ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An assessment of the effects of the trade liberalization and related policies on the domestic rice industry in Ghana

Prior to the trade liberalization, a number of consumer commodities, particularly rice enjoyed a substantial protection from international prices. Restrictions generally took the form of higher tariffs on imports, quantitative controls and administrative regulations. The institution of the trade liberalization saw the abolishing of the import licensing and quantitative restrictions. Consequently, the local market in Ghana has been inundated with cheap imported rice. The main objective of this study is to assess the effect rice trade liberalization and its related policies on the domestic rice industry in Ghana An econometrical analysis of secondary data using the multiple regression models was applied. The study indicated that trade liberalization resulted in decreased domestic producer price of milled rice so the hypothesis that trade liberalization did not have a significant impact on the producer price of rice in Ghana was rejected. The study also found a rise in the area under rice cultivation and a decline in the annual growth rate of rice production in the post-liberalization era. This was corroborated by the results of a survey which was carried out among rice farmers in the Northern Region. Findings from the study also indicated that rice consumption ceteris paribus has increased in the era of the trade liberalization. However, the increase in the demand for rice cannot be attributed to the trade liberalization alone but other factors like the change in the consumption patterns of consumers, urbanization and economic growth. The study concluded that, on the whole, the trade liberalization has impacted negatively on the domestic rice industry in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
An Assessment of the Effects of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency Programme on Beneficiaries in the Dormaa East District of the Brong Ahafo Region

The Government of Ghana in an attempt to create employment and improve the welfare of the people launched the National Youth Employment Programme in 2006. The policy was designed to specifically tackle the youth unemployment problem in the country. Its goal is to empower the young people to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic and sustainable development of the nation. Its principal objective is to support the youth to transit from a situation of unemployment to employment or to prepare school dropouts to continue their education. In this regard, all MMDAs in the country implemented some of the modules based on their local comparative advantage. Several researches conducted on the programme indicate an increasing level of employment, hence the study sought to assess the effects of the GYEEDA programme on beneficiaries in the Dormaa East District of the Brong Ahafo Region. The study employed both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. In selection of the 338 respondents for the questionnaire administration, a random sampling technique was used, whilst purposive sampling technique was employed in the selection of the programme coordinator for self-administered questionnaire and interviews. The study revealed that the standard of living of the beneficiaries has improved and this was measured by the income level, savings, place of residence, number of meals and quality of food and the job they do in the society. Findings from the study also indicated that the beneficiaries acquired number of skills during the programme which are sources of livelihood to the beneficiaries. However, the delay in the introduction of exit plan and payment of monthly allowance to the beneficiaries in the district iv poses problems to some beneficiaries as they exit the programme under poor conditions. The beneficiaries on the other hand complained of low intake as well as recruitment procedures. As matter of urgency, there is the need by government to address these challenges in a concerted manner through dialoguing with various stakeholders and also intensify public education on the programme. This will ensure the sustainability of the programme in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the effects of the youth inclusive entrepreneurial development initiative for employment (yiedie) project on beneficiaries in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the western Region

Youth unemployment has become a major social canker in the Ghanaian society. Various governments have implemented different techniques to curb the teaming youth unemployment. This study aimed to assess the effect of the youth inclusive entrepreneurial development initiative for employment (YIEDIE) project on beneficiaries in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. Four objectives were set for the study, which are 1) To identify and assess the skills acquired by the beneficiaries of the project 2) To examine the living conditions of the beneficiaries after exiting the project 3) To examine the prospects and challenges of the project and 4) To make recommendations to enhance the development of the project. Extensive literature review was done, and a quantitative survey was designed and used in the research. Out of the 79 questionnaires administered, all were returned fully completed, giving a response rate of 100%. Out of 7 respondents targeted for interviews, all of them were interviewed, implying a response rate of 100%. The overall response rate of the respondents was thus 100%. To draw meaningful results, the collected data have been analyzed by using the quantitative data analysis techniques (which include Mean Scores, percentages and frequencies, and others) through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) IBM version 24. From the analysis, it was realized that, the various skills acquired by the beneficiaries of the YIEDEE project are very important to make the youth employable. Also, it was realized that, the YIEDEE project contributes to nationbuilding. Results of the study show that influence of political powers, inadequate financial resources, delay in payment of allowances and logistical constraints are the main challenges of the YIEDIE project. Regular Payment of beneficiaries, effective supervision, addressing corruption and not politicizing are some of the recommendations of this study.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the effects of ‘SUSU’ scheme on the economic empowerment of market women in Kumasi, Ghana.

