Decision support system for managing stormwater and greywater quality in informal settlements in South Africa

Managing the quality of stormwater and greywater in informal settlements are essential to their growth. In this thesis, methodologies are developed for the assessment and management of stormwater and greywater quality based on the analysis of both nonstructural and structural control interventions. The objectives of the research were as follows: · Review stormwater runoff quality and treatment practices and the extent of runoff and greywater management in rural and peri-urban areas of South Africa. The review was to also determine the extent of quality control awareness and experience among stormwater management professionals and collate information upon which present and future needs can be assessed and addressed. · To develop a methodology to identify factors causing water quality management issues in low-cost, high-density settlements. · To develop a methodology to characterize storm and grey water quality as well as setting ambient water quality and management objectives. · To develop a methodology to identify and select potential non-structural and structural control interventions to manage storm and grey water quality. · Based on the above, to develop a decision support system for evaluation of potential interventions for storm and grey water management at planning level. The methodologies used to achieve the above objectives consisted of: literature review; consultations with stakeholders; data analysis and computations; model development; and model application. The current status of managing water quality pollution in urban areas is outlined and the related problems, specifically those applicable to developing areas are discussed. Management interventions employed to date in the management of water quality effects are set out and the applicability of such interventions to developing areas is identified. The potential of expert systems is evaluated and the application of this system to iii stormwater quality management models is assessed. A decision support system (DSS) was developed for rapid assessment of various water quality management interventions. The model is primarily targeted at those who are involved or are likely to be involved in stormwater quality management including catchment managers, local governments or municipalities, catchment management agencies, private consultants and researchers. The DSS and the related methodologies have been shown through Alexandra Township (north of Johannesburg) case study, to be useful and to satisfy all the objectives set out for the research. The results of the research are summarised and the merits and limitations of the decision support systems are discussed. Recommendations for the direction of future research and the development of the existing model are detailed. Specifically, it is recommended that: · Extensive monitoring be undertaken in order to improve the defaults in the model · A research be undertaken into the extent to which GIS can be integrated to the DSS to select appropriate management interventions and their sites · A research be undertaken into privatization and partnership in the ownership and operation of stormwater management systems. · Selection of least cost strategy with the DSS is presently achieved by trial and error process. The selection process can be improved if the DSS can be linked to an optimizer

Development of a flowchart method for source detection of illicit discharges into stormwater drainage systems in Cape Town

Stormwater drainage systems discharging non-storm water add substantial pollution to urban watercourses, with negative impacts to water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Thus, the elimination of these discharges can be a highly effective non-structural best  management practice (BMP) to improve water quality. This study aimed to guide local municipalities whose task it is to control polluted non-storm water entries into the stormwater drainage system. The study evaluated procedures, methodologies and techniques of  illegal discharge detection and elimination (IDDE) programme components, as practised internationally, and applied these in a local condition to verify their feasibility and challenges. The paper provides guidance to identify and prioritise investigations for controlling illegal discharges into stormwater drainage systems. Challenges encountered in the study included lack of legal authority to undertake inspection, surveillance and monitoring at private and corporate properties, and to undertake requisite enforcement measures to remove sources of illegal discharges. It is recommended that local governments include in their stormwater management plan a control measure for an IDDE programme. More work is needed to better quantify the pollutant prevention and removal strategies and associated costs

Insights and experiences of students about the factors that enhance relational pedagogy in higher education

This study examines the insights and experiences of students about the factors that enhance relational pedagogy in a South African university. To provide empirical explanations as to how these insights could be prioritised to enhance effective teaching and learning, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 1087 participants using a survey that also required them to complete an open-ended section. The quantitative data was analysed using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process, while the qualitative data was evaluated using thematic analysis. An analysis of the quantitative data revealed that the most significant factors that enhance relational pedagogy were, ethical care, interpersonal communication, natural care, respect, and mattering. Conversely, factors such as academic achievement support, trust, and teacher responsiveness showed comparatively weak effects on students’ perceptions of relational pedagogy. Similarly, the qualitative data analysed revealed that participants perceived teacher-student interaction and communication, mattering and teacher immediacy, and the ethics of care as the most significant themes that serve to enhance relational pedagogy in the learning environment. The study concludes by highlighting the implications of using relational pedagogy as a tool to address the social, cognitive, and cultural gaps in the teaching and learning processes

