ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Adolescent reproductive health (ARH) in the Ejisu-Juaben District - a baseline survey of information, education and communication (IEC) activities

Adolescent Reproductive Health is current major concern and alt nation’s including Ghana, are initiating or strengthening programmes to better meet reproductive health needs. A base line survey of adolescent reproductive health needs assessment carried out in 1998 revealed that there were no Information, Education and Communication Activities (IEC) or materials specific for adolescents. This is crucial if health needs of adolescents are to be met. This study attempts to find out existing IEC activities on adolescent health in Ejisu-Juaben District of the Ashanti Region. One hundred and sixteen (116) adolescents were involved in the study. An in-depth key informant interview revealed organisations and individuals involved in adolescent reproductive health. The Health Workers and Queen Mothers Association was identified as the most active organisation which is trying to revive the traditional puberty rites in its modified form as a measure of curbing Teenage Pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. There were no adolescent specific JEC activities and there were no programmes initiated and managed by adolescents. A good number of respondent’s would not like to participate in adolescent health activity. However, given communication skills and adequate information, adolescents were willing to participate in reproductive health activities. The media ranked highest as the channel for information dissemination though drama was the preferred IEC. Unemployment was the top problem adolescent’s face and therefore programmes on reproductive health should be linked with s ill training and job opportunities. Policies or legislation should be enacted to give traditional rulers the authority to impose sanctions n defaulters of puberty rites if instituted. Family laws that compel fathers to provide support for their children should be enforced. In educating adolescent, a pluralistic approach should be adopted that is both tradition I and modern methods of IEC should be used. Finally, adolescents should be encouraged to initiate and manage a greater majority of adolescent reproductive health activities for sustainability.

Source: KNUST
The Administration of Wages and Salaries at Armajaro Ghana Limited

Introduction: The study on The Administration of Wages and Salaries' was carried out to establish what really attracts workers to join a company and the critical factors which make it possible for organizations to motivate and to retain workers., Problem Statement: The literature show clearly that wages and salaries are of central importance in the employment relationship. It is therefore believed that organizations can only attract, retain and motivate workers when they have a well structured and attractive salary and wage system. The study seeks to establish the validity of the belief. Main Objective: The focus of the study is to find out how Armajaro Ghana Limited, through their salary and wage system has been able to attract, retain and motivate quality work force for the Company. Methodology:literature survey was conducted to ascertain practices documented in textbooks and electronic data. The information secured through the literature survey served as the general practice and expectation for testing.

Source: KNUST
Adopting management consulting services: a case study of some selected SME’s in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Programmes providing services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are important in developed and developing countries alike. As globalization is proceeding worldwide, many new business opportunities are opening for small and medium businesses but competitive pressures are increasing at the same time. Only a small segment of the SME sector is capable of making full use of new business openings and coping effectively with threats without assistance notably human resource development, financial and other technical support which constitute important policy instruments in many countries. Generally speaking, the study was aimed at finding out how SMEs had adopted the services of management consultants using some selected SMEs in the Kumasi metropolis. Various literature were reviewed which attempted to relate them to the current study. A sample size of fifty (50) was chosen and the main sampling techniques used were quota and purposive sampling. Questionnaires, interviews and personal observations were the main research instruments used in the study. It was revealed that the majority of the SMEs sampled had no knowledge about the existence of these management consultants as shown by sixty-four percent (64%) of the respondents sampled. In addition, others too rated the services as costly which hinders their participation. There is therefore the need for management consultants to create more awareness of their presence to enable SMEs seek their services to enable them grow and improve in size and to charge them reasonable prices for their services to enhance their participation.

