ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the Publishing Studies Programme of the College of Art between 1994 and 2001

Question on the calibre of lecturers, logistic support and appropriate employment opportunities for the graduates have been raised. An attempt has been made to examine, assess and evaluate the performance of the publishing studies programmes of the College of Art at KNUST and the impact it has had since its establishment or instituted between 1994 and 2001. Data were obtained mainly through the use of questionnaires and interviews. In all 6 out of 9 lecturers representing 66.7%, 108 out of 152 students representing 71% and 122 out of 194 organisations who employed graduates of the Book Industry Department representing 62% were covered. In addition a number of policy makers in the Book Development council, Book Trade and the Ghana Publisher Association were interview. Some of the major findings of the research were that a greater majority of students (40.74%) specialised in printing compared to design and illustration (25.7%) and publishing Administrational Management (25.93%). Fifty four percent (54%) of students evaluated the publishing studies programme as very good. As regards lecturer/student ratio, it was realised that few lecturers were handling many students over and above the required quota. Thirty five percent (35%) of organisations rated the performance of Publishing Studies graduates as excellent, 64% as very good, 31% as good, 2% as average and none as poor. Majority of respondents (64.75%) found graduates impact also to be very good. The lecturer/students relationships with students were also rated as cordial. A number of problems were identified to be militating against the effective performance of the Publishing Studies programme. These include inadequate computers to support effective teaching and learning; few or small classrooms for students, inadequate lecturers; inadequate seminars for both lecturers and students. Some few recommendations were made to ensure effective performance of the programme; additional lecturers be employed to ease teaching problems in the department of Book Industry, Upgrading of skills of lecturers to be more resourceful to the department. Periodic evaluation and review of course structures to be made to reflect modern development in the industry. Periodic workshops and seminars for lecturers and supporting staff are organised. One semester attachment programme is extended to one full academic year or two semesters. Since the Publishing Studies growing fast in Ghana Publishing Studies graduates should be given a lot of exposure to enhance their confidence.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of some commercial microbial products in enhancing the growth and yield of soybean and maize

Field studies consisting of five treatments each for soybean and maize were conducted to assess the quality and effectiveness of some commercial products on soybean (Eco-Rhiz-Soya and Eco-T) as well as maize (Enrich and Eco-T). The treatments were arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design with three replications. The quality of the commercial products was tested in the laboratory based on microbial density, pH and moisture content. The study showed that, although the products had microbial density lower than that labeled on them, the colony forming units (CFU’s) determined met the Kenyan standards of biofertilizer specifications. The application of Eco-Rhiz-Soya + Eco-T significantly increased (P<0.05) soybean nodulation by 69% and 67% over the control at Kpongu and Akukayili respectively. Furthermore, shoot biomass yield increased by 45% and 58% respectively at Kpongu and Akukayili. Grain yield of soybean was increased by Eco-Rhiz-Soya + Eco-T by 19% and 43% over the control at Kpongu and Akukayili respectively. Moreover, soybean shoot N was significantly increased (P<0.05) by Eco-Rhiz-Soya + Eco-T at both sites of the study whereas shoot P uptake was only significantly increased at Akukayili. The soybean inoculation treatments had no significant effect on grain P uptake while grain N was significantly increased at Akukayili only. With respect to maize, the treatments had no significant effect (P>0.05) on grain yield shoot biomass, shoot and grain N and P at both sites of the study. The products used for the maize experiments need to be evaluated further to assess their efficacy before concrete conclusions can be made on their effectiveness and subsequent recommendation for use by smallholder farmers.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the quality, safety and effectiveness of mist tonica in the management of anaemia, a case study

