ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Treatment efficiency of water produced at the Kwanyaku water treatment plant in the Agona District of the Central Region and distribution line contamination

A study was conducted to assess the treatment efficiency of water produced at the Kwanyaku Water Treatment Plant and Contamination in the distribution system. The physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of water from the raw water to the final treated water and three selected locations along the distribution chain were analysed. Raw water, Settled water, Filtered water, Final water and randomly selected water in three locations along the distribution chain were sampled and examined for thermotolerant coliforms (TTC) using the most probable number method (MPN). The pH and alkalinity values for all the water samples were within the recommended limit of 6.5 -8.5 and 200 mg/l respectively. Colour and turbidity values except of that for the raw water were also within the WHO range of 0 -15 HU and ≤ 5 NTU respectively. Total Hardness, Calcium Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium Hardness, Magnesium, chloride and conductivity for raw to final water samples were all within the WHO acceptable limit of 0-500 mg/l, ≤ 200 mg/l, ≤ 80 mg/l, ≤ 30 mg/l, 50-150 mg/l, ≤ 250 mg/l and 300 μS/cm respectively. All Raw water samples were positive for TTC. The mean value of MPN per 100 ml of Raw water was 220. However, the three distribution locations sampled recorded low levels of residual chlorine, with temperature and indicator bacteria (TTC) above those of the WHO guideline. There were significant differences between residual chlorine values recorded in the Final water at the treatment plant site and those recorded for the water at the three distribution points. Residual chlorine was less than the WHO limit of 0.6 mg/l in the distribution samples making it prone to bacterial growth.Temperatures increased along the distribution chainfavouring growth of biofilms in the water. Recontamination of the treated water occurred along the distribution chain and this could be as a result of bursts along the distribution chain, high temperature and low chlorine residual coupled with poor monitoring and maintenance practices. The efficiency of treatment was 100% as the quality of water produced at the Kwanyaku Water Treatment Plant met the international standard recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO). However water samples along the distribution chain revealed that the quality of the water degrades before getting to some of the consumer points, hence more work need to be done in maintaining the quality up to all the consumer points.

Source: KNUST
Treatment of lead-poisoned rats through oral administration of palm oil extracts

The palm fruit (Elaies guineensis) is the source of palmitic-oleic rich semi solid fat and fat-soluble minor components, made up of vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), carotenoids and phytosterols. This study was in two parts. Firstly, it examined the effects of palm oil fractionation methods on recovery and concentration of carotenes, tocopherols and tocotrienols which are known to have nutritional and medicinal properties, including antioxidant activities. Secondly, the study also investigated lead (Pb) poisoning effects on blood, liver and kidney functions of albino rats and the efficacy of treatment of the poisoning with crude palm oil and its various extracts. The palm fruits used were of the Tenera variety, obtained from Goaso in the Brong Ahafo Region. The crude palm oil contained 530 ppm carotenes, 1,040 ppm tocols and 4.6 % FFA. The extraction methods employed in the study were adsorption chromatography, saponification and bleaching. Examination of the palm oil extracts revealed that the unsaponifiable fraction contained 19,570 ppm carotene, 39,290 ppm Vitamin E (tocols) and 2.7% free fatty acids (FFA). The adsorption chromatographic isolated fraction contained 16,310 ppm carotenes, 19,870 ppm tocols and 3.3% FFA. The bleached fraction had a reduced level of carotenes and tocols with values of 209 ppm and 640 ppm respectively. A high FFA of 13.1 % was recorded. A 40-day oral administration of 2 g/L lead acetate daily, significantly decreased red blood cell count, haemoglobin level, haematocrit value and platelet count, compared with the control. In contrast, serum urea, and creatinine were significantly increased by the lead poisoning. Serum total protein decreased significantly in the treated rats. However, ALT and AST increased significantly. Crude palm oil and palm oil extracts, except the bleached fraction (0.5 ml/kg body weight/day) administered to lead poisoned rats significantly restored the normal blood, liver and renal functions. The unsaponifiable fraction and adsorption chromatographic-isolated fractions reversed such changes to near control levels. The efficiency of these extracts in treating lead toxicity depended on their content of carotenes and tocols, which are biological antioxidants. The suggestion that oxidative stress is the mechanism of lead toxicity means that antioxidant action of palm oil and its extracts might play a role in the treatment of lead poisoning. Although orthodox medicines are widely used, natural products such as palm oil extracts hold great potential in lead poisoning treatment.

