ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Microfinance in Ghana: administration of credit to the rural poor; a case study of the banks in the IFAD-Rural Enterprises Project

The alleviation of rural poverty is a major concern to the government. In view of this, the MEST/IFAD-REP was designed to benefit some selected districts in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions. This study looked at the administration of the credit component of the scheme. The main objective was to assess the efficiency of the administration of financial services to the rural micro enterprises by the participating formal financial institutions. The specific objectives were: - To assess the performance of the banks contracted by the project based on Bank of Ghana criteria. - To assess the sustainability of the contracted banks in carrying out the REP’s credit component of their activities. - To assess the efficiency of the outreach programme of the contracted banks and - To make appropriate recommendations. The data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The stratified random sampling technique was basically used in selecting the districts as they were from two different regional administrations. A purposeful selection was used to include the pioneering districts. The “CAR” of the “CAMELI” model was used to assess the performance of the banks. The sustainability of the banks was measured by the breakeven analysis: here the prudence and accrual concepts were assumed. Descriptive statistics were used in the assessment of the outreach intensity. The results indicated that two of the banks studied had “CARs” of less than the 6% required by the Bank of Ghana. The overall repayment rate averaged 89%. The overall savings per person in 1999 averaged 01 84,863. Transaction cost was found to be high due to other charges apart from the interest on the loans and the delay in securing loans. Based on the breakeven analysis, two banks, Wamfie Rural Bank at Berekum and Ghana Commercial Bank at Offinso were found to have reached sustainable levels in administering the credit component of REP activities. The “extent” of outreach was better than the “depth” of outreach as more women, illiterates, the rural poor and first timers benefited from the scheme. The outreach performance of the rural banks was better than the others banks. It was recommended that the repayment schedule should be basically monthly but must be adjusted to suit vocational peculiarities. Gawky requirements of banks should be streamlined. Medium-term loans should be provided for those who have proven to be credit-worthy. Equipment support, where equipment is issued to the clients, should be encouraged and must be backed by a “deed of assignment”. The amount of loan given per person should also be increased to have a meaningful impact. The programme should be evaluated at the end of the project with specific emphasis on issues such as debt capacity, sustainability, outreach and expansion possibilities.

Source: KNUST
Microfinance: a strategy for poverty reduction. A case study of opportunity international savings and loans operations at Nkawie, Toase and Mpastia

The continent of Africa and Sub - Saharan Africa and Ghana in particular is richly endowed with abundant God given natural resources. It is however saddled with high levels of poverty, as Sub-Saharan Africa which Ghana finds itself ranking lowest in terms of human development. Microfinance is in the service industry where the financial services as well as financial advisory assistance is given to the economically active poor to help change the poor circumstances so we can see socio-economic growth and transformation. This study uses descriptive method to collect data on a sample size of 149 customers within Nkawie, Toase and Mpasatia area and fifteen credit relationship officers of Opportunity International Savings and Loans (OISL) using both questionnaire and interview to investigate Microfinance: As a strategy for poverty reduction, a case study of OISL operation in the Nkawie , Toase and Mpasatia communities. The result of the study shows that the employees of OISL saw a transformation in the socio-economic life of their customers in spite of the delays in the repayment of loan granted and the prospects of extending their services to many in the communities. Customers are also aware of the presence of OISL at the community to do business with them. With respect to access, customers realized that it is only required of them to either have an accounts with OISL or to join a group, have a business operating for at least six months.

Source: KNUST
Microscopy for Acid Fast Bacilli: A Useful but Neglected Tool in Routine Laboratory Diagnosis of Buruli Ulcer

Background: Laboratory diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease has become vital with the introduction of antibiotic treatment. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the IS2404 repeat sequence of Mycobacterium ulcerans is the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis. This is expensive and only carried out in reference laboratories in endemic countries in Africa. In order to improve the efficiency of diagnosis at the point of care and reduce the total cost of patient management, we decided to evaluate Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) as an inexpensive diagnostic tool. Methods: Two smears directly prepared at the point of care were examined under oil-immersion microscopy after ZN staining for AFB and compared the results to PCR samples from the same patients. Results: Good quality smears were obtained from all subjects and our results showed that when a second smear was added the sensitivity of microscopy for AFB was increased from 52 to 55% for FNA samples and from 51 to 57 % for swabs. Conclusion: If PCR were to be omitted in all patients with suspected Buruli ulcer disease when AFB were detected it would result in a considerable saving.

