ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Collage and Contemporary Ghanaian Iconography: an Exhibition Project

This project is an artistic engagement with the complex co-ordinates of Ghanaian modernity. I use collage, a hybrid format of early Modernist painting, as the medium and visual metaphor for the liminal Ghanaian modernity. The canonical proverbs, incantations, maxims, folktales, myths and songs of the Avatime area in the Volta Region are the sources of Ghanaian iconography interpreted in collage. Notably, Avatime identity is an appropriate social analogue of the collage medium; it is overdetermined, especially in its complex overlaps with Ewe identity. It is these overlaps and interstices of Ghanaian modernity that interest me. I developed a catalogue of iconographic symbols and textual transcriptions from the Avatime-Ewe oral canon. Based on the catalogue of symbols I developed a corpus of twenty four collages crafted from waste products of the Ghanaian textile and clothing industries. In my collages, the heavy industry meets the artisanal, the aboriginal meets the modern, the ethnographic order complicates fine art autonomy and vice versa. I showcased the framed collages in an exhibition which drew critical responses from the audience. Through print and electronic mediums, I hope to expand the format for the project's dissemination and its conversation with existing collage practice.

Source: KNUST
Collage in-the-round

The project on collage in-the-round seeks to find out if three dimensional free-standing models could be used as a support for collage execution. It is also to explore how carved figures could be incorporated in collage making in order to achieve a high relief work. Investigations were done on why and how to execute collage in-the round. The research methods used for this project were experimental and qualitative in approach. The experimental method was used to do the studio work of the research project and the qualitative method was used to analyze the art works produced. At the end of this study, three pieces of collage in-the-round which were all free standing as well were executed successfully. One can identify both the frontal and quarter views of the figures at the same time on the three pieces namely “Evil can’t be hidden”, “Gossip not” and “Face of Africa politics”. This project on the use of unconventional materials and three dimensional supports for collage making has been of great intellectual exercise for the researcher and hope it will be a great contribution to collage making in the painting section of the College of Art and Social Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi Ghana.

Source: KNUST
College of Art as a potential Resource Centre

Economic developments the world ever are associated with the technological advancement and the utilization of human and material resources. These depend on effective and high level manpower and available resources. The secret behind the success of many developed nations has been their ability to address firmly, their manpower needs and potential resources. They tap on the ingenuity and hard work of their creative and trained manpower to transfers their natural resources to benefit areas of national development. Their achievements have, therefore, been the result of a systematic programme of co-ordination between man- power development and manpower administration. These are applied to requisite areas or sectors of national development. Ghana as a developing nation needs to adopt this approach to transform its vast and un-tapped human and material resources for development in the local environment. Although a high level of manpower is trained, there is the lack of the co-ordination of the link to tune attitudes and behaviour toward the transformation of such resources that are at the disposal of the nation. Areas where such high levels of manpower production can be applied to boost up the economy and various sectors of national development, have not been clearly described, analysed and applied Seriously to yield maximum rewarding outcomes. For example, the College of Art as the highest institution of art in Ghana has potential resources that can benefit Ghana to achieve self sufficiency, self-reliance, self-actualisation and self-fulfilment in artistic needs for its citizens and nation as a whole. Application of such resources that exist in the College can boost up the economy, whereby the lukewarm attitudes attached to the College of Art could be rectified. Such attitudes have led to the apparent resistance to change in the direction of increased outreach to and access f or Ghanaians to have a true sharing of the discoveries and skills developed by the College. Ghanaians are unable to relate the implication of the resources existing in the College to the content of education. There is the lack of inculcation of a spirit of innovation, creativity and patriotism in the expertise to make the college more cost-effective. This Thesis is therefore an attempt to research into the college of Art as a potential resource centre for art education in Ghana. 1. To describe, analyse and interpret the potential resources that exist in the College 2. To suggest ways of applying available resources in the College to various sectors of national development, such a health, agriculture, culture, education, industry, science and technology, 3. To find out how these resources can reach Ghanaian business a community, Corporations and organisations.

