ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
DETERMINANTS OF INVESTMENT DECISIONS OF SELECTED LISTED FIRMS IN GHANA

Businesses revolve around the factor of investing. Firms and humans have ridden from caves to skyscrapers on the back of investment. This study identifies the determinants of investment decisions of firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange during 2006 to 2013. The data for the study were extracted from annual reports and accounts of 9 companies over the aforementioned period. These data were subjected to regression analysis, using STATA software. Investment decision was measured by changes in non-current assets. The independent variables considered were firm size, cash-flow, profit, indebtedness, prior period’s fixed assets, interest rates and exchange rates. At first‚ the descriptive statistics for entire variables were ascertained and then correlation matrix was calculated to identify the preliminary relationship among all the variables‚ followed by regression analysis on panel data to examine the significance and magnitude through fixed effect model. Theoretical assertions were justified that the level of cash, existing resources with respect to fixed assets and exchange rates significantly affect the investment decisions of listed Ghanaian firms. This study also revealed that firm size, debt, profit and interest rates have no significant relationship with investments. It is recommended that firms support governments efforts aimed at strengthening the local currency and also ensure that they have a robust cash flow.

Source: KNUST
Determinants Of Intrapartum And Postpartum Maternal Mortality At Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

About 800 women died every day from maternal causes in 2013 which almost occurred in developing countries. These maternal deaths were as a result of lack of access to quality healthcare by pregnant women before, during and after delivery. In Ghana, three quarters of all maternal deaths occur during intrapartum and the immediate postpartum period, thus, the critical period of labor, delivery, and the 48 hours postpartum and the factors contributing to this menace in the various health facilities remain unclear. In this study, the data used was a secondary data with 18,994 unique cases of pregnant women who were admitted during delivery at the Obstetrics and Gynecology block of KATH from 1st January, 2013 to 31st December, 2015. Among the patients considered, 2.6% (497) of them died days after delivery while about 97.4% (18,497) were discharged after delivery. The overall mean and median duration of intrapartum and postpartum of a patient admitted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology block until death or discharge were 2.3 and 2 days respectively (range of 1-16 days). The mean age of women before delivery was 28.1 ± 5.95 years (range of 15-49 years). This study aimed to determine the effect of demographic, socio economic and clinical factors of the duration of intrapartum and postpartum maternal mortality of mothers admitted in the inpatient units of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Kumasi. The Kaplan-Meier estimator was used to estimate the overall survival of mothers while the log rank test was used to compare the survival rate of mothers’ socio economic and some clinical factors. The results from the study showed that, hazard ratios for the PH models (Cox, Exponential, Weibull and Gompertz) were similar; however comparison of the PH models using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) showed that the Weibull PH model best fit the data. The results of the Log-rank tests showed that, type of delivery, diagnosis related group, antenatal care and obstetric complication were all associated with maternal mortality. There is significant difference in the survival between these groups. The parametric Weibull PH model showed that the factors affecting the duration of intrapartum and postpartum maternal mortality are maternal age, antenatal care, birth weight, diagnosis related group and obstetric complication. They have significant effect on the duration of intrapartum and postpartum maternal mortality. In conclusion, Mothers who gave birth to babies with higher birth weight above normal(2.0 - 3.0kg) are 13.7% more likely to be at risk of death. Mothers who attended less than four antenatal care are 58.3 % more likely to be at the risk of death than mothers who attended four or more antenatal care. The risk of death for mothers who had obstetric complications are 3.508 times higher than those who had no obstetric complications. As the mother grows older, the risk of death increases by 7.6% for every additional year of age.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of Late Presentation and Histologic types of Breast Cancer in Women Presenting at a Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Ghana and many parts of Africa more than 50% of breast cancer patients present with advanced stage even though evidence suggests that health education on breast cancer has intensified. Objectives: To determine the socio demographic characteristics of women presenting with breast cancer, pattern of presentation and the association between patients demographic characteristics and stage of presentation. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study over a period of three months was conducted at the Breast clinic of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Women with histological diagnosis of breast cancer were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results: Fifty women with breast cancer were studied with ages between 27 and 75 years with peak between 40-49 years. Majority presented three months after noticing the first symptom, usually a breast lump. Twenty nine (58%) women presented with late stage breast cancer. The commonest histologic type 44(88%) was invasive ductal Carcinoma. There was a strong positive correlation between stage of breast cancer and place of residence (0.4496) but a weak positive correlation between stage of breast cancer and age (0.1684), as was also stage of breast cancer and marital status (0.1143). There was a negative correlation between level of education and stage of presentation (-0.3398). Conclusion: Breast Cancer is common in 40-49 age groups. The incidence of late stage breast cancer is 58% with majority presenting within 7-12 months of onset of first symptoms, mostly breast lumps with invasive ductal carcinoma as the most common histologic type in stage 3. Fear of mastectomy was the main reason for late presentation. Most patients had some knowledge on breast cancer mostly from the radio stations. The stage of Breast cancer was strongly associated with patients’ level of education, residence (distance from facility) and religion

