ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Sustainable procurement practices and organisational performance: the role of top management commitment

This research undertakes an empirical investigation of the relationships between sustainable procurement practices, organizational performance, and the moderating role of top management commitment within the ghanaian manufacturing context. The background highlights the potential for sustainable procurement to generate cost savings, efficiencies, and reputation benefits for firms. However, existing literature exhibits inconclusive empirical evidence and theoretical gaps regarding these relationships, underscoring the need for further research. Adopting quantitative methodology, this study surveys 150 manufacturing firms in greater accra to assess the research objectives. These include identifying prevalent sustainable procurement practices, examining their impact on organizational performance, evaluating the effect of top management commitment, and analysing its moderating role. Probability sampling ensures representative data for analysis using statistical tools. The literature review synthesizes concepts central to the research - sustainable procurement, organizational performance, and top management commitment. The study intends to contribute original empirical evidence from an under-researched context, addressing literature gaps. Its results can enhance theoretical understanding of mechanisms linking sustainable procurement, leadership commitment, and performance. Additionally, the findings will provide practical implications for supply chain managers in implementing sustainability strategies tied to organizational objectives. From a policy lens, the research aims to inform regulations that actively promote sustainable practices for competitive advantage and environmental stewardship.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable public procurement in Ghana: an exploratory study

The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of sustainable procurement practices on the market, environmental, and financial performance of public institutions in Ghana. The study utilizes data gathered from informed sources within the public sector procurement landscape. Quantitative methodologies, including correlation and partial least square structural equation modelling, are employed to assess the statistical link between various factors under scrutiny and organizational performance. The t-statistical testing approach is employed to test the hypotheses put forward in the study. The outcomes of the empirical analysis verify three (3) of the nine (9) hypotheses proposed. The study's results indicate that embracing environmentally sustainable procurement practices has a positive impact on the market, financial, and environmental performance of public agencies. The desire to achieve balance among different performance indicators suggests that environmental spp can improve the performance of public institutions in Ghana. In addition, economic sustainable procurement practices have a noteworthy effect on the environmental and financial performance of public institutions. However, economic spp has a negligible impact on the market of public institutions. Based on these outcomes, it can be inferred that sustainable procurement practices offer advantages not only to organizations but also to the environment and society. Therefore, it is advisable for organizations to adopt sustainable procurement practices to boost their performance and make a positive contribution to a sustainable future.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable Procurement Practices in the Road Sector of Ghana

In most developing countries such as Ghana, there are no clear cut policies for sustainable procurement in the road sector. Consequently, implementation measures of sustainable procurement in this sector are very difficult. The aim of the current research was to investigate into sustainable procurement (SP) practices in the road sector of Ghana. Using questionnaire survey, 32 construction professionals working in the road sector were purposively selected from the Ministry of Roads and Highways in the Kumasi Metropolis. They included Quantity surveyors, Civil Engineers and Materials Engineers. The questionnaire among other things drew information about the existing SP practices in the road sector. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) software package version 16. The results revealed that inadequate funding; deficient staff strength, logistics limitations and political interference are some of the key challenges to sustainable procurement practices in the road sector of Ghana. Consequently redesigning of the public procurement policy objectives and procedures to incorporate SP practices by the Government was recommended.

Source: KNUST
“Sustainable timber production in the forest reserves in Ghana: a bio-economic resource modeling approach”

The rate of degradation of the forests of Ghana has been a major concern since the British Colonial times. This has therefore called for a detailed study that will lead to an institution of appropriate management policies to arrest the situation. The study was therefore directed towards determination of appropriate growth and harvest models that will guide forests conservators to institute appropriate management policies to curb over exploitation of the forests. The Diameter class projection method which has a basic concept of classifying the stand table of free numbers into diameter classes was used. This diameter class projection model is most conveniently represented using matrix algebra formulation. The change in the stand table is calculated over an interval of 5-10 years using periodic increment data. The revised stand table is then used as the starting point to repeat the calculations. Some of the major findings were that, all trees on the selected forest reserves may have an annual average growth in diameter between 0.215 cm and 0.239 cm. It was also found that, a maximum allowable cut of about 38 trees of species 212 from fun forest reserve within every five years, 250 tree from furi forest reserve for every period of five years and 137 trees from wawahi forest reserve within the same number of years into the Timber Industry for internal use is possible. Stable states were attained after twenty-two periods, twenty-one periods and twenty-six periods respectively for species 212, fin finest reserve and wawahi forest reserve. It could therefore be stated that, although reservation of the forest is crucial for sustainability, it is not economically beneficial to reserve the forests to attain their stable states before they are made available for harvesting. Rather, there must be a certain maximum allowable cut that should not exceed the calculated proportion to be harvested within every one step period.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable procurement practice in Ghana: the perspective of the banking sector