Source: KNUST
Collaboration in the Ghanaian construction industry: perceived barriers and benefits

The construction industry involves high risk-taking activities that result in cost overruns, low productivity, litigation, ineffective communication and construction delays. However, the introduction of collaboration in the construction industry has been frequently used as an inventive approach towards the achievement of quality in project delivery and as a remedy for the pitfalls of the conventional approaches of procurement in the industry of construction. This is a quantitative study that was carried out in some construction firms in the Kumasi Metropolis with an aim of exploring the perceived barriers and benefits of collaboration in the Ghanaian construction industry. The primary research was conducted using design survey questionnaires. These were structured questionnaires used to obtain data to ascertain the barriers and benefits of collaboration in the Ghanaian construction industry. A total number of seventy questionnaires were administered and sixty were retrieved representing a response rate of 85.71%. Relative Importance Index rankings was the main tool used for analysis. The findings of the research revealed that fear of micromanagement, lack of common goals, complacency in collaboration, past negative experience with collaboration and lack of trust among partners were the main barriers to collaboration in the Ghanaian construction industry. However, the main benefits associated with collaboration in the Ghanaian construction industry were also disclosed as total cost perspective in collaboration, technical expertise by partners, availability of resources in collaborations, equal empowerment in collaboration and productive conflict resolution strategy. Future studies to promote collaboration in the construction industry such as strategies to improve collaboration in the construction industry were also proposed

Source: KNUST
Colour exercises for beginners in the Diploma Art Education Programme, University College of Education at Winneba

The study of colour begins by sensitizing the student to aesthetic relationship in nature through the process of practical training with the medium relating this to colour as it appears in nature. The usual approach to colour primarily based on theories and concepts is frustrating and disheartening for the beginner. Colour is the most relative medium in art and it does not appear as visually perceived. Most students are compounded with the problem of utilizing colour efficiently especially when concepts and theories in colour are not of much, help to them. Therefore an in-depth programme on how to use the pigment is broached in this essay to aid the student. Students need to perceive colour and become sensitive and be in tune with their environment. The study of colour in nature will thus help the student gradually to come to terms with colour qualities. Nature provides an awareness and appreciation, intellectual stimulation and personal involvement. It encourages sensitivity and helps to develop ideas and form. Thus, this essay introduces a series of colour exercises that will help the student learn to use the pigment and relate it to colour as it exists in nature. It also acts as a source of encouragement for the study of colour. It will develop in the student colour sensitivity to the uncountable varieties of tones in nature, thus it will play a positive role in helping students to paint. It is also hoped to provide the stepping stone for further analysis and exploration of the medium.

Source: KNUST
A combination of textile, fashion and sculpture for unconventional costume mounted on statue

One very interesting tradition of life is dressing and the most discerning element of it is clothing. Clothing could be described as a covering designed to be worn on a person's body. By deduction, clothing could be described as the various articles such as apparel, accessories, headdress, and make up that are applied on the body for dressing. Its significance is so dire that the Article 25 of UN Universal Human Right Declaration Charter, (1948), has declared it to be among the basic necessities of life. Over the years, the huge demand for clothing worldwide has led to a sprawling industry that is highly competitive. So keen is the competition that nations like Ghana appear to have been engulfed by the major players exposing the state to the dictates of the market leaders. In the process, the local textile/clothing industry has virtually been grounded and the related challenges are too bare to ignore (Quartey, 2006).

Source: KNUST
Combination of crochet and macramé techniques for the production of interior textile artefacts

There are numerous fabric construction techniques that are employed in the production of textile products from yarn to fabric and among these techniques are crochet and macramé. Although both techniques are used for various articles and are sometimes combined with other materials such as fabrics, beads and even feathers, observations revealed that both techniques can be combined to produce artefact which would bring about creativity and variety on our textile market. In light of this, the study identified and selected suitable yarns, loops and knots that can be combined for decorative artefacts production. Literature on the various types of loops and knots of both crochet and macramé, respectively were reviewed based on the conceptual and theoretical framework of the study. The studio based research method was employed for the project. The study revealed the possibility of combining crochet and macramé techniques through sewing, lacing and tying. Again, both are user-friendly techniques that lend themselves to corrections easily because unsatisfactory outcomes can be easily unravelled or even crocheted or knotted over. Additionally, pictorial effects and patterns can be crocheted using monochrome or polychromatic colour schemes. It was therefore recommended that both macramé and crochet techniques should be part of the fabric construction techniques found in the school curriculum to favour their teaching, learning and application. Also, both techniques should be taught in attractive ways to arouse students‟ interest in opting for these art forms in project execution in schools. Moreover, this study would serve as a reference material for people who would want to create their own works and designs using both techniques.

Source: KNUST
Combined effect of market orientation and business process agility on the performance of exporting firms in ghana. The moderating roles of institutional voids and market dynamics.

