ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The effect of bad loans on the profitability and lending potential of rural banks. A case study of some selected rural banks in the Ashanti Region

Bad loans have been identified as one of the major factors affecting the profitability and survival of rural and community banks in Ghana. Most rural banks are unable to remain competitive in the turbulent financial sector/industry due to high default rate. Against this backdrop the study examined the effect of NPLs (bad loans) on the profitability and lending potential of selected rural banks in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Secondary data spanning the period of six years (2008-2013) was sourced from the annual report of the selected banks. In Addition, primary data was collected from the selected banks through questionnaires to help examine the main causes of bad loans in the rural banking industry. Descriptive statistics, Pearson‟s Moment Correlation Analysis and Regression analysis were conducted to examine trends and relationships. The result found that the selected banks are witnessing steady rise in their Non-Performing Loan Ratios (NPL), which raises concern about their effectiveness in managing credit risk. The study further found that NPL (bad loans) has significant negative effect on the lending potential of the selected banks. Also, it was discovered that though NPL has a negative effect on the banks‟ profitability, the effect is not significant. The study further discovered that the main causes of bad loans within the selected banks include laxity in credit monitoring, poor appraisal system and lack of effective credit management policy to govern the disbursement of funds to borrowers. The study recommends that rural banks must take steps to reduce their bad loans since it has effect on their lending abilities and financial performance. Also, effort must be made by these banks to empower their credit staff with the necessary skills and tools to enhance credit administration within the bank.

Source: KNUST
Effect of bank diversification on the financial performance of listed banks in ghana

There have been growing interests in bank diversification following the over two decades’ financial liberalization in Africa as well as the growing competition and increasing focus on risk management. There has been have a shift from net interest income to non-interest income not dependent on traditional financial intermediation. The decline in interest margins has changed the traditional role of banks and has forced them to search for new sources of revenue. However, there is still a number of insights that ought to be obtained on the effect of diversification on financial performance in banks. The study examines the relationship between bank diversification and financial performance of listed banks in Ghana. Specifically, income diversification, asset diversification and geographical diversification are examined. The study analyzes 8 listed banks in Ghana using their annual income statement between 2009 and 2021. For robustness, econometric techniques of ols; namely pooled ols, the fixed-effects model and random-effects are used. The study finds that there is a positive and insignificant relationship between income diversification (ind) and return on asset (roa). Also, the study illustrates that a positive and significant relationship between asset diversification (adv) and return on asset (roa) at 5% significant level. Lastly, the study finds a positive and significant relationship between geographical diversification (gdv) and bank return on asset (roa) at 1% significance level. Based on the findings, the study, therefore, concludes that except for iv income diversification, asset and geographic diversifications have positive and significant effect on the financial performance of listed banks in Ghana. The study hence recommends that, the banking sector supervisors and regulators in Ghana not only be aware of the role a particular bank plays in each line of business, but must understand the risk management strategy of the whole banking organization in order to evaluate the risk exposures of a particular bank giving the current levels of income diversification and its concomitant revenue volatility since income diversification shows a positive idea but it does not necessarily increase in financial performance. Government and economic policy makers are also urged to keep a stable macroeconomic environment including aiming high gdp but for low inflation, interest rates as a rise in these external variables have negative effect on the banks in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
The effect of aqueous ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts on the management of major pests of cabbage (Brassicae oleracea var.capitata)

Insect pests are a serious constraint to cabbage production in Ghana. Every phenological stage in the life cycle of the crop has at least one major insect pest. Caterpillars of the diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella), the cabbage web-worm (Hellula undalis) and cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) are the most serious pests of cabbage in Ghana. These pest cause percentage leaf damage between 18 % and 31 %. The attack of one or more of these pests may result in total crop loss. Their successful management is therefore critical to ensuring food security. The use of synthetic insecticides for the control of these pest has been the standard practice, however, an increasing awareness of the environmental hazards associated with insecticide use as well as the high costs of control has intensified the need for a less hazardous form of pest control. Biopesticides have long been an alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides for pest management because botanicals apparently pose little threat to the environment and to human health. The efficacy of aqueous extract of the rhizome of ginger, Zingiber officinale was therefore assessed for the control of the major insect pests of cabbage in the 2013 minor season and 2014 major season. Four concentration of the rhizome extract – 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 % - were tested along with a synthetic insecticide (Abamectin) and control (water) to assess the potency of the extract. The synthetic insecticide, Abamectin was superior in reducing insect populations and compared favourably with the aqueous ginger extract for many of the parameters measured. For example, in the minor season, the mean pest numbers recorded for Brevicoryne brassicae was 0.15 for the abamectin and the least of 0.52 recorded in 15 % ginger-sprayed plots whiles in the major season, 0.20 mean numbers was recorded on abamectin sprayed plots and the least of 2.14 recorded on the 5% ginger-sprayed plots. The yields for plots of the aqueous ginger extract performed almost the same as the synthetic insecticide spray plots. Mean numbers of 0.57 kg was recorded for the insecticide spray plots and 0.72 kg, 0.45 kg, 0.50 kg, 0.53 kg for 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 % ginger-sprayed plots respectively in the minor season. The insecticides - sprayed plots recorded the mean weight of 1.39 kg, whilst the least (0.77 kg) was recorded on the 20 % ginger sprayed plots in the major season. Even though the aqueous ginger extract could not completely manage the pest of cabbage, it reduced the numbers due to its repellant properties even though not as effective as the insecticide spray, Abamectin

