ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Clothing Factory Design

In the 1970s the textile sub-sector dominated the manufacturing sector, accounting for a quarter of Ghana's total manufacturing employment. Ghana is known to produce, one of the best quality textiles in Africa to date, however production and employment in the textile and apparel industry has reduced by about 70% for several reasons. To revive the textile and clothing industry, the Government of Ghana in 2002 implemented some economic policies to take full advantage of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGO A) and increase employment opportunities, expand and diversify the economy, promote both domestic and foreign investment as well as stimulate exports. The textile industry continues to decline despite the implementation of these policies. The problem with the textile industry in Ghana is the over concentration in the production of textile while paying little attention to the processing of rich fabrics into clothing. Research by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), under the World Bank showed that Ghana's labour market availability in the textile and apparel industry is higher than the Africa average, hence a great development potential. In this paper, light is thrown on the potential of Ghana's fashion industry and the problems it faces. Various clothing factories are studied and evaluated and relevant ancillary facilities are proposed based on case studies, interviews, focus group discussions, observation, reading and internet research. Based on the study a clothing factory is designed to address current problems in the clothing industry.

Source: KNUST
Co-Composting Of Organic Waste and Sewage Sludge - A Waste Management Option For Chirano Gold Mines Limited, Western Region

The study investigated the ratios of organic solid wastes and dewatered sewage sludge that were appropriate for producing a good compost as a management option for reducing waste at Chirano Gold Mines Ltd. Chirano Gold Mines Ltd produces on a daily bases an average of 1300 kg of solid wastes (of which about 65% is compostable). And sewage sludge is produced on a daily bases from a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on site. Grab sample of organic solid waste was collected from the dump site. Dewatered Sewage sludge was also collected from the sewage treatment plant (STP). Sanitary pads and other objects were removed from it. The organic wastes were shredded and mixed uniformly using a cutlass and a shovel. Sample was taken to laboratory for physicochemical and biological parameters as well as heavy metals. Based on the results, the feedstock (organic solid waste and dewatered sewage sludge) were mixed according to volume-to-volume ratio and piled in a shape of a cone. These were 1:0; 1:1; 2:1; 3:1 and 0:1 (organic solid waste/ dewatered sewage sludge). Temperature of each pile was measured daily over the entire composting period. At the end of the study, the concentrations of all the heavy metals analyzed were within normal international standards. All the piles produced at the end of the composting period were sanitized for use except the pile with 0:1 ratio (organic solid waste/ dewatered sewage sludge) which could not attain the right thermophilic temperature for the destruction of pathogens present in the composting material due lack of readily degradable carbon and poor aeration. The highest mean temperature was attained by pile 3:1 (organic solid waste/ dewatered sewage sludge) with a temperature of 63oC. Statistically, there were significant differences in all the treatments (compost piles) in the final compost for Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus which are very important in compost. Piles A (1:0), B (1:1), C (2:1), D (3:1) and E (0:1) ended with (1.61±0.07) %, (2.59±0.13) %, (2.03±0.24) %, (2.94±0.45) % and (3.08±0.16) % respectively for Nitrogen.

Source: KNUST
Co-composting of dewatered sewage sludge and sawdust from two wood species for agricultural use as an organic fertilizer (a case study at the KNUST sewage treatment plant)

Saw Millers around the country generate a lot of sawdust in their operations. Disposal of the sawdust is a major problem faced by these Saw Millers. Currently sawdust is burnt or thrown into streams and rivers. These methods of disposal are environmentally unfriendly.

Source: KNUST
Co-composting organic solid waste with moringa oleifera leaves, sawdust and grass clippings

Increase in eateries on KNUST campus and its environ to satisfy the ever increasing students population, has also increased the plight of waste management. Most of the waste produced out of these eateries are organic and can be treated to be reused. The use of composting as found to be the most cost effective and environmental friendly waste management was considered a better option to manage solid waste. The study therefore sought to investigate the quality of the compost obtained from co-composting organic solid waste with various bulking agents (moringa oleifera leaves, sawdust and grass clippings). A 12 week composting period was used for the study on KNUST campus. Waste was collected from various eateries on campus and mixed in different ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 (v/v) ratio for solid waste/moringa leaves (SWM 1:1, SWM 1:2 AND SWM 2:1), solid waste/ sawdust (SWSD 1:1, SWSD 1:2 AND SWSD 2:1) and solid waste/grass clippings (SWGC 1:1, SWGC 1:2 AND SWGC 2:1), physico-chemical analysis of various parameters such as moisture, temperature, pH, organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratio, phosphorus, potassium and ash were monitored, recorded and analyzed in the laboratory. Composites of the piles were taken to the laboratory every two weeks. Moisture and temperature were monitored daily. Turning was done every five days and the volume recorded. At the end of the study, the percentage content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased. E.coli, total coliform and faecal coliform population counts reduced. There was a decrease in C/N ratio and organic matter. There was an increase in ash content and pH. There was considerable reduction in volume for all compost piles. Moisture content showed percentage decrease as total solids increased. At the end of the 12 week period, SWM 1:2 showed the highest increase in all the three major plant nutrients (NPK) recommended in a good compost.