This study investigates the synergistic impact of market orientation and business process agility on the performance of exporting firms in Ghana. A total of 216 questionnaires were administered to respondents. The research objectives Centre on understanding the combined effects of market orientation and business process agility on firm performance. Moreover, we explore the moderating role of institutional voids in the relationship between market orientation, business process agility, and performance. Finally, we examine the influence of marketing dynamics in shaping the interplay between these factors. In conclusion, the study reveals that market orientation and business process agility jointly exert a significant positive influence on the performance of exporting firms in Ghana. Market orientation, emphasizing customer understanding and customer-driven strategies, emerges as a positive contributor to firm performance. Additionally, business process agility, characterized by responsiveness, adaptability, and resource optimization, plays a pivotal role in enhancing firm performance. These findings underscore the importance of concurrently considering market orientation and business process agility in the context of exporting firms in Ghana. Based on these findings, we recommend exporting firms in Ghana should prioritize the development and implementation of market-oriented strategies, which emphasize customer understanding and satisfaction. By investing in thorough market research, feedback mechanisms, and aligning strategies with evolving customer preferences, firms can foster strong customer relationships and continuously adapt their offerings to meet customer demands.

Source: KNUST
A combination of textile, Fasion and Sculpture for unconventional costume mounted on statue.

One very interesting tradition of life is dressing and the most discerning element of it is clothing. Clothing could be described as a covering designed to be worn on a person's body. By deduction, clothing could be described as the various articles such as apparel, accessories, headdress, and make up that are applied on the body for dressing. Its significance is so dire that the Article 25 of UN Universal Human Right Declaration Charter, (1948), has declared it to be among the basic necessities of life. Over the years, the huge demand for clothing worldwide has led to a sprawling industry that is highly competitive. So keen is the competition that nations like Ghana appear to have been engulfed by the major players exposing the state to the dictates of the market leaders. In the process, the local textile/clothing industry has virtually been grounded and the related challenges are too bare to ignore (Quartey, 2006).

Source: KNUST
A combined transportation problem for two oil firms based in the Greater Accra Region

This project involves the use of optimization techniques in solving the transportation problem of two large marketing firms. The problem involves finding the cheapest way of transporting or shipping the firm’s commodity from their sources of supply to their destinations. The identity of each of the firms is not disclosed since this was the condition for the supply of data. A special purpose algorithm that is more efficient and intuitive than the Simplex Method is discussed and used to solve the transportation problem for each one of the firms separately and the transportation problem for the two firms put together and the results compared. It turned out on the average that the minimum cost of the combined transportation problem was less by over fifteen million cedis per month as compared to the sum of the minimum costs for each of the firms.

Source: KNUST
A combined transportation problem for two beverage firms based in Kumasi

In this thesis data collected from two firms are used to set up and solve the transportation problem for each of the two firms and also to set up and solve the combined transportation problem for the two firms, that is to solve the transportation problem for a hypothetical firm owning the sources and warehouses of the two firms. The assumption here is that the warehouses of each firm as they exist are able to accommodate supplies from the sources of the other firm. We find that the cost for the combined problem is less than the sum of the two costs, showing that the firms could save money by running a joint transportation programme.

Source: KNUST
Combined Inflammatory and Metabolic Defects Reflected by Reduced Serum Protein Levels in Patients with Buruli Ulcer Disease

Buruli ulcer is a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans that is spreading in tropical countries, with major public health and economic implications in West Africa. Multi-analyte profiling of serum proteins in patients and endemic controls revealed that Buruli ulcer disease down-regulates the circulating levels of a large array of inflammatory mediators, without impacting on the leukocyte composition of peripheral blood. Notably, several proteins contributing to acute phase reaction, lipid metabolism, coagulation and tissue remodelling were also impacted. Their down-regulation was selective and persisted after the elimination of bacteria with antibiotic therapy. It involved proteins with various functions and origins, suggesting that M. ulcerans infection causes global and chronic defects in the host’s protein metabolism. Accordingly, patients had reduced levels of total serum proteins and blood urea, in the absence of signs of malnutrition, or functional failure of liver or kidney. Interestingly, slow healers had deeper metabolic and coagulation defects at the start of antibiotic therapy. In addition to providing novel insight into Buruli ulcer pathogenesis, our study therefore identifies a unique proteomic signature for this disease.

