ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors responsible for loan default: survey of Asokore and Nwabiagya Rural Banks.

Rural and community banks have made positive impact in the Ghanaian banking industry. They have made impact not only in the banking sector but also in advancing credit facilities to their clients. However, just like other financial institutions, rural and community banks experience many cases of loan defaults which have led to the inability of the banks to increase loan advance to clients. This study mainly focused on factors responsible for loan default in the rural banking sector using Nwabiagya and Asokore Rural Banks as case studies. Both qualitative and quantitative research design were adopted in the study. Questionnaires and interviews were employed to collect data from the employees and customers of both banks. Hence, a total of 300 questionnaires were distributed but 265 of them were correctly filled and collected indicating a response rate of 88.3%. The collected data was coded into the SPSS program and the mean and standard deviation tests were performed and used for the final analysis. The study found that borrowers keep on defaulting the repayment of their loans and the five main factors responsible for loan default are government intervention like demolitions, relocation etc, and delays in granting loans to borrowers, improper keeping of business records and diversion of borrowed funds to risky investments once granted the loan to borrowers. It was also found that unemployment, interest rate and inflation are the major economic factor responsible for loan default. The study recommends to banks to liaise with the land commission and the metropolitan assembly to ensure that the places where borrowers businesses are located have not been assigned for any future project which will call for demolition before approving loan for a customer. The study also recommends to banks to organise training for borrowers before and after granting them loans.

Source: KNUST
Factors that constrain adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV positive patients in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

Background: The lack of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a major challenge to HIV care and has serious public health implications as it can accelerate the emergence of drug resistant strains of HIV. As Ghana scales up access to ART in all health facilities, there is the need to estimate the level of adherence and understand the factors that prevent adherence in order to design appropriate interventions. Method: A total of 426 HIV positive adult patients on ART were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Adherence rate was estimated using the patient self-report assessment of adherence. Data was analysed using SPSS for frequencies, cross-tabulations and Chi-Square tests using a statistical significance set at p<0.05. Variables found to be statistically significant under univariate analysis were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed. Results: The optimal adherence level was 67%. Thirty seven percent (37%) of the respondents had missed at least one clinic appointment in the last six months. Three variables remained significant using logistic regression. These included forgetfulness (Adjusted OR=5.76; 3.89-8.59) being away from home (Adjusted OR=5.49; 3.76-8.02) and missing clinic appointment (Adjusted OR=1.78; 1.65-1.91). Conclusion: Patients who miss clinic appointment should be monitored, the reasons behind the missed appointment investigated and appropriate support given. Patients who miss a dose because of forgetfulness should be educated on the use of prompters such as mobile phone alarm and text messages. Patients should also be encouraged to carry their ARVs on them when they are away from home.

Source: KNUST
Factors that affect the profitability of the listed commercial banks in Ghana.

In order to resist shocks and maintain financial stability, it is vital to identify the determinants that mostly influence the profitability of commercial banks. This study examines the impact of bank-specific as well as macroeconomic factors on the profitability of the listed commercial banks on the Ghana Stock Exchange from the year 2004 to 2013. It uses a panel regression with the help of STATA to analyse the impact of loans, capital ratio, liquidity, expenses, deposits, inflation rate, taxation and gross domestic product (GDP) on profitability using return on equity (ROE) and return on asset (ROA) as the measures. The empirical results found that capital ratio, expenses and liquidity had strong influence on both measures of profitability. Loans, and taxation influenced ROA with deposits affecting ROE. However, the results showed that liquidity and taxation had a positive relationship with profitability which could be due to the bank‟s ability to transfer taxes to customers or the holding of adequate liquidity helps minimize liquidity risk and financial crises leading to an increase in profit. GDP also surprisingly had a negative impact on profitability. With regards to the macroeconomic variables, none of them showed a significant relationship with the banks‟ profitability. These results imply that in order to increase profitability, management should be concerned with improving its bank-specific factors.

Source: KNUST
Factors that contribute to employee turnover in the health sector: a case of Bawku West District, Upper East Region.

