ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The effect of forest plantation projects on the livelihood of forest-fringe communities in Northern Region of Ghana (A case study in Kenikeni and Yirada Forest Reserves)

Agroforestry projects have been practiced in the Northern Region of Ghana since the introduction of agroforestry initiatives in the 1980s. The study was a case study with the main aim of providing information on the effects of plantation projects on the livelihood of the Forest-Fringe communities in Northern Region. The effect of these plantation projects on the livelihoods of rural households’ in the area is limited making it difficult for one to ascertain or recommend their importance for further improvement for the peoples’ livelihoods. It was in the light of this that the research was conducted. The study area wasconducted in two districts of the Northern Region of Ghana. Results of the study indicated that the agroforestry plantation project have great potentials of contributing to households’ income (25 percent), food (3 percent) as well as access to education (1 percent). It was found out that the plantation was the only source of accessible land for the landless inhabitants including landless female-headed households in the area. Statistically gender of household heads with main livelihood before the introduction of the plantation project showed that there were significant differences between the variables (Pr = 0.001). Lack of access to education was also found to be the major cause of illness and other livelihood problems which affect agroforestry of rural households in the area (Pr = 0.001). Agriculture is the main source of livelihood of rural residents of the area; therefore it is recommended that the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) can collaborate to promote modern agroforestry methods to improve on agricultural production in the area. To achieve this, existing agroforestry technologies have to be improved, followed by the introduction of modern and more beneficial agroforestry technologies like entomoforestry to improve household’s income levels. Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)and other developmental NGOsshould be encouraged to channel their resources towards improving the livelihood conditions of the people in the forest-fringe communities in this part of Ghana.

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Ghana’s External Debt on Economic Growth

Ghana’s external debt has been on the increase due to the dependence of the Government on international capital markets to secure loans to finance most of her expenditure. High external debts can erode confidence in economic reforms and thus diminish the sustainability of what might be an otherwise sound economic strategy. This study therefore investigated the effect of external debt on economic growth in Ghana. The study made use of data spanning the period 1970-2013 which was sourced from World Bank Development Indicators and International Debt statistics. The method of estimation was based on the Autoregressive distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The study established the existence of a long run relationship between economic growth and external Debt in Ghana. In the long run, the external debt-GNI ratio – a measure for debt overhang is correctly signed (i.e. negative) and significant at the 1% level. The debt service-export ratio - a measure for debt overcrowding was also found to have a negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth at the 1% level. The effect of the debt service-export ratio was however severe than the debt service-export ratio in the long run. Gross domestic investment and population growth rate were also found to significantly affect economic growth in the long run. In the short run, the debt service-export ratio was again found to have a negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth at the 1% level. Gross domestic investment and exchange rate were also found to have a significant influence on economic growth in the short run. It is recommended that fiscal consolidation and discipline measures should be implemented to ensure that external debt are kept at levels at par with our debt servicing mechanisms. Also, our debt servicing mechanism needs to be revised where projects that are financed with external loans should be capable of generating returns which should be used to finance these loans.

Source: KNUST
Effect of gamma irradiation on the quality of processed anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus)

The effect of irradiation on nutritional composition, microbial load and shelf-life of anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) was assessed in this study. Irradiation doses used for the study were 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 kGy. The assessment was carried out at 3 weeks intervals for the period of 9 weeks. Samples were analysed for microbial load (total viable count, total coliform count and Staphylococcus aureus) and nutritional composition (total ash content and free fatty acids). Smoked anchovies were contaminated with TVC of 6.175 CFU/g when compared to smoked samples (6.042 CFU/g) from Keta at week 0. The sun-dried samples obtained from Chorkor at week 0, had significantly higher (p<0.05) TVC of 5.633 CFU/g when compared to sun-dried samples (4.490 CFU/g) from Keta. It was established on the 9th week that, there was a general decrease in microbes implying that the application of irradiation had reduced the level of TVC, TCC and SA in the anchovy samples. Samples from Chorkor were also found out to be more contaminated than those Keta and this may be as a result of the environmental condition in Chorkor. It was also established that irradiation dose as low as 2.5kGy could decontaminate processed anchovies. As regards, nutritional analysis, sun-dried samples obtained from processors (21.47%) had high amount of ash content when compared to marketers (20.80%) on the 3rd week. Smoked samples obtained from marketers (17.99%) at week 3 were not significantly different (p>0.05) in ash content when compared to processors (18.44%). The free fatty acids (oleic acid) levels in both smoked and sun-dried samples decreased as the storage period increased. Application of irradiation had no influence on the ash content in samples but the free fatty acid levels reduced as the irradiation dose increased. In conclusion, irradiation to a dose of 2.5kGy is sufficient to decontaminate anchovies without significantly affecting their nutritional composition.

