ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the capacity of works department in the delivery of value for money construction projects in selected MMDAS in Ghana

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) form an essential part of the development process in Ghana under the Local Government Service since they serve as subsets of the general population at the lower Government Decentralization Policy. Development projects form a significant part of the functions of these MMDAs who have to rely on governmental and internally generated funding for their projects and activities. Since such funding is limited it is always important to ensure that there is actual value in any project undertaken by the MMDAs. Thus, this study was to assess the capacity of the Works Departments of MMDAs in Ghana to ensure and deliver Value for Money on construction projects. In achieving the above aim, three objectives; to determine the performance measures for delivery of value for money projects at the Works Department, identify the challenges faced and identify value for money indicators for construction projects at the MMDAs were set. The study used a purposive sampling to target the Works Departments of the MMDAs in the Central Region of Ghana. Respondents were presented with the structured questionnaire for collecting the primary data. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed. All distributed questionnaires were received; giving a response rate of 100%. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean score ranking. In achieving the first objective, respondents ranked performance measurement and output specifications as the most significant. Respondents ranked unavailability of independent checks and balances and poor funding as the challenges faced. Finally, in determining the VFM indicators to adopt, respondents ranked environmental impact and best use of resources as the topmost indicators. The study alsoiii recommended tools such as Life Cycle Costing as necessary for the MMDAs to adopt to achieve VFM in construction projects

Source: KNUST
Assessing the causes of loan defaults and its recovery strategies in rural banks. Case study, atwima kwanwoma rural bank

The World Bank sponsored project that studied rural banking in Ghana presented statistics on loan default and its impact on rural banks in Ghana reported that loan delinquency and default has been a major challenge to rural banking (Nair and Fissha, 2010). Although, Loan default has been an object of research for decades, recovery strategies are yet to become an issue to receive critical attention (Ameyaw-Amankwah, 2011). No matter the level of appraisal, training and policies in place, loan default is bound to be recorded (Aremu, Suberu and Oke, 2010). The financial sustainability or profitability of banks is also dependent on the degree of loan repayment rate Quartey et al. (2019). The study sought to investigate; factors causing loan default, the characteristics of non-defaulters, the sector or area of applicants who dominate the default rate and loan recovery strategies of Atwima-Kwanwoma Rural Bank. Using a mixed method approach, the study interviewed 72clients from three branches of Atwimakwanwoma Rural Bank and 14 staff from three different branches. The study found that characteristics of non-defaulters were males, ages between 31 and 40, post-graduates, married couples, working in the service sector, with family size of two and earns between GHC 500 and 999. Also, main causes of loan default are diversion of funds, poor loans appraisal approaches, granting of multiple loans and delay in approval period. Loans granted are invested in client’s business activities which service activities dominate. The main recovery strategies adopted by the bank credit management staff are monitoring, extension of repayment period, holding guarantors accountable and confiscation of collateral. The study therefore recommended effective loan appraisal, expansion of loans to cover other sectors and focus on factors that influence clients’ repayment rate such as the fear of losing one’s social status and collateral.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Capacity of Construction Consultants to adopt Building Information Modeling in Ghana

The inadequate flow of information within the building construction industry has had serious consequences on the performance of built-environment consultants in Ghana, and this often affects the output of every role player in the industry. Drawing from this the current study seeks to explore the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) among construction consultants in the Greater Accra region. In this exploratory study, 182 questionnaires were administered to construction consultants in the Greater Accra region. However, 100 of the questionnaires were returned given a response rate of 60%. The result of the study showed that notwithstanding the high level of knowledge and awareness of BIM among construction consultants, the level of adoption is still low (7.0%), and lags behind the level of adoption of the technology in the construction sectors in the developed world. The low level of adoption can principally be attributed to the limited capacity of the construction consultants’ ability to produce an IT environment that is adaptable to BIM, produce capable system integration, and the absence of capable human resource. The absence of government pressure and consultant’s limited experience in BIM usage are also the possible reasons for the low adoption of BIM by the construction consultants in the Greater Accra region. Irrespective of the adoption level, the consultants perceive BIM to accelerate collaboration within project teams, reduce data input and transfer errors, speed up analysis cycle times, improve customer relationship, enhance time management, reduces cost and improves profitability. Based on these findings, the study recommends government policy enforce BIM adoption, training of the human resource in BIM, provide financial and managerial support to BIM adoption.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the challenges associated with project monitoring and evaluation of donor-funded construction projects in Ghana.

