ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Statuettes making with odds and ends in the Primary School

Experience has shown that art as a subject of study is generally neglected in schools with the excuse that there are no art materials to work with. Generally speaking people think art refers to drawing and painting only. Some art teachers claim they themselves can neither draw nor paint and so art is either not taught or taught anyhow. Little do people and teachers in particular know that the numerous objects or waste materials thrown away every day as junk are very good resources for making exciting art works such as statuettes. The list of these materials is inexhaustible and includes bottle tops, woodchips, bits of paper, wire, tins and cans, pen tubes, seeds, sawdust and plastics. Identifying uses for such odds and ends takes some imagination, creativity, a bit of mental exercising and determination but the end results are always satisfying and encouraging. This manual is intended as a guide for using odds and ends found in our surroundings as raw materials for creating art forms, which can be appreciated for their intrinsic qualities or used as decorative pieces. The use of odds and ends in creating forms also aimed at educating the public about using art as a means of’ environmental protection.

Source: KNUST
Statistical Evaluation of Enhanced Face Recognition Techniques under Variable Constraints

Face recognition is a dedicated process in the brain which starts from 24 hours of birth. The idea of mimicking this essential skill in human beings by machines can be worthwhile though developing an intelligent and self-learning system may require adequate supply of information to the machine. This study modified Principal Component Analysis and Singular Value Decomposition (PCA/SVD) face recognition algorithm by incorporating Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Whitening at preprocessing stages. This study proposed multivariate statistical evaluation of the recognition performance of these face recognition algorithms under varying constraints. In particular, the Repeated Measures Design, Paired Comparison test and Profile Analysis were used for performance evaluation of the algorithms on the merit of effciency and consistency in recognizing face images with variable facial expressions. The results indicated that, FFT-PCA/SVD is more consistent and computationally efficient when compared to PCA/SVD and Whitened PCA/SVD. Fast Fourier Transform is recommended as a viable noise removal mechanism, which should be adopted during preprocessing stages in image or pattern recognition.

Source: KNUST
The status and biodiversity of medicinal plants in some districts in Ashanti Region

Many important medicinal plant species in Ghana are threatened as a result of natural habitat loss, increasing population resulting in pressure on land for agriculture, and bush fires. Urgent measures are therefore needed to conserve these vital natural resources for the future. The status and biodiversity of medicinal plants in some districts in the Ashanti region were studied from October 1998 to September 2000. Ten randomly selected districts comprising Ahafo Ano North, Kwabre, Ahafo Ano South, Atwima, Asante Akim South, Ejisu Juaben. Sekyere west, Oflinso, Asante Akim North, and Amansie East districts were selected for the study. The study involved questionnaire data and field survey. Medicinal plants found to be endangered in the districts include Piper guineense, Rauvoijia vomitorla, Strychnos icaja, Paullinla pinnata, Xyiopta aethioplea, Aframomurn melegueta, Calliandra partoricensis and Khaya senegalensis. Plant over-exploitation, bush fires, logging and clearing of land for agriculture and other developmental projects were found to be the main factors responsible for the disappearance of plant genetic resources in the districts. To salvage threatened plant genetic resources it was recommended that traditional laws on conservation such as taboos and taboo days must be enforced by imposing heavy fines on people who infringe the law. Also chiefs, assemblymen and religious leaders must mobilize the people for tree planting programmes especially for the threatened tree species. The government and District assemblies should support these programmes by providing funds and/or seeds. Family planning campaign should also be stepped up to control the population increases.

Source: KNUST
The status and change in rangeland ecosystem in the Tolon-Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana

The status and change in rangeland ecosystem in the Tolon-Kumbungu district of the Northern Region of Ghana were studied from June 1999 to November 1999. These parameters were assessed by determining the relative abundance of the plant species classified as decreasers, increasers and invaders in the experimental and control sites in the study area. The experimental site was a plot of Guinea Savanna vegetation, which is used for livestock grazing, and the control site was a sacred grove, which has been protected from all forms of exploitation including grazing. The two plots were adjacent to each other. The abundance of these categories of plants was quantified by recording the presence or absence as well as counting the number of the individual plants in a series of 5x 5 quadrates. The relative abundance of other growth forms (trees, shrubs, forbs) of plants was also similarly quantified Field assessment of range trend was based upon the determination of whether or not seedlings were getting established, and of which species or class of vegetation and whether or not evidence of past erosion is being healed over by plant growth Range trend was also assessed by determining the mean heights of plants in the experimental and the control sites Based on criteria such as floristic composition of the vegetation, the successional position in the vegetation and their value of grazing of animals and symptoms of site deteriorations revealed by the amount of bare ground and evidences of erosion, the experimental site was classified as “poor” and the control site was “Good”. The results also indicated that those species of plants most palatable to grazing animals were relatively abundant in the experimental site than in the control site and for invaders, the reverse was the case. The number of undesirable plant species was also more on the experimental site than on the control site. There was also a significant decrease in the heights of all the different growth forms of plants forming the vegetation on the experimental site than those on control site. All these observations were considered as clear indicators of a deteriorating trend of the experimental site. Suggestions and recommendations to reverse this trend have been made.

