ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Employee’s perceptions of appraisal systems and its effects on performance: a case study of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

The main objective of this research was to examine employees‟ perceptions on the existing Performance Appraisal (PA) systems in organizations with specific reference to Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). The study gathered data quantitatively and qualitatively from a sample size of eighty-five (85) respondents. These included staff and managerial staff who were selected using stratified random and purposive sampling techniques. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and Microsoft Excel 2010 statistical tools. Further, descriptive statistics were generated to present results through tables and figures. The key findings from the study revealed employees of FDA are appraised by their superiors through an appraisal form. This PA system is perceived to be carried out in a fair and transparent manner and also involves all employees. The study indicated that this positive perception has contributed positively to the performance of the employees in terms of commitment, job satisfaction, achieving targets, meeting the expectation of clients and being productive. However, it was further revealed that feedbacks from superiors are sometimes delayed, PA requirements are very high and PA system is not time bound. Therefore, the study recommends that management should create a system where subordinates can also appraise their superiors in order to deepen transparency, fairness and objectivity. Again, clear cut performance standards and timelines of PA process should be clearly defined by management to minimize unnecessary feedback delays.

Source: KNUST
Employees’ motivation and work attitude within the public sector organizations in Ghana (a case study of Bosome Freho district assembly, Ashanti Region, Ghana).

Motivation has become a composite and broad entity than what individuals usually presume. This is expected to influence organizational and human development. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to explore employee motivation and work attitudes at the Bosome Freho District Assembly. Descriptive research was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods. A sample of sixty (60) Local Government Service employee in the Bosome Freho District Assembly was used as respondents of the study. It was identified that motivation is simply money in the views of most employees. Generally, the intrinsic motivation of employees in the study area was good but the extrinsic motivation was poor. Some of the good intrinsic motivations included: performing duties without coercion and having interest in their jobs. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation such as working conditions and the requirement for money before working was poor among the employees. However, employees’ motivation is influenced by salary, nature of work, and appreciation for work done. Their motivations have necessitated the exhibition of positive work attitudes such as organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Therefore, a strong positive relationship (r = .509) existed between employee motivation and employee work attitude among Local Government Service employees in the Bosome Freho District Assembly. Signifying that an increase in employee motivation will cause an increase in employee work attitude. It is then recommended that employers of the Local Government Service workers should put in the necessary measures to enhance motivations among their employees in order to affect the working attitudes of their employees. Hence, it enhances performance and promotes national development.

Source: KNUST
Employers’ perception about capabilities of persons with disabilities in the Asante Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Addressing the employment problems of persons with disabilities cannot be achieved in isolation. It is connected to and depends on core values such as non- discrimination, social inclusion for difference, accessibility, participation and recognizing their capabilities. Persons with disabilities can engage in many economic activities such as being entrepreneurs, farmers, factory workers, doctors, teachers, bus drivers, artists and computer technicians. However, the employment rate for persons with disabilities is low, and unemployment among working age persons with disabilities is lower than persons without disabilities. This is particularly so in developing countries including Ghana. This study examined employers’ perception about capabilities of persons with disabilities in the Asante Mampong Municipality of Ghana. The study applied a stratified random sampling technique in selecting 101(employers). The list of employers within the Municipality was requested from the appropriate agencies, and split into two categories: public and private. Numbers were assigned to each employer in each category and a simple random sampling technique used to select the required number of respondent from each category.Questionnaires were used for collecting data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies were used to present the data. The study found that the major work that employers thought persons with disabilities could perform is to be receptionists, cleaners, managers and cashiers. The study also found that employees who have disability were more truthful and loyal as compared to those without disabilities. The study revealed that the major issue of employers’ decision not to employ persons with disabilities is the fact that persons with disabilities are less productive. The study recommended that there should be effective public education by stakeholders and local authorities on the capabilities of persons with disabilities. It is also recommended that there should be enactment and enforcement of labour laws to protect the right of persons with disabilities.

