ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Adoption of project management methodologies in the implementation of successful projects in financial Institutions: a case study of Bank of Africa-Ghana.

Bank of Africa - Ghana has been experiencing rapid growth and expansion, necessitating changes in order to maintain a competitive edge. While these changes facilitate development and launch of products, they have also led to the establishment of a Project management office resulting in more vibrant project management activities. The purpose of this study was to assess the Project Management Methodologies adopted by Bank of Africa, Ghana, in implementing its successful projects by firstly identifying the Project Management Methodology (PMM) adopted by the bank. Secondly, the study seeks to compare the expected benefits and the reported benefits of the Project Management Methodology adopted. The study adopted a descriptive case study approach as the study was limited to Bank of Africa – Ghana and as well limited to three successfully completed projects of the bank. Questionnaires were used as well as interviews to collect data from respondents who were the staff of the bank. Microsoft Excel was used in the descriptive analysis for the quantitative data (percentages and frequencies) and thematic matrix analysis for the qualitative data. The findings of the study revealed that Bank of Africa – Ghana had adopted an In-House methodology which is a combination or a hybrid of PMBOK and PRINCE2 methodologies. The study also revealed that the expected and reported benefits were to deliver the projects on time, within budget, to the required quality/standard and to systematically manage project risks. These expected and reported benefits were met and were attributed to the high level of practicing the elements of the adopted Project Management Methodology. It was recommended that Bank of Africa – Ghana implements the In-House methodology effectively by highly practicing all the elements of this methodology to be able to achieve more benefits.

Source: KNUST
Adoption of project management practices; A case study of Kpone Thermal Power Project

In spite of development's protracted records of enormous projects, and 50 years of developing the discipline, project general performance is disturbingly low especially in Ghana. Various studies have uncovered that most projects are over budgeted, not completed on time and don't meet stakeholders expectations. Research has additionally demonstrated that poor project management practices have added to the desertion of projects over the years. Overtime Traditional project management practices have advanced as the requirements for management and monitoring construction projects. Nevertheless, with the advances of management methods and ICT, traditional practices have tested to be insufficient in meeting the new project necessities. Productive project management is fundamental in a project-based industry such as construction. To enhance project outcomes (e.g. fulfilment, performance, and achievement), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) was set up by the Project Management Institute to arrange general project management processes, knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques. This research work aims at investigating the extent to which the PMBOK Guidelines are adopted in construction projects in Ghana, using Kpone Thermal Power Project (KTPP) as a case study. The study population includes the management, engineers and supervisors who constitute the top and middle level management staff of Zakhem Construction Ghana Limited (ZCGL), the EPC Contractor of the KTPP. Pursuing the research objectives, the research instruments adopted was a close-ended structured questionnaire with questions centred on the Project Management practices outlined in PMBOK Guide under different Project Management process groups and knowledge areas. The research work deployed a quantitative method in measuring and analysing its variables and data. The tool used for arranging the data, performing data cleaning and analysis is Microsoft Excel. The research discovered that Project Management Practices as per the PMBOK guidelines were adopted on the project to a large extent, however there is the need for improvement in some knowledge areas. It was therefore recommended among others that actions should be taken to ensure that the planning and execution of construction projects take into consideration adequate project management skills and strategies.

Source: KNUST
The adoption of some waste-bases media techniques for the use in second cycle schools

Many people complain of the inadequacy of sufficient materials for painting and therefore they do not practice this aspect of art, most of the complaint about materials comes from art teachers and their students. Demand for money from school authorities to purchase materials often art teachers. The problem is sometimes compounded by the inability of some art teachers to vary their painting techniques when they are left with a particular type of paint such as poster colour. This essay would therefore help art teachers and students to acquire some knowledge on the use of water based paints in different techniques

Source: KNUST
Adoption of web-based project management system in the Ghanaian construction industry

