ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Capital structure and profitability of selected non-financial firms on the Ghana stock exchange

The study investigated the relationship between capital structure and profitability of listed non-financial firms in Ghana, covering a seven-year period (2002-2008). Capital structure theories provided theoretical basis for the work. The study adopted the panel data methodology to examine the effects of capital structure on the profitability of twenty selected non-financial firms. The general least square technique was used as an estimation technique for the study. Financial statements of the selected firms were also used to extract data for the study. Ratios such as return on assets, return on equity and net profit margin were used as indicators for determining the profitability of the firm. Short-term debt, long-term debt and total debt ratios were also used as indicators for leverage of the firms. The study revealed that 54.99 % of the total capital of the firms is made up of debts. Of this 47.65 % constitute short-term debts while 7.33% is made up of long-term debts. This indicates that the non-financial firms are highly leveraged firms and also shows the importance of short-term debts over long term debts in financing non-financial firms. The correlation and regression results showed a significantly negative association between leverage and profitability. This implies that, during the period under study, leverage did not bring about profitability. There should therefore be reforms in the financial markets to reduce cost of short-term debts or encourage internal financing. The firms should also focus on growth so as to benefit from leverage. Reforms in the banking sector to provide more long-term debt to non financial firms is as well necessary to affect profitability.

Source: UCC
Capital Structure Implications And Performance Of Listed Manufacturing Firms In Ghana

The study examined the implication of capital structure on the financial performance of listed manufacturing companies in Ghana. The study employed an explanatory research design and a quantitative research technique to address the three specific objectives that guided the study. A survey research approach was used to gather empirical data from one hundred and twenty (120) listed manufacturing firms across Ghana. The study's findings, taken as a whole, support the idea that strategic marketing is a key factor in the success of organisations seeking to position themselves in a changing market. The study's findings also showed that conventional advertising channels are favoured by Ghana's manufacturing firms for reaching new consumers and strengthening existing ones. Intriguingly, just a minority of them employ cutting-edge technology to promote their offerings; listed manufacturing firms would do well to enhance their results by embracing cutting-edge technical marketing tools like mobile marketing. The results shed light on the importance of strategic marketing to the success of listed manufacturing firms in a globalised growing economy. The study recommended that the manufacturing firm should concentrate more on other financing options rather than debt financing due to its negative consequence on profitability.

Source: UCC
Capital Structure of Ghanaian Banks: An Evaluation of Its Impact on Performance

The impact of debt structure on financial performance of banks in Ghana remains an important research issue. According to Ghana Banking Survey (2010), the assets of the banks have changed, competition has increased and return on equity has been falling. The present study, therefore, attempts to empirically investigate the impact of debt structure, which is an important component of capital structure, on the profitability of banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, covering the period 2000-2010, using a relatively elongated panel dataset and a robust estimation technique. The study provides an empirical conclusion that listed Ghanaian banks use 80.23% debt and 17.77% equity, and hence the capital structure of Ghanaian banks is hugely skewed towards debt. However, the debt structure of listed Ghanaian banks indicates more than 81% short-term debt and less than 9% long-term debt. Thus, the impact of capital structure on financial performance of Ghanaian listed banks is such that short-term debt positively influences profitability and long-term debt negatively affects profitability.

Source: UCC
Capital Structure of Ghanaian Banks: An Evaluation of Its Impact on Performance

The impact of debt structure on financial performance of banks in Ghana remains an important research issue. According to Ghana Banking Survey (2010), the assets of the banks have changed, competition has increased and return on equity has been falling. The present study, therefore, attempts to empirically investigate the impact of debt structure, which is an important component of capital structure, on the profitability of banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, covering the period 2000-2010, using a relatively elongated panel dataset and a robust estimation technique. The study provides an empirical conclusion that listed Ghanaian banks use 80.23% debt and 17.77% equity, and hence the capital structure of Ghanaian banks is hugely skewed towards debt. However, the debt structure of listed Ghanaian banks indicates more than 81% short-term debt and less than 9% long-term debt. Thus, the impact of capital structure on financial performance of Ghanaian listed banks is such that short-term debt positively influences profitability and long-term debt negatively affects profitability. In

Source: UCC
Capital Structure, Capital Intensity, and Going Concern of Listed Firms in Ghana