Source: KNUST
Effect of bank corporate social responsibility on profitability in Ghana.

The main goal of the work is to come out with how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) affects financial performance of listed banks on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). Out of the eight (8) listed banks on the Ghana Stock Exchange, seven (7) are selected for the study considering the periods from 2006 to 2015 based on availability of data. Secondary data are obtained from published annual reports of selected universal banks and Ghana Stock Exchange facts book. Line graphs have been used to analyze CSR expenditure trend of selected universal banks. Fixed and Random effects panel regression techniques have been used to examine the effect of CSR on Return on assets (ROA) and Return on equity (ROE) respectively. A positive and statistically significant relationship is found in the case of CSR and ROE of selected banks whereas a negative and statistically not significant relationship was found for CSR and ROA of selected universal banks over the period under review. The study concludes that CSR has improved the profitability of selected universal banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange over the period under review. The study recommends that, it is worthwhile for Universal Banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange to embrace the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility in their business strategy. This would help effect positively on their profitability.

Source: KNUST
EFFECT OF BANK INNOVATIONS ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSAL BANKS IN GHANA

The Ghanaian Banking industry is witnessing a revolution as a result of technological innovations that have become a common feature of banking in the contemporary business environment. The arrival of the Internet and the proliferation of mobile telecommunication companies in Ghana present both an opportunity and a challenge to banks in Ghana. The test for the banking sector has been how to profitably formulate a new service delivery means in such a way that its clients will enthusiastically learn to use and trust. The purpose of this work is to identify the effect of bank innovations on the financial performance of universal banks in terms of their income or revenue generation, liquidity, efficiency, profitability and the general patronage of banking services in Ghana. This work is a survey of bank executives from fifteen (15) universal banks in Accra and Kumasi. Questionnaires were administered to find out the opinions of bank executives on the effect of bank innovations on financial performance. It was discovered that most of the innovations have positive effect on the income generating potentials of the banks, they also improves efficiency, liquidity and profitability of the banks. This study also found out that E-zwich as an innovation in the financial sector has no direct effect on financial performance of the universal banks in Ghana. It is recommended that corporate banks must make it a policy to establish an efficient and effective marketing department to oversee the publicity of all bank innovative products. The Government through Bank of Ghana must continue to invest in researching into innovations in the financial sector, and the universal banks whose operations are affected by any national innovative products or platforms such as E-zwich should be consulted and their concerns factored in the product before implementation.

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Bank Specific Factors on Loan Performance of HFC Bank in Ghana

The default rate of loan in the country has been on the increase and worrying to all in recent times. This study assessed the effect of bank specific factors on the loan performance in HFC Bank in Ghana. The sample period used for the study was based on a quarterly data from 2008 to 2015. The study employed the ARDL bounds test of co-integration as an estimation technique to show the evidence of long run relationship among the variables. The study found bank’s loan interest rate, loan to asset ratio and bank’s loan loss provision over reserve as bank specific factors that influenced loan performance. These therefore showed that bank specific factors do have significant impact on loan performance. Hence, there is the need for bank management and regulators to undertake policies that can ensure efficiency in banks’ operations. Keywords

Source: KNUST
The Effect of Biosurfactant(Bile) on Biodegradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon (Used Motor Oil) Contaminated Water

This study was carried out to determine the effects of bile on bio-degradation of a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated water. Volumes of 1.2 ml, 1.4 ml, 1.6 ml and 1.8 ml bile were added to different preparations of contaminated water with and without nutrient supply in a fixed bed bioreactor...

