ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Investigating the accuracy and use of digital ortho-images (DOIS)

As the field of photogrammetry moves to the digital domain, it is being effectively used for the production of Digital orthoimages (DOIs). DOIs have numerous advantages including its use as an excellent base layer for geographic information systems (GIS). However, a significant segment of the user community is concerned about product accuracy of DOIs. The objectives of this research include investigating the significance of the effect of varying number of Ground Controls Points (GCPs), varying grid intervals of digital elevation model (DEM) and varying scale corresponding to different pixel sizes on the planimetric accuracy of DOIs and the effect of accuracy on use. The main findings of the research revealed that a variation in the number of GCP had significant effect on the planimetric accuracy of the final DOI produced compared with the variation in DEM grid interval and variation in scale. In addition, it was clear that DOIs can be used for the purposes of most small and large scale maps. However they cannot be used at scales beyond the allowable magnification of the source scale. « Keywords: Digital, Accuracy, Analysis, Production, Photogrammetry, Aerial triangulation, Digital Terrain Model, Orthoimages, orthorectification

Source: KNUST
Investigating knowledge and awareness level of sustainable construction practices on University Campuses in Ghana

The principle of sustainability is rooted in the objective that the community or society should consume resources available in the environment in a steady way that will still make it readily available for future generations to use. This notion is important to ensure the aim of sustainable construction is achieved in the construction industry. The stumbling block of awareness and knowledge must first be eliminated before a capable and viable sustainable construction is achieved. This study therefore aimed at investigating the awareness and knowledge level of construction professionals in Universities in Ghana. To achieve this, a quantitative cross-section approach was adopted. A structured questionnaire was administered as the tool for collecting data for analysis. The technique for the data analysis was descriptive in nature focusing mainly on mean scores, standard errors and percentages. This study has brought to light that 70% of construction stakeholders in public universities indicated that they had high awareness, with majority (64%) of the respondents indicated that they had high knowledge on sustainable construction. The findings of the study revealed that high percentage of the respondents had heard about sustainability and had high knowledge of the sustainable concept. The commonest sustainable construction practices according to the respondents were, using alternative energy supplies (such as solar) and installing water efficient fixtures. Respondents were however not familiar with some of the practices considered in achieving sustainable construction. It is recommended for the continual education of professionals in charge of construction activities in the various universities on the concept and practices of sustainability and sustainable construction.

Source: KNUST
“Investigating the impact of the savings behaviour of customers on bank’s performance – case: Yaa Asantewaa Rural Bank”

The principal objective of this study was to investigate the saving habit of customers of Yaa Asantewaa Rural Bank (YARB) and how such attitude influence the performance of the bank. To accomplish this aim and per the nature of contributing factors of saving, both primary and a thirty-six month secondary data (covering 2013 – 2015) were used. The multinomial logistic regression model was adopted in analysing the primary data collected and the secondary data were analysed using the Ordinary Least Squares model. The results from the multiple linear regression estimation revealed that interest on deposits and the prevailing rate of inflation in the Ghanaian economy have significant deterministic effect on deposit growth at YARB. Also, the multinomial logistic regression model showed that customers’ attitude toward risk, number of people who financially depend on customers, and their level of income can influenced their saving culture very much. However, age distribution of customers and their educational background (but those with vocational education) were found to have no influence on saving behaviour of customers of the bank. It was also revealed that a good number of customers contacted were ignorant about the existence of interest earned on their deposits. In general, the growth rate of savings at the bank assumed a downward trend for the period understudied. The study then recommends awareness creation on deposit rate, expansion of credit facility to clients, and provision of incentive packages besides interest paid on deposits as measures to be put in place to improve the saving culture of customers at YARB.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the ADSL (Broadband) Service in Vodafone: Case Study Vodafone, Cape Coast, Ghana

