ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Solid Waste Management Challenges in Bantama Sub-Metro, Kumasi

Waste issues seem to be a boring subject that does not excite many people, however, its consequences if overlooked can wreck the health and existence of any well meaning people. The study investigated solid waste management challenges in Bantama Sub-Metropolis, Kumasi. It analyzed solid waste management challenges in the Bantama Sub-Metropolis, Kumasi and suggested possible measures to manage the challenges. The three main techniques used in gathering the primary data were: preliminary field investigation, questionnaire survey and face-to-face interview. The following key findings were established to be the solid waste management challenges in the Bantama Sub-Metropolis. These are: In adequate skip supply for storing waste, lack of routine collection of waste, lack of operational vehicles and routine maintenance, unfair charge on waste per dump at transfer stations, regular vehicle breakdown, inadequate waste collection vehicles, high volume of waste generated, lack of funds, lack of continuity between planning circle, lack of interdepartmental waste management coordination, insufficient budget allocation for landfill operations, small containers, height of containers, insanitary transfer stations, bad roads leading to high transport cost, traffic congestion, vehicle wear and tear at landfill site, weak enforcement of environmental regulations, lack of logistics, high cost of receptacles, lack of storage receptacles at point of generation of solid waste, receptacles not durable, lack of easily accessible skip and air pollution. In the light of these challenges enumerated above, the research recommended the provision of adequate skips and durable receptacles at a lower cost, regular collection of waste, provision of adequate operational vehicles and routine maintenance, “Pay as you dump policy” should re-strategize to ensure fairness at the transfer stations, provision of adequate recycling units, provision of specialized vehicles to execute certain functions best within waste collection to disposal site, provision of specified route to ease traffic congestion, KMA should strengthen avenues for customers to voice their complaints, strengthen education and awareness of waste management to politicians, procurement of waste related equipment or machinery should involve those with relevant technical expertise, keeping of accurate and effective waste collection data, KMA should explore other sources of fund from corporate bodies e.g. VAC, AGC, GGB etc. and intensify sharing responsibility with other stakeholders, KMA should factor the need for the closure and rehabilitation of their landfill sites into their disposal charges, adequate resourcing of Waste Management Institutions, strengthen coordination of effects by key role players related to waste management (finance, planners, councilors and procurement) and provision of adequate land space for the treatment and disposal of waste.

Source: KNUST
Solid waste management problems in la Dadekotopon Municipality of Greater -Accra region, Ghana.

Inappropriate solid waste management practices in less developed countries, particularly in urban major communities, constitutes one of the major factors leading to declining environmental health conditions. Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is also confronted with the problem of finding appropriate locations and dispose all the daily-generated solid waste in Accra. The main objective of the study was to assess the solid waste management problems in the La Dedakotopon Municipality of Greater-Accra Region of Ghana. Method The study was quantitative using cross- sectional study design. The sample size for the study was 138. The sampling method used was simple random sampling method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 with Microsoft excel. Results The study revealed that more than half (52.30%) of the waste generated by households were food debris, 28.60% of them were plastic waste and 19.10% of them were bottles and cans. More than half (73.4%) of the participant dispose their waste indiscriminately and that of designated site contributed to 26.6%. Majority of the respondent engages in inappropriate practices (57.0%) of household solid waste management practices whiles that of appropriate practices contributed to 43.0%. Households (80.0%) did not separate their waste effectively. Conclusion Socio-economic, behavioral and institutional support factors were potential factors influencing solid waste management problems. Intensive education of the public, provision of bins and piles x of containers, enforcement of waste management laws could help contribute to good solid waste management by the environmental health officers

Source: KNUST
Solid waste management in Wa, challenges and opportunities

This study explores the current solid waste management practice in the Wa Municipality. It also assesses the Integrated Waste Management model that has been practiced in urban centres of some developing countries such as India and Nepal and brings into view the emerging conditions that influenced its practice so that such conditions can be created for its successful adoption and operation in Wa. The study employed a qualitative approach given the nature of the study. Non probability sampling methods particularly purposive and convenience sampling procedures were applied in selecting the institutions and the households respectively which were visited and data collected and analyzed. The types of data used in the study were secondary and primary. The techniques used in collecting primary data included key informants interview, direct observation with photograph taking and semi-structured interviews. Although documented evidence proved that the Integrated Solid Waste Management model had become the most preferred model for managing solid waste in urban centres of developing countries, it was not adopted and practiced in Wa Municipality. The existing solid waste management practices in Wa was found to be inefficient and unsustainable and waste generators did not have the capacity in terms of appropriate technologies to manage the waste they generated. This study also came up with specific and significant recommendations for creating the necessary conditions for the adoption and practice of the Integrated Solid Waste model aimed at an efficient and sustainable solid waste management in the Wa Municipality.