Source: KNUST
Adoption and Effects of Climate Change Adaptation, and Land Use Decision of Smallholders Farmers in the Saline Area of Sine-Saloum, Fimela Senegal

Soil salinity expansion is one of the most severe land degradation issues confronting farmers in Senegal, particularly in coastal areas such as Fimela. With sea level rise, temperature rise, and rainfall decrease, soil salinity is increasing significantly. It has a negative impact on crop yields and farmers' livelihoods. Farmers developed land use adaptation strategies to deal with soil salinity. Nonetheless, despite adaptations, some farmers continue to complain about the negative impact of soil salinity on their outcomes. Then, this study investigates farmers' adaptation, the different factors that influence it, its implications for smallholder farmers' livelihoods, and farmers' perception of soil salinity and its impact. Data from face-to-face interviews of 288 households using the Krejci and Morgan’s formula and GPS coordinates of households and each of their farms was collected. An agent-based model was used to understand land use adaptation to soil salinity expansion by considering farmers' perceptions of soil salinity expansion under climate change for simulation. A sub-model of household decisions, crop yield, and perception of soil salinity was developed and incorporated into the model. Three scenarios were considered to simulate the interaction between household agents and landscape agents over 25 years. Farmers' adoption is influenced by their assets and sociopsychological factors like threat assessment, coping assessment, and subjective norms. Farmers in Fimela do not have maladaptation thinking that may break their willingness to adopt strategies to cope with soil salinity. The ESR model shows that farmers' adoption of strategies to cope with soil salinity has a positive impact on groundnut yields and a negative influence on food security but has no significant effect on their millet yields. These findings have been validated by the simulation results, which show that the yield difference between farmers who perceive soil salinity expansion and those who do not is significant for groundnut but not millet over 25 years. As a result, it is critical to base policies in combating soil salinity effects on providing better methods of soil salinity adaptation strategies through scientific research. Policies should support a few pilot farmers in these precise and effective strategies to trigger other farmers to follow through the village and social influence by the farmer-to-farmer approach to enable farmers access and appropriation of these new methods.

Source: KNUST
Adopting organic dyed traditional fibres for the production of selected fashion accessories

This research seeks to exploit the possibilities of using organic dyed fibres available in Ashanti, Northern and Volta regions of Ghana that are suitable for the design and production of fashion accessories for the local and international market. This concept provides an opportunity to improve upon the fashion industry and the indigenous weaving industries in Ashanti, Northern and Volta regions in Ghana. The study reviewed existing works on fibre and dye extraction among the communities mentioned above to build a conceptual framework that is appropriate for examining how to extract fibre and dye from plants for the production of fashion accessories. The study adopted the qualitative research method and employed descriptive and experimental research designs. The purposive sampling technique, interview and observation were adopted. The scope of the study covered selected indigenous textile centres in the Ashanti, Volta and Northern regions of Ghana. The population of the study was limited to weavers from Bonwire, Bolgatanga, Kenyaase Abirem and Keta and Dyers at Ntonso and Daboya. Plants capable of yielding fibres and dyes for the fashion industry were also studied. The findings of this research suggest that some plants found in Ghana have the potential for the production of very aesthetically pleasing fibres and dyes. It emerged from this research that macramé and other traditional weaving techniques can be adopted to produce fashionable fashion accessories using the organic dyed traditional fibres. Further investigation must be conducted on other potential yielding plants that are capable of producing fibres and dyes for the fashion industry.

Source: KNUST
Adoption and Impact of Modern Rice Varieties on Poverty in Eastern India

The factors affecting the adoption of modern varieties (MVs) of rice and impact on poverty in Odisha, India were discussed. A total of 363 households from Cuttack and Sambalpur districts of Odisha via multistage sampling technique participated in the survey. The Cragg’s Double hurdle model was used to model the determinants of adoption and intensity of adoption of MVs of rice, and the propensity score matching was used to analyze the impact of adoption on poverty. The results showed that age, education, risk aversion, land size, yield, perception of MVs as high yielding, resistant to diseases and availability of MVs positively influenced the decision to adopt. However, variables such as household size, experience of a farmer, off-farm job participation, amount of credit received, cost of seeds, insecticides and fertilizers negatively influenced the adoption of MVs. Intensity of adoption of MVs was negatively influenced by experience of a farmer, cost of fertilizer and marketability of MVs, and positively affected by household size, risk aversion, land size, cost of insecticides, perception of MVs as high yielding and availability of MV seeds. Poverty incidence, gap and severity were high among non-adopters to adopters of MVs. After matching adopters and non-adopters of MV groups using four different algorithms of nearest neighbour matching, stratification matching, radius matching and kernel matching, the impact of MV adoption resulted in higher per capita monthly household expenditure by about US$ 52.82 to US$ 63.17.

