ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Appraising financial controls at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

This long essay is mainly embarked upon to examine the effectiveness of internal control systems in place at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in its quest to deliver excellent healthcare to its clients. For the purposes of this work, attention was focused on financial and accounting control by examining three key questions as regarding; (1) existence of proper internal financial control that is consistent with the company objectives and the role of employees in ensuring the success of this plan? (2) how effective and efficient is this system in streamlining procedures, policies, plans, procedures, laws, regulations, and contracts that reduce the incidence of omissions and fraud to produce reliable financial information (3) How could internal control be improved in this organisation. There is theoretically no restriction on what internal control can evaluate and report about within an organization. However, internal financial control tends to vary from one company to another, reflecting particular objectives of directors, and senior management. Primary data was obtained through the administration of surveyed questionnaires to the sampled respondents at the account section of the hospital to ascertain the needed information for analysis and recommendation. Statistical software was used to analyse the data received from respondents in percentiles. Some findings that needed urgent attention to ensure that controls were effective are as follows; policy overrides by management, poor file management, segregation of duty, inadequate intranet facility which causes delays in data input which result in unnecessary idle time; poor receipt check at the monitoring unit because the number of workers in this section is relatively small. There is also the problem of transferring fund from one account to another (i.e. GOG, DPF, and IGF) that delays business of the hospital. It was recommended that, the hospital administration should take steps to address the aforementioned problems without further delay to be able to deliver the excellent healthcare to the public. For the limited time within which the long essay had to be completed and difficulty regarding finance, attention was only focused on financial control only. I would urge other researchers to take up the challenge to examine other aspects of internal control in the hospital regarding procurement, and maintenance sections to offer useful suggestion that could help maintain good corporate governance.

Source: KNUST
Appraising effectiveness in defence procurement of works: a case of Ghana Armed Forces

There is a growing quest for effectiveness and efficiency in the Public Procurement of military equipment, works and or services in the Ghana Armed Forces. The purpose is to create value for money and promote good governance whiles ensuring accountability for the national interest. Defence procurement is quite capital intensive which includes a wide range of contract arrangements. Such procurement undertaking if not done with openness, transparency and fairness create perception and agitation among various stakeholders’ especially civil societies which are becoming a powerful force in current democratization. Furthermore, the core objectives of the Public Procurement Act that is ensuring value for money and promoting competiveness within tendering processes are mostly overlooked when it comes to defence procurement. The objective of this study therefore was to the appraise effectiveness of defence procurement practices of the Ghana Armed Forces. The specific objectives such as to determine legislative provision or clauses that exempt defence procurement activities from public scrutiny, challenges, and possible strategies for improving defence procurement performance were explored in the study. A sample size of eighty, (80) from the sample frame was used. Questionnaires were used as research instrument to collect data for analysis. The data were analysed using one-sample t-test and descriptive statistics in which the mean values were determined and ranked accordingly. It was found that there were no exemption clauses or sections of the act that barred the procurement activities of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) from professional adherence to public procurement guidelines and need to be more competitive. Besides, this research found that defence procurement is challenged by technical issues. It is also complex and costly and lacks some level of transparency. To improve performance, recommendations were made to be incorporated into the GAF defence procurement practices whiles improving public procurement in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Appraising Service Delivery Performance of Ghana Telecom-Kumasi Main

The study examined the service delivery performance of Ghana Telecom (GT) in the Fixed Network Services (FNS) in the study area Adum-Kumasi and to ascertain whether customers are satisfied the service provision of GT. Installation of FNS were also examined to find out whether GT keeps to its time or lack logistics to perform their duties efficiently and effectively. Further, questionnaires and interviews were administered to both external and internal customers to find out their views on service d^ivery performance of GT in the Kumasi Main. This was to investigate whether customers were satisfied with the services they received from GT. The study however established that, there were over due delayance of installation from the CAN section and service provision in general by GT. The quality of information must be improved to effectively serve the customers well. Response from the questionnaire indicates that the inability for GT to respond to installation in time is due to poor » monitoring of staff and lack of logistics to perform their duty. The Management of GT should put up a strong monitoring tool to check on the process of installation to be able to satisfy their customers. Recommendations have been made to formalize on the installation procedures in the company to avoid undue delays and to effectively monitor the work processes so as to avoid delays in the provision of services. Response time to customers' complaints should be improved for customers to enjoy the services. Adequate information should also be made readily available for customers to access and take a decision on the service they choose from.

