ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An Enhanced Triple Data Encryption Standard (TDES) Algorithm to Secure Health Level Seven (HL7) Data Transfer

The confidentiality of patient information is very important; this is because it contributes to the efficiency of healthcare delivery. The willingness of patients to disclose their information is based on the trust that their information is kept secret. Data breaches on the other hand is on the increase, and data is no more safe whether at rest or on transit. Seventy percent (70%) of organizations reported of data breach within twelve (12) months in 2015, which is a very frightening statistics. Due to this, medical facilities in recent times have employed the use of Health Level Seven (HL7) Messaging standard to ensure seamless communication between Health Information Systems (HIS). This study looked at a way to enhance Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (TDES/TDEA) to secure HL7 message or data on transit. The study looked at encrypting the encoded and validated HL7 message before transmission; the message was encoded and encrypted. Upon arrival at its destination, the message was decrypted and decoded thereby securing patients' data. The findings of the research show that, in order for any information sent through an HL7 Messaging System to be secured, to facilitate hospital–patient trust and confidentiality, there is the need for an Enhanced Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (A5AR3MY).

Source: KNUST
Enhancing Access to and Utilization of Weather Forecast Information by Smallholder Farmers in Ejisu-Juaben District, Ashanti region of Ghana

Access to weather forecast / or agro meteorological information is a potential of allowing farmers to contribute to modernization of agriculture, poverty alleviation and improving food security in countries whose economies depend on rain fed agriculture. The production, communication and dissemination of weather forecast information for the operational practices are important for tactical agro meteorological decision making in the short term planning of agricultural operations at the farm and the national policy level. In sub Saharan Africa, the national meteorology services produce weather forecast daily hut its usefulness to the farmers is undermined by the lack of interpretation, translation, synthesis and dissemination difficulties particularly in terms of providing timely, accurate and adequate support for decision making at the farm level. Therefore the need to focus on agro meteorological information, its usefulness and provision as a public good is a way to avert food crisis especially in Sub Saharan Africa. From this background, the study therefore explored the avenues of enhancing access of smallholder farmers to weather forecast information and how improved access to such data can positively impact on agricultural productivity in Ejisu-Juaben district. To understand the response to weather forecast access and utilization by smallholder farmers in crop production, a case study approach was chosen and the study used both secondary and primary data sources with the following conclusions: There is poor weather forecast data quality management at the regional meteorological agency, weak institutional linkage in its communication and dissemination, inadequate knowledge and awareness of the information among the smallholders and ineffective and weak policy formulation I or implementation on the integration of weather forecast in agricultural development programme. Generally there is inadequate access to weather forecast information in the district. In addressing its findings, the study recommends participatory planning and implementation of weather forecast programmes with the involvement of the smallholder and decentralized weather forecast production and dissemination that is demand driven based on agro ecological zones.

Source: KNUST
Enhancement of the role of the orthodox churches in educational development in Ghana- a case study of the role of the Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches

Missionary involvement in education in the then Gold Coast now Ghana, dates as far back as 1828 when the Presbyterian Church started a school at Osu, Accra. This effort was complemented by the Methodists at Cape Coast and the Roman Catholics at Elmina. Ever since then the church has, been at the forefront of education in the present day Ghana. The study focused particularly on the management and morality of mission schools/colleges. The mission’s involvement at the basic level of education especially in the Central and Western regions was highlighted. The Missions contribution to the training of qualified teachers for the basic schools was also highlighted. Cost sharing in education and the missions venture into tertiary institutions were also covered. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources, using the complementary multi-method strategy. The sampling technique employed to identify’ respondents was the purposive sampling method in which the respondents that could appropriately elicit the required information were captured. The findings of the study showed a number of important issues. For example, it showed that the solution to the managerial problems of the mission schools lies in the hands of all stake-holders. The study also showed that morality in the mission schools is fast on the decline and again, it needs the concerted effort of all and sundry to bring back the once enviable moral standards in the mission institutions. . The study offered a number of useful suggestions and recommendations and concluded that the government should recognize the great efforts of the missions in the provision of education at all levels and to encourage them to do more.

