ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Relativization in Kaakye

This paper describes the relative clause (RC) in Kaakye, a Kwa (NigerCongo) language. Evidence is provided to show that Kaakye RC is strictly postnominal and that both the head noun and its referent within the RC are obligatorily expressed. Unlike RCs in some Kwa languages that are close neighbours, the head noun in a Kaakye RC obligatorily takes a determiner. The language also uses the pronoun retention strategy to indicate the canonical positions the head noun occupies in the RC. Where the pronoun retention strategy is used, a resumptive pronoun co-references the head noun in person, number, and animacy to explicitly state the referent of the head noun within the RC. Based on the available synchronic data, we argue that Kaakye object resumptives in RCs are number sensitive unlike other Kwa languages. The paper further demonstrates that all NP positions on the Accessibility Hierarchy are relativizable.

Source: KNUST
Relevance of Audited Financial Statement during Tender Evaluation in Ghana: A Case of KNUST

In recent times, much attention has been given to a number of regulations in public institutions. Prominent among these is the Public Procurement law, Act 663 of 2003. Even though the Act is capable of ensuring efficient and effective procurement practices, its implementation is beset with quite a number of difficulties, because according to the Act 663, Section 22(i) and (ii) qualification of tenderers includes financial resources but the details are missing. KNUST is one of the public institutions facing this problem of what financial ratios to use in order to ascertain the financial capability of suppliers for their procurement needs. In this study the purpose was to find out the level of frequency with which Audited Financial Statements are requested and the procedures and method used in analyzing the audited financial statements. The study shows that most of panel members for tender evaluation at KNUST are quite experienced with most members having served on the evaluation panel between Four (4) and Six (6)yrs. The study reveals that audited financial statements are required from suppliers almost all the time as part of the tender evaluation process and liquidity ratios were the main financial ratios used for the assessment of supplier for goods. Interestingly, all the respondents in the study underscored the importance of audited financial statements in tender evaluation. However, the panel for works relies on the determination of annual work turnover of suppliers and even though the panel members (works) indicated they have some level of knowledge in financial management and auditing, it appears that these are rarely applied in terms of using financial ratios in supplier assessment. The study recommends amongst others, the use of other ratios such as profitability and efficient ratios in addition to the liquidity ratios in assessing financial capabilities of suppliers, the inclusion of a professional accountant on the evaluation panels and the evaluation panel should be an ad-hoc committee and a review of the procurement Act (Act 633) to cater for the gaps.

Source: KNUST
The Relevance of Business Process Reengineering on Customer Care in the Banking Sector; A case study of CAL Bank Limited

Worldwide, the wind of change and dynamism in the banking industry has necessitated the reengineering of the processes in financial institutions to procure the needed improvements and advancements of the industry. In consequence, in order for banks and its allied financial institutions to effectively incorporate strategic and tactical customer care schemes to ensure effective delivery and enhance competitive advantage, banks are radically redesigning selected processes through Business Processes Reengineering. This work focused on the relevance of BPR on customer care by addressing the following objectives: to analyse the implications of Business Process Reengineering on CAL Bank’s customer care policy, to analyse the nature of customer care in the banking sector in Ghana, to determine the effects of Business Process Reengineering on customer care at CAL Bank and to determine the benefits of Business Process Reengineering to CAL Bank. The study sampled 235 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires. The findings were both tabulated and presented in Charts. The study revealed that the policy of CAL bank on customer care has over the years been revolutionized and tremendously changed as a result the BPR programs rolled out in the organization. The study established a remarkable implication of BPR on the way customer care policies are formulated. It was established that BPR has influenced customer care policy at CAL Bank by making it easier for customer problems to be identifies using a well structure complaint mechanism. It was revealed that customer care is satisfactory at CAL Bank which has consequently procured several benefits to the bank. The study recommends that the management of banks clarifies and commits a particular specialized department to customer care. Again business organizations place much premium on customer satisfaction since it has a proven capacity to lead to organizational growth.