Source: KNUST
The adoption of building information modeling (BIM) in project management in Ghana

Building Information Modeling (BIM) was developed in an effort to improve the coordination between disciplines in the construction sector. The Ghanaian Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has started adopting BIM in projects but at a low level. Considering the role project management practitioners play in the success of projects, this study sought to investigate the adoption of BIM in project management in the AEC sector mainly in the Ashanti region in Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to determine the level of knowledge and expertise of project management practitioners in BIM, identify the project management knowledge areas for which BIM is employed and determine the barriers that affect the adoption of BIM in project management activities. Using a questionnaire as the survey instrument, relevant data was obtained from twentythree project management practitioners through purposive sampling and statistically analyzed. The results of the study showed that level of knowledge and expertise of project management practitioners in BIM were averagely low even though most of the experts were aware of BIM. Also, although current BIM usage was relatively low, it was realized that overall, BIM application in project management activities was perceived to be useful in project management knowledge areas especially in Project Integration Management (PIM), Project Scope Management (PScM), Project Cost Management (PCoM), Project Schedule Management (PShM) and Project Quality Management (PQM). Moreover, the study further determined that the reluctance of project management practitioners to change their old working practices, the lack of trained professionals and the cost of procuring BIM technology were the top three barriers that affected the adoption of BIM in project management in the AEC industry. In the recommendation, project management practitioners were therefore encouraged to embrace new technology, find cost-effective and innovative ways of procuring BIM technology and finally engage in formal training in order to improve the adoption of BIM in the Ghanaian AEC sector

Source: KNUST
Adoption of E-Banking services: perspective of Ghanaian customers from selected commercial banks in Kumasi

Demand for financial services is changing rapidly and customers’ behaviour regarding these services is also adapting rapidly. These changes are evident with the revolution of the traditional banking sector to electronic banking, new strategies have become necessary in order to attract and retain existing customers. This study sought to examine the adoption of e-banking and the perspective of Ghanaian customers. The specific objectives include to: assess the adoption of e-banking products among Ghanaian customers; identify factors that contribute to the adoption of e-banking; examine challenges hindering the effective patronage of e-banking products in Ghana and finally analyze customers’ perception regarding the quality of e-banking services provided by banks in the country. The study adopted a descriptive research design involving a cross-sectional survey of customers of various commercial banks found within the Kumasi Metropolis. Out of an estimated population of over 150,000 retail customers, a sample of 520 was used. The sampling technique used was convenience sampling; whilst data was drawn from both primary and secondary sources. Questionnaire was the main research instrument. At the end, the study found a high correlation between five independent variables (Information, cost/charges, customers’ level of education, speed of service, and convenience) and e-banking adoption. The correlation value was 0.915 with R2 value of 0.838. The study further revealed that information about various e-banking products was likely to increase the adoption rate by approximately 4% whilst users’ level of education and speed of service recorded 9 percent and 41 percent respectively. It is therefore recommended that promotional campaigns are geared toward educating customers on how to use e-banking products especially internet banking. Banks must also endeavour to guarantee the safety and security of online transactions. This will go a long way to instill confidence in the adoption of e-banking products.

Source: KNUST
The adoption of E-Banking services by retail customers in Kumasi Metropolis

The study sought to assess internet adoption among bank retail clients within the Kumasi metropolis. The specific objectives were to assess retail bank clients‘ knowledge and awareness on the various e-banking services, to examine the level of patronage of e-banking products among bank retail clients, to identify challenges affecting the adoption of e-banking services among retail clients, and to examine the effect of e-banking service adoption on banks‘ operations in the Kumasi Metropolis. The research design adopted for this study was descriptive. The population comprised of retail clients within Kumasi metropolis. Convenience sampling technique was used to select 400 bank retail clients. Questionnaires were used in collecting primary data from customers. At the end, the study found that the most popular e-banking products clients were aware of was the ATM/Master/VISA cards. This was followed by E-zwich, internet banking, and SMS banking. The less popular ones were telephone banking, credit cards, and use of company‘s website. The operational benefits received by clients from banks were affected positively by internet adoption. The study also found that generally, clients were satisfied with e-banking services of their respective banks, and this affected their loyalty level positively. Additionally, the study revealed that most clients used e-banking services mostly once a month; most clients have also used e-banking services for more than three years, with cash withdrawal as the major reason of using e-banking services. The frequent breakdown of the system e.g. ATMs, was the most significant challenge to e-banking. It is therefore recommended that, banks pay very critical attention to performance of their systems, especially ATMs.

