ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the Kintampo Municipality: The Role of Service Providers and Field Agents

This study provides an assessment of the role of service providers and field agents in the sustainability of National Health Insurance Scheme taking Kintampo Municipality as the case study. It provides an empirical platform for assessing how the health service providers and field agents are helping in the sustainability of the scheme. Kintampo Municipality was chosen because it was among the first National Health Insurance Schemes that were inaugurated by the then President John Agyekum Kuffour on 18th March, 2004. Questionnaires, interview and focal group discussion were the data collection instruments employed. The data were analyzed using tables, percentages, graphs, charts and diagrams. The study revealed that the health service providers and field agents play major roles in the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana. However, the extent to which health service providers and field agents achieve their roles in the municipality was limited by factors such as untimely release of funds by government, political interferences, limited health facilities to meet the high coverage of the scheme, lack of logistics for field agents, training and motivation. The following recommendations were made from the findings: The government should release funds early to the scheme, there should be intensive education of residents on the health insurance concept, the health facilities should be expanded and more health personnel should be trained to cater for the growing population in the municipality.

Source: KNUST
Sustainability reporting and its implications for financial performance of listed banks in sub-Saharan Africa

The purpose of this research was to look into the level of Sustainability Reporting by listed banks in Sub-Saharan Africa using the GRI 2016 framework and to identify any existing relationship between sustainability reporting and financial performance of the listed banks. Ex-post facto study approach was used in this study. Financial statements and annual reports of the banks for a period of three years; 2018 to 2020 were studied to compile the data. The sustainability reporting score based on Global Reporting Initiative standards was developed using content analysis. The study analyzed annual reports from fifty-four listed banks in ten Sub- Saharan African countries. This culminates into 162 observations of the study model. For the estimation, the study used the Ordinary Least Square Regression Method. The study also reveals that banks perform worse when environmental disclosure is made. Similar results were found in the study about the effects of social and environmental transparency on bank performance. The study discovers that a measure of the three disclosures; environmental, social, and economic improves the financial performance of banks. Leverage and cost to income ratio have a beneficial impact on a bank's performance, however bank size has a negative effect. According to the study's findings, banks would perform better if the three disclosures were combined

Source: KNUST
Sustainable Building Construction in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies of the Central Region of Ghana

Building construction plays a vital role in the economic, social and infrastructural development of a nation. Activities of building construction has however been characterized with immense contribution to air, water and land pollution and hence has great impact on the environment. There is rising global need to preserve the depleting environment which demands the activities of building construction to adopt sustainable principles to contribute to continuous human development for the current generation and the future as well. It was in line with this global need that this research was undertaken with the aim of promoting the construction of sustainable buildings by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Central Region of Ghana. The objectives were to assess the construction of buildings by the MMDAs, identify challenges to the construction of sustainable buildings by the MMDAs and identify strategies for promoting the construction of sustainable buildings by the MMDAs. A survey was conducted using questionnaires to collect data from selected staffs of the MMDAs. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Relative Importance Index (RII). An average mean score of 2.7 revealed the lack of sustainability in the buildings constructed by the MMDAs. The study also identified the lack of financial resources, ignorance or misunderstanding about sustainability, fear of higher initial cost of sustainable buildings, restrictions posed by public procurement regulations and lack of demand for sustainable buildings as the major challenges to the construction of sustainable buildings by MMDAs. The study further found that the construction of sustainable buildings can be promoted by the introduction of financial incentives to MMDAs that achieve sustainable targets. In addition, there is the need to revise contract conditions and contract specifications as well as educate public officials to understand the need and benefit of sustainable construction.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable building construction practices of Ghanaian building contractors