Source: KNUST
Enhancing Aerodynamic Performance Estimation in Small Aircraft Development Using Object-Oriented Technique

Air transportation is expected to play a major role in global transportation systems in the future. A third world country like Ghana needs to prepare to leapfrog into the era of small aircraft in air transportation. As such, small aircraft design has to be approached in such a way as to derive optimum performance for any configuration that may be developed for given mission. Estimation of the aerodynamic forces developed by aircraft configuration forms a significant and challenging part of the design process. In practice, the aerodynamic performance is estimated from the coefficients obtained from the chosen wing profile. However, it can be envisioned that every section of the configuration could contribute to the aerodynamic forces. The goal of this work is to develop a technique or method that takes into account the contribution of all sections of the configuration with the aim of improving the accuracy of the evaluation of the aircraft performance. The concept of the research is built on object oriented technique such that an object is defined as a function that accepts an input and results in an output. The input parameters comprise of two components, namely, fixed and design parameters. The output gives the geometry and performance characteristics of the aircraft. The performance is modelled as integral function over the surface and results in determination of Lift and Drag forces. The design parameters are used in creating the geometry such that with given set of parameters, unique and specific class of aircraft would be developed. The developed system and tools were validated and found to be satisfactory. The lift performance of models with same wing profile indicated that fuselage components also contributed toward the overall lift force. The total lift and drag estimates of an aircraft using the developed system is more accurate than using estimates from the wing alone. Further, results of the research show that for design of small aircraft, drag performance is optimum at angle of attack between 2o and 4o. Also, performance study shows that luggage cabin object significantly influences the drag performance such that, shorter portions perform better. It is recommended that the influence of the luggage cabin as observed be validated experimentally.

Source: KNUST
An Enhanced Non- Cryptographic Hash Function

How to store information for it to be searched and retrieved efficiently is one of the fundamental problems in computer science. There exists sequential search that support operation such as INSERT, DELETE and RETRIVAL in O (n log (n)) expected time in operations. Therefore in many applications where we need these operations, hashing provides a way to reduce expected time to O (1). There are many different types of hashing algorithms or functions such as cryptographic hash functions, non cryptographic hash function, checksums and cyclic redundancy checks. Non-cryptographic hash functions (NCHFs) take a string as input and compute an integer output (hash index) representing the position in memory the string is going to be stored. The desirable property of a hash function is that the outputs are evenly distributed across the domain of possible outputs, especially for inputs that are similar. Non-cryptographic hash functions have an immense number of applications, ranging from compilers and databases to videogames, computer networks, etc. A suitable hash function and strategy must be used for specific applications. This will help efficient use of memory space and access time. The most essential features of non cryptographic hash functions is its % distribution, number of collisions, performance, % avalanche and quality which are the properties of the hash function. Basing on the properties assessed using the VHASHER developed; the results clearly demonstrated that; Vivian hash function that was developed had better properties as compared to other hash functions.

Source: KNUST
Enhancing contraceptive use: assessment of determinants of contraceptive use among rural women in Nor thern Ghana

Contraceptive use prevalence among women in the Upper East region is low as 12% (GSS et al., 2004). The study therefore sought to assess the determinants that influence the use of contraceptives and identified those that are significant among rural women. The study was a quantitative cross sectional study conducted in the Builsa district in the Upper East Region. Three hundred and four women aged 15-49 years and 110 married men were interviewed. A multi-stage cluster sampling was used. A sub-district was randomly selected and the communities in it were randomly selected and all females of the reproductive age and their spouses were interviewed. Contraceptive use prevalence was 17.6% among the women. The mean age at first marriage was 19.6 and 22.9 years for female and males respectively. Women who married at 30 years and above were 2.7 times more likely to use contraceptives as compared to those who married at 15-19 years [OR=2.7, (95% CI: 1.2, 5.9), p<0.OlJ. Women who were Christians were twice more likely to use contraceptives when compared to women who practiced traditional religion [OR=2.0, (95 % CI: 1.01, 4.2), p<O.O35J. Spousal communication on fertility and family planning enhances contraceptive use. This was evident in the survey, which showed that women who discussed the number of children they would like to have in their reproductive lifetime were three times more likely to use a contraceptive method as compared to women who did not discuss this issue with spouses/partners [OR=3.l7, (95% CI: 1.64, 6.13), p<O.OOI j, whilst women who discussed family planning issues with their husband/partners were six times more likely to use a contraceptive method as compared to those who did not discuss with their spouses/partners on family planning [ 0R6.44, (95% CI: 3.02, 13.75), p=O.OOJ. Only eight percent of contraceptive users said they had the information of the FP methods they were using from peers. However, women who said they were members of any social organization/association were two times more likely to use contraception than those who did not belong to organization [0R=2.0, (95% CI: 1.02, 3.9), p<O.042]. Household health decision-making was also found to have an impact on contraceptive use. Women who take their own health decision were 8.8 times more likely to use contraceptives as compared to those family members make decision for [0R8.8, (95% CI: 1.06, 72.79]. The public health units in all the sub-district provide FP services. The CHPS centres have made FP services more accessible to the women in the communities. The communities rely mostly on the health workers for FP services. There is therefore the need for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to supplement the efforts of the DHMT in the provision of reproductive health, especially FP services.