Source: KNUST
The effect of bitumen emulsion on selected engineering properties of lateritic gravel and the potential for reducing erosion of unpaved roads

In Ghana the road network accounts for the overwhelming proportion of both passenger and freight traffic. The network is about 40,000km long and is divided into three functional classes of feeder roads, trunk roads and urban roads. Over 82% of the network is unpaved and unpaved roads can be found in all functional classes of roads and distributed in all the regions of the country. One of the characteristics of unpaved roads is that they tend to deteriorate faster than paved roads. Like in many developing countries, the funds available for maintenance in Ghana is far below that required to keep the roads at the minimum level of service. The unpaved roads are also mostly low volume roads with average daily traffic levels not exceeding 100 even on trunk roads. Given the rather high rainfall in the southern parts of the country, it appears that the major cause of deterioration of unpaved roads in these parts of the country is rainfall-induced erosion. Any financially affordable effort that leads to a delay in the deterioration of these unpaved roads will therefore contribute towards an improvement of the road network. Stabilization is known to be a simple and often affordable method of improving the resistance of unpaved roads to erosion. This project therefore seeks to investigate first how stabilization of lateritic gravel using bitumen emulsion can affect certain engineering properties of lateritic gravel and then secondly to investigate the potential for using this material to reduce rainfall induced erosion on unpaved roads. The study first reviews the factors that affect the deterioration of unpaved roads, the effect of rainfall characteristics on erosion, the rainfall patterns and zones in the country and their effect on the formation of the different types of lateritic gravel. It also reviews the experience of the effects of cement, lime and bitumen emulsion on different lateritic gravel. An anionic bitumen emulsion produced locally was used in the laboratory investigation. The laboratory work consisted of an investigation of the effect of different percentages of the bitumen on the index properties, compaction characteristics, CBR and permeability of samples of lateritic gravel obtained from five borrow pits in two agro-ecological zones of the country The results established an optimal nominal bitumen content of about 2% for improved compaction and strength characteristics. A model pavement prepared with this optimum bitumen content was constructed and the rate of erosion of material from the pavement was compared with a non-stabilized model pavement in the H313 hydrological (rainfall simulation chamber) apparatus. The results showed a four-fold reduction in the amount of material eroded from the model pavement compared with the unsterilized material.

Source: KNUST
The effect of brain drain on Ghana Health Sector: a case study of Kumasi South Hospital-Agogo

The health sector "brain drain" on Africa continent has been described as rich countries "looting" doctors and nurses from developing countries undermining their health systems public health and developmental process. However this "brain-drain" might also be seen as a success in the training and "export" of health professionals and the benefits this provides. This project illustrates the arguments and possible policy options by focusing on the situation at Kumasi South Hospital-Agogo. Discussion Many see this "brain drain" of medical staff as wrong with developed countries exploiting poorer ones. The effects are considerable with Ghana facing high vacancy rates in its public health system, and with migration threatening to outstrip training despite efforts to improve pay and conditions of health workers. This shortage of staff has made it more challenging for Ghana to deliver on its "essential health package" and to absorb new international health funding. Yet, without any policy effort, Ghana has been able to demonstrate its global competitiveness in the training ("production") of skilled health professionals. Remittances from migration are a large and growing source of foreign exchange for poor countries and tend to go directly to households. Ghana can benefit from the export of health professionals provided there is a resolution of the situation whereby the state pays for training and the benefits are gained by the individual professional working abroad. Solutions include migrating staff paying back training costs, or rich host governments remitting part of a tax (e.g. income or national insurance) to the Ghana government. Summary There is concern about the negative impacts of the medical "brain-drain". However a closer look at the evidence for and against the medical "brain-drain" in Ghana suggests that there are potential gains in managing medical migration to produce outcomes that are beneficial to individuals, households and the country. Finally the researcher has presented several policy options

Source: KNUST
The effect of branding on deposit mobilisation of selected commercial banks in Kumasi