Source: KNUST
Treatment of uncomplicated malaria in adults at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Dormaa Ahenkro

In 2005, due to the development of resistance to Chloroquine, Ghana implemented the Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy Policy (Artesunate plus Amodiaquine) with reports of associated adverse drug reactions. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study to assess the management of uncomplicated malaria in adults at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital in the year 2008. Two types of quantitative data collection methods were employed. 1537 cases were selected by stratified sampling method from patient folders and six (6) clinicians were selected by purposive sampling to complete a questionnaire. The results showed that 12 different anti-malarial regimens were prescribed for the general population (1447 cases), compared to 9 recorded for pregnant patients (90 cases). In adherence to the policy, the Artesunate-Amodiaquine combination was the drug most frequently prescribed (66%), however contrary to the policy 35% of prescribed anti-malaria drugs for pregnant women in the 2nd trimester was an artemisinin derivative as mono therapy. The prescriptions had no correct dosages in 552 (36%) cases. Only in 65 (4.5%) cases for the general population, in 2 (6%) cases for pregnant women in the 2nd and in 5 (9%) cases in the 3rd trimester was the diagnosis based on laboratory evidence. Majority of prescribers will not prescribe Artesunate-Amodiaquine against the patient’s wishes but rather will prescribe Artemether/Lumefantrine, because the clinicians perceive Artemether/Lumefantrine to have less severe side-effects, easy to administer and effective.

Source: KNUST
Tree seedling demography after selective logging in a tropical moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana

Seedling recruitment, growth and mortality are critical determinants of successful forest regeneration. This study assessed regeneration success of a logged forest by comparing the species composition, diversity, density, recruitment, mortality and growth of naturally established seedlings in 160 seedling plot samples of ~60 m2 located at random on main skid trails, secondary skid trails, felled tree gaps and unlogged parts of the forest. The study was done within a 128 ha compartment in a selectively logged tyoist Sen^ deciduous forest in Ghana over a period of 33 months. There was a shift in dominance in the species composition of the seedling populations in all the sites over the study period. Initially seedling composition was dominated by pioneers but after 33 months seedling population in all sites was dominated by non- pioneers. Seedling densities showed an increase initially in all the sites after logging but declined after 12 months. These high seedling densities were driven by four (Albizia zygia, Ceiba pentandra, Celtis mildbraedii and Turreanthus africanus) out of the 38 species that regenerated. All four species exhibited a period of exceptionally high new seedling recruitment in the first 12 months. These periods were not coincident among the species but instead reflected the species' phenological differences. Overall seedling diversity differ significantly among disturbance types initially but after 33 months diversity was lower in the unlogged areas though not significant. Seedling mortality was highest amongst pioneers and for each functional group in unlogged areas of the forest. Seedling growth rates were higher in the logged areas of the forest. These results show that disturbed areas appear to be suitable sites for the regeneration of timber species following logging but the long-term fate of trees growing on these areas remains uncertain as growth rates declined with time.

Source: KNUST
Trapping of 1,2-cyclohexadiene: A DFT mechanistic study on thereaction of 1,2-cyclohexadiene with olefins and nitrones

The mechanistic aspects of cycloaddition reactions of 1,2-cyclohexadiene with olefins and nitrones havebeen investigated with DFT calculations. The results show that the cycloaddition reactions of 1,2-cyclohexadiene with olefins do not go through a concerted pathway (one-step mechanism) but rathera stepwise one involving the formation of a biradical intermediate which then closes to formfinalcycloadduct. Electron-withdrawing substituents on the 1,2-cyclohexadiene decrease the activation bar-rier of the biradical-forming step but increase the barrier of the product-forming step and productstability, while electron-donating substituents on the 1,2-cyclohexadiene increase the barriers for boththe biradical-forming step and the product-forming step but decrease the product stability. In the re-action of 1,2-cyclohexadiene with nitrones, the four pathways investigated have activation barrierswithin 1 kcal/mol of one another, the lowest being 10.45 kcal/mol and the highest 11.04 kcal/mol,indicating that these reactions are very unselective. Electron-withdrawing groups on the nitrone increasethe stability of the resulting products whereas electron-donating group on the nitrone decrease thestability of the resulting products. The [3þ2] cycloadduct proceeds to the formation of a more stableformal [5þ2] cycloadduct if a phenyl substituent is present on the nitrogen of the nitrone.