Source: KNUST
The Determinants of Lending Rates in Ghana

The main objective of this study was to determine factors that impact lending rates in Ghana. Secondary data was obtained from Ghana Statistical Service and Price Water House Coopers regarding inflation, GDP and the various bank factors from 2005 to 2010. The findings indicated that for bank specific factors, lending rates in Ghana increases with increasing interest expense. Whiles for industry specific factors, the findings indicated that lending rates decreasing with increasing T-bill rates. Again, for macroeconomic factors, inflation and gross domestic product were found to impact lending rates in Ghana. Lending rate was found to increase with increasing with increasing inflation and gross domestic product.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of liquidity of banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

Achieving the optimum level of liquidity is crucial for every bank. A lot of factors have been examined by number of researchers in this area. This study examines the bank specific and macroeconomic determinants of liquidity of banks listed on the Ghana stock exchange. The study examines the determinants of liquidity of banks listed on the Ghana stock exchange. With a data set of 7 banks over a 10 year period spanning 2004 and 2013, the random effects GLS regression based on the Hausman test is used to estimate the determinants of bank liquidity. The study employs liquid assets to total assets as the measure of liquidity (dependent variable) with return on assets, loans, capital adequacy, inflation, gross domestic product, unemployment, return on equity and bank size as the explanatory variables. The results of the panel data regression showed that, while capital adequacy, bank size and return on equity exhibit a positive and a statistically significant relationship with liquidity. Meaning that an increase in any of these variables leads to an increase in liquidity level, components of loan, return on assets and gross domestic product show a negatively significant relationship. Inflation and unemployment have no significant relationship with liquid assets to total assets (dependent variable).

Source: KNUST
Determinants of loan default among microfinance institutions in techiman municipality

The study aimed at addressing the following; identifying the causes of loan default among Microfinance Institutions in Techiman Municipality, its relationship with profitability, challenges in managing loan portfolios and identifying the category of clients who default to enable Microfinance Institutions to take proactive decisions. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select respondents to provide answers to questionnaires. SPSS and Excel were used to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study indicate that the major causes of loan default by clients of Microfinance Institutions in Techiman Municipality are failure by Microfinance Institutions to effectively monitor the loans they grant to clients and the delay in the approval and disbursement of loans. It also indicated that loan default causes the Microfinance Institutions to make huge loan loss provisions which negatively impacted the financial performance of the Microfinance Institutions through the reduction in loan interest income, profits, and creating liquidity problems for the Microfinance Institutions which can lead to liquidation. The following recommendations were made to reduce loan default by clients: regular monitoring of loans by Credit Officers simplified credit appraisal report to reduce the delay in approving loans and training of Credit Officers on credit management.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of loan repayment among small and medium enterprises (SMES) in Ghana; the case of Unicredit Ghana Limited.

This study aimed to investigate the factors which determine loan repayment among Small and Medium scale Enterprises who are customers of uniCredit Ghana limited. The specific objectives included examining the factors which influence loan repayment of SMEs and to identify the challenges SMEs face in repayment of loans. The study used convenience sampling method to sample 381 small and medium scale enterprise clients of uniCredit limited who had taken a loan facility. Questionnaires were the main data collection instrument for this study. The study estimated a binary logistic regression model to assess the effects of borrower, loan and business characteristics on loan repayment performance. The results of the study revealed that 68 percent of the respondents were able to repay the last loan they were issued by UniCredit in a timely manner. However, 32 percent could not pay as stated in the loan agreement. The binary logistic model revealed that SME owners between the ages of 26 and 35 years are less likely to repay a loan compared to those between the ages of 18 and 25 years. With regard to education, it was found that SME owners who had basic education are more likely to repay a loan compared to those who had never been to school and that SME owners with secondary and tertiary education are less likely to pay their loans compared to those who had never been to school. The study further revealed that retail SMEs, size of enterprise, loan amount, provision of training and loan monitoring are positively related to loan repayment performance. Lastly, the period for repayment is negatively related to loan repayment performance. The challenges identified to affect loan repayment of SMEs included low sales which led to loan default among SMEs and this represented about 61 percent. Also, majority cited high interest rate as a challenge to their loan repayment ability and failure of credit officers to pick up loan instalments as well. Lastly, the inability of SMEs to expand business as they envisaged negatively affected their loan repayment ability. The study recommended that SMEs are trained on how to make informed decisions and how to keep records properly to promote business performance.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of loan delinquency among rural banks in the ashanti region

