ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Applications of integral equations to boundary value problems and their applicability to local musical instruments.

This thesis is designed to provide the application of integral equations to boundary value problems and their application to local musical instruments. In this work we demonstrated the methods of converting boundary and initial value problems of ordinary differential equations into Fredholm integral equations and Voltera integral equations respectively. The stringed instruments provided the solutions in the form of integral representations of the product of two functions whilst the membranes solutions manifested as the integral representations of the product of the three functions. Although the solutions of the boundary and initial values may be readily obtained, the thesis only dealt with the representation of the solutions in integral form. The solutions of the integral representations is the solution of the boundary and initial value problems of the wave equation that provided practical insight into Bessel functions and their impact on the local drums.

Source: KNUST
Application of wire weaving to the production of light fittings

The main objective of this project was to explore application of wire weaving, a jewellery and metalsmithing technique for the production of light fittings in a studio setting. This study was deemed necessary because it was observed by the researcher that much attention has not been given to the technique by fellow craftsmen over the years due to the claim of some that it is difficult and time demanding. The research employed studio based research methods under qualitative design to execute the project. After collecting and analysing data for the study, the researcher explored various weaving types at the studio in order to select the appropriate weaves that will be suitable for the project. After the exploration of the weaves, the plain weave, diamond twill weave and twinning technique of basketry were selected and used for producing the light fittings. The result of the study revealed that using wire weaving technique in the production of light fittings is not time demanding and difficult as claimed by some metal artists.

Source: KNUST
Application of the electrical resistivity method in groundwater exploration in some communities in the Northern Region of Ghana

The electrical resistivity method is widely used as an aid to siting boreholes for water supply in a number of terrains. In this report the electrical resistvity method has been used to determine hydrogeologically suitable places to site boreholes to supply drinking water to a number of rural communities in the Gushiegu-Karaga and Bole districts in the Northern Ghana. The hydrogeological conditions in the middle Voltain sedimentary basin is alternating grey, green and brown shale’s, siltstones, sandstones, conglomerates and limestone. Here rock decomposition and primary porosity are generally low and groundwater availability is controlled by the extent of fractures and similar weak zones in the rocks. Boreholes which have intercepted deeply weathered schist and clay-rich metasediments have yielded little water. The process of siting boreholes began with terrain evaluation which involved field reconnaissance visits to study the lithology, structure, topography and soils to identify target areas for geophysical survey. Horizontal resistivity profiling using the Schiumberger electrode array was conducted along traverses demarcated in the target zones in the communities. Two current electrode separations, namely 80 m and 38 m were used to probe two different depths respectively. The anomalous zones were identified as areas where the resistivity profile curves indicated resistivity values within the range of 20 Ωm to 150 Ωm. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) were then conducted within the identified anomalous zones. The VES data gave the resistivities of the layers within the overburden. The presence of an aquifer formation within the subsurface structure is inferred from the VES curves as an intermediate layer of lower resisitivity located at depths beneath 20 m from the surface. These aquifer signatures were depressions found in the sounding curves. Ten (10) sites were drilled after the study. One site produced a marginal yield of 8 litres/minute. The maximum yield was 270 litres/minute and the general success ratio was 90%. The geological logs of the drilled cores indicated that the factor of success in terms of borehole yield was the presence of extensive fractures in the regolith/saporolite at depths exceeding 20 m from the surface.

Source: KNUST
Applying project management principles to equipment maintenance at Chirano Mine Limited

In the mining engineering companies, effective equipment maintenance strategy has been considered as integral component in achieving sustainable mining and production systems. Maintenance in a broader term is a business function that serves and supports the primary process in an organization. This study explored the effective ways of applying project management principles to equipment maintenance in Ghana using Chirano Gold Mine Limited as a case study. The study was carried out along the tenets of a preliminary literature review and followed by a survey using a structured questionnaire. Fifty six (56) questionnaire were distributed by purposive sampling, and 50 completed questionnaires representing 89% were considered valid for the analysis. The data collected were analyzed using Relative Importance Index (RII). The study reveals that, Intervention and execution strategy, Risk management, Time management, Scope management, Communication management, Cost management, Quality management, Human resource management, Measurement and accountability, Formulating the project team, Integration management, Organizational alignment and Procurement management are the major project management principles that can be employed to equipment management. Considering the challenges in order of extremity, respondents indicated that, Inadequate Skills for the Maintenance Management, Undefined Equipment Output, Ambiguous Contingency Plans, Lack of Manager’s Engagement and Improper Risk Management are the major challenges to applying project management principles to equipment management. Further, a number of Effective or best ways in applying project management principles to equipment maintenance were suggested which includes; establishing maintenance management procedures, Divide the maintenance plan of the equipment into tasks, Estimating resources and creating a resource plan of the equipment etc.