This study was conducted in order to know whether the Vodafone ADSL (broadband) users are satisfied with the service or not. The main aim of this study was to compare the different ways of improving the ADSL service in Vodafone and come out with the best way of improving the ADSL service. The best way of improving the broadband service is by changing the UTP cables to fibre optic cables. The advantages and disadvantages of using fibre optic cables were identified. By improving the ADSL service, we mean the following: Initially making it possible for people staying farther from the 9km radius from the Exchange in Cape Coast to get access to the broadband internet service. Secondly making it possible for more customers to be connected to the broadband without the speed of the internet service being affected and finally help in increasing the speed of the Vodafone broadband service. Secondary resources derived from various publications including books and journals were included to support the findings. As stated from literatures, there are different ways of improving upon the ADSL service and each and every one of them has its advantages and disadvantages. After the literature was reviewed, it came out that changing the UTP cables from the Exchange to the Cabinet into fibre optic cables (fibre-to-the-cabinet) is the best solution. In order to gather the needed data, a questionnaire was used. The Vodafone broadband users and the Vodafone staff were sampled and given these questionnaires. The answers given by the respondents were processed by computing their corresponding weighted averages (mean). The results of the computation were then used as basis for the data analysis. The results showed that most of the Vodafone broadband users were not satisfied with the service and wanted an improvement in the service. The results (from Vodafone staffs) also showed that, the best way of improving the service is by using fibre optics and the Vodafone company is even considering the use of fibre optics.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the ADSL (Broadband) Service in Vodafone. Case Study Vodafone, Cape Coast, Ghana.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted in order to know whether the Vodafone ADSL (broadband) users are satisfied with the service or not. The main aim of this study was to compare the different ways of improving the ADSL service in Vodafone and come out with the best way of improving the ADSL service. The best way of improving the broadband service is by changing the UTP cables to fibre optic cables. The advantages and disadvantages of using fibre optic cables were identified. By improving the ADSL service, we mean the following: Initially making it possible for people staying farther from the 9km radius from the Exchange in Cape Coast to get access to the broadband internet service. Secondly making it possible for more customers to be connected to the broadband without the speed of the internet service being affected and finally help in increasing the speed of the Vodafone broadband service. Secondary resources derived from various publications including books and journals were included to support the findings. As stated from literatures, there are different ways of improving upon the ADSL service and each and every one of them has its advantages and disadvantages. After the literature was reviewed, it came out that changing the UTP cables from the Exchange to the Cabinet into fibre optic cables (fibre-to-the-cabinet) is the best solution. In order to gather the needed data, a questionnaire was used. The Vodafone broadband users and the Vodafone staff were sampled and given these questionnaires. The answers given by the respondents were processed by computing their corresponding weighted averages (mean). The results of the computation were then used as basis for the data analysis. The results showed that most of the Vodafone broadband users were not satisfied with the service and wanted an improvement in the service. The results (from Vodafone staffs) also showed that, the best way of improving the service is by using fibre optics and the Vodafone company is even considering the use of fibre optics.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the challenges in revenue collection process and the development of a computerised solution: The case study of AMA property rate collection

The paper focused on the challenges that exist on the process of revenue collection in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Like all metropolitan and municipal authorities, the AMA faces several challenges ranging from the efficient provision of service to the collection. The study attempt to eliminate or reduce to minimum the challenges in the process of revenue collection, the problems associated with revenue administration,.....................

Source: KNUST
Investigating the causal impact of design errors and its impact on cost performance in the Ghanaian construction industry

The subject of project success is of major concern to many construction practitioners especially project managers. Hence, it is the desire of every construction manager to deliver project to time, quality and cost. One issue that has hindered this success is errors in design documents which often lead to rework and cost and time overruns. Due to this, this research studies therefore sought to investigate the causal mechanism of design errors and its impact on cost performance in the Ghanaian construction industry. In order to achieve the set aim, three objectives were set; to identify the critical factors influencing design documents deficiencies, to assess designers’ and contractors’ perception of the achievement of design documents and to assess the impact of design errors on cost of construction projects in Ghana. On this basis, critical review of literature was carried out which led to identification of the factors that influence design documents deficiencies and also attributes of quality construction documents. Questionnaires were administered to D1K1 and D2K2 construction firms in Kumasi. Data collected from the survey was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings from this research show that lack of coordination, incomplete or inaccurate information received from other designers and high stress situations are the major factors that influence design document deficiencies in the Ghanaian construction industry. Moreover, most of the documents produced are complete and standardized. However, the documents are mostly not produced on time and also it does not normally depict exactly what is to be constructed. In addition, the major effect of design errors, is its huge impact on construction cost, normally resulting in cost overruns. The research therefore recommended that the time period for preparation of design documents should be well planned and experts should be consulted for design documents whenever the need be. The study also recommended that other research work be done with relatively large sample size.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the chemical constituents and anti-diabetic activity of the dried husk of Zea Mays (Corn), Poaceae

