ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Males’ involvement in fertility treatment in Ejisu municipality in the Ashanti region of Ghana

Background Infertility is a global challenge confronting couples and even partners in consensual unions. Efforts to address the phenomena has largely focused on females to the neglect of men who ought to be equally brought on board as key players. Therefore, there is a need for empirical evidence on the determinant of male involvement in fertility treatment. Methods The study adopted a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional study design. The study population was 423 married men selected using a simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was administered to the participants and data were analysed using STATA 15. Statistical significance for all testing was set as 0.05. Results The study identified that most of the respondents (57.45%) had their education to the secondary level and more than half of the respondents (50.12 %) knew the correct definition of what infertility is. Majority of the respondents (76.83%) agreed that financial constraints and stigmatization (61.94%) were some of the challenges affecting males’ involvement in fertility treatment. Socio-demographic characteristics of married men such as marriage type (p-value=0.00), level of education (pvalue=0.01), employment status (p-value=0.04), occupation (Public service worker, p-value=0.04; trading, p-value=0.02), Monthly income (GH 3001 and above, pvalue=0.04), religion (p-value=0.03) and ethnic group (Ewe, p-value=0.01; Nzema, pvalue=0.02) influenced males’ involvement in fertility treatment. xi Moreover, reproductive characteristics of married men such as ever been able to impregnate their wives (p-value=0.00), ever been able to impregnate another woman (p-value=0.00), and number of children (4-6 children, p-value=0.02) influenced their level of involvement in fertility treatment. Conclusion Majority of married men believed that infertility is the problem of both couples however; they were reluctant to accompany their wives for treatment since they saw it as a sole responsibility of their wives. Therefore, married men should be educated by the Ejisu Municipal Health Directorate to accompany their wives for treatment since it would involve both for complete management.

Source: KNUST
Malnutrition among children 6-59 months in Atwima Kwanwoma District, Ashanti Region-Ghana

Background: Malnutrition is one of the leading nutrition- related conditions among children under five years. Child malnutrition leads to extreme weight loss, stunted growth, weakened resistance to infections and death. About 60 million children in the world have moderate acute and also 13 million are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In African children almost 9% suffer from moderate acute malnutrition, whilst 2% accounts for severe acute malnourished children in the developing world. Death is closely linked to the severity of the malnutrition, given a severe wasting mortality rate of 73- 187 per 1000 children per year. The study was to establish malnutrition level among children 6 to 59 months old in Atwima Kwanwoma district. Methods: descriptive cross sectional study design involving 172 children aged 6-59 months and below who attended child health clinics were randomly sampled, measurements were taken on weight, length and mid upper arm circumference of these children. Prevalence and type of malnutrition were established using z scores. Results: Results from the study showed an overall point prevalence of malnutrition of 21.00%. However, the point prevalence of malnutrition in the district for the various types of malnutrition were as follows; 22.7%, 37.8% and 21.0% of the children were wasted, stunted and undernourished respectively. A detailed examination of malnutrition indicated that more males were affected than females. All the three degrees of malnutrition were not prevalent in children of all age groups and that different determinants may be at play. The following variables were associated with malnutrition: marital status, knowing the type of food that the child should consume, treat water before drinking, child craves for certain food, source of drinking water and type of toilet. Conclusion: Malnutrition level among children between 6-59months in the district was very high 21.0% and was associated with the age of the children rather that their sex group. The younger the child the more likely they are susceptible to malnutrition.

