ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Sustainability Assessment of Community Resource Management Areas (Crema) in Ghana: The Case of Adwenaase Crema in the Assin Foso Municipality

There are over 40 CREMAs at various developmental levels in Ghana based on existing records, which portray varying outcomes in terms of their intended purpose, yielding some uncertainties about sustainability of CREMAs in the country, with Adwenaase CREMA in focus. This thesis sought to assess the sustainability of Adwenase CREMA based on ecological/environmental, economic, and the socio-cultural dimensions. The assessment seeks to inform actions towards making CREMAs resilient and sustainable. The study communities were Assin Akropong, Subinso No.1 and Agyalo, all in the Assin Foso Municipality in the Central region. Both structured and open-ended interview schedule were employed. A total of eight hundred and fourteen (814) were reached in the selected communities to persons 18 years of age and above. The 13 open-ended interview schedules targeted the reserve management team, the local opinion leaders and the management of the Forestry Commission, Assin Central Municipality. The hypotheses that “there exists significant positive economic impact of CREMAs on indigenous communities”, “there is a significant positive trend of resource condition in the Adwenase Community Resource Area”, “there is a significant positive ecological/environmental impact of indigenous communities on CREMAs”, and “there is a significant economic impact of CREMAs on indigenous communities” are all rejected. Thorough media drives are required to create community alertness on forest resource conservation missions; CREMAs should be developed into tangible employment and income generating opportunities for indigenous communities.

Source: UCC
Sustainability of hospital waste management practices and its challenges from the perspectives of healthcare employees: The case of Mamprobi Polyclinic-Accra

Healthcare waste generation is an integral part of healthcare operations. Improper healthcare waste management and disposal can be detrimental to humans and the environment. This study examined sustainable hospital waste management and its challenges at Mamprobi Polyclinic, Accra. Further to examined the categories of hospital waste; the current methods used for treating and disposing hospital waste and the challenges burdened by the hospital in managing hospital waste in a sustainable way. The target respondents of the study were 150 staff from the polyclinic. A sample size for the study was 150 respondents, chosen using a census method, however 125 respondents answered the questionnaire. The statistical tools used to analyze the study was descriptive statistics which include percentages, mean and standard deviation. Overall, results showed that most of the hospital wastes were infectious. More so, incineration was the current method used to treat and dispose the hospital waste. However, in attempt to manage these hospital waste, findings revealed that the hospital was resource constrained, and that this challenge made it difficult to sustainably manage the hospital waste. Hence, it is evident that infectious waste are more than the non-infectious waste in the hospital, and that the hospital was unable to manage the waste in an effective way. Findings revealed that medical waste generated is treated using the traditional De Montfort medical waste incinerator, and sometimes the polyclinic turn to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for assistance. The study recommended that the government should give priority to hospital waste management in the budget so funds can be available to manage hospital waste sustainably. Also, the training of all the staff on management and proper waste handling within the hospitals using WHO guide lines manual, and conducting training sessions for proper hospital waste management.

Source: UCC
Sustainability of Inclusive Education in Ghana: Teachers’ Attitude, Perception of Resources Needed and Perception of Possible Impact on Pupils

Using the descriptive survey design and a sample of 142 teachers from eight inclusive schools in Cape Coast Ghana, the study investigated teachers’ attitude, their perception about resources they need for the effective implementation of inclusive education (IE) and the impact of IE on pupils. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results showed that teachers have a relatively positive attitude towards IE, and indicated the resources needed for the successful implementation of IE. Furthermore, their perceptions of the impact of IE on pupils were positive. Additionally, there was a weak statistically significant positive correlation between teachers’ attitude about IE and their perceptions about its impact on pupils. It was recommended among other things that to sustain the practice of IE, teacher needs must be met. These include sufficient TLMs, information about special needs and disabilities, training on how to effectively teach pupils with SEN, training on adapting instructional materials for pupils with SEN and training on how to promote social interaction. Teachers need to be given, training and information on all aspects of IE.

