ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An overview of the diurnal cycle of the atmospheric boundary layer during the West African monsoon season: results from the 2016 observational campaign

A ground-based field campaign was conducted in southern West Africa from mid-June to the end of July 2016 within the framework of the Dynamics–Aerosol–Chemistry– Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project. It aimed to provide a high-quality comprehensive data set for process studies, in particular of interactions between lowlevel clouds (LLCs) and boundary-layer conditions. In this region missing observations are still a major issue. During the campaign, extensive remote sensing and in situ measurements were conducted at three supersites: Kumasi (Ghana), Savè (Benin) and Ile-Ife (Nigeria). Daily radiosoundings were performed at 06:00 UTC, and 15 intensive observation periods (IOPs) were performed during which additional radiosondes were launched, and remotely piloted aerial systems were operated. Extended stratiform LLCs form frequently in southern West Africa during the nighttime and persist long into the following day. They affect the radiation budget and hence the evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer and regional climate. The relevant parameters and processes governing the formation and dissolution of the LLCs are still not fully understood. This paper gives an overview of the diurnal cycles of the energy-balance components, nearsurface temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction as well as of the conditions (LLCs, low-level jet) in the boundary layer at the supersites and relates them to synoptic-scale conditions (monsoon layer, harmattan layer, African easterly jet, tropospheric stratification) in the DACCIWA operational area. The characteristics of LLCs vary considerably from day to day, including a few almost cloud-free nights. During cloudy nights we found large differences in the LLCs’ formation and dissolution times as well as in the cloud-base height. The differences exist at individual sites and also between the sites. The synoptic conditions are characterized by a monsoon layer with south-westerly winds, on average about 1.9 km deep, and easterly winds above; the depth and strength of the monsoon flow show great day-to-day variability. Within the monsoon layer, a nocturnal low-level jet forms in approximately the same layer as the LLC. Its strength and duration is highly variable from night to night. This unique data set will allow us to test some new hypotheses about the processes involved in the development of LLCs and their interaction with the boundary layer and can also be used for model evaluation

Source: KNUST
Ownership structure and financial performance of banks in Ghana

The focus of this study is to examine how the ownership structure of banks in Ghana influences their performance. To address the research objectives, the study utilized the quantitative v research approach, the explanatory research, and the desk research strategy to investigate the phenomenon. Secondary panel data on selected bank in Ghana spanning a ten-year period from 2012 to 2021 are used. With the help of the Stata software, the study uses the panel regression analysis to estimate the relationship between the variables. The study reveals that institutional and concentrated ownership have significant positive effect on performance (ROA) of the banks. However, the study finds that foreign and managerial ownership have no significant effect on performance (ROA). From the results of the study, it is concluded that institutional and concentrated ownership are major determinants of performance in the banks but foreign and managerial ownership do not influence performance in the banks. The study recommends that institutional ownership and concentrated ownership should be strengthened in the banks since they are able to reduce agency cost to enhance the performance of the firms.

Source: KNUST
Ownership Structure And Performance Of Listed Banks In Ghana

The Main Purpose Of This Study Involves Investigating Whether Or Not Any Empirical Relationship Prevails Amongst Ownership Forms And Banks’ Financial Outcomes. Utilizing Archival Data From 8 Listed Banks From 2014 To 2018, This Study Implemented A Panel Regression Method Of Random Effect With The Aid Of Hausman Test To Facilitate Answering The Research Questions. The Study Finds That Managerial Ownership Engenders Significant Parallel Associationship With Performance Measured With Profit Before Interest And Taxation And Return On Shareholders’ Funds. Second, The Study Learns That Banks Owned Partially By The Government And Foreign Investors Suffer Substantially From Achieving Performance With Respect To Profit Before Interest And Taxation, And Return On Assets. Lastly, The Study Makes It Known That Banks Owned By Institutions Can Perform Creditably Well But The Findings Lack Strong Statistical Backing. The Study Recommends That Owners Of Banking Institutions Should Practice A Managerial System Of Ownership, Linking Compensation To Performance, Through Offering Incentive Contracts In The Form Of Profit Sharing, Stock Options And Performance Bonuses. Banks Owned By Government, Institutions And Foreign Investors Are Advised To Strengthen And Implement Robust Auditing And Corporate Governance Systems So That Managerial Actions Can Be Supervised And Monitored Effectively.