The construction industry plays a very important role in the provision of social amenities such as hospitals, schools, highways and other urban infrastructure development. It also contributes significantly to the GDP of any country. Donors have played a very important role with regard to social development process across the globe. Donor-funded projects have been the backbone for many developmental projects in developing countries. To realise the sustainability of these projects, monitoring and evaluation is very important. In developing countries such as Ghana, so much importance is attached to donor-funded projects. Despite this, their output in terms of time, quality and cost remains a concern for all stakeholders. Based on this, a study was conducted to assess the challenges associated with project monitoring and evaluation of donor-funded construction projects in Ghana. Three (3) objectives were put forward to realise the aim. They were; to examine monitoring and evaluation procedures with donor-funded construction projects in Ghana, to assess the challenges of monitoring and evaluation with donor-funded construction projects in Ghana and to explore factors (strategies) for effective monitoring and evaluation with donor-funded construction projects in Ghana. Quantitative method was adopted for the study with the distribution of questionnaires. In all, forty (40) respondents completed the questionnaire. They included, project managers, architects, quantity surveyors and engineers who have the requisite experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation. The data obtained was analysed with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Findings from the study depicted that lack of stakeholder involvement, lack of planning and budgeting and political interference were the main challenges of project monitoring and evaluation with donor-funded construction projects in Ghana. It was recommended that the involvement of stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation should not be taken likely, there should be adequate planning and budgeting and political interference should be curtailed in the monitoring and evaluation of donor-funded construction projects in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the challenges facing small and medium scale enterprises sourcing funding in Ghana (A case study of cold stores in the Kumasi Metropolis

The study identified and analyzed the challenges to the successful implementation of the TRIPS (Total Revenue Integrated Processing System) of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Effective tax administration is the goal of most nations since taxes emerges as the majority source of funds for governments to run developmental projects. E-government is the use of internet and telecommunication network for effective service delivery. GRA performs almost every task manually and this has resulted in high cost of compliance, low compliance level of taxpayers, poor service delivery and corrupt system. As part of the Electronic-Ghana (e-Ghana) project, TRIPS was acquired to enhance and raise service performance of GRA, based on a strategic and modernization plan commencing from 2012-2014 but is experiencing many setbacks, and has failed to meet the completion date. Qualitative semi structured face-to-face interviews and questionnaire via snowball sampling method and observations were used to gather primary data from employees of GRA. The study covered all the district offices in Accra that are currently using the TRIPS. Responses gathered were transcribed, translated and analyze by descriptive explanations to ensure clearer illustrations of data collected. The results indicate several challenges hampering the successful implementation of the TRIPS. However there were some suggestions and recommendations that include employing permanent project manager, re-analyze and re-strategize the project, project evaluation in the pilot offices, involvement of stakeholders, improve infrastructure, training, acquisition of bigger capacity servers and routine project evaluation. GRA would be strategically poised with an efficient and effective tax administration to maximize revenue for the benefit of the Ghanaian citizen

Source: KNUST
Assessing the challenges of implementing the Procurement Act 663 (2003) of Colleges of education in Ghana: case study Agogo Presbyterian College of Education in Ashanti Akyem North