Source: KNUST
Solid Waste minimization initiative in brewery industries (case-study-Guinness Ghana Limited)

Waste minimisation study was carried out at Guinness Ghana Limited (GGL) between April and July 2002. It looked in particular at the generation and management of solid waste in the Company. Solid wastes minimization audit was undertaken, and collected samples analysed, after which the results were compared with national guidelines prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The observations made during the audit revealed that, with the exception of spent grains which were re-used for animal feed, the rest of the solid waste generated during production were either disposed of in drains which end up increasing organic load of the factory effluent and thereby polluting the environment, or in public dumpsite. At the end of it all, reuse of Malta Guinness Trub in brewing Guinness Foreign Extra Stout was achieved with possible savings ofl25.3M per year. Also, a reliable alternative disposal of excess yeast was found and put in place as an interim measure awaiting the construction of a new Membrane Filtration System which is more efficient in extracting yeast and saving beer at the same time. Also, Solid Waste Composition of Auxiliary Materials is as follows: Pieces of wood 42.40% Thin Film Polythene 12.28% Plastic 27.84% Metals 6.36% Miscellaneous 11.12% Total 100 * Miscellaneous comprises straw, foreign labels, pieces of paper and foreign packaging materials

Source: KNUST
"Solid waste revenue management information system for metropolitan assemblies in Ghana" (a case study Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly - KMA)

The increasing cost of rendering Waste Management Services (WMS) to the people of Kumasi has become an issue of concern to the city authority, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA). As a result, a City-wide waste collection levy scheme was formulated to generate revenue from the public to sustain the financing of high cost of rendering the services. The effective implementation of this scheme requires a reliable information system to manage data pertaining to the scheme. The system has not been available over the years. This research project involved studying and developing a Solid waste revenue management system to facilitate the implementation of the scheme using Visual basic 6.0, SQL Server DBMS and Set up factory 6.0 software tools. A study to determine the requirements for the system was carried out at the Waste Management Department (WMD) of KMA; and the areas mainly focused on were the managerial processes involved in the policy implementation, data requirements, the types of reports required and how to estimate weight of solid wastes generated in the city. The results from the study are to capture data on property in the city, record WMS rendered to a specific community, record payments from the public, generate reports and give estimates of waste to be generated in a given community. It is expected that the completed project should support and facilitate the implementation of the Waste collection levy policy. Other expected benefits are; to save time searching for data, to support revenue generation and its management, to aggregate large amounts of data in various ways useful for planning and decision-making, to increase the capacity for record keeping in terms of space and cost, to reduce significantly the cost of managing data manually and to generate more revenue by replicating this system in other Metropolitan/Municipal District Assemblies in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Solution of Inverse Eigenvalue Problem of Certain Singular Hermitian Matrices

We investigate solutions to the Inverse Eigenvalue Problem (IEP) of certain singular Hermitian matrices. Based on a solvability lemma, we propose an algorithm to reconstruct such matrices from their eigenvalues. That is, we develop algorithms and prove that they solve 𝑛×𝑛, singular Hermitian matrices of 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑟. In the case of 𝑛×𝑛 matrix, the number of independent matrix elements would reduce to the extent that there would be an isomorphism between the elements and the nonzero eigenvalues. We initiate a differential geometry and numerical analytic interpretation of the Inverse Eigenvalue problem for Hermitian matrices using fibre bundle with structure group 𝑂(𝑛). In particular, Newton type algorithm is developed to construct non singular symmetric matrices using certain singular symmetric matrices as the initial matrices for the iteration.

Source: KNUST
Solution to Bus Scheduling Problem: A Case Study of Metro Mass Transit Limited - Kumasi

The problem of bus scheduling involves determining the optimal route structure, span of service, and service frequencies for the transit agency and assigning vehicles to the routes. This involves considering cycle times, number of vehicles, timed transfers, layover time and locations, recovery time, and any difference in weekday and weekend services (Wren and Rousseau, 1995). The problem is common due to its direct application to problems arising in industry for example, vehicle routing and vehicle assignment and also for their contribution to the solution methods for integer programming problems. Several exact algorithms based on branch and bound, dynamic programming and heuristics have been proposed to solve the Scheduling Problems. This study formulates and solves the scheduling problem of the Metro Mass Transit unit in the Ashanti region with respect to how scheduling should be managed for the intra city, inter urban/rural urban and intercity routes. The use of integer linear programming, specifically the branch and bound method is incorporated in this study. The objective is to find an optimal bus schedule for the routes plied by Metro Mass Transit buses.

