ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Role of information communication technology in the growth and development of small and medium scale enterprises in Ghana – case study of some selected small and medium scale enterprises in the Tema Metropolis

This study identifies the roles of information communication technology (ICT) in the growth and development of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana using case study of some selected SMEs in Tema metropolis in the Greater Accra region. The objectives of the study were to understand the current ICT usage in Ghana and how it has contributed to the growth and development of SMEs in Ghana; identify the preferred ICT tools for communication among SMEs and explored how ICT benefit SME relationships and interactions and find out why some SMEs are not using ICT in their business. SMEs were conveniently sampled using simple random sampling to ensure that at least they are using one of the major ICT tools – Mobile Phone, Fixed Line, Internet or Postal Box in its business. Most of the SMEs are dominated by men. Furthermore lots of the SMEs are found by people who are in their youthful stage indicating the inclination of the youth towards the adoption of information communication technology in their business. The study found out that ICT has contributed in the growth and development of SMEs by decreasing cost of communication and transaction, enhancing better relations among SMEs, their customers and fellow SMEs and enhancing SMEs to penetrate other markets without any geographical limitation. Furthermore, almost every SME owner in Ghana have a mobile phone and prefers to communicate to the customers and supplier via mobile telephony than fixed line or any other ICT tools mentioned in the study. Though ICT awareness and the benefit of the internet to the SMEs seem to be high among SMEs owners in Ghana, patronage and usage of ICT is still low. Perceived high cost of hardware and software infrastructure, lack of applicability of the technologies ICT offers to their work, and lack of end user adoption of technology are some of the reasons why some SMEs do not use ICT in doing their business.

Source: KNUST
Role of intercrops in proliferation of armillaria root-rot of teak [Tectona Grandis (Linn. F.)] in Taungya Plantation: a case study at the Opro Forest Reserve

Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F.) is currently the most planted tree species in forest plantations in Ghana, with over 73,916 hectares of plantation established at the end of 2008. Majority of the plantations are established, using the taungya system with various intercrops. However, Armillaria (Fr.: Fr.) Staude root-rot symptoms have been observed on teak in teak taungya plantations, especially in the dry semi-deciduous forest zone. This study was conducted to identify the role of intercrops cultivated by the teak taungya plantation farmers in the Opro Forest Reserve of the Offinso Forest District of Ashanti Region in proliferation of Armillaria root-rot of teak and farming practices that could predispose teak to the disease. Mycoflora of rhizosphere soils of teak in teak plantation with only one intercrop (Pepper, Okra, maize, yam or cassava) were analyzed for Armillaria colonies in one to three-year-old plantations and compared with growth of teak and incidence of Armillaria root-rot infection of teak in the plantation. More Armillaria mellea (Vahl: Fr.) colonies were isolated from rhizosphere soils of teak intercropped than teak grown with no intercrops. There were significantly higher numbers of A. mellea colonies in rhizosphere soils of teak intercropped with cassava. Strong negative correlations existed between growth and incidence of Armillaria root-rot of teak and also between growth and number of A. mellea colonies isolated from rhizosphere soils of teak in one to three-year-old teak trees. However, infection of Armillaria root-rot of teak declined in the two and three-year-old plantations as less intercrops were involved. Farmers engaged in the teak taungya plantation in the Opro Forest Reserve had inadequate knowledge about Armillaria root-rot of teak and hence encouraged farming practices such as excessive pruning of teak and use of fire to control weeds in the plantation which predisposed teak to Armillaria root-rot infection.