Source: KNUST
Appraising the delivery of Ghanaian cultural components in the Senior High Schools Art Programme: case study, General Knowledge in Art

The government of Ghana has embarked on various Education Reforms with the view to making it responsive to current challenges and thereby enriching and preserving the Ghanaian cultural heritage. This practical research is an attempt to appraise the delivery of the Ghanaian cultural components in the Senior High School Visual Arts Programme, and the focus is on General Knowledge in Art (G.K.A.). This is to help solve some of the Senior High School G.K.A. delivery problems in the Visual Art classrooms. Since much of the study is qualitative in nature, data were collected, described and analyzed as in Descriptive Research. Based on this method, the research examined the cultural components in the curriculum and it’s delivery of the General Knowledge in Art in the Senior High Schools. Besides, general description and analysis were used to bring out the reasons for inculturating the classroom delivery. Observation, Questionnaire and Interview were used as research tools to search for the appropriate information and also to solicit views and comments on the best way of delivering. All the three tools were used to make sure the truth comes out. Teachers were observed in the classroom and the major findings and analysis indicated that the new system of delivery which is based on Ghanaian culture has reflections on the philosophy and aims of education. The existing G.K.A. topics were examined in the light of Ghana’s philosophy of self-reliance and also based on the Ghanaian philosophical foundations. The main recommendations dwelt on the need for Senior High School teachers to adopt a better delivery system based on the Ghanaian culture so that students will be well versed in their arts and culture, have a close relationship with it and embrace it in their daily lives and make it part of themselves without which they won’t be holistically educated. The framework of the cultural appraisal as addressed in this thesis is an attempt to provide a platform on which Visual Arts specialists would develop their delivery in the classroom for the benefit of both educators and educands in Art Education and general education as well. H.K.A.

Source: KNUST
Appraising of loan recovery in agricultural credit financing (a case study of Agricultural Development Bank)

Agricultural Development Bank as a development bank was set up to mobilize loanable funds from depositors to provide financial credits to customers especially farmers to help develop the agricultural sector, the largest contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the high rate of default on loans extended to these borrowers visa-a- vis the poor recovery performance, is seriously threatening the basic viability of this institution causing grave concern to both management and the Government. Basically, the objective of this study was to assess loan recovery in agricultural credit financing to farmers by Development Banks and more especially Agricultural Development Bank to determine the reasons for this abysmal performance in loanrecovery in recent times which are hampering the expansion of agriculture credit financing and its repercussion on the economy, as most of these banks are distracting and alienating from this sector. It was evident from the study that the problem of loan defaults in the bank can be linked to both the Bank’s own bad banking practices on one hand and uncommitted nature of some customers on the other hand. Notwithstanding these problems, with proper and efficient functioning financial system, well trained and motivated staff, proper credit appraisal reports, early monitoring and recovery of loans will help in addressing this issue.

Source: KNUST
Appraising the financial performance of IKAE Company Limited

At a time when many companies are engaged in unrelenting search for ways to improve operations and reduce costs, there is one aspect of organizational life that has largely escaped scrutiny, Performance Appraisal. Perhaps, this is because performance appraisals have become an unquestioned fact of life in most large organizations. As with most unquestioned facts, a critical examination can prove beneficial. In this research, the researcher appraised the financial position of Ikae Company Ltd; * various multivariate models such as Altman Z score, Zeta Analysis, Artificial Neural Network and Gamblers Ruin were examined. Univariate model like financial ratios were also examined. However, in this research the Altman's Z score was used to assess the company's risk of bankruptcy. Financial ratios such as leverage ratios, Profitability ratios and liquidity ratios were also use to assess the financial position of Ikae Company Ltd. The research revealed that the company is not under any threat of bankruptcy, and the management of the company must do well to maintain this position On financial ratios, it was realized that the company relies much on outsider's funds. The high cost of capital, high administrative cost and other expenses impacts negatively on profitability of the company. Management must reduce the rate of external

