ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The role of Marketing Communications in the sustainability of National Health Insurance in Ghana

Ghana’s health care financing has seen a number of reforms over the years. Many Ghanaians have come to realize that high-quality health is important to human welfare as well as sustained economic and social developments. The emergence of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 was to provide an alternative to the Cash and Carry system and also provision of social health insurance to the poor and other disadvantaged population by enhancing monetary access to quality health services. The sustainability of the NHIS has become a great concern to many residents in Ghana. The study was undertaken to assess the role of Marketing Communications in the Sustainability of National Health Insurance in Ghana with the Sekyere East District office of the NHIS as the case study company. The research sought to assess marketing communication activities being undertaken by the scheme, the level of stakeholder engagement and ultimately the role marketing communication plays in ensuring the NHIS remained sustainable. Questionnaires were dispensed to 19 staff of Sekyere East Office of NHIA and 370 subscribers of the NHIS. SPSS Software and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. It was revealed that the staff thought communicating through advertising was more reliable whereas the subscribers thought word of mouth was more reliable. The results also showed among other things that the NHIS predominantly used public relations and advertisement more than the other forms of marketing communications. Both staff respondents of the NHIS and the subscribers conceded that interaction between the between them was not well enough. The staff and the subscribers agreed that to sustain the scheme, marketing communication activities should be focused on the benefits of the NHIS and what the client stands to gain for being members of the scheme. It is recommended among other things that management should also invest in other marketing communications tools such as personal selling to reinforce the efforts of the public relations and advertisement. Management was also entreated to carefully plan word of mouth communication in a way that will project a positive picture of the scheme. It is also recommended that communications message should put fear or guilt into people in order to reduce incidence of abuse of the scheme in a bid to sustain the scheme.

Source: KNUST
The Role of Masloc in Poverty Alleviation and Micro Financing in the New Juaben Municipality, Eastern Region.

Poverty reduction programme is one of the important programmes undertaken by most governments of developing countries. The result of effective poverty reduction programmes is the elimination of extreme poverty from society. Effective implementation strategies of poverty reduction programmes are critical if a developing country like Ghana wants to move to the middle income status. Problems which normally bedeviled the programme include inadequate training of beneficiaries, lack of supervision during funds disbursement and high default in loan repayment. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the implementation strategies of Ghana’s poverty reduction programme, using the MASLOC programme as a case study. Primary information on the implementation strategies of MASLOC programme was obtained from MASLOC officials and beneficiaries through questionnaire administration and interviews whereas that of the secondary source of data was mainly elicited from the operational manuals of MASLOC and Bank of Ghana. The study revealed that though the MASLOC programme has increased beneficiaries’ household income as well as increased access to social services such as health and education, more has to be done in terms of increasing the loan amount to enable beneficiaries to expand their businesses and also to provide the necessary logistics for the programme to be carried out efficiently and effectively. The study recommended that poverty reduction programmes including MASLOC, should be devoid of politics and should be decentralized.

Source: KNUST
The role of micro-organisms and endogenous pectolytic enzymes in the fementation of cocoa

The cause of sweating of cocoa and the involvement of micro-organisms in the process were investigated. The roles of microbial and non-microbial pectolytic enzymes in the fermentation of cocoa pulp were studied by means of aseptic micro-fermentation methods. Fermentations were carried out on a laboratory scale under sterile and non-sterile (natural) conditions and the sweating rates and yields monitored over the first 12 hr of fermentation. The beans were subsequently assessed for quality after 6 days of fermentation, and drying. Sweating obtained under sterile conditions was attributed to endogenous enzymes. Increased yield and rate of sweating observed under natural conditions, however, suggested that microorganisms played a significant role in the process. In a 12-hr collection under natural conditions, there were increases in yield of the order of 130% over sweating yield under sterile conditions. Enzymological studies under both sterile and natural conditions revealed the presence of two types of pectolytic enrynes in pulp. Pectin Esterase, (P.E.) and Polygalacturonase (P.G.) activities were detected in pulp. Inhibition of P. B. produced a 31.7% reduction in yield of sweatings, suggesting a partial involvement of the enzyme in the process. Changes in viscosity of sweatings, as well as histological Studies of the enzyme’s action on pulp indicated that P.G. is the cause for sweating. Further indications of this were obtained when the addition of different concentrations of “Commercial P.G.” to fermenting cocoa beans produced large increases in sweating rate and yield. Increases in drainage of over 200% adversely affected the quality of the bean, whilst below 150%, they were acceptable. Of several microorganisms isolated from fermenting cocoa beans, A. niger and a Penicillium sp. were found to be strongly peotolytic. When applied to cocoa beans, they produced increases in yield of about 190% and 170% respectively. Two other fungi obtained from the American type Culture Collection produced significant increases in sweating rate and yield when applied to cocoa beans. A. oryzae produced about 60%, G. candidium approximately, 35% increases in yield. Thus, depending on the choice of organism, pectolytic fungi can be employed as starter cultures in the fermentation of cocoa, to give optimum yields of sweatings within the first 12 hours of fermentation.