Source: KNUST
Relative efficiencies of Ghanaian life insurance companies.

Insurance acts as a risk transfer mechanism and investment platform to protect against losses and to provide peace of mind. Insurance penetration which is defined as the contribution of total insurance to GDP is still 1%.The players of the insurance market consist of insurance companies (insurers) and policy holders. The insurance market is divided into Non-Life and Life insurance companies. This study focuses on the efficiency of the life insurance industry in Ghana. Data Envelopment Analysis was employed to evaluate the efficiencies of fourteen life insurance companies in Ghana for the period 2010to 2013. Data Envelopment Analysis, a non-parametric mathematical programming tool, has the capability of evaluating the relative efficiencies of companies or firms that use similar multiple inputs to produce similar multiple outputs. We used capital, commission and management expenses as inputs that are used by life insurers to produce net premiums, investment income and claims as outputs. The results of the study revealed that Ghanaian life insurance companies operated at an average overall efficiency of 82%, average scale efficiency of 93% and an average technical efficiency of 88%. This shows that the efficiency the of life insurers is largely due to their scale efficiency that is scale of operations rather than technical efficiency (managerial skills).The study also tested hypotheses relating to the roles dimension and market share play in the efficiency of Ghanaian life insurers. The study showed that large insurers in terms of capital do not necessarily tend to have higher efficiencies than smaller insurers. Also, the study revealed that life insurers with higher market shares tend to be more efficient than those with lower market shares.

Source: KNUST
Relevance of Procurement Securities in the Procurement of Works in the Ghanaian Construction Industry: A Case Study of the Road Sector

Procurement securities at any stage of the procurement cycle is given to the buyer by the seller as an assurance that the cycle would be completed and the purpose for that procurement exercise would be achieved. Guarantees securing can be very costly for the contractors depending on the institution’s risk rating of the contractor. The aim of the study is to assess the relevance of procurement securities in the procurement of works within the road construction sector of Ghana. Identifying the various types and effects of procurement securities, with challenges and relevance of procurement securities were the objectives taken under consideration. The main tool used in the data collection was questionnaires with the target population for the collection of data being professionals in the road sector engaged in accessing tender securities. Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS V 20), mean score ranking was employed to analyze data obtained. Bid, Performance, Advance Payment and Retention Guarantees are the main procurement securities accessed in the road sector. The findings revealed that transfer of performance and financial risk to the surety; provide an assurance of performance; guarantee against default at the end of the defect liability period and provide protection in the event that the contractor is unable or unwilling to perform were the main effect of procurement securities on the procurement process. On the challenges associated with procurement securities; organization and financial capability, prolong time required in investigating the defaults, narrow perspective of the surety response was identified as the main ones. Finally, the study identified the following relevance of tender guarantee; ensures bid is submitted in good faith, performance guarantee ensures that works will be executed per specifications, advance payment guarantee assures contract employer of proper utilization of funds for mobilization and retention securities protect clients against default at the end of the defects liability. It is recommended that the financial or surety institutions should make the accessing of these procurement guarantees less expensive and iii frustrating for contractors. The collateral demands should be reconsidered to allow contractors to access these guarantee. Contractors should also work towards building their financial capacity at all levels in order to improve their risk rating from time to time.

Source: KNUST
The Relevance of Strategic Planning On Organizational Growth in the Public Sector: The Case Study of Ghana Shippers’ Authority