Source: KNUST
Solution to the travel salesman problem, using omicron genetic algorithm. case study: tour of National Health Insurance Schemes in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

This research focuses on finding solution to the problem of inspection tour of the administrative centres of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The problem of inspection tour is formulated using Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). Given a number of administrative centres of NHIS and the distance of travelling among them, what is the minimum fitness value and round trip route that visits each centre exactly once and return to the initial starting scheme? The research applied the omicron genetic algorithm method of finding the optimum route. Matlab codes are written to solve the problem of inspection tour of the administrative centres of NHIS in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The results obtained from the study show a valid inspection tour of optimal value 1042 km which represents a preferred route; Sunyani Municipal (starting node) Techiman Municipal Nkoranza District Sene Pru Atebubu Kintampo South Kintampo North Wenchi District Tain District Jaman North Jaman South Berekum Municipal Dormaa District Asutifi District Asunafo North Asunafo South Tano South Tano North

Source: KNUST
Solving partial differential equations related to option pricing with numerical method

In this thesis, we solve the special differential partial equation, Black-Scholes Equation for valuing option pricing through numerical methods. Options considered include European style, American style, and the exotic option with major reference to the European style option. The aim is to find accurately the value of the various option styles by determining whether a grid point not greater than 60 can be used to determine the value of options with reliable accuracy, by setting a higher order discretization in space and time as well as grid stretching around the interesting region. Whether a highly accurate scheme will also work for the exotic options and finally whether implied volatility can be calculated using iterative methods in less iteration. The fourth order difference scheme and the grid stretching in space by means of an analytic coordinate transformation are employed. By experiment, we showed numerically that a grid size or space of 20 to 40 is all that is needed to achieve accuracy in the value of option. A fourth order Backward Difference Scheme is sufficient enough to yield accuracy in the exotic options and also it is possible to use few iteration to obtain implied volatility. The numerical experiment thus confirms the proposed methods.

Source: KNUST
Solution to the travel salesman problem, using Omicron Genetic Algorithm: case study: tour of National Health Insurance Schemes in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

This research focuses on finding solution to the problem of inspection tour of the administrative centres of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The problem of inspection tour is formulated using Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). Given a number of administrative centres of NHIS and the distance of travelling among them, what is the minimum fitness value and round trip route that visits each centre exactly once and return to the initial starting scheme? The research applied the omicron genetic algorithm method of finding the optimum route. Matlab codes are written to solve the problem of inspection tour of the administrative centres of NHIS in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The results obtained from the study show a valid inspection tour of optimal value 1042 km which represents a preferred route; Sunyani Municipal (starting node) Techiman Municipal Nkoranza District Sene Pru Atebubu Kintampo South Kintampo North Wenchi District Tain District Jaman North Jaman South Berekum Municipal Dormaa District Asutifi District Asunafo North Asunafo South Tano South Tano North

Source: KNUST
Some applications of Max-Plus Algebra

Max-plus algebra is an analogue of conventional linear algebra developed on the operations and . The algebraic structure is a semi-ring whose elements are the usual real numbers along with = 􀀀1 and e = 0, where represents taking the maximum and is the standard addition. In this thesis we use the discrepancy method of max-plus to solve n n and m n system of linear equations where m < n. We apply the above concept to solve a real-life problem in a synchronised event. We also apply max-plus algebra in solving linear programming problem involving linear equations and inequalities.