Source: KNUST
The role of measurement and evaluation in the planning of sales promotion projects. A case study of GGB PLC sales promotions projects.

Sales promotion has progressed over the period with development moving from mass markets, portions to client reliability. This reliable change is expected to move to a time of importance where client fascination, personalization and experience is foremost. The growing managerial importance of sales promotion has generated a great deal of research on how sales promotion and measurements affect profitability. This study generally sought to assess the role of evaluation and measurement in the planning of sales promotion at Guinness Ghana Breweries (GGB) PLC. The specific objectives include to; identify the types of sales promotions used by GGB PLC, examine the current monitoring and evaluation (M & E) practices adopted by GGB PLC in evaluating sales promotions projects, explore the planning process of GGB PLC sales promotions projects, to determine the relevance in developing effective GGB PLC sales promotions projects and examine key measuring metrics of GGB PLC sales promotions. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A sample size of 166 respondents was used to collect the primary data. Data collected was coded and entered into SPSS version 22 for the analyses. The study found that discount promotion strategy, Shelf-price discount sales strategy and sweepstakes sales strategy are the major sales promotion strategy adopted by GGB PLC and that the planning procedures and process were dully followed and it yielded good results. The study further reveals that the process of M&E and sales promotions are very effective. The effectiveness of measurement and evaluation of sales promotion projects were determined by using four metrics: which were identified as the profits of the firm, sales volume of the company, customer satisfaction, and achievement of goals. The study recommends that management of GGB PLC should. fully explore the technology of Social media to entice consumers to the Guinness brand to optimum sales

Source: KNUST
The role of micro financial institutions in financing small and medium enterprises in Ghana

This study seeks to investigate into the roles being played by MFIs in financing the operations of SMEs. The study examined the operations of two MFIs and their beneficiaries. The researcher used questionnaires and interviews and combined both qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect data from 66 respondents. A purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of the MFIs. From the' research it was revealed that during the 2007 fiscal year alone, FASL and GCSL paid over millions of cedis as loans to SMEs. In other to reach out to more customers, additional branches have been opened within the Kumasi Metropolis. The research also revealed that these MFIs have an effective way of recovering loans with an appreciable rate varying between 90.2% - 96.6%. Though this is encouraging, it has been argued that these rates fall below the international standard of measuring micro finance recovery rate which is 98%. This has accounted for the increasingly falling rate of total loan grants. On the impact of MFIs on poverty reduction, it was established that there has been a positive impact with about 85% of those interviewed admitting they are able to access certain facilities that hitherto they found difficult. The income earnings has considerable increased per week as against the standard of measurement set in the GPRS I (2000), which recognises all earners of income less than GH90.00 per annum to be poor. Aside the monetary indicators, respondents are also able to meet some of the social indicators of poverty. These improvements were attainable through the additional services provided by these MFIs. According to the research, aside its lending role, it also act in an advisory capacity teaching clients basic accounting book keeping and sound financial management. This has helped in expanding the operations of SMEs and discovery of auxiliary ventures. Additionally, the frequent visit of field officers and the daily claim of "Susu" have overwhelmingly inculcated in these SMEs the habit of savings. However, respondents expressed discomfort with the sky-rocketing interest rate of about 33%. The research also unearths some of the challenges faced by management of these MFIs. The inability of these MFIs to meet the stipulated standard of 98% recovery rate set by the International micro finance institution has become a problem.

