ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Kid’s Party Decor: A Green Celebration

This research explores the adoption of sustainable practices for kid’s parties in Ghana. The study investigates the current level of awareness of eco-friendly alternatives among event planners, parents, and party suppliers. The study’s objectives are to determine the level of awareness and practice of sustainable options among event organizers and parents. Qualitative research design was used and involved conducting interviews with twelve (12) event planners, including party suppliers and four (4) parents in Accra. It was also revealed that parents have a low level of knowledge about sustainability and thus, most of them prefer the traditional decorations to the sustainable ones due to their price and kid’s theme preference. Nonetheless, there is an emerging demand for sustainable decorations, mainly due to a gradually increasing number of foreigners in the country. The study also highlights that awareness and education about the availability and benefits of eco-friendly decorations could go a long way in promoting the products. Some recommendations include encouraging the use of biodegradable and reusable products, liaising with local companies to incorporate environmentally friendly products in their production, and carrying out awareness creation among the populace. The findings of this research can be useful in the existing literature on sustainability in the developing world since it provides a background of the socio-economic and cultural factors that affect the implementation of sustainable practices in children’s party planning.

Source: Ashesi
Take thy selfie and follow me: The image of Christianity and how it attracts or repels youth in Ghana

The largest religion in Ghana, the world's most religious country, is Christianity. Here, the pervading belief in God's existence fosters religious involvement. With globalization causing a mirroring of trends, the drop in Western religious participation signifies the potential decline of religion in Ghana. Noting that religion is a major part of the lives of many Ghanaians, it is evident that ascertaining what is responsible for the popularity of Christianity in Ghana could hold key insights for religious and non-religious institutions alike as to what traits individuals value in the organizations that they choose to identify with. This paper reflects opinions of the youth on Ghana's most followed religion and acts as a pointer about traits young Ghanaians value in the organizations they associate with. In this study, data was collected from ninety individuals using a set of methods including semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion and an online questionnaire. From empirical evidence, authenticity ranked highly in deciding whether to belong to a religion's sub-branch. Full participation of the youth in Christian activities was therefore greatly affected by perceptions of the church's split between professed ideals and actual actions as well as the desire for a personal connection to drive their religious participation. This research suggests that where the projected image of Christianity does not match reality, there would eventually be declines in participation. In essence, it asserts that the Christianity that respondents want to associate with is one whose deeds are motivated by a deep empathy for others and that is authentic in its communications and actions.

Source: Ashesi
Teachers' knowledge and beliefs about dyslexia: A survey of pilot inclusive schools in the Effutu District

In an era where basic education and equal opportunity are perceived human rights, governments and different stakeholders are continually making adjustments to how education is provided for children with dyslexia. Although this global social justice agenda has translated into the Ghanaian educational system, most of the efforts have been towards accommodating traditional disabilities. Consequently, the instructional accommodations needed by children with dyslexia to help remediate the difficulties experienced may not be effectively provided. This research attempts to explore the beliefs that may influence the instructional strategies used on children with dyslexia. Specifically, it investigates teachers' beliefs about dyslexia and explores the extent to which teacher education-specific variables may influence such beliefs. The scope of the research was confined to the Effutu District, Winneba, where professional development initiatives have been comparatively rife. It focused on pilot inclusive schools in the district. Participating teachers consisted of 40 teachers from 6 out of the 8 pilot inclusive schools in the region. Teacher beliefs and knowledge towards dyslexia was measured using both semi-structured interviews and a 15-item dyslexia scale adapted from the validated Dyslexia Belief Index. Descriptive analysis revealed that the mean questionnaire score was lower than 48 points, which was the score hypothesized to be indicative of accurate beliefs considerable knowledge about dyslexia. In spite of this, further analysis revealed that teachers in the Effutu district had both misconceptions and accurate beliefs about dyslexia. Another key finding of the study was that special education needs training in dyslexia and in general did not significantly lead to fewer misconceptions; and teachers with Masters in education had a significantly higher mean score than teachers with Diploma in education. The implications of these findings for teaching training initiatives are discussed.

