ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Bank Loan Portfolio Equilibruim Mix: A Markov Chain Approach

Managing credit risk (loan) has been the priority of almost all Financial Institutions in recent years. The interest lies as to whether the financial institution will be able to meet the demands of their potential clients whereas clients are expected to meet their short term or long term loan obligation. In view of this an optimal loan allocation mix policy from the steady State distribution of loan disbursement process is presented in this study. The objectives of the study are to (i) obtain an optimal loan allocation mix policy (ii) to estimate the transition matrix using time series data on loans. Monthly data on actual loan Disbursement of four loan types for a period of twenty-four months is analyzed. An estimated Transition probability matrix of the movement of one loan type to another is obtained using an optimization technique. It is from this transition probability matrix that the steady state distribution of loan disbursement process is obtained. Opportunity International Savings and Loans in Ghana was used as our case study. Among the loan types offered are Agricultural, Susu, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Salary loans. The estimated transition matrix showed that the probability of loan switching from Agricultural to SME is the highest (0.54) while loan switching from Salary to Agric is the lowest (0.034). Probability of no loan switching for Susu is (0.380), Probability of no loan switching for SME is (0.52), and whiles that of Salary is (0.044). From the estimated probability transition matrix, the steady state distribution indicated that in the long run, SME loan constitutes 52.36% of the total funds allocated for loans. This is followed by Agricultural loan 38.17%, salary loan 4.95% and Susu loan 3.76%, of the total loan amount.

Source: KNUST
Bank specific and macroeconomic determinants of profitability of Ghanaian commercial banks: a panel data approach

The financial health of all banks is determined by its ability to generate adequate profit to keep it in existence. This research brings to light the pivotal role of both internal and external factors impact on the profitability of banks in Ghana. Using 8 (eight) listed Ghanaian banks covering 2009-2018, the Ordinary Least Square regression has been performed to analyze the nexus between the bank-specific and macroeconomic factors and profitability indicators. It is worth noting that this research employs three accounting-based profitability indicators namely ROA, ROE and NIM. From the performance of the Hausman specification test, the fixed effect model is the appropriate model to be used. The findings of this research reveal that asset management, operational efficiency, number of branches and inflation are the key factors that influence the profitability of Ghanaian banks. All iv other factors exhibited an insignificant influence on the profitability of Ghanaian banks, all other things being equal. Also, from the descriptive statistics, it was observed that listed banks are highly geared and that has the tendency of reducing profits.

Source: KNUST
Bank selection criteria of Nigerian residents in Ghana: a case study of traders and students in Kumasi.

Ghana’s banking sector has witnessed an unprecedented increase in size and input into the economy following major banking sector reforms in the late 1990’s. It was enhanced further in the early part of 2000 when universal banking licenses were issued to some local and foreign banks to carry out universal banking operations. Fallout from this development was heightened competition amongst industry players in their bid to capture and control a bigger market share as a precursor to assured profitability. The research was exploratory and made use of structured questionnaires which had both closed and open ended questions, to gather the opinions of Nigerians with regard to their bank selection choices understood. The Nigerian population in Ghana is estimated to be over 1million with about 70,000 of them being students. The nonstudents are mostly engaged in informal sector businesses with significant financial turnovers. The researcher used Kumasi-based Nigerians as a case study to find out factors that influence their bank selection criteria. It was found that; Efficient international money transfer systems, Quick and efficient services and access to loans and overdrafts were the three most influencing factors for traders. Students chose efficient international money transfer systems, efficient Ebanking services and parental influence as three most important factors. It is recommended that, banks that seek to maximize gains from Nigerians doing business in Ghana, should improve on their international money transfer systems since that is very important to these customers.

Source: KNUST
Bank specific determinants of non-performing loans among selected commercial banks in the Kumasi metropolis