The study sought to assess the effect of the ‘susu’ scheme on the economic empowerment of market women with cross-sectional data randomly collected from eighty-two (82) market women in the Kumasi metropolis using a questionnaire administered through personal interviews. The data obtained were analyzed using tables, paired sample T-test and multi-regression technique. Among the key findings of the study are that the ‘susu’ scheme has had a significant impact on the economic empowerment of the market women interviewed; that the number of years of being a ‘susu’ contributor and the amount contributed per day do not explain the variability in the economic empowerment level of a market woman; that the majority of the market women in the study have seen the benefit of the ‘susu’ scheme and; and that the scheme has helped the market women to build up cash savings. The conclusion of the study is that the ‘susu’ scheme has made a significant impact on the economic empowerment of market women in the Kumasi metropolis. In addition, the study concludes that it is not advisable to predict the empowerment level of a ‘susu’-contributing market woman in the Kumasi metropolis by the number of years she has been contributing to the ‘susu’ scheme and the amount she contributes daily. Among the recommendations made by the study are that ‘susu’ institutions in Ghana should scrap their ‘no-loan policy’; that the government of Ghana should embark on a comprehensive programme of re-capitalising the rural banks, credit unions, and other microfinance financial institutions that practice microfinance; that policy makers should design microfinance sensitization programme aimed at encouraging women, especially the financially-excluded ones, to join the ‘susu’ scheme; and that future studies should focus on getting samples from other regions so that a comprehensive assessment of the ‘susu’ scheme on the economic empowerment of market women could be made.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of the factors affecting implementation of e-procurement in public sector of Ghana: a case study of mmda’s in central region

Factors affecting implementation of e-procurement. The study assessed the factors affecting implementation of e-procurement in public sector of Ghana using mmda’s in central region. Specifically, it identified the factors affecting the implementation of e-procurement in mmdas in central region. It also assessed the effects of e-procurement implementation in ensuring value for money within the mmdas in central region. Descriptive research was adopted and qualitative methodology was used to retrieve primary data through questionnaires administration from managers and directors within the mmdas in central region. The study found the factors affecting the implementation of e-procurement to include cost of implementation, management commitment and employee’s competence. The study identified effects of e-procurement implementation as enabling effectiveness and improvement in procurement processes as well as quality and efficiency. The study established the need for staff competency and management support in the implementation of e-procurement and to enhance better the performance. The study recommended That there should be provision of funds to acquire equipment such as computers and automated machines to undertake e-procurement. There should also be hiring of personnel that possess technical skills and knowledge as may be necessary to undertake e-procurement. Senior managers of the organizations should also be committed to e-procurement as that will lead to the attainment of objectives.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Sanitizing Agents in Reducing Microbial Load in Leafy Vegetables

Foodborne illnesses have been associated with the consumption of fresh produce, specifically leafy vegetables due to their soft texture and method of cultivation. As a safety precaution, these vegetables are usually cleaned with chemical sanitizers before consumption, hence the efficacy of various chemical sanitizers was tested on leafy vegetables to ascertain their potency. Lettuce, cabbage and spinach were collected aseptically in plastic bags from Kumasi central market to the laboratory. Samples were taken through pretreatment by washing with distilled water, sanitizing with 70% alcohol under Ultra Violet light to ensure complete sterility. Test organisms E. coli, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes inoculum were obtained from the microbiology laboratory of the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Akuapem Mampong and inoculated on samples using the dip method. Samples dried for an hour at 37oC and were sanitized with varying concentrations of peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite and sodium chloride within varying exposure times. Microbial analysis were carried out at a temperature of 37oC for 48 hours on all samples using spread plate technique on plate count agar (PCA) for enumerating colonies that will grow on plates. Results showed that there was a significant difference (P˂0.05) between the loads on various test organisms. However, E. coli was chosen as a model organism. After inoculating cabbage, lettuce and Spinach, the results showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the loads, thus cabbage leaves were selected for the assay. Inoculum sample of pretreated leaves showed 0 CFU/g and served as a control. Plate count before and after sanitizer treatment were also obtained and used to determine the potency of chemicals on microorganisms through the reduction in microbial population. All the sanitizers were found to have an efficacy of 99.99% except for sodium chloride which was 99.90%.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) In Public Sector Procurement in Ghana

