ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impacts of galamsey operations on the socioeconomic activities of Ghanaian rural mining communities: A case study of Ayanfuri

Ghana is a destination for mining gold, one of the precious metals in the world. This has attracted both legal and illegal prospectors to Ghana from far and near. In an attempt to regulate mining activities, the government issues licenses to determine who mines what, where and how. The gold industry is divided into two: large-scale and small-scale mining. Small-scale mining is reserved for Ghanaian citizens only. This way, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission monitors and keeps mining companies in check. However, some people operate without the approved licences from these authorities. Thus, their activities are deemed illegal, which is locally referred to as 'galamsey'. The aim of this research was therefore to investigate the socioeconomic impacts of galamsey operations on a typical rural mining community like Ayanfuri. Galamsey has been an issue for most Ghanaians and ending it or reducing its negative effects is one of the government's top priorities. This research employed mainly qualitative techniques like interviews and questionnaires to collect data. Content, descriptive and graphical analyses were then used to analyse the data. Research findings suggest that galamsey is a reliable lucrative and crucial source of employment for the people of Ayanfuri. It also facilitates economic activities such as trading and the creation and expansion of businesses in the community. On the negative side, galamsey promotes child labour, inflation of prices, loss of farmlands, and depletion of the environment amongst other negative impacts. Recommendations from the research include, encouraging farming cooperatives in the community as an alternative source of livelihood. Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited, the resident mining company can also sustain this by purchasing all food crop requirements from the local farmers. Children in the community should go through mentorship programmes where they will learn to appreciate education and the value of staying in school. Children who cannot afford education should be awarded scholarships, which will keep them from engaging in galamsey. These recommendations should help control some of the negative socioeconomic impacts that galamsey presents.

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the impacts of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) on cocoa farming and rural livelihood: The case of Amenfi West District of Ghana

For years, Ghana has been confronted with illegal small-scale mining commonly known as galamsey. It is alleged that cocoa farmers are relinquishing their farmlands for galamsey, however, as many people in the cocoa farming communities depend on cocoa farming as their primary source of income, it raises questions as to why farmers would want to abandon their farms for galamsey. As a result, this thesis is aimed at investigating the motivations for galamsey and how the practice impacts cocoa farming as well as the living conditions of people in the mining communities. The study was undertaken in Amenfi West District in the Western Region of Ghana where both cocoa farming and illegal mining operations coexist. The data for the study was collected from cocoa farmers in the mining communities using qualitative research techniques such as interviews and questionnaires. The results revealed that cocoa farmers face challenges because of galamsey such as; labor shortages, water pollution and bites from harmful insects bred from the abandoned mining sites. Also, galamsey operations reduce land quality and cause black pod disease which ultimately reduce the output of cocoa farms close to the mining sites. On the positive side, galamsey provides employment and improves transportation network in the mining communities. The major reasons that encourage galamsey were identified as higher short-term income, availability of idle lands, poor cocoa yield, and low price of cocoa. Recommendations from the study include; supporting farmers to maintain healthy cocoa farms, land reclamation, and public education, but also facilitating the process to ease acquisition of mining license by the galamsey operators.

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the implementation of Ghana’s local content legislation in oil and gas

Without the much-needed financial and technical resources to exploit the oil and gas resource discovered in 2007 on her own, Ghana sought foreign expertise to develop the Jubilee Field and surrounding fields. To enable locals benefit from the resource through increased employment, transfer of knowledge and technology know-how, supplier developments and various other means, a local content policy was adopted in 2011 and a subsequent Legislative Instrument passed in 2013 to enforce this policy. The question this paper seeks to answer is how effective the implementation of the Local Content Legislation in Ghana's Oil and Gas Sector in fulfilling intended goals and objectives. This research interviewed three key stakeholders from a cross-section of the upstream oil and gas sector, which is directly targeted by the legislation. It also interviewed the body mandated by law to implement this legislation and a private policy expert. Respondents were chosen based on purposive stakeholder sampling, using the snowballing method. The data was analysed along four main themes; the alignment of the main policy content with the intended outcomes, the social, economic and political context of the legislation, the leadership for the implementation and the level of stakeholder involvement in implementation. Findings indicated that despite the fact that the rational for instituting such legislation is highly laudable, the alignment of the legislation, the social, economic and political context and stakeholder involvement do not support effective implementation. Implementers of the legislation therefore need to ensure that concerns and recommendations are taken into consideration to sure that Ghana derives the maximum benefits intended.