The main aim of the study is to identify banks determinants of non-performing loans among selected banks in the Kumasi Metropolis (Prudential Bank, Ecobank, Barclays Bank, Standard Charted Bank and Zenith bank). For the purpose of this study a both purposive and convenient sampling technique was used to select 30 respondents. Responses from the respondents were analyzed using the Predictive Analytical Software (PASW) formerly known as Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding indicated that the high interest rate is the major factor of nonperforming loan factors of selected commercial banks in Kumasi. The study revealed that majority of the workers was in support with the credit assessment and the occurrence of NPL. Simply because; know your customers policy bank leads to a high loan quality and good loan under writing ensures loan performance. Surprisingly, the study discovered that, collateralized loan perform well and helps to protect loan default, at the selected commercial banks in the Kumasi Metropolis. Also few of the workers had the perception that growth in bank size comes growth on NPL and bank great risk appetite is caused for NPL are the reasons for credit size and occurrence of NPL of selected commercial bank in the Kumasi. In sum, Non-performing loans arise as a result of high interest rate of banks, banks great risk appetite, large number of borrowers, poor monitoring/follow up of loans given, the leniency of credit terms, poor risk assessment, and rapidity in growth of loan by banks and poor credit culture/orientation among others. The study recommended that, Banks must initiate or if already in place strengthen their credit or loan policy in order to outline rigorous requirements that have to be met by borrowers before the issuance of loans. Also, Banks must have research department to carry out effective risk assessment in order to give the requisite advice on the issuance of loans to borrowers. Limitations of the study include constrains of time and finance.

Source: KNUST
Banking sector stability and foreign direct investment inflows in Ghana

FDI inflows into developing countries serve as invaluable tool in catapulting developing countries into economic growth. Nonetheless, it is important to note that attracting FDI into a country requires more than just verbal rhetoric but a conscious effort to put in place pragmatic policies and strategies to pull foreign investors from the competitive world of business. Essentially this study has looked how the stability of the banking sector affects FDI inflows into the Ghanaian economy. The study specifically sought to examine the link between banking sector stability measure by three core indicators, namely capital adequacy, ROA, and liquidity and FDI inflows in Ghana. The study employed the quantitative research approach based on the explanatory type of study. The study used secondary data covering a period of 10 years from 2009-2018 which was analyzed with the help of STATA statistical software. The study found that capital adequacy (CA) and liquidity (LIQ) measures of banking sector stability have fairly weak negative relationship with FDI inflows but ROA and FDI inflows are positively related. The study then concludes that even though improvement in ROA of the banking sector leads to increase in FDI inflows that are not the case with capital adequacy and liquidity of the banking sector even though they remain an indispensable part of ensuring an efficient, effective, and robust banking sector. The study therefore recommends that policy makers and key stakeholders develop and implement necessary measures to continually improve the ROA of the sector since banks play a critical role of investment and international transfer transactions for foreign investors. Also, re policy makers should take steps to strengthen the capacity of the sector with regards to its capital adequacy and liquidity indicators since they are indispensable elements in ensuring efficient and robust banking sector which is a major concern for foreign investors.

Source: KNUST
Bank’s efficiency and non-performing loans in commercial banks in ghana

Banks efficiency and non-performing loans are very important for banks operational efficiency, stability and monetary expansion. Banks play an important role in credit payments scheme plus the spread of fiscal policy. The main objective of the study is to investigate banks’ efficiency and non-performing loans of commercial banks in Ghana. Specifically, the study set the following objectives. To find out what bank-specific and macroeconomic factors played in banks’ efficiency and non-performing loans of Ghana’s banking sector. To find out the determinants of banks efficiency in Ghana. To find out the effects of non-performing loans on banks efficiency of commercial banks in Ghana. The data used for the study were obtained from the annual reports of some selected Ghanaian commercial banks from 2010 to 2020. The records for these observations are balanced panel data of 13 banks in the entire span of the study of annual observations for nine years summing up to a total of 143 data observations within the period under study. This research in banks efficiency is very informative and necessary to regulators, policy makers and bank management after the sector has undergone the recent recapitalization. The results exhibited low efficiency of banks, which is a reflection of the high financial and operational costs. Based on the empirical evidence, the study concluded that non-performing loan and capital have negative effect on the efficiency of banks in Ghana. Bank size also has positive and significant effect on bank efficiency. Non-performing loans affect the valuations and profitability of banks. Lending interest rate are usually high in order to compensate for the high risk of borrowing. The study recommended that, management should implement policies and regulations that should provide screening of borrowers to reduce the moral hazard and adverse selection to reduce financial loss. Also, banks in Ghana should desist from aggressive lending to customers as a way of competing for customers to reduce the loan default.