This work was aimed at investigating the anti-diabetic activity and chemical constituents of the dried husk of Zea Mays (corn), Poaceae. The anti-diabetic activity of the aqueous extract was carried out by testing the fasting blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients who were on their oral anti-diabetic medications for three weeks without administering the corn husk tea and the next 3 weeks, after administering corn husk tea (sample test). The fasting blood glucose test was carried out weekly for six weeks on another set of type 2 DM patients taking their oral anti-diabetic medications but not taking the corn husk tea (control test). The tea exhibited a significant anti-diabetic activity as compared to the control. The phytochemical screening conducted revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids and glycosides in the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the corn husk. Ethylacetate: methanol: water: glacial acetic acid (60:20:20:2 %v/v) was the best solvent system used to develop a thin layer chromatography for the methanolic extract. Five fractions were obtained from column chromatography when petroleum ether, ethylacetate and methanol were combined in different ratios. Methanol: water (95:5) %v/v was used to develop a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint for all five fractions. Three pure isolates were separated from fraction one using preparative HPLC and Infrared spectra were obtained for each isolate. The results from this research work has demonstrated the anti-diabetic activity of the dried husk of Zea Mays (corn) and also, the presence of chemicals that may be responsible for such activity. This makes it clear as to why DM patients would drink corn husk tea or the liquid obtained after cooking ‘Ga’ kenkey.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the challenges faced by Ghanaian companies in their implementation of B2B application integration

The global business environment of today requires companies to be flexible, in order to quickly react and respond to the ever-changing market. Business to business application integration (B2BAI) can be seen as tool which enables companies to stay competitive and it is often regarded by the theory as a must for survival in today's fierce business environment. Even though the employment of a B2BAI strategy can generate a lot of advantages and opportunities for companies operating within global business environment, there are still many challenges and problems to overcome in order to have a sucessfull B2BAI solution...

Source: KNUST
Investigating the detection of breast cancer with deep transfer learning using ResNet18 and ResNet34

A lot of underdeveloped nations particularly in Africa struggle with cancer-related, deadly diseases.Particularly in women, the incidence of breast cancer is rising daily because of ignorance and delayed diagnosis. Only by correctly identifying and diagnosing cancer in its very early stages of development can be effectively treated. The classification of cancer can be accelerated and automated with the aid of computer-aided diagnosis and medical image analysis techniques. This research provides the use of transfer learning from a Residual Network 18 (ResNet18) and Residual Network 34 (ResNet34) architectures to detect breast cancer. The study examined how breast cancer can be identified in breast mammography pictures using transfer learning from ResNet18 and ResNet34, and developed a demo app for radiologists using the trained models with the best validation accuracy. 1, 200 datasets of breast x-ray mammography images from the National Radiological Society’s(NRS) archives were employed in the study. The dataset was categorised as implant cancer negative, implant cancer positive, cancer negative and cancer positive in order to increase the consistency of x-ray mammography images classification and produce better features. For the multi-class classification of the images, the study gave an average accuracy for binary classification of benign or malignant cancer cases of 86.7% validation accuracy for ResNet34 and 92% validation accuracy for ResNet18. A prototype web application showcasing ResNet18 performance has been created. The acquired results show how transfer learning can improve the accuracy of breast cancer detection, providing invaluable assistance to medical professionals, particularly in an African scenario.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the effect of Exchange rate changes on Banks performance. A case study of HFC Bank, Ghana

