ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An assessment of credit management practices of Selected cooperative credit unions in Ashanti Region.

Despite the effort being put forward by the Management of cooperative credit unions to reduce credit risk and subsequently nonperforming loans, available evidence show a steady increase in same which is adversely affecting most credit unions. This study is premised to Investigate credits management practices of some Selected Cooperative Credit Unions in Ashanti. Deploying a census approach all the credit management team from the selected credit unions were included in the study. Data were garnered from both primary and secondary sources. The analyses were conducted with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) and Microsoft excel. The results were presented using Frequencies, Trend Bars, Relative Importance Indexes, Mean and Standard Deviation. The study discovered that St. Joseph the worker cooperative credit union had the least amount of non-performing loans within the period studied (2011- 2015). This suggests that the credit management practices at St. Joseph the worker cooperative credit union is very effective considering the evidence available. The study found the following as the challenges of credit risk management in the unions: Unstable economic environment, Lack of adequate technical assistance and inadequacy of training. Management mainly focus on the financial strength of the organization or individuals before loans were granted, follow by purpose of the loan by the individual, also size of collateral, management further considered size of business before credits were giving also credit history. It is recommended that the 7Cs credit appraisal models must be used for credit effectiveness. These 7Cs are: character, capacity, collateral contribution, conditions, control and common sense. This study was limited in terms of coverage, sampling size, finance and time.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of financial management practices of ga south municipal health directorate.

The management of financial resources is regarded as a very important facet in the improvement of the healthcare systems of developing countries. The general objective of this study is to examine the public financial management practices of public health institutions in Ghana. The population for the study is all the public health facilities within the Ga South Municipal Health Directorate. The sampling technique chosen for this study is the quota sampling method and purposive sampling method. This study used primary data for this study. In gathering the primary data from respondents, interviews were the main instruments used. The study found out that their major sources of inflows are from the cash they received from patients who come to the hospitals. Thus main sources of revenue for the health facilities in the Ga South Municipal Health Directorate are the inflows they received from the national health insurance scheme and inflows from the cash and carry system. The study again found out the budget is one of the significant activities in the financial planning activities of the hospitals and that the budgeting process starts with the submission of budget plans from the various units and departments of the hospitals. Again the study found out that the hospital derives its internal control system from the Financial Administration Regulations, 2004. The study recommended Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health should endeavor to organize training seminars to educate employees in the health institutions about the content of these legal regulations to enhance the financial management practices of public hospitals in the country

Source: KNUST
An assessment of job satisfaction and its effect on employees’ performance (a case of Asanko Gold mine at Amansie in Ashanti Region).

Job satisfaction plays a crucial role in terms of employee performance, and to a certain extent also in their welfare and organizations in terms of efficiency, efficiency, employee relations, absence and recycling. The aim purpose of the study was to assess job satisfaction and its impact on the performance of employees in mining companies in the Asanko gold mines in Amansie West. After extensive review of literature, questionnaire was designed and distributed to collect primary data. The study employed convenience sampling technique to sample 50 staff of the Asanko Gold Mines. The primary data collected was coded into SPSS and nalyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that among the nine factors that were determined, management and employees were considered a reward / payment as their main determinant of job satisfaction. Wages are a contractual agreement between the employer and the employee. This is not a motive for them, but they want to be paid fairly and when they are expected. If the employee perceives that he or she will not receive fair compensation, he or she will not be happy, therefore, will slow down the rate of return. Compare salaries and benefits, a clear policy related to salaries, increases, bonuses and benefits should be clearly stated to avoid dissatisfaction. The findings again made known the there is a weak positive relationship between job satisfaction and employee job performance. Finally, the study exposed that job satisfaction has a positive effect on employee performance. The data analyzed also show that taking all other independent variables at zero, a unit increase in the independent variables will lead to 0.282 increase in employee performance at Asanko Gold Mine.

Source: KNUST
An Assessment Of Financial Management Practices Of Ga South Municipal Health Directorate.

