ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the action plans of the national water policy in improving Ghana’s urban water supply

Water accessibility is a key focus area featured in the Ghana National Water Policy. Implementing agencies have been tasked by the policy to undertake key activities as part of measures and or action plans to improve on the urban accessibility to water. This study aimed at assessing the progress of Action Plans of NWP by implementation agencies towards achieving the strategic objective of urban water supply in Ghana. Data was collected through key informant interviews conducted with a total of twelve officials spanning across key institutions assigned responsibilities by the NWP including GWCL, PURC, MSWR, NDPC, WRI, CWSA, CONIWAS, and WRC. Most of the participants had served for over 5 years in their respective institutions. Participants revealed that in spite of proposed measures backed by the policy, implementation plans have been inadequate in improving accessibility to water in the urban sector. The study further revealed that key challenges affecting the holistic implementation of policy measures included; (1) the lack of an over-arching legislation within the water sector; (2) fragmented attempts by various institutions instead of a sector-wide coordinated approach in the implementation of action plans as well as (3) the shelving of critical research findings on risks posed to waterbodies by the mining sector. It is therefore recommended that (1) the establishment of policy indicators; (2) sourcing of sustainable funding for expansion of water supply infrastructure; (3) improvements in the operational efficiency of GWCL; (4) improved governance and accountability through the enactment of an overarching sector law; and (5) the establishment and sustainable funding of Pro-Poor Units in GWCL, will contribute to the rapid progress with plans to improve accessibility to water supply in the urban space.

Source: UCC
Assessing the Adoption of Accounting Information System for Decision Making by Small and Medium Enterprise.

Over the years, the business environments are increasingly becoming highly integrated and more complex due to a sudden rise to the numerous business functions and operations at the various work places. This study was conducted to assess the adoption of Accounting Information System for decision making of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. The specific objectives that guided the study were to assess the existing accounting information system used by SMEs, to determine the adequacy of the AIS of the SMES of the TMA and to identify the various AIS adopted by small scale and how AIS affects decision making. Additionally, the study aimed at suggesting appropriate AIS for the effective and efficient provision of business information to small scale businesses in TMA. Descriptive research design and a purposive sample of 100 SMEs were recruited for the study. The findings revealed that most of the SMEs uses accounting system information in its operations. Moreover, there was a positive relationship between Accounting Information System and decision making of SMEs Questionnaire was the instrument used in soliciting respondents’ views to address the research objectives based on the set objectives, the following key findings emerged: The respondents under this study were agric inputs dealers. The study revealed that specific AISs used by the SMEs were using are Pastel, Tally, Excel and Quick books. It was also noted that respondents encounter some challenges in using AISs and some of these challenges were ignorance about usage and frequent breakdown of channels.

Source: UCC
Assessing the adsorptive and Photodegradative Efficiencies of ZSM-11 Synthesized from Rice Husk Ash

Rice husk was used to synthesize zeolite (ZSM-11). FTIR and X-ray diffraction methods were used to characterize the product. &e synthesized zeolite was used to treat underground water from some communities in Cape Coast considering parameters such as total dissolved solids, total hardness, conductivity, nitrate, and phosphate. &e percentage reduction in PO3− was 96.1% in Ebubonko and 92.5% in Apewosika. Similarly, the NO3− levels also decreased significantly in Kwaprow. &e adsorption capability was also determined by using it to remove Pb2+ and Zn2+ from laboratory prepared solutions with varying masses. &e percentage reduction recorded 90.57% and 86.61% for the 1.0 g whilst the 1.5 g showed 93.26% and 89.36%, respectively. It was also realized that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-first-order rather than the pseudo-second-order process with their R2 values of 0.9929 and 0.8503 for the pseudo-first-order and 0.9662 and 0.6912 for the second-order for Pb2+ and Zn2+, respectively. & The adsorption capacity also favored the Freundlich isotherm with R2 values of 0.7578 and 0.642 rather than Langmuir isotherm with R2 values of 0.1742 and 0.3856 for Pb2+ and Zn 2+, respectively. &e photodegradation ability of the synthesized zeolite was analyzed using rhodamine blue (RhB) and methyl orange (MO). &e process was realized to favor the pseudo-second-order with R2 values of 0.9986 and 0.0007 and a constant K2 of 0.035 and 0.021 for RhB and MO, respectively, whereas the pseudo-first-order showed an R 2 value of 0.9376 and 0.9757 with K1 values of 0.03 and 0.02

Source: UCC
Assessing the adsorptive and photodegradative efficiencies ofzsm-11 synthesized from rice husk ash