Source: KNUST
Adoption of electronic banking in the ghanaian the banking system: A Case Study of Ghana Commercial Bank.

The study investigated the adoption of electronic banking in the Ghanaian banking system in the customers perspective using GCB bank as a case study. One hundred customers were sampled using non – probability sampling techniques thus basically the purposive sampling technique. The study employed a case study approach and data was collected using closed ended questionnaire. The study found the kinds of electronic banking services that are available at Ghana Commercial Bank. This includes ATM services, SMS (Mobile) Banking, Internet Banking, E_Zwich Card. The benefits of these services to customers and the impact on the decision to adopt or use such services and products were investigated. The results specifically, showed a neutral correlation between electronic banking and customers adoption which implies that customers decision of whether to adopt such product and services doesn‟t have clear variables to influences such decisions. The findings further suggested that customer negative perception about service delivery of the bank has significantly changed given the introduction of electronic banking products. It‟s been recommended that management of Ghana Commercial Bank Ltd invest massively in IT in order to further promote efficient and smooth service delivery. There is also the need to extensively develop more E-banking products and to do extensive customer education to enable more customers patronize.

Source: KNUST
The Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) by Ghanaian companies the level of compliance with reference to the preparation of financial statement.

Before the adoption of IFRS among firms every country had its own reporting accounting standards which gave room to conflict when it comes to comparing financial statements from different countries. The move of business into the global economy has brought a lot of challenges in comparability, reliability and objectivity, this has therefore increased the need to move accounting standards into globalization. This study was conducted to know whether companies listed on Ghana stock exchange were actually complying with IFRS by Ghana since 2007 when it was adopted. The study used both primary and secondary data for data collection, primary source was questionnaires administered and for the secondary source published financial statements. The finding of the study was that over the years since compliance of IFRS has been made compulsory for all listed companies on the stock exchange, the level of compliance is high and the study was also able to identify some factors that influence the adoption of IFRS. The study recommends that there must be more training and education for both preparers and users of financial information. Also develop these standards in curricula sectors such as the universities to create more awareness for accounting students

Source: KNUST
Adoption of best procurement practices for a successful construction project delivery in Ghana

Construction is the foundation of development and no nation can experience growth without an efficient and effective construction sector, and it has complexity in its nature because it contains large number of parties as clients, contractors, consultants, stakeholders, shareholders and regulators. This research report evaluated the role of adopting best procurement practices on the successful delivery of construction projects in Ghana. The objectives that guided this study were: to identify the best procurement practices that can result in successful construction project delivery, to determine the current procurement practices and their effect on construction project delivery and to investigate the barriers to the adoption of the best procurement practices in the construction project delivery in Ghana. Literature review was done based on the objectives of the study. The research adopted a descriptive survey design. Descriptive survey research design based on questionnaire was used because the study objectives were descriptive in nature and required taking care of multiple realities likely to be found in the construction project sector. Purposive sampling was used to select 25 respondent who have good and practical knowledge on construction projects planning, execution, management and evaluation of construction project outcomes. Data from the responses was organized; coded and analyzed. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics, tables, frequencies, RII and percentages. It was recommended that all stakeholders in construction projects must adopt best procurement practices right from construction project planning, implementation, management and evaluation of all construction projects to ensuring greater value and best value for monies invested in construction projects. The study also revealed that cost/budget overruns, late delivery of supplies and materials, poor specifications/ill-defined scope of work, unanticipated Price Hikes and Poor Project integration are among the main factors of construction project failure. The study further revealed the most adopted best procurement practices to ensuring successful delivery of construction projects in Ghana. The main barriers to adopting and implementing best procurement practices include delayed payments due to high bureaucracy, unavailability of funds to honour payments, interference from management and stakeholders in the procurement process and poor contract management.

Source: KNUST