ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing customer satisfaction of pre-payment meter usage in Asokwa district of ECG in Kumasi Metropolis

The energy sector over the years has witnessed a tremendous change and transformation in the bid to increase customer satisfaction while at the same time solving the problems of administrative inefficiencies in the operation of the sector. ECG as a single producer and supplier of energy to both domestic and industrial consumers of power, there is therefore the need to come out with an alternative means of billing the electricity consumption of the consumers, hence the emergence of the prepayment meter system. Aside the significant benefit that pre payment meter give to customers, there is lack of consultation with stakeholders, pre-financing difficulties, theft and network challenges which result in customers not buying-in into the change from post paid to pre paid and hence results in having bad perception of the services as well as poor customer service. The study focused on assessing customer satisfaction of prepayment meter usage in the Asokwa District of ECG in Kumasi metropolis. The population of the study comprised of the customers that use prepaid meter and management of ECG. The survey was conducted on a total of 393 respondents out of which 344 responses were received representing 87.53% response rate. The study adopted purposive and convenience sampling technique to select management of ECG and customers who use pre-payment meter respectively. Among the challenges of prepayment meter usage is the fact that customers have to spend more on electricity after being moved to the prepaid meter, resistance to change since customers are used to the old system of payment, uncertainties of performance as consumers tends to experience more blackout when they shifted to prepaid billing system. Again consumers complain of spending more money for small unit of credit when they purchase more than once in a month, the system is equally disadvantageous to the poor. The benefits of prepaid meter usage include carefulness with energy consumption, minimal cost, and improvement in cash flow, cut down in revenue lost a well as acute curtailing on illegal connection. The study recommended effective monitoring, individuals should have separate meter, and converting of meter to cash and intensified education on pre paid meter usage.

Source: KNUST
Assessing democratic representation in multi-stakeholder platform design. A the case of a EU-Chainsaw Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Process in Ghana

There has been an increased advocacy across the globe for greater participation of stakeholders in the management of natural resources. In the forestry sector of Ghana, this is evident in the design and implementation of several multi-stakeholder platforms such as the National Forest Forum, Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue, and so on. The assertion is that grassroot involvement in decision-making will lead to more responsive policies and programmes, as well as improved governance in the sector. For multi-stakeholder dialogue to be democratic and effective, it has been advocated that representatives should be responsive and accountable to their constituents. This study examined how designers of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue process contemplated democratic representation. The study used qualitative techniques to enable detailed understanding of the discourse; contemplation and design of democratic representation processes in Ghana. The study used structured and semi-structured interviews, participant observation and desk study. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the data. The study, contrary to initial hypothesis, established that designers of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue process adequately contemplated democratic representation. However, the involvement of the grassroot in the decision making process was merely symbolic. The transaction cost of engaging the stakeholders at the lower level of the process was not catered for by the project, and therefore activities there were not facilitated by the organizers. Disorganized stakeholder groups impeded exchange of information between the platform and the participating stakeholder groups, thereby alienating the Grassroot from the engagement process. Even though the discourse shows there was symbolic democratic representation, in practice there was no substantive engagement of stakeholders especially at the lower level platforms.

Source: KNUST
Assessing dietary pattern and its association with hypertension among the elderly in the Tano North District in the Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