Source: KNUST
Combined use of millet glume-derived compost and mineral fertilizer enhances soil microbial biomass and pearl millet yields in a low-input millet cropping system in Niger

A two-year field experiment was conducted in Niger to explore the effects of integrated use of millet glume-derived compost (MGD-Compost) and NP fertilizer on soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), nitrogen (Nmic) and millet yields. Three compost rates (3000 kg ha−11500 kg ha−1 and 0 kg ha−1) and three NP fertilizer rates (100%, 50% and 0% of recommended NP fertilizer) were arranged in a factorial experiment organized in a randomized com plete block design with three replications. Combined application of com post and NP fertilizer induced a synergistic effect on Cmic and Nmic. Compost application increased millet grain yield from 59% to 91% compared to control. Combined application of compost and NP fertilizer increased millet grain yields from 57% to 70% in 2013 and from 36% to 82% in 2014 compared to sole application of mineral fertilizer. Agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen values increased by 3.7 and 2.3 times than those of sole NP fertilizer application in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Phosphorus AE was 1.6 times higher than that of the sole application of NP fertilizer. These findings indicate that integrated application of MGD-Compost and NP fertilizer enhances soil microbial biomass content and increases millet grain yield in a low-input cropping system.

Source: KNUST
Commercial Bank and Microfinance: does integration matter? A case study of HFC Bank

This study examines the performance of HFC Bank Limited within the period which it adopted Boafo microfinance as its subsidiary. The study sought to answer the question, does integration matter? Various performance indicators are used to measure the performance of the Bank before and after integration. Quarterly frequency consolidated data from 2003Q1 to 2015Q4 was used to estimate determinants of performance using net profits as the performance indicator. A dummy variable is used to measure the effect of integration on the Banks performance. Applying the ARDL estimation technique, Result from the ARDL estimates revealed that return on capital employed, gearing ratio and return on equity were the main determinants of net profits in the long-run. The results showed that integration had positive impact on the Banks performance in the short-run and negative impact on the Banks performance in the long-run. It is recommended that, the Bank take measure that will increase its revenue while reducing its cost of operations.

Source: KNUST
Combining Data Envelopment Analysis with Machine Learning Algorithms for Predictions

Comparative to other methods, DEA is an improved method to organize and analyze data. However, it is very difficult to use only DEA to predict the efficiency and performance of other or new Decision Making Units (DMU). The main objective of this study is to build a high accuracy machine learning predictive models for predicting the efficiencies of banks by combining DEA with Machine Learning algorithm. The study built four Machine Learning Models namely; DEA-DT, DEA-RF, DEA-NN and DEA-LR to predict the efficiencies of banks. The study used 33% of the total bank branches in Ghana, largely in the nine regions. A two-stage DEA was used to determine the efficiencies of all bank branches and these banks were grouped based on a proposed algorithm, Bank Classification Algorithm (BC Algorithm). In building the predictive models, 70% of the banks dataset were used to train and validate the models. The developed models were used to predict the efficiencies of the other 30% banks. A 10-fold Cross-Validation was applied to check the performance of all predicting models on each case dataset. All experiments were executed within a simulation environment and conducted in R studio using R programming language. Standardized Machine Learning evaluation metrics were used to compare the models. The results suggested a very good performance of all the machine learning models proposed by the study. However, a comparison among them clearly indicated a much better performance by the DEA-RF for predicting banks’ efficiency in collecting deposit and DEA-DT for predicting banks’ efficiency in investing deposits. This study has demonstrated that combing two models improve the performance, predictions and classification accuracies suggested by previous studies. In conclusion, the study proposed the usage of the proposed BC Algorithm for classifying banks based on their efficiencies in deposit stage and investment stage.

Source: KNUST
Commercial Hub Of Suame (Showroom Facility), Kumasi.

Suame magazine redevelopment is a major project to attempt reorganizing the industrial site and give practical proposals to serve as a general base map for future development. This is to rectify the problem of developing without well constructed basis. Suame is a suburb in Kumasi, which can be located in Ashanti region in Ghana. This industrial site is well known for its garages, workshops, tool shacks, machine mini-marts, outdoor laboratories, contaminated land (source-spillage of oil) and its ability to have solution to any automobile problems. The role of commercial activities in Suame magazine can be linked to the days of caveman where exchange of goods for goods or services was done. Over the years commerce has evolved into a complex phenomenon which is to take care of mans basic needs. This basic trading activity is not a comfortable phenomenon in Suame Magazine due to the haphazard way of development. A conscious effort to find possible solutions to the above was proposed. Below is some listed objective; • To design and plan facilities that will take care of the mix used activities in Suame magazine industrial village. • To promote free movement of people from one point to another and providing easy methods of identifying areas of interest to users and customer. • Creating a layout and facility that seeks to address the parking needs, vehicular and pedestrian conflicts and off loading of goods.

Source: KNUST