Rice husk was used to synthesize zeolite (ZSM-11). FTIR and X-ray difraction methods were used to characterize the product. &e synthesized zeolite was used to treat underground water from some communities in Cape Coast considering parameters such as total dissolved solids, total hardness, conductivity, nitrate, and phosphate. &e percentage reduction in PO3−was 96.1% in Ebubonko and 92.5% in Apewosika. Similarly, the NO3−levels also decreased significantly in Kwaprow. &e adsorption capability was also determined by using it to remove Pb2+ and Zn2+ from laboratory prepared solutions with varying masses. &e percentage reduction recorded 90.57% and 86.61% for the 1.0 g whilst the 1.5 g showed 93.26% and 89.36%, respectively. It was also realized that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-frst-order rather than the pseudo-second-order process with their R2 values of 0.9929 and 0.8503 for the pseudo-frst-order and 0.9662 and 0.6912 for the second-order for Pb2+ and Zn2+, respectively. &e adsorption capacity also favored the Freundlich isotherm with R2 values of 0.7578 and 0.642 rather than Langmuir isotherm with R 2 values of 0.1742 and 0.3856 for Pb 2+ and Zn 2+, respectively. &e photodegradation ability of the synthesized zeolite was analyzed using rhodamine blue (RhB) and methyl orange (MO). &e process was realized to favor the pseudo-second-order with R2 values of 0.9986 and 0.0007 and a constant K2 of 0.035 and 0.021 for RhB and MO, respectively, whereas the pseudo-first-order showed an R 2 value of 0.9376 and 0.9757 with K1values of 0.03 and 0.02

Source: UCC
Assessing the bio-psychosocial correlates of flood impacts in coastal areas of Lagos, Nigeria

This paper explores the complex heterogeneous experiences of ﬂood impacts based on a bio-psychosocial model of socio-economic, demographic, behavioral and environmental factors. Using ordinary least squares regression on a cross-sectional survey of 1003 individuals, ﬂood impacts in three contiguous coastal neighborhoods in Lagos, Nigeria, were modelled. The results show that approximately 52% of the variability in ﬂood impact was accounted for by education, age, family structure, ethnicity, personal health concern and income. While involvement in coping was not a signiﬁcant predictor of ﬂood impacts, relocation emerged as a strong predictor. The inclusion of behavioral factors did not change the magnitude and signiﬁcance of the relationship between demographic factors and ﬂood impacts. However, the effects of age, education and personal health concern disappeared when environmental factors were controlled. The overall importance of the predictors for determining ﬂood impact in decreasing order is as follows: income > coping strategies > ethnicity ¼ participation in community development > family structure > personal health concerns > housing quality > reasons for living in residential locality > neighborhood vulnerability to ﬂood > housing vulnerability to ﬂood

Source: UCC
Assessing the challenges in the implementation of the religious and moral education programme, the case of selected teacher training colleges in Ghana

The investigation assessed the challenges inherent in the implementation of the Religious and Moral Education programme(RME) in some selected teacher training colleges in the Eastern and Volta Regions of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was employed to unearth the challenges there in. The simple random sampling, purposive sampling and the convenient sampling techniques were used to select the regions, colleges and respondents for the study respectively. In all, the sample for the study consisted of 319 respondents, comprising 34 RME tutors and 285 third year RME students. The sample was drawn from eight teacher training colleges with four from each of the two regions. The instruments used in gathering relevant data for the study were two sets of questionnaires and an observation guide. Extant documents were also analysed. Data from the three sources were triangulated to draw conclusions. Nine research questions were posed and one hypothesis formulated to guide the study. Data gathered were analysed using frequencies, percentages and means. The directions of responses were determined by computing the mean of means and testing of a hypothesis using the independent sample t-test at an alpha of 0.05. Some of the major findings of the study were that majority of the RME tutors were qualified and competent; both tutors and students had a favourable perception of RME though the colleges lacked the resources to make the subject interesting; RME tutors also lacked the skill in using other assessment techniques apart from exercises and quizzes. The aims and objectives of RME were clear to both tutors and students.

Source: UCC
Assessing the competency base of teacher trainees in writing composition in asante twi:A survey of colleges of education in Ashanti region

The study assesses the competency base of the teacher trainee in the writing of composition in Ghanaian language. Data were collected from sampled elective Ghanaian language teacher trainees from four Colleges of Education in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. Questionnaire, teacher trainees’ class exercises and structured interviews were the instruments used to collect the data. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data. The study showed that teacher trainees are adequately prepared to write composition in the Ghanaian language. The preparation of the teacher trainees covered the understanding of types of composition, stages in composition writing, correct spelling and expressions, logical arrangement of ideas and preparation of teaching learning materials. It was recommended among other things that education authorities must ensure that there are enough textbooks on Ghanaian language at Colleges of Education to enhance teaching and learning of Ghanaian language. There is also the need for regular workshops for Ghanaian language tutors to update their skills in the use of teaching learning materials in their lessons for teacher trainees to emulate.