Source: KNUST
Appraisal of Cost Control practices of building infrastructure Projects delivery: a case of Works Department of Tema Metropolitan Assembly.

The overall goal of this study was to appraise cost management practices on infrastructure projects delivery at MMDAs a case of Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA). The specific objectives were to identify the cost management practices applied on infrastructure, the challenges in the application of cost management practices applied on infrastructure projects and the best practices in cost management practices for TMA. The objectives informed the thematic areas for the literature review. Both known and new concepts were reviewed to give further clarity to the study. An exploratory design was effectively utilized for this research. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires, data gathered were analyzed and findings discussed. It was revealed that the largely employed cost management practices at the Works Department of Tema Metropolitan Assembly are the Budget planning, Cost tracking and Project change controlling. Despite the Knowledge and importance the organization attaches to cost management practices on their infrastructure projects, major challenges such as Errors in design, Weak Funding, Inaccurate cost estimates, Over emphasizing on results while ignoring the process of PCC, Improper Management of Funds, Lack of technical details and precise requirements in contracts, Using obsolete Methods and Concepts, Lack of consistency in cost management by managers , Difficulty in monitoring different sources of day-to-day cost data, Serious decision failure, exorbitant marketing expenses, Non-availability of project management training facilities for professionals, Lack of recognition of Project Management practices by top management, Lack of electronic data management system in the organization to capture knowledge or experienced gained from previous projects were identified which has negative effects on the application of cost management practices in TMA. It is recommended that Works Department of TMA should develop cost control philosophy to enhance infrastructures delivery in the assembly.

Source: KNUST
An Appraisal of Credit Risk Management: Case Study of Procredit Savings and Loans

A general introduction to the topic "An Appraisal of Credit Management: Case Study of ProCredit Savings and Loans Limited" was given in chapter one. The study sought to identify factors affecting savings mobilization and lending; credit management, assets and operational efficiency of procedures and appropriate recommendations. * The main findings were that there was a high level of satisfaction among the clientele of ProCredit Savings Limited. Asset quality was found to be better than the ideal as proposed in the Basel 2 recommendations. This was due to timely delivery of credit facilities and good monitoring at the branch level. Increasingly, customers are placing much emphasis on easy access to their accounts (proximity), gopd service delivery (customer care) and good credit « delivery in their objective choice of bank. These take premium over interest rates charged/paid by the financial institution. ProCredit uses collateral as loan security and holds a large number of well diversified credit portfolio. Loan sizes are kept very small with emphasis on the very small, small and medium size enterprises. In all, the findings indicate that ProCredit is doing better in terms of deposit mobilization, credit delivery, asset quality and profitability than most Savings &Loans in the country. In view of this, recommendations were made to help solve identified challenges in the research findings. Among the recommendations are that credit delivery should be improved, the need for networking of all branches and the provision of adequate ATMs to make accessibility to customers accounts easy.

Source: KNUST
An Appraisal of Decision-Making Power in Reproductive Health among Women At Ejisu in the Ashanti Region

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994, adopted a more holistic and integrated approach to reproductive health (Agyarkwa, 2003). The World Health Organization (WHO) definition adopted for reproductive health embraces wider components which include clients decision-making in reproductive health. In response to the (ICPD), Ghana has formulated reproductive health service policy and standards. Among eight countries surveyed, Ghana provided the most extensive ‘blue print’ for reproductive service delivery (Hardee, et al, 1999). This feat underpins Ghana’s commitment to reproductive health issues. Despite the international and national concerns for reproductive health, decision-making in reproductive health decision-making has been traditionally dominated by men (Brown 1994). The question that arises then are: what is the role of women in reproductive-decision-making? Do women assert their reproductive rights, power and control through decision making in reproductive health issues? To answer these questions, among others, the case study method was used to interview women, opinion leaders, health officials and community leaders at Ejisu, one of the Municipal capitals in Ashanti Region. Through the structured interview guide and self-administered questionnaire, the study found that reproductive health decision-making is a shared responsibility between the husband and the wife. In addition, the study revealed that women assert their rights, control and power in reproductive health through decision-making in birth spacing, family planning services, fertility regulation and antenatal care. The study also revealed that there are certain factors that influence women’s reproductive behaviour. The study makes recommendations.

