ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The impact of inflation and foreign direct investment on economic growth: evidence from Ghana (1975-2013)

The general objective of the study was to find out the impact of inflation and foreign direct investment on economic growth in the Ghanaian economy with evidence from 1975 to 2013. Specifically, the study sought to find the trends of economic growth in Ghana with focus on the pre and post economic recovery phase. Further, the study sought to find long run and short run impact of inflation and FDI on economic growth and controlling for other variables including Direct Investment, trade openness and population growth. The results of the study were based on the outcome of the ARDL econometric model. The study revealed the insignificance of investment and its contribution to economic growth in the Ghanaian economy either foreign Direct Investment (FDI) or Domestic Investment (DI). This result was associated with the possibility of investment being channeled to the wrong sectors of the economy. Nevertheless, inflation and population growth were two main factors that affected economic growth in Ghana. Inflation positively influenced it whiles growth in population negatively affected growth. These findings imply stabilizing inflation rates would not necessarily boost economic growth however, putting measures in place to ensure the stability or declining population growth would ensure economic growth. The outcome thus supports the structuralists view of inflation positively impacting on economic growth as well as the works pertaining to the demographic theory postulated by Thomas Malthus. Lastly, the study underscores the importance the economic recovery program (ERP) in the growth of the Ghanaian economy as it had a vital influence on the growth of the economy.

Source: KNUST
Impact of inflation, interest rate and exchange rate on economic growth in ecowas countries

The main objective of the study will be to examine the effect of exchange rate, interest rate and inflation on the economic growth amongst ECOWAS. The population of the study include the Economic Community of West African States which has 15 member country. The study sample is based on seven (7) countries due to data availability. The exchange rate of some countries using the West African CFA franc, which is a fixed exchange rate to the US dollar is excluded. The study made use of secondary data. The secondary data consist of the annual report of the country's central bank and the World Bank website. The study used available data from the year 2006 to 2021 and focused mainly on the long-run impact of these factors on economic growth. The study revealed unstable trends in the exchange rate, interest rate and inflation amongst ECOWAS Countries sampled. It was also found that exchange rate, interest rate and inflation have an influence on the growth of the economics of these countries. The while exchange rate had a negative impact, interest rate and inflation had a positive influence on the economic growth measured by the gross domestic production ratio. Therefore, the study concludes that the determinants of economic growth among West African countries include inflation, interest and exchange rates. This shows that inflation, interest and exchange rate can be used as a benchmark for investors to invest in a country. So it can be indicated that jointly, the independent variables namely inflation, exchange rates, and interest rates have either positive or negative and significant effects on the dependent variable (economic growth). It is recommended that government makes policy decisions to help stabilize the rate in exchange, interest and inflation for economic growth.

Source: KNUST
The impact of information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the Ghanaian Academic Publishing landscape: A case study of central university college

In the academia, publishing plays a vital role in making research findings known. Lately, the advent of computers and information technology has changed the academic publishing landscape, making publishing and search for information quicker and easier. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are impacting on publishing at the Central University College (CUC) in Accraand also what ICT policy CUC has. Using a population of 45 to assess the impact of ICTs on publishing at CUC revealed that the use of ICTs in publishing at CUC was minimal. The study found that 17 respondents had published books and none had published in a journal during the period. One striking feature about these books published was that 12 were self-published. Observation revealed that a large majority of academics in CUC who claimed to be competent in Internet use were found to have had no prior formal training and would need further training in order to acquire or sharpen their abilities needed in such areas as using File transfer and presenting course description on the Internet. In the area of the use of ICTs in publishing, it came to light that even though CUC had provided computers connected to the internet, these computers were not used largely to publish. It was also realized that the respondents were not skilled in how to conduct a search on the Internet. A manual on how to conduct a search on the internet was therefore developed and pre-tested compiled to help users to conduct a search on the internet. It was concluded that CUC being a research institution has to do more in the provision of ICT facilities to help enhance learning, teaching, research and publishing.