Source: UCC
Assessing the contribution of alternative agriculture to poverty reduction and employment creation: A case study of sugar beet cultivation in Kenya

In Kenya, the government is promoting high-value and drought resistant crop varieties in an effort to reduce poverty in rural areas. Sugar beet is one such crop. This study was conducted with two objectives: 1) to assess the opportunities and challenges for sugar beet cultivation and adoption in the Nyandarua district of Kenya and 2) to assess whether sugar beet adoption can offer an opportunity for escaping poverty for smallholder farmers in the district. The factors favoring sugar beet cultivation and adoption in the district include: adequate land area suitable for sugar beet cultivation and the high sugar beet yield that can be attained per unit suitable land area, farmers’ awareness of the positive aspects of sugar beet cultivation, and the willingness of many farmers to grow the sugar beet crop. Notwithstanding these favorable conditions, some socio-economic factors - mainly the affordability of sugar beet production and possible lack of appropriate farming technologies, will present challenges to widespread sugar beet adoption, particularly to those farmers in the low- and medium-income categories. The sugar beet profit analysis showed that depending on the market price, sugar beet can potentially increase household net income. However, since the majority of households are in the low- and medium-income categories, for sugar beet to pull the smallholder farmers out of poverty, interventions from government and other stakeholders is of vital necessity. The impact of sugar beet adoption and cultivation will vary from household to household. Those households within the high-income category who can raise the required startup capital are likely to benefit, while the low- and medium-income households may not, which is true for any new crop with high startup costs. Alternative agriculture alone is therefore not a sufficient strategy to address the problems of poverty and unemployment. Any successful strategy to address these issues must be broad-based, and include alternative agriculture and other growth and development strategies. Provision for the entire necessary infrastructure should precede or accompany all of these strategies in order to optimize implementation benefits

Source: UCC
Assessing The Contribution Of Certified Cocoa Producer Organisations To Climate Change Adaptation In The Ahafo Region Of Ghana

Climate change adaptation in Ghana has been of concern over the years. This study examined how cocoa producer organisations contribute to climate change adaptation in a Asunafo North Municipality, Ghana by analyzing 405 responses gathered using questionnaires. The study identified the standard strategies within the certification scheme that promote climate change adaptation, assessed the effectiveness of the strategies for climate change adaptation, determined the correlation between these strategies and the adaptation of climate change and determined the challenges to climate change adaptation by farmers. The study revealed that farmers enjoy trainings and farm development from certified cocoa producer organisations to climate change adaptation (x ̅ = 3.84, SD = 0.44). The cocoa producer organisation and members’ standards had a positive statistical relationship with farmers’ adaptations to climate change (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), significantly predicting climate change adaptation (β = .728, p < .001). In all, the study found that cocoa producer organisation certification accounted for 54% variance in explaining climate change adaptation measures (F = 73.53, p < .001). The study revealed expensive farm inputs, fertilizer/input politicization, cost of hiring mechanized spraying machines, Illegal logging activities, Pest and diseases control and lack of irrigation systems as challenges faced by farmers. The study recommends that the non-certified farmers get certified to enhance productivity as well as effectiveness.

Source: UCC
Assessing the credit risk management practices among rural banks in the Takoradi metropolis

The study was to assess the credit risk management practices among rural banks in the Takoradi metropolis. The study was a descriptive design which targeted workers and management of Lower Pra Rural Bank, Ahantaman Rural Bank Ltd, and Fiaseman Rural Bank. Questionnaires were administered to thirty workers while structured interview was conducted for three general managers of the various rural banks. Moreover, the data were analyzed with the aid of Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS version 21.0) by using percentages and frequencies and presented by using tables, and charts. On the other hand, the interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded into themes and discussed concurrently with the aid of the research objectives. It was found out that, although the rural banks face similar risk in the credit environment, there is disparity as to the degree of importance attached to the various risk elements by the various banks. Moreover, each bank has its own credit philosophy, basis for lending and the critical areas of credit assessment. Furthermore, despite differences in credit policies, rural banks in Ghana adopt similar approaches to mitigating the risk involved in credit lending. Therefore, the study recommends that all lending institutions should establish a unit to handle their VAF product to minimise losses as a result of financing poor quality vehicles and machinery which end up in repayment defaults. Also, all other financial institutions which can afford should establish collections unit to closely monitor and recover all problematic credit facilities. Moreover, there is the need for rural banks to ensure that their staff receive periodic on-the-job training to apprise themselves with new ways of doing things. Digitized by Sam Jonah Lib