Source: KNUST
The Trend Analysis of Timber Species Harvesting in Forest Reserves in Ghana

Ghana has established 266 forest reserves of which 216 fall within the High Forest Zone (HFZ) and covers an area of 1,634,100 Hectares. The sustainable production of timber to provide a perpetual flow of wood products to domestic and export markets and provide revenue for the resource owners is very important in forest management. The study identifies the trend on timber exploitation in Ghana’s forest reserves, using data on timber exploited from Sefwi Wiawso Forest District. This study also develops method of interpreting the changing demand of timber in Ghana with time series for the period between 1998-2011, the methods employed monitor’s trends on removal of timber. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models were developed on data on volume of timber extracted. The model selected for volume and stems were ARIMA (2,1,0) and ARIMA (2,1,0)respectively, based on the diagnostics of the residuals of each model and Minimum Information Criteria. Forecasting with ARIMA(2,1,0) for volume and ARIMA(2,1,0) for stems model for the period January, 1998 to December, 2011 agree well with the observation data series collected over the period.

Source: KNUST
The Trend and Impact of Balance of Payment on the Economy of Ghana. (2000-2005)

Balance of payment has implications on growth of a nation's economy. Over the years, much has not been said about the trend and its impact of Ghana's balance of payment as regards the research by individuals. It is in this respect, that this project was carried out to assess the trend of the overall balance of payment of Ghana from the year to 2005. The research involved analyzing data on the components of balance of payment of Ghana and overall balance of payment for each of the years under review. It was evident from the study that Ghana recorded an overall balance of payment deficit in 2000 and 2004. High import price of crude oil, machines, foreign technology and other imported commodities might have contributed to the deficit. Fluctuation in the world price of Ghana's major export commodities (eg cocoa, gold etc) might have enhanced the recorded deficit. However, Ghana witnessed favourable balance of payment situation in the years 2001, 2002, 2003,and 2005. Fall in crude oil prices and other « imported commodities coupled with a rise in the world price of Cocoa and cocoa products, minerals and other export commodities of Ghana had impacted positively on the balance of payment during the period. In general, Ghana recorded a surplus and favourable balance of payment position over most of the five year period reviewed. This could be an important clue as to what the country should expect in terms of economic growth, in every five years, if the various factors influencing balance of payment position shift and remain in favour of the country. The researcher used the secondary method of data collection to obtain information for the research.

Source: KNUST
Trends in poultry products production in Ashanti Region, prospects challenges and recommendations (a case study of still waters farms limited)

The key focus of this work was to delve critically into the poultry industry within Ashanti Region. The industry has been saddled with total fold up and stagnation. The central objective of the study was to find out the causes or reasons for the high cost of the feed inputs. Other objectives included: (a) Ascertain whether the industry is competitive enough (b) Examine the impediments and problems associated with the industry (C) Test whether the Poultry Industry is declining generally (d) To provide a comprehensive information about Poultry Keeping (e) To analyse the impact of a substitute product affecting the Poultry Industry i.e. Livestock Production (f’) Suggest and recommend various ways, which would overhaul the well being of the industry One type of questionnaire was self administered to 10 poultry farmers that ranged from semi- commercial to commercial producers. All the 10 farmers responded to the questionnaires with varying Figures and perceptions. The farmers agreed unanimously that 70-80% of their production cost goes into their feed inputs. A statistical regression was run to establish the farmers claim. The outcome showed inverse relationships between broiler production and feed inputs. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted between the data collected from the National Poultry figures, Regional Poultry figures and that of the Case Study. The poultry industry can make an impact by reversing its Current trends if steps are taken for its production cost to be reduced to half its current level and good quality cheap inputs are sourced for storage for future use.