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the influence of corporate attributes on the extent of financial information disclosure in Ghana.

Studies have shown that the measures in place to improve the accounting systems and standards in emerging economies tend to yield little results. The accounting system is mostly affected by corporate mechanisms and this inhibits the level of information disclosure to stakeholders. According to Gray et al. (1995), financial statements are the appropriate legal instrument through which companies communicate frequently with their stakeholders. Investors and stakeholders expect companies to publish their financial statements annually to aid financial decision making. However, most companies do not follow the accepted standard and procedure in communicating their information to the stakeholders, which causes a little to no trust in them. This, therefore, makes it prudent to investigate corporate attributes and how they influence information disclosed to the public. In view of that, this study sought to determine the level at which financial information is disclosed in Ghana and, to determine if profitability, leverage, liquidity and company size have any effect on disclosure level. The quantitative research method was used to analyze data on profitability, liquidity, leverage, and company size on Ghana Stock Exchange between the periods 2015 to 2019. The study utilized contents analysis methods for data gathering and the researcher also used descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis in analyzing the data. The result of this research shows that, on average, firms on the GSE disclose 59.9% of information in the index, implying that most companies do not disclose the relevant information to the public. Firm size and profitability were reported to have a negative and significant effect on disclosure. Leverage and liquidity, on the other hand, were also found to have a positive and significant influence on the level of disclosure Keywords: Corporate attributes, disclosures, financial information, financial statements

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the potential of the eCedi in creating financial freedom for Ghanaians

The recent spurt of interest in digital currencies has spurred many Central Bank’s to create some form of digital currency in a bid to regulate the largely unfettered usage of digital currencies. As such Ghana’s Central bank’s financial technology (fintech) department has set out to create a new digital version of the Ghana cedi. However, it is important to note that the benefit it is purported to provide is largely based on existing methods of cashless payments such as Mobile money. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore the potential for wealth creation that is purported to be brought by the advent of the proposed eCedi. The study was largely predictive as the eCedi is still in its initial phase and relies heavily on subjective evidence as well as existing evidence. This information will be useful to the public who may be interested in knowing the potential impact of this currency so they can adopt it. The research design was based on a qualitative survey approach. A total of 6 individuals in Ghana’s financial space were queried on the potential impact of the eCedi. This data was then analyzed and grouped into themes which were identified as; implementation of the digital currency, benefits of central Bank digital currencies, mechanics of the eCedi and the Impact of the eCedi. By analyzing the responses from the interviewed persons, the research is able to show how best the eCedi could be implemented into day-to-day activities. Furthermore, recommendations were made concerning the research and for further research

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the relationship between parental leave policies and job satisfaction: A case study of the banking sector in Ghana

Over the years, international organizations and national governments have recognized the need to protect the rights of workers. Without such protection, workers are at risk of working under poor conditions without policies that cushion them against such risks. The existence of national parental leave policies aimed at supporting working parents is one such protection provided to workers globally. Studies have proved that the provision of such policies increase employee performance, job satisfaction and employee commitment in organizations. As such, the aim of this research was to assess relationship between parental leave policies and job satisfaction in the Ghanaian banking sector. The study analysed the existing national provisions, and assessed the variations between how workers are protected by law, and how they actually benefit in practice. The study used a qualitative research approach that was exploratory and used in-depth interviews to collect data. A sample size of 9 participants diversified through their sex, job role, number of children, size of the organization and whether the organization was state owned or not participated in the study. Conclusively, it was found that while female workers are protected under the national maternity leave policy, there is no national paternity leave policy covering male workers in Ghana. Additionally, having knowledge of what such policies entail was a major determinant of the benefits received. The study also found that there was a need to extend the maternity leave period as the three months provision proved to be insufficient to working mothers. Other elements such as the provision of nurseries at the workplace, flexible work hours and adequate medial cover for employees, as well as having a supportive organizational culture highly contributed to how satisfied the participants felt. As such, this study recommends the provision of these elements in organizations in order to improve employee job satisfaction and commitment.