Source: KNUST
The role of information and communication technology in health information system of the Afigya Sekyere District, Ghana

Many developing countries including Ghana have made efforts to strengthen their health information system by using ICT. This is to ensure that the fragmented health information system is knit together to ensure effective planning and decision making. The drive for the reform of health information system has coincided with the ICT revolution. This study was to direct the attention of health managers to focus on the need to have an effective health information system by taking advantage of the ICT revolution. The study was also to identify how ICT can enhance health information system in the Afigya Sekyere district of Ghana. The study design was descriptive cross-sectional which was employed to describe a situation at a particular point in time. Analysis was restricted to the information generated from the respondents. A self - administered questionnaire, a key informant interview schedule, and focused group discussion guide were used to solicit information from the respondents. The quantitative study involved 60 respondents, purposively selected within the health workers. The use of ICT in HIS was very minimal because 70.0% of the respondents do not use computers. The study revealed that 56.7% of the health workers still use manual methods of keeping health information. Majority of the workers agitated for the computerization of the health sector. By this most of the respondents preferred computers to the manual form of storing data. Nearly half (45.0%) of the health workers held middle school leaving certificate. It came out that 55.5% has difficulties accessing information. Lack of finance, untrained staff, infrastructure and expertise were noticed as challenges in the use of ICT in the health information system. It was believed that the computerization of the health sector should be considered with all the seriousness it deserved, to promote an effective health care delivery system. It was recommended that the community and the district assembly should do more to ensure a good health care delivery by taking advantage of the ICT boom. Other stakeholders like the government and the NGOs were also recommended to help provide infrastructure like equipments and buildings to solve these challenges.

Source: KNUST
The role of Intermediaries in marketing Insurance products in a competitive environment: the case study of Vanguard Assurance Company Limited

The size of the Ghanaian insurance market relative to the general economy poses several marketing challenges. All the companies compete for the same and few insurance service products, giving rise to fierce competition among the various insurance companies. This has led to the employment of insurance intermediaries such as agents and brokers as channels of distribution with the aim of overcoming this stiff competition in the industry. Generally, the study intends to find out the role of intermediaries in the marketing of insurance products in a competitive environment using Vanguard Assurance Company (VAC) as a test case. A lot of literature were reviewed from both published and unpublished materials and then attempted to link it with the study. The major sampling technique used was purposive whilst research instruments such as questionnaires and interviews were used in the data collection process. • It was revealed that approximately 21% of the sample opted to place business with VAC. The three most preferred companies according to the findings were VAC, State Insurance Company (SIC) and Enterprise Insurance Company (EIC) because they meet the most important criteria sought for by clients. In addition, the study shows that majority of the intermediaries interviewed had completed at least secondary education (64.2%, n=43) which had a close relation with experience as intermediary experience and education had been found to be closely related to their performance on the job.

Source: KNUST
The role of maintenance management in improving the transportation service efficiency in Ghana: a comparative study of GPRTU and STC Ltd. Operations

Despite the important role the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the state Transport Company Limited (STC Ltd.) play in the Socio-economic development of Ghana, it is surprising to note that not much has been done in documentation record keeping in the area of vehicular maintenance management. is a result of that services are not performed to standard, in other words the vehicles make more than necessary stops in a trip to rectify faults and by so doing they take several hours to make the trip. Situations like this are likely to inconvenience the passengers and it is more common with the GPRTU than the STC Ltd. Customers demands are not met. This is very common with the STC Ltd. There have been several instances where STC Ltd. have not been able to provide services to all who intended to go by STC and these customers always find their war to the GPRTU. The GPRTU always have a pool of vehicles but the question is how suitable are they? Breakdowns are recorded for both STC Ltd. and GPRTU. However breakdowns are more frequent with GPRTU than STC Ltd. For STC Ltd. about eighty breakdowns are recorded every year (STC annual Maintenance report 1998 and 1999). This shows that an average of six breakdowns occur in a month for STC Ltd. For GPRTU, records of breakdowns recorded are not available. However it is estimated that for every breakdown of STC Ltd. recorded, there are about four breakdowns recorded for GPRTU.

