ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Internal Audit Function (Iaf) Within Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (Mmdas): a Case Study of Mmdas in the Central Region of Ghana

The study examined the extent to which Internal Audit Function (IAF) effectiveness in MMDA’s is influenced by factors such as internal auditors’ independence, competence, internal auditors’ objectivity, management support for internal auditors, and organisational culture. For the purpose of this research, a correlational research design was adopted. The target population consisted of all internal audit staff working in various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Central Region of Ghana with a sample size of one hundred and twenty-three (123). The researcher used questionnaires to gather data from the respondents. The data were analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive, inferential statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. The study found that internal auditor’s independence, internal auditor’s competence effectiveness, and internal auditors’ objectivity significantly predict IAF effectiveness positively. However, the study showed that management support and organisational culture have an insignificant positive effect on IAF effectiveness. Overall, the results contribute to an emerging area within auditing function effectiveness that highlights the significance of understanding the implementation process in adopting and implementing proactive auditing strategies. These findings imply that the MMDAs in Ghana face a number of unique challenges in relation to management support and organisational culture throughout their internal audit function, and for that matter, they are under great pressure and scrutiny to address these issues. The study recommends that resources should be provided by management and management’s commitment to use the audit recommendations and strengthen the internal audit, as a dimension of management support cannot directly create internal audit function effectiveness. Management needs to set the tone by setting leadership by example, coupled with the independence of internal auditors, competence, and objectivity of internal auditors.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of internal audit in Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the internal audit in the MMDAs in the Ashanti Region. The motivation of the study was derived from the fact that, there has been an increased interest in the internal audit function in the MMDAs to enhance corporate governance. The data were collected through the use of questionnaire after the census sample had been employed. The study design was a quantitative survey. The study revealed that there is professional proficiency in the internal audit of the MMDAs in the Ashanti Region. Also it was found that, there exists a quality audit work by the unit due to its strong compliances with the international auditing standards. In relation to the hypotheses testing it was revealed that professional proficiency and organisational independence have effect on the effectiveness of an internal audit department. Also quality of audit work and career and advancement were found to have a positive impact on the effectiveness of the internal audit department with statistically significant coefficient hence they were not rejected but top management support was found to have no effect on the effectiveness of the internal audit. It was therefore recommended that the internal audit units need to be adequately resourced including the use of appropriate resources and again, the internal auditors should be given high status in the MMDAs so that they cannot be influence by management. Finally for improved performance, it is recommended that the internal auditors’ promotion should not be prolonged and interfere

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of internal audit in metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the Ashanti region of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the internal audit in the MMDAs in the Ashanti Region. The motivation of the study was derived from the fact that, there has been an increased interest in the internal audit function in the MMDAs to enhance corporate governance. The data were collected through the use of questionnaire after the census sample had been employed. The study design was a quantitative survey. The study revealed that there is professional proficiency in the internal audit of the MMDAs in the Ashanti Region. Also it was found that, there exists a quality audit work by the unit due to its strong compliances with the international auditing standards. In relation to the hypotheses testing it was revealed that professional proficiency and organisational independence have effect on the effectiveness of an internal audit department. Also quality of audit work and career and advancement were found to have a positive impact on the effectiveness of the internal audit department with statistically significant coefficient hence they were not rejected but top management support was found to have no effect on the effectiveness of the internal audit. It was therefore recommended that the internal audit units need to be adequately resourced including the use of appropriate resources and again, the internal auditors should be given high status in the MMDAs so that they cannot be influence by management. Finally for improved performance, it is recommended that the internal auditors’ promotion should not be prolonged and interfered.

