ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Credit Management and its Effect on Performance of Rural Banks in Ghana: A Case Study of Adansi Rural Bank Ltd. Fomena-Ashan

The establishment of rural banks in Ghana in 1976 became crucial in response to make financial services and credits available to the majority of rural dwellers and hence, boost their economic activities. The sector has seen some improved banking operational performance, some new and dynamic innovations, and increases in efficiency to some extent in a way better than previously imagined and perceived by the Ghanaian populace. However, some rural banks are seen as the department of the banking industry that encounter all levels of credit and financial risks, due to poor credit management practices prevailing in the sector, hence, affecting their profitability and creating liquidity problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the credit management and its effect on performance of rural banks in Ghana, using Adansi Rural Bank Limited as a case study institution. The study was conducted using both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through questionnaires from credit managers/officers of the bank. In addition, secondary data in the form of financial ratios of the bank was used to support the study. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were the main data analysis techniques employed. The findings indicated 44.5% of the variations in the financial performance of Adansi Rural Bank Limited are explained by credit management practices such as credit appraisal, credit disbursement and credit and collection techniques and. Also, the F-statistics of 44.5 which is significant at 1% (sig≤0.01) indicated that credit management has significant impact on the performance of the bank. The study further revealed that the main factors causing loan default are laxity in loan monitoring, diversion of credit on the part of customers and customer business failure. The result also showed that the bank has been performing creditably well in the area of credit management through effective appraisal system and efficient recovery strategy. The study recommends that the rural banks must improve their monitoring practices since the major cause of loan default is diversion of funds. Furthermore, the study recommends that the banks should provide non-financial services in the form of training and business advice to their customers. This will go a long way to improve their business performance and enhance their ability to repay their loans

Source: KNUST
An Evaluation of Credit Union as Tool for National Development: A Case Study in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Credit Union activities and their impact on national development in the Eastern Region were investigated. In addition, the study looked at finding effective ways of running Credit Unions. A survey was used as the design for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to ninety respondents made up of sixty clients and thirty administrators/managers of Credit Unions scattered across the region. The data gathered from the survey was subjected to analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Microsoft software in order to respond to the research questions appropriately. The study revealed that joining a Credit Union impacted positively on the household income and educational status of members, while little impact was seen in the health and social status of clients. The study also established that most Credit Unions have duly constituted boards and management, but most of these administrators were not qualified in their areas of operation. This report also contains several challenges that confront Credit Unions and suggestions to minimise the challenges. It was concluded that Credit Unions could be used as tools for national development and that qualified and well-trained staff need to be employed, while properly resourcing them to build their capacity. The study recommended that apart from serving the particular communities in which they are, Credit Unions should be set up for profitability to ensure their sustainability, while management need to be properly trained and resourced for effective leadership.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Consumers’ Understanding and Adherence of Food Risks Information

Food risk communication which aims at food risk reduction, involves exchange of information among consumers of food, food safety scientists and regulators as well as food risk managers and risk communicators. Thus, the understanding of risk information is paramount to food safety. The objective of this study was to evaluate the understanding of food consumers on food risks and their adherence to food risk information in an urban community; the Tema and Ashaiman Municipalities. The method involved administration of questionnaire designed to study the regressional model of the impact of the variables: type of consumer (X1), source of food health education (X2), point of food purchase (X3), evaluation of regulators (X4), and age (X5), on food risk adherence. For each of the variables, a set of questions were set with variable weighted scores which accumulated as “low” (0.0-4.9); “average” (5.0-6.9) and “high” (7-10). Subsequently, regressional analysis was run in Excel (Microsoft) and Palisade @Risk, to obtain the coefficients (1-5) of the variables of the regression model, and their central tendency values and percentiles. A regression model of the form Y= 1X1 + 2X2 + 3X3 + 4X4 + 5X5, where Y is the total food risk adherence of the study population, and X1 to X5 the individual variables, was finally obtained. The results showed that respondents poorly (0.0-4.9) adhered to food risk information. This implies consumers poorly applied food risk information to their everyday food choices. Contributing to this observation is the fact that the respondents performed averagely in the category of “source of food health education” and “point of food purchase” which are important determinants of risk adherence. Age was seen to influence risk adherence because the younger respondents had better adherence compared to the older folks. The results suggest that consumers in the study area should be educated to adhere properly to food risk information to safeguard their health. Thus, risk managers should endeavor to communicate health risk information related to food to influence food choices positively in an expectedly urban area.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of construction worker satisfaction with site welfare provisions