The main objective of the study is to determine loan delinquency among Rural Banks in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The design was quantitative, explanatory, and a desk study. The sample of the study was 10 rural banks based on data availability. The data for the study was secondary and was gathered from the annual reports of the banks. The data was analyzed using panel regression. On the board characteristics, the study found that board size and board independence did not have a significant effect of loan delinquency. However board gender diversity had a significant positive effect of loan delinquency. On macro-economic characteristics, the study found that GDP does not have a significant effect on loan delinquency. Policy rate had a negative effect whiles inflation had a positive effect on loan delinquency. Concerning firm characteristics, the study found that liquidity did not have a significant effect on loan delinquency. However bank size and capital adequacy had a significant negative effect on loan delinquency. It is recommended that rural banks should increase capital adequacy. Rural banks can increase their capital adequacy by retaining earnings, issuing new shares or debt, or reducing their risk-weighted assets. They can also implement more conservative lending practices and risk management policies to reduce the likelihood of loan losses.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of Malnutrition in Children Less Than Five Years in the Bosomtwe District, Ashanti, Ghana

This was a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design on the determinants of malnutrition among children less than five years in the Bosomtwe district, Ashanti, Ghana. The socially related factors accounting for the high level of malnutrition in the Bosomtwe district is unknown. The aim was to assess the social, demographic, economic, health related predictors for malnutrition among children less than five years. A total of 200 children less than five years were randomly selected and their mothers interviewed using a pre-tested and standardised questionnaire. The study was conducted during August 2008, the harvest season. For women, who are the main caretakers, the harvest season is one of the busiest period of the year. The findings indicate that using Z scores, 32% of the children were malnourished, with 23% being severely malnourished. The predictors for malnutrition included the age of the mother (p=0.00), number of children (p=0.02) employment status (p=0.05), and types of water sources used (p=0.00). It is recommended that collaborative effort of community leaders, health mangers and district assembly should intensify education provide infrastructures that would enable mothers improve the nutritional status of children less than five years in the district.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of maternal mortality in urban Ghana using Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as a case study

Maternal mortality has been a challenge for developing countries. The objective of this research is to investigate the reasons for maternal death in the urban regions of Ghana. In this respect, Korlebu Teaching Hospital was selected as a case study. The study used demographic data of pregnant women who visit the hospital for prenatal and postnatal services. A random sample of delivery with maternal mortality and immortality was selected in proportions that will reflect the proportion in the total population. A chisquare test of association was performed to test for significance of relationship between demographics and maternal mortality. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the probability of mortality of expectant mothers given their demographics. Demographics that indicated no significance or P-value more than 0.05 were excluded from the model to estimate the probability of mortality. A multiple logistic regression model was then used to examine various categories within the demographics. Occupation, parity, emergency referral, antenatal attendance and gestation age of pregnancy had a significant predictability for maternal mortality . It is recommended that more efforts should be made to equip hospitals with facilities that will enable delivery by cesarean section as early as possible and the support of the premature baby. Post-natal care for the newly born should also the included after delivery care for mothers. After delivery care for mothers should be at least forty-two days after delivery.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of maternal choice of place of delivery in the Nkoranza District of the Brong/Ahafo Region

