ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Project scope management strategies in GETFUND projects

Project scope change involves some levels of unpredictable and inexplicable changes in a project. Therefore, the scope of the project must include innovative measures to deal with unpredictable events. Therefore, there is a need for scope change management always included in the project scope and objectives so that these unpredictable events during the performance of the project can be dealt with without any hindrances. This study is aimed at investigating project scope management strategies of GetFund projects in Ghana. The research objectives of this study include; to identify factors that lead to scope change in GETFund projects, to determine challenges with scope management in GETFund projects and to identify strategies for improved scope management in GETFund projects. The quantitative method of research was used in this study. The views of the respondents were gathered from 50 GetFund staff. The study further employed the convenience sampling technique where respondents who are ready to give the right information were selected. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to respondents. Data analysis was conducted with the help of SPSS which enabled coding and analysis of data inputs. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviations were used. The results of the analysis were presented in tables and graphs. The findings of the study showed that gathering essential inputs and trust among co-workers are some strategies for improving scope management. The study also found that project time management, project cost management and the standards of raw materials are important factors that lead to scope change/management for GetFund projects. The study concludes that Project managers face the challenge of achieving desired goals within specific timelines. The study recommends that only few goals should be associated with project scope management rather than instituting more goals within limited time.

Source: KNUST
Project Risk Management Practices of Construction Cost Consultants in Ghana

The construction industry is one of the most dynamic, risky, and challenging business. However, the industry has poor reputation for managing risk, with major projects failing to meet deadlines and cost targets. This is influence greatly by variation in weather, productivity of labor and plant and quality of material. All too often, risks are either ignored or dealt with in a completely arbitrary way: simply adding 10% (percent) contingency onto the estimated cost of a project is typical. In a business as complex as construction, such an approach is often inadequate, resulting in expensive delays, litigation and even bankruptcy (Hayes et al, 1980). The study among other things, sought to assess the level of awareness of practicing cost consultants regarding modern trends in systematic risk management techniques, identity and document the risk management practices adopted in the construction industry, to investigate the key potential risk factors in the industry and also identify the distinction between theories of action and actual practices in systematic risk management in the industry. Data was gathered using interview sessions and questionaires to evaluate how risk management prescription was applied in practice in the construction industry. Respondents were selected using simple random sampling techniques. The finding suggests that, it is more characteristic of construction cost consultants in the industry to often proceed with estimating and predicting the cost of projects without any serious in-depth systematic project profiling and appraisal of risk during the project life cycle. Thus the need to do a thorough systematic risk management to address some of the potential risk imminent in the industry are often overlooked or postponed, leaving cost consultants exercising highly intuitive and subjective discretion in the management of risk during the project life cycle of most projects. The study concluded that, systematic risk management practices encourages stakeholder to critically itemize and quantity risk for eventual purposes of risk response planning, monitoring and control. Thus, instead of relying on the single value project cost estimate, proper distribution of risk is analyzed and appropriate systematic project costs allowed for. This makes the estimating process realistic because it recognizes the risk and uncertainties that exist in the venture or enterprise.

Source: KNUST
Project selection under multi-period capital rationing

Due to insufficient funds available for investment, Municipal Assemblies are unable to initiate or implement all their viable projects. The dilemma facing the Municipal Assemblies is that, which of the numerous projects the management should invest under the limited investment capital in order to maximize profit. To solve this project selection problem, data were drawn from sources such as financial statements, monthly and annual reports, daily newspapers and other relevant documents of the Sunyani Municipal Assembly over the period 2001-2006. Financial Ratios, Continuous Probability Analysis, Linear and Integer Programming Models were used to analyze the data. Sensitivity analyses were performed on the project parameters. The Linear Programming Model designed was suitable for solving large scale project selection under multi-period capital rationing problems, and this produces tlje optimal solution quantities (i.e., the project to be initiated), the value of the objective function (i.e., the Net Present Value) and the opportunity cost of the binding constraints. On the other hand, the selection of small scale project problems was found to be solved easily by Integer Programming Models. The Mathematical models such as linear programming and Integer programming were found to be: • Suitable for selecting potential projects and maximizing the returns from the batch of projects selected by the Sunyani Municipal Assembly, • Suitable for carrying out sensitivity analysis on the optimal solution to Linear programming problems to see how sensitive the project selection is to the changes in the parameters of the model.

