute for barley in brewing. The gelatinization temperature of cassava starch samples were determined and results ranged between 62 and 65°C. Other key parameters evaluated were wort perfect primaries, gravities and pH, attenuation limits, colour, and bitterness. Head retention (HR) and carbondioxide (CO2) content of finished product were also determined. Results showed that the present gravities (PG), pH, bitterness (BITT) and colour (COL) obtained for the cassava starch substituted wort samples ranged from, 90.64-94.36°S, 5.3 – 5.5, 54 – 63EBU and 27 – 33 respectively. In addition to the above parameters, two additional parameters, original gravities (OG) and alcohol by volume (abv) were measured for the cassava starch substituted green beer with the following results, (OG) 87.21 – 91.43°S, (pH) 4.2 – 4.4, (BITT) 45 – 56EBU, (abv) 8.6 – 94. Results for head retention and carbondioxide for finished products were, (HR) 76 – 83sec, (CO2) 3.08 – 3.43g/l. Sensory evaluation showed that the 25% cassava starch substituted adjunct sample was the most preferred based on estery flavour, tingly mouth feel, colour and bitterness.

Source: KNUST