Adequate provision of welfare facilities becomes a critical factor for accepting and/or keeping the jobs. It also determines the level of worker’s motivation, performance and productivity. Thus, the study aimed at evaluating worker satisfaction with the site welfare conditions towards making recommendations to improve the situation. The study was carried out along the tenets of a preliminary literature review and followed by a survey using a structured questionnaire. Out of the 56 questionnaires administered, 50 were completed and returned. The analysis was consequently grounded on this response rate. The data collected were analyzed using Mean Score Ranking and Relative Importance Index (RII). Key findings in this research indicates that, Sanitary facilities (wc toilets, privies, chemical closet), dust bins, drinking water, changing room and lockers, soap, first aid box(es) and worker accommodation, were available and accessible to majority of the respondents. About two-thirds (2/3) of the workers attested to the fact that the condition of these facilities on site is highly satisfactory. Again from the survey, clean drinking water, First-aid facilities were readily available with required and adequate content. Management involvement in safety, clean and hygienic environment etc. greatly influences worker satisfaction on construction site. This influences construction worker performance (either increases or decreases performance) and make them feel content while they work. It is anticipated that the recommendations made in this study would establish a strong ground for the provision of welfare facilities by construction companies to ensure the safe and wellbeing of their workforce.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of different soil amendments on growth and yield of three accessions of taro (Colocasia Esculenta).

A field study was carried out at CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute at Bunso (lat. 06⁰ 46’ N, long. 01⁰ 01’ W, 149m above sea level) in the East-Akim District of the Eastern Region to evaluate different soil amendments on growth and yield of three accessions of taro (Colocasia esculenta). It was a 3×4 factorial experiment and treatments were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The two factors studied were soil amendments and taro accessions. The fertilizer rates were 0, 60 kg NPK/ha, 4 t poultry manure/ha and combined application of 40 kg NPK/ha + 2 t poultry manure/ha. The three taro accessions studied were KA/035, BL/SM/116 and CE/MAL/032. There were variations in the vegetative and growth parameters, yield and yield components and the biochemical composition of the taro accessions. KA/035 was the least in all the vegetative growth parameters, yield and yield components except in plant height and number of suckers. Accessions CE/MAL/032 and BL/SM/116 were statistically the same in all the vegetative growth parameters, yield and yield components except in the number of leaves where BL/SM/116 was significantly higher than CE/MAL/32. Differences in the composition among the accessions were only observed in accession KA/035 in percentage moisture and calcium, while all the other elements were insignificant. Soil amendments did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect number of leaves, number of suckers and disease count but influenced plant height, leaf length and width, cormel weight, number and yield, corm length, diameter yield and total yield. Application of 4 t poultry manure per hectare resulted in greater plant height, cormel weight, number and yield. Generally N source did not significantly affect the composition of the accessions. The results indicated that N application is beneficial to the growth and yield of taro, without having any adverse effects on the biochemical composition of the corms. It is recommended that further studies be done with higher rates of soil amendments, as well as with different soil amendments in an attempt to enhance production and profit margin of farmers. Also, other studies can look at several organic and inorganic fertilizer combinations.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Decentralisation at the Sub-District Structure Level: a Case of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly

The enactment of Legislative Instrument 1589 in 1994 actually set the tone for the implementation of decentralisation at the Sub-District Structure level. The seemingly slow pace of implementation of the programme at this level in the past sixteen years has generated some concerns among Ghanaians and created the impression that the programme is stalled. For this reason, the study sought to assess essentially the establishment and functioning of Town Councils and make recommendations on the way forward. The study adopted and used the case study design focusing on eleven Town Councils within four out of the ten Sub-Metropolitan District Councils under the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select the relevant respondents for the study. Questionnaire and key expert interviews were used to gather primary data from 39 respondents comprising relevant stakeholders in the implementation process. The study found that though the Town Councils had been established and provided with office accommodation they had generally not been inaugurated and operationalised, apparently because they did not have their full members. Again, they did not receive adequate support from KMA, but had poor sanitation, inadequate financial, staff and logistical challenges. Furthermore, the structures enjoyed some co-operation and participation of stakeholders, but stakeholders were not adequately involved by KMA in their fee-fixing exercise though their views were sought in the development plan preparation. In conclusion, though there is evidence of the readiness of the public to participate actively in the activities of the Town Councils, the desired support to enhance the effective performance of the Councils was inadequate and hence requires urgent attention and commitment from political leadership.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of credit management and its effect on performance of rural banks in Ghana: a case study of Adansi Rural Bank Ltd. Fomena-Ashanti