Source: KNUST
The role of microfinance in poverty alleviation: a case study of Offinso Municipality

The Offinso municipality has witnessed two rnicrofinancial institutions in less than one year and more are expected to join. There is a notion that microfinance if properly institutionalized can eradicate poverty, but there are a few papers on how quantitatively microfinance has impacted on poverty and how to sustain it. The objective of the study therefore is the economic impact of microfinance on the poor and how it can be sustained. Primary data through questionnaires were employed. Articles and publications from the internet were the core literatures reviewed. Secondary data from both public and private institutions were used to supplement the study. Poverty was measured on four main variables; namely: income level, education, health and infrastructure. The differences in these variables between the incoming clients and the existing clients of the microfinancial institutions measure the impact of the microcredit. The study has revealed that the active poor are those who access the microcredit. These poor people after accessing the microcredit are not considered poor by both the World Bank and the Ghanaian standards. The microcredit has impacted on the lives of the clients positively. Many clients who have accessed the loan more than 8 cycles have acquired some properties and increased capital. The microfinancial institutions focus mainly on microcredit, one product of microfinance. In spite of this, the interest rates charged by the microfinancial institutions make the scheme financially stable. It is prudent for the microfinancial institutions to introduce more products and market these products. Farmers can be added to the target group as they constitute more than two-thirds of the work force in the municipality.

Source: KNUST
The Role of Microfinance Institutions in Improving the Livelihoods of Women: A Case Study of Selected Communities in the Offinso Municipality and Tafo Sub-Metropolitan Area

Micro-credit has been identified as one of the developmental tools, aimed at reducing poverty by bringing a significant improvement in the lives of the vulnerable groups in our society- specially women who are without assets. The objective of this study was to examine micro-credit in improving the livelihoods of women in the selected communities in the Offinso Municipality and Tafo Sub-Metropolitan Area. A conceptual framework developed by Mayoux (2009), which has been modified for the study, gives, a theoretical explanation on the impact of the savings and credit in the lives of women. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using interview guide, questionnaires and focus group discussion guide. Percentage and frequency tables and graphs, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were the methods used to present the data. A sample of 301 women who had access to micro-credit was covered. The study revealed that access to micro-credit has led to improvement in the women’s living conditions in the area of health care, quality food and improved incomes. Again it was found that women’s social recognition within their household had improved. However, beneficiaries encounter various challenges in accessing and using the fund, in the form of delayed disbursement and interference from family relation, respectively. It is recommended that beneficiaries used the fund for the right purpose.

Source: KNUST
The role of MMDAs in poverty alleviation: A case study of Amansie Central District Assembly

Poverty alleviation is a major problem in developing countries. Poverty simply means complete lack of or reduced access to material, economic, social, political or cultural resources needed to satisfy the basic human needs. The concept of poverty has multiples of definitions depending on the situation one finds himself. Factors such as unemployment, lack of basic social human needs like food, clothing, housing, potable water, quality health care services and acquisition of income to meet these basic necessities of life are the causes of poverty. Several strategies have been adopted to combat this unpleasant and unfortunate situation in the District and in the country as a whole, notwithstanding poverty still exist. Therefore this study seeks to find out the role the MMDAs are playing to alleviate poverty in the study area. The study was guided by the following objectives: determine causes and effects of poverty, assess the nature and practice of decentralization as a policy to alleviate poverty, identify strategies of alleviating poverty and analyse the linkage of decentralization and poverty reduction. The researcher adopted a case study method base on Amansie Central District. Respondents were selected through judgmental sampling technique to collect data and structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents who were judgmentally selected from the communities, District Assembly management staff, Assembly members and CSOs including NGOs. The study revealed that the Assembly pays more attention to the provision of social and economic infrastructure. Little attention was paid to programmes that alleviate poverty such as job creation, human capacity building, engaging in skills training and development and micro credit scheme. Recommendations were made in order to help combat the problems of poverty at the District level.