The Management Of Financial Resources Is Regarded As A Very Important Facet In The Improvement Of The Healthcare Systems Of Developing Countries. The General Objective Of This Study Is To Examine The Public Financial Management Practices Of Public Health Institutions In Ghana. The Population For The Study Is All The Public Health Facilities Within The Ga South Municipal Health Directorate. The Sampling Technique Chosen For This Study Is The Quota Sampling Method And Purposive Sampling Method. This Study Used Primary Data For This Study. In Gathering The Primary Data From Respondents, Interviews Were The Main Instruments Used. The Study Found Out That Their Major Sources Of Inflows Are From The Cash They Received From Patients Who Come To The Hospitals. Thus Main Sources Of Revenue For The Health Facilities In The Ga South Municipal Health Directorate Are The Inflows They Received From The National Health Insurance Scheme And Inflows From The Cash And Carry System. The Study Again Found Out The Budget Is One Of The Significant Activities In The Financial Planning Activities Of The Hospitals And That The Budgeting Process Starts With The Submission Of Budget Plans From The Various Units And Departments Of The Hospitals. Again The Study Found Out That The Hospital Derives Its Internal Control System From The Financial Administration Regulations, 2004. The Study Recommended Ghana Health Service And Ministry Of Health Should Endeavour To Organize Training Seminars To Educate Employees In The Health Institutions About The Content Of These Legal Regulations To Enhance The Financial Management Practices Of Public Hospitals In The Country

Source: KNUST
An assessment of on-farm vegetable contamination risk and farmers’ adaptive capacity: case study of the sunyani municipality.

Vegetables constitute an important part of human diet since they contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and fibre. The consumption of vegetables contaminated by bacteria may have serious health effect on both producers and consumers. Contamination of vegetables begin at the farm gate and farmers’ perceptions on the quality of vegetables are crucial for the adoption of appropriate mitigation strategies to reduce contamination. The main objective of the study therefore was to assess on-farm vegetable contamination risk and farmers’ adaptive capacity in the Sunyani Municipality. Cross-sectional design using mixed method approach was used to gather primary data. Survey data was gathered through structured interviews, semi structured interviews and focus group discussions. Respondents were sampled using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Irrigation water and fresh on-farm vegetable samples were collected and analysed to determine faecal coliform and E. coli counts. Quantitative data gathered was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v. 16.0 was used in the analysis of quantitative data. Hypotheses were tested using independent samples t-test, chi-square and correlation at (0.05) significance level. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis with the supported of Nvivo 11. The study found that, irrigation water and on-farm vegetables were contaminated with faecal coliform and E. coli with levels exceeding the WHO standards. The study again found that irrigation water has weak influence on the microbial quality of on-farm vegetables in the study area. The study further revealed that, there were differences in adaptive capacity of farmers in terms of gender and educational level of farmers. The study recommends that, the quality of on-farm vegetables and irrigation water should be monitored regularly by the Water and Crop Research Institutes in Brong Ahafo Region to assess their microbial quality in order to initiate measures to reduce risks and builds farmers’ resilience.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of occupational health and safety uptake among artisanal miners in Ghana.

Artisanal mining has attracted global significance because of its potential to contribute to sustainable livelihoods. Also, artisanal mining is one of the most complex economic sectors of Ghana, but the clear understanding of the country‘s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management in this mining business is missing. This calls for the need for studies in the area so that the findings could be used to inform policy makers in the sector to help enhance the occupational health and safety practices uptake in the sector. Data was collected from one hundred and thirty participants using questionnaires and this was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS). It was found that most of the workers who engage in artisanal mining business activities in Ghana are males with just little participation being females. Also, people from the age range between 1 to 35 years are those who actively engage in artisanal mining in Ghana. Physical hazards, psychosocial hazards and ergonomic hazards were found to be among the common and most frequently occurring occupational health and safety issues in the Ghanaian artisanal mining business sector. It was also discovered that management commitment is negatively related to occupational health and safety practices. It was recommended based on the findings that steps must be taken by the Ministry of Mines and Natural Resources to determine efficient and effective measures aimed at identifying all the artisanal miners in the various locations across the country. This would particularly be very helpful to both the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Revenue Authority to rake in additional unreported revenue from these artisanal miners.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of internal audits effectiveness of construction firms in ghana: a case study of space schedulers company limited