Source: Ashesi
Technological breakthroughs: Unveiling the sentiments of frontline employees in Stanbic Bank - Harper Road Branch, Adum KumasiI, Ghana

All over the world, there have been massive adjustments within industries such as the agricultural industry, telecommunication industry, and the banking industry towards the use of technology to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve customer service delivery amongst others. The gradual adoption of technology within these sectors has caused some frontline employees to be sidelined. A sector that has been affected the most from the adoption of technology at the workplace is the banking sector. Since frontline employees are the drivers of productivity, they are the most likely to be directly affected. The repetitive nature of their jobs makes them vulnerable to being instantly replaced by technology. By interviewing eight frontline employees at Stanbic Bank, Harper Road Branch, Adum Kumasi (here in after referred to as Stanbic), the researcher sought to provide the bank manager with a panoramic and in-depth view into the sentiments frontline employees hold from the increased usage of technology. The questions that guided this study are: “How has the increased implementation of technological advancements led to job insecurity?” and “What sentimental differences prevail amongst male and female front line employees on job insecurity?”. It was found that the increased usage of technology impacted the productivity, behavior/attitudes of frontline employees, heightened fears and how they could upgrade their personal status. The researcher recommended that the frontline employees should keep their minds open to learn how to use the new technology being introduced into the banking environment. They should also increase their relevancy to the banks through versatility and multi-tasking.

Source: Ashesi
The Effect of Early Entrepreneurial Exposure on Financial Independence Among Ghanaian Youth

Financial independence is a criteria or marker in the journey towards adulthood and is one that has always been of considerable significance among youth globally. Yet, there are few to no studies on financial independence in emerging economies, especially Ghana. In addition, higher unemployment rates tend to reduce the probability of obtaining a job, which consequently affects income, and the youth's desire to even attain financial independence (Whittington & Peters, 1996). Yet, one of the most absent views is on entrepreneurship and how it may he used to achieve financial independence (Perrone, Vickers & Jackson, 2015). Therefore, this study investigates the effect of early entrepreneurial exposure, and age on financial independence. This research utilized online questionnaires to acquire primary data. The data was subsequently analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Dummy variables were created for categorical independent variables in the estimation model. The results show that the independent variable, entrepreneurial exposure, had a negative yet insignificant relationship with financial independence, whereas age had a positive and statistically significant relationship with financial independence.

Source: Ashesi
The Effect of Fintech Use on the Consumer Behaviour of University Students in Ghana

In Africa, fintech is rapidly expanding due to increased smartphone use, lower internet costs, and wider network coverage. In Ghana, this growth is evident in the rise of mobile money services with university students, a tech-savvy demographic, driving this trend. Nonetheless, studies have explored how fintech affects their spending behaviours. This study explores the influence of fintech services on the financial behaviours of university students in Ghana, focusing on those at Ashesi University and the University of Ghana. Through qualitative research, it examines students' perceptions and usage patterns of fintech solutions such as mobile money (MoMo) and banking apps. Primary data was collected using interview guides to gather in-depth insights from the students. The data was then analyzed thematically to identify key trends and patterns. The findings reveal that fintech adoption is primarily driven by the convenience and security these digital tools offer over traditional cash handling, making them the preferred choice for transactions like money transfers, bill payments, and online purchases. Mobile Money (MoMo) services, particularly MTN MoMo, dominate the fintech landscape due to their extensive network and reliability. Despite the widespread acceptance, the study identifies significant concerns, including a tendency for increased spending due to the ease of digital transactions and persistent fears of digital fraud. These issues highlight the need for better financial literacy and robust security measures to ensure safe fintech usage. The study therefore recommends the development of financial education programs tailored to the digital age and further studies on the long-term impacts of fintech on spending habits. The study underscores the transformative role of fintech in student financial practices, balancing its substantial benefits with the necessity for vigilant financial management and enhanced security.

Source: Ashesi
The effect of foreign direct investment on agricultural growth in Ghana

This research paper investigates the effect of Foreign Direct Investment on the growth of the agricultural sector in Ghana. The literature surrounding the FDI-Growth nexus with respect to the effect of FDI on the growth of agriculture is not expansive. Agriculture employs majority of the working population and poor population in developing economies such as Ghana. Hence, the effect of any investment vehicle on such an essential sector is relevant for the formation of better-informed policies. Variables examined in this study are Agriculture Value Added as the dependent variable and FDI inflows as the independent variable. Inflation, Gross Fixed Capital Formation, and Trade Openness served as the control variables. Data on these variables were collected from 1984 to 2019. The study applied the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model to assess the nature and significance of the effect FDI has on the agricultural sector in Ghana. The various diagnostic tests when determining OLS estimates were conducted ensuring the model is robust and of good fit. The paper finds that FDI in the long run has a negative and significant effect on the growth of the agricultural sector whiles inflation has a positive and significant effect. In the short run, FDI has a positive and significant association with the agricultural sector. The Government should focus on the improvement of the human capital within the sector and invest in equipment and much needed infrastructure such as roads. The laws and frameworks surrounding private business in the agricultural sector needs to be reformed and less restrictive.

