ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The role of value management in sole sourcing method of procurement a case study of Ghana Highway Authority (GHA)

Value management is critical to cost saving in construction and other industries. However, the subject matter has hardly been linked with procurement, especially sole source procurement. This study therefore sought to investigate this issues with the Ghana Highway Authority as the case study. The researcher sought to identify the aspects of sole source procurement method that impedes the achievement of value for money as well as identify value management (VM) principles that could be applied to procurement. In addition, the study determined the VM principles that could promote value for money in sole source procurement process and identify and rank the challenges in integrating VM principles in sole sourcing in public procurement. The study was designed as a quantitative survey with questionnaire as the main tool in data gathering. Data was collected from a sample of 61, with 56 (representing 91.8%) recovered. It was concluded that though GHA knows about VM, it implements only three out of its several components, which are ‘having a job plan ’, ‘pre-study analyses and ‘implementation analyses. It was further concluded that VM is not effectively practiced in GHA’s ‘sole source procurement. The variables that impedes the practice of VM towards enhancing GHA’s operational efficiency and getting value-for-money were the absence of a national or international competitive tender, lack of competition, purchasing of urgently needed goods and the lack of planned, budgeted bids. These challenges implies respondents’ preference for the other sourcing methods as those where value management could be better practiced, relative to sole source procurement. Other pressing challenges faced in integrating VM in GHA’s sole source procurement are the lack of management support in implementation of value management, the poor understanding of the VM methodology, lack of trained independent facilitators, inadequate time to go through the VM processes in sole source procurement and the lack of motivation to even do so. The study recommended that GHA managers should show by action and words that they are interested in the implementation of VM in all procurement activities of the institution and also institute training programmes designed to educate and equip their employees on the VM principles and factors towards equipping them for the eventual implementation of VM in GHA operations.

Source: KNUST
The role of venture capital on the growth and development of small and medium enterprises in the Kumasi metropolis

In Ghana, the SME sector has been acknowledged as the conduit of economic growth and sustainable employment. The introduction of the Venture Capital Trust Fund in 2004 was hailed as timely intervention to provide risk and equity capital to promote the sector. A decade after its introduction, the researcher is encouraged to assess the awareness of Venture Capital Financing within the SME’s sector in the Kumasi Metropolis as the fund seeks to fulfil its mandate. To achieve the objective, the researcher administered 50 questionnaires to SME’s that meets the basic requirement to attract Venture Capital Financing. The study found that, after a decade of the introduction of the scheme, it is still not popular within the SME sector in the region and little effort were being made to bridge this gap by the key stakeholders irrespective of some key success it has chalked and recommends that, a sustained public awareness creation through the print, electronic media, seminars and workshops.

Source: KNUST
The role of visual arts programme in the functional literacy in Ghana

The research sought to find out the scope and effectiveness of visual arts in the functional literacy programme in Ghana. The research was carried out at some selected literacy centres, offices of Adult Education and the Non Formal Education Division of the Ministry of Education. The research has been possible through interviews with facilitators, learners, administrators, liter materials and personal observations. Results have been analysed and documented. The thesis is presented in seven chapters and it include a photograph, tables and illustrations, The main findings of the research indicate that visual arts is used extensively in the functional literacy programme to facilitate effective teaching and learning in the literacy classes. That some visual arts materials designed programmes are yet to reach the learning centres. The illustrations used in the programme are related to the text and concern the day to day activities of learners, also based on the culture of the learners. The scope of the visual arts is limited to printed matter in the books. Little or no use is made of well charts, flip charts, photographs in the literacy class. While the research findings should be of much relevance to planners, administrators and implementators of the programme to realise the contribution of visual arts in the programme so as to give it the necessary support, it also throws more light on the functional literacy programme in Ghana, The findings will also arouse interest in communication artist and painters to contribute their quota by designing more visual aids to assist in the success of the functional literacy programme. The recommendations should help to improve the artistic aspect of the programme and to the promotion of teaching and learning,

Source: KNUST
The role of value added tax in the economic development of Ghana - a case study of Vat Service, Ho Municipality