Source: UCC
The effectiveness of internal Audit in the Keta Municipal education office

This study examines the effectiveness of internal audit in the Keta Municipal Education office. The objectives of the study were to examine the effectiveness of internal auditors in identifying non-compliance activities in the Keta Municipal Education office, determine the extent of management support for internal auditors in the Keta Municipal Education office, examine the independence of internal auditors in the Keta Municipal Education office,to determine whether the Keta Municipal Education office have adequate and competent internal audit staff and finally to determine how operational level of internal audit and internal control measures in the Keta Municipal EducationOffice. The study used purposive sampling method to sample sixty (60) respondents including 8 management members, 8 internal auditors and 44 heads of departments. However, only 56 questionnaires were retrieved andanalyzed using the SPSS software and results displayed in tables, pie chart and bar graph. Two questionnaires were adapted and used to collect data. The finding of this research proved that the management support, the existence of adequate and competent Internal Audit staff, and approved Internal Audit standards and legislations were statistically significant and positively related with the Internal Audit Effectiveness in the public education offices. Thus, the education office should give more support for the internal audit functions by facilitating the Internal Audit work and give sufficient in-service training and resources for the existing Internal Audit staff.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of Internal Control System in the Sefwi Akontombra District Assembly

This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the internal control system in the Sefwi Akontombra District Assembly. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. Both the purposive and random sampling technique was employed to select 54 staff for the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire while data analysis was done using means and standard deviation. The study found that control activities and Information and Communication Systems are the existing internal control components existing in the District Assembly. The study also revealed that the internal control at the assembly is quite effective. Specifically, the control environment, control activities and monitoring activities component of the internal control systems were effective. However, information and communication systems and risk assessment components of the internal control systems were not effective. Finally, it was found that the challenges associated with the implementation of an effective internal control system in the District Assembly are vast and included a lack of financial resources to enforce and implement internal control rules and regulations and making too much politics in the enforcement of internal controls rules. It is recommended that management of District Assemblies should be very active and ensure continuous ongoing and separate internal control monitoring to ascertain that control really exists and are functioning properly. Additionally, management should as much as possible limit the influence of politics in the enforcement of internal controls rules.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of internal supervision of the In-In-Out programme in colleges of Education in the Western Region of Ghana

The study was aimed at finding out the effectiveness of internal supervision of the In-In-Out programme in the Colleges of Education in the Western Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to find out problems facing supervision of the In-In-Out programme. The research design for the study is the descriptive survey. This method permitted the researcher to obtain data to determine specific characteristics of the group. In all, 480 respondents were included in the study, which comprised 300 Mentees, 180 Mentors. The instrument used in collecting the data was questionnaire. Data analysis was mainly descriptive. The SPSS (Computer Software) was used to group data for the analysis.The pre-test however was conducted at the Komenda College of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. All the supervisors had the basic training in preparation of lesson notes, supervision of lesson and the use of Distance Learning Materials. The study also revealed that all the supervisors had problem with non-payment of allowance for supervision. In addition, the supervisors and mentees hardly used teaching and learning materials during the teaching-learning process. Some of the supervisors did not perform their expected roles. The teacher-trainees could have descent accommodation during their period of practice.The Teacher Education Division of the Ghana Education Service should provide the supervisors with attractive allowances to enable them supervise the mentees teaching effectively.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of Learning Cycle in Exploring Students’ Preconceptions on Selected Concepts in Direct Current Electricity

The study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of learning cycle teaching approach in promoting understanding and exploring students’ preconceptions on selected concepts in direct current electricity. Fifty-nine (n = 59) students from one intact form three (3) science class was conveniently selected from the six senior secondary schools offering the General Science Programme in the New Juaben Municipality to participate in the study. The main instruments used for data collection were Current Electricity Concept Achievement Test (CECAT) which comprised of 30 multiple choice items and Students’ Learning Cycle Activity Sheets. The t-test for dependent samples, thematic content analysis and percentages were used to analyze the data collected. Findings showed that the learning cycle approach promotes students’ understanding of concepts in direct current electricity and also very effective for exposing students’ preconceptions.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of measures aimed at curbing brain drain of nurses in the Ashanti region