Web-based project management system is used in so many advanced countries in managing construction project information and document and can be used as a communication tool between team members in a project. The use of this system has improved productivity in these countries. The aim of this research is to investigate the factors that facilitate the adoption of web-based project management systems in the construction industry. The objectives were to identify the factors that facilitate the adoption of web-based project management system in the construction industry and to identify the level of impact of the identified factors to the individual’s behavioural intention in adopting web-based project management system. The constructs in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) 2 model were used and modified with identified factors in Ghana. The study was conducted in the Sunyani Municipal in the Bono Region and the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region. The purposive and snowball sampling technique were used in the selection of the respondents. This sampling technique ensured that professionals who are engaged in managing construction projects and its related issues are selected. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey and was analysed using SPSS by using the following tool; Descriptive Statistic, Ranking and Multiple linear regression to analyse the outcome of the data. The study uncovered various factors that facilitate an individual’s intention to adopt web-based project management system and other new technologies. Respondents identified performance expectancy of the system, culture of adopting technology both on the part of the individual and the firm or company he/she works at, effort expectancy of the system, internet reliability, facilitating condition, habit, hedonic motivation and social influence to be the factors that facilitate the adoption of web-based project management system in the construction industry. It came to light that when these constructs or factors are analysed individually most of these constructs appear to be very significant with a good p-value but when analysed collectively a few become significant and have a better beta value and t- value. Most of the hypothesis proposed earlier was proven and some were nullified. However, the study could not exhaust all the factors using other accepted models as well as benefits and challenges of web-based project management system. Also, the study covered only a small part of the construction industry and therefore proposed further studies into other regions.

Source: KNUST
Adoption of Prefabrication for Construction Projects in Tamale.

The primary success parameters of every project are time, cost and quality. The need to control large quantities of waste is also an issue of great concern in the construction industry. The adoption of new technological advancement in the construction sector is seen as the way forward to achieving project success. Prefabrication has been adopted for construction project by many countries across the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors militating against the adoption of prefabrication for construction projects in Tamale. This was achieved by meeting the following objectives: To investigate the benefits in adopting prefabrication; To investigate the difficulties in the adoption of prefabrication; To investigate the measures in adopting prefabrication; and To examine the extent of usage of prefabrication. The research made use of literature review of existing work. One hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were administered to respondents and desk study of selected stakeholders in the construction industry. The statistical tools used in the analysis comprised descriptive statistics and mean score ranking. Findings of the study indicated that project cost, quality, time are among some of the key benefits. Some of the hindrances identified were lack of direct financial grants, lack of practical technical training, inadequate suppliers of prefabrication, no policy to promote prefabrication and finally, the factors identified to promote future development of prefabrication were provision of direct financial grant, advancement of prefabrication skills in workers, incentive schemes to inspire the private sector and sustainability as a first priority. The results also indicated that, inspite of the difficulties in the adoption of prefabrication, stakeholders in the Ghanaian construction industry believe in the need to explore its use. The adoption of prefabrication will contribute to reducing the huge housing deficit and facilitate the industrilisation of the construction industry. Prefabrication has the capacity to offer alternative choice of solutions and to further improve quality and value for money for construction projects. The findings will contribute to the adoption of prefabrication for construction projects and has provided a broad view of the essence for the use of prefabrication in construction.

Source: KNUST
Adoption potential of biomass transfer technology in Western Kenya

This study assesses the adoption potential of biomass transfer technology in Western Kenya. The main aim is to assess uptake of the technology by farmers in six divisions of Vihiga District who have different levels of contact with research with special reference on use, management, benefits, problems, perceptions, innovations and expansions. It also looks at the major factors affecting adoption and the diffusion/uptake of the technology in six villages in Yala Division of Siaya District. The study employs both formal and informal survey methods which include questionnaires and a combination of PRA, RRA and PLAR techniques. A survey from 69 farmers of the extension department (extension farmers) and 53 farmers collaborating with researchers (research farmers) of the KEFRI, KARI, ICRAF project in Maseno are presented. Group discussions and interviews by farmers in the six villages in Yala Division (village farmers) are also presented. The findings suggest that the rate of adoption is affected by association with research. Among the research farmers 23% were strong adopters, 58% medium adopters and 19% did not adopt. Among the extension farmers, 15% were strong adopters, 20% were medium adopters while 59% did not adopt. For the village farmers, diffusion across the villages is generally not high and a larger proportion of farmers have not tested the technology. But the rate of uptake is very high among the village farmers who have tested the technology and are in close contact with research. Other factors associated with adoption are sex of decision-maker, household type, education level of decision-maker, affiliation to groups and participation in external activities. Many farmers currently apply the biomass on horticultural vegetables other than maize, the initial test crop. The revenue received from the sale of these vegetables off-sets the costs of the labour incurred in using the biomass. The main benefits include increased crop yield and better crop quality. The major problem is the labour and it is the main reason given by farmers who have discontinued with the technology. This issue needs to address if farmers are to adopt biomass transfer. Only a few farmers have planted tithonia within their farms to reduce the labour input. Extension efforts are needed to encourage more farmers to plant.

