ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The impact of training and development programmes on the performance of employees in Rural Banks in the Ashanti Region

Employee training and development have been identified by various scholars to be very crucial to an organization. Organizations are therefore encouraged to train and develop their employees in order to enhance their performance. Rural banks in Ghana are among the organizations which provide training and development to their employees to ensure that they acquire the requisite knowledge and skills, to meet new challenges. As organizations keep on organizing training and development programmes for their employees, it is necessary to assess the outcome of these programmes. This study was therefore conducted to determine the impact of training and development provided rural banks in the Ashanti region of Ghana on employee performance. Literature on the concepts of training, development and performance was reviewed. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires and an interview granted by the head of Human Resource. The data was analyzed using Microsoft word 2003- integrated package on a personal computer and the SPSS software. The results indicated that rural banks in the Ashanti region have training and development programmes in place, but it is poorly planned, not systematic and not coordinated. Low budget allocation was found to hamper the implementation of training and development programmes. However, the training and development of employees of these rural banks is seen to have a positive impact on their performance and the organization. Therefore, it is recommended that, rural banks in the Ashanti region and Ghana as a whole should have a well-planned, systematic and coordinated training and development program through the establishment of specific training section. There should also be adequate budget allocation to finance the implementation of training and development program in these banks.

Source: KNUST
The impact of training and development on worker performance and productivity in public sector organizations: a case study of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority

The quality of Human Resource is an asset to any organization and as a result Training has become an issue that has to be faced by every organization. The amount, and quality of training carried out varies enormously from organization to organization due to factors such as the degree of external change, for instance, new markets or new processes, the adaptability of existing workforce and importantly the extent to which the organization supports the idea of internal career development. Most organizations meet their needs for training in an ad hoc and haphazard way whiles others set about identifying their training needs, then design training activities in a rational manner and finally assess the results of training. This study, therefore, sought to determine the impact of Training and Development on public sector organizations using Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA) as a case study. The research was intended to determine the role and impact of training on employees with emphasis on the lower, middle level staff and the administrators of GPHA, who were randomly selected. The study assessed the training and development process of GPHA and whether training has improved employee performance. A questionnaire was designed using structured questions to collect primary data from employees of GPHA. Personal interviews were held with some management staff of the organization. The results indicated that GPHA’s employees were not well informed about training and development programmes in the organization. Most of the employees were of the view that training and development were effective tools for both personal and organizational success. The findings revealed that training practices, methods and activities at GPHA are not in line with the best practices regarding the planned and systematic nature of the training process as is generally known. It was recommended among other things, that the processes involved in training be duly followed, GPHA should help its staff identify their career paths and to guide them in the pursuit of higher education.

Source: KNUST
The impact of training and development on work performance (A case study of the Commission on Human Rights & Administrative

The necessity for improved work performance has been acknowledged globally and the fact that this depends on efficient and effective training and development programmes cannot be downplayed. Training is a learning process that involves the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform a job. The study aimed at finding out the impact of training and development on work performance of CHRAJ staff –Ashanti Region. It focused on how training needs assessments are conducted, the various training methods employed, the training policies and procedures available, the impact of training and development on work performance and how training and development programmes are evaluated in the Commission. To achieve these, data was obtained from both primary and secondary sources and both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The study found out that training needs assessments are mostly conducted through annual appraisal process and are determined by management of the Commission and that basic skills and capabilities are identified for different workers in each department. The study recommends that appraisal should be revised to reflect professional and specialized needs of staff through periodic examinations in the form of simulation to identify training needs. There should also be active involvement of staff and their immediate supervisors in the determination of training and development needs. Again, it is recommended that a mix of training methods should be adopted and there should be both pre and post evaluation of training programmes.

