ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effects of community participation on government-funded community-based development projects in

The worsening living conditions of people demand that concerted efforts are made to improve the situation. Improving the quality of the living standards of people entails embarking on sustainable and massive community developmental projects. The aim of this study was to examine evidences of community (citizens) participation in government-funded community development projects with reference to Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study primarily adopted both descriptive and explanatory research designs. A sample size of 400 was used. Primary data were collected through the usage of questionnaire. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study discovered that the: involvement of citizens in Asokore Mampong Municipality on government projects is low; the strongest participation method employed by development agents is the passive participation; development project outcomes is very poor. The usage of manipulative participation promotes positive project outcomes but the usage of passive participation technique demotes positive project outcomes. The strongest challenges that confront the respondents in their quest to participate in development projects are bureaucracy and political influence and complexity of analysis. However, the study discovered that complexity of analysis has the strongest adverse effect on ownership, sustainability and commitment outcomes but favouritism has the strongest adverse effect on transparency, resource allocation, maintenance culture, and project completion. Some of the recommendations made include: involvement of locals on government projects, adoption of e-governance system, and public education of locals on the importance of owning and sustaining government projects

Source: KNUST
Effects of commonly used storage methods, chemical treatment and storage period on maize grains quality in Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipality in the Ashanti Region

Postharvest losses in maize production especially during storage, is a major and big challenge in maize growing areas in Ghana. Consequently, the study was undertaken to investigate and come out with suitable storage methods which would minimize both qualitative and quantitative losses of maize during storage. A field survey and laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of some storage methods namely: jute sack, polypropylene sack, plastic drum, hermetic triple-layer bag, clay pot and heaping on floor used by farmers in Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipality, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, on postharvest quality characteristics of stored Obatanpa maize grains. The experiment was set up in a 6 x 2 x 4 factorial laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times. For each treatment, five kilogram of Obatanpa, treated with Actellic Super and Phostoxin at the recommended rates was stored for a period of four months at ambient conditions. At every one month of storage interval, destructive sampling of 1kg of grains was taken randomly from each treatment for the determination of grain quality parameters including moisture content, weight loss, grain damage, grain colour and odour changes and level of insect pest infestation. Hermetic triple- layer bag proved superior in recording the least weight loss (5.76%) within four months of storage followed by plastic drum (7.38%), clay pot (7.98%), jute sack (10.31%), polypropylene sack (10.98%) and heaping on floor (14.62%). The use of hermetic triple-layer bag and plastic drum significantly minimized grain damage, moisture content number of insect pests that caused grain damage and had no effect on grain colour and odour. Reduction in proximate and minerals composition of maize grains were significantly lowest in grains stored in hermetic triple-layer sack and plastic drum compared to grains stored in jute sack, polypropylene sack, clay pot and heaping on floor methods. The quality parameters studied were significantly affected by storage duration. Grain moisture content, insect infestation, grain damage and weight loss showed an increasing trend with an extended period of storage. With the two grain protectants (Actellic Super and Phostoxin) used, Phostoxin gave a desirable result than Actellic Super as far as moisture content was concerned. In this regard, Phostoxin fumigation was effective method to maintain the quality of stored maize grains. In this regard, it is concluded that for better short term and long term storage of maize grains, it is preferable to use hermetic triple-layer bags and plastic drums in combination with Phostoxin treatment to maintain postharvest quality characteristics of stored maize grains.

Source: KNUST
Effects of Corporate Brand Image on Sustainability of National Health Insurance in Ghana (case study of Sekyere East Distric

Building a corporate brand is a complex task, a process that involves everyone in the organisation. Russ and Ravi (2011) suggest that brand combines features with customer satisfaction. In recent times, the NHIS has suffered some image crisis arising from late payment of claims to service providers, resulted to withdrawal of service by providers, clients then pay before they are attended to. The issue of non-coverage to some critical health challenges, and care under NHIS which lacks quality ranging from drugs to attention to patients, together these concerns has created bad image to the scheme.The study investigated the effect of corporate brand image on sustainability of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana. The study was a descriptive research which made use of both primary and secondary data. The objectives of the study included an assessment of the corporate brand image of NHIS, the importance of corporate brand image to the NHIS, an assessment of the sustainability of NHIS and also examined the effect of corporate brand image on sustainability of then NHIS. Questionnaires were distributed to 15 staff of Sekyere East Office of NHIA and 235 subscribers of the NHIS after which SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Among other findings, a slight majority of the clients indicated that slow registration process reminds them of the NHIS. But this position of disputed by the staff. In addition improvement of service quality and unique identification of the NHIS was emphasised by respondents. The study found a weak positive correlation between corporate brand image and sustainability of NHIS. It was recommended that management show commitment to brand building, while funding and premium be adjusted upwards.

