ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An analysis of basic manpower training for sanitation services in developing countries: the Ghanaian perspective

The purpose of this paper is to provide inputs for consideration in the development of curriculum and institutional framework for manpower training for the sanitation sector in the developing world, using Ghana as a reference case. The approach of the paper is to link competence requirements to sanitation sector objectives and existing challenges in developing countries and identify the curriculum components and institutional framework which may equip training beneficiaries with the required competences. The paper identifies the need to equip all prospective recruits into the sanitation sector with a basic technical competence in areas such as social marketing and community mobilization, reporting and basic computing skills. The paper also identifies an institutional framework which may be replicated and hence ensure effective manpower training for sanitation services in developing countries

Source: UCC
Analysis of chlorophyll pigmentation for yield prediction in cowpea varieties (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp)

Six cowpea genotypes; UCC-W, UCC-E, UCC-P1, UCC-P4, UCC-07 and UCC-V6 were evaluated in the research field (Technology village) of School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Ghana during the 2006/2007 cropping season. The experimental layout was Randomize Complete Block Design with two replications. Each cowpea genotype leaflets were sampled at 5, 6, 7th weeks after planting for molar absorbtivity and optical density coefficients as indicators for yield prediction at seedling stage. Leaf chlorophyll content was extracted using spectrophotometer set at a wavelength of 634nm. The samples were irradiated using radio isotope directed towards the sample. There was significant genetic variability among the cowpea genotypes. High chlorophyll absorption and optical film density were obtained for UCC-W, UCC-07 and UCC-E with a corresponding high yield and yield components. Between 5th and 6th week after planting was efficient for yield prediction in the cowpea genotypes. Chlorophyll absorption and optical film density are positively and highly related, with high coefficient of determination for all the cowpea genotypes. Thus, either spectrophotometer or beta radiography or both could be used as yield prediction tool in screening and selection of cowpea genotypes

Source: UCC
Analysis of Climate Variability Implications for Sardinella Fisheries in Ghana

ABSTRACT Over the years, marine fish production in Ghana has been on a downturn. The dwindling has been ascribed mainly to illegal fishing practices with less attention given to the possible effects of climate variability. This study sought to evaluate the impact of climatic variability on the sizes of Sardinella fish species, S. aurita and S. maderensis, captured by fishermen operating in Ghana‘s marine waters. The effect of climate variability on these fish stocks was evaluated through its effects on the strength of coastal upwelling as measured using changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and wind stress as proxies. The optimum length (22.6 cm) of S. aurita was found to be statistically significant with SST (P<0.0001), while an optimum length of 21.8 cm was also found for wind stress (P<0.0001). Also, local knowledge indicates that individual sizes of Sardinella species have decreased over the years (approx. 30 years). This finding confirms the results from the empirical aspects of the study. The results also show that the decrease in length of Sardinella species leads to low profitability of the fish trade, with its attendant impact on income. In conclusion, Sardinella fishery in Ghana is indeed collapsing and climatic variations due to sea surface temperature and wind stress are major contributing factors to the relatively smaller sizes of S. aurita landed in Ghana. This effect has implications for deepening poverty among local fishers and fish traders of these species. There is therefore the need to incorporate this impact of climate variability in fisheries management strategies in Ghana. It highlights the urgent need to consider these aspects of climate variability in adaptation planning in fishing communities for poverty alleviation in coastal areas of Ghana.

Source: UCC
Analysis of Communication Methods for Agricultural Extension Delivery in the Houet Province of Burkina Faso

Communication is key to agricultural development and major stakeholders have been called upon to rethink about the way it should be modelled. The study analysed communication methods for agricultural extension delivery in Houet Province of Burkina Faso. A descriptive-correlational survey research design was used for the study. A census of 64 Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and 99 farmers were involved in the study. Questionnaire and scheduled interview were used to collect data. SPSS version 15 and Excel were used to generate descriptive statistics and one way Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) was used to test the significance of differences in the variables and among groups at a 5% alpha level. The study revealed that agricultural extension agents were highly competent in the use of farm and home visit methods of extension. Field trip was the most important source of information for AEAs while fellow famers were the most consulted information source for farmers. The study showed significant differences between the extent of use of selected communication methods and age and educational level of AEAs while the level of education of farmers differed significantly with the sources of information: ages, farming experience, extent of use of communication methods, and land tenancy influenced the perceived effectiveness of selected communication methods. The study recommended among others the need for government to introduce extension-teaching programmes in all the professional training schools and centres of the ministries of rural development to equip AEAs with fundamentals in the use of selected extension communication methods.