The establishment of rural banks in Ghana in 1976 became crucial in response to make financial services and credits available to the majority of rural dwellers and hence, boost their economic activities. The sector has seen some improved banking operational performance, some new and dynamic innovations, and increases in efficiency to some extent in a way better than previously imagined and perceived by the Ghanaian populace. However, some rural banks are seen as the department of the banking industry that encounter all levels of credit and financial risks, due to poor credit management practices prevailing in the sector, hence, affecting their profitability and creating liquidity problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the credit management and its effect on performance of rural banks in Ghana, using Adansi Rural Bank Limited as a case study institution. The study was conducted using both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through questionnaires from credit managers/officers of the bank. In addition, secondary data in the form of financial ratios of the bank was used to support the study. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were the main data analysis techniques employed. The findings indicated 44.5% of the variations in the financial performance of Adansi Rural Bank Limited are explained by credit management practices such as credit appraisal, credit disbursement and credit and collection techniques and. Also, the F-statistics of 44.5 which is significant at 1% (sig≤0.01) indicated that credit management has significant impact on the performance of the bank. The study further revealed that the main factors causing loan default are laxity in loan monitoring, diversion of credit on the part of customers and customer business failure. The result also showed that the bank has been performing creditably well in the area of credit management through effective appraisal system and efficient recovery strategy. The study recommends that the rural banks must improve their monitoring practices since the major cause of loan default is diversion of funds. Furthermore, the study recommends that the banks should provide non-financial services in the form of training and business advice to their customers. This will go a long way to improve their business performance and enhance their ability to repay their loans.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Drug Management of Essential Hypertension in the University of Cape Coast Hospital, Ghana

Hypertension and hypertension-related admissions, complications and death showed an increasing incidence and increasing rate respectively between 2004 and 2006 in the University of Cape Coast Hospital, Ghana, even though in other parts of the world like the America and Canada the management of the disease was under appreciable control. This study sought to compare the drug management of essential hypertension in the hospital with the 2007 European Society of Hypertension and European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for Arterial Hypertension Management (ESH/ESC guidelines). Two different tools (structured questionnaires and an observation check list) were used in the observational cross-sectional study carried out between February and July 2008. The first instrument consisted of two separately designed questionnaires directed at seven (7) prescribers and one hundred and twelve (112) confirmed hypertensive subjects who managed hypertension with drugs. The second instrument was an observational check list used to extract information from the clinical notes of seventy-one (71) hypertensive clients. The data collated was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 12. The outcome of the analysis was then compared with the 2007 ESH/ESC guidelines. The majority of prescribers defined hypertension as a persistently raised BP beyond 140/90 mmHg for systolic and diastolic values, which was classified into mild, moderate and severe hypertension. Pharmacotherapy was initiated without following through with non-pharmacological management in mild or moderate hypertension as required by the guidelines. 71.4% of the prescribers had BP targets for treating hypertension which fell in line with the guidelines, and therefore employed diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and adrenergic-blocking antihypertensive drugs as medications for both initiation and maintenance (regular) management. CCBs had the highest use rate. In maintenance therapy, whereas monotherapy accounted for 29.6% of prescriptions, combination of two or more different classes of antihypertensive drugs accounted for 69% of prescriptions. Generally, hypertension management conformed to the 2007 ESH/ESC guidelines10 except in the diabetic hypertensive.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of early maturing cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) germplasm for variation in phosphorus use efficiency and biological nitrogen fixation potential with indigenous rhizobial populations

Cowpea genotypes that efficiently utilize phosphorus (P) with high potential for biological nitrogen (N) fixation (BNF) are vital to sustainable cropping systems in West Africa. A total of 175 early maturing cowpea genotypes were evaluated in 2010 and 2011 for P use efficiency (PUE) and BNF with an indigenous rhizobial population at Shika in the Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. There were significant genotypic variations for all 11 variables measured. The P utilization index, percentage N derived from the atmosphere and total N fixed ranged between 2·10–4·67, 31·3–61·86% and 11·86–50 kg/ha, respectively. The 175 early maturing cowpea genotypes were divided into five categories using principal component analysis (PCA), whereby total N fixed was associated with N and P uptake and plant biomass yield. Complete linkage cluster analysis revealed a total of three distinct ive clusters having remarkable correspondence with the PCA. Some genotypes were identified as potential can didates for further breeding programmes using high PUE genotypes with relatively high capacity for BNF and indigenous rhizobial populations.