Source: KNUST
The role of internal and external factors in the cultivation of life-long reading habits of tweenagers in Accra

The inculcation and development of good reading habits amongst adults and children is fundamental to the realisation of quality education and improvement in literacy in Ghana and other African countries. A good reading habit, especially one that includes reading for pleasure, is an essential life skill. It does not only increase our knowledge; it also helps in our mental development, develops our maturity and character, sharpens our thinking skills and widens our consciousness in societal and worldly issues. The reading culture in Ghana is on the decline. The general lack of reading interests among Ghanaians is evident in our lifestyles. The advent of mobile phones and other technological devices have brought a more attractive mode of reading. However, these devices are used fo r other activities aside reading. It is against this background, that this study was founded. The study sought to find out the role internal factors such as oneself and external factors such as parents, peers, the school and modern devices play in the cultivation of life- long reading habits of tweenagers in Accra. The study reviewed literature relating to the general overview of pleasure reading, life- long reading habits and factors that influence life- long reading habits. The study was quantitative in design. Questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 187 tweenagers from three basic schools in Accra. Their ages ranged from ten (10) to thirteen (13) years, with a mean age of eleven point five (11.5) years. 28 questions were set to collect data from respondents. The results indicated the following: Tweenagers read for pleasure; they read for information and learning purposes rather than for recreational and relaxation purposes; parents of tweenagers are the main group of people who provide their reading materials but their teachers, the availability of a school library and their peers encourage t hem to read most. Tweenagers are also internally motivated to read. In sum, all the factors, that is, themselves, peers, parents, the school and modern devices play a significant role in shaping and influencing the cultivation and development of reading ha bits among tweenagers. It is iv recommended that, parents of tweenagers must spend time reading to and with their children from a tender age; tweenagers must be encouraged to discover the value and essence of reading for relaxation, recreation and enjoyment; teachers must be reading models to tweenagers; schools, the government and stakeholders must ensure that they provide libraries in schools and communities, furnish the libraries with books and make them accessible to tweenagers.

Source: KNUST
The role of local economic development sub-committee in Job creation: A case study of Adentan Municipal Assembly

Job creation in recent times has been proposed as one of the main solutions to addressing development in many countries. Ghana in a bid to development the economy especially in the local communities adopted a decentralised approach where inhabitants had a say in how they want to develop. In terms of job creation, at the district level the Local Economic Development Subcommittee (LEDS) was set up to oversee and manage the local economy in order to promote growth and development. The purpose of the study is to identify the role of LEDS in job creation in the Adentan Municipality. The objectives of the study were to identify the effectiveness of the local economic development subcommittee in job creation in the municipality; to identity the LEDS tools, process and the institutional set-up to manage job creation initiatives in the municipality; and propose measures in enhancing their activities. A qualitative research approach and interview method in data gathering were used. Indepth interviews were used to gather data from eight (8) members of the LEDS and also staff in the assembly involved in job creation. A thematic analytical approach was also used to analyse the data collected. The study specifically found that the main roles play by LEDS in job creation included: distribution of economic resources; creating opportunities for public participation in development activities; promotion of productive ventures and delivery of public services; monitoring and regulating market forces; and training and skills enhancement. The study data suggest that LEDS in the study has created a number of jobs by facilitating, enabling, stimulating and coordinating certain programmes and projects such as the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) and Mushroom Projects. Also, it was found that the process involved in job management in the study are in line with project management practices. With these findings, key recommendations toward effective and efficient job creation by the LEDS include enhancing and strengthening the roles of the LEDS and increasing and improving upon skills provision and training programmes in the Adentan Municipality.

Source: KNUST
The role of jewellery in Asante culture

Jewellery as an art form is never static but ever changing, which change may be influenced by several factors including; Education, Christianity, Urbanization and Foreign culture. The extent of this influence in Asante is not easily measured. This thesis reports on the role of jewellery and the extent to which jewellery has been influenced by these factors from the foundation of the Asante Empire to the present. The study focused on the birth of the Asante Empire and the culture of the Asante as a people. It also examined the jewellery profession, production techniques, material for production and production designs. The study also examined the economic, political, religious and social roles of jewellery. It further evaluated the current status of jewellery in Asante culture. This was done through personal interviews using standard questionnaires and field visits to the Center for National Culture in Kumasi, some communities and chiefs’ palaces. It was observed that jewellery has and continues to play a significant role in the maintenance and promotion of Asante culture This role is economically significant in nation building There are however, some obstacles such as the state of the profession, capital, education and so on that needed to be dealt with. Suggestions to solving these problems were enumerated and it was realized in particular that a push by the jewelers themselves was inevitable and that could go a long way to not only help improve the living standards of the craftsmen but also make the profession attractive while lifting high the Asante culture.

