ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Investigating the effectiveness of information technology audit controls in financial institutions: (a case study of sixteen rural banks in Ghana)

Investigating the effectiveness of information technology (IT) Audit controls in financial institutions was worth researching, regarding the increasing number of financial institutions resorting to computerization. Thus, these institutions would primarily depend on IT audit controls that are put in place to manage and guard the institutions’ overall business setup to achieve the institutions’ business goals or objectives. The main objectives of the research were to find out the kind of IT Audit Controls being used, Controls’ weakness, its causes and effects and the recommendations needed to ensure controls’ effectiveness. Sixteen computerized financial institutions were sampled and the IT Controls used were studied. In spite of the successes made by the computerized financial institutions, the sampled financial institutions helplessly admitted to the dangers posed by other IT security challenges. These IT security challenges were mainly as a result of internal control weakness which potentially can bring the institutions down if not checked. Considering the globalization of the computerized technology it was recommended that the financial institutions in the country should employ more of these IT Audit controls , especially Internet and E-Commerce Controls, Telecommunication Controls and Database Controls in the day-to-day transactions. Also for optimum effectiveness of these Controls, the computerized financial institutions should also pay every price to strengthen the internal controls to safeguard against avoidable IT Audit controls’ breaches and other potential security challenges that can break down the financial institutions. Further research must be undertaken to investigate the recent spate of global banking fraud on credit and debit cards of customers who patronize electronic commerce.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the effectiveness of management competencies on internal control of public corporations: the evidence of Electricity Company of Ghana.

The rapidly changing economic and competitive environments, shifting customer demands, priorities and restructuring for future growth and social trend indicates how important managerial competency is key in ensuring effective internal control of organizations. Internal controls are measures that organizations set up with the aim of ensuring that the objectives, goals and mission of the organization are met. This study delves into investigating management competencies and its effectiveness of internal control in public corporations, using the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as a case study area. It critically analyzed the various managerial competencies that are key in achieving internal control systems at ECG. The study employed both structured questionnaires and interview guide to collect data from both functional managers and top management respectively. Also, judgmental and cluster sampling methods were used to select samples from both functional managers and top management. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the primary and secondary data collected. A regression analysis was done to establish a relationship between managerial competencies and internal control. The results showed that staff of ECG has achieved some appreciable level of internal control systems as a result of certain managerial competencies that the staff possess. Also, certain key challenges that confront management from achieving all internal control systems put in place were clearly outlined. To overcome these challenges, the researcher recommends that management of ECG should continue to exceedingly pursue those functions that help the company to achieve its stated objectives and hence its internal control measures put in place.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the Effectiveness of Technology-Enhanced Language Learning Tools in Supporting Second Language Acquisition.

The level of attainment of second language (L2) proficiency in children differs. While some attain it early, others face several challenges in achieving success in language proficiency. The variance raises inquiries into the factors influencing language learning outcomes among young learners. Consequently, this paper delved into the correlation between young learner’s access to technological tools and devices at home and their proficiency levels in their second language. Twenty-five participants were randomly selected from KNUST Primary School in Kumasi, Ghana. Employing a qualitative research approach with a corresponding phenomenological research design, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-five out of forty-three learners in a basic three class. Through thematic data analysis, the study revealed a rising trend of learners utilizing technology-enhanced language learning tools beyond conventional classrooms, indicating a shift towards integrated and personalized language learning. Furthermore, the study discovered that effective utilization of technology can strengthen vocabulary and communication skills, with various tools like language apps, television channels, smartphones, and computers playing roles in facilitating Second Language Acquisition (SLA). The study recommended ensuring equitable access to technology is essential, necessitating investments in infrastructure and resources. Educators should undergo professional development to integrate technology-enhanced language learning tools effectively. Collaboration among researchers, educators, and developers is pivotal for creating high-quality tools that cater to diverse learner needs. The paper highlights the critical role of technological tools in SLA among young learners, shedding light on how access to and effective use of technology can improve vocabulary and communication skills