Source: UCC
Analysis of Cu and Pb in the sediments of Kakum River, its estuary and tributaries

This paper discusses the levels of some heavy metals (Cu and Pb) in the soil sediments of the Kakum River, its estuary and tributaries. Samples were collected at five sites, two at the estuary of River Kakum (MZ and TZ) and the other at confluence of three of its tributaries, namely Nkontro, Kakum and Sruwe. The total Cu concentrations were found to be: Nkontro, 4.656 mg/kg > Kakum, 3.197 > Sruwe 3.16 mg/kg kg > MZ, 1.893 mg/kg > TZ, 1.277 mg. The total lead concentrations were as follows: Nkontro, 6.611 mg/kg > Kakum, 6.063 mg/kg > MZ, 3.983 mg/kg > Sruwe, 3.901 mg/kg > TZ, 3.038 mg/kg. Generally, both Cu and Pb in the sediment (residue) at the five sites follow the trend Sruwe >Kakum > TZ > MZ, while the trend for the leachate was MZ > Kakum > TZ. The levels of both metals in the leachate at site MZ were higher compared to the levels at site TZ. The contamination factors and geo-accumulation index values suggest that the sediments of the river at the selected sites were not polluted with Pb and Cu

Source: UCC
Analysis of Deodorized Palm Kernel Oil Using Optical And Conventional Techniques

ABSTRACT Palm kernel oil has been deodorized using medicinal plants (fresh and dry cinnamon leaves, fresh lemongrass) and the changes monitored using optical (absorbance (ABS), surface reflectance (SR), laser induced fluorescence (LIF)) and conventional (phosphor molybdate method using ascorbic acid) techniques. Changes were again monitored when the oil was exposed to sunlight with samples protected and not protected from ultraviolet radiation (UV). The ABS measurements were conducted using a spectrophotometer while for the SR measurements, white light source was focused into a two- way optical fibre probe and the reflected light channelled into a spectrometer on to the sample. The LIF was measured at longer wavelengths using a spectrometer at 90o to a 445 nm laser source. Principal component analysis was computed using the fluorescence data in discriminating between the refined deodorized and refined non-deodorized oils. The ABS increased with increasing deodorant mass while the SR decreased. The conventional technique established an increase in antioxidant capacity (AC) as deodorant mass increased. This corresponded to an increase in vitamin E and chlorophyll contents, associated with longer wavelengths in the fluorescence emission spectrum. Correspondingly, increase in deodorant mass resulted in increase in florescence intensity (FI) at longer wavelengths. The fresh cinnamon and the lemongrass deodorant had 169 % and 78 % in AC respectively. There was reduction 91 % in AC after exposure to sunlight protected and not protected from UV, with the reduction of 91.4 % being greater for samples not protected. FI peaks at longer wavelength of the samples decreased after exposure to sunlight

Source: UCC
An analysis of descriptive features in the english used in an advertising text

The goal of advertising is the persuasion of a customer of the merits of a particular product or service. Whatever the strategy advertisers employ in order to influence the consumer, language is the main carrier of the message. Among the components of advertising (visual images, words, logos, brand names, graphic designs and so on), words play a key role since by them the audience is able to grasp the advertising message (Dyer, 1982; Nga, 210) . In advertising, copywriters use English words to project the product or service they are bringing to the audience’s attention in the most attractive fashion. Copywriters use English quite distinctively; they sometimes employ the descriptive style of writing to present their messages. The rationale is that description makes the information more intriguing and engaging for the audience. The primary objective of description in advertising is to frame an image of a product in the minds of the consumer through sufficient details and allow them to experience the product through their five senses. Description in advertising creates a dominant impression, an overall attitude, mood or feeling about a product or service. In the current paper, the writer has analyzed the descriptive elements in the English used in an advertising text in a newspaper in Ghana. The theoretical framework that was adopted was Fairclough’s (1992) Three Dimensional Model Theory and the qualitative research design was employed for the study. The descriptive features that were realized in the selected advertisement (henceforth advert) were sensory details, figurative expressions, modifiers and picturesque vocabulary. The description of the advertising text was effective, in that, it left the reader with a clear impression: a craving for the Castle Milk Stout alcoholic beverage that was advertised

Source: UCC
Analysis of Doctoral Thesis Citation Patterns: A Case Study of the Sam Jonah Library, Ghana.