Source: KNUST
Adsorption of iron and manganese by locally available filter media in water treatment

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply for rural communities in Ghana. However, in some localities, the quality of groundwater is affected by the occurrence of manganese and iron above acceptable levels. The presence of iron and manganese is therefore a limiting factor in the selection of groundwater resources. The locally available filter media namely coated sand; charcoal and laterite were investigated for removal of iron and manganese from water in this study. The adsorption of iron and manganese were carried out under anaerobic condition and pH was also varied between 6 and 7. Freundlich adsorption isotherm was use to determine the adsorption capacity and adsorption bond of iron by coated sand and charcoal. The results of the study show that charcoal has higher adsorption capacity of iron and manganese than that of coated sand within a period of 3 hours. However beyond 3 hours, the charcoal showed seemingly adsorption-desorption trend, which may be due to the presence of calcium oxide on its surface while this latter trend was not shown by coated sand. Laterite was however, also relatively good adsorbent for iron and manganese. For a unit mass of adsorbent, 0.0775mg and 0.0836mg of iron and manganese were adsorbed respectively. The laterite however, disintegrated in solution forming suspension. This phenomenon was traced to presence of clay materials in the laterite hence; it cannot be use as a filter media to treat groundwater in its raw state. The variation of pH however, had slight influence on the adsorption of iron and manganese by charcoal but pH of 6.5 is best for the removal of iron by charcoal. The adsorption was found to conform to Freundlich isotherm for charcoal and coated sand. The result further revealed that charcoal has a higher adsorption capacity and adsorption bond compared to coated sand.

Source: KNUST
Adsorptive removal of arsenic and manganese from groundwater

Groundwater remains the most important source of water supply for rural communities in Ghana. Currently, over 95% of the domestic water needs of rural communities are obtained from this source. In some localities, the quality of groundwater is affected by the occurrence of Arsenic (As) and Manganese (Mn) in concentrations above tough and 0.1mg/l respectively which are the World Health Organization (WHO) acceptable limits for drinking water. This is a limiting factor in the choice of this resource. Water supply companies are currently seeking to improve the process of As and Mn removal from groundwater. In this study, Adsorption capacity of locally available filter media namely, laterite and Iron Oxide Coated Sand (ICS) were investigated for removal of As and Mn from synthetic water. Batch studies were conducted under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Changes in concentrations of As and Mn were determined using the Atomic Adsorption Spectrometer (AAS) and Graphite furnace AAS. Adsorption isotherms were prepared using different concentrations of Mn. Isotherms were not prepared for As due to constraints of time. The effect of pH on adsorptive trends was also investigated into. The filter media was then used for treatment of real groundwater seeded with different concentrations of Mn and As from Ayeduase Township. Results of the study show that adsorption under conditions of anaerobic and aerobic is comparable prior to the attainment of equilibrium by the anaerobic case. However the aerobic adsorption process continues slowly and consistently probably because the adsorbed Mn2+ gets oxidized to form manganese oxides and manganese oxyhydroxide complexes. These complexes form a new external coating round the media and facilitate further adsorption of Mn2+ ions, The anaerobic adsorption data of both ICS and laterite fined well with the Freundlich’s Isotherm. The results revealed that, iron oxide coated sand has higher adsorption capacity than laterite. This may be due to higher iron and manganese oxide content in the coating of the coated sand as compared to the amount in the laterite. The iron oxide coated sand also had higher adsorption intensity as compared to the laterite. Better adsorption trends were realized at higher pH for both media.