Source: KNUST
Investigating the financial management practices in Local authorities: a case study of Afigya Kwabre district Assembly

ABSTRACT The study was conducted in the Afigya Kwabre District Assembly in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to investigate the Financial Management Practices in Local Authorities. The descriptive approach was adopted as a guide for data collection where both primary and secondary sources were used for data collection. The study used a sample size of fifty (50). This included officials of the accounts office including the District Finance Officer, Administrative Head and Assembly Members including the Presiding Member, Revenue Collectors and officers from the administrative office of the Assembly. The study revealed that the major sources of funds to the Assembly are Internally Generated Funds (IGF), Transfers from the Central Government, GoG/Donor and other sources of income. Internally Generated Fund (IGF) was seen to be the major source of funds to the Assembly. Transfer from Central Government is the second most important source of funding to the Assembly. There was a continuous increase in the amount recorded over the years under study. Transfer from Central Government is the second most important source of funding to the Assembly. The Government in ensuring an effective decentralized administration has over the years disbursed funds to the various Assemblies for development. Other sources of funding to the Assembly comprises of the projects set up by the Assembly to generate income. These include; public toilets, refuse dumps and community bole holes. This was the least recorded sources of funding to the Assembly. This is due to the fact that those facilities were not mainly put up to generate profit but to enhance the living standards of the inhabitants. The study recommended that proper internal controls as well as internal audit agency act should be used effectively in managing financial practices in the Assembly and there should be a collaborative system of administration where employees‟ suggestions would be implemented where necessary.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the existence of moral hazard: a case study of insured malaria outpatients at Saint Peter’s Hospital, Jacobu-Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Analyses of health insurance markets over the past several decades have recognized that insurance encourages beneficiaries to consume more health care than they would if they were uninsured. Although advocates for universal coverage and improved access to care may view this increase in utilization as positive, standard economic analysis suggests that this extra consumption could diminish economic welfare and the label for this extra use, moral hazard, reflects this negative connotation (Frick & Chernew, 2008). This study adopted Nyman (1999) proposition to establish that moral hazard could be efficient (welfare improving) in malaria treatment; using pure price (substitution) effect of people consuming more health services when its price is low but not the income effect of people consuming more health services because of insurance. The study used personally administered questionnaires to gather information related to the subject matter whilst using purposive sampling method in selecting insured malaria outpatients at the study area. Specifically, the study used logit regression as the empirical method of estimation under quantitative method. The study revealed that, greater percentage of insured malaria outpatients engage in moral hazard at the study area. However, in the case of malaria treatment, the substitutes for medical care are not effective enough to ensure improved health care for Ghana’s population. Given this, the study has shown that moral hazard in malaria treatment is welfare improving. It is therefore recommended that, NHIA should strengthen sensitization programmes aimed at improving accessibility to medical care with insurance coverage for malaria treatment. Eventually, the rate of morbidity and mortality as a result of ineffective malaria treatment would reduce for both children and adults in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the factors that facilitate easy conflict resolution on construction projects in Ghana (A case study of selected construction projects in the Greater Accra Region)

Construction projects in general require massive inputs of several individuals starting from the constructing team through to the client, with each of them bringing on board their specialist acumen required to bring a project to a successful completion. These individuals come together with different interests yet with a common objective of project accomplishment. As they interconnect and interdepend, interests collide resulting in conflicts posing a nuisance to project delivery, especially when such situations are not well managed. The aim of this research was to identify the factors that facilitate easy conflict resolution concerning construction projects. The study employed quantitative content analysis combined with a cross-sectional survey on construction activities being carried out within La Dade Kotopon, Shai Osudoku and Ningo Prampram districts all in the Greater Accra Region. The empirical part of the research consisted of a self-completion questionnaire distributed online and completed by 51 participants and analysed using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Inaccurate design information and inadequate communication among project team members according to the results are the leading sources of conflict within the areas of study. The findings also made it clear that being acquainted with ADR practices was much better based on efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction than the traditional method of resolving conflict. Respondents also revealed that mediation was the most effective method of dispute resolution. The findings finally revealed openness and fairness, cost and outcomes of the various methods of dispute resolution were the basic factors to consider when it came to the point of selecting a method to resolve disputes.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the firewall security and network performance relationship in a distributed system