Source: UCC
Assessing the Current Curriculum of the Nursing and Midwifery Informatics Course at All Nursing and Midwifery Institutions in Ghana

ABSTRACT: The use of computers in the delivery of health care has significantly improved the way health service is delivered to clients and patients in the world. Despite the importance of computing to the delivery of health service, developing countries have not greatly benefited from it. Nursing informatics has been in existence and part of academic curriculum for the past 2 decades in some advanced countries. The Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council introduced the nursing and midwifery informatics course during the 2015/2016 academic year. This seeks to train student nurses on the relevance of computers to health care. Two separate workshops were organised to ascertain the preparedness of tutors (teachers at the nursing and midwifery training institutions) for teaching the new nursing and midwifery informatics course as well as to compare the curriculum with other international recommendations. The nursing and midwifery informatics course is taught at the first year where students have not been introduced to the nursing processes for them to appreciate the use of nursing informatics skills. It would be better if the nursing and midwifery informatics course is rather introduced during the second year second semester when students are about going for the hands-on training at the various health care institutions. Examining the course content reveals that the practical aspect within the course is very small. It is expected that more practical contents will be introduced. Tutors are not adequately prepared to teach this new course. More training is therefore needed to make tutors fully prepared to teach both the theory and practical aspects of the nursing and midwifery informatics course. It is expected that the nursing and midwifery informatics course would prepare student nurses on all nursing informatics competencies. It is essential that nurse educators incorporate the entire concept of informatics into the education of nurses.

Source: UCC
Assessing the Current Curriculum of the Nursing and Midwifery Informatics Course at All Nursing and Midwifery Institutions in Ghana

The use of computers in the delivery of health care has significantly improved the way health service is delivered to clients and patients in the world. Despite the importance of computing to the delivery of health service, developing countries have not greatly benefited from it. Nursing informatics has been in existence and part of academic curriculum for the past 2 decades in some advanced countries. The Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council introduced the nursing and midwifery informatics course during the 2015/2016 academic year. This seeks to train student nurses on the relevance of computers to health care. Two separate workshops were organised to ascertain the preparedness of tutors (teachers at the nursing and midwifery training institutions) for teaching the new nursing and midwifery informatics course as well as to compare the curriculum with other international recommendations. The nursing and midwifery informatics course is taught at the first year where students have not been introduced to the nursing processes for them to appreciate the use of nursing informatics skills. It would be better if the nursing and midwifery informatics course is rather introduced during the second year second semester when students are about going for the hands-on training at the various health care institutions. Examining the course content reveals that the practical aspect within the course is very small. It is expected that more practical contents will be introduced. Tutors are not adequately prepared to teach this new course. More training is therefore needed to make tutors fully prepared to teach both the theory and practical aspects of the nursing and midwifery informatics course. It is expected that the nursing and midwifery informatics course would prepare student nurses on all nursing informatics competencies. It is essential that nurse educators incorporate the entire concept of informatics into the education of nurses.

Source: UCC
Assessing the disparity in academic performance of pupils in the basic education certificate examination (bece) in public and private schools in the atimatim circuit, Afigya Kwabre district in the Ashnati region, Ghana

In recent years, the educational achievement of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has received special attention in Ghana's educational system. This study investigated the performance of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in public and private schools in Atimatim circuit, Afigya-Kwabre during the 2017 - 2019 academic years. The study employed descriptive and case study designs which seeks to observe, describe, and draw conclusions. A total of 60 respondents participated in the study including 10 head teachers and 50 teachers from ten schools (five public and five private). The findings revealed that private schools in the Atimatim circuit out performed public schools in terms of academic achievement. There was a strong correlation between school facilities and student academic success. Although the BECE results showed a substantial gap in academic performance between public and private basic schools, there were some internal and external factors that contributed to differences in educational attainment between public and private basic schools in the Atimatim Circuit. The study recommended that government should provide educational institutions with the necessary educating and learning resources in order to promote the learning process. Also, G.E.S. strategy of mass promotion of students from one grade to the next should be abolished, and success should only be used to encourage pupils. The study suggested further studies to be conducted in metropolitan regions in the country as well as using a large sample size for better understanding of the phenomenon.

Source: UCC