Hypertension has become a major contributor to the burden of cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality in the world. Diet has been identified as one of the key modifiable risk factors in the development of hypertension especially among the elderly in low and middle income countries due to changes in dietary patterns. This study investigated dietary patterns and determined their correlation with hypertension among the aged in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among six communities (three urban and three rural) in the Tano North district in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, Waist-to- height ratio, Body Mass Index, together with clinical assessments (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were also taken. Habitual pattern of dietary intake was measured using the Food Consumption Score. The FCS was measured based on eight classified major food groups. In all, 198 individuals were enrolled from 205 households visited. Participants were 55 years and above. Analysis revealed 12.6%, 27.3% and 60.1% of food consumption being the prevalence for poor, mild and acceptable dietary patterns respectively. The results also revealed 10.1% and 46.0% prevalence of mild and high blood pressure levels, respectively, among the respondents. A chi square test revealed an association between dietary pattern and high blood pressure level (X22=12.777, p=0.012). Multinomial regression analysis was conducted and associations were measured using crude and adjusted ratios at the 0.05 level of significance. The odds of elderly with poor dietary pattern (food insecure) having mild hypertension was 5.989 (CI, 1.661, 21.598; P=0.006) with association persisting even after controlling for cofounders. No association was however found between acceptable dietary pattern and high blood pressure level after controlling for other potential factors in the regression model. Family History of BP, poor dietary pattern and locality predictedblood pressure status among the study population. Higher diet score (representing healthy diet or food secured) remains a significant protective factor for hypertension (60.1%), attempts should therefore be made to improve upon the living standards of the aged for an improved life. In conclusion, dietary pattern, when modelled with appropriate control is associated with an increased risk of hypertension among the aged.

Source: KNUST
Assessing difficulties in humanitarian logistics operations- a case of Care International - Ghana

Given the role played by NGOs in Ghana in the field of education, health, economics, and to some extent the political field, it is high time a research is conducted into their operations. This research seeks to assess the challenges (difficulties, or problems, barriers) that CARE International face in carrying out its humanitarian relief operations. The research focuses on challenges faced in planning, distribution and control of humanitarian relief activities of the NGO. It was found that planning is key to all supply chain activities. To be able to meet targets, NGOs need to plan every activity - be it procurement, inventory management, distribution, or implementation. NGOs should form coordinated and collaborative network for humanitarian relief operations to succeed. Planning humanitarian relief operations without control is a mirage. Thus NGCM should endeavor to control every step of their operations in order to save lives, cost, time and resources. An in-depth interview with some senior staff of CARE/Social Support Foundation (CARE-SSF) in Obuasi was the source of primary data which was evaluated against standard supply chain models such as the SCOR. In examination of the application of logistics practices to humanitarian relief activities, particular attention is placed on relief and aid operations regarding HIV/AIDS victims, and the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). The HIV/AIDS menace is a critical issue the world over. The management aspect of this canker using modern business logistics techniques has been highlighted in this research.

Source: KNUST
Assessing electronic health records usage at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Patient data is the most essential and important information in health care delivery. The collection, storage, management and usage of this data contributes to the successful delivery of health care to every patient. The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is a tertiary hospital found in the Ashanti Region. This project was conducted to assess the usage of Electronic Health Records of this teaching hospital. To help assess the usage, the writer made use of quantitative research methodology to collect reliable and valid information on the research. Notwithstanding, questionnaire, interview and observational or enquiry research methodologies were employed in gathering relevant information from the research population. Relevant literature on the study were consulted to find out the views of other writers on the study. Tables and charts were used to compare the results. Descriptive and inferential methods were employed to analyze the data by the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17.0 (SPSS version 17.0) computer software package. The results indicated that the Electronic Health Record is the best mode of collecting, storing and managing patient data although there are few challenges and improvement that must be addressed.

Source: KNUST
Assessing Employee Training Practices at Kumasi Police Training School

The study sought to assess employees training practices at Kumasi Police Training School (KPTS).The underlying problem for the research has been that, despite huge sums of money spent on employees’ training, the Police Administration has not been successful in improving the knowledge and skills of the employees and the recent criticism by both the print and electronic media on the conduct and professionalism of the police personnel is a clear testimony to this fact. This has drawn the researcher’s attention to the assessment of the employees’ training practices at KPTS. The descriptive survey method was used to solicit information from the respondents. Data were obtained through the administration of questionnaires. From the research findings, it was established that, the training needs identification of the employees are given the necessary attention before trainees are selected for training at the KPTS. The training practices at KPTS were on-the-job and off-the-job training. The strengths of employees’ training practices are their involvement in the training practices. Training practices at KPTS are designed to meet the expectations of the trainees at KPTS, however some weaknesses were found out. These include lack of equipment and logistics for the training and the time allotted for the training programmes are not adequate. Despite all these weaknesses, there is positive impact of training on employees’ performance. In order to make training practices more effective, it has been recommended that the police administration should allocate enough money to acquire equipments and logistics needed for the training since effectiveness of training depends on the availability of these equipment and logistics.