Source: KNUST
Some characteristics of children’s picture-making as inspirational source for a painting style

There is a tendency to regard children’s art as something insignificant or useless as far as adult art is concerned. Children’s art has certain characteristics which could be utilized for the creation of a painting style. There is therefore the need to identify and analyse these characteristics. OBJECTIVES: To identify and study the significance of some characteristics of children’s art To analyse the characteristics of children’s art together with their implications and inferences that can be drawn from them. To utilize the characteristics for a painting style HYPOTHESIS : Certain characteristics, understanding and reasons behind the manner of expression of children’s art is a possibility for the creation of a painting style by an adult artist. PURPOSE This research is intended to help artists — especially painters to assess objectively a new approach to painting using some characteristics of children’s art. Children’s art which at first may seem uninteresting to adult artists can by survey and careful probing, prove a rich source of inspiration for a painting style. Finally, every artist learn to appreciate children’s art; the implications of their work and the inference that can be drawn from it and clarify which approach ha adopts and chooses from their characteristics that he finds most rewarding. DELIMITATION: It was just impossible to cover all characteristics of picture of all children in Kumasi (Ghana) within the alloted one year study period. Therefore the scope of the research is 3 S limited to some characteristics of picture-making with some children in Kumasi. The research is also limited to the study and discovery of a painting style using some characteristics of children’s art. IMPORTANCE OF STUDY: The essay raises artists’ awareness to the remarkable contribution of children’s art for a painting style. The essay serves as a teaching aid for the development of creative expression; it also reveals some working methods of the researcher using children’s art. It may help painters, especially professionals and students to take inspiration from children’s art and in this way they would develop on their own lines by exploring it more fully or driving it beyond its present limits of creative expression. POPULATION FOR STUDY: The target groups were children aged between four and twelve years. A total number of twelve children were selected for the study. GENERAL PROCEDURE AND METHODS: Information on the characteristics of children’s art was collected from the works of some children. Interviews conducted with children, teachers and artists also provided some information. Libraries visited for related literature were UST Main Library (Kumasi), College of Art Library (Kumasi) and British Council Library (Accra and Kumasi). The picture—making by the children were observed objectively and analysed to pick out their characteristics as data for the essay. Experiments with some characteristics of children’s art developed into a painting style and artist also provided some information. Libraries visited for related

Source: KNUST
Some complexities in Ghanaian monumental representations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the complexities in the thoughts that informed the production of monumental representations and how the logic of the monument postulated earlier in the development of theory in sculpture influenced and affected these traditions ideals in Ghana. The study examined the relationship that exists between the idea behind these representations and their philosophical relations, emphasizing on material use and backed beliefs. The approach administered is a descriptive one engineered to interpret and describe fundamental concepts that guide thoughts in such a canonized and imposed tradition whiles paralleling these to the stated justified objectives outlined in this thesis. The principal conclusion achieved was an interactive monumental representation that is responsive and susceptible to conditions of change. One spectacular conclusion was when bees took over “Borderless 2”, mounted at the forecourt of the MFA Block…Only in dying, life… 1 Ursula K. Le Guin, (Spivack, 1984)

Source: KNUST
Some environmental aspects of quarrying in Ghana

In Ghana aggregates of different sizes are obtained from quarrying for construction ot roads and maintenance as well as tor new housing and housing maintenance to meet demands of the ever increasing population. This thesis gives an overview of the present state of the quarrying industry, pointing out the main aspects of quarrying. The environmental problems created by the quarrying industry discussed are namely noise, dust, ground vibration, airblast, land and soil degradation. This thesis analyzes some environmental aspects of quarrying affecting Ghana considering the numerous quarries scattered throughout the country. It attempts to assess their impacts on the communities around them. Strategies which could he adopted to minimize the environmental impacts are outlined.

Source: KNUST
Some chemical properties of soils in Terminalia Ivorensis A. Chev- Plantations and their Relationship to Die-Back

The investigation into the die-back of Terminalia ivorensis A Chev. was based on the hypothesis that nutrient deficiency is the primary cause. The study was conducted in the natural forest and Terminalia ivorensis plantations growing on three major soil groups in the Forest area of Ghana, namely Forest Ochrosols, Ochrosol-Oxysol intergrades and Oxysols. A high correlation between levels of die—back and leaf size was observed. Other quantitative tree parameters (height and girth) were however, not related to die—back. Correlation matrices and equations were developed based on leaf size.. Linear and polynomial relationships between soil and foliar nutrient levels and leaf size were established. Five soil chemical factors were found to influence die-back. These were total nitrogen, organic matter, effective CEC, exchangeable calcium and magnesium. Foliar analysis also revealed that three nutrients namely: nitrogen, calcium and magnesium were related to die-back. However, stepwise regression analysis revealed that only soil and foliar nitrogen and calcium were the most significant nutrients influencing die-back. The resumption of the establishment of Terminalia ivorensis plantations in the country is advocated. This should be done using wider planting distances together with efficient thinning programmes and better maintenance schemes.

Source: KNUST