ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An investigation into city planning and the possible implications for Ghana's development: Tema and Ashaiman compared

This thesis explores how city planning affects economic development in Ghana by comparing two urban settlements in the greater Accra region of Ghana: Ashaiman and Tema. The two proximal settlements were chosen because Tema is a planned city while Ashaiman evolved into a settlement without any formal planning. In this paper, city planning refers to orderly zoning of domestic residences as well as the provision and placement of infrastructure like good roads and social amenities such as water and social spaces like mosques, churches and schools. This thesis goes beyond the presence of these amenities to incorporate the intended and appropriate use of these amenities. In comparison, economic development is defined following Amartya Sen’s definition of development to include sustenance, self-esteem and freedom (Todaro &Smith, 2011). However, the thesis focuses on the sustenance aspect of development. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from respondents and analysed. Data was obtained from twenty two inhabitants and workers at Tema and Ashaiman primarily through interviews. By comparing and analysing the responses of the populace of Ashaiman and Tema, the paper concludes that city planning in fact does affect economic development. This is because the unsanitary conditions and poor layout of Ashaiman led to sicknesses, floods and fire outbreaks. These negative conditions in Ashaiman resulted in a vicious cycle perpetuated by the indiscriminate placement of wooden kiosks which made it difficult for the town to attract good and high paying businesses into the town to sustain its people. Unlike Ashaiman, Tema had more residents with higher education, was generally clean and sanitary and did not have many unauthorized structures leading to a virtuous cycle. Tema attracted higher end businesses and highly educated people with higher income who further developed it because of the relatively good roads and sanitary conditions. Further, the good layout of the town, facilities, good housing and urban design which were the results of effective town planning helped the people achieve sustenance. In Effect development in Ghana will be stifled if cities are not planned.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into Ghana’s primary care system: Challenges and solutions

Ghana has been plagued by cases in the news of patients being turned away at major hospitals in the country due to overcapacity and a lack of beds This study examines role primary care plays in alleviating the pressure faced at secondary and tertiary facilities assessing and identifies challenges and weaknesses inhibiting its function as a gatekeeper. The paper seeks to assess patient perceptions and understanding of the primary care system, while also taking in to account the role of providers and systematic challenges. The study population was located within the Greater Accra East District of Ghana and chosen because of the predominance of primary care facilities and the absence of secondary and tertiary facilities. Data was collected using qualitative techniques such as in-depth interviews and questionnaires and analysed using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results revealed generally poor perceptions of primary care by respondents which was largely influenced by the limited facilities, equipment and staff available at primary care facilities. Despite this, the results indicated that finances played a less prominent role as a barrier to the utilization of primary care facilities with waiting times and standard of care being the most prominent barriers. Other deficiencies include: (1) the weak referral system (2) dangers of pharmacy practice (3) lack of specialists (4) The study proposes policymakers expand the clinical responsibilities of physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into strategies and policies to expand the textile industry in Ghana: A case study using Akosombo Textile Limited (ATL) and Ghana Textile Product (GTP)

The Ghana Textile industry was part of several industries set up in the late 1960s by Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in an attempt to make the economy self-sufficient. By the mid 1970s, there were 40 medium to large scale textile companies in Ghana. The industry's productivity peaked in this same period achieved a total output of 130 million yards, plant utilization capacity of 60% and employed about 25,000 people (Quartey, 2006). In the mid 1980s, however, the Ghana textile industry's performance started declining. Several researchers have attributed this decline to a Trade Liberalization policy that was implemented at the time. Paradoxically, trade Liberalization is the removal of trade barriers such as tariffs, quotas and other non-tariff restrictions on trade. This makes an economy freer and more open to fair trade with other countries (Krugman and Obstfeld, 2006). Today the Ghana textile industry employs some 3000 people with total industry output of 40 million yards (Zizer, 2010). This research study explores the current problems facing the Ghana textile industry using Ghana Textile Print (GTP) and Akosombo Textile Limited (ATL) as case studies. The study provides feasible and relevant measures and strategies to policy makers (government) and textile manufacturers to stimulate the moribund textile industry. In particular government should subsidize manufacturing costs, assist textile firms to obtain credit and strategically institute trade barriers. It is imperative that government and textile manufacturers understand and implement the recommendations made in this research project to revive Ghana's currently almost non-existent textile industry.