Source: KNUST
The impact of information technology projects on the financial performance of banks in Ghana. Case study of MGI Investment Ltd

Information and communication technology has for the last two decades become very popular with major commercial banks in Ghana. Currently, Microfinance and micro investment banks in Ghana have also computerized and networked their operations. The support from Bank of Ghana, has helped embark on nationwide computerization of all the Microfinance banks in Ghana. This study aims to assess the impact of information technology on the financial performance of MGI Investment Bank in the Ashanti Region. Views of the top management of the microfinance bank, branch managers, employees and customers were obtained using a survey method. In all 180 people were sampled from MGI Investment Bank. The study used primary data and secondary data. Questionnaires were used to collect data randomly from the customers and staff of the Bank. Two types of questionnaires were prepared and distributed among employees and subscribers of the bank. Both semi-structured and 5-point Likert scale questionnaire were developed. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics approach. The results obtained show that, information technology has had positive impact on the financial performance of microfinance banks. The study concludes that information technology has a positive impact on the reputation, goodwill and advancement of MGI Investment bank. The study recommends that subscribers should be also taken into consideration by Microfinance banks while prioritizing information technology. It is very important to set the needs and expectations of subscribers while launching any Information Technology Project.

Source: KNUST
The impact of interest rate on the Ghana stock exchange.

The study investigated the effect of interest rate on stock market returns in Ghana. Given that the Treasury bill rate is risk free, this might not truly reflect how the other rates which usually include some degree of risk affects the return on stock in Ghana. The study established the presence of a long run relationship between stock market returns and interest rate using the Johansen and Juselius (1990) test of co-integration and VECM . In the long run, Treasury bill rates and interest rates individually had a negative effect on stock market returns. The individual effect of Treasury bill rates was however more intense than that of lending interest rates. Broad money supply, exchange rate and economic growth were found to have a positive and significant effect on stock returns while inflation had a negative effect on stock returns in the long run. The study therefore recommends that prudent fiscal consolidation measures aimed at reducing government budget deficits should be implemented as this is the main factor that contributes to their desire to borrow heavily from the domestic markets and hence the high rates on the treasury bill.

Source: KNUST
The impact of integrated water resource management on the water quality of the Densu River

In most developing societies, water has not been effectively and efficiently managed over the years because water has been traditionally perceived to be a free commodity. The outcome is pollution that tends to threaten the aquatic environment and the life it supports. The Densu River .Basin (DRB) however, is no exception of this case. The problem has mainly been due to uncoordinated activities in the basin. In view of this the Densu River Basin Board was commissioned to implement Integrated Water Resource management (IWRM) to arrest the situation. " The aim of this thesis is to identify IWRM activities currently on- going in the basin and to find Iheir influences on the water quality of the Densu River. To asses this questionnaires were administered and focus group discussions organised for farmers and some members of the community within the basin. Data was collected from Water Resource Commission (WRC), the Densu Basin Board secretariat and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). Samples of water were collected from four monitoring station Potroase (upstream), Mangoase and Nsawam (midstream) and Weija (downstream) and analysed at the environmental quality engineering laboratory of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The IWRM activities identified being implemented in the Densu river basin includes awareness creation, proper waste management, buffer zone creation, appropriate farming and fishing techniques and water use regulation. Water quality index values calculated were in the range of 15-45 and according to the Solway classification the river can be said to have poor water ; quality. Consumption of alum, chlorine and lime reduced by 6.42%, 10.29% and 89.25 % respectively from 2006 to 2008 at the Koforidua headworks. At Nsawam, alum and chlorine did not show a well defined trend, but lime showed a downward trend over the studied period. This trend in water quality shows that the identified IWRM activities seemed to have had very little impact on the water quality from 2005 to 2008. It was not surprising though, since the IWRM activities identified had immediate cost but long term benefits, hence their full benefits have not yet been derived during the research period. Continuation of the activities especially the waste management and monitoring program will go : a long way to improve the water quality in the Densu river.

Source: KNUST
The impact of internal marketing on customer service employees: the case of Mobile Telecom Network (MTN).

This research uses a grounded theory approach at identifying the variables affecting the motivation of customer service employees of MTN, Ghana. The research questions ask whether there is a variation in the motivational factors based on gender and age. And also whether the variables affecting the motivation of part time employees differ from that of full-time employees? The literature review, apart from summarizing the modern approaches to motivation theories, shows that these - research questions are also important in understanding the recruitment and selection procedures of MTN. Data was triangulated from three sources: questionnaires, one- to-one interviews and a past conducted survey from MTN. The findings from these data showed that men wanted growth in terms of job promotion. Having a clear progression plan was important to them. Women and part time employees seemed to be intrinsically motivated and time flexibility was an important concern to them. No clear differences were found across the employees of different ages. And finally, it was concluded that MTN has to rethink on how it uses its communication channels and make sure that the employees feel they are a part of the organization. This suggestion becomes especially important in the narrow context of the call centre work as explained in this paper. Based on these findings, this study concludes that consumer behaviour is driven by a complex set of factors so it cannot be simply predicted on the basis of popular attitudes amongst consumers, and sets out some implications of these findings for marketers.