Source: KNUST
Malpractices in public procurement of works contract in Ghana

The World Bank defines Public Procurement as a process by which governments and other publicly-funded entities acquire goods, works, and services needed to implement public projects. A study by the World Bank reported that about 50-70% of the national budget (after personal emoluments) is procurement related. Therefore an efficient public procurement system could ensure value for money in government expenditure, which is essential to a country facing enormous developmental challenges and to obtain value for money in government expenditure through procurement, the public procurement Act 663 was enacted in 2003. This was to regulate and ensure efficiency in public procurement. Because of huge amount of resources which go into the acquisition of infrastructural needs, that sector public procurement has been identified to top the list of sectors with high opportunities for corruption and with high significant cases of malpractices and irregularities The end effect is that government is unable to satisfy its infrastructural needs. Hence, this study was conducted to identify the malpractices which often occur in public procurement process of works contracts with the view to suggesting ways to improving the integrity and transparency of the process as well as reduce the scope of malpractices in the procurement. A questionnaire survey was conducted. The purposive approach was adopted with sample size of 30 made up of officers who were involved in procurement processes and contractors working in District Assembly. Out of 30 questionnaires issued out, 28 were received and analyzed. The outcome of the findings revealed that, procurement entities do not prepare quarterly updates, deliberate limit competition, members of tender approval committee also serve on evaluation panel, issues of conflict of interest, unsuccessful tenders not communicated to, and bulk breaking of procurement orders and no approval of the board is sought for adopting noncompetitive methods. Hence there is the need to develop a comprehensive and enforceable code of ethics for procurement officials, review the Act to limit the number of steps in tender processing to reduce the level of bureaucracy in the process as well as recruit well qualified professional to manage procurement. It is expected that the findings of the study could be used as the foundation for developing and improving the integrity of the procurement process.

Source: KNUST
Management and promotion of tourism in ghana: an exploratory study of tourism management in the bono east region

The study assessed the impact of management and promotion of tourism in Ghana and explored into tourism management in the Bono East Region. In Ghana and particularly the Bono East Region, tourism planning, policies, and strategies must be set within a broader development perspective. The viability of pleasant and interesting tourist sites in a country reflects how leisure has become a key priority in a country. The policy direction of tourism promotion in Ghana has to do away with high fragmentation and focus on the need for coordination and collaboration to interact more effectively with other sectors of the economy, which this study seeks to review extensively. This study aimed to explore tourist sites in the Bono East Region to see how it is managed and how it is promoted in terms of advertising. Data was collected from 210 staff of tourist sites in the Bono East Region. The convenience sampling method was used to select the respondents. Data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results revealed that there are policy directions for tourism promotion in the Bono East region. Also, some benchmark policies can be suggested to management and government agencies to enhance Ghana's tourism development. Therefore, it was recommended that Ghana authorities can establish a sustainable financial mechanism, strengthen human resources and organizational structure; and improve project management mechanisms. The projects in the communities could be improved with adequate security, infrastructure, and funding.

Source: KNUST
Management contracts as practised in Ghana

In Ghana, various procurement systems have been used over the years to some degrees of success. This is because the nature of projects usually dictates the type of management technique suitable for its implementation. This study was carried out to investigate the practise of some management based procurement system or management contracts in the Ghanaian construction industry. Extensive literature review of two management based procurement system (Project Management and Management Contracting) was conducted and compared with similar practice in Ghana (if any) through questionnaires and interview of clients, contractors, consultants and estate developers. From a total of two hundred and fifty questionnaires sent out, one hundred and fifty-two responses were received and analysed using the binominal approximation to the normal distribution to test the hypothesis stated for the study. This was done with the view to: a. Identifying some management contracts being practised in the Ghanaian construction industry b. Finding out the benefits of such management contracts and how they seek to solve some of the problems associated with the conventional or traditional methods. c. Finding whether construction practitioners use project managing planning models in administering projects in Ghana. d. Recommending a management based procurement system which could be adopted by consultants, clients and contractors to help develop the construction industry in Ghana. When the results of the survey was tested with established hypothesis, it was clear that: a. The principles of Project Management and Management Contracting procurement systems are not strictly adhered to in Ghana. b. Project Management and Management Contracting procurement systems can be applied effectively to small and simple but large and complex projects due to its economic benefits in Ghana. Based on these results, it was recommended that: a. There should be pre-project implementation seminars for project briefing or orientation about the aims of the project, strategies for execution, the responsibilities of individual parties in the project, mode of solving human relation issues and adherence to contractual obligation as indicated in the project contract document. b. Large complex projects should be given to expert management contractors to ensure capacity building in the construction industry in Ghana for practitioners. Strict adherence to Management Contracting principles should be observed. c. Most foreign aided projects should be management contracting concept to ensure effective transfer of technology.

