ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessment of groundwater potential in the Jasikan District of Volta Region, Ghana

This study was carried out to assess the groundwater potential in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region. In Ghana, efforts are being made by both government and non-governmental agencies to provide potable water to rural communities in view of alleviating poverty and improving the socio-economic status of the people. As a result many boreholes have been drilled and more are planned to be drilled. However, there has not been any meaningful assessment of the potential of the groundwater to sustain the present and the planned boreholes. However, this is necessary for sustainable groundwater management in the area. Field investigations included measuring of Static Water Level (SWL), Dynamic Water Level (DWL) of pumping well and pumping tests. Methodology adopted included analyses of geological logs, pumping test analyses in determining transmissivity and specific capacity of productive wells in some selected communities and water quality analyses. Hydrogeological investigations revealed that the Jasikan District is underlain by the Buem formation (Sedimentary and Volcanic) which has undergone some modifications through geologic time resulting in the development of primary and secondary openings, which are formed by fracturing and weathering. Three water bearing zones exist in the study area; Upper zone (10-15m), Middle zone (15-25m), and the Lower zone (25-50m). All the volcanics have their water zones in both the middle and the lower zones while the sedimentary have theirs in the upper and middle zones. Yield analyses shown the sedimentary formation to have yields ranging between 6.9-147.8 m3/day and the volcanics between 6.9-486.08 m3/day. Mean yield of successful wells in the sedimentary is 35.14 m3/day and 115.27 m3/day in the volcanics. Transmissivity values are high in the volcanics as compared to the sedimentary. About 99% of the 34 boreholes pumps tested have more than 80% of recovery after 3 hours. The volcanics have about 53% of the percentage recovery while 47% goes to the sedimentary formation. The study carried out revealed that success rate of drilling boreholes in the District is about 90%. About 79% of well yields in the study area are between 8.28 m3/day - 138 m3/day and only about 3% of wells have yields less than 8.28 m3/day. Water quality analyses revealed that groundwater quality is generally good and suitable for drinking. In recommendation, more boreholes could be drilled to boost future water supply in the area. Higher yielding boreholes in some selected communities could be mechanized and supply to people’s homes as piped-borne water.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Bogoso, A Mining Community in the Western Region of Ghana

There is the general perception that mining activities have severe adverse effects on the environment, particularly groundwater quality. Based on this, groundwater quality in the Bogoso area was studied because the area has experienced mining activities over a long period. It is believed that the mining activities have imparted negatively on the quality of ground water. This study aimed at assessing the quality of groundwater in Bogoso, focusing on pollution from heavy metals. Groundwater samples from ten (10) boreholes were collected and analysed for their quality using recommended techniques. The concentrations obtained for the parameters were compared with WHO guidelines for water quality. The results showed wide variations in the parameters investigated. pH values ranged from 5.10 at BB4 to 6.32 at BB2, which was lower than the WHO standard. The EC ranged from the lowest of 393.33μs/cm at BB1 to the highest of 863.33μs/cm indicating a higher EC value than the recommended standard. Heavy metal concentrations in boreholes were generally low. Results obtained for Zn, Cu, As, Cd and Pb were below the recommended limit by WHO. The concentration of Mn and Fe in the samples were found to be higher than the recommended limit for drinking water by WHO. Result obtained for Fe in the study ranged from 0.016mg/l to 1.285mg/l. Sample points BB1, BB2, BB9 and BB10 recorded values above the WHO standards of 0.03mg/l for drinking water. Concentration of Manganese also ranged from 0.079mg/l to 0.377mg/l. This significant difference was observed at samples points BB4 and BB10. In summary, the concentrations obtained for the parameters studied showed that the sampled boreholes in Bogoso have characteristics that correspond to fresh ground water.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of groundwater quality and urban water provision: a case of Taifa Township in the Ga-East District of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Population growth and industrialisation have put a lot of pressure on water resources the world over. Accra, the capital city of the country, is overpopulated due to the influx of people from the various regions to seek greener pastures. The conventional water treatment facility thus, cannot meet the potable water demands of residents. Individuals have resorted therefore to managing their own water supplies and one of such resorts is to develop and harness groundwater resources through drilling of individual boreholes. The study, conducted between December 2007 and January 2008, determined the extent to which groundwater is being used as domestic water supply in Taifa, Ga-East District, Greater Accra region and also assessed the quality of the water. One hundred and twenty heads of households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and information on demographic characteristics and the use of the ground water were recorded. Twenty two out of the 120 respondents (18.3%) had boreholes in their houses. Houses with boreholes were identified and noted. A hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) device was used to pick the locations of the boreholes. Samples of groundwater were taken from twenty-two sites and analysed for physico-chemical parameters (namely calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, carbonate, sulphate, chloride, total iron, manganese, fluoride, zinc , lead ,pH , total alkalinity , conductivity , total dissolved solids, nitrate ,nitrite, turbidity, phosphate) and indicators for faecal contamination (total coliforms and faecal coliforms).The groundwater was found to be acidic (pH 3.89 to 6.80) . High levels of sodium and chloride were detected at one site (270mg/l and 516mg/l respectively). Conductivity and total dissolved solids were also high at the same site (2210µs/cm and 1216mg/l) respectively. Lead and carbonate were not present in any of the water samples, upon analyses, whereas potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations were within their respective World Health Organisation guideline limits (30mg/l, 200mg/l and 150mg/l respectively). Total coliforms and faecal coliforms were present in 27.3% of samples. Residents generally did not know when they would get access to pipe-borne water but they however believed it was the government’s responsibility to provide pipe-borne water. All respondents indicated that they used the water for cooking, bathing and washing clothes whereas 54% drank the water; the remaining 46% did not drink the water. Groundwater in the area is of varying levels of quality in terms of physico-chemical and bacteriological quality. It should therefore be regularly monitored for water quality.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of growth and management of the clam galatea paradoxa fishery at the lower Volta, Ghana