Source: KNUST
Effects of community participation on Government-funded community-based development projects in Ghana

The worsening living conditions of people demand that concerted efforts are made to improve the situation. Improving the quality of the living standards of people entails embarking on sustainable and massive community developmental projects. The aim of this study was to examine evidences of community (citizens) participation in government-funded community development projects with reference to Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study primarily adopted both descriptive and explanatory research designs. A sample size of 400 was used. Primary data were collected through the usage of questionnaire. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study discovered that the: involvement of citizens in Asokore Mampong Municipality on government projects is low; the strongest participation method employed by development agents is the passive participation; development project outcomes is very poor. The usage of manipulative participation promotes positive project outcomes but the usage of passive participation technique demotes positive project outcomes. The strongest challenges that confront the respondents in their quest to participate in development projects are bureaucracy and political influence and complexity of analysis. However, the study discovered that complexity of analysis has the strongest adverse effect on ownership, sustainability and commitment outcomes but favouritism has the strongest adverse effect on transparency, resource allocation, maintenance culture, and project completion. Some of the recommendations made include: involvement of locals on government projects, adoption of e-governance system, and public education of locals on the importance of owning and sustaining government projects.

Source: KNUST
Effects of computerized decision support in the context of a performance-based incentive intervention on maternal and neonatal health-worker performance in Upper East Region, Ghana: A qualitative study of professional perspectives

Background: Computerized decision support systems (CDSS) and performance-based incentives (PBIs) can improve health worker performance. However, there is minimal evidence on the combined effects of these interventions or perceived effects among maternal and child healthcare providers in low-resource settings. We thus aimed to explore the perceptions of maternal and child healthcare providers of combined CDSS-PBI support on performance in twelve primary care facilities in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study drawing on semi-structured key informant interviews with 24 nurses and midwives, 12 health facility managers, and 6 district-level staff familiar with the intervention. We analysed data thematically using deductive and inductive coding in NVivo 9 software. Results: Interviewees suggested the combined CDSS-PBI intervention improved their performance, through enhancing knowledge of maternal health issues, facilitating diagnoses and prescribing, prompting actions for complications, and improving management. Some also reported improved and mortality. However, challenges described in patient care included CDSS software inflexibility (e.g. requiring administration of only one intermittent preventive malaria treatment to pregnant women), faulty electronic partograph leading to unnecessary referrals, increased workload for nurses and midwives who still had to complete facility forms, and power fluctuations affecting software. Conclusions: Combining CDSS and PBI interventions has potential to improve maternal and child healthcare provision in low income settings. However, user perspectives and context must be considered, along with allowance for revisions, when designing and implementing CDSS and PBIs interventions.

Source: KNUST
Effects of copper-based fungicide application on cocoa growing soils and plants in Fenaso of the Amansie Central District, Ashanti Region,Ghana

Copper based fungicide remains the most effective way to control the canker that reduces the higher yield of the brown gold, cocoa for the people of Fenaso and the country at large. However excessive application of the fungicide leaves a higher percentage of residual copper in the soil and plants which affects the quality of cocoa produced in the area. 30 selected cocoa farms from Fenaso, in the Amansie Central District of Ashanti Region which had experienced repeated application of copper-based fungicide were sampled to study the total copper in two soil depth of three of spraying age categories together with cocoa parts, namely seeds, leaves and bark. The relationship between copper concentrations and the soil pH and organic matter in the soils were also studied. An unsprayed farm land at the same area was sampled for control. Mean total copper concentration for three spraying age categories-below 10 years, 10-30 years, and above 30 years of the top soil were 22.37 mg/kg, 22.46 mg/kg and 23.97 mg/kg respectively with corresponding mean of sub-soil as 18.08 mg/kg, 17.34 mg/kg and 17.91 mg/kg. Analysis of results indicated that copper concentrations of the soil samples from sprayed cocoa farms at both depths were significantly different from the corresponding copper concentrations from unsprayed farm land (p < 0.05). The analysis also showed a significant difference between top soil and sub soil which indicated that the mean copper concentration of top soil was always greater than corresponding sub soil. No significant difference was obtained in the three spraying age categories on total copper concentration pH values and organic matter content of soil the samples (p > 0.05). The regression analysis of the results indicated positive relationship between total copper concentration and soil pH as well as organic matter. Copper concentration of cocoa beans differed significantly from leaves and bark (p < 0.05). The mean copper concentration of the seeds, leaves and bark were 37.3 mg/kg, 16.10 mg/kg and 16.5 mg/kg respectively. Even though the cocoa growing soil of Fenaso is contaminated with copper based fungicide, the cocoa beans from the area are far below the health risk of consumption. In future, more research should be conducted on different cocoa farms nationwide to complement with the conclusions made in this study.