Source: KNUST
An appraisal of budgetary techniques in TEK Co-Operative Credit Union

The study aimed at assessing the role of budgeting and budgetary control systems at Tek co operative credit union from 2003-2006. In the computation of the differences between the estimated income and expenditure, the union’s projected income and expenditure from 2003-2006 were studied; variances were also recorded for the selected cost centers. Also the processes involved in the preparation of budgets and the control measures put in place were determined through the administration of questionnaires and structured interviews to members and the Board of Directors. The results of the study revealed that the Union has a rigorous budgeting process with respect to budget preparation, however the control systems put in place by management is not well structured. The approval of budgets which is the constitutional rights of members as enshrined in the Ghana Co operative credit union’s bye law and the Article of Association has been taken over completely by board members. The study also revealed that the main benefits derived by the union from the implementation of budgeting technique includes: forecasting, means of communication among management, judging performance of management and means of motivating management whiles some of the limitation the union face includes: delays in the payments of members deposits by the Finance Officer, lack of expertise in the preparation budgets and price level changes.

Source: KNUST
An Appraisal of Christian Missionary Activities in Gonjaland Since 1950

Religion is a phenomenon or concept that is associated with humanity. Ghanaians were highly religious, even before the arrival of Islam and Christianity. To explore a religion of a tribe or people, there in the need to understand what makes such tribe or people, what informed their present religious state before you plan a strategy to evangelise them. This then necessitates the appraisal of Christian Missionary activities among Gonjas from 1950 to date. This study seeks to examine who the Gonja people are, and assess whether Christianity has made a significant impact on the Gonja over sixty years of Christian Missionary activities in the area. The study also evaluates some missionary challenges that might have affected the spread of Christianity among the Gonja. The study also tried to do a comparative study of the impact of the three major religions in the area (Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religions). It explored some possible reasons why the Islamic religion has been integrated into the Gonja culture. What was the effect of the colonial directive, which declared the North an Islamic territory on evangelisation of the Gonja tribe? The researcher sought information from across religious boundaries for an objective analysis, of the future of the three main religions in the area. The researcher found that there is need to adopt strategies adopt for evangelical breakthrough in the Gonja area. This is because the Gonja area is a virgin area for evangelization, to which the church should turn her attention in fulfilment of the Great Commission which is the church’s mandate. The researcher recommended some positive steps which should be taken to address the issues raised in this work.

Source: KNUST
Applying Project Management Principles to the maintenance of Telecommunication Mast (Tower) in Ghana

In the telecommunication industry, effective maintenance strategy has been considered as integral component in achieving stable network systems. Maintenance in a broader term is a business function that serves and supports the primary process in an organization. This study explored the effective ways of applying project management principles to telecommunication mast maintenance in Ghana. The study was carried out along the tenets of a preliminary literature review and followed by a survey using a structured questionnaire. Thirty six (36) questionnaire were distributed by purposive sampling, and 32 completed questionnaires representing 89% were considered valid for the analysis. The data collected were analyzed using Mean score and Relative Importance Index (RII). The study reveals that, Intervention and execution strategy, Risk management, Time management, Scope management, Communication management, Cost management, Quality management, Human resource management, Measurement and accountability, Formulating the project team and Integration management are the major project management principles that can be employed to telecom mast maintenance. Considering the challenges in order of extremity, respondents indicated that, Inadequate Skills for the Maintenance Management, Undefined Equipment Output, Ambiguous Contingency Plans, Lack of Manager’s Engagement and Improper Risk Management are the major challenges to applying project management principles to telecom mast maintenance. Further, a number of effective approach in applying project management principles to telecom mast maintenance were suggested which includes; establishing maintenance management procedures, Divide the maintenance plan of the equipment into tasks, Estimating resources and creating a resource plan of the equipment etc

Source: KNUST
An appraisal of financial controls of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital Kumasi