Source: Ashesi
The Effectiveness of Conventional Monetary Policies on Inflation in Ghana: The Case of An Import Dependent Economy

This study investigates the impact of import dependency on the efficacy of monetary policy in controlling inflation within the context of Ghana. Through a detailed quantitative analysis involving monthly time-series data from 2004 to 2023, this study examines how Ghana’s substantial reliance on imported goods constrains the effectiveness of traditional monetary policy tools. The findings indicate that the typical monetary strategies may not be as effective in an import-dependent economy like Ghana's. This necessitates the development of customized monetary policies that consider the unique economic structure and external dependencies. The study also explores alternative policy measures that could potentially enhance monetary policy effectiveness in managing inflation. These insights could provide valuable guidelines for policymakers in similar import-reliant economies.

Source: Ashesi
The effects of overconfidence bias and herding bias on entrepreneurial performance

The poor performance of entrepreneurial firms in Ghana has been attributed to economic and financial factors like scarcity of resources, poor institutions, and lack of capital for a long time, overlooking the physiological factors that have a direct impact on entrepreneurial performance. One important factor that is usually overlooked is the cognitive dissonance and heuristics entrepreneurs face when making decisions that affect the performance and success of their businesses. Behavioral finance has asserted that individuals, when making decisions, are not always rational and they are usually influenced by some cognitive bias. Research has proven that entrepreneurs are more susceptible to cognitive biases. This study focused on how the performance of entrepreneurial firms is affected by overconfidence and herding bias. This research relied on primary quantitative data obtained from questionnaires administered on entrepreneurs i n Ghana to examine how overconfidence bias and herding bias affect the performance of entrepreneurial firms. The results of this research showed that there is a positive relationship between overconfidence bias and entrepreneurial performance; such that a unit increase overconfidence bias could lead to 1.23 units increase in the performance of an entrepreneurial firm. The results also showed that there is a negative relationship between herding bias and entrepreneurial performance; such that a unit increase in herding bias could lead to 3.197 units decrease in entrepreneurial performance. This study concluded that entrepreneurs in Ghana could increase their performance by: (1) making conscious efforts to prevent themselves from experiencing negative biases, (2) seeking professional assistance in decision making and (3) having some form of education to acquire more knowledge.

Source: Ashesi
The impact bank recapitalisation requirement on profitability of local and foreign banks in ghana

The Bank of Ghana embarked on a “clean up” exercise in the banking sector to strengthen the sector and protect the properties of depositors. This exercise caused some of the banks in Ghana to exit the industry due to revocation of license, too many non performing loans or insufficient capital reserve. Among the reforms, the minimum capital reserve for financial institutions in Ghana, which was initially GHS 120 million (USD $20,859,324) was increased to GHS 400million (USD 69,531,080). Banks were required to get their capital reserve up to that amount by the end of 2018. Among the clean-up, the capital adequacy ratio was set at 10%. Research has shown that effect on bank recapitalization differs from foreign- owned and locally-owned banks in Ghana. Since it was too soon observe the effects of bank recapitalization in 2017, this study delved into the impact bank recapitalization has on foreign-owned and locally-owned universal/commercial banks in Ghana. Foreign banks that is mentioned many times in this study refers to banks established in other countries (and majorly owned by foreigners) but have set up offices in Ghana. Locally banks as used in this paper refers to banks who have majorly owned by indigenes, in this case Ghanaians. A total of eight banks were used in this study; four locally banks and four foreign owned banks. The returns on asset, returns on equity, capital adequacy ratio and total assets of these banks were collected for the period 2007-2009. Ghana’s Real GDP growth rates for the same period were collected. The data collected can be described as a panel data, thus a panel data analysis is used. A Hausman Test was run to help determine the appropriate results to use for the analysis of this study. The results revealed that capital adequacy ratio had a positive relationship with ROA of both types of Banks. It was also established that total assets had a negative relationship on ROA of these banks. GDP growth rate had a positive coefficient for local banks but the opposite was recorded for foreign banks.