Source: KNUST
Microfinance institutions and the promotion of small scale enterprises: a case study in the Kumasi Metropolis

The dynamic roles of small scale enterprises in developing countries have been highly emphasized. These enterprises have been identified as the means through which accelerated growth and poverty reduction as well as other developmental goals of developing countries can be achieved. The sector is faced with a lot of constraint which threatens the achievements of its full potential. Some of the constraints relate to lack of or inadequate credit, lack of capacity or the technical know-how to effectively manage their businesses and the absence of suitable policies and programmes to address their plight. Thus they are unable to come out of the vicious cycle of poverty. The emergence of microfinance is thought to provide answers to the numerous problems faced by small scale enterprises. Microfinance institutions are expected to provide suitable financial services with education. Some of the services include the provision of credit, facilitate and inculcate the habit of savings in entrepreneurs and the provision of educational programmes to build the capacity of entrepreneurs all of which are geared towards improving the incomes of household. Using purposive sampling, four (4) Savings and Loans Companies in Kumasi were randomly selected, and 99 respondents were randomly selected for the study. Interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaire; questionnaire for institutions and separate questionnaire for beneficiaries. From the survey the following were found out: • MFIs served as a source of credit or loans to small scale enterprises • Personnel of MFIs do not have the requisite knowledge to develop suitable products to meet the needs of clients • Determination of loan amount is contractual and the only determinant is the savings of the client. • The only financial product known to clients is credit and sometimes savings • There is no programme of activities intended to build the capacity of clients It could be realized that the only effort by MFIs towards the promotion of small scale enterprise in the informal sector is the provision of credit based on contractual agreement and not on any credit need assessment. This has resulted in the stagnation of the small scale enterprise sector such that they are always looking for credit and paying back credit. The importance of savings to accumulate own capital, the need for business advisory services, insurance to protect against disaster and host of educational programmes have not been given the needed attention towards the promotion of small scale enterprises. It is arguably right that if these things as well as other issues are considered by MFIs coupled with the design of appropriate and suitable products for small scale enterprises holistically then the expected role of these enterprises in reducing poverty can be realized.

Source: KNUST
Microfinance Loan Portfolio Management: A case study of Western Microfinance Ltd based in Takoradi

The numbers of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in the country have increased in recent years, however, they tend to go down or even collapse when the recovery rate on loan is low or the number of defaults goes up in economic down turns. This phenomena has led to most Microfinance Institutions adopting cutting edge technology to Improve the quality of their Loan structure. The decline of relevant portfolio planning Models especially in Ghana is attributed mainly to the evolving dynamics of the Ghanaian Microfinance industry where the regulatory controls have changed with a high frequency. The purpose of this Study is to propos a linear model and solved using the revised simplex method which will maximize Western Microfinance Limited profit on loans and allocate their funds for loan disbursement leading to financial sustainability. The results from the model showed that Western Microfinance Limited would make a profit Of GH¢46930.00 if they are to stick to the model. From the study, it was realized that the scientific method used to develop the propose model can have an increase in profit margin if put into practice.

Source: KNUST
Middle and Low Income Housing: a proposal for Mankranso, Ahafo-Ano South District, Ashanti Region

The definition of a “house” goes beyond the provision of shelter and a place of dwelling. It embodies the shaping of a man’s total socio-cultural, economic, religious and political life. Further, housing offers man the essential substances f family life, neighbourhood contacts, education base, human relations recreation and a sense of identification with what we are and really want to be. This is summed up in the notion “housing as a verb”. Housing delivery to the lower income group has become a global problem, more especially so in the developing countries. This is so because of the immense political and economic dimensions involved. Various causes account for the emergence of the housing problem. Chief among them is the increasing rural-urban migration. The provision of general social infrastructure and shelter falls far below the rate of migration. This has caused severe shortage of domestic accommodation in the urban areas, and consequently, the development of slums and shantytowns. Another cause of the problem is the declining economic conditions, which have made the affordability of basic shelter impossible for the ordinary worker. This is attributed to the rising cost of housing impute, especially land. It has become almost impossible for the lower income group to obtain owner-occupied houses. A more plausible solution lies in the provision of rentable accommodation. However, the economic implications of this are numerous. This is because housing is a marketable commodity and an economic investment where the private sector is concerned. In a bid to recoup the investment and make profits, the rents are soaring. it has therefore become imperative that institutions that employ a considerable number of people provide rentable accommodation for their workers at subsidised rates. The crisis in the housing situation, resulting from the widening gap between housing supply and demand in Ghana has been recognised by the government as a major problem. Many aspects of the housing delivery system face severe constraints, including institutional capabilities, provision of land, finance, infrastructure, materials and skills. In 1987, a Draft National Housing Policy and Action Plan were prepared. The broad objectives of this plan were to assign a new role to the public sector as a facilitator instead of a provider of housing. Also, housing is to be viewed as a productive investment providing a national economic wealth and creating a base for attaining national policy goals such as health and sanitation, and not as consumption good. It is in pursuit of these goals that the District Assemblies are to serve as agents for change and development, providing the broad-base infrastructure for housing development