Source: UCC
Sustainability of oasis foundation international child labour monitoring system project in Twifo Hemang lower Denkyira district of central region, Ghana

Project sustainability on eliminating child labour in cocoa growing areas in Ghana has received less attention. Issues confronting sustainability have rendered most projects not meeting project goals and needs of future generations. This study therefore assessed the sustainability of OASIS Foundation International child labour monitoring system project in Twifo Hemang LowerDenkyira District, Central Region in Ghana. Survey design was employed to select 130 household whose member(s) was/were beneficiaries of the project. Content validated and pretested interview schedule was used to collect data, which was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential such as Pearson product-moment correlation, Friedman rank test and multiple linear regression. The results revealed that the project was generally less sustainable; though the various dimensions used showed different levels of sustainability ranging from unsustainable to very sustainable. Levels of satisfaction, number of dependants, children less than 15 years, number of children in school and use of soap making skills were significantly related to social, economic, technical and institutional sustainability. Furthermore, children in school and use of soap making skills significantly influenced the sustainability of the project. The study recommends, among other things, increased efforts of development agencies and government parastatals by providing appropriate skills and resources to ensure economic, technical and institutional sustainability of such interventions. Government of Ghana should also ensure timely supply of school materials to increase enrolment and retention of pupils in these and other communities with similar projects.

Source: UCC
Sustainability of sanitary landfill management in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Ghana

Investigations were conducted over a twelve-month period in 3 years on the operational strategy of the larger of the only two sanitary landfills and leachate treatment ponds in Ghana and sub-Sahara Africa. The purpose was to examine and evaluate the sanitary landfill and leachate stabilisation ponds against the backdrop of technically sound and sustainable management options. Routine operational observations, interviews and analytical examination of samples from the site call for a management classification of the sanitary landfill and associated stabilisation ponds as semi-controlled. While treatment efficiency within the various ponds is high, most parameters ( do not meet the effluent requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for discharge of treated leachate and blackwater into river bodies. The success of the management of the Kumasi Sanitary landfill and future landfills calls for sound planning and administration of the entire solid waste management system in the country and the sub-region. The management system must be based on integrated and sustainable principles that can deliver environmental, social and economic stability. It must begin with the appreciation of solid waste as a resource from which management cost can be recovered. The system must be funded innovatively according to the needs of the system and coordinated to protect human health and the environment. In all circumstances, practitioners and stakeholders in countries with developing economies must appreciate and comprehend existing waste management issues and find indigenous solutions that are appropriate to specific local situations

Source: UCC
Sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme: Views of Health Care Providers in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

A National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced in Ghana in 2005 as part of strategies to ensure a sustainable health financing and improve access to services. After almost ten years of implementation, little is known about the views of health care providers as a major stakeholder on the critical experiences of health care providers on the implementation and sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme. It adopted in-depth interviews, observations and documentary review as methods of data collection. Forty health care providers working in 19 governments, private, quasi-government and mission health facilities in the Cape Coast metropolis were interviewed. Data from the interviews were analyzed using the Nvivo 7 software and by content analysis. There is a broad acknowledgement of the scheme as a propoor policy which has made a positive impact on access to health care. The involvement of front line health care providers in the policy formulation and processes was however, minimal. The sustainability of the scheme is largely threatened by the delayed and erratic reimbursement of claims and the unprofessional behaviour of providers and scheme managers. The proposed one-time premium payment policy can negatively affect the scheme. To for prompt reimbursement of claims, regular dialogue among stakeholders, explore additional funding sources and promote greater efficiency in the management of the scheme.

Source: UCC
Sustainability reporting, directors’ ownership and financial performance of listed manufacturing firms in Africa

Sustainability reporting cannot be overlooked due to the firm's current and future ramifications. However, sustainability reporting standards are generally optional, and corporations are hesitant to incorporate new systemic procedures without a quantifiable economic gain. Manufacturing enterprises in Africa demand greater resources to operate, thus their actions to limit and mitigate harm must be reviewed. Convergence of interest asserts that if directors' and the firm's interests coincide, the firm will perform better financially. By using the GMM estimating technique, this research examined the moderating effect of directors' ownership in the relationship between sustainability reporting and the financial performance of 154 manufacturing companies. A total sample of 158 was employed however some firms appeared on multiple stock exchanges and these duplicates were omitted to arrive at a sample size of 154 firms. The study also examined the level of sustainability reporting by African manufacturing firms. First, the study found that African manufacturing firms scored very low marks in the level of sustainability reporting. Also, directors’ ownership positively moderates the relationship between economic disclosures and both ROA and ROE only. It is recommended that manufacturing firms in Africa should increase their sustainability reporting disclosures, especially those that pertain to the environmental impact of their activities as well as maintain or increase their directors’ ownership levels to ensure that they positively affect their economic disclosures and financial performance.