The main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of measures aimed at curbing the brain drain of nurses. The descriptive survey method was used, and a sample of 150 respondents was drawn from the four sub-metropolitan hospitals in Kumasi namely; South Suntresu Hospital, Tafo Government Hospital, Manhyia Hospital, and Kumasi South Hospital (Chirapatere). The study revealed that 5 out of the 7 incentive interventions that were implemented by the government to curb the brain drain of nurses are effective. Notwithstanding this achievement, majority of the respondents, 68(51.5%) still expressed their desire to work outside Ghana. Only (44(33.3%) of respondents would like to work for mother Ghana no matter the circumstances. The other 20(15.1%) were not yet decided. Among a list of reasons why nurses travelled to work abroad, respondents ranked ordered dissatisfaction with remuneration as an outstanding reason why nurses migrate from Ghana to work in other countries. Second and third on the list were intentions for further studies and to learn new skills. Since some nurses in Kumasi were not satisfied with the incentive packages aimed at curbing the brain, restrategization of policy interventions could be effective in stemming the brain drain; For instance, an option is the registrion of migrant nurses and signing an agreement with receiving countries to repatriate an agreed percentage of the nurses’ earnings to Ghana. Such money could be used to increase the level of incentives for nurses who remain to work in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of monetary policy in West Africa Monetary Zone

One of the important primary macroeconomic convergence criteria of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is the attainment of single-digit inflation. Available data show that but for The Gambia, none of the member states has achieved this objective on sustained basis. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission mechanism in controlling inflation in the Zone. This thesis addressed three policy relevant issues: (1) investigated the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission mechanisms, (2) explored the opinions of experts on the conduct of monetary policy in Ghana, and (3) assessed the role of fiscal dominance in constraining the conduct of monetary policy. The thesis employed the mixed method. The results showed that the channels of monetary policy transmission differ across the WAMZ member states. While the interest rate channel remains ineffective for the various WAMZ countries, the bank lending channel was only effective in Ghana and The Gambia. Also, the results of the study found evidence of exchange rate channel in Nigeria. On the other hand, the qualitative study on Ghana revealed that the independent status of the CB has enhanced the conduct of monetary policy in achieving price stability. Finally, the results showed that fiscal dominance complements the inflationary effect of money supply. The study recommended that various CBs in the WAMZ countries should deepen their financial markets in order to boost financial intermediation with the view to improving monetary policy transmission in achieving price stability in the Zone.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of National Sanitation Day as a community participatory approach for improving environmental sanitation in Edina Traditional Area, Ghana

Purpose – Poor environmental sanitation affects environmental quality and health. Ghana is a developing country whose sanitation profile has been one of the lowest in the world in recent years. This has prompted various views regarding effective approaches for improving sanitation in Ghana for better environmental quality and health. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of National Sanitation Day (NSD) as a model for improving environmental sanitation in the Edina Traditional Area (ETA), Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study used key informant interviews and focus group discussions to collect qualitative data from purposively selected participants from predominantly fishing and farming communities in the ETA, Ghana. Data were analysed thematically and presented using interpretive narratives and most significant stories. Findings – Results showed a high level of community awareness of the model but low participation in the intervention, culminating in the model’s ineffectiveness to make any meaningful impact on improved sanitation in the study area. Key factors responsible for the model’s ineffectiveness include apathy, inadequate logistics, politics and attitude. Practical implications – Government should engage more effectively with the municipal assembly, private sanitation companies and community level authorities to address the political, logistical, attitudinal and institutional challenges associated with the model to ensure effective participation in the NSD for better sanitation outcomes, leading to improved environmental quality and health for sustainable development. Originality/value – This is one of the few studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of the NSD in Ghana since the model was introduced in the country in 2014. The outcome of the study could inform sanitation management policy, practice and research in Ghana as well as other developing countries that may adopt or adapt Ghana’s model.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of operational risk management in selected banks in Ghana