Public procurement has both economic and social impact in the development of national economic. It is due to this assertion that the procurement Act 663 was enacted in 2000. The subject under this research is assessing the challenges of implementing the procurement Act 663(2003) of challenges of education in Ghana. Case study Agogo Presbyterian College of education in Asante Akyem north. The aim of the study is to find the challenges that studies in a way of smooth implementation of the public procurement Act 663 of 2003. Specifically the research will seek to ascertain whether the college of education have in implementation of the procurement Act 663. And also to determine the challenges faced by the Agogo Presbyterian College of education in implementing the procurement Act 663. To identify the challenges that militate against the implementation of Act 663 at Agogo Presbyterian College of education and suggest some measures that will help address the challenges of implementing the public procurement. (Act 663) at Agogo Presbyterian college of education. The methodology used was purposive sampling the sample frame consist of 150 target population 114 staffs were selected which consist of 12 respondent from the college and 36 representative of suppliers, contractors and consultants. Questionnaires were administered and interviews were conducted to gather primary data. Reference were also made to text book, journals and other publication from PPA. The study establish the Agogo Presbyterian college of education has faced major challenges in implementing the procurement Act 663 and other related legal requirements. Procurement structures such as entity tender committee and procurement unit are not vi properly constituted. Tender evaluation and selection is based on lowest price instead of evaluated price. Another challenge that has been identified include inefficient contract management and communication, procurement planning and process, high cost of public procurement. Assessing transparency, accountability and professionalism of procurement staff. In the light of the discussion, finding and the conclusions, the recommendations were made: Establishment of procurement structures, to manage the procurement activity. Approval to use “low value” for domestic market food product. Development of E-procurement to enhance and reduce cost of procurement. Review of the procurement Act 663 and internal and external training services for procurement practitioners in ministry of education.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the challenges of procurement in second cycle schools in Northern Ghana: a case study of Tamale Metro

Act 663 (2003) requires of any public institution to follow the procurement guidelines in their activities. Second cycle schools just like any other public institution also use public funds for the procurement of goods and services must also follow the procurement guideline in their procurement process to ensure that they achieve greater effectiveness and value for money. The study also sought to identify difficulties second cycle schools encounter in the procurement of goods and services and propose measures to overcome the procurement difficulties. A quantitative and descriptive research design was employed. These designs have been carefully selected because it will enable us unravel not only the processes that are used by second cycle institutions in the Tamale metropolis to procure goods and services but also the challenges they face. Questionnaire was used in the collection of relevantly related primary data and descriptive statistics and means to rank and analyse the collected data from the field. It was found out that the respondents disagreed on the preamble that through procurement and the introduction of Act 663, PP practices had erased waste, fraud and corruption Also, none of the schools had a procurement unit/department to handle procurement practices, procedures and plans. The officials managing the purchasing of goods and services for these schools were not trained and had not received any sort of training on procurement. These challenges can be overcome by making available trained staffs within the schools to provide technical assistance on procurement practices and policies. On the basis of this discussion, the study advocates for future research into the implementation of procurement guidelines in senior high schools in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the causes of Non-performing Loans and the impact on profitability of Commercial Banks

Commercial banks in Ghana have consistently been confronted with the problem of non-performing loans that has impacted their profitability significantly. Notwithstanding the steps, including licensing of credit reference bureaus, to reduce the impact of non-performing loans, the trend is on the increasing trajectory and the profits of the banks have been affected. Therefore the purpose of the research was to assess the factors accounting for the incidence of non-performing loans of the Commercial Banks in Ghana, to determine the key determinants of profitability of the commercial banks in Ghana, to ascertain the internal factors affecting the performance of the commercial banks in Ghana and to assess the effects of non-performing loans on the profitability of the Commercial Banks in Ghana. In order to achieve the objectives, a survey was conducted where a questionnaire was design and a quantitative analysis was carried out to determine the findings using SPSS as the tool in performing the analysis. The findings indicated that the factors accounting for the incidence of non-performing loans of the Commercial Banks in Ghana were the Poor credit appraisal techniques, Business failure, Inadequate marketing avenues, Inefficient appraisal and monitoring, Lack of proper education on the business area, Lack of sufficient supervision from the bank and High interest rate charged by the bank.. However, there were minor factors that causes non-performing loans which were the Diversion of funds, wrong timing of credit delivery, Moral hazard and insider lending and high consumption expenditure. Also, the key determinants of profitability of the Commercial Banks in Ghana were the Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management Quality, Earning Capital and Liquidity. There were three internal factors which was identified to be affecting the performance of the Commercial Banks in Ghana. These internal factors were the Technology, Credit Risk and Interest Rate.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Challenges of Procurement Outsourcing in Ghana (A Case Study Of Owere Gold Mines Limited)