Source: KNUST
Migrant farmers and agricultural development in the West Gonja District: a socio-economic study

Many African countries are faced with the problem of increasing food production order to attain food self sufficiency. Ghana is no exception. It still relies on the importation of food to satisfy domestic demand. The small scale agricultural sector, the highest contributor to food production is influenced by demographic patters and intra-rural migration, which in turn are related to relative return to agricultural investment. Surplus and underemployed labour is often attracted to areas with a high potential for unattractive suffer from net outflow of population. Factors such as population pressure reducing farm sizes, and the low returns to land have caused the migration of people from the northeastern and northwestern part of the country southwards to undertake farming activities. These migrant farmers play a major role in the production of both food and cash crops. However, certain problem such as inadequate supply of farm inputs, lack of production credit, poor marketing/storage facilities, poor weather conditions, lack of adequate extension services and declining soil fertility, according to this study are the major factors hindering the productivity of such farmers. The study has proposed some measures that would help raise productivity of migrant farmers as well as local farmers. If these measures are vigorously pursued, not only will the productivity of farmers be raise, but also their income levels. This could lead to the development of the district at large.

Source: KNUST
Migrants’ perspective and coping strategies to conflict in rural communities: a case study of Makango community in the East Gonja Municipality of Northern Ghana.

This study reports on migrants’ perspective, effects and coping strategies to protracted non violent conflict in rural communities in Northern Ghana. The main objective of the study was to analyse the conflict from the perspective of the migrants which seemed to be lacking in other literature. The Makango community in the East Gonja Municipality was used as a case study. Qualitative research approach was used for the data collection and analysis in which purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of thirteen respondents. Semistructured interview and observation were used to collect data. Some of the major findings of the study included the uncertainty of when the conflict would erupt, fear of unexpected attack migrants used various coping strategies such as avoiding the discussing of the conflict, physical isolation from conflict factions and being neutral. The study recommended that migrants living in the community should be provided with an information desk by the Municipal Assembly where they could make enquiries regarding issues relating to the conflict. They should also be encouraged to form association to discuss their welfare and support one another.

Source: KNUST
Migration: community consequences and individual migrant experiences in Agbogbloshie

Development disparities between the three northern regions of Ghana and their southern counterparts remain an issue of grave concern since independence. The colonial administration promoted the northern sector as a labour basket for the rich southern cocoa and timber industry and mineral resources. Undoubtedly, this situation resulted in seasonal and sometimes permanent migration of young people from the three northern regions to the southern sector. Though the north-south migration in the country has received much scholarly attention with respect to the causes and patterns of these movements, it is yet to be critically examined in terms of its effects on the socio-economic well-being of migrants and their dependants. Thus, the thesis investigates how migration affects migrants’ well-being. The main objective of the study is to determine the effects of migration on the well-being of migrants and their dependants in Agbogbloshie. The specific objectives are to examine the effects of migration on the income, education, housing and employment conditions of migrants; to determine the effects of migrants’ absence on their households in their areas of origin, to gain insight into the migration decision making process of these young migrants and to explore the experiences of migrants in terms of the challenges and successes from migrants perspective. A mixed research design involving both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis was used in finding answers to the research questions. The study found that the determinants of well-being; income, education, employment, health, and housing have improved for migrants after migration. The survey results revealed that migrants lived in congested and unhygienic environments, whilst the work they engaged in posed a lot of risks such as carrying very heavy loads and maneuvering between vehicles. On the consequences of migration on source communities, the study found that migration had a mixed effect on Yendi Municipality. Remittances were cited as the main positive effect on migrants’ households since it served as a source of additional income that cushioned relatives in the lean season (June-July). Some of the negative effects included the return of migrants with diseases and loss of moral values on the part of the returned migrants. The study recommends that the development gap between the northern and the southern part of the country be bridged so as to limit migration.