Source: KNUST
The Impact of Training on the Performance of Workers: a Case Study of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Kumasi District, Ashanti Region

The purpose of any training programme is to enable the learner to acquire new skills, knowledge and attitude for effective performance. This study was conducted to find out the effect of training on the performance of the staff of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) using a structured questionnaire and interviews with some staff and key management personnel. » * About 92% of the respondents said they were selected for the training through Training Needs Analysis whilst 8% said it was a requirement that they are trained, therefore no need for training needs analysis. All the respondents indicated that the training increased their level of confidence. In all cases the largest percentage of the respondents indicated that training contributed much to change their knowledge and attitudes. The three principal methods use to monitor and evaluate the training were the use of questionnaires, interviews and observations but there was no striking preference for any of the methods for evaluating the training offered. Almost 82% of the respondent strongly agreed that their output increased after undergoing training whilst about 18% said they slightly agreed. The two main factors that affected the transfer of knowledge gained from training were technology and time. It is strongly recommended that the effect of training on performance of employees be maximized by communicating the purpose of the training to them, highlighting the benefit of the training, and providing the necessary resources and opportunities to enable them practice and apply the knowledge and skills they acquire.

Source: KNUST
The impact of transportation cost on the prices of foodstuffs in urban areas: a case study of Kumasi

In the marketing of foodstuffs transportation is an important function in the whole process. Foodstuffs must be moved often hundreds of kilometres from the farms and villages where they are produced to the towns and cities where they are consumed. With rapid rate of urbanization in Ghana, the proportion of total f6od production that has to be marketed and distributed is rapidly increasing thereby making the role transportation has to play very vital in the development process of the country. Foodstuffs prices tend to be very high in urban areas when compared with that of the rural areas. It is argued that, the wide variation in prices between the urban and rural areas is due to high transportation cost incurred in carting the foodstuffs from the rural areas to the urban areas. It was in this light that, this study was undertaken with the objectives of assessing the extent to which transport cost affect the final prices of five major foodstuffs in Kumasi the factors that affect the transport cost and the formulation of proposals to help reduce transportation cost and prices of foodstuffs in urban areas. The methodology used, involved the collection of secondary data through library research and primary data from field studies; and the analysis of the data collected, including the use of the Analytical Framework. Analysis of field data showed that marketing cost constitute a significant proportion of the final prices of the foodstuffs, Of the total marketing cost transport cost accounted between 44.7 to 73.3 percent. In terms of the final prices of the foodstuffs the percentage of transport cost was between 5.14 to 12.6 percent. There was a positive correlation between conditions of road, distance travelled and transport cost. (that is fare charged were very high on poor roads than on good road surface and varied with distance). A regression model established between condition of road, distance travelled and transport cost for the movement of maize revealed that improvement in road conditions will lead to a significant reduction in transport cost. From the analysis it was realized that there is the need for the provision of extensive road network in the major food producing areas and the improvement and maintenance of existing ones, in order to reduce transportation cost. Since a reduction in transportation cost is one of the important variables in inducing or facilitating increased evacuation and distribution of foodstuffs which will invariably lead to a reduction in the prices of foodstuffs.

Source: KNUST
The impact of universal banking on the banking industry in Ghana

There has been an increasing convergence between the activities of investment and commercial banks. The general trend has been towards downstream universal banking where banks have undertaken traditionally non-banking activities such as investment banking, insurance, mortgage financing, securitization, and particularly, insurance. The economic debate revolves around certain questions: first, will banks be more or less efficient than existing producers when they provide the proposed service? Second, will the extension of banking powers affect the stability of the financial system thereby making customers more satisfied? The study tried to find out whether the profitability, asset quality and liquidity of the banking industry has been better in the period of introduction of universal banking than before. Views of 298 bank customers were sought as to whether they are satisfied with the services being provided. Paired sample t-test was conducted to find significant differences in the means of the secondary data which measured financial performance of the banking industry while descriptive presentation in charts and cross-tabulations were used for the survey bank customers. It was found that there were large significant effects of universal banking on the profitability of the banking industry. The study failed to recognize significant effect of universal banking on the asset quality of the banking industry. The survey indicated much customer satisfaction especially in the automated services being provided and a competitive banking industry but banks have to reduce turn-around time at the banking halls. However, inconsistencies in the figures from annual banking reports and style of presentation were some of the limitations. The study should also have covered low-rated banks in the industry.