Source: KNUST
Enhancing Customer Service through Prompt Service Delivery: The Case of the Forest Services Division in the Northern Region

The on-going Ghana Forestry Commission institutional drive to ensure staff step up the practice of good customer service for its numerous clientele was studied. The customer service delivery in Northern Region of the Forest Services Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission was evaluated. The study was carried out in the Northern Region of Ghana and the specific objectives the Researcher investigated were to: determine the waiting time of customers for service delivery, assess the factors that contribute to delayed service inclusive of the effects such delays have on the clientele and evaluate the perception of the customers on the general delivery of service of the forestry institution. For three (3) months, one hundred structured questionnaires were administered to respondents by simple random sampling and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was held for the management staff of the Forestry Commission in the Northern Region. The results indicate that 19% of the respondents were dissatisfied and 30% hold a bad perception about the services they currently access while 70% think otherwise. Poor staff performance rating and a prolonged length of time for service delivery were revealed by the investigation. Securing permits to harvest trees for charcoal production, the purchase of seeds and tree seedlings, payment of fees for squatting at the fringes of the twenty four (24) forest reserves, provision of technical advice and royalty payments are the most sought after services in the Northern Region. Loss of customers and revenue, threats from some loyal customers to switch, battered reputation, trauma and disappointments were some of the customer worries impacted by the delayed access to service from the Forestry Commission. Finally, the respondents’ thoughts on areas that require improvements have been espoused. It behoves the Forestry Commission to address these gaps to secure a satisfied clientele base.

Source: KNUST
Enhancing cooperation in water resources management within communities in the Black Volta Basin

This studies focused on the Black Volta River Basin which is one of the major sub-basins of the Volta River Basin. The semiarid and sub-humid nature of the regions within which the basin is located coupled with high population growth rate and climate change has resulted in a lot of pressure being put on water resources. These challenges faced within the Black Volta River Basin are prompting increased focus on water conflict prevention and management by way of enhancing cooperation within communities in the Basin......................................................

Source: KNUST
Enhancing efficiency in the financial management at the local government level in Ghana

Transferring roles and responsibilities to an organisation usually go with the transfer of resources to make that institution work effectively. The transfer of resources to the local level by the central government as part of the decentralisation process came about as a result of the functions that have been assigned to these local government institutions. The transfer of part of the taxes, which were hitherto collected by the central government to the local level and complementing these with extra financial transfer are noble achievement by the central government to enable these institutions perform their roles effectively. It is unfortunate when the local government institutions, which have been assigned by the central government to lead in the development efforts at the local level, mismanage the resources to the detriment of their citizens. The problems facing development administration at the local government level could among others be classified as being political, social, spatial, and environmental. As effective development policy are being formulated to solve these problems through the preparation of comprehensive plans, efforts must be made to enhance efficiency in the financial management, otherwise development is bound to falter. There will be little or no development at the local level as the financial resources are being mismanaged. This work has shown that in some districts the cost of mobilising revenue is even more than the revenue collected. Poor revenue mobilisation at the Assemblies is partly due to over dependence on the external financial transfers (mainly from the central government). Unfortunately, the revenue collected at the local level were utilised for local administration to the neglect of community needs. Ratepayers claimed that the Assemblies were insensitive to their needs. Local government administration must sit up and formulate financial policy that is sensitive to needs of the citizenry by using the taxes mobilised for development. This will not only engender the decentralisation process but also foster good relationship between the citizens and the local government institutions.