Source: KNUST
Migration and its effects on rural development: a case study of Keta district, Ghana

Migration is a chronic problem confronting most developing nation’s particularly sub-Saharan African countries. Rural out-migration in Ghana and elsewhere is seen mainly as a response to the spatial imbalance in the distribution of socio-economic facilities. This study looks at the causes of migration and its effects on the district and to find means of addressing the problem of migration. An overview of out-migration from Keta shows that both socio-economic and environmental factors play a decisive role in the decision of people to migrate. Other factors such as inadequate farmland, low returns due to soil infertility, and lack of credit, poor marketing/storage facilities and lack of adequate extension services, according to the study are factors hindering economic productivity in the district which induces out-migration considerably. An analysis of the effects of migration shows that the district experiences both positive and negative effects. The remittances made by the migrants play an important role in supporting the households. Some remittances were made towards improving the economic base of the district. This can not however obscure the fact that there is a corresponding negative repercussion which far outweighs the benefits. There is a reduction in the total district revenue as a result of the displacement of the human resource potentials which accompany the process of migration. In view of this, a number of proposals are made to enhance the economic strength and development of the district. Some of these include the introduction of credit/loan scheme, enhanced land holding capacity for farmers, improvement in the marketing and storage of goods, introduction of sustainable fishing and fish farming to name but a few. The sum total of these would result in the mitigation of migration from the district.

Source: KNUST
Millennium village project and poverty reduction: a case study of Bonsaaso Cluster in the Amansie West District

The fear of African countries not achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and not escaping the shackles of poverty prompted the international community to fashion out the Millennium Villages Project (MVP). With a bottom- up approach, the Millennium Village Project led by Jeffery Sachs seeks to alleviate extreme poverty in villages throughout Africa. As a joint project by the Earth Institute of Colombia University, United Nations Development Program, governments and other committed stakeholders, the project provides affordable and science-based solutions to help people lift themselves out of poverty. Millennium village in Ghana is located at Bonsaaso in the Amansie West district in the Ashanti region. The project has been in operation since 2006 offering a bold, innovative model for helping the Bonsaaso cluster of communities lift themselves out of extreme poverty. This study seeks to assess the effect of the project on living conditions of the inhabitants of Bonsaaso cluster of communities. One hundred and sixty-seven (N-167) respondents and three MVP officials were interviewed. Responses were collated, analysed with the aid of SPSS and findings presented in tables and graphs. The study reveals that before the advent of the MVP, residents of Millennium Village Communities lacked basic needs like health centres, and potable drinking water which affected their health. The study also reveals that level of participation by residents in the MVP is very high. In order to ensure the sustainability of the project it is recommended that beneficiaries must be trained to take over the project and also more funding must be sought to ensure its smooth running.

Source: KNUST
Millitary Baracks Design: Incorporating a Disaster Management Center on the Relocated Uaddara Barracks (4th Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces) from Batama and Kwadaso (Kumasi) to Mankranso

The Ghana (G.A.F), as part of its constitutional mandate to help maintain internal security nationw3ide, product and defend the territorial integrity and national sovereignty from foreign aggression; has been identified to be a major stakeholder in emergency response to disasters of national concern (Coutsoukis, 2004)

Source: KNUST
Mine accidents – a case study at Teberebie Goldfields Limited, Tarkwa

Two fatalities in six months and a hundred percent increase in the number of accidents from 1996 (56) to 1998 (107) have been a source of worry for Teberebie Goldfields management. Effective accident prevention measures, however, required a study of the accident trends at the mine to identify the problem areas. The objective of this case study at Teberebie Goldfields Limited is therefore to analyse the mine accident data with a view to highlighting trends that would have much relevance in promoting accident-free mine operations at other surface mines operating under similar conditions. Relevant data was collected and analysed in terms of accident types, age brackets, activity and period. The study revealed that lack of experience, seasonal effects and social factors accounted for the high rates of accidents at Teberebie Goldfields. It is recommended that increased supervision, safety audits and inspections and intensified training could be used to reduce accidents at other mines operating in similar conditions.

Source: KNUST