One of the most difficult things to understand is the concept of Taxation. But understand we must, because it is a critical part of how government affects lives of Ghanaians. Unfortunately, though, when tax return enters the political domain, the subtleties of the key issues are usually lost in the mist of self-serving arguments and misleading implications. Taxation is not just a means of transferring money to the government, to spend as it thinks fit, but also has a tendency to reflect prevailing social values and priorities. In this respect, it would be argued that a system of taxation is a socio-economic model, representing society’s social, Political and economic need, at any one times; changes in these needs often being reflected by changes to the system of taxation. The main objective of this study is to know whether the imposition of VAT has had any effect on the Ghanaian economy. The study examined the previous sales tax regimes as against the new VAT regime. This was done through collection of data from various stakeholders including Retailers, Wholesalers, Manufacturers, Service Providers, and Consumers. Analysis of data collected revealed that, there has been a consistent increase in tax revenue in the VAT regime as compared to the previous sales tax regime. Also Corporate Institutions improved their liquidity as a result of VAT refunds. Similarly, there has been a tremendous improvement in the Utilization of VAT revenue in Education and the Health sector such as Ghana Educational Trust Fund (GETFund) and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which affect every Ghanaian life. In contrast, consumers also believe that the introduction of VAT was rather a curse than blessing since it increase consumer price index. However, the outcome of the study revealed to the researcher that, the VAT regime has positively affected the Ghanaian economy.

Source: KNUST
The role of wetlands in the treatment of raw sewage: a case study on a Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Wetland

The study deals with the efficiency of a Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology wetland in the treatment of sewage. It involved the identification of plants for future characterization of the wetland and for further development of the wetland into one that can reduce the level of sewage pollution to an appreciable extent. The study was carried out from May to November 1999. Parameters studied included temperature, pH, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrates, phosphates, ammonia nitrogen, faecal coliforms, flow rate and minimum-residence-time. Statistical analysis revealed that with the exception of dissolved oxygen there were significant differences between influent and effluent sewage with respect to all the parameters considered. The characteristic average value of effluent parameters were as follows: temperature 27.7°C, pH 7.2, suspended solids 105.2 mg/L, dissolved oxygen 1.7 mg/L, biochemical oxygen demand 139.3 mg/L, nitrates 2.28 mg/L, phosphates 2.97 mg/L, ammonia nitrogen 7.08 mg/L, faecal coliform 1.85E+14 FC/l00ml and a minimum-residence-time of 22.0 minutes. The variation in student population on campus coupled with the dilution effect of rainfall and varying biochemical reactions influenced the results obtained. Comparison of results obtained with Ghana EPA standards showed that the performance of the wetland as a treatment process unit currently is far below standard requirement. This can be improved if organized engineering measures are put in place to allow the sewage to be contained in the wetland longer enough for appreciable changes in quality to occur.

Source: KNUST
The role of women’s organisations in economic development: a case study of Dangme West District of Ghana

The Role of Women in general in economic development in Ghana, just like in many other countries, is considerably significant, particularly in agriculture, industry and trade. However, women actors, as individuals, normally face a diversity of work problems, challenges and hindrances, which considerably limit their performance and contribution. Among these hindrances is the typical relative neglect of women actors at community and/or institutional level, in terms of assistance or support by policy makers, development planners and development agencies or institutions in most of Africa. Women’s organizations (or groups) do normally play an important indirect role in economic development by assisting and enabling their individual members to cope more effectively with their work-problems and challenges and also to improve their performance. The organizations also contribute directly to economic development through owning and operating economic projects and/or carrying out other economic activities. This study was, thus, carried out to study and assess the role of Women’s Organizations in economic development in Dangme West District, as a case study. The results of the study were, essentially, that, individual women farmers, industrialists and traders in the district do similarly face a wide range of work problems, challenges and limitations. These include, inter alia, lack of capital; lack of access to credit, lack of tools and inputs, lack of technical assistance, lack of storage facilities and lack of adequate marketing opportunities. Women’s Organizations play a reasonably significant role in helping their members to deal with these problems, but their capacities are limited. Their direct contribution to the economic development of the district through their economic projects and/or other economic activities is also reasonably significant. They also do have considerable potential not yet fully exploited, because of limited capacities, largely due to lack of capital, lack of access to institutional credit, lack of adequate marketing opportunities, relatively low levels of leadership quality and competence, and lack of adequate community institutional support, etc. Recommendations in the forms of interceptive programmes and/or activities, as well as a guiding implementation strategy have been proposed. If well implemented, these proposed interventions are expected to enhance the capacities of the Women’s organizations to perform better, and also, through them, to enhance the performance of their individual members in their economic activities. The envisaged aggregate product of all the above, should be increased contribution of women in general, to the economic development of the district, as well as, improvement of their own well-being.