Source: KNUST
Co-composting of organic waste and sewage sludge- a waste management option for Chirano Gold Mines Limited, Western Region

The study investigated the ratios of organic solid wastes and dewatered sewage sludge that were appropriate for producing a good compost as a management option for reducing waste at Chirano Gold Mines Ltd. Chirano Gold Mines Ltd produces on a daily bases an average of 1300 kg of solid wastes (of which about 65% is compostable). And sewage sludge is produced on a daily bases from a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on site. Grab sample of organic solid waste was collected from the dump site. Dewatered Sewage sludge was also collected from the sewage treatment plant (STP). Sanitary pads and other objects were removed from it. The organic wastes were shredded and mixed uniformly using a cutlass and a shovel. Sample was taken to laboratory for physicochemical and biological parameters as well as heavy metals. Based on the results, the feedstock (organic solid waste and dewatered sewage sludge) were mixed according to volume-to-volume ratio and piled in a shape of a cone. These were 1:0; 1:1; 2:1; 3:1 and 0:1 (organic solid waste/ dewatered sewage sludge). Temperature of each pile was measured daily over the entire composting period. At the end of the study, the concentrations of all the heavy metals analyzed were within normal international standards. All the piles produced at the end of the composting period were sanitized for use except the pile with 0:1 ratio (organic solid waste/ dewatered sewage sludge) which could not attain the right thermophilic temperature for the destruction of pathogens present in the composting material due lack of readily degradable carbon and poor aeration. The highest mean temperature was attained by pile 3:1 (organic solid waste/ dewatered sewage sludge) with a temperature of 63oC. Statistically, there were significant differences in all the treatments (compost piles) in the final compost for Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus which are very important in compost. Piles A (1:0), B (1:1), C (2:1), D (3:1) and E (0:1) ended with (1.61±0.07) %, (2.59±0.13) %, (2.03±0.24) %, (2.94±0.45) % and (3.08±0.16) % respectively for Nitrogen.

Source: KNUST
Co-movement dynamics of stock returns using the dynamic conditional correlation Garch (DCC GARCH) approach.

The study employs dynamic conditional correlations GARCH (DCC-GARCH) model to examine the existence of time-varying correlations among stocks returns of major sectors of the Ghanaian economy for the period from 2010 to 2016. The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether investors and fund managers can take advantage of diversification within the local stock market when investing. A sample of 333 weekly observations of stock returns of five major sectors within the Ghanaian economy was used for the purposes of the analysis. The period spans from January 2010 to May 2016. The result shows high levels of dynamic conditional correlation among stock returns of the companies in all the sectors, implying that correlation among the sector returns are time-varying. This result makes it clear that the assumption of constant correlations is not empirically supported. The result however shows some diversification opportunity of investors who wish to invest in the Basic Materials (BM) sector and Consumer Goods (CG). The result also found a long-run equilibrium relationship between the stock returns of the selected sectors. The study recommends that fund managers and investors should not limit their diversification strategies to inter-sector investment since inter-sector diversification will not lead to significant improvement in their portfolio’s risk- return profile.

Source: KNUST
The Cocoa Certification Program and Its Effect on Sustainable Cocoa Production in Ghana: A Case Study in Upper Denkyira West District

The impact of voluntary standards and certification schemes on the sustainability of cocoa production of Ghana was investigated in the Upper Denkyira West District (UDW) from August 2012 to March 2014. Three schemes including Utz Certified, Rainforest Alliance (RA) Certified and Conventional systems of production was done from five communities in the district. Soil chemical analyses of 15 different farms were used for the study under each of the production system and percent shade trees cover and profitability estimate per acre were determined. Formal socio-economic sample surveys of 50 respondents under each production systems were used to study farmers’ perceptions on voluntary standard and certifications schemes. The C and K were significant (P<0.001) higher in RA (2.984% and 0.624cmol+/kg) than Utz (2.218% and 0.472 cmol+/kg) than conventional farms (0.997% and 0.137 cmol+/kg) respectively and Organic Matter significant (P<0.001) higher in Utz Certified and RA Certified than conventional (3.474%, 3.444% and 1.085%) respectively. The P was significant (P<0.005) higher in Utz (8.703 mg/kg and RA of 8.220 mg/kg) than the conventional (2.543 mg/kg). However, for soil pH and N, there were no significant differences among Utz Certified, RA Certified and conventional means. On perception indexes of cocoa sustainability, the overall score for Utz Certified and RA Certified were higher than their conventional counterparts with respect to buffer zones, records on the quantity of agrochemical and active ingredient of herbicide used. All systems of production recorded below the 40% shade tree cover on the cocoa farm per acre however differ in control plans by farmers to increase shade trees on the farm. However, the active ingredient of insecticides and fungicide used were within the approved lists of pesticides by Ghana Cocoa Board. Economic indicators (B/C Ratio, NPV and IRR) estimated show that cocoa production in general is profitable at a 24% discount rate. The study therefore established that Utz Certified and RA Certified farms were sustainably higher than the conventional farms in respect of cocoa production in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Cocoa beans classification using enhanced image feature extraction techniques and a regularized Artificial Neural Network model