Public procurement constituted 50 to 70% of the national budget (after personal emoluments), 14% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 24% of total imports (World Bank CPAR 2003). Goods, works and services intended for public use should be procured based on national procurement rules and in the case of Ghana the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663). The rationale for Procurement rules is for governments to have the best value for money when procuring. Procurement is a common source of corruption and therefore procurement systems tend to include controls aimed to detect and deter corruption. This dissertation assessed the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) in terms of number of transactions processed, user friendliness of the system, training programmes on the system, participants‟ satisfaction levels of the training programmes, performance of the advocates, responsiveness of the service desk, and problems encountered by users of the system. A questionnaire survey approach coupled with interviews was adopted for the study. Data from the survey were largely analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the study the level of usage of GIFMIS in Accra was ascertained and prevailing challenges associated with the usage were also found. Findings from the study point to a very significant rise in the number of Procure to Pay (P2P) transactions over a period of one and half years. The P2P system was user friendly although there was need for improvement. Ninety five (95) people, on average, were trained in every training session. Participants in the training programmes were satisfied but not with all the segments. The trainees were „ill-at-ease‟ in report generation and period end processes of the system. The advocates were doing most of the work in the MDAs. In most of the MDAs the personnel involved in P2P analysis did not practice data entry and report generation processes after the training sessions. Performance of the advocates was satisfactory. Responsiveness of the service desk was also satisfactory. Problems associated with the use of the system were also iii outlined. It was recommended among others that more training be provided on period end processes and report generation, the personnel involved in P2P analysis in MDAs should gradually be weaned away from the advocates, and the space between the list of transactions and total amount on the cheque be reduced.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the funding for cocoa purchases in Ghana between 1993 and 2004

This study looks at the importance of cocoa industry to the Ghanaian economy, the problems facing the industry and solutions to these problems; the global cocoa industry situation, theoretical basis of commodity financing and the cocoa financing situation in other producing countries. The emphasis of this study is on how cocoa financing in Ghana has been generated over the years, the problems associated with these sources and remedies that have been adopted in dealing with these problems. The theme of the study ‘An Assessment of Funding for Cocoa Purchases in Ghana between 1993/94 and 2004/05 Cocoa Seasons’ is more appropriate at the time when Ghana has been moving from one source of funding to another all in the bid of finding the most appropriate and cost effective source of financing cocoa purchases in the country. Financing cost alone forms between 30-40% of the operating cost of cocoa purchases and so determining the most cost effective source of financing cocoa business in the country would be most welcome. In arriving at the conclusion a well structured conceptual model has been framed to help in developing the concepts and the analysis to determine the right course for Ghana in choosing the appropriate source of funding cocoa purchases as well as exports.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of the factors influencing girl child participation in Senior High School in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana

The study is focused on Girl Child participation in Senior High Education. The main objective is to assess the factors influencing Girl Child participation in Senior High School Education in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana. The crossed – sectional Approach was adopted to undertake the research where data was collected from primary and secondary sources. The Purposive sampling method was adopted for the data collection process. Simple random sampling technique (lottery method) was also employed in the selection of students, teachers and parents to ensure unbiased representation of the various units of analysis. The study revealed that Girl child access and participation in Senior High School Education is influenced by bad cultural practices such as Exchange marriage, Betrothal, Early marriages, poverty coupled with parental attitude and perceptions of educating the Girl Child. Also, there exist a considerable number of intervention programmes by the Ghana Education Service, Municipal Assembly NGOs and some institutions who in their diverse way try to promote girl child education in the Municipality. Education is the right of every girl everywhere and key to transforming her life and the life of her community. Without education, girls are denied the opportunity to develop their full potential and to play a productive and equal role in their families, their societies their country and their world.Unfortunately, support programmes that exist target a considerable number of girls who get the needed support to continue their education. The lot is left out. It is in this light that, the study made a number of recommendations towards the improvement of girl child participation in SHS; educating parents on girls education, the central government, the Ghana Education Service and NGOs should be committed in instituting scholarships/sponsorships, motivational packages and incentives to attract more girls to SHS, Bye laws should be instituted to ban all bad cultural practices , the requisite teaching and learning materials be provided and monitoring and evaluation team should be put in place to see the girl child in school. Girls should embrace intervention programmes that are in to support them and wear a positive attitude towards their education, parents and the society should support such programmes to help the child build confidence in herself to pursue higher education.