The research work explored how environmental and social considerations are factored in sustainable procurement practice in the banking sector of Ghana. There are some short falls in implemented procurement policies and framework of banks in Ghana and these had made it difficult for most banks to practice sustainability. However, meeting the needs of an outfit for goods, services and infrastructure, value for money, quality life style and protection of the environment is one of the benefits of sustainable procurement. Questionnaires and interviews were used and the questions included close-ended questions ranked on Likert scale rating. A multi-purpose sampling technique was adopted that is stratified and purposive research methods; which were used to determine seven banks for this study. Out of twenty-eight questionnaires administered, sixteen was received and was analysed quantitatively. The data was transformed using descriptive analysis to determine the mean and frequencies distributions with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16) and Microsoft excel 2007. Even though some banks initiated corporate social responsibility, it was discovered that few practitioners have knowledge in sustainable procurement. The most rated factors under the categories of environmental and social considerations were organization should have a policy to check the performance of stakeholders, specified a disposal method and collective bargaining of suppliers, health and safety management system respectively. Some challenges most encounted in the implementation of sustainable procurement were competitive priority and cost. The study recommended that environmental and social considerations should be factored in the procurement practice of the banking sector and a strategic concern of managers. Corresponding training and documents should be readily available to stakeholders.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices And Sustainability Performance: The Role Of Supply Chain Resilience And Dynamic Capabilities

This study explores the role of supply chain resilience and dynamic capabilities in the relationship between sustainable supply chain management practices, sustainability, and firm performance. A survey research design is used to collect primary data from 200 manufacturing organizations operating in the Greater Accra region. The study uses a quantitative research approach to develop and test hypotheses. The results suggest that dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between sustainable supply chain management practices and sustainability performance. The study also revealed no moderating effect of supply chain resilience. Therefore, businesses should prioritize the development of dynamic capabilities to enhance their ability to pursue sustainable practices and respond to challenges. Although no significant moderating effect of supply chain resilience is found, businesses should still prioritize assessing and monitoring their supply chain resilience to ensure sustainability performance. The study highlights the importance of sustainable supply chain management practices in creating a sustainable supply chain that leads to positive sustainability performance. Overall, the study's findings provide valuable recommendations for managers to prioritize sustainability practices and enhance their sustainability performance.

Source: KNUST
Sustainable supply chain management for Cocoa in Ghana

Among development priorities, the Government of Ghana is very committed to securing the sustainability of the cocoa supply chain due to its important role in Ghana’s economy. Yet, Ghana must confront serious challenges regarding the maintenance of future sustainability of the cocoa value chain. This study assesses the management of sustainability in the cocoa chain in Ghana. Among other things, the study sought to: map the flow process of cocoa in the domestic chain in Ghana; identify the risks within each stage that impact on goals of sustainability; establish the relationship that exists between engagement in sustainable practices and the performance of players in the chain and to find out whether supply chain improvement programmes play any moderating role in the linkage between sustainable practices and the performance of players in the chain. To this end, a mixed method approach was employed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Results of the quantitative method indicate differences in sustainability practices among key players. Specifically, it is observed that farmers are highly involved in economic initiatives than environmental and social and for the Cocoa Marketing Companies (CMC) efforts are invested in internal operations specifically those that border on social and economic sustainability. The qualitative results also reveal that the cocoa chain is exposed to enormous risks. These risks revolve around the following: farm level risks which include stock-out, spoilage, environmental, pest infestations, shrinkage, theft and loss of cocoa land; Purchasing Clerks (PCs’) risks include weight loss of cocoa beans, theft, unpaid credit, environmental and pest infestations; License Buying Companies (LBCs’) risks include poor quality supply, stock-out, contractual, technical, commercial, reputational, employee turnover, performance, environmental, shrinkage, spoilage, theft, pest infestations, smuggling, robbery/theft, short-landed, outsourcing, accident and spoilage; and the CMC risks include shortages, add-mixture, spoilage, health, over-supply, theft/robbery and smuggling of cocoa. This study contributes to the literature on Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) by demonstrating that SSCM relates positively with the competitive performance of actors and that Supply Chain Management (SCM) Investments moderate the linkage between SSCM and the performance of actors. Furthermore, by adopting a system-wide analysis that reveals the inherent risks in the chain and with emphasis on the Supply Chain (SC) phases for which existing literature is limited, this study makes a significant contribution to the field/discipline.