Source: KNUST
Effects of corporate brand image on sustainability of National Health Insurance in Ghana (case study of Sekyere East District)

Building a corporate brand is a complex task, a process that involves everyone in the organisation. Russ and Ravi (2011) suggest that brand combines features with customer satisfaction. In recent times, the NHIS has suffered some image crisis arising from late payment of claims to service providers, resulted to withdrawal of service by providers, clients then pay before they are attended to. The issue of non-coverage to some critical health challenges, and care under NHIS which lacks quality ranging from drugs to attention to patients, together these concerns has created bad image to the scheme.The study investigated the effect of corporate brand image on sustainability of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana. The study was a descriptive research which made use of both primary and secondary data. The objectives of the study included an assessment of the corporate brand image of NHIS, the importance of corporate brand image to the NHIS, an assessment of the sustainability of NHIS and also examined the effect of corporate brand image on sustainability of then NHIS. Questionnaires were distributed to 15 staff of Sekyere East Office of NHIA and 235 subscribers of the NHIS after which SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Among other findings, a slight majority of the clients indicated that slow registration process reminds them of the NHIS. But this position of disputed by the staff. In addition improvement of service quality and unique identification of the NHIS was emphasised by respondents. The study found a weak positive correlation between corporate brand image and sustainability of NHIS. It was recommended that management show commitment to brand building, while funding and premium be adjusted upwards.

Source: KNUST
Effects of corporate governance on firms’ value: the mediating role of credit risk

Poor corporate governance (CG) has been one of the causes of the recent financial sector crisis that characterized the Ghanaian banking sector. As a result, the current study was positioned to empirically examine the link between corporate governance and the firm value of commercial banks in Ghana, with a focus on the mediating effect of credit risk. In this regard, it aimed to address three specific objectives including, (1) to examine the effect of corporate governance and firm value (2) to investigate the influence of corporate governance on the credit risk of banks, and (3) to assess the mediating role of credit risk on the link between corporate governance and firm value of banks. With a population of 14 commercial banks (9 listed and 5 unlisted banks) over a study period of 17 years (that is from 2005 to 2021), the study employed the explanatory research design with a quantitative approach to investigate the study objectives. The dynamic models in the data analysis; thus, both the system and difference GMM were employed based on Bond et al. (2001) selection criteria. The study employed the indirect effect calculation method of Judd and Kenny (1981) to achieve the third objective. The dependent variables were Firm value measured by Tobin’s Q, and credit risk measured by the rate of NPL. The regressors were corporate governance (board size, board independence, audit size, and board diversity) and controlled variables (firm size and firm leverage). The study found that large board sizes and a more independent board of directors contribute positively to the marketbased valuation of banks. However, audit size was found to be inversely related to the value of banks. The study further revealed that audit size and board diversity cause a decrease in banks’ credit risk exposure, while it had a direct relationship with the board size of banks. Meanwhile, board independence had no significant impact on the risk exposure of banks. The indirect effect of corporate governance on firm value was mediated negatively by the credit risk of banks. Hence, for banks to attain growth in their market valuation, then good corporate governance should not be compromised.

Source: KNUST
The Effects Of Corporate Governance on the Performance of Banking Institutions Listed On The Ghana Stock Exchange.

Earlier studies on the Ghana stock exchange failed to consider the effect of management skills on the performance of banking institutions and how corporate governance affects the market share of financial institutions. The study also examines the nature of board structure of the banking institutions for the period under investigations. Five banks (5) out of total number of twenty eight (28), on the Ghana Stock Exchange were used for the periods 2010 to 2014 based on the availability of data. Secondary data on meeting frequency, audit committee, management skills and board composition were obtained from the annual reports of firms and the Ghana Stock Exchange facts book. The fixed effect regression technique was used to examine the effect of corporate governance on banking performance. A positive and significant relationship was found in the case of audit committee and management skills. Meeting frequency and board composition also register negative relationships with bank performance. Firm size, inflation and debt ratio recorded no significant relationships with banking performance. The result suggests that weak practices in the governance of selected banks in the Ghana Stock Exchange. These include but not limited to: failure to reduce the number of meetings held, and the dominance of the outside directors without the requisite skills related to banks. To address the challenges enumerated, it is recommended that banks should review the role and contribution of non-executive directors to ensure that all directors have a sound understanding of the bank’s operations. It is also important to ensure that directors have access to all the information required to function effectively. Auditing of financial statements must be tightened to meet the agreed International Accounting Standards.

