ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effectiveness of internal auditing in the public sector. Evidence from ghana cocoa board (cocobod)

The study intends to evaluate the effectiveness of internal auditing in the public sector of Ghana. The study was motivated by continues mismanagement of public funds and assets, the rampant act of corruption and many more of which the Ghana Cocoa Board is not exempted. The population covered forty (40) internal audit staff, of which thirty (30) was sampled using convenience and purposive sampling techniques. A questionnaire was administered for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis. The study revealed that the internal auditors at COCOBOD are competent to deliver on their jobs. The study also reveals that an internal audit unit is independent to an extent. The study identified that the competency of the auditor and the independence of the internal audit unit has a significant positive relationship with internal audit effectiveness. Auditors perform an audit based on audit standards and report are timely. The study reveals that internal auditors have little knowledge of the techniques to follow up on their recommendation. The study recommends gender diversity to foster creativity, innovation, value addition and more importantly efficiency and effectiveness. Again, the study recommends that the reporting line for the internal audit is made clear to avoid any ambiguity that would allow the executive management to influence internal audit. The study recommends that an adequate budget is allocated to the internal audit department to ensure the smooth running of the department. The study was limited by, the internal audit staff not ready to give information and the lockdown due to Covid -19. The value of the study is to review existing debates, draw attention to new thinking about internal auditing and bridge the existing gap of internal auditing in our public institutions.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the effectiveness of training for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in the Sefwi-Wiawso District

The National Board for Small Scale Industries has undertaken various training activities since its inception comprising of both Management and Technical Skills training. The current method of evaluation of training programmes is carried out at the first level of the Kirkpatrick model evaluation, giving very little or no indication of the effectiveness of the training programmes. From observation beneficiaries of the NBSSI trainings had partly or not fully put into use the skills acquired. The study examined small enterprises training, learning transfer and adoption in the Sefwi-Wiawso District. It covered the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) and its trainees. A sample size of 206 and a descriptive study design was adopted. Data were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The main technique for collecting primary data was the use of questionnaires and interview. The study established that the NBSSI conducted training followed the conventional training cycle. Again, technical skills training were easily transferred and adopted by trainees. The study indicated that the there has been transfer of learning to some extent with significant impact on their businesses. It was recommended that NBSSI should organize refresher training for trainers to formalize their programme to improve their capacities to deliver and strengthen the system of monitoring and evaluation training.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the effects of business process reengineering in Ghanaian banks (A case study of Zenith Bank Ghana Limited, Kumasi)

Owing to the ever increasing competition with respect to price, quality and selection, service and promptness of delivery in the business world, companies have found that the best instrument for setting up the edge over competitors lies with redefining, revamping or overhauling business processes. It is against this backdrop that business process re-engineering (BPR) has become a tool for most businesses. The prominent aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of business process re-engineering on banks. Purposive and random (convenient) sampling techniques were used to collect data from all the one hundred and four respondents. Well-structured questionnaires which were the main data collection tool were sent respectively to the sixty customers, forty employees and four top managers of Zenith Bank in Kumasi. Data collected was analyzed using the Epi Info computer programme and was presented in the form of frequencies, percentages, graphs and charts. The findings of the study revealed that the BPR activity impacted enormously on the bank since its provision of service changed dramatically. The findings revealed that the effect of BPR was greatly hinged on customer appreciation, thus it was discovered that the dramatic effects were hinged primarily on factors that were tailored to suit customer demands. Furthermore, management decisions as the study revealed were not only cardinal in the success of the re-engineering but were also improved. The quality of decisions was seen in the sudden consideration of both internal and external clients. Eventually, it was realized that employee satisfaction and motivation were peaked favourably. Finally, the heightened sense of customer loyalty proved that the satisfaction of the customers was more than fairly appreciated. However, the research recommended that irrespective of employees’ appreciation of the BPR activity, provision still be made to cushion their receptivity of change management. It is also to educate customers thoroughly on the process of BPR before the activity or at the induction of new employees. The study in a nutshell contributes to knowledge by providing a framework for evaluating the effects of BPR on banks in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the effects of Internal Control in the Operations of financial institutions: A Case Study of Bond Savings and Loans.