A greater proportion of women attend antenatal clinic yet only a few get quality of care during delivery. In Nkoranza, the coverage of antenatal clinic is 90% yet about 40% of deliveries occur at home. When complications do occur it would be very difficult to provide appropriate emergency obstetric care when a woman gives birth at home.This makes child bearing in the Nkoranza district one of the most dangerous moments in a woman’s life. This study set out to establish the key determinants which expectant mothers in Nkoranza district consider vital in their choice of place of delivery and also recommend intervention measures to bring quality of care that will eventually reduce maternal mortality in rural Ghana. The study was typically descriptive and cross sectional with both quantitative and qualitative components. A sample of 120 women from the reproductive age group in the district is used for the study. Chi squared is used for the analysis of the relationship between the independent variables and place of delivery. Results show that the attitude of health personnel, cost of the use of facility family influence and the attitude of men towards pregnancy and childbirth are the determinants of their choice of home delivery. Proper management of delivery complications and first time of delivery are the determinants of women choice of health facility for delivery. Majority of women have knowledge about delivery complications and the benefits of delivering in a hospital environment. Education is found to be insignificant in maternal choice of place of delivery. The cost of delivering in a health facility is round to be significantly different from the cost involved in delivering at home. Women should be empowered through increased access to sustainable income opportunities. Ghana Health Service should organize educational workshop for health personnel to have an attitudinal change and to show empathy towards women. The theme for the workshop should be “pregnant woman centered’.

Source: KNUST
Determinants of Maternal Satisfaction with the Quality of Childbirth Services in a University Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction. Rendering quality childbirth services that lead to higher levels of maternal satisfaction is an important goal of every health institution. Despite efforts at enhanced client satisfaction over the years, there are still some quality concerns for health policymakers and managers to address. This study sought to assess maternal satisfaction with childbirth services at a university hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. Methods. We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study among women in postnatal wards after delivery at the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. They were recruited using a systematic sampling method, and their perspective about the quality of childbirth services was assessed using a service quality (SERVQUAL) tool. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify the relationship between SERVQUAL attributes and maternal satisfaction. Statistical significance was set at p value < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Results. Of the 277 participants interviewed, 79.8% (221) were satisfied with the childbirth services. Delays (49.5%), unprofessional conduct from health workers (7.2%), poor facilities (10.8%), and an inadequate number of skilled staff (15.5%) were identified as the challenges mothers encountered at the facility. After adjusting for all the components of the SERVQUAL model, reliability (adjusted β = −3:28, p = 0:001) and empathy (adjusted β = 2:21, p = 0:028) were the most significant predictors of maternal satisfaction with childbirth services. Conclusion. Majority of postnatal women were generally satisfied with the overall childbirth services they received at the University Hospital. The service quality components that significantly predicted maternal satisfaction with childbirth services were “reliability” and “empathy.”

Source: KNUST
Determinants of mobile money savings of small and medium scale enterprises (artisans). A case study of Suame Sub Metro.

This study aimed to investigate the determinants of mobile money savings among artisans in the Suame Sub Metro of the Kumasi Metropolis. The main objectives were to find out the factors which drive mobile money savings, the motives for mobile money savings and its challenges. The study used a quantitative research design and gathered cross-sectional data from respondents. A total of 387 artisans in the study area were sampled using a structured questionnaire. This study used descriptive statistics and a binary probit regression model to explain the decisions and determinants of mobile money savings. The study revealed that, 50.23 percent of the respondents saved in their mobile money account and 49.77 percent did not save in their mobile money account. General savings was done mostly on a daily basis by respondents. Mobile money savers saved more on a daily or weekly basis and the most frequently used mode of saving apart from mobile money was a bank account which was confirmed by 76 percent of the respondents. Also, on the average, mobile money savers kept below 50 percent of their savings in mobile money. Remittances was the highest source of revenue for mobile money savings. The results of the binary probit model suggested a negative relationship between age and mobile money saving. Alternatively, it suggested a positive relationship between gender, education, income level and ownership of a bank account. Further, a statistically significant and positive relationship was found between the decision to save in mobile money and perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. On the other hand, a negative relationship was found between the use of mobile money and perceived risks and perceived costs. Further, this study identified four major problems when it comes to mobile money savings, these included network problems, fear of fraud, problem of safety after withdrawal, increased spending and liquid cash problems of vendors The study concluded that majority of the artisans saved and also a littleover 50 percent of them saved in their mobile money accounts. Further, people tend to save in mobile money accounts in order to divide their savings, to have access to money easily and to avoid keeping money on them. The study recommended that policy makers provide some assurance for the safety of funds of mobile money savers as it has been identified as a common way of saving among artisans.

Source: KNUST