Source: KNUST
Apprenticeship in selected indigenous Ghanaian arts

Apprenticeship In Selected Indigenous Ghanaian Arts is the title of this thesis. Many young people find themselves channelled into apprenticeship training in the various forms of the Ghanaian arts. However, the works of many of these trained apprentices fall short of aesthetic and creative qualities, The research project, therefore, looks at these and other related problems facing apprenticeship practices and how these could be overcome. This work concentrates on some selected major indigenous Ghanaian arts and outlines how practitioners of these arts are trained under apprenticeship practices. It goes on to appraise apprenticeship as an indigenous form of education in the visual arts. In this regard, a brief historical account of the selected areas is outlined. A general survey is made on modes of recruitment and training, taboos, tools, materials and graduation procedures. This is done against the background of achievements, setbacks and future developments of apprenticeship. Findings and recommendations highlighting apprenticeship as serious internship training for the youth are offered. In this regard, the work seeks to strike a link between indigenous apprenticeship and the school visual arts programme. This will show how complementary they are in terms of potential job opportunities and national development.

Source: KNUST
Apprenticeship in leather tanning : a case study of the Asawasi and Tanzuin tanning Industries in the Ashanti and Upper East Regions

There are traditional trades that are gradually dying out because of modernisation and tanning is one of those trades. Tanning is fading out due to the fact that it does not appeal to the youth because of the way it is done in Ghana. Considering the problems highlighted, the only solution is the proper training of the youth in the trades that are becoming obsolete through modernity. But this cannot be done if these trades are not looked at and new ways found to refashion them into more attractive ventures. It is in this light that the study seeks to find the processes that are followed in the training of apprentices in leather tanning, and identify strengths and weaknesses of the apprenticeship programme in the tanning industries in Ashanti and Upper East Regions of Ghana. This will help find the way forward for the apprenticeship programme in Ghana

Source: KNUST
Appropriate incentives for the use of health technology assessment in health care –decision making in the Kumasi metropolis.

The call for optimization of resources has been reinforced by the WHO‟s efforts at encouraging the use of health technology assessment to inform public policies, establishment of an institutional framework for decision-making based on health technology assessment, strengthening human resource capabilities, promotion of the production of evidence and dissemination of information and rational use of health technologies. Countries are at different levels of conceptualization and incorporation of HTA in health care decision making. The study therefore examined the incentives and disincentives for the usage or non-usage of health technology assessment in making decisions in the healthcare decision in the Kumasi metropolis. An exploratory study design with mixed method of data collection with 107 health staff was conducted Quantitative data was analysed at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. Logistic regression was run to assess the strengths of selected variables on the dependent variables. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The result showed that there is no existing policy on HTA guiding health care decision making in Ghana. The absence of HTA policy is partly attributed to the low level of capacity in terms of knowledge training and skill development in HTA. Most health decisions are made with inputs from effectiveness, cost-benefits, efficacy and safety of technologies in making decisions studies. The decision making process is largely bottom-up approach. The decision making process is initiated by patients or users of the facility, and hence form the basis as inputs for central management decisions. The decisions of the facilities are made in line with the strategic plans of the health facility, the procurement act and the procurement plans for the year. The decision making process are perceived to result in high effect on patient recovery time, patient survival, deliveries, reduction in errors and quick delivery of services to clients. The areas in the health facilities that HTA related decisions are occasionally and accidentally used include drugs, biologics, devices, equipment supplies and medical surgical procedures. The incentives for using HTA in health care decision making were value for money, quality of life, price, emerging pathogens, avoidance of malpractice, financial incentives and provider competition. The rest were public demand, the provision in the procurement law, efficient use of government funds, effectiveness of health treatment, transparency, improvement in patient care, sustainability and environmental friendliness. The perceive disincentives for HTA policy in health care decision making in Ghana include inadequate expertise, internal politics, ignorance, lack of funds, complex administrative charges, lack of official strategic plan, unavailability of information and lack of proper structure. The study recommends development of HTA policy capacity building to facilitate its incorporation in healthcare decision making in Ghana,.