Source: KNUST
Empowerment of women through participation in women self help groups in the Kumasi Metropolis

Recently, issues of women’s empowerment and participation in self help groups have gained grounds and are at the center stage in global development discourse. Despite the evidence of women’s accomplishments in a given realm of national and local level development, women’s empowerment today leaves very much to be desired. In attempts to improve and enhance the participation and empowerment of women, the third Millennium Development Goal (promoting gender equality and women empowerment) is focused on women’s upliftment in the socio-economic development of Ghana. This study is intended to achieve a number of objectives. Among these are: to examine the nature of Self help groups (SHGs) in the Kumasi Metropolis; to assess strategies of empowering women through SHGs; to examine the extent to which women are empowered by participating in SHGs; and to examine the challenges impeding the groups in empowering women. The study adopted the case study approach which allows statistical inferences to be made to a broader population so that results can be extrapolated. Multistage sampling technique and qualitative and quantitative analysis was employed to come out with the empirical findings. The study revealed a number of interesting findings which include: diverse nature of SHGs with about 67 percent being formed along religious and economic lines; skill training, adult education and enterprise development as the strategies of empowering women through SHGs. The extent of women’s empowerment through participating in groups are in the form of increased self assertiveness and confidence and resistance to negative cultural practices; and challenges, like poor attendance of members, impeding the operations of the groups in empowering women. In response to the findings revealed, a number of proposals were made to enhance the empowerment of women. These include the following: improving the nature of SHGs; enhancing strategies of empowering women through the groups; improving the coverage of SHGs in women’s empowerment; and overcoming the challenges of SHGs.

Source: KNUST
Emulsifying properties of Ghanaian grewia gum

Grewia gums were extracted with phosphate (PB) and sodium metabisulphite buffers (SMB) and their emulsification properties in acidic oil-in-water emulsions on ageing were studied by means of droplet size distribution, f-potential measurements, interfacial composition analysis and viscometry. PB extracts showed smaller droplet sizes (~10 lm) than SMB isolates (>35 lm) and greater long-term stability. PB stabilised emulsions also demonstrated the least polysaccharide (~0.6 mg m 2 ) and protein (~0.2 mg m 2) interfacial coverage compared with SMB counterparts (~1.5 mg m 2 for polysaccharide and ~ 1 mg m 2 for protein). f-Potential measurements revealed negative interfacial charge for all emulsions confirming the presence of polysaccharide-laden interfaces. Droplet size distribution also varied among emulsions during ageing indicating a complex relationship between interfacial composition and stability. The present work shows that different emulsifying properties may be obtained depending on the extraction technique employed that could be exploited in preparation of emulsions for flavour or bioactive-delivery applications.

Source: KNUST
Enabling Technology Driven Library Environment in Sub-Saharan African Universities: a study of the Carnegie Continuing Professional Development Programme experience vis-a-vie the participants work enhancement

This paper investigated how selected information professionals in the Sub-Saharan African Universities who participated in the Carnegie Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme have become innovative in the use of new emerging technologies for service delivery. The main objective of the study was to know how participants were making use of the emerging technologies learnt during the Carnegie CPD programme and evaluated the effectiveness of the training programme on participant’s job performance. The target group for the study was the beneficiaries of the Carnegie CPD Programme from June 2014 to June 2015 held at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Triangulation method of a qualitative research was used. The questionnaire was posted on the CPD Alumni online discussions group platform for the participant to complete. Data collected was summarized and presented in the form of tables, graphs, charts and statements to depict a clear representation of the responses. The results were analyzed and discussed and logical conclusions were made. The study found out that the Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills of participants have been evidenced by the application of these skills on their jobs as experienced librarians. However, the demand for ICT and information literacy training by students and faculty have increased due to the exhibit of skills and innovations by CPD 2 participants. The study therefore recommended that for any future CPD programmes that is intensive as the Carnegie CPD programme, participants should be given certificates that will highly be recognised by a university. In addition, librarians should begin to explore and aspire to participate in more CPD programmes to help them become more innovative in service delivery and to avoid becoming obsolete. Heads of Libraries should include in the yearly budget, new technology equipment for use by the libraries. Again, heads of libraries and academic registrars should recommend and approve CPD training programmes for the library staff. Also, financial support should be given by institutions for CPD programmes for librarians.