Source: Ashesi
The impact of a Free Primary Education Policy on the Economic Development of South Sudan

This paper examines the impact of a free primary education policy on the economic development of South Sudan. The first objective of this study was to assess the impacts of the implementation of free primary education policy on the economic development of South Sudan. The second objective was to evaluate how a free primary education policy provides quality education. To answer the research question, the study came up with general questions that gave an overview of the impact of free education. Some of these questions include: Will the implementation of a free primary education policy ensure the provision of quality education? and does free primary education instill the necessary skills that boost the economic development? The study used purposive sampling to recruit 15 participants who comprised of 5 students, 2 teachers, 2 parents, 5 employees from different companies and 1 person who had experience working at the Ministry of Education. The data from the semi- structured interviews was analyzed through the thematic analysis. The results showed that free primary education is important as it allows students from different financial backgrounds to attain an education. The findings also represented challenges that are associated with the implementation of free educational policies. Some of these challenges include limited resources, inadequate number of teaching staff, and congestion of students all affect the quality of education. The results also indicated that economic development could be improved through the acquisition and application of transferrable skills from the educational institutions.

Source: Ashesi
The impact of corruption on Foreign Direct Investment inflow in Ghana

In Ghana, the attraction of FDI is identified among the strategies for achieving the Ghana beyond aid agenda. Meanwhile, corruption, which is a major factor affecting FDI inflow, is very high in Ghana, making it necessary to investigate its impact on Ghana’s FDI inflow. The findings on the impact of corruption on FDI have been inconclusive. Two main theories underlie the corruption-FDI relationship, namely, the grabbing hand and the helping hand. The grabbing hand posits that corruption negatively impacts FDI by raising transaction costs. The proponents of the helping hand argue that corruption serves as grease in the wheels of commerce in the absence of strong institutions, hence making a country more attractive for FDI. The autoregressive distributed lag estimator is used to estimate the relationship between corruption and FDI inflow and to determines the effect of the 2008 financial crisis on the corruption-FDI relationship in Ghana. The study checks whether the regression results depend on the corruption index used by estimating the two different regressions, each with different corruption index. The results show that FDI inflow has a significant positive relationship with corruptiont but its lag is insignificant. When tested jointly, corruption and its lag have insignificant relationship with FDI. The 2008 financial crisis had insignificant negative effect on the corruption-FDI relationship. Moreover, estimating with the control of corruption shows different results from estimating with corruption perceptions index. This suggests that the differences in results on the topic may be due to the choice of corruption index.

Source: Ashesi
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Psychological Health of University Students and Their Grades

The COVID-19 pandemic came with a lot of changes that had adverse effects across the globe. Upon causing millions of deaths, lockdown and restricted movements in most countries including Ghana and the fear of losing loved ones, the likelihood that it caused behavioural changes and increased mental distress was high in people especially young adults. Due to their cognitive development, the trauma from the pandemic and the stress from their academics could have triggered an increase in psychological issues within the students. Several studies have shown an association between the pandemic, the development of psychological issues in university students and their academic performance. The objective of this thesis was to assess the impact COVID-19 had on the psychological health of students of Ashesi University, the prevalence of psychological issues in the students during the pandemic and how it affected their grades. A sample of 320 students from Ashesi university was chosen to represent the population of the undergraduates excluding the first year and second year students. The survey consisted of measures used for the assessment of anxiety, depression, stress, questions on the students' grades, their demographic information and whether the individual and the family and friends contracted Covid-19 or not and the extent of alarm they felt. It also inquired on the extent of support the individual felt they needed during the pandemic. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests with Excel. The results of this study showed that the pandemic had a negative impact on the academic performance of the students. The participants also showed higher levels of mild anxiety and depression but lower stress levels during the pandemic.

Source: Ashesi
The Impact of Digital Banking on the Profitability of Universal Banks in Ghana

Change appears to be the one constant in an ever-changing world. This can be ascribed to technological advancements. One of the crucial aspects driving human progress is technological improvement. Treatment of diseases, higher productivity, rapid and effective task execution, and improved food production are just a few of the advantages. Ghana's banking industry has benefitted from technological advancement, as seen in the evolution from traditional "brick and mortar" branches to the current structure, which includes internet banking channels. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of digital banking on universal banks' profitability in Ghana and evaluate investments made.

Source: Ashesi