Source: KNUST
The impact of information management on project delivery in Ghana

Information management is paramount to the construction industry’s processes and operations. It is a cycle that runs from identification of information needs and continues through to its use. The management of information within the construction industry, which helps it to strive well, is not always given the needed attention from senior executives or management, let alone project team members. Due to the lack of appropriate information policy guideline, most project have failed. As a result most projects do not meet their expected cost budgets, safety requirements, quality expectations and time schedules. The research aimed at investigating the role of information management in the performance of project team members. It sought to identify the kinds of information that are available, explore their relevance and challenges associated with information management by project team members. The research was based on a quantitative survey approach. Snowball sampling technique was adopted to get responses from professionals in the construction industry. A total of fifty seven (57) questionnaires was distributed in all among nineteen (19) companies. The most important documents available to the project team members on construction project delivery were master construction programme, progress reports, bill of quantities, architectural and engineering drawings and many more. It was also discovered that the most significant challenges associated with information management on construction project delivery were discrepancies in project documents, lack of information management policy guidelines, unclear definition of roles and functions, and many other challenges. It was however recommended that project documents should be scrutinised to eliminate discrepancies, clear information management policy guidelines should be put in place and enforced, roles and functions of team members should be clearly defined before the start of any project by competent and experienced professionals. A well organised and effective information management would lead to a reduction in reworks, disputes, cost and time overruns. It would also improve the quality of workmanship which will bring proper coordination among stakeholders and project team members in the delivery of good construction projects in the construction industry in Ghana. The study used the snowball sampling technique due to the lack of accurate data on the respondents. As a result, the representativeness of the sample cannot be ascertained, limiting the extent to which the findings can be generalised in the report.

Source: KNUST
The impact of interest rate spreads on the profitability of commercial banks in Ghana; a case study of standard Chartered bank Ghana Limited.

Financial intermediation is the main business of financial institutions; transferring of funds from those with excess liquidity but do not have a use for it now to those with shortage of funds but have the need for it. The existence of market imperfections resulting from information asymmetry and transaction cost, allows for some level of interest rate spread resulting from the wedge that exist between what borrowers pay and what lenders receive. The study sought to assess the impact of interest rate spreads on the profitability of Standard Charted Bank (SCB) in Ghana using annual data from 1990 to 2015.The study found evidence that interest rate spreads drives profitability for the bank. This indicates that the high trends in the interest rates spreads among banks is an avenue for the banks to make profit. The study also showed that liquidity risk, operating efficiency and Regulated Deposit Savings Rate have positive impact on profit.

Source: KNUST
The impact of internal marketing on customer satisfaction - a case study of Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited-Kumasi.

Internal Marketing (IM) has emerged as a central theme of increasing importance in both academic and practitioner discourse. A highly competitive industry as the telecommunication industry within which Ghana Telecommunication Company (GT) operates is not an exception. The purpose of the research was to assess the impact of internal marketing on customer satisfaction at Ghana Telecommunication Company limited. An explorative and descriptive research design was used in the research. Open and close ended questionnaire were used to collect data from both customers and employees of the company. As discussed in the literature review, the finding revealed that internal factors such as the actual jobs, salaries, working conditions, training opportunities and channel of communication were vital in the internal marketing discourse of the company and the satisfaction level of the employees as this was reflected in the level of customer satisfaction. Improvement in training opportunity could be considered as a major internal marketing strategy in the company as many employees were dissatisfied with the level of opportunities available for training in the company.