The research style employed for this study was a single case study on Owere Gold Mines Limited to access the challenges of procurement outsourcing in Ghana. Fifty (50) participants (senior members, unit heads and key staff including procurement officers and finance officers) who are engaged in procurement process and or activity at Owere Mines Limited were purposively selected for this study. The research also used descriptive statistics in the data analysis. The research findings point to three main conclusions: (1) that the main purpose or rationale for procurement outsourcing at Owere Gold Mines Limited is no other reason than to improve the focus of the company, (2) there are indeed challenges associated with procurement outsourcing. From the case company‟s perspective, hidden cost is the most common challenge they encounter so far as procurement outsourcing is concern, and (3) the study concluded that these challenges identified could be managed when outsourcing organizations do exercise tactfulness in the selection of outsourcing service providers with a wide skill-set and operational coverage. The researcher again recommended that future research should try and include other stakeholders of procurement as far as the company is concerned. This is because other stakeholders such as contractor/suppliers, transporters etc. could volunteer vital information that could enrich the findings of the study.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the competence level of project managers in Ghana A case study of the 2018/2019 MSc Project Management Class

Project management has become one of the most studied professional courses in Ghana and the world at large. This is because most of the things done in the working environment are projects; meaning, projects have start and finish dates. Therefore, project managers in their respective industries are required by their organizations to help execute projects successfully right from the initiation phase through to closure. Executing this activity requires project managers to possess knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete projects to stakeholder satisfaction; hence, the need for acquisition of competencies by the project manager. The aim of this work is to explore project management competencies of project managers. This work employed a survey research strategy to assess the competence of project managers with a selected sample size of 150 from the MSc project management class of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Institute of Distance Learning. The findings indicated that, the students have gained countless number of project management competencies especially the technical skills. The study advocates a conscientious development and harnessing of project manager competence to enhance project success in Ghana. Again, it was realized that, most of the research works that have been conducted on the competence of the Ghanaian Project manager were based in the construction industry. More research needs to be conducted in other aspects of the Ghanaian working industry not only in the construction industry. Data generated from literature throws light on the fact that, project managers need to build strong competencies in knowledge, technical and people skills in other to excel as project managers in Ghana. In conclusion, it is suggested that, the study will educate project managers and project stakeholders of theiv importance of project manager’s competence that he or she brings on board in helping to execute projects to a successful completion.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the competencies of principal actors in procurement in health institutions in Ho Municipality

In procurement process, for purchasing to be at a strategic level, principal actors need to possess a set of skills and competencies. However, the procurement process is still a struggle and can be described as an emerging concept in many departments. Sadly, very little is done about the knowledge and skill based on their competencies in the health sector in Ghana. The overall goal of this research is to holistically assess the competencies of the principal actors in procurement process at the health institution with the aim of exploring their competences in procurement with emphasis on their knowledge and skills in the procurement of goods and services specific to the health institution of Ghana that will bring tangible and long-term benefits to health institution. An extensive literature review was conducted to provide a thorough understanding of the recent developments and the underlying concept, operation and challenges of the procurement process in health institution in Ghana. Structured survey questionnaire was administered to 25 principal actors in the health institution in Ho municipality. Achieving high response rate of 100%, the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings suggest that majority of respondents were rated high for knowledge on Public Procurement Law, average on knowledge about the Facility, average on knowledge about the Clients of the Facility. For knowledge about Technical Practices it was rated high and for planning Skills it was rated average. More so, for Communication, it was rated on average and interpersonal Relationship Skill was also rated Low. Sourcing Skill was also rated on average with procurement challenges been rated high. From this output it can be concluded that principal actors in the health institution have average competencies as against the expected knowledge and skill of the principal actors in procurement process. Various procurement entities should encourage procurement office to develop themselves, organize regular in-service training to update procurement officers, give frequent education on methods to the procurement staff and bidders are suggestions to help address challenges of procurement competencies among the principal actors in procurement Keywords: Procurement Procedures, Procurement Competencies and Public Procurement Skills Requirement.

Source: KNUST