ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Income inequality and economic growth among emerging african economies: the moderating role of financial inclusion

The main objective of the study is to examine the moderating role of financial inclusion in the relationship between income inequality and economic growth among emerging African economies. In order to achieve the above objective, the study uses a sample of all ten emerging African countries. The study further uses the purposive sampling technique which is intended to give the researcher access to the countries that are specifically needed for this research. The data for the study covers the duration from 2004 to 2017. This research follows a panel data approach and based on this, the data is analysed using the random effect regression analysis. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that income inequality has no significant effect on economic growth of emerging African economies, in addition, financial inclusion reduces the economic growth rate of these emerging economies. However, financial inclusion moderates the relationship between income inequality and economic growth and changes the negative effect to a positive one. The study recommends that policy makers of emerging African economies should design programs to increase financial inclusion for those who are currently excluded from accessing financial resources. If policy makers can improve financial accessibility in these countries by even a modest amount, it is possible to reduce income inequality and thus reverse the negative relationship between income inequality and economic growth. The study further recommends that governments of emerging African countries should adopt a progressive tax system designed in such a way that the rich pay a higher percent in income taxes than the poor in order to reduce the income inequality levels of these countries. This would help in income retribution which can further promote economic growth among these countries

Source: KNUST
Income levels and financial institutions’ preference

The study investigates whether low-income earners prefer microfinance institution to a commercial bank. It also investigates financial institution preference between male and female gender. The study is conducted using questionnaire to gather primary data from randomly selected adults in the Kumasi Metropolis. Cross tabulation and binary logistic regression analysis have been used for the study. The findings of the study reveal that gender has a positive, statistically insignificant relationship with microfinance, implying females are not better than males in terms of microfinance preference. Moreover, the results show that income has a positive but statistically insignificant relationship with financial institution preference, meaning low-income earners are not likely to prefer a microfinance institution to a commercial bank. By extrapolation low-income earners are rather more likely to transact banking business with a commercial bank than a microfinance institution. In view of the above findings, it is recommended that microfinance institutions should not target the low-income group and adult females alone but should also map out strategies to reach out to the wealthy adult individuals of both genders. The study also recommends an introduction of deposit insurance which provides some assurance to microfinance depositors that in event of collapse of their institutions insurance companies will come to their rescue.

Source: KNUST
Incorporate research, development and advertising: evidence from Rural Banks in Ashanti Region.

Banks play a crucial role in developing economies such as Ghana. They provide liquidity by financing long-term investments with short-term funding. The general objective of this research is to assess the role that investment banking departments of commercial banks play in the banking industry in Ghana. The specific objectives are: (i) explore investment banking products of commercial banks in Ghana; (ii) identify challenges of investment banking departments; (iii) analyze the sectors of the economy the bank finances; and (iv) identify ways of improving the investment banking sector in Ghana. Primary data was gathered through using two data collecting instruments: questionnaires and interviews. Data collected was analysed using the Microsoft Excel programme due to its flexibility and ability to generate the required results. The research found that GCB Bank offers five major investment banking products and services to its customers. These include treasury bills, fixed deposits, debt financing, and tailored services. The major challenge facing the investment banking division of GCB Bank is the limited investment banking opportunities the economy of the country affords. It is recommended that the formulation of laws and regulations that would guide and guard the sector are instituted. Bank of Ghana, the Securities and Exchange Commission and all other appropriate government agencies must sit up and ensure that rules and regulations are adhered to. Ghanaians must also be encouraged to invest in the country.

Source: KNUST
Incorporate research, development and advertising: evidence from Rural Banks in Ashanti Region.

Researchers have stated a positive, neutral, and negative impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance. This inconsistency may be due to inconsistent empirical analysis. This study however intended to analyse incorporate research, development and advertisement in rural banks. The specific objectives of the study were: to find out the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and R&D, to find out the relationship between advertisement and firm performance and to find out the relationship between corporate social responsibilities and financial performance. Four rural banks were used as the case study where eight years financial data were collected from each bank for the study. This study employed an experimental research where a quantitative strategy was used to analyze the data for the study. A regression and correlation analysis was performed using the financial statements ofvarious rural banks to find out the various significance and relationships between the independent variables (CSR, size, advertisement risk, R & D) and dependent variable (Performance). From the findings it was noticed that an improvement in corporate social responsibility will increase financial performance by a fraction yet corporate financial performance was not significant at almost all the banks. The analysis also showed that CSR andR & D has a positive relationship. However, advertisement and firm’s performance has negative relationship.