Source: Ashesi
Investigation into strategies for attracting non-oil-related non-extractive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to developing countries: The case of Ghana

As at 2008, the much awaited oil find in Ghana had been realized, and as a natural phenomenon much attention had been shifted to the industrial sector specifically the mining segment. Till date many are attracted to the industrial sector specifically the mining segment due to its acclaimed high returns and much FDI inflow. The Ghana Statistical Service 2010 report showed that Ghana had increased its income by 60% to over US$44 billion coupled with a growth rate of 14%. However, theses figures did not commensurate the situation on ground and only pointed out that the oil find had pushed up the economy and as a result the high FDI inflows into the oil sector. Ghana as a country has no much FDI inflows into the Non-oil and Non-extractive sectors which proves to be worrying since it posses many issues of the underdevelopment of these sectors as well as their inability to attract much FDI inflows. Therefore, this paper sought out to investigate into strategies that could be adopted to attract more Non-extractive FDI for the attainment of economic growth. In doing so the 2 main institutions in charge of the Non-oil FDI inflows were investigated for data on FDI inflows as well as for the purpose of observing organizational behavior and strategies used. Interviews were conducted purposefully in order to ascertain expert opinions on the topic, research question and research objectives in order for a comprehensive analysis to be drawn. In the end it was clear that indeed Ghana had low Non-extractive FDI inflows which showed that those sectors were not attractive due to market failures and lack of investments by both the government and locals.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the determinants, problems and consequences of low savings in developing countries: A case study on Ghana

Sub-Saharan African(SSA) countries, havehistoricallyrecorded low levels of savings. These countries have also experiencedthe lowesteconomic growth rates around the world. Economists such as Solowidentified a strong positive link between savings and economic growth:Countries that save more grow fastest. Ghana, like other SSA countries isfaced with this problem: levels of savings in Ghana are low with a bulk of savers being educated and from the formal sector of the economy. However the economy of Ghana is made up of mostlyindividuals in the informal sector, which holds about 85% of the total workforce. It is therefore a major concern since most Ghanaians that fall in the informal sector of the economy have low savings habits.This study therefore sought to identify the determinants of savings for individuals in both the formal and informal sector of the economy.The study was conducted separately in Accra (with easy access to formal banking services) and Berekuso (with little access to formal banking services). The research employed mainly qualitative analysis in the form of questionnaires, interviews and a focus group of experts. The research concluded that individuals in Berekuso did not save because of extremely low monthly incomes. Individuals in Accra however claimed that even though they did save they were not motivated to save because interest on savings was quite low although.The research results imply that the government should step up efforts to reduce interest rate spread for example through the enactment of antitrust laws which foster competition. The government should also engage in pro poor policies that generate jobs for rural dwellers and raise their incomes in order to help increase savings among Ghanaians.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the existence of a relationship between the age stage demographic and preferences in residential dwelling

This paper investigates the existence of a relationship between the age stage demographic of individuals and their preferences in residential dwelling type. From general observation, it was noticed that , most real estate developers segment their market bas ed on the income level demographic. However, this demographic factor does not cater for individuals who do not receive regular income such as retirees and other unemployed individuals. This study therefore examine d the G hanaian society and investigated wh ether or not the preferences of individuals are triggered by their age stages and how this information could be used by real estate developers as an additional tool in segmenting their target markets. For the purpose of this research data was gathered fro m both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was gathered from householders within the Adenta municipality in Accra through the use of questionnaires with closed - ended questions. Secondary data was also gathered from existing literature on the subjec t matter . The primary data was then analyzed quantitatively, and inferences were made . The researcher concluded that, there is a relationship between the age stage of a householder and their preferred residential dwelling type. As part of the recommendatio ns, the different characteristics of dwelling types that motivated the demand from individuals from different age stages were discussed and these would inform developers as to what elements attract buyer interest from a specific age stage and why they do.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the factors accounting for the high and persistent housing deficit in Ghana