Source: KNUST
The role of mothers in the prevention of childhood anaemia in the Obuasi Municipality

Anaemia has remained a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children in Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and the role of mothers in the prevention of childhood anaemia in the Obuasi Municipality of Ghana. The information was collected over a period of four months with administration of questionnaires to 150 mothers who attended the Obuasi Government hospital with children 0 — 5 years. A convenience sampling method was used to select mothers who came to the hospital. Children whose mothers were interviewed were observed for the cardinal signs of anaemia (conjunctiva, palm or sole of feet and nail bed). The study showed that the greatest awareness (43.3%) of childhood anaemia was from antenatal clinic, 23.4% through radio or television programmes, 13.3% from friends, 20.0% from relatives and none from school. More than two-thirds of mothers fed their children on high carbohydrate diets and 61.9% who earned below 250,000 per month had their children diagnosed of anaemia two times. About sixty percent attributed the cause of anaemia to poor feeding, 30% to malaria, 5.3% to worm infestation and 2.7% to spiritual causes. The majority of the mothers (85.%) fell within the active population group (27 — 31 years). Mothers’ knowledge on nutrition, sanitation and childcare was inadequate. There was high prevalence of childhood anaemia, which was associated with high incidence of malaria, low socio-economic status and inability to use insecticide treated nets. The study also revealed that most mothers did not know that sickle cell can cause childhood anaemia. It is recommended that formal and informal education of women should be intensified and basic childcare, nutrition and sanitation be taught by schools, clinics and churches. Insecticide treated nets should be made available at affordable price to all while mothers are encouraged to seek prompt treatment for children with malaria. Programmes should be developed for the economic empowerment of women. Finally, further research into childhood anaemia should be undertaken.

Source: KNUST
The role of NGOs in the provision of water and sanitation in Northern Ghana: the case of Pronet in the Nadowli District

Availability of water and good sanitation contributes significantly towards improving human lives and in the development of every country. But central governments have not been able to meet the needs of the citizens due to financial constraints and other competing demands. This has inspired NGOs to assist communities in acquiring such facilities. This research therefore examines the role of ProNet, an NGO with its operational base in Northern Ghana, in providing water and sanitation to the people of Nadowli District. The research made use of both primary and secondary data. One hundred and eighty nine respondents from five communities were interviewed. These respondents were chosen using the simple random and purposive sampling techniques from the communities of Donjang, Sankana, Loho, Gbangko and Goriyiri. Most of the respondents were interviewed individually in Dagaare. Focus Group Discussions were conducted in two communities. The SPSS version 16 software and the descriptive methods of data analysis were used. Some findings of the research include; the water and sanitation coverage is 67.1% and 11.1% respectively in the Nadowli District: ProNet activities have spread throughout the District especially to the remotest areas: Education in the study area has improved due to the fact that pupils are now able to go to school regularly, early and on time. This has improved their living standards. Cemeteries have been created outside the communities instead of burying corpses within the communities and monthly clean up exercises are held to keep the communities clean. The study recommends that there should be effective monitoring and evaluation of the facilities provided by the District Water and Sanitation Teams.The conclusion drawn from the analysis was that Pronet’s activities in water and sanitation in the Nadowli District has gone a long way to improve the lives of the people. This research therefore, argues that NGOs have made a major contribution to the provision of water and sanitation in the rural Ghana.

Source: KNUST
The Role of Motivation on Employee Performance in the Public Sector: A Case Study of the University for Development Studies- Wa Campus

Motivation is crucial for organizations to function; without motivation employees will not put up their best and the company‟s performance would be less efficient. The situation is even more serious in developing countries where working conditions are unattractive. It is in view of this that this study was conducted to assess the role of motivation on employee performance in the public sector: a case study of the University for Development Studies-WA Campus. The case-study approach was adopted for the study with both qualitative and quantitative techniques such as stratified sampling and accidental sampling techniques were employed. Key informant interviews and questionnaires were the methods of data collection for the study and SPSS software was used toanalyse data collected from the field. The study found that, motivation packages for the staff of UDS Wa Campus were inadequate. This was evident in the non-availability of residential accommodation and transport for staff. Though senior members enjoy professional allowance, book and research allowance, off-campus allowance and entertainment allowance they complain they were insufficient. Free medical care was the only motivation for senior and junior staff. Monetary rewards and a conducive-working environment were the preferred form of motivation for workers. The effects of poor motivation on work performance on the campus were absenteeism, low output and high labour turnover. The study therefore, recommends that management should liaise with GETFUND to build residential accommodation for staff and end of year awards to motivate staffs.

Source: KNUST