The major cause of serious banking challenges continues to be ineffective internal control system for core processes. These policies determine the reliability and integrity of data for operational efficiency to achieve strategic goals and objectives. They are established to ensure management has accurate, timely and complete information for effective decision making. The objectives of this study are to: examine the components of internal control system; assess the effectiveness; analyse the challenges of internal control system; and evaluate the effects of the internal control system on the operations of Bond Savings and Loans Ltd. This research adopted descriptive design and quantitative approach. The data collection instrument used was questionnaire. The population of the study were staff of Bond Savings and Loans Ltd in Kumasi. The population size was twelve (12). Data was collected from the entire population. The study discovered that Bond has adopted a hybrid control framework (COSO, CoCo, and CobiT frameworks) and that the Board of Directors and Management of Bond only are responsible for formulating internal control policies. It was revealed that the control systems of Bond are highly strong and effective. The study found out that: the inability of the control system to detect people who do not comply with control policies; inadequate physical control measures and procedures over the company‘s assets to protect those assets against theft and unauthorised access are some of the challenges of Bond‘s internal control systems. It was also discovered that the control system had led to positive financial and non-financial performance at Bond. Some of the major recommendations made include: Bond should involve staff in the formulation of control policies and also, the company should conduct regular control system reviews.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the effects of capitation as an alternate payment method for the National Health Insurance Scheme as against diagnostic related groupings: case study of Ahafo - Ano South District of Ghana

Health insurance is a method of pre-financing the services of health used by subscribers belonging to a health insurance scheme. The method implored for the transfer of funds from the health insurance organization which is the purchaser of the health care service to the providers of that service is known as Provider Payment Method. In this study, we seek to evaluate the effects of Capitation as an additional payment method of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the Ahafo - Ano South District of Ghana as compared to Diagnostic Related Groupings. Secondary data of purposely chosen health facilities were collected from the scheme and compared with data obtained from these health care providers to ensure consistency. The results from the analysis conducted revealed that there was a statistically significant increase (p < 0005) in the overall cost of claims paid to providers from the period before the introduction of Capitation to period after it was introduced. On the other hand, the paired samples t-test conducted to evaluate the impact of Capitation on health facility attendance within the district revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of attendance, t (30) = -0.11, p= 0.991], the Eta squared statistic (0.0004) indicated that the implementation of the Capitation as an alternate payment method has had very small or no effect (insignificant) on the rate of attendance at health facilities within the study area. Finally, the paired samples t-test conducted to evaluate the impact of the Capitation payment method on membership revealed a statistically significant increase in the total number of members registered with the scheme from the period before Capitation (M (Average cost of claims) = 28, 900, SD= 3, 898.21) to period after Capitation [M= 37, 100, SD= 2, 675.19), t (24) = -6.514, p= 0.000]. The Eta squared statistic (0.65) indicated a large effect with a substantial difference in the rate at which clients registered and joined the scheme in the district before and after the introduction of Capitation. The study conducted suggests that the introduction of Capitation for the two-year period (2012 and 2013) showed a significant increase in the cost of claims but maintained the rate of attendance to health facilities as there was no statistically significant increase. However, the membership increased substantially in 2012 to 2013, the period of implementation as compared to the period before the introduction of Capitation (2010 to 2011) when it was only the Ghana Diagnostic Related Groupings.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the effects of packaging on consumer behaviour of bottled mineral water in ghana. Evidence from sunyani municipality.

Over the past decade, a large number of bottled water packages have entered the Ghanaian market, but a few of them have maintained competition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of packaging on consumer behaviour of bottled mineral water in Ghana. The research focused on Sunyani Municipality. The study used a quantitative research design to collect and analyze data from a total of 200 respondents. Closed-ended questionnaires were used to collect data. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that bottled water is very attractive, has adequate information regarding the product, is valuable, package material easy to use and essential, is very durable, and is communicative. Factors such as color, attractiveness, taste, quality, price, availability, and packing are considered important ones. The attractiveness of bottled water packaging influences respondents’ purchase decisions, and the taste of bottled water packaging influences respondents' purchase decisions. The study also revealed that most of the respondent’s favorite bottle of water is well packaged, packaging entices them to buy their bottles of water, their favorite packaged bottled water offers quality products, and their favorite packaged bottled water offers quality products. The study concludes that packaging can be said to be an effective marketing tool; it plays a major role in the sale of products and also helps companies gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. An integrated approach that involves all stakeholders; producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers is highly required for one’s brand to sear into the minds of consumers. The enforcement of quality and packaging of bottled water products has a positive relationship with companies’ performance in terms of growth, market share, and profitability. The study recommended that companies should consider producing bottled water at a cheaper cost at the expense of the quality in an attempt to fix low prices. The managing of packaging requires a high level of multi-disciplinary efforts. The crusade to promote a package of bottled water will be fruitless if the distributors and retailers that serve as the interface between producers and consumers are not adequately trained to handle water products safely. Finally, Packaging should be very attractive in terms of color, taste, quality, and label information and writing should be eligible. This can enhance consumer trafficking which leads to impulse purchases thus packages are attractive.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the effects of poor scheduling in formal irrigated urban vegetable production projects in the Greater Accra region. A case study of Weija and Ashiaman irrigation schemes.