Source: KNUST
Assessing ethical procurement practices at Accra Metropolitan Assembly

Procurement is when an organization identifies a need and decides on its procurement requirement, it also extends to the ultimate disposal of property at the end of its useful life. Ethics is the moral principles governing or influencing conduct. Ethics is the basis on which most of the procurement related principles, such as fairness, integrity and transparency, are based The purpose of the study was to assess the ethical procurement practices of Accra Metropolitan Assembly in Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study sought to provide information on the level of awareness of ethical procurement practices of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, challenges impeding the implementation of ethical procurement practices and measures to promote ethical procurement practices. The research design adopted in the study was descriptive survey research. A sample size of the study was 70 AMA personnel and supplies of goods using simple random sampling techniques. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data on respondents‟ views of ethical procurement practices and their responses were analyzed and presented in, graphs, frequency tables and percentages. The findings of the study revealed respondents higher level of awareness that procurement officials are required not to disclose information to third party. This was ranked 1 st with a mean of 4.056 and a standard deviation of 1.036. Further, the response also agreed with the statement that inadequate qualified procurement staff is a major challenge facing AMA. Lack of employee‟s motivation was identified as a challenge to ethical procurement practices at AMA. The study recommended that ethical procurement practices should consistently be evaluated and audit performance of professionals so as to ensure procurement activities are made in compliance with the law and regulation of procurement and there should be an improvement and training supports for procurement officials to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in their work.

Source: KNUST
ASSESSING FACTORS LEADING TO FINANCIAL LOSSES OF COCOA BUYING COMPANIES: A CASE STUDY OF COCOA ABRABOPA

Until recently agriculture had been the backbone of the Ghanaian economy as is the third largest contributor of GDP closely following service and mining sectors. Pivotal in driving home the above stated contribution is cocoa. The domestic supply chain of cocoa in Ghana is being undertaken by three main stakeholders: the farmers; the LBCs; and the COCOBOD which supervises all production and marketing aspects of the crop. From the preceding discussions the importance of the LBCs in the cocoa industry cannot be over emphasized however, the high rate of bankruptcy among Licensed Buying Companies is so rampant that most of the newly licensed buying companies become either dormant or fold up within the first five years of operation making it a worry for all the stakeholders in the cocoa industry. It is therefore imperative to find out factors that lead to financial losses among LBC‟s by using Cocoa Abrabopa as a case study. The main objectives of the study are to examine the prevalence of defaulting buying clerks, assess the impact of interest rate volatility, and evaluate the prevalence of poor infrastructure and logistics related problems as factors accounting for financial loss to Cocoa Abrabopa Ltd. Primary sources of data were utilized in this study. The primary sources of data comprised of responses gathered from the questionnaire that were administered. Questionnaires served as the instrument for data collection. The research design that informs this study is in the form of Descriptive research that seeks to describe various variables in the study, the single case study design and a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research. Some of the key findings of the study is a higher default rate among purchasing clerks associated with the company is a critical indicator of financial loss to the company.

Source: KNUST
Assessing female labour force participation rate in the construction industry.

Gender equality has been the topic of discussion on many international, intra-national and governmental platforms since the Beijing conference in 1995 with recent efforts towards equality being the subscription to the achievement of millennium development goals by nations all over the world. With all these efforts and discussions, gender inequality still persist in the everyday life of people particularly in the recruitment and employment efforts of industry players. This study assessed female labour force participation rate in the construction industry. Various studies found that female participation in the construction industry is generally low. This study identified several causes and challenges including lack of interest, poor image and sexual harassment as factors hindering female participation in the industry. To complete this study, a sample of 40 respondents comprising 30 construction workers and 10 contractors were drawn from Consar Construction Ltd. for the study. Two different types of questionnaires were developed to solicit data from the two main types of respondents used for the study. Data gathered was analyzed using statistical package for service solution software. The results of analyzed data revealed that males dominate the construction industry by 57 percent whilst females constitute 43 percent. Also, the study revealed the females‟ lack of interest in construction related jobs, lack of exposure of females to opportunities in the construction industry, male domination of construction related training and education are among challenges hindering female participation in the construction industry in Ghana. The study revealed that employers in the construction industry require that females possess two main types of skills-construction specific and construction supporting skills to be employable in the construction industry. The study therefore recommended that the technical schools, colleges and universities in conjunction with the Ghana Education iv Service develop female friendly construction related courses and training programmes to help develop the capacities of females in construction, promote female interests to increase the number of females in the construction sector.