This study was aimed at ascertaining the factors that contribute to employee turnover in the health sector among health employees in Bawku West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study adopted the quantitative research approach where data gathered from health workers were quantified. The survey research method was also adopted with health workers responding to survey questionnaires. The target population was employees working at the Zebilla Hospital and the Binaba Health Centre respectively in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Doctors, nurses, senior professionals, cleaners and other health workers were selected for the study. The other health workers included finance officers, human resource personnel, nurse managers, biomedical scientists. The cluster and purposive sampling techniques were used to select seventy two (72) participants from the population. Primary and secondary data were gathered. The primary data was solicited by using questionnaire. Descriptive quantitative analysis using frequencies, means, standard deviations and percentages were used in analysing the data. The results of the study indicated that the Zebilla Hospital and the Binaba Health Centre of the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region have staff shortage. Employees were experiencing high turnover intentions. Turnover was found to result mainly from internal conditions rather than external factors. Moreover, it was revealed that, turnover decreases performance, demoralises the remaining employees and increases organisational cost. The study recommended that, to ensure high employee retention rate, the Ghnana Health Service (GHS) of the region must institute incentive and retention packages and other conditions of service to attract these staff to stay and work in the district and the region at large.

Source: KNUST
Factors that account for construction of unauthorized buildings in Ghana

Construction of unauthorized buildings has become a major problem in towns and cities of most developing countries. Despite numerous efforts at local levels to address this problem, its existence and effects keep on rising in various metropolis, municipalities and districts in Ghana. This research explores the causes of unauthorized buildings in Asakae, a suburb of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and identifies strategies to curb them. A sample size of 234 respondents, comprising (182) house-owners, (50) Assembly-members, (1) head of physical planning department and (1) head of works department from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) was chosen for the study.Questionnaire and personal observation were employed to collect the primary data. Data generated from the survey was further analyzed, using factor analysis technique, relative importance index, one-sample t-test and descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies). The findings of the survey indicated that Institutional, Physical, Educational and Socio-economic factors account for construction of unauthorized buildings in Asakae. The findings further revealed that, imposition of high penalties on culprits by the local authority, automating of permit acquisition, monitoring and detection of unauthorized building operations are amongst the measures which could be instituted to address such a problem. It is recommended that there should be regular public education on building regulations of Ghana. More so, the assembly should automate their operations, with respect to permit acquisition and monitoring of buildings under construction, to avoid bureaucracy and corruption that has characterized their operations. Keywords: Factors, Unauthorized buildings, Building regulations, Construction, Account.

Source: KNUST
Factors that contribute to high default rate of tuberculosis treatment in the Asunafo North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana

Tuberculosis kills approximately three million people per year worldwide. Of the estimated two billion people infected with tuberculosis, eight million develop the disease annually. The present global tuberculosis situation indicates that both the disease and default burdens are still very high especially in developing countries. Defaulting from treatment has been one of the major obstacles to treatment management and an important challenge for tuberculosis control. The main purpose of the study was to look for factors that contribute to high default rate of tuberculosis in the Asunafo North District in the Brong - Ahafo Region and to make recommendations. The study was a retrospective case- control of 72 patients registered for treatment from 1999- 2002. Default and cured patients were interviewed using structural interview and self- administered questionnaire were given to six selected health workers for data collection. Demographic, Service, Restrictive, Socio-economic, and Disease and treatment related factors were assessed to find whether there was an association between them and default. Majority of the patients interviewed were satisfied with the attitude of the health workers, opening and waiting times. Monitoring of patients to take their medication, level of income, length of treatment, stigmatization, drug side effects and number of drugs were some of the factors that had association with tuberculosis default in the District. It is recommended that, The District Health Directorate and the District Assembly should collaborate to train community members and cured patients as local DOTS workers to help reduced the tuberculosis default rate in the District. Areas for detailed and further research include private and public hospital partnership, nutritional status of TB patients in relation to treatment, and close supervision and counseling for tuberculosis treatment.