Source: KNUST
Incorporating environmental sustainability in project management practices in Ghana

Sustainability concerns in delivering construction projects have come to the forefront of the world, and the gap between project management and sustainability is still been built. It is therefore important for project managers to identify how their organizations can become ecologically sustainable, socially responsible and economically competitive. This is a quantitative study that was conducted in the Kumasi metropolis with an aim of identifying ways of incorporating environmental sustainability into project management practices in Ghana. The primary research was conducted using survey questionnaires. The structured questionnaires were used to obtain data to ascertain the negative impacts of projects on the sustainability of the environment, challenges associated with incorporating environmental sustainability into project management practices and strategies could be adopted to enhance incorporation of environmental sustainability in project management. A total number of fifty questionnaires were administered and forty were retrieved representing a response rate of 80%. Relative Importance Index rankings were the main tool used for analysis. The findings of the research revealed the main impacts of projects on the environment as air pollution, destruction of virgin land and noise pollution. The main challenges associated with the incorporation of environmental sustainability into project management practices are slow government programs, lack of public education, and lack of support from top management. However, the strategies to enhance the incorporation of environmental sustainability in project management; considering environmental sustainability at planning and design stage, effective legislative frame work and creating awareness programs were also ascertained. It was recommended that there should be public education on how environmental sustainability could be incorporated into project management practices

Source: KNUST
Incorporating joint flexibility in collapse risk assessment

Several two-dimensional analytical beam column joint models with varying complexities have been proposed in quantifying joint flexibility during seismic vulnerability assessment of non-ductile reinforced concrete (RC) frames. Notable models are the single component rotational spring element and the super element joint model that can effectively capture the governing inelastic mechanisms under severe ground motions. Even though both models have been extensively calibrated and verified using quasi-static test of joint sub-assemblages, a comparative study of the inelastic seismic responses under nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA) of RC frames has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study employs three hypothetical case study RC frames subjected to increasing ground motion intensities to study their inherent variations. Secondly, the issue of super-element joint models, causing numerical divergence in non-linear time history analysis of reinforced concrete frames, is investigated. The rigid joint assumption and a single rotational spring model are implemented for comparison. Reinforced concrete joint sub-assemblages and a one-third scaled frame have been employed for model validation. Results indicate that the super element joint model overestimates the transient drift ratio at the first storey and becomes highly unconservative by under-predicting the drift ratios at the roof level when compared to the single-component model and the conventional rigid joint assumption. In addition, between these storey levels, a decline in the drift ratios is observed as the storey level increased. However, from this limited study, there is no consistent evidence to suggest that care should be taken in selecting either a single or multi component joint model for seismic risk assessment of buildings when a global demand measure, such as maximum inter-storey drift, is employed in the seismic assessment framework. Probabilistic seismic demand analysis also indicates that super-element joint model may be less vulnerable relative to the single-component joint model. Furthermore, the shift in fragility function may lie in between the rigid joint and single-component joint modelling schemes, implying non-divergence

Source: KNUST
Incorporating knowledge management in civil engineering construction firms in Ghana

Knowledge management promotes innovation, business performance and client satisfaction. However, knowledge if not well managed renders the organisation less competitive within the global job market. This is a quantitative study that was conducted in some civil engineering construction firms in the Kumasi metropolis and some selected municipalities in the Ashanti region with an aim of exploring the significance of knowledge management practices in civil engineering construction firms in Ghana. The primary research was conducted using survey questionnaires. The structured questionnaires were used to obtain data to ascertain the challenges and measures to improve knowledge management practices. A total number of seventy questionnaires were administered and sixty were retrieved representing a response rate of 85.71%. Relative Importance Index rankings were the main tool used for analysis. The findings of the research revealed the main challenges associated with the adoption of knowledge management as lack of available KM systems, lack of leadership support, lack of awareness of KM practices, lack of understanding knowledge management and employee resistance. However, the main strategic measures to improve knowledge management; innovation, awareness creation, use of knowledge storage, use knowledge management models and adequate financial resources were also ascertained. Further studies have been recommended to improve knowledge management practices in organisations such as the impact of knowledge management practices on the productivity of civil engineering construction firms.