Computer Health Risks Among Graphic Design Students in Ghanaian Tertiary Institutions: The Case of UEW

The study was set out to explore the computer health risks awareness among Graphic Design students in tertiary institutions of Ghana, using University of Education, Winneba as a case study. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. To accomplish the aim, two research questions were formulated to guide it. Review of related literature centred on computer health risks, particularly eye, vision and posture, while empirical studies on computer ergonomics were also reviewed. Stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were adopted to select one hundred and fifteen (115) respondents for the study. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and observation, while the data collected was analysed and presented in simple percentages and frequencies. The analysis of data indicated that a majority of Graphic Design students were using the computer extensively and for prolonged hours. However, they were not aware of the associated health implications. Hence, they adopted a bad attitude by using the machine for prolonged hours without intermittent breaks, and assumed bad postures such as slouching. It was recommended that the Department of Graphic Design, University of Education, Winneba should make efforts to educate students about the dangers involved in using the computer as well as ensuring students adhere to best practices when it comes to computer usage. Keywords: Technostress, Ergonomics, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) DOI: 10.7176/ADS/107-03 Publication date:September 30th 202

The impact of ICT on Financial Sector Policy Reforms in Post-Financial crisis era in Ghana:: An institutional theory perspective

Ghana, like most other developing countries, is not isolated from the global financial crisis through the impact of such a crisis on economies. This paper examines the financial sector reforms and its effect on the Ghanaian economy, within the developing country context in general and in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular. The paper seeks to enhance the understanding of relevant policy measures and reflects on what else could be done. The article further studies the effect of change in the institutional environment on bank governance practices primarily to improve the industry’s supervision and regulation, related to the post-crisis exit strategies. This paper discusses the development of ICT infrastructure and application as a basis for the main dimension of Ghana’s digital transformation in financial services. This paper is, therefore, motivated by the lack of empirical studies that examines how the impact of the banking reforms play a substantial role in promoting innovative digital payment systems to replace cash transactions. From the perspective of institutional theory, the study looked at why (and how) a number of policy measures have a significant impact on the financial performance of banks? And how the applications of e-finance in ICT and financial practices, provides several benefits within the banking sector improve the sector’s image and leads to a broader, faster and more efficient market? The application of Koppenjan and Groenewegen (2005) ‘s four-layer model ‘levels of institutional analysis’ perspective seems to be the most useful starting point, which provides the basis for an improved understanding of revealing the inefficient delivery of Ghanaian banking industry in the past. A combination of a review of secondary and empirical data, interviewed used in the analysis. Findings indicate that the financial and banking sector reforms help the industry   advance digital banking culture and impact on the general expansion of the financial and the infusion of financial inclusion in Ghana. These conclusions would be particularly useful in a similar picture in other developing countries, as well as by the bank authorities to create their future policy. It also joins the debate on the impact of the banking reform, a key turning point towards better regulation to refine crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms

Turnover intentions and job performance of accountants: The role of religiosity and spiritual intelligence

This paper examined the turnover intentions of accountants practicing with audit firms in Ghana. The study specifically, investigated the factors that influence the intentions of accountants to quit their jobs and further ascertained if the intentions to quit have any implications on the job performance of accountants. A survey method of research was adopted and a set of questionnaires was administered to accountants working with accounting firms certified and approved by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG). The hypothesized relationships of the study were tested using the Partial Least Square-based structural equation modeling technique. The findings of this study demonstrate that organizational commitment, job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, and religiosity are good predictors of turnover intentions of accountants. Further, our analysis also indicates that turnover intentions impact negatively on job performance of accountants. Our findings have two important implications. First, we highlight the relevance of the spiritual dimension of the determinants of turnover intentions by demonstrating with evidence that the extent of an individual’s attachment and commitment to religious values and beliefs have important implications on turnover intentions. Second, while job performance has been found to influence turnover intentions of employees, the evidence provided in this study suggests that turnover intentions are also a good predictor of employees’ job performance