Source: KNUST
Oyster shell mining and processing as a means of socio-economic development of the Dangme West District, Ghana

One of the major factors of development is the availability of resources, and the way these resources are combined with other factors of production to obtain finished products. Resources, however, need to be recognized as such, assessed and exploited if benefits are to be derived, The Dangme West District has large deposits at Oyster Shells which have Economic, Social and Cultural benefits but which are not being fully developed. Those engaged in the activity face several problems including high cost of inputs, poor physical infrastructure ineffient production methods, and low prices for output. This study examines the operations and performance of tiLe mining and processing industry with a view to assessing its problems and potentials, its economic viability and helping it to realise its full potential. By the use of descriptive and quantitative analysis, and also narrative summaries the study specifically assesses the economic and social benefits and effects of the industry. The results indicate that the industry is a viable one, and as such urgent attention needs to be given to it by the District Assembly, lending institutions, and the National Board for Small Scale Industries in order to raise the present sub-optimal performance. It shows above all that the industry has the capacity to contribute substantially to household and district incomes if the necessary attention is given to it by all concerned individuals and bodies. The study concludes that if the recommendations are acted upon as a matter of urgency, the district will derive great benefits from this industry.

Source: KNUST
Ownership Structure and Performance of Listed Banks in Ghana

The main purpose of this study involves investigating whether or not any empirical relationship prevails amongst ownership forms and banks’ financial outcomes. Utilizing archival data from 8 listed banks from 2014 to 2018, this study implemented a panel regression method of random effect with the aid of Hausman test to facilitate answering the research questions. The study finds that managerial ownership engenders significant parallel associationship with performance measured with profit before interest and taxation and return on shareholders’ funds. Second, the study learns that banks owned partially by the government and foreign investors suffer substantially from achieving performance with respect to profit before interest and taxation, and return on assets. Lastly, the study makes it known that banks owned by institutions can perform creditably well but the findings lack strong statistical backing. The study recommends that owners of banking institutions should practice a managerial system of ownership, linking compensation to performance, through offering incentive contracts in the form of profit sharing, stock options and performance bonuses. Banks owned by government, institutions and foreign investors are advised to strengthen and implement robust auditing and corporate governance systems so that managerial actions can be supervised and monitored effectively

Source: KNUST
Packaging and its significance on the presentation of traditional herbal medicine in Ghana: Kumasi, a case study

Packaging has been in life since the creation of man onto the earth, the body of human is packed indirectly, to serve as a protective cover to the internal organs from external hazards. Packaging is highly significant because according to Frost, (2005) the package communicates both emotional and functional benefits to the buyer. Since Traditional Herbal Medicines (THM) remain integral part of indigenous health care system in Ghana it is therefore high time that practitioners of the industry presented it safe to the consumer by packaging. Some producers and practitioners of THM do not observe good packaging practices which affect consumer patronage. Hence to guarantee, increase in patronage, and maintain safety, efficacy and quality of THM packaging is paramount. Ghana is a country well-endowed with various natural resources therefore locally available material such as bamboo, clay and paper was used to produce a suitable package for the selected THM (bark of nkotobena, nyinya dry leaves, and prekese power). This research was carried out using Kumasi, specifically railway station in Ghana as a case study. The samples were chosen based on their popularity. A number of research methodologies were employed in gathering data including qualitative research method with questionnaire administration, personal interviews and descriptive method. The descriptive was purposely employed to describe procedures and processes in designing and constructing packages. The purposive sampling was used to assess the sample size. The general design of the pack should be underpinned with functions of a package (protect, preserve, promote, contain and handle), with good surface graphics, attractive but reduced colours, illustrations presenting a true and honest picture of the content, the shape should provide convenience in handling, easy for refilling and the ability to stand or with low support. The choice of packaging material should be planned along the principles of the ‗R‘ in sustainability (reduce, replace, reuse and recycle).

Source: KNUST
Packaging and Shelf Life of Maize-Peanut Balls (Dakua)

Maize-peanut balls (also known as dakua, dzowe or donkwa) is a street snack made from roasted, dried and milled maize and groundnuts/peanuts. It is often sold unpackaged by hawkers/vendors, in a portable food booth, food cart or food truck. However, the shelf life is unknown which makes this nutritious snack also a potential risk to consumers’ health. In this study, the packaging and shelf life of maize-peanut balls (lab/self-made and those purchased from the local markets) were investigated by packaging in aluminum foil, flexible plastic films and unpackaged and stored at ambient temperature for 5 weeks. The products were analysed weekly for moisture, peroxide value, aflatoxin level, yeast and moulds during storage. Results indicate that the samples had variable moisture content, which decreased from the start of the analysis to the third week and increased again. Over the 5 weeks storage period, peroxide values increased to ~0.4 mEq/ kg. The unpackaged samples had the highest aflatoxin level (~21.74 ppb), which is above the acceptable limit of 20 ppb. The samples packaged in flexible plastic film, however, had the lowest aflatoxin level (~13.15 ppb) whereas samples packaged in aluminum foil had values of ~16.75 ppb. The estimated shelf life is approximately 8 weeks with flexible plastic films as the most suitable packaging material.