Source: KNUST
Encouraging Growth and Formalization of Small Businesses through Tax Reforms: A Study of the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region

The Many countries depend on taxation to generate the required financial resources for developmental purposes. In the light of this, Governments have, over the last five years, come up with various tax reform policies aimed primarily at improving revenue mobilization and economic growth most of which have not aided in meeting revenue targets set by governments. Though governments have made attempts to encourage small businesses to formalize and grow, many of these firms continue to remain informal or though are formal, do not file tax returns. It is in this light that the study attempted to find out what might be hindering both governments and small businesses towards formalization and growth. The study specifically sought to examine small business tax reforms, the percentage that file tax returns, the challenges faced by small businesses and the revenue agencies in reforms. 92 small businesses, 9 key staff of the three GRA, and 20 other officers of GRA in the Tamale Metropolis were surveyed. It was revealed that, small businesses lacked information on reforms, 22 percent of small businesses file tax returns and some of them do not maintain proper records thus, hindering the efficient and effective operations of the GRA. It is thus recommended that Small business tax reforms should be well designed, clear enough to facilitate compliance in a way that will improve regular interactions between these businesses and the revenue agencies.

Source: KNUST
Endemicity of human oesophagostomiasis in the North Eastern Parts of the Northern Region, Ghana

Hookworm disease is the most widespread of intestinal helminth infections in Northern Ghana. However, in the border area between North-eastern Ghana and Northern logo the hookworm situation is complicated by the presence of a wide range of strongylid and rhabditid species of gut dwelling nematodes which all have hookworm-like eggs. There are reports of human infection with Oesophagostomum species which are normally strongylid nematode parasites of monkeys, pigs and ruminants in these parts of the world. The present study, therefore, sought to determine the distribution and endemicity of human oesophagostomiasis and its relationship to hookworm infection in the North-eastern parts of the Northern Region of Ghana. Seventy-six villages covering four districts (East and West Mamprusi, Gushiegu/Karaga, and Saboba/Chereponi) in the North-eastern parts of the Northern region of Ghana were randomly selected using EPI 6 and atlas GIS. A sample human population size of 100 (one hundred) was taken in each village with males and females, children and adults equally represented A coproculture of individual stool samples was run and infective L3 larvae harvested after one week for identification Prevalence of oesophagostomiasis ranged between 0 and 66% Thirty-four (43 6%) of the villages were endemic Areas of high endemicity coincided with areas of high levels of hookworm infection and showed high human-animal contact, coupled with compound livestock farming and indiscriminate defaecation The highest foci for both Oesophagostomum and hookworm infections occurred towards the border area with logo (between Lat 10020’ and 100 40’ North) and decreased with longitude from 00 20’ East to 00 40’ West. Hookworm infections were, present in every community and of much higher values than those of the other helminths (prevalence range of 3 to 96%). Strongyloides infections were also common in the study area, occurring in almost all communities where hookworm infections were present, but were of lower prevalence than hookworm. Strongyloides prevalences (prevalence range of 0 to 87%) were generally higher than those for oesophagostomiasis. Females showed higher prevalence of oesophagostomiasis than males whereas the reverse was true for hookworm and Strongyloides infections.

Source: KNUST
Ending open defecation: Prospects and challenges in the implementation of community led total sanitation in Sawla Tuna Kalba District in Northern Region

Background: In Ghana, poor access to improved sanitation and open defecation had delayed progress with sanitation-related indicators. Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) is a participatory approach to mobilizing communities for sustained behavior change aimed at eliminating open defecation. Its outcome is for communities to attain an open defecation free (ODF) status. In Ghana, the prospects of CLTS in ending open defecation (OD), the challenges in getting communities to attain ODF status and the outcomes in terms of sanitation and hygiene behavior, and latrine ownership have not been documented. Aim: To examine the prospects and challenges of the implementation of community-led total sanitation (CLTS) by the District and partner NGOs in participating communities in Sawla Tuna Kalba District (STKD). Methods: A household (HH) census was conducted in 12 communities in which CLTS had been implemented either solely or with partner NGOs from January to December, 2016. Selection of the communities was done by multi-stage sampling among ODF and non-ODF communities. Three hundred households were enrolled from the 12 communities and visited at follow up. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to household heads, and ten departmental staff responded to a separate questionnaire. Six focus group discussions were also held with latrine owners to complement data collected from the survey. Results: Access to private latrines was higher among households in ODF (51.3%) and non-ODF (19.1%) communities. Self-reported cases of OD dropped in the non-ODF communities as a result of increased number of latrines and sanctions on OD. The program also increased perceived privacy and safety during defecation among women. The ODF communities were sustained over five months and the non-ODF communities had done self-assessment, verified by the District Inter-Agency Coordination Committee On Sanitation (DICCS) and were awaiting Regional Inter-agency Coordination Committee on sanitation (RICCS) verification. Conclusion: CLTS shows some potential of ending OD, if fully supported with collaboration from the District Assembly and communities.