Source: KNUST
Impact of Intestinal Helminth Infection on Anaemia during Pregnancy: a Community Based Study the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Intestinal helminths are among the most common and widespread of human infections. It contributes to poor nutritional status, anaemia and impaired growth (Dickson et al, 2000). Anaemia in pregnancy is a major public health problem in developing countries (WHO, 1992.). In sub-Saharan Africa, such anaemia is generally accepted as resulting from nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency (Bundy et al. 1995). AnaeifHJfand iron deficiency during pregnancy are prevalent in developing countries, but their causes are not always known. (Bundy et al. 1995) The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and severity of anaemia and iron deficiency and their association with helminths, in pregnant women in a community- based sample of 108 pregnant women in the Sekere East district of the Ashanti region of Ghana. Haemoglobin concentration and total serum iron concentration were evaluated in venous blood samples, and helminth infections were evaluated in stool samples using standard methods. Of the 108 pregnant women, 55.6% were iron deficient with evidence of helminth infection; 57.6% and 42.4% of the anaemic gravids were para and primigravids respectively. Out of the overall helminth infection hookworm was the highest (13.9% out of 17.6%) indicating that hookworm infection was the strongest predictor of iron status, especially of depleted iron stores. These findings reinforce the need for programs to consider reducing the prevalence of hookworm infection in addition to providing nutritional and iron supplements to effectively control anaemia in pregnancy.

Source: KNUST
Impact of internal migration on household welfare.

The welfare of individuals is very important to every government and household. The measurement of welfare takes different dimensions and several studies show that one of the best ways to measure welfare is through the consumption pattern of such individuals. Migration from rural to urban centres in Ghana has led to the formation of slums in most migrant destinations. These slums serve as a haven for criminals, contributed to increase in teenage pregnancy and child labour in the cities. There is an increase agitation by citizens for government to relocate the slum dwellers back to the rural areas. United Nations reports that over 200 million individuals are likely to live in slums by the year 2020 and Molini and others have attributed the growth in slums to increase in migration. Other argue that migration improves welfare. Using Ghana Living Standards Survey data collected between 2012-2013 and employing ordinary least square regression (OLS) technique, the study estimates the impact of internal migration on household welfare in Ghana. It was observed that, internal migrants have a positive level of welfare compared to that of non migrants. The study further reveals that, basic education, migrant being divorced or separated, household headed by male, living in rural Ghana and having a household size have a significant impact on the welfare of the internal migrant. It is recommended that, establishment of more basic and technical schools, business advisory services, increase provision of vocational training programs, increase support for government policy of free universal Basic and Senior high school by all stakeholders in rural areas, increase education of rural dwellers of the need to practice birth control and it associated benefit tohousehold welfare, and provision of better transportation networks in the rural areas will increase internal migration and welfare of migrant household in Ghana

Source: KNUST
The impact of ivermectin mass drug administration on the level of endemicity and intensity of Onchocerca Volvulus infection in the Adansi South District of Ghana

Onchocerca volvulus infection remains a major public health problem with more than 120 million people estimated to be living in endemic areas, majority in sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical manifestations include severe dermatitis, visual impairment, and blindness. Ivermectin has been the main operational drug for the treatment and control of onchocerciasis. However reports have emerged about sub-optimal response to this drug in Ghana posing a challenge to the control of O. volvulus infection. In this study, the impact of ivermectin mass drug administration on the level of endemicity and intensity of O. volvulus infection was assessed. About 1223 volunteers from 19 hyperendemic communities in two sub-district areas, who had received 3 to 5 rounds of ivermectin were examined by palpation for onchocercal nodules. Out of the 1223 volunteers, 444 were assessed for microfilaria loads and the community microfilarial load (CMFL) for each of the study communities was determined. Level of endemicity was measured using onchocercal nodule and microfilarial prevalence while the intensity of infection was measured by CMFL, a reference index used by the OCP. At the end of the study, 41.8% of the 1223 volunteers were nodule positive. A significant difference was observed (p=0.0107) in the nodule prevalence between New Edubiase and Akrofuom sub-districts. Of the 444 volunteers, 54.5% were microfilaria positive. The microfilaria prevalence and community microfilarial load in the study communities ranged from 13.3% to 88.9% and 1.4mf/mg to 5.2mf/mg respectively. There was no significant difference in the microfilarial prevalence (p=1.000) and CMFL (p=0.3539) between the two study areas. The overall nodule and microfilarial prevalence in the study areas suggest that these areas are mesoendemic for O. volvulus infection and the intensity of infection as suggested by an average CMFL of 2.7mf/mg is below APOC’s threshold of 5mf/s. This study has shown that 3 to 5 rounds of ivermectin treatment has significant impact on the level of endemicity and intensity of O. volvulus infection which means ivermectin still remains an effective tool for the control of onchocerciasis.

Source: KNUST