Source: KNUST
The Status of Information, Education and Communication on Prenatal Care and Skilled Delivery: The Case of Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District, Ghana

Introduction: The single most criti¬cal intervention for safe motherhood is to ensure a skilled attendant for every delivery. Effective dissemination of information and education is vital if women are to enjoy access to available services. Whenever there is suspicion and fear of medical interventions, such as facility delivery, Caesarean section or blood transfusion, introduction of appropriate information, education and communication (IE&C) activities is vital to explain and dispel misconceptions about procedures. Aim: The study aims at assessing the effectiveness of IE&C on prenatal care and skilled delivery in the district. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey using questionnaire was conducted among a sample of 400 mothers who have delivered in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai district within the last six months. The questionnaire asked for mothers’ view on how best IE&C activities have helped them in making informed choices during prenatal care and childbirth. Results: Although majority (98.5%) of the mothers attended ANC at least once during their last pregnancy, only 50.50% delivered in health facility. Most (66.7%) of the mothers feared health facility delivery, and 85.5% did not prepare adequately for health facility delivery. Mothers have good knowledge on danger signs of pregnancy, signs of labour and importance of skilled care during pregnancy. Statistically, level of education (OR=0.54(0.37-0.79)) distance to health facility (OR=3.86(.44-6.11)), birth plans (OR=9.44(3.80-23.42)), items required (OR=3.87(2.44-6.13)), transport available at labour (OR=4.81(1.73-13.33)), discussion with male partners on place of delivery (OR=0.33(0.19-0.54)), advice on place of delivery during ANC by health personnel (OR=0.29(0.12-0.69)), and initiating antenatal care within the first three months of pregnancy (OR=1.84(1.22-2.76)) showed significant association with the use of skilled care at delivery even after controlling for confounders. Conclusion: Antenatal care coverage is high but proportion of skilled delivery is far below the ICPD+5 target of 85% skilled delivery by 2010. Mothers in the district have good knowledge on danger signs of pregnancy, signs of labour and importance of prenatal care and skilled delivery. Ignorance and cost of accessing skilled care impede the use of maternal health services. To improve the service, individual counselling of women on health facility delivery, early initiation of antenatal care and individual birth preparedness should be intensify. Male partners and communities should be involved in IE&C on maternal health care.

Source: KNUST
Status of production equipment maintenance engineering in the Ghanaian manufacturing industry

Ghana’s manufacturing industry consists of four main sectors, namely woodworking, food processing, metal working and textiles and garments. Earlier research works report a large stock of manufacturing equipment used in the industry but indicate low maintenance culture among firms. This calls for an investigation to help gain insight into the status of maintenance engineering as well as maintenance-related challenges facing manufacturing companies in Ghana. This work explores the status of production equipment maintenance in selected companies from Kumasi, Accra and Tema registered with the Association of Ghana Industries. A questionnaire was designed and administered in a survey that involved visits to these companies. Data collected was analysed using the MS Excel and Stata 10 software packages. The findings reveal that most of the respondent firms are private consisting mainly of large and medium scale firms with the greater majority being large. In addition, majority of firms in Ghana are semi-automated. Contrary to the perception of low maintenance culture, companies undertake regular maintenance.The most preferred maintenance strategy is preventive shut down maintenance. Further, it also emerges that training for maintenance staff is poorly organized and this sometimes necessitates the need for contract maintenance. In addition, during maintenance operations manufacturers employ little or no high end technological techniques and tools. Again, despite the existence of internal safety policies there are no stringent measures to ensure compliance. The general challenges facing firms in the implementation of their maintenance strategies include cost of shut down, cost of spare parts, legal issues with contractors, among others. On the whole, larger enterprises take maintenance activities more seriously than smaller scale ones.