Branding has become a necessary tool for companies and it has been used by many companies for strategic reasons particularly for the maintenance of the uniqueness of their products and services and this has given these companies a competitive advantage. The banking sector has transformed partly due to the reform and liberalisation in the banking sector through the Financial Sector Adjustment Program (FINSAP) and the proliferation of savings and loans and microfinance institutions who go beyond the orthodox banking system that requires customers to commute to banks personally to make deposits has resulted in keen competition among existing commercial banks which has affected most commercial banks in Ghana to experienced eroding customer deposits. To curb this completion most commercial banks has uniquely branded themselves. This study focuses on the effect of branding on deposit mobilization of selected commercial banks in Kumasi. Researcher adopted a purely quantitative approach of data collection and analysis. In all, a total of 250 participants were selected by means of convenient and simple random sampling methods. The research data were analysed using tables, frequencies, percentages, charts and a regression model. The study found that commercial banks commonly mobilized deposits through savings, current and fixed deposit accounts. Also among the numerous strategies used by commercial banks to mobilize deposits include marketing teams, mobile banking, long term investment, sales and advertisement, mass retail, mentioned deposits without commission of turnover (COT) and institutional deposits. Also company name, trademark/logo, colours, service/product quality, reputation, speed of service, quality of staff/talent, infrastructure and technology are among the tools used by commercial banks to brand themselves. Aside the above, it was found that branding has a very high effect on deposit mobilization. Further analysis revealed that branding had a positive effect on deposit mobilization. It is therefore recommended that directors, managers, marketers and human resource managers should adopt branding strategies that are customer-centred and should always involve employees in the process.

Source: KNUST
The effect of business plans on business performance a case of selected SMEs in Ghana

All over the world, governments and other development agencies have underscored the important role of SMEs right from helping address unemployment and social issues to being a major source of government revenue for infrastructural projects. This study sought to examine the impact of business and growth of Ghanaian SMEs. The research design used was descriptive. The population for the research comprised all SMEs in the Kumasi metropolis out of which 100 SMEs were sampled for the study. Data was collected from primary source by administering questionnaires to owners of the SMEs sampled. By convenience sampling technique, the SMEs were selected and by purposive sampling, the owners were selected. After the study, it was concluded that, SMEs that had business plans performed well in the area of sales, clientele base, and staff capacity. There was however, no relationship between having a business plan and the number of branch networks. Although the percentage was not that encouraging, some SMES had a clearly developed corporate level strategy. The study also found that significant number of SMEs conducted SWOT analysis, made projections, undertook monitoring and modification policy, and had a formally developed business plan. It was revealed that non-financial benefits that SMEs enjoyed by using a formally developed business plan included increase in customer satisfaction, efficiency gains, increase the level of commitment to set target, enhances product or service delivery, and increase in product or service quality. Considering the significance of the effect of business plan on SMEs growth and performance, the researcher recommends that institutions like the National Board for Small Scale Industries should be well resourced to help SMEs develop a compressive business plan. Also, the initiative by TECHNOSERV/ENGINE to help SMEs develop skills in formal business plan preparation should be sustained in the long run.

Source: KNUST
The effect of calcium and magnesium on growth, yield and postharvest quality of two popular tomato varieties

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different rates of soil application of Calcium and Magnesium on growth, yield and postharvest quality of Pectomech and Tropimech tomatoes.The experiment was conducted at Central Agricultural Research Station in the field, Kwadaso.The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Bulk soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-20cm and then 20-40cm before treatment application for soil analysis. Lime and MgSO 4 were broadcast and hoed–in two weeks before transplanting. N: P: K was applied as well as sulphate of ammonia which was the last fertilizer to be applied before harvest. The levels of lime application in this study were 0 tons (the control) and 1.5 tons per hectare. For Magnesium sulphate, the levels applied were 0kg/ha (the control), 30kg/ha and 60kg/ha. From the study, it was observed that effect of magnesium (30kg/ha) and calcium (1.5t/ha) on Pectomech and Tropimech varieties resulted in retention of plant population (50.116, 53.94); leaf area (17.49, 16.21); TSS (4.81, 4.48); Pericarp thickness (5.67, 5.65) and fruit diameter (40.83, 40.60) respectively for the parameters. Effect of Calcium (1.5t/ha) on Tropimech also resulted in decreased number of dropped flowers (70.29), fruit rot (9.52) and shrivelled fruit (2.62). Again, increasing levels of magnesium and Calcium resulted in increased rates of absorption for Calcium (0.96) in Tropimech and Magnesium (0.72) for Pectomech. Generally, both Pectomech and Tropimech responded well to the increasing levels of Magnesium and Calcium and can be adopted to enhance production of Pectomech and Tropimech varieties as well as improve their postharvest quality.

Source: KNUST