The use of bibliometrics as an essential tool for collection development is well acknowledged by many researchers because it employs quantitative methods when seeking to measure and assess the output of scientific publications. A quantitative evaluation of publications and citations can be beneficial for effective collection development. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth analysis of the citation patterns in the PhD dissertations submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cape Coast between 2005 and 2016. A total of 35 PhD theses were submitted within this time period and were obtained from the Africana section of the Sam Jonah Library. The reference section from each thesis was photocopied and manually examined. Overall, 6,458 citations were analysed. Journal articles were the most cited publications, followed by books, reports and web resources. The findings also showed that a majority (73.3%) of the journals cited by PhD students could be accessed through Sam Jonah Library’s subscribed online databases. The study concludes that although the use of these databases is high among PhD students, there is a need for greater awareness and training in the use of these databases.

Source: UCC
Analysis of factors that influence the choice of senior high school by junior high school students

The objective of this study has been to determine the major underlying factors that influence the choice of senior high schools. To this end, a survey of 510 BECE candidates in Junior High Schools in Nungua, a community in Accra, was conducted. The students were asked to indicate their opinions on twenty seven variables on a five-point Likert scale. The data generated from the survey were multivariate in structure since 27 variables were recorded on 510 respondents. Factor analysis, which is a procedure for data reduction and summarization, is considered appropriate for analyzing this high dimensional data set. Initial exploration of the data, using correlation analysis and frequency distributions of the responses further informed the choice of this technique. A four-factor solution was obtained at the end of the analysis. It was found more appropriate to· extract rotated factors since, unlike the unrotated solution, all the four factors had more than one indicators. The rotated factor solution comprises the following: controlled social atmosphere, parental guidance/individual needs, quality of education given by the school, and the location of the school. Therefore, in decreasing order of importance, controlled social atmosphere is the most influential factor that underlies the selection of senior high schools. A second most influential factor is parental guidance/individual needs. Quality of education and the location of the school are the other factors that cannot be ignored.

Source: UCC
Analysis of glycemic load of four types of rice popularly consumed in Ghana: A case study in Cape Coast Metropolis

The purpose of the study was to investigate the Glycemic Load (GL) of four types of rice (local brown rice, local polished white rice, perfumed rice and polished perfumed white rice) popularly consumed in Ghana in order to examine its implications on health nutrition. The study sampled 12 healthy individuals into the trial. They consisted of six males and six females. Also, they were made up of six young people and six old people. After a fasting blood sample test, participants were each given a glucose solution prepared from 50g anhydrous glucose and 200ml of bottled water. The Glycemic Index (GI) was assessed by quantifying the blood glucose level of study subjects at the fasting state and after consumption of reference food (glucose) and test foods within a period of two hours at intervals 30, 60, 90, and 120th min. GL values were calculated based on the GI value for the test food. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that averagely, polished local rice (5.62 ± 0.28 mmol/L) recorded the highest blood glucose response, followed by that of polished perfumed rice (5.60 ± 0.56 mmol/L) and perfumed rice (5.55 ± 0.44 mmol/L). However, brown rice (5.21 ± 0.44 mmol/L) had the least blood glucose level. Also, all the GL values of the various types of rice tested were high. Also, people associated with cardiovascular diseases, obesity and type two diabetes should not consumed polished rice. However, they can consider taking-in brown rice since it recorded relatively lower GI and GL. The findings should assist health nutrition professionals, diabetics and consumers in their selection of rice.

Source: UCC
Analysis of heavy metals in citrus juice from the Abura-Asebu Kwamankese District, Ghana

The levels of some heavy metals in lime, lemon and orange fruit juice from the Abura-Asebu Kwamankese District of the Central Region of Ghana were determined. Samples were randomly collected from selected farms in the district. The samples were digested with HCl and HNO3 mixture (aqua regia) and H2O2 and analysed for AS, Pb, Cr, Ni, Fe, Zn and Cu using Inductive Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer. Fe, Zn, and Pb were found in all the samples with mean concentrations respectively 1.2065, 2.401×10 -1 and 2.92×10 -and As were found in the lime only with concentrations 4.313×10 -3 and 1.092×10 -3 respectively. Cr and Ni were not detected in any of the samples analysed. The concentrations of the metals found in all the three fruits were far lower than those Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients levels recommended in the United Kingdom and by the US EPA

Source: UCC
Analysis of heavy metals in roadside soils and crops along the Obansandjo way in the Accra metropolis

This paper discusses the levels of some heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn) in roadside soils and crops along the Obansandjo way in the Accra metropolis of Ghana. Soil and plant samples were collected from three different sites; Kawukudi (K), Ebony (E), and Dzorwulu (D) all along the Obansandjo way in Accra. The samples taken were preserved and later acid digested and analyzed along side control soil and plant samples using standard analytical methods. The following mean levels of Ni, Zn, Cu and Pb on the roadsides were detected: 228.65 ± 102.98, 35.98 ± 18.39, 24.577 ± 9.04 and 18.25 ± 13.05 (all in mg/kg) respectively. The mean level of Ni was above the critical permissible concentration. Ni, Zn, Cu and Pb in the crops were: 3.343 ± 2.0, 6.97 ± 4.5, 1.909 ± 0.71 and 3.515 ± 1.3 (all in mg/kg) respectively. Ni, Pb, Cu and Zn were detected in both soils and crops. The levels of all the metals except Ni were below the phototoxic levels