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the relationship between the organizational structures of Ghanaian football clubs and their League performance

Over the years, Ghanaian football-loving fans both home and abroad have lamented over the poor performance of their local clubs in both continental and domestic competitions. As a result of this, many of these football loving fans have either given up on the local league or are cast in the dark about the actual problems affecting their respective clubs. Hence, in an attempt to delve into this problem, this dissertation assessed football clubs in Ghana to ascertain whether their organizational structures did relate to their performance using the ideal bureaucracy framework of Max Weber.

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the viability of a ''water shop franchise business'' to supply safe and affordable water to selected locations within the Accra Metropolis, Ga East & Ga West Districts

Access to potable water is among the major challenges faced by developing countries in both urban and rural communities. Most residents rely on unhygienic water due to the public distributor's inability to ensure consistent supply. Consequently, there is the need for individuals, groups, institutions, governments and multinational companies to find ways to curb the problem of inaccessibility, unaffordability and scarcity of potable water which leads to water-borne diseases in Africa specifically in the rural and urban areas of Ghana. This study examined the the viability of a water shop fanchise business model to supply safe and affordable water to residents in selected locations within the Accra Metropolis and Ga East and West districts. The study was mainly conducted in few selected locations in Accra Metropolis and Ga East and West districts where potable water is believed to be scarce, unaffordable, inaccessible or too expensive for the urban poor. The study aimed at understanding the needs and challenges faced by local producers and consumers, and then examined the viability of the franchise business model by conducting a market sizing and analyzing the financial projections. The findings revealed that although most residents in the Accra Metropolis and Ga East and West districts are connected to the GWCL distribution system, most residents do not get consistent water supply. As such, they rely on other alternatives such as bottled water, sachet water and water tanker vendors for domestic consumption. However, a site visit to some local production firms revealed that production is done under unhygienic practices such as unreliable water sources, improper filtration and storage of water. There is a need for both drinking water and bulk water in Greater Accra Region region specifically in the Accra Metropolis and Ga East and West districts. Further details are outlined in the main report.

Source: Ashesi
Assessing the viability of recruitment agencies in Ghana: The case of Ghana Club 100 companies

There has been an increase in the number of recruitment agencies in Ghana over the years. The aim of these recruitment agencies is to create the perfect fit between companies and individuals looking for job opportunities. This service is how ever rendered by Human Resource Management (HRM) department in the companies. The company has the option of choosing between the two methods when recruiting: using the services of recruitment agencies or maintain their recruitment activities in-house. The research investigates the viability of recruitment agencies in Ghana to establish how efficient and effective their services rendered are. Through exploratory research, the recruitment requirements of companies in Ghana Club 100 (2011) and the factors that influence the choice of method adopted were established. The research discovered that, majority of companies in the sample use the in-house recruitment method mainly because it satisfies the recruitment requirement of the companies. It is recommended that the recruitment agencies concentrate on the factors that mostly influence the decision made by companies when choosing a recruitment method to adopt. The companies in Ghana Club 100 (2011) were advised to try the services of the recruitment agencies and determine the gap they could fill in their company to contribute to its success.

Source: Ashesi
Assessing University Residential Choice: A Comparative Study of Students and Parents Preferences

Living in university residences is crucial for the overall academic and personal development of students. This research highlights the growing significance of selecting the appropriate housing, especially with the rise in international student numbers. The report underscores the impact of student hostels in fostering a supportive environment for studying, self-improvement, and socializing. It delves into the factors that influence students' and parents' decisions when choosing accommodation, with a specific focus on Ashesi University in Ghana. With the quantitative method, data was collected from 35 parents and 75 students in Ashesi University. Data was analyzed using garret’s ranking technique and a chi-squared test. The garret mean score showed that students value “Availability and frequency of Utilities” as the most important hostel-related attribute as well as “Proximity to campus” as the most important environment-related attribute. On the other hand, parents value the “availability of kitchen” as the most important hostel-related attribute and “location of hostel (on-campus or off-campus) as the most important environment-related attribute. The findings also suggest that there is no difference between the residential preferences of parents and students. In addition, the preferences of students influence their hostel choice and not their parents. The study focuses on sharing important information with stakeholders, policymakers, universities, students, and parents to help them make knowledgeable choices about hostel conditions and living environments.