Source: KNUST
An Evaluation of Effectiveness of Revenue Mobilization Strategies of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana: A case study of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of revenue mobilization strategies of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) as a case study. The objective of the study was to come out with strategies that can help KMA to generate enough Internal Generated Funds (IGFs) to meet its developmental needs. Areas considered under the challenges that KMA face included; insufficient IGFs, over reliance on District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), corruption, inability to provide public needs, etc. A survey conducted using the staff and management of KMA, tax payers and other stakeholders in Kumasi revealed that the infrastructural projects provided by KMA are not adequate and do neither march revenues collected nor their demands for development. KMA is legally and politically doing nothing to motivate the residents to fulfill their financial obligations. There are so many revenue leakages involving KMA revenue collectors, senior officers of the Assembly and Assemblymen and women of the various Sub- metros. The conclusion drawn from the survey indicated that KMA is not sufficiently using fiscal decentralization to empower itself under Local Government Act, Act 462 (1993) for that matter it has not developed new and sustainable strategies to improve its performance in revenue mobilization. The Assembly like many local authorities in Ghana had tendered to over-rely on the District Assembly Common Fund to meet its capital expenditure. Another fact is that greater part of KMA’s IGFs goes into administration expenditure. KMA definitely is unable to meet its socio – economic and political obligations to consumers of public goods and services in the metropolis. It will continue to fail to satisfy its consumers so far as it does not develop new strategies and policies to improve its revenue mobilization. KMA also lacks reliable data base on traders that affect its budget formulation and implementation. A number of recommendations were made to KMA and these recommendations suggested strategies be taken to improve the revenue base of KMA. It is recommended that KMA should try to eliminate corruption, put in place reliable data base on properties and businesses, use of relationship marketing to reach out to stakeholder through meetings, seminars, conferences, forums, tax education and sensitization to know the problems of payment of taxes, rates, etc. and the challenges in revenue collection. KMA should also invest in hostel accommodation, shuttle transport, mortuary services, funeral services and other profitable ventures.

Source: KNUST
The Evaluation of Employees Performance Appraisal in the Ghana Health Services: A Case Study of St. Patrick Hospital – Offinso

Performance appraisal showed a structured formal interaction between a subordinate and supervisor that usually takes the form of a periodic interview (annual or semi-annual),in which the work performance of the subordinate is examined and discussed, with a view to identifying weaknesses and strengths as well as opportunities for improvement and skills development; has become the most powerful tool to calibrate, refine and reward the performance of the employee. The performance of the Ghana Health Service in recent time has come under barrage of criticisms in terms of inefficiency in the discharge of duties causing the untimely death of relations by the general public without recourse to the deplorable working conditions under which employees put their lives on the line in ensuring that Ghanaians enjoy better health facilities, particularly on employees performance appraisals. The study thus adopted the general objective to ascertain the extent and/or adequacy of employee’ appraisals within the Ghana Health Services and its impact on health delivery in the country. A sample size of sixty (60), comprising (10) senior staff and fifty (50) \junior staff of the target population (250) responded to the administered questionnaire; 16.67% of the respondents were senior staff, while the junior staff registered the remaining 83.33%;a ratio of 1:1.1 with regard to male and female distribution respectively, indicating enough evidence of gender balance in both men and women(i.e. distribution was gender fairly represented). The findings of the research indicated that the current appraisal system as a tool to provide the objective assessment of staff received a negative response with the notable reasons as in: it is inconclusive and unreliable, appraiser can be biased towards the appraise, fraught with favoritism and there was ample evidence to poor supervision of work, inability to monitor employees by supervisors due to nepotism, job description are not clearly spelt out to employees. In the light of these findings recommendations of St. Patrick Hospital formulating a well structured Appraisal System which could be reviewed periodically for optimum results in the area of proper, independent and objective assessments of performance, officers need to undergo training and re-training to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in the quest protect lives and property, proper reward system.

Source: KNUST