Source: KNUST
Impact of venture capital financing on small and medium enterprises in Ghana: the case of Maslenda Fruit Processing Limited

Venture capital is seen as a major financing method for small and medium scale enterprises. The study looked at the Impact of Venture Capital Financing as an alternative success on SMEs in the Kumasi Metropolis. For some years now, there are efforts by successive Governments to improve on the performance, growth and sustainability of SMEs and had led to the promulgation of different policies and act including the Venture Capital Fund to assist SMEs. 100 questionnaires were administered to Manager/SME owners operating within the Kumasi Metropolis with focus on Maslenda fruit and water processing limited using convenience sampling techniques. It was generally observed that SME’s prefer self-financing and occasionally received support from financial institutions. Analysis was computed with SPSS version 16 and Microsoft excel. Majority of the SMEs were however not aware or had little knowledge about Venture Capital Financing as an alternative to financing. Firms that had benefited from Venture Capital Financing stated that they did not only receive capital inflow but was accompanied with monitoring, technical skills and expertise, access to management, marketing and distribution and reputation for attracting further finance. The study concludes that though few of SMEs remained optimistic about venture capital financing most them were ‘uncertain’. The study recommends that SMEs need to recognize the potential advantages of seeking equity finance from venture capital. Venture capital fund managers can do much to encourage venture capital investment from corporate investors. Government and policy makers should play a dual role as both facilitators and educators in encouraging the venture capital process.

Source: KNUST
The Impact of Venture Capital Financing on Small and Medium Enterprises in the Tema Metropolis: The Case of Elsa Foods Limited

The study looked at the Impact of Venture Capital Financing on SMEs in the Tema Metropolis. Efforts by successive Government to improve on the performance and growth of SMEs had led to the enactment of different policies and act including the Venture Capital Fund to assist SMEs. SMEs still in Ghana have been faced with liquidity and financing challenges leading to business failures under production Industrial disputes and sometimes closures by regulatory authorities. In order to achieve the objectives for the study, 50 questionnaires were administered to Manager/SME owners operating within the Tema Metropolis with focus on Elsa Foods Ltd using convenience sampling techniques. It was generally observed that SME’s prefer self-financing and occasionally received support from financial institutions. The findings further shows that SMEs continue to rely on many financing options both at their conceptual and expansion stage. Majority of the SMEs were however not aware or had little knowledge about Venture Capital Financing as an alternative to financing. Firms that had benefited from Venture Capital Financing stated that they did not only receive capital inflow but was accompanied with monitoring, technical skills and expertise, access to management, marketing and distribution and reputation for attracting further finance. The study recommends that SMEs need to recognize the potential advantages of seeking equity finance from venture capital. Venture capital fund managers can do much to encourage venture capital investment from corporate investors. Government and policy makers should play a dual role as both facilitators and educators in encouraging the venture capital process.Following from the conclusions and recommendation a more detailed research involving SMEs from different industries and regions is highly recommended

Source: KNUST
The Impact of Working Capital Management on Profitability of Selected Petroleum Retail Firms in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Working Capital is an essential component of every business entity and as such has been described as the lifeblood of a business. Businesses therefore seek to maintain a balance between liquidity and profitability while conducting their day to day operations. The study therefore examined the impact of working capital management (WCM) on the profitability of petroleum retail firms (PRFs) in the Kumasi Metropolis over a six year period (2008-2013). Audited annual reports from a sample of five selected petroleum retail firms in the Kumasi Metropolis are employed in the study. Descriptive analysis as well as correlation and regression analysis are used in the analysis of the data. The results indicate that, in the selected PRFs in Kumasi Metropolis, there is favourable net working capital for the firms and a favourable networking capital to total assets ratio. The most important WCM component that drives the firm‟s profitability, measured in return on assets (ROA), is average days payable (ADP). The rest of WCM components, cash conversion cycle (CCC), average days inventory (ADI) and average days receivables (ADR) did not have significant relationship with profitability. It is further observed that WCM practices among the five selected PRFs support the conservative strategy of WCM, rather than an aggressive WCM strategy. It is recommended that critical attention be paid to the management of average days of payables (ADP) together with quick ratio (QR) and firm Leverage (LEV) to boost profitability. It also recommends that Industry regulators should improve upon measures to facilitate speedy contractual agreements between the PRFs and the OMCs, to avoid unproductive delays in business transactions resulting from cumbersome documentations processes and demand for collateral security from the PRFs.