Source: KNUST
Packaging as a Vehicle for Promoting Made-In-Ghana Products

In Ghana, many products turn to be poorly labelled in terms of concept and beauty, i.e. colour, typography, photography, illustration, layout etc. Also, it is extremely impossible to identify purely Made-in-Ghana products; given their packaging do not reflect Ghanaian culture or our way of life. These have affected the competitiveness of many Ghanaian products both on the local and international market. The low patronage of Made-in-Ghana products, therefore, can be attributed to the lack of effective and efficient packaging. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of how packaging can be used as a medium to whip up and sustain local interest in Made-in-Ghana products. The underlying principle of the study is to bring out to the general public issues on good packaging that reflect the culture and lifestyle of its potential consumers in terms of colour attractiveness and symbolic identity culminating in the positive impact in the patronage of product which will consequently be manifested through the volume sale. The main objectives of this research are to: analyse the relationship between packaging and sales trend; examine consumer perceptions of packaging of Made-in-Ghana products; identify the reasons for the rejection of Made-in-Ghana products by the local consumers; identify the role of culture in increasing sales trend of local products; and examine the laws for packaging in Ghana. This research was carried out using Kumasi as a case study. A number of research methodologies were used in gathering data including field survey using a semi-structured questionnaire and observations. Key informant interviews were conducted with institutions and associations who are influential in the area of local packaging. A sample of 400 consumers and 40 shop owners constituted the population interviewed to elicit information on their perceptions about the packaging of Made-in- Ghana products and suggestions for incorporating, aspects of local culture for easy identification. the study revealed that good packaging promoted the product and gave a vivid description of the product, thereby justifying the price and ultimately leads to increase in sales. Also, the packaging of a product influenced the purchasing decisions of about 35% of the consumers while the need for the product influenced 34.4% of consumers. Another finding was that majority of Ghanaian consumers (30%) think that the packaging of local products are mostly overcrowded while 25% are of the view that the designs are not attractive with the same percentage saying that information provided are inadequate. Also, it was revealed that there is a labelling law LI 1541 which was passed in 1992. However, its implementation is weak. It is recommended that the packaging of any local product should be properly done to attract and sustain local consumption and that there should be a strict implementation of the law. Also, good packaging should be the guiding principles for packaging designers.

Source: KNUST
Packaging and Shelf Life of Maize-Peanut Balls (Dakua)

Maize-peanut balls (also known as dakua, dzowe or donkwa) is a street snack made from roasted, dried and milled maize and groundnuts/peanuts. It is often sold unpackaged by hawkers/vendors, in a portable food booth, food cart or food truck. However, the shelf life is unknown which makes this nutritious snack also a potential risk to consumers’ health. In this study, the packaging and shelf life of maize-peanut balls (lab/self-made and those purchased from the local markets) were investigated by packaging in aluminum foil, flexible plastic films and unpackaged and stored at ambient temperature for 5 weeks. The products were analysed weekly for moisture, peroxide value, aflatoxin level, yeast and moulds during storage. Results indicate that the samples had variable moisture content, which decreased from the start of the analysis to the third week and increased again. Over the 5 weeks storage period, peroxide values increased to ~0.4 mEq/kg. The unpackaged samples had the highest aflatoxin level (~21.74 ppb), which is above the acceptable limit of 20 ppb. The samples packaged in flexible plastic film, however, had the lowest aflatoxin level (~13.15 ppb) whereas samples packaged in aluminum foil had values of ~16.75 ppb. The estimated shelf life is approximately 8 weeks with flexible plastic films as the most suitable packaging material.

Source: KNUST
A P-Center Location Problem for the Optimal Location of a Fruit Juice Producing Factory in the Volta Region of Ghana

Facility location methods play a sensitive role in identifying the optimum location selections for different types of facilities. Optimally locating a facility necessitates appropriately stating the concept and framing the problem to deal with the relevant issues. In location problems, facilities are placed at specific sites to optimize a certain function such as minimizing the cost or travel distance associated with or maximizing the advantage gained by the placement. In this research, the problem of locating a fruit juice producing factory is considered as a conditional p-center problem under the condition that there are some similar existing facilities already located in the Volta Region. The Berman and Drezner (2008) model was used on a 13-node network which had one existing factory and one closest node to this facility. By the method of Berman and Drezner (2008), two additional facility locations; Kadjebi and Nkwanta were identified with the same objective function value, 130.9km. The Factor rating method was then used to select Kadjebi for the final location of the facility to fulfill the aim of minimizing the maximum travel distance by a user.