Source: KNUST
Projecting loss reserves using tail factor development method a case study of State Insurance Company (motor insurance)

In many loss reserve analyses, especially those involving long-tail casualty lines, the loss development triangle may end before all the claims are settled and before the final costs of any year are known. That is, in loss reserving we implicitly assume that there are no claims after the oldest origin year is fully developed. However, it is not appropriate to assume that the oldest origin year is fully settled. This is because it is possible to have incurred but not reported claims after the oldest origin year is fully settled.The study was conducted to project future claims after the run-off triangle is fully run off. Claims data was collected from the State Insurance Company (SIC) Limited motor insurance for a period of six(6) years. The R-software and the spreadsheet were used to analysis claims data using the chain ladder and tail factor techniques. The study revealed that the motor insurance department of SIC would pay extra 3% of claims after estimated outstanding reserves of about 14 million Ghana cedis. It was therefore, recommended that SIC motor insurance department should set aside extra 3% of the estimated reserve to cater for possible incurred but not reported claims in 2015 and beyond.

Source: KNUST
The proliferation of Nigerian banks and its impact on the performance of the traditional banks in Ghana: a case study of Ghana Commercial Bank

In past, the Ghanaian banking sector used to be highly undeveloped and this was evident in the traditional banks, notably Ghana Commercial Bank, Agricultural Development Bank and the two foreign dominated banks-Barclays Bank Ghana and Standard Chartered Bank. However, the proliferation of the Nigerian banks is supposed to introduce market discipline, strong business practices, and technology, and new products, risk management systems and infuse foreign expertise, and bank capital. Generally, the study aimed at finding out the proliferation of Nigerian Banks and its impact on the performance of the Traditional Banks Major research instruments such as questionnaires and interview guides were used in the data collection. A sample size of three hundred and ninety (390) were chosen which the researcher thought to be fairly representative of the population. In addition, financial indicators such as profitability, shareholders’ and activity ratios were employed to find out the position of the bank which were extracted from GCB’s balance sheet (200502007). It was revealed that, although there is intense competition in the banking industry, GCB hand not to retain more of its customers, this however, did not correspond with its total deposit since the rise in the total deposit in GCB confirms that overall, its total assets and deposit grew remarkably from 2002 to 2007. The study recommended that GCB should particularly come out with strategic elements, products attribute, resources, competence from being a weak competitor to a strong competitor and then tailor their products to suit both the customers and the market trends.

Source: KNUST
Promoting Customer Satisfaction in the Insurance Industry in Ghana: A Case Study of selected Insurance Companies in the Tamale Metropolis

This is a descriptive study that assessed the expectations of customers of their insurers and the level of satisfaction that their insurers have been able to provide them. The general objective of the study was to examine customer satisfaction levels among clients’ of insurance companies and the strategies companies have in place to achieve customer satisfaction in the Tamale Metropolis. The specific objectives of the study include the examination of customer expectation, assessment of customer satisfaction levels, assessment of service quality impact on satisfaction, evaluation of insurance companies’ customer satisfaction strategies and identification of challenges confronting insurance companies in their bid to satisfy their customers. The method used to collect data were questionnaire and interview schedules from insurance policy holders and branch managers of insurance companies respectively. The study showed that customers’ expectations have not been adequately met. Customers expect a high level of service delivery from insurance companies. Granting of discounts, continuous training of staff and the use of ICT are prominent strategies companies use to promote customer satisfaction. The challenges of internal bottlenecks and inadequate resources have been identified by insurance companies as accounting for their inability to deliver the kind of service that will satisfy their customers. Recommendation offered by the study is that insurance companies should aim at building durable teams. Various units and departments of the organizations should work as a team with a focus to satisfy customers. Companies should automate their processes to shorten the time that clients spend trying to purchase insurance or make claims.