ABSTRACT Ghana since the 1983 has operated under the flexible exchange rate regime (Aryeetey, 2000; Bordo, 1993). Since 2012, the exchange rate in Ghana has been volatile. Business enterprises conduct their business transactions via the services of banks. The study therefore sought to investigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the performance of banks in Ghana. Using quarterly data on exchange rate (ER) as a macroeconomic determinant, and bank specific factors of capital adequacy ratio (CAD), Credit Risk (CdtRSK), Liquidity (Ldty), and Operating Efficiency (OpEff). HFC bank performance was evaluated following the camel-model profit indicators of return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and net-interest-margin (NIM). In addition, Commissions earned on international Trade (COT) ratio was also used as a profit indicator. Data from period of January 2008 to June 2015 was used in estimation followed a restricted vector auto-regression methodology, so as to capture short run and long-run dynamics, as the series were found to be stationary after first differencing and the Johansen Cointegration test showed that the series were Cointegrated. ER was significant and positively related with ROE, NIM and COT in the long-run, but negative and significant with ROA. The study found ER to have a significant short-run causality with ROE and COT. The study therefore concludes that HFC management was efficient in managing its equity, net interest margin and commission on trade. The study recommends that Bank management should adopt efficient and effective practices so that banks do not make losses from exchange rate fluctuations with regards to its asset management. Also minimization of operation cost by banks should be encouraged.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the Determinants of Basic School Enrollment in Ghana: A case Study of the Kumasi Metropolis and the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

According to UNICEF (2007) and the World Bank Report 2008, Ghana has made a sluggish progress towards achieving the Goal 2 of the MDGs which seeks to ensure that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary education...

Source: KNUST
Investigating the effect of exchange rate changes on banks performance. A case study of HFC Bank, Ghana

Ghana since the 1983 has operated under the flexible exchange rate regime (Aryeetey, 2000; Bordo, 1993). Since 2012, the exchange rate in Ghana has been volatile. Business enterprises conduct their business transactions via the services of banks. The study therefore sought to investigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the performance of banks in Ghana. Using quarterly data on exchange rate (ER) as a macroeconomic determinant, and bank specific factors of capital adequacy ratio (CAD), Credit Risk (CdtRSK), Liquidity (Ldty), and Operating Efficiency (OpEff). HFC bank performance was evaluated following the camel-model profit indicators of return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and net-interest-margin (NIM). In addition, Commissions earned on international Trade (COT) ratio was also used as a profit indicator. Data from period of January 2008 to June 2015 was used in estimation followed a restricted vector auto-regression methodology, so as to capture short run and long-run dynamics, as the series were found to be stationary after first differencing and the Johansen Cointegration test showed that the series were Cointegrated. ER was significant and positively related with ROE, NIM and COT in the long-run, but negative and significant with ROA. The study found ER to have a significant short-run causality with ROE and COT. The study therefore concludes that HFC management was efficient in managing its equity, net interest margin and commission on trade. The study recommends that Bank management should adopt efficient and effective practices so that banks do not make losses from exchange rate fluctuations with regards to its asset management. Also minimization of operation cost by banks should be encouraged.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the effect of service brand dimensions on students choice of private universities in Ghana

Service brands, even though brands in general have become an increasingly important part in companies’ marketing strategy due to the fact that they are seen as valuable assets and a primary source of differentiation, has suffered low research into the area coupled with the fact that various theoretical models helping to understand the relationship between the consumers and their brands are basically done in terms of physical products. Out of the little research that has been done in the service industry so far, no research has been done in the education sector. It is in this light that this study sought to understand the relationship between service brand dimensions and students choice of private universities. Fifteen private universities were selected through simple random sampling and questionnaires distributed to 400 students using convenience sampling to harness information to help achieve the objective of the study. Service brand dimensions adopted from literature were used in designing the questions to solicit their effect on the students’ choices. The results revealed that all the hypothesized service brand dimensions were of value to the students and all but controlled communications and Core service significantly contributed to users’ pre-purchase decisions of a service brand which in turn, impacted their various choices of private universities. Recommendations were made to Management of the various private universities to critically look at the findings of this research to guide them in mapping well strategized policies and marketing campaigns to suit the needs of the different target groups to ensure increase in the number of student enrolments.

Source: KNUST