Source: UCC
Sustainability response to fertiliser use in maize production: implication for improving technical efficiency of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana

This study aimed to examine the sustainability response to fertiliser use in maize production and further analyse its implication for improving the technical efficiency of smallholder maize farmers in Northern Ghana. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted to sample 189 smallholder farmers and structured interview schedule was used to gather the data. The Marginal Value Product/Marginal Factor Cost, Sustainable Index Score, Stochastic Production Frontier Analysis, Seemingly Unrelated Regression Model, and the Heckit Treatment Effect Model were used in the analysis. The results revealed that row planting, crop rotation, recommended spacing, and pre-emergency weedicides were the commonly used sustainable practices adopted by smallholder maize farmers. The study also revealed that smallholder maize farmers were moderately sustainable in their farming activities. The study result showed that just like other critical inputs such as land, labour, and agrochemicals, smallholder maize farmers overutilised fertiliser while underutilising capital in their production. The technical efficiency level of maize farmers was 52%. The study found that adjusting fertiliser use efficiency level to optimum will increase the sustainability of maize production. Also, the study revealed that sustainable farm practices positively influence the technical efficiency of smallholder maize farmers. The study findings implied that to achieve optimum fertiliser use efficiency and improve technical efficiency, maize farmers would have to adjust fertiliser use levels downwards along with other critical inputs to optimum or increase their sustainable farm practices. The study recommends that the agricultural sector should provide training and other incentive programs to encourage smallholder farmers to engage in sustainable farm practices.

Source: UCC
Sustainable development: Meaning, history, principles, pillars, and implications for human action: Literature review

Sustainable development (SD) has become a popular catchphrase in contemporary development discourse. However, in spite of its pervasiveness and the massive popularity it has garnered over the years, the concept still seems unclear as many people continue to ask questions about its meaning and history, as well as what it entails and implies for development theory and practice. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discourse on SD by further explaining the paradigm and its implications for human thinking and actions in the quest for sustainable development. This is done through extensive literature review, combining aspects of the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Recursive Content Abstraction (RCA) analytical approach. The paper finds and argues that the entire issue of sustainable development centres around inter- and intragenerational equity anchored essentially on three-dimensional distinct but interconnected pillars, namely the environment, economy, and society. Decision-makers need to be constantly mindful of the relationships, complementarities, and trade-offs among these pillars and ensure responsible human behaviour and actions at the international, national, community and individual levels in order to uphold and promote the tenets of this paradigm in the interest of human development. More needs to be done by the key players— particularly the United Nations (UN), governments, private sector, and civil society organisations—in terms of policies, education and regulation on social, economic and environmental resource management to ensure that everyone is sustainable development aware, conscious, cultured and compliant.

Source: UCC
Sustainable Electronic Waste Management among Households in the Greater Accra Region: Practices, Drivers and Barriers

The study examines sustainable electronic waste management among households in the Greater Accra Region. Based on a quantitative survey, a cross-sectional study of households was conducted. Data from 652 respondents were collected using questionnaires and analysed with frequencies, chi-square and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Results from the descriptive analysis show that households mostly adopt a mix of circular and linear-economy based practices towards e-waste management. Also, Environmental values and social norms mainly influenced pro-environmental intentions, while sustainable e-waste management behaviour was influenced by facilitating conditions, perceived producer responsibility, and perceived behavioural control. It was also found that pro-environmental intentions did not directly influence sustainable e-waste management, but was mediated by perceived behavioural control. Finally, multi-group analysis provided further insight into how socio-demographic factors moderated pro-environmental intentions and sustainable e-waste management path relationships. Consequently, it is recommended that government and producers must collectively implement regulations, incentivised collection programmes and invest in e-waste facilities to promote the continuance adoption of sustainable e-waste management practices among households.