For several decades, Ghana has faced an increasing housing deficit. As population is expected to grow in the coming years, so is the housing deficit, if the right measures are not put in place. Following this, the study sought to gather information from relevant stakeholders in the housing industry on the key factors influencing the housing deficit. Thereafter, ways of addressing the deficit were discussed and proposed. To achieve the objectives of the study, the following research questions were answered: i) What are the most pertinent factors accounting for the high and persistent deficit in Ghana? ii) In what ways are these factors influencing the persistence of the housing deficit? iii) In what ways can the housing deficit be addressed? A conceptual framework was developed for this study with the various players in the housing industry put into 5 different groups based on their roles in the industry. These groups are the construction team, financial institutions, regulatory team, housing and utility service providers as well as housing service customers. Quantitative data was then collected from 454 persons while qualitative data was gathered from 1 person each from the construction team, financial institutions, regulatory team and housing and utility service providers. The results revealed that amongst the main challenges encountered by home owners and potential home owners in acquiring a house are cost of land, cost of building materials and inadequate/expensive mortgage financing. On the side of those who supply housing, the key challenges were discovered to be high cost of building materials and labour, inadequate financing and defective land tenure system. Some ways of addressing the deficit were proposed including providing incentives to developers to help reduce construction cost, spreading jobs across the country to reduce congestion in major cities and the introduction of high rise buildings.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the factors that account for the low equity listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange

Ghana Stock Exchange is performing well and with the development of the private sector, more firms would need long-term capital to expand operations, and the exchange could be a good source of raising long-term capital for expansions. The purpose of this research is to explore the factors that account for the low equity listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange and measures that can be employed to attract firms to list. This study is exploratory in nature and data was collected through interviews and questionnaire distribution. Results from the research indicate that the reason why firms are not listed could be attributed to the lack of education regarding activities on the stock market, fear of losing control of the business to the public, cost concerns, and the unattractiveness of the exchange. Data from this study also showed that firms have plans to list if certain measures are employed. These measures include an increase in public education, active promotion of the exchange by the Government, and cost reductions. It is recommended that, more education is needed to inform the public about activities of the stock market. Also, government should actively promote the activities of the exchange by offloading state owned enterprises to the exchange rather than to strategic investors. Ghana Stock Exchange can also integrate with other African exchanges to give listed firms greater access to funds. Key words: Ghana Stock Exchange, equity listing, unlisted firms.

Source: Ashesi
Investigation into the feasibility of an institutionalized private equity secondary market for investors

The development of a private equity secondary market was researched with emphasis on the necessary conditions for the bedrock on which a strong private equity secondary market would prosper. The research looked at the presence of an operational and legal framework, availability of market participants and the possibility of developing a private equity secondary market. The significance of this research is to come up with a platform on which private equity funds could buy and sell private investments from private equity funds and individual investors. The study concludes that Ghana currently has no operational and legal framework for the development of a private equity secondary market although there are number of private equity investments that can source as transactions for the proposed market. It is advised that policy makers and stakeholders in the private equity industry draw the required framework for the development of a private equity secondary market. It would be beneficial for an increase in investor education to gradually aid the development of the private equity secondary market in Ghana.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the marriage preferences of educated women in Accra, Ghana

The marital decisions of educated women have attracted a lot of attention and have eventually become a topic of discussion on different platforms including the public domain. For some scholars and people, education has a bad influence on women's marital decisions as it tends to lead women to appreciating singlehood and cohabitation over marriage. For others, the opposite is true. There are scholars who have even argued that education does not play any role in the marital decisions of women, thus, there are a lot more factors other than education that motivate women. The purpose of this study was to find out what the marriage preferences of educated women are in Accra, Ghana as well as what the underlying factors that motivate them in making their marriage preferences are. It also sought to investigate the extent to which education affects the marriage preferences of women. Data was collected from 50 women with at least High School qualification through the use of an online questionnaire. These women were selected from some chosen institutions as well as social media. Substantial number of the respondents were students constituting 60% of the total respondents. Excel was then used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that majority of educated women prefer marriage to singlehood and cohabitation. Companionship and societal expectations were identified as the major influencers of women's marital decisions. Also, education was found to affect the marriage preferences of women to some extent. There was a direct relationship between higher educational aspiration and marriage desire. The research paper drew various comparisons using different factors.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the online purchasing behavior of university students in Accra