Anaemia is a widespread public health problem. In Ghana, anaemia is the fourth leading reason for hospital admissions and the second factor contributing to death. In managing anaemia, there have been various claims of the efficacy of some herbal formulae in raising haemoglobin concentration. The main objectives of this study sought to validate these claims by investigating the quality, clinical salty and effectiveness of an herbal medicine product in a hospital as a case study. Samples of the herbal medicine product were evaluated physico-chemically for their quality. The clinical study was carried out at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Kwadaso, Kumasi. Patients were clinically selected and confirmed in the laboratory for anaemia. After signing informed consent forms, the patients were given doses of Mist Tonica, which was assessed for effectiveness and clinical safety. The main findings of the study are that, Mist Tonica produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine, Mampong - Akwapim is safe to be used, as kidney and liver function tests were within normal range at the end of the study as well as fasting blood sugar, total white cell and platelets counts. Also, Mist Tonica is clinically effective. Statistical One —Sample T Test between Mist Tonica and allopathic haematinics (1 g/week rise of haemoglobin) revealed that at 95 % confident interval of the difference, the lower boundary was 0.6556 and the upper boundary was 1.2083. Also, an Independent- Sample T Test performed between Mist Tonica and a control population revealed that, t=8.13855 (calculated value) was greater than the textbook value of 3.232. Quality evaluation revealed significant variations in the mineral content of the batches of Mist Tonica, specifically iron, copper and aluminium. In conclusion, Mist Tonica is safe, effective and of appreciable quality.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the quality of water from boreholes selected from the Ejisu-Juaben and Bosomtwi-Atwima-Kwanwoma Districts of the Ashanti region of Ghana

In this project, the quality of water from 21 boreholes from 13 communities in the Ejisu—Juaben (E-J) and I 7 boreholes from 11 communities in the Bosomtwi—Atwima— Kwanwoma Districts (BAK) of the Ashanti Region of Ghana has been determined within the period of November 2004 to June 2005. Water samples were analyzed for the following parameters, sampling temperature, pH, color. Conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness some selected anions (SO42- , Cl-, PO43- and NO2- ) and some heavy metals (Fe. Mn. Cu. Zn. Cd. Pb. KandNa). The UV-Visible Spectrophotomeler was used to determine SO42- by the barium precipitation method, PO43- by the ascorbic acid method. NO2- by sulphanilic acid method and humic substances by direct determination. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used to determine Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb: tritrimetrv was employed to measure alkalinity, hardness and chloride content. Sodium and Potassium concentrations were determined with Flame Photometry. The results were compared to WHO standards and were observed that determinations were all within the limits with the exception of samples AC3, AC2 and AC I from Achiase and PS of Paakoso all in the E-J district gave very low pH values of 3.95, 4.25 426 and 4.63 respectively. There were some isolated cases of contamination by cadmium of 0.OO6mg/L at Bowohommoden and Brahabebome. Further contamination by Lead of 0.02mg/L in sample AD I from Adumasa and 0.02 l5mg/L from Bowohommoden (all from the E-J district) were also observed. High levels of color at 60 HU and 40 HU were observed for samples OD1 and 0D2 1mm Kokodee and ASS I from Asisiriwa all in the BAK district. In addition, high levels of turbidity of 7.48 for samples TA1 from Toamfom and 44.95 NTU for sample ASSI from Asisiriwa were observed. Samples ODI and 0D2 from Kokodee also gave high turbidities of 20.2 NTU and 12.68 NTU respectively. All these occurred in the BAK district. The results showed that water from the boreholes in the two districts had acceptable quality to allow its application in household activities.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the recruitment and selection policies and practices of the National Health Insurance Authority. A case study of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

Performance output of employees of the National Health Insurance Authority is of prime concern to management of the organization as it affects productivity and the development of the health insurance and the health status of the people assessing the scheme. Importantly, some employees who are not able to improve and adjust to their new working environment resigned leading to employee turnover and some of them were also laid off after change of government which affected the organization in terms of cost and productivity. Therefore, the researcher intends to evaluate the recruitment and selection policies and practices at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Brong-Ahafo Region.The objective of the study was to evaluate the recruitment and selection policies and practices of the NHIA, Brong-Ahafo Region.Data collection methods such as interviews, questionnaires, and observations were combined for this study.The target area of the study was restricted to the Brong-Ahafo Region of the organization with its staff as the target population. Both the probability and non-probability methods were used for the sampling. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the analysis of the data that were collected.The results indicated that, advertising of job vacancies and employee referrals were the frequent mode for recruiting potential employees. The study also revealed that the recruitment and selection processes were also characterized with lots of challenges. Among the recommendations made were that; issues of favouritism should be avoided. Employee referrals though a good idea should be minimized rather than it being the organization’s norm. Finally, training and development programmes must also be organized for employees to equip them with the emerging trends in the labour force.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the strategies adopted in the implementation of Kumasi ventilated improved pit (K-VIP) as a household latrine.