Source: KNUST
Paediatric centre – A new design approach.

Architecture is a practice that provides technical and spatial responses to human needs, functions and activities in open and enclosed physical spaces. These needs, functions and activities manifest in a variety of forms according to ages, gender, income and social status among others. They are also expressed in respect of the colours, textures, materials, scale and so on to suite individuals or distinct groups of people. Although technical and spatial responses emerge after the expression of peculiar needs, the corollary also holds true whereby individuals or group of people react in peculiar ways to establish spatial forms. Children are one group of people who react to spaces with all their five senses; touch, smell, feel, taste and hear. They sense their physical space in a very immediate and detailed way and their response to spaces can be far more direct and energetic than adults 1. Their state of well-being, free from diseases is very important to their parents and the nation as a whole. Part of the process of maintaining well being is occasional or extended visits to hospitals. However the experience of visiting hospitals can be dainty even for adults, partly because of the inflexible space that physically challenge visitors. For children, visiting hospitals can be particularly tasking emotionally, as they are stressed by ill-health, painful medical procedures and unfriendly demeanour of care givers. Children stress from hospital visits can be further compounded by issues of layout, colours, textures, materials, scale and so on. This is because, many health facilities (spaces) in Ghana, have been designed with little acknowledgement of the differing needs of small children, older children, adolescents, parents and care-givers. Thus, these needs of children in such facilities need to be critically considered. Again, there has also been little research in Ghana that has explored what these needs of the children are and what they think about such spaces and how as patients they experience them. The recent statistics in Ghana shows that Child Mortality rate has declined as compared to the previous years, but the Ministry of Health is of the view that the rate of decline has been slow especially considering the regional disparities in the country and thus as one of their interventions, proposes more paediatric centres to be put up in all the ten regions of the country. Given the level of investment required to achieve this goal of increased paediatric centres across the country, it is important for the lessons to be learned with children’s experiences of hospitals to be highlighted in order to make such investors sustainable and relevant. For such designs to be sustainable and relevant for the children, Architects and Designers should be able to create spaces within the facility that would be very personal and user-friendly in a welcoming and comfortable environment.

Source: KNUST
Painting and sculpture from irregular boards and natural earth materials

This project is the result of a technical feasibility study conducted by the researcher. The main objective of combining sculpture using natural earth pigment and natural irregular wooden board into a single composition was epitomised. The research looked into the utilisation of natural earth pigment as a medium for painting on canvas. The research also delved into the experimentation of natural irregular wooden hoards as raw material [hr relief carvings. This aspect of the research had two main forms, that is: (a) using jigsaw machine to take away unwanted portions of the irregular hoards. This allowed the work to assume a jagged edge. (b) maintaining the true-shape of the irregular board as an integral part of the composition. The tree bark was at times incorporated. In fulfilling the objective of the research, further experiments were made into the fusion of the painting and sculpture, hence the introduction of natural earth pigment on carved irregular boards with each one enhancing the appearance of the other.

Source: KNUST
A painting system developed from kente

Kente is a hand-woven ceremonial cloth of the Asante and Ewe of Ghana. In the cloth lies a representation of Visual History, Philosophy, Ethics, Social code of Conduct, Moral value, Oral Literature, Religious Beliefs, Aesthetic Principles, Political Thought , In the cloth lays a central focus from which spring all there is about art, an inexhaustible subject matter worth painting.

Source: KNUST
Pan African Writers Association Secretariat

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON PAN-AFRICANISM: 1. 1 The Pan African Writer Association (PAWA) was born in the larger crucible of Pan Africanism which can be described in general terms as an international social, and political movement whose goals support the concept that Africans and their identifiable Kin all over the world should co-operate in all ways for the development of their own political and cultural power and for the liberation and the equality of Africans, no matter the Location. More specific meanings suggest that all Africans on the African Continent and their Kin elsewhere must aid and support the concept of a United States of Africa modelled after the U.SA. As an international Social and Political movement, Pan-At ricanism has two categories, unorganized and organized. The unorganized form of Pan-Africanism sometimes spelt with a small ‘P’ denotes sympathy for the peoples, the customs and mores of Africa and support of the general goals of Pan-Africanism. Organized Pan-Africanism includes those attempts at creating an international organization, with all the attributes of a social movement including dues, officers, Institutional rules, leadership meetings organs of communication, and ideology.

Source: KNUST