Source: KNUST
Factors that contribute to loan delinquency and its management mechanisms in five selected banks in Ghana

Loan delinquency management has been an issue of concern for most profit-making financial institutions as borrowers are finding it hard time repaying. The objective of this study was to assess the loan delinquency management practices of five banks in Ghana (Fidelity Bank, Absa Bank, Zenith Bank, Republic Bank and Ecobank Ghana). Specifically, this study examined the mechanisms in place to manage delinquent loans by the banks, identify the effectiveness of loan management policies in the bank and identify the challenges that the bank faces in its loan management mechanisms. This was a survey design. There was the use of multi-stage random sampling method to select 200 credit staff from the Greater Accra branches of the five banks. Online questionnaires were used to collect data. It was found that all the staff were educated to at least the tertiary level and some had additional professional qualifications. It was ascertained that the clientele base had a bearing on repayment and consequently loan delinquency. Non-compliance to credit policy of the banks was also found to be a cause of delinquent loans in the bank. Among the mechanisms to manage delinquent loans were the formal training of credit staff in credit appraisal and training of borrowers on cash management practices. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations such as intensifying loan monitoring, and strictly adhering to institutional standards regarding credit policies among others were made.

Source: KNUST
Factors that contribute to the effectiveness of internal audit in public sector

Internal auditing contributes greatly to the performance of an organisation. Available empirical evidence suggests that,factors accounting to internal audit effectiveness include ownership and perception, firm size, the nature of occupational governance and other regulatory factors. To really benefit from internal auditing, managers must ensure that appropriate mechanisms are used to help monitor and motivate auditors to adequately perform their auditing roles to achieve desirable outcomes. The main objective of the study is to explore the factors that contribute to the effectiveness ofinternal audit in some selected public agencies in the Kumasi metropolitan areas of Ghana. Specifically, the study focused on; the effect of internal audit quality, internal audit competency, management support and the effect of organisational setting on internal audit effectiveness. The study adopted quantitative research approach and primary data. Structured questionnaire was used to gather primary data from 75 respondents in public agencies in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. The study revealed that, internal audit staff competency was a significant factor that contribute to the effectiveness of internal audit. Moreover, the study found that, internal audit quality was not a significant factor that contribute to the effectiveness of the internal audit. Again, the study found that, internal audit organisational setting was a significant factor that contributes to the effectiveness of internal audit. However, management support for internal audit was not a significant factor that contribute to the effectiveness of internal audit. The study concludes that,internal audit staff competency and internal audit organisational setting significantly influence internal auditeffectiveness. Therefore, the study recommends that,the public sectors should have competent internal auditors who are proactive, have enough education and also attend educational seminars for continuous training in order to enhance the effectiveness of the sector.

Source: KNUST
Factors that contribute to non-adherence to oral hypoglycaemic therapy among type II diabetic patients at South Suntreso hospital

Background Diabetes is a non-communicable and chronic disease that currently contributes to a large and significant proportion of all global mortalities regardless of levels of economic achievement. The adherence of medication for the diabetes has become a problem for many patients. Therefore, this study was to evaluate adherence to oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) among patients attending the diabetes centre at the Suntreso Government Hospital in Kumasi. Methods A cross sectional study where descriptive research method was adopted. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to obtain data from the participants. The study population were diabetic patients seeking for treatment at the Suntreso Government Hospital. A sample size of 200 diabetic patients were simple randomly selected. Data was obtained through the use of questionnaires and measurement of the fasting blood glucose of diabetic patients. Data was analysed using a STATA v 16. Results It is identified in the study that the mean age of the diabetic patients was 58.75 ± 0.75 years and also the female patients made up the larger proportion of patients in this current study. Moreover, it was realized that the average fasting blood glucose levels of participants was 8.84 ± 0.29 mmol/l where most of them have been diagnosed of the disease for 1-3 years. The medication predominantly used by participants (71%) was Metformin, however, their rate of adherence to the medications was suboptimal (61%). Irrespective of their quiet impressive rate of adherence to medication, most of the participants have been diagnosed of other chronic conditions such as hypertension and depression. The major barriers toward adherence to OHAs by diabetic patients are drug-related and provider, social, and individuals factors. Conclusively, it is identified in this study that a significant relationship at 5% significance level exist between non-adherence to OHAs medication and gender, education, marital status, religion, and monthly income of the diabetic patients. Conclusion The adherence rate of OHAs medication among type 2 diabetic patients was good, however, much improvement is required to help derail the barriers confronting the adherence of medication among type 2 diabetic patients.