Source: KNUST
Sustaining an Effective Marketing Approach in the Micro-Insurance Sector of Ghana: A Case of Unique Life Assurance Company Ltd

This Study investigates the reasons for which most Informal Sector workers of Ghana’s initially sign on to micro-insurance products but are unable to continue payment of premiums till maturity, retirement or till the events insured against actually do occur and how this phenomenon is negating against calls for more of the target market to get insured. The study focused on policyholders of insurance companies offering micro-insurance products to the Informal Sector segment of Ghana. A questionnaire was employed to collect data from micro-insurance policyholders of Unique Life Assurance Company Ltd (ULife). A sample of 60 policyholders was taken and 50 useable ones were analysed. The study was to establish the fact that policyholders are unable to continue paying premiums because of eviction resulting in market relocation and PIA’s abandoning them, use of appropriate delivery channels and measures to arrest the high rate of traders and artisans’ inability to continue with the policy as a result. The results also indicated that the insurance awareness level in the target market is not enough hence the general perception that insurance Companies are only there to swindle traders.In an attempt at improving the performance of the micro-insurance sector through increasing knowledge in marketing of its products, the study suggests that insurers should not rely only on direct sales executives or PIA’s but complement this with the involvement of various local cooperative union executives and market queens in collecting premiums and in claims payment as well to reinforce the existing distribution channels and sale of micro-insurance products to the vulnerable poor. The associated prospects and challenges of rolling out micro-insurance products were also brought to the fore which revealed the perceived risks, benefits and criticisms of this micro-insurance concept.

Source: KNUST
Sustaining the improved family planning services in Bosomtwe District; the enabling factors.

In many Africa countries and for that matter Ghana, the use of family planning services remain a challenge to many women. Most districts in Ghana still have acceptor rate for family planning far below the national target of 28%. However, some districts have had an acceptor rate above the national target, for which the Bosomtwe District is one, with acceptor rate of 49.3%. But the Bosomtwe District family planning acceptor rate has not translated into reduction in fertility rate, control of population growth; reduce maternal mortality and quality health care for mothers and children as it has been Ghana’s expectation for accepting family planning services. The main issues then are; how can the high family planning acceptor rate of 49.3% be sustained in the district? How can this acceptor rate in the Bosomtwe translate into reduction in fertility rate, reduction in population growth, reduce maternal mortality, and promote quality health care for mothers and family in the district? In this regard the study sought to determine the knowledge of couple and individuals on family planning methods in the Bosomtwe District, assess the extent to which the socio-economic characteristics of couple and individuals influence their decisions on the use of family planning methods, identify ways of sustaining the current acceptor rate of family planning in the district, and suggest ways to ensure that increase utilization of family planning services lead to small family size. The researcher hypothesizes that: Women’s education, women employment Status, marital status, religious background, ethnicity and place of residence influence the use of family planning services and methods in the Bosomtwe District. Sample size of 394 respondents was selected using simple random sampling technique. The Chi-square was used to test the hypothesis. The study revealed that 92.4% of women in the Bosomtwe District had knowledge on family planning services. It was also established that some family planning methods used by women included female condoms, Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP), Depo-Provera, sponge, vaginal contraceptive films, contraceptive foam, transdermal-contraceptives and many others. The study further discovered that 66.7% of women use family planning for birth control and child spacing. The study found that the current Acceptor Rate of family planning service in the district could be sustained if there is education on the importance of family planning and free and affordable family planning services for women and education on the need for birth control, child spacing, the importance of family planning for mother’s health, free and affordable family planning services.

