ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Safety Performance of Specialist Contractors

The problem of measuring safety performance has existed since the very beginning of organised attempts to control accidents and their consequences.Most large construction projects are performed mainly by the aggregation of specialty works undertaken by specialist companies.On building construction projects, it is common that 80–90% of the work is performed by specialist contractors.Specific hazards associated with specialty construction make it very essential to pay more attention to specialist construction safety and to improve the safety performance of specialty construction companies.However, little research has been carried out on specialist contractors in Ghana. The objectives of this research are to identify factors that significantly influence the safety performance of specialist contractors, to adopt and adapt a standard evaluation tool for evaluating the safety performance of specialist contractors and to evaluate the safety performance of selected specialist contractors using the adopted and adapted tool. Seventy five sub factors were identified and grouped into ten main factors. Specialist companies who participated in this research included roofers, electrical contractors, curtain wall specialists and form work fabricators and installers.50 questionnaires were distributed to 50 specialist companies and 47 (94%) were returned from the respondents. The data collected were analysed and ranked using the mean score and standard deviations. The safety performance evaluation tool from literature was changed to meet the requirements of the results from the data analysis and it was then used to case study three specialist companies that were purposively selected.The roofing company was the largest followed by the curtain wall and the smallest was the electrical contractor. The roofing company had 70% evaluating rating performance, the curtain walling and the electrical contractors had overall evaluation performance of 56% and 40% respectively. The findings show that smaller specialist firms perform abysmally in safety assumptions.Based on the findings, it is recommended that small specialist firms should utilise the entire safety channels provided by the general contractor to discuss safety issues as they arise and to coordinate their specialty activities with the general contractor for the safety of all workers and others at the work site.

Source: KNUST
Sales and distribution networks of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) companies in Ghana. A case study of selected companies in the Kumasi metropolis.

Companies reach consumers mostly through their distribution network which is consisted by distributors, wholesalers, retailers and FMCGs companies are not exceptions. The nature of the goods sold by these companies demands even more a critical attention to the sales and distribution network. The general objective of the study was to assess the sales and distribution networks of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) companies in the Kumasi metropolis. The study used the convenience and purposive sampling approach to select channel members and management respectively. The research dealt with total channel members‟ population of 20,023 (without accounting for double counting). A sample of 593 was therefore picked for the purpose of the study. The main data collection instruments used by the researcher were structured questionnaires and interviews which were administered to the channel members and management of the selected FMCGs companies respectively. The data collected was analysed into descriptive statistics. The results showed that the management of the FMCGs has put in measures to ensure competitiveness by tracking product availability through each channel and also measure competitiveness by comparing target sales output to actual sales output although they are faced with challenges such as influx of fake products and low commitment from salesmen. The researcher therefore recommends that government agencies should collaborate with FMCGs to clamp down on fake products that infiltrate the genuine ones and also trade discounts that entice channel members should be reviewed upwards periodically to sustain the commitment of the actors in the network of the FMCGs.

Source: KNUST
Sanitary landfill siting in the Ga-South municipality using multi-criteria evaluation techniques

Landfilling is the most commonly employed method of managing solid waste, particularly in Africa. The purpose of this study was to locate areas in the Ga South Municipality where waste could be properly managed and manned, in order to protect citizens and the environment in general. This study sought to identify suitable areas, to serve as landfill sites, specifically for dumping of waste generated in the study area and its environs, employing Multi-criteria Decision Making Techniques in a Geographic Information Systems environment. GIS was used in overlaying different thematic maps, which have the same spatial reference, so as to generate a suitability map for landfill sites. Environmental, economic and social criteria were considered, each possessing a level of importance in determining the final outcome. The Analytical Hierarchy Procedure, was employed to determine the significant role of each criteria in finding a suitable site. Factors considered include railway line, settlements, and waterbodies, roads, geology, slope and fault lines. The criteria were standardized to their respective scale before overlay analysis was carried out. In undertaking overlay analysis, input map layers were created for each feature and with the help of the weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS 10.3, all the criteria were combined using their respective weights of importance. The final suitability map generated showed areas deemed most suitable for landfill siting purposes and development. Six sites were finally selected and ranked accordingly. 8.953 km2 , representing 2.62% of the total land size was determined to be most suitable in siting landfills. The findings from the study indicate most suitable sites that can be used for landfilling. Selection of landfill sites should therefore consider extensive economic, social and environmental factors through the Multi-criteria decision approach.