The study sought to examine the relevance of strategic planning on organizational growth in the public sector. Business organizations operate in constantly changing and competitive environment. To survive, organizations must respond and adjust to the social, economic, and political environmental changes that occur. Unfortunately, in most organizations especially in the public sector, strategic plans are not carried out and implemented properly due to lack of appreciation and knowledge of the relevance of strategic planning on organizational growth. The question that arises is; why is strategic planning relevant to the growth of organizations in the public sector? To answer this question, 50 questionnaires were administered to 50 staff of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, randomly selected from the Head office in Accra and Tema branch office. Microsoft Excel and simple statistical methods like frequency distribution tables and charts were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that, in the country organization in the public sector have seen the need to formulate and implement strategic plans. The process of formulation and implementation of strategic plans in the public sector is similar to the existing process of setting objectives, scanning, selecting strategies, implementation and evaluation in the private sector. The study found that organizations in the public sector face challenges in the implementation of their strategies due to long processes of approval by the approving authorities, the delay in release of funds, the shortage of skilled staff in some specialized areas, the lack of commitment from officials, strict adherence to procurement process. The findings of the study thus, lead to the overriding conclusion that strategic planning was relevant and had a positive impact on the growth of organizations in the public sector

Source: KNUST
Relevance of vocational training programme for persons with disabilities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Providing employment for persons with disabilities is very important because it provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and improvement in their living condition. The aim of vocational training for persons with disabilities is to enable them to acquire skills that are relevant to the current labour market demands. This study investigated the relevance of vocational training programmes at three vocational training centers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to persons with disabilities. A mixed methods design was used to assess the relevance of vocational training programme at the three vocational training centers. A total of 118 participants participated in the study. They consisted of 108 past trainees who took part in the survey, and three directors and seven institutors who participated in in-depth interviews. The findings indicated that the vocational training programmes were not all that relevant to the employment needs of many of the graduates although some of the graduates had benefited immensely from the training. The findings are an indication of the need to restructure vocational training programmes in Ghana to make them more relevant to the employment needs of all trainees.

Source: KNUST
The Relevance of Credit Reference Bureau and its Effect on the Financial Industry in Ghana

The study examined the relevance of Credit Reference Bureau and its effect on the financial institution in Ghana. The specific objectives were: to investigate the loans and overdraft approval situations in Ghana; to find out consumers perceptions about CRB’s; to ascertain the kind of information provided by CRB’s; and to determine the possible effect CRB’s have on the access to credit by consumers in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative research approach in answering research questions and used primary data in the analysis. The field survey was conducted in May 2012 by utilizing a questionnaire designed to collect data regarding the relevance of credit reference bureau and its effect on the financial industry in Ghana. One hundred questionnaires were issued to respondents (consumers) who were selected at random at the Banking Halls of ten Banks. Another ten questionnaires were issued to ten financial institutions which included commercial banks and other financial institutions that had used rating decisions from the credit reference bureaus. The research findings showed that most financial consumers do finance their personal projects through their personal funds or savings, family funds, money from friends and other means; very few actually do tend to the Bank. Organisations in Ghana mostly secure credit funds from the Bank for their projects. Again, a little over half of consumers within the financial industry had applied for loans or overdraft facility from their Banks. Others also stayed away because they simply were not interested. The research also established that most Ghanaian consumers do not know about the existence of Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs). Again, data inputs required by the CRBs to generate reports on potential borrower(s) are provided by the lending institutions. The analysis of the data revealed that the major challenges facing consumers in accessing loans or overdrafts facilities from the financial institutions were high interest rates, lack of security or collateral, insufficient funds, personnel reasons and lack of experience board and management personnel for organizations. The findings of the research also established that consumers and lenders find the CRBs useful in the financial industry in Ghana which will lead to a bigger credit market, lower default and interest rate, improved profitability for the financial institutions, increase price competitiveness of credit facilities, instil good credit behaviour among lenders, improve pool of borrowers, expansion of lending and help improve access to credit in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Relevance of women's participation in local governance: case study of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly

"Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development" according to Kofi A. Annan, the former UN Secretary General (UNDP, 2002 pp.3). Good governance could only be achieved when the component of participation is effectively upheld along with other tenets. Involvement of women in the local government institutions has been viewed as inevitable for ensuring responsive and equitable development of the local communities. Decades after the integration of women in local governance however, it is envisaged that the emphasis is moved towards marking efficiency and relevance rather than mere numbers of female representation. In that regards, the study was initiated to assess the contributions of the assembly women in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) under the local government system of Ghana, in promoting the welfare of the local people. In 2006, women represented only about 9 per cent of the 86 - member Assembly of the KMA. Yet, specific achievements and gains could be attributed to their participation. These included the facilitating roles played to ensure regular clearance of heaped refuse dumps; provision of new public toilet facilities; improved street lighting system for better night security; making of small loans accessible to some women's groups among other things. It was observed however that certain projects were carried out like the rehabilitation of town roads and construction of drains which did not really reflect expectations of the local people. The study established that, low educational achievement; low competence and leadership skills; low self-esteem; lack of allocations for assembly members; among others constrain the performance of assembly women in the Metropolis. Existence of these challenges contributed to render the assembly women less efficient in their performance as local representatives. Calling for remedial actions therefore, the study proposed specific actions on three major areas of intervention, namely, capacity building and empowerment of assembly women; mass education and re- sensitization of the communities on local governance and women's involvement issues; and institutional and legal reforms. In its final submission, the study identified the need for gradation of the present advocacy strategies to include projection of specific women's achievements and outputs. Against that background, the study recommended the adoption of an 'integrated - performance - based approach' to gender advocacy.

Source: KNUST
Relief carving on clylindrical forms of wood

It has been said that, “Mathematics is the basis of all creation”. This is not different in art where addition, subtraction, division or multiplication leads to creative work of higher aesthetic values. This project is a technical feasibility study conducted by the researcher in which relief technique was adopted on cylindrical surfaces of wood with traditional drum as inspiration. The research covered the carving of wood cylinders using both natural and abstract forms as idioms for expression. The researcher also looked into how best to present multiples of compositions on a single piece of bamboo as research material. At the end of the research, two things were realised: a. By using multiple compositions on a single piece of wood, the researcher was able to either document events or tell stories. b. Carving relief on the cylindrical surfaces created other forms of in-the-round sculptures. In fulfilling the objective of the research, multiples of relief styles were also combined into a single composition bringing varieties of expression in a single piece.

Source: KNUST
Religio-cultural beliefs and practices that impede women’s contribution to community development in Manhyia – Kumasi Metropolis.

This study assesses traditional religious beliefs and cultural practices that limit women‟s full contribution to and participation in community development in Asante Manhyia. The study was necessitated by current public outcry for urgent inclusion of women in development processes. In both national and international discourses, it has become obvious that including women in the development process is eminent in ensuring a nation‟s growth. This has led many institutions to fight against beliefs and practices that cripple women‟s involvement in development processes. In spite of this, there still remain a large number of women who are marginalized and excluded from these processes. Culture and religion are believed to be forces that deray community development. This calls into question whether religious beliefs and cultural practices can play any purposive role in women‟s contribution to and participation in community development. The main objective of the study was to find out what religious beliefs and cultural practices impede women‟s contribution to community development among the people of Asante Manhyia. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Women and men in the Asante Manhyia community were interviewed. This was supplemented by secondary data, observation and explanations of proverbs and metaphors which seek to improve in understanding of how women are imaged in Asante Manhyia community and also reflect why most women do not participate in community development. The findings are that the roles men play in the Manhyia community differ from those of women. While men, for example, who are heads in the Manhyia community, play decision-making roles, women, to a larger extent, are limited to domestic roles like engaging in household chores and taking care of the home. Few women are involved in household decision-making and this affects their involvement in the community decision-making. Also, it was revealed that though there are religious values and cultural practices that seek to empower women, majority of beliefs and practices impede women‟s contribution to community development. Most of these practices abuse, violate, and discourage women from participating in community development. The study is significant because, suggestions from the study would lead to new orientation in formulations and implementations of new policies that could ensure women‟s participation in the development process. The study will also benefit women through identification of religious beliefs and cultural practices that hinder women from fully participating in the development process and by eradication of discriminatory traditional norms and practices. Finally, the study contributes to the source of reference to global and local knowledge in the subject area for persons who may want to do further research on the subject.

Source: KNUST