Source: KNUST
Enhancing Environmental Sustainability within the Construction Procurement Process in Ghana

New trends in the field of procurement require embedment of environmental sustainability principles in the way the entire procurement process is executed. Construction is known to have a major impact on the environment and despite the recognition that environmental issues are important to the survival of the construction industry, the industry continues to degrade the environment, exploiting resources and generating waste. The industry is slow to change its conventional practices to incorporate environmental sustainability matters as part of its procurement decision making process. With increased awareness and knowledge of these impacts, efforts are being made to avoid these adverse effects and to work towards impact mitigation. The aim of the study is to assess how environmental sustainability within the construction procurement process can be enhanced. The objectives of the study among others included the assessment of the level of knowledge of environmental sustainability among construction procurement practitioners; identify challenges in integrating environmental sustainability and measures in integrating environmental sustainability into the construction procurement process. The main tools for the collection of data included questionnaires and interviews. The target population for the data collection included architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, procurement officers. Statistical package for social scientists version 20 was employed to analyze data obtained. Mean score rankings was adopted to analyze data on knowledge and barriers to implementation of environmental sustainability. Weighted average and relative importance index were adopted to analyze data on environmental sustainability integration measures. Air pollution, wear and tear of existing roads, destruction of virgin land, and high consumption of electricity power, noise pollution and waste of portable water were the major concern of professionals on environmental sustainability. The structured questionnaire survey showed the existence of some level of v awareness among professionals about environmental sustainability in construction procurement. Lack of stringent policies and laws, higher initial associated costs, lack of support from top management, lack of technical and management capacity and lack of public education were considered as the six major barriers that hinders the implementation of environmental sustainability into construction procurement process. The research recommended that policies and measures that could monitor, evaluate, and track construction works for the attainment of environmental sustainability should be incorporated in the construction procurement process. Finally, areas for further research were identified.

Source: KNUST
Enhancing Data Security Using Video Steganography, RSA and Huffman Code Algorithms with LSB Insertion

Security (i.e. Confidentiality, Integrity, Authentication, Non-Repudiation, and Availability) in the field of data communication have remained a subject matter of discussion over the years. The internet as well as computer technology have made significant strive in data communication existence. Transferring data securely and safely amidst vulnerabilities of computer networks remain a source of worry to many in the field of data communication. Without security there is no need for data communication. The main objective of this study was to ensure security of data transmitted over the internet. The study proposed a novel approach of data security using video steganography, Huffman Code compression and asymmetric cryptography. In the proposed system, messages are encrypted with RSA and encrypted messages are compressed using Huffman code algorithm. The compressed encrypted messages are hidden using Least Significant Bit (LSB) algorithms. This research brings to light the concept of effectively combining steganography, compression and asymmetric cryptographic algorithm. The preference of RSA over any other cryptographic algorithm is due to its ability to provide better security for large file size thereby reducing computational complexity. The use LSB for video embedding is also good for larger file sizes due to its low computational complexity. Huffman code compression is a lossless compression algorithm which allows reduction in size of data without loss of data. From the results obtained in this research, it was observed that when video steganography is combined with Huffman code compression and asymmetric cryptography, a higher level of security, robustness and capacity are achieved. The distortion experienced in this study is negligible; therefore the study achieved increased security by the high PSNR values and low MSE and BER values.

Source: KNUST
Enhancing Digital Forensic Model Using Desktop Virtualization

The internet and advanced technologies have been used as tools by criminals these days to perpetrate diverse forms of crime and the digital world is exploited to facilitate crimes which are mostly technology driven. The evidence of such crimes which are technologically driven are in digital form hence the need to employ techniques, procedures, and methodologies that are technology inclined to reconstruct events and uncover evidence that are admissible in court. Digital forensics therefore provides the investigative techniques, scientifically derived and proven methods for preserving, collecting, validating, identifying, analyzing, interpreting and presenting admissible digital evidence derived from digital source(s). The development of several forensics investigation models by digital forensic researchers are designed to provide a well-tailored, accurate and efficient means of acquiring, authenticating and analyzing digital evidence while ensuring the integrity and sanctity of the evidence to make it admissible in court of law. However, these models are not without some inherent shortfalls whilst majority of them seems not to cater for investigation processes or activities done on the virtual environment. Virtualization is a proven software technology that is rapidly transforming the hosting landscape and fundamentally changing the way that businesses compute. In this research, some digital forensic process models were reviewed, digital forensic investigative platform setup up on a virtual desktop environment to allow digital forensics investigations to be conducted on the virtual environment. The results of this implementations were recorded, analyzed and used to improve a digital forensic investigation process model.

Source: KNUST