This study was undertaken to develop scenarios for the sustainable management and exploitation of the Volta clam Galatea paradoxa fishery by determining the effect of stocking density on the growth of seeded clams at the Volta estuary. The study was conducted at Agorta Zewukope and Agave Afedome, in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region over a 1-year period from June 2013 to June 2014. Five stocking densities of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 clams of mean length of 39.3±2.6 mm and mean weight of 18.5±3.1g were seeded in 1 m -2 area in duplicates. Length and weight measurements were taken every three months over the study period. Growth was negatively correlated with increasing stocking densities. At the end of the one-year trial period, the total weight (flesh weight+ shell weight) of clams stocked at 50 m -2 was 60.8±14.2g compared to 39.4 ±13.4 g for clams stocked at 250 m -2 . Negative allometric growth patterns were exhibited by all the clams grown under the different stocking densities. Focus group discussions with the fishing communities alluded to decreasing sizes of clams over the years. Majority of the respondents were in support of the introduction of minimum landing sizes to protect the fishery from collapse. Seeding of clams in privately-owned plots was seen as a proactive means of relieving the intense fishing pressure on the natural clam stock

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Hand Dug Wells Water Quality at Atebubu in the Atebubu-Amantin District of Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana

Access to good quality drinking water is a challenge to the people in Atebubu who have for years depended on water from hand dug wells as the main source of drinking water. Unfortunately, water from this source is not treated before consumption. This has led to high incidence of water borne infections in the area. This study examined sixty water samples from ten hand dug wells in the area for their quality for consumption. The results of the study indicated ranges for the various parameters as follows: pH, 5.8 – 9.8; turbidity, 1.4 – 9.9 NTU; conductivity, 27- 398 µS/cm; colour, 4.0 - 105Hz; calcium, 4.0 – 58.4 mg/L; magnesium, 0.4 – 37.9 mg/L, chloride, 20 - 100 mg/L; fluoride, 0.05 – 2.2 mg/L, nitrate, 0.2 – 4.5 mg/l; nitrite, 0 – 0.2 mg/L, sulphate, 0 - 12 mg/L; phosphate, 0.2 – 2.6 mg/L; ammonia, < 0 mg/L; TDS, 11.0 - 194 mg/L; total hardness, 28.0 - 146 mg/L; Total coliform, 4.3 x 102 – 9.1 x 105 MPN/100ml; Faecal coliform, 2.4 x 101 – 4.02 x 104 MPN/100mL; Escherichia coli, 9.0 x 101- 2.0 x 103 MPN/100mL; Salmonella, 3.0 x 100 – 1.12 x 102 MPN/100mL and Enterococci, 5.0 x 100 – 1.46 x 103 CFU/100mL. The concentrations of most of the physico - chemical parameters in the water samples from Atebubu were below the permissible limits of the WHO drinking water quality guidelines except colour. All the bacteriological parameters far exceeded WHO guideline values for drinking water indicating unsuitability.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of health and safety practices for air conditioning installation projects in Ghana; a case study of the Greater Accra region