A general-purpose financial report prepared on the accrual basis of accounting derives its relevance from the going concern assumption. Going concern assumption underpins accounting recognition and measurement requirements. In Ghana, there‟s little empirical evidence to suggest going concern status is vital when making capital structure decisions. The study investigated the moderating role of capital intensity on the relationship between leverage and going concern of both listed financial and non-financial companies in Ghana. Using the generalized method of moments estimation technique (GMM), the study employed three multivariate discriminant scores as proxies for going concern, namely, adjusted Altman‟s score, Taffler‟s Z-score, and Springate‟s score. The study found that leverage had a positive relationship with the going concern of financial listed firms but posed a detrimental impact on the going concern of non-financial listed firms. The study also found that capital intensity had a positive relationship with the going concern of financial listed firms but harmed the going concern of non-financial firms. The study concludes that capital intensity moderates positively the relationship between leverage and going concern of financial and non-financial listed firms. The study recommends managers of financial firms obtaining debt financing consider a concurrent strategy of increasing a portion of fixed assets compared to total assets as a strategy to manage potentially going concern challenges.

Source: UCC
Carbon and nitrogen - the key to biological activity, diversity and productivity in a haplic acrisol

Soil organic matter is important because it impacts all soil quality functions. Much less information is available on the dynamics of the residual carbon and nitrogen content and their distribution incontinuously cropped arable fields. We described the values of the soil properties, pH, moisture content, organic carbon and total nitrogen considering them to be random variables. We treated their spatial variation as a function of the distance between observations within the study site, a continuously-cropped field dominated by Haplic Acrisols. We discussed the nature and structure of the modeled functions, the sernivariograms, and interpreted these in the light of the potential of these soils to sustain agricultural productivity. At these sites there had been no conversion of natural forests to agriculture so the paper does not discuss soil carbon storage for either the regional or global storage. All the properties studied showed spatial non-stationarity for the distances covered, indicating that the variance between pairs of observations increased as separating distances also increased. pH, moisture content and total nitrogen were fitted with the power model whereas the linear model best fitted organic carbon. Total nitrogen had the least nugget variance and pH the highest estimated exponent, a, from the power equations. The soils are highly variable in terms of input or retur of organic residue to provide a sink for carbon and nitrogen and the breakdown of these materials as affected by pH, moisture availability and microorganisms

Source: UCC
Carbon stock assessment in the Kakum and Amanzule Estuary Mangrove forests, Ghana

Sustainable management of forests through enhancement of forest carbon stocks is a global effort aimed at creating incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions. Ghana’s participation in carbon reduction initiatives such as REDD+ has brought about huge demand for data on carbon stocks. This pre-empted the need for carbon stock assessment in the Kakum and Amanzule mangrove forests. Above- and below-ground carbon pools in the two forests were assessed in order to evaluate the impact of environmental degradation on the ecosystems. Data on tree height and diameter, and soil were collected to estimate for carbon density. General allometric equations were used to estimate mangrove biomass and corresponding carbon density. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s post hoc test were conducted to test the effect of soil depth on soil carbon density, bulk density, salinity and pH at 95 % confidence level. Total carbon density in the Kakum forest was estimated as 465.9 MgC/ha and that in Amanzule at 5316.5 MgC/ha. The difference in carbon density could be attributed to the differences in tree stature in the two ecosystems. Whereas the Kakum forest comprised mainly of dwarf mangrove trees, the Amanzule forest has a mosaic of primary and secondary forest patches. The below-ground carbon density was higher than above-ground carbon density within the Kakum mangrove forest. The reverse was observed in the Amanzule forest. It is therefore recommended that forest carbon stock change evaluation be vigorously undertaken by establishing permanent plots since logging has a serious effect on the overall carbon stock density and ecosystem health of mangrove forests.

Source: UCC
Carcass and Primal Cuts Yield of Selected Large White Breed of Pigs Reared at the University of Cape Coast Teaching and Research Farm

In Ghana, there is little or no data to empirically show the yield of pork for processors and marketers to effectively trade and market pork on primal cut basis. Information available on yield of pork for western countries maybe different from pork in Ghana, hence this study. This study was experimental, with a total of eighty (80) large white breed of pigs of six months from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Teaching and Research farm were weighed and slaughtered, after which the yield of the primal cuts were assessed. A secondary data on the patronage of primal cuts was retrieved from the Meat Processing Unit of UCC and analysed using the one-way analysis of variance procedure under the Minitab Statistical Package to find out the rate of patronage of the various primal cuts. Tukey’s Pairwise Comparison was used to separate means at 95% confidence level. The dressing percentage recorded for the animals ranged from 61.8 to 65.2%. It was realised that heavier animals produced better carcass weight and primal cuts. The yields of ham, shoulder, loin chop, spareribs and fillet ranged from 6.3 to 9.7, 8.4 to 11.9, 2.9 to 4.4, 0.5 to 0.8 and 0.2 to 0.4 kilograms respectively. Data on pork patronage revealed that, the ham and the shoulder are the most patronised primal cuts on fresh weight basis, implying that such parts are most preferred in the fresh forms. Butchers are advised to select heavier animals for slaughter, as these yield better dressing percentages. Further studies should assess the carcass and primal cut yields of different breeds of pigs reared in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Carcass parameters and sensory characteristics of broiler chicken fed diets containing palm (Elaeis guineensis) kernel oil residue