Irrigation which is the artificial application of water into the soil is a major factor in increasing the yield of produce, as compared to rain fed or weather dependent agriculture which is highly unpredictable and unreliable. Irrigation scheduling is receiving increasing attention in irrigation studies because of the need for adjustments in irrigation schemes that are scheduled poorly. As per the literature review of this research, the irrigation scheduling is broken down into duration of irrigation, timing of irrigation and frequency of irrigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of poor scheduling in formal irrigated urban vegetable production in the Greater Accra region. The objectives of this study were, firstly, to identify the types of irrigation mostly used as well as identifying the perception of the farmers towards their current irrigation schedule (duration, timing and frequency of irrigation). Secondly, to determine the factors that cause the poor scheduling as well as identifying the mitigation factors to help control the situation. The third objective looked to determine and evaluate the effects of the poor scheduling on the farmers. The simple random sampling technique was used in the study. Questionnaires were sent to the farmers under the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA). Specifically the Weija irrigation scheme and the Ashiaman irrigation scheme. (10) Questionnaires each were sent to both Weija and Ashiaman summing up a sample size of (20). Results gathered were (19), which was used in conducting the research analysis. Data that was collected from the study was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (IBM SPSS). From the results obtained from the first objective, sprinkler irrigation systems was the most commonly used and a large majority of the farmers were not happy with the duration and frequency of their current irrigation schedule. While majority of the farmers were content with the timing of the irrigation schedule (mornings). For the second objective the results showed that according to the farmers, the main cause of the poor scheduling of irrigation was due to the frequent breakdown of pumps with 42.9% of the farmers in support of that. The results obtained for the final objective of this study showed that the major effect of the poor scheduling is the reduction of income of farmers. In conclusion, there is the need for proper irrigation scheduling in order to improve the productivity levels of the farmers

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the factors that contribute to employee turnover at Toase medical centre

As the hospital industry is a service and labour-intensive industry, it is common to suffer turnover rates higher than other sectors. Due to the impacts of employee turnover in the hospital industry there exist a need for management to monitor and measure turnover in order to take remedial action. It is in this view that this research seeks to evaluate the factors that contribute to employee turnover at Toase Medical Centre and how it can be reduced.Data derived from a self-completed questionnaire comprises the major part of this thesis, and this was distributed to employees of Toase Medical Centre. Analysis of survey was done using SPSS while interviews were translated and transcribed manually. From the findings, it was realized that individual factors such as personality and fit between the person and the job, were not likely factors to predict staff turnover among the respondents as they felt they had the right personality and characteristics to be successful in their jobs, and they saw their jobs as a mission. However, retention factors, turnover and motivational factors strongly contribute to employee turnover at Toase Medical Centre. The study revealed adequate compensation, availability of training programs for staff, good working condition, equal utilization and adequate welfare for staff as strategies that could be adopted to reduce employee turnover at Toase Medical Centre. Respondents recommended adequate compensation as the most effective since more than half 53(57.5%) of the respondents chose adequate compensation as the strategy that could be adopted to reduce employee turnover in the hospital.Suggestions were made for addressing factors that could impact on staff turnover and strategies that could be utilised to retain staff. These strategies include; flexible benefits, employee recognition, improved conditions of service, employee orientation and socialization, training and development, climate of participation in decision making, succession plan, promotion and strategic human resource recruitment and retention plan

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the effects of sales promotion of alcoholic beverages on the sales of retail outlets in the Kumasi Metropolis: the case study of products of Kasapreko Company Limited