Source: KNUST
Impact of zoning on land use in peri urban areas, city of Kigali, Rwanda

Zoning plans are primary land use controls used as urban regulation. They are used to guide the development of cities and serve as a tool for implementation of policies. This study aims at assessing the effect of zoning plans in the peri-urban areas of Kicukiro District of City of Kigali in Rwanda. The study analyses the registered land use categories as against proposed land uses in zoning plans for 2025 and 2040 and assesses the possible challenges of implementation. Geographic Information System was used to detect the alterations in current registered land use categories in the study area. Cluster selection was performed using cadastral map of the study area to group current land use categories and results were analyzed. Interviews and questionnaires were also used to assess the participation of the community and its understanding of the zoning plans. The results revealed that by 2025 current agriculture land will decrease by 36%, residential use will increase by 41% while commercial use will increase by 600%. In 2040 the residential land use will increase to 149% and agriculture use will no longer appear in the land use plan of the area. The data obtained indicate that participation of the community in developing the zoning plans was very minimal. It is recommended that since the zoning plans will alter the livelihoods of the community members significantly, sensitization of communities on the zoning plans will be essential for effective implementation.

Source: KNUST
Impact of working capital management on the profitability of spare parts business in ghana

This study investigates the impact of working capital management on the profitability of spare parts dealers in Ghana. The study is quantitative survey research using the ordinary least square (OLS) estimation method. Also, a correlation analysis is employed to investigate the nature and magnitude of the association between working capital management and the profitability of 100 Abossey Okai spare parts companies. The study finds that many of those who participated in the survey said better inventory management was critical to increasing their company's bottom line. Also, the respondents agreed that improving their accounts receivable management would have a significant impact on their businesses' bottom lines. Additionally, the econometric model indicates that an increase of one unit in working capital management (WCM) is positively correlated with an increase of 0.347 in the profitability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is strongly recommended that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) prioritize the implementation of efficient working capital management solutions in order to increase their overall profitability.

Source: KNUST
The impact of workplace learning on organizational development (a case study of Ghana Education Service, Kumasi)

The impact of workplace learning on organizational development in Ghana Education Service with special reference to Ashanti Regional Education Office cannot be under estimated. Workplace learning and continuous learning has become a responding challenge to changes in the present dynamic work environment. In organizations and enterprises reforms and changes have been a major driver of training. The GES has seen reforms and undergone changes in structure and in culture that have shown poor performance, less training and lack of commitment to training. It is upon this fact that the study sought to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of workplace learning at the Ashanti Regional Education Office. The information obtained in the course of the study is to guide policy makers to appreciate and provide suitable workplace programmes for the development of GES and the Ashanti Regional Education Office in particular. The study looked at workplace learning and organizational development. It covered career planning roles, career development, management development processes under the McDonald’s Approach and the use of Human Resource Management Development and Strategic framework. The use of business and management simulation exercises and personal appraisals form part of the research. Both Primary and Secondary data were collected and analyzed from forty (40) respondents who represented 66.7% of the workforce at the Ashanti Regional Education Directorate. In spite of the rescheduling of interviews, most frontline members were not able to answer the questionnaires due to their trekking activities. The results of the study indicated that the service showed commitment to workplace learning but the initial and important institutional and job orientation were neglected. However, the effectiveness of the training was subjected to the form and content of the training that was undertaken. There was some level of efficiency as workers had up-graded and improved upon their skills. The Directorate is being advised to make institutional and job orientation a priority and review how personal appraisals are scrutinized for monitoring to be effective and timely. Lack of succession plan at the unit level, and the need to incorporate interaction, swapping stores, co-operating on tasks and offering of mutual help would enrich the commitment of the directorate.

Source: KNUST