Source: KNUST
Effects of cropping systems on the productivity of component crops

A study was conducted at the Crops Research Institute, Fumesua, Kurnasi Ghana in 2002/2003 cropping season to evaluate the effects of cropping systems on the productivity of component crops. There were fifteen cropping systems comprising both sole and intercropped systems of cassava and maize with soybean, cowpea, and mucuna, and hush fallow. Intercropping reduced the plant and canopy heights of cowpea. Soybean, and maize; that of cassava, however, were increased. Intercropped maize and intercropped cassava systems absorbed significantly (P<0 .05) greater Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) than sole cassava and sole maize (either fertilized or unfertilized). The intensity of weed growth in sole cassava was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in all intercropped cassava, except in cassava/maize intercrop. This study has, thus proved that intercrop systems of maize and cassava are more effective in PAR utilization and weed suppression than sole crop systems of both crops. Continuous cowpea and soybean yielded higher than the intercrops; maize relay intercropped with mucuna yielded most and was comparable to yields of maize rotated with cowpea; and tuber yields of cassava intercropped with maize was improved compared to sole crop and other intercrop systems. The grain/tuber productivity of all the intercrops was greater than 1, except maize/cowpea, which was 16% less productive compared to the sole crops. The biomass productivity of cassava/soybean, cassava/cowpea, cassava/maize intercrops, and maize/mucuna relay intercrop measured by the land equivalent ratios on the other hand, ranged between 101 and 244% while maize/soybean, maize/cowpea, and cassava/maize/soybean intercrops recorded land equivalent ratios (LERs) of less than 1. Cropping system did not significantly affect the N or crude protein content of the planting materials. Intercropping cowpea and soybean with maize reduced the amount of biomass produced and amount of N-fixed by the legumes more than intercropping them with cassava. African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV) and Cassava Bacteria Blight (CBB) incidence declined with the onset of the dry season and increased with the rains. Incidence of Cassava Anthracnose Disease (CAD) decreased from 230 days after planting (DAP) to 350 DAP whiles Cassava Green Mite (CGM) incidence increased from 230 DAP to 350DAP. The averaged incidences of ACMV, CAD, and CGM were higher in cassava intercropped with maize than cassava in other cropping systems but these did not affect both biomass and tuber yields. The seventies of the diseases and pest from 230DAP to 350 DAP did not, however, follow a definite pattern. Cassava and maize should be intercropped for long-term periods on a piece of land to maximize productivity of crop land. Cassava and maize should be intercropped with each other or with legumes to ensure maximum PAR interception and weed control. Cowpea and soybean should be sole cropped in the major season. Farmers interested in the cultivation of both maize and cowpea should, however, rotate maize with cowpea in the minor season.

Source: KNUST
Effects of crop farmers - herdsmen conflict on crop farmers’ livelihoods in Asante Akim North District.

Crop farmers and Fulani cattle herdsmen conflicts have destabilized many activities such as the cultivation and harvesting of crops in Asante Akim North district. Increasing population and expansion of settlements in the Asante Akim North district have forced many crop farmers to move to the hinterlands to search for new farmlands. These new farmlands are at the same location where the Fulani cattle herdsmen operate and the lands are competed for between the crop farmers and Fulani cattle herdsmen leading to destructive conflicts. The main objective of the study was to assess the effects of crop farmers and Fulani cattle herdsmen conflict on crop farmers’ livelihoods. Qualitative method design was used for the study. Focus group discussions and semi - structured interviews were conducted to solicit views from crop farmers and key informants respectively. Crop farmers and key informants confirmed the conflict between crop farmers and Fulani herdsmen have reduced their crop production output and thus, have affected crop farmers’ livelihoods negatively. Also, key informants and crop farmers explained there was an existence of less effective conflict management strategies which have partially benefited few crop farmers in the district. In conclusion, most crop farmers in the Asante Akim North district have been discouraged to cultivate crops because cattle continue to destroy their crops and required compensation are not paid by the Fulani cattle herdsmen. It is recommended that ranching should be encouraged in the district in order to manage the conflict between crop farmers and cattle herdsmen. Also, Crop farmers should be encouraged in alternative source of livelihood activities in the district.

Source: KNUST