Source: KNUST
Sanitation Survey of Aboabo and Asawase

A field survey was conducted to ascertain the extent of improved water and sanitation coverage in two urban slums, in the Asawase constituency of Kumasi. A total of 788 households were randomly selected for household interviews, key informant interviews and health walks. The study revealed adequate levels of improved water coverage of 94% for Aboabo and 92.1% for Asawase. However both communities were beset with extremely poor waste management practices. Large volumes of waste were observed in almost every open space with the few poorly maintained gutters being clogged by waste. Improved toilet facilities coverage was extremely low (6.9% for Aboabo and 2.8% for Asawase) leading to an average number (58.3% and 58% respectively) of households patronizing the few public toilet facilities in the communities. Majority of the private toilets were also shared by more than three households (83.3% - Aboabo and 91.7% - Asawase). High levels of indiscriminate disposal of children’s excreta on open plots, streets, gutters and dump sites were observed as well as the practice of open defecation. Due to this, high levels of water related diseases, particularly diarrhoea (34.7% and 29.4% respectively) were high in children under five years in both communities. The study helps in predicting now and in future population and solid waste generation dynamics and the level of sanitation coverage needed for the MDG 7, target 10 to be met. It also reveals the various unsatisfactory personal, domestic and environmental hygiene practices, contributing to various diseases in the communities. These findings could be used by residents and city authorities for planning and effective management of the sanitation sector in order to protect public health and ensure good environmental quality.

Source: KNUST
Sanitation in basic Schools - a case study in Tano-South District

The Community Water and Sanitation Agency is mandated by the Government of Ghana to implement the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The overall goal is to reduce poverty through improvement of the health status of citizens living in rural areas and small towns by providing them with potable water and improved sanitation facilities. The aim of the study was therefore to come out with the current water and sanitation situations in schools in Tano South District of Ghana. The research has revealed that, the coverage of water and sanitation facilities in schools in the district are low; since the results showed that 53 % of the schools were without toilets facilities, while 83 % were without safe water. This was contrary to Ministry of Education Youth and Sports /Ghana Education Service Policy which requires that every school should have adequate water and sanitation facilities. The majority of the schools, 71 % burn then- refuse during schools' instructional hours, which causes environmental pollution. The survey revealed that 30.0 % of the pupils washed their hands with soap before eating while 70.0% washed their hands without soap before eating. This means that only 30.0 % of the school children were practicing an essential do-it-yourself vaccine which is the effective way of interrupting the transmission of disease agents. The least hygienic practice that was carried out in the district was hands washing after collection of refuse. The percentage of pupils who washed their hands with soap was 24.0% with 54.0% using only water to wash their hands. The remaining 22.0 % did not wash their hands. Indicator weighting system for sanitary facilities based on hygienic status, convenience, adequacy and technology type showed that 15 schools had total scores between 10 and 14 points out of 15 points for availability of human excreta facilities, 12 schools had total scores between 8 and 10 points out of maximum of 10 points for solid waste collection facilities and disposal methods. Similarly, 6 schools had total scores between 70 points and 100 points with six schools also scoring less than 50 points, for the hygiene behaviour and practices of school children and 10 schools scored at most 20 points out of 40 points for food vendors. The study revealed that 65.0 % of the SHEP Co-ordinators were not performing their duties effectively due to lack of funds, personnel and logistics, and this could affect the sanitation and hygiene of the schools.

Source: KNUST
Sanitation, household health status and under five mortality in Ghana.

Background of study: Sanitation problems in relation to access to water and toilet facilities are fundamental public health, survival, growth and development issue of most developing countries like Ghana. The major cities in Ghana specifically Greater Accra and Ashanti region are seen to have a greater challenge on waste management and therefore currently experiencing poor environmental sanitation and still not much has been done when it comes to solving this sanitation problem and the threats it poses especially on the vulnerable ones-mothers and children. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have set us on a common course to push down the neonatal and under five child deaths of about 1.8million annually through diarrhoea and severe fever cough/Malaria diseases. The main objective of this study is to look at the extent of contribution of the unimproved environmental sanitation-available water and toilet facility and child stool disposal in Ghana on the health status-diseases and on the underfive child mortality. Methodology: The study adopted a survey data from the Ghana Demographic Health Survey (2014) with its theoretical foundation on Grossman (1972 and 2000) theory of demand for health. The logistic regression was first employed to examine the marginal impacts of unimproved environmental sanitation which are unimproved water, unimproved toilet and unsafe stool disposal on Diarrhoea and fever cough/Malaria disease. The same technique was again employed to look at the marginal effects of diseases-Diarrhoea and Fever Cough disease on under-five child mortality. Findings: The study revealed a positive and statistically significant association between unimproved sanitation be it water or toilet facility and diseases (Diarrhoea and Fever Cough) meaning that when exposed to unimproved sanitation can cause severe fever cough and Diarrhoea among under five children. The research also revealed that the extent of contribution of predicted Diarrhoea and Fever Cough diseases on Under Five Mortality also was in line with their estimated marginal impacts.