Urban Sanitation is one of the most problematic issues facing city Authorities in developing countries. Poor service coverage and inadequate management practices have become permanent features in the implementation of sanitary facilities. Various strategies have been adopted in the planning, implementation and management of household latrines under different projects in Ghana. Consequently, this report has evaluated the strategies used under the following projects: • Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) household latrine programme + Priority Works Project carried out by Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) at Maamobi. + Kumasi Household Sanitation Project under the Kumasi Sanitation Project. + Kumasi Urban IV Household Sanitation Project under the Urban Environmental Sanitation Project. In addition, appropriate recommendations have been made for similar projects in future. Should there be plans to promote household K-VIP, there is a very high possibility of a better response. A better awareness of the benefits of household K-VIP and potential demand has been created among the population for a decent latrine. A major obstacle to previous projects was low loan recovery. Publicity should be centered on outreach programmes. For effectiveness, contribution of beneficiaries should be based on the peoples’ traditional ways of paying debts. In general, where there has been under declaration of population facilities end up filling faster than

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the Teaching and Learning of 3-D Computer-Aided Design in the Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry, Knust

The Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry (IRAI) has been ultimately considered as a distinctive Department, in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which is purposefully focuses on designing and production of artefacts. The programme equips students with the needed skills to identify and promote the indigenous art and craft of the traditional Ghanaian heritage. In this regard, the Department adopted a Computer- Aided Design (CAD) module in their product design discipline to equip learners with the relevant practical skills to aid them in the execution of their works of art with state of the art technologies. It is obvious that the teaching methods, availability and technical expertise of CAD and digital literacy of students tend to significantly contribute to the artistic development of students and influence the designing and execution of artefacts. However, 10 years on after its introduction in the IRAI curriculum, an official evaluation has not been done to ascertain the effectiveness and impact on its teaching and learning. Owing to the aforementioned issues, this study sought to identify and describe the nature of 3-D CAD subject contents in the IRAI curriculum and to find out the contents and the existing instructional methods adopted in the teaching of 3-D CAD. Ultimately, the study evaluated the effectiveness of the application of 3-D CAD in Product designing by students. The study adopted the qualitative research method using the Kirkpatrick’s 4 Levels of Instructional Evaluation in order to gain insight into the teaching and learning of 3-D CAD. 207 fourth year and third year undergraduate students and 2 lectures were sampled for this study. Findings revealed that traditional methods of designing and solving problems had made way for new technologies making students to become more conscious of new aspects of visual expressions by exploring different software to express their creativity. The usefulness and relevance of 3D CAD on students’ area of specialization is high, nevertheless, however, the issue of congestion of the syllabi and the inadequate time allocated for the course burdens instructors coupled with insufficient teaching and learning resources. In enhancing students’ designing skills, the module of 3-D CAD ought to be introduced early simultaneously with other foundational courses in the IRAI curriculum.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the strategic use of information technology in the rural banking sector in Ghana (a case study of Nwabiagya Rural Bank)

This study uses a case study approach to evaluate the strategic use of Information Technology in the rural banking sector in Ghana. The study covers a scope of nine years, from 1997 - 2005. That is, three years before the bank deployed ICT into its operations, the year of deployment and five years after the deployment. A combination of probability and non-probability sampling techniques were applied in selecting a total of 180 same respondents made up of 8 management staff of the bank, 48 other members of staff of the bank and 124 customers for the study. The analysis revealed that rural banks in Ghana lack the desired innovative technologies to support their operations and to survive the current competitive wave in the banking industry in the country. However, these banks especially the case study bank was able to strategically employ the very limited technologies that it has in place to gain some advantages in the sector. This it did by using the ICT tools of the bank to shorten customers waiting time, cut down, on its operating costs, provide convenient banking services to its customers and attracts a large customer base thereby increasing its sales volume and experience sharp increases in its profit level since the deployment of ICT into its systems. Two major factors were found to be militating against the accelerated deployment of innovative technologies in the sector namely: lack of funds and a restrictive ICT policy by supervisory bodies like the Bank of Ghana and the ARB Apex Bank. The study concludes that, ICT has a strong positive impact on the banks operations and therefore serves as a tool to attain competitive advantage in the banking industry.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the Thermal Performance of Walls Using Time Lag and Decrement Factor