This research work investigated the firewall security and performance relationship for distributed systems. Internet connectivity is growing with most enterprises shitting to the use of web based services for services provision. As enterprises take on the Internet as a new business tool whether to sell, to collaborate or to communicate - web applications have become the new weakest link in the organization's security strategy. Firewalls provide a mechanism for protecting these enterprises from the less secure internet over which customers or collaborating partners transfer packets destined for the corporate network. The relation between the security and performance efficiency is presented through different scenarios and the relationship between security and performance in firewalls is evaluated. We modeled networks with and without firewalls and different firewall functionality and simulated such networks with an eye on their performances. The simulation was done for 300 work stations and simulated in a way that all the 300 work stations access a database, ftp, email and web application under three different scenarios. Emphasis is on the relationship between network security and performance; the effects of firewalls on network performance. Various scenarios were evaluated through simulations using OPNET IT Guru Academic Edition 9.1 to show the effects of firewalls on network performance. The result shows that the security is inversely related to network performance. AKCNOWLEDGEMENT I thank the Almighty God for granting me this opportunity and seeing me through the academic work. I also thank my supervisor Dr. Michael Asante for his supervision and technical guidance throughout the study. May God reward him abundantly I also express my profound gratitude to the staff and management of Kpando Mutual Health Insurance Scheme especially the IT department. Last but not the least I would like to thank my brother Samuel Agbenyegah for his insightful, encouragement and dedication to the course of my studies. To my mum Grace Okyerewa Agbenyegah for her support and prayers and to my siblings Christine, Francisca and Richard for their prayers

Source: KNUST
Investigating the impact of foreign direct investment on domestic investment in Ghana

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of Foreign Direct Investment on domestic investment in Ghana. It further investigated the trends of foreign direct investment and domestic investment in Ghana. The study utilized annual time series data of the variables covering the period 1985 to 2017. The study utilized ARDL bounds test. The result showed there exists a long run equilibrium relationship among the variables. In the long run, the study found that foreign direct investment (FDI) has a negative effect on domestic investment. This effect was statistically significant at the 5 percent level. Thus foreign direct investment plays a vital role in determining the amount of domestic investment. From the short run results, foreign direct investment has a negative effect on domestic investment in the short run. This effect was statistically insignificant at the 5 percent level. However, the first and second lag of foreign direct investment had a positive and high significant effect on domestic investment in the short run. Inflation had a positive effect on domestic investment in both long and short run whiles trade openness had a positive effect on domestic investment only in the short run. The study recommends that the way forward for Ghana is to target foreign direct investment into areas where she has a comparative advantage. In general, providing a good business environment, as well as removing bottlenecks and disincentives in the economy, will benefit both domestic and foreign investors and enhance economic growth. Thus, there should be a better policy option for both domestic and foreign investors rather than devising incentive packages for specific firms or projects.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the Impact of Interest Rate on Domestic Private Investment in Ghana

The study investigated the impact of interest rate on private investment in Ghana for the period 1970 to 2015. To achieve these objectives, the study test for stationarity using the ADF test and the ARDL estimation techniques in the analysis. The long run results showed that interest rate positively influenced private investment. GDP was also found to impact positively on private investment while inflation, exchange rate and FDI were found to exhibit negative and significant impact, with public investment and credit to the private sector showing insignificant impacts on private investment. The short run results also revealed that previous values of private investment influenced current investment but positively and negatively as well. Interest rate was found to exert negative impact for current and two year values whilst lag one showed positive impact. Other short run determinants of private investment were exchange rate, inflation, GDP, FDI, public investment, and credit to the private sector. The trend analysis also showed that both private investment and interest rate in Ghana have been unstable over the study period. The results suggested that interest rate must be able to encourage higher private investment. This can be done by increasing the real interest rate on private savings or household savings so that larger amount of income would be saved to accumulate more capital and hence private investment. By this, the higher real interest rate would increase private savings which would also increase capital accumulation and hence private investment.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the integration level of ICT in health care delivery at the Hohoe Municipal Hospital