Source: KNUST
Promoting Art Education in the Asamang Community Through Mural Paintings

Visual Arts Education is gradually becoming unpopular in the Asamang Community. Teachers in the basic schools either refuse to teach Visual Arts or give little attention to its teaching. In the Junior High Schools (JHS), the Visual Arts component of Basic Design and Technology (BDT) is entirely ignored since all five schools in the community do not offer it. Hence the students lack the requisite level of knowledge in Visual Arts expected of J.H.S. students that will even propel them to choose the programme in the Senior High School. The situation is the same in the S.H.S. where few students offer Visual Arts as a result of many challenges. The population studied consisted of students, primary school teachers, BDT teachers, heads of schools, one education officer and ordinary citizens in the Asamang community. The purposive sampling technique was used to select five heads of schools, 26 teachers and one education officer whereas the stratified sampling technique was used to select 65 students and five citizens from whom data was collected in the Asamang community. The research revealed that primary school pupils are not given the needed tuition in the Creative Arts. Besides, most teachers in the primary schools were not trained to teach Art thus making them handicapped as far as the subject is concerned. The situation was not very different in the Junior High Schools where there is lack of qualified teachers to handle the Visual Arts part of the BDT subject. These problems have adversely affects the students’ entry into Senior High School to the extent that Asamang SHS has very few students in the Art department. In all schools, basic tools, materials and equipment used for teaching and learning of Art were lacking. This study was therefore geared towards the promotion of Visual Arts Education in the Asamang community of Ashanti Region. This involved the researcher organizing some S.H.S Visual Arts students to paint murals that depicted careers in the field of Art to serve as a tool for creating awareness for Art as a subject of study. The research methods employed were action and descriptive research under the qualitative research methodology with interviews and questionnaire administration as the research instruments. The study recommended that the Sekyere South District Education Officers should find a means of organizing in-service training in the Creative Arts for the teachers to ensure that they would teach the subject in the schools. They should also invite resource persons in the art industry to organise in-service training programmes and to enable them sensitize all teachers and heads in the primary and JHS on the need for creativity development for the pupils. Students in the JHS should be given regular orientation courses in all the Art subjects to help them select their SHS programmes of study. Also, the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in education should help in the supply of basic art tools, materials and equipment to enhance effective teaching of Art in the schools.

Source: KNUST
Promethee Methodology to Select Least Cost Telecommunication Network Operator in the Ashanti Region

The selection of a mobile network operator has become a problem to the subscriber. This is so because the individual is faced with the option to choose so as to reduce cost. Promethee methods have taken an important place among the existing outranking multiple criteria methods. In this thesis the Promethee method was used to rank the six (6) mobile network operators based on six (6) given criteria data. Conclusions and recommendations were given based on the results from the ranking of the six (6) network operators

Source: KNUST
PROMOTING EFFECTIVE USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES AT KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LIBRARY, KUMASI, GHANA

University libraries acquire print information resources such as books and journals as well as electronic information resources to support teaching, learning and research and also facilitate knowledge dissemination. This explains why various library services have been developed to promote and facilitate effective use of recorded information in all formats by users. This paper examines the resources available and services offered by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Library. The methodology used was records on files, interviews and observations. It concludes that in spite of library budget cuts, KNUST Library has made systematic efforts in promoting effective use of its resourcesby its users. It then makes recommendations to facilitate the more effective and efficient use of KNUST Library resources.

Source: KNUST
Promoting Local Development in Atwima Nwabiagya through a Hybrid of Cultures