Source: KNUST
Factors that enhance the sustainability of microfinance institutions in Kumasi: a case study of Dwadifo Adanfo and Nationwide Microfinance Institutions in Kumasi

This study sought to assess the factors that enhance the sustainability of microfinance institutions in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study was guided by the objectives of finding out the strategies in place that enhance the survival chances of microfinance institutions, mobile banking and savings as well as the management-employee relationship that existed within these institutions and their implication for sustainability. The study used a case study design, selecting two microfinance institutions in Kumasi. The purposive sampling method was used to select two managers one from each of the institutions for the study. The study found that these institutions had other forms of income apart from the traditional lending activities and also the use of mobile bankers serves to induce clients to save. Management-employee relationship was also found to influence sustainability. Based on what this study found, recommendations such as the training of mobile bankers and maintaining cordial relationships between clients and employees among other were made

Source: KNUST
Factors that enhance the sustainability of microfinance institutions in Kumasi: a case study of Dwadifo Adanfo and nationwide microfinance institutions in Kumasi

This study sought to assess the factors that enhance the sustainability of microfinance institutions in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study was guided by the objectives of finding out the strategies in place that enhance the survival chances of microfinance institutions, mobile banking and savings as well as the management-employee relationship that existed within these institutions and their implication for sustainability. The study used a case study design, selecting two microfinance institutions in Kumasi. The purposive sampling method was used to select two managers one from each of the institutions for the study. The study found that these institutions had other forms of income apart from the traditional lending activities and also the use of mobile bankers serves to induce clients to save. Management-employee relationship was also found to influence sustainability. Based on what this study found, recommendations such as the training of mobile bankers and maintaining cordial relationships between clients and employees among other were made.

Source: KNUST
Factors that influence customers’ behaviour in adopting Corporate Internent Banking (CIB): a case study of Fidelity bank Ghana Limited.

The principal objective of the present study was to explore the factors that influence the adoption of internet banking in Ghana. In achieving this objective the present study deployed the logit regression model in investigating the impact of demographic factors (such as education, age, awareness), the conventional Technology Adoption Model (TAM) factors (perceived risk, trust, perceived usefulness, and ease of use) as well as the duration of clientele relation on the adoption of internet banking using Fidelity Bank as the case study. The results of the study, established a positive dependency relationship between level of formal education, age, awareness of the service and usage internet banking. It was also revealed that, duration of clientele relation or duration does has a significant positive influence the propensity to use internet banking. The results of the present study reaffirms the existence of positive dependency relationship between the usage of internet banking and TAM variables (Ease of use, perceived usefulness, and risk, and trust). In other words, improvements in these variables have significant influence eon the decision of corporate customers to use internet banking.

Source: KNUST
The factors that influence the choice of banks by customers – A case study of Makola community

Initial customer attraction has become essential in the Ghanaian banking industry as a result of the keen competition now prevailing in the sector giving rise to high customer defection. Bank Managers are thus in a fix as to exactly what to focus on in their bid to attract customers. Consequently, the identification of factors deemed important to potential bank customers is a crucial step towards winning the battle. This research therefore set out to investigate the factors that are considered important to potential customers when they are choosing a bank. Data was obtained from business and other working people in the Makola area via a questionnaire using simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire containing 20 bank choice factors was designed and administered to 196 respondents to measure factors deemed most important out of which 188 responded. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007. Closeness of bank branch to workplace or residence, friendliness of the personnel and ATM were chosen as the most important factors in choice decisions. Respondents selected aadvertising and transactional cost as having the least influence on people who place high value on time. Similarly, it was revealed that customers show high preference for some banks as against others based on banks unique characteristics. The research recommend that banks’ management pay attention to factors that have significant effect on the choice of banks; such as the nearness of bank branches relative to customers’ place of work or residence, friendliness of personnel, efficiency of service delivery and reputation.

Source: KNUST