The study investigated the sustainable building construction practices of Ghanaian building contractors. Studies mentioned that a variety of terms are used to mean “sustainable” in the construction industry, including green building, sustainable design, high performance building, sustainable building, and integrated design. Sustainable building construction practices was deﬁned as those construction management practices that seek to minimize impacts on the environment, natural resources, and non-renewable energy sources to promote the sustainability of the built environment. The descriptive survey design was employed to study 60 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents and analysed using statistical tools and moreover presented in tables and charts. The chi-square test of association was used to test for the level of association where necessary. The study revealed that generally there was a fair idea about sustainable building by respondents. Respondents recounts that installing of efficient energy fixtures, optimizing solar or daylight energy and natural ventilations were good sources of reducing waste and being economic efficient. The study again revealed that high initial cost and the actual cost of projects, lack of research interest, lack of coordination in policies, risk and uncertainties were some of the bottlenecks to the progress of sustainable building construction in the country. About two thirds of the respondents maintained they were not sure those policy framework were good enough to encourage contractors to adopt a more environmentally responsible practices. The study therefore recommend that a more proactive policy framework are put in place by government or other agencies responsible.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation: the case of some selected forest communities in the Offinso South Municipality, Ghana

Forest resources have been considered important for the well-being of people, particularly the poor in society because of their economic values. As a result there has been growing concern on how to manage forest resources sustainably for the sake of the world’s poorest subsistence communities living at forests margins. In the Offinso South Municipality, deforestation rates has remained high for decades with its consequential effects on the economic and livelihood activities including the collection of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs). This study therefore examined the prospects of sustainable forest management for poverty alleviation in the Offinso South Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews and questionnaire were the methods and tool respectively used for gathering data from 150 households which were selected randomly from four forest-adjacent communities by virtue that their livelihoods activities are dependent on the forest resources. Both SPSS and Excel softwares were used to analyze the quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Moreover, remote sensing analyses of satellite images were employed to determine forest loss in Municipality in 1986, 2003, and 2007 respectively. The sustainable forest management policies of the Municipality were analyzed based on their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT). Results indicate that about 45 percent of the households are poor and a little over 15 percent are extremely poor. Also the average income that is saved from the consumption of NTFPs was estimated at 33 percent of the total monthly income of the households. The available NTFPs also supplement household food and medicinal needs. Moreover, the communities are not adequately and practically involved in sustainable forest management practices though they are purported to be the beneficiaries of the policies. It was also discovered that sustainable forest management policies of the Municipality are focused more on sustainable timber harvest other than the management of all forest resources. The study therefore recommends the adoption of the community forest model, which is seen as a bottom-up approach that engages and empowers local communities and also enables them take ownership of both native forests and plantations, in the Municipality. The model gives greater control to local people who are historically dependent on forests to improve their livelihoods. The community forest model therefore has the prospects for sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation in forest regions.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable Harvesting Model on Forest Plantation

A study was conducted to develop an environmentally sound strategy for sustainable harvesting of tree crops of Begoro Forest Plantation. Its three main objectives were; firstly, to estimate current harvesting rates, secondly, to show how the biomass stock is changing in response to growth rates, harvesting rates and planting rates; and finally, using a mathematical model to predict sustainable levels of harvesting the tree crops. This study was focused on a section of the Begoro Forest Plantation. Data on planted area (compartments), tree growth, damage and harvesting were collected and analysed using Linest function Excel software. Results indicate that the total biomass of Teak and Cebrela is generally increasing with time. Using the Logistic equation, the following maximum sustainable harvesting efforts were computed: for Teak representing a present harvesting rate cubic meters per year and for Cebrela representing a present harvesting rate cubic meters per year. This gives a maximum sustainable harvesting effort of about representing a present harvesting rate of about cubic meters per year. Therefore, to ensure sustainability of the forest plantation, it is recommended that the Forestry Department should restrict harvesting to stands at rotation and thinning ages and such activities should not exceed an effort of.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable Management of Flood Disasters in the Upper East Region, Ghana