Source: KNUST
Stem Borer Infestation on Maize Plants Treated With Salicylic Acid

Maize is cultivated under a broad range of climatic conditions in West Africa and Central Africa. Lepidopteran stem borers are a major pest of maize and losses they cause in maize vary between 10-70%. Salicylic acid (SA) is a colorless, crystalline organic acid which is widely known as a plant hormone. To determine the effect of salicylic acid on infestation and damage on maize by stem borers, different doses of salicylic acid (50g in 100L of H2O /ha, 100g in 100L of H2O/ha, 200g in 100L of H2O /ha, 400g in 100L of H2O /ha and 0g of SA as the control) were dissolved in water and sprayed on the leaves of maize plants for five times, at 10-day intervals, starting 10 days after germination until 60 days of the plant growth. The experiment was conducted in both the major and the minor seasons of the year 2009, with a split plot design; with fertilizer and without fertilizer, with four replications. The results indicated that salicylic acid appeared to have no effects on both the stem borer infestations levels and grain yield of the maize. Busseola fusca formed the majority of the stem borer larvae in the maize in both seasons, and the fertilized crops appeared to have attracted more stem borers than the unfertilized crops.

Source: KNUST
Stem-branch and stem-root formation for sculpture

In Ghana, the art of carved sculpture in stem-branch and stem- root is not popular. The technique is practised only by some sculptors who trained in Art Schools. Even then the majority of these trained sculptors who produce stem-branch and stem-root sculpture do so once a while, when they come across the stem-branch or stem-root which suggests clearly a recognizable image. They carve the stem-branch directly following the suggested or representational image in the medium, which in most cases, amongst these practicing sculptors could be once or twice in a decade. What is interesting about this technique is that jutting out branches and roots from a main stem most often serve as heads or arms of human or animals, leaving the bulk of the wood, the main stem, for the artist to create something with. This can be a very difficult task, a tedious and slow problem-solving process, to the extent of limiting the artist to working with a particular piece of wood with which he can express himself. Therefore he is left with the choice of expressing himself within defined limits - the freedom of expression, within boundaries. Carving stem-branch and stem-root is not practised widely by sculptors. Reasons could be — 1. Such wood pieces are not easily available like real logs 2. Some sculptors find such wood difficult to use - a big problem to identify forms or image in wood.

Source: KNUST
Still Animation as an Alternative Means of Disseminating Ananse Stories in Ghana: A Case Study of Agroyesum in the Ashanti Region

The main thrust of this dissertation is deeply entrenched in the rationale for disseminating and preserving Ananse folktales which is apparently declining in appreciation and has lost its appeal among the younger generation of the Ghanaian populace. This chasm creates a necessity which needs to be addressed through research. Additionally, Anansesem (a name given to Ananse folktales by the Akans of Ghana) is an embodiment of rich encyclopaedic knowledge about Ghanaian historical social organization, linguistics, dance, drama, folksongs and other essential traditional knowledge which must not be overlooked or allowed to die out. Since the inception of storytelling, man has stored his thoughts, world view, history, philosophy and culture in his traditional folktales. As such, this research attempts to elucidate such themes in the context of Ghanaian socio-cultural milieu from the past to contemporary era. Anansesem is the soul of Ghanaian morals and ethics which hones and shapes individual and societal behaviour for the benefit and social progress of the nation. In this regard, the gradual dearth of Anansesem is equivalent to the decline of Ghanaian morals and ethics.The research employed the qualitative research methodology coupled with multimedia studio practices and procedures. The multimedia studio procedure provides an all-inclusive followthrough and step-by-step still animation production model which is comprehensible, adaptable and can be employed to develop or conduct further research in folktales by future researchers. The research discusses informative findings, which highlight the impact, effectiveness and advantageous communicative capabilities still animation possesses over oral narratives. The main findings revealed, through the field testing and analyses of still animation viz-a-viz oral narratives, that still animation can be a valid alternative and comparatively effective audio-visual communication medium through which Ananse folktales and oral tradition can be disseminated and preserved. Crucial findings and hypothesis, such as the hypothetical theory of Ananse’s manipulation scheme, the hypothetical classification of Ananse archetypes, the ethical and philosophical rationale behind the Ananse archetype summarize the uniqueness of this research in the study and evaluation of Anansesem and the Ananse archetype. It is therefore recommended that storytelling periods and sessions should be re-introduced in primary schools to enable children acquaint themselves with traditional Ghanaian folktales. On the basis of a field test at the St. Francis Primary School in Agroyesum (Ashanti Region), the research comes to the firm conclusion that the advantage and benefits animation offers in the discipline of audio-visual communication and motion graphics makes still animation an expedient communication medium for developing African societies struggling to eschew decadence and restore decorum, as well as decency among children, the youth and some elderly people.