Despite the scale of sales promotion strategies adopted by alcoholic beverage producers, little is known of the effects on retailer sales volume and revenue in Ghana. Sales promotion is a vital tool for the entire marketing strategy in addition to advertising, public relations, and personal selling for organisations. Sales promotion facilitates competition by providing incentives to purchase or support brands over other brands. This study sought to evaluate the effects of Sales promotion of alcoholic beverages on the sales of retail outlets in the Kumasi metropolis. Data for this thesis was obtained from primary and secondary sources. Purposive sampling was used to select the retail outlets of Kasapreko Company Limited in the Kumasi Metropolis. The respondents were the managers of the retail outlets. The data was collected from 85 respondents. SPSS and Excel were used to collate and analyse the data. Analysis of the study revealed that the retail outlets of Kasapreko Company Limited adopt sales promotional packages such as distribution of T-shirts, samples, caps, price cuts, and wrist brand to influence customer’s demand ability. The study further revealed that sales promotion has influence on customer’s demand of Kasapreko products. T-Shirts wrist band and samples were identified to be impacting positively on the sales of Kasapreko products.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the financial administration of selected second cycle schools in the Kumasi Metropolis

Education is recognized the world over as the single most important social institution that influences and is influenced by other social institutions. It is recognized that the social economic, political and cultural development of nations depends largely on the quality and amount of education their citizens have. The rise of Japan into the status of an economic giant today (Evans 2001), as well as the emergence of Hong-Kong, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and recently Malaysia, into economic miracles, have all been attributed to the heavy investments these countries made in the education of their citizens (Evans 2001). It is because of the strong faith in education as an engine of development that nations today invest so much in that social institution. Over the last decade, however, there has been much skepticism concerning the management of funds meant for running public institution in Ghana. One wonders whether the institutional structures within which such funds are managed are efficient enough to facilitate effective teaching and learning. It was precisely this concern that maturated this study. This work was designed to evaluate the financial administration of some selected second cycle schools in the Kumasi Metropolis. A questionnaire was mainly used to elicit responses from identifiable categories of school personnel regarding their capability to participate and the extent of their involvement, in the financial administration of their schools. The finding of the study shows that: 1. Heads of second cycle schools in the Kumasi Metropolis should have basic knowledge in accounting. 2. Bursars have to undertake short courses in financial administration in order to update their knowledge in the accounting policies. 3. Personnel of second cycle schools in the Kumasi Metropolis are aware of benefits of budget in the financial administration. The supportive financial administrators had no part whatsoever in the preparation of the estimates of their schools. The main conclusion drawn is that, Heads of second cycle schools in the Kumasi Metropolis have the responsibility supervise the accounts of their schools and in particular, to supervise the work of their bursars and other accounting personnel in their schools. In view of the high qualifications of the Heads of second cycle schools their contribution towards financial administration of their schools cannot be overemphasized.

Source: KNUST
Evaluating the financial management of Ejisu-Juaben District Health Services

The study aimed at finding out the quality of the finance function workforce available in the Ejisu Juaben District Health Sector, the guiding rules and regulations governing the cash flow in the district and the financial records kept. The study also covered the budgeting and budgetary control procedures and the financial evaluation strategy carried out. The quantitative descriptive method was adopted in conducting the study. The study revealed the district has inadequate financial personnel and most of them have no accounting background. The main source of funds used in the district identified were Government of Ghana (GoG), Donor Pooled Fund DPF), Internally Generated Fund (IGF) and special programme funds. It also came to light that annual budgets are prepared and sent to the Regional Health Administration through whom funds are remitted to the district. It is worth mentioning that financial records are kept and are always up to date. However final accounts are not prepared. Monitoring of the receipt and disbursement of funds is ensured through the work of the Internal Auditors from the Regional Health Administration and that of the External Auditors. At the time of the study both monitoring and evaluating teams have done their work up to date. Apart from the aforementioned external monitoring teams an internal monitoring is done by the Budget Implementation Team. The major limitations of the finance function identified were: inadequate and less qualified personnel and lack of in-service training. These hindrances made the interpretation and application of the ATF very difficult for them. Based on the above it is being recommended that among other things, the issue of personnel be seriously addressed by the MOH to permit controls and ensure efficiency. It is possible for the Health Sector to achieve its objectives when a sound and firm financial management has been instituted.

Source: KNUST