The study adds to the global debate on private sector audit by examining whether internal auditor independence, internal auditor competence, and control environment affect internal audit effectiveness in construction firms using Space Schedulers Company Limited (SSCL) as a case study. The study uses descriptive and explanatory designs using quantitative analysis to achieve research objectives. The study uses seventy respondents across various units directly related to auditing procedures and employs the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model and other statistical analyses to achieve the study's objectives. The study finds that the efficiency of private sector audits in Ghana's construction sector is due to internal audit competencies and control of environmental systems. The study recommends that internal auditors are encouraged to be professionally certified accountants in evaluating auditing issues in construction firms in Ghana. Also, stakeholders such as directors, supervisors, and other top management should allow internal auditors to perform their professional obligations without fear independently to increase internal audit effectiveness. There should be proper training and education on modern technology or computerized accounting systems to help internal auditors detect financial omissions, monitor risk, and ensure adequate internal control environment systems. Other practical and theoretical implications are discussed in the study.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of perception of upward adjustment of compulsory retirement age in the public sector in Ghana: a case of selected public sector organization.

In achievement of better social security services such as good pension scheme, several countries have reformed their pension systems. The reform comes in various forms and the central theme for this study is to assess the perception for upward adjustment of compulsory retirement age. The study set out to determine whether there was the need for upward adjustment of compulsory retirement with further emphasis on gender, nature of work and consequences of the adjustment. The study used a sample size of 250 to gather primary data. The sample was made up of employees of KNUST and ECG (Suame District Office). The study revealed that the current compulsory retirement age of 60 years should be maintained. However, those few respondents who advocated for upward adjustment had peculiar characteristics that attributed for their views. The characteristics were female, married, widowed, middle income earners to higher income earners, non-house owners and lower educational level. The study also showed that there should not be gender discrimination on compulsory retirement age and some professions however need their retirement age increased. Some of the consequences of the adjustment are increase or reduction in productivity, increase in youth unemployment, better family life, and increase in pension funds. The study recommended that, the compulsory retirement age should be maintained at 60 years for both male and female, however, professionals like Doctors, Lecturers, Teachers and Pharmacists should have an extended retirement age and if there is the need for upward adjustment of compulsory retirement age, youth unemployment problem should be tackled first before its implementation.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of resource availability for problem based learning in a Ghanaian University setting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the differences pertaining to the resources presently accessible for problem-based learning (PBL) among six colleges of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Data for the study are the cross-sectional type drawn from 1,020 students. Poisson and zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) models were implemented on the data to ascertain the variations regarding the extent of resources available for PBL across the colleges of the university. Findings – The study outlines the specific resources accessible for PBL across college levels of KNUST. On aggregate, 25.7 per cent reported that their respective colleges have sufficient resources, while 74.3 per cent indicated otherwise. The ZIP model exhibited superiority over the Poisson model, when compared under a Vuong test. As per the ZIP model, none of the colleges appeared to differ significantly in terms of having sufficient resource for PBL. Practical implications – Findings are applicable to informed decision-making which targets achieving quality education through the use of PBL. Access to sufficient resources that meet the needs of colleges or departments of a University is emphasized. Originality/value – The application of Poisson and ZIP models to aggregated count data in a PBL setting is novel.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the corporate governance structure of petroleum commission Ghana

The thesis assesses the corporate governance structure of Petroleum Commission Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive research design and quantitative research approach. Structured questionnaire and purposive sampling technique were used to select the respondents. The study found that the board followed certified performance indicators to monitor the progress of the commission towards the accomplishment of strategic objectives and the board as well takes a timely and counteractive actions in case the objectives are not being achieved. Also, there are a clearly defined roles and responsibilities of the board written in documentation for which are constantly pursue by the board members with a higher level of independence assured by extremely attentive and accountable committees and task forces especially in a high-level discussion by the board. Again, the study has revealed that the board meetings are frequently held which boost timely decision making and per the attendance level, it promotes inclusive dialogue and decision making. Also, enough time is saved to ensure effective discussion and act efficiently on relevant strategic matters. Lastly, the performance of CEO is frequently monitored and assessed every year on which the CEOs are compensated. However, the CEO’s compensation scheme does not stimulate, and rewards extraordinary performance and it is not regularly examined by the board. The study found that, governance structure has no significant relationship with employee participation. Meanwhile, the study found that, governance structure has significant correlation with operational performance. Lastly, the study found that, employee participation has significant relationship with operational performance. The study recommends that management of organizations should consider smaller size boards as compared to larger board sizes to enable them to foster their decision making. Also, smaller boards will enable the organization reduce cost associated with larger board sizes.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the contribution of grameen-Ghana lending to the growth of small and medium enterprise in tamale metropolis