Source: KNUST
The Role of Zinc Deficiency in Bacterial Meningitis

Background: Zinc is an essential trace element that is crucial for immune system function. Zinc deficient animals have been shown to have a suppressed immune response and high susceptibility to infections. However, the role of zinc has not been specifically studied in bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a disease of worldwide distribution, which is rapidly fatal if untreated and may leave many survivors with neurological sequelae. Method: Female wistar rats were fed a zinc deficient diet for two weeks to make them zinc deficient. Control rats were fed normal chow. To induce meningitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae type III (~106.5cfu) was inoculated via a cisternal puncture. At 24hrs rats were retapped and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) taken for white blood cell counts and quantitative cultures. Blood culture and serum zinc concentration were determined. The time of death was noted until 48hrs, at which time, animals that were still alive were sacrificed. Results: Twenty-four hours after inoculation, bacteremia persisted in 87.5% (14/16) of the zinc deficient rats but only in 37.5% (9/24) of control rats (P=0.003). The CSF bacterial concentrations were slightly but not significantly higher in the zinc deficient rats (1og10CFU/ml, MEAN± SEM, 6.55±0.28 vs. 6.12±0.32, P=0.69). The CSF white cell concentration in the zinc deficient rats was also slightly but not significantly higher (17,600±3070/mm3 vs. 11,340±1970/mm3, p=0.3). Serum TNF-α concentrations were statistically different between the zinc deficient and pair fed groups (721.2 ± 211.4 pg/I vs. 215.8 ± 40.7lpg/l, p=0.0468). The mortality at 24 hrs, 36hrs and 48hrs after inoculation was 40%, 100% and 100% (N=10) respectively for zinc deficient rats and 0%, 54.5% and 90.9% (N=1 1) respectively for control rats (p=0.035 at 24 and 36 hrs). Conclusion: These data show that zinc deficient rats with S. pneumoniae meningitis have more persistent bacteraemia and shorter survival following bacterial challenge.

Source: KNUST
The roles of development committees in the local development process with special reference to Techiman District

Development experts, aid-giving and aid-receiving countries of the Third World appear to have reached a consensus that the mobilization of human and natural resources that have lain fallow as well as the participation of the mass of the people in development promotion can only be effectively done through local level social organizations. Village and Town Development Committees which can be found in almost every Ghanaian settlement are generally believed to be the sort of local level organizations that can promote development. Empirical studies in support of this belief can be a policy guide for the district assemblies in their efforts to mobilize financial and human resources for district development. The objective of this study was to investigate the activities of these development committees and their relationship with other institutions and organizations in order to evaluate the role that they can play in development at the local level taking Techiman District as case study. A simple weighting technique was employed to evaluate this role. The study revealed that development committees supplement both national and. local government efforts in the provision of basic services and facilities like health, water, sanitation, education and infrastructural facilities like roads, irrigation schemes and credit unions to promote production. In the performance of their responsibilities they interact favourably with revolutionary organs like the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs), Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), Government departments and, the district councils (local government).The study also revealed that the prevalence of chieftaincy disputes has made the traditional authority to stand out as a. constraint that may limit any promotional activity directed to development Committees for local level development. The evaluation shows that given the present state of conditions, the activities of development Committees have a LO per cent chance of promoting local level development. On the basis of these findings it is recommended that the 40 per cent chance could be greatly increased by removing the constraints imposed by chieftaincy duties, developing efficient channels of communication between Committees and other institutions, manpower development and the provision of assistance in the form of technical guidance, material and financial resources. Other recommendations include measures to encourage communal work spirit, financial resource mobilization and project identification and implementation procedures. These recommendations could be applicable to ail development Committees throughout the country. However, it is acknowledged that additional recommendations may be required if other empirical studies are conducted in other regions and districts in Ghana to supplement this effort.