This study investigates hybrid cultures of the people of the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti region of Ghana and the various ways by which these hybrid cultures have promoted local development in the district. The study is based on the assumption that the culture of the people of Atwima Nwabiagya, and some other foreign cultures have intermingled to create a hybrid of cultures which are being used to promote development in the district. The research also proceeds on the grounds that current cultural practices of the people of Atwima Nwabiagya are predominantly hybrid in form and any discussion of the socio-economic development issues of the district must be approached from the perspective of cultural hybridity. The literature review reveals some important theories upon which the investigations are conducted. These theories include writings on the transformation of culture, cultural hybridity, and development and in totality indicate that cultures that are transformed through cultural loss, acculturation, adaptation, and or replacement lead to the new form of cultures that are termed as hybrid. The study was conducted using an integrated qualitative and quantitative technique which was mainly descriptive. Data collection instruments used for the research include interviews, participant observations of some cultural performances and analysis of some administrative and historical documents. Purposive sampling procedure which dealt with target and accessible population were used. Data in the form of photographs of some selected hybrid products were collected to complement analysis of the phenomenon under study. The findings show that the prevalence of hybrid cultural performances or products could be found in several socio-cultural, political and economic activities in the district. The research also shows that development agenda of the district is spurred by the ii existence and engagement of hybrid cultural performance and products. Based on the data obtained and the analysis conducted, the study validates the assumption that the promotion of local development in the Atwima Nwabiagya District is a consequence of the prevalence of a hybrid of foreign and Atwima Nwabiagya cultures.

Source: KNUST
Promoting Micro and Small Scale Industries in Ghana For Local Development: A Case Study of the Rural Enterprises Project in Asante Akim South District

There are a lot of donor funds inflows into developing countries with the aim of helping the entrepreneurial poor. The Rural Enterprises Project (REP) is one of such projects implemented in Ghana, funded by external donor funds. The project has been implemented 66 Districts and Municipal Assemblies in the country from 2003 to 2011. The research objectives for the study were: to examine the role of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in local development; to assess the strategies used by the Rural Enterprises Project II in Developing Micro and Small Scale Enterprises; to assess the outcomes of the Rural Enterprises Project II on development of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in the Asante Akim South district and to identify challenges faced by Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in the Asante Akim South District. A sample size of 102 made up of 92 micro and small scale entrepreneurs and 10 staff of stakeholder institutions was selected. Stratified and purposive sampling was used in selecting the respondents. The study revealed among other things that micro and small scale enterprises are a key source of employment for the youth in the AASD, as 84.6% of the MSE operators interviewed were within the age range of 20 -40 years. It also came to light that project institutional structures and activities have been mainstreamed into the local government system. The REP II spearheaded the establishment of the Business Advisory Centre and the Sub Committee on Micro and Small Enterprises Promotion in the AASD. High cost of inputs and inadequate funds were identified among others as the challenges faced by Micro and Small Scale Enterprise operators. It is recommended that the Government of Ghana pursue the renewal of the third phase of the Rural Enterprises Project, so that apart from the 66 districts that have benefited from the project’s services, other districts in the country can also benefit from the project services.

Source: KNUST
Promoting micro and small scale industries for local development in Ghana the case of East Mamprusi District

The promotion of Micro and Small Scale Industries (MSSIs) development for local development in Ghana has always been a major policy instrument of the government. The reason behind this policy is the shift in policy emphasis away from direct state participation in the ownership of enterprises to private sector initiative in economic development. Also, the restructuring of development administration in which the District Assemblies have now become responsible for promoting the development of their localities is another reason. The study consequently seeks to identify institutions promoting micro and small-scale industries in the East Mamprusi District and assess the performance of the support institutions and the constraints faced by the support institutions in the delivery of their services in the district. Within the context of this study, the focus is on small-scale industries engaged in bakery, pito brewing, batik tie and dye, weaving, blacksmithing, soap making, shea butter and groundnut oil extraction. In order to investigate the problem a conceptual and theoretical framework of the study was designed. These guided the design of data collection instruments to suit the research. The study combined survey and case study methods of data collection and analysis. Questionnaires were particularly, administered to entrepreneurs in the survey for collection of data on the socio-economic background of entrepreneurs, their enterprises and environment as objects of the study. An institutional based survey was also conducted among managers of institutions that had to do with micro and small-scale enterprise promotion with the help of interview guides. For the case study methods, group interviews and seasonal calendars were conducted with enterprise associations’ leaders and market queens. The study revealed among other things that sole proprietorship dominates the ownership pattern of micro and small scale industrial sector. In the East Mamprusi District the MSSIs sector of the economy is dominated by females. The enterprises are managed by proprietors with very low educational level and with their own funds being the major source of capital for the businesses.

Source: KNUST