Source: KNUST
Trends in causes of death by autopsy at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Background: Autopsy remains the most reliable tool for the determination of the actual cause of death. In Ghana, mortality data play an important role in the formulation of health policies. However autopsy data and procedures alone are not audited and analysed for the trends in disease causation. This does not allow for adequate and evidence-based health planning. The available cause of death, which is almost invariably under reported is used in health planning. We therefore set out to determine the trends in causes of death at Ghana’s second largest teaching hospital in Kumasi. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study involving the review of secondary data from the Department of Pathology at the Komfo-Anokye Teaching Hospital was carried out from July 15th 2014 to November 15th 2014. A total of 6632 reported deaths that occurred during the period under review and for which autopsies were performed were included in the study. The outcome was then compared with the national health data on top ten (10) causes of death. We also determined the cause of death by trend and socio demographic characteristics and the public health priorities of the ageing population by comparing findings of our study to findings from SAGE. These data were taken from a five-year period between 2009 and 2013. Results: The rate in autopsy performance showed a declining trend from 41% in 2009 to 21% in 2013. The top 10 causes of death by autopsy varied from the national top 10; injuries consistently remained as the highest cause of death in all the years, whereas the second and third positions were shared by hypertension and pneumonia respectively. Two main indications for autopsy made at the Department of Pathology at KATH were statistical and medico legal. The rate of statistical autopsies (67%) was generally high compared with that of medico legal. Majority of autopsies was carried out in the 25-44 age group (34%). Of all cases sent for autopsies in the department, there were more males than females who died within the period under review (62.5%). Age was significantly associated with injuries [p value<0.001; 95% CI (235.42–236.70)], hypertension [p value=0.003; 95% CI (55.38–57.08)] and cancers [p value<0.001; 95% CI (142.99–147.79)]. Injury constituted the majority cause of death and was significantly associated with gender [p value< 0.001; 95% CI (55.27–57.09)]. The odds of having severe disability increased with the number of diseases or health conditions an adult had. The age-adjusted odds ratio was three times more in an adult with three diseases (3.23) compared with that of an adult without any. Conclusion: There is a progressive decline in the rate of autopsy at KATH during the period under review. Additionally, top ten cause of mortality clearly varied from that of the national statistics data. Reasons for decline and variation between the causes of death from the clinical point of view and that of pathological viewpoint would make an interesting future study. Health planning should make use of such mortality data for future planning.

Source: KNUST
Trends in Treasury Bill Investments, Loans and Advances and their interrelationships: the case of Sekyere Rural Bank Ltd.

There has been a debate that, banks do nothing but park more of their investable funds into treasury bills during unstable economic environment. However, during stable economic environment, when all macro-indicators fall this notion is brought to question. The peculiar problem of rural banks is that, they operate in rural areas, where poverty is high making lending very risky. This study examined recent trends in T-Bill rates and its relationship with falling inflation rates. It also examined the relationship between falling T-bill rates and investment in T-Bills. Again, the study determined the trade-off between Loans and T-Bills in both stable and unstable economic environments. Sekyere Rural Bank was used as case study and compared with the rural banking industry in Ghana. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and running the necessary correlation in Excel and SPSS. The study found out among others, T-Bill and Loans are positively related and that banks invest more in T-Bills than Loans in unstable environment. On the hand, whereas rural banks invest more in T-bills in stable periods, Sekyere Rural Bank invested more in Loans than in T-Bills in the same period. Again, irrespective of the level of the T-Bill rate banks continuously increased their investments in T-Bills. It has been suggested in this study that rural banks must have benchmarks of investing in T-Bills so as to prevent shifting all funds into T-Bills.

Source: KNUST
Trials of Motherhood: Amma Darko’s portrayal of conflicts in mother-daughter bonds in her novels: beyond the horizon, the housemaid, faceless and not without flowers

This study has addressed the question of the lack of in-depth analysis of the trials of motherhood in Africa and in Ghana specifically. The study is an attempt to fill this lacuna. It traces the nature of the trials of motherhood and analyzes the causes and effects of the trials of motherhood on mothers and daughters. How can daughters appreciate their mothers when they consider the latter as failed mothers not worth emulating? The study argues that the trials of motherhood, if not eliminated, will result in daughters electing not to bear children rather than becoming mothers in a system that circumscribes mothers even when this same system seeks to honour them. Four novels of Amma Darko have been selected to investigate Darko’s portrayal of her mother figures. There is seen in these four novels a fictionalization of the myriads of trials that mothers battle with in a changing Ghanaian society. Reality is carried on exaggerative wings to reveal Darko’s keen understanding of the trials of motherhood. There is also seen in these novels a relentless march towards addressing not only the trials of motherhood but also the triumph that unrelenting mothers achieve even in the face of trials. The life-styles of these mother figures indicate that mothers have regenerative as well as destructive potentials. It takes mothers whose desire it is to churn out good daughters to tap into their regenerative potentials and train daughters well. This study also highlights the strategies used by those mothers who are able to train good daughters irrespective of the challenges they face as mothers. These mothers inject hope into a society where women’s ability to mother daughters well is gradually turning out to be a mirage. The lessons gleaned from this study throw light on how women can mother daughters well. It also provokes a discourse on the importance of fellow feelings among mothers who want their daughters to step into their shoes. Accordingly, this work adduces unmistakable evidence that women can carve out dignified images of themselves, also through motherhood.

Source: KNUST