Source: KNUST
Rospects and challenges of interdepartmental collaborations in running professional development programmes in KNUST

The collaboration existing within the various departments in the University (KNUST) in the development of Professional development programmes is unsubstantial. The aim of this research is to examine the prospects and challenges of interdepartmental collaboration in running Professional Development Programmes (PDPs) in KNUST. The study reviewed pertinent literature and adopted a descriptive case study design. Purposive sampling was used to select four units namely Bureau of Integrated Rural Development, Department of Food Science, National Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and The Short Courses/Programmes Unit for the study. The data for the study was obtained from heads of the units using interviews. The study examined respondents’ characteristics, challenges of interdepartmental collaboration, benefits derived from interdepartmental collaboration in Professional Development Programmes and explored the factors that can influence a successful interdepartmental collaboration in professional development programmes in KNUST. The study found among other things that interdepartmental collaboration in the running of PDPs in KNUST is fraught with challenges such as lack of institutional support, lack of teamwork, ineffective collaborative efforts from other departments, selfishness of some departments and lack of understanding within departments in the University. It was found that the programmes come with benefits to the individuals involved in the facilitation of it, the departments that are engaged in it and the university at large. It was therefore strongly recommended that the university makes it a matter of policy for all departments to engage in the running of PDPs

Source: KNUST
Rubber seed oil: Potential feedstock for aviation biofuel production

The aviation industry is responsible for 12% of transport-related GHG emissions and 2–3% of the global GHG emissions, thus raising concerns for sustainable alternatives such as aviation biofuels. This study sought to analyze the potential of producing aviation fuel from rubber seed oil. Rubber seed oil (RSO) was extracted and the physicochemical properties investigated as well as the fatty acid composition. This result was simulated in ASPEN plus to determine the potential aviation biofuel produced using the UOP HEFA process. The study shows that the golden yellowish oil derived from rubber seed possessed a density 0.9 g/cm3 and pH of 6, refractive index of 1.48, heating value of 23.75 MJ/kg and composed of 75% area of FFA with Oleic and Linoleic acid been the most dominant. The HEFA process on ASPEN Plus showed 81% of feedstock was converted to hydrocarbons with aviation biofuel yield of 46%. It was estimated that the installation of the plant for aviation biofuel production has a total capital cost of $ 8,650,480 and a total operation cost of $ 328,728. The economic analysis shows that at a cost of USD 4/kg (USD 3.01/liter) of aviation biofuel has an Internal rate of return of 18.62% profitability of 1.18 and payback period of 14.9 years of the plant operating. This study established that rubber seed oil shows suitability and potential for sustainable aviation biofuel production.

Source: KNUST
Rudiments of agricultural in the Senior Secondary School Visual Arts Programme

The historical overview of the development of architecture in any part of the world shows that no architectural activity in the life of mankind has ever divorced art. For instance, ancient masters like Michealangelo and Brunelleschi were known to have lived as both architects and artists. This close relationship between art and architecture, as revealed in the early chapters of the thesis, has enabled many educational institutions all over the world to regard the two disciplines as departments within the same faculty, Bauheus, for instance, sew art as an inseparable basin of architecture. The Barllett School of Art and Architecture in London is one of the existing institutions which have Integrated programmes for art and architecture, The discussion on the relationship between Art and Architecture Programmes at U.S.T has shown that, though the two programmes are run in different faculties, art is one of the basic entry requirements for admission to study architecture at the university. Moreover it is one of the major courses offered in the Architecture programme o the institution. Howover, it is disappointing to learn from the research that this relationship has no direct reflection on the academic progammes of pre-university institutions in the country. In other words there is no definite link between the two disciplines in the school. The thesis, in the light of the foregoing, has clarified certain attitudes, conventions and misconceptions about the introduction of rudiments of architecture in Ghanaian secondary schools. Furthermore, it has emphasized the fact that art, for it variety of activities, suitably caters for this rudimentary aspect of architecture. The research methodology employed here were the Descriptive and Analytical Survey methods. The research instruments used were questionnaire and interview. All the relevant variables, namely the Views expressed by the sampled population, have been described, The proceeding discussions on review of related literature and history of the development of architecture in Ghana, relate effectively to the description, The data obtained from the field have been critically analysed and interpreted for sound conclusion to ‘he drawn from them. Based on the results f the analysis, the researcher has come out with suggested course content for rudiments of architecture which should guide the construction of a suitable syllabus for use in the pre-university institutions. The course structure has been so designed as to provide the students mainly with the skills and knowledge that would predispose them to architecture. It is the fervent hope of the author that if the young architects should have the opportunity of developing their architectural skills prior to the university programme, it would immensely contribute to the production of future qualified architects who would better understand the social and spiritual needs of Ghanaians, This will likely motivate them to produce simple but perfect building designs that would fit the physical an cultural environment of the people.

Source: KNUST