Source: KNUST
Management and promotion of tourism in ghana: an exploratory study of tourism management in the bono east region

The study assessed the impact of management and promotion of tourism in Ghana and explored into tourism management in the Bono East Region. In Ghana and particularly the Bono East Region, tourism planning, policies, and strategies must be set within a broader development perspective. The viability of pleasant and interesting tourist sites in a country reflects how leisure has become a key priority in a country. The policy direction of tourism promotion in Ghana has to do away with high fragmentation and focus on the need for coordination and collaboration to interact more effectively with other sectors of the economy, which this study seeks to review extensively. This study aimed to explore tourist sites in the Bono East Region to see how it is managed and how it is promoted in terms of advertising. Data was collected from 210 staff of tourist sites in the Bono East Region. The convenience sampling method was used to select the respondents. Data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results revealed that there are policy directions for tourism promotion in the Bono East region. Also, some benchmark policies can be suggested to management and government agencies to enhance Ghana's tourism development. Therefore, it was recommended that Ghana authorities can establish a sustainable financial mechanism, strengthen human resources and organizational structure; and improve project management mechanisms. The projects in the communities could be improved with adequate security, infrastructure, and funding

Source: KNUST
Management Development and Productivity Institute, Kumasi

The availability of the requisite manpower in the correct numbers at the right time has and will always be a factor in the development; economically, socially as well as politically among others of any Nation and Ghana is no exception. For decades, the Ghanaian economy has been on the downslide especially so within the last few years and the Government of Ghana in a bid to halt this downward trend in national development launched the Vision 2020 which provides the policy framework that will take the nation from its present state to that of a middle income nation by the year 2020 thus Vision 2020 provides the policy framework that offers economic growth on a sustainable basis. The Management Development and Productivity Institute is one of the few institutions that offers service to both the public and private sectors of the economy in the form of management training and consultancy, as well as research and productivity promotion to ensure growth on a sustainable basis. Thus the role of the Management Development and Productivity Institute is a key one in the plans to upgrade the status of the Country to middle income country by the year 2020. 1.2 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MDPI The Institute replaced its forerunner the National Productivity Centre, NPC which was established under a joint Ghana Government, United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and International Labour Organisations Project in 1961. The project was formally handed over to the Ghana Government in 1967 and the Legislative Instrument 1077 established the Institute as a parastatal: and the Management Development and productivity Institute, MDPI came to replace its forerunner, the Natural Productivity Centre, NPC. Over the last three decades, the Management Development and Productivity Institute has trained its share of manpower in the Country especially in the high and middle level managerial capacity in both the private and public sectors of the economy. 1.3 THE SUBJECT TOPIC The Management Development and Productivity institute, Kumasi - the Regional Branch of the Institute 1.4 SUBJECT AND METHODOLOGY The Post - graduate design thesis basically is an architectural design thesis that involves - data collection ( field work); - documentation of data collected; - analysis of data collected; - synthesis - conclusion; the design problem - design solutions; design thesis drawings. 1.5 SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES The scope of the subject is as initialised by the clients brief which has further been developed to arrive at the final brief which defines the scope of the subject topic. The objectives of the subject is to I make a design that satisfies the and objectives of the Institute that is the Management Development and Productivity Institute. 1.6 THE CLIENT The Client is the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) 1.7 THE FINANCIERS The project will be financed by the World Bank and the Ghana Government.

Source: KNUST
Management of contractual claims in the Road Construction Industry in Ghana