Cut-Test technique employs visual inspection of interior coloration, compartmentalization, and defects of beans for effective classification of cocoa beans. However, due to its subjective nature and natural variations in visual perception, it is intrinsically limited, resulting in disparities in verdicts, imprecision, discordance, and time-consuming and labor-intensive classification procedures. Machine Learning (ML) techniques have been proposed to address these challenges with significant results, but there is still a need for improvement. In this paper, we propose a color and texture extraction technique for image representation, as well as a generalized, less complex Neural Network model, to help improve the performance of machine classification of Cut-Test cocoa beans. A total of 1400 beans were classified into 14 grades. Experimental results on the equal cocoa cut-test dataset, which is the standard publicly available cut-test dataset, show that the novel extraction method combined with the developed Artificial Neural Networks provides a more homogeneous classification rate for all grades, obtaining 85.36%, 85%, 83%, and 83% for accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 measure, respectively. The proposed model outperforms other ML models, such as Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees, Random Forests, and Naïve Bayes, on the same dataset. Additionally, the proposed ANN model demonstrates relatively better generalization when compared with earlier work by Santos on the same dataset. The proposed techniques in this work are robust on the cut-test dataset and can serve as an accurate Computer-Aided Diagnostic tool for cocoa bean classification.

Source: KNUST
Cocoa farmers' knowledge and perception of hand pollination and its effect on their practices and yield. A case study of Tafo cocoa district, Eastern region-Ghana

One of the leading products that is supplied on the world market from Ghana is cocoa. The cocoa sector alone employs millions of people and in the early 1960's Ghana was recorded to be the leading producer of cocoa. However, there has been a decline in the current production of cocoa which has been attributed to many factors such as pest and diseases infestations, poor maintenance, ineffective and inefficient extension system, lack of cocoa production among others. Currently, various researchers are dwelling into the application of hand pollination to increase the production of various food crops which cocoa is not an exception. The study seeks to determine farmers’ knowledge and perception of hand pollination and its effect on the output or yield of cocoa and on their farm practices by using the Tafo district as a case study. Using structured questionnaires, a total of one hundred and ten (110) cocoa farmers were selected by simple random sampling techniques. The socio-economic characteristics such as gender, age, educational level, marital status, migration status, farming experience, farm size, age of cocoa trees among others were the factors on which data were collected. The data was further analyzed using descriptive analysis, the probit and Tobit model was developed to also determine farmers’ knowledge and perception respectively and then the test of association between farm size and output was done using the Pearson Chi-square statistic. It was observed that male dominated the cocoa farming industry and majority of the farmers had at least basic level of education. Educational level, farm size, gender, age and farming experience were observed to have an influence on farmers’ knowledge on the application of hand pollination. While the size of farm also influences the farmer’s perception on the application of hand pollination; a positive relationship with the output of cocoa farmer existed. This implies that an increase in the productivity of cocoa might somehow depend on the size of the farm. This is because when a larger size farm is hand pollinated, there is the likelihood of an increase in output. i

Source: KNUST
Coastal erosion in Ghana: A case of the Elmina-Cape Coast-Moree area

The extent and rate of erosion along the coastline of Elmina, Cape Coast and Moree were assessed from 1974 to 2012 and the major anthropogenic factors responsible for these changes identified. A shoreline change analysis was conducted using ArcGIS and DSAS tools in order to determine actual coastline changes that occurred during the period under analysis in the study area. Field surveys, questionnaire administration, two focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to identify and ascertain factors responsible for the coastline changes, the perceptions of residents on coastal erosion issues as well as coastal management issues in the study area were assessed. A sand mining survey was conducted to determine the annual volume of sand mined by tipper trucks in the area. It was found that historic erosion rates for the periods 1974-2012, 1974-2005 and 2005-2012 averaged -1.10m/yr±0.22m, -1.20m/yr±0.23m and -0.85m/yr, respectively. The study identified three major forms of sediment mining practiced along the coast of the study area. These are beach sand mining, beach gravel mining and stone quarry. This study estimated that tipper truck-based beach sand mining activities alone account for the loss of about 285,376 m3 of sand annually from the littoral zones in the Elmina, Cape Coast and Moree area. This study concluded that coastal sand and stone mining activities are the major anthropogenic factors responsible for coastal erosion in the area as it accelerates natural erosion factors and also interrupt natural coastal dynamics. It was also concluded that the lack of proper management interventions and poor coastal surveillance by legitimate state agencies is the major reason for the widespread practice of coastal sand and stone mining in the Elmina, Cape Coast and Moree.