Source: KNUST
Sustaining the NHIS- the case of non- renewal of membership with Berekum district health insurance scheme

Background: It has been estimated that millions of people are faced with problem of financing health care globally. Further the cash and carry system was also an obstacle for many people to access healthcare in most developing countries like Ghana. As a result of this, health insurance has been adopted as an alternative way of financing health care in order to increase access to health care by most developing countries. In 2004, Berekum District NHIS registered 69,000 people in the district representing 70% of the total population. Since then the scheme has not been able to maintain its membership as some members drop out of the scheme every year. Therefore, the research sort to find out why people are not renewing their membership with the scheme. Hence the topic for this study is ‘Sustaining the NHIS- The case of non-renewal of membership with the scheme. Methods: A cross sectional study design was used and the study subjects were adults aged 18 years and above in the district, who were members of the Berekum District Health Insurance Scheme in 2007 and did not renew their membership in 2008. The study subjects were electronically selected randomly and records about them, retrieved from the insurance enrolment database were used, to trace the study subjects to their residence where the interview guides were administered onto them. A descriptive analysis was done. Results: Majority of respondents mentioned scheme management related reasons such as high premium, large family size, unfavourable timing for premium collection, no immediate benefit for non-renewal. In addition lack of community involvement in fixing premium was mentioned. Further issues relating to quality of healthcare receive from service providers were also mentioned as reasons for non-renewal of membership such as delay of insured clients at health facility, fewer and non-availability of insured drugs at facility. Most respondents were also identified to have poor understanding of health insurance concept. Conclusion: With reference to the above findings there is need for strong collaborative effort between the stakeholders of the District health insurance scheme to put in place strategic interventions along side with the recommendations of this report to ensure that, the citizens of the district if not all would enroll onto the scheme. Hence, the success of the scheme.

Source: KNUST
Swelling characteristics of conventional and organic preservative-treated porous tropical utility hardwood [ceiba pentandra (l.) gaertn.]

Overexploitation of endangered timbers necessitates utilization of chemically treated nondurable species. Ceiba pentandra is porous, dimensionally stable in dry service conditions, and has regular export of treated products. Swelling characteristics of treated woods are hardly studied. This work provides a scientific bridge to this gap. Influence of Maneb/Lambda mixture and Erythrophleum suaveolens bark extract on the swelling of C. pentandra was investigated by water immersion for 24 h. Directional swelling was greatest tangentially (1.4–2.5 times greater than radial swelling) and least along longitudinal directions (90–360 times less than tangential surfaces) depending on solvent type. Untreated stakes soaked in the three solvents swelled more than treated stakes in water. Tangential swelling was greater for untreated stakes in E. suaveolens (9.20 § 0.02%) and Maneb/Lambda (9.32 § 0.02%) than in water (8.10 § 0.01%); the contrary occurred for longitudinal and radial swellings. Maneb/Lambda-treated stakes swelled more tangentially in water (7.36 § 0.13%) but less at radial directions (2.89 § 0.01%) than those treated with E. suaveolens (7.10 § 0.00% and 3.28 § 0.02%, respectively). Volumetric swelling was greater for untreated stakes in all solvents (12.66 § 0.60% in water/14.74 § 0.66% in Maneb/Lambda) than for Maneb/Lambda- and E. suaveolens-treated stakes in water (10.51 § 0.14% and 10.62 § 0.02% respectively). Thus, preservative-chemicals would protect nondurable timbers against biodeterioration with the added advantage of reducing moisture-absorption capacity of engineered products in service conditions.

Source: KNUST
Symbol of unity: a commemorative ceramic mural for the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement

Commemorative objects serve as a Memorial to someone or something. It is logical therefore that only the most important persons or events are remembered for what they are. It is important in this light that a ceramic mural ought to be made to commemorate the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned movement.. The choice of material is unique-clay. Clay is the most durable and indestructible material when fired and can stand all times and tide without losing the original shape it was given. The theme is unity. Unity is desired by all mankind for peaceful co-existence. The symbol of unity portrays the aspiration of the organisation of the Non-Aligned Movement and the individual member countries. Since culture is dynamic, Ghanaian cultural symbols have been incorporated in the design of the mural with the intention of promoting and preserving our cultural heritage. The international touch of the mural is found in the representation of the globe and the doves. This mural is a state treasure to be kept for posterity. Future generations must all know that once upon a time, the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in Accra, Ghana from 2nd to 7th September 1991, a story to be told by the commemorative mural - the desirable aim of this project. The project research was conducted through library studies, reading and culling of publications, personal interviews, and actual practical work including experiments. The extensive use of photographs and illustrations are 1tnded to educate both the ceramic artist and non-ceramic artist who may wish to take up similar projects on the actual skills involved in the execution of the ceramic murals.

Source: KNUST