Source: KNUST
Barrier potential of plastics used for packaging water (sachet), to microbial growth and survival

Packaging, the technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use, is gaining growth in the food industry in Ghana. Drinking water, for instance, is packaged in plastic sachet or plastic bottles with Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) being the two kinds of polyethylene plastics used for the packaging of sachet water. This study evaluated the barrier potentials of these polyethylene’s, used in packaging sachet water, to microbial growth and survival. A water packaging company was contracted to package treated water from one source and of same quality into the LDPE and HDPE packaging types. They were stored under three storage conditions (refrigeration, room temperature, and sunlight) for a period of six (6) weeks. It was observed that, pH of the samples decreased insignificantly for both packaging types (p>0.05) at the end of the investigation. For the Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), the Total Plate Count (TPC) in the LDR (low density polyethylene under room temperature storage) increased from log 2.22 cfu/ml to log 2.33 cfu/ml while that for the samples in LDF (low density polyethylene under refrigeration), increased from log 2.22 cfu/ml to log 2.54 cfu/ml. The TPC for samples from the LDS (low density polyethylene under sunlight exposure), decreased from log 2.22 cfu/ml to 1.80 cfu/ml. For the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the TPC for the samples from the HDR (high density polyethylene under room temperature) increased from log 2.22 cfu/ml to log 2.98 cfu/ml whilst a decrease from log 2.22 cfu/ml to log 2.12 cfu/ml was observed in the samples from the HDF (high density polyethylene under refrigeration). For the samples from the HDS (high density polyethylene under sunlight exposure), there was a decrease from log 2.22 cfu/ml to log 0.57 cfu/ml. Generally, it was observed that increase in temperature resulted in significant increase in TPC (p<0.05). Coliforms were not detected in any of the samples investigated. The study revealed that, HDPEs used for packaging sachet water provided better barrier to microbial contaminants than the LDPEs.

Source: KNUST
Barriers and facilitators to healthcare access for people with intellectual disability (PWIDS) in the Ashanti region of Ghana

People with intellectual disabilities are at higher risk of developing preventable diseases due to challenges they encounter in accessing healthcare. Such challenges have led to shorter life expectancy than the general public. The aim of this study was to assess the barriers and facilitators that influence access to healthcare services for People with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This study was qualitative and used purposive sampling to select participants from two Intellectually Disabled Schools namely, Garden City and Life Community and Vocational School in the Asokore Mampong and Oforikrom Districts respectively. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and unstructured observation. Findings showed that specific health needs of PWIDs included chest infections, common cold, sensory challenges and stomach infections among others. Challenges they encountered in accessing health included, among others, high cost of medication and the inability of healthcare providers to communicate effectively with PWIDs. It however emerged that the introduction of sign language in various health training institutions has contributed to positively shaping the attitude of some healthcare providers towards issues of disability and has served as a major factor that has enhanced access to health for PWIDs. The study recommends the need for some of the medications prescribed for PWIDS to be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme. It also recommends continuous training of healthcare providers about issues of disability, especially those with2 intellectual disability as this has the potential to promote the socio-environmental understanding of disability and health care.

Source: KNUST
Baptist International Seminary

The Baptist International Seminary is a theological institution to be financed and built jointly by the Ghana Baptist Convention and the Ghana Baptist Mission. The task at hand is to design a facility that will create the spiritual environment needed for training of pastors, personnel for church administration, etc. This is achieved by studying existing facilities like the Ghana Baptist Seminary and Trinity college. In the study of these two facilities the brief for the scheme was evolved. The layout and the design of the individual facility were based on a design philosophy using elements of the new testament of the Holy Bible and translating them into functional Architecture.

Source: KNUST
Barriers and facilitators to the uptake of Malaria interventions among pregnant women in Yendi Municipality, Ghana

In 2012, the WHO revised its recommendations and now necessitates that in addition to LLINs, at least three doses of SP be given to all pregnant women at each scheduled antenatal care visit (ANC) beginning as early as possible in the second quarter and given at intervals of one month (Amankwah and Anto, 2019). These treatments are inexpensive and costeffective. However, access to and use of these interventions by pregnant women is extremely low. The study therefore sought to ascertain the barriers and facilitators to the uptake of malaria interventions among pregnant women in Yendi Municipality.

Source: KNUST
Barriers and facilitators to the uptake of malaria interventions among pregnant women in Yendi municipality, Ghana