Source: UCC
Analysis of household energy consumption in Ghana

Household energy consumption and its related issues have received considerable attention in recent times. However, the bulk of research has focused on macro perspective using times series data and methods. Empirical research using micro level data is limited. This study therefore examines household energy consumption using household level data. The study used data from the sixth round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey to examine enegy consumption, choice and crowding-out effects of energy expenditure. The econometric approaches used in this study were the Tobit, ordinary least square (OLS), conditional mixed process, and multinomial logit regression techniques. The results of the study showed that there is a significant positive relationship between income and energy consumption. It was also observed that stock of electrical appliances has a significant influence on energy consumption. Finally, expenditure on energy was established to crowd-out allocation to food, alcohol, clothing, communication, housing and furnishing while crowding in spending on health, education, transport, recreation, hotel and miscellaneous. It is recommended that households should be encouraged to adopt energy-efficient electrical appliances. In addition, an intensive sensitisation campaign to educate households about energy conservation practices is strongly advocated.

Source: UCC
Analysis of Investment in Energy: A Case of Electricity in Ghana

This thesis analysed investments in electricity generation by employing a combination of Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique Mean Variance Portfolio (MVP) analysis. With annual time series data on Ghana from 1970 to 2009, the study used the ARDL technique to analyse investment, cost and demand equations. First, the investment equation examined the relationship between investment in electricity generation, interest rate, output, price, and demand uncertainty. Second, the cost equation investigated the effect of output, interest rate, wage rate, and capacity utilisation on cost of electricity generation. Third, the demand equation focused on the impact of price of electricity, price of light crude oil, income, population, and consumption efficiency on demand for electricity. Finally, the thesis used the MVP analysis to evaluate the cost risk of Ghana5s projected electricity generation mix fbr 2015. The results showed that investment in electricity generation depends on interest rate, output, price, and demand uncertainty. Besides, the results demonstrated that output, interest rate and capacity utilisation significantly affect the cost of electricity generation. Again, the study confirmed that price of electricity, income, population and consumption efficiency have a significant effect on demand for electricity. Finally, the thesis established that increase in the share of renewable energy reduces the cost risk of electricity generation mix. The results implied that increase in electricity price can increase investments in electricity generation in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Analysis of Kwesimintsim Polyclinic health data

This dissertation is a report on efforts directed at finding the leading diseases, patterns and other characteristics of four kinds of data: Monthly Outpatient Morbidity Data, Statement Of Outpatients, Statement Of Inpatients and the Monthly Bed State Data of Kwesimintsim Polyclinic. The data spans the six-year period of 1997 to 2002. The analysis of the data relied on descriptive statistics and time series analysis. Projected values of the number of cases of the diseases to be reported to the Polyclinic, particularly that of malaria in the immediate future were also explored. Analysis of the data showed that Malaria is the leading of the 13 most common diseases in the catchment area with an upward trend in the number of cases reported at the Polyclinic. It was also found that the number of cases of Pneumonia and Hypertension are on the ascendancy while tuberculosis is the most prevalent of the 'Six Child killer Diseases' - Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Measles, Whooping Cough, and Tuberculosis - in the catchment area. Further, Females and the age group 0 - 4 years are the subgroups in the population of the catchment area that require the most medical attention.

Source: UCC
Analysis of lead and cadmium in human milk in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

The cadmium and lead concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in forty eight breast milk samples collected between January to March 2007 from healthy lactating women who were engaged in commercial activities in Accra and Tema for at least five years. The mean cadmium concentrations in human milk were 0.0246±0.0116 µg/L (range 0.0085- 0.0500µg/L) and 0.0329 ±0.1263 µg/L (range 0.0122-0.0644µg/L) in Accra and Tema respectively while the mean for lead levels was 2.476 ± 1.097 µg/L (range 0.0456 - 5.224µg/L) and 3.367 ±1.131 µg/L (range1.375 -5.890µg/L) in Accra and Tema respectively. Averagely, levels of the metal observed were higher in Tema than in Accra. There was a positive significant correlation between lead and cadmium levels in mothers' breast milk samples in both metropolis (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant increase in the levels of both metals in breast milk of women passively exposed to smoking compared to non-exposed ones (p< 0.05. None of the women was exposed occupationally

Source: UCC