Source: KNUST
The assessment of the growth of small scale businesses through access to microfinance by women’s groups in the Nanumba-North district of the Northern Region of Ghana.

The study aimed at assessing the growth of small scale businesses through access to microfinance by women’s groups, especially so since most of the time, businesses rather cry for limited capital. In this regard, literature was reviewed in the following thematic areas: growth theories, microfinance in Ghana, Challenges of microfinance in Ghana, relevance of small scale businesses and their challenges as well as empirical review of women in business. Triagulation of data collection methods were used, including interviews and survey questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered to 150 women entrepreneurs in 15 women groups in the Nanumba-North district. The study found that growth, which is proxied by sales increased after the receipt of the loan as an indication that microfinance has helped to improve the growth of women’s small businesses in the district. Also, there was improvement in the entrepreneurs’ business development skills and a rise in the levels of employment. Ironically, majority of the women small business operators saw managerial incompetency as the most challenge in their quest to grow their businesses. As a result of the findings, the study suggested increased in loan repayment period which seemed to be very short for maximum growth, though there was increased in sales levels. Because managerial incompetency was seen as the most challenge, microfinance institutions should commit resources on small scale entrepreneurial training for the development of their business managerial skills for growth.

Source: KNUST
Assessment Of The Impact Of 20 Years Of Mass Drug Administration With Ivermectin On The Prevalence Of Onchocerca Volvulus And Other Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections In Children In The Pru And Atebubu Districts In Ghana

Onchocerciasis continues to be of great public health concern and it affects more than 37 million people worldwide. It is one of the leading infectious blinding disease agents of the developing world, second only to trachoma. Mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin has been going on for 20 years now. This study was conducted in the Pru and Atebubu Districts in the Brong Ahafo Region to assess the prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus and intestinal parasite infection after 20 years of MDA. In all, 659 pupils from primary one up to Junior high school were involved. Twenty children per class were selected randomly in every school for snipping. From the Atebubu district, out of the 239 pupils examined from the schools, 1 pupil representing 0.42% had O. volvulus infection whiles 16 pupils representing 6.7% had intestinal helminths and 31 representing 13.0% had protozoan infection. For Pru district, out of the 420 pupils examined from the four schools, 6 representing 1.43% had O. volvulus infection whiles 25 pupils representing 6.0% had intestinal helminths and 76 representing 18.4% had protozoan infection. In general, prevalence of onchocerciasis was low while that of intestinal parasites was high in the study population. However, one village in the Pru district, Abua, had onchocerciasis prevalence of 3.4% which is higher than the accepted 2% level set by the WHO and this should be a matter for concern. In conclusion, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan and Onchocerca volvulus infections were higher in the Pru district but lower in the Atebubu district whiles intestinal helmnths infection was higher in the Atebubu district but lower in the Pru district. It is recommended that special attention should be paid to Abua in order to prevent the spread of onchocerciasis to other areas.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of the Impact of Career Guidance on Career Development of Staff and Students of Koforidua Polytechnic

Career guidance is an essential activity that is planned and has life-long learning strategies and policies to encourage and develop employable individuals who are shaped by many environmental factors that translates into certain career paths. Today, it receives little attention and little provision is made for students and employees resulting in utmost confusion in choosing career paths. This research therefore sought to find out the existence of career guidance in Schools; examine awareness levels; its effectiveness and impact on career choices and development. A cross-sectional design was employed in the study which involved staff and students of Koforidua Polytechnic and stratified sampling with proportional allocation was used to sample 2500 students and convenience sampling technique to select 210 staff. Structured questionnaires were used to collate data and SPSS was used for data analysis. Frequency distribution tables, graphs and charts were used to present the information. Three hypotheses were tested and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. It was found out that there is a positive relationship between career counselling and career development as it gives both course and job satisfaction for students and staff respectively. It is therefore recommended that a comprehensive policy should be developed to ensure effectiveness.

Source: KNUST