Health and safety has become an important aspect of projects in the past few years. The implementation and existence of proper health and safety standards has become one of the criterion for awarding projects to contractors by some international institutions. Accidents are most likely to occur if health and safety rules are violated on project sites. These accidents once they occur can lead to injuries, loss of lives, damage to properties and closure of sites which may have cost and time implication on the project. This research seeks to contribute to the air-conditioning industry by developing standard health and safety practices in air-conditioning installation project in Ghana. In pursuing this aim of the study, a descriptive research design was used where a sample of sixteen (16) respondents were selected using a judgmental sampling technique from seven (7) large airconditioning installation firms in the Greater Accra Region. Questionnaires were prepared and administered to Project Managers, Safety Officers, Head of Engineers and Head of Technicians. Followed by unstructured interview to seek more clarification from respondents. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study identified current health and safety practices in air-conditioning installation projects: which included: availability and utilization of Personal Protective Equipment, provision of welfare facilities, working under safe zones, reading of material safety data sheets before using any material, on the job training and education on the use of Personal Protective Equipment. The study revealed that health and safety challenges in air-conditioning installation projects are poor attitude and behavior of individuals regarding occupational safety and health, poor commitment of management to safety policies, inadequate health and safety training, unwillingness of management to input resources to safety and psychological, human and historical factors. It is recommended that technicians read Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of every material before using it, mechanical means should be adopted where applicable in place of manual handling for heavy loads, management of air-conditioning installation companies should provide all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to workers on site and enforce its usage, management should also provide effective health and safety training, report accidents and near misses to appropriate authorities.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of health care access for the intellectually challenged in selected municipalities of Ashanti Region, Ghana.

The World Health Organisation has revealed that Persons living with disabilities constitute one of the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in the world. However, the United Nations through the Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 10 has stressed healthy lives and promotion of wellbeing; and reduced inequality for all persons, respectively. In order to achieve these goals, quality healthcare should be made accessible to all persons, especially Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, since they are more vulnerable to preventable diseases. There is limited health provision for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in the Disability Act of Ghana, and as such their health needs are less catered for by the state. Studies on accessing of healthcare by Persons with Intellectual disabilities have revealed unsatisfied health-care needs resulting from inadequate understanding by health professionals, attitudinal problems and communication barriers. The qualitative and participatory research approach has been adopted by the researcher to investigate the healthcare needs of PwIDs. The aim of this study is to develop an intervention for carers of the Intellectually Disabled, health professionals, and health trainees to help Ghana achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 10 through the adoption of technology. As such, through enhanced access to quality healthcare for the Intellectually Disabled, their physical mental and emotional wellbeing will be secured as well as the enhancement of their social inclusion. Ghana’s determination at accomplishing Sustainable Development Goal 3(good health and wellbeing), as well as goal 10 (reduced inequality) will thus be supplemented.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of health care delivery in public and private hospitals in the central business district of Kumasi Metropolis. A study of selected hospitals