This study dealt with the evaluation of the thermal performance of walls in the climatic area of Kumasi using the parameters time lag and decrement factor. A numerical model was developed using the finite volume method with implicit formulation for four different wall configurations used in building constructions in Kumasi. The wall configurations had the same thickness and consisted of the mass concrete block wall, hollow concrete wall, mud brick wall and sandrete block wall. The simulation was carried in the month of March and August which respectively have the highest and lowest global solar radiation and dry bulb air temperature using mathcad software tool. The results showed that the heat gain by the walls through irradiation and ambient temperature in the area had some impact on the time lag and the decrement factor of the wall. The time lag values for the hollow concrete wall, mud wall and sandcrete had high values in March when the level of global solar radiation and outside dry bub temperature was high and reduced by an hour in August when the levels were low. The highest time lag was achieved by the mud brick wall which had five hours in the month of March. This was followed by the mass concrete wall which had time lag value of four hours for both months. The lowest decrement factor value was also given by the mud brick wall in the month of March whiles the lowest decrement factor in the month of August was given by the sandcrete block wall which also followed the mud brick wall closely in March. The numerical model was verified with analytical solution. The study is important in determining heat storage capabilities and temperature fluctuation reduction in wall configurations used in the West African tropical savannah climatic area.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the untrained teachers’ Diploma in Basic Education Visual Arts Programme in selected Colleges of Education.

The thesis is about evaluation of Visual Arts Programme of the Untrained Teachers Diploma in Basic Education programme in selected Colleges of Education in Ghana. The study was carried out in four selected colleges from four phases. St. John Bosco from the three Northern Region Colleges was selected from Phase 1. St. Joseph’s College of Education from Ashanti/Brong Ahafo Colleges was selected from Phase 2. Seventh Day Adventist from Central, Eastern, and Western Region Colleges was selected from Phase 3. Accra College of Education from Greater Accra and Volta Region Colleges were selected from Phase 4. The study was to evaluate the programme and to examine problems and to propose interventions. The method of research used in collecting data were questionnaire, interview and the existing literature on the topic. The sources of the policies discussed were taken from the documents of the Untrained Teachers’ Diploma in Basic Education programme. In all students and tutors were involved in the study. It is hoped that the recommendations given if effectively adhered to by Educational policy makers and the government, teachers would be well trained and basic pupils would be equipped with the right type of skills needed for their build-up towards their academic performance.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of three-way hybrid maize ((Zea mays l.) For grain yield and associated traits in the savannas of northern Ghana.

The promotion of three-way hybrid maize production in cereal dominated cropping systems are still being developed because of their wide adaptation and cheap seed prices relative to single cross hybrid. Cultivar release and recommendation require identifying high yielding and widely adapted genotypes for a diverse range of environments. This study was designed to evaluate the performances of three-way cross maize hybrids for grain yield and other important traits across five diverse environments in the savannas of Ghana. The results showed that environments (E) and genotypes (G) and interaction (G × E) effects were highly significant (P < 0.001) for grain yield and other important traits, with low repeatability or broad sense heritability (0.40) for grain yield across the test environments. However, Damongo (0.97) and Nyankpala (0.69) had high repeatability for grain yield. The strong phenotypic correlation between grain yield and most important traits demonstrated that selection for those traits can simultaneously be improved with grain yield. A strong genetic correlation between Manga and Wa revealed the similarity between the test environments. This implied one of the environment can be dropped to improve breeding efficiency by reducing the cost involved in multi-location testing. The interaction between genotypes and environments were crossover type of interaction revealing an inconsistent performance of hybrid genotypes across the test environments. The hybrid 14 (M1227-12) was found to be the highest yielding, with yield advantage of 10% over the commercial check SC719. The genotype and genotype-by-environment biplots analysis identified hybrids 14 (M1227-12), 23 (M1227-5) and 25 (M1124-6) as the most stable and high yielding with above grand mean grain yield. Similarly, hybrids 21 (AS1204-46), 24 (M1428-7), 27 (M1227-2) and 34 (M1428-14) were identified as high yielding above grand mean and moderately stable. These promising three-way maize hybrids would benefit farmers and seed producers when promoted for adoption and has the potential to increase household incomes of smallholder farmers in the Savannas of Ghana.

Source: KNUST