Source: KNUST
Appropriate rainwater harvesting and domestic water quality: a case study of Central Gonja District

Water is an essential resource for our well-being. The quality of water sources in the Central Gonja district of Ghana has been questioned due to activities that pollute water in the area. Therefore, there is the need to ascertain the quality of water from different sources in the area. One hundred and eight (108) samples were collected from boreholes, rivers, dam and rainwater in the wet and dry seasons. Sixty-three (63) storage samples from plastic, metal and concrete tanks were collected within 3 months of storage including entry point water. The samples were analysed for pH, total alkalinity, EC, turbidity, total hardness, nitrate, fluoride, iron, and FC. In addition, data was collected through a questionnaire survey and measurement of roof catchment areas of 60 households/houses in Buipe, Yapei and Mpaha townships. The dry-season water demand versus rainwater supply approach was used to determine the storage requirement. Analysis of the water sources showed that the boreholes, rivers and dams were seasonally affected in terms of the parameters measured except for iron and fluoride. Rainwater showed the absence of fluoride, iron and faecal coliform. The results from the storage tanks also showed that plastic and concrete tanks were within the WHO recommendation except for faecal coliform. The results showed that the type of storage tank has direct impact more on the physico-chemical quality of stored rainwater and care must be taken in the use of metal tanks. The results of the survey showed that a storage capacity of 30 m3 is enough to meet household water demand during the 5 months dry period. Generally, rainwater can be recommended for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing for the people of Central Gonja district.

Source: KNUST
Appropriate Motivational Strategies to Improve Productivity among Construction Firms in Ghana

The construction industry has been recognised as the locomotive for development of any economy. However, the continuing decline in the performance of the industry and the increasing challenges facing the industry militate against the industry as the engine of growth. Lack of workers‟ motivation has been identified and this partly contributes to the steady decline in performance. Against this backdrop, the research was tailored to develop ways of improving productivity through appropriate motivational strategies. The study adopted the use of both qualitative and quantitative approach. Qualitative approach to the study involved the review of various literature on the subject area and unstructured interviews with vary informants. A questionnaire survey approach involving 41 construction firms in the Sekyere East District was used. The questionnaire sought to elicit response from various workers in the construction industry. Subsequently, the response data was subjected to descriptive statistics with relative importance index to examine the degree of importance of the various motivational strategies to the construction site work. Based on the overall sample the rankings revealed that “Monetary incentive”, “Quality of life”, “Providing effective reward system” and “Learning” were the four highly ranked motivational groups. However, the remaining two groups – “Creativity and Innovation” and “Empowerment” – were also considered important. It is recommended that provision of fringe benefits and the avoidance of delay payments to construction workers may help improve the persistent decline in the performance of the industry. This study reinforces other research works on motivational strategies conducted in the construction industry.

Source: KNUST
Appropriate Technology Centre, Suame — Kumasi

A survey carried out in Kokompe, Odorwna, Bottom tree and Suame amongst others in Accra, Sekondi-Takoradi and Kumasi respectively showed the innovative capacity and initiative of the Ghanaian artisan; remarkable characteristics weighed against a background of poverty and lack of opportunity. This thesis seeks to provide the solution based on tackling our technological infastructux1e after a feasibility study had been carried out. Chapter one discusses briefly, our industrial development, present trends, and the philosophy of the thesis and the importance of applied appropriate technology. Options in development strategies, the scope of the project, the clients, users and financing one dealt with in Chapters two and three. The site and how it affects its immediate environment is looked into in the fourth Chapter and the fifth Chapter dwells on the relationships between the proposed Appropriate Technology Centre, the general small-scale industrial clientele and certain recognised bodies in the Ashanti Region. Chapters six and seven treat case studies and technical studies with the object of evolving a comprehensive brief. This is elaborated on in Chapter eight. The other chapters show how design solutions have been achieved in answered to problems that arose and others envisaged. The Appropriate Technology Centres a facility for promoting propagating and supporting the development of appropriate technology has some major features which are briefly described below. An Administration Block for the effective running of the Complex. This deals with clerical and administrative matters. The main features here are the offices, showroom and Board rooms. An information and Data processing block which concerns itself with information gathering and dissemination. It consists of consulting rooms, a lecture room with audio visual facilities, publications office and a library amongst others. The Research and Development Block handles all matters of research, design and development. The Industrial Estate is a facility that gives access to the under privileged artisans, access to certain machines and tools they cannot affords The production units is responsible for production of machines said equipment designed and developed by the Centre. There is a warehouse for storage of both raw materials and. finished goods and a welfare services block that caters to the welfare of the workers here.

Source: KNUST