Grameen-Ghana provides microfinance to low-income clients, including self employed and low earning individuals who are working in informal sectors. The study objective is an assessment of the contribution of Grameen-Ghana lending to the growth of small and medium enterprise in Tamale metropolis. Descriptive design was selected in this study because it allowed the researcher to gather numerical and descriptive data to assess the relationship between the variables. The study used probability sampling techniques to create a sampling frame for small and medium enterprises. Data collected from questionnaire was analyzed, summarized, and interpreted accordingly with the aid of SPSS statistical techniques such as total score and simple averages and percentages were used. The study also used key informant interview to complement the questionnaires. It was found that Grameen-Ghana lending and the growth of small and medium enterprise in the Tamale Metropolis have a positive relationship. The study also found that only a small percentage of the smes in the Tamale Metropolis are beneficiaries of the Grameen-Ghana lending services. Smes patronage of Grameen-Ghana loans was high because of the easy access, though there were some loan processing delays, stringent repayment terms and high transactional cost. Productivity is high as well as profitability among beneficiary smes of Grameen-Ghana loans. The study recommends the need for Government and other partners to facilitate the accessibility of credit for smes from the mfis and minimize collateral conditions.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the book keeping practices of small and medium scale enterprises (smes) in Kumasi metropolis.

This study sort to examine accounting information system practices of SMEs in the Kumasi metropolis. The study specifically sorts to: assess the accounting records keeping procedures of Small and Medium Enterprises; examine the value relevance of accounting information from the perspective of the SMEs and finally determine the influence of accounting information on SMEs operational performance. The study adopted a quantity study approach and data was collected from 385 respondent and analysed using OLS regression model. The major findings revealed that most SMEs do not apply the double entry principles required in accounting to record their business transactions; the study also showed that accounting information system has a positive and significant impact on firm performance among Small and Medium Enterprises within the Kumasi metropolis. It is recommended that the government organized periodic training to assist SMEs understand the need to maintain proper books of account such as ledger account in order to generate relevant and faithful representation accounting information.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the credit appraisal system of Prudential Bank limited (PBL)

With loan advancing as the major source of income generated by universal banks and also representing the highest potential avenue for credit risk, banks need a well-designed credit policy document to guide them in their administration of credit facilities to borrowers in order to survive and remain competitive. Using Prudential Bank Limited (PBL) as a case study, this research sought to examine the credit appraisal system of the bank. With responses gathered from 300 conveniently sampled participants comprising of 50 staff of the bank and 250 customers of the bank, findings from the study indicate that by observing the provisions of the credit policy document, the bank has been able to prevent the use of arbitrariness in granting credit facilities to customers even though this has been identified as inhibiting the use of discretion in appraising and approving credit facilities by the Bank to its customers. The quality of facilities granted is nevertheless enhanced as trend analysis of the loan disbursement, repayment and default at PBL shows a rising steady improvement over the years. Total gross loans and advances by the bank have risen substantially by up to 77.3% for the period 2012 – 2014. However, as expressed by most respondents of the study, there seems to be a kind of rigidity and inflexibility experienced by PBL’s customers when making applications for credit facilities which stands in contrast to the expectations of credit seekers especially the educated, given the progress that has been accomplished in the evolution of the banking sector in the country. It is recommended therefore that the bank adopts measures that would improve upon the speed of delivery of credit facilities, implement responsive feedback systems to keep borrowers abreast with the status of their credit applications and adopt more careful credit administration strategies to minimise its loan default rate which appears to be on the increase as total loan disbursement increases, without repelling customers who might as well obtain credit facilities from the bank’s rising number of competitors.

Source: KNUST