Source: KNUST
A stochastic dietary risk estimate of acrylamide exposure in commonly eaten foods among consumers

The thrust of this study was to estimate the risk of dietary consumption of acrylamide. Such a study is essential in order to monitor exposure levels and protect the safety of consumers. Stratified sampling was used to sample 89 food matrices from vendors in selected towns. Six hundred and twenty nine (629) consumers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire in a one week dietary recall survey. Acrylamide quantitated using Thermo Scientific Mircro-Volume UV-Vis NanoDrop spectrophotometer. The analytical approach adopted in this work used the probabilistic method to account for the randomness of the data acquired. The findings from this study show a 50 % percentile acrylamide concentration in the foods analyzed as 1.56 mg/g, a 50 % percentile acrylamide exposure of 0.100 mg/kg-day, a modal cancer risk of 9x10-5 and modal neurotoxic risk -0.0008. The main conclusions drawn from this study are that there is no neurotoxic risk due to dietary acrylamide in the study area but there is a probable cancer risk of 9 out of 100,000 due to dietary acrylamide, which is unacceptable compared to the 1x10-6 de minimis value. As such, this study recommends further investigation with a view to providing intervention towards the reduction of acrylamide levels to levels below 0.001mg/g in heat – processed commonly eaten foods.

Source: KNUST
Stochastic Optimal Design of Household-Based Hybrid Energy Supply Systems Using Sample Average Approximation

In terms of energy production, combining conventional and renewable energy sources prove to be more sustainable and cost-e ective. Nevertheless, e cient planning and designing of such systems are extremely complex due to the intermittency of renewable sources. Many existing studies fail to capture the stochasticity and/or avoid detailed reliability analysis. is research proposes a practical stochastic multi-objective optimization tool for optimally laying out and sizing the components of a grid-linked system to optimize system power at a low cost. A comparative analysis of four state-of-theart algorithms using the hypervolume measure, execution time, and nonparametric statistical analysis revealed that the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA-III) was more promising, despite its signi cantly longer execution time. According to the NSGA-III calculations, given solar irradiance and energy pro les, the household would need to install a 5.5 (kWh) solar panel tilted at 26.3° and orientated at 0.52° to produce 65.6 (kWh) of power. e best battery size needed to store enough excess power to improve reliability was 2.3 (kWh). e cost for the design was $73520. In comparison, the stochastic technique allows for the construction of a grid-linked system that is far more cost-e ective and reliable.

Source: KNUST
Stochastic modeling of crude oil prices

The prices of crude oil are largely characterized by shocks due to the flow in supply and demand of soil. In this study, we modeled crude oil prices fluctuations using stochastic differential equations. Analytical and numerical solutions of the three factors model proposed by Cortazar and Schwartz (2003) are presented based on the current price, the future price and volatility of the crude oil. Our simulations results implementing the model indicated that the simulations achieve better results when as many paths with smaller time interval are used. We also studied the price dynamics of WTI crude oil traded at NYMEX from 2004 to 2014. Our study showed that crude oil prices uctuate over the years with the highest price recorded in June, 2008 but dropped signifi cantly to $41.12/barrel in December, 2008. We also studied the price dynamics of crude oil futures for the period, April, 2015 to December, 2023 and observed that despite the continuous fall in crude oil prices from November, 2014, futures prices increase continuously. Our simulation results on the value of crude oil options revealed that as the value of crude oil prices increase, the expected value of the option increases.

Source: KNUST
“Stochastic live load studies in Ghana”

This thesis reports on live load surveys conducted in the metropolises of Accra, Tema and Kumasi in 1990-1991. Main occupancy regions studied were churches, public halls, hospitals, factories, warehouses and retail shops. For each of these regions various user-categories were identified and the analyses and presentation has been done on the basis of these user-categories. A stochastic model has been used to synthesis the sustained load events obtained from the survey into a lifetime sustained equivalent uniformly distributed load(EUDL). In addition, extraordinary live load values have been evaluated for each user category studied. These two components of the live load process have been combined into design live loads. The results of this research have been compared with results of similar surveys conducted in America, Britain and Denmark which are enshrined in their codes of practice. The results of this study show considerable variability with those of the foreign surveys. The significance of this study and the evidence for the need to draw a local code of practice are discussed. Conclusions and recommendations are drawn on the relevance of this research to existing structural engineering practice in Ghana.

Source: KNUST