Source: KNUST
Sales and distribution networks of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGS) companies in Ghana. A case study of selected companies in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Companies reach consumers mostly through their distribution network which is consisted by distributors, wholesalers, retailers and FMCGs companies are not exceptions. The nature of the goods sold by these companies demands even more a critical attention to the sales and distribution network. The general objective of the study was to assess the sales and distribution networks of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) companies in the Kumasi metropolis. The study used the convenience and purposive sampling approach to select channel members and management respectively. The research dealt with total channel members’ population of 20,023 (without accounting for double counting). A sample of 593 was therefore picked for the purpose of the study. The main data collection instruments used by the researcher were structured questionnaires and interviews which were administered to the channel members and management of the selected FMCGs companies respectively. The data collected was analysed into descriptive statistics. The results showed that the management of the FMCGs has put in measures to ensure competitiveness by tracking product availability through each channel and also measure competitiveness by comparing target sales output to actual sales output although they are faced with challenges such as influx of fake products and low commitment from salesmen. The researcher therefore recommends that government agencies should collaborate with FMCGs to clamp down on fake products that infiltrate the genuine ones and also trade discounts that entice channel members should be reviewed upwards periodically to sustain the commitment of the actors in the network of the FMCGs.

Source: KNUST
Salmonella carriage among food handlers and patients attending St. Joseph’s hospital, Jirapa, Upper West Region

Typhoid fever is ranked seventh (7th) among common infections affecting the people of Jirapa. However, the source of spread of the infections is not known. This study was conducted to determine if food vendor carriage constitute a major source of spread of the disease in the community. The study was conducted from January to May 2015. One hundred and seventy (170) stool samples obtained from asymptomatic food handlers were tested for Salmonella. 182 stool and 112 blood samples were collected from patients and tested for Salmonella. Salmonella was recovered from 4.1% (7/170) food handlers and 10.4% (31/294) of patients. Stool samples yielded more Salmonella isolates 12.1% (22/182) than blood samples 7.1% (8/112). Among the Salmonella isolates obtained from food handlers, Salmonella Typhi accounted for 71.4% (5/7) whereas 28.6% (2/7) were other Salmonella species. There were 31 Salmonella isolates obtained from patients. Of the 31, Salmonella Typhi recorded 9 (29.0%) and Salmonella species recorded 22 (71.0%). There was a total of 38 Salmonellae isolated from the study group. Abdominal pains, headache and diarrhea were the common complaints presented by patients. Most Salmonella isolates showed high resistant pattern towards the common antimicrobials used including ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. All the Salmonella isolates were however, susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and ceftaxidime. Salmonella isolates were tested for ESBL and they were all not ESBL producers. About 4.1% of food handlers in Jirapa were carriers of Salmonellae. These food handlers constitute a potential source for the transmission of the Salmonella pathogen, and may account for one of the reasons for the high cases of Salmonella infections in Jirapa.

Source: KNUST
Satires politiques Quest – Africaians: Etude Comparee de Dramouss et de A Man Of the people