The two core functions identified within the health sector in Ghana are: Policy formulation, regulation and coordination of the actions of actors in the sector; and Implementation of policy via service delivery. The performance of these functions still appears to leave healthcare delivery systems ineffective in developing countries. The focus of the study was to assess the challenges that constrain healthcare delivery and to ascertain patients’ perception about healthcare delivery in public and private hospitals within the Central Business District of Kumasi Metropolis. The specific objectives were: to assess the perceptions of patients about healthcare delivery in public and private hospitals; to identify the challenges confronting healthcare delivery; to determine challenges common to both sectors and challenges peculiar to each sector and make recommendations to inform policy. The study adopted a case study research design and the data collected were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The researcher used multiple sampling techniques to enable her reduce the possibility of research limitations. The analysis of data collected through secondary data and interview and questionnaire from the sampled respondents revealed that the difference in perception of patients about healthcare delivery in public and private hospitals within Central Business District of Kumasi Metropolis was mixed considering the various factors assessed. It was also found that healthcare delivery in both private and public hospitals are undermined by challenges such as frequent power outages and breakdown of equipment, inadequate staff and logistics. Congestion was found unique to have been a major constraint in public hospitals’ operations. The study concludes by arguing that the challenges constraining effective healthcare delivery are fundamental to both private and public hospitals and demands concerted efforts not only from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service but also the very management of the various health institutions. The researcher therefore recommends that patients awaiting consultation should be given periodic updates and doctors should inform patients always about their health conditions because of practical benefit it will be for the patients to manage their lifestyle. The implementation of community sponsorship in admission and training of health students is recommended to reduce unfair distribution and inadequate health workers. Proposals should also be developed by hospitals to seek logistics and equipment support from non-governmental organisations whose focus is to ensure healthy population. Better management of the NHIS to encourage more private hospitals/health facilities to become service providers so as to reduce congestion at public health facilities.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Distribution in Surface Soils and Plants along the West Coast of Ghana

Onshore oil drilling activity is ongoing at Jubilee oil fields, Ghana. This activity could lead to heavy metal exposure with consequential adverse effects on public health in nearby coastal communities. Therefore, we assessed heavy metal levels and spatial distribution in soils and plants from the west coast of Ghana to obtain baseline values for monitoring heavy metal exposure. Surface soils were collected from six coastal communities, and analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, selenium and zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean heavy metal concentrations in soil samples were 2.06, 6.55, 0.016, 21.59, 0.18 and 39.49mg/kg for arsenic, copper, mercury, lead, selenium and zinc, respectively. Mean heavy metal concentrations in plants were 2.70, 17.47, 3.17, 91.74, 1.51 and 9.88mg/kg for arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, selenium and zinc, respectively. Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium and lead in plants exceeded WHO/FAO permissible limits. Enrichment factor for arsenic was significant and extremely high for selenium, while geoaccumulation index showed moderate pollution for selenium. Soil contamination factors for arsenic, lead, and selenium indicated considerable contamination. In view of these findings remediation methods must be adopted to safeguard the communities. The data will be useful for future monitoring of heavy metal exposure in the communities and to assess the impact of the ongoing crude oil drilling activity on the environment.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of heavy metal contamination of road deposited sediments and river sediments in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

This study was conducted to determine the levels of five (5) heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc) in and the effect of seasons on road-deposited sediments and river/ stream sediments of five major roads and adjacent water bodies in the Kumasi Metropolis. Samples were collected over two sampling periods that coincided with the rainy and dry seasons for heavy metal analysis. Road sediments along the sampled highways and major roads in Kumasi were highly contaminated with the studied heavy metals compared to background values, signifying an anthropogenic input most likely from the road-traffic environment. The ranges of the recorded heavy metal concentrations in the road-deposited sediments over the study period across the study sites were as follows; arsenic (3.30-87.80 mgkg -1 ), cadmium (0.20-0.60 mgkg -1 ), copper (0.16-630.10 mgkg -1 ), lead (11.93-121.90 mgkg -1 ) and zinc (11.80-160.30 mgkg -1 ). The heavy metal concentrations in the river/stream sediments over the study period across the study sites were as follows; arsenic (46.73-298.40 mgkg -1 ), cadmium (0.20-1.80 mgkg -1 ), copper (11.80-1052.60 mgkg -1 ), lead (0.20-620.20 mgkg -1 ) and zinc (109.30-1045.10 mgkg -1 ). The variations across the sites appear to be primarily due to site-specific attributes with the sites having higher traffic densities generally recording higher levels of the studied metals. The measured heavy metal levels of the road-deposited sediments and sediments from nearby rivers and streams showed a general trend; the concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the river / stream sediments than in the road deposits. In terms of seasonality, higher metal concentrations were generally viii recorded during the dry season than in the wet season. The calculated pollution load indices were generally indicative of sites with deteriorated quality as far as the studied metals are concerned. Frequent monitoring of road deposits and river sediments are necessary in order to detect and prevent cumulative consequences of heavy metal pollutants.

Source: KNUST