Source: KNUST
A Co-Integration Analysis of Growth in Government Consumption Expenditure in Ghana

Growth in government consumption expend iture in Ghana has been a concern to policy makers since independence. This pa per uses the co-integration technique to determine how inflation, real GDP, trade openness, population growth and relative price influence government consumption expenditure. The study revealed that increases in real GDP, tr ade openness and inflation cause a fall in government consumption expenditure as a share of GDP. Higher relative price levels and larger population size incr ease government consumption expenditure for the period 1977-2007. The study recommend measures to curb population growth, reduce the price of public goods, manage the ov er liberalization of the economy, among others.

Source: KNUST
Cold Cast Multi-Metal Relief Sculpture

The project is the result of various experiments carried out by the researcher. The objective of casting in multi - metal, any given relief sculpture, giving colour and generating more excitement in relief sculpture, was accomplished. The research delved into the use of various metal fillers (powders) from the Scopas range of metals, to different polyester resins and chemicals for casting. Different approaches were used to affect different possible finishes and colours. In order to fulfil the objective of the research, the experiments also covered various sizes and shapes of relief sculpture while combining some various metals (aluminium, brass, bronze, copper and iron weighting) to achieve colouring as part of the cast and not an afterthought. This development helped affect a successful pattern of creation, while the interplay of light and shade on the casts helped to enhance their aesthetic qualities; resulting in attractive and appealing images in each case.

Source: KNUST
Collage and Contemporary Ghanaian Iconography: An Exhibition Project

This thesis explores non-visual sources of contemporary Ghanaian iconography for collage. Basically, I focus on themes from proverbs, incantations, folklores, songs etc., found among the people of Avatime in the Volta Region, which can be adopted for collage making. The central idea for this project is to produce a number of collages that expresses the philosophies, ideas and values of the contemporary Ghanaian with emphasis on the people of Avatime traditional area. To achieve these objectives, I interviewed some custodians and senior citizens to tap from them meaning and moral values from proverbs, maxims, drum languages, incantations, folklores etc which I later developed into series of symbols before finally developing them into catalogues of collages meant for exhibitions and peer review. By the end of the project, I have realized that, the non-visual forms of contemporary Ghanaian iconographies could best worth their purpose, if they are represented in visual or pictorial images such as collages.

Source: KNUST
Collaborative learning: An instructional strategy for effective teaching and learning of creative arts at Onwe m/a ‘2’ primary school

The study of Creative Arts is very essential in the education of children because it equips a child the creative and problem-solving skill. Thus, skills acquired in Creative Arts play significant role in national development. Despite the relevance of studying Creative Arts for national development, students do not seem to have interest in pursuing Art as a subject to the highest level of education. Many schools in Ghana mostly depend on generalist teachers to implement Creative Arts curriculum, consequently, the effective teaching and learning of the subject has been in crisis since its inception in the Ghanaian primary school curriculum in 2007. The purpose of this research was to examine the factors that hinder effective teaching and learning of Creative Arts and adopted Collaborative learning framework as an intervention to facilitate effective teaching and learning of the subject at the primary school level. The study employed qualitative research design. Purposive and simple random sampling were adopted to sample 30 lower and upper primary pupils and 6 teachers as respondents. Direct observation and interviews were used in data collection and data analysis in the classroom environment of Onwe M/A ‘2’ primary school. Results of the study were descriptively analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of Collaborative learning framework as an intervention to improve effective teaching and learning of Creative Arts. The intervention changed the classroom dynamics and fostered active and participatory learning through engagement. The evidence conclusively attests to the fact that teaching and learning of Creative Arts in the primary school is ineffective and left in the hands of generalist teachers who do not make the effort in teaching the subject. Finally, recommendations were made that, teachers must plan activity-based lesson to facilitate pupil’s engagement for effective teaching and learning of Creative Arts in the primary school. Again, education stakeholders must organize periodic workshops or In-service training for classroom teachers to augment their instructional skills and also be abreast with new developments and trends in the field of teaching.

Source: KNUST