Source: KNUST
Assessing financial management and procurement capacities in donor-funded projects in district assemblies in Ashanti.

Ghana like most of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, receives assistance from both the multilateral and bilateral organizations in the form of direct budget support and project/program finance. These funds are used to carry out development projects through the various government sector ministries, who also in turn channel these funds through the various Municipal, Metropolitan and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for various projects as required by the government decentralization programme. To ensure that funds disbursed to African governments whether in the form of grants, loan or credits are used for intended purposes, multilateral and bilateral agencies set up the guidelines that these governments should follow to ensure judicious utilization of the funds. Periodic country performance assessment is carried out by the donor agencies to ensure that prescribed rules and guidelines are followed by beneficiary countries. The outcome of the assessment feeds into the donors future funds allocations to beneficiary countries. According to the World Bank Report on Ghana’s Public Financial Management (2006), weakness in the efficient resource utilization usually results in substantial balances of donor funds often unutilized at the end of donor funded project implementation period, which are often cancelled to the disadvantage of the country. Financial management and procurement performance are among the critical areas that feed into donor performance assessment which also impacts on the amount of donor funds that a country could be allocated in subsequent years. Consequently, all efforts need to be step up to enhance Ghana’s performance in these areas. The study therefore sought to carry out an assessment of financial management and procurement in donor-funded projects at the local levels of government where most of the donor projects are carried out. The study revealed among other things; lack of qualified personnel at the local level in the area of financial management and procurement, lack of commitment and intentional display of lukewarm attitudes on the part of district level personnel, delays in the release of government funds to the MMDAs, as well as long payment processing system. The study therefore recommends, the need to improve working conditions in the public sector to attract young and qualified accountants and procurements personnel, the establishment of procurement units at all MMDAs fully equipped and staffed with qualified personnel, the need to set up a procurement monitoring and audits team. The study finally recommends the setting up of periodic performance appraisal system for all MMDAs.

Source: KNUST
Assessing Fumonisin B1 Level in Maize and Maize Products from Three Major Market Centres in Kumasi

Maize is one of the staple cereal crops consumed in Ghana together with its products such as maize-flour and maize-dough. These are mostly contaminated with mycotoxins such as aflatoxins and fumonisins. Fumonisins B1 pose a major health risk for humans that consume large amounts of maize-based products and also domesticated animals. The aim of the study was to establish the incidence of fumonisin in maize and maize products. A total of 63 samples of maize, maize-dough and maize-flour of 1 kg each were randomly purchased from Asafo, Kumasi Central and Bantama markets in the Kumasi Metropolis. Percentage incidence of FB1 level in both the maize-dough and maize-flour were 100% and maize was 81.82%. In Asafo market maize-dough recorded 24.08 mg/kg which exceeds the recommended limit followed by maize-flour 9.89 mg/kg and maize 0.09 mg/kg. In Bantama, maize-flour also had high level of FB1 12.07 mg/kg followed by maize-dough and maize. Central market also recorded highest level of FB1 in maize-flour 9.67 mg/kg, maize 0.06 mg/kg and dough 2.58 mg/kg. From the results obtained maize-flour had FB1 which exceeded the recommended from all the three markets. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the FB1 levels in maize (0.62) and the other maize products. The levels of FB1 in the maize flour and dough confirm that consumers are at high risk of exposure to diseases associated with the fumonisins.

Source: KNUST