The desire for convenience in performing ones shopping tasks has mounted shedding more light on alternative shopping methods such as the use of the Internet for buying goods and services (online shopping). The purpose of this research is to find out factors influencing student's online shopping behavior. Questionnaires numbering 150 were distributed among students of Ashesi University, University of Ghana and Ghana Institute of management and Professional Studies and the response rate was a notable 100%. The findings of the study show that 100% of populace are familiar with the Internet and use it very often. The results of the research show that, regardless of the widespread use of Internet in Ghana, the use of E-commerce is still notably low. However, only 39% of study population shop online. Some of the main reasons why students shop online are: because there is variety online, it is quick and easy and they are able to compare prices. Another main concern of students who shop online was that they did not have access to debit or credit cards that enable them to shop online. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used to examine students' behavioral intention to patronize online stores. It was noted that 'intention to use', 'trust', and 'perceive ease of use' have more effect on students' willingness to shop online rather than 'usefulness'

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the reasons for low attendance at Glo Premier League Matches in Ghana: A focus on Accra Sports Stadium

The football industry is one of the strongest industries in the world. It is capital intensive but boasts high revenues. Its impact on a nation is politically beneficial, socially beneficial and economically beneficial. The Ghanaian Professional League - Glo Premier League is one that is not living up to its potential. This research seeks to delve into the Glo Premier League and investigate the problems associated with it and that which causes the low stadium attendance at football matches

Source: Ashesi
An investigation into the role fo customer service in the choice of eatery of Ashesi University students

Poor customer service has had diverse forms of impact on businesses all around the world and eateries are no exception. Statements such as “Their food tastes good but there are just too many flies around” and “The food tastes really good but they always get my order wrong” are a few of several opinions that customers of Ashesi eateries have shared concerning their customer service experiences. Research has also proven that customer service plays a significant role in the choice of eatery of several individuals. This dissertation therefore investigated whether the fact that customer service plays a significant role in the choice of eatery of several individuals is true for Ashesi students and whether a student’s perception of bad or good customer service quality affects their decision in choosing an eatery.Using the DINESERV model, this study employed a mixed method approach, using an online survey and semi-structured interviews and the data was analyzed in the form of case studies for the various eateries. Additionally, a quantitative analysis of the hypothesis using the Chi-Square Test was conducted to measure the relationship between customer service and choice of eatery of Ashesi students. The results of the research revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between both variables (p-value of 0.882). Conclusively, Food quality and variety, not Customer Service, play a significant role in the choice of eatery of Ashesi students and a student’s perception of bad or good customer service quality may not influence their choice of eatery.

Source: Ashesi
An investigation of the branding practices of Ghanaian owned hotels in Accra

This dissertation investigated the branding practices of Ghanaian owned hotels in Accra. This was done through a combination of qualitative and quantitative studies of fifty (50) selected hotels, which are owned by Ghanaians. Aaker’s Seven Ps model, developed in 1996, states that a business must address seven Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion, Process, People and Physical environment) in its business in order to achieve effective branding. Dobree and Page (1990) also postulated a service branding model which asserts that in branding a service, five key steps should be followed. A combination of Aaker’s model and Dobree and Page’s model served as the theoretical framework for this study. The use of interviews and questionnaires were instrumental in determining which branding practices were adopted by the selected Ghanaian owned hotels and the findings of this research were used to make generalizations about the entire Ghanaian hotel industry. Interesting relationships were found among some of the variables in this study. Such direct relationships found were between the extent to which branding is used by the hotels and their occupancy rates. Additionally, a direct relationship was found between how the hotel has positioned itself and the extent to which branding is used. Some challenges of these hotels were also examined and recommendations were made to that effect. This research was indeed successful in establishing that many Ghanaian owned hotels engage in some branding practices as put in the context of the theoretical framework adopted in this study.

Source: Ashesi