Source: Ashesi
An assessment of Ghana’s preparedness to meet the deforestation target under the Millennium Development Goal 7

Due to the quest to attain economic development, Ghana is rapidly developing but this has come at the expense of natural resources in the country. Ghana has lost majority of its forests due to agricultural activities, mining and lumbering. There is a school of thought that are of the opinion that forests are essential for the mitigation of climate change. Due to the severity of the negative effects of climate change such as change in rainfall patterns and increase droughts, there has been rallying calls to reduce deforestation all over the world; as a result reducing deforestation is one of the targets under the goal on environmental sustainability for the Millennium Development Goals. This study assesses Ghana's readiness to meet the deforestation goal under the MDG on environmental sustainability, MDG 7. The study analyzed data on the Ghana's deforestation rates from 1990 to 2007 alongside information from government agencies and programmes or interventions are taking place to reduce deforestation in the country. The forest transition theory influenced the method for study; the study states that development has an effect on deforestation and therefore the need to manage forests sustainably. The study concluded that Ghana cannot meet the deforestation target by 2015 but can meet the target of at least 35% of land covered by forests on a later date. It also recommended a study that would develop a formula to predict the rate of deforestation in the future

Source: Ashesi
An assessment of the appropriateness of the property management practices employed by the urban roads sector in Ghana: A case of the Accra Metropolitan Area

Property management is a concept that deals with the daily management of a real property to add value to it throughout its lifespan. Real property, including buildings, roads, and land, need to be appropriately managed to ensure the developers obtain maximum returns on investment. Roads are a public real property which not only serve as a means of transportation but also serves as a major tool for the development of an economy. This real property will thus need to be managed properly to ensure a nation optimizes benefits from its road network. The road network in Ghana has been plagued with potholes, weak bridges etc. due to poor management. The question that arises is why this is the case. This research study was thus undertaken to evaluate the property management practices adopted by the Ghanaian urban roads sector. The scope of this research was urban roads within the Accra Metropolitan Area. The research was qualitative in nature and adopted an evaluative strategy. Data was from both primary and secondary sources and collection was done via a survey and document study. Analysis of collected data was done using descriptive and content analysis. From the data, it was found that the main cause of the current state of property management within the urban roads sector was the lack of funds to undertake the required road management activities. Recommendations were made to assist the sector raise the necessary funding so the urban roads within the metropolis can be appropriately managed.

Source: Ashesi
An assessment of the operations of police officers in Ghana: A case study of police officers at the Cantonments Police Station

The Police Service is an institution which is long over due for rebranding and should be transformed to restore a better public image; this is as a result of the negative reports that have been highlighted in relation to the service. This study assesses the operations of the Ghana Police Service using Cantonments Police Station as a case study. From the study it was concluded that very few Police Officers had educated themselves to the tertiary level leaving majority of them at the Middle school level and Senior High School Level. Other findings include some of the hindrances to operations, of Police Officers. They include non-availability of vehicles which makes mobility very difficult, lack of logistics, poor infrastructure and lack of modern equipments, discrimination, lack of motivation and poor incentives, lack of manpower and limited accommodation. Good supervision, cooperation from the public and logistics were identified as factors that helped to promote their duties efficiently. Most of the failures of the police officers were their inability to apprehend and arrest some notorious criminals. Other failures were their inability to show quick response to calls from the public. Some of the recommendations that were made were to provide training for Police Officers as a result of the poor educational background. The organisational structure of the firm should be decentralised to provide Police officers decision making power, this is because most of operations under the Cantonments Police Station is centralized, which results in Police top officials exercising most of the direct control over every organizational component. Low level officers in Cantonments Police Station should also be given the decision making power to motivate them to work harder toward predefined performance standards set inside a logical framework.

Source: Ashesi