Source: KNUST
Enablers of lean construction concept to affordable housing schemes in Ghana

The effort to provide affordable housing, reduce construction waste and increase productivity has led to the adaptation of the concept of ‘Lean Construction’. Assessing and implementing the techniques of the lean philosophy has become key for organizations in the industry of construction in the quest for incessant improvements. The challenges faced in the implementation of the government of Ghana’s affordable housing scheme coupled with the challenges in embracing and implementing the Lean Construction Concept is the main problem for this study. Consequently, the study identifies and assesses the enablers of lean construction with respect to the execution of Affordable Housing Schemes in the Ghanaian setting. The research objectives are to assess the perception of stakeholders on the concept of Affordable Housing, identify the potential barriers to the application of the Lean Construction Concept in Ghana and to identify the Enablers or Drivers of Lean Construction Concept in Affordable Housing Schemes in Ghana. A quantitative approach of data analysis involving an exploratory method of investigation was utilized in this study. A comprehensive review of literature together with questionnaire survey was undertaken among professionals in the construction industry of Ghana. The data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software (SPSS v20.0) using factor analysis; Kaiser Meyer Olkin test, Bartlette’s test of Sphericity to test the reliability and adequacy of the sample of factors studied. The potential barriers to the application of lean construction were identified and were laid open to factor analysis, which yielded three (3) categories of critical barriers considered as management related, construction related as well as design related barriers. The enablers for implementing lean construction in Affordable Housing were classified into four (4) main headings, namely; Organizational Culture factors; Relational factors; Leadership and Management factors; as well as Resource, Skills and Expertise factors. In addition, the benefits of implementation of lean construction identified in literature were grouped into environmental, social and economic benefits. The research further revealed that the most significant barrier is ‘Lack of Awareness and training’, and the most significant enablers are ‘Business Plan and Vision, Management Commitment and Support’. Furthermore, the analysis derived from the questionnaire survey concluded that there are still greater number of construction stakeholders who are not aware of the Lean Construction philosophy. In addition, professionals in the built environment per the survey generally agree that Lean Construction would be beneficial to the Affordable Housing Scheme in Ghana. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying success factors for lean construction concept implementation in the Affordable Housing Scheme in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Energy demand model for Volta River Authority

The development of energy sources to accomplish useful work is essential if a country is to make industrial progress and continually improve the standard of living of its people. Shortfalls in national electricity supply were experienced in Ghana in 1983, 1998, 2006 and 2007. Evidently, an accurate forecast of electrical energy demand is one of the first steps in ensuring adequate and reliable energy supply. Under-forecasting results in energy shortages with far reaching costs* for a nation whereas over-forecasting may also result in large amounts of capital being uselessly tied up for long periods. In this paper, candidate multiple regression and exogenous autoregressive demand models are developed in respect of the national electric power generation concerns of the Volta River Authority (VRA) of Ghana. Real GDP, real electricity price and the ratio of urban population to total population were used as explanatory variables for the multiple regression models. The electricity demand elasticities for the regression model were found to be 2.19 and -0.09 relative to real GDP and electricity price respectively. These demand elasticities were found to be comparable to results reported by a number of other authors. The exogenous autoregressive model gave demand elasticities of 0.74, 0.26 and -0.05 relative to electricity demand for two preceding years and price respectively. Demand forecasts for 2002 to 2007 were made using the models and the results were compared with actual energy demand for the six-year period as well as with exponential smoothing, and an Acres International/VRA model. The autoregressive model which used the natural logarithm of electricity demand for two preceding years and current real electricity price as exogenous variables performed much better than the other models.

Source: KNUST