Disasters, natural or man-made can strike at any time. It is nature’s way of altering terrains and creating new biodiversities. Flood hazard become a vicious threat, rather than a natural occurrence when humans interfere with flood plains. Although various governments across the globe have developed and implemented programmes intended to control flood disasters, the phenomena persist. The impact of flood disaster is felt most by the poorest members of society particularly those whose livelihoods are tied to climate sensitive sectors of the economy such as rain fed agriculture. Floods are often blamed on natural hazards however human activities on the environment exacerbate the effects of natural hazards often causing widespread damage to lives and property. Institutional incapability and lapses in planning and managing flood disasters are guilty for the increasing negative impact on the people. If we are adequately prepared, it is possible to severely reduce the impact of flood disaster through a good understanding of preventive action as well as having knowledge of certain life-saving techniques. The study is devoted to discussing how the stakeholders and flood victims cope with the floods particularly in the farming communities in the Builsa district and to contribute to the establishment of a sustainable flood disaster management system to reduce losses that are borne by flood-affected households. Library research in form of literature review was undertaken as part of data. Field data gathering were undertaken in the Builsa District and at the regional level for the study. The research used household and institutional survey and face-to-face interviews to collect data on flood disaster experiences over the years. The sample for the study was selected using both probability and non-probability methods. The study suggested short and long term solutions based on practices adopted for sustainable management of disasters in Mozambique, Malaysia and China and as suggested by IFRC (2007). These include strengthening of the key stakeholder capacities, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction plans into Medium Term Development Plan for Builsa and implementing them for sustainable development. This could be replicated in other districts to help reduce the flood impact and bridge the gap between the north and south of Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable Housing for the Outcast; Redevelopment of Kukuo

Housing has been a major challenge for governments around the world and especially in developing countries. In Ghana, the Government is saddled with a housing deficit that is estimated to be around 1.7 million units. The housing solutions provided by the Government are either unsustainable or too expensive and often miss the intended target group. The target group of most public housing schemes is the working class, majority of who are in the low income bracket. This income bracket represents 60 - 70% of Ghanaians (GSS, 2005). The reasons given for the high deficit include the lack of a comprehensive housing policy and high cost of construction. One reason often cited for the high construction cost is the high cost of building materials most of which are imported. Ghana is considered a fast developing country and has attained lower middle income status (WBG, 2014). Majority of Ghanaians in the low income bracket are however not a part of the developments witnessed in Ghana especially in the housing sector. The houses that are constructed are either beyond their means or do not meet their needs. Even though they are in the society, they are however not a part of it in this respect. They are therefore referred to as ‘outcasts’. These include the poor, the physically challenged, lepers and people accused of witchcraft. This research especially focuses on the latter with a case study of Kukuo which is located in the Nanumba South District. It is one of the “witches” camps in the Northern Region. The inhabitants of this community meet their housing needs through the use of locally available materials such as mud/earth and thatch. All residential buildings in Kukuo are built mainly of mud or a mud/earth – cement mix. It was observed that the walls deteriorate in a short period (between two to three years) relative to walls built with cement-based products. This research therefore attempted to identify why the mud/earth buildings do not last longer. The reasons identified include the lack of solid foundation for the walls, inadequate treatment of wall materials and a lack of or inadequate treatment of wall finish. A redevelopment scheme for Kukuo has been proposed based on the findings and recommendations of this research.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable management of the tropical high forest of Ghana

The Forestry Department is the sole body responsible for forest management in Ghana. This all important responsibility has not been carried out effectively and efficiently to a great extent, resulting in the degradation of the forest environment. The Department is plagued with management problems, which inhibit its performance in terms of sustainable management of Tropical High Forest. However the problem is not management alone, other external factors come into play. A case in point is the activities of chain saw operators, concession holders and farmers who illegally operate in reserved forest. The primary objective of this study is to find out the role and problems of the Forestry Department and to suggest some recommendations for sustainable forest management. The study involved the use of primary and secondary data. The primary data were obtained from the fieldwork conducted. This involved an interview of the personnel of the Forestry Department. The secondary data were obtained through a review of related library materials on forest management. The study revealed that poor allocation of labour, nature of the Forestry Department as a civil service, low salaries and poor conditions of services are some of the factors affecting the performance of the Forestry Department. In the light of this, it is recommended that if the Forestry Department becomes autonomous and also private people are encourage to enter into private plantations or agro-forestry, forest sustainability can be achieved. In conclusion, if the Forestry Department is accorded the help that it needs, it would finally improve their performance to ensure forest sustainability in the year 2020 a proposed by the International Tropical Timber Organisation.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable packaging and its effect towards sustainable supply chain performance