Source: KNUST
The effect of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on infrastructure development in Ghana

In sp‎‎ite‎ of the‎ glut of studie‎s on the‎ dire‎ction of causality be‎twe‎e‎n Fore‎ign Dire‎ct Inve‎stme‎nt (FDI) and Infrastructure‎ de‎ve‎lop‎‎me‎nt, e‎mp‎‎irical e‎vide‎nce‎ is not cle‎ar for country group‎‎s. This study the‎re‎fore‎ sought to e‎xp‎‎lore‎ the‎ corre‎lation be‎twe‎e‎n FDI, infrastructure‎ de‎ve‎lop‎‎me‎nt and Growth in Ghana using time‎ se‎rie‎s data from 1990 and 2015. The‎ sp‎‎e‎cific obje‎ctive‎s include‎d to; e‎xamine‎ the‎ p‎‎atte‎rn of FDI inflows in Ghana ove‎r the‎ p‎‎ast two de‎cade‎s; e‎xamine‎ the‎ ante‎ce‎de‎nts of FDI inflows into Ghana; e‎xamine‎ the‎ causal re‎lationship‎‎ be‎twe‎e‎n FDI and GDP‎‎ Growth; e‎xp‎‎lore‎ the‎ re‎lationship‎‎ be‎twe‎e‎n FDI and infrastructure‎ de‎ve‎lop‎‎me‎nt in Ghana. The‎ data se‎ts we‎re‎ obtaine‎d from the‎ World Bank - African De‎ve‎lop‎‎me‎nt Indicators Database‎, the‎ Ministry of Finance‎ and E‎conomic P‎‎lanning - Fiscal Data. Othe‎r se‎ctions we‎re‎ comp‎‎le‎me‎nte‎d with data from ISSE‎R and CE‎P‎‎A p‎‎ublications. Standard time‎-se‎rie‎s unit root te‎st was conducte‎d using Ge‎ne‎ralize‎d Le‎ast Square‎s De‎tre‎nding (DF-GLS) to che‎ck the‎ stationarity of variable‎s. Thre‎e‎ main mode‎ls we‎re‎ conside‎re‎d Mode‎l 1 - Ante‎ce‎de‎nts to FDI; Mode‎l 2 – Growth Mode‎l; Mode‎l 3 – Infrastructure‎ Mode‎l. With re‎sp‎‎e‎ct to the‎ p‎‎atte‎rn of FDI inflows into the‎ country, the‎ study found a ge‎ne‎ral incre‎ase‎ in the‎ inflows of fore‎ign inve‎stme‎nt ove‎r the‎ samp‎‎le‎ p‎‎e‎riod; howe‎ve‎r it is shown that be‎twe‎e‎n 1994 to 2002 sharp‎‎ falls in the‎ FDI inflows we‎re‎ p‎‎re‎se‎nt. It howe‎ve‎r assume‎d its ste‎ady rise‎ onwards to 2014. For the‎ growth mode‎l, the‎ study found that ave‎rage‎ growth rate‎ for the‎ 25-ye‎ar p‎‎e‎riod was 0.99% far le‎ss than the‎ annual change‎ in GDP‎‎ growth of 1.66% for the‎ data sp‎‎an. The‎ long run Fully Modified Least Square (FMOLS) e‎stimation showe‎d that op‎‎e‎nne‎ss, GDP‎‎ growth rate‎, e‎xchange‎ rate‎ fluctuations, p‎‎olitical risks and p‎‎re‎vious le‎ve‎l of FDI inflows have‎ a strong imp‎‎act on curre‎nt FDI inflows at 5% significant le‎ve‎l. In the‎ Two (2) e‎stimation ap‎‎p‎‎roache‎s use‎d to cap‎‎ture‎ the‎ e‎ffe‎cts of FDI on growth, FDI was shown not to draw any significant imp‎‎act on growth in both mode‎ls. The‎ stre‎ngth of both mode‎ls is validate‎d by the‎ adjuste‎d R-square‎s of 70.5% in the‎ first mode‎l and 71.9% in the‎ se‎cond mode‎l. To achie‎ve‎ growth in infrastructure‎, it is re‎comme‎nde‎d that Gove‎rnme‎nt works at e‎nsuring FDI is attracte‎d to se‎ctors of the‎ e‎conomy that dire‎ctly trickle‎s into growth. It is also imp‎‎ortant that the‎ country’s trade‎ p‎‎olicie‎s are‎ ge‎are‎d towards op‎‎e‎ning the‎ country’s marke‎t for more‎ trade‎. Howe‎ve‎r, a care‎ful analysis should be‎ done‎ to ide‎ntify se‎ctors that warrant op‎‎e‎nne‎ss so as not to suffocate‎ nasce‎nt industrie‎s.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Gibberellins (GA3) on the postharvest life and quality of Papaya fruits under ambient storage conditions