Le sujet de Dramouss et de A Man of the People s’inspire de la réalité de la vie pelitique de la Guinée et du Nigeria d’après lea independences. La liberté et le progrès de ces pays,tout comme ceux de beaucoup d’autres pays en afrique, furent comprimes par un dérèglement socio-pelitique. Laya et Achebe présentent une version remanesque de le défaillance et de la vauluerie qui ent caractérisé la pratique politique d’après les indépendence. Le fend de notre analyse est de cemmenter le message et la technique littéraire dépleyés par Laye at Achebe dans ces satires. Partant d’un apercu général de la littérature orale, ce traveil explore les sources et les influences litteraires de ces satires politiques. Ceci est dans le but d’idenifier les sources des différences litteraires entre une satire politique du milieu francophone et celle d’um anglohpone au niveau du théme de la vigour du style et du message. Cette investigation nous permet non seulement d’evaluer l’autonomie de ces euvrages mais aussi de mettre à jeur les sources qui sent communes à teus les deux auteurs ainsi que les influences individuelles qui expliquent les similitudes et les centrastes que nous constatons dans ceɕ satires jumelles qui ent vu le jour en on 1966. Pour définer la progression d’une telle investigation nous avons largement pris en compte la substance parement littéraire de ces romans sans oudlier le message socio-politique que vehicule cette création remanesque. Disons que le fond de cette étude est l’analyse du style littéraire de Laye et d’Achebe dans leur présentation respective d’un conflit politique.

Source: KNUST
Satisfaction of road tolling by road users: A case study of Accra – Tema motorway

Tolls are implemented on road infrastructures for purposes such as revenue generation and mitigation. They are basically aimed to increase accessibility and meet transportation needs of the citizens and business organizations. The government in the quest to improve road infrastructure deficits with its general limited budget may lease the construction of roads to private entities to build and operate to cover the cost of construction by charging tariffs on the road users before transferring back to the state, or the government may construct a public road and charge a private entity to operate manage and maintain them. The aim of the study is to determine the perceived satisfaction of end users of toll roads on Tema Motorway. The study also has its objectives to find out the level of satisfaction of road users regarding the tolling system, the study also tries to ascertain how road users perceive and understand tolling system, it tries to know how revenues generated from tolling are used as well as find out whether or not users encounter challenges in plying the road. Purposive sampling and interviews were used to gather information from respondents. The data was analyzed qualitatively by using thematic analysis of various themes that emerged out of the data, there are various services expected to be provided while commuters pay tariffs for using the road infrastructure which include available road markings and signage, proper drainage system along the roads, improved lightings and smooth surface of roads. The extents of these services of toll roads are directly related to the level of satisfaction expected by road users. This study uses Accra Tema motorway as a case study to analyze the level of road users Satisfaction and understanding of road tolling by interviewing various user groups, namely commercial users, private and corporate users to find out how they feel about the tariffs they pay accessing the motorway. The review identified that there is a gap between the actual services offered by toll road operators and expected service by road users.The study recommends that revenues from the tolling system on the motorway should not only be used as the basis of evaluating the performance of the road but also the satisfaction of the road users should be a concern to the government or operators

Source: KNUST
Satisfying End-to-End Quality of Service Requirements in Mobile Packet Networks

Internet service providers face a daunting challenge in provisioning network resources, due to the rapid growth of the Internet and wide fluctuations in the underlying traffic patterns. The ability of dynamic routing to circumvent congested links and improve application performance makes it a valuable traffic engineering tool. However, deployment of load-sensitive routing is hampered by the overheads imposed by link-state update propagation, path selection, and signaling. Under reasonable protocol and computational overheads, traditional approaches to load-sensitive routing of IP traffic are ineffective, and can introduce significant route flapping, since paths are selected based on out-of-date link-state information. Although stability is improved by performing load-sensitive routing at the flow level, flapping still occurs, because most IP flows have a short duration relative to the desired frequency of link-state updates. To address the efficiency and stability challenges of load-sensitive routing, we introduce a new hybrid approach that performs dynamic routing of long-lived flows, while forwarding shortlived flows on static preprovisioned paths. By relating the detection of long-lived flows to the timescale of link-state update messages in the routing protocol, route stability is considerably improved.

Source: KNUST
Savings and investment behaviour of healthcare workers: evidence from tamale teaching hospital

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the savings and investment behavior of healthcare workers at Tamale Teaching Hospital, using a quantitative approach with a survey strategy. Data was collected using a structured research questionnaire as the primary instrument and the targeted respondents were healthcare workers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential analysis, including binary logistic regression. The findings of the study reveal that healthcare workers at Tamale Teaching Hospital possess a moderate level of knowledge in savings, but a low level of knowledge in investment. Secured deposits and treasury bills were identified as the preferred financial investment assets among the healthcare workers at the hospital. Furthermore, the study established that age, marital status, and income level significantly influence investment behavior, while gender does not. Based on these outcomes, the conclusion drawn is that there is a significantly low level of knowledge in investment matters among healthcare workers at Tamale Teaching Hospital.”

Source: KNUST