Source: UCC
Sustainable Farm Management Practices and their Effects on Hot Pepper Yield In the Agona West Municipality

This study investigates the effects of sustainable farm management practice (SFMP) on the yield of hot pepper in the Agona West Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. It adopted a correlational descriptive survey design using a structured interview schedule to elicit information from 140 farmers engaged in hot pepper production. The study found that farmers in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region who are engaged in hot pepper production frequently practice Integrated Pests Management (IPM), fungicide application, Integrated Weed Management (IWM) and conservation tillage, and occasionally practice irrigation and pruning. A statistically significant and positive relationship was found between the perceived use of IPM, fungicide application, IWM, irrigation and conservation tillage, and yield of hot pepper, except for pruning which was positive but not significant. The major challenges faced by the farmers in the Agona West Municipality in the use of SFMP in hot pepper production were inadequate capital, inadequate labour, land tenure problems and inadequate access to water for irrigation. It is recommended that, government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and other stakeholders, should intensify extension training and facilitate farmers‘ access to loans and problem-free land to promote SFMPs in the study area to boost hot pepper production. The farmers can also form cooperatives to raise capital through group loans. Key words: Sustainable farm management practice, adoption, hot pepper farmers, hot pepper yield, vegetable production.

Source: UCC
Sustainable Human Resource Management Practices And Organisational Performance Of Gold Fields Limited

The “purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sustainable human management practices and organisational performance. In order to accomplish the primary goal of the research project, the study devised a set of five objectives. Since the purpose of the study was to investigate the connections between a number of different factors, the research methodology used was an explanatory one. The data gathering tools were questionnaire. The quantitative research methodology was used in the investigation. The study’s sample size was 305 which was selected by using the simple random sampling approach. In order to conduct an analysis of the aims of the research, a structural equation model was used. The study found that there was a positive and significant relationship between sustainable recruitment and selection on organisational performance. Also, sustainable training and development also had a positive and significant effect on organisational performance of Goldfields Limited. Sustainable compensation and rewards had a positive and significant effect on organisational performance. Sustainable performance appraisal had a positive and significant effect on organisational performance of Goldfields Limited. Finally, employee empowerment had a positive and significant effect on organsiational performance at Goldfields Limited. The study recommended that there must establish a clear and comprehensive sustainability strategy that aligns with the organisation’s mission values and long-term goals.

Source: UCC
Sustainable human resource planning for an effective administration of rural roads in Ghana: a case study of the department of feeder roads

The Department of Feeder Roads, like most Ghanaian organizations, does not give much attention to the human being as a vital resource. As a result of this no proper planning is made for human resource development. This is the issue that the study set to investigate, using the Department of Feeder Roads as a case. The objective was to find out the human resource situation in the Department of Feeder Roads, bringing out the shortcomings in human resource administration and proposing measures for developing sustainable human resource planning. Data gathering instruments in the form of interviews and questionnaires were employed to gather information, which helped in proposing recommendations for sustainable human resource planning in the Department of Feeder Roads. The overall results from the study showed that human resource practice is not given much prominence and there is lack of a clearly defined organizational structure in the Department. Conclusions and recommendations drawn from the results include the need for a review of the department’s organizational structure, creating awareness of new concepts of interdependence of civil engineering with other disciplines, involving the human resource unit to make inputs into the drawing up of the Department’s strategic plan, embarking on a coordination and harmonization exercise by making inputs into the curricula of tertiary institutions as well as contributing financially and otherwise into the general training of potential staff for the Department, providing quality and continuous training for staff and the use of performance management system to evaluate performance at the Department.

Source: UCC
The Sustainable Implementation of a Master’s Programme in IT for Education in a Developing Context

This article gives an account of the joint implementation by the sponsor, the host institution and the partner institution of a master’s programme in Information and Communication Technology for Education at a leading African university in 2005. The success of the programme was such that it became a flagship programme at the institution. In the context of many failed joint implementations of such programmes, the question that arose and that prompted the writing of this article was, “Why did this programme succeed?” The literature indicates two elements that contribute to successful implementations: the individuals responsible for the course, and the support the institution gives. Interviews with the course coordinator, university administrators, alumni and current students, and an analysis of course documents and students’ research output revealed the nature of the activities of certain individuals and also of the institutional support factors that led to the success of the programme. Based on the study conducted, this article provides some suggestions that other implementers of similar projects may find useful.

Source: UCC