In the last three decades, Government of Ghana has injected huge resources to the construction and maintenance of rural roads infrastructure across the country with the aim of developing the rural economy and reduce poverty (World Bank, 1998; World Bank, 2001; The IDL Group, 2011). Despite its proven importance, it is not uncommon to see these road construction projects failing to achieve its objectives due to claims. Claim normally arise when one party believes that in some way, by action or inaction, the other party has breached contractual obligations or expectations, and requests a monetary and/or time compensation. Settlement of claims in many of our contract resulted to projects delay, additional cost, financial burden on the government, damage to relationships, stoppage of the work for years (abandonment), and making it difficult to hand over the infrastructure for the public use hence, waste of resources and leading to other project not been implemented. The main aim of this study is to develop strategies to enhance the management of contractual claims in the road construction industry in Ghana. Specific objectives are to identify from literature the sources, and, the requirements for successful claims in the road construction industry. The research carried out was exploratory and case studies were chosen as most appropriate research strategy to collect data on claims through reviewing project documentation and to get as much information on claims from road construction industry in Ghana. The case study project was selected to test validity of the claims factors identified from the related literature and applicable to general projects in Ghana. Methodology is of inductive and reference, generalized, concepts and theories identified from literature to present informative evidence on claims in relation to objectives. The results showed that, the sources of claims often lie buried within the project team. Claims could be avoided if contracting parties had a better relationship, clearer understanding of the contract clauses, disputes can be handled at a lower level hence, Alternative Dispute Resolution. The results of the survey also point to the fact that claims have adverse effect on economy. Major recommendation was that parties to the contract be aware that, their actions and inaction can become claims. It is therefore, the need to change in attitudes, behaviour and procedures in order to decrease claims in the road construction industry in Ghana. These can be achieved through developing capabilities of the contractors and contract managers to manage the new contract in current global shift and also projects must be properly appraised and managed effectively to minimise these claims.

Source: KNUST
Management of delays in construction projects in Bia West District

Delay in construction project management is endemic in Bia West District and it is demanded therefore to be recognized since delay recurs from one project to the other. Its alarming rate is likely to go out of hand if reliable project management approach is not put in place to curtail it. The researcher focused this study on the management of delays that pertains to construction projects in Bia West District. The objectives of the research are to identify the critical factors that caused delays of government construction projects in Bia West District, to study the present use of project management knowledge tools and techniques in managing delays in construction project and to develop a framework to enhance management of construction project delays in Bia West District. Targets groups of respondents were A2 B2 and D2 K2 classified financial roads and building contractors respectively. The study was limited to contractors in Western Region and it was thus conducted with the use of literature review and surveys. Questionnaires and personal interview techniques were also used to collect data. Results from the study divulge that the actual sources of delays in project delivery are; Inadequate financial resources of clients, delays in honouring payment for work done, underestimation of project duration, poor communication between contracting parties, complexity, difficulties in accessing bank credit (client); change orders during construction and others. It was recommended that, initial proper planning and controlling is essential to the client in order to have proper action plan, procurement plan, and budget plan prepared before commencement of project. Payment schedule must be agreed by the parties involved. On the part of the contractor adequate knowledge of project management, principles, tools and techniques is required to reduce delays. Consultants must plan very well to ensure that contract processes are duly followed, thus approval of drawings, documentation and other things to reduce variation during construction. They should monitor their assigned work very well by insisting that corrections are done at the appropriate time to reduce or avoid rework.

Source: KNUST
The management of cost recovery of non drugs consumables: the case of Ashanti Mampong Hospital

The District Health Administration, Sekyere West was disturbed about the relatively low cost recovery rate of Non Drug Consumables (N DC) items at the Mampong District Hospital. The objective therefore was to examine the management of NDC items in the hospital. This objective was met using review of primary and secondary data, direct observation and structured interview guide for staff (n40) purposively selected. The key findings were that: two cost recovery procedures in the hospital. The new one being a central store system which was initiated without the knowledge of the staff, resulting in poor staff attitude towards the new system, which was supposed to be an improvement over the old billing system with acknowledged deficiencies associated with it Additionally the Purchasing Committee was non-functional which was furthermore worsened because there was no reconciliation between revenue generated from NDC and its disbursement as it was put in a common pot, the disbursement of which could be used for everything. This was also worsened due to lack of effective management control mechanisms. Cumulatively these enumerated above factor contributed to low improvement in cost recovery irrespective of the new system introduced. It was therefore concluded that cost recovery of NDC items was still too low (51 %), and this could be improved by adopting one procedure for NDC cost recovery, making the purchasing committee functional and improving the internal control mechanism, ably supported by adequate staff training on NDC cost recovery to raise it to the recommended 80% cost recovery of NDC.

Source: KNUST