The purpose of this study is to ‘Investigate the integration level of ICT in healthcare delivery at the Hohoe Municipal Hospital’. A descriptive survey approach was adopted for the study. Questionnaire was used to elicit responses from 150 purposefully selected respondents (60 clinicians and 90 patients) in order to frankly answer four strategic research questions guiding the study. The research questions sought to know the current level of ICT integration into healthcare delivery at the Hohoe Municipal Hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana through identification of the available integrated ICT tools, benefits of integrated ICT into healthcare, the level of competence and preparedness of both clinicians and patients in using technological devices as well as the barriers to the successful integration of ICT into healthcare delivery. The findings revealed that there is a low status of much feasible ICT tools which must be acquired and networked to boost services offered by the hospital in a more detailed and effective manner. Furthermore, lack of policies, human and other material resources to establish and augment effective integration of ICT into healthcare delivery was identified. These generate lack of much knowledge on the relevance of ICT in healthcare to patients and clinicians, complications in treatment as well as the exhibition of negative attitudinal characteristics by some clinicians towards using available technological facilities. The researcher recommends on the findings that, more ICT tools must be acquired and properly networked; if possible, personnel must be employed and trained to be in charge of the facilities and to evaluate their functions. Also, a national policy must be constituted to champion health affairs instead of party politics enshrinements and ICT education must be part of every national curriculum and training services across formal, semi-formal and non-formal educational enterprises. Finally, public institutions must be decentralised rather than depending on the central government for all needs.

Source: KNUST
Investigating the Impact of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cardiometabolic Diseases among Adults in Kumasi, Ghana

Cardiometabolic disease prevalence has been on the rise not only in the developed countries but also in the emerging economies of developing nations. Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity contribute to the increasing prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions, including obesity, and diabetes with perception of body image being suggested to be a predictor of overweight/obesity development. This study assessed the relationship between nutrition and physical activity level on cardiometabolic traits among 302 healthy Asante adults in Kumasi. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban Oforikrom Municipality. Trained field workers administered questionnaires. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected and venous blood samples were taken for biochemical tests. A 3-day repeated 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess dietary intakes. Physical activity was assessed with global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ). Data was entered into Microsoft excel and analysed with SPSS version 25. There were 126 males (41.7%) and 176 females (58.3%) in the study with mean age of 38.17±9.6 years. About 2 in 5 participants were centrally obese while hyperglycaemia prevalence was low (FBG ≥ 7 mmol/l = 1.3%). Metabolic syndrome and high risk of coronary heart disease (coronary risk) were present in 5.3% and 36.1% of study population, respectively. High coronary risk was strongly associated with LDL (r= 0.921, p-value < 0.001), HDL (r = -0.758, p-value < 0.001), and TC (r= 0.892, p-value < 0.001). Binary logistic regression showed that high TG and high LDL had significant effects on increased coronary risk (OR=14.2, 95% CI= 1.3-153.5, p-value= 0.029 and OR= 121.4, 95% CI= 15.4-958.3, p-value< 0.001, respectively). Based on WHO’s physical activity recommendation of 600 MET- minutes/ week, 68.5% of participants were physically active. Mean energy intake for both males and females was below their RDA. Intake of antioxidant micronutrients (zinc, vitamin C and E) were generally low. Fewer participants (44%) were able to correctly perceive their body image. Among obese people, 26% thought they were normal weight and this could account for why 2 in 5 overweight/obese persons did not desire to lose weight. The difference in prevalence of both metabolic syndrome and high coronary risk between participants who correctly perceived their body image and those who did not was not statistically significant. In conclusion, cardiometabolic disease and other CVD risk factors were high among apparently healthy adults in Oforikrom Municipality.

Source: KNUST