The theme of this project is to appraise the financial controls and provide useful suggestions for the purpose of improving the financial systems of University hospitals and in the nation as a whole. The concept of financial (internal) controls is just as relevant to government organization as it is to profit seeking organizations. In other words, inadequate financial control systems can hinder both management and employees responsibilities and place them in a position where they may be tempted to engage in questionable activities and accounting practices. The study therefore seeks to bring to light the causes of financial mal-administration including inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of employees of finance section. It also seeks to make government aware of the problem facing the health sector as far as financial controls are concerned in order to find appropriate solutions to them. Purposive sampling of thirty (30) of the entire population of the staff were used; these were the accounting, auditing and administrative staff of the KNUST Hospital. Questionnaires and structured interview guides were used to gather data regarding financial control systems currently in place in KNIJST Hospital, Kumasi. The findings revealed that there were financial controls in KNUST Hospital; however, the revenue collection functions were not properly segregated. The study also found out that the movement of non accounts staff to and from the accounts office were not restricted for this reason the financial documents were not well protected. In order to improve on the effectiveness of the financial controls, it is recommended that, there should be a regular training for the staff and also computerized the entire financial systems.

Source: KNUST
An appraisal of internal control system at AngloGold Ashanti - Obuasi (2004 - 2008)

This write-up resulted from incessant fighting and intimidation between Anglo Gold management of one hand and mining communities and the mine workers on the other side, due to unpaid salaries undisclosure of company’s net worth, lower salaries, lower incentives, lost of properties, money, equipment machinery and others. The workers and the mining communities alleged that the internal control system o Anglo Gold Ashanti was not working effectively and efficiently and that these challenges had come about because of embezzlement, fraud, misrepresentation, omissions and negligence of transactions, poor supervision, poor management decisions, lower standard of living and lower royalties which had been trampled upon, thus, bringing in its wake numerous confrontations, apathy, fighting among these various groups. There was therefore the need to appraise the internal control system at Anglo Gold Ashanti. Specifically the study sought to find out whether Anglo Gold Ashanti is operating according to the standard procedure. The study sought to identify weakness and strength in the internal control system of Anglo Gold Ashanti and thus find amicable solutions and recommendations. Therefore, investigations were carried out to find the authenticity of the allegations, whereupon a sample size of one hundred was obtained from the various departments of Anglo Gold Ashanti: Budget, accounting, payroll, management, personnel, auditing and asset department through stratified sampling. Data was collected on personnel contribution, management contribution to the internal control system, safeguarding of assets, supervision, authorisation, accounting controls, segregation and organization control objectives, popularly refer to as “papa moss”, from the sample population through observation, interviews and questionnaires. From the discussions and input from the respondents, it was conceded from the findings that Anglo Gold Ashanti is well vexed in internal controls for example they have accounting controls, management controls, personnel controls, physical restriction of assets, audit controls, proper supervision, segregation of duties, authorization and control organizational objectives. However, there were major limitations of lack of funds to go the extra mile, lack of time for making more interviews, observations, issuing more questionnaires and reading more extensively. The study too was limited to Anglo Gold Ashanti, the finance department from 2004 to 2008 to zero down huge expenses which could be incurred if the whole Anglo Gold Ashanti were to be studied from the beginning of their operation. The study gave the importance of internal controls and a short insight into the A.G.A profile. The findings were later analyzed, discussed, followed by apportionment of the various analyses into pie charts. Finally after careful study, it was found out that there were loopholes so the needed antidotes were administered.

Source: KNUST
An appraisal of mill wood residue as a potential raw material source for alternative uses

Large volumes of wood residues are under utilized in Ghana. To understand why this is so, a mill survey and study were conducted in the Ashanti Region, to appraise wood residues (Wawa and Ceiba) for alternative uses. Results from the work estimate residues of Wawa as made up of slabs (35.2%), edgings (7.5%) off-cuts 2.69%), and sawdust (14.03%). The total estimate for Wawa residues is 139,061.67m3. A. multiple regression analysis at a = 0.05 shows that log diameter and lumber thickness had significant effect on lumber recovery. In conclusion, the large volume of Wawa residues (slabs, edgings, off-cuts and sawdust) implies appreciable amount of wood residues suitable for alternative uses. However, the short fibred length of sawdust will not make it a suitable raw material for pulping. Since disposal methods make use of trucks and open pile burning, environmental pollution is a problem.

Source: KNUST