Source: KNUST
Indigenous Leather for the Production of Instructional Materials for Natural Science Education

Indigenous tanned leather is not usually used as a medium for the production of Instructional Materials; hence, it is unknown to the local Instructional Material makers. Since Science is one of the most important and compulsory subjects taught from Primary to the Senior High levels in Ghana, it is vital to make it real when teaching it to pupils. The study sought to document the existing Instructional Materials used for the teaching of Natural Science and analyze their impact on pupils’ academic performance, in order to design, produce and test appropriate Instructional Materials (IMs) utilizing indigenous tanned leather on pupil’s academic performance at Ahinsan M/A Primary ‘B’ School in Kumasi. The study embraced the qualitative research method, under which the case study and quasi-experimental research methods were used. It also made use of observations and interviews as instruments for data gathering in order to describe the use of existing Instructional Materials, the materials used for production, appropriateness of the material, as well as analyzed their impact on pupils’ academic performance. The convenience and purposive sampling techniques were utilized in seeking data from 28 respondents, which included 26 pupils, 1 head teacher and 1 class teacher. The study revealed that the Instructional Materials that were produced made it easy for the teacher to teach lessons within a short period and had adequate time to assess pupils. Again, the lessons taught with the produced IMs were interactive and lively since pupils participated in class. Also, pupils were attentive and enjoyed the class because the lessons were not boring as compared to theoretical and abstract lessons which do not involve practical activities. Penultimately, the traditional noisy atmosphere made during lessons due to pupils’ lack of concentration was mitigated since the attention of pupils was not distracted during lessons. All these impacted positively on the academic performance of the pupils. The researcher recommends that, the Ghana Education Service should collaborate with Art departments in the country to equip primary school teachers with skills to develop their own Instructional Materials using indigenous tanned leather through organized seminars and workshops.

Source: KNUST
Indigenous non governmental organizations’ contribution to rural development

Rural Development (RD) has become a priority on the agenda of governments in Third World Countries. In Ghana, Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) have emerged in all development areas to complement government in her efforts to change the plight of rural people, which is mainly suffering and deprivation. TNGOs have adopted different approaches to RD and have used many approaches in their formulation, planning, decision making and implementation of projects. Seven (7) INGOs working to promote rural development in Ghana have been studied. Projects ranging from infrastructure, economic and social development have been carried out by these INGOs. The different development approaches by these INGOs have been examined through analysis of field data from surveys in different parts of the country. Development approaches adopted by these INGOs included Community Improvement Approach, Increased Agricultural Production Approach, Poverty Reduction Approach and Social Amenity Provision Approach Although Community participation is a favourite strategy of many NGOs, the analysis revealed that involvement of beneficiaries in the conception or formulation of the project is very minimal. INGOs often did not undertake post implementation evaluation of their activities. Also even when INGOs involved communities in project decision-making, it was based on the decision of a few leaders of the community Recommendations made included that development efforts of INGOs should be coordinated at district levels so as to avoid wastage and duplications. 1NGOs need to network to give a holistic approach to RD. Beneficiary involvement should be at all stages of the project cycle to ensure that beneficiaries felt needs are addressed. Assemblies’ coordinating role in 1NGO’s activities would lead to judicious use of limited resources for RD and whip up greater interest in INGOs activities by beneficiaries. The author hopes that this study will serve as a focal point from which further research will be carried out on strategies and work of INGOs in rural development.

Source: KNUST
Indoor Sports Hall (Nungua)

A large facility providing space for indoor games and housing spectators is termed as an indoor sports hail. The objective is to allow favourable conditions for games that are easily disturbed by changes in the weather such as table tennis, wrestling, judo, basket ball, badminton, weight lung, boxing, handball, volley ball, squash. Presently the only National sports hail situated at the Accra Sports Stadium holds approximately 2000 spectators. This figure is inadequate and thus there is the demand for larger national indoor sport hail. The aim of the five year development plan within the frame work of Ghana vision 2020 is to community, make sports accessible to all Ghanaians in every community, for both leisure and excellence. Sports facilities are to be provided on the national level regional level and district level. On the national level a directive has been issued for a new National Olympic size stadium complex to he built in Accra equipped with the most modem facilities for all major international sports in which Ghana is engaged. CLIENTS AIM As part of the new policy initiative to provide major improvement in the nation’s infrastructure for sports, the government of Ghana has decided to build a national Olympics stadium complex. The project envisages the following components. The main stadium with a capacity of 100,000, a lawn tennis court of capacity 5,000, Hockey pitch capacity 5000, Olympic size sviir1ming pool capacity 5,000 capacity 4,000 shooting range and an indoor sports hail of capacity 10,000. CLLENTS BRIEF The sports hall must house the major indoor games which are Boxing, Volley Bail, table tennis, basket ball, wrestling, badminton, handball, judo squash and weightlifting. The clients brief is a follows: 1 INDOOR PLAYING FIELDS (Playing areas) 28m x 42m Teams dressing rooms Teams toilet and shower area Referees toilet and shower area Medical Examination room Dope Testing Room Match Delegation room.