Introduction In 2012, the WHO revised its recommendations and now necessitates that in addition to LLINs, at least three doses of SP be given to all pregnant women at each scheduled antenatal care visit (ANC) beginning as early as possible in the second quarter and given at intervals of one month (Amankwah and Anto, 2019). These treatments are inexpensive and cost-effective. However, access to and use of these interventions by pregnant women is extremely low. The study therefore sought to ascertain the barriers and facilitators to the uptake of malaria interventions among pregnant women in Yendi Municipality. Methodology This was a case study of 394 pregnant women within communities in three sub-districts in Yendi Municipal. Structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions were used to collect data on pregnant women’s socio demographics, knowledge of malaria in pregnancy and its interventions, and the barriers and facilitators to the uptake of these interventions. Thematic presentations were used for manual analysis of qualitative data after tape recording and transcription. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata12. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and associations were assessed using chi-square analysis with 95% confidence intervals. Results A total of 394 pregnant women at 16 weeks or more gestational age were studied. This research has shown that pregnant women are conscious of malaria, but they still lack extensive understanding of the disease. Some barriers could be attributed to supply-side problems and inadequate knowledge about the benefits of the recommended interventions, especially IPTp-SP. There were reports of side effects which affect their perception about the interventions. It was found that mothers participated in the uptake of the interventions because they were fairly knowledgeable about their benefits, especially LLINs. Also, their uptake of IPTp-SP was because SP is part of the ANC routine drugs. Conclusion There is the need for concerted behavioural communication intervention to improve the knowledge of malaria regarding malaria prevention measures, causes and benefits of the uptake of recommended interventions.

Source: KNUST
Barriers to Condom use among the Youth in a Municipal Town in Ghana

Condom-use has been identified as one way to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS but the prevalence of consistent condom-use remains low, especially in West Africa. An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Sunyani Municipality in the Brong-Ahafo to identify barriers to condom-use among young people. The association between study variables were tested and quantified. Two hundred and twenty (220) sexually active individuals aged 15-24 years were interviewed using a questionnaire to elicit information on their sexual history and behaviour, condom-use history and the extent to which certain behavoiurs and experiences impede condom-use in their sexual relationships. Condom-use at last intercourse was reported by only 37.5% of males and 38.9% of females (p<0.832). Age, education and marital status were significantly associated with condom-use (p<0.001, p<0.005, p<0.030). Partner trust, non-availability of condoms, not achieving the desired sexual satisfaction and embarrassment of condom purchase were the main barriers to condom-use. Prevention strategies based on perceived severity or adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS may not be sufficient to induce condom-use. Reproductive health services to young people should emphasize personal vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to encourage condom-use among sexually active young people.

Source: KNUST
Barriers to climate change adaptation: evidence from northeast Ghana in the context of a systematic literature review

International studies (Boko et al., 2007; Lobell, Bänziger, Magorokosho, & Vivek, 2011) suggest that Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change and variability. This vulnerability has been attributed to the continent’s high poverty levels, low adaptive capacity, its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, as well as its limited economic and institutional capacity (Boko et al., 2007). Research suggests that food production and related livelihoods will be disproportionately affected by climate change and variability in sub- Saharan Africa (hereafter, ‘SSA’) (Schlenker & Lobell, 2010). Climate change has even been described as a new security threat for Africa (Brown, Hammill, & Mcleman, 2007). Climatic projections suggest that prolonged and more intense droughts are likely to cause SSA to become drier (Boko et al., 2007; Christensen et al., 2007). Increasing mean annual temperatures will increase evapotranspiration losses resulting in a reduction in soil moisture content. Boko et al. (2007) project that climate change will reduce net crop revenues by 90%by 2100.

Source: KNUST
Barriers to Corporate Customer Adoption of Internet Banking: A Case Study of Barclays Bank Ghana

This study shows the major factors that influence the consumer uptake of Internet Banking (IB) in Ghana; taking Barclays Bank corporate customers as a case study. It identifies security concerns, non-access to internet connectivity; most at times due to poor infrastructure, low internet connectivity speeds, unfavorable website features, complexity of IB websites, cost of Internet Banking service(IB), no free trial of service;, lack of computers, Ghanaian culture value for face to face interaction during transactions and the current legal system not being able to deal with online fraud as major obstacles(barriers) to the adoption of IB by corporate customers in Ghana. Internet banking as a service, apart from saving time reduces the cost of operation for both banks and customers. The review of literature revealed that, with the internet banking service, banks such as Barclays can operate within an expense rate of 15 and 20 percent for retail and business transactions respectively. The same service, when done in the traditional banking way, will have an expense rate of between 50 - 60 percent (Booz et al, 1997). On the part of corporate customers, cost is reduced as well as valuable time saved, as they can sit in the comfort of their offices and do business transactions online. This saves them the cost of traveling miles to the banking hall (transportation or fuel cost) to be served or attended to. It is because of these savings to both banks and their customers that IB attracts such wide research; and the very reason why this study was undertaken. Banks knowing what factors affect the adoption of IB is absolutely priceless information and can be the difference between success and failure.

Source: KNUST