Papaya is an important fruit crop in the tropics. The crop however, has a short shelf-life leading to high postharvest losses in papaya growing areas in the Akuapim South Municipality. The study was in two phases including survey and laboratory analysis. The survey was conducted on famers in the Akuapim South Municipality in order to identify the challenges they encounter during papaya production. Majority of the famers mentioned short shelf-life as the main problem they encounter during papaya production even though they have other challenges in the production of papaya fruits in the study area. The research attempted to mitigate this problem by applying a postharvest technology as a way of prolonging the shelf-life of the crop. The laboratory work was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to determine the effect of GA3 on the postharvest life and quality of papaya fruits under ambient storage conditions in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in completely randomized design with three replications. Four rates of GA3 were applied on the papaya fruits at 0mg/litre, 100mg/litre, 200mg/litre and 300mg/litre. It was observed that of all the nine quality characteristics, effect of papaya varieties (colur, shelf-life, weight loss, moisture content and total soluble solids) were significantly different (p=0.01). However, effect of variety on pH, firmness, total titratable acidity and sugar/acid ratio did not show significant differences (p>0.01). Shelf-life of papaya varieties were significantly different (p=0.01). Kapoho had a mean of 11 days to ripen whilst Sunrise recorded a mean of 10 days to ripen. The four GA3 concentrations recorded significant differences on all the nine properties of the papaya fruits. Papaya fruits stored longer as the concentration were increased. Gibberellins concentrations at 0mg/litre had the least mean number of 6 days to ripening whilst the papaya fruits treated with the highest concentration of 300mg/litre had the highest mean number of 15 days. Also, sensory attributes of papaya fruits were highly accepted by the ten (10) panelists. Fresh papaya fruits (control) were served jointly with the gibberellins treated papaya fruits after the storage period to the panelists for their assessment and evaluation. Significant differences (p=0.01) were observed for pulp colour, aroma, taste, mouth feel and general acceptability. There was no significant difference (p>0.01) between the control and the gibberellins concentration of 300mg/litre. Overall, papaya fruits applied with gibberellins concentration of 300mg/litre was effective in prolonging the shelf-life of both types of papaya under ambient storage conditions.

Source: KNUST
Effect of government expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria (1981-2013)

In this study, attempt was made to investigate the effect of government expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria. The study covers a period between 1980 and 2014 and uses aggregate time series data from secondary source. Relevant time series data used in the model includes those on gross domestic Product (GDP} and different structures of government. Results of the study show government expenditure has a significant effect on economic growth though the significance is form dependent. i.e. the form of government expenditure considered. Also, capital and recurrent expenditure have significant effect on economic growth but in varying degrees and extent. Finally, it was found out that capital expenditure would have exert positive impact on the level of economic growth but for the issue of corruption and institutional oddity in Nigeria though the intended capital expenditure is indirectly converted to recurrent expenditure somehow which has its own effect on the Economic growth.