Palm Kernel Oil Residue (PKOR) is a waste product obtained after extracting oil from palm kernel by cottage industries. The residue is dumped at processing sites and the stench that emanates from the oxidizing product, causes nuisance to processors and nearby residents. Animal scientists are advocating the use of the fresh product as energy resource in broiler rations. This study was therefore conducted to determine the effects of partial replacement of maize in broiler rations with PKOR, on carcass parameters and sensory characteristics of broiler chicken. A total of 80 birds (10 from each treatment) were randomly selected from 160 birds fed diets containing 0% (control), 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15% and 17.5% PKOR when they attained maturity age (8 weeks old). The selected birds were slaughtered, and hot carcass and viscera weights were taken. Carcasses were sectioned into primal cuts after 24-hour chilling at 3°C, and each part was weighed. The breast muscles were grilled for sensory evaluation. Proximate composition, ultimate pH (pHu) and peroxide value of the muscles were determined. Data obtained were analyzed using the General Linear Model of ANOVA component of Minitab software. The results indicate that PKOR inclusion up to 17.5% in broiler rations have no significant (p>0.05) effects on carcass parameters and sensory characteristics of the meat. Crude protein and fat contents of the carcasses were not significantly (p>0.05) different. However, PKOR inclusions beyond 7.5% significantly (p<0.001) increased the moisture content of the muscles. Ultimate pH (pH after 24hours of slaughter) and peroxide value after 7 days in storage were not significantly affected by the use of PKOR. The study indicated that farmers can include PKOR up to 17.5% in broiler rations without adverse effects on the carcass and sensory characteristics of the meat

Source: UCC
Cardiac arrest as a result of ventricular tachycardia in a trauma patient

Cardiac arrest is classified based on whether it is treatable using defibrillation or not. It is classified as shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia), or non-shockable (asystole and pulseless electrical activity). We present a case of a 72-year-old male Saudi patient not known to have any medical illness that was involved in a road traffic accident. He was brought in dead on arrival, and initially managed as a case of trauma, only to discover later that he had ventricular tachycardia just before the trauma. He was successfully resuscitated and discharged after 8 days

Source: UCC
Cardiometabolic risk factors and preclinical target organ damage among adults in Ghana: Findings from a national study

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Nevertheless, very few studies have directly examined the development of and risk factors for CVD among Africans. Objective: To examine CVD risk factors and outcomes particularly in the early stage of CVD development among adults in Ghana. Methods: Using a stratified multistage random sampling method, 1,106 participants were recruited as a nationally representative sample of the general population ≥18 years in Ghana from 2016 to 2017. For each participant, we measured CVD risk factors and preclinical target organ damage (TOD) for CVD development. Results: The prevalence of CVD risk factors was 21.1% for obesity, 10.8% for diabetes, 55.4% for hypertension, 37.3% for dyslipidemia, 12.8% for hyperuricemia, and 39.3% for hsCRP>3 mg/L in the recruited population. The prevalence of preclinical TOD was 8.6% for peripheral artery disease (PAD), 14.7% for carotid thickening, 5.9% for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and 4.4% for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Three CVD risk factors appeared to play most prominent roles in TOD development, including obesity for PAD (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.13–3.09), hypertension for carotid thickening (OR 1.57, 95% CI 0.99–2.54) and LVH (OR 6.25, 95% CI 2.98–14.50), and hyperuricemia for CKD (OR 5.56, 95% CI 2.79–11.15). Conclusions: The prevalence of CVD risk factors and early outcomes have reached epidemic proportions among Ghanaian adults. The distinct patterns of risk factors in the development of TOD presents important challenges and opportunities for interventions to improve cardiometabolic health among adults in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Cardiovascular disease and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: burden, risk and interventions

Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart failure and kidney disease, has been common in sub-Sa- haran Africa for many years, and rapid urbanization is causing an upsurge of ischaemic heart disease and meta- bolic disorders. At least two-thirds of cardiovascular deaths now occur in low- and middle-income countries, bringing a double burden of disease to poor and developing world economies. High blood pressure (or hypertension) is by far the commonest underlying risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Its prevention, detection, treatment and control in sub-Saharan Africa are haphazard and suboptimal. This is due to a combination of lack of resources and health-care systems, non-existent effective preventive strategies at a population level, lack of sustainable drug therapy, and barriers to complete compliance with prescribed medica- tions. The economic impact for loss of productive years of life and the need to divert scarce resources to tertiary care are substantial. implementation of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies remain scanty. The Global Burden of Disease, Injuries and Risk Factor Study is the first systematic and comprehensive attempt to map and quantify risk factors and diseases to identify emerging threats to population health and opportunities for prevention [2–5]. Of particular interest, the analyses of the burden of death and disability attributable to modifiable risk factors have identified emerging threats in risk factors traditionally seen in developed countries, like tobacco smoking, obesity and high salt intake [2–7]. They explain the surge in the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in sub-Saharan Africa, namely hypertension, renal disease, and heart failure. This upsurge of the CVD epidemic poses an additional burden on the already over-burdened health-care systems in these settings creating critical challenges to both national health systems and policy development that can impede the development of a strategic plan to address the CVD epidemic.

Source: UCC
Care and Maintenance of Ocular Diagnostic Drugs in Eye Care Facilities in ‘Ghana’

Diagnostic ophthalmic drugs are very essential in every eye care setting. Contamination of these drugs has a deleterious effect on the eye as they can trigger or worsen a pre‑existing ocular disease. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate how ocular diagnostic drugs are cared for and maintained by eye care practitioners. Methods: A total of 140 eye care practitioners across the ten regions of Ghana responded and returned the questionnaires. It contained questions on how frequently they checked date of expiry, first date of opening the diagnostic drug bottle, how long the opened diagnostic drug bottles were kept in use before discarding them, adherence to hand hygiene practices prior to instillation of drops among others. Some 20 of the 60 eye care facilities (from which the participants were drawn) were purposively selected and observed for their adherence to care and maintenance practices with regarding the use of diagnostic agents in a blinded fashion (the practitioners did not know they were they were being observed). Results: It was realised that most of the practitioners did not adhere strictly to basic care and maintenance (as indicated in the drug insert and the British Pharmaceutical Codex) practices necessary to ensure optimal safety of patients. Conclusion: Care and maintenance practices were not always adhered to by most of the eye care practitioners despite its implication for patients’ safety.

Source: UCC
Career choice determinants among senior high school students in the Sunyani west district in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana

The main thrust of this study was to find out the determinants of career choice among Senior High School students in the Sunyani West District in the Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana. Descriptive survey design involving the quantitative approach was used for the study. A sample size of 297 (with 96% return rate of 285) students were selected for the study using a multistage sampling procedure. A self-developed questionnaire was used for data collection. Pre-testing of the instrument were done and reliability and validity were ensured. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages, means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Linear Multiple Regression, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance- ANOVA). It was established that, generally, some school, parent, teacher and student factors influence the choice of career among Senior High School students in the Sunyani West District in the Brong Ahafo Region. The results further show that all the factors influence career choice, their influences varied in degree. The school factors were found to be exert major influence. Furthermore, it was evident that the mean differences (between male and female students) in career choice were not significant. Finally, no significant difference existed among the age range of the students with respect to the factors that influence their career choice. It was recommended that career guidance should be inculcated in the school curriculum so that right from the start (at the early stages) students would be aware and know the kind of career to choose

Source: UCC
Career Development and Employee Commitment at Ghana National Association of Teachers (Gnat) Offices

The study examined the influence of career development and employee commitment at the Ghana National Association of Teachers’ offices. Specifically, three research objectives were investigated, to: assess the perception level of employees on selected dimensions of career development; assess the level of employees’ commitment; analyse the effect of selected dimensions of career development on employees’ commitment. The study adopted the quantitative approach and descriptive correlational design. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from all the 110 employees of the organisation. The data was then processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics (version 26) software. Both descriptive (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (multiple regression) were used to address objectives of the study. The study found mentoring, coaching and job enrichment as the dimensions of career development applicable in the organisation. The study also found high levels of employee commitment in the organisation. The study finally found that career development through mentoring, coaching and job enrichment had significant positive influence on employees’ commitment. The study therefore recommends that management of the organisation should emphasise on continuously developing and strengthening the career development programs of the institution across the country to meet the demands of the employees.

Source: UCC