Source: KNUST
Induction of phytoalexin accumulation in the cotyledons of selected legumes following treatments with biotic elicitors

The accumulation of phytoalexins at the site of infection is one mechanism by which plants resist diseases. The general objective of this study was to investigate the potential of cowpea, soybean, groundnut and lima bean to synthesize and accumulate phytoalexins upon attack by fungi. Three genotypes each of cowpea, soybean and groundnut and a genotype of lima bean were used in the study. Lesions were produced in all fungus-inoculated cotyledons (elicited) 36 h after incubation whilst sterile distilled water-inoculated cotyledon surfaces which served as control did not produce lesions except cowpea which exhibited some lesions. Radial growth bioassay of concentrated cotyledon extracts obtained from fungus-inoculated cotyledons showed significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher per cent inhibition of Curvularia lunata than extracts obtained from sterile distilled water-inoculated cotyledons. Thin layer chromatography bioassay also revealed that extracts obtained from fungus-inoculated cotyledons had more ultra violet (UV) absorbing compounds than extracts from sterile distilled water-inoculated cotyledons which among some genotypes did not show the presence of UV absorbing compounds. Localised fungitoxic activity were detected in the lanes of spotted fungus-inoculated concentrated extracts for a UV absorbing compound designated as L-I with Rf 0.07 in Lima bean and a non-UV absorbing compound in Azivivi, a groundnut genotype with Rf 0.92. The toxicity exhibited by these compounds indicates the defensive function of phytoalexins. The results of the experiment are discussed.

Source: KNUST
Industrial Architecture; A Determinant Of Efficiency in the Palm Oil Mill

Over the years, the Asian countries have proven that the production of palm oil generates enough income and revenue to aid the development of a nation. It is in view of this that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Presidential Special Initiative, (PSI), has called for an improvement in the cultivation of oil palm in the country. An increase in the production of raw materials suggests an augmentation in processing facilities to prevent problems associated with inadequate storage practices. In order to achieve efficiency in the production of oil to meet international demands, a thorough knowledge and understanding of the raw material processing and the infrastructure for the processing must be soughted for. The site for the cultivation of cash crop must have certain requirements for a higher performance in yielding. Analysis on the raw material must be carried out since this determines the amount of finished goods to be obtained and the various services to be employed for efficiency in production. It is also necessary to have a precedent and/or case studies of existing palm oil processing industries for evaluation in order to develop a functional new industry for sustainability. This document is a research thesis that reconciles industrial architecture with efficiency in productivity of the production of palm oil in the oil mill. It discusses the factors of efficiency in production and how these factors are directly influenced by the various aspects of industrial architecture.

Source: KNUST
Industrial noise pollution and its effects on the hearing capabilities of workers: a study from sawmills, printing presses and cornmills in Kumasi, Ghana

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of industrial noise exposure on workers’ hearing sensitivity. Specifically, three different industries in Kumasi were studied, namely: sawmills, corn mills and printing presses. The procedure adopted included noise measurements, otoscopy, audiometric evaluation and analysis of the following parameters: age, duration of exposure, and assessment of individual medical history. Data were collected using sound-level meter, otoscope, pure- tone audiometer and structured interview questionnaire. Workers in both the corn mills and sawmills were found to be exposed to hazardous noise. Printers were however, found to be exposed to permissible noise levels. It was also found that 20.5%, 23.0% and 7.9% of the workers in the sawmills, corn mills and the printing press respectively were found to have evidence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The proportion of workers with NIHL in both the sawmills and corn mills was significantly higher than that in the control group, but not in the printing press. Again, highly significant correlation was also found between noise exposure level, exposure time and the development of NIHL in both the saw millers and corn millers but not in printers. Hearing impairment was also observed at the speech frequencies among some of the workers exposed to hazardous noise. These findings suggest that extended and be more specific intervention is required to protect workers exposed to such hazards at work places.

Source: KNUST