Source: KNUST
Effect of gliricidia sepium and senna siamea prunings on the growth and root yield of cassava.

Cassava is grown mainly on impoverished soils with no soil amendments such as fertilizers. Continuous cropping of cassava without adequate maintenance of soil fertility could lead to soil and environmental degradation. With high root yields and as an efficient soil nutrients miner, cassava removes large quantities on N, P, K and Mg. Organic mulches particularly of leguminous plants provide considerable quantities of plant nutrients. Mulching as an agricultural technique is a useful and affordable tool in adapting low external input cropping systems to local economic and environmental conditions. Pruning of plants provides the biomass for use as soil amendment. Field and laboratory studies were conducted at Kwadaso (Kumasi) from April 2005 - Dec 2006 to evaluate the potentials of Gliricidia sepium and Senna siamea prunings for soil fertility improvement in Ghana. A randomised complete block design (RCBD) was used. Six treatments used were: Gliricidia sepuim, Senna siamea, ½ Gliricidia sepium + ½ fertilizer, ½ Senna siamea + ½ fertilizer, control and fertilizer (NPK). Fresh root yield ranged from 11.8 t/ha for Control to 31.0 t/ha for ½ Gliricidia sepuim + ½ fertilizer. The G. sepuim treatment produced the second highest cassava yield of 24.9 t/ha, while Senna siamea and Fertilizer treatment (NPK) treatments gave intermediate cassava fresh root yields of 24.7 and 24.1 t/ha respectively. The highest nitrogen content in cassava leaves was obtained in the Fertilizer treatment and Gliricidia sepuim (3.31-3.33 %). The highest leaf phosphorus content was observed in the Gliricidia sepuim and Senna siamea treatments, while the control, G. sepuim and Senna siamea had the highest leaf potassium content. The cassava starch content for the sole treatments (sole Gliricidia, Senna, mineral fertilizer) were lower than the combined application of prunings and mineral fertilizer.

Source: KNUST
Effect of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Sickle Cell Anaemia on Malaria Parasitaemia in Children Visiting the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (OPD) in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area, Ghana

The effect of glueose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and sickle-cell anaemia on incidence of malaria parasitaemia amongst children (0-12 years) attending the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana was determined amongst 215 between April and August, 2007. Both thick and thin blood films wefe prepared and stained using both standard parasitological and haematological procedures. Children visiting the OPD of KATH for medical attention were recruited for the study. Subjects known to have HIV/AIDS were exempted from the study. Of the 215 children investigated, 17 (7.91%) were found to have malaria parasites in their blood with the age group 4-6 years recording the highest (15.09%) frequency rate with a mean parasite » density of 91436.47 jal"1 (p<0.05). Females had a significantly higher (10.2%) (X2 = 3.347, p= 0.0498) malaria incidence rate with a mean parasite density of 75686.1 fil"1 (p< 0.0001), compared to 5.6% malaria incidence rate and 11210.9 mean parasite density in males. Children who had genotype AS (carrier trait) for sickle cell anaemia showed some level of protection against malaria as the genotype had the least degree of parasitaemia, whereas the children heterozygous (partially defective) for G6PD deficiency showed 100% protection against malaria infection with no parasites seen in their blood samples.

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Golden Jubilee Maize (GJM) on egg production and egg quality of layer chickens