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of operational risk management in selected banks in Ghana (UT Bank Ltd, SG Ghana Ltd, Agriculture Development Bank Ltd and Cal Bank Ltd). The study sought to find out how effective Ghanaian Banks are managing operational risk since its inception in Ghana about a decade ago. The data was collected by the use of questioners and interview guide which help to analyzed and present results in percentage and frequency tables. The study also revealed that the cardinal features such as operational risk identification, assessment, evaluation, and reporting and monitoring as prescribed by the regulator (BoG) were adhered to by the banks. The selected banks have also put in place effective measures, controls, procedures and systems to facilitate operational risk management. The study shown that the banks, as part of Basel Committee and Bank of Ghana regulations have complied with GHS 60 million minimum capital requirement, used sound best practice policy, provided sound operational Risk Management environment. The banks, in line with the regulator’s requirement have provided seven percent equity requirement and eleven percent liquidity as prescribed by law. It was recommended that the banks should periodically review their operational risk limitations and control strategies and adjust their operational risk profile accordingly using appropriate methodology which is in line with their overall risk appetite.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of orientation and mobility training Programme for pupils with visual impairment in basic Schools in Ghana

This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of orientation and mobility (O&M) training programme for pupils with visual impairment in basic schools in Ghana with particular reference to Akropong and Wa Schools for the Blind in the Eastern and Upper West Regions respectively. The study employed qualitative approaches in getting the relevant data using the descriptive qualitative design to satisfy the purpose and objectives of the study. In all, 18 respondents were selected purposively for the study. In-depth interviews and observations were also conducted to elicit qualitative data Thematic analysis was conducted to analyse the data collected from the survey. The study revealed that O&M training programmes in the schools are not as effective as they are supposed to be and as a result, pupils of the two Schools for the Blind in Ghana are unable to use the white cane technique, the independent travelling technique and the sighted guide effectively. The major challenges in the Schools for the Blind include lack of teachers or specialist to train the pupils, lack of white canes, poor environmental conditions, stigmatisation and limited time for O&M training. Recommendation such as training of O&M specialists, ensuring improved environmental conditions in the schools for the blind, curriculum modification, provision of enough white canes, and public sensitisation on stigmatisation against pupils with visual impairment.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of polluter-pay-principle in selected low and high income communities in the Greater Accra region

Waste management as a social problem has neither spared the developed nor developing nations as statistics have proven that some developed nations are seriously grappling with this bane. The study therefore sought to assess the polluter pay principle and its effect on full cost recovery in low and high-income communities. The study employed a descriptive survey design and the population of the study consist of 60 respondents selected from waste management companies within Greater Accra Region. Also respondents who represent households and beneficiaries of waste collection were made to contribute to the study. The Primary data collection involved the use of closed-ended questionnaire. Further to this, simple bar chart analysis on excel and SPSS were employed to explore the relationship between the variables from the data collected to meet the research objectives. The study revealed that 40% of respondents have been in the waste management business for about 1 and above years now. Thirty eight percent of the respondents preferred both house to house and communal collection service as the best mode for collecting their waste. The study clearly shows that although the polluter-pay-principle has aided in significant recovery of cost especially in high-income communities yet more can be done to expand the recovery rate and to improve upon service delivery. The study recommends that, the Assembly must provide subsidy to make up for the difference between the proposed fees and the actual cost of providing the waste collection service to waste management companies so that the cost on households will dwindle. Waste generators must be allowed to now play a more active role in determining the level of use fees, service levels and monitoring of service providers.

Source: UCC
Effectiveness of pre-service economics teacher education programme of the University of Cape Coast: Perspective of economics teacher-trainees

The thrust of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the preservice Economics teacher education programme of the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education, UCC from the viewpoint of Economics teacher-trainees. The study used the modalities, as prescribed by the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) theory and 54 Economics teacher trainees who were in their final year of study (2015/2016 academic year) to address the purpose of this study. Questionnaire and semi interview guide were used as data collection instruments to elicit the background information of the respondents, as well as relevant datato answer the research questions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, the IPA model and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data gathered.It was found that the Economics teacher-trainees perceived the B.Ed. Social Sciences (Economics) programme to be effective inaddressing certain aspects of the programmeand not effective in addressing other aspects. Again, it was found that the perception aboutthe programme’s effectiveness as reported by Economics teacher-trainees studying Economics education with different minor subjects was the same. It was therefore recommended that, the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education should consolidate effort in the areas where it has been shown that it has strength and pay attention to those aspects found in the ‘concentrate here’ quadrant of the IPA grid.

Source: UCC