The study sought to examine sustainable packaging and its effect towards sustainable supply chain performance using coa manufacturing company as a case study. This methodology involves conducting an empirical investigation into a particular situation or phenomenon within the organization. Members targeted from the procurement department include a procurement director, procurement managers, senior procurement officers and procurement officers while an operations manager, senior operations officer and, warehousing officers and floor supervisors are form the warehousing department and transport officers are in the transport department. A sample of 22 respondents were then selected and found that a lack of suitable infrastructure that supports economically viable solutions for collection and recovery of medical supplies from waste materials is one of the major challenges the department faces. Additionally, the warehousing, transport and distribution managers also identified a problem with the lack of clear sustainable packaging practices in the organization. Owing to the fact that the study found less use of sustainable packaging practices were adopted by coa manufacturing company limited, the researcher inquired on what qualified as best strategies that the organization can adopt. The study therefore found that besides reduced inputs in terms of materials used to package of the medical supplies, the organization will lower on disposal costs considering that sustainable packaging leads to interviewed for purposes of collecting data. The results were analyzed using content analysis. It was reduction in waste materials. The study therefore concluded that coa manufacturing company limited does not have a concrete reliable sustainable packaging practice in place. It was, however, established that the organization could benefit from having such a practice in place to a great extent. It was also established that a lack of suitable infrastructure that supports economically viable solutions for collection and recovery of medical supplies from waste materials is one of the major challenges that affects coa manufacturing company limited. This not only increases the costs associated with procuring medical supplies but also reduces the performance of the department due to increased losses. It is recommended that organizations reduce the amount of filler materials used to package a product for shipment to customers since this will reduce the cost to the manufacturer, who in this case is the supplier. In the long run, sustainable companies reduce the cost of shipping products by increasing the number of products shipped at one time.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable Procurement Practice in Ghana Health Service

The introduction of sustainable public procurement practice in Ghana is beginning to receive much more attention. This has even necessitated the amendment of the country’s Procurement Act; Act 663 of 2003 to include sustainable requirements such as environmental, social and economic issues of sustainability in public procurement. Public procurement accounts for 50-70% of the national budget (after personal emoluments), 14% of GDP and 24% of total imports. (World Bank CPAR 2003). Public procurement is increasingly seen as a powerful policy tool to bring about major environmental and social benefits. The research sought to assess the practice of sustainable procurement in Ghana Health Service (Headquarters). The study was a survey. The researcher sample size was made up of thirteen procurement officers, stores and administrative staff at Ghana Health Service, Headquarters, and Accra, through the means of questionnaires and interviews that was carried out. The study found out that sustainable procurement practices were not being practiced at Ghana Health Service Headquarters, Accra. Purchase orders, evaluation of tenders and award of contracts were based on the lowest bid and the considerations such as the social and environmental issues were not included in their purchasing decisions. The study found that lack of legislative instrument and policy document was a limiting factor in the adoption of sustainable procurement. The study recommends that employees should be trained and educated on sustainability practices. Emphasis should be made on the benefits of sustainability procurement practice and the risks of non-sustainability. Furthermore, incentives should be given to suppliers to encourage them to develop sustainable products. A sustainable procurement policy document should be made available at Ghana Health Service Headquarters. This would ensure enforceability of sustainable procurement practices. The government should fast track the amendment of the country’s Procurement Act; Act 663 of 2003 to include sustainable requirements such as environmental, social and economic issues of sustainability in public procurement.

Source: KNUST