Source: KNUST
The role of market orientation in the poultry industry in Ghana: the case of Agricare Limited

The present study focuses on the role of market orientation in the Poultry Industry in Ghana with reference to Agricare Limited. It reviews the poultry industry in Ghana. There is also a review of the concept of market orientation and its relevance. In an attempt to elicit the required information to support this literary work, two sets of questionnaires were designed. One set was administered to employees of Agricare Limited. Another set was given out to Accredited Distributors of the Company’s products. The two questionnaires are included in this piece of work as appendixes I and 2. A Statistical Package for Social Scientists software was used to analyze the data that was gathered. The study shows that Agricare has not done much to factor the needs, and wants of its customers and possible customers to influence its crucial decisions. Agricare’s corporate culture is not seen to be committed to creating customer value. The study makes recommendations which seek to help in proper adaptation and enrichment of market orientation in the poultry industry.

Source: KNUST
The Role of Management in Employees’ Career Development at St. John of God Hospital, Sefwi Asafo.

The research explained the role of management and employee career development plans at St. John of God Hospital at Asafo in Western Region of Ghana. Most organizations wanted creativity, innovation, skills and competencies from their employees for career growth and development but do not consider employees’ career development due to financial constraint and the fear of losing their employees to their competitors. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the role of management in employees’ career development at St. John of God hospital. The research methods used in the study consisted of a research design, study population, sampling procedure (purposive and stratified), a target population, sample frame, and sample selection. Primary and secondary sources of data were also collected and analyzed. It was revealed that employees’ at the hospital had pursued career policies from the on-set of the organization. It could therefore be concluded that there was a link between management role and employees’ career development in organizations.

Source: KNUST
The role of marketing communication in the distribution of petroleum products in Ghana

All over the world, petroleum and petroleum products are indispensable for the smooth running of any state. The purpose of this dissertation is to find empirical signs of differences and similarities in the elements of communication and in how it affects the marketing operation of an oil distribution firm. The study was set to cover Accra. As such, data were collected from as many sources (from oil marketing companies) as represented in the research area selected and to make a more representative conclusion. A sample size of 100 respondents were selected from fifty filling stations and marketing executives, of which the managers, their deputies and marketing oriented officials in the OMCs were selected by using the non-probability sampling method. Quantitative and qualitative methods of analysing statistical data were employed in the analysis of the data. It was external communication which was realized to be the most effective form of communication in the sector under study. The major communication strategy used by marketing officers is two way communications process which involves the provision of feedback to both the clients and the companies. It was also discovered from the study that, in devising or structuring a marketing/communication strategy for the petroleum products marketing officers, a very strategic and tactful considerations should be made before that programme could be designed as part of the, marketing programmes for the companies. In conclusion, communication does not consist of several elements working in isolation. Instead, it is a gathering of elements working as an entirety.

Source: KNUST
The role of marketing communications in the promotion of non- traditional export products in Ghana: a case of handicrafts in the Ashanti Region.

The purpose of this thesis is to gain a deeper understanding into the role marketing communications plays in the promotion of Non-Traditional Exports products with specific reference to Kente as a handicraft product. To reach this purpose the researcher had spent quality time to study what the broad theme marketing communications is, the different marketing communications tools ( such as personal selling, advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, public relations, sponsorship, exhibitions, packaging, point-of sale and merchandising, the internet, word of mouth and corporate identity), objectives of promoting Kente products and finally investigated on the specific Kente products promoted by marketers in Ghana. The findings of this study have revealed that advertising, sales promotions, personal selling, exhibitions and trade shows and word of mouth are used t extensively by marketers to promote Kente products whereas corporate identity, public relations or publicity, visual merchandising, point-of-purchase are used in a minor extent. Marketing Communications tools such as direct marketing, the internet and packaging are not used at all by the marketers. Also, the Kente cloth has been found out to be the specific handicraft product promoted highly by marketers. Lastly, marketers promote Kente products because it is a preserve of royalty and legacy.

Source: KNUST