Source: KNUST
Advancing internal audit effectiveness at ghana police service: do independence and objectivity of internal auditors matter?

Internal audits have recently gained prominence worldwide due to severe bankruptcies, assets embezzlement, corporate fraud in false financial reporting, inflated revenues, and irregular transactions in the public sector. Internal audit effectiveness also promotes greater accountability, disclosure, and transparency to restore trust, market confidence, and shareholders. To achieve these, contemporary researchers pay attention to the objectivity and independence of internal auditors. This study extends prior studies to investigate whether internal auditors' objectivity and independence affect the educational directorate's internal audit effectiveness. Further, the study examines the critical challenges affecting internal audit effectiveness at Ghana Police Service (GPS). The study employs descriptive and explanatory designs in collecting cross-sectional primary data via questionnaires from the GPS directorate, Ejisu Municipality. The study uses Ordinary Least Square (OLS) models and other quantitative methods to analyze 194 respondents from the GPS units in Ghana. The study finds that the objectivity of internal auditors does not influence internal audit effectiveness; however, internal auditors' independence positively relates to internal audit effectiveness in Ghana. Management support and technology usage are the other variables that contribute to internal audit effectiveness. Also, the study concludes that poor service condition is the critical challenge facing the implementation of internal quality effectiveness at the directorate. Lastly, most staff at the directorate are not familiar with international auditing standards such as IFRS, IPSAS, and other applicable policies that enhance the effectiveness of internal audits.

Source: KNUST
Advancing internal control effectiveness at ghana education service: do coso model variables matter?

This study examines whether the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) model’s variables drive the effectiveness of internal control systems at Ghana Education Service (GES) due to the high increased demand for high-quality financial reporting and also, knowing the recent public outcry of corporate governance scandals and the ill use of public funds in some educational institutions in Ghana. The study used descriptive and quantitative approaches or methods to analyse the responses. Also, primary data using structured questionnaires were used to achieve the research objectives or questions stipulated for the study. The study found that four major factors (control environment and risk assessment activities, control activities and monitoring activities) were the contributing factors of the COSO model driving the effectiveness of GES in Ghana. The study recommended that there should be proper training and education on the use of modern technology or computerized accounting systems that can help internal control officials to detect financial omissions, monitor risk, and ensure internal control effectiveness. Management of GES Directorates should immediately develop a backup system for all data to safeguard the future total breakdown of the systems. Also, management should establish communication tools for members to channel any alleged improprieties for immediate action, and top managers and directors should involve all stakeholders of the directorates in making decisions. In addition to the above, the finance and administration as well as account office units should fully adobt the internal auditing and financial reporting standards such as ISA, IPSAS, IFRS and others in reporting accounting information. Management should liaise with professional accounting and auditing officials to help train the staff of Directorates on how to implement and comply with current international accounting and auditing standards. Finally, external audits should be done quarterly and not annually, and recommendations should be implemented by stakeholders.

Source: KNUST
Advancing the performance of commercial banks in ghana: does quality of internal audit function matter?

This study examines the nexus between the quality of internal audit (professional competence, audit independence, and audit quality) and the performance of banks in a developing country context, Ghana. The study uses an ordinary least square (OLS) regression model on a primary and secondary dataset of 20 banks over five years (2017 to 2021). The study finds that professional competence has an insignificant positive relationship with financial performance. However, audit independence and quality audit work have a positive and significant relationship with the performance of banks in Ghana. Also, bank size positively affects financial performance. Liquidity records a negative relationship with the bank's performance. Board size, however, records an insignificant positive relationship with the financial performance of banks in Ghana. The study concludes that audit independence, quality of audit work, and bank size increase banks' performance in Ghana. However, professional competencies of internal audit and board size do not predict the financial performance of banks; however, liquidity decreases banks' performance in Ghana. The study recommends there should be adequate professional training for internal audit staff to enhance audit quality which can help improve the effectiveness of internal audit functions. Management of banks should consider training and professional CPDs to enhance the professional competencies of internal auditors or internal audit staff. Finally, management, government agencies, potential investors, and other pertinent stakeholders of financial institutions should use the study's findings and other relevant to assess the bank's performance of banks in developing countries.

Source: KNUST