A total of 192 Lohmann brown pullets of twenty- three weeks of age at a production level of 50 % and with a mean initial weight of 1.48 kg were randomly allotted to three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets ie. Normal maize (NM), Obatanpa (OBAT), and Golden Jubilee maize (GJM) over a 33 week period to assess their relative nutritive values . Feed and water were given ad libitum. The proximate analysis of the maize samples showed that NM, GJM and OBAT had crude protein values of 10.0, 8.6 and 9.1 % respectively and dry matter content of 89 %, 90 % and 89.50 % for NM, GJM, and OBAT respectively. The results did not show any significant difference (p>0.05) in feed consumption among the dietary treatments though numerical differences were observed. Hens fed GJM laid 898 and 1,056 more eggs than those fed NM and Obatanpa respectively showing a significant difference (p<0.05) between OBAT and GJM but not significant (p>0.05) between NM and GJM. Though cost of feed consumed did not differ among the three dietary treatments, GJM recorded higher values for feed per kilogram egg, feed per dozen eggs, feed cost per kilogram egg and feed cost per dozen eggs produced, an indication of higher income when GJM is used in layer diet. The internal qualities measured such as Haugh Unit (HU) and pH were within the acceptable range indicating a good quality. The mean (HU) Scores were 85.57, 87.64 and 89.64 for NM, OBAT and GJM respectively. The keeping quality of the eggs did not show any significant difference (p>0.05) among the dietary treatments. However, there was a deterioration of HU, albumen height, egg weight, increment in pH value and yolk percentage with storage. The cholesterol level in the egg of hens fed GJM was lowest compared with that of NM and slightly higher than that of Obatanpa. The use of GJM in the diet of layer hens showed favourable results and will be useful to farmers for maximum egg production without compromising egg quality.

Source: KNUST
Effect of green marketing practices on purchase intention: moderation role of environmental knowledge

The primary goal of this study is to investigate the connection between environmentally conscious marketing strategies, consumer environmental awareness, and consumer purchase intentions. Descriptive research, used in this study, tries to precisely and methodically describe a population, circumstance, or phenomena. There are 85,000 people in the study, including students at Kwame Nkrumah university of science and technology (kunst) in Kumasi. Simple random sampling uses 398 randomly generated integers, which are used to select a sample for this investigation. The primary sources are where the study's data will come from. Primary sources provide raw information and first-hand evidence. Using the use of closed-ended questionnaires with a five-likert scale, the study's data has been gathered. Statistical techniques from the statistical package for the social sciences are being used by the researcher to produce the data analysis based on the objectives and questions from the study (spss). The study revealed that green promotion and products positively and significantly influence the purchase intention of customers of water bottling companies. It was also revealed that environmental knowledge significantly moderation the relationship between green products, promotion and the purchase intention of customers of bottled water. Therefore, the study concludes that green products and promotion have a significant relationship between the purchase intention of customers of bottled water and environmental information moderates the relationship among green products, promotion and purchase intention of customers. Thus, customers pay attention to environmental knowledge, and green products and promotion are more important. Consequently, the continuous improvement in product quality and promotion concentrating on the green mix can bring high yields for the company. It is recommended that companies improve their products and develop them to be friendly products to the environment.

Source: KNUST
Effect of green supply chain management practices on firm performance in ghana

The study attempted to examine the effect of GSCM on the performance of firms in Ghana. The current study adopted a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional descriptive research design. The study sampled 94 managers of various firms using structured questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the study’s findings. The study results discovered that the GSCM practices mainly utilized by firms in Ghana are green manufacturing, remanufacturing, and internal environmental management. Whilst the economic performance of firms in Ghana was also high, the environmental performance and operational performance were average. The study outcomes also demonstrated that GSCM practices had significant positive effects on the environmental, economic, and operational performance of firms in Ghana. The study recommended that the management of the various firms invest in the other GSCM practices to reduce environmental pollution and further boost the performance of their various firms

Source: KNUST
Effect of green supply chain management practices on firm performance in Ghana

The study attempted to examine the effect of gscm on the performance of firms in ghana. The current study adopted a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional descriptive research design. The study sampled 94 managers of various firms using structured questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the study’s findings. The study results discovered that the gscm practices mainly utilized by firms in ghana are green manufacturing, remanufacturing, and internal environmental management. Whilst the economic performance of firms in ghana was also high, the environmental performance and operational performance were average. The study outcomes also demonstrated that gscm practices had significant positive effects on the environmental, economic, and operational performance of firms in ghana. The study recommended that the management of the various firms invest in the other gscm practices to reduce environmental pollution and further boost the performance of their various firms.

Source: KNUST