Essays on Structured Finance and Housing Markets

The fall in housing market prices has played a major role in triggering the Great Recession. This led to the collapse of markets for mortgage-backed securities, and to a precipitous fall in their ratings. This thesis studies the downgrading of mortgaged-backed Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO), and the factors that drive mortgage default loans. In Chapter 1, I look at the CDO market. The downgrading of the tranches of Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO) products backed by real estate related assets has caused severe disruptions in the housing and financial markets. The rating agencies have been criticized for the opacity in the rating process of the CDO products and also for giving the CDO tranches higher ratings than they deserved. However, not enough attention has been paid to the decision making process of the agencies to downgrade the CDO tranches. We use data from Moody's CDO database to reconstruct the process through which Moody's eventually downgraded the tranches. We use a discrete hazard rate model to study the variables that were relevant in the downgrading of the tranches of the CDOs. The empirical results show that out of the many CDO specific variables relevant to their ratings made available by Moody's few have any explanatory power beyond the Moody's Deal Scores (MDS). We show that the MDS could be explained by the changes in the Case-Shiller Composite-20 Index and Markit ABX.HE indices. Further analysis shows that Moody's mostly relied on the changes in the Case-Shiller indexes in revising the MDS. In Chapter 2 I look at the factors that influence default rates. The chapter uses a Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) model to study the dynamics of the impact of unemployment and home price index shocks on mortgage default rates from 1979 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2010. We first fit the model to the 1979 to 2000 sample and forecast the changes in the national and regional mortgage default rates from 2001 to 2010. The model did a good job in forecasting the actual changes in the mortgage default rates from 2001 to 2007; however, it failed after 2008. The results for the 1979 to 2000 and 2001 to 2010 periods indicate that the dynamic response of the mortgage default rate to unemployment and home price index shocks changed at the national, regional and state levels after 2000. Unemployment and home price shocks seem to have become more important during the 2001 to 2010 period. The two shocks are responsible on average for about 60% of the movement in the regional mortgage default rates during this period. Except for the Pacific region, California and Florida, most of the variations in the mortgage default rates at the national, regional and state levels are explained by the unemployment shocks. The post 2000 results could be attributed to the increase in the number of mortgage loan borrowers who were more susceptible to unemployment and negative home price shocks

Managing community and parent partnership in the iLembe district of Kwazulu-Natal Province

The aim of this study was to investigate and examine the management and leadership skills that are needed for managing community and parent partnership in the Ilembe District of the KwaZulu-Natal province. The study sought to determine how ineffective management and leadership of parent partnership in rural schools can be detrimental to school, learners, parents and the community at large. The literature study investigated existing theories, programmes, management and leadershipof parental participation and partnership. The theoretical frameworks that informed this study were Epstein’s theories of overlapping sphere and her typology of parentalinvolvement. These frameworks emerging from the review of literatureprovided an expressive perspective for the interpretation of data and recommendations in the final chapter of the study.The study used aqualitative methodologyapproach with a case studyresearch design. This was deemed appropriate as data wascollectedthrough the medium of semi-structured individual interviews andfield notes with 15 participants,and data were analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed that in most schools, ineffective management and leadership of parental participation exist through relationship limitation between the schools and the parents and the community. The study established that ineffective leadership and management of parental, family and community participation revolve around issues like indifferentattitudes of parents, poor communication and a lack ofcordial relationship between parents and the schools. The study recommended that comprehensive knowledge concerning the phenomenon of parent, family and community partnership shouldbecompiled into a national policy on parent, family and community partnership,which is considered vital forrural schoolsin South Africa.Educational Management and LeadershipM. Ed. (Education Management and Leadership

Remote sensing of quality parameters of major water bodies in Ghana using satellite imagery

Capstone Project submitted to the Department of Engineering, Ashesi University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, May 2022The concept of remote sensing to assess environmental conditions is a relatively new concept. Historically, information about the environment has been attained through physical investigation and more recently through sensors in IoT (Internet of Things) systems. Currently, in Ghana, there are a lot of activities such as illegal mining that tend to pollute water bodies. A significant proportion of Ghanaians depend on surface water for their domestic and commercial needs and so these water bodies must be protected and monitored. This project seeks to capitalize on this concept of remote sensing by monitoring of quality parameters of major water bodies in Ghana as a more cost-effective and sustainable approach.Ashesi Universit